Beyond The Control

Chapter 7

Although I’m one of the few dual awakened, as I said, it’s just an empty title for me. Since my guide rank is also mediocre, the highest-ranking esper who sought me out was B-class. Even then, the ratio was about 10% B-class, 70% C-class, and 20% below that.

But now, skipping A-class and facing the prospect of guiding an S-class esper, I was as nervous as when I experienced my first guiding seven years ago. Plus, I had my own mission to win over Song Ji-hyeok.

‘He openly said he wanted an A-class, so I’m not sure how satisfied he’ll be… But I’ll have to push through with my own strengths.’

That strength is the ability to provide the most delicate guiding from an esper’s perspective better than anyone else. I compensate for the shortcomings I experience when receiving guiding.

Perhaps because of this, the espers I guide, though low in rank, always have the highest satisfaction.

Meanwhile, time continued to flow.

[15:08]

Why isn’t he coming?

[15:20]

If the schedule had changed, I would have been notified immediately.

[15:23]

Just as I was about to contact the new recruit training team, unable to wait any longer, I finally heard a knock at the door. I stopped abruptly and turned my head.

“Come in.”

As I raised my voice, the door opened immediately. Seeing Song Ji-hyeok enter, I was so glad I could almost cry, with a bit of exaggeration.

“Please sit down.”

After inviting him to sit on the sofa that was supposedly designed ergonomically, I quickly sat down opposite him. Having apparently received proper training, Song Ji-hyeok was wearing combat uniform.

“The combat uniform suits you well.”

A genuine compliment and admiration flowed out. The sleeveless shirt I saw in the fitness room suited him well, but the all-black combat uniform was something else.

It suits him perfectly, as if it was made for Song Ji-hyeok. Once he’s deployed in the field and exposed to the public, he’s sure to attract a huge fan following.

Anyway, usually when complimented, people would say thanks even if it’s just lip service, but Song Ji-hyeok was different. He slightly raised one corner of his mouth in a smile and caught me off guard.

“You’re back to formal speech. Before, you were acting like you had no manners.”

That was because I got worked up then…

“Don’t hide your true nature, just act like you did before. We’re not going to be seeing each other for long anyway.”

What’s the use of having a handsome face when you ruin it all with your words?

A vein popped on my forehead, but I was still the underdog. Also, I was a mature adult who could control my emotions from affecting my attitude.

“Alright. Then I’ll speak comfortably. You place your hand here comfortably too.”

At least Song Ji-hyeok was quite obedient. He willingly placed his hand on the cushion that was supposedly ergonomically designed.

After rubbing my hands on my pants, I grasped his hand as if covering it. Song Ji-hyeok’s hand, which I held for the first time, felt slightly cool and dry.

Although I had simulated this situation many times on my own, I still felt a bit nervous. After all, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that this moment was the starting point that would determine my future.

“I’ll start now.”

After calming my mind with a deep breath, I slowly let my energy flow into him.

The principle of guiding is simple. Every time an esper uses their unique ability, inappropriate energy accumulates like a reaction, and when it exceeds a certain level, there’s a risk of going berserk, losing control. The energy that a guide possesses can suppress this, and it can be transferred to the esper through physical contact.

As related technology and medicine have developed rapidly, drugs that lower the risk of going berserk were developed early on. However, their effect is still minimal compared to direct guiding.

This is precisely why the matching rate is important. The better the compatibility, the more effective the guiding. Conversely, if it’s only about thirty or forty percent, the results are so poor that it’s worse than not doing it at all.

How do I know this? Because I’ve seen it with my own eyes.

A couple of years ago, when a large-scale dungeon break occurred, several large guilds engaged in joint combat. Due to the emergency situation, guides would perform guiding on any esper in critical condition, regardless of compatibility. They had to save lives first, so they would force their energy in, but when they encountered someone with the worst matching rate, many would vomit or even cough up blood as soon as the guiding ended.

On the other hand, if the compatibility is good? It’s a win-win situation.

The esper can recover quickly, and the guide can feel considerable satisfaction just by holding hands during the guiding. To put it more bluntly, you might feel dazed as if you’ve taken drugs or experience a sensation comparable to sexual pleasure. Therefore, if an esper’s condition seems serious, it’s common for both parties to engage in deep skinship or even sexual intercourse as if it’s natural.

I was feeling the same now. Even though I had just slightly let my energy flow as a test, something was clearly different.

How should I put it, it felt like walking on fluffy clouds, and also…

A perfect fit. Yes, that’s it. I could feel the energy I sent flowing into Song Ji-hyeok, finding damaged areas on its own and filling them as if sticking perfectly.

Of course, the degree of damage is very minimal. Compared to an esper who has used all their strength in actual combat and is thoroughly exhausted, it’s almost embarrassing to call this damage.

But the satisfaction derived from guiding was beyond imagination. I felt a much higher quality and intense pleasure than when guiding Park Jae-kyung, who was quite compatible.

‘How does Song Ji-hyeok feel?’

I raised my gaze from our clasped hands to look at Song Ji-hyeok’s face. The guiding was almost over.

As if Song Ji-hyeok instinctively felt it too, his fingertips twitched slightly. I carefully asked him soon after.

“How is it?”

“…I’m not sure yet.”

Hmm. That’s possible too. It’s his first guiding experience in life, and as I said, the degree of damage is very minimal.

Still, judging by his somewhat strange expression, it seemed he didn’t feel absolutely nothing. Catching this, I eagerly laid the groundwork. It’s about striking while the iron is hot.

“You might not feel much because it’s still unfamiliar. But after receiving it a few times, you’ll definitely notice the difference.”

“I guess I’ll know when I experience it.”

“That’s what I’m saying. You can look forward to it from now on.”

“Yes. I’m also looking forward to seeing what an A-class is like.”

Ugh. I want to smack that mouth.

In reality, I picked up a chocolate bar to put in that mouth and held it out to Song Ji-hyeok.

“Good job.”

Actually, I did more work, but anyway.

“Is this a bribe?”

“As if. You might have low blood sugar, so eat this at least.”

I also tore open a chocolate bar wrapper with my teeth and ate one.

Perhaps because of the thought of consuming energy, no matter how full a meal I eat before guiding, I always feel hungry afterward. Of course, as an esper, I also eat several of these side by side with other guides after receiving guiding.

Then I checked the schedule. It was Song Ji-hyeok’s new recruit training schedule, not mine. After quickly scanning it with my eyes, I smiled broadly.

There’s time for skill training and guiding every day for a week.

‘Very good.’

I’ll make him fall for me gradually, like clothes getting wet in a drizzle.

***

A variable arose immediately the next day. When I returned from a brief bathroom trip, several team members were gathered in front of the large electronic display board. It was clearly a situation where a mobilization order had been issued. I quietly joined them at the back.

“Gitae will be the leader, and in 10 minutes… Wait, Lee Su-hyeon?”

The team leader’s gaze fixed on me as I raised my hand slightly but surely. Everyone turned to look at me, but I expressed my opinion without flustering.

“Could I go too, Team Leader?”

“Suddenly? Besides, don’t you have work assigned right now?”

That work was, of course, guiding Song Ji-hyeok. I knew that too, which is why I had just checked the display board.

“If it’s C-class, we should return by lunchtime, so there’s no problem.”

I added a more logical reason as well.

“If it’s a swamp-type dungeon, my skill will be helpful. If you send me, I’ll do my best.”

There might be various reasons for wanting to go on a dungeon expedition, but in my case, there’s only one. The business trip allowance and danger pay are quite substantial.

You know my financial situation, right? So please…

I sent an earnest signal with moist melodramatic eyes. The team leader seemed to contemplate for a moment before finally agreeing. Then a booming shout filled with strength was heard.

“What’s Team 3’s motto?”

“We only have one life! Safety is the top priority!”

“Good. It’s 9:30 now, so everyone get ready and depart in 10 minutes. Dismissed.”

“Dismissed!”

After responding loudly, everyone moved in an orderly fashion. However, despite the enthusiasm, the tasks were very simple.

I packed my device into the backpack that’s always prepared in perfect condition, and went to the pantry to grab a handful of chocolate bars. That was it.

When I went down to the first floor, a familiar 8-seater vehicle was waiting. There are espers capable of teleportation, but they’re not in our team, and I heard that due to high energy consumption, they only use their ability in emergency situations.

After checking the paper stuck to the front window, I got into the car without hesitation. It was my first deployment in nearly a month.