Chapter : 117
Cameron, the government-affiliated biotechnology research institute in Pyongyang, was the cutting edge of advanced technology, known only to a select few. While flashy new technologies always seemed dominated by big countries like the United States or China, Korea was not lacking in talent either.
“Only a few geniuses are steering things by the scruff of the neck.”
Not just Suhyun, but all members of the military special forces from around the same period had undergone physical enhancement surgeries from Lee Seonhwa.
After the Dragon Slayer Project failed, the military devised a new plan using its own talents, and to increase the plan’s chances of success, they sought Lee Seonhwa’s cooperation. She had agreed without hesitation.
“This isn’t a simple surgery. It won’t be finished in one go. If we do everything, it’ll take about a week. Then you’ll also need adaptation training. I assume you know that much?”
“Of course.”
Suhyun had already undergone the procedure once before. He nodded.
“You’ll be under anesthesia, but don’t lose consciousness. If you do, the surgery will stop immediately. Keep talking to us.”
“Yes.”
The surgery for psychics fell into a more delicate domain. If a patient accidentally triggered their ability during the procedure, the operators could be killed. And Suhyun’s abilities weren’t weak by any means.
“Shall we begin?”
Lying on the surgical table, watching the devices hover above him, Suhyun unconsciously swallowed. Even when a powerful monster had charged at him, or when dozens of psychics had attacked, he hadn’t felt this tense.
“Damn… surgery is really…!”
“How do you feel?”
“Like a hangover.”
“That’s what everyone says. But at least there’s no pain. Sometimes, if it doesn’t suit someone, pain can occur. Stand up slowly. Don’t strain yourself.”
Even though he could have gone into battle right then, Suhyun obediently followed Lee Seonhwa’s instructions. Her words had always been hard to defy. Choi Jieun was no different, but she was also the benefactor who had performed the surgery.
“My strength… feels refreshing.”
Those who had undergone the surgery often wondered how they had ever lived with their old bodies. Physical enhancement surgery was that powerful. Suhyun had received the highest-grade procedure, leaving nothing more to desire.
It strengthened bone and muscle durability and power, increased blood volume, innate healing ability, metabolism, reinforced internal organs to resist mild toxins and improve digestion, and enhanced all basic senses. If one had the resources and time, it was an undeniably worthwhile procedure.
Suhyun instinctively felt the increase in his psychic capacity—the vessel itself felt bigger.
“Is it really the blood? Or something else?”
“Alright, let’s head to the adaptation training room.”
“I don’t think I need to…”
“No. If you’re the first human magician, you need full awareness. Do everything properly before moving on.”
Lee Seonhwa lightly patted Suhyun’s back. Feeling a sense of déjà vu, he moved forward.
Adaptation training room.
It was the mandatory rehabilitation space after physical enhancement surgery. Many resisted, wondering what kind of rehabilitation it could be, but those who skipped it quickly regretted it. They made basic balance mistakes, like stumbling while running.
The issue was that this rehabilitation training felt endlessly silly.
“From there to there. Once you walk, today’s training is over.”
Pointing to a rope path, Lee Seonhwa explained—it was basically tightrope walking. A training to balance their suddenly heightened physical abilities.
Seeing her smile, Suhyun shook his head. He could tell exactly what she was thinking.
“She really likes this kind of thing.”
Lee Seonhwa enjoyed watching even excellent soldiers fall off the rope and perform physical gags.
“Sorry, but I won’t be performing.”
Thwack!
“?”
He leapt and landed on the rope. A stunt impossible for untrained people, but feasible for those adapted to physical enhancement. The problem was, Suhyun had just finished surgery.
“How was that?!”
“You’re a magician.”
“Preposterous!”
It had nothing to do with magic. It was purely a matter of innate body sense. Psychics, who used their bodies less, often took longer to adapt.
“Did you use psychokinesis?”
“Would I really use psychokinesis just to skip rehab?”
“That’s true… sorry for doubting you.”
Suhyun went on to achieve record results in each adaptation exercise. Lee Seonhwa’s expression grew increasingly exasperated.
“You can stop now. You’re done.”
“Thank you.”
“You’ll still stay for three days. We need to monitor for any abnormal reactions.”
“Yes.”
As Lee Seonhwa turned to leave, Suhyun asked:
“Um… is it okay if I walk around the lab?”
“The lab? There’s nothing to see.”
“Nothing to see? This is a treasure trove of advanced technology.”
“Young people shouldn’t flatter me like that already,” she said with a smile.
“You can walk around. You’re not an outsider, and you were authorized. Just don’t touch anything… Ah, I’ll have someone guide you. I’ll call Jieun, wait a moment.”
“Yes!”
Of course, Choi Jieun was working there. Suhyun had guessed she would have come to Cameron from Earth to continue her research. She was an exceptionally talented individual.
“Jieun?”
“Oh, you don’t know her yet? As you get older, you start speaking from your own perspective… She’s my daughter. She researches here too.”
“If she’s your daughter, she must be very knowledgeable in biotechnology as well.”
“Stop flattering me. And she… actually majors in psychic analysis. She might be interested when she sees you.”
Knowing Choi Jieun’s personality, Suhyun couldn’t take that lightly. She was a born scholar, willing to risk everything to gain knowledge. Her usually cold demeanor hid a relentless curiosity.
“Come on, stop by the adaptation training room. You wanted to meet a magician too, right?”
Soon after Lee Seonhwa’s call, the door opened. Standing there was a cold-looking beauty with long black hair casually swept back. She wore a white lab coat, yet even her slender figure made it look fitting.
Suhyun restrained the urge to rush forward and hug her. Of all the people he had known, she was special.
“…Hello.”
“Yes, this is Kim Suhyun, who has awakened as a magician. You’ll be doing rehab for a few days, but he wants to look around. Make sure he doesn’t touch anything dangerous. Also, answer any questions he might have.”
“Yes.”
Lee Seonhwa left, leaving only Suhyun and Choi Jieun. She looked at him and asked:
“What do you want to know?”
“Uh… can we go somewhere quieter? Somewhere just the two of us.”
Seeing Choi Jieun’s expression change, Suhyun realized he had misspoken. Her already sharp gaze became even sharper.
“If it’s work-related, I’ll pass. There will be plenty of places outside. Choose yourself.”
“No, it’s… I have something to tell you.”
“What?”
“It’s a bit… inappropriate to say here.”
“….”
Choi Jieun blinked, as if trying to gauge Suhyun’s sincerity. Seeing his serious expression, she sighed and shrugged.
“If you do anything strange, I’ll call someone. Being a magician doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want.”
“Of course.”
“Follow me.”
Suhyun immediately realized where they had arrived—it was her lab. The arrangement of the equipment perfectly reflected her personality. She silently gestured to a round chair.
“Coffee? Green tea?”
“I’ll make it. Thank you for taking the time.”
“….”
Suhyun prepared instant coffee and added four sugar cubes. Choi Jieun raised her eyebrows.
‘How does she know my taste?’
“So, what did you want to say?”
“Well, it’s a long story. Please listen seriously to the end.”
“…Depends on the content.”
“I’m from the future.”
“….”
“I said, listen to the end!”
Grabbing her hand before she pressed a button, Suhyun shouted desperately:
“This is why you told me to speak in advance!”
“?”
He whispered into her ear. Choi Jieun’s expression immediately changed.
“Uh… how…?”
Friendship more than friends, less than lovers. That was the best way to summarize Suhyun and Choi Jieun’s relationship. They cared deeply for each other like lovers but both loved their work too much for a full-fledged romance.
Neither minded this. Their mutual passion for work only brought them closer.
One day, lying in bed and talking as usual, Choi Jieun said:
- “Teleporters are rare, but occasionally appear, yet we see no time-manipulators. They should be showing up soon.”
- “Time? Is it possible to have an ability that controls time?”
- “Strictly speaking, time and space are one concept.”
- “I don’t understand. Wouldn’t someone die before activating such an ability?”
Strong psychic abilities weren’t always good—they drained stamina. Suhyun’s psychokinesis had become usable because his capacity had increased; if it had been smaller, he might have vomited blood each time he used it.
- “True. But there are always exceptions. It could be an artifact instead of an ability.”
- “Time-manipulating artifact… isn’t that dangerous? You could get lost in the past. Thousands of years ago, maybe.”
- “Even if so, there’s no way it goes that far. At most, a few years to decades back, right?”
- “I have to lead the team in the ruins the day after tomorrow. If you scare me like this, I won’t be able to activate any artifact.”
- “Sorry. But time-related artifacts won’t appear easily anyway. And going back in time isn’t necessarily bad, right?”
- “I don’t like it. I’d have to redo everything, including rebuilding relationships.”
- “Are you worried I might forget you?”
- “No.”
- “Looks like it, huh? Don’t worry. I won’t forget you. There’s a way.”
- “?”
- “Since I was little, I’ve been interested in time travel. I made a promise long ago: if someone says ‘XXXXX’ to me, that person is from the future. Got it? If you accidentally activate an artifact and I go to a past where I don’t know you, just tell me that. I’ll believe you.”
- “What? That’s ridiculous.”
- “This is what they call romantic. You fool.”
Suhyun had never imagined that a joke they once made would be used like this. Choi Jieun remained in shock for a moment but then nodded, signaling him to continue.
Suhyun began recounting the events succinctly. Skipping what didn’t need explanation and explaining what did: their past relationship, the accident Suhyun experienced, and how he returned to the past.
“…I can only believe you. No matter how I think about it.”
“If you can’t believe it, I can tell you something else.”
“What?”
“When you were twelve, you altered your report card; when you were seventeen, you broke Dr. Lee Seonhwa’s cherished plant and hid it… or if we move on, the birthmark on your back, the things you like…”
“Stop, stop!”
If he continued, she might even mention matters on the bed he hadn’t thought she knew. Choi Jieun flushed red and waved her hands.
