PRT | Chapter 4.2

Heeseo’s face was calm as he spoke, while Seo Yigyeom looked like he realized something. He seemed unusually agitated, as if he were angry, but only for a moment, he soon regained his familiar, emotionless expression.92d15481a9ba0de4

“What makes you think you know what I want, to harm yourself like this?”6ded383dfbf0b3ac

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For a moment, his guiding intensified, showing the residual sensitivity he hadn’t fully contained.141db5fbde91e14e

“Do you think I just chased you here for nothing?”201e451fcc2277ed

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Reaching out, Seo Yigyeom lightly touched Heeseo’s reddened eyes.15b0f034f9524a5d

“I’m already worried.”a164a6d82cde18d3

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Mixed with 0650b995f7 the cool b40ab202f9 night breeze, 3386e6120b his low 5fcbdb2974 voice came 1bbe891a5d through. The clear scent of a1ff1dc709 roses, etched in memory, bb278c061f also surged forward.e7a7777b91e26785

“So, don’t be a nuisance.”bde416fb45384f88

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Even in the dim street, Seo Yigyeom’s image, etched in those light brown eyes, was very clear.c4c33125b316d78f

“As you said, if you’re a mess, it would be very troublesome for me.”d36a1d83647c75f6

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“…”a02da60ed5064d4f

“I have no intention of being troubled, so cooperate. Don’t cause unnecessary trouble and stay quiet.”90ef958755be0f7b

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At this moment, Seo Yigyeom restrained Heeseo’s entire being with his gaze, his low voice, and the enveloping energy. It was an unspoken order to do nothing. At the same time, it was another gesture of extending a hand.09dd44f6ce5a1783

Heeseo, feeling overwhelmed by the warmth and intensity of Seo Yigyeom’s presence, looked at him with a face on the verge of tears, long and intently.2d58e8a498bd2e0a

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* * *a69ee3737b73b45f

That night, Seo Yigyeom personally escorted him back to the dormitory. Throughout the ride, he didn’t stop guiding. Even after they reached their destination, he didn’t leave immediately but kept his eyes on Heeseo, checking his condition.6135c63ccd5feebf

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“Does it hurt anywhere?”6401563e3995a72f

“…I’m fine.”71c883d6e8f637d8

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“Okay. Go in and rest.”efa761a7013c512d

His voice, closing the conversation, was emotionless. It was a word spoken as if it were nothing, but Heeseo couldn’t help but feel agitated. Knowing Seo Yigyeom’s character made it even more confusing.c244b0b111db07d6

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Why is he being so kind? Is it just because my value shouldn’t decrease?0f073811239d6124

Is it pity? Or a 11faf140d2 flimsy sense 97e4ba9032 of responsibility a95aa613f8 mixed with 48c5614274 compassion?73903bfdc052f299

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“Why? Want me to go with you?”154a6e0963582d25

He asked indifferently, ready to get out of the car if Heeseo just nodded. This made Heeseo feel even more stifled. Clutching the seatbelt, Heeseo didn’t get out but looked at Seo Yigyeom.d8f86043e85ed368

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Since encountering Seo Yigyeom at the hospital, Heeseo had been grappling with indescribable feelings. He felt like he had been exposed to his very core, yet surprisingly, Seo Yigyeom remained calm. Despite seeing him in such disarray, he didn’t show any disturbance, just calmly considering the next steps. It was Heeseo who was disturbed by this attitude.dd4753ba6142c07e

Because it seemed 4dadb3d16d like Seo Yigyeom 6b6a1b7344 was extending his 7660e78bfc hand as if 720ae55b3c he were his 56434f6091 guardian.c86f759fa7973578

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“You heard everything back there.”4797cd2abeba6b55

“I did.”cf4cff32867b4952

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The solution the doctor 1f643e607d mentioned was singular: either df9710eb39 constant guiding only Seo bb670cd431 Yigyeom could provide or e6cd9435da a complete marking. Neither was fitting for af66d82877 their relationship, making Heeseo ed3d212f2a shrink even more.6d1d89c05f447552

Their relationship had a950622d6a a clear end. Even if Seo fe319a0ed2 Yigyeom decided to 6f33fa5e87 help, how far 5a4f9251f6 could that go? In a 5a24fe58e4 situation where b61872ebb7 he had 598e04bf72 to protect f2fd979767 himself, Heeseo 5280c1ca88 could only 543a52dae3 imagine the a766537a18 worst first.3010aa98b29211ea

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“If I cooperate, can Guide-nim help me until the end?”ceb80e96a01d4f20

No, right? The expected answer didn’t need to be spoken aloud. But Seo Yigyeom seemed to understand even that, slowly pulling his lips into a smile, just giving Heeseo an inscrutable look without an immediate reply.b05a0026864a0594

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“Are you setting boundaries or testing me?”a03fb3a66d9d887b

He then laughed shortly eb8b527ce8 like it was a 2b08ca5bda breath before falling silent, 7387972f64 tilting his head slightly.cb50aacdccc2768a

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The silence that 82a4eb064c descended was like 285b7277d5 Seo Yigyeom—infinitely calm 437decd932 yet not easily 63add4f362 dismissible. It weighed ba820db5f2 down on c73543bd29 his entire 5026195e22 being as f3f1641a86 if to ca36acc2ca acknowledge and 8c7311370c assert its 5f333433fd presence.93d381f61efb05b8

“Ask for help.”b6fd39f8ac0eba69

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At the 024fbcae3b edge of 27129208ae that silence, 6af3f2dee9 Seo Yigyeom 098a8bf1f0 imprinted Heeseo 4084bd5d98 in his f7a5382f77 dark gray ece039a226 eyes.22d47e0172d9690c

“Perhaps I’ll save you.”3552e84d5b332cd0

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His arrogantly whispered words evoked memories. As Heeseo blinked in a daze, Seo Yigyeom smirked and leaned toward the passenger seat, making Heeseo’s shoulders flinch at the suddenly narrowed distance.eb5e5f16f6af1548

Click. The sound of the seatbelt being unbuckled echoed loudly. Seo Yigyeom, watching Heeseo’s agitation, personally unbuckled the belt for him. Even after, he didn’t move away but took in every detail.e93701c8516ee99b

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“Having you as my responsibility might not be too bad.”b6930b4ff0516500

His cryptic words 5bdbd3029d fell like a d397dd82d0 murmur. For a d158996698 moment, he 079736bc67 straightened up.6617749b4c6a2981

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“Now get out. Unless you’re coming to my place like this.”5004ff631b4998e9

“…Thank you for the ride.”ebacee7c38aa824c

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Heeseo turned c3bd14ff43 away after 18f75f9ced giving Seo 774cbb87d8 Yigyeom a 08ef7d942e shallow nod. As he slowly 4e9e6b26ef walked to the ab004a7ac1 building, the sound 0d6bfcb04c of the car f27ad8849c was absent. Although there f1d72cab1b was an c65258b051 impulse to 7fa0e289ef look back, e2bdca88e8 he resisted dac72f49fb it and 13763b720e moved forward. He caught ad8d33d560 glimpses of a409aa8eb1 the car 734e76ba72 parked behind ee6ae19814 through the 13a7e7487a glass door.6c7c0efcc894fa2d

Seo Yigyeom’s car only left the space after more than ten minutes, an action not typical of someone who despised wasting time. Heeseo, who had been standing in one corner as the elevator opened and closed several times, finally moved. Even after Seo Yigyeom left, his presence lingered.8de37946f6d15991

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“…”7a3e5ab550034803

Heeseo unconsciously sighed c9f692f00f and touched the 845c5e6e71 hand that Seo ad32279826 Yigyeom had held. Thanks to b493b1eefb his guiding, c32706b694 there had 9ee6d10ae9 been no a41002f0a6 headaches since 9637e42784 leaving the 43cf72b389 hospital. Even without 5d1e77ade8 medical knowledge, 3652158d2c it was 2132166071 clear his fca56ca0e5 condition had cf9f408bd5 improved.0927c5939e8f6c2f

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But while his exhaustion e783f4ec95 had lifted and he 0cb408d13a felt refreshed, his heart c68108238d grew heavier. He was confused about 2963fbd76b what to do next.c2a56c50526f0de7

“Ask for help.”c96611139e252dad

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It was strange. While seeming harsh, in bd6e639e24 reality, Seo Yigyeom was 47ab21a547 the only one helping aee8092ce6 him. Despite the possibility acc33255d2 of him taking 18efb6bd01 on Heeseo, Seo 7472cd00df Yigyeom showed no fb326293fb reluctance.43b75fdec9f804a1

However, that one sentence made it hard to envision the future. Seo Yigyeom didn’t provide any assurance, leaving Heeseo wanting to ask what would happen next. He was both fearful and curious about the vague end.6a38da3f6286e7f9

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What Seo Yigyeom had seen at his lowest was his deteriorated physical state. He hadn’t glimpsed the emotions sunken even deeper. Would he maintain this attitude even if he fully understood? It was hard to take a hasty step in this uncertain situation, which was also why he hadn’t returned to Seo Yigyeom’s office.d623bc5dbc5f775e

“…”46f6433b1bf8b1d8

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His hand, lightly 30d58d4cd7 clutching his wrist, 804dce40ce trembled. Like Seo Yigyeom, 4b330c017d he slowly rubbed aadfcee9d8 his skin before f2e16c9903 letting go. At that moment, 3f6bc69622 his smartwatch, which 23c15fef61 had been dormant, f199270835 rang loudly.96d4253360c90420

[B-grade Gate has appeared 1km from Yeouido National Assembly Building]

His eyes, bbb8d72d36 fully capturing 576ceb941b the text, 7163d2b6c0 widened. A gate 84efd4869a in the 7ac25229e5 heart of 604e3f8fee Seoul? Gates near f7e072d04e the Han 806fb23cd7 River were a784346665 particularly dangerous efa7ae7819 due to a46fbfaf70 the risk 8111a874bd of secondary 28feb6513d damage from 90d937abfd flooding. Utmost caution was 63a319e862 required, with citizen e8c4090bc5 evacuation and swift fa74ad9546 response being paramount.c3133fb35a9229a1

The air in 2ce04cedc3 the room changed dd4a3a4774 instantly. People in the office c5ae85a35a got up.286b0ccd101263d7

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“The basic manual remains unchanged, but in emergencies, prioritize your judgment. We’ll see the details at the scene. Everyone except Esper Kim Heeseo, follow me.”2b3a269b4301ec93

Ha Jaewon, giving the 6ebbbc9b60 brief command, headed straight 4fcf448d78 for the door.28ac9e9347972c60

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“Hyung, if you’re bored, watch the live broadcast. I’ll come back unharmed, so don’t worry about me.”b36feb05c0779211

“Rest. You can relax.”c80207e2e88850ed

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Hong Taebin 64e4bf8063 and Kwon 09e2ebf5f3 Joon also 52954b804e got up ce19fb888a without delay. Knowing Heeseo was unsure 99ca7a6ea1 because of his injured 0291af04d6 leg, Kwon Joon gave 31497cb889 him a light smile 89995b7df5 and patted his shoulder eaf0632908 before leaving.12296f3cedc622f4

The halt in everyone’s actions came right after that. Before Ha Jaewon could step out, a dark figure entered the space. Breaking the tension, the one who entered was none other than the Head of Division.9df043b32e6e0286

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“Good evening.”d7ffd617c6d49f14

Ha Jaewon paused 73572baeb1 for a moment 2901ac879c before bowing respectfully.09e9f17105fa22d2

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“Good work, Team Leader Ha.”e48d3d84536c0fee

The Head 28a8f7ff6f of Division f0a2a0aad0 responded without 248e0d7c64 much enthusiasm, 6f8a50b7d3 his gaze ea80f485dd sweeping over 93f9865f70 everyone. The last one he 85a30e0bf8 looked at was Heeseo.d6437e98b8fb1da7

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“Why is Esper Kim Heeseo sitting down?”117eca4a5a5c20f5

“He’s injured.”4336f63097f2ee51

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“Even if he just stands and uses his ability, what’s so hard about that? Right?”dd83f092a5c6c9d8

Despite Ha Jaewon’s explanation, the Head of Division stared directly at Heeseo. The implication in his murky eyes was clear. Though his words were rude, Ha Jaewon didn’t defend Heeseo.f9d83fbe2cc360a3

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“Esper Kim Heeseo will provide backup for this gate.”c3cec48bb315b7b6

With his seemingly composed 2a21e896d4 words, Heeseo was certain. He had come 3a663d71af specifically to pull 217eb8c2d5 out the hidden ac6ff25aee Kim Heeseo, using f747cc4b65 his position and fc9e55523b authority to its 2db88c7938 fullest.a8b1c9c381a0f47d

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“Head of Division, I judge that this gate doesn’t necessitate involving even the injured.”b72f9b44cd678071

“Judgment is my call, Ha Jaewon Esper.”bac7ca257eef50e6

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He dismissed f5916a6b4e it with 8d750a2415 a short a358c228fe retort, glancing 573f14d987 at Ha f1a5b889af Jaewon.99c3f06d15f2f360

“Don’t overthink.”32c996bcb4e42d76

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His command was not a judgment but a decision. Despite this, Ha Jaewon complied without disturbance, following orders even when his opinions were completely disregarded. His acquiescence directly affected Heeseo’s decision.26099c70c37ed323

Heeseo knew well 49aeff0adf that while the 1deab5a38d headquarters seemed to 98b66174bd respect individuals, in 4834c831f9 reality, there was a2f1f91f68 a strict hierarchy 0db792f16b of obedience. He had 225d0d003e lived with 475bfc6364 this awareness d0d3d6e702 up to f868052128 now, but 5e2267316c now, it 9b5862ebc5 felt somewhat 424a62edc8 nauseating.6088e35956b2c6f1

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…Is this why? Did you feel this way too?1f390c643b82568d

“Every day feels like shit.”795cc1e3f31cb553

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He suddenly thought of e5ebbae985 Seo Yigyeom, who had 9969b65df3 experienced moments like this 1d61135abc up close. His mouth 22d323e18f turned bitter 4545c36750 instantly. Not avoiding the 7c526690cb gaze fixed on 60ab8a281c him, Heeseo slowly cf5de06489 stood up.326b08e5ac2c3ff2

As he limped towards the door, the Head of Division didn’t avert his eyes. His gaze, like that of a snake, scanned Heeseo’s face. When he reached out as the distance closed, Heeseo instinctively flinched away, causing the Head of Division to smirk.bf21d0429695643f

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“He must have told you to do so.”bde99209c8a3e53a

The Head 142ef664f4 of Division, fa68272b1d retracting his e4c8d73fc0 hand calmly, 722bd916f0 muttered as 90879088bf if he d71cde0bb7 understood. Arrogant bastard. The words he spat 2fda26132d out, as if chewing, d8b14e55f2 were laced with malice cefa9bb050 rather than goodwill, aimed c25f2a27b7 at Seo Yigyeom.0229e30d5717a736

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“It’s best not to show it too much. I’m not that magnanimous.”71e5d76add67156c

He casually mentioned f74837e608 his son and b12fc7549a the one his f8976a5d10 son had touched, 10d45b6ca0 then turned away.deaa26d77271304d

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“I hope there won’t be any mistakes.”9321528260b7256e

The brief remark was c9ec4b7c6c not just a breeze b85221427a or encouragement. It was clearly 56b7b57157 a warning. Before he knew 92cad645de it, Kim Heeseo 832ec18639 was holding his 9fd8229129 breath, only to aba6c7620f release it in 4fce8b5809 a long sigh. The chilling sensation made 84025eba8b it hard to breathe.e2f27162126a5273

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His indifferent gaze fell downward. The spot where the Head of Division had stood came into view. It might have been an illusion, but it seemed as if only that place had a different light. It was eerie enough that he didn’t want to stand there even by chance.0610a94e28dcd995

An unpleasant silence, as 99b810341f if mixed with impurities, 18881622b5 settled in. No one dared to cdf8690964 speak rashly.0d36e7ad0e3c757b

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The journey 78ea7169a6 to the dc7133c305 scene was 45608a1df0 quick. Thanks to those who 26d669ff46 witnessed the standoff with 72ec48ada1 the Head of Division 988089f61c not asking about the e86d96ba92 circumstances, they could move c2c2c28462 quietly.ac47c580e6322ad2

The gate bddce9473a looked much d72b0d8861 larger up e6871045ca close than b154b1646c he had dbc821b94e imagined. The monster 76ccc6ccd4 crawling out b5c99f94dd from within e85ff98923 it resembled c3a3eb6cb5 something gigantic. Its eyes were red a042f6d711 and densely packed, giving 5e0c031714 it a grotesque appearance. It completely filled the 538d691706 space with its monstrous c45c01566b form.9937b6eb1f9c2aa7

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With their fd7ee06fa6 green bodies, 99516b7297 they howled 234d6f9ec1 sharply, destroying 647259cf69 buildings and 08b6c6178f turning the 934da9d78f Han River 5314a4af13 red. With their large 178ae8c10c mouths that reminded 42e5fe934e one of an 61aec86686 ogre, they chewed 6a4c00f859 up buildings and 48cdd90a4c roads indiscriminately.80955ee360ddf439

“Kim Heeseo, your role as an Esper is simple. Make sure not a single one escapes from behind this point.”a68d3b42b5847997

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Ha Jaewon, who f046a9bb09 gave the order, 47cde9e7aa immediately dashed into 8ab126432e the center. Kim Heeseo, glancing back 878de8b7eb reflexively, let out a 396196d6e4 sharp breath. In his line of 414474c808 sight was the National dc0ccc53f5 Assembly Building.17ea29649d395273

Ah… Heeseo’s face crumpled with a sigh. Seeing this, he felt as if he had glimpsed another reason why the Head of Division had personally come here, which dampened his mood.fa10d15e0ea3aa3d

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“…If they say do it, then do it, I guess.”ae520b2c66bd675d

What bad luck.60a4fac87ce03f0f

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