# Chapter 55
“We weren’t done talking earlier, were we?”
Jiwon didn’t care how the other person reacted. There was no reason for him to be considerate when the other wasn’t paying attention to him either.
“You think I’m hiding my abilities so that only Esper-nim and I can survive, right? I’ve been thinking about it, and that seems to be the case.”
Being special wasn’t really a good thing. Lately, he felt this even more strongly. Wasn’t he going through unnecessary hardship because of it?
And yet he had to listen to this nonsense.
Is there some law stating that special people must take responsibility for and protect everyone? If there was any responsibility, it was moral, not obligatory. Overlooking this and trying to invoke guilt in him was even worse.
“Or do you think Suhyun Esper-nim and I are trying to stand out?”
“N-no, that’s not it. I just thought… Guide-nim was neglecting other Espers…”
“Neglecting? Are you saying that other Espers not having to enter the Riska dungeon is neglect?”
If that was neglect, Jiwon wanted to experience it himself. Jiwon twisted the corner of his mouth into a smile.
“If I have a special ability that prevents Espers from being affected by Riska after receiving my guiding, allowing them to enter that dungeon… how many Espers do you think would immediately throw themselves into it?”
Well, unless they were enchanted by Riska, hardly any Esper would step forward first. Maybe after someone confirmed it was true, but not before.
“You don’t actually want all Espers to participate in the Riska dungeon, do you?”
“……”
“And I doubt you want to enter that dungeon along with an Esper either.”
“……”
“Right? I understand. We can only perform guiding; our bodies are no different from ordinary people’s. Who would want to enter a dungeon where one wrong move means death?”
The other person’s face didn’t particularly show understanding, but Jiwon didn’t care.
“What idiot would want to constantly go in and out of dungeons, always prepared to die because they can’t even take care of their own body, without ever resting?”
The other’s expression grew somewhat cold.
“We’re keeping this special ability to ourselves? So the other Espers need help too? Don’t make me laugh. No one wants to enter the Riska dungeon. There’s nothing certain about it. So what makes you so confident to say such things to me?”
The other guide flinched at Jiwon’s intimidating attitude. Jiwon shook his head.
No matter how he thought about it, it was strange. Not only the mention of a special ability that shouldn’t have leaked out anywhere, but what bothered him most was how they acted as if they wanted to enter the Riska dungeon.
Even if he truly had such an ability, hardly any Esper would step forward to test it. Literally a test. Not many people would readily accept a situation where their lives hang in the balance.
“What exactly is your complaint?”
Jiwon asked after letting out a short sigh.
It was a certainty that there must be some other desire.
“I don’t have… any complaints.”
“Really?”
“I just want all Espers to be safe. And I thought Guide-nim’s ability was necessary for that.”
“Seo Suhyun Esper-nim handles all the Riska dungeons. We don’t entrust them to other Espers. They only participate in regular dungeons. So why would my ability be necessary?”
Because they want to participate in Riska dungeons? Why? To lighten Suhyun’s burden? What nonsense. It would make more sense if they wanted to enter the Riska dungeon to enhance their reputation.
Like Kim Juyoung had done.
“You don’t participate in regular dungeons at all.”
“…What?”
“This dungeon is A-class. But I heard that Seo Suhyun Esper-nim didn’t have to come to this dungeon. They said it was all Seo Suhyun Esper-nim’s decision. I think that doesn’t make sense.”
However, Jiwon’s guess was wrong. He thought it wouldn’t be the case, but he never expected such a nonsensical reason to be brought up, leaving him speechless.
Jiwon’s face crumpled mercilessly as he asked.
“So… you’re saying that I’m hiding my ability so that only we can enter the Riska dungeon… and you’re upset that we ignore regular dungeons?”
“……”
“Ah, I see. So you mean Seo Suhyun Esper-nim is just playing around because he’s going to the Riska dungeon. You’re upset that while other Espers are risking their lives fighting in these dungeons, an S-class Esper is just sitting around?”
“……”
“Fuck, what the hell is this about.”
The selfish idea was so shocking that a curse naturally slipped out.
Jiwon lowered his gaze momentarily before raising it again. His eyes gleamed intensely. The other person faltered at his angry face.
“Now I get it.”
Perhaps because his voice was getting louder, guides were starting to appear from outside the tent. Jiwon looked around at them and twisted the corner of his mouth.
“I wondered why the welcoming greeting was so grand today.”
It was so excessive that it was burdensome, and that was exactly what they intended.
“Since it’s an A-class dungeon, an S-class Esper should naturally come out, but you’re all upset because he’s using the Riska dungeon as an excuse not to come.”
“It’s not that I’m upset…”
“You thought that I’m using my special ability to keep Suhyun Esper-nim from being mind-controlled, pretending I don’t know, and not entering other dungeons while having it easy.”
Unable to express that complaint directly, they disguised it as a warm welcome, saying they had been waiting for the S-class ability user all along. As if to say, you’re an essential existence, so protect us more diligently.
“The Espers all had bright faces. They were happy knowing that Suhyun Esper-nim would take the lead and handle everything. Since he’s been playing around using the Riska dungeon as an excuse, they thought that if he had any conscience, he would naturally do it all.”
“While Suhyun Esper-nim was only going to Riska dungeons, other Espers had a very hard time. But asking only B-class Espers to enter an A-class dungeon is cruel, isn’t it?”
Jiwon stared blankly at the other person who countered his words.
This is why you shouldn’t do everything for people. Not only do they take it for granted, but they also expect more.
Rediscovering a fact he had learned long ago left a bitter taste in his mouth. Was it because he wasn’t the only one suffering?
“An S-class Esper is strong. An A-class dungeon… well, it’s nothing. B-class Espers might struggle, but what can I do about them being weak?”
“Guide-nim…!”
Jiwon’s face was indifferent.
“Did anyone tell them to be weak?”
“How can you speak like that…?”
“It’s a shame you don’t have a special ability. If you did, you could have enjoyed the luxury of only going to Riska dungeons. Who’s your Esper? Poor thing. Because their guide is so weak, they have to come out even for this A-class dungeon.”
His giggling face looked like that of a villain. It wasn’t Jiwon’s concern whether the other was shocked or not.
“It’s even more pitiful that you’re a guide with such shallow thinking. From now on, I’m going to make sure Seo Suhyun Esper-nim never comes to dungeons where you and your Esper are present.”
He understood that the ability users here had thoughts similar to this guide. But just thinking it and actually expressing it were different. This went beyond stupidity to rudeness.
“As you know, I’m an S-class guide and, well, according to you, I have a special ability, so the Association adores me. So… you should be prepared to work to death from now on. Because I’m going to make it happen.”
He didn’t particularly think the Association adored him, but he could make up whatever words needed to make them move according to his wishes. His ten years of experience hadn’t been for nothing.
“You’re really selfish. The strong power given to you, Guide-nim, wasn’t meant for fulfilling your selfishness.”
It was a ridiculous statement. Jiwon chuckled.
“No, you’re wrong. The stronger you are, the more selfish you should be. Well, you’ll probably never understand that.”
The strong can afford to be selfish. After all, those who are weak and deserve pity are much more selfish.
“Anyway, thanks for telling me?”
Jiwon gave a bitter smile and then shrugged. Deliberately ignoring the rising emptiness of why he had been so diligently going to dungeons.
“I’ll try to be much more selfish from now on.”
Even if he said this, whether to enter dungeons or not was ultimately Suhyun’s decision. He couldn’t understand why these people with such disgusting thoughts needed protection, but Suhyun would still try to protect them regardless.
So Jiwon’s words were just empty bravado. If the Riska dungeon continued not to appear, Suhyun would certainly come out for regular dungeons.
‘Still, I don’t want to meet this crowd.’
Jiwon swallowed a sigh and turned his steps. It was fortunate that Suhyun hadn’t heard this conversation directly. It was better to help without knowing. Otherwise, it would be sickening.
“…Ah.”
Having lost what little love for humanity he had left, Jiwon’s steps suddenly stopped as he was heading back to the car. Just as he thought how fortunate it was, he came face to face with someone who shouldn’t have been there.
“…Haven’t you gone in yet?”
He clearly seemed to be entering the dungeon…. After confirming that, Jiwon had gone to the guides’ waiting tent… Why was Suhyun still here?
“I’m about to enter now.”
Jiwon was dumbfounded by Suhyun’s composure. There wasn’t a single part of the conversation he just had that he wished Suhyun had heard.
There’s a reason they say ignorance is bliss. It was all conversation that would be better if Suhyun hadn’t heard.
“I’ll be going now.”
“Ah… yes.”
Jiwon barely straightened his face, which was unconsciously about to crumple, and replied. Suhyun immediately passed by him. At the same time, Jiwon’s head dropped.
Jiwon clenched and unclenched his fist, biting his lip.
It was frustrating that Suhyun was entering the dungeon even after hearing everything. Despite having anticipated this.
