I pressed my face against Yu-geon’s chest, nuzzling like I wished I could get even closer. If I could, I’d reach inside his body, where that sweet blood flowed.
I’d rather not touch at all than let go now. After wandering for days in a barren desert, it felt like holding a pool of water in my hands.
The urge to bite was almost unbearable, but more than anything, I didn’t want to let go of what I had. I wasn’t asking for his blood—surely this much was okay. Saliva pooled desperately beneath my tongue, and I had to part my lips just to breathe.
“Why is it… that when you show me your vulnerable side, it makes me so happy, Sa-weol?”
Yu-geon gently stroked from the crown of my head down to the nape of my neck. The sensation was so good it made me lightheaded.
“That’s why I help you—because I want to. Don’t feel pressured. Use me all you want. I like being someone you need.”
“You’re seriously weird…”
His voice reverberated through his chest into me. That soft, low murmur made my fingers curl involuntarily. The scent of fresh grass from the open window mixed with Yu-geon’s scent, making it feel even more vivid.
The smell I liked, the energy I liked, his voice, his hand gently stroking my hair—it all crashed over me like a wave of comfort, and I could barely keep my eyes open.
“Honestly… you’re kind of insane.”
“When have I not been crazy about you?”
His quick and casual agreement was so absurd it made me laugh. What once felt like a one-sided possessiveness didn’t weigh me down anymore, because it wasn’t just Yu-geon’s feelings now.
“No, I meant guiding. I was talking about guiding.”
“I know.”
Whatever I’d added at the end didn’t matter anymore. Tonight, just having Yu-geon beside me felt like it would give me the sweetest dreams.
Just before drifting off, I murmured the words I hadn’t yet said.
“I don’t hate you.”
“……”
“It’s been a while since I stopped.”
It was a calm, peaceful night.
* * *
When I woke up, Yu-geon and I were lying in the backseat, still holding each other. Whether he’d used telekinesis or carried me back there, I had no memory of it.
“You’re awake?”
As I stirred in his arms, Yu-geon asked with sleepy eyes. He looked like he’d just woken up too.
I sat up, and for some reason, the front of the dorms at Branch C was swarming with awakened ones. The noise must’ve woken us up.
“What’s going on?”
Out of habit, we both glanced at our wrists. Unfortunately, afraid that Han-gyeol might track us, we’d left our watches at our respective dorms—and missed the center’s alert.
The sun hadn’t risen yet, so it had to be dawn. Which meant this was serious.
The center only got this chaotic at dawn when high-level gates appeared—or when multiple gates opened at once.
I quickly pulled out my phone and checked the emergency alerts. The moment Yu-geon and I saw the screen, we both froze.
[Zone F4] Gate detected at 3:30 AM – Grade D
[Zone A7] Gate detected at 3:52 AM – Grade F
[Zone B8] Gate detected at 4:13 AM – Grade C
[Zone G3] Gate detected at 4:15 AM – Grade D
[Zone C11] Gate detected at 4:32 AM – Grade F
Five gates in just one hour.
Sometimes, the pulse from one gate could trigger similar types of gates to appear simultaneously.
In such cases, a DEFCON Level 2—defense readiness posture—was declared, just as with high-grade gates. The grades weren’t high, but we had to get back to Branch A fast, since gates didn’t always just involve a boss to defeat.
Current time: 4:42 AM. Thankfully, we hadn’t lost too much time.
Yu-geon jumped into the driver’s seat and started the car. By the time we reached Branch A, grabbed our watches from the dorms, and arrived at the office, the rest of the team was already assembled.
“Why are you so late?”
“Didn’t hear the alert.”
“Jeez.”
Ji-han scolded Yu-geon under his breath. I quietly slipped into the back. Han-gyeol was already briefing the team.
“The D-grade gate is forest-type, so nature-types will go. The F-grades are cave-type, so physical-types have been assigned. Once you’ve cleared your assigned gates, regroup at Zone B8 for the C-grade gate. It’s a time-attack gate, so creatures will appear in waves. Check your watches for detailed locations and squads.”
The situation was urgent, so the briefing was brief. Right on cue, the Espers’ watches buzzed with their assignments. Han-gyeol looked our way and addressed Yu-geon.
“Esper Baek Yu-geon, suspend your protection duty and deploy to the F-grade gate in Zone A7. Guide Gu Sa-weol’s protection will be assigned to another Esper.”
Yu-geon had never deployed since being assigned as my bodyguard, unless he volunteered. But this time, he had no choice.
Lower-grade gates were less dangerous, but they also had tighter time limits. When multiple gates opened at once, speed was everything.
“I’ll take over Guide Gu Sa-weol’s protection, Captain,” Ji-han volunteered.
Mental and intellect-type Espers usually didn’t engage in combat. Ji-han’s role, like Guk-hyeon’s, was interrogation.
The difference was Guk-hyeon interrogated suspects, while Ji-han extracted intel from potential witnesses during missions.
Given the situation, Ji-han taking over my protection was practical. But Han-gyeol didn’t immediately confirm, simply observing.
“Guide Gu Sa-weol’s protection will be handled by Esper Kang Ji-han and Esper Seong Gyu-hyeon.”
“…Esper Seong Gyu-hyeon?”
Gyu-hyeon, standing at the front, looked up in surprise.
He was Han-gyeol’s right hand. A B-rank physical-type Esper with highly developed sight and hearing, he provided strategic support from elevated positions—vital for Han-gyeol’s close-combat style.
He also received tactical training from Han-gyeol and could command a squad if needed.
Why was someone like Gyu-hyeon suddenly assigned to my protection during a crisis?
“There’ll be fewer Espers at the center due to deployments. No harm in being extra cautious.”
Even so, the order felt excessive. I wasn’t leaving the center—I’d be inside, in a capsule, if injured Espers came in.
“Fulfill your duties and return safely.”
“Yes, Captain.”
Still wondering about Han-gyeol’s motives, I watched him exit the room. The rest of the awakened ones scattered quickly.
“Sa-weol, call me if anything happens. I’m closest to the center.”
“Okay.”
“Don’t go back to your dorm alone. Wait for me.”
“I said okay.”
DEFCON 2 meant we had to remain on standby at the center, even past regular hours. Yu-geon knew I understood that, yet he kept repeating himself.
“So dramatic. You’ve got two Espers guarding you—what could possibly happen?”
Ji-han draped an arm around my shoulder, scolding Yu-geon for being overbearing.
“I’ll protect Sa-weol, so relax.”
“Sure, but get your arm off me.”
Yu-geon, clearly displeased, removed Ji-han’s arm from my shoulder and slung it over his own.
“Esper Seong Gyu-hyeon. Any idea why the Captain suddenly assigned you to guard duty?”
Yu-geon turned to Gyu-hyeon, who approached us looking confused.
“No. He just said to do my best and left…”
Han-gyeol was gone. Yu-geon frowned, deep in thought, then leaned close to Ji-han and whispered.
“Keep an eye on him. Don’t leave Sa-weol alone with him.”
Clearly, he trusted Ji-han more than Gyu-hyeon. But Yu-geon wasn’t exactly subtle—his voice was loud enough to hear.
As expected, Gyu-hyeon caught it and protested.
“Esper Baek Yu-geon, I have no ill intentions toward Guide Gu Sa-weol. I’ll carry out my duty. Please trust me.”
“I never said you had ill intentions. Why bring that up? Feeling guilty, maybe…?”
“Go already! Enough nonsense.”
I shoved Yu-geon toward the door before he could say anything else. Ignoring his grumbling about how suspicious Gyu-hyeon was, I pushed him out of the office.
“Take care.”
“Sa-weol. Don’t be alone with anyone. Got it?”
“Y-Yeah.”
“Say it like you mean it.”
“Alright, alright.”
“Did you really get that?”
“Unnie, take him with you.”
I flagged down Alpha Team’s Han-na as she passed.
“Why are you still here? I’m swamped, and you’re wasting time. You’re making Espers look bad.”
“Sa-weol!”
Han-na grabbed Yu-geon and dragged him away. His voice echoed down the 13th floor hallway.
* * *
At the center, I went about my duties with two Espers in tow. Every time I entered a capsule, the paired Esper flinched at Ji-han and Gyu-hyeon’s presence.
“I’m under protection because of recent Guide attacks. I ask for your understanding.”
“Oh, I see.”
Though he nodded, he kept stealing glances at them during guiding.
“Two of them… guarding you?”
“…Yes.”
“Guess that’s what it’s like for S-ranks.”
I gave a sheepish smile. The reaction was always the same. Even for an S-rank, this was excessive—especially inside a center full of awakened ones.
With two towering figures flanking me, I drew attention everywhere I went. Whispers followed us wherever we walked.
