8

One of the thick, sharp branches had grazed Ho-jun's thigh.

Thankfully, he was wearing protective gear, so the injury wasn't severe—but the pain still contorted his face.

The monster kept aiming at Ho-jun. He had no time to use his powers—he was barely dodging.

Seeing this, Kang I-won quickly threw his dagger.

The sudden motion knocked the branch off course—it stabbed into the ground beside Ho-jun instead of his neck.

In that tiny gap, Kang I-won rushed in and blocked the next attack aimed at Ho-jun.

Metal clanged loudly on impact.

The pressure was intense—he couldn't deflect it completely.

Gritting his teeth, Kang I-won managed to push the branch off at a slant, but he failed to knock it aside completely.

A jagged, saw-toothed branch grazed his shoulder.

His white t-shirt tore open, and blood gushed from the wound.

"Tch."

Kang I-won winced as pain radiated from his shoulder.

Han Kang-jin, now at his side, raised his shield and stepped in.

Kang I-won gripped his bleeding shoulder and staggered back, then looked to Ho-jun, who seemed dazed.

"You okay?"

Ho-jun gave a blank nod, then seemed to snap out of it and quickly summoned flames.

This time, the fire burned hotter and faster than usual, scorching the monster's limbs.

The sudden burst of heat radiated outward.

Han Kang-jin, still nearby, winced and shouted,

"Damn it, Ho-jun! Put it out!"

"Huh? R-right!"

Ho-jun quickly extinguished the flames.

In that brief moment, the scorched branches retreated slowly, as if the monster were fleeing.

Kim Young-ho ran over and helped Ho-jun up.

"Hey, you okay?"

"Uh… yeah, I'm fine."

"Are you sure? You're acting really out of it today."

"I said I'm fine."

Ho-jun thumped his chest and answered, and as Kang I-won watched him, he untied the jacket from around his waist and pulled it on.

It had long sleeves and was fairly thick—heat pooled beneath it the moment he put it on.

Noticing, Kim Young-ho asked,

"Senior, why are you putting that on now?"

"…It was bothering me."

"Then just toss it. Leave it on the ground."

"This is more comfortable."

He had no choice—it was to cover his wound.

The heat trapped inside the jacket made the pain worse. His eyelashes quivered.

Kang I-won's pain used to be quick and fleeting.

But since his powers had started failing, it lingered—dull, dragging, wearing away at his endurance.

It was getting harder to bear.

But not yet. He could still endure.

Clutching his blood-soaked shoulder, Kang I-won took a deep breath, gripped his dagger tightly, and moved to support Han Kang-jin—swinging his arm despite the stinging pain.

And then, backup finally arrived.

"This is Team 7—Lee Ji-yeon and Woo Yeon-soo, reporting for support!"

These two were from the newly formed Team 7, after the original had disbanded—the one Hyun Ho-jun used to be part of.

After getting a quick rundown from Ho-jun, the two stiffened.

"Ah… I'm a water type, so I'm not sure I'll be much help here…"

Woo Yeon-soo trailed off, but Lee Ji-yeon cut in.

"Wait, sorry—what's your ability? I know everyone else's, but not yours."

"Me?" Kim Young-ho blinked and pointed at himself.

Ji-yeon nodded.

"Electricity… Why?"

"Electricity? Hmm, better than fire, I guess."

At her mumbling, Yeon-soo frowned.

"Ugh, I don't like this…"

"Come on, Yeon-soo. We came all the way here—at least do something."

"I know… still."

Yeon-soo reluctantly stepped back.

Ji-yeon waved Young-ho over.

"Come here for a sec. What's your name?"

"Ki—Kim Young-ho…"

"Okay, Young-ho. My ability is condensation. I gather and amplify other people's powers. I think we can hit that monster hard if we condense your electricity and fire it all at once. Think you can do it?"

Ji-yeon's ability was Condensation.

She couldn't do anything on her own—but when paired with someone else, she could gather and amplify their powers many times over.

"Uh… I can try?"

"It's not hard."

She grabbed Young-ho's hand, and he tensed, his face reddening.

"Try to send out your power with the feeling of gathering it in one place."

Following her instructions, Young-ho did as she said—then jolted in surprise.

Normally, his energy would scatter as it left him—but now, it gathered neatly into one point.

"See? Not hard. Keep going."

Young-ho gasped in amazement and continued channeling power.

The condensed energy swelled into a massive, sparking mass. With Ji-yeon's support, Young-ho's electricity—amplified several times over—blasted toward the monster like a cannon.

The current surged through the monster's outer limbs and flooded its insides, scrambling it from within.

Though some sparks shot outward, the sap coating its body blocked most of the discharge—forcing the electricity to wreak havoc inside instead.

A sizzling sound crackled as the sticky sap burned away. Along with it, stray currents sparked and scattered in every direction.

Kang I-won quickly dodged and looked toward Heo Do-gyeong.

Fortunately, the distance between them was far enough that no sparks reached his side.

After a short while, the crackling died down.

The monster, now still, was in a pitiful state.

Its body was charred pitch black, barely intact, and the sticky sap that once coated it had either burned away or melted completely.

Still, its tenacious life force lingered—some of its branches twitched faintly.

Han Kang-jin rushed over and finished it off, extracting the core.

"Holy shit!"

Considering that one final attack had essentially taken the monster down, Kim Young-ho couldn't contain his excitement and blurted out the words.

"Seriously, that was insane! I had no idea a power like that even existed! Esper Lee Ji-yeon, right? That was… wow. That ability is amazing."

"It's not that amazing. I can only use it once a day."

"Still! Uh… could I maybe get your contact info? I don't mean anything weird, just in case we ever work together again…"

As he asked, Woo Yeon-soo stepped in front of Ji-yeon and cut him off coolly.

"Sorry, but Ji-yeon is my partner. She's also a member of Team 7. That kind of comment makes things uncomfortable."

"Ah… I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything by it. It's just…"

Watching Kim Young-ho fall headfirst into another hopeless crush, Hyun Ho-jun let out a sigh and made his way toward Kang I-won.

"Thanks for earlier. Brought back some old memories."

Hyun Ho-jun offered a quiet smile with his thanks. Something about it felt different, and Kang I-won tilted his head slightly.

Now that he thought about it, the distance was unusual.

Ho-jun, who normally stood two or three steps closer, was—this time—keeping a proper distance.

Kang I-won found it odd… but strangely, he also liked it that way. So he said nothing.

Hyun Ho-jun gave his thanks and then stepped away. As he turned, his footsteps hesitated for a moment.

He glanced back at Kang I-won, who had already turned around.

The shoulder of his shirt still looked soaked—like it was still bleeding.

But that couldn't be. With his regeneration, it should've healed long ago.

Ho-jun shrugged, assuming it was just his imagination, and walked off to help Han Kang-jin.

Once he was gone, Heo Do-gyeong approached and examined Kang I-won's shoulder, concern plain on his face.

"It's not even a serious injury—why is there so much blood? That's upsetting."

Kang I-won liked how openly Heo Do-gyeong expressed his concern now. He suppressed that feeling and responded as casually as he could.

"It's probably because the surface got torn up badly."

The jagged, saw-like edge had shredded the flesh unevenly. That kind of injury tended to bleed more.

But the truth was, the excessive bleeding was because his regeneration had slowed down.

His shoulder, soaked with blood and sticking uncomfortably to the fabric, throbbed.

"Let me take a look."

"It's already healed—there's no point."

"Still."

At Heo Do-gyeong's insistence, Kang I-won pulled down the shoulder of his outer layer, revealing the now perfectly healed skin underneath the blood-soaked, torn shirt.

"See? All fine."

"You call this fine? You bled this much. You need Guiding, don't you?"

Heo Do-gyeong clicked his tongue and asked.

Kang I-won nodded—he could still manage, but with so few chances left to receive Heo Do-gyeong's Guiding, he didn't refuse.

As he agreed, Heo Do-gyeong leaned in.

His face drew closer, and Kang I-won tensed up—his heart thudded wildly, as if expecting something.

But Heo Do-gyeong's lips moved to his ear.

He whispered in a low, ticklish voice,

"If you want, I can do mucosal Guiding too. Interested?"

Startled by the soft, teasing tone, Kang I-won jerked back a step, clutching his now-warm ear. The ear he held burned hot.

"…T-touch is plenty."

"Why? Didn't you enjoy it last time? I could've sworn you did."

The heat in his ear spread down to his cheeks.

"…I'll go help with cleanup first. Please do the Guiding later."

"Why? I'll come with you."

Kang I-won quickened his pace and walked ahead.

Behind him, Heo Do-gyeong's quiet laughter brushed against his still-burning ear.

He couldn't understand why it felt so hot today.

Fanning the hem of his shirt, Kang I-won tried to cool himself down.

But no matter how much he tried, the heat wouldn't fade.

* * *

On a windless day, Kim Young-ho fanned his collar. The sun was so bright and harsh, it made his eyes sting. He raised a hand to shade his face.

"It's not even summer yet—how hot is it going to get this year? Ugh…"

He glared in annoyance at the monster, now subdued and calmly coiled despite the flames still licking at its body.

"Feels like I'm gonna melt, and this damn thing's spitting fire…"

His gaze shifted to Hyun Ho-jun, who was smiling calmly beside him.

"And you—my teammate—you're spewing fire too. Don't come anywhere near me this summer, seriously."

"My body temperature's not that high though."

"Doesn't matter. Just being near you makes it feel hotter."

"That's cold. Senior, you won't be like that, right?"

"…I'd prefer it if you didn't come near me either."

Kang I-won muttered as he wiped the sweat rolling down from his forehead.

Hyun Ho-jun pulled a mock-hurt expression—but it quickly faded back to his usual easy smile.

Their chatter continued even with a monster in front of them, prompting Han Kang-jin to shout,

"Hey, you brats! You think this is the time to be joking around?!"

"But there's nothing we can do right now."

Kang I-won replied.

The plant-type monster had rooted itself into the ground and was, by all appearances, one massive flame.

Whether it was because they shared the same element, Ho-jun's fire only fueled the monster further.

The same went for Kim Young-ho's electricity—both powers only fed the beast, making it stronger.

They couldn't afford to attack carelessly.

Maybe it was just the season, but it felt like only badly matched monsters were showing up lately.

Of course, monsters weren't always going to match your type.

And even if they didn't, you could still fight if you had to.

"But that one… yeah, even I'd rather not."

This one, however, had its weak point buried under several layers of thick, flame-covered leaves.

To reach it, you'd have to push through the fire—and even then, it wouldn't be easy.

Even before his regeneration had slowed down, Kang I-won would've avoided rushing in under these conditions.

Pain aside, what he hated most was burning his clothes.

If it were urgent, sure—but this wasn't.

Beside him, Heo Do-gyeong nodded in agreement.

"Exactly. There's no reason for Esper Kang I-won to push himself. Backup's already on the way anyway."

Just as he said, an Esper with water-related powers had been called and was en route.

So there was no need for Kang I-won to step up.

"Right?"

"Well, yeah. No need for the senior to overdo it right now."

Responding to Heo Do-gyeong's gaze, Hyun Ho-jun gave a shrug.

Kang I-won glanced at him.

Since last time, Ho-jun's attitude had noticeably changed.

At first, it had been hard to tell—but now it was clear.

That overwhelming closeness he used to show had eased off.

He no longer pushed into Kang I-won's space, nor did he express his feelings so blatantly anymore.

Sensing Kang I-won's eyes on him, Hyun Ho-jun gave a reflexive smile.

"Is there something you'd like to say, senior?"

"…No. Nothing."

He wasn't sure why the change had happened, but he didn't mind it.

Kang I-won looked away and turned toward the two figures approaching from a distance.

It was the same two from the new Team 7 who had helped them before.

Kim Young-ho, staring blankly at Lee Ji-yeon as she approached, was already blushing.

Maybe he'd finally let go of his feelings for Choi Soo-bin.

Soo-bin had always seemed burdened by Young-ho's affections.

If he told her this, she might actually be pleased.

Brushing off thoughts of Soo-bin, Kang I-won focused on the two Espers now engaging the monster.

A massive wave of water, so dense and overwhelming it resembled a tsunami, surged forward and swallowed the creature whole.

Drenched by the spray, Kang I-won stared in awe.

That raw, undeniable strength—he used to envy it deeply.

But now, even that was starting to feel like an emotion that no longer mattered.

Thanks to the two of them, the situation wrapped up quickly.

Kim Young-ho tried to approach Lee Ji-yeon again, only to be shut down once more.

Hyun Ho-jun clicked his tongue quietly and retrieved the sulking Young-ho like it was a routine chore.

After that day, things continued as they always had.

Kang I-won kept a cautious distance,

Heo Do-gyeong stayed quietly content,

And Hyun Ho-jun maintained a neutral, tempered attitude.

One of those days happened to be particularly rough for Hyun Ho-jun.

When they cut into the monster's body, swarms of finger-sized bugs burst out, and he'd had to crank up his flames to burn them all before they scattered. It had been a while since he pushed himself that hard.

As Ho-jun knelt on one knee, catching his breath, Kang I-won walked over and asked,

"You okay?"

"…Huh? Oh—yeah. I overdid it a little more than usual, but… I'll be fine after a short rest."

"Good. …You did well today, Ho-jun. Thanks."

It was a tone closer to how he spoke with Kim Young-ho—familiar, relaxed, a little more casual than usual.

"Uh…"

Ho-jun blinked, surprised by both the tone and the sudden use of his name. Then he let out a short laugh.

It wasn't a dramatic reaction, but even so, there was something faintly awkward about it.

Kang I-won quietly stepped back.

Right then, Heo Do-gyeong stepped up beside him.

Noticing his presence, Kang I-won turned his head—and was greeted by Do-gyeong sticking his lower lip out in a sulk. He barely held back a laugh.

"…What is it, Guide Heo Do-gyeong?"

"Why is he Ho-jun, and I'm still 'Guide Heo Do-gyeong'?"

Do-gyeong's voice was full of complaint.

Kang I-won couldn't hold back anymore and chuckled softly.

"What else would I call you, if not Guide Heo Do-gyeong?"

"You can call me more casually, like you do with Hyun Ho-jun. I mean, I'm younger than you, you know. Actually, I'm the youngest in Team 5."

Technically, Do-gyeong wasn't officially part of Team 5—he was still a temporary addition.

But if you counted him among them, he was definitely the youngest.

"So feel free to speak casually with me."

Kang I-won tried to imagine himself saying, "Do-gyeong-ah."

The thought alone made him want to scratch his insides out from sheer discomfort.

Calling Kim Young-ho like that was easy.

Calling Hyun Ho-jun like that had been awkward at first, but with time, he'd gotten used to it.

But Do-gyeong… calling him like that felt strange.

It just didn't roll off the tongue. It didn't fit.

More than anything, Kang I-won didn't want to speak casually with Heo Do-gyeong.

The moment he let his guard down, the distance he'd carefully maintained might disappear—and that scared him.

Suppressing his amusement, Kang I-won stepped back and replied,

"…Because 'Guide Heo Do-gyeong' feels more comfortable."

"Comfortable, huh. You call Young-ho and Ho-jun by name just fine, but I'm the only one you stay formal with? I've known you longer than Hyun Ho-jun has, you know? Don't you think that's unfair?"

Do-gyeong pouted in protest.

Why someone his size could be this adorable was beyond understanding.

Almost like he was… jealous.

No—jealous? Of all things? No way. That couldn't be it. Kang I-won quickly brushed off the ridiculous thought.

Still sulking, Do-gyeong suddenly asked,

"So, you still don't want to imprint with me?"

The question snapped him back to reality.

Kang I-won answered in a lowered voice.

"…I said no."

"You know the month's almost over, right?"

"I know. I haven't forgotten."

This time, there was no denying it—the day he'd promised to tell Heo Do-gyeong was fast approaching.

There wasn't much of the month left, and the test results would be arriving soon.

Their dinner plans were coming up too.

He hadn't intended to put it off this long, but somehow, things had been dragged right to the edge.

Once the results came in, he wouldn't be able to delay anymore.

He'd have to tell Heo Do-gyeong, then tell the team… The imagined future never changed.

There was no reason for a Guide to remain with an Esper who'd lost his powers and returned to civilian life.

So in that imagined future, Do-gyeong simply nodded and said I see, before walking away without much thought.

That image alone left a hollow feeling in his chest.

Maybe that was why he kept putting it off.

At first, losing his powers had felt like nothing but joy.

He had finally gotten what he'd always wished for—finally stood at the edge of it. He should've been overjoyed.

But now that he kept delaying telling Do-gyeong, the joy didn't feel so pure.

Whenever he thought about the way Do-gyeong had confessed his feelings and asked to imprint, something inside him tangled.

His heart wavered—bent like reeds in the wind.

And he couldn't get a grip on it.

There was something he wanted from Do-gyeong.

But even when he tried to think about what it was, his thoughts would abruptly cut off—like they refused to follow through.

It always ended that way.

Still unable to fully face his own feelings, Kang I-won quietly let out a breath.

* * *

Lately, peaceful days had continued without issue.

There hadn't been any particularly strong monsters, which meant there hadn't been many injuries either.

It was the kind of calm that made you wish it would stay that way forever.

And then, finally, the results came in.

It had been about a month.

Kang I-won held the sealed envelope in his hand, his expression unreadable.

He'd already seen the results once. He was already certain. So this time, there was no overwhelming emotion.

He opened the sealed envelope and pulled out the documents inside, flipping straight to the final page.

[Report: Based on wave analysis results, signs of ability loss have been confirmed. A consultation with the Branch Director is recommended within 15 days. If no follow-up is reported after 15 days, this report will be forwarded to the Branch Director and Team Leader of the Esper's current division.]

Just as expected.

And maybe because of that, he could stay calm.

Kang I-won slipped the papers back into the envelope.

Strangely, it didn't feel as joyful as the first time.

More than the happiness of finally achieving the wish he'd clung to for so long, what weighed on him was how Heo Do-gyeong would react once he heard.

Kang I-won frowned slightly.

Maybe he should've just told him sooner.

He regretted it briefly—but it was too late now.

He'd put it off as long as he could. He couldn't delay it any further.

Even if he tried, it would be unfair to Heo Do-gyeong.

Their dinner was coming up too.

Telling him before then, and ending things over one final shared meal—it wouldn't be a bad farewell.

"…Haa."

A low sigh slipped between his parted lips.

Even now, with the results in hand, he found himself wanting to delay it again.

But he couldn't.

This time, he had to tell Heo Do-gyeong.

If he didn't do it now, he'd probably stay silent right through dinner too—he could already see it happening.

So Kang I-won made up his mind.

His finger hovered for a moment over the device screen—then, after a short hesitation, he finally managed to send the message.

[Me: Do you have a moment?]

The reply came almost immediately, as if Heo Do-gyeong had been waiting.

[Guide Heo Do-gyeong: Yes, I do. What's it about?]

[Me: I have something to tell you. Can I come to the Guiding Room now?]

[Guide Heo Do-gyeong: Yes. I'll be waiting.]

With Heo Do-gyeong's permission, Kang I-won headed toward the Guiding Room.

His steps felt heavier than usual.

The room wasn't far, so even walking slowly, he arrived quickly.

As if he had been waiting, Heo Do-gyeong was already at the door to greet him.

"So I finally get to hear why you've been refusing all this time."

They sat down across from each other, and Heo Do-gyeong gave a small nod, urging him to speak.

Kang I-won hesitated briefly, then finally opened his mouth.

"The truth is, I—"

Beep-beep! Beep-beep!

The team call alert went off loudly, at the worst possible moment.

Instead of finishing his sentence, a sigh came out.

Of all things, it was a team call—something he couldn't ignore.

Kang I-won lightly tapped the glowing blue device and said,

"…Looks like I'll have to take this first."

"How long could it possibly take to just say it?"

True, but this wasn't the kind of thing you could rush through.

"…It's better if I say it after this."

"Tch. Fine. But you're definitely telling me after."

"I will."

Heo Do-gyeong clicked his tongue and frowned, but then nodded without further complaint. Since the call had come in, they didn't really have time to drag things out, and it's not like Kang I-won was refusing to tell him.

At the scene, chaos awaited.

The ground was a wreck. Asphalt was cracked open everywhere, forming massive holes. Long, uneven tracks showed something had moved beneath the surface.

A monster poked its head out of one of the holes, scanned the area with round eyes, then ducked back underground.

The glimpse of the creature revealed a long snout, reminiscent of an anteater, though its behavior was more like a mole's.

It burrowed underground, shattering the earth and carving out new paths. Monsters like this had to be dealt with quickly—if left unchecked, the weakened ground could collapse and take buildings down with it.

Other teams besides Team 5 had been dispatched as well.

Two of the monsters had already been tangled up in web-like threads, whining as they struggled. From a massive hole, waves of water splashed up. Several Espers chased down the creature tunneling underground and launched attacks.

In the chaos, Han Kang-jin called out to a nearby Esper.

"How many are there in total?"

"Five… no, six!"

One had ducked back underground, two were tangled in threads, and one was being chased. Four accounted for. The other two must still be hiding underground. Han Kang-jin scanned the area and started to speak.

"For now, let's— huh?"

The ground beneath their feet trembled. A cracking sound followed as the asphalt under them began to split.

Team 5 jumped back quickly. At the same time, Kang I-won grabbed Heo Do-gyeong and pulled him away. The spot they'd just been standing on erupted as the monster's long head shot out. Its snout was split into four sections. Broken asphalt and sand spilled from its gaping mouth.

Then its jaws snapped shut, the split parts sealing into one long snout again. With a rippling motion, it spewed asphalt and dirt skyward. The broken asphalt shattered into fine bits and rained down like hail.

"Ugh!"

"Ahh!"

Short cries rang out as people were struck by the hail-like fragments. The monster, having found nothing to eat, quickly vanished underground again.

"Damn… scared the hell outta me."

Kim Young-ho, collapsed on the ground, wiped cold sweat from his forehead and muttered.

"You okay?"

Kang I-won gently brushed the dust off Heo Do-gyeong's head and asked. Unable to hide his discomfort, Heo Do-gyeong grimaced slightly and nodded, reluctantly lowering his head to make it easier for Kang I-won to clean him off.

As Kang I-won brushed his hair carefully, he glanced at the gaping hole nearby. Alarmed, he pulled Heo Do-gyeong back a bit farther.

As Kang I-won pulled Heo Do-gyeong back, the latter staggered slightly. Kang I-won quickly looked him over and asked,

"Are you hurt?"

"No, I'm fine."

Heo Do-gyeong shook his head and adjusted his slightly disheveled clothes. Kang I-won told him,

"It's dangerous. Go wait over there."

Not too far away, a group of civilians and a Guide from another team were huddled together in a nearby building. From the window, they were nervously peeking out, watching the Espers fight the monsters.

Kang I-won nudged Heo Do-gyeong toward that building. It wasn't exactly safe there either, but it had to be safer than here. Heo Do-gyeong looked displeased but obediently turned and moved in that direction.

Once Heo Do-gyeong was out of range, Team 5 quickly regrouped and joined the subjugation effort.

Hyun Ho-jun funneled waves of flame down into a hole like he was flushing prey out of hiding. Startled by the sudden fire, a monster scrambled out to the surface. Han Kang-jin caught it, and Kang I-won rushed in to deal a fatal blow.

Kim Young-ho's electricity surged through the wound Kang I-won had made, and Kang I-won drove a blade deep into the monster's trembling neck. Blood from the gaping wound splattered onto Kang I-won's body.

He spat out the foul monster blood that got in his mouth and wiped his sticky, wet face with his sleeve.

After a long standoff, the monsters started to fall one by one. Four were down. Only two remained.

Those last two began burrowing underground wildly. The ground shook violently, almost like an earthquake, and someone's irritated scream rang out.

"Ahhhhh! You damn bastards! Cut it out already!"

It was the desperate cry of an Esper struggling to keep the weakened ground from collapsing with their powers.

While everyone was distracted by the chaos above, one small and unassuming monster—so weak its presence had gone unnoticed—began to stir.

Through a tunnel dug out by the others, it peeked its head out and spotted prey with its round, beady eyes. Its long snout extended an even longer tongue, slithering like a snake toward Kang I-won's ankle.

Kang I-won sensed it too late. Before he could dodge, a strong force struck his ankle.

"Urgh!"

Caught off guard by the sudden impact, his body collapsed. The pain hit hard, and there was no time to hide it. His face twisted in agony as he doubled over.

Still, Kang I-won quickly assessed his condition. Thankfully, nothing was broken.

Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he lifted his head. The pain no longer showed on his face, though he couldn't stop the cold sweat trickling down.

The monster, having seized its prey, didn't let go and began dragging Kang I-won toward the hole. His body was pulled helplessly across the ground.

Before he could be dragged into the burrow, Kang I-won yanked out the dagger at his waist and swiftly sliced through the monster's tongue. A thin, shrill scream echoed through the air.

As the monster's feeble cry rang out, the tremors in the ground suddenly stopped. Still seated, Kang I-won quickly unwrapped the slimy tongue from his ankle.

"Sunbae! Are you okay?!"

From a distance, Kim Young-ho shouted when he saw Kang I-won on the ground. Kang I-won nodded and tried to stand, forcing strength into his legs—but his legs wouldn't hold.

He bit down on his lip hard.

The extended recovery time was coming back to bite him.

He managed to get up with minimal weight on his ankle, but as the ground began to quake again—like another tremor—he lost his balance and collapsed forward.

Lying on the ground, he barely managed to lift his head.

In that moment, the world felt like it slowed down. His heightened senses rapidly scanned his surroundings.

Heo Do-gyeong, who had no reason to be there, was running toward him with a horrified expression, and Kim Young-ho desperately tried to stop him.

Kang I-won turned his head. The ground cracked open again, bulging upward—just like the tunnels a mole might create. It was rapidly closing in. That must have been what triggered the tremor that knocked him down.

He could dodge it if he tried. With a little luck, he might even make it out unharmed—after all, one of his ankles was still fine.

But just then, a thought crossed his mind.

Maybe… I could die right now.

No—more than that, he had a strange, sharp certainty that if not now, he might never get another chance like this again. Even though he'd told himself he could die anytime once his powers disappeared.

The thought made his chest tighten, and the pressure gripped his body so tightly he couldn't even lift a finger. His lips twitched slightly, almost welcoming the death rushing toward him.

"Esper Kang I-won!"

The desperate voice of Heo Do-gyeong calling out to him pierced through. The hypersensitivity faded, and the slow-moving world returned to normal.

Kang I-won turned to look at Heo Do-gyeong one last time. His face was twisted in agony.

And in that instant, Kang I-won realized how rash he'd been.

But the regret came too late. The ground beneath him gave way.

He fell a short distance—and was immediately engulfed by something damp and slimy.

* * *

Kang I-won lay on the infirmary bed, pale as a corpse, motionless in sleep. Though they had confirmed he was alive, Heo Do-gyeong couldn't shake the unease. Unable to help himself, he reached out once again.

He placed his fingertips beneath Kang I-won's nose to check for breath. Feeling the faint brush of it, he slowly withdrew his hand and asked,

"Since when?"

"..."

They had chased down the monster, cut it open, and barely managed to pull Kang I-won out. His body, soaked in stomach acid and burned down to the skin, was quickly rinsed clean by a fellow Esper's torrent of water. Even so, his regeneration remained agonizingly slow.

While Hyun Ho-jun and Kim Young-ho panicked, wondering why the regeneration was taking so long, only Han Kang-jin stayed composed. He said nothing, simply gathered Kang I-won and rushed him back to the center ahead of the others.

Han Kang-jin had already known.

Heo Do-gyeong, getting no response, turned his head and locked eyes with Han Kang-jin as he asked again,

"When did you find out there was something wrong with Kang I-won's ability?"

"…Not that long ago."

"Does anyone else know besides you?"

"I don't think so. I-won said he'd tell everyone himself once the results were certain. The timing fits—it should be out by now. Or maybe it already is."

So that must've been what he was trying to tell me before we left for the scene.

Yeah. In that case, it made sense why he wanted to wait until after to talk. That kind of thing wasn't easy to drop in a rush.

But if Han Kang-jin had known already… then Kang I-won should've told him sooner.

For the past month, while Heo Do-gyeong had been left completely in the dark—openly expressing his affection, talking about imprinting—Kang I-won had stayed silent and watched. He should've said something. At the very least, somewhere in the middle.

If he had… they wouldn't be in this ridiculous situation now. What would he think, watching someone like Heo Do-gyeong, happily reacting to every tiny change in Kang I-won without knowing a damn thing?

Even though he knew Kang I-won wasn't that kind of person, the thoughts wouldn't stop coming. The sense of betrayal twisted in his gut.

Heo Do-gyeong covered his face with both hands.

Where had it all gone wrong?

Lately, he thought things had been getting better. He thought there'd been change.

Kang I-won had started accepting his Guiding without hesitation, had begun taking better care of himself, albeit slightly. Even when he rejected the imprinting offer, Heo Do-gyeong had seen the trace of regret on his face.

…It really looked like he was slowly opening his heart.

But all of it had been a lie—just his own delusion. So laughable that Heo Do-gyeong let out a bitter chuckle.

The memory was still painfully vivid, like it had just happened.

Amid the crowd of Guides calming terrified civilians, Heo Do-gyeong's gaze had remained fixed on Kang I-won. Even though he'd been more cautious lately, Heo Do-gyeong worried he might once again recklessly throw his body into danger like a disposable tool.

While keeping a close eye on him, Heo Do-gyeong was the first to spot the monster's long tongue quietly creeping toward Kang I-won. Before he could even send a warning through the device, the tongue had wrapped tightly around Kang I-won's ankle. He lost his balance and collapsed instantly.

And at that moment, Heo Do-gyeong took off running toward the scene.

Even though there was nothing he could do, his body moved before his mind could stop it. He didn't know why he was doing it, but his legs carried him toward Kang I-won with unwavering resolve.

Then, Kim Young-ho stopped him.

"Huh? Guide-nim, what are you doing here? It's dangerous! Please, go back over there!"

But Heo Do-gyeong ignored him and kept his eyes fixed on Kang I-won.

Fortunately, Kang I-won had managed to cut off the monster's tongue wrapped around his ankle and staggered to his feet. But as soon as he did, a tremor from the ground knocked him down again.

And then, from a distance, Heo Do-gyeong spotted the signs of a monster tunneling underground—heading straight for Kang I-won.

Kang I-won scrambled to push himself up, hastily pressing his hands against the ground. Just as he lifted his head, he looked straight at Heo Do-gyeong. His eyes widened in slight surprise. Then he turned his head toward the approaching monster.

And he just stared at it. Didn't move an inch. Seeing that, Heo Do-gyeong thought something had gone terribly wrong with him. He tried to rush over, at least to help him up, but Kim Young-ho once again blocked his way, shouting that it was too dangerous.

"I said it's dangerous!"

"Dammit, he's the one in danger, not me!"

Trying to snap Kang I-won out of whatever trance he was in, Heo Do-gyeong strained his voice, shouting at the top of his lungs.

"Esper Kang I-won!"

At that, Kang I-won turned to look at him, as if he'd finally heard the call.

And in that moment, Heo Do-gyeong couldn't believe his eyes.

It vanished quickly—like cotton candy melting in water—but it had definitely been there. A faint, unmistakable smile on Kang I-won's lips.

Kang I-won was smiling… in the face of death. Then, without resistance, he vanished into the collapsing ground.

The memory of that moment flashed across Heo Do-gyeong's mind as he wiped his dry face and clenched his trembling hands into fists.

His gaze, lowered onto Kang I-won's unconscious face, grew dark and heavy. Even with his hands balled tight, he couldn't stop them from shaking.

Watching quietly from beside him, Han Kang-jin clicked his tongue softly and spoke.

"Guide Heo Do-gyeong, I'll stay here, so why don't you go get some rest? You look exhausted."

"No, I'll stay. You can go ahead, Team Leader."

"Still…"

"I want to stay. So don't worry about me and just go. Honestly, I wouldn't be able to rest even if I left."

Han Kang-jin didn't know exactly why Heo Do-gyeong was reacting this way, but he could guess enough to realize it was best to leave him alone. With a soft grunt and a nod, Han Kang-jin quietly stepped away.

Now alone, Heo Do-gyeong fell deep into thought.

Why… did he smile?

On top of everything, his powers are failing. He was staring death in the face. If things had gone even slightly wrong, he could've died.

So how could he smile in a moment like that?

Heo Do-gyeong thought back to all the times he'd seen Kang I-won. How sensitive he was to others' injuries, yet absurdly indifferent—no, practically cruel—toward his own. How he'd throw himself into danger even when it wasn't necessary.

And in that instant, a realization hit him like a bolt from the sky. It nearly made him laugh out loud.

Kang I-won was a fucking maniac who wanted to die.

"…That son of a bitch."

But instead of a laugh, what escaped his lips was a quiet curse.

So that's why he acted the way he did—so goddamn recklessly.

That's why he so easily threw himself into danger. Why he ignored his pain and injuries. Why he could smile at the moment he knew he was about to die.

No—he smiled because of that moment.

Why hadn't he noticed it sooner? The realization made his chest burn with anger.

He was furious at Kang I-won for throwing his life away so easily. For trying to die right in front of him despite knowing about his past. But more than the anger… an even greater emotion came crashing in like a tidal wave.

A choking, overwhelming sadness consumed Heo Do-gyeong.

* * *

"Ugh…"

Kang I-won let out a faint groan as he slowly regained consciousness. His vision was blurry, and he had to blink several times to clear it. His thoughts moved sluggishly.

Where am I? Why am I here? …What happened?

He slowly began to piece things together. Like assembling a puzzle, the memories clicked into place one by one. With a deep sigh, Kang I-won furrowed his brows and covered his face with one hand.

Again.

Once again, he hadn't died. Just how long was this cursed life going to keep dragging on?

"You're awake?"

At the sound of Heo Do-gyeong's voice from beyond the curtain, Kang I-won reflexively turned his head. Just beyond the drawn curtain, Heo Do-gyeong stood. Kang I-won reached out to pull the curtain open—only to be stopped by a hand.

"Don't open it. At least not right now. I really don't want to see your face right now."

The voice that said it wasn't like Heo Do-gyeong's usual tone. At the unfamiliar sound of it, Kang I-won's hand hesitated mid-air. Then the strength left his fingers, and his hand dropped back onto the bed.

Slowly withdrawing his hand, Kang I-won pushed against the mattress and sat up, leaning back against the headboard. The soft rustle of the comforter filled the silence for a moment.

A brief stillness settled between the two. It wasn't any different from their usual silences, but for some reason, it felt unbearably heavy today.

It was Heo Do-gyeong who finally broke it.

"Are you feeling okay?"

Even that question sounded different from usual. The calm gentleness that had recently lingered in his voice was gone—his tone was cold and hard.

Colder than the first time they'd met, even. The shift in tone made Kang I-won's body tense.

Freshly woken and disoriented, Kang I-won couldn't understand why Heo Do-gyeong was acting like this.

Was it because he saw him like that? But that was just something he couldn't avoid. He could explain. And besides, it wasn't like it was the first time Kang I-won had thrown his body into danger. Never before had Heo Do-gyeong reacted like this.

So why now?

Still unable to grasp the situation, Kang I-won clutched at the sheets, forcing down the nervous churn in his chest as he answered,

"…Yeah, I'm alright. But Guide Heo Do-gyeong… why are you here this late?"

"Why do you think?"

A small, deflating sound followed. It could've been a sigh, or maybe a bitter laugh.

"I had something I had to hear. So I waited for you to wake up."

After a pause, Heo Do-gyeong continued, voice low and heavy.

"So… why did you do it?"

"…Do what?"

A soft laugh slipped out. It ended quickly, replaced by a voice devoid of emotion.

"Esper Kang I-won must think I'm a joke."

"What? No, that's not true."

Startled by the sudden accusation, Kang I-won immediately denied it. Not once had he ever thought lightly of Heo Do-gyeong.

"Not true? You're still keeping your mouth shut even now. Honestly, it's exhausting at this point."

At the sound of Heo Do-gyeong's exhausted voice, Kang I-won flinched. He lifted his arm slightly, as if reaching toward Heo Do-gyeong beyond the curtain, but it fell short and quietly dropped back down.

Then, in the same detached tone as before, Heo Do-gyeong threw out an unexpected question.

"So? Why did you try to die?"

"…What are you talking about?"

Kang I-won's mind blanked at the question. He hadn't seen it coming.

How did Heo Do-gyeong know?

His thoughts were thrown into chaos, filled with confusion and panic. Excuses immediately started forming in his head.

It wasn't that he tried to die. His ankle was injured—he couldn't dodge. He'd been too slow to react—it couldn't be helped.

It wasn't that he wanted to die in front of Heo Do-gyeong.

He didn't know why he was coming up with so many excuses, but they flooded his mind all the same. And yet, none of them made it past his lips.

Then Heo Do-gyeong spoke again, calm and certain.

"The team leader told me. That your ability is failing. That's why you tried to die, isn't it? Thought it was a good opportunity. Am I wrong?"

Kang I-won couldn't deny it.

He really had thought he'd die. The sudden chance had clouded his thinking. The urgency had gotten to him, clouded his judgment.

He admitted it—he'd acted too hastily. And the result of that rash decision was unbearably bitter.

Heo Do-gyeong continued.

"I keep thinking about it, but I just can't understand. The Esper Kang I-won I heard about wanted so badly to live. But the one I saw looked like someone desperate to die. Why? What happened? Why are you so desperate to die? I really don't understand."

The version of Kang I-won that Heo Do-gyeong had heard about was from when he was seventeen. He knew nothing of the years that followed. So of course he didn't understand.

Kang I-won had lived more years surviving alone than with anyone else. He'd always longed for things that were never allowed to him.

Even his one and only wish had proven unattainable. So he buried it, and lived as if it never existed. That's why no one ever noticed. No one had ever seen it.

But the moment it surfaced, it was exposed instantly.

Kang I-won's wish had been building up ever since the day his younger sibling died and he was left alone. Layer by layer, it had settled in his heart over years. But Heo Do-gyeong, who didn't know those years, would never understand, no matter what Kang I-won said.

As the silence dragged on, Heo Do-gyeong gave up without protest.

"Fine. If you don't want to talk, that's your choice. I won't ask anymore."

At those words—I won't ask anymore—Kang I-won felt like his heart had dropped. Unconsciously, his hand gripped at the fabric near his chest.

Even then, Heo Do-gyeong kept speaking. His voice sounded drained, like he'd had enough.

"Whatever I say or hear doesn't matter anymore, does it? I'm not even sure you've ever really listened to a single thing I said."

His tone turned bitter and sarcastic.

"When I kept nagging you to take care of yourself, you never listened. And then suddenly you start being careful? Of course—because of your failing ability. Because if you got seriously hurt, it'd start showing."

There was no excuse for that. Kang I-won bit his lip.

The silence that followed was broken by a faint, unmistakable scoff. Heo Do-gyeong's voice came again, tinged with resignation.

"So in the end, it wasn't because of me. It was just something you needed to do for yourself."

Kang I-won couldn't deny that either.

"For the past month, was it fun? Watching me, knowing nothing, say I liked you, beg to imprint with you—was that entertaining to you?"

"No—no. It wasn't like that."

It wasn't. Kang I-won hurried to speak.

"I didn't say anything because…"

Because he didn't want to see Heo Do-gyeong give up on him.

Because he wanted to stay by his side, even just a little longer—to keep seeing Heo Do-gyeong smile gently at him, wanting him, hoping for him. Because he knew the time he had left was short. And that made him greedy.

He just wanted to stay a little longer.

He never meant to deceive or make fun of him. Not for a second.

In the end, it was Kang I-won's own selfish greed—despite having nothing to offer Heo Do-gyeong—that had led to this outcome. He tried to say something, to explain, but Heo Do-gyeong cut him off.

"Enough. You don't need to explain. I don't even want to hear it anymore."

For the first time, the Heo Do-gyeong who always wanted to hear everything from Kang I-won shut his ears. The words struck with a dull shock.

Kang I-won let out a silent, bitter laugh at his own reaction.

There was no point being surprised. This was the result of his own doing. Of selfishly wanting more, and unintentionally deceiving Heo Do-gyeong.

Greed always led to ruin. No matter the form.

And this time was no different. Kang I-won had gotten greedy, and it had led to disaster.

The truth was, he hadn't thought that deeply about it. He assumed the outcome would be the same no matter when he said it. His powers were vanishing—nothing could stop that—and eventually, Heo Do-gyeong would leave him anyway.

But the reaction had been nothing like what he expected. He thought Heo Do-gyeong would maybe feel a bit sorry, but ultimately accept it with a detached kind of understanding. He assumed Heo Do-gyeong would calmly accept the situation and quietly walk away. That's why he delayed—because he didn't want to see that.

But never did he imagine this. Cold. Sharp. Hurt.

If he'd told Heo Do-gyeong right away… would anything be different?

Kang I-won bit down on his lip. There was no use wondering about the past now.

It was a chance that wouldn't come again. A moment he'd already missed.

"…That's why I'm ending it."

Heo Do-gyeong's exhausted voice prompted a panicked reply.

"Ending what?"

"All of it."

With those few words, Kang I-won quickly pulled the curtain aside. Beyond it sat Heo Do-gyeong, slumped in a chair and looking completely worn out. At the sight, Kang I-won was at a loss for words.

Heo Do-gyeong looked worse than Kang I-won had ever seen him.

His hair was a mess, his eyes sunken from lack of sleep, his skin rough. But most shocking was the filthy combat uniform still clinging to his body—crusted with dust, monster fluids, and someone's dried blood.

Kang I-won felt his chest tighten. Heo Do-gyeong stared at him flatly and said,

"I haven't slept in two days. Not since you ended up like that. I didn't sleep a single minute waiting for you to wake up."

Two days. Two whole days spent sitting there, staring at him with his eyes shut, lost in thought.

Heo Do-gyeong rubbed his eyes as if too tired to even focus.

"And the whole time, I had all sorts of thoughts. I don't even know why I'm acting like this—I'm not that kind of person. Pathetically clinging to someone who rejected me from the start… it's infuriating."

He let out a long, weary sigh.

"I'm tired of worrying. What's the point? You never listen anyway. I keep telling you, over and over, and nothing changes. No matter how much I worry, how much I care, it's like none of it even registers. And I don't even know what I see in you anymore. How many times has this happened now?"

The irritation and sarcasm in Heo Do-gyeong's voice had faded, leaving only pure exhaustion.

"This is the first time I've stayed in this kind of disgusting state for so long. I thought I'd at least go clean up… but I was afraid. Afraid you'd wake up while I was gone. Or worse—afraid you'd try to finish what you started. So I couldn't move. The team leader or someone else might've stood in for me, but I just didn't trust it. I don't know what kind of mess I've become because of you, Esper Kang I-won. I'm not usually like this, but the moment I'm around you, I keep…"

He trailed off, rubbing his dry face again and muttering under his breath.

"…I'm so tired I don't even know what I'm saying anymore. So I'll just ask you one last thing."

His eyes—filled only with weariness—met Kang I-won's directly.

"I get it now. That your powers are failing. That you tried to die. Fine. But whether you were trying to hide that or really meant to die—before making that decision, did you even once…"

He paused briefly, then finished with a quiet breath.

"…Did you ever think about how I might feel?"

It hit like a blow to the head. Kang I-won fell silent.

Hiding his ability loss had been a selfish choice. Wanting to die had been part of a long-held wish.

But not once, in any of those choices, had he considered Heo Do-gyeong's feelings. There had been no room to think about anyone else. All he'd focused on was his own pain, his own desires.

Every decision had been about himself—how he felt—without once pausing to think of how it might affect the person beside him.

"..."

Kang Ion's silence was answer enough. Heo Do-gyeong stood and headed for the door without hesitation. All Kang I-won could do was grip the blanket in his lap and watch his back.

He didn't even have the right to stop him.

Heo Do-gyeong paused at the door. His hand on the knob, he spoke one final time.

"I really hope Esper Kang I-won gets to feel what I'm feeling right now. Just once."

The door opened—and closed.

Left alone in the infirmary, Kang I-won lay back down.

He had witnessed the deaths of teammates and Guides before. Again and again, he survived while others didn't. That's why, in a way, he understood Heo Do-gyeong's pain.

But this was different.

Heo Do-gyeong hadn't just witnessed death—he'd realized Kang I-won chose it. That he'd tried to die on purpose.

For someone who had once stood by and watched his own mother die, the trauma must've cut even deeper.

Kang I-won had known all of that—and still chose to die in front of him. It was cruel. Unforgivable.

Only now did the weight of his actions sink in. Kang I-won finally understood the full extent of what he'd done to Heo Do-gyeong. He covered his face.

And with that, a wave of self-loathing surged up.

How could he have been so selfish?

A light blinked close to his face. The glow of the device screen pierced the darkness, indicating a new message.

Still covering his face, Kang I-won let out a quiet sigh. Then he slowly lowered his hand and turned on the device to check the message.

It was from the restaurant he'd reserved for his meeting with Heo Do-gyeong. A reminder that the reservation was for the next day, asking what time he would arrive. Two missed calls were also listed.

Kang I-won couldn't suppress the rising sigh. He pressed his hand to his face and dryly scrubbed it again.

Everything was a mess.

It was Kang I-won's first time visiting the director's office. Feeling awkward, he fidgeted with the paper cup in his hands.

"Relax, relax. I'm not a difficult person, am I? What would you like to drink? Water? Coffee?"

"Water, please."

The director filled a paper cup with cold water and placed it in front of Kang I-won before sitting across from him.

"Now that I think about it, this is the first time I'm meeting you face-to-face. I've heard a lot about you, though. How long has it been since you joined our branch… about a year?"

"It's been nearly three years."

"Really? My, my, so many Espers come and go that I can't keep track."

Speaking in a deliberately light tone, the director picked up a document from the desk in front of him. It was the result of Kang I-won's wavelength test.

"Well then, let's take a look and talk about it."

"Yes."

While the director scanned the report, Kang I-won sipped his cold water. Though the cup was empty after just a few sips, he continued pretending to drink, keeping his eyes on the director.

After a long moment of examining the report without much visible reaction, the director let out a deep sigh and placed the papers back on the desk.

"Your ability is disappearing."

"Yes."

"What a shame. You've had such good results as an Esper, and now this… Tsk. As director, I've seen this happen a few times, but I still never know what to say to offer comfort."

With nothing to say, Kang I-won found himself absently fiddling with the empty paper cup. The director continued.

"So, what do you want to do, Kang I-won?"

Espers whose abilities fade are given two options: stay in the field as long as they're able or leave the field entirely.

Kang I-won briefly hesitated.

Remaining in the field with a gradually disappearing ability didn't feel sustainable. Though he was still managing for now, if his regeneration time extended any further, he would undoubtedly become a burden. It seemed better for both his team and himself to leave before that happened.

But he wanted to stay in the field just a little longer.

There was no other reason—only Heo Do-gyeong. He couldn't stop thinking about him. If he left the field, he would lose any chance of seeing Heo Do-gyeong again. That thought made it difficult to let go.

"For now… I'd like to stay in the field a little longer."

And so, despite his hesitation, Kang I-won chose to remain in the field.

Kang I-won's exceptional regeneration ability was strong enough to rank as S-class when judged solely on pure power. Even now, as his ability faded, he wasn't completely falling behind. Typically, an A-class Esper with regenerative powers could heal injuries within ten minutes. For now, Kang I-won's recovery time was still roughly comparable.

So, for now, it was manageable. If his regeneration time grew even longer, he could immediately step down from the field. That wouldn't cause too much trouble for anyone.

Hearing Kang I-won's decision, the director nodded in satisfaction.

"That must've been a tough decision, but you made the right call. You're still capable, so there's no point in resting prematurely. Still, you know to request a meeting right away if anything worsens, right? And you'll need to do a wavelength test once a month, no exceptions. Let's monitor things for at least six months."

"Yes, understood."

"Good. Anything else you'd like to discuss? If not, you can head out."

"No, nothing else. I'll be going now."

The brief meeting concluded. Afterward, Kang I-won informed his team about the loss of his ability.

Hyun Ho-jun expressed genuine sadness, while Kim Young-ho appeared shocked but cautiously asked if Kang I-won was alright.

Heo Do-gyeong, however, stood a few steps behind, silent and motionless.

Kang I-won found himself distracted by Heo Do-gyeong, stealing glances at him repeatedly. But Heo Do-gyeong ignored him completely, pretending not to notice.

Amid this peculiar tension, Team 5 received a call and headed to the field. Even during the operation, Heo Do-gyeong's silence weighed heavily on Kang I-won's mind.

Perhaps because of this distraction, Kang I-won failed to dodge an attack he would have normally avoided. The blow grazed his thigh. Though it wasn't a deep wound, the area it covered was extensive, and blood ran down his leg.

Normally, he would have tried to hide the injury, but now that his ability loss was public knowledge, there was no need to conceal it. Instead, he focused on the monster in front of him. Thankfully, he sustained no further injuries before taking it down.

While they handled the monster's remains, Han Kang-jin glanced at Kang I-won's thigh, now only just healed, and asked, "You alright?"

Kang I-won nodded. Kim Young-ho, frowning beside him, commented, "Wow, your regeneration really has slowed. But seriously, is it okay for you to keep staying in the field with that?"

Before Kang I-won could reply, it was Heo Do-gyeong who answered, his tone laced with sarcasm.

"Leave him be. If he says he's fine, he must be. Whether he ends up with a hole in his chest or loses his head, it's always 'I'm fine' with him, isn't it? He'll manage somehow."

Everyone turned to look at Heo Do-gyeong, except Kang I-won. Heo Do-gyeong frowned.

"Why are you all staring at me like that?"

"No, it's nothing," Han Kang-jin replied quickly, waving his hands to diffuse the tension. Glancing between Heo Do-gyeong and Kang I-won, he sidled up to Kang I-won and whispered, "Did you two fight?"

Kang I-won shook his head. Strictly speaking, they hadn't fought—it was entirely his fault.

Han Kang-jin looked puzzled. "Then why's Heo Do-gyeong acting like that all of a sudden? He's usually so over-the-top when it comes to you."

"…I don't know."

In truth, Kang I-won wasn't entirely sure why Heo Do-gyeong was so upset.

Was it because he hadn't mentioned the loss of his ability? Or because he had tried to end his own life? Kang I-won couldn't pinpoint the exact reason. But he knew one thing for certain: whatever the cause, it was his actions that had angered Heo Do-gyeong.

And so, he found himself constantly gauging Heo Do-gyeong's mood, unable to stop himself.

"The fact that you, the person involved, don't know what's going on—does that even make sense? I don't know what happened between the two of you, but try to work it out. If it's your fault, don't let your pride get in the way and just apologize. It's not like Heo Do-gyeong would act like this for no reason."

"…Yes."

Han Kang-jin gave Kang I-won's shoulder a couple of pats before walking away.

Kang I-won, too, wanted to make things right with Heo Do-gyeong—whether it was before Heo left or before he himself did.

But he didn't know how. He didn't even know what he should do, let alone how to start. He didn't fully understand why Heo Do-gyeong was acting this way. And even if he found out the reason, he doubted it would make any difference—he simply didn't know how to handle it.

Kang I-won's relationships were extremely limited. He pushed away those who approached him and never made an effort to reach out to others.

The fact that, after nearly ten years of working as an Esper, the only person he could call even somewhat close was Choi Soo-bin said it all.

Kang I-won, clumsy when it came to relationships, had no idea what to do or how to begin. His thoughts felt unbearably tangled.

The truth was, Kang I-won could simply ignore how Heo Do-gyeong was acting.

He had his own desires, his own goals. Once those were fulfilled, nothing else would matter. Even the Heo Do-gyeong who now occupied such a significant part of his mind would become irrelevant.

After all, there would be nothing left after that. What reason did he have to care?

And yet, he couldn't bring himself to do it. The mere presence of Heo Do-gyeong gnawed relentlessly at his nerves, making it impossible to ignore.

Kang I-won turned his head to look at Heo Do-gyeong. Despite being aware of his gaze, Heo Do-gyeong didn't so much as glance back.

That indifferent attitude made Kang I-won feel an ache he didn't deserve to feel. His head dropped of its own accord, as if weighed down by unearned sorrow.

* * *

A few days ago, early in the morning, a hiker exploring a hidden trail, known only to locals and not part of the official routes, stumbled upon a Gate. Startled, the hiker hurried down the mountain and reported it immediately.

Upon receiving the report, Espers climbed the steep path to confirm the Gate's existence. Since it wasn't accessible via a marked trail, the hiker led the Espers to the Gate.

After walking for some time, they reached a spot near the peak where the end was just barely visible. Hidden among the dense foliage of the forest was the Gate.

Upon inspection, the Gate was determined to be an A-rank dungeon-type. Its exact creation time was unknown, prompting the quick assembly of a team for the raid.

Over 60 Espers, all C-rank and above, gathered. They climbed the steep mountain and entered the Gate to begin their raid.

Ten days passed. The first raid team showed no signs of returning, so a second team was formed.

However, due to a lack of personnel, the branch sent out formal requests for reinforcements to neighboring branches. This request eventually reached the Gyeonggi South Branch 3, where Kang I-won and his team were stationed.

Han Kang-jin relayed the details of the request.

"…So, they say it's a pressing situation because we don't know when the waveification might start. Since it's not far, we should go. Anyone have a problem with that?"

Hyun Ho-jun and Kim Young-ho exchanged a quick glance toward Kang I-won. Ever since learning about the deterioration of Kang I-won's ability, the two had developed a habit of doing this.

Kang I-won found their gaze uncomfortable.

Although his regeneration had slowed compared to before, it was still comparable to that of other high-ranking regenerative Espers. The issue was that Hyun Ho-jun and Kim Young-ho, knowing how fast his recovery used to be, now treated him as though he were no longer an Esper at all.

If only they'd act normal, Kang I-won thought with a small sigh, ignoring their looks as he replied, "I'm fine with it."

"Oh, me too," Hyun Ho-jun quickly added.

"Same here," Kim Young-ho chimed in.

With Kang I-won taking the lead, the others followed suit.

"Good," Han Kang-jin said. "We're pressed for time, so get ready immediately and meet at the main gate. Understood?"

"Yes," they responded in unison.

Already prepared, Han Kang-jin headed to the main gate first, followed by Hyun Ho-jun and Kim Young-ho.

As Kang I-won was about to leave, he carefully reached out and grabbed Heo Do-gyeong's wrist. Thankfully, Heo didn't shake him off but turned to silently look down at him.

Kang I-won asked cautiously, "Are you going too, Heo Do-gyeong?"

"Yes, I am."

Kang I-won had hoped Heo Do-gyeong would stay safely at the center.

The situation was nerve-wracking, with waveification potentially imminent. The idea of Heo Do-gyeong heading into such a dangerous place filled Kang I-won with an unshakable sense of unease, tightening around his throat like a vice.

After a brief hesitation, Kang I-won spoke carefully.

"Wouldn't it be better to stay at the center? It's dangerous, and we don't know when the waveification might occur."

"Whether I'm in danger or not, what does it matter to Kang I-won? Just mind your own business."

Heo Do-gyeong's cold voice cut through the air like a blade. Despite two weeks having passed since that day, nothing had changed.

Heo Do-gyeong was still icy, and Kang I-won had yet to apologize or explain himself. Time dragged on without resolution. The only small comfort Kang I-won had was the knowledge that Heo Do-gyeong was still stationed in the Gyeonggi South Branch.

However, Kang I-won could never truly feel at ease, knowing that Heo Do-gyeong could leave at any moment if things didn't go his way. Swallowing a sigh, Kang I-won spoke softly.

"How can I not care? It's dangerous."

At his words, Heo Do-gyeong scoffed.