Do Not Pick Up Guides Recklessly

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The only one who ever reached out to him had died—
Even though Jiho had used up all his guiding energy for him.

‘If I’d stayed by his side from the start, maybe things would’ve turned out differently…’

Drowning in regret and self-loathing, Jiho collapsed.
When he finally came to, he found himself standing in the middle of the hallway of the illegal guiding facility where he had been confined until three years ago.

“Wh-what’s wrong? Are you hurt?”

And at the end of the hallway—he was there.
Baek Dojin, wearing the same tight-fitting combat uniform as he had that day three years ago.

‘Baek Dojin died. I must be dreaming.’

Maybe this was the last time he would ever see Baek Dojin in a dream.
So Jiho clung to him desperately.

The warmth of the hand patting his shoulder was so comforting that Jiho wished he’d never wake up from the dream.

“Mm… huh…?”

But something felt off.

“I won’t do anything you don’t like. So don’t be afraid.”

Why… why wasn’t he waking up from the dream?

⸻

“Shh— It’s okay. Don’t cry.”

A calloused thumb wiped away Jiho’s tears.
Then it gently smoothed the furrow between his brows, easing out the wrinkles.

That was all.
Just wiping tears, smoothing his forehead—a light, fleeting touch.

But even that was enough for Dojin to grit his teeth, barely containing himself from the faint guiding energy he felt.
He wanted to touch more. To hold him closer.

He wanted to press his lips to Jiho’s slightly parted, gasping ones and explore deeper.

‘What the hell is wrong with me…’

Dojin frowned at the thought that slipped in and hurriedly tried to pull his hand away from Jiho’s face.
Tried to.

“Mm…?”

If Jiho’s trembling eyelids hadn’t fluttered open, revealing those hazy amber eyes—
If Jiho, still drowsy with sleep, hadn’t reached up and grabbed Dojin’s hand—
If he hadn’t nestled his cheek against Dojin’s rough, large palm—
Then maybe.

“Aah…”

Dojin groaned.

An overwhelming surge of guiding energy was pouring into him, sharp enough to send a jolt down his spine.