PRT | Chapter 3.7

“Are you doing this to please Father?”

“Why would he tell me to find out?”

“No? This is my personal curiosity. I need to know something to play along or not.”

With that, Yihyeon gave a bright, eye-smiling grin.

“Who knows? Maybe I’ll take your side again.”

“That’s funny.”

Yigyeom let out a low laugh, tilting his head.

“First, get the title right.”

“What?”

“Does Kim Heeseo look like one of your subordinates? If you’re here to waste words, at least do it with some sincerity.”

Before such an esteemed person. At the added words, Yihyeon momentarily paused, then stretched her red lips into a wide smile.

“I’m shocked.”

Despite muttering about how absurd it was, she didn’t look upset. Instead, she seemed excited.

“You know Father’s been sharpening his blade for you recently, right?”

“Is it just a day or two?”

“Behave. Don’t give him a reason to chew you out.”

“Even if he does, it won’t be my head on the chopping block.”

Surprisingly, the siblings seemed to get along quite well. Heeseo listened to their exchange, quietly moving only his eyes. His gaze, which had been moving slowly, stopped at Yigyeom’s hand holding the cigarette.

“…”

Though he had taken it out in irritation, he never lit it.

For some reason, Heeseo’s mouth felt bitter.

* * *

The rain fell steadily, pattering down.

The winter rain, not falling fiercely, was particularly muddy. The drops that fell to the ground splashed back up, their cries of existence soon muffled under the puddles that formed.

It was a day that clouded the entire day. The dusky sky seemed to dull the judgment of those breathing beneath it, making it impossible to tell where one was passing. Even the slightest thoughts lost their strength.

“…”

Was it already time for the day to fade? As Kim Heeseo looked up in a daze, the tip of an umbrella caught his eye. The raindrops caught on the sharp umbrella handle struggled before sliding off. Heeseo watched it, entranced, and reached out his hand, which quickly got wet outside the black curtain of the umbrella.

Tap. The raindrops hitting his palm awakened his senses. The sensation slipping through his fingers felt like someone interlocking their fingers with his or licking them. His moistened fingertips trembled. Shivering from the chill, Heeseo clenched and unclenched his fist to shake off the feeling. When he withdrew his hand, there stood Seo Yigyeom.

“You’ll catch a cold. Shall I bring you a coat?”

“You should be the one getting wet.”

He was staring at one spot under the umbrella held by Jung-o Moon. His gaze, hands in his pockets, was askew, reflecting the gloomy weather. His eyes, fixed on a spot that flickered unsteadily, were also dark. Heeseo, following his gaze, looked at the anticipated hell with calm eyes.

Even on this dismal day when everything seemed to hold its breath, something was beginning to sprout. Unfortunately, it was sprouting in an entirely unwelcome direction.

The atmosphere trembled. It seemed to fluctuate under some invisible force. It was an unmistakable reaction. The space was shouting with all its might – soon, a Gate would open here.

“You said the Gate disappeared after using your ability. Can you do the same thing again?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll be by your side, so don’t be scared.”

Seo Yigyeom, with his brief command, immediately took Heeseo’s hand. He slid his fingers between Heeseo’s, letting his own energy flow through. The once cold fingertips were enveloped in warmth, causing a sharp, tingling sensation. At that moment, Heeseo was more focused on Yigyeom than on the unclear space. The raindrop that fell on their joined hands acted like a catalyst, making everything feel more acute.

The ability didn’t work. Trying to create a crack in the air to eliminate the Gate was futile. Yigyeom, who had been standing silently, ended it when Heeseo staggered. After that, he stood as if organizing his thoughts.

If I had a bit more power, could I have solved this?

A gloomy, unanswerable assumption arose. Heeseo, lowering his head unconsciously, stomped his foot at the reflection in the puddle. Splash, the vibration spread, blurring the gloomy face. A long breath escaped him.

“Let’s go now.”

After standing there for a while, Yigyeom turned away with an impassive expression.

“Let’s move separately from here. Have lunch with Jung-o and then return.”

“What about you, Guide-nim?”

“If you know, are you going to follow?”

Yigyeom answered casually, his gaze drifting.

“No, just… I was wondering where you’re going on such a bad day.”

“Why are you so curious about everything?”

Is it because he’s still young? With a low laugh and a remark, Heeseo clenched his lips. Yigyeom was the one who treated him like a child the most. Just as Heeseo was about to grumble, Yigyeom stepped under the umbrella.

“Why, come here?”

“Why are you stepping back?”

Startled, Heeseo took a step back, and Yigyeom closed the distance.

“I haven’t even touched Kim Heeseo, so why are you already scared?”

“You did touch me…”

Did he only touch? He even kissed him. Half in irritation, Heeseo blurted this out, causing Yigyeom to pause with a gasp.

“Ah, so that’s it.”

Murmuring quietly, Yigyeom seemed to have come to some conclusion.

“You show it this clearly…”

With a crooked smile, Yigyeom slowly extended his arm, then wrapped it around Heeseo’s hand holding the umbrella. Completely covering it, he took the umbrella for himself. The black umbrella rose higher.

“Let me borrow this.”

“Huh?”

Before Heeseo could react, Yigyeom had already moved him under Jung-o’s umbrella. Bewildered, Heeseo looked at Yigyeom, who seemed so calm despite stealing the umbrella.

“You’re not taking a car?”

“Driving in the rain is troublesome.”

“But you hate getting wet.”

“This is less troublesome. Stop asking and go.”

Jung-o Moon was equally nonchalant. He added no words to Yigyeom’s unpredictable actions, just bowed slightly in greeting, saying, “Yes. I’ll see you later.” Only Heeseo moved in confusion. Looking at Yigyeom from the car, he saw him with a bored expression.

“There’s a good soup place nearby, would you like to go?”

“Yes, I like soup.”

“It’ll take about 10 minutes, so relax.”

As the car started moving, their gazes had to part. Heeseo’s aimless eyes focused through the busy wipers on the front, where the city lights sparkled through the rain. Somehow, he felt an instant wave of fatigue.

The restaurant Jung-o mentioned was close. Though it looked a bit shabby, the inside was neat. Perhaps due to the simple menu, the food came out quickly. Two steaming bowls of hangover soup were soon on the table.

“Enjoy your meal.”

“Thank you.”

Heeseo greeted the owner kindly before saying “I’ll eat well” and picking up his spoon. Blowing on the soup before sipping, it was rich and delicious. It was the perfect food for such a cold day.

“It’s really delicious.”

“I’m glad it suits your taste. Guide-nim wouldn’t even look at it.”

“I can imagine.”

Subtly, or rather openly, Heeseo thought of the fussy Yigyeom and smiled faintly. His face, now relaxed, looked just like a young man of his age. The smile lingered, seemingly without Heeseo realizing it.

The meal continued in silence, both just moving their hands. Then, when Jung-o had nearly finished his bowl, Heeseo spoke first. His food was still half uneaten.

“You ate quickly.”

“Did I?”

Jung-o, quenching his thirst, replied casually.

“I’m usually quick when eating with Guide-nim. Please, take your time.”

“Ah…”

With that one word, Heeseo couldn’t help but think of Yigyeom. He had vaguely thought they ate at similar speeds… His fingers tightened. Only now, with the food cooled, did he feel his insides heat up.

After they finished eating, the outside had grown even darker. Occasionally, the sky would roar with thunder.

“About the Gate. We can’t stop it, can we?”

“Not now, at least.”

Boom! With a loud noise, lightning struck.

“It’s a natural disaster, after all.”

Jung-o murmured, looking where the lightning had flashed. Heeseo silently turned his head, gazing at the space where a sinister energy seemed to be brewing.

Soon, a Gate would open there.

Knowing this, there was no way to prevent it.

“…”

Was it because of the cold? His blood seemed to cool from his fingertips.

* * *

Not everything goes according to plan. No matter how thoroughly prepared one might be, there’s always something beyond control. Unfortunately, this time, the prediction went completely off course.

The Gate exploded. Much earlier than expected, and with a hideous magnitude.

“Arghhh!”

“First, get out of the way! Go, go!”

In the midst of the chaos, Kim Heeseo dropped his gaze in dismay. What was it that lurked beyond the flickering space? The street, now a mess, filled his vision.

It was a large-scale Gate with an A-rank danger level. The monstrous entity, with its gaping maw, endlessly spewed out horrors. These alien creatures, with their grinning appearances, spread a dark energy over the streets.

Those exposed to the liquid secreted by these aliens writhed in agony, their bodies burning. Screams of agony echoed from all around. It was a bizarre and grotesque situation.

“We can no longer control the area around Seoul Station! Please send reinforcements!”
“The Gate’s resonance is currently at maximum.”

The headquarters responded in unison, deploying mental Espers to restrain the infected, and placing high-ranking Espers at the forefront to kill the aliens. Heeseo also took on the leading role.

“I’ll block it.”

With a stern face, Heeseo invoked his ability while watching others kill the creatures. Instantly, the air split with a crack, looking quite surreal. Then, with a sharp ‘Clang!’, it shattered like glass, creating a transparent barrier.

“Maintain it.”

Jaewon Ha, giving the brief command, stepped forward. He utilized the distorted space to slaughter the incoming aliens. The barrier Heeseo manifested worked greatly to their advantage, corralling the aliens for easier extermination. Thanks to this, contact between the aliens and civilians decreased, significantly reducing the scale of damage.

However, Heeseo’s condition deteriorated by the second. Using his powers without a moment’s rest had triggered an alarm. Since the Gate’s emergence, his nerves had become extremely sensitive, his whole body screaming in pain.

Heeseo, sweating cold sweat, bit his lip until it bled. The bitter taste of blood on his tongue was unfamiliar and nauseating.

Boom! Crash!

Explosions rang out from all directions. There was no peace to be found amidst the chaos. Heeseo unconsciously thought of someone like him and his eyelids trembled.

…This is why he said not to get used to it.

Every time he was driven to the edge, Seo Yigyeom was there. That memory did not die; it lingered until today, painting an image of what would happen next. Now at his limit, he recalled Yigyeom’s scent and warmth.

Letting out a short breath, Heeseo tried to keep his composure as he used his ability, contributing all he could to the situation.

The problem arose next. Heeseo’s eyes widened as he looked at something.

“Ah!”

Before he could fully react, he expanded a shield to protect himself. An alien creature flew towards him, smashing into the air before rolling down. Its size was three times that of a human, making it particularly repulsive.

The grotesque creature, fallen and writhing on the ground, eventually stood up with the sound of metal scraping. Heeseo, without taking his eyes off it, condensed the space.

Hee-hee! Kieeek!