Chapter 19 : Rampage (6)

‘That bomb is ours? What is that supposed to mean?’ Jisung’s face contorted. Was he just spouting nonsense? The man’s gaze turned to Jisung. He smiled, his eyes crinkling, and Jisung frowned.

Unsettlingly, he didn’t think the man was lying. But there was no bomb usage in this mission. Then what was that bomb? Jisung felt a sinking feeling in his stomach. He felt like he was missing something important.

The man smiled sweetly, watching Jisung’s reaction.

“You guys are plotting something interesting yourselves. Setting a trap to kill your own side.”

Jisung’s eyes widened. At his sharply raised head, the man smiled and continued.

“They were talking nonsense about this being our secret base, so I thought it was funny and came to use it to our advantage, and I saw a Center employee sneaking around and planting a bomb like a rat.”

The man’s eyes narrowed. He spoke as if he found it genuinely amusing.

“I wondered what they were doing. Planting a bomb where the Center’s Espers would soon arrive. And such a crappy one at that. It was obvious that you or Yuaan would notice it as soon as you arrived.”

The man looked at the bomb in his hand intently.

“The one who planned this must be an idiot who knows nothing about Espers. Otherwise, why would they prepare such a noisy bomb? Even a non-S-Rank would have noticed.”

“Right?” The man smiled brightly at Hyunwoo. At that, Hyunwoo’s gaze hardened. At his coldly shining eyes, the man laughed and threw the bomb behind him. A black piece of iron pierced the bomb as it flew in an arc.

BOOM!

The bomb exploded with a tremendous roar, scattering acrid smoke.

“It’s so crappy it’s not even funny. To think they tried to kill an Esper with something like that.”

“You didn’t come all this way just to explain that kindly. What’s your purpose?”

“Well, that’s right. I’m not a free man either.”

Jisung stared blankly at Hyunwoo’s calm voice. ‘Are you okay? Are you not bothered at all? They said the Center tried to kill you, how can you be so calm?’ Jisung bit his lip hard. No matter how unthreatening that bomb was, the fact that the Center had attempted to kill an Esper remained unchanged. Why? What was the reason for trying to kill an Esper? What benefit would the Center gain? If an Esper died, there would be no way to stop the terrorists.

His head was a mess. He couldn’t understand what they were thinking. He could taste iron from his bitten lip.

“Hyung.”

Hyunwoo turned his head slightly and looked at Jisung. He checked Jisung’s injured lip and then smiled gently and said.

“It’s okay.”

‘What’s okay, you fool.’

Jisung stopped biting his lip at Hyunwoo’s attempt to reassure him even in this situation. He took a small, deep breath. First, let’s focus on the enemy in front of us. The bomb problem comes after that.

Hyunwoo, confirming that Jisung’s heartbeat had returned to a stable rhythm, surveyed the area. He hadn’t felt any presence until the man revealed himself. He had fought the man several times before. The man’s ability was clearly to manipulate metal. That meant there was someone else with the ability to erase their presence or hide their body.

Objects floated around Hyunwoo. At that, the man shrugged and said.

“It’s no use searching. You didn’t know until I appeared. His ability is excellent for hiding, so even you can’t find him.”

“We’ll see about that.”

The man frowned at Hyunwoo’s words.

“Tsk, this is why S-Ranks are…”

Hyunwoo slightly tilted his head to dodge a weapon flying towards his face. The man’s lips curved into a smile.

“Do you think you have the luxury to search for someone else while dealing with me?”

Hyunwoo’s eyes narrowed. The man in front of him was one of the more annoying terrorists. The man’s ability was close to S-Rank. It was difficult to defeat him easily in one go like other enemies. He glanced at Jisung and then turned his gaze to Yuaan.

“Hyung, watch out for the remaining enemies.”

“Don’t worry.”

With that, the barrage of abilities began. Both Hyunwoo and the man mercilessly poured their abilities on each other. Amidst the continuous roar that shook the surroundings, Jisung did not take his eyes off Hyunwoo. It was the first time he had seen Hyunwoo fight so seriously, using his abilities to their full extent. Hyunwoo had always overwhelmingly subdued and defeated his enemies. He had never thought there would be an enemy who could stand up to him.

‘My eyes hurt.’

It was overwhelming just to follow Hyunwoo’s movements with his eyes.

“M-Mr. Jisung!”

Jisung turned his head at the voice calling him. There stood a person in a Center uniform. ‘Who?’ As Jisung made a puzzled expression, he introduced himself as an A-Team Guide.

“What is it?”

“I-if possible, could you help with the guiding?”

“Guiding?”

“We’re not enough to treat all the Center Espers. If the rank is high, the guiding works even if the matching rate is low…”

Jisung glanced at the fallen Espers. They were all in critical condition. Jisung glanced at Hyunwoo. It was the first time he had seen an enemy who could fight Hyunwoo like that. If Hyunwoo got injured, he would need his guiding. Guiding consumed a lot of stamina. So it was good for a Guide to always keep their stamina replenished.

But he couldn’t just stand by and do nothing. Jisung, after letting out a groan, finally nodded.

“Thank you!”

The Guide said with a bright smile. Jisung, who was about to follow the Guide, stopped at the voice calling him.

“Hyung.”

“I’ll stop right away if I think it’s too much.”

Sunwoo, after hearing Jisung’s words, thought for a moment and then answered.

“I’ll help too.”

“Are you sure?”

Jisung looked at Yuaan standing behind Sunwoo. At that, Sunwoo nodded.

“I’ll also stop if I think it’s getting too dangerous.”

Jisung smiled softly at Sunwoo’s words. He approached an Esper who was lying down with serious injuries. As he got closer, the thick smell of blood reached him. His brow furrowed. He squeezed the hand of the Esper who was breathing with difficulty. He maximized the Esper’s self-healing ability with guiding. Then the serious wounds began to heal little by little.

‘The healing speed is slower than Hyunwoo’s. Does self-healing ability also differ depending on the Esper’s rank?’

Jisung, seeing that the wound was no longer healing, started first aid. He wrapped a bandage around the wound and got up from his seat. Jisung, who was about to move to treat another Esper, looked up at the sky at the roar. The two, who seemed to be clashing abilities on equal terms, gradually saw Hyunwoo gain the upper hand as time passed.

Jisung let out a sigh of relief. ‘It’s okay,’ he muttered to himself like a mantra.

The same Guide approached Jisung, who was also treating other Espers. At Jisung’s questioning look, the Guide smiled and sat down next to him.

“Is this the first time you’re guiding someone other than Hyunwoo?”

‘Hyunwoo?’

Jisung made a puzzled expression at the voice that called Hyunwoo’s name familiarly. Hyunwoo was basically not interested in anyone other than the S-Team members. He was even aloof with Minseong, whom he saw often.

‘I’ve never seen him talk to Hyunwoo at the Center before?’

“Because I’m Hyunwoo’s exclusive Guide.”

The Guide’s eyebrow twitched at Jisung’s answer.

“That’s right, I was really surprised when I heard that Hyunwoo’s exclusive Guide had been found for the first time. Everyone was in a mood of giving up because they couldn’t find one no matter how much they searched.”

‘Giving up? You should have searched diligently until you died. Hyunwoo had such a hard time! Of course, it’s not for me to say, having appeared late…’

Jisung scratched his head awkwardly. The Guide, who was looking at him, said casually.

“So Hyunwoo’s guiding was handled by several Guides in rotation. Before you came, Jisung-ssi, I was the one who guided Hyunwoo.”

“Ah, I see.”

“I was the best match for Hyunwoo compared to the other Guides. If another Guide hadn’t appeared, I probably would have become Hyunwoo’s Guide.”

“Pardon?”

“The Center Director also said so. That I was a better fit for Hyunwoo’s Guide position.”

Thrust.

At the sound of a metal blade piercing flesh, Jisung looked down. A dagger shining with a sharp light was stuck in his side. Red blood slowly stained his black clothes.

Jisung’s hand went to the dagger. The unreal sight made his head spin. When he looked up, the Guide was smiling brightly with joy. Jisung frowned at his face full of desire.

‘The Center Director…!’