DB Vol 2 Part 20

“One place said they’d send a Guide immediately, but the place with a Guide whose wavelength matches better is still hesitating, worried about the Ji family’s reaction. If we had just one more Alpha Seed, just one, I expect the latter would make a decision right away.”

Still no answer, just the sound of rushing water. Chief Jung didn’t give up and added,

“The Family Head said to tell you that this is all because you killed the Ji family’s Guide, so you should take responsibility for cleaning up the mess. Miss Hwan’s condition has rapidly worsened, and we had no choice but to sedate her with drugs.”

There was still no answer indicating he would go. It wasn’t incomprehensible, given that not only Miss Hwan but also Gye Yoon himself was suffering excruciating pain all over his body from lack of guiding. Still, he had to get Gye Yoon to meet with Sang-cheon. The fact that he hadn’t kicked him out yet suggested he was somewhat willing to go. Chief Jung steeled himself to persuade him again.

“Of course, I understand it would be uncomfortable for you to meet someone from the Ji family. But now is the time to think only of Miss Hwan. Besides, according to Director Hwang, they don’t even know you’re from the Gye family…”

Suddenly, the water stopped, and Gye Yoon turned his head. He pushed back his wet hair with his hand and asked sharply,

“What do you mean, someone from the Ji family?”

“Ji Won-woo.”

“…Ji Won-woo is coming?”

Oh, did I not mention that? Chief Jung nodded and quickly added, worried that this might make Gye Yoon refuse to go,

“Of course, it must be unpleasant for you…”

“Alright.”

“Pardon?”

“I said I’ll go.”

…So suddenly? He had planned to persuade him for about 30 more minutes, take a 10-minute break, and then try again. Chief Jung looked at Gye Yoon in disbelief. He seemed to be showering with cold water again, as cool air rather than hot steam reached the entrance where Chief Jung stood. Wondering if he had misheard, Chief Jung tried to peer through the wet shower glass. He could see Gye Yoon repeatedly running his hands through his hair under the falling water.

“When’s the meeting?”

Even with the loud sound of running water, his voice came through clearly as if through earphones.

“This evening.”

Gye Yoon’s response was muffled by the water, but it sounded like a curse. Then came a sharp question directed at Chief Jung, again clear as if through earphones.

“Why are you telling me this only now?”

“I just received the call myself.”

Another curse was heard. Then Gye Yoon kept running his hands through his hair, muttering something.

“…Damn it, they should’ve given some advance notice…”

“Pardon?”

“I said get out.”

Chief Jung obediently accepted his opinion and left the bathroom. It took less than 10 minutes to persuade him. Could it be that he’s matured a bit after going to prison? If he had known it would be this easy, he would have sent him earlier.

***

Due to an accident at the farm, Won-woo had to stay there for several days. Thanks to that, he was able to get a vacation for that period. Some of the Espers were injured and needed treatment. Especially all the Espers in Head Team 3 went into treatment.

Since Guides aren’t needed if there are no Espers, it had been almost a week since Won-woo went to the Eastern Center. The Center was still buzzing with talk about Hong Eun-tae, but Head Team 3 was busy with a different topic. When Won-woo had just arrived, Geon-young’s angry voice was coming from the team leader’s office.

‘Are all the Espers dead?! Are all the Guides dead? Why is there no one? Is it that difficult to bring in anyone except Han Seona?!’

As Won-woo sat down listening to his voice, an unsolicited explanation came from across him.

“You know many Espers were injured in the farm accident, right? Especially our department was already one person short, and now two are undergoing treatment. They say it’s not a serious injury, but they won’t be back until next week. It’s not just our department. All the departments that were involved in the operation this time are in chaos, except for Team Leader Hong’s.”

Jang-seon leaned his head out towards Won-woo and lowered his voice. Won-woo wasn’t particularly interested, but Jang-seon continued to speak.

“Still, our department took the biggest hit, so we need immediate Esper reinforcement, and it seems Han Seona is coming. But since Han Seona has to come to our team, the team leader is now on the phone protesting to the higher-ups.”

“Why does she have to come to our team?”

When Won-woo asked curiously, Jang-seon suppressed a smile and proudly answered.

“I reported to the Guide Management Department that I could Guide Han Seona. Actually, guiding Han Seona at the farm was a bit challenging, but it was manageable.”

Of course it was manageable. There was nothing to Guide. Won-woo wasn’t sure whether to thank this dull Guide or laugh. Well, thinking this must be Seona’s luck, he nodded.

“That’s impressive.”

At this one comment, Jang-seon’s lips curled up uncontrollably.

“The head of Guide Management was surprised too. Han Seona is famous for her unique wavelength, so if there’s a matching Guide, she could be assigned to that department. Like me, enduring the pain to guide… Oh? Esper Han Seona!”

Jang-seon jumped up from his seat, looking at the entrance. The subject of the rumors was just entering the office. Won-woo turned his head and met Seona’s eyes as she bowed slightly. Seona first looked around the interior, confirming that only Won-woo and Jang-seon were there, and then announced in a businesslike voice.

“I’m Han Seona, temporarily working in Head Team 3 starting today.”

“We-welcome, Esper Han Seona-nim.”

Jang-seon jumped forward as if he were a representative, welcoming Seona.

“I’m Yoo Jang-seon, who will be guiding Esper Han Seona-nim in this department from now on.”

Seona’s eyebrows twitched. She glanced at Won-woo, who shrugged with a smile as if to say, “That’s how it turned out.” Most of the team members were hospitalized, so the office was quiet, but Jang-seon welcomed her with enough enthusiasm for a hundred people.

“As expected, you’ve moved to the Head Team after such a brilliant performance at the Farm. Considering Esper Han Seona’s skills, I think you should naturally be in a Main Team or Core Team. You’ve struggled a lot with guiding until now, but from now on, I’ll…”

“What do you mean, ‘as expected’?”

An irritated voice poured cold water on the excited Jang-seon. Everyone turned towards the team leader’s office. Geon-young was standing with the door half-open, glaring at Seona. Seona, unfazed, slightly bowed her head and repeated the same words as before.

“I’m Han Seona, temporarily working in Head Team 3 starting today.”

Geon-young was about to say something but clenched his mouth shut, then suddenly turned his frowning eyes to Won-woo.

“Ji Won-woo, come in.”

“If you have a problem with me, speak to me directly.”

As Seona stepped forward, blocking Won-woo as if to protect him, Geon-young laughed incredulously.

“Are you so desperate to help every Guide that you’re acting like a child? I have nothing to say to you. Ji Won-woo, come in right now.”

Won-woo gave Seona a reassuring look before entering the team leader’s office. As soon as Won-woo sat down, Geon-young asked fiercely.

“Hey, did you ask Seung-wook for this?”

Ask him to do what? Won-woo, who thought he would be asked about the Alpha Seed, stared back as if asking what he meant. Geon-young sighed and spat out his words.

“Did you ask Hong Seung-wook to have Han Seona come to our department?”

“I didn’t.”

“Then why did that bastard specifically request to send Han Seona to our department?”

“I don’t know.”

Geon-young stared at Won-woo for a moment as if to confirm the truth, then muttered a small curse.

“Damn it, why the hell did he…”

“He’s your friend, ask him directly. Don’t bother me when we’re not even close.”

“Ha, not close? Hong Seung-wook would love to hear that.”

“He wouldn’t react at all. Because it’s true.”

“…Do you really have no feelings for Hong Seung-wook?”

Won-woo looked at him straight in the face with an expressionless face and slowly opened his mouth.

“If you have questions for me, ask politely. If you ask like that, wouldn’t I be reluctant to tell you what I know about the Alpha Seed?”

Hit right on the mark, Geon-young turned his gaze away and bit his lip.

“…Do you know the cause of Director Hong Eun-tae’s condition?”

Of course I know. Because I did it. When Won-woo didn’t answer and just stared blankly, Geon-young’s eyes wavered.

“Is it really because of the Alpha Seed?”

“I don’t know. But I can’t say there’s no possibility.”

“Haa… What possibility? No, forget it. There’s no way you’d tell me information about the Alpha Seed that the Ji family treasures so much…”

“Because there are few samples of Alpha Seeds, there’s little research, so no known side effects. However, there’s talk that when an Alpha Seed is formed, its energy increases and a unique wavelength is created. Just as some Espers have unique wavelengths, what would happen if there was an Alpha Seed with a unique wavelength? It could be poison to an Esper whose wavelength doesn’t match at all.”

What Won-woo said was the content of research from his previous world. If an Alpha Seed could kill an Esper…

But in the end, they concluded that the wavelength of Alpha Seeds had no special effect on Espers. Of course, he didn’t bother to share this conclusion. Thanks to this, Geon-young’s expression hardened with tension.

“An Alpha Seed with a unique wavelength… Damn. But is it okay for you to tell me such things?”

“Why not? You’re not an enemy.”

“…I thought you disliked me?”

Won-woo chuckled at those words, as if finding them absurd.

“If I considered everyone I dislike an enemy, the whole world would become my enemy.”

Geon-young looked at Won-woo with a subtle expression, but Won-woo didn’t bother to explain more kindly. Unless it’s war, most people you meet in society are neither complete allies nor complete enemies. Those who have been kind to you can harm you, and those who have only harmed you can unexpectedly help you.

So for Won-woo, there’s only one criterion for distinguishing people other than his own side: Can they be used or not? Geon-young, as the team leader of his department, was still someone who could be used. So there was no need to show hostility and fight. Won-woo stood up and advised Geon-young.

“So put aside your personal feelings and just consider whether someone will help the team’s performance or not. At least Han Seona, who works well, is a hundred times better than the Esper who died from the rampage after trying to sexually harass a Guide in the team.”

***

“I-I signed a contract. If it doesn’t end as a one-time thing and they become clingy or contact you separately, there will be huge compensation and war.”

Sang-cheon had been repeating the same words apologetically ever since Won-woo arrived at the office. No matter how much Won-woo said it was okay, Sang-cheon’s worries wouldn’t dry up. Finally, he grabbed his head with both hands and blamed himself.

“I don’t know if this is the right thing to do. They say Espers become obsessed with their Guides. What if they get smitten after receiving Won-woo-nim’s guiding and become obsessed, following you around?”

“We’ll get rid of them, of course.”

Won-woo answered easily while drinking the canned drink Sang-cheon gave him, then asked playfully.

“That’s okay, right?”

“It is. Of course it is. Please, please get rid of them.”

At the desperate plea, Won-woo paused with the can in his hand.

“Isn’t the person coming someone you’re close to?”

If the standard for closeness was cursing, Sang-cheon had eaten enough to be full, so they were close enough to call each other family.

“…We are close. But if they bother Won-woo-nim, I’ll cut ties immediately even if it’s my close friend’s grandfather.”

“Well, if they’re close enough for Director Hwang to ask a favor, they must be a good person.”

Flinch. Sang-cheon’s eyes wavered like waves in a typhoon. But Won-woo didn’t see him as he was drinking again, and spoke as if he just remembered something.

“And drop the formalities. Calling me ‘Won-woo-nim’ makes me uncomfortable.”

Compared to the burden Sang-cheon was bearing now, this was a drop in the ocean.

“No, how could I dare to be so familiar with my benefactor…”

Won-woo stood up and grinned.

“Director Hwang is my benefactor too. Oh, I’ll go to the bathroom.”

Leaving such a bright smile, as soon as he went out the door, Sang-cheon grabbed his hair with both hands. Such a good person. What have I done to such a person… But ignoring it makes me feel too sorry for that brute…

“Argh!”

Unable to bear the agony, Sang-cheon screamed and shook his head as if headbanging. While he was facing the greatest challenge of his life, Won-woo quickly went around the building, habitually checking security. He didn’t know who the new guest was, but they might be followed.

Only after checking all around the building did he return to Sang-cheon’s office, but someone was standing in front of the door. A tall man in black clothes. His back was turned so his identity was unknown, but Won-woo couldn’t shake the feeling of familiarity. It might be because of the hood he was wearing.

And people with such a tall stature and build were rare. Just as he was wondering, “Could it be…?” the man slowly turned around. Their eyes met first. Pause. Won-woo unconsciously held his breath. It was the eyes he had seen at the farm.

The other person wasn’t wearing a mask this time, but Won-woo couldn’t properly see his face because he was focused on his eyes. Like last time, he couldn’t look away from those eyes.

Again. Again, the moment he saw those eyes, he fell into the illusion of going back to the past. The feeling of being with that person who held Won-woo with the only undamaged eyes in a body that couldn’t move properly, couldn’t hear, couldn’t speak.

Won-woo took a step back, inhaling. Only then did the other person’s face come into view. Early 20s, a handsome face with a cool impression. But it was clearly someone he was seeing for the first time. Right, he’s a stranger to me. Won-woo muttered to himself as if to reassure himself and asked.

“You’re the one who helped me at the farm, right?”

Despite Won-woo’s question, Gye Yoon stared at him observantly for a while before slowly raising his hand. His hand removed the hood, revealing his hair. The well-cut hair enhanced his appearance even more. However, even though it was neatly cut, the still-long hair covered more than half of his ears, so only part of the suppression piercing underneath was visible.

“I wonder.”

The slow, low voice was heard clearly as if speaking from beside him. It was quite an impressive voice. If a voice could enchant people, this voice might be it, it was so charming. However, instead of being enchanted, Won-woo spoke expressionlessly.

“It is you.”

“Is it?”