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Chapter 43
Baek Ihyeon set down the pointer. He lifted his wrist and operated his watch. A translucent panel unfolded smoothly into the air, and Baek Ihyeon’s fingers moved swiftly across it.
As his commands were transmitted to each person’s watch, vibrations and alert tones rang out from every direction.
Baek Ihyeon was not someone who typically delivered detailed instructions—he usually left decisions to the discretion of his commanders. But today, it was as if he intended to control every aspect of the situation perfectly.
It wasn’t that he didn’t trust his subordinates. Rather, he likely wanted to eliminate even a moment of hesitation if he were to die. In fact, every instruction he was giving pointed toward a swift retreat.
Watching the staff officers, suppressed beneath Baek Ihyeon’s cold expression and unable to speak as they stared helplessly at one another, Kim Dowoon felt he could no longer remain silent.
Seol Ayeon’s idea was certainly impressive. They could truly capture the Phantom. But it didn’t have to be their battalion that did it.
Just as he was about to speak, Baek Ihyeon lifted his head and looked directly at him.
“If I give the signal to attack, Second Lieutenant Kim Dowoon is to immediately fall back to the rear and secure safety.”
Kim Dowoon was speechless. More than being surprised that Baek Ihyeon cared for him this much, this wasn’t the moment for such words.
He opened his mouth again, but someone else spoke first from among the gathered officers. It was the commander of the 1st Combat Company.
“Battalion Commander, perhaps we should place more personnel at the site to reinforce safety. Our 1st Company and our direct platoon will respond to the Phantom.”
“This is not a battle of numbers. For safety, we maintain the current deployment.”
“But that deployment doesn’t include you, sir.”
“We proceed as planned.”
“Battalion Commander—”
“Adding more personnel to the tracks will help lure the Phantom.”
“The site is far too dangerous—”
“Are you disobeying orders?”
The company commander’s expression hardened. His sharply defined jaw tensed, tendons rising along his neck, but he voiced no further objections.
Instead, the direct platoon leader, Im Eunha—who had remained silent until now—finally spoke.
“If we aren’t the ones making the first attack on the Phantom anyway, how about arranging the formation not to encircle the Phantom but to protect the Battalion Commander?”
“If we group together, everyone becomes a target. Beyond reassuring the troops emotionally, what strategic meaning does that have?”
Kim Dowoon understood Baek Ihyeon’s rigid stance. His chosen formation was the best option at the moment. If successful, they would capture the Phantom. If they failed, only Baek Ihyeon would die and it would end there.
Of course, Baek Ihyeon was an extraordinary asset—but only in the context of war. If capturing the Phantom could end this cursed war once and for all, his death was a risk worth taking. But…
“Everyone knows what you all think of me.”
As always, Baek Ihyeon issued flawless commands with an expression completely unfazed. Kim Dowoon could only stare at him.
It was hard to imagine the battalion without him. Only then did Kim Dowoon realize how long they had been fighting side by side.
“You’re all losing your senses. Set aside your emotions. We’re not here to build friendships. Don’t you want to return home safely?”
Baek Ihyeon spoke firmly.
“That’s all. Take your positions.”
“Um…”
A voice suddenly came from right beside him, making Kim Dowoon stiffen in surprise.
At some point, Seol Ayeon had come to stand right next to him. Because she squeezed in among the staff officers, her shoulder brushed dangerously close to his uniform.
Seol Ayeon raised her hand slightly and addressed Baek Ihyeon.
“Um, if you die, Battalion Commander Baek Ihyeon… what happens then?”
“Authority is automatically transferred to the acting officer. The operations officer will take command.”
“Will all of us be able to retreat safely?”
“That’s difficult to guarantee. Even when simply dividing into two groups for retreat, we cannot ensure everyone’s survival. That’s why we’re taking the risk and attempting capture.”
“And you would have the lowest survival probability. Since you’re taking on the greatest risk here.”
“What is the intent behind your question?”
“Use me.”
Kim Dowoon stared blankly at Seol Ayeon. He couldn’t understand what this slender junior of his was saying.
The staff officers showed similar bewilderment. Baek Ihyeon simply watched her, silent, as if considering her words—or perhaps unable to respond at all.
Then a faint, wavering voice broke the silence.
“His Majesty the Emperor’s approval is required.”
It was the master sergeant, who had been standing behind Baek Ihyeon’s left side the whole time. With wrinkled hands politely folded, his voice trembled with age yet his eyes were keen.
“Seol Ayeon is an Outsider. Deploying an Outsider into an operation without authorization will cause problems later. Especially Ho-yeon will not remain silent.”
“We received autonomy.”
Baek Ihyeon spoke. Someone gasped. But he wasn’t the only one shocked—everyone in the command control room looked at Baek Ihyeon in disbelief.
“In exchange for managing Seol Ayeon, His Majesty granted us autonomy. Therefore, there are no restrictions. However…”
Baek Ihyeon turned to Seol Ayeon.
“Has your S-class manifested? You appear no different externally, so I ask.”
“I—I honestly don’t know.”
“If it had manifested, you would know. Then have you awakened as a Harmonizer?”
“I feel the same as always.”
“Then how exactly would you be of help?”
“The status window.”
Ah. Kim Dowoon involuntarily sucked in a breath. Seol Ayeon continued.
“The way you use it, Battalion Commander. You swing Outsiders around like bait. I can swing my own life as bait to wield the status window. As long as the premise is firm that my survival is inseparably tied to the battalion’s survival, the status window will protect the entire battalion for my sake.”
Her voice held strength.
“But this only works on the premise that we move together.”
Kim Dowoon understood now. Seol Ayeon couldn’t fall back. The higher her survival chances, the lower the likelihood the status window would activate.
She had to remain at the forefront, taking the greatest risks, for the status window to function frequently. In that case, staying with Baek Ihyeon was the surest path.
“It’ll be easier to make use of the status window if I accompany you.”
Finishing her words, Seol Ayeon looked directly at Baek Ihyeon.
Her gaze—unfazed by danger, free of arrogance, calm and straightforward—was unfamiliar yet strangely familiar to Kim Dowoon. Because he had seen it up close many times.
Seol Ayeon resembled Baek Ihyeon.
What if someone like her awakened as a Harmonizer? Within three days at most, S-class would manifest. Then she wouldn’t have to rely on the status window anymore—she would gain real power. If that happened…
Kim Dowoon looked up at her, holding his breath. He couldn’t look away. He was afraid.
Since leaving home, he had met countless people and lost countless others. The emotional toll exhausted him, and he hated how easily he was swayed by personal bonds.
The cheerful smile that once allowed him to befriend anyone eventually became a tool to maintain smooth, faultless distance from everyone.
He refused to be shaken. He had a family. He had to survive and return home. He couldn’t afford to be swayed by variables. He had tried desperately not to love too deeply, not to hate too deeply.
This bleak battlefield, this desolate warship—all of it had to remain entirely meaningless to him. And until now, he had done it well.
And yet, as he looked at Seol Ayeon now, he could barely breathe. He knew. No—he was certain: this time, it would be different. This time, he might not be able to control himself.
“Battalion Commander Baek Ihyeon.”
Seol Ayeon spoke his name. At that clear voice, Kim Dowoon’s gaze was involuntarily swept toward Baek Ihyeon.
Baek Ihyeon simply stared at her in silence. His expression, as always, revealed not a flicker of emotion—but Kim Dowoon’s gut tightened painfully.
He knew what kind of person Baek Ihyeon was. He would be drawn to Seol Ayeon.
Seol Ayeon said:
“Use me.”
