TS 012

The number of samples was so small that calculating averages was meaningless, but typically, an S-rank Esper without guidance could last for about two months. To be more precise, it was one month and half. Naturally, as they used their abilities more frequently and expanded their range, this period decreased.

“Is it just speculation or are you certain?” Yoon Taehwa didn’t hide his skepticism. As someone with special abilities himself, he, too, could endure for approximately two months without guidance. However, since his powers shouldn’t go unchecked, he regularly received guidance, making it uncertain. But based on measurements, the estimated duration was roughly around that timeframe.

‘I believe I can indeed last up to two months.’

Without guidance, he would be fine for about a month, and this duration was derived from wave analysis, so it seemed accurate enough.

“Our team leader doesn’t seem to like guesses,” Han Suryeon whispered as he leaned his head on Yoon Taehwa’s arm. As he naturally lowered his gaze due to his proximity,

‘He can last that long despite being a Physical Esper?’

Espers belonging to the natural or physical categories generally had shorter guidance cycles compared to psychic or special ability Espers. This difference arose from the type and amount of energy they utilized. Despite being categorized as a physical Esper, Suryeon could endure without guidance for three months, showcasing an incredibly high threshold – almost monstrous.

“I experimented to see how long I could hold out.”

Interpreting his silence as distrust, Han Suryeon continued gently, “I don’t remember much from the last week.”

“Did you use your ability?”

“Of course, I did. As the leader of an elite team, it was my responsibility to step forward.” He blinked twice at this obvious question before breaking out into a radiant smile.

“I must have entered an S-rank dungeon during that time too.”

Yoon Taehwa rubbed his cheek while observing Han Suryeon shrug nonchalantly. If he could withstand an S-rank dungeon without guidance, it implied he could endure even longer if not using his ability.

‘And for an S-rank, he’s a rare case.‘

While Han Suryeon’s ability to go three months without guidance was impressive, Yoon Taehwa became curious about his dedicated guide.

‘And they’re probably an S-rank as well.’

Guiding consumed energy from the guide, meaning there was a limit to how much they could expend within a day. As such, it often required either a guide with high compatibility or multiple high-ranking guides working together to restrain an out-of-control Esper.

‘I suppose large guilds like this have no problem securing enough guides.’

The situation here differed greatly from Korea, but regardless of context, Han Suryeon remained monstrous.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I’m just thinking I wouldn’t want to face you on the field.”

“On the field?” His voice sounded light and staccato-like when he repeated his words. He tapped his fingernails against the table before slowly sitting upright.

“I’m not likely to meet you out there.”

In simpler terms, ‘the field’ referred to civilian guilds clashing with each other. Such conflicts were common when dungeons appeared in international waters or airspace where no single country had jurisdiction. Since minerals found only within dungeons could fetch anywhere from several hundred million to billions of won, it was natural for multiple guilds to swarm like dogs on a bone.

‘He’s not wrong, but…’

Unlike Han Suryeon, Yoon Taehwa, being government-affiliated, hardly ever ventured into the field. However, life was full of unexpected turns.

“Well, you never know.” Yoon Taehwa mirrored Han Suryeon’s gesture, tapping his fingertip on the table. “Unless you become an ant, or I do, the chances of us crossing paths are slim to none.”

The Center entering a dungeon without jurisdiction was practically equivalent to declaring World War III.

‘If governments start interfering with dungeons that hunters have been handling on their own, it would inevitably lead to war.’

More realistically, international Ability User groups might gather together due to collective acts of terrorism.

“But why say you’ll defeat me if we ever meet? That hurts my feelings…”

Yoon Taehwa hadn’t even considered defeating him specifically. And hurt feelings? Was this how people used the term nowadays? Yoon Taehwa leaned back casually and responded nonchalantly:

“Well, just in case.”

Simply put, considering their backgrounds, neither had any reason to join such terrorists, so his comment was merely playful banter.

“I mean, if we happen to cross paths in the field…”

Han Suryeon paused briefly as if mulling something over before smiling slyly at him. It was clear he had some ideas brewing, but Yoon Taehwa couldn’t quite read his mind. He almost asked him about it but decided against it since there would be no reason for them to meet again outside of this room.

‘Now that I know the guiding threshold, I need to do what I have to do.’

Today’s meeting concerned important matters.

“I’ve looked into it.”

“We’ll discuss the findings tonight. If anything unusual comes up, we’ll share with you.”

Kim Hye-na, who worked undercover as a researcher, was secretly searching Seoul. Although he suspected that wasn’t the only reason she’d come to the city, Yoon Taehwa let it slide. Director Shin likely knew anyway, and finding one ant hiding among many wouldn’t be easy without additional manpower.

“If you don’t want to hide anything from me, let’s enter together.”

Regardless of its nature, information tends to become distorted as it passes through multiple mouths. The faint tapping sound on the table abruptly stopped as he spoke these words.

“Do you wish to spend this night with me?” He emphasized ‘this night’ slowly.

“Once again, your choice of words is intriguing, Suryeon.”

“I always speak sincerely.”

“As if.”

Yoon Taehwa had fully adjusted to Han Suryeon’s manner of speaking, and he smiled thinly while looking directly at him. Their eyes naturally locked onto each other.

“…..”

They stared intently without blinking, like beasts poised to pounce, when suddenly his terminal started ringing. It was a red code alert.

“The hostages?”

“Approximately thirty have been identified, including pregnant women.” Upon arriving at the terrorist site, Yoon Taehwa looked up at the towering building where the terrorists were hiding. With numerous hostages and it being a high-rise structure, this situation appeared quite challenging to handle.

“Provide me with their profiles.”

“Here you go.”

Hae Na-eun handed over her tablet, which she had been reviewing on-site. It contained information likely received from the Esper controlling the scene. Yoon Taehwa casually swiped through the screen.

“They seem like the ones the Center has been monitoring closely.”

“Yes, I spoke with Director Shin earlier, and she mentioned that some individuals under surveillance were involved as well.”

“You mean demihumans are mixed among them?”

“Yes.”

At this opportune moment, the profiles of individuals marked as ‘demihumans’ started appearing. There were numerous unique trait holders monitored by the Center, so he couldn’t remember all their details, but most faces seemed somewhat familiar.

“Han Suryeon.”

As he called out his name, Han Suryeon, who had been standing idly nearby, focused on the tablet with a wave from him.

“Do you recognize any of them?”

Since they were all Koreans, it would be normal not to know them initially. However, I asked just to confirm. The reason behind my question was that these individuals displayed on the screen appeared desperate to infiltrate the ant colony.

‘They might have encountered the escaped ant here.’

If Han Suryeon encountered one of them, he might know something about it. However, Han Suryeon shook his head.

“I have never seen these faces before.”

“Really?”

“Why do you ask?”

“I thought they might be doing this to join the ants.”

It was known that to join the ants, one had to complete tasks assigned by their upper echelon. These orders ranged from simple drug deliveries to major acts of terrorism on buildings, covering a wide spectrum. The only commonality among them was their illegal nature.

“Now that I think about it, that’s probably why the Center was monitoring him.” Hae Na-eun furrowed her brow and tucked a stray hair behind her ear. At that moment, Kang Jaemin suddenly chimed in.

“Wow! Really? Are they planning to start their activities again in Korea? It’s been quite some time since we last heard from them.”

“It has been over a year indeed. Their last appearance wasn’t even in our country.”

Yoon Taehwa listened half-heartedly to the conversation between Hae Na-eun and Kang Jaemin while gazing at the towering building nearby. With Monomorium confirmed to be present in South Korea, it was only a matter of time before its activities commenced.

‘The key question is whether these bastards occupying the building are connected… Did the ants really initiate contact?’

However, the actions taken seemed too conspicuous for direct involvement by the ants. The Center would inevitably heighten its vigilance after such terrorist incidents, so Yoon Taehwa wondered why the ants would risk undertaking this operation.

Yoon Taehwa swiped forward on his tablet screen.

‘In any case…’

This matter could be easily resolved by asking directly.

“This bastard is the guild master.” A long finger pointed at an ordinary-looking man.

“Korea has guilds too?”

“Of course, hyung. What kind of question is that? Korea has numerous recognized guilds despite the size of its Center being relatively small.”

“Oh, I forgot since I’ve been working abroad for so long.” Han Suryeon feigned ignorance shamelessly and grinned broadly at Yoon Taehwa’s scowl.

“These guys aren’t officially recognized guild members. That’s why the Center was monitoring them closely.”

“So, how can I get on your good side?”

“Keep me alive.”

“Yes, sir.”

With Kim Su-an absent, Yoon Taehwa intended to move with Han Suryeon. He felt sorry for the civilians taken hostage, but this was a great opportunity. Since they were at the scene, it would allow him to observe his control more closely than in the training grounds.

As he turned towards the entrance of the controlled building, he suddenly noticed a dark figure. Without hesitation, Yoon Taehwa fired his gun towards a nearby pillar.

Bang!

“Wahhh, Team Leader! You caused property damage! We haven’t even entered yet. And isn’t that marble?” Kang Jaemin flinched at the sudden gunshot sound. Yoon Taehwa casually responded while tracking the movement of the black shadow.

“Tell them to bill Taeseong Group.”

It was a quintessential response from a third-generation heir of a wealthy conglomerate.