Guides who could perform this kind of guiding were so rare and precious that there were known to be only five in the entire world.
Only a minority of high-ranking officials and related department agents knew of the existence of this guiding that could prevent Espers from going berserk. And they had all signed powerful confidentiality agreements.
Cases where an Esper who had entered rampage could be returned to normal were rare. At best, a 5-8% probability.
Jiwon stopping Seo Gangwoo’s rampage progression at their first meeting was a very lucky case. It was possible because of their tremendous 95.8% matching rate and compatibility, and Seo Gangwoo’s excellent mental strength.
An Esper’s rampage, once started, was like a car without brakes that ran until it exploded at some point.
Although there were improved guiding substitute drugs thanks to technological advancement, the number of Espers who died from rampage alone each year still easily exceeded fifty.
People considered Esper rampage a natural disaster. The unfortunate fate of Espers that was difficult to control with human power.
But if it became known that there were Guides who could stop such rampages, the resentment of the families and acquaintances of Espers who died from rampage would turn toward those Guides. No matter how rational a person might be, when something happened to them personally, they couldn’t help but react emotionally.
Even now, not only Korea but the entire world was suffering from a Guide shortage.
Because of this, many Espers were exposed to danger and even died, but it was another problem for chaos to be caused by revealing the existence of a minority who could prevent this.
That was not what the Korean Ability Users Headquarters and the World Ability Users Association wanted.
Protecting and managing the already insufficient Guides was work for all of humanity.
“First of all, don’t tell anyone that you have that ability. Not even your family.”
“What?”
“The guiding Guide Kim Jiwon performed is called Noble Guiding. It’s guiding that only five people in the entire world can do, and of course, now it’s six.”
Do Yura smiled, watching his gentle eyes widen.
“I’m also a Guide capable of Noble Guiding. I’m part of the EED, but I’m not on the paperwork.”
Jiwon gradually began to realize that he had done something incredible.
“It’s a great ability, but you’re just one Guide. It’s impossible to save all the Espers throughout the country who are about to go berserk.”
“Ah….”
Jiwon caught on to what Do Yura was trying to say.
“Everyone who knows about Noble Guiding or knows a Guide capable of Noble Guiding is required to sign a confidentiality agreement. That agreement itself is an artifact with binding power.”
Jiwon finally understood how this amazing guiding method could remain so unknown.
“Whether to continue using this ability or not is Guide Kim Jiwon’s choice. You succeeded by chance this time, but you’ll need a lot of practice to use it properly in real situations.”
“A choice?”
“Yeah. Just because you have an ability doesn’t mean you must use it. No one will force you, and for now it’s good to just know that this exists.”
“But Guide Do Yura, you’re doing Noble Guiding, aren’t you?”
“Right. That’s also just my choice. Even now, if I said I’d quit, I could quit anytime.”
Do Yura waved to the EED agents who were leaving first during the conversation.
“It’s a bit of a waste not to use a new ability you’ve gained, right? Well, it’s quite rewarding, but it’s not all good. No matter how much you pay attention to safety, accidents can happen. Also, there are frequent cases where you deploy but arrive at the tail end of a rampage and return without being able to do anything.”
A bitter smile briefly appeared and disappeared at the corners of her mouth.
“When you come back empty-handed like that, it feels really unsettling. You feel bad, and you think, ‘Why am I doing this and seeing such things?’ But I’m not a god, so how can I succeed every time and be perfect? I just do it moderately enough not to wear myself out, diligently only to the extent that I’m not in danger. Thinking like that, I’m still continuing.”
From Do Yura, who spoke calmly about heavy content, Jiwon could feel the solidity of someone who had overcome countless successes, failures, and frustrations by facing them head-on.
That sincere answer gave Jiwon a different kind of impression.
If she had talked about grand senses of mission like saving rampaging Espers or a Guide’s destiny, it wouldn’t have drawn out as much empathy as he felt now.
“You’re really amazing.”
Brown eyes containing 100% pure sincerity without a speck of pretense looked toward Do Yura. Do Yura blinked, pausing at those transparent eyes.
They were eyes that seemed like they would strip her bare and thoroughly expose even her deepest inner self, yet at the same time looked at her as she was, as just one person, without any background or prejudiced colored glasses.
The corners of her mouth rose slightly.
A somewhat ticklish feeling.
“Oh my, was this your style? Ohoho, that’s right. I am quite amazing. Puhat.”
Even while speaking shamelessly, pleasant laughter kept leaking out. It was on a different level from useless flattery and compliments thrown out hoping to get something.
Is this what they call unconscious flirting? If it weren’t for Esper Seo Gangwoo, I might have snatched him up.
Once the laughter started, it strangely wouldn’t stop.
Finally, Do Yura, who had laughed until tears formed at the corners of her eyes, suddenly stopped laughing and scrutinized Jiwon intently.
Jiwon, who had been watching Do Yura laughing for a while in bewilderment since he hadn’t said anything that funny, was flustered by her suddenly stopping her laughter and examining his face for a long time without saying anything, so he could only give an awkward smile.
“Um, Guide Do Yura?”
“Yeah.”
“For now, there’s nothing I need to decide right away, is what you’re saying, right?”
“Right. And don’t forget that there’s also the option of not working as part of the EED, you can just continue as you are now. I’d like to talk more but I have a schedule after this so I have to go.”
Do Yura wanted to cancel her next schedule, but she held back because it was a fairly important one. Instead, she exchanged contact information with Jiwon.
“If you have any questions about this, contact me anytime. You can also just send a greeting text.”
“Thank you!”
Jiwon smiled broadly and gave his thanks. He was grateful since he had questions anyway and she offered first.
“Then, I have to go. Make sure to contact me, make sure!”
Do Yura grabbed Jiwon’s hand once more and urged him.
“Yes!”
After hearing his answer, she quickly turned around as if she had urgent business and swiftly left the scene.
Jiwon watched her retreating figure briefly to see her off, then returned to where he had been earlier.
“Are you okay? What did you talk about?”
Minhyeok, worried about Jiwon who had been dragged away as if abducted by the suddenly appearing Do Yura, quickly approached.
“Ah, we just exchanged greetings.”
“Really? The atmosphere… I thought you were going to get eaten up.”
“Haha….”
Actually, Jiwon had felt that way a little too.
“Let’s really go back now. Whew, I’m tired.”
“Let’s do that. Huh…?”
At Minhyeok’s pause, Jiwon, who had been waiting for him to use his teleportation ability, turned his head thinking “What now?” At a distance that was neither too far nor too close, a large young Esper was standing restlessly, fidgeting.
When his eyes met Jiwon’s, who was looking at him questioningly, he startled and flustered.
“…Esper Kim Taehwan, is there something you want to say?”
When Jiwon called him, remembering the name he’d heard earlier, he smiled brightly and approached slowly.
“Um….”
After doing so, he actually hesitated and couldn’t continue his words, making Jiwon tilt his head.
Wondering what was going on, Jiwon carefully examined the Esper before him. If it weren’t for the torn clothes and disheveled hair, he was in such a stable state that it was hard to believe he was the Esper who had been fiercely rampaging just moments ago.
But he could see the pupils up close were unfocused and wandering here and there.
Only then did Jiwon realize why the Esper in front of him was acting this way.
He was scared. Scared that he might be consumed by his own ability and go berserk.
The objective numbers displayed on the watch confirmed that he had escaped danger now, but it wasn’t enough to extinguish his psychological anxiety.
For this young Esper, the experience he had today—of his ability extending beyond his control with a moment’s carelessness and approaching death—might continue to remain as trauma.
Jiwon was already so tired that he wanted to collapse on the bed in his private room right away, but he couldn’t bear to leave him so callously.
“Um… want to go to a cafe with me for a cup of tea?”
Taehwan, who had been digging at the ground with his head deeply bowed, suddenly raised his head and his eyes sparkled.
“Aren’t you tired? You did a lot of guiding so you should rest.”
Minhyeok spoke with a worried voice from the side. Only then did Taehwan, realizing belatedly, try to act nonchalant, but Jiwon could see he was dejected.
“I can rest while eating dessert at Ellin. Sugar recharge! Hyung, come with us too.”
“Hmm, okay.”
At that, Taehwan quickly greeted his senior Esper and came back.
Minhyeok held out his hand to the two. He wasn’t really keen on it, but he agreed knowing what Jiwon’s intentions were.
