IMPRINT 38

“I know you’re happy to see a colleague after a long time, but let’s save the catching up for later. Esper Kang Juha, prepare for training.”

“My apologies.”

As soon as Manager Hong spoke, Joo Won-wook bowed his head slightly in greeting and moved to stand beside him.

“Monitoring doesn’t seem appropriate given the current situation, so it would be better to arrange a separate time in my office…”

“I’ll make sure it doesn’t interfere with your schedule, Manager.”

“Right. And you over there.”

Nodding, Manager Hong pointed a finger toward a team member who was cowering in the back like a punished elementary student. When Joo Won-wook’s gaze landed on him as well, the team member spoke up, startled.

“I-I’m Kim Min-jae!”

“Yeah. Help out with starting the training here.”

“Yes! Understood!”

Seeing how stiffly disciplined he was, that one was definitely a rookie. Looking at his face, he seemed young enough that I wondered if he had only just graduated from the Academy…

“Teacher.”

“Yes?”

“I’m right here.”

“Pardon? Oh, yes. I know.”

“You don’t seem to know.”

“No. I know.”

How could I not know when a man this massive is standing right behind my back like a sturdy wall?

Wondering what on earth he was talking about, I tilted my head to the side, and Kang Juha pointed his chin toward the Alpha Team in the back.

“But why do you keep looking over there? It makes me feel neglected.”

“…Ah.”

“I have to go to training now.”

“I’m sorry. Hurry and prepare… How do we do this? Do I go through that door?”

“Yes.”

“You’re going in alone, right, Mr. Kang Juha?”

“No. You come with me too, Teacher.”

“Eh? Me too? I, I won’t be of any help at all.”

“It’s okay.”

Kang Juha grabbed my hand and led me along stubbornly.

No, really, I didn’t have the slightest intention of training with him!

I sent a look toward Juyoung pleading for help, but he desperately avoided my eyes, fearing he might get dragged into it as well.

That, that… cowardly brat! Tomorrow’s lunch is rice noodles with tons of cilantro. Definitely.

Vowing to make him eat food packed with the cilantro he hates most, I was dragged along helplessly…

“What is this place?”

“A hallway. Did you think the training room would be right there as soon as you opened the door?”

Kang Juha’s voice and eyes were full of playfulness, making me wonder if he was teasing me on purpose while knowing full well.

“Ha…, you really startled me. I truly thought we were training together…”

“There’s no way I’d do that to you, Teacher. You are…”

Trailing off, Kang Juha scanned my body from top to bottom.

Why, what, why.

His gaze traveled all the way from my head to my toes, and for some reason, I felt indignant. Yes, I know. I know my body and your body are not the same. I know it’s a miracle we’re even grouped together as the same human species.

But I wonder if he knows that from this side’s perspective, that fact is also very fascinating.

“Yes, even if you don’t look at me like that, rest assured I’ll never have to run out in the field for the rest of my life.”

“That’s a relief.”

At times like this, you’re supposed to say ‘that’s not what I meant’ even if it’s just a hollow compliment. No, sigh… fine, whatever.

“Anyway, is there anything you need to prepare before starting the training?”

“Yes.”

“What is it?”

“Give me a hug.”

For a moment, I doubted my ears. I didn’t hear that wrong just now, did I?

“Pardon?”

“Give me a hug.”

Kang Juha was looking at me with his arms spread wide, as if a hug were a natural and mandatory procedure.

I wondered if this was like the hand signs fighter pilots do before takeoff—a sort of signal Espers do before entering training or a mission… Like hell it was.

As I hesitated and stepped back with a skeptical expression, Kang Juha spoke in a somber voice.

“Actually, I’ve been pretending to be okay this whole time, but I’m so nervous and scared.”

“…”

“I think I’ll be fine if you hug me, Teacher…”

I mean, does that kind of line even suit that face right now? The gaze subtly pleading for it was even sorrowful.

Of course, the fact that I’m doing exactly what he asks is honestly a bit funny too.

“Alright.”

I wrapped my arms around Kang Juha’s body. I was surprised once by how solid the body I was embracing felt, and I was surprised again because the paper-thin scrap of cloth—which couldn’t even be called clothing—allowed me to vividly feel his body heat and the shape of his muscles.

To think two fully grown adult male Espers, neither of whom is a Guide, are huddled together like this. Just as I was thinking it would be something for others to mock if they saw us, I suddenly asked.

“By any chance, are there CCTVs installed here too, and is this being broadcast live outside right now?”

Suddenly, cold sweat ran down my spine. Thinking that the Alpha Team, Manager Hong, and even Park Juyoung might be watching this made me feel like I could bite my tongue and die right then and there.

“There are no CCTVs or anything like that here. No one knows what we do.”

Kang Juha whispered softly. I don’t know if we have to exchange dialogue in this exact posture, but his lips brushed against my ear every time he spoke.

If things feel strange here, I must be the one who’s strange.

“Are you feeling a bit more settled now?”

“Don’t you have anything to say to me?”

“Don’t be scared, and train well…?”

“No, not that.”

Kang Juha raised his head from where it had been close to my ear. The thought occurred to me anew that his palms resting against my waist were large and firm.

“Tell me to have a safe trip.”

“…Have a safe trip.”

I wondered what difference there was from what I said before, but for now, I did as he wished. I wondered why the words ‘have a safe trip’ coming out of my mouth sounded so unfamiliar.

Now that I think about it, have I ever told someone to have a safe trip in my life? I don’t think I have.

“I’ll be back safely.”

Kang Juha hugged me tightly and soon let go, beginning to walk down the narrow hallway.

“…He doesn’t look nervous at all.”

Kang Juha’s back as he entered the training room looked incredibly robust and dependable.

“You’re back? What did you do? In there?”

“Just… stuff.”

“What kind of stuff?”

“Nothing much. Just gave him some encouragement to do well…”

As soon as I returned to the waiting room, Juyoung lunged at me with questions. I don’t know why he was so curious, but I couldn’t tell him the truth.

“T-training will now begin!”

The rookie Esper, whose complexion was so pale it wouldn’t be strange if he collapsed right now, pressed the training start button while trembling. What did he say his name was? Kim Min-jae, I think.

As soon as the button was pressed, a 10-second countdown began. It seemed all the nervousness had transferred over to this side, as Juyoung started making a huge fuss, asking what they should do. I scolded him to stay still, but I was just as nervous.

3, 2, 1…

Honk— Honk— Honk— A rather heavy and unpleasant buzzer sound rang out.

“Should I keep my hand on the emergency control device just in case?”

Juyoung pointed to the red button attached to the wall next to the monitors.

To be honest, it wasn’t that the thought hadn’t crossed my mind, but I didn’t want to show a restless appearance like a dog that needs to go in front of the Alpha Team.

“No. Let’s just watch for now.”

Kang Juha’s physical condition isn’t bad today. While an objective measurement of how much of his original ability he has recovered is impossible, his body is in a state of nearly complete recovery. Right now, minimizing intervention would be the most accurate way to grasp Kang Juha’s current status.

Steel frames protruding from the walls and ceiling began to form structures in perfect order.

Looking at the monitor showing the inside of the training ground, it looked almost like a construction site to the point of wonder, but on the adjacent screen with virtual reality overlaid, plausible structures were being built one after another.

“…Doesn’t this look a bit different from before?”

“They said there are several modes for the training… but this looks somewhat ominous, doesn’t it?”

The training the Alpha Team did just before was in a city street. They said the background wasn’t a Gate because it wasn’t a session focused on supernatural power training, but rather on developing situational judgment and pure physical capability.

Given Kang Juha’s current state, prioritizing getting used to the training rather than overexerting his supernatural powers was the plan, so we decided to proceed with low intensity this time…

Feeling uneasy, I looked at Manager Hong, but since he and the Alpha Team were just staring at the monitors as if nothing were wrong, I decided to keep watching for now. It wouldn’t be polite to the Field Operations Department to rashly interfere in a matter that wasn’t under my jurisdiction.

If a problem had occurred, they would know better than I would.

The place where Kang Juha stood looked exactly like a long-abandoned temple. Half of the walls, including the roof, were gone, but there were things that looked like fortress walls and stonework that retained only their shape. You could say it was a sight you might see if you went to Athens.

Aside from that temple, there was no other surrounding terrain. Only an endless sandy desert stretched out.

I was a bit surprised by the more serious scale than I expected. I had done training to face monsters during my Academy days, but it was technically obvious that it was graphics, so I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was a mock drill. To think technology had advanced this much in just a few years. At this level, it wouldn’t be strange to almost confuse it with reality.

This is why they called it state-of-the-art.

A blue cluster of light gathered in the very center of the screen. It was a signal that a monster was being generated.

With nimble movements, Kang Juha stepped on things like broken pillars to move and soon stood atop the very peak of the temple.

As I watched, I felt a strange sensation for no reason. What is the current Kang Juha thinking, standing in that spot?

He stares blankly at the light forming the monster. Perhaps because he is wearing VR gear that looks like goggles, it was difficult to read his expression or the look in his eyes.

Soon the light faded, and what appeared in that spot was.

“Isn’t that a Gryphon?”

It was a Gryphon.