PRT | Chapter 1.8

Thud. The pen he was holding fell from his hand. Startled by the small sound, Heeseo lifted his head slightly, scanning his surroundings like an animal on high alert before lowering his body again.

Lately, days like this had been continuous. There was no respite from the turmoil in his body and mind. He exhaled a long breath, appearing gaunt after just ten days. Despite the rare moment of tranquility, his mind was restless.

“…”

The cause of breaking this silence was undoubtedly Seo Yigyeom. The confusing conversation, the atmosphere, the sensation of being touched, all of these refused to fade from memory. Even days later, the encounter with him was vivid.

It wasn’t a pleasant start to their meeting. He thought Seo Yigyeom would be angry, perhaps even threatening as he had warned. Yet, Seo Yigyeom deviated from expectations, acting gentlemanly instead. He did not interrogate or threaten.

‘I’ll think about it too, so Esper Kim Heeseo should think about it. We’ll continue this conversation later.’

He asked for my opinion. Ridiculously, he was the first person here to ask for my thoughts. His actions and words were ambiguous, yet Heeseo couldn’t help but be swayed by him. Despite the strange aversion he felt towards him.

He hadn’t been able to give an answer to that question yet. Fortunately or unfortunately, he hadn’t met Seo Yigyeom since then, leaving the matter in limbo. It was said that Seo Yigyeom had gone on a business trip to another region, ignoring all calls from the headquarters, taking only one confidant with him. People whispered about him.

On the opposite side of the seemingly peaceful headquarters, harsh words floated around. In this atmosphere where Heeseo found it hard to blend in, he just pondered what he would do if he met Seo Yigyeom again. In reality, Seo Yigyeom hadn’t given a proper answer either.

“You didn’t answer either.”

Just as he was grumbling in frustration, feeling unfairly treated.

“Who are you talking about?”

Heeseo’s shoulders jumped at the sudden voice. Startled, he turned around with a yelp. There stood a man with sunglasses, laughing without a care.

“Sorry for startling you.”

The man murmured, taking off his sunglasses even indoors. The eyes that were revealed were very bright, almost mysteriously so, enough to send a chill down one’s spine.

“…Who are you?”

“We haven’t met before, have we? Nice to meet you. I’m Kwon Joon. You’re the new member of our team, right?”

Ah. The partner of Hong Taebin, who was on vacation. Heeseo bowed his head in greeting after recalling the memory.

“Hello. I’m Kim Heeseo.”

“Why are you here alone? Where are the others?”

“Well…”

Heeseo ambiguously stretched out his words in response to the innocent question. Even though they were on the same team, he hadn’t heard from them in a long time. Now, even Lee Chilhyeon wouldn’t inform him about meeting schedules, causing inconvenience.

Instead of asking more, Kwon Joon turned his attention to something else. To the Post-it notes sticking out from one side of the desk.

“Ah, that’s…!”

Heeseo reached out quickly, but Kwon Joon had already scanned the contents.

[ 1/9: Ability X Guiding X
1/11: Ability O Guiding O (Not very effective…)
1/15: Ability O Guiding X
1/17: Ability X Guiding X ]

“You’ve only recently awakened. What’s your ability? Oh, by the way, mine is this.”

A black shadow flickered at his feet, clearly indicating he was quite skilled. It was odd that someone with such a bright disposition could wield such a dark ability.

“…Mine is space distortion.”

“We’ll probably go out to the field together, so I’ll look out for you then. But for now, how about we go grab some food?”

“What? Oh, I’m fine…”

“Huh? Come on. I’ve been craving Korean food since I got here. I hate eating alone.”

Kwon Joon was rather forceful, making Heeseo get up with his cheerful insistence. Reluctantly, Heeseo followed him out of the office, his steps slow since he wasn’t keen on the company.

“Has that mutant bastard Seo Yigyeom finally kicked the bucket this time?”

“How long will that great ability of his last?”

Heeseo’s steps stiffened the moment he heard Seo Yigyeom’s name. He inadvertently turned his head, his eyes lighting up. Perhaps sensing Heeseo’s presence, Kwon Joon, who was ahead, paused as if measuring something before speaking.

“You know Seo Yigyeom?”

“…Are you close?”

“I’m usually close with everyone.”

Unable to affirm or deny due to the sudden question, Heeseo asked back, and Kwon Joon shrugged nonchalantly.

“I thought you were just shy, but maybe you just didn’t like me.”

“…”

“Your eyes sparkled when you heard about Seo Yigyeom.”

Heeseo, unaware that his action might have confirmed something to the other, touched his eyes at the teasing remark. Kwon Joon just laughed brightly without further comment.

Honestly, Heeseo had initially put up a wall with Kwon Joon as well. Most Espers he’d met here were cold, ruthless, and sometimes heartless. The learning from sharp disdain was like a defensive mechanism of doubt.

“You seem very interested. Do you want to be close with Seo Yigyeom? Oh, is it because of guiding?”

Kwon Joon seemed to have remembered what he saw on the Post-it notes and answered his own question. While Heeseo just listened silently, the talk about Seo Yigyeom continued nearby, stirring a one-sided sense of camaraderie in Heeseo.

“Well, S-rank is rare, so it’s natural to be curious. And it’s true that no one can touch him with his abilities.”

Like the others who gossiped, Kwon Joon also acknowledged Seo Yigyeom’s formidable abilities. The words got stuck in Heeseo’s ears. Not just guiding but the way he seemed to neutralize an Esper’s ability was undeniable.

“But guiding will be tough. Seo Yigyeom is famously picky. Won’t it be hard for you, Heeseo?”

The words that assessed his worth felt gentle yet rude. With his fingertips trembling like they were pricked by a sharp pen, Heeseo looked straight at Kwon Joon.

“He did guide me.”

“He did?”

The surprise in his voice was clear. The man with disbelief in his eyes let out a small gasp.

“Did he get a bit nicer when I wasn’t looking…? So, are you waiting for him?”

“It’s the opposite, actually.”

“Oh.”

Kwon Joon lowered his eyebrows in sympathy, his gaze shifting slightly. Heeseo, suddenly feeling something off, instinctively heightened his senses. What was behind him? An empty office. The emergency stairs. And there was an executive elevator…

“I waited quite a bit, but it seems you haven’t, Heeseo.”

A low voice put an end to the speculation. Even without looking back, Heeseo knew. It was Seo Yigyeom. The sound of his shoes came closer.

“Jung-o, head up first.”

“Yes.”

The man called Jung-o bowed and left. “Jung-o, it’s been a while,” Kwon Joon acknowledged him before turning his attention back to the front, or rather, to Seo Yigyeom standing behind.

Heeseo deliberately didn’t turn around. He felt embarrassed for being caught gossiping. Aware of how much such talk could hurt, he found himself being cautious.

The sound of footsteps on marble stopped close by. Maybe just one step away. If he moved even slightly, they would touch. Heeseo slightly turned his head and met Seo Yigyeom’s eyes.

“…”

Seo Yigyeom was looking down at him with a cool expression. After ten days, he still looked impressive, just a bit more tired than before.

“I guess we’ll have to eat next time.”

At Kwon Joon’s words, Seo Yigyeom glanced at him briefly. Kwon Joon looked back at Seo Yigyeom and said one thing.

“I’d like to ask for guiding too.”

“If you’re worthy.”

It was an answer reminiscent of their previous conversation. Kwon Joon raised an eyebrow, said, “I’ll go ahead?” and then disappeared. Only then did Seo Yigyeom step forward to stand in front of Heeseo.

The surroundings were quiet. Even those who had been wandering about held their breath, casting subtle glances. The looks scanning the two of them seemed different yet similar. Heeseo straightened his shoulders, which were tempted to hunch under the suffocating situation.

“Let’s move somewhere else.”

With a brief notice, Seo Yigyeom led the way. Fortunately, Seo Yigyeom seemed uncomfortable too. Although he didn’t show it, Heeseo, who had felt uneasy, this time willingly followed him.

They headed to Seo Yigyeom’s office, a place wide and stylish, fitting perfectly with its owner. Stepping inside, Heeseo was reminded once again of Seo Yigyeom’s status within the headquarters.

Who else but Seo Yigyeom could have such an elegant personal office? Of course, being the only S-rank Guide, his influence wasn’t limited to just within the headquarters.

Receiving unique treatment and indeed having that influence, Seo Yigyeom wielded significant power. He stood shoulder to shoulder with the S-rank Espers just below the head of the division, the only non-combatant to reach such a position. It was a natural outcome for someone smart with exceptional abilities. Thinking about him, it seemed clear why Seo Yigyeom could ignore all summons from the headquarters.

“Sit down.”

Seo Yigyeom, looking particularly sharp, loosened his tie as he sat on the sofa.

“I wasn’t… gossiping just now.”

“You could have.”

Heeseo confessed preemptively, feeling guilty, but Seo Yigyeom’s response was flat.

“I did, though. Some background checks.”

On the contrary, he was brazenly calm, almost shameless. At his confident statement, Heeseo momentarily froze. The ease with which he could conduct an investigation that Heeseo could never finish made him bitter.

“…I won’t tell anyone about what I heard that day.”

“I find it hard to trust that, given our lack of trust. I’m very suspicious.”

Seo Yigyeom tapped the armrest lightly, his leg crossed, showing a firm will at the end of his sentence. His attitude was so arrogant it was hard to see him as someone whose weaknesses were exposed.

“I tried to hold some cards like Kim Heeseo, but… there was nothing much.”

No way. Heeseo felt a surge of injustice but bit his lip to stop the unrefined words from spilling out.

The background check meant he knew about the murder accusation he was unjustly burdened with. Of course, to Seo Yigyeom, he might just seem like a killer, but it was frustrating that his biggest shame was seen as truth.

“I talk a lot behind people’s backs.”

“Only me?”

A faint emotion colored the small voice, followed by a low reply.

“As I said, I’m very suspicious. I’m not content with just a few words on paper.”

Their gazes locked as Seo Yigyeom spoke in a disinterested tone. Heeseo’s face, clearly showing disturbance, was reflected on the still surface of his eyes.

“Last time, you asked for my thoughts.”

What did he mean by that? A faintly trembling statement echoed through the space.

“I want to hear your thoughts. What exactly do you want?”

“You’ll have to hear that too now.”

Seo Yigyeom chuckled lightly, his voice full of mockery.

“How many people do you think can ask for my thoughts?”

“…”

“Knowing won’t help you. All I have are thoughts too sordid for a kid to hear. Here, give me your hand.”

Seo Yigyeom casually changed the subject and grabbed Heeseo’s hand before he could even react. The sudden warmth made it feel like electricity was running through him.

“What…”

“Your energy was all over the place. Taking care of your own body is basic. You need to maintain this before you can climb.”

“Tsk,” Seo Yigyeom clicked his tongue, speaking in a tone of exasperation. The slightly tilted gaze made Heeseo feel even more scolded. He tried to pull his hand away from the unwanted guiding, but Seo Yigyeom wouldn’t let go.

“I didn’t ask for guiding.”

“Really? I thought I heard you. Then let’s say it was an auditory hallucination.”