—Knock knock knock.
At the sound of knocking, Kang Hak-gwan lifted his eyes from the documents in his hand and turned toward the door.
“Come in.”
“…I heard you were looking for me.”
The one who stepped inside was Kim Seong-gyeong. His complexion was unusually pale, and dark circles hung heavy under his eyes—he looked like a mess. Kang Hak-gwan clicked his tongue.
Tsk. I knew I should’ve handled this myself…
After hearing that Hwang Seol-bin had taken the Book of Wishes from his wife, Kang Hak-gwan had pulled every string to track it down. But no matter how hard he searched, there wasn’t a single trace of where it had gone.
So he’d set a trap. If Hwang Seol-bin really had the Book of Wishes, there was a good chance he’d also target the copy stored in the government’s vault. With any luck, he might show himself.
Normally, Kang Hak-gwan would’ve taken care of it personally. But he’d just succeeded in turning two Villains who’d infiltrated the facility, and right then, a tip had come in—a potential lead on Hwang Seol-bin’s whereabouts. That meant he had to step away.
After some thought, he called in Kim Seong-gyeong and let the name slip, casually. As an S-Rank, Kim Seong-gyeong’s combat ability went without saying, and his upright nature meant he was loyal to the government to a fault. More importantly, for reasons Kang Hak-gwan didn’t fully understand, Kim Seong-gyeong had an odd obsession with Hwang Seol-bin. Just dropping the name had been enough to light a fire under him.
Come to think of it… Seol-bin once asked me about the Book of Wishes. Asked if I knew what it was.
Kang Hak-gwan had hinted that the one in the government’s hands was the real deal, and if Hwang Seol-bin was truly after it, he’d come for it himself. Predictably, Kim Seong-gyeong had jumped at the bait, and Kang Hak-gwan had gladly assigned him to the research facility.
What he hadn’t expected… was for everything to fall apart.
Worse, the lead on Hwang Seol-bin had been fake from the start. Kang Hak-gwan’s voice turned sharp as he confronted Kim.
“…So you’re telling me you lost both the Villains and Hwang Seol-bin?”
“Yes, sir. I’m sorry.”
Kim Seong-gyeong hung his head low, like a criminal awaiting judgment. Kang Hak-gwan let out a long, deliberate sigh.
“You were so confident. So, tell me—how exactly do you plan to take responsibility for this mess?”
“…I’ll accept whatever punishment you see fit.”
“Punishment, huh? But this wasn’t anything more than a case of incompetence. What would punishing you even accomplish?”
A slight furrow formed between Kim Seong-gyeong’s brows. His pride had clearly taken a hit.
Watching him, Kang Hak-gwan tapped his fingers rhythmically against the desk.
“Are you willing to do whatever it takes to make up for this?”
“If you’re going to punish me, I’ll take it without complaint.”
“Even if I order you to bring Hwang Seol-bin back?”
“…Seol-bin?”
“Hwang Seol-bin is currently a wanted man. As if causing chaos in the Center wasn’t enough, he helped Villains escape from a high-security facility. I want you to bring that fugitive back. Do that, and we’ll consider your little failure forgotten.”
Kim Seong-gyeong hesitated for a moment, then slowly lifted his head.
“…Understood. But there’s something I want to ask.”
“What is it?”
Kang Hak-gwan’s eyes narrowed. He could’ve just accepted the order—but now he wanted to ask questions?
“When I met Seol-bin… he seemed genuinely wronged. He said all he wanted was to escape confinement, but instead, they branded him a Villain. Is that true?”
Kang Hak-gwan’s brow twitched.
“…What exactly are you saying? You believe the words of a criminal?”
“But still—”
“Fine. Let’s say you’re right. Let’s say he was framed. So what?”
“What…?”
“That might’ve been true back then. But now, Hwang Seol-bin helped a Villain escape from a government facility. You’re not denying that, are you?”
“No, but… even so…!”
Kang Hak-gwan cut him off, voice cold and clipped.
“The moment he aided in that escape, he became a Villain himself. And not only did you fail to stop them, you let yourself get swayed by a few pitiful words. Honestly… I’m starting to question whether the title of S-Rank even means anything anymore.”
Kim Seong-gyeong said nothing, lips pressed into a tight line. But his clenched fists and the storm clouding his expression made it clear—he hadn’t let go of his doubt.
Kang Hak-gwan bit back his irritation. To think a few sentimental words could shake an S-Rank Esper… what a joke. He should’ve just followed orders quietly. But still, he couldn’t push Kim too far. There was plenty more he could squeeze out of him.
“Besides, isn’t this what you’ve always wanted? To bring Hwang Seol-bin back to the Center? Do it however you want—just get it done.”
Kim Seong-gyeong gave a slow, reluctant nod.
“…Understood.”
“Since you seem so lost, let me give you a little help. I know where Hwang Seol-bin is.”
“…Wait—what? You know where he is?”
“The two Villains we turned last time gave up the hideout’s location. They called it ZEC, I think. That’s where he should be.”
“I’ll go after him! I’ll bring Seol-bin back myself!”
“This is your last chance.”
“Yes, sir!”
As if he hadn’t been sulking just moments ago, Kim Seong-gyeong shouted his response and marched out the door with confident strides.
So simple-minded, Kang Hak-gwan scoffed inwardly, but the corners of his lips curled slightly. If this worked out, both Hwang Seol-bin and the Book of Wishes—what should’ve been his all along—would finally be in his hands.
l And once that was done, he’d make sure that self-righteous S-Rank Esper who dared to humiliate him paid for it. Over and over again.
Yes… it’s only a matter of time now.
From here on, all he had to do was wait. Hoping Kim Seong-gyeong would finally do something right, Kang Hak-gwan’s eyes gleamed darkly with greedy anticipation.
***
Late at night.
I woke up instantly, my senses on high alert at the faint sound of movement outside the room. For a second, I thought I was imagining it, but after sharpening my focus, I realized I wasn’t. Someone was out there. No—multiple people.
It could’ve been members of ZEC, but if it were them, they wouldn’t be creeping around at this hour with their footsteps muted. Which meant there was only one real possibility.
Narrowing my eyes, I turned and gently shook Kang Biso, who was still fast asleep beside me.
“Kang Biso. Wake up.”
“…Huh? Hyung, what’s wrong?”
“There’s movement outside.”
“…What?”
Biso bolted upright. The way his face stiffened told me he understood right away.
“Can you tell how many there are?”
“…I need to get closer to be sure.”
I started to get out of bed as quietly as possible, but Biso grabbed my shoulder and stopped me. He whispered that it was too dangerous and that he would handle it—but I shook my head and crept toward the door anyway, pressing my ear to it.
The footsteps had nearly faded, but I could still hear the faint rustle of fabric brushing against something. I clicked my tongue and quickly pulled back—
And then, CRASH. The door exploded open, and a group of black-clad intruders came rushing in.
“Don’t mo—ugh!”
“You’re surround—urk!”
“We’ve been spotted! Attack! Gah!”
I grabbed the first man’s arm and threw him over my shoulder, then ducked low and swept the legs of the one behind him. As he fell, I drove a punch upward into another attacker’s jaw, sending him reeling.
Snap.
A sharp snap echoed through the room. The moment Kang Biso snapped his fingers, the enemies froze mid-motion like they were caught in a spell.
“Hyung, are you okay? You’re not hurt, right?”
“I’m fine.”
“Why did you move?! I’m here! You scared the hell out of me. If something like this happens, get behind me, no matter what. I’ll protect you.”
“Okay, okay. But now’s really not the time for a lecture. We’ve got company…”
Just as I spoke, a loud boom echoed through the building. I whipped my head toward the hallway—thick, dusty smoke filled the air, rolling through the corridor. Shouts rang out from all directions, and gunfire cracked through the walls.
“…Shit.”
Kang Biso let out a long sigh, the weight of it pressing into my ears even through the chaos. I could feel his anger boiling under the surface.
Swallowing hard, I rushed over to the hiding spot in the room, grabbed the Book of Wishes, and shoved it into my bag.
Now’s not the time to stand around.
There was no time to hesitate. I didn’t know how the hideout had been exposed, but someone had definitely come for us. And it was almost certainly the government. Either they’d tracked us, or someone had betrayed us. Again.
That meant they were after me, Kang Biso, the Book of Wishes… or all three. In that case, standing our ground wasn’t the smart move. Running was.
Just then, Kang Biso signaled to me.
“I know it’s urgent, but I have to go check on Bijun. I’m sorry.”
“Of course.”
I nodded. It was only natural—Kang Bijun was his younger brother. We avoided the collapsed debris from the explosion, took down any Espers we came across as quickly and quietly as possible, and made our way deeper into the hideout.
“What the…”
We were almost to Kang Bijun’s room when something enormous blocked our path. No, someone. But they were massive—so huge I wasn’t even sure they were human.
I froze. So did Kang Biso. The moment of hesitation was all it took. The Esper locked eyes with me.
“Found… you…”
His speech was slow, slurred, almost broken. And then he swung.
A fist like a sledgehammer came crashing down. I barely dodged, and the impact shattered the ground where I’d just stood. Cold sweat broke out on my back.
“Hyung! Get back!”
“You can’t take him on alone. I’ll block his ability. We’ll fight together.”
“…But—”
“Now, Biso! We don’t have time!”
I dodged the charging Esper and shouted over my shoulder. Kang Biso, looking like he had no other choice, snapped his fingers and activated his ability.
The brute stumbled, legs wobbling as he crashed to the ground. But it didn’t last long. He was already getting back up, shaking it off like nothing had happened.
“Hyung, my ability works, but… this guy’s ridiculously strong. I think brute strength is his ability.”
I nodded, jaw tight with tension.
“I’m going in.”
Without waiting for a response, I sprinted toward the giant. Biso must’ve used his power again—his knees buckled right before I closed in. I pushed off the ground and landed a clean hit to the side of his head.
Crack!
His head snapped to the side with a loud crack, but the guy’s skull was so damn hard, the pain shot straight through my foot.
“Ow…”
The brute clutched his head with both hands, eyes watering as he whimpered— Then his face turned red, and he started growling in frustration.
“That hurt… You’re mean.”
He sounded like a child throwing a tantrum, but the way he charged at me said otherwise. Massive arms stretched out to grab me, and I quickly jumped back.
Maybe that pissed him off more, because this time he let out a roar and charged again—faster than before. I couldn’t dodge in time. His hand clamped down on my shoulder.
“Kgh!”
Even without ability enhancements, his grip strength alone was crushing. I could barely stay on my feet.
“Hyung!”
Biso yelled and ran toward us. A moment later, I felt the pressure on my shoulder weaken.
“Wait—Biso! Don’t!”
He was supposed to be holding back his power, but he’d definitely just used it.
The brute’s eyes drooped shut, and his hand slipped off my shoulder.
A second later, he collapsed to the floor with a heavy thud.
Biso rushed over, drenched in sweat, his expression tight with concern.
“Are you okay? Are you hurt?”
“You shouldn’t be using your ability like that. You’re overdoing it.”
“I’m… fine.”
He said he was fine, but his chest was rising and falling rapidly. He’d pushed himself too far.
I quickly looked around—no one else in sight. I took his hand and started Guiding right there on the spot.
Gradually, color returned to his face. But while he looked better on the outside, his breathing started getting shallower.
He was getting excited. Too excited. His eyes grew darker with desire, and I stopped the Guiding immediately. Any more, and he’d lose control.
I cupped his cheek and stared firmly into his eyes.
“Focus, Biso. We still have to get to Kang Bijun.”
“…Yeah. Got it, hyung.”
He shook his head hard, trying to clear the haze. I reached up and gently patted his hair, and slowly, the hunger in his gaze began to fade.
We moved quickly toward Kang Bijun’s room.
***
When we arrived, several intruders were already down outside the door. Kang Bijun stood at the entrance, perfectly composed.
“Took you long enough.”
“…Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. I had a few emergency items stashed just in case. But we’ve gotta get out of here. If more Espers show up, we’re screwed.”
He was already on the move, clearly aware of the situation. The three of us followed, moving fast through the hideout, which was now an all-out war zone.
There was only one exit. That made our next move obvious.
“…Hide!”
Just before we reached the door, Kang Biso shouted, and we ducked behind a nearby wall.
Damn it…
I’d figured this might happen. The only way out of the hideout was also the only way in. It was the most obvious place to lock down.
I peeked around the edge of the wall—and froze.
Among the group of Espers guarding the exit, I saw someone familiar. I pressed my palm to my forehead.
Kim Seong-gyeong? Seriously?
Wasn’t he supposed to be the righteous male lead? Then why did he look like the final boss right now?
I let out a long, tired sigh. Everything felt so upside down, it was almost comical.
