* * *

To civilians, an Esper who can’t control their emotions is one of the most dangerous beings.

Public perception of an Esper who’s already lost control once is bound to be cold.

So in the worst case, even if Elliot Hooper were expelled from the country to take responsibility for this incident, it wouldn’t have been surprising.

When I woke up and learned the situation at the scene had somehow resolved, this was my first worry.

If Elliot was expelled because of saving Huimang, I wouldn’t be able to face him—or Eunsoo.

“Elliot, if there’s anything I can do about this, please let me know. Testimonies, investigations—whatever it takes, I’ll do it.”

“Worried I’ll be disciplined? It’s fine. Everything’s been handled well, even without you stepping in.”

“Everything’s handled?”

“Yes. I’m not lying, so don’t worry.”

His answer caught me off guard.

The world of *“The Genius Guide’s Melancholy” had always been harsh on Eunsoo.

The administrative bureau had always jumped at the chance to criticize him, eager to nitpick even the smallest thing and frustrate me, the reader.

Yet, astonishingly… Elliot’s words were true. He only received a short suspension.

Elliot had, without question, made a mistake.

He’d lost control, drawn in by personal matters despite knowing his own potential danger.

However, thanks to his selfless actions, the damage was minimized despite a massive Gate opening suddenly in the middle of the city.

Even though he’d lost control, he’d focused on eliminating the creatures spilling from the Gate, creating only ice and frost, without damaging buildings or attacking people.

So aside from “losing control,” there wasn’t much ground to criticize him.

Above all, what really helped him avoid punishment was none other than Ye Eunsoo.

The first S-class Guide in Korea.

A powerful talent even among S-class Guides, young and healthy, too.

As long as he could be kept from losing control, there was no reason to give up an S-class Esper to another country.

[Korea’s First S-Class Guide Emerges!]

[An S-Class Guide—Could He Be the Light of Korea’s Esper Community?]

[S-Class Guide Joins Special Team A]

[Special Team A Resumes Activity with New Face after Hiatus]

The young Guide who stopped a rampaging S-class Esper in an instant.

His talents, now undeniable after a major incident, were being reported in all the newspapers.

They called him a “rare genius,” “the treasure of Korea’s Esper world,” “the boy who creates miracles,” and even a “small sun.”

It was overwhelming and a bit embarrassing. I imagined the internet was going wild, too.

I’d already witnessed Eunsoo’s power firsthand, but seeing the world recognize it like this felt special.

Of course, thinking of the original story, this praise didn’t mean Eunsoo’s life would be easy.

But it was better than the original, and that was enough.

‘Now, I can finally leave without worry.’

I had just one more thing to do for Eunsoo before I could let go completely.

Even though my concerns for Eunsoo and Elliot had settled, there were still two people I had to consider.

After Elliot was discharged, Rex and Cha Junseong came to visit as soon as they were allowed.

I thought they’d be furious.

After all, I’d almost died Guiding Jake in a similar incident, worrying them greatly, and here I’d done it again.

“…I’m sorry. I know I made you worry a lot. But it’s okay now that Eunsoo is here. There won’t be any more dangerous situations…”

“Heewon.”

“Yes?”

“Could you come out here for a moment?”

“I’ve been told coming out briefly would be fine, but I’ll be careful.”

When they entered my hospital room, I greeted them with immediate apologies, too guilty to do anything else.

Their reaction was a bit unexpected.

They looked at me with complex expressions, then asked me to come outside, so I obediently followed.

“We’re glad you’re okay.”

“You’ve been through a lot. Truly.”

With brief, but kind words, they took turns enveloping me in a warm embrace.

It had been so long since I’d been held like that.

The gentleness of their hands on my back, the soft strokes on my hair, the heartfelt concern directed at me—I felt like the happiest Guide in the world.

---

Even staying in the hospital, I knew my condition wouldn’t improve.

If there were a cure, Maria Polwel wouldn’t have looked so despairing.

Yet I didn’t rush to be discharged.

It seemed wise to gradually distance myself from Eunsoo.

If I disappeared little by little, it might make the separation less painful than if I suddenly vanished.

He’d regained his abilities, debuted as a Guide, and almost completed his university exams.

My smart Eunsoo could handle the rest on his own.

Eunsoo, surprisingly, hadn’t visited, even after Elliot was discharged.

Instead, my three Espers visited my room frequently.

It was as though, except when working, at least one of them was always watching over me.

“You’re here again today.”

“…Yes.”

“Aren’t you busy syncing with Eunsoo? You don’t have to come.”

“It’s fine. It’s the least I can do.”

Today, Cha Junseong came to visit me in my hospital room.

He’d mentioned that he often worked late in the field these days, trying to adapt after Eunsoo joined the team.

He could have just gone home afterward, but instead, he returned to the Bureau—and brought a book for me.

Was he worried I might be bored, given the rule against using any electronic devices in the hospital room?

“Here. I’m not sure if it’s your style, but I found it interesting.”

“Thank you.”

Regardless, I was grateful.

I mean, it was nice enough that he visited, but to pick out a book just for me?

For an otaku like me, it was the ultimate luxury.

I looked over the books he’d brought.

‘Wow, these look… incredibly boring….’

It seemed Junseong had chosen these books with “entertainment” in mind, but… after being spoiled by thrilling web novels and with my distinct taste, there was almost zero chance that books picked by someone else without any prior input would align with my preferences.

‘So, Junseong’s taste in books leans toward thought-provoking stuff.’

Still, it meant something, even if it wasn’t my taste.

Receiving a book chosen specifically for me by someone I care about, according to his own tastes—it’s an honor, isn’t it?

He offered it, so I should accept it.

I’d read it, even if it wasn’t my style!

Smiling to myself, I started flipping through the pages.

It seemed he’d tried to pick “lighter” reading, as most of the books were novels, but the blurbs and titles alone hinted at weighty content.

A quick skim revealed the writing style was dense, too.

“Yang Heewoon.”

Yeah, it was definitely not my style. I wondered if sheer admiration could make up for it.

As I wrestled with this thought, I looked up at the sound of my name.

Junseong was standing there with a somber expression, his head slightly lowered.

“…You’re retiring.”

“Oh, that… yeah, it ended up that way.”

There are no secrets in the world, but there’s a difference between something I know alone and something that’s revealed to even one other person.

Kim Miri, being a good person, respected my wish to keep it “a secret from the team,” but knowing about my condition, she couldn’t just let it go.

So, she had come to encourage me to retire, offering to help me handle it quietly if I wanted it kept private.

With Eunsoo regaining his strength and my own health declining, my time as a guide was up.

There was no reason for me to remain with Special Team A as their guide.

I gave a reassuring smile.

“Given the regulations, full retirement might be tricky, but… my health isn’t great, so I’ll be resting for now. I got approval.”

“…”

“Why do you look like that? I’m really okay. I was happy to be the guide for Special Team A. I’m content.”

There were many crises, but I managed to overcome them.

This felt like a successful passing of the baton.

It was the ultimate, most fulfilling bonus stage.

“Heewoon, let’s form a bond.”

I was mentally congratulating myself, eyes closed, breathing out a long sigh, when his unexpected words hit me.

Startled, I looked up, only to find Junseong gazing at me with a serious expression.

“…What?”

* * *