Chapter 5 : A Trembling Bond

Just as it seemed quiet, someone came for Kang Tae Woo again.
His doctor, knocking this time, entered with sparkling eyes.
Tae Woo’s head throbbed, irritation rising.

“Esper Kang Tae Woo, Guide Lee So Won is here.”

The doctor’s eyes trembled with fear, yet brimmed with anticipation.
Pressing his aching head, Tae Woo stood.
Thinking only worsened the pain.

As always, Tae Woo obeyed.
He tore off the guiding machines roughly, some bending or breaking.
He didn’t care.

Following the doctor’s oddly light steps, Tae Woo moved.
Staff they passed paled with terror.
Tae Woo barely noticed.

Living at the Esper Association for over a decade, Tae Woo had never visited the guiding test room.
No need before, none expected after.
Once this test proved the error, life would resume.

Click.
The door opened.

A warm breeze seemed to flow through the slight gap.
The door fully opened, revealing Lee So Won.
Tae Woo felt strange, as if five—no, ten—guiding machines were active.
Something soft enveloped him gently.

Startled, Tae Woo looked at the small figure before him.
A young face, barely adult, with round eyes, pale skin, flushed cheeks, and trembling hands.

Guide.

Though they didn’t touch, Tae Woo knew instantly—this was his guide.
His heart raced.

The door’s opening snapped Lee So Won to attention, stung by sharp waves.
The body still trembled, but Tae Woo didn’t feel as terrifying—until their eyes met.

His fierce gaze, already sour, froze So Won instantly.
Tae Woo’s condition seemed poor; his violent waves pricked So Won.
This moment always terrified So Won.
The sharp waves felt like they’d swallow So Won whole.
Though familiar, they seemed stronger today.

Thankfully, unlike eight years later when dark red veins covered his face, now they only bulged around his eyes.
The sprawling veins cast dark shadows, grotesque.
His short, cropped hair remained unchanged.
Less horrific than the future, but So Won’s fear persisted.

Tae Woo belatedly noticed So Won’s fear.
For the first time, his monstrous appearance bothered him.
He wanted to hide his face.
Turning slightly, Tae Woo tried to shield So Won from it.

“Hello.”

So Won forced a stiff mouth open.
Wanting a steady greeting, the voice trembled.
Too late to fix, So Won took pride in speaking first.
In their original meeting, no such greeting existed.
So Won had shaken, staring at Tae Woo like a monster after his low greeting—their only exchange eight years ago.

Surprised by So Won’s initiative, Tae Woo paused.
The small, round guide’s voice was clear, like rolling marbles.

“Hello.”

Tae Woo replied calmly.

Despite trembling, So Won nearly cried hearing Tae Woo’s voice.
Not the broken rasp of his dying day, but a rich baritone.
Guilt crushed So Won’s chest, yet joy flickered at hearing it again.
Hiding reddening eyes, So Won bowed their head.

The doctor, pleased, ushered them into the test room.
Sitting in chairs, two researchers approached.

“We’ll attach machines before starting the guiding test.”

One researcher per person began.
Machines were placed on So Won’s face, arms, legs, and body.
Each cold metal touch made So Won flinch.
So Won’s setup finished quickly.
Tae Woo’s was only halfway done.

The researcher attaching Tae Woo’s machines trembled pitifully.
Lifting Tae Woo’s long-sleeve shirt, they recoiled at the grotesque veins.
Flinching as if the veins might writhe, the researcher shut their eyes, reopening them reluctantly.
Carefully, they attached machines, avoiding Tae Woo’s repulsive skin and his temper.
The hand resting on the armrest felt terrifying—a first for a guiding test.

Under pitying gazes, the researcher finally attached Tae Woo’s last machine.
The doctor beyond the glass signaled okay, and the researchers fled.
So Won, leg shaking, watched them leave, feeling pity and kinship.

‘[We’re starting.]’

But So Won had no room to worry for them.
With researchers gone, only Tae Woo and So Won remained.
The suffocating atmosphere pressed So Won.
Sitting rigidly, So Won tensed.
The machines powered on, and the test began.

What kind of test? A guiding test, so I guide?

Though inexperienced, So Won knew guiding varied.
The simplest was hand-holding, with more contact increasing guiding.
For compatible pairs, intimate contact was an option, vaguely known.

‘[Guide, hold the esper’s hand.]’

As expected, guiding.
Unfazed, So Won eyed Tae Woo’s hand on the armrest.
His sleeve, usually covering it, was rolled up, revealing ghastly dark red veins.

Gulp.
So Won swallowed.
Despite resolve, the terrifying hand froze So Won.
The researchers’ faces grew anxious.

Meanwhile, Tae Woo felt the calmest since awakening at ten.
Not touching So Won, yet he felt guided—no headache, body relaxed.
The raging veins, usually wild, settled drowsily.

Tae Woo recalled the doctor’s 100% match report.
Assumed a machine error, but now he wondered if it was true.
Just being near So Won felt this good—what would real guiding be like?
If that small, pale hand touched his grotesque body…

Expectation filled Tae Woo.
But seeing So Won’s pale, terrified face, his budding hope vanished.

‘[Your guide will be miserable.]’

Another S-grade esper’s mocking words resurfaced.
Once ignored, they stung now, seeing So Won tremble.
Because Tae Woo knew it was true.
This small, pitiful guide would suffer as his guide.

Tae Woo glanced at his exposed arm.
Dark red veins, ready to burst, snaked to his hand.
Familiar to him, but he knew how repulsive they were to So Won’s fresh eyes.

Seeing So Won’s fear, Tae Woo abandoned guiding.
Only greed remained.
Even without guiding, having this guide nearby would suffice.
But that, too, would be cruel—his selfish desire.
Tae Woo knew it.

“No need to force yourself.”

A trace of regret slipped out.
No one noticed, but Tae Woo feared his ugly desire was exposed.
A guide too good for him, and he dared want guiding from one too scared to move?
His greed was excessive.
Truly, a monster without question.