TGIC Ch 107

Chapter 107

While Vasily and I argued, the car we sat in froze over completely.

The engine had long since died. Realizing we were stranded in the middle of the highway with nowhere to go, we had no choice but to get out and request assistance from the Association.

We stood apart, waiting for pickup beside the fully frozen foreign car. Thankfully, one of the vehicles heading back to Seoul after wrapping up site cleanup received the Association’s call and came to get us.

But the inside of the large van was nearly full—Espers and staff returning to the Association already occupied most seats.

“…”

After climbing aboard, I fixed my eyes on the window, enduring the heavy silence. People, sensing the tension, traded only cautious glances.

A familiar scene. Something like this had happened once before…

Though the circumstances weren’t quite the same, the lowered interior temperature courtesy of Vasily—and the sight of people shivering, too fearful to crack a window—were identical.

In the past, I’d been as terrified as they were. Not now. My fists trembled, yes—but from anger, not fear.

A frigid aura settled between Vasily and me. I wanted to ignore him outright, but from the seat beside me, the cold air kept needling into my side.

Then, at last, Vasily—silent since we boarded—spoke.

“Did you say Huai Yan is still in Korea?”

I was a little surprised he brought Huai Yan up first. So that’s why he’d been so quiet—had he actually been mulling over what I’d said?

Allowing myself the smallest flicker of hope, I answered,

“That’s what I heard.”

“As soon as we get back, I’ll deal with him first.”

Of course. I should have known. I mocked myself for the brief, stupid hope.

At his casual declaration of murder, the air inside the van grew heavier still. Someone with eyes downcast swallowed—loud, in the brittle quiet.

Shaking off disappointment, I let out a hollow laugh and shot back,

“In your current condition, without proper guiding—you think you can win?”

“You can watch with your own eyes and find out,” he said.

“Watch what? You expect me to run in after, when you collapse, and guide you back on your feet?”

His glare snapped to me, lethal. Frost crept outward along the floor—my words had hit the mark, and badly.

“S—sorry, but could you both please calm down? If this keeps up, the vehicle might break…”

Sensing the way things were spiraling, the highest-ranked Esper in the van intervened, clearly hoping Vasily would rein his power back in. But the cold did not subside.

We arrived at the Association still breathing mist in a van filmed with frost.

The moment I stepped down, I headed straight for the line of taxis waiting along the curb, not sparing Vasily a glance. As I strode off alone, he followed and asked,

“Where are you going?”

“Home. I’m taking a taxi. You can find your own way.”

“The injection?”

“Why would I need it? I’ll be getting the suppression chip disabled with Esper Huai Yan’s help soon eno—ugh!”

Before I could finish, he seized my arm in a brutal grip. Pain burst sharp enough to crack bone.

“Let go!”

“I could just freeze you and carry you, but I’ll be generous and give you a choice: come quietly, or get dragged with your arm on ice.”

Grinding my teeth, I glared at him.

I had no intention of going quietly—but this wasn’t the place. People were already glancing over from the street at the commotion.

“Tch.” Clicking my tongue, I shook off his hand.

“I’ll walk. Don’t touch me.”

I brushed at the spot where his fingers had gripped and headed for the Association.

Behind me, the sound of his footsteps fell out of sync with mine—always just a half beat off. The weight of his gaze never left my back as he followed, silent, making sure I didn’t slip away.

Without exchanging a word, we reached my doctor’s lab.

“O-oh, you’re here…?”

At the door opening, the doctor shot upright, surprised. He obviously hadn’t expected us.

“I heard you’d gone to a Gate, so I thought you wouldn’t come today… I’ll go prepare the medication right away—please wait just a moment.”

“…”

Neither of us answered the apology. Finally catching the icy draft gusting between us, the doctor asked carefully,

“Did something happen between you two?”

“Nothing happened. Just get the meds,” Vasily said, flat and cold.

“Y—yes…”

Cut off, the doctor bobbed his head and went without another question.

Watching him go, I called out brightly, catching his arm.

“Doctor, there’s good news. I’ve found someone who can help cut the power to the suppression chip.”

“Oh, really? Congratulations.”

I accepted the congratulations and shot a pointed look at Vasily.

See? That is the sane response. Rationally speaking, there was no reason to refuse help from Huai Yan. With such an easy solution right there, it was maddening to watch Vasily insist on taking the longest path.

Soon, the doctor returned with the injection.

I received it as usual, smoothing down my hair afterward as I stood. The nape where the medication went in ached dully, and a wave of fatigue washed over me. After nights on an uncomfortable cot, I craved a proper bed like a drowning man craved air.

“Would you like to get your routine checkup too, Esper?”

“Another time,” Vasily said curtly.

Normally, I would have pushed him to take it. Not today. Pretending not to hear, I thanked the doctor and stepped out.

We hailed a taxi and returned home together.

The elevator ride was taut with the same lethal atmosphere. Our cold war wasn’t over yet.

“Guide Kwon Gidam, change clothes and come to my room. We’ll guide.”

He stopped me as I was heading into my room—demanding guiding. My face hardened immediately. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d wanted to guide less.

I’d barely gotten home and he wanted me to keep looking at his face? Over my dead body.

I let the dislike show plainly on my face and snapped,

“Can it wait? I’m tired.”

“If you’re curious what the house will look like tomorrow, go ahead and try.”

“…”

What childish blackmail.

If I went into my room anyway, I’d be waking up on a block of ice tomorrow—that much was certain. With a sigh, I went to him. I still didn’t want to guide, but the contract made refusing outright messier than it was worth.

That said, I had zero intention of spending an hour locked in an uncomfortable embrace.

“We’ll do it now,” I said.

Without asking his opinion, I grabbed him by the collar. With the tie as leverage, I yanked him down and pressed my lips to his, turning my head to angle the contact.

He came easily enough—but his eyes flickered, unprepared for this method. I frowned slightly up at him.

You asked for guiding. How long did you plan on keeping your mouth shut? Only after I bit hard, pressing emotion into the seal of my lips, did his mouth finally open.

What followed was a kiss stripped bare of feeling—dry, functional. A contact for guiding, nothing more. Even with our lips meeting and breath mingling, there was nothing—no spark, no pull—exactly like the mechanical guiding before I regressed.

This should be enough.

Cool breath exchanged with cool breath until my tongue felt numb, like I’d held ice too long.

I loosed my grip on his tie and pulled back. But the hand that slid up to cradle my head didn’t allow me to retreat.

“—ngh!”

Our mouths crashed again as my back slammed into the wall. His lips swallowed mine with a predator’s greed, and before I could even close my mouth, a cold tongue drove in deep.

Oh, really.

I scowled—and bit down on his tongue with all my strength.

Crunch.

His body flinched as soft muscle gave under my teeth. The iron taste flooded my mouth as I shoved him away.

Wiping my wet lips with the back of my hand, I saw bright blood smear with saliva.

“It hasn’t… been an hour yet,” he said.

“Did you leave your conscience behind fighting monsters? This more than covers a full hour of contact-guiding. We’re done for today. Don’t call me again.”

I threw him a cold look and headed for my room. Before stepping inside, I glanced back one last time.

“And for the record—I don’t need blood. I’ve had plenty just now.”

 

Tl- yessss girl