Chapter 42: Chapter 42: The Lingering Aftermath

Chapter 42

A full day passed thereafter. Given that he hadn’t shown his face at all during his recovery period, it seemed he had specifically requested a room as far away from mine as possible. Yet, whether at school or the center, we were bound to cross paths eventually. The sheer absurdity of it all elicited a wry chuckle from me.

One fortunate development was that Yoon Geon-woo’s contamination level had fallen within the normal range for the first time since his abilities manifested. I couldn’t help but be inwardly surprised, especially since what was commonplace for other Espers had always been such a struggle for him.

‘To think this is the first time his levels have been normal…’

Now, I could somewhat understand why he hadn’t known even a single common monster’s name or its weaknesses. What good was a high rank if every use of his abilities only accumulated agony within his body?

An Esper unable to properly control their powers wouldn’t be dispatched on Gate missions, so it made sense that he hadn’t bothered with essential SAA theoretical courses like ‘Practical Shooting Regulations’ or ‘Understanding Heterogeneous Organisms.’

‘He can just take the classes… starting now.’

Given his inherently high base abilities, I assumed he would catch up quickly. The crucial matter, however, was his current physical condition.

According to the medical staff, if guiding continued consistently, his contamination levels—which had fluctuated wildly due to long-term medication—would gradually stabilize. It was a relief to know there was still room for improvement.

However, beyond his current contamination level, there was another issue to contend with.

‘Organ damage? Just how messed up is his body internally?’

Perhaps because he had exceeded his save point during the recent incident, some of his organs had suffered a decline in function, necessitating his transfer to the medical center for treatment for the time being.

Of course, they assured me the damage was temporary, and as an Esper possessing remarkable physical abilities, it wouldn’t pose a significant long-term issue. Still, I couldn’t help but wonder what good recovery would do after he had already endured such profound pain.

‘Why does he never have a normal day…’

How had he managed to endure all this alone until now? Each time I witnessed his ailing state, I felt a distinct pang of concern and unease.

Considering what I had heard from Dr. Nam, his refusal of guiding appeared to be a long-standing issue, not merely a recent development. It was truly regrettable that his situation, encompassing the center’s inherent problems, seemed to have gone awry from the very beginning.

What if he had been able to receive guiding in a timely manner, unlike his current circumstances? Setting everything else aside, he would undoubtedly be living in a far more comfortable state than he was now.

‘Am I going to be continuously responsible for Yoon Geon-woo’s guiding…?’

Currently, I was the only one with a guiding match rate in the 90s with Yoon Geon-woo. However, I had heard there were many A-rank Guides with match rates in the 80s, just below mine.

Considering the versatility of guiding, it would have been far more beneficial to receive their assistance.

Therefore, their repeated failures to guide Yoon Geon-woo, and my sole success, couldn’t have been solely due to the match rate.

It wasn’t about his utility as an Esper. I suspected he had accepted the guiding because I was the only one who had approached him with genuine concern, not merely for his value as an Esper.

‘If another Guide emerges who cares more for Yoon Geon-woo than I do, then I’ll step aside.’

Wasn’t the major hurdle of graduation still ahead? Although I had temporarily forgotten amidst the succession of major incidents, I couldn’t let my guard down until the day I first experienced regression arrived.

But eventually, the day would come when I would safely pass graduation, and our temporary pairing would reach its conclusion. For now, it seemed best to simply consider myself to be on the same boat as him for a while.

****

While Yoon Geon-woo focused on his recovery, I underwent several examinations at the Ability Center.

Previously, during a shooting practice, I had received a preliminary check-up from an emergency responder, which had flagged my ‘Internal Ability Levels: High Risk,’ leading to a recommendation for a detailed examination.

However, since the SAA and the Ability Center weren’t particularly close, I had opted to have the examination done at the infirmary instead. Now, having come all this way due to an unexpected issue, I decided to proceed with the detailed examination while I was here.

As the preparation time stretched longer than anticipated, I immediately called Han Seon-ho, who was undoubtedly waiting for an update. However, within the Ability Center, calls and messages were strictly prohibited except on designated devices, meaning I couldn’t communicate using my own phone.

Though I was reluctant, I borrowed Dr. Nam’s mobile phone; he had come down to see me in the recovery room.

Facing Dr. Nam felt awkward, especially after I had blurted out so many unfiltered thoughts to him the day before. However, he had initiated by thanking me for pointing out his mistakes, which helped ease my discomfort somewhat.

“Han Seon-ho, can you hear me?”

–Geum-i?

“Yes, it’s me.”

I had called during a break in classes, and after a brief ring, Han Seon-ho immediately picked up.

–Geum-i! Where are you right now? What on earth happened?

“Uh… hold on a moment. I’ll explain everything one by one. There was a bit of an incident.”

He had clearly thought I’d been discharged just the day before yesterday, so my sudden disappearance without contact must have caused him immense worry.

He told me he and Kang Yun had even gone to the medical center to look for me. I had to break a sweat explaining the entire situation to Han Seon-ho.

–An SAA official came looking for you yesterday.

At first, I was greatly surprised to hear he had even skipped classes to search for me, but as his story continued, I quickly grasped the full situation.

It seemed the SAA official who had come looking for me at the medical center had then sought out my roommate, Han Seon-ho, to inquire about my whereabouts, which had blown the matter out of proportion.

The official, after searching for my disappearance, seemed to have reviewed the medical center’s CCTV footage. Upon discovering that nothing had been captured due to a black mist, they had added that circumstances of kidnapping were suspected.

‘Damn, had things escalated this far?’

The mention that they would have officially requested an investigation if I hadn’t contacted them by today sent a cold sweat running down my spine.

The CCTV interference must have been Ajusshi’s doing. Furthermore, the process of my arrival at this Ability Center was hardly different from a kidnapping, save for my consent, so it was understandable how it could have been misunderstood.

“Han Seon-ho, I’ll just finish my examination and then leave. I should be back by tomorrow at the latest, so don’t worry too much.”

–How can I not worry? And I still don’t understand why you’re going to such lengths for Yoon Geon-woo, Geum-i.

Even after my full explanation, Han Seon-ho’s dissatisfaction was still palpable. Understanding how anxious he must have been, I could only repeat that it had been an unavoidable situation.

“Geum-i, they say they’re ready. Should I tell them to wait if your call will be long?”

“No, I’ll hang up. Just a moment.”

Just then, I received word from Dr. Nam that the detailed examination was ready, leaving me no choice but to end the call. Although Dr. Nam had assured me it was fine to talk freely, I felt burdened by continuing a long conversation on someone else’s phone.

“Han Seon-ho. For now, I have to go for my examination… Let’s talk about the rest in person.”

Though I felt bad for Han Seon-ho, who had been worrying all this time, I hung up and proceeded to the examination. Upon entering the room where the detailed ability-related examination was to take place, I saw numerous expensive-looking machines.

Perhaps thanks to Dr. Nam, who stayed by my side throughout the examination, giving various instructions to the medical staff, it was completed relatively quickly.

“Geum-i, the preliminary results are out, but the precise ones won’t be finalized until this afternoon.”

As calculating the results required time, I had to wait for a while. Dr. Nam carefully approached my side.

“By any chance, do you like cocoa?”

Dr. Nam offered me something sweet once again. To say I didn’t like it would have been difficult, as he already held a mug, presumably filled with cocoa, in his hand, so I reluctantly accepted it.

Marshmallows, half-melted, floated atop the steaming cocoa. This was… surely an excessive amount of sugar.

‘Sweet.’

Just as I expected. As the terribly sweet cocoa slid down my throat, my scalp seemed to prickle. Even after a single sip, a bitter sweetness lingered in my mouth.

“Is it too hot? Should I have cooled it down?”

My struggle with the overwhelming sweetness seemed to have been misinterpreted by Dr. Nam. I quickly shook my head, reassuring him it was fine.

“If you don’t mind… may I talk with you for a moment?”

As I forced myself to sip the cocoa, Dr. Nam, seizing the opportunity, spoke to me. I looked up at him, setting down the mug I had been holding.

“What would you like to ask?”

“It’s nothing else, just…”

Perhaps taking my answer as an affirmation, Dr. Nam hesitated for a moment before speaking. I expected him to bring up Yoon Geon-woo, but then he said,

“It’s about the monster incident that involved Esper Yoon Geon-woo and Geum-i.”

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