The Guide Is Fixing His Regrets

“If Kang Tae-woo Esper moves to Canada, we will guarantee the best treatment. We can provide one residence per state, pay more than Korea, and assign a minimum gate requirement so he would only be dispatched if an S-Class gate is opened.”

At the last words of the association’s president, So-Won’s ears perked up.

‘He will only dispatch Tae-Woo when an S-class gate opens?’

Tae-Woo was dispatched to the gate more often than others. The number of times was so frequent that even So-Won, who knew nothing about the gate assignment dispatch, found it weird. Not long ago, they even called Tae-Woo to the D-class gate.

Tae-Woo’s condition is slowly healing because he has been sick for too long, but it can also be because he is frequently dispatched to gates.

While other Espers are called to the gate once or twice a month, Tae-Woo is called out almost every week. And it was the same even when Tae-Woo was not in good condition. Every time, Tae-woo was forced to fight monsters using his ability.

“Canada currently has 45 S-class Esper, 32 of whom are staying there. Even if the S-class gate opens, many Esper can participate and clear it safely. As Esper Kang Tae-woo knows, more than 10 S-class people again participated in the gate attack this time.”

It was unknown to So-Won, but it seemed true because Tae-woo was nodding from the side.

45 S-rated Esper. The number was not strange at all in the area of Canada, which is about 100 times larger than Korea. However, So-Won has lived only in Korea all his life, so the number was not well estimated due to the narrow view. However, one thing is certain. It means that Tae-woo has less chance to face the danger alone.

“I know that the perception of Kang Tae-woo, especially in Korea, is not good. We don’t understand why Koreans are being rude to Esper Kang Tae-woo. I’m sure you’ve felt it while living in Canada, but we don’t.”

The association president spoke seriously. When he saw Tae-Woo and the veins on Tae-Woo’s neck and the back of his hands, he continued to talk without any signs of fear.

“In Canada, public awareness of Esper is very good. If Kang Tae-woo Esper comes to Canada, the nation will welcome him.”

He was ostracized by the general public and the same Esper in Korea. The president of the association also said it as if he knew it.

Tae-Woo ‘s handling was too much. He was called a monster, and no one treated him like a human. He had a bomb installed around his neck, so even though he is alive, he is constantly in danger.

But if it’s Canada.

Now that the veins on his face have faded a lot, wouldn’t it be a little different in a distant country where no one knows about him in detail?

“In Canada….”

So-Won was tempted, and the association president began to talk about welfare and benefits one after another. Salary, living, support, etc., have been said for a long time, but there is no sign of an end. However, none of the advantages of the association president were so important. So-Won was distracted and tried to focus on his words.

“Canada prides itself on being a country that prioritizes the welfare of Espers and Guides. In addition to this, we can give you more benefits.”

The association president smiled satisfactorily as if he had told him almost everything now. It was a lengthy explanation that lasted an hour, but it was not boring at all.

And So-Won’s ears couldn’t help but perk up. Even if the association staff did not recommend immigration and told them not to accept it, but….

“Wow…”

His heart was tempted.

Of course, Korea didn’t have only bad things. Until eight years later, no S-class gate was opened in Korea. Most of the gates in Korea were low-grade, so Korea was known as a safe and livable country. People praised the association for its good foundation, but it was only an accidental overlap between the narrow land and the flat position. And that was really the only thing.

Rather than boosting motivation with benefits, Korea has moved its Esper and Guide through a mandatory system that must be followed by force. There was no such thing as a mobile accommodation considering dispatch to a distant area like Canada, and the guide waiting room was simply a renovated hospital room at the center. Even when So-Won followed Tae-Woo to the gate, people worked on the hot asphalt in poor conditions.

So-Won glanced at Tae-Woo, who had been sitting still, listening to the association president without any reaction on his face since earlier. He glanced at So-Won when he noticed his staring.

So-Won whispered to Tae-Woo.

“Tae-Woo, what do you think?”

“I will do whatever So-Won wants.”

As Tae-Woo left the choice to So-Won, So-Won fell into deeper consideration.

Moving to Canada wouldn’t be bad for Tae-Woo, but it wasn’t a very good offer for So-Won. He couldn’t speak the language, and his parents lived in Korea. Of course, he could study abroad, but he never thought of living overseas. If he could convince his parents well, he could bring them to Canada.

“Well…”

So-Won could not easily decide. As So-Won struggled for a long time, the association president continued confidently. “Also, I heard Esper Kang Tae-woo had a hard time without a guide for a long time, so we will help you find an assistant guide.”

So-Won paused.

Come to think of it, a few days ago, the guide informed So-Won that it was common to have several guides in foreign countries. However, it is not applicable to all Esper, and it is mainly said that high-grade Esper has more than one guide.

In an extreme example, a blonde woman, an S-class Esper, whom So-Won met in Canada, also had more than ten guides. But in a way, it was a matter of course. The guide is like Esper’s lifeline, and without it, Esper is just a monster outside the gate who doesn’t know when it will explode.

“I am…”

So-Won, who was hesitant to answer, slowly opened his mouth.

“Can I think about it a little more and give you an answer?”

“Yes, of course!”

The association president nodded gladly. Perhaps he thought that So-Won was almost convinced and showed an indescribable joy in his expression. A Canadian employee next to him even handed me a booklet. Looking at the explanation in Korean, So-Won’s face became slightly darker.

When they came out of the meeting room, the guide in front welcomed So-Won, saying, “Did you talk well?”

“Canada is a good place.”

“No other country has better treatment of Esper and guides than here,”

Etc. As he headed to the room, the guide kept saying something, but So-Won did not listen.

So-Won could not look at Tae-Woo ‘s face until they arrived at the room.

So-Won looked out of the window. There were some clouds, but the sunlight was bright and warm. The wind seemed calm when he saw the branches not shaking. So-Won, who was looking down without moving, asked Tae-Woo .”Tae-Woo, do you want to take a walk?”

When he turned his head, his eyes met Tae-woo, who looked at him continuously. So-Won didn’t know when he had been looking at him. So-Won pretended to look out the window again and avoided eye contact.

“There’s a lake near here.”

“Alright.”

Tae-Woo nodded. So-Won no longer spoke but went out with his overcoat firmly wrapped up. Before leaving the room, So-Won glanced at the booklet on the table and moved quietly.

“This way.”

So-Won, who came out of the accommodation with Tae-Woo, guided Tae-Woo to the place he had seen.

He found a narrow walkway as So-Won headed to the back of the building. While Tae-Woo was away at the gate, he was walking around with the guide and found this place.

Originally, it was a lonely lake located deep in the forest where no one visited. It was a place that hikers could not reach, but a walk was made in consideration of guides and Esper who would stay here for a while in Canada. Perhaps that’s why the path to the lake was small but pretty and clean.

So-Won walked that path with Tae-Woo. Because of the narrow way, their arms keep brushing and bumping. Tae-Woo could have avoided it, but he let it happen.

Walking silently, the two soon arrived at the lake. The emerald lake, located deep in the forest, was transparent and clean because it was not reachable by humans. The unpolluted air was spotless and fresh. The trees grew high among themselves, but they looked different from Korea, so a mysterious atmosphere existed.

It was quiet. There was no one by the lake. Only an empty bench lay along the lake. It was so quiet that there was a chilly atmosphere, but it was a good place for the two to talk calmly.