PRT | Chapter 2.14

He had been brought here like a prisoner. The one who had pushed him to the edge was none other than the Head of Division, the apex of this organization. Knowing that every group emulates its leader, his resentment only grew. Moreover, he had seen Seo Yigyeom get hurt by the Head of Division before, so no good impression could arise.

However, thinking about the recent troubles Seo Yigyeom had gone through, he couldn’t stop. Even if Seo Yigyeom didn’t mind, Kim Heeseo felt a sense of debt. His muddled, tangled emotions moved his body.

The man leading the way stopped in front of a large, tightly shut door and turned around. Their eyes met like pieces of a puzzle.

“You can go in.”

The meticulously calculated courtesy was rather unpleasant. Stepping out of the man’s gaze, Kim Heeseo placed his hand on the doorknob without responding.

What would happen if I didn’t open this door? Could I just turn back? To where?

“…”

…To Seo Yigyeom?

At the end of his thoughts, Kim Heeseo unconsciously thought of Seo Yigyeom, furrowing his brows as he applied strength to his hand. As if trying to erase any thought of relying on Seo Yigyeom even for a moment, he opened the door.

Squeak. The sound of the hinges crying out was heard. Between them, a heavy scent that was headache-inducing rushed in. It was different from the subtle fragrance that had been around Seo Yigyeom’s nose. Kim Heeseo’s eyes trembled slightly. Biting his lip, he turned around to see the man sitting behind a wide desk. Seeing him, Kim Heeseo stilled his movements.

“…”

He looks like him.

For a moment, even his breath stopped, and as if it were a destined sequence, he thought of Seo Yigyeom. The man had the ease of someone who had been in that position since birth, reminiscent of Seo Yigyeom. Even his sharp aura resembled Seo Yigyeom.

The man allowed his aura to flow freely. It was an overwhelming presence even for Kim Heeseo, who wasn’t used to such waves. It felt almost like a warning.

A strange and eerie sense of oppression was conveyed. Through the heavy silence, their gazes clashed. The man’s eyes flashed. They were like those of a beast that could bite someone’s throat at any moment, watching.

“Isn’t it a spectacle?”

As Kim Heeseo stood frozen by the unexpected remark, the man spoke first. His voice was very low but wormed its way into Kim Heeseo’s ears, clinging to him like a snake’s hypnosis.

A shiver ran through Kim Heeseo as he averted his gaze. Behind the man, the crimson Origin Gate in the sky was visible. It was a monstrous sight that had closed long ago and wouldn’t open again, now parallel to him.

“Even if you hold your breath, you are a threat by your very existence.”

The man, who had uttered an incomprehensible statement, stood up and headed to the sofa. Sitting down with a thud, he didn’t invite Kim Heeseo to sit. Kim Heeseo, who had no intention of approaching in the first place, stood by the door.

The man’s ability was Copy, though Kim Heeseo didn’t understand how it worked, he judged it best not to get close. Clenching his fists invisibly, Kim Heeseo regulated his breathing.

Meanwhile, the man lit a thick cigar, exhaling smoke. Through the acrid smoke, his gaze, clearly intent on observation, mingled. As he cast an interested look, the man glanced out the window.

“That gate makes those who are mere mutants into something complete and superior.”

“…”

“Especially people like you and me, we benefit greatly from it.”

To call him over and then talk about the gate; Kim Heeseo was confused about the man’s intentions. Moreover, to say they benefit from the gate. It was all just a series of questions.

The man didn’t fear the gate. Rather, he seemed to accept it with a kind of friendly attitude. This made Kim Heeseo subconsciously feel repulsed. The man’s words began to make him feel nauseous.

“I believe there are designated positions from birth. Like I’m here, and you’re there.”

The man, having flicked off the ash from his cigarette, looked at Kim Heeseo with his long, slit eyes. He seemed to trap Kim Heeseo in his gaze, scrutinizing him thoroughly.

“Guides are no different. Even if they act out without knowing their place, that’s all they can do.”

The man, who looked just like Seo Yigyeom, spoke with a clear tone of disdain, putting Seo Yigyeom on a chopping block without mentioning him directly.

“I advise against doing foolish things in my headquarters.”

“…”

“Standing before me in such a state should be the last time.”

The gaze sweeping over him with contempt seemed like that of someone who had found traces of Seo Yigyeom. What did he know, and what was he warning about? Questions surged in an instant, but Kim Heeseo chose not to react hastily and instead looked directly at the man. He showed no sign of being intimidated.

“Don’t trust Seo Yigyeom too much. You never know when he might bite you.”

“Thank you for the advice.”

It was the first response Kim Heeseo had given since entering here. The man’s eyes seemed to darken with the quietly conveyed voice. Under his scrutiny, Kim Heeseo remained unperturbed, standing indifferently.

Not to trust Seo Yigyeom? What nonsense was that. He had already given his neck to him. He had sought out Seo Yigyeom in a form that was no different from offering himself to be bitten. He neither regretted nor was ignorant of this.

“If that’s all you had to say, I’ll be going.”

Kim Heeseo turned to leave before the man could give his consent. Once out of the office, he quickened his pace, subconsciously wanting to get away from the Head of Division even by a little.

His gaze straight ahead was resolute, his expression calm. However, his tightly clenched fists trembled slightly. The eerie sensation of the Head of Division’s gaze still clung to him. His chest felt unpleasantly tight.

Had he been tense without realizing it…?

Reflecting on the moment, Kim Heeseo let out a low laugh. The laughter, escaping like a breath, quickly faded. His lips, which had always drawn beautiful curves, pressed together firmly, and his eyes lowered.

How long had he walked down the empty corridor like that?

A somewhat hurried footstep sound reached him. The presence grew closer. When Kim Heeseo looked up, Seo Yigyeom was etched in his eyes.

Ah. It’s Seo Yigyeom.

Reacting slowly, Kim Heeseo’s gaze drifted as if entranced. Strangely, seeing Seo Yigyeom felt like a breath of fresh air. Seo Yigyeom had a slight frown, as if he had just encountered something troublesome.

Stopping a step away, Seo Yigyeom scrutinized Kim Heeseo. His dark gray eyes, revealing nothing of his inner thoughts, rolled slowly. His long, sharp gaze seemed more raw than usual.

Was there concern in that gaze? Kim Heeseo, caught in that look, simply blinked, meeting his eyes with the same gaze. He took in the sight of Seo Yigyeom, who looked as if he had rushed over, his hair disheveled, examining him irritably with great care.

“Did you finish your business? I heard you met with Kwon Joon Esper-nim.”

At the end, he was the one to break the silence first. His voice, like reading a book, spread through the corridor.

“…Let’s do today’s training with me.”

After a brief silence, Seo Yigyeom responded with an unrelated comment. His expression was unseen as he turned away. Kim Heeseo, looking at his broad back, answered, “Yes,” and stepped forward. His steps following were lighter than before.

The training room was completely sealed off, with good soundproofing, so no noise could escape. After changing into training clothes, Kim Heeseo unnecessarily adjusted his outfit. It felt awkward today, even though it was a routine he had experienced many times.

Seo Yigyeom didn’t change clothes, only removing his suit jacket. Rolling up his sleeves to his elbows, he took off his watch. Just that simple action made him look threatening.

“Do it like you’ve been doing.”

With a slight nod signaling the start, Kim Heeseo moved his body as he had with Moon Jung-o.

During the training, contact was inevitable. They came close enough for their breaths to mingle, then parted, repeating the cycle. As the time they spent in contact lengthened, Kim Heeseo keenly noticed that Seo Yigyeom was in a foul mood.

The person who usually enveloped himself in the calm aura of a still lake’s surface was now emitting a sharp, unrestrained energy. It prickled the skin as if he didn’t even want to bother controlling it.

“You need to put more force into it.”

Muttering through his teeth, Seo Yigyeom reached out, closing the distance. Just when Kim Heeseo was momentarily stunned, worrying if it was okay for someone so sensitive to be close to an Esper…

“Don’t space out.”

“Ah!”

With full force, Seo Yigyeom slammed him onto the mat. Without any resistance, Kim Heeseo lay spread-eagled, eyes tightly shut then opened. Seo Yigyeom positioned himself above, pinning him down.

Heavy breaths burst out. The heated breath broke softly, seeping through the gaze. Their eyes locked from close proximity. Sweat, chillingly slow, licked down the skin.

Their gazes of different colors met and parted repeatedly. Kim Heeseo bit his lip, hesitating. The proximity was too close, tension mounting. It felt like every inch of skin Seo Yigyeom’s eyes touched turned to stone.

Ah. This is too…

Strength went into the hands on the mat. Hesitating with nowhere to go, Kim Heeseo’s gaze finally locked onto Seo Yigyeom’s face. The shadow along the high bridge of his nose particularly drew attention. Despite the ominous aura that naturally stiffened one’s body, it made him pay even more attention.

His horizontally stretched eyes blinked leisurely. Following that movement, his gaze lowered. The gray eyes, which Kim Heeseo always thought were beautiful when they met, shone strangely.

In this moment of deep silence, he felt wholly contained within it.

“… ”

Perhaps because of moving his body, his heart thumped loudly. Facing Seo Yigyeom with his searching eyes, Kim Heeseo realized anew. There was no trust among the things Seo Yigyeom had given him.

“The Guide-nim said you might bite me.”

He wasn’t hurt by this fact he already knew. So, he chose to tell Seo Yigyeom something he might be curious about.

“Me, bite you.”

Seo Yigyeom murmured as if he had immediately understood the underlying meaning. A short, mocking laugh followed, leaving no trace.

“So, do you regret it?”

A soft question was raised. Kim Heeseo blinked calmly at Seo Yigyeom, neither confirming nor denying, just brushing his neck. His shoulders twitched at the ticklish sensation.

“You’re all tense…”

The hand that was pressing down on his skin like it was covering goosebumps became sticky.

“What would you do if I did that?”

“…Nothing.”

Gulping, Kim Heeseo borrowed words Seo Yigyeom had once said.

“I won’t do anything.”

“…”

“Because you told me to.”

Murmuring so, Kim Heeseo’s neck was exposed, his face transparent without hiding anything. His large, gentle eyes blinked.