Light Found in the Shadows - Guardians Connection #2
Blog Introduction
Have you ever experienced unfair treatment at work? Unreasonable demands from your boss? Public humiliation in front of colleagues?
According to 2024 statistics, 7 out of 10 office workers have experienced workplace harassment. Yet most victims are forced into silence - their livelihood depends on their job, evidence is hard to find, and most importantly, their emotional wounds run too deep.
What if the power to uncover truth could meet the ability to heal wounded hearts?
Today's story explores that possibility. Park Jin-woo, who finds truth in the shadows, meets Choi Yu-na, who soothes wounded souls, as they forge a moving tale of cooperation that presents a new model of justice.
Sometimes problems that seem unsolvable alone can create amazing change when you find the right partner. Let's witness how justice and healing can work in harmony.
Estimated Reading Time: 25-30 minutes
Guardians Universe Series Episode 8 (Season 2, Second Episode)
Chapter 1: When Two Worlds Meet
The Seoul sky was unusually clear in May, but the atmosphere at the 'Mind Healing Counseling Center' on the 15th floor of a Gangnam building was heavy.
Choi Yu-na gazed out the counseling room window and let out a deep sigh. The group counseling session scheduled for this afternoon was making her anxious.
This case is different.
Despite Yu-na's nearly 20 years of counseling experience at age 30, she wasn't confident about this particular case. Even with her ability to read and heal emotions, this incident wasn't simple personal trauma.
"Ms. Choi, are you ready?"
The door opened as the center's nurse Kim Ji-young peeked in.
Yu-na: "Yes, please send them in."
The first woman to enter was 29-year-old Lee Mi-seon. Once a promising marketing manager at a major corporation, she was now on leave. She looked gaunt, with dark circles around her eyes.
Yu-na: "Please, sit comfortably. How are you feeling today?"
Mi-seon: "I don't know... I'm scared. I keep trembling."
The moment Yu-na lightly took Mi-seon's hand, an overwhelming wave of emotions crashed over her.
{Anger... despair... helplessness... and deep fear...}
The emotions Mi-seon had endured were transmitted so vividly. Her boss's verbal abuse, public humiliation in front of colleagues, intentional work interference... all of it pressed down on her like one massive darkness.
Yu-na: "You've been through so much. But you're not alone anymore."
Yu-na carefully used her ability to gradually calm Mi-seon's extremely heightened anxiety. Mi-seon's trembling slowly began to stop.
Mi-seon: "Amazing... it's been so long since I felt this peaceful."
But Yu-na knew that emotional healing alone couldn't provide a fundamental solution. What Mi-seon had experienced wasn't a personal problem, but systematic and organized harassment.
The next morning, Yu-na sat in a quiet café near Hongdae waiting to meet someone introduced by environmental activist Kim Hyun-jung.
Hyun-jung: "Yu-na, this is Park Jin-woo, the person I mentioned."
35-year-old Park Jin-woo was remarkable from first impression. His sharp gaze, concise speech, and especially his habit of constantly surveying his surroundings hinted at his profession.
Hyun-jung: "Jin-woo is an information gathering specialist, and Yu-na is a psychological therapy specialist. You both have special... talents."
Jin-woo: "An interesting proposal. But I usually work alone."
Yu-na: "So do I. But this case is different."
As Yu-na explained Mi-seon's case, Jin-woo's expression gradually became serious.
Yu-na: "From what I've heard from the victims I've treated, this isn't simple personal conflict. It's systematic and organized harassment."
Jin-woo: "Do you have evidence?"
Yu-na: "That's the problem. The victims are too scared to give proper testimony, and the perpetrators cleverly avoid leaving evidence."
Could there be another way working with this therapist?
Jin-woo fell into thought. Until now, he had worked alone. Information was cold and objective, and emotions were obstacles to work.
Jin-woo: "If your ability can accurately assess the victims' psychological state..."
Yu-na: "And if you can uncover the truth, real healing becomes possible."
Hyun-jung: "So you'll cooperate?"
As the two looked at each other, a strange tension flowed between them. Though they came from different worlds, their desire to achieve justice was the same.
Jin-woo: "I have conditions. Please respect my methods."
Yu-na: "Same here. The victims' safety comes first."
Jin-woo nodded and extended his hand.
Jin-woo: "Then let's begin our partnership."
Yu-na also took his hand. In that moment, Jin-woo's heart opened slightly, and Yu-na could sense that he was warmer than he appeared.
But there was something they didn't yet know. This case wasn't simple workplace harassment, but part of a much larger and darker organized crime...
Chapter 2: The Beginning of Truth-Seeking
Three days after beginning their cooperation, Jin-woo stared at multiple monitors in his underground office. The screens displayed organizational charts and various internal documents of the major corporation 'Hanbyeol Group's' marketing division.
[Marketing Director Kim Sang-hoon... interesting.]
The information gathered through his shadow network was shocking. Over the past three years, Kim Sang-hoon had intentionally harassed 15 subordinates into quitting, significantly reducing the company's restructuring costs in the process.
Jin-woo: "This isn't just a personality problem..."
Meanwhile, Yu-na was conducting a second group counseling session at her center. This time, three more Hanbyeol Group harassment victims joined Mi-seon.
Yu-na: "Today I'd like to discuss things more specifically. Please tell me step by step what happened."
But the victims still found it difficult to speak up.
Victim A: "What's the point... no one will believe us anyway."
Victim B: "We might just suffer more harm."
Yu-na used her ability to read their emotions. Fear, anxiety, despair... but underneath lay resentment and anger.
{They want to tell the truth. But they're hesitating because they fear retaliation.}
Yu-na: "It's okay. Take your time. What you say here will never leave this room."
Yu-na carefully soothed their anxiety. As the walls around their hearts gradually crumbled, the victims began revealing the truth.
Mi-seon: "Director Kim... he's really clever. He only harasses us where others can't see."
Victim C: "He speaks normally in meetings, but becomes completely different when we're alone."
Victim B: "And he makes everything our fault. As if we're being scolded because we're incompetent..."
Yu-na recorded their testimonies while simultaneously verifying the authenticity of their emotions. Everything was true.
That evening, Jin-woo and Yu-na met at Han River Park to share the information each had gathered.
Jin-woo: "You were right. This is organized crime."
As Jin-woo showed his collected data, Yu-na's expression hardened.
Jin-woo: "Kim Sang-hoon intentionally harasses employees to make them quit voluntarily. The company saves restructuring costs, and he gets evaluated as an 'efficient manager' by upper management."
Yu-na: "Then the victims are..."
Jin-woo: "Just numbers. To Kim Sang-hoon, they're not human beings."
Yu-na felt anger, but simultaneously, a bigger question arose.
Yu-na: "But why hasn't anyone reported this?"
Jin-woo: "[Whistleblowers' personal information is being leaked...] This is why."
The data Jin-woo showed contained shocking information. Personal information of employees who had previously reported Kim Sang-hoon was intentionally leaked, making it difficult for them to find employment at other companies.
Jin-woo: "It's a perfect system. Victims can't report, and it's hard to leave evidence."
Yu-na: "But we're here."
Their eyes met. Though they had different abilities, at this moment they shared the same goal.
Jin-woo: "I'll dig deeper. We need to find Kim Sang-hoon's personal weaknesses too."
Yu-na: "I'll help the victims find courage. We need their testimony to make real evidence."
But then Jin-woo's expression suddenly changed.
Jin-woo: "[Suspicious movement detected on surveillance cameras...]"
Yu-na: "What's wrong?"
Jin-woo: "Someone's watching us. Kim Sang-hoon might already know about our movements."
A black sedan was slowly passing in the distance. There was a high possibility their cooperation had already been discovered.
Yu-na: "Then we should be more careful."
Jin-woo: "No. Now we need to pick up the pace. We don't have much time."
Chapter 3: The Completion of Cooperation
The next morning, Jin-woo was directly observing Kim Sang-hoon near Hanbyeol Group headquarters. The 45-year-old Kim Sang-hoon looked like an ordinary middle manager on the surface, but Jin-woo's ability revealed his true nature.
[9:15 AM, unreasonable work assignment to Employee A... 10:30 AM, calling Employee B to a separate space for reprimand...]
The real-time information provided by his shadow network was amazing. Kim Sang-hoon was cleverly harassing employees dozens of times a day.
Meanwhile, Yu-na was attempting something special at her counseling center: using group hypnosis counseling to extract suppressed memories from the victims.
Yu-na: "Breathe comfortably. Now remember that day again. But this time you won't be afraid. I'm here with you."
Yu-na maximized her ability to alleviate the victims' trauma while helping them recall accurate facts.
Mi-seon: "November 15, 2023... Director Kim called me to the conference room. He said 'An incompetent person like you doesn't deserve to be in this company.'"
Victim B: "For me it was January 20, 2024. He spent 30 minutes reprimanding me in front of the entire team for a mistake I made..."
One by one, specific facts began emerging. Dates, times, places, and exact statements.
That afternoon, Jin-woo and Yu-na finally decided to take direct action.
Jin-woo: "Kim Sang-hoon is scheduled to call Mi-seon again at 3 PM today."
Yu-na: "How do you know?"
Jin-woo: "[His schedule shows 'Lee Mi-seon interview'...] This is our chance."
Yu-na: "Won't it be dangerous?"
Jin-woo: "It'll be fine if you're with me."
The two infiltrated Hanbyeol Group headquarters. Jin-woo's ability neutralized security systems while Yu-na manipulated employees' emotions so they wouldn't notice their presence.
[Conversation beginning in 15th floor conference room...]
Sang-hoon: "Ms. Lee Mi-seon, what do you think? Are you confident about returning to work?"
Mi-seon: "Yes... I'll do my best."
Sang-hoon: "Do your best? You said that last time too, but what were the results?"
Kim Sang-hoon's voice began getting rougher. But this time was different.
Jin-woo and Yu-na were recording everything from the adjacent room.
Sang-hoon: "I really can't understand people like you. Why do you keep holding on when you only cause losses to the company?"
Mi-seon: "I'm sorry..."
Sang-hoon: "Does being sorry solve anything? Because of you, our entire team is getting criticized!"
Just then, Jin-woo and Yu-na opened the conference room door and entered.
Jin-woo: "Interesting conversation, Director Kim."
Sang-hoon: "Who... who are you? How did you get here..."
Yu-na: "Mi-seon, are you okay?"
Yu-na approached Mi-seon and took her hand. In that moment, Mi-seon's extreme fear and despair began to calm.
Jin-woo: "Mr. Kim Sang-hoon, shall we talk about what you've been doing for the past three years?"
Jin-woo pulled out a tablet and began showing Kim Sang-hoon all his misdeeds one by one. Dates, times, victims, and exact statements.
Sang-hoon: "This... this is illegal wiretapping!"
Jin-woo: "Illegal? Could it be more illegal than what you've done?"
Yu-na read Kim Sang-hoon's emotions. Surprise, anger, and... fear.
{This person is actually scared too. Afraid that his actions will be exposed...}
Yu-na: "Director Kim, you've been suffering too, haven't you?"
Sang-hoon: "What... what are you saying?"
Yu-na: "You had no choice but to do these things to survive in the company, right?"
Yu-na carefully peered into the depths of Kim Sang-hoon's heart. Surprisingly, guilt and self-loathing were hidden there.
{This person might be a victim too...}
Yu-na: "There was pressure from above, wasn't there? To produce results, to cut costs..."
Kim Sang-hoon's expression began crumbling.
Sang-hoon: "What would you... know..."
Jin-woo: "Then tell us the truth. We can help you."
Finally, Kim Sang-hoon began to speak. The company's unofficial pressure, implicit orders from above, and excuses that he had no choice.
But Jin-woo and Yu-na knew this was only the beginning.
Chapter 4: The Harmony of Justice and Healing
Two hours after Kim Sang-hoon's confession began, the situation had completely changed.
The conference room now included not only Kim Sang-hoon but also Hanbyeol Group's HR manager and executive director. With Jin-woo's collected evidence, Yu-na's victim testimonies, and Kim Sang-hoon's confession... the situation was undeniable.
HR Manager: "That such things actually happened... we're truly sorry."
Executive: "We'll take immediate action. Director Kim will be suspended effective today..."
But Yu-na raised her hand to stop them.
Yu-na: "Wait. Punishment alone isn't the answer."
Jin-woo: "What do you mean?"
Yu-na: "Both Director Kim and the victims need healing. Simply punishing the perpetrator won't provide a fundamental solution."
Yu-na read the emotions of everyone in the conference room. Kim Sang-hoon's guilt, the victims' complex feelings, and the executives' confusion.
Yu-na: "True justice isn't revenge—it's healing."
Jin-woo: "But responsibility must be taken."
Yu-na: "Of course. But healing must happen alongside punishment."
Yu-na's proposal was revolutionary. Kim Sang-hoon would be demoted while mandatorily receiving psychological treatment, and victims would receive full treatment cost support and guaranteed reinstatement.
Furthermore, Hanbyeol Group would establish a system to prevent workplace harassment and mandate regular psychological examinations and counseling.
Executive: "Building such a system would... require considerable cost."
Jin-woo: "Considering the costs saved by harassing employees until now, wouldn't it be sufficient?"
Jin-woo presented a calculation. The restructuring costs the company saved through Kim Sang-hoon's "efficient management" totaled 5 billion won.
Jin-woo: "This money would be more than enough to build the system."
A month later, Yu-na's counseling center received a special visitor.
Mi-seon: "Ms. Choi, thank you so much."
Mi-seon's expression was completely different from a month ago. Her bright, energetic demeanor had returned.
Yu-na: "How is it? Has the company atmosphere changed much?"
Mi-seon: "Yes, it's completely different. Former Director Kim has really changed too... and the new director is wonderful."
Indeed, Hanbyeol Group's transformation was remarkable. After implementing the new system, employee satisfaction improved significantly, and productivity actually increased.
Mi-seon: "By the way, former Director Kim said he'd like to greet you..."
The door opened and Kim Sang-hoon entered. His authoritative demeanor from a month ago was nowhere to be seen.
Sang-hoon: "Ms. Choi... thank you so much."
Kim Sang-hoon bowed deeply.
Sang-hoon: "I was angry at first. I thought my life was over. But through counseling... I realized how wrong I'd been living."
Yu-na: "How do you feel? Has your heart found peace?"
Sang-hoon: "Yes... I can finally sleep properly for the first time in ages. I was suffering too, you know."
Kim Sang-hoon now had a new role at the company. As a workplace harassment prevention education coordinator, he was educating other managers based on his own experience.
That evening, Jin-woo and Yu-na met at Han River Park. It had been about a month since their first meeting.
Jin-woo: "It was successful."
Yu-na: "Thanks to you. I couldn't have done it alone."
Jin-woo: "Same here. I learned that information alone can't provide true solutions."
The two stood in silence for a moment, gazing at the Han River.
Yu-na: "Could we continue cooperating in the future?"
Jin-woo: "Of course. Together, we could accomplish even more."
Yu-na: "But... might there be other people with similar abilities?"
Jin-woo: "From what I've heard through the network... there are people who handle memories, who reverse time."
Yu-na: "Really? Could we meet them?"
Jin-woo: "There'll be an opportunity soon. For bigger tasks, we'll need more cooperation."
The sunset was painting the Han River red in the distance. Their first cooperation had ended successfully, but this was only the beginning of a greater journey.
Epilogue: Spreading Justice
Six months later, Jin-woo and Yu-na's cooperation model began attracting attention from other companies.
Articles titled "Revolutionary Conflict Resolution Method Combining Information Disclosure and Psychological Treatment" appeared in various media, and the government began benchmarking their approach.
More importantly, connections with other ability users had begun.
One day, a strange call came to Jin-woo's office.
Voice on phone: "Hello. I'm Lee Han-gyeol. I work with memories... I'm calling because there's a case that needs cooperation."
Jin-woo: "Lee Han-gyeol... a Memory Walker."
Han-gyeol: "Yes, and there's also a doctor named Kim So-ra with us. She has the ability to reverse time."
Jin-woo looked at Yu-na and smiled.
Jin-woo: "Interesting. Let's meet and talk."
It was the moment new possibilities for cooperation opened. If people with different abilities could come together to achieve greater justice...
What adventures await us next?
Reader Engagement
When you face unfair treatment at work, how do you handle it? Do you endure it alone, or do you seek other solutions?
If people with different abilities like Jin-woo and Yu-na could cooperate, what miraculous changes might be possible?
Please share your experiences and thoughts in the comments. And look forward to discovering which ability users will meet in the next episode!