There was a subtle hint of that characteristic disdain towards Cremons in his voice, something often found in Awakened individuals. Summing it all up, it seemed Ian had called me here to inform me of the potential danger involved in the case.
‘Was I being unnecessarily suspicious?’
If his words were true, then he had intended to offer assistance without any personal gain. It would be appropriate to express my gratitude, but I found even such kindness somehow suspect.
“And for some reason, even though I’ve reported my findings to the higher-ups, progress has been slow. It’s almost as if someone is hindering the process. Do you happen to know anything about that?”
“No.”
From what I gathered, Ian had only been reporting the results of the investigation request, not actively participating in the mission itself. I, too, had no knowledge regarding the guide assault case, so I had nothing useful to offer.
More pressing was the fact that he had discovered information that could put me at risk. The notion that a Cremon’s core might eventually vanish entirely was perilous for me.
Though it didn’t seem like common knowledge yet, if the Center were to adopt this perspective, they might start conducting secondary tests on those suspected of being Cremons.
Given the circumstances, I was relieved that the investigation was progressing slowly. But the fact that no one knew why was still unsettling.
“I’d like to ask you one thing.”
“Yes, please go ahead.”
“The relationship between a Cremon’s core and guides… just what exactly is it?”
Feigning confusion, I posed the question. Instead of focusing on the progress of the case, I probed deeper into the purpose of whoever was targeting me. It had been on my mind ever since I heard about it from Emily.
I figured that, if he was more invested in the case than expected and was competent enough to be entrusted by the higher-ups with Cremon-related experiments, this intellectual Esper might actually hold the answer. This could be my chance to gain a clue about the core.
“Do you not trust me?”
Ian, sounding slightly offended, forced a smile but asked with a sharp tone.
“Not at all. I just want to understand better, as it’s something I’m involved with as well.”
Narrowing his eyes sharply, he then began to explain, as if to prove his point.
“If Espers are only partially Awakened, then Creatures are complete. Espers can’t recharge their energy waves on their own, but Creatures recharge theirs through their core.”
He explained it as clearly as possible for a layperson to understand. I listened closely, paying attention to his words as this was beyond my area of expertise.
“So, within a Creature, the core serves as the guide. When a guide, which shares the same resonant nature, is absorbed, it overlaps, causing the core to shrink.”
The core in a Creature fulfills the role that a guide plays for Espers. So, if the same resonant nature overlaps, it reduces in size… which adequately explained why I didn’t have a core.
The Creature that bit me was, at best, an A-class, while I was an S-class guide. The vessel must have been overwhelmed by the required resonance and disappeared entirely. Then, a sudden possibility flashed through my mind.
‘Then, could there be a way to make the core grow instead?’
“Is there any way to learn more about the relationship between a Cremon’s core and guides?”
At my words, Ian lowered his gaze, as if lost in thought.
“Well, the rest of it still requires verification… It doesn’t seem appropriate to discuss it just yet.”
I couldn’t focus on Ian’s continued response. My heart was pounding at the possibility that had surfaced in my mind. Guides and Espers were fundamentally opposite in nature.
If a Cremon could shrink its core by consuming a guide’s blood, then the opposite might also hold true… Naturally, Yu-geon came to mind. An Esper’s positive energy might have the reverse effect.
I hadn’t intended it, but I had been consuming a lot of S-class Esper blood recently.
So, there might be a chance I could develop a core as well…
“Guide Gu Sa-weol, you seem to have a strong interest in Cremons.”
Just as I was reveling in my hopeful speculation, Ian looked at me with an intrigued smile. I was about to deny it, but he spoke first.
“You’re the child of Esper Gu Sun-yeol, aren’t you?”
“You know my father?”
I was genuinely shocked, startled by hearing my father’s name from his lips.
“Most Awakened working in the Echo Team know of him. I heard there was an accident when the antibiotic research was near completion. I’m truly sorry for what happened.”
“…Is that why you decided to help me?”
The Center didn’t even know I was there. But those deeply connected to the incident or those close to me were aware that I’d survived by hiding in the lab cabinet and that I’d been cleared of being bitten by a Cremon.
I didn’t know exactly how much Ian knew about the accident, but I had nothing to hide.
On the surface, I was merely a bereaved family member who had lost loved ones in a tragic accident. Now, that misfortune had extended to being hunted by an unknown Cremon.
“It would be nice if my motives were that pure, but no. I just thought I’d like to speak with someone who seems to have a thorough understanding of Cremons.”
“…”
“If Guide Gu Sa-weol were captured, wouldn’t the culprit eventually come out of hiding? As the highest-ranking guide currently, there would no longer be a target.”
“…I understand. In fact, I was a bit suspicious of you, Ian Esper, but I’m glad I was able to understand.”
“Thank you for your kind consideration.”
Despite my clear lack of goodwill, he replied with easy composure. My assumptions had clearly missed the mark.
But, truthfully, this scenario was easier to handle without suspicion. He was moving according to his own agenda, driven by that characteristic intellectual Esper desire for knowledge.
‘They say a lot of intellect-type Espers are crazy… seems to be true.’
Moreover, although Ian didn’t know it, I had heard from the Blood King that the suspect in the assault cases was the same researcher who disappeared during the gate release incident.
If that rumor were true, then it was clear the perpetrator had a profound understanding of Cremons.
Even if the missing researcher hadn’t completed the antibiotic, meeting with Ian might be of help to the Echo Team’s antibiotic research.
But I had no intention of sharing this with Ian. Speaking carelessly could turn his curiosity about Cremons into a threat aimed at me.
“So, considering you’ve recently reestablished your pair and are in a precarious situation, I’d like to make a proposal.”
“What kind of proposal?”
“May I protect you, Guide Gu Sa-weol?”
I frowned instantly upon hearing those words.
“Why would you want to, Ian Esper?”
“As I mentioned, I’d like to meet the culprit. If I stay by your side, perhaps they’ll appear eventually.”
“In that case, you shouldn’t be near me at all. Even as an intellect-type, an Esper’s physical strength is superior to an ordinary person’s.”
“You’re right. Then, I’ll observe from a reasonable distance.”
“That’s uncomfortable too.”
Why was the conversation turning out like this?
Regardless of his interest in this case, having him stick to me was a problem. Especially if he had a deep understanding of Cremons.
There was a risk he might discern Cremon traits from actions I hadn’t yet realized and grow suspicious. Particularly with those sharp eyes—seemingly kind at a glance but unnervingly intense. For someone with many secrets to hide, like me, his gaze was a burden.
“Are you really indifferent to being devoured by a Cremon?”
“You can receive protection from an Alpha Team Esper.”
“With someone inside hindering the investigation, who can guarantee that Esper’s safety?”
“Even so, I can’t entrust my protection to someone I just met today.”
I countered without yielding. I didn’t want to permit it. Having anyone cling to me was bothersome and annoying.
“Let me share an interesting fact. Consuming a guide’s blood doesn’t automatically shrink a Creature’s core. It requires a certain amount to see any change.”
Ian spoke as if trying to drill his words into my mind. I deliberately looked away, letting his words flow past me. Unfazed, he continued talking.
“It varies by Cremon, but they need to consume anywhere from five to over a hundred guides before any transformation occurs.”
“…”
“To achieve that, one would have to repeatedly regenerate a guide by turning them into a Cremon, don’t you think?”
It was undeniably a chilling thought. As a guide and a Cremon, I could vividly picture what it would be like to be captured by the perpetrator.
“I’ve heard that Cremons have poor dining manners. If it were me, I’d rather beg for death than endure such torture.”
His words made my eyebrows twitch upward sharply.
‘Damn. Is he testing me to see if I’m a Cremon?’
Claiming he merely wanted to meet the culprit and help me, he seemed to be enjoying the situation far too much. His habitually curled eyes were just a mask; the icy blue gaze beneath was chillingly cold.
Suddenly, I realized why he unsettled me so much. A spider lying in wait, trapping prey with a web and watching with countless eyes.
That was exactly the image his penetrating gaze conjured. It seemed he’d been methodically tightening the investigative net all along.
Perhaps his appearance in Branch A was for this mission. While his intentions were obscure, his tenacity was unmistakable.
“Do you still not sense the danger?”
“Do as you like.”
Despite my dislike, I responded curtly, feigning indifference. While there was a risk of exposing my identity, there was also the possibility of learning more about Cremons, so I decided to take the chance. Besides, refusing any further would likely appear suspicious. As a guide, fear would be the appropriate response to this situation.
And more than anything, I had the feeling that even if I refused, he’d stick around, feigning agreement only to linger nearby.
“Thank you. Then, I look forward to working with you.”
He flashed a satisfied smile at my reply.
‘Look forward to it, my ass. You reckless bastard.’
If the perpetrator indeed came for me, I intended to extract information about the antibiotic and kill them. And if Ian happened to be there, he wouldn’t be spared either.
In my mind, I imagined sinking my fangs into Ian’s neck. The vivid red against his pale skin would suit him well. As a Cremon, the thought of fresh blood piqued my curiosity.
