Chapter 17

“So, Major Kang, are you saying I’ve killed an innocent person?” Seo Ji-hyuk asked, his tone cold and sharp.

“That’s not what I’m saying,” Kang Yu-han replied quickly. “I’m questioning how we define these Variants we’re dealing with.”

“You’re questioning that now? The T/F team was formed ages ago. The first one is already dead and dissected. Do you think raising the issue now will change anything? Stop making pointless objections.”

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Seo Ji-hyuk’s curt response cut off Kang Yu-han’s words. He wasn’t wrong—bureaucratic processes were already in motion, leaving little room for debate. Kang Yu-han fell silent, though the Center Chief seemed deep in thought.

“Hmm. Major Kang’s personal opinion doesn’t matter much,” the Chief finally said. “But if more people start thinking like him, it could become a big problem. Once perspectives on Variants start to shift, it’s hard to reverse that view.

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“In this chaotic era, we’re being treated as both soldiers and esteemed law enforcement. However…”

The Chief paused before continuing.

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“If the families of Variants rise up against us, we’ll all be in serious trouble. It won’t just destabilize society—it’ll threaten the very foundation of our Center. Public opinion is everything.”

Though Kang Yu-han didn’t fully agree, he bowed deeply to the Chief. “I apologize. I was careless.”

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“If you’re sorry, then ensure you complete your next mission successfully. The second batch of ampoules is ready.”

At the Chief’s signal, Dr. Yoon retrieved a refrigerated container. From within the dry-ice-packed package, five small ampoules emerged. Their appearance hadn’t changed much from the previous batch.

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“This version should have improved accuracy. Use them on as many test subjects as possible,” Dr. Yoon instructed.

“I understand. But when you say multiple test subjects, are you suggesting we round up suspects and test them all at once?” Kang Yu-han asked, his voice tinged with skepticism.

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The Chief interjected with a dismissive wave. “We’re keeping things simple. Just use it on anyone suspicious and confirm its effects.”

Kang Yu-han felt the urge to point out how reckless that sounded but held his tongue. As a member of the Center, he had no authority to question orders. Instead, he focused on how best to execute the mission without drawing undue attention.

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What concerned him most was the criteria for identifying suspects.

In the case of Sergeant Kim Joo-ho, the rationale was sound—his meal distribution records over the past 15 days showed suspicious patterns, which made sense to Kang Yu-han.

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However, for the rest of the suspects, things weren’t so clear. As he reviewed the list, he sank into thought.

With Sergeant Kim eliminated, 39 suspects remained. The list included names, ranks, ages, and notes explaining why they had been flagged as suspects.

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While some had issues similar to Sergeant Kim’s meal record discrepancies, they were in the minority. Most of the reasons listed were vague at best.

Phrases like “unacceptable behavior” or “poor work attitude” seemed unrelated to whether someone was a Variant. The more Kang Yu-han scrutinized the list, the more arbitrary it seemed.

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“What are you doing?”

Seo Ji-hyuk’s sudden voice startled Kang Yu-han, nearly causing him to drop the documents in his hands.

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“Looking over the list,” he replied.

“Why?”

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“Something feels off.”

“What does?”

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Seo Ji-hyuk leaned over, peering at the list from behind Kang Yu-han. In doing so, he casually rested his hand on the back of Kang Yu-han’s chair, his arm brushing against Kang Yu-han’s shoulder.

Though surprised, Kang Yu-han tried not to let it show. Still, he couldn’t control the way his heartbeat quickened, nor the heat rising where their bodies touched. Terrified that Seo Ji-hyuk might hear his racing heart, he instinctively tried to shift away.

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Seo Ji-hyuk, however, seemed oblivious, showing no intention of moving.

Stay calm. Don’t let your voice waver.

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Swallowing hard, Kang Yu-han continued, his voice steady, “The reasons are too vague. They don’t make sense.”

“Hmm. Now that you mention it, some of them do seem questionable,” Seo Ji-hyuk admitted, his tone thoughtful.

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Though his words were simple, the proximity between them made every second feel unbearably charged for Kang Yu-han.

Seo Ji-hyuk was too close. Each time he spoke, his breath lightly grazed Kang Yu-han’s hair. The raw, distinct scent emanating from him filled the small space between them.

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As far as Kang Yu-han knew, Seo Ji-hyuk didn’t use cologne or scented products. Yet, there was a weighty, natural fragrance about him. It was the same scent Kang Yu-han remembered from when their bare skin had brushed against each other.

Once he noticed it, a tension coiled in his lower abdomen. Heat surged through his body, rising from his stomach to his chest, then settling in his flushed face.

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Kang Yu-han felt grateful that his back was turned. As long as they didn’t face each other, Seo Ji-hyuk wouldn’t notice anything amiss.

“Well, we’ve got the ampoules. We’ll just test them and call it a day,” Seo Ji-hyuk concluded bluntly.

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Though his words were curt, they cut to the core of the issue. Paperwork alone wouldn’t uncover anything. The real task was to shadow the suspects, wait for an opening, and use the ampoules on them.

“…You’re right,” Kang Yu-han murmured. His voice was barely audible, as though he feared any louder tone might betray his thoughts.

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Seo Ji-hyuk finally withdrew his hand from Kang Yu-han’s shoulder. The sudden absence of his warmth left Kang Yu-han feeling strangely cold. Though he knew it was only in his head, a faint shiver coursed through him.

Just as Seo Ji-hyuk turned to leave, he paused and glanced back. His eyes landed on Kang Yu-han’s nape, where the skin was visibly flushed.

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—

The internal Variant detection operation was temporarily delayed. Kang Yu-han checked his personal messenger to find a direct message from the Center Chief. The orders were simple: conduct an external patrol while internal systems were being “reorganized.” No further explanation was provided.

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What this “reorganization” entailed, Kang Yu-han couldn’t guess, but orders were orders.

Seo Ji-hyuk, on the other hand, was less accepting, grumbling under his breath about being sent out when there was already so much to handle inside.

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“Can’t they just stick to one thing at a time?” Seo Ji-hyuk muttered.

It wasn’t the usual kind of backtalk. Even if the Center Chief himself were present, Seo Ji-hyuk likely would’ve said the exact same thing. He was the kind of person who could push boundaries and still get away with it.

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“Ready? Let’s go,” Kang Yu-han said, deliberately avoiding looking at Seo Ji-hyuk.

Dressed in sleek black tactical gear, Seo Ji-hyuk exuded an air of danger. His muscular thighs strained against the holster straps, and Kang Yu-han couldn’t stop his gaze from wandering to the belt cinched tightly around Seo Ji-hyuk’s firm waist.

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Though Kang Yu-han himself wasn’t lacking in physical fitness, his lean frame paled in comparison. He fidgeted with his equipment to distract himself, licking his dry lips in an attempt to focus.

“Let’s get moving,” Seo Ji-hyuk said, inspecting his magazine with an air of grim anticipation. His voice carried the thrill and ferocity of a predator ready to hunt.

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* * *

The two men exited the Center through an underground passage. The Seoul Esper-Guide Center was located beneath an old government complex.

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Decades ago, this area had housed a wartime bunker for civilian evacuation. Though the general public was unaware of its existence, the Center had expanded the bunker into a massive subterranean command facility.

The Center spanned fifteen underground floors, buried deep beneath the capital.

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Reaching the surface was no quick task. Though an emergency escape elevator existed, it wasn’t used during normal operations. For routine deployments, personnel walked to the parking lot on the second underground level.

Climbing the endless stairs to reach the vehicles was grueling without prior physical conditioning. As Kang Yu-han ascended, he reflected on the challenge.

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Ahead of him, Seo Ji-hyuk climbed the steps effortlessly, taking them two or three at a time. There was no trace of fatigue in his movements.

Each step flexed the fabric of Seo Ji-hyuk’s shirt, stretching tightly across his back muscles before relaxing again. Kang Yu-han found himself captivated by the rhythmic motion, unable to tear his eyes away.

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Without a word, he kept climbing, following that broad, unwavering back.

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