A subtle tension hung in the air between Kim Yong-ha and Kim Seong-gyeong until the moment Seong-gyeong finally turned his head and looked at me.
His eyes, which had been scanning me for injuries, suddenly stopped on one spot and stayed there.
“Seol-bin, your mouth… are you okay?”
“Oh, this? I got it before we entered the dungeon. It’s nothing serious, really.”
“…It looks pretty bad.”
It was just a split lip, but to Kim Seong-gyeong, it must’ve seemed far worse—his gaze stayed locked on my lips with obvious concern.
Feeling awkward under his stare, I shrugged to show I was fine and quickly changed the subject.
“Anyway, I’m only standing here thanks to that ring you gave me. If I hadn’t had it, things could’ve gone south real fast. I’m glad I always kept it with me.”
Seong-gyeong’s face immediately brightened, breaking into a wide, beaming smile.
“I’m so glad it helped you. Really, I am.”
“…Thanks.”
The way his eyes started to glisten with tears made me uneasy, so I subtly took a step back. Of course, completely missing the cue, he stepped closer instead.
“Don’t thank me! I should be thanking you for wearing the gift I gave you. But, I’ve been curious since earlier—what’s that book?”
“Oh, this… well, it’s—”
“There you are!”
Just as I was about to fumble out a vague excuse and hide the Book of Wishes behind my back, a familiar voice rang out. I turned and saw Yoon Yi-hyeon approaching with a group of Espers in tow.
“Looks like everyone’s still in one piece. You too, Kim Yong-ha.”
Yi-hyeon’s timing was suspiciously perfect, and judging by the razor-sharp edge in his voice and eyes, something had definitely happened between him and Kim Yong-ha. Every glance, every word felt like it was meant to wound.
Not that Kim Yong-ha cared—he looked right past Yi-hyeon as if he didn’t exist, his eyes fixed solely on me.
Yi-hyeon scowled at that, snorted, and spun around without another word.
As I watched him walk away, I took a moment to glance around. The rescue effort seemed to be progressing fast. I could hear people saying they’d found Guides and were already escorting them out of the dungeon.
Faster than I expected…
Then again, it wasn’t some random company. The Guide Center had been pulled into a dungeon—of course they’d mobilize quickly. And having an S-Rank Guide like Kim Yong-ha on-site surely made a difference.
Standing beside me, Kim Seong-gyeong turned to his team of Espers.
“All right, let’s get moving. You guys, escort Guide Kim Yong-ha and the others out safely. The rest of you, stay with me—we’ll deal with the remaining monsters.”
“Yes, sir!”
His firm, commanding tone gave off a different energy than usual. For once, he looked every bit the reliable leader.
People began moving as ordered. Even Kim Yong-ha, who had still been holding onto the hem of my clothes, had to let go when an Esper approached to escort him.
“Sunbae….”
His voice was filled with disappointment, but I just waved at him to go on ahead. Sticking together right now wasn’t smart—someone might ask about the book. It was safer to go separately.
“Hwang Seol-bin!”
Right then, a voice called out from a distance. A tall, handsome man with bronze skin and black curls came running toward me.
Kang Biso.
…What the hell is he doing here?
I froze in place, stunned. Our eyes met—and then he was right in front of me, pulling me into a tight hug.
I nearly dropped the Book of Wishes from the shock, but I quickly tightened my grip.
“Hyung, are you okay? What happened to your lips?!”
“…Kang Biso….”
“Do you know how worried I was? The news said a dungeon appeared in the Center, but I had no way to contact you! Then I finally get here and they say you’re trapped inside? I thought I was gonna lose my mind!”
“Uh… sorry…? But, could you maybe….”
I lightly tapped his arm, and only then did he slowly let go, clearly reluctant.
“I was really worried….”
His sulky expression tugged at my heart—but before I could say anything, I felt a sharp, burning gaze.
Kim Seong-gyeong had quietly stepped closer and was now glaring at Kang Biso with a hardened face.
Biso, clearly noticing it, glared right back.
They said nothing—just stared each other down in total silence.
Eventually, Kim Seong-gyeong spoke first.
“…We meet again.”
“Yeah. We saw each other last time, didn’t we? At my hyung’s Guiding Room.”
“I remember.”
Their exchange had the same charged air as when Kim Seong-gyeong and Kim Yong-ha had locked eyes earlier.
What was with these two? Every time they crossed paths, it was like they were itching to tear each other apart.
It didn’t even make sense—there wasn’t any connection between Kang Biso and Kim Seong-gyeong in the original story, so why this tension?
Lick.
While I stood between the two of them, awkwardly reading the room, I suddenly felt something warm and wet on my fingers. I looked down—and there was Baek Beom, now in his puppy form, hopping lightly and licking my hand.
What’s he doing here…?
My confusion lasted only a second before inspiration struck.
Kang Biso and Kim Seong-gyeong were still locked in a silent power struggle, and everyone else nearby looked too busy to notice anything strange.
Quietly, I slipped the book into Baek Beom’s mouth and whispered,
“Take this to the hotel.”
“Whine…?”
“If you drop it off there, I’ll give you some Guiding later.”
“Woof…!”
Baek Beom gave a soft bark, like he was trying not to draw attention, then turned and trotted off toward a spot with no Espers in sight. That was one problem solved.
“You seem pretty close to Seol-bin.”
“Of course. Hyung and I are inseparable. Two halves of the same whole.”
Are they seriously still going at it…?
“…Esper Kim Seong-gyeong!”
Someone called his name, finally breaking the tense standoff. With a short sigh, Kim Seong-gyeong looked at me and said,
“…Seol-bin, I have to go. I’ll make time next week for a Guiding session, so let’s meet then. Just in case, head to a hospital and get checked out. Don’t push yourself.”
“Okay. And… thank you for saving me.”
“You don’t have to thank me. I’m just glad I was able to help.”
“You done with the farewells? Then hurry up and go already.”
Kang Biso’s tone dripped with sarcasm, clearly annoyed by the lingering goodbye. But Kim Seong-gyeong didn’t rise to it. He just turned away, looking genuinely reluctant to leave.
“Hyung, shall we head back too?”
Kang Biso flashed me a bright smile, and I nodded. Seeing that smile finally made the whole “we survived the dungeon” thing feel real.
We were rescued faster this time. I’d even ended up with the Book of Wishes—an unexpected gain.
But for some reason… it all felt more exhausting than last time.
***
As soon as we stepped outside, we were swallowed by a crowd of reporters and spectators.
The dungeon entrance was a madhouse, but thanks to Kang Biso clearing a path ahead of me, we managed to get through safely.
“Hyung, are you okay?”
“…Yeah. I made it out comfortably, thanks to you.”
Just then, I spotted a familiar face—dusty clothes, messy hair—it was the Team Leader, clearly just out of the dungeon himself.
His eyes widened the moment he saw me.
“Team Leader!”
“Guide Hwang Seol-bin?”
I felt oddly relieved to see someone I knew. Leaving Kang Biso behind for a moment, I approached him.
The Team Leader, still looking frazzled, gave me a quick once-over and finally exhaled in relief.
“No injuries, right?”
“Yes. Are you okay, sir?”
“I’m fine too. I’d love to chat more, but I’ve got a mountain of work to deal with. Could I at least get your phone number?”
“My number?”
“Yes. I lost everything—phone, documents, all of it. I’ll need a way to contact you later for Guiding appointments or other notices.”
Even in the middle of this mess, the Team Leader hadn’t forgotten his responsibilities.
The dungeon had turned everything upside down, but he was already trying to restore order. It was proof of how competent he really was.
After jotting down my number, he left. And before I knew it, Kang Biso had come up beside me, pointing toward a car that was already waiting.
“Shall we head out?”
“Ah… yeah.”
We got in, and as the car pulled away, I looked out the window in silence.
Then something occurred to me.
“Where are we going right now?”
Kang Biso gave a slow, meaningful smile—but didn’t answer.
That silence felt… ominous.
“…Kang Biso?”
I could hear the unease in my voice. Still staring ahead, he spoke in a low, deadpan tone.
“You’ve been kidnapped, hyung.”
“…What?”
“First, you fall into a dungeon. Then, you come out with a busted lip. How am I supposed to let you just walk around like that? You’re safer locked up somewhere.”
The moment I heard that, I seriously started thinking of how to escape a moving car.
But then he sighed and waved a hand.
“I’m kidding. Totally kidding. Honestly, I would love to lock you away in some secret place where no one could find you… but you’d probably escape in five minutes, so I won’t bother.”
“…So where are we really going?”
“To the hospital. We need to get you checked out, just to be sure.”
His expression told me he was being serious this time.
The hospital?
“I’m fine, really.”
“…No. We’re going. You might have injuries you can’t feel yet. And your lip still needs treatment. This is non-negotiable.”
“…Alright.”
I didn’t think it was necessary—I wasn’t hurt anywhere else. But his voice left no room for argument.
And honestly, he looked so concerned that I felt bad turning him down.
So we went to the hospital.
And only after I got the all-clear from the doctor were we finally able to return to the hotel.
“You really went through a lot today, hyung.”
“Thanks for everything.”
“Still… wouldn’t it be better if I stayed with you, just for peace of mind?”
“I’m fine. Didn’t the hospital just say I was?”
“Yeah, but you can’t live in a hotel forever. Wouldn’t it be way more comfortable staying with me…?”
Kang Biso gently took my hand as he muttered that last part.
But I pretended not to notice and brushed off his suggestion with a smile.
“I heard there’s a dormitory for Guides. I’m planning to apply soon.”
His disappointment was obvious. He slowly ran a finger across the back of my hand, reluctant to let go—but he didn’t push or try to stop me.
As his car pulled away, I watched it go. I was about to head into the hotel when I noticed the vehicle had stopped again, unmoving like a statue.
I waved at it, signaling for him to go. Only then did it slowly roll away and disappear into the distance.
I turned around and finally walked inside.
…That look of regret on Kang Biso’s face lingered in my mind.
But right now, there was something more important.
The Book of Wishes.
It was time to check it.
