* * *
They were so vigilant it felt like even my breathing was being monitored.
The slightest movement on my part would draw their persistent gaze.
And every time, a sharp jolt would run through the close-contact device embedded near my chest.
They hadn’t just hidden themselves—they’d also installed multiple mechanisms to prevent me from escaping.
Devices that would send a signal if I strayed too far, devices that prevented me from uttering certain words, and countless others, including one that rendered my body powerless if they pressed a button.
‘How adorable, really.’
Didn’t they go to all these lengths because they didn’t want to hand me over to others?
Their anxiety was palpable, their nerves stretched to the limit.
Then, the administrator standing at the gate entrance announced through a megaphone that the gate was opening.
The chaotic atmosphere instantly settled, replaced by tension.
I stole a glance at Kim Sungchan, who had been subtly circling around me.
Even before arriving here, he had been coerced—though not outright threatened—into keeping a separate watch over me.
Since it was unclear how long we’d be inside the gate, Kim Sungchan planned to check on me whenever he had time, treating my injuries as well.
Behind the awakened from the Center entering the gate, civilian groups also began moving.
Among them was me.
I walked cautiously, scanning the people around me.
Whoooosh—
The last time I entered a Red Gate, I hadn’t felt much because I’d been inside a special carrier.
This time, however, the moment I stepped through the gate’s entrance, a strange vibration coursed through my entire body.
“What the hell? Why’s it so dark?”
“Hey, someone turn on the auto-lamps.”
There was nothing to see upon entry.
Just as the voices around me suggested, the surroundings were pitch black.
But soon, special gate lamps flickered on, illuminating the area.
“A forest?”
“Looks like it, but…”
“Isn’t it way too hot for a forest?”
“Right?”
Listening to the chatter behind me, I surveyed the surroundings.
At first glance, it did seem like we were in a forest—trees and grass densely packed everywhere.
‘But it’s way hotter than any forest should be.’
It was as if the heat was searing my skin.
The air was scorching and dry, making it hard to breathe.
There was also a strange sensation of impurities floating around.
Like… a desert.
“Hey, hey. Look ahead.”
“Oh, we’re screwed.”
“Of all things, it had to be a desert? Damn it.”
My guess wasn’t wrong.
Not far ahead, the forest abruptly ended, revealing a vast expanse of sand.
In other words, the place we’d just entered was a small oasis in the middle of a desert.
People around me groaned, cursing and lamenting how troublesome this would be, unable to hide their frustration.
Of course, it was only the awakened from civilian groups who reacted this way.
The Espers from the Center, walking far ahead, seemed completely unfazed.
‘But deserts are usually cold at night, right? This is weird…’
A doubt crossed my mind.
Normally, deserts had extreme temperature swings between day and night, but this place didn’t.
Maybe it was because this wasn’t a real desert but a gate’s interior, but the dissonance was undeniable.
The Center’s Espers ahead soon signaled for a halt.
Though we hadn’t fully left the forest, it seemed they planned to camp here overnight and move at dawn.
Sure enough, a man who appeared to be the civilian group’s leader ordered the Espers to scout the forest’s perimeter for any anomalies.
“Guides, join one group each and move with them.”
At the leader’s additional command, I slipped into a nearby group of Espers.
None of them paid me much attention, as if my presence was irrelevant.
With my guiding energy still faint, it was only natural the Espers showed no interest.
Honestly, it felt refreshing.
Every Esper I’d met since waking up here had been intoxicated by my guiding.
“Hey, Guide. Don’t drag your feet. You’re slowing us down.”
The group’s leader, a man with a sleazy face, sneered at me.
It was obvious he disliked me.
Unfazed by his petty provocation, I stared back before sharply turning my head away.
My blatant disregard made him grind his teeth audibly.
“That damn bitch, I swear…”
His cursing reminded me of someone.
‘His tone’s a bit like Kang Taewon’s? No, maybe a watered-down version.’
Still, it was so weak compared to my foul-mouthed companion that I almost scoffed.
Normally, I’d stay quiet to maintain my cover, but I had no intention of doing so.
Stirring up trouble was necessary for my plan to proceed.
I had come here with the full intention of tangling with them.
And by them, I meant—
“Hey, we’re short a Guide. Mind if we take this one?”
Suddenly, Park Jaerim appeared in front of me, grabbed my wrist, and swiftly pulled me out of the group.
Without giving the leader a chance to protest, he dragged me toward where Seok Kiwoo was waiting.
“What the hell are you doing? Let go.”
“Wow, you’ve got such an innocent face but such a sharp tongue.”
Park Jaerim smirked, unfazed by my glare, and poked my cheek.
His fondness for me was unmistakable.
I’d noticed it early on.
Ever since they approached me at the gate entrance, curiosity in their eyes, I’d expected this.
That things would unfold exactly like this.
This situation was part of my plan from the beginning.
The guiding-suppression device was practically useless against me anyway.
The device was indeed still functioning properly.
I could feel a strange energy flowing through my body.
It was just that my guiding energy was powerful enough to suppress the device’s effects.
So, by subtly loosening my control over the guiding energy, I was able to draw the attention of Park Jaerim and Seok Kiwoo.
Even earlier, when the two had approached me outside the gate, it had all been part of my plan.
I deliberately sent them just enough guiding energy to lightly stimulate their nerves, making it impossible for them not to take an interest in me.
“We meet again?”
Seok Kiwoo looked down at me with an indifferent expression.
When I didn’t answer and instead turned my head away irritably, his face followed.
His expression remained blank as I let out a sigh.
Then, out of nowhere, he spoke.
“Can I touch your cheek?”
“What the hell are you talking about? Get your face out of—!”
Before I could even finish, his hand was already on my cheek.
The corner of his lips curled slightly.
“Hmm, better than Koo Seojin. Your guiding energy is much weaker, though.”
“Stop talking nonsense and get your hand off me before I bite it off.”
“Sure. Go ahead.”
With the same blank expression, he brought his hand to my mouth, tapping my lips with his fingers—as if daring me to bite.
I glared at him sharply before opening my mouth and clamping down hard on his hand.
Crunch.
His impassive eyes flickered faintly.
“You’re like a rabbit.”
“You little—! I’m a squirrel, you idiot!”
Park Jaerim immediately cut in, scoffing at Kiwoo’s muttering.
“Hey, look at him. His hair’s the color of a chestnut. Where do you see a rabbit? Kiwoo, you’re such a dumbass.”
Seok Kiwoo, who had been studying me with interest, completely ignored Jaerim’s comment.
Unfazed, Jaerim stepped closer to me and held out his hand.
“Hey, stop biting Kiwoo’s filthy hand and try mine instead.”
“Ugh…”
* * *
