DB Vol 7 Part 1

“That’s nonsense. Ji Won-woo is just a Guide and Han Seona is only B-rank. How the hell could they beat us?”

Yoo Geon-yeong spat out roughly as he prepared for the operation, then gritted his teeth.

“Damn it, I’m sure that bastard is helping them behind the scenes.”

“That’s likely.”

Seung-wook agreed but couldn’t shake his doubts.

“But Ji Won-woo might really have a hidden card. They wouldn’t move without any precautions when they could die, right?”

“Ah, since he’s Ji Seong-hyeon’s brother, does he have any idea where he’s hiding? Are they perhaps contacting each other?”

Well. Seung-wook shook his head.

“That’s very unlikely. They’re not that close. Rather… there’s a greater chance he’s really hiding his abilities.”

“What abilities could a Guide have? I guess he’s overconfident because he survived among monsters without his team members’ help.”

Geon-yeong sneered but also expressed concern for Won-woo.

“But isn’t he really crazy? Going with just Han Seona? Damn, if it looks like his life is in danger, I’ll save him then. And we’ll see if he thanks me or not, dammit.”

“You’re going to follow Ji Won-woo?”

At Seung-wook’s stern voice, Geon-yeong looked away sheepishly.

“No, well, since he’s doing this crazy thing because I didn’t save him before. I thought I’d help a bit this time. Don’t worry about me, you take the team members.”

“No.”

“What? Are you saying to just let Ji Won-woo die?”

“I’ll go.”

Geon-yeong immediately frowned, but Seung-wook calmly ordered his friend.

“You lead the team members and track the target.”

“Are you abandoning the team members, Team Leader?”

When Geon-yeong asked, tilting his head askew, this time Seung-wook frowned. But their confrontation didn’t last long.

“Ji Won-woo and Han Seona have disappeared.”

When a team member reported urgently, they both realized their mistake. They didn’t expect them to move so soon.

“Track their communicators.”

Seung-wook ordered, but the team member shook his head.

“The communicators we provided are turned off. It seems… they’re using their own communicators.”

Only then did they both realize they had lost the chance to chase Won-woo. Of course, they couldn’t save him in the moment of danger either.

“Damn it!”

[No, so……]

Hwang Sang-cheon’s voice was heard through the earpiece, but neither Won-woo nor Seona responded as they were both in hiding. Because an hour after leaving the East Center, they had found an opportunity to hunt.

A car stopped on a two-lane rural road as darkness began to fall. Won-woo and Seona quietly observed them from afar, hiding their bodies among the trees. Only Sang-cheon’s confused voice continued in the ears of the two silent people.

[The way to win this bet… isn’t to find the target first…]

Gulp. With the sound of swallowing, Sang-cheon asked in a trembling voice.

[It’s… to eliminate all competitors, right?]

A total of six people got out of the car on the road. They were all Espers from the East Center deployed to capture Ji Seong-hyeon.

Before carrying out this operation, Won-woo had one concern. It was Seona.

‘We’re attacking those who were your former colleagues. Are you okay with that?’

‘Were you deeply connected with all your colleagues, Won-woo-nim?’

‘Not at all. I was only close with a few.’

‘I only have one.’

Ah. Won-woo nodded in relief. Come to think of it, even though the government forces were on the same side, Won-woo had little interaction with them. He wasn’t very interested either. It seemed Seona was the same, but her following words were a bit different.

‘For me, most workplace colleagues fall into two categories. Those I want to delete from my life or those I want to kill.’

‘…’

‘You’re neither, so don’t look so shaken.’

That way, he felt reassured and less burdened about dealing with the East Center Espers. Seona, probably recalling their earlier conversation, confirmed with Won-woo again before attacking the current targets.

“You can slit all their throats completely if you want.”

“…Um, I was just going to destroy their Esper abilities, like with Hong Eun-tae.”

“Without destroying their lives?”

At the question revealing her dissatisfaction, Won-woo’s eyes wavered again. As Seona’s current colleague, he felt a bit of fear. So he earnestly explained.

“When Espers lose their abilities, they become more miserable. The higher their ability, the more so.”

Living but not really living. The image of the past Gye Yoon staring blankly into space flashed briefly but was quickly erased.

“Well, those guys are all A-rank, so their lives will become more wretched.”

Satisfaction was evident in Seona’s voice. Won-woo resolved once again to treat Seona well.

“And they need to be alive to immediately call the next bait.”

As Won-woo stepped forward, Seona nodded.

“So when one of them calls for help, one of the nearby tracking teams will come, and we’ll eliminate them then, right?”

“Yes. But we only need to eliminate two out of the three teams. If we eliminate all of them, we might be suspected. We can’t have problems when the real fight hasn’t even started yet.”

Then a sarcastic question was heard through the communicator.

[What if it’s okay to have problems?]

It was Gye Yoon. Won-woo shook his head towards the invisible opponent.

“No. There’s no need to take on avoidable problems. We shouldn’t be suspected so it’s easier to sweep away the Hong and Yang families when they clash.”

Fortunately, Gye Yoon understood Won-woo’s explanation and didn’t argue, but unable to let go of his lingering thoughts, he asked.

[If Hong Seung-wook’s team comes first, will you take care of them immediately?]

“Of course.”

When Won-woo answered without hesitation, the other seemed pleased and let out a short breath.

[I wonder which team will come first.]

“Yeah, I’m really looking forward to it.”

Strangely, Seona’s eyes also lit up, expressing anticipation. Despite saying this, it seemed both had separate teams they wanted to come.

For Won-woo, dealing with Espers was an easy task he did daily, but now it felt a bit burdensome. If he made a mistake and let someone escape, he felt he might become a colleague Seona would want to delete. With that tension, he took a step forward.

Seung-wook’s team received the contact just as they were about to move after receiving a witness report. All three main teams participating this time were skilled individuals whose superiority was hard to determine within the East Center, so they were usually competitive with each other. This time, their competitive spirit was especially heightened.

Trying to beat them with just a combination of one D-rank Guide and a B-rank Esper was something anyone would laugh at. But if by any chance they really found Ji Seong-hyeon first, there would be no greater humiliation.

Because this was also a battle of pride, all three teams were moving separately while hiding the clues they had received or found. But the voice coming through the communicator was an unexpected request for help.

[Heuk! We’re… we’re under attack. The team, the team leader is about to go rampage… Ugh!]

“Attack? Who on earth?!”

Yoo Geon-yeong shouted, but the only answer he heard was groaning. The first thing that came to mind was monsters. Could it be that the terrible disaster from before was happening again? If not that, he couldn’t think of anyone who would dare attack the main team Espers. The war hadn’t even started yet. However, the East Center headquarters confirmed that this unbelievable communication was true.

[The vital signs of all members of Main Team 4 are faint. Please move immediately for support.]

“Location?”

In response to Seung-wook’s question, the location of Main Team 4 was immediately heard from the communicator. Even at the fastest speed, it would take at least an hour to get there. Moreover, it was in the opposite direction from where they were about to move based on the report they had received.

“Everyone stop the pursuit and go to help Main Team 4.”

“Everyone?”

Geon-yeong objected and proposed to Seung-wook.

“Give me a few people. I’ll continue tracking.”

“Main Team 4 was completely taken down. Maybe the enemy is strong enough to take us all down even if we all rush in.”

“That’s why. What if the enemy attacked to interfere with our tracking? Then it could be more dangerous the moment we find the target. Whoever it is.”

Seung-wook immediately understood the hidden meaning in Geon-yeong’s words. Ji Won-woo could also be in danger. But on the other hand, he felt slightly annoyed.

“Why are you so concerned about Ji Won-woo…”

However, before the question could come out, the headquarters’ request for urgent support was heard again. Having heard the same communication, Geon-yeong quickly persuaded Seung-wook.

“The other teams are going to help too. Give me three, no, just two people. To win the bet, someone has to find Ji Seong-hyeon, right?”

Although he knew Geon-yeong’s words weren’t unreasonable, Seung-wook felt uneasy for some reason. What if I go to find Ji Won-woo instead? As options were floating in Seung-wook’s hesitant mind, Geon-yeong, who had been staring at him, suddenly brought up a name.

“Of course, I feel bad about sending you alone to a dangerous place. I wouldn’t be able to face Idan either.”

Flinch. At the mention of his lover’s name, Seung-wook swallowed the words he was about to say and turned to his friend. He still didn’t want to send him, but time was running out.

“…Alright, I’ll give you two people, so go.”

“Got it.”

“But.”

Seung-wook grabbed the arm of his friend who was about to turn away hurriedly and ordered.

“If you find Ji Won-woo, contact me immediately. Immediately, no matter what. Understood?”

*

“Ah, shit.”

Won-woo, who was waiting for the first team to arrive after throwing the bait, glanced at Seona upon hearing a small curse beside him. She was glaring at the tracking team getting out of the car that had just stopped. The ones who came first were Main Team 5. Won-woo could clearly see that these weren’t the ones Seona had been waiting for. It wasn’t just her.

[Fuck.]

Gye Yoon’s curse was also faintly heard through the communicator. Although it was as quiet as a whisper to himself, thanks to his innately good voice, it could be clearly understood. The two, now of one mind, openly blurted out names as if competing.

“Yoo Geon-yeong, disgustingly lucky.”

[Hong Seung-wook, always so damn slow.]

Won-woo carefully moved to attack Main Team 5, pondering for a moment. Should he find and eliminate Hong Seung-wook’s team before Ji Seong-hyeon? Somehow, he felt particularly lonely in this operation.

Tap-tap-tap, following the sound of quick footsteps, someone peeked their head through the half-open door. It was an Esper from the East Center who had already come to check inside several times, and as soon as he confirmed who was inside, he quickly withdrew, seemingly afraid. Perhaps because the footsteps echoing in the corridor were quite loud, Sang-cheon clicked his tongue over the communicator.

[Really, if they’re going to come check on you every 5 minutes, why don’t they just leave someone in this room?]

Gye Yoon glanced at the door where the observer had disappeared.

“They’re already watching. Since I left the door open, half of my body should be visible on the corridor CCTV.”

[Then why do they keep sending people?]

“Two main teams have already fallen, right? They probably suspected me first.”

[Well, it’s quite chaotic now. They’re all A-rank Espers, but Won-woo-nim drove them all to the brink of going rampage. Aside from the identity of the enemy, no one knows why this happened or how they attacked.]

Sang-cheon, finding their confusion amusing, chuckled and shared the information he had heard.

[But as Won-woo-nim said, it was good to leave one team. Hong Seung-wook requested support from the Center, saying Won-woo-nim’s team could be in danger. Seems like they don’t suspect at all that Won-woo-nim attacked the Espers.]

“Hong Seung-wook requested support?”

[Yes, from the East Center. Wait, but shouldn’t you go to support Won-woo-nim? Why isn’t he requesting you?]

“That bastard is petty and unpleasant.”

Gye Yoon spat out irritably and then asked for Won-woo’s location. Sang-cheon clicked his mouse and immediately informed him.

*

[I think it’ll be done in about 3 hours. Well, then I’ll take a short break…]

“Stop joking and keep looking like I told you to.”

There was a brief grumbling sound, then Sang-cheon sighed. After Won-woo left, Gye Yoon had stayed in the office and requested something from Sang-cheon that only he could hear.

[So you want me to search through the East Center’s servers for data? …A door that only S-rank ability users can open… What on earth is that?]

Along with Sang-cheon’s voice through the communicator, the sound of typing could be heard. As expected of Sang-cheon’s beloved keyboard, the soft, low, comfortable typing sound was addictive.

When first talking to Sang-cheon from inside the cave, choosing him as a conversation partner was partly because that sound was appealing. Sang-cheon spent most of his time typing away like that, whatever he was so busy with.

Back then, Gye Yoon didn’t know he would come out. He had resigned himself when first entering the cave. To endure for 10 or 20 years until his niece was safe.

Because she’s still just a kid. He wanted at least this little one to live properly. But a miracle happened. He first encountered that miracle through Sang-cheon’s communicator. That was one thing he was a little grateful to Sang-cheon for.

Click, click.

The keyboard sound started up again excitedly.

[So what kind of door is it?]

“I don’t know. The Hong family head mentioned something about a door as he was dying. We couldn’t find records in the North, but there should be some left here. Since the Hong family doesn’t currently have any young S-rank members, they must have left information for future S-rank members.”

[Then shouldn’t we search the Hong family’s main house instead of the East Center servers?]

“There was an S-rank member among the previous Hong family heads who came out to work in the field at the East Center. There should be a lot of records about him at the East Center.”

[Ah, I’ve heard of him too. He was the Hong family head two or three generations ago, legendary and famous. Everyone respects the Hong family so much because of him, but why are his descendants like this, seriously.]

The image of Sang-cheon shaking his head appeared before Gye Yoon’s eyes like an ultrasound. The information given by sound waves is quite extensive. For example, the server room down below. The constant noise of the machines made it easy to explore inside.

[But is it really okay to search through everything freely?]

Despite Sang-cheon’s unease, Gye Yoon answered lightly while focusing on the server room. He couldn’t see the 2D monitor screens properly, but Gye Yoon could easily control any warning sounds of intrusion. And the server room employee was currently neglecting his duties, snoring away with his chair tilted back.

“Search to your heart’s content.”

[Well, if you say so, I’ll search enthusiastically.]

Originally, there’s no more interesting sight than reading someone else’s diary. Sang-cheon asked as if he suddenly remembered while excitedly typing away.

[By the way, the previous Gye family head was also S-rank, right? Didn’t you hear anything from your parents?]

“No. At that time, I was having trouble even controlling my own power properly. And my parents tried not to tie me to the family. They wanted me to live freely without using my abilities.”

[Your parents sound great. Telling an S-rank Esper to live freely.]

At the mention of his parents, Gye Yoon’s expression remained blank, but his eyes sank deeply.

“Did you find it?”

[No, it’s not something you can find that quickly… Oh? Something came up.]

Soon after, the clicking sound of a mouse was heard and Sang-cheon read something.

[I searched for the keyword ‘door’ and found a record left by the Guide of that legendary Hong family head. Looking at the date, it seems to be from just before the Hong family head passed away. Um, after miraculously stopping the monster in the xx area, he rushed to guide him, but the Head of Hong Family refused the guiding. Then he said he touched the door and had to find the door again? What the hell is the door?]

“Is that all?”

[Wait a moment.]

The mouse sound was heard again and Sang-cheon’s focused voice continued quickly.

[For several days after that, the Hong family head secluded himself and wouldn’t come out, so the Guide went to check on him out of worry, and…]

“What?”

[This seems to be the guide’s personal opinion, but he wrote that the Hong family head looked extremely sad. He said this was the first time since losing a loved one to monsters years ago. And the Hong family head kept muttering the same thing in a grief-stricken tone. That he couldn’t open the door… So what the hell is this door?]

But Gye Yoon seemed lost in thought, staring blankly into space with an expressionless face. As Sang-cheon gave up on getting an answer and started looking for other data again, Gye Yoon finally spoke after a long while.

“It might be a door that allows you to meet loved ones.”

[Loved ones? But it says the Hong family head’s lover died? It’s not like it’s a door to the afterlife.]

“Mister.”

[Yeah?]

“Have you ever thought about how Ji Won-woo came to this world?”

[At first I was curious, but who would know… Huh? Wait… The door?]

Sang-cheon’s voice trembled as if he realized something. But Gye Yoon continued muttering his thoughts with no change in expression.

“What if an S-rank Esper at the peak of their ability could open a door between dimensions?”

[Uh, well… Wow, that’s so amazing I’m speechless. If it were me, I’d follow them around applauding in admiration.]

“There are probably people who feel the opposite.”

[The opposite?]

“People who don’t want that door to open.”

[Who? Why? More importantly, who would even know this door exists?]

“The person who came through the door would know.”

[What are you talking about? Even Won-woo doesn’t seem to know. Who else came through…]

This time too, Sang-cheon belatedly realized and softly uttered one name.

[Yang Cheon-hyo!]

Gye Yoon’s face was still indifferent, but his eyes flashed fiercely at hearing the name.

“If I were Yang Cheon-hyo, I wouldn’t want to go back to a world where all the Espers are dying out. Then what would he do here? His top priority would be to prevent the door from opening.”

[H-how?]

At that moment, Gye Yoon’s gaze rose to empty space.

“By eliminating S-rank Espers who might be able to open the door.”

His voice was dry, but Sang-cheon held his breath like someone hearing a dark secret. Gye Yoon’s eyes narrowed as if recalling something as he glared into space.

“I’ve always wondered. 9 years ago, why did Yang Cheon-hyo suddenly try to destroy our family? What grudge did he have against us to use such underhanded methods while hiding in the background?”

Gye Yoon’s sister gathered all sorts of information to find out the reason, and she still hadn’t given up. She even believed there might be some huge conspiracy hidden. Unlike her, Gye Yoon thought Yang Cheon-hyo’s hatred might have a simple reason.

“The Gye family had an S-rank Esper… What if that alone was reason enough to kill? Even if it meant using any dirty method.”

Sang-cheon asked in a trembling voice about the time 9 years ago.

[You mean the death of the previous Gye family head?]

Anger flickered like a flame in Gye Yoon’s eyes for a moment before instantly dying out. Only an icy cold gaze remained in its place.

“There was one more.”

One more? A shocked question was heard. An even colder, frozen voice flowed from Gye Yoon’s lips.

“My niece, who was just a baby.”

*

Won-woo had realized through life. The word “revenge” is not a completed form. The tense of revenge is an eternal present progressive, unable to put a period at the end. No matter how many enemies who killed his allies he killed, over and over, the loss was never filled. Even miraculously meeting those who had died again in this place didn’t make all the past hatred fade away.

It was the opposite. Seeing those who had died alive and well before his eyes made his desire for revenge surge even more. He had to eliminate them. Like an obsession, he felt he could only be somewhat at ease if he removed the dangerous elements. That’s why he found himself pathetic for wasting time like this now.

“Ugh! Cough… cough.”

After vomiting several times until there was nothing left to come out, he finally managed to sit up. The one fortunate thing was that the vomiting only started after reaching the destination. It was the same in the previous world. During operations, as if knowing it shouldn’t interfere, his stomach would stay quiet, but as soon as tension eased even slightly, it would twist up as if sensing it.

Damn it. He saw Seona’s eyes fill with worry, but Won-woo ignored it and pointed with his chin towards the house in the darkness. This was a small village of about thirty households, but that house was conspicuously isolated.

“There’s someone inside.”

“…”

“Including Ji Seong-hyeon and Alpha team, there are six in total, but there’s a high chance there are more. Since this is close to Yang family territory, support teams might have come over.”

“…”

“The best scenario would be if they’re all gathered in that house so we can neutralize and subdue them all at once. But unless they’re fools, they’ll have posted sentries around the house. They might have even gone quite far to check on the East Center’s pursuit team.”

But Seona still didn’t respond. Won-woo reluctantly brought up an unpleasant topic.

“It could be evidence that there’s still some conscience left. It just happens when I smell blood.”

There was no subject, but Seona realized he was referring to the vomiting just now. What kind of nonsensical reason is that? As she frowned as if scolding him, Won-woo smirked.

“It’s just something someone told me. That no matter how used to killing enemies you become, it’s your remaining conscience announcing its presence. Because it’s still murder, after all.”

“Then is it okay if you don’t fight and don’t smell blood? Did it stop in the original world after the war ended?”

Won-woo couldn’t answer right away and turned his gaze. In the original world, the vomiting stopped after the last comrade died. The last time was when Sang-cheon’s blood spread like red paint beyond the screen. After that, no matter how much he was covered in others’ blood, he didn’t vomit.

Won-woo thought the reason was that his soul had dried up. Like a mummy, completely. Though his body was alive, having lost everyone, he was no different from the dead, so his conscience might have died too. That’s why the renewed vomiting didn’t actually feel bad. It felt like proof that he was alive.

“Yes, it was fine after the war ended.”

As Won-woo belatedly covered it up with a lie, Seona finally relaxed her tense expression.

“Alright. I’ll take care of the Hong family and Yang family as quickly as possible.”

“I’ll do it. Don’t rush, Seona.”

“I won’t die in this fight.”

“…I don’t think you will.”

“Really? Sometimes when you look at me, your eyes seem to waver as if you’re getting choked up.”

Won-woo turned his gaze for a moment before replying nonchalantly.

“My eye balls are just like that naturally.”

“Huh? Did you just say ‘eye ball’ so casually? Wow, it’s the first time I’ve heard you use such colloquial language. You don’t even swear.”

“Yeah, swearing… Even if I want to, I can’t. I promised someone before not to.”

Deep sympathy filled Seona’s eyes.

“That’s why you vomit. You should swear to relieve stress instead.”

No, that’s not it… Or is it? Should I try swearing? As Won-woo pondered for a moment, he heard Seona’s determination.

“Still, I’ll try to keep you from seeing blood. The war won’t last long anyway.”

“Why do you think that?”

“That’s the atmosphere at the East Center. No one welcomes this war. There are many complaints about why we have to fight. When the monsters broke out, the Hong family’s main house just stood back and gave orders. I hear it’s the same with the Yang family.”

But Won-woo shook his head at Seona’s words.

“The ordinary Espers might not know, but the top experts of the Yang family have been brainwashed and will fight desperately. They’ll try to protect their king. But I also think the war will end early. For a different reason, though.”

“What reason?”

“We have an S-rank Esper actively involved on our side.”

Ah, that S-rank. Seona muttered as if she had forgotten, then smirked.

“The idiots at the East Center will surely think like me. That it’ll be over if we just take out the head of the Yang family. But that’s ridiculous. They don’t even know a grim reaper is involved in this war.”

She briefly turned her gaze towards the direction of the East Center, recalling someone left there.

“Come to think of it, Gye Yoon’s image as a brute has been quite helpful. Since he seems thoughtless and willful, no one really guards against him properly. What his true intentions are, what his real face is.”

“Have you seen his real face?”

Seona shrugged as if to say, do you have to see it to know?

“His parents died unjustly, right? But I’ve never heard Gye Yoon blame others for his parents’ death. What do you think it means that he’s been silent about it for 9 years? He must have been silently sharpening his blade inside. I can’t even imagine how keen and sharp that blade will be. Someone truly thoughtless and willful could never do that.”

Won-woo’s gaze also briefly turned in the direction Seona had looked. But what Won-woo recalled was not the Gye Yoon of this world, but the one who lived in his own world. He must have wanted revenge too, right? But it seemed he hadn’t succeeded.

Then suddenly a curious point arose. How did he, an S-rank Esper, end up becoming like a powerless doll? What could have happened?

“So I don’t think we’ll lose even if the Yang family head appears in perfect condition.”

Yang family head. At Seona’s words, Won-woo’s thoughts turned to another S-rank Esper. And he turned his eyes to the mansion shrouded in darkness before him.

“Let’s ask someone who’s seen directly whether the Yang family head is fine or not.”

“Seen directly? Who?”

“The Yang family head’s follower.”

“The Yang family head is S-rank, so he has quite a few followers.”

“Yes, but the Yang family head doesn’t keep all those followers by his side.”

Seona hesitated. There’s an Esper the Yang family head keeps close?

“That Esper is inside there? Who is it?”

“Electric eel.”

An incomprehensible nickname popped out, but Seona realized immediately.

“You mean the one who uses electricity… the Alpha team leader?”

Yes, Won-woo nodded and quietly added.

“Thanks to his ability to neutralize electronic devices, the rear support agents suffered a lot from the team he leads.”

After finishing his words, Won-woo walked steadily towards the mansion. A flustered Seona followed, but Won-woo stopped her with his hand.

“I’ll handle it alone.”

“No, how can you alone…”

“It’s easy.”

“…”

Seona couldn’t answer and swallowed hard. The person before her was surprising no matter how many times she looked. He had seemed so fragile when vomiting just now, but now he looked dauntingly huge again.

“What should I do?”

“If their reinforcements come, please take care of them.”

Won-woo turned his body and looked back at the mansion. In his eyes, as if a switch had been flipped, killing intent instantly filled them.

*

Vice Family Head Inauguration Ceremony. Although it was only a family gathering, the ceremony hall was covered in all sorts of luxurious decorations and flowers. Yang Cheon-hyo had clearly announced to everyone that given the circumstances, he would hold a modest and simple inauguration ceremony.

Yoon-im stood still at the entrance for a moment, scanning the interior of the ceremony hall with cold eyes and inwardly sneering. Just then, a middle-aged man’s voice was heard from behind.

“Madam.”

Yoon-im turned her head and forced a smile on her face, which was about to harden at the sight of the person.

“Head Family Cha, it’s been a while.”

“I heard you were ill.”

As a long-time loyal servant of the Yang family, he always treated the main family members with a humble attitude. Many in the main family looked down on him for this, and Yoon-im was one of them. But now, for the first time, she suspected that Head Family Cha’s expression might be a mask.

“Thank you for your concern. You visited several times, I hear?”

“Yes, about your son.”

The word “son” flowed so naturally from his lips. Her brain reflexively recognized the existence of her son strongly at that word. She had always only heard about Head Family Cha in connection with her son, so when she thought of him, her son was naturally associated.

Even while suspecting that her son might be a fake due to brainwashing, part of her mind rebelled. I don’t have any maternal love anyway, right? So maybe I easily fell into this ridiculous suspicion that the child isn’t my son.

“Madam, are you alright?”

As Head Family Cha asked curiously, Yoon-im forced a smile.

“It must be the effect of being ill. Anyway, about my child.”

Yoon-im’s lips trembled slightly, but she didn’t drop her smile.

“I heard you came about the clothes he’ll wear today?”

“Yes. I wanted to ask if it’s appropriate attire to your liking. You can see your son directly.”

Head Family Cha pointed to a spot with a kind face. At the end of the spacious lobby, Yoon-im’s husband was standing holding a child’s hand. The child, who looked just like her husband, seemed to have grown even more since she last saw him after a long time. Yoon-im stared intently at the child and asked absentmindedly.

“Your daughter didn’t come?”

Ah, no. Head Family Cha briefly erased the smile from his face.

“My daughter isn’t qualified to attend such an occasion.”

For this humble reason, Yoon-im had only seen his daughter once, a very long time ago. A young lady with a kind impression, resembling her father.

“Oh yes, the young master has grown taller again, so we had to have new clothes made.”

Thanks to Head Family Cha changing the subject, Yoon-im focused on the child again. She still didn’t feel much affection even looking at the child. But strangely, seeing him in person, the thought that he was indeed her son arose strongly. She couldn’t have been fooled so stupidly. If it were true, it would mean that really all the Yang family people had deceived her.

It really was ridiculous. How could everyone lie to me? To me, of all people? Using arrogance as a foothold, the thought that he was her real son reached certainty.

However, she couldn’t climb the last step. There was something she suddenly realized. Yoon-im’s gaze slowly turned to Head Family Cha. He was looking at the child with a gentle smile.

“Children grow up so fast, don’t they?”

Yoon-im couldn’t respond to his words. The child’s face, which had started to lose its baby fat, resembled Head Family Cha before her. And Yoon-im knew another person who resembled Head Family Cha. Head Family Cha’s daughter. Although beautiful music was playing in the inauguration hall, Yoon-im’s ears were filled with auditory hallucinations.

Crash!

As if the brainwashing that had tried to dominate Yoon-im was completely shattered and scattered, her mind turned black.

“Are you alright?”

The question was heard again, but Yoon-im just turned her body with a pale face. She stepped into the corridor to leave the inauguration hall for now. Then, hearing a loud laugh from inside, she inadvertently turned her eyes.

Inside the inauguration hall, Yang Cheon-hyo, wearing clothes as colorful as flowers, was surrounded by the main family’s Espers, laughing about something amusing. They were all brainwashed by him. They looked ridiculous, like monkeys waiting for their master’s praise.

But she couldn’t laugh at them. Was she any different from a monkey right now? Yoon-im, hurriedly leaving the hall, clenched her fists so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Only one thing came to mind. What should she do? How could she bring down the Yang family?

*

Ding dong. At the sudden doorbell sound, the Alpha team Espers staying in the safe house were startled and looked at each other. Ji Seong-hyeon and two Espers guarding him were on the second floor, and the remaining three on the first floor were discussing future plans, so everyone immediately went on alert.

The Alpha team leader gestured with his chin for a subordinate to go to the door, and the physical Esper went to the door with enough strength in his hand to break a rock. He carefully checked outside first with the peephole. A man was standing under the dim porch light.

“Who is it?”

Then a name was heard from beyond the door.

“Ji Won-woo.”

All the Espers inside were surprised, their eyes widening. Who? Ji Seong-hyeon’s younger brother? The Esper checking outside again nodded with a bewildered face.

“The face matches. It’s Ji Won-woo.”

At those words, the Alpha team leader frowned. What on earth… But soon an order fell from his lips.

“Open it.”

“It could be the enemy’s bait.”

“If this place has been exposed anyway, we need to take the bait as a hostage at least. Open it.”

The physical Esper opened the door as ordered. His hand still contained enough power to crush a person with a single strike. However, the moment the door opened, he couldn’t have blocked even if a bug had flown in.

“Huk!”

He inhaled sharply and hunched over. Suddenly all the strength drained from his body and his insides twisted completely. Because of that, he couldn’t even stop the hand that grabbed his hair and lifted his face. The last thing he saw in his pain-wrapped state was some sharp object flying towards his neck.

Slash

The sharp blade cut the physical Esper’s neck in one breath.

Thud

Won-woo stepped over the corpse that had fallen to the floor, habitually shaking the blood off his blade.

Ji Seong-hyeon couldn’t believe the reality he was in. The situation had changed so suddenly that he couldn’t come to his senses. He had clearly heard that they would wipe out the North with mutant seeds, but suddenly monsters broke out in the East. After that, as his father’s illegal research lab was revealed, Guide One suddenly stood at the center of people’s criticism.

Until then, Seong-hyeon believed without doubt that everything would eventually be sorted out and they would return to their original lives. Because the Yang family was on their side and they had the Guide disease prevention medicine, right? Plus, they had the Alpha seeds. There was no way they could collapse like this. But fuck, why do I have to be in this state? Seong-hyeon shook his bound arms in irritation.

“Untie me, fuck.”

The Alpha team members hadn’t responded to anything he said from the beginning. But Seong-hyeon’s irritation was all he could express. As soon as they arrived at the safe house, those who said they came to rescue him tied up his arms and legs like a hostage. According to them, it was to prevent any unexpected situations. Of course, Seong-hyeon resisted violently, but all he got in return were warnings to stay quiet.

When Seong-hyeon shouted at the top of his lungs, struggling even more, this time a gag was put in his mouth. Why do I have to be in this state like a hostage?

When Seong-hyeon banged the floor with his bound feet, even his eyes were covered. Of course, he wasn’t one to stop there, but that was the end. Because he lost consciousness right then.

He woke up in less than 5 minutes, but on the dirty carpet floor. Unable to believe they had knocked him out, he started raging again and was hit once more.

How dare they, don’t they know who I am… Anger welled up, but after being hit a few times, he became wary of throwing tantrums. When he indicated he had something to say, they finally removed the gag. But that was all.

“Aren’t you here to rescue me? Then you should treat me properly. I’m Director of the Guide Center. My father is Director Yang Cheon-hyo’s one and only Guide partner.”

He voiced his grievances in a barely controlled voice, but the two watching him still showed no reaction. The team leader and the other two seemed to be guarding the first floor.

“Then fuck, at least tell me why we’re not leaving and just sitting here. I need to go to the Yang family right now. We don’t have time to waste like this.”

Once again, his words were ignored. However, the two Espers’ reactions were different this time. The sound of chairs being pushed back was heard as they suddenly stood up. Then they whispered something and one of them went out the door.

What’s going on? As Seong-hyeon was about to ask, he heard some sounds.

Thud. Pitter-patter.

It sounded like something falling over on the first floor and someone running on the wooden floor. As if wearing shoes.

“W-who’s there?”

“Shh.”

The remaining Esper warned him to be quiet and headed towards the door, seemingly to check on the situation downstairs. However, before he could take a few steps, a sound was heard as if someone had collapsed on the floor.

“Huk…!”

After that, he was gasping for breath as if in pain. W-what’s going on? Startled, Seong-hyeon could only open his mouth without making a sound. He listened intently in surprise, but all he could hear were the painful groans of the Esper who had been watching him.

“Kuhek! Keuk…”

“Hey… W-what… W-what’s wrong?”

He asked in a trembling voice, but still got no answer. I need to escape. His instinct screamed, but there was nothing he could do with his bound body. Even if that weren’t the case, he was too terrified to stand up, shaking violently. Did the East Center attack? Did the Hong family find me? That’s when it happened.

Step, step, step.

Flinch. Ji Seong-hyeon shrank his shoulders and tried to push his hips back to avoid it as much as possible.

Step, step.

The footsteps seemed to have reached the second floor now, getting closer. He wanted to run away. But all he could do was tremble in fear. Unable to move and unable to see, he was completely exposed to the sounds flowing into his ears.

“Huk! W-who…”

The Esper asked with difficulty, but was cut off by another unfamiliar sound.

Slash.

It was an unfamiliar sound to Seong-hyeon, but his instinct seemed to recognize it immediately. The moment he heard that sound, goosebumps spread like a scream all over his body. His mind realized a beat later. It’s the sound of something being cut with a knife. But… what?!

Thud.

Some heavy object fell to the floor.

Swoosh, splatter.

The sound of swinging again was followed by the sound of liquid splattering on the floor. However, no more guessing by sound was necessary. Because he could smell blood.

“Huk…”

Without realizing it, a gasp escaped him, terrified. His body trembled like a machine vibrating. The fact that someone who had just killed the Esper was right in front of him, though invisible, was chillingly frightening.

Moreover, now he couldn’t hear any sound. Instead, he felt a gaze. His breath caught in his throat and fear bound him tightly like another restraint.

Step.

The footsteps stopped nearby. Huk, huk… His heart was pounding as if it would burst.

“P-please spare…”

His pleading words couldn’t fully come out, suppressed by fear. As footsteps were heard again and he sensed someone approaching very close, Seong-hyeon pulled his body back further as if having a seizure.

“P-please spare me! I’m the son of Great Guide Ji Geun-oh. I-if you spare me, my father will do anything for you! I-I’ll give you Alpha seeds too! I have high utility value, I’ll give you anything you want. U-use me!”

He wanted to beg to be spared, saying he’d do anything. But a chill rose in his throat and no more words came out. The coldness of metal touched him.

As soon as the thought that it was a blade occurred to him, Seong-hyeon’s breath caught in his throat and his mind stopped. The blade touching his body didn’t cut his neck, but his consciousness was cut off by fear. The last thing he perceived was a faint whisper.

“Use you, huh.”

The Alpha team leader couldn’t believe the situation before his eyes. His team members were all A-rank Espers. The reason he took pride in his team wasn’t just because they were elites among elites. They all had extensive field experience.

They had never lost in fights not only against monsters but also against other Espers. But now, ridiculously, everyone collapsed at once as if by agreement.

Without feeling any external pressure, suddenly their internal power twisted and drained away. Then it scattered and disappeared. Scattered, he felt this expression was accurate.

Because he had never heard of such a case before, he had to watch helplessly as his subordinates’ necks were easily cut by the intruder right before his eyes. Strangely, after quickly disposing of two subordinates, the intruder went upstairs without even looking back at him.

And seeing the intruder who came down after a while, the team leader was shocked once again. The person walking straight towards him was clearly Ji Won-woo. But that’s impossible. How could he have done this to us… No, the team leader quickly denied this possibility. Although he had wielded the knife, there was no way he could have brought them down like this.

He had never heard of a Guide, let alone a D-rank one, attacking Eespers in such a way. But it was strange. Why did that expressionless face, those cold eyes approaching him increasingly feel like the culprit behind all this?

The unease deepened because of the subordinates’ blood he was covered in. However, only gasping breaths came from his mouth, so he couldn’t ask questions. Instead, Won-woo, who stood in front of him, spoke first.

“How interesting.”

“Ugh… What…”

The team leader could barely utter one word, but Won-woo seemed to understand and kindly explained.

“You had the same eyes when I last saw you. You looked bewildered, not understanding why you were dying.”

Last time? He couldn’t understand because he had never met Ji Won-woo before. But he didn’t have the luxury to think deeper. As if the essence of his power had been shattered, terrible pain made his mind hazy. However, at the name that came from Won-woo’s lips, the team leader raised his eyes again.

“Why hasn’t the Yang family head shown himself to the world for years?”

How dare you talk about the family head… Even in his confused state, he tried to glare at the other person. Seeing him like that, Won-woo twisted his lips as if amused.

“That’s similar too. You had the same eyes when I asked how the Yang family head died.”

“Kuk… He… is… a-alive…”

The team leader strained to refute Won-woo’s words.

“Then why doesn’t he show himself?”

“…”

“You won’t answer like last time, so I guess I shouldn’t use the same method.”

Won-woo’s words were still full of questions to the team leader, but there was little he could do. All he could do was watch as Won-woo’s hand touched his lower abdomen and open his mouth. A terrible scream burst from that mouth.

“Kuaaagh!!!”

With his blood-stained hand, Won-woo manipulated the last bit of power remaining in the team leader’s body as if wringing it out. This torture method worked quite well on Espers, but he couldn’t use it on him in the previous world.

At that time, avenging his comrades took priority, so there was no patience to keep him alive longer. But this time was different. A temptation reached the team leader’s ears as he writhed in pain.

“I’ll kill you quickly if you answer.”

The temptation of escaping the pain echoed in his mind. And then the question came.

“Where is the Yang family head?”