# Chapter 95
Since he couldn’t just look at the month when he died, because the records were organized by incidents rather than chronologically, even though they were written in order, there were intertwined incidents that made it impossible to skip ahead carelessly.
Having examined it from the first page, he had only just passed the halfway point of the documents. Hajin gripped the small paper bookmark he had secretly inserted and continued focusing on the materials.
‘It must be here somewhere…’
Digital records might have been impossible to find because they were easily accessible and thus easily manipulated, but paper records would have been harder to tamper with.
Hajin staked everything on that small hope as he read through the tiny letters until his eyes felt like they would fall out. However, even after some time had passed, he couldn’t find any series of incidents related to Lee Hoseung.
If he stayed seated too intently, someone might notice that he was searching for something. He stood up even though the sun hadn’t completely set yet.
Since he had been visiting quite frequently and staying for long periods, it would be better to leave early today to avoid suspicion.
“Let’s stop here for today.”
Though he tried to sound casual, he couldn’t hide the disappointment in his voice.
Cha Jinwoo returned what he had been wearing on his wrist and followed Hajin.
“Are we going to the archives tomorrow?”
He suggested that he would join if that was the case, but Hajin shook his head.
“I suddenly started visiting the archives, and wouldn’t it look suspicious if I went too often?”
Of course, Hajin might be overthinking it, but he didn’t want to leave any room for suspicion.
That’s why he was going here one day, there another, even visiting places he had no interest in. And…
“This time I’m thinking of going to the medical ward. They’ve shown interest in my Guiding.”
The medical staff had shown great interest after seeing how those who received Hajin’s Guiding were completely healed, as if they had been washed clean of all ailments like a panacea.
They wanted to research how Hajin’s Guiding could so thoroughly heal Espers’ bodies and wavelengths that had been damaged by unidentified drugs.
And Hajin gladly accepted their invitation.
It was perfect timing as he was running out of excuses to visit the archives—while helping with medical research, he could visit the archives claiming to be researching Espers.
On the other hand, Cha Jinwoo didn’t seem too pleased with the idea of Hajin becoming a research subject. Though he didn’t want to oppose or contradict Hajin’s plans, he needed to confirm it wasn’t dangerous.
“There won’t be any direct experiments on your body, right?”
“…What a ridiculous question.”
Even though Hajin responded with a slightly incredulous tone, Cha Jinwoo, whose mind went a bit off the rails when it came to Hajin’s well-being, wasn’t completely reassured.
In the end, he insisted on accompanying Hajin and only felt at ease after witnessing everything with his own eyes.
Despite expecting something elaborate when hearing “experiment,” all Hajin did was provide Guiding when they requested it.
“I told you it was nothing.”
When Hajin whispered quietly after seeing Cha Jinwoo’s poorly disguised relief, Cha Jinwoo looked away in embarrassment. Hajin smiled slightly at this and whispered again.
“What should we buy on our way home?”
They had been at the Association for quite some time, and it was almost dinner time, so it was time to head back. Moreover, he had promised to bring back something delicious, and that promise needed to be kept.
While Hajin was considering what food they would enjoy, Cha Jinwoo had no such concerns.
“Those guys would happily chew on rocks if you just put ketchup on them.”
Hajin laughed softly as if he’d heard an amusing joke, but Cha Jinwoo was serious.
They weren’t the type to die from chewing on a few rocks.
Of course, they had never actually tried it, so who knows what would happen, but even if they couldn’t digest it, they would never show it in front of Hajin because they wouldn’t want him to worry.
After confirming the results of the day’s final experiment, Hajin left the medical ward with Cha Jinwoo. Although he wasn’t there for treatment, leaving the ward somehow felt refreshing.
After much deliberation—specifically on Hajin’s part—they bought hamburgers and returned home. The moment they opened the front door, three people rushed out and embraced Hajin as if they had been waiting.
“Why are you so late!”
“We’ve been waiting! Having fun with just the Team Leader!”
The two noisiest people greeted him loudly as usual. Unlike the other two, Baek Jaan didn’t say anything and looked sullen. Hajin felt guilty, as if he had abandoned him.
Unfortunately, since Hajin had stopped Cha Jinwoo from carrying all the bags and they each held one in each hand, he couldn’t prevent them from suddenly hugging him.
Supporting their heavy weight, Hajin straightened his back that was about to fall backward. Even though they must have been controlling their strength, he resented his back for almost giving way.
‘Damn, I really need to start exercising again.’
The fitness and muscles he had built up had completely disappeared during his kidnapping. But contrary to his resolution, Hajin couldn’t find time to exercise.
Moving busily without a single day’s rest, and when he did have a gap, spending it in the archives reading until his eyes strained—there was no time for exercise.
“I found it…!”
Finally, he had found records about Lee Hoseung. Hajin closed his eyes momentarily to calm his pounding heart at the truth that was right before him.
Cha Jinwoo, who had been reading records from previous years, looked at Hajin’s reaction. But Hajin’s gaze remained fixed on the record, unwilling to move.
Having no family and coming to the Association as soon as he manifested as an Esper from an orphanage, Cha Jinwoo couldn’t even begin to gauge Hajin’s feelings. But empathy wasn’t important at this moment. What mattered more was the fact that he was by his side.
Hajin stared intensely at the words “Lee Hoseung’s Records” written at the top. If he lowered his gaze just a bit, the truth he sought would be there. He couldn’t know what contents would be written.
“Haaah…”
After exhaling a deep sigh, Hajin slowly opened his eyes and lowered his head to read.
[20xx.10.09
Alpha Team Leader, S-rank Esper Lee Hoseung of the Association. Death confirmed due to rampage within dungeon.]
The content was short and simple compared to how tense he had been.
The moment he read the words “death confirmed,” Hajin inhaled sharply, but soon calmed himself with deep breaths. Only after his rapidly beating heart settled could he think clearly.
‘It’s written so minimally. What’s this? It’s actually suspicious…’
Hajin came up with two hypotheses. One was that the Association had deliberately falsified the records, and the other was that there might not have been much known about Lee Hoseung’s death, making it impossible to record in detail.
‘…I need to look more.’
Hajin examined the next pages. However, there were no more records about Lee Hoseung after the confirmation of death.
His page-turning became increasingly rough. Only after almost tearing the document did Hajin’s hand leave the paper.
Hajin silently exhaled a long sigh and clenched his fist. But despite his efforts to stay calm, his insides were not so composed.
‘Is this really all there is?’
Hajin couldn’t understand himself, but he was truly getting angry. He didn’t know if it was because all his efforts had been in vain, or if it was because the record of his father’s death ended in just one line.
In truth, he was trying not to think too deeply about it. If the reason for this emotion was the latter, wouldn’t that make him pathetically petty?
His father had done nothing for him…
All his father had left was his will. He met a man who had died before he even reached double digits in age, twenty years later. And before he could even accept it as reality, he had almost died by that man’s hand.
‘…What a miserable fool I am.’
A chill ran through a corner of Hajin’s heart. Even now, thinking about that moment made his heart sink. It was none other than his father.
No matter how distant the gap between them had grown, anyone could see they were family because of how much they resembled each other.
It wasn’t a case of mistaken identity or threat; the fact that his father had tried to kill him knowing he was his son still remained a significant shock.
So Hajin shouldn’t be angry about Lee Hoseung’s sparse record.
“Hajin-ssi, I found another record about Lee Hoseung.”
Hajin sharply turned his head at Cha Jinwoo’s voice. He thought it was for the better. The longer he dwelt on these thoughts, the worse it would be.
Hajin closed the record he had been looking at.
“May I see it for a moment?”
Then he approached Cha Jinwoo and received the other document from him.
“This isn’t from the previous year?”
Cha Jinwoo nodded at Hajin’s question.
“Since I only occasionally saw records of dungeon conquests, I skipped that year.”
Hajin trusted Cha Jinwoo’s judgment. He couldn’t match Cha Jinwoo’s experience when it came to dungeon conquests. So if he hadn’t found anything unusual, it wouldn’t be much different if Hajin looked again.
As Hajin nodded, Cha Jinwoo continued. He pointed to a specific part. However, it took a moment before his lips parted.
“…If you look here, there’s a record of an accident due to a dungeon occurrence.”
Hajin’s eyes read the words Cha Jinwoo was pointing to.
[20xx.03.05
Dungeon occurrence in XX district, Seoul. Alpha Team, Beta Team, and rescue teams deployed. However, 103 casualties and 235 injuries reported.
…]
The date was familiar to Hajin. It was the same as his mother’s death anniversary. Moreover, the place where the dungeon had occurred was the neighborhood where Hajin had lived.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
