As Joo-hyun stepped into the office, Tae-seok, the deputy centre manager of Block C, swept his sharp gaze from Joo-hyun's head to toe. If one failed to pass here, swift reprimand would soon follow.
Internally, Joo-hyun braced himself, standing upright with an absolutely expressionless face.
"There's a mission. Leave this on the desk at Block A, 7th floor, Room H-12," said Tae-seok. His words sounded more like an assignment than a mere errand. Though the thought of using the post office crossed Joo-hyun's mind, he swallowed it down and accepted the envelope of documents.
"Make sure you don't get caught as a runaway esper from Block C," Tae-seok stated coolly, like a predator warning its prey, then gestured for Joo-hyun to leave.
It was evident that the documents inside the envelope were dubious and unpleasant, but it was none of Joo-hyun's concern. He only had to fulfil the task he was given. Any diversion of attention elsewhere could lead to his precarious foothold crumbling away unnoticed.
As he exited the office, a staff member waiting outside handed him a uniform.
It wasn't the black attire worn for assassination missions or the typical uniform for ordinary runaway espers handling gates. It was a mundane uniform without the red accents commonly worn by ordinary espers.
However, it had been slightly modified to cover the neck and lower face, though compared to the modifications other espers underwent, it wasn't particularly conspicuous. It wasn't the first time Joo-hyun had seen this uniform; he occasionally wore it when he needed to disguise himself as an ordinary esper.
Silently changing into the uniform, Joo-hyun placed black lenses over his eyes. Despite seeing his reflection, which he had seen all his life, in the mirror, it felt incredibly awkward.
Just because he concealed the red didn't mean he wasn't a monster, he thought, as he got into the car. He briefly traced his fingers over the reinforced glass before looking out of the window. The drab grey building surrounded by chain-link fences was receding into the distance.
* * *
The Esper-Guide Center in Block A boasted a vast expanse of land. The envelope containing detailed mission instructions also included a map of Block A, revealing even a swimming pool within the building.
Among the places Joo-hyun needed to go was the office of the Association official on the 7th floor of the main building. He didn't know what connection that person had with Tae-seok, but it couldn't be anything good. Otherwise, there would be no reason to send a runaway esper.
Joo-hyun had spent too long in Block C to be unaware of the subtle threat embedded in the mission.
Having finally tidied himself up, Joo-hyun got out of the car. His face was barely visible due to the fringe covering his eyes and the clothing that concealed even his nose. Gripping the documents tightly, hiding his trembling hands, he thought,
'I'd rather be rolling out of a gate with a Red-grade monster.'
Despite the physical strain, it was far more comforting emotionally.
The surroundings were teeming with people. Every time Joo-hyun saw people passing by nonchalantly, not knowing who he was, a shiver ran down his spine.
But as always, no matter how unpleasant or frightening, it had to be done. Joo-hyun's sole reason for being alive was to take on dirty and dangerous missions that others wouldn't dare to do.
With closed eyes, the resolute Joo-hyun, with firm steps, headed towards Block A.
Block A, being a place where the most dangerous people in the country congregated, was filled with Despite the physical strain, it was far more comforting emotionally.
The surroundings were teeming with people. Every time Joo-hyun saw people passing by nonchalantly, not knowing who he was, a shiver ran down his spine.
But as always, no matter how unpleasant or frightening, it had to be done. Joo-hyun's sole reason for being alive was to take on dirty and dangerous missions that others wouldn't dare to do.
With closed eyes, the resolute Joo-hyun, with firm steps, headed towards Block A.
Block A, being a place where the most dangerous people in the country congregated, was filled with espers. The entrance was divided into two: one for espers and one for ordinary people, naturally requiring different methods of entry.
While the entrance for ordinary people involved a painstaking verification process by the staff, espers could simply pass through by waiting with their IDs. However, that was only applicable if they had the necessary identification.
Every esper had an ID card containing their name, affiliation, and grade. Joo-hyun had one too, with the stamp of a runaway esper.
Bypassing the line at the entrance for ordinary people, Joo-hyun, fumbling for the map in his mind, headed straight for the entrance reserved for espers. Unlike the shabby and desolate entrance of Block C, he was met with a large and sleek door.
Approaching, he exhaled deeply in front of the door that opened automatically. Was this really the end? Glancing around in bewilderment, Joo-hyun quickly entered the building, avoiding the gaze of the employee who was looking at him with suspicion.
Naturally, Block A was filled with espers. They were customarily dressed, each according to their preferences, busily or leisurely wandering around, separated from spaces accessible to ordinary people.
Lowering his head as much as possible, Joo-hyun made every effort to avoid attracting attention as he walked down the seemingly endless corridor.
Finally finding the emergency staircase of the main building, Joo-hyun sat down at the corner and let out a sigh. Though he knew there was no need to be afraid, he couldn't help but entertain the thought.
Block A, where the most dangerous people in the country were abundant. If Joo-hyun were to rampage, he would undoubtedly be killed within 10 seconds. But... what if he killed someone within those 10 seconds?
But that wasn't the only problem. Even if Joo-hyun were fortunate enough not to kill anyone and be killed instead, the fact that he was a runaway esper would eventually be revealed.
In that case, the already unfavourable position of his colleagues in Block C would undoubtedly worsen. Surveillance would become more stringent, and there would be no breathing room. Of course, there was no need to dwell on it alone. The best course of action was to finish the mission as quickly as possible and return.
With firm resolve once again, Joo-hyun stood up and began to climb the stairs towards the 7th floor. The building was so vast and high that it seemed elevators and escalators were preferred, as there was no one using the stairs.
As Joo-hyun climbed, he suddenly looked to his side. The transparent glass revealed the outside clearly.
The view from the sixth floor was beautiful. Many people were walking on the streets, surrounded by tall buildings. Their busy figures, heading somewhere in a hurry, were so different from the aimless runaway espers sitting blankly when they had no missions.
Once, perhaps, even his colleagues in Block C lived such a life. They spent each day meaningfully before their rampages, laughing and dreaming about the future.'
Joo-hyun had never experienced social life. Though he had lost all the happiness he had barely grasped through his rampages, he could say he had lost less than others in terms of status or power.
What's worse, not having something from the start, or having it and then having it taken away? Which is more agonising? Which is more pathetic?
With fewer possessions than others, Joo-hyun looked away from the beautiful scenery. The sound of boots climbing the stairs echoed loudly.
* * *
No one was in the H-12 office. Joo-hyun, after a futile check from the bathroom's ventilation shaft, concluded that he had gone through unnecessary trouble and dashed into the room.
The office, spacious yet only furnished with necessary items, bore an aura of wealth even to Joo-hyun, who was not well-versed in the value of things.
Placing the envelope next to the nameplate reading 'Choi Yoon-geon' atop the black desk, Joo-hyun turned around and walked towards the office door.
The documents sent from Block C arrived unnoticed. The fact that a runaway esper was handling the Association's dirty tasks was no secret to the higher-ups. Just the fact that a runaway esper had covertly entered and exited his own office was enough to exert significant pressure.
Now, with the task about to be completed upon his return, Joo-hyun felt awkward even calling it a mission due to its simplicity. After tidying up once again, Joo-hyun effortlessly opened the door.
"You shouldn't just barge in like that."
The only reason Joo-hyun's shoulders didn't flinch was that he was overly tense.
Feigning nonchalance, Joo-hyun closed the office door completely and glanced to the side. A fellow esper with short hair, towering stature, and apparent muscles stared at him suspiciously.
Such sudden situations could arise in any mission. Joo-hyun, acting as if unaware, casually extended his identification card.
"Hyun Shin-joo. Oh, you have the ability to use voice?"
Hyun Shin-joo? It wasn't until Joo-hyun confirmed the name on the ID that he silently grumbled inwardly about how carelessly it was chosen.
"But why did you enter here?"
Anticipating this situation, Joo-hyun regretted not just leaving through the ventilation shaft and presented the prepared documents. It contained a brief introduction of a C-rank esper named Hyun Shin-joo.
"I was working at the local centre and came to Block A…"
"You came today? Then it's easy to get lost, huh? Ha-ha. Is it a bit too spacious here?"
Fortunately, the esper in front seemed to have dispelled his suspicions. Joo-hyun, if he had been anyone else, would have interrogated the person until they broke down in tears, refusing to believe such a piece of paper. But this wasn't Block C.
"I am Choi Kang-hoon. Let's get along as fellow espers. By the way, where were you headed? I can take you there."
Joo-hyun, having no reason to refuse unnecessary kindness, fumbled to pull out a map and pointed to the most secluded place. A spot where no one, at least no ordinary person, would be found.
Seeing Joo-hyun's finger, faintly scarred, pointing to the training ground, Kang-hoon beamed.
"I was heading there myself. Perfect!"
Joo-hyun, whose fingers had grown cold, clenched his fist and nodded in gratitude.