IDSEGI Chapter 83

Chapter 83

“I’m back.”

The moment Yeoul realized he had returned, his thoughts went straight to Ihan’s safety.

“Ihan, is Ihan alive?”

“What?”

“Yoo Ihan! The Esper from Zone 1! Where is he right now?”

Yeoul nearly clung to Yoon Geon’s chest, his desperation so strong it was almost pitiful. Yoon Geon grabbed his shoulders and shook him.

“Han Yeoul! Calm down.”

At that, Yeoul’s mind snapped back into focus. If he had really returned—if time had truly gone back to before he met Ihan—

I can’t waste time here.

“What do you mean? Why…”

“Hyung.”

“Yeah, I’m listening.”

Even though their conversation had been cut short, Yoon Geon showed no irritation. He simply waited patiently for Yeoul’s next words.

Yeoul’s frantic expression disappeared, replaced by a grim determination as his gaze met Yoon Geon’s.

“I need to go to Zone 1.”

“…Alright. Got it.”

Yoon Geon didn’t ask why, didn’t demand an explanation, didn’t press for details.

“Then let’s go. We’ll go to Zone 1.”

He simply supported Yeoul, just as he always had.

Relieved by his unhesitant answer, Yeoul suddenly realized he was practically leaning into him.

“Ah—s-sorry.”

He quickly stepped back, and Yoon Geon let him go without trying to hold on to the warmth leaving his arms. As Yeoul moved a step away, an awkwardness settled between them. Yeoul rubbed his arm, glancing at Yoon Geon.

In Yoon Geon’s steady gaze, there was both worry and warmth. Feeling guilty for making him worry, Yeoul opened his mouth to make some flimsy excuse.

“I just had a dream for a moment… so, about what I said about going to Zone 1…”

How was he supposed to explain this? Now that his head was clearer, Yeoul worried about how strange his behavior must have looked to Yoon Geon.

“I mean… what I’m trying to say is…”

His mind went completely blank.

He had to explain himself, but in the face of such sincere concern, he couldn’t bring himself to lie. Yet he couldn’t tell the truth either.

Suddenly saying “I’ve come back in time” would only leave the other man bewildered.

…No, maybe he would believe me.

He thought of the Yoon Geon from his previous life, the one who had believed in him and helped him. If he told him everything, Hyung would believe him.

That sense of relief was quickly followed by guilt, because now Yeoul understood why Yoon Geon trusted him so deeply.

While Yeoul hesitated, lips parting and closing again, Yoon Geon called his name quietly.

“Han Yeoul.”

“Yes?”

Yoon Geon kept his gaze fixed on him and spoke his name once more.

His voice was calm, almost cool, yet it swayed gently like sunlight filtering through leaves.

“Yeoul-ah.”

“Yes. What is it, hyung?”

“I won’t ask anything. So…”

Yoon Geon’s eyes flicked down to Yeoul’s hands. His fingertips were trembling.

Seeing Yeoul’s pale face and flustered expression, he gently took hold of his shaking wrist.

“You don’t have to say anything.”

“….”

“Just rest today. I’ll put in the transfer request for Zone 1.”

“I’m fine—”

“Keeping up your condition is part of a Guide’s duty.”

Though his expression was soft, his tone left no room for argument. Yeoul closed his mouth.

Yoon Geon guided him to the bed and pulled the blanket over him.

“Stay here and rest.”

“Hyung, you really don’t have to—”

“If you get sick, I’m the one who suffers. You’re the only one who can guide me, remember?”

He carefully brushed away the damp strands of hair stuck to Yeoul’s forehead.

“Rest—not for yourself, but for me.”

Only then did Yeoul truly notice his expression.

He could see now, clearly, what he hadn’t before.

Hyung… you loved me.

From this moment… no, from long before this moment, Yoon Geon had loved him.

And it had taken three lifetimes for Yeoul to realize it.

“Then I’ll go to the Center for a bit. If you want to eat something, tell me—I’ll bring it back on my way.”

Yeoul looked at him for a moment, then shook his head.

“No, I’m not hungry.”

“Then I’ll at least get you some porridge.”

“Yes. Thank you, hyung.”

As Yeoul watched Yoon Geon open the door to leave, he hurriedly called out to stop him.

“Hyung.”

“Yeah? What is it?”

“Thank you. And…”

Yeoul swallowed the rest of his words. Instead, he smiled and waved at Yoon Geon.

“Bring me melon-flavored ice cream when you come back.”

A faint smile spread across Yoon Geon’s lips as he affectionately patted Yeoul’s head.

“I’ll be back.”

When the door closed and the sound of his footsteps faded away, Yeoul murmured quietly.

“And… I’m sorry, hyung.”

I know your feelings now, but I’ll pretend I don’t.

Only in his third life had Yeoul realized Yoon Geon’s love for him—and he had rejected it. Even though time had turned back to three years ago, it didn’t mean he could accept him now.

No matter how many lives he lived, only one person breathed inside his heart.

“Ihan…”

He missed Ihan so much. In the year 2302, he hadn’t met him yet.

Yeoul took out his phone and typed Yoo Ihan’s name into a portal search. Even just seeing his picture might ease the ache a little.

After typing “Yoo I–,” related search terms quickly appeared.

Yoo I_
Yoo Ihan gate
Yoo Ihan Jamsil
Yoo Ihan looks
Yoo Ihan imprint

Imprint?

What did that mean? Imprint?

Hurriedly, Yeoul clicked on “Yoo Ihan imprint.” The headline at the top of the article made his mouth fall open.

“Yoo Ihan, secretly imprinted?”

“What?”

Yeoul’s hands trembled again, but this time for a different reason.

“He imprinted… with another Guide?”

No. No way. Ihan would never do that.

He read the full article carefully.

—According to his primary Guide, Mr. A, who is considered Yoo Ihan’s unofficial partner… news has emerged that Yoo Ihan has completed an imprint with one Guide and is now refusing guiding from others…

“That bastard Yoo Ihan!”

Yeoul shot to his feet, glaring at his phone like he might smash it.

Cheating on me? That son of a—

“Who the hell did you imprint with?!”

He searched every news source, but while they all confirmed the imprint, none revealed the Guide’s name.

Furious, Yeoul threw on a coat and headed outside.

He had to get to Zone 1 right away.

If that cheating bastard thought he could get away with this…

* * *

After hearing the shocking news that Ihan had imprinted with another Guide, Yeoul’s first instinct was to storm into Zone 1 immediately.

After everything I did for him, he imprints with someone else?

Blinded by rage, he couldn’t think straight.

He had finally gone back to before the imprint so they could live happily together, and now this—getting caught in a love triangle before they’d even started?

Zone transfer approvals took time, but Yeoul wanted to confirm the truth right now.

He went to Esper Kim Jiwon, who had spatial abilities, and begged.

“Esper Kim Jiwon! Can’t you take me to Zone 1?”

When Yeoul promised to do anything, Jiwon agreed readily—but only under one condition.

Later, Yeoul trotted up to Jiwon, who was wearing a hat with the word [PLAY!] written on it.

“Esper Kim Jiwon! I bought all the merch you asked for. Can we go now?”

Only after inspecting every shopping bag Yeoul carried did Jiwon nod.

“You got it all. Good work. Then let’s meet back here at 7 after the concert ends.”

“Okay, got it.”

The condition for taking Yeoul to Zone 1 was to sweep up all the goods at an idol group [PLAY!] concert. Since there was a limit of two per person, Jiwon had been frustrated—until Yeoul showed up, making it a win-win.

Waiting for transfer approval would’ve taken longer anyway, so Yeoul gladly agreed.

While they stood in the long line at the concert hall in Zone 1, Yeoul asked,

“But why do you need four of the same merch?”

It was a genuine question, but Jiwon gave him a disdainful look and shook his head.

“This is why you’re a muggle.”

He even spat a little while explaining why four were necessary: one for actual use, one for storage, one for spreading the word, and one as a backup in case of loss.

“Got it now?”

Not at all.

When Yeoul hesitated to answer, Jiwon decided it was hopeless and gifted him one of the “spreading-the-word” hats.

“Make sure you wear it! I’m giving you something precious here.”

Yeoul thought he’d rather refuse if he had to hear that tone, but since Jiwon was the one who’d bring him to Zone 1 and back, he accepted it.

Honestly, if it were Ihan’s photo on it, Yeoul would completely understand needing four.

Our Ihan’s picture deserves at least four copies.

Well… minus the “spreading-the-word” one. Why would I show that face to anyone else? I can barely get enough of it myself.

If anyone overheard him, they’d probably say he was insane, but he didn’t care. The imprint was undone now—there was nothing left but to love Ihan as much as he wanted.

But Yoo Ihan had the nerve to imprint with someone else?

If the article was true, Yeoul definitely wasn’t going to let him off easy.

Leaving the concert hall quickly, he strode through the corridor when the building suddenly shook.

“What the—?”

The walls rumbled, paint chips falling from the ceiling.

Yeoul covered his head with his arms and sprinted as fast as he could.

From inside the concert hall, people’s screams echoed.

A monster? He had to get out before the crowd surged.

Then, a purple, sticky tentacle shot toward his back.

“Ugh!”

It wrapped around his ankle, starting to drag him—then suddenly stopped.

Looking down, he saw the tentacle burning away to ash.

Before he could even grasp what was happening, someone grabbed him and pulled him upright.

“Are you alright?”

The moment Yeoul saw that person’s face, he gasped.