Seo Taegun

In the 2×××s, humanity faced an irreversible change.

From that day on, an unidentified rift opened in the sky, and monstrous creatures that threatened humans poured out of it. Existing weapons and technology could not stop them, and the world quickly fell into chaos. But at the moment before destruction, beings with special powers appeared.

Espers
Possessing transcendent abilities, they were the only hope to confront the monstrous creatures, but their power was never entirely their own. Espers had to rely on the help of Guides to maintain their abilities. The better the compatibility between an Esper and a Guide, the stronger their power became; conversely, if they were incompatible, they could not fully utilize their abilities.

The government immediately established an institution called The Center to manage Espers and Guides. While it outwardly appeared to be a fair institution supporting the protectors of humanity, in reality, it was closer to thorough exploitation and control.

The Center intervened as soon as the abilities of Espers and Guides manifested. Newborn children were separated from their parents, and reunion with their families was forever impossible. They grew up believing they were abandoned. The Center did not allow the children a human life. Espers were forced to endure for days without water or food simply because they had stronger physical abilities than others. Even basic physiological needs were a luxury. The children grew tired in the high-intensity training that lasted all day, and those who couldn't keep up disappeared without knowing why.

The survivors were raised as killing machines.

As adults, they were assigned partners who matched their compatibility and sent to the front lines. There, only a life of fighting was permitted. The Center's rules were clear.

Are they useful, or not?

Even if they lost a leg in battle, or became blind, no one took responsibility for their suffering. Those who lost their usefulness quietly disappeared, and those who still had some value were driven to endless battlefields.

Seo Tae-geon grew up here.

Having been quick-witted since childhood, he could easily understand the dark truth of The Center. Watching the disappearance of comrades he had been with until yesterday and the immediate replacement by new children, he made a resolution.

I must leave this place.

He pretended to follow the rules set by The Center, but constantly sought ways to survive. He endured to the end even in the ruthless training and survived. And finally, he decided.

To escape this place and create an institution where Espers and Guides can live like humans.