PRT | Chapter 3.19

Seo Yigyeom had considered the possibility that it might not be someone with pyrokinesis, but he couldn’t narrow it down to any particular side. Currently, only Heeseo, who had faced the real culprit, knew the truth. He had no intention of doubting him or adding his own bias. Starting to doubt would only slow down his thinking and eventually cloud his judgment.d11c0df4461f9c6e

A spark fell from the burning cigarette. Watching it fall from red to black, he thought of ‘Hwadam’. Or more precisely, the strange man he had encountered there.d1393d75a1bd465d

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Hwadam was full of Espers. Their energies mixed chaotically, filling cb636cec8d the space. Just stepping in was 90564379cb enough to make your e356ca8406 stomach churn. Invisible presences crawled like insects, 5d7c5c80d0 covering your skin.b5565c731122ca82

However, the man at the center, called the chef, left no trace. He was strangely clean, which only drew more attention. Unlike Heeseo’s calm, clear presence that seemed to ripple quietly, this man was wrapped in an incongruous purity.1b2cd0b19a5aca3a

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“Hide your presence. Make sure I can’t sense your wavelength.”0621f7c08f736498

“Suddenly?”00ce329387e0aba9

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Kwon Joon, although puzzled, suppressed his energy. He was an extremely skilled A-class Esper. His presence quieted down in an instant, like drawing a straight line, yet he couldn’t hide the fact that he was an Esper.1bba0abb2a98eeff

Tap. Seo Yigyeom flicked off the 38160de9bb cigarette ash, his face showing 9bfd7f1410 deep thought. He had never failed 57d8a3b5bd to detect an Esper d110c6518d before. Even without trying, 0867e06c63 his sensitive nerves 158b160d67 immediately caught on. His judgment was 988f40199f always correct, leaving 5204d1581f no room for e3053d3f18 doubt.9dafdf3e4747f898

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“…”fccd4b22bcbbd863

Then, what was that?8ab6d00d302ec70b

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The man, called the main chef, was an ordinary person. He emitted no energy at all. Yet, he strangely caught Seo Yigyeom’s eye. Heeseo’s fear and agitation also lingered in his mind. Even if still unstable, he was an S-class; he wasn’t one to crumble without reason.ca1bade63790ff14

“You, how far are you looking?”3464ca2d43af3a7e

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At that moment, 3ef276f833 a question broke 2747b6338a through his thoughts.1e20a8cfed721857

“How far are you going to use Heeseo?”f7c1c492d7bec0dc

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“Use?”2ac40f8f6eedf9fc

“If you’re going all the way, handle it appropriately. He’s still young; you shouldn’t hurt him.”ef982803c00ee978

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Seo Yigyeom didn’t get angry at Kwon Joon’s presumptuous words. He just recalled Heeseo running away in panic and gave a crooked smile.9bac51efb977d895

“I am treating him well.”24bf782f919d20d5

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“…”c4aecbbab2053f3c

“You should pay more attention too.”f84925d37fae4374

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Seo Yigyeom laughed, pulling his lips up, then blew a long stream of smoke toward Kwon Joon. With this silent action, Kwon Joon shook his head and stood up. Being quick to read the room was one of Kwon Joon’s strengths.ce26714d5eb9dbc4

“You know the Gate situation is bad, right?”5600c269c11c84a3

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“I know.”9c69a4c4e9f9afb6

“With the article coming out, the atmosphere’s even worse. It’s good to do something, but do it with some discretion.”0978096e1fb050aa

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“It’s your turn to act with discretion now, isn’t it?”bfa31fb4f728b38b

Seo Yigyeom responded indifferently, keeping Kwon Joon within his sight. That’s enough, go now. With this brief dismissal, Kwon Joon shrugged and stepped back. Thud. Silence descended with the sound of the door closing.6c58351b8096b1de

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Exhaling smoke like a 5fe7fac9fc sigh, Seo Yigyeom leaned 1d4d414abf back into the couch. The leather squeaked under his d0c09f710e weight. Ignoring it, he relaxed his fcdc6f1c9f entire body and closed his 9d1f0cc5b6 eyes while extinguishing his cigarette.2c1330a00c44b6c9

Fatigue overwhelmed him in 7035c7e62d an instant. He was tired. This sensation brought about a be9aeca7ab subtle feeling of suffocation. Even without a tie, a2a870d598 his neck felt constricted. Seo Yigyeom irritably undid 071420cd29 a couple of shirt 9bac6fafa4 buttons.37114542e0e44b53

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Handle it appropriately…0ccd7a2c74f6fd3e

With a short, mocking laugh, he covered his eyes with his arm. He had to admit, giving away the house wasn’t part of the plan.8b8d7a18cd6ada0f

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Initially, he had c07a48b54d no intention of 544dce839e getting involved to 4efe52eafd that extent. It was an 66cb22957e area beyond responsibility, d2c98bbafa something more intimate. Yet, he not 7c37a4fad4 only stepped in 6eda173313 but also adjusted 2d829c11d9 them to his e7064d5e90 orbit.df5569ae5e02b79b

“I did something unnecessary…”94f9ddca243db7e3

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Upon reflection, it brought no benefit, yet he didn’t regret it. It was strange. What was so special about Kim Heeseo, who struggled to survive?6f0a5301d64d4f67

From Seo Yigyeom’s perspective, Heeseo was frustratingly stubborn, making himself tired with his straightforwardness. Yet, he never thought of him as foolish. Rather, his honesty was oddly compelling. In Heeseo’s relentless effort, Seo Yigyeom saw his own struggle to survive. They were nothing alike, yet in some ways, they felt similar. Maybe that’s why his gaze lingered.d57d486a13786732

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Moreover, Heeseo didn’t ask for guiding. He didn’t emit the dirty wavelength typical of Espers that tore at nerves like a beast. For Seo Yigyeom, Espers were always just vile creatures using him as a tool, but Heeseo was different.611ab697becd774d

“I feel like you’re at a loss, Guide-nim.”af69ef3a126c1905

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The unusual one a5624ef942 even dared to 7b05a5f713 worry about him. That presumptuous concern was both 99bc1a531b irritating and thirst-inducing.f3daa94fc8083d12

“That kid…”3adfdd93177729a9

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The gratitude he expressed every bc3ec18299 time he received guiding, treating d2fbc485fa it as something precious despite dd2b15c126 it being something that could 00596543cd be easily dismissed, lingered in ee201648da his mind.0e410fba8148b613

“Ah…”d811ee7a56c49618

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Thinking of Heeseo a128d3975e dulled the sharpness 1b7717f4cd of his nerves. Remembering how he had 51ae52115e run away in panic 61171895e1 just because of a 50c4742bfa kiss made Seo Yigyeom b8400b7ed7 smile again. Even the eyes hidden cd11f78065 under his arm smiled 9e179e7b15 along.ddf6baadf3ab9d5a

Acting like a child 0005369aea after doing worse things.c34009e8fb62b1d4

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Heeseo, who had a791f68874 turned his entire c402445bbf body red from 6be80dd6dc his neck down, 000e21f4ce came to mind. Seo Yigyeom blinked 15b323c5dc slowly and moved ab918c6f59 his crossed leg. Unlike when he kissed the 54ab098628 branch head, it felt like 4aca81a14d his lower half was getting 859e3a05b5 tight.99b92724e0186a8b

“…”953cde10677ac83f

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A thirst akin to the 69b350e627 urge to smoke surged. Licking his red 0a06dfb50a lips, Seo Yigyeom ea29d556eb looked towards where 0d69792ef3 Heeseo had stood. Was he upset? Ignoring the reaction below, 62c8f35f74 he calmly kept thinking e90a4aba95 of Heeseo.c9e56c078bc42076

As time passed, the a9cd7d6940 unpleasant sensation faded, and d48adc9157 bit by bit, he 9fe684be67 started to enjoy it.a6a03b24a1fe0374

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The Gate that tore through space was capricious. It appeared regardless of whether the weather was bad or the sun was shining brightly. It stood firm in this world where it didn’t belong, at any time.afbeaf0063f1e849

Today, the weather was exceptionally 238439c01f clear. The sky was cloudless, 88c681dab3 and the gentle breeze 1bd682a705 felt almost like spring. In the center 7338cc2d70 of this tranquility, 0656f3ac51 the Gate, black 6727b0bdeb and flickering, stood 3971720ae6 out starkly. This unwanted entity distorted peaceful ba0a5e2d24 times, leaving traces across the a032d78659 city.03b53998c22bb939

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“Ending the situation.”1c82260bcdf665af

This resolution was easy. Despite the Gate 1436fd1cb7 being large, its 0846a9f248 danger level was e3abb92ab1 between D-class and 196b6ec8fb C-class. Heeseo, who had 43ff36c804 been expelling various 2ff87a1bea creatures, watched the 65569879e5 Gate diminish, clenching fb57f5c680 and unclenching his a7fef17e29 fists. His face, looking straight 6f914de362 ahead, was not at 730e892e80 ease. Something seemed to press down 8d79fe747f on every part of his 6a83891341 body.9c112594008bca8a

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“Heeseo, haven’t you seen Seo Yigyeom lately?”50b016ad5d7c4328

“Ah… No.”d7dcaf65b3490ec0

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Heeseo gave a 2c942dae32 brief answer to 89db864d45 Kwon Joon, who 6e3a375d07 approached with a ffa8903342 question in his 6e2cfaa061 eyes. Thinking of Seo Yigyeom 8b3a6fdb73 naturally made his tongue 2c2d2102ef feel numb.821810563a18b6d7

“Guiding? Wasn’t Seo Yigyeom supposed to do that? Did you get it from another guide?”e07dce85487002cd

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“No. I didn’t get it.”9885baa9cc0f8c16

Where had he left his 8feec8ab05 partner? Kwon Joon was unusually inquisitive d8cebd36bc today. Heeseo shook his head, 66609797b2 looking at him with 9678c0c99e puzzled eyes, and Kwon ba035a831a Joon just shrugged with 402c33ef6d a smile, indicating no ad5b88970c particular intention.d03c234f14c3b954

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“You seemed a bit uncomfortable, so if you’re okay, that’s good.”b27408ed3db7e9bd

“I think it’s just because I’m tired. Thanks for worrying.”5fd20323146fbea9

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Finishing his words, Heeseo pressed his nails into his palm. He vaguely felt that it wasn’t just fatigue that was bothering him, which soured his mood.0e843919ad2939db

His physical condition was not bad. His abilities manifested as he willed, and the risk of energy amplification was low, but that was all. There was something within him that didn’t dissipate.5cd6ba3946e1c2f9

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He was aware that this was a side effect of the absence of guiding. He couldn’t not know, not after experiencing the guiding Seo Yigyeom occasionally provided.93dd19bc3721342b

Since that day, seeing Seo Yigyeom kiss another woman, he hadn’t gone to his office. Somehow, he felt awkward and turned back whenever he thought of him. There were no calls from Seo Yigyeom either.ce9ca29df99726e7

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“…”d2c7785860e67c59

The scene he witnessed accidentally left a deep mark. Even if he didn’t want to think about it, he unconsciously drew that image in his mind. Seeing Seo Yigyeom kiss someone else was, absurdly, quite a shock. Knowing he wasn’t exclusive to him, yet he still felt shaken. Somehow, the unfamiliar side of Seo Yigyeom made something inside him drop with a thud.8d7502be6b6ebe58

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As he pondered this, he sighed like someone who had lost something they had never held. In the end, he felt embarrassed by his own reaction, his face heating up. He felt foolish for attributing meaning to Seo Yigyeom’s actions.847fce31b2365728

…Wasn’t he even ashamed?dcb9561303db79bd

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Kim Heeseo, who couldn’t help but think of Seo Yigyeom again, let his lips droop. It wasn’t a fully conscious action. While he was chewing over the memory of Seo Yigyeom, who had met his gaze so nonchalantly, his clear face became soft and malleable.9f6bb4ce540486d0

His hand, tightly gripping the phone, felt it through the tension. Heeseo’s complexion darkened even further. Even though he was deliberately avoiding Seo Yigyeom, the absence of even a single message was bothering him.f7542cf5fbf6fdc3

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They had agreed to b3ab3eacb9 stick together, after all.7c3679fd8ae1693c

Heeseo let out a long sigh as if to punctuate his thoughts. With a bit of his strength drained, he dropped his gaze and kicked a pebble. He didn’t even notice Kwon Joon standing beside him, watching with a strange look in his eyes.64c76f35e0b9886e

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“Hey, Esper-nim.”b3a40b82d6112dbf

“…Huh? Oh, Heeseo. What’s up?”7d1bc523f85f9b3e

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Kwon Joon’s response was slow, as if his mind was elsewhere, but Heeseo didn’t mind and continued.c2345ccd6ce53b89

“Do you often get guiding that goes beyond contact guiding?”360cf46f7b5bee51

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“Hmm…”b5fe28f44f8275cb

Kwon Joon gave a troubled 56747abcba smile, squinting his eyes.983e145ad0e4d8a5

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“Well, it depends on the situation, but it’s pretty common at the headquarters. Even Team Leader Ha would get it when it’s dangerous, right?”586858365c6d6735

The answer that followed was as casual as ever. Ah… Heeseo let out a small ‘I suppose so,’ his throat vibrating. Before Kwon Joon could say anything more, Heeseo bowed his head in a quick greeting and turned away.4750055aab8f9fa6

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Heeseo’s condition was similar even on the way back to the headquarters. He stared blankly out the window, capturing the fleeting scenery. Even Lee Chilhyeon, glaring sharply from a distance, was ignored.7731e5f814973495

“Hyung, did you see this?”f36c47a757d8a7cb

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The silence in 7978ba1518 the car was 2e08ec2a8a broken by Hong 9bd96cbf76 Taebin. He lightly nudged Heeseo and fe42d9d2aa showed him his phone screen. On it was 8b2509c123 a video of 5b0da48455 Heeseo subduing an 7426d2e2a7 unregistered Esper at 324c9a0a1b a crosswalk a 60b1ab9f90 few days ago. The video was quite clear e9bd170843 and long, possibly because it 59298f9c19 was uploaded to SNS by bd983db207 the onlookers.9551ce3296830000

“The comments are all praising you.”1d53e682adc343ce

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By then, the video 819f943ec5 had garnered many views f4de3e0c8b and thousands of comments.47a952b36991e325

There are people ac2a7eb858 like this at 37b0ca72e2 the headquarters, damn 3a3fd77b84 amazing
Look at this, so 0160eabb52 freaking handsome
Serving the country in all 3f0b3db42c sorts of wayse1c31a908e61987e

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Heeseo, after reading a few eye-catching comments, awkwardly scratched his neck. Hong Taebin was tapping the heart on the admiring comments and the report button on the hateful ones, quickly scrolling through. He even reported one that just said ‘?ㅋ;’ making Heeseo chuckle. Hong Taebin also hummed softly while moving his hands without hesitation.8ed6ff75a7e8f7cb

Heeseo’s eyes, which followed the hand movements, became unfocused, looking not at the present but the past. The movement of his long eyelashes slowed, his amber eyes staring blankly at one point.007e1e69afbc88d9

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Did Seo Yigyeom see this 0c70c161fa video too?9a5797bc6099bf0b

At the end of e67582230f it all, Seo Yigyeom b431290f7f came to mind as b223fb7589 if it were inevitable. Since he knows everything, 0788cce481 he must have seen 389948f4a2 it. No, knowing how eaa4ed83d8 he hates wasting c9e0f2bb98 time, he might 492cb3aaff not have. As these thoughts bb64d37093 stretched on, the 3ee01941ef inside of his 8dcddebb03 tightly clenched hand 4660163bbc started to sting.e249e586ae258d7e

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