Chapter 20

Kang Yu-han retrieved a disinfectant container from the back seat. It was full of liquid and not particularly light. Just as he grabbed the hose to spray the disinfectant, Seo Ji-hyuk interrupted.

“Hand it over.”

“Why?”

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“Let’s just finish quickly and leave. This is annoying.”

Seo Ji-hyuk unceremoniously grabbed the disinfectant container. Left empty-handed, Kang Yu-han could only stand there, dumbfounded.

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Apparently unsatisfied with the meager spray from the nozzle, Seo Ji-hyuk unscrewed the lid and poured the liquid out directly.

“All done. Let’s go.”

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Seo Ji-hyuk shoved the empty container back haphazardly and spoke. Kang Yu-han was speechless. He’d never seen anyone use disinfectant so recklessly.

Shaking his head, Kang Yu-han followed Seo Ji-hyuk into the vehicle.

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The dying sun cast its rays over the ruined world. With human activity drastically reduced, the air was noticeably clearer—a small silver lining.

However, the sunset wasn’t the vivid red of the past. Instead, it shone softly with an amber hue. It wasn’t unpleasant to look at.

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Kang Yu-han pulled out his messenger and contacted Kim Si-on. He had hesitated all day over this decision. Glancing sideways, he noticed Seo Ji-hyuk pressing his temple with his free hand.

‘This isn’t for me. It’s for Seo Ji-hyuk.’

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He repeated that to himself as if to justify his actions.

* * *

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The guiding room was typically dark and cramped. Since the process involved physical contact not unlike intimacy, it was designed to block light and sound completely.

But today’s guiding session, taking place in a lab deep within the research wing, was different. Seo Ji-hyuk, shirtless with sensors attached to his wrists and neck, could be observed through a transparent window.

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The sensors were wirelessly connected to a machine about waist-high, which displayed real-time data on Seo Ji-hyuk’s vitals, such as pulse and oxygen saturation. It also analyzed his Esper energy wavelength, showing whether it was clean or turbulent.

The current reading was -97 Herticon. Since guiding became necessary once levels dropped below zero, his condition was extremely poor. Kang Yu-han nodded as he looked at the numbers on the monitor.

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‘He’s in bad shape. This is unavoidable. Don’t let personal feelings get in the way.’

But that resolve crumbled within seconds as Kim Si-on entered the guiding room. Without much ceremony, he began preparing for his task, his displeasure partly concealed but still evident.

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Kim Si-on took Seo Ji-hyuk’s hand, briefly scanning it with his eyes before closing his own. Almost immediately, Seo Ji-hyuk’s tense expression softened. The pain that had been etched on his face moments ago eased, as though he’d been given a powerful painkiller. He grabbed Kim Si-on’s other hand.

Kim Si-on shot him a glare, likely because of how tightly he was holding on. Yet Seo Ji-hyuk didn’t let go.

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[95 Herticon]
[89 Herticon.]
[81 Herticon.]

Every thirty seconds, the energy wavelengths stabilized significantly. Even without checking the monitor’s vital signs, it was obvious—Seo Ji-hyuk’s complexion had improved, and he looked languid, almost sleepy.

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Right now, Seo Ji-hyuk was finding peace in Kim Si-on’s touch. That truth pierced Kang Yu-han’s heart like a needle.

‘He looks somewhere else, not at me. He’s receiving guidance from someone else, something I can’t openly give him…’

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Dr. Yoon glanced at Kang Yu-han.

“What do you think? Looks good, doesn’t he?”

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“Yes, it does.”

“You can relax now.”

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“…Are the two of them compatible enough to pair?”

Kang Yu-han asked in a low voice. Dr. Yoon shook his head.

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“Average. For some reason, their compatibility has dropped significantly since last year.”

“Can it change that drastically? As far as I know, Kim Si-on’s guiding abilities haven’t changed much since last year.”

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“Well, that might be because of you, Major Kang.”

“Me?”

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“Yes. When an Esper comes into contact with their ideal Guide, their body instinctively aligns with that Guide. Some call it attachment formation; others see it as simple adaptation. Either way, remember when you secretly guided Seo Ji-hyuk? His energy wavelength probably began synchronizing with you then. Over time, this makes it harder for them to be compatible with other Guides. Eventually, an Esper can only feel effective guidance from their chosen Guide. That’s why Espers tend to cling to their own Guides.”

‘His wavelength is attuned to me?’

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Kang Yu-han was deeply unsettled. He’d guided Seo Ji-hyuk just once, secretly, and yet that single interaction had imprinted deeply on Seo Ji-hyuk’s body.

Even if Seo Ji-hyuk didn’t know, his body remembered Kang Yu-han. A strange sensation washed over him—a mix of guilt and validation. What he had done wasn’t meaningless after all.

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“Are you flustered?”

“A little.”

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“Good, just be aware.”

“…I’ll keep that in mind.”

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“For today, since Guide Kim Si-on is handling it, just leave it to him.”

“Are you saying I don’t need to get involved?”

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“Exactly. Look, isn’t Guide Kim Si-on doing a good job?”

“Yes, he is.”

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Kim Si-on was sweating bullets, visibly exerting himself. He braced Seo Ji-hyuk’s arm as if arm-wrestling with him, holding on with sheer determination.

Kang Yu-han had asked Kim Si-on to take care of Seo Ji-hyuk, even offering him a favor in return. Kim Si-on had been more than eager to jump at the opportunity, completely unaware of the deeper truth:

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He couldn’t possibly imagine that Kang Yu-han’s entire focus revolved around Seo Ji-hyuk, or that this obsession had skewed everything out of alignment.

No matter how much Kim Si-on demanded affection, complained about only being treated like a younger brother, or yearned for Kang Yu-han’s attention, he would never suspect that Seo Ji-hyuk occupied Kang Yu-han’s heart.

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‘I’m sorry. I feel even worse for being jealous… and for feeling relieved when I hear my compatibility with him is better than yours. I’m the worst.’

Kang Yu-han envied Kim Si-on’s ability to openly guide Seo Ji-hyuk. If he could trade places with him, he’d do anything. But he had promised long ago to keep his feelings hidden. He had no choice.

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The day young Seo Ji-hyuk lost control and killed his parents, Kang Yu-han had almost been able to stop the tragedy.

When the order came to deploy to the research wing because of a Variant appearance, Seo Ji-hyuk had shown severe signs of distress. Kang Yu-han, noticing it earlier than anyone else, could have evacuated him.

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But when Seo Ji-hyuk snapped at him to leave him alone, Kang Yu-han hesitated, and that hesitation became a fateful mistake.

The research wing housed Seo Ji-hyuk’s parents, both researchers. It was only natural that he would head there.

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Kang Yu-han had been the first to notice the danger and had tried to stop him.

“What do you think you’re doing? Who are you to block my way?”

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“You’ll only end up dying for nothing. Don’t go.”

“Hah, Kang Yu-han. You wouldn’t understand—you don’t have family. Don’t give me that rationality crap.”

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Kang Yu-han froze. Intellectually, he understood Seo Ji-hyuk’s agitation, but the emotional sting was unbearable.

“Fine. Go save them. I’ll wait. How about that, huh?”

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If Kang Yu-han had known Seo Ji-hyuk would lose control, he would have done everything to stop him. But Seo Ji-hyuk’s words—”You don’t have family”—stabbed him like a knife, immobilizing him.

‘Yeah, I’m an orphan. I wouldn’t understand. I’m just a loner…!’

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Lost in despair, Kang Yu-han wasted precious time. Only when a faint explosion sounded from the research wing did he snap out of it.

‘Seo Ji-hyuk is in danger.’

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Fear overwhelmed him as he realized Seo Ji-hyuk had likely rushed headlong into peril. He had no time to wallow in self-pity.

Kang Yu-han dashed toward the research wing. But he was too late.

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Before he could reach the building, a deafening explosion and flames erupted, shattering glass and sending debris flying. The shards slashed Kang Yu-han’s face, but he had no time to care. His chest tightened with fear and urgency.

‘I’m sorry. Hold on, I’m coming. Please, don’t let anything happen to you…’

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Then came the final explosion, collapsing the entire building.

“No…!”

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The explosions went on for several minutes. Bloodied and tear-streaked, Kang Yu-han pushed through the smoldering rubble, searching desperately for Seo Ji-hyuk.

Amidst the black smoke, he found him—unconscious, barely alive.

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The signs were clear: severe energy depletion, a typical aftermath of an Esper’s rampage. Without immediate guidance, Seo Ji-hyuk’s life was at risk.

And yet, the most devastating revelation awaited.

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The Variants Seo Ji-hyuk had killed were his own parents.

“What do we do now…? He ended his parents with his own hands.”

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The Center Chief looked visibly distressed. Everyone was preoccupied with how to handle the aftermath. Kang Yu-han, however, was drowning in guilt.

‘I could have stopped it. I let you kill your parents with your own hands.’

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His fear of being hurt had caused him to inflict an irreversible wound on Seo Ji-hyuk. The weight of his guilt crushed him like a boulder.

Holding the unconscious Seo Ji-hyuk, Kang Yu-han wept.

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“You can’t die. Wake up. Please.”

And then, a miracle happened. Kang Yu-han’s latent guiding ability awakened, pouring into Seo Ji-hyuk.

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The dark energy and hardened remnants of his rampage melted away in real time. Tears streamed down Kang Yu-han’s face as he caressed Seo Ji-hyuk.

‘I’m your Guide. Only after committing this sin did I realize the truth.’

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Guiding Seo Ji-hyuk back to life was Kang Yu-han’s only way of seeking redemption.

For three days and nights, Kang Yu-han stayed by Seo Ji-hyuk’s side, neither eating nor drinking. He held his hand, pouring every ounce of his strength into him.

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When Seo Ji-hyuk finally opened his eyes, he remembered nothing—not the rampage, nor the moments before or after it.

He didn’t even recognize Kang Yu-han as the Guide who had cared for him during those three days.

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All he knew was that he had killed his parents with his own hands, and that knowledge broke him.

Watching Seo Ji-hyuk crumble in despair, Kang Yu-han felt his heart ache but also found solace in his ignorance.

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‘I caused this tragedy. It’s better if he never knows the truth. If he did, he’d surely hate me.’

Kang Yu-han lingered for a moment, watching Seo Ji-hyuk and Kim Si-on in the guiding room, before quietly walking away.

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