Guide to the Fallen World - Chapter 12

#12. The Helper

[A favor, you say?]

“I’m being attacked by an Esper. Or rather, I guess I should say I’m being kidnapped?”

“Ah! Yeowon! Yeowon, what are you doing right now?”

“Hold on a second. Jay, even though you didn’t say anything, you’ve been feeling uneasy about me collapsing the tunnel the whole time, haven’t you?”

“Me? When did I ever? I’ve never done anything like that!”

“Stop pretending. Weren’t you the one who said we might need a helper someday? And you—you wanted to help that Esper, didn’t you? You were subtly hoping I’d do the same, and now you’re changing your tune?”

“Even so, doing this so suddenly…”

Jay’s raised voice was abruptly cut off by Dohyeok’s calm voice.

[I’ll help. What do I need to do?]

“Thank you. I’ll share the location, so could you come here? I need you to deal with an Esper named Aaron McKillom from Shelter Brisbane.”
[I’ll head there immediately.]

Hearing his near-instant response, Yeowon felt a twinge of regret. If I’d known this would happen, I wouldn’t have blown up the tunnel.

I sent the coordinates, but will this man be able to arrive in time to help me? I did blow up five sections of the tunnel, after all.

I don’t know. The dice has already been thrown.

Aside from rubbing his forehead with a troubled expression, Jay didn’t say much.

Above all, the possibility that Aaron McKillop might contact Shelter Brisbane for reinforcements couldn’t be ruled out. Although Jay, after completing the signal scan, asserted there were no communication devices, the opponent is an Esper, so they might have other means of communication.

Besides, we’re already deeply entangled with that Esper, McKillop or whatever his name is. All the countermeasures we had prepared have already been exhausted. That’s probably why Jay isn’t saying much.

I don’t want to be forcibly taken to the Shelter. So, this is where we need to cut ties.

Even if the help request I reluctantly chose doesn’t turn out to be a game-changer, I have to try everything I can.

Even now, I’m moving to an unknown location, not even knowing where the panic room is. I’m trying to counter it with reverse guiding, but it’s not enough. Just knowing that makes me feel like my nerves are wearing thin with every passing moment.

Jay has raided all the nearby emergency android production bases and military facilities, concentrating everything into the Ark, but he didn’t manage to produce any fighter jets in time.

In the end, it’s a matter of distance.

It all comes down to who reaches the destination first. Everything depends on that.

How long had she waited in that state?

Before long, Yeowon was able to see the consequences of her choice.

Calling in Noah’s Esper had been an excellent decision.

She couldn’t understand how the ground could split with just one punch.

The way the split earth and rocks floated in mid-air, lifted by telekinesis, was beyond Yeowon’s understanding. But for someone, it might be as natural as breathing.

Dohyeok, with ease, grabbed Aaron McKillop’s neck beneath the ground that had been torn apart by sheer force.

He shattered the neck bone and then slammed the head into the ground, stirring the inside of the skull with telekinesis. It was instant death.

Only then did it occur to him that the guide had been watching his brutality.

Realizing his mistake, Dohyeok slowly rose to his feet.

As he did, the guide’s voice fell down from above him.

[You’re strong.]

“It’s nothing.”

[Nothing? Could you put the panic room down on the floor? It’s weird having it float in mid-air.]

Do-hyeok quickly complied with the request, instinctively realizing that Ye-won had left something unsaid. As he had guessed, Ye-won was swallowing the words “It’s also kind of scary.”

[Thank you for your help.]

While Yeowon was expressing her gratitude, Jay moved a functional android and inserted the remaining reverse guiding bullets into Aaron’s corpse.

It was a form of confirmation kill.

Hearing the gunshot, Ye-won truly realized—this world is really going crazy.

First of all, she managed to overcome the imminent crisis. she also know that we cannot focus on such matters at a time when the world is ruined. Isn’t it an era of dystopia and barbarism that is comparable to movies.

Still, flinching at each gunshot seemed unavoidable. It was probably because she had lived through a time when there were gun regulations.

For a moment, Ye-won was distracted by a stray thought, but she quickly snapped back to reality as she felt a gaze on her. It was clearly just a hologram projected by a drone lens, yet the gaze felt surprisingly intense.

[How did you get here? We didn’t detect any movement from the satellites.]

“I cleared the tunnel.”

It was a statement that pricked at Yeowon’s conscience. That tunnel must’ve been hard to navigate since she destroyed it, and now she feel bad about it.

But at the time, it had to be done. There were no reliable elements or verification to trust.

But now, the situation is a bit different.

[Again, thank you for your help. I mean it, not just as words. So, let me ask you—do you have something you’d like to request from me? If so, just say it. I’ll do my best to accommodate, as long as it’s not too much. Though, I’ll need to consult with Jay about it too.]

Despite the answer he had been hoping for, Do-hyeok hesitated. He had done everything with the expectation of hearing these words, and had even thought carefully about what to ask for.

But now, faced with the guide, his mouth wouldn’t open.

“……Contact.”

[Yes.]

“There’s a communication function on the surveillance cameras. Would it be okay if I contacted first?”

[What?]

Wait, is this the kind of contact I’m thinking of?

Yeowon stared at Jay, still bewildered. But it seemed that the transhuman was just as confused by the situation.

***

It was Jay who stepped forward to break the awkward silence.

[First, let’s do a matching rate test. If both of you agree, I’ll open the hatch.]

“I agree.”

[Wait, why are we doing that?]

[Because validation and trust are necessary. Do you remember when I explained that Espers can imprint on Guides?]

[I remember.]

[If the matching rate exceeds 90%, imprinting becomes easy regardless of the other party’s will. Of course, it’s even better if both parties consent.]

[I know. I get it, but why is that coming up now? Besides, as far as I know, an imprint isn’t something that’s resolved just by holding hands, is it?]

[Yes. Mucosal contact is necessary, but it’s still just mouth-to-mouth. Don’t you think it might be a good idea to get the imprint now? An Esper imprinted with a guide can’t force the guide. If the guide’s safety is threatened, the Esper will die as well, so they do their best to protect them.]

Jay, who had said that, suddenly lowered his voice and whispered.

[And they’re obedient, too.]

For a moment, Ye-won was at a loss for words due to the unexpected response, but quickly hurried to refute]

[Jay, that’s way too inhumane…]

[Do-hyeok, what do you think? Do you agree to the imprint? Oh, but of course, we need to do a matching rate test first.]

“I agree.”

[That was quick. See? I knew this would happen.]

[…]

[Now, Yeowon, it’s up to you to decide.]

Yeowon didn’t answer immediately. There was too much to consider.

[Well, I’m not sure about the imprint… but I am kind of curious about the matching rate test…]

[Okay.]

With that exclamation, the hatch of the panic room opened.

It was just a small hole, barely the size of a bowling ball, but inside, there was a guide. Today, she wasn’t even wearing a visor.

She probably didn’t have time to grab it while rushing into the panic room.

“…”

Facing Ye-won properly for the first time, Do-hyeok was at a loss for words, while Yeowon spoke with a sullen expression.

“Both of you are so self-centered.”

It wasn’t the filtered voice through the speaker but a vivid, real voice that brushed against Do-hyeok’s ears.

“Let’s begin. The matching rate test.”

With those words, Do-hyeok carefully took the hand extended through the hatch.

Though it was an unshielded, guiding-blocked hand, it didn’t matter. What mattered more was that the guide had willingly offered it first.

***

The guiding blocker on Ye-won’s wrist was equipped with various functions, including a matching rate test.

Ye-won read the number displayed on the screen aloud.

“94%”

“Wow. This kind of result is really hard to come by…”

Ye-won pushed Jay aside as she spoke.

“You heard that, right? It’s 94%.”

“Yeah.”

“An imprint needs to be mutual to be beneficial for both parties. One-sided imprints are highly disadvantageous. So, don’t make a decision right away—take your time to think it over…”

“It’s not a decision made without thought. I want to do it.”

“…A one-sided imprint?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“I just don’t want you to be in danger like today… Did I upset you by disposing of the Esper in Brisbane without permission? I’m sorry. I didn’t think it through before acting.”

“No, no. Why is the story suddenly jumping in that direction?”

Is this not it?

Do-hyeok closed his mouth, not realizing what the problem was. Ye-won carefully examined his face, taking in his expression.

The strong one was clearly on the other side, so she should have been the one floundering. Yet, somehow, their positions seemed reversed.

Was this what Jay meant when he said they’d obedient?

Judging by the behavior of the Espers who had invaded the Ark, it didn’t seem like all Espers were like this. Was the matching rate really that significant? Could it influence an Esper’s actions and decisions to such an extent?

If that’s why the Esper in Yeouido retreated relatively peacefully, then this reaction also made sense.

“Go wash up first. You’re covered in dirt and dust from the battle. That android will guide you to the residential area’s bathroom.”

Dohyeok quietly followed the android. Yeowon couldn’t take her eyes off his retreating figure. She didn’t say it outright, but it was clear she was shaken.

Jay, with a sly grin, asked, “He’s handsome, isn’t he?”

“He is.”

“And incredibly strong.”

“Yeah, I admit that.”

“Wouldn’t he be super useful if you got him to imprint on you?”

“But we have to kiss, right… Why am I even talking about this?”

Ye-won didn’t realize that Do-hyeok, with his ears perked up, had slowed his steps, unable to ignore the conversation he was overhearing.