PRT | Chapter 3.17

Kim Heeseo’s disciplinary case was smoothly concluded. The matter was ended with the punishment being nullified under the direct line of the Head of Division. For Heeseo, it was astonishing that the Head of Division had nullified the disciplinary action.

The headquarters hastily covered up the incident. This was due to the unexpectedly large fire that had erupted from the controversy about the Guide’s entertainment, which had hit the media. However, they did not apologize for the inappropriate procedures even after being in trouble.

Those who had visited the room salon were not referred to the disciplinary committee. They simply bowed their heads in apology. Standing in front of the camera with pale faces, that was the extent of responsibility they bore for this incident.

A murmur of discontent leaked out from one corner due to the noticeably different treatment. Heeseo also felt a bit bitter. If it hadn’t been for Seo Yigyeom, he would have been punished without any such incident. He lost all affection for the headquarters, which lacked any sense of acknowledgment.

“Thank you.”

“No.”

Seo Yigyeom, who had readily resolved the matter, was nonchalant. Even when Heeseo expressed his gratitude, he just nodded slightly. Only Moon Jung-o responded calmly. Heeseo vowed to repay them no matter when, watching them. No matter the circumstances, he didn’t want to owe a debt. He wanted to give back more than he received.

“This time I only received help, but… I’ll work harder from now on.”

“Why bother so much? Just put a scratch on the Head of Division’s face. Or cut off his arm, that’s fine too.”

“…Isn’t that a real reason for disciplinary action?”

“You’ve seen it. The law is a joke, so why would there be any punishment?”

Seo Yigyeom muttered while playing with a lighter. His gaze was indifferent as he traced the air. Then, he slightly raised his eyes to look at Heeseo. Despite his sharp gaze, the look he gave was not so.

“Kim Heeseo won’t have to worry about being disciplined in the future, so do as you please.”

Then, he withdrew his attention without waiting for a response, leaving Heeseo feeling weighed down. He felt grateful, sorry, and absurdly nervous. Still cold yet occasionally showing kindness, he was utterly inscrutable. Knowing how he appeared to others made it even more confusing.

Why do so much, he asked? It was rather this side that was curious about why he did so much.

“Why is he saying what I should say…”

Heeseo kicked a pebble on the road, grumbling. Their relationship had started with clear demands from each other. Until then, their territories were clear, and there was no crossing boundaries.

But when did it start?

Seo Yigyeom, who never showed interest in others, began to look his way. Despite hating to waste time, he stayed by his side. He didn’t give full trust, but at least he believed his words. How could one not be moved by the warmth encountered after enduring alone? At least, for Heeseo, it was difficult not to be.

The one who made him mistakenly think this way had also handled his mother’s move without delay.

The house they checked out together was very nice. It was similar to the place where Seo Yigyeom currently lived. Heeseo just blankly scanned the space, impressed by its grandeur beyond expectation. Even the security was good, making him feel oddly touched.

“How many houses do you have?”

“Why? Are you going to investigate?”

“Just curious.”

“If there’s one left, let me know if you need it.”

At his indifferent response, Heeseo let out a silent exclamation. Some people can’t even own one house in their lifetime, and here he was with several. He once again thought, this guy is truly rich.

“Why keep such a nice house empty?”

“I don’t like having other people in my house.”

“But you let me in.”

With that quiet remark, Seo Yigyeom looked at Heeseo and smiled slightly.

“True.”

That was all the response he gave. It was so ambiguous, open to interpretation. Yet, Heeseo didn’t add any further meaning because, no matter what answer he came up with, it would differ from Seo Yigyeom’s true intentions.

Thus, Heeseo simply redefined Seo Yigyeom’s definition within himself.

Despite all the scandals attached to him like a tail, he was actually more delicate than anyone. Honestly, his personality wasn’t great, but among those he’d met at the headquarters, he was the most thoughtful. He knew how to listen and care for others.

Had he once hesitated to judge if Seo Yigyeom was a good person? Now, he felt he could decide. Seo Yigyeom, still arrogant and never speaking sweetly, was surprisingly, quite benevolent.

Even without Seo Yigyeom, Heeseo chuckled, thinking of him as he walked. Before the smile had even faded from his lips, the vibration of his phone broke his reverie. It was his mom who had just been with him.

“Hello, Mom.”

Are you doing well?

“Of course. It’s not even been 10 minutes since I left.”

You’ll understand when you have kids. Even just sending them out makes you worry.

Heeseo only gave a small laugh to her affectionate voice. Her concern, having been with him all this time, was welcome. Maybe because they spent the night together after a long while, even his steps to work felt light.

“I’ll help with moving the rest of the stuff, so don’t do it all by yourself. There’s a lot of heavy stuff, it’s tough.”

Why would you come when you’re busy? I can manage by myself. Instead, come with Yigyeom next time. You should treat him to a meal for all this help.

“Huh? Oh… I’ll ask him.”

Okay. Be careful on the road. Do your best today, my son.

“You too, Mom.”

After the short call, Heeseo’s expression was curious. A meal… Would there be another occasion to visit his house with Seo Yigyeom? He pondered the moment in a daze before turning off the screen and stepping forward.

The commute was peaceful. The chill had softened, and the sun shone brightly, making it quite warm. People who usually pulled their coats up to their noses walked with their necks exposed for once. Heeseo too, with cheeks less flushed, moved forward.

However, the peaceful steps didn’t last long.

“Kyaaaaaah!”

A sudden sharp scream tore through the space. Heeseo stopped dead in his tracks, his face hardening. After a brief moment to locate the source of the noise, he didn’t hesitate to dash towards it.

“Huff, huff…”

The incident occurred at a crosswalk beside a four-lane road. In the center of the gathered crowd was an overturned pushcart and an elderly man on the ground. Next to him was a woman bleeding from her leg. Clutching her phone, trembling, she whispered, “Please help.”

“What are you looking at, you fuck!”

Her desperate plea was drowned out by the villain’s vulgarity. Or perhaps, those nearby heard it but chose to be mere spectators, opting to observe the situation.

Even as the old man shivered on the cold asphalt and the woman continuously asked for help, the surroundings were silent. No one stepped up to lend a hand. Not even someone to call for help was visible. They treated it like an oddity to be seen on the way to work, tapping on their phones.

“…”

Why are you just watching?

Heeseo, standing still like a statue, was hit by a passerby, staggering but then stepping forward. His steps towards the perpetrator were heavy, his face devoid of expression, cold. Seeing such indifference again chilled his blood.

“Excuse me. Could you call the police? And an ambulance too.”

“…Me?”

“Yes. Please. Make sure to say there’s an unregistered Esper here.”

Meeting his gaze directly, the one who had hesitated nodded. Heeseo watched as he brought the phone to his ear before approaching the perpetrator. The man recognized Heeseo and brandished a knife.

“Don’t come!”

“Put the knife down.”

“Fuck you.”

Laughing mockingly for a moment, he threw the knife at Heeseo. The blade flew at high speed. Heeseo didn’t dodge it. In the blink of an eye, a crack appeared in the air.

Clang!

Like light spreading from a point, a transparent barrier suddenly expanded, blocking the front. The knife, hitting the distorted air, fell with a thud. Beyond the cracked space, the man’s scowl was visible.

“Headquarters?”

Spitting out venomously, the man cursed. Then, he bizarrely spread his fingers. Between them, a transparent liquid oozed out. The drops that fell evaporated the asphalt like acid.

Don’t touch it.

He didn’t know exactly what the liquid was, but he was certain it shouldn’t be touched. Could it be hydrochloric acid? Heeseo was on high alert to prevent him from using his ability recklessly.

Rumble—

Behind the faint noise of the ground trembling, a transparent wall rose. The barrier Heeseo created to protect the surroundings was solid, like glass yet stable, reigning over the space.

“You’re not supposed to touch civilians. Try it, you bastard!”

Was it fortunate? The man’s ability wasn’t that impressive. It didn’t even reach half of what an Esper from the headquarters could do. Heeseo, accustomed to dealing with monsters, quickly subdued him.

He distorted and scattered the space around the man’s hands so he couldn’t move them freely. He wrapped the fragmented pieces around his hands, sealing the gaps and binding his wrists, completely immobilizing him.

“Aaaargh! You, fuck!”

Not stopping there, he applied pressure to crush the man. The man, struggling, had his knees buckle. Finally collapsing, he writhed, his face against the ground. Heeseo, meticulously separating the space, trapped him entirely. Until he rendered him incapacitated, Heeseo remained unscathed.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes. Yes… Thank you, thank you.”

“No problem. The ambulance will be here soon, so just hang on a bit.”

Heeseo reassured the woman sitting with a pale face and then turned to the old man.

“Sir, are you conscious? Can you stand?”

He carefully observed without touching, knowing it could be dangerous. Fortunately, the old man seemed conscious. Heeseo kept talking to him to keep him awake while massaging his hands.

Thankfully, the police and ambulance arrived soon. Perhaps because they knew there was an unregistered Esper, an Esper from the headquarters, likely from the Seoul Branch 2, came along. He skillfully took the man into custody.

“Hello. You’re Esper Kim Heeseo, right?”

As the ambulance with the patients left and Heeseo was catching his breath, the headquarters’ Esper approached to greet him.

“You know me?”

“Of course. You’re famous.”

Was he talking about the murder charge? As Heeseo was about to feel more tired, the man smiled.

“I saw you use your ability during the last Gyeonggi Gate incident. It was amazing.”

“Oh…”

“I’ve never seen anyone use their ability so perfectly. I really wanted to meet you.”

Without a trace of lie, the praise made Heeseo rub his neck. Even if it was from someone he met for the first time, the acknowledgment of his efforts made him happy. Heeseo couldn’t help but smile slightly and bow shallowly.

“Thank you.”

“Today’s incident will make headlines again. Thanks for your help.”

After a few more exchanges, the man left with the promise to see each other again if the opportunity arose. As Heeseo watched him walk away, he slowly started moving. His steps felt like they were floating.

He thought there were labels of murder suspect and outcast stuck to him. He had prepared himself to bear them since they couldn’t be easily removed, but perhaps there were those who looked beyond those labels.