Chapter 30: The Midnight Intruder

Though grouped into the same esper teams, encounters between team leaders were rare. Any esper of team leader caliber was at least A-class, and they typically operated within their own team units.

Unless it was a major incident, like the previous Seoul terrorist attack, there was no need for cooperation. In fact, for this very mission, each team leader had arrived separately, at their own convenience. It was far more comfortable this way, avoiding unfamiliar faces.

“…So, are there any other explanations you require? If direct internal communication is inconvenient, you may contact me on my direct line…”

“Ah, this is quite sufficient. I’d simply like to rest alone now. Ideally, I’d prefer to keep resting indefinitely. Perhaps I should just retire completely?”

“Pardon?”

“Just talking to myself. You may return now.”

Sa-yoon dismissed the lengthy explanation from the supply officer, shedding his cumbersome outer coat the moment he entered his room. He flung himself onto the bed and glanced out the window, confirming that the view, as he’d expected from below, was absolutely breathtaking.

Moreover, unlike other hotel buildings, this particular room boasted a balcony. It had been chosen for its advantage of easy escape in an emergency, which also contributed to its exceptionally good view.

‘Perhaps I’ll wash up and relax for a bit.’

He rubbed the soft, fluffy shower gown against his cheek, a pleasant sensation washing over him. Chae-jun wasn’t here to nag him about maintaining his dignity with his pristine face. Sa-yoon, delighted, stripped off his top and rummaged through his packed bag. ‘Esper dorms are great, but they never have bathtubs. Since I’m at a hotel, I should definitely use a bath bomb…’

–Knock, knock.

Startled, Sa-yoon swiftly turned towards the sound, only to see a relaxed silhouette standing on the terrace outside his window. His figure, framed by the backlighting, appeared sculpted by the sunlight itself.

“May I come in?”

“Couldn’t you just use the door? You nearly made me jump out of my skin!”

Sa-yoon hastily pulled the gown around his bare torso. As he unlocked the window, Han Do-hoon stepped into the room without hesitation. He entered with the familiarity of someone entering his own space, then gazed at Sa-yoon’s unpacked luggage and the bubble-filled, strawberry-scented bath bomb.

Sa-yoon kicked the ‘bubble-filled, strawberry-scented bath bomb’ to roll it among his clothes, then spoke curtly. “What are you staring at?”

In lieu of a response, Han Do-hoon offered a knowing smile. He approached Sa-yoon, his gaze lingering on the exposed skin beneath the open collar of the gown, reaching past his collarbone, usually hidden by clothes.

“There are still a few marks, I see.”

“Given how tenaciously a certain someone clings like a suction cup. It makes training quite inconvenient, you know.”

An S-class’s monstrous regenerative abilities extended to their skin. Scratches and bite marks typically vanished within a day or two. Yet, after a single night with Han Do-hoon, Sa-yoon would bear the traces for a week.

Even when Sa-yoon chided him, Han Do-hoon merely shrugged, feigning innocence. Sa-yoon considered pressing the issue further, but then realized it was a shared indulgence, not solely Han Do-hoon’s fault. They had both willingly clung to each other all night.

He changed the subject. “Anyway, you got here fast. Did you arrive this morning?”

The mission brief stated they were to arrive at the Busan camp today, meaning any time before midnight. Sa-yoon had rushed because he wanted to see the ocean, but Han Do-hoon had also arrived quite early.

“I had some personal matters to resolve.”

“They really work you hard, don’t they? I suppose they gave you extra missions while sending you down to Busan.”

Han Do-hoon’s curved-eyed smile, though he remained silent, was an affirmative. Personal missions were usually classified, not something easily divulged to a casual partner. Sa-yoon himself had received a separate mission before coming down.

His own task was hardly grand enough to be called a ‘mission’; it was merely a directive for area organization and establishing a base. He hadn’t thought much of it, but seeing Han Do-hoon’s silence suggested that the importance of their individual missions varied greatly.

From that perspective, this deployment had many peculiar aspects. It was unusual that team leaders were sent individually instead of moving as teams. Considering Han Do-hoon and Sa-yoon’s situations, it was highly probable that other team leaders had also received their own separate missions.

“What are you thinking about?”

“Ah.”

His mind snapped back to the present. He met Han Do-hoon’s gaze, which was fixed on him with an odd intensity.

“I spaced out for a moment. So, why did you suddenly come looking for me?”

“I heard your voice, so I thought I’d drop by.”

“You don’t have some other ulterior motive, do you?”

“Just dropping by.”

Han Do-hoon’s fingers grazed the slightly open collar of Sa-yoon’s gown. As always, their conversations inevitably led here. There was rarely any other topic between them. When their desires needed sating, they simply did so; there was no need for idle chatter.

“It’s the middle of the day, though.”

“It would be a new experience.”

“The soundproofing here is terrible. We might be on different floors, but you know that doesn’t mean anything for us, right?”

What was the point of thoughtfully assigning team leaders to different floors? Espers’ acute hearing could pick up sounds through thin glass if they focused, making it feel like surround sound. Dividing floors merely prevented them from being easily identified.

To engage in such activities in broad daylight, in a sparsely populated area, would be akin to shouting, ‘We’re here!’

“Hmm…”

Han Do-hoon narrowed his eyes at the window. He listened to the bustling sounds of other agents on the first floor and stroked his chin. Stepping out onto the terrace, he looked down and frowned.

“You hear it clearly, don’t you? Definitely not now, maybe at night.”

“Indeed.”

Han Do-hoon, now standing on the balcony railing, reached up towards the ceiling of the floor where his assigned room was. His long arm easily touched the railing of the upper floor.

“Then I’ll come later.”

“What?”

“Don’t lock your window tonight.”

Han Do-hoon simply stated his intentions and climbed to the upper floor without a backward glance. Sa-yoon, left alone, stood frozen, staring out the window. ‘Wait, he just announced he’s coming tonight, didn’t he?’

“Huh…”

Sa-yoon crossed his arms, glaring at the spot where Han Do-hoon had vanished. Yes, they were in a consensual relationship. But that didn’t mean he had to comply with unilateral declarations.

Sa-yoon had his own plans.

His evening itinerary involved devouring plenty of seafood, unwinding in a bubble-filled, strawberry-scented bath, and then enjoying a deep, restorative sleep. The actual mission wasn’t until tomorrow afternoon, so he intended to luxuriate, even enjoying the hotel breakfast. There was certainly no room in his perfect itinerary for an unexpected, dark-haired intruder and an ‘alternative’ night.

“How ridiculous. Truly.”

Sa-yoon pushed the wide-open glass door. The folding window smoothly closed, quieting the incessant roar of the waves. In the silent room, Sa-yoon paused, his hand on the black handle. ‘Should I just lock it securely?’

“Hmm…”

This was unfamiliar territory, and there was no telling what emergencies might arise overnight. He needed to be prepared for escape in case of fire or an attack.

‘This is merely keeping the window open as a precaution against danger. It’s absolutely not because Han Do-hoon told me not to lock it.’

‘I should just wash up quickly and go to sleep.’

Fatigue could cloud one’s judgment, after all. A deep, undisturbed sleep was truly the best remedy. Sa-yoon pulled the bubble-filled, strawberry-scented bath bomb from deep within his bag and tossed it into the tub. It swirled with the warm water, and the tub quickly filled with pink foam.

Through the slightly open window, the relentless sound of the waves drifted in. Sa-yoon, deep in slumber, was cocooned in his soft blanket, lost to the world. As his consciousness vaguely returned, he felt a warm presence against his cheek.

“Mmm…”

The sensation slowly grew, soon touching Sa-yoon’s skin. It carefully brushed his bangs aside, traced down his neck, and then gently lifted the tightly wrapped blanket. The cool spring night air brushed against his gown.

“What is it?”

“Go back to sleep.”

It was a familiar voice. Sa-yoon slowly lifted his heavy eyelids. In the dim room, a dark silhouette moved, enveloping him. Behind them, the digital clock displayed the time. It was already past 3 AM.

‘At such a late hour, he should just quietly go back to his own bed. Why is he waking me up and causing such a fuss?’ Forcibly awakened, Sa-yoon groggily buried his face in his pillow, his mind still hazy. He re-wrapped the slipped blanket around himself and turned over. He thought he heard a faint chuckle from above his head.

“You don’t need to be so wary; I don’t bother people when they’re sleeping.”

Han Do-hoon whispered into Sa-yoon’s ear, patting his back. ‘That’s a lie. How many times had he taken advantage of Sa-yoon when he was unconscious? I can’t believe him just because he speaks sweetly.’ Sa-yoon grumbled, muttering unheard complaints.

“Sweet dreams.”

The sound of distant waves receding from the sandy shore harmonized with the low voice. As his mind drifted away, Sa-yoon felt a large body embrace him from behind, and he closed his eyes.

Amidst the lingering strawberry scent, a foreign aroma now mingled. It was an unfamiliar smell for Han Do-hoon, who never wore perfume. It wasn’t a fresh scent. Rather, it was something faintly metallic and rusty, an unpleasant dampness that hinted at something foul.

‘Is it because we’re by the sea?’ Thinking it was eerily similar to the scent of blood, Sa-yoon drifted back into sleep.