DPGR 39

The Esper Director had a few words for Dojin, who had returned with a young monster estimated to be A–B rank.

But as soon as Dojin calmly explained the situation, the director’s temper began to cool.

“…So, you’re planning to look into overseas mercenaries?”

“Yes, sir. I’ll handle it carefully to avoid any political entanglements. The Center won’t be affected.”

“And if you can’t find a suitable esper?”

“Then I’ll personally take responsibility and carry out the execution.”

At that point, continuing to object would’ve seemed petty.

If Dojin’s plan succeeded, the Center would gain a major asset: the ability to command an A–B rank monster.

Still, the situation wasn’t entirely favorable. The number of B-rank and lower monsters Dojin had brought back was more than expected.

“As you’re aware, the holding space I prepared for the young monsters is more limited than anticipated. It’s already at full capacity.”

“Yes, I’m aware.”

“From what I’ve heard, a few of them aren’t adjusting to the environment and might die off anyway.”

Dojin’s brows furrowed. The Esper Director wasn’t wrong, but it wasn’t exactly pleasant to hear.

Sinking deeper into the sofa, the director continued.

“I’ll call for it once space opens up. Until then, I want you to manage that monster yourself.”

“…Understood. I’ll keep it in my office for now.”

“Good. And find a high-ranking taming esper as soon as possible.”

“Yes, sir. You can count on me.”

With that, the conversation ended. The Esper Director gave a tired nod, and Dojin rose without hesitation and left the office.

His usual unhurried pace shifted the moment he saw a message that Jiho was waiting in office.

Without realizing it, he broke into a run through the hallway, drawing surprised glances from espers he passed by.

But Dojin, focused entirely on Jiho, didn’t notice any of them.

Jiho had rushed to Dojin’s office in the late evening.

After having dinner with Geonwoo and Sena, he was buying some bread at the bakery near the Center when he received word of Alpha Team’s return.

Bang—!

He threw the door open without knocking, panting from the run. Everyone inside the office turned to look at him.

“Jiho Guide! Where did you go?”

“Oh, what’s that in your hand? Bread? Did you go to the bakery up front?”

“You didn’t go alone, right? What about Geonwoo and Sena?”

Yulchan, Kijoon, and Jihye greeted Jiho brightly.

Jiho nodded, gesturing silently in response while quickly scanning the room for Dojin.

Seeing this, Sehun filled him in.

“Captain Baek is reporting to the Esper Director. He’ll be back soon. Please wait here.”

Nod nod.

Jiho gave his usual automatic nod, then quickly bowed in thanks.

Unlike with the others, Jiho was still a little stiff around Sehun.

Sehun gave a faint smile at Jiho’s especially polite behavior toward him and looked away.

Following his gaze, Jiho noticed something behind the team members.

“…?”

It was a cage, giving off a strong, metallic stench. Curious, Jiho leaned forward, and the others stepped aside to let him see.

Inside, Jiho tilted his head in confusion.

What is that?

Just then, the door to the office opened again, and Geonwoo and Sena walked in.

“Guide Jiho! We were looking all over for you. Are you okay? Nothing happened on the way here?”

“Hey! You just took off while we were buying bread! Want to die?!”

Jiho gave them a sheepish look, silently mouthing an apology.

Geonwoo sighed in relief, reminding Jiho to always stick with him from now on.

Sena, meanwhile, kept shouting until Yulchan had to restrain her.

“What’s your deal?! Let go! When did you even get here?!”

“Sena, shhh! Just wait a second—ow! Don’t bite!”

The brief chaos subsided quickly when the creature inside the cage stirred.

“What’s that thing?” Geonwoo asked, finally noticing the cage.

Sena, who’d been gnawing on Yulchan’s arm, turned and blinked in surprise too.

The espers chuckled at their shocked expressions and gave a quick summary of the situation.

“So that’s a baby monster?” Geonwoo asked.

Jihye nodded. “Yeah.”

“And if they can’t tame it, they have to kill it?”

“Yeah.”

“Geez…”

Sympathy crossed his face. Jiho, too, looked downcast and couldn’t take his eyes off the cage.

Just then, the monster—apparently in a deep sleep—started whimpering.

It sounded like it was having a nightmare, or maybe in pain.

Everyone watched it nervously.

Then, suddenly—

Grrrrrrrrgle—!

A loud rumble came from the monster’s stomach.

“…It’s hungry, isn’t it?”

“Now that I think about it, those brokers… no way they were feeding it properly.”

“Should we try giving it something? But what do monsters even eat?”

“No idea…”

Everyone chimed in. Meanwhile, Jiho hesitated before opening the bread bag he was holding.

Inside were three of the bakery’s most popular items. He pulled out the most appetizing one—a sausage bun.

Sniff sniff— sniff—

The smell of warm bread began to fill the office. Even in its half-sleeping state, the monster started sniffing at the air.

Its eyes flew open.

Jiho’s caramel-colored eyes met the monster’s golden ones.

Grrr—

Maybe it was startled by the unfamiliar surroundings and strange people. The monster growled warily, staying alert.

Jiho didn’t back down. He walked straight up to the cage.

“Careful…!”

Someone moved to stop him, but his next action made them slowly lower their hand.

Jiho tore the sausage bun into small pieces and carefully tossed them through the bars of the cage.

At first, the monster bristled, wary of Jiho, blood-matted fur standing on end. But soon, it showed interest in the bread at its feet.

“Mmhm.”

Jiho hummed softly, gesturing that it was okay to eat.

The monster glanced at Jiho, then back at the bread.

It stretched its neck forward and nudged the bread with its nose, then gingerly bit off a piece.

It nibbled at it cautiously, but then its eyes widened, and it suddenly gobbled up the piece in a frenzy.

“Oh, it’s eating!”

“Wow, it really was starving.”

“Wait, can monsters even eat bread?”

“Who knows? It’s not like we ever figured out what their staple diet is…”

As the others whispered among themselves, Jiho dashed off to find a paper cup and some water.

He poured the water into the cup and carefully pushed it into the cage, then pulled out another bread roll from the bag and began tearing it into small bits.

The monster had a voracious appetite—it made quick work of Jiho’s sausage bun and vegetable croquette.

Apparently still hungry, it even licked its lips and looked up at Jiho expectantly.

“…Still hungry, huh?” Kijoon mumbled, glancing at Jiho.

Jiho was staring seriously at his nearly empty bread bag.

He’d bought three buns. He’d already given the monster two.

The last one was meant for Dojin. Jiho couldn’t decide what to do.

And as he wrestled with that last piece of bread—

The door opened, and Dojin entered.

“Jiho…!”

Calling his name, Dojin froze the moment he saw Jiho standing right in front of the cage.

Paying no attention to anyone else, he rushed to Jiho’s side and looked him over.

“Are you okay? Did it bite or scratch you…?”

It was as if he hadn’t noticed the cage, or the fact that Jiho wasn’t alone.

Jiho quickly waved his hands, fingers greasy from bread, trying to show that he was fine.

“God… You scared me. Don’t get that close to the cage again. If the monster lashes out—”

Nod nod.

“We’ll have to keep it here for a while, so don’t be in the office alone. And keep your distance from the cage.”

Nod nod.

The same warning and worry repeated over and over.

At first, the team members were amused by Dojin’s overly concerned fussing. But as it dragged on, they began to look bored.

Even Jiho’s expression slowly turned sullen.

Then someone rescued him from Dojin’s lecture:

Grrrrrrrrng—

The monster smacked its lips and let out a long, strange cry, stepping forward in the cage.

It stuck its snout between the bars and cried again.

Grrrrng— kiiiing—

It really did look like it was asking for more food.

Jiho looked at it and shook his head.

There was no way he could give up the last bun.

“Mm-mm.”

This one’s for Baek Dojin.

Jiho hummed stubbornly, eyebrows furrowed. The monster whined back at him.

“Mmmm…”

Kiiiiing—

“Mm-mm!”

Kiiiiiing—

It was like they were having a conversation.

The team watched in stunned silence.

“…They’re still a monster and a person, though. Can they really… understand each other?”

It was a question no one could answer.