By Zephyria 
As if reflecting his mood, the surrounding temperature plummeted rapidly, and the interior of the vehicle instantly turned into something resembling a cold storage warehouse.
The Esper in the driver’s seat must have realized that this eerie chill was Vasily’s ability, as he didn’t turn on the heater. It was a wise choice. The moment he asked, “Isn’t it a bit cold?” and turned on the heater, he would have died.
Whether it was because of the cold or the terror, I couldn’t stop my body from shaking. I kept my head down, fixing my gaze on the floor. I could feel a sharp gaze from across from me, but I didn’t dare lift my head.
Once I arrive at the association, first, I need help… No, who is there that can actually help me?
Most people don’t know Vasily’s true nature, but the higher-ups at the association knew his personality. However, even if I asked for help, those bastards wouldn’t help me; they’d start preparing to dispose of a corpse instead.
They might even go a step further and provide a location, begging me to please die quietly. Other S-class Espers might be able to stop him, but would they actually listen to the plea for help from a C-Class Guide?
Despair and helplessness crushed me simultaneously. If they at least knew that I was an S-class guide, the association and the Espers would probably attempt to stop Vasily. No, if I removed the suppression chip right now, revealed the truth, and begged for my life… I might be imprisoned for the rest of my life or dragged back into a Gate, but I might at least save my life.
I fiddled with the back of my neck, conflicted. Is this really the only way? I had only barely escaped his hands by dying, and now I have to walk back into that hell.
My whole body aches. I thought it was because of the murderous intent emanating from Vasily, but I belatedly realized that pain was rising from the arm where the monster had bitten me.
‘Did poison seep into the wound?’
I grit my teeth. Although I handled it relatively easily, it was a monster from an A-Class Gate. If I don’t receive treatment quickly, my left arm could be paralyzed, or in the worst case, the poison could spread through my entire body and kill me.
I need to get to a hospital quickly…
I couldn’t tell Vasily. I had already been caught leaving the safe zone in defiance of his orders; telling him I was injured as well would be like pouring gasoline on a fire.
Time flowed slowly in the suffocating silence. The distance that had felt short by helicopter felt infinitely long by car. Even after a long time, there was no word that we had arrived at the association.
“Esper Vasily, we have arrived at the association.”
Finally.
The welcome news broke the hellish silence. However, it wasn’t exactly good news, because I still hadn’t managed to appease Vasily’s anger.
I carefully lifted my head, gauging his mood. The moment my eyes met Vasily’s, I slammed my gaze back down to the floor.
“Get out.”
“…Pardon?”
“I said get out, Guide Kwon Gi-dam.”
Vasily commanded. After saying that to me, Vasily remained sitting in his seat without moving a muscle.
I hesitated before stepping out of the car. However, Vasily did not follow, and the door closed shortly after.
Vroom. Leaving me standing outside, the vehicle drove away. I blinked, staring blankly at the scene.
“Huh? Gi-dam-ssi!”
It was a familiar voice. Turning my head, I saw Jo Woo-yeon coming out of the association. There were other team members who seemed to be leaving work with him.
Come to think of it, it seemed to be quitting time, as people in suits were pouring out of the association. A deep red sunset was visible between the buildings.
Ah, I’m alive.
A strange sense of relief washed over me, and my body collapsed weakly.
“Gi, Gi-dam-ssi…”
“Someone collapsed! Call 119!”
Hearing the surroundings quickly become chaotic, I lost consciousness.
* * *
I feel like I’ve been fainting often lately.
That was the first thought that entered my mind as soon as I opened my eyes in the hospital. As soon as I regained consciousness, I went through the discharge process. Though, in truth, I was running away in case Vasily came looking for me.
Should I just resign and hide in some rural corner? I pondered for a moment, but I felt that Vasily would eventually find me. And the “crime” of running away would be added to my list of offenses.
For now, I went to work clutching my resignation letter. I had only changed the date to today on the content I had written previously.
I dragged my heavy body into the office.
“Gi-dam-ssi, are you feeling okay?”
“Why did you come to work already? You should have rested a bit more…”
“Haha… I’m fine now.”
Colleagues who had witnessed me collapsing approached with worried expressions to ask how I was.
Fortunately, they didn’t ask why I had collapsed. Whether the association covered up what happened at the Gate or not, no news or articles had surfaced, but everyone seemed to guess the situation to some extent because of the Esper combat suit I was wearing the day I collapsed.
“I’ll just be in the restroom for a moment…”
I stepped away with an awkward smile. My stomach churned as I recalled the memories of that day. I headed to the restroom to catch my breath.
However, a notice about frozen water pipes was posted in front of the restroom.
“Frozen water pipes…”
I muttered softly while reading the notice on the restroom door. I grabbed a staff member from the same floor who happened to be passing by and asked.
“Um, excuse me… since when has it been like this?”
“The pipes froze two days ago, so they told us to use the restrooms at the Esper Association in the next building.”
“…”
Two days ago… Damn it, that was the day I went to the Gate.
“It’s almost summer, why on earth are the pipes freezing now…”
The employee grumbled and walked past. Just as they said, it was strange. It wasn’t winter.
I quietly shut my mouth. It was because I immediately realized it was Vasily’s doing.
Frozen water pipes. No matter how bad his mood was, the association’s pipes had never frozen before. I couldn’t even fathom how upset he was, which only strengthened my desire to run away.
Should I write a will? So that it’s widely known that it was Vasily’s doing if I die. But even then, the association would probably step in and bury it. Even my family would mourn without knowing the reason for my death.
I returned to my seat and clutched my head before finally standing up. I went to the Team leader and said:
“Um… I’m not feeling well, so I’d like to use a day of annual leave.”
“Don’t overdo it; go home and rest. I heard you collapsed a few days ago.”
“Thank you.”
Fortunately, the Team leader approved it without asking for the reason.
I bowed and returned to my seat to pack my things. Then, I quietly opened my drawer and took out a small piece of paper.
Sorry.
What I took out was the card that had come with the bouquet Vasily sent. Behind the memo written in elegant handwriting was… Vasily’s private phone number.
I had kept it just in case, but I never thought it would be used this way.
I told Jo Woo-yeon that I was taking a day off because I wasn’t feeling well and left the office. Other team members expressed concern, saying my complexion looked pale, but I just gave a brief, awkward smile and headed out.
I quietly entered the restroom. Thanks to the frozen pipes, the restroom was empty, making it the perfect place to make a call without being interrupted.
I took out my smartphone and dialed the private number of Vasily written on the card.
Ring… The ringing tone continued for a long time. Since it was an unknown number, maybe he wouldn’t answer. Vasily could easily get my number, but he probably wouldn’t put in the effort to get the number of a mere C-Class Guide.
Click.
The ringing stopped.
It was silent on the other end, but the call hadn’t been disconnected. Instinctively knowing that Vasily was on the other side of this silence, I held my breath in tension. I was the first to break the silence and speak.
“Hello, Esper Vasily. This is Guide Kwon Gi-dam.”
….
“I would like to see you for a moment… do you have time?”
I’ll send the address.
“Yes. I understand.”
The call disconnected the moment I answered.
“Damn it…”
As soon as the call ended, I muttered a curse while staring at the restroom ceiling. I thought he would call me to a private room, but no… Moreover, the reply Vasily sent contained his home address.
Even if I die at the hands of Vasily, no one will ever know. A wave of intense regret washed over me, wondering if I had just dug my own grave.
As soon as I stepped outside, I hailed a taxi.
I gave the address to the taxi driver and leaned back into the seat. I tried to organize my complicated thoughts for a moment, but the taxi was driving very fast on the unusually clear roads today. I arrived at the destination in the blink of an eye, leaving me no time to mentally prepare.
The first thing I saw upon getting out of the taxi were Espers controlling the area around the building. Vasily lives in the penthouse of this tall building, yet they were controlling everything from the first floor.
“Damn… this feels ominous…”
As I approached, the Espers blocked my path.
“I’m sorry. This area is under control, so civilians cannot enter.”
“I came because I was summoned by Esper Vasily.”
When I answered, the Espers exchanged glances. They looked skeptical, but they didn’t seem to have the courage to contact Vasily.
I understood that feeling. I rummaged through my pocket and showed them the call history. After confirming Vasily’s number and consulting with each other, the Espers opened the way for me.
“The elevator is dangerous, so please use the stairs.”
“Pardon?”
As I doubted my ears in confusion, the Esper nodded, confirming that I had heard correctly. Damn it… that’s the second time I’ve cursed today.