#2

Two weeks had passed since Kang I-won’s first meeting with Heo Do-gyeong.

As scheduled, Kang I-won returned for his biweekly Guiding session and took the seat opposite Heo Do-gyeong. With practiced ease, Heo Do-gyeong extended his gloved hand, and Kang I-won clasped it without hesitation.

For a while, they sat silently, the Guiding proceeding without interruption. Then, Heo Do-gyeong spoke.

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“Considering the last Guiding session was your only one, your resonance is remarkably stable. According to the records, you’ve been on quite a few deployments recently.”

His words carried an undertone of sarcasm that wasn’t hard to miss. Kang I-won had spent the past two weeks wondering why Heo Do-gyeong acted so unpleasantly toward him, and now he understood—it was a misunderstanding.

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A familiar one, at that.

The reputation of Espers with regeneration abilities like Kang I-won’s was, to put it bluntly, terrible. This stigma had persisted for years, rooted in a long history of prejudice and misconceptions.

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Espers like Kang I-won—those who fought recklessly, hurling themselves into danger to face monsters—weren’t unheard of.

But almost all of them met the same end: they perished after sustaining injuries beyond their regenerative capabilities. The survivors? Those who avoided danger, prioritizing their own safety over others.

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As a result, the image of regeneration Espers became synonymous with cowardice and selfishness. This perception, paired with the widespread belief that regeneration was useless in combat, became an unshakable stigma.

That lingering prejudice, combined with Kang I-won’s unusually stable resonance despite going two weeks without Guiding, had clearly led to Heo Do-gyeong’s assumption.

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If Kang I-won hadn’t gone on deployments at all, it might have been less suspicious. But the records showed frequent field activity, which conflicted with the stability of his resonance.

Resonance wasn’t affected solely by an Esper’s ability usage; every physical action influenced it to some degree. Simply engaging in significant physical activity could cause fluctuations in resonance.

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Stable resonance, then, implied minimal activity—or none at all.

Heo Do-gyeong had likely concluded that Kang I-won’s stability was the result of shirking his responsibilities, relying on his regenerative ability to avoid exerting himself in combat.

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Given the records and the resonance stability, it was an understandable misunderstanding.

To clarify things, Kang I-won would need to admit to using Guiding supplements to stabilize his resonance.

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But was there any real need to explain? It might be easier to let the misunderstanding persist. Explaining would only be tiresome, and in the end, Heo Do-gyeong was just a temporary Guide who would leave soon enough.

Besides, compared to the Guide Kang I-won had dealt with before, Heo Do-gyeong was far better.

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The previous Guide had outright refused to provide Guiding, even when it was urgently needed. Instead, they falsely recorded that Kang I-won had received Guiding. Their reasoning? “A regeneration Esper wouldn’t need to use their ability often,” and, “I don’t want to waste my energy on something unnecessary.”

At least Heo Do-gyeong wasn’t that kind of Guide. So, there wasn’t much motivation for Kang I-won to clear up the misunderstanding.

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Still, it wasn’t pleasant to let someone form their own biased judgments about him. It left a bitter taste.

What bothered him more, however, was his body’s eager reaction to even the half-hearted Guiding sessions. Despite how perfunctory the Guiding was, his body instinctively craved the soothing effect it provided.

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This time was no different. The minimal effort Guiding was over quickly, leaving no need for adjustments to his already stable resonance. As soon as the session ended, their hands separated immediately.

Kang I-won clenched his fists tightly, resisting the reflexive urge to reach out again. Masking his frustration, he kept his tone steady as he spoke.

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“Thank you for your time today.”

“Yes. You may leave now,” Heo Do-gyeong replied indifferently, his voice devoid of warmth.

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Without lingering, Kang I-won stood and exited the Guiding room.

Before the door fully closed behind him, a faint sound reached his ears—thud.

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He didn’t need to turn around to see what it was. He already knew.

The gloves.

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Discarded once again into the trash.

* * *

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There are three main types of Gates.

First, the Summoning Type, which produces a minimum of one and a maximum of ten monsters before disappearing. Second, the Wave Type, which spawns at least dozens of monsters at regular intervals. Lastly, the Dungeon Type, where one must enter the Gate and defeat the boss inside to close it.

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Among these, the most challenging by far is the Wave Type. It unleashes groups of at least dozens of monsters at once, with more following in waves until the Gate disappears.

However, even the troublesome Wave Type has its advantages over the Summoning or Dungeon Types. Unlike the Summoning Type or Dungeon Type, which are hard to predict, the Wave Type forms when massive energy gathers at one point. This phenomenon is visible to the naked eye, allowing quick detection and preparation if noticed in time.

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Late in the afternoon, the detection team promptly identified a forming Gate and summoned the Espers. The location was in a residential alleyway. Given the area, a delayed discovery could have resulted in devastating casualties.

Soon, five teams arrived on the scene, swiftly evacuating the residents and surrounding the Gate in formation. Since nothing could stop the Gate’s creation process, all they could do was wait until it fully formed.

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“I… this is my first time dealing with a Wave-Type Gate. Do you think I can handle it?”

Kim Young-ho, the youngest member of Team 5, couldn’t hide his nervousness as he spoke hesitantly. Han Kang-jin, their team leader, patted him on the shoulder and offered reassurance.

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“A Wave Type is no different from a Summoning Type, really. The only difference is the numbers. Don’t worry.”

“Team Leader’s right. Just think of it as a tougher day at the office. Plus, it’s a good chance to work with other teams and improve coordination. These experiences pile up, and they’re what keep you alive and kicking for a long career.”

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“Wow… Soo-bin, you sounded like a total boomer just now.”

“What? You little—”

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Choi Soo-bin playfully pretended to strangle Kim Young-ho, her light grip making him let out a small, exaggerated scream of protest. As she laughed at his antics, she turned to Kang I-won, who was silently staring at the forming Gate, and poked his cheek repeatedly.

“Kang I-won, don’t you have anything to say to your junior?”

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Caught off guard by her question, Kang I-won wore a slightly perplexed expression.

What could he say? Worrying was fine, but overdoing it wouldn’t help. Most of the people gathered here were seasoned veterans, so the situation wasn’t likely to become too dangerous. Even if things went wrong, at least Kim Young-ho wouldn’t die.

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Despite these thoughts, all that came out of his mouth was a short word of encouragement.

“Do your best.”

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After witnessing countless situations where words ultimately proved useless, that was the only thing he could say. Ignoring Kim Young-ho’s incredulous look, Kang I-won scratched his side awkwardly, while Choi Soo-bin sighed exaggeratedly.

“Wow, how underwhelming.”

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“What were you expecting from me?”

“Right? I guess I was expecting too much from Kang I-won. My mistake.”

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As they exchanged their lighthearted banter, the forming Gate began to take on a reddish hue. The chatting Espers fell silent and turned their full attention to the Gate.

Gates were categorized by their color. The closer the Gate was to red, the higher its rank; conversely, the closer to black, the lower its rank.

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The energy radiating from the Gate stung their skin. Staring at the swirling red hues, Kang I-won murmured to himself.

“This feels like a B-, maybe a C+ rank.”

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“Yeah? If that’s the case, we should have enough people here.”

“Still, don’t let your guard down.”

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“Did you hear that, Young-ho?”

“I’m not letting my guard down!”

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Just as Kim Young-ho raised his voice in protest, monsters began pouring out of the Gate like a tidal wave. Han Kang-jin charged forward with his shield raised, with Kang I-won following closely behind.

The Gate, which spawned 26 monsters every three hours, was classified as a C+ rank. While the monsters themselves weren’t particularly difficult to deal with, the short intervals between waves required reinforcements.

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After three days of continuous shifts with five additional teams joining the fight—making a total of eight teams rotating in and out—Kim Young-ho lay sprawled on the ground during his rest break, groaning dramatically.

“Ugh, I feel like I’m actually going to die….”

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Kang I-won, who was also sitting on the ground, responded in a calm voice.

“People don’t die that easily.”

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“Senior, not you too…?”

Kim Young-ho looked at Kang I-won with wide eyes, betrayal written all over his face. Choi Soo-bin, who was gulping down water, burst into laughter and smacked Kang I-won on the back.

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“He’s right, though. People don’t die as easily as you’d think. Even when it feels like you’re on the brink, you somehow survive. Especially if you’re an Esper like us.”

“But why are you hitting my back?”

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“Because it’s right there?”

As Kang I-won and Choi Soo-bin bickered, Kim Young-ho watched them with curious eyes before turning his gaze to an Esper from Team 9, who was being guided by their dedicated Guide. He looked at them enviously and then asked Han Kang-jin.

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“Team Leader, when are we getting our own dedicated Guide?”

“I keep putting in requests to the higher-ups…”

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Han Kang-jin grimaced before continuing.

“…but who knows when that’ll happen. There’s a shortage of Guides everywhere. At least we’ve got Heo Do-gyeong filling in temporarily, so we’re managing for now, aren’t we?”

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At the mention of Heo Do-gyeong, Kim Young-ho’s expression turned complicated. From the very first meeting, Heo Do-gyeong’s demeanor had been consistent: minimal conversation, contact only through gloved hands, and a guiding process that was quick and precise.

He was polite, with a faint smile and an air of professionalism, but somehow distant and hard to approach. Any attempts to strike up a conversation would inevitably be met with curt replies, and continuing a dialogue felt nearly impossible—like trying to break through an invisible wall.

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Kim Young-ho groaned.

“Of course, Guide Heo Do-gyeong-nim is great. Way better than the last temporary one we had. But he’s just so hard to deal with. I get that he’s a germophobe and doesn’t like Espers, but every time I try to make small talk or get closer, he just gives me one-word answers. And even though he’s smiling, it feels cold—like icy, frosty cold.”

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“…And annoying?”

“Exactly, he’s so annoy—! No, that’s not what I meant!”

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Kim Young-ho’s true feelings slipped out thanks to Choi Soo-bin’s interruption. Startled, he quickly sat up to deny it, but then lay back down with a groan, his voice teetering on the verge of tears.

“Honestly, I liked Eun-young noona a lot more. She was so much kinder, always responded warmly when I talked to her, and the atmosphere during Guiding sessions was so cheerful and friendly….”

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Han Kang-jin scolded him with a firm tone.

“Kim Young-ho, a Guide isn’t a customer service worker. As long as they guide you properly, that’s enough.”

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Kim Young-ho rolled his eyes and added defensively, “Of course, but my matching rate with Eun-young noona was way higher too….”

“True, you were close to 80% with Eun-young, right? Or did it pass that?”

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At Choi Soo-bin’s question, Kim Young-ho answered immediately.

“Not quite. It was 79%.”

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“And with Heo Do-gyeong?”

“61%.” He sighed deeply before continuing. “Honestly, with Guides, matching rates matter way more than their grade, you know? Even though Guide Heo Do-gyeong-nim is S-rank, the low matching rate makes a difference. To me, Eun-young noona’s Guiding felt way better.”

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With another heavy sigh, Kim Young-ho lamented further.

“Plus, Eun-young noona would occasionally even allow hugs. But Guide Heo Do-gyeong-nim? Forget hugs; he shakes hands with gloves on. Even after a Guiding session, I never feel satisfied. It’s like something’s always missing. Just when I start to feel like it’s getting better, it’s abruptly cut off, and I’m left feeling unsettled. How do I even describe it?”

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“Like going to the bathroom and not wiping properly?”

“Seriously, of all the analogies….”

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Kim Young-ho looked horrified at Choi Soo-bin’s comparison.

“Why? Do you have a better one?” she teased.

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“Uh, um… It’s like drinking a beverage with pulp, but only finishing the liquid while the pulp gets left behind. You know, you tap the can, but the last few bits just won’t come out. It’s so frustrating because it would feel complete if you could eat those last pieces, but no matter how much you tap, they’re stuck, and you end up feeling unsettled….”

“Doesn’t that feel a bit different, though?”

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“Isn’t it kind of the same?”

“Just stick with the ‘not wiping properly’ analogy. It’s short and straightforward. Anyway, that’s not the point. For me, the matching rates with Eun-young and Heo Do-gyeong are about the same, so I do think Heo Do-gyeong’s Guiding feels slightly better. But since physical contact is limited, I don’t notice a huge difference.”

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Choi Soo-bin jabbed Kang I-won in the arm with her finger.

“Hey, Kang I-won. What about you? With your high matching rate, it must’ve felt great, huh?”

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Kang I-won gave a small nod.

It went without saying. Heo Do-gyeong’s Guiding felt exceptional—so much so that it was incomparable to any other Guiding he’d received. For the first time, he could understand why so many Espers were obsessed with having their Guide or forming an imprint.

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“See? Matching rate is way more important than rank. I wish I could get Guiding from someone with a high matching rate too,” Choi Soo-bin sighed.

Most Espers assumed that a Guide’s rank determined the quality of Guiding. However, when the ranks weren’t vastly different, the matching rate became the more crucial factor.

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To put it another way, imagine Espers as machines and Guides as repair technicians. The state of an Esper’s wavelength reflects how “broken” the machine is.

Guiding, in this analogy, is the act of “repair.” The moment a Guide manifests their abilities, they instinctively understand how to repair any machine.

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But just knowing the repair methods doesn’t guarantee perfection. Machines vary widely, with countless different models, and each technician has varying degrees of proficiency with different types.

This proficiency is what’s called the matching rate. The higher the rate, the better the repair quality.

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A technician with high proficiency can restore a machine to near-perfect condition, while one with low proficiency can only patch it up enough to maintain basic functionality.

No matter how many times the same technician works on a machine, their proficiency doesn’t change.

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So, in such cases, wouldn’t anyone seek out the more skilled technician to fix their machine? This is exactly why Espers are so desperate for Guides with high matching rates.

A Guide with a high matching rate can restore an Esper’s disrupted state to its original form, creating an unconscious sense of stability and comfort.

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This might lead to the question: does a Guide’s rank hold any significance at all? The answer, however, is more nuanced.

A Guide’s rank indicates how many machines they can repair and how advanced their tools are.

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The better the tools, the higher the quality of the repair. Even with the same level of proficiency, repairing a complex machine with just a screwdriver versus a full toolset yields vastly different results.

In this analogy, the tools represent the unique energy that Guides possess, which determines their rank.

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So, while the matching rate is crucial, the Guide’s rank is equally important. In the end, both factors play an essential role.

As the conversation about Guides and Guiding continued, it inevitably shifted. The more they talked about Guides, the more the absence of their dedicated Guide felt glaring.

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While taking a break, Kim Young-ho asked, “Team Leader, how long do we have to hold this thing off?”

“Didn’t they teach you this in training?”

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“Oh, come on, who remembers that? That was ages ago! I’ve been doing this for six whole months, you know?”

The young Esper puffed up with pride, chirping like a freshly hatched chick. For a new recruit, surviving their first deployment—when many perish early on—was a point of pride. It was still that stage for him.

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Han Kang-jin humored him with a response.

“I don’t know either.”

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“…Huh? What do you mean, you don’t know?”

“Who could know? With Wave-Type Gates, you just hold out until it disappears.”

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“…What? Really? Senior I-won, is that true?”

“Yeah.”

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Kang I-won’s blunt confirmation left no room for doubt, much to Kim Young-ho’s dismay.

Kang I-won nodded silently.

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Wave-Type Gates typically disappeared after three or four days, but this wasn’t always the case.

Some vanished within a day, while others lasted a week—or even two weeks. The most extreme case occurred in the U.S., where a Wave-Type Gate persisted for an incredible 97 days. In short, the duration of a Gate was entirely unpredictable.

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In light of this, Han Kang-jin launched into a brief lecture for Kim Young-ho, who was clearly lacking in basic knowledge. Though Kim Young-ho groaned in despair at the impromptu lesson, the rest of Team 5 ignored him entirely.

The lecture ended soon enough, with Han Kang-jin clapping his hands.

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“Alright, time to get up. It’s our turn again.”

“Ugh… I’m seriously going to die,” Kim Young-ho grumbled as he dragged himself to his feet.

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Kang I-won sighed quietly as he stood up as well. The wind seeped through the countless tears in his battle-worn clothes, making him shiver. The accumulated pain in his body screamed faintly as the cold brushed against his skin.

He clenched and unclenched his trembling hands a few times, trying to steady them. The lack of proper Guiding was beginning to take its toll. Following Han Kang-jin’s lead, he rose to his feet. Rest time was over.

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On the fifth day after the Gate had appeared, the last remaining monster was finally slain. The Gate swirled inward, condensing into a single point before vanishing. Though there were numerous injuries, there were thankfully no fatalities.

Half the Espers collapsed to the ground, while the other half lay sprawled out. A select few stood stiffly, stretching out their weary bodies.

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Two on-site Guides, who had arrived earlier, hurriedly moved among the dozens of Espers, prioritizing those who raised their hands for help.

Kang I-won, lying flat on the ground, pulled out a vial of Guiding medication from his jacket with trembling hands. Despite the chaos of battle, the vial had survived unscathed. As he tore open the packaging, Choi Soo-bin, still sitting on the ground, grimaced at him.

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“Hey, I told you not to use that stuff. Is Heo Do-gyeong on a holiday or something? Just ask one of the on-site Guides over there for help instead.”

“I don’t have time.”

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Without hesitation, Kang I-won removed the cap from the syringe and injected it into his thigh. The movements were practiced and methodical, a routine he’d clearly gone through many times before.

The medication began spreading from his thigh muscles, its effects quickly coursing through his entire body.

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The sensation after using a Guiding drug was akin to being in sleep paralysis. While his mind was clear, his body refused to move no matter how hard he tried. Worse still, the side effects varied from person to person but often occurred with alarming frequency.

For Kang I-won, the side effects usually manifested as difficulty breathing. It felt as if a metal bar weighing hundreds of grams was pressing down on his chest, or as though an invisible hand was tightly squeezing his throat.

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Despite the suffocating sensation, his chaotic wavelengths gradually began to calm. The previously erratic energy was now suppressed, its wild leaps muted into a faint hum.

After about three minutes, the suppression finally subsided. Though his body could move again, breathing still felt laborious.

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From her spot on the ground, Choi Soo-bin, who had been watching him closely, asked.

“Why do you still use that stuff when we’ve got a perfectly capable temporary Guide around?”

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“Just a habit.”

“Then break that habit already,” Choi Soo-bin snapped, turning her head in frustration.

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Kang I-won, unfazed, calmly replaced the cap on the syringe needle and tucked the empty syringe into his pocket.

It had been about a year and a half since Kang I-won was transferred to the Southern Gyeonggi Third Branch. Here, he at least received regular Guiding sessions every two weeks, something he couldn’t even imagine before.

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Tl/N: Southern Gyeonggi refers to the southern region of Gyeonggi Province (경기도), a province surrounding Seoul, the capital of South Korea. Gyeonggi Province is known for its large population and diverse mix of urban and rural areas, serving as a significant hub for industry, culture, and suburban living.

Before his assignment to Southern Gyeonggi, Kang I-won was often dispatched to places no one wanted to go. These areas were dangerous, exceptionally grueling, or located in remote, inaccessible regions.

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Such assignments typically went to people without families to support or those who lacked connections—someone without a “safety net.” Kang I-won fell into both categories, making him the perfect candidate for such posts.

These remote locations were notorious for monsters spilling out of undiscovered Wave- or Dungeon-Type Gates, roaming the streets, or hiding in mountains and forests, threatening the lives of nearby residents.

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Even the safety of Esper Centers in these areas was not guaranteed. Monsters, driven by their hunger, often prowled near centers and attacked, occasionally leading to tragic deaths among the powerless civilian staff.

Guides were severely lacking in these high-risk zones.

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While there were a few Guides driven by duty who willingly risked their lives to work in such perilous conditions, they were exceedingly rare. Most came solely for the financial incentives—the danger pay was decent, albeit insufficient.

In these places, a single Guide often had to manage dozens of Espers, an impossible task even in theory.

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As a result, most Espers had no choice but to rely on Guiding medication. The law requiring at least one Guiding session every two weeks was practically meaningless in such regions. With no available Guides, how could the law be enforced?

Because of this, Kang I-won lived on Guiding medication and only received proper Guiding when he was on the brink of losing control.

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Not everyone in those areas was like Kang I-won. Most Espers desperately sought out Guides, trying to take advantage of any opportunity to receive proper Guiding.