# Chapter 60
Yumaro couldn’t understand the current situation.
While he was getting people’s support to expose Seo Jaeyoon’s trick, a high-ranking person appeared. When they were told to face off in the training room, he thought things would get interesting.
When a loud alarm went off, someone called out an S-class Esper’s name, and at the same time, Seo Jaeyoon who was standing in front disappeared. Using an invisible force, Jaeyoon instantly jumped out and partially destroyed the reinforced door marked “Control Area” on the opposite side.
The sudden destruction was shocking, but Yumaro felt a chill from the massive mana waves coming from another direction. The only S-class Esper announced so far, Guardian Joo Dojoon, was staring at Seo Jaeyoon while using his power.
They said the mana controller was working in the lobby, but those two used their powers easily. Yumaro tried to draw out his own power just in case, but unlike in the examination room, his mana didn’t move at all.
“It’s a bomb!”
The urgent voice that had called “Joo Dojoon” earlier now shouted about a bomb. People around the person who shouted quickly moved away.
Once the space cleared, Yumaro could see it too. An ordinary man being held by Seo Jaeyoon was pointing at various spots on the floor while shouting.
“My senior said if he moves away from the bomb, it will explode. We need to evacuate quickly.”
‘Are those black beads the bombs?’
With his telekinesis, he could find and gather them all. But he couldn’t use it now. If only they would release the mana control, he could help like the others.
While thinking this, he noticed the black beads starting to roll to one place.
‘Telekinesis? Who did that?’
Is telekinesis such a common ability? He thought it was special, but maybe it was common. Plus, unlike him, someone could skillfully use their ability even under mana control. He felt irritated with jealousy.
“Don’t worry. I’ve put a double barrier around each bead, so even if they explode, it should be fine.”
Joo Dojoon’s calm voice, speaking as if having an everyday conversation, signaled the end of the situation while everyone else was silent with tension.
Joo Dojoon appeared in public later than Kwon Haeil and Seo Jaeyoon. Plus, while Dojoon’s appearance was decent, he lacked the impact of actor-like Kwon Haeil or the rough, raw feeling of young Seo Jaeyoon.
His first impression seemed faint compared to the other two when they stood together. Amidst the chaos erupting from Kwon Haeil and Seo Jaeyoon’s demonstrations, Joo Dojoon first showed his power. When he appeared holding balloons and teddy bears that were completely undamaged, it was like a world peace ambassador had walked out. Someone called him the Guardian, and the nickname fit so perfectly that it became imprinted in everyone’s minds.
His ability, which could rightfully be called absolute defense, was strong enough to create double barriers for dozens of bombs and still have power to spare.
“Still, please step back just in case.”
As people backed away, Joo Dojoon walked toward the empty control area, took the hand of the person Seo Jaeyoon was holding, and headed outside, disappearing with Kyun Jiho who had been waiting.
After the three Espers disappeared, the waiting applicants’ murmuring grew louder. The Association Chairman quickly stepped forward to manage the situation.
“We will reactivate the controllers that were partially released for the applicants’ convenience. Also, as the center’s control level is increasing, those sensitive to mana might feel somewhat heavy.”
People seemed hesitant, wondering if everything was really okay, as the Chairman spoke calmly like nothing serious had happened. The number of guards doubled, blocking every wall and door, making them look more like security than guides.
“As you can see, we have an S-class Guardian. Also, Espers equivalent to A-class are here protecting you even in this busy time.”
People’s gazes naturally moved between the broken iron door and the Chairman.
“If you’re still anxious, you may leave. However, please remember that there are even more people waiting for the third test than now.”
People’s whispers grew louder at the thought of waiting even longer than today.
“Applicants, as an Esper, you could be exposed to danger. There might be villain attacks like this, and with gates appearing, we never know when or where monsters will emerge. Those who have awakened can escape more quickly. With training, you can defeat monsters and gain safety and wealth.”
After fear, the opportunity to grasp wealth and honor. Some had already gained new powers. As the Chairman saw expectation filling people’s eyes, he declared as if he had been waiting:
“Daesung will support all of this. This is your chance to get ahead of others through our premium program.”
“Wow, Daesung!”
“Big companies are really reliable.”
“Y-yeah. I came here to awaken anyway.”
Dangers were already lurking everywhere. The world outside could be even more dangerous at any time, making the escaped villain and controlled bombs seem less frightening.
Those who had awakened or were close to awakening didn’t want to miss this opportunity. Most were convinced by the Chairman’s words and started lining up again. The Espers’ actions they had witnessed firsthand also played a role. Even with minimal movement, seeing abilities that cracked the floor and broke doors, and easily creating barriers strong enough to neutralize bombs was truly impressive.
“Esper Yumaro, I’ll guide you inside.”
An employee guided Yumaro as the atmosphere suddenly settled. However, Yumaro’s mind was stuck on the ordinary man, not the Chairman’s obvious speech.
The person Seo Jaeyoon protected with his whole body, the one Joo Dojoon approached and took by the hand while controlling the bombs. Even Kyun Jiho, who appeared to move the bombs quickly, made eye contact with and showed kindness to the ordinary man, not Joo Dojoon.
‘He looks familiar. I think that’s the right person.’
“Excuse me, do you know who that person was that Seo Jaeyoon was protecting?”
“It must be Seo Jaeyoon’s brother. I understand he frequently visits the research center.”
At the mention of Jaeyoon’s brother, Yumaro spoke the name he had recently learned while searching.
“Is it Seo Jaeha?”
“Ah, I believe that was his name.”
The answer Yumaro expected came back.
Although he had only briefly appeared on screen, the person remained in Yumaro’s memory from countless times rewatching videos related to Seo Jaeyoon.
During the Han River Gate incident, he was the civilian who appeared with Kyun Jiho when Kwon Haeil collapsed. Unlike Kyun Jiho, who was labeled as “Esper Kyun Jiho” when the broadcast aired again, information about this person wasn’t published anywhere, which made Yumaro curious enough to search the internet.
<Han River Gate>, <Kwon Haeil Injury>, <Kwon Haeil Hug>
After clicking through various information from serious to trivial, comments appeared with the title “Kwon Haeil’s Hug Guy” from people who claimed to know him.
Comments followed from acquaintances who recognized the ordinary man through school or regional connections.
Seo Jaeha. Though he appeared to be a regular person, Kwon Haeil recovered quickly enough to stand up on his own after hugging him. If he had healing abilities, Daesung Group, which uses Espers as promotional tools, wouldn’t have left him alone.
He might be the “guide” mentioned in the interview just before. Similar discussions were starting online. Though still uncertain, seeing firsthand how publicly exposed Espers circled around each other was irritating.
Even though it bothered him, he didn’t have any specific plans, but seeing the urgent behavior of Seo Jaeyoon, who always seemed relaxed in videos, might have been somewhat satisfying.
* * *
As soon as they safely moved the bombs to an isolation room and escaped to a safe place, Jaeyoon’s nagging began.
His first target was naturally his brother, Jaeha.
“Why were you in the lobby, hyung? I told you it’s crowded and dangerous.”
“Well, I heard you were getting beaten by an A-class awakened person, so I was worried…”
“If you heard that, you should have stayed away even more. If someone had really used their power, you would have been blown away.”
“That’s why I moved with Dojoon.”
“What good is traveling together? You were alone when it mattered. What if that bastard had covered your mouth or knocked you out and taken you away?”
“But…”
Though everything Jaeyoon said was right, Jaeha felt wronged and turned around seeking help. Dojoon, whose eyes met his, smiled kindly and made an excuse for him.
“But as soon as Jaeha shouted, I immediately used a barrier, so everyone was safe.”
“I’m grateful for using your ability, but letting my brother wander alone was a mistake. He was almost dragged away by that guy.”
“Yeah, I’m reflecting on that too.”
“And don’t do guiding in front of people. If others see grown men holding hands, they’ll find it suspicious.”
A complex emotion settled on Dojoon’s kind face as he was about to join Jaeha in reflection.
“…That’s not something Jaeha’s brother should be saying. You completely confined him in your arms like a baby bird.”
“I wasn’t trying to guide him. I was protecting him.”
Why did it sound like an excuse?
Jaeha seemed to think similarly as he awkwardly scratched the back of his neck and retreated slightly. Dojoon reluctantly let go of Jaeha’s hand and lightly countered:
“Wouldn’t the hug be more suspicious than holding hands for people watching?”
“What’s suspicious about brothers hugging?”
Jaeha and Dojoon shared an awkward smile at Jaeyoon’s shameless attitude of genuine ignorance. In the awkward atmosphere, this time an answer popped out from Jiho’s side.
“Who hugs their brother? Maybe if they’re in a romantic relationship.”
Jiho, who hugged Jaeha from behind as he was backing away, looked only confident. Though Jaeha was getting used to Jiho’s shameless skinship, he still clearly showed his dislike.
“Ah, stop acting like Gaeho.”
Jiho brought his head close to Jaeha’s hand that was pushing him away and smiled so deeply his dimples showed.
“Senior, please formally introduce me since your brother is here.”
“What formal introduction? Stop whispering next to my ear and back off.”
“Wow, you won’t even kiss me, you won’t let me hug you. You should at least feed me.”
“Are you an animal? What food? And what do you mean ‘at least,’ seriously.”
Jaeha kept grumbling while slapping Jiho’s arms and hands that were hugging him, but he wasn’t genuinely pushing him away. Watching Jaeha’s response, Jaeyoon was convinced his brother had become accustomed to contact through guiding. Unlike his brother, he lightly advised Jiho, who was clinging meaninglessly:
“Esper Kyun Jiho, please be careful with excessive contact when you’re not guiding. If you flirt like that when it’s not work, your girlfriends will dislike it.”
“I don’t have girlfriends who would dislike it.”
In the moment of silence following the octopus-armed Casanova’s lie, which even Dojoon who had no interest in Jiho knew about, Jiho smiled so genuinely his eyes curved and hugged Jaeha with both arms.
“I cleared them out, the girlfriends.”
The bombshell statement dropped.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
