“What did you talk about?”
“The guide assault case. I answered a few questions about it.”
“Is he gone?”
“Yes.”
As soon as I stepped into the office, my team members gathered around me.
“Oh, I thought it was something else. The director mentioned that he received an investigation request for that mission, so it must be related!” Song-yi nodded, relieved after hearing my answer.
“Guide Baek Song-yi, how long have you been paired with him?”
“Director Ian? Hmm…” She began counting on her fingers earnestly before shaking her head playfully.
“Just before coming here!”
“Really? So, it hasn’t been long at all?”
“Yes.”
One of the team members was surprised by her answer. Was she assigned here to A Branch just to tell me about this?
“How did you end up paired with him?”
“Well…” Song-yi hesitated, as if pondering, but it didn’t take her long to reply.
“Because he’s handsome? Isn’t that reason enough to accept a pairing request?”
“Is that all? What’s the matching rate?”
“It’s over 50%. 53%, to be exact. Director Ian is quite famous in Branch C. His wavelength is stable, and he’s handsome.”
The team laughed. While pairing compatibility rates are important, it’s usually Espers who pay closer attention to them.
Guides often place more importance on the Esper’s rank and appearance. Even though Ian is only a C-class, his striking looks seemed enough for Song-yi to accept the pairing request.
“Well, yeah. With someone who looks like that, it makes sense.”
“I’d also prefer someone with a clean look over an Esper who reeks of sweat. Since he’s in research, he probably doesn’t drain his energy often or face much danger.”
They chatted among themselves. If her pairing with him was that recent, then Song-yi probably didn’t know much about Ian either.
I was suspicious of Ian, even thinking he might be the culprit in the worst-case scenario. Unfortunately, he was an intellect-type Esper. While a Cremon Esper might shift in rank, it’s impossible to have overlapping attributes.
Since the culprit was suspected to be of the mental type, it meant Ian was fully cleared of suspicion.
However, even if he wasn’t the culprit, he could still be connected to it. He worked for the Center, so I could gather information piece by piece.
Settling my unease, I turned on my computer. A message had arrived on the Center’s messenger.
「AES Baek Han-gyeol: Do you have a moment?」
It was Han-gyeol. I could see his black hair rising above the partition. He must have returned to the office while I was in the meeting room with Ian.
「AGS Gu Sa-weol: Yes. What is it?」
「AES Baek Han-gyeol: I’m curious about what you talked about. I’ll wait for you on the rooftop.」
The moment the message appeared, Han-gyeol stood up. Some members of the Alpha Team who had gone out with him were entering the office. Among them, his right-hand man, Esper Seong Gyu-hyun, called out to him.
“Captain, when should we schedule the gate briefing with Phoenix?”
“Later.”
“At least give us a rough time…”
“Let’s do it tomorrow. Finish disinfecting the core and then inform the Echo Team.”
“Understood.”
He hurried off as if he had urgent business. Even though he’d suggested being open, he seemed conscious of his surroundings in summoning me so soon.
To avoid drawing unnecessary attention from the team, I picked up my tumbler and stood up. Then, I headed directly to the rooftop.
***
“Why didn’t you report to me right away?”
“You weren’t at your desk, Sunbae.”
“I would’ve seen it if you messaged me.”
Han-gyeol looked a bit disappointed. He smelled of the fresh soap the Center used, suggesting he had just returned from the gate.
“Actually, I wanted to know why you kept excluding me from the assault case.”
He hummed, drawing out the sound with a lazy smile.
“So, did you learn what you wanted to know?”
“No. It seems progress has been nearly nonexistent. They’ve filed reports, but upper management hasn’t taken any action…”
He nodded knowingly. Since Alpha Team had taken on the recent assault cases, it appeared he was already aware.
“Could it be that someone within is interfering?”
“That would be me.”
“What?”
I blinked in surprise at the unexpected revelation. He chuckled softly, speaking in an even tone.
“Since you and Yu-geon seem intent on hiding something, I’ve blocked the progress of the case within Branch A.”
“…”
“But you said they’re stalling it in Branch C as well, didn’t you?”
“It seems so.”
“Then there must be something going on.”
I averted my gaze, sensing the suspicion in his expression. I was slightly tense, thinking he might ask more about the incident.
“So, what did that Esper ask you?”
“He asked questions similar to yours. Like whether anyone saw anything that day, the condition of the Cremon, and why it was there.”
I gave him a vague answer. If Han-gyeol decided to ask Ian about this later, I figured I’d need to make sure our stories aligned.
If Ian questioned why we were keeping our conversation hidden from Han-gyeol, I could explain it by saying it seemed like he was the one interfering with the investigation internally.
“You probably said you didn’t remember, didn’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Do you really not remember?”
His gaze was fixed on my face, scrutinizing me intently. I slowly nodded under his intense stare.
“It worries me, seeing you by yourself. At least when Yu-geon was by your side, I felt reassured…”
“…”
“So, how are things with Yu-geon?”
Han-gyeol asked the question subtly.
“How would they be…? Nothing’s going on.”
“Then why do you act so awkward around him?”
How did he even pick up on that? The moment Han-gyeol mentioned Yu-geon’s name, a feeling of discomfort rose within me. As I stayed silent, he muttered to himself, “I wish I could keep an eye on you all the time.”
I looked down, maintaining my silence, trying desperately to ignore his words. I heard a soft laugh, then he abruptly changed the topic.
“What are you doing this weekend?”
“I’ll be resting in the dorm.”
“Want to go out?”
“Isn’t that dangerous?”
Ian mentioned the culprit was still pursuing me. While it would be ideal for the culprit to show up, it would be troublesome if it happened while I was with Han-gyeol. I wanted to capture the culprit myself before the Center did. There were many things I wanted to ask.
“That’s only if I’m not around. But if I’m with you, there’s nothing to worry about.”
I did owe him a couple of promised dates. This would be our second if I went outside with him. And he was right—having an S-class Esper beside me would likely deter any threats.
‘But is this really a good idea?’
If the culprit was a mental-type, they wouldn’t be an easy opponent. They could manipulate others into working systematically. My prolonged silence prompted Han-gyeol to gently hold my hand.
“Let’s go to the coast. You said you felt stifled, didn’t you?”
“I did, but…”
“There’s no safer place than by my side. Just stay close to me.”
Right? You’ll go, won’t you? He tilted his head, almost coaxing me, his warmth spreading across the back of my hand.
In his gaze, I caught an uncharacteristic hint of pure anticipation. His cheeks were slightly flushed, bringing to mind the youthful, boyish Han-gyeol of years ago.
I couldn’t bring myself to reject him, not with that expression on his face.
‘They say you can’t say no to a smiling face. If we stayed inside, the only option would be the dorms, which would be even more uncomfortable.’
Before I knew it, I had already rationalized my decision. Despite knowing the risks outside, I found myself wanting to grant his wish.
“…Alright. Let’s go.”
As soon as I agreed, he flashed an even brighter smile. His perfectly arched lips were mesmerizing, and I couldn’t help but watch him, suddenly feeling embarrassed.
‘Have I always been this weak to a handsome face?’
“How about Area A5? What time should we meet? Since you’ll probably be tired, should we go after lunch on Saturday?”
“Yes.”
“We could have dinner there too?”
“Sounds good.”
He seemed a bit excited, asking more questions than usual. Although I’d known Han-gyeol for a long time, it was our first time going to see the ocean together. His excitement seemed to lift my own spirits.
Even though we were both easily recognized and wouldn’t have much freedom, perhaps we could dip our toes in the seawater at least. I could almost feel the foamy bubbles tingling against my feet already.
Ah… I shouldn’t be getting my hopes up.
“And here, this.”
“What is it?”
Just as I tried to rein in my excitement, Han-gyeol handed me a shopping bag. Inside was a familiar-looking box.
“I noticed you sometimes buy these, so I got one for you.”
“…”
It was handmade chocolate from the shop across from the Center.
“I remember you didn’t use to like sweets much. Have your tastes changed?”
My preference for sweets was one of the first changes after becoming a Cremon. And the reason I discovered this chocolate in the first place… was because of Yu-geon.
The first time Yu-geon had a nosebleed in front of me, that scent imprinted on my brain. I had unknowingly followed a similar scent and ended up in front of this chocolate shop.
The faint chocolate aroma wafting from the box made my lips press together tightly. The soft, sweet chocolate with hints of fresh fruit was eerily reminiscent. I forced a smile.
“Thanks. I’ll enjoy it.”
***
I had a dream. Slowly sinking into the depths of the ocean… I was descending into the dark, endless abyss.
“I… can’t… breathe.”
Bubbles escaped my mouth with a faint, popping sound. Before I realized it, I had reached the ocean floor, where a soft bed of seaweed cradled me from behind.
That seaweed started wrapping around my body, almost as if it were alive, binding my hands and feet. Its slippery, tender touch was deeply unsettling.
As it tightened around my neck, forcing a choked gasp from me, a faint voice tickled my ear.
“It’s alright.”
The voice sounded as if someone were whispering right against my ear, or perhaps it resonated softly from within.
“No…”
“Hush…”
What I’d thought was seaweed transformed into something firm, like fingers, tracing down my spine. Gentle and delicate, it caressed my skin, as if trying to coax me into letting down my guard.
“Ugh…”
A shiver ran down my body. If this continued, I’d be completely consumed by the dark depths.
“Just relax. It’s fine. It’ll be over before you even notice.”
I was on the verge of asking what was fine and what would be over. Just then, the gentle embrace turned into an iron grip, pulling me taut.
My chest expanded, my chin was forced upward. The primal terror of the unknown overtook me, and I struggled instinctively. A sharp sound filled my ears as cold teeth sank into my neck.
“Ahh!”
Thick, dark blood mixed with seawater, swirling together like marbling. Squelching sounds echoed in my ears, intensifying.
I could feel the blood draining from my body, my vision dimming. Somewhere within, blood was being created in a desperate burst, only to be taken again and again. The agony stretched on endlessly, as though it would last forever.
