# Chapter 11
## 02. If Only I Could Turn Back Time….
I know it’s impossible.
Dohyun was watching the ball of fire exploding before him today as well. Two weeks had passed since he got a dedicated guide, but he still couldn’t grasp how to use his ability, and he was struggling to figure out how to sense energy.
As a healing Esper used their ability on Dohyun, the burn marks and wounds quickly disappeared.
“Then let’s try something else.”
Handam moved his hand, and round fires appeared from all directions. Since they were significantly weakened, the explosions were even smaller than tiny fireworks. Dohyun tried his best to avoid them, but it was impossible. He could see them, but sensing the gathering energy and dodging was beyond his capability.
“It seems you really can’t get a feel for the energy.”
With that, it was time to head back. Since Dohyun had mentioned it in advance, everything always ended precisely at 5 o’clock.
Dohyun, who had failed to sense his power again today, bowed his head slightly. Haegang, who had arrived early and was sitting in the middle of the training room observing everything, approached Dohyun. The guild’s guide had only been guiding the healing Esper and Handam, who had used their abilities today.
“Have you checked your matching rate with that guide as well?”
“Ah, yes. The maximum with the guild guides is around 62%.”
“You must hate having to be guided by me when I don’t even want to do it, but bear with it.”
Dohyun wanted to say that wasn’t true, but he had missed the timing to do so long ago. Haegang always spoke like that. He was an expert at sarcastic remarks.
They said that guiding was reasonably possible with over 60% compatibility, but one still had to be careful to avoid reverse-guiding. Since it could be dangerous if the guide wasn’t in good condition, Dohyun found himself waiting for Haegang’s guiding, concerned about being a burden. Fortunately, despite his reluctance, Haegang visited the guild regularly as promised.
Slowly, Haegang’s vigor enveloped Dohyun. It felt like being underwater with slight pressure. He liked the sensation of being surrounded by water, but the person in front of him was Haegang. It wasn’t entirely comfortable.
As the guiding session, with its mix of comfort and discomfort, ended, the guide who had been guiding Handam spoke up.
“I’m really curious. Why does Esper Baek Dohyun always leave at 5 o’clock?”
“Excuse me?”
Since joining the guild, the guide had only greeted them or checked if guiding was needed, so the sudden question was unexpected. The healing Esper and Handam also looked at Dohyun, apparently curious as well.
Dohyun would have preferred if people didn’t ask about personal matters, but he thought it might not be bad to explain in advance since they would probably keep asking if he didn’t answer. He replied casually.
“I have something to do.”
Haegang, who was holding Dohyun’s hand during guiding, lowered his gaze as if asking what he meant. Wasn’t Dohyun enduring Handam’s attacks for two weeks because he couldn’t properly use his ability? What did he mean by having something to do? The others in the training room also looked confused.
“Well, I need living expenses.”
No matter how much stronger he had become after manifesting his abilities, he still needed to eat and sleep. Food costs money, a place to sleep costs money, and clothes to cover his body cost money.
“…Living expenses?”
Haegang murmured, and everyone who had been momentarily frozen now wore the same expression. The guide opened his eyes wide and asked Dohyun again with a face that seemed to say, “You can’t be serious?”
“Then, that ‘something to do’ is…?”
“I work loading and unloading at a delivery logistics center. The work starts at 7 o’clock. Since I need to be at the logistics center by at least 6:30, I have to leave at five.”
Dohyun felt Haegang’s grip on his hand tighten. It was intriguing to see his unusually surprised face, but Dohyun soon pulled his hand away. There was no need to go into the details of his personal life. However, he was a bit concerned that his words might have sounded strange.
While there were some Espers who did other jobs after manifesting their abilities, most Espers made gate conquest their main profession. Even low-ranking Espers who had difficulty hunting monsters would collect by-products from gate conquests. Although regular people couldn’t do it, even low-ranking Espers could perform these tasks, and since they could earn quite a lot of money, many preferred this work.
But even as an Esper, Dohyun, who didn’t know his ability, couldn’t do such jobs. Not knowing his ability meant he couldn’t protect himself. Shield Esper-powered protective barrier items were being produced in small quantities, but they were too expensive for Dohyun to consider. So naturally, he had to do work unrelated to gates.
Consequently, part-time jobs were a given to maintain his livelihood, but judging by the reactions of the guild members, it didn’t seem obvious at all. Even Haegang, an outsider, seemed surprised, which confirmed that Dohyun’s situation was indeed unusual.
Come to think of it, Dohyun had hardly seen any Espers doing part-time jobs that regular people did. Non-combat Espers typically used their abilities to contribute to various fields in society, and there were even those who, fulfilling their childhood dreams, joined the police force after manifesting as Espers. While it couldn’t be said that no one chose other professions, there was no reason for anyone to specifically choose ordinary part-time jobs that required more effort and time but paid less.
Still, Dohyun thought he was fortunate to be able to do even that. One of the benefits of manifesting as an Esper was that he hardly got tired even when doing physically demanding work.
“Isn’t it… difficult?” the healing Esper approached and asked cautiously.
“Not really.”
It had been that way since he was young. Dohyun naturally looked for part-time jobs while attending school. He had to work to make money and to maintain even a shabby one-room apartment.
When he said that, people would look at Dohyun with pitiful faces and offer encouragement. It wasn’t that extraordinary. Dohyun found it awkward and uncomfortable. He was just doing what was necessary to survive, but he couldn’t understand why people gave him admiring looks, as if he was doing something remarkable just because he was young.
“The guild will provide support.”
“Yes, our guild’s welfare isn’t bad.”
He was about to say that he had declined that, but he just rolled his eyes instead. It seemed like they would find it strange if he explained why he had declined. As he felt people still waiting for his answer, Dohyun grew increasingly restless.
“Where’s the water?”
At that moment, Haegang checked his phone briefly and spoke up. It was an unexpected question. Dohyun, who had been wondering how to escape the focus on him, blinked at Haegang’s sudden words. The others in the training room also looked at him curiously.
“Esper Baek Dohyun. I’d like some water. Could you tell me where the water dispenser is?”
“Ah…”
“It’s time for you to leave anyway, isn’t it?”
I’m thirsty. Haegang frowned ever so slightly. Only then did people check the time and say, “Oh, right. It’s time to go,” while waving at Dohyun. Haegang, who had bowed first in greeting, headed outside the training room.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Dohyun followed Haegang out and closed the training room door. He was relieved to finally escape the attention. Time had been delayed a bit due to being held up.
“The water dispenser is in the break room at the end over there.”
Dohyun pointed to the break room at the end of the corridor and checked the time on his phone from his pocket. It would be tight, but he could arrive on time if he ran. If not, he could always take a taxi. Thanks to working continuously without a break, he now had that much leeway.
“Where is it?”
“Excuse me?”
“The gathering place. I’ll drive you there. Even if it’s far, it won’t take long by car.”
That’s true, but why? Dohyun forcibly buried the question that was about to pop out and shook his head. If he had to choose between rushing to be on time or going at a leisurely pace in an awkward atmosphere, being pressed for time was much better.
“No, it’s fine.”
“Is that so?”
Whether Haegang had asked merely out of courtesy or had no particular intention, he didn’t inquire further. It felt even more awkward because Haegang and Dohyun weren’t the kind of relationship where they would exchange “courteous” pleasantries.
Still, saving bus or taxi fare wouldn’t have been bad. He might have accepted if Haegang had asked one more time. Dohyun nodded slightly to Haegang in farewell, with just a hint of regret.
As he was about to turn away, Haegang said, “Then I’ll see you tomorrow. I’ll leave a message, so check in the morning if you have a fever. Don’t forget.”
“Ah, yes. I understand.”
Dohyun nodded at Haegang’s now-familiar stiff greeting and quickly ran outside the building.
❖ ❖ ❖
“Will you be coming tomorrow too, student Dohyun?”
At the employee’s question, Dohyun shook his head. Though his body had become better than an ordinary person’s and he wasn’t physically tired, the mental stress was building up from training during the day and working again at night. He thought taking just three days off before returning would be fine.
“I have some matters to attend to, so I’ll take a few days off and then come back.”
Should he start looking for somewhere else soon? He had chosen night shifts because it was easier to move around during the day, but the employees kept approaching him during breaks, which was draining.
Dohyun thought that people’s curiosity about him was due to his gentle appearance. Even when he was just sitting still, people would say he looked pitiful and try to take care of him, which made him uncomfortable, so he tried not to speak as much as possible. Despite this, they kept approaching him, saying it was admirable that such a young student was working hard.
When he was about to gather his things to go home, he found a message. It was from the guild, sent the previous evening just as Dohyun was turning off his phone to start work.
This is Somyeong Guild. Please come directly to the guild when your work is finished.
Why suddenly? Come right away? After hesitating, Dohyun sighed deeply and headed to the guild.
‘Should I have showered first?’
He had rushed over right after finishing work, without even properly wiping off his sweat. He thought about stopping by home to at least change clothes, but given the sudden call, it seemed like an important matter.
It wasn’t even 8 AM yet. Normally, companies operated from 9 to 6, didn’t they? He worried that the guild might not be open yet, but to his surprise, there were many people at the guild. There were Espers who seemed to have just finished gate conquests, carrying all sorts of equipment, and employees who looked tired as if they had worked overnight.
“Hello. You’re Esper Baek Dohyun, right?”
The person standing at the center of the group of Espers greeted Dohyun. Dohyun reflexively greeted back.
“Yes, hello.”
“I heard you just arrived. I’m sorry to meet you like this for the first time.”
Dohyun just nodded at the smiling figure.
“Anyway, I look forward to working with you this time.”
“Yes… what?”
Dohyun was stunned as the Esper disappeared before he could ask anything. What did I just hear? He picked up his phone and called the person who had told him to come to the guild.
-Hey, you’re here?
“I’m downstairs now, and I just met some Espers?”
-Yeah? Why?
“They suddenly said they look forward to working with me. Explain what that means.”
-Ah~. You haven’t been with the guild for long. So we’ve been rushing to process various documents, like guiding contracts and other things that Espers naturally need to…
“Just get to the point briefly. Don’t drag it out.”
-You need to enter a gate.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
