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Join the ServerBeyond the densely layered, seemingly countless protective barriers of the glass, a room, presumed to be an isolation chamber, came into view. Within its confines, an unknown blue energy surged and swirled. Initially, I couldn’t fathom what I was witnessing, but upon closer inspection, the unfolding events became clear.
‘Good heavens, what in the world…’
I had wondered where he’d vanished to so suddenly. Inside the isolation chamber, Yoon Geon-woo, his body festooned with numerous drug packs, stood in tense confrontation with the Esper teacher.
Having seemingly torn free from the artifacts that had bound him, Yoon Geon-woo’s appearance was utterly disheveled, a testament to his struggle. The Esper teacher was attempting to restrain Yoon Geon-woo, yet his demeanor remained strangely composed.
Yoon Geon-woo was an S-class Esper; could the Esper teacher truly handle him alone? As this doubt surfaced, Dr. Nam’s urgent voice cut through the air.
“Yoon Geon-woo’s Esper contamination level has soared to 94%. That’s… the highest figure on record.”
At 94%, only a single percentage point separated him from the save point. Moreover, beyond the immediate risk of rampage, Yoon Geon-woo was currently confronting the very individual designated to ‘dispose’ of him should an emergency arise.
“Sogum, can you enter immediately?”
“Yes, I’m fine. Please open it.”
While guiding was undeniably urgent, Dr. Nam seemed unable to shake off his profound apprehension.
“Sogum. It may be too late to say this, but… in truth, several central guides had already entered that room before you arrived.”
Though I understood his concern, I found myself bewildered by his hesitation in such a critical moment. Despite the protests of the surrounding researchers, Dr. Nam relayed a crucial piece of information to me.
“Dr. Nam! That’s… the Director explicitly told us to keep it a secret…”
“She is directly involved. Furthermore, she’s a young student, not even a formal guide yet… I have a duty to accurately inform her of the risks.”
“What… what exactly…”
Did I hear that correctly? What did the center do to Yoon Geon-woo? As I questioned him, bewildered, Dr. Nam hastily continued.
“Thanks to Sogum’s successful natural guiding, the center concluded that Esper Yoon Geon-woo’s attitude had changed. They judged that if another guide with a matching rate was assigned under the same circumstances, he would permit guiding. Ultimately… far from successful guiding, our guides only emerged severely injured.”
Dr. Nam confessed, as if unburdening his final conscience. This was the moment the reason behind Yoon Geon-woo’s contamination level soaring from 80% back into the 90% range was revealed.
‘Are they out of their minds?’
No wonder they had threatened me with danger. There was a sordid truth hidden beneath the surface. They must have thoroughly provoked Yoon Geon-woo, whose condition was already precarious.
Of course, I, too, had once acted similarly towards Yoon Geon-woo, so I was hardly in a position to reprimand them. However, the circumstances then and now differed starkly in terms of the purpose and coerciveness of the guiding.
At that time, I had entered Yoon Geon-woo’s room alone and attempted to guide him. As it was guiding undertaken without his consent, he had been furious that day, and even afterward.
The guiding I performed that day was, at its core, motivated by concern for Yoon Geon-woo. Even if he was intoxicated by Helper Killer, it wasn’t a situation where he couldn’t handle just me.
But what about now? Treatment and examination purposes, my foot. They had confined him for an entire week in an isolation chamber, allowing them to monitor the room’s interior with the mere press of a button. Moreover, they had forcibly attempted guiding, claiming to find a matching guide, making their intentions deeply impure.
If anyone were trapped in such a place and subjected to such treatment, they would inevitably rampage, even if they weren’t Yoon Geon-woo.
‘I feel sick to my stomach.’
What sin was it to possess a special ability, that they would discuss ‘disposal’ and ‘isolation’ as if Yoon Geon-woo were merely their experimental subject? At this point, I felt compelled to report them to U-Till, the organization diametrically opposed to such practices.
My understanding of the situation was complete, yet my chest remained heavy with frustration. While I didn’t regret guiding the suffering Yoon Geon-woo, I now understood why he had exhibited such intense rejection until then.
“So, the center forcibly attempted to guide Yoon Geon-woo? And because they kept doing what he didn’t want, it caused a reverse rejection?”
“I apologize. For putting you through such a dangerous situation. The center will compensate you for any damages you incurred today, Sogum.”
“Compensation? What are you talking about? Do I look like a child incapable of discerning right from wrong in your eyes, Doctor?”
“S-Sogum?”
“Or did everyone else just let things slide like that until now?”
As I, who had been silently listening, lashed out with a voice full of fury, Dr. Nam reacted as if completely taken aback.
“You’re all experimenting on Yoon Geon-woo, packaging it with pretty words like ‘treatment’ and ‘examination,’ all to turn him into a useful Esper, aren’t you?”
“Sogum, the center’s objective is strictly…”
“Am I wrong? Because I, who at least succeeded in guiding, am only a B-class? Because full guiding would be difficult, preventing you from exploiting Yoon Geon-woo to your heart’s content? So, once you got Yoon Geon-woo back, you brought in other guides and forcibly tried to match them, didn’t you?”
As I unleashed my barrage of accusations, Dr. Nam and the other medical staff flanking him were struck dumb.
Perhaps stung by the accuracy of my words, they listened in silence to my defiant outburst. They likely recognized that something was gravely wrong themselves.
“If you have time to spout disgusting words about compensation to me, go apologize to Yoon Geon-woo first.”
I knew my choice of words was excessive. Yet, just as I rarely succumbed to anger, once that switch was flipped, it took time for the boiling indignation to subside.
“What are you doing? Open the door quickly.”
Unbuttoning my duffle coat, I glared intently at Dr. Nam. His face flushed crimson as he fumbled to unlock the isolation chamber’s code.
A resounding crash—followed by another—
As one of the layered glass doors opened, a thudding noise echoed from inside the isolation chamber. It seemed the Esper teacher and Yoon Geon-woo were locked in a fierce struggle.
“From now on, do not peek at what happens inside. If you have even a shred of decency left.”
Stepping into the isolation chamber where Yoon Geon-woo and the Esper teacher were, I issued a stern warning. Dr. Nam, his entire face beet red, hastily nodded.
“Good… good luck, Sogum.”
Perhaps a shred of decency remained, for a low, creeping voice reached me from behind as I entered the isolation chamber. I did not bother to reply.
‘Hurry, before it’s too late…’
Yoon Geon-woo’s condition was dire, and my heart raced with urgency.
“Ugh!”
A potent energy, so intense it raised goosebumps across my entire body, washed over me the moment I neared the isolation chamber. It was the same fierce heat I had encountered when I first stepped into Yoon Geon-woo’s room long ago.
‘What kind of energy is this…’
An intangible inferno surged, bringing with it a searing sensation as if every pore on my body had sprung open. Even with prior experience, my body instinctively recoiled from the alien energy.
Just as my breath caught in my throat, a frigid chill permeated the familiar scent. As if to repel the fiercely surging hot energy, a cold current clashed against it, swirling tempestuously.
One moment it was scorching, the next it was freezing. I found it utterly impossible to adapt. Given that it shared the same unsettling quality as the energy I’d felt near the emergency exit previously, it seemed to be the Esper teacher’s ability.
After opening a few more glass doors, the full view of the isolation chamber where Yoon Geon-woo was confined came into sight.
It was a space constructed from a special material that resembled frosted glass, with reflections shimmering everywhere as if the walls were made of mirrors. Surprisingly, various pieces of furniture were present, though most were shattered beyond recognition.
“Yoon Geon-woo!”
Yoon Geon-woo, standing at the epicenter of the chaos, was still locked in confrontation with the Esper teacher.
“You’re… a little late.”
When I urgently called out Yoon Geon-woo’s name, it was the Esper teacher who replied instead. He, too, seemed overwhelmed by the fiercely emanating blue energy, his expression far from pleasant.
“Ugh… Yoon Geon-woo, do you recognize me?”
The surging energy made it difficult to approach. The hot and cold currents felt as though they would strip the skin from my body. I painstakingly made my way closer to them.
Up close, Yoon Geon-woo looked utterly exhausted, as if he might collapse at any moment. His bangs, drenched in sweat, clung to his forehead, and the dark circles beneath his eyes spoke of profound exhaustion, just as they had before.
“Haa… ha…”
His rough breaths were accompanied by a flash of his blue eyes. Even with his hazy focus, his gaze pierced me sharply, suggesting he might recognize me after all…
“Can I come closer?”
Watching him cautiously, I took a careful step in his direction.
“…Get out.”
“You’re truly in danger if you stay like this.”
“Get… out of here!”
Blue energy erupted from Yoon Geon-woo’s body as if in a fit of rage. Immediately, the Esper teacher moved to block my path.
A resounding crash—
Witnessing the clash of energies that produced a thunderous roar, I realized I had narrowly avoided serious injury. In that moment, I believe I truly flinched at the realization that Yoon Geon-woo might actually kill me.
Just then, the entire isolation chamber was bathed in red light, and a fierce siren began to wail.
Wondering what was happening, I scanned my surroundings, only to see the word ‘OVER’ plastered across the glass walls. The Esper teacher, who had been blocking my path, clicked his tongue loudly in annoyance.
“It seems… it’s already too late.”
Too late? For what? But before I could even ask, I understood its meaning without a doubt.
That Yoon Geon-woo’s contamination level, standing before me, had surpassed the save point.
The adventure continues! If you loved this chapter, I Just Wanted An Ordinary Life This Time is a must-read. Click here to start!
Read : I Just Wanted An Ordinary Life This Time
