* * *
Suffering from a hangover, Hyunsoo drank the honey water Yoon had prepared.
“Why did you drink so much when you can’t handle alcohol?”
Yoon, sitting on the edge of the bed and stroking Hyunsoo’s head, asked.
“I can’t drink?”
Hyunsoo grumbled as he handed the glass of honey water back to Yoon.
“I’m just worried because you’re suffering from a hangover.”
“Since I won’t be guiding during vacation, what’s the harm in drinking a little?”
“I’m not worried about you not being able to guide…”
“I get it, so stop nagging. It’s giving me a headache.”
Hyunsoo, furrowing his brow and holding his head, made Yoon sulk with the empty glass in hand.
“You don’t understand my feelings.”
Yoon, perhaps in protest, got out of the room with the empty glass in hand.
‘Is he a grade schooler?’
Hyunsoo shook his head and got up from the bed. Checking the time, it seemed like it was about time to tidy up and head back.
Returning to the lodging with the gifts from his team members, Hyunsoo rested for a day before heading out for a spontaneous seaside trip.
It was the trip he had planned to take before he died, and he had only now gotten around to it.
Looking at the blue sea and white sandy beach, Hyunsoo shivered.
‘Love is a load of nonsense.’
“Are you cold?”
At Jiwon’s question about the cold, Minchan quickly started a fire on his palm. There was no better heater in winter than his power. Hyunsoo warmed his palms by the fire and sniffled.
“Oh dear. Our Jaehee is going to catch a cold.”
Yoon suddenly disappeared and reappeared with a blanket. As he draped the warm-looking blanket over Hyunsoo’s shoulders, Jiwon frowned and said,
“He might catch a cold. Wouldn’t it be better to head back now?”
“It’s only been 20 minutes since we came to the beach.”
Hyunsoo glanced at his watch.
“You can always come again next time.”
Jiwon subtly hinted that he was counting on a future visit.
There weren’t many ways to hold Hyunsoo back who seemed ready to disappear without hesitation.
One way was to force promises of future meetings and show a weak, sympathetic side to appeal to his kind-hearted nature, or to selfishly ask someone who had worked all their life not to abandon them.
Other than that, no particular method came to mind to keep him by their side.
“Next time, you’ll come on a trip with us again, right?”
Yoon asked Hyunsoo with a nervous smile. Hyunsoo nodded while wiping his nose.
“Let’s come when it’s a bit warmer next time. It’s cold now, probably because it’s almost November. Or is it colder because we’re by the sea?”
“If it’s too cold, let’s just head to the accommodation. It’s miserable to be sick on vacation.”
Minchan extinguished the fire on his palm and cupped Hyunsoo’s red cheeks with his warm hands.
“How’s that? Is it a bit warmer?”
“Yeah. You could give up being an Esper and just be a human heater.”
Hyunsoo smiled as he rubbed his cheek against the warm palm.
The three of them, who had been admiring his happy expression, let their anxiety about the future subtly fade away.
“Ugh! It’s cold. Let’s go to the accommodation and order something warm. How about it?”
When Hyunsoo asked, Jiwon nodded.
“Sounds good. Let’s go quickly.”
He wanted to grant whatever they desired, except for exorcisms.
After returning from the seaside trip, Hyunsoo indulged in a carefree life at the accommodation, barely lifting a finger.
He slept when he wanted and ate when he was hungry.
“Jaehee, don’t you think you’re sleeping too much?”
Minchan asked Hyunsoo, who was sprawled halfway across the dining table.
Hyunsoo, chewing on an apple slice cut by Yoon, shook his head.
“Sleep is never enough.”
“Well, at least you’re eating properly…”
“Oh, I almost forgot—I have something to say.”
The mention of having something to say made the three of them tense up. They feared he might say he wanted to do exorcism again.
As they swallowed nervously, what came out of his mouth was unexpected.
“Are you all going to stay here?”
“Are you asking if we’re staying at the center?”
Minchan asked, and Hyunsoo nodded.
“I used to believe things would get better with time, but it feels like nothing has changed in ten years.”
Six years ago, Minchan’s uncle, who was the deputy head of the central center at that time, decided to form a special attack team for efficient monster eradication.
He appointed Minchan, who had manifested as an S-class Esper that year, as the team leader and assigned Park Hyunsoo, a four-year guide who was making stable achievements at the center, as the dedicated guide for the team.
They failed to recruit existing S-class Espers as the attack team was already formed around them.
For the initial months, the team was barely more than a handful, but a few months later, Jiwon and Yoon manifested as S-class Espers around the same time, leading to a new phase.
As soon as their mandatory training was complete, they were recruited into D Team.
Initially, the teamwork was rough, but with Park Hyunsoo’s encouragement and discipline, D Team quickly began to show results.
By the end of their mandatory training, all three were so infatuated with Park Hyunsoo that they decided to stay at the center, and D Team established itself as the center’s representative attack team.
“So, I’m planning to leave as soon as my mandatory training is over.”
“What?”
“Where to?”
“Are you leaving us behind? No, you’re not taking us with you?”
The three were taken aback and blurted out in unison. Hyunsoo scowled at their outburst and glared at them.
“Can you lower the volume a bit? I haven’t finished speaking.”
As soon as he finished his sentence, the waves of shock disappeared. The usual calm demeanor of the team showed they were genuinely startled. Hyunsoo sighed and continued.
“I’m not insisting on anything, but if you three are okay with it, I was thinking maybe we should look for opportunities elsewhere.”
“Are you suggesting we all go somewhere else after the mandatory training?”
“Yeah.”
Hyunsoo nodded.
“I’m not insisting. You’re all still young and have careers to consider… Anyway, what I mean is, there’s no need to stay at the center if it’s not necessary.”
“Have you thought about where you’ll go?”
“Not yet. I’ll think about it while I still have time left in my service.”
Hyunsoo didn’t want to live a lavish life, using Jaehee’s money as if it were his own. Using borrowed money while occupying another’s body and name was something his conscience couldn’t accept.
“I absolutely have to take you with me. Got it?”
Yoon clenched his fist, ready to strike, as if he’d actually grab Hyunsoo by the collar if he didn’t take them along.
“Strike me? Really?”
Hyunsoo laughed and looked at him, prompting Yoon to relax his fist and wave his palm.
“There’s no place to strike. I’m a pacifist who hates violence.”
“The world’s peace is all gone.”
Jiwon mocked, then turned to Hyunsoo with sparkling eyes.
“Don’t forget to take me along too. I’m good at handling packages and moving services.”
“I can even sell sweet potatoes if needed.”
“I’m good at quick service!”
Jiwon’s nonsensical remarks were met with Minchan’s immediate follow-up about selling sweet potatoes.
Yoon went a step further, bragging about his specialized abilities for quick services. Hyunsoo, who had been listening quietly, frowned.
“What kind of nonsense are you talking about?”
‘Who would use an S-class Esper for such things? Are they kidding?’
“Anyway, we have plenty of time, so think about it. You can’t ignore the benefits and salary the center offers.”
“I’ve earned enough during this time, so I’m fine.”
“Me too!”
“Yeah.”
After six years of grueling work, they must have earned a lot. Hyunsoo smiled wryly as he recalled his own earnings.
He had witnessed the process of disposing of all his assets after his death. According to his will, everything was donated to a newly built orphanage on the site where he had grown up.
He didn’t regret it at all.
After all, they were things he couldn’t take with him after death. But the problem was that he was now living again in someone else’s body.
“Right. Use the money you’ve saved wisely. Don’t get scammed by investment schemes. And don’t invest in stocks or gamble. Got it?”
“I definitely won’t do that!”
Yoon nodded vigorously. It was worth all the time he spent lecturing them on financial sense, given the enormous salaries they received over the past six years.
“Anyway, that’s all I wanted to say. I’m going to get some more sleep.”
“Again?”
Jiwon asked in disbelief.
“We were supposed to play Halli Galli together.”
Yoon vanished in an instant, reappearing with the Halli Galli box from a pile of board game boxes in the living room.
“Why is a man speaking with two mouths?”
“Maybe I’m not a man.”
“Oh! What are you saying!”
“If I could, I’d gladly become a mute if it meant getting more sleep.”
Hyunsoo said, placing his hands together on his chest and pretending to be pitiable. Minchan shook his head.
“Jaehee must be very tired. He’s talking nonsense. Let’s let him sleep more.”
“Then get up and play with me.”
“Yoon must have been haunted by a ghost that couldn’t play Halli Galli.”
Hyunsoo joked, causing the expressions of the three to become enigmatic.
“Ah, is it a bit strange for me to say this?”
Hyunsoo scratched the back of his head and stood up.
“Let’s play Halli Galli after I sleep a bit more, okay?”
“……Keep your promise.”
“Yeah.”
With a bright smile, Hyunsoo disappeared into his room. Yoon placed the Halli Galli box on the table and muttered to himself.
“Will he keep his promise?”
“…….”
Minchan and Jiwon did not respond.
After D Team went on vacation, the airing date for [D Team Exploration Life] Episode 3 arrived.
Due to the skyrocketing buzz over the past week, many communities were frequently discussing [D Team Exploration Life].
-[Issue] The center of attention in variety shows these days (331)
-[Daily Talk] Men with idol-like appearances who captivate attention – their “true identities”
-‘D Team Exploration Life’ PD: “We captured the honest and straightforward daily lives of the awakened ones as they are” – Weekly Awakening
-D Team Exploration Life non-drama popularity ranks 6th → 4th…
-Recently spreading word-of-mouth among fans: Espers (feat. D Team Exploration Life)
With the increasing buzz both inside and outside the show, more people began to recognize the title [D Team Exploration Life], even if they didn’t know the specifics.
Meanwhile, the site dedicated to fans of the awakened ones was abuzz with excitement.
-[D Team Exploration Life] Production team filled with tension ㅂㄷㅂㄷ (18)
“The end of Episode 2 drew intense attention, but they didn’t show much in the preview… Is it just nothing?”
-♨♨ D Team Exploration Life Episode 3 Discussion ♨♨ (211)
-[D Team Exploration Life] Let’s speculate on the content before Episode 3 airs (21)
After the anticipation and curiosity from people full of expectations, Episode 3 finally aired.
After the opening video, a brief clip showed ‘Lee Jaehee’ and the main esper members of D Team greeting viewers.
Shortly after, the three espers who entered District 23 seemed to walk with light steps.
[Jung Minchan: Hmm. The Grade 3 Lizardman might seem a bit tricky because of its tough outer skin, but there’s a good method.]
[Production Team: What is it?]
[Jung Minchan: You just need to burn it until the outer skin melts.]
Minchan continued explaining as if stating a self-evident truth, like “The Earth is round.”
[Jung Minchan: If you’re not a flame-type esper, there are many other methods.]
[Production Team: For example…?]
The camera shifted to where Minchan was looking.
Bang!
With a loud noise and a cloud of dust, a Lizardman crashed to the ground.
[Jung Minchan: You can immobilize it like that…]
Minchan’s voice continued explaining. Soon, the screen showed a Lizardman struggling as if it was gasping for air.
[Jung Minchan: There’s also the method of strangling it. Depending on the esper’s abilities, it can be dealt with more easily than you might think.]
The scene was vividly edited, showing espers in combat suits using their powers in a dusty environment, and the discussion board heated up in response to the engaging production.
-How to deal with a Grade 3 Lizardman: Become an S-rank esper. The end.
-Kim Yoon didn’t seem so scary, but look at him, smiling while kicking monster ass.
-???: You can easily deal with Lizardmen this way. Quite simple, right?
At that moment, as they were handling the Lizardman, Jiwon, who was clearing the path ahead, shouted.
[Song Jiwon: Hyung! This is different from the reconnaissance report!]
People began to focus on what was happening as Jiwon, who had been silent until now, spoke up.
The camera, which had been shaking to maintain a sense of reality, showed a significantly mutated Lizardman that differed from the widely known form.
* * *
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