* * *
“Uwaaah!”
Turning around, Seo Jaewon saw a non-combat support team member jump back, narrowly avoiding a burst of flame.
A rough-looking man sneered at the sight.
He was on the shorter side, but his body was well-trained, as one would expect from an Esper.
His hair was clipped short like a soldier’s.
Seo Jaewon recognized him.
Ji Myunghoon.
Because Seo Jaewon had become a Guide, the team needed someone to fill the gap in the combat unit—Ji Myunghoon had been the replacement.
High-ranked Espers were often dispatched to other teams when needed, so they had worked together a few times already.
And…
He had also been part of the corridor mission.
In other words, he was one of the people Joo Youngha had killed that day.
Perhaps sensing Seo Jaewon’s gaze, Ji Myunghoon glanced sharply in his direction.
Then, as if to flaunt his irritation, he created a ring of fire at his feet.
The non-powered field team members didn’t dare speak to him and backed away.
The ring of flames rippled outward like a wave, leaving black scorch marks on the floor before disappearing.
A pointless display, good for nothing but complaints.
Guides might call it something else, but among Espers, they had a term for this kind of thing: “being a dumb show-off.”
Seo Jaewon resisted the urge to frown and approached him with calm composure.
“Esper Ji Myunghoon, please refrain from using your powers indoors. You’re melting the floor. There are civilians here…”
Ji Myunghoon gave him a sidelong glance before stomping forward—and, deliberately, conjured fire at his fingertips.
Just as Seo Jaewon opened his mouth to reprimand him—
Whoosh!
Flames flared inches from his face.
‘…!’
Seo Jaewon instinctively stepped back.
A burnt smell hit his nose—some of his hair had been singed.
Heat pricked at his skin.
As an S-rank ice-type Esper, he had never felt such threatening warmth before.
“What, you get scared now just because you’re a Guide?”
Ji Myunghoon smirked, the flicker of flames casting shadows across his face.
He was acting like this was a joke, ignoring his superior like it meant nothing.
‘What a pain.’
Clearly, Ji Myunghoon didn’t like that Seo Jaewon, a relatively inexperienced Esper turned Guide, was now their squad leader.
Plus, Ji was probably older too.
That had to sting.
Before, when they were both Espers, things had been easier—they were of equal rank, and Seo Jaewon even had the elemental advantage.
No confusion in hierarchy back then…
Seo Jaewon sighed quietly.
Seeing that he didn’t respond, Ji Myunghoon sneered.
“What, so scared you can’t even talk now? Should’ve just stayed nice and safe at the center, little Guide…”
But before Seo Jaewon could respond, a crackling, ominous sound filled the air.
The shadows trembled.
The air rang like a wire being plucked.
Pressure crashed against his eardrums, and Seo Jaewon instinctively clutched his ears.
A suffocating, invisible force had seized the room.
There was no need to guess who it was.
Joo Youngha.
He was staring at Ji Myunghoon, his expression blank and doll-like.
Emotionless eyes glittered like glass.
Ji Myunghoon flinched, then shouted in panic.
“What the hell?! I—I can’t move!”
At first glance, nothing seemed to be happening.
But that was wrong.
Joo Youngha was using his power.
It shimmered like mother-of-pearl, an opalescent glow that clung to the air like a toxic film over water.
Gorgeous, but suffocating.
Dangerous.
Just like that time…
In the corridor dungeon, when Joo Youngha had attacked their teammates.
This wasn’t a threat.
He really intended to kill.
Realizing this, Seo Jaewon’s body moved on its own.
“Stop it, Joo Youngha!”
Joo Youngha turned slightly, meeting Seo Jaewon’s gaze.
His eyes, void of emotion, made Seo’s insides go cold.
Too late, he realized—he hadn’t thought about the consequences.
‘What can I even do by jumping in?’
It’s not like Joo Youngha would actually listen to him.
But to his surprise, Joo Youngha replied softly:
“Your hair got burnt.”
“…What?”
My… hair?
Blinking, Seo Jaewon reached up to touch his bangs.
Sure enough, a few singed strands curled at his fingertips.
Ji Myunghoon must’ve caught him when he lashed out earlier.
So what?
What does that even matter?
Joo Youngha didn’t bother answering his confusion.
He simply looked away, turning his gaze back to Ji Myunghoon.
And then—without any dramatic gesture—he just bent his finger slightly.
Even that tiny movement sent pressure rippling through the air.
‘No!’
If someone was going to die by Joo Youngha’s hand, let it be him, not the others.
Seo Jaewon squeezed his eyes shut and shouted without thinking:
“Aren’t you going to get guided?!”
Silence.
His mouth went dry. His heart thundered in his chest.
He desperately added:
“You asked for it, didn’t you? Don’t waste your energy—come here.”
Joo Youngha looked at him again.
That beautiful face…
It felt like the wings of a predator, painted with hypnotic patterns.
His shimmering lashes moved slowly, like centuries passing.
Then, at last, he opened his mouth and murmured:
“You’re still so soft-hearted, Jaewon…”
And let out a deep sigh.
The terrifying creature melted away, replaced by a sweet smile.
As if nothing had happened.
“It’s annoying when you worry about others… but I like that stubbornness of yours.”
Seo Jaewon clenched his jaw, trying to suppress the sudden surge of anger.
He flicked his fingers at Joo Youngha, forcing himself to stay steady—he felt like he’d collapse if he moved carelessly.
“…Joo Youngha.”
“Yeah?”
“Come here.”
The guy tilted his head in confusion but quickly approached Seo Jaewon.
Ji Myunghoon, who had been frozen stiff, flinched slightly—and the moment Joo Youngha glanced at him, he froze up again.
Ignoring him, Seo Jaewon motioned Joo Youngha even closer.
“Closer.”
With a faint smile, as if pleased, Joo Youngha stepped forward.
“Are you gonna guide me now?”
As he said that, the pretty smile on his face began to shift into something dim-witted.
Seo Jaewon clenched his fist tightly.
“You little punk—already trying to cause trouble, huh?!”
Then, like lightning, he reached out with both hands and grabbed Joo Youngha’s head.
“Oww, that hurts.”
“Don’t be such a baby! Didn’t you hear what I said earlier? Huh?”
“You told me to come over…”
“Not that! I said don’t use your abilities indoors! What if something breaks—are you gonna take responsibility?!”
A building, a whole team’s lives—everything could’ve been wiped out in an instant.
All because of some mood swing or whatever the hell was going on inside Joo Youngha’s head.
But all he said was—
“Oh.”
—like it was something so trivial he’d forgotten.
There wasn’t a hint of remorse or understanding of how serious the situation was.
‘Does this bastard even understand Korean? Wait, is he even human? I swear, a dog or cat would be easier to talk to!’
“Haah…”
‘This kid’s gonna be the death of me.’
The surge of adrenaline from what almost happened made Seo Jaewon’s heart physically ache.
For all his obnoxious quirks, Joo Youngha had never actually clashed with anyone before.
He simply didn’t care about others.
It wasn’t just that people rarely dared to pick fights with an EX-rank Esper—it’s that, thanks to his personality, any conflict usually fizzled out before it began.
Most people gave up trying.
That’s why this sudden situation was so jarring.
“You… seriously…”
He was about to ask, ‘What the hell were you thinking? What goes on in that head of yours?’
But before he could finish, Joo Youngha’s hand suddenly reached up in front of him.
“…!”
“You smell weird.”
With delicate fingers, he tugged gently at Jaewon’s bangs.
The tips of his hair, scorched, crumbled to dust.
“Huh?”
Joo Youngha leaned in close, almost nose-to-nose, and sniffed.
“What is it?”
…Wait. Was he actually concerned about the burnt hair?
With a scowl, Seo Jaewon swatted his hand away.
But Joo Youngha calmly took Jaewon’s hand, lowered it, and leaned in even closer.
Like a stubborn puppy sniffing around.
“You’re mine…”
‘Mine—?’
Jaewon’s mouth dropped open.
‘What the hell is this now?
Just because I became your Guide?’
Sure, Espers tended to overprotect their Guides—they were vulnerable, valuable—but Joo Youngha?
This was the same guy who threw a fit about even holding hands for guiding!
His bangs, the bridge of his nose, beside his ear… Warm breath grazed his skin, tickling lightly.
He was now uncomfortably close—like, really close.
“Jaewon…”
* * *
