DB Vol 6 Part 7

Yoon-im’s chosen method to unravel the complex maze in her head was a strike. She made excuses to others that she was sick to hole up in her room. To avoid being caught faking, she even deliberately ate poisonous herbs to induce vomiting for a few days. The herbs were originally kept in case her husband ever tried to recklessly interfere with household matters.

He was incompetent and easy to handle, but occasionally when he became stubborn, no one could stop him. Of course, she had already used it on her husband once. Thanks to that, she used the little she had left this time on herself.

Even while suffering from stomach pain for days, Yoon-im’s mind kept turning. Once she started doubting, everything about herself seemed strange. Her life felt like it was all fake.

She herself had thoroughly used those around her more than anyone else to gain power. She just kept looking up and climbing. But how could all of this be fake? How could this life, lived more fiercely than anyone else’s, be fake? For days, doubt and rebuttal kept flipping back and forth.

Yoon-im thought she might go crazy if she couldn’t shake off these doubts. And she went over everything that had happened since coming to the Yang family one by one.

There had been many incidents, but none that could have brainwashed and deceived her. Yoon-im had been involved in everything, and had directly handled many incidents. What could it be? As she recalled Yang Cheon-hyo’s clicking fingernails, there was a sound from the door that had been quiet all day.

Knock knock.

With the knock, the secretary came in and habitually poured out reports. Content that she would have engraved in her memory without missing a single detail before, she now listened to halfheartedly. It was about some Hong family Espers still staying on Yang family land being attacked. Yoon-im just gave basic countermeasures and turned to lie down. The secretary hesitated, then asked Yoon-im again.

“There are quite a few Espers who have negative feelings towards Chairman Yang Cheon-hyo due to the death of the Vice Head this time. They’re poking around various places saying they’ll investigate the truth. What should we do?”

“What do you mean what? Should we punish them?”

“Shouldn’t we, since they moved recklessly without orders?”

“We would normally, but isn’t there a war coming soon?”

Yoon-im was a bit annoyed that she had to explain even these trivial things. The Yang family had the disadvantage of not having many wise strategists because they prioritized only the abilities of espers. So when Yoon-im came to the Yang family, she thought: What reason is there that I can’t rise above these Espers who are only strong but stupid?

While staying with the Yang family, this thought became more and more firm, never once considering it impossible. So this ambition at least wasn’t brainwashing. Yoon-im felt pathetic for censoring herself by thinking about brainwashing even at this moment. Not wanting to speak anymore, she gestured to the secretary as if telling her to leave, but the secretary added as if remembering,

“The Chairman said he’ll hold a simple Vice Head inauguration ceremony before the war. He said you must attend as it’s a family-only gathering.”

After the secretary left, Yoon-im burst into a hollow laugh. Inauguration ceremony? At a time like this? She was disgusted by Yang Cheon-hyo’s stupid antics. Although Yang Cheon-hyo had clearly seized power in the Yang family with surprising information and ability, Yoon-im believed it would have been impossible without herself.

This incident was the same. Just to get a Guide, there was no need to listen just because her father begged to save his life. If it were Yoon-im, she would have coldly cut it off and not sent people to protect the secret laboratory. But Yang Cheon-hyo sent people to the secret laboratory even using his last card, and ended up losing important military strength.

Well, the other side can’t say they gained nothing since the Family Head Hong died, but the Hong family wasn’t even an enemy to begin with. While the real enemy is in the North, eliminating the Family Head Hong and turning even the Hong family into complete enemies. Yang Cheon-hyo and her father were so cunning for their greed that it was tongue-in-cheek, but thanks to that selfishness, they made incredibly stupid decisions on important matters.

Yet an inauguration ceremony gathering the whole family? Yoon-im burst into another hollow laugh and closed her eyes, then suddenly opened them again as if electrocuted. Something shocking had come to mind, making her eyelids tremble wide open.

Family. This one word pulled at numerous clues as if it were the end of a tangled thread. She had family other than her husband. A child she had no affection for, but would use as a means to get her hands on the Yang family in the future. And Yang Cheon-hyo always said,

‘This is all for you. You know that, right? I’m going to pass down the Yang family to your son, who has Ji’s blood mixed in.’

Whenever he said those words, Yang Cheon-hyo was always clicking his fingernails together.

*

“Hahahahaha!! How hilarious were those two guys’ expressions! I should have taken a picture of those faces!!”

Seona laughed loudly as if to show off how healthy her teeth were, and if that wasn’t enough, she slammed down her shot glass on the table with a bang after downing it in one go. Then she laughed again.

“Did you see Hong Seung-wook’s face when Yoo Geon-young was smashed into the wall like a crumpled can? He twitched his hand trying to save him, being his friend and all. Hahahahaha, but what’s the use? Yoo Geon-young was already rolling on the ground like a rag that’s been filthy for 100 years! Ahahahaha!”

Although there were only six tables in the small bar and only Seona, Won-woo, and Gye Yoon as customers, her laughter filled the interior a hundredfold. Won-woo, holding the soft drink he received instead of alcohol, tried to recall if she had ever laughed like this in the past.

No, definitely not. Wasn’t she the type who would just say “good job” indifferently and leave even after winning a difficult fight? But now she’s so happy just because her former colleagues’ expressions were terrible, not even because she defeated enemies.

“I understand you’ve been through a lot with Yoo Geon-young, but did Hong Seung-wook treat you badly too?”

“I almost died because of that bastard in the village where we went to stop the monster. But that’s not the problem.”

At Won-woo’s question, Seona slammed down her shot glass with a clack, as if an unpleasant memory had surfaced.

“That bastard dared to strangle you, Won-woo-nim.”

Ah, right. We met Hong Seung-wook at the entrance of the village we were guarding to stop the monster, and that happened. Because I let my guard down then…

Clack!

This time, the sound of the shot glass came not from Seona across the table, but from right beside him. The half-full clear liquor rippled like waves in the small shot glass. However, Gye Yoon asked expressionlessly, looking down at the glass,

“Should I kill that bastard right now?”

“No.”

The firm answer came from Seona across the table.

“If he dies right away, we won’t be able to see those two writhing in jealousy and envy in the future. We absolutely can’t kill him now. At the very least, those two need to know how great Won-woo-nim is. Only after that should we let them struggle like upturned cockroaches before closing their eyes.”

Seona clenched her fist in strong opposition, her eyes blazing. Gye Yoon seemed to think for a moment, then nodded as if he found it reasonable. And as if vowing revenge postponed, he picked up his shot glass and emptied it in one gulp. Only Won-woo, the sole sane person, carefully asked Seona,

“Now that they know I’m dating Gye Yoon-ssi, wouldn’t they sort out any remaining feelings? There shouldn’t be any jealousy or envy. Rather, they’d be more angry if they knew we’re drinking like this instead of working right now.”

Although orders had come down to catch the Yang family Espers remaining on Hong family land, the three had immediately come to Seona’s regular bar. It was because of Seona’s suggestion.

‘Why should the Vice Head of the Gye family move for such trivial work? Let’s just hang out and go back.’

Having experienced countless instances of negligence from those in power, Seona knew better than anyone how to slack off. Not only that, but she was also excellent at predicting emotions, limited to people she disliked.

“Sort out their feelings? Ha, not a chance. When something you could have had completely passes into someone else’s hands, it’s natural to become even more desperate. I guarantee you. All the Espers from the East Center who’ve had their eyes on you, Won-woo-nim, will be seething with jealousy just seeing you standing with Gye Yoon-ssi. But that’s not enough. We need to stress them out to the point where the East Center Espers suffer from collective hair loss and gastroenteritis from suppressing their jealousy! So, what should we do?”

At the sudden question, Won-woo rolled his eyes a few times.

“Um… curse?”

It seems that wasn’t the right answer. The expression disappeared completely from Seona’s face. Won-woo, who had always been first in life, swallowed in embarrassment. Fortunately, there was someone here who was on the same wavelength as Seona. Gye Yoon gave a short, strong answer.

“Kiss.”

Yes, you get it. Seona nodded, pointing at Gye Yoon. Unlike the shocked Won-woo, Gye Yoon’s eyes were filled with arrogant satisfaction.

“That’s it. Wait, I’ll order some spicy chicken feet.”

Seona jumped up from her seat, saying she’d order more side dishes as a reward. Won-woo briefly suspected she might be drunk on a bottle of soju, but she was just drunk on the thought of messing with the East Center. While this living proof of why workplace bullying should be eliminated went excitedly to get chicken feet, Won-woo heard a slow question.

“Don’t you like it?”

What? Ah… the kiss. Was it because Seona was gone? He suddenly became conscious of Gye Yoon. Not wanting to show this awkwardness, Won-woo replied gruffly.

“I just don’t think we need to go that far.”

“But you don’t dislike it?”

Won-woo, who had deliberately avoided answering, tried to reply nonchalantly.

“A kiss is no big deal, right?”

“Whether it’s a big deal or not, if you don’t like it, we won’t do it.”

The content sounded caring at first, but it wasn’t intended to be considerate. The direct gaze and the force in his voice seemed like deliberately setting a trap to hear the desired answer. So Won-woo momentarily wanted to answer that he disliked it, curious about his reaction. But Gye Yoon, who had been watching Won-woo, slowly curved his lips and spoke first.

“I’d prefer it if you said you disliked it.”

“Why?”

“It’s an opportunity to stick close until I hear the answer that you want a kiss.”

Won-woo had had a similar conversation before and received a similar answer. He felt a small chill, just like then. Those words saying he would catch him even if he refused or disliked it stirred him more than a confession of love. This reassurance was always sweet, so Won-woo didn’t give him the answer he wanted this time either.

“What if I really come to dislike you from all that clinginess?”

His eyes turned cold, but his smile deepened.

“I’ll just hold on tighter. I can court you for a lifetime, after all.”

“Then I guess I’ll have to run away hard.”

A laugh mixed into Gye Yoon’s cold eyes. His voice cracked, as if excited by the thought of catching the fleeing Won-woo.

“Don’t. If I catch you, I might just pull out my cock and shove it into you right there.”

Far from being offended by this crude statement, Won-woo felt slightly aroused. I must be crazy. Won-woo asked casually while drinking his soft drink.

“Even if I dislike it?”

“Yeah. Even if you dislike it.”

Ha, Won-woo let out an incredulous laugh as Seona returned and sat down, bringing up the topic they had left off.

“It’s not just about kissing.”

What? Won-woo was confused for a moment before recalling Seona’s plan to turn the East Center people inside out. Surely she doesn’t mean to actually do it? As Won-woo was doubting, he heard Seona’s strong voice.

“That’s not enough. Gye Yoon, you need to embrace Won-woo-nim more passionately, touch his hands whenever you get the chance, and fiddle with them.”

Gye Yoon nodded with force in his eyes at Seona’s advice.

“Anything else?”

“Of course. Do you know what pisses people off the most about office couples?”

As Seona lowered her voice, Gye Yoon leaned forward, focusing on her.

“What is it?”

“It’s whispering. When everyone’s gathered for a meeting and they’re whispering and giggling among themselves, it really ruins the team atmosphere. It can’t get any worse than that.”

Ah, whispering. Gye Yoon picked up another tip. But there were countless tips to pick up in the future. Seona was expert level knowledgeable about the vanguard of office couple annoyances from her long team life. Won-woo, who rarely drank alcohol, now wanted a drink. When did those two get so close, anyway?

The Vice Head of the Gye family had arrived. Although surprising forces had come from the North, what caught people’s attention more than this news was his lover. No matter how close the war was, it was inevitable that dating gossip would spread like wildfire.

Especially since that lover was Ji Won-woo. As if he had heard the news too, Seung-wook had been called to the main house since morning and was on his way out after reporting the presence of Gye Yoon, whom he had seen directly.

‘Gye Yoon came in person? Well, the Gye family wouldn’t have sent just ten people pettily, but… Of all times, when our only S-rank, Father, has passed away… for the Gye family’s S-rank to come.’

Seung-wook understood the Vice Head’s uneasiness. If the Family Head Hong were alive, they wouldn’t have felt anxious no matter how much Gye Yoon acted up here. But now there was no one to stop him. In the situation facing war with the Yang family, they couldn’t all jump on him to restrain him.

‘The Yang family head is still alive, so if we had an S-rank too, it would be perfect… but we can’t completely trust the North. Damn, the Gye family is really not to be underestimated.’

The Vice Head grimaced and swore. Seung-wook agreed with this thought too. What the Hong family wanted was probably moderate help, but the North had given overwhelming assistance by sending Gye Yoon. It would be difficult to refuse whatever the Gye family might demand in return for this help in the future. No, even if they made demands rather than requests.

‘Team Leader Hong, keep a close eye on Gye Yoon.’

As he became the ruler of the Hong family, an unprecedented intimidation settled in the Vice Head’s eyes.

‘Whatever ulterior motives the Gye family has, we can use it to our advantage.’

‘How do you mean?’

‘When war breaks out, we need to draw Gye Yoon into the fight as much as possible. And if we can eliminate him along with the Yang family when they fall, nothing could be better.’

So watch carefully and report. The Vice Head emphasized once more to Seung-wook, then patted his shoulder and smiled.

‘I can’t tell you how reassuring it is to have talent like you in our Hong family.’

Despite the Vice Head’s praise, Seung-wook didn’t utter words of gratitude. Just as he was scheming to use Gye Yoon as a chess piece, Seung-wook was nothing more than a disposable pawn to him.

But whether or not the Vice Head ordered it, Seung-wook intended to keep a close eye on Gye Yoon anyway. And as soon as he came to the team room, he heard about the achievements of the reinforcements that had arrived from the North yesterday.

“Gye Yoon didn’t do anything. They say he just went on a date, walking around the city with Ji Won-woo by his side. Hah, seriously.”

One team member reported with a mix of complaints. Seung-wook inwardly scoffed, recalling the Hong Vice Head who had been thinking hard. Drawing Gye Yoon into the fight to use him thoroughly? Would he really move if war broke out?

But Seung-wook wasn’t very concerned about this issue. Regardless of whether the Vice Head or the Gye family schemed more, for now, only one word from the team member’s report stuck in his mind.

“…You say the two of them went on a date?”

“Yes. It’s not just one or two people who saw them. Of course, Gye Yoon was wearing a hood so most people didn’t know who he was, but Ji Won-woo has become famous, hasn’t he? It seems like they came here not for support, but just to play around. Damn, we’re right before a life or death battle. F*ck, this love game…”

The team member’s complaint was cut off, swallowed mid-sentence. Not just him, but everyone in the large team office was looking at one place. Seung-wook turned his head and clenched his jaw when he saw the person standing at the entrance. A tall man wearing a hood stood at the entrance.

“Vice Head Gye.”

Seung-wook stepped forward, but Gye Yoon ignored him and scanned the interior. Those who met his gaze unconsciously flinched and lowered their eyes. Even though Gye Yoon hadn’t used any power, they felt chills as if facing a predator. Seung-wook, wary that he might harm the team member for overhearing his words, gestured for the team member to step back.

“What brings you here?”

“Get out.”

“Pardon?”

Seung-wook asked again, but Gye Yoon, without looking at him, dryly ordered everyone:

“I like this place for my office. So everyone, get lost.”

The dumbfounded occupants realized a moment later. Ah, this guy’s nickname was ‘the Brute’, wasn’t it?

The news that the Yang family Espers remaining in the east had started to be captured quickly reached the Yang family. Yoon-im, who had been hands off with Yang family affairs for days under the pretense of being sick, felt irritation rise as soon as she received the backlog of reports in her office. The last piece of news was the worst.

“We sent the Alpha team, who happened to be near the Hong family’s border, to rescue your brother. Your brother, not being an Esper, wasn’t affected by the Hong family’s surprise attack last night, but he’s understood to be confined in the dormitory as a detention target. However, the Alpha team has arrived and is quickly rescuing and moving him. Though, with the teleportation portal blocked, they’re still stuck in the east for now.”

There were several blood pressure raising items in this short report.

“Which idiot ordered to rescue my brother, haa… Who gave the order?”

When she asked, barely containing her anger, the secretary mentioned several names. They were all high-ranking commanders who had participated in the family head meeting. It seems Yang Cheon-hyo’s brainwashing had worked quite well. Still insisting on rescuing the Guide one and doing such useless things.

And they sent the Alpha team? They were the elite unit that used to guard the Yang family head. And they entered right into enemy territory for the sake of Seong-hyeon? To rescue that stupid bastard who only knows how to play with his dick?

“Did the Chairman approve this too?”

“He found out belatedly and was angry, but eventually accepted the advice that we need to rescue the Guide one.”

Hahaha, advice? Yoon-im almost laughed out loud. To think they were caught by the brainwashing he had set up. She should have seen that expression.

“Because of that, the Chairman has been looking for you several times.”

When Yoon-im said nothing and just checked the documents, the secretary carefully added,

“He even met with the doctor who treated you to personally check on your condition.”

“And?”

“Pardon?”

“And who else cared about my illness?”

The secretary hesitated and couldn’t answer. Yoon-im just curved her lips and snickered. How ridiculous is this? Neither her father who comes and goes here like his own house, nor her husband of over 9 years even showed interest in her illness.

Yet Yang Cheon-hyo, who had worked her like a servant, asked about her several times. Yoon-im was bothered by one word in her own thoughts. Worked. It was the word defining her usefulness. When she came to the Yang family, her father had said,

‘You’re not particularly good-looking, nor do you have a smile that can captivate Espers. The only thing you can do with that somewhat useful brain of yours is one thing. Go and help Yang Cheon-hyo. You need to be useful to Yang Cheon-hyo. Only then will Yang Cheon-hyo side with me, with our Ji family.’

In the past, her father’s words that didn’t properly recognize her abilities had stabbed her heart like an awl, but thinking about it now, it wasn’t wrong. With her somewhat useful brain, she was just being used by Yang Cheon-hyo, crawling like a dog. Not only that, she might have been thoroughly ridiculed like a fool by the entire Yang family, whom she had considered family for 9 years.

“Oh, and the Cha family head came looking for you twice.”

Yoon-im slowly raised her head. The Cha family head. He was like a long-serving vassal to the Yang family, similar to the Oh family. However, the Cha family’s role wasn’t significant. They mainly took care of the tedious tasks that the Yang family found bothersome. But the tight-lipped Cha family head had never once complained. He didn’t even mind protecting Yoon-im’s child in a safe house for 9 years.

“Why did he come?”

“He came regarding your son, madam. He said he wanted to check on the attire for your son, who will be attending the Chairman’s Vice Head inauguration ceremony.”

Ah, clothes. Yoon-im held back another laugh. She had a child but had entrusted him to others, only meeting him briefly when he needed to make an appearance like this.

The most important thing she did for her child was merely checking if his clothes were appropriate for the occasion. That was all. Yet, for all that time, she firmly believed he was her flesh and blood, convinced that one day she would grasp power through him and pass everything on to him.

Recalling this commitment now felt strange. Why hadn’t she found it odd all this time? She had just thought she lacked maternal love and didn’t feel much attachment to the child. That’s why she made excuses to herself for not raising him directly or visiting to see his face.

Yet, she was filled with the idea that she must pass everything on to him unconditionally because he was her child. Because he was the child she gave birth to. But as doubt sprouted that this might be a lie, the gap widened uncontrollably like a valley.

Doubt. Could this have been the key to breaking the brainwashing? Then another question arose. Why hadn’t she doubted before? And she realized. There was no one in the Yang family to plant the seed of ‘doubt’. Everyone had treated that child as if he were truly Yoon-im’s son.

…Everyone?

Suddenly, a chill ran through Yoon-im’s body like a shudder.

“When the Cha family head comes again, bring him to me.”

“But your husband has already handled that matter.”

Yoon-im’s hand, about to turn a page, stopped again. She stared at the document as if glaring at it for a long time, then slowly asked a question.

“Is it still… the Cha family head’s daughter who’s taking care of my child?”

“Yes.”

Hearing the secretary’s brief answer, Yoon-im slowly raised her eyes. She didn’t miss the flustered tremor in that short response. Yoon-im fixed the secretary with a sharp gaze. But a gentle voice flowed between her parted lips.

“I’m always grateful to the Cha family head’s daughter. To think she’s raising my child without even getting married.”

The secretary turned away, flustered, and a murderous intent spread in Yoon-im’s eyes. This bastard was deceiving me too.

Just half a day. Gye Yoon had only stayed at the East Center for half a day, but he had spread enough gossip to last a year. The East Center Espers not only suddenly lost the main Team 2 office but had to give up the entire floor to the Gye family Espers. The reason was simple.

‘It’s cramped.’

That floor he called cramped was originally used by over 100 people. However, despite the ridiculous reason, no one could stop him. Even if not for his position as the Gye family’s Vice Head, he was S-rank Esper. The Espers, who thoroughly divided people by ability, couldn’t entirely disagree with Gye Yoon’s unreasonable demands, no matter how annoying they found them.

Those of higher ranks had always easily achieved what they wanted like this. But the A-rank Espers, perhaps because they had never experienced such unfair treatment, showed considerable resistance. Some even suggested sending them back to the North, but one person objected.

“We need to create a clear justification before driving them out.”

The objector was Geon-young, who had been suddenly attacked by Gye Yoon. In a team leader meeting, he gritted his teeth and spat out the other’s name.

“I get that Gye Yoon bastard is S-rank, but that’s separate from his ability being good, right? Seeing how he doesn’t lift a finger, it must have been obvious in the North too. Just showing up for visible tasks to make a name for himself, that’s about it. So we need to expose that bastard’s incompetence here.”

Most agreed with Geon-young, but there was a problem.

“How can we expose anything when he’s not doing anything himself?”

Someone retorted, and Geon-young twisted his lips.

“We need to make him move. You know that person the Gye brute keeps by his side? We can use that person.”

“Ah, you mean Ji Won-woo, who Gye Yoon is supposedly head over heels for?”

The crooked smile on Geon-young’s face disappeared instantly. Instead, he frowned as if disliking the other’s words and asked back.

“What do you mean head over heels? It’s obviously just a temporary fling.”

Then, eyewitness accounts from today came from here and there. They were holding hands tightly. Gye Yoon couldn’t take his eyes off Won-woo. Gye Yoon kept hugging Won-woo from behind whenever he got the chance, and so on.

“Looking at Gye Yoon’s eyes, he’s completely fallen for him.”

Geon-young showed an irritated reaction to the other’s words.

“Ha, fuck, I’m telling you it’s not like that, why are you talking nonsense?”

“What? Yoo Geon-young, what do you know to talk to me like that? Did you hear from Gye Yoon? That he’s just going to play with Won-woo and throw him away?”

“You idiot, do I have to hear it to know? We all play with Guides and throw them away, why would he be any different? Huh?”

As the two started to stand up and fight, Seung-wook held Geon-young back and pulled him down. Then, as if summarizing the situation, he added an explanation to Geon-young’s opinion.

“Whatever else, we’ve received information that could draw in Won-woo now. If Won-woo steps up, of course Gye Yoon will too. Let’s wait and see what Gye Yoon does for now.”

Won-woo thought, as Seona had said, that Gye Yoon didn’t need to get involved in trivial matters. That meant he, who had come along as a lover, didn’t need to get involved either. So even though they were called in under the pretext of a meeting, he didn’t think anything special would happen. But then a familiar name came from Seung-wook’s mouth as he explained the situation.

“Ji Seong-hyeon, who was confined in the residence, has escaped. We’ve received information that an Alpha team sent by the Yang family is helping his escape. The East Center has designated him as the top priority target to be captured. Of course, we don’t need the North Center’s help to catch Ji Seong-hyeon and the Alpha team, but…”

Seung-wook’s gaze paused briefly on Won-woo as he explained. He wanted to see his reaction, but Won-woo was intently staring at the short report that had been distributed earlier. Why is he looking at it like that? It only listed the names of those to be captured and the estimated areas they had fled to.

Come to think of it, when entering the conference room, he was clutching that paper tightly enough to crumple it. Could he be shocked by his brother’s name? Even if they weren’t that close, he might feel strange about him becoming a fugitive. As he worried about Won-woo for a moment, he heard a whisper-like murmur.

“There are so many fucking bugs.”

It was Gye Yoon’s voice. He was sitting next to Won-woo with his arm draped over Won-woo’s chair. The problem was that this murmur seemed to be heard only by Seung-wook. As if whispering in his ear.

It wasn’t strange since Gye Yoon used sound, but the problem was the strange chill that spread through his body at that moment. As if his instincts had detected numerous enemies and raised goosebumps in alarm.

But Seung-wook deliberately ignored this feeling. He had rarely seen anyone stronger than himself in his life, so he still couldn’t accept that the person before him was stronger. Moreover, he couldn’t believe that he was occupying Won-woo’s side and showing off like that. He, too, agreed with his friend’s words. He’ll probably just play with him and discard him soon.

Ji Won-woo was someone anyone would like because of his background and looks. But until now, Won-woo had lived as if erasing his own existence, so he hadn’t received much attention. But now he was too noticeable.

Now all the Espers in the East Center look at him beside the S-rank. With intense curiosity. Seung-wook hated it unbearably. He stared at Gye Yoon for a moment as if glaring, then continued.

“Since Ji Seong-hyeon’s family is here, we’ll give you the opportunity to participate.”

Although he asked Gye Yoon, Seung-wook looked at Won-woo again. He still couldn’t take his eyes off the report. Instead, Seona, who had come with them, spoke up.

“Opportunity to chase a mere Guide? That’s not an appropriate word for the Gye Vice Head. Please correct it next time.”

Seona retorted dryly. If she had acted arrogant and cocky, they might have just cursed her for being obnoxious, but her expressionless tone made them feel even worse. It sounded as if she didn’t want to mix with those who weren’t of her class.

“This is about capturing the brother of Ji Won-woo, whom the great Gye Vice Head loves so much. Are you still not interested?”

“I didn’t say we weren’t interested. Just that the word ‘opportunity’ sounds like crap.”

All the East Center espers showed unpleasant shock at her retort. Especially Geon-young, who doubted his ears and looked again to see if this person was really the Han Seona he knew. Had this person always been such a formidable opponent? Then Seung-wook asked Gye Yoon directly.

“Then are you interested?”

“No.”

“…I see. We’ll proceed with just the East Center on this matter.”

“Is that necessary? You won’t be able to catch them anyway.”

Seung-wook clenched his jaw, his eyes flashing fiercely.

“I thought your ability was just sound. Can you predict the future too?”

“Yeah. I can predict the future of bastards with shit abilities.”

With a clatter, Geon-young pushed his chair back and tried to stand up, but Seung-wook held out his hand to stop him.

“That sounds like you’re saying you have the ability, Vice Head?”

Gye Yoon twisted his lips at Seung-wook’s provocation.

“You look like you want to make a bet.”

“I don’t usually like betting, but I’d like to try this time. If our team catches them, what will you do?”

“Your team alone? Let all the East Center teams deployed come at me.”

“Are you sure you’re okay with three teams?”

“Whether it’s three teams or three hundred, it doesn’t matter if it’s incompetent bastards coming at me.”

It was a response that sounded annoyed, but Seung-wook curved his lips. Geon-young also watched with amused eyes, thinking he had taken the bait.

“Fine. All three of our teams will come at you. If even one of our teams catches Ji Seong-hyeon and the Alpha team first, we’ll get our office back. Of course, you’ll have to return the entire second floor to its original users. And we’ll decide which office you’ll use. Is that okay?”

“Fine.”

As Gye Yoon answered lightly, Seung-wook asked,

“If you catch the target, tell us what you want.”

“Why would I catch them?”

All of Main Team 2 frowned at this strange question. What do you mean? Then Gye Yoon slowly added,

“I only said I’d be in on the bet, not that I’d personally join this hunt.”

“Are you saying you’re using the North Center Espers as your proxy in this bet?”

As Seung-wook rarely raised his voice in anger, Seona firmly denied his words.

“Proxy? Watch your words. This is proof that the Vice Head trusts us two who volunteered for this task.”

Two? Seung-wook’s puzzled gaze fell on Seona.

“You’re saying only two Espers will go?”

“No. I’m the only Esper.”

“Then who’s the other one?”

The answer came from elsewhere. Won-woo, who had been staring intently at the document regardless of what was being said in the meeting room, raised his head and announced,

“I’ll go.”

With that casual remark, silence enveloped the conference room. Those attending the meeting chaired by Hong Seung-wook all doubted their eyes and ears. Why was the guide, Ji Won-woo, answering? Seung-wook, who regained his composure first, voiced his confusion.

“You’re saying Ji Won-woo will go? If you’re worried about your brother Ji Seong-hyun, we plan to capture him alive. He might get hurt, but his life won’t be in danger.”

“This has nothing to do with Seong-hyun.”

“Then why are you, a guide, going?”

Seung-wook’s voice grew a bit heated. However, Won-woo, who was supposed to answer, turned his gaze aside. There was someone whispering closely into his ear. Although inaudible, Won-woo’s lips curled up slightly as he listened intently.

He seemed to be trying to maintain a poker face given the setting, but his eyes held laughter as he looked back at Gye Yoon. In contrast, those waiting for Won-woo’s answer all had irritation in their eyes. What are they doing? Why are they suddenly whispering to each other during a meeting? They couldn’t have felt more annoyed. The only one welcoming this atmosphere was Seona, whose lips were twitching.

“Mr. Ji Won-woo.”

Seung-wook, unable to contain himself, called out to him, but Won-woo ignored him and kept looking at Gye Yoon.

“Mr. Ji Won-woo!”

Even when Seung-wook raised his voice, it was the same. At this point, the Main Team 2 staff members who had been displeased began to feel perplexed. Won-woo didn’t seem to be ignoring them, but rather looked like someone who couldn’t hear. And they realized that although Won-woo and Gye Yoon were talking face to face, not a single word could be heard.

Could it be that Gye Yoon was blocking the sound with his ability? If that was true, it meant that those in this room would have to just watch their irritating conversation until it ended.

“Ha, seriously.”

Someone let out an exasperated sigh. The office workers, experiencing how a meeting could turn so shitty in just one minute, swallowed curses in their mouths. At that moment, Gye Yoon, who had leisurely finished his conversation, finally turned to face the East Center Espers.

“You waited like good dogs.”

“Vice Head, based on your past behavior, I don’t expect you to be polite, but please watch your language.”

Seung-wook sharply pointed out, but Gye Yoon didn’t even look at him as if it wasn’t worth listening to. Instead, Seona, who was standing next to him, stepped forward.

“Team Leader Hong Seung-wook, I’m asking because I don’t understand, but can you repeat those exact words to the Vice Head?”

“Why couldn’t I?”

“Then do it. To the Hong family’s Vice Head.”

A pause. Why suddenly the Hong Vice Head…? When Seung-wook couldn’t answer immediately, Seona continued in an indifferent tone, speaking quickly.

“If you can say those exact words, with that same arrogant tone, in front of the Hong Vice Head, we won’t file a complaint to the East Center about this disrespect shown to Vice Head Gye.”

Complaint? Go ahead and try, Seung-wook wanted to say, but he couldn’t spit it out because he hadn’t been able to respond to Seona’s words earlier. Honestly, he couldn’t speak like this to the Hong family’s Vice Head. And he kept forgetting, but Gye Yoon was also in the position of a Vice Head. And not just any Vice Head, but one ruling the North.

But he still didn’t want to acknowledge his existence in his heart. That’s why he felt so pathetic, to the point of feeling ashamed, for not being able to deny Seona’s words. Seung-wook glared at her, but she mercilessly drew out his shame.

“I know Team Leader Hong is loyal to the Hong family, but doesn’t that mean you fully understand and accept the power structure? Then why do you speak so carelessly about manners to Vice Head Gye, who is at the peak of that power?”

There was nothing wrong with Seona’s words.

“It seems Team Leader Hong’s manners involve bowing to power but easily arguing with those he finds easy targets. But as far as I know, Team Leader Hong is nowhere near capable of matching Vice Head Gye, right? Did you suddenly become S-rank in the meantime? Since when did an A-rank Esper start looking down on an S-rank Esper?”

Speaking calmly but forcefully, Seona looked around at the members of Main Team 2 and added,

“In Esper society, I’ve heard until my ears hurt that if you have ability, you deserve treatment befitting that ability. But it seems that while I wasn’t aware, here at the East Center, an S-rank Esper has become someone who can be treated carelessly without consequence?”

There was a hint of anger mixed in Seona’s voice. She was the one who had heard those words until her ears hurt. The reason you receive shabby treatment is because you’re a B-rank Esper. That’s why no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t get promoted and could only do menial tasks.

And ironically, the gazes of the Main Team 2 Espers looking at Seona now proved her words. They were all unable to contain their anger. Because the one advising them was B-rank. How dare a mere B-rank, who only bounced around support teams, speak so impertinently to the most capable Espers of the main team.

However, no one could express their anger. As she said, if they wanted to say something using Seona’s rank as an excuse, they first had to show respect to the S-rank in front of them. To that brute who was looking at Seona as if she was amusing. Of course, it was Gye Yoon who further amplified this dilemma.

“Dogs are loyal when treated well, but humans try to climb up without knowing their place.”

No one could respond to his dry observation. After a brief silence, Gye Yoon turned to Won-woo.

“So don’t go easy on those bastards in this bet.”

Won-woo just chuckled, checking the dumbfounded reactions of the others. But Seung-wook’s reaction was a bit different. He was still suspicious that Won-woo was the one who had witnessed the monster being stopped in the village. What if Won-woo had some incomprehensible power? Of course, he knew it was impossible unless a Guide awakened as an Esper. Still unable to shake off his doubts, he asked sarcastically,

“Does Mr. Ji Won-woo have some hidden ability?”

“No.”

As Won-woo shook his head lightly, Seung-wook narrowed his eyes as if he couldn’t believe it.

“And yet you’re volunteering for a potentially fatal mission? Without an Esper’s help, without any hidden cards?”

“I was left alone at the farm before. I almost died because not a single team member came to rescue me, but I managed to survive. I don’t expect any help from Espers anyway.”

At Won-woo’s words, Seung-wook and Geon-young stiffened simultaneously. They recalled the incident a few months ago when Won-woo had nearly died. After that, he had changed completely, as if he had become a different person. And Geon-young, who hadn’t gone to rescue him, cursed inwardly and turned his gaze away.

“Even so, how can a Guide… Hah, seriously.”

Geon-young leaned back in his chair and let out a hollow laugh. Unlike him, Seung-wook stared at Won-woo for a while before nodding.

“As long as your intention isn’t to save your family member Seong-hyun, I’m fine with it. We’ll accept this bet. But let’s make this clear. If you receive even the slightest help from Vice Head Gye, we win this bet. Do you agree?”

The final gaze was directed at Gye Yoon. Don’t you dare move, the warning glance seemed to say. Gye Yoon responded expressionlessly.

“Do you agree?”

“Yes. I accept this bet.”

“Think carefully before you speak. I haven’t mentioned what I’ll demand when I win the bet.”

“…”

“Do you agree?”

Seung-wook’s jaw twitched, but he soon nodded. There was absolutely no way Ji Won-woo and a B-rank Esper could catch the target first. Absolutely not.

“I agree.”

“They seem to think we’re being reckless.”

Seona said as if impressed after they returned to the spacious office they had taken from Main Team 2. Then, a dissenting opinion was heard through the speaker.

[I think… it is a bit reckless.]

It was Sang-cheon’s worried voice. Even if Won-woo had the power to neutralize Espers, that was only when confronting them head-on. If an Esper launched a surprise attack, Won-woo’s ability might not be very effective. However, knowing that once Sang-cheon started worrying, there was no end to it, Seona cut him off firmly.

“Director Hwang. Don’t light incense and just trust Mr. Won-woo.”

[Ah, I do trust him! It’s just that I’m worried because you even made a bet…]

Sang-cheon’s mumbling continued, but Gye Yoon seemed to pay no attention to his voice and only looked at Won-woo. Even after returning to the office, Won-woo was looking at the list of people they needed to catch again.

“Who is it?”

Gye Yoon asked casually. Seona turned around, puzzled by his words. She had assumed that the reason Won-woo was taking action himself was obviously because of his family member, Ji Seong-hyun. But Gye Yoon’s question sounded as if Won-woo had a separate target. Won-woo answered slowly, staring at something, confirming this.

“Someone I must kill with my own hands.”

Though his voice carried no emotion, the lowered tone made everyone focus involuntarily. He had said the same thing before entering the meeting with Main Team 2. Looking at the list, he had demanded of Gye Yoon in that exact voice,

‘Let me handle it myself.’

Gye Yoon had nodded without asking further then, but now he posed a question. There was someone who came to mind at the mention of a person who must be killed.

“Someone like Head Family Oh?”

Though his voice seemed indifferent, Won-woo felt that Gye Yoon was truly quick-witted. And still fixing his gaze on one spot, he nodded. Yes, that’s right.

[You’re saying there’s another guy like Head Family Oh? Is the Yang family some kind of training center for body-dismembering Espers? How do you plan to deal with such a monster?]

As Sang-cheon exclaimed in disbelief, Won-woo chuckled and reassured him.

“They’re just regular Espers, though A-rank. One of them is likely to know important information. We’ll know for sure once we catch them. Anyway, it’ll go well since you’re helping us, Director Hwang. Why do you think we specifically took over Main Team 2’s office? It’s because we can directly access the East Center’s main server from here. Watch how the team deployed for this operation moves and keep me updated on the situation.”

[Well, of course I’ll do that since it’s my job, but… Are you really confident you can win?]

“I know a bit about the Alpha team that took Ji seong-hyun. The safe house they’re hiding in is likely to be the same as where I was. Because that safe house is owned by a distant relative of one of the Alpha team members.”

[Ah, then if we find it quickly, we can win. I’ll search for it right away.]

“No. Take your time.”

Why? As the question flowed through the speaker, Won-woo smiled.

“I don’t intend to win by finding the target quickly. I’m going to use a different method.”

[A different method?]

“Yes, that’s why I need your help in real-time, Director Hwang.”

[Well, I’ll do whatever I can, but… Isn’t it better to find the target quickly?]

“Judging by the Alpha team leader’s personality, they’ll stay at the safe house for a few days to catch us off guard.”

We have plenty of time. As Won-woo murmured lowly, a relieved voice was heard through the speaker.

[Ah, I see. So that’s how you found and eliminated them where you used to live?]

Won-woo hesitated before answering.

“Yes. The problem was that I caught them late. A bit too… late.”

[Hey, as long as you caught them, it’s fine.]

“Yes, I’m trying not to be late this time. I’ll tell you the names of the Alpha team’s Espers, so please check if the safe house I’m talking about really exists and find the address. Can you do that?”

[Ah, of course!]

That’s not difficult at all. Sang-cheon confidently said he would look into it right away. Then he started explaining the work process in detail, but neither Seona nor Gye Yoon paid attention to Sang-cheon’s words. They both quietly stared at Won-woo. Since coming here, Won-woo had been looking only at the speaker from which Sang-cheon’s voice was coming.

-To be continued in Volume 7-