Chapter 50
And so, Dowoon’s selfish plan disguised as practice proceeded smoothly. Though it was a series of daily challenges, it was very satisfying because the rewards were just as great.
If there was a problem, it was Seoyul.
‘I-I’m not getting used to it…!’
While Dowoon seemed to be getting better, Seoyul wasn’t getting used to it at all.
When he was held by the waist and embraced by Dowoon, that area felt constantly burning hot, making it impossible to concentrate.
The thought that he should focus and guide properly was fleeting, and uncontrolled guiding kept flowing over to Dowoon.
‘I like this too. It’s good to receive a lot.’
Dowoon had said so, but Seoyul needed to know how to control his energy. Just pouring it out like this wasn’t efficient.
It was fine now because Dowoon’s physical condition was good, but guiding like this when he wasn’t in good condition wouldn’t be beneficial.
In the worst-case scenario, all of Seoyul’s guiding energy could run out, putting Dowoon’s life in danger.
Only Seoyul could guide Dowoon. This made Seoyul think again that he needed to practice more definitively.
“Haah…”
But what’s the use of thinking and resolving like this every day?
Seoyul realized something.
That there are things in the world that can’t be done with courage alone. Until now, he had tackled many challenges by gathering courage, but the world wasn’t as easy as he thought.
“Haah…”
As he was walking down the corridor with a long sigh, a familiar voice was heard from far away.
“Oh? Guide Seo!”
When he raised his head to check, Sunghun was running towards him with a smile.
“I finally get to see you!”
He seemed very glad to see Seoyul, welcoming him with a bright smile. Seoyul felt the same, so he smiled back and replied.
“It’s been a while.”
“Yes, indeed. That Cha Dowoon, not letting anyone come near his Guide.”
“What? Esper-nim?”
Seoyul tilted his head. He wondered if there had been some problem between them.
“Yes. Dowoon is sulking with me.”
“Ah.”
Seoyul had a realization.
‘So Esper-nim can sulk too.’
To be precise, he was angry, but Seoyul trusted Sunghun’s words 100% and nodded. Then, Sunghun’s eyes sparkled as he spoke again.
“Since we’ve met like this by chance, Guide Seo, are you free right now?”
“Time? Um… I should be fine for a short while.”
It happened to be that he had about 30 minutes free until his next task. Seoyul usually spent such free time looking up various materials to learn more about his work, but occasionally it seemed fine to chat with an acquaintance.
His mind was complicated because of Dowoon, and he wanted a change of mood.
“Oh! Then, would you like to go see Dowoon training?”
“What? Training?”
…He had nodded just to recall Dowoon a bit, but to hear his name right away.
Seoyul hesitated. But the hesitation was brief. While it was true that his mind was complicated because of Dowoon, he was curious to see him train.
He wanted to see how Dowoon usually spent his days and how he trained.
‘And I have an obligation to know more about Esper-nim too.’
Wasn’t he a pair Guide! So he needed to know more details about Dowoon.
“What do you think? I’m heading that way now.”
Urged again, Seoyul firmed his resolve and said.
“I want to see!”
* * *
Having visited the place where Espers train with Sunghun, Seoyul looked around curiously.
He had been here a few times before, but it was his first time at the training area.
Individual training rooms were located in layers underground, and the dueling area was built on the lowest level with a large scale.
“Quite big, isn’t it? This is the main training room. It’s designed so that the interior can be seen from all sides, allowing for observation anytime. Ah, of course, for reference purposes.”
Sunghun winked and added that watching other Espers’ battles was also very helpful.
“Is that why there are so many people?”
Seoyul asked cautiously, glancing around. There were many people inside, and somehow it felt like they were watching him.
“Hahaha. It’s not like this every day, but since they say Cha Dowoon has been appearing frequently these days, curiosity keeps bringing people in.”
“Aah…”
Seoyul nodded in understanding. Dowoon was an S-class Esper, so it made sense that everyone would be curious.
Of course, among them were those who had been designated by Dowoon and were trembling with fear.
“Let’s get closer.”
“Yes.”
At Sunghun’s words, Seoyul carefully stepped forward. He could still feel glances, but he moved forward thinking it couldn’t be helped since a Guide had appeared in a place full of Espers.
“Wow.”
Seoyul’s eyes sparkled as he admired the scale and size. In front of him was a large window, and below it, two people were standing face to face.
“The structures inside are all fake. There’s an Esper at the center who can create such things at will.”
Seoyul’s eyes sparkled even more at Sunghun’s explanation. It was simply amazing to Seoyul, who had been an ordinary person just a few months ago.
“Since they’re fake, you don’t need to fix them even if they break, so you can comfortably rampage while smashing them.”
“That’s amazing!”
Seoyul’s eyes sparkled again with genuine admiration. Sunghun chuckled and continued.
“Have you seen Dowoon use his ability?”
“I’ve seen him teleport a few times.”
“Then this will be your first time seeing his specialty?”
Sunghun’s words were spoken without any intention, but Seoyul felt guilty for being too indifferent.
It seemed he hadn’t paid enough attention to Dowoon because he had been too busy with his own affairs.
Seoyul smiled awkwardly and scratched his cheek. Sunghun smiled gently and said.
“I brought you at a good time. Oh? Looks like they’re about to start.”
Sunghun tapped Seoyul and pointed to the interior. Seoyul then turned his gaze to watch the training ground.
The opposing Esper drew up his power and took a stance. Sharp ice spears appeared in midair, aimed at Dowoon.
Seoyul gulped at the imminent danger, as they looked ready to rain down at any moment.
Swoosh!
The ice spears shot out at high speed. But Dowoon showed no sign of trying to dodge. He merely stretched his hand into the air and watched the approaching ice spears.
“Uh oh. Dangerous.”
Seoyul inadvertently approached the glass window and muttered. But before he could finish speaking, something amazing happened.
When Dowoon made a gesture of clenching his fist, the ice spears weakly fell to the ground.
But as if everyone had expected this, the opponent created a sword this time and darted out at high speed. The sword, imbued with a sharp edge, looked as if it would pierce Dowoon.
‘Wow.’
Seoyul admired quietly, unable to take his eyes off the glass window. This was because Dowoon was avoiding all the attacks with smooth movements.
It was even marvelous to see him dodge attacks with light gestures, as if gravity didn’t apply to him alone.
But the opposing Esper wasn’t easy either. After unleashing rapid attacks at a terrifying speed, he began to gather tremendous energy to create a large ice spear. And just as he was about to launch the attack…
“Huh?”
He lost his balance and his body tilted. Dowoon quickly exploited that small opening, kicking the Esper in the abdomen and sending him flying.
Bang!
The ice spear disappeared instantly as the Esper crashed into the wall. Dowoon didn’t miss that moment and jumped to lift him into the air.
Then a one-sided barrage of punches began. Dowoon moved lightly as he dealt with the Esper.
His punches were heavy, and his kicks were powerful. The Esper was desperately trying to defend, but for some reason, he couldn’t regain his composure.
At that moment, Sunghun asked Seoyul.
“What do you think Dowoon’s ability is?”
Is he… even using an ability?
To Seoyul, it only looked like he was moving a bit faster. He first thought that maybe such speed was possible because he could teleport.
But considering his S-class rank, it didn’t seem that fast.
“I… don’t know.”
Seoyul answered honestly. Sunghun smiled and explained.
“The reason why Cha Dowoon was able to hold out until now without a Guide is precisely that.”
What… was he talking about?
Seoyul turned his gaze again to look at the training ground.
“Huh?”
There, the Esper was floating in the air, having lost his will. Then he started struggling and shouting something. Though nothing could be heard due to the excellent soundproofing.
“That’s Dowoon’s ability. There, making things float.”
“What? Making them… float?”
It became even more incomprehensible. Sunghun burst into laughter, finding something very amusing, and explained.
“Dowoon’s ability is to control gravity. Whether it’s himself or his opponent, whatever the target, he can control gravity at will.”
Saying that, Sunghun added that this alone couldn’t be used in combat. But Dowoon had trained repeatedly to be able to toy with people like that, he further explained.
“Minimum energy for maximum effect. That’s why Cha Dowoon is famous and great. Can you believe he’s hitting and breaking everything with his own strength? How rigorously must he have trained to have such power when he’s not even in the body enhancement category?”
Sunghun shrugged his shoulders and shook his head, saying God was unfair. But he showed no signs of jealousy.
He simply seemed to genuinely admire Dowoon and feel proud of him.
“Even now when he doesn’t need to conserve energy, it’s become a habit for him to always use it sparingly in fights.”
Huh?
Upon hearing that, a small question crossed Seoyul’s mind.
It was because he thought of Dowoon, who had been coming to him in the same state for the past few days, despite Seoyul guiding him like pouring water into a bottomless jar.
With a combat style like this, he wondered how Dowoon could come to him having used so much energy.
‘Could it be…’
Seoyul quietly watched Dowoon’s continuing actions.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
