Mingi picked up at the second ring. 

"Yeah?" The background sound of his voice fizzled and rushed, as if he was running or a storm whirled around his surroundings. Perhaps he was also out to save lives right now. Yunho wanted to see him again. Mingi appeared confident in his abilities without Lux's haughtiness. 

"Can you send someone to pick me up?" Yunho asked, not bothering him longer than necessary. They had all the time to talk once he made it to Tenebra.

"Send me your location. I will have someone with you in twenty minutes." With that, the line clicked and Mingi's deep voice disappeared. Though it calmed Yunho, he didn't chase after it. He tapped around on his phone to comply with Mingi's wishes.

Auresce tracked him from the very beginning. Perhaps Tenebra also kept tabs on Yunho, but he was flattered to be given a choice. Be it an illusion or not.

After sending his information to Mingi, Yunho dawdled in the alley. He made sure to pull his hood over his head and lean in a shadow, looking inconspicuous to the outside eye. With his bag, he could easily pass as a loitering university student. He never attended since he lacked the funds for the tuition, but he always dreamt of student life. Instead, he worked every odd job available to make ends meet.

His parents would have scolded him for his ignorance towards Auresce when human lives were at stake, but Yunho saw more than enough to know he wouldn't save anyone. At most, he would cause more deaths.

It didn't take long for a sleek black car to pull into the street joining Yunho's alley. He recognised the man stepping out as the same driver from last time. It took him twelve minutes to get there.

"Hey," he greeted Yunho when he emerged from the shadows. His determination must have shown on his features, because a grin dashed over the man's lips.

"Back so soon?"

"Yeah. We are going to Tenebra," Yunho said when he slipped into his same seat. He held onto his belongings as the car whizzed down the streets and out of the city to the villa in the distance. 

Though his driver was noticeably nosy about the turn of events and kept glancing at Yunho in the rearview mirror, he held his tongue. Nothing was set in stone yet, though Yunho made his decision.

They pulled onto the curb of Tenebra's villa and, like last time, Yongguk awaited them. He had some time to gather himself until Yunho arrived, so his smile was steady, along with his handshake.

"You returned quicker than expected," he greeted Yunho and, though the circumstances were unfortunate, Yunho's grin was easy-going. The air changed immediately, though these were also espers and guides. Those deemed a hazard by Auresce.

"Things unexpectedly worked out. I would like to take you up on your offer of working together." 

Though Yongguk saw it coming, he politely beckoned Yunho inside to sit first. The driver brought the car away, leaving the room to discuss. 

"Are you sure you had enough time to think about your choice? It will be difficult to return after you spent some time here and Auresce caught wind of it," Yongguk reminded him. Yunho shook his head at his offer for a drink. His leg bounced in his armchair and he still wore his jacket and bag, ready to get moving.

"I can't let anyone else die because of me. Where do I start?" He asked, straightforward. Yongguk showed a more genuine gummy grin.

"For now, we wait until the team returns from the rift. Then we will test your abilities to determine your rank and find you a suitable guide. Mingi has an eye for these things," he offered instead of a contract to bind them. It would come, mostly for Yunho's security in case of an emergency, but that had time. Yongguk mentioned last time he wouldn't push Yunho to jump into a fight until he trusted his abilities.

When the driver made his way inside, this time without his suit jacket and with his shirt partly unbuttoned and his sunglasses hooked into it, Yongguk beckoned him over. Curious eyes studied Yunho in more detail as they bowed to each other.

"This is Wooyoung, an A-rank guide who doubles as our secretary and driver if no one else is available. We do things a little different from Auresce. We have less staff, but everyone takes up work they are interested in for some extra pay," Yongguk introduced them. Wooyoung grinned boyishly. He was charming with those birth marks on his lip and under his eye.

"So you finally joined. Always call me if you need something. I will get you registered into our system right away," he beamed, and Yunho smiled back shyly. He didn't want to disturb the people more skilled than him, but he was glad to know himself in caring hands. A smaller team meant everyone was closer with each other and, coming from a loving family, Yunho preferred that.

While Wooyoung went to work, Yongguk briefly listed a few people whose working places he had showed Yunho during their tour.

"Doctor Kang is your caretaker in any matter medical. He is another guide and studied medicine at Korea University. Meet him later. Also, we provide a dorm for you in a building nearby, but you will have to share your room for the time being. If the funds allow us, we will soon move to a bigger building with private rooms for everyone, but until then, I hope you can put up with a roommate."

"I'm used to it," Yunho assured good-naturedly. He never had an issue sharing with his brother or friends.

Yongguk looked relieved that Yunho didn't expect too much after he left Auresce. But if those luxuries made up for the trauma, he would have stayed.

When he called over his shoulder, Yunho politely looked around, taking in the office as his new home.

"Wooyoung, who has a free bed in their room right now? Male, if possible?" 

From somewhere down the corridor near the office kitchen, Wooyoung yelled back with his scratchy and high-pitched voice.

"San has space and was asking for a new roommate!"

Yunho chuckled at their nonchalant way of communication. When Yongguk grinned back at him, the twinkle in his eyes promised many more quirks. Yunho was elated to discover them.

"San is our S-rank esper. You two will probably train together a lot, so it's an excellent opportunity to team up. If you two don't get along, we can shuffle something else about, but he's a good guy."

"I'm sure we'll be just fine," Yunho replied, relieved to have a place and to be welcomed in their structure. Though he was worried about meeting another S-rank, he tried to be optimistic until he saw the guy. Maybe Tenebra's people wouldn't be conceited and arrogant?

"Wooyoung can brief you on the rest. Questions?"

Yunho adjusted the strap of his bag over his shoulder. He was a good bit taller than Yongguk but much more comfortable with him as a director than the commanders he spoke to priorly.

"What about Mingi? Do I meet him for my ranking?" Everyone else would cross Yunho's paths eventually, though he wanted to introduce himself to the doctor and his new roommate first. Most important people to be friends with.

Yongguk pointed at the stairs. He briefly showed Yunho the sleek wooden door leading to Mingi's office last time, but they hadn't gone in since he wasn't available that day. At the thought of seeing him again, Yunho's stomach was both in knots and warm with excitement. He owed this new chance to Mingi. Without him, he would be stuck in misery with Auresce.

No, actually, without Mingi, Yunho would probably be dead.

"Go right up to his office. He should have returned by now."

"Thanks," Yunho muttered with a sheepish grin, and Yongguk already turned on his heels before he remembered something.

"Ah, and please pay attention not to bring up my association with Tenebra. You are in a special position, hence I greeted you, but you won't see much of me. I am the legal benefactor of this centre, but I am not the publically registered director."

"Then who is?" Yunho wondered, though he gladly followed that request. It wasn't hard to have some respect, especially since these espers had such a sinister backstory with Auresce and the esper association. 

"Mingi is our official head. Please treat him as such towards the public, even if he is your companion on the battlefield."

Yongguk left, and Yunho paused to stomach his amazement. So Mingi went out to fight despite his top position? He didn't shun the gritty part of his work. Also, it explained his invitation and why he had an eye for Yunho's issue.

With nervous steps, Yunho climbed the stairs. He knocked on the door and peered his head inside when a hum answered him. 

Someone bustled around the adjoining room, so Yunho stepped in quietly and closed the door behind him. 

Mingi's office was spacious and tidy. One wall was entirely glass and looked out over the fields and the mountains behind the city. A massive wooden desk faced the door to catch the attention of any visitor. Some documents piled in front of the empty chair. 

Several potted plants offered flair, and another artfully crafted wooden table near the door was framed by two couches for more casual meetings. Aside from that, only a few bookshelves and artworks filled the space. 

Yunho neared the main desk to read the name tag on it. The shiny golden plate named Mingi as the chief executive officer of Tenebra. Next to it, more Latin.

Just when Yunho adjusted his glasses to read, a door clicked shut behind him and dull steps crossed the grey carpet.

"Cotidie morimur," that scratchy voice said, and Yunho perked up at hearing it. "It means that we die every day." 

It was the first time they met in person without Yunho delirious from pain or painkillers. He had an opportunity to take in Mingi when they shook hands formally.

Mingi was about Yunho's height, only a few centimetres smaller than him. Without his glasses, he showed off the sharp slant of his eyes and that scar splitting from his forehead down to his cheek. It was narrow, likely the slash of a claw or a blade. It shaved off a thin part of his eyebrow but didn't reach his eye to impair the attentive track of Yunho's every nervous twitch.

Today, Mingi wore black slacks and a black shirt. Its sleeves were rolled up to show off the same tattoos that wound up to his neck, reaching over his collar. They were thorned vines, carrying a butterfly on his neck and smaller symbols on the backs of his fingers. 

He looked put together and the hands shoving into his pants were casual. Yunho fumbled with his glasses, but he didn't back away.

"It's you," Mingi noted after taking in Yunho's not near as distinguished appearance. His voice rumbled like a volcano, but it wasn't hoarse like that of a smoker. Attractive from birth, Yunho assumed.

"It's me," he replied awkwardly, but his smile was enough to keep Mingi talking.

"Did Yongguk explain everything to you?"

"He did. I know who you guys are and what you do."

"So, will you join?"

Yunho nodded. He liked Mingi's directness. It made things easy, but it wasn't demanding like that of an officer. 

"I cut ties with Auresce today. I'm not going back to that place." This was his home now, in whatever capacity. He would adjust and losing luxuries that felt alien to him didn't matter if it meant a surrounding he felt safe in.

Mingi looked pleased by the news.

"Then I will make you a file. Welcome to the team. Start adjusting to this new place tomorrow and get to know your roommate first. Yeosang in the infirmary can explain the limitations of your powers to you. I will tell him I think of you as a B-rank with the proper training."

Yunho's ears perked. Yongguk mentioned this and Mingi also grumbled how Yunho was mistyped. Was this what he meant? Wasn't B a much too high rank for someone like Yunho?

"What are the ranks?" He asked, wary to sound stupid, but Mingi replied without missing a beat.

"S-ranks can do group damage or large area damage. We consider them strongest because they need a lot of energy input and output. A-ranks can kill singular enemies with success, including larger enemies. B-ranks are often in defence and can protect large crowds. C can cause damage, but they are rarely deadly. If you aren't B, that is your rank. As for D, they can neither kill nor protect. They simply have extra powers. They are often near just to support those who fight."

His summary was quick and concise, and it made a lot of sense. Yunho nodded along, though he was still humble. He couldn't use his powers, so he was useless, like a D-rank. Maybe Auresce was right with that. 

Finally grasping the system, Yunho studied Mingi's face, but it was blank of all judgement. He looked ominous, but he wasn't unkind in his teaching.

"And you are..." Yunho began, leaving the sentence to hang in the air.

Now, a grin tugged on Mingi's lips. It was crooked, giving away some imperfect teeth that only made him more handsome.

"An S-class guide. Did you like my guiding, Yunho?" His dark eyes penetrated Yunho's very soul, and he squirmed in his spot. Though he would have expected an esper as the head of Tenebra, Mingi seemed no less capable.

"I-" He stuttered, ears red, but Mingi just laughed at him. Well aware of his effect.

"Get going now. I will see you around. Don't hesitate to ask us questions and visit Yeosang." With firm steps, he rounded his table while Yunho hastily ducked away with his new information, forgetting to thank Mingi for getting him into the boat in the first place.