Esper: A Foreign Entity in a Guide-less World

“What?”

What the hell did I just hear?

I stared at Ji Seon Woo in disbelief. He was the one who had said something cruel, yet he was the one looking hurt. His face flushed red, his lips pulling down at the corners as he avoided my gaze.

Silence settled between us.

Only the sound of our uneven breathing filled the space, signaling the rift in our conversation. Ji Seon Woo lowered his head, and I felt the heat in my own thoughts start to cool.

Right now, we looked like two people bracing themselves to hurt each other.

I suddenly felt disgusted with myself.

Had I ever been this low in front of him before?

I turned my head away, unable to bear the look on his face.

“So this is what it’s come to?”

Ji Seon Woo’s words echoed in my ears.

Yeah. He was right.

I failed him.

And yet, here I was, shouting, lashing out—when I hadn’t even been able to protect him in the first place.

Why would a Guide ever trust an Esper like that?

I tried to steady my breathing, clenching and unclenching my damp palms. My lips were dry, and I instinctively ran my tongue over them.

I had enough courage in my heart to apologize.

So why wouldn’t the words come out?

“……”

I hesitated, my mouth opening and closing without sound.

And then—

“…I’m sorry.”

Ji Seon Woo spoke first.

His voice was wet with emotion, his shoulders trembling, his breaths shaky.

He was crying.

I had made Ji Seon Woo cry.

It felt like I had been slapped across the face.

What the hell had I done?

“Ji Seon Woo, don’t cry. Please, look at me. Just look at me. I’m sorry.”

All the fight drained out of me.

Before I even realized it, I had pulled him into my arms, holding him close.

What the hell was my pride worth if it meant hurting the person I loved most?

“I’m an idiot. I shouldn’t have yelled. I was wrong.”

I tightened my grip around him, pressing my lips to his forehead, into his hair.

I whispered over and over, begging him not to cry.

The warmth of his tears against my skin made my heart shatter.

“I… I said something awful. I’m sorry… I didn’t mean it.”

Ji Seon Woo’s face was blotchy, red, and tear-streaked, like a soaked, swollen bun.

Gently, I brushed away the wetness from his lashes with my thumb and kissed his cheek.

“It’s okay,” I murmured.

Because I was the useless one.

He hadn’t done anything wrong.

And in the end, I surrendered.

“We’ll do it your way. I shouldn’t have pushed you. I’m sorry, Ji Seon Woo.”

I decided to go along with his choice.

We’re not staying here forever, I reassured myself. We just need a place to figure things out until we find that forbidden spell.

My hand, which had been gently patting his back, started to slow.

…But I have to watch him guide other people this entire time? Stand by while he lets others touch him in front of me?

No. No, it’ll be fine.

Ji Seon Woo was crying. Because I couldn’t protect him.

I forced myself to think positively.

But my mind was a mess.

The anxiety crept up my throat, and I bit my lip, shaking my head slightly.

“…It’s okay.”

“…Yeah.”

But those words weren’t for Ji Seon Woo.

They were for me.

“So, Yoo Seong and I will be staying here for a while. Ah, my name is Ji Seon Woo. This is Nakyoo Seong.”

[So your name is Seon Woo.]

The others nodded, speaking words I couldn’t understand.

After that fake had possessed his body, Ji Seon Woo had somehow gained the ability to understand their language—and apparently, they could understand him in return.

“I’ll be teaching you all about Espers and Guides,” Ji Seon Woo continued enthusiastically. “Right now, you’re all too unstable. None of you know how to properly manage your abilities, nor have you ever received a proper guiding session. I’ll help with that.”

He dove headfirst into an impassioned explanation, detailing what it meant to be a real Esper, the connection between guiding and losing control, and the peaceful era we had come from.

The others listened with fascination, their eyes locked onto him as if he were something unreal.

Like some kind of kindergarten teacher, he was guiding them with patience and enthusiasm.

I didn’t bother hiding my displeasure, stretching out with a bored yawn.

How many hours had passed like this?

At some point, I must have dozed off because, when I blinked awake, Ji Seon Woo was finishing up his lesson.

“…So, guiding should always be done with mutual consent. Ah, I think that’s enough for today.”

He looked satisfied, proud of himself.

I still thought this was a terrible idea.

But seeing him happy like that…

Made me think maybe, just maybe, this wasn’t the worst decision in the world.

…Or maybe I was already losing my mind.

[This is fascinating. Everything you’ve shared has been incredibly helpful. And… your world must have been truly beautiful, Seon Woo.]

The one with glasses spoke, and Ji Seon Woo smiled softly in response.

I didn’t feel resentful about being the only one who couldn’t understand their language.

It wasn’t like I had any plans to chat with these bastards anyway.

I just wanted to figure out what the forbidden spell was as soon as possible.

As I sat there in silence, brooding, Ji Seon Woo suddenly approached and ruffled my hair.

“Why are you sulking, Sleeping Beauty?”

“The forbidden spell—”

“I know. I’ll ask Aria when she appears, so don’t worry.”

My complaint was immediately cut off.

I was about to argue further but gave up and just closed my mouth instead.

Instead, I simply nodded and let my head lean into Ji Seon Woo’s touch.

I could feel the way his fingers slowly eased, his movements softening.

Cunning as ever.

He was trying to make me feel better.

Knowing that only made my lips curl into a smirk.

[You two seem close.]

Just as I was starting to enjoy this rare moment of satisfaction, an interruption arrived.

[Not exactly the friendliest personality, though.]

Silver Hair approached with an annoying expression, directing his words at both Ji Seon Woo and me.

[Should I say… befitting of a young master?]

The way he said it made my skin crawl.

I scowled, and Silver Hair let out a thoughtful hum, as if amused by my irritation.

“Huh? Young master?”

[Aha, fitting, isn’t it?]

Silver Hair shrugged, and Ji Seon Woo’s gaze flickered toward me—before he suddenly burst out laughing.

Bent over at the waist, shaking, laughing so hard he nearly fell over.

What the hell?

Why was he losing it all of a sudden?

“Did you just say young master?”

Still grinning, Ji Seon Woo shot me a mischievous look, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

That playful expression on his pretty face…

I shifted uncomfortably, suddenly feeling awkward.

I had no idea what they were talking about.

But I did know that they were making fun of me.

[Anyway, Seon Woo, there’s something I need to discuss with you.]

“Sure, go ahead.”

[It’s about our young master here…]

Silver Hair scratched his eyebrow, dragging out the sentence.

[It seems he needs to be punished.]

Whatever nonsense he just spewed made Ji Seon Woo’s expression immediately darken.

Meanwhile, I just alternated my gaze between them, waiting for this conversation to be over.

I just wanted to spend some damn time with my hyung for once.

That was when Silver Hair lazily touched his chin, smirking at me.

What the hell was he looking at?

[Or, he can pay a price instead. A lot of our people suffered, after all. It’s not something I can smooth over on my own. This is something he needs to make amends for. Everyone here isn’t exactly thrilled about having him stay.]

Finishing his words, Silver Hair smiled brightly—like he had just said something completely normal.

[So… how about kneeling in front of everyone and apologizing?]

“…What? Kneel?”

Ji Seon Woo, who had been listening with crossed arms, immediately placed his hands on his hips and shot Silver Hair a glare.

The lighthearted mood between them quickly shifted to hostility.

I tensed, keeping my eyes locked on Silver Hair.

If he so much as touched Ji Seon Woo—

I’d roast him alive.

“You know he didn’t have a choice! Why are you acting like this? You people are too much!”

Ji Seon Woo’s voice grew increasingly agitated.

I couldn’t understand half of what was being said, but judging from the way things were escalating, it seemed like I had to do something—and whatever it was, it definitely wasn’t good.

[Calm down. I don’t like this either, Seon Woo.]

I rested my chin on my palm, watching Silver Hair closely.

He was still smiling despite Ji Seon Woo’s outburst.

Meanwhile, Ji Seon Woo continued his tirade, throwing accusations one after another.

“We’re victims too!”
“Even Jayan heard what Aria said. You can’t just treat Yoo Seong however you want!”
“Stop harassing my kid. I won’t stand for it!”

I let out a small chuckle.

Of all the things he could’ve said, “my kid” was such a Ji Seon Woo-like thing to say.

Never mind the fact that his kid was a head taller than him.

That was just funny.

“…Shorty.”

“Hey!”

I muttered under my breath, and in return, I got scolded.

Ji Seon Woo shot me a glare, and I quickly pressed my lips together, feigning innocence.

[Oh, I’m trembling in fear. Small creatures really are the most—]

“…Creatures?”

[Aha… You understand everything now, don’t you?]

Ji Seon Woo narrowed his eyes, and Silver Hair immediately tried to backtrack.

I had no idea what was going on.

But judging from the way Ji Seon Woo was glaring at him, it definitely wasn’t good.

[Now, now, little one. Settle down and listen. I think you misunderstood me. I don’t intend to tie up our dear young master and beat or torture him.]

Silver Hair tried to smooth things over with a disgustingly fake grin.

[He just needs to make a small sacrifice for the sake of this place.]

[And, well… Our young master is very strong, isn’t he? So, how about this? He can contribute by gathering food. That should be an acceptable price, don’t you think?]

“…Who are you calling little? You do realize I’ve served in the military, right?”

[No need to get so worked up. You’re scaring me.]

“…Haa. Fine. Where do we find this food?”

Food?

I focused on Ji Seon Woo’s words, my interest finally piqued.

Silver Hair flashed another one of those smirks I hated and casually pointed over his shoulder with his thumb.

[Oh, you know… Out there. And make sure you bring back something tasty.]

He said it so casually, his grin widening.

Ji Seon Woo, however, had reached his limit.

His patience snapped as he finally raised his fist, his frustration spilling over.