DP Episode 5

Deep Pivot Episode 5

In a world where gate openings are considered like natural disasters such as typhoons or floods, awakened Espers are the ultimate defensive and offensive weapons.

Initially, people were astounded by the appearance of individuals with supernatural abilities during gate incidents. Gradually, these awakened individuals emerged as the primary military power in their respective countries.

Given this situation, information about Espers is treated as military secrets.

In the field, radio communications are vulnerable to interception, which is why code names are utilized to conceal identities. To safeguard against potential cyber threats from foreign nations, the center refrains from storing any sensitive information.

Information about Ji Seo-joon was classified as top secret. Even those who have worked with him in the field rarely know what abilities Ji Seo-joon possesses.

Kang Hee-min was someone who knew everything about Ji Seo-joon.

Even the past he wanted to erase.

“How’s your body?”

Attaching chips to both sides of Seo-joon’s temples, he asked. Seo-joon, who lowered his examination gown off his shoulders, answered casually.

“So-so.”

Silver round chips were attached to his neck, shoulders, wrists, near his heart, and around his spine in succession. Today was the day to record and analyze the step-by-step guiding process of Ji Seo-joon and Cha Yeon-woo.

Since Ji Seo-joon was not paired with any guide in the first place, calling it a step was only up to the second level overturn.

“Maybe Cha Yeon-woo could make it. Pairing.”

As Hee-min, he felt somewhat disappointed. As always, only a sigh returned from Seo-joon, who felt bored by it. Hee-min, inserting a needle into his arm pressed by a rubber hose, spoke softly.

“Seo-joon, listen.”

Red blood slowly filled the translucent barrel.

“Aren’t you tired of saying the same thing every time?”

The deep-seated resentment and aversion toward humanity accumulated over the years were clearly evident in his gray eyes.

“Of course, it’s different now. There’s no way I’d be held back by a muzzle or restraints. If I go berserk during pairing, I might as well swallow Cha Yeon-woo from head to toe.”

The state of ‘Deep Pivot,’ corresponding to Level 4 guiding, and the moment just before going berserk, ‘Over Pivot,’ were only a single sheet of paper apart. Based solely on the bio-waves, it was nearly impossible to distinguish whether this Esper was going berserk or receiving excellent guiding from their partner, as they were extremely similar.

Seo-joon tightly shut his tired eyes. It was to avoid the horrific remnants of the past that often surged unexpectedly.

Nine years ago, Ji Seo-joon killed his former dedicated guide, Min Seon-wook.

It happened during pairing. When he came to his senses, most of Min Seon-wook’s head and shoulders were missing. Holding onto Min Seon-wook’s body, he continued, …doing that.

With a sickening feeling in his stomach, his heartbeat increased. Beep, beep, beep. The noise that had been ringing slowly at a steady pace became irregularly faster.

But Hee-min couldn’t back down. With Seo-joon’s body having only a limited time left to endure, this level of stubbornness was necessary.

“Calling it Level 2 guiding is just slightly better than a sedative. You can’t live like this forever. …It’s really the limit now. You might not even make it past thirty.”

“Most people here don’t even make it past twenty-five and die. Isn’t reaching my age an achievement in itself? Anyway, everyone dies.”

“Why are you talking like that…!”

“If you want me to pair up with someone, then develop stronger muzzles and restraints. Even if it’s a giant monster, provide me with restraints and muzzles powerful enough to suppress it to the point of bursting, then I’ll consider pairing.”

Seo-joon impatiently shrugged off the gown.

“…If you can fill me with restraints and a muzzle strong enough to suppress even a giant monstrosity to the point of bursting, then I’ll consider pairing.”

But even after seeing me in this state, Cha Yeon-woo might still think… Seo-joon muttered to himself as he tied the gown’s strings.

Just as Hee-min was about to say more to him, the door opened. Cha Yeon-woo, wearing the same medical gown as Seo-joon, entered.

As soon as the two saw Cha Yeon-woo, they acted as if the earlier conversation had never happened. Fortunately, Hee-min’s private research room was well-equipped with soundproofing systems.

“Cha Yeon-woo, come over here and have a seat. We need to attach the devices before the test.”
[TL/N: AT first he was speaking formally now he will call him just Cha Yeon woo and not Mr./ nim etc]

Hee-min gestured cheerfully.

“Did the blood sampling go well? Did the injection hurt?”

“Yes, it was fine.”

Awkwardly smiling, Cha Yeon-woo answered and glanced towards Seo-joon. Seo-joon, meeting his gaze, turned his head and sat on the bed. The medical bed, which made creaking noises with even the slightest movement, was always uncomfortable.

Pressing the chip under his clavicle with his fingertips, Seo-joon awkwardly adjusted his neck. His body, already fragile, felt even more painful here.

The loose gown he was wearing for the examination made him look even more pathetic. Of course, even with this loose gown and chips attached all over his body, the young man still radiated a brilliant light.

Seo-joon’s gray eyes scrutinized Cha Yeon-woo. Trustingly surrendering himself to Hee-min’s hands, he had lowered the gown to his shoulders to attach the chip. His physique was even more robust than expected.

Guides often had better basic physical strength than civilians, so they often had good physiques as well. However, that was usually after some training. If someone like him had such a physique shortly after awakening, it must be innate.

How much more would he grow? Looking at his bare body, the Grade A designation seemed irrelevant.

“We’ll check today if the guiding is stable. If any emergency situation arises, do you see that red button next to the bed? Just press that, Cha Yeon-woo.”

Yeon-woo looked at the emergency button Hee-min pointed out. It was located right next to the head of the bed, within arm’s reach. He had no idea what kind of sudden situation might occur during guiding.

“Just keep it in mind. You probably won’t need to press it.”

Hee-min smiled and gently turned Cha Yeon-woo’s head towards him. After flashing the flashlight on both of Cha Yeon-woo’s eyes alternately, he stepped back and clapped his hands.

“Now, let’s get started.”

As Hee-min left, only Seo-joon and Yeon-woo remained in the room. Yeon-woo, with wires connected to chips all over his body, looked at Seo-joon with a slightly nervous expression.

“Uh, how should I…”

“Come over here, Cha Yeon-woo.”

Seo-joon tapped the bed. Hesitantly, Yeon-woo approached and sat a little away from him.

“Come closer. From that distance, it’ll be hard even to touch hands, let alone lips.”

Yeon-woo moved a bit closer. But it was only a slight change. Seo-joon, who was about to lean back against the bed’s headboard, chuckled as he saw Yeon-woo’s hesitant movements.

“…You’re so nervous.”

“Pardon?”

Seo-joon looked at Yeon-woo with widened eyes.

“Lie down this way, Cha Yeon-woo. I’ll get up. It’ll be better that way.”

“…Okay.”

With a face that seemed to have many questions, Yeon-woo gingerly climbed onto the bed. Due to the wires connected to their bodies, their movements were restricted.

As he lay down with his back against the headboard, Seo-joon, who had roughly arranged the tangled wires under the bed, sat on Yeon-woo’s thighs.

His broad chest rose once. Yeon-woo, holding his breath, glanced down. Clenching his fist, not knowing what to do, Yeon-woo quietly placed his hand, which was lying on the sheet, around Seo-joon’s waist as he held it.

“If guiding didn’t work out, You could’ve been an idol. You look even prettier up close.”

“…T-Thank you.”

His long eyelashes trembled. From the moment their eyes met, the blush that had been gradually rising on his cheeks now seemed ready to burst. The blush spread down his neck and ears.

Saying something to ease the tension seemed to only make it worse. Seo-joon lightly tapped his shoulder with his fingertips and said, “You don’t need to be so nervous.”

Seo-joon opened his gown. The exposed skin emitted a faint scent of soap. It was a scent that suited Yeon-woo’s milky-white skin.

“Just stay as relaxed as possible.”

His hand, which brushed against the neckline, gently touched his chest. Seo-joon leaned against Yeon-woo, pressing his muscles against his chest. Ah… Seo-joon hugged him, exhaling deeply.

He was certainly different from other guides. Just the touch of his flesh seemed to dispel the heaviness in his head, which had been a constant headache. The sense of confinement that always made him dizzy also subsided slightly.

Beep, beep, beep. The machine connected to Seo-joon emitted a stable sound, while the one connected to Yeon-woo made irregular noises and fluctuated constantly.

Seo-joon’s lips touched under Yeon-woo’s ear.

“Uh… W-Wait a moment!”

Suddenly, Yeon-woo reached out towards the emergency button. Just before he could press the button, Seo-joon, with a startled expression, grabbed his hand to stop him. The red button under Yeon-woo’s hand had never been pressed since its installation.

Before doing anything… Seo-joon checked the monitoring machine connected to Yeon-woo. While the readings were somewhat erratic, there was definitely no emergency situation that warranted pressing the emergency button.

“…Cha Yeon-woo, is something bothering you?”

“It’s too… i-itchy.”

A hurried remark escaped Yeon-woo as he gasped for breath. Seo-joon, feeling bewildered, withdrew slightly from him.

The red button next to the bed was an emergency bell installed after the tragic death of Guide Min Sun-wook during pairing with Ji Seo-joon. This button was connected to the entire center. Pressing it would trigger an emergency response from researchers inside the center to external authorities, senior officials, and medical staff.

Pressing the button just because of an itch was out of the question.

Seo-joon’s gaze, which had lowered, soon shifted sideways like flowing water, then rose again.

…Yeon-woo’s situation was very awkward.

‘Ridiculous.’

What did he do to already raise itchy alarms? Isn’t he overly sensitive?

“…Does it itch often?”

Seo-joon asked nonchalantly, pretending not to know.

“No. Usually… usually, it doesn’t.”

Regardless of the usual, it wasn’t an important matter for Seo-joon now.

“Um, should we stop here?”

At his question, Yeon-woo urgently shook his head. His reddened eyes looked vulnerable, as if they would cry at any moment.

“Please do it again. This time, I’ll… I’ll do better. I can do it well.”

“…”

What did he mean by saying he would do it better? He was the one who would be kissing.

“Please, do it again.”

Yeon-woo, clutching Seo-joon’s gown tightly, pleaded softly. Seo-joon sighed discreetly. If you touch the emergency button again, it’s over… With that thought concealed, he leaned in again and whispered to Yeon-woo.

“Try to relax a bit. We need to guide, right?”

“Yes…”

It was unclear if he was answering or suppressing a groan, as his lips remained tightly sealed, a new trickle of sweat forming. Seo-joon, gently caressing his cheek, locked eyes with him.

“If you feel uncomfortable with my touch, would you like to give it a try, Cha Yeon-woo?”