ATTS Ch 4

Shin Jeha stared at the clear, cloudless blue sky with newfound wonder. The feeling that it was the first time he’d seen the outside in ages wasn’t an illusion.

For the past month, he’d been confined to an isolation ward within the Center, a minimum requirement to keep him, accused of assaulting his Guide, under the Center’s protection.

Negotiations began after the formal detainment. While the Director and Kwon Yijae knew Shin Jeha was innocent, the staff didn’t. To Kwon Yijae’s aides, who were preparing a formal negotiation strategy, and to the Center’s staff, Shin Jeha was the perpetrator and Kwon Yijae the victim. In this absurd situation where the victim was Guiding the perpetrator, Shin Jeha’s wishes weren’t considered at all. The practical negotiations dragged on.

During that time, Shin Jeha wasn’t allowed any freedom. His solitary confinement cell had no windows, no light, no breeze. He only knew it was morning when his three meals, delivered once a day, arrived. He guessed it was evening when he gnawed on the stale, hardtack-like bread, barely managing to eat, and then drifted off to a difficult sleep.

For Shin Jeha, who suffered from sensory overload, the isolated space was quiet and comfortable. No sound intruded. But he often woke up from his sleep.

‘Are you alright, Jeha? Oh, Kook. Behave yourself.’

Every few days, Dr. Lim, his physician, would visit, his voice filled with concern. Shin Jeha would always nod, indicating he was fine, but his expression betrayed him. He felt more anxious than happy when Dr. Lim brought his dog. He worried that the dark room, while normal for him, might be a strange environment for the dog.

‘If it’s too hard… should I talk to the Director?’

— No, I’m really okay.

Even while communicating through messages rather than speech, Shin Jeha didn’t feel the need to lie. He’d said he was okay because he could endure it. He could see Kwon Yijae as soon as he left this place, so it didn’t make sense to be unable to bear just a few more days.

A day passed, two days passed, and as time went by, the mere thought that there might be another possibility in his life was enough to sustain him.

And that day was truly, today.

When he went to Quantum to meet Kwon Yijae, Shin Jeha never had the mental capacity to look outside. The Center’s SUV was an ordinary car, so all kinds of noises from outside swirled chaotically in Shin Jeha’s ears.

Despite this, today he felt strangely at ease.

‘Jeha, you’ll be going to Director Kwon’s house when you get out of here.’

— Director… Kwon’s house?

‘Yes, I heard Director Kwon said he would live with you. Considering your condition, the Director readily agreed. Even so, I’ll still be your physician.’

From the moment he heard those words from Dr. Lim, Shin Jeha’s hopes grew more concrete, manifesting in his imagination. He would have even commuted to and from England weekly if asked, but to live together… Shin Jeha hadn’t expected such consideration.

“Yes, this is Kim Sang-hyun. Yes, I’m on my way. I’ve taken care of everything for now, as far as it’s necessary. That kind of thing… wouldn’t he take care of it himself? Yes.”

Kim Sang-hyun, Shin Jeha’s assigned staff member, had been wary of him since the day he collapsed.

Perhaps because of that, his voice had recently become quite cold when he was with Shin Jeha. It was understandable. People naturally become defensive after experiencing something dangerous.

During his time working as Shin Jeha’s handler, he had never considered him a threat. But after that day, he probably realized that Shin Jeha was also one of the threatening Espers. Again, it was unavoidable.

The car went over a speed bump. As his body bounced with a jolt, the puppy, startled awake, frantically scratched at Shin Jeha’s stomach with its hind legs. Shin Jeha struggled to hold onto the puppy, preventing it from falling in the moving car. The puppy, wriggling as if Shin Jeha’s strength meant nothing, yawned long and then quieted down.

Since they had been driving for quite a while from the Center in Yangjae, Shin Jeha couldn’t pinpoint their current location. They passed the familiar Quantum headquarters building, and then the high-rises disappeared, replaced by residential areas. Narrow alleyways barely wide enough for two cars and uphill roads continued. Mansions hidden behind high walls lined up along the side. There were CCTVs, of course, and some houses even had security guards standing watch.

The car stopped in front of a massive mansion, almost at the very end of the road, with armed guards stationed at the entrance. Kim Sang-hyun, sitting next to him, opened the window and spoke.

“We’re from the Center.”

“We’ll confirm. Everyone, get out.”

At the guard’s stern words, Kim Sang-hyun seemed flustered but complied. He got out first, unfolded a wheelchair, and with a sigh and a disgruntled expression, lifted Shin Jeha into it.

The puppy, which had been waiting patiently beside him, jumped onto Shin Jeha’s lap. At the same time, a security guard wearing an in-ear added a short remark. The words flowing from his mouth were fluent English.

“No pets allowed inside.”

Suddenly, Shin Jeha felt embarrassed. The puppy, what should he do? It had always been so natural to have him with him, but now that he was here, he realized he hadn’t asked Kwon Yijae. Kim Sang-hyun pretended not to notice Shin Jeha’s flustered state and was taking his luggage out of the trunk.

They didn’t have to wait long. The person who came out of the mansion was Blake, who had once pushed Shin Jeha’s wheelchair. Recognizing him, Shin Jeha bowed his head first in greeting. He felt grateful to Blake for helping him.

“You’ve arrived.”

Blake greeted Shin Jeha briefly and then looked for Kim Sang-hyun.

“Are you the handler?”

“Yes.”

Blake looked at Kim Sang-hyun and the carry-on he had taken out. Despite having lived at the Center for five years, Shin Jeha’s belongings amounted to a single 18-inch carry-on.

“These are his things.”

As Kim Sang-hyun tried to hand over the suitcase, Blake immediately stopped him.

“The luggage is not needed. Director Kwon has prepared everything necessary, so Mr. Shin Jeha can just come in.”

At the unexpected words, both Kim Sang-hyun and Shin Jeha were taken aback.

“Yes? Ah, yes…. Then, what about the puppy?”

“It would be best to take the puppy back to the Center.”

Blake’s words were firm, a curt command that made it difficult for Kim Sang-hyun to say anything further. Shin Jeha, who had never considered being separated from Kim Kook (the puppy’s name), thought about asking Blake, but he hardened his resolve. Imposing on someone he barely knew once was enough.

Besides, recalling their first meeting, Kwon Yijae didn’t seem to like dogs very much. Above all, Shin Jeha knew his temperament. He himself was prepared for the pain that would come and understood that things could get even harder than before. But he couldn’t explain that to the puppy and convince him.

Shin Jeha held the puppy tightly. Surprised by his cold body temperature, the puppy yelped.

‘I’m sorry. But it’s for your own good…. You’ll be better off at the Center. People there love you a lot.’

Shin Jeha briefly touched his nose to the puppy’s, as if saying a final goodbye.

‘Your owner would want this too. Right, Kim Kook?’

As if sensing Shin Jeha’s feelings, the puppy licked his nose in consolation. Then it rolled around on Shin Jeha’s thigh. A faint smile briefly touched Shin Jeha’s face as he watched the puppy’s antics.

“Well, even if we put the puppy aside, the luggage too….”

Kim Sang-hyun grumbled as he put the luggage back in the trunk.

“It’s the Director’s order.”

Kwon Yijae had made it clear that nothing from the Center, except for Shin Jeha himself, was allowed into the house. He had warned them in advance not to do anything strange to Shin Jeha’s body and received confirmation, but that was separate from fully trusting them.

‘Thank you for being my friend all this time.’

After saying his final goodbyes, Shin Jeha, whimpering, twisted his body to put the puppy in the car. The puppy looked up at Shin Jeha with a wronged expression. Unable to watch any longer, Kim Sang-hyun picked up the puppy. Normally, the puppy would have made a fuss whenever someone other than Shin Jeha held him, but today he was unusually quiet and docile.

A security guard who had come out of the mansion was holding a new wheelchair. Unlike Shin Jeha’s old wheelchair, this one was brand new. However, since it was still a wheeled device, it wasn’t the kind that Shin Jeha could operate on his own.

“Mr. Shin Jeha, excuse me for a moment.”

As soon as Blake’s polite words ended, a person with a metal detector scanned Shin Jeha’s body. Kim Sang-hyun frowned, uncomfortable with their actions, and complained.

“Really, what are you going to do if you can’t trust people like this? Even if he had something, would you even be able to find it with that?”

Blake took the detector from the security guard and scanned Kim Sang-hyun’s shirt pocket. A loud beeping sound emanated from the shirt pocket containing the Center ID card with an embedded IC chip.

“It finds it well.”

It was Kim Sang-hyun who was speechless.

Once the metal detector scan was complete, Blake handed Kim Sang-hyun a document. It was a handover document with several confirmations. The item, of course, was Shin Jeha. Kim Sang-hyun took a picture of the document to ensure the text was clear and then signed it perfunctorily.

Blake Wilder pocketed the document and then lifted Shin Jeha’s body into the air. Shin Jeha was transferred to the new wheelchair, still in his seated position. His old wheelchair was folded in half. The security guard forced the wheelchair into the Center staff’s hands.

“Handover complete. From now on, Director Kwon will be responsible for Mr. Shin Jeha. Everyone from the Center can return. Please inform the Director accordingly.”

Blake and the other security guards seemed to have no intention of taking Shin Jeha inside until Kim Sang-hyun left.

“Yes, I will inform him.”

Kim Sang-hyun, cold to the end, got into the car with the puppy without even saying goodbye. The puppy kept twisting his body to look at Shin Jeha. Shin Jeha waved goodbye to the puppy with a tearful expression.

The puppy who had been his friend since the summer day Shin Jeha became an Esper at seventeen. The dirty, black puppy with a broken metal name tag, leaving only the letters ‘Kim Kook’ remaining. He had promised to make the puppy happy when they met, but it was Shin Jeha who had been comforted and made happy.

And now, Shin Jeha had made this selfish decision for himself. He was only a temporary caretaker of the puppy, not the owner. He was merely someone making decisions on the puppy’s behalf. So, it would be right for him to go alone. Because he didn’t know what might happen inside.

“Let’s go. Director Kwon is waiting.”

Blake said indifferently, taking hold of Shin Jeha’s wheelchair. Finally, the mansion gates opened. His heart, which had been beating slowly, tightened with inexplicable tension.

🤎

The mansion grounds visible beyond the wall were even larger than he had imagined from the outside. The beautifully landscaped garden seemed meticulously maintained by a gardener.

Blake lifted the wheelchair effortlessly using a small amount of ESP. It wasn’t that he was concerned about Shin Jeha’s discomfort due to the stones paving the ground. He was simply worried that the wheels might get dirty.

After carrying the wheelchair through the entrance and into the foyer, Blake seemed to contact someone through his in-ear and then went outside, closing the inner doors. Shin Jeha was left alone in the enormous living room.

Shin Jeha looked down at the floor. The marble floor was so clean that his reflection was visible, making him feel self-conscious about pushing the wheelchair across it.

He couldn’t stay like this forever, though. Shin Jeha tried to push the wheelchair, but the new one was much heavier than his old one, and the floor was slippery, making it difficult to move properly.

The reflection of a boy struggling on the smooth tiles showed on the floor. Sighing, Shin Jeha quickly gave up and started to look around the house.

The living room’s ceiling, whether on the second or third floor, was incredibly high. The first thing that caught Shin Jeha’s eye as he turned his head was a massive, spiral wooden staircase.

Through the large windows that spanned the front of the living room, he could see the beautiful scenery of the garden he had just passed through, and next to it, he saw a huge glass structure resembling a tank. It was filled with….

“You’ve arrived.”

At the pleasant, low voice, Shin Jeha reflexively turned his head. Kwon Yijae, dressed in slacks and a shirt, was descending the stairs. The moment Shin Jeha, tense with nerves, spotted him, a forced, picture-perfect smile appeared on his lips.

Kwon Yijae seemed not to have gone out today, as he wasn’t wearing a tie, and two buttons of the silk shirt that hugged his sturdy-looking torso were undone. He looked more relaxed than when Shin Jeha had seen him at the office. But his hands, as before, were covered in close-fitting black leather gloves.

“You asked when you’d see me again. Centers are generally slow in processing things, so I couldn’t give you a definite answer, but I didn’t expect it to take a whole month. I apologize for that.”

“…….”

“Did you have any trouble getting here? It must have taken quite a while.”

Shin Jeha shook his head. Kwon Yijae immediately grasped his inability to speak. He naturally understood why Shin Jeha was blankly standing by the entrance. He walked briskly over and started pushing the wheelchair.

The wheelchair wheels seemed to slip slightly on the marble floor, but Kwon Yijae held them firmly.

“It’s a house I acquired in a hurry, but you shouldn’t find it uncomfortable. Since I’m not originally from Korea, I barely have any visitors. At most, it’s just Blake. You’ve met him before, so it shouldn’t be too unfamiliar.”

Shin Jeha nodded at the words coming from behind him. Ironically, he was overly accustomed to a life where doors were flung open without knocking and his privacy was monitored 24/7.

Of course, there was a reason for that. For years, Shin Jeha had lived in a hospital room within the Center’s isolation ward. From the beginning, the door couldn’t be locked from the inside. It was a given for an Esper with all sorts of medical conditions, rapidly deteriorating.

“We need to do something about this first.”

Kwon Yijae brought Shin Jeha to the sofa in the middle of the living room, sat down, and pulled off his right glove with his teeth. The hand revealed beneath was rugged, with knuckles protruding at each joint.

He didn’t strangle his neck or grab his ankles as he had before. He simply grasped Shin Jeha’s thin hands.

Shin Jeha felt Kwon Yijae examining something about him. He was probably looking at his wavelengths. Having met a Guide, his wavelengths surged instinctively, fluctuating wildly.

Kwon Yijae gently pressed down and calmed the rampant wavelengths. The contact was minimal, barely perceptible through their skin, but it was enough for Shin Jeha to open his mouth.

“…D-Director….”

Fortunately, his voice came out.

“H-How… have… you been?”

After a long period of not speaking, his voice was terribly hoarse. He had to speak haltingly to confirm that what he said was correct.

“Should… I… call… you… Director?”

“Let’s do that. Can you stand?”

Kwon Yijae asked casually, putting his glove back on. Shin Jeha tried to stand up, gripping the armrests, but collapsed back into the wheelchair. His legs, as thin as his hands, clearly couldn’t function properly.

Kwon Yijae clicked his tongue and lifted Shin Jeha into his arms. He wasn’t using Esper abilities to float him, nor was Shin Jeha carried like a sack of potatoes. It had been so long since he’d been carried like this that he was startled and fumbled in midair.

“Director!”

“If you don’t have the strength to hold on, at least stay still.”

“But…!”

“The floor is marble, so it would be quite difficult to move around in a wheelchair. You could get hurt.”

“I’ll… be careful.”

“No. Let’s avoid using the wheelchair indoors as much as possible.”

Then how should he move? Shin Jeha wondered, but Kwon Yijae continued speaking in a calm tone.

“I was informed beforehand that you weren’t originally unable to use your legs, Mr. Shin Jeha. It’s muscle weakness due to the aftereffects of not receiving Guiding for a long time. Is that correct?”

“Yes. The doctor… said something… like that….”

Kwon Yijae moved with surprising ease, as if he wasn’t carrying anyone. In truth, he had been slightly surprised the moment he lifted him. He was so light that he felt almost weightless. Despite his youthful appearance, Shin Jeha was clearly an adult, and an Esper at that.

“This… must be uncomfortable for you….”

“No. But there are several things to consider. Even considering that you haven’t fully grown, you’re too light.”

“I’m sorry….”

“It’s not something to apologize for, but it’s not exactly pleasant either.”

Shin Jeha thought that there was no difference between Kim Kook, whom he had been holding, and himself, being held by Kwon Yijae. Kwon Yijae, moving without asking for consent or his opinion, showed no hesitation. Did Kim Kook feel this way when he barked in protest at being held?

Shin Jeha didn’t dislike it. Not at all.

Kwon Yijae set him down on a cushion at the base of an armchair, carefully positioning him so he could sit comfortably. Then he casually perched himself on the armchair’s stool, looking down at Shin Jeha. Though the chair itself was empty, Shin Jeha wasn’t puzzled. Sharp eyes watched his submissive demeanor as Kwon Yijae spoke.

“We need to talk.”

Kwon Yijae had received a report from Dr. Lim detailing Shin Jeha’s condition: severe myasthenia gravis, malnutrition due to an eating disorder, insomnia due to abnormally sensitive senses, and wavelengths tangled beyond repair from prolonged lack of Guiding.

Even without using his ESP, the diagnosis indicated that his constant pain would make daily life impossible.

Another notable detail was the prohibition against narcotic painkillers. The reason wasn’t specified. This meant Shin Jeha hadn’t received any help in alleviating his pain. The issue of an Esper’s wavelengths was an impossible realm that even Healers couldn’t resolve.

“I understand your condition requires urgent Guiding, Mr. Shin Jeha. However, rapid Guiding has its consequences. Since things have turned out this way, I’ll try my best. So you’ll need to cooperate as much as possible.”

“Yes. What… should I… do?”

“You must follow my instructions perfectly regarding Guiding. For now, let’s start with the lightest possible level and proceed gradually. And living here might be quite bothersome. To be honest, I’m quite particular. There will be a lot of rules to follow while we live together. I’ll tell you one by one as I think of them.”

“Yes, I’ll do my best.”

Shin Jeha bowed his head. Since Kwon Yijae was speaking formally, Shin Jeha did the same.

Kwon Yijae’s formal speech felt strange to Shin Jeha. Despite the fact that Shin Jeha had always addressed him formally in their conversations. It was probably because Shin Jeha had heard the informal way Kwon Yijae spoke to those around him.

‘You agreed to do as I say, right? Stay still.’

And for Shin Jeha too, slightly.

“Well, I think that’s what I should be saying. I don’t like deviating from established routines. Keep what I say in mind, and don’t forget it.”

“I will.”

“You don’t need to answer so tensely. Just don’t make mistakes.”

Kwon Yijae picked up his phone and gave a brief instruction.

“Bring it.”

Having finished his call, Kwon Yijae looked down at Shin Jeha silently. An observing gaze. It was, how should he put it, like being meticulously dissected.

Shin Jeha felt a disconcerting illusion of being stripped bare. The persistent gaze, which seemed to demand that he reveal everything he wanted to hide, made his cheeks flush. This was embarrassing.

“For now, let’s do Guiding about once a week.”

Kwon Yijae addressed the most crucial part in an indifferent voice.

“Once a week… isn’t that… too little?”

Shin Jeha’s condition had progressed for quite some time. The five-year gap in Guiding wouldn’t be filled overnight. He wanted to become an Esper quickly, and more importantly, he wanted to walk on his own two feet again. That way, he wouldn’t be a burden to Kwon Yijae any longer.

“Is that what you think?”

Kwon Yijae snorted, looking at Shin Jeha as if he were ridiculous.

“Just like an Esper.”

A sudden chill ran down Shin Jeha’s spine.

“I’m being very conservative right now. More than anything, I need to see whether you’re even capable of receiving Guiding at this point.”

“Why….”

“Why? You came prepared, didn’t you? You ask knowing that?”

He knew. Just as Kwon Yijae said, Shin Jeha was ready to endure everything. Kwon Yijae had slapped him without hesitation, his arousal triggered by the assault. And that wasn’t the end, but the beginning. Shin Jeha couldn’t even begin to imagine the pain he would have to endure in the process.

However, enduring was also Shin Jeha’s own will. Choosing Kwon Yijae as his Guide, begging him to accept him, and finally managing to enter this house – all of these were his own choices, and therefore, Shin Jeha had no other option. Once he started, he had to endure it no matter what.

No matter how difficult, no matter how agonizing, even if it drove him, an Esper, to death.

“Even if full-scale Guiding is difficult, let’s increase the contact time little by little. You have more than one ailment, so let’s start with eating properly. You need basic strength even to chew.”

Shin Jeha’s face flushed at the blunt words. While the words from Kwon Yijae’s mouth were vulgar, the tone in which he uttered them was excessively austere. Instead of replying, Shin Jeha lowered his head and nodded slightly. It meant he would do as he was told.

The brief silence that followed was heavy. What should he say? Shin Jeha pondered. He rarely spoke his mind. While he was trying to figure out what Kwon Yijae wanted to hear, thankfully, the sound of the front door opening broke the silence. It was Blake, holding a small box. He set the box down and asked politely,

“What would you like me to do?”

“I’ll do it.”

“You, Director… yourself…?”

“I know how.”

Blake, momentarily puzzled, replied with a bow, “Understood.”

“Go on out.”

Once Blake left, only Shin Jeha and Kwon Yijae remained in the living room.

“Let’s start with this.”

Kwon Yijae moved the box to the table next to the armchair, settled himself, and extended his arm towards Shin Jeha. Shin Jeha, caught by his arm, was instantly pulled and placed on his lap. Shin Jeha, sitting on Kwon Yijae like a koala, was extremely flustered.

“D-Director!”

“Stay still.”

Kwon Yijae was bigger than Shin Jeha had thought. Even held like this, Shin Jeha was only slightly above his line of sight.

Kwon Yijae’s face, looking down from above, seemed like that of a stranger. Until now, Shin Jeha had thought he was a Korean with British nationality, but now he wasn’t so sure. Looking at his thick eyebrows, deep-set long eyes, and the enigmatic pupils that were neither completely black nor blue, he seemed to be of mixed race.

His broad shoulders were as wide as an athlete’s. The inverted triangle line from his shoulders was as impressive as a suit model’s.

Each time Kwon Yijae moved, spreading his arms, the shirt hugging his chest tightened, and the gaps between the buttons widened slightly. While not exactly brawny, everywhere Shin Jeha touched was firm. Since their first meeting, Kwon Yijae had possessed a physique that seemed unbelievable for a Guide.

Kwon Yijae lifted Shin Jeha’s legs one by one and wrapped them around his waist. Then he pressed his forearm against Shin Jeha’s back, allowing him to lean against him. Listless and thin, Shin Jeha moved like a doll at Kwon Yijae’s touch. He rested his forehead against Kwon Yijae’s broad shoulder, his breath coming in shallow gasps as he leaned against him weakly. His mouth felt parched.

“Director….”

His voice landed on Kwon Yijae’s shoulder.

“Yes.”

An Esper almost certainly possessing a unique ability, according to the Korean Center’s assessment. An Esper whose ability was still difficult to determine. An Esper with a youthful appearance that created a strange sense of incongruity, despite not being a minor.

Kwon Yijae now had the responsibility to care for Shin Jeha. And that responsibility was, in fact, nothing special. It simply meant that he had gained the right to feed, clothe, shelter, hit, discipline, and have sex with Shin Jeha as he pleased.

“What are you trying to do…ngh!”

Kwon Yijae licked Shin Jeha’s slightly exposed earlobe as if to show him. Startled by the moist sensation, Shin Jeha twisted his body, but Kwon Yijae’s muscular arms pressed down on his back with brute force, preventing him from moving. Shin Jeha trembled convulsively. The tremor transmitted to Kwon Yijae, who was sucking on his earlobe.

“Haa, uh….”

A sensitive sensation, like fire, bloomed where Kwon Yijae’s lips touched. He nibbled with his teeth, causing sharp pain, and then soothed the bitten spot with his tongue. Unable to bear the sounds escaping through his teeth, Shin Jeha reflexively tried to cover his mouth but was immediately stopped.

Unguarded sounds poured ceaselessly from Shin Jeha’s mouth.

It felt like small flames crackling and burning. He couldn’t stand it. Without knowing what he was doing, Shin Jeha, straddling Kwon Yijae’s lap, bucked his hips. He almost burst out laughing at his instinctive action.

“Are you always this sensitive?”

“I… that… one of the side effects….”

Shin Jeha whispered, his face crimson.

“Yes, I think I saw that in the report.”

Despite the casual reply, Kwon Yijae had memorized all the information the Center had sent about Shin Jeha. So he was well aware of Shin Jeha’s sensory overload, how his senses, including hearing, were so sensitive that it made daily life difficult. This included pain and touch. It was a rather interesting side effect, as far as Kwon Yijae was concerned.

So there was even less reason to hesitate. Kwon Yijae licked and traced Shin Jeha’s ear without restraint. His emaciated back, with its spine protruding, shuddered. His shoulders hunched, and his forehead, pressed against Kwon Yijae, trembled convulsively.

“Ungh, uh… ngh….”

This should be enough. Kwon Yijae, having deliberately heightened the Esper’s already sensitive senses, reached out with his other hand and opened the box. Inside were a small device, a thick piercing gun with a small, sparkling black gem, and a screwdriver. There was also a syringe and some medicine, but Kwon Yijae paid them no attention.

His long fingers picked up the piercing and turned it in the light, examining it. The gem itself wasn’t large, but the diameter of the screw was quite wide.

“Aren’t you going to ask what it is?”

“Is it… okay to ask…?”

Shin Jeha asked in a small voice. His tone wasn’t fearful.

“Well.”

Kwon Yijae tore open an alcohol swab and disinfected the area where the piercing would go. He leisurely pressed Shin Jeha’s right earlobe, checking the spot for the piercing. As the sharp point touched the damp cartilage, Shin Jeha shuddered.

This Esper-specific piercing was notorious for causing unimaginable pain, unlike regular piercings, because it directly affected the wavelengths.

“Then I won’t ask….”

Kwon Yijae clearly felt the trembling against his shoulder. It originated from Shin Jeha. He seemed frightened and trembling, yet he couldn’t bring himself to ask what Kwon Yijae was doing or question him. It seemed less like a lack of assertiveness and more like an inability to even entertain the thought of questioning him.

“Good.”

Kwon Yijae felt rather generous at Shin Jeha’s satisfactory answer and behavior.

“Just know that there’s a reason for everything I do. This is a rather special device, so it will hurt quite a bit, but since it’s just a matter of inserting it, bear with it.”

“Yes….”

Kwon Yijae positioned the piercing precisely and began to push it in slowly, using force. The piercing, cut diagonally with a sharp end, pierced halfway through the cartilage with a crunching sound.

“……!”

If he said it would hurt, it meant Shin Jeha just had to endure it.

At the pain of skin and bone being pierced, Shin Jeha clenched his teeth involuntarily. The sound of cartilage being pierced rang out clearly in his ear. The tender flesh inside his cheek, caught between his teeth, tasted of blood. Moisture gathered in the corners of his tightly closed eyes.

But even the pain of torn flesh and broken bone was bearable compared to the pain Shin Jeha had endured so far, despite his involuntary physiological reactions.

“Shin Jeha.”

To answer, he had to open his lips, and….

“Huh… yes, …Director….”

“Is it bearable?”

“I can endure it… ugh!”

Kwon Yijae deliberately controlled his strength, slowly pushing the piercing all the way through. With brute force, the sharp tip completely pierced the cartilage and lodged in his ear.

At that moment, a sharp pain shot through Shin Jeha, like something piercing his very wavelengths. The piercing affected even his wavelengths. Blinded by the pain, Shin Jeha bit his lip and moaned involuntarily. The sharp pain disappeared instantly, but the aftereffects lingered, making him tremble.

“Huh, uh….”

“Yes, you’re enduring it well. The painful part is over now.”

Kwon Yijae said, taking out a device from the box. Even his casually spoken words were a comfort to Shin Jeha.

Struggling to cope with the lingering pain, Shin Jeha unconsciously rubbed his forehead against Kwon Yijae’s shoulder. As if he could endure it better if he was held, he buried his face completely in Kwon Yijae’s embrace.

Kwon Yijae held the trembling Shin Jeha tighter. He pressed down on his back with his elbows and forearms, preventing him from moving, and did what he had to do. The sharply honed tip, designed to pierce the skin, snapped off with a click. Then, something cold and metallic was inserted. It was a locking mechanism.

This piercing was a control device, including a GPS tracker specifically designed for Espers, developed in-house by Quantum. Of course, the Korean Center also had similar devices made using Quantum’s technology and paid royalties, but Kwon Yijae had no intention of putting such cheap things on Shin Jeha.

Once inserted, it couldn’t be removed without damaging the body. There was only one screwdriver that fit the piercing, and Kwon Yijae intended to discard it. After tightening the piercing in Shin Jeha’s ear, Kwon Yijae put the remaining items back in the box and closed it.

“It’s done.”

Kwon Yijae pulled Shin Jeha’s shoulder back to face him. At that moment, Kwon Yijae almost let out a low gasp involuntarily. Shin Jeha’s tightly closed, tear-blurred eyes, bloodstained red lips, and clenched jaw came into view.

Traces of pain lingered on Shin Jeha’s face, and it strangely pleased Kwon Yijae. But seeing the blood on his lips, he couldn’t show any reaction.

“It’s… done?”

Shin Jeha, who had been trembling, slowly opened his eyes. His tear-laden eyelashes seemed to flutter each time his eyelids, which had completely obscured his vision, moved. When his eyes fully opened, they were met with Kwon Yijae’s stern face.

And on Kwon Yijae’s shirt, where Shin Jeha had rested his face, were both red and wet stains. Shin Jeha realized he had soiled his shirt.

“Oh….”

Shin Jeha looked around frantically, but there were no tissues in sight. Kwon Yijae, already aware of the warm wetness spreading from his collarbone to his chest, grabbed Shin Jeha’s chin and wiped his lips with his thumb, smearing the light red bloodstain.

“Mr. Shin Jeha.”

“I’m sorry… I, I didn’t mean… ungh!”

Kwon Yijae grabbed Shin Jeha’s hair and slapped his right cheek hard with a loud crack.

“Ah!”

Kwon Yijae’s palm grazed the newly pierced spot. Shin Jeha’s head snapped back, and he involuntarily closed his eyes again at the delayed physical pain in his cheek and the heat generated by the friction. Above all, the feeling of tough, smooth leather striking his face was a type of pain he didn’t want to recall.

“Huh….”

It was natural for Kwon Yijae to be angry since he had ruined his shirt. Shin Jeha apologized tearfully, stammering, “I’m… sorry.”

“Apologize for things you should apologize for, and don’t apologize for things you shouldn’t.”

As if this wasn’t even close to a real assault, Kwon Yijae’s voice was still cool and impassive.

“Let me tell you the first rule in my house.”

A finger approached Shin Jeha’s lips, traced the torn skin, and pressed down hard. As he ground the torn flesh, more blood welled up. Shin Jeha couldn’t help but wince. Kwon Yijae’s following words were imprinted in his ear along with the pain.

“Don’t do anything I haven’t told you to do.”

At the cold voice, Shin Jeha felt a surge of fear. He wouldn’t know exactly what “anything I haven’t told you to do” entailed unless it was clearly defined.

“Do you understand?”

“…Yes. I was… wrong….”

Shin Jeha couldn’t continue, feeling suffocated by the cold gaze.

Kwon Yijae checked the bloodstain on his thumb. Displeased, he lifted Shin Jeha, who was sitting on his lap trying to manage the pain, and placed him on the cushion below the sofa before standing up.

Taking the box containing the remaining equipment, Kwon Yijae unbuttoned his bloodstained shirt with one hand and headed for the second floor. By the time he reached the top of the stairs, his shirt was completely open at the side.

His disappearing back, as he removed his shirt, was the last thing Shin Jeha saw. He could only watch, kneeling as he was. His wheelchair was far away, and his body was immobile. Shin Jeha could do nothing in the position Kwon Yijae had left him in.

Don’t do anything I haven’t told you to do?

Was he angry about the ruined shirt, or was it the biting of his lip that was the problem?

Shin Jeha still didn’t know what he could and couldn’t do in front of Kwon Yijae. The same applied to this house.

The important fact was that Kwon Yijae held Shin Jeha’s life in his hands. Therefore, Shin Jeha could never defy him under any circumstances.

It would be best to do neither. Shin Jeha reached a simple conclusion.

Until complete darkness fell upon the living room, until it became so dark that he could see nothing, Shin Jeha waited silently, huddled on the cushion. A quiet stillness filled the house, as if no one was there. Each time intermittent pain shot through his ear, the memory of the slap resurfaced vividly.

What Shin Jeha found more unbearable was the pain that washed over his body. Curled up, he could only endure the sharp pain seeping into his bones, hoping it would subside. The tangled wavelengths throughout his body constricted him like bonds, pricking him like thorns, making him feel like he was being stabbed repeatedly.

Only Kwon Yijae could permanently erase this pain. It didn’t matter what he did or how he treated Shin Jeha.

That’s why Shin Jeha could clearly recognize Kwon Yijae, who appeared much later in the darkness. It wasn’t that he couldn’t see anything. Kwon Yijae was Shin Jeha’s only choice and final salvation.

🤎

The place Shin Jeha had initially mistaken for a glass tank was his assigned room.

The moment he opened his eyes, Shin Jeha winced. Blinding sunlight poured in, making the room excessively bright. Whoever designed this place clearly hadn’t considered the user’s comfort; it was a rather malicious taste.

Lying flat on the bed, Shin Jeha saw the ceiling far, far above him. As he slowly turned his head, the entire living room came into view. It made sense, considering that everything surrounding the bed, except for one wall, was transparent, including the sliding doors. While he could understand that much, the fact that even the bathroom was made of glass seemed to have a purpose.

A few shelves were set against the thick, cold concrete wall, but they were empty. The bathroom was located at the far end, and a single bed sat in the center of the room. Aside from that, there was only a low clothes rack. Everything in the room seemed arranged with consideration for the view from the outside rather than the user’s convenience. It was a space ideally structured for observing someone, for seeing what they were doing in the room.

The fact that everything was visible meant that there was nothing in Shin Jeha’s life that could be hidden.

Shin Jeha’s initial impression of a fish tank wasn’t wrong at all. The only difference was that it housed a person, not a fish.

Loss of privacy. Shin Jeha didn’t feel bad accepting this reality he understood intellectually. He wouldn’t have minded worse treatment, so this was more than he could ask for.

In any case, Shin Jeha needed help to leave the room. Specifically, a wheelchair. However, he couldn’t see the wheelchair he had used yesterday anywhere in the house.

Shin Jeha pondered for a moment. Even getting out of bed and washing up required assistance. But calling Kwon Yijae felt incredibly awkward.

Kwon Yijae, visible in the distance, was reading something, and Shin Jeha didn’t want to disturb him. He pressed his arms against the bed and managed to sit up. The soft mattress, which he was lying on for the first time, supported his body but didn’t offer much leverage. Just as he finally managed to sit up after considerable effort, a low voice spoke from beside him.

“You’re awake.”

Kwon Yijae was standing there, as if he had materialized out of thin air. He had been holding something in his hand just a moment ago. If Shin Jeha hadn’t seen that, he would have mistaken Kwon Yijae’s presence for concern.

“Ah, yes! Good… morning….”

Flustered, Shin Jeha stammered. Kwon Yijae entered the room casually.

“Do you usually wake up late?”

“Ah…. What time is it?”

Shin Jeha looked around, but there was no clock in sight. Kwon Yijae checked his wristwatch and replied.

“11:57 AM.”

“Oh….”

That was quite early, in his opinion.

“Shall I wake up a little earlier tomorrow…?”

“A regular routine is especially important for patients. Waking up when the sun is up, sleeping when it’s dark, and eating three proper meals a day are the basics.”

Kwon Yijae suddenly scooped Shin Jeha into his arms and headed for the bathroom. As he was being carried, Shin Jeha mumbled, “I’m sorry.”

Strangely, he found himself apologizing a lot around Kwon Yijae. It wasn’t his fault that he hadn’t met a Guide, but apart from that, he felt as if he had brought everything upon himself.

“If you know you’re sorry, then don’t do it again. Do you like the room?”

“Y-Yes…. Thank you.”

“If you need anything, tell me, and I’ll provide it.”

Kwon Yijae entered the bathroom. He sat Shin Jeha on the edge of the fairly large bathtub and rolled up his sleeves. His thick forearms were revealed between his black leather gloves and gray shirt.

“How did you usually wash yourself?”

“Um… I can wash my face, brush my teeth, and wash my hair myself.”

“What about showering?”

“…If you help me into the bathtub, I think I can do it by myself….”

Shin Jeha replied listlessly, lowering his head. Relying on others had always been a given for him, but he knew it could be tiresome for others.

“Is that so?”

However, Kwon Yijae didn’t seem to mind. Since the bathroom was quite spacious, he brought the shampoo and body wash closer, saying,

“It’s my responsibility to care for you, Mr. Shin Jeha, so I’ll take care of these things for the time being. I’ll wash you, so just sit still.”

“But, I… it’s Monday today… what about work…?”

“I took the day off today, and I plan to work from home for the time being, starting tomorrow.”

At Kwon Yijae’s words, Shin Jeha felt a pang of guilt. He knew Kwon Yijae was an executive at Quantum. He also knew how big Quantum was. As someone in a high position, it was natural for him to be busy. The fact that he wasn’t going to the office could only be Shin Jeha’s fault.

As if unconcerned with Shin Jeha’s thoughts, Kwon Yijae mechanically removed his clothes. Each time his bare skin, rather, the gloves, touched him, a strange feeling arose. A wave of shame washed over him, but Kwon Yijae seemed indifferent. Shin Jeha found this even harder to bear and lowered his head.

Shin Jeha’s naked body resembled an X-ray image. Excessively thin, his skin looked like dried leather, with only bones visible underneath. His skin, pale to the point of being bluish, was smooth but cold. It was an underdeveloped body, covered only with fine hair. Kwon Yijae assessed that there wasn’t much to see even when he was undressed.

Kwon Yijae put a toothbrush with toothpaste on it into Shin Jeha’s hand. While Shin Jeha brushed his teeth with a dazed expression, Kwon Yijae adjusted the water temperature. When he was finished brushing, appropriately warm water poured over his head. Gloved hands began to ruffle his hair. As if he had never washed someone else’s hair before, his movements were clumsy. Yet, to Shin Jeha, it felt strangely delicate.

As Kwon Yijae washed him with his impassive touch, Shin Jeha thought about the price Kwon Yijae had to pay because of his choice. He couldn’t return to his home country, England, and as long as Shin Jeha was at the mansion, he couldn’t go to work.

The thought that he was a burden to Kwon Yijae made Shin Jeha unbearably apologetic. Yet, at the same time, he knew he had to stay in this house no matter what.

Therefore, he would endure whatever Kwon Yijae did. Whether he resorted to violence or inflicted pain, Shin Jeha would persevere and become a complete Esper. Only then could he repay Kwon Yijae’s kindness, and also….

“…….”

Shin Jeha had to. There was a reason why he absolutely had to.

Wrapped in a thin, large towel, Shin Jeha was carried out of the bathroom by Kwon Yijae. Kwon Yijae was also soaked from washing Shin Jeha. After considering the clothes hanging on the rack, he chose a dark green pajama set and handed it to Shin Jeha. The dark color seemed to suit his pale skin.

“Can you dress yourself?”

“Yes!”

“Get dressed. I’ll change my clothes too.”

Shin Jeha struggled to change into the smooth silk pajamas. They were loose and large, long enough to cover the back of his hands, and there were no undergarments. Each time the smooth, soft fabric rubbed against his bare skin, especially the areas usually covered by underwear, Shin Jeha felt a strange chill.

All the clothes in the room were matching pajama sets. There wasn’t a single piece of clothing suitable for wearing outside. The sizes also seemed more suited to Kwon Yijae than Shin Jeha, but he didn’t mind. The things here weren’t his; they were merely things Kwon Yijae had allowed him to use.

Kwon Yijae, having changed out of his wet clothes, returned and picked up Shin Jeha, who was waiting in the pajamas he had chosen. True to Kwon Yijae’s words about avoiding the wheelchair, the folded wheelchair placed outside the inner doors remained unused. The pajama pants swayed around his dangling feet as he was carried.

They arrived at a dining room that wasn’t visible from Shin Jeha’s room. A man standing against one wall like a backdrop bowed silently in greeting. Shin Jeha widened his eyes and bowed in return, but their eyes didn’t meet. He realized belatedly that the man hadn’t been greeting him but Kwon Yijae.

Kwon Yijae pulled out a chair with his foot while still holding Shin Jeha. Placed in the armchair, Shin Jeha murmured,

“Thank you.”

Despite hearing the small voice, Kwon Yijae pushed the chair towards the table without a word and went to sit opposite him.

“7 AM, 12:30 PM, and 6 PM for dinner. Remember the meal times.”

“Yes…”

A server began setting the table with food. Steam rose from the freshly prepared dishes.

A large piece of meat with bone protruding, roasted vegetables he couldn’t name, various sauces, a side salad, and other dishes Shin Jeha couldn’t identify were served, two portions of each. The meal seemed tailored to Kwon Yijae’s taste.

“Let’s eat.”

“Thank you for the food.”

Unfortunately, Shin Jeha didn’t know how to eat this kind of food. He could cut the steak, but there were three different knives. Lowering his head, he glanced at Kwon Yijae’s cutlery.

Kwon Yijae, holding a knife with a serrated edge that looked sharp enough to tear through anything, neatly sliced the meat. The metallic scent of blood from the cut meat wafted to his sensitive nose. It was the same smell that had seemed to emanate from his mouth since the piercing.

Suppressing a sudden wave of nausea, Shin Jeha reached for his water glass, then hesitated. It was a beautifully crafted glass, but whatever it was made of, it was so heavy that he could barely lift it.

Everything on the table was like that. The glass, as well as the metal cutlery, were the same. There were so many different plates of food that some were out of reach without extending his arm, but Shin Jeha didn’t even know if it was rude to pull them closer.

Thanks to cautiously mimicking Kwon Yijae, Shin Jeha ate noticeably slowly. The only thing he could manage properly was the meat closest to him, but due to his clumsiness with the heavy knife, the cut surface of the meat was a bloody mess.

Shin Jeha picked at the fully cooked edges, avoiding the bloody parts. The meat melted in his mouth, incredibly tender, but it didn’t erase the metallic taste of blood lingering in his mouth.

“The doctor said it’s important for you to eat well. If you don’t want to eat, tell me.”

Kwon Yijae spoke in a cold, admonishing tone, though he hadn’t been watching him. Even if unintentional, the mangled meat on Shin Jeha’s plate was starkly contrasted with the neatly sliced portions on Kwon Yijae’s. Shin Jeha, his face unconsciously crumpling, murmured,

“I’m sorry. I… that….”

Kwon Yijae continued eating, putting a piece of meat in his mouth with a concise movement, seemingly indifferent to whether Shin Jeha finished his sentence. He knew he should speak up, but the thought of being picky about the food prevented the words from leaving his mouth.

Shin Jeha couldn’t understand himself. He had never been like this during his time in the Center’s isolation ward.

The watery porridge that looked like uncooked rice roughly stirred in water, the clear broth devoid of any substance, the bright red side dishes he hadn’t touched because using chopsticks was difficult. Sometimes, there was hard bread and cold soup, but Shin Jeha had never been one to complain about food.

So why now?

The meat in his mouth was undeniably delicious and tender, yet it felt tasteless, like rubber.

Kwon Yijae didn’t urge him to speak or criticize his behavior. He simply continued eating as if Shin Jeha wasn’t there. That bothered Shin Jeha even more.

A surge of inexplicable resentment welled up, and Shin Jeha bit his lip, holding back tears. Remembering the slap from yesterday, he refrained from biting down too hard.

“…I’m sorry, Director…. I… these things… I don’t think I can digest them well….”

Finally, Kwon Yijae spoke in a low voice.

“Change it.”

The man standing by the kitchen moved without a word. He approached silently and began clearing Shin Jeha’s plate and cutlery, one by one. Shin Jeha, watching the food disappear, looked at Kwon Yijae in surprise. Should he have just said it was difficult to eat? As he was panicking, Kwon Yijae asked,

“Whatever the problem is, tell me directly from now on. No one will solve it for you if you don’t speak up. Do you understand?”

“Yes…. I’m… sorry….”

“Good. You should feel sorry for causing inconvenience. Will liquid food be alright?”

“…Yes.”

At Shin Jeha’s reply, Kwon Yijae nodded. The man, having cleared the plates, brought different food. Various kinds of steaming porridge and a spoon were placed before him. It was as if they had anticipated this situation from the start.

“Thank you….”

Shin Jeha offered an awkward thanks and tasted each one. They were worlds apart from the watery porridge served at the hospital. There was one made with minced beef, another plain-looking but savory, and yet another with tofu, nuts, and chicken breast. Shin Jeha tasted each one, eating only as much as he could manage. Kwon Yijae immediately noticed the difference in his expression compared to earlier.

Shin Jeha began eating the porridge more slowly. The spoon was much lighter than the previous cutlery, but his arm started to ache after repeated use.

He was told to ask for what he needed. Shin Jeha glanced at Kwon Yijae, his lips parting slightly. Kwon Yijae noticed he had something to say but didn’t ask, allowing him to speak first. Finally mustering his courage, Shin Jeha opened his mouth.

“Um, Director…. I’m really sorry, but….”

Kwon Yijae stared at him with an impassive gaze.

“The spoon… is a little… heavy….”

Kwon Yijae’s eyes flickered slightly, as if this was something he hadn’t considered.

“Do you have a lighter one?”

“Please wait a moment, Director.”

The flustered server rummaged through the kitchen and brought all sorts of spoons. Shin Jeha chose the smallest one, a teaspoon used for adding sugar to tea.

“Thank you.”

Shin Jeha realized there was no reason to be nervous or anxious.

“I hadn’t thought of that. I’ll have a proper one prepared soon.”

“No, this is really enough.”

“That’s not proper cutlery. Does the food suit your taste?”

“Yes, it’s delicious. And easy to eat.”

Holding back tears that threatened to spill, Shin Jeha answered with a bashful smile. Looking at his face, Kwon Yijae picked up his cutlery again and continued.

“You need to eat properly to gain strength. I had it prepared with care, so try to finish it without leaving anything behind. Do you have any allergies?”

“I’m not sure.”

“We’ll get you tested soon.”

“That’s not necessary…”

Shin Jeha, about to protest, quickly changed his answer upon meeting Kwon Yijae’s sharp gaze.

“Thank you for your concern.”

The way Kwon Yijae took care of Shin Jeha was entirely on his own terms. He checked for allergies and other things he needed to know. Shin Jeha disliked the metallic smell of blood in the food, but seeing Kwon Yijae’s plate, he didn’t say anything. He also didn’t like the mushy vegetables but kept it to himself. He didn’t want to upset Kwon Yijae by mentioning such trivial things when he wouldn’t die from eating them.

Each time he felt a surge of emotion at Kwon Yijae’s consideration, Shin Jeha couldn’t help but compare. No one at the Center had taken care of him this way. There were many ways to show consideration without explicit explanations, and this was one of them, however unconventional it might be.

Shin Jeha thought he might understand Kwon Yijae a little. He seemed to prefer showing through actions rather than explaining.

Of course, that was just Shin Jeha’s hasty assumption. Kwon Yijae had known from the reports that Shin Jeha had an eating disorder and was malnourished. However, reading a report and seeing it with his own eyes were different. Kwon Yijae was simply a man who needed to confirm everything himself to be satisfied.

🤎

After the exhausting meal, they had fruit for dessert. Kwon Yijae only had a cup of tea, while Shin Jeha was given a plate of strawberries and an unfamiliar fruit.

Each time Shin Jeha ate a strawberry, he found the distinctive, tingling taste unpleasant. The strong flavor sometimes left a strange sensation in his throat, and his hands would occasionally itch. However, fruits were considered healthy, and it had been a long time since he’d had such large, beautifully colored fruit, so he emptied the plate without complaint.

And once again, he was in Kwon Yijae’s arms.

“All houses are the same. There’s nothing special, but it’s good to know where things are.”

Kwon Yijae carried Shin Jeha around slowly, showing him the house. On the first floor, there was the enormous living room, Shin Jeha’s glass room, the dining room, and a few closed doors. Kwon Yijae didn’t explain what was behind those doors. Shin Jeha understood that those were places he wasn’t allowed to enter.

Kwon Yijae’s words about not doing anything he hadn’t told him to do ultimately meant doing nothing without his permission.

“I use the second floor.”

Kwon Yijae carried Shin Jeha up the spiral staircase. After ascending the circular wooden stairs, areas not visible from below came into view.

From the second floor, the living room could be seen at a glance. More precisely, the area where Shin Jeha’s room was located was visible. So this is how it looks from above, Shin Jeha thought absently, then turned his attention to Kwon Yijae’s space.

Unlike the first floor, Kwon Yijae’s space was filled with things. It was an open space with no walls and a couple of closed doors. A uniquely designed bookshelf filled with books occupied one wall. He could see a heavy desk and two large monitors on it. A large bed, proportionate to Kwon Yijae’s size, was placed in a dimly lit corner.

And surprisingly, the stairs continued upwards.

“Is there anything else up there?”

Shin Jeha, unable to contain his curiosity, asked.

“It’s a three-story basement, three-story above-ground structure. There’s a garden on the roof.”

“I see…. This house is really nice.”

“I acquired it in a hurry, but it’s generally quite good.”

The books on the shelves were mostly in English. There were a few Korean books that caught Shin Jeha’s eye, but they were too far away to read the titles.

A vibration sounded from somewhere. Kwon Yijae set Shin Jeha down on a soft cushion in front of the bookshelf and said,

“You can look at anything here.”

“Anything?”

“Yes, take them out and read them. I’ll take this call.”

Turning away, Kwon Yijae went down to the first floor, saying in a low voice, “What is it?” Shin Jeha suddenly wondered when Kwon Yijae used formal and informal speech.

Shin Jeha looked at the bookshelf. Since he was sitting on the floor, his gaze fell on the lower shelves. Fortunately, there were a few Korean titles there. They didn’t look like commercially available books but rather privately bound theses. Most of them dealt with complex theories related to Espers and Guides.

Looking through the books in the study, Shin Jeha realized why he felt a sudden surge of excitement.

The Kwon Yijae he knew always wore leather gloves. In his daily life, even when washing Shin Jeha. He only took them off when he had to touch Shin Jeha in unavoidable situations like Guiding. Shin Jeha wasn’t upset, assuming it was either OCD or an aversion to touching Espers.

Yet, this same Kwon Yijae had brought him into his personal space and casually allowed him to touch his belongings. Perhaps he had misunderstood Kwon Yijae, Shin Jeha suddenly thought as he read the book titles.

<A Study on the Guide’s Approach to Esper Wavelengths — Lim Younghoon>

Shin Jeha’s eyes widened at the familiar name. Was the author of this thesis Dr. Lim Younghoon, his physician?

Shin Jeha took the book out and began reading. Difficult-to-understand content started from the first page. It began with the question, ‘Are Guides truly necessary for Espers?’

Shin Jeha was interested in the conclusion, not the experimental process that led to it. He yawned repeatedly and tears welled up in the corners of his eyes as he deciphered the difficult sentences. Sitting on the floor and reading might have been a bit strenuous as well.

But strangely, the house was quiet. The only sound was Shin Jeha turning the pages. Kwon Yijae didn’t return for a long time, his call seemingly stretching on.

🤎

Down on the first floor, Kwon Yijae stood before a closed door at the end of the hallway and removed the cover of the lock. The security system silently scanned his eyes and opened the door. One wall of the room was filled with numerous monitors.

The mansion within the high walls had no blind spots, except for the control room, which could only be opened with Kwon Yijae’s iris. The garden, the bathroom, even the second floor where Kwon Yijae resided, were all visible.

Among the numerous CCTV feeds, only four monitors on the third row from the top were in color. These monitors automatically switched to color when there was movement. On the screen, Shin Jeha was turning pages with drowsy eyes.

“Yeah, alright. Tell me now.”

The person who had called Kwon Yijae was Blake Wilder.

The four monitors flickered, switching between color and black and white. They turned to color each time Shin Jeha turned a page and reverted to black and white when he stopped.

— The Korean government has started to make its move. Director, can you take a look at this news?

“I can.”

Kwon Yijae turned on his computer and opened the link Blake had sent. The monitor, with the sound off, displayed a Code Black alert, signifying a national emergency. Below, red-banded captions scrolled continuously, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.

[Code Black: Fire at the National Esper Hospital Special Ward. Extent of damage currently unknown.]

The National Esper Hospital’s special ward was located on Ulieudo, an isolated island south of the mainland. Korean Espers referred to the ward on Ulieudo as an isolation camp.

Perhaps it wasn’t entirely inaccurate. The people confined to the special ward were mostly Espers who had become incapacitated due to wavelength issues or were no longer useful. They were cancerous existences that should never be released into society.

[Fire doors and ESP blocking walls activated. Forced override will take approximately one week after fire suppression. Estimated 30 Espers trapped inside. No civilian casualties confirmed.]

However, Kwon Yijae’s expression remained unchanged as he watched the grave news.

[Cause of fire currently under investigation. Korean Center promises to prioritize rescue efforts, focusing on Esper survival. Experts pessimistic about the outcome.]

In addition to the news, separate reports from Quantum poured in. Unlike the national emergency news, Kwon Yijae read the reports meticulously.

The construction of Quantum Korea’s underground laboratory was 74% complete, and 84 out of 107 researchers dispatched from headquarters had entered the country.

After reviewing the documents, Kwon Yijae turned his head and stared at the CCTV feed. Shin Jeha yawned long and rubbed his eyes while reading. His upturned eyes resembled a drowsy cat basking in the afternoon sun.

Kwon Yijae wanted to see it in person. And there was no harm in Shin Jeha overhearing the call anyway.

Closing the door and activating the security system, Kwon Yijae asked,

“Did you receive the goods?”

— Twenty-seven samples. Received and confirmed from the Center.

“Fewer than expected. What’s the researchers’ reaction?”

— You don’t need to worry, Director. It seems sufficient for the project to proceed for the time being. Although the number of samples is small, the quality is excellent.

“Yes, that’s exactly why I chose Korea.”

While it was an era where Espers served the national interest, many countries still controlled Esper powers. Esper organizations in various countries, which had held power similar to the government, had been dismantled or weakened. The same was true for information control regarding those with abilities. Governments, generally conservative, were wary of even civilians knowing about ability users.

In that respect, Korea was a rather peculiar country. A place where people had a moderate level of knowledge about Espers, neither completely ignorant nor overly informed. A place where the Center and the government maintained a balance of power. A place where the government managed Espers, yet allowed them a certain degree of autonomy.

Furthermore, there were so many capable Espers in this small country that no one would suspect anything even if a few disappeared. Korea was undoubtedly the ideal country for the clinical trials of Project K.

Kwon Yijae ascended the stairs silently. Shin Jeha, who had been reading, was dozing off. Kwon Yijae observed him from a distance, slumped on the floor.

Did Shin Jeha know why Kwon Yijae had brought him to the second floor?

“Are the interviews and paperwork finished?”

At Kwon Yijae’s voice, Shin Jeha slowly opened his eyes and looked at him. A hint of welcome flickered across his drowsy face.

— Yes. We’ve confirmed that they all consented voluntarily, recorded it on video, and had them sign separate agreements prepared by us. Both Korean and British law guarantee it, and the Korean Center and the subjects share responsibility for any future proceedings, with Quantum as the managing entity.

But Kwon Yijae considered that insufficient.

Simple welcome wasn’t enough. The moment he was spotted, those eyes should be filled with an undeniable desperation, a sense of urgency that couldn’t be missed.

But Kwon Yijae still had plenty of time. Everything was just beginning.

“Good, begin.”

— Understood.

Kwon Yijae hung up the phone and asked,

“Is that book interesting?”

Shin Jeha replied awkwardly, smiling.

“It’s interesting, but… it’s a bit too difficult….”

Naturally, Shin Jeha wouldn’t understand what Kwon Yijae was talking about, even if he explained it right in front of him. And by the time he did understand, he wouldn’t dare ask why.