7.2

That short question carried a lot: Can you still handle fieldwork? Will you be able to keep up without endangering the team? Are you physically capable of working without pushing yourself too far?

After a brief pause, Kang I-won nodded and replied in an equally quiet voice,

"…Yeah. As long as I don't push too hard. It's just taking more time now, that's all."

"Let me know if it gets to be too much."

Kang I-won nodded again. Before coming out today, he had informed Han Kang-jin that although his regeneration ability was intact, the speed had slowed to two or three times its usual rate. The test results also suggested suspected ability loss. Han Kang-jin respected Kang I-won's wish to wait for the retest results before informing the team.

Because of this, Han Kang-jin had been keeping a closer eye on him than usual, but since his regeneration still worked, the concern didn't linger too long. After all, the reality of ability loss hadn't fully sunk in yet — not for anyone.

Just as they were finishing up and getting ready to head back, all five team members' devices started blaring at once with shrill alerts.

"Ah, damn, I hate th—"

Kim Young-ho, frowning hard, was the first to check his screen—and froze. Then Han Kang-jin, scanning the alert casually, spoke to his team.

"It's a call from Sector 2, so we probably don't need to go."

"Team Leader."

"What?"

"I think we should check this one out."

That wasn't like Kim Young-ho. Normally, he'd grumble and protest over anything extra. Kang I-won, curious, checked his own device.

The location wasn't far, but as Han Kang-jin said, it was in Sector 2's jurisdiction. If they hadn't been nearby, the call wouldn't have even reached them.

So why did Kim Young-ho say they should go? Kang I-won glanced at him, puzzled.

Looking flustered, Kim Young-ho explained,

"It's from… Eun-young noona."

"Eun-young called for backup?"

"Yeah."

"Tch… Well, then I guess we do need to go."

Though Lee Eun-young had left Team 5 after an unexpected bond marking, she'd been a diligent and kind Guide. She'd had a good relationship with the others — everyone except Kang I-won, really.

If it were a stranger asking for help, that would be one thing. But a former Guide they all knew and respected? They couldn't just ignore that.

It might not be serious, but… you never knew.

Only Heo Do-gyeong and Hyun Ho-jun, who didn't know Lee Eun-young, looked confused. Hyun Ho-jun asked,

"Senior, who's Eun-young?"

"Team 5's former Guide."

"Former Guide? …Oh! The one who bonded with Seok-woo hyung!"

"…Seok-woo?"

Hyun Ho-jun nodded, seemingly excited. Kang I-won tilted his head in confusion. Seeing it, Hyun Ho-jun clarified,

"She's bonded to an Esper named Lee Seok-woo. He was in our team — A-rank Esper."

Kang I-won blinked in surprise. He'd known Lee Eun-young bonded with someone from another team but didn't realize it had been Team 7 — or that her bonded partner's name was Lee Seok-woo.

"They bonded and moved to a different branch, right? After that, my old Team 7 got disbanded… But thanks to that, I ended up on your Team 5. So in a way, I guess it worked out for me."

"I'm going with Young-ho. The rest of you, come if you want. Anyone else?" Han Kang-jin asked.

Feeling uncomfortable under Hyun Ho-jun's eager smile, Kang I-won quickly responded.

"I'll go."

"Ah… then I'll go too."

As Kang I-won answered, Hyun Ho-jun chimed in after. Han Kang-jin turned to Heo Do-gyeong, who'd been quietly watching.

"What about you, Guide Heo? Head back to the Center?"

After a brief pause, Heo Do-gyeong shook his head.

"…No, I'll go too."

And so, the entire Team 5 headed toward the location Eun-young had called from. It wasn't far, so they arrived quickly.

A 2-meter-tall Gate floated mid-air. In front of it stood Lee Eun-young, anxiety written all over her face.

Kim Young-ho called out with a bright smile.

"Eun-young noona!"

"Huh, Young-ho?"

He rushed over, and Lee Eun-young, recognizing him, looked startled.

"What's going on?"

"Team Leader?"

As Han Kang-jin approached behind him, Eun-young's eyes welled up. The moment she saw him, all the tears she'd been holding back burst free.

"Team Leader…! H-heuk… What do I do? Our Seok-woo… Seok-woo's in trouble. He's in real danger… I-I don't know what to do…!"

Clutching her clothes tightly, she sobbed.

Bonded Espers and Guides can sense each other's condition. The fact that Eun-young, standing outside the Gate, had called for help meant something had happened to Lee Seok-woo, who was inside.

"Guide Lee Eun-young — breathe. Calm down and tell me what's going on."

"Hic… So, we came to the site after hearing a dungeon-type Gate had appeared. It was estimated to be D-rank, so only our team came. I was originally going to go in too, but Seok-woo seemed uneasy, so he told me to return to the Center first… so I'm the only one who stayed behind."

At Han Kang-jin's firm tone, Lee Eun-young forced herself to control her breathing and calmly relayed the situation.

For dungeons under C-rank, it was common for a team made up of B-rank or higher Espers to handle it alone. This case was the same.

Eun-young continued,

"But as soon as they entered the Gate, I could feel Seok-woo's uneasiness… I could sense he was panicking. And the Gate's color turned redder than it was at first… I can't explain it exactly, but it felt different than usual, and I knew it wasn't good, so I called for support. And now… hic! Now I don't think Seok-woo can breathe properly… I keep feeling his pain… It's never been like this before. Team Leader, what should we do about Seok-woo…"

"He'll be fine. Don't worry too much. Isn't Lee Seok-woo a veteran Esper?"

Han Kang-jin spoke gently, trying to soothe the sobbing Eun-young while eyeing the Gate.

Dungeon-type Gates could still be entered after closing. However, because the main entrance shuts, it's like sneaking in through a side route — and the entrant is dropped randomly inside the dungeon. It's risky and avoided unless absolutely necessary.

"I-won, are you sure it's D-rank?"

"…No. C or C+ at least. Definitely not B-rank, though."

The Gate gave off a faint red hue. On top of that, there was a sting in the air, prickling against their skin — a telltale sign of a C-rank dungeon.

Recently, Gate rank assessments hadn't been wrong, and considering Eun-young's report of a color change, it was easy to deduce that the Gate had evolved after they entered. Rare, but not unheard of.

Still, it wouldn't have changed right away. When they entered, it was likely still a D-rank dungeon — meaning they could guess the type. If Seok-woo felt uneasy right after entering…

After a brief pause, Kang I-won spoke up.

"Lava zone, underwater, or maybe a maze. Could be traps too."

"If he can't breathe, then underwater? But that's rare in D-rank dungeons…"

"Poison?"

Heo Do-gyeong chimed in. At his suggestion, Han Kang-jin slowly nodded.

"That's possible — maybe even likely. Is there a poison-affinity Esper on their team?"

Eun-young responded, visibly anxious.

"There is. One, a B-rank."

"That should be enough. And if the poison's from a dungeon of this level, Ho-jun's flames should be able to burn it out. Think you can handle that?"

"Yes. That much is doable."

Hyun Ho-jun nodded with confidence. At that, Han Kang-jin asked Eun-young,

"How many entered the Gate?"

"Five in total… One of them is a Guide. Our team's field Guide went in too. The Espers are one A-rank and three B-ranks."

One A-rank, three B-ranks, and a Guide. With Team 5 added to that, even a tricky C-rank dungeon could be managed.

Having made a decision, Han Kang-jin declared,

"Alright. We'll be entering the Gate. Since we might get separated, we'll link ourselves together with a rope. And Guide Heo Do-gyeong, I'd like you to stay with Guide Lee Eun-young."

After a moment's hesitation, Heo Do-gyeong nodded. If it was a dangerous environment, he knew his lack of field experience could hinder more than help. Plus, they couldn't just leave Eun-young alone.

"Don't push yourself too hard."

Heo Do-gyeong's voice was low as he spoke to Kang I-won, who nodded. He had no intention of overdoing it — not anymore.

* * *

The four members of Team 5 tied themselves together with rope from the car and entered the Gate.

Heo Do-gyeong stood with arms crossed, watching. His eyes lingered on Kang I-won's retreating back — the last to disappear — before flicking toward Lee Eun-young, who stood next to him, visibly restless with her hand over her chest.

Her anxious demeanor inexplicably annoyed him. Heo Do-gyeong spoke up.

"Why are you here? Shouldn't you be at the Center?"

It was obvious at a glance that Lee Eun-young wasn't a field Guide. Why had someone like her followed them into the field? At his blunt question, Lee Eun-young flinched in surprise before answering in a soft voice.

"Oh… I'm planning to take field Guide training next year… I wanted to get used to it in advance, so I've been accompanying the team to safe sites. Other team members can receive Guiding right on site, but Seok-woo has to return to the Center for it, and it looked inconvenient for him."

As she glanced around nervously, Eun-young cautiously asked,

"Um… you're Guide Heo Do-gyeong, right? The one who replaced me temporarily with Team 5…"

"Yes, that's right."

"I didn't expect to meet like this — what a coincidence. The Team 5 members are all good people, aren't they? Kind and considerate. Ho-jun too… Seok-woo says he's a good guy. Of course, Kang I-won is a little uncooperative, but…"

Good and considerate? Heo Do-gyeong gave a short, sarcastic snort.

"Kang I-won is perfectly cooperative."

"Ah… is that so? Sorry. I didn't mean to speak ill of him."

"It's fine."

In fact, the idea that Kang I-won had been uncooperative with the Guide before him was rather pleasing. Sure, I-won had been uncooperative with him too — at first — but he'd changed. Now he was much more cooperative, especially lately.

Heo Do-gyeong thought of I-won's face, relaxed during Guiding. A smile crept to his lips in satisfaction.

Although he still didn't like how damaged I-won's state was, that was something he could fix. As long as he continued Guiding him, it wouldn't get worse — it would only improve from here.

In the middle of the conversation, Lee Eun-young suddenly winced.

"Ah! Seok-woo… ha."

Nervously gnawing her nails, she murmured under her breath. Heo Do-gyeong turned to glance at the nearby reddish-tinted Gate. No matter how he looked, he felt nothing from it.

Lee Eun-young swayed between panic, restlessness, brief relief, and panic again — it made Heo Do-gyeong's irritation steadily rise.

This wasn't fair. He couldn't sense anything, yet this Guide next to him could feel everything about her Esper in real time.

Suddenly, Lee Eun-young's face brightened.

"Did they meet? I think they did… Oh! They must've met! He's feeling relieved… ha, thank goodness. Thank God…"

As she sighed in relief, Heo Do-gyeong posed a question.

"When you bond…"

"Yes?"

"When you form a bond… is it inconvenient?"

Lee Eun-young blinked at Heo Do-gyeong's sudden question, then spoke in a tone that made it sound like the most obvious thing in the world.

"Oh, there are a lot, right?"

Her expression eased a little, as if she felt reassured now that her Esper's safety had been somewhat confirmed. The anxiety in her voice also lessened slightly. She continued, sounding a bit more relaxed than before.

"Well, first off, we can sense each other's condition and emotions to a certain extent… and that's a bit uncomfortable. It feels like I've lost some privacy. And not being able to guide other people, or Seok-woo not being able to receive guidance from anyone else, that's inconvenient too. If something happens to me, Seok-woo can't get guided…"

"Then do you regret it?"

"Not at all."

Lee Eun-young smiled softly at Heo Do-gyeong's question and replied in a confident tone.

"I was always anxious before we got imprinted. I couldn't stand not knowing if Seok-woo was doing well in the field, if he was injured, or if something bad had happened. But after the imprint, I can at least faintly sense him even when we're apart, and that helps. Sometimes I still get worried like now… but it's better than being completely in the dark and just trembling in fear. And it puts my mind at ease knowing that I'm the one guiding my Esper, rather than entrusting him to someone else."

Her words hit Heo Do-gyeong like a nail driven into his mind. Lee Eun-young continued.

"Espers feel possessive over their Guides, but honestly, Guides are the same. I want my Esper to only receive guidance from me. When I see someone else guiding my Esper, it bothers me, makes me uncomfortable, irritated, even angry."

Is that so? He hadn't really thought about it. Heo Do-gyeong, almost unconsciously, imagined Kang I-won being guided by someone else.

His brows furrowed slightly. It pissed him off. Then he imagined Kang I-won smiling contentedly while receiving guidance from another Guide. Now his insides were churning.

Why the hell do I feel like this? He didn't know. He hadn't really given it much thought before. But the tension between his brows didn't ease. As he sat there with a scowl, Lee Eun-young continued speaking.

"And more than anything… it feels fulfilling. Like something I was missing has finally been filled, you know?"

"Fulfilling?"

"Hmm… it's hard to explain. You won't really understand until you experience it yourself. I guess one downside is that the salary's a bit lower now? But what can you do, I have to accept that. I do have way less work now. So, um… honestly, I don't know what the future holds, but for now, I have no regrets. It was something I expected when I decided to have that kind of relationship with Seok-woo."

Hearing Lee Eun-young's words, Heo Do-gyeong fell deep into thought.

His thoughts about imprinting with Kang I-won had started relatively recently.

Of course, he had dismissed it as ridiculous at first, but thinking about it again… it might not be impossible. If they were imprinted, maybe he wouldn't have to suffer this kind of constant anxiety.

At the very least, he'd be able to monitor Kang I-won's condition clearly.

Kang I-won had said himself that he'd be careful, but Heo Do-gyeong couldn't trust him. That guy was the type to say something like that and then get seriously hurt and go, "I had no choice."

If they were imprinted and he could monitor Kang I-won's condition at all times, maybe then—maybe then Kang I-won would finally be more cautious, if only to avoid getting scolded.

But there's a specific act required for imprinting—guidance and sex.

Imprinting happens during guidance that includes sexual intercourse.

And it doesn't happen in just one go. There's no guarantee when it'll work, so it has to be attempted repeatedly, steadily. Because of that, imprinting usually happened between people who were already very close.

Heo Do-gyeong absolutely hated physical contact with others. Just the idea of swapping saliva with someone made him feel disgusted.

He had been popular since he was young due to his good looks and background, and he had dated quite a few women.

But every time he kissed someone, an unbearable sense of discomfort crept in, and he would instantly pull away. Even when things escalated further and the woman took initiative to go to bed with him, the moment their bare skin touched, he'd feel nauseated or visibly displeased. The woman would leave, blushing with embarrassment and wounded pride.

As a result, he'd never gone all the way with anyone. Because of that, rumors spread among women who had dated him—saying he might be impotent or gay.

Before he could even clear up those rumors, he awakened as a Guide and took a leave of absence from school, making any explanation impossible.

In any case, due to that history, Heo Do-gyeong had never had a proper relationship—but strangely, he thought it might be okay with Kang I-won.

It had been fine last time, hadn't it? Even though it was for guidance, they had kissed, and their bare skin had touched. But he hadn't felt disgusted by the physical contact with Kang I-won.

So, imprinting with Kang I-won might also be okay.

He'd never slept with a man before, but he knew how it worked. His thoughts trailed off briefly, and his face flushed red. Heo Do-gyeong covered his face with his hands.

He remembered Kang I-won's question: Do you like me?

Do I… like Kang I-won?

No. Or do I? I don't know. When I see him satisfied from being guided by me, my chest feels full, content….

His chaotic thoughts didn't last long. They were suddenly cut off.

Heo Do-gyeong saw people emerging from the warped Gate and swore in frustration.

"Fucking Espers…!"

He couldn't help but curse. His voice came out low and rough, scratching his throat, and Lee Eun-young flinched beside him. Heo Do-gyeong didn't bother to hide his irritation.

"Sorry. It just slipped out."

"O-oh, no… it's fine. I get it."

Heo Do-gyeong looked at Kang I-won with clear disapproval. That's the guy who said he'd be careful? Look at him—coughing up blood while carrying someone poisoned on his back. It was obvious Kang I-won had gone through hell alone again.

Walking up to him, Heo Do-gyeong bluntly spoke.

"So much for taking care of yourself, huh?"

"…It was a situation I couldn't avoid."

Just as he thought. Heo Do-gyeong clicked his tongue and looked down at Kang I-won, who responded awkwardly. His bloodless, pale face didn't sit well with him.

"Do you need guiding?"

"No… I mean, yes. I do."

Kang I-won suppressed the refusal that came out of habit and corrected himself. Then, eyeing the hand being offered to him, he added quietly,

"At the Center."

Heo Do-gyeong nodded without complaint and withdrew his hand. Kang I-won's gaze followed his retreating fingers, then he closed his eyes, blocking out his sight to focus on regeneration.

Still seated on the ground, wholly absorbed in healing himself, Kang I-won stayed still. Heo Do-gyeong turned his gaze elsewhere. Han Kang-jin was speaking with a man who seemed to be the leader of another team.

"Thanks to you coming, we managed to get through without serious damage."

"No need to thank me. Of course I had to come. It's not like I don't know Guide Lee Eun-young, and we Espers need to help one another, right?"

Watching the two exchange warm pleasantries about helping and supporting each other, Heo Do-gyeong clicked his tongue quietly and looked away.

Just then, the poison-type Esper, who had been lying down for a quick rest, staggered to his feet. He immediately walked over to Lee Seok-woo and placed a hand over his wounded area, beginning to detoxify him.

Thick, dark red blood flowed from Lee Seok-woo's wound. As more of that tainted blood came out, his complexion gradually eased, looking less strained.

After some time, the detoxification complete, the weary Esper looked up at Kang I-won with a face full of exhaustion and said,

"I'm really totally spent, so I don't think I can handle you too, okay? You can just heal yourself with your ability, right?"

Heo Do-gyeong's brow furrowed, and Kang I-won—still pale like a corpse—nodded.

"I've almost fully regenerated anyway."

"Yeah? That's a relief."

The Esper let out a deep, tired sigh, muttering his reply.

"Are you really okay?"

Heo Do-gyeong asked, his voice laced with both irritation and worry. Kang I-won nodded. To be honest, he still felt a bit dizzy from the incomplete detoxification, but it was manageable.

"Clicking his tongue, Heo Do-gyeong muttered, "Are you actually fine, or just pretending? As expected…"

He trailed off, muttering to himself before falling silent. Kang I-won glanced at him briefly, then refocused on his regeneration.

About ten minutes later, the exhausted team members had gotten enough rest, and Team 5, along with the team Lee Eun-young belonged to, prepared to head back to the Center.

After helping Lee Seok-woo into a vehicle, Lee Eun-young quickly approached Team 5, stopping them before they could leave.

"Team Leader, Young-ho, Ho-jun, and… I-won. Thank you all so much for today."

She bowed deeply in gratitude. Han Kang-jin and Kim Young-ho waved their hands, brushing off the thanks.

"No, really, we had to help."

"Exactly! It's not like we're strangers."

At that, Lee Eun-young smiled, her eyes crinkling.

"Let's grab a meal together sometime. My treat. Let's gather with Seok-woo too."

"Sounds good."

"I'm in."

"You too, Ho-jun?"

"Of course. I'm in. Please give my regards to Seok-woo."

"Will do. And I-won, see you next time."

Looking at Kang I-won, Lee Eun-young gave a small smile. Kang I-won nodded slightly, and with her farewell, Team 5 boarded their vehicle. Hyun Ho-jun took the wheel.

Kang I-won glanced at Heo Do-gyeong, who sat beside him quietly. He seemed deep in thought, though Kang I-won couldn't tell what exactly was on his mind.

When they arrived at the Center, Heo Do-gyeong wordlessly headed to the Guiding Room, while the rest of Team 5 went straight to the showers. After two consecutive missions, they were covered in dust and monster residue.

Kang I-won only went to the Guiding Room after showering, thoroughly drying his hair, and filling his hungry stomach with snacks.

He cleaned up his space before heading to where Heo Do-gyeong was waiting.

Upon arriving, Kang I-won sat down, and without exchanging words, the two of them held hands. But no matter how long he waited, the guiding didn't start.

Just as Kang I-won tilted his head in confusion, Heo Do-gyeong's energy flowed into him. Having received it several times before, Kang I-won had grown familiar with the careful, gentle guiding of their 89% compatibility. Without hesitation, he welcomed the energy.

It felt like a tightly clenched throat had suddenly opened up. The unease lingering faintly at his feet vanished instantly, replaced by calm. A deep satisfaction settled in his chest.

Heo Do-gyeong's guiding was good. So good, in fact, that he wished it would last longer. Once he accepted it, he didn't want to let go—he felt greedy for more.

But Kang I-won crushed that rising greed underfoot once again. It was a desire he shouldn't have. He was already being too greedy, wasn't he?

As Heo Do-gyeong's energy began to fade, and the guiding neared its end, Kang I-won carefully suppressed the longing welling up in him and slowly calmed his emotions.

The energy completely withdrew, and normally, Heo Do-gyeong would have let go of his hand immediately. But this time, he tightened his grip, preventing Kang I-won from pulling away.

Of course, even if Heo Do-gyeong held on tight, Kang I-won could easily break free if he wanted. But instead, he looked at Heo Do-gyeong with a puzzled expression.

Receiving Kang I-won's gaze, Heo Do-gyeong slowly opened his mouth in an unhurried tone.

"I have something I'm curious about."

He met Kang I-won's eyes and asked,

"What do you think of my guiding?"

Kang I-won couldn't tell what he meant by that. As he stared back in silence, Heo Do-gyeong shrugged lightly, his tone casual.

"I'm just asking out of pure curiosity. Do you like it or not? I mean, obviously you like it."

Heo Do-gyeong spoke with confidence, almost cocky, and while Kang I-won gave a faint laugh, he didn't feel the need to deny it. After all, it was true—Heo Do-gyeong's guiding was good.

Though he didn't know why this was being asked out of the blue, Kang I-won answered honestly.

"Of course… I like it."

Heo Do-gyeong, hearing Kang I-won's slightly shy but honest reply, responded offhandedly as if in passing.

"Really? Then let's get imprinted."

"Yeah. Let's—Wait, what?"

Kang I-won, who had been about to nod without much thought, froze. He must've misheard. No—he definitely misheard. As he stared down at their joined hands, Heo Do-gyeong spoke again, repeating exactly what he had said before.

"Let's get imprinted. Well, it's not like just wanting to do it makes it happen, but still…"

Lifting his gaze from their hands, Heo Do-gyeong looked at Kang I-won with a slightly excited heart—only to feel a little hurt. Kang I-won's expression, as he looked at him, was pure shock, with not a single hint of joy.

Kang I-won's face flushed red, then turned pale, then red again in rapid succession. His mouth opened and closed repeatedly, but no sound came out. After several failed attempts, he finally began to mumble in a broken voice.

"With me, I mean, with me, imprinting, like…."

Hearing Kang I-won's incoherent, frantic words, Heo Do-gyeong simply nodded and repeated himself.

"Yeah. I want to imprint with you, Kang I-won."

"No, I mean, that is, no… Why?"

"Because I want to."

The whole way back to the Center, Heo Do-gyeong had been thinking about it. Why did he want to imprint with Kang I-won? Was it really just so he could monitor Kang I-won's condition?

But no matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't come up with any better reason. If he had to put it simply—it was just because. Heo Do-gyeong just wanted to imprint with Kang I-won.

Kang I-won, unable to hide his flustered expression, spoke in a slightly higher tone than usual.

"Just because you want to doesn't mean you can do it, right?"

"That's true. But I still want to imprint with you, Kang I-won."

"But why something like that… with me?"

"Because I worry about you. You're always on my mind. Like today, for example. You said you'd be careful, but look at the state you came back in. How am I supposed to trust someone who ends up like that? I couldn't believe for a second that you were actually okay."

Heo Do-gyeong and Lee Eun-young had both been outside the Gate. But unlike him, Lee Eun-young had been able to sense her Esper's presence and condition from beyond it.

Watching her, he had been so twisted up inside. Why couldn't he feel his Esper's condition? Ridiculously, he thought it was unfair—laughably so.

Then Lee Eun-young's words echoed in his mind:

'I was always anxious before we got imprinted. I couldn't stand not knowing if Seok-woo was doing well in the field, if he was injured, or if something bad had happened.'

Just like Lee Eun-young had said, Heo Do-gyeong was also anxious. He was uneasy not knowing what Kang I-won might do—or was doing—while he wasn't around.

Lately, Kang I-won did seem to be changing little by little, but the pace was so maddeningly slow it drove him insane. If he kept waiting for Kang I-won to change, he'd burn out from the inside—no, he'd rot away entirely.

"If we imprint, at the very least, I'll be able to know exactly how you're doing at any given time. And since you won't be able to hide it, I figure you'll finally start taking care of yourself. That's why I want to do it."

"All for just that reason?"

Kang I-won couldn't understand Heo Do-gyeong. No, he couldn't even understand this entire situation. From the moment Heo Do-gyeong said he wanted to imprint with him, it all stopped feeling real.

It was like a dream. Maybe he was still inside the dungeon? Hallucinating from poison, barely clinging to life, dreaming all of this.

Yeah, that had to be it.

Otherwise, there's no way Heo Do-gyeong would be saying things like this to him. He must've let his greed get the better of him.

He'd tried to suppress it, to be satisfied with what little he had—but that greed had slipped through and manifested into a dream. That had to be it.

In reality, Heo Do-gyeong would never ask him to imprint.

As Kang I-won spiraled into denial, Heo Do-gyeong continued.

"Do I need another reason? Fine. I don't have much, but let me think."

After a brief pause, Heo Do-gyeong spoke again.

"I hate how you keep throwing yourself around recklessly. I don't want you getting hurt, Kang I-won. And don't tell me you're fine."

"I'm used—"

"Don't say you're used to it, either."

Heo Do-gyeong cut him off sharply.

"Don't give me that crap. Even a scratch hurts like hell, and you think it's possible to be 'used to' getting wounded like that? Pain isn't something you get used to. A wound in the same spot still hurts every damn time. But since you never show it, no one even knows if you feel pain at all."

He let out a sigh he couldn't hold back, then went on.

"So at least show it to me. I'll speak up for you. And there's more. It irritates me when you're not around. Why do you think I went out to the field myself? It was because of you. Same as last time. How can someone be so thoughtless? I was worried sick, couldn't sleep, just waiting—and what do you say? That you're fine and I should sleep? Would it kill you to be a little kinder? Never mind that—just, please, take care of yourself. Every time you don't, I feel like my heart's going to give out. I'm seriously going to die at this rate, from sheer frustration."

"…Don't say stuff like that."

"I'm not saying I'll actually die—it's just an expression."

Heo Do-gyeong let out a deep sigh.

"When you're out of sight, I get anxious, and when you're badly hurt, it gives me such a headache from the worry. Honestly, I'd like to stop caring, just like you told me to. Why should I care about someone who drives people insane and constantly stresses them out? You never listen, either. But I can't stop caring, so what do you expect me to do? The moment I come to my senses, I'm already looking at you. How am I supposed to not care?"

Clearly irritated just thinking about it, Heo Do-gyeong clicked his tongue and continued.

"I haven't been a Guide for long, but I've never been this concerned about any Esper before. I didn't care what those guys did. You're the first, Kang I-won—the first to bother me this much. You get it now? So if you really hate the idea of imprinting with me, then please, at least start taking care of yourself."

"You said… you don't like me."

Kang I-won's face turned bright red as he avoided Heo Do-gyeong's gaze. Realizing the things he'd just blurted out, Heo Do-gyeong fell into brief silence.

Feelings that had only existed inside him, shapeless and uncertain, took form the moment they left his lips. And the moment they took form, he understood. Heo Do-gyeong's face flushed in an instant.

He raised a hand to his face, now burning hot, and a low groan escaped between his teeth.

After a brief silence, Heo Do-gyeong spoke slowly.

"…I think I do."

He lowered his hand, revealing his face, and locked eyes with Kang I-won, staring straight at him.

"I need to redo my answer from before."

"You don't have to—"

Sensing what was coming, Kang I-won urgently reached out to stop him, but Heo Do-gyeong was faster. His words came out clearly, leaving no room for misunderstanding.

"I think I like you, Kang I-won. No—I do like you."

That clear confession was aimed straight at Kang I-won.

"Forget all the reasons I gave earlier. I like you, Kang I-won. That's why I want to imprint with you. That's it."

The feeling pierced Kang Ion's chest, sharp and intense. He shut his eyes.

This wasn't a dream.

This was real.

Kang I-won had been greedy. He'd wanted to keep Heo Do-gyeong at his side. But he hadn't wished for this. All he'd wanted was to spend the little time he had left with the Guide who cared for him.

No… to be honest, he had wished for it. When Choi Soo-bin brought up imprinting, he'd felt that desire stir. He was still an Esper, after all. But even if he wished for it, he'd never truly believed this would happen.

He was an Esper losing his powers. And Heo Do-gyeong was a promising S-rank Guide with a bright future ahead.

He should be honest now. His powers were fading, and within a few months, he'd be unable to work in the field. He should tell Heo Do-gyeong.

But no words came together in his mind. Kang I-won struggled to calm the storm of confusion.

"For now, uh, yeah, Guide Heo Do-gyeong, you…."

"Like you."

"…Right. Let's say that's true for now."

"It's not 'for now'—I do like you."

Now that he understood his own feelings, Heo Do-gyeong voiced them without hesitation. His face, already red, felt even hotter.

"Please. Please, can you just shut up for a second?"

Kang I-won sounded almost desperate. He couldn't handle the flood of emotions. He tried to reason with Heo Do-gyeong.

"You know how imprinting works. You'd actually do that with me? I mean, could you?"

The unspoken question was clear—You think you could do that with me? Heo Do-gyeong smirked knowingly.

"You think I couldn't?"

He stood and, in just three steps, was in front of Kang I-won. Kang I-won looked up at him in confusion.

Then Heo Do-gyeong's hand grasped the armrest of Kang I-won's chair. His body leaned down, face drawing close. Before Kang I-won could react, Heo Do-gyeong's lips pressed against his without hesitation.

Kang I-won's eyes flew wide at the unfamiliar pressure. The kiss didn't last long. Pulling away, Heo Do-gyeong murmured,

"This, I can do."

"Wh—!"

Before Kang I-won could protest, his voice was swallowed. Heo Do-gyeong's tongue slipped between his lips, invading without mercy, ensnaring his retreating tongue and drawing it in.

Kang I-won tried to pull back, overwhelmed, but Heo Do-gyeong's other hand gripped his waist, holding him in place. 

The faint trickle of Heo Do-gyeong's energy through their joined mouths made resistance impossible. Kang I-won's trembling hand clutched Heo Do-gyeong's clothes tightly.

Seeing Kang I-won struggling to breathe, Heo Do-gyeong let out a satisfied chuckle and whispered,

"Breathe through your nose."

"Hnn… ngh…"

A sharp bite to his lower lip made Kang I-won flinch. A hot, wet tongue soothed the bitten spot, trailing over it. Their lips parted and met again with a lewd, sticky sound that filled his ears.

Kang I-won's mind was chaos. He had no idea why this was happening. He couldn't think straight. The overwhelming sensations filling his mouth left him helpless, grasping at Heo Do-gyeong's clothes.

Though he'd been an Esper for years, Kang I-won had only ever experienced contact guiding—hugs, handshakes, nothing intimate.

He'd received mucous membrane guiding a few times in emergencies, but it had always felt awkward, uncomfortable, even unpleasant. But now—

His thoughts cut off. His mind turned white, like paint spilling across a blank canvas.

"This, I can do too."

Heo Do-gyeong's hand, which had been on Kang I-won's back, slid shamelessly down his side and over his hip. Kang I-won shuddered at the unfamiliar touch through his clothes.

"I think I can do even more. Wanna find out? Too bad there's no bed here. Shouldn't have cleared it out."

Snapping out of his daze at Heo Do-gyeong's cheeky voice, Kang I-won shoved him hard. Heo Do-gyeong stumbled, and Kang I-won seized the moment to bolt out of the guiding room. Even when Heo Do-gyeong called after him, he didn't stop.

He ran through the hallway, out of the Center, without pause. He wanted to believe his heart was pounding so wildly just from running.

His face still burned. Kang I-won clutched at his chest, trying to still his racing heart.

This… this wasn't right.

This couldn't happen.

"Esper Kang I-won."

At the sound of Heo Do-gyeong's voice from behind, Kang I-won flinched and immediately turned around. Heo Do-gyeong was watching him with a faint smirk tugging at one corner of his lips.

As their eyes met, Kang I-won panicked and quickly looked away. He couldn't meet Heo Do-gyeong's gaze. Yesterday's incident flashed through his mind.

'I think I can do even more. Wanna find out?'

That low whisper, spoken so close, along with the touch that had slid down from his side, over his hip, and stopped at his thigh—everything replayed vividly in his head.

Even just remembering it made Kang I-won's face, which had been pale, flush a bright red. Seeing that, Heo Do-gyeong let out a soft chuckle.

"So, have you thought about it?"

Thought about it? Not even close. It was ridiculous to even consider. Kang I-won briefly wondered if he could escape this awkward situation, but it was pointless.

Heo Do-gyeong was Team 5's temporary Guide, and also their on-site Guide. No matter how much he tried to avoid him, they had to face each other during missions.

It would be better to put an end to this properly. He just needed to say what he couldn't yesterday. Once he told Heo Do-gyeong the truth, all this talk about imprinting would surely disappear.

He'd have to say it soon anyway. Once the retesting results came out, he wouldn't be able to hide it even if he wanted to.

"Well…"

But strangely, the words caught in his throat and wouldn't come out. He had to say that his powers were fading, so he couldn't imprint—but the words just wouldn't form.

"Why aren't you saying anything?"

Forcing himself, Kang I-won managed to squeeze out a cliché excuse instead of the truth.

"…It's not even something to think about. It's just nonsense. An S-rank imprinting with an A-rank, and barely a regeneration Esper at that."

"So what? If I want to, I will."

Heo Do-gyeong's casual response left him feeling drained. Heo Do-gyeong continued speaking.

"And why is it nonsense? You said yourself you like my guiding, right?"

At that, Kang I-won stared at him in disbelief.

"Do you ask everyone who likes your guiding to imprint with you?"

Heo Do-gyeong frowned deeply at that.

"Do you think I'm crazy? I'm only saying this because it's you, Kang I-won. I told you—I like you."

The effortless confession made Kang I-won flush all the way to his neck. He quickly looked around. Thankfully, no one else was nearby.

"Hey, you can't just say things like that here…"

"What's the big deal? It's not like I asked you to imprint."

That shameless reply made Kang I-won rub his forehead. Since the truth still wouldn't come out, he grasped for another excuse, trying to reason with Heo Do-gyeong.

"As you know, once an imprint is formed, it doesn't break unless the Esper or the Guide dies."

The most common reason for an imprint to break was one party dying. It was rare, but there were other cases.

One of them was when the Esper lost their abilities.

So even if it wasn't due to his death, the imprint would break eventually. An imprint with Heo Do-gyeong was impossible from the start.

All he needed to do was say that. Then all this back-and-forth would end. Yet, for some reason, only different words kept coming out. With a sigh, Kang I-won continued.

"You're tied to someone for life."

At that, Heo Do-gyeong smiled as if satisfied and nodded. Kang I-won, looking at him with distaste, spoke again.

"You're still young, Heo Do-gyeong. Too young to be tied down to one person."

Heo Do-gyeong was the same age as his younger sibling. Even if Kang I-won hadn't been losing his powers, he would've made the same choice.

Heo Do-gyeong was far too valuable to be tied to someone as insignificant as him. He was an S-rank Guide, no less.

He should be treated better, be valued more.

"You'll meet a much better Esper than me. It's just that you haven't met enough others yet."

Heo Do-gyeong scoffed at Kang I-won's words.

"Other Espers? I've met plenty. More than enough to be sick of them. Seoul Center is crawling with Espers—how could I not run into them? If anything, there are more of them there than here. And from what I've seen, forget about finding a decent one. They're all just idiots."

Heo Do-gyeong didn't bother hiding his sneer as he harshly criticized the Espers from Seoul. His rant continued.

"And do you think I suggested imprinting because you're some skilled and wonderful Esper, Kang I-won? Don't flatter yourself. I don't think anyone's ever gotten under my skin the way you do."

"Then why…."

"How many times do I have to say it before it gets through your head? I like you, Kang I-won. I want to imprint because I like you!"

The confession hit him like a wave—impossible to stay grounded through it.

He liked him? That couldn't be right. It had to be a misunderstanding. And if not, it was nothing more than a fleeting emotion.

Powerful experiences from childhood leave marks that don't fade. Even if they're erased from memory, they linger in the subconscious, influencing thoughts and actions.

And when the memories aren't erased? It's worse. The emotions remain sharp, raw. You end up affected before you even realize it.

It was the same for Heo Do-gyeong. His obsession, the belief that he liked Kang I-won—it all stemmed from past wounds.

"That's what I'm saying—it's just a misunderstanding. You, Guide Heo Do-gyeong, it's just that…"

Was it okay to say this? He hesitated for a moment, but then continued, carefully.

"My attitude… reminded you of your mother…."

"I told you already, didn't I? That's not it. If I'd known you'd twist it like this, I wouldn't have said anything."

Heo Do-gyeong grimaced like he was sick of it all.

"And do you think I'm a kid or something? Like I can't tell what I'm feeling?"

From Kang I-won's perspective, Heo Do-gyeong was still young.

Maybe it was frustrating for Heo Do-gyeong, but Kang I-won just couldn't believe that he truly liked him.

There was no reason for Heo Do-gyeong to feel that way. Why would he? Had something special even happened between them? No. So why?

"Why do you even like me? There's no reason to. It's not like I have any impressive ability, or anything particularly great about me…."

As the self-deprecating words spilled out naturally, Heo Do-gyeong let out a quiet sigh.

"Esper Kang I-won, you do have the ability. I don't like how you act, but still—you made it to A-rank with just a regeneration skill. Why are you always putting yourself down? And do you really think I like you because of your powers? Honestly, I hate your ability. I hate it to death. The way you push yourself, like your body's disposable just because you can regenerate—it's disgusting to watch."

Heo Do-gyeong looked at Kang I-won, who avoided his gaze, and kept going.

"Most people would jump at the offer I'm giving, and yet you keep rejecting it like it's some huge offense. I'm not asking you to date me, for god's sake. I'm just asking to imprint."

Date? That was way too much. Kang I-won flinched and quickly spoke up.

"You'll regret it. Not me—you, Guide Heo Do-gyeong."

"Regret it or not, that's for me to deal with. All you need to do is nod. I'm practically begging here—don't tell me you're really going to keep refusing me."

Kang I-won hesitated, lips parting and closing again. But then he shut his eyes, and with a voice barely above a whisper—quiet, but firm—he replied.

"…No. I don't want to. I don't want to imprint with you, Guide Heo Do-gyeong."

"Why? Why on earth don't you want to imprint with me?"

Heo Do-gyeong asked, sounding completely lost. Just as frustrated as he was, so was Kang I-won.

My power is disappearing.

That one sentence would end this whole thing. But Kang I-won couldn't bring himself to say it. And so, the pointless back-and-forth dragged on, wearing them both down.

Why couldn't he just say it? He didn't understand why his mouth clammed shut like a locked shell every time he tried.

Just that one line would resolve everything.

No one would want to imprint with an Esper whose ability was vanishing—Heo Do-gyeong would understand and take back his words. The talk of imprinting would stop, once and for all.

In that moment, Kang I-won's eyes widened slightly.

He'd finally realized why the words wouldn't come.

He didn't want to see Heo Do-gyeong give up so easily, just as he'd expected him to. He didn't want to hear him say, with that same mouth that once said he liked him and wanted to imprint, that he'd step back quietly.

That thought sparked a short, lingering question: Why?

Even when he asked himself, he couldn't find an answer.

Kang I-won had spent so long suppressing and ignoring his own emotions. He'd lived by emptying his thoughts and numbing his heart. It was the only way to survive.

That was how he'd made it from the early days of being an Esper up until now. Because of that, facing his own feelings had always been a struggle. He couldn't easily grasp what he felt, what he wanted, what he was thinking.

Which was exactly why—even now—he couldn't understand why he didn't want to see that side of Heo Do-gyeong. Why it bothered him so much.

It was his own heart, and yet it felt impossible to read. All he could do was sigh.

He didn't know what he truly felt about Heo Do-gyeong. There were vague hunches, but he pushed them away, dismissed them, made excuses. But no matter how hard he searched, no other reason made sense.

Only one thing was certain—

No matter what his feelings for Heo Do-gyeong were, he kept wanting more.

He'd already crossed that line. Because of that desire, he'd started receiving proper Guiding from Heo Do-gyeong. Because of that, he hoped—if only temporarily—that Heo Do-gyeong would stay with Team 5.

He didn't want to imprint with Heo Do-gyeong. It was something he shouldn't want. Something impossible anyway.

But still, until his ability was completely gone, he wanted Heo Do-gyeong to stay by his side.

That clash between reality and desire only deepened his confusion.

And in that state of confusion, he couldn't even open his mouth.

Faced with the ongoing silence, Heo Do-gyeong—unusually anxious—finally asked,

"Is it because you don't like me?"

"…What?"

Kang I-won blinked, stunned. That question again?

While Kang I-won stared at him in disbelief, Heo Do-gyeong bit down hard on his lip and spoke.

"Everything else you said just sounds like excuses. You don't have a real reason. So maybe you just… don't like me? Because I was kind of a jerk in the beginning. Is that it? Are you still mad about that?"

"No… it's not that."

Kang I-won denied it right away. Dislike Heo Do-gyeong? No way.

"Then why do you keep rejecting me? If it's not because you hate me, and if you throw out all those nonsense excuses, what's left? What reason is there?"

Heo Do-gyeong sounded like he was at his wit's end.

And seeing him like that only made Kang I-won even more frustrated with himself—because he still couldn't say anything.

Just do what you've always done. Crush your feelings, erase them, forget them. And then do what needs to be done.

It's something he'd repeated for years—never once had it been hard. He just had to keep doing what he always did.

Once he got his emotions under control, he could tell the truth as calmly as he had with Han Kang-jin.

That his power was disappearing.

That's all it would take—so why was it impossible to say it in front of Heo Do-gyeong?

Maybe he'd let himself want something for the first time in too long. That moment of desire, unnoticed, had grown unchecked. And by the time he realized it, it had already gotten too big to handle.

Even now, that desire kept growing.

It was too vivid to crush, too loud to erase, too big to forget. It had taken root far too deep.

And it kept crying out—

More. More. More.

He knew he'd have to say it eventually. But not now.

Kang I-won just wanted Heo Do-gyeong to stay by his side as his Guide a little longer. Just a little.

Greed always led to trouble.

But still, the voice of desire whispered: It's the last time anyway. What harm could it do? There's not much time left. Nothing will happen.

It kept whispering, persuading him to give in.

The thought of the end made him soft.

And in the end, that softened heart gave in to desire.

After all his hesitation, Kang I-won finally spoke.

"I'm not rejecting you because I don't like you, Guide Heo Do-gyeong. There's another reason. But… can I tell you next time? It won't take long, I promise."

No matter what, the results would come in by next month. He would tell Heo Do-gyeong before that.

From the look on Kang I-won's face, Heo Do-gyeong could sense there really was another reason—something he didn't yet know.

But still, this time, he said he would explain. That alone was something. Heo Do-gyeong let out a quiet sigh and asked, voice softened,

"How long do I have to wait?"

"…I'll tell you before the end of next month. For sure."

"Alright. You'd better tell me then."

Kang I-won gave a slow nod.

* * *

Hyun Ho-jun's eyes quietly followed Kang I-won.

Kang I-won, who had been charging at the monster over the railing, suddenly pulled back. At the same time, the writhing creature spewed out a cloud of toxic gas. Kang I-won covered his nose and quickly stepped back several more paces.

With a wave of his hand, Hyun Ho-jun summoned flames and burned away the spreading fog of poison. Kang I-won gave him a grateful glance before launching himself at the monster again. The faint smile on Hyun Ho-jun's face faded into a look of boredom.

Hyun Ho-jun liked Kang I-won's self-destructive side. It made his heart race. He could probably never forget that moment—when Kang I-won, in tatters, had stood in front of him and blocked the danger.

That battered back, still vivid when he closed his eyes, had burned itself deep into his mind.

Maybe that was why, lately, seeing Kang I-won didn't stir much in him. He had no interest in people who played it safe like everyone else.

Regretfully, Hyun Ho-jun's gaze trailed after Kang I-won.

For some reason, Kang I-won had started holding himself back more than usual.

There had been a time in the past when Kang I-won was more cautious, but it had felt different. Back then, it had been instinctive, almost subconscious. Now, it was deliberate—he was choosing to avoid harm.

Even Han Kang-jin, who would usually say something, now just looked slightly frustrated without commenting further. What was going on?

Hyun Ho-jun narrowed his eyes, quietly observing.

Bang!

A gunshot rang out from behind. Hyun Ho-jun turned his head.

Behind him, Heo Do-gyeong crushed a wriggling tentacle on the ground with clear annoyance on his face.

"What are you zoning out for?"

Sliding the monster-slaying gun back into the holster on his thigh, Heo Do-gyeong scolded.

"Ah… I'm sorry."

Hyun Ho-jun offered an automatic, practiced smile as he apologized. Heo Do-gyeong gave him a displeased look, then turned his attention to Kang I-won. The irritation in his eyes quickly melted away and was replaced by concern—Hyun Ho-jun could clearly see it.

"…Hmph."

Lately, there was something strange between Heo Do-gyeong and Kang I-won.

Heo Do-gyeong, who remained cold and prickly toward everyone else, grew inexplicably soft around Kang I-won. It wasn't the first time he treated Kang I-won differently, but lately, it was especially obvious.

Once the monster was dealt with, Heo Do-gyeong immediately rushed over to Kang I-won and asked gently,

"Are you hurt anywhere? Do you need Guiding?"

That kind of question—Heo Do-gyeong only ever asked it to Kang I-won.

"Some of us could use some Guiding too, y'know…" Kim Young-ho muttered under his breath. Hyun Ho-jun chuckled silently.

His gaze, which had been on Heo Do-gyeong, now shifted to Kang I-won.

Sure, Heo Do-gyeong had changed—but more surprisingly, so had Kang I-won.

Not long ago, Kang I-won could barely hide how annoyed and bothered he was by Heo Do-gyeong. Even when the guy worried or tried to help, it just seemed to irritate him.

But at some point, that changed. Kang I-won began to accept Heo Do-gyeong's attention and concern without resistance.

Just like now.

A faint smile touched Kang I-won's lips. It wasn't something he noticed himself—it just naturally appeared as his lips curled slightly while he answered Heo Do-gyeong's question.

"I'm not hurt. And I don't need Guiding just yet."

"If you need anything, say it right away."

"I will."

When did it start? It hadn't been long, but even so, it was hard to pinpoint the exact moment.

The way Kang I-won now spoke with Heo Do-gyeong, face to face—it looked… peaceful. Natural.

It was a version of him that only came out around Heo Do-gyeong.

There was no jealousy.

Because no matter what he did, Hyun Ho-jun knew Kang I-won would never look at him like that.

Kang I-won was still uncomfortable around him.

Hyun Ho-jun had pretended not to notice, had pushed anyway—but it felt like it was time to stop.

The fondness he'd once quietly held had been ripped out before it even had the chance to bloom. It was a bit of a shame, how his feelings never got to grow properly…

But what could he do?

Better to pull them out early than let them fester into something that never had a chance.

Still, not even being given a chance felt like a bit of a shame.

Letting even that small regret drift away, Hyun Ho-jun quietly took in the sight of the two of them with a now-cleared gaze.

Progress between an Esper and a Guide was, for whatever reason, something worth celebrating.

Maybe there'd be something to celebrate soon. Hyun Ho-jun murmured under his breath.

Kim Young-ho, noticing, asked,

"What are you mumbling about?"

"Nothing."

Hyun Ho-jun shrugged as he replied. Then, casually, he offered a suggestion to someone who'd experienced heartbreak before him.

"Wanna grab a drink after this? Just a little, not too much. My treat."

"What's with you all of a sudden?"

"Mm… got my heart broken?"

He spoke in the same laid-back tone as always, and this time it was Kim Young-ho who looked thrown off.

"What?"

"Nothing expensive, though. Let's do samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly). Or gopchang (beef or pork intestines grilled or stir-fried). Gopchang sounds good."

"Wait, hold on. Are you saying you liked someone?"

"Yeah… gopchang's probably better."

"Hey! Don't dodge the question—answer me! You liked someone?"

"Haha."

"No, seriously, when did you even get rejected?! Who was it? Say something, would you?!"

Tuning out Kim Young-ho's noisy yelling, Hyun Ho-jun let his thoughts trail off.

Even if the feelings he had were shaken off, Kang I-won was still the one who had saved his life—still someone he respected deeply.

That wouldn't change.

He let go of the fleeting emotions, but left behind that unshakable admiration.

Maybe now, Kang I-won would treat him more comfortably, like he did with Young-ho.

That wouldn't be so bad, in its own way.

With a small smile, Hyun Ho-jun finally pulled his gaze away from the pair.

* * *

The weather was not just sunny—it was sweltering.

The sharp sunlight bore down hard, making it clear that summer was right around the corner.

Though the special suit worn for safety had been made a little thinner, it was still too heavy for the heat. Heo Do-gyeong, slightly flushed from wearing it, wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief.

In contrast to Heo Do-gyeong, who was thoroughly covered up for safety, Kang I-won wore a loose-fitting white short-sleeved t-shirt. Due to the heat, his usual training jacket was tied around his waist.

The two of them, dressed in complete opposites, were out on patrol. Kang I-won kept sneaking glances at Heo Do-gyeong as they walked side by side.

He'd already resolved to tell him about the loss of his power before the results came out—but the sooner, the better.

It wasn't just that he had no intention of accepting the imprinting proposal—he literally couldn't. Keeping silent when such a clear reason existed felt like deceiving Heo Do-gyeong.

Now was a good chance. There was no one else around—just the two of them.

And yet, no words came out. He just kept glancing at Heo Do-gyeong's profile in silence.

As they walked, Heo Do-gyeong suddenly spoke up.

"Is there something on my face?"

"…Huh?"

"You keep looking."

"I wasn't."

Kang I-won feigned ignorance. Heo Do-gyeong let out a small laugh.

The corners of his lips curled up into a gentle curve, and Kang I-won found himself staring blankly at it for a moment.

In a teasing tone, Heo Do-gyeong said,

"You can just stare openly, you know."

"I said I wasn't looking."

Kang I-won quickly turned his gaze away. A soft laugh trickled into his ears, and he instinctively brushed a hand past them.

"Anyway, it's a little over two weeks left."

Two weeks.

The moment he heard that, Kang I-won snapped back to attention and flinched. That was around when the test results would come out. Could he possibly know?

Kang I-won turned to him, unable to hide his surprise.

Seeing his reaction, Heo Do-gyeong added, sounding unimpressed,

"…You didn't forget, did you? Our dinner plan, I mean."

"Ah."

Now that he mentioned it—he had made dinner plans with Heo Do-gyeong, and the date wasn't far off from when the re-evaluation results were due.

He'd been so focused on the fact that he needed to tell the truth that he'd momentarily forgotten about their promise.

Seeing Kang I-won's reaction, Heo Do-gyeong looked distinctly disappointed.

"You really did forget, didn't you?"

"…No. I remember. It's not far off now."

Part of him wondered if maybe he could bring it up then—during dinner, in a more relaxed setting.

But something about that didn't sit right.

So then, when would be the right time to talk?

He held back a sigh just as his device started beeping. A call came through—it was from Kim Young-ho.

His thoughts were cut short. Kang I-won grabbed Heo Do-gyeong and sprinted toward the location of the alert.

A heavy, muggy wind brushed against his cheek as they ran.

By the time they arrived, Han Kang-jin had already engaged a plant-type monster with sharp, gear-like branches. Hyun Ho-jun and Kim Young-ho were assisting him.

Han Kang-jin swung at a whip-like tendril that lashed toward him. But with so many branches flying at once, some slipped past. Hyun Ho-jun rolled out of the way just in time and summoned flames, narrowly avoiding the attacks Kang-jin had missed.

As the fire touched the monster's branches, they writhed and then snapped off, falling to the ground. The creature had severed them itself to stop the flames. From the places where it had cut, new branches quickly sprouted.

"It's dangerous here—stay back,"

Kang I-won said, then rushed forward to cut down the branches sneaking into Han Kang-jin's blind spot, taking his place beside him.

Feeling the familiar presence at his side, Han Kang-jin kept his eyes locked on the monster but spoke.

"You're here? Good. Listen up—I'll make it quick."

"Yes, sir."

"As you can see, it's a plant-type. You see those eight thick branches? You cut one down, and another just sprouts in its place. Even Ho-jun's fire isn't working."

The monster looked like a tree. It only had eight branches—but each one was abnormally thick.

At the base where the branches connected to the main body, there were black scorch marks—evidence of Hyun Ho-jun's failed attempts to burn them.

The monster's trunk was smeared with a strange, sticky fluid. Thick and yellowish, it looked like someone had slathered it in honey. Han Kang-jin continued,

"Because of that weird sap, the fire won't catch on the body. Luckily, Young-ho's attacks seem to work a little, but they're not strong enough to break through. Tch. We already called for backup, but… got any bright ideas?"

At his question, Kang I-won quickly surveyed the area. Severed and scorched branches were scattered all around—no matter how many they cut, new ones just kept coming.

There was no way it could regenerate forever, but with no idea when it would stop, they couldn't afford to keep chopping branches indefinitely.

They'd have to strike the main body.

But the sap nullified Ho-jun's fire, and Young-ho's electricity lacked the power.

And Kang I-won himself? It was risky. The goo coating the monster's exterior was incredibly sticky—if he rushed in carelessly, he might end up stuck to it like a bug caught in a spider's web.

This monster was, in every way, a terrible match for Team 5. Kang I-won clicked his tongue.

"We'll probably have to wait for backup."

Han Kang-jin sighed at the same conclusion.

With no better options, Team 5 worked to contain the monster, keeping it in one place to minimize collateral damage to the surrounding residential area.

While they held position, fifteen branches were severed.

And the moment they cut down the sixteenth, the monster suddenly retracted all of its limbs—then began twisting its eight branches into four thick, braided pairs. The once-eight limbs now formed four, each aimed at a different Team 5 member.

Han Kang-jin raised his shield to block. Kim Young-ho ducked behind a utility pole.

Kang I-won dropped low, and the branch that targeted him slammed deep into the ground.

He grabbed his dagger and drove it down into the embedded branch, but all it did was ring out like metal striking metal. His hand throbbed from the shock.

The branches weren't just twisted—they were harder, too.

"Hey! Ho-jun! You okay?!"

At Kim Young-ho's voice, Kang I-won's head snapped toward Hyun Ho-jun.