# Chapter 52
## 17. Too Much to Refuse…
While staying at the Esper dormitory, Jaeha was in a state of anxiety that he didn’t fully recognize. He worried about being a burden while everyone around him was becoming Espers and making their own contributions. The guiding tests were also extremely embarrassing, like having skinship with colleagues without even having a sip of alcohol.
That situation had changed.
After hearing about the salary and test allowances, Jaeha became very motivated. He read the Guide’s rules multiple times.
The rules contained detailed explanations about safety measures to protect Guides and punishments for Espers who made unreasonable demands. The most important part about guiding methods and efficiency was something he didn’t want to look at, but he read it diligently with blurry eyes.
Naturally, stages beyond the untested second-level guiding were left blank. He thought these might be filled in when he or other Guides appeared and provided new data.
Even with this, the Guide’s rules had some loose points despite their comprehensive content.
“They’ve created quite a lot of rules in such a short time.”
According to the researcher, guiding was first discovered when Jaeha was identified as a Guide through Dojoon’s case. This meant that knowledge and treatment of Guides had been established in just a few days, yet it was remarkably systematic.
“We really are the ‘hurry-hurry’ people.”
Since Jaeha was the only Guide with data, everything was written with him in mind. The content could be adjusted when new Guides appeared.
Despite having to handle everything alone, Jaeha was unusually enthusiastic. He couldn’t be careless about a job that paid a salary. Even so, he only planned to do first-level guiding. For that, it was important to provide guiding before Espers overused their powers.
If a dangerous situation arose like with Jiho, he might have to spend the night hugging a complete stranger.
‘I really wouldn’t like that.’
To prevent such situations, he needed to do as many tests and practical guidings as possible.
Unable to sleep due to excessive enthusiasm, Jaeha started moving early in the morning. Now that he knew he would receive a salary plus allowances, he couldn’t just lie around watching TV.
After dropping Dorim off at daycare, he immediately went to do a guiding test.
In the guiding room, only researcher Lee Yuri, who always welcomed Jaeha when he came for tests, was checking the machines. Her tightly tied hair and sharp eyes always made her look cold, but she was dedicated to helping Espers, even rushing alongside him to rescue Jiho.
“Hello, Researcher.”
Jaeha’s voice carried a hint of friendliness as he greeted her. Lee Yuri also showed a slight smile in response to his friendly greeting.
“You’re early, Guide Seo Jaeha.”
“I need to come early to do more tests.”
“I like your enthusiasm. Come this way.”
Lee Yuri led Jaeha to another room. Upon entering, he saw it was divided by a partition wall with a hole in it. There was a comfortable chair in front of the hole. When Jaeha looked at it curiously, Lee Yuri calmly explained.
“Since Guide Seo Jaeha is currently the only Guide, we need security.”
“…I was already incredibly embarrassed yesterday.”
As his friends began becoming Espers and appearing everywhere, Jaeha often checked internet reactions. There were several comments speculating about his existence. This speculation stemmed from Jaeyoon mentioning the existence of a Guide that day, plus seeing the exhausted Haeil embrace Jaeha before standing up alone. In today’s world, it was difficult to cover up something once it had been exposed.
Seeing Jaeha’s skeptical attitude, Lee Yuri explained calmly.
“The Espers coming now don’t know there’s only one Guide. We’re deliberately spreading rumors to make it seem like there are several.”
“Is that really necessary?”
“Of course. Since Guide Seo Jaeha still doesn’t seem to realize it, let me explain simply.”
Though Jaeha had studied on his own, he didn’t recognize his value as much as the researcher did.
“Imagine Espers crossing a desert and Guide Seo Jaeha is the only one with water. We’re not sure exactly how much water you have. Even if everyone shares nicely, someone might think…”
Using the desert water example made it very clear, and Jaeha nodded and focused.
“‘Sharing means there’s not enough. I want it all to myself.'”
“Ah.”
“‘What if the water runs out? I should drink my fill first. Or better yet, I want all the water, so I’ll monopolize it.'”
There was no guarantee that selfish people didn’t exist.
Jaeha recalled how difficult it was to break free when Jiho or Haeil embraced him, no matter how much he struggled. If an Esper was determined, Jaeha could be dragged away without being able to resist at all.
“You’re right, it’s better if they don’t see my face.”
“Yes. So even if an Esper speaks to you, don’t answer. If necessary, our researchers will respond.”
Until now, the tests had been more about overcoming embarrassment than dealing with danger. Now he could recognize how desperately Espers needed guiding and how dangerous it could become. At Lee Yuri’s words, Jaeha immediately shut his mouth and nodded.
Seeing Jaeha’s expression darken, Lee Yuri quickly added:
“Applications for awakening tests are pouring in. There might be Guides among them. Once the number of Guides increases, we won’t need to worry about Guide Seo Jaeha’s safety.”
“Ah, that’s true. If there are more people with water, thirsty people won’t feel anxious.”
“Exactly. Guards will also be deployed during the test, so don’t worry. Guide Seo Jaeha… you just need to offer your hand.”
Finally relaxing a bit, Jaeha sat in the comfortable chair. Unlike previous tests, the softer chair made him more comfortable. Soon, he heard movement from beyond the partition, followed by a husky voice greeting:
“Hello there~”
“Hel…”
Jaeha reflexively tried to respond but stopped mid-word at Lee Yuri’s sharp glance. Then he heard another researcher cautioning from the other side.
“Please follow the precautions. If you violate them, you will be removed.”
“Come on, meeting someone so precious and I can’t even say hello? Isn’t that too harsh?”
“The test is ten minutes.”
“Yes, yes. Please take good care of me~”
Despite the researcher’s rigid attitude, the voice continued joking, then a hand suddenly came through the hole in the partition. Even at a glance, the joints were thick and solid, looking like someone who used their fists regularly. When Jaeha hesitated at the suddenness, the hand wiggled impatiently. With playful movements, the person spoke again.
“I already missed 30 minutes because I drew a bad lot, which is unfair enough, so please help me out~”
“Don’t grip too tightly, and we’ll stop immediately if the Guide feels uncomfortable. Do you agree?”
“Good grief, I already agreed and signed in front of you, why ask again? I agree, okay?”
Despite the casual attitude, the playfully wiggling hand didn’t look threatening despite its appearance. When Lee Yuri nodded, Jaeha pushed aside his hesitation and joined his hand with the other’s. As expected, the hand was rough and calloused, but Jaeha didn’t show it and gently held the hand.
The voice that had been casually complaining just moments ago was now silent. Instead, the rough hand that Jaeha held carefully grasped back. It was so careful that it didn’t feel burdensome.
It was actually less pressure when faces weren’t visible and they didn’t have to exchange awkward greetings. If the Esper’s condition wasn’t good, it would have been burdensome, but there was no particular sensation.
Looking at the monitor, the guiding was proceeding properly. At this rate, it seemed he could guide any number of people, which made him even more enthusiastic. However, sitting idly for ten minutes started to get a little boring.
Lee Yuri, not noticing Jaeha’s boredom, was focused on monitoring.
After being initially tense from Lee Yuri’s example, Jaeha became so bored that he thought he should bring his phone for the second guiding session.
“Ten minutes. Guiding test completed.”
“Confirmed. Saving results from test number one.”
The researchers announced the end of the guiding and prepared to wrap up.
When Jaeha relaxed his grip to release the hand, the other person, who had been holding carefully until now, suddenly grabbed tightly.
“Ugh!”
“Esper Bang Chunjae, release your hand immediately!”
“Damn it, why should I let go of something this good?”
The leisurely, joking tone had disappeared from the voice. Recalling the example he had discussed with Lee Yuri before the test, Jaeha realized that ten minutes of guiding was like offering just one sip of water to someone who was desperately thirsty.
Jaeha struggled to free his hand, but it wouldn’t budge. The pain became so intense he worried his hand might break, but he held back from making any sound. This was an effort to reveal as little information about himself as possible to this person.
“We’ll use force as specified in the contract.”
Following Cheonoh’s familiar voice, there came distinct sounds of someone being hit.
Jaeha had wondered why his guard was on the other side, but it seemed they had positioned someone who would desperately protect him where the Espers were.
Though the Espers couldn’t use their abilities due to the mana suppressors, their basic physical strength was far superior to normal people. Nevertheless, there seemed to be some mechanism in place, as sounds of the Esper being subdued by a regular guard came through in real-time.
“Let go.”
“Argh! Ugh!”
Despite the sounds of pain, the hand gripping Jaeha didn’t release.
“Release before I break your arm.”
Even with Cheonoh’s chilling warning, the grip remained.
“Uugghh…”
“Stay still.”
Lee Yuri approached urgently with a syringe in her hand. Looking at the pained Jaeha, she didn’t hesitate to inject the needle into the Esper’s hand. It was such a thick needle that even Jaeha winced just seeing it, though it wasn’t his hand.
“If you let go now, it will count as one warning, but if you continue to resist, you’ll be permanently banned from guiding candidates.”
It was a calm but firm warning.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
