“That’s…”

He was about to ask how he knew that, but Yeo Ji-woong cut off Kang Yun-jae mid-sentence.

“Yes.”

It meant there was a collusive relationship with AGT. Was he saying all the terrorism until now was carried out with intent? AGT’s leader Yeo Han-ol was certainly Yeo Ji-woong’s adopted son.

Just how much did Yeo Ji-woong have in his grasp? He clicked his tongue at his newfound craftiness. Though crafty, he had a lot under his control, so Yun-jae planned to use Yeo Ji-woong as much as possible too.

“So, I have a favor to ask.”

Yeo Ji-woong’s eyes gleamed ominously. All this conversation was just small talk leading up to the main point.

“If there’s medicine to prevent an esper’s rampage, could the opposite also be made?”

“…Pardon?”

Caught off guard by Yeo Ji-woong’s unexpected proposal, Kang Yun-jae found himself asking again. Instead of explaining further, Yeo Ji-woong waited patiently.

Suppressants were supplements taken when there was no guide available for guiding. Until now, research had focused on how to increase the drug’s effectiveness to match that of regular guiding.

While there had been cases where espers went berserk as a side effect of the medicine and extra caution was taken because of this, deliberately developing a drug to make espers go berserk was unthinkable.

Because espers were valuable national assets.

Yun-jae reviewed their recent conversation. He had a bad feeling about this. Hoping he was wrong, Yun-jae asked in a polite tone.

“May I ask the reason?”

“You don’t need to know that much.”

The firm tone dismissed Kang Yun-jae’s curiosity.

“…”

“There’s only one answer I want to hear.”

As Yeo Ji-woong said, Kang Yun-jae had no choice. The problem was that he had gotten in too deep. Kang Yun-jae was in the same boat as Yeo Ji-woong.

“…I’ll report back as soon as possible.”

“Good, good. I like how quick-witted our Yun-jae is.”

He pushed his empty glass forward. Yun-jae slowly poured alcohol into his glass. There was only one answer Kang Yun-jae could give. Yeo Ji-woong smiled with satisfaction at Yun-jae’s response.

**

“Hyung, where are you going?”

Gu-young asked in a slightly tense voice. Having impulsively followed Ju-eon out, Gu-young trailed after him with an anxious expression.

“Gu-young, you don’t have to come…”

“No, when you suddenly head out with such a serious expression, I have to follow.”

Gu-young explained his reason for following, mentioning how just a few days ago Ju-eon had gone to District 1 and been unreachable for a whole day.

“That won’t happen this time.”

“Still, since I’ve come this far… unless you don’t want me to come along…”

“It’s here.”

“Huh? Here?”

The Ability User Center, established in each district along with the government’s ambition to professionally train ability users, stood out prominently among other buildings. It was the tallest and most solid-looking building, and Ju-eon walked toward it without hesitation.

“Here?”

Having visited this place not long ago, Gu-young knew where they were without asking. Instead of answering, Ju-eon walked toward the person at reception. The receptionist responded to Ju-eon in a kind voice.

“How may I help you?”

“I’d like to take an assessment.”

“Hyung? Get assessed?”

“Do you have an appointment?”

“No.”

“Then please fill out this application form and wait a moment.”

Instead of answering, Ju-eon took the application form the receptionist handed him and went to the table where pens were placed.

Ju-eon began filling out the ability user assessment application form without hesitation.

—————————————————

Ability User Assessment Application Form

Name: Woo Ju-won

Age: 30

Date of Birth: 20XX June 10

Desired Assessment Ability: Esper / Guide

*If you have already manifested esper abilities, please specify the type separately. (Ex: Telekinetic, Telepathic, etc.)

Personal ID Number:

Address:

Contact Information:

I consent to providing information to the Korean Government Special Abilities Agency.

Applicant: ________ (Signature)

—————————————————

Before marking his desired assessment ability, Ju-eon first filled in his address, contact information, and personal ID number.

Then, moving back up to the desired assessment ability section, Ju-eon hesitated briefly before circling ‘Guide’. Gu-young, who was watching from the side, widened his eyes.

“Hyung, did you awaken? Suddenly getting assessed?”

“…Yeah.”

“But when? I heard it’s hard to know when guide abilities manifest…”

If he started explaining everything in detail here, he felt like he might lose his resolve.

“I’ll tell you later.”

Not long after submitting the documents, when his name was called, Ju-eon gave Gu-young a nod before following the receptionist.

**

The higher the grade of an ability user, the earlier their ability manifests. Though not officially announced, this was a fact most people interested in ability manifestation knew.

Jin Su-hee, the youngest among those waiting for assessment, glanced around before smirking slightly.

‘Obviously, I’ll do the best here.’

Espers and guides were assessed in the same space. Here, only measurement rooms that could assess C to E grades were open.

“Take a number and have a seat in order.”

People getting assessed on weekdays in District 2 usually fell into two categories: those who suddenly awakened abilities, and those without proper jobs hoping to get assessed just in case.

The staff member looked at the waiting people without much expectation, then sat in the measurement room and began calling names in order.

“D-grade telekinetic esper. Please exit and receive your assessment results after hearing the guidance.”

“Me, D-grade…! How can this be.”

The person called seemed to be from the latter category, as they shed tears at being D-grade. D- was slightly higher than E-grade, and while they couldn’t exert great power, finding work wouldn’t be difficult since Districts 2 and 3 were always short on manpower.

As the number of people decreased, Ju-eon felt unnecessarily tense. From Yun-jae’s nuances, he was probably not a high-grade guide. Yet here he was, impulsively coming for an assessment without consulting Yun-jae.

Since the government covered all testing costs, many people came just for fun. Even Su-hee’s classmates included friends who took the test multiple times despite having no abilities. The tests were easily accessible, being conducted in morning, afternoon, and evening sessions.

“Why are you so nervous?”

After glancing several times at Ju-eon sitting next to her, Su-hee gathered courage to speak. Though he looked much older than her, he had a clean-cut face.

“I know, right.”

“If your grade was high, headquarters would have taken you already.”

“Is that so?”

Ju-eon wiped his sweat-soaked hands on his pants. Nobody wants to be nervous on purpose, right?

“Jin Su-hee.”

Soon Su-hee’s name was called.

She wondered why he was so nervous when his grade probably wouldn’t be high anyway.

‘Did he come knowing he has no ability at all?’

She’d heard there were desperate people like that sometimes. She glanced back at Ju-eon before entering the measurement room.

Unusually, the measuring staff member offered congratulations in an excited voice.

“Congratulations. You’re C+ grade, Ms. Jin Su-hee.”

“Really?”

“Just to be sure, let’s have you take another measurement in the special measurement room next week.”

Unlike with others, the staff member came out separately to escort Su-hee away, saying they would explain special precautions and benefits.

The staff member said excitedly that she could be re-measured in the special measurement room after a week.

It was the highest grade that had come out of this place so far.

“Wow. C+ is almost B-grade.”

Envious gazes turned toward her. Ju-eon waited for his turn without saying anything amid the small commotion.

The next person was called later than usual. Ju-eon took slow deep breaths, trying to calm his racing heart.

“Woo Ju-won.”

Now it was Ju-eon’s turn.

He repeatedly clenched and unclenched his fists, feeling like blood wasn’t flowing to his hands.

Before entering the measurement room, sympathetic gazes from the remaining people landed on his back. It was a natural train of thought that the person after would feel discouraged since Su-hee had taken all the attention.

Even after Ju-eon entered, the staff member kept staring at the door. They seemed disappointed that the superiors had rushed in and taken Su-hee away.

“Please enter the measurement device.”

“Yes.”

Ju-eon entered the capsule-like measurement device. Though its cool colors made him expect to feel cold inside, it was actually more cozy than expected.

“It will take about 10 minutes.”

The staff member said with a disinterested expression while resting their chin on their hand. Blue light began to flicker. The light slowly rose from bottom to top. His body tensed involuntarily at the sensation of being thoroughly scanned. When the light reached his chin, Ju-eon closed his eyes.

‘Are you nervous?’

A strange memory flashed by. It was an unfamiliar voice, not his own.

‘I’m scared our grades might be too different.’

‘Why think such negative thoughts first?’

‘Since it’s hard to guess a guide’s level before assessment…’

‘You’re the only one who can handle me.’