In the original novel, there were no problems with the existing espers. However, S-class monsters created by a mysterious organization appeared sequentially. The monsters grew progressively stronger, and there was enjoyment in watching the protagonist grow one stage at a time like clearing stages.
Each had different abilities, the situations varied, and there were times when the protagonist and S-class espers had to rack their brains together.
From what I remembered, there seemed to be about 8-9 mid-level monster stages before meeting the boss monster. In the original novel, they did use some illegal espers, but at most they were A or B-class. Moreover, most of them were criminals or cases where they’d been used and discarded by the association. In the case of SS-class espers, they received the best treatment and had authority within the association, so such things didn’t happen.
I examined that part of the description again. Could Ryu Heegang have also been hypnotized? Could there be such a powerful psychic-type esper that even SS-class espers couldn’t help against?
“Then isn’t Kim Haewon in danger too?”
Kim Haewon and Nam Ihyeon were the ones I could trust, so this would be problematic.
‘Author-nim, this isn’t right. The novel’s progression is too hard. This makes me lose motivation.’
Then again, time wouldn’t stop just because I lost motivation. Everything that was going to happen would happen, and I would inevitably be victimized. I scrolled down to the comments section with a sigh. The readers were all excited about the noir-like progression.
[Reader1] Whoa, the plot completely changed, author-nim. So scaryㅠ shivering… The villains seem like they really have no blood or tears
⤷ Really? Did the plot change a lot?ㅠㅠ Someone please spoil the previous novel pleaseㅠ
[Reader2] My guess is that Ryu Heegang will be taken hostage and Haewon and Garam will go rescue him
⤷ But what if he’s been turned into a monster?
⤷ Whoa that’s crazyㄷㄷ isn’t Ryu Heegang turned into a monster?
[Reader3] Even if the alliance leader is an obsessive top it would be delicious….nom nom…I like sub-tops…I like multiple tops one bottom…
“That sounds plausible?”
I quietly looked at the comments. Whether Ryu Heegang became a hostage or became the monster itself, both would be threats. Which would be more threatening?
I thought it would be the latter. Because the E-E-O-N I saw in the dream came to mind. Thinking about nine people excluding Kim Haewon being kidnapped one by one and transformed by that drug, I suddenly got goosebumps all over.
That would truly be a big problem. Even though Kim Haewon had overwhelming abilities even among SS-class espers, could he still fight against colleagues who’d become monsters? Beyond physical limits, that would be a considerable mental burden.
I searched for a person named Will Taylor on the internet. Various Will Taylors appeared on SNS. Among them, it was difficult to find a Will Taylor connected to a white-haired man. Even when I searched with the word “esper” added, nothing came up.
Even browsing through several foreigner accounts, the blond man didn’t appear. Well, what villain would create an SNS account and upload their own photo as their profile picture?
I started searching for Pamundong and Suo Weiqian. Unlike Will Taylor, there was some information on these. Especially Suo Weiqian had been wanted by Interpol multiple times. His specialties were delusion and schizophrenia, but after two punishments where drugs were administered, his original grade of S-class had now decreased to A-class. Even that might not function properly. Assuming he’d been properly medicated, that is.
Looking at his mugshot, he was a completely gaunt old man. His eyes especially protruded forward and were large and bulging. Compared to his narrow jaw and flat nose, only his eyes felt exceptionally large. The photo from when he was relatively young wasn’t like that. It seemed his face had gradually changed as he excessively used his abilities.
“There’s an enormous bounty on him. Since this is in dollars, converted to Korean won it’s 3 billion?”
He was still wanted even now. He was suspected of creating an organization called Pamundong to commit international crimes, but no one knew where he was. The last year he was spotted was two years ago, the place was Osaka, Japan.
I looked more into Suo Weiqian. And I learned the fact that when he was at the Chinese Esper Association, Ryu Heegang had manifested. China rarely disclosed information, but in Ryu Heegang’s old interviews, there were mentions of his teacher, Teacher Suo.
However, after all psychic-type ability users were converted to office work and Suo Weiqian fell to become a criminal, such mentions couldn’t be found. The Chinese Esper Association might have blocked them. In any case, the two people instantly went from teacher and student to enemies.
Ryu Heegang’s contribution was always significant in arresting Suo Weiqian twice. Knowing his teacher well, he hadn’t fallen for his methods. So why had that Ryu Heegang been caught by Suo Weiqian? What had happened?
As I kept scrolling the window out of curiosity, I heard a knock. I hurriedly closed the internet window. A voice came from beyond the door.
“This is Kim Haewon. I’m coming in.”
“Yes, come in.”
I quickly shoved my phone under the blanket. Even though I couldn’t read the novel when Kim Haewon was around anyway. Kim Haewon was wearing his mission uniform. I continued speaking as if I didn’t know.
“Are you deploying?”
“China’s SS-class esper Ryu Heegang has gone missing.”
“Ah, that electric-type esper?”
“Yes.”
“Are you deploying knowing where he is?”
“The location has been narrowed down to Shanghai.”
Shanghai was the same as the location of Pamundong that appeared in the novel. Kim Haewon checked his watch and continued.
“I might be away for up to about a week at the longest. China is close but the procedures are complicated, and an international organization might be involved.”
“Ah, I see. Then should we do guiding now?”
“No, it’s sufficient.”
Kim Haewon even stepped back, probably thinking I might force it even after saying that. I shrugged my shoulders and continued speaking subtly.
“By international organization, do you mean Pamundong?”
“You know about Pamundong?”
“I just know it from rumors. Isn’t it a criminal den centered around Suo Weiqian?”
“That’s right. As it’s a group led by Suo Weiqian, there are many psychic-type ability users. Though it’s a low probability, there might be a connection with Esper Jeong Sanghyeop.”
Kim Haewon checked his watch once more. Time was probably pressing. I rubbed my arm unnecessarily and continued.
“If you’re busy, go quickly.”
“I have about 10 minutes.”
10 minutes. What could I do in that time? Even if I used the excuse of intuition this time too, Kim Haewon wouldn’t believe me again. I bit my lower lip and finally opened my mouth.
“Is Esper Ryu Heegang weak enough to be kidnapped by someone?”
“He was probably caught by a strong psychic-type esper, or there’s a possibility he received multiple attacks. He would have trained a lot in that area, but since Pamundong had also been sharpening their teeth, it wouldn’t have been easy.”
Kim Haewon had a clear grasp of the situation. Though it didn’t show how Ryu Heegang was caught, as he said, the possibility that he’d been subjected to multiple attacks was high. The description in the novel was like that too. When the drug was injected into Alexa, Ryu Heegang could no longer properly control his own body. No matter how psychic-type an ability user, it was difficult to do that to an SS-class esper with one type of attack.
“If Esper Ryu Heegang attacks Esper Kim Haewon through hypnosis like Guide Han Miyeon did, what will you do?”
Kim Haewon continued without hesitation.
“I’ll have to respond appropriately.”
“Do you mean you’ll attack? Or will you only defend?”
“If an SS-class esper runs wild, it’s a ‘Gab’-class disaster gate. I can’t afford luxuries like going easy or only defending.”
It was a tone that felt not even a bit of affection. If he fought like that, it seemed he could kill anyone, whether Suo Weiqian or Ryu Heegang. I nodded my head and thought about what I would have done.
If I’d had a chance to counterattack Han Miyeon back then, the possibility was high that I couldn’t have taken appropriate measures or would have hesitated.
“What are you thinking about?”
“I was just thinking about what if it were me, whether I would have hesitated. Because it’s not an easy decision.”
“You can see it as following the established guidelines. It’s not a problem that an individual can judge and decide.”
Kim Haewon answered like a model student. If there were something like an esper military academy, he would have become the strictest teacher. Because he was a by-the-book person.
On the other hand, I thought that might actually be one way to protect himself. Since he just followed the principles, he could make excuses that there was no moral responsibility. But does the heart really work that neatly as one thinks? I tilted my head and looked at Kim Haewon.
‘Surely there must be damage to some part.’
Even if it wasn’t necessarily friendship or humanitarian aspects. There wouldn’t be no impact from the act of a person killing a person. I’d heard rumors that after the Esper Park Geunyeong incident, he couldn’t display his skills properly for a year.
Then again, had he shut the doors of his heart tightly after that time so he’d be less hurt? I suddenly became curious and asked him.
“Esper Kim Haewon.”
“Yes.”
“If that happened to me, what do you think you’d do?”
The moment I asked the question, I realized I’d unconsciously been thinking of Garam from the dream in the abandoned hospital. Jeong Sanghyeop’s last words also bothered me. I hoped there was no connection, but maybe the author had made me into a deeper and more complex character than I thought.
Kim Haewon looked at me silently. His gray-blue eyes didn’t even waver.
“If such a thing were to happen.”
The moment Kim Haewon opened his mouth, I held my breath briefly. Kim Haewon continued his next words without hesitation.
