#8

“Kang I-won, Esper.”

Startled by Heo Do-gyeong’s voice from behind, Kang I-won flinched and immediately turned around. Heo Do-gyeong, with one corner of his mouth slightly raised in a smirk, was looking straight at him.

Meeting Heo Do-gyeong’s gaze, Kang I-won panicked and quickly lowered his eyes. He couldn’t maintain eye contact with him. It was because of what happened yesterday.

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“I think we could go further. Shall we try?”

The low voice that had whispered close to him and the touch that had slid down from his side to his hip, stopping at his thigh, vividly resurfaced in his mind.

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Just the memory alone was enough to make Kang I-won’s pale face flush bright red. Seeing this, Heo Do-gyeong let out a small laugh.

“So, have you thought about it?”

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What was there to think about? It was absurd from the start. Kang I-won briefly contemplated fleeing from this uncomfortable situation but knew it was useless.

Heo Do-gyeong was the temporary and field Guide for Team 5. No matter how much he tried to avoid him, they were bound to face each other during missions.

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It would be better to address it firmly and move on. He just had to say what he couldn’t yesterday. Once he said it, Heo Do-gyeong would surely drop the idea of imprinting.

After all, it was something he would have to confess soon enough. Once the re-evaluation results were out, there would be no hiding it anyway.

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“That….”

But strangely, the words seemed stuck in his throat. He needed to say that his powers were disappearing and that an imprint wasn’t possible, yet he couldn’t get the words out.

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“Why aren’t you saying anything?”

Kang I-won barely managed to squeeze out a reply, though it came out as a typical excuse rather than the truth he wanted to share.

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“…It’s not even worth thinking about. It’s ridiculous. An S-rank imprinting with an A-rank, and one that’s just a regeneration Esper at that.”

“So what? If you want to do it, you do it.”

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Heo Do-gyeong’s nonchalant response left Kang I-won feeling deflated. Without missing a beat, Heo Do-gyeong continued.

“And why is it such a big deal? Didn’t you say you liked my guiding, Esper Kang I-won?”

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At that, Kang I-won retorted in disbelief.

“Does Guide Heo Do-gyeong suggest imprinting with everyone who likes your guiding?”

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Hearing this, Heo Do-gyeong’s face scrunched into an exaggerated frown.

“Do I look insane? I’m only saying this because it’s you, Esper Kang I-won. I’ve already told you—I like you.”

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The casual confession made Kang I-won’s neck flush red. Flustered, he quickly glanced around. Thankfully, no one was nearby.

“Why are you saying something like that here of all places….”

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“What’s the problem? It’s not like I’m asking you to imprint with me.”

Exasperated by his shamelessness, Kang I-won pressed his hand to his forehead. Still unable to speak the truth, he tried to persuade Heo Do-gyeong with yet another excuse.

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“As you know, once an imprint is formed, it’s practically permanent unless either the Esper or the Guide dies.”

The most commonly known reason for an imprint breaking was the death of one party. However, though rare and not widely discussed, there was another cause: the loss of the Esper’s abilities.

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In other words, even without Kang I-won dying, the imprint would inevitably break due to his declining abilities. Imprinting with Heo Do-gyeong was impossible from the start.

So, all he had to do was explain this. Then the issue wouldn’t drag on any longer. Yet, for some reason, all he could manage were evasive excuses. Sighing, Kang I-won added,

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“It’s essentially binding yourself to another person for life.”

Heo Do-gyeong nodded in satisfaction, his smile growing. Kang I-won, unsettled by the reaction, gave him a wary look before speaking again.

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“For someone to tie themselves to a single person for life… Guide Heo Do-gyeong, you’re still too young for that.”

After all, Heo Do-gyeong was the same age as Kang I-won’s younger sibling. Even if his abilities weren’t fading, Kang I-won knew his choice wouldn’t change.

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Heo Do-gyeong was far too valuable a resource to be tied to someone as insignificant as himself. After all, wasn’t he one of those rare S-rank Guides? He deserved better treatment and greater respect.

“You’ll find an Esper much better than me. It’s only because you haven’t met many other Espers yet,” Kang I-won said, trying to sound convincing.

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At this, Heo Do-gyeong let out a derisive snort.

“Other Espers? I’ve met plenty. Enough to be utterly sick of them. Espers are swarming all over the Seoul Center. Do you think it’s hard to meet one there? In fact, there are more of them there than here. But from what I’ve seen, there’s not a single decent one among them—just a bunch of idiots.”

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Heo Do-gyeong made no effort to hide his disdain, his tone sharp as he criticized the Espers in Seoul. He continued without pause.

“And do you think I’m saying we should imprint because you’re a capable and admirable Esper? Don’t flatter yourself. There’s no one else who irritates me as much as you do.”

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“Then why…?”

“How many times do I have to say it before it sinks in? I like you, Kang I-won. I’m saying we should imprint because I like you.”

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The sudden confession left Kang I-won completely dazed.

He likes me? That can’t be true. It has to be a misunderstanding. If it isn’t, then it’s just a fleeting emotion.

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Strong experiences from childhood leave lasting impressions. Even if those memories fade, they remain in the subconscious, influencing thoughts and actions.

When such memories don’t fade, the emotions tied to them become even more intense. That lingering intensity influences people without them even realizing it.

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The same must be true for Heo Do-gyeong. His belief that he cares for or likes Kang I-won must stem from the scars of his past.

“That’s just a misunderstanding,” Kang I-won insisted. “It’s just that… you…”

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He hesitated, unsure if he should voice his thoughts, but eventually continued cautiously.

“My demeanor… reminds you of your mother.”

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“I already told you it’s not that. If I’d known this would happen, I wouldn’t have said anything in the first place,” Heo Do-gyeong replied with a frustrated frown.

“And do you think I’m so immature that I’d confuse my feelings like that?”

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From Kang I-won’s perspective, Heo Do-gyeong still seemed plenty young.

For Heo Do-gyeong, the situation was undoubtedly frustrating, but Kang I-won simply couldn’t believe that Heo Do-gyeong liked him.

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There was no reason for Heo Do-gyeong to like him. Why would he? Had anything special ever happened between them? No, nothing. Then why?

“Why do you like me?” Kang I-won asked, his tone a mixture of confusion and disbelief. “There’s no reason to. I don’t even have proper abilities, and there’s nothing impressive about me…”

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As the words of self-deprecation naturally flowed out, Heo Do-gyeong let out a quiet sigh.

“You’re a capable person, Esper Kang I-won. I don’t like how you handle yourself, but you made it to A-rank with just a regeneration ability. Why do you keep putting yourself down? And do you think I like you because of your abilities? On the contrary, I hate your ability. I hate it with a passion. Watching you recklessly push your body without valuing it just because of that ability makes me sick.”

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As he watched Kang I-won avoid his gaze, Heo Do-gyeong continued.

“Most people would’ve jumped at my offer, so why do you keep rejecting it? It’s not like I’m asking you to date me. I’m just suggesting an imprint.”

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Date him? The mere thought startled Kang I-won, who quickly spoke up in alarm.

“You’ll regret it. Not me—you will, Guide Heo Do-gyeong.”

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“Whether I regret it or not, that’s my business. All you have to do is nod. I’m practically begging you at this point. Don’t tell me you’re going to keep saying no.”

Kang I-won hesitated, his lips trembling as if to speak. Then, closing his eyes tightly, he whispered in a resolute tone,

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“…Yes, I don’t want to. I don’t want to imprint with you, Guide Heo Do-gyeong.”

“Why not? Why don’t you want to imprint with me?”

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Heo Do-gyeong’s question carried a tinge of disbelief. As much as Heo Do-gyeong was frustrated, so was Kang I-won.

My abilities are disappearing. That one sentence would resolve everything. Yet, Kang I-won couldn’t bring himself to say it. Instead, they continued this exhausting, pointless exchange, draining them both.

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Why couldn’t he say it? Whenever he tried, his mouth clamped shut like a stubborn clam.

That one sentence would solve everything.

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If an Esper losing their abilities can’t imprint, Heo Do-gyeong would understand and withdraw his suggestion. The sight of him insisting on imprinting would also come to an end.

At that moment, Kang I-won’s eyes opened wider than usual, a realization dawning on him.

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He didn’t want to see Heo Do-gyeong give up so easily. He didn’t want to hear him withdraw his suggestion and walk away after claiming to like him.

But why? Even as he questioned himself, no clear answer emerged.

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Kang I-won had spent much of his life suppressing and ignoring his emotions. He emptied his mind and heart to endure his circumstances—it was the only way he could survive.

This habit persisted from the early days of his work as an Esper to the present, leaving him unable to confront his own feelings. It made it difficult to fully understand his desires and thoughts.

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As such, he couldn’t even grasp why he didn’t want to see that side of Heo Do-gyeong. It was his own feelings, yet they were so difficult to discern that he let out an involuntary sigh.

He couldn’t pinpoint what kind of emotions he held for Heo Do-gyeong. He had vague guesses but immediately denied and ignored them, searching instead for other reasons. Yet, no other reasons came to mind.

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There was one thing he was certain of, though: regardless of what his feelings were for Heo Do-gyeong, he found himself wanting more.

He had already been greedy. Because of that, he began receiving proper guidance from Heo Do-gyeong and wanted him to stay with Team 5, even temporarily.

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He didn’t want to imprint with Heo Do-gyeong. It was something he shouldn’t want and, ultimately, something that was impossible.

However, until his abilities disappeared entirely, Kang I-won wished for Heo Do-gyeong to stay by his side. The conflict between reality and his own desires constantly created turmoil within him.

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The confusion in his heart made it difficult even to speak. As the silence dragged on, Heo Do-gyeong, uncharacteristically uneasy, broke it with a question.

“Or… is it because you don’t like me?”

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“…What?”

Kang I-won’s face froze in shock. Why was that question coming up again? As Kang I-won stood there, bewildered, Heo Do-gyeong bit his lip nervously and spoke again.

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“All the reasons you gave earlier—they’re just excuses, aren’t they? There’s no real reason. So, do you hate me? Is it because I acted like such a jerk at first? Are you still upset about that?”

“No… it’s not that,” Kang I-won denied immediately. Hate Heo Do-gyeong? That couldn’t be further from the truth.

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“Then why do you keep rejecting me? You don’t hate me, and none of your other reasons hold water. So what’s left? What reason do you have?”

Heo Do-gyeong’s frustrated question left Kang I-won equally exasperated with himself.

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He just needed to act as he always had—trample down, erase, and forget his desires and feelings. Then, he could do what needed to be done. He’d done this countless times before; it wasn’t difficult.

Once he suppressed his emotions, he could tell the truth as calmly as he had told Han Kang-jin: his abilities were disappearing.

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That’s all he had to do. So why couldn’t he bring himself to say it in front of Heo Do-gyeong?

Perhaps he had indulged his greed for too long. Without realizing it, that greed had grown uncontrollably. By the time he noticed, it had become overwhelming. And even now, he couldn’t stop it from growing.

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He couldn’t crush, erase, or forget the greed that had taken root. It had grown too large to ignore. That vivid desire whispered insistently.

More, more, more.

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Though he knew he had to say the words eventually, he couldn’t bring himself to do it now. Kang I-won wanted just a little more time with Heo Do-gyeong as his Guide.

Greed always brought trouble. But his inner voice coaxed him: It’s the last time. What’s the harm? The time left is so short; nothing will happen. That voice repeatedly persuaded him, pulling him deeper.

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The thought that it was “the last time” softened his heart. Eventually, his softened heart surrendered to his greed.

After hesitating for what felt like forever, Kang I-won finally spoke.

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“I’m not rejecting you because I dislike you, Guide Heo Do-gyeong. There’s another reason. But… can I tell you later? It won’t take long.”

No matter what, the results would be out by next month. He promised himself he’d tell Heo Do-gyeong before they arrived.

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Seeing Kang I-won’s expression, Heo Do-gyeong realized there must be another reason he wasn’t aware of. Still, the promise to eventually explain was better than nothing. Letting out a small sigh, Heo Do-gyeong softened his tone.

“How long do I have to wait?”

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“…I’ll tell you before the end of next month, at the latest.”

“Alright. But you have to tell me then.”

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Kang I-won slowly nodded in agreement.

* * *

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Hyun Ho-jun’s eyes quietly followed Kang I-won’s movements.

Kang I-won, perched on the ledge, lunged toward the monster, only to abruptly pull back. At the same moment, the writhing creature exhaled a plume of toxic gas. Covering his nose, Kang I-won retreated a few more steps.

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Hyun Ho-jun gestured sharply, flames erupting from his fingertips to incinerate the spreading poison mist. Kang I-won nodded a silent thanks with his eyes before charging at the monster once more.

A faint smile briefly graced Hyun Ho-jun’s lips, but it was soon replaced by a look of boredom.

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Hyun Ho-jun liked Kang I-won’s self-destructive tendencies. It made his heart race. The memory of Kang I-won saving him was something he knew he’d never forget, no matter how much time passed.

That image of Kang I-won—standing in front of him in literal tatters, his back shielding him—was burned so deeply into his mind that he could still see it vividly whenever he closed his eyes.

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Perhaps because of this, seeing Kang I-won now didn’t stir the same thrill. He had no interest in the cautious, self-preserving actions of an average person.

With a faint sense of disappointment, Hyun Ho-jun trailed after Kang I-won’s retreating figure.

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For reasons unknown, Kang I-won had recently become noticeably more cautious.

There had been times in the past when Kang I-won had momentarily held back, but this time it felt different. Back then, it seemed unintentional, as if his body had reacted on its own. Now, however, it was deliberate—he was consciously avoiding danger.

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Even Han Kang-jin, who had once offered curt remarks about Kang I-won’s reckless behavior, seemed somewhat frustrated but chose to remain silent.

What could be going on? Hyun Ho-jun narrowed his eyes, observing him carefully.

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Bang!

The sound of a gunshot rang out from behind. Hyun Ho-jun turned his head.

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Behind him, Heo Do-gyeong, with an expression barely concealing irritation, stomped on a wriggling, thin tendril lying on the ground.

“What are you doing, spacing out like that?”

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Heo Do-gyeong’s voice was laced with scorn as he holstered the monster-slaying gun strapped to his thigh.

“Oh… my apologies.”

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Hyun Ho-jun offered a habitual smile as he apologized.

Heo Do-gyeong, still dissatisfied, stared at him before shifting his gaze to Kang I-won. The irritation in his eyes softened, replaced with visible concern—something even Hyun Ho-jun could clearly see.

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“Hmph.”

Hyun Ho-jun let out a faint hum, his interest piqued.

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Lately, the relationship between Heo Do-gyeong and Kang I-won had grown increasingly subtle. Though Heo Do-gyeong remained curt and cold with others, he acted noticeably softer around Kang I-won. While his preferential treatment of Kang I-won wasn’t new, it had become especially blatant of late.

As soon as the monster was dealt with, Heo Do-gyeong hurried over to Kang I-won, speaking in a gentle voice.

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“Are you hurt anywhere? Do you need guiding?”

That question was reserved solely for Kang I-won.

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“Does he think the rest of us don’t need guiding?” Kim Young-ho muttered under his breath. Hyun Ho-jun suppressed a quiet laugh.

The attention directed at Heo Do-gyeong naturally shifted to Kang I-won. While Heo Do-gyeong’s behavior was surprising, Kang I-won’s changes were even more so.

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Not long ago, Kang I-won had been full of irritation and exasperation toward Heo Do-gyeong. No matter how much care or concern was shown, it was always met with annoyance and reluctance.

But at some point, that changed. Kang I-won began to accept Heo Do-gyeong’s attention and concern as if it were natural.

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This time was no different. A faint smile appeared on Kang I-won’s face—an unconscious smile. The corners of his lips curved slightly upward as he replied to Heo Do-gyeong’s question.

“I’m not hurt. And I don’t need guiding yet.”

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“Let me know right away if you do.”

“I will.”

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When had this shift started? It hadn’t been that long, but pinpointing the exact moment was difficult.

Kang I-won, engaging in a relaxed conversation with Heo Do-gyeong, appeared utterly at ease. His demeanor was unintentional and natural—something he only showed when he was with Heo Do-gyeong.

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The sight didn’t even evoke jealousy. Hyun Ho-jun knew that no matter how he behaved, Kang I-won would never show him that same expression.

Kang I-won was still uncomfortable around him. Hyun Ho-jun had often ignored that fact and pushed forward regardless, but it seemed it was finally time to stop.

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The small affection he had harbored never had the chance to grow. It was plucked out by the roots before it could bloom. Though he felt some regret for his withered feelings, there was no helping it. It was better to uproot hopeless emotions before they could take shape.

Still, the lack of opportunity stung a little. Pushing aside even that faint disappointment, Hyun Ho-jun observed the two of them with a now-cleared gaze.

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Progress in the relationship between an Esper and a Guide was, in some ways, a reason to celebrate. Perhaps they’d soon have something to congratulate.

Hyun Ho-jun muttered quietly to himself, “Looks like there’ll be a celebration soon.”

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Kim Young-ho glanced at him and asked, “What are you mumbling about?”

“Nothing,” Hyun Ho-jun replied, his tone light.

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Hyun Ho-jun shrugged and responded casually. Then, turning to the man who had experienced heartbreak before him, he made a suggestion.

“How about we grab a drink after this? Not too much, just a little. My treat.”

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“What’s gotten into you all of a sudden?”

“Well… maybe because I got rejected?”

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Hyun Ho-jun’s tone was as nonchalant as ever, but the remark left Kim Young-ho startled instead.

“What?”

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“Let’s keep it simple. Pork belly? Or maybe grilled intestines.”

“Wait, hold on. You liked someone?”

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“Actually, intestines sound better, don’t you think?”

“Hey! Don’t dodge the question! Answer me! Did you like someone or not?”

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“Haha.”

“When did you even get rejected? And who was it? You can’t just leave me hanging like this!”

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As Kim Young-ho continued to shout in disbelief, Hyun Ho-jun brushed off his words, his thoughts wandering elsewhere.

Even though he had let go of his feelings, Kang I-won remained his lifesaver and a senior he deeply respected. That wouldn’t change. He had left behind only the part of his emotions that would never waver.

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Maybe Kang I-won would treat him as casually as he did Kim Young-ho now. That didn’t sound so bad.

With a faint smile, Hyun Ho-jun shifted his gaze away from the pair.

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* * *

The weather wasn’t just sunny—it was sweltering. The sharp rays of the sun made it clear that summer was approaching in full force.

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Even though the special suits they wore for safety had been slightly thinned out, they were still too heavy for the heat. Heo Do-gyeong, whose face was faintly flushed from the warmth, dabbed the sweat off his forehead with a handkerchief.

In contrast to the meticulously dressed Heo Do-gyeong, Kang I-won wore a loose white short-sleeve T-shirt. The heat had prompted him to tie the outer jacket of his usual tracksuit around his waist.

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The two, dressed in completely opposite manners, were out on patrol. Kang I-won occasionally glanced at Heo Do-gyeong walking beside him.

He had resolved to tell Heo Do-gyeong about the loss of his abilities before the official results came in. The sooner he said it, the better.

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He had no intention of accepting the imprint proposal, but remaining silent when there was such a clear and unchangeable reason to refuse felt like deception toward Heo Do-gyeong.

This moment was another good opportunity. There was no one else around—just the two of them. Yet no words came out of his mouth. He merely stole glances at Heo Do-gyeong’s profile.

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Walking silently beside him, Heo Do-gyeong suddenly broke the silence.

“Is there something on my face?”

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“…What?”

“You keep looking at me.”

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“I wasn’t looking,” Kang I-won denied, feigning nonchalance.

At this, Heo Do-gyeong let out a small laugh. The slight curve of his lips formed a gentle line, and Kang I-won found himself staring blankly at it for a moment.

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With a playful tone, Heo Do-gyeong teased,

“You could just look openly, you know.”

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“I told you, I wasn’t looking.”

Kang I-won quickly averted his gaze from Heo Do-gyeong. A soft chuckle reached his ears, making him unconsciously rub the side of his head.

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“By the way, it’s a little over two weeks now.”

Two weeks. At those words, Kang I-won snapped to attention, his body giving a slight jolt. That would be around the time the test results were due. Did he know? Was that what he meant?

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Caught off guard, Kang I-won glanced nervously at Heo Do-gyeong, who continued, a faintly exasperated expression on his face.

“…You didn’t forget, did you? About our dinner plans?”

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“Oh.”

Right—he had made dinner plans with Heo Do-gyeong. The date wasn’t far off from when the re-evaluation results would come out. He’d been so preoccupied with the thought of telling Heo Do-gyeong the truth that he’d momentarily forgotten.

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Seeing Kang I-won’s reaction, as if he might have forgotten, Heo Do-gyeong’s face showed a tinge of disappointment.

“Did you really forget?”

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“…No, I remember. It’s not far off now.”

The thought crossed Kang I-won’s mind that he could perhaps broach the topic during their meal when the atmosphere was more relaxed. But it didn’t seem like a particularly good idea.

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Then when would be the best time to say it? He swallowed a sigh that threatened to escape, only to be interrupted by the sharp beep of his device. It was a call from Kim Young-ho.

All thoughts were immediately cut off as Kang I-won grabbed Heo Do-gyeong and dashed toward the location flagged by the call. The muggy wind brushed against his cheeks as they ran.

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When they arrived, they found Han Kang-jin grappling with a plant-type monster armed with jagged, saw-like branches. Hyun Ho-jun and Kim Young-ho were assisting him.

Han Kang-jin deflected a whip-like branch with a quick motion, but several more came at him at once, and he couldn’t fend them all off. Hyun Ho-jun rolled to dodge the incoming branches that Kang-jin missed and quickly conjured flames.

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The monster writhed as the flames licked at its branches, only to sever the burning parts of its limbs itself. From the spots where the branches were cut, new ones sprouted rapidly.

“Stay back, it’s dangerous over here.”

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Saying this, Kang I-won rushed forward, cutting down a branch that was about to blindside Han Kang-jin. Standing at his side, he matched his movements to cover the team leader’s blind spots.

Sensing the familiar presence beside him, Han Kang-jin kept his focus on the monster but spoke up.

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“You’re here? Good. Listen carefully; I’ll make it quick.”

“Yes.”

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“As you can see, it’s a plant-type. You see those eight thick branches? No matter how many times we cut them, new ones just keep sprouting. Even Ho-jun’s flames don’t do much to them.”

The plant-type monster resembled a tree, but it only had eight branches. What it lacked in quantity, it made up for in size; each branch was remarkably thick.

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Some of the connections between the branches and the main body were charred black, evidence of Hyun Ho-jun’s attempts to burn them. The body itself was coated in a strange, sticky yellow substance, resembling honey smeared generously across its surface.

Han Kang-jin continued, “That weird liquid keeps flames from catching on its body. Luckily, Young-ho’s electricity seems to work somewhat, but it’s not strong enough to penetrate that stuff. Tch. We’ve already called for backup, but… do you have any bright ideas?”

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Kang I-won quickly surveyed the scene. Severed and scorched branches lay scattered everywhere, but they kept regenerating, no matter how much damage was inflicted.

It wasn’t as though the branches would regenerate endlessly, but without knowing how long it would take to exhaust them, they couldn’t waste time just cutting branches.

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Directly targeting the main body seemed to be the only solution.

However, Hyun Ho-jun’s flames were ineffective due to the sticky liquid, and Kim Young-ho’s electricity lacked the necessary power.

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And Kang I-won himself? That was risky. The viscous substance covering the monster’s body was so adhesive that getting too close might leave him stuck to it, like an insect caught in a spider’s web.

This monster was a terrible match for Team 5’s abilities. Kang I-won clicked his tongue and replied, “We’ll probably have to wait for backup to figure something out.”

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Han Kang-jin sighed, frustrated by the lack of options.

Despite their dissatisfaction, Team 5 focused on keeping the monster contained, tying it to one spot as much as possible. The nearby area was a residential neighborhood, so minimizing collateral damage was essential.

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As they held the monster in check, a total of fifteen branches fell to the ground.

The moment they severed the sixteenth branch, the monster abruptly withdrew all its remaining branches. Then, the eight thick branches began twisting together in pairs, forming four even larger, rope-like appendages.

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Now with only four massive branches, the monster launched them simultaneously at the four members of Team 5.

Han Kang-jin raised his shield to block the attack, while Kim Young-ho used a utility pole as cover to dodge the incoming branch. Kang I-won quickly ducked, causing the branch targeting him to slam deeply into the ground.

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Seizing the opportunity, Kang I-won gripped his dagger tightly and tried to sever the embedded branch. However, all that followed was a loud, metallic clang, as if he’d struck solid steel. His hand stung from the impact.

It didn’t make sense. The branches had only been twisted together like rope, yet their hardness had increased dramatically.

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“Hey! Hyun Ho-jun! Are you okay?!”

Kang I-won’s voice rang out in concern.

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At the sound of Kim Young-ho’s voice, Kang I-won’s gaze immediately snapped to Hyun Ho-jun. One of the thick, sharp branches had grazed Hyun Ho-jun’s thigh. Thanks to his protective suit, the injury wasn’t severe, but the pain was evident on his grimacing face.

The branches relentlessly targeted Hyun Ho-jun, forcing him to roll and dodge without any chance to use his abilities. He was too preoccupied avoiding the attacks to fight back.

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Seeing this, Kang I-won urgently threw his dagger. The blade’s impact altered the trajectory of a branch aiming for Hyun Ho-jun’s neck, causing it to embed itself in the ground just beside him.

Seizing the brief opening, Kang I-won rushed forward to shield Hyun Ho-jun. Another branch came hurtling toward him, and Kang I-won blocked it, the metallic clang of impact ringing out.

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The force behind the branch was immense, making it difficult to deflect. Struggling, Kang I-won managed to push it aside at an angle, but he couldn’t completely fend it off.

One of the saw-like branches grazed his shoulder as it slipped through. The fabric of his white T-shirt tore, revealing a deep wound from which blood immediately gushed out.

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“Tch.”

Kang I-won clicked his tongue, his face contorting slightly from the pain radiating from his shoulder. At that moment, Han Kang-jin stepped in, shielding him and forcing him to retreat while gripping his bleeding shoulder.

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Kang I-won glanced at Hyun Ho-jun, who appeared dazed and out of sorts. “Are you okay?”

Hyun Ho-jun nodded absentmindedly before snapping out of it, hastily summoning his flames. The fire flared more intensely than usual, quickly consuming the branch.

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The flaming branch writhed violently, emitting an overwhelming heat that spread rapidly. Han Kang-jin, who had been holding his position nearby, scowled and shouted angrily, “Damn it, Ho-jun! Put out the fire!”

“Huh? Oh, right!” Hyun Ho-jun quickly extinguished the flames.

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In that brief moment, the outer surface of the branch had been charred black, and the monster, as if retreating in fear, pulled its branches back and slithered backward.

Kim Young-ho, who had approached, helped Hyun Ho-jun up and asked, “Hey, are you okay?”

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“Yeah… I’m fine,” Hyun Ho-jun replied, his voice a bit uncertain.

“Are you really fine? You seem way off your game today.”

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