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“It’s not something just anyone can do, is it? Who would even dare think of it? In a world where just eating, sleeping, and surviving is a struggle, someone has to step up and take the lead—investigate and research what kind of beings these monsters invading Earth really are, what their intentions might be.”

“Ex-act-ly.”

Ha-gyeom bit off each syllable with mocking precision as he stared at the Parrot, parroting Assemblyman Tak’s words.

Thanks to the appearance of Espers and Guides, humanity had been freed—at least to some degree—from the threats and contamination posed by monsters. No matter how they tried to dress it up, what they called a task only a few could take on was, in reality, just another way for those in power to get what they wanted without getting their hands dirty. And as a guide, one who had to physically throw himself into it, Ha-gyeom couldn’t see it any other way.

That those so-called intentions of the upper brass had already endangered—and even cost—the lives of countless guides made it impossible not to feel bitter.

“Don’t make that face. Just think about it. Aren’t you curious?”

“Curious about what.”

Ha-gyeom replied coldly, utterly unimpressed with the Parrot’s dramatic tone. Just then, with a mechanical whir, the boat engine came to life, and they began cutting across the water.

“What’s inside that place.”

The sky, lightly veiled with clouds, was otherwise clear, and the sea sparkled blue—its pollution hardly visible. But Ha-gyeom’s imagination was dark and heavy. To think someone could face grotesque, foul-smelling monsters that closely and still wonder what lay inside their world?

No, curiosity was fine. But actually wanting to go in? Never!

The very thought made his skin crawl, and yet the boat was steadily picking up speed. Waves crashed against the bow, sometimes hard enough to lift the whole vessel.

“It’s not something just anyone can do, I’m telling you.”

The Parrot replied with a dazzling smile, as if he truly believed it was something noble. Looking into those slightly deranged eyes made Ha-gyeom’s stomach churn.

Then, his mind returned to the strange energy that had once surged around Ah-rang—when she had sat quietly, composed, yet surrounded by something foreign and unknown. Unlike the usual cleansing waves, it had been red, violent…

‘What exactly did Ah-rang see in there?’

The question refused to fade.

Whatever it was—soon, it would be Ha-gyeom’s turn to face it head-on.

---

The so-called uninhabited island that the Parrot referred to was nothing more than rugged rock, offering barely any space to step. Floating above it was a monster portal, roughly seven meters in diameter—close enough to the rocky surface that Ha-gyeom, who stood just under 180 centimeters, could almost reach it with his head.

Until now, Ha-gyeom had always stayed at a distance, focused solely on maintaining purification waves. It was ironic—he was the only one able to approach the portal, yet had always left everything to the Espers and merely observed from afar.

Now, standing less than twenty steps away, the portal looked alien enough to make the Parrot’s earlier comment about “another dimension” seem plausible.

He had never seen such deep, absolute darkness before. It was impossible to tell what it was made of, but the faint red energy pulsing around the entrance felt strangely familiar. There was a powerful current in the air—not quite wind, but something else entirely, something unsettling.

“You’re saying we can actually go in there?”

“If monsters can, why not you?”

The Parrot’s retort was sharp, and just then, a warmth touched Ha-gyeom’s shoulder. Gi Suh-hyun had silently approached him. There was no way he could ignore the fear in her eyes.

“You okay?”

“…Yeah.”

She said she was, but her body trembled visibly. She may have accomplished a lot while living outside the districts, but Ha-gyeom believed few guides could face this portal and stay calm. Even if she had used portals for guiding, Gi Suh-hyun had never truly approached one—or even imagined going inside.

Waves crashed threateningly against the jagged rocks below. Standing before that unfathomable hole, Ha-gyeom gently placed a hand on Gi Suh-hyun’s shoulder and took a deep breath.

In his mind, he thought of Baek Sa. Now he understood why Baek Sa hadn’t wanted to let him go, why his eyes had held even more confusion than Ha-gyeom’s. He must have known something about this training.

But even if Baek Sa hadn’t let him go, Ha-gyeom would have come here anyway. If Assemblyman Tak had expectations for him, meeting them was the only way forward.

“Endure as long as you can. Don’t think about time.”

“What do you mean, don’t think about time?”

“This isn’t a picnic—it’s training. You thought we’d call it a day after an hour or two?”

The Parrot slowly backed off and crossed his arms leisurely. Annoyed by the unnecessary distance, Ha-gyeom asked in a low voice,

“Have you ever gone in there yourself?”

“No… I’m a commander. I stay in command.”

Of course. Ha-gyeom snorted. Commanding from the safety of the rear—typical.

Leaving behind Park Ha, who looked utterly disinterested, Ha-gyeom locked eyes with Tae-seong, who had been scanning the area nearby. In that quiet gaze, absent of his usual gruffness or irritation, Ha-gyeom saw something oddly reminiscent of Baek Sa.

Unclear what he was thinking—but still.

“Ugh…!”

Suddenly, Gi Suh-hyun doubled over, gagging and collapsing to the ground. Just like Yeo Jin-joo had done in front of Ah-rang. Even though Ha-gyeom, Gi Suh-hyun, and the Parrot were all emitting purification waves, Gi Suh-hyun’s condition was visibly deteriorating—her complexion pale.

Ha-gyeom’s own waves were strong and stable, yet Gi Suh-hyun’s felt so weak that it seemed they could shatter at any moment.

“This early already…”

Was it because she wasn’t an S-rank? Or because she’d never guided an Esper before?

As she dry-heaved on an empty stomach, Ha-gyeom patted her back—but from behind, the Parrot, who had stepped farther away, asked sharply,

“What about you? You okay?”

“Me?”

Now that he thought about it—yes, he was. The Parrot could excuse himself since he was keeping his distance as “commander,” and Gi Suh-hyun was clearly struggling. But Ha-gyeom… was just fine.

‘Even with Ah-rang, I was fine…’

He didn’t know the exact reason, but the certainty was there. If Yeo Jin-joo and Gi Suh-hyun couldn’t endure it, as Assemblyman Tak had said, maybe he really was the only one who could.

“She’s in no state for this. I’ll go in alone.”

“No.”

It was an entirely reasonable request, but the Parrot shook his head flatly.

“If it’s hard, you push through. That’s how you reduce the internal resistance.”

“What the hell…?”

“She has to go in. If she does, it’ll make it easier for you—an S-rank—to endure it too.”

“What if she can’t endure it?”

The portal was smaller than gravity holes or others he’d seen, but the internal environment was unknown. Their so-called commander had no experience either. Even if this was “just training,” it was still District 0—they had different rules.

“Then it becomes her grave.”

He hadn’t wanted to believe it. Ha-gyeom’s eyes widened at the Parrot’s casual response. Gi Suh-hyun spoke next.

“So it’s fine if I die. Because the real focus of this training is you.”

“……”

“And I’m just here to reduce the resistance. I’m not even S-rank. I’m an outsider. A guide who doesn’t obey orders. So if I’m useless, throw me away—right?”

As she spelled out the Parrot’s logic more clearly, Ha-gyeom could no longer contain himself. Was this how all the guides in the camps had been treated?

He helped her to her feet as she wiped her mouth—but then, in one motion, lifted her frail body into his arms. Carefully stepping across the uneven rocks, he walked over to Tae-seong and passed her to him. Then, turning to the Parrot, he unleashed his fury.

“I don’t know what this so-called resistance is, but you’re really gonna risk someone’s life just to reduce it? You piece of trash. Trash leading a trash cleanup crew—have you ever seen trash take out trash? You’re a goddamn joke.”

He clenched his fists, resisting the urge to punch him—knowing if he did, he’d probably get hit back by the Esper Park Ha instead. Meanwhile, the Parrot simply shrugged, unfazed by the outburst. It seemed Ha-gyeom’s fury meant little.

So he tried a different approach—threat.

“If this training gets shut down because of this, you think Gi Suh-hyun and I will be the only ones who take the hit? You think the higher-ups won’t be furious?”

The Parrot’s eyes flickered for a second. He’d attended the leadership meeting—he had to know just how much attention Assemblyman Tak had placed on Ha-gyeom.

“You’re really willing to go that far…?”

But it seemed the threat was working. Emboldened, Ha-gyeom narrowed his eyes and stared him down. Finally, the Parrot clicked his tongue like it was all a nuisance.

“So. What do you want? You want me to leave her out of it?”

“Yeah. That.”