His mood seemed to show in the air itself as the temperature dropped fast, and the inside of the vehicle turned into a freezer in an instant.
The Esper at the wheel must have realized this uncanny chill was Vasily’s ability, because he didn’t turn on the heater. A wise choice. If he’d said, “Isn’t it a bit cold?” and switched it on, he’d die.
Whether from the cold or from fear, I couldn’t stop my body from shaking. I kept my head down and my eyes fixed on the floor. I felt a sharp gaze from across the seat, but I didn’t dare raise my head.
When we get to the Association, first I should get help…. No, who could even help me?
Most people don’t know Vasily’s true nature, but the higher-ups at the Association know what he’s like. If I ask them for help, instead of helping, they’ll get ready to dispose of a corpse.
They’d go a step further and even arrange a place for him, begging him to kill me quietly. Other S-class Espers could stop him, but would they really listen to a C-class Guide’s plea?
Despair and helplessness crushed me at once. If only they knew I was an S-class Guide, the Association or the Espers might at least try to stop Vasily. Or if I ripped out the suppression chip right now, revealed the truth, and begged for my life…. I might end up locked away somewhere for life or dragged back into Gates, but I might keep my life.
I rubbed the back of my neck, torn. Is this really the only way? I only got free of his hands by dying, and now I’d have to walk back into that hell.
My whole body throbbed. I thought it was just the killing intent leaking off Vasily, but I realized late that pain was rising from the arm where the monster had bitten me.
'Maybe poison seeped in through the wound.'
I ground my teeth. We handled it relatively easily, but it was still a monster from an A-class Gate. If I didn’t get treated quickly, my left arm might be paralyzed or, worst case, the poison could spread and kill me.
I need to get to a hospital fast….
I couldn’t tell Vasily. He’d already caught me disobeying orders and leaving the safe zone; telling him I’d been injured would be like pouring oil on the fire and lighting a match.
Time crawled by under suffocating silence. By helicopter the distance had felt short; by car it felt endless. Even after a long while, there was no word that we’d arrived at the Association.
“Esper Vasily, we’ve arrived at the Association.”
Finally.
The hellish silence broke with welcome news. But it wasn’t all that welcome. I still hadn’t placated Vasily’s anger.
I tested the air and cautiously lifted my head. The instant our eyes met, I stared back down at the floor.
“Get out.”
“…Pardon?”
“Get out of the car, Guide Kwon Gidam.”
Vasily ordered me. He himself didn’t move, sitting exactly where he was.
After hesitating, I stepped out of the car. But Vasily didn’t get out; the door shut at once.
Vroom.
The vehicle pulled away, leaving me standing outside. I blinked, staring blankly after it.
“Oh? Mr. Gidam!”
A familiar voice. I turned my head and saw Jo Wooyeon coming out of the Association. Other teammates too, like they were getting off work together.
Come to think of it, it looked like quitting time—people in suits were pouring out of the Association. Between the buildings, the sky burned with a red sunset.
Ah, I’m saved.
A bizarre relief crashed over me, and my body collapsed without strength.
“Mr. Gi—Gidam…!”
“Someone just fainted! Call 119!”
As the area grew noisy in a rush, I lost consciousness right there.
***
Lately, I feel like I faint a lot.
That was my first thought when I opened my eyes in the hospital. The moment I came to, I started discharge procedures. I was running away, in case Vasily showed up.
Should I resign and hide out in some rural backwater? I considered it, but if it’s Vasily, he’ll track me down no matter what. And I’d be hit with the added sin of daring to run away.
For now, I went to work with my resignation tucked against my chest. I just updated the date on what I’d written before to today’s.
Dragging my heavy body, I entered the office.
“Mr. Gidam, are you feeling any better?”
“Why are you back already? You should rest a little more….”
“Haha… I’m okay now.”
The colleagues who’d seen me collapse came over with worried faces to check on me.
Thankfully, no one asked why I’d fainted. The Association must have covered what happened in the Gate—there were no news posts or articles. But from the Esper combat suit I’d been wearing the day I collapsed, everyone seemed to have an idea of what happened.
“I’m going to step into the restroom for a bit….”
I smiled awkwardly and slipped away. Remembering that day made my stomach roil. I headed for the restroom to steady my breathing.
But a notice about frozen pipes was posted in front of the restroom.
“Frozen pipes…?”
Muttering under my breath, I read the notice on the restroom door. I grabbed an employee from the same floor who happened to be walking by and asked,
“Excuse me… since when has it been like this?”
“Pipes froze two days ago, so they told us to use the Esper Association restroom in the next building.”
“……”
Two days ago… damn, that’s the day we came back from the Gate.
“It’s almost summer, what do you mean frozen pipes all of a sudden….”
The employee grumbled and kept walking. And like he said, it made no sense. It wasn’t winter.
I shut my mouth quietly. I knew at once it was Vasily’s doing.
Frozen pipes. No matter how foul his mood, the Association’s pipes had never frozen. I couldn’t even gauge how bad his mood was now—my urge to run grew stronger.
Should I at least write a will? So if I die, it’ll be widely known it was Vasily. But even that, the Association would smother. My family wouldn’t even know why I died; they’d just mourn.
I sat there clutching my head, then finally stood up. I went to find my team leader and said,
“Um… I’m not feeling well, so I’d like to take paid leave.”
“Don’t push yourself. Go home and rest. I heard you fainted a few days ago.”
“Thank you.”
Luckily, the team leader approved without asking the reason.
I bowed and returned to my desk to pack up. Then I quietly opened a drawer and took out a small scrap of paper.
- Sorry.
What I pulled out was the card that had come with the bouquet Vasily sent. Behind the elegant handwriting… was Vasily’s personal phone number.
I’d kept it just in case, but I didn’t think I’d use it like this.
I told Jo Wooyeon I wasn’t feeling well and had taken leave, then left the office. Other teammates worried too, saying I looked pale, but I just gave an awkward smile, offered a brief farewell, and stepped outside.
I slipped into the restroom quietly. Thanks to the frozen pipes, it was empty—perfect for making a call without anyone interrupting.
I took out my smartphone and dialed the personal number written on the card.
Ring—riiiing…. The tone went on and on. Maybe he wouldn’t pick up an unknown number. Sure, Vasily could easily get my number, but I doubted he’d bother to obtain a mere C-class Guide’s number.
Click.
The ringing stopped.
It was quiet on the other end, but the call hadn’t dropped. I instinctively knew Vasily was on the other side of that silence, and I held my breath, tense. I broke the silence first.
“Hello, Esper Vasily. This is Guide Kwon Gidam.”
- ……
“I’d like to meet briefly… do you have time?”
- I’ll send an address.
“Yes. Understood.”
The call ended the moment I answered.
“Damn….”
The instant the call cut off, I swore up at the restroom ceiling. I thought he’d call me to a private room—he didn’t…. And the reply Vasily sent contained his home address.
If I die by Vasily’s hand, not a mouse or a bird will know. It felt like I was digging my own grave, and a wave of bitter regret crashed over me.
I hailed a taxi the moment I stepped outside.
I gave the driver the address and leaned back in the seat. I tried to sort through the mess in my head, but today of all days the roads were wide open and the taxi flew. We reached the destination in a blink, leaving me no time to brace myself.
The moment I got out, I saw Espers controlling access around the building. Vasily lived in the penthouse of this tall building, and they were controlling from the first floor?
“Damn… that’s ominous….”
As I approached, the Espers blocked my way.
“Sorry. This area is restricted; civilians may not enter.”
“I’m here at Esper Vasily’s summons.”
When I said that, the Espers exchanged glances. They looked unconvinced, and they clearly didn’t have the nerve to contact Vasily directly.
I couldn’t blame them. I dug in my pocket and showed them my call log. After confirming Vasily’s number, they conferred among themselves and opened a path for me.
“The elevator is dangerous. Please use the stairs.”
“Sorry?”
I stared, taken aback, wondering if I’d heard wrong, and the Esper nodded that I’d heard right. Damn… that’s worth swearing twice.