DB Vol 1 Part 22

“Did Won-woo cut off the communication? Why? Is he busy?”

[He said he has to seduce an Esper.]

Sang-cheon’s hand stopped turning the screwdriver again.

“Who? Don’t tell me it’s Hong Seung-wook?”

[…Why does that name come up?]

“Is it really Hong Seung-wook? Wow, then that rumor was true.”

[What rumor?]

The questioning voice became low and cold, but Sang-cheon didn’t notice and excitedly babbled about the rumors he had seen on the Center’s community. They say Won-woo was Seung-wook’s stalker. But there were also people who had seen them meeting in person.

“We can’t know for sure if he really stalked him or if they just met, but where there’s smoke, there’s fire, right? I think Won-woo must have liked Hong Seung-wook.”

[No.]

“How do you know that?”

[He said it wasn’t true at all.]

“Well, he could have lied to you about that.”

[Ha.]

A short, incredulous laugh escaped.

[What’s the point of lying to a machine?]

“Well, if Won-woo had a one-sided crush, he might be embarrassed to say it. Even if the other party is a machine.”

[Because unrequited love is terrible?]

Oh, you know about that too? Sang-cheon thought it was unexpected as he assembled the laptop. The Nani that Sang-cheon knew seemed to have no interest in love at all. If he had, he probably wouldn’t have become such an emotionally dry person.

Usually, Espers feel love when they pair with a Guide, but in his case, it seems difficult to even meet a suitable Guide.

“It is terrible. But it can also be amazing.”

[You’re saying the same thing as Won-woo.]

“Ah, was that what Won-woo said? Wow, his unrequited love for Hong Seung-wook must have been quite intense.”

[…..]

This time, Nani’s silence felt somewhat displeased, so Sang-cheon called out curiously.

“Hello?”

[Hong Seung-wook isn’t all that great.]

“What are you talking about? He’s a top Esper even among A-rank. There are hardly- Espers with better abilities than Hong Seung-wook…”

He swallowed the “hardly any” as he remembered Nani’s existence. Well, there are some.

[That weak A-rank is nothing.]

“In the world, A-rank isn’t called ‘nothing’ but ‘amazing, incredible’. Well, besides his abilities, Hong Seung-wook stands out for his looks too. Espers who are tall, handsome, and have a good physique are…”

Again, he swallowed the word “rare”. Wait, come to think of it, isn’t Nani actually quite exceptional, just not exposed to the media?

[What does it matter what his face looks like?]

“Right, appearance isn’t everything. But being handsome certainly helps in gaining public popularity.”

[Only empty-headed fools care about popularity.]

Having seen so many Espers living like celebrities, Nani’s perspective felt fresh but also somewhat sad. How much criticism must he have endured?

“Hmm, true. Some people obsess over popularity, but when you inevitably become popular, it’s hard not to care. Hong Seung-wook must be in that situation, right? Plus, he has a good personality. He’s famous for being very calm and serious.”

[You mean he’s a coward.]

Sang-cheon frowned at Nani’s dismissive conclusion. Does he have a grudge against Hong Seung-wook?

“Are you jealous because Won-woo went to seduce Hong Seung-wook?”

[Mister. Don’t run your mouth carelessly.]

Even without swearing, the low voice made Sang-cheon shudder. If it’s not true, why get so seriously angry? Sang-cheon mumbled, shrugging his shoulders.

“No, I was just joking because you seemed concerned about Won-woo and Hong Seung-wook’s relationship.”

For a moment, there was no response. Sang-cheon awkwardly kept fiddling with the repaired laptop in the uncomfortable atmosphere. After a long while, a gruff voice returned.

[The Esper Won-woo is trying to meet is Han Seona. He said he’s going to make her an ally.]

“How? The only thing a Guide can offer is guiding, but Won-woo is D-rank, so he’s useless.”

[He said he’ll target her hobby.]

“Ah, hobby. Hobbies always work. What’s the hobby?”

[Reading.]

Sang-cheon paused. Isn’t that hobby too normal?

“Can he really approach her through reading? Is he going to get her books or something?”

No. Nani answered and then, seemingly not understanding either, added what Won-woo had said.

[He said he’ll approach her through content. He was confident it would work 100%.]

Life is unfair and shitty. Seona realized this truth once again today.

‘Wrap up your current work by this week and return to your original department. Your team members complained, so I have no choice. I know it’s an urgent situation, but forcing a suppression piercing on a fellow colleague is honestly like telling them to die, right? Ah, I understand. You probably did it to minimize damage.

But there was a shield ability user. We could have blocked it to some extent with that person’s ability. But Han Seona, you’re making a lot of noise. They’re saying that you intentionally put in the suppression piercing to screw them over because you yourself are at risk of going berserk. I know, I know. But what can I do when everyone feels uncomfortable around you? Now you understand why, right?’

She had barely managed to get field work, and now she was receiving this shitty order to move back to her original position. What? Uncomfortable as a colleague? Bullshit. Even without this incident, she would have been driven out eventually. Because Seona was different from them.

Right, because she’s a civilian-born walking bomb with an unusual wavelength. It’s understandable they don’t want to work with her. Some even openly insulted her, calling her a mongrel Esper with a crappy wavelength because her roots were unknown. She had endured such bullshit quite well until now. But that doesn’t make this injustice any less painful.

But they don’t know. The reason Seona has been controlling her anger so well isn’t because she’s afraid of them. It’s because she was worried she might go berserk if her energy fluctuated due to emotions. But now, even if she fumed alone, it wouldn’t be a big problem. Seona unconsciously looked down at her hand. Would she know for sure if she held Won-woo’s hand one more time?

But she couldn’t bring herself to step forward. Having been disappointed by Guides more than once, expectation was a negative emotion for Seona. Life becomes easier when you give up expectations, but giving up comes at a cost. You no longer dream, so your shitty life just continues on. A tedious and arduous life.

There was a time when she too had dreamed of miracles. But that felt like such a distant past. A miracle when she had even given up on expectations? Seona mocked herself as she walked towards the parking lot where her bike was, but she couldn’t leave work. Her ‘expectation’ that she had discarded was standing next to her bike. Won-woo smiled as soon as he saw her.

Everyone has multiple facets, but Seona had one of the largest gaps among the people Won-woo had met.

***

-In the past-

“The gracefully crazy, rampaging… Jajinmori Sword Master?”

“Eolssu.”

“Huh?”

“You missed the ‘Eolssu’ at the end.”

Ah, Won-woo nodded after double-checking the webtoon’s title. That’s right, ‘Eolssu’ is there too. However, even as he muttered the most exhilarating word in the world, Won-woo’s inner state was as chaotic as a storm.

He had no idea that casually asking Seona to recommend a webtoon would lead to such a big ripple effect. The links she sent with her recommendation were over ten. All were related to that ‘Eolssu’ webtoon.

“This is a post summarizing the webtoon’s background and character descriptions. It’s good to read it in advance.”

“Do I really need to read all this beforehand?”

For a moment, deep regret showed in Seona’s eyes. It was the first time he’d seen such an intense emotion from her, who was usually just blunt. Won-woo, slightly intimidated, mumbled as if making an excuse.

“No, I just wanted to read it casually.”

“Knowing the background makes it 100 times more enjoyable, but if you want to read it casually, I guess it can’t be helped.”

“I’ll just read it as is.”

Another wave of strong emotion rose in Seona’s eyes. It was almost like the eyes of a fanatic who wants to spread every good word. But her usually blunt personality seemed to suppress it, and she didn’t force him. Still, as if regretful, she lightly suggested,

“Wouldn’t it be good to at least read the origin myth of the great Kang Empire that forms the background?”

I don’t even know my own origin story, why would I care about the Kang clan myth? Won-woo shook his head again, and Seona turned her head away as if frustrated. Won-woo asked, watching her reaction,

“You must really like this webtoon?”

“Not really.”

“…Ah.”

Won-woo’s eyes widened as he checked the number of episodes while browsing the webtoon on his smartphone.

“It’s 241 episodes?”

“Up to 250. That’s the preview for paid episodes. And the content is only halfway through.”

It’s too long. He was about to give up before even starting, but Seona seemed to read his mind. Despite her expressionless face, she took Won-woo’s phone with urgent hands and clicked on the first episode.

“At least watch Season 1 no matter what. Season 1 is the build-up, so if you endure this part, you’ll encounter a new world.”

“How many episodes is Season 1?”

“117.”

“…That’s a bit long to just ‘endure’.”

“You lack patience.”

Won-woo asked indignantly, with emotion,

“Is this really a popular webtoon?”

That day, Won-woo clearly learned how to anger Han Seona.

Unfortunately or fortunately, ‘Eolssu’ wasn’t to Won-woo’s taste. But because Seona asked about ‘Eolssu’ every time they met, he forced himself to read up to the beginning of Season 2.

“You still don’t find it interesting even after moving to Season 2?”

Seona asked again, as if she’d just heard the earth was square.

“How many episodes have you read? Did you see the part where our Malrang uses sword techniques combined with Taekgyeon at the imperial palace to perform a military dance? Everyone is shocked, and then he suddenly disappears.”

“Which episode is that?”

“227.”

That was the last episode of Season 2. No, he had barely finished Season 1.

“I only read up to the part where it’s revealed he uses Taekgyeon sword techniques.”

“What? That’s just the first episode of Season 2. You’re judging whether it’s interesting based on just that?”

“Yes.”

Seona sighed, seemingly quite frustrated.

“Did you read it properly? Just read a few more episodes. The catharsis when he defeats the orc army with Taekgyeon sword techniques is amazing.”

“I’m not really interested.”

Seona’s expression turned cold. It was an expression not seen even when Won-woo’s life was in danger due to a mistake during a mission.

“Do you like ‘Eolssu’ that much?”

“Even if I say I like it, you’re not going to read it anyway.”

“Right. Because I don’t like you that much.”

It could have been a hurtful comment, but Seona chuckled and brushed it off lightly.

“That’s right. You get lonely easily, so that level is just right. It’s better not to give people a chance from the start rather than getting hurt unnecessarily.”

“…You’re saying I get lonely?”

Won-woo asked, but Seona was momentarily distracted by her phone. She hadn’t given up on promoting ‘Eolssu’ and was busy searching for famous ‘Eolssu’ memes. So her answer was a bit delayed.

“They say showing off is a mirror of deficiency, right? You keep emphasizing being alone, so I thought you might have a deficiency in affection. Am I wrong?”

When she didn’t hear an answer, Seona looked up. Won-woo shook his head vigorously, as if he had been waiting.

“No, you’re wrong.”

“Then why do you turn pale every time thinking I might die?”

This time, he couldn’t deny it. The more days she survived, the more Won-woo focused on keeping her alive during each mission. He thought she wouldn’t notice. In fact, he didn’t want to admit to himself that he cared about her survival.

“You can’t save everyone alone.”

“I can.”

“You can’t.”

“…”

“So, those who left your side… it’s not your fault.”

Won-woo’s expression turned cold enough to be frightening, but Seona had no intention of apologizing. She had wanted to say this for a while. No matter how she looked at it, this capable colleague seemed to have lost someone very precious.

“What if it is my fault?”

Surprised by the unexpected question, Seona shook her head.

“Nothing could be your fault.”

“Ha, what do you know.”

Won-woo let out a self-deprecating laugh and stood up.

“I’m not such a good person. You’re right, Seona-ssi. I do get very lonely. That’s why I have a strong desire to keep those who are with me alive somehow. Because of that, I’ve made big mistakes… Even though I came to my senses later, that person had already disappeared before I could apologize.”

A precious person. It felt like hearing the most important words from Won-woo’s past. Since all of Won-woo’s information was top secret, she could only piece together and guess from the words he occasionally dropped. That he had lost someone quite precious.

Won-woo stood up and left, but Seona couldn’t take her eyes off his retreating figure. Her face was expressionless, but her eyes, as she stared at Won-woo, were filled with great concern.