TG Ch 1 Part 10

South Korea managed their Ability Users with excessive medication. This was a remnant of past practices when Ability Users were mysterious and feared beings that needed to be suppressed.

One particular drug seemed to have had a detrimental effect on Ham Geonwu.

[03/23: Complaint of splitting headache]

[03/24: Excessive sleepiness]

[03/29: Excessive sleepiness, complaint of headache]

[04/06: Excessive sleepiness, lethargy, depression]

‘Despite these side effects, they continued administering stimulants…’

Even though Ham Geonwu consistently reported adverse reactions, his previous doctor didn’t reduce the dosage. Sijin couldn’t comprehend this decision. Such actions typically occurred due to pharmaceutical company lobbying or when doctors sought promotions by achieving results at any cost.

‘Why did they use so many drugs on him?’

Sijin frowned as he watched the screen from within the diagnosis room.

On the screen were pictures of the Ability Users from F12 Center with at least one type of medication listed next to each face. During their rest periods, they received sedatives, and when unstable, they took stabilizers without exception. They also consumed stimulants while on missions.

In truth, it wasn’t just F12 Center; all Ability Users in Korea were subjected to excessive drug use. Society created harmful drugs to control them, aggressively promoting the use as patriotism. It was a relic of bygone times.

‘These potent drugs… Ham Geonwu has been taking them for ten years now?’

Sijin opposed such practices because Ability Users who relied heavily on these substances suffered various side effects as they aged.

The sedatives taken during breaks could impair brain function if used for extended periods. The stabilizers consumed when feeling unstable were originally meant to calm agitated bears and contained addictive substances. To top it off, the stimulants taken during missions surprisingly included aphrodisiacs.

Ordinary people often mocked Ability Users, claiming they indulged excessively in Sex Guiding. However, the real issue lay with forcing these drugs on them before confronting monsters. 

Moreover, excessive use of such addictive medications could become toxic. Ability Users could live without these harmful drugs through proper Guiding, regular check-ups, and management. This fact was well-established by numerous historical examples among Ability Users.

As such, advanced countries were trending towards banning prescriptions of addictive drugs for Ability Users. Research was increasingly showing that stimulants actually increased the risk of an Ability User’s powers going berserk. Despite this, half the Ability Users at the F12 Center were currently taking these stimulants. Sijin sadly shook his head.

‘Let’s start by reducing the dosage.’

To minimize resistance from the Ability Users, Sijin decided to gradually decrease the prescribed amounts. The F12 Center had the highest record of dealing with monsters in Korea and enjoyed a strong reputation accordingly. If they could reduce the drug usage here effectively, it would significantly help change public perception.

Sijin’s progressive viewpoint struggled to gain traction amidst conservative Korea, but the director of the F12 Center was different. He enthusiastically embraced Sijin’s ideas and even hired him as a diagnostic examiner despite his young age. Sijin didn’t want to disappoint the director’s expectations and aimed to improve this misguided understanding.

‘We need to start with counseling.’

For that, Sijin first needed consent from the Ability Users for drug usage. He felt daunted already. Older Ability Users tended to be more dependent on the drugs and resistant to changes in prescriptions. It might prove impossible to persuade half of them.

“Haa…” Sijin sighed heavily as he continued jotting down tasks. There was no telling how long this would take. Considering he’d have to monitor progress step by step, it could easily require at least a year.

However, giving up wasn’t an option. As someone whose life had been saved by an Ability User and having an Ability User sibling whom he treasures, Sijin couldn’t simply abandon this endeavor.

Despite the late hour, Sijin started reviewing charts to determine his next steps.

***

“Have you engaged in any sexual activities within the past week?”

“Uhh…”

“It’s for diagnostic purposes, so please feel comfortable answering.”

Sijin asked cautiously as he examined a newly arrived C-rank Esper at the Center today. His name was Seo Gyuho. At just twenty-two years old, he had a well-built physique, large puppy-like eyes, and a youthful appearance that belied his training status.

“…Do I need to mention how many times too?”

“Yes, if you could include that information, it would be helpful.”

“I haven’t done it before.”

“……”

He also seemed to be quite mischievous. As Sijin paused while jotting down his response on his notepad, he looked up with a slightly exasperated smile.

‘He doesn’t seem to have any aversions towards the examination.’

Sijin was relieved by this attitude. Seo Gyuho. The young esper now stood shirtless in the middle of the examination room, having just completed his full-body diagnostic scan. Like most trainees, he had well-defined muscles.

As Sijin checked the measured fluctuation values, he commented:

[Wave value: +34%]

“Why is your wave value so low?”

For espers with positive energy, normal fluctuation levels ranged between +40% and +60%. However, this reading was equivalent to someone who had indulged in Sex Guiding all night long. That’s how much energy the Guide had absorbed.

“I did training yesterday.”

“Physical strength training?”

“It was like that initially.”

“Hmm… I see. Please continue.”

Meanwhile, Sijin approached Seo Gyuho and started removing the measuring devices from him. He had large black pads wrapped around his arms, along with intricate patches attached to his back and chest.

“I happened to receive training from a senior Guide, but I am a fire attribute esper, right? So, I asked if it would be okay even if I lost control during training.”

“Okay.”

“And then, out of nowhere, he smiled brightly at me and asked if I’ve ever trained until I threw up.”

What kind of reckless approach is this? Sijin’s expression turned serious. Calming down a fire attribute Esper when they lose control was particularly challenging. Espers themselves were well aware of this risk, which is why extra caution is taken during their training sessions.

Sijin removed the patch from Seo Gyuho’s back and asked seriously, “And then?”

“Then that crazy… I mean, that senior kept training me until I literally threw up.”

“He should be reprimanded. What would have happened if an esper truly lost control?”

“Exactly! Seriously.”

It was a fact that an Esper’s outbursts were more sensitive than a Guide’s outbursts. Firstly, a Guide’s outbursts were rare compared to Espers who could overexert themselves to the point of tearing their muscles. In contrast, when Guides overloaded, they experienced a freezing sensation throughout their body and even lost emotions. As a manager, it was crucial for Sijin to minimize the outburst rate.

After removing all patches from Seo Gyuho’s back, Sijin moved around to face him and continued, “So, what happened next? …By the way, no need to tense your chest muscles.”

“Hoo. Did I give it away?”

“How many tests do you think I’ve conducted so far?” Sijin spoke with a calm smile. Seo Gyuho grinned sheepishly and finally relaxed his chest muscles. Despite having impressive pectorals even at rest, they were quite sensitive due to his youth.

Meanwhile, Sijin started removing the patches from Seo Gyuho’s chest and neck area. He grumbled while speaking:

“I was really struggling during training, feeling nauseous and overheated, but then… he grabbed me by the back of the neck and did guiding through it. And after that…” Gyoho proudly pointed at the screen displaying his test results as if revealing a happy ending. Sijin chuckled softly and shook his head.

“Still, the matching rate must be good.”

“No… that’s not it… Doctor. Dr. Baek?”

“Yes?” Seo Gyuho suddenly lowered his voice and whispered while keeping his eyes straight ahead. “T-That senior is outside.”

“Ah…” Sijin finally looked through the reinforced glass window. One wall of the lab was made with long rectangular glass, allowing visibility inside and outside. Jeong Taeyul had arrived at some point, casually observing the lab with a coffee cup in one hand. He wore the usual black field jacket favored by ordinary members, accentuating his broad shoulders.