Chapter 27: They Called Him A Monster

This is bad.

Choi Si-hyeok was also an S-rank Esper.

Confusion flooded So-won’s face.

Even if they weren’t physical-enhancement types like Tae-woo, Espers generally possessed physical abilities far beyond those of ordinary people.

The higher their rank, the more pronounced the difference became.

Unless Si-hyeok willingly let go, it was nearly impossible for someone like So-won—no different from a civilian—to pull his hand free.

And judging by the way Si-hyeok looked at him with open interest, there was no sign he intended to release him.

“At this level… forty—no, maybe fifty percent?”

“You said your name was Guide Lee So-won, right?

Want to take a matching test with me sometime?”

“Ah—n-no, I already—”

The distance between Si-hyeok and So-won steadily closed.

So-won pressed his lips tightly together as Si-hyeok drew nearer.

There was something chilling in his gaze.

Fear hit him all at once, and he tried to step back—but his captured hand wouldn’t budge, leaving him completely trapped.

Si-hyeok shifted his body, trying to get even closer.

Then—

A large, black figure cut sharply between them.

“Let go of him.”

With that low voice, So-won’s view was completely blocked.

When he looked up, he saw Tae-woo—wearing the same impassive expression as always.

“T-Tae-woo.”

The moment he recognized Tae-woo’s face, the anxiety threatening to overwhelm him settled instantly.

Thank goodness… he’s here.

Regaining his composure, So-won finally took in the situation.

Tae-woo was restraining Si-hyeok, gripping his wrist firmly, while Si-hyeok’s other hand still held So-won’s.

Against So-won’s and Si-hyeok’s pale skin, Tae-woo’s hand looked starkly different—dark, veins bulging grotesquely.

The contrast felt unsettling.

“Ah—ow, ow.”

Si-hyeok let out an exaggerated groan, though his expression showed no real pain.

“It’s not like it’ll wear out if I touch him a little.

You’re so harsh.”

He smiled slyly.

At the same time, Tae-woo’s grip tightened further.

Kkraaak—
It felt as if flesh were twisting violently.

“Ugh—hey, it’s gonna break.

Seriously.”

This time, he seemed genuinely hurt.

Si-hyeok grimaced and finally released So-won’s hand.

So-won immediately pulled his freed hand back and staggered behind Tae-woo, hiding there.

The hand Si-hyeok had grabbed throbbed painfully.

Red marks covered it, and they didn’t look like they’d fade anytime soon.

Only after seeing So-won rubbing his injured hand behind him did Tae-woo let go of Si-hyeok’s wrist.

A large handprint remained, dark enough to make the skin look lifeless—but it vanished like a mirage moments later.

“Tch… gross.”

Si-hyeok flexed his arm a few times, as if checking its condition.

Though it moved perfectly fine, he frowned in displeasure and brushed off the spot Tae-woo had touched—as if wiping away something filthy.

The meaning behind that gesture was painfully clear.

So-won’s expression soured for a brief moment.

“Judging by those veins, guess you’re not getting proper guiding, huh?”

The words made So-won flinch, his gaze dropping instinctively.

“Well, with a body like that, it’s probably too creepy to guide properly anyway…”

The comment hit dead center.

Just moments ago, So-won had been blaming himself for failing to guide Tae-woo properly.

Even after learning from the interim checkup that his guiding was insufficient, all he’d done since was hold Tae-woo’s hand.

The attending physician had even given him a pamphlet—but lacking courage, So-won had turned away from it.

He knew there were other guiding methods.

He’d simply kept postponing them, telling himself it was embarrassing—especially between two men.

“Your guide must be miserable.”

“Having to guide a monster like you.”

Si-hyeok sneered.

Tae-woo’s eyes met Si-hyeok’s in midair.

Despite the clear provocation, Tae-woo said nothing.

Just as Si-hyeok implied, Tae-woo believed So-won was unhappy being his guide.

Living with someone barely human, guiding him every day—unable to turn away because of his kind heart.

If So-won had become someone else’s guide, he would’ve been far happier.

Someone like Choi Si-hyeok.

A faint shadow crossed Tae-woo’s face.

Seeing it, Si-hyeok finally smiled in satisfaction.

He chuckled lightly, watching Tae-woo for a moment, then checked the time as if the prolonged silence bored him.

“Well, I should get going.”

“Make sure you clear the gate properly for me.”

“And Guide Lee So-won—what I said earlier?

I meant it.

Call me.”

Still looking down, So-won caught the business card suddenly tossed his way and looked up.

Si-hyeok smiled as if he’d drawn it himself, then turned and began pushing the wheelchair forward.

So-won stared blankly after him—until his eyes met those of the woman seated in the wheelchair.

She had remained quiet throughout the unpleasant exchange.

When their eyes met, she dipped her head slightly in greeting.

Before So-won could even react, the wheelchair passed right by him.

So-won said nothing as he watched Si-hyeok disappear into the distance.

Neither did Tae-woo.

They stood there for a long while, silent.

The first to recover was Tae-woo.

Hearing footsteps approaching from afar, he knew it was time to leave.

If they didn’t go now, things would become chaotic in an instant—and that would cause trouble not only for So-won, but also for the people resting or receiving treatment at the Center.

So-won was still staring blankly at the direction Si-hyeok had gone.

Tae-woo’s gaze drifted to So-won’s hand.

The red marks were still there.

He remembered how So-won had rubbed it as if it hurt.

That small, fragile hand—was it injured?

Concern made it hard for him to look away.

He wanted to ask how So-won was—but then his eyes fell on the business card clenched tightly in So-won’s hand.

An unhappy guide.

Si-hyeok’s words echoed again.

Tae-woo closed his mouth as he looked at So-won’s reddened hand.

It was all his fault—for failing to stop Si-hyeok sooner.

Did an Esper who couldn’t even protect his one and only guide deserve to have one at all?

Even looking at So-won filled Tae-woo with guilt.

He turned his head away.

“I’ll be going now.”

“Yes…”

So-won’s voice trailed off weakly.

Tae-woo gave a small bow toward him, then turned and left.

He could feel So-won’s gaze clinging to his back for a long time—but he couldn’t bring himself to look back.

Leaving the Center behind, Tae-woo headed for the gate.

He usually arrived early and waited, but today—running into Si-hyeok outside the Center—had left him pressed for time.

Once he arrived, Tae-woo wasn’t given a moment’s rest.

The moment he stepped out of the car, he reported his arrival to an Association staff member waiting under a temporary tent and underwent a brief examination.

Before he could even change into his combat suit, the assembly signal sounded, leaving him no chance to catch his breath.

As he approached the group gathered near the gate, one Esper spotted him from afar and narrowed his eyes.

There was no fear in that gaze—only deep-seated disgust.

Used to it, Tae-woo accepted the look without reaction and stood quietly among them.

Civilians and Espers reacted differently to Tae-woo.

Everyone flinched the first time they met his eyes—but while civilians shrank away in fear, Espers openly displayed their revulsion.

Some frowned immediately; others even spat on the ground as Tae-woo passed by.

Though few dared to start a fight outright, being cursed to his face was common enough that Tae-woo had long grown accustomed to it.

After confirming that all Espers had arrived—with Tae-woo last—the dispatch team staff member spoke, doing his best not to let his gaze linger on Tae-woo.

“E-everyone’s here, so we’ll begin with a brief explanation of the gate and safety procedures before deployment.”

His voice trembled slightly, but he managed to continue.

No matter how many times he saw him, he could never get used to Kang Tae-woo’s face.

He’d volunteered, beating fierce competition, because Choi Si-hyeok was supposed to be here—only for it to be changed to Kang Tae-woo the day before.

Just my luck.

He was about to start the briefing, silently lamenting his fate—

“Hey, where’d Esper Choi Si-hyeok go?

Why is that monster here instead?”

An Esper who’d noticed Tae-woo late spoke up in irritation, scowling as if he’d seen something repulsive.

That single remark threw the atmosphere into chaos.

“Kang Tae-woo?”

“What, that monster showed up?”

“What happened?

Where’s Choi Si-hyeok?”

As the noise swelled, the one who panicked wasn’t Tae-woo—but the Association staff member.

Overwhelmed by the growing murmurs, he fidgeted anxiously.

“Due to unavoidable circumstances on Esper Choi Si-hyeok’s part… Esper Kang Tae-woo has been dispatched as a substitute!

We apologize for the lack of prior notice!”

Afraid they might provoke Tae-woo, the staff member hurried to calm them—but instead, the complaints only grew louder.