* * *
Yoonseo’s frantic voice and Seyoung’s sharp retort faded into the background as Haebom ran forward without looking back.
He’d just returned from a gate and subdued a berserk S-Class Esper—there was no way Wonho was in good shape.
And losing time because of Yoonseo’s ridiculous plea only made things worse.
If it hadn’t been for Na Hyunjoon, Haebom would’ve spoken to Jin Seyoung and gone straight to Wonho to explain everything.
He’d made up his mind during that conversation.
But to be interrupted like this… Haebom swore he’d get even for this later.
“Seriously, what a mess.”
Being hounded from both sides by these so-called pair guides was enough to make his blood boil.
He had no idea how bad Wonho’s condition was, and it made him incredibly anxious.
But since they’d told him to head to the private guidance office instead of the isolation room, he tried to reassure himself that it couldn’t be that serious.
Still, the anxiety didn’t go away.
Only seeing Wonho would ease that fear.
Haebom’s steps quickened.
The building with the guidance office finally came into view.
“Didn’t I tell you to move?! He’s gone! We have to catch him…! We can catch him… I can still reach him.”
Choi Yoonseo tried to chase after Haebom, who was walking away, slipping past Lee Taeyoung and Jin Seyoung who had blocked him.
But she couldn’t reach Haebom.
Not only had Haebom disappeared too quickly, but Taeyoung, Seyoung, and even Kim Jihyun—who had been observing from the side—completely blocked her path, making it impossible to follow.
“Get a grip, Guide Choi Yoonseo. This isn’t where you’re supposed to be. Aren’t you going to Esper Na Hyunjoon? Weren’t you two lovers?”
“…Shut up. What do you know…?!”
Yoonseo trembled with clenched fists at Kim Jihyun’s sneering words.
If she could, she would’ve thrown a punch at the three standing in her way to make them back off.
But while maybe Jin Seyoung, who had spent her life doing research, could be taken down, the other two were beyond her strength.
Especially Lee Taeyoung—he was male, a fellow guide, but defeating him was impossible.
Jin Seyoung clicked her tongue and pulled out her phone to contact someone.
Not long after, people dressed in all-black suits entered the shelter.
“This way. Please take her.”
“Yes, understood. Guide Choi Yoonseo, let’s go. Esper Na Hyunjoon is waiting for you desperately. I know it’s frightening since this is the first time your paired esper has gone into a frenzy, but only you can help calm him. He’s already been injected with guiding stabilizers and fully restrained, so it shouldn’t be too dangerous. There’s no need to worry.”
A woman who had given a slight nod to Jin Seyoung now approached Yoonseo and spoke in a gentle tone.
She was in charge of security in the isolation facility and escorting the pair guides of berserk espers was one of her duties.
There were times when guides tried to hide, afraid of berserk espers.
It was understandable, considering training always included the risks.
But such cases usually occurred when the bond between the esper and guide wasn’t particularly strong.
Though she maintained a calm expression, the security officer thought the situation strange—these two were known to be lovers throughout the center.
Even her kind, reassuring words only made Yoonseo flinch.
She didn’t budge.
But they were out of time.
The pair contract clearly stated: when an esper goes berserk, the pair guide is obligated to guide them.
That obligation was also why guides were paid so handsomely.
“There’s… there’s another guide with a high compatibility rate. With Hyunjoon oppa…”
“Aren’t you his pair, Guide Choi Yoonseo?”
“Th-That’s… true, but…!”
“Then we’ll proceed immediately. Let’s go.”
In the end, they decided to forcibly move Yoonseo, who refused to go.
Even after pushing her from behind, she wouldn’t move, so she gave a faint nod instead.
Two of the staff who had come with them stood on either side of Yoonseo and each grabbed one of her arms.
With her feet barely touching the ground, Yoonseo had no choice but to leave the shelter.
She turned her head for one last look—but Haebom was already gone.
‘Yoonseo, if I go berserk, make sure Guide Yoon Haebom comes to me no matter what. That’s your job. Don’t worry. Even then, my only lover is you, Yoonseo. It’s only because it’s dangerous near me when I’m berserk. The only person I love is you, Choi Yoonseo.’
At the memory of Na Hyunjoon’s voice, Yoonseo shivered.
If she didn’t do what Hyunjoon wanted, there was no doubt Hyunjoon would be disappointed in her.
Her longtime friend Wonho, who she thought would always be by her side, wasn’t there anymore.
If even Hyunjoon left her disappointed, there would be no one left.
Thinking about how it all turned out this way, the answer always came back to Yoon Haebom’s appearance.
If not for him, Wonho wouldn’t have left, and Hyunjoon wouldn’t have lost faith in her.
Everything was because of Yoon Haebom.
Choi Yoonseo bit down hard on her lower lip and headed toward the building with the isolation room—forced by others, not of her own will.
“Guide Choi Yoonseo, once inside the isolation room, you must not use radiating guidance. You remember your training, right? You have to maximize contact—use contact guidance. The more skin contact, the more effective it is. Since you two are lovers, it shouldn’t be a problem. If anything happens, press this button right away. And through the gear, we’ll monitor your status. If we determine it’s too dangerous, we’ll intervene. Please keep that in mind.”
As soon as they arrived at the isolation room, the staff began quickly explaining precautions.
Though Hyunjoon had been sedated with guiding drugs, it wouldn’t last long.
Even now, as Yoonseo was being brought in, Hyunjoon’s berserk level kept spiking and dropping repeatedly.
Though the restraints prevented a second frenzy for now, no one knew what long-term effects it might have on him.
There had been espers who, after a prolonged frenzy, permanently lost access to their powers—so guiding quickly was crucial.
“Guide Choi Yoonseo?”
“…Yes? Ah… yes. Understood.”
Yoonseo nodded with a resigned expression.
Even if Hyunjoon was disappointed in her, there was nothing else she could do but enter the isolation room.
Yoonseo took a deep breath and opened the door, stepping inside.
Thud—the sound of the door closing echoed, and the pressure from Hyunjoon’s waves hit her like a wall, taking her breath away.
“…Oppa… Hic…!”
As soon as he sensed her guide’s energy, Hyunjoon’s head turned toward Yoonseo.
His entire body was restrained, and he could barely move, but his eyes were terrifyingly wild.
Yoonseo had never seen that expression on Hyunjoon before.
She was overwhelmed by fear.
She regretted agreeing to guide him no matter what—but it was too late for regrets.
With heavy steps, Yoonseo approached the restrained Hyunjoon.
* * *
