“…Team Leader Seo Dojin.”Raon spoke the name with visible reluctance. Dojin approached him at a slow, deliberate pace.“You just came out of the Director’s Office, it seems.”“Yes. But what brings you to the Center, sir…?”Dojin was not fond of guides. He was one of those espers who considered it unfair that someone with immense power had to depend on a weaker guide. That attitude extended even to Hamin—his own match partner.Which meant his coming all the way to the Guiding Center was rare. Raon eyed him warily. The corner of Dojin’s mouth lifted in a faint smirk.“Let’s talk for a minute.”“With me?”“Yes.”“…”Raon’s unease deepened. What could he possibly have to talk about with him? The words Seokhyeon had said earlier flashed in his mind, and he shook his head.“Sorry, I already have plans.”“Esper Yoon Siwoo will be late. Work came up.”Just as he said, Siwoo had returned to duty after his reward leave. Normally he’d be done by now, but if Dojin knew this much, he must’ve been the one to pile on extra work deliberately. Raon clenched his teeth.“…In any case, I have my own schedule. If you have something to say, make it quick.”“Let’s move somewhere private first.”“…”Dojin turned his head as he spoke. Raon wanted to avoid being alone with him at all costs, but there wasn’t much choice. At least inside the Center, with surveillance everywhere, Dojin couldn’t cross the line too far. Raon followed him into an empty conference room.“What is it you want?”He asked bluntly, unwilling to waste time. Dojin watched him with that calm, heavy gaze before speaking plainly.“My pairing proposal—did you reject it yourself?”“What?”For a second Raon thought he’d misheard. Dojin spoke as if it were wrong of him to have refused, as though Seokhyeon had declined on his behalf against his wishes.Raon’s lips twitched in disbelief. Dojin’s eyes didn’t waver.“Of course I did.”“…”“Do I have any reason to pair with you?”Seokhyeon might have handled the formal rejection, but the sentiment was Raon’s own.And really, wasn’t it Dojin who had pushed Han Raon away, despised him, made him a joke? Now, after all that, he wanted a pairing? The sudden change reeked of ulterior motive. Raon glared, suspicious, while Dojin stayed composed.“There is a reason. It’s what you always wanted—pairing with me.”“…Ha.”So that was it. The arrogance of someone certain they were still adored. He was relying on that Han Raon—the one who had chased him relentlessly in the past.But too bad. That wasn’t who he was anymore. The System that had forced that obsession was gone. Raon laughed quietly.“No need. I already have Siwoo.”“…”“You should’ve held on when you had the chance.”He said it as if commenting on someone else’s affair—because to him, it was. The real Han Raon had been the one who loved Seo Dojin, and Dojin had thrown that away.If the real one were here, he’d be overjoyed right now. But Raon wasn’t. He could hardly stand the sight of the man.“Then if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be going.”“…Wait.”Dojin’s low voice stopped him. His hand shot out, seizing Raon’s wrist just as he reached the door.“What’s your problem?”“Let go.”“What’s the matter with you?”“I said, let go!”Raon tried to shake him off, but the difference in strength was too great. Dojin’s grip only tightened, hard enough that his bones creaked.“…Fine. I admit I’ve neglected you.”Dojin ground the words out through his teeth, as if he were the one being generous.Raon’s mouth twisted upward in scorn. He still didn’t get it.“What do you want, then? More than a pairing contract?”“Ha.”He wasn’t taking no for an answer—acting like the rejection was just another game.Raon’s anger flared. Of course Dojin thought that way. He knew exactly how much Han Raon had once loved him, so he assumed this was just another act of stubbornness, a ploy to get attention.But he wasn’t that Raon. He’d only borrowed the man’s body and lived his life for over five years—and maybe that was why this presumption, this arrogance, infuriated him so much.“There’s nothing else. I told you before—I have no feelings for you.”He bit the words out again, harshly. Twice now he’d said it. Maybe this time it would stick.Unfortunately, Seo Dojin wasn’t someone who listened twice. Maybe he just didn’t believe him. Or maybe he didn’t care what Raon felt at all.Sweat ran down Raon’s back. Dojin’s eyes burned down on him, sharp and dangerous. Raon cast a quick glance toward the CCTV in the corner. Not enough to summon guards.Should he provoke him harder? No—Dojin wouldn’t fall for something that shallow.“Two years, Han Raon. That’s how long you’ve thrown tantrums every time I so much as touched another guide. And now you expect me to believe this?”“Urgh—”Pain shot up his arm as Dojin squeezed harder. Raon grimaced.Believe it or not, fine—but at least release his arm. Sweat dripped down his temple as he strained against the grip.“Let—go—!”He would’ve cursed if he’d finished the sentence. But at that instant, the conference room door slammed open.Something invisible shot forward and flung Dojin away.Crash!“Ghh—!”Dojin hit the wall hard. Even with his psychic ability, he couldn’t move. Shock filled his eyes.“…What do you think you’re doing, Esper Yoon Siwoo?”“…”Siwoo’s black eyes glared straight at him. One hand was wrapped around Raon’s shoulder, the other held Dojin immobilized, water hardening around him like glass.Dojin’s face twisted. This ability shouldn’t have been able to hold him; a flick of telekinesis should’ve been enough to break it. Yet his limbs refused to move. He clenched his jaw.“Attacking a superior officer—have you lost your mind, Esper Yoon Siwoo?”He barked the words, but Siwoo didn’t budge. His killing intent pressed heavier, enough to choke the air.Raon finally caught up with what had happened. Siwoo—who was supposed to be late—had arrived just in time to find him. Relief flickered through him, quickly shadowed by dread.Because while Dojin had acted violently, he hadn’t gone beyond grabbing his wrist. If he pushed the story, Siwoo’s retaliation could be painted as excessive.Espers were military personnel; rank and obedience were everything. A lower-ranked officer striking his superior could end his career.Thinking fast, Raon said, “Siwoo, stop. I’m fine.”“…”Siwoo’s gaze fell to Raon’s wrist, red and swollen under his fingers. Anger blazed bright in those black eyes.“Siwoo.”Raon reached out, catching the arm that held Dojin. Siwoo resisted for a second, then slowly lowered it. Raon turned his head toward Dojin.“You’re hardly in a position to talk, Team Leader. My esper saw everything—enough to misunderstand plenty.”“What?”Raon raised his wrist for him to see. Unlike an esper’s, a guide’s skin was fragile; the marks were already red and puffed.“That’s nothing—”“Unfortunately, I’m the only S-rank Guide in Korea. ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) And my father is Chairman Han Myunghun. You sure you want to deal with that fallout?”Dojin had always been good at wielding power to crush others. Raon, the so-called villain, could do it just as well—he’d simply never needed to use it on him before.Now that the tables had turned, how did it feel? Raon wanted to ask, but the throbbing in his wrist stole his breath. A faint groan escaped him, and Siwoo startled, moving to support him.“Ugh.”“Are you okay?”The same esper who had moments ago radiated lethal intent now held him as if he were made of glass. Raon, wincing from the pain, couldn’t help but laugh faintly.“Let’s get you to the infirmary.”“Yeah.”Leaving Dojin behind, the two of them headed down the hall. Raon rested in Siwoo’s arms as the corridor blurred past.“You know, if you blew on it, I bet it’d heal faster.”“…”“No? Not even a little?”Now that the tension had eased, Raon found room for a weak joke. Siwoo, however, didn’t so much as twitch. Raon pouted.

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