# Chapter 115
The atmosphere plummeted rapidly. The examiner calmed the panicked people and continued with the remaining explanation.
“At the current rate, the Gate will fully open soon, so you need to complete preparations and enter as soon as the Gate entrance opens. So everyone, prepare for battle. This will be… certainly different from what we’ve experienced before.”
After saying that much, the examiner was about to step down from the auditorium stage. As if to add something, the examiner turned around and continued.
“And one more thing to mention. Since the wavelength is so powerful, you could be sucked in if you’re near the Gate, so don’t approach that area.”
Afterward, there was further guidance that information about the timing of Gate entry would be provided soon. When all the announcements ended, people started murmuring among themselves. Jaehee ignored them and immediately stood up. He needed to urgently get to Dohyun. He couldn’t leave him by Yoo Jiwoon’s side.
“Lee Jaehee.”
But before Jaehee could turn around, a voice came from behind him.
“Where are you rushing off to right as the explanation ends?”
Dohyun had somehow approached Jaehee. It was as if he knew Jaehee would be looking for him.
Jaehee looked at Dohyun for a moment, then turned his gaze toward Yoo Jiwoon. He was smiling brightly among the Espers as he left through the door. Without taking his eyes off Jiwoon, Jaehee asked Dohyun.
“Why are you with Guide Yoo Jiwoon?”
“Again with Guide Yoo Jiwoon?”
Dohyun spoke with an uncharacteristically sharp tone.
“I ran into him at the door.”
“Is that all?”
“Yeah, that’s it. What else would there be?”
After saying that, Dohyun looked down at Jaehee with cold eyes and spoke.
“But why are you so sensitive about Guide Yoo Jiwoon?”
At that question, Jaehee hesitated for a moment while looking at Dohyun, then spoke with difficulty.
“…Because it’s dangerous.”
Jaehee said he couldn’t explain why, but asked Dohyun to trust him.
“So don’t receive guiding from Guide Yoo Jiwoon.”
At those words, the corner of Dohyun’s mouth curved upward asymmetrically.
“I have to enter the Gate soon, and you’re telling me not to receive any guiding at all?”
“That’s not what I meant…!”
He was about to say that any guide other than Yoo Jiwoon would be fine.
But Dohyun spoke first.
“Then you could do it for me. The guiding.”
Saying that, Dohyun turned his gaze to Geonwoo, who was standing next to Jaehee protectively. Seeing Geonwoo’s stiff face, a crooked smile appeared on Dohyun’s face.
“You used to do it for me, after all.”
Dohyun’s expression and words were all a clear provocation aimed at Choi Geonwoo. As if to announce that he had been the Esper by Lee Jaehee’s side until now.
“How about guiding just me like when we were young?”
Dohyun said this while lowering his gaze to look at Jaehee. He bent his upper body slightly to meet Jaehee’s eyes, and with a slightly curved gaze, he said:
“Like when I bonded with you.”
At those words, Jaehee, who had been quietly listening to Dohyun, hardened his expression. It was unlike the usual Dohyun. The way he brought up words he would never normally mention… seemed somehow off.
“Wouldn’t that be better than being stuck with an Esper you don’t even want because of a forced bond?”
At that moment, Geonwoo’s expression changed. His eyes settled into something fierce. Geonwoo had also sensed the dissonance emanating from Dohyun. Distorted emotions were gradually manifesting.
Geonwoo stood in front of Jaehee protectively, hiding him behind his back. Displeased by Geonwoo’s action, Dohyun twisted his face fiercely. The hostile atmosphere continued.
That’s when it happened.
“Don’t talk like that.”
Jaehee emerged from behind Geonwoo, speaking in a firm tone. He took one step closer to Dohyun.
“Why? Did I say something wrong?”
Dohyun spoke fiercely, as if displeased with Jaehee’s words.
“You’re like family to me, Lee Jaehee.”
Then, forcing his expression to soften, he looked at Jaehee with feigned affection and spoke in the gentlest tone possible.
“I can’t just stand by and watch you bound by a bond you don’t want.”
At Dohyun’s words, Geonwoo clenched his fist. Veins bulged over the back of his hand. Jaehee gently took Geonwoo’s hand and opened his mouth while looking at Dohyun.
“It’s the same for me. You’re precious to me, Dohyun. Like family.”
“Lee Jaehee.”
At Jaehee’s words, Dohyun’s expression softened.
“Dohyun, you’re my most cherished friend.”
But at Jaehee’s next words, Dohyun’s expression turned cold again.
“So please don’t talk like that to my mate.”
“What?”
“It’s not forced. Geonwoo is the mate I chose because I wanted him.”
Both Dohyun and Geonwoo reacted to those words.
“He’s the Alpha I wanted.”
Dohyun’s face gradually distorted.
“He’s the person who will soon become my Esper.”
Geonwoo’s expression softened.
“So don’t talk like that. Dohyun.”
But Dohyun’s expression grew cold at Jaehee’s words. His molars clenched involuntarily. The feeling of a clear line being drawn made it difficult to control his emotions. Displeasure dominated his entire body. Perhaps that’s why. Without realizing it, his hand reached out toward Jaehee. Dohyun only became aware of what he had done after firmly grasping something.
“…!”
Dohyun’s eyes trembled. He felt himself applying force with his hand. Fortunately, the hand he had extended toward Jaehee was blocked by Choi Geonwoo.
“Esper Kang Dohyun!”
At that moment, one of the Espers called out to Dohyun as he ran over.
“Huh? Ah… well, that…”
Apparently confused by the subtle and cold atmosphere flowing between Geonwoo, Jaehee, and Dohyun, the Esper struggled to continue his words.
“What is it?”
“Ah, yes. It’s…!”
Startled by Dohyun’s sharp question, the Esper collected himself and immediately answered.
Upon hearing it, Dohyun promptly turned away. It would be more accurate to say he was hurriedly escaping the situation.
“So now…”
Dohyun moved quickly. The Esper beside him conveyed what needed to be delivered. Dohyun occasionally nodded slightly as if understanding.
But completely different thoughts were continuing in his mind. Thoughts about Lee Jaehee and thoughts about Yoo Jiwoon. And a foreign noise like static continued in his head.
‘If you want Lee Jaehee, just take him. What are you hesitating for?’
A very clear voice resounded endlessly.
***
Side effects from the Gate formation had occurred.
“Everyone be careful!”
Espers moved busily to deal with the monsters swarming in. Huge explosive sounds continuously erupted due to ongoing battles everywhere.
“Damn, there’s no end to this!”
Fatigue accumulated on the Espers’ faces in the seemingly endless battle.
This was all because of the S-class Gate. Higher-level monsters responding to the massive wavelengths emanating from the Gate were appearing without warning one after another. Even types of monsters never encountered before were increasingly showing themselves.
And the target of all the monsters was Lee Jaehee.
“Hyung. Come here.”
The moment the monsters’ attacks continued, Geonwoo immediately hid Jaehee behind his back.
BOOM-!
Simultaneously, a huge sound erupted from the spot where Jaehee had been just a moment ago. A massive monster resembling a bear with a giant horn on its forehead had raised its front paw and struck where Jaehee had been. The ground cracked under the immense force.
Geonwoo looked at the monster with cold eyes and used his ability. Since monsters and ability users were chaotically mixed around, a more precise control was needed when using his ability.
WHOOSH-!
Flames targeting only the monsters erupted from the ground and swirled. The more meticulous control required meant more strain accumulated on Geonwoo’s body.
That’s when a gentle touch was felt on his back. Through the touching skin, familiar guiding energy flowed in.
The Omega pheromones, like a fragrance flowing steadily, conveyed a heart full of concern for him.
But Geonwoo couldn’t find stability as usual. With incidents targeting Jaehee continuing endlessly in this situation, Geonwoo was becoming increasingly sharp. Though he tried not to show it, his nerves were gradually burning out. In a situation where the end was approaching, this circumstance recreating the past was pulling his nerves taut.
