PV Ch.18 Part 1

#18. Approaching Danger

“Thank goodness…”

Bomin let out a sigh of relief as he watched Shi Yu-hyeon safely secure the child in his arms. His heart was pounding so hard he thought it might burst out of his chest. 

The Espers on the scene had contacted the Association, and more Espers were arriving, their powers helping to control the chaotic situation. Shi Yu-hyeon, after reuniting the little girl with her frantic parents, joined them.

The situation was quickly brought under control, thanks to the presence of several off-duty Espers who were enjoying their day off.

“Bomin-ssi!”

Bomin was about to join them, to see if he could offer any assistance, when he heard Shi Yu-hyeon calling his name. 

The sight of Shi Yu-hyeon running towards him, his face filled with alarm, was the last thing he saw

“Huh…?”

He felt a strong arm wrap around his waist, pulling him away from the crowd.

“It’s been a while. I’ve missed you so much.”

…Oh, fuck. 

Bomin’s face hardened. He knew Seok Changmu wouldn’t give up on him so easily.

He had stalked Bomin relentlessly in the real world, eventually killing him. And now, here he was, in the novel, wearing the face of Jeong Hotae, the one who held a special place in Bomin’s heart. 

Bomin discreetly reached towards his ankle, hoping Seok Changmu wouldn’t notice.

‘Keep this with you at all times. And don’t hesitate to use it if anything happens. Understand?’

It was a gift from Song Jaeho, given to him before he left for China. It was a weapon designed for Guides. It wouldn’t kill Seok Changmu, but it would buy him some time, enough for Shi Yu-hyeon to catch up. 

Shi Yu-hyeon, witnessing the kidnapping, would definitely come after him. 

“I wouldn’t try anything if I were you.”

Bomin might have thought he was being subtle, but he was no match for an S-rank Esper’s senses.

Seok Changmu’s hand easily blocked Bomin’s attempt to reach for the weapon. He simply smiled, unfazed by Bomin’s murderous glare. 

“Why are you so angry? Didn’t you miss seeing my face?”

“Let go of me.”

Seok Changmu’s hand lingered on Bomin’s skin as he pulled him away. 

A wave of revulsion washed over Bomin. 

“And stop pretending to be Jeong Hotae. It’s disgusting.”

“…..”

Seok Changmu’s smile faltered. His eyes, usually a lifeless gray, narrowed as they raked over Bomin’s face.

“What are you talking about, Bomin-ah? Even if you’re angry, you shouldn’t say such things.” 

“You’re disgusting. I should never have gotten involved with you. If I could go back, I would avoid you like the plague…”

BOOOOM!

One of the buildings nearby exploded. Bomin glared at Seok Changmu, his jaw clenched. 

Seok Changmu knew him too well. 

Bomin hated causing harm to others. That explosion could have injured, even killed, dozens of people. Seok Changmu, however, was indifferent. The lives of others meant nothing to him. 

But Bomin, even though it wasn’t his fault, would feel guilty. The way his lips, which had been spewing venomous words just moments ago, were now tightly shut was proof enough. 

“Such a pretty mouth. You should only say kind things.”

Right? 

He grinned, his words sending a chill down Bomin’s spine. Bomin clenched his fists so hard his nails dug into his palms.

* * * 

“Bomin-ssi!”

What just happened? 

Shi Yu-hyeon’s eyes frantically scanned the area where Bomin had been standing. He hadn’t left his side for long.

As he was about to give chase, a group of figures emerged from the shadows.

“Who are you?”

A sword, glowing with white light, materialized in his hand. His eyes hardened. 

“.….”

They remained silent, their bodies radiating power as they prepared to face him.

“You’re Esper Shi Yu-hyeon, the newly awakened S-rank, correct?”

“Guide Lee Bomin has been kidnapped. Please deal with these people.”

Shi Yu-hyeon, sensing the urgency of the situation, briefly explained to the Association Espers who had arrived. He wanted to wipe out these thugs himself, but rescuing Bomin was his priority.

“Stop him.” 

As Shi Yu-hyeon moved to leave, they blocked his path. Their leader stepped forward. 

“Ugh…”

He cried out as Shi Yu-hyeon’s sword sliced through his chest, leaving a deep gash. 

“We’ll take care of them.” 

“Thank you.”

Despite their leader’s injury, the others moved to intercept him. But the Association Espers weren’t just going to stand there. 

They activated their powers, a wave of energy filling the air.

Shi Yu-hyeon, wasting no time, ran in the direction Bomin had disappeared. He was getting anxious. They had already wasted precious minutes.

He was certain the kidnapper’s ability was shadow manipulation. 

He had heard that Bomin had been kidnapped by Non-K before Shi Yu-hyeon joined the Association. 

He felt a tightness in his chest. His heart was racing. 

He shouldn’t have let his guard down. He should have been more aware of the dangers surrounding Bomin.

His blue eyes desperately searched for any sign of him. 

He saw it—a building, its upper floors engulfed in smoke. The damage to the rooftop, a chunk of concrete missing, was too precise to be accidental.

“Bomin-ssi!” 

He called out Bomin’s name as he landed on the rooftop, his voice filled with urgency. 

“…I’m here.”

“Haa…”

Shi Yu-hyeon, his chest tightening with relief, ran towards the source of the voice, pushing through the smoke. He found Bomin leaning against a wall. 

“Are you alright? Are you hurt? Where is he?” 

He knelt before Bomin, his hands gently cupping his face as he checked for injuries. He found none. 

“I’m fine. That bast—I mean, he’s gone.” 

Bomin bit back a curse. For some reason, he wanted to show Yu-hyeon only his best side. 

“Thank goodness…” 

Shi Yu-hyeon collapsed against Bomin, his body trembling. Bomin instinctively wrapped his arms around him, his hand gently rubbing his back. 

His own expression, hidden from view, darkened. The photograph in his pocket felt heavy. 

* * *

“Bomin-ah, are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine, really.”

News of Bomin’s near-kidnapping spread quickly. Han Biseong had a hard time stopping Song Jaeho from flying back from China.

Kim Seohun rushed to Bomin’s side the moment he completed his mission.

Bomin was currently staying in Shi Yu-hyeon’s room. The Association, realizing his importance, was no longer treating him as casually as they had before his previous kidnapping.

He was, after all, an A-rank Guide on the verge of awakening as an S-rank. They were already preparing new quarters for him.

But the fact that he had been targeted again, even within the supposedly secure walls of the Association, had raised alarm bells. And so, both for his safety and theirs, Bomin ended up staying with Shi Yu-hyeon.

“I thought something bad had happened to you again…” 

Kim Seohun’s face was pale, his voice trembling. 

Bomin pulled him into a hug, patting his back in the same way he had comforted Shi Yu-hyeon earlier.

“You’re such a crybaby.” 

Bomin chuckled as he felt Kim Seohun’s shoulder getting wet. The room, decorated differently from Song Jaeho’s, felt unfamiliar. 

“Dinner’s ready, Bomin-ssi.”

“Already?”

“Yes.”

Shi Yu-hyeon, wearing a light blue apron, emerged from the kitchen. He looked like he belonged on a cooking show, not in a simple dorm room. 

“Let’s eat, Seohun-ah. Yu-hyeon-ssi is a really good cook.”

“Okay…”

Kim Seohun nodded, wiping his eyes. He wanted to appear strong in front of Bomin, but his tears wouldn’t stop. 

“Your seat is here, Bomin-ssi…”

BAM, BAM, BAM!

Shi Yu-hyeon, who had been pulling out a chair for Bomin, turned his head towards the door. The sound of someone pounding on it echoed through the room.

“…We have more guests.” 

Bomin and Kim Seohun hadn’t heard anything thanks to the soundproof walls, but Shi Yu-hyeon could hear the demanding voice clearly. 

His smile faltered as the person threatened to break down the door. 

“Go ahead and start eating. I’ll be back soon.” 

He placed a comforting hand on Bomin’s cheek before heading towards the door. 

The pounding continued as he walked.

“Lee Bomin…!”

“…Hello.” 

Song Jaeho barged in the moment the door opened, his shoes still on. Shi Yu-hyeon stopped him.

“Can you let go of me? I’ll say hello later.” 

Song Jaeho frowned, trying to push past him, but Shi Yu-hyeon’s grip was surprisingly strong. 

“Please take off your shoes before entering.”

Song Jaeho looked down at his feet. He had been so focused on seeing Bomin that he had completely forgotten about taking his shoes off.

“For god’s sake, Song Jaeho, calm down! We told you Bomin’s fine, why are you acting like a wild animal?”

“Hello. Excuse me.”

“…Excuse me.”

Han Biseong, Yoon Bisam, and Won Seongwoo followed Song Jaeho. Shi Yu-hyeon sighed, knowing they wouldn’t leave quietly.

“Please, come in. Bomin-ssi is inside.”

“Thank you.”

Only Yoon Bisam had the courtesy to thank him. One by one, they entered, their personalities as diverse as their abilities. 

* * *

“…What?!”

“They said Lee Bomin was kidnapped again. Esper Shi Yu-hyeon went after him, but…”

Crack

“Fuck…”

“Song Jaeho, do you even know how much that cost?!”

An A-rank artifact crumbled in Song Jaeho’s hand, its power completely destroyed. He ignored Han Biseong’s reprimand, his anger barely contained.

“Where are you going? Don’t tell me you’re going back to Korea to look for Lee Bomin?”

“Let go of me.”

“Do you have a death wish? Be patient, for god’s sake! Esper Shi Yu-hyeon and the Association will take care of it.”

“I said let go.” 

Song Jaeho glared at Han Biseong, his grip on his arm tightening. Han Biseong, seeing that Song Jaeho wasn’t going to listen, activated his powers. 

Sparks of fire danced around him, their heat intense.

Whirr, whirr.

The debris from the destroyed artifact, along with other random objects in the room, began to levitate.

Concrete morphed into sharp, pointed projectiles, multiplying rapidly.

“Stop it. We just received an update from the Association.”

Yoon Bisam, who had been watching them, stepped between them. They were all on edge, having just cleared an S-rank dungeon.

They were all exhausted and injured. Won Seongwoo, who had used his powers extensively, was leaning against a wall, gasping for air.

“What did they say? Is Lee Bomin okay?!”

Song Jaeho, his powers still active, turned to Yoon Bisam.

“He’s safe. Now, stop showing off. We still have a lot of dungeons to clear.”

“Where’s the next one? Let’s go.”

“Haa…” 

Song Jaeho was now determined to complete their mission as quickly as possible. Han Biseong sighed, running a hand through his hair.

He was worried about Bomin too, but he wasn’t about to lose his mind over it.

“Fine, fine, let’s go. Let’s just hope we don’t die from overwork.” 

They focused on clearing the remaining dungeons, working tirelessly. S-rank dungeons weren’t easy, even for them. 

They all sustained injuries during their final mission. 

They flew back to Korea as soon as they were done, too exhausted to even think about resting. The only saving grace was that their private jet had a shower, so they were at least presentable.

“Lee Bomin!” 

Song Jaeho, scanning the hallway, spotted Bomin and ran towards him. 

“It’s good to… Ugh…”

“You really…”

Bomin, about to wave hello, was suddenly engulfed in a tight embrace. He struggled in Song Jaeho’s arms, his hands pounding against his back.

“Let go of me! I can’t breathe…”

“Just a little longer.”

Song Jaeho loosened his grip slightly, but Bomin was still trapped. 

Bomin, unable to resist Song Jaeho’s familiar scent, closed his eyes, leaning into him. 

It was a comforting embrace, like lying down in a grassy field after a rain shower. It was strange how, after just a few encounters, being in Song Jaeho’s arms felt… familiar.