Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

All he saw was an endless abyss of white. If he looked closely, he could see the thin lines of the pixels. As he leaned even more forward, he noticed the black square tips of the words. He squinted his eyes further as he continued to stare at the document. Why did it feel so never-ending?

He was a simple man in a plain office. Why was he always forced to do the paperwork?

“Dokja-ssi,” called out the lovely and familiar voice of Yoo Sangah.

Kim Dokja flinched from the abrupt noise and quickly moved his gaze to her presence.

She was the only other guide that Kim Dokja was close to. She held out his coffee mug from the staff lounge. He took it like a beacon of light. It caused Yoo Sangah to laugh softly behind her knuckles.

She was too kind, truly. Yoo Sangah was the only one in the office that spent any time on him.

Kim Dokja took a plentiful sip from the coffee mug. After a moment, he switched the way he held his mug in order to see the icon against the white porcelain. Reader it said.

He smiled softly up to Yoo Sangah, who then revealed her own mug. Kim Dokja noticed the small paper tab hanging over the rim of the cup, though, revealing that Yoo Sangah was drinking tea and not inhaling caffeine like him.

The mug he had was a gift from Han Sooyoung, who he occasionally edited for when he had the time. Or when the pay was good enough. Han Sooyoung was an author who was trying to score a deal with a publisher instead of self-publishing. Apparently, when Kim Dokja edited her drafts, the publishers responded better to what she produced.

The mug was cheap but it had not cracked yet so he kept it, especially compared to the other mugs that he had brought into the staff room to pour scalding hot coffee into. Most of the cups he had broke within a couple of weeks of use. Kim Dokja should change how he treated his mugs, but he knew himself enough to know that he wouldn’t.

“Thank you, Sangah-ssi,” he told her.

He set down the cup, thankful to be turned away from the white, pixelated screen of endless paperwork. At least it was digital and therefore faster to type compared to writing by hand. Digital signatures were something else, as well. On the other hand, perhaps he was being too kind. He still hated paperwork no matter how he was told to do it.

“Now,” said Kim Dokja, coughing a bit, “what do you need from me?”

Yoo Sangah didn’t even flinch from his words.

The first time she buttered him up with coffee and a homemade granola bar, she was extremely embarrassed to ask for help. He took the treats with hesitance, as she had been brand new to Mino Soft, the guiding company, but had already guided A-Classes with ease. Meanwhile, he had been with the company for a few months and had only worked with C-Class espers and below.

Since that time, their relationship improved. Yoo Sangah even told people in the office that she and Kim Dokja were soulmates. Kim Dokja received hate letters from guides and espers over those following weeks, only for Yoo Sangah to frown and say, “But I told them we were platonic soulmates.” She hadn’t learned yet that espers were very controlling when it came to guides, and that fellow co-workers found her incredibly beautiful.

Kim Dokja did not have to worry about possessive espers or jealous co-workers. He was known as the low-level guide. His power wasn’t immaculate and his personality was considered ‘trash’ compared to the other lovely guides around, such as Yoo Sangah. Kim Dokja was fine with that, though. He wasn’t part of Mino Soft in order to guide espers.

And yet…

“Dokja-ssi, I’m afraid that we’re low on guides. The Association has asked that all guide personnel, including those that are only registered and not licensed, to come in.”

Right. He was a registered guide but not licensed.

Technically, he knew how to guide an esper. It’s just, well, he didn’t like it. He was only there as backup for when there were too many espers and not enough guides. Or, the guides were too depleted to fulfill the needs of the espers. That tended to happen around dungeon breaks.

All guides and espers had to register. Kim Dokja liked Han Sooyoung because they were very similar. They both wanted normal jobs while having different statuses. Kim Dokja was a guide while Han Sooyoung was an esper. He didn’t know what class she was, but she wasn’t recruited by any guild so it was likely low.

Being a licensed guide or esper meant that the person was affiliated with a company or, in particular, a guild. Mino Soft was a company that provided guides to the guilds on limited contracts. It was a safer way to guide in order to not be taken advantage of. Instead of the guides staying within a guild, the espers had to go to a company to be guided. It was a safety measure against any forced guiding.

Kim Dokja was not affiliated with any guild or company even though he worked at Mino Soft. Technically, he was a normal worker who filed paperwork and planned meetings between guides and espers. Yoo Sangah wasn’t affiliated with a guild but she took weekly contracts with them while working at Mino Soft as a guide instead of a regular office worker.

“I hadn’t heard about a dungeon break occurring,” he said, his grip around the mug tightening as it lay on the table.

Yoo Sangah nodded her head. “There isn’t one. It’s… I suppose that since you’re coming it’s alright to tell you.” She leaned in and whispered, “There’s going to be a scenario.”

Oh. That wasn’t good. Dungeons appeared all over the world. Espers would go into the dungeons, kill everything inside, then come back out to receive guiding. There were two alternatives to that situation. They all ended the same, though.

The first alternative was a dungeon break. Those occurred when a dungeon was overfilled with monsters, and those monsters emerged from the dungeon into the streets of civilians. The Association improved through the years, cutting down on the loss of life.

The second alternative was a scenario, which would occur in dungeons. A scenario could be anything— the goal didn’t have to involve dealing with monsters. Scenarios were dangerous because they were unpredictable and often fatal to even high-level espers.

Kim Dokja’s hopes of going home, cooking a short meal, and reading webnovels all night quickly dissipated. He lifted up his mug and gulped the rest of the hot liquid down.

When he set the empty glass down, Yoo Sangah was staring at him with slight apprehension before she giggled. Kim Dokja noticed that the angelic noise caused Han Myungoh to stand up from his cubicle and look over.

Kim Dokja sighed as Yoo Sangah quickly covered up her laugh. Both of their eyes sparkled with mischief. Kim Dokja coughed in order to pretend that nothing happened. Yoo Sangah took a polite sip of her tea with tinted cheeks.

“What time do we need to leave?” he asked.

Yoo Sangah hummed. When she smiled, he knew he was done for. “Immediately.”

Ah. Right. Fuck.

He packed up his cubicle. Yoo Sangah disappeared to do the same. He turned off his computer and put together his bag. Kim Dokja then slid his chair into the desk and put his satchel on.

When he looked across the room, Yoo Sangah was waiting by the elevators. He frowned as he walked over.

Yoo Sangah pressed the button for the elevator. Kim Dokja felt something uneasy in his gut.

“Sangah-ssi, why isn’t anyone else coming if all guides are being asked for?”

Yoo Sangah showed off a perfect smile. He inwardly cringed. Yoo Sangah was a lovely person, of course, but she could also be cunning. He realized as he stepped inside the empty elevator that he had been played. Yoo Sangah pressed for the bottom floor while that smile lingered on her face.

“Sangah-ssi,” began Kim Dokja, “you specifically asked for me. Why? Manager Kim would have been a better choice for this. He’s a good enough guide. There was no reason to choose someone like me to accompany you to a contract.”

Yoo Sangah looked up at the digital screen of the elevator, counting down the floors. She said smoothly, “The contract asked for two guides to be sent for. Since I was asked to choose who I thought the situation would be best suited for, I chose Dokja-ssi. You’re the best guide here.”

Kim Dokja tried not to gape at her, but he couldn’t help it. The elevator doors opened before he could argue. Yoo Sangah stepped out first. She was quick and meticulous in her steps. He quickly followed after her to a marked van with a familiar and famous logo on the side.

“I am the lowest-level guide in the building,” he whispered harshly at her as he opened the door to the back of the van. Yoo Sangah climbed inside easily. He followed. “Sangah-ssi, I’m not sure if I’m the best suit for this.”

“I believe in you,” replied Yoo Sangah, her eyes glimmering with the truth. “You are very sought after by C-Class espers and below. They all believe that you are a gentle guide. Just because you don’t guide anyone with a higher class doesn’t mean that you’re horrible at it.”

“But—”

The driver of the van took off without a care to their squabbling. Kim Dokja frowned at the driver. They had on a customer service smile. Kim Dokja quickly turned away. Right. It wasn’t the driver’s fault that espers and guides existed.

Kim Dokja decided that he had to treat this as a normal day. He had to picture this as a simple job; nothing more than an extra bump to his paycheck. Guiding paid quite well if one did it regularly. He did it more often than he would like, as the feeling of guiding an esper always shook his foundations to an uncomfortable level.

“You will do well, Dokja-ssi,” promised Yoo Sangah. She tilted her head and gave him a pat on the shoulder. “Do you remember Heewon-ssi? She’s going to be there. I already informed her that you volunteered to guide her.”

Jung Heewon was a lovely esper compared to the other assholes around. Jung Heewon awakened unexpectedly while on her bartending shift. Kim Dokja would know, as he had been there to stop her rampage. It was a hectic night but it landed him a new friend. They drank from the top shelf of the bar while the Star Stream Association came to register her as an esper.

Rampages happened for two reasons. Both were bad and could cause major chaos.

The first reason was being awakened for the first time. It usually happened slowly over time, but if a dungeon break was nearby an esper could be forcibly awakened due to the threat of life or death. It… was never pleasant.

The second reason was that an esper’s power could become out of control. That was the whole point of guides. Guides cleared espers of any negative feedback from their powers. Essentially, guides cleansed espers so that their power would be stable.

Both reasons for a rampage were dangerous, as it made the esper’s power uncontrollable until a guide either helped untangle the negative energy, or they were killed by other espers. It was the best case scenario for a guide to be able to take on an esper’s rampage but, at times, that was impossible.

“I remember Heewon-ssi.”

Yoo Sangah had a pleasant look. “You won’t let her down, will you? Every time I see her, she asks if you’re going to be her guide. You’re sought after, Dokja-ssi.”

Kim Dokja refuted that statement quickly. “I am not a good guide, especially for someone who is an A-Class esper.” He could have laughed at it. “Heewon-ssi would be better off with a guide of equal power.”

Yoo Sangah gave him a pitiful, pointed look. It made Kim Dokja want to apologize. Why did Yoo Sangah carry so much power? It was unfair. She wasn’t even an esper and yet she controlled rooms with a brief glance.

Perhaps she was siphoning power from the espers she treated. It was looked down upon for a guide to take the power of an esper, but sometimes it was needed.

“Lee Hyunsung will also be there,” she added after a moment.

Kim Dokja felt despair. Lee Hyunsung was part of ‘Sky Breaker,’ the top-ranking guild in Korea. Lee Hyunsung was known as the ‘Steel Sword’ of the Sky Breaker guild, even though he was a defensive specialist.

And, not only that, Lee Hyunsung was also friendly toward Kim Dokja. At least once a month, Kim Dokja was called up to the upper floors of Mino Soft in order to guide Lee Hyunsung, as he specifically requested him as a guide.

“Is that why you chose me to come with you?” he asked Yoo Sangah. “Both Heewon-ssi and Hyunsung-ssi will want me to guide them. I’m not sure if I have enough energy to guide two A-Class espers, Sangah-ssi.”

All Yoo Sangah did was laugh into her fist softly. “You underestimate yourself.”

“Sangah-ssi,” he whined.

“You’ll be fine. The only reason why everyone’s worried about being in tip-top esper shape is because of the scenario coming up. Once we do our jobs and assure the espers that they’re in their best states, we can relax. It should only take a couple of hours. And—” she looked him in the eyes, “—since it’s with Sky Breaker, our contract rate is quite high.”

Kim Dokja licked his lips. He had been saving up for a new laptop. Could this be a way to buy the laptop without dipping into the small amount of savings he had? He figured that the amount of knowing looks that Yoo Sangah was giving him, that it was plenty enough. He relaxed into the backseat of the car with a huff. Yoo Sangah knew that his weakness was money.

They arrived at the Sky Breaker guild not long after. The driver let them off at the front doors before drifting away. Kim Dokja made sure to thank the driver. It probably wasn’t fun driving privileged espers around all day. Guides weren’t much better when they were paired off with a B-Class esper or above.

They walked into the lobby. A receptionist flagged them down. Yoo Sangah showed off her badge from Mino Soft before urging Kim Dokja to do the same. After a few clicks of the receptionist’s mouse, they were escorted by two guards — espers, probably — to a stairwell hidden from the public eye.

Kim Dokja sent a look to Yoo Sangah, who merely returned a strained smile. It didn’t help settle his nerves. If Yoo Sangah, who frequently guided for the Sky Breaker guild, was nervous then what did that mean for him? Kim Dokja swallowed thickly as they were led down a hallway after exiting the elevator.

They were underground. Kim Dokja felt the need to add a horror soundtrack to play on the speakers. The hallway was illuminated by dull lights that flickered on and off constantly. He wanted to leave but he didn’t want to abandon Yoo Sangah or the money he was promised. He would tough this out, guide people all afternoon, and then go home.

One of the guards stepped forward in order to open a door. Kim Dokja watched as the guard released a small burst of energy. It was a lock that only espers could lock and unlock. Once again, Kim Dokja wondered if he was about to be murdered. He couldn’t even pause to think if it was a good idea to enter the door due to the fact that someone was standing right behind it.

“Dokja-ssi! Sangah-ssi!” a familiar voice called out with a wide grin. Lee Hyunsung stood before them.

Kim Dokja felt at ease as the puppy-like man led them into the room. It was more like a bunker. The only reason why Kim Dokja didn’t believe he was going to die anymore was because the two esper guards that led them into the lower level stayed behind at the doors while Lee Hyunsung showed them to a greeting room.

“It’s great to see you again, Hyunsung-ssi,” greeted Yoo Sangah. She seemed to be more at ease now as well, as her shoulders were less tight. “How many espers need our help before the scenario starts?”

Lee Hyunsung grimaced. “Actually, Sangah-ssi, I lied about the reason why we needed guides to come to the Sky Breaker guild.”

Yoo Sangah’s steps became off-kilter. Kim Dokja felt at a loss as well. If it wasn’t a scenario or a dungeon break, then why would there be so much secrecy involved? He only became more bewildered when Jung Heewon entered the room. Her face was nervous and concerned but it cleared up slightly once she noticed them.

“Ah, you two made it,” greeted Jung Heewon, her stress evaporating as she walked over.

She captured Yoo Sangah into a half-hug before tackling Kim Dokja into a bear hug. Kim Dokja knew better than to resist Jung Heewon. In fact, she was probably the only esper he would allow to have skin contact with so nonchalantly. After a few seconds, they parted with smiles.

Lee Hyunsung looked on with a slight pout across his face, murmuring, “Why didn’t I get a hug?”

Jung Heewon then took her place beside Lee Hyunsung. They were a fearsome duo. Jung Heewon didn’t belong to the Sky Breaker guild like Lee Hyunsung did, but she frequently contracted with them for dungeons. Jung Heewon was the sword while Lee Hyunsung was the shield. Together, they had saved a small part of Seoul when there was a dungeon break while Sky Breaker’s guild master was inside a dungeon and out of reach.

“What is the problem if there isn’t a scenario?” asked Yoo Sangah, fear coming into her voice. “You wanted us here to guide multiple A-Class espers. What else would you need so many espers guided for?”

Jung Heewon’s face fell back into concern while Lee Hyunsung nervously rubbed the back of his head. The two espers shared looks back and forth. It appeared that the situation before them was tricky.

Just what did Kim Dokja accidentally walk into?

Then, out of the corner of his eye, Kim Dokja noticed the familiar figure of Lee Jihye entering the room silently. She was an S-Class esper but new to the field and inexperienced. Sky Breaker recently recruited her, as she awakened just a couple of months ago. To his knowledge, Lee Jihye was still in high school. Kim Namwoon, another young esper, was known for taking Lee Jihye under his wing during field training.

If Lee Jihye and Lee Hyunsung were here, then it must be serious. Add on Jung Heewon… Kim Dokja felt the need to run away once again. Just what was the issue? Lee Jihye was very restricted in what she did in the public eye. S-Classes were guarded heavily due to their power. A-Classes like Lee Hyunsung, Jung Heewon, and Kim Namwoon had more wiggle room but not much.

Kim Dokja exchanged a silent look with Yoo Sangah. She nodded once, a sign that she was also confused and in the dark about the situation. At least they were in the same boat.

He often felt as if he was on the outside looking in when he was compared to Yoo Sangah. Kim Dokja hated being a guide but Yoo Sangah never criticized him for that. Being a guide was also glamorized in the media. Many people at Mino Soft didn’t understand why Kim Dokja didn’t contract with guilds like Yoo Sangah did.

Guiding wasn’t a feeling that Kim Dokja loved. He hated it, in fact. To guide, he had to let down all of his guards. He had to let the esper in and show them a tranquil peace. It meant that he was exposed and Kim Dokja did not want to be exposed.

It took a long time to gain his trust, and even then, he wasn’t happy about skin contact. Skin contact was how a guide and esper connected. The more skin contact, the stronger the connection, and therefore, the easier the guiding was.

“Just tell them already,” grouched Lee Jihye. She stood against the far wall with her arms crossed.

Next to him, Yoo Sangah jumped slightly. Kim Dokja patted her shoulder. It was the best he could do to calm her nerves. Yoo Sangah sent him a strange look— probably because he rarely was the one to initiate physical contact.

Lee Hyunsung sighed heavily in his spot, his head hung low. Jung Heewon patted his back consolingly.

She said, “We’re running out of time.”

Lee Hyunsung agreed with Jung Heewon. He slapped his cheek quickly, as if giving himself a pep talk. Kim Dokja would forever believe that espers were bizarre. Then again, without espers, the world would have fallen into ruin due to the dungeons and monsters.

“We all indeed need guiding,” stated Lee Hyunsung, a serious edge to his voice, “but that’s not the only problem.”

Kim Dokja asked, “What is the problem, then?”

Lee Hyunsung scrunched his nose, displeased. After a beat, he said, “The reason why we need guiding is because an S-Class is going to go on a rampage and we’re the best shot at keeping him at bay.”

Yoo Sangah gasped. “What do you mean?”

“This person… He’s not had good luck with guides, ever. Any time a guide tries to help, it ends up failing. He’s been getting by due to the drugs and inhibitors on the market that help cleanse his energy but it’s no longer helping.”

Jung Heewon added, just as seriously, “We’re the last line of defense. We’ve called in S-Class guides all over the world but none of them have been able to help him. So now… now it’s our last chance. We’re going to have to kill him before he destroys the block— before he destroys Korea.”

“We’re here to power you all up so that you can deal with the threat,” realized Kim Dokja, his voice barely audible. It was only due to the silent room that his words were heard.

Jung Heewon nodded bitterly. “We’ve already been approved by the Association to go through with it.”

“Are you sure you don’t want us to try guiding this S-Class esper first?” questioned Yoo Sangah.

Lee Hyunsung answered, “If you try to guide him, he’ll drain you of your power and go into a rampage even earlier than expected.”

“Oh…”

Jung Heewon met Kim Dokja’s gaze. She asked him, “Are you ready to power me up, Dokja-ssi? We’re in a time crunch.”

Kim Dokja watched as Jung Heewon held out her hands. She did it slowly and casually but he knew the reason why they were there. He walked forward hesitantly before determining that this was the only way. If an esper that was S-Class level went on a rampage, Seoul would be destroyed. He grasped Jung Heewon’s hands and intertwined his fingers into hers.

Guiding wasn’t a pleasant feeling. It reminded him of his father.

He swallowed down the bile rising in his throat and instead focused on Jung Heewon. She was recently guided, it felt like. Her power levels were at 80%, which wasn’t bad at all, unless one was expected to go against someone of a higher class.

Guiding was a slow process. Kim Dokja had to let down all of his barriers as Jung Heewon’s energy coursed through his veins.

He closed his eyes in order to focus on Jung Heewon’s energy. Currently, she was the only thing that mattered in the room. Her power was full of small knots and pins. He undid them one after the other. The negative energy within her power was thrown out and cleaned by passing through his body.

He slowly opened his eyes to be met with Jung Heewon’s wide irises. Her pupils were slitted like a cat’s. Kim Dokja slowly let his energy flow die out as all of Jung Heewon’s energy left his body. The knots had been untangled and her energy had been replenished.

Jung Heewon must have felt the relief, as she smiled and gripped onto his hands harder.

She murmured to him, “Still the best guide I’ve had.”

Kim Dokja unclasped his fingers. Jung Heewon let him with a jut of her lip, a sign that she was sad that it was over. He took back his hands, sliding them by his side. Jung Heewon merely smiled at him with amusement and humor in her eyes.

“Thanks, Dokja-ya,” she said, teasing.

Espers were so weird. Some became possessive or even obsessed with their guides. There were even cases of forced guiding, which was when an esper made skin contact with a guide and forcefully untangled their power themselves. It drained the guide and made their defense against future attacks weaker.

Lee Hyunsung stepped forward awkwardly. Jung Heewon sent Kim Dokja a wink before stepping beside the other A-Class esper in the room. Lee Hyunsung swiftly took her place as he stood in front of Kim Dokja.

The esper then put out his hands, much like Jung Heewon did a few minutes ago. Kim Dokja sucked in a calm breath before reaching for Lee Hyunsung’s hands.

Lee Hyunsung had recently been guided by Kim Dokja, and their visits were fairly consistent, so he was very easy to guide. Kim Dokja undid the knots quickly and with ease. When a guide and esper regularly met up, it became easier to cleanse the esper’s energy due to knowing in what ways the esper used their powers. The knots became familiar, making untying them quicker.

Lee Hyunsung’s power, however, was at 60% so Kim Dokja had to feed his own power reserves in order to help Lee Hyunsung replenish it quicker. By the time 5 minutes had passed, Lee Hyunsung’s energy was completely cleansed and his level had reached 85%. That level would increase as Lee Hyunsung absorbed energy by simply breathing over the next half hour.

Kim Dokja opened his eyes to be met with Lee Hyunsung’s devoted attention. A tear slipped down the esper’s face.

“You’re so nice,” uttered Lee Hyunsung.

Kim Dokja let go of Lee Hyunsung’s hands quickly. The esper didn’t even mind. He let Kim Dokja walk away and sit down near Yoo Sangah.

The other guide was sitting across from Lee Jihye. They were preoccupied and absorbed in conversation, but they both turned to look at Kim Dokja after he sat down.

Lee Jihye asked in surprise, “You already cleared two A-Class espers?” Kim Dokja gave a confused nod. “But you’re an ahjussi!”

Kim Dokja didn’t know how to respond to that. Thankfully, Yoo Sangah said in his place, “Dokja-ssi is a very good guide.” She reached out a hand to Lee Jihye. “Are you ready for me to guide you?”

Lee Jihye took Yoo Sangah’s hand after a moment. Kim Dokja watched, transfixed, as they both closed their eyes. The air around them was so tranquil. It reminded him of being at the beach. He could practically taste the saltwater in the air.

Kim Dokja felt bad that there were no private rooms for them all to be in. Usually, guiding was an intimate event not meant to happen in front of those that weren’t active participants. It was probably why the other two espers stayed back while Lee Jihye and Yoo Sangah were connected.

After 10 or so minutes, Yoo Sangah opened her eyes. She retracted her hand from Lee Jihye’s with a wispy breath.

“S-Classes are on another level,” murmured Yoo Sangah.

Those words caused Lee Jihye to smile bashfully before grinning when Yoo Sangah sent her a small smile. It made Kim Dokja wonder if Lee Jihye was unused to being guided.

Lee Jihye’s smile fell after reality came back in. Her face turned pale as she looked over Kim Dokja’s shoulder to see Lee Hyunsung and Jung Heewon. All three espers no longer looked happy about being guided. Kim Dokja and Yoo Sangah exchanged a wary glance.

Lee Jihye mustered up a bitter remark of, “I guess it’s time to take on master.”

There was only one person who that could be.

Kim Dokja widened his eyes in recognition. Surely the S-Class on the edge of a rampage couldn’t be who he thought it was. Yoo Joonghyuk was the guild master of Sky Breaker, and possibly the strongest esper in the world. How did he take the lead of Sky Breaker for over a decade without having a proper guide?

Jung Heewon sat down next to Lee Jihye. Lee Hyunsung took the chair next to Kim Dokja. Now that they were all sitting at the table, Kim Dokja suddenly realized what the meeting truly was. They were the last line of defense against a rampaging S-Class that had protected the world numerous times. They were about to murder humanity’s savior.

Kim Dokja asked, “Are there any other espers that need to be guided?” Surely 3 espers weren’t enough to stop a rampaging S-Class esper.

Jung Heewon shook her head. “Everyone else is in the dark. I’m only read-into the situation because of Lee Hyunsung.”

Lee Hyunsung explained, “I’ve been with Joonghyuk-ssi almost since the beginning of Sky Breaker. I’ve helped stop him before with my shield skills. However, I won’t be able to keep his power at bay while trying to disarm him. That’s why I brought in Jung Heewon.”

“And two A-Class espers aren’t enough, so an S-Class was brought in,” concluded Kim Dokja. Lee Hyunsung nodded, abashed. “It sounds like the best plan you could have made.”

“I would like more backup,” spoke Lee Hyunsung, “but if more people become involved, there’s a better chance that the public would learn of it. That would cause chaos and havoc. We don’t have the resources to console the public and Yoo Joonghyuk, so I had to make a decision.”

Lee Jihye added, “Master has been a great mentor. It’s only been a few months but he’s taught me a lot about my power. I wish he could be guided correctly but… I don’t believe that someone with his amount of power could be guided. There’s too much darkness and expanse to get control over it.”

“Once we get through this, we get to take a break from dungeons,” murmured Jung Heewon. She was trying to be comforting but it fell flat.

Yoo Sangah offered up, “I can try guiding Joonghyuk-ssi if you want. If we’re ready to fight against his rampage anyway, it wouldn’t hurt to try, would it? Since he’ll rampage anyway—”

Lee Jihye’s eyes widened at the option. She hadn’t been there for their previous conversations. “You’d really do that for master?”

Yoo Sangah replied, “Of course. Everyone should get a chance—”

The sound of alarms blaring reached all of their ears. The dull, flickering lights of the hallways turned to flashing bright red lights. Kim Dokja sharply inhaled. Anyone could tell that the sound of an alarm and red lights wasn’t a good thing.

Lee Hyunsung had automatically stood and covered the group with a shield. He announced, “Yoo Joonghyuk-ssi has pushed his limits. He’s officially rampaging.”

Lee Jihye’s expression broke even though she already knew what the lights and alarm meant. Kim Dokja felt bad for the kid. She was new to the awakened world. Losing a mentor in a normal traumatic way would have been hard, but losing him by getting rid of him in order to protect the world would be even worse.

At least now Kim Dokja knew why Kim Namwoon was taking Lee Jihye under his wing. She needed an extra mentor because her first one was going to die. He wondered where Kim Namwoon even was, actually. Was he too weak to participate in this fight?

Jung Heewon’s hand stuck out until a blade formed in mid-air. Kim Dokja thought it looked so cool. The blade almost looked as if it was on fire. He could feel the power radiating from the two espers. The shield around them appeared thin but it was made by Lee Hyunsung, and the blade in Jung Heewon’s hand was known for killing monsters in one blow.

“I’ll contain him,” said Lee Hyunsung. He looked at Lee Jihye and asked, “Will you take the guides to the higher levels so that they’re not in danger?”

Lee Jihye quickly bobbed her head up and down. She coaxed Yoo Sangah and Kim Dokja toward the locked door. Yoo Sangah’s movements were quick as she tugged on Kim Dokja’s shoulder to push him along with Lee Jihye.

Kim Dokja looked behind him to see that Jung Heewon and Lee Hyunsung were steadily making their way down the hallway to what he could only assume was the containment area.

Before Lee Jihye could unlock the door with her esper powers, there was a loud crash, bang!

Kim Dokja inched closer to Yoo Sangah. They held onto one another’s arms as they were met with the scene of Lee Hyunsung being thrown across the hallway. Lee Hyunsung ended up crashing into the wall just a few meters away from where Kim Dokja stood.

Lee Jihye cursed loudly. She stepped in front of Kim Dokja and Yoo Sangah. Blue light filled the space before a sword appeared in Lee Jihye’s hand. She held the sword expertly as she hovered around the perimeter. Luckily, Lee Hyunsung wasn’t very injured. He stood up from the rubble.

But before anyone could make more sudden moves, there was another crash. Then, the footsteps reached Kim Dokja’s ears. His heart pounded loudly in his ears and against his rib cage. The footsteps were precise and loud. One step at a time. Click-clack, click, clack.

He held his breath as a tall figure wearing all black entered the area. Jung Heewon was nowhere to be found.

That’s when Kim Dokja noticed the esper’s eyes. When an esper went on a rampage, something in their eyes changed. For Jung Heewon, her eyes went bright red. It was different depending on an esper’s class and status.

Before him, Yoo Joonghyuk’s eyes were a dull blackness. There was no light within the man to be seen.

Lee Hyunsung activated a shield. It materialized in front of them. He was bleeding from his temple but he ignored it in favor of asking Lee Jihye to get Kim Dokja and Yoo Sangah to safety. Lee Jihye tried to move but her fast limbs were seen as a threat. Yoo Joonghyuk appeared in front of the shield in a blurred movement.

Lee Jihye cursed and yelled, “Will your shield hold up!?”

Lee Hyunsung responded, “It’s the strongest shield I have that covers such a large distance.”

It was then that Kim Dokja realized that Lee Hyunsung’s shield covered nearly the entire room. He wasn’t just protecting them, but the ceiling and walls too. He was ensuring that Yoo Joonghyuk wouldn’t breach this level of the building.

But then Yoo Joonghyuk tapped on the shield. It was a simple tap-tap, tap, tap-tap with his index finger. He repeatedly hit the same spot in the shield until it started to break apart and crack. Lee Hyunsung shoved his body in front of Lee Jihye as Yoo Joonghyuk walked through the barrier.

Lee Hyunsung was thrown like a rag doll. Kim Dokja gripped onto Yoo Sangah’s arm tighter as Lee Hyunsung coughed up blood as he collided with his own shield. It appeared that no one would win today, including Yoo Joonghyuk. A rampage like this could only end in one way: death.

Yoo Joonghyuk’s dead, fish-like eyes landed on Lee Jihye. Kim Dokja had never moved so fast in his life. He heard Yoo Sangah’s scream and Lee Jihye’s yell for him to get back. He didn’t listen. Even if Lee Jihye was an S-Class esper, she would be no match for the legendary Yoo Joonghyuk.

Kim Dokja outstretched his hand and let all of his guide energy become known.

Even when an esper was amidst a rampage, they were inclined to follow a guide. It was almost as if it was a primal instinct. Kim Dokja exposed himself to the raw power radiating from Yoo Joonghyuk.

He had never felt so scared before as he let his bare hands slip onto Yoo Joonghyuk’s collar. Skin contact, he told himself. Yoo Joonghyuk was covered head to toe in clothing but his hands and neck were exposed. Kim Dokja didn’t feel like holding hands with a man that could summon a blade of energy so he chose the esper’s exposed neck and clavicle instead.

The energy before him wasn’t just a knot. It wasn’t simply a tangle. It was a black hole full of nothing yet everything. There was no knot to untie. The power itself had become so intertwined with negative energy that it didn’t know any other way.

Kim Dokja closed his eyes as he absorbed all of the darkness that he could into his right hand. It flowed into his veins as one large blob. It was like a wall had been pushed and squeezed until it was nothing but a thin string.

Kim Dokja gritted his teeth. He wasn’t sure who was losing.

His energy reserves were depleting, but he was sure that Yoo Joonghyuk wasn’t doing too hot either. Either way, he kept his eyes closed as he rooted through the darkness. He returned the cleansed energy into Yoo Joonghyuk’s body through his left hand. Thankfully, the esper before him had plenty of power reserves. Kim Dokja didn’t need to worry about that.

Finally, when he had made a dent into the darkness, he opened his eyes. Kim Dokja exhaled shakily as he saw dark irises. It was odd, though, because the eyes looked shocked.

Kim Dokja managed to frown before he realized that the dullness in Yoo Joonghyuk’s gaze was gone. That meant he was no longer on a rampage. In fact, Yoo Joonghyuk's eyes were quite gorgeous when they weren't affected by a rampage.

Kim Dokja felt a soft, flimsy smile overtake his face before his legs gave out.

Gravity forced him back but he couldn’t even care about it. He felt lifeless as all of his energy was depleted and gone, as if never there in the first place. His eyes rolled back into his head before he hit the floor with a thump.

Damn, he really hated being a guide.

Chapter Text

An annoying, repeating sound reached his ears. His lips frowned as he groaned at the rhythmic noise. It was a constant beep, beep-beep, beep. Kim Dokja felt the need to plug his ears even though the noise wasn’t even that loud. It was simply an annoyance and he wished for it to be gone. Was construction going on nearby?

Kim Dokja peeled his eyes open lethargically. His eyelids were heavy and weighed down. He wondered if he had taken melatonin the night before in order to sleep well. That was the only explanation for why he still felt so drowsy.

But then the room came into focus. It was filled with pale walls and the acidic smell of disinfectant. He rubbed his fingers together in order to feel the grainy fabric of a thin sheet. He was not in his room, that was for sure. He wrinkled his nose in confusion before inhaling slowly.

Oh. Oh. He breathed in through his nose as the sound of his heartbeat from the heart monitor flooded his ears. It finally made sense. He was in the hospital. He was probably drugged on pain relief or something meant to keep him docile.

Oh, man, this was going to suck. Did he get injured from a dungeon break? What was he… Ah. Right. It wasn't a dungeon break.

Kim Dokja looked down at his hands. He raised them up as dread set in his gut. That’s right. Yesterday(?) he was asked by Yoo Sangah to help with the Sky Breaker guild’s contract. It ended up being a very secretive job that consisted of a rampaging S-Class.

He closed his eyes at the memory of Yoo Joonghyuk’s pupils widening when Kim Dokja depleted all of his guide reserves in order to stop the esper’s rampage.

Kim Dokja cradled his face in his hands. He was so embarrassed. He didn’t even ask permission to guide the esper. That was, like, against the rules. He was sure that no charges would be brought against him, as he stopped a rampage, but if people learned he guided without permission, his reputation would get even worse than it was.

He only removed his hands from his face when he heard the click of a door opening. He was stunned to be met with a woman with long white hair and poppy-red lips. She wore a doctor’s coat and held a clipboard.

When their gazes met, her mouth opened in surprise.

“Kim Dokja-ssi,” said the doctor, “you’re already awake. You must be in better condition than I suspected.”

Kim Dokja tried not to show the confusion on his face. He did not succeed at all. He was never good at covering up his emotions unless he already prepared himself to act nonchalantly. He was sure that being drugged through the I.V. in the crook of his left arm didn’t help either. He was glad to push the blame onto something else.

“I am Lee Seolhwa,” introduced the doctor. “I have been assigned as the person to ensure that you recover.”

That name sounded familiar. It was on the tip of his tongue. Kim Dokja lolled his head to the side in thought. He was sure that he had heard of that name before. It was important, as well. Maybe she was a celebrity…?

She set the clipboard down on a side table before taking out a flashlight. Kim Dokja didn’t have time to react before the light shone in his eyes. Lee Seolhwa hummed above him, seemingly pleased. He twitched his head away, but the doctor had already turned off her flashlight. Why did doctors always do that?

Lee Seolhwa said, “Looks like you’re reacting normally. Can you tell me how you feel?”

Kim Dokja furrowed his brow. “Like, how the drugs feel?”

She laughed softly before clarifying, “What is your energy level?” Lee Seolhwa then took out a hand-held forehead thermometer-like device. “I’ll check it with this but I want to know what you feel like as well.”

Oh. Alright. Kim Dokja closed his eyes and allowed himself to test out his energy. He discovered that his levels were incredibly low.

When he opened his eyes, he told her, “Around 5%, I would guess.”

Lee Seolhwa’s lips curled down into a frown. She raised the level tester to his head gently. As it beeped and let out a few small noises, she said, “I didn’t expect you to be at 5%.”

“Yeah.” Kim Dokja chuckled awkwardly. “I’m not the best guide, so I’m not used to replenishing my energy.”

Lee Seolhwa paused as she took the energy reader away from his forehead.

She asked him, “You think 5% is low?” Kim Dokja looked at her as if she was obtuse. It caused her to show a small, strained smile. “I suppose you would have to be a special case if you were able to help Joonghyuk-ssi.”

Kim Dokja messed with the thin cover over his lap in order to not think about the S-Class esper. He hated hospitals. He wanted to leave but he knew that was the wrong choice. He had no reserves, his body ached, and his head pounded against his skull. He would not be able to work for the next couple of days. He would have to apply for sick leave and hope that the contract pay that Yoo Sangah promised pulled through.

“It says you’re at 6%,” announced Lee Seolhwa. She read the thermometer in her hand before writing it down on her clipboard. Her eyes scanned Kim Dokja completely, subconsciously making him itch the inside of his wrist. “Is there anything I can provide to make you more comfortable? Guides are supposed to stay here until their energy levels return to 15%. I can get you a nicer pillow or blanket if you want.”

“Oh? Is it possible for me to have my personal belongings, Seolhwa-nim?”

Lee Seolhwa’s face turned incredibly apologetic. “Due to the secrecy of the event, no one is allowed on the internet. Therefore, no electronics are allowed. However, I can call someone if you would like to have a visitor. But be aware that any visitors cannot learn of what happened. However, we are currently pulling together a simple cover story so that you do not have to worry about not being approved for work leave.”

“Ah…” He really wanted to call Han Sooyoung but that wouldn’t be the right choice. Kim Dokja shook his head. He wouldn’t involve anyone else. “Is Sangah-ssi around?”

Lee Seolhwa nodded gently. “Yoo Sangah-ssi is also in the hospital. If you would like to meet, I can arrange for you to have some visiting time.”

“I would appreciate that very much.”

“I will work to ensure that you feel better,” promised Lee Seolhwa. She held her clipboard close to her body. “I will drop off a blanket for you soon. If you can, I would suggest getting more rest. Espers can replenish their energy easily but guides need to rest. And since your levels are so low, I wouldn’t recommend siphoning power from an esper.”

Kim Dokja nodded along before she left the room. The door closed with a clack.

He sighed out as he laid back against the hard pillows of the hospital bed. How did this happen? He was having an ordinary day before it all went to shit.

He groaned into his hands before he looked up to see the clock hanging next to the door. It was either 6 P.M. or A.M. There were no windows for him to check outside. It just caused him to flop against the bed once more.

True to her word, Lee Seolhwa dropped off a new blanket within a half hour. Kim Dokja took it with a thank you. The doctor merely nodded and told him that Yoo Sangah would be stopping by soon. It left Kim Dokja to grow bored in his room. So much so that he dozed off.

When he woke up, it wasn’t because of a kind, familiar face. He narrowed his eyes at the dark figure that released the aura that woke him up.

Espers were able to release small amounts of their energy and turn it into an aura. Guides were sensitive to auras released by espers. Kim Dokja inwardly panicked but he told himself to calm down.

The sound of his heartbeat increased as he stared at Yoo Joonghyuk. Kim Dokja wished that his heart monitor would turn off. He was thankful, however, that Lee Seolhwa dulled the noise so that he could rest.

“Kim Dokja,” uttered the esper.

The guide gulped as his eyes adjusted to the low light in the room. Yoo Joonghyuk was also wearing a hospital gown, however, he had a long black coat covering his large frame. Kim Dokja frowned at the injustice. How come Yoo Joonghyuk got a cool jacket and he was left with nothing, huh?

He realized belatedly that he took too long to respond. Suddenly, there was a hand pulling the front of Kim Dokja’s hospital gown.

He choked as the large hand of Yoo Joonghyuk hovered centimeters away from his skin. Kim Dokja could have shouted in order to alert any attendees outside the room but instead he stayed quiet, nearly paralyzed with fear of the unknown.

Thankfully, Yoo Joonghyuk released his hold on Kim Dokja’s clothing. The guide fell back onto the bed with wide eyes as he stared upon the esper. He watched on in confusion. How come Yoo Joonghyuk was in his hospital room? How come Yoo Joonghyuk managed to look so hot menacing in a hospital gown? Why was Yoo Joonghyuk here?

As Kim Dokja blinked up to the esper, Yoo Joonghyuk loomed easily as a threat. It caused Kim Dokja to gulp against his will. He didn’t understand why the esper he just stopped from rampaging was in his room. Espers who rampaged were sent to a special facility in order to stabilize— Oh. That’s why he recognized the name Lee Seolhwa.

The Crossroads of Life and Death was a facility in Korea that only guides and espers were clients of. It specialized in the field, mass producing esper stabilizers so that espers who didn’t have the resources to pay for guiding were able to manage their energy in order to not rampage. Lee Seolhwa was the woman who created the ‘Life and Death’ pill, which would undo the negative energy within an esper without guiding.

It came together all at once in Kim Dokja’s mind. It was mentioned at the Sky Breaker guild that Yoo Joonghyuk had never been able to be guided, so he relied on medication to keep him afloat. Lee Seolhwa probably investigated Yoo Joonghyuk herself. In fact, she was likely the only reason why Yoo Joonghyuk didn’t rampage years ago. Guiding needed to be done regularly without the help of medicine.

“28-years-old. Has been employed at the guiding company Mino Soft for 2 years, but does not regularly guide espers.” Yoo Joonghyuk stared straight into Kim Dokja’s soul. “Registered as a guide 20 years ago and never became licensed. You only guide espers when you are specifically requested or when there are too many espers for the number of available guides.”

Kim Dokja swallowed anxiously as Yoo Joonghyuk’s dark, power-filled eyes enveloped him whole. He felt like he was prey being hunted down by a predator. Espers were truly a crazy bunch. Why couldn’t he be around anyone normal?

“And yet,” announced Yoo Joonghyuk, like it pained him, “you are the only person who has successfully guided me.”

Kim Dokja blinked at the man. That was… it? Thank goodness. Kim Dokja didn’t want to be in the presence of an asshole any longer. But of course, that’s when Yoo Joonghyuk glowered at Kim Dokja. Ah. So that wasn’t it. He crossed his hands in his lap nervously as the esper continued to stare at him with hate.

“Kim Dokja,” repeated Yoo Joonghyuk, “how were you able to guide me when no other guides could? Do you know how many S-Class guides I have paid over the years? None of them managed to—”

“Use honorifics,” interrupted Kim Dokja.

Yoo Joonghyuk stilled and his hand twitched at his side. The air in the room became thick as they stared at one another.

Kim Dokja couldn’t believe that he just interrupted the strongest esper in Korea. He was internally panicking. His heart felt like it was going to leap out of his rib cage, travel up through his throat, and hop out of his mouth, which would cause him to keel over and die.

“What if I don’t want to?”

Kim Dokja saw the way that Yoo Joonghyuk’s hand reached forward. The guide lifted up his arm quickly to block the hand from coming near him. Yoo Joonghyuk frowned as he was met with Kim Dokja’s arm covered in the blanket that Lee Seolhwa had brought to him earlier.

“You are the one who came to me, Yoo Joonghyuk-ssi. You could leave this room if you wish. I certainly don’t want you in here if you’re just going to continue to threaten me.”

Yoo Joonghyuk rested his hands at his sides. It was a show of peace— something docile, almost like a truce. Kim Dokja let down his arm, allowing the blanket to fall back onto his lap. Their gazes met once more, but this time Kim Dokja wasn’t afraid. Yoo Joonghyuk seemed to realize that Kim Dokja wasn’t going to bow down to Yoo Joonghyuk’s feet simply because he was an S-Class esper. It caused the esper’s jaw to irk in annoyance.

“Or we could be friendly toward one another,” chimed in Kim Dokja. “I did guide you, after all, Yoo Joonghyuk.”

The scarred hand at his side trembled. Yoo Joonghyuk’s power exhaled into the air. Kim Dokja just smiled. An esper couldn’t attack a guide. Not even Yoo Joonghyuk, an S-Class, could get away with that. Guides were sacred within the world since there were fewer guides than espers. Kim Dokja used to loathe knowing those statistics but now it was coming in handy.

Kim Dokja expected for Yoo Joonghyuk to walk out of the room. It would be the best solution for both of them. Kim Dokja would return to filing paperwork at Mino Soft and Yoo Joonghyuk would go back to being the lead esper of Korea. It would be the simplest solution as well as the easiest.

All Yoo Joonghyuk had to do was walk out of the fucking room. Yet, Kim Dokja was faced with something much more horrible than that.

“Kim Dokja, sign a contract with me to become my personal guide,” commanded Yoo Joonghyuk.

The room fell into silence. Kim Dokja blinked slowly as he saw the way that Yoo Joonghyuk continued to stand at his bedside stubbornly.

Oh no, thought Kim Dokja.

Espers were known for being emotional when it came to their guides. If Kim Dokja was the first person to ever guide Yoo Joonghyuk, it was a safe bet to say that Yoo Joonghyuk would be inexperienced with how to act after being guided.

“I refuse.” Then, to be diplomatic, Kim Dokja added, “You don’t even know our sync rate.”

Yoo Joonghyuk’s eyes widened before his face returned to normal as if the mishap never happened. “Kim Dokja,” he tried once more, “be my personal guide.”

Kim Dokja’s eyebrow twitched uncontrollably as he glared up at the esper. Anger bubbled in his stomach and vaporized in his chest the longer Yoo Joonghyuk stayed in the room.

Yoo Joonghyuk offered, “All personal guides that contract with Sky Breaker guild are paid a yearly salary on top of a free dorm and food stipend.”

Damn it, this guy was good. If Yoo Joonghyuk offered that to him 3 years ago or more, Kim Dokja would probably fall for it. In the past, Kim Dokja was under a hefty amount of debt after attending college, working multiple jobs, and living with Han Sooyoung. It was possibly the lowest point of his adulthood.

Now that he had a secure job at Mino Soft and occasionally received money from guiding high-class espers Kim Dokja did not tend to worry about paying bills.

“Yoo Joonghyuk,” he said, watching as the man perked up at the name, “I am an unlicensed guide who works a desk job at Mino Soft. I am not qualified to be your guide. I do not accept your offer.”

“Sky Breaker will cover the costs and fees of you becoming a licensed guide.”

“Denied.”

“Dokja-ssi.”

Kim Dokja froze. He did not expect for Yoo Joonghyuk to go that far. The world’s best esper was standing before him and practically pleading. Kim Dokja momentarily wondered if this was how espers felt— the power beneath their fingers and thumbs that they controlled on a whim. He had to force himself to not think that way.

“Please leave my room, Joonghyuk-ssi.”

Right. He needed to be strict. They were not friendly, even if Kim Dokja guided Yoo Joonghyuk. It was fun to tease the esper but now he needed to lay down the laws of the land… or something. Kim Dokja did not want to be a guide. He didn’t like the feeling of it. He simply stopped a rampage because his life was threatened.

“I will rampage again one day,” announced Yoo Joonghyuk. Kim Dokja’s breath caught in his throat at the honest statement. “Will you be there to keep me from killing people next time?”

“Yoo Joonghyuk-ssi, I do not mean to be rude or dismissive—”

“Kim Dokja-ya,” returned Yoo Joonghyuk with a straight face, as if they hadn't jumped over a huge hurdle in suffixes. “If you will not be my personal guide, will you allow me to do what Lee Hyunsung does?”

Kim Dokja allowed his lungs to take in new oxygen. Hesitantly, he said, “You mean that you would request me as a guide from Mino Soft on a monthly basis…?”

Lee Hyunsung visited Mino Soft once a month. Kim Dokja got paid well on those days. Not only was Lee Hyunsung an A-Class esper, which meant that it took more energy from a guide, but Lee Hyunsung belonged to a guild that was able to afford private meetings.

Private meetings at Mino Soft meant that Kim Dokja didn’t guide any other espers during the 24-hour period that the meeting was scheduled for in order to ensure that the esper would receive the best quality guiding.

Kim Dokja murmured dejectedly, “I bet you can afford Mino Soft’s guiding fee easily, can’t you, you son of a bitch?”

Yoo Joonghyuk smirked— it wasn’t a smile and it wasn’t soft or sweet at all. It was a threat made by a desperate man who had his first taste in being guided. Kim Dokja envisioned being beheaded in front of a crowd with the executioner being none other than the esper before him.

“I look forward to visiting you, Dokja-ya.” With those parting words, Yoo Joonghyuk turned his heels around and slowly stepped out.

His footsteps shouldn’t have sounded so monstrous and yet they did. The esper was gloating at his win. Kim Dokja cursed the bastard in a frazzled state as Yoo Joonghyuk walked out of the room with a certain flare to his steps. Why did it feel like he just lost?

As soon as the door to his room was shut, Kim Dokja twisted his body in order to yell into the pillows stacked behind him.

How could one man be so frustrating? It gave another reason to the list of why Kim Dokja didn’t like associating with espers. Being a guide was possibly the worst thing that happened to Kim Dokja. He gritted his teeth in order to stop being so upset.

He had to find solace in the small things. Kim Dokja relaxed into his bed. He pulled up the covers as he remembered that Mino Soft’s policy would protect him. In order for there to be a private meeting, the esper and guide had to have a sync rate of 35%. It was the bare minimum in guiding anyone above C-Class.

Sync rates determined whether or not the energy of a guide and esper matched up to a sufficient amount. Sync rates were conducted at the Star Stream Association branch in each country. Korea’s Association branch was based in Seoul so the travel wouldn’t be far. Kim Dokja had gone before in order to pair up with the varied group of higher-class espers that he guided on a rare basis.

Sync rates didn’t tend to matter to companies or guilds. A guide was a guide, in the end. As long as the guide was able to cleanse any negative energy within an esper, they were well-liked.

Well, as long as the guide did as they were told without any interruptions or backlash. Kim Dokja tended to not follow orders, so he was seen as an obstacle and not worth anyone's time. Yoo Sangah, on the other hand, was highly recruited by guilds all over Korea. She seemed happy to be a contractor, though.

However, sync rates mattered when it came to being a personal guide. Becoming a personal guide to an esper meant that the guide wasn’t supposed to guide anyone else unless authorized by the esper they were contracted with. Those types of situations were incredibly rare due to how low the number of available guides was, as well as how expensive it was to pay and keep up with a guide that attended to a single esper. Only A-Classes and S-Classes were allowed to have a personal guide.

In order for a personal guide contract to be signed, the sync rate between the guide and esper had to be 50% or above. Most guides and espers ranked out at 30%— it was a safe number but it meant that there would be a large waste of energy when the guiding took place. However, a personal guide was usually only worth the time and money when the sync rate was 70% or higher.

That was why Kim Dokja found Yoo Joonghyuk’s proposition so strange. The esper seemed to think that their sync rate would be high when there were no facts to back up that suspicion.

Kim Dokja realized that it was a waste of time to keep thinking about the bastardly esper. He sighed out and decided that he would try to rest his mind and replenish his energy.

He dozed off again. He was starting to think that Lee Seolhwa gave him medicine that he would never be able to afford on his own. However, since he became depleted while on a contract, the guild the contract was with would pay for any medical bills. Yoo Sangah had talked about it before with awe. It was likely another reason why she preferred working at Mino Soft.

He woke to the sound of a click-clack. It was the door to his hospital room. His eyelids opened slowly and his vision was blurred until he honed in on a single figure.

Kim Dokja was met with the doctor again. She didn’t hold a clipboard this time. Lee Seolhwa checked his eyes. Kim Dokja didn’t flinch away from the light being shone in his eyes but he dearly wanted to. Sadly, he was exhausted after being visited by a melodramatic esper with anger issues.

“Seolhwa-nim,” said Kim Dokja, catching the attention of the doctor, “Heewon and Hyunsung aren’t injured, right?”

He meant to ask earlier but he had forgotten. He was sure that Lee Jihye was fine but he wasn’t about the other espers that were in the bunker-like floor below Sky Breaker. His mind had been muddled with too many thoughts. Then, Yoo Joonghyuk showed up. Kim Dokja felt frazzled and overstimulated by all the events going on in his life.

“Those two suffered minimal injuries,” reported Lee Seolhwa. “They’re both waking up slowly. Their injuries weren’t bad but it is protocol to sedate espers after being injured during a battle until a guide can check them over. An esper’s power may lash out against the nearest perceived threat if their energy isn’t cleansed.”

“Have they been looked over by a guide yet?”

Lee Seolhwa’s face morphed and curled into a tight-lipped smile. “Dokja-ssi, are you offering to guide them?” Kim Dokja felt his cheeks heat up at the sweet and kind smile across the white-haired woman’s face. “There is no need for that. Sangah-ssi already checked them over.”

Kim Dokja felt relieved instantly. His shoulders relaxed and the worried, anxious breath he was holding finally released. “Good. She’s the best guide at Mino Soft, you know.”

“Is she? I believe she was saying the same thing about you.”

Lee Seolhwa took out the energy detector from her jacket. She held it against Kim Dokja’s forehead after getting permission. Kim Dokja wondered if Lee Seolhwa helped develop the energy reader. Then again, Lee Seolhwa specialized in medicine, not technology.

Lee Seolhwa continued, “You two are both talented guides. I would have loved to study you when I was creating the Life and Death pill. It would have been interesting to learn the way that you guided back then.”

As Lee Seolhwa took the energy thermometer away, he asked, “What do you mean?”

“You’re the first person to ever guide Yoo Joonghyuk-ssi. I asked him how the process felt and it was very different from what guides are taught. I imagine that’s partially due to Joonghyuk-ssi never experiencing normal guiding, as well as you not being a normal guide.”

“Huh.” He supposed that would be a weird experience for an esper.

Lee Seolhwa then told him, “You are now at 19%. You’ve recovered quickly. I’m impressed.”

Kim Dokja sighed. He rubbed at his eyes before taking a peak at the doctor. He said sheepishly, “I don’t think I’ve ever been so mentally exhausted before.”

“Thankfully, you are in good health otherwise. I would suggest eating better, though. What’s your protein intake? And do you exercise regularly? I noticed that your leg muscles are more toned than your arms.”

“Oh, uhm, I bike to and from work with Sangah-ssi.”

Lee Seolhwa hummed in thought. “Do you want to have a hearing or vision test while you’re here?”

“No, thank you.”

He already knew that his vision was shit due to him staring at screens all day. He already planned to go to the eye clinic covered by Mino Soft’s insurance but his appointment was still quite a ways off due to how booked the business was.

“Then, I suppose that you are free to leave in the morning.”

“How many hours away is that?”

Lee Seolhwa’s mouth opened in realization. “Oh, it’s still the same day that you went to Sky Breaker on.” She swiped her hair from her face. “I apologize for not telling you that. You were only unconscious for a couple of hours. It’s now nearing 8 P.M. on the same day. If it was earlier, I would allow you to leave, but you might as well stay with how late it is.”

“Okay.” Kim Dokja didn’t realize that he didn’t sleep for very long. “When can I visit Sangah-ssi?”

Lee Seolhwa replied, “That’s part of the reason why I showed up. Sangah-ssi is being cleared to visit you as we speak. She guided an S-Class while at the Sky Breaker guild, then she guided two A-Classes while they were under my watch. Sangah-ssi rested for a few hours, however, when she awoke I told her how you were asking for her.”

“And she wanted to come over immediately,” concluded Kim Dokja.

Lee Seolhwa smiled knowingly. “You two are quite close for guides. Many guides do not get along with one another due to competing over high-class espers.”

Kim Dokja chuckled at the idea. “Sangah-ssi is way above my level, Seolhwa-nim. She does B-Classes and above while I primarily take on C-Classes and below. We’ve never had to compete with one another.”

Her eyes sparkled with the new information. Kim Dokja felt the need to hide his face. For some reason, he had the inkling that he said something that Lee Seolhwa found humorous. He kept up a strained smile as the doctor left with a small, polite wave.

Kim Dokja didn’t get much downtime. Almost as soon as Lee Seolhwa had left the room, the door opened again.

Kim Dokja sat up in his bed. He moved his I.V. station to the side so that a chair could be brought up closer to his bed easier. It was so strange to have so many guests in and out of his hospital room but he supposed that he had more friends and acquaintances in the present than he did in the past.

“Dokja-ssi,” greeted Yoo Sangah. She wore a hospital gown but she also had a blazer over her shoulders. Why did everyone else get their clothes back but not him? “I was worried that you would stay unconscious for days.”

“You worry too much, Sangah-ssi.”

She scooped up a chair to sit next to his bed. When Yoo Sangah reached out her hand, Kim Dokja took it without a second thought. Well, that was a lie. He was cautious about it, but he trusted Yoo Sangah. She was the only other guide that he trusted, in fact. Yoo Sangah beamed when Kim Dokja intertwined their fingers.

After a moment, Kim Dokja recognized unfamiliar energy buzzing across his skin. It took a second for him to realize that the energy wasn’t a threat, but rather Yoo Sangah checking over him.

Her eyes were closed as she prodded at his flow of energy. It was weird to be on the receiving end of this. It almost tickled compared to the raw and earth-shattering feeling he had when he tended to guide espers.

Yoo Sangah’s energy retreated and her eyes opened. She looked pleased as she said, “You don’t seem weakened at all. I was sincerely worried, Dokja-ssi, that you would be injured permanently for stepping in front of us and guiding Yoo Joonghyuk.”

“I’m doing as well as expected.” Kim Dokja shrugged. He knew that his energy levels should have been higher but he was never the best guide anyway. “How are you doing? I heard from Lee Seolhwa that you helped guide Heewon and Hyunsung-.”

Yoo Sangah confirmed after a bit of a pause, “Ah, yes, I did guide them. They are fine. I heard from one of the nurses that they’re both starting to wake up.” A strange, dream-like expression crossed her face. “You always manage to untangle their energy, leaving them so pure…”

Kim Dokja chuckled lightly, knowing that his close work friend was simply exaggerating. “You are too kind, Sangah-ssi. I was lucky that they weren’t very hard subjects.”

She bit her lip and opened her mouth as if she was going to correct his statement. Yoo Sangah then visibly shook her head before gripping onto his hand tighter.

Kim Dokja was confused by her actions. Then again, he was unused to having friends. Han Sooyoung and Yoo Sangah were the people he was closest to and yet he didn’t truly know either of them, just as they didn’t truly know him.

“Dokja-ssi,” she began nervously, “are you sure you’re alright? Just a few hours ago you managed to stop a rampage alone. I’ve never had to deal with a rampaging esper before but I’ve— I have heard the stories before. In class, we’re taught to only engage a rampaging esper when they’ve been held down by espers first. But you just went in without any backup.”

“I had you there,” he said slyly. Kim Dokja was met with a look from the other guide. “I know, I know. It wasn’t my best moment. I should have been more clear on my plan.”

“You shouldn’t have done it in the first place. If anything had gone wrong, you wouldn’t be able to guide anymore.” She held her temple, clearly stressed out. “Dokja-ssi, that’s guiding 101. For you to ignore such a basic rule… It leaves me considerably more worried about your health than I previously was.”

“In my defense,” said Kim Dokja, “I’ve never taken a guiding class. I’m unlicensed, remember?”

Yoo Sagnah’s eyebrows furrowed, her lips twisted, and her grip on Kim Dokja’s hand turned painful. “What do you mean you’ve never taken a class? Have you ever been taught how to properly guide, Dokja-ssi?”

Kim Dokja rubbed his thumb across Yoo Sangah’s hand anxiously. He explained the best he could, “I was registered before all of the classes were required. And since I never became licensed, there was no reason for me to learn how to guide. Sangah-ssi, you know that I’m only a registered guide.”

“I… I suppose that’s true. I assumed that your guide powers didn’t awaken until later on. It’s been a requirement for all guides that register to take 30 hours of classes taught by the Star Stream Association for the past 15 or so years.” Yoo Sangah stared at him with wide eyes of realization. “You were a child when you awakened as a guide…?”

Kim Dokja wanted to pull his hand away. He was uncomfortable with the subject. He hated guiding. There was a reason for it.

Thankfully, Yoo Sangah looked down and dismissed her question. Most guides and espers awakened when they were in their late teens or early-twenties. To be awakened earlier than that, there needed to be a stressor. For many, dungeon breaks acted as that stressor.

“I had no idea that you didn’t have proper training,” murmured Yoo Sangah. She looked completely lost at the idea of such a thing. Then, she declared with enthusiasm, “Let’s take some classes together. I have to fulfill my license requirement of 7 hours a year. You should join me.”

“Sangah-ssi, I don’t want to become a licensed guide.”

Yoo Sangah raised a single eyebrow. “You’ve been guiding more and more lately.” After a beat, she added, “Licensed guides get paid more, you know. Your fees at Mino Soft have been lower because you’re only a registered guide. If you were to obtain your license, your guiding fee would increase up to 20%.”

“20% is…” A lot. It would make him able to think about buying a place instead of renting. He would also be able to pay off his student loan debt quicker.

“Most guides at Mino Soft take on the same contracts again and again because their sync rate is compatible enough that it doesn’t take too much energy. If you even start taking one contract a week, you would help with the heavy workload that gets shoved onto the rest of us.”

“Even if I take the contracts that are for lower-classes?” he checked.

Kim Dokja did not plan on doing any B-Classes or above. At least, not any more than he currently did as favors for friendly acquaintances.

“You could take on all of the C-Class contracts and below that you want.” Yoo Sangah’s hand squeezed his. It was comforting. “Maybe you can fix your reputation while you’re at it.”

Kim Dokja’s mood soured. “I won’t be ordered around like a pet. Espers always forget that—”

“I know,” she said, with feeling. “I know. They have enormous power at their command so they get greedy and turn into arrogant beings. It’s really frustrating to deal with but, for the most part, it’s easier to just go along with their odds and ends.”

“Sangah-ssi, just what sort of things have you been asked to do? I may be rethinking this. Perhaps I don’t need to visit the Association after all.”

Yoo Sangah tilted her head in thought. “There was this one time that I wasn’t allowed to make skin contact with an esper until I had washed my hands in strong-smelling alcohol.”

“That… That is creepy. What was the point of it?”

Yoo Sangah shrugged her shoulders, purposely being nonchalant. “I guess you’ll find out. Some espers are weird about skin contact. You should know about all that.”

Kim Dokja realized that he must have come off as one of those people who didn’t like making skin contact. He didn’t hate being hugged. He liked Jung Heewon’s arms around him and he always appreciated it when Yoo Sangah tapped his shoulder to get his attention.

“It’s not that I’m averse to skin contact—”

“Dokja-ssi,” whispered Yoo Sangah, her voice stern yet gentle, “it’s okay to not want to feel exposed all of the time.” She squeezed his hand like a heartbeat. “When I first realized I was a guide, I couldn’t stand touching the people around me. I wore gloves 24/7. I was able to grow out of it and became familiar with touch again but some people are still...”

“It’s not skin contact that I dislike,” uttered Kim Dokja. He was surprised that his voice was working. “It’s guiding. I can’t— I hate it, Sangah-ssi.” It felt as if he had laid his sins out bare for all to hear.

Yoo Sangah sucked in a sharp breath. Her eyes were wide and there was pain within them. “You hate guiding?” She was in shock. “But you… you always come with me when I ask for help. If you hated it then you should have said ‘no,’ Dokja-ssi. I didn’t want to force you—”

“Sangah-ssi,” he interrupted her. She seemed startled by his willingness to prove himself. “I chose to go with you. You didn’t force me to do anything.”

Yoo Sangah opened her mouth to argue, but Kim Dokja shushed her by lifting both of his hands to cover hers. Their fingers intertwined as the two of them looked on with owlish eyes. He was just as surprised by his actions as she was. He then set her hands back down awkwardly but didn’t unlock them.

Yoo Sangah was stunned by the gesture. It was the strongest sign of trust that Kim Dokja could think of.

“Sangah-ssi,” he continued, “I’ve been getting better with accepting who I am and who others are because you’ve been so insistent in me using my abilities for the better. If I was truly uncomfortable, I wouldn’t have continued to go on the occasional contract with you.”

Yoo Sangah was quiet for a few moments before she blurted, “I’m buying you a spray bottle to keep any unwanted espers away. As long as you refill it with water, you’ll have a constant means of offense.”

She seemed so adamant about it as well as her eyes locked with his. Kim Dokja let out a snort before he knew what happened. Yoo Sangah went red, her entire face turning pink. He had to look down and away in order to not keep laughing.

“I’m serious, Dokja-ssi!” she claimed. “If you don’t want to wear gloves, then you need to have some sort of deterrent.”

“Espers aren’t cats, Sangah-ssi.”

“Then we get something stronger!”

“Like, what? Pepper spray?”

Yoo Sangah’s eyes lit up at his suggestion. She was truly too cunning when she allowed herself to be. “Maybe bear spray would work better. It’s more potent and has a longer range.”

“You are starting to sound like a frightening villain,” quipped Kim Dokja. He couldn't hide his smile, though. He hadn’t felt this light in a long time. “You are secretly so sneaky and ruthless!” he accused, high on laughter.

Yoo Sangah let out an undignified squawk, though Kim Dokja noticed that she didn’t disagree with him. They slapped one another playfully as if they couldn’t believe what was going on.

It was a strange scene for Lee Seolhwa to walk in on. Both guides immediately stopped and turned to the doctor with faux-innocent faces.

Lee Seolhwa managed to keep a straight face as she said, “Sangah-ssi, it’s time for you to continue to rest.”

“Is my visiting time over?”

“I’m afraid so. However, you two may both leave in the morning. Your energy levels are sufficient and no anomalies have been detected. Once your bodies have recovered, you may both return to work, though I suggest not to guide for the next 3 to 5 days. You have both guided high-level espers enough that I want you to be completely well before trying again as a precaution.”

Yoo Sangah bobbed her head up and down. She stood up, then, and pushed her chair back to its original place. With a slight bow of her head, she said, “Good night, Dokja-ssi, Seolhwa-nim.”

Kim Dokja returned, “Good night, Sangah-ssi.”

Lee Seolhwa opened the door for Yoo Sangah. They nodded at one another briefly before the white-haired woman closed the door. Kim Dokja almost wished that Yoo Sangah had stuck around. His mind was swirling with thoughts about the idea of taking official guiding classes at the Association. He wasn’t sure how to approach Lee Seolhwa with any of his lingering questions, either.

As Lee Seolhwa checked his I.V., Kim Dokja wondered if he could ask her something that had been on his mind. Apparently, he stared too much. She looked down from his I.V. drip with a skeptical expression.

“What are you thinking about, Dokja-ssi?” asked Lee Seolhwa.

Kim Dokja jumped before settling down. There was no need to be so anxious around her. He hesitantly said, “Seolhwa-nim, you are close with Joonghyuk-ssi in some way, correct?”

Lee Seolhwa tilted her head but she was smiling. “What makes you think that?”

“Joonghyuk-ssi would have rampaged a long time ago without someone helping him. You kept him stabilized as long as you could.”

Lee Seolhwa stayed silent but that silence spoke thousands of words.

Kim Dokja continued, “So I need to ask, do you think it would be a good idea for me to continue guiding him? He already asked—”

Her fingers slipped while changing out the bags of the I.V. accidentally. She appeared to be startled. Maybe Kim Dokja had let his off-putting vibes go unchecked and it affected Lee Seolhwa.

Lee Seolhwa questioned him, “Joonghyuk-ssi asked you to guide him?” Kim Dokja nodded once. “I didn’t think…”

Kim Dokja agreed with that. Yoo Joonghyuk was an enigma. To be asked to guide the most powerful esper in existence was something incredibly daunting.

Kim Dokja wasn’t sure why he allowed Yoo Joonghyuk to walk out of his room in the first place. The bastard had on a smug smirk since he knew so much. Kim Dokja vowed to shatter Yoo Joonghyuk’s arrogance.

“I think,” said Lee Seolhwa, “that if you can guide Joonghyuk-ssi, then you should agree to do so. It’d definitely be a hectic process but it would be for the best. As long as you two never over-work the guiding process, there shouldn’t be complications. However, if you’d like, I wouldn’t mind attending some of the sessions to make sure that nothing goes wrong.”

Kim Dokja let out a breath of relief. “I had never guided an S-Class until earlier today. I would appreciate any help you can give me, Seolhwa-nim.”

“Well, my first piece of advice is to not let Joonghyuk-ssi push you around. He’ll throw you around if you let him. If you stand up to him, though, you’ll be able to manage him better.”

Kim Dokja agreed with that statement vehemently. If he allowed Yoo Joonghyuk to do whatever he liked, then it was possible that the esper would treat him like shit. Kim Dokja was tired of the way he was looked at.

He would have to prove himself to the bastard. It was achievable, though. It was a battle of wills. And, well, Kim Dokja knew how annoying he could be, and that was when he didn’t even try.

“Seolhwa-nim, I don’t know how you put up with that asshole for so long. I admire you.”

Lee Seolhwa huffed softly in amusement. She patted the edge of his bed on her way out. “Get some rest, Dokja-ssi.”

“You need to sleep too, Seolhwa-nim,” he reminded her.

Lee Seolhwa opened the door and disappeared. Kim Dokja wondered for a moment whether or not he even said his words aloud. He shook his head and tried to not fret over his thoughts now that he had no one to occupy his time.

Well, it was getting a little too chummy inside his head anyway. Why not overthink about taking guiding classes with Yoo Sangah? Didn’t that sound fun?

Chapter Text

The days off from Mino Soft were actually relaxing. He got paid sick leave while also receiving a check in the mail from the contract from Sky Breaker guild. It was surprising to him that he was able to catch up on his reading list, go over Han Sooyoung’s drafts, and fight with random usernames online over fictional characters. It reminded him of his days before signing onto Mino Soft.

His favorite day was probably when Han Sooyoung showed up to his apartment unannounced. She had her own key. Kim Dokja didn’t know how she obtained it but they had gone out drinking enough times for him to know that if he got drunk then Han Sooyoung got up to troublesome shit. And most of the time, drunk Kim Dokja was happy to go along for the ride.

Han Sooyoung opened the door quietly. Kim Dokja looked up from his place on the couch in a completely startled state.

He was a bit paranoid that Yoo Joonghyuk would appear, though that was mostly whenever he initially woke up. Yoo Joonghyuk had turned into his sleep-paralysis demon. He couldn’t tell anyone that, though. Han Sooyoung would surely laugh at him while Yoo Sangah would threaten to throttle the S-Class esper for him.

She was whistling when she unlocked the door. She took a yellow sucker out of her mouth and peeked around the room. In the crook of her arm was a large bag handle. Kim Dokja could see the spots of thick paper wads kept together by paperclips. He cringed as Han Sooyoung slammed the door shut before eyeing him up.

“Why did I have to hear from that bitchy Yoo Sangah that you were in the hospital?” demanded Han Sooyoung, eyes dangerously bright.

Kim Dokja frowned. He sent a pointed look at his friend. “Keep her name out of your mouth.”

Han Sooyoung sighed as she plopped next to him on the couch.

She held the large bag full of paper drafts in her lap. She rustled through it with annoyance. Kim Dokja supposed he should have expected her to be upset. Han Sooyoung and Yoo Sangah didn’t get along very well, though they had only met up in-person a few times.

Han Sooyoung’s eyes glared at him before she tossed one of the paper stacks onto him. Kim Dokja set his phone down before picking up a stray pen. He read the title SSSSSS-Grade Infinite Regressor across the cover page.

“Really?” he asked her dryly, incredibly skeptical that she would stoop that low.

Han Sooyoung shrugged. “The publisher I’m working with currently wants me to do something mainstream. I thought you would be happy to take a break from all of my isekai erotica novels.”

Kim Dokja fiercely nodded his head. He retracted his statement instantly, “I love the title so much. It’s the best thing I’ve ever seen.”

Han Sooyoung grinned widely, her canines protruding from her smile. “I knew that you would be on board. I have 50 chapters for you to read through. This is the printed version. There’s also an online doc version. However, I know that you like the physical copy more.”

Kim Dokja raised a brow. “I read on my phone all day. You know that I don’t have a problem with reading the electronic version of your draft.”

“Oh, I know you don’t. Not really at least. But when you have to write down your comments within the borders of the pages, you run out of room so I can’t read it so I can act like it’s not there. Meanwhile, when you leave a comment on my doc itself, you have too much power. It’s comment after comment after comment—”

“You are so strange.”

“I’m asking you to proofread my drafts, not analyze them!”

“You literally ask for my opinions on the character arcs, Sooyoung-ah!” He blinked at her wildly. “Do you want me to only proofread?”

Han Sooyoung snapped her jaw shut. “Okay,” she relented. “I do like hearing your opinions. However, you really picked apart my last novel. It made me feel a bit…”

Kim Dokja felt horrible. His chest clenched in pain. “I didn’t realize—”

Han Sooyoung stepped forward. She used her sweatshirt to protect her hand before covering Kim Dokja’s mouth so that he would stop talking.

Kim Dokja’s eyes went wide as Han Sooyoung kept her covered hand over his mouth. They breathed in and out loudly, both shocked by Han Sooyoung’s actions.

“Don’t get all mushy-feely with me,” she told him. “Let’s move past this, alright?”

Kim Dokja nodded silently. Han Sooyoung huffed through her nose as she removed her hand. They stared at one another for a few awkward seconds before Han Sooyoung picked up a new stack of chapters and threw it at him. Kim Dokja yelped as it slammed against his shoulder. He stuck his tongue out at her in response. Han Sooyoung’s cries of battle were heard throughout the apartment.

“Why are you acting so weird!?” he demanded of her when she tried to slap him with a pillow from his couch.

“Maybe I’m sick of seeing your stupid face!”

“I would like a real answer!”

Han Sooyoung huffed loudly as she set down the pillow. Kim Dokja dramatically rubbed his shoulder as he stared at his friend. What was up with her today? She was acting so strange. Her hands itched to grab something.

Her eyes were wild-looking as she— Oh. Eyes were the most important tell of an esper.

“Wait,” he gasped out as Han Sooyoung lifted her bag of paper stacks. She held the bag tightly as she prepared to hit him with it. “When was the last time you were guided?”

Han Sooyoung’s face flushed instantly. She bit out, “How did you know!?”

“You’re acting deranged!” he countered, pointing a finger at her.

She fell back onto the couch. The bag was discarded. Kim Dokja let out a sigh of relief. He really would end up with bruises if she kept hitting him. In fact, he probably already had bruises forming across his arms. He bruised like a peach— it was annoying how well he knew that fact.

Kim Dokja relaxed against the back of the couch, mimicking Han Sooyoung. They both looked at one another in slight apprehension. That’s when Kim Dokja realized that she was embarrassed. There was no reason for her to be. All espers, no matter their class, needed to be guided.

“You could make an appointment at Mino Soft.”

Han Sooyoung’s eyes narrowed. “I know,” she said petulantly.

“Okay.” He nervously bounced his foot in the air. “Then what’s the problem?”

“The problem?” she echoed, voice going hoarse. “The problem is that I requested a meeting but they said they were maxed out for the next month.”

“Oh.” That was not good. “I didn’t realize…” Just a couple of days ago they were pretty open.

A request at Mino Soft meant that an esper was asking to meet with a guide. Any esper could do so, though guilds had priority because their espers actually went into dungeons. Some espers like Han Sooyoung decided not to join a guild and lived an average life. However, even if they didn’t regularly use their powers, espers still needed guiding for maintenance.

A request could mean different things depending on the class and status of the esper that wanted to be guided. Some could afford private meetings, such as Lee Hyunsung and Yoo Joonghyuk. Others applied for a general meeting, which was a time slot where they would show up to be guided along with a group of other espers. Any available guides would help out until they filled their quota for the day.

“Did you ask for a private meeting or a general meeting?”

Han Sooyoung bit her thumbnail before answering, “I originally asked for a private one but when that was filled, I changed it to a general meeting. But then all of those slots were also filled. And I don’t want to go into the Association so I just— I don’t know.”

Kim Dokja thought about offering to guide her right then and there. It would be easy. They had known one another for years. They were attuned to one another’s energies, even. However, only licensed guides could do something like that without being on the receiving end of repercussions. It added another reason why he agreed to get his license at the Association.

“When I go back to work, I can see if I can fit you in,” he offered up. “I help handle requests. That’s a lot of what my paperwork is.”

Han Sooyoung nervously picked at her nails. “Okay. Thank you.”

Kim Dokja was stunned. His cheeks felt hot and his ears burned. He was able to exhale shakily after a hysterical moment, “You are being so nice. Why are you being so nice? You’re supposed to be a cackling witch!”

Han Sooyoung reached for the bag of drafts that contained the chapters for SSSSSS-Grade Infinite Regressor. Nearly feral, she growled out as she twirled the bag in the air and aimed for him.

It was sufficient to say that he never called her nice again that day. Or the next.

However, after 4 days of basking at home and spending his hours laid over a bed, he had to return to work. He already agreed to meet up with Yoo Sangah, as they did most mornings before work.

Kim Dokja found his bike chained up at the apartment center. He didn’t question how his bike ended up outside his apartment but he figured that Yoo Sangah informed someone to take their bikes to their respective homes. She was kind and thoughtful in that way. He put on his helmet and tightened his satchel.

Kim Dokja biked about half a kilometer before waiting outside another apartment complex. He didn’t have to wait long. Yoo Sangah appeared from down the road with her helmet on as she biked down the side of the street. They waited at the next light together while exchanging good mornings. They then biked to work together while speaking about what they did while on break.

They arrived at Mino Soft not long after talking about their want to sleep in. However, after locking their bikes in place, Yoo Sangah patted his shoulder. Kim Dokja turned around to be met with a small, bedazzled canister with a keychain fob on it.

“What is this?” he questioned, horrified.

“Pepper spray,” she answered.

Yoo Sangah then reached around his neck to pull on his lanyard. Next to his house key and Mino Soft badge, she hooked the pepper spray in place.

“There.” She showed a pleased, humming grin.

“You terrify me,” he whispered to her as they walked inside the building.

Yoo Sangah acted oblivious. “Whatever do you mean, Dokja-ssi?”

Kim Dokja sent her one last look before entering the elevator. Yoo Sangah became enamored with the light-up buttons while Kim Dokja desperately wondered why he had returned to work. The elevator went up, up, up until they reached their floor.

Kim Dokja got off first while Yoo Sangah continued on to the floor above where full-time guides checked-in before taking on requests or contracts. He made his way through the cubicles. He turned on his docking station before setting down his satchel.

Kim Dokja then went to the staff lounge to fill a mug with coffee. He quickly poured the cold liquid into his cup before microwaving it. A cold pot of coffee was worth something. Not much, but something. He took a sip to check that it was hot enough before leaving the lounge.

As he walked back to his desk, he was stopped by a familiar face. It was Yoon Sangho, a fellow paperwork driver. The only difference was that Yoon Sangho had worked there long enough to earn an office, not that Kim Dokja minded that. He would be worked to death whether or not he was in a cubicle or private office.

Yoon Sangho clapped him across the back and greeted, “Dokja-ssi, it’s great to have you back in the office.” Kim Dokja instantly knew something was up. The man confessed, “We’re backlogged like crazy. There’s a ton of requests and contract offers coming in and out of Mino Soft currently.”

“Let me guess,” said Kim Dokja, “you want me to take on the requests while you check over the contracts.”

Yoon Sangho nodded. “You know me well.”

He removed his arm from around Kim Dokja’s shoulders before sending a small mock salute. Then, he was off as if he was never there.

Kim Dokja sighed.

Right. Why did he like this place? Oh, yeah, it was a job that made money.

He huffed as he sat down at his desk. He took a sip from his coffee mug and wondered if he could quit being an office worker altogether. Han Sooyoung was always joking about him becoming her official editor. What if it was no longer a joke?

He shook his head as he opened up his work email. He didn’t mind Mino Soft that much. He heard the ding informing him that he got a new message. He opened up the file to see links to the requests he was supposed to look over. Kim Dokja rubbed his eyes before getting into position.

It was going to be a long day, wasn’t it? At least he would be able to figure out a way to fit Han Sooyoung in there somewhere, even if it meant he was the one to guide her.

There were dozens upon dozens of requests. Kim Dokja was sincerely confused as he opened up the drives. The requests were filled with general meetings, meaning that Yoon Sangho had likely placed all of the private meetings already. That would make it tricky but Kim Dokja supposed that he was up for a challenge after having a relaxing extended weekend.

By his lunch break, Kim Dokja was ready to quit Mino Soft. Of course, he wasn’t serious about it. He simply needed to get back into the groove of things.

He ate in the lounge while reading his beloved webnovels. It gave him some solace to have a sliver of what his days were like while on break. However, his lunch break soon ended and he was back at his desk. He took a freshly brewed coffee mug with him.

He began to hate electronics. He stared at the endless pixels. The white and black began to transform into a swirling screen of fuzz. Kim Dokja sat back in his chair and closed his eyes. He was going insane.

But then another ding went off. Kim Dokja groaned as he reached for his mouse. He clicked on the new email to see that it was from Yoo Sangah. Then he read the headline. [Beginning Guide Classes: Schedule.] He read through the mail to see that Yoo Sangah had signed them both up for a series of classes at the Star Stream Association over the next few afternoons after they got off of work.

Kim Dokja wasn’t even mad. He had no time to be upset. He quickly filled the classes into his calendar before continuing on with work. This was for the best, he reminded himself. The money, he told himself, would be worth it.

He found out why there were so many requests whenever he received a text later that day from Lee Hyunsung. Kim Dokja’s eyes wouldn’t stop twitching as he looked down to his phone screen.

Lee Hyunsung: I really appreciate everything you did for Sky Breaker! I’ve told everyone that will listen about how wonderful the guides at Mino Soft are.
Lee Hyunsung: Also, are we still on for drinks this Saturday?

Dread curled up in his gut and made itself at home. Kim Dokja read the lines over and over until he clicked off his phone.

No wonder there were so many requests. Lee Hyunsung was an amazing A-Class esper while also having a good personality. More than just espers respected the man for how honest he was. If Lee Hyunsung mentioned liking Mino Soft, even espers that didn’t go into dungeons would be interested.

But this could work in his favor. Kim Dokja felt a smile form on his face slowly. If Mino Soft was swamped with requests, then Yoo Joonghyuk wouldn’t be able to make an appointment. That meant that Kim Dokja wouldn’t have to see the bastard’s face.

He was grinning by the time he replied back to Lee Hyunsung and confirmed that he was still meeting him for drinks that weekend.

For the rest of the work day, Kim Dokja happily scheduled requests. Many of them ended up being blocked together as general meetings. Since many of them came from the Sky Breaker guild, he tried his best to fit the same classed espers together in the same block before repeating it from F-Class to B-Class. All A-Classes were in private meetings so Kim Dokja didn’t have to worry about them.

By blocking members of the same guild together, it would ensure that the competing guilds didn’t fight. It was publicly known that the ‘Salvation’ guild and ‘Sky Breaker’ guild didn’t get along. There were rumors of a scandalous affair even though both leaders were single. Either way, it was customary to purposely go out of the way to ensure that rivaling guild members didn’t fight while at a guiding facility.

Kim Dokja sighed as he finished the last of the requests. Once he checked them all over, he sent the schedule to Yoon Sangho for approval. Almost immediately, Yoon Sangho then sent the new calendar to the rest of the guides. Kim Dokja was surprised to learn that, seeing as only guides that were scheduled for the week received the new updates.

Kim Dokja opened up his calendar on his desktop. He didn’t see anything out of the ordinary until he saw a familiar name next to his own.

[ESPER: Yoo Joonghyuk. GUIDE: Kim Dokja.]

That… that wasn’t right. Kim Dokja didn’t process that request. He clicked on the tab to realize that it was a private meeting just like Yoo Joonghyuk threatened to do. And since Yoon Sangho already dealt with the private meetings, Kim Dokja wasn’t aware of it until the calendar was set up.

Kim Dokja sighed into his hands. He was thankful to know that the meeting could be stopped at any time, though, since their sync rate was unknown. His last hope was to fail the Association sync rate meeting. If not, he would have to deal with that smug bastard once-a-month. Kim Dokja wasn't sure if he was capable of that. Mentally, that is.

But then a new ding caught his attention. Kim Dokja felt his hand tremble as he was met with a sync rating appointment at the Association. It wouldn’t be for a few days but he felt something inside of him crack.

Kim Dokja exited out of all of the tabs on his computer without thinking. He shut down his desktop and rolled in his office chair. That was enough for one day.

He walked over to the elevator. As soon as the doors opened, he felt a new presence behind him. He turned to be met with Han Myungoh.

The man before him processed the payments for all general meeting requests. Han Myungoh was quite adept at his job but he had a nasty personality. Even Yoo Sangah had something bad to say about him, which was startling because she was always forcefully nice and polite.

“Han Myungoh-ssi,” he greeted.

“Dokja-ssi,” replied the other. Han Myungoh looked askance in a suspicious way. “You’re— You and Sangah-ssi are close, aren’t you?”

Kim Dokja blinked at the words. He was stunned momentarily until the elevator doors opened. He stepped inside while Han Myungoh followed him sluggishly. The older man looked expectant. Kim Dokja was unnerved. This wasn’t going to be a good topic, was it?

“Sangah-ssi and I are friends,” admitted Kim Dokja as the elevator went down, down, down without any interruptions. He gripped his satchel like a lifeline.

“I noticed,” said Han Myungoh, his eyes making Kim Dokja clutch onto the strap of his satchel even harder, “that you and Sangah-ssi bike to work together.”

“Erm.” What was he supposed to say? “Yes. We live near one another so we both arrive at work at the same time.”

“I was wondering—”

The elevator stopped at the bottom floor. Kim Dokja quickly stepped out without thinking of being attacked for being dismissive of the other man. However, he didn’t need to worry about that because Han Myungoh froze in his tracks at the sight that greeted them.

Yoo Sangah was there with her hand on her hip. The helmet she wore was already positioned on her head. In her free hand, she carried Kim Dokja’s helmet.

“Dokja-ssi,” greeted Yoo Sangah, ignoring Han Myungoh completely, “you were later than usual.”

Kim Dokja took the offered helmet and strapped it under his chin. “Sorry, Sangah-ssi. I missed out on a lot of work so I was behind.” He noticed that Han Myungoh only stepped off the elevator once it threatened to close. “You could have left without me.”

Yoo Sangah shook her head profusely. “We’re going to class after this. There’s no point in splitting up.”

“Ah… Right. Thank you for waiting.”

“Of course!”

Yoo Sangah took off first, but not before interlocking their arms together. Kim Dokja looked behind their shoulders to see Han Myungoh frozen in place. Then, when their eyes met, Kim Dokja felt like the breath in his lungs had been stolen. He quickly faced forward and pretended that he felt no fear.

Yoo Sangah smiled at him, oblivious. Or perhaps she was acting oblivious. Kim Dokja returned the smile either way. He didn’t want to worry about awkward meetings with co-workers or odd conversations. He shook out any intrusive thoughts he had and focused on his new problem.

The Star Stream Association was in every country. The Association made the main rules and guidelines for espers and guides. They also controlled who may enter a dungeon. In Korea, the main Association branch was in Seoul. Kim Dokja had only been there a few times since he registered as a guide when he was 8-years-old.

They stopped by Yoo Sangah’s apartment to put away their bags and lock up their bikes. From there, they took a bus to the Star Stream Association. Kim Dokja would have preferred the subway train but the bus drop-off point was closer to the Association. Both guides read quietly on their phones until they made it to their stop.

Kim Dokja was in despair as Yoo Sangah urged him to enter the building. The Association was busy. Civilian espers and guides went in and out, guild members went back and forth, and workers of the Star Stream were fumbling around to meet the needs of everyone who entered.

Kim Dokja was lost as he stared at the many signs within the building. It had grown and expanded a lot since he was a kid. He hadn’t really stepped inside since he registered. He once had to pick up some boxes from the Association for Mino Soft but one of the workers brought out the boxes to the company car that Kim Dokja was driving at the time.

Yoo Sangah noticed how overwhelmed he was. She told him, “Don’t worry, Dokja-ssi, I know where to go.” She held up a business card. “Our first class is with a woman I’ve met before with Heewon-ssi.”

Yoo Sangah led the way. Kim Dokja followed after her carefully.

He wondered for a moment if Yoo Sangah would ever think about using a child leash to keep him with her. He would appreciate it at the moment, even if it was humiliating. Nothing could be worse than losing Yoo Sangah through a crowd of unknown people.

It was a lot. He kept bumping shoulders with people he didn’t know. His fingers kept touching espers by accident. A guide landed their hand on his shoulder by mistake before apologizing. Kim Dokja hated it. He stuck his hands into his pockets and never let his eyes stray from Yoo Sangah’s long hair.

And then he felt someone pull on his waist. Kim Dokja was about to slap someone. He readied his hand and mentally prepared for any repercussions. He stopped once he looked down. He knew that face and those hands.

“Gilyoung-ah?”

The boy grinned up at him. Kim Dokja paused for a moment before taking Lee Gilyoung’s hand. The boy quickly squeezed his hand back and walked in-step with Kim Dokja.

They made their way through the crowd until they reached the elevators. Yoo Sangah was there with panic across her face until she caught sight of them.

“Dokja-ssi!” Yoo Sangah stepped forward. Her eyes then landed on the boy next to him. “Oh, you found Gilyoung-ie. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

Lee Gilyoung offered up a single nod. He asked them, “What are you doing here?”

“We’re taking a guiding class,” replied Yoo Sangah. She pressed the button for the elevator. “Are you here for training?”

“No.” Lee Gilyoung’s happy expression fell. “My aunt wants me to join a guild.”

Yoo Sangah sucked in a deep breath to calm her stress while Kim Dokja squeezed Lee Gilyoung’s hand for support.

Espers were always being recruited when they had a higher-class. Even if they were young, espers were always needed to battle the dungeons. Lee Gilyoung awakened as an esper a few months ago when there was a subway train accident. He awakened as a B-Class esper, but officially he didn’t have a class because of his age.

“Your aunt,” Kim Dokja said slowly, “where is she?”

Lee Gilyoung tilted his head slightly. His eyes peered around the room. After a few seconds, he said, “I think she’s meeting with some interested guilds.”

“She left you in the lobby alone?”

Lee Gilyoung didn’t answer. Kim Dokja already knew his reply.

When the elevator doors opened, they moved out of the way. The elevator spewed out an entire group of people. Yoo Sangah was the first to move forward. Kim Dokja held onto Lee Gilyoung’s hand as they entered the elevator after her.

Yoo Sangah pressed a button on the elevator to close the doors. No one tried to enter. There was a tense silence as the elevator went up.

“Do you want to see what a guiding class looks like?” asked Kim Dokja. He then shifted his eyes to Yoo Sangah. “Can others attend?”

Yoo Sangah’s lips were knitted together. After a moment, she replied, “I don’t think there’ll be a problem.”

Kim Dokja nodded to himself before he looked back down at Lee Gilyoung. The boy was great at hiding his emotions but Kim Dokja knew that he was hurt to be left behind by his relative. However, now Lee Gilyoung was smiling slightly. Just a tinge.

“It’ll be my first time attending a class too,” he told Lee Gilyoung. The boy’s eyes lit up at the statement.

The elevator stopped and opened. There was a quartet waiting outside. Kim Dokja hated seeing so many people. Yoo Sangah was the first one to move. Kim Dokja was incredibly grateful to her. The two groups swapped places. As the doors to the elevator closed, Kim Dokja let out a sigh of relief. The floor they were on was much quieter.

Yoo Sangah directed, “It’s just ahead.”

They walked through an open area before turning down a hallway. Kim Dokja focused on the back of Yoo Sangah’s head the entire way. He was thankful that this floor wasn’t as busy as the first, but he still heard footsteps and unknown voices. It made it painfully obvious to him that he needed to socialize more.

There was an open door mid-way through the hallway. Yoo Sangah peaked her head in first before a blinding smile overtook her face. Kim Dokja hesitantly approached it after her while Lee Gilyoung trailed behind him.

They walked into the room to be met with a woman with long hair and green eyes standing next to a seated man with platinum blond hair.

“Uriel-ssi, is it alright if we have a tag-along?” asked Yoo Sangah as she stepped inside.

The woman with green eyes turned around. Uriel smiled widely as she cooed, “Of course! The more the merrier!” She stepped away from the man that was seated. “Sangah-ssi, your energy is stunning!”

Kim Dokja was momentarily confused. Even guides who were sensitive to energy couldn’t read it from so far away. It made him wonder just how good of a guide Uriel was. Then again, a person didn’t have to be a guide in order to feel energy. Espers just had to train harder in order to be attuned to energy aside from their own.

Yoo Sangah’s cheeks warmed as she replied, “Your range to feel energy continues to astound me, Uriel-ssi.” Uriel grinned as she hugged Yoo Sangah. When they parted, Yoo Sangah introduced the others. “This is Kim Dokja and Lee Gilyoung. Dokja-ssi is the other guide that signed up for the class. Gilyoung-ie is an esper.”

Uriel nodded to him. “Kim Dokja-ssi, I’m pleased to meet Sangah-ssi’s closest friend.” Then, she looked at Lee Gilyoung and waved. “It's great to see young espers interested in guiding.”

Uriel waved them over to the table where the unknown man was already seated. Uriel introduced, “This is Sun Wukong, an esper that works for the Association like me.”

Sun Wukong smiled. Kim Dokja felt the need to look away due to how bright it was.

Uriel continued on, “I was told on the phone that Dokja-ssi has never taken a guiding class.” Kim Dokja smiled awkwardly. “Well, I hope that I can show you the best way to guide!”

“I’m thankful for anything you can offer,” he told her.

Uriel responded, “I hope I can teach you something. From what Sangah-ssi and Heewon-ssi have told me, you are a very good guide.” She lifted up her hand and extended it across the table. “I would like to feel your guiding for myself, if you don’t mind.”

Kim Dokja met Yoo Sangah’s eyes. His co-worker urged him to try it, so he took a deep breath. He reached out both of his hands, which made Uriel pause. She seemed confused as to why he would need both hands to guide.

Kim Dokja explained awkwardly, “I usually do it with—”

Uriel shook her head silently and reached out her other hand as well. Kim Dokja awkwardly took hold of both of her hands. He could tell instantly that she was an esper and not a guide. It astonished him that an esper learned how to feel energy without skin contact. It showed how incredibly skilled the person in front of him was.

“Okay, Dokja-ssi,” said Uriel, squeezing his hands gently, “guide me like you would do for any other esper.”

Kim Dokja ignored the looks from Yoo Sangah, Sun Wukong, and Lee Gilyoung. He closed his eyes as he focused on the energy he could feel from Uriel.

It was a white abyss. The energy was so profoundly clean that it made Kim Dokja jealous of the guide who helped Uriel.

Negative energy was incredibly hard to completely get rid of. Even the best guides left traces of negative energy. Kim Dokja knew that Uriel wouldn’t have let him guide her if she didn’t have any knots to untie, though, so he kept searching through her never-ending energy for something to get rid of.

That’s when he came across a small, thin knot. He absorbed the knot into his right hand, undid it, then let the untangled energy return into Uriel’s body through his left hand. After finding the first knot, he discovered a dozen or so knots of the same size. He repeated the process of cleaning them until he came across a small bump. He forced the clumped energy to thin out so that he could purify it before sending it back to Uriel. After that, he couldn’t find anything within Uriel’s large expanse of power.

He opened his eyes to see two parted lips. Kim Dokja slowly let go of Uriel’s hands. She seemed befuddled as her hands were placed down onto the table. He felt the need to disappear. Why was she acting so weird?

Uriel opened her eyes. The green irises were practically shining as they engulfed him. “Dokja-ssi,” she exhaled, whispy.

“Oh, uh—” he nervously glanced around the table to see that no one else knew how to respond either, “—yes?”

“I…” Uriel seemed at a loss for words. She gestured to the other esper sitting next to her. “Let Dokja-ssi guide you, too.”

Sun Wukong sighed as he reached out a single hand. When Uriel gave him a look, he put forward his other hand as well. Kim Dokja, stunned by Uriel’s reaction, slowly reached out his hands. Sun Wukong gripped Kim Dokja’s hands sturdier than Uriel did. It was a bit abrupt, too, to feel Sun Wukong’s energy try to prod at Kim Dokja’s.

Kim Dokja grimaced. Sun Wukong was going to be one of those. He closed his eyes as he took in a breath. The goal was to breathe slowly and take control.

Kim Dokja forced back Sun Wukong’s energy quickly and rifled through what was left. The grip on his hands tightened but Kim Dokja ignored it. Some espers didn’t like giving up control. Kim Dokja had dealt with worse so he dismissed it.

Sun Wukong’s energy was massive and limitless. However, it also made it easy to find the problem area. Uriel had small knots in her energy that would only slow down her attack power by a smidge while allowing her access to all of it.

Sun Wukong’s energy was the opposite. In the very back of his endless power was a large field of blockages and knots. It was all in one spot which would allow the fast release of his power while also cutting off how much he could access.

Kim Dokja sorted through the knots until they were easier to break down. Then, and only then, did he take his right hand and allow the knots to enter his own body in order to untangle it. After he untangled a portion of the energy, he released it back into Sun Wukong’s body. The process was demanding all of Kim Dokja’s focus.

Then, the negative rustle was no more. Pleased with himself, Kim Dokja took back his own energy and opened his eyes. He let go of Sun Wukong’s hands. Kim Dokja dropped his hands to his side so he didn’t have to worry about feeling anyone’s energy.

The esper across from him was silent for a long while. Kim Dokja nervously picked at the hem of his collared shirt. This was bad. This was so bad. What did he do wrong?

Sun Wukong opened his eyes slowly. After a beat, he said, “Huh.” It didn’t sound rude just… curious.

“Right?” said Uriel. She bobbed her head along as Sun Wukong looked at her. “I’ve never heard of a guide willingly doing something like that.”

“It’s dangerous,” remarked Sun Wukong.

Uriel pouted at the short words. “Come on, don’t be like that. I bet he finally fixed you up, didn’t he?” She smiled knowingly as Sun Wukong’s eyes landed on Kim Dokja.

Yoo Sangah patted Kim Dokja’s knee. He glanced at her with thanks in his eyes. She brushed it off and instead asked, “Uriel-ssi, what do you mean?”

With a huff, Uriel announced, “I can tell Dokja-ssi hasn’t ever had proper guide training.”

“Ah…” Kim Dokja rubbed the back of his neck self-consciously. “I know I’m not the best at guiding. Sorry if I screwed anything up.”

Uriel gaped at him. Sun Wukong’s mouth fell open slightly as well, but he snapped his lips shut quickly. Uriel slapped the table repeatedly with a confusing look over her face.

Kim Dokja was suddenly afraid for his life. Oh no, how bad did I do? He was going to fail ever getting a license, wasn’t he?

Surprisingly, it was Lee Gilyoung who spoke up next. He argued, “Hyung is a great guide. You two don’t know what you’re talking about!”

Kim Dokja patted Lee Gilyoung’s back. The boy was like a hissing cat but he calmed as Kim Dokja assured him nothing was wrong. Lee Gilyoung glared at the other two espers in the room. Kim Dokja thought about telling him to knock it off but it was honestly adorable to see Lee Gilyoung try to look so deadly.

Then, Uriel said, surprisingly sincere, “I’m not insulting Dokja-ssi. I just— I’ve never been guided in that way before. I was simply surprised.” Her green gaze fell to Kim Dokja. “I would like to gather intel about others you have guided, Dokja-ssi. Can you provide me with a list of espers that you wouldn't mind me talking to?”

“Uhm. Okay.”

Kim Dokja looked around for something to write with, only for Yoo Sangah to whip out a small notebook and pen. She was always prepared. He sighed as he started to write down the names of the people he guided often. Once he had passed the paper to Uriel, he was emotionally drained.

Uriel looked down to the list for a moment before saying, “I think we’ll stop here today. I’ll set up the rest of your classes to be basic introductions.” Oh. So today was weird. “The rest of the week will be group classes mostly filled with videos or lectures that are followed up by a short quiz.”

“We weren’t here for very long,” Yoo Sangah said with concern lathering her voice. “Did you get everything you needed?”

Uriel confirmed quickly, “I already know how you guide, Sangah-ssi, so it was only Dokja-ssi that was the mystery.” Her eyes flickered to Kim Dokja’s exhausted form. “I’ll contact you once we’re ready to move forward.”

Leaving the Star Stream Association was a breath of relief. Kim Dokja felt like he was the walking dead. He was guided through the lobby by Yoo Sangah gripping his arm tightly. They waited around for Lee Gilyoung’s aunt before eventually asking how they traveled to the Association. Lee Gilyoung said that his aunt drove them there, so they then went to the parking lot.

After spending an hour passing car after parked car, Kim Dokja came with the realization that Lee Gilyoung was left behind. Yoo Sangah seemed terrified with the concept as the sun began to set. It was dark and Lee Gilyoung was forgotten. How did his guardian just leave him behind?

Kim Dokja said as calmly as he could, “Gilyoung-ah, until we find your aunt, do you want to rest at my place?”

The boy accepted the idea with a nod. Kim Dokja was relieved.

They took a cab to Yoo Sangah’s apartment. He didn’t take his bike home and instead just took his satchel and promised to walk over to her apartment in the morning to pick up his bike. Yoo Sangah waved them off with a worried look.

Kim Dokja’s apartment suddenly felt very, very messy. His only solace was that Lee Gilyoung didn’t mind. Actually, never mind, that wasn’t comforting. Kim Dokja decided that he would start becoming an organized adult right then and there.

Kim Dokja herded Lee Gilyoung to the bathroom while he dealt with trying to figure out where his aunt went. Kim Dokja heard the water turn on as he sorted through his room for any clothes that would fit the boy. Kim Dokja called Lee Gilyoung’s aunt only to get voicemail again and again. He eventually gave up, as Lee Gilyoung had exited the bathroom after bathing.

As Lee Gilyoung dried his hair with a towel on Kim Dokja’s couch, Kim Dokja made the worst-looking omurice ever. He thought about ordering take-out but Lee Gilyoung didn’t let him. He pulled his plate toward him and dug in. Kim Dokja sighed at the selfless action before doing the same.

By the time 10 P.M. rolled around, Kim Dokja anxiously waited for his phone to ring while Lee Gilyoung slept soundly on the bed next to him. The reader couldn’t even read because he was unused to having Lee Gilyoung over without approval, and was therefore stressed out. He gnawed on his fingertips until he finally heard a ping!

As he read over the message, he felt the need to kill someone. Not even just a little bit or as a joke. He dropped his phone into his lap in order to not throw it. He gripped his hair as he bit back a string of curse words.

After far too long, or perhaps much too quickly, a single thought entered Kim Dokja’s mind. It was a goal that he would have no problems achieving. He called the person he knew best about un-adopting their parents after awakening as an esper.

[What do you want?] grouched the voice over the phone. [It’s, like, the middle of the night.]

“Sooyoung-ah,” he said to her quietly in order to not wake up Lee Gilyoung, “you were able to obtain adult status even when you were a minor, yes?”

[... What kind of trouble is the kid in?]

Ah, Kim Dokja smiled softly in realization, Han Sooyoung might know me too well.

Chapter Text

Han Sooyoung had to use her awakened status as an esper to leave her family, though that was just the legal guardianship for her. Her family had rich ties and she lived off of their money while she stepped head-first into the world of being an author. From what Han Sooyoung had mentioned before, it was their way of keeping her quiet.

Long story short, he didn’t go to bed. Kim Dokja, as a guide, knew that there were certain rules that could bend because of the new status of who a person was after they awakened.

It happened in the early days of dungeons, espers, and guides. Young awakened espers began to be taken advantage of in the economy that was broken from the new resources that a dungeon provided. It became the next big thing for one’s child to become a powerful esper, basically, because a C-Class esper or higher was guaranteed a large amount of income once they joined a guild.

So a new law was invented. An awakened esper was no longer a minor due to the power within their body. It wasn’t used often, and the esper in question had to go through a grueling amount of paperwork that was meant to deter minors from being able to complete it without help.

At the end of the process, the awakened esper was no longer considered a minor in the eyes of the law. Meaning, that their guardians couldn’t make them join a guild against their will.

The documents were all available online. Kim Dokja filled them out for Lee Gilyoung while the boy slept. The only thing that would need to be approved in-person was a visit with the Star Stream Association. The Association would make sure that the esper understood what was happening before doing the final sign-off.

If Han Sooyoung hadn’t stayed up with him to help fill out the paperwork, Kim Dokja would have been lost. He was going to owe her a lot for this. She had a busy schedule to keep. He didn’t have time to worry about that, though, or the favors that she would ask for in the future. And she would ask bizarre favors from him. It was her so-called ‘quirk.’

Currently, all of his attention was on trying to figure out how he was going to get Lee Gilyoung to the Association before dropping him off at school.

Kim Dokja ended up contacting Jung Heewon. Yoo Sangah was likely still sleeping but espers kept weird hours. He was pacing the kitchen floor when he heard the call pick up. He had never been so thankful for an esper’s weird antics before.

“Heewon-ssi?” he asked for her desperately.

[Dokja-ssi? What’s wrong? You sound strange. Is everything okay? Do I need to beat up someone for you? I’ll gladly do it—]

“You know Uriel-ssi, right?” he interrupted, almost fearful to learn just how far Jung Heewon was willing to go to show she was a good friend. “I was wondering how high up she was at the Association.”

Jung Heewon murmured, [You met Uriel?] Kim Dokja hummed in confirmation. [Okay. Well. She’s pretty high up, as far as I can tell. No one bothers to make her mad, at least. What do you need from her?]

“Currently? I just need her number.”

[Dokja-ssi, I am a bit confused. But I will text you her number. All I ask is if you’re in danger. I’m who you call when you need someone dead, got it?]

Kim Dokja let out a hysterical, choked laugh. “Thanks, Heewon-ssi. And no, I’m not in danger. Just very tired. Very.”

[Get some rest then,] commanded Jung Heewon. [I’ve talked with Sangah-ssi, you know. She’s told me that you look exhausted all of the time. You should stop drinking so much caffeine. And start sleeping more.]

“I’ll try. Good night, Heewon-ssi.”

[Don’t you mean good morning?]

Kim Dokja did not mean that at all. He clicked the red button on his phone to end the call. He set his phone down and curled up on the kitchen floor. He put his hands on his forehead and pushed his knees to his chest.

Breathe, he told himself. Just breathe. He forced his breathing to calm down. Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale, inhale—

“Hyung?”

He looked up with a terrified expression to see Lee Gilyoung had woken up. The young esper stood at the end of the kitchen counter with confusion riddled across his sleepy face. Kim Dokja’s voice didn’t work when he tried to persuade the boy to go to bed.

By the time Kim Dokja managed to breathe again, Lee Gilyoung had already sat down next to him on the floor.

“You don’t look good, hyung,” he told Kim Dokja.

The guide held his face and cracked a piss-poor smile. “Yeah,” he exhaled shakily. “But that’s just on the outside.” Kim Dokja stretched out his hand to pat Lee Gilyoung’s head. “I was wondering what you needed for school. What sort of supplies do you need?”

Lee Gilyoung looked up at the hand on his head, then back down to meet Kim Dokja’s gaze. After a second of hesitation, he said, “My backpack’s with my aunt in her house.”

“Do you need something specific from there, though? A textbook or workbook or something?”

Lee Gilyoung shook his head. “No.”

Kim Dokja felt a rattling breath leave his frame. “Okay,” he said slowly, “let’s get you ready for school, then.”

The boy frowned. “It’s only 6 A.M. School doesn’t start for a couple of more hours.”

Kim Dokja halted. He turned to Lee Gilyoung with guilt coiling around his gut. “Gilyoung-ah, have you ever heard of the idea of espers becoming independents?” He simply looked confused. Kim Dokja tried to explain the best he could.

In summary, he said, “If you go down to the Association with me, you won’t have to live with your aunt.”

The reply was, “Does that mean I can live with you, hyung?”

Kim Dokja and Lee Gilyoung left the apartment a few minutes later. Kim Dokja gave up on fixing Lee Gilyoung’s hair. Even when he ran water over the brush to tame some of the curls, Lee Gilyoung just laughed as it made his hair locks even more frizzy. Kim Dokja learned that he knew nothing about caring for another person.

While taking a cab to the Star Stream Association, Kim Dokja called the number Jung Heewon gave him. It was a strange start. Mainly because of the first words that Uriel said.

[Look, I’m sorry that I accidentally lit your precious garden gnome on fire. I’ll pay for a new one. I promise.]

“Uhm,” he intelligently said, “is this Uriel-ssi?”

There was a minute pause before she replied, [Is that you, Dokja-ssi? What are you doing up so early in the day?]

“I have a favor. Just a— Well, it’s a bit of a big favor. It’s nothing bad!” he was quick to assure. “I just. You met Lee Gilyoung yesterday. And, well. I was wondering if you knew who I should contact this morning about the MAD-01 forms.”

[Well, Dokja-ssi,] she said, a clear smile in her voice, [you need to go to the third floor, room 111. That’s where you’ll find me.]

“You’re still at the office?” he asked Uriel in concern. “Did you get any rest?”

She laughed for a moment before completely skipping over the question. [If you tell me his applicant number, I’ll start reviewing the forms until you arrive.]

“Ah… Thank you, Uriel-ssi. I appreciate the help.”

[Of course, Dokja-ssi!] she replied. [I always do my best to help.]

After listing off Lee Gilyoung’s official applicant number, they said goodbye to one another. Kim Dokja slid his phone away while watching the boy next to him.

Lee Gilyoung sat in the backseat next to Kim Dokja, perfectly docile. His eyes watched the small raindrops accumulating on the window. Kim Dokja wasn’t sure how to feel about the boy’s reactions— he seemed so relaxed and at peace compared to what Kim Dokja expected.

“Gilyoung-ah,” he began with uncertainty, “are you… upset with me?”

Lee Gilyoung’s eyes twitched and a flash of pang appeared. “I’m not…. Are you upset with me?”

“Of course not,” he said in a rush. “But I just. Are you sure you’re okay with this? If you aren’t, I’ll have the driver take us to your aunt’s house instead. I never asked if this was what you wanted.”

Lee Gilyoung’s eyes sparkled with gold. He said resolutely, “I want to live with you, hyung. And you did ask if I was okay with this. Did you forget that you told me about it while on the kitchen floor?”

Ah. Now he felt embarrassed. Kim Dokja knew he was a little scattered brain but he truly messed up, didn’t he? He and Lee Gilyoung discussed it fully. And yet it still didn’t feel real.

Kim Dokja basically agreed to take a kid into his home. A kid that was an esper. A kid that he had no idea how to take care of.

“Gilyoung-ah, what do kids do for fun these days?”

Lee Gilyoung tilted his head. “Look for bugs,” he answered.

“Huh.” Kim Dokja fell back against the seat of the car. “Huh,” he repeated. “I used to do that as a kid too.” Because he had no friends so the worms and beetles in the dirt were his only company. “I guess times haven’t really changed, have they?”

Lee Gilyoung grinned at the statement. Kim Dokja felt like he had done something right.

The rest of the ride was smooth going. The morning traffic hadn’t quite kicked into gear yet so the taxi cab driver didn’t run into any long-term bumps or backlogged streets. Kim Dokja was thankful when he saw the Star Stream Association in his view. He would never admit that aloud.

They shuffled out of the cab. Kim Dokja thought about asking the cab to stick around but figured that it would be better to just pay and leave. He scanned his card into the small pinging machine before waving goodbye to the driver. It was a nice ride, after all.

Kim Dokja then turned around. Lee Gilyoung didn’t look phased at all by how daunting the building was. Kim Dokja thought that it would look worse in the light of day, but somehow it seemed eerie now that not many people were there.

He sucked in a breath and told himself to get over it. He was the adult in this situation.

Lee Gilyoung took Kim Dokja’s hand before they walked inside. There were a few workers milling about but they seemed busy. In fact, it was as if they were preparing for something. A bit peculiar, it was.

Kim Dokja led them to the elevator, pressed for the third floor, and repeated the room number 111 over and over in his head. Now that it was quiet and his heart wasn’t thudding against his rib cage loudly, Kim Dokja was able to hear the horrid elevator music. It was nice to know that no matter how much funding a place received, the elevator music never got better.

The elevator doors opened, so they stepped out. Kim Dokja noticed that the third floor was full of rows of hallways. It was likely an employee floor, then, instead of one for the public. He read the signs hanging on the ceiling to navigate through the maze of locked doors.

Room 111 was one of the only rooms with a light protruding from the door. Kim Dokja knocked on the door. He cringed at how loud the sound was compared to how quiet the floor area was before. When there was no movement, he became concerned that he interrupted the wrong office. Did he get the wrong number?

But then the door cracked open quickly. Uriel beamed at the two of them. “Come in, come in,” she said, waving them down. As they took their seats across her desk, she said, “It’s great to see you two again. It’s only been a few hours but I’ve missed your faces.”

“I don’t know how you can be so energetic,” he murmured, mostly to himself.

Uriel simply lifted up a tin can with angelic wings across it. “Pure shots of caffeine,” she announced to him.

Alright, then.

She took a small sip from the can before setting it back down. Uriel’s green gaze focused on her monitor before she said, “All the paperwork is filled in correctly. I’m surprised it was able to be done so quickly. Usually people have to be guided by me.”

“My friend helped me.”

Uriel nodded and hummed. “I bet they had to fill it out before, huh.”

“Well, yes. She did the same thing, but she was in her late teens at the time.”

Uriel’s gaze fell to Lee Gilyoung. “May I know the reason why you wish to be acknowledged as an adult in Korea? If it’s a family situation, the Star Stream Association has a very good track record of helping espers through tough times. Our therapists are world-renowned.”

“My aunt wants me to join a guild so that I’m worth something,” was all Lee Gilyoung said.

“Ah…” Uriel silently clicked something on her screen. She quickly changed the subject as she opened new tabs and information. “I see here that you have been contacted by a couple of guilds. They all seem interested in training you because of your ability to communicate with insects.”

Oh. No wonder Lee Gilyoung liked bugs. Kim Dokja was wondering why a sweet, friendly kid like him was doing playing with bugs. It made sense if his powers were associated with insects.

Uriel then said, “Your aunt was planning to sign you with the Heavenly Charm guild later this evening. Is this why you wanted to go through with this?”

Lee Gilyoung had no idea about it. Kim Dokja made sure of that.

The text he received from the boy’s aunt sent fury in him. She was going to sign Lee Gilyoung away to be trained to go into dungeons. Heavenly Charm was a smaller guild that was led by Min Jiwon. She wasn’t known for being the strongest esper but she collected strong espers around her. They were steadily rising as one of the top guilds in Korea due to how often they entered dungeons.

Lee Gilyoung didn’t react. He simply shrugged at Uriel’s question. Kim Dokja gnawed on the inside of his cheek. He hated this. Hated that Lee Gilyoung didn’t seem to care. Hated how shitty relatives were when they thought that the kid that was in their possession could be valuable.

“I see,” muttered Uriel. Her eyes darted back and forth between Kim Dokja and Lee Gilyoung. “I suppose I should ask where you’ll be staying, then.”

Lee Gilyoung answered plainly, “With hyung.”

Uriel bobbed her head up and down, like she knew exactly what it was. “And, er, who is that?”

Lee Gilyoung lifted his hand and pulled onto Kim Dokja’s suit. “Hyung,” he stated adamantly.

Uriel’s eyes widened before she nodded profusely. “Of course. I should have known. You did call him that during class.” She continued to look at them back and forth for a few more moments. She looked pleased but it just confused him.

Since it had turned slightly awkward, Kim Dokja asked, “Uriel-ssi, do you know why the workers in the lobby seemed so busy? Is something going on?”

Uriel happily went on with the change of subject. She replied in a hush, “You didn’t hear it from me, but Sky Breaker’s guild master is going to try out a sync rate with a new guide. It’s been years since he’s tried. We’ve been setting up the best facility for it that’s disconnected from the network because the last time Yoo Joonghyuk tried to sync with a guide, all the panels blew up.”

“Oh?” he said, trying to act oblivious to it.

Uriel nodded cheerfully. “I’m excited to see who he thinks is worth the time to try again.”

“Hah…”

She said, a bit louder now, “Of course, there’s also the scenario that we’re preparing for.”

“There’s going to be a scenario?” checked Kim Dokja.

That seemed like much bigger news than some guild master getting their sync rating checked. Yoo Sangah had mentioned a scenario to him but that was her own guess as to what the Yoo Joonghyuk rampage situation was originally.

“Mm-hmm. The dungeon opened 2 nights ago. We’re currently debating what team to send in. I think we’ll go with whoever volunteers themselves. Most guilds are afraid to enter because of what happened with the scenario last year.”

It was a clusterfuck, to be blunt. Only a quarter part of the original 130 people sent into the dungeon returned. Scenario dungeons were tricky in that way. No one knew what to expect. It usually ended in death. And, if the scenario wasn’t completely cleared, it would pop up again and again until it was finished.

“I see.”

Uriel tightened her lips into a line. She said after a moment, “You shouldn’t be worried, Dokja-ssi. Guides have never entered a scenario for that very reason.”

The death count was always skewed toward espers. Due to there being more espers than guides, espers were more expendable.

“Will you be one of the volunteers?”

“Me?” Uriel shook her head. “I’m not permitted to enter a dungeon without approval. None of us S-Class espers at the Association are.”

“... S-Class?” He tried to hide his shock.

Next to Kim Dokja, Lee Gilyoung smiled. “You’re not very knowledgeable about the Association, hyung.” He was kind-looking as he said it, but Kim Dokja felt as if he had been slapped.

Uriel tilted her head. “Yes. Did Sangah-ssi not tell you?” His face gave it away. “No wonder you weren’t completely daunted yesterday.” She giggled to herself for a moment. “Most guides hate being in my presence because of how much energy I spew out in order to interact with the world easier.”

“Oh. Is that how you can tell other people’s energy from far away?”

“Yes,” she confirmed. Uriel then told Lee Gilyoung, “If you ever want to learn how to extend your aura to be light and thin enough to not bother people but help you be alerted when others are nearby, I can teach you.”

“I’ve never heard of an aura being used that way,” said Lee Gilyoung. “I thought auras were to scare people away from you.”

“It can be used in that way but I’ve found a better use for it.” She winked at the boy. Then she turned more professional. “Since it’s clear that Lee Gilyoung wishes to turn in his MAD-01 forms, I hereby approve. I haven’t had to sign off on these for a few months. I’m sorry for how often it comes up.”

Lee Gilyoung shrugged. He asked with a slow drawl, “Does this mean I don’t have to attend school…?” He sounded curious about it but not hopeful.

“Well, I suppose that depends on what you want your future to look like.” Uriel then side-eyed Kim Dokja. “And what the person you live with wants for you.”

Kim Dokja instantly said, “Gilyoung-ah, you have to at least make it through middle school.”

His words held no true meaning. Lee Gilyoung was an adult in the eyes of the law. Kim Dokja couldn’t force him to attend even if he wanted to.

Lee Gilyoung didn’t appear put-out by that fact. He just smiled softly. Kim Dokja reached out his hand to pat the slightly curly brown locks. Lee Gilyoung dipped his head down and continued to smile. Kim Dokja found himself smiling awkwardly, still adjusting to how to show a kid affection.

Uriel squealed, causing them both to jolt. “Sorry,” she gasped out. “It’s too cute.”

“You’re weird,” accused Lee Gilyoung, plain and simple.

Kim Dokja hurriedly added, “It was great to see you, Uriel-ssi. I hope you don’t overwork yourself too much.”

Uriel stood up and walked them to the elevator. She was so kind and fierce. The S-Class esper waved them off as the elevator doors closed. Kim Dokja waved back while Lee Gilyoung stared blankly with the faintest smile across his face.

Once they exited the Association, Kim Dokja felt all of the tension leave his body. He sat down onto the edge of the sidewalk. After a second, Lee Gilyoung joined his side. Kim Dokja ruffled the kid’s hair again before pulling out his phone.

As he stared at the darkened screen, he asked, “Would you rather pick up your items from your aunt’s or go to school?”

Lee Gilyoung replied after a few seconds, “My school bag is there.”

“I could just buy you what you need.”

“Or we could pick it up.”

After a moment of hesitation, Kim Dokja decided, “I’ll be the one to enter the house. You stay in the cab.” Lee Gilyoung accepted the terms, so Kim Dokja called for a cab.

The aunt’s place was actually more lavish than he expected. Kim Dokja knocked on the door but it elicited no response. He frowned so he went around the back of the house to find that a window was open. Used to fitting into tight places, he instantly climbed inside. It was a bit strange how easily he accepted becoming a criminal.

Kim Dokja quickly searched for a kid’s bedroom. Instead, he found a few stacked boxes and an empty bedroom. He bit his lip in order to not scream. He collected the boxes and walked out the front door. No one was home. Kim Dokja knew that he was technically trespassing but without any video evidence, it didn’t actually happen, right?

He was about to enter the backseat of the cab when Lee Gilyoung rolled down the window. He asked, “Did you grab my grasshoppers?”

“Your what?”

“There should be a cage of grasshoppers.”

“Ah. Okay.”

Nervously, and a bit out of place, Kim Dokja returned to the house. He searched every room until he found a plastic bin with holes that held a few grasshoppers. He was amazed to see that they were even there. He hadn’t, well, he hadn’t thought that people actually kept insects around the house.

As they were driven back to his apartment, Kim Dokja realized that he was going to have insects in his house. Lee Gilyoung loved them, therefore they were going to be a fixture around the house. The cage of grasshoppers sat in his lap during the ride but it still didn’t feel real. Lee Gilyoung didn’t seem to mind that Kim Dokja wasn’t very talkative during the ride, to which he was thankful.

They dropped off the boxes and the grasshoppers before preparing for school. Lee Gilyoung sorted through his school bag before telling Kim Dokja, “I’m all good to go, hyung.”

Kim Dokja had his satchel on and his lanyard around his neck. His suit was good enough for a shorter workday.

“I’m also ready to go,” he replied. As he locked the door to his apartment, he asked, “What school do you go to?”

Lee Gilyoung gave him a funny look. “Constellation Elementary.” It was said with an obvious tone, as if Kim Dokja was supposed to know that.

“Huh. Where’s that at?”

“You’ve never been? Didn’t you go to Constellation Elementary, hyung?”

Kim Dokja felt very confused. He opened the door for Lee Gilyoung. As they stepped outside, he asked, “What do you mean?”

He took out his phone to look up the direction for the school once they were out of the apartment building. He hummed, pleased, to find that they could take the subway train and walk a block. He led Lee Gilyoung to the nearest train station. The esper followed him dutifully.

“Did you not attend awakened school?” asked Lee Gilyoung. His tone was bordering on curiosity but it almost sounded like he was disappointed as well.

“I’ve never heard of such a thing,” claimed Kim Dokja. He rolled his lips in thought. “Is that a thing that kids do now?”

“It’s for espers and guides that awaken when they’re young,” explained Lee Gilyoung. “I had to switch schools after I was registered as an esper. Constellation Elementary teaches us like my old school did, but every student and staff member is either an esper or guide.”

“Why do something like that?”

Kim Dokja was confused. When he registered as a guide, nothing changed except where he lived. He didn’t know why he would have needed to change schools and be amongst those like him. It sounded strange. What was the point?

“Because it keeps espers and guides in harmony.” Lee Gilyoung said the words as if he was told them.

That’s when Kim Dokja remembered his own experience with Han Sooyoung. They met in college, both of them the odd ones out due to being an esper and a guide. It was a strange time to attend classes.

Espers and guides didn’t have to go into the military, so Kim Dokja was one of the only men his age to show up. Over the years, Kim Dokja had become accustomed to Han Sooyoung’s energy. He found her pleasant to be around.

“Is it to make sync rates better?” he said aloud in wonder. Perhaps if the esper and guide shared a closer bond as they grew into their powers, then they would automatically meld together better.

“I have no idea.” Lee Gilyoung shrugged. “All I know is that there’s only one person there worth my time.”

“Oh? Are they strong or something?”

“She calls everyone ugly,” announced the boy, a grin on his face. “Even my bugs, but she doesn’t mean it. It’s just how she is. And she’s actually interested in what I have to say. I told her all about a praying mantis that I met and she listened all the way through my story before talking and telling her own.”

“I’m glad you have a friend.”

He was right, then, that Lee Gilyoung was a friendly kid. Kim Dokja was pleased to know that Lee Gilyoung had a different social life than him. It would be for the best. Learning how to socialize as a man in his late-twenties was a strange thing.

Lee Gilyoung’s nose wrinkled. “I never said we were friends.”

“... You’re not friends with the only person in class that you like?”

“It’s complicated, hyung. Everyone tries to be her friend so if I act too friendly, everyone gets weird.”

“Politics,” murmured Kim Dokja with distaste. The hierarchy of school was annoying.

“It’s just school, hyung,” criticized Lee Gilyoung. “It’s not a big deal.”

“It’s a very big deal. I was in school too. I know what sort of things go on.” Bullies. Punishments. Spilled lunch. Too-tight spaces. Students who laughed. Teachers who didn’t care. Relatives that never questioned his injuries.

“Well, maybe school is different when everyone’s awakened.” Lee Gilyoung stepped down the stairs into the station carefully. “What sort of school did you go to?”

Kim Dokja replied back in a mumble, “Whatever public school was closest to who I was staying with at the time.”

Lee Gilyoung mumbled something unrecognizable as he stepped off of the final tip of the stairs. Kim Dokja waited for him at the end before taking Lee Gilyoung’s hand. They waited for the next subway train patiently. The crowd was amassing so Kim Dokja knew that it was coming up any minute now.

“Hyung,” called out Lee Gilyoung. Kim Dokja turned to him. “Do you really think that the person I mentioned earlier is actually my friend?” His eyes were unreadable in the darkened station.

Kim Dokja answered easily, “You should ask her upfront about it. I’ve mentioned Sooyoung-ie to you before, yeah?” Lee Gilyoung silently nodded. “She was the one who wasn’t sure if we were friends. I was too shy and awkward to ever tell her that she was my best friend, so she got fed up and yelled about it dramatically during class. We were told to leave for disrupting the professor. So. It’s best to be upfront about it, Gilyoung-ah.”

“I shouldn’t wait to bring it up during class in order to not get detention.” Lee Gilyoung nodded along to his conclusion. “I’ll ask her before class, then.”

The train arrived. Kim Dokja kept a firm hand on Lee Gilyoung’s shoulder so that they didn’t get separated. They were able to sit down next to one another. The ride was fast. It brought back memories of when Lee Gilyoung first awakened. Kim Dokja shook his head at the thought. It had been months since then, after all.

They arrived at the correct station and got off. The hustle and bustle of the crowd was much more unnerving when he had to look after a child. He led Lee Gilyoung through the sharp shoulders and misplaced hands. Once they reached the streets, Kim Dokja smiled in relief.

He took out his phone again to check the directions and to text Yoo Sangah to head to work without him, as he wouldn’t be biking to work with her. When he looked up, Lee Gilyoung was already walking toward his school. Kim Dokja quickly jogged in order to catch up. Once he was there, Lee Gilyoung gripped his school bag tighter.

“What’s wrong, Gilyoung-ah?”

Lee Gilyoung shook his head. “Nothing. I… Thank you, hyung.” For everything.

Lee Gilyoung broke out into a grin after Kim Dokja ruffled his hair. Kim Dokja mirrored his expression with delight. All of this would be worth it if it meant that Lee Gilyoung continued to smile.

They arrived at a large gated perimeter a few minutes later. Kim Dokja gulped at the sight. It daunted him. He supposed it made sense, though. Espers and guides were treated as special people. If there was a school made for young awakened individuals, then they needed to take safety precautions.

Lee Gilyoung took out a badge from his bag. As he held it, he looked up to Kim Dokja. “I’m off,” he said.

Kim Dokja smiled softly. “Have a good day. I’ll pick you at…?”

“3:40 P.M.”

Kim Dokja bobbed his head along. “I’ll pick you up then. I hope you have a good day.”

Lee Gilyoung assured him, “I’ll be able to get through it. Don’t worry about me. Go to work.”

“I can worry about you all I want—” Kim Dokja paused as he watched Lee Gilyoung’s eyes pass over his shoulder and to the right. “Gilyoung-ah, what is it?”

“She’s here.”

Kim Dokja turned around to face what Lee Gilyoung was talking about.

He was met with a girl with her hair in pigtails. She held her school bag with both hands and had some of the roundest, bright eyes Kim Dokja had ever seen. Next to her was a dark figure wearing a bucket hat.

“Yoo Mia!” called out Lee Gilyoung. He waved as he stepped past Kim Dokja to meet up with his friend. Kim Dokja watched as the girl, Yoo Mia, did the same in order to meet in the middle. “Are we friends?” he then asked.

Yoo Mia didn’t even think it over. She hit Lee Gilyoung on the shoulder and declared, “Of course, we’re friends.”

Kim Dokja couldn’t help but grin widely at the sight. Lee Gilyoung and Yoo Mia walked step-in-step with each other as they walked toward him.

Lee Gilyoung then announced, “This is my hyung.”

Yoo Mia’s bright eyes analyzed him before she announced with a grin, “He’s an ugly ahjussi.” Kim Dokja, even though he was warned by Lee Gilyoung, twitched. Then, Yoo Mia continued, “But if you like him, I suppose I should get used to his face.”

“It’s great to meet you,” said Kim Dokja. Lee Gilyoung sent him an appreciative look.

Yoo Mia ignored him. She took out her school badge and walked up to the gates. Lee Gilyoung left with a nod of his head to follow her. Kim Dokja waved even when they both were allowed inside the gates. It was good to know that Lee Gilyoung had someone to rely on.

Then, he felt a hand on his shoulder. Kim Dokja tried to jerk away from the touch, only to remain in place. The hand was like a vice, holding him in place even when he squirmed away. With a curse on his tongue, Kim Dokja turned to the person who wasn’t letting go of him.

That’s when he saw the shadow of a bucket hat. Kim Dokja was confused for a moment before the man’s free hand lifted the hat off of his head. The morning sun shone just enough for Kim Dokja to be met with a frightening familiar sight.

The dark clothing made a lot more sense now. The bucket hat the man was wearing obscured his face but with the light blue hat out of the way, Kim Dokja could see the sharp features of an esper he was attracted to hated.

He had a sharp jawline and cheekbones, perfectly placed hair, a nice-forming shirt with a belt across his chest that Kim Dokja didn’t know why it was even there. He wore that long black coat just as he did last time they met.

Dammit. This was some protagonist shit. He was going to have to tell Han Sooyoung about this just so that she could cultivate the male lead for her next novel series. It was clear to him that the person before him was perfect to get inspiration from. Then again, he was a reader and not a writer. And a bit biased.

Chapter Text

Nothing else existed around them. All Kim Dokja could feel was warm energy engulfing the area. It didn’t make sense. There was no skin contact between them. He shouldn’t be so affected by being in the presence of the esper. And yet he was.

Suddenly, he wasn’t standing outside of a school or in the middle of the sidewalk as cars and buses went by loudly. All was silent as the sun radiated down onto them.

“Yoo Joonghyuk-ssi,” he uttered in a daze.

“Dokja-ya,” returned Yoo Joonghyuk, his grip still strong on Kim Dokja’s shoulder. “We’re meeting earlier than planned. Do you want to test our sync rate today rather than later in the week?”

“No, thank you,” he quickly replied, reality coming back to him.

Kim Dokja lifted his hand with confidence as he swiped at his left side. He pried at the esper’s fingers across his shoulder but it was to no avail.

“Joonghyuk-ssi, please let go.”

After a delayed reaction, Yoo Joonghyuk set down his arm painstakingly slowly. Kim Dokja jumped back in order to gain distance between them.

He hated how his hand trembled. He could still feel Yoo Joonghyuk’s energy even though he only touched the esper’s hand for a split moment. It was just as immersive and dark as it was the day the man rampaged, but it wasn’t as raw and terrifying as back then.

“I had no idea that you had a relative,” he decided to tell Yoo Joonghyuk. It was in hopes of getting his mind off of why his heart wouldn’t stop beating against his rib cage uncontrollably.

Then he asked in wonder, “Did you style her hair?”

Could Kim Dokja possibly learn some hair care tips from the man? He had no idea how to keep Lee Gilyoung primed. Perhaps he could learn some helpful hints from Yoo Joonghyuk.

The esper frowned as he stood there looking like the cover of a novel as the breeze rustled his hair. Kim Dokja really should stop reading Han Sooyoung’s novels. They were plaguing his mind.

Yoo Joonghyuk changed the subject easily when he said, “I had no idea that you had a ward. Is he an esper or guide?”

Kim Dokja weighed his options. It was best to be honest. Yoo Joonghyuk may have already known anyway. High-class espers had more abilities at their disposal. Just as Uriel could extend her energy, Yoo Joonghyuk could possibly be sensitive to fellow espers. Plus, there would be no point in lying. What would he gain from it?

“Esper.”

Yoo Joonghyuk’s eyes lit up with something dangerous. Kim Dokja felt the need to run away. He managed to scope out some escape routes but he knew it was futile. He wouldn’t be able to escape this situation unless the esper in front of him allowed it. Sometimes, he truly thought he was cursed.

Yoo Joonghyuk asked as if he was a concerned friend, “Will you be okay living with an esper? Guides are naturally sensitive to energy.”

Kim Dokja’s time spent as Han Sooyoung’s roommate was a dark few years but they made it work. Both suffering from college debt, they bunked together in the shitiest apartment imaginable in order to afford their payments on everything else. It was a group effort to keep one another alive in between part time jobs and starting a career as a novelist. By then, Han Sooyoung’s family stopped contacting her.

“I’ve lived with espers before. There’s nothing to worry about.” Kim Dokja straightened his suit jacket. “I need to be going, now.”

Yoo Joonghyuk’s eyes gleamed knowingly. “You’re late for work, aren’t you?”

Without even checking the time, Kim Dokja knew that the man’s words were true.

His brain paused to think for a moment. How did Yoo Joonghyuk know that? Did Jung Heewon or Lee Hyunsung tell him? Did Yoo Joonghyuk look up Mino Soft’s hours? Why? How come Yoo Joonghyuk knew so much about Kim Dokja?

“I’ve had a hectic morning,” he supplied easily, slightly sick to his stomach.

That was an understatement. He didn’t sleep at all as he filled out paperwork for the MAD-01 forms. Instead of showering, he had a slight breakdown on the kitchen floor that Lee Gilyoung walked in on. Then he had to go to the Association before breaking into a house to obtain a school bag and all of the kid’s belongings.

Now, Kim Dokja was on the last line of his morning checklist, yet Yoo Joonghyuk stood before him. Life was truly cruel to him.

“Would you like a ride?”

Kim Dokja stared in apprehension, gripping his satchel tight for something to focus on. “A ride?” With no weird strings attached? It sounded fake. “You’ll take me to work?”

“Kim Dokja,” responded an unimpressed Yoo Joonghyuk, “we’re already scheduled. Why would I mess with you any further? We’ll learn whether or not we’re compatible in just a couple of days.”

“The test results aren’t instantaneous,” argued Kim Dokja. It normally took 2-3 business days after going in for a test to be sent the results.

“They are when I ask for them.”

Kim Dokja did not have a response for that smarmy bastard’s confidence. He continued to look at Yoo Joonghyuk warily. Could it really be that easy? It would be helpful to not call a cab or take the train to work.

If Yoo Joonghyuk truly only wanted to give him a ride, then Kim Dokja shouldn’t say no… right? It could make the esper hold a grudge.

Kim Dokja didn’t want to give the esper a reason to be upset with him. He couldn’t afford an enemy with as much power such as the number one esper in Korea. Kim Dokja would have to go along with Yoo Joonghyuk’s whims. And it’s not like Yoo Joonghyuk would lull him into a false sense of security before enacting his murderous plan. Right? Right?

After picturing his death half a dozen times, he spoke with his head down, “I would appreciate getting a ride to work.”

Yoo Joonghyuk turned his heels around to go in a different direction. Kim Dokja followed. They didn’t walk far. Yoo Joonghyuk’s vehicle was parked on the curb. Yoo Joonghyuk unlocked the doors as they approached. Kim Dokja hesitantly opened the passenger’s door.

By the time he looked up after buckling his seat belt, Yoo Joonghyuk had started the car and was staring at him with dark eyes.

“Joonghyuk-ssi,” he began nervously, “I trust you know the way.” Since you know everything else.

“Joonghyuk-ah,” corrected the esper.

“... What?”

“You’re my guide,” was all Yoo Joonghyuk said.

The esper then turned the wheel of the vehicle and pulled out onto the street. He did it expertly, even though he didn’t look before doing so. Kim Dokja gritted his teeth. How was Yoo Joonghyuk doing an ordinary thing and making it look so sultry cool?

Kim Dokja considered jumping out of the moving car. The traffic was fairly bad with most people heading to work. They weren’t moving fast at all. He probably wouldn’t even break a bone. He messed with the handle of his satchel as he debated whether or not to open the door and hope for the best.

His hand drifted to the seatbelt where he would unlock it at a moment’s notice.

Oddly enough, the doors locked with an audible clunk.

Kim Dokja turned his head to the driver. Yoo Joonghyuk didn’t flinch. He didn’t react. He was the picture of innocence. Kim Dokja suddenly felt the need to use the bedazzled canister of pepper spray around his neck. It would be a great way to test if pepper spray worked on espers or not.

And then Yoo Joonghyuk said, “Check the glovebox.”

Kim Dokja floundered for a minute before leaning forward in order to open the glove compartment. There were papers stacked inside but there was also a matte black box. Kim Dokja lifted the box out of the glove compartment. It had a small ribbon on top. It was too cutesy for a man such as Yoo Joonghyuk to have without a reason.

“Is this a threat?” demanded Kim Dokja, his mind swirling with what could be inside. When Yoo Joonghyuk didn’t say anything, he asked, “What is this?”

“What is this…?”

Kim Dokja was confused for a bit until he saw the smirk across Yoo Joonghyuk’s face. He gritted his teeth, counted his sheep, and remembered that if anything went wrong, Yoo Sangah would avenge him. He had to remain calm in order to not throttle the person next to him.

Kim Dokja shook the box as he asked, “What is this, Joonghyuk-ah? Why are you showing me a mysterious box? Is it your way of saying that my fingers could end up in there or something? A hostage situation of some sorts?”

Kim Dokja could imagine it. One finger cut off for every insult. Or to show proof of life. Surely that wasn’t the case, though. His imagination was getting the better of him.

He needed to calm down. Yoo Joonghyuk wouldn’t do something so irrational. It was likely that Yoo Joonghyuk needed something from the box so he asked Kim Dokja to grab it since he was driving.

Yoo Joonghyuk looked away from the road in order to show off a dark look, as if Kim Dokja was being the annoying one. The esper’s gaze was nearly unreadable, or perhaps Kim Dokja didn’t want to admit that he knew what the expression on the esper’s face meant. He blocked it all out and instead thought about the feeling of the dark expanse of energy that radiated in the car even when they weren't touching.

Kim Dokja felt like he had just sentenced himself to death. Why did he agree to be driven to work? Kim Dokja should have walked or taken the train. But no, he had to be lazy and take the quickest option.

Kim Dokja considered breaking the window. That was a thing that could happen right? As he thought about the best way to shatter the glass, Kim Dokja spotted a metal tumbler in between the front seats in the cupholders. Perhaps the tumbler would be able to break the window.

That’s when he noticed that the tumbler had a straw attachment that was slightly opened. Did that mean that Yoo Joonghyuk drank from it earlier today but didn’t flip the lid all the way down?

Kim Dokja reached out his hand only to see a blurred movement. He was startled at Yoo Joonghyuk’s quick action. He thought he was caught for thinking of using the tumbler as a weapon. If the glass of the window didn’t shatter, then Kim Dokja could hit Yoo Joonghyuk across the temple and run away while the esper was in pain.

But Yoo Joonghyuk looked away so fast when Kim Dokja reached out. His neck spun around like a scene from a horror movie. Kim Dokja didn’t want to be a character in a horror film. He didn’t like that genre when he was included in it. He was frozen mid-air as his heart pounded in his ears.

Why did Yoo Joonghyuk stop looking at him all of a sudden? Kim Dokja mentally shook his head. Yoo Joonghyuk was driving, so he obviously had to pay attention to traffic and not the passenger.

That’s when Yoo Joonghyuk’s lips parted. Kim Dokja watched, mesmerized, as he saw a slight pink tint appear on the esper’s cheeks. Did Yoo Joonghyuk have the heat on? That would explain so much. Kim Dokja was feeling overheated because the car was puffing out hot air to keep them warm. It was normal. Kim Dokja wasn’t going crazy at all.

Kim Dokja couldn’t see Yoo Joonghyuk’s face as the esper said, “I was told by Jung Heewon that it is normal for espers to court their guides.”

“What?” His voice sounded hoarse, nearly destroyed.

It was due to the whiplash of Yoo Joonghyuk’s constant differing actions. One minute Yoo Joonghyuk was threatening to touch his skin, and the next there was a threat disguised as a gift, followed by a shy voice that blamed their actions on a different person.

That wasn’t a thing, right? Was this another esper/guide thing that Kim Dokja was in the dark about? The box in his lap was surely a bomb. Yoo Joonghyuk didn’t actually listen to Jung Heewon. She probably said that to rile the S-Class esper up as a joke. She was constantly trying to make those around her smile from her teasing remarks.

Kim Dokja quickly took out his phone and demanded Jung Heewon to answer for her crimes. If this was because of her, then he would make her pay. And by that, he meant covering his food tab at the barbeque place they went to every other weekend.

Kim Dokja: Did you tell Yoo Joonghyuk that he needed to court me?

After he sent the text, he was startled by a voice that made him jump in his seat. He slid his phone away instantly, as if he had been electrocuted.

“Aren’t you going to open it?”

He gulped anxiously as Yoo Joonghyuk’s fingers tapped the side of the steering wheel. With shaking hands, Kim Dokja approached the box seated in his lap. He undid the small ribbon before prying the lid off of the bottom. He slid off the lid to reveal white fabric.

As he lifted the contents up, he asked, “What is it?” Yoo Joonghyuk hummed noncommittally. “It looks like a long coat,” noted Kim Dokja as he messed with it.

It was very long and peculiar. The fabric felt incredibly sturdy compared to how thin it appeared to be. It left him confused. Why would he be gifted such a thing? Did Jung Heewon tell Yoo Joonghyuk to do it?

Was it meant for Kim Dokja to wear when he surrendered to Yoo Joonghyuk, like a white flag waving in the air? What was it for?

As Kim Dokja rubbed the white fabric between his fingers, he looked out the window to see that a familiar building was in sight. He exhaled in relief.

Yoo Joonghyuk pulled into the parking lot of Mino Soft, his eyes set dead ahead. He was practically radiating a smugly confident energy. Kim Dokja folded the coat back down and pressed it into its box. Kim Dokja then stuffed the box into his satchel. He would think about this never, he decided.

“Thank you for the ride, Joonghyuk-ah.”

Yoo Joonghyuk side-eyed him as he pulled up near the front entrance. After a beat, he said, “I’ll see you around 3:40 P.M.”

“O— Oh?” It took a second for Kim Dokja to recognize that time. “You pick your sister up from school?”

Yoo Joonghyuk unlocked the doors. Kim Dokja’s hand twitched to the handle of the car door. It was silent for a few tense moments. Neither moved for different reasons. It made him question if it was truly this easy to get a ride to work with no hidden motives whatsoever from Yoo Joonghyuk.

As the seconds ticked by, Kim Dokja wondered if he should have just left the vehicle when given the chance. He didn’t like the way that the esper’s dark eyes were observing him. Or, well, that was slightly a lie. He hated that when Yoo Joonghyuk looked at him, all he saw was a means to an end. Kim Dokja didn’t want to be someone that was treasured because there was no other way to get by without him.

The silence lingered, filling the stale air with soft inhales and exhales. Kim Dokja should have left. He stayed inside for a reason he didn’t want to admit understand. It would have been best for him to leave immediately and yet he didn’t.

Kim Dokja then heard a ping! He took out his phone quickly, wondering if it was work. If it was Yoon Sangho, then Kim Dokja would have a good reason for leaving because his job could have been on the line. He would force himself to leave from the awkward situation he created.

Jung Heewon: Did he actually get you something?
Jung Heewon: I’m taking your silence as a yes.
Jung Heewon: This could be good for you. When was the last time you went out on a date?

Kim Dokja clicked his phone off, anger and embarrassment bubbling inside his gut. He was too shocked to blush, though, so he was thankful for that. He could never let the man sitting next to him know what Jung Heewon texted him— to let Yoo Joonghyk know that he fell for a joke.

He quickly hid his phone away into his satchel before glancing up to make sure that the esper didn’t see the messages.

And yet when he looked up, Kim Dokja’s heart skipped a beat. Yoo Joonghyuk looked like he had stepped out of a novel. Every hair on his head was placed imperfectly and yet it was perfect. His clothing looked plain but his random add-ons accented things that Kim Dokja desperately tried to not pay attention to.

Kim Dokja had never expected to be met with a protagonist in real life. Yoo Sangah was the heroine— that was a known fact by everyone. She was the love interest: perfect in every way with a good heart and morality to be the cherry on top. She was the type of person that Yoo Joonghyuk — the protagonist, the male lead — would show interest in.

And yet those eyes were all on Kim Dokja.

It didn’t feel real. He was scared, he could admit. He didn’t know what to do with the attention. No one had paid him much mind as a child or teen. Han Sooyoung was his first true friend. Yoo Sangah came second.

He had co-workers, of course, but most people didn’t know him well just as he didn’t know them. Kim Dokja expected to be the person to watch the people around him grow and flourish into their own small worlds— he expected to read their stories from afar.

But if Yoo Joonghyuk kept looking at him like that, well, Kim Dokja was going to wonder if perhaps a story was being written with him as one of the main characters.

It didn’t make any sense to him. He needed to rationalize it. Yoo Joonghyuk was only interested in him because he was a guide. Kim Dokja needed to remember that once the sync rate failed, Yoo Joonghyuk would discard him and become interested in something else.

He also needed to point out everything bad about Yoo Joonghyuk.

The man didn’t have a great fashion sense, Kim Dokja told himself. He looked like an emo punk with how much he dressed in black. The random belts around his chest and legs didn’t make any sense even if they made Kim Dokja’s eyes linger on the muscles underneath. There was no point in wearing a light blue bucket hat to hide his features when everyone knew what Yoo Joonghyuk looked like due to his famous abilities.

It wasn’t working. Kim Dokja wanted to make everything he was starting to like about Yoo Joonghyuk bad — to poison the waters so that no feelings developed — but all Kim Dokja saw was a story being written down word after word. Kim Dokja had passed by and skipped many stories through the years and yet he wanted to see the story in front of him unfold.

Kim Dokja stared into the dark obsidian eyes. Yoo Joonghyuk didn’t flinch or move. They continued to look at one another in a stalemate. Kim Dokja didn’t know how to respond or flip to the next page. He was stuck reading the same paragraph over and over. There was no dialogue in sight.

A car horn filled his ears.

At the reminder that a world existed outside the two of them, Kim Dokja nervously undid his buckle. It was for the best, he told himself. He was still late for work. He should have taken it off in order to get his apartment prepared for a new resident.

When he looked back up, those same eyes were still here absorbing every minute muscle that Kim Dokja twitched. He lifted up his overpacked satchel and set it in his lap. He should leave and yet he stayed seated in the unlocked car.

He saw the way that Yoo Joonghyuk’s eyes followed his every move. It was hard not to notice. That’s not what bothered Kim Dokja, though. It was intoxicating to know that he had an esper wrapped around his finger— because of that, it was dangerous.

The line between hate and want began to blur the more Kim Dokja spent time with Yoo Joonghyuk.

Or maybe Jung Heewon’s ideas were infecting Kim Dokja’s mind. Yeah. That sounded more plausible. Maybe she was right, too. When was the last time he went on a date? He didn’t even know. What counted as a date anyway?

Kim Dokja cleared his throat to force himself to stop staring. He looked away but he could still feel Yoo Joonghyuk’s stare. He couldn’t believe that he was still here, in a car that was unlocked. He was going to be late to work for no reason other than the fact that his heart wouldn’t stop overreacting.

“Have a good day,” he told Yoo Joonghyuk, voice oddly strangled-sounding.

He was trying to be polite to the man that drove him to work, even if the whole time Kim Dokja was anxious that he was going to die for multiple reasons.

He propped open the car door but didn’t quite get out. After taking one last glance at Yoo Joonghyuk, he exhaled slowly. He then slid out of his seat and set his feet onto the pavement. It was good to touch solid ground again. K

im Dokja straightened out his shirt and prepared to walk inside of Mino Soft. He clutched his lanyard around his neck and slid it off so he could show his badge in order to enter the building.

Just when Kim Dokja was about to slam the door closed, Yoo Joonghyuk’s voice reached his ears. “I’ll see you soon, Dokja-ya.”

Completely frazzled, Kim Dokja slammed the door shut abruptly. He quickly turned to face the Mino Soft building.

His steps were fast and blurred as he walked inside. He hunched his shoulders to stop the heat he could feel across his cheeks, ears, and nape. It made no sense but hearing that bastard’s voice sound so sincere made something inside of Kim Dokja awaken.

He rushed to the elevator and pretended that he wasn’t a complete mess as he clocked into work. He would have to skip his lunch break to make up for time. Plus he was taking off early to pick up Lee Gilyoung. Then he would have to attend a guiding class with Yoo Sangah at the Association.

Kim Dokja rested his face in his hands before hearing the elevator doors open. He inhaled deeply before shaking out any memories that would occupy his mind too much. He needed to focus on his work so that he wouldn’t upset anyone in the office.

Yet once he reached his desk, all he could do was open his satchel and stare at the gift he was given. It didn’t make any damned sense.

He forcefully closed his satchel before tossing it onto the ground. He quickly retreated to the staff lounge. He poured cold coffee into his mug, microwaved it, then glugged down the mixture without a sweat. He left his cup in the sink before heading to his desk.

When he sat down, he pushed his satchel further under his desk with his foot, as if it would get rid of any emotions he felt toward its contents.

Kim Dokja quickly found that he had a lot of emails to catch-up on. He didn’t stop for a break the rest of the day. As soon as he looked away from the pixelated screen, he was reminded of what happened that morning. He cringed as he opened up the next project to work on. He wouldn’t allow himself to think of anything else aside from work.

The hours passed in a blur. He processed requests, sent out calendars, drafted numerous emails, asked for more guides to come in to attend general meeting requests due to Lee Hyunsung’s stamp of approval creating chaos, and decided that he would need to read up on a parenting site the next time he had time.

It was his alarm that startled him. He blinked wearily as he heard a strange noise repeat in his ears over and over. It was odd. The noise sent a rush of fear through his veins, as if it was informing him of something.

He didn’t understand what had happened until Manager Kim passed by and commented, “Didn’t you file for a short workday this morning?”

Kim Dokja’s eyes widened as he scooped up his satchel and quickly dismantled his workstation. He barely put his chair under his desk as he rushed through the office. He was such a bad person. As he stormed through the cubicle farm, he turned off his alarm. It was the alarm set to remind him to pick up Lee Gilyoung.

He left the building in a hurry, bypassing Han Myungoh who tried to ask him about Yoo Sangah. Kim Dokja dismissed the man, citing that he was busy. Han Myungoh’s papers tore apart in his hands as Kim Dokja rushed into the elevator without a care. Kim Dokja choked for a moment as if all the oxygen in the room had left but as soon as the elevator started to go down, he was fine.

In a panic, Kim Dokja boarded onto the subway train. He texted Yoo Sangah while he rode it. They would meet up at the Star Stream Association in a few hours. But that left a new hurdle: who would watch over Lee Gilyoung? Kim Dokja wasn’t going to leave the kid at home alone, so that meant he needed to get a sitter of some sort, didn’t he?

Kim Dokja realized that he had no one to turn to that would be available on a whim. He internally panicked as the subway stopped. He walked off of the train with a sense of dread. He was failing at being a good older role model. How could he fail so fast? It hadn’t even been 24 hours.

The school was abuzz with parents. Kim Dokja jogged up to the gates to find that children and teens of all ages exited the school. It made sense, now that he thought about it.

Constellation Elementary was just a single building behind the gates. There weren’t honestly that many people who awakened as a guide or esper when they were younger, so there wouldn’t be a need to have that many schools specially designed for them.

He was waiting for Lee Gilyoung to pass through when he felt a tap on his shoulder. Due to bad memories, Kim Dokja immediately jumped away before turning to see who it was.

He was shocked yet greatly relieved when he turned around to see Lee Jihye standing there with her school bag thrown over her shoulder.

“You look like a wet rat when you’re scared,” she commented with a grin to follow up. Lee Jihye tilted her head, her ponytail swishing. “What are you doing here?”

Kim Dokja floundered, so he gripped onto his safety net. As his satchel strap ate into his fingers, he replied, “I’m picking up someone.”

“Oh? Do you have a sibling as well?” Lee Jihye looked around the area for a moment as if she could spot someone he was related to. She gave up after a few moments. “How come I’ve never seen you here before? Are you that forgettable?”

Kim Dokja felt the need to pinch the bridge of his nose. Instead, as an adult, he replied swiftly, “I recently took in a kid.”

Her eyes widened, her irises bright like a sunny beach day. “Wow, ahjussi, I didn’t expect that from you. How long have you had them? Did you adopt or recently discover a fling from your past that resulted in something permanent?”

He hoped his blank stare conveyed what words could not.

Lee Jihye’s lips twitched into a smile. “I’m guessing it wasn’t a romantic tryst from your younger days, then.” She hummed out, clearly thinking of something as she rubbed her chin. “Did you know that master comes here too?”

Kim Dokja’s eyes twitched. “I know,” he confirmed begrudgingly. “We met this morning.”

She raised a brow. “Do you not like master? I thought you were going to be his personal guide or something? Did the deal not go through?”

Kim Dokja had to restrain himself from yelling or keeling over right then and there.

He asked in despair, “He told people that he wanted me as a guide?” He was completely horrified. This had to be a nightmare.

Her face did a funny thing. Lee Jihye’s cheek muscles twitched and her eyes narrowed in suspicion. She seemed befuddled with the person in front of her. Well, join the party. Kim Dokja didn’t know what was going on either. He woke up every day and somehow survived while also having some of the worst luck in the world.

“Master asked for our approval. Since I’m one of the only other S-Classes in Sky Breaker, I’m also one of the better-paid personnel. Master gathered his top members and asked if we would be okay with adding on a new well-paid person. Sky Breaker’s pretty cutthroat, you know. We get thousands of applicants a year and maybe 3% of them ever get hired. Because of that, we don’t enter dungeons weekly so it’s possible that if we add on a new high-paid asset, that other parts of the guild will receive a pay cut.”

He didn’t know that. His job was never to learn about those types of statistics. He was too busy figuring out the best way to copy his co-worker’s signatures without them knowing so he could finish paperwork faster without their approval. And why did Yoo Joonghyuk offer him the chance to be his personal guide when it would cause his guild to suffer?

Lee Jihye said after a moment, “You’re not well-versed on things relating to the guide/esper world, are you?” She sounded amused. “I suppose that a guide like you doesn’t have to worry about finding a job, after all.”

Huh? What did that mean? Was that an insult or a compliment? Did it have a hidden meaning? What was he missing?

Kim Dokja asked, “A guide like me?”

The S-Class esper drawled out easily, “I’m just saying that it’s easy for you to get by without understanding the hardship of the awakened world because your guiding ability is so massive.” Lee Jihye rolled her eyes, as if annoyed or maybe jealous. “How did you get so good anyway? Were you born with it or did you have to train hard?”

“I don’t… What are you talking about?”

Lee Jihye huffed as she knocked shoulders with him. “I think it’s a good thing, is all. I mean, I wouldn’t want to be a guide, but if you can help master then I’m all for it. Mostly. You’ve basically proven yourself to me already so I don’t wish you were dead or anything, but I’m a little upset that you’ll only guide master. From what unnie and oppa say, you’re pretty good at guiding. I kind of wanted to see what that was like myself.”

So much was going on. Kim Dokja needed her to slow down. He arranged his thoughts slowly. She couldn’t be saying what he thought she was saying. Lee Jihye was a prodigy in her field and constantly looked at under the public eye with scrutiny because of how dangerous her powers could be. Having control of the sea — water, really — made people wary of what would happen if she ever rampaged.

He said bluntly, “I didn’t agree to the offer with Joonghyuk-ie.”

Lee Jihye blinked. Repeatedly. Her mouth was agape in silent shock. “Did you just— did you just call master that?”

She was ignored due to a new presence.

Kim Dokja sighed dramatically as he was presented with his sleep-paralysis demon. Yoo Joonghyuk left the bucket hat at home in exchange for a cap that was the very copy of the one that Lee Jihye was wearing. They looked like siblings as they stood next to one another.

Could that one conspiracy thread be true? Han Sooyoung had once mentioned that people thought that someone had taken Yoo Joonghyuk’s DNA and created the next S-Class to replace him if he was ever injured. Lee Jihye had black hair, tall genes, and was an incredibly powerful esper. Han Sooyoung had cackled in delight at the time but what if it wasn’t a joke? Were other esper’s being cloned or experimented on?

Kim Dokja was drawn from his thoughts when Lee Jihye yelped, “Master, you told everybody that this ahjussi was going to be your guide. Why is he saying otherwise?”

Yoo Joonghyuk merely replied, “Kim Dokja will be my guide.”

It was as simple as that, apparently. Kim Dokja wanted to die as Lee Jihye silently yelled and Yoo Joonghyuk stared at him with something akin to concern in his gaze.

“When’s the last time you slept?” demanded Yoo Joonghyuk.

Kim Dokja did not expect that question. He shrugged. “It’s been a while.”

“Your eyebags have doubled in size.”

“Is that why you were staring at me this morning?” he accused, the dots finally connecting in his head. “Fucking bastard. You just stressed me out for no other reason than judging me for the sleep schedule I keep. As if you’re any better, dressing up as an edgy punk wannabe. At least commit to the bit.”

There was silence as the breeze rustled his hair.

Kim Dokja felt better now that his emotions were plain and simple to see. How did one person manage to frustrate him so much? Yoo Joonghyuk was surely a demon sent from hell to torment Kim Dokja and Kim Dokja only. The world was unfair. No justice existed.

Okay. That was dramatic. Reflecting back on it, Kim Dokja could admit that the world wasn’t completely unfair. The world simply hated him as a person, so he never got to be normal. Though, he wouldn’t be able to handle a normal life. He would probably be friendless if he wasn’t surrounded by people who didn’t go along with the rules.

In a slightly hysteric tone, Lee Jihye uttered, “Edgy. Punk. Wannabe.” She repeated the words to herself multiple times before announcing, “I’m going to use that on—”

“Why haven’t you been sleeping well?” asked Yoo Joonghyuk, his tone hard.

Kim Dokja glanced at him in confusion. “Why do you care? You don’t know everything about me, you know. Just because you creepily know my work schedule—”

“Hyung!”

“Oppa!”

Two different voices called out for two different men. They both turned to be greeted with the children they were waiting for. Lee Jihye remained silent, her eyes scanning the area as she wondered if popcorn was available. Kim Dokja ignored her in favor of bending down.

Yoo Mia and Lee Gilyoung exited the gates with wide grins. Yoo Mia’s hair had changed from pigtails to messy braids. Lee Gilyoung walked next to her while holding something in his hands. Kim Dokja saw the blob in Lee Gilyoung’s palms move. He instantly knew what it was.

“Oppa,” said Yoo Mia, addressing Yoo Joonghyuk, “we found a rhinoceros beetle!”

Lee Gilyoung lifted up his hands to reveal the large beetle with a horn. Kim Dokja scratched his arm at the idea of insects being near him. However, he didn’t say a single bad thing. Lee Gilyoung’s smile was so bright and innocent as he presented his new friend.

“I’m going to start a network of them,” announced Lee Gilyoung, his eyes slightly glowing. “Then I can have them tell me whenever a teacher is near the classroom.”

“What will you do with that information?” he asked skeptically. Kim Dokja watched in amusement as Lee Gilyoung paused in thought, only to shrug innocently. Yep. Definitely a future troublemaker for teachers. “Just be careful. I think your affinity for insects is well-known.”

Yoo Mia hastily agreed, “You can’t get caught using your powers on school grounds. The last person who did that ended up in detention.”

Kim Dokja noticed from the corner of his eye that Yoo Joonghyuk frowned at the remark.

Yoo Joonghyuk said calmly, “Mia-ya, you got detention because you smuggled in a portable freezer so that you could give out popsicles to your class.”

Yoo Mia crossed her arms while Kim Dokja wondered how a girl her size could get a portable cooler through the gate. The security looked strict and didn’t allow guardians to enter the grounds unless an appointment was pre-set.

His question was answered when Yoo Mia reached into her mouth and took out her school bag. Kim Dokja was slightly horrified as she then threw her bag at Yoo Joonghyuk, who caught it easily. Lee Gilyoung rolled his eyes at the siblings’ antics before going over to the bushes and setting down the beetle he showed off.

“Let’s get going, oppa. We have an art project to do and I need new markers.” Yoo Mia began to walk off.

Yoo Joonghyuk’s face appeared to be almost constipated before he followed her. It was a strange sight to see but still nice, in a family bonding sort of way. Domestic in a strange way that made Kim Dokja’s chest warm.

Kim Dokja was drawn from his thoughts when Lee Gilyoung asked, “Why is the Maritime Admiral here?” He looked at Lee Jihye with slight apprehension. He almost seemed to be judging her.

Lee Jihye responded, “I didn’t know that bug boy had other relatives.” She sent a small glare to Kim Dokja. “Are you watching him for a few days for his aunt? Are you cousins or—”

“Hyung took me in!” announced Lee Gilyoung. It caused Lee Jihye to pause. “He’s great. Don’t compare him to anyone else.”

“I saw you yesterday at the Association. Your aunt was with you then. Did she ditch you?” asked Lee Jihye.

Kim Dokja was going to explain their relationship but Lee Gilyoung declared, “I ditched my aunt. I’m with hyung since he’s good.” Then he beamed widely. “We’ll be going now.”

The boy then took Kim Dokja’s hand and started to lead them away. Kim Dokja was very confused as he followed along. He looked back to see Lee Jihye covering a laugh with her hand.

“Gilyoung-ah, that wasn’t very polite. She was trying to make sure that you were safe. I would be suspicious and concerned too if a strange man started to show up out of nowhere,” said Kim Dokja.

Lee Gilyoung continued to walk to the station. He didn’t seem affected by the events. Kim Dokja shook his head as they crossed the street with a small group of others. It felt strange to walk amongst teenagers getting off from school. He was thankful that Lee Gilyoung didn’t have the sort of school life that he had when he was growing up.

Chapter Text

Once they were riding the subway train, Kim Dokja took out his phone. He texted with Han Sooyoung to find out that she was half-dead from staying up helping him sort the paperwork so she had just woken up.

Then he texted Jung Heewon to learn that she was actually thinking of stopping by the Star Stream Association to train since she had free time. Since he would need to head there for class anyway, he wondered if she would be up to watching over Lee Gilyoung for a couple of hours.

Kim Dokja called her instantly. He didn’t want to hire a random person to watch Lee Gilyoung for a few hours so Jung Heewon was the perfect choice. She was responsible, kind, and willing to kill if a person deserved it.

[Hello?]

“Heewon-ssi?” checked Kim Dokja. “Are you actually free this afternoon?”

[Yes..? Is something wrong?] Her tone turned deadly when she asked, [Did that Sky Breaker guy finally cause you to snap? I can get rid of him if I have enough time to hone my flames. Not even teeth would remain in his ashes.]

Kim Dokja chuckled awkwardly. It was touching how sincere Jung Heewon was. He asked her, “I have a non-fatal favor to ask of you. I need help looking after a kid.”

[Dokja-ssi, did you have a child without telling me? I’m heartbroken. I know you have a hidden, mysterious past but I thought it would be more along the lines of a closed-off life, not one full of adventures in parenthood.]

He sighed, the stress causing his migraine to gain confidence and pound against his skull. “Heewon-ssi, the child is not mine biologically. Please don’t get any funny ideas in your head. Half of Mino Soft thinks that I am a drunkard because of the team outing that occurred at the bar you worked at.”

[You’re the one who didn’t want them to know that we knew one another because you guided me down from a rampage,] argued Jung Heewon. [I came up with a great cover story on the fly.]

“You said that I had been a regular customer ever since my long-lost true love left me for a taller man. Do you know how many of my co-workers asked me if I wanted to try on their heels? I now know how to walk in stilettos because you made everyone think that I had issues with my height.”

[I didn’t make you wear heels. You did that of your own volition. I saw the video clips. It was a Monday morning, Dokja-ssi, when you tried on Sangah-ssi’s shoes and walked around in them like a newborn deer.]

“I nearly broke my ankle in half!”

[Dokja-ssi, I also know of the photos. I know that you wore more than just stilettos.]

Kim Dokja froze. He pleaded, “Let’s not talk about that anymore. Are you capable of looking after a 10-year-old for a few hours while I go to class?”

[Class? Did you go back to school? I always thought about it but ever since I awakened it seemed like a waste. Maybe if I signed with a guild that paid for education I’d do it but, well, nah. I like not having to think about equations and memorizing vocab for exams.]

“Heewon-ssi, I’m getting my license.”

[No shit?] She exhaled shakily. [Well, damn. No wonder you sound exhausted. I heard those first few classes are brutal with all of the information they throw at you. The esper classes were a lot easier in my opinion. I liked learning how to control my power. Though, I know others struggled with it.]

That sounded very daunting. Would he be allowed to take notes? Kim Dokja gulped without meaning to. When in doubt, change the subject. “So can you look after him?”

[Alright, alright. I can meet you at the Association. I’ll look after the kid while your life force gets drained. But know that we’re even now.]

“We’re never going to be even,” he swore to her. “You made Joonghyuk-ie think that courting was normal. He locked me inside of his car, Heewon-ssi. I thought he was going to kill me. I had no worthwhile escape plan. I could have died and it would have been your fault for tricking that poor bastard.”

Jung Heewon’s laugh was warm and boisterous over the phone. [C’mon, you can admit that it’s funny. And that it’s not that far off from what happens. I know of a lot of espers that treat their guides nicely, even if they’re not in an official relationship. A gift every once in a while is normal. It’s like showing that they care in a way that’s not just the guiding fee.]

“I’ve never heard of such a thing.” Kim Dokja rubbed his temple, receiving a strange look from a man across the train cabin. “What do you get your guide?”

[We go out to eat every so often. I make sure that they eat well since I’m always worried they’re going to die of stress like a hamster.]

“Huh. That’s pretty sweet of you.” He was a tinge jealous, to be honest. Jung Heewon was a great person, her friendliness even convincing him that maybe being a guide wasn’t all bad. Then he tilted his head in thought. “I still don’t get why Joonghyuk-ie gave me a coat. Did you recommend it?”

[Stop worrying about things so much, Dokja-ssi. If I would have told that man what to get you, I would have recommended a subscription to an online book service. You spend all of your free time reading.]

“That’s… sweet. You’re actually pretty caring.”

[Oi, why do you sound so shocked?]

“No reason.” Kim Dokja felt the subway train slow down bit by bit as they arrived at the next station. “Just… It’s nice to know that you care, I guess.”

[You should stop saying those types of things to me or else I’m going to think you’ve never received affection before.] She sounded upset for a reason he didn’t know. [Are you okay, Dokja-ssi? Are you sure you need to attend your class?]

“I’m going with Sangah-ssi,” replied Kim Dokja. “We’ll have each other’s back. Don’t worry about it too much. I don’t think anything exciting will happen aside from boring lectures.” The train came to a complete stop. Kim Dokja stood up, keeping Lee Gilyoung close to his side. “I’ll see you soon. We’re getting off at the stop.”

Kim Dokja slipped his phone into his pocket. Lee Gilyoung followed suit. They stepped off of the train and walked through the station. It wasn’t too far of a walk and Kim Dokja smiled in elated thanks when Jung Heewon texted him with an update that she had left her house and was heading over.

The Star Stream Association was still daunting but now Kim Dokja knew where to go. The elevator was where the magic happened.

They made their way into the building. It was just as busy as normal, from what he could tell. It was horrible but he had Lee Gilyoung to ground him and keep him focused.

Kim Dokja was going to wait around in the lobby until Jung Heewon showed up. Once she took Lee Gilyoung, he would attend his class with Yoo Sangah. They already confirmed that they would be learning about the bond between guide and esper by doing a case study. It sounded interesting, as well. Kim Dokja thought it was a bit strange that only guides could attend the class, though.

Of course, that was his plan up until he saw Lee Seolhwa in the building. He frowned as she walked steadily through the crowd with a pen tapping against the clipboard in her hand. The white-haired woman marched through until she went to the elevator where Uriel was waiting. Did they know one another? Apparently so, because they appeared to be having a conversation.

Kim Dokja kept Lee Gilyoung’s hands in his as they made their way through the busy lobby. Lee Gilyoung seemed like an expert as he dived past people. Kim Dokja felt like a failure of an adult as he struggled to not flinch when an esper accidentally brushed their hand against his.

They arrived at the elevator. Immediately, Lee Seolhwa greeted, “Dokja-ssi, good afternoon.” She nodded toward Lee Gilyoung before turning her gaze back up to him. “I have to admit, though, that I’m surprised.”

There were so many things to be surprised about. Kim Dokja wasn’t sure what Lee Seolhwa was referring to. He only became more confused once Uriel nodded her head alongside Lee Seolhwa. He was missing something for sure.

Uriel said, “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me, Dokja-ssi.” She didn’t seem upset. No, she sounded excited. “I’m very honored to help you and Yoo Joonghyuk test your sync rate together.”

“What?” he asked, not able to hide his yelp of fear. “That’s not scheduled until—”

“The appointment was moved this morning,” said Lee Seolhwa slowly. She seemed slightly lost as well. “When I saw the calendar invite, I assumed you were the one who requested my presence just as we talked about.”

Uriel made a small eep-like noise. “Actually, Seolhwa-ssi, that was me. I was told that the last time Yoo Joonghyuk did a sync rate, the guide ended up injured so I wanted you here in case there were any medical issues.”

“That still leaves the question of why you’re here, though,” said Lee Seolhwa, looking at Kim Dokja.

After a moment, Kim Dokja admitted sheepishly, “I’m here to take classes for my license. Sangah-ssi convinced me that it would be for the best, and ever since, I keep finding new reasons to go through with it.”

Lee Seolhwa’s eyes flickered as she replied, “So Joonghyuk-ssi knew about your classes and he planned around it so that we would all end up here.”

Kim Dokja washed away any happy, kind, or nice thoughts he had about Yoo Jooonghyuk. He was going to make that fucker pay for manipulating the events like this. He should have known that Yoo Joonghyuk was lying earlier that morning when he said he was fine with their scheduled appointment time.

But then Uriel said, “I’m afraid that Yoo Joonghyuk didn’t set this up. I also called him in early for testing.”

Both Kim Dokja and Lee Seolhwa turned to the Star Stream Association employee in slight disbelief. Kim Dokja felt a flood of relief while Lee Seolhwa seemed to know that something else was at play, as her eyes narrowed.

“It’s for a few different reasons, I assure you,” explained Uriel, her hands waving in the air. “One, we worked to make sure that the machine was prepared and we finished it earlier than planned. Two, our normal sync rate operator will be out of the country starting tomorrow, so the appointment needed to be bumped up. And third, well, Sky Breaker guild has volunteered to enter the scenario dungeon so we need to know if he has a reliable guide.”

“He’s entering the scenario?” questioned Lee Seolhwa with concern in her tone. “Did the Association approve of that? If Joonghyuk-ssi dies, Korea’s power structure will be disrupted.”

Uriel shot a look at the doctor. “The Association already prepared for Yoo Joonghyuk’s death due to his inevitable rampage. They figure that it won’t matter if he dies or not in the dungeon. Either way, we know what story to spin.”

“Ah…” Lee Seolhwa looked down.

Kim Dokja licked his lips nervously as Lee Gilyoung continued to hold his hand. He asked them, “Can we put the appointment on hold until Heewon-ssi gets here? She’s going to look after Gilyoung-ie.”

Uriel quickly assured, “There’s no rush quite yet since Yoo Joonghyuk has yet to arrive. However, let’s leave this busy lobby and rest somewhere more private. We still have a few things to discuss about the sync rate.”

They boarded onto the elevator. Except it wasn’t the one they were standing next to.

When Kim Dokja gestured to the elevator that he had used to guide himself through the building, Uriel wrinkled her nose. Lee Seolhwa then explained that the sync rate rooms weren’t on the upper floors. That was strange because Kim Dokja had taken a few sync rate tests, one of them being with Lee Hyunsung, and he was sure that he had to ride an elevator in order to reach the room.

He followed Uriel and Lee Seolhwa through the outer walls of the lobby with Lee Gilyoung at his side.

Kim Dokja remembered that Uriel mentioned that other employees needed to set up a different machine for Yoo Joonghyuk. That was probably why they weren’t going to the normal sync rating rooms. Was that conversation really from that morning? It seemed like it happened ages ago.

They left the main lobby by entering a staff-only access point. Uriel flashed a badge against a security box, causing a previously undisclosed door to open up. Lee Seolhwa walked through like it was normal, so Kim Dokja surmised that he hadn’t been the best at remembering his trips to the Star Stream Association through the years. He gripped Lee Gilyoung’s hand tightly as they entered the darkened hallway.

The door clicked shut behind them as they walked further inside. It reminded him of Sky Breaker’s underground levels. The lights were dulled and the hallway was long and winding that only opened up to reveal more hallways or closed doors. At least this time, he didn’t think that he was going to die.

Uriel turned into a pair of large white doors. She cracked the door by pushing it, then kept it open for the rest of them to step inside. Kim Dokja entered the room warily. He found that it was quite quaint compared to what he expected. It looked different from the whirling mechanics that more sync rating rooms were.

A large machine stood in the middle of the room, freestanding. Or it could have been connected to things underneath. That was more plausible, rationalized Kim Dokja. The rest of the room looked like the waiting part of a doctor’s office with mismatched couches, chairs, and a bubbling aquatic scene.

Kim Dokja found his feet taking him straight to a couch while Lee Gilyoung inspected the fishless aquarium. Kim Dokja noticed that there were some moving plants and bubbling filters, so it was fun to look at if nothing else.

Uriel and Lee Seolhwa took seats in different chairs. Lee Seolhwa laid her clipboard in her lap and read off of the pages while her pen moved around to keep her place. Meanwhile, Uriel was staring at Kim Dokja expectantly.

“Yes?” he asked hesitantly.

“I’m going to start with the basics,” announced Uriel, her voice soothing. “Sync rates are important to long-standing bonds between espers and guides. Each person’s energy is different, but some of it overlaps and conjoins into a higher state of guiding if applied correctly. Basically, the Association was able to develop a machine that can read the compatibility between a guide and an esper.”

Kim Dokja hummed noncommittally. It was basic information for him. Would this count towards his classes needed to obtain a guiding license?

Uriel continued, “Guides can usually guide any esper they want. The trouble is that if an esper/guide pair’s sync rate is low, then the efficiency of guiding goes down. It can cause health concerns in the long run if the process is repeated over and over again. Most of the time, it never even gets that far. There’s companies and guilds, such as the place you work at, that switch up who guides enough that no esper is repeatedly guided by the same person so many times that it creates a negative effect.”

Lee Seolhwa looked up from her clipboard. She asked, “Dokja-ssi, do you recall what your highest sync rate is, and with who?”

Uriel grimaced. “Sorry, Seolhwa-ssi. I would have that information prepared if the appointment didn’t get bumped up.”

Lee Seolhwa waved Uriel’s apologies off, simply showing an understanding smile. They must have worked together before in order to show such camaraderie. It made Kim Dokja smile slightly. Lee Seolhwa and Uriel were both incredibly hard workers. It was good that they were friendly toward one another, or perhaps even acquaintances.

The women both turned to Kim Dokja expecting a reply. He rubbed the sleepiness from his eyes before landing his gaze on Lee Gilyoung. The young esper was still at the water tank. Kim Dokja wondered if Lee Gilyoung was actually interested in such a thing, or if he wanted to give Kim Dokja privacy.

Kim Dokja shook his head in an attempt to wake up. His eyes landed on the women across from him. He noticed that Lee Seolhwa’s lips were slightly askew, as if she was frowning in concern. Uriel also didn’t look too happy. Her green gaze was flickering from worry and fear over and over again.

Kim Dokja managed to reply, “Uh. I think my highest sync rate was with my father.” He held his head in an attempt to get rid of the ringing in his ears. “I think I’m 40 to 45% compatible with Heewon-ssi. Hyunsung-ssi and I are 55%. Uh…” He sloped against the couch, letting the cushions suck him in whole. “About 10% compatible with Han Myungoh-ssi and Min Jiwon. My regular private meeting clients are all about 30 to 40%. Other than that, there’s a few others all under 35% that work at Mino Soft.”

“The list you gave me of espers to contact consisted of many of the people you listed, though I do have one question,” said the anxious voice of Uriel. “Uhm, Dokja-ssi, what was the sync rate with your father? Many family members share a high sync rate so it would be an outlier based on that, but it’s still something that would be helpful.”

Kim Dokja wanted to punch his past self from a few seconds ago in the face. Why did he mention his father? He never talked about his parents, or his family in general. He didn’t even like mentioning his past. It was one of the known facts about him.

Uriel then yelped out, “Or not! You don’t have to answer it. I’ll get the records myself later…”

Kim Dokja was thankful that his face gave away how he felt. A relieved smile formed across his face. Uriel instantly turned away with her hands covering her nose, Lee Seolhwa returned a smile of her own, and Lee Gilyoung got bored of the water tank so he wandered over to sit next to Kim Dokja.

“Hyung,” greeted Lee Gilyoung.

“Gilyoung-ah,” he greeted back wearily as the boy sat down.

Kim Dokja instantly wrapped his hand around Lee Gilyoung, pulling him closer. He was failing at this whole adult-supervision thing but he liked the idea of having company again. When he and Han Sooyoung first stopped living together, they would call one another constantly just to get rid of the aches of loneliness. Taking care of a kid would be a lot but he was going to strive to do his best.

“How about I explain the sync rating machine?” said Uriel. Without waiting a beat to receive a nod, she continued, “It was created by the Association. It took years to perfect and it requires vigilant tweaking and calibration to ensure that it gives off the correct readings. However, it is very adept at handling all amounts of energy and determining how that energy reacts. No one is ever a 100% pairing, and most don’t get over 20%.”

“It doesn’t take much energy, either, right?” confirmed Kim Dokja. Uriel gave a small nod, her eyes still latched onto him in concern. “May I ask who the operator will be? I think the last sync rate I did was with Raphael-nim.”

Uriel nodded quickly. She had a small smile on her face as she answered, “Metatron is who will be conducting the test today. Have you had an appointment with him before? He’s the one who performs most of the tests with high-class espers and guides, and is the only one permitted to test the rates for S-Class espers.”

“I don’t believe I’ve had contact with such a high member of the Association.”

Uriel nodded sagely. “You’re lucky. He’s… he’s always trying to make me not spend so much time in my office.”

“Isn’t that a good thing?”

Uriel shook her head. “Not when there’s so much work to be done! I rather have late nights than work over the weekend, Dokja-ssi.”

“Work-life balance is hard,” murmured Lee Seolhwa, her eyebrows pinched together.

“Right?” Uriel nodded vigorously. Kim Dokja got nauseous just looking at her. “I try to do good about it, I truly do, but there’s so much to be done.”

The two women seemed to understand one another. Kim Dokja found himself wondering just how much Uriel did for the Star Stream Association. He knew that Lee Seolhwa was an incredibly disciplined and famed medical expert that specialized in esper-guide relations. He wasn’t sure what all Uriel did, other than everything. He couldn’t imagine choosing to be such a hard worker.

Both of them had likely made enough money to get by without worry due to their positions. Why continue on? Kim Dokja paused in thought, concealing a yawn. Was he too money hungry or were the others in the room just outliers?

Of course, that’s when there was a small whoosh of a door opening. Kim Dokja looked over Lee Gilyoung’s head in order to see a familiar man with a broody look. His arms were even crossed like a petulant child. Kim Dokja wanted to laugh at the expression but he felt the same. He hadn’t slept in a very long time and he still had to go to class once this was over.

Yoo Joonghyuk walked in — correction, he stomped into — the room, each step loud like a clap of thunder. His dark attire was the same as it was just a while ago when they met at the school, but he had nothing concealing his head or face. Kim Dokja was temporarily upset. Yoo Joonghyuk was a lot easier to hate when he didn’t have to look into those obsidian eyes.

Yoo Joonghyuk’s steps faltered once he spotted Kim Dokja and Lee Gilyoung on the couch. He blinked repeatedly before forcing his body to look at Uriel and Lee Seolhwa.

Kim Dokja detested that man for his actions. Was Kim Dokja really that horrid to look at? He knew he wasn't a looker, but really? A full-on convulse of Yoo Joonghyuk’s entire being was how he managed to not say a word? Jesus christ, that man had no manners.

The guild master demanded, “Why was I called here? I was cooking dinner for my sister. This could have been postponed.”

Uriel stood up. She seemed to thrum with energy even when Yoo Joonghyuk appeared murderous. Kim Dokja wished that he didn’t feel so nervous around the man. Maybe he needed to ask Uriel for advice on how to stand up to Yoo Joonghyuk.

She carefully explained, unable to hide her excitement, “It’s the only time we could do this before there were any schedule conflicts. Metatron is leaving the country tomorrow, and then you’ll be entering a scenario dungeon. If you can be guided, then you’ll need the power boost.”

Yoo Joonghyuk’s eyes receded from a glower into a glare. Kim Dokja felt a smile slowly cross his face. He was pleased that he wasn’t the only one who was constantly looked at like that by Yoo Joonghyuk. It must be his quirk, or perhaps he had worse social skills than Kim Dokja, which was quite a feat.

“Uriel,” replied Yoo Joonghyuk shortly, “tell me that you didn’t do this early so that you could see this yourself.”

“I didn’t!” Uriel seemed heartbroken at the thought. She assured him by simply gesturing to Kim Dokja. She asked Yoo Joonghyuk, “Do you think I would force that pathetic, drowned cat-looking, exhausted, new parent, anxious, paranoid man to come here just for my own amusement!? Dokja-ssi clearly needs to rest. If I knew he was your guide, I would have scheduled it for early tomorrow morning so that Dokja-ssi could get some sleep.”

Awe. That was kind of sweet. Kim Dokja hummed as he watched Uriel and Yoo Joonghyuk stare at one another. He didn’t know what part of the words that Uriel said meant, but he could tell that her heart was in it.

He appreciated the sentiment. They had only just met but he was already finding her to be a good acquaintance.

Yoo Joonghyuk grumbled, “You’ve noticed too?”

Uriel nodded her head somberly. “He’s going to die of stress if someone doesn’t help him get his life together.”

… That was an insult, wasn’t it?

Kim Dokja stood up, his stance slightly wobbled. He patted Lee Gilyoung’s head, as the boy had opened his mouth to refute what the kind angel before them was saying. Kim Dokja walked unsteadily to the two espers that were talking. Uriel and Yoo Joonghyuk swished their heads toward him, both full of unease.

“Dokja-ssi,” began Uriel, voice soft, “you should sit down. The test doesn’t take a lot of energy but you… You should rest.” Her tone was stern.

“I’m fine.” The guide waved them off with a flimsy gesture in the air. “Metatron-nim will be here soon, yes? We should get prepared for it.”

Uriel’s eyes pinged back and forth between the flippant Kim Dokja and the silently sullen Yoo Joonghyuk who bore his eyes at the guide. After a few too many moments, Uriel nodded her head. She coaxed them to follow her.

“Let’s get you two prepped, then.”

Before a sync rate occurred on a machine, there didn’t have to be any preparedness. However, after a few test trials, the Star Stream Association discovered that if the guide and esper that were going to prepare their sync rate were both sanitized, then the machine got better readings. Basically, it meant that Kim Dokja and Yoo Joonghyuk had to scrub their hands with antiseptic wipes.

It didn’t become something that all branches of the Association made a part of the sync rating process until it bumped the results of an A-Class esper with a guide from 40% to 54%, which had been unheard of in such a short time frame. After that, more guide-esper pairs started to show a higher sync rate after they had nothing to interfere with the sync rating machine.

The theory was that by the guide and esper cleaning their hands of any sort of barriers, their energy was able to mingle better as a whole, as well as interact with the machine without any blockage. It sounded dumb to Kim Dokja, however he had no idea how the machine worked, so his opinion didn’t really matter.

Uriel handed the pair the wipes. She didn’t seem keen on smelling the products. Kim Dokja wasn’t a fan of it either. However, if this would get Yoo Joonghyuk to leave him alone, then Kim Dokja was willing to go through with it, even if the bastard seemed smug. Within a few minutes, Kim Dokja would be free of the S-Class esper once the sync ratings failed and it was rediscovered that Kim Dokja was a horrid guide for an esper of such a high-class.

As Kim Dokja scrubbed at his fingernails in order to not look at Yoo Joonghyuk’s bastardly face, he turned to the sound of a whoosh.

His eyes widened by a fraction as a person walked through the doors. They had long, waist-length gray hair and glasses covering transparent or perhaps even mirror-like eyes. The face of the man was simply beautiful. If Kim Dokja hadn’t scrubbed at his cuticles too hard, eliciting a pain-like noise to come from his throat, he probably would have had a cliche moment of drooling at the sight of a heartthrob.

Kim Dokja washed away his pain, causing the small scrape to burn. He rolled his lips as he threw the antiseptic wipe away, glancing up to see Yoo Joonghyuk frowning at the new arrival. Kim Dokja had no idea why Yoo Joonghyuk was acting stand-offish. Both the new man and Yoo Joonghyuk were amazingly good-looking. Why fight over it?

Uriel greeted, “Kim Dokja, Yoo Joonghyuk, meet the person who will assist in the sync rate.”

Oh, so it was Metatron who entered.

Kim Dokja forced his heartbeat to slow down. He couldn’t allow himself to be caught off-guard. He still needed to wait for Jung Heewon to show up to look after Lee Gilyoung as he took his class with Yoo Sangah. He needed to focus on getting this stupid appointment over and done with.

“Yoo Joonghyuk,” greeted Metatron, his lips in a faint smile. “You’ve finally brought in a new guide.”

Yoo Joonghyuk grunted, simply turning on his heels to walk toward the sync rating machine. Kim Dokja followed after him a moment later, mostly to stop gawking at Metatron.

Once he was at the machine, he sneaked a peak over to the seating in order to see Lee Seolhwa had gotten up but kept Lee Gilyoung back. Good, thought Kim Dokja. If Yoo Joonghyuk’s past guides got injured from attempting to test their rate, then Kim Dokja wanted Lee Gilyoung to not see anything traumatic.

Metatron asked Uriel, “They’ve been prepped and the machine is ready.” Uriel gave a single nod in confirmation, even though it wasn't exactly a question. “Let’s get on, then.”

Metatron was so calm and he seemed peaceful. Kim Dokja believed for a second that he had no worries while in the man’s presence. It was eerily unsettling to feel that way once he thought about it for a moment too long. He had never felt at ease a day in his life. It definitely wasn’t going to happen now, of all days.

The sync rate machine was a big box, essentially. It had two panels on opposing sides. Kim Dokja stood in place, nervously biting his lip as he met Yoo Joonghyuk’s gaze, who was across from him. Metatron stood a little bit back to give the matching pair room.

Metatron messed with a pull-out desk from the machine. He typed into the machine, his eyes hovering across a screen that Kim Dokja wasn’t able to see.

After a few moments, Metatron announced, “Uriel, Lee Seolhwa, keep back.”

Kim Dokja looked up to see that the two women had approached with interest. Uriel had her hands to her chest, her fists shaking in excitement. Lee Seolhwa had a slightly concerned look across her face but he noticed the small smile of her lips. Perhaps she had a certain expectation.

Metatron then directed to Yoo Joonghyuk, “The esper will release a small amount of their energy into the machine. Not too much or else we’ll have to calibrate the machine, but also a good amount in order to see the true worth.”

Yoo Joonghyuk’s eyebrows joined together for a few moments, his expression pinched. Kim Dokja watched curiously as the esper laid his palm flat out against the panel for the scan. Then, before his eyes, the panel lit up in a soft glow. The light increased bit by bit until it radiated a white circle around the panel.

“That’s enough,” warned Metatron. Yoo Joonghyuk stopped at the command. He left his palm against the panel, unmoving. Kim Dokja gulped as two pairs of eyes turned to him expectantly.

“The guide,” instructed Metatron, “will now place their hand on the panel and release their own energy. However—” he sent a look to Yoo Joonghyuk, “—I would like to remind you both that if the machine blows up, or if other errors occur, it is best to not interfere. Do not activate your energy in an attempt to protect yourself. It will only make it worse.”

Kim Dokja cursed the esper across from him in his mind. He slapped his palm onto the panel and inserted his energy quickly, only stopping once the ring of white light lit up the panel surrounding his hand. He would get this over with and leave unannounced after the failure just to spite the S-Class esper.

Yoo Joonghyuk didn’t waiver when he was met with Kim Dokja’s aggravated look. It frustrated Kim Dokja more. He was going to slap that look off of that man one day. Sure, it was nice to get a ride to work that morning, but the weird courting gift still lingered in his mind. Not to mention the fact that Yoo Joonghyuk apparently knew his work schedule. It was creepy, alright?

Kim Dokja prepared to get injured. He closed his eyes, too afraid to meet death head-on. Except… it never came. Instead, Kim Dokja opened his eyes to see Yoo Joonghyuk panting across from him heavily.

The guide was confused until he looked down at his own panel. A number was floating above his fingertips on the screen. He had never seen it before on a sync rating machine, but Uriel and Yoo Joonghyuk both hinted that the machine before them was special.

Kim Dokja was elated as he read the screen. In order for a guide and esper to enter a personal guide contract, they had to have a sync rating of 50%. Of course, this still meant that Yoo Joonghyuk could show up at Mino Soft and request to be guided by Kim Dokja, but it also meant that the esper would move on in order to find a better guide.

[ 49% ]

Kim Dokja removed his palm from the screen with bright, giddy eyes. “Yeah!” He cheered on, almost snootily, as he grinned across from Yoo Joonghyuk. “It failed! I can’t be your personal guide no matter how much you want me to!”

Kim Dokja failed to see Metatron’s passive confusion and Yoo Joonghyuk’s huff of exasperation.

The guide skidded past Uriel and Lee Seolhwa, giving a single polite nod to each of them, before appearing in front of Lee Gilyoung.

He told the boy, “We’re eating fried chicken tonight. Maybe have a whole little party with Sangah-ssi and Heewon-ssi too.”

Lee Gilyoung nodded, quickly assuring, “I don’t have any homework, hyung. We can do whatever you want.”

Kim Dokja picked him up into a hug and spun around, dismissing Uriel’s squeal. When he set Lee Gilyoung back on the ground, he quickly apologized, “Sorry, that was abrupt.” Then, “I will find Heewon-ssi to watch over you while I go take my class. I won’t leave you alone.”

Lee Gilyoung shrugged. “I’m fine on my own.”

“Don’t be like that. We still have half an hour until the class starts. Maybe Sangah-ssi will show up early. Then you two can meet again. You haven’t been around one another that much since… Well, either way, you’ll see her a lot now. We hang out in the afternoons once work ends.”

Just as Kim Dokja turned to leave for the door and enter the lobby of the Association, he was stopped by Uriel. Kim Dokja said, “Thanks for everything. I appreciate what you did this morning, and now that this farce is over I can focus on getting my license—”

“Dokja-ssi,” she said abruptly.

Kim Dokja was startled. Uriel sounded serious. He felt his eyes narrow in alarm. It was only then that he noticed that Lee Seolhwa was oddly quiet and stiff. When he glanced at Metatron, the man was messing with the sync rating machine before a few papers began to be spat out.

Then, Kim Dokja landed his eyes on Yoo Joonghyuk, who was looking at Kim Dokja as if his entire world had shattered.

“Yes?”

“Dokja-ssi,” repeated Uriel, “have you ever had a test done on one of these machines?” He nodded. “Alright,” she said with a bit of uncertainty. “Have you— How have you received your sync rating scores in the past?”

Kim Dokja sent her a suspicious look, all of his hope suddenly turning to ash. “Through the mail, as per the normal procedure.”

Mino Soft received the results, as Kim Dokja was their employee. It increased the likelihood of the results staying confidential.

Uriel uttered, “So you’ve never learned how people receive their results.” It wasn’t phrased as a question even though Kim Dokja desperately wanted it to be.

“How… How is the result calculated?”

Uriel nervously tapped her fingers together. Her eyes swished from looking at Kim Dokja, staring above his shoulder to Yoo Joonghyuk, then back to her hands.

Eventually, she yelped out, “You add the two results together in order to get the number!”

What the hell did that mean?

Thankfully, Lee Gilyoung asked, “What do you mean?”

His eyes were lit in gold, as if he was extending his aura out by sure reaction and not on purpose. Kim Dokja patted the kid’s head to calm him down, eliciting the golden glow to dampen.

Uriel pointed at Kim Dokja. “We take your score, and add it to his score.” She pointed to Yoo Joonghyuk. “They’re normally the same score. Like, you said that you had a person who registered at a 10% sync rate. In that example, your match was 5% each. A sync rate isn’t— a sync rate can never—”

Metatron walked up. He patted Uriel on the shoulder consolingly. She shook him off but seemed thankful that she didn’t have to explain any further.

“We take the 49% from the guide, then we add that to the 49% from the esper,” stated Metatron. “That leaves your sync rating to be 98%— the highest on record, if I’m not mistaken.”

He had no reply for that. Kim Dokja felt his jaw drop against this will. He realized belatedly that he was in shock. This couldn’t be true. Everyone was lying to him. They were in on the plan. It was all a conspiracy, wasn’t it? Yoo Joonghyuk was paying them to do this. It was a new form of intimidation, or perhaps a torture technique that hadn’t been announced to the public record.

“You’re— You’re joking,” he uttered, unable to voice any of his other thoughts.

Metatron’s facial expression didn't change. Uriel covered her face with her hands, only revealing her green eyes when her fingers parted.

Shit.

“I’ll be taking my leave now,” he stated, already attempting to exit the room.

“Dokja-ssi,” called out Uriel. He paused, mortified that he was able to see Yoo Joonghyuk’s frozen state as he simply stood there. “This doesn’t have to be a bad thing.”

It was a bad thing. Kim Dokja was going to have no reason to turn Yoo Joonghyuk away. Plus, if it truly was that their sync rate was the highest ever recorded, then it would be made public in order for it to be studied. Lee Seolhwa would probably be able to learn from their test results how to help guide-esper pairs bond better so that their sync rates were higher.

They were out to get him. They wouldn’t let him leave. They hated him. And he hated them back. Why was the world so complicated? He was just fine being an office worker.

He didn’t even like guiding. He had to expose himself to others in order to heal their own negative energy. He hated it. Hated how it made his skin crawl and his body physically react. Except… he hadn’t thrown up from guiding since he was a kid. That shouldn’t even matter anymore.

He was normal, now. He was supposed to be normal. He was supposed to be ordinary and happy and carefree and, most importantly, only guide when he felt like it. But this— this would be an obligation in order to ensure that the strongest esper in the world never went on a rampage. To make sure that no one died.

Why did it have to be this way? Kim Dokja was happy living his days out. That was a lie. He was finally standing on his own two feet. He was doing well. He had money in savings and didn’t have to worry about skipping meals like he used to. So why? Why was this happening now? And why couldn’t he control it? What did he do to deserve this?

As he became more frustrated as he looked at the group staring at him, he recalled a vivid memory of his best friend, Han Sooyoung.

They were in the middle of college, both under heavy stress from professors, and desperately wanting to give up. They had both been pushing themselves to pass their classes. Han Sooyoung had her family’s money but Kim Dokja worked in order to pay for his items. It wasn’t so bad, when he looked back at it, but it wasn’t good either.

They had their first epic fight over one of her essays. It was about what would be considered good media— it was incredibly subjective so they had violently differing opinions. They screamed at one another, even though the essay prompt had begun with them joking about their favorite tropes.

Eventually, Han Sooyoung went to bed. Kim Dokja left for work instead. Once they met up again, she said some words that fixed their friendship. They both needed the reminder every now and then.

“If you think everyone hates you, take a shower to feel refreshed. If you think you hate everyone, take a nap and wake up with a better perspective. If you think everyone’s upset with you, eat something before you hurt yourself with your thoughts. And if you think you’re upset at the world and those in it, calm the fuck down, take a breath, and remember that I care about you, you shitty squid.”

Kim Dokja suspected that he needed to do everything on the list. He needed to shower, eat, and go to bed in order to stop thinking that everyone was out to get him. The world was cruel, yes, but it surely wouldn’t force Kim Dokja into this situation.

He took a step back. He felt shaky as he met Uriel’s green eyes. His vision then rattled around until he swiped over Metatron and Lee Gilyoung.

For a moment, he watched Lee Seolhwa walk toward him with her lips parted as if she was yelling.

Then, Kim Dokja’s gaze landed on Yoo Joonghyuk, whose eyes had widened for a reason Kim Dokja didn’t know.

He felt a bit like the first time he met Yoo Joonghyuk. His legs gave out — when did that happen? — and his eyes were suddenly looking up to the darkened ceiling. Why was the room suddenly blurred? Why couldn't he see anyone anymore? And was that shouting? What was happening? Was someone hurt?

He didn’t understand what was happening until his head hit the floor with a thunk.

Chapter Text

Thump.

He heard a sigh from above as he looked down at his hands. When he glanced up, he was met with an all-too-familiar figure. He was daunting as he stood there with a hand outstretched. It was something out of his nightmares and yet Kim Dokja couldn’t move.

He couldn’t even form a word as his throat closed up at the sight of his father.

“Get up,” commanded the voice. “Since your mother thinks we need to bond, we’ll take a walk through the park and return home.”

Kim Dokja stood up. It was only then that he looked down to his scraped knees and small wounds across his palms from trying to catch himself. He had slipped across the concrete, the blood dripping down his knees and hands as he tried to will his limbs to move.

It hurts, a small voice said in the back of his mind.

Then, he felt an abrupt force on his shoulder, pulling him up. His feet were in the air, kicking against the tall body next to him.

He heard his father say, “Stop being like this. It’s a good thing for you to be outside for once.”

Suddenly, the hand that was holding him up, released him. There was no warning and the child had no time to prepare for the fall. Kim Dokja collapsed onto the concrete harshly, causing his flesh to hit against the pavement with cracks and snaps. The pain was nothing compared to the yelp that left his mouth when his hair was yanked back.

“Fucking dammit, why can’t you ever do just one simple thing right?”

When they returned home, his father’s eyes were ping-balling back and forth. He left Kim Dokja at the door before running off with something better to do.

Lee Sookyung asked her son how the park was. Kim Dokja lied and said they got ice cream. Neither mentioned the lie or the fact that Lee Sookyung disappeared into the bathroom for a few moments before returning with a med kit.

She apologized later that night before locking his bedroom door, just in time for his father to return home. He heard the yelling, the screaming, and the thunks that he could never properly explain.

He looked down to the paperback book in his hand. For just one moment, as I read this, he thought, I can pretend to be normal.

-

They were on a bus in an unremarkable block of Seoul. The driver was turning onto the next street when Kim Dokja looked out the window to see a strange creature bouncing down the street. It had a long beak and furry paws and a scaled back. He had never seen anything like it before.

When he pointed it out, Lee Sookyung immediately turned pale and yelled for the driver to turn around.

Of course, by then it was too late. The driver had already stopped the bus, for they had seen the chaos first. Kim Dokja stood up on the bus seat to be met with a pulsing white circle in the middle of the sky. With each time the circle pulsed, a new set of monsters descended.

“It’s a dungeon break,” muttered his father, almost with distaste instead of alarm.

It was only then that Kim Dokja noticed the odd look in his father’s eyes. Something about him was off, in general. He wasn’t the only one to notice. Lee Sookyung took her child and tried to back away from her husband. Kim Dokja remained unsteady, his eyes widening as his father’s eyes began to swirl with power.

“He’s an esper,” a stranger uttered next to Lee Sookyung.

“An esper is here?” questioned another passenger. “Then they can save us, can’t they?”

The next few moments were a blur. Kim Dokja felt someone — his mother — grab him by his armpits and run off of the bus. He looked over her shoulder to be met with a radiating light as the bus was attacked by monsters and a strange, unknown energy alike. The monsters from the immediate area were slayed in the same attack as the rest of the bus.

“It’s a rampage,” someone pointed out.

Kim Dokja landed his eyes on the figure of his father. His eyes were lit up and his body radiated that same orange-like color, except it appeared more like a barrier protecting the man.

A rampage was something that happened when espers awakened, or when they hadn’t been guided for too long of a time. Kim Dokja had been told by a teacher to never interact with an esper on a rampage— it was dangerous, for the esper had no control over what they were doing.

And yet every bone in Kim Dokja’s body was screaming at him to help the energy in front of him to calm down. His legs moved before he could process what was happening.

“Dokja-ya!” called out Lee Sookyung, desperation drowning her voice.

Kim Dokja ignored it. Well, not willingly. It felt like he had to go toward the negative energy swirling around his father. Other shouts filled the area but Kim Dokja didn’t hear them

He reached out his hand. He flinched when orange-filled eyes landed on his form. Kim Dokja gulped as his father fell still even though his energy pulsed out, as if trying to protect its creator. Kim Dokja marched through the energy. It only hurt a little.

His father stepped back but it was like he didn’t want to leave. Kim Dokja reached out his unsteady hands. As soon as his hands landed on his father’s forearms, it was as if a switch had been clicked. Kim Dokja felt the burst of power under his father’s skin and he felt his own energy fight against it.

Kim Dokja didn’t win. He felt the energy push him over, trample on him as if he wasn’t even a speedbump. Then, that foreign energy began to calm down from the agitated state it was in.

Kim Dokja watched with wide eyes as his father collapsed, his energy no longer a threat.

The Star Stream Association showed up an hour later. Their team took away the injured but Kim Dokja wasn’t allowed to leave with his mother. Instead, he was shoved into an ambulance with his father where a man named Paul told him that he was a guide, which was a blessing, truly, because not that many guides existed.

A blessing? Kim Dokja had been a curse since the day he was born. His father had made that abundantly clear.

-

Registering was a simple process. The building was small. The dungeons, along with the idea of people being guides and espers, were still incredibly new. The sync rating machine was still in the final stages of production but one of the workers — Dokgak — explained that it would be ready to use soon.

Kim Dokja was too young to have a class assigned to him, but Dokgak looked at him like he was something special. Kim Dokja brushed it off. He didn’t want this. People in school were staring at him now, and he hadn’t been able to see his mother much ever since he became a guide.

As they left the Star Stream Association, his father told him that he had signed up to enter a dungeon. If he was C-Class or above, then he would be allowed.

C-Classes were strong, and therefore permitted to enter the dungeon. A single day of working to destroy monsters in a dungeon insured the house payments for a year.

-

A few weeks later, his father had an appointment to learn what Class he was in. He returned that day with fury in his bones. “D-Class,” he said it like he was cursing. “Fucking D-Class. That’s almost worse than being an E or F-Class. I was this close to becoming something.”

Lee Sookyung and Kim Dokja stayed in his room while the man drank himself to sleep.

-

“I heard from some buddies of mine that an esper’s class can increase if their guide is good enough.”

His father’s tone was strange, odd in a way that Kim Dokja could not describe.

“You love me, don’t you? Don’t you want me to be able to enter a dungeon and make us money? You’re my only child. I need to be able to provide for you and your mom. If you get better at guiding, then we can have an easier life. Don’t you want that?”

What was Kim Dokja supposed to say? “No?” Of course, Kim Dokja wanted his mother to have a better life. And if his father entered a dungeon, wasn’t it likely that he would die?

Of course, though, he had no idea what he was agreeing to.

-

If this was what guiding was, then Kim Dokja wanted no part of it.

His father took his hands into Kim Dokja's, holding the frail bones in his large, calloused palms. Kim Dokja struggled against the grip but no one could help him now. No one wanted to help him. He was stuck in a room with no means of escape. Struggling against them only made bruises and more pain in the long run.

That’s when he felt it— the crack in his soul as he felt his father’s energy flow into his body. Kim Dokja just sat there, pliant as the negative energy took over and undid itself. If this was guiding, then Kim Dokja hated it.

He didn't want to be a guide. This wasn’t a blessing. It couldn’t be. Please.

He tried to lift his empty hand and scratch at his father’s hands, but his father just extended his energy more, causing an overflow. The breath in Kim Dokja’s lungs no longer existed as a heavyweight filled his chest.

He couldn’t breathe, he couldn’t breathe. All he could feel was the negative energy routing through his body to cleanse itself.

He hated it. His teeth ground together as he was left hollow. He had nothing to hide anymore. He was raw and vulnerable as he met his father’s eyes. They were no longer slightly manic or glowing with energy. Instead, they were dull like they had always been before he awakened as an esper.

“You’re getting better,” his father praised.

Kim Dokja didn’t care about the words. All he could look at was the two hands clinging onto his own. Kim Dokja took his free hand and pried at the fingers, attempting to get rid of feeling the energy that had shaken him to his core.

“Alright, alright,” sighed out his father. He released his grip on his son’s hand before wiping his hair back with a small, slimy smile. “I guess you want to help the next one already, yeah?”

“What?” croaked out Kim Dokja. His eyes were wide in surprise at his father’s words.

“My buddies,” explained his father. “I told them that I had a guide. There’s no point in paying for a guide — they’re expensive if you want a good one — so I invited them over.”

Kim Dokja’s breath hitched.

His father frowned madly, his anger radiating in the air. “I know you have more energy to help them out. Don’t be a baby. It won't take long. You don’t even have to do any of the work. You just have to sit there.”

Kim Dokja couldn’t voice any of his thoughts or arguments as his father then went to open the door. His father welcomed a few of his friends, patting them on the back with a fondness that Kim Dokja had never received. Kim Dokja didn’t recognize any of the strangers but they had no time for introductions.

Kim Dokja felt his hand get grabbed by a woman who walked into the room. Her eyes were a glittering violet as she sat down. Her hands were gentle, so Kim Dokja didn’t fight. But then— then he felt the energy beneath her skin. It was so much more than what his father had. He didn’t know what happened after he felt the energy force its way through his veins.

He kept being jolted awake each time he felt someone new grab his hand. Each energy was different, he discovered. His father’s energy was small and harsh while the others could be large and wide, or small but sharp. Each esper had a different feeling and each one echoed inside his being against his will.

Eventually, he thought he fell asleep. It could have been that his energy was completely depleted, looking back at it.

He woke up to his mother hovering over him with a cold wash cloth and worried-filled eyes. He couldn’t feel anything except pain. He didn’t understand what had happened until the memories of strangers latching onto his hand and shoving their energy into his body flooded his mind. He had guided over half a dozen people earlier that day and he only remembered two of them.

-

Again and again. And again and again. And again. And again and again and again and again. And again, again, again, and again. Again, again, again, again, again—

-

His father came home whistling. Kim Dokja immediately tugged his book tighter to his chest while Lee Sookyung stepped in front of him.

She always ran interference when she could. He hated it. He hated a lot of things now. Even more than he used to. He couldn’t even hug his mother without getting sick and apologizing as he stood over the sink wiping bile off of his mouth.

“I’m a C-Class now,” he announced to them. He tugged his arm around Lee Sookyung, swooping her into a kiss as if he wasn’t the reason why there was a large bruise along her ribs. “I’m signed up to enter a dungeon tomorrow afternoon with the guild I signed up with.”

Lee Sookyung’s smile looked forced as she said, “That’s great.”

Kim Dokja thought that it was great. Hope flickered in his chest. The death rate of espers in dungeons was a high percentage.

-

His father returned from the dungeon. Then the dungeon after that, and the next one after that. Each time, he would come home, drink a beer, and grab onto Kim Dokja.

The man would cleanse and replenish his energy. Kim Dokja got used to using his phone — a gift for being such a good guide — to read while his body was invaded by energy that made itself at home until it was pure.

None of his father’s friends came by anymore. Kim Dokja wondered if they were no longer on good terms. He never saw the news headlines about them dying in dungeons.

-

One day, his father came home in a mood. He had a bandage wrapped along his lower torso. Lee Sookyung quickly took out cold beers from the fridge and started to cook dinner. The man wasn’t supposed to be home until the next day. She thought she still had time…

“Dokja-ya,” crooned his father, words slurred, “I need you to c’mere.”

Kim Dokja emerged from his room nervously. He caught his mother’s eyes to see that she looked just as hesitant.

His father was never drunk when he wanted to be guided. It seemed dangerous— even more so than normal. Kim Dokja slowly stepped into the living room and sat next to his father on the couch.

The touch was expected. It was a vice grip on the part of his arm between his shoulder and elbow. The energy, too, was expected. It was in knots. Kim Dokja could feel them growing worse and worse instead of better. It didn’t feel right. None of it ever did, but this was especially wrong.

He tried to wiggle away but that just made his father’s grip all the more strong. “Stop,” he said. Over and over, he asked to be let go. He caught his mother’s eyes as she entered the living room, leaving behind the dinner she was cooking.

“Stop it,” he said again, pleading.

His father’s eyes were orange. Kim Dokja wasn’t aware that a person regularly guided could be on the edge of a rampage. Then, he felt his own energy leaving. He hated it when his father took his energy but it was true that Kim Dokja stayed home, safe, while his father went into dungeons. His father needed the energy more than he did.

But it hurt. And the orange glow in his father’s eyes only continued to grow. Kim Dokja could only sit there in horror as he was lulled into a hunger-driven sleep. As his consciousness began to fade, he had the will to fight

He landed his hand on his father’s arm and took. His world exploded into light. He felt as if pure adrenaline was running through his body. There was no more pain as he tugged and tugged and tugged. He kept pulling until there was nothing left. That’s when he felt the dead weight of his father crash against the couch, unmoving.

Kim Dokja jumped off of the couch. He stepped back slowly as he saw no rise and fall of his father’s chest.

What did I do?

Suddenly, there was a voice. He turned to see his mother’s hand hovering over his shoulder.

She didn’t touch him anymore. He knew part of him was broken for despising her touch but he couldn’t handle it. If he allowed himself to feel her skin, then he would learn to hate it. He still had memories of warm, loving head pats and bone-crunching hugs that made him laugh.

“Dokja-ya,” she said to him, “it’s not your fault. It was self-defense, do you understand? Self-defense. Forced guiding isn’t— you should have never been put through that. I need you to understand. It’s not your fault. It was never your fault.”

“I…” His voice didn't work. His body ached in ways it never had before. His hands trembled as his gaze went back and forth from his mother and his father.

“You did nothing wrong,” she repeated. Lee Sookyung looked around desperately before her eyes fell to the knife in her hand. She had never sat it down before leaving the kitchen.

Kim Dokja watched as a plan formed in his mother’s mind. She commanded, “Go to your room, then use your phone and call the police.”

“But—”

“Do it now,” she said, not unkindly. Lee Sookyung then ushered her son into the bathroom.

Kim Dokja heard the click of the door. He banged at it, hoping his mother would change her mind, but she never did. He stayed behind that door as he heard thunks and thumps until there was a final slosh.

As silence overtook the household, he unlocked his phone. His fingers hovered over the numbers of his keypad before he finally pressed down.

-

[When To Kill An Esper: A Series of Essays by Lee Sookyung.]

Chapter Text

Lee Seolhwa had her fingers against Kim Dokja’s throat. Her eyes scanned his face and brushed his bangs out of his eyes. After a few tension-filled beats, she announced, “He has a steady pulse.” She then took a flashlight out of her pocket and checked his eyes.

Uriel sat down in a rush next to him. When she reached out her hand, Lee Seolhwa said, “Don’t!” It made Uriel freeze up, her green eyes wild. Lee Seolhwa felt guilty for a moment. She explained, “I don’t know what’s going on with his internal energy. Contact from a differing guide or esper could harm him.”

Lee Seolhwa took out a few different pairs of latex gloves. Even though she wasn’t a guide or esper, she put on a pair. She then handed one to Uriel before gesturing for more help. Metatron stepped up but he was pushed aside by Yoo Joonghyuk. The Sky Breaker guild master slid on the gloves and looked at the doctor with resolution in his eyes.

“There’s a medical facility on the second floor,” suggested Uriel.

Lee Seolhwa gave a single nod. “We’ll take Dokja-ssi there. He seems to have no outside injuries so I need one of us to clear safe passage while the two of you carry him as I keep an eye on his vitals.”

Metatron opened the door to the outside. Passively, he announced, “We’ll take the private elevator.”

Uriel and Yoo Joonghyuk picked up Kim Dokja. Because Uriel was wearing short sleeves, she took the guide’s legs while Yoo Joonghyuk, who had long sleeves, carried Kim Dokja’s main weight by lifting him by the underarms.

Lee Gilyoung trailed after them with a pinched expression while Lee Seolhwa kept her fingers on Kim Dokja’s wrist, measuring the rise and fall of his pulse.

After using the private elevator, they made their way across the second floor. It wasn’t very full, as most people didn’t arrive at the Star Stream Association while injured unless there was an accident. The second floor wasn’t needed much anymore— hospitals were now equipped with how to care for guides and espers. But back in the old days, no one knew whether or not the same medications would work in the same way so each Association branch had to have a medical facility.

Metatron cleared out the staff that were in the bay. They mainly monitored any injured espers and guides that worked for the Association. He clearly held much power within the Seoul branch, as everyone immediately followed Metatron’s orders. There would be no need for any flies buzzing around when the leading medical expert in guides and espers was already monitoring Kim Dokja.

Uriel and Yoo Joonghyuk laid Kim Dokja onto an available bed. Lee Seolhwa instantly gestured her arm, forcing the two espers to stand back. Uriel quickly agreed to it, then she spotted Lee Gilyoung. She wrapped her arm around his shoulders and guided him to sit on the next bed over. They watched as Lee Seolhwa hooked up different machines to Kim Dokja’s unconscious body.

Lee Seolhwa moved around the med bay easily to others, but in reality, she had no idea what she was doing. She was growing used to her Crossroads of Life and Death facility. She opened drawer after drawer, finding the wrong things but picking up different objects anyway just in case she could use them to figure out what was wrong.

Eventually, she found what she was after. Lee Seolhwa took the energy reader and hovered it above Kim Dokja’s head. The hand-held device made a series of beeps before the number appeared on the screen.

She was… confused.

“What is the problem?” Metatron’s voice didn’t sound worried or concerned, yet he picked up on Lee Seolhwa’s discomfort.

The doctor admitted, “His energy levels are in the 90s. The reason he collapsed isn’t because of anything concerning his energy.”

“Then what is the problem?” asked Yoo Joonghyuk.

Lee Seolhwa dismissed him. He looked extra broody today but she knew that he was simply concerned.

They had known one another for over a decade at this point. Yoo Joonghyuk sought her out once he discovered that no guide could help him. They even had a small fling back in the day. Of course, that ended quickly once they both realized that they saw one another as a means to the end.

To her, Yoo Joonghyuk was the best test subject for her trials of the Life and Death pill. To him, Lee Seolhwa was the only reason why he hadn’t gone on a rampage.

At the facility, Yoo Joonghyuk had calmed down from his inevitable rampage and he seemed… forlorn about it. Lee Seolhwa originally thought that he was able to force himself out of it, as he had in the past, but then the others were brought in.

Yoo Joonghyuk was the only one uninjured. Jung Heewon and Lee Jihye had minor injuries, more exhaustion than anything. Lee Hyunsung was the most injured but it wasn’t anything major. Yoo Sangah, though, seemed more mentally disturbed than anything. She was a guide, though, who was more sensitive to energy, so that was expected.

And then there was Kim Dokja, an unknown and unlicensed guide that was able to help Yoo Joonghyuk recede from his rampage. Lee Seolhwa was curious, especially once she learned that he was only registered as a guide instead of licensed. A guide able to help an S-Class esper should have been a known name.

Lee Seolhwa found herself occupied back then. Yoo Joonghyuk sought her out while her team monitored the new residents of the facility. She was surprised that he needed her to lend an ear. Yoo Joonghyuk had always been closed-off. He didn’t do emotions.

She realized how much being guided affected him, though. Yoo Joonghyuk was an esper who had never been guided before. It must have been strange. Lee Seolhwa would never know the feeling, but she had listened to enough people describe the feeling of being guided to know that Yoo Joonghyuk and Kim Dokja’s situation was special.

Lee Seolhwa couldn’t think about that right now, though. She set down the energy tester and reached for a desktop. She inserted her credentials as she felt Metatron’s hovering presence. As she searched for Kim Dokja’s medical records, she heard Metatron give an order.

“Uriel, print off all of the records that we have on Kim Dokja.” Metatron’s tone was calm but stern.

Uriel regretfully left Lee Gilyoung. She continued to leave the med bay with her latex gloves still on.

As she went to obtain all of the records, Lee Gilyoung’s worrying became more adamant. He leaned forward and opened his mouth to ask a question, only for Yoo Joonghyuk to tap the boy’s shoulder, meet his eyes, and shake his head. Lee Gilyoung closed his lips and gave in after shoving a fierce glare at the older esper.

Lee Seolhwa looked over Kim Dokja’s medical records. It was a partial script, for the Association couldn’t see all of it, but Lee Seolhwa was recently acquainted with Kim Dokja at her own facility, so she just needed the rest of the puzzle pieces. When she saw that he was hospitalized when he was 8-years-old she felt the need to expand the file.

She wasn’t prepared for the photographs. She quickly clicked out of the tab, knowing that all of the eyes in the room were watching her. The screen had no sense of privacy. She wouldn’t share this information with them. She picked up a tablet from one of the empty desks, inserted her credentials, and read through the file while in a corner so that no one else could see the contents.

When she glanced up from the photos, she saw Yoo Joonghyuk’s blue-glazed eyes, Lee Gilyoung’s worrying lips, and Metatron’s forced calm facade. She wanted to scoff at their inability to pretend that they weren’t staring. Lee Seolhwa shook her mind mentally before looking back down to the tablet.

Bruises. That’s all she saw. The photos were of a young Kim Dokja covered in bruises, his eyes dead, and energy ratings oddly high. Lee Seolhwa then saw the notes for the file and realized who he was.

She was stunned at the information. Everyone in the medical field had heard of it. A normal, average person without esper or guiding energy was able to kill an esper who was supposed to be nearly invulnerable to all things except the beings that resided in dungeons.

She forced herself to move on. Knowing Kim Dokja’s past didn’t help her with the current problem. She glanced up from the tablet in order to be met with a normal heart rate on the monitor. Lee Seolhwa was beginning to think that Kim Dokja’s medical issues were much more mundane than first believed.

She clicked off the tablet temporarily, walked over to the bed, and checked Kim Dokja’s energy rating again. Lee Seolhwa noticed that it didn’t increase, nor did it decrease. She then paid more attention to the way that Kim Dokja’s eyes sagged and how pale his skin was.

Lee Seolhwa asked the room, “Do you know of any events that have been happening in his personal or work life?” Other than being compatible with Yoo Joonghyuk, that is.

Before anyone could answer, Uriel returned. She had a few manilla files in her hands, and she was talking to someone. No, make that someones.

Jung Heewon and Yoo Sangah walked in, both full of concern as they followed Uriel into the med bay dutifully.

Jung Heewon’s eyes fell on Kim Dokja’s form, her eyebrows drawing up in worry. She patted Yoo Sangah’s upper arm, drawing the guide’s attention. Yoo Sangah froze for a split moment before she rushed forward, bypassing both Jung Heewon and Uriel.

Yoo Sangah demanded, “What happened? We were supposed to take a class, not— not whatever this is.” Her gaze then fell to Lee Gilyoung. She asked, “Gilyoung-ah, what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be with your aunt?”

Lee Gilyoung shrugged one of his shoulders. “I’m not with her anymore.” It was said with nonchalance as he picked at his nails.

“What? Did she sign you off to a guild as she threatened?” questioned Yoo Sangah.

“Hyung took me in.”

Yoo Sangah nodded in confusion. “Dokja-ssi took you in…?”

Uriel set down the manilla files. She spoke up, “Lee Gilyoung turned in a MAD-01 form, technically making him an adult in the eyes of the law.”

Yoo Sangah blinked at the green-eyed esper wearily. “When did that happen?”

Yoo Sangah looked around the room to find that only Uriel and Lee Gilyoung seemed to have a clue about what was happening. Yoo Sangah clutched her forehead, then she landed her gaze on Kim Dokja’s form. He looked even more exhausted than she felt. The guide bit her lip before taking out her phone.

“What are you doing?” asked Metatron.

Yoo Sangah scrolled through her contacts until she read across the right one. She answered with a slight heat in her tone, “I’m calling his emergency contact. She would have been here already if you followed the proper procedure.”

“And who is that?”

“Han Sooyoung.”

Metatron glanced at Lee Seolhwa, who had a wide-eyed expression at the name that Yoo Sangah had stated. The white-haired woman opened her tablet. She found the table and emergency contact information of two people. There was a third option listed but she knew not to talk about it without permission.

After a few seconds, Lee Seolhwa confirmed, “Dokja-ssi has two emergency contacts. Han Sooyoung is listed as the priority, with Yoo Sangah as the second option.”

Metatron said, “Yoo Sangah, if you’re already here, then he doesn’t need another—”

Yoo Sangah met his gaze with a stare that was bordering on a glare. Politely, she stated, “I am Dokja-ssi’s second contact for a reason. Han Sooyoung has known Dokja-ssi for nearly a decade. She is who he trusts most in the world.”

Yoo Sangah cleared her throat, not backing down. “I would suggest that you sit down and prepare for Mino Soft to question why one of their employees is unconscious in the Star Stream Association med bay.”

Metatron receded as Yoo Sangah talked in a hushed voice over the phone. The conversation ended after just a few words. Yoo Sangah clicked off her phone before turning to Lee Seolhwa.

“He’s stable,” was all Lee Seolhwa could say. “His energy levels are fine, his heart rate too. There seems to be nothing wrong with him except for… Stress can do a lot to the human body. If he recently helped Joonghyuk-ssi from a rampage, it’s possible that this is a lingering side effect. Instead of having his energy levels needing recovery, Kim Dokja’s physical body is having a harder time adapting.”

“There could be… there could be other stress as well,” said a soft-spoken Uriel. All eyes turned to her. She nervously, guiltily, said, “Kim Dokja came to me this morning and filed the MAD-01 paperwork with Lee Gilyoung. He told me that he stayed up the entire night with a person who had already filled out papers earlier in their life in order to stop Lee Gilyoung from being forced to join the Heavenly Charm guild, as was planned by his aunt.”

“I live with hyung now,” added Lee Gilyoung. It was helpful, but it simply caused Yoo Sangah to shake her head.

Yoo Sangah gripped the sides of her head. She then let her arms drop in defeat. She said, nearly inaudible, “He didn’t even take a day off from work when he took in a child.”

Jung Heewon offered up, a bit abashed, “We all know how Dokja-ssi gets. He doesn’t really do…”

“Yeah.” Yoo Sangah nodded glumly. “Yeah, I know.”

She had thought that Kim Dokja was simply worried about the sync rating appointment with Yoo Joonghyuk later in the week. Yoo Sangah found it odd that they didn’t eat lunch together, but then again it was their first two days back to work. Getting back into the swing of things after a short break took time, especially after determining to become a licensed guide.

She should have known. Yoo Sangah had the honor of being one of his closest friends. He was hard to get to know. And yet Yoo Sangah cherished those moments.0

Kim Dokja seemed off-putting to a lot of people, though she never understood it. He smiled softly to her, if a bit awkwardly, in the halls at first. He never tried to touch her inappropriately or force her to agree to a contract. He was kind and so gentle when it came to what sort of appointment she wanted with espers.

She failed him, somewhere along the road. And yet she still had his trust.

She was notified about the guiding meeting with Han Sooyoung. Kim Dokja was protective of his friend, only allowing the best of Mino Soft to guide her. Usually, it was a private meeting, but Yoo Sangah saw that Han Sooyoung was set under a general meeting. The turn around with that, was that no other espers were listed in the time slot. Meaning, that Yoo Sangah could fulfill other espers and contracts the day of the appointment, but Han Sooyoung would have all of her undivided attention and energy in the early hours of the morning before Yoo Sangah worked on guiding anyone else.

Yoo Sangah gritted her teeth. Why was Kim Dokja so horrible at taking care of himself? It was something that plagued her mind often lately. He didn’t act like how a guide of his caliber was supposed to. She had seen him coax Lee Gilyuong down from a rampage on the subway train, take on multiple A-Class espers in a week without a sweat, and still believe that he was a horrible guide.

A voice drew Yoo Sangah from her thoughts.

“I may,” said the grumbling voice of Yoo Joonghyuk, “have been a stressor for him.”

Yoo Sangah felt like strangling the man. Her fingers clattered together as she choked down a hysteric sob. “Oh yeah?” she said sarcastically. “Asking him to be your personal guide probably wasn’t the best idea.”

Jung Heewon lifted her arm. Yoo Sangah flinched at it. It was as if the A-Class esper was protecting Yoo Joonghyuk. It was a betrayal. Didn’t Jung Heewon think of Kim Dokja as her guide? Why was she protecting the rotten esper scumbag in front of them?

“Sangah-ssi,” began Jung Heewon, “it’s not all his fault. I probably helped cause this too. I’m the one that suggested that Yoo Joonghyuk court Kim Dokja.”

“What?”

Courting: a way for an esper to show their appreciation for a guide. It wasn’t really a thing, more of a show of camaraderie between complimenting esper-guide pairs. It was usually used for personal guide contracts but many espers participated in the act as a way of thanks.

Guides were the only reason why espers were able to continue living on. Sometimes, they believed that the exchange of money wasn’t enough, therefore courting became somewhat regular, if a bit scandalous.

Guiding companies looked down upon courting because their employees shouldn’t favor any espers. However, it was common within guilds. Yoo Sangah had faced courting before, frequently being seen as dates. Yoo Sangah turned down the advances the best she could.

Normally, once it got too far, Yoo Sangah would inform Mino Soft. The company would then speak to the guild leaders and have their members taken care of. That was one of the most major perks of being in a guiding company compared to a guild. At least, for her it was.

Yoo Sangah swished her body to face Yoo Joonghyuk, who was sitting next to Lee Gilyoung. She wanted to yell. Perhaps even wrap her hands around his neck and squeeze until the bastard left them all alone. And yet she didn’t. She needed to be professional, for Dokja-ssi, her brain reminded.

“Why did you do that?” she asked. It was a demand, truly, but Yoo Sangah knew how to keep her tone nice. She couldn’t lose her cool.

Jung Heewon was not who she blamed. Jung Heewon was courting Kim Dokja in her own way— meeting up at the barbeque every three weeks to catch up on life. Normally even Lee Hyunsung showed up unless he was busy with Sky Breaker. Yoo Sangah heard all about it from Kim Dokja, but she also kept in touch with Jung Heewon frequently.

“Sangah-ssi, I thought it would be good,” said Jung Heewon, even though the question wasn’t aimed at her. “If Kim Dokja was protected by a guild, then he wouldn’t have to… he wouldn't have to worry about the Association.”

Metatron and Uriel were oddly quiet.

Yoo Sangah knew what was happening. Kim Dokja’s name and reputation had once been low — he was snappish and quick to turn away espers if they made him upset — due to him only guiding lower-classed espers. Most guides at least tried to do more than that, therefore it would appear on the outside that Kim Dokja was a terrible guide.

But through the years, more and more higher-classed espers started to show up to Mino Soft with the specific intention of only being guided by Kim Dokja. It made a lot of Mino Soft employees wonder why an unlicensed guide that did paperwork was sought after. Yoo Sangah kept the rumors on the down low and didn’t allow anyone to be rude to her friend.

Kim Dokja probably didn’t even know that his reputation wasn’t trash like it used to be. It was never truly ‘trash’ anyway. Every esper that he guided would go on and on about how easy and painless guiding was. It was strange to hear the words — guiding was never meant to be painful — but many espers were uncomfortable with the breach of power.

Kim Dokja’s reputation was slowly evolving. He was practically Lee Hyunsung’s personal guide, whether he realized it or not. Lee Hyunsung came in monthly to be guided by Kim Dokja, even though countless other guides were lined up within the guild he belonged to.

And yet Yoo Sangah never mentioned it to Kim Dokja. It was a silent rule between her and the Shield of Sky Breaker. Once Kim Dokja heard the truth, then he would close up.

Soon, an unlicensed guide such as Kim Dokja would be noticed. And, seeing as Uriel’s lips were a thin line, he had been noticed. The Star Stream Association was known for pushing espers and guides into contracts.

The Association had to stay at the top in the industry, meaning that high-classed espers and guides needed to be part of them. However, if those guides or espers belonged to a guild, then the Association couldn’t interfere.

“I understand,” she said faintly. And Yoo Sangah did, almost too well. Jung Heewon was protecting Kim Dokja the best way she knew: sick someone onto him until he relented with a smile. “But that does not explain Dokja-ssi’s condition.”

“Sync rate,” offered up Lee Gilyoung.

He looked grumpy as he sat next to Yoo Joonghyuk. It was strange to see the child she knew as a kind but harmed soul look so upset at being placed next to the usual broody bastard.

“Sync rate? Did he test his sync rate with someone? Did Dokja-ssi put too much energy into the machine?” asked Yoo Sangah.

Metatron was the one to say, “The sync rate was fine. There were no issues with it.”

“Except for the fact that hyung passed out when he tried to leave the room,” argued Lee Gilyoung.

Yoo Sangah clenched her fist. She was the only other guide in the room. She knew that Lee Seolhwa was normal, and that the rest of the people in the room were espers. She was the only one who understood what it meant to be vulnerable like a guide was.

Of course, she knew that Kim Dokja was a little more sensitive to things. However, she was the only one who understood a fraction of why Kim Dokja would be upset with a compatibility score.

“Who was it with?” she demanded harshly. Her eyes scanned the room. She landed on Metatron. “Was it you?”

Metatron raised his hand in the air slowly. “I helped conduct the test. I didn’t participate in it.”

Yoo Sangah turned to Uriel. She asked, “Was it you, Uriel-ssi? I know that you were surprised by Dokja-ssi’s guiding. I know that it helped you—”

“When did you get guided?” Metatron interrupted Yoo Sangah, his eyes falling to Uriel.

The green-eyed esper nervously scratched her cheek. “I, uh, I was guided yesterday afternoon by him. Dokja-ssi was preparing to get a license. Since he’s above 25, it’s a strange age to finally take the classes. So I, well, I needed to see what he knew so that I knew what classes to sign him up for.”

“And?”

Uriel fell still. Her heart thudded against her ribs. She admitted after a moment, “He did good. He guided in a way I had never seen before. I would believe that it’s why he can guide so many different ranges of espers. Most guides stick to a certain group, but seeing as he can guide S-Classes as well as F-Classes with ease…”

“You won’t be due for a guiding session for a while, will you?”

Uriel gave a small nod.

Metatron said simply, “Write up a check. The Association needs to pay for a guiding session for S-Class espers.”

Uriel nodded quickly. She had already thought about doing so. S-Classes required a lot of energy and focus in order to be guided properly, after all. She then asked, almost hesitantly, “Is now a bad time to mention that Dokja-ssi helped out with Sun Wukong’s issue?”

Metatron remained calm as he replied sternly, “Write up another normal check for an S-Class guiding session, then include a bonus.”

Uriel nodded happily before her eyes fell to the folders of files in front of her. Her fingers slowly opened up the files. She didn’t have time to read them but they all looked so interesting. Her eyes hovered over the sync rates in awe. As she flipped through the pages, Yoo Sangah became increasingly annoyed.

Yoo Sangah asked once more, “Who participated in the sync rating with Dokja-ssi?”

Finally, her eyes turned to Lee Seolhwa helplessly. The white-haired woman bit her lip before jutting her chin. Yoo Sangah followed the gesture in order to see Yoo Joonghyuk.

“No.” Yoo Sangah couldn’t believe it. “That wasn’t scheduled for a couple of more days. This wasn’t— You couldn’t wait a few more days?”

Yoo Joonghyuk looked up, meeting her gaze. He simply grunted out, “It wasn’t my choice.”

“Oh, so that makes it okay?”

Yoo Sangah bit the inside of her cheek until she tasted blood. As she focused on that pain, she was able to not feel the need to harm anyone permanently. She felt rage bubble up inside of her, ready to spill out and burn anyone it touched.

“What happened, then?” asked Jung Heewon. Her head was cocked to the side with a tick in her forehead.

Metatron, who noticed that Uriel was busy sifting through the files, spoke up. He explained, “I will be leaving the country tomorrow. Seeing as I am the only one allowed to perform sync rating tests with S-Class espers, the appointment needed to be moved.”

“So, just so we can all be clear here,” said Jung Heewon, her hands out and gesturing to each thing, “Dokja-ssi helped an S-Class esper down from a rampage, had a few peaceful days, then he went back to work, guided two more S-Class espers, took in a kid, and participated in a sync rate earlier than planned. All of which, caused an overload of stress and made Dokja-ssi pass out.”

Lee Gilyoung wanted to say that his lovely, amazing hyung also broke into his aunt’s house for him, but decided to stay quiet as he looked around the room to see everyone with serious expressions. Mentioning a criminal act was likely not a good idea.

The words hung in the air. Everyone absorbed the information in the silent med bay.

Lee Seolhwa was the one who then said, “The compatibility score may have some effect on Dokja-ssi state of mind as well.”

“What do you mean?” Yoo Sangah felt a bit of hope. “Did it fail?” She couldn’t hide her hopefulness. “Was he so relieved that he—”

“It didn’t fail,” stated Yoo Joonghyuk. His voice sounded off, as if he didn't know how to feel about it either. “49%.”

Yoo Sangah practically beamed. She said, excitedly, “Then you two can’t sign a personal guide contract. That’s great—”

Metatron was the one to clarify, “It appears that not many guides are told how a sync rate percentage is calculated. The esper and guide’s percentage is added up in order to get the compatibility percentage. Since the guide was rated 49%, then so was—”

“98%,” uttered Yoo Sangah, eyes dull in realization. “That’s not possible. No one’s ever had such a high compatibility rate. Most pairings barely scrape by with 35%. Yoo Joonghyuk and Dokja-ssi only recently met. There’s no way that their energy is that compatible.”

“I have a theory,” stated Uriel. Eyes quickly fell on her. She nervously messed with the pointed edges of the papers. “When I was guided by Dokja-ssi, he did so in a unique way. I’ve never seen something like it before, so I stayed up searching to see if other cases had occurred.”

When Uriel was going to continue, it was Lee Seolhwa who raised her hand, silencing the esper. Confusion lingered in the air as Lee Seolhwa sighed heavily. Uriel and Lee Seolhwa then met one another’s gaze. After a moment, Lee Seolhwa nodded. It caused Uriel to cover her mouth, her eyes horrified.

After a few moments, Lee Seolhwa said, “It’s possible that Yoo Joonghyuk is only able to be guided in a certain way. It could be that the reason why all other guides failed to properly guide Joonghyuk-ssi is that his power is too large and controlling, therefore it will only settle to be cleansed in one way.”

“I don’t get it,” said Jung Heewon, not afraid to say such a thing so bluntly. “What does that have to do with Dokja-ssi?”

There was a creak within the silence. The room decided as a group to turn to the noise. They were met with a haggard-looking woman with shoulder-length hair, a twitching eye, and an annoyed snarl as she sucked on a yellow-colored sucker.

Yoo Sangah was the one to snap out of it first. “Han Sooyoung, you’ve arrived.”

Han Sooyoung stomped her way through the med bay. From the pocket of her sweatshirt, she pulled out a pair of knitted gloves. Lee Seolhwa watched her meticulously land her fingers across Kim Dokja’s forehead. Han Sooyoung closed her eyes for a few moments in that position before she stepped back.

The gloves remained on her hands as she suited to glare at the room. Han Sooyoung was upset. In fact, that was an understatement. She was pissed.

She stayed up the entire night to help Kim Dokja fill out the paperwork of the MAD-01 forms for Lee Gilyoung. She was able to sleep it off but she expected a relaxing night of writer’s block instead of whatever this was.

“What the hell happened here?” she demanded of them.

Jung Heewon helpfully said, “Stress.”

Han Sooyoung’s eyebrow continued to tick. “This idiot can handle stress. I’ve lived with that rat bastard on and off for the past 10 years.”

Her eyes were manically wide, allowing people to see the soft white hue growing inside her pupils. “I am an esper on the edge of going on a rampage, and the one person I know that I won’t harm even if I’m out of my mind is unconscious and there are no answers.”

She took in a shaky breath, eyes closed. Han Sooyoung demanded, “What really brought him over the breaking point?” When no one answered, she turned to Lee Seolhwa. Han Sooyoung pointed her sucker at the medical professional. “What happened?”

“Many things,” replied a calm Lee Seolhwa. She then took a deep breath before continuing, “It could be the mixture of stress from guiding multiple different A-Class and S-Class espers, as well as sleep deprivation, and the shock of the sync rating results.”

Han Sooyoung instantly turned to Yoo Joonghyuk, the scene looking like something out of a horror film. She turned her head so quickly. It was surprising that she didn’t break anything, nor make any noise from it.

“What was it?” demanded Han Sooyoung.

“98%,” answered Yoo Joonghyuk. He held his chin up, resolution in his frame. “He’s the only guide I’ve ever been compatible with.”

Han Sooyoung snorted. She brushed his statement off by saying, “Yeah. Cause your insides are a mess. I’ve heard all about it from that selfless asshole. You’re an endless abyss of negative energy that doesn’t know how to be anything else. There are no knots and nothing to sort through— just raw power that needs to be squished and forcefully cleansed.”

“Something like that should hurt,” said Yoo Sangah, eyebrows pinched. She swerved her head around. “I thought that Dokja-ssi’s guiding didn’t hurt anyone.”

“It doesn’t.”

“So you’ve experienced it?” Yoo Sangah was surprised. “I thought that Dokja-ssi has never guided you.”

“He hasn’t,” she answered simply. Han Sooyoung crossed her arms, the sucker hanging in mid-air. “I want to know if anyone’s touched him since he passed out.”

Uriel lifted up her hands, which were covered in latex gloves. “No one has with their skin. Seolhwa-ssi suggested that it would be a bad idea since we weren’t sure why he collapsed.”

Han Sooyoung crooned her head. From her hovering stance over Kim Dokja, she turned to Lee Seolhwa.

The writer asked, “You know, don’t you? I heard what you were saying before I came in.”

Lee Seolhwa’s lips were knitted together. After a moment, she nodded her head silently.

Han Sooyoung let out an exasperated sigh as she cataloged the room with cat-like eyes. Eventually, she landed on Metatron. The long-haired man had stood passively with the information shoved in his face.

“I know how this works,” said Han Sooyoung, waving her sucker around. “You’ll spin a story about how the top-ranked esper in Korea, and possibly the entire world, finally found his personal guide. And, not only that, but their compatibility has never been seen before. Therefore, it’s likely that there is more room to grow in the field, and receive insane funding from governments all over the world in order to learn how to make sync rates increase.”

“I have no say in what the Star Stream Association will do,” satiated Metatron. It sounded like a lie, if just a partial one.

Han Sooyoung just grinned. It wasn’t polite, sweet, or kind. It was full of sharp canines and a slightly demonic aura. “That won’t happen,” she said, like it was final. “The Association will not announce anything about what occurred today.”

“You are not the one who decides that.”

“The Association won’t go through with the idea.”

Han Sooyoung clacked her teeth together, as if she was winning. It caused confusion in the room. At least, for everyone aside from Yoo Sangah who didn’t know Han Sooyoung well, but well enough to know that Han Sooyoung's cocky smile and demeanor was forced.

Han Sooyoung continued, “They can’t be known to affiliate with Kim Dokja. It won’t look good. After all, his mother is Lee Sookyung.”

“Lee Sookyung,” echoed Uriel, her eyes widening as she turned to Lee Seolhwa.

Metatron, who was always calm and passive, felt his hand jerk unwillingly. Lee Gilyoung gave him a suspicious look, having not recognized the name. Jung Heewon’s hand flared up with energy instinctively before she got control over herself. And Yoo Sangah, the only other guide in the room, felt her world crash down around her.

It was Yoo Joonghyuk who said, “Lee Sookyung is the woman that wrote that book.”

“Yep!” Han Sooyoung gave him a thumbs-up sarcastically. “Gold star for you, asshole. Way to go!”

Yoo Sangah felt the heavy weight of the silence but she ignored it. She needed confirmation. “Lee Sookyung,” she said unsteadily, “is the mother that murdered her husband after learning what he was doing to their son. Lee Sookyung is a guide activist.”

“She published a series of essays that the Association continues to fight against,” confirmed Han Sooyoung. “They’ve tried to erase its existence online, even, but it keeps popping up for some odd reason. It’s as if they don’t want to admit that forced guiding is a problem that occurs within society all across the world or something.”

Yoo Sangah continued, dread settling in her very core as she realized what had occurred in Kim Dokja’s past, “She— She’s a forced guiding activist. All because her son had been forced into guiding ever since he awakened as a guide on the same day that her husband awakened as an esper. It's the most well-known case of forced guiding.”

Chapter Text

When he woke up, he felt incredibly refreshed despite his childhood memories pinging in his mind. That was in the past. He didn’t have to worry about that. At least, not anymore. He was normal in every sense of the word.

His body didn’t ache, his head wasn’t ringing, and his heart wasn’t beating against his ribs so fast that it felt like it was trying to break out. He sucked in a calm breath as he heard the dull rhythmic sound of a heart monitor.

He opened his eyes slowly as he looked up to a decked-out ceiling. He didn’t recognize it as his bedroom nor as the Crossroads of Life and Death facility.

Kim Dokja tilted his head along the sanitized pillows to be met with a familiar face. He felt a grin crack across his face, though it probably looked meek.

He felt amazing compared to how he felt before, but that wasn’t exactly hard to do. He wasn’t the most healthy person— just ask Han Sooyoung about it. She had horror stories about their college days.

“What happened?” he managed to ask after a few moments.

Han Sooyoung didn’t reply immediately. She lurched forward, picking up a glass of water. She handed it out to him gently. He took it into his hands shakily, a bad feeling brewing in his stomach.

As he took a few small sips to quench the thirst and dryness of his throat, he watched as Han Sooyoung dutifully reached for the side table again. This time, she handed his phone to him before taking the glass of water back and setting it down.

Something was up. Han Sooyoung was never quiet. She was loud, irritating, and always looking to cause trouble. Kim Dokja was expected to be cursed at, threatened, and maybe even get slapped in the face with a new stack of drafts to read over. Han Sooyoung was always ready to throw hands at a moment’s notice. So seeing her so still and terrifyingly calm left a haunting feeling in his gut.

“Sooyoung-ah,” he greeted quietly, “what’s going on?”

Han Sooyoung’s eyes landed on his form. He noticed that her pupils were slitted and there was an undercurrent of a dull, white glow. She was struggling to keep her powers under control, he could tell. For her to be so calm while on the brink of a rampage was impressive. He was in slight awe of her.

“Do you remember what happened yesterday?” she asked, voice monotone.

Oh shit. She was pissed.

Kim Dokja closed his eyes as his fingers messed with the hem of the sheet.

He could remember staying up all night to fill out the forms for Lee Gilyoung. After that, they went to the Star Stream Association to get approval on the MAD-01 forms by Uriel, who then told him about Yoo Joonghyuk volunteering to enter a scenario dungeon. He also broke into a house in order to obtain Lee Gilyoung’s belongings before dropping him off at school.

Yoo Joonghyuk was there.

Kim Dokja recalled running into Yoo Joonghyuk. In fact, Lee Gilyoung and Yoo Mia, Yoo Joonghyuk’s sister, were friends. Yoo Joonghyuk then offered him a ride to work. The ride was smooth sailing, nothing more than a small favor. Kim Dokja was hyper-paranoid that the esper was going to kill him, only to look back on it and realize that Yoo Joonghyuk was being nice.

Kim Dokja cupped his face as he remembered thinking of ways to hit the esper before rolling out of the car. He was insane.

This was why he couldn’t stay up for more than 24 hours like he did in college. Han Sooyoung always said that he was an annoying bastard any time of day, but when he was running on exhaust fumes, he got even worse and the voices in the back of his mind told him that everyone was out to get him.

He was then dropped off at Mino Soft, except he didn’t get out of the car immediately. He was befuddled by being given a white coat and how his heart kept thumping because Yoo Joonghyuk was looking at him for an unknown reason. It made him want to stay in the car to learn why Yoo Joonghyuk kept staring at him.

Of course, then Kim Dokja remembered what happened after work.

Kim Dokja went to pick Lee Gilyoung up from school. After chatting briefly with Lee Jihye, he was greeted with Yoo Joonghyuk, who commented on his eyebags.

Kim Dokja, for a few brief moments while he held his satchel close to him in the car that morning, wondered if Yoo Joonghyuk liked him. It was idiotic, especially since it was confirmed that Yoo Joonghyuk was only looking at him because he was judging Kim Dokja’s sleep schedule.

He wanted to curl up into a ball and die.

He remembered going to the Association to take a class, only to run into Uriel and Lee Seolhwa. Lee Gilyoung was along for the ride as Uriel explained what the sync rating machine was. Soon, Yoo Joonghyuk showed up followed by Metatron. As guide and esper, their compatibility was tested. Kim Dokja thought he was going to finally be seen as the horrid guide he was, only for his world to spill over.

98%.

Fucking shit balls.

“Please tell me I had a nightmare,” he croaked out behind his fingers.

Han Sooyoung tapped his bony fingers with an unopened lemon sucker. He regretfully let his hands fall from his face, letting them nest in his lap. He looked at her with nothing in the way to block his view.

Han Sooyoung’s eyes still shone and her mouth was drawn into a frozen frown. Kim Dokja then saw her unwrap the lemon sucker and stuff it into her mouth stiffly.

“I have a high sync rate with Yoo Joonghyuk,” he announced to her. He hated how the idea made his heart thud so quickly. “Joonghyuk-ie and I are compatible.” Kim Dokja felt as if cotton filled his ears, obscuring the sounds around him. “It’s the highest known sync rate.”

And then, as Kim Dokja began to envision the flood of demands coming at him in wildly hysteric ways, there was a voice.

“Stop worrying about that shit, squid.” It was Han Sooyoung. She leaned back in her chair but her shoulders were tense. “I took care of it. The Association has agreed to not report the sync rating because of who you are.”

He felt as if a bucket of cold seawater had drowned him.

“You told them, didn’t you?” His tone was hollow, eyes dull, and shoulders drawn down in a given-up manner.

Han Sooyoung clicked her tongue. “I had no other choice. Those assholes wanted to force you into a contract. I stopped them from pursuing it any further.”

Kim Dokja kind of wanted to scream. He kind of wanted to cry. Maybe even spit into a towel to get the bile rising in his throat out of his mouth.

Instead, he choked back all of his emotions and demanded, “How many know?”

Han Sooyoung’s gaze rolled over him. “Not that many.”

“Sooyoung-ah.”

“Only a couple of people.” Her eyes softened, the white glow practically disappearing in her eyes. “Everyone who was in the room knew you. No one will judge you for it. The only ones I wouldn’t trust would be the two Association espers. Those bastards were duped into contracts when they were young. I don’t understand why they continue to play by the Association’s rules.”

“Uriel is a good person.”

Han Sooyoung raised a single eyebrow. She drew the yellow sucker from her mouth, then said abruptly, “You guided her.”

“It was part of a class,” he quickly replied, unsure of why he felt the need to defend himself. “I’m going to become a licensed guide.”

“Why the fuck would you do that?” Han Sooyoug set her sucker down on its wrapper on the table. She pointed a finger at him. “You’ve never wanted to get your license. Why are you changing your mind? You’re— you shouldn’t be guiding anyone, Dokja-ya.”

“Sooyoung—”

“Don’t.” Han Sooyoung held her hand up flat. “You’ve done everything you can to not be a guide. Why would you even want to guide anyone after all that— that man did to you? You can’t even protect yourself from outside energy because of what he did. If anything ever goes wrong…”

“Sooyoung-ah,” he said, trying his best to hold back his flooding emotions, “I can’t stay hidden forever. I can’t pretend to be something I’m not. I’ve tried before. You’ve seen where that’s gotten me. Mino Soft originally planned to let me go after my first contract was up. They only put me on as a permanent employee after I agreed to be an option to private guiding meetings.”

“That’s not your fault,” she argued. “You had no disciplinary issues and always got your work done in the allotted time.”

“My co-workers hated me because I didn’t interact with them,” reminded Kim Dokja. He could still remember the looks he received back then. “I didn’t want to get close to any of them, so I was seen to have personality issues. I didn’t meld into the work culture.”

“That’s— that’s because you don’t want people to touch you.” Han Sooyoung nodded her head. “That’s not your fault. It never was.”

“You can’t possibly know that—”

“Do you think,” said Han Sooyoung, eyes fierce, “that I’ve never talked with your mother? I do my research. She told me what happened. It was an outside perspective, but it was still more reliable than your narrative. You misunderstand things too much or choose to be ignorant in order to not go fucking insane— you’re unreliable, to put it in simple terms.”

“I am not. I just see things through a different lens than you see the world.”

“Yeah,” she said shortly, “it’s the trauma.”

“Hey—!”

Han Sooyoung splayed back in her chair and set her feet along his lap. One of her socks had a hole in it, exposing her big toe. She then folded her arms, giving him the possibly most unimpressed look known to man.

“I’m going to give you a rundown of the situation,” she said.

Kim Dokja nodded his head silently. He couldn’t argue with her. They both knew it was a facade in an attempt to not feel the things he truly felt. He couldn’t remain pretending that he was a normal person, not when he hadn’t been since he was 8-years-old. Maybe even before that as well.

“Yoo Sangah and Uriel are putting together your classes. Some of them will be taken online, while a few hours are to be participated while in-person. One of those classes is about how to protect yourself from an esper. Not physically, but with an energy barrier. Yours doesn’t even exist because of, well, you know, so this class will hopefully make it so that you can use your own energy as a shield.”

Han Sooyoung looked at Kim Dokja briefly before continuing.

“You still need to take 30 hours of classes before your license is approved, but Yoo Sangah has already reached out to Mino Soft. You can still work as a normal office employee while doing meetings and taking contracts, or you can fully switch over to being a full-time guide. Both options will allow you more leeway with your schedule, meaning that you can drop off and pick up the little brat from school without worrying about taking time off.”

Han Sooyoung huffed slightly. Kim Dokja smiled at the idea of being able to pick up Lee Gilyoung without being hung over from exhaustion. It sounded almost… quaint.

“And,” she continued, “you have the next few days off of work already. Now is a good time to rest well, adjust to taking care of a rugrat, and set up a new normal routine. Maybe even move apartments. I’ve heard that you’re getting some nice checks from the Association.”

He looked at her dubiously. “Why would I receive checks from them? Aren’t I supposed to be paying them for obtaining my license?”

“Mino Soft is covering the licensing fees. All guiding companies do for their employees,” she said, not batting an eye. Then, “You guided two S-Class espers, Uriel and Sun Wukong, so you’re being paid for your services. If they didn’t pay you for it, I would go talk it up the food chain and demand answers.”

“That seems a bit harsh.”

“Harsh?” she echoed. “Dokja-ya, you are so irritating sometimes.”

“I know,” he admitted sheepishly. “I’m sorry you have to put up with this. You shouldn’t be cleaning up the messes I make.”

“What?” Han Sooyoung’s face morphed. “That’s not— I do this freely and out of love, you damn bastard. I wouldn’t keep showing up to get in your face if I didn’t care about you in some way.” Kim Dokja blinked up to her owlishly. “Just. Just listen.”

“Okay,” he agreed after a moment. “I’ll listen.”

“Yoo Joonghyuk has rescinded his request. The Sky Breaker guild will only associate with you if you are the one to make the appointments with them. However, that may not happen in the first place. All top guild members are due to go into the scenario dungeon.” Han Sooyoung huffed in annoyance. “Who even knew there was a scenario going on? This is the type of bullshit the Association pulls— not letting the public know about important events.”

As she continued into her rant about her hate toward the Star Stream Association, Kim Dokja hesitantly said, “Sooyoung-ah, Sooyoung-ah, it’s okay.” Her eyes flickered. “You protected me from them, right?” She nodded carefully. “Then I don’t need to watch my back anymore. They won’t associate with me.”

Han Sooyoung’s expression was pinched, almost upset. She picked up her discarded lemon sucker and stuck it in her mouth. She stared at him unhappily, her feet tapping against his thighs. Kim Dokja laid his hand over her socks, causing her nervous tick to halt.

“Sooyoung-ah, thank you.”

Her eyes widened and her jaw fell. “What? I told them— I told them about him. I promised you to never tell another soul about what your childhood was like. You only shared your memories with me because there was trust—”

“You protected me,” he stated, feeling confidence slather his tone. Kim Dokja was sure of his words. “You said what you needed to. I won’t blame you for that. I can’t, since you were doing your best to ensure my freedom of will. So I will continue to thank you for all that you’ve done for me.”

“You are an idiot,” proclaimed Han Sooyoung, drawing the sucker out of her mouth to point it at him, “but you’re my idiotic squid, so you better get sorted out so that you can look over my drafts. I’ve been here all night and guess how many words I’ve typed?”

Kim Dokja didn’t even need to think. “Zero.”

Han Sooyoung appeared to be betrayed. She held her chest dramatically, falling over her hand, which caused her hair to cover her face. When she looked up, her eyes were devoid of hope. It was a pitiful look, really— it was the expression that overtook her face every time she ended up in a writing slump.

“How did you know?” she asked, tone trying to not show emotion but failing. She sounded curious, and maybe even surprised by how well they knew one another.

Kim Dokja huffed out through his nose. “Do you really think that I don’t know you at all either?” A small smile cracked on his face as Han Sooyoung stuttered to form an answer. “We’re hopeless, aren’t we?”

After a beat, Han Sooyoung nodded her head. She then lifted her hands into the air.

“Yeah.” She agreed easily as she pointed her toes while she stretched. “Probably.” She then crossed her arms once more, but the tension in her shoulders ceased.

Kim Dokja held his head as his body shook from silent laughter. His life was a joke. There was no way that the average person ended up in the situations that he did. His shakes eventually ceased, but that only caused him to realize morbidly that he was still in a hospital-like bed.

Seeing as the room wasn’t closed off, he would guess that it was a med bay. Actually, it was eerily like one he had been in before.

“Oh,” he mumbled aloud, “we’re at the Association.”

Han Sooyoung nodded sagely. “After you get checked over, we’re leaving. One of your friends is watching over the kid, so I’ll pick him up while you clean up.”

“You’ve,” he began, feeling very honored to be cherished, “done a lot for me lately, and you’re going to keep going no matter what I say so… I love you too, Sooyoung-ah.”

“Shut up, you!” Han Sooyoung lifted her feet off of his lap, picked up a pillow from behind his back, and stuffed it in his face. Her cheeks were tinted and her canines protruded in her yelling stance. “You’re so fucking embarrassing!”

“You’re the one that literally wrote a chapter a week just because I would leave a comment on your first-ever published web novel,” he countered, his finger up in the air. “If anyone’s embarrassing around here, it’s you. There’s no way I would ever have that dedication to a stranger online!”

“I should have never told you my pen name!”

That was when Lee Seolhwa walked in.

Kim Dokja blushed fiercely as the white-haired woman covered the lower part of her face with the clipboard in her hands. Han Sooyoung, who was in the middle of lifting up a different pillow, dropped it with a small puff. They all stared at one another until Lee Seolhwa stepped forward, each step clicking along the floor.

“Seolhwa-nim,” was all he managed to say as he held down his giggles.

“Dokja-ssi, Sooyoung-ssi.” Lee Seolhwa stifled a laugh.

Han Sooyoung whispered, “Good morning.”

Lee Seolhwa set her clipboard down. She did her regular check-up — the eyes, the heartbeat, the touch of his face — before pulling out a drawer to pick out an energy rater. She paused before he nodded his head, allowing her to put it near his forehead. The device beeped a few times before Lee Seolhwa pulled it away.

“You’re at 100%,” she commented, pleased. “As long as you promise to not guide anyone as well as to not strain your body physically for the next few days, I officially declare you healthy.”

Kim Dokja quickly agreed, “I think I can manage that.”

Lee Seolhwa must have picked up on his personality, as she just raised her brows and said, “Drop by my facility if you feel like anything’s wrong. Or, you can call if you just want to talk about symptoms over the phone first. Either way, I want to see you in a month no matter what.”

Han Sooyoung quickly offered up, “I’ll drive him there myself if I have to.”

Kim Dokja sent her a disbelieving look. “You don’t even have a driver’s license.”

“So what?” Han Sooyoung rolled her eyes. “I’d figure it out one way or another.”

Leaving the Star Stream Association was more embarrassing than any other emotion. Kim Dokja’s satchel had been found. He had to decide between wearing his day-old clothes or parading around in something he had never worn before.

Han Sooyoung had to forcibly stop herself from curling over and laughing after he emerged from the bathroom.

He ended up choosing a choice in between: he wore his old pants, got a souvenir t-shirt that had the Star Stream’s logo on it, and wore the white coat Yoo Joonghyuk gave him in an attempt to cover up the weird furry-demon thing with horns. The Association’s little character didn’t make any sense. Yoo Sangah called it a dokkaebi, so Kim Dokja supposed that it may have been a Korean-only thing. He had never left the country himself, so he would never truly know.

By the time he arrived home, he was exhausted. It didn’t make any sense at all, as he had been asleep for over 12 hours. He should have been ready to go, go, go. And yet he was ready to flop onto his bed and sleep for another few hours without any hindrances.

Han Sooyoung plugged in his phone, knowing that it was perhaps his most treasured possession, before ordering him into the bathroom. He took a shower while she went to pick up Lee Gilyoung. He wondered who he was staying with. It was likely Yoo Sangah or Jung Heewon— both were great choices.

By the time he had exited the bathroom, he was greeted with a silent apartment.

It was then when loneliness hit him like a freight train. He was gutted, spilling out without any hopes of stopping. Kim Dokja had to remind himself that she would be back, and, not only that, but she would have Lee Gilyoung with her.

Kim Dokja got to work. He didn’t lift heavy things — that had never been a thing he did — but he did, however, prepare Lee Gilyoung’s space. Kim Dokja’s apartment was meant for not much more than one person, maybe two. He fed the grasshoppers with food from Lee Gilyoung’s boxes before sitting down on his bed.

He looked at his crappy laptop screen. He was going to do this. Moving to a newer, nicer, better place. It didn’t sound right to him. Even when he was making good money at Mino Soft, he had never thought about moving. He always had something else to do: rent, books, school debt, food in general, a new toaster, a better laptop… The list went on and on.

But now he had a few good chunks. Being a guide paid better than he realized it would. He had been doing private meetings with espers a couple times a month, but that didn’t nearly account for as much as the Sky Breaker contract did. Then again, that was due to Yoo Joonghyuk being on a rampage.

A new apartment sounded scary. He never got to pick and choose his options. It was always what was the cheapest while not being too far away from a train. Now, he could choose what sort of place he wanted— how many rooms, the security, the neighbors. It was overwhelming, to be frank.

But it was exciting as well.

He could imagine Lee Gilyoung having his own room. A safe place where the boy could reign free. Maybe it would be filled with cages of bugs. Maybe Lee Gilyoung would want a lock on the door that only he had a key to. Maybe Kim Dokja would be able to find one with a window so that they could look outside on a starry night or a mellow morning to watch the sun rise.

He found a few choices by the time he heard the creak of a door. Kim Dokja shut his laptop and crept off of the bed. He was presented with Lee Gilyoung and Han Sooyoung.

Han Sooyoung said, “—to remember that sometimes he just doesn’t know what to do to help, so just be blunt about it. Get to the point. Tell him how to make it better. He’ll try but he simply doesn’t understand how to help in a way that matters in certain situations. Oh, and if you need anything, just tell him. He doesn't know how normal people live so you might need to outline a few things.”

Lee Gilyoung bobbed his head up and down along to Han Sooyoung’s words. “I’ll make sure to ask for what I need.”

“He’s got a good heart. Well. Okay, so he’s got a heart, and he tries, so that makes up for it.” Han Sooyoung patted Lee Gilyoung on the shoulder. “Have a good day, kiddo. If you need anything, or if the rat needs any help, be free to call me.”

“Bye, Sooyoung-noona.”

Han Sooyoung simply exited the door with narrowed eyes. Lee Gilyoung quickly locked the door after her before turning to face Kim Dokja.

The guide was vaguely aware that he had been ignored by his best friend. It was a bit rude of her, to be honest. He felt jilted.

“Hyung,” greeted Lee Gilyoung. His eyes sparkled before he leaped forward.

Kim Dokja didn’t expect the hug but he reciprocated it nonetheless. Except… Lee Gilyoung halted whenever he went to wrap his arms around the guide’s waist. Kim Dokja noticed it. He froze as he remembered that Lee Gilyoung probably knew now, too.

Kim Dokja sucked in a breath before locking his arms behind Lee Gilyoung and squeezing him so tight that the boy was lifted off of the ground for a few moments.

Before Kim Dokja set him down, he felt Lee Gilyoung knot his fingers into his shirt. Kim Dokja pressed a kiss to Lee Gilyoung’s head before setting him onto the ground. Lee Gilyoung’s eyes were bright and surprised when Kim Dokja met the gaze head-on.

“I’m glad you’re safe, Gilyoung-ah,” he told him.

Lee Gilyoung frowned. “I was always safe with you.” When Kim Dokja opened his mouth to argue about how horrible the first couple of days of living together went, Lee Gilyoung spoke over him. “Let’s log into one of your classes. Unless you’re— unless you’re too tired.”

Kim Dokja studied the person in front of him. Lee Gilyoung was trying so hard to put on a brave face. Kim Dokja was worried that if he had a confrontation now, then the boy would break.

So, Kim Dokja mustered up his best carefree smile as he said, “Of course I’m not tired. Let’s learn about guides and espers together.”

That’s how they ended up on the bed watching a video about guiding. Kim Dokja had a notebook across his thigh that he wrote notes — and the occasional doodle — on. Lee Gilyoung’s eyes were watching the video with apt attention, his eyes barely allowing the time to blink as he took in the material.

“So an awakened person can only be ranked when they’re 16?” questioned Lee Gilyoung once the video paused.

Kim Dokja hummed noncommittally as he selected the answer for the multiple-choice question. Once it was confirmed that he got the answer right, he paused the video so it didn’t continue.

Kim Dokja replied, “Kids are too young to receive a rank. They can grow more into their power. Technically, everyone can, I think. It’s just harder to do the older you get. Since I was registered as a kid and I never went back for my license until now, I’m unranked.”

“How old are you?” Lee Gilyoung asked innocently. “Should I call you ‘ahjussi’ instead of ‘hyung?’”

Kim Dokja instantly said, “Don’t you dare I am not—”

He stopped talking when he saw Lee Gilyoung try to cover up a giggle. Kim Dokja was so flabbergasted that he was duped by the twerp, that he grinned beside himself.

Eventually, Kim Dokja resumed the video. Taking classes online was surprisingly nice. He didn't feel the pressure of showing up at the right times every day. Although, it did make him worry about Yoo Sangah. As the video talked about espers, Kim Dokja took out his phone and texted his friend.

Kim Dokja: Are you taking classes online or in-person?

It took a few moments before Yoo Sangah replied. Kim Dokja beamed down to the answer. He couldn’t help it. He was worried that he would grow apart from her. He had no reason to worry about that now, though.

Yoo Sangah: I’m doing a mix like you. We have an in-person class scheduled 3 days from now together.

Kim Dokja: Will I see you before then?

Yoo Sangah: I’m not sure. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

Kim Dokja: Alright. Take care.
Kim Dokja: Have a good day. Don’t push yourself.

Yoo Sangah: You worry too much.

Kim Dokja: This feels like a conversation we’ve had before… but reverse.

Yoo Sangah: Perhaps I was too quick in my reply.
Yoo Sangah: I’ll be okay. I’ve taken up a new contract with the Salvation guild. It’ll keep me busy for the next couple of days while you recover.

Kim Dokja: Does the Salvation guild master and Sky Breaker guild master still have scandals or did that all blow over years ago?

Yoo Sangah: Since when did you know about esper gossip? I’m shocked.
Yoo Sangah: Yes, it’s true. There are still rumors about the two guilds being petty toward one another. Nothing major. Most of it is the same things brought up over and over again. There are a few clips online that are amusing from time to time. Some of Nirvana and Yoo Joonghyuk’s conversations were very public.

Kim Dokja was quick to exit the fullscreen of his current lecture. Lee Gilyoung’s eyebrows furrowed next to him in confusion. Kim Dokja searched up Nirvana Moebius and Yoo Joonghyuk until he discovered a few edited clips of them.

{A person, Nirvana Moebius, with mid-length hair and flowy robes appeared on the screen. They were shouting at a person off-screen. Nirvana declared, “My guild will be the best there ever is. Join mine and I’ll give you the best gear. We can—” Nirvana was cut when a familiar but younger voice of Yoo Joonghyuk replied, “No.” Nirvana’s face broke as if they had been slapped. The camera then zoomed in on Yoo Joonghyuk as the dark figure stalked away while grumbling about annoyances.}

“He’s a real snooty bastard, isn’t he?” commented Lee Gilyoung. His eyes narrowed. “And he dresses like soot.”

Unable to say anything else, Kim Dokja responded, “Erm… yes. Yes, that is so.”

Kim Dokja, positively stumped with the peculiar esper named ‘Yoo Joonghyuk,’ exited the tab and returned to the lecturing video. He had to backtrack the video a few minutes due to texting with Yoo Sangah.

The days following were mellow yet hectic.

He somehow got a new apartment lined up. He suspected that Han Sooyoung meddled, as most people would have to wait a few weeks before all of the papers could be approved.

Soon, he was carrying a mattress into Lee Gilyoung’s new room as Han Sooyoung carried the other end without a sweat. He cursed at her, believing the part about espers being naturally stronger compared to others.

The new apartment had two rooms, a nice-sized kitchen, and a living room that Kim Dokja wanted to bring his old couch into, only for Han Sooyung to scoff and off-handedly say to burn it before another poor soul sat on it. Kim Dokja even had his own slot in the parking lot, though nothing went there. Instead, he chained his bicycle to the front of the building and bought Lee Gilyoung his own subway train pass.

The apartment was closer to Constellation Elementary. Kim Dokja may have chosen that apartment for a reason other than its free pool access. It would allow Kim Dokja to walk Lee Gilyoung to school before taking the train to work. Although, he could no longer bike with Yoo Sangah in the morning or afternoon to work and back.

He then took an in-person class with Yoo Sangah.

She waited for him to initiate physical contact before whispering how much she was thankful that he was okay in his ear. Kim Dokja had to force himself to not cry as the class then started up. Yoo Sangah was a lovely person inside and out at all times.

Their instructor was Jang Hayoung, an affiliated Star Stream Association member. She was not one herself, but instead recommended by Sun Wukong. She had short blonde hair and large eyes that made Kim Dokja do a double take. She was so beautiful. Maybe even rivaling Yoo Joonghyuk— wait, no, she was more beautiful than Yoo Joonghyuk.

Jang Hayoung taught her students how to form a ‘wall.’ Kim Dokja was fascinated by the concept. It was sort of like how Lee Hyunsung activated a shield with his energy. However, instead of the energy shield blocking out physical force and attacks, guides were taught to form the barrier across their skin in order to not feel the pressure of other energies.

Kim Dokja found himself to be quite poor at creating a barrier. Yoo Sangah was able to do her hands after the end of the 3 hours. However, once Jang Hayoung came over to demonstrate it for them, Kim Dokja was able to copy her and form a thin, translucent barrier of energy across his fingers.

He didn’t notice the way that Yoo Sangah’s eyes shone with tears as he continued to try to create the barrier.

“You’re doing well. You’ll get there in no time,” commented Jang Hayoung.

Kim Dokja tried to materialize the barrier, only for it to fail. He gave a lop-sided grin full of anxiety. “I don’t know about that, but thank you for teaching me.”

“Of course. It’s fun to experiment in the different ways that energy can be used.”

“You don’t happen to be friends with Uriel, do you?” he asked. They both seemed to be well-acquainted with energy. “You both can do so many unthinkable things with energy.”

“Never heard of her,” replied Jang Hayoung, dismissing the idea entirely. “I’ve been wanting to contact a guide that I’ve heard does a lot of low-class guiding and high-class guiding, though.”

“Oh?” Kim Dokja didn’t realize that it would be odd to do something like that. “Are you not staying here long, then?”

Yoo Sangah was the one who stepped in to say, “She travels the world to fulfill guiding appointments.”

Kim Dokja couldn’t help but be intrigued. He hadn’t heard of a traveling guide before. They usually stuck down roots somewhere. That would mean that Jang Hayoung was paid well, in order to do something like that.

“Have you not heard of me?” Jang Hayoung asked, a bit confused. She didn’t seem disappointed, more like relieved.

Yoo Sangah quickly said, “Dokja-ssi isn’t very good at keeping up with esper-guide news.” Kim Dokja sent her a look. “It’s not a bad thing,” she was quick to say. “You just… you don’t understand a lot of things. It could lead to misunderstandings one day.”

Kim Dokja jutted his lip out. He argued, “Just because I didn’t know that courting was a thing, doesn’t mean that I don’t know anything, Sangah-ssi. I know a lot about guiding now.”

Yoo Sangah leveled her gaze with Kim Dokja’s. Kim Dokja promptly closed his mouth, smiled strainedly at Jang Hayoung, and then turned around while she continued on to a new group.

The days passed quickly as he took most of his other classes online.

It helped pass the time while Lee Gilyoung was at school. Han Sooyoung was back to writing regularly. Kim Dokja left comments on her word documents only to receive a frowny face in reply. They both ignored the fact that she generally trusted his edits and changed things around.

His first day of officially returning to work was odd. It didn’t feel chaotic even though he was anxious about seeing his Mino Soft co-workers.

He was an official guide now— a licensed one. He was allowed to have more time off but he felt like today would be a good day to return. His guide license was being mailed to Mino Soft, Lee Gilyoung had new school supplies, and Jung Heewon promised to stop by soon.

He walked Lee Gilyoung to school. The boy waved until he had to show his badge to be let into the gate. Kim Dokja lingered for a few moments before he saw a posse of teenagers approaching. He quickly left and wondered why Lee Jihye and Yoo Joonghyuk weren’t there.

He entered the subway train and sat down. As he went to open his web novel app, he saw that he was recommended a new article. He clicked it immediately once he read the headline.

[Yoo Joonghyuk and Sky Breaker Members Enter a New Scenario Dungeon]

Kim Dokja quickly read through the article to discover that Yoo Joonghyuk was entering the dungeon in just a few hours. He frowned. He didn’t think it was too odd to not see Yoo Joonghyuk. But now, looking back at it, Kim Dokja had been expecting the esper to pop up and drive him nuts.

When the train stopped, Kim Dokja wasn’t sure what he was doing. There was only one thing on his mind: Yoo Sangah was going to be worried once she noticed that he didn’t didn’t show up to work like he said he would. So, he quickly sent her a text before continuing.

Kim Dokja hailed a cab. Once he was inside, he asked, “Can you take me to the Sky Breaker guild headquarters?”

Chapter Text

The Sky Breaker guild was just as he remembered. Kim Dokja looked up at the building and tried not to feel queasy. It looked daunting, but it didn’t compare to how dark and gloomy an early-morning Association building appeared.

The last time he was here, he was led down to the lower levels of the building and told that the Star Stream Association approved for Lee Hyunsung, Jung Heewon, and Lee Jihye to kill Yoo Joonghyuk before his rampage became too bad.

It was a bit ironic that the last time he was here, he had no idea what he was going to do, and yet today he knew exactly what he was doing.

He opened one of the front doors. Guilds were oddly unaware of how often they didn’t lock doors. Maybe it was on purpose. Kim Dokja supposed that guilds could just fight off anyone who came into the place to steal or fight, but didn’t it just seem easier to lock the place up? Especially when it was announced that the guild would be gone to take on a dungeon.

Kim Dokja shook his head as he walked inside.

The lobby was deserted. Kim Dokja didn’t even see a receptionist. He looked around for any wandering souls only to wonder if perhaps the espers left to deal with the dungeon already. He frowned at the idea but he also knew that sometimes the Association would monitor the dungeon gate in order to make sure that it was safe to pass through.

Just as he had been about to give up from lurking in the dark hallways, he heard a few rushed footsteps. He peeked his head around a corner to see a swaying pony tail and slightly curly white hair. Kim Dokja recognized Lee Jihye easily, but he was also able to determine that Kim Namwoon was the person next to her.

Once Lee Jihye spotted his face from around the corner, her hand went up in a wave. “What are you doing here?” she asked, more curious than upset.

Kim Dokja completely stepped out from around the corner. He replied a bit hesitantly, “I thought you were supposed to be at school.” Even if Lee Jihye was an S-Class esper, she was still a teen.

Lee Jihye hummed. Next to her, Kim Namwoon’s eyes sparkled with interest. Lee Jihye dismissed the A-Class who seemed to want to talk. Kim Dokja wondered what was happening. It was like the two of them were having a silent conversation. What was Kim Dokja missing?

She said to Kim Dokja, “I’m on my way to a dungeon. I already got the next couple of days cleared with my teachers. You don’t need to worry about anything.”

Kim Dokja replied, a bit unsure, “It’s a scenario dungeon, isn’t it?”

Lee Jihye quickly nodded her head. “Yeah. It’s the first one I’ll be a part of.” She elbowed Kim Namwoon. “He’s never been in one either. That’s why we’re running behind. We had to be guided first and pick up some of the Life and Death pills in storage.”

She lifted up her hand to reveal a small plastic rectangular container and jiggled it, letting the pills bounce off of one another inside. After a second, she pocketed them. It was strange to see so many pills in one place. They were known for being expensive in high quantities. Most espers only had one or two for emergencies only.

“Who are you?” Kim Namwoon asked abruptly. It caused both Kim Dokja and Lee Jihye to pause as they walked down the hallway slowly. “I mean, I think you’re the guide that our leader’s been trying to recruit, but you aren’t acting as described.”

“Oh?” Kim Dokja desperately wanted to know what people had said about him, but he needed to get through this. “I’m not exactly recruited but I am looking for Yoo Joonghyuk.”

“You are?” It was Lee Jihye. Her eyes were wide with excitement. She practically pushed Kim Namwoon out of the way. Her arm wrapped around Kim Dokja’s shoulder with buzzing energy. “Have you two finally agreed to get your sync rating done? I noticed that he didn’t go to an appointment.”

Ah. It appeared she was in the dark. No wonder she was acting normally— she even touched him easily. Ever since… ever since he woke up everyone around him had been cautious.

Kim Dokja replied, “We’ve had our appointment.” Lee Jihye gaped, stunned. She looked truly aghast at being out of the loop. “We’re compatible.”

“So you’ll… be working with us soon?” Her face morphed into slight disgust. “Does that mean you’ll be in a higher position than me? Will I have to respect you?”

Kim Dokja quickly waved it off. “I’m still working at Mino Soft. I’m not joining the guild.”

Lee Jihye let out a happy breath of air. “Good!” She jerked her thumb back to Kim Namwoon, who looked thoroughly like a kicked puppy. “I get to boss him around sometimes because I’m a class above him. It’s fun. Except for when he gets all snarky.”

“Hey!”

“Ignore him,” said Lee Jihye, dismissing Kim Namwoon’s protests. “I find that his voice is easy to drown out once you have some practice time.”

“You’re a bit cruel, aren’t you?” asked the guide.

The S-Class just smiled. “Hmm?” She was the picture of innocent obliviousness.

“Hah…”

“Anyway,” said Lee Jihye, “we have to go now.” She turned to Kim Namwoon. He held up a pair of keys in his hands. “Master will be back in a couple of days. You two can work things out then.”

As she turned to leave with Kim Namwoon, Kim Dokja reached out his hand. Lee Jihye looked down to the hand around her wrist.

His grip was gentle and barely there, yet Kim Dokja could feel the energy buzzing beneath her skin. It was like a series of calming waves. But then he felt it. The crash of a dark pool of water flooding into a lighthouse. Lee Jihye was great at remaining calm on the outside but the truth was that she was nervous.

“I’m going with you.”

Lee Jihye looked visibly confused as he let go of her hand. “Are you going to see master off or something? Are you two actually a thing?” She then whispered something along the lines of, “Oh my gosh, Uriel-unnie was right! Espers and personal guides always end up together.”

“We’re not a couple— I am going to guide him. That’s why we had our sync rate tested earlier than planned.”

“Oh… Oh!” Lee Jihye nodded her head. “You’ll come with us, then. You must not have been informed where the dungeon was.” Kim Dokja quickly agreed to that idea. “We can take you there.”

Kim Namwoon huffed loudly as he unlocked the doors to the car. Kim Dokja climbed in the backseat while the two espers took the front. Lee Jihye looked excited as Kim Namwoon started the car with an exhausted expression. Kim Dokja smiled every time Lee Jihye looked back at him.

As Kim Namwoon drove out of the parking lot, Kim Dokja looked down at his phone. He had gotten a message from Yoo Sangah asking if he was feeling okay. Kim Dokja simply sent a thumbs-up.

He was going to do this. He clutched his satchel tightly in his lap and hoped that he was doing the right thing— not only for everyone else, but for himself as well.

The drive was shorter than he expected. Lee Jihye filled the awkward tension with stories about school. She didn’t seem to hate school but she thought that entering dungeons was much more fun. Kim Dokja wondered if she knew the high death rate of espers but he kept his mouth shut. She was likely briefed on it already and was simply trying to focus on the better parts of her life.

Kim Namwoon was suspiciously quiet. It was like he was analyzing the situation before deciding what was going on. Kim Dokja hated that the teenager’s red eyes were on him. However, he quietly replied to Lee Jihye’s questions about Lee Gilyoung and continued on. Kim Namwoon would have to decide for himself what he thought of Kim Dokja. The guide wouldn’t help him choose what was right or wrong.

They arrived at a public park, which had an oddly desolate appearance for a sunny morning.

Kim Dokja stepped out of the car with slight confusion. He felt like he would have heard whether or not a dungeon opened in a park nearby to his home, only to see the undisclosed parked vans that were definitely from the Star Stream Association.

Then, he noticed a small sign that warned about toxic fumes coming from the drains. Ah. So they covered up that a gate was so close to the populace. He should have expected that.

Lee Jihye readied herself. She checked her pockets, grinning each time she had the right thing. Kim Namwoon, meanwhile, looked bored as he locked the car. Kim Dokja tried to not feel anxious as they walked across the parking lot but he could feel the energy radiating from the dungeon gate. He hadn’t been so close to one before.

“Hey, ahjussi,” called out Lee Jihye, “you good?”

Kim Dokja quickly nodded his head. He clinged onto his satchel strap and hoped that he wouldn’t cause a scene. He could handle the energy permitting in the air. He just needed to focus.

After bypassing a few trees, the park opened up to reveal a large gate that was hard to not see. The gate was large and full of a swirling white. Energy soaked into Kim Dokja’s bones as he followed where Lee Jihye and Kim Namwoon went. More people began to come into view. He recognized quite a few of them.

Kim Dokja could have followed the two espers around the camp but he could already feel where Yoo Joonghyuk was. He never purposely looked for energy, but Kim Dokja needed something other than the gate’s energy to focus on.

He had found his target easily— only one esper in the entire world felt like Yoo Joonghyuk’s endless abyss of rotten power.

Yoo Joonghyuk was alone under a popped-up white tent. It appeared to be a make-shift medical area. Kim Dokaj wondered if Lee Seolhwa was around, or if there was a team of Star Stream Association medical professionals around to overlook the gate. Scenarios always got more help from the Association than a normal dungeon.

He was dressed in all black— his pants, shoes, shirt, and coat. Even Yoo Joonghyuk’s eyes and hair were black. He was the perfect description of tall, dark, and handsome. Kim Dokja scoffed at the cliche description, blaming Han Sooyoung for filling his mind with romance tropes from her books.

Her romance novels sold the best, mainly because it was with a publisher. Her fantasy-romance ones were rising up there in the ranks, though, even though it was her old self-published writings. Unsurprisingly, her original web novel that didn’t focus on romance didn’t have many readers.

Yoo Joonghyuk stared at him with dark, onyx eyes. Kim Dokja felt his heart thud against his chest. The esper before him had pain-filled eyes— wait, no, that wasn’t quite right.

Yoo Joonghyuk’s eyes were full of pity. Kim Dokja had been warned, but seeing it up close was unnerving. Yoo Joonghyuk knew about his past.

Knew that Kim Dokja couldn’t protect himself like other guides could. That’s what forced guiding did. It broke down any natural barrier against esper energy that it had until it was shattered and unrepairable. Kim Dokja could never guide like a normal person. It’s why he was able to guide a powerhouse like Yoo Joonghyuk.

“Kim Dokja, you should not be here,” said Yoo Joonghyuk, his voice slowly lapping up against the sand of a beach. “Guides aren’t permitted to be near gates.”

Kim Dokja knew that. Not only were guides not allowed to enter gates due to the low population of them, but they were naturally more attuned to energy.

It’s why Kim Dokja felt slightly abuzz, as if intoxicated, while also feeling more anxiety than he had in the past few days combined. This was great training, though. Energy was something he had to get used to feeling. He had tried long enough not to be a guide— he couldn’t hide anymore, he wouldn’t.

“Hey, Joonghyuk-ah, you look good.”

Yoo Joonghyuk was frozen in place. Kim Dokja felt the need to laugh at the man but that seemed unkind. Instead, he stared at the esper patiently. It was probably a shock. Kim Dokja had no idea what was running through the S-Class’s mind, but it was likely nothing good.

Forced guiding was looked down upon greatly, yet it happened more than anyone wanted to admit— most of all, the Association didn’t want to acknowledge it. Some people even encouraged it, seeing as there were more espers than guides. The guides that existed needed to serve all the espers they could.

And then a book was published by a supposed murderer, who managed to kill an esper while being a normal human. The world — the Association — couldn’t ignore the problem anymore. They erased all that they could but everyone knew Lee Sookyung’s name, even if they weren’t part of the esper-guide world. Kim Dokja was secretly thankful that the Association got rid of the first edition copies they could— the only copies that held his name in the acknowledgments.

Sensing that Yoo Joonghyuk may never speak, Kim Dokja continued, “You’re on the brink of a rampage. Do you want any help with that?”

“Kim Dokja…”

“I thought we were closer than that,” quipped the guide, feeling a nervous smile mount on his face. “I thought you were going to be my esper, Joonghyuk-ah. Just as I would be your guide.”

“Dokja-ya…” His eyes swam around, looking for a lifeboat that would never come. Eventually, Yoo Joonghyuk cleared his throat. “Why are you here? It’s dangerous. I’ll be entering the gate soon.”

“I know. Why do you think I came?”

Yoo Joonghyuk’s face did a funny thing. It was as if he couldn’t decipher his own feelings. His lips thinned into a line, his forehead wrinkled, his nose scrunched up, and his eyes gave away how lost and confused he was feeling. Kim Dokja knew that it was bizarre meeting again after the way things ended last time.

It had been over a week since their sync rating. Since Kim Dokja collapsed. Since Yoo Joonghyuk rescinded his request to be guided at all by Kim Dokja. It had been such a short time and yet Kim Dokja finally felt relieved now that he was in the esper’s presence.

“You’re not well,” stated Yoo Joonghyuk. He put up a hand when Kim Dokja stepped forward, closing the long distance between them. “You shouldn’t feel pressured to do this.”

“You’re acting a lot differently than you were two weeks ago,” noted Kim Dokja. He hated it, the feeling making his skin itch. “Two weeks ago, you locked me inside your car. You gave me a gift and told me that I was yours.”

“That was before—”

“Why does knowing part of my past suddenly make a bastard like you change?” Kim Dokja stepped forward again. This time, Yoo Joonghyuk didn’t step away. “My past was the same whether you knew it or not. What happened to you being so confident that I would guide you?”

Yoo Joonghyuk’s stare was deadly. And yet it wasn’t a glare. It was just a look. Perhaps it was simply how Yoo Joonghyuk’s face was. An automatic facial expression, like a resting bitch face. Kim Dokja had experienced weirder things.

“I came here of my own volition,” said Kim Dokja, stepping forward once more. “One of the biggest reasons our sync rating appointment was moved up by a few days was because of this— you going into a dungeon. Why did you volunteer, I wonder. Uriel told me that they wouldn’t force anyone to enter the scenario. Why would you willingly prepare for the possibility of death?”

“I am strong enough,” was all Yoo Joonghyuk said.

“What about Lee Jihye? Or Kim Namwoon and Lee Hyunsung? How many of your guild members could be marching to their death just because you volunteered your guild to enter the dungeon.”

“I didn’t volunteer the guild,” argued Yoo Joonghyuk. His eyes narrowed, but they were lit up with something akin to telling the truth.

“Oh.” Kim Dokja should have known. “You only volunteered yourself but they followed you inside. They chose to go with you.”

He had loyal members, then. He must have good qualities that Kim Dokja hadn't seen— wait, no, that wasn’t right.

Kim Dokja saw the dedication that Yoo Joonghyuk had for his sister. He did Yoo Mia’s hair, dropped her off at school, made her lunch, and picked her up every day unless there was a dungeon.

Lee Gilyoung was always envious of the lunches Yoo Mia showed up with. Kim Dokja tried to pack a lunch that was similar to what Lee Gilyoung ranted about, but he ended up failing to even cut apples with little rabbit ears so he gave up and decided that he would keep things simple while slowly looking up tips from parenting blogs.

Then, Yoo Joonghyuk took in younger high-classed awakened espers and trained them to do as they pleased. Kim Namwoon and Lee Jihye chose to participate in the scenario. A lot of young espers didn’t get that choice if they were strong.

The Association and guilds rivaled one another and competed over newly awakened ones— the younger they were, the more potential they had. A lot of times, it ended up being who would pay the newly awakened esper the most while also having an available guide that they had a good sync rate with.

So, deep down inside of there, Yoo Joonghyuk had a heart. If he didn’t, Lee Hyunsung wouldn’t be loyal to such a man. Kim Dokja found himself wondering why he had never thought about it before.

Even Jung Heewon tried to throw Yoo Joonghyuk at him. And Jung Heewon was fiercely protective of him— they bonded that night she awakened while at the bar.

They stayed under the silent tent for a few moments. It almost felt like they were the only two to exist on the planet. Sounds of people going by filled his ears once he dulled out the piercing ringing of the gate’s energy. He could hear voices and a few clacks of people busy preparing to enter the dungeon.

Kim Dokja could have left, just as he could have gotten out of the car once Yoo Joonghyuk pulled up to the Mino Soft building. Yoo Joonghyuk wasn’t going to stop him or force him to stay.

The Star Stream Association would likely want Kim Dokja gone, as well. Guides weren’t permitted to be in the area. It was bullshit, but still a rule. Though, as far as he knew, it wasn’t illegal. Once the dungeon was entered into, the energy from it would increase. It would be hard to remain in control of himself if he didn’t leave before then. The amount of energy would make it hard to focus or do anything other than feeling the rocky waves of energy lapping up against the shoreline.

He asked steadily, “Have you been inside a scenario dungeon before?”

Yoo Joonghyuk’s face was stone but Kim Dokja picked up on the energy inside of the esper. For a split moment, it lurched as if flinching from Kim Dokja’s words. The guide was given his answer. Yoo Joonghyuk had seen horror inside a scenario before.

A voice reminded him of the last time a scenario dungeon occurred. 130 espers went into the gate, 100 of them didn’t return. And the 30 that did, they didn’t return right. They saw things on the other side that they wouldn’t speak of. Perhaps they did things in order to survive that they couldn’t speak of.

“You should go into it with all of your cards. You can’t afford to leave one behind, only to need it later. Lives are on the line, you know. Not just yours, but the rest of the guild’s too. And, if you all can’t finish the scenario, another poor bunch of espers will be sent in the next time it pops up.”

“I’ll end the scenario,” he said confidently.

“But you can’t. Not with the way your energy is currently. If you rampage while in that dungeon, you’ll mess it up. How many people will get hurt? You asked me that day… The day we met, you asked if I would be there to keep you from hurting anyone when you rampaged.”

“I asked if you would be there the next time I lost control,” confirmed Yoo Joonghyuk, his tone hard to describe. It seemed melancholy, hopeful, and disturbed all at once.

“I’m here now,” Kim Dokja declared.

With one final step, he closed the distance between them. His satchel hung lowly on his shoulder. He couldn’t rely on it to stop feeling anymore.

“Kim Dokja, I said those things without knowing your past. Since you don’t want to guide me, I will do what I did before. The Life and Death pill will be enough to suffice me.”

“I’m a licensed guide now, you know,” claimed Kim Dokja. He could practically feel the hot sigh of air that Yoo Joonghyuk released in a surprised huff. “I can guide anyone I want. I don’t even need an appointment for it.” Unless I want to be paid.

Kim Dokja’s eyes sparkled as he said, “Joonghyuk-ah, I’ll ask you: will you allow me to touch you?”

Yoo Joonghyuk’s eyes flashed, almost appearing to be steel blue, before they returned to black. He leaned forward, just a tad, but it allowed them to be slightly closer. Kim Dokja’s heartbeat increased as Yoo Joonghyuk’s chest rose and fell just a few centimeters away from his own out-of-control chest.

The silence was killing him. Kim Dokja analyzed the way that Yoo Joonghyuk dressed, the way his hair fell across his forehead and fell behind his ears, and how the coat he wore reminded Kim Dokja of the one in his satchel. Did Yoo Joonghyuk buy him a matching or complimenting coat? That was embarrassing strange.

Kim Dokja couldn’t help but say, “I know I’m not a good guide, but I’m the only one you’ve got.”

“You’re… you are a good guide,” rebutted Yoo Joonghyuk. He was so close, it hurt. But it wasn’t painful in the ways that Kim Dokja was used to. No, what hurt was the fact that they were so close yet so far.

“I’m not.”

“You are.”

“No,” said Kim Dokja, his mind swirling, “I’m not.”

“No one else can guide me.”

“That’s because your energy is too controlling—”

“It’s because—” said Yoo Joonghyuk, only to cut himself off.

His hand lifted to hover next to Kim Dokja’s cheek. There was no skin contact and yet Kim Dokja could feel the heat radiating from the esper’s palm.

Yoo Joonghyuk exhaled. He said, “I’ll agree to it, if you agree to stop if it becomes too much.”

Kim Dokja licked his lips. Why did this feel so intimate? It was just guiding.

“I know my limits.”

“Kim Dokja,” said Yoo Joonghyuk, his tone not up for debate, “you will stop once it becomes too much.”

“It’s cute,” said Kim Dokja, unable to help himself, “that you think you’re strong enough to drain me of all of my energy.” When Yoo Joonghyuk’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion, Kim Dokja elaborated, “I guided two other S-Class espers within minutes of one another without any problems. And I promise you that Uriel-ssi has more power within her pinky than you do in your entire body.”

“Other espers are guided regularly,” argued Yoo Joonghyuk.

“I did guide you recently, or did you forget how we met?”

“Kim Dokja.”

It was strange to hear his name through Yoo Joonghyuk’s lips. Kim Dokja slowly sucked in a steady stream of oxygen as he realized that he was actually okay with this— that perhaps he wanted this; that he chose this instead of it being forced upon him.

“Yes, Joonghyuk-ah?”

“You may guide me,” he allowed after a beat. His eyes were focused solely on the guide in front of him.

Kim Dokja’s eyes locked with coal, and, before he knew it, he had reached forward. Kim Dokja interlocked his fingers with Yoo Joonghyuk’s hand, before twisting his hand so that Yoo Joonghyuk’s knuckles were splayed against Kim Dokja’s cheek.

Skin contact. Then he used his other hand to hold onto Yoo Joonghyuk’s face, who then leaned into the touch as a soft breeze caused his hair to lift up and curl around in the wind as if he was a protagonist from one of Han Sooyoung’s novels. It took a second for Kim Dokja to notice that Yoo Joonghyuk’s other hand was flush against his nape.

“Okay,” whispered Kim Dokja, already feeling the tingling nerves of negative energy pulsing across his skin, “I’ll guide you.”

Kim Dokja allowed himself one last look into Yoo Joonghyuk’s obsidian irises before he closed his eyelids. He didn’t feel anything for a moment, as if halted in the middle of space. Then, slowly, he let down his wall. Using his right hand, he slowly sucked in a small portion of negative energy. He could still feel Yoo Joonghyuk’s knuckles across his skin but they were much fainter now that he had something else to focus on.

Kim Dokja took in another slow, deep breath. Bit by bit, he allowed his own energy to probe at Yoo Joonghyuk’s. He already had a small taste but now he had to expand his diet to learn what was truly in the great beyond.

It was a thundering, always-expanding abyss in the end. A dark, scrambled, rumbling energy that couldn’t see up or down, left or right. All it knew was that it wasn’t supposed to be this way but had no other choice— had never lived to see it differently.

It knew nothing aside from the darkness without light. There was no purity before Kim Dokja, but he had enough of his own to allow it through.

Yoo Joonghyuk’s energy was too overwhelming and controlling. The only way to purify it, was to allow it to seek control. Kim Dokja, who had never been given control, was able to provide a space for the negative energy to roam free.

Other guides would have too many barriers— too much control over what was allowed in and out. Kim Dokja had no guards, so Yoo Joonghyuk walked straight in without even having to ask permission. It was probably the most toxic relationship there could be between an esper and a guide, but it was the only way for it to work between them.

Kim Dokja soaked the negative energy into his body through his, only allowing small bits and pieces in at one time. Then, he let it reign free.

Yoo Joonghyuk’s darkness ran around and demanded attention. Kim Dokja let it do as it pleased until it thinned out. The energy was too excited at being in a new place, that it had forgotten that once it was untied, it was weaker. Then, and only then, did Kim Dokja set his own energy free.

By only taking in a small amount of the dark expanse of energy inside of Yoo Joonghyuk, Kim Dokja was met with an amount of energy that he could overwhelm. As his eyes tightened down in focus, he smothered the negative energy until it shattered into a million little pieces that he could cleanse properly.

He had to think of it as a story. By pulling at a small thread that was soaked in negative energy, he was able to distinguish and separate them into small, miniscule pixels. He ran his own energy through those pixels, untangling them until they were the shape they were supposed to be. They wove through his body with the help of his own energy until they were aligned in the correct way— until they were readable.

Then, gently, Kim Dokja would release the untethered and cleaned energy back into Yoo Joonghyuk through his left hand. After a moment to check his own energy reserves, Kim Dokja continued. He took in the next bit of negative mass and performed the same trick. Yoo Joonghyuk had an enormous amount of energy but it could be done. It simply took time.

It was the only way he knew how to cleanse an esper’s energy. Yoo Sangah had mentioned that no one should willingly allow negative energy into their body, but Kim Dokja couldn’t guide like she did.

This was the only way he could clean energy— by making his weakness a way to help. It’s what made him able to approach Yoo Joonghyuk’s pixelated abyss. A million fragments could be overwhelmed when they were separated, but not when they were part of a whole.

Every so often, the hands on him shifted. Kim Dokja would pause in his guiding for a moment as he adjusted to the new stance.

Yoo Joonghyuk’s grip across his neck would shift, sometimes to be more gentle and others to be a bit more strong, as if he didn’t know what to do with himself. The hands that they had interlocked would tighten and tighten and tighten every time Kim Dokja incorporated more cleaned energy back into the mass. Other times, Kim Dokja could feel the hand on the back of his neck trail up into his hair and twirl, as if Yoo Joonghyuk was knotting his fingers into Kim Dokja’s hair.

Kim Dokja had to push all of that in the back of his mind. He continued on through the abyss of Yoo Joonghyuk’s power until he had sorted through the black hole-like mass. He wasn’t sure how long it took, but it felt as if it took forever and yet it also felt like all he did was blink.

Kim Dokja opened his eyes to see Yoo Joonghyuk. The esper’s face was peaceful, their noses practically touching. Kim Dokja leaned back slightly as he finished assuring himself that Yoo Joonghyuk had been properly guided.

There was no more negative energy inside of the man before him. It was a clear abyss that had no knots or ties or tangles. It was pure.

Kim Dokja slowly undid his fingers from Yoo Joonghyuk’s. It caused the esper to open his eyelids slowly. Kim Dokja was met with small pupils and large, shining black irises with small sparkles of blue. It was stunning to look at and realize that Yoo Joonghyuk’s eyes were always supposed to be so vibrant with life.

Kim Dokja methodically slipped out of Yoo Joonghyuk’s grasp. After a moment, Yoo Joonghyuk’s hold lightened, as if he hadn’t realized that they were still interlocked. The esper quickly laid his hands at his sides while Kim Dokja clutched onto his satchel strap in wonder.

“You’ll be good to go,” Kim Dokja assured, looking everywhere but Yoo Joonghyuk’s face. “I would suggest not using all your power, though. Or if you do, test it out first. You haven’t been able to utilize it in a while, so it may take some warming up to do so.”

Yoo Joonghyuk’s lips looked as if he was frowning, but Kim Dokja saw a flash of humor in the other man’s eyes. It made the guide confused. Why was that bastard smiling? Did he want to die in the dungeon? Or was Kim Dokja completely missing a social cue? He didn't know, and a part of him didn’t want to know either.

“Dokja-ya,” said Yoo Joonghyuk, his voice doing things to Kim Dokja’s head that he would never admit aloud, “I will come back.”

“Yes… You will.” Kim Dokja nodded slowly. Was this dude dumb or something? “You should be good on guiding for at least a month if you were normal, but I would say to schedule an appointment before you enter the dungeon. Mino Soft’s been pretty busy ever since Hyunsung-ssi told people he liked our company. I’m on the roster now, both for general and private appointments.”

Yoo Joonghyuk blinked blankly. Kim Dokja clarified, “I was previously only available through a private meeting.”

Yoo Joonghyuk’s brow furrowed, as if he was thinking too hard. “Are you,” said the esper, “not my guide?”

Kim Dokja felt his face heat up against his will. He looked down and used one of his hands in an attempt to cover his blush by sticking it across his nose. After recovering, he quickly trembled and said, “I am— I am not your personal guide.”

“But you…” Yoo Joonghyuk gestured between them.

Alright. That was… This situation was probably confusing. From an outsider's perspective, that is. Kim Dokja didn’t send any mixed signals whatsoever. Nope.

“I showed up to guide you because you’re a powerful esper about to enter a scenario dungeon without guiding. I will continue to work at Mino Soft.” Kim Dokja nodded more to himself than to Yoo Joonghyuk. “This was— This only happened because I didn’t want you to die. Or anyone else, for that matter.”

When Kim Dokja looked up, he was greeted with the sight of Yoo Joonghyuk showing a fond smile. It was a tinge strange and made Kim Dokja wonder what was going on through the esper’s brain.

“I’ll set up a meeting,” was all Yoo Joonghyuk said. It sounded official. Then, after he looked around for a moment, he told Kim Dokja, “You should leave before anyone else sees you.”

Kim Dokja paled as he quickly agreed with a nod of his head. “I still need to get to work, I suppose.” He told Yoo Sangah that he was possibly not showing up, but if he did, then he could get back into the groove of working again.

“I’ll be going now,” he said, a bit sheepishly.

Yoo Joonghyuk simply stood there. Kim Dokja shook his head and turned away. This was normal, I am normal, everything is fine, he repeated in his head. He only made it a few steps away before he was greeted with a familiar woman.

“Dokja-ssi?”

Jung Heewon looked absolutely startled. Her eyes widened and she held her hands up, as if reaching for a hug, before stopping herself, and clenching her hands into fists.

“What are you doing here?” she asked in concern.

“Good morning, Heewon-ssi,” he said softly. “I was, uhm.” Kim Dokja looked back to Yoo Joonghyuk, who was still standing in the same spot. “You know.”

Jung Heewon was confused for a few more moments before her mouth dropped. “Oh.” Then, her expression turned furious. “What did that bastard make you do—!?”

“Heewon-ssi!” Kim Dokja stepped closer to her. She jerked back. “I came here without prompting.”

“But…”

“I was worried, but he’s all good to go now. Joonghyuk-ie will be an asset and not a problem,” assured Kim Dokja. He analyzed the ways that Jugn Heewon’s face morphed throughout their conversation. “I’m surprised you’re here, Heewon-ssi. Did you volunteer?”

Jung Heewon was silent for a moment before she confirmed, “I volunteered to join the raid. Most guilds and individual contractors were thankful that Sky Breaker volunteered to go, but I was curious.”

“And Hyunsung-ssi was going,” reminded Kim Dokja, smiling when Jung Heewon’s cheeks tinted slightly. He beamed at her. “I’m sure you’ll be fine.” He then leaned in a smidge. “I do ask that you keep an eye out on Lee Jihye. She seemed nervous when I met with her earlier this morning.”

“You met— Of course, I’ll look after her.” Jung Heewon’s hands reached up, but she stopped herself again. A strained smile overtook her face. “I’ll see you later, Dokja-ssi. You should go before any of the Association employees catch you here.”

Kim Dokja wanted to walk away but he didn’t. All he could think about was that usually he was hugged by now. If he wasn’t hugged by Jung Heewon, then she patted his shoulder. And if she didn’t pat his shoulder, then she captured his arm into hers.

Either way, they were always all over one another. It was nice because she didn’t feel afraid to touch him because she hadn’t picked up on his ticks. For a few moments, he could pretend that he was normal when he was around Jung Heewon, even if he was ultra-aware of every touch.

It appeared he was going to be the one who had to initiate contact until he showed his friends that they didn’t make him feel like… They weren’t his father, or anyone else from the past.

Kim Dokja remembered how hesitant Lee Gilyoung was. Even Yoo Sangah and Han Sooyoung hadn’t held his hands. Han Sooyoung was always like that, though. It was Yoo Sangah who surprised him. She usually liked to hold their arms together while they walked, or give little pats to one another on the shoulder as a greeting. It was a sign of trust.

And yet lately…

He was going to have to show those around him that he didn’t mind their touch when it was them that did it. Kim Dokja knew that he had issues, and now his friends knew he had issues. It was going to take a while to wrap his mind around the idea that they knew who he was, but for now, he would try to make headway despite their concerns.

Kim Dokja felt like a line back or something else from American football as he rushed at Jung Heewon. The A-Class esper couldn’t do anything but open her arms in alarm before he wrapped her into a hug. Then, painfully slowly, her arms wrapped around him. They tugged one another into their embraces tightly.

After a few moments, Kim Dokja and Jung Heewon let go. They stared at one another awkwardly before Jung Heewon wrapped him into another small hug. When they broke up for the final time, Kim Dokja said, “It was great to see you, Heewon-ssi. When you all get back, we should get together as a group. I think it’ll be fun.”

Jung Heewon’s hesitant smile broke out into a full-blown grin. “That sounds agreeable, Dokja-ssi. I’ll tell the others about it.” After a beat, she then added, “You should bring your strong friend too.”

“Oh? Which one?”

“The one that showed up.” Jung Heewon seemed uncertain as she said, “Yoo Hansung? Han… Han something.”

“Han Sooyoung?”

“Yes!” Jung Heewon snapped her fingers together. “Her. You should bring her. Anybody that’s so protective of you, as well as strong, is definitely someone I want to get to know better.”

Kim Dokja felt a bewitched smile form on his face. “I’ll see if she’s up for it.”

Kim Dokja then sent one look over his shoulder, to see that Yoo Joonghyuk had pursed lips, as if the man wanted to speak up. Kim Dokja brushed it off. He turned back to Jung Heewon, nodded at her, then went to leave.

As he passed by, Jung Heewon tapped his shoulder with a grin. Kim Dokja felt his heart swell at the action before he scurried away.

He made it out of the park by sneaking through the dozens of busy espers and normals.

He noticed that he knew quite a few of the faces around the dungeon gate. Sun Wukong was standing next to a person that Kim Dokja recognized as an older Paul. It was strange to see the man after so many years. Paul wore glasses now, and his suit looked a lot more expensive than it did when Paul told Kim Dokja he was a guide.

Kim Dokja had to shake it off. Old memories needed to stay in the past.

He hurried through the rest of the crowd and searched for a new way to work. He was too far from any train station to walk in a short amount of time, so he would either need to board a bus or hail a taxi.

He walked across the park’s parking lot before deciding that figuring out the bus times would be too taxing with his current mental state, so he walked to the edge of the street and called for a ride.

Once the taxi cab pulled over, Kim Dokja gave the address for Mino Soft. As the driver took off, Kim Dokja looked to his lap. His satchel laid over it. He thought about messing with the items inside the bag to pass the time, but instead, he took out his phone. He messaged Yoo Sangah to say that he was coming into the office. He was surprised to see that he wouldn’t end up being that late.

Then, with one small sigh, Kim Dokja clicked off his phone and wondered how he was going to focus on work when all he could think about was if those entering the scenario dungeon would be safe.

Chapter Text

“Okay, so let me get this right, Kim Dokja from the 9th floor is officially a guide now? I thought he was already guiding the Shield of Sky Breaker and didn’t he receive checks from guiding some of the Association’s assets? Why would he just now get his license when he was guiding tons of high-class espers already?”

Lee Sangsung ushered, “I don’t know, but I would guess that it has something to do with why Sangah-ssi has been asking for his help. I bet he’s been planning on making the switch to a full-time guide for a while. Why not, you know? Guides make more money in a week than I’ll ever dream of while working at Mino Soft as a paper pusher.”

“Gah! Don’t bring up Sangah-ssi. She’ll show up and tell us off for gossiping. She’s protective of Kim Dokja, don’t you know? I mentioned once, offhand, that I found the guy to be a bit creepy since he doesn’t join us for any of our after-work hangouts. She told my supervisor to keep an eye on me.”

“Don’t badmouth Kim Dokja around her,” warned Lee Sangsung, eyebrows raised while she then drank from her mug of warmth.

“I know!”

“Jeez, now you’re going to make me paranoid.” She shook her head warily. “I swear, every day there’s something going on— another dramatic reveal. Just last week I heard from Han Myungoh-ssi that Kim Dokja ignored him once. I mean, I know that Myungoh-ssi is a bit of a, well, creep but he’s also close with some of the higher-ups.”

“Mm-hmm. I heard Han Myungoh is cousins with the dean. They’re family, so that means that Han Myungoh will always be picked over any of us if any position with the right qualifications opens up. Not that I would move departments anyway. Our department is the only one with a working espresso machine. All the others only have the basic coffee maker.”

“You’d rather stay here than get a pay bump?” asked Lee Sangsung, surprised.

“Pay bumps come with more expectations, which is a lot of pressure and overtime. It wouldn’t be worth the added pay per hour. Plus, you’re here. I don’t want to leave you hanging.”

“You’re a sap.” Her nose crinkled. “And a smidge dumb. I would take the pay raise immediately. I’ve got my eye on this new television. It’ll change the way I spend my days off.”

“You won’t get any days off once you move up in Mino Soft,” reminded Shin Yooyoung, wondering where her friend’s mind was going.

“Oh, come on, let me have this. It’s just a daydream. I’m still just a coordinator. I won’t be moving positions any time soon.”

“If only you were a guide. You’d just have to take one or two good contracts a week and be set with no worries about money. Or, you could be an esper, now that I think about it. I bet we could totally take on some monsters.”

“You’d want to go into the dungeons?” Lee Sangsung shook her head vehemently. “No, thank you. I would hate it. Most espers are low-classes, too. That’s why companies like Mino Soft exist, you know. So many espers aren’t strong enough to enter the dungeons but they have all the side-effects of needing guiding anyway. I couldn’t imagine having to fork over so much money without any benefits.”

“At least if you’re a guide, you can choose.”

“Right? You could technically live a normal life like the rest of us sad fools, or you could guide enough espers to make a name for yourself like Sangah-ssi.” Lee Sangsung thought for a moment, her hand tightening around the glass of tea in her hand. “Do you think she’ll ever guide Myungoh-ssi like he keeps asking her?”

Shin Yooyoung replied, a bit confused, “I thought their sync rate was low. Doesn’t every guide and esper in the company get tested once they join?”

“Nah, I heard that Sangah-ssi simply refers Myungoh-ssi to different guides. I would guess that her private meetings and contracts are more important than guiding a low-level esper like Myungoh-ssi.”

“Hmm?” Lee Sangsung tilted her head. “I thought Han Myungoh was a C-Class esper. Didn’t Kim Dokja used to guide him?”

“Their sync rate was shit, but I think you may be right.”

“Ick.” She could have gagged. “I heard guiding’s supposed to be intimate. Can you imagine being an esper and getting shoved with Kim Dokja? He’s always got those horrid purple eye bags that make him look like a deranged poltergeist.”

“As if Han Myungoh is any better. He’s slimy—”

“I know, I know! But you can’t just say that.” Lee Sangsung’s hand was in the air as she looked at the door of the lounge room. “Someone could be listening. And if Myungoh-ssi hears what you said—”

“Oh. Oh! Yikes.” Shin Yooyoung nodded as she took her own peak at the door. It was clear, it appeared. “Okay. That’s why you shifted to Kim Dokja. It makes sense now.”

“Well, yeah, but it’s not like Kim Dokja is anything much either. He does have a horrid complexion. And his stupid satchel. I swear, how long has he been carrying that ratty thing around?”

“You don’t like the satchel?” Shin Yooyoung felt offended, not for Kim Dokja but for the satchel.

“Uh, no.” Lee Sangsung sent a dubious look across the table.

“But it has charm.”

“It looks like it should have been thrown away ages ago.”

“It looks rustic. and loved.”

“Okay, I know that you like antiques, but you can’t really think that the satchel is in good shape. There’s a hole in the bottom that Kim Dokja filled with duct tape. For no reason, may I add. He has enough money to buy a new one.”

Shin Yooyoung offered up a small idea. “Maybe it has sentimental value…?”

“There’s no way that Kim Dokja would take something that meant something to him to work every day. You remember what his starting days were like, don’t you?”

“I got here after he was put on as a permanent employee.”

“Oh.” Lee Sangsung paused before she said, “So you don’t know what he was like that first year.”

“Well, no…”

“He was horrid.”

“What? More so than—”

“Yep.” Lee Sangsung nodded seriously as she remembered the memories. “He didn’t talk to anyone, didn’t smile, and always stuck to his cubicle like a little busy ferret. He got his work done too quickly, which put everyone else on edge because then upper management was wondering why no one else was doing so much work. Eventually, Sangho-ssi talked to Kim Dokja. They’re friends, I think. Or at least, they used to take their lunch breaks together.”

“Yoon Sangho.” Shin Yooyoung tried to figure out who that was. It was a man on the 9th floor, she was fairly sure. “Uh… That’s the one that schedules the private meetings, yeah?”

“Yes. Sangho-ssi was the first one to break through any of Kim Dokja’s weird habits. I’m not sure why or how Sangho-ssi approached him, but after months of dealing with a weirdo, Kim Dokja suddenly started to be a bit more friendly. I think the first time he nodded to me as a greeting in the hall, I almost passed out.”

“From fear?”

“...”

“What is it? Why is your face turning red—?”

“Shush up!”

“Oh my, you like Kim Dokja’s roddy face.” Shin Yooyoung was flabbergasted. “Why? I mean, not to judge, but I just… He’s Kim Dokja. Didn’t his nickname used to be ‘trash’ or something.”

“Kim Dokja was known for having a trash personality, yes, but that doesn’t mean he’s not… special in other ways.”

“I thought you didn’t like him? I don’t believe you. I swear, I heard Han Myungoh call him ‘Ugly King’ before.”

“Oh, that’s a nickname that espers used to call him,” said Lee Sangsung, nonchalant over it.

“Really?” Really!!!???

“For his ugly personality. He didn’t smile for months, remember? Then, when he was made a permanent employee by taking private meetings, everyone was gobsmacked. What kind of guide willingly does paperwork when they could just guide instead, right? It was a hot topic for months. I still think about it, honestly.”

“But…” Shin Yooyoung couldn't even imagine ever calling Kim Dokja that to his face. It made her embarrassed in his place. “Even when he was made a permanent employee, he wasn’t horrible. Why would any espers call him something like ‘Ugly King?’ It doesn’t make sense.”

“Guides are…” Lee Sangsung tried to find the right terms. “Espers are entitled, and so are guides, but guides are supposed to represent a certain image, you know? Espers are strong, powerful, and deadly. Guides are supposed to be peaceful, calm, and docile. Basically, guides are supposed to be the opposite of espers. Guides are supposed to be… kind. And they need to follow directions and, well, you know.”

“Uh… No. I don’t.”

“Okay. Think of Kim Dokja. What does he remind you of? What’s his personality?”

“Kim Dokja is strange.” Shin Yooyoung wasn’t afraid to say so. It was the truth, after all. “He’s nice enough but he isn't really friendly— that’s reserved for Sangah-ssi. And maybe Yoon Sangho occasionally. Kim Dokja’s helpful, though. And he gave me a cereal bar once after I forgot to pack lunch.”

Lee Sangsung was quiet for a moment before she declared, “You are hopeless.”

“That’s mean!”

“I just— you know that he’s brash, right?”

Brash: (1) self-assertive in a rude, noisy, or overbearing way. (2) strong, energetic, or disrespectful. (3) a place or thing having a tasteless appearance.

“What?” Shin Yooyoung felt like she needed to defend Kim Dokja. “He’s not.”

“He’s rude,” was what Lee Sangsung said after a moment of contemplation.

“But he’s not loud or anything. He keeps to himself. That’s all.”

“Okay, so, maybe brash is the wrong word, but he’s…” Lee Sangsung’s lips drew into a sharp line. She was just trying to get Shin Yooyoung to understand why people didn’t like him. “Kim Dokja doesn’t fit what a guide is supposed to be. Think of Sangah-ssi. Then compare her to Kim Dokja.”

“Sangah-ssi is very warm and always greets me with a smile. Kim Dokja is a bit awkward but he still smiles at me. It took a few months but I think it’s just how he is.”

“Okay. So—”

Lee Sangsung was beginning to wonder if she had misjudged Kim Dokja. When was the last time he didn’t greet her? Come to think of it, didn’t Kim Dokja track her down after she dropped her badge outside in the parking lot once? And let her borrow his mug when hers was cracked? Not to mention… Nevermind. She wasn’t ready to shift her entire worldview.

“—think of a different example.”

“Uh.” Shin Yooyoung blinked wearily before she snapped her fingers together. “Kim Dokja prefers to be alone while Sangah-ssi is always locked in her office or out of the office on a contract.”

“You are irritating me.” Lee Sangsung was sure that Kim Dokja and Yoo Sangah were completely different. “Sangah-ssi is an angel compared to Kim Dokja. Sangah-ssi is always warm, inviting, and welcoming. She holds open the elevator door for anyone that passes by and she makes tea for you if she notices that you’re having a crappy day. Plus, she follows orders spectacularly. Sure, she goes on contracts, but she’s only invited onto those contracts because of her great manners and politeness.”

“Sangah-ssi once dumped a cup of warm coffee on me ‘by accident’ when I suggested that she guide Han Myungoh. He asked me to ask her to, so I did, and then she did that.”

Lee Sangsung huffed. “That’s relatable, though. Would you want to touch Myungoh-ssi?”

Shin Yooyoung, after a moment, agreed. She wouldn’t want to touch Han Myungoh willingly either, even if she got paid for it. “... I guess it is.”

“Anyways, you should be able to tell now why Kim Dokja is hated. ‘Ugly King’ is a great name that suits him. His personality sucks.”

“Are you sure you’re not just trying to make yourself think of him as a horrid person so that you can pretend that you’re not attracted to—”

“If you value our relationship, you will shut up right now.”

“... Harsh.”

Shin Yooyoung shifted back in her seat. The lounge was empty aside from them. It was too early in the morning for anyone to care about two employees not starting work immediately. Plus, she got to see Lee Sangsung’s face. She looked worried and was she getting embarrassed? That was adorable.

When Shin Yooyoung met Lee Sangsung’s eyes, the latter said, “Shush up!”

“...” I am doing nothing wrong, aside from staring at you.

“Don’t look at me like that. I’m not the one that’s accusing the other of being— of being attracted…” Lee Sangsung’s stomach churned in unease the more and more she thought about how espers and guides were viewed by the public. Perhaps she was wrong…? She shook her head. “ Let’s move on, kapeesh?”

“That’s fine by me,” replied Shin Yooyoung easily.

“Good.”

A few too many moments passed in tense silence. Shin Yooyoung shoved a spoonful of yogurt into her mouth. Lee Sangsung pretended that she didn’t see anything and continued to look on. It was weird and awkward and they both hated it.

Shin Yooyoung set her spoon down. “So…?”

“You suck at this,” sighed Lee Sangsung, clutching her cheek with her hand.

“I do not—”

“You do. I’ll start up the next conversation.”

A few more moments passed.

“... I’m waiting.”

“You—!”

“What?” Shin Yooyoung gazed at Lee Sangsung fiercely. “Are you going to say I have a trashy personality if I don’t listen to what you say?”

“That’s… that’s a good point.”

“Ha! I finally made you admit that I’m right for once.” Shin Yooyoung picked up her spoon happily and took another bite from her yogurt parfait. This time, it included some berries and chopped nuts.

Lee Sangsung’s eyebrow twitched. Perhaps… perhaps she misjudged Kim Dokja. Maybe he wasn’t a horrible person. Or a trashy guide, for that matter.

And yet she was sure that espers called him trash. Mino Soft had a good reputation as a guiding company, so it was strange when espers kept receiving feedback that Kim Dokja wasn’t a nice guide. Then again, at the same time, the rest of the espers that Kim Dokja guided in his private meetings couldn’t stop saying good things about him.

Actually, when Lee Sangsung remembered all of the feedback about Kim Dokja’s guiding in the early days, she was sure that most of the reviews and comments were from espers he didn’t guide. Wait a moment… that wasn’t adding up. Why would espers call him trash without knowing his guiding? Were they— were they jealous or something? Was that a thing that happened?

It didn’t sound logical. There was obviously a conclusion she was missing.

“You know,” began Lee Sangsung, “I process all of the licenses and sync ratings at Mino Soft. I could— I could take a peek into them. It’s not, well, ethical but maybe Kim Dokja’s just a low-level guide.”

“I suppose that could be the reason why Kim Dokja is seen to have a bad personality,” agreed Shin Yooyoung. She seemed tense. “Do you… want to go now? Isn’t Kim Dokja returning to work soon? His license was supposed to show up before then, right?”

Lee Sangsung nodded hesitantly. “I should go check the mail… and you should make me a cup of coffee like the good friend you are and drop it off at my desk.”

“I don’t want to make you coffee— Oh. Oh…. I’ll get your favorite mug. You do what you need to.”

The two split up, both with the same goal. Lee Sangsung went to see the small mailing center. She showed her badge to the poster and quickly received all the mail meant for her to process. Meanwhile, Shin Yooyoung was slowly and carefully carrying a steaming hot cup of coffee to the 4th floor.

In a quiet, secluded office, they greeted one another with silent nods of curiosity.

Lee Sangsung sorted through the mail on her desk before taking out two envelopes. One was larger with a thicker outside meant to protect the results. The other was a bit of an odd shape and one side of it was heavier than the other.

Shin Yooyoung whispered, “You should open the sync rate first.”

Lee Sangsung nodded. She reached for the thicker envelope. She undid the seal as she normally did when she processed the sync rates to input into the Mino Soft database. And yet she was uneasy. She was normally a very diligent employee that didn’t share personal information, but, well everyone would find out eventually.

Lee Sangsung opened the results. She was stunned by what she saw. The normal introduction from the Star Stream Association was expected. It was boring and told the basics of what a sync rating test was. But then…

[Esper: Yoo Joonghyuk. Guide: Kim Dokja.]

“Isn’t Yoo Joonghyuk the top-ranked esper in Korea?” she whispered hotly to her friend.

Shin Yooyoung quickly agreed with wide eyes. “I think Yoo Joonghyuk may be the strongest esper in the world. People have asked for there to be an Olympics of sorts between countries to determine who was stronger, but…”

“Yeah.”

“I can’t.” Shin Yooyoung’s eyebrows furrowed. “I can’t believe that Yoo Joonghyuk would ask to get a sync test rating with Kim Dokja.”

“Maybe Kim Dokja asked to get the test. Sangah-ssi might have been kind enough to set it up for him. Or maybe Lee Hyunsung from Sky Breaker.”

“But the nerve—” Shin Yooyoung shook her head. “Just tell me the results.”

Lee Sangsung opened up the next page. Usually, there would be a number. That number would then be what she put into the database so that she knew who to allow in a meeting with Kim Dokja as a guide.

“What the shit is this?”

“You mean, you haven’t seen this before?”

[REDACTED]

Lee Sangsung closed the test quickly. “Of course, I haven’t seen this.” She shook her head, grabbing for the next mail. “I’m sure it’s a mistake. Or I’m not high enough up in Mino Soft to see the results.” She sent a wink to Shin Yooyoung. “I’ll just ask Jung Inho about it later. He tells me everything, you know.”

“Is that supposed to be flirty?”

“... No?”

“We’re already together. Don’t hit on other people just to tell me the results of someone else’s sync ratings.”

“That’s fair. However, you accused me of liking Kim Dokja earlier and didn’t get upset. I’m receiving mixed signals here.”

“As if you wouldn’t actually ask him out. Sangah-ssi would hunt you down for sport if you approached him.” Shin Yooyoung shook her head. She pointed to the closed envelope. “Are you going to open it?”

“Alright, alright. I’ll do it.” Lee Sangsung tore the letter open easily. She undid the papers and saw the basic photograph of Kim Dokja taken for his printed off guiding license. “It looks normal.”

“Huh. He doesn’t look too bad in the photo. Refreshed, maybe.”

Lee Sangsung looked at the I.D. picture for a moment longer before agreeing. “There’s no eyebags. Maybe it’s edited.”

“Maybe since he’s switching to guiding, he won’t stay up late anymore. Maybe it was all of the overtime that got to him.”

“I guess so.” Lee Sangsung then froze when she noticed an odd thing on the license. “Hey, Yooyoung-ah, I’m not seeing things weirdly, am I?”

“What do you mean?” Shin Yooyoung inspected the printed-off license card closer. “It seems normal to me.”

“Read the class that he’s assigned.”

Her tone became high-pitched and shaky as she said, “Does that say— Does that say what I think it says?”

“It— It could be a misprint.” Shin Yooyoung said in a small, nervous voice, “Maybe you should notify the Association….”

“They wouldn’t mess up on this.”

“Does that mean… does that mean Kim Dokja is—” She cut herself off. Shin Yooyoung held her stomach. “I think I need to sit down. This is a bit too much for me to process right now.”

Lee Sangsung nodded her head encouragingly. “Yeah. Let’s. Let’s meet for lunch. I brought in some small dessert pies my grandpa made.”

“Yeah. I’ll— I’m going to go do that now.”

Shin Yooyoung quickly left. Her mind was whirling and it didn’t help that she spent half an hour of her busy work day talking to Lee Sangsung when she knew she had a ton of projects due later that day.

She got to work. It was abundantly clear that the time was ticking by. Thankfully, she and Lee Sangsung arrived early that morning. They tend to do that now. They ate a nice, long breakfast together to start their days before meeting up for lunch. They didn’t get to do a lot of things outside of work until the weekend, after all. Those few moments during the day were what counted.

She didn’t make it very long before getting interrupted. Shin Yooyoung was busy at her workstation when she heard the tap-tap-tap of a person hitting a desk. She looked up, startled, to be met with a stranger that didn’t belong at Mino Soft.

“Erm, excuse me,” said the prettiest person that Shin Yooyoung had ever seen, “I was told that Kim Dokja worked here. I was wondering if you could point me to his office. I couldn’t find him on the 10th floor so I thought he may be on a lower one.”

“Oh, uh, Kim Dokja is currently on leave,” replied Shin Yooyoung once she snapped out of her daze. “I can take down a message, though.”

The blonde nodded carefully, her eyes piercing Shin Yooyoung’s very soul. “That would be great. I’d like to set up a meeting with him, if possible. If I leave my contact information and my name, can you give it to him?”

“Of course!”

“Alright.” The stranger took out a business card from her wallet. “This is my card. Please tell him I was here. I’ve been looking for a guide that’s like him, so I’d like to learn from him to see if I can apply his skills to myself.”

Shin Yooyoung took the card and waved as the unknown beauty left for the elevators. Then, Shin Yooyoung looked down at the card. She read the name repeatedly before turning around to glide across the floor. She opened the door to her friend’s office with a wildly pacing heart.

Lee Sangsung looked up, nose crinkled. “What?”

Shin Yooyoung slapped the business card on the desk. “Do you want to tell me why or how come Jang Hayoung, the guide known for traveling across countries to guide S-Class espers, just asked if she could get in touch with Kim Dokja in order to learn from him?”

“What the fuck?” Lee Sangsung picked up the business card. After reading it for a few seconds herself, she asked once more, “What the fuck?”

“I don’t know what the hell is going on,” admitted Shin Yooyoung. She took the card back with delicate, careful hands. “Do I— Do I tell him about it when he gets back from leave?”

“Shit. You will have to. You can’t just lie about it. It’s Jang Hayoung. She’s the best guide around, I’ve heard. I think Mino Soft tried to recruit her back in the day but of course she turned it down.”

“Could you imagine working with Jang Hayoung?” She tried not to look completely enamored. “She’s really pretty. Even more in-person compared to the photographs online.”

“Should I be worried?” asked Lee Sangsung.

“Uh, no. The day I leave you for Jang Hayoung is the day you leave me for Kim Dokja.”

Lee Sangsung hummed. “That seems fair, since neither choice is possible.”

“You’re hating really bad on my girl, Jang Hayoung. I won’t allow you to speak ill of her.”

“Seriously?” Lee Sangsung raised her eyebrows. “She matters that much to you?”

“She’s, like, the most beautiful person I’ve ever met.”

Instead of being jealous, Lee Sangsung sat up. She asked in a whisper, “Is she still in the building? I wanna see her.”

“I think she’s already gone.”

“Darn it. I’ve heard stuff about her beauty as well.” Lee Sangsung bit her thumbnail before asking, “Hotter than Uriel from the Association?” Shin Yooyoung nodded her head. “What about Yoo Joonghyuk? He’s known to be the hottest—”

“Jang Hayoung is the hottest person I’ve ever seen.”

Lee Sangsung’s mind ran miles and miles. “I’m jealous,” she admitted after a moment.

“Which person are you jealous of?”

“Of you, obviously. You got to meet her.”

Shin Yooyoung bobbed her head in agreement. “Yeah.” After a moment, she added, “Maybe you’ll meet her too. She was looking for Kim Dokja, after all.”

“Who was looking for me?” a familiar voice called out.

Shin Yooyoung and Lee Sangsung both turned, startled, to the open door of Lee Sangsung’s office. Before them was Kim Dokja, the man they had been gossipping about all morning. He wore a plain suit, but something about him seemed different today.

It wasn’t his haircut, nor the way his hair was styled. His tie seemed normally plain, as well. His eyes were the same brightness— a little dull but kind enough to not be perceived as rude. And then Shin Yooyoung realized what it was. Kim Dokja didn’t have eyebags or a wary, strained smile across his face. It was as if he didn’t hate the idea of being in the building for the first time since he was hired on.

“Oh, uh, Kim Dokja, what are you doing here?” Lee Sangsung asked after a few seconds too long.

Kim Dokja nervously gripped his satchel. “I was told that I could pick up my license here.”

“Oh! Yes. I picked up the mail this morning.” Lee Sangsung quickly went through the opened envelopes. She pulled out his license and handed it to him with a forced smile. “It looks like it’s official…!?”

Kim Dokja took it into his hand and slapped it inside his satchel without even looking at it. Shin Yooyoung was sincerely confused by the action. Why didn’t he care to see what class he had been assigned?

“Thank you…” He trailed off before leaving for the elevator.

As soon as the ding of the elevator rang into their ears, they stayed silent.

Then, abruptly, Shin Yooyoung blurted, “I thought he was still on leave.”

“Maybe we got the dates wrong? Or, I guess, there was no specified date of his return. No one actually knows why he’s been in and out of the office so much anyway. If it was anyone else, he would have been fired,” replied Lee Sangsung.

“It’s got to be because he’s a skilled guide. I wonder if Sangah-ssi suspected so. She has a lot of sway with our higher-ups. If she thought Kim Dokja had talent, then she could have been looking out for him.”

“But Sangah-ssi didn’t start until after Kim Dokja was hired. She wouldn’t have known he was a good guide.”

“Unless she heard about it from others. Doesn’t she do a lot of contracts with Sky Breaker? Maybe she knows their Shield, Lee Hyunsung. And if Lee Hyunsung purposely sought after Kim Dokja, then it was bound to catch Sangah-ssi’s attention.”

Lee Sangsung hummed. “I guess so. I just find it weird, is all. If he was such a good guide, then why did he go to college and be a normal worker. If we had power like him, wouldn’t you be guiding people for the money?”

“He could have been a shit guide until Sangah-ssi took pity on him.,” suggested Shin Yooyoung.

“Sangah-ssi is too good of a person.” Lee Sangsung shook her head. She smiled up to Shin Yooyoung apologetically. “Sorry, I have to focus. I need to figure out why Kim Dokja’s sync rating with Yoo Joonghyuk is redacted.”

“And I need to track Kim Dokja down to ask about Jang Hayoung.”

“Oh. That’s a good idea. I kind of already forgot.”

“We’ve learned a lot about him,” agreed Shin Yooyoung.

She left Lee Sangsung’s office and started for the 9th floor on the elevator. She was met with Han Myungoh carrying a few small folders. Shin Yooyoung greeted him softly, only to get a glare in return. Shin Yooyoung sighed as they got off at the same time.

She walked across the cubicle farm until she landed near Kim Dokja’s desk. She held Jang Hayoung’s card in her hand wearily. Seriously, she had learned way too much about him over the past few minutes. And a lot of it wasn’t even confirmed.

“Ah, excuse me,” she said.

Kim Dokja looked up wearily. His desktop was warming up and he was in the middle of taking out a new set of notepads from his desk drawer. He looked a bit spooked, too, when she offered the card to him.

“What is this?” he asked in confusion.

“Oh, uh, Jang Hayoung wanted me to give this to you. I guess you two missed one another in the lobby.”

His eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “I just spoke to her, though.” Kim Dokja scratched his cheek. “I guess she saw you before we met, then.”

Shin Yooyoung was confused. “You know Jang Hayoung?” she clarified.

Kim Dokja’s nose scrunched up. “Not exactly. She taught me for part of my guiding license. I took one of her classes. We met one another outside again. We said hi briefly. I suppose she was in a rush.”

But she was looking for you, she wanted to say.

Shin Yooyoung nodded quickly and assured, “You can always call her back to schedule a different time to meet up. I’m sure you’ll be busy today, after all.”

“Not really.” Kim Dokja’s smile was very strained. “I’m just catching up on paperwork and scheduling general meetings.”

“You’re still doing your old job?”

“I’m doing my current duties until they can find a replacement. We’re already so swamped… I don’t want to force anyone else to do overtime.”

That was really… sweet. And kind. Shin Yooyoung was surprised. She knew that Kim Dokja wasn’t an asshole, but to see this side of him. Well, she could admit she was pleased with the turn of events. Overtime used to be something she loved, due to the extra pay, but it soon became an enemy.

“But you are an official guide now,” reminded Shin Yooyoung. “Are you guiding anyone today?”

“If there’s any backup needed for the general meetings, then I suppose.” His lips thinned out. “I’m a bit drained right now, though. I’ll only be able to help later in the day once my energy reserves are built back up.”

“Oh? Did you already guide someone? A private meeting, perhaps?” She never got to look at the schedule since she wasn’t a guide or esper.

Kim Dokja’s cheeks tinted. “Not really. I, uh, I guided a— well, I guess he’s a friend. He was close to a rampage and I was there, so you know, I might as well.”

“Wow. I guess S-Class guides can choose to guide who they wish, huh.” Shin Yooyoung couldn’t hide her awe. She knew that rampages were deadly. For Kim Dokja to speak of it so calmly… Wow.

“Hmm?” Kim Dokja’s face turned alarmed.

“Yes?”

“That—” His finger was in the air. “What did you just say?”

“Licensed guides have the perk of guiding whoever they want…?”

“Mmmn. No. That’s not what you said. You said something else. About my— about my class.”

“Oh.” Shin Yooyoung nodded. “That you’re an S-Class. Did you not read it?”

Kim Dokja quickly dove for the satchel under his desk. He pried it apart and ransacked it like it was a feast and he was a starving man. After a few hazardous seconds, he managed to find his small identification license of being a guide. As his eyes read it over, he turned pale.

She asked in concern, “Are you okay?”

Kim Dokja nodded even though it was clearly a lie. His voice was rough-sounding as he said, “Yeah, uh. Yep. I am just fine. Don’t worry about me.” He straightened his shoulders. “Thanks for dropping off the card. I’ll give her a call soon.”

“Ah. Alright. Have a good day.”

“You too…”

As Shin Yooyoung walked back to her own floor and desk, she couldn’t help but think that Kim Dokja had turned into an anomaly overnight. Though, once she sat down at her desk, she could admit that he was never exactly normal. The very first time they met, he was drinking the odd-tasting coffee that Han Myungoh and Manager Kim were complaining about. Yoo Sangah, next to Kim Dokja, merely smiled as she sipped on her tea.

Chapter Text

His first day back at work was a bit hectic for an office worker, though that should have been expected since he was officially a guide now. It went sort of something like this:

Kim Dokja had spotted Jang Hayoung, the person who taught him how to create a wall with his own energy in order for him to not get so overwhelmed by physical contact. Obviously, Kim Dokja had to say hello.

They had a quick and simple talk, mostly consisting of Jang Hayoung being brief but polite. They parted quickly, neither of them necessarily wanting to continue talking when they were both in a rush.

Jang Hayoung had slightly pink cheeks as she held herself up sternly. Her eyes were full of confusion for a split moment before she uttered, “From the Association’s class, right? You were with Yoo Sangah. She’s a high-class guide.”

Kim Dokja nodded along quickly, a little awestruck to see Jang Hayoung outside of Mino Soft. He assured, “Sangah-ssi is Mino Soft’s best guide.”

The other guide’s eyebrows creased, almost as if confused, before she hummed. “Have you been able to put up a barrier? I believe I was told that you were more sensitive to energy compared to other guides.”

“I’m so-so at it.”

“Ah…” She trailed off. Jang Hayoung’s mind was clearly elsewhere. “Well, I wish you the best.”

Kim Dokja wasn’t sure how to thank the person in front of him. He was thankful in a way that he couldn’t let Jang Hayoung understand with words alone. He hoped that his smile was enough. It would have to be.

The blond guide looked to be in a rush. They spoke for a few moments longer before he swept himself away so that Jang Hayoung didn’t feel the need to be polite to a speed bump in her path like him.

Then Kim Dokja entered the Mino Soft building.

He went up the elevator, only to get off on his floor to see that Han Myungoh and Yoon Sangho were talking. Loudly. It was a fight, really.

Han Myungoh was complaining about Kim Dokja being unreliable, while Yoon Sangho was defending him. “He’s a licensed guide now, show him some respect.” Kim Dokja then quietly started up his day, only for Yoon Sangho to point him to the 4th floor to pick up his physical license I.D. that Yoon Sangho had been notified that the database person already picked it up.

Kim Dokja went down to the 4th floor. Usually the database person — was her name Lee Sangsung? — was quick once she started her work. Really, she only needed a few numbers in order to log it in. He approached her office, got his license, then went back to his floor.

Not long after, he was approached by Shin Yooyoung, who told him about Jang Hayoung needing to speak with him. He found that odd, seeing as they spoke not that long ago, but he accepted the terms.

The thing he did not accept was the classification on his license. S-Class, is said. It was mocking him. Kim Dokja glared at the plastic hoping that it would flare up and melt into a different letter or become so warped that no one could understand what it said, but no such thing happened.

He spent that morning in limbo. On top of worrying about his friends acquaintances being in the scenario dungeon, he was now classified as an S-Class guide. It was a confusing start to his day. Plus, he was drained from guiding Yoo Joonghyuk, so he was constantly going back and forth from the staff lounge on his floor in order to refill his coffee mug that had ‘reader’ on it.

However, he saw an angel after he scheduled the general meetings that were waiting when he arrived at work. A little past noon, he was greeted with Yoo Sangah. She practically hauled him out of his desk chair and dragged him to the lounge in order to have lunch.

Kim Dokja had actually brought lunch that morning. He was making lunches for Lee Gilyoung every day, so he began to make his own homemade lunches as well. It wasn’t his best work but on his laptop, he had a few bookmarked tabs of great blogs to figure it out. Slowly, albeit, but he was getting there.

“Are you going to guide anyone today?” she asked in between bites of her own packed lunch.

On her fork were stabbed greens with a slice of tomato on top. The red fruit mocked him from its perch. He shook his head and took a bite of his own meal. There was no need to start a feud with Yoo Sangah’s salad simply because he didn’t like tomatoes.

Kim Dokja hadn’t truly decided yet whether or not his first day back would be the day he went to a general meeting. His energy reserves had built back up from the morning, so he could totally help. Yoo Joonghyuk was a troubled esper but it was much easier guiding Yoo Joonghyuk than it was to talk about his own feelings.

And yet he was nervous.

Yoo Sangah, practically the only person who could see through all of his repressed emotions, saw his feelings across his face. He was an open book to her, he supposed. Or maybe he was finally adjusting to the feeling of his own skin after years of hating that he couldn’t stop what he felt in the world.

Yoo Sangah assured him, “It’s not that awkward. General meetings have a lot of espers attending them, but during each session, there are curtains put up for privacy. Sometimes more than one guide will be there at a time. Well, actually, there’s also a security guard there at all times. The extra guide being in the room is an extra security precaution.”

“I’ve never seen a security guard attend a meeting.”

She nodded her head in thought. Yoo Sangah stabbed her fork into the bowl below with knowledgeable eyes. Kim Dokja hesitantly watched as another tomato popped up. They were mocking him. He had to suppress the urge to flip the table over.

“It’s probably because you were only a registered guide, and therefore only able to help out in private meetings. General meetings are a bit more. There are a lot of espers there since they tend to live average lives. Sometimes we’ll get batches from guilds, though I’m sure you know that.”

“I schedule most of the general meetings,” confirmed Kim Dokja. He hesitantly paused eating. “Sangah-ssi, is it overwhelming to guide esper after esper after esper?”

Yoo Sangah’s eyebrows furrowed. “What do you mean?” she asked, lips almost in a pout.

“I mean, general meetings only last an hour. During that time, 10 to 20 espers are scheduled to be guided. Isn't that a lot of guiding to do with only 4 guides or so?”

“It can seem that way,” she said with an honest tone. “It’s not really as hard as it sounds, though. The espers that attend general meetings regularly aren’t very hard to guide. They haven’t allowed themselves to be close to a rampage. They come on a regular basis in order to not pay the extra fees of getting a private meeting because their energy is in such turmoil.”

“Oh. That doesn’t sound too bad.”

“It’s not. It should only take a few minutes to guide each person. I know that you’ve only done private meetings in the past, which can sometimes take up to an hour or more, but the espers in general meetings aren’t that bad.”

“Even the ones that are scheduled with guilds?” asked Kim Dokja, a curious if not suspicious lilt in his tone.

“That’s a great question!” she commended. Yoo Sangah leaned forward a little bit. “Have you ever noticed that you assign more guides to a general meeting full of espers when they belong to a guild? And sometimes, you assign the normal amount of guides to a meeting with fewer espers?”

“Uh.”

Kim Dokja did not notice, but he supposed that Yoon Sangho was the one who signed off on the numbers. Actually, now that he thought about it, Yoon Sangho was the one who recommended him to change his ways.

He said, “I think Sangho-ssi has me do that.”

Yoo Sangah hummed. “It’s so that guiding them isn’t as hard or takes longer than the standard time. The only reason why low-class espers would schedule private meetings with you is because of your combined sync rate, and then, of course, because you’re you.”

“Sangah-ssi,” he said, trying to stop feeling the heat on his cheeks. “You can’t just say stuff like that.”

“You’re a good guide,” she swore to him, eyes fierce yet holding nothing but the truth.

Kim Dokja kept his lips in a line. He knew that if he argued with Yoo Sangah, that she would just keep going. She was usually right anyway, but Kim Dokja filed that in the back of his mind. He didn’t want to fight with her. Although, he was incredibly glad to see her. It had been a very busy few days as he rested and obtained his guiding license. It felt like he hadn’t been able to interact with his friends as much as he would have liked.

After lunch, Kim Dokja thought about helping out with one of the general meetings.

As he clicked through his email, he noticed a peculiar notification. It was from Yoon Sangho with a weird heading. Kim Dokja clicked on it in slight confusion. As he read the typed sentences over and over again, he felt a bit of relief and exasperation all at once.

Kim Dokja left his desk to talk to Yoon Sangho in order to straighten things out. The older man was checking things off of a notebook with haphazard eyes of stress. Kim Dokja would bet that Yoon Sangho was due for a smoke break soon. In the early days, Kim Dokja had fond memories of silently reading on his phone while Yoon Sangho smoked on the rooftop just as quietly.

Once Kim Dokja had closed the door with a click, the other man looked up. His eyes were unfocused for a moment before he gestured to a chair. Kim Dokja quickly sat down and ignored the waves of uncertainty in his gut.

“I don’t understand what the problem is,” he admitted after a moment of staring into Yoon Sangho’s eyes.

Yoon Sangho sighed heavily, his shoulders uptight and clearly wary. He gestured to his own monitor before pointing to his phone.

“I don’t have the full scope either, but I do know one thing.”

“... And that is?”

“Yoo Joonghyuk has asked to be guided by you officially. Unofficially, he says you’ve guided him before. Not just once, either.”

Kim Dokja tried to not flinch. He had a good work relationship with Yoon Sangho, therefore he couldn’t ruin it.

Kim Dokja didn’t speak to many others, not even his peers on the same floor. Yoon Sangho was kind to him, even when Kim Dokja felt that he didn’t deserve it. He didn’t want to let people in, so he kept to himself.

Yoon Sangho approached him slowly, as if Kim Dokja was a wounded animal, and gently coaxed him out of his den. Kim Dokja would not still be working at Mino Soft if it wasn’t for Yoon Sangho suggesting the idea of Kim Dokja taking on private meetings due to his status as a registered but unlicensed guide.

“I guided him this morning,” he admitted, unsure of the repercussions.

It was the truth. Kim Dokja couldn’t lie to a person that looked out for him while he was at Mino Soft. Not over something that they both already knew the truth of. However, the reader didn’t say anything else. He was leaving out the rest of what transpired that morning— mainly, the thoughts that swirled in his head when he touched Yoo Joonghyuk’s skin.

Yoon Sangho nodded wearily. “I inferred that when the request came in. He’s in the scenario dungeon, I believe.”

Kim Dokja nodded, though it was unneeded.

The man sighed. Yoon Sangho continued, “So you guided Yoo Joonghyuk before he went into the dungeon.”

Kim Dokja nodded once more.

The smoker before him really needed a break. “He requested for you to guide him again.” Yoon Sangho shook his head with emotions flooding his eyes. “Sky Breaker’s guild master coming to Mino Soft will be good for business. We might need to hire some more guides.”

“... That’s a good thing, isn’t it?”

Yoon Sangho sighed out. His shoulder rotated slowly, as if it was slightly painful to do so. Kim Dokja understood on some level that sitting at a desk all day didn’t do the greatest thing for one’s posture. He was constantly riddled with weird pains, sores, and cramps that were difficult to deal with. Yet, they were easily brushed off once he received his paycheck.

“Yoo Joonghyuk will meet with you once he gets back from the dungeon.”

Kim Dokja had told Yoo Joonghyuk to do so. “Okay,” he said, not understanding why the man across the desk looked disturbed.

Yoon Sangho carted his fingers through his hair. He reached for his smokes. His hand was on his lighter, his thumb rubbing over the base over and over again in contemplation.

Kim Dokja wondered for a brief moment if Yoon Sangho would break the rule of no smoking inside Mino Soft’s walls. However, Yoon Sangho simply continued to hold the lone cigarette in between his fingers while rubbing over his lighter.

“Your sync rating appointment results came in.”

Kim Dokja froze in fear. He had forgotten about that. Well, not really. He just— He put it to the back of his mind. Han Sooyoung had told him that everything was handled. Once he was outed as the child of Lee Sookyung, then the Star Stream Association backed off. They couldn’t afford to cause a major scandal by using Lee Sookyung’s child as a way to show off their top esper and sync rating.

Yoon Sangho continued, “There was no number or percentage given. They could have sent a blank document and we would have known more.”

“Oh, uh—”

“All I know is that your sync rating with Yoo Joonghyuk is good enough to have a private meeting, otherwise the Association wouldn’t have said ‘congratulations’ in their letter.” Yoon Sangho shook his head. “I approved the meeting with Yoo Joonghyuk. It doesn’t have a true time yet, due to the unknown day he’ll return from the dungeon. Espers get guided within 24 hours of exiting a dungeon most of the time, after all.”

“Does that mean I can…”

Yoon Sangho waved him off. “Go back to your job. I just wanted to check in with you.”

Kim Dokja smiled warily as warmth filled his chest. “I’m all good. There’s no cause for concern.”

“I think we have different meanings for those words.”

“Seriously,” said Kim Dokja, “I’m fine.”

“You guided an S-Rank esper this morning and didn’t get paid for it,” stated Yoon Sangho, his tone judgemental.

Kim Dokja couldn’t respond to that. “That’s… fair. But there were extenuating circumstances. Joonghyuk-ie is—”

Yoon Sangho’s eyebrows were high on his forehead. “Joonghyuk-ie?” he echoed.

Kim Dokja blushed at his slip. He recovered in a moment, restating, “Yoo Joonghyuk has chosen me. I was averse at first, but we’ve worked things out.” Mostly.

“I’m going to be straight with you here,” declared Yoon Sangho, his hands hitting the table vertically. “I’ve been told not to ask too many questions, so I won’t pry. However, if you need help, you can always reach out to me. Mino Soft values its employees— guides most of all. You will have rights while you are under our protection.”

“Your worrying habits are unneeded,” urged Kim Dokja.

His leg bounced up and down, creating a soft thump-thump-thump noise. He forcibly stilled his knee and clutched his thigh in hopes of getting rid of his nervousness.

When his eyes peeked up, Yoon Sangho was flicking his thumb over his lighter. Kim Dokja decided that it was now or never.

With a quick goodbye and wave, he skedaddled out from Yoon Sangho’s office. He pretended he didn’t see the man take a leave for the elevator to the top floor for roof access. Part of Kim Dokja knew that he was a stressor, and yet it still sent a pang through his heart to know that he caused so much trouble.

The guide walked across the floor quickly as he ignored the sound of the elevator going up, up, up with every ding.

A large part of him was relieved that no one knew of his sync rate with Yoo Joonghyuk. It was a safety net. And yet a small, almost more demanding, part of himself was wondering why he always caused trouble.

He was making the Association, of all things, cover for him. Just because he was being petty about not wanting to be Yoo Joonghyuk’s personal guide.

Kim Dokja shook his head as he sat back down at his desk.

He didn’t have any ongoing projects. It was purposeful. Others in the department knew that he would be leaving to guide on the side, so they left him out of any projects that they could. However, Kim Dokja still had hundreds of emails to sift through. He had to schedule appointments with the Association in espers and guides’ places, while also getting other espers set up for guiding appointments. It was a lot to do.

And yet he sat there uselessly.

He stared at the screen for only a few moments more. In a swift beat, he stood up all at once and trotted over to the elevator now that Yoon Sangho was safely taking a break on the roof. Yet, once he got there, he looked up to see that it was stopping on the sixth floor first, he shook his head. He didn’t yearn to run into anyone.

Kim Dokja left the elevator behind and instead went towards the staircase. He didn’t tend to use it. Yoo Sangah had urged him to do so before, as a way of stretching after a long day of staring at a screen with poor posture. He didn’t think anything of it, though, seeing as walking up and down the stairs required him to care about his well-being.

His steps at first were slow. He was anxious and he couldn’t help it. It was bizarre to think about guiding again. He could still feel the dark buzz underneath his skin. He only guided Yoo Joonghyuk because there was some minuscule level of trust there. How would he react to strangers?

It was a test that he needed to know. If he was ever going to be normal, then he needed to get used to touch. It was the best way to show others that he was fine. Though it wasn’t his smartest plan either.

He honestly wasn't completely sure what he was trying to prove. To himself, he wanted to prove that he was somewhat normal, even if he already knew that he’d never be like others that drift through life without fear of touching skin. For now, though, he would try. He would prove that he could do good, even if it wasn’t by much.

Kim Dokja opened a door before coming across a few familiar faces. They were other guides. Kim Dokja knew most of them by name but he didn’t actually know who was who by their physical appearance. To him, all guides were names on a screen that he matched into meetings.

As he went up the steps, he thought about what he would need to know to prepare himself for general meetings.

He knew some of the gossip from what Yoo Sangah would say during quick lunch chats: Lee Sungkook was an average guide but close with a B-Class esper, Chu Wangin’s guild regularly came in ever since Min Jiwon stopped coming to Mino Soft due to being incompatible with Kim Dokja, and a security guard would take Cheon Inho away and the esper would be banned if he tried to force guiding even if he did it by ‘accident’ again.

Kim Dokja saw some of the uniforms of security guards. He blinked, almost surprised that they were real. He could have sworn that he hadn’t seen them before but it was obvious that they were tangible.

He shook his head mutely as he walked through the closed doors. The hall was littered with large glass panels for the security guards to see through. Guiding was something that tended to happen in private but safety was Mino Soft’s top priority. It meant that there were curtains to hold off other espers from seeing a guiding session but the security was able to keep an eye on the transactions.

Kim Dokja looked above the doors to see if there was any needed help. Above each door frame was a small electronic window with 5 round lights. When he saw that there were many green lights on, he knew that he wasn’t needed. However, once he saw that one of the rooms had a single red light on, he knew that the room was in need of another guide to help with the workload.

He stepped into the room. Kim Dokja wrote down his license number and filled out a few different lines on a clipboard that was at the front of the room by the door before looking up. In front of him was a filled room of espers that needed guiding.

Kim Dokja felt like he was in a good state ino order to help espers. Yoo Joonghyuk had been guided quite a while ago now, so he had recovered. Not completely, but enough that Kim Dokja wasn’t in danger of running low on his energy reserves.

Kim Dokja noted that the room was filled with normal people. It was probably why there needed to be another guide to help out. He just saw a room full of espers from a guild. The guides had gone to the active espers first, as they tended to need the help more.

It was strange to call over one of the waiting espers and take them to a curtained-off area. Kim Dokja tried not to show how hesitant he was about the whole affair, though he seemed to be very easily known.

The person shot him a look, huffed, then said, “Are you a new hire?”

Kim Dokja gave a weary smile before holding out his hands. The espers slowly reached out both of their hands, clearly confused, before Kim Dokja started to guide.

It wasn’t…. bad.

Kim Dokja expected to get reminders of his past — to feel bile in his throat and nausea through his veins — and yet all he felt at that moment was a tingle of awkwardness. Kim Dokja finished up the guiding quickly, almost shocked by how easy it was to untie the few knots that were within the esper. Once Kim Dokja had assessed that there was nothing else to do, he opened his eyes, untangled his hands from the esper, and marked off a name on his clipboard.

It happened like that for the rest of the afternoon. Kim Dokja went through the general meeting rooms that had a red light, took on a couple of espers, and fulfilled a quota. It didn’t drain him nearly as much as he first thought it would.

His first day back wasn’t as bad as he imagined it to be.

Sure, it was incredibly weird to know that he was an S-Class guide, but he supposed that if the news of him guiding Yoo Joonghyuk got out, then the esper’s guide needed to look good.

Kim Dokja shook his head as he chewed on a beaten-up straw that had once stirred his coffee. Once Yoo Joonghyuk and the other members of Sky Breaker exited the scenario dungeon, then they would need to discuss terms of what their future looked like.

He got off of work to pick up Lee Gilyoung from school. He had a more flexible schedule now that he was a guide. It was almost as if he was salaried now. As long as he got his work done, then he got paid. Once he started to do more private and general meetings, he was sure that he would adjust to his new rhythm.

For now, he was thankful that he could get off of work in order to pick up Lee Gilyoung himself.

On the train, Kim Dokja scrolled through more articles about the scenario dungeon. Newscasters and crews were waiting outside. Scenarios were tricky in the way that they were unpredictable.

The shortest known scenario time was 30 minutes. A group of espers entered, and less than half of them came out. It wasn’t that bad compared to other incidents involving scenario dungeons throughout the years.

However, one journalist managed to speak with an esper before the Star Stream Association made them stay quiet. The scenario was a kill-or-be-killed situation. It was terrifying to think about. There were no monsters or a hard, brutal battle that made the espers fight for their lives. Instead, they were pitted against one another.

And then the scenario happened throughout the world.

It seemed that the scenarios were fairly consistent throughout different countries. If one country was given a scenario, then it was almost a given fact that the same scenario would occur all over the world. Many agreements made with countries had a clause to tell one another about the scenarios that occurred. The Star Stream Association acted as a third-party to help spread how to best survive the scenario.

Kim Dokja wondered if the espers that went into those scenarios knew which of them would die. Did Korea do the scenario and purposely send in an equal amount of weak espers and strong espers? Did each country plan out who would survive the scenario?

He shook his head as he scrolled through the different articles. There was even a live video of a news station eagerly awaiting to be met with Sky Breaker’s members returning from the scenario.

Kim Dokja huffed at the thought of Yoo Joonghyuk coming out of the dungeon. There were many dungeons around Korea, numerous of them focused in Seoul. He wasn’t sure why that was, just that a high number of dungeon breaks occurred in Seoul even though most guilds were centered in Seoul as well.

Some of that was due to the fact that dungeons didn’t always appear as large gateways. Some of them started off small in secluded buildings or underground. One time, Kim Dokja read an article about a gate that was in the ground. It was thought to be signs of an earthquake, so the area was thankfully cleared out. However, it was only when a dungeon break occurred and monsters stormed from the earth in order to wreak havoc, that anyone learned the truth.

He bit his lip in thought. His friends — cause that’s why Jung Heewon and other Sky Breaker members were to him — could possibly be dying in an unknown location. What if he never got to go out for drinks with them? What if they never got to hear him admit that they were friends—

The train shuddered to a halt so Kim Dokja looked up.

If he was correct, then they had arrived at the platform early. Kim Dokja briefly wondered if he got lost in his head. It would not be the first time that he over thought about a conversation or event.

He tended to spiral often when he didn’t interact with Han Sooyoung daily. Heck, even when they were roommates, he would stare against the kitchen backsplash or the tiles of the bathroom floor and wonder why things had become so skewed.

Then, there was an odd noise. Splat. His eyes caught onto the door of the neighboring train. There used to be a clear window there that he had previously seen through. It was a packed train, after all, so many shoulders and hairdos were easily described.

And yet…

The window was obscured with red. Kim Dokja’s thumb automatically reloaded his page about Seoul’s most recent news, only to see a large heading. [Dungeon Break— Live] Horror filled his veins and the smell of dirt-covered worms entered his nostrils.

Kim Dokja was moving before he understood what was happening. He walked across the subway train compartment that was filled with confused and fearful passengers before coming face to face with a smear of blood that revealed a small part of the window. He peeked inside while he heard gasps and choking fear from the others in his train compartment.

There was a monster inside of the next train compartment. In moments, the monster would continue down the train. The creature was made of mismatched parts of animals that weren’t supposed to go together. And yet it was a killing machine. One claw tore through metal, and the other through a spine. A backfoot kicked a person away while a snapping tail curled around another victim.

Kim Dokja was fairly certain that he didn’t breathe for a few moments. His phone was still in his hand and yet he felt numb. There was nothing happening in those few moments. That was, nothing happening to him, aside from the mind-numbing terror of his life about to end.

He had backed away from the doors on impulse. The streams of blood and splattered ruby dots continued to appear on the window of the neighboring cabin. Kim Dokja suddenly realized that he was facing a dungeon break. Too many monsters built up inside of a gate, causing them to spew out.

It reminded him of being a kid. Of when he first awakened as a guide, just as his father awakened as an esper. Except there appeared to be no hidden espers on the brink of a rampage in their cabin. Everyone within the squirming train compartment was normal, or not strong enough to do anything about what was happening.

His thumb automatically opened up his phone contacts. As he hovered over the idea of calling someone, everything shuddered to a standstill. Kim Dokja gripped onto a safety pole as the world shook violently around him.

Then, there was a metallic screech. It was soft, almost like a rumble, instead of a warning for looming death. Kim Dokja lifted his gaze to where the bloodied window once was. In its place was a dark-haired teenager with horns.

Kim Dokja stilled as he took in the form. There was blood dripping from the teenager’s hands, as if they were claws.

His breath felt too shallow as the horned teenager simply jerked his chin their way and announced, “There’s a path clear. Follow one of my associates to the nearest train station.”

Part of Kim Dokja wanted to stay behind, but another part of him knew that he needed to get to Lee Gilyoung. He quickly followed the other passengers out of the train and onto the tracks. From there, they were guided to the train station and told to evacuate all underground railways.

Kim Dokja didn’t hail a taxi. There was no point, as the roads were filled with people trying to escape the horde of beasts that littered the streets nearby. Kim Dokja made his way through the busy streets and muted any sounds of cars trying to flee the area where the dungeon break occurred.

He made it to Constellation Elementary. It was then that he noticed that the security guards looked at him warily. Kim Dokja fluttered about, bypassing other guardians until he was in front of those in uniform.

Kim Dokja declared, “I need to be let inside.”

One of the security personnel officers announced loud and clear, “The safest place for your children is behind the gate. Only those with allowed access can step inside. You must remain calm. If you will all form a line, then I can check I.D.s and clear guardian figures inside of the gates.”

Kim Dokja furrowed his brow. What would a gate do? If monsters were parading in the streets, then a heap of metal wouldn’t hold up.

He felt his shoulder collide with another. Kim Dokja held in a gasp of shock before he realized that he was near the front of the line. He allowed himself to drop any barrier he had, and instead focus on the energy around him.

It was then that he could see it. A thin, translucent dome covered the area of the school grounds. He wondered what it could even do. Kim Dokja reached out his hand. His fingers prodded at the barrier and yet it didn’t stop him from passing through. He was in complete and utter awe.

It ended once he felt a person grab his wrist. Kim Dokja shook off the hand before he was met with an annoyed expression. “Watch where you’re going!” exclaimed the stranger before pushing ahead.

Kim Dokja let his barrier pull back up as he swallowed down nausea from being touched. It was somehow worse than when he guided espers at Mino Soft. What was the reason? Kim Dokja supposed that it could have been that he had mentally prepared himself somewhat before he was guiding espers.

He shook his head and stepped forward in the line. He withdrew his guiding license as well as his normal I.D. Kim Dokja didn’t have to wait much longer. Once he was at the front, he showed off his badges. The guards ran his name through their system before allowing him to go forward and into the school grounds.

It felt strange to be within a barrier. He could feel the buzzing vibrations of energy passing through the area. Now that he was fully inside of the dome, he could tell why the school zone was safe to be. He felt peaceful as he stood within its grasp. No monsters would make it through. He was sure of it.

Soon enough, each level of the school buildings was split up and guided to the correct grade. Kim Dokja found that many guardians had rushed over to their children. He was incredibly thankful that he was nearby.

If he was still at Mino Soft, then he would likely be held within the building and on-site espers would be guarding the building and allowing no one to leave until the Star Stream Association gave the all-clear.

They were taken to a gymnasium-like building. The bleachers were filled with small students, portraying that the Constellation school system had a gym for every bracketed grade level. Kim Dokja wondered how well-funded the special awakened school was.

It was there that each adult was allowed to sit with their child. Kim Dokja scanned the crowd until he noticed a familiar head of hair. He waved and practically tripped over himself until he was met with Lee Gilyoung.

“Hyung, you’re here already,” said the young esper, admiration in his voice.

Kim Dokja patted the boy’s head before sitting down swiftly. Lee Gilyoung smiled and ignored a small snicker coming from his friend. Kim Dokja smiled back. It felt more real now that Lee Gilyoung was safe in front of him.

“I was already on my way over,” he admitted after a moment.

Lee Gilyoung brushed it off. “I don’t care. You still came.”

God, this kid was going to be the death of him. Kim Dokja could do nothing but tuck Lee Gilyoung closer under his arm and ensure that they were all safe. Lee Gilyoung seemed amused at the action.

Then, there was a voice. “Ugly ahjussi, you look… better.”

Kim Dokja then, and only then, noticed that the person sitting next to Lee Gilyoung was, in fact, Yoo Mia. Her hair was in small pony tails and her eyes were incredibly wide.

Kim Dokja wondered for a moment if Yoo Joonghyuk would arrive soon to pick her up, but that was immediately shut down once he remembered that Yoo Joonghyuk was in a scenario dungeon, therefore being impossible to reach and completely unaware of what was happening outside of the dungeon.

So, instead, he asked, “Who are you staying with?”

Yoo Mia tilted her head slightly. After a moment, she said, “Usually I stay with oppa’s mentor, but they were busy, so Seolhwa-unnie is looking after me until oppa’s return.”

“Ah. That’s good. Seolhwa-ssi is very kind.”

Yoo Mia’s lips crooked into a small smile before she crossed her arms and looked down. Kim Dokja had the urge to ruffle her head but he held back. He wasn’t sure for whose sake it was, his or hers. In the end, however, Lee Gilyoung happily began to chat about some ants that were near them.

The hours after that passed by slowly.

Kim Dokja ended up sprawled out on the gym floor while Yoo Mia and Lee Gilyoung hovered on the bleachers on the bottom step. He scrolled through his phone while he heard the two children bicker about the randomest things.

Kim Dokja noted that the gym was filled with people. He ignored the odd feeling of being surrounded by espers and guides, and instead focused on the idea of going home. The updates about the dungeon break were live and yet still so, so slow. Kim Dokja constantly refreshed his feed in an attempt to get breaking news.

Once the sun set, he gave up and opened up a webnovel app. As he read a novel under a familiar pseudonym, Kim Dokja felt at peace. Yoo Mia and Lee Gilyoung had calmed down, and were now playing games. Yoo Mia had dragged out a Nintendo Switch from her mouth. Kim Dokja forcefully didn’t react while Lee Gilyoung didn’t even blink an eye at the display.

Then, Lee Seolhwa arrived with a worried look and a commanding aura. She fussed over Yoo Mia.

The doctor asked in a concerned tone as she wiped at Yoo Mia’s forehead, “Are you injured?”

“I’m just fine, Seolhwa-unnie,” replied Yoo Mia, her annoyed tone covered up with the small smile that played on the edges of her lip.

The four of them ended up on the floor. Lee Gilyoung had given up playing with insects, and instead opted to put tiny braids in Kim Dokja’s hair. Yoo Mia, after watching Kim Dokja fail to put up a true fight against the boy’s antics, then asked to do the same. It didn’t help that Lee Seolhwa merely showed a bemused look as the two children did as they pleased.

It was long past dark and very gloomy in the sky by the time Kim Dokja refreshed the page to see the headline [Dungeon Is Closed!] He felt the need to bang his head against the wall simply in order to stay awake.

They walked out together, deciding to be some of the last ones to flood the streets. He happily informed Yoo Sangah and Han Sooyoung that he would be allowed to go home.

Han Sooyoung was apparently in her apartment all day in the safe part of Seoul, while Yoo Sangah had left the building for a contract. Neither of them had to go on lockdown. He was a smidge jealous, though it was nice to see Yoo Mia and Lee Gilyoung’s friendship up close.

It was when they were about to part for the day when things turned a bit peculiar. Kim Dokja had practically fallen asleep in the passenger’s seat of Lee Seolhwa’s car when she parked it on the side of the road outside of his apartment. As Yoo Mia and Lee Gilyoung dozed in the backseat, only soft snores filled the car as Lee Seolhwa took out a package.

Kim Dokja looked at it in confusion. “Are those…?”

Lee Seolhwa hummed noncommittally. “I haven’t been able to see her lately, so she’s likely running low on supplies. Since I’ll be taking care of Mia-ya, I was wondering if you could give them to her.”

Kim Dokja took the package with questions filling his head. But, since he could read the room at least a little, and was very sleepy, he decided to not ask any of the sentences in his head. Instead, he took the package of lemon suckers that Han Sooyoung was constantly chomping on.

As he forced his muscles to roll out of the car, he said, “Take care.” Lee Seolhwa waved at him and showed a gentle smile.

Kim Dokja opened the backseat door and undid Lee Gilyoung’s seat belt. He then nudged the boy awake until Lee Gilyoung mumbled about “stupid spiders” and “insects are better.”

They settled into the apartment and Kim Dokja pretended that he didn’t worry about anyone, least of all if Yoo Joonghyuk was safe. Instead, he got Lee Gilyoung to change and brush his teeth before passing out in his room. Kim Dokja couldn’t even be upset that Lee Gilyoung had decided that Kim Dokja’s bed would have to do.

The guide barely managed to change before checking that his alarms were set. Then, with bleary eyes, he fell onto the mattress next to Lee Gilyoung. He curled his fingers around a pillow before his eyelids could no longer stay open. He pulled the covers over himself and Lee Gilyoung before falling asleep.

Chapter Text

The days while the Sky Breaker guild was in the scenario dungeon passed slowly and quickly all at the same time. Kim Dokja felt a bit like a wandering lost soul while also realizing that he had more autonomy in his current status than he ever did before. It was a peculiar mixture of emotions and recurring thoughts.

The dungeon break left parts of Seoul in ruins. Kim Dokja could still see the streaks of blood from the window, as well as the strange esper that saved the train. It also reminded him of how he first awakened as a guide. It made him stare in the mirror and wonder how he had gotten so far since then.

The Star Stream Association was quick to pick up the pieces through their own means while also hiring outside help. Kim Dokja had seen some espers fixing up buildings with their capabilities while, at other times, construction went on in the normal way. It was a mixture that showed that there could be peace between those with power and those without.

Kim Dokja checked the scenario dungeon’s status more frequently than he would like to admit. Lee Gilyoung even frowned at him a few times as Kim Dokja reloaded the page on his phone for breaking news in Seoul. It made Kim Dokja click his phone off and focus on why Lee Gilyoung was having problems understanding the word problem from his homework.

The days passed too slowly and too quickly. Kim Dokja blinked, and suddenly it had been a day. Kim Dokja yawned and grew bored at his desk, yet it had only been a few minutes.

He used his time in limbo to fix up his new apartment.

Lee Gilyoung’s bedroom was slowly becoming more personalized with each passing day. Kim Dokja wasn’t even sure how many containers of insects there were anymore.

As long as Lee Gilyoung was happy, Kim Dokja didn’t plan on being upset about it either. Lee Gilyoung’s grin as he ranted about his fixation with insects was dazzling, reminding Kim Dokja of his days of reading Han Sooyoung’s webnovel when he was younger.

The kitchen gradually became filled with odds and ends. Kim Dokja was using his resources from the internet in order to create bentos for Lee Gilyoung. It was a slow process of becoming better at it.

Lee Gilyoung even told him that Yoo Mia had complimented it, saying, “Oppa’s are better, but he’ll always be better at everything compared to that ahjussi.” It filled Kim Dokja with pride, especially since Yoo Mia had sent him some photos of the bentos that Yoo Joonghyuk prepared for her through the years.

Kim Dokja’s bedroom was a mess, to be honest. He felt like a horrid being, as every other part of the house, including Lee Gilyoung’s bedroom, was much more organized and clean than his own. Lee Gilyoung described the mess as “comfy” but Kim Dokja knew that the young esper was only being polite.

He had ordered new clothing due to Yoo Sangah saying that since he was a licensed guide now, and regularly interacted with espers, that it was probable that he would be invited to Star Stream Association events, or maybe even be a guest asked to go to a guild event.

Kim Dokja abhorred the idea but Yoo Sangah was insistent that he needed to be prepared for it just in case. So, that left him with sorting through clothing. Han Sooyoung was supposed to show up later and help him pick what stayed and what didn’t from his old wardrobe.

The living space was still a bit bare. Kim Dokja had a bookshelf but most of the books he owned were digital. However, Lee Gilyoung liked physical copies of his own books, so they filled in any cracks that Kim Dokja wasn’t able to fill on his own. The couch was starting to form to their bodies and Kim Dokja ordered some kits to do no-sew blankets so they had a craft to do over the weekends together.

Work was odd now. Yoo Sangah was obviously doing something about it, though, as she always did when it came to running interference for him at work. Kim Dokja had heard a few peculiar whispers, not to mention the weird fights he walked in on between Yoon Sangho and Han Myungoh.

Kim Dokja didn’t understand the exchange, but he knew in his gut that it was about him. He was causing trouble in some way, which made knots churn around in his stomach.

Also, in the time while Sky Breaker was in the scenario dungeon, Kim Dokja became much more acquainted with Lee Seolhwa and Yoo Mia.

It was almost strange to think about it, but he might know more about Yoo Mia than he did her brother. Yoo Joonghyuk was able to hide behind a wall of stubbornness while Yoo Mia was a bit more obvious in the way she behaved. Kids were more open in general. It also helped the Lee Gilyoung and Yoo Mia played off of one another, making Kim Dokja laugh at the most unexpected times.

Just the other day, Kim Dokja got off of work, picked Lee Gilyoung up from Constellation Elementary, and then found himself invited out for drinks by Lee Seolhwa. Yoo Mia detested the idea until Lee Seolhwa said that they were eating out at a friendly space for kids. Lee Gilyoung then smiled in excitement at the idea, which led Kim Dokja to agree to the outing.

“Fried chicken?” questioned Yoo Mia, sparkles in her eyes.

Lee Gilyoung nodded his head toward his friend excitedly. His eyes pleaded for them to go. Kim Dokja couldn’t turn him down.

“I guess… I guess I would love to join you,” he said after a few moments.

Lee Seolhwa showed a pleased smile. “I’ll pull my car around. Wait here with the kids, Dokja-ssi.”

“No problem,” muttered Kim Dokja, warily watching as the doctor walked away.

Almost instantly once Lee Seolhwa was out of reach, Yoo Mia announced, “Ahjussi, you look extra ugly today. Why?”

Lee Gilyoung tried to cover her mouth, but the damage was done.

Kim Dokja was too shocked — and a bit too tired — to do anything about it. He let Yoo Mia and Lee Gilyoung talk amongst themselves until Lee Seolhwa pulled up to the curb.

Kim Dokja didn’t let the implications get to him. He already knew that he looked rough. He couldn’t sleep. He tossed and turned all night, every night. It definitely wasn’t healthy. He needed to get back on track. It’s just… he felt off.

The restaurant was small but inviting.

Lee Seolhwa ordered their drinks while Kim Dokja asked what Yoo Mia and Lee Gilyoung wanted to eat. Soon enough, their table was cluttered with different meals and snacks that Yoo Mia and Lee Gilyoung tasted one at a time. Kim Dokja allowed himself to drink slowly, almost thankful that Lee Seolhwa didn’t pressure him to order more and more like some of the people at Mino Soft did when he first joined the company.

He learned that Lee Seolhwa had met Yoo Joonghyuk when they were both slumped in their current careers. Lee Seolhwa was stuck in a rut without research funding while Yoo Joonghyuk was on the brink of a rampage. It was the Association that paired them together, unwilling to lose Yoo Joonghyuk as the strongest esper in Korea, if not the whole world.

Meanwhile, Kim Dokja shared some of his own past. He told Lee Seolhwa about how he attended college on a whim due to being eligible for a few grants. Lee Seolhwa nodded along, knowing how expensive school loans could be. She hosted the facility Crossroads of Life and Death, but she still had debt from her own schooling.

He also told her about how he originally applied to Mino Soft because he thought it was a gaming company, and was very much surprised to be surrounded by guides and low-level espers once he went to the in-person interview. He thought about walking out that day, but then saw the salary and contract guarantee, and admitted that it was the best thing for him at the time.

He went back that night to his apartment with Lee Gilyoung half-asleep. It was a long day of school/work with an added-on few hours of chatting at the restaurant. Kim Dokja couldn’t believe that so much time passed in a blink of an eye.

He didn’t check his phone a single time. He felt at ease. Maybe it was because Lee Seolhwa truly believed with every fiber of her being that Yoo Joonghyuk would make it back.

And, now that he thought about it, Kim Dokja realized that he never saw Yoo Joonghyuk actually use his powers. Sure, Yoo Joonghyuk rampaged the first time they met, but that was without any skills and limited power due to having no control over his energy. Videos of espers using fighting abilities didn’t go public often, but as far as he knew, Yoo Joonghyuk had no officially released footage of him fighting against any dungeon breaks.

That led to Kim Dokja scrolling through videos late that night instead of reading. He found grainy or faraway footage of Sky Breaker attending to dungeon breaks. They mainly took on dungeons themselves, instead of going after dungeon breaks. The Star Stream Association may have had a hand in that, as they prioritized family-friendly public relations, ensuring that the released footage was of espers putting property back together or healing injuries.

He had to shake it off. His days would pass by much too slow if he didn’t try to think about other things. Luckily, the next day brought something new. Guiding was still something he was a bit wary to do alone.

It was a dreary morning when Yoo Sangah brought him a cup of coffee and a small package of biscuits. He took a sip from the mug before opening the packet.

Yoo Sangah watched him silently before he finally asked, “What’s up?”

Yoo Sangah smiled, her eyes knowing.

That day brought him to a higher level where security guards roamed. He was getting used to the rooms of general meetings. Above one of the doors was a series of red lights, signaling that more guides were needed in the room.

The first time he guided with Yoo Sangah at Mino Soft was during a general meeting with a guild called ‘Behead.’ It was a bit overwhelming to feel his energy drain so much from those that went into dungeons and used their powers regularly, compared to the normal espers that didn’t enter a dungeon unless forced.

“You’ll be fine, Dokja-ssi,” ushered Yoo Sangah, eyes fierce.

Kim Dokja smiled back wearily as he ticked off another name from the list of espers they needed to guide that day.

The guild master was Chu Wangin, a man that only showed up once Min Jiwon declared that Mino Soft wasn’t to be used by her own guild members. As Kim Dokja rested between guiding espers, he looked up why Min Jiwon and Chu Wangin hated one another, only to find out that they used to compete at young actors before they awakened on the same day when there was a dungeon break at the theater where they were both working for.

“Sangah-ssi,” he whispered to her as he eyed Chu Wangin across the room, “was that guy really an actor?”

Yoo Sangah’s eyes flickered to the esper who used to be an actor. Chu Wangin didn’t appear to be someone that could pull off being at the top of the industry. Acting was a harsh game. Or at least, that’s what Min Jiwon always announced whenever she used to come to Mino Soft. That was another point. Min Jiwon was beautiful in the general sense — it was her personality that lacked — and yet Chu Wangin didn’t stick out in any way.

After a few silent moments, Yoo Sangah concurred, “I believe he didn’t get far in his career. Perhaps that’s why he’s…”

Yeah. Kim Dokja didn’t need Yoo Sangha to use her words. They both watched as Chu Wangin talked to his guild members like some two-bit coach. What was worse, however, was that the guild members looked up to their guild master.

They quickly got back to work. The rooms were filled with guides and espers going in and out of the curtains. Kim Dokja wondered if touching someone else’s hand would ever be normal for him. If he could ever hold his mother’s hand and not flinch from the touch of warm fingers and brittle nails.

The days passed as smoothly as they could.

Han Sooyoung came over and sorted through Kim Dokja’s room with disgust. He wasn’t sure how many shoes and outfits he tried on, but it lasted an entire afternoon. Lee Gilyoung even went through some of Kim Dokja’s old clothes, finding a few things that he claimed as his own. Kim Dokja noticed that one of his favorite sweatshirts was in the bunch, but Lee Gilyoung seemed too pleased by the idea of having the items, so Kim Dokja just let it be.

While Han Sooyoung was over, Kim Dokja gave her the package of suckers from Lee Seolhwa.

“Here.”

He threw the sack of suckers. It landed with a soft crunch. He watched her like a hawk, trying to gauge why Lee Seolhwa was making her special lemon suckers for no obvious reason.

Han Sooyoung’s demeanor instantly turned suspicious until Kim Dokja rolled his eyes and asked if his shoes — a pair of sandals that he bought over 7 years ago — were good enough to keep. Han Sooyoung instantly mocked him and told him to throw them in the donation pile, citing that he had ugly ankles.

He didn’t find out why or how Lee Seolhwa and Han Sooyoung knew one another, but it was clear that Han Sooyoung didn’t want to talk about it. He would allow them to keep their secrets. Han Sooyoung had trusted him with too much information already. He was sure that if it was important, that she’d tell him one day.

Or she’d keep it in a tight box and not let him in. Either way, she deserved privacy. She had given him a safe place to go to for so many years, that he didn’t mind fading away in limbo, even if it was just for a little while. Han Sooyoung was still his closest friend in the entire world. She even knew about some of the shit that Song Minwoo did to him back in school, which Kim Dokja did not like to disclose at all.

By the time she left, Lee Gilyoung had completely disappeared to his room. Kim Dokja stared blankly at his closet in wonder. Where did all of his clothes go? He shook his head as he felt some of the fabric between his fingertips. Be more professional, he reminded himself.

The days passed slowly with anxiety creeping up his spine, but they were almost more relaxing than his days before everything had happened.

He felt more at peace, he supposed. He wasn’t as scared of the world as he was before. Jang Hayoung was a large part of that due to her method of creating a wall — a barrier — on his skin to block out other energy. He wondered what she was up to these days. He never did call her. Should he have? It felt a bit odd, as they had barely interacted outside of class.

Of course, the first moment that Kim Dokja allowed himself to feel at ease, a ruckus occurred.

It happened in the early morning. Kim Dokja was nursing his newest cup of coffee. It was his first one at Mino Soft, but third of the day. He had trouble sleeping the night previous due to being anxious about the safety of those that entered the scenario dungeon. Lee Gilyoung didn’t even try to wean Kim Dokja away from the coffee pot that morning, instead opting to ask for a warm breakfast so that Kim Dokja could wake from his stupor.

After walking Lee Gilyoung to school, they said their goodbyes and went their separate ways. Kim Dokja even spotted Yoo Mia down the road being dropped off by Lee Seolhwa, so he chatted with the two of them for a few moments.

Lee Seolhwa was much more casual, likely having the day off, as her hair was put up into a messy bun and there was no white coat in sight. Kim Dokja was happy for her. Maybe she and Uriel would meet up on their day off and relax for once.

Once he arrived at Mino Soft, Kim Dokja set up his desk before going to the lounge for coffee. He noted that Han Myungoh was busy processing transactions in between bites of breakfast pastries. Kim Dokja wondered what made the low-level esper so busy but supposed that Mino Soft had been rather popular with meetings lately. They had to add on two general meeting times, which hadn’t happened in all of the time that Kim Dokja had worked for the company.

Kim Dokja retreated to his desk. He started to go through his emails. He set up some of the appointments for the upcoming weeks. He went through his own first, as he now was frequently asked for, much to his confusion. He didn’t even have anyone to ask if they blabbed lies about him, as most of his friends were in the dungeon.

He usually didn’t do private meetings, as he already had his own regular set of those: Lee Hyunsung, Han Donghoon, Jung Heewon, Kyrgios Rodgraim, and possibly Yoo Joonghyuk.

Instead, he spent most of his free time in the afternoon doing general meetings. Yoo Sangah had asked if he wanted to take outside contracts but he wanted to settle down as a guide before moving on to the next step.

So that left him sorting through meeting requests, receiving odd emails about sync rate appointments that he turned down, and questioning his own sanity. That was, until he felt a disturbance.

Kim Dokja didn’t notice it at first. It felt as if there was a slight vibration in the air. Nowadays, he had his barrier constantly up, but he was slowly letting it down when he was in a place that he deemed as safe. His apartment was a safe zone, and Mino Soft was becoming one as well. Perhaps that’s why he didn’t notice it for a little while.

But then it felt like a strong shock wave had hit him. He jumped in his seat. Was it an earthquake? He became frazzled as he looked around the office. No one else had looked disturbed.

Kim Dokja shook his head, then returned to work. He needed to focus. It would do no good to distract himself. He needed to get through today. Just one more day and maybe—

He only made it a few more moments before another wave hit him.

Kim Dokja cursed softly as he stood up, his eyes honed in on his surroundings. Was he being punked? He had heard of it before, basically bullying in a different form. He frowned as he gazed at the office of nonchalant peers. With a huff, he sat back down in his chair.

When it happened again, Kim Dokja was fed up. He glugged the rest of his coffee, locked his monitor, then started to inspect where it was coming from.

His first thought was that it had to be an esper. It was an energy of some kind, therefore it was likely an esper compared to a guide. Guides couldn’t waste their energy like espers could. As he stalked around the building with a grumpy expression, he was met with a locked closet that was practically mocking him.

Kim Dokja stood outside of it, considering if he should look up a video on how to unlock a locked door. He didn’t get far before he felt it again. His eyes widened once he realized that he recognized the energy now. Kim Dokja rushed to think of where the custodian would be at this time. He saw that it was still early in the morning, so he went to the custodian’s workroom.

The workroom was filled with odd trinkets and loads of supplies. It was on the first floor as well. Kim Dokja used the stairs instead of the elevator, as he was afraid that the energy could interfere with it somehow. He was probably being overdramatic about it, but he was better safe than sorry.

He asked the custodian to open the locked closet. Perhaps he looked deranged, as he was half-asleep while also buzzing from the caffeine he had consumed recently. The custodian gave him a confused look before sighing. She looked a bit worse for wear, and clearly overworked if she was the only custodian for the entire building.

She pocketed a large ring of keys, motioned towards the door, and said, “Let me do it for you.” As she passed by, he was able to read her name tag. [Min Soosung.]

Kim Dokja followed Min Soosung into the elevators. When he felt the next wave of energy hit, he told himself that everything would be fine. He must have not looked like he believed it, because Min Soosung gave a wary glance at him before muttering lowly. Once the doors opened back up, though, Kim Dokja exhaled in relief.

Kim Dokja led her to the locked closet. The custodian looked at him with suspicion and unanswered questions before giving in. Min Soosung opened the door quickly, but she had to go through the keys first. As she flipped through the keys, Kim Dokja plastered on his best smile. Once she found the correct key, she opened the door just as another energy blast became known.

The gate hovered mid-air. Its light color meant that it was fairly new, and nowhere near the point of a dungeon break. It was small and pulsating, likely still in the beginning stages of forming.

Kim Dokja had expected what he saw, yet he was still in awe. He heard Min Soosung gasp at the sight of a dungeon gate in the Mino Soft building. Kim Dokja was going to ask Min Soosung what to do, as he had no idea what the protocol was. He turned to her for answers, his eyes practically pleading for her to take the reins. She was older than him and had worked there far longer than he.

Except Min Soosung’s response was, “Who do we call? The police?”

Kim Dokja opened and closed his mouth multiple times. He thought for sure that he was the only one out of the loop. After he recovered, almost thankful that he wasn’t a complete idiot in this scenario, he pulled out his phone. This was a case of special circumstances. It wasn’t normal, meaning that there wasn’t likely a known series of actions to be taken by Mino Soft employees.

“You should inform Mino Soft of what happened,” he told her as he clicked on his phone.

Min Soosung raised a brow as she slammed the door to the closet shut. “And what are you going to do?”

“Call the Association,” he replied, weariness heavy on his shoulders.

As Min Soosung left to tell superiors of Mino Soft about what was opening up in the closet, Kim Dokja clicked on a saved contact. He hadn’t spoken directly to her for a little while, so maybe this wouldn’t be too awkward.

[Hello?] asked the voice over the phone.

“Hi, uhm, Uriel-ssi, are you busy?”

[Dokja-ssi!] uttered Uriel, a smile in her voice. [I’m never too busy for you. What do you need?]

“Hypothetically, what’s the protocol for when you stumble over a dungeon gate?”

[...]

Kim Dokja rolled his lips inward, knowing that the silence was painful for quite a few reasons. Uriel’s breath was completely silent, likely due from shock. Maybe this wasn’t a bad thing, though. She was bound to know what to do, since she worked for the Star Stream Association and was an S-Class esper.

“Uriel-ssi?” he checked once the time had been a bit too long. “Are you okay?”

[I’m fine.] Her tone sounded clipped and rushed. [Is everyone safe, Dokja-ssi?]

“Yes, they are. It hasn’t opened or anything.”

Kim Dokja opened up the door to peer inside once more. The gate was white and small, almost like a puff of light in the air that swirled around. It didn’t look dangerous and yet it was giving off quite a bit of energy now.

Each little wave of energy increased. Kim Dokja hated it, but with his own energy barrier up, it was easier to stand its presence.

[Can you tell me the location? I’ll send in some of our crew.]

“Oh, uhm, it’s in Mino Soft. On the fifth floor in a closet.”

[It’s in Mino Soft?] she checked. Kim Dokja hummed in response. Nonchalantly, she told him, [Pull the fire alarm right now.]

“What?” He did not squeak. He didn’t.

[You need to evacuate the building immediately. Guides aren’t supposed to be anywhere near the energy that gates create, and anyone else could accidentally enter it and die, so I need you to make everyone evacuate.]

Kim Dokja struggled to look around. Mostly, he was unsure if this was the best plan, but Uriel hadn’t led him astray before. He quickly paced the hallway until he saw a familiar red lever.

He had never actually pulled such an alarm. He had seen other kids do such a thing in school before, but they always got caught, so he never saw the fun in it. All it did was delay classes.

And now he was instructed to wreak havoc on an unsuspecting building.

[Dokja-ssi, you need to do it quickly. I’ve already sent a team to your location. They should arrive within 15 minutes, so until then, you need to get to safety.]

“Okay.”

Kim Dokja pulled the lever and immediately clasped his hands over his ears. The loud sound of the alarmed blarred. His phone was smashed against his ear along with his hand, creating it so that he could hear Uriel click the mouse of her computer over the phone. He rather hear that than the never-ending alarms.

He walked towards the stairs to find that it was already partially populated with people. He asked, “Uriel-ssi, what do I do now?”

[Get out of there,] instructed the S-Class esper. [I’ll leave in just a minute. I’m informing the correct channels what has occurred.]

Kim Dokja nodded as he entered the staircase and prepared to collect his belongings. He knew that he should have just evacuated, but without his keys, he wouldn’t be able to go home. He was fairly sure that Han Sooyoung had copied his key, but he didn’t want to admit to her that he knew about it. It was an unspoken rule of theirs.

So instead of fleeing, he collected his satchel from his desk. Then, and only then, did he exit the building. Uriel talked to him the entire time. He heard strange noises in the background, all identifying that she was moving from her office.

[Dokja-ssi, can you describe what the gate looked like? I would like a timeline if possible.]

“I can do that,” he replied faintly.

Kim Dokja had made it to the ground level of the building. He walked out in order to be met with a crowd of confused espers, guides, and normal people. He waved down Yoo Sangah, who was working on general meetings since it was morning. Kim Dokja would bet that most people hadn’t even started their shift yet, so they were lucky to have gotten this over with so quickly.

[Dokja-ssi?]

“Yeah, sorry, I’m here.” Kim Dokja felt his arm get taken into Yoo Sangah’s. He didn’t flinch from the touch but it felt worse than it did any of the other days during the week. As if he was on fire. “The gate was small. I think I was able to feel it as it began to grow stronger.”

[You could feel it?]

“It’s energy,” he tried to explain. “I could feel the energy as it pulsated.”

[That’s… I’m going to arrive there in a few minutes. I’m calling in backup. We haven’t been able to interact with a newly formed gate so closely. I’ll see you soon.]

“Ah, okay—”

The phone call ended with a click. Kim Dokja looked at his blank screen for a moment before exhaling harshly. His body thrummed with the knowledge of a dungeon being so close by.

Kim Dokja pocketed his phone before turning to Yoo Sangah, whose grip was crushing his arm. Instead of pulling away, though, he leaned into it. Like magic, Yoo Sangah’s vice grip lessened as her round eyes focused on him in worry.

“Dokja-ssi,” said Yoo Sangah, confusion clouding her tone, “do you have any idea what’s happening?”

“There’s a dungeon forming in Mino Soft,” he said plainly, breaking the news to her the best he could.

“... What?”

Thankfully, many different vehicles arrived not long after. Some were fire trucks and police cars, while others had the Star Stream Association’s logo printed on the side.

Kim Dokja pretended not to notice Paul’s presence, or even look at the floods of people carrying cases filled with equipment to inspect the gate. Instead, he wondered if this meant that he could go home.

By the end of the hour, Kim Dokja was seated on a bench next to Yoo Sangah and Han Myungoh.

Han Myungoh wasn’t there by choice, and neither were the other two. Apparently, espers needed their energy settled, so they were instructed to sit with guides. Kim Dokja thought it was dumb, but he was technically getting paid to watch as other people hurriedly ran around Mino Soft, so he supposed he had the better end of the deal.

Yoo Sangah wasn’t pleased by the situation one bit. Kim Dokja offered to sit in the middle of the bench in order to block Han Myungoh, but when Kim Dokja went to do so, a shot of energy from Han Myungoh hit Kim Dokja, causing him to flinch from the unexpected power. Then, Han Myungoh reached out to push Kim Dokja away so they didn’t touch thighs, which made Yoo Sangah intervene without a second thought.

So, in the end, Yoo Sangah sat in the middle, but she used Kim Dokja’s satchel to separate herself from Han Myungoh. The silence was quite awkward and tense. Kim Dokja begged to open his phone in order to do something — anything, really — but they were confiscated of their phones. Apparently, news of a gate in the middle of a popular street in Seoul would only cause panic, so they weren’t allowed to have electronics or leave.

Kim Dokja would bet that if it was any other week, then it wouldn’t be a problem. But because Sky Breaker was busy with a scenario dungeon, it made the public antsy. Scenario dungeons in the first place were a deadly unknown situation. Adding on losing so many powerful espers to that dungeon just made it even more wary. Korea was weak when guilds went into dungeons.

So, as Han Myungoh tried to start up multiple conversations with Yoo Sangah to no avail, Kim Dokja stared down to the concrete. He made sure to not stomp down on any ants, and pretended that he wasn’t bored out of his mind. He wasn’t an actor by far. Not in the least.

Finally, once the sun shone down on them from above, Uriel walked past. Her hand was busy using a pen to tick off some sort of checklist. Maybe it was a safety protocol of some kind. He had no idea. All he knew was that Uriel paused mid-step once she saw him.

“Dokja-ssi, Sangah-ssi!” Uriel beamed brilliantly. He could practically see her angelic aura. “Are both of you uninjured? Neither of you are feeling sick, right?”

“I’m fine,” replied Yoo Sangah, a question in her tone.

Kim Dokja added, “Just wondering when we can go home.”

Uriel nodded, mostly to herself, before answering, “We’re trying our hardest, I promise. In fact, the Salvation guild has offered up to enter the dungeon. Their espers are currently being checked over before entering the dungeon. Since it’s so early in its stages, it’ll likely be an easy one to clear.”

“Does that mean we can go now?” asked Han Myungoh, desperation lathering his tone.

Uriel appeared to be perplexed as she looked at the man. She asked, “Are you feeling okay?”

Han Myungoh furrowed his brow. “I’m fine,” he grunted.

Uriel tilted her head before shaking her jitters out. Her eyes refocused on Yoo Sangah and Kim Dokja. Han Myungoh let out a sigh. Kim Dokja wasn’t sure if it was out of relief or annoyance anymore.

“Everyone should be released once Salvation enters the dungeon. By then, we’ll have our press release ready. For now, try to stick through it. I’m sure being near a gate isn’t all that pleasant,” said Uriel. She gave them a thumbs-up. “Till next time!”

Yoo Sangah waved politely while Kim Dokja could do nothing but lean onto Yoo Sangah’s shoulders. It was too hot. Why couldn’t this have happened on a cooler day? A whine threatened to erupt from his throat but he managed to hold it down. He was craving ice cream, or even a fruity popsicle.

Yoo Sangah’s hand tapped him on the thigh. He made a disgruntled noise before forcing himself to sit upright. He heard her mutter something along the lines of, “oh, no, that’s not what I meant.” He wiped at his forehead and leveled his gaze onto hers.

Yoo Sangah said, a bit hesitant, “Dokja-ssi, do you hate the heat?”

“I don’t do well in it,” was the reply.

Yoo Sangah bobbed her head quickly up and down. “So…” She shifted around in her seat, as if crooning her head. “Dokja-ssi, would you prefer if we move to the shade?”

Kim Dokja shrugged. He took a peek around. He noted, “If we sit in the shade, we’d have to sit on the grass. It’s troublesome.”

Han Myungoh added, “My skin reacts to grass. I won’t sit on the ground.”

Yoo Sangah’s mouth parted, then closed.

She gave a single nod before tapping her shoulder. Kim Dokja looked at her in confusion before realizing that she was giving permission. Kim Dokja huffed through his nose before placing his head back down onto her shoulder. Even though it was hot out, for some reason he felt at peace as he leaned against Yoo Sangah.

When they were eventually released to go home, Kim Dokja was met with his phone drained of all of its battery. Yoo Sangah also looked at her phone in defeat, clearly unhappy with it. They shared a small, strained smile of physical illness at being unable to cope without technology. Perhaps Lee Gilyoung was right about him being addicted to his phone.

As they parted ways, Kim Dokja saw something out of the corner of his eyes. A few figures were being led into Mino Soft’s entrance. Many of them didn’t look familiar, while the ones that did were likely from the times he had been at the Star Stream Association.

And yet Kim Dokja noticed a golden streak of hair that was familiar.

Yoo Sangah lingered but he waved her off. She had a contract to attend to, so she needed to go. Han Myungoh disappeared the instant that they were given the all-clear. Kim Dokja thought he was ready to leave, but he couldn’t. Not when he knew the person entering Mino Soft.

Nirvana Moebius was not someone that Kim Dokja had ever expected to see so closely before. They were ethereal even if they had some weird rumors going on about their relationship with Yoo Joonghyuk, as well as other guild masters.

Salvation — it was originally under a different name but it changed years and years ago — was a guild that Nirvana started when they were young. From what Kim Dokja knew, Yoo Joonghyuk and Nirvana competed in the early days of dungeons, espers, and guides.

He watched as the guild master frolicked along the pavement. Sun Wukong was speaking to them quietly. Nirvana Moebius either didn’t care, or was unamused by the conversation. Kim Dokja thought that because Nirvana Moebius had turned towards him. Bright eyes landed on the guide’s form, causing Kim Dokja’s breath to hitch.

Kim Dokja forced his body to move. He needed to go home. No, correction, he needed to pick Lee Gilyoung up from school, stop at the store, and then cook dinner at home while Lee Gilyoung suffered through homework at the table. He shook his hand in an attempt to keep his nerves underwrap.

When he eventually turned a corner, he glanced over to Mino Soft’s building. Nirvana Moebius was gone, as was their guild. He let out a sigh of relief.

Hopefully, by tomorrow morning or afternoon, the dungeon would be cleared and they could resume work. If it ended up being a tricker dungeon than expected, then Mino Soft would be off-limits until the espers returned from the dungeon. Sometimes it took weeks to clear a large, energy-fueled dungeon full of beasts that Kim Dokja had only read about in novels.

He took the subway train, as he always did these days. He missed biking to and from work with Yoo Sangah, but they lived too far away now. However, he did make plans to bike with her soon. Maybe it’d be over the weekend or on a day where they both got off from work early. He was excited about it. His bike hadn’t been well-used even though it was locked outside of the apartment complex he was in.

Lee Gilyoung and Yoo Mia exited the school together. Lee Seolhwa usually took a few extra minutes to show up after Kim Dokja arrived, so he leaned against the fence and watched as the two kids animatedly talked to one another.

However, within a few minutes of standing out in the humid air, Lee Seolhwa’s vehicle appeared at the edge of the sidewalk. Kim Dokja waved Yoo Mia off as she trotted over to the white-haired woman’s car.

Lee Gilyoung said goodbye excitedly. Yoo Mia waved back in a restrained manner, but her smile was bright and clear across her face. Lee Seolhwa seemed just as amused by the interaction as Kim Dokja did.

Home was full of new grocery bags and mediocre cooking.

After picking up a few things from the store, Kim Dokja started on dinner. He wasn’t the best cook around and he would never beat Yoo Joonghyuk’s meal plans— if Yoo Mia was being truthful about her brother’s culinary skills. It was annoying that a bastard like that could be so good at everything.

Lee Gilyoung did worksheets at a small table. Kim Dokja wondered if he liked Constellation Elementary. Was it nice to be surrounded by energy-filled peers, or was it nicer to feel normal at a public school that was mostly filled with those that weren’t espers or guides?

As Kim Dokja stirred a pot on a low-boil, he heard a knock at the door. He popped out of the kitchen in confusion.

“Are you expecting anyone?” he asked.

Lee Gilyoung raised a brow, then asked, “Who would I be expecting, hyung?”

That was a fair point, as Yoo Mia was the only person that Kim Dokja knew was Lee Gilyoung’s friend.

With a sigh, Kim Dokja walked across the room. The knock resounded in his ears once more, causing him to cringe. He glanced back to the table to see Lee Gilyoung staring down at it. It appeared that a stranger knocking at the door wasn’t anything worthwhile.

Kim Dokja opened the door with a sigh. He saw the shoes first, combat boots. Next came the familiar legs that had belts across them for no disconcernable reason. As Kim Dokja trailed up the figure, he already knew who it was by the time he met the person’s eyes.

“Yoo Joonghyuk…?”

The esper didn’t look amused. In fact, Kim Dokja was fairly certain that a part of his soul withered away at the look Yoo Joonghyuk gave him. It wasn’t mean, per se, but Yoo Joonghyuk didn’t look happy either.

Small cuts littered his face and hands, a sword was strapped to his back, and Kim Dokja noticed that Yoo Joonghyuk’s hair appeared to be singed as well, as if from fire or an insane amount of heat. Did this dude seriously just get released from a scenario dungeon and come straight to Kim Dokja’s apartment of all places?

What the literal hell was going on?

Yoo Joonghyuk ignored any of Kim Dokja’s confusion. Instead, he said, deathly calm, “You didn’t answer your phone.”

Chapter Text

Lee Jihye was having a horrible day but there was a bright side: the scenario was coming to an end. She watched as the screen in front of her ticked down bit by bit. The days had turned to hours, then to minutes. They didn’t have long now. She was excited to see the dungeon collapse.

It turned out that scenarios were different from normal dungeons. For one, the scenarios were more sophisticated than slaying any monsters in sight.

For another, there was a weird pop-up screen in front of each and every one of them. Lee Jihye was a little unnerved by it at first, but once she discovered that she could click the ‘x’ at the top to close it like a tab on a computer, she felt more at peace.

The scenario was practically over. For her team, at least. Sky Breaker split up into groups after the scenario popped up. The clear conditions were fairly simple, so Yoo Joonghyuk separated them. Basically, they had to last 8 days while fighting an unlimited amount of monsters.

There were safe areas throughout each day that would pop up and reappear elsewhere. The nights were the hardest, in Lee Jihye’s opinion, because all green zones would disappear and they would have to fight continuously for 7 hours.

Jung Heewon and Lee Hyunsung were to protect the gate that they would exit, and kill any monster that came near them. Technically, monsters weren’t supposed to be able to exit the dungeon gate, but it was a backup just in case. A few meters away from the gate was where base camp was set up, though it tended to not last longer than a day or two due to the roaming monsters.

Kim Namwoon led a section of Sky Breaker to cover the East side of the dungeon. Lee Jihye would normally go with him, but she was to stick next to Yoo Joonghyuk. Everyone was still recovering from his rampage, herself included. She thought he was going to die that day, or kill everyone in sight. So to witness the events as no one was seriously harmed…

Yoo Joonghyuk didn’t need any supervision, it turned out. He was guided by Kim Dokja — a man that Lee Jihye had some respect for, though she’d never admit it — and was therefore perfectly fine.

In fact, Lee Jihye was in awe of the power he exerted. It was breathtaking to see him use his abilities without fear of controlling himself.

From what Lee Jihye was able to defer, Yoo Joonghyuk had to constantly control himself in order to not rampage. The Life or Death pill to cleanse his energy hadn’t worked in years. Lee Seolhwa was a constant at guild headquarters. Lee Jihye was thankful for her.

Who knew what would have happened if Lee Seolhwa hadn’t developed a way for espers to purify their energy?

So, to be frank, the scenario was a breeze to pass compared to what Lee Jihye’s expectations were. She thought for sure that they would exit the dungeon covered in lacerations and in a deep need to be guided. Maybe there would be a death count. She remembered the horror stories that were whispered about just last year. So many espers died because of the scenario dungeons.

The minutes on the screen turned into seconds. She couldn’t help but grin as she slashed the bear-looking monster in front of her. She truly was thankful for the sword that Yoo Joonghyuk gave her when she joined his guild. Her master was the best.

In the side of her eye, she noticed a familiar head of curly white hair. Kim Namwoon had returned to the gate. They all had as the time drained. They had less than two minutes until the scenario dungeon would be over and they would be allowed to leave without worry of it appearing in South Korea again.

“Master, what are you going to do once we’re out?” she asked.

Yoo Joonghyuk hummed noncommittally before announcing, “I’m going to visit Kim Dokja.”

“Oh? To be guided?”

That reminded her that she would have to schedule an appointment with one of the Sky Breaker guides. She didn’t mind any of them but she wished that Yoo Sangah would join a guild. Lee Jihye understood that Mino Soft was a place that helped protect guides from being overworked, but she liked chatting with Yoo Sangah, even if it reminded her of the day that Yoo Joonghyuk was supposed to die.

And then Yoo Joonghyuk sent her a strange look. “No,” he said after a few silent moments with only the sound of Lee Hyunsung and Kim Namwoon’s conversation filling her ears, “I want to check on him.”

Oh. So Uriel was truly right. Lee Jihye tended to talk with Uriel — the older S-Class esper was the one that helped Lee Jihye when she first registered as an esper — so they had gossip sessions while eating every few weekends. Uriel had commented before that espers that obtained personal guides tended to be romantic.

Lee Jihye had thought nothing of it until she witnessed Yoo Joonghyuk pursue Kim Dokja.

See, Lee Jihye had known a little about Kim Dokja before Yoo Joonghyuk ever got involved. Jung Heewon, who technically wasn’t an official member of Sky Breaker, constantly talked about her guide. It was a bit strange, as she never revealed much about the guide. It was odd to Lee Jihye because Jung Heewon was a very straightforward person, so when she didn’t reveal details about a person in her life, it stuck out like a sore thumb.

Then, of course, there was Lee Hyunsung. Everyone at Sky Breaker knew that Lee Hyunsung preferred to be guided by a person working for Mino Soft. Lee Jihye originally thought it was Yoo Sangah, but that was shot down when she saw Lee Hyunsung happily being guided by Kim Dokja. Jung Heewon was the same in the scenario, though.

Lee Hyunsung sang Kim Dokja’s praises as the gentlest guide he had ever come across. Jung Heewon wasn’t much better— she could talk for hours about the process of being guided by Kim Dokja.

In the end, they both seemed so carefree and appreciated their guiding session. Of course, Lee Jihye originally thought they had different guides, so it was strange to look back at it with the knowledge she knew now.

“Do you,” Lee Jihye said hesitantly, “like Kim Dokja?”

Yoo Joonghyuk answered instantly with no embarrassment, “Of course.”

Lee Jihye had to turn away from the other esper. Her face flushed at the gall of the man. It was scandalous! Kim Dokja wasn’t even Yoo Joonghyuk’s personal guide and yet Yoo Joonghyuk was talking about him like that. She lightly tapped her cheeks to force herself to gain control of her emotions.

When she turned back to Yoo Joonghyuk, he had left to step closer to the gate. The seconds were dwindling with no monsters in sight. It appeared that she got the last kill. Would she get a bonus for entering a scenario dungeon? She hoped so. She missed out on school for this, after all.

Lee Jihye sputtered in place as she watched Yoo Joonghyuk look down to his feet with slightly rosy cheeks. Is he thinking about Kim Dokja? she questioned herself.

And then the gate in front of them swirled brightly. Lee Jihye squinted her eyes as the light then quickly dulled to reveal a glimpse into the ordinary world. Yoo Joonghyuk waited by the dungeon entrance.

Lee Jihye called out, “Let’s go, people!”

The guild members looked up and quickly bustled out of the gate. Relief filled her frame as she realized that she would sleep in her own bed that night. She missed it. Maybe even more than she missed having a hot meal. Rations were horrid compared to the barbecue place that Jung Heewon had invited her to before.

Lee Jihye turned to see that there were only a few people left. She said, “Come on, you edgy punk wannabe. Let’s get out of here.”

She froze as she saw two people respond to the name. The first one was Kim Namwoon, who rolled his eyes as he bypassed Lee Hyunsung. The other was Yoo Joonghyuk, who was startled by it.

Lee Jihye coughed to hide her laugh. Sure, she had started to refer to Kim Namwoon as an edgy punk wannabe ever since Kim Dokja called Yoo Joonghyuk such a thing, but this was overkill. She dragged her nails into the palm of her hand as she looked Yoo Joonghyuk in the eyes.

Her master was the best, you know(when he wasn’t being a hardass). He waited for each and every one of them to exit the dungeon before he followed. Then, with the last person out, the dungeon opening swirled until it became a small mass. That mass then disappeared in a puff, as if never there in the first place.

Lee Jihye let herself be guided to the medical tent. She didn’t pay attention to the examiner and instead looked at Yoo Joonghyuk. He stared off in the distance, even as he was asked questions. She wondered what was going through his mind. The Star Stream Association wouldn’t allow him to simply leave.

There was a process to follow when an esper left a dungeon:

1. They had to be examined by a health professional immediately upon leaving the dungeon. If a person was seriously injured, they were taken to the nearest hospital until they could be transferred to the Crossroads of Life and Death facility.

2. They had to file a report. For normal dungeons, the report didn’t need to be very long. For a scenario dungeon, they had to detail everything that occurred, even the times when they ate and slept.

3. They had to schedule a guiding appointment that would occur within 24 hours of exiting the dungeon. Being guided after exiting a dungeon was essential. It was a safety measure for not only the espers, but for those around them.

4. For scenario dungeons specifically, those who entered had to go to check-up appointments to make sure that there were no lingering issues with their health or energy.

It wasn’t a long process, but it was protocol. Yoo Joonghyuk couldn’t simply leave because he felt like it, even if he was the strongest esper in the world. The Star Stream Association had strict rules that were in place to protect the espers, and the civilians nearby as well. Lee Jihye groaned at all of the writing she was going to do.

Before they headed back to the guild to write up reports, Lee Jihye went up to Sun Wukong. He was an esper that Lee Jihye was more nervous about, but Uriel seemed to like him even if she bickered with him all of the time. Sun Wukong gave her an analyzing stare before raising an eyebrow.

“Yeah, uhm, so, do you know where Uriel-unnie is?” she asked.

Lee Jihye hated that she couldn’t interact with others like Yoo Joonghyuk could. Her master would simply grunt or turn away from a conversation he didn’t like. She could practically see Yoo Joonghyuk rolling his eyes at a stupid question, though she had never seen him actually do such a thing.

Sun Wukong shrugged a shoulder, then said, “She was called away to another dungeon.”

“Another dungeon? Where?”

Lee Jihye wondered who was assigned to it. How old was the dungeon? Was it located in a forest, or was it on top of a building? She had been inside a dungeon that was located in the underground railways once. It was cool but spooky.

Sun Wukong’s brow furrowed before he said, “In a building. A guide called it in.”

“Really? Isn’t it dangerous for guides to be around the energy a dungeon gate emits?”

Lee Jihye had tons of questions on the tip of her tongue. She opened her mouth to speak once more, but cut herself off once she noticed that Sun Wukong seemed baffled by their interaction. After thinking it over for a moment, she determined that she only had one question left before she pissed off the older S-Class esper.

She asked, “Do you know what building the dungeon opened at?”

Sun Wukong tilted his head before answering, “Mino Soft, a guiding company.”

Lee Jihye quickly thanked Sun Wukong for answering her questions. She then bypassed the esper and searched for a familiar figure. She didn’t have her phone on her so she couldn’t just call Yoo Joonghyuk with the news. She passed disgruntled Association employees before seeing a man in all black.

“Master!” called out Lee Jihye, waving her hand in the air. “Master!” When she saw the figure turn, she grinned. She jumped over a speaker attached to a generator in order to get to him faster.

“Master,” she greeted again, “you’ll never believe where a dungeon opened up at.”

Yoo Joonghyuk stayed silent as she looked up at him.

Lee Jihye continued with a pounding heart, “Apparently, Uriel-unnie was called to a dungeon that opened at Mino Soft. Do you think that your guide works there or is he stationed at a different branch—”

She didn’t even finish. Lee Jihye had to push her feelings of being offended — she was getting used to it slowly but surely — by Yoo Joonghyuk’s actions. She followed after him as he bypassed multiple groups of Star Stream Association employees.

They came face to face with Lee Hyunsung and Jung Heewon, who were cleaning off their weapons. They had both showered, meaning they used the portable showers that the Association provided. Lee Jihye hated those showers, so every time after a dungeon, she rinsed off in the locker room at the guild.

Lee Hyunsung was saying something about grilled pork while Jung Heewon nodded her head along.

Once Lee Hyunsung noticed Yoo Joonghyuk’s presence, he saluted to the S-Class esper and said, “It’s a lovely day, isn’t it?” When Yoo Joonghyuk didn’t reply, Lee Hyunsung continued, “Is something wrong…?”

Jung Heewon scoffed. “What is there to be upset about? We survived entering a scenario dungeon. Now we get to have bbq with Dokja—”

“I need his number,” declared Yoo Joonghyuk.

“Excuse me?”

“Kim Dokja,” gritted out Yoo Joonghyuk. “I need Kim Dokja’s number.”

Lee Jihye held her face in her hands as Jung Heewon froze, as if time had stopped.

Didn’t Yoo Joonghyuk realize how embarrassing his words were? Lee Jihye was getting second-hand embarrassment! She shook herself to stop thinking about it. She was not reading a romance novel. In fact, she was analyzing things too much. Uriel had poisoned her brain.

“You want his number?” echoed Lee Hyunsung. His words broke the spell that Jung Heewon was under. She glared daggers at Yoo Joonghyuk as Lee Hyunsung awkwardly chuckled. “I have his number.”

Lee Hyunsung held out his phone. Lee Jihye bit her lip. She needed to claim her phone before heading to the guild. She watched as Yoo Joonghyuk swiped the phone out of Lee Hyunsung’s willing hand. Then, with a stormy aura, Yoo Joonghyuk typed the contact information into his own phone. Lee Jihye suppressed a giggle.

After Yoo Joonghyuk threw his phone back to Lee Hyunsung, Lee Jihye trotted after her mentor. She reclaimed her phone and even shared a ride with the man. She honestly wasn’t sure if he even noticed her presence.

His eyes were glued to his screen. Every minute or so, he would tap something along his digital keyboard before clicking his phone off. She even watched as he changed his volume setting so that a message notification would be extra loud.

Once they were back at the guild, Lee Jihye took a shower. She despaired about all of the work she would have to do for school. Even the burning hot water from the showerhead couldn’t make her not think about droning teachers, loads of homework, and endless nights highlighting parts of the text she didn’t wholly understand.

When she exited the locker room, Yoo Joonghyuk was in the same place as he was earlier. He hadn’t even changed out of his gear. He was seated on a bench outside of the main lobby with his phone in hand.

He was totally spamming Kim Dokja with messages, she just knew it. Is master clingy?

The answer turned out to be a very affirmative ‘yes.’ She sat down next to Yoo Joonghyuk in order to see a glimpse of his screen. One could scroll for miles and not get to the end of the plethora of texts that Yoo Joonghyuk had sent to one number under the contact name ‘Rat.’

Lee Jihye furrowed her brow. “Master, why do you think Kim Dokja is a rat?”

Yoo Joonghyuk didn’t look up to her. As he typed a new message to send to the unresponding Kim Dokja, he said under his breath, “He would gnaw off his leg if it meant escaping spending time with me.”

“... Okay?”

Lee Jihye did not understand it. What did Yoo Joonghyuk mean? She clicked on her own phone to search the internet for answers. She kind of wished that she didn’t.

It turned out that rats — and other animals too — would escape human-set traps by chewing off a limb. It was a common occurrence that’s estimated to be 1 in every 4 trapped animals. Of course, their immediate action wasn’t to chew off a limb, but it was sometimes their final card to play. It turned out that rats were smart enough to chew off their fur in an attempt to escape. Chewing through their limbs was a drastic measure. And even then, a lot of them died from their efforts to escape.

Lee Jihye was terrified as she read an article telling her about how mice could break their necks during their escape attempts. It made death incredibly painful. She turned off her phone and decided to not think about it ever again.

To focus on a different task, Lee Jihye said, “Let’s file our reports. I want to fall asleep without worrying about it.”

Yoo Joonghyuk looked up from his phone. His eyes twitched. She couldn’t tell if it was from annoyance or because he had stared at his screen too much.

Writing the reports was annoying. Lee Jihye sat at her cubicle while pretending that she wasn’t constantly eyeing Yoo Joonghyuk.

It reminded her of her assimilation into the guild. It was a confusing ride, one that she wasn’t sure how she felt about.

Kim Namwoon said, “Here’s your desk.”

Lee Jihye looked at the small work area that was next to 5 other desks. “No,” she argued, “it’s a cubicle.”

The A-Class esper raised an eyebrow. “It’s your desk.”

He gestured with enthusiasm towards the sad table space. It had a single monitor, a clanky keyboard missing several keys, a chair that didn’t even have wheels, and there was no desktop organizer in sight. It did not meet any of the expectations that Lee Jihye had for being part of the Sky Break guild.

“I thought I would have an office. I’m an S-Class esper—”

“You’re a teenager that only got signed on because if you rampaged, then it would be a hassle to deal with.”

“But—”

“I don’t care that you’re S-Class,” he said abruptly as he crossed his arms.

Lee Jihye thought, at the time, that Kim Namwoon had to be lying. He wasn’t.

He continued, “You’re here to learn. If our guild master thinks you’ve got talent, then I can’t argue with it, but I can say that your expectations are too grand. Sky Breaker doesn’t have many members. We only take in the best, meaning that funds aren’t exactly high. We don’t do sponsorships or charity events. All we do is enter dungeons, train, and try not to die.”

Lee Jihye frowned as she was met with the pitiful desk. Kim Namwoon huffed as he took a seat across from her. She scratched her hair as she realized that she would see his smug face every time she came to work.

She returned her gaze back to her desk. She sat down in the chair. It was more comfy than it looked, so that was nice. As she pulled open a drawer, she was met with an old set of pens and a series of yellow notepads. She pulled the items out with a smile.

I suppose, she thought, can do homework here after training.

Lee Jihye adjusted poorly but soon enough she got used to many things. Kim Namwoon was still a pain in her ass even as weeks and months went by, though. Jung Heewon, though, the esper they contracted with frequently, was someone that Lee Jihye clung to with reliability.

As she groaned about remembering what she ate 5 days ago, she heard a strange noise. Lee Jihye looked up to see Yoo Joonghyuk banging his keyboard against his desk. She straightened out her back to offer some advice, only to watch as Yoo Joonghyuk set his keyboard back down as if nothing had happened.

She quickly searched her drawer for a snack — jerky — as a means to stop from saying something that would end up offending her master. She chewed on dried out meat while finishing her report.

The other eventually flocked in. Jung Heewon, whose cubicle was to the right of Lee Jihye’s, didn’t really write. Instead, Lee Jihye watched as Jung Heewon searched for the best bbq places in Seoul. Lee Jihye took another piece of jerky from her bag as she stared at the photos across the webpages that Jung Heewon was looking at.

Across from Lee Jihye was Lee Hyunsung, who was typing up his reports while carrying on a conversation with Kim Namwoon. Lee Jihye heard that Lee Hyunsung was a military man — which was odd for an esper — so writing reports was easy for him. Kim Namwoon, who wasn’t good at much of anything, was still on day 3 by the time Lee Jihye submitted her report to Yoo Joonghyuk.

As Lee Jihye packed up her bag, she heard a ping from her monitor. She frowned as she set down her bag and logged in. She clicked on the notification to be met with a returned report.

“What?” She turned her eyes to Yoo Joonghyuk. “What’s wrong with my report?”

Yoo Joonghyuk replied, “Grammar mistakes.”

“Huh? But you’ve never had a problem before…”

Lee Jihye squinted her eyes as she looked at the esper. Yoo Joonghyuk was still checking his phone. She would bet that Kim Dokja hadn’t responded to a single thing he had sent. Lee Jihye would have brushed it aside any other day, but she could use this to her advantage.

“Hey, master, do you want to go down to Mino Soft?” asked Lee Jihye.

That got his attention. Dark eyes turned to her with curiosity, as if a lightbulb went off above his head.

“Go to… Mino Soft?”

“Yeah!” she chirped. “We can check on your guide and I can visit with Uriel-unnie. She’s the one that was called down there in the first place.”

She watched in real time as Yoo Joonghyuk weighed his options. Lee Jihye also noticed that Kim Namwoon and Jung Heewon watched with rapt attention, likely just as curious to his answer as she was. With finality, Yoo Joonghyuk stood up.

“I think we should find out who will be entering the dungeon,” stated Yoo Joonghyuk, as if he wasn’t lying to all of their faces.

Lee Jihye quickly went along with the fib. “I think that’s a great idea.” She smiled brilliantly at the idea of her report being accepted even if it wasn’t perfect.

As she turned off her monitor, she heard Kim Namwoon make a fuss. It was something that he tended to do. It’s quite sad, really. She couldn’t imagine being taken so seriously that she had to resort to tormenting younger people in order to feel better about herself.

“You aren’t— you aren’t going to go with him, are you?” questioned Kim Namwoon in a heated whisper.

Lee Jihye huffed as she tossed her bag over her shoulder. “I’ll see ya later,” she said before passing by his cubicle.

The drive to Mino Soft was stilted and awkward. Lee Jihye filled the car with her ramblings about school, movies that she wanted to see, and her complaints about how much Yoo Joonghyuk smelled. He hadn’t changed clothes since coming out of the dungeon. It was gross, especially once confined into a vehicle.

Their arrival to Mino Soft was a bit anticlimactic. They had to show off their esper I.D. cards before being allowed near it. Lee Jihye followed Yoo Joonghyuk like a duckling as he swerved past reporters and journalists. Any Association employees around were busy providing backup to Uriel.

Lee Jihye waved to Uriel, eliciting a confused smile before the woman’s eyes widened. She finished her conversation and then walked over to Yoo Joonghyuk and Lee Jihye. Uriel seemed a bit tired, if Lee Jihye was being honest, but she was glad to see a familiar, comforting face.

“Uriel-unnie,” greeted Lee Jihye.

Uriel smiled before her face fell a little flat. “Is something wrong?” she questioned.

“N— No!” Lee Jihye chuckled awkwardly as Yoo Joonghyuk remained silent next to her. “Actually, we’re wondering if Kim Dokja is around.”

“Dokja-ssi?” echoed Uriel. She tilted her head as she chewed on a nail. Her green eyes followed Lee Jihye’s gaze to be met with Yoo Joonghyuk. “Oh! Oh. Kim Dokja was released about an hour ago to go home. The Salvation guild went into the dungeon so there was no worry about keeping the press away anymore, since the Star Stream Association is a very transparent company.”

Lee Jihye nodded along knowing that Uriel was simply saying the company lines.

Uriel continued, “It was a little shocking to receive the call, but it’s a great thing that Dokja-ssi found the gate so early. We’ve been able to collect a lot of good scientific information. We’ll be able to find dungeons quicker now that we have their energy rating while being fairly new.”

“What?” Lee Jihye must have heard wrong. “Kim Dokja found the gate?”

The green-eyed esper blinked. “Did you not know? He was the one to call it in. He said he felt it or something. My guess is that since he was near a gate recently — don’t think that I didn’t notice him guiding you, Yoo Joonghyuk — he was sensitive to the energy that the gates pulsate.”

“Oh?”

“Mm-hmm. We should count ourselves lucky this time. Plus, with the Salvation guild offering up their services, we’re able to deal with the dungeon in a timely manner.”

Yoo Joonghyuk murmured, “Salvation.” It was the first word he had spoken since leaving the guild. Even when Lee Jihye mocked him for smelling like rotting blood, he was silent.

Ah, right, they had a feud, didn’t they?

Lee Jihye didn’t know much about it, other than that the Salvation guild was originally known as the Church of Salvation. It was run by Nirvana Moebius, who was known as a very controlled esper. Back when they were starting out, Nirvana attempted to recruit Yoo Joonghyuk. Even back then, it was obvious that Yoo Joonghyuk was a powerhouse.

Lee Jihye wasn’t sure when or why the name of the guild changed, but there was a rebranding a few years ago. Rumors went around that Nirvana didn’t treat their guild members nicely, causing many to leave the guild. Lee Jihye could remember how the articles flooded the internet for an entire week about the harsh working conditions as well.

She supposed that things must have changed. Maybe Nirvana turned into a good leader. They ran a fairly large guild now. She couldn’t imagine all of the paperwork that was needed to keep such a guild up and running.

“Are you going to check on Dokja-ssi?” asked Uriel.

Lee Jihye blinked, then remembered that she was still outside the Mino Soft building. Right. One step at a time. She couldn’t get lost in the past. It would do no good.

Yoo Joonghyuk admitted, “I would like to visit him.”

Uriel clapped her hands together. “I can get you his address… Or maybe you could ask him yourself?” When Yoo Joonghyuk glared, she shook her head and murmured, “Or not.”

Lee Jihye wondered how ethical it was for Uriel to give Yoo Joonghyuk the address of a guide. It would probably get someone fired, right? She shook her head. Uriel wouldn’t do something that would put her job in danger. Uriel was simply helping an esper find their guide. That was all.

The drive to the apartment was strange. Lee Jihye wanted to talk about anything if it meant filling the silence. Yet, nothing came to mind. She wasn’t sure what she was supposed to do now that she had gotten away with not doing a report. She would have been home by now if she had simply fixed her grammar mistakes.

Well, she supposed that she chose this. Mostly to see Yoo Joonghyuk embarrass himself, though. Sometimes, people need to be humbled(she’s looking at Kim Namwoon).

The apartment complex was modern. She walked through the halls with a question on the tip of her tongue. If Kim Dokja could afford this, why didn’t he buy a house? He was a well-off guide, wasn’t he? Someone of his status must be raking in tons of money. He was the guide of an S-Class and two A-Class guides, and those were just the people that she knew of.

Sadly, Lee Jihye got sidetracked by a vending machine. She saw a can of roasted coffee and instantly pulled out her wallet. She ignored the grunt that Yoo Joonghyuk sent her way.

She put her bills into the slot and inserted the code for her much-needed caffeine. She had been deprived of it for over a week. I deserve this.

By the time she caught up to Yoo Joonghyuk, she was met with a scene.

“Yoo Joonghyuk?” called out a confused and familiar voice.

Her master responded, “You didn’t answer your phone.”

Kim Dokja blinked blankly as his mind whirled. Lee Jihye wondered what was going through his mind. Was this going to be a sappy reunion? Would she need to take Lee Gilyoung to the park? Was there going to be yelling? She was on the edge of her seat, waiting for someone to make the next move.

Yoo Joonghyuk continued on with confidence after the stilted silence. “Kim Dokja—” there was a pause as she slurped loudly, “—I’m going to make dinner.”

Lee Jihye smirked against the rim of the can as Kim Dokja tilted his head. Yoo Joonghyuk bowed his head as he entered the apartment. Kim Dokja remained frozen even as Lee Jihye came up.

“Good afternoon,” she greeted softly.

When Lee Jihye noticed that Kim Dokja had still not moved, she closed the door to the apartment herself. She then snapped her fingers by his ear. Kim Dokja moved with a start, his face a picture of confusion. Lee Jihye hid a snort behind her can of coffee.

Lee Jihye sat at a small table next to Lee Gilyoung. Lee Jihye offered a smile as she peeked into what he was doing. It appeared that he was a studious student. He had multiple books out as he wrote down an essay. Lee Jihye sighed at just the thought of having to do her schoolwork.

“What are you working on?” she asked as Kim Dokja stood behind them.

“A short research essay about fish in the ocean.” Lee Gilyoung smiled up to her before sending a concerned look toward Kim Dokja. “Hyung, want to help me by reading over a book?”

Kim Dokja snapped to attention. He pulled out the wooden chair and sat on it with only a sliver of confusion. Lee Jihye would have been awed if not for knowing that Yoo Joonghyuk was sluggish in his reactions as well. What was wrong with them?

Kim Dokja, who clearly wasn’t processing all of his thoughts and emotions, automatically looked up with a soft smile only reserved for children. Lee Gilyoung smiled up at him and pushed his library book forward. He took the book from Lee Gilyoung’s hand without complaint. Lee Jihye followed suit even though she wasn’t asked.

Lee Gilyoung explained, “I’m researching the ocean sunfish. They’re not as cool as bugs but most crustaceans were already chosen by the time my name was called out.”

Kim Dokja opened up the pages of the book, so Lee Jihye mimicked him. She was never the best at school but she loved learning about the ocean.

Lee Jihye nodded stoutly along to the text, observing it from afar.

The ocean sunfish (mola) are commonly mistaken as sharks, as they reside near the surface of the ocean during the night and have a large dorsal fin that mimics one of a shark’s. ‘Mola’ got their name from Latin, meaning “millstone” to refer to a sunfish’s circular, bullet-like shape. A mola’s average weight can range from 500 to 4500 pounds. During the day, they dive below the water’s surface — sometimes up to 2600 feet — in order to hunt, as mola’s are predators. Mola’s mainly consume small fish, jellyfish, squid, and crustaceans.

Huh. She would have never guessed that mola were predators. She thought they died easily. Perhaps that was because she had played Survive! Mola mola! when she was younger. It was an addictive game but oftentimes her mola didn’t survive to adulthood.

Lee Jihye continued to read with a high spirit. She ignored that Yoo Joonghyuk had somehow found an apron, or that he kept stealing glances at Kim Dokja when the guide was too busy reading over his book to notice that Yoo Joonghyuk was pining from afar.

Then, Kim Dokja blurted after a few minutes of silence, “Joonghyuk-ie is a lot like a mola, isn’t he?”

Lee Jihye didn’t see the comparison at all.

Chapter Text

He ignored the way that his stomach flipped as he heard a clank. Kim Dokja looked up from the text to see that Yoo Joonghyuk had set down his sword, placing it against the wall.

It was also then that Kim Dokja noticed that the soup he was previously working on was now pushed to an unused back burner, completely disregarded as Yoo Joonghyuk ruffled through the cabinets and fridge for other ingredients.

He forcibly had to look away so that he didn’t turn furious. How dare that bastard barge into his home—

He had to calm down. Not only was Lee Gilyoung home, but Yoo Joonghyuk and Lee Jihye showed up without a warning as well. However, Yoo Joonghyuk likely didn’t understand why Kim Dokja was upset, just as Kim Dokja didn’t understand why the esper was trying to get ahold of him immediately after a dungeon.

They were going to have their guiding appointment soon, so why rush over?

Kim Dokja would never understand Yoo Joonghyuk, he determined. It simply wasn’t possible because the man was like a wall or a rock, definitely inanimate but able to put a stop to things or cause bumps in the road.

Lee Gilyoung searched through his rubric. His math worksheets were already finished and set in a small pile toward the middle of the table. Lee Jihye was quietly and dutifully helping Lee Gilyoung, the two of them getting along with unspoken words and small gestures.

Kim Dokja wondered if the curriculum at Constellation Elementary was any different than what he was taught while in school. Either way, Lee Gilyoung wouldn’t have to worry about bullies. If a school was specifically made up of guides and espers, then there would be strict rules limiting what could occur on school grounds, as well as punishable actions that could not go ignored.

Kim Dokja could still remember Song Minwoo demanding to know why Kim Dokja’s presence frustrated him so much. It was a shocker to them all when Song Minwoo rampaged, having awakened as an esper on a day full of midterms in school. It was terrifying to even remember those events.

Kim Dokja detested school. He hoped Lee Gilyoung had a better time at it. Constellation Elementary seemed to be a place that was safeguarded quite well and consisted of only Awakened people. Kim Dokja, even as a freshly awakened guide, returned to public school. Different times, he supposed.

Kim Dokja sighed in melancholy as he stared at a page of the book without truly reading it. He used to fall asleep a lot when he was running from bullies. He understood how to navigate his family life, for the most part. Social interactions were never anything he was adept at, not that he tried all that hard when he was younger.

One of his favorite hiding spots was the science lab. Kim Dokja had always had a smaller frame compared to others his age. He was able to fit into spaces that any other students couldn’t.

He could recall one winter day especially well. It was a good day, that is. He had fallen asleep, blinking awake in a place he didn’t remember. But of course, he only fell asleep because the biology lab cabinets were dark. It was the best hiding place in school.

No one, not even Song Minwoo, thought to search the small, packed cabinets full of unused science supplies. Throughout his time in school, though, Kim Dokja had moved the supplies from the cabinet he was in until he was left with a safe place to hide in.

He woke up to the darkness, still half-asleep and wondering if anyone at home noticed that he had slept in until— what time was it? Kim Dokja fumbled for the phone that had fallen onto the bed of the cabinet. He clicked it on to see the time before readying himself to move.

No one had noticed him then. Such a thing didn’t occur often. Perhaps that was why it stuck out so much in his foggy memories. No one cared that he was gone. There were no bullies lying in wait or a warm cooked meal at home.

Kim Dokja crawled out from his space slowly. He picked up his school bag, flung it over his shoulder, and began to walk through the darkened classroom. The door opened easily, though that was only because he was on the inside. The custodian would have locked it at 5 P.M. as they always did.

Kim Dokja learned that the hard way. Push-out doors were easily locked, but they could not be pulled open once locked, only pushed out to leave. He got stuck going through a window on the second floor before. All the windows on the first floor were locked permanently while most of the higher-level floors could only be pulled open by so much. However, the second floor was free for all.

He made it outside with a huff that day, into the cold winter air. Kim Dokja was thankful to have the reprieve at the time. He had a good school day if he made it home without new bruises. The only thing that could have made it better was his current novel obsessing updating.

Lee Gilyoung’s voice drew him from his thoughts. “Hyung, are you reading?”

He wasn’t, not at all. He was caught in the past. The very past that he was trying to get rid of. Kim Dokja smiled at Lee Gilyoung, feeling the urge to pat him on the head. Later, he decided. He’d save that for later when Lee Jihye and Yoo Joonghyuk weren’t around.

Kim Dokja turned all of his attention to the boy in front of him, ignoring the soft metallic clacks of pots and pans clicking together. Yoo Joonghyuk was not a problem, and Yoo Joonghyuk was definitely not in Kim Dokja’s kitchen.

After taking a steady breath, Kim Dokja kneaded his fingernails into his thigh and listened as Lee Gilyoung explained that his essay was due in two days’ time, though the boy wasn’t worried one bit about finishing it on time.

The ocean sunfish (mola) is often mistaken as a shark. At the same time, mola’s are renowned for their laziness to bask near the surface of the ocean. They’re known for their bullet-like shape, a large dorsal fin that can mimic the threat of a shark, and being able to survive after being attacked due to having many parts of their body being made from mostly cartilage.

They were unkillable bastards, weren’t they? Kim Dokja frowned as he peeked above the book to see Yoo Joonghyuk dutifully messing around in the kitchen. Yoo Joonghyuk started to take off his belts, lying them in a pile on the floor unceremoniously.

What many people often forget is that mola’s are predators. The ocean sunfish may not carry the same weight as a shark attack, but they’re also incredibly large and much smarter than originally believed. They dive into the depths of the ocean for their prey, commonly eating crustaceans, jellyfish, and squid. Mola’s are hunters, though they’re commonly caught by fishermen on accident due to spending so much time on the surface of water.

The image of a sunfish chomping a squid's head off remained in his mind. He shook his head, causing the images in his mind to rattle back and forth. His thought formed into his mind, and then he couldn’t unsee it. The image of a sunfish(Yoo Joonghyuk) swallowing a squid(Kim Dokja) whole wouldn’t disappear from his brain.

Kim Dokja thought that Yoo Joonghyuk was a lot like a mola.

The esper in his kitchen being similar to a mola didn’t help Kim Dokja with his current situation, though. Kim Dokja looked up from the textbook to see Yoo Joonghyuk sorting through a cabinet only to pull out an apron. With an approved hum, Yoo Joonghyuk set the apron down before walking out of the kitchen.

Kim Dokja stared as Yoo Joonghyuk moved through his apartment as if he had been there a hundred times. Yoo Joonghyuk went into Kim Dokja’s room, came out with a change of clothes, then went toward the bathroom nonchalantly as if everything he did was completely, irrevocably logical.

Kim Dokja was plunged into freezing water when Lee Jihye asked, “Have you and master kissed yet?”

Kim Dokja shuddered at the words. Teenagers were terrifying.

How could Lee Jihye say something so nonchalantly? She didn’t look fazed at all by her own words. Kim Dokja gaped at her, his heart thudding quickly in his chest under his ribs.

“Excuse me?” he squeaked out.

“You and master,” explained Lee Jihye, tone wispy as if everything was obvious. Her reply was full of unhelpful words.

Lee Gilyoung spoke up, a bit too cheerfully, “Hyung, she’s asking if you and that sooty bastard are an item.”

Lee Jihye bobbed her head up and down to Lee Gilyoung’s words. “Yeah, what the kid said. Are you two, like, official yet? Are you his personal guide, or is it something a bit, uhm, a bit less than what Uriel-unnie thinks you and master will end up as.”

“Uriel?” Kim Dokja latched onto the name. “Uriel-ssi thinks that something— Uriel-ssi believes that I like Yoo Joonghyuk?”

“... Duh. Are you awake, ahjussi?” Lee Jihye leaned forward dubiously and snapped her fingers in front of his nose. With an air of concern, she said, “You don’t seem to be following the conversation all that well.”

Kim Dokja momentarily short-circuited. Uriel was always so nice and proper. Where did she get the idea of him and Yoo Joonghyuk liking one another? They barely interacted, especially so in front of others. How did Uriel come to such blasphemous conclusions?

Lee Gilyoung offered up soundly, completely confident in his words, “Sooyoung-noona says that hyung’s not allowed to kiss someone unless she approves of them.”

Lee Jihye hummed in interest and acceptance. “I see. So master must train and continue to court ahjussi to prove his worth.”

Kim Dokja had never heard of Han Sooyoung setting up anything like this. Lee Gilyoung surely misunderstood something… right?

He blinked at Lee Gilyoung, who was writing his report without worrying about his previous words. Similarly, Lee Jihye went back to helping Lee Gilyoung, though she was mostly pointing out pictures in the books in awe.

“We should go to an aquarium,” Lee Jihye announced after a few minutes of being awed.

Kim Dokja wanted to refute that, but the idea of a field trip like that wasn’t a bad idea. The aquarium would be a quaint and safe place. He also saw the way that Lee Gilyoung’s eyes lit up with interest by the idea. Perhaps it would be best to spend some time tonight looking into what aquariums were in Seoul. There had to be at least one that had interesting creatures to observe.

“We?” he asked instead.

Lee Jihye nodded, grinning widely. “We can make it a Sky Breaker event, what do you think? Gilyoung-ie is invited, of course, and anyone else but… Isn’t an outing like that more fun when there’s a group of people?”

Kim Dokja hummed slightly at that. Lee Gilyoung also seemed curious about it. Kim Dokja already knew what he was going to do. He’d give in. He might even invite other people to make the group larger, not wanting anyone to feel left out. Caring about others was a double-edged sword at times, it felt.

“That’s… nice.” Kim Dokja settled on saying that.

As if receiving confirmation that it was possible, Lee Gilyoung said, “I want to go to the aquarium with hyung.”

“Ah, yes, yes. We shall.” Kim Dokja couldn’t refuse Lee Gilyoung, and he was fairly certain that Lee Gilyoung wasn’t aware of that. Why were kids so cute? Kim Dokja crumbled so easily around them.

A few minutes later, things were moving along. Lee Gilyoung took the passages that Kim Dokja and Lee Jihye pointed out, marked them, then continued to write his current thoughts. Kim Dokja was stunned. Lee Gilyoung was such an organized student. Kim Dokja was in shock. His kid was truly a little genius, huh?

Then, with a slight thud, Yoo Joonghyuk set down a pot holder and then a pot on top of that. Kim Dokja blinked as Yoo Joonghyuk then passed out bowls and began to serve himself up. Kim Dokja nearly gawked at the scene, but he was slowly getting used to Yoo Joonghyuk’s strange behaviors. Clearly, the man didn’t have many friends, and therefore didn’t understand the etiquette of being a guest.

“Dinner,” was all Yoo Joonghyuk said, as that explained everything about the situation.

Lee Gilyoung packed away his work in order to eat. Yoo Joonghyuk took off his apron, which made Lee Jihye sigh. She murmured something about wanting to take a photo to send to Kim Namwoon as proof. Kim Dokja shook his head at the shenanigans. How were these espers so calm when they recently exited a scenario dungeon?

Kim Dokja was thankful deep inside, though. He had been worried about their safety the entire time. He expected to only become aware that Sky Breaker exited the dungeon because of the publicized news or being informed that head a private appointment with Yoo Joonghyuk at Mino Soft. Seeing Yoo Joonghyuk safe in-person was reassuring in its own strange way.

As they were in the middle of eating, Yoo Joonghyuk stated, “You look healthier.”

Kim Dokja let the silence pass until he realized that everyone was looking at him. He gestured to himself and said, “Are you referring to me?”

Yoo Joonghyuk grunted. His face was contorted oddly, as if he was both fond of Kim Dokja yet irked by the guide at the same time.

“I suppose that I have a better schedule now,” replied Kim Dokja slowly, almost unsure of where this was going. “I’ve adjusted to my new job parameters with ease due to Yoo Sangah’s help. There hasn’t been anything too stressful lately.”

Yoo Joonghyuk’s fondness turned into a slight frown of worry and contempt. “A dungeon opened up at Mino Soft.”

“Well… yes. That is true.” It was annoying sitting on the bench with Han Myungoh.

“I was concerned,” the esper said bluntly. Kim Dokja felt the need to hold his chest to calm down his racing heartbeat at those words. Yoo Joonghyuk continued, “Guides are greatly affected by the energy that radiates from the dungeon gates. I… I wanted to be sure that you were safe.”

Kim Dokja wasn’t sure why he felt so strange. His chest tingled and his stomach flipped round and round. His face also felt incredibly hot, as if he was locked outside during a hot day. He anxiously looked down at his bowl of food that Yoo Joonghyuk prepared, then unsteadily raised his gaze to meet Yoo Joonghyuk’s.

The esper appeared unphased by what he said. As if he didn’t say something so embarrassing and emotional. Was this the same man that spoke in short sentences and vague commands? Kim Dokja gulped as he came into the awareness that Yoo Joonghyuk, this infuriating man that Kim Dokja had been worrying about for days, was similarly concerned for him.

What was he supposed to do with that information? Kim Dokja wished not to have this cursed knowledge. Was he to go on about his days as if this never happened? Kim Dokja pursed his lips and tried to quell the butterflies brewing in his stomach.

“I am glad to see that you’re unhurt as well.” There, he totally nailed it.

Yoo Joonghyuk hummed, then continued to eat. Kim Dokja wished he could ignore Yoo Joonghyuk as well as he ignored Lee Jihye’s sparkling eyes and Lee Gilyoung’s complaints about flirting at the dinner table.

When they were wrapping up, Kim Dokja asked, “How’s Yoo Mia?”

Yoo Joonghyuk tilted his head at the question. Then he said flatly, “I’m going to pick her up now.”

“Oh. Okay.” Kim Dokja assumed that Yoo Joonghyuk already saw Yoo Mia. “Then I wish you safe travels and… A good night’s rest.”

Yoo Joonghyuk hummed, a bit softer this time. “You as well.”

He then picked up his belts and buckles, getting rid of all traces of being in Kim Dokja’s apartment. As if he was never there to begin with. Kim Dokja didn’t know why that bothered him. Yoo Joonghyuk and him only had a professional relationship. Courting was normal between guides, Yoo Sangah said so. So why did Kim Dokja feel awful about the idea of Yoo Joonghyuk being a stranger?

The two older espers left. Lee Jihye had somehow managed to wiggle her way into Lee Gilyoung’s heart in a short time. Yoo Joonghyuk was still someone Lee Gilyoung only put up with out of the need to keep Kim Dokja, or so he said with a huff. Kim Dokja smiled sleepily as he tried to put any odd thoughts out of his mind.

Kim Dokja patted Lee Gilyoung on the head, and then sent him to bed. Lee Gilyoung giggled a little, then told Kim Dokja to do the same. Kim Dokja nodded his head, already fumbling to finally check his phone before plugging it in for the night to charge. Lee Gilyoung was such a good kid. Kim Dokja was glad that he ran into the boy before he signed on with Heavenly Charm.

He felt warm as he laid down. Was it because of the home-cooked meal? Kim Dokja didn’t know. He almost wondered if it was the weather or the insulation of the walls, but that wouldn’t make much sense. Kim Dokja shook his head and tried to fall asleep.

When he closed his eyes, he dreamed of Yoo Joonghyuk’s face. Kim Dokja was already used to it, though. He had been dreaming of that bastard’s face for weeks now. Except for some reason, this time Yoo Joonghyuk smiled in the dream. There were even little sparkles and flowers in the background.

What was this nonsense? Had Kim Dokja read too many of Han Sooyoung's romance novel recommendations lately?

With a racing heartbeat, Kim Dokja blinked into awareness. His cheeks were flaming and hot to the touch. He covered his forehead with the back of his hand and groaned. He was so fucked.

Kim Dokja didn’t mean to ask Yoo Joonghyuk to stay the night. Really, he didn’t!

It was a mess, if you couldn’t tell.

They had a good dinner. Lee Jihye left and Lee Gilyoung was getting ready for bed, or at least, to keep working on his homework. Everything should have been fine. Yoo Joonghyuk was even out the door, on his way to pick up Yoo Mia from Lee Seolhwa, and yet—

Kim Dokja was a mess. His heartbeat was out of control. His cheeks were too hot, too red, too everything. He felt like he was having a panic attack, except he knew what those felt like, so he knew his assumption was wrong. Something else was happening to him instead.

Kim Dokja did not know what he was doing. He left his room, his phone already pulled up in his hand. He scrolled through his contacts absently until he just pulled up his most recent calls to see Yoo Joonghyuk’s unsaved number in the number one spot.

He pressed the call button as he wrapped his hand around the doorknob to his apartment. The dial tone rang in his ears just as he heard a ringing noise.

Kim Dokja paused, his breath hitching. He had called Yoo Joonghyuk, and he shouldn’t have. Because then he invited him to stay the night.

Yoo Joonghyuk’s voice was odd over the phone, like he couldn’t figure out what caused Kim Dokja to rethink things. And honestly, Kim Dokja didn’t know what he was thinking either.

Or maybe he did.

His racing heart thumped loudly in his ears. It was obvious that he either had serious health problems, or that he finally realized what people meant when they found people hot.

His face always tended to flush when he was in Yoo Joonghyuk’s vicinity. His heart raced, his body going into overdrive as if he was experiencing a high level of anxiety or stress. It was a survival instinct, yet it was also something more.

He didn’t want to say the words out loud. Kim Dokja never wanted to say it. It would only make it all the more real.

He wasn’t supposed to be like this. He was a simple guy, that was all. He didn’t have any extraordinary powers or the ability to help those who needed it. He was a worthless guide, and an even more awful human being.

He wasn’t supposed to fall in love. He didn’t deserve it. He would only tarnish and erode those he adored. If he tried to touch them, their skin would rust. He was a failure, yet he was loved somehow.

He wanted to scream, but he heard the steps outside. Yoo Joonghyuk was returning. He returned because Kim Dokja had asked him to.

It was an insane thought. Yoo Joonghyuk didn’t listen to anyone. He didn’t join arms or forces with others when he was told. He was a bastard who stuck to what he wanted. But he still showed back up.

Kim Dokja stood up shakily, using the door to hold his weight. His muscles trembled. He felt useless, especially when Yoo Joonghyuk knocked on the door. Why did I call him back?

He swallowed thickly, trying to figure out his own mind. He knew why he was doing this. He knew exactly why he was doing this. He… he wanted this. He wanted Yoo Joonghyuk to be by his side.

Kim Dokja opened the door slowly, and welcomed the two inside. Yoo Mia skipped past the threshold, uncaring about manners. Kim Dokja liked her, and how she had no fear of him.

Yoo Joonghyuk was another matter. He continued to stand at the door, his lips pursed and his eyebrows furrowed.

Kim Dokja smiled wearily at Yoo Joonghyuk, reached out his arm, and took the man by the hand. The esper tried to back away, but Kim Dokja had caught him off guard. He tugged Yoo Joonghyuk inside, internally grateful that the man went along with it, or else Kim Dokja wouldn’t have been strong enough.

Once the door shut behind them, Kim Dokja said, “You’re in need of a personal guide, if I’m not mistaken.”

Yoo Joonghyuk froze, completely and utterly. His eyes widened, and he didn’t look elated like Kim Dokja expected. Wasn’t this what the esper wanted all along? A personal guide, and for that guide to be Kim Dokja.

Kim Dokja swallowed, nervously gripping onto Yoo Joonghyuk’s hand tighter. “I’ll agree to it. With extra permissions, of course. I’ll continue my work at Mino Soft. But… But I’ll add you to my roster.”

Yoo Joonghyuk still didn’t speak even after all that. Kim Dokja licked his lips nervously. He could hear Yoo Mia and Lee Gilyoung across the apartment, both of them giggling. He was glad they found each other. That was good—but he couldn’t even think too much about that because he was too worried.

“Yoo Joonghyuk…?” he ventured hesitantly.

That snapped the man out of his stupor. “Kim Dokja.”

“Yes!”

“Are you feeling alright?”

Kim Dokja frowned at Yoo Joonghyuk’s words. “Yes.” He wanted to poke Yoo Joonghyuk’s cheek and ask the same thing. Why wasn’t this guy reacting as he expected?

Yoo Joonghyuk’s frown slowly disappeared, but his narrow eyes full of suspicion did not. “You’re agreeing to be my guide,” he said after a belated moment.

“I am,” confirmed Kim Dokja.

It felt almost freeing to admit it. He liked Yoo Joonghyuk. He didn’t want a contract with him through Sky Breaker, that felt like too much, but he would agree to be the only person to guide the esper. Kim Dokja was sure that he could do it.

“You came over for guiding, didn’t you?” Kim Dokja felt a little dumb to ask the obvious. “I know that you came over for it. You just left the dungeon, and really, why else would you—”

“I didn’t come here for guiding.”

… What? That didn’t make any sense.

Yoo Joonghyuk continued, threading his fingers through Kim Dokja’s, “I wanted to check on you. It had been… a while since we parted.”

How dare this man make his heart skip a beat. He only said a few words, yet Kim Dokja was feeling faint. He gnawed the inside of his cheek.

He really made the right choice, didn’t he? Kim Dokja may feel like he was dying, but this was the best thing for him. He had thought he was nothing but a guide. He thought that Yoo Joonghyuk was pursuing him because he wanted a guide. But if Yoo Joonghyuk was here without wanting to be guided, then there had to be something more. Even Kim Dokja knew that. Han Sooyoung made him read plots like these enough for him to know that this was something more.

The words left him before he could stop it. "Would you stay over? For the night? Less traveling for Yoo Mia, and yourself..."

Yoo Joonghyuk didn't look away. Kim Dokja gulped, feeling insecure all of a sudden. Was this too much too soon? He questioned himself, only to stop as Yoo Joonghyuk gave a single nod of confirmation. Yes, I'll stay.

Chapter Text

Jung Heewon had been planning this meeting for weeks. It was originally supposed to be something much more simple. Lee Hyunsung would be there to support her, and of course, Yoo Sangah would be there to attend with Kim Dokja to make him feel safer.

But soon, everything spiraled.

Now, there was a large group attending. There were going to be two guides and five espers. This completely upset the balance that Jung Heewon tried to build.

Suddenly, Uriel wanted to come over since she assumed that Yoo Joonghyuk was attending. So now, it was going to be Jung Heewon, Lee Hyunsung, Yoo Joonghyuk, Uriel, Lee Gilyoung, Yoo Sangah, and Kim Dokja.

Jung Heewon could never bring up the fact that she was interested in courting Kim Dokja to be her personal guide. It’s what she was initially planning all of those weeks ago before the incident at Sky Breaker Guild. She thought that since Lee Hyunsung could get by with A-class guides, that she would be able to step in and make Kim Dokja realize how much she adored him.

However, ever since Yoo Joonghyuk became aware of Kim Dokja’s amazing guiding abilities, he didn’t let go. He had a vice on Kim Dokja’s attention.

Jung Heewon was so upset at first. What happened to her plans? What happened to her slow, careful courtship? She was doing everything as gently as possible.

Kim Dokja was worth the wait. Of that, Jung Heewon knew for certain. Kim Dokja was how Jung Heewon found herself stepping into the esper world. She didn’t know that she had powers until she was about to rampage. If Kim Dokja hadn’t been there at the bar—

She didn’t want to think about what would have happened.

Rampages were uncommon now, but a few years ago, they were still rampant. The Association wasn’t very strict toward espers, and even if they weren’t, they had tight regulations on guides. If a guide was licensed and they quelled a rampage of recently awakened espers, then there were issues.

Jung Heewon only made it into a guild without any debt since Kim Dokja was not a licensed guide. He was a guide, of course, but not licensed. Jung Heewon had tried asking about it once, but Kim Dokja showed a tight, frail smile. It made Jung Heewon change the question instantly, asking him about his favorite genre to read instead.

Jung Heewon wanted to be upset with Yoo Joonghyuk. That bastard swooped in out of nowhere and took the guide that she had come to care about quite a bit.

She wanted to beat Yoo Joonghyuk over the head and demand him to understand that Kim Dokja wasn’t like the other guides. He didn’t view guiding as a simple job. He viewed it with more care than that.

It was so frustrating. Didn’t Yoo Joonghyuk understand that Kim Dokja was like a small fawn in a forest clearing? He couldn’t be approached quickly with confident and loud steps. You had to carefully step across the ground and bare your hand before him with treats to lull him into security.

Jung Heewon yearned to scream at Yoo Joonghyuk. If he wasn’t such a strange fucking esper, then there wouldn’t be a problem to begin with. There wouldn’t have been the plan to kill him before the S-Class esper rampaged. Jung Heewon’s plan to ask Kim Dokja to be her guide could have gone well.

Yet, she couldn’t hate Yoo Joonghyuk. Not when he tried to show he cared. Jung Heewon was the one to suggest the idea of courtship once she calmed down after the initial burst of fear and anger.

Lee Hyunsung was the one who told her about Yoo Joonghyuk’s problem. He couldn’t be guided. He survived, just barely, over the past few years off of inhibitors. But Lee Seolhwa couldn’t do everything. She was a single person who made inhibitors available to the masses, something that even the Association hadn’t been able to create. Even someone as glorious as that would eventually run out of ways to delay the inevitable.

Jung Heewon was close to those in Sky Breaker. She was basically part of the guild, even if she didn’t want to be since there was a lot of paperwork involved. She had been contracted enough to have a desk at the guild. She… tried not to think about that.

She was close to those in Sky Breaker, so it hurt to be contracted to help end Yoo Joonghyuk’s life. She would do it, don’t get her wrong. She understood that there were some things that were not black and white. Yoo Joonghyuk’s power would destroy Seoul if he went on a rampage. The Association even confirmed that Yoo Joonghyuk had to be put down for the better good.

Jung Heewon felt sick the day when Lee Hyunsung led her down into the lower parts of Sky Breaker. She tried to put on a casual face but she knew she failed horribly. How could she feel normal when she was helping kill Lee Hyunsung’s friend and Lee Jihye’s mentor?

And then Kim Dokja appeared with confusion and innocence, making Jung Heewon rethink the entire scenario. She didn’t feel as bad, all of a sudden. If her guide was here, then she would protect him, and they would live to see another day.

Yoo Sangah invited Kim Dokja to the Sky Breaker guild since she liked him, trusted him in a similar way that Jung Heewon did. Jung Heewon really liked him, if you couldn’t tell. He was a guide that made her feel safe. Some guides looked at Jung Heewon like she was a simple paycheck, while others looked at her for something more. It was irksome, gruesome.

Sometimes, Jung Heewon thought that Kim Dokja ruined her. He was the first person to guide her, and ever since, she had been chasing after the light. No other guide made her feel like she was free to be herself. Every guiding session went by quickly without any of the hang ups that other guides would struggle to unravel.

It sort of sucked that Kim Dokja was so squirrely. Jung Heewon didn’t even know how many times she had invited Kim Dokja out to dinner and to small outings in hopes of befriending him. Yoo Sangah had once warned her that Kim Dokja was a very shy and awkward person, but it was much worse than Jung Heewon could have guessed.

Now with her current knowledge, Jung Heewon knew that she did the right thing. She let Kim Dokja come to her at his own pace. She was slow as a snail, but as steady as could be. She would figure this out. She had to. She was doing the right thing by letting him go.

Yoo Joonghyuk was an S-Class esper. He was a guild leader. He had more power than Jung Heewon would ever have. He had sway with higher-ups. He was treasured by Korea because of his status as a hunter. He would be able to protect Kim Dokja better than anyone else.

It still hurt to see Kim Dokja and Yoo Joonghyuk show up to the barbeque restaurant together, though.

Lee Gilyoung walked in front of them, his hand tugging on Kim Dokja’s shirt. He was dressed casually, no suit in sight. It made him seem younger all of a sudden. It made Jung Heewon remember that Kim Dokja wasn’t just an office worker, but a regular guy who would have been happy to be a civilian. If only—

If only he didn’t awaken as a guide.

Jung Heewon stood up and waved from the table she had procured. It was a reservation, technically, but the restaurant wasn’t truly that busy. She wanted to ensure privacy, so she got a large table in the corner. This was supposed to be a somewhat private moment, after all.

Lee Hyunsung patted her shoulder. His eyes wobbled the same as hers.

Ah… So he, too, understood that Kim Dokja was not going to be their guide. Was it so terrible that Jung Heewon was mourning the what-ifs? She still adored Kim Dokja as a friend, but she always envisioned his guiding as warmth and love.

Yoo Joonghyuk’s shoulders were stiff. Or rather, it was his clothing that seemed slightly off. Jung Heewon was going to question it until she spotted the small squid embroidery along the t-shirt sleeve. It was a running joke she had with Kim Dokja. She found that shirt at a thrift store, and even though it wasn’t the correct size, she gave it to him.

Now, Yoo Joonghyuk was wearing that shirt. It caused Jung Heewon’s eyes to narrow. Surely… Surely she was thinking too far ahead. Kim Dokja was not an easy person to approach. Yoo Joonghyuk needed at least six more months until Kim Dokja showed any sort of vulnerability in front of him willingly.

Why was she so nervous? Jung Heewon had checked recently. The internet still said that this restaurant was one of the top bbq places in Seoul. There was no logical reason to be worried or nervous.

Yet, her hand trembled. She held it against her thigh, willing it away. She needed to stop. She had to. She needed to be calm. She wasn’t losing anything today. Kim Dokja was still someone she cared for. He was still a friend. But, she was sad to say goodbye to the what ifs.

“Kim Dokja!” Lee Hyunsung’s voice was cheery and bright. It was just the thing that Jung Heewon needed to pull herself away from her thoughts.

“Lee Hyunsung,” Yoo Joonghyuk greeted morosely.

Kim Dokja’s eyes flickered over the esper, looking confused. He elbowed Yoo Joonghyuk in the side and greeted with a smile, “Good evening, Lee Hyunsung-ssi.” His gaze dropped down to her. “And to you as well, Jung Heewon-ssi.”

Jung Heewon could not think about Yoo Joonghyuk. She had to pretend that he wasn’t the person who ripped away her thoughts on the future. She turned to Kim Dokja, let herself get sucked into those eyes, and smiled.

“I’m so happy that you could make it even though everyone’s schedules have been so hectic lately.” Relief filled her as she looked at him.

He looked healthy. Like, truly healthy. His under eyes weren’t purple, and his cheeks weren’t thin. He didn’t look like the type of person who would flop over with a strong gust of wind.

It made a warmth fill her chest. Jung Heewon had imagined what Kim Dokja would look like when he was being taken care of, and it seemed that she no longer had to concoct images in her head.

Jung Heewon stayed a step back, knowing that Kim Dokja liked his space. She was surprised when he was the one to step forward. He didn’t tense his shoulders to frown nervously as he hesitated to explain why he didn’t like touch.

Jung Heewon felt strong arms wrap around her. She was stunned into shock, her head over Kim Dokja’s shoulder as he tugged on her tighter. She met Lee Gilyoung’s too-perceptive gaze to see him smiling softly.

Ah… This was really nice. Jung Heewon would be okay with this. This casual physical affection could have been what Jung Heewon wanted all along. The idea of being true friends with Kim Dokja, of sharing a companionship with him, over being strangers. She always felt like he was too far away, too unreachable.

As Kim Dokja’s bony arms dug into her flesh, she realized that he was completely within reach. She grinned, trying to hide her smile in his neck. Jung Heewon had nearly forgotten what his touch was like. This friendly affection was better than guiding.

There was no reason to do this. It was an action without a purpose. It was the best thing in the entire world.

This meant they were friends, right? Did Jung Heewon finally manage to befriend Kim Dokja? She did. She was fairly certain she did. She hoped, that’s for sure.

When he unwound himself from her, she was grinning brilliantly. Jung Heewon wanted to dive in for another hug but she held back. She was just so happy. Kim Dokja was her friend. He initiated a hug. Everything was at peace in the world.

“Sit down,” she said, gesturing to the table. “The other two should be here soon. We can start the order slightly ahead of time.”

Kim Dokja led Lee Gilyoung, letting him sit down first. The child radiated power despite not using any of his abilities. Jung Heewon swallowed roughly as she wondered how Kim Dokja, a sensitive guide like him, was able to cohabit in the same living area as Lee Gilyoung.

Once Lee Gilyoung was seated, Kim Dokja sat down and then turned to Yoo Joonghyuk. The S-Class esper’s brow furrowed as he looked at Kim Dokja and Lee Gilyoung’s spots. He tried to figure out the best spot, looking between sitting next to Kim Dokja or across from him. Eventually, he relented and took a seat next to Jung Heewon.

To strike up a conversation, Lee Hyunsung said, “It’s nice to see you outside of black clothes.”

Yoo Joonghyuk’s lips twisted slightly in what Jung Heewon could only assume was displeasure. Jung Heewon internally thanked Lee Hyunsung for being a golden retriever. She would have patted him on the back to show her appreciation but Yoo Joonghyuk’s unruly stare made her focus only on him.

“... I do not mind wearing other clothes.” Yoo Joonghyuk’s voice was reserved, like he was tiptoeing around the truth.

“You normally wear your hunter gear, don’t you?” said Kim Dokja. He smiled afterward, like it was only natural to strike up a conversation with the blunt Yoo Joonghyuk.

Jung Heewon smiled softly as Yoo Joonghyuk explained that, no, he didn’t always wear clothing suitable for entering a dungeon. He had casual clothes, thank you very much. He simply didn’t see the point in dressing comfortably when there was the chance that he would be called in as an esper in an emergency.

“I wouldn’t be bothered by wearing more casual outfits. I won’t be going into a dungeon anytime soon.” Yoo Joonghyuk’s eyes were focused solely on Kim Dokja. No one else in the room mattered. “I don’t have to be dressed in black every time we meet.”

As Yoo Joonghyuk finished his explanation with tinted cheeks, Jung Heewon paused.

She never considered how much pressure Yoo Joonghyuk was under. The Association was willing to kill him, but that was a last resort. They would squeeze everything they could out of him first, and they did. They were going to kill him so they had Sky Breaker doing missions that no other guild would be forced to do.

Was it strange to have a death day? Jung Heewon’s mouth was dry. She licked her lips, attempting to form a response, but what could she respond to Yoo Joonghyuk, a man who accepted his death for the greater good?

It was unfair that it was nearly impossible to hate Yoo Joonghyuk. He looked at Kim Dokja with a softness, with rounded edges. He looked at Kim Dokja like he mattered, like he was the only one who mattered.

Jung Heewon wanted to tear and peel Yoo Joonghyuk skin away from his face, maybe pierce his ears with her nails, but as she took in the scene of Yoo Joonghyuk looking at Kim Dokja like all was right in the world, she was unable to feel anger.

Hah… Acceptance. Was that what this was? Jung Heewon held her forehead, feeling a bit dizzy. She had struggled to accept this reality, yet now, she knew she made the best choice. It may not be the one that she wanted for herself, but Jung Heewon knew this would be good for Kim Dokja.

“Hyung,” said Lee Gilyoung, “the sooty bastard is a sooty bastard for a reason.”

Sooty bastard?

Jung Heewon looked up, her eyes focusing on Lee Gilyoung. He said the words with a casualty that no other child, except perhaps Yoo Mia, would have toward Yoo Joonghyuk. Her mouth parted in surprise. This… Sooty bastard? Because he dressed in black?

Lee Gilyoung-ie, his mind was so amazing. It left Jung Heewon in awe.

Kim Dokja chuckled awkwardly. He patted Lee Gilyoung’s head gently, looking at the kid with a crooked grin. “Gilyoung-ah… You’re not supposed to mention that.”

Lee Gilyoung upturned his nose. “I am calling it how it is.”

Kim Dokja opened his mouth to object, or at least, that’s what Jung Heewon assumed was going to happen, but Yoo Joonghyuk coughed.

As Kim Dokja looked over to him, Yoo Joonghyuk said, “I do wear a lot of black. He is not incorrect about that.”

Despite being so humble, Lee Gilyoung mumbled and grumbled curse words. Jung Heewon wanted to know more. Children were so fascinating, now purely since they got away with saying insane shit about Yoo Joonghyuk without any fear of being attacked and decimated online by fans.

Jung Heewon was going to die. She was going to suffocate from holding back her laughter. She had the urge to slap the table and chuckle with her entire body. She wanted to tilt her head back and let out the loudest, most obnoxious laugh she ever had.

But instead of doing any of that, Jung Heewon bit her lip. She contained her laughter until a shuffle of footsteps was brought to her attention. She looked up to see two beautiful familiar women.

“Uriel-ssi! Sangah-ssi!” It was not Jung Heewon who greeted them with a smile, but Kim Dokja.

“Dokja-ssi,” Yoo Sangah responded in kind as she fell into place by his side. She slipped into the chair next to his, as was her right as the only other guide at the table. “This place looks marvelous. Have you ordered anything yet?”

Jung Heewon was both thankful and upset that Yoo Sangah was so on task. She smiled bitterly as Kim Dokja explained that they were still reviewing the menu and what to order. Jung Heewon sighed, wondering if she, perhaps, had chosen the wrong restaurant. They would receive ingredients and cook it themselves. That would be fine to do, wouldn’t it?

“Uriel,” Yoo Joonghyuk greeted the Association’s esper.

Uriel blinked, slowly shifting in her seat. She was next to Yoo Joonghyuk, allowing the two guides and Lee Gilyoung the other side of the table. She smiled at Yoo Joonghyuk, her cheeks full and pink.

Jung Heewon knew that smile. It was Uriel’s mischievous smile. The one that meant she was thinking something quite strange in her mind.

“Yoo Joonghyuk-ssi,” she responded with a lilt in her voice, her green eyes practically shining.

Uriel took a long glimpse over Yoo Joonghyuk’s figure, her gaze landing on his shirt's tightness before focusing on his face. She looked giddy. Jung Heewon swallowed roughly. So even Uriel noticed it, huh?

Uriel said, “I see that you were tended by a guide already.”

“... Perhaps.” Yoo Joonghyuk was a poor liar.

Jung Heewon thought it would have been a good thing to gather everyone together even if this dinner wasn’t as she originally planned it, but this was disastrous. Uriel was going to say something crazy and make Yoo Joonghyuk turn rabid. Didn’t she know how dangerous it was to tease an S-Class esper?

Uriel’s lips continued to widen into a smile. She glanced between Yoo Joonghyuk and Kim Dokja quickly, like she couldn’t decide who to focus on.

She wound up speaking to Yoo Joonghyuk. “I feel like I missed a few things.”

Yoo Joonghyuk grunted. “Mmn.”

“... Confirmation?” whispered Uriel. “Is that a confirmation that things happened that I am unaware of?”

Yoo Joonghyuk bit his lip. Jung Heewon’s breath hitched as Uriel looked on, bright-eyed and excited.

But Yoo Joonghyuk didn’t speak. His expression became pinched, almost looking as if he was baffled. Jung Heewon wanted to laugh at the bastard, but then he turned contemplative, as if thinking about something that happened. He was lost in his own mind, in his memories.

Yoo Joongyuk’s gaze refocused. He stared hard at his plate, and then looked back up to Uriel. He did not seem pleased. He still looked a bit confused, and yet elated as well. Jung Heewon found it hard not to stare at the tint of blush on the S-class esper’s cheeks.

"Kim Dokja and I..." Yoo Joonghyuk turned to look at the man, his cheeks still pink, as if he was in disbelief of his situation. He uttered something like a prayer, worshipping someone who had done nothing but be his awkward self, "He is my guide."

Jung Heewon wanted to laugh or cry—she didn’t know which yet. Yoo Joonghyuk sealed the deal, then, yes? Kim Dokja would be his guide. Uriel’s eyes were sparkling at the idea of the esper and guide’s relationship developing.

Yoo Joonghyuk turned away from Uriel. It made the woman let out a small squeal. Jung Heewon clenched her fist. Yoo Joonghyuk closed his eyes, electing to ignore Uriel rather than deal with her. Jung Heewon wished she could do the same, make it all fade. Her heart thumped loudly in her chest. She didn't think the bastard would pull it off. It was like communicating with a brick wall, at times.

Jung Heewon could only think about how it was a good thing that Kim Dokja was too engrossed in his conversation with Yoo Sangah to pay much mind to Uriel. He would have surely blushed brightly, and denied everything that happened.

It wasn’t a bad way to start dinner. Jung Heewon was just personally glad that it didn’t start, nor end, with a bang. Although she wished that she had more alcohol to drink her woes away. Though, at least she knew that Kim Dokja would be safe under Yoo Joonhyuk's protection. It was more than she could ever provide.

That didn't stop it all, though. Jung Heewon slapped her hand on the table. Yoo Joonghyuk didn't even appear startled by her declaration of, "I am going to train with you every day from now on so that I know Dokja has the strongest esper at his side."

She couldn't stop this. It would be like trying to run away from a black hole's depth. Kim Dokja and Yoo Joonghyuk were already deeply intertwined. But, that didn't nullify her existing relationships. She wanted Kim Dokja to be free from any pressure. Yoo Joonghyuk would allow him more liberties. And if he ever slipped up, Jung Heewon would show him why she was considered as strong as an S-class esper because of her honed skills.