# Chapter 56
To be precise, it had happened before the outburst occurred, but Han Jiwoo’s body was covered in small injuries, and he was slumped over as if completely exhausted.
That’s why the Association mistakenly thought it was Han Jiwoo who had prevented Ju Seongwon’s outburst.
“Let’s get Guide Han Jiwoo over here first.”
The Association employee approached cautiously with an outstretched hand, as if Ju Seongwon might refuse to hand Han Jiwoo over, but Ju Seongwon passed him over without hesitation.
Relieved just to have received Han Jiwoo, the employee also guided Ju Seongwon to where the medical staff was for a status check and treatment.
“Oh, the wavelength is stable and the levels have also returned to a safe range!”
“As expected, an S-rank Guide is truly different.”
Even with Ju Seongwon right in front of them, the medical staff didn’t hold back their praise for Han Jiwoo. He was too exhausted to respond and simply stared blankly as a needle was injected into his arm.
“It’s a sedative. Your recovery ability is so strong that you don’t need medication, but we’ve administered a sedative so you can rest as soon as you get back.”
That one thing was appreciated. Hearing the effects would kick in within ten minutes, Ju Seongwon immediately stood up. Though his creaking body screamed in protest, getting away from this place was more important to him.
Meanwhile, Han Jiwoo was busy controlling the corners of his mouth that wanted to curl up crookedly at the praise from the medical staff and Association employees who had gathered around him.
“You’ve worked hard, Guide Han Jiwoo.”
“To prevent an S-rank Esper’s outburst… as expected, an S-rank Guide is amazing.”
“I only did what I had to do.”
Han Jiwoo put on a sheepish face and feigned modesty. He no longer needed to be concerned about appearances, but it was still easier when others thought well of him if he endured a little inconvenience.
“Still, we didn’t expect your body to be damaged to this extent. How about managing the Espers regularly from now on to prevent such incidents?”
However, at the employee’s following words, Han Jiwoo’s fingertips twitched. Nearly responding with a stern look, he focused more on his expression while thinking inwardly.
‘Hah, even in this situation, they’re trying to put pressure on me.’
Though it sounded like concern, Han Jiwoo was smart enough to understand the implied meaning: why did you take a vacation and create this big issue, and from now on, manage the Espers’ levels yourself.
But if he were dealing with an Esper it would be one thing, engaging in a power struggle with an Association employee would bring no benefit.
Honestly, this incident was so sudden that even Han Jiwoo had been surprised, and it could have potentially endangered his position.
So now was the time to concede.
If he pretended to be struggling and quietly slipped away now, only for something like this to happen again, then even if the situation was resolved well, the crisis of outburst itself would be blamed on him.
“I think so too. I should have managed my stamina better…”
But since it was still unpleasant, Han Jiwoo pretended to reflect while implying: are you saying this situation is my fault for resting just two days?
It wouldn’t have mattered if the employee caught his hidden meaning, but they apparently didn’t have as much perception as Han Jiwoo and expressed apology.
“Not at all. If anything, we’re sorry for not providing more support from the Association. If we could find Guide Lee Hajin quickly, it would lighten Guide Han Jiwoo’s burden somewhat.”
At the mention of this name, which was almost taboo, Han Jiwoo’s brow instantly stiffened. Even knowing people were watching, he couldn’t control his expression.
“Ah, sorry. Everyone knows it’s not Guide Han Jiwoo’s fault. And we’ll find Guide Lee Hajin soon.”
However, the Association employee seemed not just lacking in perception but completely without it, assuming Han Jiwoo’s serious expression was due to guilt.
Only then did Han Jiwoo realize he wasn’t managing his expression and tried to force a composed face, but it wasn’t easy.
“If the work is done, can I go now? I’m quite tired.”
His energy, accumulated during the two-day vacation, had instantly been depleted by Guiding an S-rank Esper during an outburst.
With the added stress of hearing about Hajin, his mood could be described as absolutely terrible.
“Of course. You really worked hard today. We have a vehicle waiting, please take it.”
“Yes.”
He wanted to refuse since he lacked the energy for pretense, but the Guide quarters were located in the very center, opposite to this place which was on the outmost periphery.
It would clearly take half a day to walk back to his quarters in this state, so despite finding it bothersome, Han Jiwoo didn’t refuse.
Not hiding his fatigue—or more accurately, his displeasure—he closed his eyes as soon as he got in the car, and fortunately, the driver didn’t say anything and just started driving.
‘Damn, damn Lee Hajin!’
Han Jiwoo ground his molars with his eyes closed. Despite doing unpleasant tasks and accommodating the Association people against his nature to erase Hajin’s existence, Hajin’s presence still hadn’t disappeared and continued to torment him.
‘Damn it, what should I do? What more do I need to do to erase that bastard Lee Hajin?’
No better ideas came to mind. That’s how much Han Jiwoo was already giving his best effort. To the point where he didn’t know what more he could do.
‘Should I make the Espers suffer more?’
That was the first thought that came to mind, but Han Jiwoo soon dismissed it. Though the effect might be certain, it would also cut into his own bones and flesh.
Outbursts don’t occur according to his convenience, and if they happened consecutively, it would be like not just spilling ash on cooked rice but dumping it on the floor and trampling it.
‘I wish he’d just die, but that’s also unlikely.’
The anti-government faction had taken him because they needed a Guide, so the hope that he’d just conveniently die seemed completely unrealistic.
His head felt like it would burst with complexity, but without a solution, it only seemed to bring on a needless headache.
“G-Guide Han Jiwoo! Your nose is bleeding!”
“What?”
At the driver’s startled voice, he wiped under his nose and found it covered with blood. Only then did he feel the nosebleed dripping down.
It was puzzling how he hadn’t noticed it before.
“I’ll turn the car toward the hospital. It seems your body has been damaged from Guiding an Esper in outburst.”
Han Jiwoo bit his lip hard. Despite the metallic taste, he couldn’t relax his teeth.
“No. It’s just because I’m tired. I’ll be fine after resting. Just take me to my quarters.”
Despite having Guided an Esper in outburst, he still couldn’t erase Lee Hajin’s presence. It felt as if it meant Han Jiwoo could never replace Hajin.
Perhaps that’s why Han Jiwoo could no longer maintain his composure.
If he received treatment for just this much, it seemed like it would set his limitations. Even though Hajin no longer existed here, feeling overshadowed by his ghost, Han Jiwoo began to stubbornly resist.
“What? You should get treatment.”
Of course, from the Association employee’s perspective, it was perplexing. With a nosebleed soaking his chest, how could he say he was fine?
“With Guide Lee Hajin gone, if something happens to Guide Han Jiwoo…”
“That damn Lee Hajin! I’m fine, so just go already!”
In an instant, his mind seemed to go blank, and a scream-like shout burst from Han Jiwoo.
It was inexplicable how such forcefulness came from someone pale-faced and trembling, dripping with blood.
Startled by the sudden outburst, the employee reflexively checked the rearview mirror, where Han Jiwoo sat with his face covered in blood, eyes blazing fiercely.
Feeling like he might be strangled if he forcibly turned the car for treatment, he had no choice but to comply and head toward Han Jiwoo’s quarters.
Han Jiwoo, who had remained silent in the car that didn’t even make exhaust noise, rushed into his quarters the moment the car stopped.
Left alone, the employee was dumbfounded, wondering what exactly was going on.
“I thought his temper had mellowed, but I guess not…”
The tower he thought had been solidly built was beginning to crack.
Meanwhile, Han Jiwoo stood frozen in his living room for a long time, his body trembling. Even as the unceasing nosebleed formed small puddles on the living room floor, he only exhaled rough breaths.
“Lee Hajin, Lee Hajin! ARGH!”
Screaming convulsively, Han Jiwoo grabbed whatever objects were within reach and threw or smashed them.
Then, from losing too much blood from his nosebleed, his vision suddenly blurred, and all strength left his body, causing him to collapse in place.
“Ugh…!”
Perhaps due to dizziness, his stomach also felt unwell, and he eventually started dry heaving. After suffering as if about to vomit for a while, he went limp like someone who had used up all their energy.
Something was wrong.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
