The One and Only Guide - Chapter 5
Jian didn’t notice the slightest reaction from Axion. She blinked, dispelling her drowsiness, and belatedly realized the situation. She quickly got up, causing Axion to remove his hand from her body.
At that moment, Axion felt familiar discomfort. The intensity of the guidance had dropped drastically due to their separation. Regardless, Jian hurriedly put on her shirt and picked up the long coat that had been lying on the ground.
Jian, now dressed in a hurry, scratched her head and said,
“You’re awake! I must have dozed off for a moment. But, are you okay? If I had been a little later, you would have gone on a rampage. Why did you delay the guiding so much? You almost died. Who are you affiliated with?”
Guiding. It was a strange word, but Axion had heard it before. Simultaneously, he had a vague sense of who the woman in front of him might be.
“Are you… a Guide?”
“Yes, I am. I’m a Guide affiliated with Korea. I am Yeo Jian.”
Axion grabbed the outstretched hand as if mesmerized. When their hands touched, a dense energy swept through him, and he felt an astonishing sense of calmness washing over him.
And yet, he was so overwhelmed by the presence of the Guide in front of him that it frightened him. He knew that he might not be able to control himself.
If he hadn’t been taken aback when Jian suddenly stood up, he wouldn’t have let her go. In the moments before, when Jian had awakened so abruptly, if he hadn’t been shocked, he wouldn’t have let her slip away.
Naturally, Axion mulled over these thoughts. He couldn’t afford to let her go. If she tried to leave, he would break her legs to keep her here, if necessary. He knew that Jian would be terrified if she knew.
He understood that such thoughts were abnormal. At the same time, he knew there was no other option.
As far as he knew, Jian was the only Guide on the Wisrode continent, a land filled with abilities.
***
Jian couldn’t help but cast a quick glance at Axion, captivated by his appearance.
She had heard that most Espers were good-looking, but his silvery hair and violet eyes were truly extraordinary.
It was a color that seemed impossible without contact lenses. How could any lens manufacturer create such deep, and sometimes, vivid colors depending on the angle and direction?
His sharp nose and refined, austere face added to his unique impression.
His features were clearly different from an ordinary person’s.
Was he an aspiring celebrity? She had heard of talent agencies recruiting Espers into the entertainment industry after the Gate incident settled down.
Furthermore, his physique was exceptional, with sculpted abs that could rival Olympic athletes.
What kind of Esper was he? A psychic one? Or did he have physical enhancements? What organization did he belong to? A guild perhaps? No, if he were in a guild, he wouldn’t have been left unattended until the brink of a rampage.
Jian consciously continued her guiding. Axion’s face was contorted with anxiety and fear. But even in his distorted state, he was stunningly beautiful.
It was a little entertaining to see how he couldn’t take his eyes off her, but given that he had almost gone on a rampage, it was natural for him to be uneasy.
The strong grip on her hand was probably due to his unease not entirely dissipating. Even if she tried to break free, she knew she would fail. She had no desire to resist the Esper holding her hand like a lifeline.
Jian looked at Axion as if observing something marvelous. While this was her first time encountering a matchable Esper, but since she was a member of a Center, she had heard various things about Espers.
There was no denying the importance of a Guide to an Esper. They would do anything to receive guiding. Moreover, considering he had just come out of a rampage, it was no wonder he was agitated.
She understood, but… What could he possibly be thinking to not even reveal his name? At the very least, shouldn’t he disclose his affiliation?
“I’ll say it again. I am Yeo Jian, a Guide from Korea. What organization do you belong to? It’s clear that you’re an Esper. What’s your name?”
“Axion, Axion Odergen.”
“As expected, so you’re not Korean, huh? What’s your nationality then? Russian? Or British?”
Axion didn’t respond hastily. He couldn’t quite grasp what Jian was asking. He kept his mouth shut, his face contemplative.
In his eyes, Jian’s trembling lips from the cold appeared fragile and delicate.
She seemed too small and vulnerable to withstand the northern cold, especially the freezing temperatures of the mountain. Her fingers were too small, her breath scattered weakly, and she had no gloves, thermal clothing, or a hat for insulation.
In the North, it was common for people to lose fingers or toes due to the cold. He, on the other hand, didn’t have such problems thanks to his high body temperature. But the woman in front of him was different.
“…First, let’s get out of here.”
