Chapter 50: Emergency Recall

“Who is this?”

–“This is the Esper Association calling.”

So-won hadn’t expected it to really be a call from the Esper Association.

Thinking it was a good thing he’d answered, he focused on the voice on the other end.

–“You’re currently at Esper Kang Tae-woo’s residence, correct?”

“Yes… I am, but…”

–“Esper Kang Tae-woo’s condition is not good.

We need you to come to the Association immediately.”

“What?

Tae-woo?”

So-won asked back in shock.

It hadn’t even crossed his mind that someone else would be the one to inform him about Tae-woo’s condition.

–“A vehicle dispatched by the Association will arrive shortly.

Please follow the staff’s instructions and come to the Association.”

“Is his condition really that bad?

Can I talk to Tae-woo for just a moment?”

–“Esper Kang Tae-woo is unable to take calls right now.

As for his condition—”

The voice on the other end hesitated.

But the moment he heard that Tae-woo couldn’t answer the phone, So-won grasped the situation and cut the staff member off.

“I understand.

I’ll go right now!”

So-won hung up and rushed upstairs, changed his clothes in a hurry, and ran outside.

Chewing anxiously on his nails as he paced in front of the house, he saw a pitch-black car approaching from afar.

…Ah.

At the all-too-familiar sight, So-won’s body stiffened.

It was the car that always came to take him away.

Every time he saw it, he’d run—so without realizing it, he took a step back.

The car soon stopped right in front of him with a loud screech.

The rear door slid open with a grrk, and a familiar face leaned out.

A face he couldn’t forget, having come to capture him consistently for eight years.

“Guide Lee So-won?”

“Yes.

That’s me.”

With no time to waste, So-won exchanged only a brief look of acknowledgment and got into the car.

It felt awkward—this was his first time getting in voluntarily—but this wasn’t the moment to dwell on that.

At the instruction to fasten his seatbelt, So-won nodded, pulled the strap beside him, and the moment it clicked into place with a click, the car took off at a terrifying speed.

The inside of the car on the way to the Association was silent.

So-won stared at the scenery rushing past the window, lips pressed tightly together.

His thoughts were tangled and chaotic.

Since the last guiding examination, anything beyond kissing had been difficult.

Holding hands or light embraces were fine now, but the moment the atmosphere started to shift, So-won would run away—and Tae-woo never forced him.

If I’d known this would happen, I should’ve guided him more seriously.

So-won checked the message he’d sent Tae-woo two days ago, the day Tae-woo went to the gate.

There was still no reply.

Only his own message sat there at the end.

He didn’t know why he’d assumed Tae-woo would come straight home.

Even though he knew Tae-woo’s condition would worsen after returning from a gate.

Tae-woo had been doing so well lately—So-won had grown complacent.

As they neared the Association, the staff member pulled out a radio.

“How’s the condition?”

–“It hasn’t reached a full rampage yet, but it’s gradually getting worse.”

The response crackled through with zzzt.

No name was mentioned, but So-won knew.

Tae-woo.

The Association drew closer and closer.

When the building was practically right in front of them, the staff member explained what would happen next.

“Once we arrive, Guide Lee So-won, you’ll move with us to the isolation room.

Esper Kang Tae-woo will be there.

You’ll proceed with guiding inside.

His condition isn’t good, but he is fully restrained, and Esper personnel will be present to protect you, so there’s no need to worry.”

The explanation continued, but the moment the Association came into view, So-won’s mind filled completely with concern for Tae-woo, and the words barely registered.

In the eight years he’d been Tae-woo’s guide, he’d never once arrived on time when Tae-woo truly needed guiding.

He always ran away and hid, only to be dragged back later by force.

By then, the worst of Tae-woo’s condition had usually passed—yet even then, So-won would scream that he couldn’t guide him.

The state he was about to see now would be similar to the first time he’d seen Tae-woo in the private room eight years ago.

Bulging veins blackened and writhing grotesquely.

The image of Tae-woo in agony flashed through his mind, and fear gripped him.

Not because Tae-woo was frightening—but because he might be suffering terribly.

Because he might have been in unbearable pain while waiting for him.

“This way!”

The moment they arrived and got out of the car, So-won hurried after the staff’s guidance.

He moved through the corridors at a near run.

Though the staff led the way, So-won already knew the path.

Straight down this hallway, then turn left—there would be that ominous gray door.

“Tae-woo!”

As the thick metal door opened and he rushed inside, he saw armed Espers in combat gear, medical staff anxiously checking machines, and finally—Tae-woo lying motionless on the bed, like a corpse.

Tae-woo’s condition was worse than So-won had expected.

Until now, whenever he entered the isolation room, Tae-woo would at least be sitting still, connected to the guiding machines.

With black cables trailing from his body, he looked monstrous—and when So-won stiffened after meeting his eyes, Tae-woo would quietly avert his gaze.

But now, Tae-woo lay on the bed without moving at all.

“Guide Lee So-won!”

The doctor in charge brightened the moment he spotted him.

Without even greeting him, So-won rushed to Tae-woo’s side and checked his condition first.

Tae-woo was restrained, guiding devices attached densely all over his body.

Whether unconscious or not, he didn’t open his eyes even when So-won approached.

Only his severely contorted expression showed how much pain he was in.

So-won grabbed Tae-woo’s bound hand tightly with both of his own.

The moment the wave surged into him, a sharp pain like being cut by a blade shot through his palm, nearly making him let go—but he clenched down harder instead.

He could feel the veins writhing beneath his skin.

And then, this moment felt terrifyingly similar to the day Tae-woo had died.

Tae-woo lying helplessly.

People standing around, able to do nothing but watch.

And himself, slumped beside him, holding his hand in utter powerlessness.

Suddenly, tears welled up.

He’d thought Tae-woo would sense his presence, open his eyes, say he was okay, apologize for showing him like this, reassure him.

But Tae-woo remained motionless, eyes still closed.

“H–He’s not opening his eyes…

What—what do I do…?”

Overcome with fear, So-won barely held back his sobs as he asked the doctor beside him.

His trembling voice was soaked with emotion.

The doctor looked at So-won—eyes glistening with tears—with pity, then spoke.

“Esper Kang Tae-woo’s condition deteriorated, so we administered a sedative.

It was a fairly large dose, so he won’t regain consciousness for a while…

But once his waves stabilize to some extent, detoxification will begin immediately, and he should wake up soon.”

Hearing that, So-won looked back at Tae-woo, determined to guide him.

But with guiding devices covering his body, there was nowhere he could touch.

Then his gaze fell on Tae-woo’s tightly sealed lips.

So-won leaned in and pressed their lips together.

“Ugh…”

It hurt.

It hurt—but he knew Tae-woo must be hurting far more.

That made him all the more desperate.

As if pleading for him to wake up, So-won gently licked and rubbed his lips, but Tae-woo still didn’t respond.

Thinking it wasn’t enough, he tried to push his tongue in, but the tightly shut lips wouldn’t open.

“Hh…”

Kissing someone who was unconscious felt miserable.

I should’ve guided him more before he left.

Or forced myself to go with him.

Regret came crashing down in waves.

He’d known Tae-woo’s condition would worsen—but not to this extent.

Lately, Tae-woo had been in the best state So-won had ever seen.

He’d thought even if it got worse, a bit of guiding would make everything okay again.

So this—this was all his fault.

He could feel Tae-woo’s veins throbbing beneath his skin.

Each time they pulsed, Tae-woo made a strained sound, scratching weakly at his throat.

Tears kept spilling over, forcing So-won to pull away to wipe them—but even that brief pause felt unbearable.

He roughly swiped at his eyes and immediately pressed his lips back down again.

Every time their lips touched, it stung as if the skin were tearing.

Keeping one hand over Tae-woo’s heart, So-won continued to steal frantic kisses from his roughened lips.

Still, Tae-woo didn’t open his eyes, and So-won’s anxiety only grew.

“Tae-woo, I’m here.

Please—open your eyes… okay?”

He whispered softly, rubbing his forehead against Tae-woo’s shoulder.

Cold sweat soaked Tae-woo’s body, stiff and rigid.

He wanted to guide him properly, to ease his pain—but with Tae-woo unconscious, all So-won could do was this clumsy kissing.

Tae-woo.

Tae-woo.

So-won leaned his upper body over the dense guiding machinery, pressing himself against him.

If more skin contact would help even a little, he wanted to increase it as much as possible.