TG Ch 9 Part 4

Perhaps due to the shock of the near-berserk episode, a thin trickle of blood flowed from the corner of Jeong Taeyul’s mouth. It was evidence of internal injuries caused by his own energy.

Sijin checked Jeong Taeyul’s complexion and asked in a trembling voice, “Jeong Taeyul, can you hear me? Jeong Taeyul… Say something.”

“Baek Sijin…”

He called out Sijin’s name one last time, then his head lolled back limply. Sijin quickly caught him and held him in his arms.

Then, Kwon Jiwon, who had been assisting him, asked, “What are the readings, Dr. Baek?”

“Right now… -88, no. -91… Ah, now -85. Ha… We stopped the berserk episode.”

At Sijin’s words, the examiners who had been hovering nearby finally relaxed. The guards who had rushed in for emergencies also lowered their weapons. Letting out a long sigh, Kwon Jiwon asked Sijin, “Phew… the sedative?”

“Let’s administer it in the recovery room after checking his readings again. Ha… Is Geonwu okay? Ah, Geonwu has a nosebleed too…”

Sijin checked on Ham Geonwu next to him. Ham Geonwu had a nosebleed, perhaps because he had absorbed Jeong Taeyul’s energy so rapidly.

“Ah, damn it. Not cool.”

Ham Geonwu wiped the blood with a gauze pad and grinned. He seemed okay since he still had the energy to joke.

“Geonwu, are you feeling nauseous or dizzy? Any lightheadedness?”

“Nah, I’m super healthy, so I’m fine.”

“Still, you have to tell me if you experience any symptoms. Then…”

Looking down at Jeong Taeyul in his arms, Sijin’s eyes trembled slightly. Jeong Taeyul’s pained, closed eyes seemed unfamiliar.

At the same time, Sijin recalled what he’d said right before his consciousness faded during the near-berserk episode.

‘You’ll get hurt… Let go…!’

“……”

How could he have said such a thing while in such agony?

Sijin had thought he didn’t want to hurt anyone because of guilt. But Jeong Taeyul seemed to genuinely fear hurting Sijin. As if just witnessing someone die in a simulation was enough to shatter his mind…

Sijin had thought Jeong Taeyul was strong and without trauma. But a single trauma had broken him. He had perfectly handled all the other extreme tests… Did he also have someone he loved? Sijin suddenly felt a pang of sadness in his chest.

Just then, someone put a comforting hand on his shoulder and called out, “Doctor. …Doctor?”

“…Ah, yes. Geonwu.”

“We can take Jeong Tae to the recovery room now, right?”

Ham Geonwu asked. Sijin regained his composure and looked around. Center guards were placing Jeong Taeyul on a gurney.

Sijin mechanically instructed them to take him to the recovery room and asked Ham Geonwu to go with him. He didn’t even remember giving the instructions.

Ham Geonwu, noticing Sijin’s unease, said with his usual smile,

“Judging by your expression, Doctor, I’d think Jeong Tae kicked the bucket. Calm down.”

“Still… I’m worried about Jeong Taeyul…”

“Nah. I’m here now. It’s okay.”

“……”

Ham Geonwu said reassuringly. Sijin managed a weak smile. He was grateful for Ham Geonwu’s comforting words.

“Right. You’re right… You came. Thank you so much.”

Sijin forced a smile. Ham Geonwu smiled back.

He roughly tidied up the messy test room with his telekinesis and had Examiner Shin Dayoung check his condition.

Until then, Sijin stood there, staring at Jeong Taeyul lying on the gurney.

Jeong Taeyul’s berserk episode had been stopped. But the smile on Sijin’s face slowly faded.

Then, Sijin lowered his head sadly.

‘I could only buy him a little time…’

Jeong Taeyul had only calmed down after the Esper arrived. He, an ordinary person, could only buy him a few seconds. This fact once again slammed Sijin against the wall of reality.

Dejected, Sijin weakly took Jeong Taeyul’s hand on the gurney. Jeong Taeyul’s hand gripped his, then went limp.

“Jeong Taeyul…”

The guards took the gurney away. As they disappeared down the hallway, Sijin checked Jeong Taeyul’s readings on his pad again.

[-85%]

It was more stable than when he had entered the pre-berserk state, but he was still unstable and could have another episode at any time.

Feeling a surge of fear, Sijin hung his head and bit his lip. The very possibility of Jeong Taeyul losing his emotions terrified him.

But all he could do was feel afraid; he couldn’t heal or alleviate his pain. He was just an obstacle that Jeong Taeyul had pushed away.

Sijin slowly raised his head. His helpless reflection was visible in the cracked windowpane.

He had never hated the fact that he was an ordinary person as much as he did today.

***

Fortunately, Jeong Taeyul regained consciousness after three hours, thanks to Ham Geonwu staying by his side.

The awakened Jeong Taeyul complained of a headache and chest pain, but there were no other unusual symptoms. Still, Sijin, worried, recommended a check-up for Jeong Taeyul and carefully examined his condition with Kwon Jiwon.

“Dr. Baek, could you come to the examination room for a moment?”

“Ah, okay.”

And at 9 PM, Kwon Jiwon called Sijin, who had been hovering around the recovery room, aside.

As soon as Sijin entered the examination room, he checked Jeong Taeyul’s chart again. Then, he asked his friend worriedly, “About the test results, Jiwon.”

“Yeah, I saw them. He’s in decent shape considering. At -83%, he’s in the stable range.”

Kwon Jiwon answered preemptively, as if he had anticipated the question. Sijin’s worry must have been written all over his face. Sijin sighed, put down the chart, and forced a smile.

However, it wasn’t a condition that could be considered good. Jeong Taeyul had waves clustered in various parts of his body, and his heart was in the worst shape. If Ham Geonwu hadn’t arrived in time, his condition would have been much more serious.

Handing Sijin a glass of water, Kwon Jiwon said, “Baek Sijin? Why don’t you breathe for a bit.”

“…Right. You’ve worked hard today.”

“No, this is normal for a promotion test.”

Kwon Jiwon said nonchalantly and placed a thick file on the desk. Due to Jeong Taeyul’s incident, Yoo Seunghwa’s test had been postponed to tomorrow morning. Naturally, Kwon Jiwon’s business trip would be extended as well.

Observing Sijin’s worried expression, Kwon Jiwon said casually, “Hmm… Since the circulator isn’t very effective for Guide Jeong Taeyul, it would be better to send him to the guiding room.”

“…Yeah. I already told him to go to the guiding room.”

Sijin forced a smile. Knowing that guiding was the best course of action in this situation, he had instructed Jeong Taeyul to go to the guiding room. Jeong Taeyul should be there by now.

“Right, well… Should I go and conduct the guiding diagnosis?”

Kwon Jiwon suggested casually. Ability users who experienced pre-berserk episodes required guidance counseling. He also had to prescribe medication and instruct them to consistently record and send data to the examination room. He also had to caution them against overly aggressive guiding and guiding with ability users with significantly low matching rates. It was a standard procedure for an examiner.

However, anyone who harbored feelings for the ability user, as Sijin did, would be reluctant to do it.

After a moment of contemplation, Sijin smiled apologetically and said, “Ah, no. It’s my job. You should go and rest. You have another test tomorrow.”

“Well… okay. But Baek Sijin.”

“Yeah?”

Kwon Jiwon seemed to have something serious to say.

But seeing Sijin’s exhaustion, he turned away with a bitter smile. Then he said casually, “…Don’t forget the homework I gave you. I’m going back to the dormitory. Call me if you want a drink.”

“…Okay.”

Sijin said softly to his friend, “Thanks.”

Kwon Jiwon squeezed Sijin’s shoulder encouragingly and walked past him. Sijin smiled weakly at his friend.

Soon, Sijin was left alone in the quiet examination room.

Sitting at the desk, Sijin rubbed his tired brow.

The circulator hadn’t been very effective for Jeong Taeyul. And since it hadn’t been long since he had been given a sedative, administering another dose so soon could lead to dependency. Sijin knew exactly what he should recommend in this situation.

At least three days of rest, and spending at least six hours a day with an Esper with a matching rate of 60% or higher.

If it were any other ability user, Sijin would have given this diagnosis without hesitation.

But he was hesitant to give that diagnosis to Jeong Taeyul. His feelings for him were now threatening to crumble even his most cherished principle as an examiner.

‘…What are you hesitating for, Baek Sijin?’

Sijin realized how reckless and selfish he was being. To hesitate over a diagnosis he should give without a second thought, just because of uncertain feelings…

Sijin took a deep breath and tried to reassure himself.

‘Think of the best course of action first. In this condition, stable guiding is essential.’

Even though it was an obvious thought, Sijin closed his eyes for a moment.

Guiding. Jeong Taeyul was an ability user. Guiding was a natural and essential part of his life.