IDSEGI Chapter 95

Chapter 95

Ihan grabbed an Esper by the back of the neck and hurled him toward the wall. The Esper’s head slammed into it, and he crumpled to the floor. Seeing this, the other watching Espers decided they couldn’t just stand there and all charged at Ihan at once—only for him to easily twist their wrists and ankles, slamming their heads into the ground. By the end of the “training,” there wasn’t a single uninjured Esper left aside from Ihan.

“Are there only weaklings in Zone 5? What good are you like this, all flimsy and pathetic?”

Provoked by Ihan’s mockery, one Esper rushed at him again. Ihan ducked to avoid the attack and drove his foot into the man’s stomach.

“Guh—are you sure you didn’t use your ability? What kind of human is this…”

Clutching his stomach and coughing, the Esper glared up at him. Ihan frowned and looked down at him with arrogance.

“You’re just weak. Don’t go around telling people you’re an Esper. It’s embarrassing.”

“If we used our abilities, we could block attacks like that easily!”

“Used your abilities? What if you were on the verge of going berserk, then what?”

Ihan’s face was expressionless as he stepped closer, forcing the Esper back until his back hit the wall. Then Ihan brought his foot down beside the Esper’s head. A crack splintered across the concrete, and the Esper felt such overwhelming intimidation that he thought he might be sick. Ihan bent down toward him.

“A gate has opened. Your numbers are already at their peak. One more use of your ability and you’ll be in a berserk state—it’s obvious. When the monster charges at you then, what will you do? Use your ability once, lose control, and blow up the city?”

“That’s…”

“You need proper basic combat training to survive unexpected situations like that. Combat sense and instant evasive decisions can’t be covered by abilities alone. That’s a matter of effort.”

There was no flaw in Ihan’s words. The Esper was frustrated but couldn’t refute him. Ihan clicked his tongue at the sight of him staying silent.

“Get your basic military training in order. If you’re this weak, your team leader will be the one whose abilities are doubted. Your team leader is Esper Yoon Geon, right? You want people to say your leader’s incompetent?”

“Watch your mouth! Do you know how strong our team leader is? If he fought you, even Esper Yoo Ihan wouldn’t have it easy.”

The Esper could tolerate insults to himself, but not to Yoon Geon. Yoon Geon was a perfect superior—charismatic, with excellent leadership, and always leading from the front. Every Esper in the training ground felt anger at Ihan’s words. Ihan, however, remained indifferent.

“Yeah. I was planning to fight him at least once anyway. I’ve got something in mind that’ll probably get me called out for crossing the line.”

“You’re already crossing the line now. Beating us up while the team leader’s away.”

“What kind of training is this? You just used us like punching bags.”

“You didn’t even use your ability, and now we all need guiding.”

Complaints erupted from all over the place. What the hell was this guy doing here? Why the sudden ‘training’ like this?

“Let’s be clear. This is basic military training. I’m giving you very generous instruction.”

Ihan shamelessly insisted it was legitimate training. Since they couldn’t unload their frustration on him, the Espers turned it toward Yeoul instead.

“Guide Han Yeoul! Take Esper Yoo Ihan away! You’re the one who brought him here, right?”

“What? No, I didn’t bring him.”

“Sure you didn’t. He’s been staring at you since earlier.”

Even while “training”—really, beating—the Espers, Ihan kept glancing at Yeoul, sometimes even waving. The Espers, having witnessed this, began venting at the more approachable target.

“Unless you’re going to guide all of us, Guide Han Yeoul, take that lunat… I mean, Esper Yoo Ihan away.”

“Do you have something against us, Guide Han Yeoul? Why did you even bring him here?”

It would have been natural to feel wronged, but instead, Yeoul felt guilty. He knew full well that the reason the normally kind, upright, and polite Yoo Ihan was behaving this way toward the Espers… was because of him.

‘This is because I said something stupid.’

He was sure Ihan was forcing himself to act like the kind of scoundrel Yeoul had earlier claimed was his type.

Letting out a long sigh, Yeoul walked over to him.

“Esper Yoo Ihan. If you’re doing this because of what I said, stop. I lied about my type. I like kind, upright people.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Ihan’s expression instantly changed as he turned to the Espers with a friendly smile.

“Zone 5 Espers, you know this was just training, right? Normally I guide people very kindly, but today I got a little rough. Don’t take it too personally.”

The Espers looked uneasy at his words. What the hell was with him? Moments ago he’d been like a demon, and now he was acting like a saint.

“Anyway, it was training. Right, Espers?”

“How could that be train—”

“It was training, wasn’t it?”

The hidden meaning in his words was clear: say otherwise and you’re dead. Pressured by the oppressive atmosphere, the Espers reluctantly nodded.

“Y-yeah…”

Ihan spoke to Yeoul with the eager charm of a retriever wagging its tail.

“I’m usually a really gentle person, you know. I was just acting to match your ideal type, Yeoul.”

What a load of crap.

That wasn’t acting—he’d meant every bit of it.

The Espers were so furious they were about ready to explode. But if Yeoul’s infatuation could be broken this easily, Ihan’s true nature would have been exposed ages ago. In truth, when Yeoul had seen Ihan’s behavior earlier, he’d briefly wondered if Ihan was just naturally a lunatic. But the way Ihan kept smiling warmly at him in between made those suspicions disappear without a trace.

‘If I think about it, what he said does make sense.’

Yeoul convinced himself Ihan’s actions were just warnings for the Espers’ sake, not beatings born of personal malice. The roughness must have been part of the act because of what Yeoul had said earlier. Ihan’s looks had the power to turn guilt into innocence.

Trying to coax him into leaving, Yeoul urged him once more to return to Zone 1.

“It’s late now. You should head back.”

“Can’t I just sleep over at your place?”

“No. Ask a spatial-type Esper to send you back.”

“You mean Kim Jiwon lying over there?”

Following Ihan’s finger, Yeoul saw Jiwon collapsed in a heap, battered and unconscious.

“Isn’t it too much to ask an injured man to use his ability? I’ll just sleep here tonight.”

Ihan even went so far as to get teary-eyed about how pitiful Jiwon looked. The Espers, watching his fake act, were left speechless, mouths silently opening and closing.

‘So that’s why he singled Jiwon out…’

‘This was all part of his plan to stay over?’

His meticulousness sent chills down their spines. National hero, my ass. Yoo Ihan was a complete nutcase.

Even to Yeoul, Jiwon didn’t look like he could move, so he reluctantly agreed to let Ihan stay.

“In that case, you can use the Esper dorms—”

“No way!”

“We’re out of rooms! Absolutely not!”

With Ihan radiating an unspoken threat from behind Yeoul, the Espers were quick to refuse. If they let him into the dorms, they were certain they’d become his punching bags before the night was over. They loudly insisted there was no space.

“Then just have Guide Han Yeoul put him up! The team leader’s not even here!”

One Esper shouted, and the others exchanged uneasy looks before whispering among themselves.

“Hey, that’s too much to do to the team leader.”
“We’ve got to save ourselves first. He’ll understand.”

Yeoul, unaware of their muttering, gave an awkward smile.

“It’s not just my place, so that won’t work. Besides…”

Bringing Yoo Ihan into the house he shared with Yoon Geon felt like a betrayal. He couldn’t accept, but he also didn’t want to completely ignore Ihan’s feelings.

“Oh, then…”

Yeoul brightened as an idea came to him.

“What about staying at Eunha-hyung’s place?”

‘He’s a huge fan of Ihan, so he’ll probably love it.’

Certain Eunha would be thrilled, Yeoul took Ihan over to him before he’d finished work for the day. But to his surprise, Eunha’s face went pale as he shook his head furiously.

“No! My place is filthy!”

“I can help clean.”

“No, I just really hate letting people in my house.”

“I’ve visited before, though.”

“That’s different! You’re you!”

Despite the smile on his face, Eunha saw the dangerous glint in Ihan’s eyes and felt a genuine threat to his life. Those eyes warned that if he kept saying the wrong thing, he wouldn’t leave in one piece.

When Yeoul hesitated in discomfort, Ihan gave a sly smile and offered another option.

“Then how about the three of us sleep at Researcher Kim Eunha’s place together? If you’re there, I’m sure he’ll be fine with it.”

“Y-yeah, Yeoul. Let’s do that,” Eunha said quickly, his eyes pleading.

Without thinking, Yeoul nodded.

“Alright.”

Ihan’s lips curved gently when he finally got the answer he wanted.

“Then it’s settled.”

Except it wasn’t. Kim Eunha was promptly kicked out of his own home. While Yeoul was in the shower, Ihan crooked a finger at him. Eunha hesitated but stepped forward, and Ihan, his face expressionless, tilted his head.

“If you’ve got any sense, get lost.”

“This is my house…”

“So what?”

“…I’ll leave.”

Eunha quietly packed his things and stepped outside, wiping away the tears streaming down his cheeks.

“Damn it… I’m quitting the fan café!”

Sniffling, he trudged off toward a close colleague’s place.