# Chapter 106
Being guided by only one Guide.
In other words, it means that one Guide is sufficient for guiding.
One cannot insist on a single Guide just because of love. Everyone knows that an Esper with unstable wavelengths can go berserk.
But if one Guide can adequately regulate the wavelength…
‘There’s no need to look for another Guide.’
If an Esper is already stabilized, why seek another Guide? It’s not like there are infinite Guides available.
‘Since their stability levels were higher than Espers who received guidance from multiple Guides, they probably ignored the guiding rejection response, believing it wouldn’t happen to them.’
Jiwon too had held onto hope that Suhyun might somehow avoid the rejection response. Hoping he wouldn’t need guiding from other Guides.
’96, 97… there was even an Esper with a stability level of 100.’
However, those Espers with noticeably high stability levels who had only one Guide all inevitably met with disaster.
The highest stability levels of Espers whose records remained or could be verified all exceeded 95.
‘It’s correct to assume they become prey when their stability levels get extremely high.’
Jiwon sighed, pressing his temples due to a headache.
“His stability level also went up to 96 at its highest.”
There were no exceptions. The same applied to Choi Young.
“Then it gradually dropped to normal levels.”
“Thinking about it now, it’s strange.”
Recalling his conversation with Wooyeon to check Choi Young’s stability level, Jiwon spoke weakly.
“It’s not like he constantly went into dungeons where wavelengths would inevitably get tangled, so why did we consider the drop in stability level as normal?”
“Maybe because the number was so high that we thought the elevation itself was coincidental.”
Jiwon nodded at Suhyun’s response.
Because they considered extremely high stability levels abnormal, they didn’t find it odd when the levels dropped.
Despite the same pattern repeating consistently.
“I think he maintained stability levels between 80 and 90. Then suddenly he appeared, pushed to the brink of going berserk.”
Wooyeon also didn’t mind for the same reason. However, since he had once raised Choi Young’s stability level to 96, he firmly believed he could stabilize him when he appeared with chaotic wavelengths.
But that day, Wooyeon suffered critical internal injuries and could no longer perform guiding. It was the aftermath of forcing himself to guide, believing he could.
“It felt like no matter how much I tried to guide, it wouldn’t work. Like sand slipping through my fingers. At that time, I thought it was because my guiding was inadequate…”
Remembering his voice, which seemed to regard himself pathetically, Jiwon bit his lower lip.
Suhyun gently caressed Jiwon’s lip and spoke in a calm tone.
“It seems they accumulated power by gradually disrupting the Esper’s wavelength. An Esper whose power was being drained by Riska couldn’t maintain the same stability level as before, even with identical guiding.”
Jiwon nodded. Based on what they’d discovered so far, this was the most credible hypothesis.
“Could it also be Riska’s influence that made other Guides’ guiding ineffective?”
At Suhyun’s question, Jiwon slowly tapped his knee with his finger. Then he nodded slowly.
“I think so. They only accepted the Guide who had brought the Esper to the most perfect state. So…”
Jiwon clicked his tongue.
“In the end, Riska infiltrated the Esper’s body and directly caused the guiding rejection response.”
If so, it could also explain the wound that wouldn’t heal.
‘We just can’t be certain without evidence.’
There was a strong suspicion. However, it was cautious to definitively blame everything on Riska.
‘I did request an investigation into the Espers’ stability levels…’
Cases of stability levels rising this high are rare. That’s probably why there aren’t many confirmed cases of guiding rejection response.
“…”
Jiwon’s lips pressed tightly as his thoughts deepened.
It was different from when he had embarked on the experiment based on the assumption that his guiding could free an Esper from Riska’s mental domination.
Proving this hypothesis was relatively much more dangerous. Because it meant Suhyun had to enter the dungeon.
That’s why they couldn’t act hastily. Since Suhyun was the one who had to act, Jiwon wanted to be more cautious.
‘Because I could be wrong.’
The guiding had no particular effect. It only proved that Suhyun was a special case.
“I need to enter the dungeon once more.”
Therefore, Jiwon couldn’t nod at Suhyun’s words. They needed to ensure his safety before proceeding.
“No. Not now. Let’s think more and decide later.”
“We can’t find out anything just by thinking. After I verify what I saw properly…”
“No. It’s not allowed.”
“…”
“It’s dangerous.”
Jiwon shook his head and held Suhyun’s hand. At the rather pitiful touch, Suhyun closed his mouth.
“Let’s observe a bit more, okay? Esper…”
Jiwon shook Suhyun’s hand as if urging him when there was no response. His anxious pupils visibly trembled.
“…Alright.”
Unable to be stubborn while looking at that face, Suhyun nodded.
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Promise me.”
“…Yes, I will.”
Despite Suhyun’s answer, Jiwon couldn’t hide his anxiety, seemingly not entirely convinced.
But he eventually closed his mouth, unable to press further someone who had already agreed.
‘I’m sorry.’
Looking at Jiwon, Suhyun apologized in his heart. He had already made up his mind to enter the dungeon again.
‘I’ll just check if the same thing repeats.’
He knew he was acting somewhat hastily. But Suhyun was certain that Jiwon, now aware that high stability levels could make one a covert target for Riska, would no longer strive to increase stability levels.
He would try to maintain it at an appropriate level, knowing the danger of just entering a dungeon. The Jiwon he knew was more than capable of such caution.
That’s why he needed to check now, while his stability level was still high. At least Suhyun had sensed Riska’s presence targeting him. Therefore, he should be able to avoid it this time too.
‘Even if I can’t avoid it…’
Even if such a thing happened, there was something to gain. Choi Young provided that hint.
‘What if Riska can only create pathways to communicate with them after infiltrating an Esper’s body?’
They couldn’t just enter. No means to contact Riska’s base had been found yet.
But Choi Young had contact with Riska’s base. The mineral he had was evidence of that.
Moreover…
“…”
Suhyun suppressed a short sigh.
Perhaps they could only see Riska’s base if a medium connecting Riska and himself was created.
It might also explain why Jiwon saw Riska’s base while guiding Jungyeom.
It was a moment of connection to their base due to a clash with Riska attempting to control the Esper through wavelengths.
Though just a conjecture, the conclusion was singular.
To see their base, contact was necessary. Depending on the circumstances, he might need to be affected.
“What are you thinking about?”
A flash of color returned to his previously sunken eyes. Suhyun met Jiwon’s gaze.
“I was thinking you probably won’t guide me for a while.”
Though not a lie, it was still a brazen response that easily came out.
Fortunately, Jiwon seemed to take Suhyun’s words at face value. He murmured, avoiding Suhyun’s gaze.
“…You caught me.”
Suhyun smiled and stroked Jiwon’s hair. Jiwon embraced him and said,
“Don’t hate me… I can’t help it.”
Suhyun nodded. Regrettably, that was what Suhyun wanted to say.
“How could I ever?”
If he were to venture into the dungeon, would Jiwon say the same to him?
Suhyun buried his face in Jiwon’s shoulder. Belatedly, he realized it was quite a selfish wish.
***
That night.
Suhyun was standing in front of a C-class dungeon that had formed about an hour away from home.
“Do you really need to go this far?”
Won Jungyeom was beside him. Since he couldn’t secretly enter the dungeon alone without someone’s help, he had no choice but to contact Jungyeom.
“I’m the only one who can properly verify it again.”
“…”
Jungyeom didn’t respond.
He knew this wasn’t right, but he believed Suhyun was correct.
Suhyun had avoided that silent attack based on feeling alone. All they could do was hope he could easily avoid it this time as well.
“…Be careful.”
“I will.”
Leaving Jungyeom’s anxious farewell behind, Suhyun stepped into the entrance of the dungeon.
“…It’s here.”
Simultaneously, he felt an incredibly unpleasant presence. Clearly, it was the same presence he had felt in the previous dungeon.
