Chapter 9: Fear of Physical Contact
The mission assigned to Team Seven by Director Jena this morning was to verify the abnormality of an A+ rank rift that had already been sealed and stabilized, but had suddenly begun to show unusual fluctuations of energy.
That rift was located near a safe zone designated for civilian residence, so the situation was extremely serious. Zero was required to cooperate with several high-rank Espers to conduct the investigation.
Because a group of high-ranking Espers was tied up dealing with this rift, the rescue team sent into the rift at Jo Hyun's high school ended up being understaffed.
Min Seok said, "Honestly, it is not that serious. That rift is a permanent one, so it occasionally shows some slightly strange energy fluctuations."
Zero, who was sitting on the sofa drinking tea, followed up on Min Seok's words.
"Nothing really happened. The number of monsters inside increased a bit, so we just had to clear it out one more time."
He narrowed his eyes, then raised a somewhat strange doubt.
"There is one thing, though. I feel like the space inside that rift has become darker compared to the last time I carried out a cleanup mission there. I am the only Esper with light-type abilities, so I can sense it clearly. Other Espers probably would not notice it as distinctly."
I did not know whether this detail would turn into a problem, so I only told Lee Do Yeon to record it in the report and send it back to Jena.
"Wait a second, so there was still combat involved!"
Realizing that Zero was deliberately glossing over that part, I glared at him.
Zero was slightly startled and clicked his tongue. He was always trying to hide his physical condition from me.
"Zero, go into the lounge."
I spoke coldly and harshly. I was never lenient with Espers who tried to avoid Guiding when their bodies were in poor condition.
If they could not even protect their own bodies, how were they supposed to save anyone else?
Under my gaze, Zero was escorted into the lounge.
After closing the door, I pulled him down onto the sofa inside and tapped his forehead with my finger.
"Take off the mask, Zero."
He pressed his lips together, then helplessly removed the mask and tossed it aside.
"Very good."
Those transparent pupils had already begun to emit a faint golden light. Without the mask concealing it, I could immediately detect this abnormal state the moment I looked at him.
Zero spoke weakly.
"It is just a bit uncomfortable. There is no need to rush Guiding for this."
"Be quiet, please."
I took hold of his pale, beautiful hand and quickly transmitted energy into Zero's body through contact at the palm.
Zero was very introverted and disliked being touched by others, but his power was far too strong and placed heavy demands on daily Guiding. Every time he used his abilities, he needed to be guided to stabilize his condition.
Glancing at Zero's face, beautiful like that of an angel yet carrying eyes as clear and cold as ice, I could only feel regret.
"If I could see your beautiful face in the office every day, I might feel a bit more motivated to work hard."
The corner of Zero's eye twitched slightly.
"Do not make me throw our hard-won friendship into the trash."
I put on an entirely innocent expression and shook my head repeatedly.
"But do you really not want to try physical contact with Cha Cha? The compatibility rate between you and Cha Cha is not bad at all, right?"
Cha Cha had once asked me about Zero. To be honest, she had had a crush on him for a long time and was always trying to get my help so that Zero could receive Guiding from her, or even better, so the two of them could become a couple.
With his beautiful appearance and power ranked among the very top in headquarters, Zero was secretly adored by many Guides. Cha Cha was just one of them.
After hearing my words, Zero simply shook his head gently.
"They would want deeper contact. I cannot endure that."
Zero's fear of physical contact was truly severe. If I had not once saved him in an unavoidable accident and caused him to accept Guiding from me, this beautiful man might have let himself overload and die somewhere in a corner.
Even now, the hand I was holding was trembling slightly.
"All right. We will continue tomorrow."
I sighed and released Zero's hand. He immediately pulled it back quickly, as if afraid I might change my mind.
"Guides cannot eat Espers, you know. There is no need to be that scared…"
Zero silently endured my complaints. He quickly put the mask back on, hiding his face once again.
"Kim Jun. That kid. You had better not let him stay by your side too much."
Zero suddenly said something strange.
"An Esper who is pampered will only grow more greedy, more obsessed, and more desirous of possession."
I simply glared back at him.
"If you were really like that, I would be thanking the heavens. You do not resemble an Esper at all."
Any Esper who received Guiding would develop some degree of dependence and craving for it. Only a freak like Zero showed an expression every time Guiding was mentioned as if someone were holding a knife to his throat.
But in truth, such odd Espers were not rare.
I thought of an old friend I had not seen in a long time.
He was someone very strong and full of ambition.
When I awakened as a Guide at fifteen, I was still mired in fear and confusion about the future. But he, who had also awakened inside a rift and lost everything just like me, had immediately set his sights on the very top.
Jae Hyo. I wonder if you have already become the strongest Esper, just as you wished.