Blossoming (5)
Some Espers had difficulty adjusting to the strategy meeting, which was primarily led by Woo Jae-dam and Myeong Si-yeong. This was understandable, as Woo Jae-dam and Myeong Si-yeong were only twenty and nineteen years old, respectively. Though not the youngest Espers, they were certainly still young.
Perhaps because of this, they spoke childishly, were quite assertive, and rarely compromised. Of course, they weren’t Espers to be taken lightly. It was just that their unpredictable nature and surprisingly creative thinking in unexpected areas made working with them somewhat overwhelming.
They were a different sort from Sa Hae-geon. At that moment, Myeong Si-yeong spoke up in a cheerful voice.
“But when I think about it, do we really need to rack our brains planning strategies for a mere A-rank dungeon? With this many people, we can probably clear it without much effort anyway. It’s annoying—why don’t we just discuss how to wrap things up and then say bye-bye? What do you think?”
Myeong Si-yeong’s suggestion split the group in half—half in agreement, half questioning. When opinions were divided contrary to his expectations, Myeong Si-yeong frowned with displeasure.
“Well then, share your better ideas if you have any. Honestly, I hate using my brain for a dungeon that doesn’t require much effort.”
“But we should get to know each other and coordinate before entering an S-rank dungeon. It’s better to build coordination gradually starting with the A-rank dungeon rather than fumbling around inside an S-rank dungeon.”
At the Southern Center Guide’s words, Myeong Si-yeong made a humming sound and scratched his cheek. Then he turned to Woo Jae-dam beside him.
“What do you think?”
“About what?”
“I just wonder if we need to try this hard. With our skills, we could probably clear an S-rank dungeon in no time, so what’s the point of coordination? Everyone’s just trying to scare us. Things are different now—both technology and Esper abilities have improved. Don’t you agree?”
Several people frowned at Myeong Si-yeong’s words. They hadn’t expected him to insist on such an irresponsible approach, given that he was experienced in the field and accustomed to leadership despite his young age. And the fact that he treated S-rank dungeons so lightly.
All eyes turned to Woo Jae-dam. Despite the intense stares, Woo Jae-dam took his time to think, then suddenly looked at me. His dark pupils gleamed mischievously.
“What do you think, Do-min hyung?”
“…Me?”
“Yes.”
With the sudden attention, all team members’ eyes turned to me. Wait, how well did he know me to call me “hyung” so casually? We’d only crossed paths a few times in dungeons. And even then, we kept our distance while I performed radius guiding. The same went for Myeong Si-yeong.
Woo Jae-dam and the other team members stared at me, waiting for my answer. The unexpected attention made my ears buzz. I couldn’t understand why they would ask such a question to a Guide, not an Esper, and wait for my answer.
Though we would enter the dungeon together, it’s not like a Guide would face monsters directly. And would Espers really take my opinion seriously? I’d be lucky if they didn’t scoff. It would be ridiculous to seriously consider the opinion of a Guide who couldn’t even face the lowest-ranked monsters.
Was Woo Jae-dam trying to put me in an awkward position? A quick glance at him revealed he was just staring at me with an unreadable expression. Even as my silence grew longer, he didn’t rush me or show any sign of impatience.
Either way, I had to say something. I took a slight breath and opened my mouth.
“I think it’s better to coordinate with each other, analyze our weaknesses, and improve as we tackle the dungeon, rather than rushing in blindly. That’s why we gathered here in the first place.”
“I knew you’d say that, Do-min hyung.”
With an amused expression, Woo Jae-dam patted Myeong Si-yeong’s shoulder.
“I agree with Do-min hyung. Let’s not cut corners and stick to the basics. S-rank dungeons are absolutely not to be taken lightly.”
Unlike Myeong Si-yeong, who acted like a student his age, Woo Jae-dam spoke sensibly and showed maturity. Those who had been concerned about Myeong Si-yeong’s radical proposal nodded with satisfaction, sighing in relief. Myeong Si-yeong glanced at me and Woo Jae-dam with a slightly sulky face, but that was all.
“Fine, fine… If that’s what you think, I’ll go along. It’s not like I’m fighting alone, so I won’t be stubborn. What if nobody wants to guide me if I’m difficult?”
Myeong Si-yeong shrugged, deliberately speaking weakly. The atmosphere, which might have become awkward, was smoothed over, and when the meeting got back on track, I glanced sideways at Sa Hae-geon, who hadn’t said a word. His expression was troubling. He looked stiff, as if something was wrong.
Was he… angry? But why? What could possibly have made him upset? I was perplexed. And no matter how many meaningful glances I gave him, Sa Hae-geon never looked at me. He was so deliberately avoiding my gaze that I wondered if I had done something wrong. I felt uncomfortable, but I couldn’t keep focusing on him when he seemed intent on concentrating on the meeting. I needed to focus too.
Soon, the meeting reached its end. Everyone was getting up to leave when suddenly Myeong Si-yeong clapped his hands with a loud exclamation.
“Come to think of it, we haven’t introduced ourselves! How could I forget something so important?”
“You’re not really interested in who’s who anyway.”
“Hey, what do you take me for? Even I have that much social awareness.”
Myeong Si-yeong responded grumpily to Woo Jae-dam, then turned to the team members who were half-standing from their seats.
“What do you think about introducing ourselves before we go? Is that okay?”
“Ah well, we should at least know each other’s names. Let’s just do quick introductions.”
“I’ll start! I’m Myeong Si-yeong.”
“Ham Ik-seo.”
“I’m An Mi-ran.”
Starting with Myeong Si-yeong, the team members began introducing themselves one by one. Soon it was our turn.
“Nice to meet you all. I’m Yoon Seon-hoo.”
“Lee Cheol-min.”
Lee Cheol-min said this while patting Sa Hae-geon’s shoulder. It was Sa Hae-geon’s turn. Everyone’s eyes turned to him. Sa Hae-geon looked around briefly, then said his name in a low voice.
“Sa Hae-geon.”
“…Chae Do-min.”
“I’m…”
Several others introduced themselves after that, but I couldn’t hear anything. I was too busy observing Sa Hae-geon’s expression as he kept his gaze lowered, not even meeting my eyes.
* * *
After the brief meeting, we agreed to meet at the Ability Department headquarters parking lot by 9 AM tomorrow, then dispersed. The lights were still seeping through the door of the small conference room on the same floor, suggesting that the other members of Field Team 1, assigned to the sea and desert dungeons, were still in their meeting. I’d wanted to at least say hello to them, but it seemed unlikely.
Esper Lee Cheol-min stretched and said, “Looks like the others are still at it. I guess we should head out separately. See you both tomorrow.”
“Yes, see you tomorrow.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Sa Hae-geon and I exchanged goodbyes with Esper Lee Cheol-min and silently left the Ability Department headquarters, heading toward the main road. Since I had come by bus, I needed to take a taxi or other public transportation back. However, this wasn’t the best location to hail a taxi, so I planned to use an app.
Sa Hae-geon remained tight-lipped even as I took out my phone to open the taxi-calling app. I could have initiated conversation first, but I wasn’t sure how to start, so I also stayed silent.
That’s when it happened.
“Hyung.”
“…Ah, yes?”
Sa Hae-geon, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke to me. I looked up from my phone and at him. He was looking down at me with eyes that seemed somehow displeased.
“…What’s wrong? Did I do something wrong?”
“Are you close with that Esper?”
“That Esper? Who are you talking about?”
“The Esper called Woo Jae-dam.”
“…Ah, Esper Woo Jae-dam.”
Was he upset that Woo Jae-dam had acted familiar with me earlier? But that seemed odd since Sa Hae-geon hadn’t shown much interest in Esper Yoon Seon-hoo… I was somewhat puzzled.
As I just stared at him without giving any answer, Sa Hae-geon’s pupils trembled slightly. He asked hesitantly, with an expression of disbelief.
“Don’t tell me… you’re close? Close enough that you need to think about your answer to me?”
“What? No way. We’re not close. I just guided him a few times in the field. Even then, it was radius guiding, so we never even made contact.”
“Then why did that Esper…”
Sa Hae-geon’s lips twitched as if he wanted to say something, but he finally closed his mouth. He just stared into my eyes for a long time before nodding and saying he understood for now.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
