A new directive came down to Cha Eun-hyuk from his superiors: root out the base of the Esper terrorist organization. The entire team’s mood immediately turned tense.
It was something they’d attempted more than once in the past. Every time they managed to get even a glimpse of a lead, violent clashes erupted, often resulting in considerable casualties. Things had been relatively peaceful for a while now, so the possibility of reliving those horrors had everyone on edge.
Still, the government couldn’t afford to let things slide—especially after the recent hotel bombing. The entire nation was gripped by fear and fury.
“Not all personnel can be tied down here.”
Cha Eun-hyuk called out the names of the team members who would be joining the mission. As he did, he glanced around at the faces turned toward him.
None of them had the faintest idea.
That the group they had been hunting all this time—the faction led by Jang Hee-gang—wasn’t actually behind the latest attack.
That Cha Eun-hyuk had, in fact, joined hands with the true mastermind.
“Doesn’t it prick at your conscience?”
The hallway to the HQ armory. The deputy team leader, who had been walking silently beside him, suddenly spoke up.
The tone was different from usual. The question came out of nowhere.
In a flash, Cha Eun-hyuk turned and grabbed the man by the collar. But he didn’t choke him hard enough to stop him from speaking.
“Everyone was looking at you with such trust in their eyes.”
Even with his weak point exposed, Joo Cheong-gyeong remained unfazed.
Cha Eun-hyuk, clearly irritated, muttered in a low voice.
“Cut the bullshit and start talking.”
“You really shouldn’t treat someone like this, don’t you think?”
Joo Cheong-gyeong shook his head slowly.
“Why do you think I did what I did? It had to be this drastic for the higher-ups to hand down an order like today’s. That way, someone like you—someone who can’t make moves on his own—would be able to act.”
Then, as if somewhat regretful, he added:
“I’m not fond of pointless killing either, you know.”
“Bullshit.”
“Yes, well. Honestly, I don’t think it was all that pointless.”
The criminal grinned as he agreed all too quickly.
Cha Eun-hyuk let go of him roughly.
Joo Cheong-gyeong’s mouth opened again right away.
“Jang Hee-gang is building an army.”
It was news that could not be welcomed in any capacity.
Cha Eun-hyuk said nothing. His thick eyebrows furrowed.
“An army, huh.”
“Yes. It’s something that’s been underway for quite some time.”
His dazed eyes stared off into the air for a moment before returning.
“The base is underground, beneath Yeondan. It’s practically a small city.”
Cha Eun-hyuk clenched his fist.
“Most of the people there are Espers. Kidnapped Guides, too. Even some civilians.”
“Civilians?”
“Espers with mental-type abilities can manipulate them easily. Handy in combat situations.”
He added that last part with unnerving nonchalance.
“You’ll need to strike when you’re fully prepared.”
If what Joo Cheong-gyeong said about the size was true, they’d need far more manpower than originally planned. It was dangerous to assume the battle would stay confined within the base. Even if they managed to seize control, there was no guarantee they’d be able to capture Jang Hee-gang.
Because…
“You know what that guy’s power is, don’t you?”
Of course he did.
Cha Eun-hyuk recalled the face of the bastard who’d once shrugged off the effects of his own ability like it was nothing. A power that nullified the abilities of other Espers. On the surface, it seemed defensive—but in truth, it was one of the most offensively dangerous powers out there.
“Ah, right. Shim Tae-seong, wasn’t it?”
Joo Cheong-gyeong suddenly tossed out the name.
“The bodyguard for Cha Eun-soo.”
Rather than questioning how he’d learned that, Cha Eun-hyuk focused on why he was bringing it up. His eyes sharpened, drilling into Joo Cheong-gyeong.
Joo Cheong-gyeong just shrugged.
“With a power like that, he’d be pretty useful in an op like this, wouldn’t he?”
It was true. Shim Tae-seong’s teleportation-based attacks might just be the key to catching Jang Hee-gang off guard.
“No.”
But Cha Eun-hyuk shut it down cold.
As much as it grated on him, Shim Tae-seong had to remain by Cha Eun-soo’s side at all times. The man himself probably thought the same way. Even if ordered to participate, he’d never accept.
“Hmm… yeah. Fair enough.”
Without needing it spelled out, Joo Cheong-gyeong gave a knowing nod.
“I’d probably feel the same way.”
Annoyed by the unpleasant sense of agreement, Cha Eun-hyuk scowled and jerked his chin upward.
“The base—everything you know about it. I want every detail.”
“But of course. As much as you want.”
The Esper wearing another man’s skin flashed a smooth smile.
Cha Eun-hyuk didn’t trust Joo Cheong-gyeong entirely. But the cards he was playing were at least worth examining.
What was the purpose of his life, anyway?
Wasn’t it to find and destroy Jang Hee-gang before that bastard came looking for him?
***
I had a dream.
I was watching myself from a third-person perspective.
“Damn, look at that quality.”
In the dream, I came across an ad for some game. It must’ve caught my interest, because I downloaded it without hesitation. But from where I was watching, the game’s title and illustrations looked blurry, like they’d been pixelated or censored.
“Thought it was some kind of survival game, but… the genre…”
I started playing with a weirdly reluctant expression, but before long, I was completely absorbed in the game. After work, on weekends, any spare moment—I was glued to my laptop.
It wasn’t exactly all fun and games, apparently. Day by day, my face started to look more and more worn out. The funny thing was, even then, I couldn’t tear myself away.
Time flew by, but the dream’s surreal floatiness made it feel natural, like it wasn’t strange at all. Games usually get boring eventually, but I stayed obsessed, like an addict—and I just watched, powerless to stop it.
Then one day, I suddenly snapped out of it. My expression cleared, like I’d come to my senses. I looked back on how entranced I’d been with a mix of unease and shame.
“Fuck, why did that feel so real—”
I decided to quit the game.
[■■■■■■■■■■]
[Would you like to exit?]
Just below what I assumed was the game’s title, a prompt appeared asking if I wanted to quit.
I watched myself click “Yes” without hesitation—unlike all the times before.
And with that… I woke up.
…What the hell kind of meaningless dream was that?
More importantly—what game was I even playing so seriously?
I couldn’t remember a single detail.
Brrrrrr. Brrrrrr.
A familiar buzzing sound echoed. I fumbled around on my nightstand for the phone that was vibrating against it.
[Hyung]
I cleared my throat a few times to loosen my voice before answering.
“Yeah, hyung.”
—Were you still sleeping?
The clock on my phone showed it was still morning, though a bit later than usual for me.
“Looks like it. Didn’t even see anyone head out for work.”
Hyung probably checked in on me before leaving, like he always did.
Still, calling me at this hour was unusual. He usually just sent a message if he was on duty.
Almost as if he’d read my mind, he spoke up.
—I probably won’t be home for the next few months, starting today.
…Huh?
Just like that? Not just a few days, but months?
I blinked a few times, then adjusted my grip on the phone.
—I won’t be in Seoul at all.
He didn’t elaborate. Then again, he never did. Not once had he explained where he went for his missions. Given his line of work, it was normal for things to be kept confidential.
I tapped lightly on the blanket.
…Was it because of the hotel bombing?
If this was a result of that incident, the mission probably involved flushing out the terrorist group’s hive.
Joo Cheong-gyeong crossed my mind. I still didn’t know if Jang Hee-gang was affiliated with that faction or not, but his presence definitely bothered me.
Even for Hyung, this one felt dangerous.
A creeping sense of anxiety took root. I licked my lips.
“Hyung, what about your guiding…”
—I’m fine. Got a full dose before I left.
I fell silent, and his low voice rumbled through the speaker.
—Don’t go anywhere risky, and stay safe.
That’s what I should be saying, Hyung.
Forcing a casual tone, I replied,
“You’re the one who needs to be careful. Text me whenever you can, okay?”
—I will.
“And when it’s over… you’re coming to our place, right?”
—Of course.
By “our place,” I didn’t mean this one, but the new home we were moving into next week. A safe house for Hyung, me, and Shim Tae-seong.
I remembered being a little surprised when I told Hyung I was planning to move out on my own, and he immediately said he already had a safe house in mind. In the end, it saved us time and made the whole process easy.
“Then… Hyung, don’t get hurt.”
—”……”
Something in my voice must’ve reached him, because there was a brief silence. Then, he finally said he would—and the call ended.
I tossed my phone onto the bed and sank into thought.
It felt like something big was coming.
Something huge, brewing out of sight, with S-Class Espers fighting in places I’d never even hear about. That alone was enough to make my nerves fray. It made sense, though—after all, my quest was tied to the fate of both myself and the country.
If someone goes berserk, we’re all screwed. Fuck.
Ding!
[Second Regressor Perk for Cha Eun-soo!]
“…!”
What?
[Feeling frustrated in a situation you can’t figure out?]
[We offer you a “Third Eye” to see through it all.]
[Close your eyes and focus on the person you want to see.]
Mouth agape, I stared blankly at the message window.
My heart pounded wildly in my chest.
…But for some reason, it felt like the system was the one getting frustrated, not me—like it had no choice but to give me this ability. Was I just imagining that?
The system was becoming more and more suspicious by the minute. And yet, I didn’t think it would lie about granting me a real power.
I pressed down on my thundering heart and slowly closed my eyes.
Then, I thought of Joo Cheong-gyeong.
Astonishingly, it was as if my eyes had opened rather than shut. My vision lit up, and before I knew it, I was gazing down into a dark space from above, like I was floating overhead.
At the center of it all stood a man. He opened his mouth.
—I plan to keep using this body moving forward.
—Cut the crap. Show yourself, in your real form.
The voice, heavy with disgust, came from someone facing what looked like yet another possessed version of Joo Cheong-gyeong.
It was… Hyung.
A jolt of shock slammed through me like a punch to the back of the head.
What the hell is this…?
