The S-class Awakening

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Jonghyun sat in his small, dimly lit office, the cold light from his desk lamp casting a shadow on the pile of documents in front of him. The room felt suffocatingly small, as though the very walls were closing in. He rubbed his temple, trying to focus on the task at hand, but his mind refused to cooperate. It kept drifting back to Seojin. Every single time he tried to push the thought away, it came rushing back, pulling him under like a tide he couldn't escape.

He hadn't expected his life to change so dramatically when he had quit his job. The government had offered him a stable career as a guide, and now, everything had spiraled into a whirlwind of uncertainty and desire. He had left behind the certainty of his role to work for Seojin—an S-class esper, the guildmaster of Legion, and a man who seemed to be more than just a powerful esper. Jonghyun knew that this decision had placed him at a crossroads. His previous life was slipping through his fingers, replaced by something far more complicated and intense.

A soft buzzing sound pulled him out of his thoughts. He glanced at his phone. It was a message from Seojin.

"Meet me at the guild office. We have a mission."

The words felt like an electric shock, his heart skipping a beat. Even a simple text like this made him feel uncomfortably aware of Seojin's presence, even though they weren't physically together. Jonghyun's hand hovered over the phone, the urge to reply quickly, but he hesitated. Every word, every action now felt more loaded than it ever had before. Since quitting his job, his relationship with Seojin had become more personal than he could have ever imagined.

He stood up from his desk and grabbed his coat, forcing himself to focus on the practical side of things. The mission was what mattered now. He had to do his job and keep it together, no matter how distracting Seojin's mere presence was becoming.

---

When he arrived at the guild office, Jonghyun felt an uneasy tension in the air. It was an intangible thing, something that pulsed through the room like static electricity. Seojin was waiting for him, standing near the entrance, his silhouette sharp against the soft glow of the office lights. The man looked almost too perfect, every inch of him radiating an air of power and control. His eyes were fixed on something in the distance, a quiet intensity that Jonghyun could never quite decipher.

"You're late," Seojin's voice cut through the silence, his tone sharp but not unfriendly. It was as though he was merely stating a fact, and yet Jonghyun couldn't shake the feeling that there was an unspoken challenge behind the words.

"I wasn't late," Jonghyun muttered under his breath, though he knew Seojin had caught it. The guildmaster's eyes flicked toward him, an unreadable expression on his face. Jonghyun could feel his own pulse quicken as Seojin took a step closer.

Seojin tilted his head slightly, studying Jonghyun as if trying to see beneath the surface. "You've always been so serious, haven't you?" His voice lowered, almost teasing, though there was a hint of something else—something darker, more possessive.

Jonghyun swallowed, not trusting himself to speak. Every time Seojin looked at him like that, it felt like everything around them disappeared. He was hyperaware of Seojin's proximity, the warmth radiating off his body, the quiet confidence that oozed from every movement. It was impossible to ignore.

"We have a mission," Seojin said again, this time more firmly. "Follow me."

Jonghyun nodded, grateful for the sudden shift in focus. They would talk about the mission now, not their personal feelings, not the unspoken bond that hung between them. The mission was his responsibility, and he had to keep his head clear.

Seojin walked ahead, and Jonghyun followed, his mind still swirling with conflicting emotions. It was hard to ignore the way Seojin seemed to be so in control of everything—and even more so when it came to Jonghyun.

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The mission was simple enough: they were to investigate a disturbance at a nearby facility, where a rogue esper had been wreaking havoc. The rogue esper wasn't as dangerous as Seojin, but still, Jonghyun knew they had to be careful. Seojin's presence next to him was both reassuring and unsettling. It was impossible to ignore how much of Seojin's attention seemed focused on Jonghyun, even though he wasn't speaking directly to him.

As they arrived at the facility, the atmosphere shifted. The air was thick with tension. Jonghyun's senses were on high alert. He could feel the instability of the situation even before he stepped inside. They weren't alone. The rogue esper had to be here, hiding, watching.

"You stay close to me," Seojin ordered, his voice low and commanding. "If things get out of hand, I won't let you get hurt."

Jonghyun's heart fluttered at the words. He couldn't explain it, but the simple statement sent a jolt of warmth through him. Seojin's protectiveness felt both comforting and suffocating at the same time. Was he really just protecting him because he was his guide, or was there something else?

As they moved deeper into the building, Jonghyun kept his eyes sharp. He knew Seojin had the power to deal with any threat, but Jonghyun also had his own responsibilities to take care of. They were in this together, for better or worse.

Suddenly, a figure appeared in front of them—a low-level guide who seemed to freeze upon seeing Seojin. The man's eyes widened, and he stumbled back a few steps. His gaze was locked on Seojin, and then it flickered to Jonghyun with confusion, fear even.

"You... you're with him?" the guide stammered, his voice shaking.

Seojin didn't acknowledge the man's words, but Jonghyun could feel his presence shift. He took a subtle step forward, his body closer to Jonghyun's than before. The closeness was almost suffocating, and Jonghyun could feel the heat of Seojin's body against his own. His breath caught in his throat.

"Move," Seojin's voice was quiet, almost too calm, but there was something about it that made the guide flinch. The man quickly stepped back and disappeared down a hallway, clearly not willing to push his luck any further.

Jonghyun blinked, trying to make sense of the situation. Seojin's presence, his touch, the way he seemed to take control of everything, it was impossible to ignore.

They continued through the building, finally locating the rogue esper. The fight was quick—Seojin's power overwhelming the rogue esper within moments. Jonghyun stood off to the side, watching as Seojin dealt with the rogue in his typical efficient, brutal manner. Every motion was precise, every step calculated. But there was something in Seojin's eyes as he fought—something darker, more possessive—that made Jonghyun's chest tighten.

---

When the mission was over and they walked back to the guild office, the tension between them was palpable. Seojin was quieter now, more distant, though Jonghyun couldn't tell if it was because of the mission or because something else had shifted. The bond between them had deepened since their first meeting, but now, it felt heavier, more suffocating.

They walked in silence for a while, the air between them thick with unspoken words. Jonghyun could feel his heart beating faster with each step. What was happening to him? Why was it so hard to ignore this pull he felt toward Seojin? His thoughts were a tangled mess, and he couldn't find any way to untangle them.

Finally, Seojin stopped and turned to face him. His expression was unreadable, his eyes sharp and intense as they locked onto Jonghyun.

"Wait here," Seojin commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument. "We need to talk."

Jonghyun nodded, his mouth suddenly dry. What was it now? Had something changed? He couldn't shake the feeling that whatever was about to happen between them would alter everything.

Seojin stepped into a nearby room, leaving Jonghyun standing there, alone. Jonghyun's mind raced. What did Seojin want to talk about? Was this about the mission? Or was it something else entirely?

Jonghyun had never felt more unsure of himself, more vulnerable, than he did at this moment. The bond between him and Seojin had always been there, but now, it felt stronger than ever—unavoidable, undeniable.

He didn't know what to expect when Seojin returned, but one thing was clear: everything was about to change.

---

When Seojin finally returned, his presence felt overwhelming. He was standing so close now, the space between them almost nonexistent. Jonghyun could feel the warmth of Seojin's body, the heat that radiated from him like a furnace. He swallowed hard, trying to steady his breath, but it was impossible. Seojin was too close, too intense.

"You're not going anywhere, Jonghyun," Seojin's voice was soft, but it carried a weight that Jonghyun couldn't ignore. It was more than a statement; it was a claim, a command, and Jonghyun felt his heart skip a beat.

Seojin's lips were so close to his ear now that Jonghyun could feel the warmth of his breath. "You're mine now," Seojin murmured, the words laced with something possessive, something that made Jonghyun's breath catch in his throat.

Jonghyun's pulse raced. He didn't know how to respond. Everything inside him screamed at him to push back, to reject the possessiveness in Seojin's words. But at the same time, every part of him—every nerve—was telling him that this was it, that this was the moment they crossed a line that couldn't be uncrossed.

And deep inside, Jonghyun realized that part of him didn't want to cross back.

End of Chapter 15