Chapter 47
After causing quite a commotion in the morning, Dowoon was now walking with a light step.
This was because a brilliant idea had come to him for resolving an issue that had been giving him a headache.
‘Right. If I can’t stop it, I just need to turn it in my favor.’
What he wanted to prevent was Seoyul Guiding other Espers. But he realized that even if he wanted to stop it, it wasn’t something he could completely prevent.
Seoyul was a free person with the right to make choices. So what could Dowoon do?
The answer was to make sure Seoyul wouldn’t think about other Espers even if he did Guide them.
Just like a few days ago.
‘E-Esper-nim…’
The image of Seoyul Guiding with a bright red face was truly cute, even looking back on it.
Still seemingly concerned about performing long Guiding sessions for Dowoon, he clearly wanted to practice more before trying it.
But when Dowoon pleaded with a reasonable excuse, Seoyul reluctantly agreed to try and provided Guiding with great care.
With all his attention focused on Dowoon, it seemed that all thoughts of the damn Esper he had just Guided disappeared completely, which pleased Dowoon.
‘Good!’
But humans are creatures of adaptation. As Seoyul would gradually get used to it, the time this method could be used was limited.
So Dowoon planned to increase the intensity of Guiding step by step. Little by little, he would gain favor in Seoyul’s eyes and win his heart, until the time he could gobble him up whole.
“Ahem.”
Dowoon cleared his throat calmly while standing in front of the Guiding room. This was where Seoyul was currently performing Guiding.
Which meant that soon, an obscenely lucky bastard would crawl out.
‘Just try coming out.’
Dowoon burned with anger. He planned to immediately issue a warning and give them hell as soon as they came out.
Click.
“Thank you, Guide-nim. Then I’ll be on my way.”
Right on cue, as the Guiding seemed to have ended, the door opened and an Esper came out. Since the door was only half-open, Seoyul didn’t seem to have noticed him.
Thinking this was fortunate, Dowoon immediately shot a menacing aura at the Esper.
“Gasp!”
The Esper jumped in surprise and turned his head. Upon discovering Dowoon, he turned pale, trembling as he spoke.
“E-Esper Cha, Cha Dowoon…sir?”
Damn it.
Who would have thought he’d be quite fresh enough to speak in this situation.
Dowoon clicked his tongue briefly and withdrew his aura. Then, wearing the mask of a friendly Esper, he whispered softly.
“If you ever put in a Guiding request for Seoyul again, you’ll really die, got it?”
“Eek!”
At these words filled with killing intent enough to burn the skin, the Esper panicked and nodded vigorously.
This was because he had heard rumors that Dowoon had been issuing what he called “warning cards” to Espers showing interest in his Guide, challenging them to duels.
Gulp.
A terrifying S-grade Esper whose aura alone seemed capable of killing. In this center, after dueling with him, how many Espers would remain unharmed?
The fondness he had developed after receiving Seoyul’s Guiding was momentary; he quickly fled, thinking he should prioritize his own safety.
‘Hmm… as expected, my recent rampage has been effective.’
Dowoon nodded with satisfaction as he watched the Esper disappear quickly.
The duel system, which officially allowed him to beat others to a pulp, also known as the ranking battle system, had several advantages.
As now, he could officially thrash those who approached Seoyul, and winning would raise his ranking, which would be reflected in his contribution score.
Of course, he had put aside using warning cards starting today, but that was because rumors had already spread, and he had discovered something more important.
Yes.
The best thing about this system was that he could officially consume energy through training and appeal to Seoyul with it.
“Esper-nim?”
Curious about the situation outside, Seoyul poked his head out and called Dowoon.
“Can I come in?”
“Pardon? Ah, yes. Please come in.”
The cute Seoyul, though bewildered, invited him inside. He seemed to find it strange that Dowoon had come looking for him today, just as he had yesterday.
“What brings you…”
“Why would an Esper come to a Guiding room? To receive Guiding, of course.”
“Pardon?”
Seoyul’s eyes widened at Dowoon’s confident statement. Despite having already given him Guiding at the center yesterday, he had provided Guiding once more in the evening.
So Dowoon shouldn’t be in a state of Guiding deficiency. Then why Guiding…
“Starting today, I’ve decided to properly participate in ranking battles. Seoyul, do you know what ranking battles are?”
“Pardon? Ranking battles?”
Being a novice Guide, Seoyul wouldn’t know about them. Ranking battles were a system only Espers participated in.
“Yes. It’s a one-on-one duel system operated by the center to increase combat sense, and if you win, you get ranked. That’s why it’s called a ranking battle.”
“Ah…”
Having acquired new information, Seoyul nodded slightly. How interesting that such a thing existed. On the other hand, he tilted his head, wondering why Dowoon was explaining this.
Then Dowoon continued.
“For an Esper to participate in ranking battles, they need to use a lot of their ability.”
“Ah…!”
Seoyul finally understood what Dowoon was saying. Because he would need to use his abilities to participate in ranking battles, he would need to receive Guiding more frequently.
‘No…’
Seoyul was seized with perplexity.
Since he couldn’t yet perform Guiding perfectly, he didn’t know what to do. He had been so worried about causing trouble for Dowoon yesterday.
‘Why now of all times…’
With a reddened face, he tightly closed his eyes.
Should he ask Dowoon to wait a little longer? If he practiced a bit more, he felt he could get the hang of it…
But Dowoon, as if reading Seoyul’s thoughts, put on the mask of a pitiful Esper and spoke.
“Ah… I guess it’s a bit difficult… For Espers, it’s something like a matter of pride, so I think I got a bit excited.”
Huh!
Hearing those words, Seoyul couldn’t help but raise his head in surprise. Dowoon was smiling bitterly, as if regretful but accepting.
‘Ranking battles, a matter of pride for Espers…’
Dowoon had lived without being able to receive Guiding. So he probably hadn’t been able to participate in these ranking battles either.
And now that he could participate, he couldn’t because of Seoyul…
‘I shouldn’t burden Esper-nim…!’
But if he were to give Guiding now, Dowoon might be troubled. So he hesitated, not knowing what to do.
Then, Dowoon secretly smiled with satisfaction and moved closer. Taking Seoyul’s wandering hands, he spoke.
“I’ll try to endure it well.”
“Pardon…?”
Seoyul’s eyes widened once more. Endure…?
Whoosh.
Instantly understanding what that meant, Seoyul’s face turned explosively red.
“Uh… ah… th-that…”
“I’m fine. Not only do you need to practice, but I do too.”
“Pardon…? Y-you too, Esper-nim?”
Seoyul couldn’t understand what he was saying. So as he just stared at him with trembling eyes, Dowoon brought his hand toward his lips and spoke.
“I also need to be composed enough to receive your Guiding whenever, wherever, and whatever kind you give.”
“Ah…”
Seoyul understood what Dowoon meant. So, he meant to remain composed even in such situations…
Whoosh.
Thinking his face might actually burst, Seoyul quickly lowered his head.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
His heartbeat was too loud.
Although he knew what Dowoon was proposing was necessary, he was too embarrassed to lift his head.
‘Wh-what should I do…?’
Certainly, at this rate, he might make a mistake during an important battle and put Dowoon in a difficult position. So statistically, if both of them could handle it, they could reduce the risk.
As Dowoon said, not just himself but also Dowoon…
“Seoyul…”
Dowoon’s voice penetrated Seoyul’s complexly entangled thoughts. As if enchanted, Seoyul raised his gaze.
There he saw Dowoon, seducing him. With an attractive smile, he spoke.
“Will you… help me?”
The moment he heard those words, Seoyul’s answer was predetermined.
“I-if you’re okay with it, Esper-nim…”
His head went down again. Then, a pleased laugh echoed from above his head.
“Thank you. I’ll really try to endure well.”
Seoyul squeezed his eyes shut. Oh no… this was trouble.
* * *
A week passed like that.
Although he had been very worried, fortunately, the Guiding was going quite well. Dowoon’s face looked very calm, and hearing him say he was fine several times, Seoyul breathed a sigh of relief.
“If you’re not okay, you must tell me! Understood?”
But who knows when he might trouble him again!
Seoyul reiterated the precautions he always mentioned before starting Guiding.
“If you tell me, I’ll stop immediately, Esper-nim. Are you listening?”
When Seoyul asked again, Dowoon simply responded with a smile, calmly saying:
“Yes. Don’t worry. I can endure well now.”
At those words, Seoyul’s face turned red again. How could he say such things so calmly?
Seoyul thought Dowoon was amazing for being able to say such embarrassing words so nonchalantly.
Was this what being a professional meant?
Seoyul closed his eyes, reaffirming his determination to quickly become a professional. Then, he began to carefully infuse Guiding energy into Dowoon’s hands.
“Mmmm…”
A satisfied sound escaped from Dowoon, indicating the energy was flowing in well. Reassured, Seoyul steadily continued to infuse Guiding energy.
As he continued Guiding like this, Dowoon suddenly called to Seoyul in a casual tone.
“Hey, Seoyul.”
“Yes?”
Opening his eyes and meeting his gaze, wondering what was the matter, Seoyul saw Dowoon smiling with a genuinely puzzled expression as he asked:
“Why are we only holding hands when Guiding?”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
