I agree! Except for one thing:
my gut says he won't go crazy, but will keep tabs on Yugeon (like a stalker), but will not announce his presence unless the situation calls for it <- or maybe this is just my wishful thinking
Gosh! My heart breaks for them!
(Excluding Heeso. Somehow, despite his sob backstory: my opinion is he deserved every bit of his suffering...... maybe 'coz unlike the three, I didn't obseve a hint of remorse for what he's become...... which is kinda mean 'coz he it might be his trauma response)
I had to immediately read the novel after my comment (ofc) and I’ll say you aren’t far off although he was looking for him
chan & taein both really care for him they both want what’s best for him even if that means leaving, chan hesitated because he really wanted him to stay but taein pushed him away because he doesn’t want him to be miserable like them, they all lead lives that pushed them into behaving like monsters and they treated guides horribly like an emotional outlet for their anger and grief but they finally found a guide that is much much more than just a guide he’s self sacrificing and isn’t selfish, he doesn’t just take their shit which is rare as a guide, I feel like the commander is going to go really freaking crazy when he finds out he’s gone, he even changed his mind towards the end and told him to survive he didn’t want them to die together anymore