FTE 019

After focusing intensely during shooting practice, my brain felt mushy now, and I gave a weary smile as I shook my head.

“Nah, that won’t work.”

I sipped some more water, feeling refreshed, and spread out my index and middle fingers.

“We need to extract Hunter Chae Won-u’s water too. Thinking about it, Hunter Chae Won-u’s ability is truly remarkable. That’s why elemental hunters receive such special treatment.”

A hunter isn’t quite human or beast but leans slightly towards being an object. Their guide also doesn’t seem particularly unique. In this sense, Chae Won-u must be considered extremely valuable. Wouldn’t people generally view him that way, including those from the Hunter Association? With a forced grin, I put down the glass of water. Chae Won-u was watching me closely.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Well, it’s possible only the two of us might survive in this world.”

There were others who could use water besides Chae Won-u. While they couldn’t extract water like him, they might be able to purify dirty water. Therefore, it was almost certain that we wouldn’t be the only ones left on Earth. However, explaining these reasons would make me seem pretentious and uninteresting, so I just shrugged my shoulders.

“What does it matter? It’s good for me because I’m reliable, and it’s good for you, Hunter Chae Won-u, since there is no need to worry about shock.”

Chae Won-u smiled broadly. Despite knowing that if only the two of us remained, humanity would surely perish, he looked genuinely happy, as if envisioning a fairy tale ending. As his lips parted, I subtly inserted a suggestion between his words.

“It is better not to hope for such things.”

“Um, yes.”

For some reason, Chae Won-u seemed unusually gentle today—no, just recently. One could say he looked tired or lacking energy. In any case, his mind seemed preoccupied elsewhere.

I picked up my tray and stood up. I was feeling quite weary myself. With all that had happened since yesterday, taking an early break sounded appealing.

“You’ve finished eating, so shall we go now?”

Chae Won-u yawned and nodded. See? He really was sleepy.

***

When I came out after washing up, Chae Won-u was already dozing off. With my hair still dripping wet, I cautiously approached him and softly called his name. It’s best not to wake him by shaking or startling him unless absolutely necessary, like this morning, as activating his defense mechanism could result in harm—or worse—to me.

“Hunter Chae Won-u, please go inside and sleep.”

“…”

“Hunter Chae Won-u.”

Seeing slight twitches around his eyes indicated he might be hearing me. If he were even slightly awake, would it be safe to gently shake him? However, despite my intentions, my hand repeatedly hesitated, extending and then awkwardly withdrawing.

“Hunter Chae Won-u.” I leaned closer and whispered softly. This time, elongating each syllable slowly. Soon, his eyelids fluttered, showing signs of awareness. Thinking it was safe, I reached out with my hand. Just as my fingers touched his cheek…

“…Hyung.”

Chae Won-u grabbed my wrist and twisted it before opening his eyes.

“Ah… Sorry. I’m sorry. Did it hurt?”

Chae Won-u hastily got up, still groggy from sleep. Honestly, my heart was racing fast, but I tried to act like nothing happened. The sight of Chae Won-u’s pale face this morning wouldn’t leave my mind. He couldn’t forget that situation either, turning even paler than earlier as he stumbled backward.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s just a wrist grab; you don’t need to be so apologetic.”

Although it didn’t break, it could’ve easily resulted in a sprain. The extent to which hunters’ physical abilities increase when their defense mechanisms kick in remained unexplored territory. If I weren’t a guide with enhanced resilience, my wrist would have undoubtedly snapped.

“Go inside and sleep. If you sleep with your neck twisted, it will be uncomfortable.”

Chae Won-u hid his hands behind him, nodding dejectedly. Most people would’ve grabbed their twisted wrist, wailing in pain. However, Chae Won-u couldn’t touch his hand or even lift his head. It was…somewhat pitiful. Having interacted with numerous hunters before, this was my first time witnessing someone so disheartened by a mere mistake.

I headed to the kitchen, fetched some lukewarm water, and handed it to Chae Won-u using his uninjured hand.

“It’s your first time having a partner,” I said softly, striving for reassurance despite my still-racing heart.

“Originally, we adjust while making various mistakes. There is a reason why matching training is done periodically. So Chae Won-u hunter, just go to sleep today.”

At these words, Chae Won-u slowly got up. He looked down at my offered hand before taking it and pulling himself upright.

“Hyung. Good night.”

It was just one word, ‘goodnight’. It was a commonly used phrase but had a powerful spell-like effect. If I didn’t sleep well, he seemed like he would cry. I nodded, and as Chae Won-u headed back to his room, I muttered after him:

“Good night, Hunter Chae Won-u.”

We had been staying in the same accommodation for several days now, yet this was our first exchange of goodnights. Feeling slightly awkward, I lowered my raised hand.

***

<Matching Test and Training Process – Acting: Schedule Pending>

I took a sip of coffee while reading yet another notice. It was already the third time this acting training had been postponed. The training usually occurred three times a week, but now it had been delayed thrice. This wasn’t common at all.

My coffee was already finished. As I inserted another capsule into the machine, I pondered the reason for the delay. However, I knew asking wouldn’t yield any answers. Ever since becoming Chae Won-u’s partner, I constantly hit brick walls. ‘Can’t tell you about this…’ or ‘Can’t inform you about that…’ Although similar situations occurred with my previous partners, it felt particularly frustrating with Won-u due to the unexpected frequency of these incidents.

“Acting…” I knew it wouldn’t work, but I still made the call. While waiting for the internal line to connect with Training and Development, I poured ice cubes into my empty cup. Just then, all the shots were finished. As I poured cold water over the ice, I greeted the person who answered the phone.

“Yes! How may I assist you? This is Guide Yang Baekgyeom. My code is…”

After reciting my newly assigned code, I was told to wait momentarily. After taking a sip of my completed iced coffee, I finally reached the right person.

—This is Lee Minyoung, the chief officer responsible for special hunters from the training department.

“This is Guide Yang Baekgyeom. My partner is Hunter Chae Won-u. Hunter Chae Won-u’s code is…”

—Ah, Guide Yang Baekgyeom. No need for the code. What brings you here?

The tone of her voice suddenly shifted. Although Chae Won-u found it odd, there were many reasons why he could be well-known—his looks, personality, abilities, past incidents, or any combination thereof—so he didn’t think much of it.

“I keep getting notifications that my training sessions have been postponed. According to my guide’s readings, I’m supposed to do matching drills three times a week and twice before every mission.”

—Hold on, please…

I heard someone humming as they typed away. Then, after a brief moment, I sensed their discomfort.

—Did you say ‘partner’

“Yes.”

—And your name is Guide Yang Baekgyeom, correct?

There was a hint of suspicion in her voice. Despite being a contract employee, her tenure should’ve alleviated such doubts. She cautiously responded:

“That’s right. Is there a problem?”

―Um. No. We don’t know the exact reason either, but it seems to be due to personal reasons of your partner. Could Chae Won-u have taken sick leave perhaps?

Now I understood why there was sudden suspicion. If he had taken sick leave, I would’ve known as his partner, making their inquiry suspicious. However, I truly was his partner. I knew clearly that Chae Won-u hadn’t taken sick leave or had any personal issues.

I pressed my thumbnail against the middle of my lip, contemplating before ending the call with thanks. My reflection appeared on the darkened screen, showing disbelief written all over my face. It really was absurd.

“What is this?”

There were so many inexplicable occurrences already in my life, which often defied common sense, even without Chae Won-u’s situation adding to the confusion.

***

The pinnacle of incomprehensible events occurred with Chae Won-u. After undergoing other training sessions and dragging my tired body back to our accommodation, I saw Chae Won-u’s shoes but not his figure. The door had been closed for three days without opening, so I hadn’t seen his face during that time. Standing outside Chae Won-u’s room, I raised my hand several times to knock.

“Hunter Chae Won-u.”

Ultimately, instead of knocking on the door, I moved closer and quietly called out to him. I sensed his presence.

“Are you doing well?”

“…Yes.”

“Have you been injured by monster saliva or transformed somehow?”

“…No.”

“But no matter how monstrous you may look, you’re still my partner.”

Yes, that won’t change for at least one year according to our contract. I muttered this as if justifying myself while gently coaxing Chae Won-u.

“If there’s any problem, please tell me. I’ll help.”

“Don’t worry… I’m still pretty.”

Was I worried about him? Upon reflection, every time I passed by his room, I would pause briefly and hesitate with two sets of utensils in hand from the kitchen. It dawned on me that these actions stemmed from concern.

No, he shouldn’t have made me worry like that. And what does he mean by ‘still pretty’ anyway?

…Right. Chae Won-u was indeed quite pretty and charming, but…