AAGULT Ch 135

Chapter 135

“Jaeha.”

While everyone else stood frozen, staring at Baek Beomwoo, the man strode straight toward Jaeha without seeming to feel even an ounce of the oppressive tension lingering in the air. He extended his hand and said something utterly outrageous.

“Guiding.”

“…What?”

Jaeha was dumbfounded. The man looked at him as if reclaiming something he had left behind, demanding guiding as though it were the most natural thing in the world. Surely, he wasn’t calling that reverse guiding from before an actual guiding. Surely not.

“Have you finally lost it?”

It was Aiden who responded, equally dumbfounded. Frankly, in his current childlike form, he didn’t seem threatening in the slightest. Apparently, Beomwoo felt the same, for he barely glanced at Aiden before turning his attention back to Jaeha.

Hearing Aiden’s unrestrained curses echo in his head in real time, Jaeha hesitated, staring at Beomwoo.

“There’s not much time left. Without me, you won’t even be able to clear the Gate, so think rationally. It’s not like I want to receive it, but I need it now.”

“…”

Sensing the tension escalating, the team leader quietly rose from his spot and issued a calm but firm order.

“Esper Song Jaeha, step back. Baek Beomwoo, we’ll provide you with guiding, so sit down quietly with your hands behind your back.”

Jaeha glanced at the team leader, gauging his reaction. But Beomwoo didn’t even look his way before speaking again.

“No.”

“…”

The air grew taut with tension. Jaeha hesitated, wondering if he should just step forward and take Beomwoo’s hand. It wouldn’t be as effective as an actual guide, but thanks to what Aiden had provided him earlier, he could at least transfer a bit of energy.

“Um…”

“…”

But unexpectedly, someone else stepped in.

It was none other than Jaeha’s father, who had been silently observing the situation. Calmly approaching, he spoke without reservation.

“My son is an esper, not a guide, so he can’t perform guiding. If it’s acceptable, I can do it in his place.”

“Father.”

Jaeha’s eyes widened in alarm, and he quickly stepped forward to grab his father’s arm, trying to stop him.

“Father, no.”

Perhaps those from the past team weren’t fully aware of Beomwoo’s crimes or what kind of person he was. Still, the restraint uniform alone should have been enough to clue them in about the danger.

“Guide Song Juhyuk, I don’t recommend this.”

Even the team leader stepped up, attempting to dissuade Jaeha’s father with hushed words. But Juhyuk remained steadfast.

“No, team leader. And Jaeha… it’s fine.”

His voice was gentle yet resolute. Turning to face Beomwoo, Juhyuk studied him closely and asked,

“We’ve met before, haven’t we?”

Beomwoo, too, scrutinized Juhyuk’s face.

“…Guide Song Juhyuk, it’s been a while.”

Surprisingly, Beomwoo surrendered without protest, extending his hand toward Juhyuk. It was both an offer of a handshake and a silent agreement to receive guiding.

“…”

Jaeha opened his mouth to protest again but stopped short. The two clearly knew each other.

Suppressing a prickling sense of unease, Jaeha turned to look at Seo Taegun. The man was already watching him, and when their gazes met, Taegun arched his brows with a sly grin, eyes curving into crescent moons.

[Told you, didn’t I?]

Indeed, Jaeha remembered now—he’d seen it in Taegun’s memories before. When Beomwoo killed his parents, Juhyuk had seemed to recognize him, as if they’d known each other long ago.

“Father… do you know the boss—no, Baek Beomwoo?”

In the end, Jaeha couldn’t help but ask as his father began guiding. Beside him, Aiden watched with an equally grave expression.

“Hmm? Ah, I met him last week at the Association. In my timeline, Beomwoo awakened as an esper and came in for testing. Was he ten? Or eleven?”

“I was eleven.”

Beomwoo interjected. It was strange seeing him speak so politely in reality rather than in someone else’s memory, leaving Jaeha unsettled.

“…Is that so?”

“Yeah. He’d only just awakened, but there were mild signs of guiding refusal, so I was worried. Looks like it’s improved now… Are you alright?”

“Yes.”

“…”

To be honest, Jaeha didn’t like this situation one bit. Whatever lingering gratitude or trust he’d once felt toward Beomwoo vanished entirely with his father’s arrival. This man had killed his father. How could he so brazenly accept his father’s kindness now?

“…”

Confusion churned within Jaeha at the intensity of his feelings. Was it even okay for him to think like this? Surely it was… right? But even entertaining such thoughts felt selfish. Something long-suppressed within him thrashed violently, threatening to break free.

[Jaeha.]

“…”

At that moment, Aiden’s voice brushed his mind as the boy gently tugged at his sleeve. Jaeha turned to look down at him, meeting his worried gaze.

[Shall I do it instead?]

“…”

Jaeha’s lips trembled but stayed closed. Aiden’s meaning was clear—if Jaeha permitted it, he would guide Beomwoo in his father’s place. He was the top guide of all, after all, and had previously subdued Beomwoo through guiding alone. It wouldn’t be difficult for him.

Yes. Please. I want Aiden to handle it instead. I’m terrified Beomwoo will kill my father right here and now…

“…”

That was what he should have said, but strangely, no words left his mouth. The realization struck Jaeha like a blow.

“…”

And the reason was painfully simple.

‘I mean… I did say before that guiding requests aren’t something I have the right to interfere in. So Aiden should decide freely.’

Yet, in truth, he hated the idea of Aiden guiding Beomwoo.

Worse still, he didn’t want to see Aiden guide anyone else at all.

In the end, Jaeha couldn’t give him any answer until his father finished guiding.

After everyone had finished guiding and regained their strength, those unable to fight were secured inside the building. Leaving behind minimal personnel to watch over them, the rest stepped outside—and immediately froze at the sight above.

[2 days 6 hours 45 minutes 32 seconds]

<Past Team: 27/52 │ Future Team: 44/49 │ Monster Team: 27/101>

The human teams’ numbers hadn’t decreased, but the monster team’s count had plummeted. Murmurs rippled through the group until the team leader’s calm voice cut through.

“Baek Beomwoo. Do you know anything about this?”

“…I only handled six after the boss’s announcement. The rest must’ve died when the Gate’s structure shifted. Crushed by collapsing buildings, maybe.”

Beomwoo answered flatly, eyes still fixed on the sky.

“…You’re saying monsters were caught in the shift?”

“Does that make sense? Would the boss really kill his own team? That’s teamkilling.”

“…Understood. Let’s move.”

The chatter ceased, and everyone nodded in unison. To ensure enough time for the final boss fight, they needed to hunt down the remaining monsters as quickly as possible.

The new Gate structure was a true labyrinth—just as it had seemed from inside the building. The narrow gaps between buildings barely spanned two meters, forcing them to march in single file. With their formation compromised, they had to carefully choose their path.

Jaeha walked silently, gripping Aiden’s hand tightly.

[……]

Since earlier, Aiden had been uncharacteristically quiet, lost deep in thought. The emotions Jaeha faintly picked up were a muddled mix of puzzlement, faint joy, and mild confusion. Jaeha sighed inwardly—he knew exactly how he must have looked to Aiden. He himself didn’t even know what he was feeling anymore.

“…”

“…”

Amidst the silence, Jaeha suddenly halted mid-step. Aiden, who had been holding his hand, had stopped walking too.

“Aiden?”

“…”

Was it his legs? Of course, his small body would tire quickly. Jaeha turned, ready to pick him up, only to freeze.

“Aiden!”

“Yes?”

Above Aiden’s head, faint shimmering threads—like heat haze—were unraveling into the air. Alarmed, Jaeha reached out to grab them, but his hand passed straight through. The threads dissipated instantly. Bewildered, Aiden tilted his head, glancing up—then his gaze shifted to Jaeha’s head.

“Something’s prickling… What is this?”

“Everyone stop!”

“What the hell is that?”

Apparently, it wasn’t just happening to Aiden. Jaeha scanned the group. Threads of mist-like light were unraveling from everyone’s heads. He quickly checked his own; though already gone, the sensation of something dispersing lingered faintly.

Instinctively, they all knew: this was a new type of monster.

“…Baek Beomwoo. Do you know anything about this one?”

The team leader, stationed at the front, scowled as he split his attention between Beomwoo and their surroundings. Beomwoo merely tilted his head and jerked his chin toward a streetlamp.

“There.”

“…”

Everyone’s eyes followed his gesture.

It was just an ordinary streetlamp, flickering faintly in the stillness of the frozen world.

But crouched in its shadow, barely visible behind the pole—

was a figure.

“…”

There was no mistaking it.

No civilians could possibly be inside this Gate.

That meant it was a monster.