PRT | Chapter 2.7

With a short exhale, Seo Yigyeom instead increased his speed. He stepped forward, welcoming the sensation that was becoming both sensitive and dull. The constant noise spread like a heartbeat.

Seo Yigyeom would push his body to its limits from time to time. It was a habit formed long ago. After moving his body to the max, the waves from Espers were somewhat less irritating.

The waves from Espers, which had been disgusting since memory began, still made him want to vomit. The pervasive waves within the headquarters were growing thicker by the day, making everything even more repulsive. There was never a moment of peace.

He wished his nerves would at least become blunt, but there was no flaw in Seo Yigyeom’s abilities. Rather, they had become more precise, piercing through his entire body. Because of this, he could even feel the slightest ripple of waves.

This was particularly bad right after returning from the field. Surrounded by hordes of Espers and the energy of the Gate, it felt like his whole body was being butchered. That’s why he was still abusing his body under the guise of treatment.

‘You’ll ruin your health like this.’

‘I feel like my mind will go first at this rate.’

Smoking incessantly was for the same reason. During those moments, it felt like his nerves died, however briefly. In a space where even breathing caused disgust, how else could he endure those moments?

Seo Yigyeom exhaled a long breath out of habit and shifted his gaze. The sun, becoming visible from afar, caught his eye. The surroundings were gradually absorbing the light. Another day was starting, tiresomely.

“…”

How much longer could he run?

While running and pondering indifferently, his phone rang briefly. Seo Yigyeom glanced at the phone on the holder and slowed down. A message from an unsaved number appeared on the screen.

[Come down sometime. No guiding needed, just show your face] 6:45 AM

It was a familiar eleven-digit number. After scanning the message, Seo Yigyeom stopped the machine entirely and stepped off. He wiped the sweat with a carelessly thrown towel and called back the person who sent the text.

― You’re quite diligent for a young man. Don’t you ever sleep?

The call connected immediately. An elderly man’s voice came through, sounding somewhat weary.

“Only you, old man? What’s with the text? Is there something where I need to show my face?”

― There’s no particular problem. The kids can manifest their abilities without issues, and they manage well. But they’d appreciate seeing you more than me, so that’s why I said it.

“Ah.”

Seo Yigyeom responded half-heartedly, drinking water while the man said, ‘Everyone pretends not to care but they’re curious about you.’ His Adam’s apple was prominent as he tilted his head back to swallow. Water dripped from his red lips.

The ‘kids’ the man was referring to were unregistered Espers. More specifically, unregistered Espers that Seo Yigyeom had taken in and hidden.

Seo Yigyeom had gathered those unregistered Espers who had nowhere else to go and used them as his limbs. They were individuals who would have been disposed of by the headquarters if left alone. He decided to use them willingly before the headquarters could.

‘Looks like you’re in trouble. Need help?’

‘…Seo Yigyeom? I have no business with a headquarters brat, so get lost before I tear that smug face of yours.’

‘Your face, fuck, it’s all over the place. Even country bumpkins know about it. This isn’t even public property…’

‘What? You…’

‘But why speak so rudely to someone who knows you? I’m showing goodwill here.’

They weren’t difficult to deal with. There were occasional bothersome ones, but that was it. The relationship was a clean one of giving what they wanted and getting what was needed in return. There were no variables in between. Over time, they complied willingly, which helped him prepare to undermine the headquarters smoothly.

― If you’ve intervened, you should take responsibility.

“Like you, old man?”

― Yeah.

At the light-hearted comment, the man chuckled like a sigh. Seo Yigyeom also slightly curled his lips without a sound.

The man was a Guide who took care of the Espers Seo Yigyeom gathered. He was also the one who saved Seo Yigyeom when he was still a minor, almost dying from a Gate explosion. More accurately, it was when the shrinking Gate seemed to reject him, exploding as he approached.

The man had saved Seo Yigyeom without hesitation in that moment. Since then, Seo Yigyeom, who was extremely averse to being indebted, ended up helping the man, leading to their continued connection. Along with Moon Jung-o, he was one of the few people Seo Yigyeom could trust.

― You must get sick of being cooped up in the headquarters. Come down for some fresh air.

Thanks to Seo Yigyeom’s efforts, the man lived safely despite being an unregistered Esper, acting as a reliable limb. “Yes,” Seo Yigyeom replied softly, setting down the half-empty water bottle and walking to the window.

“Do you know anyone among the unregistered who can use pyrokinesis? At least A-rank or higher.”

― Why?

“I think it would be good to take care of them beforehand. There’s someone looking for them too.”

― I’ll look into it. It might take some time.

While listening quietly, Seo Yigyeom unconsciously thought of Kim Heeseo. He knew why Kim Heeseo was looking for a specific person, but he didn’t feel the need to elaborate.

Yet, at the headquarters, they were making him struggle with complex matters without even understanding the situation. Even though they must know he was under Seo Yigyeom’s wing. This stupidity was frustrating.

So, he was just doing a bit of interference.

― Well, life is long and full of surprises. To think you’re helping someone.

At the man’s tone of surprise, Seo Yigyeom let out a laugh like air escaping a balloon.

“Old man, I only know how to hide things. This is the answer I’ve chosen, and my judgment hasn’t changed.”

― I bet.

“I’ve lived thinking that if I reveal myself, I’ll get torn apart…”

Kim Heeseo had everything exposed. He was the first person Seo Yigyeom had seen who was so transparent. He lived in a way that seemed tiringly naive, transparent, and honest.

Maybe because he was a type of person Seo Yigyeom had never encountered before. It was uncomfortable and unpleasant. While his interest in Kim Heeseo’s abilities remained, he couldn’t suppress the occasional surge of displeasure.

‘He’s on my mind.’

‘You should be careful.’

Moreover, he showed concern for him. With eyes that seemed to see through everything, he sent a straightforward gaze. Despite being a mess himself, he dared to show concern as if it were nothing.

How did that feel?

It was an unfamiliar concern. An overstep that wasn’t allowed. His instinctive rejection rose, gnawing at his nerves, yet strangely, that fleeting moment of Kim Heeseo lingered in his mind and wouldn’t leave.

And he had even stood in front of him, blocking his way with his back turned.

― Not everyone in the world is like you.

“I guess so.”

Recalling Kim Heeseo, Seo Yigyeom exhaled softly, expelling him from his thoughts. The smile that had been on his red lips faded quickly. His emotionless, indifferent eyes looked out through the vast window.

The sun, revealing its presence, was now fully risen.

* * *

A cold wave warning had been issued.

Despite the sky being as clear as if nothing was wrong, the wind sweeping through the body felt as sharp as a blade. People on the streets, facing the freezing cold, tightened their coats and quickened their pace. Kim Heeseo was no different; he zipped his padded jacket up to his nose and hurried towards the building.

“Ha, shit… I want to go home.”

“Can’t you resign?”

“Don’t make me have to take down my partner with my own hands.”

As he barely made it inside the building and swiped his ID card, he overheard the conversation of people passing by. Kim Heeseo silently chuckled at their lament mixed with sighs. It seemed the desire to not work was the same whether you were an ordinary person or an Esper. However, for Espers, quitting would immediately make them lawbreakers, which might be even worse.

The headquarters was still busy. It seemed peaceful, but when things went south, it was more hectic than anywhere else. Incidents never ceased. Once one Gate was dealt with, another would appear somewhere else. If they burst out one after the other, it would be a relief. When they appeared simultaneously, it felt like your body was being torn apart.

“Are we facing the end of the world? Am I the only one who doesn’t know? How many times this week?”

“Want to leave a will?”

“Would it even matter if we’re all going to die together? Then let’s bury Kwon Joon with me.”

“That’s a curse, Taebin.”

Hong Taebin’s complaints were sky-high due to the excessive field deployments. Kwon Joon was always by his side, grumbling at the sight of the flickering Gate.

Lately, Kim Heeseo had been accompanying the first team instead of Seo Yigyeom, who was often out on external assignments. Perhaps because he was seen with Seo Yigyeom, he didn’t receive indiscriminate scorn. Since then, his ability had been working without issues, perhaps because he had gotten a hang of things. The occasional headaches were bearable.

Kim Heeseo received guiding from those matched by the headquarters. Occasionally, Seo Yigyeom would show signs of displeasure about guiding, but Kim Heeseo had made it clear that it wasn’t necessary.

“Why?”

“You don’t need to look after me when you’re busy.”

“That doesn’t seem like the real reason.”

Maybe because he was a Guide? Being with Seo Yigyeom did put him at ease. However, Kim Heeseo found this comfort unsettling. Unfamiliar feelings led to the judgment that this shouldn’t continue.

“Well, it doesn’t matter for now, so let’s do that.”

Thus, he drew a line, almost like a defense mechanism. Seo Yigyeom seemed to have noticed this but didn’t pry. It seemed more like he wasn’t particularly interested. After that, encounters with Seo Yigyeom decreased.

Seo Yigyeom was an intriguing person. Whether he was there or not, he captured Kim Heeseo’s attention. Kim Heeseo was bewildered by this reaction he had never experienced before. It was uncomfortable to be so drawn to him.

As Kim Heeseo was touching his neck, his smartwatch beeped, and he glanced at it before heading to the blood collection room. His steady pace stopped in front of a tightly closed door. Unlike usual, he lingered, delaying his next action.

Click. The door opened a few minutes later. At the end of his thoughts, Kim Heeseo finally entered, bowing to the familiar person. He tried his best to be polite and instead of offering his arm, he spoke.

“How long do I have to keep doing these blood tests?”

“Pardon?”

Surprised by the question since he usually just complied, the man in the white coat widened his eyes.

“I want to stop.”

Seo Yigyeom’s face appeared on the man’s startled face.

‘Does it help to bleed all over the place?’

The words Seo Yigyeom had said, which hadn’t been forgotten, had led to this moment. In truth, he knew. Maybe he had been subconsciously resigned to it. But now, he didn’t want that anymore. Hearing Seo Yigyeom’s words, he felt oddly embarrassed.

He didn’t like how weak he seemed, promising to protect himself but not standing up against the headquarters.

“Refusing blood tests can lead to disciplinary action.”

“Why?”

“It’s an order from the higher-ups…”

“So, why?”

For the first time, Kim Heeseo cut him off and raised his voice.

“Why do I have to get my blood drawn every day… I don’t understand.”

“Esper Kim Heeseo.”

“If you have nothing more to say, I’ll leave.”