# Chapter 60
“I’ll… do this, Guide-nim.”
That’s what Geonwoo said. Then, as if his strength was gradually draining, Geonwoo’s body collapsed. His large frame leaned weakly against Jaehee’s arms.
At that moment, the door opened. The Center Director, representatives from each branch, and Espers providing security were standing there. Dr. Yoon was also with them.
The Center Director took in the scene of the room and shouted.
“What on earth is going on here!”
Surprise flashed across the Deputy Center Director’s face when he saw the Center Director. The person standing at the doorway was the Center Director who was supposed to come tomorrow. Why was he here already? And it wasn’t just him. Representatives from every branch were here too.
The composure on the Deputy Center Director’s face disappeared at their arrival. Unconsciously, he stepped back and dropped the jackknife he was holding. The Deputy Center Director tried to figure out how to escape this situation, but after seeing the hostility on everyone’s faces, he couldn’t say anything. No matter what he might say, the atmosphere wasn’t one where anyone would listen.
“Guide Lee Jaehee!”
Dr. Yoon, who had been standing behind the Center Director, approached Jaehee and Geonwoo with a shocked expression. Since Geonwoo’s bleeding was quite serious, Dr. Yoon immediately called his assistant to bring treatment supplies. The healing Esper who had come with them urgently boosted Geonwoo’s healing ability.
Meanwhile, Jaehee firmly pressed on Geonwoo’s wound to prevent as much blood loss as possible.
In contrast, Geonwoo, cradled in Jaehee’s arms, was slowly blinking his eyes.
Geonwoo had been asleep due to the sedative, but feeling Cheon Taeyun’s unusual wavelength, he had forced himself awake just moments ago. His entire body had responded to the fierce Esper’s wavelength. And simultaneously, even in his subconscious, he had checked on Jaehee’s energy. Whether he was safe. Whether he was hurt. That was what mattered most to Geonwoo.
Because of this, Geonwoo’s wavelength fluctuated. It told him he needed to wake up. The wavelength that had been forcibly suppressed all the way to the bottom raged terrifyingly in an effort to fully wake from sleep. The wavelength consumed Geonwoo’s entire body, rendering the strong sedative’s effect meaningless.
And so, despite being in a state where he absolutely shouldn’t have been able to wake up, Geonwoo slowly awakened. In that state, Geonwoo had been continuously listening to the conversation between Jaehee and the Deputy Center Director. Due to the sedative’s influence, his body wouldn’t move well, so until it wore off, Geonwoo could only listen to their conversation.
And finally, his fingers moved and sensation returned to his body a little. The first thing Geonwoo did was look at Jaehee. Geonwoo slightly turned his head to find him.
But what Geonwoo saw was a horrific situation. The Deputy Center Director holding a jackknife and looking fiercely at Jaehee. And Jaehee looking at him with a calm expression.
That wasn’t all. His entire body’s senses were ringing. His senses were agitated, telling him that many people were rushing to this place. Additionally, Cheon Taeyun’s movements were strange. It was obvious there was no strength in his hands as he held Jaehee. With his body completely stiff, Cheon Taeyun was merely holding Jaehee’s hand.
‘Guide-nim…?’
But something was strange. The Deputy Center Director was about to swing the jackknife at Jaehee, but Jaehee showed no intention of moving. He didn’t seem to have any thought of dodging or blocking the incoming jackknife. He just remained still.
‘Guide-nim!’
Despite clearly being in a situation where he could dodge, Jaehee didn’t move an inch.
Seeing that, Geonwoo understood. What Jaehee wanted now. What kind of scene he wanted to show to the people who were about to enter. The conversation between the Deputy Center Director and Jaehee, and the behavior he was showing, spoke to that.
So Geonwoo threw his body forward. Rather than blocking the jackknife, he wrapped his body around Jaehee. If what Jaehee wanted was a dramatic visual impact to show the people coming in right now, then it didn’t necessarily have to be Jaehee, right? With that thought, he intercepted.
‘I can do this!’
No matter how much Jaehee might want to get himself hurt, Geonwoo hated it. He absolutely couldn’t allow it. Geonwoo hated seeing Jaehee get hurt. He didn’t want to see that. Jaehee was someone who deserved to be protected, nothing less.
“I’ll… do this, Guide-nim.”
That’s why he blocked the jackknife with his body.
“Arrest them all!”
At the Center Director’s command, the Espers who came with him captured Cheon Taeyun and the Deputy Center Director. The Espers brought by the Deputy Center Director were also all captured by the security Espers and were wearing Esper ability control devices.
Meanwhile, Dr. Yoon had a bewildered expression. Jaehee wasn’t in good condition. Though Geonwoo was the one injured, Jaehee looked like he was in more pain.
“Guide Lee Jaehee!”
Dr. Yoon called out to Jaehee. But Jaehee, with a deathly pale face, only held onto Geonwoo. He was blocking the bleeding area and repeatedly calling Geonwoo’s name.
“Esper… Choi Geonwoo…”
The floor was soaked with Geonwoo’s blood. The emergency treatment had stopped the bleeding, but nothing could be done about the blood already spilled. Jaehee seemed unable to calm his shocked heart at the sight of that blood.
“It’s okay, Guide-nim. I don’t hurt.”
Geonwoo said that to Jaehee. That he didn’t need to be so shocked because it didn’t hurt. That it didn’t hurt at all. That he was sorry for frightening him when he hadn’t intended to.
Even an Esper feels great pain from such a large wound. Nevertheless, Geonwoo kept saying it didn’t hurt at all, instead trying to comfort Jaehee.
Dr. Yoon, who had examined Geonwoo’s condition, spoke to Jaehee as if telling him to calm down. Not having wiped the blood from his hands or body, Jaehee staggered. Dr. Yoon took care of him.
“Guide Lee Jaehee, it’s okay! He’s an Esper, and his physical enhancement has progressed a lot, so his condition is better than it looks. He’s not an ordinary person. He lost a lot of blood, but an Esper can endure this much. We can treat him. So calm down!”
At those words, Jaehee looked at Dr. Yoon. His pale face couldn’t show relief and just seemed about to collapse.
***
After moving the collapsed Geonwoo, the Deputy Center Director, Cheon Taeyun, and everyone involved in this incident began to be rounded up. They would not only be stripped of all positions but were also expected to face trial.
Meanwhile, Dr. Yoon, Jaehee, and Geonwoo were together in the hospital ward.
“His condition is fine. He’ll recover soon.”
Geonwoo’s condition was more serious than it appeared. But Dr. Yoon wasn’t worried at all.
“His recovery speed is frighteningly fast. It’s amazing for an undeveloped Esper.”
Dr. Yoon spoke in a tone mixed with admiration as he looked at the sleeping Geonwoo. He had seen quite a lot of undeveloped Espers, but it was the first time seeing this level of recovery speed. So while checking Geonwoo’s condition, Dr. Yoon also checked his overall development metrics.
“At this rate, he’ll wake up soon. His development won’t take long either. And his physical enhancement is excellent, so the wound will heal quickly too.”
“…Haa…”
Jaehee exhaled in relief at those words. Then he remained still for a while with his head lowered. After that, he asked Dr. Yoon.
“He’s… okay, right?”
“Yes.”
Dr. Yoon answered in a more definite tone at Jaehee’s uncharacteristic behavior.
Then Jaehee stood up. He took out medicine from his pocket. A small glass bottle containing a dark red liquid. Dr. Yoon, who knew what it was, immediately tried to approach Jaehee. But before that, Jaehee took it and poured the entire contents into his mouth. A considerable amount flowed into Jaehee’s mouth.
“Guide Lee Jaehee!”
Dr. Yoon shouted in surprise.
“Are you crazy? Do you want to die?”
Despite both Dr. Yoon and Jaehee knowing how dangerous that dark red liquid was, Jaehee unhesitatingly poured all of it into his mouth.
“If you want to die, do it somewhere I’m not around!”
Dr. Yoon shouted in shock. And he continued.
“Even if a Guide dies, a one-way bond doesn’t disappear! Do you know that and still do this?”
Unable to understand Jaehee’s actions, Dr. Yoon scolded him. Why was he doing such a reckless thing? Didn’t he know what kind of medicine that was? Dr. Yoon’s face was full of reproach and concern.
“…I know that.”
Jaehee said that as he raised his hands to cover his face. And he continued.
“I just don’t want to delay any longer.”
Jaehee’s face twisted miserably.
“I want… to erase the bond.”
Dr. Yoon was surprised to see Jaehee like this. It was the first time seeing him emotionally crumble like this.
“Please, help me. Dr. Yoon.”
Due to taking a large dose of the medicine at once, Jaehee’s hands were trembling. In that situation, Jaehee pleaded with Dr. Yoon.
“Seriously.”
Dr. Yoon clicked his tongue and gestured to the people behind him. The researchers nodded and began preparations.
Since Jaehee had been continuously seeking advice from Dr. Yoon about the bond over the phone, Dr. Yoon had also come prepared to help erase the bond.
