EFME 18

“Why, why are you crying?”

“Just because…….”

“You cry just because?”

“My head hurts a little. And I’m dizzy…….”

It was difficult for Sunyul to explain his condition accurately, so he only stated his symptoms. Bada’s face immediately turned serious. He placed a hand on Sunyul’s forehead.

“You’re warm……. But what’s your normal body temperature?”

“They said it’s not much different from a human’s…….”

“Then you definitely have a fever.”

Bada examined Sunyul, contemplating. If a person was sick, he would give them medicine, but his patient was something he didn’t know whether to classify as a person, an item, or a monster.

“Can you get up?”

Sunyul staggered to his feet. The headache and dizziness weren’t unbearable.

“Let’s go to the infirmary.”

“The infirmary?”

Is there any point in going to an infirmary when he wasn’t even human? Reading Sunyul’s doubt, Bada clicked his tongue.

“We have to at least try something.”

“I’m… it’s not that bad. I think I’m a little better now.”

“What do you mean, better? Stop talking nonsense and let’s go.”

Faced with the half-threatening words, Sunyul had no choice but to follow Bada.

They arrived at the guild in an instant, riding in Bada’s slightly recklessly driven car. Bada barged into the infirmary and immediately presented Sunyul.

“Hey, take a look at him.”

The doctor in the infirmary looked back and forth between Bada and Sunyul with a dumbfounded expression.

“You want me to examine… this person?”

“Yeah.”

“……I don’t think this is my area of expertise?”

“Hurry up. Just do something. It’s better than doing nothing.”

Seeing the troubled doctor, Sunyul managed to speak up.

“I really think I’m fine.”

“How would you know? The doctor knows. Hurry up. He was bawling this morning, saying his head hurts and he’s dizzy.”

“Ah, I wasn’t bawling.”

“What do you mean you weren’t, your whole face was wet.”

At Bada’s blunt exposure, Sunyul’s face flushed.

“Please sit down for now. I’ll take a look.”

The doctor, having collected himself, examined Sunyul. A healer who had been watching from afar also cautiously came over to help check on Sunyul.

A few minutes passed as they diagnosed him here and there and even used their skills.

“There’s nothing particularly wrong.”

At the final conclusion, Bada wore an openly disbelieving expression. The doctor, slightly offended, glared at Bada.

“Hey, if you weren’t going to believe me, why did you come? There’s nothing wrong. I’m telling you he’s healthy.”

“Then maybe you should try the research lab. That might be their specialty,” the healer said with a smile.

At the words “research lab,” Sunyul tensed up. Bada, not noticing, nodded as if it was a great idea.

“Hey, get up. We’re going to the research lab.”

“Ah… okay.”

“Yes.”

Sunyul got up unsteadily. Seeing his listless state and pale face, Bada became convinced that something was definitely wrong with him.

Bada headed straight for the 23rd floor. He strode unabashedly to a room in the back and knocked. Sunyul glanced at the nameplate on the door. It read, ‘Item Crafting Team Leader Yoon Garam’.

“Come in.”

When they went inside, Yoon Garam, dressed in a white lab coat, had her head buried in some unidentifiable experimental equipment. Without even lifting her head, Garam spoke.

“What is it.”

“He seems to be sick, so I need you to take a look.”

“Why the hell are you coming here for that? Go to the infirmary.”

Saying so, Garam lifted her head, and upon spotting Sunyul, her jaw dropped.

“Isn’t that I-21?”

“Uh-huh. He said his head hurt and he was dizzy this morning, so I brought him here. The infirmary said there’s nothing wrong, but I can’t trust them.”

“Hmm…….”

“Come here.”

Sunyul stiffly approached Garam. Seeing the tense Sunyul, he chuckled.

“Hey, what’s your name?”

“……It’s Lim Sunyul.”

“Right, that was the nameplate’s ……. Noona’s name is Yoon Garam.”

Bada openly scoffed at Garam’s words.

“What do you mean, noona, more like imo.”

“Call me noona or imo, whatever you want.”

“…….”

“Noona.”

“Eung, okay.”

Yoon Garam, smiling gently, said, “Just a moment,” and held out one hand.”

Garam’s outstretched hand was green. Garam’s skill, [Apothecary’s Hand], allowed her to manifest registered potions in any way she desired. It seemed she had currently manifested it in a way that distributed it across her hand.

Garam reached out and gripped Sunyul’s wrist. The moment she touched him, the point of contact flared with heat. Startled, Sunyul reflexively tried to pull his arm away, but Garam held on with a strong grip, so he couldn’t break free.

Fortunately, Garam didn’t hold onto Sunyul for long. Sunyul withdrew his tingling arm and clutched it with his other hand.

Meanwhile, Garam pressed the hand that had held Sunyul onto a piece of cloth she had taken out and checked the color. It was green. If the color had changed significantly from its original green, it would mean something was wrong.

“There’s nothing particularly wrong.”

“Aren’t you being too careless?”

“How meticulously do you expect me to use a skill?”

“I thought you, of all people, would be more thorough.”

Spreading the cloth out and setting it aside, Garam shrugged her shoulders.

“I’ve collected a sample, so I’ll run some more tests. But there probably won’t be any issues.”

Garam drained all the remaining potion from her hand into a bottle. Garam’s eyes as she looked at the potion in the bottle resembled those of the curious researchers who had previously examined Sunyul.

Sunyul grew a little nervous, but thankfully, Garam didn’t seem to have any intention of doing anything more.

“More importantly, you’re worried sick. You must have taken a liking to him.”

“What, what do you mean, liking?!”

Bada yelled.

“It’s not like that?! It’s because if he gets sick while Kwon Muyoung is gone, I have to take responsibility!”

“Aha, is that so?”

Yoon Garam scoffed as if it was absurd. It was an obvious excuse to anyone, but Sunyul took it quite literally.

‘I shouldn’t get sick.’

Bada shouldn’t have to take responsibility because of him. Sunyul resolved to be careful.

‘But it does hurt a bit.’

The spot Garam had held grew hotter and hotter. Seeing Sunyul clutching his arm, Garam’s eyebrows drooped apologetically.

“Does it hurt?”

“It’s burning.”

At Sunyul’s words, Bada frowned.

“Why did you use a potion with side effects?”

“Cases where side effects appear are extremely rare. Does it hurt a lot?”

Sunyul shook his head. It was bearable. Although, when the burning sensation lasted for about two days, he did resent Bada for dragging him to Garam to get checked for no reason.

⊹₊｡ꕤ˚₊⊹

Four days had already passed since Muyoung entered the dungeon. Since the average clear time for that dungeon was three to four days, he should be out by the afternoon at the latest.

Sunyul packed all the belongings he had laid out and went to the Cheongyeon guild with his suitcase. He then sat in Bada’s office, passing the time by playing Squishy Farm or reading a book.

Around lunchtime, a visitor other than Muyoung arrived.

Seeing the man who entered, Sunyul was extremely surprised.

‘It’s the person I saw in my dream.’

He was the person who appeared as Sunyul’s friend in the dream where Haemin and Heena had appeared. He couldn’t remember the whole dream, but the face was hard to forget and remained in his memory. He was a handsome man with a gentle but by no means soft impression.

Could it be that what he thought was a simple dream wasn’t? A faint headache started. Sunyul tried to push away the complex thoughts that were surfacing.

“Why are you so surprised?”

The man spoke to Sunyul. His voice was the same as in the dream. A little flustered, Sunyul made an excuse.

“Well… I was surprised because you’re so handsome.”

Hearing that, Bada’s expression instantly soured.

“Are you blind?”

“Thank you. You are also very handsome, Mr. Lim Sunyul.”

“What are you two doing.”

Seeing the man returning the compliment, Bada spoke as if he found it pathetic. Paying him no mind, the man took out a business card and handed it to Sunyul.

“I am Special Agent Go Yoonjae. I am the team leader of the Seoul Special Abilities Bureau Combat Team 6.”

“Ah, hello…….”

Sunyul accepted the business card. Even his name was the same as the man in his dream. What on earth was going on?

[‘The Traveler of the Eternal Night’ says it seems you’ve received a divine message.]

He had never received such a thing. Not wanting to be dragged back to a research institute for speaking honestly, Sunyul decided to keep his mouth shut about the dream.

“Is there anything unusual about Mr. Lim Sunyul?”

“As you can see. But why are you here?”

Yoonjae gave Bada a picture-perfect smile in response to his sullen tone.

“I’m here to request your cooperation.”

“What cooperation.”

“I would like you to accompany me to the Korean Special Abilities Research Institute, Mr. Lim Sunyul.”

Surprised by the words of a Special Abilities Bureau agent asking him, of all people, to go to the research institute, Sunyul froze stiff. Bada frowned and stepped in front of Sunyul, blocking him.

“I thought this was already settled with the Special Abilities Bureau.”

“I’m not suggesting we take him away for good. There’s something I need to confirm. It will only take a moment.”

“No.”

“I do not wish to use forceful measures.”

“Try it if you can. You ridiculous bastard.”

A hostile atmosphere flowed between the openly annoyed Bada and the smiling but cold Yoonjae.

“For now, it is not a forceful measure, but this is an official request from the Special Abilities Bureau. We would appreciate your cooperation.”

At Yoonjae’s half-threat, Bada’s face crumpled. He wanted to just say no and tell him to get lost, but pushing back in a situation where they had already quarreled with the Bureau over Sunyul’s custody was not a good option. In the end, Bada decided to take a step back.

“It’s not my decision to make. Tell our guild master when he arrives.”

“……Hmm, I understand. I shall wait for a moment.”

Yoonjae didn’t press any further and sat on the sofa. Bada considered kicking him out immediately but exercised his patience and refrained.

Having settled in, Yoonjae looked at the table and then asked Sunyul.

“Were you reading a book?”

“Yes.”

“I’ve read this book as well. Have you finished it? It’s a book with a decent twist.”

“No, not yet…….”

“I shouldn’t spoil it then. How has life been for you lately?”

“……It’s been fine.”

It was a trivial conversation, but Sunyul answered with a nervous heart. Bada, unable to watch any longer, cut in.

“Are you interrogating him?”

“It’s just small talk.”

“Bullshit. Look at his face.”

Yoonjae looked at the stiffly frozen Sunyul and shrugged.

“Are you uncomfortable with me, Mr. Sunyul?”

“Ah, no.”

“He’s not going to honestly say he’s uncomfortable when you’re threatening him, is he?”

“Threatening? It’s just a question.”

“…….”

Caught between the two growling men again, Sunyul just prayed for Muyoung to arrive quickly.

⊹₊｡ꕤ˚₊⊹

As the tense atmosphere lingered, the door to Bada’s office swung open. Dakyung burst in, his usual energetic self, completely oblivious to the heavy air.

“Hyung! Sunyul-hyung! I’m back from the dungeon!” he announced, grinning widely.

Bada’s scowl deepened. “Why are you here? Don’t you have your own office?”

Dakyung ignored Bada’s grumbling and bounced over to Sunyul, who managed a small smile despite his unease. “Sunyul-hyung, you okay? You look kinda pale.”

“I’m fine,” Sunyul replied softly, though his voice lacked conviction.

Yoonjae’s eyes flicked toward Dakyung, sizing him up. “And you are?”

“Jeong Dakyung, Cheongyeon guild member!” he said proudly, puffing out his chest. “Who’re you?”

“Special Agent Go Yoonjae, Seoul Special Abilities Bureau,” Yoonjae replied smoothly, his smile not quite reaching his eyes.

Dakyung’s grin faltered slightly, sensing the tension. “Uh… what’s going on?”

“Nothing you need to worry about,” Bada snapped. “Go do something useful.”

“Rude, hyung!” Dakyung pouted but didn’t leave. Instead, he plopped down next to Sunyul, leaning in. “So, Sunyul-hyung, what’s the deal? This guy bothering you?”

Sunyul shook his head quickly. “No, it’s just… a misunderstanding.”

Yoonjae raised an eyebrow. “A misunderstanding? I’m merely here on official business.”

“Yeah, well, your ‘official business’ is stressing him out,” Bada shot back, crossing his arms.

Dakyung looked between them, then whispered loudly to Sunyul, “Don’t worry, hyung. If this guy tries anything, Bada-hyung and I got your back.”

Bada rolled his eyes but didn’t contradict him. Yoonjae, however, let out a soft chuckle. “How charming. Such loyalty.”

“Cut the crap,” Bada growled. “You’re waiting for Muyoung, so just sit there and shut up.”

Yoonjae leaned back, unfazed, while Dakyung nudged Sunyul. “Hey, let’s play a quick game while we wait. Take your mind off this weirdo.”

Sunyul hesitated but pulled out his phone, grateful for the distraction. Dakyung launched into a loud explanation of his favorite mobile game, his voice filling the room and easing some of the tension.

Bada watched them, his expression softening slightly. He glanced at Yoonjae, who was observing Sunyul with an unreadable look. Bada’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing, just kept his eyes on the agent.

About twenty minutes later, the door opened again. This time, it was Kwon Muyoung. His presence instantly shifted the room’s dynamic. He scanned the scene, his sharp gaze landing on Yoonjae.

“What’s this about?” Muyoung asked, his tone calm but commanding.

Yoonjae stood, offering a polite nod. “Guild Master Kwon. I’m here on behalf of the Special Abilities Bureau. We need Mr. Lim Sunyul to accompany us to the research institute for a brief examination.”

Muyoung’s eyes narrowed. “That matter was resolved. Sunyul is under Cheongyeon’s protection.”

“It’s not about custody,” Yoonjae clarified. “There’s been… new information. We need to verify something. It won’t take long.”

Muyoung glanced at Sunyul, who looked visibly anxious. “Sunyul, how do you feel about this?”

Sunyul swallowed, his voice barely above a whisper. “I… I don’t want to go.”

“Then he’s not going,” Muyoung said firmly, turning back to Yoonjae. “Unless you have a court order, this conversation is over.”

Yoonjae’s smile didn’t waver, but his eyes grew colder. “I see. I’ll report this to my superiors. We’ll be in touch.”

He gathered his things and left without another word. The room fell silent, the tension lingering like a bad aftertaste.

Dakyung broke the quiet, slapping Sunyul’s shoulder. “See? Told ya we got you, hyung!”

Sunyul managed a weak smile. “Thank you… all of you.”

Muyoung approached, placing a hand on Sunyul’s shoulder. “You okay?”

Sunyul nodded, though his eyes were still clouded with worry. “I’m just… confused.”

“We’ll figure it out,” Muyoung assured him. “For now, stick close to Bada or me.”

Bada grunted but didn’t protest. Dakyung, meanwhile, was already back to his usual self, chattering about the dungeon he’d just cleared. “Yo, Sunyul-hyung, you gotta hear about this boss fight! It was insane!”

As Dakyung rambled on, Sunyul’s tension eased slightly, though the memory of his dream and Yoonjae’s unsettling request lingered in the back of his mind.