24 – TDG 24

While ​I ​was ​hesitating ​over how to ​bring ​up ​the ​matter ​of the assigned team ​to ​Ji-hyuk, I spotted ​someone in the ​distance ​waving ​their ​hand ​vigorously ​as they approached.

I ​pushed ​up ​my sliding glasses ​and squinted. Huh? That ​man is….

Running ​is prohibited ​within the ​Center, except ​in ​emergency ​situations.

However, at that ​kind of ​speed, was he walking ​or running? The man, ​leaving behind such a ​primal question, ​reached ​us in an instant and greeted ​us boisterously.

“You two! I ​am ​delighted ​to ​see ​you again. I ​couldn’t wait ​any ​longer, so I ​came ​out to meet you. Guide ​Seo Joo-won! ​Are ​you feeling alright? ​I ​apologize ​for ​not ​being able ​to ​visit you ​at the hospital.”

Song Hyun-ho. Looking at this ​neat and wholesome ​man speaking such ​perfectly reasonable words, I ​found myself ​doubting once again ​if ​he was the ​same psycho from ​the aptitude ​evaluation.

However, ​contrary to ​his ​cheerful demeanor, ​his ​body clearly ​bore ​the ​marks of that ​day, ​as if ​it ​hadn’t ​forgotten.

I ​can see why he couldn’t visit the hospital.

The recovery foam applied broadly to his left cheek stole my attention. Aside from that, he was covered in bandages from his neck and chest down to his forearms. Perhaps I was staring too intently, as Song Hyun-ho scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

“Since these are burns… the recovery is a bit slow. Still, if I spend about fifteen days in the recovery room, I should be completely healed.”

Fifteen days? For an S-rank Esper, whose self-healing ability is several times that of an ordinary person, needing fifteen days of dedicated treatment is a significant blow. In other words, those were all scars left by Ji-hyuk’s flames. He didn’t just break the aura armor; he burned his body.

Ten years of experience weren’t for nothing. That repulsion aura was quite useful. If the response had been just a bit slower, his entire body might have melted away. Since that was something that absolutely should not have happened, a chill ran down my spine once more.

“I heard your glasses were broken, but it seems you’ve had them fixed. I would very much like to cover the cost of that.”

“…They cost about 48 billion won at current market rates; would that be alright?”

“Hahaha! Guide Seo Joo-won, you certainly have a great sense of humor!”

I’m serious, you man! Teacher Jang’s skill fees have shot up over the last six years, so they’re in the 40 billion range now.

I let out a deep sigh inwardly and looked up at Han Ji-hyuk. [unauthorized copy]I couldn’t stand by unauthorized copyand watch him openly radiate displeasure and [visit our site]hostility toward Song Hyun-ho any longer. And it seemed Song Hyun-ho felt the same way.

“Esper Han Ji-hyuk. You’ve been contacted by the higher-ups, right? As of today, the Team Leader of Team 1, which you will belong to, is me. I look forward to working with you.”

Ji-hyuk’s eyebrows twitched fiercely. He shifted his gaze to me as if asking if this was true, and upon seeing my lukewarm smile, he glared back at Song Hyun-ho.

Damn, it’s freezing. In an instant, the surrounding temperature plummeted below zero. A mere ordinary Guide is caught in the middle of a vicious power struggle between S-rank Espers, getting crushed like a shrimp between whales. I suppressed a groan in my throat, but unable to take it anymore, I stepped in.

“I’m not sure if I’m in a position to ask this, but may I know why Ji-hyuk-ssi’s assignment was decided as Team 1?”

Song Hyun-ho withdrew the hand he had extended without success and shoved it into his pocket, speaking as if it were no trouble at all.

“No, it’s not a problem, as you’ll find out eventually anyway. First and foremost, the primary reason is that Han Ji-hyuk-ssi is an S-rank. From Team 4 onwards, excluding Teams 1, 2, and 3, there are no S-rank Espers. It is a difficult task for A-rank Espers to lead an S-rank. It’s easier to understand if you think of it as a far-younger superior joining the team. Secondly, Mr. Jung Hee-moon, the Team Leader of Team 2, has declared that he will not accept any new Esper recruits for the time being due to internal team issues. And finally, in Team 3, there is Esper Im Seong-joon.”

My head throbbed.

To summarize, Team 2 is noisy with internal strife, and Team 3 has someone who is a complete polar opposite. Seeing him mention that unrecyclable piece of trash Im Seong-joon, it seems the conflict between Han Ji-hyuk and Im Seong-joon has spread through the grapevine. Though it wasn’t so much a conflict as that bastard picking a fight and getting unilaterally beaten. He must have been disciplined; I wonder if he’s become a bit quieter since then.

If Teams 2 and 3 are out, the remaining options are from Team 4 [Read on Read BL Novels]onwards… but they wouldn’t welcome Ji-hyuk’s presence at all. I could fully understand that feeling, as their Team unauthorized copyLeaders are A-rank stolen contentEspers. It would be hard for them to comfortably handle an S-rank rookie who is superior to them.

I could easily imagine Ji-hyuk failing to blend in and drifting on the outskirts of the team.

Wait. Looking at this again… isn’t this a personnel appointment that thoughtfully considered Han Ji-hyuk’s position?

“Furthermore, given my current state, our team is in need of new combat power for emergencies. The higher-ups have designated Esper Han Ji-hyuk as the one to fill that gap.”

‘Combat power that can replace Song Hyun-ho.’ The more I chewed on it, the more significant the statement became.

The reason was simple. Since I was a reader, I knew that Han Ji-hyuk would grow into an L-rank in the later parts of the story, but the people here didn’t. While it’s true that Ji-hyuk is exceptionally talented, surpassing Song Hyun-ho’s stronghold is no easy feat. People’s perceptions themselves have to change. Coincidentally, it seems this aptitude evaluation served that purpose.

No wonder, despite the chaos that ensued, they didn’t hold anyone accountable and instead immediately put the kid as the cover model for Esper 24. It wasn’t simply because he was S-rank. And the person who made things flow in that direction was likely the man standing right before me.

Of course, if Ji-hyuk hadn’t shown capabilities that exceeded expectations, he wouldn’t have gotten a crumb.

“You… appealed for him, didn’t you?”

When I poked him to confirm [Read on Read BL Novels]the kill, Song Hyun-ho laughed easy-goingly and [visit our site]pointed to his bandaged arm.

“Anyone with eyes can see that.”

It was very like Song Hyun-ho to acknowledge Han Ji-hyuk without resentment or an inferiority complex, even after being dealt a harsh blow by a brat ten years his junior. Those stubborn types who worship strength are usually pure in that regard. Just look at how his eyes are sparkling with anticipation even though half of his upper body is burnt.

“…If you truly dislike Team 1, I can have you sent to another team. However, I really wouldn’t recommend that option. Esper Han Ji-hyuk. I admit I went a bit too far back then. Thanks to that, I’m in this state, aren’t I? Why don’t we put the past behind us and work together?”

To think that the most skilled and famous Esper in South Korea would take such a humble stance. This wouldn’t be possible unless he truly coveted Ji-hyuk’s skills.

Ji-hyuk listened silently to Song Hyun-ho’s words, then looked at me and lifted his head.

“…Hyung?”

“Huh?”

Suddenly asking for my opinion? Despite my confusion, I brought out the words I had prepared in advance.

“I also think going to Team 1 is the best choice for you.”

I thought it was a perfect model answer, but it didn’t seem to be the answer he wanted. His expression wasn’t right. After a moment of confusion, I vaguely realized his intention.

Han Ji-hyuk didn’t want words like ‘for you’; he was wondering if I was okay with it. If I could forgive him, then he was okay with it. That meaning was embedded in the gaze he directed toward me.

I beamed a smile.

It was a smile that hadn’t come out easily, no matter how hard I tried, in front of the cameras.

Since the team members were either off work or out on field assignments, formal introductions were postponed until the next day. After parting with Song Hyun-ho and leaving the Center building, I decided to give Ji-hyuk a ride home.

I had already received the key from Park Sangjun, but this was that ‘home’ I had never stepped foot in.

When they said they were giving me a house, I imagined something like a decent studio apartment, but that only revealed my meager imagination.

A 90-pyeong triple-security penthouse, built in the area with the most expensive land in Seoul, was waiting for Ji-hyuk.

“Let’s go home first and then come back out to buy what we need.”

That was the initial goal for the kid and me, but the moment we entered the house, such thoughts were completely forgotten.

Since it was eight in the evening, the interior was dark, but I had absolutely no desire to turn on the lights.

Beyond the glass window that occupied one side of the living room—which was as wide as a sports field—a fantastic view of the Han River unfolded like a panorama.

“Whoa!”

Instantly captivated, I kicked off my shoes and ran into the living room.

Is this what it feels like when the Milky Way descends to earth? I couldn’t close my mouth at the night view, sparkling as if clusters of stars were flowing. If I came back here after work and had a glass of wine, the day’s fatigue would vanish without a trace.

The night view was one thing, but all the necessary items for living—appliances, furniture, lighting—were appropriately set up, making it a house where you literally just had to move your body in. The size of the living room was so overwhelming that I felt like I could build another house just using this space. My own home is quite nice, but it doesn’t even compare to this.

So this is the treatment a national S-rank receives. Our country can really do it when they want to.

Indeed, according to statistics from a US research institute, a single S-rank [unauthorized copy]Esper can Read on Read BL Novelsreduce the damage occurring during a great disaster by up to one-third. No wonder the world powers are desperate to attract even one more S-rank to their own countries.

Searching the house thoroughly with wide eyes for anything else interesting, I discovered three keys on a table.

‘Car keys?’

I could guess the brands just by looking at the keyrings. J-brand, A-brand… the last one was a domestic car, which made me chuckle a bit. It was a top-of-the-line model, but still… basically, he’s a civil servant.

They didn’t just give one, but three cars? The enclosed mini-envelope contained a note that kindly indicated the designated area in the underground parking lot. Good grief, the blood of a driver is boiling; my heart won’t stay still.

“Ji-hyuk.”

“Yeah?”

I jingled the three keys ostentatiously.

“Want to go down and drive them now?”

“I don’t have a license.”

“…….”

Oops….

I didn’t think of that. He’s twenty this year.

“…Well… let’s get your license quickly.”

It’s a pity, but please sleep in the basement for a while.

This Hyung will send your owner down within a month.

“Are you going to teach me how to drive, Hyung?”

“Of course. Brace yourself. I’m strict.”

When I suddenly issued the warning, Ji-hyuk’s eyes grew round.

“Will you scold me if I’m bad at it?”

“Of course… I’ll scold… I can’t.”

How could I ever get angry at you? Even if I had to scold the car instead, that would be impossible.

As if it were the answer he expected, Ji-hyuk chuckled and clung to my back. Even though I told him to let go, he locked his fingers around my waist and stuck to me, showing no intention of detaching. Left with no choice, I had to drag this grown-up baby along to explore the rest of the house.