IDSEGI Chapter 91

Chapter 91

Yushin was a little surprised at Ihan’s words.

‘Yoo Ihan called a Guide “my Guide”? After Guide Lee Chanwon died, he kept his distance from Guides, so why’s he acting like this?’

He didn’t know the reason, but it was clear Ihan’s obsession was unusual. Yushin cautiously offered advice.

“If it’s possession as an Esper, drop it. You know that going after another Esper’s Guide is the kind of thing you can get stoned for and still have nothing to say for yourself, right?”

“Tell them to throw stones then. If they can hit me.”

“Do you even have a conscience? What if, worst case, the two of them are a couple?”

“Our country has this great system called transferring.”

At Ihan’s shameless attitude, Yushin shook his head. How did you end up tangled with someone like this? He felt pity for the Guide Han Yeoul, whom he had never even met.

Still worried, Yushin sighed.

“Yoon Geon is an S-Class Esper too. If you mess with his Guide recklessly, even Headquarters won’t let it slide.”

“No. On the contrary, Headquarters will step in.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Again, Ihan only shrugged without answering.

* * *

After obtaining the information, Ihan unilaterally informed the Zone 1 Center Director.

“Put in a deployment request for Zone 5’s Esper Yoon Geon.”

The director was baffled by Ihan’s sudden intrusion and out-of-the-blue demand.

“What? Gates have been quiet lately. What do you need to send a deployment request for?”

Ihan waved his hand as if annoyed by the director questioning him.

“Make up some excuse. Just enough to get him out for a bit.”

“What’s this about? Deployment requests for an S-Class Esper need Headquarters’ approval.”

“I’m asking you because going to Headquarters first will be a hassle. Forge it if you have to.”

“Are you trying to get yourself exiled? And how is this in any way a request?”

The director snapped, but Ihan indifferently ignored him.

“Are you going to do it or not? If I just barge in, you’ll have an even harder time.”

What on earth is this about? Feeling uneasy, the director asked, hoping Ihan would give him a reassuring answer.

“This isn’t the kind of thing that’ll cause a war between zones, right?”

“……”

“Why aren’t you answering?!”

At the director’s pressing, Ihan sighed irritably, as if he couldn’t be more bothered.

“If you don’t want a real war, how about you grant my request while I’m still asking nicely?”

“You need to relearn the definition of a request.”

“Should I just barge in?”

“Alright! Fine! If I lose my position as director, I’ll know it’s because of you!”

“With me around, what’s there to worry about?”

It was a curt remark, but coming from Ihan, it sounded oddly reliable. This was why it was impossible to truly hate him. The director let out a long sigh, making sure Ihan could hear it.

“You’re shortening my lifespan.”

“If you want to live longer, tell me. I’ll give you a good cursing.”

Groaning, the director racked his brain over how to summon Yoon Geon. Summoning him aside, he wanted to at least know why Ihan was acting like this so suddenly.

“So, what are you going to do once he’s here?”

At the director’s question, Ihan answered as if it were nothing more than going out for a stroll.

“I’m going to Zone 5.”

“For the cooperation request? How did you even hear about that?”

“What cooperation request?”

“Isn’t that what you were talking about? Researcher Kim Eunha from Zone 5 sent you a request for research cooperation. But then they took it back, saying there was no need for you to come. You don’t need to go. It’s not something you should be involved in anyway.”

“They took back the cooperation request?”

“Yeah.”

Ihan was lost in thought for a moment before speaking again.

“Pretend you didn’t hear about them taking it back.”

“What? How does that even work! Hey! Where are you going? You’re not coming back? I told you to control yourself!”

As soon as Ihan finished speaking, he turned away without hesitation. The director shouted after him, but Ihan just waved a hand dismissively without looking back.

“I’m going. Make up some excuse.”

“At least tell me why you’re going!”

Ihan’s mouth curved into a crooked smile.

“To do something bad.”

He gave a faint smile, then closed the door and disappeared.

* * *

Yoon Geon received unexpected news from the Zone 5 Center Director.

“You’re saying Zone 1 sent a gate cooperation request?”

“That’s right. Gates have been quiet for a while, but it seems a large gate appeared outside the zones this time. They say it’s strong enough to break through the wall.”

Finding the order strange, Yoon Geon pointed out the oddity.

“Doesn’t Zone 1 have Esper Yoo Ihan?”

“Seems he’s away on an overseas mission. They say they need your help, but if it’s too much trouble, I can decline on your behalf.”

“Has Headquarters approved this?”

“The paperwork is all in order.”

Something felt off. Since Ihan was assigned to Zone 1, they had never once requested assistance from another zone. And now they were calling for the very person they had sent away to Zone 5?

‘What’s the scheme here?’

It left a bad feeling in his gut. What was Headquarters plotting this time? Still, if only to find out, he would have to go.

“Understood.”

“They want it handled quietly, apparently. Preferably without bringing your Guide along, though that’s a bit much to ask. If you want to take Guide Han Yeoul, I can speak to them for you.”

“No.”

Yoon Geon thought of Yeoul. Ever since his birthday, Yeoul had seemed off. He looked uneasy, like someone being chased, and often didn’t respond when called, lost in thought.

‘And our match rate has definitely dropped.’

He hadn’t done a formal check, but an Esper could sense these things. The match rate with Yeoul had fallen. And what that meant was…

‘Wait.’

Wait until Yeoul told him himself. There had to be a reason. Yoon Geon had always respected Yeoul’s thoughts and wanted to do whatever Yeoul wanted. But if some other Esper was trying to take Yeoul from him—

His gloved hand clenched into a fist, creasing the black leather.

He would not lose his Guide. No—he would not lose Han Yeoul. Never.

Back home, before preparing for deployment, Yoon Geon informed Yeoul first.

“I’ll be away for a while.”

“How long?”

“Hard to say. I’ll know when I get there, but I should be back within three days.”

“I don’t need to go with you? What if something happens to you…”

At Yeoul’s worried gaze, Yoon Geon’s lips curved without him realizing.

“It’s fine. If something dangerous happens, I’ll call you.”

“You hardly ever call me even when something does happen. You always carry the burden alone.”

When Yeoul pouted, Yoon Geon gently ruffled his hair.

“I only do it when I can handle it. If it’s too much, I’ll call, so be ready.”

“If you’re going to get guidance from another Guide, just call me. You know it’s better to avoid painful guiding.”

“…”

“See? You can’t honestly say that’s bearable, can you?”

Giving him a sidelong glance, Yeoul added in a voice full of concern,

“Don’t hurt yourself for no reason.”

If two months later Yeoul had no choice but to die, then until Seo Yeon-oh arrived, Yoon Geon would have to endure painful guiding from another Guide. Yeoul wanted to guide him as much as he could until then.

“Use me. Don’t—”

Don’t make me the only one to use you. He swallowed the rest of the sentence and smiled playfully.

“You know, for someone who looks like a tiger, you’re actually like a bear once you get to know you.”

“You just haven’t seen a real bear. They’re fast too.”

“Really?”

When Yeoul’s eyes widened, Yoon Geon tapped the bridge of his nose teasingly.

“So if you run into a bear, don’t run—climb a tree.”

Yeoul grumbled in reply to his playful look.

“What are the chances I’ll ever run into a bear?”

“Yeah. I wouldn’t let you go anywhere alone in the first place.”

“You should get your own hobbies. You only ever do the things I suggest. Even when I go somewhere alone, you insist on tagging along.”

“You’re like a kid left by the water’s edge.”

At the word “kid,” Yeoul bristled.

“What kind of kid is this big?”

“Go look in the mirror. You’ll see one there.”

“You really do put your all into teasing me.”

“I’m always sincere with you.”

Yeoul froze at those words. Knowing his feelings, everything Yoon Geon said sounded different now. His mix of playfulness and sincerity pricked at Yeoul’s conscience. He gave a small laugh, lightly tapping Yoon Geon’s shoulder.

“I think of you like family. So if something’s wrong, tell me. Don’t just keep it to yourself.”

“Wait for me at home. That’s the best way you can help me.”

“How is that helping?”

“It helps.”

The firm tone softened.

“When I know you’re here, it makes me want to come back, no matter what.”

When Yeoul froze again, Yoon Geon placed a hand on his shoulder.

“I’ll be back. Eat well while I’m gone.”

His eyes were warm and gentle, like he was looking at something precious. The only thing Yeoul could do for him now was pretend not to know—he couldn’t be the first to acknowledge what Yoon Geon hadn’t voiced.

Suppressing the rush of guilt that welled up, Yeoul smiled faintly.

“Have a safe trip.”

“Yeah.”

Only then did Yoon Geon’s expression come into focus for Yeoul—it was the face of a man looking at someone he loved.