‘This attempt failed.’
I blushed at the random thought, then shook my head vigorously and focused on the objects in front of me.
The items prepared before me now were, in order, a flower pot and water, a wrist cushion, and a solid stick diffuser. And two of each were prepared, containing my guiding wavelength. I’d prepared them based on the knowledge I’d gained from studying guiding theory for several days.
According to theory, the biggest difference between Esper and guide wavelengths was in their nature.
First, an Esper’s wavelength had the property of binding tightly together and clumping, and that ultimately became one force that manifested in the form of superpowers. Thanks to this, they could exert outstanding physical abilities on their surroundings, but as a side effect, they suffered from their bodies breaking down. Naturally. When the wavelength that should be circulating through the body clumped together tightly and shot outward, how could the circulatory system be fine?
‘That doesn’t mean they can avoid using their abilities, though.’
I reviewed the lengthy explanations I’d seen in books and simply recalled only the key points.
Even if Espers didn’t use their abilities, it was equally dangerous. In the first place, since the Esper’s wavelength itself was in a form that bound and tied together, if left alone, they clumped together, blocking the flow and damaging the Esper’s body. It was better to use their abilities; there was no answer to rotting from within.
Rampage.
Right here, it was revealed how an Esper’s rampage occurred.
The rampage we know is when the amount generated inside far exceeds what’s consumed outside. In other words, it was as if the Esper’s body became a black hole, with wavelengths gathering in one place inside and swirling violently.
Conversely, a guide’s wavelength had the property of spreading. The wavelength that just floated gently and leisurely, upon meeting an Esper’s wavelength, entered and settled into those empty places as if meeting a perfect match. When that happened, both the Esper’s wavelength that had clumped tightly, was uncontrolled, and hurt its owner, and the guide’s wavelength that had spread widely, both lost their properties and combined with each other to form a stable structure.
That process was guiding, and the principle of measuring matching rate.
Through this, I could roughly understand how a guiding zone was generated.
At first, I thought it was simply that objects exposed to a guide’s wavelength for a long time gathered to create one territory. But it wasn’t that—rather, the guide’s wavelength with its spreading property reacted to objects as if meeting an Esper’s wavelength from the start, and that repeated to generate a territory. The fact that the guiding zone’s generation accelerated after having relations with Do Ganghyun was likely this result.
“When there’s no Esper wavelength, is liquid better after all?”
I examined the objects before me—those that had been frequently exposed to Do Ganghyun’s Esper wavelength and those that hadn’t.
Thinking of the spreading property of guiding wavelength, I thought I could capture it using objects, but on items bought from the market, the guiding wavelength couldn’t stay long and scattered immediately. At best, the wrist cushion and solid diffuser lasted about 2 minutes longer.
‘Whether there’s life or not doesn’t seem to matter.’
Rather, the flower pot didn’t last as long as the water.
However, all the items brought from home had wavelengths that stayed for a long time. Of course, they all disappeared within two hours.
I thought this phenomenon was due to Do Ganghyun’s wavelength. I wasn’t certain, but it was clear that his wavelength, which even my eyes couldn’t detect, and my wavelength had some kind of interaction.
“The sure thing would be to visit the research lab once…”
That’s when I muttered that absentmindedly.
“I said no.”
Suddenly, a voice popped up from behind me. Without needing to check, it was Do Ganghyun.
“Esper-nim!”
I turned around with a bright smile. The worries I’d been having just moments ago were completely pushed aside.
It was a smile that came out not to smooth over the situation, but because I was glad to see him. It meant that Do Ganghyun had become that kind of person to me now.
“You finished early?”
“Don’t try to gloss over it with a smile. I clearly told you before. Don’t associate with the Research Director.”
‘Why are you suddenly talking about visiting the research lab?’ Do Ganghyun added bleakly. He even asked if the Research Director had approached me when he’d clearly explained it so I’d understand. His wavelength surged sharply enough to catch someone right then and there.
“I was just saying. Not to meet the Research Director-nim, but just thinking of visiting the research lab.”
Of course, if I visited the research lab, I naturally intended to get help through the Research Director. Because to freely use the lab’s equipment and provide advice to support my opinions based on vast knowledge, that would probably be necessary. Above all, unfortunately, the only face I knew well enough to talk to in the research lab was the Research Director.
However, since I couldn’t tell these facts as they were, I waved my hands nonchalantly.
“There’s no such thing as ‘just saying.’ Stop talking nonsense and don’t even go near that area.”
“Yes…”
Unfortunately, due to Do Ganghyun who disliked it enough to have a fit, I had no choice but to give up on visiting the research lab.
I never expected him to dislike visiting the research lab this much.
‘Is it because of the rampage incident?’
For that to be the case, he seemed particularly sensitive about meetings between the Research Director and me, but I didn’t pay it much mind. He’d originally disliked my clinical trial with the Research Director, and there would be no Esper who’d agree to send their guide to a place where they were seriously injured due to rampage.
In a way, it was a natural reaction, so I didn’t even think to suspect other possibilities. Really.
“Wow, what kind of practice have you been doing so diligently?”
“Cap—tain.”
“Last time you even went to the training center to study…”
Then the team members entered the dormitory one by one.
Perhaps feeling the traces of guiding spread throughout the dormitory, they lingered at the entrance for a while, looking around.
There were no clear results yet, but if I took one more step forward from this stage, it seemed I could reach the desired result. My face turned red for no reason, as if they’d recognized it.
“I’ll tell you when I get results later. I still need to practice a bit more—”
As I was shyly trying to mention the artificial guiding zone in a small voice, my phone rang. I always kept it on vibrate so it didn’t make a loud sound, but the continuous vibration was enough to gather everyone’s attention.
I asked for a moment’s understanding and took out my phone.
[Caregiver Hong Seoeun-nim]
And I jumped in surprise at the caller displayed on the screen and hurriedly answered the phone.
The team members who already knew my situation also quietly went inside the dormitory and did their own things. Only Do Ganghyun stood beside me and kept his place.
“…Hello.”
I hesitated a bit before answering the phone.
Even this morning, Grandmother’s vital signs had been fine. However, her condition, which was close to a coma, could worsen at any time without it being strange. There were cases where she intermittently regained consciousness, but even that was hard to expect now.
‘Don’t tell me…’
So if the caregiver contacted me, there would be a reason for it. Either Grandmother had woken up once more with the help of the new drug, or the worst situation I’d been imagining all along—
“It’s okay.”
That’s when it happened. Do Ganghyun’s hand rested on my shoulder as I waited for the caregiver’s words with my eyes squeezed shut.
The tension eased a bit and my shoulders lowered. When I glanced at him, he silently mouthed ‘It’s okay, focus’ again and pointed to the phone in the call with his eyes.
I opened my mouth in a clearer voice than before.
“Please tell me.”
—Yes, you’re Guardian Myeong Eunha, right?
This was the first time talking on the phone with the caregiver.
Do Ganghyun was responsible for her employment, and I’d been receiving reports on Grandmother’s condition via text.
Putting aside the slight awkwardness, the caregiver carefully continued speaking. Somehow her voice tone was high and I could sense excitement.
—Grandmother has woken up! She’s looking for you right now…
“I’ll come. I’ll come right now!”
I answered without thinking further and looked at Do Ganghyun. There was no way an SS-rank Esper would miss what was heard from the other end of the line.
Do Ganghyun nodded his head, then immediately grabbed his car keys.
“I’ll take you. Let’s go together.”
I couldn’t bring myself to refuse. Even last time when Grandmother woke up, the time she maintained consciousness wasn’t very long. If I refused out of courtesy and delayed, I might only face Grandmother with her eyes quietly closed.
“Please do.”
I forgot to even hang up the phone and hurriedly left the dormitory.
