* * *
Upon exiting the center’s office, Ki Seungwoo greeted Seo Munhyuk politely.
Seo Munhyuk, simply nodding in response, furrowed his brows and asked, “Why are you in the research division?”
“Because flying pigeons around isn’t much use in combat,” Ki Seungwoo replied cynically.
Though dismissing his ability as useless, Seungwoo’s rank was actually quite high.
There was tension between the two, though their relationship wasn’t hostile enough to warrant such sharp words.
“Hey, why’ve you gotten so prickly?” Seo Munhyuk lightly tapped Seungwoo on the shoulder before leaving the center’s office entirely.
“I’m too bored to keep watching,” Seo Munhyuk said, standing up and removing his headset.
A researcher who had been observing the training alongside him called out in surprise, “Esper Seo Munhyuk, where are you going?”
“I want to see if the guides are doing any better,” he replied indifferently.
The headset on the desk continued to play the shrieks of the monsters bred for training purposes, but Seo Munhyuk’s expression remained unmoved.
“They’re still new Espers…”
“Didn’t you say they manifested their abilities not too long ago?”
“Yes, but they’re all B-class or higher. That one is an A-class, and their natural ability to control powers is quite strong.”
“That’s why they’re showing off like that. If they go into combat in that state, they’ll die.”
“……Ah.”
“Well, at least they’ll look good on camera.”
With a cold glance at the flashy way the rookie Esper was using their abilities, Seo Munhyuk turned and walked away without a second thought.
“Oh my gosh, it’s Esper Seo Munhyuk!”
“Wow, he looks amazing in person!”
As Seo Munhyuk entered the outdoor training ground, the guides started whispering among themselves.
“Why is he here?”
“I think he’s here to observe the training because of the project,” one of the guides answered matter-of-factly, though the others were too focused on watching Seo Munhyuk to listen.
“Oh, he’s coming over here.”
“He’s huge!”
Though Haegum had been doing his best to avoid Seo Munhyuk’s gaze, the other guides were practically live-commenting on his every move.
“Hello, I’m Esper Seo Munhyuk,” he greeted as he approached the guides.
‘What a fake smile…’
Haegum thought to himself, suppressing his irritation as he watched him act polite and friendly.
“Are you here to observe our training?”
“Yes.”
“That scene in the combat unit’s promotional video, was that real ability and not CGI?”
“Whoa… that’s amazing.”
The guides, now excited, began bombarding Seo Munhyuk with questions.
“Oh, that,” Seo Munhyuk responded, rubbing his cheek as if embarrassed.
“Could you show us your ability just once?”
“…Hmm.”
“Just once, please.”
When Seo Munhyuk didn’t immediately refuse, the rookie guides began to plead like baby chicks chirping for food.
“Alright then, watch carefully.”
With that, hundreds of rocks, pebbles, and stones scattered on the ground floated into the air at once.
“One, two, three.”
With a sharp click of his fingers, three stones shot toward the targets like bullets.
The mobile target in front was struck dead center, toppling backward before righting itself again.
“Wow, that was so cool!”
“That was incredible!”
The guides were in awe, and even Haegum, who had remained expressionless, was slightly impressed.
Lifting multiple small stones and pebbles required more skill than simply hoisting a large boulder.
“Everyone’s done with their shooting training, right?” Seo Munhyuk asked, smiling as if satisfied with the impression he’d made.
“Yes.”
“I need to speak with Guide Yeon Haegum for a moment. Could you give us some space?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“Thank you!”
The rookie guides quickly cleared out of the training ground after bowing in respect.
“Gun training?”
“…As you can see,” Haegum replied reluctantly.
Looking around, Seo Munhyuk picked up a training rifle.
After confirming Haegum had put on his ear protection, Seo Munhyuk fired three shots at the target.
Even with the noise-canceling earmuffs, the sound was loud enough that birds perched in nearby trees took off in a flurry of leaves.
‘Is he just showing off how good he is at shooting?’ Haegum thought, a faint crack forming in his neutral expression as he watched the target, which had been hit squarely in the center and knocked over.
Seo Munhyuk unloaded the chamber, activated the safety, and handed the rifle to Haegum.
“Try it, Guide Yeon Haegum.”
He half-expected him to make fun of him, but his tone was serious.
It was odd hearing him speak politely, rather than his usual teasing banter or sickeningly sweet texts.
“After bracing it against your shoulder, lower your head slightly. Don’t resist the recoil, or you’ll injure your shoulder.”
Seo Munhyuk spoke in a low, steady voice as he helped adjust Haegum’s posture, his words all businesslike, possibly due to the training center’s surveillance cameras.
“….”
“Press your cheek against the stock, and keep your eyes on the target.”
Despite his sarcastic thoughts earlier, his hands as he corrected his shooting stance felt professional, entirely devoid of any suggestive intent to siphon guiding energy.
“Once you’re aimed, exhale and pull the trigger. Go ahead.”
After making one last adjustment to his stance, Seo Munhyuk stepped back.
Standing alone with the rifle made Haegum feel tense.
He loaded the rifle, exhaled slightly, and fired.
Bang.
The loud sound echoed through the sky, and for the first time today, Haegum’s target was knocked down.
Bang.
Ping.
Of the two bullets fired in quick succession, one had missed, but it was still a significant improvement.
As Seo Munhyuk approached Haegum, who was handling the gun with slightly trembling hands, he said, “Not bad.”
“…Thank you.”
Seo Munhyuk moved closer to Haegum, who gave a slight nod.
The tension caused Haegum’s body to flinch slightly.
“Guide Yeon Haegum has too many thoughts even when firing a gun.”
Seo Munhyuk’s lips lightly brushed Haegum’s ear, sending a tickling sensation.
“If you hesitate and overthink like that, you’ll die. In battle, the monsters don’t wait for anyone.”
“…….”
Haegum stared silently at Seo Munhyuk’s face.
“Let’s wrap this up and have lunch together.”
“……No, I’m fine.”
At Haegum’s polite refusal, Seo Munhyuk unexpectedly lowered his head again.
“I’ll teach you a trick to hit moving targets.”
“Why would you? I can handle it on my own.”
“You ranked last in the shooting test.”
Haegum clenched his fist, glaring at Seo Munhyuk, who looked like he was holding back laughter.
“You need to pass this time, Guide Yeon Haegum.”
The reason Haegum was taking shooting lessons with the rookie guides was clear.
It was because he hadn’t passed the basic shooting test, which required hitting 80% of the moving targets.
After placing his tray, loaded with side dishes, somewhat roughly on the table, Haegum glanced around.
Then, in a cautious voice, he asked Seo Munhyuk, who was sitting across from him.
“How did you know I didn’t pass the shooting test?”
Just as Seo Munhyuk was about to pick up his chopsticks, instead of answering his question, he mumbled to himself.
“…Seems like Guide Yeon Haegum is adored wherever he goes.”
“Why would I be?”
Seo Munhyuk nodded towards Haegum’s tray with his chin.
Haegum’s tray was piled high with side dishes.
“Hey, can I have one of your sausages? Ah–”
Automatically, Haegum’s curt reply came out.
“No, I don’t want to.”
“You’re going to eat all of that?”
“…Yes, I’m going to eat it all.”
“Ridiculous. So childish.”
Seo Munhyuk let out a puff of air, like a laugh escaping, and spoke.
Haegum, feeling provoked again, gripped his spoon and retorted.
“And Seo Munhyuk, the Esper who steals food from a child, is also childish.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Then maybe you’re a middle schooler.”
Haegum spoke coldly and took a big bite of his food.
“Oh, come on….”
At Yeon Haegum’s words, Seo Munhyuk couldn’t help but chuckle.
He wondered if this was even a conversation worthy of an S-rank Esper and a guide.
‘I’ve eaten way more meals than Yeon Haegum has, so I should just be patient.’
Seo Munhyuk repeated this thought and forced a smile.
“…Guide Yeon Haegum.”
“Yes.”
“I won’t take your sausage. Eat a lot. Eat well and grow strong.”
Haegum, who had been chewing aggressively, gradually relaxed his jaw at Seo Munhyuk’s seemingly surrendering response.
His cheeks were puffed up like a chipmunk’s.
“…….”
Looking at his puffed cheeks, Seo Munhyuk fell into thought.
Has it been too long since he received guidance or had sex?
The sight of those puffed cheeks made me think oddly.
His skin is so thin, it seems like anything that touches it would leave a mark.
“So, how did you know I didn’t pass the shooting test?”
Haegum asked again, lowering his voice and glancing around.
Seo Munhyuk shrugged his shoulders and replied as if it was no big deal.
“I checked your profile, Guide Yeon Haegum.”
“Does our profile… include our grades?”
“Yeah.”
As Seo Munhyuk nodded, Haegum’s expression grew serious.
In fact, Haegum had briefly heard about his failure in the shooting test from Seo Munhyun before.
He had casually mentioned that a ‘fellow guide’ had failed the shooting test and wondered how to help.
It seemed odd for someone who normally didn’t care about others to bring it up.
But now, it all made sense.
He had been looking out for his guide.
“…I’ll check Esper Seo Munhyuk’s profile too.”
“Go ahead. It won’t be interesting though. I was good at everything.”
“…….”
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