DPGR 30

“No, I can’t… But how else am I supposed to get him to take the fever reducer… Still…”

Dojin’s thoughts grew louder and more chaotic. He tried to come up with a better solution, but his frozen mind gave up.

“Ha… this is insane…”

He murmured under his breath, closing and opening his eyes.

It’s just a medical procedure, he told himself again and again, trying to justify what he was about to do. Dojin opened a new bottle of fever medicine and brought it to his own mouth.

The artificial strawberry scent and sweetness hit him instantly. With the whole bottle held in his mouth, he leaned down.

His head tilted at a slight angle—close enough for their noses to brush. Jiho’s hair, tousled messily before sleep, tickled his forehead.

Smack—

Finally, his lips met Jiho’s, the soft touch smearing the liquid between them.

The unfamiliar sensation made Dojin freeze for a beat.

But he forced himself to stay focused and gently pressed Jiho’s chin to part his lips.

“Mmm…”

The medicine in Dojin’s mouth passed into Jiho’s. Worried he might choke, Dojin hesitated… then slowly slid his tongue into Jiho’s mouth.

His thick tongue pressed against Jiho’s. Jiho whined softly and instinctively tried to push it away.

That movement made their tongues twist and brush together. Dojin’s shoulders flinched again.

He almost pulled away. Or, worse, he could’ve—no. He clenched his eyes shut, appalled at the grotesque thought that flashed through his mind.

He was just desperate for guiding, and that desperation had clouded his reason—but still, Jiho was young, at least fourteen years younger than him.

And unconscious with a high fever.

‘What the hell is wrong with me?’

Self-loathing washed over him. At that moment, all he wanted to do was flee the room and disappear.

Even as he imagined dozens of clean, painless ways to off himself, he tried to stay focused on just transferring the medicine.

If he was going to die, it’d be after Jiho took all the medicine and his fever broke.

Thankfully, it seemed to be working.

Gulp—

Jiho frowned in his sleep, but he swallowed the medicine. A few small gulps sounded as his throat worked to take it down.

Smack—

Only after the last swallow did Dojin finally pull away.

“Haa… ha…”

It hadn’t been long at all, but Dojin was breathing hard, face flushed like he’d just run a marathon.

That artificial sweetness and strawberry scent—

His first kiss was now forever burned into memory like that.

***

Warm sunlight filled the quiet bedroom.

“Mmm… ngh…”

The rays poking through Jiho’s closed lids were too bright. Whimpering in protest, he slowly lifted his heavy eyelids.

Morning…

Light streamed through a gap in the curtain about a hand’s width wide. Jiho stared at the beam stretching across the ceiling, slowly clearing his foggy mind.

Then he noticed it—how strangely quiet the house was.

It wasn’t unusual to wake up to an empty bed. Unlike Jiho, who loved to sleep in, Dojin was always up early.

But the complete silence beyond the room was odd. Normally, by now, he’d hear clattering in the kitchen.

…Where did Baek Dojin go?

A wave of unease hit him. He knew now that Dojin wouldn’t just leave him behind—but the feeling of being alone still made his chest tighten.

Rustle—

Jiho squirmed out of the heavy comforter wrapped around him.

He neatly folded the blankets, then tiptoed to the bedroom door and opened it.

His eyes darted anxiously around the living room—

Then they landed on a figure slumped on the sofa, and he let out a deep sigh of relief.

Tap, tap—

Jiho’s bare feet made little wet slaps against the marble floor. Startled by the sound, the person on the couch turned to look.

“Ah… Guide Jiho.”

It was Dojin.

But something was off. He looked… dazed. Like a screw had come loose. His eyes flicked from Jiho to the wall clock in a panic.

“Oh no, it’s already— I’m sorry. I’ll get breakfast ready right away.”

But Jiho quickly grabbed the hem of Dojin’s shirt before he could run off. Dojin looked back at him. Jiho mouthed,

—Is something wrong?

Dojin had heavy dark circles under his eyes, as if he hadn’t slept at all. His complexion was flushed too—like something really had happened.

But instead of answering, Dojin clamped his mouth shut and blushed even harder, like he couldn’t bring himself to say.

What’s going on with him…?

Jiho tilted his head, confused. Dojin fidgeted, clearly unsure whether to pry Jiho’s hand off or just stand there.

Jiho tried again.

—Did you not sleep? You look tired.

Dojin blushed again, hesitating before forcing out a reply.

“…No, I slept… fine.”

That didn’t seem true at all.

Jiho didn’t push. He just nodded like a good kid and let go.

Only then did Dojin escape to the kitchen like he was fleeing a crime scene.

Left behind in the living room, Jiho pouted and stared after him.

Did something really happen while he was asleep…?

Or did I do something wrong…?

Jiho’s shoulders slumped.

***

Late in the morning or around lunchtime, when they were about to have a delayed meal, Dojin said,

“I’m not going to the center today.”

While scooping a spoonful of warm seaweed soup over rice, Dojin placed some side dishes on top. As he spoke, Jiho’s eyes widened in surprise and stared at Dojin.

“Listen while you eat.”

Dojin waited until Jiho took a bite of the rice before continuing. Once Jiho opened his mouth wide to take a big bite, Dojin began explaining.

“Do you remember what I mentioned yesterday? I said I needed to meet with my Master.”

Jiho, recalling the conversation, nodded. Dojin waited for Jiho to swallow before adding more side dishes on his rice.

As Jiho ate, Dojin continued,

“I’m going to visit my Master today. I’ve arranged an appointment for the afternoon, so you can eat slowly and get ready to leave afterward.”

Jiho nodded again, his curiosity piqued by the mention of Dojin’s “Master.”

Of course, Jiho knew that someone as powerful as Baek Dojin would have a mentor. But he had never met this Master, which made him even more curious.

‘If this person taught the strong Baek Dojin, then they must be incredible too, right?’

Jiho’s eyes sparkled with excitement, wondering if this could be beneficial for the upcoming dungeon event.

Dojin, noticing Jiho’s response, interpreted it as simple curiosity about his Master.

“My Master… That would be Esper Kwak Jiheon. He used to be the Esper Director. Before that, like me, he was the captain of Alpha Team.”

“He’s a bit playful, but… you don’t need to worry too much.”

As Dojin spoke about his Master, his expression was warm, filled with respect and deep affection for him.

‘Hunter Kwak Jiheon, huh…’

If Dojin spoke so fondly of him, he must be a great person.

Jiho nodded, imagining what this Master might be like. He was now excited about their afternoon meeting.

***

Kwak Jiheon’s home, where they arrived later, was an old traditional Korean house.

A grand tile-roofed house like something out of a fairytale.

Jiho felt small standing in front of the large wooden door.

‘It’s huge…’

While Jiho stood there feeling intimidated, Dojin, with his usual confident demeanor, adjusted his clothes and knocked on the door.

Soon, the sound of footsteps approached, and the door opened with a creak. A middle-aged woman in a neat hanbok appeared in the doorway.

“Oh, you’ve arrived?”

“It’s been a while, Housekeeper Kim. Is my Master inside?”

“Yes, he’s been waiting since this morning. Come on in.”

The woman, greeted Dojin warmly, and after exchanging brief pleasantries, she glanced at Jiho standing behind Dojin.

She seemed to notice Jiho’s tense posture and turned her gaze away to give him some space.

Dojin patted Jiho’s back reassuringly before stepping inside the gate.

“It’s been a while. You should come more often. The elder seems to be getting a bit lonely lately, so I’ve been worried about him.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. I’m not trying to burden you, but can you keep this conversation a secret from the elder?”

“Of course.”

While Dojin and Housekeeper Kim exchanged a few words, Jiho kept glancing around, his eyes darting about.

From the outside, the house looked so big it seemed like it might swallow him whole. But as he stepped inside, the graceful curves and beauty of the house mesmerized him. Even the porcelain and bonsai plants placed along the hallway captivated his attention.

As Jiho marveled at everything, Kim stopped in front of a door and knocked.

“Elder, Esper Baek Dojin has arrived.”

Soon, a voice called from inside, inviting them in. Jiho, snapping back to attention, stood behind Dojin.

Housekeeper Kim gave a small smile, but Jiho, too nervous to notice, didn’t pay much attention.

Creeeak

Finally, the door opened. Jiho had heard it was called the “Sarangchae,” or “Love Room.”

He had expected a pink room with cute decor, but when the door opened, he found an ordinary-looking room.

“Come on in. It’s been a long trip, I’m sure you’re tired.”

Inside, an older man with a strong build sat in front of a Go board.

He had a stern face that didn’t fit the warm or gentle description Jiho had expected.

‘A good… person…?’

Jiho’s eyes narrowed slightly. This was nothing like the image he had imagined for Dojin’s Master.