HG | Chapter 24

How much time had passed?

When Hakyung regained consciousness, he was in the school’s treatment room, a specialized facility for awakeners that only existed within the Special Abilities Division at Hanguk University.

The main sector, shaped like a hospital emergency room, had only Hakyung lying there. Perhaps because of that, no curtains were drawn, so he could clearly see the empty beds lined up on both sides and below.

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“Then, we’ll handle it like that… Oh, you’re awake?”

Since Hakyung was lying near the entrance, he locked eyes with the doctor who was just entering. Hakyung tried to raise his aching body, lifting a hand absentmindedly, then froze.

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“Cast…”

“Didn’t you know your fingers from index to little were all broken? Fortunately, they broke cleanly without shattering, so a couple of healings will fix them right up. If you can’t wait, go find an Esper you know. The cast is just to keep you from messing with your hand, so don’t take it too seriously.”

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“Oh… Thank you.”

“Tsk tsk… I don’t know what you got hit for, but if you’re going to fight again, tell the other guy not to hit your face. Seeing those bruises makes my own face ache.”

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“Oh…”

‘So I got bruises on my face… Well, it would be weird if I didn’t.’

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With the doctor genuinely showing concern, Hakyung managed an awkward smile. He desperately wanted to ask if the facial bruises could be removed with healing.

Leaving the friendly doctor behind, he left the treatment room around 3 PM. He had been unconscious for about five hours.

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Hakyung tightly gripped the bag strap hanging over one shoulder and headed straight to the nearest bathroom to check his reflection in the mirror.

“Wow.”

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His face, finally seen with his own eyes, was swollen blue. Now he understood why the doctor clicked his tongue like that. His whole cheek was bluish, almost looking like half his face was severely injured.

Hakyung muttered in dismay:

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“I’m in big trouble.”

His father would be really upset if he saw this.

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As they say, if he knew a healer, he would’ve gone to one, but the only Esper he could call a friend was Cha Hyunseo, who wasn’t of the healing type and thus useless for recovery.

“Oh, right. Hyunseo…”

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Hakyung groaned, clutching his forehead. He had completely forgotten about him.

‘I didn’t even give him my new phone number.’

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His father had changed his number when he gifted him a new phone, so Hyunseo wouldn’t know the new one. He must have been surprised when the contact suddenly ceased.

Taking the opportunity, Hakyung pulled out his phone and sent a message to the number he remembered:

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Cha Hyunseo. It’s Hakyung. Sorry for contacting late.

Brrring-

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“Uh.”

Isn’t this guy supposed to be in training? As soon as he sent the message, a call came through, making Hakyung flinch like he was about to get scolded.

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Is he angry too?

Feeling like he had managed to upset everyone around him, Hakyung pressed the accept button.

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“Hello…”

-Im Hakyung!

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As expected, a tremendous shout came from the other side.

“S-sorry.”

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-Where are you?! Why weren’t you answering? You went back home, right? Is the overload okay? Are you all right?

From the barrage of questions, Hakyung could sense how worried Hyunseo had been. He felt a pang of guilt and lowered his head.

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“Uh… The overload has calmed down, and I’m fine. My dad took me out of the dorm while I was unconscious, and I think my phone broke then… I got a new phone and number. Sorry for the late contact.”

-Hah…! Well, if everything’s okay, that’s good. I saw them clear out your room. It definitely looked like people from your dad’s side. Oh, and don’t go back to the dorm. It’s a mess. I tried to clean it up, but they just kept piling stuff in. Those bastards. They should use that energy to train.

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Hakyung nodded unconsciously. He had guessed that rumors of his overload had spread. He wouldn’t be surprised if they had done something nasty in front of his door.

‘My secretary, Song, must have packed my things.’

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If they had done something dirty beforehand, it would be troublesome…

Wouldn’t that naturally be reported to his father?

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“…Oh.”

No. Has it already been reported?

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“So, about that time…”

-What about that time? I can’t hear you well.

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“Oh, nothing. Just talking to myself.”

‘Hakyung is the only light in his father’s life.’

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That day when his father suddenly asked if he was being bullied. And the day he learned of his father’s revenge plan and begged to join him in his endeavors.

In many ways, it was an important day for Hakyung. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say his mindset changed after that day. Perhaps, it had a significant impact on his clash with Han Hee-gyeom today.

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No matter what he did, his father was behind him, and he believed his father loved him.

To put it negatively, one might say he was acting out because he relied on his father’s power, but either way, it was good for him.

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-So, what’s going to happen to you from now on? Are you going to continue with school?

“Oh, yeah. I returned to school today. School, probably…?”

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-What? Today? What do you mean “probably”? Are you going to keep attending or not?

“Um, that’s…”

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How should he explain this? After a brief hesitation, Hakyung summed it up shortly:

“Jang Yuseong hit me.”

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-What?! That crazy bastard…!

Hyunseo, who rarely cursed, using such strong language meant he was extremely angry.

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Hakyung gave a slight, wry smile. If one were to visualize the ‘well-educated child from a good family’ that his father often spoke of, it would be Cha Hyunseo.

Their conversation naturally reminded him of Hyunseo’s proposal:

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‘If I want to pair up with you. Would you be my guide then?’

-If I return, I’ll beat up all those guys…

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‘Would Hyunseo understand?’

As the voice of Hyunseo, raging furiously, faded, Hakyung’s thoughts drifted.

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Would Cha Hyunseo still be an understanding person even if his friend broke the taboo of guiding his own family? Even if it involved physical contact?

I don’t know. But with Hyunseo, the likelihood was high.

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He was the friend who sincerely offered a hand when Hakyung was at his lowest. If Cheonghyeon was his parents’ savior, then Hyunseo was that for him when he was lost.

“Cha Hyunseo. Thanks.”

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Hakyung suddenly thanked him. Hyunseo, who had been pouring out his anger, paused, then quickly returned to his characteristic teasing.

-Huh… Has our Hakyung finally fallen for the perfect, handsome next-gen super rookie, Cha Hyunseo?

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“You say that with your own mouth…”

-So, have you fallen for me, or not?

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Sigh. Hakyung let out an exasperated sigh. Whether it’s one or the other, they never change. But the familiar response did lighten his mood.

“It’s the worst.”

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Yet his face was smiling brightly. Hakyung met his own grinning reflection in the opposite mirror.

“By the way, Hyunseo, do you know any healing Espers by any chance?”

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In the end, he couldn’t find a healer.

“Really, this is a big problem…”

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-Sorry. Looks like even the ultimate handsome Cha Hyunseo needs to look into that.

Though he asked without much expectation, deep down, he thought Hyunseo might know someone right away. But it seemed even he couldn’t help with healers.

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Healing Espers are rare. Not only globally but especially in Korea. There’s even a rumor that because of the Outbreak zone in Korea, healing abilities don’t manifest.

Regardless of whether that rumor is true, Hakyung knew that the number of pure healing awakeners in Korea didn’t even reach triple digits. Even including those who can use healing magic, the number barely reaches a hundred.

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Here, Hakyung was caught by a question:

“It’s supposed to remove all status ailments… Doesn’t it count bruises from getting hit as status ailments?”

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That was about his own skill.

An incredible skill that allows even non-partnered Espers to feel the guiding effect. It seemed like it could do anything, but he learned of its limit. Physical injuries from fighting don’t heal.

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However, there was one thing to look forward to: whether this applies only to injuries from human fights or also to those from monsters. For instance, in ‘Dungeonized’ areas, he could restore the land, but outside, the skill activation message didn’t appear.

‘Maybe ‘status ailments’ only apply to energies from monsters or awakeners.’

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Having sorted his thoughts to that point, he morosely touched his bruised cheek.

‘Even with a mask, it won’t cover it all.’

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He tried wearing a mask just in case, but it only made him look more pitiful. It made the image of hiding his face after being hit even more pronounced.

Either way, his father would definitely be upset when he saw him.

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Hakyung trudged towards the TA’s office. Given his condition, he was going to ask the professor to exclude Han Hee-gyeom’s group from being his practice partners and, if possible, to adjust schedules to avoid meeting the A-class Esper group. Even if he were to quit school, reducing immediate encounters would be best.

For that, he needed to make an appointment through the professor’s TA first.

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The TAs of the Special Abilities Division all have offices as spacious as the professors’ rooms. Naturally, since TAs are also awakeners, this is a precaution against overloads. It was different from other departments from the smallest details.

“Uh… Hello.”

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“Student Im Hakyung?”

“Yeah.”

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The TA’s office for the guiding practice professor was open. A woman with dark circles under her eyes stood up from behind a partition.

“I heard there was an incident during class. Your injuries… must have hurt a lot. Did you get good treatment?”

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“Um… Yes. Thank you for your concern.”

“No problem. It’s expected. The professor left some instructions. He asked me to apologize to you as well. I was going to contact you tomorrow, thinking you’d come back today, but you came early. Just a moment.”

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‘The professor took care of it first… That’s a relief.’

As the TA disappeared behind the partition, Hakyung heaved a sigh of relief. If the professor had acted first, it was much less worrisome for him. He had been concerned that the professor might take offense, subtly side with the Espers, or see his request as overstepping.

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“Let’s see… The professor said you won’t have to face Jang Yuseong during guiding practice. Since there’s a strong suspicion of him forcibly molesting a guide, he’s failed our class and will not be allowed to participate in guiding practice until next semester.”

“Oh…”

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“And here’s a note from the professor.”

The TA handed over a small note. Hakyung nodded in acknowledgment and read it:

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From the first day back at school, you’ve gotten into trouble. I’m sorry, Hakyung.

I’ll take responsibility for Yuseong and send him to the disciplinary committee, so focus on recovering.

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Give my regards to Esper Im Cheonghyeon.

‘Disciplinary committee…’

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That meant they were prepared to expel him from school.

Hakyung was dumbfounded by the scale of the action. From the mention of sending regards to his father, it seemed the professor was quite anxious about Hakyung possibly getting into more trouble.

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“Can you tell the professor I received his note?”

“Of course.”

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“And, if possible, during guiding practice, I’d like to avoid meeting the group close to Jang Yuseong or at least not have them as practice partners.”

The TA scratched her cheek, looking slightly embarrassed.

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“Um… Can you tell me their names?”

Having done all he could, Hakyung exited the main gate of the Special Abilities Division. The somewhat muggy spring breeze brushed his cheek.

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Now, all that was left was for his father to find out.

‘Will he scold me?’

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You didn’t call me.

Just thinking of him brought a smile to Hakyung’s lips. Though he would surely be upset, why did that make him so happy? Imagining getting scolded for the first time in a while, he walked slowly towards the school entrance.

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“Huh?”

But just minutes after leaving the division, he encountered a massive crowd.

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“Why are there so many people here?”

Hakyung was puzzled by this unusual sight. Normally, this area didn’t attract crowds. There were just a few departments and a parking lot; compared to the student plaza or the central avenue full of cherry blossoms on the opposite side, this was practically a barren field. Even within the vast campus, the Special Abilities Division was in a remote corner.

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He could just pass by, but there was an odd pull towards the crowd. Hakyung felt an urge, almost like déjà vu, to join them and see what was going on.

‘…Should I just check and then go?’

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Whatever it is, it has nothing to do with me. I need to go see my father.

Despite his rational thoughts, his heart was anxious to uncover what was hidden. It was an attraction hard to understand.

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Reluctantly, Hakyung stepped towards the crowd. When he could go no further due to the human wall, he began to catch snippets of conversations:

“Is that really Im Cheonghyeon?”

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“Crazy, he’s awesome.”

“Is that the Esper? He’s got some build…”

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“But why is he here?”

“How would I know, you bastard. If I knew, I would’ve asked!”

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Im Cheonghyeon?

A name that shouldn’t be heard here caught Hakyung’s attention.

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‘Is my father here?’

“Excuse me. I need to get through. Sorry.”

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Given the crowd in such a secluded part of campus, the likelihood of his father being there was high. Despite not being very active publicly, his appearance was well-known. His fame was beyond that of most celebrities.

At that moment, his phone in his pocket vibrated.

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「Father」.

With the slight vibration, seeing the name on the screen, he immediately answered the call.

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“Hello?”

-Hakyung, don’t hang up.

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Whatever he was planning, Hakyung complied. He swallowed the saliva that had pooled in his mouth. Strangely, tension was building.

Something felt like it was about to happen…

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It couldn’t have been more than a few minutes later. The murmur from the front grew louder, and the crowd began to part to both sides.

The parted wave soon reached where Hakyung stood.

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“Oh, oh.”

Hakyung was inadvertently swept to the left. Suddenly, a path opened up.

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Thanks to this, he could clearly see the man.

‘Wow…’

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Hakyung genuinely admired the sight. His father, always seen in black shirt and pants, today wore a complete black suit with an additional black jacket.

Tall, with broad shoulders and a robust chest, narrowing down to a slim waist, and then to muscular thighs and long calves.

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A full black suit tends to make someone look slimmer.

Even in Hakyung’s judgment, his father in a suit looked sharper, more gentlemanly than usual, with the animalistic movement of his muscles hidden. It was an involuntary thought given his father’s overwhelming physical presence.

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He seemed to have located Hakyung just by hearing his voice over the phone. Thus, he walked straight towards where Hakyung was.

Hakyung watched in a daze as his father approached.

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The spring breeze seemed to accompany his father. Even though there were no cherry trees here, it felt like cherry blossoms were swirling around him.

Step, step.

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It seemed like he had driven himself here, parking carefully in the lot, waiting for his son.

He approached.

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With each step he took, the path that had opened up retreated another inch. It was like minnows fleeing from a predator. It must have been an instinctive reaction for them. Cheonghyeon said nothing, just walked steadily.

“Hello, son.”

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Finally reaching his destination, Cheonghyeon, with the phone still to his ear, greeted Hakyung, looking down at him. Hakyung nodded his head, still dazed.

Was it because of the unexpected meeting? His tongue felt stiff, making him respond like an idiot.

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“Hmm…”

His narrowed eyes scanned Hakyung’s cast and the bruises on his cheek.

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Crunch.

The phone Cheonghyeon was holding turned to dust and scattered. Hiks, gasps of shock could be heard from around.

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He put his now empty hand in his pocket and gently touched Hakyung’s cheek with the other. It was a very careful touch.

His handsome forehead furrowed.

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“Baby, who did this to you?”