Staff were spread throughout the hotel lobby from the moment he arrived. It was only natural, given the number of people who typically followed Kwon Seunghyeok, the Association President, wherever he went. Yujin rode the elevator up to the top floor alongside secretaries and security personnel.
The Center maintained strict control over everyone who came and went, so there was rarely any need for a security detail inside — but outside was a different matter. Yujin was a rare S-rank Guide, someone the country itself kept an eye on. When he stepped outside to meet Kwon Seunghyeok, the security personnel that had come along with the car surrounded him on all sides.
Seeing all this, it seemed like Kwon Seunghyeok still cared about him. But what he was really thinking remained unclear. Even while setting up the appointment through Hayeong, he hadn’t reached out to Yujin directly even once. Yujin gazed down at the glittering night view outside the elevator and smiled a faint, bitter smile.
“This way, young master.”
“Ah.”
He quickly pushed those stray thoughts aside and hurried after the secretary. The interior of the hotel restaurant was completely empty. And there sat Kwon Seunghyeok.
“It’s been a while, Father.”
“…….”
Kwon Seunghyeok, who had been sitting with his back perfectly straight, kept his posture and turned only his head slightly to look at Yujin.
Kwon Seunghyeok had already been in his late thirties when Yujin was adopted. More than ten years had passed since then, which would put him well into middle age by now — yet he still looked young. Likely because he was a former S-rank Esper.
Guides aged like ordinary people once they retired, but Espers with special abilities didn’t. That felt a little enviable and a little unfair all at once. Yujin took the seat across from Kwon Seunghyeok.
“Yes, it has been a while.”
Kwon Seunghyeok, who had been silent, finally spoke. His voice settled heavily around the room. There was something distinctly cold about the atmosphere he gave off.
Before the possession, he had always smiled when he saw him. Expecting that kind of warmth now would be difficult. Yujin had anticipated as much, but actually facing that chilly expression still stung. He curved his lips into a wry smile and dipped his head slightly.
“Let’s eat first.”
“Yes….”
At Kwon Seunghyeok’s signal, food filled the table as if it had been waiting. In the silence, Yujin quietly picked up his utensils. For a while, the only sounds filling the quiet restaurant were the clinking of cutlery and the soft sounds of chewing.
I think I’m going to get indigestion…….
Since greeting him, Kwon Seunghyeok hadn’t opened his mouth once. The chill radiating off him suggested that things had soured as badly as they possibly could — all thanks to Yujin Langford. Forcing food down in this kind of atmosphere didn’t feel like it was going to sit well.
“It seems you’ve at least been diligent about Guiding these days.”
“Hm? Oh, yes.”
The sudden words made Yujin jolt and look up. At some point, Kwon Seunghyeok had been staring straight at him.
“So you’ve finally grown tired of your little antics?”
“Ah, haha…, yes…….”
He must be referring to everything Yujin Langford had done. Neglecting the duties of a Guide, toying with Espers and other Guides, making their lives miserable. Even revisiting it all, the sheer extent of Yujin Langford’s sins seemed endless. Yujin swallowed a sigh along with the food in his mouth.
“I thought I’d watch and see how long it would last — I didn’t expect it to go on for over three years.”
“Hmm, I’m sorry for everything up until now.”
Yujin admitted it honestly and lowered his head. With someone like Kwon Seunghyeok, a straightforward apology was the better approach. He was the type who disliked people refusing to acknowledge their past mistakes and making excuses instead.
What Yujin Langford had done was already beyond undoing. But if he showed genuine effort and demonstrated the will to do better — the way he used to — there might be another chance. Yujin made every effort to project an air of sincerity and remorse.
“I had high hopes for you when you first joined the Center. That was the reason I made you Team Leader in the shortest time on record.”
Kwon Seunghyeok spoke calmly as he cut into his steak. Yujin still tense, listened carefully.
“And yet, from start to finish, you did nothing but disappoint. When I called you in to reprimand you, your attitude was appalling.”
“…Yes, I reflect on it.”
“As if you had become an entirely different person.”
“…….”
Kwon Seunghyeok paused mid-cut and swept his sharp gaze across Yujin’s face. It felt almost like an invisible force was closing around his throat — an illusion, but a convincing one. Yujin swallowed dryly, nerves prickling.
No — even if he’s my father, there’s no way he’d know my soul has been switched.
He must just be saying it felt that jarring to him. Yujin told himself that and lowered his head again.
“Back then, I had somewhat… lost myself. Once I actually got into the Center, I wanted to be free.”
“Hmm.”
Yujin had been trying to frame everything Yujin Langford had done as a belated rebellious phase. Kwon Seunghyeok considered it for a moment, then nodded.
“I suppose that’s possible. You never once gave me a moment’s trouble when you were young.”
“…….”
Had he actually managed to smooth things over? Yujin cautiously studied Kwon Seunghyeok’s expression as understanding seemed to settle across his face. He soon turned back to cutting his steak.
It seemed like he had managed to get through it well enough. Kwon Seunghyeok didn’t speak again, but thankfully the atmosphere had softened compared to when they first sat down. Yujin exhaled in relief and continued eating.
“So, is the rebellious phase over now?”
As dessert arrived after the main course, Kwon Seunghyeok asked, almost offhandedly. Yujin nodded quickly.
“Of course.”
Truthfully, he had no idea what having a rebellious phase even felt like. That sort of thing was a luxury for people who actually had parents to push back against. It had nothing to do with someone like him.
People who’d actually gone through a rebellious phase probably didn’t report back to their parents quite like this when it was over. Yujin thought to himself and let out a dry, hollow laugh.
“For now, I’ll be watching.”
“Yes, Father.”
Still, it was a relief that Kwon Seunghyeok’s sharp edge had dulled a little. Yujin Langford had made enemies on all sides with this body, so if something were ever to happen, having the Association President Kwon Seunghyeok in his corner would be reassuring. He also thought back to Seo Yunbeom’s recent attempt to blackmail him with fabricated evidence.
Beep-beep, beep!
Just then, a loud alert went off from the watch on Yujin’s wrist. He looked at the screen — a Gate notification.
⚠ ALERT
Today, at approximately 20:01,
Gates have appeared consecutively in the xx area.
Nearby residents are advised to evacuate to designated shelters.
Entry into the affected area is prohibited.
Yujin’s eyes went wide as he read the message.
Gates appearing consecutively? Are Double Gates already showing up?
The beginning of the Multi-layer Gates that had plunged the original world into crisis had started with Double Gates — two gates opening simultaneously. From that point on, gate difficulty had spiked to an insane degree, keeping everyone relentlessly busy. The fact that Double Gates were already appearing this early on didn’t feel like a good sign.
“Association President…….”
“Mm.”
The moment he checked the message, a secretary approached and whispered something in Kwon Seunghyeok’s ear. With an unprecedented Double Gate having appeared, there was no doubt the Association, the military, and the Center would all be in an uproar immediately.
“It seems you’ll need to return to the Center.”
“Yes.”
Yujin nodded and parted ways with Kwon Seunghyeok, heading back to the Center. Kwon Seunghyeok would be receiving reports on this situation from the Association headquarters.
It’ll be fine. There’s no way they’ll just throw Guides into the gate without a plan.
The very thought of going inside a gate already felt horrific. But Yujin knew well that they wouldn’t deploy a Guide into a gate recklessly. Especially not him — he was a precious S-rank Guide. An S-rank Guide the country was obligated to protect. Unless Alpha Team 1 was struggling, they ought to be able to handle a first-time Double Gate on their own. Yujin intended to put off entering the gate for as long as possible.
As if I’d willingly go in there of my own accord.
He scoffed to himself and returned to the Center. It was already in an uproar. The Center Director, who hadn’t been able to leave for the day, called for Yujin.
“Hah — for now, it’s been decided that Alpha Team 1 will handle the Double Gate.”
“I see.”
“I am a bit worried about the Contamination levels… but you’ve been Guiding them all this time, so it should be fine.”
“Of course.”
Yujin agreed, thinking the same thing.
It had to be fine. If it wasn’t, he was the one who’d have to go into the gate — and that was the last thing he wanted, even if it killed him. Yujin headed back to his room, hoping for news in the morning that Alpha Team 1 had cleanly taken care of the Double Gate.
And the next morning, what appeared before Yujin’s eyes was not the news he had been hoping for — but a vivid blue screen.
SYSTEM
Sub-quest activated!
SYSTEM
The Contamination levels of your assigned Espers have reached a dangerous threshold! Enter the gate and Guide your assigned Espers to prevent them from going berserk!
SYSTEM
Objective: Maintain assigned Espers’ Contamination levels in the 60% range
SYSTEM
Currently assigned Espers:
Baek Dohun (S): Contamination 90% (Critical)
Kang Taejun (S): Contamination 87% (Danger)
Min Jaeha (S): Contamination 72% (Danger)
Lee Siyun (S): Contamination 62%
Park Roun (S): Contamination 41%
SYSTEM
Success reward: Probability of saving the world ↑
Failure: World destruction
“…….”
Son of a bitch…….
Yujin quietly chewed on the curse inside his head.
