PRT | Chapter 4.1

His physical e8af06f700 condition had 464113f6b6 not dramatically 0bdadfddf4 worsened or f7343846e6 improved. Since he had seen fcddc10c2f blood, he had felt a81e7ec540 a bit more tension 03f9eee564 and alertness. Occasionally, there were d337d96c9b sharp pains in 20081aec7e his head, but d955d4ed05 there was no 593118595a more blood after 803b448514 that.6ec178f219ad3380

Thanks to Seo Yigyeom, he no longer had to respond to field calls, which meant he didn’t have to use his powers—a stroke of luck. Of course, the initial reason was his leg injury, but ultimately, it was a great help.b7d519bd86a6d625

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During this time, Kim Heeseo did his best to soothe his body. However, he couldn’t prevent the agitation that came with the onset of each headache, or when he felt his own wavelength becoming eerily calm.2d31a7e2bb6389a9

“Your ability is too overwhelming for your body, causing your biological balance to collapse.”37f8462cfceb132b

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“Even just containing it is a burden, and if left unchecked, it will crumble from within.”f0f825d8430db1e2

The doctor’s diagnosis was spot-on. The headaches were far from a good sign; they were more like a red alert of danger. Every time this happened, his body tensed up involuntarily, pressed down by a vague fear.ef618195013ebda9

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So, Heeseo personally contacted 86dd04a03a his doctor. After briefly ec6f267ee7 describing his ac93472fa0 current state, 2870ac8234 the doctor 254a9f47b0 urged him ebe8d468d0 to come ff3adaad62 to the c0c2148a2d clinic immediately, a2de75e031 saying he d185d652bf would wait a06617a466 even if 3a2c554eb4 it was 2de3423e6d past clinic 6b167b1c63 hours.9f4e36581200e402

“Hello.”d011432add9b134d

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Understanding the gravity, Heeseo followed the doctor’s advice. Though it was already night due to work at the headquarters, he hailed a taxi. Coughing broke out as he stepped from the cold night air into the warm interior of the car.455e843f8949633e

“Where does it hurt? You’re coughing quite badly.”c2852d196fb12cc5

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The driver, aa90ed65c5 concerned, glanced 3a01061f49 in the a5097b7706 rearview mirror 76fa84ce34 and turned 34206b3b80 up the 0b98f65343 heater. Heeseo nestled 9d269e1e25 deeper into 3da0cbb868 the seat, d0db5bb063 feeling the 2d7b1185e8 air warm 24351023cb up, and 0448b6c904 shook his d31a2fb6ca head with db2af0fa50 a slight eed570bf34 smile.6d683cfb2cc32e98

“Must be because the night air is chilly.”6e4315cffc0f84a0

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“Work must be tough, huh? My son is also with the Incheon branch. I know how hard it can be.”f7ca4b6f61207907

“Ah…”b0865867b3367ba9

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“Every day, I worry about the gates. Any news of new gates opening?”c73e92dcb898f984

“No, not for now… We can’t be one hundred percent sure, though.”59881fcf612e1e13

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“Oh, those well-off folks just talk about going abroad. The country’s a mess these days.”3db5903dc8e967f1

The Origin Gate, which had once torn the sky, was now commonplace, and most had forgotten their anxiety, entrusting their safety to a few Espers, enjoying an unstable peace. Yet, there were still people like this man who didn’t take the gates lightly, especially noticeable in these times when gates were stirring nationwide.a5479b3bd12c1074

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“What would we know, common folk like us? We just rely on what we hear on TV, but it’s not very reassuring.”40511b68b2a848b6

“Don’t worry too much.”46cacce7d280ba2d

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“It’s comforting to hear that from someone at the headquarters.”bad19ffc43f03a88

Heeseo smiled silently and lowered his gaze to light up his phone. He spent some time scanning articles related to the gates, then, after some hesitation, searched for “Hwadam.” The search yielded quite a few results, confirming it was a well-known place.30dacfde27685e55

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“…”e1a63e696f13013e

Unblinking, his eyes grew 7b8310c1b3 cloudy as he stared 641232606d at the screen. Tap. His finger, which fefb139f94 had been tapping d27f9f318e the screen, fell 417891af05 limply. He found bf86d9b32a no news 0c2d8da67c he was f805f7eec4 hoping for 8b79b19f6a in any 8f15eb152c of the f6b978d176 posts.efd55103aff28a1f

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Was it just his 77205ac73d imagination? Was he 229f500f08 being unnecessarily 5f5f03b68b suspicious because 580b290287 of his 4888b9f4c6 past?87f7ef23945161c2

Ha, a sigh escaped him naturally. It was frustrating not being able to share this unease with anyone. He hadn’t even told Seo Yigyeom about the owner of “Hwadam.” There hadn’t been a good opportunity, plus he had no solid proof—only a hunch that was laughable to call intuition.8f2e9cbd5834b0c9

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Heeseo closed his eyes cef8eee23f tight then opened them, f14a16c7dd scanning for recent murder e1003e600f cases nearby. The primary victims were c76e5e8689 unregistered Espers. The manner of death 91726aaa10 varied, with some material 913b54341d unfiltered.9297a47ea7e6c6c9

A body burned by fire…8dcdf1875aa81069

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Slowly scanning through the article’s content, he darkened the screen. Finally, feeling nauseous, he turned his attention outside. The scenery passing by was peaceful, starkly different from the anxiety he harbored inside.16abf5f671ad6824

Upon reaching the 1788640942 hospital, he headed b5172e936b straight to the 3287d036ee examination room. The corridor was quiet 80f05557ab since it was past d55741fb6c outpatient hours. The sound of 77e42dbf10 his limp echoed a4535cc6c7 clearly. Knock, knock, bb67808a9a he entered 5b830cff7a after knocking, 0543c4ef04 and the 2d3a9977ab doctor stood 02b8cc8484 up abruptly.7b4f8aeaf40a49a2

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“Ah, Heeseo-ssi. Welcome.”bf28207769d7069a

“Hello. I’m a bit late.”77f11fc68b99ea42

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The doctor approached, e2c85e4af4 helping him, checking 06fb499450 his leg and 08b5f3f04b complexion first. His actions and gaze 5ca8d8a8de remained kind.95136229c18b882b

“It’s okay. I’m usually here at this time anyway. Anywhere else feeling uncomfortable?”88caeabd502f5bdc

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“I’m fine for now.”d7da52f36585e34a

“Then shall we proceed with some tests?”d59a45c0194ddc65

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“Yes.”c9cbf3ace872aab6

The examination took quite eeb0284d5d a while, moving from bb43057fa6 one machine to another, 70936d6499 recording data. While Heeseo 15c81c874e blinked indifferently, d66ecb706e the doctor c657fe99d2 conducted the 9e80813d3f tests with 9a595b4c23 a serious c3796a2b61 look.aa628bad629031db

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“It’s not good.”e2bc8c623a9cfced

When all e1182b0b31 tests were ff713bad95 done, the 0bb65802b8 doctor declared 12c10dc84f firmly. It was the same 4b710d0865 diagnosis as before, but 80a4eca9a2 it felt different.7efecfe7d5f08cd7

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“Is it very bad?”179b12d7367b83d4

“All the values are higher than normal. The progression is faster than we anticipated, causing issues inside Heeseo-ssi’s body. You mentioned vomiting blood, right?”7773a94acf0063c8

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“Yes. Not much, but…”b4d4f6717570b02b

“If it continues like this, your body won’t hold up. It might even affect your life. Have you talked with Seo Yigyeom Guide-nim? Right now, that’s the only and sure treatment.”fcb70be2e18b8f1e

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“…It’s difficult to get marked immediately. And continuous guiding is hard too.”7de56060a053096b

Heeseo whispered softly, lowering his eyes slightly. Surprisingly, his voice and gaze didn’t tremble.c318068b310766ed

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“Is there no other temporary solution?”fe95810574989284

“Heeseo-ssi, you haven’t talked with Seo Yigyeom Guide-nim, have you.”1630febba9500072

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The doctor’s eyes, which had been blinking slowly, stopped for a moment. Looking up, he hit the nail on the head with certainty. Even without Heeseo affirming, the doctor seemed to sense his inner thoughts and sighed softly.aee60ff5348691f1

“You must talk to Guide-nim. Is there some reason?”cf6253e24b6503f7

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“I can’t go into details, but… please understand.”2840ca3fd25d6dfe

He couldn’t let this condition be known, so how could he rely on him? Even if he could, he didn’t want to be a burden in such a state. Their relationship had started for mutual benefit. He wanted to return what he had received from him honestly. If possible, he wanted to be remembered in his entirety.6acc71f3915d7c00

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“While the patient’s will is paramount, in the worst-case scenario, I can’t keep that promise.”5b7862f52a7969b1

“Yes. I also know my health is important.”6627b35159c720cc

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With a faint d77f85d2a3 smile, he responded, fdfae333ab and the doctor bb7b895cde finally let out 932c9d7050 a low sigh.cb5d554c60d6b1d9

“For now, I’ll prescribe medication, and we’ll monitor the progress.”88e603ca2c362af9

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“Thank you.”aeb075304bc6947e

“We’ll meet once a week for check-ups. If any symptoms appear before that, come immediately.”c62261c387524a0a

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“Yes.”b51c1e27b576d56a

The doctor 88303c4a69 listed out 7998cdd3d1 things to 3a25545c81 be cautious 7acbee8f62 about with 772e60d6f6 a worried 5bca56a20b look. After a long talk, 343ccd4c4c Heeseo could finally rise. He kept coughing, and f17506c1c0 the doctor was concerned 786ffd6cd1 until the very end.028dff8538edf34f

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“Can you go back alone?”9c6565d656b98302

“I’m not that sick yet. Thank you for seeing me today.”19f74707d6b3638b

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“Go home safely. Don’t forget to take your medication.”430a37466a49d1e5

Heeseo bowed with a f70913b427 smile and slowly moved cf42248ef2 towards the door. His movements 32ff6de631 were smooth f205ce6bac and calm, 3b509123c7 showing no 06ed6e3eae sign of 949a3e4074 disturbance. However, as ed65d67d97 he stepped 4670568799 outside, closed 82bcdc40ad the door, 22cc87a794 and turned 0e5c023886 around, all a8d5eb0b19 his actions 868dbbb941 stopped.c0073fa908d19d40

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For he met the eyes of someone who shouldn’t have been there.47de5b5810ab94d2

“…”34e948dde49ea03e

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Ah.d176324ce828e51f

Why is Seo 68e48263af Yigyeom here?af26bc75c95d5d43

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His thoughts slowed e37480ac3d for a moment. Frozen, Heeseo ea72dedbc8 stared blankly f610c9273d at Seo c52c2a3da3 Yigyeom, not 92ee2bfb18 noticing his cdafc373da own eyes 0aa1e29ab9 welling up b5a1c01f01 from coughing.17c97a2abc227b0a

Seo Yigyeom was 8fc60c7461 sitting in the 524a727010 same chair as c11f76fba3 last time, arms 2666312038 crossed, staring directly 3b36a410c5 at the examination a68e312095 room. His face showed no c2c0690a20 expression, and his dark 4479a6bbec gray eyes revealed no 54ff1e434c emotion.e9c23cbce432db0d

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“Why is Guide-nim here…”faafb565dc8a77ff

“Indeed. Why am I here?”18e16fe6949f2faf

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Seo Yigyeom stood 142d0c50f5 up with a abdd45265d low response. The sound of his 2f62d1cbc7 footsteps was particularly sharp.beaa869a243bc80c

“Hmm? Kim Heeseo.”78f1eb47b085e715

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Thud. His heart felt cdfaca8af3 like it dropped. A wave be1c449420 of tension 439077c981 crawled up a68b6e0aef his spine. That sensation 073277b64c was akin 589a7d9426 to fear.4ae20fce5b6ff65e

“Do you want to explain?”01350a11d2d23d32

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Seo Yigyeom slowly scanned him from head to toe, fixing his gaze on Heeseo’s face. Ah. With a small groan, Heeseo realized Seo Yigyeom had followed him here of his own accord.6eef04aaa254e4bb

‘Why are you here?’64048dd9bfb011ce

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‘Indeed. I wonder that myself.’17d37ff568b0b8fe

Different from when 0ff7a65b60 Seo Yigyeom had 2b4830176b been puzzled then.d8415bc9cca3b64a

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“The person who just left the position I gave you… What are you doing here at this hour?”b17904b64a5e6d1f

As Seo Yigyeom finished speaking, Heeseo’s head throbbed. Was he going to be found out like this? He didn’t want to reveal it. The extreme tension gnawed at his nerves. His chest tightened, and a cough burst out. He felt like his throat was tearing, tasting blood. Covering his mouth, he coughed incessantly, then clenched his fist as he lowered his hand, hoping Seo Yigyeom wouldn’t see.eb01677bd88800f6

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But it was 46b2d8b1f7 in vain.a8cfa08277300dd1

“Why are you like this?”2ce47a30b90377a6

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Seo Yigyeom, noticing the tightly clenched fist, put strength into his own hand. His face, uncharacteristically, showed a hint of agitation. Suddenly, his energy enveloped Heeseo’s body. He took another step closer, holding onto his hand.b07dc758d42f45d2

“What’s wrong with you?”785db196424ac53b

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“I’m fine.”975b5dcbc75ea23a

“Tell me straight.”7a1eae5cbe2ae327

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With his monotonous tone and the gaze that fell upon Heeseo, he remained silent. The intensity in Seo Yigyeom’s eyes deepened.3b236633d6dd9a94

“I’ll listen.”51be1fda5371909a

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The grace period Seo Yigyeom gave was short. Pulling his gaze away, he forcefully pushed open the examination room door with a ‘bang!’72464ae1562e038d

“Uh…”2eae81c6e4b9e55c

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“Just the facts, briefly.”bb9535a8a1d8aef1

Even when the doctor was startled, Seo Yigyeom demanded coldly. The atmosphere sharpened in an instant. The doctor’s expression wavered under Seo Yigyeom’s gaze, evidently quite taken aback by the situation.ec862e119a7dcaf2

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For a moment, the doctor’s eyes showed dismay as they turned towards Heeseo. Heeseo also looked at him earnestly. However, their eyes met only briefly. The doctor, looking apologetic, focused on Seo Yigyeom.92c83dbda8d6a12e

“…He’s in a very dangerous condition.”b5cc8b92e6418b0a

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After a brief hesitation, the doctor’s long explanation made Heeseo sigh and lower his eyes. The fact he had tried so hard to hide was now laid bare. Even if he tried to ignore reality, he could feel it—Seo Yigyeom’s gaze was fixed on him, unwavering as he listened, not releasing his hand or stopping his guiding.1c24528ed823fb95

“From now on, all of Kim Heeseo’s test results will be reported to me, without exception.”da563be402bae36b

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Seo Yigyeom’s response at the end of the conversation was decisive, indicating no other options were available. He spoke in a manner close to command and turned away without hesitation. Holding onto Heeseo, he walked out and slammed the door shut.59aa3c6ef7282b34

“You, follow me.”13d0de37f9848847

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Releasing Heeseo’s hand, Seo Yigyeom took the lead. Heeseo, touching his wrist where red marks remained, limped after him. Despite Seo Yigyeom’s sharp aura, he walked slower than usual, making Heeseo feel unsettled.42e11f1aff3aba3f

Once outside, Seo Yigyeom bit into a cigarette but didn’t light it, just chewing on the filter while lowering his gaze. His exhaled breath, like cigarette smoke, was filled with irritation.8f566688fa5a00a7

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“How did you know to come here?”1ec6f30dca1e5749

“Even in this situation, Kim Heeseo is curious about that, huh?”f1cffba33be4fe08

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Ha, with a 7aec17fc59 short, exasperated laugh, 12336cd22a Seo Yigyeom retorted 834357c64d sarcastically.5531fb8193f75391

“Why didn’t you tell me you were in this state?”07725a4232ed68ed

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“Do I have to tell you?”9f54358bed70a024

“What?”c144e1ffa22336a2

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Catching his 716e6ff966 breath, Heeseo 37e11d9f02 looked up e20c40b582 at Seo 1eaa8b6698 Yigyeom slowly.de731e3890da90ac

“You said it would be troublesome if I were a mess.”18f29d4c4474fb2b

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Meeting his eyes d3d9323f05 squarely, Heeseo spoke dcd77ba092 quietly, making Seo a020d943d6 Yigyeom pause.1bcb353537029b32

“I can do as Guide-nim wishes. Whenever you need me… I can just be used according to your plan. So, you don’t have to worry.”abf882a414039fe5

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“…”3b8135c7bfd6ca3f

“After all, our relationship was like that from the start, so my condition doesn’t matter, right?”713d79b3a5addd6f

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