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Join the Server“It seems there was an issue with the examination equipment, as the results came back quite… unusual.”
“An issue with the equipment?”
“Yes, in fact, Dr. Nam has already gone to headquarters personally to request assistance.”
‘A sudden equipment error?’ A sudden chill ran down my spine, wondering just how dire the results must have been to warrant mentioning a system malfunction. Perhaps misinterpreting my darkening expression, the medical staff quickly continued.
“There have been a few issues since last time… I apologize for making you wait needlessly.”
“No, waiting is fine. I was just wondering if the examination results were particularly bad…”
“When Dr. Nam pulled up the preliminary test results, he said there shouldn’t be any major issues. However… that, that…”
The medical staff, as if struggling to recall, fumbled through the preliminary test results in their hand.
“Ah, it’s marked here. This part requires a detailed examination, but unfortunately, the specific equipment for it is malfunctioning…”
The preliminary test results the medical staff showed me were familiar, something I had seen before.
‘Internal Ability Level: High Risk’
While not identical, it closely resembled the test results I had seen previously through the emergency personnel at the shooting practice range. Moreover, the warning message inscribed on it was largely unchanged from before.
‘High risk again?’
At the time, the emergency personnel had mentioned that it was uncommon for a Guide’s body to show such a high internal ability level.
I had been told that such a reading would only appear momentarily if exposed to mental abilities, or if penetrative guiding had been performed.
It was precisely because of this that I had been advised to undergo a detailed examination. Seeing the same warning message appear again, an unsettling anxiety crept over me.
‘There’s nothing seriously wrong with me, is there?’
Setting aside penetrative guiding, which I had never attempted, if the test results were accurate, it meant I had been exposed to a mental ability.
In that case, one possibility immediately came to mind.
Could it be that Jung Eui-chan, the Esper, had attempted to use his ability on me?
“It’s better this way. For some reason, it wasn’t… working on you, and I was getting troubled.”
When I had encountered Park Hyeon-seo at the boundary, he had muttered those words while pointing a gun at me. Of course, it wasn’t the real Park Hyeon-seo, but rather Park Hyeon-seo being manipulated by Jung Eui-chan Esper’s ability, who had spoken to me.
He had then, with a practiced ease I had never witnessed before, loaded the gun and aimed it at me without hesitation.
Bang—!
Had Yoon Geon-woo not immediately blocked me, I would have been utterly helpless. A shiver ran through me as I recalled that moment.
Noticing my trembling hand clutching the test results, the medical staff seemed to assume I was simply frightened by the warning message.
“Sogum. You don’t need to worry too much. Even if it indicates high risk, it’s far more common for results to return to normal after a detailed examination.”
“It’s not that…”
I wanted to correct them, but a beeping sound began to emanate from the medical staff’s gown. Having quickly checked it, presumably a call from a superior, they opened their mouth with a troubled expression.
“I just received word from Dr. Nam’s side. He says it’s a specialized machine, so repairs are likely to take quite a long time.”
“How long?”
“He mentioned they won’t know until the repair work actually begins…”
The medical staff then instructed me to decide at my convenience whether I preferred to wait at the Ability Center or return to the SAA for a re-examination.
Yet, was there truly a need to deliberate? With no further business here apart from the detailed examination, I answered without hesitation that I would return to the SAA. I added that I wished to go as soon as possible, ideally right away.
The medical staff, it seemed, relayed my words directly to their superiors. Perhaps due to Dr. Nam’s influence, I was able to return to school immediately.
“Conveniently, there are personnel currently moving off-site. If you’re comfortable carpooling with them, you can depart now.”
“I’ll go. If they’re amenable, I’m fine with accompanying them.”
“Very well, I’ll let them know you’ll be departing together.”
Seeing that I had no particular preference, the medical staff seemed to be busily making calls elsewhere. In the meantime, I subtly broached the topic of Yoon Geon-woo.
“Um… what about Yoon Geon-woo? Isn’t he coming with me?”
“Esper Yoon Geon-woo will be moved separately once his treatment is complete.”
“And that treatment… how long will it take?”
“Well, judging by his recovery progress, it doesn’t seem like it will take too long, but it’s an internal injury, not an external one… If you wish to see him before you leave, would you like me to guide you to the recovery room?”
I had only inquired again because I felt uneasy about leaving Yoon Geon-woo behind, but the medical staff offered an unasked-for kindness. I immediately shook my head.
“No! That’s quite alright. Just… please tell him I went ahead.”
Going to see Yoon Geon-woo right away was clearly something he wouldn’t want. And after what happened yesterday, I, too, felt a bit… awkward.
The medical staff asked me to wait for a moment, saying they had something to bring, then returned with an armful of items.
“Dr. Nam asked me to make sure you take these with you.”
“What are these?”
“They’re Vita-Zero. Pairs with a significant rank difference often take them.”
“Are they like vitamins?”
“They’re recovery supplements specifically for ability users. They’re usually only given to Central Center personnel, but if you take one immediately after guiding, your recovery will be swift.”
‘VITA-0.’ Was it some kind of recovery potion? Gratefully, it felt like precisely the remedy I needed right now.
“And this one… you shouldn’t take it too often, but…”
The medical staff, pulling out an additional pill bottle, hesitated for a moment before placing it in my hand as well.
“This is called a ‘Healer.’ More precisely, it’s an acute recovery accelerant for ability users. Both Espers and Guides can use it universally.”
“Is it like a booster?”
“It’s similar. However, Healers are about ten times stronger than Vita-Zero, and with that comes severe side effects, so it’s best to use them only in emergencies. After taking one, your basic desires will increase as a side effect. You might experience mild hallucinations or awakening effects.”
“Basic desires, you mean…”
“Things like appetite, the need for sleep, and sexual desire. There’s a bit of individual variation, so it’s hard to give a precise explanation.”
The Healer I received from the medical staff didn’t look much different from Vita-Zero. Perhaps just a slightly lighter color?
“For your information, Esper Yoon Geon-woo also took one yesterday.”
“So, you’re saying…”
The medical staff mentioned Yoon Geon-woo’s name while pointing to the Healer bottle in my hand. ‘No wonder his condition seemed stranger than usual…’
“Now, please change back into the clothes you arrived in and wait briefly. The person in charge will be here shortly.”
Having concluded their duties, the medical staff exited the recovery room. ‘Could I finally go back?’ Filled with anticipation, I quickly prepared myself with eager haste.
****
Just as the medical staff had announced, the Esper assigned to me arrived. Hearing a knock from outside the recovery room, I finished zipping up my duffle coat and greeted them.
“Sogum?”
“Ah… yes, that’s right.”
He was dressed in a black Esper uniform, and even without the attire, it was evident at a glance that he belonged to the Central Center.
‘Is he a physical enhancement Esper…?’
He had the largest physique of anyone I had ever seen. Not tall and lanky like Yoon Geon-woo or the Director, but broadly massive. He was practically a walking… door, an human tank, one might say.
“Please follow me.”
His tone and demeanor were polite, yet I felt an undeniable pressure, as if I had no choice but to comply. I followed the Tank Esper out of the recovery room.
As I followed the Tank Esper out of the Ability Center, a very suspicious-looking black car was parked outside. It clearly wasn’t a civilian vehicle; it looked strong enough to tear through a battlefield under a hail of bullets.
‘They’re really going to take me to school… in something like that?’
A Tank Esper and a tank-like vehicle. It felt less like going to school and more like being dragged off to a warzone.
“Please get in the back seat.”
Feeling overwhelmed, I hesitated for a moment, whereupon the Tank Esper courteously opened the back door for me. As I was about to enter the vehicle, I noticed someone already inside and immediately recoiled.
‘What the, why is someone like that…?’
I should have known from the moment an unusual-looking Esper said he would take me to school. Sensing that the entire ride would be utterly uncomfortable, I spoke up to the Tank Esper.
“I think I’d be more comfortable just taking a taxi…”
“Only authorized vehicles are permitted to enter the Central Center’s immediate vicinity. Even if you wished to take a taxi, you would have to walk a considerable distance from here, so please, just get in.”
“Then, perhaps… walking would be…”
As I was suggesting I’d rather walk, my eyes met the Tank Esper’s. He merely gazed down at me in silence, yet I inexplicably felt compelled to obey.
This feeling might have stemmed from having just seen the condition of the passenger already inside.
“Yes, that would be impossible. I’ll… I’ll get in.”
It was too late for regrets, but… if I had known this would happen, I would have waited for Yoon Geon-woo to recover and gone with him.
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