Tears? No. It can't be tears. Why am I crying? Am I crying because I'm happy or sad? What does happiness feel like when you've lost everything you loved? "Did I say something wrong, Seojin?" Minseok asked hesitantly after a moment of silence. I shook my head, wiping the wetness off my cheeks with my sleeve. I'll pretend nothing happened, I told myself. "No, it's fine." I smiled weakly. "I was just thinking of my family, that's all. Thank you." For making me remember them. "Let's go, then!" Minseok declared, grabbing my arm and pulling me along. Just like how he grabbed me by the heart. ***** When we reached the parking lot, I saw Minseok's silver BMW parked in the very front row. A big signboard stood at the entrance of the parking area, saying "No Parking," but we ignored it without hesitation. We both got inside the car, and I took one last look at the parking lot before locking the doors. The first thing I noticed was the smell. The scent of lavender mixed with the smel
I knew he could sense my nervousness, but Minseok didn't show it. He stood right in front of me, looking down at me with those beautiful blue eyes. I could feel the heat radiating off of him, and I found myself longing for him to touch me again."You know," he began, "you don't have to pretend to like me. You're making this harder than it needs to be."His words hit home. It wasn't true that I hated Minseok. What I felt was something entirely else. I pulled him close, wrapping my arms around him, holding him tight."I want to be with you, all right?" I said.Minseok's hands reached into my hair and cupped my head, pulling me closer. My heart pounded in my chest; every fiber of my being screamed in pain.Yet again, we are kissing.Minseok pulled off his jacket, throwing it onto the floor. The shirt he wore underneath it quickly followed suit, leaving him clad only in his undershirt and black pants.Minseok seemed to take liking to my living room, and he took advantage of his presence
"No, um... That was just—""A coincidence, huh? You were just saying it because you happened to get caught off guard, right?""N-No, uh... that's not what I meant...""It sounded like you did.""It's not like that! Agh, why am I even trying to explain this?!"I didn't have the strength left to argue. My chest was heaving, and I was gasping for breath."Just admit it already. You've been wanting this since the moment we came here, haven't you? Admit it.""Fine, okay! Yes, of course! I think you're gradually growing on me; I'm attracted to you, and I want you to touch me!"He chuckled quietly.I closed my eyes, embarrassed by my own words."Shut up, stop laughing," I growled. "Why do you have to make this so hard?! Why are you taking all the fun out of confessing?""I'm just teasing you. Are you upset?""Yes, of course I am!" I snapped, turning to glare at Minseok. He smiled softly at me, gently stroking the back of my hand."Oh, come on, no need to act so high strung. Just relax, okay?
"Wha—"He leaned forward, kissing me again.Ew!Instead of sucking on my cock, he kissed me. And this time, I wasn't expecting such a move, so my reaction was delayed.It felt as though I was the one who sucked my cock, not him. The sensation of him slithering along my skin made me shiver.Of course, I couldn't tell him I didn't like it...His fingers ran through my hair. His kisses were soft and gentle. My eyes closed, and I surrendered myself to his lips.I liked how Minseok seemed to be enjoying himself, smiling happily when he saw the look on my face.Yet, deep down, I was afraid to let go—terrified of losing control of myself. I knew I could become addicted to this—to being dominated by another man.The reason I hadn't done this before was simple: I feared that it would remind me of my past. That I wouldn't be able to distinguish between right and wrong anymore.Then I felt a finger intrude on my tight hole, and I snapped out of my reverie.I instinctively kicked at his face.Wha
The next day, I went to the shop where I usually bought coffee from when I had some time to kill. The shopkeeper, who we all refer to as 'Ajumma', was a middle-aged woman with pretty brown hair, and while I appreciated her service, I never really talked to her much.She was standing behind the counter, which made it hard to tell how old she actually was, but I guessed she was somewhere between thirty and forty years old. She wore glasses over her long lashes, and her smile looked kind.Today, though, it seemed she recognized me—and I couldn't help wondering why."Excuse me, sir!" She called out as I stepped inside, forcing me to stop and look at her. "Sorry for bothering you so early, but I just wanted to know if there's something that's weighing on your mind."Her voice sounded warm and friendly, and I could feel the concern in her eyes.There were some things I needed to say but didn't know how to explain them, so I just shook my head awkwardly."Oh, okay. Well then, I'll let you ge
I nodded and tried to smile.The kid came closer and gave me a hug. I patted his head awkwardly and let out a small sigh."Thank you," said the kid.I wanted to say, 'No worries' or something similar, but I couldn't find the words."Thanks for coming," said a little girl standing next to the boy. She was about five years old and wore a yellow dress with a red cardigan.She smiled at me too, and I felt a bit better."Are you the superhero we saw on the TV two days ago?" asked the boy.On the TV...I was struggling to remember what the broadcast was about. Was it the news? Or maybe a program?"Some big, BIG monsters attacked that big building that's full of superheroes and stuff, and the heroes saved the day!"I remembered now. That had happened a few days ago, actually. The day I found out I could communicate with some of these monstrous beings.I was tempted to lie, but I decided to tell the truth instead."Yes, I am.""Are you really?""Yeah, I'm a superhero.""There are lots of supe
When I opened my eyes, I found myself lying on the floor. My head still ached, and my mouth was dry.Where am I...? Where's the children... Huh?I tried to sit up, but I couldn't move my body. I realized that I was chained, tightly bound by glowing metal chains that were wrapped around my arms and legs."Mr. Han!" came a voice from above.My eyes focused on the ceiling, which was illuminated by bright lights. I looked over and saw a lady standing on top of a chair, staring down at me."It's me," she said in a soft, gentle tone. She seemed like she was in her mid-twenties, with long black hair tied back in a ponytail. Her skin was fair and smooth; she looked like the kind of lady who'd be popular among men. But the way she stared at me made her seem somehow intimidating."Yeon-seo? What are you doing here?" I asked.Yeon-seo was an Esper and ex member of the Korean Guild gone rogue. I didn't really think much of her—she was a bit of a flake. I guess she got herself involved with the wr
The moment the words left my mouth, I regretted them. My voice sounded almost mocking, and I realized that Yeon-seo's anger was directed at me not because I'd done something wrong, but because she believed I was better than she was."That's not true. No one is better than anyone else. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, and everyone deserves respect.""I never disputed that, but I also need you to know that I am very sorry that Beom went through such pain and suffering. I didn't intend to lead him to his death, but I understand how terrible the situation must have felt to him. Even if I can't make it up to him, I will do whatever I possibly can to make his death mean something.""Please don't apologize to me," Yeon-seo said, tears welling in her eyes. "Don't apologize to me for being weak. Just tell me—what does it feel like to be responsible for someone's death? Is it as horrible as they say? Can you really live with that guilt? Does it hurt?"I nodded. "Yes, it hurts. I've
The turning point came during a routine training session. Jiho had been sitting on the sidelines, watching quietly as the team sparred. Suddenly, without warning, he cried out, his small body convulsing as an invisible force seemed to grip him.“Jiho!” Soo Min screamed, rushing to his side.I was there in an instant, kneeling beside him as his eyes rolled back and his body trembled. The whispers roared in my mind, louder than they’d ever been.**He’s the key. Protect him.**Minseok was beside me, his hands glowing faintly as he tried to stabilize Jiho’s energy. “He’s connected to something,” he said, his voice tense. “Something big.”As Jiho’s convulsions subsided, his eyes fluttered open, locking onto mine. “It’s coming,” he whispered, his voice barely audible. “And you’re the only one who can stop it.”---The weight of Jiho’s words hung heavy over the compound. Director Yoona ordered an immediate lockdown, and the team threw themselves into researching the boy’s connection to the c
The flight back to the Korean Guild HQ was meant to be uneventful. The tension of the South American mission was still fresh in everyone’s minds, and the team was uncharacteristically quiet as the jet sliced through the skies. Na Ri sat near the front, absently scrolling through her tablet. Soo Min had taken up the rear, her head leaning against the window, earphones in but no music playing. Hye Jin, ever practical, was already drafting a post-mission report on her laptop.I sat near the middle, Minseok beside me, reviewing the corrupted structure’s schematics one last time. He didn’t say much, but his quiet presence was grounding. The whispers were blessedly silent, though I had a feeling they weren’t gone for good. They were waiting. I could feel it.---It wasn’t until we were thirty minutes from landing that Soo Min’s voice shattered the silence. “Uh... guys?” she called out, her tone hesitant and confused. Na Ri turned, raising an eyebrow. “What now?”“There’s... something—or s
The return to the compound brought with it a familiar sense of routine and responsibility. Despite the warmth of the beach retreat lingering in our minds, the weight of our duties quickly took precedence. As we unpacked and settled back into our respective quarters, a sudden announcement jolted us back into reality.“All senior team members, report to the main briefing room immediately,” a calm yet commanding voice echoed over the intercom. It was Director Yoona, known formally as Dr. Yoona, the head of our operations. Her tone carried an urgency that left little room for hesitation.Soo Min groaned audibly, collapsing onto the couch in the common area. “Can’t we get just one day to decompress?”Na Ri rolled her eyes, already lacing up her boots. “You wanted to be part of this team, remember? Time off isn’t exactly in the job description.”“Let’s go,” I said, brushing past them and heading toward the briefing room. The others quickly followed, falling into line behind me.---When we
---The gentle hum of the ventilation system was the only sound in the briefing room as Soo Min slammed her hands down on the table, startling everyone. Her usually bright eyes were alight with determination, a stark contrast to the fatigue etched into our faces.“We need a break,” she declared, her voice cutting through the tense silence.Na Ri raised an eyebrow, glancing at Hye Jin, who looked equally skeptical. I, seated at the head of the table, rubbed my temples, already regretting not dismissing the team sooner.“A break?” I echoed, my tone flat. “We don’t have time for that.”“We’ll make time,” Soo Min countered, crossing her arms. “We’ve been running on fumes since the last mission. If we don’t recharge, someone’s going to snap.”Na Ri leaned back in her chair, smirking. “By ‘someone,’ do you mean yourself?”Soo Min shot her a glare but didn’t deny it. “I mean all of us. And I have the perfect idea. Let’s go to the beach!”The room fell silent as her suggestion hung in the air
The city below stretched out like a sprawling labyrinth of flickering lights, bustling streets, and distant hums of life. It was a stark contrast to the chaos that had been my reality for the past few months. But tonight, standing on the rooftop with Minseok by my side, the world felt oddly quiet. A little too quiet.I leaned against the railing, my thoughts swimming in the events of the last mission. The whispers had been quieter, almost nonexistent since the battle, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was the calm before the storm.Minseok stood beside me, his arms crossed as he gazed out over the city. His presence was steady, grounding, yet I could sense the tension in his posture. He hadn’t spoken since we’d come up here, and it was unlike him to remain silent for this long.“What is it?” I asked finally, breaking the stillness.He glanced at me, his expression unreadable. “You’ve been improving,” he said, his voice soft but thoughtful. “The corruption isn’t controlling yo
The moment I stepped onto the training grounds, I felt it—a strange, oppressive weight in the air. My energy was humming louder than usual, the faint vibrations crawling under my skin. I rolled my shoulders, trying to shake the sensation, but it clung to me like a second shadow.“Seojin, are you ready?” Na Ri called from the sidelines, her tone light but edged with concern. I nodded sharply, forcing a grin.“Always.”But as I launched into the training exercise, it became clear that something was wrong. My attacks were faster, stronger, more destructive than I intended. Energy lashed out in uncontrollable bursts, scorching the ground and startling my teammates.“Whoa, Seojin! Dial it back!” Soo Min yelped, narrowly dodging a stray energy blast.“I’m fine,” I snapped, though my voice sounded strained even to me. My heart raced, the oppressive weight growing heavier with each passing second. The whispers were back, faint but insistent.**You can’t control it. You’re dangerous. You’ll hu
---The chill of the night clung to my skin as the team trudged back to the compound, their exhausted chatter barely registering in my ears. The cavern mission had been a success—or at least that’s what I let everyone believe. The shattered crystal, the collapsed monsters, and the silence that followed had painted the perfect picture of victory.But I knew better.Deep in the back of my mind, the whispers lingered—faint but unmistakable. They were guttural and fragmented, their meaning elusive yet threatening. The monsters weren’t gone. Not entirely. And they knew more than they should.I tightened my grip on the hilt of my blade as we walked through the dark forest, the distant glow of the compound lights coming into view. The laughter of my teammates was a stark contrast to the tension coiling in my chest. Na Ri and Hye Jin joked about the chaos in the cavern, while Soo Min animatedly recounted her trap's success. Even Nikolai, usually brooding, wore a faint smirk.Then there was Mi
The following week came with a biting chill in the air, a reminder that winter was fast approaching. The compound’s corridors were bustling with activity as Espers and Guides prepared for another day of strategizing and action. I found myself in the briefing room once again, staring at the large holographic map projected on the wall. The flickering blue light of the display painted shadows on the otherwise dimly lit room.Around me sat the same faces from last week, the tension in the air. Minseok was seated to my right, his calm demeanor a stark contrast to the nervous energy buzzing in the room. I glanced at him, briefly catching his eye. He offered a small smile, one that did little to ease the knot of anxiety in my chest.“Alright,” I began, my voice steady despite the weight of the task ahead. “Let’s get started. Last week, we discussed shifting our focus to capturing monsters alive and finding their nests. Since then, we’ve compiled additional data that could give us an edge.”S
Why did he have to be so damn attractive? Why did he have to be so handsome? Why did he have to be so kind, loving, and gentle? The world would be a better place if everyone was like him. "Do you know what's funny?" I asked him. He looked up at me curiously. "What?" "You're the best Guide I've ever met. No one else even comes close." He smiled warmly. "That's flattering," he said. "But that also means I'll probably never meet anyone who will top you." He chuckled, "you won't, but don't worry. I won't let anyone give you less than your full worth. Besides, I'm a top and not a bottom." "What's a top and bottom?" I asked him. He chuckled, "a Top is someone who takes control, while a Bottom is someone who lets the other person take charge. You are obviously a bottom," he said, looking deep into my eyes. I blushed, "I see," I muttered. I was embarrassed to admit it out loud... but I wanted him. I couldn't help myself; I was attracted to him. There was no way around it. I gr