Chapter 139

[1 day 23 hours 41 minutes 22 seconds]

<Past Team: 26/52 │ Future Team: 44/49 │ Monster Team: 17/101>

After that, they found two more orbs and defeated one monster. As promised, everyone gathered at the meeting point five hours later. According to the scoreboard, there were no casualties, but each team brought back one or two injured people, so their numbers had noticeably increased.

“Everyone, please report your current status.”

Jaeha glanced at Sasha, who was slung over Miae’s back. Although they had given him first aid, it was clear that he needed the attention of a healing Esper, which worried Jaeha. Every time that happened, Aiden, who was standing beside him, would pout with his lips jutting out a full span, but Jaeha pretended not to notice. Looking at his young face made Jaeha soften a little.

“Team 1: Found one orb and brought back three injured and surviving individuals.”

“Team 2: Found two orbs and brought back two injured individuals!”

“……Team 3: Found three orbs and brought back one injured individual. We exterminated one monster.”

After hearing all the reports, the team leader turned his head and surveyed the surroundings.

“For the first five hours, this isn’t bad. We’ll rest for one hour and then head out again. Each team, select one person to watch over and protect the injured.”

“Yes!”

“Excluding the additional thirteen promised by the sub-boss and the main boss itself, there are only three monsters left. Let’s work hard, clear this, and go home.”

“Yes!”

There really wasn’t much left now. For a first gate, it had been full of twists and turns, but the thought that the end was near brought some relief.

The guides and healing Espers, under the leader’s command, separated the injured and began guiding and treating them. The rest of the members either slept or ate to replenish their stamina.

Jaeha, too, received guiding from Aiden.

“……Aiden, aren’t you tired?”

“I’m fine.”

“Are you… really upset?”

“…….”

Honestly, unlike when he was an adult, Aiden’s facial expressions were much more transparent now. Jaeha didn’t know if that was simply because he’d turned into a child, or if it was due to some internal change. Aiden pouted. Jaeha gave a faint smile.

“I’m sorry. I was worried, that’s why.”

“I know. That’s why I like you.”

Rolling his eyes, Aiden eventually let out a deep sigh and muttered in a small voice. Honestly, because of his appearance, it didn’t feel like Jaeha was facing Aiden himself, but rather Aiden’s younger brother; he seemed like a kid venting about school, which made Jaeha smile faintly.

“I mean it.”

“Yeah…….”

“Ah, damn. Why isn’t the guiding working properly again?”

“Don’t push yourself too hard.”

Compared to Aiden’s usual guiding, it was admittedly rougher, but still high quality. It was warm and gently enveloping—the same kind of guiding unique to him. It felt like standing on a warm sandy beach, with waves slowly washing over you. Maybe that’s why Jaeha’s honest feelings suddenly slipped out.

“Honestly, I’m grateful to you, Aiden.”

“……For what?”

“For being straightforward when you’re upset. Um, I don’t know if I should say this, but if it were the previous Aiden, I think you might’ve deliberately gotten hurt just because I was paying attention to someone else.”

“…….”

[How did he know?]

Even as he said it, Jaeha wondered if he was being too harsh with that judgment, but Aiden’s honest reaction softened the thought.

“……Anyway, thank you for not doing that.”

Indeed, over the past six months, Aiden had changed. Unlike the early summer outside the gate, it was a bitter winter inside, which reminded Jaeha of when they first met.

The man who had been kind and polite, but not warm.

The man who carried the scent of cold winter as he strode into the bar.

The man who was good to everyone, yet coated in performance and pretense.

Comparing then and now…

Jaeha let out a small laugh.

“So, um……. I feel like I can start trusting you a bit more.”

“Trust me… about what?”

“That you……”

—Esper Song Jaeha? May I interrupt for a moment?

……like me.

Before he could answer, someone spoke up, abruptly cutting the conversation short. Both Jaeha and Aiden turned their heads, bewildered, to see who had spoken. It was Lucas.

—Ah, were you two talking? My apologies.

“No, it’s fine.”

—May I speak with you for a moment? Privately……

Lucas kept glancing at Aiden. Aiden’s eyes narrowed, but Jaeha couldn’t detect anything suspicious in them and stood up.

“Aiden, I’ll be right back.”

“……If anything happens, yell, okay? I’ll fly over right away.”

“Haha, yeah…….”

Amused by the exaggerated worry, Jaeha smiled awkwardly and followed Lucas, who gestured apologetically with both hands and feet. Matching Lucas’s slumped shoulders, Jaeha walked with him as they headed toward the area where the injured were isolated.

“Lucas? Where are we going?”

—Ah, Sasha wants to thank Esper Song Jaeha personally. And, this is the main reason…… um…… our team…… found something we need to show you. We got permission from the leader, too.

“Something you need to show me?”

—I’ll explain while showing it. It’s hard to put into words……

“Okay…….”

Tilting his head in confusion, Jaeha nonetheless nodded. Among the injured, the guides and healing Espers were rotating treatment duties. Some injured people had even been restrained—apparently due to confusion where they mistook allies for enemies.

As Jaeha moved between them, he exchanged light eye contact with his father, who was also guiding there. Eventually, Jaeha reached Sasha, who was lying groaning in a corner, and knelt in front of him.

—Sasha, I brought Jaeha.

“Uh…… are you okay?”

He couldn’t help but speak with concern, feeling guilty that Sasha had endured for so long without proper treatment. Hearing this, Sasha suddenly opened his eyes wide and looked at him. A new translation device perched neatly on his ear, meaning he understood what Jaeha said.

—Esper Song Jaeha…… thank you for saving me.

“……In truth, it wasn’t me who saved you, it was Miae.”

—I already thanked her separately. I wanted to thank each of you individually……

Sasha’s platinum hair, damp with sweat, accentuated his pale face. His large frame paired with his sickly aura was strangely ironic. He curved his amber eyes into a slow smile. For some reason—strangely—he reminded Jaeha of Aiden.

“You don’t have to say that. I didn’t do much, so don’t feel pressured.”

Since Sasha had expressed gratitude, it was only proper to respond. He hadn’t carried him on his back or done anything heroic—he’d simply walked alongside him—so Jaeha answered awkwardly.

—Also, I know this isn’t the right time…… and it’s kind of out of nowhere……

“Yes?”

—But when we get out of this gate, could I have your number……?

Jaeha’s mouth fell open.

“Huh?”

It was obvious he wasn’t asking just to be friends. Despite Sasha’s pale face, Jaeha noticed the tips of his ears turning red. His white skin flushed pink. Jaeha was not only surprised but honestly bewildered, stumbling over his words.

“Why…… why?”

—Your face……

“…….”

Sasha shyly covered his face and mumbled. This kind of ridiculousness felt oddly familiar. It wasn’t hard to pinpoint the source. Right—he thought Aiden was the only one who pulled moves like this……

—Also, I’m a mental-type Esper……

“……Yeah.”

Seeing Jaeha’s awkward, incredulous expression, Sasha hurriedly added in a flustered tone, almost like an excuse. Lucas, who was standing nearby, hadn’t anticipated this sort of conversation; pretending he hadn’t heard anything, he cleared his throat awkwardly and stepped back.

—I can read people’s essence……

“Is that so…….”

—So usually, um, I don’t do it on purpose, but I unconsciously read people’s essence……

“Ah, really……?”

Jaeha replied halfheartedly, lacking any real interest. But Sasha seemed pleased even with that lukewarm response, smiling shyly. His gentle features suited the expression.

—I’ve never seen an essence as pure and beautiful as Esper Song Jaeha’s. I’ve fallen for you.

“……I’m sorry. I already like someone.”

Jaeha politely rejected him.

—Can’t we start as friends?

“Sorry, no…… uh…… let’s just talk about this after we get out of the gate.”

He’d been about to refuse outright, but then hesitated—pressing too hard on someone this mentally broken didn’t feel right. Letting out a sigh, he gave a vague answer. That seemed to satisfy Sasha; smiling innocently, Sasha lay back down to rest. After a brief small talk, Sasha soon fell asleep from exhaustion.

—Esper Song Jaeha……

“Ah, yes, Lucas.”

Jaeha turned his head. Lucas was frowning slightly as he looked at the sleeping Sasha. Concerned there might be something wrong, Jaeha checked on Sasha, but he was simply breathing peacefully in sleep.

—No, maybe I’m imagining things……

“Huh?”

—Never mind. Please come here for a moment. This is what I wanted to show you.

Confirming Sasha was sound asleep, Jaeha obediently stood and walked toward Lucas, who was holding one of the orbs they’d collected at the monster’s request. It sparkled, beautiful on the outside but horrifying within. Why did Lucas want to show him this?

—This……

“……Is this mine?”

—Ah, no. It’s not like that.

Lucas glanced around warily. After confirming that no one was watching, he passed the orb to Jaeha.

Jaeha instinctively accepted it. It felt neither cold nor warm, but soft to the touch.

—This belongs to Baek Beomwoo.

“……What?”

—But…… um…… while we were collecting it, we couldn’t help but see its contents. Esper Song Jaeha, you were inside that memory. I think you need to see it for yourself……

Lucas explained cautiously, gauging Jaeha’s reaction.

What could possibly be inside that made him act so carefully?

Jaeha stiffened, unable to bring himself to look down at the orb, lips trembling slightly.

For some reason, the orb in his hands felt unbearably heavy.