TG Ch 2 Part 5

It had been one week since Sijin joined the Center. He was gradually getting used to his work. In truth, he had no choice but to adapt due to how busy it was.

Sijin also made a video call with a friend for the first time in a while. Kwon Jiwon was a fellow diagnostic examiner who worked alongside him at the Youth Ability Users Research Institute.

[A telekinesis ability… Firstly, I’ll look up some information. Telekinesis is quite rare, so it might take some time.]

“Okay, thanks.”

“Did you see the chart I sent you last time?”

“Oh, that was via email.”

Kwon Jiwon’s keen interest in rare abilities made him a valuable source of information and advice. Conversely, Sijin meticulously examined even minor anomalies, making their relationship mutually beneficial—a win-win situation.

“Jiwon-ah, I have a question for you. Can energy suddenly accumulate in a Guide’s heart within just one day?”

[Did they overuse their ability while running missions all day?]

“Nope. Even after resting at the Center, their stats didn’t improve.”

[Hmm, that’s strange. What’s wrong with those kids there? They rested but didn’t recover…] 

Kwon Jiwon frowned as if scrutinizing something closely on his side of the screen, highlighting his sharp eyes and weary expression.

[Ah~ I’m not sure. Guides tend to be sensitive to emotions. Maybe it’s stress from having no missions?]

“Jiwon-ah, this is why Ability Users don’t like us…”

Kwon Jiwon burst out laughing at Sijin’s remark. Then, he took a sip of coffee before responding:

[Okay, I’ll look into that first thing.]

“Thanks.”

[Sure thing. So, how’s exile life treating you?]

“Who said anything about exile?” Sijin laughed incredulously, unable to deny the sentiment.

Originally, working at the Youth Ability Users Research Institute provided many opportunities for advancement to better positions. It was challenging but allowed one to accumulate impressive achievements. As evidence of this, Kwon Jiwon now managed an S-grade esper at the Seoul Central Center.

[It seems like you’ve lost weight already?]

“I have been busy… And you?”

[I’m living comfortably and safely in Seoul thanks to you.]

“Yes… At least you’re comfortable,” Sijin replied sincerely. Still, it felt good to chat with an old friend after so long.

At the central center where Kwon Jiwon worked, encounters with monsters were rare. The F12 Center formed an impenetrable barrier around Seoul, preventing sea monsters from reaching the city. In urban areas, humans posed more problems than monsters.

[Dr. Baek, did they tell you about the recent monster incident?]

“In Seoul? What happened?”

[Haven’t you heard? The incident of the Flaming Cat at Central Center.]

“What is that about?”

[A stray cat gave birth inside the center, and one kitten manifested an ability, causing chaos by spitting fire everywhere. So, our Central Center Ability Users caught the Flaming Cat.]

“Who considers that as a monster?” Sijin burst out laughing incredulously. In this era, both humans and animals could manifest abilities, leading to occasional incidents like these. However, even if small pets developed abilities, they remained cute—except when dealing with fire ability, which could be dangerous.

In contrast, the F12 Center dealt with sea monsters, monsters often larger than ships. From the outset, the mission difficulty level for the F12 Center was distinctively higher.

After sharing a laugh, Kwon Jiwon asked:

[Hey, aren’t those kids giving you trouble?]

He was referring to the Ability Users. Having worked at the Youth Ability Users Research Institute before, it had become habitual for both of them to refer to Ability Users as “kids.”

Sijin hesitated briefly before speaking with a slightly trembling voice.

“Jiwon-ah.”

[Yeah?]

“To be honest… I’m scared…”

[Why? What’s wrong? Is someone being pushy?]

“There’s this Guide here…” Sijin paused and glanced around cautiously. Thankfully, the diagnostic room was quiet. “As soon as I arrived, he deceived me by pretending something else. Then, during guiding, they took control of my consciousness…”

[What?! That’s terrifying… Do you have ‘spy’ written on your forehead?]

“If only that were true, I might’ve been more prepared…” Sijin then showed Kwon Jiwon a wilted tulip sitting on one corner of his desk.

“This tulip was originally fresh but withered before my eyes because I wasn’t treating him equally.”

[A threat…]

“Today, when I briefly hid from that Guide in the corridor… he waited for me to come out.”

[Surveillance…]

Sijin recounted what happened at lunchtime today. When he saw Jeong Taeyul at the end of the corridor, Sijin hid in the break room. However, Jeong Taeyul waited right outside the door, nearly giving him a heart attack. After a brief conversation, he suddenly mentioned his inability to cook. Sijin felt overwhelmed, unsure how to react.

[What’s going on with him? Does he have some trauma related to experiments?]

“It’s not that… He thinks I have a thing for an Esper, so he’s keeping me in check.” 

[Strange… Why am I hearing the same thing I heard four years ago? ‘Doctor, don’t tell me you’re interested in my Guide?’, ‘No way, Doctor isn’t interested in big babies like you all. This Doctor’s taste runs more towards bull-like men~’.] 

“Stop impersonating me.”

Kwon Jiwon chuckled at the reprimand. Four years ago, they were both at the Youth Ability Users Research Institute. Sijin recalled experiencing a similar situation back then. 

Was this really the elite-only F12 Center? For a moment, he felt disheartened.

As Kwon Jiwon sipped his coffee, his expression turned serious.

[Seriously, what’s with this? No matter how you look at it, using their ability on someone is a bit… It grates on my nerves that they’re an A-rank. Who do they think they are?]

“They’re just being difficult…”

[Ugh. Humans can be more problematic than monsters. Jealousy, really… How do you put up with them?] 

Kwon Jiwon shuddered.

Sijin briefly smiled tiredly before accepting some documents quietly handed to him by another examiner. As he scanned the papers, he spoke:

“You know, I mentioned an esper who saved me ten years ago?”

[Yeah.]

“He’s here now.”

[Ah, right. You volunteered for exile because of that esper, right?]

“It’s not exile.” 

[Sorry, sorry. I won’t say it again.] 

Kwon Jiwon offered a brief apology.

Sijin brushed it off and continued, “Anyway, he’s grown remarkably well since then.”

[Really?]

“Yeah. I managed to persuade him for a single examination despite his dislike of doctors, and ever since then, he’s been incredibly cooperative.”

[I guess our Dr. Baek’s voice has a mesmerizing effect on him.]

“I don’t think it’s that… Anyway.” Sijin smiled faintly, feeling proud that he could repay his benefactor, albeit in a small way.

“Afterward, when monsters started appearing, he reassured me not to worry about him. He confidently claimed his strength, and surprisingly, I believed him because it was true.”

[Oh… Baek Sijin.] 

Kwon Jiwon, who had quietly listened, asked with a slightly mischievous grin: 

[By any chance, is the Guide you mentioned earlier—the one keeping an eye on you— is also the guide of the Esper who saved you?]

“Yes, that’s right.”

[Well, I can see why he’d be wary.]

“Why do you say that?”

[The mirror of the mind will soon reveal the reason.]

“….??”

As Sijin was puzzled, a popup window appeared at the corner of his screen. Kwon Jiwon had sent some information.

[I’ve sent you basic data on telekinesis Ability Users first. And Baek Sijin.]

“Yeah?”

[The Esper who saved you. Is he handsome or something?]

“…Yeah, somewhat. Very much so.”

[Okay, now it’s time for the mirror of the mind.]

“What?”

「 The video call has ended. 」

Before Sijin could respond, the video call abruptly disconnected.

Now, only Sijin’s face from the webcam filled the screen. He paused and stared at himself, noticing his relaxed eyes and softly smiling lips.

Jeong Taeyul wouldn’t like this sight…

Perhaps advanced espionage skills weren’t needed to understand his situation.

Sijin sighed heavily, realizing he had bigger problems to worry about as he checked his schedule for today. He had to deal with two A-rank Espers: Yoo Seunghwa and Ham Geonwu. At least it was fortunate that Jeong Taeyul wasn’t involved. 

Baek Sijin prayed fervently for this day to pass without any incidents.

***