42 A lion cannot survive on grass (1/2)
”You are right.” No Ye-Joon looks down at his phone. ”We need your consent. In the past, the council ignored the existence of Esper. Things have changed. If you didn't come across Choi Min Ho, we wouldn't be having this discussion. Choi Min Ho would not turn a blind eye to you, would he?”
Nam Ji Won sits on the floor. She is feeling sluggish. Her body is throbbing with a dull ache. She scowls at Jasper. It is his doing.
”They are quite strict with laws too.” No Ye-Joon walks to her and stops only a few steps away from her. ”We can't show that we forced you.”
Nam Ji Won raises her brow. There is more, isn't?
”Let me explain your situation, Miss Nam.” No Ye Joon walks around her in a circle. ”You are in awakening period. It's the most unstable period of an esper. You will have nearly no control over your strength. You will be harmful to anyone around you especially humans. You might even kill people in the blink of an eye. Your family or friends? What will happen if you accidentally kill them?”
Nam Ji Won isn't affected. She looks at him with emotionless eyes. ”I am going to the academy.”
”Can they help you?” He gives her a sympathetic smile. ”Do you know what's the greatest danger of being an R graded esper?”
She doesn't reply. She digs her nails in her palms. She needs to get out of this shitty place. How to escape? When will that stupid fox find her?
”Your own mind.” He points at her forehead. ”With your increasing strength, your body and mind will have new needs. A lion cannot survive on grass. Similarly, you will have needs that nobody can satisfy. The council is trying to turn lions into lambs. But, it's the law of nature. Lions must hunt and eat meat.”
Lions, lambs, jungle...? Nam Ji Won furrows her brows. Have this person lost his mind? She is surrounded by loony ones.
”An R grade is quite different than the other grades.” He speaks slowly like he talking to a child. ”The Monarch is older than the council. We know how to handle and provide for your special needs. It's pointless to explain this to you now. But, you will come to us anyway. In the future, you will realize what I am talking about.”
”I am never coming to your side,” Nam Ji Won spits out in anger. ”I would rather die than become one of you.”
”Is that so?” He stands up and tells her in a kind tone. ”You are too special to die, Miss Nam. I am afraid that you will not find dying to be easy either.”
She blinks in confusion. ”What do you mean?”
”We will be waiting for you.” He turns around. ”Jasper, you can keep her company. Mr Choi will be here soon anyway.”
”Roger!” Jasper grins at him. ”Give him my greetings.”
”Sure.” No Ye-Joon leaves with the shorter man. The lady doctor gives a bow to Nam Ji Won and smiles before she also leaves the room. Nam Ji Won feels uneasy being alone with Jasper. Jasper sits beside her and takes her hand.