BA Ch 2

Room 13.

Seo Haejoo was assigned to Room 13, so everyone simply called him that. The quarantined individual in Room 15 was just “15.” No one in this place cared about the rights of those in quarantine. They feared and despised Transcendents, yet still upheld the Minor Protection Act—an irony in itself.

 

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It felt like just yesterday they had that meeting, yet four months had already passed. Before long, Seo Haejoo’s birthday was approaching, and after today, he would legally become an adult.

 

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That meant, no matter what decision Seo Haejoo made, he would have to leave this temporary center. Today was the last day she would spend with him.

 

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Min Yeo-jin stared silently at the computer screen, at Seo Haejoo’s identification photo.

 

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A boy, dressed in a school uniform, with sleek black hair neatly combed back, gazed directly ahead. Even in the photo, his face overflowed with intelligence. He had well-defined, orderly features, was tall, and had a strong build.

 

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Seo Haejoo had been a student at a prestigious private high school and was known as an outstanding student. He excelled in both academics and sports, had a good personality, and was well-liked by his peers.

 

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His parents were both doctors, and every morning, a chauffeur drove him to the front of his school. He came from a privileged background, lacking nothing in life.

 

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Before the car accident, he had been a senior in high school. He had successfully taken his college entrance exams that November, achieving top scores. His school had reported that he had applied for early admission to T University, the most prestigious school in the country, and was awaiting the results in mid-December. But before the results could be announced, he and his family went on a trip—one that ended in tragedy.

 

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Could this boy have ever imagined that his life would plummet into ruin in an instant? That he would become a Transcendent, treated as a plague by society?

 

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The accident must have been so traumatic that he erased all his memories. Seo Haejoo had locked away every fragment of his past and regressed into a blank slate, a child.

 

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Poor kid.

 

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Even if he was legally an adult, his mental state was still that of a child. Could he even make a proper decision? It wouldn’t be easy for him to survive anywhere.

 

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he had gone to the columbarium to visit his younger brother—Seok-hyun’s resting place on the anniversary of his death when he met Seo Haejoo. Coincidentally, Haejoo was the same age as Seok-hyun. If Seok-hyun had been alive, he too would have become an adult this year.

 

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Perhaps that was why Yeo-jin felt even more drawn to Haejoo.

 

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If he could, he wanted to stay by his side and look after him.

 

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Letting out a deep sigh inwardly, Min Yeo-jin pulled his gaze away from the monitor.

 

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“Oh, by the way, have you heard that the government policy is changing starting today?”

 

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“No. What are you talking about?”

 

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“I heard it from a friend of mine at the National Security and Peace Maintenance Department. Apparently, the minister was attacked recently. Fortunately, it seems like he’s okay.”

 

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The National Security and Peace Maintenance Department—commonly referred to as “Gukpyeongbu”—was a government agency created specifically to classify and closely manage Transcendents when they first began appearing.

 

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“What? Seriously? Who attacked the minister?”

 

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“What was it called… Earth? Some kind of rebel group formed by Transcendents.”

 

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“A rebel group? Unbelievable. Those things claim to be people too, yet they go around acting like terrorists. How can they expect to be treated like human beings?”

 

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The employees, as if waiting for the opportunity, began chiming in one by one, criticizing the Transcendents.

 

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Yeo-jin, however, ignored them and focused on his work.

 

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Just then, the department head entered the office and, upon hearing the murmuring staff, smacked a stack of documents against his desk.

 

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“Watch your mouths. Do you think it’s okay to openly discuss classified information like this?”

 

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The employees instantly fell silent.

 

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“Stop gossiping. There will be an official notice regarding the policy changes soon.”

 

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“Uh, Chief.”

 

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Suddenly remembering something, Yeo-jin raised his hand. The chief turned her attention to him.

 

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“Have you brought up the heating issue in the quarantine ward with the director?”

 

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“Oh, I did. But he shot me down immediately, saying, ‘Why would we do heating renovations when winter is almost over?’ He even asked me if I’d lost my mind.”

 

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“But the temperature fluctuations are extreme, and many quarantined individuals have caught colds.”

 

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“Aren’t they supposed to be Transcendents? Why are they all so weak? A cold is just a minor illness—Dr. Min, just make sure they get their medicine.”

 

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“But, Chief—”

 

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“Enough. I’m already swamped, and now you’re bothering me with pointless issues? If you’re so concerned, why don’t you go directly to the director yourself?”

 

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Waving her hand dismissively, the chief returned to her seat.

 

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This was the third month that Yeo-jin had been pushing for heating repairs in the quarantine ward. The heating system had broken down back in January, the coldest time of the year, forcing the quarantined individuals to endure the freezing temperatures.

 

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Transcendents were still human. Wouldn’t they feel the cold just like everyone else?

 

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Yet, while the staff cranked up the heaters and sat comfortably by their warmers all day, they expected the quarantined individuals to endure the bitter cold.

 

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In the end, Yeo-jin spent his own money to buy electric mats and placed one in each room.

 

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“You really are unusual, Dr. Min.”

 

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“So peculiar. So strange.”

 

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“What’s wrong with them? They’re so annoying. Seriously.”

 

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The murmuring of the office workers, loud enough for Yeo-jin to hear, reached his ears. But he was used to it. Ignoring them, he simply turned his attention back to the documents in front of him.

 

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he was focused on his work when suddenly, a small scream broke the quiet of the office.

 

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Everyone stood up, wondering what had happened. A female employee, who had just come out of the break room with a cup of coffee, stood frozen in front of the window, her face pale with fear.

 

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“Wh-what kind of bird is that?”

 

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Following her gaze, the employees turned to look outside.

 

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A large, pitch-black bird sat perched on a tree branch just outside the window. Its entire body was dark, and its sheer size made it look quite menacing. It was no wonder the woman had been startled—having something that big and black sitting right outside the window was unnerving.

 

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“Isn’t that a crow?”

 

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“A crow? I’ve seen them often in the countryside, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen one in Seoul.”

 

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“I’ve never seen a crow that big before. It’s so black, it’s kind of scary.”

 

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“What a bad omen. Why is it just sitting there like that?”

 

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The employees murmured among themselves as they gathered by the window to take a closer look. Normally, a bird would fly away when faced with a group of unfamiliar humans, but this crow remained perfectly still on its perch.

 

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Tilting its sleek black head, it stared right back at them.

 

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It was unclear who was watching whom.

 

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“What are you all doing? Why is the office so disorderly today? Get back to work!”

 

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The department chief, returning from the restroom, clicked his tongue in annoyance. He waved the employees back to their desks and pulled down the window blinds.

 

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Soon, the only sounds in the office were the clacking of keyboards and the clicking of mice—just like any other day.

 

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Yeo-jin, momentarily distracted by the unwelcome visitor outside, quickly returned to his work.

 

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he was in a hurry.

 

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he had planned a birthday party for Haejoo that afternoon, and he needed to finish everything on time.

 

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***

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“Hello, doctor!”

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As he entered the quarantine housing area, people dressed in identical mustard-colored isolation uniforms greeted him with bright smiles. Yeo-jin returned their smiles.

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Across from him, a young man who had been transferred to the center on the day his abilities manifested during military enlistment was walking toward him.

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“Seung-woo, how’s your sore throat?”

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“It’s a lot better today.”

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“That’s good. You’re taking your medicine properly, right?”

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“Actually, I’ve run out.”

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“Come by the clinic later. I’ll give you more medicine and another shot. Your voice still hasn’t fully recovered.”

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“Okay.”

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Seung-woo smiled, his eyes crinkling as he nodded.

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“Doctor, why do you look so handsome today?”

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Miae, who was passing by, teased him playfully.

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“And you look even prettier today.”

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he laughed.

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“You’re going to see Haejoo again, aren’t you? I don’t like him. His personality sucks.”

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“Don’t be like that. He’s had a tough life. Try to be nice to him.”

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“Oh, Doctor! My three months will be up in a week. I already booked my final consultation with you. Don’t forget, okay?”

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“I won’t forget. Have you decided what you’ll do once you’re out?”

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“Yeah. Just like you suggested, I’m thinking of becoming a special government employee.”

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“That’s a great choice.”

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Miae grinned widely.

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Waving goodbye, he hummed a tune as he headed toward Room 13—Haejoo’s room.

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—

 

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“What’s got you in such a good mood that you’re humming?”

 

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A middle-aged man in an isolation uniform, walking down the opposite hallway, called out to him.

 

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“I just feel good. Coming here always lifts my spirits. And seeing that everyone is doing well makes me even happier.”

 

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“There’s no one like you, Doctor. The staff here always look miserable whenever they come to this section. I don’t get it. We were just like them not long ago. It’s not like we wanted to end up like this.”

 

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His face darkened with sorrow, so Yeo-jin spoke in a more cheerful tone.

 

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“Hey, no more depressing thoughts! Think positive!”

 

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“I haven’t been allowed visitors, and I’m worried sick about my kids.”

 

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“You’ve got one month left in quarantine. Just hold on a little longer. If something happens to you, what will your family do? Stay strong. Weren’t you a Marine? A ghost-hunting Marine, no less!”

 

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“Yeah, you’re right. I need to endure, for my family’s sake.”

 

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“Stay strong!”

 

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he shouted it enthusiastically, and at last, the man managed a small smile.

 

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After saying goodbye, he hurried toward Room 13. But when he arrived, Haejoo wasn’t there.

 

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“Do you know where Haejoo is? He’s not in his room.”

 

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he stopped a passing resident and asked.

 

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“I saw him in the first-floor lounge.”

 

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That made sense.

 

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At this time of day, the lounge got the best sunlight, and Haejoo often spent time there.

 

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When he arrived, he found him sitting by the window, staring blankly outside as sunlight poured in.

 

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Even in that loose-fitting quarantine uniform, which resembled a prison jumpsuit, he looked clear-skinned and delicate.

 

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His unfocused eyes wandered aimlessly before he absently turned his head—and then, spotting Yeo-jin, his face lit up with a bright smile.