DB Vol 2 Part 5

Everyone silently stared at Won-woo. Idan with confused eyes, Yoo Geon-young with slightly furrowed brows. Amidst everyone’s gaze, Won-woo slowly twisted his lips into a smile. He opened his mouth, ignoring Seung-wook and looking at Idan.

“I don’t like people touching my body.”

“Um, yes… Uh, I’m sorry.”

As Idan apologized in bewilderment, Won-woo asked in a gentle voice.

“Are you hurt?”

“Ah, no.”

“As I said before, I don’t need a guide to my room.”

“Yes…”

The flustered Idan nodded, then glanced up at Seung-wook next to him. He was looking at Won-woo with a hardened gaze. But Won-woo had already turned away after finishing his words to Idan. As Won-woo headed towards the central staircase leading to the second floor, Seung-wook called out to stop him again.

“Ji Won-woo.”

Seung-wook’s expression hardened, as if he hadn’t intended to call out himself. That lasted only a moment, as Won-woo ignored the call and continued on his way, Seung-wook took a step forward. But he couldn’t go further.

“Seung-wook hyung.”

Idan grabbed his arm tightly and let out an awkward laugh.

“Don’t mind it.”

“Mind what?”

The expressionless face, the sharp voice. For a moment, Idan’s heart sank as if he was seeing an unfamiliar Esper.

“…That Ji Won-woo was disrespectful to me.”

The smile faded from Idan’s face too, but he habitually raised the corners of his mouth again.

“He said he didn’t like being touched. But I’m fine because you helped me. Thanks.”

Seung-wook silently ruffled Idan’s hair once, then turned and went outside. Idan hesitated, then tried to follow, but Yoo Geon-young stopped him from the side.

“Leave him be. Seung-wook likes to be alone when he’s in a bad mood.”

“Why is he in a bad mood?”

Of course, it’s because of Ji Won-woo… As Yoo Geon-young unconsciously glanced towards the inner area where Won-woo had disappeared, he heard Idan’s subdued voice.

“I’m concerned about Seung-wook hyung being sharp with Ji Won-woo. It’s a bit strange, isn’t it?”

Yoo Geon-young felt the same way, but he shrugged his shoulders as if it were nothing.

“Well, it’s because someone he likes was mistreated.”

“It wasn’t mistreatment. It was because I grabbed Ji Won-woo first…”

“You did it with good intentions. Won-woo was probably just surprised. He’s not a bad guy, so try to understand him too.”

At those words, Idan’s eyes widened in surprise.

“It’s the first time I’ve heard you speak well of Ji Won-woo.”

“…I wasn’t exactly speaking well of him.”

Yoo Geon-young awkwardly averted his gaze.

“It’s not like I always badmouth Won-woo… What is it?”

His fierce question was directed at someone who had appeared at the entrance. Idan turned around and, recognizing the person, immediately greeted them.

“Oh? Esper Han Seona, hello.”

Han Seona was famous among the Center’s Guides, perhaps because she rarely found a compatible Guide. Even with low matching rates, if there was even a slight overlap in wavelengths, Guides would take turns guiding her. Of course, it was painful for both the guiding Guide and Han Seona.

Idan, being an A-rank Guide, had guided Han Seona once. Han Seona recognized Idan and nodded slightly, but didn’t hide her unpleasant expression when she turned to Yoo Geon-young.

“I heard there was a spare room here, so I came to be assigned.”

“Ha, are you crazy?”

Yoo Geon-young let out an incredulous laugh and glared fiercely at Seona.

“You came knowing how that room became vacant?”

“I know well. It’s the room of the Esper who died from rampage while bullying Ji Won-woo, right?”

Seona expected another curse, but for some reason, Yoo Geon-young flinched and then kept his mouth shut. Why is he like that? Rather, Seona turned away in confusion, but belatedly heard a curse.

“Ah, shit. How unlucky.”

In the past, she would have flared up and given him a piece of her mind, but now she could ignore him because of another question. Why isn’t this bastard cursing Won-woo today? It’s irritating whether he curses or not. Perhaps because Ji Won-woo was currently the person she was most concerned about, she had become sensitive to the changes surrounding him.

Moreover, from their conversation just now, it seemed Hong Seung-wook also had issues with Won-woo. Seona felt unnecessarily anxious. Although he denies it himself, Won-woo seems to be an ultra-super-mega S-rank Guide.

Have these bastards perhaps noticed? That’s why Seona was the first to volunteer when she heard there was a vacant room in this dormitory today. Because of what Won-woo had told her when they briefly met before coming to the farm.

‘You’ve never used your power to its limit? Just try it. I’ll create an opportunity for you tonight. Release as much as you want, freely. I’ll take responsibility.’

Tonight. Seona intended to watch from the side to see exactly what Won-woo was planning to do.

***

Was it simply because he hadn’t grasped it in his hands? Seung-wook was well aware of how childish and foolish his actions had been just now. He shouldn’t have reacted that way to Won-woo. He knew it in his head, but he couldn’t control himself. That’s why he felt so terrible.

Seung-wook stopped when he realized he had mindlessly walked all the way to the farm’s boundary fence. Ah, shit. It was pathetic that he had walked so aimlessly without thinking. Crazy bastard, get a grip.

Haah, he tried to calm himself down with an exasperated sigh. Why did he act like that? Why did he become so sensitive when looking at Won-woo?

Of course, he knew the reason. Because Ji Won-woo had changed. He had returned with those sparkling eyes that first caught Seung-wook’s attention. Although a bit calmer now, but the liveliness of the past was still there.

It was as if the person himself had changed. Everything was different. The eyes that looked straight at others, the low but clear voice were things that couldn’t be seen in the previous Won-woo.

‘He nearly died. He says that’s why he changed. We often see monsters, but he must have really crossed between life and death, so it’s not incomprehensible.’

Seung-wook agreed with Yoo Geon-young’s words. Nevertheless, he couldn’t understand why he felt there was another reason. If no one else, Seung-wook believed he knew Won-woo better than anyone. Although it was just a short month-long dating, he had seen him up close, touched him.

He could trace him with his fingertips, eyes closed. Seung-wook clenched his fist as if to snap out of the image of Won-woo’s body forming in his mind.

He pondered more deeply why he was so angry. During the month he date Won-woo, he had done his best. He smiled while making eye contact, spoke kind words, and said positive things. Yet, Won-woo had been unresponsive, like a soulless doll. Despite reaching out his hand, Won-woo couldn’t be saved.

And now, just because of a monster. He changed like that after meeting a monster? Seung-wook suppressed his irritation. Right, this isn’t a lingering attachment to Won-woo. It’s displeasure at an achievement he couldn’t accomplish.

Trying to objectively define his feelings seemed to have an effect. There was something he had been wary of from the moment he first saw Won-woo. Let’s not mistake this emotion for love.

Seung-wook had seen many people crumble due to their obsession with guides since he was young. Even the most rational person could make incomprehensible decisions once they became immersed in love. So he was still okay.

“Oh? Aren’t you Team Leader Hong Seung-wook?”

Seung-wook turned his head at the voice calling him and saw an Esper belonging to the farm, monitoring the fence. Perhaps because lower B-rank Espers were usually employed to work here, respect shone in the eyes of the Esper who recognized Seung-wook.

“Hello. We heard you were coming. Did you come to check the fence?”

Seung-wook nodded, glancing at the fence as high as a wall.

“Is there any problem?”

“No, we’re checking now and there’s no problem.”

The farm Esper smiled nervously, holding up the monster wave detector in his hand.

“Ah, but since there’s an alert inside the farm now and strong current is flowing through the fence, it’s better not to get too close. Oh, of course, the alerted area is in the middle of the farm and it’s not at a dangerous level yet, but when an alert occurs in one place, it can affect multiple areas simultaneously, so we don’t know where an egg might suddenly hatch.

We’re thoroughly inspecting the fence area in particular. But there’s nothing to worry about too much. Of course, while removing the alerted monster eggs, they might hatch into adults, but with Team Leader Hong’s skills, you’d crush the monsters in an instant! I’ve seen your great performances many times…”

“Thank you. Keep up the good work.”

Seung-wook cut him off and turned to leave, but the farm Esper couldn’t hide his joy at having conversed with him. I must go and boast about this. In his excitement, he turned back without properly checking the inside of the nearby fence. So he didn’t see an egg wriggling on a tall monster tree inside the fence.

Knock knock.

No sooner had he unpacked than a knock was heard. When Won-woo opened the door, a young Guide from the same team was standing awkwardly. He spoke quickly without meeting Won-woo’s eyes.

“There’s a meeting about the guiding schedule. The Espers are gathered separately at the camp to discuss strategy. Of course, with or without Espers, you said you wouldn’t work, so you don’t need to come. But procedurally, I had to inform you…”

“Okay, let’s go.”

“Pardon?”

The Guide frowned and turned his head.

“You’re coming?”

Yes. Won-woo nodded and stepped out of the room. It was a good excuse, as he was about to leave the room anyway.

“Why are you coming?”

“Is it not allowed?”

Unable to respond, the Guide swallowed a sigh and turned away.

“Do as you please.”

Though his tone was curt, his inability to maintain eye contact suggested he still felt guilty about the decontamination room incident. In contrast, another Guide in his 30s in the small conference room cursed as soon as he saw Won-woo.

“Shit, if you’re not going to do any guiding, why the hell did you come?”

“I have nothing to do, so I came to watch you guys work.”

Won-woo replied indifferently and sat across from him, causing the man to frown.

“Are you really Ji Won-woo?”

“I don’t know. I can’t remember.”

“If you don’t know…”

Ah, right, memory loss. The Guide in his 30s threw an exasperated look.

“You were much better when you kept your mouth shut and stayed quiet like a dead mouse.”

“You don’t know anything.”

“What don’t I know?”

“It’s actually more dangerous to stay quiet like a dead mouse. Everyone lets their guard down, making it perfect for slitting throats.”

Ha. The Guide let out an incredulous laugh.

“How could you possibly slit my…!”

As he stopped mid-sentence, something quickly grazed his face and flew past. He flinched and turned, but whatever it was had already passed. He only heard a whooshing sound and couldn’t see what had brushed by. Yet, goosebumps covered his entire body.

When he finally turned his head to visually confirm what it was, his goosebumps turned to shock. A small dagger about half the length of a palm was stuck in the window frame. My God, what is that…?

“Are you crazy?! Did you just throw a knife at me?!”

The Guide in his 30s jumped up and shouted, while another Guide grabbed his arm as if to stop him.

“Hyung, calm down.”

“Let go, damn it! This bastard just threw a knife at me! He must be out of his… Huk!”

Again, a whoosh sound brushed past his ear. This time, he even felt the cold blade touch his ear. The Guide frantically dodged to the side, covering his ear with his hand. He automatically tried to curse, but no sound came out of his open mouth. Three small daggers were wedged between Won-woo’s fingers.

“I’m not crazy. You were curious about how I could slit your throat, so I showed you. Do you need more confirmation?”

“Hey, how did you get those knives…?”

“I can’t remember because of my memory loss. I guess I must have practiced throat-slitting out of boredom while staying quiet like a dead mouse.”

The Guide in his 30s now kept his mouth firmly shut. Leaving the pale-faced man, Won-woo stood up, causing him to flinch and move away to the opposite side.

“You… do you mean you want to kill me?”

Won-woo pulled out the daggers stuck in the display case and window frame and turned towards him. Even though he just let his arm hang with the daggers between his fingers, fear spread across the man’s face.

“Have you done something deserving of death?”

“I, I didn’t…”

“Then I won’t kill you. But.”

The Guide, who had been unconsciously relieved, flinched again. But?

“If you keep speaking informally to me, I’ll consider it a challenge, and I’ll have no choice but to pay attention.”

Won-woo moved a chair to the window and sat down, throwing an expressionless glance. The Guide remained frozen for a moment before finally speaking.

“…So I just need to stop speaking informally?”

“That’s right.”

When Won-woo easily agreed, the man made an incredulous expression.

“Is that all that bothered you?”

“Yes.”

“What about my cursing and rude words… Ah, never mind.”

“If a colleague who got in through family connections and doesn’t work, cursing is understandable.”

The man looked at Won-woo again, at a loss for words. Did he just admit that cursing is okay?

“So cursing is fine, but speaking informally isn’t?”

“We’re not close enough to speak informally. Using polite speech maintains a certain level of appropriate distance and courtesy.”

Though incomprehensible, it was clear he was drawing a line. If he used to draw lines with silence before, now he expressed it verbally. Either way, his attitude of not wanting to have contact with others remained unchanged.

“You haven’t become a completely different person after all.”

At his words, Won-woo gave a strange smile. As an expression appeared on his usually expressionless face, the atmosphere changed completely. With just a faint smile, his impression softened instantly like a spring breeze. The two Guides were momentarily captivated by that expression.

“I see. I guess I’m not entirely different.”

His voice sounded bitter yet relieved. However, the smile and soft voice soon vanished as if they were an illusion, returning to an expressionless state.

“If you’re done, ignore me and get on with your work.”

Won-woo turned his head towards the window, but the two Guides couldn’t take their eyes off him for a long time.