Chapter 2

“Are you all right?”

“Ah, yes. Major Kang Yu-han, everyone’s waiting for you.”

Standing at 180 cm with a lean, balanced frame, his precisely toned muscles were like those of a soldier sharpened to a fine edge. His jet-black hair seemed to absorb light, and his dark eyes, equally intense, were like finely cut gemstones—beautiful but emanating a distinct chill.

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His face was so pale it appeared almost porcelain, his shadowed gaze and dark eyes adding an air of melancholy. His striking features had made him well-known even in other branches.

Wearing his collar fastened neatly beneath his chin, his ascetic attire, along with the curious hue of his lips, created an oddly precarious harmony.

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“Excuse me. I am Kang Yu-han from the Esper Division 2.”

The calm, steady voice turned every head in the conference room toward him.

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“Come in, Major Kang Yu-han.”

The center chief, who had looked deeply troubled moments before, brightened at Kang Yu-han’s arrival. Kang Yu-han inclined his head with precision and stepped further into the room.

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“Welcome.”

Dr. Yoon greeted him warmly, clearly relieved.

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Just from looking at his face, Kang Yu-han could guess the situation, though he had already grasped it long before entering the room.

The room was thick with cigarette smoke, lingering in the air. A searing glare had been directed at him since he’d walked in. There was no doubt about the culprit behind this atmosphere—Seo Ji-hyuk.

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Kang Yu-han looked over at Seo Ji-hyuk. Their gazes collided in the air, meeting with a silent clang. Seo Ji-hyuk glared at him, his fierce eyes unblinking. Kang Yu-han didn’t look away either.

A moment of silence passed between them. Surprisingly, it was Seo Ji-hyuk who broke it first.

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“You look well—guess you’ve been keeping up with your guiding?”

“Seems like you’re in good shape yourself, despite not having any guidance. But could you put out that cigarette, Major?”

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Kang Yu-han shot back without missing a beat. Seo Ji-hyuk scoffed in disbelief, then crushed his cigarette against the desk haphazardly before cracking his knuckles.

Is he about to hit Major Kang? Lieutenant Lee, alarmed, sprang forward, positioning himself between the two men.

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“Calm down, Major!”

“Who are you to tell me what to do?”

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“It’s a no-smoking area indoors.”

“Hah, doesn’t miss a word.”

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“Or maybe you’re just unable to keep up.”

Seo Ji-hyuk glared at Kang Yu-han as though he might strike him down. In contrast, Kang Yu-han maintained a cold, unchanging expression. The tension between them grew taut, creating an atmosphere no one dared disrupt.

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All eyes turned to the center chief, silently urging him to intervene somehow.

“Ahem, ahem.”

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The chief boldly stepped between them, attempting to ease the tension with a cough.

But it was no use. Both men ignored him, keeping their gaze locked on one another.

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“This punk….”

It seemed they might grab each other by the collar at any moment. The chief, sensing a brawl was imminent, raised his voice to stop them.

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“Both of you, that’s enough.”

Captain Kwak, who had been watching in frustration, couldn’t hold back any longer and roared.

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“This is still the military. Show some respect to your superiors! Seo Ji-hyuk, do you want to end up in detention again?”

Despite Captain Kwak’s harsh tone, Seo Ji-hyuk ignored him and strode right up to Kang Yu-han. The sheer intensity of his aura made everyone’s skin prickle.

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When it looked like Seo Ji-hyuk was about to use his powers, the center chief’s tone became firm and unyielding.

“Enough. That’s enough.”

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“My apologies for causing a disturbance, Chief.”

“Yes, apologies for the trouble.”

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Seo Ji-hyuk offered a perfunctory apology, his face betraying irritation.

From a little distance, Dr. Yoon shook his head with a sigh. It wasn’t the first time he’d seen these two notorious rivals—Seo Ji-hyuk and Kang Yu-han—clash, but to have the same scene unfold even during such a critical matter? It left a bitter feeling in his chest.

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Each of them was a highly valued asset: Seo Ji-hyuk, with his SS-level telekinesis, and Kang Yu-han, with A-level clairvoyance. Though all Espers wielded abilities across a range, they typically specialized in one dominant power. Seo Ji-hyuk’s talent centered solely around telekinesis, his strength alone outstripping the combined force of dozens of other Espers.

On the other hand, Kang Yu-han, while excelling in clairvoyance, was also proficient in telekinesis. Though his telekinesis was complex and less efficient, he could wield it in battle when the situation demanded, earning him the reputation of a balanced Esper. Each, therefore, stood out in their own right.

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Their rivalry went back to their graduation from the Academy and their official appointment as Espers. A bitter feud had erupted over a guide. Originally, the guide had been slated to pair with Seo Ji-hyuk, but Kang Yu-han had seized that partnership instead.

At that time, Seo Ji-hyuk had just returned from a major battle, gravely wounded. Yet, the guide had already been formally registered as Kang Yu-han’s partner, leaving Seo Ji-hyuk with no claim.

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Though Seo Ji-hyuk survived, thanks to relentless efforts from the medical team, the incident sent shockwaves through the center.

‘It was heartless.’

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‘Shouldn’t he have given the guide to someone whose life depended on it?’

Many criticized Kang Yu-han, but some argued it was understandable, given Espers’ fierce attachment to their guides.

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And the two? They fought like bloodthirsty animals. They brawled for hours, both ending up battered and bloody, with fractured ribs and crushed cheekbones, forcing them to be benched from missions for weeks.

Since that day, the rebellious and prideful Seo Ji-hyuk had become even more uncontrollable. Claiming he was a ticking time bomb, unsure when he’d die, he lived recklessly.

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“This is insane!”

Dr. Yoon, who had momentarily tuned out the center chief’s words, snapped his head toward Seo Ji-hyuk, startled by the sudden outburst.

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“No way! Just the thought of working with him makes me sick, and now you’re saying I have to live with him? I can’t do it. Absolutely not!”

“Watch it, Major Seo Ji-hyuk! This is a direct order from command. No more refusals!”

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Unable to hold back, Captain Kwak stepped forward, pointing a finger at Seo Ji-hyuk. But hierarchy had long since lost its hold; everyone in the room sighed, exasperated at Seo Ji-hyuk’s unyielding defiance.

“I refuse. Do whatever you want—punish me for insubordination if you have to.”

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Seo Ji-hyuk bared his unusually sharp canine teeth in a low growl.

“As I said, you need to stay together 24/7 to respond to any emergency deployment. Your mission is top-secret, meaning no one else will be briefed. You’ll spend every waking moment together: planning, strategizing, and ready to deploy.”

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Typically more diplomatic, the center chief spoke firmly. Though there was a compelling reason it *had* to be Kang Yu-han, it was a reason he could never share with Seo Ji-hyuk.

He glanced subtly at Kang Yu-han, who gave an almost imperceptible blink—his signal to keep pushing.

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“In that case, how about this?”

The chief exhaled slowly, fixing his gaze directly on Seo Ji-hyuk.

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“How about I grant your wish? Retirement, that is.”

“What did you say? Wait… You’ve never even considered it before, and now you’ve suddenly changed your mind?”

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Seo Ji-hyuk stared at the chief in disbelief, then fell silent as he saw the gravity in the chief’s expression. His face grew rigid, and his fists clenched.

“This task force is that important. The only pairing capable of wiping out the Variants is you and Esper Kang Yu-han.”

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“…So, I could finally leave the center… That’s what you’re offering.”

“Precisely.”

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“….”

Seo Ji-hyuk fell into a long silence, his gaze drifting into the distance. Those who understood his situation dared not make a sound. For the center chief, this was a risky move.

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“If you complete this mission successfully, I’ll personally see to it that you’re discharged.”

Only then did Seo Ji-hyuk nod, his earlier agitation replaced with a deep, settled calm.

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“Break your promise, and there’ll be consequences.”

“Of course. I keep my promises. You’ll get exactly what you want.”

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Seo Ji-hyuk turned, casting a curious glance at Kang Yu-han.

“But what’s the deal with him?”

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“What do you mean?”

“I mean, what did he put on the line to fall in line so willingly? He hates the idea of pairing up as much as I do.”

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Seo Ji-hyuk figured that Kang Yu-han, considering their bloody fight over the guide, wouldn’t be any more enthusiastic about this partnership. Smirking, he needled Kang Yu-han, who finally joined the conversation.

“I’m simply following orders from command. Unlike you, I have no ulterior motives.”

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“Hah, looks like we’ve got the next Minister of Defense in the making.”

“Now, now, that settles it. Meeting adjourned. From now on, you two will be sharing quarters.”

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“What?”

Seo Ji-hyuk’s voice shot up again, but the center chief wasn’t one to be swayed. With his negotiation secured, it was time to issue orders.

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“Why the surprise? You agreed to be partners. That obviously includes cohabitation. I told you from the beginning.”

Seo Ji-hyuk realized he’d been thoroughly played by this sly fox, blinded by the promise of retirement. But there was no going back now.

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* * *

The center chief’s orders were as follows: Seo Ji-hyuk and Kang Yu-han were to join the <Transition> Task Force, tasked with tracking down and neutralizing the “human-shaped Variants” that had been appearing more frequently in Seoul.

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For an average person, spotting these creatures was impossible, even for well-trained soldiers and police officers.

But with Kang Yu-han’s exceptional clairvoyance, he could reliably identify the Variants, and Seo Ji-hyuk’s powerful telekinesis made him ideal for subduing them—a pairing the chief deemed perfect for the job.

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“Starting today, you’ll share quarters. And from tomorrow, begin an intensive analysis of Seoul.”

The chief’s cold directive left no room for protest. Kang Yu-han saluted with precise formality and stepped back. Seo Ji-hyuk gave a half-hearted salute, stuffed his hands into his pockets, and stormed out.

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Fine. If it meant sweeping away these Variant bastards and finally getting his retirement, so be it. He had longed for this for ages. But why, of all people, did his partner have to be Kang Yu-han?

“Shit, if it weren’t for the retirement, I’d be raising hell to get a new partner….”

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That arrogant bastard, always parading around with his nose in the air, acting noble and perfect after swiping my guide right from under me.

 

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