5. Encounter (1)

"You've been in and out of consciousness for two and a half days, Moon Jin-soo ssi."

I froze.

Two and a half..? That surprised me.

Even during his trainee days or after debuted with an idol's busy schedule, he would only collapse by a slight fever and was forced by the company to bed rest for the night.

On the next day, he would start working again since his condition never gone that bad.

Not once had he fainted, for days, even.

Park Hyun-sik continued, "You refused to go to the hospital, so I brought you here instead. We have private medical facilities so there won't be any people coming in here except me and the Guide just now."

Guilt filled in me and I was embarrassed to maintain eye contact. Had it not been for his considerate help, my state would've been much worse.

I awkwardly rubbed the nape of my neck.

"That.. I'm sorry for troubling you."

Seeing the guilty look on his face, Park Hyun-sik relaxed his rigid expression.

"No, I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable just now. And it was rude of me to call you by your name suddenly."

The man bowed his head in a polite manner, and I waved my hands with a troubled face.

"No no, please lift your head up. It's alright, Park Hyun-sik ssi.."

Because I called your name before too.

I smiled awkwardly, my conscience also pricked me since I knew this man's name by overhearing his conversation with others at that time.

Hearing his name coming from my mouth, Park Hyun-sik let out a quiet chuckle. I'm guessing that he may have thought that we both have the same manner regarding this.

Nonetheless, he still needs to address the situation to the patient in front of him.

"You must be wondering where this is."

Moon Jin-soo nodded, "The last thing I remembered was you driving us to.."

Even though it felt like he heard it before, his clouded memories from that time wasn't helping.

"Soleil Guild. This is the medical facilities inside the Soleil Guild building, and I, Park Hyun-sik, is the Deputy Master of Soleil Guild, an S-rank Esper." the man informed him.

So it really was Soleil Guild.

Theres no way that even I, a person trying his hardest for years to hide myself from the media's eyes, wouldn't know of it.

The current top number one guild in Korea. It was established the day dungeons appeared before the first dungeon break tragedy happened.

The guild is prosperous and has made big contributions in dungeon clearances and research since the day it was established.

It's one of the guilds that contributed to the second dungeon break clearance the most.

'And this man in front of me is the Deputy Master.. to top it off, my hunch telling me that he's higher than an A-rank was on spot.'

In conclusion, it's the elite of the elites.

However, there's one thing that's off putting for me.

"Why is a Deputy Master of the top guild in Korea also participated as the representative of Soleil Guild in that high-level dungeon thats suppossed to be just a reconnaissance mission?"

Truthfully, if it's truly only a reconnaissance mission, then an S-rank is unneeded. Although it would be very helpful and faster to be dealt with if they volunteered to.

"It's a direct order by the Guild Master." Park Hyun-sik replied and didn't seem like stating the reason even more.

That's it? That's the only reason? The vague yet unrelenting answer rise suspiciouns somehow.

"I see.."

Soleil's Guild Master seems to be a more precautious person than what the rumors said.

On the other hand, I heard that Soleil's Guild Master has a sly ambitionist personality.

'Did he predicted something like this would happen?'

Or is it something like the hunch of an SS-ranked person?

Soleil's Guild Master.

The sole establisher of the Soleil Guild itself.

There are a lot of news about him for being the only SS-ranked Esper currently residing in Korea.

Originally, Korea had two SS-ranked Espers.. but I heard one of them went to the US and joined the top guild there.

Although, not once had I seen his face. Every articles I crossed by per chance never had any of the guild master's photos.

'I heard that he's a famous person even before he established the guild and became a guild master.'

Either way, it has nothing to do with me, so let's not think too much about it.

I was about to land my feet on the floor when Park Hyun-sik opened his mouth once again.

"I've also been ordered to inform you that the Guild Master wants to speak to you, Moon Jin-soo ssi."

Cough—

I choked on my own spit.

"...Pardon? Me?"

Did I.. do something wrong?

"The Guild Master has ordered me to bring you to his office. He would like to speak with you." Park Hyun-sik said as he brought a glass of water for me.

I accepted the drink in gratitude and drank until the cup is half empty.

As I put down the cup to my lap, I stared blankly at my own reflection on the swaying water.

What the hell?

I mean, "...May I ask why? Did you not reported to the Master that I'm just a passerby?"

"Since you were a passerby who is also a witness who got caught up in the incident, we sincerely asked for your cooperation to state what happened at that time."

"And I need to report it in front of the presence of your guild master..?"

"Yes."

Spare me.

My hand came up to my forehead, somehow it felt like a headache will resurface once again.

Is this karma for meddling with the situation..? No no, let's be positive. My heroic actions probably moved the guild master's heart and interest.

...or perhaps?

Now that it crossed his mind, there's a big possibility as well that the sole guild's right hand mand in front of him also reported his abilities.

Although he doesn't consider his abilities special, support type Esper who could use both buff and debuffing skills like him is rare. His ability activation traits are eyecatchingly unnatural so he never wanted to use it outside or in front of many eyes.

It felt and looked different compared to the four elements consisting of fire, water, wind, and earth.

Nevertheless, an unaffiliated citizen like him could't possibly refuse the guild master's wish. He can just be quick about it then leave.

But, wait a minute. There won't be any media involved in this since it's related to a dungeon break, right..?

I hurriedly asked Park Hyun-sik, "May I ask something?"

"Speak."

"Will that incident be recorded?"

As the third dungeon break in the history of Korea.

If media reporters are also present, then I don't think I want to go.

Seeing the hesitation in my eyes, Park Hyun-sik shook his head to the side in small movements, "It'll be just you and the guild master. The damage scale is way smaller than the first and second dungeon break so the news spreads slowly."

"Oh, thank goodness.. However, there are some abnormalities found, is that so?"

"Yes. So it will not be disclosed to the media yet, rather, it will be investigated discreetly among the top guilds to raise more awareness on dungeon clearances."

So you're saying having more information is necessary, and that's also the reason why you got me involved in this. I can't really argue with that logic.

"We will file some reports and proceed to investigate with the higher-ups amongst the dungeon management HQ as well as the top 5 elite guilds of Korea."

"And my cooperation is important for telling everything that had happened in the perspectives of a passerby, right?"

Park Hyun-sik nodded in confirmation.

A sigh escaped from my lips. It's not that he didn't want to. To him, this is just troublesome and burdening him.

But to them, eyewitness statements are crucial.

"Fine, if it's only for awhile.."

I half-heartedly agreed to go, as long as I just have to state whatever happened that time then go.

Park Hyun-sik nodded in understanding and stood up from his seat.

"Then you can clean yourself first. Feel free to use the bathroom."

He gestured his chin and pointed at the other door beside the one that leads outside.

"I'll be waiting outside."

"Ah, please wait, Park Hyun-sik ssi!"

When Park Hyun-sik turned around and immediately walked towards the door, I remembered something and casually called his name.

The called man stopped with his hand hovering above the door knob, and he turned around with one of his eyebrow raised.

"Um.. this might be rude of me but, do you have a spare mask..? Or is there any convenience store near here so I can buy one?"

The S-rank Esper stood blankly for a split second, his eyes gazed at Moon Jin-soo's face and slowly went lower.

Bringing his vision back up to the light brown eyes looking straight at him, he replied with a reassuring tone, "I'll prepare it for you. Your clothes were washed properly and are stored in the cupboard."

And just like that, the man turned the door knob and exited the room. I'm finally alone again.

Moon Jin-soo went inside the bathroom and unbuttoned the top of his patient clothes carefully. Looking down, he realized something.

"The IV.. I should've asked him to call the A-rank medic Guide here too.."

It might hinder him for taking a bath this way, but it cannot be helped.

He looked at his reflection in the mirror. The small scratches from before, even the one on his cheek and his fist, are all gone without leaving any scars.

The only bandages wrapped on him is the one around his neck. Probably the one when he got choked by that high leveled monster.

I removed the bandages and fortunately, the skin doesn't have any scratches nor marks anymore. Only his white unblemished skin could be seen.

Dabbing a clean towel provided in the bathroom, I started wiping the wet towel to my body.

It was a bit of a struggle to clean myself with the IV attached, but I did my best to make sure the water didn't touch it. Next I washed my face and hair, then brushed my teeth. Droplets of water fell from my hair.

There's not enough time so I quickly dried my hair with the hairdryer and put a towel on top of my head.

"How am I supposed to wear my hoodie again though.."

The trousers are fine, but I can't take off my top. I need to take off the IV first.

Feeling frustrated, I just went outside with the unbuttoned top and put the hoodie on my arm. Just when I closed the bathroom door, a sound of a door knob turned open could be heard.

"Moon Jin-soo ssi, I brought the healer guide fo—"

Park Hyun-sik and the person behind him, Bom Jeong-won, stood frozen still when their eyes met mine. To be specific, lower than mine.

What? Why are you both looking at me like that? Is there something—

Oh

Oh.

I embarrassedly tried to hide the gap of the unbuttoned shirt which revealed my chest and stomach. "That.. I can't take off my clothes because of the IV so.."

Oh, it felt awkward.

Park Hyun-sik apologized in a low voice and left the room after saying that he will wait outside. Now it's just him and Bom Jeong-won inside the room. The two of us looked at each other with an awkward smile.

"I'm sorry, we knocked twice but there was no answer so.."

"No, no, it's alright, please don't mind it, so.. could you help me remove this, Bom Jeong-won ssi?"

The A-rank who was placed as my personal healer guide Bom Jeong-won smiled softly at me as he nodded. He removed the IV gently with skillfull fingers and meticulously wrapped a bandage around the hand.

After that, Bom Jeong-won said his goodbyes and left the room. He's being considerate since I need to change my clothes.

Wearing my clean beige hoodie and trousers, I finally exited the room and was greeted by the sight of Park Hyun-sik.

As we walked side by side, he gave me a brand new mask to cover my face. I asked him how much should I pay him back for the mask, but he said not to mind it. It kinda burdened me a little, but I chose to gratefully accept it and thanked his kindness.

We went inside the elevator and Park Hyun-sik pushed the top floor button. The elevator opened with a 'ding' sound when it arrived at the designated floor. I walked behind Park Hyun-sik who led the way.

The hallway is long and quite dim. The black walls and dark red carpet seemed never ending. We passed by some doors that looked similar to each other, until a different looking one guarded by someone could be seen at the end of the hallway.

With a slight nod from Park Hyun-sik, the guard nodded and opened the door for us without saying anything. I trailed behind Park Hyun-sik when he made his way inside the room.

I couldn't help but wander my eyes around the large office room. The walls are also decorated with matte black wallpapers, but there are some gold dust on it's surface, giving it a sophiscated feel. The wooden furnitures looked simple but elegant.

"I've brought him as you requested."

At Park Hyun-sik's words, I slightly bowed my head in formality without uttering a single word.

With a small hand gesture from the figure hidden behind the chair, Park Hyun-sik turned his back and left the room without saying anything anymore.

Why would you leave me alone..

The door closed with a 'click' sound.

Just by entering the room itself already made his stomach feels like churned, and now he is left alone with the highest ranked Esper in whole Korea.

'As expected, SS-ranked auras felt very different..'

It's as if they're in a league of their own.

The sight of the person with the highest position in Soleil Guild is covered by the back of the chair, unmoving and in silence. I gathered the courage to open the conversation first.

"Um.. hello, sir, I'm the passerby Esper who helped Deputy Master Park Hyun-sik ssi during the dungeon break a few days ago."

The air felt uncomfortable, it felt like I was waiting to get scolded by my boss or something. I fidgeted, should I tell him my name too?

I finally opened my mouth to break the silence.

"My name is—"

"Moon Jin-soo."

Thump

My shoulders stiffened at the familiar tone of voice.

That voice.. can it be?

As I stood frozen still, a light chuckle reverberated around the entire room. The person that was sitting on the seat of Soleil's Guild Master stood up and turned around. My eyes widened as I saw the familiar face of my senior when I was still an idol.

"Kang Tae-yang.. sunbaenim?"

"I finally caught you, hoobaenim."

Silky raven hair swayed together with light footsteps. Each step making his way closer and closer to where I am standing.

I reflexively leaned back and looked up at the tall man as my light brown hues caught in a staring contest with the red-auburn hues of his.

With the corner of his lips pulled upward, Kang Tae-yang gave Moon Jin-soo a sly smile.

"Or should I call you 'Jin-soo ya' now?"

The previously stiffened shoulders trembled as I heard the overly friendly tone of voice coming from the only person in this room beside me.

How could he not noticed it before.

'Was it the change of aura?'

Or was it because that person's hair is now back to his natural deep black color, and not the fiery red color that he got used to during their idol days?

Yet, no matter how changed the person in front of him had become, those red-auburn hues staring straight at him never changed.

This familiar feeling, it's undoubtedly him.

At that time, it felt like the dots were finally connecting to each other.

I burst out a laugh.

I take it back. I took back when I said 'thank goodness' that it will only be just the two of us here.

'Cooperative statement' my ass.

The only thing that crossed my mind is how much I want to get out of this room right now.