IDESGI Chapter 18

Chapter 18

“Don’t forget to return within 48 hours.”

The official reminded them firmly before calling over the spatial-type Esper. Yoon Geon and Yeoul each took the Esper’s hand.

“Close your eyes and hold your breath. It might feel a bit dizzy.”

Once his eyes were closed, Yeoul felt energy swirl wildly through his body. Just as the nausea and headache became unbearable, his feet touched solid ground.

“You can open your eyes now. We’ve arrived.”

When he opened them, the sight was familiar.

5th Area – Esper Special Forces
AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY
This is Zone 5 – Esper Special Forces.
Entry is restricted to authorized personnel.

Yeoul slowly read the letters etched into the weathered sign, his gaze lingering on the number 5.

“It’s been a while.”

As he softly smiled, Yoon Geon placed a hand on Yeoul’s shoulder.

“You can come back anytime. If you want to.”

It was comforting to know someone welcomed him—but for someone who was about to die, that welcome only felt like a burden.

“No. I don’t want that. And I never will.”

“Don’t be so sure. The future’s unpredictable.”

“Maybe so.”

With a bitter smile, Yeoul brushed his fingers over the word “Zone 5.” In the two years he’d been gone, the old sign had grown even more faded and dusty, now completely shabby. The corroded chunk of metal, worn down by wind and rain, reminded him of his own condition—like a soul turned to rags from repeated time loops and deaths, desperately trying to change the future.

But what scared him most was the fear of making the same mistake again.

He murmured softly,

“I hope so, hyung. I hope the future’s changed.”

Really. Truly.

“Wait, Han Yeoul?”

A voice called out from behind.

The person approaching him was slim and delicate at a glance—if it weren’t for the low voice, one might mistake him for a woman. A beautiful man spotted Yeoul and let out a bitter laugh.

“Ha… It really is you.”

The cold look in his eyes made Yeoul shrink slightly as he quietly responded,

“It’s been a while, Yeon-oh.”

Yeon-oh glared at him with disgust.

“Shameless. After leaving like that, you have the nerve to come back.”

Just then, Geon stepped between them, blocking Yeon-oh from getting any closer.

“Seo Yeon-oh.”

Unlike how he usually addressed Yeoul, Geon’s voice was cold and stern as he said the name.

“Watch your tone. Han Yeoul is five classes your senior.”

Yeoul stepped in to stop Yoon Geon and awkwardly greeted Yeon-oh.

“Hyung, it’s fine. Yeon-oh, it’s been a while. How have you been?”

Yeon-oh scowled at Yeoul’s polite smile, clearly displeased.

“What’s someone from Zone 1 doing back here?”

Geon raised an eyebrow and replied with cool indifference.

“It’s none of your business. Stay out of it.”

Yeon-oh shifted his sharp gaze to Geon and protested,

“I’m your Guide, Yoon Geon. Don’t I at least have the right to know this much?”

“You’re a Zone 5 team Guide. Not my personal one.”

Geon’s coldness toward Yeon-oh was so stark it made even Yeoul uncomfortable. Trying to smooth things over, Yeoul stepped in between them and tried to calm Yeon-oh.

“Hyung! Don’t say it like that. Yeon-oh, it’s not what you think. I’m just here on business with the research lab. You don’t need to worry about it…”

“Then why are you here?! What business would someone from Zone 1 have in the Zone 5 lab?!”

“Well…”

As Yeoul fumbled for words, Geon pulled him behind him protectively, taking hold of his arm. Then he looked down at Yeon-oh with an intimidating gaze.

“I told you to mind your own business. Get going.”

Yeon-oh bit his lip at Geon’s icy tone, suppressing his anger as he held out his hand.

“Show me your watch. You went to Zone 3 alone, so you wouldn’t have had a Guide.”

“Sync level: 25%. I’m fine.”

Yeon-oh sharply lifted his head and shot a glare at Yeoul.

“You guided him, didn’t you?”

He looked like a child whose favorite toy had been taken. Yeoul hesitated, flustered.

“Yeon-oh, I…”

“Don’t answer him. Let’s go—we don’t have time.”

“Yoon Geon!”

Yeon-oh finally raised his voice. Geon stepped forward, clearly standing between Yeon-oh and Yeoul. His voice dropped low.

“Seo Yeon-oh. Back off.”

But this time, Yeon-oh didn’t yield so easily.

“Isn’t accepting guiding from someone else’s personal Guide crossing a line too, Yoon Geon?”

“If you’ve got a problem, file a formal complaint. I’ll deal with it then.”

Yeon-oh’s bright, delicate eyes trembled. He lowered his gaze and muttered quietly,

“You always… make people feel so small.”

His shoulders shook, and for a moment Yeoul thought he might be crying—but Yeon-oh stared directly at him with dry, tearless eyes.

“Guide Han Yeoul, don’t guide Espers from my zone. If it happens again, I’ll report it to headquarters officially.”

Yoon Geon, clearly done with the conversation, turned his back without a word and urged Yeoul forward.

“Let’s go, Han Yeoul.”

“But Yeon-oh—”

“That’s enough. Come on.”

As Yeoul trailed after Geon, he glanced back—and met Yeon-oh’s gaze. Yeon-oh glared at him for a moment before turning away and walking in the opposite direction.

Following Geon into the lab, Yeoul muttered under his breath,

“Hyung, how am I supposed to face Yeon-oh now?”

“You don’t need to. There’s nothing left to see.”

“But I’ll be coming to Zone 5 often for the research. I will run into him.”

“I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen. Today was my mistake.”

“Hyung, you do realize I’m not the Zone 5 team Guide anymore—Yeon-oh is. Acting like this means you’re not separating work and personal matters.”

Yeoul knew Geon’s feelings, and that’s exactly why he was being firm now.

The clearest rejection would be the kindest path for them both.

‘That’s probably why hyung is cold to Yeon-oh, too.’

Knowing Yoon Geon’s personality, Yeoul figured the reason he was especially cold to Seo Yeon-oh was to avoid giving him false hope. But Yeoul knew—he was going to die soon. And when that happened, the only one left for Yoon Geon would be Seo Yeon-oh.

Geon suddenly muttered toward Yeoul.

“Han Yeoul, if I could separate work and emotions, I wouldn’t have let you go back then.”

“What?”

“An Esper’s job is to protect their Guide. Why would I send you to Zone 1?”

“W-Well, that’s because you found a Guide better suited to you…”

“You wanted that, didn’t you?”

“…What?”

“It was selfish. Letting you go.”

Geon let out a quiet chuckle as if he were chewing on the words.

“If this was how it was going to turn out, I shouldn’t have let you go.”

The look in his eyes toward Yeoul was burning—so intense it was terrifying.

“I don’t do things I’ll regret anymore. So get ready.”

“Hyung, what are you—”

“We’re here. Go on in.”

They’d arrived at the lab. Geon opened the door with iris recognition. As the heavy steel door slid open, a gust of cold air rushed out. Yeoul stepped inside, shivering at the chill.

“Cold?”

“A bit. I forgot how chilly it gets in labs like this.”

“I’ll ask them to raise the temperature.”

“No, it’s fine. What if the equipment breaks?”

Yeoul waved him off with a small laugh.

‘If it were Ihan, he’d raise the temperature even if it broke the equipment. Or just light a fire to warm the room.’

Yoo Ihan would have thought Yeoul being cold was more important than the machines. Or maybe he’d use it as an excuse to hug him. His body, charged with flame energy, was always warm.

“Ah-choo! Damn, it’s freezing in here. I gotta make some real money and get outta this job. Hey, Yoon Geon Esper? Where’s the guy you said needed a match rate test?”

Just then, Kim Eunha walked in from another room, rubbing under his nose. Spotting Geon, he nodded in greeting and looked around for the Guide.

‘He doesn’t know it’s me yet.’

Still hidden behind Geon, Yeoul stepped forward.

“Eunha hyung, it’s been a while.”

“…You… You bastard…! It was you?! You’re the one doing the match test with Yoon Geon?”

Eunha’s eyes widened and he snapped, then turned to glare at Geon.

“You didn’t mention this! If I knew it was Han Yeoul, I’d have called in sick today!”

“Quit whining and get it done. And raise the temperature in here.”

“If I raise the temp, the equipment breaks! If you’re cold, just cuddle or something!”

“I run cold. That won’t help.”

“Oh right, Yoon Geon’s main energy is water, isn’t it? Makes sense then—you’d feel colder.”

Eunha nodded as he recalled something, then murmured to himself,

“Come to think of it, another Esper once said Yeon-oh’s guiding was crisp and refreshing. Then Yeon-oh’s guiding must not suit you, huh? Your body temp’s already low—makes it worse.”

He smirked and shot a teasing look between Geon and Yeoul.

“Ah, so that’s why you brought Han Yeoul, huh? Someone said his guiding spreads a warm feeling all over the body. Makes sense now. I was wondering why you brought someone whose match rate dropped.”

“Don’t assume. We’re here to retest. From what I can feel, it’s gone up at least 10%.”

Eunha blinked in surprise and tilted his head, doubtful.

“What? That’s not possible. Han Yeoul’s imprinted with Yoo Ihan. I cried for three days when I heard that.”

“The efficiency’s definitely improved. I want to confirm the actual number.”

“Huh. Well, fine by me! If it’s true, I’m curious too. Give me your hand—I’ll hook up the device.”

Eunha connected a line to Geon’s fingertips and nodded toward Yeoul.

“Alright, Han Yeoul. Guide him.”

Yeoul sent guiding energy to Geon. Not long after, the device printed out the data. Eunha stared wide-eyed, glancing between the output and Yeoul.

“…Wait. Is this even possible?”