Guide to the Fallen World - Chapter 36

#36. Kidnapping

I had been taught by Jay that if an esper ever broke into the ark, I was to radiating reverse guiding with full power.

I had also been regularly trained for this. Repetitive training is the best way to develop crisis response skills.

That very training shone its light.

Yeowon maximized the output of the wave amplifier installed in the guiding blocker. She gathered all her latent abilities, which she didn’t even know she had, and also radiating reverse guiding. All of this was done instantly without thinking.

“Ugh! What is this!”

It wasn’t ineffective. As soon as the reverse guiding was radiated, most of the espers quickly stepped back. But the man right next to her, who had his arm casually draped over Yeowon’s shoulder, didn’t even flinch.

“Fascinating. I’m glad I experimented with reverse guiding drugs directly on my own body. Otherwise, I would have been surprised and had to back off too.”

“…You”

“We’re acquainted, aren’t we? Do you remember me? I’d like it if you did.”

“Tiri!”

At Yeowon’s shout, the Hirgion in her arms immediately generated a gravity field, separating Yeowon and Yi Gyeom. In that gap, Yeowon activated the communication function of the guiding blocker.

“Jay! I’ve been kidnapped!”

As if having waited for it, a hologram in Jay’s form appeared.

[I know. I was already tracking your location from here. Hmm. The walls are smooth, so it’s not a natural cave but an artificial structure. Is it a tunnel created by mobilizing earth ability users?]

Having confirmed Yeowon’s safety, Jay’s gaze turned towards Yi Gyeom.

[I saw your skill in smoothly taking this Guide. It seems you’ve acquired movement or spatial abilities? To achieve such results against me in just a few months is impressive. I never expected to be caught off guard like this.]

“Long time no see, Director.”

[Seems like you haven’t harmed the Guide, at least… Let’s make a deal.]

“Let’s hear it.”

Yi Gyeom’s relaxed reply indicated that he held the upper hand in the negotiation. Jay glared at his arrogant attitude and presented the best possible deal she could offer. Having lost the Guide, she couldn’t afford to play games.

[Abandon Shelter Yeouido, and I’ll accept you as a member. I’m saying I’ll make you an esper on our side.]

“…Even though I look like this, I’m the leader of Yeouido. That’s a bit difficult.”

[You don’t understand anything. Is the leadership of Yeouido more important than the Guide? Do you think an offer like this will come again? I can wipe out Shelter Yeouido right now. I can make sure you never play your petty leader role again.]

“If you did that, the Guide would be in danger.”

[Oh. So you’re going to play it that way?]

“If you recruit all the espers from Yeouido, I’ll consider your offer positively.”

[What? Hahaha! In all my life, I’ve never heard an esper suggest dividing a Guide! You’re not serious, are you? If you did that, the Guide’s tragedy would repeat itself. Seriously… why would I only consider recruiting you?]

“…”

[Let’s see, excluding you, there are about four espers left, right? Heo Yi Gyeom, you should be able to handle about four espers on your own. Kill them all. And then come back to the base with the Guide.]

At Jay’s words, several espers from Yeouido flared up and shouted.

“That android has no right to talk with that leaky mouth…”

“Captain, you’re not going to fall for that, are you?”

Ignoring the espers’ jeers, Jay spoke to Yi Gyeom.

[Your talent and skill are genuine. Don’t waste that skill in the wrong place; use it to protect the Guide. Judging by your expression, it seems you’re seriously considering my offer. My word to accept you as a member isn’t a bluff or a trap. I promise you that one thing. Why, there’s even a saying, ‘Make a difficult enemy your ally,’ isn’t there? I made this decision after much deliberation.]

“Hmm.”

[I guarantee it. I’ve made the best decision for you and for the Guide. There’s no better option than this.]

“….”

[But if you’re still hesitating, think about Kang Dohyuk, Noah’s esper. The moment you accept recruitment, you’ll have to fight him over the Guide. I won’t deny that fact. But you might have to do that very thing against all of Yeouido’s espers.]

Jay glanced around at the murmuring group and gave a meaningful smile.

[Today’s allies will be tomorrow’s enemies. You’re creating that situation right now. You’re digging your own grave.]

“That’s very persuasive.”

[Well, it’s the truth. Should I take that as an acceptance?]

Yi Gyeom smiled and shook his head.

It was true that he had almost been swayed by the Director’s persuasion. However, listening to those words brought back the face of his estranged father, whom he had long forgotten, and a feeling of revulsion surged within him.

“Director. I admit your recruitment offer sounded appealing. But if I kill my subordinates here… there’s the issue of loyalty, and Yeouido would fall into chaos. So, I’ll have to decline that offer.”

[You’ll regret that choice.]

With those last words, Jay disappeared. Yeowon stared blankly at the spot where the hologram had vanished.

What? Is that how it ends? Really?

It was then that a ‘message’ came from Jay.

【Stay calm. Be careful not to unnecessarily provoke the espers from Yeouido.】

The lens implant surgery I had received due to nearsightedness and deteriorating vision. Suddenly, text appeared from the aqua lens in my iris, which I had thought only improved my eyesight.

It was unexpected, but I had no time to think about what kind of technology it was or why they had done this to my eyes without explanation. The current situation was more serious.

【You’re using radiation reverse guiding, right? And the amplifier too? Absolutely, no matter what happens, do not provide proper guiding. Just focus on that.】

The feeling of betrayal that had just begun to rise towards Jay completely disappeared with that message. Nothing else appeared in my vision after that, but it was enough information to calm my racing heart.

Nevertheless, the situation was still the worst, so Yeowon had to glare, tightly clutching the Hirgion in her arms.

She was doing her best to stay on alert, but to the Espers watching her, she looked like a bristling squirrel, puffing up its tail as much as it could. Yi Gyeom, noticing the tense look on the Guide’s face, felt a bit awkward.

Still, could there be any awkwardness as entertaining as this? He’d expected the Guide to resist. After all, he was the one doing the kidnapping.

To approach Yeowon, Yi Gyeom took out a guiding drug from his pocket and drank it. Judging by her actions, it didn’t seem like she intended to stop the radiation reverse guiding… Knocking her unconscious was one option, but he didn’t want to resort to harsh methods.

In the first place, he doubted whether the method of temporarily knocking that Guide unconscious was even usable. What if he struck the back of her neck wrongly and broke it?

Unlike espers, Guides possess physical abilities no different from ordinary people. If he couldn’t control his strength, she might die.

Most importantly, to Yi Gyeom’s eyes, Yeowon looked even more fragile than the average civilian.

That’s why he had doped himself to withstand the Guide’s radiation reverse guiding. Yi Gyeom, having thrown the empty ampoule on the ground, moved to deal with the remaining obstacles.

He couldn’t bring himself to strike the Guide’s neck from behind, but the baby Hirgion was a different story. The way it fluffed up its feathers in a desperate attempt to protect its owner was both admirable and laughable.

Without hesitation, Yi Gyeom threw a fireball at the baby Hirgion, which had generated a reverse field.

“Aack!”

“Tiri! No!”

What he hadn’t anticipated was the Guide’s reaction.

He had intended to subdue her by dealing with the baby Hirgion instead of directly threatening the Guide. The Director would be chasing them all the way back to Yeouido, and it would be troublesome if the Guide caused problems.

But he hadn’t expected her to cry.

As soon as he heard her scream, he shrank the fireball to reduce its impact. But it was too late, the baby Hirgion had already lost consciousness and was plummeting to the ground. The Guide flung herself forward, arms flailing, trying to catch it. Her expression was a mess.

If he had left her, she wouldn’t have caught the baby Hirgion and would have fallen flat on her face. Judging by her movements, it looked like she would scrape her face and elbows on the ground.

‘I have no choice’

Yi Gyeom caught the falling Hirgion’s body. He didn’t forget to grab the falling Guide and help her stand up.

Then, he placed the baby Hirgion back in the arms of the Guide, who was crying with wide eyes.

“It just lost consciousness. I didn’t intend to kill it, so don’t worry.”

To be precise, he had intended to end its life in one go, but there was no need to tell her that.

“D-don’t come near me! Let go of me!”

As Yeowon struggled to shake off the wrist he had grabbed, Yi Gyeom readily released her. He didn’t want to accidentally break any bones in a pointless struggle.

He could just subdue her and treat her immediately if she got hurt, but… the other party wasn’t a target for punishment that involved repeated torture and treatment. Rather, she was closer to someone he wanted to win over by surrounding her with all sorts of treasures. So, he didn’t want to earn her hatred if possible.

Although it seemed he already had.

As soon as he let go, the guide, who was clinging to the wall, had a pale face. Her breathing was rapid, and her heartbeat was erratic. Had she gone beyond being scared and fallen into a panic?

He had scared her enough at this point. Now it was time to persuade her.

“If you come with me willingly, I’ll heal the baby Hirgion.”

“How can I believe those words?”

At the voice, which was full of fear and almost sobbing, Yi Gyeom silently took out a dagger. And he openly showed her his palm after cutting it.

When the surprised Yeowon hesitated, Yi Gyeom revealed one of his abilities by instantly healing the wound that had opened up.

“As you can see, healing is also among my abilities. Didn’t the Director tell you?”

“….”

“If you leave it like that, it will die soon. It’s not an adult yet. I’m fine with taking you after that monster dies.”

At those words, Yeowon hesitated and took a step. When the guide, approaching reluctantly, stood before him, Yi Gyeom smiled contentedly and placed his hand on the body of the baby Hirgion.

Then, a soft scattering of light occurred. Yeowon witnessed the singed feathers of the Hirgion instantly growing back.

“A promise is a promise.”

As Yi Gyeom said that and reached out his hand, Yeowon didn’t resist anymore.