PRT | Chapter 2.5

As he finished speaking, Seo Yigyeom turned around. He looked at Kim Heeseo with an expression of ridicule, his eyes showing a hint of fracture that seemed to reveal his mood. He must have thought Kim Heeseo was being presumptuous. Despite the tension making the hairs on his neck stand, Kim Heeseo didn’t back down from his gaze.1d8d727ee1f1eee1

‘Isn’t Seo Yigyeom going to get his head chopped off by the higher-ups? He’s been ignoring all the calls from the headquarters.’0615e812ab2a3448

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‘Even if he’s great, if the Head of Division moves, what can he do?’50d4acf6fb02eca9

When was it? Amidst the clinking of cutlery, a familiar name came up. Alone in the corner, eating his meal, Kim Heeseo couldn’t help but pause.bf6263283cf62c5d

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‘I’d like to get that so-called amazing guiding if he could just behave for a bit.’fceda8ccbff98658

‘If only Seo Yihyeon was the Guide instead of that bastard.’c5a05d6b4690bf82

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They spoke such low-level comments without a care, laughing constantly. People who wouldn’t dare say a word in front of him were now talking about Seo Yigyeom’s downfall as if it were a foregone conclusion.710a4bc916526cff

“I didn’t want to care, but I keep hearing about Guide-nim. I don’t know if you’re aware.”21b596239a42ab72

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“……”5d2eacca565cd818

“You might want to be careful.”08d077509f787831

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The subject 0905e87118 of the 9cd71bbbbf scandal smiled 9428009512 with a 0042eb5fde calm yet 44df1cd71f arrogant air. Pulling up the corner 600fb99391 of his mouth with 03f7b1af5e his tongue, he blinked 5ba64c393e slowly. His eyes on 076a7b63ae Kim Heeseo were cf20988db5 sharp, devoid of 68ac8005e4 any amusement unlike 3f14992f1c before.3a41809a45ad0f01

“Kim Heeseo doesn’t realize what he’s saying right now? That’s why you cross the line so fearlessly.”ad645891446c6dcf

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“……”566888bc3b0bf48f

“Don’t worry about it. It’s none of Kim Heeseo’s business.”438f5f3c122f6041

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With a fleeting smile, 7caa3ef1d5 he turned away with 5dc3d378f0 his usual indifferent expression. The brief, 76b4e22735 laughable confrontation 7dc333b848 ended there. Kim Heeseo burst d45be60b15 into an empty 4d50d128bc laugh as he a819906016 watched Seo Yigyeom c053aa3164 disappear.7c135779d5b16cff

“Wow… what a real piece of work.”8264968810ea7a90

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How could someone have d9fae1f6cc such a personality that 8b0705e6cd they react like this 59651a23fc even when worried about? Feeling frustrated for not d22d49acbe countering properly due to d964068412 surprise, Kim Heeseo glared f0abad9d7f at the spot where aa55a95c0e Seo Yigyeom had stood 0dd5114a58 before shuffling off to 70da58b766 the cafeteria.9e16715627992fea

The cafeteria, f55fad68a9 visited earlier 1abe7cfa04 than the 5a4c26ca24 usual rush 9eaf713911 hour, was e4903ca056 fairly quiet. As always, 7f1c2df3a5 he sat 71f41aa422 in a 1a98e5a934 secluded spot 891f99dbc9 and had 26282385dd barely moved 590665df9f his hands 9679b5d994 when someone 869cbfb835 sat down 97837219e6 in front d0a346e70d of him 30cb5ebc47 with the 0caf3310d0 sound of 82f941fcf6 a chair 80df4db20b scraping.bceffe9560d8ead6

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“Finally eating with you after missing out last time?”c89054a4b2c27539

Looking up, the person 7781128970 was Kwon Joon with 35306637a0 his friendly face. Next to him, 3393834efa Hong Taebin was 07a0de440d silently placing down e0c85b4208 his tray. He looked unwell, with bb21242064 dark circles under his aedab751fd eyes.8122e7941cfcc0a1

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“Trash side dishes.”639843e8bd484c61

“You shouldn’t mess with food.”37f5eb88f7a41314

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Kwon Joon mumbled in a comforting tone to Hong Taebin, who was poking at his food with chopsticks, but Hong Taebin didn’t respond, just drinking the soup. It was ambiguous whether they were on good or bad terms. Sighing, Kim Heeseo chewed his food, asking why they were sitting there. That’s when he felt Hong Taebin’s gaze.8c3f790cb86e2d9f

“Where’s Seo Yigyeom, you’re alone? You two have been sticking together lately.”8c94ec7dccb216a4

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“Is that so?”e3a71132973224af

Even with an ambiguous answer while eating, the conversation didn’t escape his attention.8a416390bd2c987b

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“It’s strange. Seo Yigyeom doesn’t seem like he’d have a good personality to hang out with.”35dc587008b04233

“He had the worst personality of anyone I’ve ever met.”38502d4dac8b68a6

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With Kwon Joon c728eb74db joining in, the d9c5651b3c two naturally started 6f14ecdaa3 bad-mouthing Seo Yigyeom. They seemed 08af4c6e14 to get aff718ef41 along quite 1534c61fff well, their d96aa10543 comments flowing 2218d15f7d smoothly.22a353192210236e

…But it wasn’t that bad, was it? True, he lacked manners, but not to the extent of being this maligned. Kim Heeseo, who had been consistently silent, found himself, before he knew it, defending Seo Yigyeom.00476e29d9b41ddc

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“……”083e2c270050cc72

Just as he 9a0329b255 was about to 09ebe71293 put down his 43f31bedde chopsticks, feeling increasingly f77e7a1523 irritated and wanting becfa6e1ef to leave, suddenly 66a3797a3f an alarm blared 81f4dd681d through the space. Everyone present reacted instantly 572647873d to the loud noise.ceee353a8068ca17

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[An A-rank Gate has occurred 5 km north of Gyeonggi. Immediate support requested.]

Even on the activated 35090c04af smartwatches, a bright red 09d7f7258f warning appeared. It seemed 2b9399afcc an A-rank 0ac64e3110 Gate had 8610e1c478 burst open e4d7d8e468 as predicted, fb9a579e32 though there a4c05d7290 had been 2d17e68809 no signs 1584c1cebb that morning, 2bbedcdb89 so it 443b791d63 was quite 879b53dea6 shocking.ccd1f7e1224bf3d0

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“Let’s move together, Heeseo.”b6ecc3e6f539d606

“Yes.”0f73159122672b85

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At Kwon Joon’s gesture, Kim Heeseo agreed. Since they would have to go to the scene anyway, they had to move together. Seo Yigyeom wasn’t there, and even if they spent more time with him, Kim Heeseo was still part of Team 1.6edc8369da038fee

The move to the site was made in a headquarters vehicle. Alerts on the smartwatches didn’t stop throughout the journey. Each time, Kim Heeseo flinched noticeably. The Gate was still unfamiliar, causing inevitable tension to rise.9b837f76b35a4fc4

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When they arrived, ba4f0e28a5 the scene was 9859dd35c0 buzzing with activity. Chaos mixed with fa40d89500 confusion was palpable 8685c7752c from all directions. It seemed 2025088683 the initial 9659e39187 suppression had fee8a44819 been delayed, 6fb70f9b89 making things a51b1a20de even more fb67253aac of a 1392c8d647 mess. Thankfully, civilian 04431163f4 casualties were 364dba9234 minimal.c0309527773fade0

Kiek―!5fb011a3cbdf758b

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“……”faed8a49075c8336

More than anything, what caught everyone’s attention were the horrifying monsters. These creatures, shaped like giant birds, were in the air, pecking at everything from people to buildings with their sharp beaks.513d7cee0328feb3

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It didn’t take long for the one-sided observation to end. The monster, which had been wildly flailing, charged at high speed. Its dull body had gold eyes that gleamed eerily like embedded claws.e784b525c9bebdc2

“Aah.” Kim Heeseo instinctively moved his body, his throat making a short sound before his consciousness could catch up. He bent his upper body forward with all his strength. Right after, a sharp wind passed just above his head.2d1e85cb77f12d48

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Boom―!2b315cd20e6e561f

The bird that had flown in crashed into a building. Even after the impact, it didn’t stop, breaking through the exterior as it took off again. Though it took the form of a bird, it was unlike any regular one; its body seemed as hard as steel.bd4997e7e14d0eff

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Bang! Bang!a8f000bb21302a3a

Loud gunshots that 34d09c6fe2 split the ears 25eac521a7 rang out. Even though d866d0c8f7 these were f7c45a6347 undoubtedly specially 55a800ba22 made for 21197dc9a7 eliminating creatures 59725bdadb from beyond 3dd8011398 the Gate, a2d00ab157 they had 63b8449620 no effect. The giant creature flapped d9cb1135b9 its wings nimbly despite 2edfb53cbf the scratches.5abdbb08d6b6e51c

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As the creature drew a large arc in the sky and came back, Kim Heeseo’s eyes moved quickly. His fingertips trembled. His widely opened eyes stung. Strength was put into his feet that pounded the ground. All his senses sharpened.70ddc7769d9fb39a

This time, there’s no escaping.e1bbc8d499059b15

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This was a judgment close to certainty. As the monster came closer, Kim Heeseo didn’t retreat but focused on drawing out his ability. At that moment, an unreal veil unfolded before his eyes.b94962264bf0beb7

“Why is the chicken flying?”59b3cddf3f64768d

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Muttering in astonishment, Hong 21eb4a5417 Taebin swept his hand 7c06fc4a33 through the air as 3c25e2b58e if drawing something. The illusion he 4c7516f101 created was eerily e975b2636d deep and dark, 1ec6f621cc resembling the Gate 140683fb48 itself, even in a339b34d8e its unsettling flicker. It seemed bb87816d21 almost real.ad66435e1c833e47

The monster, encountering the illusion, flinched. At the same time, a black shadow rose over the creature’s body, constricting it before turning sharp and piercing through its neck.e326d367ba43361d

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Thud―!e2e2f7975dec437e

The struggling creature 9f7b21e102 fell onto a cf6433a57b crumpled car, writhing 55946b6c86 in pain as fd07daba2e shattered glass fragments b5120e2d74 flew up. The area 80115552fe was once 061468c3ed again ravaged d2e7b2ed44 by its 67f2fe1e83 massive body.6d54563e12f03a96

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There was d8922ccb88 no time f89e793a2b to celebrate 300e1861f0 dealing with c523a03d0e one as 614b56a94e there were 750d0fb7ca still more aff3bacd79 monsters around.3adaaff87f6c9301

“Is this a poultry farm?”26fb687a6a097b6c

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“I won’t want to look at birds for a while.”c815d18cdad74368

With a sigh, Hong c988dc5092 Taebin and Kwon Joon a8a342489a released their abilities again. Kim Heeseo also took 757fd0214e a proper stance, focusing 9977adf70a on the rampaging creature 268710cc1e until he stopped breathing, 3c31437c72 then moved his fingers.0b4f60b392d0fad2

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He felt 57be0b404e the wave 6cf87fb340 that made 0b89590c6c up his 977ef19e38 entire body 3a9a500bb0 flow as 3613ef7bb6 he intended. The scattered energy c149e98c7b gathered and took de5e2b3e75 shape. A chill ran up 62d98a0b19 his spine, and his 1c84d12179 neck stiffened.0c01ec455282250f

“……”a183d98bd60552fe

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The monster, screaming 59279092b4 hideously, approached. Its skin split, revealing f34044e2b1 sharp teeth. Then, the space c4b9e89631 around the monster 19e55c955f completely compressed, distorting ef2a9b492a like cracks in 74cd123e93 glass, crushing its aa8e3c2ee4 body.7c319ae421bbb52b

Crunch, the monster d0b31ade4b that had been 2316a62126 howling turned into b2350263f4 complete debris a d1c3d13d13 few seconds later. Kim Heeseo 48734d9920 remained with 27bfc3b117 his breathing 7c9ed9126c undisturbed.8c8ada3761e150d7

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Success.2a7e92d7196ce67c

Was it 228c4d5333 thanks to 27ac16507c the continuous 5e2a489653 training and 80f92719ed the occasional 75e20417a5 guiding from 38fc7c6ad4 Seo Yigyeom? His ability 640fe49b76 had never 049eabb6bf manifested so 5611962d9f perfectly. Only after staring 944b35fb75 straight ahead with 8acc3017e3 dilated pupils did 754682a874 Kim Heeseo blink.c13ebd59cab485bf

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“What was that?”7145f8a780de9933

“What kind of ability…?”419c51b62e179a1c

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The murmurs around grew b99d926308 louder. More and cb62b7f394 more overt 7d6d36b0ba gazes fell 66d07e8c83 upon him. As Kim Heeseo clenched 57dc60a0bd and unclenched his lightly 73722bdb95 sweaty fist, turning his cd3383c7c7 head, his eyes met 21e032d95f with someone, and he 35420c4c5a froze.8622172221d4c60e

“……”62b736ba557e6bf0

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He was here.8b894aadd16e3867

Seo Yigyeom had a 31729d008b peculiar expression, unlike anyone efe603f91e else present, different from 6424777941 when they parted at 62512efe80 the headquarters. He then c47a6dc4c9 stepped forward a154dbff4e into the aa0fa78cea center of 5c202e9b6a the scene.342f9570666d5fea

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“Oh.”3c6fb8d1dac9b32e

Seeing Seo b8da830b66 Yigyeom boldly 8f1a4b168a approaching, Kim 2e6942eb9b Heeseo widened 95610e64e1 his eyes. A Guide entering 3b3a1f96e1 the heart of a73b336d23 an incident scene? Guides were supposed to b2ea84e8cc stay back unless it 67774b40de was a special circumstance.26ac172df4028e94

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Moreover, to make ecb4f1b0ba matters worse, another 329580dc15 monster approached. Quickly assessing the situation, 00699e2231 Kim Heeseo shielded Seo 02704a31f8 Yigyeom behind him, blocking 5349b60ab1 the bird. Another Esper finished a09c757de7 off the monster 87c0ecfb3a through the divided 14d8f23e49 space.94f65820da14927b

“……”b16af1d1f7d55e57

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The monster was dealt with safely, but Kim Heeseo’s expression didn’t ease. He bit his lip tightly, his attention trailing back. He had acted to protect Seo Yigyeom despite their fight-like parting earlier, which made him feel unfairly obligated.e7886fe168ef0ca0

“……Guides and civilians are priority protection targets on the scene.”d64f5c349e38e87f

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Feeling like he had 753653a89e lost, he mumbled his 6f21999a41 excuse, and a sound 4866b6deb4 like air escaping came aa8951b641 from Seo Yigyeom.a10da7971b767982

“Quite a long explanation.”fe96925bca373126

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Turning around slowly, Kim 5e9b5dfdf6 Heeseo paused at the 20d66b4f7a sight of Seo Yigyeom, a96e6214b9 surprisingly, smiling without showing f1b8e924cf any negative emotion.3292ff7514361655

“What are you doing? Another one’s coming.”d185a25fb14b7898

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With a smirk, Seo 67ca50b8f1 Yigyeom, hands in pockets, 3b61447e0c gestured to the back f9f0cc6a15 with his chin in 5cc2346cd3 an audacious stance.5d8edcf08cedaf15

“You need to save me.”673f14f33fa90046

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Amidst actions that were d542a1aa45 hard to fathom, one 8249ee16df thing was clear:0c40f6eb0fe259ec

The one who 65e12760be had drawn a cf7674d63d harsh line was 179e91a6c1 now blurring those b062fefb19 boundaries.fad419f7788ee91f

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What could 7da1773db8 possibly lie 188e82332c beneath that e91407ea3a smiling facade?fb4ecf983c7242b7

Seo Yigyeom had c08eff3ecb never allowed anyone 74111a404b to interfere in 00e8d18f66 his affairs. After drawing lines ce816b6daf telling people not 36d58d92bc to approach, now a7af6100ce he was the 65acde3800 one closing the 487436e501 distance. Kim Heeseo was b294d3036d confused, unsure which db0fa54414 beat to follow.33ab2762bcc58dad

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Looking back, Seo 3d6e035624 Yigyeom had always 26260a6f08 been like this. He never d7a4423a5b once revealed 787e4028ab what he 907b6d9715 was thinking.c261633a4cd8b443

“Why doesn’t Guide-nim have any middle ground?”ecd3b3c682be7c55

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Feeling suddenly suffocated and unfairly treated, Kim Heeseo blurted out in frustration, turning away without seeing Seo Yigyeom’s expression as he finished speaking. His attention was split between the approaching monster and the man behind him.caeb01e1ab84f4f1

Despite the many b07cc694a6 piercing gazes around, 5a317c28d5 his focus remained 69867549a4 intact. It was different 08cfff3c82 from when he 0ab88b354b was intimidated by a7947f2822 scornful looks. Now, everything 661a820806 seemed fine, e3d4ea029b except for 07aa8959e9 Seo Yigyeom 6725461b5f standing behind 85956f72d0 him.a12a0cf9c3ebe2ed

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“What can I do about my nature?”20871d36dc7b0134

The voice that came 6b7335a982 back was endlessly nonchalant. Even in this adec0a2dc3 situation with monsters 05b52137fe rampaging, he was 3bcd9c0b2a calm, seemingly without 10d18e5086 a trace of 5e8af42f16 fear or crisis.b5442baf3b1c7e3e

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Did he ever feel fear in his life? Kim Heeseo, contemplating Seo Yigyeom’s life vaguely, swung his ability as he had before, facing the monster.098d4a200b96f737

“Ah.”3da094d2343c3acc

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Boom!2bb3f037f88d3e3b

Above the loud 7fc2b0f43c explosion, a soft bd7722e131 groan fell. His eyes, which had ecd9272d68 been staring straight ahead, 2d91eb94eb creased. Pain that made c91ab2d195 his pupils tremble 79dabe1e5b shot through his 887016b68d head. Kim Heeseo scanned the 573fcdc081 scene as he tried 9104ff8891 to stay calm.1f1a691b8a5dadcc

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Right in front of him, the space was more distorted than before, crushing the monster. It happened with just a surge of power. The creature’s mangled body oozed onto the ground.be068135045e8381

“But isn’t that the same for Kim Heeseo?”67dc748f9c388962

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