DB Vol 3 Part 13

“Father uses my handsome looks the most.”

“If Won-woo hadn’t been ruined, he would have been doing that job.”

Ji Seong-hyeon bristled but once again couldn’t express his anger. Partly due to their age difference, but also because since entering the Yang family, she acted even more haughty than before, as if she herself had become a Yang. No matter how much he disliked it, he had to bow to his older sister because of the Yang family’s prestige. Now that his older brother, who had been secretly supporting Ji Seong-hyeon’s business, was in this state, he needed Ji Yoon-im’s support if he wanted to take his older brother’s place.

“Won-woo’s face was decent, but as Noona said, he’s ruined now. No, that’s even in the past. Seeing how badly Hyung was beaten, it seems like he’s been grinding his teeth and preparing for a very long time. Sigh, I don’t know why Hyung was so stupid to get beaten like this just because he couldn’t manage one Ji Won-woo properly.”

Though he could feel Ji Yoon-im’s cold gaze, Ji Seong-hyeon shook his head as if regretful.

“I noticed something was off about Won-woo. There’s this arrogant bastard called Yoo Geon-young, Won-woo’s team leader. It seems like Hyung just believed everything this guy said and thought Won-woo was exactly the same as before. Ah, I thought about warning him, but Hyung was so busy with father’s work that I figured he’d handle it well on his own. What a shame.”

“You knew but didn’t say anything? You’re at fault too then.”

Seeing Ji Yoon-im’s cold expression, Ji Seong-hyeon meekly agreed.

“Yes, I’m at fault too. That’s why I want to make up for it while Hyung can’t move.”

“My little brother, I thought your head was empty, but you’ve filled it with cunning in the meantime.”

“Isn’t that better than being empty?”

Ji Seong-hyeon replied with a natural smile, but Ji Yoon-im didn’t smile back. He thought he was used to her gaze that looked down on him as a far inferior being, but seeing it again made his insides twist. Still, Ji Seong-hyeon didn’t drop his smile.

“More than that, Noona, you have a smart head, so you must know Father’s thoughts? The Women Association vote is right around the corner, and Hyung is in that state and the Guide Center is destroyed. Seeing that Noona came, it seems like the Yang Family has decided to help?”

“What good would it do for someone like you to know?”

“I need to know so I can do as you say, Noona.”

Ji Seong-hyeon added seriously, as if trying to persuade Ji Yoon-im.

“Unlike Hyung, I know very well that my brain is lacking. That’s why I’m confident I can obediently do as I’m told.”

“Obedient? You?”

Ji Yoon-im’s lips twisted into a sneer. But Ji Seong-hyeon knew this was actually a good sign. When his sister looked down on someone like this, it was easier to get what he wanted from her.

“So what’s father’s plan?”

After staring at the lying Ji Dong-hyeon through the large window for a while, Ji Yoon-im finally spoke.

“We need to frame someone. We need to create a villain who dared to do this to Ji Geun-oh’s child.”

With just these words, Ji Seong-hyeon immediately guessed his father’s plan. Ah, he’s going to cry in front of the media again, acting out a father’s love, heartbroken because his child is hurt. Even though he himself was the one who beat that son nearly to death. By doing this, he would be covering up the issue that had worsened with Ji Won-wooby using another son.

“Do we have a candidate for the villain?”

“Why do we need a candidate?”

Ji Seong-hyeon smirked as soon as he heard this. Right. They don’t even need a candidate. There’s a place they’ve been using well whenever they needed a villain for the past few years.

“At times like this, I think the Gye family might actually be our ally.”

Ji Seong-hyeon chuckled as he turned his back on his injured brother’s hospital room. And as Yoon-im said, an exclusive article broke out soon after.

‘The Gye family, who had been tormenting Guides, finally loses their mind and attacks Guide Center.’

Han Seona, who visited Sang-cheon’s office, was shocked to see Gye Yoon as soon as she entered, but quickly moved to block Won-woo protectively. Then she stared sharply at Gye Yoon.

“I know who you are.”

Gye Yoon threw an indifferent glance at her wary gaze that regarded him as an enemy.

“So what?”

“So, I’m saying I won’t stand by if you attack Won-woo-nim.”

Gye Yoon, seemingly not wanting to deal with her verbally, took a step forward. He didn’t care whether she misunderstood him or not, but she was someone Won-woo liked. However, he had even less desire to bother explaining everything in detail. Naturally, he was going to simply overpower her. But suddenly, Sang-cheon jumped between the two.

“W-Wait! Not in my office! I can’t bear to see my equipment get damaged!”

As Sang-cheon blocked them with this pathetic reason, Gye Yoon slowly turned to look at him.

“Then close your eyes.”

“No, absolutely not. I’m the type who doesn’t close my eyes even on roller coasters, and I don’t even close my eyes when making a wish in front of a birthday cake, why are you like this!”

Thanks to Sang-cheon’s useless boasting, the tension between the two Espers was completely shattered. Especially Seona, who looked at Sang-cheon with disdain before glancing at Gye Yoon.

Seeing how Sang-cheon was so protective, she concluded that Gye Yoon wasn’t an enemy, but she still couldn’t believe it. Why is the brute of the Gye family here? And seemingly quite close with Sang-cheon at that. Noticing Seona’s gaze, Gye Yoon threw his characteristic cold look.

“What are you looking at?”

“I don’t want to look at you either. If only Won-woo-nim wasn’t here. Why are you even here?”

As Seona shot back informally without backing down, Sang-cheon looked at her in horror. He disliked his equipment being damaged, but being splattered with her blood was even more horrifying.

“Ah, Esper Han Seona. This person is, um, an acquaintance of Won-woo-nim.”

Gye Yoon, who was coldly staring at Seona from the side, added a comment,

“A very deep relationship at that.”

Sang-cheon, who was trying to help him, whipped his head around.

“What deep relationship do you have?”

“We’re connected through Nani.”

He couldn’t deny it. While Sang-cheon was too dumbfounded to speak properly, Seona cut in with a sharp voice,

“Nani? You mean Hwang Nani, Mr. Hwang Sang-cheon’s daughter?”

At her question, both men slowly turned their heads. Seeing Sang-cheon’s shocked eyes and Gye Yoon’s irritated ones, it seemed there was definitely something there, but she didn’t probe further this time either.

“If it’s an issue involving Mr. Hwang Sang-cheon’s daughter, resolve it with her. Don’t involve Won-woo-nim.”

“You.”

Gye Yoon looked at Seona with indifferent eyes and asked,

“You said you know who I am?”

“Yes.”

Her voice was completely devoid of fear. Usually, those who recognize Gye Yoon are overwhelmed with fear, one hundred out of a hundred. A very small minority, those skilled enough to face Gye Yoon in battle, are filled with caution. But there was no one like Seona who would fearlessly stand in Gye Yoon’s way for someone else’s sake.

Gye Yoon turned his gaze to Won-woo, who was still not waking up. How did he manage to find such a person and keep them on his side?

“Since you know me, I don’t need to explain much. I’m taking Ji Won-woo with me.”

“What are you talking about?!”

“No way!”

Sang-cheon and Seona simultaneously flared up. The look in both their eyes as they gazed at Gye Yoon contained the same thought: You’re doing this to receive guiding from Won-woo-nim, aren’t you?

“Unless Won-woo-nim himself allows it, I’ll stop you. No, even if Won-woo-nim allows it, I should obviously prevent him from going to the Gye family.”

As Seona spoke firmly, Gye Yoon threw her a cold glance.

“What right do you have?”

“More right than you. At least I’m on Won-woo-nim’s side.”

“And I’m not?”

You’re from the Gye family. Unable to voice these words, Seona clenched her jaw tightly before quietly speaking,

“It might be prejudice against the Gye family, but according to the information I know, the Gye family already has a record of wiping out Guides once before.”

The sound of Sang-cheon inhaling sharply could be heard. The information Seona brought up was about the incident where the head of the Gye family died from a rampage, which was a terrible memory for Gye Yoon. He glanced at Gye Yoon nervously, but Seona continued in a resolute voice, as if determined not to back down,

“The Gye family said they urgently gathered Guides with matching wavelengths for the previous head of the family whose condition was critical, but later, a surviving Guide testified. They said they were all kidnapped. I also think the accident of the previous Gye family head was unfortunate. But it’s clearly wrong that the Gye family gathered so many Guides and ultimately let them get caught up in the rampage. To me, it’s a case that clearly shows how the Gye family views Guides, so how could I let Won-woo-nim go?”

Gye Yoon stepped forward with an expressionless face.

“What if that case was fabricated?”

“All the surviving Guides gave the same testimony.”

“What if those bastards all told the same lie?”

“What are you saying? How could they all tell the same lie?”

“It’s possible if their minds were controlled.”

Surprised by the sudden interjection, the three standing people turned to look at one place. Won-woo, who had slightly raised his head, added in a low, raspy voice,

“That’s something the Esper closest to Ji Geun-oh would do.”

Facing the three people who were too shocked to speak, Won-woo looked up at Gye Yoon. He, who had just been about to use force to subdue Seona, was puzzled as he looked at Won-woo. Why was he so consumed by anger? However, contrary to his eyes flickering like flames, Won-woo’s voice was calm.

“Am I right? Were Ji Geun-oh and that Esper the real culprits of the incident 9 years ago?”

Ji Geun-oh. The name that came from Won-woo’s mouth sounded particularly like a stranger’s name today. Sang-cheon and Seona were shocked by his coldness, their eyes freezing. On the other hand, Gye Yoon stared at Won-woo for a different reason. When the Gye family talked about the incident from 9 years ago, no one believed them. No matter how much they cried out about the injustice, only condemnation and contempt came back.

Ji Geun-oh’s incitement, calling them Guide killers, had witnesses after all. People easily believed his tearful act. But now, even though Gye Yoon hadn’t mentioned Ji Geun-oh’s name, Won-woo had pointed to him as the culprit on his own. Moreover, not just his low voice, but the emotion filling his eyes was also clear anger.

“Why are you so certain?”

When Gye Yoon asked back, Won-woo slowly closed his eyes and opened them again. It was probably because he hadn’t been awake for long and lacked energy, but to Gye Yoon’s eyes, that small movement looked like a fragility that might break. So for a moment, he almost unknowingly reached out his hand, barely stopping himself. Won-woo’s following answer was filled with strength, unfitting for his frailty.

“Because Yang Cheon-hyo is Ji Geun-oh’s Esper.”

Sang-cheon and Seona were puzzled by this unexpected name. Yang Cheon-hyo was from the direct line of the Yang family that ruled the West. He was the second son of the Yang family head. But he was rarely mentioned in public. Sang-cheon only belatedly realized who it was, showing how little known he was to the public.

Seona had heard the name but didn’t know his face. He might have been active in the past, but he hadn’t shown his face in public for a long time. There were even rumors that he couldn’t leave the Yang family compound. The only known information was that he was an A-ranks mental Esper. But Gye Yoon’s reaction was different. His face was expressionless, but his eyes darkened.

“Why is Yang Cheon-hyo’s name coming up?”

To Gye Yoon’s response, Won-woo answered nonchalantly,

“Mind control is Yang Cheon-hyo’s specialty, isn’t it?”

What? Seona and Sang-cheon’s eyes widened in surprise. Won-woo, seeing their reaction, nodded with an “Ah.”

“Well, mental Espers often deliberately hide their abilities or spread false information about them since knowledge of their abilities can become a weakness in itself. What did Yang Cheon-hyo claim his ability was?”

Seona searched her memory and informed,

“Uh, I heard he could make people have the dreams they want when they sleep.”

“That’s laughable.”

A scathing sneer flowed from Won-woo’s lips.

“Yang Cheon-hyo is one who controls the mind. False incitement is Ji Geun-oh’s specialty. And the two are practically one and the same.”

Hearing this information for the first time, Sang-cheon and Seona once again gaped in surprise like audience members. Although it was information Gye Yoon already knew, hearing it from Ji Won-woo made him raise one eyebrow as if surprised. Then, a strange question flowed from Won-woo,

“Does Yang Cheon-hyo hide thoroughly in the background here too?”

“Here? Where else is he like that?”

Though Gye Yoon asked indifferently, his eyes became sharper like a blade. Won-woo met his fierce gaze straight on.

“Anywhere, in any world, Ji Geun-oh and Yang Cheon-hyo would do the same things.”

Gye Yoon seemed to have something to say, but Won-woo turned his gaze to check the darkened outside. He knew the three people before him had many questions, but there was no time to explain everything now. In Won-woo’s mind, the word ‘deceased’ that he had seen at Guide Center still remained undeleted.

He couldn’t meet the aunt here either. This proposition didn’t sink in. It felt like his thinking had stopped after being hit on the head with a blunt object. Even after waking up from a long sleep, he still couldn’t believe it. But Gye Yoon’s words that he had heard while half-asleep just now woke up his frozen brain.

‘What if that case was fabricated?’

Fabrication, lies, hypocrisy. Won-woo knew the person who fit these words best. After living with aunt, as a month, six months, a year passed, his anxiety decreased, but the fear that his father might suddenly appear and take him away still remained. So Won-woo, almost obsessively, searched for articles and information about his father.

Each time, he was surprised by articles that were completely different from where he originally lived. In his hometown, everyone regarded Ji Geun-oh as a great leader representing Guides, and articles always poured out in his defense.

But in the North, it was totally different. Perhaps because Guides who wanted independence from Espers gathered there, Ji Geun-oh was a hypocrite in this place. His words calling for the sacrifice of Guides while standing on the side of Espers were exposed as lies and criticized.

That great father who had always been praised was no different from a pimp selling Guides by sucking up to those in power. At first, it was confusing. But once he broke free from the image unilaterally instilled by the media, he was able to judge his father’s rights and wrongs.

And he also learned about the true nature of the Yang family backing Ji Geun-oh. Won-woo knew one person inseparable from Ji Geun-oh. Yang Cheon-hyo. An Esper whose wavelength matched so perfectly that their matching rate reached 100%.

These two were as alike in their cruelty as they were in their wavelengths. Won-woo was able to access proper information about what they had done in the North. So he could assert with certainty in this place now,

“If Ji Geun-oh and the Yang family were involved in the previous Gye family head’s rampage, the truth of that incident must have been fabricated.”

“Hmm, did you perhaps remember something? Like, something your father said about that incident?”

As Sang-cheon carefully asked among the silent group, Won-woo shook his head.

“No. But I know well what kind of person Ji Geun-oh is.”

“How do you know so well if you don’t even remember?”

This time Gye Yoon cut in with a cold voice. More than the fact that the words they wanted came out of Won-woo’s mouth, he was suspicious about why Won-woo had pointed to his father and Yang Cheon-hyo. He says he doesn’t remember, but isn’t he asserting like this because he knows something?

“I do remember being beaten and verbally abused by that man called father every day when I was young.”

Sang-cheon and Seona frowned simultaneously, but Gye Yoon stared intently at Won-woo as if trying to find the truth.

“Just because someone does wrong to their family doesn’t mean they do the same outside.”

“No, it’s the same. People don’t change.”

Won-woo lowered his gaze and added quietly, as if talking to himself,

“It’s too obvious how he would have run wild here.”

Here. Again, a word defining this world came from Won-woo’s mouth. As if there was some other place besides this world. But he didn’t have time to ask about the meaning, as Won-woo’s small actions were now bothering him.

He was clenching his fist tightly. It was anger that had been incomprehensible from the start. Now he clearly showed this anger in his eyes.

“Mr. Gye Yoon, you still haven’t answered. Is it true that the massacre of Guides due to the Gye family head’s rampage was caused by Ji Geun-oh?”

Why is that so important to you? Gye Yoon held back what he wanted to ask and opened his mouth.

“That’s right. Twenty-five Guides died because of that.”

***

Hong Seung-wook heard about the news when he was attending an unwanted drinking party. On his father’s orders, he had ended up playing golf with a bank president, which didn’t end in just one day. What’s more, on the evening of the second day, a woman who was said to be the bank president’s daughter was sitting at the drinking party.

Several of his friends who had come to see Seung-wook were also seated around him, and they cheered loudly as soon as he appeared. Seung-wook felt like he had become a spectacle trapped in a zoo cage, but he couldn’t storm out of that place.

‘Just endure for three days. If you just endure, we can revive the company with investment funds. If we want to be properly recognized by the Hong family, we need to show that we can live well even without the family’s help. I only trust you, my son.’

Seung-wook’s father was a good head of the household, but he had an inferiority complex about the direct line of the Hong family. No matter how great an Esper Seung-wook was, that alone wasn’t satisfying. As if it was a grudge that they had lived being ignored because the Hong family revolved around the direct line, he constantly strived to gain their recognition.

But because his business skills weren’t good, the company was always precarious. Seung-wook was the only result his father was proud of, and Seung-wook had always acted in a way that would earn everyone’s praise to repay his father’s grace.

I have to show a better image for my father’s sake. As if obsessed, he minded his manners and took on difficult tasks at the center to raise his name. The more he did so, the more his father became proud of him and wanted to show him off to people. Sometimes he felt like an exhibit, but he tried to accept that too as the result of his efforts.

So even when his father made such overreaching demands, he couldn’t put his own feelings first. Even if these weak humans who would fall with just the wiggle of a finger treated him like a spectacle. So he just silently drank alcohol. But on this day, there was one more reason he wanted to storm out.

[Something seems off. They announced that the Gye family attacked the Guide Center, but Ji Seong-hyeon just called me and threw a fit. He asked why I didn’t properly tell him about Ji Won-woo. Doesn’t it seem suspicious? They must be in chaos after the Guide Center was attacked, but suddenly he’s angry about Won-woo. Moreover, he threatened that I should tell him immediately if I hear anything, as if they still haven’t found him. But you know what, I heard a strange rumor. They say Ji Won-woo appeared at Guide Center on the night it was attacked. Isn’t that strange?]

His friend Yoo Geon-young informed Seung-wook of the situation via text. Like his friend’s suspicion, Seung-wook also found it hard to understand why Ji Seong-hyeon was suddenly so fixated on Ji Won-woo. With the attack on Guide Center and Ji Dong-hyeon’s injury, they shouldn’t even be able to care about Won-woo, but instead, they’re frantically trying to find him even more.

The Gye family attacked the Guide Center? Surely the Gye family didn’t take Ji Won-woo? Won-woo’s face wouldn’t disappear from Seung-wook’s mind. If he hadn’t been called to this place, Seung-wook would be out looking for Won-woo right now. He knew a few places where Won-woo might go. Damn it, if only it wasn’t for this gathering.

“…Mr. Seung-wook. Esper Hong Seung-wook!”

At the irritated voice, Seung-wook raised his eyes to see one of the guests looking at him with displeasure. He had heard he was the son of a wealthy family, but as a C-ranks Esper, he had been jealous of Seung-wook since they first met. There were quite a few of this type, so Seung-wook responded coldly.

“Do you have something to say?”

“I have a lot to say. You come to a gathering like this, but you just look at your phone alone, drink alone, think alone, and act all high and mighty by yourself. That’s not right. How much money did you receive?”

At the word ‘money’, Seung-wook’s expression completely froze, and the bank president’s daughter hit her friend with an embarrassed face.

“What’s wrong with you?”

“What? I didn’t say anything wrong.”

“Apologize quickly. I’m sorry, Esper Hong Seung-wook. This guy is barely hanging onto C-ranks, so I guess he’s jealous.”

As the bank president’s daughter apologized with a smile, her friend bristled instead.

“Who’s jealous? Hey, if I were A-ranks, I wouldn’t go around selling my face no matter how much money they gave me. Besides, this isn’t just money, there’s someone else who provided the backdoor funds…”

“Someone else?”

As Seung-wook’s voice turned cold, the noisy interior went quiet. The friend, realizing his slip of tongue, shut his mouth tightly, and the bank president’s daughter gave an awkward smile.

“Don’t mind him. He’s just talking nonsense… Gasp!”

She inhaled sharply and stopped talking. Her shocked gaze was fixed on her friend. A watery substance was covering her friend’s face like a mask. The surprised friend tried to wipe away the water with his hands, but the water just slipped through his fingers, continuing to cover his face and block his breathing.

Screams erupted here and there as people turned to look at Seung-wook, the water ability user. He asked in an angry voice while keeping his gaze on the bank president’s daughter.

“Who provided the backdoor funds?”

“Esper Hong Seung-wook, please don’t do this…”

“I asked who it was.”

The friend now started twisting his body, trying to remove the water while flailing his arms and legs. Seeing his painful movements, the bank president’s daughter cried out urgently.

“The, the Gye family! It was requested by the Gye family. They just asked to keep Esper Hong Seung-wook here for a few days… That’s all I know, really. I really don’t know the reason…”

Before her pleading words could finish, Seung-wook stood up. The Gye family? Why the Gye family of all people? Behind his back as he stepped forward with a hardened expression, the sound of someone gasping for air after escaping the water could be heard with a “Puhah!”

***

Gye Yoon’s explanation came out short as if it wasn’t much. It wasn’t much different from what Sang-cheon and Seona already knew. There were some differences, but they were just Gye Yoon’s speculations without evidence.

“There were seven Guides who survived at the time, but Ji Geun-oh hid them under the name of protection. Ji Geun-oh was also the one who took the lead in condemning the Gye family, so if anyone pulled strings, it would have been Ji Geun-oh.”

“That alone can’t be evidence. If you wanted the truth, you should have asked those Guides again somehow.”

As Seona rebutted, Gye Yoon threw her a cold glance.

“What if all those witnesses are dead?”

“…Dead?”

“All the survivors who testified about the Gye family’s kidnapping are dead. All seven of them in less than half a year.”

Seona asked with a hardened expression.

“Don’t tell me they were murdered?”

“No, it was clearly suicide to anyone who saw.”

After closing his mouth, Gye Yoon threw a glance at Won-woo.

“And we believe they were mind-controlled into taking their own lives.”

The Esper Won-woo had mentioned came to Seona and Sang-cheon’s minds. The mental Esper Yang Cheon-hyo. Won-woo seemed calm as if he had expected this, but Gye Yoon watched him intently, trying to catch even the smallest reaction.

“But there’s no evidence. Do you still believe me?”

“I believe you.”

Not just his words, but real trust was contained in Won-woo’s eyes. So Gye Yoon asked without even realizing it himself.

“Why do you believe me?”

“For personal reasons.”

“It’s not because of that Guide you said you found at Guide Center?”

Yeah. Who on earth is it that you went into the Guide Center to find, and even blew the place up to erase the traces? As Won-woo just lowered his gaze and kept his mouth shut, Gye Yoon couldn’t hold back and pressed him.

“Who is that Guide?”

Won-woo’s answer came after a long while.

“Someone who has no relation to me.”

It was a very strange thing to say, but no one could demand further explanation from Won-woo. His eyes as he said those words couldn’t have been more empty.

Won-woo couldn’t answer any other way. Truly, in this place, aunt had become someone with no relation to him. Even though he had met Sang-cheon, Seona, and even Gye Yoon again and formed connections, aunt had become someone he could never form any relationship with.

Suddenly, this fact made him feel sad. Strangely, instead of tears, bitter water rose from inside. Feeling like he might vomit again, Won-woo forcibly swallowed it down and looked around at the three puzzled people.

“I’ll explain about that person later. After I finish what I need to do.”

What do you need to do? For now, Sang-cheon and Seona wanted to shout ‘Run away!’ However, the correct answer that came from Won-woo’s mouth was different. He said briefly while looking at Gye Yoon,

“I’ll join you.”

“Join what?”

“The massacre.”

Won-woo’s voice was so calm that Sang-cheon and Seona, who were listening, even had the illusion that they had heard the wrong word. But Gye Yoon, who would never miss a sound, asked Won-woo back,

“Massacre?”

“Aren’t you taking revenge?”

Gye Yoon’s head tilted slowly to the side.

“Revenge. It’s natural for me, but you’re going to do it too?”

“The enemy of my enemy is my friend.”

Just how much abuse did he suffer from his father? Unlike Sang-cheon and Seona who were feeling sorry for him, a dark light suddenly flared up in Gye Yoon’s eyes.

“Are you really going to join hands with the Gye family?”

“If you don’t want to, I’ll do it alone.”

Of course, he wanted to. It was just unbelievable. Frankly, he didn’t understand. The thing he had wanted so much had suddenly come true, but his head had become cold instead.

“Of course I want to. But you said massacre?”

“Yes. Because it’s revenge.”

Gye Yoon smiled with a grin he couldn’t hide. He simply couldn’t conceal this smile. The other’s words were just too perfectly to his liking.

Everything around him blacked out, and only Won-woo remained in the world, filling his vision. Only his breathing, his voice, his small movements echoed in his ears. No, one of his own sounds was mixed in too.

His heart was beating rapidly. The faster his heartbeat, the more he felt drawn into Won-woo. He couldn’t take his eyes off him. Suddenly, an uncontrollable, enormous greed overtook Gye Yoon. He wanted to possess this person. Gye Yoon suppressed himself as if straddling one foot in the realm of reason.

“You speak of massacre so easily.”

At Gye Yoon’s dry voice, Won-woo glanced at the clock on the wall. It was already approaching 9 PM.

“Yes, it’s easy for me.”

Easy indeed. He had already done it once, so the second time should be even easier.

***

“Ji Won-woo? Isn’t he your younger brother?”

A man in his 30s asked sarcastically, carelessly tossing the photo of Ji Won-woo he was holding onto the table.

Normally, Ji Seong-hyeon would have made a fuss without hiding his displeasure, but now he was standing in for his older brother’s position. Unable to miss this opportunity, he smiled in what he thought was an attractive manner to the man before him. Especially knowing how highly his brother valued this person’s abilities.

“That’s right. He’s my younger brother. And also the one who put my older brother in this state.”

Ji Seong-hyeon pointed with his finger to his brother lying on the bed right next to him. The Esper with a scar under his eye glanced at Ji Dong-hyeon at his words.

“So?”

Though his tone suggested it was none of his business, Ji Seong-hyeon could read the hidden meaning. Most people who boasted about their great abilities were similar to the Esper before him. As if one could buy his abilities with money.

But such people loved money the most. Yet these refined contract Espers never talk about money first. Ji Seong-hyeon handed him an envelope as if he had been waiting for this moment.

“Please. For the sake of my sincerity, catch Ji Won-woo and clear my older brother’s unjust treatment.”

The scarred Esper glanced at the envelope before picking it up. After checking its contents, he immediately got up and approached Ji Dong-hyeon. Then he cupped Ji Dong-hyeon’s head with his outstretched hand and pressed down as if applying force. Though he was roughly gripping the patient’s head, Ji Seong-hyeon’s eyes were rather expectant.

That’s because this Esper had the ability to read memories from within the past ten days. Then, as the Esper’s eyes staring into space seemed to become cloudy, his lips twisted.

“I told him to exercise more instead of just swinging golf clubs all the time.”

Clicking his tongue, he let go of Ji Dong-hyeon’s head as if pushing it away and turned around.

“What did you see?”

When Ji Seong-hyeon asked, he just shrugged lightly.

“Your younger brother is dangerous.”

“Ji Won-woo? No matter how my older brother was beaten, that bastard is nothing but…”

“I said he’s dangerous. It’ll be difficult to work.”

Only then did Ji Seong-hyeon realize what the other meant and hardened his expression, but soon put on a sociable smile.

“Then I guess I should give you more hazard pay. I’ll give you another envelope like the one you just received.”

“You call this sincerity? You’re being quite stingy.”

“…I’ll prepare two more.”

Only then did the scarred Esper smile with satisfaction and leave. Ji Seong-hyeon glared at him until he completely disappeared, then called out loudly for Secretary Yang.

“Mobilize the Espers from the Guide Center to support that bastard. Catching Ji Won-woo is the top priority, no matter what. Got it?”

When Secretary Yang hesitated, Ji Seong-hyeon noticed and frowned.

“Why aren’t you answering?”

“Director Shin, who knows Guide Center’s internal affairs best, isn’t cooperating properly.”

Ah, is he afraid of losing his position to this newcomer? Or does he think my brother will wake up soon? Ji Seong-hyeon looked once at his still unconscious brother and lowered his voice to Secretary Yang.

“How long do you want to live just cleaning up after me? Weren’t you from a prestigious Esper family? But you were always looked down upon as an ordinary person from a branch family. Don’t you want to turn your life around? This is your chance. Do you understand?”

Fortunately, Secretary Yang was quick-witted.

“I’ll mobilize all available Espers from Guide Center. However.”

Secretary Yang glanced at the lying Dong-hyeon.

“When the CEO wakes up, won’t we return to our original positions?”

“I suppose so.”

Ji Seong-hyeon looked at his older brother and smirked as if an interesting thought had occurred to him.

“But he might never wake up.”