BCGWR Chapter 24 Part 1

023.

Broken Jar 12

Whoosh-

Instantly, the flow of air around him changed. A soft, pale pink light, identical to the gem embedded in the ring, enveloped Han Ji-su’s body and gently swirled around him.

However, within a few seconds, the light around him scattered into the air and vanished. The flow of air also returned to normal. The moment everything quieted down, the message on the bluish status window changed.

[Skill use canceled because the location of designated target ‘Kang Jae-yoon’ could not be confirmed.]

“……”

The skill window slowly faded from his sight.

Han Ji-su simply let his legs give out, sliding down to the tiled floor, where he sat hugging his knees and burying his head.

Then he caressed the ring again.

[Attempting to move to designated target ‘Kang Jae-yoon’.]

……

[Skill use canceled because the location of designated target ‘Kang Jae-yoon’ could not be confirmed.]

……

[Attempting to move to designated target ‘Kang Jae-yoon’.]

……

[Skill use canceled because the location of designated target ‘Kang Jae-yoon’ could not be confirmed.]

……

Han Ji-su stopped using the skill and, with his eyes still closed, focused on his hearing.

Faintly, he heard Toto’s enthusiastic squeaks from outside the bathroom, as if he was having another showdown with Jung Ha-jin.

His eyes stung, throbbed, and felt sore.

But he wasn’t sad.

So Han Ji-su didn’t even notice his knees getting wet.

Deep night.

Han Ji-su took the medication to block Guiding in front of Jung Ha-jin.

He asked if he should even open his mouth to show, but Jung Ha-jin said he wouldn’t go that far to check. Instead, he said he would stay by Han Ji-su’s side until he fell asleep, and Han Ji-su didn’t particularly refuse.

As Han Ji-su lay down first, Toto also settled into his dedicated bed on the nightstand beside the bed. Toto, having covered himself with his blanket, stared at Han Ji-su, blinking his small eyes.

Han Ji-su gently stroked Toto’s head with his finger and smiled, while Jung Ha-jin pulled out the desk chair and sat upright, his gaze fixed outside the window. Neither spoke, and the only sound in the quiet room was Han Ji-su tossing and turning to find a comfortable position.

Since it was such a high floor, Han Ji-su couldn’t hear the noise from the road.

Jung Ha-jin sat motionless, staring out the window the entire time. Han Ji-su, glancing at him while tossing and turning, thought that was a talent in itself. So, without realizing it, he asked in a low voice.

“Jung Ha-jin Esper.”

“Yes.”

“……May I ask something a little personal?”

“Yes.”

He answered without hesitation and turned his head towards Han Ji-su. Toto also perked up his ears and looked at Jung Ha-jin. Han Ji-su, facing the blunt but gentle gaze of Jung Ha-jin, asked to confirm something he had long suspected.

“……Um, were you perhaps a soldier before you Awakened?”

“Yes……. Is it that obvious?”

“Hmm~ I guess, it’s just a feeling? More than anything else, your posture is incredibly straight.”

“I see.”

It was an answer that subtly omitted the part about his speaking style. Seeing Jung Ha-jin nod as if he understood, unaware of the omission, Han Ji-su asked again.

“……Can I ask something else?”

“Yes. Anything is fine.”

His tone was still blunt and stiff, but his voice was pleasant to listen to. Han Ji-su, thinking he envied such a low voice, said.

“How was my Guiding? Did it feel like a good match?”

“Yes. It was very comfortable.”

“Ah…… that’s a real relief.”

Occasionally, when the compatibility between a Guide and an Esper was completely mismatched, the Guiding itself could feel unpleasant.

Of course, such an intense rejection was not common, but Han Ji-su still felt good hearing that his Guiding was comfortable, and he offered a faint smile.

“Can we go to a low-rank Dungeon tomorrow?”

“Yes. Regular walks are good. I will look for a place where we can enter immediately.”

“Good. It’s not just for a walk; I need to let Toto use his skills. It’s a growth-type skill, so the more he uses it, the more experience he gains.”

At those words, Toto, still lying down, looked at Jung Ha-jin with a face full of pride. Jung Ha-jin glanced at Toto, then nodded and agreed.

“Growth-type skills are rare; that’s impressive.”

“Our Toto is quite impressive, isn’t he?”

“Squeak!”

“Yes. He is impressive.”

At the immediate affirmative reply, Han Ji-su and Toto were both momentarily stunned, but their expressions soon brightened. Toto, in particular, became quite smug and got out of his dedicated bed, climbing down the nightstand.

Han Ji-su wondered where he was going, but Toto went straight to Jung Ha-jin, climbed up his pant leg, and settled onto his thigh. Jung Ha-jin naturally began to pet Toto, and Han Ji-su, watching them, tilted his head and said.

“Toto doesn’t usually go to other men besides me… that’s surprising.”

At that, Jung Ha-jin, who had started enthusiastically petting Toto, also murmured that it was surprising.

“I find it surprising too. Truthfully, even taming monsters don’t usually come near me. Toto is a brave hamster.”

“Squeak-!”

Considering small animals didn’t usually come near him, his hand movements while petting were quite elaborate.

As if to prove this, Toto gradually flattened like a hotteok. Then, within a few seconds, he lay completely on his stomach, trembling as Jung Ha-jin’s hand stroked him from head to tail.

“……You’re really good at petting, aren’t you?”

“Am I doing well?”

“Yes. Very much so.”

As Han Ji-su genuinely admired him, Jung Ha-jin, who had been silently petting Toto for a moment, raised his head again and met Han Ji-su’s eyes.

Han Ji-su didn’t avoid his gaze, lying quietly and just blinking.

“Jung Ha-jin Esper, do you like movies?”

“……I think I like them.”

At the ambiguous answer, Han Ji-su’s eyes narrowed. Jung Ha-jin, as if making an excuse for Han Ji-su’s reaction, added.

“Honestly, I haven’t had much time to watch movies usually. If I had to choose between liking and disliking them… I lean towards liking them.”

“Hmm… really? Then, while we’re staying together, would you like to watch some movies with me?”

“Sounds good.”

As he immediately replied and agreed, Han Ji-su’s reddened eye corners curved slightly. Jung Ha-jin pretended not to notice that Han Ji-su’s eyes had been red ever since he came out of the bathroom earlier.