DB Vol 3 Part 8

[Turn your head.] 

Flinching, Sang-cheon shuddered his shoulders in surprise. Won-woo noticed and asked worriedly, 

“Mr. Hwang, what’s wrong?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. I have a mild disc problem in my neck. Sometimes I need to mo-move my head like this. Ha, ha.”

Unlike the concerned Won-woo, Seona coolly looked Sang-cheon up and down and commented,

“Yes, you have severe forward head posture.”

“No, it’s not that severe.”

“It is severe.”

[It’s severe.]

He was hit from both sides in stereo. As Sang-cheon was inwardly cursing the Espers while trembling, Won-woo’s subdued voice was heard.

“To find the Guide, we’ll have to get into the Guide Centre somehow.”

“Won-woo, you have too little information. If we at least knew the name, we could have searched through all the people with the same name.”

As Sang-cheon expressed regret, Won-woo smiled bitterly.

“I didn’t think I’d find her. I should have at least found out her real name.”

Seona, who had been watching from the side, showed concern as if worried that Won-woo might actually try to infiltrate the Guide Centre.

“Even if you could get into the Guide Centre with almost no information, you won’t be able to find her. You might just get caught and suffer for nothing.”

Seona wanted to discourage him further, but had to stand up due to a call from the Center.

“You absolutely must not go to the Guide Centre alone. Understood?”

After Seona left with this earnest request, Sang-cheon also advised Won-woo.

“It’s dangerous to infiltrate the Guide Centre alone.”

[Tell him to take me with him.]

“…”

[Why are you keeping your mouth shut?]

Even with the urging, Sang-cheon kept his mouth firmly closed and turned his gaze to the opposite wall. As if he’d mention the brute first with his own mouth. Won-woo would never ask about it anyway.

“By the way, Mr. Hwang. Are there a lot of problems with the Nani server?”

“…Nani?”

As Sang-cheon asked back with a sour expression, Won-woo nodded.

“It said it might shut down on its own.”

Hearing something welcome amidst the conversation, Sang-cheon quickly nodded.

“Yes. There are many problems with the server. Not just the server, it’s got viruses, it’s lagging, it’s got everything it could possibly get, so it’ll be gone soon.”

“Ah, so that’s why it said it was sick.”

Sang-cheon’s face, which had been laughing excitedly, froze.

“It said it was sick?”

“Yes. Even though it’s AI, hearing it say it’s sick made me feel bad for it.”

“Ah…”

“Can’t you fix it? I’ll provide all the money you need.”

No. Sang-cheon quickly waved both hands.

“I have money too. I haven’t spent any of the money you gave me except for paying off debts. This is, um, not a money issue.”

“Is it a problem even you can’t fix, Mr. Hwang?”

At Won-woo’s question, Sang-cheon turned troubled eyes to the wall. Well, it had been a while since he’d been guided. The strange thing was that even though Nani was mentioned, the brute didn’t say anything. Wasn’t he trying to persuade Won-woo using Nani?

“If you can’t fix Nani, I wish you could at least keep the records of our conversations. In case it starts working again.”

“Did you like Nani that much?”

“I was grateful that it listened to me a lot.”

Just for that? Sang-cheon asked with a face that showed he didn’t understand.

“Nani wouldn’t be suitable as a conversation partner, would it? It’s not even ki-… friendly.”

[How friendly am I?]

Along with Gye Yoon’s fierce complaint, Won-woo’s retort was heard.

“You’re right, it’s not friendly.”

Sang-cheon unconsciously glanced at the wall again. A very small mutter was heard.

[Ah, shit.]

“Ahem!”

Though there was no way the curse could be heard, Sang-cheon deliberately coughed loudly and asked nonchalantly.

“Even though it wasn’t friendly, you enjoyed the conversation?”

“Yes. So even though I know it’s not human, my heart felt heavy when I heard it was sick.”

Sang-cheon felt even heavier knowing it was human. Barely resisting the urge to look at the wall, he sighed.

“I wish I could hold Nani’s hand and help somehow…”

[I don’t want that.]

Sang-cheon was upset but forced a smile, conscious of Won-woo.

“I found there was nothing I could do. Even if there was something I could do, I didn’t want to do it, and… ahem.”

[Ha.]

Gye Yoon’s incredulous laugh was heard, but Sang-cheon ignored it and asked Won-woo.

“If you’re disappointed that Nani is disappearing, um, how about talking to someone similar?”

“…”

“No, I’m not talking about anyone specific, so don’t misunderstand! I’m absolutely not trying to introduce G-Gye Yoon!”

Won-woo nodded with a smile.

“I know what you mean, Mr. Hwang. I just thought it was interesting because Nani said something similar.”

“Nani told you to meet Gye Yoon?!”

“If it disappeared.”

“Oh my, ha, really. I’m sorry. I’ll go right now with the contract…”

“Contract?”

Sang-cheon forced a smile on his frozen face again.

“The, the server company contract. Haha, there’s no way there could be another contract, right? Anyway, you don’t have to meet Gye Yoon. No matter how pitiful and unfortunate the situation is, move according to how you feel, Won-woo-nim.”

“That’s interesting.”

“What is?”

“Like Seona earlier, you also easily attach the word ‘pitiful’ to an S-ranks Esper. The Gye family in the North is in such a great position that people wouldn’t dare to mention them casually.”

As he spoke, Won-woo suddenly realized what Ji Geun-oh had done to the Gye family. And he wondered.

“Why did Ji Geun-oh try to destroy the Gye family?”

“No, he didn’t try to destroy them, the Gye family had some, um, issues with the Guides. So Mr. Ji Geun-oh stood up as a representative of the guides to confront them.”

Sang-cheon glanced at the wall while explaining, but Won-woo’s response was heard.

“No. Ji Geun-oh isn’t the type to stand up for others. He must have deliberately plotted something.”

Speaking so coldly about his own father left Sang-cheon at a loss for words. It seemed the same for Gye Yoon. No sound came from the communicator. In the silence, Won-woo muttered another question.

“Why was it the Gye family?”

Unable to interrupt his thoughts, Sang-cheon stood still like a doll as a dry voice reached his ears.

[Ji Geun-oh’s son is telling us something no one asked about.]

But Won-woo’s interest ended there. He raised his eyes and smiled at Sang-cheon.

“It’s not my business, I suppose. I don’t want to get involved with the Gye family or the Ji family in the future.”

It felt like he was putting a period at the end, so Sang-cheon couldn’t bring himself to ask about Gye Yoon one more time. No sound came from the communicator Sang-cheon was wearing.

***

“Lost him again?”

[I’m sorry.]

Chief Jung’s apology sounded similar to before. Gye Yoon’s situation wasn’t much different either. Tonight, he was watching near Won-woo’s burned-down lodgings, but it was in vain. For several nights now, Won-woo had been disappearing like a ghost when night fell.

His lodgings had burned down, so he should have nowhere to stay, but it was impossible to know where he was sleeping. When Gye Yoon had communicated as Nani, he noticed that the space Won-woo was staying in was an empty building, but that was the only clue. So they had to follow him when he left the Center.

The problem was that if the pursuing Esper used their power, Won-woo would sense it like a ghost and look back. Because of this, the Espers following Won-woo found it difficult to use their abilities. They had to rely solely on people physically following him on foot, but they kept losing him.

Damn it. He shouldn’t have just slept it off with the drugs. He should have chased after him. Gye Yoon regretted it, but he knew very well that he could barely function right now thanks to the drugs. The pain that was tearing through his head again was tormenting him.

The persistent pain was familiar, but it made his nerves sensitive and made it hard to think properly. But now he needed to focus on Ji Won-woo. So he needed time to sleep as if losing consciousness by using strong drugs. Only then could he keep his mind straight for the rest of the time.

[We’re searching mainly empty buildings since you said Ji Won-woo seems to be staying in them, but the east isn’t our territory, so it’s taking time to search.]

Chief Jung explained, hesitating for a moment before asking.

[Is it difficult for you to contact him again, Vice Head?]

He understood Chief Jung’s implied request to find more clues, but Gye Yoon didn’t answer. He just didn’t want to contact him as Nani. Even though Won-woo liked Nani so much, he should have used it as bait to recruit him, but he just didn’t want to.

He didn’t want to call him Nani affectionately, and he didn’t want to hear words of comfort that he would save him. What he hated the most was the fact that he was jealous of Nani. Jealous of himself pretending to be a machine, not even human. It was truly laughable.

[Vice Head?]

“He’ll come here.”

Gye Yoon looked at the lodging building where the fire had been completely extinguished after the incident.

[Do you have any ideas why?]

Of course, he did. Won-woo still hadn’t caught the stalker pervert. That stalker would surely come back to this empty house where Won-woo’s belongings remained. Which meant Won-woo would come too. The way he shook off pursuers and the way he searched his house interior was like a highly trained agent. Like a hunter moving quietly in the forest.

So Won-woo wouldn’t miss this opportunity. That’s why Gye Yoon planned to wait all night until tomorrow morning if necessary. But before midnight, a faint light leaked from inside Won-woo’s lodgings.

***

“I was thinking of coming to take out all my stuff on Saturday evening.”

Unable to resist the words Won-woo had said at the office, he had entered this house again. After all, this house had been a playground that satisfied his desires several times. How regrettable that it would to disappear? Especially in a situation where he didn’t know where Won-woo would move to.

So he thought he’d look at Won-woo’s belongings one last time, even in this messy house. It would be nice to take one of his things as a souvenir too. So as soon as he entered the house, he turned on a small flashlight. That’s when it happened. As he leisurely swept the familiar interior with the flashlight, a person was caught in the middle of the passing light.

Gasp!

As he stepped back in surprise, a voice filled with contempt was heard.

“You’re completely addicted to your perversion.”

Won-woo took a step forward, twisting his lips as he looked at the other person.

“You were the most likely suspect from the start with your teleportation ability, but to think it was really you. It’s too obvious, isn’t it? Don’t you agree, Head Team 3 Park Woo-rim?”

Won-woo accurately illuminated the face of Park Woo-rim, an Esper from the same team, with the flashlight in his hand. Woo-rim instantly raised his hand to cover his face while tightly clenching his other fist. It was the starting motion for using his power. That way, he could disappear from this place in an instant. However, nothing changed even as time passed. It was the same even after he clenched his fist several times to use his power.

Hesitation. Only then did Park Woo-rim lower the hand covering his face and clench his fist again. It was the same this time too. He was still inside Won-woo’s lodgings. Why? Confusion turned into a big question that overwhelmed Woo-rim. Won-woo’s cold mockery pierced through that weight.

“What are you doing? Not running away with that great ability of yours?”

***

While ‘firsts’ of anything tend to remain as the most intense memories, first love might be the most difficult memory to forget. Perhaps that’s why, at a social gathering where many famous Esper families participated, Yoo Geon-young felt sympathy rather than disgust when he saw someone with reddened eyes from drinking.

“Haa, I’m really… I’m really an idiot, hyung. How ridiculous must Ji Won-woo have thought I was?”

Idan was still blaming himself, ruminating on what happened a few days ago. Yoo Geon-young took away the glass in Idan’s hand as if snatching it and comforted him.

“Don’t worry. Won-woo doesn’t think anything of it. That guy doesn’t care about others.”

Yoo Geon-young had repeated this several times, but Idan didn’t believe it.

“But even though I said that at the kimbap shop? I openly asked what kind of relationship he had with Seung-wook hyung. And you’re saying he doesn’t care about me?”

At Idan’s slightly raised voice, Geon-young glanced around. Fortunately, where the two were sitting was in a corner, and everyone was gathered in front as the event host was about to give a speech soon.

“Yeah. He doesn’t care. Won-woo doesn’t care about you or Seung-wook. Shit, he doesn’t even care about me, so what…”

At his words, Idan raised his blurred eyes.

“You’re just his superior, so he doesn’t need to care about you.”

“Hey, I’m not just some superior. I…”

Yoo Geon-young was about to argue but frowned and forcibly made up a reason.

“Won-woo was a troublemaker no one wanted to take on. I forcibly took on that bomb and kept him for over a year. But after losing his memory, shit, he doesn’t even know gratitude and has become so rude, you have no idea.”

After saying this, Geon-young let out a hollow laugh and added, as if dumbfounded.

“And before, he couldn’t even look me in the eye properly. But now he looks me straight in the eye when he talks, and sometimes even sneers? At first, I couldn’t adjust because he seemed like a different person…”

“Who seems like such a different person?”

Yoo Geon-young’s expression froze at the sudden interjection of a swaggering voice. Turning his head, he saw Ji Seong-hyeon approaching with a glass of alcohol in hand. His purple suit was as eye catching as his dyed blonde hair, like a flamboyant peacock.

“Geon-young, it’s been a while.”

“Yes, it’s been a while, Mr. Ji Seong-hyeon.”

When Yoo Geon-young used formal speech as if drawing a line, Ji Seong-hyeon burst into laughter. His wide mouth made his laugh seem refreshing, but perhaps due to his expression, he also looked like a villain laughing. Yoo Geon-young automatically thought of Ji Seong-hyeon’s brother with a similar face. Won-woo’s smile was like a spring breeze.

“Just call me hyung comfortably like in the old days. What’s with the ‘Mr.’? It’s awkward between us.”

“We’re not that close.”

For a moment, the smile disappeared from Ji Seong-hyeon’s face. The old Yoo Geon-young would have laughed and agreed without hesitation to someone from the Ji family who possessed an Alpha seed, but now he wasn’t in the mood.

He had heard that Hong Eun-tae, who had awakened, had completely lost her ability. The Ji family was only saying that it wasn’t a problem with the Alpha seed, but everyone who knew anything knew that Hong Eun-tae had been working with Ji Geun-oh for a long time. Of course, she would have received Alpha seeds in return.

“Ah, it seems Geon-young has some grudge against me. If you do, just say it comfortably. Hmm?”

Ji Seong-hyeon turned away with a smile, but as soon as he turned his back, his expression changed completely. Many people at this gathering today, like Yoo Geon-young, had received Alpha seeds from the Ji family. They were all people who, until very recently, would have bowed their heads first and acted as if they would lick his shoes if he just approached. But now some, like Yoo Geon-young, looked at him with wary eyes as if they had suddenly changed their minds.

The Ji family had stated that there was no problem with the Alpha seeds, but they were still being doubted due to rumors that Hong Eun-tae had completely lost her ability after awakening. Ji Seong-hyeon gritted his teeth and walked quickly through the crowd. Ungrateful little bastards.

Since the emergence of Alpha seeds, he had always been able to keep those arrogant Espers under his feet. So he was very uncomfortable with even these wary glances, not being used to them. If this hadn’t been an event arranged by his father, he would have left immediately. Instead, he went to find his older brother Ji Dong-hyeon to vent his frustrations.

“Hyung, hasn’t the Hong Eun-tae problem been dealt with yet?”

Ji Dong-hyeon, who was discussing event issues with an employee, glanced briefly at his younger brother. Only after finishing his conversation did he throw out a word.

“Watch your mouth.”

What’s the problem when no one’s listening? In the past, people wouldn’t have left him alone for even a second, but today not many people were stopping him. Even this idleness hurt his pride.

“We’ve gathered today for the Women’s Association vote. Don’t bring up the Alpha seed issue.”

Ji Dong-hyeon pulled Seong-hyeon to one side and warned him coldly before pushing him towards the guests.

“Go and smile hard. That’s your job.”

“Fuck, who’s going to receive my smile?”

“Don’t whine, you brat. Can’t you just endure until next week?”

Is it really just until next week? Are we sure to win the vote? Seong-hyeon was about to ask but swallowed his words seeing his older brother’s expression. Then, as he was about to go where the guests were as his older brother said, he turned back as if he had remembered something.

“By the way, didn’t you say you called Yoo Geon-young and asked?”

“About what?”

“That Won-woo bastard. What did Yoo Geon-young say?”

Ji Dong-hyeon answered nonchalantly as he turned towards the secretary who had come to call him.

“He said it’s the same.”

With that, Dong-hyeon disappeared, but Seong-hyeon frowned and tilted his head. The same? That’s strange. Didn’t what Yoo Geon-young said earlier seem to be about Won-woo?

***

Park Woo-rim almost swallowed hard, feeling that the sound of his heart was too loud. Why, why couldn’t he use his power? He tried to use his ability several times, clenching his fist tightly even as he heard the other’s mockery. But the result was the same.

“You… What have you done?”

An unbelievable question burst from Park Woo-rim’s mouth. To be unable to do something as easy as breathing. Of course, there had to be a reason. However, the other looked at him with emotionless eyes and asked back instead.

“What have I done? Aren’t you the one who shamelessly stayed in someone else’s house without running away?”

“No, I…”

I just can’t use my ability. Park Woo-rim swallowed the excuse that was about to come out. He had already shown a surprised reaction, but he didn’t want to let the other know that his ability had disappeared. As his pride resurfaced, he belatedly remembered the identity of the other person. Right, Won-woo is just a Guide. A weak Guide who normally doesn’t lift a finger.

As he regained his composure, Park Woo-rim deliberately aimed the flashlight at Won-woo’s face. When Won-woo slightly frowned, he even felt laughter rising inside. See, there’s nothing to be flustered about. Why his ability had disappeared was a problem for later. Now he had to get out of this situation first.

“Why should I run away?”

He came out brazenly, but Won-woo didn’t even frown. This kind of reaction from a pervert was very familiar.

“Because you invaded my house as you pleased. Was it fun coming in and out of my house with that great teleportation ability of yours?”

“Was it fun, you ask? Haha, this is crazy. You knew everything, didn’t you?”

“I’m asking because I don’t know. How long have you been doing this?”

The calm question seemed amusing, and Park Woo-rim couldn’t wipe the smile off his face. At first, he was just flustered about being caught, but actually facing Won-woo and talking wasn’t bad. No, it was even a bit thrilling to the point of forgetting for a moment that his ability had disappeared.

“It’s been a few months. Since you broke up with Hong Seung-wook.”

“Why did you think to sneak into my house from that time?”

“Why? I was curious how great you must be to have been with Hong Seung-wook.”

This is why hierarchy and ability-based systems are problematic. Won-woo inwardly clicked his tongue. Espers ranked by grade blindly tried to emulate those of higher ranks, yearning for them.

“So, after coming into my empty house and looking around, did your curiosity get satisfied?”

“Well,” PArk Woo-rim muttered, scanning Won-woo up and down with the light. “Honestly, it was thrilling to roam around an owner-less house… but not as much as facing you in person now. I wish we’d talked like this earlier, it’s a shame. How about you?”

“Me what?”

“You knew I was coming and going, didn’t you get excited too?”

“No. At first I was disgusted, but that’s all. I’m not curious about you, nor am I interested.”

At Won-woo’s words, the smile briefly disappeared from Park Woo-rim’s face. And he frowned at Won-woo’s following question.

“So you’re saying you were so thrilled just walking around my empty house that you masturbated and ejaculated in my house?”

“…”

“There’s no need to be shy now that you’ve been completely exposed. Answer.”

“Ha, Won-woo, why have you changed so mu—”

“Just answer whether you ejaculated in my house or not.”

At the firm question, Woo-rim felt something was off but still raised his chin, pretending to be at ease.

“Yeah. How did you know that?”

“There was a disgusting smell in the bathroom.”

Won-woo’s words actually made Woo-rim feel good. He shrugged his shoulders with a small laugh, then waved the flashlight as if pointing at Won-woo again.

“You got excited by my smell, didn’t you?”

Satisfaction showed in Woo-rim’s eyes, but Won-woo stared indifferently as if looking at an object. And he only said what he had to say.

“Let me ask one more thing. I’m not your first, am I?”

“Don’t worry. Still, you’re the one I’ve followed the longest.”

“What’s there to worry about.”

Won-woo muttered as he took out his phone from his pocket and pressed something. Only then did Woo-rim ask warily.

“What’s that?”

“What else, I recorded your confession.”

“…”

“That’s enough, you can go now.”

As Won-woo put his phone back and gestured for him to leave, Woo-rim’s face contorted.

“Ha, fuck, Won-woo, you’re pulling this kind of trick? Hey, give it here.”

As Woo-rim took a threatening step forward, Won-woo opened his mouth.

“Try to take it if you can. I’m curious how skilled you are…”

Won-woo, who had been speaking business likely, suddenly stopped and turned his head sharply towards the window. Unlike when dealing with ParkWoo-rim, his eyes shone fiercely. Then he muttered quietly.

“…Who’s using their power in this direction?”

Gye Yoon almost let out an incredulous laugh. Who’s using their power in this direction? The moment he heard Won-woo’s words, he immediately withdrew the power he had been focusing to observe the situation inside. It wasn’t even a great power. It was just enough to eavesdrop on sounds and situations. Until now, he had never been caught by anyone else while using this level of power.

But Won-woo sensed it again like a ghost and even turned his head in Gye Yoon’s direction. From his unique guiding to his ability to detect Esper powers. It was so surprising that one might suspect he was a new kind of human.

But now wasn’t the time to just admire. As much as he wanted to jump in there right away and bury that pervert in the ground, from listening to the conversation, it seemed Won-woo wanted to deal with him directly. If he intervened thoughtlessly here, he’d obviously lose points.

But he couldn’t leave the two of them alone in an unseen place either. If he couldn’t use his ability to watch the situation, the only option was to draw the two of them out into a visible place. Gye Yoon stood leisurely facing the dark lodging building and slightly raised his head.