Chapter 18

“I’m driving.”

“No, I’m driving.”

The two argued lightly over who would take the wheel. Seo Ji-hyuk, someone who could never tolerate relinquishing control, insisted on driving first.

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Kang Yu-han, however, was also confident in his driving skills and refused to back down. The two locked eyes briefly, as if in a silent duel.

Kang Yu-han had his own reasons for wanting to drive. If he ended up in the passenger seat, he’d be left with too much time to think—most of it likely about Seo Ji-hyuk.

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This was their first time sharing a car, but Kang Yu-han could already imagine how awkward it would be. He wasn’t sure he could endure the tension.

Neither of them budged. Though Kang Yu-han found their standoff ridiculous, he wasn’t willing to yield this time.

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In the end, they settled on a rather old-fashioned solution: a coin toss. The suggestion came from Seo Ji-hyuk.

Seo Ji-hyuk pulled a coin out of his pocket—a relic of a bygone era. Coins like these were rarely seen anymore.

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When Kang Yu-han looked at the worn coin with curiosity, Seo Ji-hyuk smirked, lifting one corner of his mouth.

“What’s the matter? Never seen one before?”

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By the time Kang Yu-han had reached an age of understanding, coins had long since disappeared. They were now limited to collectors or hobbyists. Then, the Variant crisis struck.

In the years that followed, the global economy crumbled. Stock markets and banking systems ceased functioning for the most part, leaving people to prioritize tangible resources like food and clothing over intangible money.

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The world had regressed by decades—or perhaps even further.

Espers and Guides no longer received salaries. Instead, their service was compensated with food, lodging, supplies, and the occasional bit of prestige. Even that was a luxury not afforded to most, making Espers and Guides highly coveted roles.

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Seo Ji-hyuk extended his hand toward Kang Yu-han, palm open.

It took a moment for Kang Yu-han to understand what he wanted. He stared blankly until Seo Ji-hyuk revealed the coin in his palm.

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“Well? Toss it.”

“I don’t know how to do that.”

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“Just throw it up and catch it. If it lands heads-up, you drive.”

Kang Yu-han reluctantly took the coin. As he did, his fingertips briefly brushed against Seo Ji-hyuk’s.

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“Where did you even get this?”

He turned the coin over in his hand, examining it closely while trying to ignore the lingering sensation of their brief touch.

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Though not an expert, Kang Yu-han knew a bit about coins. The director of the orphanage where he grew up had been an avid collector. Every time he was called into the director’s office, he would glance at the framed coins hanging on the walls.

This coin didn’t seem ordinary. It looked more like a commemorative coin. Upon closer inspection, he noticed the word “Olympics” engraved on it.

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Olympics. His chest tightened at the long-forgotten term. Before the world fell apart, Kang Yu-han’s dream had been to compete in the Olympics—a goal that had defined his entire life.

But in this broken world, there were no more Olympics. Sports had become a luxury few could afford.

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When the world crumbled, Kang Yu-han lost his purpose in life. If he hadn’t awakened as an Esper, he would’ve likely drifted aimlessly until his death, forgotten and unnamed.

“It was my father’s,” Seo Ji-hyuk said.

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Seo Ji-hyuk’s reply was curt, his tone devoid of emotion. But Kang Yu-han flinched. He knew about Seo Ji-hyuk’s parents—not because of any personal connection, but due to sheer coincidence. Kang Yu-han had been present at the scene where Seo Ji-hyuk’s parents lost their lives.

A vivid memory flashed through Kang Yu-han’s mind: the devastation that obliterated a 1-kilometer radius, Seo Ji-hyuk kneeling at the epicenter, and himself shielding Seo Ji-hyuk from the blast’s aftermath.

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That moment had cost Kang Yu-han more than half of his original Esper energy, a loss that even after years remained irrecoverable.

Yet he had no regrets about saving Seo Ji-hyuk—not for a single moment.

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The only regret he harbored was his failure to arrive sooner, to prevent Seo Ji-hyuk from becoming the instrument of his parents’ deaths.

“What are you doing?”

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Seo Ji-hyuk’s irritated voice jolted Kang Yu-han out of his thoughts. Seo Ji-hyuk was glaring at him with clear disapproval.

Snapping back to reality, Kang Yu-han quickly tossed the coin up and caught it. But when he looked at it, he couldn’t tell heads from tails.

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“This is tails. I win.”

Could he trust Seo Ji-hyuk’s judgment? For all Kang Yu-han knew, Seo Ji-hyuk could have arbitrarily decided which side was which. Although he felt uneasy, Kang Yu-han, a stickler for rules, accepted the outcome without protest.

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—

As they drove toward Euljiro, Kang Yu-han remained lost in thought. It was the first time Seo Ji-hyuk had ever mentioned his parents. What kind of memories did he have of them? If it were possible, Kang Yu-han wished he could peer into Seo Ji-hyuk’s mind.

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A quick glance at the driver’s seat revealed Seo Ji-hyuk, his lips pressed into a firm line as he focused on the road. His expression betrayed nothing.

Although Seo Ji-hyuk often picked fights with him, his sharp features and intimidating stature gave him a naturally formidable appearance.

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Few people, other than Kang Yu-han, would dare to argue with Seo Ji-hyuk or talk back to him.

“Why are you staring?”

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Seo Ji-hyuk’s gaze shifted to the passenger seat. Caught off guard, Kang Yu-han felt as though his inner thoughts had been exposed. He quickly turned to look out the window, only to be met with the darkness of the underground passage.

“It’s nothing.”

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“You were staring a hole into me.”

Seo Ji-hyuk’s tone was accusatory, but Kang Yu-han had no response. Seo Ji-hyuk pressed on, his voice tinged with irritation.

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“It’s annoying. Stop staring.”

A dull ache spread through Kang Yu-han’s chest. Despite the time they’d spent together as forced partners, it was clear that Seo Ji-hyuk still disliked him. That fact had never changed.

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Turning his attention back to the window, Kang Yu-han caught sight of faint light filtering through the end of the tunnel, illuminating the dirty passage. The exit to the surface was near.

The streets above had long since lost their former glory. Seo Ji-hyuk drove toward Euljiro 3-ga, but the area was unrecognizable as the bustling heart of Seoul it once was. Now, it was barren and desolate.

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Even in the early morning, the streets were eerily devoid of people.

Kang Yu-han recalled a video he had seen in the archives labeled “Seoul—2020s.” It depicted a world he could scarcely imagine now: streets bustling with people heading to work at dawn, subways packed with commuters zipping through the city, and a skyline that never slept.

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But all of that was gone. The world would never return to that state again.

Amid the despair of the empty streets, Kang Yu-han spotted a lone figure. The man was dressed in clothes ill-suited for the season, dragging a large handcart laden with scrap furniture and electronics.

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In another time, these items would have been considered trash. But in this world, even trash had value.

The man seemed to have walked all night. As the cart rattled by, Kang Yu-han noticed the holes in his worn-out shoes. Unable to bear the sight any longer, he closed his eyes tightly.

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* * *

“Let’s cover this area today, from here to over there.”

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Kang Yu-han unfolded a map as he spoke.

Seo Ji-hyuk was at the trunk, securing a rifle and a submachine gun to his holsters.

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Although Espers primarily relied on telekinesis in combat, there were times when physical weapons were more practical.

Kang Yu-han also strapped on his assigned handgun, holstering it near his chest. The weight felt heavy—not just physically but emotionally.

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He couldn’t tell if it was the gun or the weight of his thoughts that made him feel so burdened.