# Chapter 105
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Dr. Jeong was in a foul mood after having to argue with both Dr. Choi and the Esper Director due to his independent actions. Although it was concluded to handle things according to Dr. Jeong’s assertion—taking into consideration that the test subject, who had been brainwashed through mental-type Espers and thoroughly steeped in learned helplessness, had shown aggression toward humans—Dr. Jeong’s severely damaged mood did not improve.
He felt like he had wasted time on unnecessary matters. This was all because of Choi Dohyuk. If he had just behaved docilely as usual, none of this would have happened. He couldn’t understand why someone who had always been so tolerant had become so ill-mannered to such an extent. Not even knowing who his benefactor was, the one who had helped him survive until now without being eliminated, and having his eyes rolled back in pain over such minor suffering.
Dr. Jeong checked the clock while organizing the scattered materials on his desk.
Seven more hours had already passed. Having administered a significant amount of anesthetic and nerve stabilizers, the effects should not have worn off yet.
Even though he was a failed specimen, Dohyuk was still material with sufficient scholarly value. Moreover, Choi Dohyuk was the only one who had witnessed Lee Seoyeon’s monsterfication.
Dr. Jeong had always regretted this fact. He couldn’t know what process monsterfication underwent, or what characteristics such artificially created monsters exhibited. But it was fortunate, if anything, to have this opportunity to observe Dohyuk’s monsterfication. It was regrettable that he couldn’t observe the natural progression of monsterfication over time, though.
It was just as Dr. Jeong, having busily finished organizing, was hurriedly gathering his belongings.
Knock, knock. At the calm knocking sound, Dr. Jeong frowned. He had said not to accept any more visitors today.
“Who is it? I’m busy now, so come back tomorrow…”
Before he could finish his dismissal, the door opened. Dr. Jeong turned his head with a frown, expressing his displeasure. There was a high possibility it was Dr. Choi. That opportunistic bastard, trying to suck up to him again at the end like this. It was just as Dr. Jeong cleared his throat, not hiding his discomfort.
“It’s me, Doctor.”
A man with a childlike, gentle face that belied his tall height entered the private room. His neat hair fluttered with each movement. Even under the fluorescent lights, his pitch-black hair neatly adorned his forehead. A delicate face that would immediately catch the eye even in a bustling street.
Dr. Jeong raised his eyes fiercely. Though it was their first meeting, the face was already familiar. He remembered that there had been articles about some insignificant matters recently.
The gently downward-sloping eyes curved into a bright smile as they met Dr. Jeong’s gaze. That harmless smile felt so cold it made the back of Dr. Jeong’s neck prickle, causing him to narrow his brows.
“…Yu Junseo Guide? What brings you here?”
“Hmm, why ask when you already know?”
The eye smile deepened. Just as Dr. Jeong exhaled in exasperation, Junseo continued. His voice was colder than the dead of winter.
“You stole something of mine.”
Despite his chilling tone, his smile remained impossibly gentle, making Dr. Jeong doubt his own eyes. The body that approached Dr. Jeong closer stood askew and tilted its head. It was a stark contrast to the pristine white Guide uniform without a single wrinkle.
Dr. Jeong, displeased with the tall man looking down on him, bristled.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but partners certainly suit each other—both equally rude.”
Junseo’s straight fingers caressed his own lips. With a fragile impression as if he might melt at any moment, he didn’t cower at the authoritative tone but instead layered on another smile.
“You think we match well? Thank you. But perhaps only thieves are rude.”
“Thieves? Who are you calling a thief! You’re just a Guide with a high rank but no real use, acting out because of your family background…!”
Dr. Jeong’s words were cut off by a ringing sound. Stopping his speech at the noise loud enough to drown out his voice, Dr. Jeong looked down at the desk telephone. There were very few cases when the direct line, which was not publicly available, would ring. Moreover, looking at the number displayed on the screen, it was from the Esper Director’s office.
“Answer it first. It’s an important call.”
Junseo gestured with his chin. His demeanor appeared so surprisingly arrogant that Dr. Jeong ground his molars.
He didn’t want to answer this call. Nothing good would come from a lengthy conversation with the Director, and it was unpleasant to feel like he was moving according to Junseo’s orders. But having caused a disturbance at the Director’s office just earlier, Dr. Jeong couldn’t ignore the call and eventually picked up the receiver.
Junseo, disregarding Dr. Jeong’s miserably contorted expression, moved his steps. It was still remarkable how he made no footsteps, just as when he entered the private room.
Junseo, who seemed to be approaching Dr. Jeong, casually sat on the desk. The large body with hands thrust into pockets slouched crookedly. Though he sat carelessly, crushing the documents Dr. Jeong had organized, strangely enough, it seemed like that spot was his place.
It oddly suited him. Like someone born with the power to look indifferently at and trample over the results of others’ lifetime of work, choosing as he pleased.
Before Dr. Jeong, who found that sight disagreeable, could burst into thunderous anger, the call connected. Dr. Jeong could only glare at Junseo irritably. His pride was hurt for no reason. He thought it would be nice if that smooth face were slammed to the floor.
Dr. Jeong, barely composing himself, spoke in the most nonchalant voice possible.
“Yes, I’ve received it, Director.”
In fact, the worst that Dr. Jeong expected from the Director was a belated hysteria about the conversation they had just had. He would probably spout something similar to Dr. Choi, saying, “If you’re going to cause trouble inside headquarters, make sure you’re never caught!”
But Dr. Jeong’s expression, after picking up the receiver, became increasingly distorted and then turned pale as time passed.
Watching this scene quietly, Junseo played with his feet. The documents spilled under the desk were easily soiled by his foot play.
Finally, as the call ended, Dr. Jeong stared blankly at Junseo.
Junseo, still with a smiling face, opened his mouth. The trampled paper being dragged on the floor made an irritating sound of “shwik.”
“I didn’t want to go this far either.”
“Yu Jun…”
The long fingers caressed his own mouth again. From his bright smiling appearance, Dr. Jeong finally realized that Junseo had been continuously whispering to him to shut up through nonverbal expressions. Though he was trembling with rage, he couldn’t shout like before. Just as Dr. Jeong, who had been pondering how to roast this seemingly gentle young master, was about to speak subtly again.
No sooner had Junseo cast his gaze toward the clock on the wall than the door burst open. As if on cue, unfamiliar men in pitch-black suits filed in. They were definitely Espers, but judging by their unfamiliar faces, they weren’t affiliated with headquarters. The large bodies filling the narrow space created considerable intimidation. Junseo continued speaking, directing them as if it were natural.
“Choi Dohyuk Esper doesn’t like me doing rough work, you know. I don’t know how much you’ve brainwashed people using mental-type Espers to make them easy to use, but he’s inherently gentle-natured. Kind. So I was planning to just vent a little and stay quiet, but…”
Junseo was still sitting crookedly with his hands in his pockets, not even properly gesturing. But at Junseo’s eye signal, two of those standing behind him grabbed Dr. Jeong by both shoulders.
“You’re not helping with that.”
With a thud, Dr. Jeong was pressed down, unable to bear the weight, and fell to his knees.
“Let go! Who are you people, get out now! This is a space where outsiders cannot freely enter! Do you think you’ll be okay if this makes the news?”
“What are you saying after receiving that phone call? Everything’s been approved.”
Junseo, with rounded eyes, acted childishly innocent.
“How could Kang Chakwon do this to me!”
“Don’t resent him too much. He’s busy putting out fires too. With news breaking about omitted reports related to by-products and suspicions of election expense rebate acceptance, does he have time to look after you? Three more cases are about to break in a bit.”
“I’ve done nothing wrong! Let go! I was just researching as instructed!”
“That’s different from what Dr. Choi said. When Dr. Yu Junwoo opposed, you stole his theory, formed a new research team, and even conducted human experiments. Ars Nova project? Even the name is arrogant. Did you want to create a new human race or something?”
Dr. Jeong writhed at the mockery filled in the clear voice.
As dungeon rampage issues became frequent and various anomalies occurred, the future became increasingly unstable. In that process, a minority group that wanted to solidify its position used peace as a weapon to grasp power. In the past, Ars Nova, which meant “new art,” had thus changed its mask to “new project.”
