BP 14

“Phew….”

As he swept his bangs back, a droplet of water formed on the tip of his smooth nose and fell.

After finishing his shower, a talk show was airing on the TV. It wasn’t a topic that caught his eye, but he tried to focus on it to shake off his stray thoughts.

[The last time a Grade 3 Oni appeared in Haon was 8 years ago, correct?]

[Yes. That is correct.]

[What does it mean for a Grade 3 to appear in Haon, which was a sanctuary of safety?]

At the MC’s question, the expert rubbed his chin in thought.

[It probably means that Haon is no longer clean.]

[Then, does that mean the ‘Second Extermination Project’ could be executed?]

The expert smiled with a slight [Read [visit our siteclass="wm" style="opacity:0;font-size:1px;user-select:all;">unauthorized copy]on Read BL Novels]frown. He seemed to be sparing his words, as if it were a sensitive topic.

Oni were monsters born from contaminated land. Nearly 100 years ago, they first swarmed in small, insect-like forms and gradually grew in size. Around that time, ability users began to awaken, and Gon, the higher level of Oni, appeared. A war for survival was inevitable.

Humans killed the Gon and Oni and established the Super-Integrated Nation ‘Neo’ on the overturned land. The ‘Extermination Project’ was the act of completely driving the remaining forces that could not be suppressed beyond the boundary line. Even after the project was implemented, monsters occasionally appeared and threatened the survivors.

It seemed a Grade 3 had appeared this time, but since such things were frequent in the 13th District, Seung-hyun wasn’t particularly surprised. His only thought was that this place wasn’t perfectly safe either.

“…….”

Subtitles and photographic materials explaining the process of the war filled the screen. By the time it ended with the praise of ability users, Seung-hyun’s hair was almost dry.

He had thought it was someone else’s business. He thought it was a matter of another world. But to think that he was a Guide. That fact alone was overwhelming, but having experienced the underside of Neo, Seung-hyun’s stray thoughts swelled once again.

‘Hey, do you really not know who your parents are? An A-Class doesn’t just drop out of the sky.’

‘You know it too. Ability users have strong family histories. No matter how much I think about it, I just can’t believe it.’

Seung-hyun did not know the traits of his parents, with whom he hadn’t spent even half of his life. Even if they had been ability users, their rank would likely have been so low that they wouldn’t have realized it themselves. This was all just speculation and stray thoughts.

Just as he let out a sigh that felt like the ground was unauthorized unauthorized copycopysinking after the program ended, his phone rang. Checking the name, Seung-hyun corrected his slumped posture.

“Yes. This is Ji Seung-hyun.”

[I’m below the dormitory.]

It was early spring, and it was still chilly. As Seung-hyun came down, tightening his outerwear, a man was standing there. His solitary back looked dependable yet lonely. Sensing a presence, the man turned his head. Seeing his profile reflected in the streetlight, Seung-hyun thought once again that his beauty was exceptional. At this moment, he even had the illusion that the energy shimmering around the man was like a halo. Seung-hyun needlessly touched the tip of his nose.

“By the way, where are we going?”

Seung-hyun, walking in step beside him, spoke as he looked back at the receding dormitory.

“I have a separate residence outside the Center. It’s a 20-minute drive from here.”

He thought of the single bed in his room. It would probably be too narrow for him to sleep there. This man has a large body, so his bed will probably be large too. Having convinced himself, Seung-hyun watched his reaction and spoke again.

“Was the training not too hard?”

“…….”

Jae-il’s pupils shifted toward the corner of unauthorized copyEND: unauthorized copy -->his eye. He looked down at Seung-hyun in silence before facing forward again.

“It’s fine.”

“…….”

Seung-hyun, scanning the area around Jae-il’s body, puffed out his cheeks. It seemed the man was lying, but he decided to let it slide. Because even if his Amplification Level had increased since the daytime, there was nothing he could do about it right now.

No, there was one thing. Sleeping in the same bed. As he realized this, his pace quickened. Walking slightly ahead despite not knowing the way, Seung-hyun glanced back.

“Where… are we going to the parking lot?”

“……?”

* * *

Ji Seung-hyun was not a very sociable person. He wasn’t affectionate either. He was even less the type to flatter anyone or cater to their whims. It was simply that he was more diligent and responsible than necessary, which allowed him to live uprightly in that harsh world.

Therefore, as soon as Seung-hyun saw Jae-il’s house, he could only widen his eyes and couldn’t utter a single word of sweet talk, nor could he bring up a single topic of conversation for over two hours. His only words were “Thank you” for the cup of warm tea the man gave him.

Jae-il was also silent, but he fulfilled all his duties. He gave Seung-hyun indoor slippers and explained the layout of the house so he wouldn’t get lost. He had Seung-hyun sit on the living room sofa and served him tea that wouldn’t put too much strain on him. After turning on Read BL Novels]-->unauthorized copyon the TV to create a moderate amount of noise, he placed the remote nearby so he could change the channel at any time.

Recalling his actions before he disappeared, saying he was going to wash up, Seung-hyun cleared his throat. It was because he felt that this probably wasn’t the first time for him.

“Good night.”

“Good night to you.”

It was a truly monotonous and dry night. Turning his back to the man, Seung-hyun hurried to fall asleep. What he had to do now was sink into the unconscious and soothe the man’s Amplification Hazard Level even a little. He pressed his eyelids shut and immediately started counting numbers. He felt the tossing and turning as the man settled in. His hearing sharpened at the sound of the breath exhaled like a sigh. Seung-hyun intentionally counted down from 1000. He wanted to fall asleep quickly.

* * *

Jae-il had never had a deep sleep since his awakening. While insomnia followed Espers like a chronic disease, Jae-il, whose Amplification Level had never dropped below 20%, was an extreme case even among them.

After two or three hours of closing his eyes, he would always wake up feeling a slight headache and nausea. On days when the Amplification Hazard Level was high, he felt as if an Oni were draped over him. A sticky, dirty sensation blocked his airways and clung to his skin. On such days, it was difficult to fall back asleep. The reason there were so many types of tea in Jae-il’s house was largely due to his wretched insomnia.

“…….”

Jae-il’s eyelids lifted slightly. He turned his head slightly to check the digital clock, then slowly closed and opened his eyes again. Raising his upper body quietly, Jae-il first touched his forehead. Tonight was another fragmented night, but the headache was definitely less. Daniel’s absurd prescription was steadily showing its effect, as if mocking Jae-il.

The reason he woke up, even though his condition wasn’t that [visit our site]severe, was because Read on Read BL Novelsof the man sleeping beside him with steady breaths. Jae-il’s gaze slanted downward.

The back of Seung-hyun, who was sleeping curled up like a shrimp at the edge of the bed, rose and fell regularly. The curve of the shoulder blades was evident beneath the thin t-shirt. Seung-hyun was sleeping so precariously that it was a miracle he hadn’t fallen off. Jae-il stared blankly at the empty gap between them before lowering his feet to the floor.

“…….”

Returning to the room after drinking tea out of habit, Jae-il paused while holding the doorknob. The person who had been sleeping soundly until a moment ago was now sitting on the edge of the bed. With his head bowed low, he was in a slanted posture as if he might collapse at any moment. Jae-il sipped his tea with an expressionless face.

He’s a severe case.

The man was clearly not in his right mind. Jae-il’s displeased gaze shot toward the man. Sleeping in the same space was one thing, but having to take care of someone with a sleep disorder was a strictly different matter. As a faint irritation rose and he tried to avoid the situation, the man’s upper body suddenly slumped. A groan escaped from him as he clutched the area between his solar plexus and upper abdomen.

“Ugh….”

Jae-il approached and knelt before him.

“Are you hurt….”

It was the moment he tilted his head to check the man’s face. The man reached out and collapsed onto Jae-il. It happened in an instant, before he had time to react.

The hand he had extended to block him somehow wrapped around the man’s back. The hand holding the mug hurriedly braced against the floor to withstand the weight. unauthorized copyHot water splashed and soaked the floor. Jae-il, who had almost [Read on Read BL Novels]embraced him in return, bit his lip. He had intended not to be fooled twice, yet here he was in this situation again.

“You…. really don’t listen….”

“…….”

The man, who was mumbling while softly stroking the back of his head, was unconscious just like that time.

“I told you not to go.”

“…….”

“Where did you go….”

It was a strange tone, whining yet soothing. When Jae-il remained silent as if being stubborn, the man placed his hands on both of Jae-il’s shoulders and created some distance. A languid gaze slowly wandered over Jae-il’s face.

Jae-il turned his face away, intentionally avoiding eye contact. It was because they were too close. The man exploring him was too close. Espers should not have deep contact with Guides except for guiding. Without mutual consent, contacting more than necessary….

“You.”

“…….”

“Your eyebrows are pretty.”

That was what the man said as he brushed back the bangs. When Jae-il looked at Seung-hyun with eyes that asked what nonsense he was talking about, he just beamed.

“Your eyes are really pretty too…. They’re stars, stars.”

The finger that had been rubbing the eyebrows tried to touch the pupils. Jae-il blinked and turned his head.

“Don’t do that.”

“…….”

Seung-hyun’s eyes widened for a moment and then returned to normal. Blinking his large eyes, he spoke in a tone of genuine surprise.

“You talk?”

“Sigh….”