Just a Cherished Younger Brother
Kieeeek—!
A tentacle-type creature roughly the height of a five-story apartment building let out a bizarre shriek. The octopus-like thing swung its multiple legs, and each time it did, the inner walls of the dark cave-shaped gate vibrated.
Two members of R1 Team, who had just finished eliminating all the smaller, lower-tier creatures that looked similar to this one and advanced inside, took up combat stances with practiced ease.
Both were A-rank Espers, so even though the monster’s body was massive, it wasn’t particularly difficult to handle. The problem was the civilians crouched behind the creature like hostages. An elderly woman was clutching a child tightly, crying while stifling her sobs.
When gates opened near residential areas, troublesome situations like this would occur. Gates are going to appear anyway—couldn’t they pop up in the middle of some desolate field instead? The female Esper in her special protective suit clicked her tongue with an annoyed expression. Right after that, the radio on her shoulder went off.
―Two remain. I repeat. One woman in her seventies and one boy under ten years old are still inside the gate…
Swaeaeaek—!
At that moment, a long tentacle stretched out brazenly and attacked her. She quickly flung her body backward to dodge, but the tip of the tentacle—which could extend its length at will—grazed her radio precariously.
With a shuuuuk- sound, the corner of the radio melted into a pitiful state. It wasn’t hard to imagine that the moment anything touched that hideous thing, it would immediately end up like this.
“Ah, shit. That thing’s got a nasty temper.”
The woman who cursed through gritted teeth extended her hand. An invisible wave poured out from the palm of the telekinetic Esper.
The cave vibrated faintly, and all the stones of various sizes scattered on the ground began floating in midair. The debris rushed toward the creature like arrows shot from a bow.
At that moment, the creature melted like liquid and stuck flat against the ground. Stones poured down over it like a meteor shower, but the hideous octopus quickly crawled across the surface to dodge them. The woman who’d failed in her attack cursed with a dumbfounded expression.
“Wow, what the hell… Is it ignoring the laws of physics?!”
“I think you’re the one who ignores the laws of physics the most, noona…”
“Shut up! Just hurry up and attack!”
The male Esper who’d cracked a joke from the side and gotten cursed at stepped forward. As he dodged the flying tentacles nimbly and extended his hand, two streams of flame blazed out in a spiral. The flames flew like a spear thrown with full force and struck the creature that had melted like slime with precision.
Kieeeek…!
However, the thing only let out one bizarre scream and didn’t seem particularly hurt. It even straightened its limp, melted body back up. Judging by how it was hissing and breathing out threatening breaths mixed with a foul stench, it seemed more angry than in pain.
“Ah, fuck. That’s not working. What the hell is that thing made of?!”
“Its skin membrane is damp and incredibly thick. Fire doesn’t work on it at all.”
The two cursed in turn. If it weren’t for the hostages, they could toy with it all they wanted, but with two people held hostage, they weren’t in a position to do so.
If they failed to rescue the hostages, or if the hostages got hurt… As his thoughts reached that point, he suddenly felt a bit anxious. The man who’d been relaxed enough to crack jokes just moments ago furrowed his brow.
Kwaaang—!
Tentacles that shot out simultaneously and powerfully struck the inner walls of the gate this time. Unlike the lower-tier creatures that had only lunged at the Espers in front of them, this one definitely boasted higher intelligence.
From the walls came an ominous kuuguuguuguuung… sound. The two couldn’t help but simultaneously think, ‘We’re fucked.’
“The hostages first!”
Without waiting to see who would go first, both shouted and rushed at the octopus, unleashing their abilities haphazardly. Even in the midst of that, they had to move their bodies swiftly to avoid the creature’s attacks as it extended its tentacles, so the rescue wasn’t easy.
Why is it that these gates ignore all ‘laws of physics’ when they appear, but when they’re destroyed, they’re endlessly physical?! If the hostages get hurt at this rate…!
The woman extended both hands toward the cave ceiling and cast her telekinesis over a wide range. The cave walls that had been crumbling with ominous sounds stopped in place, if only for a moment.
“Khuk…!”
A rough groan escaped through her teeth. The control range was too wide. No matter how much of an A-rank Esper she was, she couldn’t hold up the ceiling of a collapsing cave indefinitely.
At that moment, she saw a massive boulder that had just broken off from the ceiling falling toward the hostages. The grandmother, who’d been looking up at the ceiling with trembling eyes, pulled her grandchild into her arms with a resigned expression and curled up. The woman shouted urgently.
“Seo Giwon! Hurry!”
The flame-type Esper abandoned using his ability and threw his body forward. Since he was an A-rank Esper, even if the rock hit him, he probably wouldn’t die, but he’d still get hurt. But if she withdrew the telekinesis holding up the entire ceiling, everything would collapse…!
At that moment,
A large sphere that formed in an instant surrounded the hostages.
The rock that had been falling from the ceiling with terrifying momentum shattered into pieces when it struck the solid snowball-shaped ice wall. The chill that seeped out from behind and enveloped their entire bodies felt tearfully welcome to the struggling team members.
“Team Leader!”
Sighs mixed with relief burst simultaneously from the Espers’ mouths. However, there was no time to leisurely welcome him.
The telekinetic Esper who’d regained her composure began pulling the snowball-shaped ice chunk—or more precisely, the hostages trapped inside it—out of the gate.
As telekinesis focused on the snowball, the force that had been supporting the ceiling was instantly withdrawn. The debris that had been floating in midair, suspended, began pouring downward.
However, unlike the desperate moment before, the team members’ faces were utterly carefree. Because the Captain had arrived. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that his presence or absence at the scene was the difference between heaven and earth.
Flash.
A white flash spread widely. Simultaneously, a chill that stung the skin all over their bodies swept through. Crack, crackle- An amazing sight unfolded before their eyes as all the objects floating in the air froze together, forming a massive pillar.
The floating objects trapped in the dense ice pillar were no longer subject to gravity’s control. The angry octopus screeched and extended its tentacles in a cluster. The team members quickly jumped backward and withdrew their bodies from the lightning-fast attack.
Keeeeek!
The man called Team Leader blocked the path in front of the roaring monster. Compared to the ferocious creature pounding the ground furiously with rage, his gesture of simply extending one palm was far too small and quiet.
Zzzzzzzt—.
A massive crystal that rose from his palm charged toward the creature. Pure snowflakes fluttered into the air.
After a moment that could be called an instant, the monster’s movements stopped in place. The octopus that had been dynamically swinging its tentacles with its maw wide open was preserved in ice just as it was.
There was no need to physically destroy it. The ice would never melt until its ability’s master allowed it to. The possibility of the monster surviving in temperatures low enough to forcibly halt all biological activity was close to zero.
―Hostages successfully rescued.
News of the hostage rescue came through the radio with its melted corner. The telekinetic Esper let out a sigh of relief. The monstrous Team Leader’s ability made her click her tongue in amazement every time she saw it.
It wasn’t just the overwhelming absolute amount of his ability that was amazing. The delicacy with which he could freely control the freezing temperature, melting point, and thawing time accordingly—that was what made him so-called monstrous.
Even after using an overwhelmingly tremendous ability, the man’s face remained impassive. There were also no signs of side effects or precursors to rampage that naturally followed when using a massive amount of ability all at once. He didn’t stagger, didn’t openly display unstable waves, and didn’t rampage violently. At least, that’s how it appeared to ordinary people’s eyes.
However, the thoughts of the R1 Team members who spent time closest to him were different.
“Team Leader.”
It was after they’d completely cleared the gate and exited. The flame-type Esper who approached hesitantly spoke to the Team Leader.
“For the past few weeks, you seem to have been continuously… using only your ability without guiding. I’m being presumptuous, but I wanted to mention it. If you could receive guiding just once…”
“That’s enough. I’m fine.”
It was a firm refusal, as if there was nothing more to consider. The Esper who’d been looking at the man’s face—as unyielding and solid as ice—gulped. “Yes, understood.” He bowed his head and immediately withdrew.
“R1 Team members, attention.”
A cool and pristine voice gathered his team members in perfect order.
“Esper Jung Dasol, strengthen the perimeter security stance. Esper Seo Giwon, after confirming that the victims were properly escorted to the emergency shelter, rendezvous with Jung Dasol. Esper Hyun Junho, find out when the Association’s recovery schedule is possible and request cooperation.”
“Yes! Understood.”
Considering that their departure from the country was the day after tomorrow, the orders were rigid enough to seem inflexible. However, knowing their Team Leader who had no mercy when it came to work, the team members had no choice but to answer with crisp tones.
“Tomorrow’s our return home… all the way to the end, um, yes…”
“What did you expect from the Cold-Blooded Captain…”
“Be quiet, he can hear you…”
As they distanced themselves from the Team Leader, they dropped their shoulders and whispered weakly. It wasn’t that they’d expected to finish wrapping up the handover and have a small beer party to celebrate their achievements with two days left until returning to Korea, but still…
At that moment, the Team Leader took out his phone. The sluggish steps of the three stopped in place. Curious gazes were instantly drawn to him. Jung Dasol elbowed A-rank physical enhancement Esper Hyun Junho sharply in the ribs and whispered with interest.
“Look at that. What I told you last time. Don’t you think it’s a lover?”
“No way. That Cold-Blooded Captain, a lover…?”
“Ah, I’m telling you it’s true! Just look quickly.”
The three held their breath and watched their Team Leader.
The affectionate gaze as he took out his phone and stared down at the screen… and the attitude with which he answered the call with a gentle smile… were very, definitely, truly unfamiliar to be the same person as their ‘Cold-Blooded Captain.’
“…It does seem like a lover, doesn’t it?”
“Doesn’t it really seem like it? Every few days he makes calls or texts with that expression!”
Hyun Junho and Jung Dasol’s eyes sparkled. No matter how they looked at it, it was the face of someone talking with a lover they’d been dating for about two weeks. However, Seo Giwon shook his head.
“I thought so too, but no. When I asked last time, he said it wasn’t, you know? And he completely, emphatically denied it, with an expression like it was absurd.”
“Then? If it’s not a lover, who does he call so frequently with such an affectionate expression?”
The two people’s curious gazes turned toward him in unison. Flame-type Esper Seo Giwon spoke in a hushed whisper.
“…Just a cherished younger brother.”
