# Chapter 18
Until Suhyun appeared, Kim Juyoung’s position had been perfect. Even among the few A-class Espers, he was notably strong.
But with the emergence of S-class Esper Seo Suhyun, Kim Juyoung was left in an awkward state. The difference between A-class and S-class wasn’t even comparable.
Everyone’s attention shifted to Suhyun. Though Kim Juyoung tried to bully him out of jealousy—making him handle dungeon monsters alone, deliberately putting him in dangerous situations, or completely ostracizing him—Suhyun remained composed every time.
That made it even more irritating. It seemed like this young kid was disrespecting him just because he was an S-class Esper.
No, he had been disrespecting him all along. Seo Suhyun, who had even managed to claim an S-class Guide, didn’t even try to hide it anymore.
To think that he only had a high matching rate with Moon Jiwon, an S-class Guide. He had no choice but to take Jiwon.
An S-class Esper and an S-class Guide.
People are enthusiastic about such a perfect picture. He should have prevented this from happening…
“Ha, fuck.”
He had been too complacent, assuming Moon Jiwon had formed the exclusive contract only because of this dungeon. He never imagined they would become so close.
Even Seo Suhyun…
[We inform you that A-class Esper Kim Juyoung cannot participate in dungeon clearings for 3 months from the current date for the following reasons:
– Forcing guiding
– Attacking other Espers
…]
He had been careless and was backstabbed first.
Kim Juyoung gritted his teeth as he crumpled the piece of paper. No matter what, this was unacceptable. It was inconceivable that they would treat him like this based on just a few words from them.
“Just you wait.”
He had planned to separate them once this dungeon matter was resolved anyway. If he couldn’t make Jiwon his Guide, he was going to get rid of him entirely.
That way, Suhyun, unable to receive proper guiding, would fall into ruin.
He had no need for an Esper stronger than himself. The Association should be stomping their feet waiting for him, and people should hail only him as a hero.
Seo Suhyun was a thorn in his side. Fortunately, the method to eliminate him was very simple. If there was only one person who could guide him, then all he needed to do was remove that person.
Unlike Espers, Guides are extremely vulnerable. It would be a simple task.
***
“What the…”
Jiwon rubbed his ear. The persistent itching suggested someone was talking about him.
“Kim Juyoung?”
A ghostly intuition whispered that it was Kim Juyoung. The only person who would be intensely discussing him right now was Kim Juyoung. The disciplinary action against him must have been announced by now.
It had been worth reporting to superiors immediately after returning from the dungeon. Jiwon had expressed his stance that he could not enter dungeons with Kim Juyoung.
Kim Juyoung himself had provided the grounds. He had attacked another Esper. There were also many witnesses who saw him trying to force guiding on Jiwon.
With Seo Suhyun, Kim Juyoung, and himself all standing together, there were bound to be many onlookers.
The higher-ups couldn’t ignore the report and disciplinary request that included the opinions of other Espers who had participated in the dungeon.
[I will not participate in dungeons where Esper Kim Juyoung is present.]
Since Jiwon had made this clear, the answer was predetermined, and the superiors had no reason to persuade him otherwise. As long as Suhyun continued entering dungeons, Kim Juyoung was unnecessary.
“Hmm…”
But he hadn’t expected him to actually receive disciplinary action. In truth, just not meeting each other would have been enough…
Given his somewhat extreme tendencies, he might try to attack Jiwon out of vengeance. He might be pleased if Jiwon got hurt since there would be no one to guide Suhyun…
“Oh…”
It was just a passing thought, but it seemed so plausible that it sent shivers down his spine.
‘I need to be careful.’
Bad premonitions usually come true. He’d seen his fair share of crazies in this field. Well, even if that wasn’t the case, there was no harm in being cautious.
“Ah, shall we have some coffee?”
Jiwon, who had come out of his room stretching his stiff body, approached Suhyun who was already out.
“We should eat a meal.”
As if he had grown accustomed to living together, Suhyun looked at the approaching Jiwon without any particular reaction. The discomfort he had felt initially had now almost disappeared.
Jiwon unconsciously raised the corners of his lips.
“Aren’t you tired?”
“I’m fine.”
Though not as warm as he might be to a passing employee, this was a situation that would have been unimaginable just a few months ago.
Jiwon was relatively satisfied with the current situation. Of course, he still wished they could become closer, but…
“…Guide-nim, are you alright?”
Honestly, that’s asking too much.
When Suhyun had reached the level of caring about his condition, it seemed greedy to want more.
Jiwon smiled pleasantly.
“What am I even doing?”
It’s like taking a walk in a place where not just anyone can enter. As long as he was under Suhyun’s protection, Jiwon was safer than anyone. Even more than the Espers.
Well… it’s peaceful so far because that dungeon hasn’t appeared yet.
“I’m more worried about Esper-nim. Even using your abilities minimally, you’re staying in dungeons too frequently and for too long.”
Jiwon exhaled briefly and checked his watch.
Stability level: 74.
Even if they did guiding before going out, it wouldn’t exceed 80.
At this rate, could the watch be broken? Jiwon, who had been trying to escape reality, shook his head. While guiding, he often felt like hitting some solid wall. Unless they overcame that, the stability level wouldn’t increase.
It would probably rise if Suhyun didn’t use his abilities at all and just stayed home receiving guiding. The problem was that they weren’t in such a situation.
“Will you eat?”
Jiwon shook his head with a deep sigh.
“It’s okay. Coffee is fine.”
Suhyun nodded and walked out from the kitchen. This time, Jiwon took his place in front of the coffee machine.
“Esper-nim. …Um, how about taking a day off today?”
After hesitating without starting the coffee, he subtly asked.
Even if they were told to enter dungeons just once a day, everyone would still complain. However, since Jiwon’s role wasn’t to kill monsters, he had been entering dungeons at least three times a day as a baseline.
Even if he wanted to refuse because of the excessive schedule, lately dungeons had been frequently occurring in urban areas, so he couldn’t. They were trying to avoid capturing monsters in the heart of the city as much as possible.
Since Jiwon had started entering dungeons, and other Guides had begun preparations to enter as well, the mindset of Espers had also changed significantly.
Even Espers who had declared they would never enter dungeons were beginning to think it might be okay with a Guide present.
While many Espers still maintained their stance of operating only outside dungeons, they would likely change their minds over time.
Anyway, Jiwon was in a situation where he absolutely couldn’t avoid work. However, Suhyun could rest a few times in between.
While it was reassuring to have him, he couldn’t be pushed too hard. Though Suhyun didn’t make direct attacks, he was consistently using his abilities to protect him.
“You want to rest?”
Misunderstanding that both of them would rest, Suhyun asked.
“No, I have to go. I was thinking Esper Suhyun-nim should rest. For the dungeon in the early morning, Esper Won Jungyeom-nim will be there anyway…”
He wanted to tell him to rest for days altogether, but he didn’t have the nerve for such luxury. Still, Jiwon judged that on days when there were reliable Espers like Won Jungyeom, Suhyun didn’t necessarily need to step up.
“If I don’t go, Guide-nim can’t go either. Didn’t I tell you?”
But Suhyun’s answer was embarrassingly cold.
“Esper Won Jungyeom-nim needs to focus on clearing the dungeon.”
It sounded like he was saying not to expect Won Jungyeom to protect him.
“That’s true.”
He wasn’t wrong. It was better for other Espers to focus solely on conquering the dungeon.
It was out of concern for Suhyun, but truthfully, everyone would be uncomfortable without him.
Since Espers had been entering dungeons alone all this time, they weren’t used to attacking while protecting someone. That’s why attacks often headed toward Jiwon instead of monsters.
It wasn’t intentional like with Kim Juyoung. The Espers were greatly flustered every time their attacks affected Jiwon.
Intentional or not. Their attacks could take Jiwon’s life in an instant.
He was able to move with reassurance only because of Suhyun’s presence. Without Suhyun, everyone would have to move more cautiously.
Suhyun, who understood the Espers’ situation better than anyone, must have found Jiwon’s words absurd.
“Then I’ll just say thank you. Let’s just endure until that dungeon is discovered and a solution is found.”
Jiwon finally replied lightly. He felt a bit sorry for tiring Suhyun, but looking at the bigger picture, it was something that had to be done for everyone’s safety.
Jiwon activated the coffee machine. Then he blankly watched as the coffee was extracted with a drip-drip sound.
‘Yes, it’s something that has to be done.’
He knows, but still wants Suhyun to rest. If he wasn’t in a situation where he had to enter dungeons first like a guinea pig, Suhyun wouldn’t have to go through this hardship.
‘No, if my matching rate wasn’t so good, we wouldn’t have been involved in the first place.’
If there had been another Guide with a good matching rate…
Jiwon’s brow furrowed slightly. Until recently, he had desperately wished for a new Guide to appear who could take care of Suhyun exclusively, but somehow now, he wasn’t at all inclined to think that way.
