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Join the ServerChapter 33
Beginning the day after my detailed examination, I was summoned to various parts of the medical center for intensive treatment. Drowsy from the medication, I often found myself collapsing into sleep for more than half the day.
Truly, my mind was in a complete daze. Fortunately, my physical condition was recovering smoothly. My esophagus, damaged by Ophedian’s venom, had mostly healed, allowing me to engage in simple conversations. The medical staff remarked that my recovery speed was unbelievable for a Guide. After a few more days, my attending physician informed me that I was cleared for discharge.
Although I would need to continue outpatient treatment, this was a significant step forward. As soon as I received permission to return to school, I immediately began packing my belongings.
‘It’s a relief to be at this point…’
Today, my discharge day, marked exactly one week since the incident. Frankly, I had expected to feel inconvenienced during my stay at the medical center, given the absence of a guardian or caregiver. However, contrary to my expectations, the nurses provided immense assistance. They accommodated my various needs and even provided food beyond the hospital meals, for which I was truly grateful.
Yet… isn’t nineteen old enough to be considered an adult? I’m certainly not a child to be coddled. They would often peek into my room, showering me with compliments like ‘You’re so cute,’ and ‘You’re so pretty,’ leaving me at a loss for how to respond and feeling a little awkward. Moreover, they brought me an armful of snacks every time, and the variety was astonishing. Though it might be late to mention it, I don’t particularly enjoy sweets, so the snacks I received had steadily piled up in a corner of my room.
‘I should take these to the dorm.’
If I brought them, the glutton Han Seon-ho or the snack-loving Kang Yun would surely devour them with delight. I swept everything into the large bag I had prepared beforehand.
‘This…’
While organizing my belongings, I discovered a navy handkerchief among the clothes Han Seon-ho seemed to have packed for me. It was the artifact I had received from Yoon Geon-woo at the training ground.
‘Is Yoon Geon-woo alright…’
Even amidst my treatment, I had occasionally thought of him. Even if the Central Center had taken him, wasn’t Yoon Geon-woo someone who despised guiding so much that he would suffer alone, taking dangerous drugs? I wondered if he would receive proper treatment there.
‘Enough. What good would it do to worry alone here?’
Despite my desire to check on Yoon Geon-woo’s condition, there was no feasible way to contact him. Given the circumstances, it seemed imperative to expedite my discharge process. I shoved the handkerchief into my pocket, then gathered my remaining belongings. Having been brought straight here after the accident, I hadn’t expected to have many things to pack, but…
‘How am I going to carry all this?’
Leaving aside toiletries, the snack packages alone, given to me by the nurses, constituted a considerable load. There was so much that even after filling my large bag, I still needed extra plastic bags – that’s how much there was.
Knock, knock—
As I pondered how to manage my luggage, a knock sounded at the hospital room door. At my invitation to enter, an unfamiliar figure stepped into the room. The unannounced visitor introduced themself as an SAA official.
‘What have they been doing all this time, only to show up now that I’m about to be discharged?’
Listening to the sudden visitor, I learned that reporters were gathered in small groups outside the hospital. After a brief inquiry about my physical condition, they requested that I sign a non-disclosure agreement regarding the incident, in exchange for a consolation payment.
“This is a small consolation payment from the SAA. Naturally, it’s separate from the cost of your treatment.”
I had wondered why they were only showing up now; it turned out they were here to silence me. From what I gathered, the school was also covertly investigating the incident. However, they seemed reluctant for any information to leak to the outside world.
‘…It must be to protect their image.’
After all, the SAA, despite appearances, was nominally the nation’s sole specialized school for ability users. Having failed to handle a single monster, resulting in a student being severely injured, they likely feared a controversy questioning their legitimacy as an educational institution, hence this measure.
‘Wait, the consolation payment is… 50 million won?’
Upon closer inspection of the agreement the official presented, the sum they offered was too exorbitant to be considered a mere consolation payment. It was a tempting amount, but I didn’t hesitate, rejecting the offer on the spot. It felt like being tied to money and taking on unnecessary risks.
“The consolation payment isn’t necessary… Just cover my treatment costs.”
“Hold on, student. Please reconsider…”
The official, looking troubled, remained silent for a moment before offering an even higher sum. By the end, the amount had skyrocketed, and for a moment, I was swayed. However, their persistent eagerness to give me money, despite my refusal, felt incredibly suspicious.
‘Their aggressive approach is actually making me more wary.’
The SAA was an educational foundation under government purview, managed by the Central Center. Foundations and associations typically aren’t in the business of losing money. Therefore, offering me hundreds of millions in consolation to silence me would, in fact, be advantageous for them. However, I decided to be somewhat flexible, realizing that being too unyielding might create more trouble.
“I’ve been taught not to sign affidavits, contracts, or guarantees carelessly. But, I won’t speak to the reporters.”
I emphatically declined the offer, even adding a lighthearted remark about how much I loathed troublesome situations. The official looked at me uneasily, then retreated with a sigh.
“You must keep that promise.”
“Of course, I will. Oh, if you’re heading back to the school, could you give me a ride? It’s my discharge day, and as you can see, I have quite a lot of luggage.”
I gestured towards the large bag filled with snacks. The official nodded, seemingly understanding my implication. Since I had conceded a point, it seemed they wouldn’t press the issue further, thankfully.
“…Understood. I will go and bring the car around.”
“Take your time. I still need to finish packing. By the way…”
With the negotiation with the official concluded, it was time for some serious questioning. Before they left the room, I managed to get an update on Park Hyeon-seo, who was undergoing isolation treatment. According to them, Park Hyeon-seo was soon to be released from isolation and transferred to a regular ward. I had heard they were fine apart from superficial injuries, so when I asked why their treatment was taking so long, the answer I received was that they had been affected by a psychic ability. They said caution was needed because unseen after-effects could remain. It was a reasonable explanation, so I had no choice but to agree.
I then inquired about Esper Jung Eui-chan and Yoon Geon-woo, but regarding their situation, only the reply that they were ‘assessing the situation’ was given. It seemed I wouldn’t gain anything by pressing them further, so my conversation with the official concluded there.
“I’ll head downstairs. Please be as careful as possible when you come out, so you don’t encounter any reporters.”
The official picked up the large bag I handed them and exited the room.
Perhaps because I had spoken so much after a long time, my voice felt hoarse. Left alone in the room, I gathered my few remaining personal items. Finally, as I picked up the tablet that had been charging, its screen flickered to life.
‘148 Unread Messages’
148 messages…? My surprise at the unfamiliar number lasted only a moment, as the official was waiting downstairs, so I prioritized leaving the room. I could check the messages on the way.
‘They told me to be careful coming down…’
As I was about to take the elevator, the official’s words suddenly came to mind. My hospital room was on the eighth floor, and at this height, I figured it would be better to just take the emergency exit.
Creak—
Pushing open the heavy iron door, a blast of cold air rushed in. It was early to mid-March, so cold weather was to be expected, but for some reason, the temperature felt lower than usual.
‘Why is it so cold…’
I pulled my light jacket tighter and turned on my tablet, seeing Kang Yun and Han Seon-ho’s group chat history at the very top. Slowly descending the emergency stairs, I began to read the messages I hadn’t been able to check until now.
[Kang Yun: Sogum, are you asleep?]
[Kang Yun: (Photo)]
[Kang Yun: I found the deleted article.]
What Kang Yun had sent was an image of the deleted article mentioned in a comment on the bulletin board.
[SAA NEWS] Teacher J, in charge of the monster appearance incident… whereabouts unknown]
[Esper J, one of the teachers in charge of the SAA shooting range explosion and monster appearance incident, is reportedly missing.]
[As Mr. J has a history of working with an ability user protection organization, the SAA is currently investigating whether this incident was a simple accident or a planned crime.]
[Meanwhile, Guide Teacher K, who also conducted the class, is reportedly being separately investigated by the Central Center.]
[SAA Reporter. Joo Yeo-rye. zooyr@saa.net]
The supposedly deleted article contained unexpected information.
An ability user protection organization… that must be Utill, right? Since Utill and the Central Center were bitter rivals, diametrically opposed, Esper Jung Eui-chan’s past, as written in the article, was astonishing.
‘How did Reporter Joo Yeo-rye know this?’
I had heard she was a special ability user, and I wondered what exactly her ability was. After finishing the article, I continued to scroll through the rest of the messages.
[Han Seon-ho: Sogum, something feels off.]
[Kang Yun: By the way, that Esper you asked me to look for? They haven’t shown up at school since the day after the accident.]
[Han Seon-ho: …I think Joo Yeo-rye has disappeared.]
Below, a flurry of urgent messages from Han Seon-ho and Kang Yun followed. Checking the dates, they seemed to have been sent just yesterday… Joo Yeo-rye disappeared? What on earth did this mean? I was so startled that I stopped descending the stairs right then and there. At that very moment, the dim lights in the emergency stairwell began to flicker wildly.
‘Something… is wrong.’
Just as a sense of unease settled upon me, an intense chill gripped my ankles. And then,
“Guide Sogum.”
A low voice called out to me.
You think this chapter was thrilling? Wait until you read The Moon Reflected In The Water! Click here to discover the next big twist!
Read : The Moon Reflected In The Water
