# Chapter 102
“The death of Guide Lee Jaehee?”
Geonwoo’s gaze sank coldly.
In contrast, a peculiar light flickered in the Center Director’s eyes. He was someone who had weathered countless storms before sitting in the Center Director’s chair. It was impossible for someone like him not to grasp what Geonwoo wanted. It just took some time for him to accept it mentally.
‘It’s strange. I’ve seen countless one-sided bonds.’
What Choi Geonwoo wanted was different from other Espers with one-sided bonds. He didn’t want Jaehee’s guiding energy—he wanted Jaehee himself.
If that was the case, in this situation where they couldn’t subdue him by force, they shouldn’t try to overlay the bond with Jiwoon, but rather use Jaehee as leverage. The Center Director didn’t want to escalate matters any further. If Geonwoo were to go berserk here, they had no means to stop him.
“You’re aware that Guide Lee Jaehee’s body has become significantly weakened, aren’t you?”
So the Center Director played his final card—Jaehee. Geonwoo reacted. He who hadn’t even spared a glance now looked at the Center Director with fierce eyes. That reaction made it perfectly clear. Choi Geonwoo, who hadn’t responded to anything else, only cared about Jaehee’s well-being. The Center Director was now trying to exploit that.
“Esper Choi Geonwoo. As you already know, during omega manifestation, the body typically becomes even weaker.”
The reason why Geonwoo hadn’t immediately reclaimed Jaehee even with him right before his eyes just now. The reason why he hadn’t immediately snatched him from Kang Dohyun out of concern that Jaehee might get hurt or frightened, instead throwing his own body as bait—it was all because he already knew this fact.
Moreover, Jaehee’s manifestation wasn’t typical. Generally, after manifesting as a Guide, one would manifest as an omega or alpha within a week, or at most a month. But Jaehee had manifested as a Guide at 13, lived as a beta until now, and was only now manifesting as an omega. The later the manifestation, the greater the strain on Jaehee’s body would be. So from the perspective of someone concerned about his well-being, this was especially worrisome. It required extra caution.
“So, let’s make a deal.”
While the Center Director didn’t understand why this was Geonwoo’s weakness, having identified it as one, he pressed on this point with an offer Geonwoo couldn’t refuse.
“Our side will take responsibility for Guide Lee Jaehee’s safety.”
The Center Director spoke with a gentle smile on his face, trying not to show any tension.
“Right now, isn’t ensuring Guide Lee Jaehee safely manifests as an omega the priority?”
So he framed his words as if he was concerned about Jaehee. But seeing Geonwoo’s expression, he realized it wasn’t enough yet. He needed something definitive that would make Geonwoo come over to his side, something he couldn’t resist.
“Besides, you’re currently at risk of going berserk, aren’t you?”
So the Center Director spoke more strongly.
“Do you intend to stay by Guide Lee Jaehee’s side while carrying that risk of going berserk, right now?”
The Center Director continued to provoke Geonwoo. He judged that if Geonwoo’s energy waves calmed down, they would lose even this opportunity to talk.
“What if you go berserk while next to Guide Lee Jaehee?”
Unable to miss this opportunity, the Center Director took a risk and stepped closer to Geonwoo, speaking forcefully.
“Then Guide Lee Jaehee would immediately turn to ashes.”
At those words, Geonwoo’s gaze became so fierce it was difficult to meet his eyes. But anxiety was inscribed within that fierceness. The Center Director didn’t miss that. Having gained the upper hand, he continued.
“If you want to prevent that, shouldn’t you calm your berserker state first? We’ll help you with that.”
But Geonwoo still didn’t answer. He just forcibly calmed his energy waves and turned his head toward the south entrance, as if ready to rush to Jaehee at any moment.
The Center Director narrowed his eyes. This wasn’t enough.
“Don’t you think you’re being shameless? Who do you think caused Guide Lee Jaehee’s body to become so weak in the first place?”
So he brought up the topic he had hesitated to mention.
“Esper Choi Geonwoo, it was because of the drug taken to break the one-sided bond with you that Guide Lee Jaehee’s body has become like this.”
Even from the Center Director’s perspective, this was just exposing his own shame. An accident that occurred because the Center Director himself had failed to properly maintain his position. Moreover, Choi Geonwoo was also one of the victims of that incident.
But the Center Director cleverly twisted his words. He needed to provoke Geonwoo to come over.
Fortunately, his words seemed to have an effect, as Geonwoo’s eyes shook violently. Geonwoo probably didn’t know that the drug was poison. It was natural since Jaehee had asked to keep that part hidden.
“And now, do you intend to endanger Guide Lee Jaehee, who is in the midst of omega manifestation? Because of your own desires?”
The Center Director’s voice gained strength. Geonwoo’s clenched hand visibly relaxed. The Center Director didn’t miss that.
“Even you wouldn’t want that, Esper Choi Geonwoo. So first, let’s calm down the risk of going berserk. We’ll take responsibility for his safety until Guide Lee Jaehee fully manifests, so don’t worry about that.”
The Center Director added his final words like driving in a wedge.
“During that time, we won’t touch your one-sided bond with Esper Choi Geonwoo. I promise that on my position as Center Director.”
Was that the signal? Seeing Geonwoo’s body visibly relax, the Center Director immediately signaled to the Espers around him. Confirming the Center Director’s instructions, the group of Espers nodded slightly and immediately moved to catch up with Dohyun.
‘Safety, huh…’
Meanwhile, there was someone mentally repeating the Center Director’s words. It was Yoo Jiwoon, standing among the Guides. He was covering his mouth with his hand, wearing a bright smile. That smile was directed at the Espers crossing the south entrance on the Center Director’s orders. More specifically, it was fixed on Lee Minhun among the Espers.
‘That will be difficult.’
But unlike his brightly smiling lips, his eyes were not the same. They were infinitely cold. It was due to anxiety and displeasure that couldn’t be expressed.
‘Jaehee manifesting as an omega.’
That’s so unfair.
‘When I can no longer manifest as an omega.’
It doesn’t make sense for Jaehee, a mere villain sub-bottom character, to do so.
Jiwoon’s bright smile gradually deepened and finally transformed into a cruel one.
‘So things should be fair.’
Because becoming an omega doesn’t suit Jaehee at all.
***
“Lee Jaehee.”
Dohyun softly called Jaehee’s name as he looked down at him in his arms. Jaehee’s pheromones were gradually becoming stronger. His body, which had been struggling and crying, had slumped as he got closer to manifestation, and he was now just breathing laboriously while leaning against Dohyun. Even in that state, Jaehee was still crying. His face showed confusion.
Dohyun wasn’t part of Jaehee’s concerns. Despite this being a time when one becomes emotionally sensitive and reactive to even small amounts of alpha pheromones, Jaehee didn’t react at all to Dohyun’s unconsciously emitted pheromones. He just kept crying, as if tormented by the scene he had witnessed earlier, unable to forget it.
Dohyun’s expression twisted as he looked at Jaehee. It was because of their different states. Unlike Jaehee, Dohyun was steadily responding to Jaehee’s pheromones. This made the current situation even more displeasing to him. Frustration and strange emotions accumulated.
That’s when it happened. Familiar energy waves were felt from behind. Dohyun sensed their presence and stopped. Not long after, familiar faces appeared.
“Captain!”
It was Hyeono. Five Espers were with him.
“The Center Director told Choi Geonwoo Esper…!”
Hyeono explained the situation to Dohyun. That the Center Director had sent them, and that he was holding Choi Geonwoo at bay using Jaehee’s well-being as collateral. Dohyun heard this, slightly crumpled his expression, and then nodded slightly in understanding. Then, adjusting Jaehee in his arms, he spoke to the Espers.
“For now, we head to the town.”
Why Choi Geonwoo had complied with the Center Director’s words wasn’t important right now. Right now, they needed a place where Jaehee could manifest safely. In the town, there were occasional shelters prepared for ability users. These were places prepared for those who manifested suddenly. Dohyun and the Espers formed a protective formation around Jaehee and headed there.
And at the very back of their group was Lee Minhun.
“…”
He had one hand in his pocket, touching something inside without being aware of what it was himself.
