HLSEBT - 27

27. Come over, young lamb 3

The two of them had been given just over a week to prepare. 

It was such a tight schedule that there wasn’t even time to draft an official statement explaining why the preparation period was so short. 

Cheon Geon-young learned quickly. Yoon Tae-ha, who was well-versed in the shelter system, took it upon herself to act as his dedicated tutor. Though everything must have been unfamiliar to him, he absorbed the knowledge so rapidly that even Yoon Tae-ha found herself inwardly impressed. 

By the time they had completed their preparations, the uniforms arrived just in time. 

Cheon Geon-young, who had smiled serenely like Bodhisattva, ready to accept anything, made a slightly subtle expression when he saw his name tag on the uniform. 

“It’s been a while since I’ve worn a school uniform.” 

Yoon Tae-ha’s face looked far worse than his as she stared at the uniform still wrapped in plastic. 

“So, this is what I’ll be wearing again…” 

“Did you say you were from the North Shelter?” 

Yoon Tae-ha, who had been looking at her phone, closed it and nodded. Inside her messenger app, Seo Do-jin’s taunts and absurd midwinter requests for selfies in her uniform were jumbled together. 

She decided it would be better to explain things to this man instead. With a tired voice, she said: 

“The infamous North Shelter… You know how the shelters are divided, right?” 

There were four shelters in the metropolitan area. Among them, the East Shelter served as a kind of tollgate or gateway. Espers who had just manifested their abilities and were still adapting would first gather there. After going through a mental and physical adjustment period and stabilizing somewhat, they would then be reassigned to another shelter. 

“I’m well aware that high-risk cases go to the North Shelter.” 

Yoon Tae-ha, who grew up in the most closed-off environment, pointed to herself with the end of her ballpoint pen. 

“That’s right. Kids like me.” 

“The Center Director is also from the North Shelter.” 

“And the Head of Security.” 

“What about Seo Do-jin?” 

Yoon Tae-ha nodded. 

“They both manifested their abilities later than average. When someone has strong powers but manifests late, they usually end up in the North Shelter because they’re considered high-risk.” 

“What about you?” 

“I’ve been an esper since I was young.” 

According to her explanation, the South and West Shelters were where espers other than those in the high-risk group were sent. 

“I heard the North Shelter is the only one that gathers espers from all over the country.” 

“A lot of troublemakers end up there too.” 

At the mention of “trouble,” Cheon Geon-young tilted his head curiously. Thinking his reaction was rather fresh, she spun her pen quickly and explained: 

“What do you think kids do with their powers? They fight all the time. And if one kid breaks another’s arm or leg, they get kicked out to the North Shelter.” 

“But doesn’t that put the espers already in the North Shelter at risk?” 

Her sly smile answered his fairly kind concern. 

“What about the kids who are stamped for the North Shelter from the very beginning of the selection process?” 

Cheon Geon-young immediately realized his mistake. 

“That makes sense.” 

“After getting their spirits crushed, they usually go back to where they came from. The company doesn’t really intend to graduate them from there anyway.” 

“It’s used as a disciplinary measure.” 

“Bingo.” 

That was why Yoon Tae-ha was even more surprised by something else: the kids in the West Shelter seemed too weak from her perspective. 

They’d break if you tapped them. How were they supposed to conduct an investigation here? 

One of the hardest things for Yoon Tae-ha was the concept of “moderation.” Researchers had worked tirelessly to instill this idea in her since she was young. 

“Moderate intimidation?” Like, is it okay if a rib or two gets broken? 

When she went on missions as a teenager, she would ask the staff one by one before heading out: “How many weeks of injury recovery is acceptable?” Things like that. 

To confess, she had even asked Lee Hae-kyung recently where the line was drawn this time. 

“I heard the West and South Shelters were divided due to capacity issues… But lately, there have been reports that the West Shelter kids are becoming a bit more aggressive. Strange.” 

“Are you saying there wasn’t much difference between the two when you lived in the shelters?” 

“That’s what I’ve heard.” 

The discussion continued late into the night. They revised and re-revised the strategy provided by the Center. Even as Yoon Tae-ha collapsed onto the desk from exhaustion, Cheon Geon-young remained seated upright, his back straight. 

At least his stamina was impressive, which gave her some peace of mind. 

---

Seo Do-jin approached Yoon Tae-ha with a face brimming with happiness early in the morning. 

It was still dawn, and most people hadn’t arrived for work yet. Finally, the day had come for the two of them to enter the West Shelter. 

“Wow, my little sister! I haven’t seen you in a school uniform in ages!”

Seo Do-jin’s voice boomed across the lobby. Yoon Tae-ha, who had zero intention of warmly welcoming him as a dutiful younger sister, furrowed her brows menacingly.

The navy and dark red plaid skirt, along with the school uniform shirt embroidered with a small black anchor on the sleeves, felt unfamiliar after so long. The backpack gifted by Lee Hae-kyung was carelessly slung over one shoulder, and the necktie, wrapped around her hand like a bandage, added to her disheveled appearance.

Seo Do-jin scanned her delinquent-like demeanor. 

“Who are you going to rough up at school?” 

“…Not in the mood.” 

“So that’s why I’m feeling this good? Together, we balance out perfectly—peaceful equilibrium. Fifty-fifty.” 

“You want me to split you in half?” 

“You really haven’t changed since wearing that uniform again. Scary.” 

Not scared in the slightest, Seo Do-jin pretended to shrink his broad shoulders in mock fear. 

“Nothing to ask? I’ve been commuting as a special instructor since last week. No need for tips or anything?” 

On that chaotic night when a D-class rift occurred, Seo Do-jin had casually mentioned something: he would be teaching combat lessons at a shelter for a month. At the time, she had mocked the poor kids who’d have to endure his classes… 

And now here she was, about to become one of them! Truly, no one can predict the future. 

“How are the kids doing?” 

“They’re more innocent than the ones from the North Shelter.” 

“Don’t state the obvious. Comparing them to those guys isn’t fair.” 

“The kids all wish my special lecture series would end before the final day. They’re afraid I’ll retire and take over as principal of the shelter.” 

“That school would turn into a nightmare…” 

Seo Do-jin had recently been infiltrating the shelter to assess the internal atmosphere and check for any suspicious movements among the faculty. 

An A-class esper directly dispatched from Yeouido. Moreover, Seo Do-jin was a well-known name within the esper community. 

The drug peddlers who had been gleefully selling their wares surely tensed up at the sight of him. When people are nervous, they tend to act differently from their usual selves. 

That was when Yoon Tae-ha and Cheon Geon-young would step in, embedding themselves among the students to untangle and apprehend the web of malice. This was the broad outline of their mission. 

It was only possible because Yoon Tae-ha was an S-class esper who hadn’t been publicly revealed. 

For someone like her, who preferred straightforward firepower missions, this assignment was nothing short of depressing. 

“Why do I have to go as a student while you get to be a teacher?” 

“Well, I’m a wise mentor with much to teach, and our Tae-ha… Hmm, what exactly were you planning to lecture about?” 

“I don’t feel like dealing with opponents.” 

Receiving Yoon Tae-ha’s contemptuous glare, Seo Do-jin couldn’t help but find amusement, subtly curling his lips upward. Perhaps, as Lee Hae-kyung had suggested, he was stuck at the kindergarten level, teasing his four-years-younger sister just for fun. 

“How’s your relationship with your guide?” 

“Good.” 

“Oh… Judging by your immediate response, looks like you plan to keep him around for a while?” 

“What are you even talking about? Hurry up and leave. Cheon Geon-young is waiting.” 

“You’re already looking out for him?” 

Feigning hurt, Seo Do-jin finally got to the point after meeting her fiery gaze. 

“Even if you hate me, I am your brother, so I’ll give you some important intel.” 

Lowering his voice to a whisper, he leaned in. Yoon Tae-ha instinctively matched his tone and checked their surroundings cautiously. 

“The analysis came out this morning.” 

“What now?” 

“Ha Soo-jin.” 

At the mention of the name, her brow tightened. 

The second disqualified individual. Again. Reading her expression, Seo Do-jin cut straight to the chase without wasting more patience. 

“One of the pills circulating inside the shelter resembles the drugs made by the guild Ha Soo-jin used to belong to. Think of it as… an upgraded version?” 

“I thought that guild was destroyed. Raided by the Protection Bureau. And didn’t that woman join a medical organization after the guild fell apart?” 

“The research division says they smell something fishy.” 

“Are the remnants still producing drugs?” 

“Probably. People who used to make potions can’t just suddenly switch to being dealers or tanks, right? That world keeps spinning in circles anyway.” 

She listened to Seo Do-jin’s words while gazing out at the road beyond the window. 

If they executed this mission well, they might be able to dismantle an entire group of drug peddlers. 

The gist of his advice was clear: Though pretending to be a mundane student might seem trivial, the potential gains could be significant. She needed to give it her all.

Yoon Tae-ha slowly nodded, catching her slipping bag with one hand. 

At that moment, Cheon Geon-young appeared in front of the company building, wearing the same uniform as her. 

No matter how much shelters were spaces where even twenty-year-olds wore uniforms, his appearance was just… too much. Anyone could tell he’d been honing his physique outside. If it weren’t for his face, he would’ve immediately been flagged as a person of interest. 

Spotting his partner, Cheon Geon-young gave a nod of acknowledgment. Yoon Tae-ha awkwardly raised one hand in response and turned her back to him so her lips wouldn’t be visible as she spoke. 

“This… Only I know about this, right?” 

“I just came from reading the results visually at the R building.” 

“Got it. Is it okay if I tell Cheon Geon-young?” 

“That’s up to you. Since when does someone with more authority than me bother asking for permission beforehand?” 

As Yoon Tae-ha moved to leave, Seo Do-jin gave her one last reminder. 

“Think about why they’re sending you. They want you to pull it out by the roots. No matter who it is.” 

Yoon Tae-ha shrugged nonchalantly. Opening the door, the still less-than-pleasant morning air enveloped her body. 

Cheon Geon-young was standing in front of the car prepared by Ark. He looked far neater in his uniform compared to her. 

“There’s no driver. It’s an autonomous vehicle.” 

Coming out of the building, she commented on why he hadn’t gotten in yet despite the heat. 

“We go in together.” 

People starting their commute occasionally glanced at the duo in uniforms appearing in the middle of Yeouido. 

“Your tie… Aren’t you going to put it on?” 

Cheon Geon-young gestured toward the tie wrapped around her hand like a bandage. Right, she made a sound as if she’d forgotten something. 

“I’m not good at tying ties… There weren’t any at the North Shelter. I’ll ask that guy over there to help me. Can you wait in the car for a moment?” 

As she started heading back into the building, Cheon Geon-young took a step forward, subtly blocking her path with his body. 

He pointed to his own perfectly knotted tie. 

“I’ll do it for you.” 

“…If you insist.” 

The navy-blue tie passed into Cheon Geon-young’s hands. The distance between the two narrowed.