Chapter 55: A Vacationing Agent’s Day Out

“So, Han Do-hoon, what are your plans for today, now that you’re on vacation?”

“Sa-yoon, where will you be heading first?”

“I should go to the most crowded place, of course. It would be difficult for other agents to investigate there.”

Indeed, densely populated areas were challenging to investigate as a team. If a group of Espers, a rare sight in the provinces, were to move together, ordinary citizens would undoubtedly hide, and any terrorists would certainly flee. It was most efficient for Sa-yoon to conduct the investigation alone.

“In that case, I suppose I should also start moving according to my plan.”

“Where are you going first, Han Do-hoon? Is there anything worth seeing in Daejeon…?”

“I heard Daejeon is famous for its bakeries. I thought I might visit the oldest and most renowned one.”

The most famous bakery in Daejeon was located in Eunhaeng-dong, precisely the densely populated area Sa-yoon intended to visit. Sa-yoon let out a short laugh at his blatant destination. Han Do-hoon gazed up at him intently.

“It can’t be helped. Someone on vacation shouldn’t be accompanying an agent on duty, after all.”

It was clearly a flimsy excuse, a mere formality, but he was determined to maintain appearances.

“So, you’re just going to keep sticking to me with that childish excuse? Just be honest. What’s your real plan for today? To be by my side all day?”

“I plan to eat some famous cake with Sa-yoon, then have beef for dinner, and afterward, we’ll head to Yuseong. I’ve already booked a hotel with hot springs.”

‘It’s a good thing I asked, or I might have been in serious trouble.’ Sa-yoon’s smile deepened at the sight of Han Do-hoon’s meticulously planned evening, complete with specific meals and even accommodation.

“Why a hot spring hotel, of all places? Your ulterior motive seems incredibly obvious. I’m not just thinking that because my mind is corrupted, am I?”

“I’m relieved. It seems we are thinking the same thing.”

Come to think of it, they had gone a long time without intimacy. First, there were several days when Sa-yoon was ill, and then more days passed as the team was busy with counter-terrorism training. It was the longest they had been apart since their contract began.

‘For a relationship formed to satisfy each other’s desires, have we been too negligent?’ Sa-yoon smiled subtly and opened a map on his terminal.

“No matter how urgent it is, the mission comes first. Shall we move out right away? You look quite free today, Han Do-hoon, so I think I’ll make you my personal assistant for the day.”

“Excellent.”

“How generous of you, to volunteer to be exploited even on your vacation.”

“Because tonight, I will be exploiting Sa-yoon.”

At the blatant remark, Sa-yoon averted his gaze. He spoke such words so easily, completely oblivious to how embarrassing they were.

“That was truly an old man thing to say. A perverted, entitled old man, at that.”

“It’s true that I’m older than Sa-yoon, so it can’t be helped.”

Unable to land a blow, Sa-yoon was speechless. Han Do-hoon was indeed a few years older than Sa-yoon, though they usually treated each other as equals, making it easy to forget.

“This won’t do. I’m too anxious about what you might do tonight, so I’m just going to fire you.”

“Then I suppose I’ll have to report you for unfair dismissal. I’ll see you in the detention center next time.”

‘Is he into bondage play?’ The thought briefly flickered through Sa-yoon’s mind, and he shook his head. His mind was clearly in disarray from such a long period of abstinence.

“Enough with the jokes. Let’s get moving. Did you bring your mask?”

Han Do-hoon shook the brand-new, pitch-black mask he had prepared. After putting on their masks, the two pulled their hats down low. After all, if the two most famous Espers in Korea were to travel together, security was paramount.

As expected, the nationally renowned bakery was different. Even from a distance, people seemed to swarm around it, and the long queue and massive building immediately caught their attention.

Moving slowly like a conveyor belt amidst the snaking line of people, they piled breads into their baskets. After seemingly just dropping delicious-looking pastries in, Sa-yoon found himself holding two hefty paper bags, one in each hand.

“…This is a problem. I have a mission to do.”

Could he really work properly with both hands full? Sa-yoon lifted and lowered his heavy hands, assessing the weight. This would clearly hinder his mobility. And he had an even more critical issue than the mission at hand.

“I still need to go to the boutique branch, but what should I do if I’m already like this?”

“I warned Sa-yoon.”

Han Do-hoon had indeed tried to stop him every time Sa-yoon picked up all the bread he had sampled. But what could he do when it was so delicious? Han Do-hoon took one of the bread bags from Sa-yoon, offering a suggestion.

“Let’s just eat the cake at the store. If we pack that too, we’ll truly have to head straight back to the hotel.”

“Do you think we can take off our masks outside?”

The moment they removed their masks to eat cake, it was obvious the place would descend into chaos. A scene of placards reading ‘(Dog) S-Class Esper Fan Meeting (Best)’ fluttering in the air instantly came to mind.

Sa-yoon cleanly gave up on the cake. Since they would be in Daejeon for a few days, it was wiser to save it for another time. With the burden eased by Han Do-hoon, Sa-yoon felt much lighter as they walked toward the center of the bustling district.

“Well then, let’s take a look.”

Sa-yoon leaned against a pillar and closed his eyes. With his hat pulled low, he looked like someone merely waiting on the street. Beneath Sa-yoon’s closed eyelids, a vast space unfolded. Billions of fine lines drew X and Y axes, and transparent models of the surrounding buildings instantly rose above them.

Energy moved ceaselessly between the buildings. Sa-yoon sifted through the space, identifying the consistently moving energy signatures.

Han Do-hoon stood beside Sa-yoon, gazing at the sight. In Han Do-hoon’s perception, Sa-yoon’s body temperature plummeted.

“Oh…”

Suddenly, Sa-yoon opened his eyes and grabbed Han Do-hoon’s arm.

“Did you find something?”

“Go straight, then take the third alley on the right. There’s something moving quickly, probably a bicycle. It’s a person running away right now. Catch them.”

Han Do-hoon’s expression hardened. He turned his head to the right and instantly plunged through the crowd. The bicycle was moving quite fast, but Han Do-hoon would easily be able to catch it. Sa-yoon picked up the bread bag he had dropped on the ground and slowly followed.

Arriving at the spot where the energy had stopped, they saw, as expected, a man sprawled on the ground and Han Do-hoon restraining him. Onlookers formed a large circle, curious about the scene.

“Let go! Who are you? Why are you grabbing an innocent person, you bastard? Are you a thug?”

Amidst the murmuring crowd, Han Do-hoon only looked towards Sa-yoon. His temporary assistant was certainly efficient at handling tasks. Upon closer inspection, the man was an ordinary twenty-something in sportswear, wearing a black backpack.

“Frisk him. And check his bag.”

“Who are you? How dare you tell someone to search my bag! Hey, ow! That hurts!”

He had only twisted his arm slightly, yet the man’s exaggerated pain made him seem genuinely wronged. The murmurs of the crowd, wondering if they should intervene, were palpable. Moments later, the crowd parted, and uniformed figures appeared.

“Excuse me, what seems to be the problem?”

Sa-yoon looked at the people dressed in uniforms similar to police officers. In a province where the government’s function had already dissolved, these individuals responsible for public safety must be members of the organization managing Daejeon. Seeing them even in proper attire suggested that Daejeon was quite orderly.

The bustling commercial district was active, and patrols were being conducted. Compared to organizations that merely enriched themselves while holding power in their regions, this was rather excellent management.

“Found it.”

Han Do-hoon, with keen perception, found the item Sa-yoon wanted and tossed it to him. It was a palm-sized pink wallet, elegantly embossed with a brand logo. Sa-yoon opened the wallet, and inside was the owner’s ID card, featuring a photo of a long-haired woman.

“Twenty-three years old. Shin Na-yul. Doesn’t look like him at all.”

“What does that matter? It’s my girlfriend’s! Give it back right now!”

“Who carries their girlfriend’s ID card in their wallet? And there’s no way someone as pretty as her would be dating a face like yours. The world hasn’t decayed that much yet.”

Sa-yoon scathingly criticized the man, then snatched his backpack. Clicking his tongue at its considerable weight, he tossed the backpack to the police-like individuals.

“This guy is a pickpocket. This is evidence of the crime. Do you need any more explanation?”

“Uh…”

The patrol officers, who had caught the bag, looked at each other hesitantly before quickly inspecting its contents. Among the items that fell out were many valuable possessions, including another wallet, three wireless earphones, and a small handbag.

As the patrol officers grasped the situation and moved to apprehend the pickpocket, a woman came running up, panting behind them.

“Excuse me! Was that guy… caught? *Hah…* He stole my wallet.”

The woman, her forehead beaded with sweat, looked exactly like the person in the ID photo Sa-yoon had just seen. Her face brightened with joy when she spotted her wallet among the items the patrol officers had laid out. Smiling brightly, the woman repeatedly exclaimed, ‘Thank goodness,’ as she clutched her wallet protectively.

Standing a step away, Sa-yoon nudged Han Do-hoon in the ribs.

“Still, it’s heartwarming to see her so happy, isn’t it?”

Han Do-hoon, however, looked back at Sa-yoon with not an ounce of emotion on his face.