# Chapter 71
Strangely, Suhyun felt unfamiliar. It was as if flames were burning around him. This was the first time Jiwon had seen him so angry.
Despite having thought it would be dangerous if he came, Jiwon felt relieved the moment he saw Suhyun’s face.
“H-how…”
Jiwon, who had mumbled unconsciously, suddenly frowned. This wasn’t the time to feel relieved.
By any measure, this was a disadvantageous situation for Suhyun. There were two S-class Espers here whose names Jiwon had heard many times.
Adam wasn’t just boasting; they were actually among the world’s most renowned Espers.
And now, Suhyun was about to face both of them alone. That was far too dangerous.
“Are you alright?”
With no awareness of having jumped into a reckless situation, Suhyun was focusing solely on Jiwon. Jiwon nodded instinctively.
But Suhyun didn’t seem convinced at all. His gaze moved to Jiwon’s bound hands. His face hardened.
“Ah.”
With merely a glance, the restraints binding him were cut clean through. Finally free, Jiwon steadied himself with both hands on the floor. Suhyun’s gaze was fixated on Jiwon’s wrists, which had been chafed raw by the restraints.
“How did you find this place?”
In the meantime, Adam, who had briefly fallen silent, asked with a smile. Though he seemed surprised that Suhyun had found them, he apparently didn’t consider it a situation to be afraid of.
“The setting isn’t ideal, but since this is our first meeting, shall we start with introductions? I am the Director of the American Ability Users Association…!”
BOOM!
But Adam’s calm voice was drowned out by Suhyun’s sudden attack.
“Ugh!”
“Gasp…!”
BANG! CRASH! THUD!
There was no hesitation in the fierce barrage of attacks. Startled, Jiwon reached out toward Suhyun. Then, as if he hadn’t just attacked, Suhyun stepped back. Not expecting his arm to be caught in Jiwon’s hand, Suhyun paused instead.
“Haha… Quite a forceful greeting.”
Once the attack ceased, Adam’s voice was heard again. He was completely unharmed. It was thanks to Kalik and Chase protecting him.
“I understand. You must be very angry that we took your Guide.”
Suhyun slowly closed his eyes and opened them again. Jiwon tightened his grip on Suhyun’s arm, fearing he might launch another attack.
Fortunately, Suhyun chose to stand quietly beside Jiwon. Jiwon let out a sigh of relief. It was strange how reassuring it felt to have Suhyun next to him, even in such an unfavorable situation.
“Like a baby bird that lost its mother.”
Adam laughed. Though the interpreter didn’t relay all of his words, Jiwon understood the sentiment and frowned.
“Are you hurt anywhere else?”
But Suhyun seemed completely uninterested in Adam’s words. Focused on examining Jiwon carefully, Suhyun’s attention made Jiwon nod bewilderedly.
“…I’m fine.”
Suhyun gently brushed over Jiwon’s wrist. It stung slightly at his touch, but it was at a level that could be ignored. It wasn’t serious enough to make Suhyun frown as if he were in more pain.
“…Really, I’m okay.”
Jiwon spoke softly, trying to soothe Suhyun. He was somewhat bewildered by Suhyun’s concern over such a minor wound, but that wasn’t the important issue. The problem was having two S-class Espers right in front of them.
Yet Suhyun showed no fear, not even concern. He had even launched an attack without hesitation.
Could it be that he didn’t think they might be stronger than him? He might not know they were S-class Espers.
“Esper-nim. Those people are also S-class Espers. Both of them.”
“I know.”
While ignoring Adam’s words, he was quick to answer Jiwon.
“Even though you know…”
But surprisingly, Suhyun said he knew. Jiwon was speechless with shock.
No matter how stoic his personality was, this was too much. No, actually, Suhyun’s current state was far from stoic.
Jiwon sensed fierce anger from him.
“Are you happy to be reunited with your Guide? Though it doesn’t seem like a situation to be entirely happy about.”
There was no tension in Adam’s voice. It wasn’t that Suhyun’s anger wasn’t conveyed, but rather that it didn’t seem to matter to him.
“Well, I understand since you’re still a young Esper.”
“……”
“Anyway, since we’ve met like this, though unintended, I’d like to make you an offer too. I was planning to do this after taking Guide Moon first, but…”
“……”
“Would you like to come to America too? As a colleague. Honestly, aren’t you just suffering in this country?”
The word “colleague” sounded shameless. What kind of person recruits colleagues this way?
Jiwon knew Adam was confident he wouldn’t lose this fight. Of course, Jiwon also thought Suhyun and he had no chance of winning. Maybe if it was one-on-one.
To be honest, even that was frightening. Not to disparage Suhyun’s strength, but the difference in experience couldn’t be ignored.
Moreover, in America, S-class Espers frequently competed against each other…
“I don’t want to.”
“…Esper-nim.”
“Does Guide-nim want to go?”
But Suhyun maintained the same attitude throughout. In response to the question directed at him, Jiwon unconsciously shook his head.
He didn’t want to go.
“But…”
But was there any need to be so straightforward and provoke a fight?
Above all, Jiwon didn’t want Suhyun to get hurt. To ensure that, they needed to escape from here as peacefully as possible.
“That’s good news.”
However, Suhyun seemed to have a different opinion on this matter.
Jiwon watched Kalik and Chase’s movements. They were on high alert. It looked like they would attack Suhyun at any moment if they chose to.
What should he do? Fighting was not an option. Should he step forward then? In any case, they needed him. They wouldn’t want him to get hurt either.
“Are you done talking?”
While repeating these inconclusive thoughts, Suhyun asked.
“A choice not worth considering? Your thinking is too narrow. Why not think a bit more? At least after properly assessing this situation…”
THUD, BOOM, THUD…!
“…You don’t want to listen.”
Adam was right. Before his words could even finish, the entire house began to shake. It seemed on the verge of collapse.
Suhyun pulled Jiwon’s waist and embraced him. Suddenly finding himself in Suhyun’s arms, Jiwon lost his words and gaped.
“What’s the point of listening?”
Suhyun asked Adam in an icy voice.
“It would be meaningless either way.”
Adam had said that if they didn’t come along willingly, he would attack Korea. That couldn’t happen. They had to prevent major damage. They needed to find a way to send these people back without causing harm…
“Nothing bad will happen.”
Sensing Jiwon’s anxiety, Suhyun abruptly spoke in a low voice.
“Because I won’t lose.”
“But…”
“You said it yourself, Guide-nim. That I’m strong.”
Suhyun is strong. Jiwon had no intention whatsoever of denying that. But he still believed Suhyun alone couldn’t defeat Kalik and Chase.
Suhyun is a special Esper. He’s the only Esper free from Riska dungeon’s mind control. But besides that, Kalik and Chase had the upper hand over Suhyun.
They had awakened much earlier than him and had consequently explored numerous dungeons. They were the ones who had been in and out of countless S-class dungeons that had never appeared in Korea.
“Trust me.”
But Jiwon instantly lost the strength to persuade him.
“Both Guide-nim and I will return home safely.”
Suhyun’s words, spoken with flashing eyes, seemed to tell Jiwon that all his anxieties were meaningless.
It was crazy. Excessive confidence.
Even thinking so, Jiwon couldn’t shake his head. He even thought that if it was Suhyun, he might be able to do it.
“I will protect you.”
The hand embracing him was firm. The promise to protect echoed in his ears and shook Jiwon’s heart.
“Are you confident you won’t get hurt?”
Jiwon asked, squeezing his eyes shut and then opening them. Who were they up against? It was a ridiculous question.
“Yes.”
But Suhyun didn’t laugh. He simply nodded as if he was truly confident, glancing at Jiwon’s wrist as he answered.
“Less than Guide-nim has been hurt.”
The slight injury from being chafed seemed to bother him quite a bit. Jiwon muttered in bewilderment.
“Why are you so confident?”
“Because Guide-nim is by my side.”
It was an uncharacteristically direct expression.
“But the stability level might drop. Is that okay?”
Jiwon’s face contorted drastically.
He didn’t know. It seemed like there should be a better solution, but he couldn’t think of one. He just wanted to trust Suhyun.
“…Of course… it’s fine.”
Jiwon barely managed to answer. As if he had been waiting for this, Suhyun raised the corner of his mouth.
“I’ll hold you to that.”
