4

After returning from Jeju Island, life had been relatively peaceful. Today, in particular, was exceptionally quiet. There were no team calls, let alone any emergency summons.

Thanks to that, Kang I-won was able to spend some time in the lounge, flipping through the newly updated list of monsters. Beside him, Kim Young-ho and Choi Soo-bin were also killing time.

Kim Young-ho spoke up.

"To be honest, I really resented Soo-binSunbae1at first. But when I saw the amount deposited into my account, wow, I actually started thinking I wouldn't mind going on another dispatch mission."

"If you want dispatch missions, you should head to Seoul, not stay here."

Most dispatch missions were handled by the Seoul branch. Except in special cases like the last time, it was rare for them to get involved in such operations.

For reference, the dome that had appeared on the outskirts of Seoul had vanished, and the casualties had been limited to double digits. This was thanks to an S-rank Esper who happened to be patrolling nearby and got caught up in the dome.

At Choi Soo-bin's remark, Kim Young-ho waved his hands dismissively.

"Ah, I'm just saying."

"What, you're not thinking about going to Seoul?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Well…"

Kim Young-ho glanced at Choi Soo-bin before quickly averting his gaze, his ears turning a noticeable shade of red. Choi Soo-bin pretended not to notice and turned to Kang I-won instead.

"I-won, you've been getting your guiding sessions regularly, so why do you look more and more exhausted? I just don't get it."

Lately, Kang I-won had indeed been receiving guiding sessions consistently. Not that it was his choice.

Since Jeju, it seemed that Heo Do-gyeong had undergone some sort of change. Every time Kang I-won returned from the field, Heo Do-gyeong would push for guiding sessions, and a gleeful Choi Soo-bin would shove Kang I-won toward him.

Even though Kang I-won insisted it wasn't necessary to go this far, Heo Do-gyeong ignored him and carried out the guiding as he pleased.

Thanks to a high-compatibility Guide consistently and diligently providing guiding sessions—even without frequent physical contact—Kang I-won's chronic guiding deficiency had significantly improved. As a result, his overall physical condition was better than it had been in years. He couldn't remember the last time he felt this refreshed.

However, as Choi Soo-bin pointed out, Kang I-won's face looked gloomier than usual. Dark circles hung heavily under his eyes. After hesitating for a moment, Kang I-won finally spoke.

"…I haven't been sleeping well."

"You don't say. It shows. Is there something bothering you? It's not like work's been that hectic lately, and you're getting regular guiding sessions. Nothing seems off."

"There's no problem."

That was a lie. The guiding sessions were the problem. The stability Heo Do-gyeong's guiding brought to Kang I-won's body had, ironically, become a significant obstacle to his sleep.

"Really? Then why is this happening?"

"I don't know."

Of course, Kang I-won had no intention of sharing the truth with anyone else.

All he could do was hope that Heo Do-gyeong would return to Seoul soon and that he would be assigned a new Guide with a more reasonable compatibility rate.

As Choi Soo-bin rubbed at the dark circles under Kang I-won's eyes, she suddenly seemed to remember something and asked, "Oh, right. How about grabbing some coffee together?"

"Huh? What about me?"

Startled by her suggestion, Kim Young-ho pointed at himself with his finger.

"I'll bring you some. What do you want?"

"You're leaving me out while the two of you go off? Why?"

"I need to talk to him about something."

"What about me?"

"Young-ho, I told you. I need to talk to him one-on-one."

Choi Soo-bin's tone, both coaxing and slightly scolding, made Kim Young-ho glance at Kang I-won with a faint trace of jealousy. Both of them noticed but chose not to comment on it.

Kim Young-ho, pouting slightly, muttered in a sulky tone, "…I'm fine. I don't want anything."

"Really? Got it. We won't be long, so wait here. Let's grab dinner later. My treat."

"…."

Though he was clearly sulking, Kim Young-ho didn't outright refuse. Smiling faintly, Choi Soo-bin patted his shoulder before leaving the lounge with Kang I-won.

The two went straight down to the first floor, bought two drinks at the café, and headed to the quiet walking path behind the center.

Sitting on a nearby bench, they sipped their drinks, the cold breeze brushing past them. After taking a long sip of her iced Americano, Choi Soo-bin got straight to the point.

"I'm going to Seoul. I've already told the team leader."

Kang I-won, who had been drinking his frappuccino, swallowed and replied, "You finally made up your mind."

"Yeah."

"Did you clear up what was bothering you?"

"Hmm, not really."

Choi Soo-bin glanced at Kang I-won briefly before turning her gaze forward again.

"It still weighs on me. It will even after I leave. But what can I do? There's something more important to me than that."

Though she didn't specify, Kang I-won understood what she meant. She continued,

"Take care of yourself while I'm gone."

"I've been fine without you."

"Did you look fine to anyone else?"

"As long as I have all my limbs, it's fine."

Choi Soo-bin thought back to when she first met Kang I-won.

Back then, "fine" was all he was—barely. She didn't know what he'd been through, but he had built walls of sharp, unapproachable thorns around himself, barring anyone from getting close.

On top of that, his demeanor had been so cold that those who met him during that time still found it hard to approach him even now.

Though he still disliked and avoided interacting with others, he had come a long way since his first arrival in the southern region.

"When are you leaving?"

"There's no exact date yet. Maybe next month? It could be sooner or later, depending on the situation."

"You haven't told Young-ho yet, have you? He's going to be upset."

"I didn't tell him on purpose. I'll let him know when the date's set. Maybe… three days before I leave?"

Kim Young-ho had feelings for Choi Soo-bin. He had even confessed.

Although he tried to hide it as best as he could after being rejected, it was painfully obvious to everyone around them that he hadn't been able to move on.

Choi Soo-bin, pretending not to notice his feelings, treated him like any other junior teammate, keeping things light-hearted but always feeling a burden beneath the surface.

Receiving unrequited affection was a trial in itself for her.

"You're not going to tell him, right?"

"Young-ho's going to hold a grudge against me and the team leader."

"Just lie and say you didn't know."

"Probably for the best. Though I doubt he'll believe it."

Their soft laughter rippled in the chilly air, a light breeze brushing against their faces. Kang I-won combed his fingers through his bangs, which had been tousled by the wind.

Choi Soo-bin watched him intently.

His bangs covered his eyes, and his longer hair fell over the nape of his neck. Through the parted strands of his hair, his tired-looking eyes peeked out.

Despite the dark circles making him seem a bit irritable, his gaze was gentle. Those mild eyes and the pure black sheen of his irises had once been what Choi Soo-bin liked most about him.

"When are you going to get a haircut? You're making good money—why be so frugal? It's not like it costs much."

"The money I'd spend on a haircut could buy me a few snacks."

"There's a place that gives discounts for Espers. Go there."

"Their base prices are already expensive."

"So you're just going to let it grow? Well, it does suit you."

At her comment, Kang I-won shook his head with a faintly reluctant expression.

"…I'll cut it soon. It's gotten too long."

"Won't you feel sad?"

The sudden, unexpected question made Kang I-won meet her gaze. He smiled faintly.

"No, I won't."

Why would he feel sad? Choi Soo-bin had simply chosen the best path for herself. It would be absurd for him to feel hurt over it. It was a decision worth celebrating.

"You ungrateful jerk. Don't forget who's buying dinner later."

"Oh no, I'm devastated."

"Right?"

At his exaggerated reply, Choi Soo-bin burst into laughter.

After exchanging a few more trivial words, they used their devices to call Kim Young-ho from the lounge and headed to a nearby restaurant.

True to his nature of never turning down a free meal, Kang I-won ate with the gusto of someone intent on emptying Choi Soo-bin's wallet. Meanwhile, she handed over her card with trembling hands, barely holding back her indignation.

After Choi Soo-bin left, saying she had another appointment, and Kim Young-ho went his separate way, Kang I-won found himself alone. He returned to the center and headed straight for the training room.

Starting with light exercises to aid digestion, his training gradually intensified, pushing his body to its limits. Even when his muscles screamed in agony, the training didn't stop.

The cycle of his muscles protesting and then adapting repeated several times. Only when even lifting a finger became a struggle did Kang I-won finally finish. Afterward, he showered, changed into fresh training clothes, and headed home for the day.

As soon as he got home, the first thing Kang I-won did was turn on the TV to dispel the oppressive silence.

He aimlessly flipped through channels before settling on one, letting time pass meaninglessly. When boredom crept in, he would browse through new or already familiar information about gates and monsters. Knowing the enemy in detail increased the odds of survival—though not his own survival, but that of others.

After killing time like that, it was finally bedtime. Though it didn't help much, Kang I-won took a sleeping pill and lay down in bed.

Even with the pill, he tossed and turned for hours before finally falling asleep. It wasn't long before his peaceful facade shattered. His face twisted in a grimace, and his body writhed, soft groans of pain escaping his lips.

"No… No, stop… Don't…."

In his sleep, Kang I-won began clawing wildly at his abdomen.

His shirt rode up, revealing a jagged scar running horizontally across his navel, encircling his abdomen like a noose. His nails raked at the scar as though trying to erase it, scraping away flesh with desperate intensity.

Flesh peeled under his relentless assault, gathering under his fingernails. Even as the skin beneath his nails split and blood oozed out, Kang I-won couldn't stop clawing.

"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…Hyung2is sorry…."

Through his frantic apologies, he remained locked in sleep. His hands continued their self-inflicted torment as if determined to remove the scar entirely. The flesh he clawed at healed rapidly, only to be torn apart again, the cycle repeating endlessly.

"I'm sorry…."

Apologies and self-harm intertwined, blood from his abdomen soaking into the sheets. His fingers became a mix of shredded skin and crimson. Yet no matter how deep his nails dug, his body's regenerative ability left no scars behind.

At last, his hands stilled, as though frozen in place.

Moments later, his eyes fluttered open. Exhaustion was etched into his face as he slowly sat up, staring blankly at his bloodied fingers, now caked with shredded flesh.

Cold sweat dripped from his forehead, sliding down his cheek before falling onto his lap.

The room was still shrouded in darkness. His mind and body, deprived of proper rest, screamed with fatigue. Kang I-won buried his face into his knees.

Once again, that kind and meticulous guiding had proven to be a profound detriment to him.

* * *

Guiding involves mutual physical contact.

And Heo Do-gyeong disliked physical contact. Though his gloves had recently become thinner, he still couldn't give them up entirely.

This was why Kang I-won initially dismissed the steady guiding sessions that began after Jeju Island as mere whimsy. He figured the precious young master, who had grown up surrounded by nothing but the best, was simply acting out after being shocked by the harsh realities he had encountered for the first time. Surely, it would pass.

But it didn't stop.

The consistent guiding kept his body in peak condition, but it also prolonged his sleepless nights, leaving his mental state increasingly worn down. The gap between his physical and mental health was growing wider.

The prolonged sleep deprivation caused numerous issues.

There were times he didn't hear the blaring summons, and in critical moments, his distracted mind led to unexpected injuries.

He even made mistakes he wouldn't normally make, which drove him to the brink of madness.

The solution to sleep deprivation was simple—get a good night's sleep. But as soon as he lay down, nightmares plagued him, and sleeping pills, having built up a tolerance, no longer worked effectively.

The only viable option seemed to be maintaining his guiding deficiency. Yet, with the steady guiding sessions, even that was impossible.

Kang I-won had long maintained a state of guiding deficiency partly because of the placebo effect—it made him feel less pain. But more importantly, it helped him sleep.

Of course, he couldn't sleep soundly even in a deficient state. His body ached, making it hard to fall asleep, but at least it spared him the dreams that tormented him.

There was only one solution left to resolve his sleep deprivation: revert his body to a state of guiding deficiency.

The best way to achieve that was by receiving guiding from a low-compatibility Guide.

Low-compatibility Guides couldn't address the fundamental issues, and unresolved needs would pile up, creating the symptoms of guiding deficiency.

But as long as Heo Do-gyeong stubbornly stood in as his temporary Guide, that wasn't an option. So what could he do?

There was only one way—stop receiving guiding altogether. If necessary, he could suppress the symptoms with guiding suppressant drugs. That would eventually force his body back into a state of deficiency.

To do so, he had to avoid Heo Do-gyeong.

Avoiding him was easy enough.

If Kang I-won spotted Heo Do-gyeong from a distance, he immediately left the area and rested in places he normally wouldn't go. When he saw Heo Do-gyeong waiting outside the training room, he abandoned his training and turned away.

When Heo Do-gyeong sent a message:

[Guide Heo Do-gyeong: Why aren't you receiving guiding?]

Kang I-won ignored it.

After all, hadn't Choi Soo-bin said it herself? Guides can't stand being rejected.

Even Lee Eun-young, who seemed so easygoing, had been like that. Surely someone as confident as Heo Do-gyeong would sulk and end his whim if faced with even a little rejection.

He had only expected things to return to the bare minimum of guiding sessions. He never imagined Heo Do-gyeong would go as far as to come find him.

Certainly not while holding a cafeteria tray and locking eyes with him.

"Guh—cough!"

Startled, Kang I-won choked, letting out a loud cough as he tried to swallow a large spoonful of rice.

The scene shifted back to Jeju Island, where during a brief conversation amid guiding, Heo Do-gyeong learned a few new things.

"You seemed quite shocked today. Well, that's understandable. It's not like Guides often see things like that. But don't worry too much. It was a bit rough today, but honestly, it's not uncommon for him to get injured like that. Still, no matter how bad it looks, he always brushes it off and gets back on his feet like nothing happened. Ha! Do I stop him? I always nag him about it, but I-won's stubborn. He never listens."

First, he realized that even Han Kang-jin, who seemed relatively normal, had the peculiar mindset characteristic of Espers.

"I mean, Soo-bin sunbae, too—why does… No, forget it. Anyway, about I-won sunbae? There's nothing to really worry about. Oh, sure, he… uh, well, something happened, but it's not a big deal. He's got incredible regeneration, way better than you'd think. Honestly, I've been horrified by it more times than I can count, but in the end, my worries always turn out to be unnecessary. If anything, you'd be better off worrying about someone else. Oh! Don't tell Soo-bin sunbae I said this."

Second, he learned that what Kang I-won had experienced beyond the gate was something that would even make other Espers recoil in disgust.

"What I wanted Guide Heo to notice wasn't all that mess but simply that Kang I-won works himself to the bone. You misunderstood him, didn't you? Oh, come on, it's obvious. Sure, he acts like it's no big deal, but it's got to be frustrating to be misunderstood when you're working that hard. So, what happened? That's not something Guide Heo needs to know."

Third, he discovered that his feelings toward Kang I-won, which he thought he'd hidden well, had been thoroughly seen through.

By the end of the conversation, one thing stood out about all three individuals.

First, none of them seemed particularly worried about Kang I-won. Even Choi Soo-bin, the only one close to him, cared more about clearing up misunderstandings about him than about the injuries he had sustained.

Second, all three were tight-lipped about what had happened inside the gate. Their reasoning? It wasn't something an interim Guide like Heo Do-gyeong needed to know.

All he managed to glean was that it wasn't anything out of the ordinary—just that Kang I-won had worked himself too hard fighting a monster and lost both his legs as a result.

Of course, Guides didn't need to know the specifics of what Espers endured on the battlefield or how they got hurt. What purpose would it serve?

But Heo Do-gyeong couldn't help his curiosity. What could have possibly happened for him to lose both legs? Even though he knew his interest was unnecessary, he couldn't seem to let it go.

For reasons he couldn't quite grasp, he found himself increasingly bothered—especially after seeing Kang I-won's composed expression, which grated on his nerves.

Still, there was no way for Heo Do-gyeong to uncover more about Kang I-won. Espers who knew the details kept their mouths shut, and the information accessible to Guides didn't include what Heo Do-gyeong was curious about.

The reason Heo Do-gyeong had made the trip to Jeju Island was simple, yet unusual.

For a Guide, stepping outside the center was almost unheard of. The field was the domain of Espers and field Guides. Occasionally, a general Guide would accompany them, but even then, it was rare and only under the protection of other Espers.

As such, contact between Guides and Espers outside of guiding sessions was minimal.

With so few opportunities for interaction, learning about Kang I-won had been a slow and unproductive process. His curiosity, however, only grew steadily, threatening to overflow.

Then, a chance presented itself—not a direct one, but an opportunity to observe indirectly nonetheless.

To see Kang I-won in action, to reassess his own misconceptions, and to judge him without prejudice, Heo Do-gyeong made his way to Jeju Island.

But instead of gaining clarity, things only grew more complicated. His unresolved curiosity piled up relentlessly.

Even so, Heo Do-gyeong continued his guiding sessions diligently. Part of it was guilt over his past misjudgments, and part of it was his dislike of seeing Kang I-won resort to suppressant drugs in a Guide's presence.

Of course, that wasn't the only reason.

Espers were known to crave guiding, and they tended to open up quickly when treated well by a Guide.

Kang I-won, being an Esper, wasn't likely an exception. Heo Do-gyeong believed that by treating him well, he could eventually get him to open up—and perhaps satisfy his growing curiosity through conversation.

However, there was something off during the sessions.

The instability and peculiar unease he had felt so vividly during Jeju Island were now entirely absent.

Even though he was paying closer attention to the guiding sessions than before, the sensation was nowhere to be found. He considered the possibility that he had been mistaken, but the vividness of the images that had surfaced then made it hard to dismiss as a mere misunderstanding.

The high compatibility between them suggested that increasing physical contact could allow him to closely assess Kang I-won's condition.

But he found the idea distasteful. The thought of removing his gloves to touch someone else made an intense discomfort rise within him. For that reason, Heo Do-gyeong still relied on gloves, though he had switched to thinner ones.

Day by day, his attention to Kang I-won grew, to the point where he even dropped hints to Choi Soo-bin. Yet, as the days went by, Kang I-won's presence grew quieter, while his appearance became more haggard.

Though his internal state seemed calm, his outward appearance was like that of someone on the verge of a breakdown.

His complexion had darkened, his dark circles deepened, and he looked as though he might collapse at any moment. Alarmed, Heo Do-gyeong wondered if his guiding might be to blame.

When he consulted an acquaintance about whether excessive guiding could have adverse effects, he received a resounding "no," along with curious questions about why he was even asking. Shutting off his phone, he decided to let the matter rest.

When he asked Kang I-won directly what was wrong, the Esper brushed it off with vague answers. Even Choi Soo-bin couldn't pinpoint the issue.

With no clues as to what the problem was, and reassurances that guiding wasn't harmful, Heo Do-gyeong focused on doing his job.

That was when the infuriating Esper suddenly began avoiding him.

He didn't know why. Just the day before, Kang I-won had been receiving guiding without issue. But now, he was blatantly and deliberately evading him.

At first, Heo Do-gyeong thought it was a misunderstanding. Why would an Esper avoid a Guide offering to help?

But as the avoidance stretched into several days, it became clear—Kang I-won was purposefully avoiding him.

Watching Kang I-won's retreating back, Heo Do-gyeong, suppressing his frustration, typed out a message deliberately, letter by letter.

[Me: Why aren't you receiving guiding?]

The message showed as read, but there was no reply. Even after waiting for a long while, it stayed that way.

A bitter laugh escaped his lips. Being so thoroughly rejected stung Heo Do-gyeong's pride. After all, who had ever genuinely rejected him before?

Kang I-won was no different. Though he acted indifferent and unbothered on the surface, it was painfully obvious how much he liked receiving guiding. He tried hard to hide it, but it showed.

At first, Heo Do-gyeong hadn't noticed, but as the days of dealing with Kang I-won stretched on, it became increasingly clear. And why wouldn't it? Their compatibility rate was a staggering 89%. It was the highest Heo Do-gyeong had ever encountered.

Perhaps it was because of the initial rejection that Kang I-won's attempts to hide his enjoyment had felt a bit endearing. With that in mind—and his own ulterior motives—Heo Do-gyeong had been meticulous in providing guiding.

For any other Esper, it would have been a dream-level special treatment.

Yet, this was the first time he had been outright rejected by someone he had truly put effort into. Of course, it wasn't the first time he had been "rejected" in a technical sense. If anything, he had dealt with more of those fake rejections than he could count.

As an S-rank Guide, Heo Do-gyeong attracted all kinds of nuisances.

Many of the Espers who gravitated toward him loved clichéd dynamics, clinging to tired tropes as if they were scripts.

One of the most overused was: "You're the first Guide to ever ignore me!"—a line so stale it practically reeked.

Every Esper who had "rejected" him in the past had been one of those fools.

These cases typically fell into two categories:

First, there were the ones who pretended to be indifferent from the start, only to cling desperately when they realized Heo Do-gyeong truly had no interest in them.

Second, there were the ones who acted overly enthusiastic and eager at first, only to suddenly play hard-to-get, feigning disinterest or acting as if they had grown bored.

In both scenarios, when they saw that Heo Do-gyeong didn't even spare them a glance, they all came crawling back, grasping at his ankles in desperation.

Having dealt with those patterns countless times, Heo Do-gyeong found them tiresome and transparent.

At first, he had assumed Kang I-won was just another fool in the first category. But he wasn't. That had been a misunderstanding.

Then was he one of the second type? No, not that either.

Years of enduring this nonsense had sharpened Heo Do-gyeong's instincts, and he could tell—Kang I-won was genuinely avoiding him.

In other words, this was the first time someone had truly rejected him.

And that crackled his lofty pride as an S-rank Guide.

"Ha…"

A weary sigh escaped his lips.

Heo Do-gyeong was the first to realize why clichés are clichés. He also understood why Espers loved such worn-out clichés.

Surprisingly, the cliché worked quite well. Of course, this was only true when it wasn't being deliberately pursued.

Heo Do-gyeong felt a sting to his pride as he followed the same tired, outdated clichés that he had ridiculed and criticized for so long.

But giving in to Kang I-won's will here was even more unbearable. He wanted to know, just what was such a great reason that he was being rejected? He was determined to hear the reason.

Driven by a sense of stubbornness, Heo Do-gyeong headed to a place he had never once set foot in since arriving at the center.

His destination was the cafeteria.

* * *

"Cough, cough…"

Kang I-won, sitting in a corner of the cafeteria and eating quickly, suddenly lowered his head and coughed urgently. It was a choking fit. Heo Do-gyeong, holding his tray, clicked his tongue softly as he sat across from him.

"Ah, you should eat more slowly."

"Cough, cough…"

"Do you want me to bring you some water?"

The overly friendly tone sent a chill down Kang I-won's spine. He continued to cough, holding his mouth, and shook his head.

"Cough, ah, no…"

For a moment, Kang I-won thought he was seeing an illusion. Heo Do-gyeong holding a tray? It just didn't fit at all.

Due to his severe germophobia, Heo Do-gyeong always brought his own lunch. He also ate alone in the guiding room. So why on earth was he here? And carrying that tray that just didn't suit him.

Finally calming down, Kang I-won asked.

"…Why are you here?"

"Why would I be here if not to eat? Just eat your meal."

Heo Do-gyeong picked up his chopsticks as if to demonstrate. However, while his chopsticks fumbled around on the tray, they never actually brought food to his mouth.

After rummaging through the tray for a while, Heo Do-gyeong mumbled as if to himself.

"Did I do something wrong without realizing it?"

At those words, Kang I-won's hand froze for a moment. Heo Do-gyeong, still fiddling with his tray, continued muttering.

"Or is it that I'm misunderstanding something again?"

Kang I-won swallowed what was in his mouth and glanced at Heo Do-gyeong. Heo Do-gyeong's gaze remained fixed on his tray. His words didn't stop and continued.

"I'm sorry if I misunderstood you, Esper Kang I-won. I've seen things, so I'm trying to be polite. But right now, I just don't understand."

Slowly, Heo Do-gyeong's gaze shifted to Kang I-won. His emotionless, flat voice pierced into Kang I-won's ear.

"Why are you avoiding me?"

At the sound of his voice, others eating around them stopped and turned their attention toward the two of them.

The attention was terribly uncomfortable. Kang I-won wished they would just ignore him and finish their meals, but it seemed like they weren't going to.

So the best course of action was to silence Heo Do-gyeong, who had suddenly come up to him and said such things.

Kang I-won responded in a carefully composed, casual tone.

"I'm not avoiding you."

With a hint of displeasure, Kang I-won replied, turning the question back at Heo Do-gyeong in an almost accusatory tone.

"Do you really have to say that during a meal, in a place like this?"

"I prefer quiet places to have conversations too," Heo Do-gyeong replied. "But someone keeps ignoring my messages."

The one who had ignored the messages fell silent for a moment. Heo Do-gyeong continued.

"Saturday is a holiday, right?"

"Yes."

"Since it's a holiday, how about we have a meal together that day? I'll pay. I think I might be misunderstanding something about you, Esper Kang I-won, and misunderstandings should be cleared up with a conversation, don't you think?"

It was true that Kang I-won was avoiding Heo Do-gyeong. It wasn't a misunderstanding. But how could he address this in the wide-open cafeteria? The chances of unnecessary rumors spreading were high.

This situation already had unnecessary details added to it, and some pointless rumors were bound to spread, but it was better to keep things quiet than add more fuel to the fire.

And since Kang I-won's meal expenses were always tight, he never turned down someone offering to pay. Of course, he would refuse if it was a junior, but Heo Do-gyeong wasn't his junior. Kang I-won nodded and said.

"…Alright. I don't like expensive, small portions. I prefer cheap and filling meals."

"I'll keep that in mind. I'll send you the details through a message. Just don't ignore it this time."

"…I won't ignore it."

Kang I-won gave Heo Do-gyeong a quick glare, noticing his oddly lingering attitude, before continuing to finish his meal. Heo Do-gyeong, having stopped pretending to eat with his chopsticks, watched Kang I-won eating with curious eyes.

"Why?"

"No, I just thought you were eating neatly," Heo Do-gyeong said.

Ignoring Heo Do-gyeong's unblinking gaze, Kang I-won continued his meal. Soon, his tray was completely empty. As he cleared it away, he spoke.

"You're not going to eat that, right? Give it to me."

Heo Do-gyeong made a sour face at Kang I-won's words. Kang I-won asked again.

"Why, are you going to eat it?"

"No, that's not it…"

"Don't waste it, just give it to me."

He only fiddled with it a few times with his clean chopsticks. Isn't it a waste to throw it away? Kang I-won finished it off cleanly, stacked both trays, and stood up.

"By the way, do you still need guiding?"

Heo Do-gyeong, following behind Kang I-won, asked. Without looking back, Kang I-won responded firmly.

"No. Not yet."

* * *

Saturday arrived quickly. Kang I-won stood staring at his wardrobe. His entire collection of clothes consisted only of white and black short-sleeve T-shirts and black sweatpants.

Among them, there was one odd item. Heo Do-gyeong's coat.

He had packed it with the intention of wearing it, but the size was a bit off, and he didn't have anything suitable to wear underneath. As Heo Do-gyeong had suggested, he considered throwing it away.

However, after hearing about the coat's price from Choi Soo-bin, he was taken aback and, after cleaning it, carefully placed it back in his wardrobe.

Kang I-won briefly hesitated while looking at the coat, but then shook his head. Wearing the coat that the original owner had discarded felt a bit pathetic, and more importantly, a coat over sweatpants just didn't suit him.

It was too uncertain to wear the only padded jacket he had given the weather. After a moment of contemplation, Kang I-won decided to leave the house in his usual attire. It was a little chilly.

When he arrived at the meeting place and waited, a rather expensive-looking foreign car smoothly approached and came to a stop. Through the lowered window, he could see Heo Do-gyeong dressed more carefully than usual, looking neat.

Kang I-won silently compared his own appearance to Heo Do-gyeong's. He wondered if he had dressed too carelessly, but there was really nothing else to wear, and besides, what was the need to dress up when meeting Heo Do-gyeong?

"Aren't you getting in?"

At Heo Do-gyeong's words, Kang I-won got into the passenger seat without hesitation. The car started moving smoothly with both of them inside.

Inside the vehicle, there was an unexpectedly soft fragrance that suited Heo Do-gyeong, and the warm air subtly eased the chill in Kang I-won's body. Leaning back comfortably against the plush seat, Kang I-won asked.

"Where are we going?""There's a decent Korean traditional set meal restaurant nearby."

"Korean traditional set meal?"

"Yes. Do you not like it?"

"No, I like it."

Kang I-won had no particular preferences when it came to food. As long as it could be eaten, he would eat anything without hesitation. Even the cafeteria food, which others often criticized for being tasteless, he ate without complaint. For Kang I-won, the quantity was more important than the taste.

He had said he preferred cheap and filling food over expensive options, but it seemed that message hadn't quite gotten through. He thought to himself that he would just eat quickly, have a casual conversation, and then go home to satisfy his hunger with instant noodles. Looking out the window, he saw the scenery pass by quickly.

After about thirty minutes of driving, they arrived at a place slightly outside the city. The restaurant had a serene atmosphere, with a traditionalhanok style1blended with modern elements.

"There's still a restaurant like this around?"

Most restaurants that were located in places hard to access without a car had moved to the city center after the Gate incident. Of course, there were still places that maintained their original locations without moving to the city. However, even those places relocated to the city after experiencing monster attacks.

Still, there were a rare few that remained open where they were. This was one of those rare places.

Moreover, this restaurant had a Barrier. Kang I-won gazed at the transparent shield surrounding the restaurant in wonder.

There was a limit to the number of barriers a single Esper could create, and they were required to use a portion of those for the city of Seoul.

The remaining barriers would either be used for their family, or, sometimes, they would accept private commissions and set up barriers for large payments, using them for personal gain.

He had heard that the cost of installing a barrier wasn't cheap. Heo Do-gyeong, noticing Kang I-won's thoughts, spoke up.

"One of the owners here is a Barrier Esper. A-rank."

"Ah."

Understanding immediately, Kang I-won followed Heo Do-gyeong into the restaurant.

Heo Do-gyeong seemed very familiar with the place. The guide didn't even ask for his name and led them straight to a private room. Once they sat down in the quiet room, a waiter approached with a friendly voice and asked,

"Shall I bring the meal right away?"

"Yes, please. I've already chosen the menu. Is that okay?"

Kang I-won nodded. He felt a little overwhelmed by the luxurious atmosphere surrounding him. But places like this must be expensive, right? He was already starting to feel the pressure.

After a short wait, the food was served. The large table was filled with a variety of side dishes and dishes arranged neatly, filling every empty space.

Neobiani2, grilledabalone3, ddeokgalbi/ Tteok-galbi4, sinseollo5, samhap6, various jeon (pancakes),japchae7, yukhoe8, grilleddeodeok9, crab, grilledcroaker fish10… The endless parade of food had Kang I-won's eyes wide open in amazement.

It wasn't until the table was filled from one end to the other with a feast of dishes that the table setting was finished. The servers left, and only Heo Do-gyeong and Kang I-won remained in the room.

The table looked so packed that it seemed like it might collapse under the weight of the dishes.

Each dish, meticulously prepared, gleamed with a sheen and exuded a mouthwatering aroma.

Despite his hunger, Kang I-won couldn't help but feel burdened. This was more than just a meal—it felt excessive. He had no idea how much it cost, but it was already making him uncomfortable.

"I can't eat much external food, so I made sure to order enough to fill us up," Heo Do-gyeong said.

Kang I-won couldn't hide his discomfort and asked, "…How much is it? I'll at least pay half."

"It's fine. I'm paying for it. Just eat comfortably."

"Still…"

He didn't know the price, but he could easily guess it was far too expensive for him to accept from a younger person.

Heo Do-gyeong smiled, the corners of his lips curving into a smooth, charming line.

"If you knew how much it cost, you wouldn't be able to eat."

"…."

"Are you really curious?"

For someone like Heo Do-gyeong, who was wrapped in luxury from head to toe and drove an expensive foreign car, the price was likely nothing to worry about.

Kang I-won, who had reluctantly accepted the situation, shook his head.

"…I'll enjoy the meal."

"Good. Let's have the meal first before we talk."

At Heo Do-gyeong's suggestion, Kang I-won nodded and picked up his chopsticks.

He picked up a piece of ddeokgalbi (grilled short rib patties) and took a bite. His eyes widened in surprise. The juice exploded out as he bit into it, and the umami flavor was so intense that it felt like his taste buds were being pampered.

Kang I-won's eating sped up.

Unlike Kang I-won, who was eating at a fast pace, Heo Do-gyeong, having eaten just enough, set his chopsticks down and watched Kang I-won eat with an intrigued expression.

He had felt this before, but it was truly fascinating. His eating speed was incredibly fast, yet there was no mess—nothing spilled or smeared on his lips. It was as if the food disappeared as soon as it entered his mouth, leaving Heo Do-gyeong wondering if he was actually chewing it.

Just watching him eat so smoothly was oddly captivating. He had often wondered why people enjoyed watching others eat on television, and now he understood.

The table, once overflowing with food, began to empty quickly. When Kang I-won finished the last bite and swallowed it cleanly, the meal was finally over.

The empty plates were cleared in an instant, and dessert—rice cakes, fruit, and plum tea—was placed in front of them. Kang I-won took a refreshing sip from the cool plum tea.

The sourness of the plum tea left his mouth feeling clean. As he set the cup down, Heo Do-gyeong spoke.

"Shall we talk now?"

"Alright."

Heo Do-gyeong, still holding his tea cup, stared directly at Kang I-won and asked.

"I'll ask again, Esper Kang I-won. Why are you avoiding me?"

Kang I-won tried to dodge the question at first.

"I'm not avoiding you."

"Not avoiding me, huh?"

Heo Do-gyeong scoffed, then, as if to say it was unfortunate, spoke with a slightly regretful tone.

"If you're not avoiding me, then I must be misunderstanding something. What a shame. I don't want to misunderstand you, Esper Kang I-won, but why do I keep having these misunderstandings?"

"…I don't know."

"I want to get along better with you, Esper Kang I-won. I'm curious about what kind of person you are."

Kang I-won responded directly.

"Is that necessary? Heo Do-gyeong, you have somewhere to go back to, don't you?"

"Even if the branches are different, we can still get along, right?"

"I'm not so sure."

Heo Do-gyeong's insides twisted at Kang I-won's cold rejection. He said there was no avoiding him, but here he was, feeling his frustration. With a slight smirk, Heo Do-gyeong spoke again.

"Who knows? I might change my mind…"

The corners of Heo Do-gyeong's eyes narrowed.

"Maybe I'll stay as the dedicated Guide for Team 5."

Kang I-won's expression faltered at this unexpected comment, and he couldn't hide his distaste.

By now, his curiosity had overtaken any sense of wounded pride. Why was Heo Do-gyeong rejecting him so strongly? He was even more intrigued by that than anything else.

Heo Do-gyeong spoke again.

"It's really strange. Did you know that you're so different from other Espers I've met? Even if the matching rate is high, you're indifferent. Even when someone is kind to you, you don't seem to care. And you don't seem to enjoy receiving guiding either."

"Not all Espers are the same."

"Is that so? Someone once said that guiding is a matter of survival."

The person who had said that remained silent, sipping the plum tea. When Kang I-won set his cup down, Heo Do-gyeong grabbed the handle of the teapot made of porcelain and poured more tea into the empty cups. The plum tea filled the cups to the brim.

"…Have you always been this interested in Espers? I heard you had a hatred for them."

"Oh, that?"

At Kang I-won's question, Heo Do-gyeong's brow furrowed slightly, as if caught off guard.

"There was a time I got hurt by an Esper. I became really sensitive for a while after that."

"Got hurt?"

"I'll pass on that. It's not a pleasant memory."

The memory of that incident still made Heo Do-gyeong uncomfortable every time it resurfaced. He quickly pushed it out of his mind and continued speaking.

"It was just a rumor back then. It was a bit exaggerated. Well, after that, Espers started to be more cautious, so I didn't bother correcting it. In a way, it was kind of convenient."

"Doesn't 'exaggerated' still mean it wasn't entirely false?" Kang I-won replied.

Heo Do-gyeong smiled, raising the corners of his mouth.

"That's right. I don't like Espers."

"Then why are you doing this to me? You could just ignore me like everyone else."

"I'm not interested in Espers; I'm interested in you, Kang I-won."

"…."

"I've been saying it since earlier. I want to get along better with you, Esper Kang I-won."

Kang I-won continued to hold the cool teacup, still unsure about what to make of Heo Do-gyeong's words. Wanting to get along better with him? It seemed laughable.

"Why that expression?" Heo Do-gyeong asked.

Kang I-won lifted the cold teacup to his lips and murmured as if to himself.

"Because it's funny."

"What's so funny?"

"…That you're interested in me and want to get along with me?"

"Yes."

"You're not interested in me… You're curious about why I'm avoiding you, right? That's what you've been wondering from the beginning."

Eventually, the conversation looped back to the start.

Taking a sip of the plum tea, Kang I-won glanced at Heo Do-gyeong and continued in his usual indifferent, cold tone.

"You're fascinated by how I'm behaving differently from other Espers you've known, aren't you? You're frustrated because I rejected you, while every other Esper would cling to you. You're curious about why I'm rejecting you."

Despite the icy tone, Heo Do-gyeong didn't flinch. Instead, he smiled and continued.

"You're right. I was curious about how I was being rejected. I've never been rejected like this before. But yes, I do want to get along with you, Esper Kang I-won. I'm curious about what kind of person you are. If I weren't curious, why would I have been kind to you?"

"…."

Kang I-won's face, which had been expressionless, now clearly showed irritation. It was almost as if life had been breathed into a doll. The expression, though unpleasant, was far more telling than his usual blank face.

Heo Do-gyeong had indeed arranged this meeting because he was curious about why Kang I-won was avoiding him. But beyond that, he was also curious about who Kang I-won truly was.

Since that day, whenever Heo Do-gyeong saw Kang I-won, he would often recall the lifeless appearance he had seen.

The pale, bloodless face, the limp, blood-soaked body, and the missing feet.

Even those who looked less serious were carried off in a frenzy for treatment, yet Han Kang-jin, who had carried Kang I-won, remained calm and composed.

And so, Heo Do-gyeong had thought Kang I-won was dead. He had thought he was a corpse that had somehow returned.

But Kang I-won didn't die. Despite the horrific injuries, he acted as if nothing had happened. Even though the injuries were anything but something to be calm about, he acted as though they were nothing.

A part of his body had been lost. He had seen it happen, and yet the team leader had said, "It's fine, don't worry." Heo Do-gyeong couldn't understand that. How could someone not worry about that?

That was why Heo Do-gyeong was so curious about who Kang I-won was. What kind of person could remain so composed, even in such a situation?

"I'm going to ask you one last time. Why are you avoiding me?"

In truth, the reason wasn't so big or dramatic that it couldn't be explained.

But, don't we all have a small secret? It's not something significant or important, but something you don't want to share with anyone.

For Kang I-won, that secret was the reason he refused guiding, and also the reason he was avoiding Heo Do-gyeong.

Kang I-won didn't want anyone to know that he was intentionally keeping himself in a state of lacking guiding. Even other Espers wouldn't understand that behavior. He didn't expect them to, nor did he care.

He just wanted to alleviate the pain, or maybe he didn't want to dream. For either reason, he didn't want anyone to know. He didn't want to explain or lie about it. He just wanted to remain silent.

With a slightly irritated tone, Kang I-won spoke as if to challenge Heo Do-gyeong.

"Didn't I explain it enough to you back then? I remember we agreed to leave it at that."

Heo Do-gyeong immediately understood what Kang I-won was referring to. It was the time when he had collapsed, bleeding from his nose due to the side effects of the guiding drugs.

Heo Do-gyeong gave a disbelieving laugh.

"Agreed to leave it at that? You said, as you just did, that guiding is a matter of survival for an Esper, and you're telling me that you just accepted it because it was a habit, or because you didn't want to deal with it anymore? How could I accept that? And even after that, Kang I-won's attitude didn't change. The doctor was right. No matter how much they said it, Kang I-won wouldn't listen."

"You're saying I didn't listen, but I never heard anyone say it until they were blue in the face."

"You're not the one I'm talking about. There was someone else who repeated it endlessly."

It was, without a doubt, referring to Choi Soo-bin.

"And that's not what I'm asking right now…"

Heo Do-gyeong paused mid-sentence and let out a dry laugh. He wondered why Kang I-won had suddenly brought that up.

"Ah, now I understand why you're avoiding me, Esper Kang I-won. You didn't want to receive guiding, did you?"

He realized he wasn't actually asking about the reason Kang I-won was avoiding him, but rather why he was refusing guiding. Kang I-won frowned, belatedly recognizing the mistake.

He was about to ask another difficult question, so Kang I-won rubbed his temples. However, to his surprise, Heo Do-gyeong didn't ask any further questions. He simply fiddled with the teacup, droplets of water gathering on its surface.

Seeing this, Kang I-won asked in a tired voice,

"Since your curiosity is satisfied, there's nothing else to ask, right?"

"No, there's one more thing."

"What now?"

Kang I-won spoke sharply. Heo Do-gyeong, resting his chin in his hand, casually asked,

"Is something like that common?"

"It's not common."

"Everyone seemed so calm about it, though. The team leader and you, both of you."

"It's because of regeneration. As long as it regenerates, it's fine. It gets better, like you saw yourself."

"Doesn't the pain get to you?"

"I took painkillers."

"Taking painkillers itself means you're not fine."

"..."

"Seriously, what happened inside that caused your ankle to get like that? If you don't want to tell everything, at least let me know that."

"Does a Guide really need to know that?"

"Yes. I'm curious."

"I don't feel like talking about it. It wasn't a big deal anyway."

"Just speak casually. It looks like you're more comfortable with informal speech."

"I don't want to."

The back-and-forth conversation showed no signs of stopping.

Kang I-won couldn't understand why Heo Do-gyeong was so curious about this.

Guides were the ones who held the lifeline of Espers, but in essence, they were no different from ordinary people.

A Guide, who was no different from an ordinary person, existed far from the frontlines. They stayed in the center, protected by its safety. Unless they were unlucky enough to get involved, they never had to face monsters. Even if they did, the rescue and protection of Guides came first.

So Guides didn't need to dig deep into the lives of Espers and monsters. They didn't need to know how Espers fought monsters or what happened during those battles.

But why was Heo Do-gyeong so curious about it? It was unnecessary curiosity, and unwelcome attention.

Kang I-won would have preferred it if Heo Do-gyeong were being irritating, treating him like a germ, and tossing aside gloves he had touched.

What had caused this sudden shift in Heo Do-gyeong's attitude? Kang I-won couldn't understand it at all.

The long conversation had worn him out. He felt like he might get indigestion from the food he had just eaten.

His mouth hurt from talking too much, and he wondered what he was doing on a holiday. He always let time pass meaninglessly on his days off, but wasting time with Heo Do-gyeong felt even more wasteful than the usual meaningless hours.

"Heo Do-gyeong, from now on, I hope you won't take anything I say to heart."

"Why are you speaking so seriously?"

Kang I-won slowly opened his mouth, intending to send the temporary Guide back to Seoul earlier than planned. He spoke quickly, not wasting time.

"Yeah, I did avoid you."

"What?"

"I've been avoiding you, Heo Do-gyeong. I didn't want to receive your guiding. Why? Because your guiding isn't great. What does it matter if the matching rate is high? Your guiding is still lacking. You've seen how my complexion has been lately, right? That's all because your guiding isn't up to par."

"..."

Heo Do-gyeong was caught off guard by the unexpected words. Kang I-won didn't stop there, continuing to speak.

"As you know, I don't really like guiding. Especially yours. And I'm uncomfortable with this whole situation. I don't know what suddenly made you so interested in me, but I'd prefer if you didn't. It's uncomfortable. I'd rather you not care if my feet or arms get cut off."

Kang I-won's impression of Heo Do-gyeong hadn't changed from the beginning. An annoying Guide from Seoul. That was the extent of his impression of Heo Do-gyeong. He didn't have any particular affection or curiosity.

He couldn't even understand what the other person was thinking, and he didn't intend to. All the attention Heo Do-gyeong gave him only made him uncomfortable.

"I don't plan on getting close to you, Heo Do-gyeong. You were the one who said it at the beginning, right? That we shouldn't do anything to hurt each other's feelings or make things awkward. I want to keep it that way, just maintaining a professional relationship, and then you can go back to Seoul."

"..."

Kang I-won bowed his head slightly to the speechless Heo Do-gyeong.

"I must have upset you. I'm sorry. Don't take it too personally."

Heo Do-gyeong slowly blinked and looked at the top of Kang I-won's head. Then, with his hand still on his chin, he covered his mouth.

To be honest, he wasn't really that displeased. It was strangely not unpleasant at all. He had known all along that complaints about guiding were nonsense.

Heo Do-gyeong had been watching his reactions all along. After seeing all that, how could he believe that Kang I-won really disliked his guiding?

What was surprising, instead, was just how much rejection he was facing.

Had Heo Do-gyeong ever been rejected like this in his life? No.

He had been born with a platinum spoon in his mouth and lived life with everything handed to him. Whether before or after becoming a Guide, he had always lived in the spotlight, receiving all the attention and admiration.

So, to find himself in a position where he was being rejected so completely was almost refreshing.

Because of this, Heo Do-gyeong genuinely became curious about Kang I-won. For the first time in his life, he was rejected so thoroughly, and his stubbornness only grew stronger, like a rebellious child.

But even if they continued the conversation, nothing would change. It would only be the same repetitive conversation, like a hamster running on a wheel. If they were to talk again, it would have to be after some time had passed.

Having finished their meal and enough conversation, Heo Do-gyeong decided it was time to leave. With that thought in mind, he spoke.

"Shall we go?"

Without receiving any response to his words, Heo Do-gyeong stood up and prepared to leave. Kang I-won hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded.

Following Heo Do-gyeong, who had gotten up first, Kang I-won glanced at his back and sighed quietly, secretly.

He felt uncomfortable.

It seemed like he had been a bit too harsh. After all, Heo Do-gyeong was much younger than him, and yet he couldn't hold back his irritation, letting it all show. He felt embarrassed by his outburst. Regret came a little late.

He could have said things in a kinder way. His mind was conflicted.

The car was silent. Just like on the way here, the car was quiet, but this time, the silence felt uncomfortable.

Kang I-won turned his head to look out the window. The road stretched out smoothly, and soon they were entering the city. The tall buildings and apartments in the distance were visible.

As they continued driving smoothly through the city, the car came to a sudden stop. Turning his head forward, Kang I-won noticed that there was some kind of traffic jam ahead.

"Is there an accident up ahead…?" Kang I-won murmured quietly. At the same time, the opportunity Heo Do-gyeong had been so curious about—how Kang I-won had ended up in such a situation—was quickly approaching.

Beep—beep—

The device that Kang I-won had placed on the seat rang loudly, flashing red. It was an emergency call.

Emergency calls were sent to all Espers within a certain radius when a monster appeared, based on the location data of the Esper. The fact that it was ringing now meant that a monster had appeared somewhere nearby.

Kang I-won, as a habit, reached to accept the call, but Heo Do-gyeong's large hand reached out to stop him. Kang I-won looked up at Heo Do-gyeong, who had blocked his hand.

"Don't go."

"What?"

"Don't go. There's nothing going on right now. What are you going to do, with only your regenerative ability that doesn't help much? Don't go. Other Espers will handle it."

He was right. What could Kang I-won do without any weapons? It would be a blessing if he didn't just get in the way. As Kang I-won lowered his wrist, where the device was strapped, Heo Do-gyeong withdrew his hand.

Even if he didn't go, the blocked road meant they couldn't move forward or backward until the monster issue was resolved. They were stuck on the road, waiting for the situation to resolve itself.

Kang I-won noticed people getting out of the cars ahead of them, looking around to assess the situation. The two of them silently waited in the car, still hoping for the situation to be resolved.

Then, the driver of the car directly in front of them got out and, while talking on the phone, began looking around. Suddenly, the man froze, then screamed and ran toward the opposite direction.

One by one, the people outside began running in the same direction. Some urgently fled from their cars and followed suit.

Kang I-won turned his head. On the opposite side where they had fled, three monsters appeared.

"We'll have to get out."

As he spoke, Kang I-won opened the car door and briefly stared at the monsters in the distance. There were three of them, and they were familiar creatures.

Though they had no official name, most Espers referred to them as "Teddy Bears" because they resembled stuffed bears. Of course, Kang I-won just called them "Bear Monsters."

Anyway, despite their cute appearance, the most dangerous feature of these bear monsters was their incredible strength. The fluffy-looking bear monsters, resembling stuffed toys, slammed the ground with their short arms, causing the ground to crack.

While their strength was overwhelming, the bear monsters had clear weaknesses, making them not too difficult to deal with.

The bear monster's weakness was its tail. Inside the tail, there was a parasitic monster that controlled the bear monster. If you could remove the parasitic monster through the tail, everything after that would be easy.

Once the parasitic monster, which controlled the bear monster, was removed, the bear monster's movements became simple, and the parasitic monster itself had no offensive capabilities and poor defense, making it easy to handle.

The key was to kill it quickly before the parasitic monster could find a new host.

As Kang I-won was recalling this information about the bear monsters, he was suddenly pulled in the opposite direction by Heo Do-gyeong's grip on his wrist and found himself running without thinking.

"What are you doing, standing there like that? We need to run!"

"Ah… I was just trying to assess the monsters."

"Why bother with that! You're not the one who's going to fight them."

"…It's a habit."

As he said that, Kang I-won glanced back over his shoulder.

He saw the three bear monsters chasing each other around like they were playing tag, flailing their arms. From a distance, they looked cute, but the destruction they caused was far from cute.

It didn't take long for Kang I-won's steps to slow down, eventually coming to a complete stop. Heo Do-gyeong, who had stopped with him, tugged at his wrist, but Kang I-won didn't budge.

Kang I-won continued to stare at the destruction the bear monsters were causing.

Nearby cars and flower beds were crushed, and a telephone pole was snapped in half. The bear monsters were having fun, wrecking everything around them. Then, they noticed someone hiding nearby, trembling in fear, unprepared.

When the man screamed and started running, the three bear monsters waddled after him.

At the same time, the bear monsters opened their mouths. Inside their mouths, it resembled a bear trap, wide open to catch their prey. The contrast between their cute appearance and the deadly interior of their mouths was jarring.

One bear monster continued to chase the fleeing man, while the other two stopped, showing more interest in a nearby building. It seemed like there were people hiding inside, not taking refuge.

When one of the bear monsters tapped the building's glass with its front paw, the glass shattered, and the shards rained down.

The bear monster reached out with its short front paws, but due to their limited reach, it grew frustrated and stomped its feet angrily. The ground beneath it cracked with each stomp.

Nearby, another bear monster helped by digging into the building. Scraping at it to dig deeper, the building crumbled like a fragile snack.

Kang I-won looked at Heo Do-gyeong, who frowned deeply.

"I told you not to go. What are you going to do?"

"Can't I do something?"

"Don't say nonsense. You'll just get squashed if you go. Another Esper will be here soon. Please, just wait."

That was true. Without any weapons, Kang I-won couldn't be of much help. As Heo Do-gyeong said, he would most likely be crushed by one of those fluffy arms. Or perhaps the arrival of another Esper would be faster than him getting there.

Still, Kang I-won had to go. It would be good if the Esper arrived in time, but if they were delayed, and the bear monster kept tearing at the building, the resulting casualties would be catastrophic.

"Heo Do-gyeong."

"What now?"

"It looks like the monster won't come this way. But just in case, you should at least run over there."

"I've told you repeatedly. Don't go."

Heo Do-gyeong's words, spoken through clenched teeth, were filled with concern for Kang I-won. His concern was appreciated, but there was nothing to be done.

"You have to protect me. Where do you think you're going?"

In emergencies, it was the Esper's duty to prioritize the safety of their Guide. It was confidential, but in some situations, the safety of the Guide would be considered more important than that of civilians.

However, that applied only when the Guide's life was at risk, which wasn't the case now.

Kang I-won pulled his wrist from Heo Do-gyeong's grasp and said firmly, "What can I do? This is my job."

Heo Do-gyeong, though strong for an ordinary person—thanks to natural strength and consistent training—was still just a regular person. He could never match the strength of an Esper who had trained constantly.

Kang I-won broke free from Heo Do-gyeong's grip and sprinted. He could hear Heo Do-gyeong's voice calling after him, but he ignored it.

One of the bear monsters that had gone off in the distance returned, and now all three monsters were clustered around the building. Two were digging intently, while the third, its mouth smeared with blood, wandered around, observing.

The bear monsters scraped broadly at the building. Fortunately, they hadn't dug too deep. Had they gone deeper, the building would have lost its balance and collapsed long ago.

Focusing on the building, the three bear monsters didn't notice Kang I-won's position for a while. Standing a little farther away from them, Kang I-won paused and pondered.

The monster's obsession was food. The best way to lure the monster out was to use food as bait.

And that food was, of course, humans.

Kang I-won grabbed a shard of glass that had flown far from the shattered window, rolled up his sleeves to his elbows, and immediately made a deep, long cut from his elbow to his wrist. There was no hesitation.

The blood poured from the wound, quickly staining the ground beneath him. As the scent of blood filled the air, the three bear monsters turned their heads simultaneously and locked eyes with him. The intensity of their gaze was somewhat unsettling.

Having confirmed that the monsters were focused on him, Kang I-won turned and began running. The three bear monsters followed swiftly.

Since the emergency call had gone off, moving too far from his current position wasn't a good idea.

As he checked the three bear monsters in pursuit, Kang I-won began circling the road, trying to throw them off. Every time the bear monsters seemed to lose interest, he would slit his flesh again, letting the blood scent fill the air once more.