SOFTIE 10

The elevator that had descended from the top floor took them back up. It felt real now—he had truly returned. It seemed they were unaware of the fact that he had gained a Pair Guide. If they had heard, the first thing they would have asked was where the Guide was.

Only a moment ago, when he announced he had a Guide, they were so busy hurrying to meet him after seeing his return that they hadn’t heard his declaration: “I have a Pair Guide!”

Yeonwoo leaned against the wall and listened. Originally, information would pour into his ears whether he intended it to or not, but now, he only heard information when he actively desired it.

The first floor had become a scene of chaos. Those watching the TV were discussing Yeonwoo’s mention of a Guide.

‘He said he has a Pair Guide?’

‘Exactly who? It won’t be Guide Haeyoon. It’s been over a year and she couldn’t guide him properly.’

‘Looking at his contamination level, it’s certain he received guiding.’

‘Then who is that Guide? We have to bring them in immediately! Do they think someone capable of guiding Esper Seo Yeonwoo is common?’

‘Wouldn’t Esper Seo Yeonwoo say? Everyone knows he struggled because of the side effects. It wouldn’t be strange to bring a Guide he found right away… but he was alone, wasn’t he?’

‘He was alone.’

‘Where did he leave the Guide?’

‘I don’t know either. The only way out is the entrance, but he appeared by himself…’

There was no one who didn’t know that Yeonwoo suffered from side effects. Thanks to that, research on Espers and Guides had developed significantly, yet a Guide for Yeonwoo was never found. Instead, they were able to create medicine that compressed guiding energy.

It was a drug that lowered contamination levels, distributed to Espers going on distant expeditions. In fact, its effectiveness was so well-recognized that it was even exported abroad.

‘Is Esper Seo Yeonwoo the type not to get obsessed with a Guide? I was a bit nervous because they say Espers who suffer from side effects for a long time often become obsessed when they finally meet a compatible Guide…’

‘Don’t say such horrible things. We’re the ones who have to deal with all that. I’ll pass on a love-triangle drama.’

This was actually a topic that frequently appeared in newspaper articles. To ensure the safety of the people, clear Gates, and prevent the emergence of monsters, Espers were indispensable. And Espers often became obsessed with Guides who had a high matching rate.

It was only natural. The more they used their power, the more their bodies couldn’t hold out. As contamination levels rose, side effects emerged, and guiding was what resolved those side effects and that agony.

Because of this, even just a few decades ago, Guides were often sacrificed for Espers. Espers became stronger than ordinary people when their abilities awakened, but Guides were no different from ordinary people.

However, things are different now. After Guides started running away or dying off, Espers who couldn’t receive guiding began to rampage.

Espers were essentially like time bombs. A country that lost the Guides who could control them could not sustain itself.

In fact, countries where Guide human rights were severely low ended up being destroyed. Seeing those precedents, nations hurriedly began advocating for Guide rights.

A Guide is an Esper’s leash. Yeonwoo agreed with that statement. He had seen it many times—Espers clinging to Guides. Every time he saw such things, he couldn’t understand why they would obsess over someone who didn’t want them, but once he tasted that sweetness himself, he knew he couldn’t yield it to anyone else.

Perhaps he would end up in that same state.

My Guide, whom I haven’t shown to anyone. Even if the Guide had been human, would I have shown him? Probably not.

Even I, who used to hate monsters, have fallen for him, so what about others? It’s not just because he’s my Guide, but the way he acts is so cute. It would be a problem if everyone made a fuss saying he’s cute and they want a closer look.

Though it was an extremely subjective thought, Yeonwoo nodded to himself.

‘Anyway, our job is to recruit that Guide quickly. We can just ask Esper Seo Yeonwoo… The Chairman will handle it. They are Esper Seo Yeonwoo’s only Pair Guide. We have to move first so the Guide Association can’t pull any tricks.’

It was a turf war. Whichever side won, it didn’t matter as long as they didn’t touch him. I will go wherever my Guide is recognized.

The elevator moved quickly toward the upper floors and arrived at the top floor where Yeonwoo stayed. Since Yeonwoo was sensitive to noise, this place was prepared specifically for him. Before they even reached a separate meeting room, Ma Seongtae looked at Yeonwoo and asked:

“So, what happened? Are you really okay?”

“Yes.”

“Does an Esper return to normal if they expend all their strength while running wild?”

“There’s no such case. Once you rampage, that’s it. Expending all your strength means you’ve used up your life energy, so in the end, it means death.”

In response to Kang Hana’s question, Choi Min-jae kindly explained.

“Sniff… I-it’s such a relief…!”

Among them, Park Gun-woo burst into tears, saying he was so glad Yeonwoo was back alive, and lunged toward him. Yeonwoo thought about kicking him away, but feeling it would be harsh to the kid who had worried so much, he simply pushed his head back as if pushing away a clinging puppy.

Was he the youngest who grew up receiving a lot of love at home? He has no hesitation about physical contact.

“Someone get this leech off me.”

“Endure it. You have no idea how much Gun-woo worried about you.”

“…That’s how it ends for an Esper. Gun-woo, are you going to cry every time someone is dying? Get used to death.”

“That’s true.”

Kang Hana nodded at Yeonwoo’s words. At that sight, Shin Yoosung let out a hollow laugh. He was far too composed for someone who had just come back from the dead.

“How typical of you. Anyway, welcome back. I almost ended up being the team leader.”

“That’s something that Mister would have liked.”

“…It’s not something I wanted.”

“I know.”

Yeonwoo glanced at Shin Yoosung. He was just being dishonest, but Yeonwoo knew he had worried a lot. Yeonwoo looked around calmly. Everyone had worried quite a bit. He thought everyone had prepared themselves mentally, whether they realized it or not, but apparently not.

“Still, I will provide guiding for you. Even if the effect is small… there’s a big difference between receiving it and not!”

“Kki-it…!”

Just then, a small cry rang out as if in dissatisfaction. Yeonwoo’s eyes slid downward. What is it?

“It’s fine, so you don’t need to.”

“B-but…”

Min Haeyoon hesitated, but Yeonwoo was busy trying to soothe the slime. Why? What put you in a bad mood? Yeonwoo tapped the slime gently. At that moment, Kang Hana, with a lethal expression, grabbed Min Haeyoon’s shoulder and pulled him back.

“Haeyoon, stand behind me for a second.”

“Eh? Hana noona?”

Min Haeyoon was flustered by Kang Hana’s sudden attitude. She glared at Yeonwoo. Yeonwoo’s gaze met hers.

“Hey, I just heard something. What do you think it was?”

“…What did you hear?”

Kang Hana had heard the slime’s small cry.

Of course she has good ears. It’s not like she can hear well because of her ability like I can.

Yeonwoo let out a sigh. He hadn’t intended to hide it anyway. However, before Yeonwoo could speak, Kang Hana’s body moved first.

“If I’m not mistaken, I smell the scent of a monster brat nearby!”

She conjured a flame in her hand and swung the fire precisely toward the spot where the slime was hidden. If Yeonwoo hadn’t stepped in to block it, the slime would have been hurt.

Yeonwoo instinctively emitted a murderous aura toward the Esper threatening his Guide.

“Hey, Kang Hana. What do you think you’re doing?”

Kang Hana flinched at Yeonwoo’s fierce remark, but unless her nose was wrong, it was a monster. Rather, it was Seo Yeonwoo who had lost his mind. She gritted her teeth and shouted.

“What do you think you’re doing? Do you think you can fool my nose? There’s a monster hidden there, isn’t there? Did you go crazy after rampaging? How could you think of bringing a monster out?!”

“What? Wh-what are you talking about? There’s no way Yeonwoo hyung brought a monster back.”

To stop Kang Hana, Min Haeyoon grabbed her shoulder and begged them not to fight, but the sharp look in her eyes showed no sign of fading. Choi Min-jae and Shin Yoosung stared at Yeonwoo.

Yeonwoo was shielding his neck as if protecting something. And they caught sight of something wiggling underneath. Choi Min-jae and Shin Yoosung’s eyebrows twitched simultaneously.

“Hana, what are you saying? Yeonwoo bringing a monster back… You know how much that kid hates monsters.”

Ma Seongtae, who had been watching, stepped in between them to stop the fight.