* * *

Elliot had never even reached Stage 1 before.

Now, he was forced into Stage 2 in a runaway state—his first time, of all things.

Knowing Elliot, he’d have wanted his first experience to be tender.

That was how he was, back when he was with “The Genius Guide’s Melancholy” .

They’d bicker every time they saw each other, yet when they agreed to try Stage 2 for the first time, Elliot prepared so much.

It may not have been Eunsoo’s first time, but it was for Elliot, so he put his whole heart into it.

They fought in the end, all because he didn’t know how to express his feelings gently.

“Ah…”

“Heewon!”

As I tried to pull my leg free from my pants, I lost my balance.

—Thud.

A dull, meaty sound hit the floor.

It was my body, not a chunk of meat—though in a way, it was both. I

couldn’t get up.

My waist had no strength left.

I couldn’t leave it like this.

I hadn’t finished the guiding.

If it ended now…

“I’m… sorry…”

I reached out to Elliot, who, in shock, stepped back, unable to touch me.

My tears mixed with blood once more.

Around Elliot, the temperature began to drop sharply.

Frost bloomed on the floor, spreading outward.

The snow, which had stopped briefly, started to swirl violently again.

As the world froze white around me, only my body remained hot.

Even on the brink of losing himself, Elliot was somehow controlling his powers to keep me unaffected.

I didn’t know if it was instinct or sheer will.

Even in this desperate situation, Elliot’s warmth crushed my heart.

“Ah…”

I… I want to save him.

I want to save him so, so much.

I’m the one who transmigrated here.

I don’t need all the cash, the text files of the original story, the special skills, or the shop that can buy anything. I’d give it all up—my life, even my soul—if it meant I could make this one wish come true.

I want to save the person I cherish.

‘Wait.’

It hit me.

There was one way.

Eunsoo, being so overpowered, never encountered an extreme situation with guiding, so I hadn’t considered it until now.

But in one episode, a less competent guide had used this method to save the one they loved.

I could use my body like a trash can.

Instead of guiding by absorbing emotional impurities for processing, I would discard functionality entirely, using myself as a vessel to hold and expel the impurities from Elliot.

Of course, it would kill me.

Emotional impurities are ultimately byproducts of special abilities.

If left unprocessed, they would explode. Survival was impossible.

But it didn’t matter.

I was going to die anyway.

“Ugh… ugh…”

I stretched out my arm with all my remaining strength.

Had my sight given out, too?

The world should have been white, but all I saw was darkness.

Nothing at all.

But I knew how to find Elliot.

I just had to reach toward the coldest spot.

Once I grabbed him, emptied myself out, it would only take about a minute.

His emotions, rampant and overflowing, would rush into me due to the difference in concentration, forcing their way in.

As expected, the instant my hand touched Elliot’s skin, an intense chill flooded me.

I knew this chill would kill me, yet I welcomed it, a faint smile rising to my lips.

I was so grateful to find one last purpose for this body.

Better to die saving an S-class esper than just wasting away…

“Let go.”

As I reached out to grab Elliot, a warm hand caught mine, pulling me back.

It wasn’t Elliot.

His hands were as cold as ice now.

But this hand—it was warm.

And even in this deep chill, it felt so soft, untouched by the cold.

“So this is where you’ve been…”

A familiar voice, close yet distant, echoed around him.

The voice was one he longed to hear, but it felt so far away, as if muffled underwater, making it impossible to identify who it was.

Who… could it be?

Though his mind questioned, his heart recognized it, pounding with joy.

“Leave it all to me.”

At that moment, the darkness around him retreated, and a brilliant light shone.

His mind, sluggish as it was, finally recognized him.

‘Eunsoo…’

Even though he couldn’t see, he was certain.

It was Eunsoo. His precious one, his only protagonist, his idol…

In “The Genius Guide’s Melancholy” , whenever Eunsoo used his abilities, it was described with a single word: sunlight.

Unlike other guides, Eunsoo’s way of guiding was different.

He didn’t need to embrace, understand, or soothe anyone.

Eunsoo simply existed, as the brightest, most essential presence.

With his radiant warmth, he burned away the darkness—not just for Espers, but also for guides and even ordinary people, brightening their hearts.

The ice that had frozen his own heart began to melt, his body filling with warmth.

The pain faded, replaced by a blissful numbness, like a fleeting euphoria that made him forget everything.

Just this brief respite felt like a blessing.

Eunsoo was here.

Eunsoo had regained his power.

“Ah… Eu…”

Overcome, I wanted to call Eunsoo’s name, but blood filled my throat, allowing only a guttural sound to escape.

Blood trickled from my lips instead.

Weakly, I reached for him.

I hadn’t wanted Eunsoo to see me die like this, but now that I was here, I clung to him, hoping, just once, to see that beloved face with his own eyes again.

But my vision was darkened with red.

Tears of longing blurred my sight.

“I’m right here.”

Did Eunsoo understand my feelings?

I felt a gentle hand caress my cheek, then my hair.

“…Yes…”

Eunsoo’s touch and warmth melted away the cold that gripped my body.

A soft smile broke across my face.

Eunsoo was as reliable as ever.

Now that Eunsoo had regained his powers, he was unstoppable.

He didn’t need a broken guardian like myself anymore.

So, I thought, I would say goodbye one last time.

---

Strangely enough, even Eunsoo himself was a bit surprised.

‘It’s really working…’

This power had been stagnant for so long, barely enough to affect even Yang Heewon.

But today, it flowed easily, almost recklessly, and he could feel its immense force—so much stronger than when he’d last used it.

Had his power somehow grown while lying dormant?

Regardless, Eunsoo had reclaimed his power, sending waves of energy throughout the world.

Beyond the barriers, even those who had once mocked him now gazed at him with awe, their admiration boosting his confidence.

But Eunsoo wasn’t in a particularly good mood.

‘That idiot… he’s so broken now.’

When he returned home, Heewon had left behind only bloody traces, sending Eunsoo into a fury.

When he finally found him, he was drenched in blood, seemingly ready for death.

For a moment, Eunsoo’s vision turned red with anger.

But the worst part was that Heewon was once again lying there like a lifeless corpse.

He had kept Heewon hidden, trying to keep him from harm, but that damned fool had dragged him back out, only to ruin him.

Eunsoo’s expression darkened with rare anger.

‘Maybe I should just let that white-haired fool die.’

He deserved punishment.

Eunsoo hated the thought of seeing him suffer, but there was no guarantee something like this wouldn’t happen again.

It might be better to let him suffer now and lock himself away than to watch him die before him.

No matter what, though, he couldn’t let Heewon die.

‘I may have overdone it… but if I say it was difficult to control my power at first, maybe I can get away with it.’

As if sensing his regret, Heewon clung to him, pleadingly.

Eunsoo softened, caressing him as he thought through his plan.

He allowed his energy to pull back gradually, as he knew that, for someone as strong as Heewon, letting him be would likely bring him out of his frenzy.

Just then, Heewon leaned closer, brushing noses with him.

Eunsoo raised his brows, already irked by Heewon’s behavior and ready to snap.

But he froze, unable to speak.

Something touched his lips.

“…”

Eunsoo’s eyes widened, stunned. I

t was soft yet cold, but it sent a warmth flooding through him.

Unable to move or breathe, he stood still, completely captivated.

In that instant, Heewon’s body went limp, unconscious.

Cradling him, Eunsoo touched his lips, tasting the blood left there.

It tasted sweet for some reason.

“You said it was impossible…”

Though he muttered in disbelief, his lips trembled with a hint of a smile.

Warmth filled his chest, expanding until he felt like he could forgive and understand everything.

Finally, Eunsoo broke into a full smile.

“All right. I said I’d be patient, so I will. I’ll be generous this time.”

With that, the power in his heart surged outward.

Heat, not just warmth, radiated from him, melting everything around him.

Ice shards, snowflakes, even the cold air—all disappeared as he passed.

The once-white world began to melt, revealing the sky and stars above.

And even the man who’d been the source of this terrible chill started to stabilize.

The blood flowing from his wounds slowed, color returned to his pale face, and the cold that once radiated from his body faded as it settled within him.

‘I should have made him beg for guidance, at least.’

Eunsoo clicked his tongue with a bit of regret, casting a glance at the now-stabilized man.

But recalling the recent events, he shrugged it off.

Grinning, he brushed Heewon’s ashen cheek, kissed his face, and nuzzled against him, ruffling his hair with affection.

The man in his arms was so precious to him, he didn’t know what to do.

Since Heewon had made the first move, was it all right to do the same?

But sneaking a kiss while he was asleep wouldn’t feel right.

He wanted to leave an unforgettable impression, one that would erase all memory of others from Heewon’s mind.

Just a little longer, he thought, he could wait.

As he pondered, Eunsoo suddenly noticed movement.

Heewon, now stable, suddenly sprang up and began running, even though his body should barely be able to hold him upright after all he’d been through.

“…Hmm?”

* * *