Chapter 10

The closer Haon got to Cha Yugeon, the stronger the heat became. Haon, despite the intense heat, immediately rushed in without a moment’s hesitation.

Currently, Cha Yugeon was in a coma. The coma state was a condition that appeared in espers just before going berserk, with no consciousness and only heightened instinctive aggression. Of course, even if the aggression intensified in this state, it’s nothing compared to actually going berserk.

The duration of the coma state varied depending on the esper, but typically it lasted at most 5 minutes, and in some cases, it could be less than a minute. So Haon had to calm Cha Yugeon during the unknown duration of the coma state. If he went berserk in the middle of Dangsan Station, it would be no different from a disaster unfolding.

“Please, please, you crazy bastard, please!”

The flames surrounded Haon. His heart continued to race as the flames keeps escalating without regards to the urgent situation. His running steps were filled with desperation. Sweat dripped heavily from Haon’s face, and his cheeks turned red from the heat.

Fortunately, his clothes were made of materials resistant to heat and cold, otherwise, his whole body would have been engulfed in flames.

“That crazy bastard….”

Haon cursed while glaring at Cha Yugeon beyond the flames. Without any hesitation, he leaped into the towering flames.

“Ugh…!”

Even though his clothes were resistant to heat, his exposed face had no way to endure the heat. Groans escaped involuntarily from the burning pain he felt.

Nevertheless, Haon didn’t stop. No, to be honest, he couldn’t stop. Since he was already in the midst of the flames, stopping would be more dangerous. Moreover, if Cha Yugeon started to go berserk, the current flames would be nothing compared to the havoc that would unfold. So, the only thought in his mind was to calm that guy down.

“Cha Yugeon!”

Haon reached out towards Cha Yugeon and embraced him with his entire body. In his desperation, he didn’t even think about the fact that he was hugging Cha Yugeon, whom he despised so much.

“Come on, let it flow!”

He hope that his guiding power flow completely into Cha Yugeon. Although it was his first time guiding, he pushed it with sheer desperation. There was no room for any other thoughts. All he could think about was what would happen if he failed.

At that moment, the guide energy swirled inside Haon’s body and transmitted to Cha Yugeon’s body. Every part of this process felt vivid.

“…Park Haon?”

Hearing Cha Yugeon’s voice, Haon’s tension eased and his legs lost strength. Thanks to Cha Yugeon holding onto his waist, he didn’t collapse.

“What was that just now? What did you do?”

Even with Cha Yugeon’s confused question, Haon didn’t respond at all. No, he couldn’t. The tension that had reached its limit disappeared all at once, leaving his mind completely empty.

Of course, it wasn’t just his mind that became clear. His energy seemed to have completely drained, leaving nothing behind. Haon weakly leaned on Cha Yugeon’s shoulder. He wasn’t even aware that he was relying on Cha Yugeon’s shoulder at this moment.

“Park Haon, what was that just now? What on earth did you do?”

“Quiet… my head hurts.”

“But…”

“…”

Guiding was more draining than he had thought. Haon couldn’t even feel the exhaustion settling in. He gives his appreciation to all the guides who had guided him before…

―Mr. Park Haon, are you okay?

“No… If I die now, I’ll have a noble death…”

In response to the director’s question, Haon answered whatever come to his mind. Meanwhile, Cha Yugeon gently wrapped both hands around Haon’s cheeks and made him lift his head. Cha Yugeon’s face wrinkled as he checked Haon’s complexion.

“Are you okay?”

“Oh… not okay, take your hands off me.”

“Got it.”

For some reason, Cha Yugeon obediently listened to Haon without any objections. Thinking that he was letting go of Haon, he instead supported the back of Haon’s head with his hand.

“What the hell is this…?”

“If I let go; you’ll fall.”

“Let me fall, please. If I die at least it will be a noble death.”

“No.”

Despite Haon’s plea, Cha Yugeon firmly refused.

Certainly, Cha Yugeon often disagreed with what Haon said, but he wasn’t the type to stubbornly assert himself in such situation. Just like Haon, he also disliked physical contact. However, it was inexplicable why he was suddenly showing concern in this way.

In the end, Haon mustered his remaining strength to push Cha Yugeon’s chest and create some distance between them. Haon who had taken a few steps away, glared at Cha Yugeon with a rough gaze. Even that couldn’t last long due to his lack of energy.

“Park Haon.”

“What.”

“Did you… guide me?”

“Of course, you idiot. Are you trying to lose your mind and go on a rampage? Are you crazy? Do you think we’re filming a disaster movie? Going berserk in the middle of Dangsan Station?”

In response to Cha Yugeon’s question, Haon poured out his anger. Even in his depleted state, he felt fortunate to have the strength to pour his anger out. If he couldn’t even say these words, he might have ended up suffering from frustration.

Cha Yugeon looked directly into Haon’s face. Perhaps this guy didn’t even realize what he almost did and was dissatisfied with just receiving a scolding from Haon. So, Haon naturally expected Cha Yugeon to respond with some annoying sarcasm.

“…”

However, Cha Yugeon said nothing. Instead, he just quietly looked at Haon.

As the silence lingered, Haon felt a different sense of unease creeping in compared to before. A crazy person who is quiet is more dangerous than the noisy one. Haon kept staring at Cha Yugeon without relaxing his guard.

―Mr. Cha Yugeon, you need to handle the other monsters.

“…Uh.”

Fortunately, Cha Yugeon agreed with the timely interruption of the director’s words. The guy seemed to be looking at Haon with eyes full of regret, but then he turned around and headed towards the nearby monster.

Haon forced himself to stand and gripped his dagger. He threw the dagger at the enormous spider-like creature. Rushing to the creature, he grabbed the handle of the dagger, deeply pushed the blade into the creature’s body.

[Kya, kyak, kyaah!]

Amidst the strange screams, Haon forcefully pulled the embedded dagger to the side with great strength. Thanks to this, a deep wound as large as his forearm was inflicted on the spider’s torso.

“Ugh…”

A burst of green, slimy liquid erupted. Witnessing the disgustingly vivid scene, Haon retched. The spider attempted to rise again, but its legs seemed to lack strength as it wriggled.

Not missing the opportunity, Haon plunged the dagger into the spider’s head, and the spider died without much resistance, contrasting the vigorous struggles it had just displayed.

Proud of having dealt with one enemy, Haon smiled and turned his head to find the next prey. In the meantime, Cha Yugeon had incinerated dozens of monsters.

“…That wretched bastard.”

While grateful for having nothing to do thanks to Cha Yugeon, a sense of fear crept in, realizing how dangerously close this guy had to going berserk.

― The current location’s monster extermination is complete. The remaining monsters will be handled by Esper Han Jaehyuk, Esper Song Min, and Guide Hyeon Siyun, who will move to Yeongdeungpo Times Square. Mr. Park Haon and Mr. Cha Yugeon, you can return.”

“Thank you…”

Haon, despite lacking energy, expressed his gratitude in response to the welcome announcement. He used the wristwatch distributed by the center to call for a jet, which promptly arrived.

Without delay, Haon, quickly boarded the jet. Following suit, Cha Yugeon silently joined him, and the jet swiftly ascended into the sky.

Inside the jet, Haon leaned back in his seat almost as if he were lying down, feeling exhausted. For some reason, he felt Cha Yugeon’s gaze on him, but he didn’t even have the energy to ask why he was looking at him, so he tried his best to pretend not to notice his gaze.

When the awkward silence reached its limit, the jet returned to the Center. As soon as they disembarked, the medical team approached and treated Haon. Cha Yugeon, for some reason, silently observed Haon receiving treatment.

Haon, feeling uncomfortable with Cha Yugeon’s inexplicable behavior, narrowed his eyes and glared at him.