* * *
Before anything else, Raon knew he had to calm the anxious Hamin down.
Doing his best to keep a gentle tone, he continued.
“Maybe… the memory of me guiding you inside the Gate was so strong that you’ve grown dependent on it.”
“Then…”
“Which is why we have to be even more careful. I can’t guide you recklessly outside of a Gate.”
“Ah…”
As Raon firmly drew the line, Hamin’s face filled with disappointment.
But Raon had no intention of going back on his word.
It wasn’t just because of the pair contract he had with Siwoo.
Hamin, as a multi-type Esper, wasn’t someone who required guiding in the first place.
And yet, the fact that he was now so dependent that he wanted it—was probably Raon’s fault.
Like a chick that had just hatched, Hamin had struggled to use his powers inside the Gate.
It was normal for newly awakened Espers to have difficulty at first.
But they had desperately needed Hamin’s powers at the time, so Raon had guided him to help stabilize them.
He didn’t regret it—but he did feel sorry for the unintentional imprint it left behind.
From now on, whenever Hamin had the slightest trouble with his powers, he would think of Raon’s guiding.
“You need to keep practicing until you adapt to your powers. If you get used to unnecessary guiding, things will only get harder for you later.”
“…I understand, Team Leader.”
Hamin lowered his head deeply.
His spirits seemed utterly crushed, and Raon didn’t know how to respond.
“I’m sorry for asking for something unreasonable…”
“No need to apologize. It’s natural to reach out when you’re frustrated.”
Raon shook his head at the apologetic Hamin.
Still, the younger man’s pale face showed no sign of improvement.
After a moment of hesitation, Raon spoke again.
“I might not be able to do much, but I can listen. If something’s troubling you, feel free to talk to me anytime.”
“Ah…”
Hamin lifted his head and looked at Raon with trembling eyes.
Unlike himself—who had half-played the situation—Raon’s eyes were full of nothing but genuine concern.
That made Hamin suddenly feel ashamed of himself.
“No, I’ll do better. I’m really sorry for worrying you.”
For some reason, the anxious glint in Hamin’s eyes faded away.
Raon tilted his head slightly, relieved but also puzzled.
Still, it was a good sign that he seemed to regain some strength. Raon smiled and responded.
“Reawakening as an S-Rank Esper so suddenly must’ve been overwhelming. That alone could cause stress. You should consider requesting some time off—even if it’s just occasionally. Eating and resting well is just as important.”
“Yes, Team Leader.”
Thankfully, the consultation ended on a warm note.
After sending Hamin out of the counseling room first, Raon followed at a relaxed pace.
“Hyung.”
“Yeah, it’s done.”
“……”
Siwoo’s sharp eyes scanned him.
It seemed he was suspicious, wondering if something had happened inside.
The room was soundproof, so Siwoo hadn’t heard their conversation.
That was truly a relief.
Raon smiled casually, hiding his thoughts.
“What did you two talk about?”
“Nothing big. You know how fragile Esper Hamin is mentally.”
“Hm.”
Siwoo didn’t press further.
He’d also been by Hamin’s side for a long time.
Hamin was kind and gentle, but mentally fragile—like glass that could shatter with a touch.
So even without hearing the actual conversation, Siwoo seemed convinced.
‘Sigh…’
How much longer would he have to walk on eggshells like this?
Thankfully, Hamin was the only one with trauma who would ever ask him for guiding.
Raon was sure—no, determined—that this kind of situation wouldn’t happen again.
With that thought, he glanced over at Siwoo.
“By the way, Siwoo.”
“Yes?”
“I need to step out for a bit tomorrow night.”
“Why?”
“Well…”
Raon shared the private plan he had made.
Siwoo’s eyes widened in surprise, but then he gave a heavy nod.
“Got it. I’ll go ahead and wait for you.”
“Thanks.”
Surprisingly, Siwoo didn’t ask any questions.
Though he must’ve been curious, he said nothing.
Raon stared at him for a moment, then looked away again.
Either way, what would happen tomorrow needed to be settled once and for all.
Raon narrowed his eyes as he thought quietly to himself.
Late at night, Raon slipped out of the highly secured house without informing the Center.
It would’ve been impossible without Siwoo’s help.
Screech.
Raon stopped the car and looked around.
He had parked a pitch-black SUV and immediately turned off the headlights.
The lights, which had been gleaming against the eerie atmosphere, faded into silence.
Then, he waited.
In front of him was the entrance of a Gate, currently in its dormant phase, yawning open like a gaping mouth.
It was one of the many Green Gates located in Sector 1, where Raon lived.
Green Gates, the lowest-ranked ones, go dormant after being subdued, losing all color and going quiet, almost like they’re dead.
And even if they reactivate, they’re easy to suppress again.
Maybe that’s why this place had been left completely unattended, without even a guard post.
Of course, that didn’t mean it was completely unmanaged.
The real reason it was quiet was because Raon had paid to keep people away.
No one would be interrupting them any time soon.
Click.
“You’ve been waiting long, young master?”
“No.”
Someone climbed into the passenger seat of Raon’s car—it was Yeongho, Myunghoon’s secretary, whom Raon had met not long ago.
Raon answered curtly, his gaze indifferent.
“Haha, I’m relieved we could meet again so soon.”
“Looks like the brothers are really breathing down your neck.”
“Well, yes… they are.”
Yeongho chuckled awkwardly.
He must have felt a little embarrassed, being the secretary but also blatantly acting as the brothers’ messenger.
Raon nodded vaguely and asked,
“So? What did they say?”
“Well, since you’re currently the team leader of the Guiding Unit…”
“And?”
“They’re wondering if it might be best to break your current pairing with that Esper. Even if his powers are useful for now, thinking long-term… maybe someone else would be better…”
“That all?”
Raon had expected nonsense, but this wasn’t even worth listening to.
He frowned, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel.
Sensing the mood, Yeongho spoke up again, cautiously.
“And… they said there’s no need for you to enter every Irregular Gate. It might be best to find an excuse to skip the next one. They’ve already prepared a replacement Guide.”
“…Ha.”
Raon let out a hollow laugh.
So they really intended to keep him leashed.
Pair him with someone more convenient.
Keep him out of the dangerous Gates.
They still treated him like some puppet on strings. It was disgusting.
“Well, young master. If you need time to think… I can help you.”
“You?”
“Yes.”
Apparently, his discomfort showed on his face, because Yeongho leaned in slightly, speaking with a soft, almost suggestive tone.
Raon just looked at him, puzzled.
“How?”
“Haha, the directors trust me quite a bit. If I negotiate between you and them, I can buy you some time.”
“Hmmm.”
Yeongho’s hand slid subtly over Raon’s thigh.
Raon frowned as he looked down at the hand.
That disgusting habit of his hadn’t changed.
“That Esper has a nice face, sure. I get that you want to keep playing with him until you’re bored. That’s why I’d like to help.”
“……”
So that’s why he barged into the Center and made such a fuss.
Using the brothers’ demands as leverage, Yeongho was trying to guide Raon himself.
His hand crept even higher up Raon’s thigh, now shameless.
But no matter how much he tried to signal it, Raon didn’t release any guiding energy.
Yeongho looked puzzled and turned to him.
“Young master?”
“…Ha. This is f*cking ridiculous.”
“Pardon?”
Raon muttered a curse and slapped Yeongho’s hand away.
It was like swatting an insect.
Yeongho flinched, eyes wide in shock.
Screech!
“H-Hey!”
Raon yanked the handbrake down and slammed the accelerator.
The car shot forward like a furious beast.
Yeongho, who hadn’t fastened his seatbelt, screamed in panic.
Crash!
“Wh-What are you doing?! Aaaagh!”
The SUV rammed through the fence blocking the Gate and kept going.
It blasted right through the entrance of the dormant Gate.
In an instant, the scenery around them changed.
Screeeeech!
The car only came to a stop after entering the Gate.
The sudden start and abrupt braking made the tires screech against the dry ground, echoing loudly in the quiet air.
“H-Huh? What the hell is this?!”
“Get out.”
“Y-You crazy bastard!”
Yeongho, who had ended up inside the Gate before he could even realize it, shouted at Raon in panic.
Raon just looked at him coldly and repeated,
“Get. Out.”
“You little f*cker. You’re just a Guide, huh?”
Thud!
Huffing in fury, Yeongho stormed out of the car.
The air inside the dormant Gate was icy.
The sudden cold made him shiver, but at least he was still an Esper—even if only E-rank.
Even if a Guide forced him into a Gate, he could manage.
“You f*cker! I swear, I’ll—!”
But Yeongho couldn’t finish his sentence.
Someone grabbed him by the back of the neck and slammed him to the ground.
“Gah!”
“Hyung.”
“…!”
“This the guy?”
Yeongho stared up into eyes darker than the night sky inside the Gate—and swallowed hard.
* * *
