1

Disaster struck without warning.

Gates and domes appeared out of nowhere, and from them emerged horrific monsters that drove people to helpless deaths.

In the absence of any solution, as fear paralyzed people into inaction, those who possessed the power to confront the monsters began to emerge.

They were called Espers.

Espers were individuals endowed with a variety of abilities to fight against the monsters.

Some commanded the forces of nature, others possessed bodies stronger than steel. Some wielded supernatural powers, while others created barriers to block the monsters' incursions.

Kang I-won was an Esper with the power of "regeneration."

Facing a monster charging toward him, Kang I-won extended one arm. The sharp teeth of the creature, lured by the bait, instantly sank into his arm. Despite the gruesome sight of his pierced flesh, Kang I-won remained calm. Using his free arm, he drove a dagger into the monster's eye and, without hesitation, dragged the blade straight downward.

The specialized weapon sliced through half of the monster's eye, causing it to screech in agony. As the monster's mouth opened wide in pain, Kang I-won yanked his arm free from its teeth and kicked off the monster's body to retreat.

While Kang I-won withdrew, a formless energy surged toward the distracted and trembling monster.

The sharp energy pierced through its open mouth, slicing through like the blades of a blender. It tore apart the creature's insides, shredding its esophagus and internal organs in an instant.

Screeeeech! The monster let out a horrific wail as its bear-like body slowly collapsed to the ground.

"Is it dead?"

Someone asked, and Han Kang-jin, inspecting the corpse of the monster, answered,

"It's dead."

"Wow, that was disgustingly hard," said Choi Soo-bin, who had been supporting from behind. She let out a weary sigh and plopped down on the spot.

Han Kang-jin wiped the sticky monster blood off his shield, while Kang I-won massaged the arm that had been pierced by the monster's teeth.

The arm was drenched in blood, yet it was perfectly intact, without a single wound, as though it had never been bitten. This was the power of his regeneration ability.

Watching Kang I-won calmly rubbing his arm, Han Kang-jin let out an audible sigh.

"I-won."

"Yes?"

"How many times do I have to tell you to act more efficiently? Do you have any idea how much you scare me when you pull stunts like that? This time too—you didn't have to stick your arm out like that. And then—"

"It ends faster this way," Kang I-won replied nonchalantly, cutting him off mid-sentence.

Han Kang-jin frowned in disapproval at his response. Seeing this, Choi Soo-bin grumbled in frustration, her tired face matching her tone.

"Team Leader, can you stop nagging? I-won's the one getting scolded, but it's my ears that are hurting. Hasn't he always been like this? And more importantly, when is our assigned Guide coming? Seriously, I'm going to lose it at this rate."

Choi Soo-bin's voice sounded on the verge of tears.

Espers, who gained the power to fight monsters, also developed a "core" within their bodies as they awakened their abilities.

Unlike the solid, mineral-like cores that monsters possessed, Espers' cores were more like invisible concentrations of energy. Nevertheless, as the source of their powers, these energy clusters were also called cores.

Espers might have gained the strength to face monsters and carried the energy cores that powered their abilities, but they were not invincible.

Every Esper's core emitted unique wavelengths, and these wavelengths became turbulent whenever they used their powers. The more power they exerted, the more violent the fluctuations became, stabbing into their cores. Each stab left the Espers physically and mentally unstable.

As the waves surrounding their cores thrashed and stabbed, the cores became increasingly worn out. When the damage reached a certain threshold, the core would explode like a bomb, leaving the Esper as nothing more than a being driven by instinct and destruction. This phenomenon was called "rampage."

Espers who entered a rampage were living catastrophes. As such, they were quickly "handled." Handling meant death for the Esper, making rampage synonymous with death.

However, there was a way to stabilize an Esper's unstable wavelengths: Guiding.

A Guide's unique energy could calm an Esper's wavelengths, stabilize them, and even restore a damaged core to its original state. This process was known as Guiding.

A Guide's energy could only be transferred through physical contact with the Esper, and the closer and more intense the contact, the more effective the results.

Despite Guiding being the only way to manage an Esper's unstable wavelengths, there were far too few Guides compared to Espers. Because of this, Guiding drugs were continually developed as a substitute for actual Guides.

Unfortunately, the drugs often caused side effects and various other complications, leading many to avoid using them.

Thus, most Espers received Guiding not from the drugs but from a Guide assigned to their team. Typically, a team comprised of four to five Espers would have one Guide.

However, Team 5, to which Kang I-won belonged, was unusually without a team Guide.

It wasn't that they never had a designated Guide. Initially, an A-rank Guide with an average team matching rate of 70% was responsible for guiding Team 5. But the Guide fell in love with an A-rank Esper from another team and unexpectedly formed an imprint bond.

A Guide who formed an imprint bond couldn't guide other Espers, leaving Team 5 without a Guide. That happened two months ago.

In the two months since their designated Guide left, Team 5 had relied on a temporary C-rank Guide, who barely had an average matching rate of 48%, as well as Guiding drugs, to stabilize their wavelengths. But they were nearing their limit.

Choi Soo-bin, not bothering to hide her frustration, spoke again.

"Team Leader, I swear I'm going to implode. My stomach feels twisted, I've got a headache, and I can't even remember the last time I had proper Guiding! Hey, Young-ho, at least you're a B-rank, so it's better for you, isn't it?"

She jabbed her finger at Kim Young-ho, Team 5's only B-rank Esper. His face flushed bright red as he shouted back.

"I'm struggling just as much, okay?! Don't you know my matching rate with the temporary Guide is only 41%? It's the lowest on the team! I'm having the hardest time here!"

Choi Soo-bin slumped even further and muttered lazily, "I don't care… If you're so upset, just use the drugs…"

"You're saying that knowing the drugs make your stomach twist even worse? Why don't you use them, Soo-bin? Anyway, Team Leader, when are we getting our new Guide? I'm at my limit too. My rank's already low, and my wavelengths go crazy with just a bit of power usage. Honestly, I'm feeling sick and my head's starting to hurt…"

The team members were all complaining about the lack of proper Guiding. Even Kang I-won, who was wringing out his monster- and blood-soaked clothes, turned to look at Han Kang-jin. Kang I-won, too, was feeling the strain of using his abilities without proper Guiding, putting him in a slightly precarious situation.

With all three teammates staring at him, Han Kang-jin let out a groan and cautiously spoke.

"A Guide from Seoul will be joining us soon. When they arrive, they'll conduct a matching rate test. So, just know it's happening—but don't get your hopes up."

"Wow!"

At Han Kang-jin's words, Choi Soo-bin clapped her hands together, her joy evident.

"Who? Who's coming?"

"I told you not to get your hopes up."

"Still, I'm curious!"

"Would you even know if I told you?"

"Of course! I have quite the wide network, you know," Choi Soo-bin said, puffing herself up with pride.

Han Kang-jin smirked at her confidence.

"Someone named Heo Do-gyeong. Seems like they're pretty well-known over there."

"Heo Do-gyeong? Heo Do-gyeong, Heo Do-gyeong… I've heard that name before somewhere…"

Choi Soo-bin tilted her head, muttering the name repeatedly. Watching her, Han Kang-jin gave her shoulder a few light taps.

"Do you think repeating it will jog your memory? If you're rested enough, let's wrap this up and head back."

"Wait, wait! I feel like it's right on the tip of my tongue… Heo Do-gyeong, Heo Do-gyeong… Heo… Heo-ttto? Wait, Team Leader, is it that Heo-ttto?"

At Choi Soo-bin's exclamation, Kang I-won tilted his head and asked, "Heo-ttto?"

"You know, that lunatic! The one who's rumored to be a total nutcase! That S-rank Guide!"

Tl/N: The nickname "Heo-tto" (허또) appears to be a playful or mocking shorthand for Heo Do-gyeong that incorporates the Korean word 또라이 (ttorai), which is slang for "crazy" or "lunatic."

Heo Do-gyeong.

A renowned S-rank Guide, known not only for his rare abilities but also for his infamous quirks—his obsessive cleanliness and his rumored hatred of Espers. Choi Soo-bin continued with a mischievous tone.

"Have you heard the latest rumor? It's been making the rounds recently—apparently, a Guide subdued an Esper."

"A Guide subdued an Esper? How? Is that even possible?"

Kim Young-ho's astonishment was clear as he turned to Choi Soo-bin for answers. Even Han Kang-jin, who had been tidying up the area, couldn't help but tune in, his curiosity piqued. Choi Soo-bin eagerly continued.

"You know Woo Young-seon, right? The S-rank Esper from the Seoul branch?"

"Of course. Is there anyone in Korea who doesn't know that guy? He's even famous overseas," Kim Young-ho replied.

Kang I-won rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed. Catching the subtle reaction, Kim Young-ho leaned in and cautiously asked, "Wait, don't tell me… you don't know who that is?"

"..."

"You really don't?"

"..."

Kang I-won let out a small groan, his silence betraying his discomfort. Why should he care about some random person's name? He averted his gaze, but Kim Young-ho pressed on.

"He's the Barrier Esper," Kim said, emphasizing the title.

Barriers—special protective shields that blocked monsters—were highly coveted abilities. Even an average Barrier Esper was considered valuable, but Woo Young-seon was S-rank. Not only did he stop monsters, but he could also block gates, making him a near-legendary figure.

"Oh, I know who you're talking about."

"Didn't catch the name, though," Kang I-won said flatly. "So what about him?"

Ignoring the dismissal, Choi Soo-bin picked up the thread.

"Apparently, he fell for Heo Do-gyeong and started following him around like a lovesick puppy. It must've annoyed Heo Do-gyeong because, during a Guiding session, he flipped Woo Young-seon's wavelengths completely upside down."

"Wait, that's possible? Wouldn't that cause a rampage?" Han Kang-jin asked, his concern evident.

Choi Soo-bin shrugged, her expression neutral.

"I'm not a Guide, so I don't know the specifics. Luckily, there wasn't a rampage, but Woo Young-seon's wavelengths got so messed up he ended up hospitalized for a while. I heard some top-tier Guides with high matching rates have been assigned to him now."

"And what about his Barrier?" Kang I-won asked.

"It's a good thing the Barrier in Seoul was set up recently. If it had been time to reinforce the Barrier and Woo Young-seon wasn't available, it would've been absolute chaos. Well, it already is chaotic, but still. Makes you wonder if Heo-tto actually thought it through before pulling that stunt…"

Choi Soo-bin trailed off before continuing, her tone conspiratorial.

"And they need to punish him, but honestly, what could they even do? Never mind what he actually did—his target was also an S-rank Esper, but he's a rare S-rank Guide! What if he just refuses to provide Guiding out of spite? Let's be real, Guides are even more valuable than Espers. On top of that, I heard Heo-tto has some powerful backing. Apparently, he's from a pretty influential family. So instead of real punishment, they're just going through the motions. I heard he'd be temporarily reassigned, but I didn't expect him to end up here."

When her unusually long explanation came to an end, the group, now sufficiently rested, quickly began cleaning up the scene.

The most important part of site cleanup was removing the core from any monster classified as C-rank or higher.

C-rank monsters and above possessed a core, which was the source of their strength. Without it, they lost over half their power, rendering them significantly weaker.

Han Kang-jin sliced open the monster's abdomen and extracted its core. Depending on the size of the monster, the core varied in size, typically ranging from the size of a finger to the size of a palm.

The core in Han Kang-jin's hand looked like an ordinary colored stone.

While the monster was alive, its core contained energy. However, the moment the monster died or the core was removed from its body, the energy evaporated instantly, leaving behind only a solid, inert stone.

Although the energy inside the core was no longer usable, the core itself remained valuable.

Conventional weapons were ineffective against monsters. To inflict damage, specialized weapons known as "monster-killing weapons" were required, and their primary material was the cores extracted from monsters. Kang I-won's dagger was one such weapon, crafted from a monster's core.

After Han Kang-jin removed the core, he gathered the monster's remains into a single area. The cleanup crew would come later to collect and dispose of the bodies.

As the group wrapped up the site, Kim Young-ho asked, "So, do you think this Heo Do-gyeong guy will end up being our team's Guide?"

"I told you, don't get your hopes up. It's unlikely, and even if he does, it'll probably just be temporary. He's an S-rank, after all."

"Even if it's temporary, it'd be great if he became our Guide. With the current temporary one, the matching rate is so low it doesn't even feel like I'm getting Guided."

"Don't worry," Choi Soo-bin said with a grin, drawing a finger across her neck. "If you go on a rampage, I'll take care of you as your senior."

Kim Young-ho flared up, yelling, "I don't need you to take care of me! And for the record, I'm not going to rampage!"

Ignoring the bickering pair, Han Kang-jin turned to Kang I-won and asked, "How are you holding up?"

Kang I-won assessed his condition. A faint headache pressed against his temples, and his empty stomach churned nauseously, as if he'd just run a marathon. His uninjured arm, where the monster's teeth had sunk in earlier, throbbed with phantom pain, and his overexerted body screamed in protest. Rotating his wrist lightly, Kang I-won replied nonchalantly, "I'm fine, all things considered."

"Fine, my foot," Han Kang-jin muttered disapprovingly.

Kang I-won shrugged off the concern with indifference. "Really, I'm fine. I've got this, too."

He slipped a small, individually wrapped syringe from his pocket. It was a dose of Guiding medication, freely distributed by the Center. Han Kang-jin clicked his tongue at the sight.

"Stop using that stuff and get Guided by the temporary Guide. Even with a low matching rate, it's still better than those drugs."

"I'm getting Guided. And honestly, it feels the same to me."

"Same, my foot. The side effects alone make a huge difference. Tsk, I know your abilities can handle it, so I'm not too worried, but seriously… How many times do I have to tell you to work smarter, not harder? You're only wearing yourself out."

"Got it," Kang I-won said simply.

"I've been pushing upper management to send us a proper Guide. So even if you're not happy with the temporary one, just suck it up and keep getting Guided for now. Understand?"

"Yes."

Finished with his scolding, Han Kang-jin walked ahead. Kang I-won followed behind, his expression unreadable.

* * *

Beep-beep—beep-beep—

The wrist device lit up with a red light.

Each light on the device had a specific meaning. A blue light signaled a designated call for a specific team, a green light indicated an individual call for a particular person, and a red light signified an emergency call broadcast to all Espers in the vicinity, requesting immediate assistance.

Kang I-won, running on a treadmill, pressed the accept button on the device and stepped off. Quickly wiping away sweat, he grabbed his weapons and headed to the location displayed on the device.

The site wasn't far from the Center, so he opted to move swiftly on foot. On his way, he noticed a man slumped in frustration in a corner of an alley, furiously jabbing at the screen of his device and muttering angrily.

"Ugh, damn Espers! It's always the same ones who show up. Honestly, don't any of them have a sense of duty? Selfish bastards."

Kang I-won recognized the face. It was familiar—likely the C-rank Guide from Team 9. Since it was rare for Guides to be present on the field, their faces tended to stand out.

Recalling the man's details, Kang I-won instinctively found his feet taking him toward the grumbling Guide.

Sensing someone approaching, the Guide snapped his head up. Upon seeing Kang I-won, his face lit up, and he enthusiastically waved both arms in the air.

"Oh! Esper Kang I-won! Over here, over here!"

Kang I-won approached the Guide, who was frantically waving at him. As soon as Kang I-won got close, the Guide began speaking at a rapid-fire pace, almost like he was rapping.

"Esper Kang I-won, thank you so much for showing up again today! If you head that way, you'll find my team barely holding things together. An unexpectedly high-ranked monster appeared, and, well… I've been told two more are coming to assist, so I'll wait here for them. Can you head over there first?"

Without hesitation, Kang I-won nodded and immediately headed in the direction the Guide had indicated.

It didn't take long before the monster came into view. At the end of the alley, where it connected to a pedestrian path, a massive three-headed snake—easily over three meters tall—was tightly bound in what looked like sticky, web-like threads.

The snake thrashed angrily, writhing its body to break free of the threads. Each time it tore through the webbing, an Esper would produce more, wrapping the snake tighter. The amount of thread was so excessive that the snake's body, encased in layer upon layer, resembled a giant cocoon.

The Esper spinning the sticky threads was desperately holding the enormous snake monster in place. Meanwhile, three other Espers were meticulously dealing with smaller, thread-like snake creatures scattered around the area, but the sheer number of them made it clear they were struggling.

One of the Espers spotted Kang I-won and called out excitedly, "Oh, backup's here! Are you alone?"

"Two more are on their way. Have you identified the monster?"

When encountering a monster, having detailed knowledge of its type, weaknesses, and attack patterns was crucial. If the species were common, teams could rely on prior information to handle the situation effectively.

However, the variety of monsters was frustratingly vast. Even among snake monsters, there were countless variations—single-headed snakes, two-headed ones, three-headed ones, ones with double tails, or those with chain-like bodies.

Thankfully, similar types often shared characteristics, weaknesses, and behavior patterns. As such, the first priority when confronting a monster was to assess it based on existing knowledge and adapt accordingly.

For instance, with snake-type monsters, cutting off the head is the key to killing them. In the case of this three-headed snake, all three heads would likely need to be severed.

The Esper struggling to hold down the giant snake monster shouted in a near-scream, "It's not venomous! We cut off one head, but it split into those thread snakes over there and regenerated a new head from the severed stump!"

"What about the core?" someone asked.

"It's external! Located in the tail! The tail!"

Monsters were broadly categorized into two types based on core placement: internal and external.

Internal cores were located inside the monster's body, typically retrieved after the monster was killed. External cores, on the other hand, protruded from the body, and removing them drastically weakened the monster, significantly lowering the difficulty of extermination.

Of course, removing an external core was no simple task either.

A core was a concentrated mass of energy, surrounded by energy waves that acted as a protective barrier. To remove it, one needed to carve out not just the core but also the surrounding flesh to which it was attached.

While attacking from a distance was safer, ranged attacks often bounced off the energy waves protecting the core. As such, melee Espers were typically responsible for approaching the monster directly and extracting the core.

Sometimes, uninformed individuals would ask, "Why not just destroy the core?" But that was impossible.

Only Espers with specific abilities could destroy cores, and even then, the core had to have already been removed from the monster's body and completely depleted of its energy.

In most cases, it was easier to kill the monster first and then retrieve the core, just as with internal cores—unless dealing with particularly troublesome circumstances.

This was one of those troublesome cases.

To kill the monster, all three heads needed to be severed. However, cutting off a head caused it to split into hundreds of thread snakes. While individually weak, their sheer numbers made them a significant hindrance.

Removing the core was the priority. As mentioned earlier, this was typically the job of a melee Esper.

Team 9 had one melee Esper, but their weapon of choice was a hammer, which wasn't ideal for extracting a core. As a result, the responsibility naturally fell to Kang I-won.

However, the situation was far from favorable. The monster had already split once, leaving hundreds of thread snakes writhing across the ground, making it nearly impossible to approach the main body.

Kang I-won gripped the handle of his monster-killing dagger tightly, cutting down the thread snakes that leaped toward him as his sharp eyes assessed the battlefield.

One Esper created a wall of water, while another froze it, sealing dozens of thread snakes inside an icy prison.

The remaining thread snakes, which weren't caught in the ice, shifted their focus and swarmed the struggling Espers.

The snakes bit into any exposed flesh, clinging with their needle-like fangs. Though they weren't venomous, their persistence was maddening. Even when they were slashed or shaken off, more kept latching on, making them seemingly endless.

"Argh! Damn these snakes! Can't you just stay still for once? Why the hell are you causing so much trouble?! When are the rest of the reinforcements getting here?! I'm losing my mind!"

The giant snake monster thrashed violently, its resistance growing stronger. An Esper, already drained from overusing their abilities, let out a frustrated scream as they spun more webbing to hold it down.

Seeing their struggle, another Esper, who had just crushed several thread snakes with their hammer, shouted, "Hang in there! Hyun Ho-joon's on the way! Esper Kang I-won! Once Hyun Ho-joon arrives, please focus on removing the core!"

Kang I-won nodded. He didn't know who Hyun Ho-joon was, but based on the urgency in their voices, it seemed they had the ability to deal with these annoying thread snakes.

For now, Kang I-won focused on enduring. He slashed the thread snakes crawling up his body and yanked off those that managed to sink their teeth into his flesh. Their sharp fangs left long, jagged wounds on his skin, but the injuries quickly regenerated, leaving no trace behind.

As he held his ground, the sound of someone's voice, filled with relief and excitement, echoed through the chaos.

"Hyun Ho-joon's here! Everyone, fall back! I'm going to burn the thread snakes!"

Hearing this, Kang I-won quickly retreated. While his body could regenerate, his clothes couldn't.

As Kang I-won moved back, flames surged past him like a tidal wave, consuming the thread snakes. The heat was intense, palpable even at a distance, and simply brushing past it made him feel its searing temperature.

The wave of fire engulfed the thread snakes, filling the air with the crackling sound of flames and the acrid stench of burning flesh. Kang I-won slashed at the surviving snakes leaping toward him, biding his time for an opportunity to approach the massive snake monster.

Hyun Ho-joon's blazing flames burned relentlessly but remained controlled, incinerating the thread snakes without spreading beyond them. The flames evaporated the ice walls in an instant and burned the trapped thread snakes within.

"Shit! It's melting! Put out the fire! Put it out!" someone shouted in panic.

But the flames, advancing rapidly, reached the area around the giant snake monster and began melting the sticky threads that had been binding it. The heat spread, and the snake monster let out a horrendous scream, writhing in agony.

Hyun Ho-joon tried to withdraw his power, his face contorting in frustration as he struggled to rein it in.

The Esper who had been holding the snake with webbing reached out, attempting to spin more threads, but they were too exhausted. Their face twisted with strain as they failed to produce anything substantial.

The flames continued to rage, dangerously close to breaking the cocoon-like bindings that barely held the monster in place.

Seizing the moment, Kang I-won dashed through the fiery chaos toward the monster.

The lingering heat licked at his clothes and seared his skin, sending waves of unbearable pain through his body. Gritting his teeth, Kang I-won pressed on, aiming for the tail, where the glossy, bulbous core was visible.

The tail flailed wildly, thrashing like a freshly caught fish out of water. The shimmering surface of the core jutted out prominently from the thin tail, a clear target.

Kang I-won raised his dagger, ready to drive it into the core, but at that exact moment, the sticky threads holding the snake broke completely.

The fin-like tail whipped through the air, narrowly dodging Kang I-won's strike.

"Tch."

Kang I-won clicked his tongue in frustration. The timing couldn't have been worse.

As if on cue, the oppressive heat that had been tormenting him dissipated. One of the snake monster's heads, now freed, locked onto Kang I-won. It let out a deafening roar, its sharp eyes fixated on him.

The snake monster transformed its tail into a sharp weapon. The fin-like appendages, which had been fluttering like a fan, closed tightly around the core as if to shield it, then morphed into a conical spike that swiftly thrust toward Kang I-won's center.

It was an attack he could have dodged, but Kang I-won didn't move. He accepted the blow, letting the tail pierce his abdomen. The spike tore through his body, emerging from his back.

Kuhk. Blood spilled from Kang I-won's mouth, splattering onto the tail. Tasting the blood, the three-headed snake monster grinned, even in its pain.

But the monster's satisfaction was short-lived. Without hesitation, Kang I-won gripped the tail's fin-like edges and ripped them apart. Though the fins were tough, he tore precisely at the spot covering the core, exposing its glossy, bulging surface.

Kang I-won's dagger plunged into the torn fins, cutting deeply into the flesh surrounding the core. He pressed the blade further, slicing downward to widen the wound.

Not stopping there, he drove the dagger even deeper, twisting it sharply. With a sickening crunch, the core, still attached to bits of flesh, was partially dislodged and dangled precariously.

Sensing danger, the snake monster quickly pulled its tail free, swinging it wide to shake him off.

The force of the tail's withdrawal staggered Kang I-won, and before he could react, the monster's flailing tail struck him directly. His body was flung through the air, headed straight for a building wall.

However, a telekinetic Esper's power intervened, halting his momentum mid-air before he could crash.

"See? If your ability's not good enough, your body ends up doing all the work," came a dry, mocking remark.

Ignoring the snide comment, Kang I-won steadied himself as his feet touched the ground. Stumbling slightly, he moved back, and the Guide who had greeted him earlier rushed over to support him, guiding him to sit against a wall.

"Esper Kang I-won, good work. Leave the rest to us and take a breather."

Kang I-won nodded wordlessly and pulled out a small tin case from his pocket. Inside were tiny pills, no bigger than a fingernail.

He took two pills, chewing them dry. The bitter taste lingered in his mouth, but he ignored it, putting the tin back in his pocket and retrieving a chocolate bar. As he munched on it, the hunger from using his ability began to subside.

As he rested, the burns on his skin healed, leaving no trace of injury, and the gaping wound in his abdomen gradually regenerated.

Unfortunately, his clothes didn't regenerate, leaving his exposed torso in plain view. Across his stomach was a long scar cutting through his navel—a mark that never faded, no matter how much he healed.

Kang I-won glanced down at the scar, scratching at his stomach absentmindedly. He took another bite of his chocolate bar and turned his attention back to the battlefield.

The telekinetic Esper successfully extracted the dangling core, weakening the snake monster significantly. Its movements became sluggish, and it thrashed in desperation.

Sharp icicles pierced one of the monster's heads, severing it. The head rolled to the ground with a loud thud before beginning to split again.

However, without the core, the splitting process was incredibly slow. While the severed head sluggishly divided, Hyun Ho-joon's flames consumed the neck and head, filling the area with the smell of roasting meat, which only deepened Kang I-won's hunger.

As he observed the scene, his wrist device beeped with a new message. It was from Han Kang-jin.

[Team Leader Han Kang-jin: Come to the Center immediately for a matching rate test.]

It seemed the rumored Guide had finally arrived.

Kang I-won was still reading the message when a shadow loomed over him. Glancing up, he saw the special Esper who had been restraining the snake monster with threads standing in front of him.

"Esper Kang I-won, are you okay?"

"As you can see," Kang I-won replied.

"What I see looks pretty bad," the Esper retorted.

"It's all healed."

Kang I-won extended his smooth arm through the charred remains of his tattered clothes as proof.

The special Esper, unable to hide their gratitude, said, "We owe you again. Thank you, as always."

"Don't mention it. But if it's okay, I'd like to leave now. I need to get my matching rate tested."

"Oh, I heard Team 5 doesn't have a dedicated Guide yet. Did you finally get one? Then you should hurry over. Thanks again for today!"

With a quick farewell from the special Esper, Kang I-won left the scene.

His first stop upon reaching the Center was the showers. He couldn't very well head to the testing room drenched in blood and sweat. After a fast shower, Kang I-won put on the training uniform provided by the Center, his hair still dripping wet as he made his way to the matching rate testing room.

"Hello, this is Kang I-won from Team 5. I heard there's a matching rate test scheduled for me?"

The examiner, who had been staring straight ahead, greeted him warmly.

"Ah, Esper Kang I-won! Perfect timing. Esper Choi Soo-bin is being tested right now, so you can go in as soon as they're done. Please wait here for a moment."

"Understood."

Kang I-won sat down on a chair in the waiting area, his gaze drifting to the thick reinforced glass separating him from the testing area. As he waited, his stomach growled, reminding him he hadn't fully replenished his energy. Without shifting his gaze, he unwrapped a chocolate bar from his pocket and began to nibble on it.

Beyond the glass, two large, egg-shaped capsules were positioned in the testing area.

The capsules were connected by a single machine, with a large monitor attached to the center. The monitor displayed images of Choi Soo-bin and Heo Do-gyeong.

The man's face, which Kang I-won saw for the first time through the photo, carried a gentle smile, leaving a soft and approachable impression. Even someone like Kang I-won, who typically paid no attention to others' appearances, found his gaze lingering momentarily. Heo Do-gyeong was undeniably handsome.

Kang I-won's eyes didn't stay on the photo for long, shifting to take in the entire screen. Between the images of Choi Soo-bin and Heo Do-gyeong, a vertical bar resembling a battery icon began to fill. The bar filled gradually but slowed as it neared the top, then stopped completely.

After a moment, three small dots appeared, pulsing briefly before revealing a result: 68%.

"68%! That's pretty good! With everyone else over 60%, I think it's safe to say you'll be assigned a permanent Guide. Congratulations in advance!" the examiner said cheerfully.

Kang I-won opened his mouth to respond but decided against it, finding it too bothersome.

"It's a relief. The delays in assigning a dedicated Guide to Team 5 were starting to worry us. Anyway, once Esper Choi Soo-bin finishes, you'll be next, so please get ready."

Kang I-won nodded, finishing the last bite of his chocolate bar. As he swallowed, the testing room door opened, and Choi Soo-bin stretched dramatically as she stepped out.

"Ah! Finally, I can breathe! It's been so long since I've felt this good. What the—oh, you're already here? Team Leader said you'd be late."

"Finished early, so I came ahead," Kang I-won replied.

"Then you should've dried your hair. What's with this mess?" Choi Soo-bin clicked her tongue, pinching a strand of his damp hair between her fingers.

"Don't worry about it," Kang I-won said flatly, brushing her hand away as he stood and walked into the testing room.

Inside, the open capsule to his left was occupied by the person he'd just seen in the photo: Heo Do-gyeong.

He looked far less composed in person, his furrowed brow and the way he pressed his fingers against his temples betraying his fatigue. The gentle demeanor from the photo was nowhere to be seen; instead, he radiated a prickly aura.

Heo Do-gyeong glanced at Kang I-won and asked curtly, "You're the last one?"

"Yes."

"Let's get this over with. I'm tired."

Without a word, Kang I-won nodded and sat in the empty capsule.

He strapped on the wrist device and leaned back in the chair as the capsule lid closed around him. After a brief wait, a faint trace of the Guide's energy began to flow through the device.

Even from this indirect exposure, Kang I-won could feel his previously unstable wavelengths calming down. The sensation was unlike anything he'd felt before, a newfound sense of balance and ease that left no doubt in his mind.

He instinctively knew one thing for certain:

His matching rate with Heo Do-gyeong would be significantly high.

If actual Guiding felt even better than this, it would be remarkable. The persistent headaches, nausea, and occasional ringing in his ears caused by Guiding deprivation would surely vanish in an instant.

For most other Espers, this would have been a moment of celebration. But for Kang I-won, it was simply underwhelming.

The monitor outside the capsule displayed the photos of Heo Do-gyeong and Kang I-won side by side. Three dots alternated between growing and shrinking as the system calculated their matching rate. Moments later, the result appeared:

89%.

"Eighty-nine percent?"

Choi Soo-bin, watching from outside, whistled softly in admiration.

The average matching rate for a team Guide typically ranged between 60% and 80%. A rate above 80% was exceedingly rare, with most hovering around the low 70s at best. To see a rate of 89% was nothing short of astounding.

"Man, I'm jealous. Mine was only 68%."

"Hey, 68% isn't bad at all," the examiner reassured.

"Sure, but compared to 89%, it feels a little lacking. I wonder how amazing Guiding at 89% feels. My highest match was only 75%."

"Does the difference in matching rate really make that much of a difference?"

"Of course!"

Choi Soo-bin launched into an enthusiastic explanation about the wonders of higher matching rates, chatting animatedly with the examiner.

Meanwhile, the capsule Kang I-won was in opened with a quiet hiss.

Choi Soo-bin looked over with curiosity, her interest piqued. She wondered how her stoic teammate might react to such extraordinary news.

However, Kang I-won's expression as he rose from the seat and glanced at the screen was no different from when he first entered the capsule.

Choi Soo-bin's excitement deflated as her face fell in disappointment.

"Is he even an Esper? I mean, come on, 89%, and he doesn't even flinch…"

Clicking her tongue, she muttered, "There isn't a single Esper in the world as indifferent about Guiding as he is. I've known him forever, but I still don't understand what goes on in his head."

"Yeah, he does seem a bit emotionally… restrained," the examiner agreed.

"That's just how he is," Choi Soo-bin sighed.

Both of them continued to watch Kang I-won, whose indifferent demeanor showed no sign of changing.

Contrary to Choi Soo-bin's remarks, Kang I-won was more unsettled than he let on after seeing the matching rate.

"Our matching rate is pretty high, isn't it?"

The pleasant tone of a soft voice rang in his ears. Heo Do-gyeong, who had stepped out of his capsule and was now glancing at the monitor, spoke with a hint of surprise. Kang I-won avoided his gaze and replied in a quiet voice, "I guess so."

"Why? Isn't that a good thing? Espers usually go wild over high matching rates with a Guide."

Though Heo Do-gyeong's lips curled into a smile, his cold eyes made it seem more like a mocking smirk. In fact, it was a mocking smirk. Feeling the inexplicable hostility, Kang I-won reluctantly answered, "…It is."

"Hmm? Ah… is that how it is?"

Heo Do-gyeong seemed to come to some conclusion on his own, murmured to himself, and then walked past Kang I-won, leaving the room without another word. Outside the testing area, he didn't even glance at Choi Soo-bin and immediately left the premises.

As Kang I-won exited the room shortly after, Choi Soo-bin slung an arm over his shoulder and spoke in a conspiratorial tone.

"So, what did Heo-tto say?"

"He asked if it was good," Kang I-won replied.

"Because of the high matching rate?"

"Yeah."

Choi Soo-bin cast a glance at where Heo Do-gyeong had been standing moments before and muttered, "Judging by the situation and the matching rate, it looks like he'll be assigned to our team for now… but wow, he's really prickly. No way we're getting close to him, huh?"

"There's no need to get close, is there?"

"That, my dear I-won, is why I'm your only friend. You realize that, right?"

"Don't need any others."

"So stoic. Hmm, I don't know how long he'll be around, but it'd be nice if he stayed until we find another Guide with a high matching rate," Choi Soo-bin remarked.

At this, the examiner tilted her head in confusion and asked, "Huh? What do you mean? The team's average matching rate is pretty good. Isn't he going to be assigned as your permanent Guide?"

Choi Soo-bin chuckled lightly, brushing off the comment as if it were nothing.

"He's an S-rank, you know. There aren't many S-rank Guides in the country, right? Honestly, even assigning him to another S-rank Esper wouldn't feel like enough. Do you really think they'll stick him with a team like ours that only has A- and B-rank Espers? I guarantee you, he'll head back to Seoul soon. A few months, tops."

"Really? Is that true?"

"Yep, it's true. Oh, by the way, you've only been here for a short while, haven't you?"

"Yes, just about three months now."

"Then there's still a lot you don't know."

With that, Choi Soo-bin plopped into the empty chair next to the examiner and began to chatter away, sharing all sorts of details and gossip for the newcomer's benefit. The examiner listened intently, her expression full of curiosity.

Meanwhile, Kang I-won, leaving the two to their conversation, exited the testing area completely.

His stomach growled again, unsatisfied with just a single chocolate bar. Scratching his stomach absentmindedly, he pulled out a pouch of jelly snacks and popped one into his mouth as he headed for the cafeteria on the first floor.

Kang I-won's regeneration ability allowed him to rapidly heal any injuries to his body. However, the downside of this ability was the overwhelming hunger that followed every time he used it. As a result, despite his lean appearance, he ate far more than the average person.

It wasn't just after using his ability that his appetite grew—ever since gaining his powers, his daily food intake had skyrocketed. This left him constantly grappling with food expenses, which strained his wallet more than he cared to admit.

By the time he polished off his third jelly snack, Kang I-won arrived at the cafeteria. He paid for his meal using the automatic payment system on his wrist device and grabbed a tray.

The cafeteria was buffet-style, allowing him to pile on as much food as he wanted at an affordable price. While the taste wasn't anything special, the value made it a favorite spot for Kang I-won.

Stacking his tray high with rice and side dishes, he found a quiet corner to sit in and began eating at a rapid pace. The mountain of food on his tray quickly disappeared as he consumed it with mechanical efficiency.

Despite his rapid eating pace, Kang I-won's movements were remarkably tidy and devoid of any sloppiness. A few late diners nearby glanced at him curiously, seemingly fascinated by the sight.

Ignoring the attention, Kang I-won made three more trips to the buffet. Finally satisfied, he rubbed his still-flat stomach and left the cafeteria.

As he headed toward the training room to resume his routine, his wrist device let out a series of beeps. It was a notification that his monthly salary had been deposited.

Walking toward the training room, Kang I-won began managing his finances through the device.

More than half of his salary went toward repaying his debts. Of the remaining portion, he divided it into several accounts.

Some funds were allocated for rent and utility bills, while another portion was set aside for food and household necessities. After these deductions, only a small amount remained, which he transferred into an emergency savings account for unforeseen expenses.

By the time his paycheck account had been reduced to a few thousand won, Kang I-won reached the training room. He turned off the device's screen and stepped inside.

With practiced ease, he grabbed a 1-liter bottle from his personal locker and poured in a generous amount of protein powder provided by the Center. Filling it with water, he gave the bottle a vigorous shake.

After a brief moment of rest on a chair, Kang I-won stood and stretched before stepping onto the treadmill. He quickly increased the speed, running at a steady, intense pace.

Training was a crucial part of Kang I-won's daily life.

The fact that someone with a seemingly straightforward ability like regeneration had managed to achieve an A-rank status was largely due to his relentless dedication to consistent training.

Esper rankings were determined by a combination of factors, with the most important being the inherent ability itself. For instance, Woo Young-seon of the Seoul branch was an S-rank solely because of the exceptional value of his Barrier ability.

However, having an impressive ability didn't guarantee a high ranking.

Kang I-won's ability, regeneration, was not unique; others possessed it as well, making it far from extraordinary. Yet, his regeneration was unparalleled, the most potent of its kind ever recorded.

To the extent that even if his neck were severed or his heart pierced, Kang I-won would not die. No injury, no matter how fatal, could kill him.

Had human experimentation on Espers still been legal, Kang I-won's ability would have made him an immediate candidate for a laboratory specimen due to its extraordinary nature.

From a purely objective standpoint, his ability alone was deserving of an S-rank classification. However, regeneration had limited applicability in combat, rendering it highly situational.

If he could regenerate others, that might have been a different story. But his ability only worked on himself, making it, as many put it, a "useless blessing."

It was an ability often labeled selfish—allowing its wielder to survive even if everyone else perished.

This was the general sentiment surrounding regeneration abilities, and Kang I-won agreed with the assessment. His power was selfish, through and through.

Even so, he pushed himself. Selfish or not, it was the only power he had, so what choice did he have?

Kang I-won carried a heavy burden of debt—an overwhelming amount. The only way he could repay it was by earning money as an Esper, eliminating monsters.

This drove him to push himself relentlessly during his time at the Esper training facility, a place every Esper had to pass through at least once. Kang I-won trained until he felt nauseated, to a level so intense that even others shook their heads in disbelief.

Thanks to his efforts, the once scrawny Kang I-won, whose body had been little more than skin and bones, developed solid muscles. Although his ability was "just regeneration," the rapid physical development granted by awakening as an Esper was undeniable.

He also trained with every weapon he could get his hands on. While he quickly abandoned firearms due to a complete lack of talent, he eventually found a weapon that suited him after experimenting with several others—a dagger.

There were many melee Espers like Kang I-won who wielded weapons, but their abilities typically revolved around weaponry techniques.

Weaponry techniques were abilities that allowed Espers to instinctively master specific weapons. Upon awakening, those with such abilities naturally understood the weapon best suited to them, allowing them to learn and wield it with remarkable efficiency.

As a result, very few Espers without such abilities bothered to train with weapons. Most only learned to shoot firearms, if anything.

For Espers with abilities unrelated to combat, there was no reason to engage in fieldwork. Conversely, those with combat-related abilities rarely needed weapons at all.

But Kang I-won trained with weapons despite lacking the "weaponry techniques" ability. He gripped his chosen dagger so tightly that his palms tore dozens—if not hundreds—of times in the process.

Unfortunately, his regeneration ability erased any sign of these efforts. His smooth, unmarred hands bore no evidence of his struggles, leaving no proof of his dedication for others to see.

Yet Kang I-won didn't care. He never felt the need for anyone to acknowledge his efforts.

For two years, he trained like this. When the time came for his final evaluation upon leaving the training facility, he was assigned a B-rank. His exceptional regeneration ability and the determination to delve into monsters' innards and pierce their hearts, undeterred by injuries, earned him that rank.

However, when Kang I-won was dispatched to the provinces and assigned to a team, his position on the field proved ambiguous.

Espers with weaponry techniques typically supported physical enhancement Espers, who acted as the team's frontline.

But Kang I-won lacked weaponry techniques. Despite his B-rank, he struggled to meet the expectations of his rank. No matter how hard he worked, he couldn't match those with innate abilities.

This often caused him to hinder physical enhancement Espers. When his lack of skill led to his teammates getting injured, Kang I-won always blamed himself.

His smooth, unscarred skin, visible through the rips in his uniform, seemed almost shameful—a silent reminder that his ability allowed only himself to escape harm.

Enduring his teammates' resentment and complaints, Kang I-won spent countless hours pondering how to make the best use of his ability.

The answer came easily, almost mockingly so, eliciting a bitter laugh from him.

After all, the only reason he had been granted an undeserved B-rank was his unyielding determination to press forward despite being injured.If his rank was undeserved, all he had to do was live up to it.

With that realization, Kang I-won developed his own combat style.

He adopted a strategy of "sacrificing flesh to claim the bone." No matter how severe the injury, as long as he could deal a decisive blow to a monster, he would throw his body into the fray without hesitation.

Though his regeneration was rapid, it didn't eliminate pain. He often suffered from phantom pain long after his wounds healed. Still, as time passed, Kang I-won refined his approach, completing his unique combat style.

At someone's suggestion, he also learned parkour. The agility and flexibility it granted allowed him to strike monsters in their blind spots more often. His steadily improving physique, built through relentless training, supported his efforts.

The more results he achieved, the harder Kang I-won pushed himself.

Although he didn't possess innate physical talents, the enhanced body of an Esper—shaped through continuous training—rewarded his efforts with incremental yet steady improvement.

With his combat style ingrained and his training regimen ongoing, Kang I-won grew rapidly over time.

As battles became more familiar, he began responding to emergency calls, something he hadn't dared attempt before. The more missions he took on, the more recognition he received.

Esper rankings were determined by several factors: the innate ability was the most important, followed by proficiency, and finally, field performance.

Other criteria, such as peer evaluations and the stability of an Esper's energy waves when using their ability, were also considered.

Years of grueling effort culminated in a record of achievements and positive evaluations. These became the foundation for Kang I-won's rank promotion.

He was elevated from B-rank to A-rank, a decision that stirred up a commotion at the Center.

While rank promotions weren't unheard of, they were rare. Most involved Espers who initially struggled with their abilities but grew proficient through field experience, eventually earning a rank that reflected their true potential.

However, Kang I-won's case was unique. He had no combat-oriented abilities, yet his rank increased—a rare occurrence.

Many were envious, even resentful of his promotion, but Kang I-won paid them no mind.

As an A-rank, Kang I-won ramped up his training intensity to maintain his status. His reason was simple: A-rank Espers earned nearly twice the salary of B-rank ones.

Money was the sole motivator. With money, he could pay off his debts. With money, he could feed his perpetually hungry body.

It was for this reason alone that Kang I-won endured. Unlike others, his inability to die made enduring easier.

Time passed in this manner. Before he knew it, a decade had slipped by.

By the time the last of the protein powder in his bottle was gone, and his sweat-soaked training uniform clung uncomfortably to his body, training finally came to an end.

"Good work."

"Thanks for the match."

After bowing to his sparring partner, Kang I-won returned the training dagger—its blade safely made of rubber—to its place. He then headed straight to the showers.

The hot water washed away the grime and sweat from his body. A final rinse with cold water refreshed him before he stepped out. Tossing his used uniform and towel into the collection bin, he changed into a fresh set of training clothes.

When he left the training room, the sky outside had already turned pitch black.

Kang I-won checked his wrist device one last time before clocking out. With no new calls, he headed home.

His daily routine followed a familiar pattern.

Mornings were spent patrolling his assigned area. Afternoons were reserved for training. If a call came in, he would immediately head out to deal with monsters. Any free time was used to study newly registered monsters or gates.

On days when gates spawned uncontrollably, leading to constant calls, Kang I-won worked late, sometimes returning home after nightfall and finishing his training before heading to bed.

At home, he would eat dinner, review reports on monsters and gates, and eventually fall asleep. This routine repeated like a never-ending cycle for ten years.

It was a monotonous, grueling existence—an endless treadmill of survival.

A truly tiresome life.

* * *

Despite the obvious presence of designated Guiding rooms nearby, Kang I-won nonchalantly ignored the Espers and Guides engaging in overly intimate physical contact under the guise of Guiding in the hallway. He fished through his pocket, unfazed.

Fresh from the shower, droplets of water from his still-wet hair dripped down, dampening the collar of his shirt. Kang I-won didn't bother to wipe it off as he made his way toward the Guiding room. His wrist device buzzed insistently, prompting him to glance at it while chewing on a chocolate bar. It was a message from Choi Soo-bin.

[Choi Soo-bin: Hey, Kang I-won!]

[Choi Soo-bin: What are you doing???]

[Me: About to get Guiding.]

[Choi Soo-bin: Okay, meet me at the café on the first floor after. My treat.]

[Choi Soo-bin: I need to talk to you.]

[Me: Got it.]

After replying succinctly, Kang I-won entered Room 10.

This room had previously belonged to Team 5's former Guide, Lee Eun-young, but was now temporarily assigned to Heo Do-gyeong. Upon entering, Kang I-won paused briefly.

The room was markedly different from his memory. The wallpaper and flooring had been replaced, giving the space a pristine look.

Even the layout had changed. The bed, a standard feature in all Guiding rooms, was gone. Without it, the room, which had once felt a bit cramped, now seemed surprisingly spacious.

The slightly worn table and chairs that used to sit beside the bed were also replaced with a sleek black table and two plush leather armchairs.

Heo Do-gyeong sat in one of the chairs, absorbed in a tablet.

Sensing Kang I-won's presence, Heo Do-gyeong lifted his gaze and glanced toward the door. His eyes narrowed slightly in displeasure. Kang I-won gave a small nod in greeting, causing water droplets to spray from his hair.

Heo Do-gyeong's expression turned even sourer, and seeing the visible distaste on his face, Kang I-won instinctively straightened, his initial greeting falling flat.

Right, he's a germaphobe, Kang I-won recalled. But I just showered. I'm clean.

Feeling a bit wronged but not wanting to make a fuss, Kang I-won quietly took a seat across from him.

Heo Do-gyeong cast a quick glance at him before returning his attention to the tablet. After a moment, his gaze shifted back to Kang I-won, and he adjusted his posture as if preparing for an interview.

"You're a regeneration Esper, correct?"

"Yes."

"You've been on the field a lot. Plenty of emergency call responses, too. Your performance is quite good."

There was a faint hint of sarcasm in his tone, puzzling Kang I-won. He couldn't figure out why Heo Do-gyeong seemed to harbor such hostility toward him.

"Uh…"

"No need to explain," Heo Do-gyeong cut him off before he could even gather his thoughts, murmuring dismissively, "Regeneration abilities don't seem all that useful in combat. Huh, but you've been doing this for quite some time despite your age. I see…"

He trailed off, his tone dragging as if mulling something over, then gave a small nod to himself. After a moment of silent contemplation, he glanced back at Kang I-won.

"How often did you receive Guiding before?"

"When we had a team Guide, once every two weeks. After the temporary Guide came, two or three times."

"You've been skimping on it."

"That was enough for me."

By law, all registered Espers were required to receive Guiding at least once every two weeks, regardless of whether they actively used their abilities. This was to mitigate the risk of rampage, which loomed over all Espers.

To put it metaphorically, Espers were like living, breathing bombs.

Every Esper carried a lit fuse. While the rate at which the fuse burned varied from person to person, the inevitability of reaching the end remained the same.

Even when Espers didn't actively use their abilities, the flame on their fuse burned steadily toward the end. Using their abilities accelerated the rate of combustion significantly.

Guiding served to lengthen the fuse, buying time. However, even Guiding couldn't extinguish the flame entirely—it was the very essence of an Esper's power and existence.

Espers were individuals gifted with the extraordinary ability to save humanity, yet they were simultaneously burdened with a ticking time bomb. A bomb they would carry for life.

For this reason, regular Guiding was a necessity for all Espers.

"You don't seem to use your ability much. Is it because there's no need? I suppose regeneration doesn't exactly come up often," Heo Do-gyeong remarked.

Contrary to his assumption, Kang I-won used his ability extensively in combat. Yet, despite this, he minimized his Guiding sessions and often suffered from chronic Guiding deprivation.

Still, Kang I-won didn't bother to correct him. There was no need to clarify.

The specifics of an Esper's combat style—especially Kang I-won's—were irrelevant to a Guide. Beyond being able to facilitate Guiding, there was little practical value in such information.

Similarly, his struggles with chronic Guiding deprivation were also unnecessary details to share.

"When was your last Guiding session?"

"Four days ago."

Heo Do-gyeong glanced at his tablet and remarked, "Your matching rate with the previous temporary Guide was rather low. However, since our matching rate is significantly higher—comparable to your former team Guide—you'll only need the minimum of one session every two weeks. That works well for me."

Shifting his focus from the tablet, Heo Do-gyeong continued, "Request Guiding as needed, but I trust you know better than to ask during holidays unless you're on the verge of a rampage. And given your experience, I assume you're already familiar with the other guidelines. Good. Let's get this over with—one Guiding session, and then we're done."

With a detached expression, Heo Do-gyeong set his tablet aside.

"For the record, my Guiding stops at a handshake. Don't expect or demand anything beyond that—it's unpleasant for me."

His tone was sharp, almost dismissive, as he extended his hand, as if offering charity. Kang I-won hesitated, momentarily taken aback by the gesture.

Guiding was always conducted through physical contact. It could range from something as simple as a handshake to a hug, or even more intimate acts such as a kiss or sexual relations. Studies had shown that deeper, more intimate contact resulted in stronger Guiding effects.

While some Guides used this as an excuse for promiscuous behavior, many remained professional, particularly temporary Guides who worked across multiple teams.

In such cases, boundaries varied. Some Guides permitted hugs, while others, like Heo Do-gyeong, restricted contact to handshakes.

But this situation felt unprecedented to Kang I-won.

"What's the problem? Is there an issue?" Heo Do-gyeong asked, his tone cool and mildly impatient.

Heo Do-gyeong's question hung in the air, but Kang I-won's gaze lingered on the sleek leather gloves encasing Heo Do-gyeong's hand. The gloves looked expensive, their glossy finish catching the light.

"No, there's no problem."

After a moment's hesitation, Kang I-won reached out and shook Heo Do-gyeong's hand. The unfamiliar texture of the leather against his skin felt strange.

Through the thick leather, he felt the faint flow of energy from Heo Do-gyeong. That energy reached out to touch the turbulent waves of Kang I-won's own.

Guiding was an enigmatic phenomenon, even for Guides themselves. Not even they could fully explain how it worked.

Just as every living being instinctively learns to breathe upon birth, Guiding was an innate act for Guides. The moment a person awakened as a Guide, they could perform Guiding as naturally as drawing breath.

Guiding wasn't a matter of theory; it was an instinct. The only certainty about it was its importance—it was the lifeline of every Esper.

As Heo Do-gyeong's Guiding took effect, the stormy turbulence of Kang I-won's energy began to subside, calming slowly but surely.

The heavy weight pressing on his mood, the erratic thudding of his heart, the needle-sharp headache, and the dull aches in his body all began to fade, as if being gradually chipped away from the edges.

The slow, tantalizing relief felt like a tease, leaving his body tingling with discomfort and his toes curling involuntarily.

An unsettling sense of calm spread over him, like a thin blanket just barely reaching his feet.

It was akin to a parched traveler in the desert receiving drops of water—sweet and precious, yet painfully insufficient. The longing for more gnawed at him, an instinctive craving for relief.

Kang I-won bit his lip.

'So this is why people make such a fuss about matching rates.'

If even such a minimal, half-hearted Guiding felt like this, he couldn't imagine how incredible it would feel to experience a full, proper session.

He now understood why so many Espers, upon finding a Guide with a matching rate above 80%, would do anything to form a bond with them.

It wasn't just greed or convenience. It was the primal survival instinct of an Esper—a desire not to entrust their lifeline to anyone else.

The short session ended, and Heo Do-gyeong pulled his hand back without hesitation. The sudden loss of warmth left Kang I-won aching with longing, and before he realized it, his hand reached out instinctively, seeking the connection once more.

But Heo Do-gyeong quickly swatted it away.

"Guiding is over."

His tone was curt, as if to say there was no room for negotiation.

The disgust in Heo Do-gyeong's eyes was unmistakable, cutting deeper than his curt words.

That piercing gaze jolted Kang I-won back to his senses. He bit down hard on his tongue, the sharp taste of blood spreading through his mouth. His tongue was half-severed but, thanks to his ability, would heal quickly. Outwardly, he maintained his composure and retracted his hand.

"I apologize," he murmured, his tone subdued.

"It's fine. Guiding is done for now. You may leave. Oh, and next time, dry your hair properly before coming in."

As he spoke, Heo Do-gyeong nonchalantly removed his gloves. Using only his thumb and forefinger as if handling something filthy, he dropped the gloves straight into the trash bin beside him.

'He didn't even remove them during Guiding. So why now? And why throw them away?'

Caught off guard, Kang I-won froze mid-movement, staring at the discarded gloves in confusion.

Noticing his reaction, Heo Do-gyeong smirked, lifting only one corner of his mouth, making it look more like a sneer than a smile.

No, it wasn't just the appearance of a sneer—he was mocking him.

For the normally unflappable Kang I-won, it was a rare moment of anger. No matter how indifferent he appeared, unwarranted hostility always left a bitter taste.

"Still here?" Heo Do-gyeong asked, his tone sharp with impatience.

"…Why throw away the gloves? They look expensive."

Keeping his smirk in place, Heo Do-gyeong replied, "They got dirty, so I disposed of them. Naturally."

His tone suggested it was the most obvious thing in the world.

That response brought Kang I-won back to a stark reality—this Guide had an extreme case of germaphobia and a profound disdain for Espers.

As much as he reminded himself of this, it didn't lessen the sting. The treatment wasn't just dismissive; it was dehumanizing.

A small storm of humiliation and frustration churned at Kang I-won's feet, emotions he wasn't accustomed to feeling. While he had endured ridicule and scorn for years—thanks to his supposedly undeserved rank—this particular brand of contempt was a new and jarring experience.

"When are you planning to leave?"

Faced with Heo Do-gyeong's exasperated question, Kang I-won swallowed the sharp words on the tip of his tongue. Instead, he rose from his seat and left the Guiding room, shaking his damp hair a little more forcefully than usual.

He took a deep breath as he walked down the hallway. Years of enduring ridicule and rejection had taught him how to cast off feelings like these quickly.

"Haah…"

With one long exhale, the unpleasant emotions dissipated. By the time he reached the first floor, his expression had returned to its usual neutral calm.

At the café, Choi Soo-bin was already seated in a corner booth, waving him over. On the table sat an iced Americano and an over-the-top Java Chip Frappuccino piled high with whipped cream.

"Right on time! Come on, sit down!" she called out cheerfully.

As Kang I-won took his seat, he pulled the drink toward himself. Already feeling the pangs of hunger, he immediately put the straw to his lips and took a long sip. The sweet, cold frappuccino filled his mouth, a refreshing burst of flavor.

By the time he set the cup down, a third of the drink was gone.

"So, what do you think?" Choi Soo-bin asked.

"About what?"

"Both."

Both—she meant his impressions of the Guide and the Guiding session. Kang I-won, keeping his tone indifferent, responded with a question of his own.

"What about you?"

"Annoying, but good."

"Same here."

The Guide's behavior, especially calling people "dirty," had been deeply irritating and unpleasant. But the Guiding itself had been undeniably effective. Still, Kang I-won found that fact unsettling—it made him prefer the Guiding medication, despite its flaws.

Choi Soo-bin, finding his curt reply unsatisfying, pouted and pressed further.

"That's it? Nothing else happened?"

Nothing else? The memory of Heo Do-gyeong removing his gloves and throwing them in the trash surfaced unbidden.

"He threw away his gloves…"

"Oh, right. He did the Guiding with gloves on. It was nice to finally get a proper Guiding session after so long, but it felt incomplete. He's annoyingly obsessive about cleanliness."

Choi Soo-bin clicked her tongue, her complaint stopping there.

From her reaction, it seemed that she hadn't encountered the same insulting behavior Kang I-won had. If she had, her personality wouldn't have allowed her to stay silent—she'd have been ranting about it without needing to be asked.

So why only me? The question flickered in his mind, but Kang I-won chose to steer the conversation away.

"Is that what you wanted to talk about?"

With a faintly mischievous smile, Choi Soo-bin replied, "That's part of it. But there's something else. I wanted your advice."

"Advice? From me?"

Nodding slowly, Choi Soo-bin hesitated before finally speaking.

"I got an offer. They're asking if I'd consider transferring to the Seoul branch."

Even in this chaotic world, Seoul remained the capital of South Korea and its safest city.

In the past, Seoul's housing prices had been astronomical, but now they were beyond comprehension, spiraling to insane heights. The divide between Seoul and the provinces had become irreparable.

The reason was simple: the Barrier.

Barriers, capable of preventing the formation of gates and even stopping monster incursions, were concentrated in Seoul.

Of course, it wasn't a matter of luck that Barriers only existed in Seoul—they were the result of an Esper's abilities.

Barrier Espers were a scarce resource, and even a single Barrier Esper could only create a limited number of Barriers each month. Naturally, these precious Barriers were primarily allocated to Seoul.

There had been backlash. In the early days, protests erupted nationwide, with demonstrators demanding equitable distribution. However, the powers that be ignored the unrest, and the media remained silent. To make matters worse, sudden monster attacks repeatedly disrupted the protests, dispersing the demonstrators. Over time, the uproar lost momentum, and public interest waned.

Even now, many regions continued to demand the installation of Barriers, but few paid attention. The passage of time had normalized the exclusivity of Seoul's Barriers, and decades of fruitless demands had taught people that resistance was futile.

The Barriers in Seoul never disappeared. When one began to fade, another was promptly created to replace it.

Surprisingly, despite the heavy concentration of Barriers, Seoul was teeming with Espers. The city hosted three branches, and all three ranked in the top ten nationwide in terms of Esper population.

The abundance of Espers in Seoul could be attributed to several factors, the most notable being maintaining public safety in the capital and enabling stable deployments of Espers to other regions.

Consequently, other areas often suffered from a shortage of Espers—and an even greater scarcity of Guides. Yet gates continued to appear relentlessly, and the regional forces were rarely sufficient to handle the monsters that emerged.

To compensate, personnel shortages in various regions were supplemented by Espers from Seoul. As a result, more than half of Seoul's branch-affiliated Espers spent most of the year in other regions.

While the Seoul branch had a reputation for being a cushy post where one could take it easy, the reality was far from that. In terms of workload, it was as demanding as, if not more so than, other locations.

Of course, some Espers managed to find relatively comfortable positions through connections or wealth, but such cases were exceedingly rare.

Despite the challenges, a transfer to Seoul was still considered a valuable opportunity—and not one that came easily.

Kang I-won replied, "It's a good chance."

"Yeah, it is," Choi Soo-bin agreed. "But it comes with a ton of extra work."

With a sigh, she took a long sip of her iced Americano, her expression reflecting her conflicted feelings.

The benefits of being in Seoul were undeniable. Promotion prospects were significantly higher, and with the addition of deployment allowances, salaries saw a noticeable boost.

Most importantly, it offered safety for one's family.

Espers assigned to Seoul were provided housing within the Barriers—apartments specifically designated for Espers' families. While there was rent to pay, it was a fraction of the market rate.

In a world teetering on chaos, such security was priceless.

Barrier housing wasn't a permanent solution. Contracts were renewed annually, and if an Esper stationed in Seoul was transferred to a regional branch, their contract for the Seoul apartment was terminated.

However, as long as one remained affiliated with the Seoul branch, they could continue to live there. Even so, few chose to stay indefinitely. Most hung on just long enough to save enough for a place of their own before moving out.

For long-term Espers, the branch provided substantial financial assistance when purchasing a home. Because of this, many Espers opted to stay in the subsidized apartments, enduring grueling workloads to fulfill the required service period. Once eligible, they would combine the branch's housing support with their savings to secure a home in Seoul.

Some retired afterward, while others—still capable and willing to work—often relocated to less demanding regional branches, leaving their families safely in Seoul.

Of course, there were those who chose to stay in Seoul, enduring until they eventually rose to positions like branch or center directors.

For anyone with career ambitions, transferring to Seoul was a golden opportunity. Even without aspirations for advancement, it was an unparalleled chance for a better life.

Kang I-won, too, knew that he wouldn't hesitate if given the opportunity.

"You should go," he said bluntly. "For your brother."

Choi Soo-bin had a younger brother—an adorable child born from her mother's remarriage.

Marriage or having her own children had never been part of Choi Soo-bin's plans. She intended to live and die alone, a resolve that only solidified after her father's death and her perilous work as an Esper.

But the moment she saw her tiny, squirming baby brother, all of that changed. Her resolve crumbled in an instant. The little one was too precious to ignore, too endearing to love half-heartedly.

She decided to raise him as if he were her own child, vowing to help her aging mother and give her brother a bright future. She wanted him to grow up happy, even in this harsh world.

Seoul was the obvious choice. The quality of education alone was vastly superior, and most importantly, it was far safer.

Yet she hesitated. She bit down on her straw, unable to articulate the source of her reluctance.

"Is someone asking you not to go? Is Young-ho telling you to stay?" Kang I-won asked.

"What? Young-ho?"

Choi Soo-bin burst into laughter, clutching her stomach. When she finally caught her breath, she replied with a chuckle, "I didn't even bring it up with him. Why would I? And even if he begged me to stay, do you think I'd listen?"

"Then is it the team leader?"

"Why would he try to stop me? He said it's a good opportunity but might be tough, so I should think it through. He even said going to Seoul would probably be the best choice."

"Then what's holding you back?"

"I don't know… I don't even understand my own feelings right now."

Despite her light laugh, a frustrated frown crept onto her face, as if she was grappling with her indecision.

Beep, beep, beep.

Their devices buzzed in unison, displaying a blue light. A team call.

Choi Soo-bin drained the last of her drink through the straw, while Kang I-won pulled his out and downed the remainder of his frappuccino in one gulp.

"There's never time to rest, huh?"

"That's just how it is."

"True."

Without hesitation, the two bolted out of the café, rushing to grab their gear and answer the call.