5

As the cold winter passed, the time came when tender green shoots began to sprout on the dry branches.

There had been considerable changes in personnel. Some individuals experienced a shift in rank, while others were reassigned to different locations. People departed from the southern Gyeonggi region to other areas, while newcomers arrived from different regions to fill their places. Familiar faces left, and unfamiliar ones filled the void they left behind.

Consequently, several teams were left with vacancies. Some teams saw new members assigned to fill these gaps, while others disbanded and were absorbed into different teams.

For Team 5, it was the former. With Choi Soo-bin's transfer leaving a vacant spot for some time, a new team member joined.

Hyun Ho-jun, formerly part of Team 7 and a B-rank Esper, had been promoted to A-rank this year and assigned to Team 5. His ability was controlling fire.

His compatibility with Team 5 wasn't exactly ideal, so Kang I-won couldn't understand why Hyun Ho-jun was placed on their team. However, he didn't voice his thoughts.

With a bright smile of goodwill, Hyun Ho-jun bowed slightly at the waist and greeted them in an energetic voice.

"Hello. I'm Hyun Ho-jun, newly assigned to Team 5 starting today. I look forward to working with you."

"Alright, nice to meet you. Oh, is it okay if I speak casually?"

"Of course. Feel free to, Team Leader."

"Alright."

"Congratulations on your promotion! Ah, I'm Kim Young-ho."

"Haha, thank you."

Hyun Ho-jun turned to Kang I-won, flashing a bright smile as he greeted him.

"Hello!"

"Yes, hello."

Hyun Ho-jun greeted everyone with a beaming smile, but Kang I-won couldn't help but look at him with a slightly awkward expression. He wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but there was a strange sense of familiarity and delight on Hyun Ho-jun's face.

Grasping Kang I-won's hand firmly, Hyun Ho-jun gave it a big shake.

"We've met before, haven't we?"

"Before?"

"Yes! When the Splitting White Serpent appeared."

The Splitting White Serpent—a snake monster with three heads. Had they met back then? Kang I-won tried to recall Hyun Ho-jun's ability: fire. Images of flames, resembling tidal waves, engulfing the white serpent came to mind.

"Ah, that time."

Hyun Ho-jun lit up with joy, realizing Kang I-won remembered him.

"I really wanted to greet you back then, but you left before I had the chance. It's great to be on the same team now!"

"Ah… yes."

Kang I-won nodded stiffly and pulled his hand away. Hyun Ho-jun, unfazed, withdrew his hand without hesitation and asked,

"By the way, where's the Guide?"

"He'll be here soon."

Just as Han Kang-jin said, they waited for a bit before the door opened, and a familiar face entered the lounge. It was Heo Do-gyeong, though his appearance was slightly different—his bangs were a bit out of place compared to his usually neat hairstyle. Han Kang-jin greeted him warmly.

"Perfect timing. Guide Heo Do-gyeong, let's do introductions. This is Hyun Ho-jun, an Esper who's joining our Team 5 starting today."

"Nice to meet you."

Heo Do-gyeong gave a slight nod in greeting.

"Hyun Ho-jun, this is our temporary Guide, Heo Do-gyeong."

"Nice to meet you, Guide Heo Do-gyeong. I look forward to working with you."

Even though winter had turned to spring, Heo Do-gyeong was still Team 5's 'temporary' Guide. Hyun Ho-jun bowed politely in return as he greeted him.

After the introductions, Han Kang-jin looked over his team members before clearing his throat.

"And starting today, Guide Heo Do-gyeong will be joining us in the field."

It wasn't surprising news to anyone except Hyun Ho-jun, who was hearing it for the first time.

Last winter, for reasons unknown, Heo Do-gyeong had enrolled in the Guide Training Program. Surprisingly, he had shown consistent effort and managed to complete the one-year program in just three months.

The primary reason for his accelerated completion was his exceptional marksmanship. A talent he hadn't even realized he had blossomed the moment he held a gun.

Of course, it also helped that Heo Do-gyeong had been steadily maintaining his physical fitness through regular exercise.

Thanks to these efforts, Heo Do-gyeong completed the program in a record-breaking short time, earning the title of 'Field Guide' alongside the Guide designation.

Field Guides were a rare breed. Unlike other Guides who worked safely within the center's protective walls, Field Guides chose to be out in the field, working directly with their teams.

Initially, Field Guides would gain hands-on experience by working alongside the Espers in their team. Once they had sufficient experience, they could join specialized teams consisting only of Field Guides, dispatched to areas requiring their skills. Of course, many Guides opted to remain with their teams, directly supporting their members on the front lines.

Now, Heo Do-gyeong had become one of those Field Guides. Field. A term that felt utterly mismatched with someone like Heo Do-gyeong.

Standing beside Han Kang-jin, Heo Do-gyeong bowed his head slightly in greeting.

"I look forward to working with you."

"Kang I-won, you'll mentor Guide Heo Do-gyeong."

A mentor's role was to help a Field Guide adapt to working on-site while ensuring their protection. Even though the team moved as a unit, there were always dangerous moments where someone needed to take full responsibility for the Guide's safety.

Typically, the team leader or the strongest team member would take on this role.

So when the task fell to him, Kang I-won couldn't help but voice his confusion, though only a faint question escaped his lips.

"…Me?"

"Yes," Han Kang-jin confirmed with a nod.

Kang I-won frowned slightly at the response. The idea of having to actively protect someone wasn't something he welcomed—especially if that someone was a Guide.

Why me, of all people?

Han Kang-jin rarely reversed a decision once he'd made up his mind. So Kang I-won knew that no matter how much he argued, nothing would change.

That meant the person Kang I-won needed to talk to wasn't Han Kang-jin, but the one directly involved—Heo Do-gyeong. Even though Han Kang-jin rarely reversed his decisions, he might reconsider if Heo Do-gyeong requested it.

"Well then, now that the introductions are done, take care of what you need to," Han Kang-jin said, wrapping up his announcements before leaving the lounge to attend to his duties as team leader. Kim Young-ho followed him out shortly after.

Having no reason to stay, Heo Do-gyeong also exited the lounge. Kang I-won was about to follow him, but he was stopped by Hyun Ho-jun, who was now seated beside him. Feeling the hand holding him back, Kang I-won turned his head.

Hyun Ho-jun looked a bit shy as he began to speak.

"Um, do you… do you remember me?"

"…What?"

Kang I-won couldn't quite grasp the sudden question and didn't bother hiding his confusion.

"From before, during the snake monster incident?"

"Not that time. I mean, even before that…."

Before that? Kang I-won stared at Hyun Ho-jun, who had a faint blush on his face. But no matter how hard he tried to recall, the face didn't leave an impression in his memory. Kang I-won shook his head.

"No. I don't remember."

While it was possible they'd crossed paths at the same center, casual encounters weren't enough for him to remember someone clearly.

"Ah… Yeah, I thought that might be the case," Hyun Ho-jun muttered, sounding a little disappointed.

Hyun Ho-jun, wearing an expression mixed with disappointment and regret, murmured something unintelligible under his breath. Then, with a bright smile, he asked,

"Can I call you 'Hyung'?"

"…What?"

Kang I-won was taken aback. Hyun Ho-jun, still as cheerful and approachable as ever, continued,

"I've always wanted to get closer to you, hyung. It's just that our schedules and areas never lined up before, so we didn't have the chance to meet. But now that we're on the same team, we can."

The hopeful look on Hyun Ho-jun's face made Kang I-won feel awkward. This was the first day they'd exchanged names, and he barely knew anything about him.

For someone like Kang I-won, whose only real friend was Choi Soo-bin, relationships with others were an uphill battle. Hyun Ho-jun's unreserved approach and one-sided friendliness made him uncomfortable, if not outright uneasy.

Espers often moved between regions, leading to frequent changes in teams and teammates. For that reason, Kang I-won never felt the need to go out of his way to build close relationships with his colleagues, even those in the same team.

More than that, he found the term "hyung" particularly off-putting.

"…Uh, no," Kang I-won replied with hesitation but decisiveness.

At his awkward rejection, Hyun Ho-jun's eyebrows drooped as he asked with a pitiable look,

"Do you not like being called 'hyung'?"

"Yes."

Kang I-won's firm response made Hyun Ho-jun smile sheepishly, his expression returning to normal.

"Then I'll call you 'Sunbae-nim1' instead, since you're my senior."

"…Do whatever you want."

Ending the conversation there, Kang I-won quickly got up and walked off, hurrying to follow Heo Do-gyeong. Though Heo Do-gyeong had already disappeared from sight, it wasn't hard to guess where he'd gone.

Kang I-won knocked on the door of Guide Room 10, Heo Do-gyeong's guiding office. The door unlocked immediately, and he stepped inside.

Without even looking up from the tablet in his hands, Heo Do-gyeong asked,

"You don't need guiding yet. What's the matter, coming here unprompted?"

"I need to talk to you."

"What is it?"

Kang I-won didn't hesitate and went straight to the point.

"I don't know why I was made your mentor, but I think it would be better if you requested a replacement."

Heo Do-gyeong, still fixated on his tablet, let out a small laugh before replying.

"Why would I? I specifically asked for you as my mentor."

"…Why?"

"Because I wanted to."

The casual response left Kang I-won speechless, his frustration evident as he pinched the bridge of his nose. It felt like dealing with a stubborn child. Taking a deep breath, he tried to reason in a calm voice.

"The field is more dangerous than you might think. I'm not capable of protecting you. You should request a different team member as your mentor. Even Young-ho would be a better choice than me."

"I don't want to. Besides, what do you mean you can't protect me? You're an A-rank Esper."

"Not all A-ranks are the same. Sure, I'm A-rank, but my ability is regeneration. It's useless for protecting someone else. All I can do is barely keep myself alive."

Kang I-won spoke with a matter-of-fact tone, his self-deprecating words delivered with unsettling nonchalance.

"So it would be better if you found a different mentor. If you don't like anyone on our team, transferring to another team might not be a bad idea."

As Kang I-won finished speaking, Heo Do-gyeong continued to scan his tablet in silence. After a long pause, he finally spoke.

"Kang I-won, do you know something?"

"…What?"

"I get really irritated when I see people who don't value their own lives."

The abrupt remark left Kang I-won visibly confused, his expression clouded with doubt. Heo Do-gyeong continued without waiting for a response.

"They don't realize it themselves. It's the people around them who go crazy. No matter how much you tell them, they never listen. Worse, they don't even realize they're doing anything wrong…"

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

Kang I-won couldn't make the connection between what Heo Do-gyeong was saying and his suggestion to assign someone else as his mentor.

At this, Heo Do-gyeong finally looked up from his tablet and placed it on the table. The screen displayed information about an ant colony infested with a dispersing queen ant.

In his usual even tone, Heo Do-gyeong said, "I've seen the records."

The information shared between Guides and Espers varied significantly in both quantity and detail. Guides were provided with basic data—monster types, characteristics, and general protocols for encounters. But nothing more than that.

Details about a monster's weaknesses, how to combat it, specific characteristics, and combat records were only provided to Espers and Field Guides.

In the past, all information was shared equally between Guides and Espers. However, after a certain incident, detailed information was restricted to Espers. When Field Guides were introduced, they were granted access to the same level of information as Espers.

Until recently, Heo Do-gyeong couldn't access such information, but now, as a fully-fledged Field Guide, he was provided with data similar to what Kang I-won received.

The information displayed on Heo Do-gyeong's tablet about the ant colony was previously restricted to him but was now available due to his new role.

"I noticed you don't seem to take care of yourself at all, Kang I-won," Heo Do-gyeong remarked, his gloved finger tracing a line of text on the screen.

"…When more than half of Esper K's calf had been eaten, they regained consciousness and, with Esper H's help, immediately destroyed the queen's core before retiring. Once the queen's core was destroyed…"

Heo Do-gyeong's finger lingered on the phrase "more than half of the calf."

"What does that have to do with you, Guide Heo Do-gyeong?" Kang I-won asked, still not understanding the connection.

"I already told you. It irritates me."

"Why would it irritate you whether I take care of myself or not?"

"It bothers me."

"…What?"

"I said, it bothers me. It gets on my nerves. That, and the other time…"

Heo Do-gyeong trailed off, his voice calm but carrying an edge of irritation that made Kang I-won even more confused.

Heo Do-gyeong furrowed his brows slightly as if recalling something, then closed his eyes. After a brief moment, the tension in his expression eased, and he opened them again.

"So stick close to me and protect me. Maybe then you'll stop throwing yourself around so recklessly."

To Kang I-won, Heo Do-gyeong's behavior felt like an overstep.

Fighting monsters was an Esper's job, and how Kang I-won chose to do it was none of Heo Do-gyeong's business.

"What does it matter to you whether I throw myself around or not? Who are you to care?"

For some reason, every conversation with Heo Do-gyeong seemed to set Kang I-won's nerves on edge, making his tone sharp and biting.

But Heo Do-gyeong, unfazed by the tone, responded with a small laugh.

"Who am I? Your Guide, of course."

It was ridiculous, but not even a dry laugh escaped Kang I-won. Someone still labeled as "temporary" calling himself your Guide? Heo Do-gyeong could leave at any moment, yet his words carried an air of permanence that irritated him.

"So you're saying you're determined to keep me as your mentor?"

"Exactly. I'll be counting on you from now on."

With that, Heo Do-gyeong extended a gloved hand, as if inviting a handshake. The smooth curve of his smirking lips only added to the irritation.

In the end, Kang I-won left the guiding room empty-handed, with no progress made.

* * *

The role of a Field Guide was largely divided into three main tasks:

1. Assisting civilians in evacuating when Espers were battling monsters.

2. Providing guidance to Espers.

3. In emergencies, supporting Espers by using anti-monster firearms to neutralize threats.

The third role, however, was rarely required. The anti-monster firearms given to Guides were primarily used for self-defense or to protect civilians.

Judgment was the most crucial quality required of Guides tasked with such roles. The field was the ideal place to cultivate this skill, which explained why the training program for Guides, who were essentially civilians, only lasted one year.

Judgment wasn't something that could be developed through study or endless drills at the center. One real-life experience in the field surpassed any amount of training.

Having completed the program early, Heo Do-gyeong joined the field faster than most. For now, he only accompanied the team during full deployments or patrols like this one.

Patrolling was a daily task for all teams, divided into two shifts—morning and afternoon. At night, when fewer civilians were outside, detection-type Espers took over the work.

Given the expansive area to cover and the limited personnel, team members divided zones among themselves for efficiency. As a Guide, Heo Do-gyeong was paired with his mentor, Kang I-won.

Over several days of working together, Kang I-won found himself reevaluating Heo Do-gyeong.

What he'd assumed was just a whim turned out to be more serious—Heo Do-gyeong had not only completed his training early but also followed along in the field without complaints. Despite his germophobia, he endured surprisingly well.

When monster blood or bodily fluids splattered nearby, Heo Do-gyeong would grimace slightly but refrained from making a fuss.

While on patrol, Kang I-won spotted a harmless turtle-like monster and pointed it out, asking,

"What's the characteristic of that monster?"

"F-rank. Low aggression. It won't attack first unless its head is disturbed. Also, it's timid and will retreat into its hard shell at the slightest threat."

"And the method of elimination?"

"Remain silent until it sticks its head back out. As soon as it does, grab its neck quickly and pull its body out of the shell."

"You know your stuff."

"I studied."

Heo Do-gyeong's ability to answer every question about the monster's characteristics and behavior showed his dedication. It was clear he had diligently memorized his studies.

Well, he had always been diligent. Even before this, he'd never once rejected a guiding request. The problem was that his poor first impression overshadowed his efforts.

As the turtle-like monster crawled along, Heo Do-gyeong watched it idly and remarked,

"There's no need to call anyone else for this."

It was an easy monster to handle. Kang I-won crouched in front of the turtle monster, now safely tucked into its shell, and replied briefly.

"Seems that way."

Just as Heo Do-gyeong had said, the proper way to deal with the turtle monster was to wait patiently for its head to emerge.

But that took too long.

Before Heo Do-gyeong could stop him, Kang I-won rolled up his sleeve to his elbow and shoved his arm into the monster's shell.

The powerful acid inside began to corrode Kang I-won's flesh, but he ignored it. A faint sizzle accompanied the sound of flesh burning.

Inside the shell, the passage through which the monster's head moved was coated in acid. This acid had a peculiar property: it vaporized upon exposure to air. That's why the recommended method was to wait until the monster's head reemerged.

But Kang I-won had no reason to hold back. His injuries would regenerate without leaving a single scar. There was no need to wait.

Startled by Kang I-won's sudden actions, Heo Do-gyeong widened his eyes and shouted,

"What are you doing?!"

"It's dangerous. Step back."

Kang I-won replied nonchalantly as he used his shoulder to nudge Heo Do-gyeong away. He moved his hand purposefully. It should be around here somewhere. Soon, his fingers closed around something soft and squishy. Without hesitation, Kang I-won grabbed hold and yanked it out.

The monster's neck emerged in his acid-damaged arm, the flesh ragged and torn. The acid clinging to his arm evaporated the moment it touched the air. With a firm grip, Kang I-won pulled the slime-like, squishy body of the turtle monster out of its shell.

Once separated from its shell, the monster's body began to dissolve as it came into contact with the air. It writhed sluggishly for a moment before going limp. Kang I-won shook his hand to rid himself of the dissolved remains.

Scanning the area for the next target, Kang I-won was abruptly yanked back by the shoulder. Heo Do-gyeong, biting his lip to suppress his anger, spoke in a restrained voice.

"What, exactly, do you think you're doing?"

"Isn't it obvious? I'm catching monsters."

Kang I-won's indifferent tone only made Heo Do-gyeong's frustration more apparent.

"Why on earth are you catching it that way?!"

"Because it's faster?"

"You could have just waited! If you waited a little longer, you could've caught it without getting hurt. Why do you have to go to such lengths?"

At Heo Do-gyeong's outburst, Kang I-won replied as if he genuinely didn't understand.

"Why would I sit around waiting? This way is quicker."

"Oh, really? Then maybe I should do the same? Shove my hand in there like you did?"

Heo Do-gyeong's tone was incredulous, and Kang I-won frowned slightly.

"No. Why would a Guide like you do something like this?"

"Why not? You said it's faster."

"No, that's not what I meant. Why would a Guide do something like this? Handling monsters is an Esper's job. And for me, this method is efficient."

"Does it really need to be efficient?"

"Isn't it better to finish quickly without wasting time?"

"Absolutely not!"

While the two continued their pointless argument, the deep wound on Kang I-won's arm slowly began to regenerate. He glanced at it briefly. It felt like the healing was progressing a little slower than usual.

Must be my imagination. Shrugging off the thought, he stretched out his now fully healed arm, showing it off. It was pristine, free of any scars or marks, as though nothing had happened.

"See? I'm fine," Kang I-won said, holding out his unblemished arm.

Heo Do-gyeong, however, frowned deeply, his lips pressed tightly together as if holding back a sharp retort.

"I'm really curious about how you've been living up until now, Esper Kang I-won."

"Just like everyone else. Living moderately but fiercely."

Moderately. Fiercely. That's how he had lived, nothing more, nothing less. Kang I-won reached out to deal with another monster, but Heo Do-gyeong's voice stopped him in his tracks.

"Try that again, and next time, it won't be your hand going in there—it'll be mine."

In the end, faced with Heo Do-gyeong's not-quite-a-threat, Kang I-won had no choice but to patiently wait for the monsters to poke their heads out. Once they did, he grabbed their necks, pulled their bodies out, and disposed of them one by one.

Surely it was an empty threat, but there was no way Kang I-won was going to risk injuring the Guide.

Letting out a small sigh, he couldn't understand why he had to deal with such unnecessary hassle. If he could just stick his hand in and yank them out, it would all be over in a flash.

Maybe it's because he's not used to the field yet. Kang I-won figured that once Heo Do-gyeong became more accustomed to the field—and to him—he'd come to take these things in stride, just like everyone else.

Until then, all Kang I-won could do was wait. He hoped Heo Do-gyeong would adapt quickly, and he prayed the process wouldn't take long. Better yet, he wouldn't mind if Heo Do-gyeong got transferred back to Seoul before that happened.

After leisurely dealing with the four turtle monsters, the patrol was completed without any further monster sightings. The same was true for the other team members. By the time they finished, it was lunchtime.

As Kang I-won returned to the center and headed alone to the cafeteria, someone stopped him—it was Hyun Ho-jun.

"Sunbae I-won, would you like to grab lunch together? I'm heading to that soft tofu stew place up ahead."

"No, I'm heading to the cafeteria. Enjoy your meal," Kang I-won replied quickly, rejecting the offer and walking ahead. However, Hyun Ho-jun matched his pace, walking beside him.

"Isn't the cafeteria food bad?"

"It's edible."

"Really? Then I'll join you."

"What?"

At the unexpected response, Kang I-won stopped walking and turned to face him. Hyun Ho-jun walked ahead a bit before speaking over his shoulder.

"It's been a while since I've been to the cafeteria."

Reluctantly, Kang I-won resumed walking, this time with Hyun Ho-jun in tow. He couldn't understand why Hyun Ho-jun would choose the cafeteria over the soft tofu stew he had planned to eat.

"Why not just eat what you were going to eat?"

"Because I want to eat with you, Sunbae. I want to get closer to you."

The overly cheerful smile and the blatant attempt to cozy up to him felt suffocating.

"…Why?"

"Why not? I told you, I want to get to know you better. Do I need a reason to want to be closer to you?"

I have no intention of getting closer.

Kang I-won grumbled internally but forced himself to voice his refusal.

"I'm more comfortable eating alone."

"Oh, come on, we haven't even had one meal together since I joined."

Hyun Ho-jun's persistence left Kang I-won at a loss for words.

When new members joined the team, it was customary to hold a team dinner, but recently, the constant calls during the evenings had caused the plans to be postponed repeatedly.

Faced with Hyun Ho-jun's persistent attempts to connect, Kang I-won couldn't bring himself to reject him outright. He suppressed a sigh and nodded reluctantly.

"…Fine, let's eat together."

With that, the two headed to the cafeteria. Kang I-won focused on piling food onto his tray and, once seated, shoveled it into his mouth in silence. In contrast, Hyun Ho-jun barely paused his chatter.

"I've been assigned here for about a year now, and I saw you from a distance back then. At first, I thought I was mistaken, but then I saw you again. That's when I realized you worked here. Ever since then, I've wanted to talk to you, but for some reason, our schedules never aligned. When your team worked mornings, we'd be on afternoons, and it just kept happening like that."

His tone carried a hint of frustration, as if lamenting his past missed opportunities.

Kang I-won paused his meal and looked at Hyun Ho-jun. No matter how hard he searched his memory, he couldn't recall meeting him before. He began to wonder if Hyun Ho-jun was mistaken.

After a moment of consideration, Kang I-won asked, "When did we meet? Not the snake, before that."

"It'd be great if you remembered it yourself, but… honestly, I figured you wouldn't. It's just something Espers experience all the time, nothing special."

Something Espers experience all the time? Kang I-won tilted his head slightly in confusion, prompting Hyun Ho-jun to start his story.

"It was five years ago. Back when I was still living in Gyeongju."

Five years ago. That matched the time when Kang I-won had been stationed at the Gyeongju branch. He nodded and listened as Hyun Ho-jun recounted his memory.

Back then, Hyun Ho-jun had lived in a small neighborhood in Gyeongju, helping his mother run a restaurant. One day, a monster appeared in their area.

The monster partially destroyed his mother's restaurant, forcing them to flee in desperation. While they were running, another monster ambushed them. In that moment, when he thought he was surely going to die, Kang I-won appeared.

Hyun Ho-jun vividly remembered how Kang I-won had risked his life, sacrificing parts of his own body, to save him. That image had been seared into his mind ever since.

That was all there was to it.

Rescuing civilians while dealing with monsters was an everyday occurrence for Espers. It was so routine that it was impossible to remember every instance. For Kang I-won, saving Hyun Ho-jun had been nothing special—a mundane, unremarkable moment lost somewhere in the corners of his memory.

But Hyun Ho-jun continued.

"I'm an Esper too, so I understand. For you, it was such a common occurrence that you wouldn't remember it. But for me, it wasn't just another day—it was a once-in-a-lifetime moment."

His eyes shone with emotion.

"Since that day, I've wanted to see you again. I wanted to thank you properly for saving my life back then."

With that, Hyun Ho-jun bowed his head deeply.

"Thank you so much for saving me that day."

Receiving gratitude for something he didn't even remember made Kang I-won feel awkward and burdened.

"I wasn't looking for thanks or anything," he replied.

"I know. But I still wanted to say it."

With his limited social skills and narrow circle of acquaintances, Kang I-won had no idea how to handle a situation like this. After a moment of hesitation, he carefully asked,

"…Um, what happened to the restaurant?"

"We got some compensation from the government, took out a loan, and repaired it. My mom's still running it there to this day."

Hearing this, Kang I-won nodded slightly, relieved that things had worked out for Hyun Ho-jun and his family.

* * *

Beep-beep-beep— The alert tone of the device sounded, accompanied by a flashing blue light. Just as Kang I-won was about to take his first bite, his hand paused mid-air.

Most Espers would abandon their meals and rush out immediately in such situations. The longer they delayed, the greater the damage would be. Kang I-won was no exception.

Stuffing a chocolate bar from his pocket into his mouth, he hurried to the underground parking lot. By the time he arrived, the rest of his team was already there. The vehicle driven by Han Kang-jin roared out of the center, swift and aggressive.

The monster's location was at the farthest edge of Team 5's designated area, making the journey inconveniently long. Fortunately, the roads were clear due to the odd timing, allowing the team to speed toward the site.

"Finally, you're here!"

When they arrived on the scene, the lone Esper holding off the monster greeted Team 5 with obvious relief.

Luckily, the damage was minimal. The situation had been contained thanks to a nearby Esper with the ability to create transparent walls, which prevented the monster from moving freely.

The monster they encountered resembled a porcupine, except the quills on its back were not actual spines but thin snakes. Its grotesque form, with writhing snakes tightly packed and squirming on its back, made Kim Young-ho gag slightly, letting out a faint "Ugh."

The monster crouched low, trembling violently. With a strange noise—"Koop!"—the snakes on its back shot out like spikes. Some were stopped by the transparent barrier, but others pierced trees, utility poles, and nearby buildings.

The snake-like spines, now lodged into various surfaces, suddenly lost their rigid form. Slithering free, they darted toward fleeing civilians, causing terrified screams to echo across the area.

Watching the scene unfold, Han Kang-jin asked succinctly,

"Can you burn through that thickness quickly?"

"Yes, I think so," Hyun Ho-jun replied with a confident nod.

"Then let's take it out immediately. It's best to end this quickly, especially with someone suited for the job. Young-ho, handle the snakes on the ground."

"Yes, sir!"

Kim Young-ho responded, gripping his weapon tightly and bracing himself for action.

There were no specific instructions directed at Kang I-won, but he readied himself and moved forward. However, a hand caught the edge of his jacket, stopping him.

Turning his head, he saw Heo Do-gyeong with a sullen expression.

"Where are you going? You're supposed to protect me."

"I need to deal with the monster…"

"And leave me alone with all these snakes crawling around?"

Heo Do-gyeong wasn't wrong. Kang I-won hesitated briefly, glancing at Han Kang-jin. The team leader, watching them out of the corner of his eye, gave a small nod, silently approving the directive to stay and protect the Guide.

Kang I-won frowned as he reluctantly stood by Heo Do-gyeong's side. The idea of standing there, actively guarding someone, felt entirely unnatural—like wearing an ill-fitting suit. His palms grew damp with nervous sweat as he adjusted to the unfamiliar role.

Watching flames surge like a tidal wave to engulf the snakes, Kang I-won muttered,

"You should still ask for someone else to guard you. It doesn't have to be me."

"I've already told you—I refuse."

Heo Do-gyeong's firm tone left no room for argument. Kang I-won's frown deepened.

"As I said before, I'm not good at protecting others. Honestly, I'm just trying to survive myself. To be frank, I don't trust myself to protect you."

"Why are you so sure you'll fail without even trying?"

Kang I-won didn't need to try—he already knew. Over the past decade as an Esper, he'd tried to protect countless things. Yet, the things he truly wanted to safeguard always slipped away. Like sand through his fingers, they crumbled despite his efforts.

He understood what it meant to fail at protecting something, which was why he could speak with certainty.

But Heo Do-gyeong, oblivious to these truths, stood his ground. He showed no intention of reconsidering. Almost unconsciously, Kang I-won muttered,

"I've already failed—"

Before he could finish, a snake-like spike, one that hadn't been intercepted, shot straight toward Heo Do-gyeong. Without thinking, Kang I-won's arm extended instinctively.

Thwack! The sensation of something sharp tearing through his flesh was followed by a surge of searing pain in his forearm.

The snake lodged in Kang I-won's forearm writhed, making its presence known. Every ripple of its movement sent sharp, stinging pain through his arm. Heo Do-gyeong's face twisted in horror as he watched the snake's head squirm threateningly right in front of him.

"What do you think you're doing?!"

"I just protected you, Guide Heo. Lucky, wasn't it?"

Kang I-won grabbed the snake's head, yanked it out roughly, and discarded it. Half of the snake, drenched in blood, glistened crimson. His forearm, pierced clean through, trembled slightly as blood trickled down.

As Kang I-won spoke nonchalantly, more focused on removing the snake than the situation, Heo Do-gyeong's voice rose, tinged with incredulity and a slight tremor.

"Instead of stretching your arm out, you could've pushed me out of the way or pulled me back! Who sticks their arm out like that?!"

"Oh."

A faint, almost indifferent sound of acknowledgment escaped Kang I-won as if he hadn't considered that option. He plunged a blade into the snake's head, ending its movements.

"Well, I still protected you, didn't I? But since there might be other dangers I can't stop, I still think—"

"Stop!"

Cutting him off mid-sentence, Heo Do-gyeong's voice shook with frustration.

"When I said to protect me, I didn't mean you should throw your body at every threat!"

Kang I-won tilted his head slightly, confused by the outburst. If throwing himself into danger ensured Heo Do-gyeong's safety, wasn't that a good deal?

"I don't get it. If you're safe, isn't it worth it, even if I have to sacrifice myself?"

Heo Do-gyeong's expression froze for a moment before he took a deep breath, clearly struggling to process the statement.

Even now, Kang I-won's pierced forearm was regenerating, but if that snake had hit Heo Do-gyeong's shoulder instead, the situation would have spiraled out of control.

Heo Do-gyeong had told him to protect him, and this was the only way Kang I-won knew how to protect someone.

But he also understood Heo Do-gyeong's point. The snake had stopped halfway through his forearm, but if it had pierced all the way through and reached Heo Do-gyeong, the mere thought was exhausting enough to make Kang I-won abandon the scenario altogether.

"If something like this happens again… just push or pull me out of the way next time. That's all you need to do."

"Alright, I'll do that," Kang I-won replied, nodding without resistance.

The ease of his agreement made Heo Do-gyeong narrow his eyes suspiciously at him, but he didn't press further. Instead, he stared at Kang I-won's arm, watching as the regeneration completed. Once it was fully healed, Heo Do-gyeong extended his hand.

Kang I-won tilted his head in confusion, prompting Heo Do-gyeong to frown slightly as he spoke.

"Give me your hand. I'll guide you."

The idea was bizarre. Someone who normally avoided guiding at all costs was suddenly offering it? Kang I-won hesitated, then shook his head.

"…I don't need it right now."

"You look like you need it. Just give me your hand."

Without waiting for permission, Heo Do-gyeong roughly grabbed Kang I-won's hand. The thin material of his glove felt strange against his skin, and Kang I-won found himself unsettled by how awkward he felt about it.

The bland, almost watery sensation of the guiding gradually soothed the turbulent waves of Kang I-won's energy. It felt no different from the usual guiding he received, but for some inexplicable reason, his toes twitched slightly.

It left him quietly perplexed.

* * *

As the season of blooming cherry blossoms arrived, two months had passed since Heo Do-gyeong began working in the field as a Field Guide.

"Kang I-won, you must lack learning ability," Heo Do-gyeong said sharply.

Over those two months, Heo Do-gyeong had consistently found ways to criticize him.

"What's the point of telling you anything? You just ignore me and end up with holes in your body every time."

In truth, his words came from concern. But his tone was so biting that it always sounded like a quarrel.

Kang I-won, rubbing his ankle casually, replied in a flat voice, "Just mind your own business."

"How can I mind my own business when you look like that?"

"Just don't pay attention, that's how."

Letting out an exasperated sigh, Kang I-won dismissed him. But another voice chimed in from behind, backing him up.

"Exactly. Sunbae has his own way of doing things. You should respect that. Not respecting it is no different from disregarding Sunbae himself."

It was Hyun Ho-jun, inserting himself into the conversation.

Heo Do-gyeong frowned openly at the interruption, rebutting quickly.

"I'm not disregarding him; I'm pointing out what needs to be corrected. If his methods are flawed, I'll point it out so he can fix them."

"Calling his methods flawed sounds like a personal opinion to me," Hyun Ho-jun countered smoothly.

"It's a perfectly logical judgment. He keeps injuring himself unnecessarily, even when there's no need to, and you call that a proper way to work?"

Watching the exchange, Han Kang-jin and Kim Young-ho exchanged weary glances.

"Ugh, they're at it again. Don't they ever get tired of this?" Han Kang-jin muttered.

"Right? At least it gives you a break from nagging, Team Leader," Kim Young-ho replied with a grin.

"Exactly," Han Kang-jin muttered, resigned.

Recently, Team 5's arguments had become so frequent that they followed a predictable pattern.

Kang I-won would push himself to the brink while defeating monsters, prompting Heo Do-gyeong to criticize him for it. Hyun Ho-jun would then jump in to defend Kang I-won, and what started as an argument between two people would inevitably turn into a full-blown spat between Heo Do-gyeong and Hyun Ho-jun.

At first, Kang I-won had tried awkwardly to intervene when Hyun Ho-jun joined in. But now, tired of the constant bickering, he'd quietly slip away whenever the two began their verbal sparring. It was pointless to mediate—they never listened.

Instead, he would leave them to their squabble and start cleaning up the monster's corpse. Eventually, Heo Do-gyeong and Hyun Ho-jun, looking sheepish, would stop arguing and come over to help.

Cleaning up monster corpses wasn't something a Guide was required to do, but Heo Do-gyeong never excused himself from the task.

Of course, he had his rituals. Before touching the corpse, he would take a deep breath, put on a mask he'd brought along, and swap his gloves for thicker ones. Then, after another deep breath, he would start helping with the cleanup.

His frown, visible above his mask, always spoke volumes about his discomfort.

Once the task was done, he would discard the gloves that had come into contact with the monster and replace them with a fresh pair. But there was no solution for his clothes, stained with blood and fluids. Until they returned to the center, his displeasure was written all over his face. Despite this, he never shirked his duties.

Heo Do-gyeong's behavior was a contradiction. He appeared aloof and critical, yet diligent and courteous in his own way. The complexity of his personality made it difficult to form a definitive opinion of him, but in the end, Kang I-won couldn't bring himself to dislike him.

After all, even Heo Do-gyeong's harsh words were rooted in concern. How could he hate someone who worried about him?

That didn't make the constant nagging any less of a nuisance. Even the well-meaning concern of his only friend, Choi Soo-bin, often felt like a burden to Kang I-won.

Stretching his back after finishing the cleanup, Kang I-won stood up. His recently healed ankle ached slightly, but he ignored it, unwilling to invite another round of scolding. Instead, he simply stretched and moved on.

"Guide Heo, could I trouble you for some guiding…?" Kim Young-ho asked hesitantly.

"It's not urgent. Just wait until we're back at the center," Heo Do-gyeong replied curtly.

Kim Young-ho, clearly deflated by the blunt response, started trudging ahead.

"Then why does Sunbae… No, never mind. I'll wait until we're back…"

As Kim Young-ho walked off, Kang I-won glanced at Heo Do-gyeong, his eyes lingering for a moment.

With Choi Soo-bin gone, Kang I-won thought he'd have fewer people nagging him. But now someone had come along to fill that void. Worse, there was even someone stoking the fire, adding to his frustration.

I wish they'd all just leave me alone, Kang I-won sighed quietly, tired of the unwanted attention.

After wrapping up the cleanup, the team returned to the center. After a shower and a satisfying meal, Kang I-won walked leisurely toward the guiding room, thinking of Heo Do-gyeong.

From the beginning, Heo Do-gyeong had misunderstood him, only to resolve his misunderstanding entirely on his own. His apology had been just as straightforward—direct and clean: "I apologize for the misunderstanding." It hadn't bothered Kang I-won much.

If only things had ended there and Heo Do-gyeong had returned to Seoul. But instead, he began poking at parts of Kang I-won he didn't want exposed, passing judgments on him again. And now, he even worried about him—sometimes more than Choi Soo-bin ever did.

If that concern were purely annoying, it would be easier to deal with.

The problem was that the concern wasn't entirely unwelcome.

And for Kang I-won, that was a dangerous thing.

Most Espers inevitably grew dependent on their Guides. Guiding was essential for an Esper's survival—it was something they couldn't avoid.

But Kang I-won didn't want to rely on a Guide. It was a ridiculous thought for an Esper, but it was how he felt. He wanted to avoid dependence.

Yet, if someone like Heo Do-gyeong kept acting that way, Kang I-won feared he might be drawn in despite himself. He tried to steel his resolve, but the cracks in his determination were widening.

He didn't want Heo Do-gyeong to occupy even the smallest corner of his heart.

Kang I-won placed a hand on his chest. For now, it's still fine.

Pausing in front of the guiding room, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath to calm himself. Then, knocking on the door, he stepped inside.

Inside, Heo Do-gyeong was no longer wearing his field gear but had changed into casual clothes. With a knit sweater over a shirt, he exuded a relaxed air, more suited to a university campus than a Guide center. He looked like someone who'd be quite popular—likely more than just "quite."

Did he even go to college? For a moment, the thought crossed Kang I-won's mind. If he'd been an ordinary person, he'd still be college-aged. But Kang I-won dismissed the question. What does it matter? It's not like I need to know anything about him.

Kang I-won sat across from Heo Do-gyeong. The relaxed atmosphere instantly shifted, and Heo Do-gyeong greeted him in a slightly sharp tone.

"You're a little late."

"I stopped for a meal first."

Heo Do-gyeong extended his bare hand. Since that day they had shared a meal, when Heo Do-gyeong had clasped his bloodied hand, he had occasionally guided with bare hands—though only for Kang I-won. With others, he still wore gloves.

Kang I-won took the hand, now slightly rougher than when he'd first held it. Heo Do-gyeong's energy gently enveloped Kang I-won's turbulent waves, calming them gradually. Yet, Kang I-won's heart remained restless. He couldn't understand why Heo Do-gyeong treated him this way.

Why did he worry so much about him? Why did he guide him barehanded when he wouldn't do the same for others? And why had he volunteered to guide in the field, something he had once openly despised? These small but unmistakable acts of favoritism made Kang I-won press his lips together tightly.

This kind of treatment wasn't good. He didn't want it. Trying to steady his unsettled thoughts, Kang I-won asked,

"…When are you going back to Seoul, Guide Heo?"

"Why are you asking all of a sudden?"

"Just curious."

Heo Do-gyeong frowned, ignoring the question. His reaction made Kang I-won more certain that, sooner or later, Heo Do-gyeong would leave for Seoul.

That thought brought Kang I-won a small sense of relief.

"Your waves are more unstable than I expected. Why didn't you come yesterday?"

As Heo Do-gyeong shifted the subject, Kang I-won responded as he usually did.

"There was an emergency yesterday afternoon. I was handling that."

"You wouldn't have come even if there wasn't."

Then why ask? Kang I-won gave him a sullen look, but Heo Do-gyeong continued without looking at him.

"Still, when it gets to this point, you should come."

"I thought I was fine."

"You weren't."

Their conversation, though routine and devoid of raised voices, carried its usual rhythm. The exchange was surprisingly ordinary, even amid their differences.

"You went to the cafeteria again, didn't you? I heard the food's bad there."

"It's edible."

Growl. Kang I-won's stomach protested loudly, declaring its hunger. Heo Do-gyeong raised an eyebrow skeptically.

"I thought you said you already ate?"

"I did. I ate until I was full."

Kang I-won rubbed his flat stomach, tilting his head in confusion. When his stomach growled again, a tinge of embarrassment crossed his face. Heo Do-gyeong chuckled softly.

"Sounds like you didn't eat. Maybe you should go grab something now."

"No, I definitely ate. Maybe my digestion's just unusually fast today."

"Make sure you're eating properly."

"I did eat properly."

After reaching a compromise thanks to Choi Soo-bin's earlier interventions, peace had returned between them—for the most part.

Of course, when Heo Do-gyeong began joining field missions, their usual disagreements, thought to have disappeared, resurfaced in new forms. However, at least in the guiding room, peace remained intact.

Through the contact between them, Heo Do-gyeong's energy delicately analyzed Kang I-won's turbulent waves. The erratic chaos calmed, settling into a more stable rhythm. Yet beneath the newfound stability lingered an unresolved, faint sense of unease—a reminder that the root of the problem had not been addressed.

Since their compromise, Heo Do-gyeong's guiding was neither perfectly smooth nor entirely satisfying. It felt like it filled in just enough gaps to function, but no more. Moreover, it lacked the deeper stability Kang I-won didn't want to acknowledge needing.

What others might view as insufficient or incomplete guiding, Kang I-won found to be satisfactory.

Since the agreement, Kang I-won had stopped relying on guiding supplements. He still carried them around out of habit, but there hadn't been any need to use them. With Heo Do-gyeong now present in the field, even in emergencies, Kang I-won turned to him for guiding rather than the medication.

Though the constant guiding sessions helped mitigate his symptoms, they didn't leave him feeling fully refreshed. However, he no longer struggled with sleepless nights like he used to.

With remarkable precision, Heo Do-gyeong provided only the level of guiding Kang I-won needed, no more, no less. His energy withdrew neatly, and though their hands remained clasped for a moment longer, the session was complete.

"Was it enough?" Heo Do-gyeong asked.

"It was perfect," Kang I-won replied.

With that, they released each other's hands without hesitation.

* * *

Patrolling, eliminating monsters, responding to calls, and occasionally being deployed alone for emergencies—it was the same routine, day after day.

Even payday, which came once a month, brought no excitement. Kang I-won divided his salary into various allocations with mechanical precision.

The largest portion of his paycheck always went toward paying off his debt. And now, he was nearing the end of that burden.

If he hadn't been an Esper, or if he had remained a B-rank instead of advancing to A-rank, the thought of clearing his debt would have been a distant dream.

It was a debt that had dragged on for over a decade. The thought of finally being free of it felt almost unreal, and he couldn't yet imagine what it would feel like when that day came.

Instead, he began to think about what he would do after the debt was paid.

Having that financial weight lifted would give him more breathing room in life. Maybe he could treat the people around him for a change, instead of always being the one treated. Besides Choi Soo-bin and his team members, there weren't many others to share a meal with, but it was still a nice thought.

Or perhaps he could splurge on something for himself—like visiting a nice restaurant. Something like that upscale Korean dining place Heo Do-gyeong had taken him to once. That had been quite the experience.

If he didn't know of any good places, he could always ask Heo Do-gyeong. Surely, he would have some recommendations. After all, Heo Do-gyeong had treated him to that fancy meal before; it only seemed fair to return the favor someday.

Picking up a new hobby could also be an idea. While he didn't have any specific interests, he could ask Choi Soo-bin for advice—she always seemed to have some lighthearted activities to suggest.

Or maybe he could follow Kim Young-ho's lead and take up gaming. It had been years since he last played a game—since middle school, to be exact. He didn't even know what games were popular now or how to play them, but he figured he'd get the hang of it eventually.

Kang I-won had spent much of his life drowning in debt, suppressing countless desires along the way. Once free, it would make sense to start indulging in the things he'd denied himself.

But no matter what he imagined, nothing sparked joy or anticipation. None of the things he had gone without could truly excite him.

There was, however, one desire that stirred his heart—a wish he longed for more than anything.

But it was the one thing that could never be fulfilled.

No matter how much he wished for it, no matter what he did, it was unattainable.

The one thing granted to everyone else was forever out of his reach.

Familiar faces flickered in his mind, and he closed his eyes against the bittersweet memories. Sharp, vivid emotions swirled, only to leave behind the ache of an impossible dream. The dormant melancholy beneath it all stirred, prompting him to stretch as if shaking it off.

"What are you doing there?"

A familiar voice shattered his thoughts. The melancholy, startled by the interruption, receded, leaving only faint ripples behind. Slowly, Kang I-won opened his eyes to find Heo Do-gyeong standing over him with a disapproving expression.

In a slightly weary tone, Kang I-won replied,

"Just resting."

"Looked like you were deep in some strange thoughts."

"I wasn't thinking about anything special," he said, masking his true feelings. Closing his eyes again, he sensed someone sitting beside him. He didn't need to look to know it was Heo Do-gyeong.

"Weren't you on your way somewhere?" he asked without glancing over.

"It's not like I've rented this space."

Kang I-won had slouched on one end of a long sofa that could comfortably seat three. The remaining two seats were free for anyone.

But did it have to be here? Why did Heo Do-gyeong, of all people, choose this spot? Annoyed but unwilling to voice his irritation, Kang I-won stayed quiet.

Heo Do-gyeong didn't say anything either—no questions, no comments, just his silent presence beside him, a quiet assertion of I'm here.

Oddly, Kang I-won found that calm silence and subtle presence comforting. He ended up staying on the sofa longer than he had planned.

* * *

The monster resembled a hybrid of a crow and a chicken. Its overall appearance was that of a crow, but the comb on its head and the wattle hanging below its black beak brought to mind a chicken.

There were a total of seven of these crow-chicken hybrids. Two teams were assigned to handle them, with Team 5, Kang I-won's team, taking on four.

Kim Young-ho's electricity quickly stunned one of the monsters, causing it to collapse in a jerking fit. While it thrashed on the ground, Kang I-won's dagger pierced the joint of its wing.

Three swift stabs rendered one of its wings useless. As it attempted to take flight, the crow monster stumbled and fell. Han Kang-jin's massive shield was waiting for it.

"Hup!"

With a powerful thrust, the sharp edge of the shield pierced through the monster's neck, pinning it to the ground. Headless, the crow monster twitched briefly before going limp.

"If they weren't flying types, I could help more," Hyun Ho-jun commented regretfully, standing beside Heo Do-gyeong.

As someone who wielded fire, Hyun Ho-jun was excluded from direct combat against flying monsters. Instead, he was tasked with protecting Heo Do-gyeong in Kang I-won's stead.

Hyun Ho-jun's flames were ferocious, capable of reducing everything in their path to mere ashes with their intense heat and devastating power.

However, when it came to larger monsters, their deaths were often prolonged. Fire might be effective, but it wasn't always instantaneous.

For now, Hyun Ho-jun watched as the team systematically took down the crow monsters, his frustration barely concealed.

Hyun Ho-jun's flames, capable of incinerating smaller monsters in an instant, burned through larger ones slowly, starting from the outside. The monsters trapped in his fire would writhe in agony, their screams echoing as they struggled.

Fortunately, Hyun Ho-jun's flames only burned what he willed them to. They wouldn't ignite anything he didn't intend to burn. Even if a monster rubbed its burning body against a tree in desperation, the flames wouldn't spread unless Hyun Ho-jun allowed it.

However, that didn't mean there was no effect. His flames wouldn't spread, but they could still scorch. Leaves turned to dust, leaving no trace behind, and trunks charred into brittle, blackened husks.

Hyun Ho-jun's flames, though controlled in their reach, had the power to reduce anything to ashes.

If Hyun Ho-jun's control over his flames were just a bit better, things might have been different. However, Han Kang-jin had judged his control insufficient and deemed it too risky. Poor control could cause catastrophic damage.

If a monster engulfed in Hyun Ho-jun's fire managed to escape his range of control, the devastation could be unimaginable.

Thus, Han Kang-jin had excluded him from direct combat in this battle.

Instead, Kang I-won had taken up the role. With his dagger in hand, he worked to lure the cunning airborne monsters that circled above, waiting for an opening. His blade, designed to kill monsters, gleamed in the light—but instead of cutting a monster, it nicked his own arm.

The sudden gush of blood stained his forearm, the vivid red dripping onto the ground. The sharp scent of blood lured one of the monsters, which opened its beak wide and dived toward him.

Kim Young-ho quickly summoned an arc of electricity to intercept it, but the monster twisted mid-flight, evading the attack in an unnaturally fluid motion.

The crow-like creature, now in full dive, clamped its open beak down on Kang I-won's torso.

Despite being perfectly capable of dodging, Kang I-won didn't. Instead, he drove his dagger vertically into the eye of the monster biting into his torso. The blade sank deep, twisting into its brain. The monster let out a high-pitched, guttural scream before convulsing violently and collapsing, lifeless.

Watching from a distance, Heo Do-gyeong frowned instinctively.

He hated Kang I-won's self-destructive tendencies. It grated on his nerves. As much as he wanted to heed Kang I-won's advice and simply stop caring, he couldn't. His attention had already been firmly captured.

That was why he had impulsively become a Field Guide and followed Kang I-won to the field.

A dissatisfied mutter escaped his lips.

"Does he really have to do that?"

"That's just Sunbae's way," Hyun Ho-jun replied, grinning as he watched Kang I-won, not even sparing a glance at Heo Do-gyeong.

Heo Do-gyeong turned a side-eye toward Hyun Ho-jun. He didn't like him. Everything about Hyun Ho-jun, from his constant cheerful interference to his defense of Kang I-won's methods, rubbed him the wrong way.

In a sharp, argumentative tone, Heo Do-gyeong spoke up.

"That's not a method; it's self-harm. He could have easily avoided that, but he didn't. And you call that a method?"

"Yes, it's Sunbae's method. And I respect it," Hyun Ho-jun replied, still smiling.

A dry, incredulous laugh escaped Heo Do-gyeong.

That's a method worth respecting?

Not in Heo Do-gyeong's book.

"That's self-harm," he said firmly.

"There's nothing right about casually sacrificing your own body like that. A broken habit built on flawed logic needs to be fixed."

Kang I-won's approach was something no one should grow used to. It was already bad enough, but letting it get worse was unacceptable.

"That's not something to respect," Heo Do-gyeong continued.

"It's a bad habit that needs to be corrected."

At Heo Do-gyeong's words, Hyun Ho-jun shook his head firmly.

"Guide-nim, you're a Guide, so you wouldn't understand. Don't try to understand—just accept it. And, if possible, I'd appreciate it if you stopped insulting Sunbae."

Heo Do-gyeong let out a short, incredulous laugh.

"Are you saying I insulted Kang I-won?"

"Yes. You're constantly denouncing his methods. But you don't have the right to do that, Guide-nim. Frankly, it's an overstep."

"And it seems Hyun Ho-jun-ssi is the one overstepping now."

"My apologies for that," Hyun Ho-jun said lightly, inclining his head.

Heo Do-gyeong was well aware that he didn't have the authority to dictate Kang I-won's methods.

But his methods were deeply self-destructive, and what was more troubling was that he showed no hesitation about them. His indifference to self-inflicted pain signaled a deeper problem.

Even in situations where it wasn't necessary, Kang I-won recklessly threw himself into harm's way. These weren't accidents—they were deliberate actions.

Just like now.

How could Heo Do-gyeong watch that intentional self-harm unfold again and again without intervening?

Heo Do-gyeong knew someone else who had deliberately harmed themselves. Someone who habitually engaged in acts of self-harm, though never enough to threaten their life outright.

He had tried to stop them, but his words had fallen on deaf ears. His voice never reached them.

In the end, he had grown weary and turned his back, just like everyone else had.

She had died, alone and ignored by all.

She had left behind a grotesque smile as she quietly slipped away in a moment no one had anticipated, shocking everyone with her sudden death.

That memory remained etched into Heo Do-gyeong's mind, vivid and inescapable.

Of course, Kang I-won was different. Unlike her, Kang I-won had regenerative abilities. Ordinary injuries couldn't kill him.

But could he be so sure?

What if his abilities suddenly failed him one day? What if he reached an unforeseen limit of his powers, and his body succumbed to death?

The thought made Heo Do-gyeong's chest tighten with unease.

Heo Do-gyeong couldn't help but worry that Kang I-won might end up like her—dying an empty, senseless death.

Everyone expected Kang I-won to regenerate, but what if one day, suddenly, he didn't? What if he received an unforeseen wound on an unexpected day and succumbed to it before anyone realized what had happened?

The thought gnawed at him.

If someone were to ask Heo Do-gyeong why he was so concerned about Kang I-won, he wouldn't have an answer.

There was no precise reason. He simply was. His concern lacked logic, but did it need any?

Wasn't Kang I-won's reckless behavior reason enough to inspire worry without explanation?

"Doesn't Hyun Ho-jun care about this at all?" Heo Do-gyeong asked sharply.

"Care about what?"

"Kang I-won recklessly abuses his own body. He's often covered in blood, and it's excessive. Don't you ever worry about him?"

As a Field Guide, Heo Do-gyeong had observed Kang I-won closely.

Kang I-won treated his body as a tool, offering it up as bait to monsters without hesitation if it would help him defeat them. He didn't seem to regard his own body as anything more than an expendable object. If a higher-grade monster appeared, he would undoubtedly throw himself into even greater danger.

"Have you ever thought he might die because of it?"

"Die? Who? Sunbae?"

Hyun Ho-jun sounded incredulous—perhaps even offended—when he replied.

"Sunbae won't die. Guide-nim clearly doesn't understand Sunbae's abilities. But I guess you've never seen them in action. If I hadn't witnessed it myself…"

Hyun Ho-jun trailed off, lost in thought. His lips curled into a faint smile as if recalling something vivid.

Disgusted, Heo Do-gyeong frowned deeply and took a step back.

The idea of Kang I-won being "unkillable" was absurd to Heo Do-gyeong. Just because he couldn't die didn't mean he couldn't feel pain. Yet these foolish Espers seemed to equate immortality with invulnerability.

Espers, Heo Do-gyeong thought bitterly. They're all unhinged in their own ways.

"Do you know something?"

"What?"

"I don't like you, Hyun Ho-jun."

"Ha! What a coincidence. The feeling's mutual."

As the two exchanged unnecessary barbs, the seven monsters that had initially appeared were now down to just two.

The remaining monsters circled cautiously above, out of the range of the long-distance Espers' attacks, watching the Espers below with wary eyes.

"They're not coming down," Kim Young-ho grumbled, squinting up at the sky. The bright sunlight made it painful to look up for too long.

A multi-ability Esper fighting in the air struggled to keep up. The remaining monsters, having lost five of their comrades, were careful and avoided direct confrontation, dodging rather than attacking, making it difficult to land effective blows.

After some thought, Han Kang-jin spoke.

"Time to go up and deal with them."

"Got it."

Without needing further clarification, Kang I-won stretched briefly and prepared himself. Since the monsters weren't coming down, it was only logical for him to go up.

He stepped onto Han Kang-jin's shield without hesitation. Han Kang-jin exhaled deeply, focusing his energy.

Although primarily a physical reinforcement Esper, Han Kang-jin possessed a secondary ability—a force-releasing technique. While not particularly powerful in most combat scenarios, it came in handy during situations like this.

Gathering his energy, Han Kang-jin directed it into his shield. The concentrated force surged through the shield, propelling it—and Kang I-won standing atop it—like a rocket into the air.

The shield shot upward, soaring past the frost-affinity Esper struggling midair and even overshooting the monsters themselves.

Kaak, kaak! The crow-like creatures screeched mockingly as the shield zoomed past them without making contact, seemingly a wasted effort.

As the shield's ascent began to slow, it arced and started its descent.

Kang I-won, calm and calculating, gripped the hilt of the dagger at his waist, scanning his trajectory. Below him, the two monsters were completely unaware. His target: the head of the monster on the left.

Using the momentum of the falling shield, Kang I-won launched himself into the air, positioning his blade vertically for a direct strike.

The acceleration from his freefall added to his speed, turning him into a sharp missile aimed at his prey.

The monster, sensing something too late, looked up. But by then, it was over.

Thunk!

Kang I-won's dagger buried itself deep between the monster's eyes, half the hilt sinking into its skull. The sticky, metallic smell of blood coated his hand as it seeped down the weapon.

Without wasting time trying to retrieve the deeply embedded dagger, Kang I-won used the monster's limp body as a springboard. His movements were swift and deliberate, propelling himself back into the air, narrowly avoiding a dangerous fall.

Kang I-won's target was now the last remaining monster, unaware of the situation just yet.

The distance was precarious—he might have failed to reach it and plummeted to the ground. Fortunately, his hand latched onto the long tail feathers of the creature, using them like a rope to climb onto its body.

As Kang I-won prepared to draw his remaining dagger, the monster finally realized what was happening. It reacted by shaking its body violently, attempting to throw him off.

Kang I-won immediately pressed himself low against the creature's back, gripping its feathers tightly to stay on. The monster screeched angrily, jerking its body with even more vigor. Kang I-won clung stubbornly, refusing to let go.

Irritated by the persistent human clinging to it, the monster let out a shrill cry and abruptly changed direction, climbing higher into the sky. The rush of wind whipped past Kang I-won, tossing his hair wildly in all directions.

When the monster reached a certain altitude, it suddenly halted mid-air. The abrupt stop caused Kang I-won's body to lift momentarily off its back, giving the creature an opening to dive downward at high speed.

Kang I-won's grip faltered but held firm just in time. The monster continued its rapid ascents and descents, attempting to dislodge him through sheer force. The shifting altitudes made his ears pop and adjust repeatedly, disorienting him.

Gritting his teeth, Kang I-won clung tightly to the creature's body. At the very least, if he managed to stay attached, he should be able to tear off one of its wings.

But raising his arm to strike was a struggle against the fierce wind pressure. It was clear he wouldn't last long at this rate—his stamina would eventually give out.

If only the creature would pause for just a moment—

As if in response to his thoughts, a strange, slightly concave wall of fire about a meter in diameter appeared in front of the monster. Its shape resembled a lens, radiating such intense heat that even from a distance, Kang I-won could feel its scorching temperature.

It was Hyun Ho-jun's doing.

The monster panicked, twisting its body to avoid the fiery obstacle. But the wall had appeared so close that the edge of its body grazed the flames. Hyun Ho-jun's fire latched onto its feathers and ignited instantly.

"Kyaaaak!!"

The creature screeched in pain, halting its frantic climbs and dives. It began flapping its wings erratically, desperate to extinguish the fire. Hyun Ho-jun's flames, relentless and unyielding, consumed the feathers and began searing into the flesh beneath.

Though the monster continued to thrash violently, its movements were now slower and less chaotic. Kang I-won recognized the opportunity. While aiming for the neck was still too risky, targeting one of its wings was now well within reach.

The fire consuming the monster grew more intense, threatening to engulf even Kang I-won. The heat was palpable, his skin uncomfortably warm and flushed. He needed to end this quickly.

As the monster thrashed wildly, Kang I-won reached for his last dagger at his waist. But just as he grasped the hilt, a violent jolt from the creature made him lose his grip, the dagger falling uselessly into the abyss below.

Damn it. That was my last one. He clicked his tongue in frustration.

Fortunately, another Esper quickly assessed the situation and fired an ice arrow. Conscious of Kang I-won clinging to the monster, the arrow was lodged shallowly in a safe but awkward position. Kang I-won stretched out his hand and yanked it free.

With a burst of strength, he drove the arrow into the joint of the monster's wing. The flapping ceased abruptly, the wing rendered useless.

One wing burned to ashes, and the other disabled by the ice arrow, the monster began to plummet.

The flames on its body intensified as it fell, spreading rapidly from a few feathers to engulfing half its body. The searing fire posed a new threat to Kang I-won, who clung to the monster's side.

He hesitated briefly, unsure how to proceed, when the fire consuming the monster began to subside. Hyun Ho-jun's flames, powerful but controlled, gradually dwindled. Kang I-won exhaled in relief, scanning the ground for a landing point.

His eyes caught sight of a tall tree with long, sturdy branches. It was the perfect spot to break his fall. Timing his jump carefully, Kang I-won kicked off the monster's body and leaped toward the tree.

He managed to grab hold of a thick branch, but his grip, weakened from clinging to the monster, faltered. He slipped, tumbling down through the branches.

Luckily, one of the branches slowed his fall enough to prevent serious injury.

Thud! Kang I-won landed flat on his back with a loud noise. Pain shot through him like a cracking whip, but it wasn't anything he couldn't handle.

Not bad, considering. He thought, lying still as his body began its slow regeneration. The strain of healing left him famished.

With his eyes closed, Kang I-won felt a shadow fall over him. Someone was standing nearby. He debated opening his eyes but chose to remain still; his eyes had sustained minor burns from Hyun Ho-jun's fire, and he wanted to avoid the light.

A moment later, a hand touched his neck. The sensation was hesitant, trembling. The light touch of two fingers told him someone was checking his pulse.

Instinctively, Kang I-won opened his eyes, despite the sting. Above him, Heo Do-gyeong's face came into view, twisted with an expression Kang I-won had never seen before—strained and deeply unsettled.

"…Ah," Kang I-won muttered, caught off guard.

He can make a face like that?

His heartbeat quickened, erratic and unfamiliar. Kang I-won blinked, rolling his eyes in confusion. What's happening? I'm not startled… Is this just the impact from the fall catching up to me? It's never happened before.

Even as his thoughts wandered, Heo Do-gyeong's trembling fingers stayed at his pulse, his hand unsteady.

Kang I-won found himself looking at Heo Do-gyeong again. That face, still distorted with worry, drew his gaze back. There was a weight in his chest that he couldn't quite explain.

Maybe I should get a check-up soon. My heart must've taken a hit.

"Why is your face like that?" Kang I-won finally asked, breaking the silence.

Heo Do-gyeong's expression twisted further. His handsome face, now deeply contorted, struck Kang I-won as oddly fascinating.

Heo Do-gyeong exhaled sharply, his voice heavy with frustration.

"For once… just take care of yourself."

With that simple plea, his hand left Kang I-won's neck. The warmth of his touch faded as he stood and stepped away. The shadow over Kang I-won disappeared, and sunlight poured down onto his face.

The sudden brightness stung, and Kang I-won closed his eyes again, shielding them with an arm.

He frowned, uncertain of the cause.

Was it the sharp sunlight cutting through his eyelids, or the lingering image of Heo Do-gyeong's pained expression that stubbornly stayed with him? He couldn't tell.