“Haah…”
Other than the two Espers standing guard, not a single sound stirred within the tightly sealed prison. It was completely cut off—isolated. Leaning against the cold wall, Kang Biso let out a long sigh.
Damn it… If only I could use my ability, I’d be out of here in a heartbeat…
Whatever was built into this place, it completely suppressed his powers. Since his ability was hypnosis, if he couldn’t use it, there was no way to escape. The helpless frustration weighed on him, each breath falling out as another heavy sigh.
How much longer am I going to be stuck here…
…Seol-bin’s probably worried sick by now.
Kang Biso let out a bitter chuckle as Hwang Seol-bin’s face came to mind.
He’d promised to come back safe and sound—but things had turned out like this. He couldn’t rest easy. ZEC didn’t have anyone capable of rescuing him, and it wasn’t like he could break out on his own either. Just thinking about Hwang Seol-bin blindly waiting for his return made him feel even more pathetic. It was almost funny—if it weren’t so painful.
Just then, loud voices echoed from outside.
“Hello, sir!”
Kang Biso looked up at the sound of the two Espers saluting. Standing in front of the bars with a pleasant smile on his face was Kim Seong-gyeong.
Tch. Took you long enough.
Accepting the greeting with his usual calm, Kim Seong-gyeong spoke smoothly.
“I’ll take over from here.”
“Sir? But…”
“It’s been authorized from higher up. Don’t worry.”
“…Understood. Then we’ll leave him in your care.”
Once they left, silence settled in again.
The tension between the two men hung heavy in the air, like a quiet standoff. Neither said a word—until Kim Seong-gyeong finally broke the silence.
“Kang Biso. There’s something I need to ask you.”
“…What could the famous Kim Seong-gyeong possibly want from someone like me?”
Kang Biso smirked up at him, his tone mocking. But Kim Seong-gyeong didn’t flinch. His face remained composed as he opened his mouth again.
“Hwang Seol-bin…”
The moment that name came out, the relaxed expression on Kang Biso’s face turned ice-cold.
“Is he with you?”
“…And what if he is?”
“Where did you take him? Let him go. Right now.”
Kang Biso let out a scoff, utterly dumbfounded. Sure, he’d infiltrated the Guide Center—but Seol-bin had chosen to leave on his own. Wasn’t it the Center that had been suppressing and isolating him? And now this guy had the nerve to act like he’d been kidnapped?
“Watch your words. You’re making it sound like I stole him from you. Seol-bin left with me because he wanted to. So who exactly are you trying to lecture here?”
“…There’s no way he’d do that. You must’ve sweet-talked him into it. He just made a poor choice in the heat of the moment.”
“No, you’re the one who doesn’t get it… The one Seol-bin chose was me.”
“……”
“Hwang Seol-bin is mine. He’s with me. You may not be anything to him, but we’re together. We’re dating.”
Kim Seong-gyeong shut his mouth like he’d been punched.
He stood there with his head bowed, his expression contorted, like he refused to believe it. Didn’t want to accept it.
In the thick silence that followed, Kang Biso clenched his fists. No matter what, he had to get out of here. He had to get back to Seol-bin.
Even if it meant going berserk… He’d find a way to break out.
In the darkness, Kang Biso’s eyes gleamed—burning brighter than ever before.
***
Despite all my pleading, Kang Bijun wouldn’t budge. Other than telling me to go back to my room, he wouldn’t say a single word—and it was driving me crazy.
Just as I’d expected, the news on the TV I left running was now flashing a breaking update: a Villain had been captured. Somewhere inside that research facility on the screen… Kang Biso was probably being interrogated right now. And considering how many times he’d broken into the Guide Center before, there was no guarantee they’d stop at just questioning.
Which meant we needed to rescue him—fast. But here Kang Bijun was, just sitting there thinking it over…!
I glared at him with a cold, cutting stare. If he tried to stop me, I was prepared to steal the access card he kept on him and head to the facility myself.
Thankfully, Kang Bijun let out a long, heavy sigh before finally meeting my eyes.
“Are you… really sure about this?”
His voice trembled with worry. His face was tight with concern. But he didn’t look like he was going to stop me anymore.
I nodded without a second of hesitation.
“Yes. I’ll bring Kang Biso back. Please trust me.”
“…If hyung finds out I let you go, he’s seriously going to kill me.”
“No way. Kang Biso will understand.”
In the end, Kang Bijun must have realized there was no better option. Slowly, he gave a reluctant nod.
And just like that, my face lit up.
I was finally on my way to rescue Kang Biso.
I turned to leave, heart pounding, but Kang Bijun’s voice stopped me mid-step.
“Wait—!”
I paused as he hurried off, telling me to hold on. When he returned, he was carrying a small box. He hesitated, then flipped the lid open.
Inside was a simple ring and a pair of earphones.
“This didn’t work with my body, so I couldn’t use it… but it’s an item that turns you invisible. It’s single-use, and the effect doesn’t last long. But right now, even something like this could make all the difference. In exchange for giving you this, I need you to follow my instructions. No exceptions.”
“…I understand. I will.”
“This is the only way I can help—giving you this and guiding you through the earphones. I’ll be able to monitor some of the CCTV feeds, but hacking’s out of the question. Their firewalls are tight. If I make a mistake, we’ll be traced immediately.”
“I get it.”
“Whatever happens, follow my instructions to the letter. If you promise me that, I’ll hand this over.”
“I promise.”
With a small nod, Kang Bijun handed me the ring and earphones. The ring was so tiny, it barely fit on my pinky.
Then he pulled up the schematics of the research facility and pointed out what he believed was the entrance to the underground prison where Kang Biso was being held.
I couldn’t afford to mess this up. I studied the map carefully, burned every corridor and route into my mind.
Once I was ready, Kang Bijun and I set out.
He brought me to the rooftop of a building across from the research facility—the same rooftop where he’d once hidden while waiting for Kang Biso during the Book of Wishes mission. He pointed in the distance.
“That’s the place.”
Reporters were already swarming the front of the building, poking around like vultures, hoping for a scoop.
So that’s where Kang Biso is…
My fists clenched without me realizing it.
“…I’ll stay here and monitor from a distance. Be careful, Hwang Seol-bin.”
“I’ll see you soon.”
I turned away and slipped off the rooftop, forcing my nerves to settle with a deep breath.
Just then, Kang Bijun’s voice came through the earphones.
[“Can you hear me?”]
“Yeah. Loud and clear.”
[“Get as close as you can to the building before activating the item. Like I said earlier, it only lasts twenty minutes. You’ll need to move fast and get hyung out before time’s up.”]
I’d already heard this a dozen times back at the hideout, but I repeated the plan to myself as if hearing it for the first time, staying calm and focused.
With the front gate swarming with reporters, slipping in that way was impossible. I circled around to the outer wall—less crowded, fewer eyes—and activated the ring.
My body vanished completely, even my shadow. I let out a low whistle, impressed, and leapt over the wall with ease.
Once inside, I quickly scanned my surroundings.
That’s when I spotted a few researchers in white lab coats stepping outside through a central door.
Perfect timing…
I slipped in behind them through the open door and made my way deeper into the facility, searching for an elevator. The prison was located on Basement Level 10. The stairs would be too slow.
I found a freight elevator—less commonly used—and pressed the button. The lift began its descent.
[“You’ve got ten minutes left. Hurry.”]
Already?
The moment the doors opened, I dashed out and began sweeping the area, searching for the entrance to the prison. The space was larger than I’d expected, and finding the correct door was proving harder than I thought.
That’s when I heard voices nearby. I froze, pressing my back to the wall.
“So why’s Kim Seong-gyeong still hanging around after catching that Villain?”
Kim Seong-gyeong… So he’s still here. I figured as much, but this close?
I might be able to get some useful information.
I crept closer, careful not to make a sound, and listened in.
“He said he wants to do the interrogation himself. Think they know each other or something? What if he helps the guy escape?”
“No way. He’s the one who caught him.”
“Yeah, true. Hey, that Villain’s down here, right?”
“That’s what I heard.”
Bingo.
With my target confirmed, I moved quickly in the direction of the underground prison.
[“Hwang Seol-bin, you’ve only got five minutes left! Just get out now!”]
I clicked my tongue in irritation. For now, the ring was working perfectly, but the moment the invisibility wore off, I’d be in serious trouble. And yet—I was almost there. I couldn’t turn back now.
Just a little more…
[“Why aren’t you answering?! Get out of there right now!”]
I ignored Kang Bijun’s increasingly frantic voice and picked up my pace.
When I reached the presumed entrance, I spotted two Espers standing guard.
I didn’t hesitate. I slipped behind them and struck them both in their vital points. Caught off guard, they dropped silently to the ground.
I stepped over their unconscious bodies and moved deeper inside. I didn’t know who—or what—might be waiting further in, but I didn’t have time to second-guess myself. I pressed on.
I muted my footsteps as best I could and kept moving—until a voice rang out from deeper inside.
Kim Seong-gyeong.
I crept closer and spotted him speaking to Kang Biso, peppering him with questions.
Hah. So the interrogation rumor was true.
I never had anything against Kim Seong-gyeong before… but something about this scene made my blood boil.
[“Hwang Seol-bin! Please! Get out now! You’re out of time!”]
His voice trembled with panic.
I pulled the earphones out and shoved them into my pocket.
Kang Biso was right there. How could I possibly leave him behind?
I felt bad for Kang Bijun, but the truth was—I’d never even considered turning back.
A moment later, I heard a soft crackling sound. Then the invisibility faded.
Sensing something, Kim Seong-gyeong turned his head—and his eyes locked onto mine. They widened in shock.
And Kang Biso, still locked behind the bars, was just as stunned.
“Seol-bin…!”
“Hwang Seol-bin!”
I stepped forward, eyes fixed on them both, and slowly opened my mouth.
“I came to get you, Kang Biso.”
