The Endless Questions

Seo Dowoon had claimed to have many questions, and true to his word, they proved endless. He barraged Han Gureum with inquiries, digging into everything from his birthday, blood type, favorite color, and food, to his preferred style, ideal type, and hobbies—much like a relentless reporter determined to uncover every last detail.

‘I had expected him to inquire about the life of an Awakener, so it felt rather odd to have my personal information so thoroughly scrutinized. Nevertheless, I diligently answered each of his questions.’

“June 12th, O-type, green, *ppyeohaejangguk*, none, I’m not sure….” Despite some of the answers being vague, Seo Dowoon appeared largely content. He seemed especially attentive when Han Gureum spoke about his ideal type.

‘Someone with an unexpressive face.’

Seo Dowoon’s stoic expression subtly softened, as if the description had been tailor-made for him.

“Most people say they prefer someone with a beautiful smile, but you’re a little different, hyung.”

“That’s nice too, but I’d like their unexpressive face to resemble Kio.”

“……”

‘At that point, it seemed more straightforward to simply state Kio was his ideal type. After all, it implied a resemblance to Kio was more important than merely possessing an unexpressive face. Concluding that such a requirement was rather unreasonable, Seo Dowoon inquired if there were any other qualities he sought in an ideal partner.’

“Hmm… as you said, Dowoon-ssi, I think someone with a beautiful smile would be nice. Because they make me smile too?”

“Someone with a beautiful smile…. Yes.”

Seo Dowoon’s eyes crinkled into a smile as he nodded. It was only after clearing away the remnants of Han Gureum’s meal that he finally posed a question about Espers.

“When did you become an Esper, hyung?”

“When I was thirteen.”

“That’s quite young. Did you awaken as an A-rank back then?”

“No. I was a B-rank then, and became an A-rank when I was fifteen.”

‘A person’s rank isn’t something one can simply raise at will. It only increases when they awaken anew after transcending a certain threshold. Even then, this change can only be confirmed through a formal assessment. There are even some individuals who remain unaware of their rank’s progression if they don’t undergo regular testing.’

At thirteen, during a time when he had only vaguely wished to become an Awakener, Han Gureum had awakened as a B-rank, light-attribute Esper. It had been such a monumental event that the entire nation of South Korea had been abuzz. Public attention had been so intensely focused that his face seemed to appear on every television channel.

Back then, as a child, he had rather enjoyed the attention.

Han Gureum’s personal information was updated and disseminated daily, becoming public knowledge. There were even online polls to determine which guild he should join. The government, too, kept a watchful eye on him. Such a talent, with the potential to reach S-rank, was not something those around him would simply ignore.

As Han Gureum offered a bitter smile, recalling those distant memories, Seo Dowoon swiftly changed the subject.

“I actually attended your lecture a month ago.”

“Oh? You were there? …Why didn’t I see you?”

“There were so many people.”

Indeed, there hadn’t been a single empty seat.

Seo Dowoon began to speak, then clamped his mouth shut, subtly moistening his dry lips with his tongue while glancing around. His hesitation was so evident that Han Gureum decided to break the silence.

“If there’s anything else you’re curious about, feel free to ask.”

“…During the lecture, I heard you weren’t recruiting guild members. Do you truly have no plans?”

“Not for now. If a suitable Awakener emerges, we might consider it.”

Han Gureum carefully studied Seo Dowoon’s expression.

Kim Ajun had mentioned that Seo Dowoon didn’t quite seem like a civilian, and Han Gureum had felt the same. Yet, he didn’t appear to be an Awakened individual either. Kim Ajun had previously suggested he get tested, and Han Gureum wondered if he might have done so since then.

“Have you been tested?”

“No, not yet.”

“Then, are you asking because you wish to become an Awakener?”

“If I do… will you accept me?”

“If you become an Awakener, yes. But… as a Guide, it might not be possible, since Hayoon is already with us. You know the number of Guides is fixed according to the guild’s roster, right?”

‘Currently, 90% of the population are civilians, 7% are Espers, and only 3% are Guides. While these statistics are from two years ago and likely shifted this year, a dramatic change is improbable.’

‘Espers accumulate toxins in their bodies the more they utilize their abilities, and Guides are the only ones capable of purifying them. With a large number of Espers and a scarcity of Guides, an almost absurd law emerged: one Guide per ten guild members.’

“For our current roster, Hayoon is sufficient.”

Seo Dowoon nodded at his words.

“So, if I become an Esper, you’ll accept me?”

“I can’t give you a definitive answer. However, as the Vice Guild Master, I will actively champion your case.”

Han Gureum couldn’t give a hasty answer, knowing the gravity of such a promise, even if it meant disappointing Seo Dowoon. Yet, to Seo Dowoon, those words resonated as an unspoken ‘I’ll accept you.’

‘In the past, there were even drugs marketed as capable of turning individuals into Awakeners. Naturally, these were scams—mere nutritional supplements sold under false pretenses—and the perpetrators swiftly faced legal repercussions. Nevertheless, the incident remains etched in memory as one that inflicted profound pain upon those who harbored dreams of awakening.’

Han Gureum still vividly recalled all the gazes he had received from those around him when he awakened as a child. Envy, jealousy, resentment—they were all still fresh in his mind. While not every Awakener experienced such scrutiny, his had been particularly piercing. Consequently, he had always tried to avoid forming deep connections with civilians.

If Seo Dowoon hadn’t been the building owner, their paths would have likely diverged after their encounter in the dungeon. Even now, their relationship could simply conclude as landlord and tenant…

When no answer came, Seo Dowoon’s gaze, which had lingered on Han Gureum’s pale hand, slowly drifted upward. Their eyes met, his locking with a pair of golden irises that stared intently back.

‘I don’t want to leave….’

It was already past five o’clock. He yearned to stay longer, perhaps even through dinner, but a persistent feeling that he had overstayed his welcome began to nudge him towards departure.

“Can I come here often from now on?”

“Here? …Why?”

“I want to get closer to you, hyung.”

“With me? Why do you want to get closer to me?”

Han Gureum couldn’t fathom why this young man wished to befriend him, while Seo Dowoon felt a sudden pang of bewilderment, as if a wall had abruptly risen between them after their pleasant conversation.

“I want to get closer… do I really need a reason?”

“It’s not absolutely necessary, but there must be *some* reason, surely?”

As Han Gureum hesitated, wondering if he had inadvertently caused offense, Seo Dowoon winked, then smiled.

“I just like you, hyung. That’s simply how I feel.”

Han Gureum’s expression remained one of bewilderment. However, he wasn’t so callous as to flatly reject someone who expressed a desire for friendship.

“I’m a rather uninteresting person.”

“That’s relative. I’ve found you quite enjoyable, both yesterday and today.”

Seo Dowoon spoke with profound sincerity. Han Gureum was, without a doubt, the most intriguing person he had ever encountered. This was a heartfelt truth, utterly devoid of any embellishment.

****

Before departing the office, Seo Dowoon posed one last question. “If I become an Awakener and join the guild, we can be together every day, right?”

“Being a guild member doesn’t necessarily mean we see each other every day.”

“Then I’ll just come every day.”

Seo Dowoon’s eyes crinkled into a charming smile. Despite the obvious intent behind the gesture, Han Gureum remained distinctly unimpressed.

****

Seo Dowoon, true to his word, became a frequent visitor. He showed up so often that he spent most of his time in the office, outside of his school hours. Each time, Han Gureum greeted him with an impassive face. He had witnessed Seo Dowoon’s just-woken-up appearance so many times that his pajamas now seemed no different from his regular attire.

“It’s already mid-October.”

Summer had long since faded, and autumn now held sway. The gentle breeze that drifted through the open window had, almost imperceptibly, taken on a distinct chill.

“The rest period will end soon, won’t it?”

“Indeed. Not much time left.”

Despite the growing familiarity between them, Han Gureum consistently maintained a polite form of address. Even when Seo Dowoon urged him to speak more casually, he simply stated that the formal style felt more comfortable and showed no inclination to change.

“When the rest period ends, does the Herbivore Guild also get very busy?”

“Extremely busy. Dowoon-ssi, you should try to stay home throughout November if possible. Those who have entered a rift once are susceptible to being drawn in again.”

“Ah, because of the resonance?”

‘There was a theory that the rifts created when dungeons manifested possessed a unique resonance, and that this lingering resonance could affect individuals who had once been drawn into them. Despite wavelength tests consistently showing no abnormalities, rendering it a mere conjecture, Han Gureum firmly believed in it.’

“Some people have been swept away three times. Dowoon-ssi, you’re not entirely safe either.”

“I’ll be careful. Still no word about recruiting new guild members?”

“You’ve been asking that since last time. Do you know any Awakeners around?”

“No. I want to be one.”

To Han Gureum, who had encountered many people yearning to become Awakeners, Seo Dowoon’s persistent obsession with the topic momentarily made him appear like someone of untainted innocence. He still couldn’t quite grasp why Seo Dowoon was so fixated on the Herbivore Guild when numerous other excellent guilds existed. Whenever asked, Seo Dowoon would merely reply, ‘Because you’re here, hyung,’ offering no explanation that Han Gureum could truly comprehend. And despite all this, Seo Dowoon hadn’t even undergone the examination to become a certified Esper.

Though he didn’t know why Seo Dowoon hadn’t been tested, his intense interest made Han Gureum think it might be better to confirm whether he was an Awakener or not. So, he suggested, “Then, at least get tested. Who knows? You might have awakened without even realizing it.”