TS 009

Yoon Taehwa ignored the presence trailing him since early morning and reached out towards number ’34’.

「Floor 34. 」

Upon exiting the elevator, they were greeted by an eerie silence. Although access wasn’t restricted, this floor was primarily used by Team 1, making it rare for other Espers to venture here. The risk of being dragged away as sparring partners during their training sessions loomed large for anyone lingering nearby.

“I’ve noticed ever since we entered; is this building exclusively for Guides and Espers?” Han Suryeon casually asked from behind Yoon Taehwa. To him, his question seemed quite obvious.

“The Seekers and Shooters use other buildings.”

The Center established its presence on Yeouido Island with considerable scale. It was divided into three zones, led by the main building located centrally. Among these areas, the largest building was utilized by Espers and Guides.

Shooters could freely utilize their abilities without restrictions, so they comprised a smaller number of registered individuals and didn’t require extensive facilities. Conversely, Espers were opposite; not only did many work at the Center, but ample space was necessary due to the risk of uncontrolled outbursts. It was safer to ignite birthday candles atop a cake rather than set fire within a densely packed matchbox.

“I suppose this is possible because the government manages it…”

Han Suryeon looked around with interest. In front of the elevator was a glass wall, revealing what appeared to be a lounge area equipped with TVs, electronic devices, and sofas. As he scanned further inside, he spotted a meeting room made entirely of glass walls.

He stopped at the end of the corridor, blocked by a massive wall. Considering the size of the building, it could only mean that there must be a training room beyond this point. It seemed odd to have a training facility on such a high floor.

As he pondered this, Yoon Taehwa spoke up:

“Team 1 usually handles solo missions, so you won’t encounter many others. Just be cautious around your team members. If word gets out that you’re the leader of Kasatka, it will cause trouble for me too.”

“Wouldn’t it be uncomfortable to move only with Espers? My team doesn’t discriminate.”

“Not particularly.”

The Center allocated human resources appropriately. Below A-rank Espers often collaborated with other ability users, but Team 1 consisting of S-rank Espers undertook solo or team missions. Even Seekers and Shooters usually operated separately from others when on missions with Team 1.

“It will take some time to adapt to moving independently.” Yoon Taehwa frowned as he placed his hand on the keypad. When their eyes met, Han Suryeon gave him a bright smile.

“Do you not trust me?”

“I’m just surprised that you’re willing to adjust.”

“If I mess up, it would cause problems for you too, Team Leader.”

His team members were unaware of Han Suryeon’s true identity, and they wouldn’t find out anytime soon, so Han Suryeon’s statement held truth.

The scanning machine finished and opened the door. Normally, they should have sensed someone’s presence, but the training room was empty. He had clearly instructed them to wait here. Yoon Taehwa took out his terminal and casually pressed on the topmost name displayed. Soon, the recipient’s voice came through the speaker.

—Team Leader!

“I told everyone to stay in the training room. Where did you all go?”

—Uhh… Did you not mean the basement?

As he listened to the familiar voice, Yoon Taehwa looked up. Han Suryeon stood nearby, observing the interior of the training facility instead of delving deeper inside. Initially, he planned to introduce Han Suryeon’s team members before heading downstairs, but now it seemed their plans were unexpectedly disrupted.

—I’m sorry, Team Leader. Should we come back up immediately?

As if misinterpreting the brief silence, the person on the other end of the line quickly swallowed their words. In the background, someone yelled, ‘Hyung, I told you so!’

“It’s fine. I’ll join you there.”

—Team Leader, you’re not mad, right? If you’re—

Instead of waiting patiently for them to finish, Yoon Taehwa stuffed his terminal back into his pocket. The thick fireproof walls quickly muffled any noise from outside.

As he looked up, Han Suryeon was suddenly standing close to him, almost as if they were inside a dungeon together.

“I’ve never seen anyone set up a training room on the thirty-fourth floor before.”

Han Suryeon frowned, his nose wrinkling. Typically, Esper training took place either outdoors or underground due to the vast range of their powers and the ease with which such areas could be controlled should anything go awry. Training above the second floor was rare because of the high risk of collapsing entire buildings during an uncontrollable outburst. Yet here was a training room on the thirty-fourth floor.

“It doesn’t matter; we can’t use our abilities here anyway.” Yoon Taehwa casually gestured towards the door, dismissing any concerns. However, Han Suryeon stood frozen, taken aback by this unexpected revelation.

“You can’t use your abilities during training?”

“It’s a place specifically designed for combat training. There’s another training room, but it makes other Espers uncomfortable.”

“Aha. But you can’t prevent yourself from using your ability, right?”

Yoon Taehwa found explaining things tedious. He abruptly reached out and grabbed Han Suryeon by his collar, then gently pulled him towards him. Although he had anticipated this to some extent, he was much heavier than he looked.

As their bodies came close enough that they were almost touching, Han Suryeon’s eyes widened momentarily before breaking into a playful grin.

“Who stops the abilities that unconsciously get manifested?”

Yoon Taehwa dragged him along as he strode towards the door. His lips curved slightly upward, seemingly amused by the situation.

“Who could stop it indeed?”

“This is Han Suryeon. As you all know, we have vacancies to fill, and since he’s available for transfer, I pulled some strings with the director to get him here.”

Yoon Taehwa grimaced at the mention of ‘vacancies’ but smoothly continued without missing a beat.

“He’s an S-rank, so he won’t be a burden on the team.”

“That hurts my feelings….”

Han Suryeon sounded slightly crestfallen from beside him, yet Yoon Taehwa effortlessly ignored him and proceeded to introduce his teammates across the room.

“Starting from the far left, Kim Su-an, Hae Na-eun, Kang Jaemin.”

Kim Su-an had turned pale ten minutes earlier upon receiving Yoon Taehwa’s call, but now he smiled warmly and extended his hand.

“I’m Kim Su-an. And I usually work as a pair with Team Leader.”

When working in pairs, Yoon Taehwa most often teamed up with this particular member. Although he was younger than Hae Na-eun by age, they got along well due to being a nature-type ability user, and thus worked together frequently.

“I heard from Team 2’s leader that you are 25 years old? We are the same age so let’s be friends.”

“Same age? Ah, friends.”

Han Suryeon stared blankly at the hand offered to him before grasping it slightly late. As expected of a nature-type, his body temperature was high.

“I’m Hae Na-eun.” The short-haired woman standing next to Kim Su-an extended her hand with a matter-of-fact expression. Once again, there was a brief handshake.

“I-I’m Kang Jaemin! Can I call you hyung? I’m a psychokinesis user, so I’ll do my best to learn anything you teach me!”

“So you have the same ability as me… You can call me hyung.” Han Suryeon kindly responded, looking down at the 20-year-old with short hair. After the formal introductions ended, Yoon Taehwa gestured towards the entrance of the training ground with his chin.

“Go up now.”

“Huh?”

All three individuals turned their eyes towards Yoon Taehwa simultaneously. Kim Su-an’s voice expressed the most confusion.

“I said go up. Do you all have nothing to do?”

“But we need to see the ability of our new team member. Psychokinesis is rare, even for Jaemin.”

Yoon Taehwa frowned at Kim Su-an’s protest. It seemed he hadn’t come here just to summon them; he specifically descended underground to observe Han Suryeon’s powers.

“Seems like our Su-an is getting bored lately. Want me to give you more work?”

“N-No, sir. I’ll head up right away.”

Kim Su-an hastily turned around with Hae Na-eun on his right and Kang Jaemin on his left, as if nothing had happened earlier.

“I’m off now.”

“Team Leader! Hyung! See you later!”

Han Suryeon watched their movements until they completely disappeared before turning his head back.

“You have four team members including yourself?”

“There are five, but one is currently on leave. Thanks to that, it was easy to make an excuse.”

The other team members believed Han Suryeon had been traded in as a substitute for the absent member.

“I didn’t expect you to lie even to your own team.”

“We don’t know how things might unfold. It’s best not to reveal too much information.”

“Well, I guess you’re right. But why did you send them upstairs?”

“Because I need to be the first to see you in action.”

Han Suryeon’s identity was now that of an Esper affiliated with the Center. Inevitably, he might be put in situations where he had to participate in minor missions, such as suppressing terrorist attacks or training. 

To prepare for such possibilities, it was easier for Yoon Taehwa to have a good grasp of Han Suryeon’s abilities beforehand. 

“Before we start, can I ask you something?” Han Suryeon lowered his eyelids slightly, and as his pupils were obscured, his tear mole seemed to rise slightly, strangely drawing his attention.

“What’s your type, Team Leader?”

“What kind of nonsense is this all of a sudden?” Yoon Taehwa frowned, visibly annoyed.

“And…”

It happened the moment Han Suryeon’s eyes crinkled at the corners. Using his ability, he controlled a knife. And at that instant, as the knife lost its power and plummeted, Yoon Taehwa reached back, catching the knife in his hand.

Bam!

His body slammed against the wall, a loud cracking sound echoing through the empty space. Yoon Taehwa, having shoved Han Suryeon against the wall in one swift motion, pressed down on the other man’s chest with his arm. The military knife in his hand tilted towards Han Suryeon’s pale throat. It was a reverse grip, a single twitch of his thumb away from drawing blood.

“Don’t you ever try to get the upper hand on me again.” 

As if imitating someone, Yoon Taehwa’s eyes curved upwards at the corners. His lips, tilting into a slanted smile, were as cold as the metallic gleam of the blade threatening the pale skin beneath.