Both of their faces were filled with shock, while mine twisted into a deep scowl. Kang Biso’s pale complexion and the dust clinging to his clothes told me he’d been treated harshly. And all that after just one night in a cell? If I’d known it would be this bad, I would’ve come from the start.
“What the hell were you thinking coming here?! Are you out of your mind?!”
“Seol-bin…”
Kang Biso snapped, but he didn’t get the chance to say more. Kim Seong-gyeong suddenly stepped between us, blocking Kang Biso from view.
“How did you end up here, Seol-bin…?”
“…It’s been a while, Kim Seong-gyeong.”
“Yeah. It really has.”
With a look like he was reuniting with a long-lost lover, Kim Seong-gyeong took a step toward me. His expression made me uncomfortable, so I instinctively stepped back. He looked a bit disappointed, but quickly wiped the emotion from his face. Without missing a beat, he began checking me over, scanning me up and down with concern.
“I was really, really worried. You disappeared so suddenly…”
I felt a flicker of guilt for ignoring his plea to wait and running off. But I knew better than to think he would’ve just let me go. If he’d truly wanted to help, he would’ve done it back then. The fact that he hadn’t meant only one thing—Kim Seong-gyeong was, first and foremost, a man of the government.
“There’s nothing to worry about. I’m doing just fine. Honestly, it felt like I was going to be locked up forever back there.”
“The Guide Center was only trying to protect you, Seol-bin—!”
I cut him off with a slow shake of my head.
“To me, the Guide Center is more dangerous. Do you even realize what people are saying about me right now? I escaped from illegal confinement, and somehow that turned me into a Villain.”
“That’s…”
He fell silent, lips pressed tightly together. Even Kim Seong-gyeong couldn’t defend the Guide Center for painting me as a Villain the moment I escaped. That was just the reality of it.
“No matter what you say, I’m never going back. I like where I am now.”
“…But you’re with Villains. That place is just as dangerous. If it’s the Center you don’t trust, then trust me instead. Please, come with me. I’ll protect you. I swear I will.”
Why was he going this far? What exactly was I to him? I didn’t understand, but I appreciated the sentiment. Not that it was going to change my mind. If it had, I wouldn’t have followed Kang Biso out of there in the first place.
“…I’m sorry.”
Maybe it was shock—or maybe disappointment—but Kim Seong-gyeong slowly lowered his head. Then, as if he’d made up his mind, he lifted it again and started striding toward me, his steps firm and deliberate. The pressure coming off him felt like he was about to grab me, so I instinctively stepped back.
“No matter what you say, I’m taking you with me. I’m sorry, in advance.”
I clicked my tongue. I didn’t want to fight him if I could avoid it, but it didn’t look like I had a choice.
“…I’m not going back.”
The moment the words left my mouth, Kim Seong-gyeong vanished from sight.
Or at least, that’s how it felt. Like a ghost teleporting, he suddenly appeared right in front of me, hand reaching out. So that’s why he apologized—he really was planning to drag me back by force.
But the closer his hand got, the slower it moved.
My eyes widened. His motion, initially swift and forceful, grew sluggish the closer he came. Thanks to that strange delay, I was able to dodge easily and back away. Kim Seong-gyeong looked between me and his own hand, clearly startled.
…Thank god.
It seemed physical-type Esper abilities weakened before they could reach me. If not, I would’ve taken that blow full-on and had no way to fight back. Now that I knew his powers didn’t work on me, I had a slight advantage. But this was still Kim Seong-gyeong—someone who’d undergone constant training. In a straight-up fight, I didn’t stand a chance.
“Seol-bin… are you an Esper?”
“…No. I’m a Guide.”
“But I saw it with my own eyes…”
Clenching and unclenching his fists, he stared at me, confused.
“You really are… something else, Seol-bin. The more I see, the more you surprise me.”
With those words, he charged again. Now that he knew his abilities wouldn’t work, he switched tactics—abandoning speed for brute strength. Judging by the way he moved, he was planning to knock me out and drag me away. All I could do was dodge, but even that was draining. My breath caught in my throat.
CRASH!
Then one of his kicks slammed into the wall, sending it crumbling. I felt the blood drain from my face.
Seriously? That kind of strength is insane.
Gasping for breath, I quickly scanned the area. I couldn’t keep running forever—I needed a plan. My eyes flicked toward the cell where Kang Biso was locked up.
When it comes to situations like this… sometimes you’ve gotta use the enemy’s strength against them.
I kept dodging Kim Seong-gyeong’s attacks, gradually maneuvering toward the cell. He must’ve thought I was running out of options because he tried again to talk me down.
“I don’t want to hurt you, Seol-bin. Please, just stop and—”
“I’m not going back. Ever.”
His face turned ice-cold. It was the first time I’d seen Kim Seong-gyeong drop his usual bright, polite expression.
Without another word, he swung a vicious kick.
Whether it was meant to scare me or not, the force behind it was brutal. His foot slammed into the iron bars next to me with a deafening crash—and part of the cell shattered.
A chill shot down my spine.
That hit was even stronger than before… If I’d taken that head-on, I could’ve died.
Still, it worked. Just like I’d hoped, the bars could be broken.
But then—he was on me.
Kim Seong-gyeong closed the distance in an instant, hand outstretched for my throat.
I’d been so focused on the cell that I hadn’t noticed. I jolted back in panic, but with the bars right behind me, there was barely any room to move.
I braced for impact.
“Ugh!”
A sudden kick struck Kim Seong-gyeong from behind, launching him across the room into the wall with a heavy thud.
“…Don’t go forgetting about me.”
It was Kang Biso, emerging from the shadows like a predator.
“Kang Biso!”
I called out to him in relief before I could stop myself. He met my gaze—and the irritation in his eyes said it all. He was pissed that I’d come here.
He didn’t say anything, just strode straight toward Kim Seong-gyeong, who was groaning and trying to get up. Without mercy, Kang Biso began kicking him again and again. He targeted his legs, hammering the same spots until Kim Seong-gyeong finally went limp.
“Stop! He’s out cold!”
I rushed over and grabbed him before he could go any further. He nudged Kim Seong-gyeong’s face with the toe of his shoe, confirming there was no response, then gave him one last glare before turning back to me.
He took my hand without hesitation.
“…This is our chance. Let’s run.”
“…Okay.”
He pulled me along, and we took off. His pace was slow, his steps staggered—his condition was worse than I thought. But I didn’t say anything. I just kept holding his hand, pouring Guiding energy into him as we ran.
BANG!
Kang Biso kicked open the door to the lobby. Eyes turned toward us, but we didn’t hesitate—we made a break for the front entrance. The Espers nearby recognized us and gave chase almost immediately.
“What the hell?! How did they escape?! Where’s Esper Kim Seong-gyeong?!”
“Isn’t that Hwang Seol-bin?!”
“Stop them—now!”
They were gaining fast. At this rate, we wouldn’t make it to the exit.
Then Kang Biso spoke.
“Hyung.”
“…Yeah?”
“Sorry, but I’m gonna kiss you.”
“…What?”
Before I could even process what he said, he stopped abruptly—and his lips crashed into mine.
The kiss was sudden, almost violent in its urgency. Only then did I realize—he needed Guiding.
The energy I’d been carefully channeling into him through our joined hands now surged through our lips, pulled straight into him. It was only a few seconds, but it hit like a shockwave.
As soon as the kiss ended, Kang Biso turned and threw out his hand.
“Urgh!”
“Gah!”
The Espers chasing us collapsed like broken dolls. Not one of them could withstand his ability.
“STOP RIGHT THERE!”
A ragged shout echoed from behind us.
It was Kim Seong-gyeong, staggering toward us, clothes torn, one leg dragging behind him. His eyes locked onto Kang Biso with open hostility. But with that body, there was nothing he could do. Kang Biso, as if mocking him, raised our joined hands and waved, then pointed his power right at him.
“Seol-bin…!”
Kim Seong-gyeong called my name with desperation—but just like the others, he fell limply to the ground.
We’d made it. We escaped the research facility.
***
“Hyung!”
The first to greet us at the hideout was Kang Bijun. He’d arrived ahead of us thanks to the earpiece relay and was waiting anxiously. The moment he spotted Kang Biso, he ran toward him—only to get blocked by an outstretched hand.
“Why the hell are you acting so clingy? And more importantly, you’re the one who sent me into that research facility! What were you thinking sending me into a place that dangerous?!”
“…Oh, so this is my fault now? You’re the one who got caught! Didn’t you say you could handle it?!”
For a second, I forgot he had explicitly warned me not to leave the room. I really had no excuse.
Kang Biso grabbed his brother by the collar and immediately launched into a heated scolding. I quickly averted my eyes, afraid the blame might shift to me next. Kang Bijun shot me a pleading look, but I pretended not to notice.
Eventually, after tearing into his brother, Kang Biso turned his attention to me.
“And you—what were you thinking coming there?!”
“But…”
“I appreciate you coming to save me. Really. But what if you’d gotten captured too?”
“…I’m sorry.”
I drooped my shoulders, guilt weighing heavy on me. Kang Biso looked at me for a long moment, then gently pulled me into a hug. He wrapped his arms around me, softly patting my back. His voice was a whisper by my ear.
“If anything ever happened to you… I’d lose my damn mind.”
“…I know. I get it now. I’ll be more careful from now on.”
Of course, even if the same thing happened again, I’d still go after him.
We were locked in a quiet moment, gazing at each other, when a loud fake cough shattered the mood.
“Ahem. Hello? Can you two please remember that I’m also standing right here?”
“…You still haven’t left?”
“Left? I’ve got a million questions! Tell me what happened!”
While Kang Biso explained everything to his brother, I grabbed the first-aid kit and began patching up his injuries. He kept stealing glances at me, his eyes full of worry. Watching us, Kang Bijun shivered dramatically and rubbed his arms.
“Jeez… talk about close. But seriously, I’m glad you both made it out.”
Then he grabbed the remote and turned on the TV.
“All hell’s probably breaking loose on the news right now.”
[Breaking news! The Villain previously detained at the research facility has escaped.
Authorities believe SSS-Rank Guide Hwang Seol-bin assisted in the escape, suggesting possible collaboration between the two, including involvement in the recent Guide Center incident.
The government has issued a public statement declaring it will not overlook this and plans to take strict action.
If you see either of these individuals or know their whereabouts, please contact the authorities immediately…]
