Chapter Text
They ran every test of the red gem the size of a pencil lead. They found it on medical room floor as Dan’s possible new power or limit almost went off due to righteous anger. The footage proved it came from Dan but it didn’t read as any kind of gem they encountered before. they decided not to tell Mister Choi about it; they were sure it could cause another fight.
X)(X
Dan was sent home and Yoon-gu appeared with Grandma only a few minutes later. yoon-gu told him Jaekyung was on his way as Dan’s bodyguard. He was to stay until he arrived. Dan ended up asking Yoon-gu to keep grandma company as he went to clean up. They were already watching the K-drama channel before he got in the bedroom with a change of clothes.
The water hitting his body felt good, better than normal. Eyes sliding closed as it hit him. he startled himself when he groaned and his hands were moving in a non-cleaning himself matter. He froze realizing that. he took a breath and focused on controlling himself. Was he try to self-soothe after he got super angry?
Unable to answer that, he started washing his hair and was careful not to let his mind wander.
Dan came out of the shower seeing yoon-gu eating ranch popcorn and sharing with grandma as they watched. He zeroed in on the popcorn and realized he was hungry. He just had ice cream but he wanted something heartier.
He went to the fridge and looked at the choices. He bypassed the vegetables and yogurt, going straight for the steaks.
“Dan?” turned round to his grandma’s voice. Both her and Yoon-gu were in front of him, staring at him. “you, okay?”
“Dude. I would have cooked that for a few minutes. I like my steak rare but that was is still mooing.” The taste of meat that was cold and almost slimy in texture. He looked at his hands that were painted in the red myoglobin and water combination that steaks are packed in. when did he do that? “I have to call this in. strange behaviors and all.” Yoon-gu started texting.
Dan mindless took another bite trying to think. Why was he acting strange? He wasn’t a vegetarian but he wasn’t this either. Grandma reached out and restored the steak. “maybe you should cook this one for at least one minute on . . . each side?” she offered but Dan already tore into it before she finished talking.
Dan swallowed with a scared look on his face. “Something is wrong with me. I know it but I’m still doing it like someone else is in control.” He should be more scared and disturbed than this.
“it’s okay.” Yoon-gu put his phone away. “Between the gem shard you created and your weird actions right now. they are thinking you are having an incomplete blowback.”
“eating raw meat is a blowback?” Dan asked slowly. He thought blowbacks were much worse than that. Jaekyung would love that blowback. Well, no because he didn’t make it so it would taste bad. He forgot that for a moment somehow. Where was he anyways? He wanted to see him all the sudden. He really wanted to see him. he wanted more than just see him.
“who knows? what would happen with a full-blown one could be different or not. We are not sure what your limit is other than what it might look like.” Yoon-gu explained as Grandma restored the steak again. Dan forced himself to put it back in the fridge despite wanting more and washed his arms, hands, and face.
“might?” dan asked over the sound of running water.
“it could be the beginning of a transformation. Like Nari with her eyes. if they are silver and snake slit is phase one. The limit is cancellable at that point but she will suffer a part of a blowback. Full limit the silver turns black and so do the whites of her eyes. she looks possessed.” Dan listened to him but he found he rather have Jaekyung take him to his bedroom and do everything up to taking him until he couldn’t take it no more. He still wasn’t ready for that last part. He was a little scared of the idea from a physical point of view.
“I-I should lay down.” Dan said suddenly.
“yeah sure. You should rest. But if you have any other strange urges and such. You need to report them.” Yoon-gu reminded him. The sudden urge he had he was not reporting. Too embarrassing but he pretended to agree. After grandma took the streak and restored it. he went to wash and dry his hands and face. he hurried to his room. Shutting and locking the door, he stripped down. the feel of his clothes grew too uncomfortable.
He laid down on top of the covers of his bed. maybe he could sleep this off?
A pounding at his bedroom door startled him almost out of bed. “Dan. open this door or I’m breaking it down.” that wasn’t a threat. Dan knew he could and would do it. Taking the top cover off the bed and wrapping it around himself, he went to the door. he undid the push lock on the door.
The door swung open and dan hurried out of the line of sight of the doorway. “granny and pot . . . yoon-gu left twenty minutes ago.” Twenty-minutes ago? He felt like he just closed his eyes five seconds ago. “the strong urge to eat raw meat.” Jaekyung looked at him. “you don’t sleep naked. You didn’t report that.”
“w-when I’m stressed, I feel uncomfortable with my clothes touching me. I haven’t had a bedroom most of my life so I would just . . . deal with it. that was why the door was locked.” Jaekyung studied him for moment. It was reasonable that could be the case.
“okay but something else is going on.” how could he possibly know that? “tell me.”
“I . . .I. . .” Dan didn’t want to say it. he would never hear the end of it. “it-it’s not a b-big deal.” Dan was breathing hard and cover was getting hot and itchy of his skin.
“Dan. are you in pain or something?” Dan wouldn’t describe it as pain.
“no. not pain.” Dan couldn’t take this anymore. It was coming back full swing. “on a scale one to ten. One being don’t touch me. Ten being take me until we both pass out. I’m an eight to eight and a half.” Dan was sure he was being vague. Even if he was, Jaekyung understood.
“sexual desire ramps up. It’s semi-common.” That didn’t make him feel better. “I imagine it would feel alien to you.”
“how l-long is this going to take?” when did his room get so hot?
“No idea. You never had your limit before. incomplete limits are normally one fourth the effect of the full limit blowback.” Dan groaned in displeasure. He was losing control.
“I really don’t want to talk about work right now.” the tone Dan had was low, and filled with a need that Jaekyung understood but Dan was partly confused on. the bed cover slipped off him, to the floor. that was a bold move he didn’t think Dan was capable of. This was the same guy that asked ‘what does being horny feel like?’
He pushed up against Jaekyung like it gave him comfort. “I-I need your help. I never felt this outside of . . . what you done. I-I mean me starting out of the gate instead of being worked into it. but it’s not the same at all.” Jaekyung lifted dan’s head to make him look at his face.
“tell me what you want.” He knew what Dan needed but there had to no misunderstandings.
“Anything except penetration. I . . . even with this . . . I’m not there yet.” Hard boundary. Respect despite wanting to take him where he stood. “I’m sorry that I’m acting like this.” this was going to be a test, to his will, not to cross the line Dan drew. Jaekyung took off his jacket and wrapped around the back of Dan.
“not giving the cameras, a free show.” This was a sight no one else was worthy of seeing. Dan put his arms through and Jaekyung zipped it up for him. “let’s get upstairs. Bigger bed.”
***
Six hours and Dan finally calmed down. embarrassed he acted like a wonton as Jaekyung untied his forearms from behind him. Dan couldn’t believe the fact, that he didn’t mind being tied up a little. That was even more embarrassing, “feel free to use the shower.” Dan nodded and he silently agreed he needed another one now. “I get you a change of clothes.” Probably should have done that before they came up here but it didn’t matter now.
A quiet elevator ride later. Jaekyung opened the presidential suite door. grandma still up way past her normal bedtime. “Jaekyung?” She questioned despite it didn’t need to be asked. She had the basic idea of what happened.
“he is showering upstairs. He’s better now.”
he was acting strange. “did the blowback do something else?” grandma Kim asked in a worrying tone.
No point in denying it. “Yes. He was embarrassed about it. it is a pretty common blowback in the long run.” He will have to report it but it would be under code that only a few people understood.
“I’m worried about the raw meat thing. You can do that with some cuts but . .” she trailed off.
“I’ll get him checked in the morning. Call me if he shows worrying signs.” Jaekyung said walking past into Dan’s room. He was happy to see Dan went clothes shopping finally. Still cheaper end looking clothes but better than nothing. He took a white long-sleeved shirt and black jeans from the closet. He opened the dresser and pull out a pair of boxers too.
With that he headed out. Granny smiled at him as he walked past. No more words needed exchanging. As the door shut Grandma Kim sipped her cold brew tea. “Seriously, put a ring on it already.” She chuckled slightly and turned back to her show.
X)(X
The next morning Dan was put through a battery of tests. The raw meat wasn’t causing any issues and Dan’s other side effect ran it’s coarse. Jaekyung did report it but it was under a medical code that only the main doctor understood. He said it was a highly common side effect and not to worry about it. Dan wasn’t worried but highly embarrassed.
He was given the tiny red gem he created and asked if he felt something. he didn’t. the doctor looked disappointed and he told Dan to hold onto it and report any feelings or reactions. Dan promised to do so and he was free to go. He blended into the crowded hallway with more faces he didn’t recognize. Team black had some of the better facilities or so he was told.
They were careful to not send him to the other guilds without yoon-gu who could get him out of there in seconds or Nari or Jaekyung who no one wanted to cross though two. Some people were afraid to get to close to him too. like they were afraid of incurring someone’s wrath.
His watch lit up. “please report to physical training.” He sighed in his head and without hurrying, headed there. It lit up again. “override, please report to main kitchen.” He wished they would make up their minds. He had to turn around now.
He looked at the gem in his hand. It wasn’t made with energy like the ones Dusk and Dawn still wear. He was still running his own tests. He never thought it would blow up like that. he stopped himself then the anger of what Choi did creeped up again. He didn’t need another incomplete limit right now.
He finally made it to the kitchen and went inside. It was fuller than normal with faces he never seen. “Dan!” the kind cook called out. “this is ji from king gym. A cook like me. D class, Ability. unable to burn any food item.” He turned to her. “Ji. Dan. both S plus guide and Esper, ability healing. Better cook than I am.” Dan shook off the praise. “We need to you teach Ji to do canning so they can start on their end.” Dan nodded as Ji walked to the counter, ready to learn.
X)(X
“This one didn’t seal but we can try again. need a different seal and lid. I do not suggest trying a third time if it doesn’t seal this time.” Ji nodded at the instruction.
Dan’s watch when off again. “Report to medical immediately.” That was different phasing than normal. It sounded like an emergency. Dan excused himself and hurried out of the kitchen doors. The hallway was empty and he hurried down the hall. he felt a familiar sickness in his gut. It wasn’t debilitating but it was uncomfortable.
An unknown Esper appeared out of nowhere, scaring Dan half out of his skin. “Kim Dan?” Dan despite being startled Nodded at the question. The Esper held out his hand and Dan despite the strangeness of it, took it. thinking a moment later that this was not the best idea as he didn’t know him.
A moment of dizziness come and gone when he noticed he was back in med bay. It was standing room only. Some looked like civilians. “Dan!” the doctor had to push through the sea of people. “A new awakener’s powers exploded as you can see. can you help clear this?” he hated how the doctor talked about people in his med Bay sometimes.
He took out his compacted staff and extended it. he put the end of it on the floor and focused on the crystal that turned pale green. The room flashed the same pale green and some people looked at their hands and arms in surprise.
The doctor cupped his hands and yelled out, “if you are all better now. leave med bay if not stay where you are. The ones that are leaving will be seen to by the testers.” half the room filed out but there were some badly damaged or bad enough people still. They were going to be checked for Esper or guide too while they were here. Even if they were F-rank. They could be used as runners in the gate. Unless they have a talent useful for kitchen or another department.
Dan took the direct approach and came to the ones in front of him. he held out his hands, still shy about putting his hands on people. he didn’t feel his powers take control of him like before. he figured that to mean no one was beyond seriously hurt.
Hands slid into his and his pale green powers covered the injured party. Slices of the skin sealed over and disappeared, scratches faded into nothing, bruises break-up and the skin slowly turned to normal. The process took seconds but there was a lot going on. like a conveyer belt, Dan healed the next person it line.
Dan tried healing two at the same time and found it wasn’t any harder with the lighter injuries. Adding another person at a time, by the end he had an almost a group hug of people holding on. The energy stopped on everyone but one. A young man that looked okay but something was wrong. Dan didn’t lose control of his powers but they focused on him.
“hey! What-“
“it’s okay. You have something I can heal.”
“But . . . I’m not . .” the man stopped talking as he wasn’t sure what to say.
Dan concentrated and felt out what was wrong. It wasn’t cancer but non-cancerous tumors in his organs. He could see them in his mind. in the man’s stomach and intestines. This was on a cellular level and was going to take a minute. They were tiny and there was hundreds of them.
“Dan? W-”
“Gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Hundreds of them.” Dan accidently cut him off but he didn’t seem mad about it. “Sorry. I pulled a Nari.” The doctor chuckled hard once before controlling himself.
“Understood.”
“pulled a Nari?” the patient asked all confused.
“She’s an Esper that can read your mind and answers questions you didn’t ask out loud.” Dan said softly. “in her defense she did think you said it out loud. She has a hard time telling the difference.” The man looked disturbed at the thought of someone reading his mind.
The green died down as the last tumor disappeared. Dan smiled lightly. The doctor nodded at the almost empty room. “thank you, Dan.” he looked at the newly healed man. “the testers will be with you shortly.” He said with a shooing motion.
The man he healed was quiet as he walked out. Seeing that was everyone Dan figured he should go back to the kitchen area. “one moment.” That wasn’t normal. He was usually telling him to leave like he hated his existence. “the gem you created. Anything?” Dan pulled it out of his jean pocket. Same size, same color. “I see.” he looked disappointed like missing a puzzle piece. “I’m taking you off schedule for an hour. Go rest in the nap room.” Dan wasn’t going to argue. He could use a nap.
Or a make-out cuddle session with a certain muscular EX-MMA fighter.
Dan shocked by that thought, ran to the nap room like he was trying to run away from that thought.
The nap room was highly regulated due to the influx of people. Dan missed the more laid-back version but he had permission. Plus, it was until that gate stopped or opened. The lady checked his watch and saw the break block from medical and opened a room for him.
“one hour.” She said mechanically. He nodded slowly and went inside the room. Dan sat on the bed and laid down on his side. He wasn’t sure if he would sleep but the break would be nice.
His watch buzzed on his wrist, waking him. he didn’t remember going to sleep at all. He could have sworn he blinked. He got up and striped the sheets as the rules demanded. Dropped them in the dirty linen basket on the way out. The lady in charge of the area broke her mechanical stance with a light smile. “People don’t like being woke up so sometimes they had to be woken up manually. She hates that part. so, she is happy she got a break with you.” Nari answered his unasked question from behind him.
“hey Nari. Everything okay?” he asked got the question out this time. Process.
“ha. ha. I told you I learn when you’re thinking and talking soon enough.” She turned but looked over her shoulder. “come on. Namwook and Yosep wants to hear a full report on your experiment. Sorry about the suddenness of it.” she looked at him a second later. “it’s Namwook and Yosep. Just tell them your findings and future tests. Easy pesy.” Again, she was scanning his unvoiced questions. “The other guilds are interested. That’s why.” Dan did feel better after that and followed her. “I’ll break you out later. somewhere quiet.”
“that sounds nice.” Just them?
“I’ll break her out too and he’s your guard, so his coming. You might want to make a lunch pack for him.” She stopped walking and turned around. “you think in pictures and internal voice. That’s rare. And those dishes looked so good. let’s do it. picnic time! I know just the place.”
X)(X
Nari had a high-rise apartment with private roof top access. It was like a greenhouse was dwarf fruit trees and flower beds. Nari normally didn’t invite people over. she even paid people to move out. Five to ten times what their apartments were worth if their thoughts were annoying. If they were calm or good thoughts, she would encourage them to stay.
She let Dan use her kitchen for the fried chicken as it was best fresh. “seriously Dan. open a restaurant. I can’t believe you make it in my kitchen. I’m not a horrible cook but this is leagues better.”
“I learned everything from grandma.”
“Watch out. They are going to go ‘no you are the better cook’ back and forth for an hour. Again.” Jaekyung teased.
“it wasn’t an hour.” Dan rebutted. “And she is better.”
“let’s not start Dan. even if I am, I can’t stand that long to cook properly yet.” That seemed to stop any protests from Dan.
They chatted about nothing and laughed at the silliness things, until Nari stood suddenly. her was facing the guild’s direction. Her eyes unblinking. Jaekyung knew that look. “Nari?” he called at to her.
“flames are coming out of the fire gate. Watches going off in five, four, three, two, one.” The watches flashed red.
“attention all Esper and guides. Report to the guild. This is not a drill. Repeat. all Esper and guides. Report to the guild. This is not a drill.”
“the gate is . . . open?” Dan asked.
“opening. Flames first, then ice, then something in between.” She looked like she was having a flashback. Jaekyung stood and got in front of her.
“Hey. Snap out of it.” she blinked a few times.
Taking a few breathes, she nodded. “I’m better now.” she turned to both Dan and grandma. “I apologize. I didn’t know I was lying about Dan never going in a dungeon. It would be the only one I imagine.”
“how much t-time do we have before it opens fully?” Dan asked, feeling shaky. “and grandma wouldn’t going in, right?”
“Granny wouldn’t. she is too valuable outside it for food restoring. Plus, she can’t walk more than twenty steps. She would be in the outside level of the emergency area.” Jaekyung explained as Nari got herself under control.
“but he is going in.” grandma said holding Dan’s hand.
“Yes. But he will be protected at all times by A, A plus, and a couple of S and S plus Espers on the main team.” Jaekyung explained, keeping to the facts only. He didn’t like the idea of Dan going in. he never thought they would risk it. but a healer and a guide that made a high compatible with everyone except Heesung, on the frontlines of a world-ending dungeon was a game changer.
“we better pack this food up and get to the headquarters.”
X)(X
The other guilds were in the parking lot of team black. They were the closest to the gate. Everyone was given their assignments. Dan was on the frontline team with Jaekyung. Nari wasn’t, as her powers worked on humans, not monsters. She was with the runners and teleporters and was charged with mental health and problem solving.
Grandma took hold of Dan’s hand. The idea of him going in there, terrified her. he was a healer, not a fighter. Even if he was going to be protected, anything would happen. She didn’t want to live if he was killed there. She didn’t want anyone to die, but that was childish thought at none of them wouldn’t. it was war after all. “You better go.” Dan nodded knowing she was right. With a kiss on the forehead, he turned to go meet up with others in team one.
The walk was long and he was round around people rushing to do something or another. It was organized chaos. He watched as his healing crystals he made in the office were handed out to key people. he recognized the people for the meeting there he thought he was getting sold. They waved to him and he returned it.
Dan got to the front and noticed Junmin was on the frontline too. dan felt his skin crawl as he remembered the meeting and his weird groaning. He guided a handful of people and no one else did that. it was creepy. Jaekyung put himself between them. Junmin ignored him as looked around him to Dan.
“I . . . wanted to say I am sorry if I disturbed you that day. I wasn’t expecting that feeling as I am used to pain when guiding. Plus, it seems to cause the same effect as over guiding sometimes. So, please forgive me for the . . . uncouth way I reacted.” Dan wasn’t sure if he believed that. the words sounded good but the look on his face was like a hungry lion looking at lunch.
“okay. I understand.” Dan said to get this conversion over with.
“thank you.” He had a smile Dan did not like. “Can I get a top off?” What was he? A gas Nussle? And it most sounded like a fake question, like he asked to be polite but fully expected him to do it. “I will not moan like a pornstar this time.”
Dan sighed silently. He looked at Jaekyung that looked like he was going to murder this guy. “fine. Both of you. Hands.”
“whoa now. I’m not sure you can guide two at-“ Dan took both their hands. The energy flooded his system. “- . . .never mind.” he bit back a groan. “there is a three-way jok-” both Dan and Jaekyung glared at him. Dan was a soft ‘really?’ look and Jaekyung looked like he was two seconds from ripping his head off. He decided to play nice. “-I’ll shut up. Just trying to lighten the mood.”
There were whispers about Dan hand guiding two S plus Esper’s and how that should not be possible. It wasn’t that hard but It was unheard of apparently. Dan ignored it. he was already rare, what was one more rare thing? Maybe it was because of the high compatibility. He stopped the guiding as he felt both of them were clear now. Junmin looked like a kid in a candy store. He looked better with the look of joy on his face.
”Team one. Our heavy hitters. They will take the front lines. They are a main line of defense. So do everything in your power to strengthen them.” Dan was sure he was looking right at him. “remember team one, you will have healer and guide on your team. He is your lifeline. Protect him.” dan hated feeling hundreds of eyes on him. “team two and three will hold the gate. Team four will outside the gate to kill any enemy that gets through it. remember protect the guides. They are what stops you from becoming the enemy.” Dan didn’t like the sound of that. a corrupted Esper becoming the enemy.
“the gate is opening but we still have a little time. Finished up supplies, weapons, get any warm clothes you have, with a change of light clothes. This dungeon changes temperature any time it feels like it.” the murmurs of hundreds of people sounded off at once.
“Come on.” Jaekyung said to Dan. “I’ve seen your closet. You don’t have heavy enough clothes.” Dan felt embarrassed that he said that out loud. Sure, they done everything but sex. But it was still embarrassing.
“puppy.” Her voice was smaller than before. the knowledge that had had to go inside a dungeon hitting her like a bag of cement.
Dan cupped her cheeks and kissed her forehead. “it’s okay. I’m not going in by myself.” She nodded but didn’t feel any better. “hey grandma?” she looked at him intently. “hold on to this for me.” The red gem he apparently made. He put it in her palm and closed her hand around it. “I’ll be back to get it.” he rested his forehead against hers for a moment until he was summoned. He sighed annoyed. “we will be back.” With one finally squeeze of the hand, Dan followed Jaekyung to have proper clothes for this.
X)(X
Ice shards the size of city buses appears outside the gate. Team one was in front of the gate for final checks. Dressed very warmly with packs on their back full of supplies to help them survive.
Dan looked at the gate that had flames coming out of the boarder. The fear of the unknown was started to terrorize him. what kind of monsters were going to be at their throats?
He was approached but the armor maker and given an anklet that would absorb physical damage by half but the gem used was more fragile than others. No idea how long it would last. “try not to get hit.” He said with all seriousness as he put it on him. he insisted despite Dan’s embarrassment. He also got magnetic earrings that cast a constant magic barrier that was negate magic by twenty percent.
“Dan.” Jaekyung looked at him with all seriousness. “they will attack once the gate in breached. try to stay towards the middle to avoid back attacks. You have to stay alive and in one piece. No heroics. No matter what, no taking the blow for someone else. Understand?” Dan wasn’t sure if he was brave enough to do ‘heroics.’ Granted it would depend on who it was. Dan met Jaekyung’s eyes and he seemed to want an answer. Right now.
“understood.” A stern nod was all that was given from Jaekyung for Namwook voice broke through again.
“team one! Handle the first wave before teams two and three go in. Proceed.” Namwook was holding back tears. Like the was sending his children to war. Perhaps in a way, he was.
Step by step the gate got closer. Dan was low key terrified but he wasn’t the only one.
He wished he would have gotten to talk to grandma one more time. Just in case it was the last time.
A moment of darkness, then all the colors, before settling to stock white winter wonderland. So pure white Dan felt like he could go blind. The bitter cold hit him next. Each breath felt like knifes in his lungs. “Poil!” Jaekyung yelled out and Poil walked ahead with a strut.
“Allow me to turn up the heat.” Jaekyung rolled his eyes. every other line was a fire pun with this guy.
“pace out your energy.”
“Don’t rain on my bu-“
“one more fire pun. I dare you.” Poil pouted and sighed.
“wet blanket.” The warmth soothed the bitter bite of the cold winds. Dan could breathe better now.
“trackers! Anything?” Jaekyung called out. Two Espers put their hands to their heads. He seen mental Espers do that. did their powers hurt their heads or was it to help them concentrate, dan wondered.
One snapped her head up. “two miles out. A group is coming. But it feels . . . already dead.” Undead monsters. You had to slice them to ribbons or burn them to ash to stop them.
“I got fliers incoming.”
“range on the fliers. Support and heals stay on the middle and away from the sides. Melee up front.” Junmin came up with four others. Poison dripping for his fists, melting the snow it touched. Dan focused his healing between his hands. Keeping the moving so it didn’t crystalize. “Poil. Melt the snow down in front of us.” Skipping the pun for once he sent out a wave of heat that melted the snow and evaporated the water so it wouldn’t refreeze.
The ground shook and Dan looked around. It felt like . . . footsteps?
Over the trees a head of a giant was stalking to them slowly. That wasn’t in the briefing. “hostels ground incoming!” Dan looking seeing wolflike monsters with rotting skin and four tentacles instead of legs. They were twice the size he ever seen a wolf. It was like a horror movie.
The sound of high-pitched yelps and barks filled the area. Dan looked around in terror. They were being attacked on all sides and above. It felt like it was slow motion. His healing energy rushed to the worst injured person. only for it not to a person at all.
Rotten flesh fell off with alive, healthy skin under nether. The jagged movements turned sleek and graceful. The crazed looks softened and the healed ones sat in the snow, like they were awaiting orders.
“The hell?!” Junmin said looking at the now docile animals.
“they weren’t dead.” Dan said in almost a daze. “they were rotting slowly from the inside out. It was driving them mad.” Dan leaned down and called to them. Tails wagging, they trotted over. like golden retrievers they were friendly and vocal. “awe. Cute. The tentacles were weirding me out at first but I could get use to them. Yes, I could. how is a good boy.” Dan seemed to forget he was in an active battleground at the moment
“forget we are in a war zone for a second there?” Dan looked at one of the fliers. She reached down and petting one too.
“where did the giant go? not like he could hide.” Said another one dan did know the name of or their powers.
“Dude stop shaking your nasty acid all over the place!”
“shut the hell up!”
“Both of you shut up!” Jaekyung yelled at both of them.
“you aren’t the boss here! I kicked your ass so many times!” he got in Jaekyung’s face. His acid collecting on his arms. The acid ate through his clothes but his skin was unblemished.
“in your dreams drug-pusher.”
“Did you cry when daddy died and you mother didn’t want you?” the strike out was fast and Junmin was in the snow. Before he got up the ground shook again. break time was over.
“Hey dan. your healing powers on that one?”
“Not injured.”
“that would have been too easy.” The ground shook as the giant seemed to notice them now. the once was rotting-dogs seemed to change sides and took point in front of the team, growling and snarling at the giant.
“I knew you tamed a beast dan. but I didn’t see this coming.” Dan was confused. what beast? And why did Jaekyung look like he wanted to kill the sensing Esper that said that? was that his nik-name for something. he thought it was ‘the tank’ or something.
Dan shook his head. It wasn’t the time for random thoughts. The giant went for the pesty fliers around his head. The new ally dogs attacked one of his ankles and Junmin went for the other one with an evil smile. Acid pouring out of his skin he rubbed his arms all over it. the sound and smell of burning flesh was stomach turning.
The skin and bones rotted away quickly making the giant fall into the tall trees. Junmin just slung his arms to cover more of the giant’s skin. Dan felt sick at the thought of being eaten away by acid and Junmin’s gleeful face about it made it worse. Jaekyung had enough and punched the giant in the throat and crushed its neck. Putting it out of its misery.
“you stole the kill!”
“We aren’t keeping score in planet killer dungeon! All records are suspended.” Jaekyung said almost professionally.
“Bullshit! You can’t handle being a loser!” Junmin got in Jaekyung’s face. “just like when you were younger. Your own mother didn’t want you after your father overdosed during your boxing match you won out of pure dumb luck!” Junmin was on the snow with a broken jaw this time. Junmin held it closed but didn’t stop. “Truth hurts, huh? To me, you will always be that smelly, undersized, bruised up, little milk thief lapping up any attention you could find. I bet Suna died early to get away from you. Clingy asshole.” Jaekyung hit him again and the both went at it.
Dan didn’t feel the need to heal Junmin. That was the first time he wasn’t single mindedly in need to fix the damage. Could Jaekyung even get hurt from normal punching and kicking? Was Junmin fighting a wall basically? His powers too seemed useless on him. only his clothes seemed to be taking damage. “should we stop them?” Dan asked softly.
“Can we stop them?” Poil answered with a question. “bad blood there. Why was he put on his team? Who’s dumb idea was it?”
“yeah, let them get it out of their systems. Junmin is a jerk and Jaekyung too reactive.” The electric flier Esper said. “if you can, don’t heal Junmin for a while. Maybe that will help.” She said winking at Dan.
“anyone else feel this area is weirdly empty?” one of the melee espers from king gym guild said.
“it’s not.” The female senser Esper said. “we are greatly out numbered but they are holding back.” That can’t be good, dan thought but kept it to himself.
“that is enough!” Nari appeared with yoon-gu and another two-person team. “I knew you couldn’t control your mouth. Even with a broken jaw you keep mouthing off. Weird with a man with no tongue.” Junmin got up and looked like he tried to talk. Just guttural sounds escaped his throat.
Dan shivered. She could do that? could see make someone forget how to speak their own language to? Nari turned around and looked right at dan. one quick nod and she turned back two fighters. “that is your first and only warning. You are switched with team two.” There was a glare on her no one dared to challenge. “Jaekyung.” She looked at him with the stern look of a mad teacher with the class clown. “what he said was uncalled for. No discipline is needed.” More guttural sounds came as he pointed to his jaw. “fine. Come.” Junmin glared at Jaekyung who gave him a middle finger.
She came over to Dan and looked at the once-was rotten dogs. “Wow. They are like little four legged seven-year-olds. They think like human’s do.” She kneeled and pet one. “yeah?” she said the biggest one. “I can make that happen.” Nari said to the pack leader. Dan thought her powers only worked on humans. “normally I can’t but like I said. they think like a human. I can read that.” She stood up and looked at Dan. “you healed them. Now they want to become part of the guild. I’m all for it. they work for food, shelter, and belly rubs.” She laughed a little before getting back to business. “can you heal and guide jerk face before he goes?” Dan almost didn’t want to but if she asked. “you’re sweet.”
Junmin came up to him and Dan set his jaw tight to not say anything. Dan picked up some snow and wiped down Junmin’s face incase acid or other substance was on it. Junmin flinched over the injury. Dan for once felt no pity. “I need to set this.” he didn’t. but it would hurt like hell without causing permanent damage. “I’ll be quick.” a loud click and a primal sound of pain filled the air.
“need one?” she held out a stamina round candy and Dan took it. he wondered if he could have half now and half later. “yes, but after a day, it will lose it’s effect.” That was all he needed to know as he bit into it and wrapped the other half in the wrapper. He slowly chewed it look over at Jaekyung talking to the other two-person group.
After stalling a little, Dan reached out and healed Junmin’s jaw almost all the way before switching to guiding. He didn’t need much since he did so before they came in. “yuu diidt hhhl ih aal hhe wwy.”
“sorry I don’t understand what you said.” he did. ‘you didn’t heal it all the way.’ He knew that. he wasn’t going to waste the energy. Maybe the pain will help him to keep a civil tongue in his mouth? when he remembered he had one.
“that’s good.” her voice nice and sweet to dan. “go to the transporter.” Cold and demanding to Junmin. He went before she didn’t something else to him. like making him forget how to breathe or how to use his legs. “the leader here wishes to stay with you. The others here I like to take through the portal.”
“you can do that?”
“yes. They can come through the portal if a person goes with them. Either wise they have to fight the gate until the barrier breaks and then they can come through freely. That is known as a gate breech. This is way we go in teams. If someone fails, it’s up the others.” He really needed to write a manual. “I’ll help. It’s a good idea.”
Jaekyung and the new melee came over. “this is Lee min-so. he gets stronger the more he gets hit by the enemy. Its effect lasts a full day. healing doesn’t make a difference.” Dan felt out with his powers Jaekyung wasn’t damaged other than his clothes. Happy with that, he looked down at the biggest dog right by him.
“he wishes to remain with Dan. they revered him as a hero or lower god. Oh! Vegetarian. They don’t eat meat unless rotting like before. the others are coming with me past the gate.” Jaekyung nodded once.
“we are going forward while we have light. Last time, when that sun sets it pitch black the temperature either drops or heats up. “does it have a name or something?”
“one sec.” she looked at the tentacle legged dog. “it doesn’t but it’s wouldn’t mind one if Dan names him.” Dan blinked a few times, feeling pressure.
“Sapsali.” It was the name of a dog breed but it’s meaning was perfect. It meant to ward off evil spirits. It suited him or at least Dan thought so.
Nari looked down and rubbed its head. “he likes it.” Dan was glad as that was all that mattered. “I’ll go now. I’ll escort these guys.” Nari adopted a tone one uses when talking to cute animals. “come on. I know a grandma that can restore fruits and vegetables that will adore all of you!” that excited the pack. “let’s go. come on yoon-gu! We march!” Nari was back to her sillier self. The dogs gave licks on Dan’s hand before leaving. There way of saying ‘see ya later.’
Poil seemed to be having troubles as the temperature dropped. “it’s a cold snap. We need to set camp in a clear area soon. Double time.” Jaekyung barked out as they started up again. “trackers, stay sharp.”
***
The first wave was the easiest wave. Like all their luck was used up on it. lava wyrms with what looked like armor popped out of the ground. Dan’s powered saved one of the fliers after being burned by it. she almost went into shock from the pain. Dan refused to lose someone of the first day. popping the rest of the stamina round, he pushed all the healing her body would take.
She slept for a long while before he woke up good as new. But Dan was about done now. he wasn’t the only one. The sensor Espers agreed the monsters were avoiding this new area. Sapsali signaled it was safe here at least for now.
tents were being setup and a few others were starting a fire pit. Poil was all over anything fire related. dan took a pot and collected so snow in it. he needed to refill, his canteen. Poil warmed it up for him carefully. Seeing that everyone jumped on that idea. Leaving their canteen with them to fill, they continued on the tents. Their light was running out fast.
Once the canteens were filled up, dan got started on cooking a meal. he started with the stuff with that shortest shelf life. He opened his bag and pulled out another one with spices he packed. He had to cook enough for twenty people and one vegetarian tentacle wolf, a tall order but Dan didn’t mind.
Chairs were set up around the fire pit as Dan cooked. He was kneeling on a knee pad used for gardening. Moral was high still but that was subject to change. Vacuumed packed Diced Beef with kimchi infused rice with a side of pan seared eggplant cooking in soy sauce and sesame oil.
After eating and discussed their mission. They talked about guard watch. One of the two sensors needed to be of watch. They agreed to take turns rather easily. Dan was put on the never on watch list. His powers ran on his energy, so he need all the sleep he could get. The group had no disagreement even if Dan felt guilty about it. Poil too was put on it as the cold here was hard to deal with. He too needed rest as well.
“any more business?” Jaekyung asked finishing his food.
“sleep arrangements?”
“Due to Dan’s A.O.E. guiding ability. He needs to be in the tent in the middle so everyone can receive it. other than that. it best you don’t sleep alone. you are adults. Figure it out.”
Poil energy dropped and the cold creeped in. everyone tossed their burnable plates in the fire before packing up. Dan and Sapsali was herded to the middle tent in the frenzy chaos. The tent was zipped up and a portable heater was turned on. Jaekyung checked the corners were secure before he sat down on his sleeping bag.
It felt a little early to go to sleep, so Dan dug into his pack and found his crochet project. It was halfway completed. Sapsail laid down in front of the entrance like a good guard dog. He was a smart boy.
It was a comfortable silence despite everything. but there was a few things on Dan’s mind. “hey Jaekyung?” he grunted in a ‘what?’ kind of way. “Do you have to get all the monsters here or just enough?”
“basically, he have to kill the leader. We couldn’t find him last time and we were not prepared. we lost many people. “it like playing Janggi but we can’t find the general.” Dan nodded as he understood. He played that game, he was rather good as it.
“okay. I understand.” The wind howled and pushed against the tent. “how random is the weather here again?”
“when the light is out. It switches it’s mind all the time. I never seen it this stable before not I don’t see stay that way. but during the night it stayed the same that it was at nightfall. Tonight, it’s deep freeze. Tomorrow. Who knows?”
The silence settled again as Dan finished up his project. He snipped the yarn and checked the seams. Happy with it, he checked the pieces for faults. Seeing nothing. He placed them on Jaekyung’s sleep bag before packing it up.
Jaekyung opened his eyes seeing Dan pack up his crochet hook and yarn. Then he saw the red, silver, and black socks by his arm. He sat up and took hold of them. Was that what he was making this whole time? His shoes and sock get holes in them due to the jackass’s acid.
“if you don’t like them. It’s okay.” Dan said with a smile as he settled down for bed. “you said finding size sixteen in shoes or socks was harder or you had to special order them.” Jaekyung switched out his basically destroyed socks and put the new ones on. they were soft and warm. He felt something burning in his eyes.
(I still might, but sometimes something made by hand. It means a little bit more.) he didn’t understand that then. But he got it. he understood it now.
Dan turned to his side to get comfortable but was having a hard time doing so. “get up for a minute. The ground is too hard.” Dan complied and Jaekyung opened Dan’s sleeping bag and then put his two-person sleeping bag on top on it. he sat down in its Dan’s bag gave a bit of extra cush. “that’s better.” He held his hand out to Dan and Dan took it.
He settled down next to Jaekyung and was zipped in. it was softer and it was toasty warm. Jaekyung was kind of a hard pillow but not completely unpleasant. “goodnight.” Dan said as a reflex as the warmth put him to sleep. Jaekyung looked at him for a moment, hugged him like a teddy bear, and closed his eyes too.
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power and rank list
Jaekyung: highly increased strength and nearly impossible to damage him other than minor scrapes or cuts (weak spot: none. Shoulder fully healed.) S+
Heesung: ability to charm people. A
Namwook: instant completion of paperwork with a touch. Works on computer screens too. A+
Yosep: Controls the ground. earthquakes, sink holes, landsides. A+
Nari: reads minds, memories, thoughts, and can temporarily scramble the brain’s signals so they can’t function normally. S+
Dan: healing and guiding powers. First dual awakened, power rank: S+ Esper and S+ Guide with high compatibly with everyone one tested except Heesung. Stamina low, needs training.
Yoon-gu: pocket dimension B+ still in training.
Grandma Kim: Restores uncooked food items to original state. B+ due to having to do each piece one at a time.
Junmin: corrosive acid from his body S+
(king gym) Mr. Choi – B+ ability to instill fear into anyone lower rank.
Daehyun: Controls water. B+
Dust and Dawn: no powers on their own. Together they can create tornadoes B -due to lack of control
Poil: pyrokinesis A+
Fang En-So: Can talk to house cats. D class
Chef Roi-so: ability to tell if something is under seasoned F class
Lore terms:
Awakening: when a person comes into their powers. Esper or guide.
Esper: a person with powers. powers cause energy to build in the body that could hurt or kill them and others.
Guide: a person that can dispel that energy build up.
Corruption: the energy in Espers that builds up too high. it breaks the Esper’s body or mind. sometimes both.
Limit: a secret ability that has a blowback
Blowback: it's the penalty for using the limit's power. each Esper has a different penalty.
limits:
Jaekyung - strength increased ten-fold. -blowback is being locked in full body pain for the whole day. similar to having every bone broken at once
Nari – able to lock someone in their own mind with their worst fear for what felt like a lifetime but only a minute passes. -blowback is two day near coma.
Dan – Still unknown but body and eyes glow red. He also floats above the ground a few inches. Produced a red gem during that. no information on the red gem function, if any.
Park – unknown
Yosep- fill in the ground (no blowback on small scale. Ex. Small hole in the ground.) -Blowback- for anything over a mile radius – he will sink into the ground if he touches it.
Potato - unknown
Heesung - group charming - blowback - gains ten pounds instantly.
Dust and dawn- multiple tornados at once. – blowback – Can’t be away from each other more than five feet for two days. Yet if contact happens for any reason, they lose their sight and hearing for two days.
Poil: - Can set fire to everything in a one-mile radius. -blowback- second-degree like sunburn. Takes weeks to heal but no permanent damage.
Fang En-So – unknown