# Chapter 58
The two of them flew directly to the location where the dungeon had appeared.
Counting the dates, it had been about three weeks since Jeju Island.
“I’m feeling a bit nervous.”
The dungeon entrance had formed in the center of an elementary school. A middle and high school were attached next to it, and the surrounding area was occupied by large apartment complexes and shopping centers. It would have been a place with high foot traffic normally.
“Is it because it’s too quiet?”
But now, everywhere was so silent that even the sound of breathing seemed loud. This was because everyone had evacuated as soon as the dungeon formed.
It was good that things were handled quickly, but it felt strange, like standing in a ruined world.
“Perhaps that’s it.”
Suhyun nodded slightly and pointed to a tent set up at one end of the playground. Since it was identical to what they had seen on Jeju Island, Jiwon momentarily lost his tension and burst into laughter.
“They brought it exactly as it was….”
Looking closer, the interior also had the same structure as before. Even the sofa positioned to directly view the dungeon.
Jiwon was drawn to the sofa like a magnet and sat down. Since everything was the same as before, there was no need to look around.
“Come here.”
More important was stabilizing the condition of Suhyun, who had just returned from a dungeon.
Well….
“You don’t even look like you’ve been to a dungeon.”
Though there wasn’t really anything to stabilize.
‘The Espers who went in with him were half-dying.’
Jiwon was about to say something while glaring at Suhyun with reproachful eyes but stopped. Moving to a better position was the priority.
It usually takes at least a day for monsters to emerge from a dungeon. But on Jeju Island, it took less than a day.
They appeared after about 20 hours, which was somewhat similar but not news to be taken lightly. If the time for dungeon doors to open continues to accelerate this way, there might eventually be no time to evacuate.
‘That’s probably overthinking.’
He was worrying too much. Jiwon heaved a long sigh as he stared at the dungeon entrance that showed no sign of monsters emerging.
“Aren’t you tired?”
“I’m completely fine.”
“Hmm.”
One would expect him to be tired from constantly going in and out of dungeons, but Suhyun truly looked fine. Once again, it was evident that Espers have no health problems as long as their wavelength is stable.
Should he be happy about this?
“How was it before?”
That means Suhyun was in a bad state every day before Jiwon became his dedicated Guide. This period lasted for as long as two years, which left a bitter taste in his mouth.
Just as he felt from the beginning, he should have pushed to become Suhyun’s dedicated Guide sooner….
“When you say ‘before,’ what time are you referring to?”
“Before I became your dedicated Guide. When you used to come to the center occasionally for guiding. I’m curious about your physical condition then.”
“……”
Even though it was already in the past, he was curious. It was part of his desire to learn about Suhyun’s experiences and thoughts.
“…I don’t remember well.”
Suhyun answered indifferently. But it had only been about four months ago at most. There was no way he wouldn’t remember.
“You were in pain every day, right?”
Jiwon ignored this nonsensical statement.
“…My condition was just somewhat poor.”
“With a stability of 40?”
“……”
“Or are you talking about your condition right after receiving guiding from me?”
He didn’t particularly intend to press the issue, but that’s how it came out as he spoke. Jiwon cleared his throat with a “ahem” and smiled lightly.
“I was just curious about how Esper-nim’s condition varies with stability level.”
If his condition was “somewhat poor” after receiving guiding at the center, then on other days…. Tsk, he didn’t want to think about it.
“Then tell me what it’s like when your stability is high. 70, 80, and 90. Is there a difference between each?”
Suhyun tended to avoid talking about unpleasant things. Anyway, Jiwon wasn’t going to let his wavelength drop anymore, and even if it did, he would immediately bring it back to its original state, so there was no need to know the details of the lower states.
“…They’re moderately different.”
“Moderately how?”
“The higher the stability, the lighter my body feels.”
“Hmm… what a specific and easy-to-understand explanation.”
Jiwon nodded his head slowly in response.
Considering Suhyun’s personality, it was an excessive expectation from the start. There was no way he would explain his condition in detail.
“Anyway, the higher the better, right?”
Suhyun nodded. Even if not detailed, that was certain enough. Jiwon patted the seat beside him.
“Well, since we have plenty of time, shall we do some guiding slowly?”
“…Yes.”
Jiwon smiled at the compliant answer. His gaze lingered on the corner of Suhyun’s lips. It was amazing to think there was a time when that face smiled brightly.
But why doesn’t he smile now? I want to see his smiling face.
Jiwon naturally took Suhyun’s hand as he sat beside him. If he suddenly asked him to smile… he probably wouldn’t comply.
“Esper-nim.”
Jiwon slowly began guiding through their connected hands. Suhyun, who had closed his eyes during the relaxing guiding, opened them again.
“Want to make a bet?”
Suhyun had no answer to this sudden proposal. Regardless, Jiwon laughed by himself as if amused.
“Granting a wish?”
Suhyun looked at Jiwon’s playful face. It was clear that he had something specific in mind.
“But what should we compete on? It’s obvious I’d lose in a fight.”
Well.
Suhyun thought he had a higher chance of losing. He wouldn’t even attempt to fight in the first place. Well, if that were the bet, he wouldn’t accept it anyway.
“Shall we leave it to luck? Like guessing when that dungeon will open?”
“…Even if I win, I don’t have a wish.”
“Then you can just lose. You bet that the dungeon opens right now, and I’ll bet it takes longer.”
“Why should I do that?”
“Because I want to win?”
Suddenly wanting something from him? Suhyun tried to guess but couldn’t come up with anything.
There was no way Suhyun could understand what was on Jiwon’s mind.
“…I don’t want to.”
Suhyun shook his head. He doesn’t enjoy adventures. Unless it was something he had to do, he didn’t want to step into situations with unknown outcomes.
Even if it was just a trivial bet.
“Hmm, then try to predict when the monsters will appear.”
“I said I’m not betting.”
“Why? Are you afraid I’ll make an unreasonable wish?”
“……”
“Are you scared? Surely, I wouldn’t make an outrageous wish for such a small bet?”
Jiwon looked directly at Suhyun with sparkling eyes. He would place a wish that would be nice if granted, but nothing major if not.
Jiwon simply wanted to see Suhyun’s smiling face head-on. He was curious. Would it be strange to say that it felt like he hadn’t seen it for too long and suddenly wanted to see it again?
“I’m just suggesting it because I thought Esper-nim might be bored.”
“I’m not bored at all.”
“But it’s too quiet today.”
When conversation stopped, the silence became suffocating. If Suhyun smiled just once, it would be refreshing.
It might also alleviate some of the tension from the thought that they still couldn’t be certain if Suhyun would be free from the Riska dungeon.
It was just a desire with various excuses. If Suhyun didn’t like it, there was nothing he could do.
“Never mind then.”
Jiwon shrugged as if giving up easily. Then he closed his eyes and focused on guiding. He doesn’t push in a lot of power all at once. Jiwon’s guiding had been very slow lately. It was to feel every bit of his power being drawn into Suhyun without missing anything.
“…What was the wish?”
But at the sound of Suhyun’s voice, Jiwon quickly opened his eyes. He turned his head swiftly, but couldn’t meet Suhyun’s eyes. He was looking straight at the dungeon.
Jiwon smiled, the corners of his mouth lifting. Apparently, it was bothering him.
He’s not even being affectionate, so why are his actions so cute? Is this what they call being love-struck?
Jiwon swallowed his bursting laughter and answered seriously.
“I want to get a bit closer.”
He wanted to see Suhyun’s smiling face.
But it was a wish that would only make the other person uncomfortable if expressed directly.
His actions needed justification. Only if Suhyun didn’t find it strange could he continuously reduce the distance between them.
“And also borrow your shoulder. Unlike Esper-nim, I’m a bit tired.”
The justification for this wish was guiding. They needed to be close for guiding, and since he was tired, he wanted to borrow Suhyun’s shoulder—a wish that could be granted without much hesitation.
“Wouldn’t it be better if you went to sleep in bed for a while?”
That was entirely based on Jiwon’s standards.
Jiwon smiled slightly and shook his head.
“No. What if something happens while I’m asleep?”
“That won’t…”
“You don’t want to lend it? Alright, fine.”
Jiwon sat up even more straight than before.
If it were him, he probably would have granted such a request. But then again, he wouldn’t do it for just anyone….
Jiwon rationalized on his own and suppressed the slight disappointment that had risen.
“…It’s okay.”
But there was no need for that, as Suhyun gave his permission. He willingly reduced the distance between himself and Jiwon.
As they got closer, their arms bumped uncomfortably, so Jiwon quietly slipped his arm inside Suhyun’s. Then, before Suhyun could say anything, he rested his head on Suhyun’s shoulder.
His cheekbones were rising in satisfaction.
“Ah, comfortable.”
The touching body temperature was warm. His heart announced its position loudly with a thump-thump. Jiwon closed his eyes, pretending not to notice.
Because the moment he became conscious of it, the warm Suhyun might move away.
