DPGR 102

“Guide Jiho!”

For a moment, it felt like strength returned to his body. Adrenaline surged.

As if he had forgotten the pain, he raised his spear and struck down the monster before him, then ran toward Jiho.

Even along the way, several threats blocked his path, but he cut down and smashed through every single one of them.

“Guide Jiho!”

At last, Dojin reached Jiho. He grabbed Jiho’s wrist and pulled him into his arms.

“Why are you here, it’s dangerous…!”

Dojin quickly hugged Jiho and released him, scanning his body. Without realizing it, scolding words burst from his mouth.

But then he saw the handprint on Jiho’s neck and firmly pressed his lips shut.

He seemed to be careful, afraid that his loud voice might startle Jiho.

“…Are you hurt anywhere?”

“No. I’m fi—koff!”

“Your throat is injured. Don’t speak. This place is dangerous—we need to get back to the safe zone…”

At Jiho’s dry cough, Dojin grew agitated and tried to send him back. But they couldn’t, monsters were closing in on them.

“Stay close to me. Don’t leave my side.”

Dojin stood in front of Jiho with one arm out, keeping alert. There were about six monsters rushing toward them.

‘There’s no other choice.’

Dojin frowned and drew a line in the direction the monsters were charging.

As the blade of his spear scraped across the ground, a tall wall of fire erupted, taller than Dojin himself.

Whoosh—

The flames flared up in an instant, hiding the two of them from the monsters’ sight.

“Kgh!”

Dojin’s face instantly turned pale. Though it had been a simple supernatural technique, he was pushing himself too hard due to insufficient guiding.

He swallowed the blood rising up his throat and grabbed Jiho’s hand, pulling him along.

“This way.”

Jiho followed, watching Dojin closely. It was impossible not to notice. None of his wounds—not even the shallow ones—had healed.

‘Even the tiny scratches are still there.’

And the hand grasping his was too hot—far above normal temperature.

“Get in here. Watch your head.”

Unaware that Jiho was observing him, Dojin stopped in front of a crumbled ruin.

He wedged himself and Jiho into a narrow gap between the debris.

“It’s dangerous outside. My blood got on you… they’ll smell it. The monsters might target you.”

“……”

“Don’t move a single step from here. Stay still.”

With that, Dojin checked Jiho’s gun. There weren’t many bullets left.

“Here, take this.”

Dojin handed over his own gun.

Although Jiho’s gun had guiding magic infused, it wasn’t as powerful as the one used by Dojin, an Esper.

His gun was made for killing monsters. And Jiho’s shooting skills had improved—having this would reduce his chances of being in danger.

“The recoil is strong. Stronger than the one you used. So be careful. Running and shooting like before is dangerous, got it? Shooting posture, brace both legs, hold your breath, focus your eyes far ahead…”

Dojin quickly rattled off warnings, then stopped short.

Jiho had set the gun down and cupped both of Dojin’s cheeks.

His fingertips were trembling. His face was even paler than before.

“Guide Jiho?”

“……”

Jiho’s eyes were filled with fear. Tearful eyes stared straight into Dojin’s, then slowly slipped down to his mouth and chin.

At that moment, Dojin realized what Jiho was about to do. He tried to grab Jiho’s wrist and push him away.

“No, you don’t have to. I’m still fine.”

“Gui… ding… koff! I have to do it now.”

“It’s alri—”

“Mmh.”

Jiho shook his head with a pale expression, then pressed his dry lips lightly against Dojin’s.

A soft smack—warmth brushed his lips and lit a fire in Dojin’s chest.

There was no guiding energy in the gentle kiss.

As Jiho pulled away, his eyes—which had been tightly shut—opened wide. His complexion was a little brighter than before.

“That’s enough.”

“I-it’s fine. Koff! I think I’m okay.”

Jiho mumbled and wrapped his arms around Dojin’s neck. The fear that had filled his eyes now sparkled with something else.

He had worried that kissing Dojin might trigger a bad memory—or worse, make him instinctively fear Dojin.

But those fears had been needless. The kiss hadn’t been nearly as terrible as he’d imagined.

He could do it. No—he wanted to do it again.

‘The dream keeps flashing through my mind… it’s scary, but…’

Still, he wasn’t about to hide and watch Dojin die alone.

“Guide Jiho…”

Dojin opened his mouth to say something—but Jiho was faster.

He rose up on his toes, turned his head slightly, and kissed Dojin again.

At the same time, he released guiding energy at full output into Dojin’s body.

“……!”

The strength drained from Dojin’s hands—he couldn’t push Jiho away. Not just his hands, but his arms, his legs, his whole body lost strength.

Then heat surged through him. His organs welcomed the flood of guiding energy.

More. More. Just a little more.

Dojin’s instincts craved Jiho. The dreadful, all-consuming thirst had begun to ease, but it still wasn’t enough.

“Haa… hnng!”

Whether it was from being out of breath or the strain of standing on his toes, Jiho gasped and pulled his lips away from Dojin.

But with his instincts fully awakened, Dojin seized Jiho like a predator before its prey.

One hand supported Jiho’s head in place while the other wrapped around his slender waist, pressing him close.

Then Dojin tilted his head and greedily devoured Jiho’s lips.

The desperate kiss resembled a plea.

“Mm—mph!”

“Haa… your mouth.”

Jiho flinched and stiffened his shoulders. Dojin’s hand, which had been around his waist, slowly slid up to stroke his shoulder blades.

“Open your mouth. Guide Jiho.”

His rough, hoarse voice scraped at Jiho’s eardrums. The tone sounded like a plea, but the look in his eyes said otherwise.

His blazing eyes carefully examined every flicker of Jiho’s expression. As Jiho flinched and slowly parted his lips, Dojin let out a low laugh and murmured,

“Good.”

Possessed by the instincts of an Esper, Dojin seemed like a different person altogether. And yet, familiar habits still surfaced in his movements.

Rubbing along the edge of Jiho’s ear, grazing his jawline, lightly trailing his fingers along the sensitive skin of his nape.

“Mmgh…”

The thick tongue that slid into Jiho’s mouth coiled around his own and sucked at it.

The firm tongue tip scraped across Jiho’s sensitive palate.

“Hhh…”

Dojin targeted every spot Jiho reacted to, rubbing and dragging across them without pause.

Their saliva mingled, and what hadn’t been swallowed trickled down his chin—but he didn’t stop.

The hand that had been stroking Jiho’s shoulder blades now slid down his back. Just as his fingers began to graze Jiho’s waist—

“Captain!”

A voice called out from outside—calling for Dojin.

It was unmistakably Kijoon’s voice. The reason he had lost to his instincts came rushing back.

“……!”

Snapping back to his senses, Dojin let Jiho go. Jiho gasped sharply, as if finally able to breathe.

“I’m, I’m fine—no, I’m sorry…”

Flustered, Dojin stumbled over his words, unable to meet Jiho’s eyes. Jiho, face beet red, shook his head furiously, then suddenly grabbed his wrist.

“Level… huff… check…”

“Ah… yes.”

[Esper Baek Dojin’s Guiding Level: 42%]

Thankfully, the level that had bottomed out had risen significantly, and the urgent guiding alert had vanished.

It seemed the maximum-output burst of guiding energy had worked.

“One more… haa… time.”

Yet it wasn’t enough for Jiho. Before Dojin could say anything, Jiho reached out again and kissed him.

Even more densely compressed guiding energy surged into Dojin’s body and erupted within.

It tore through his blocked energy channels, scraped and seared through him.

In the midst of the almost violent rush, Dojin let out a faint groan and cupped Jiho’s cheek—

“Captain Baek!”

Kijoon’s voice rang out again, and Dojin pushed Jiho away. His guiding level had now climbed to 48%.

“More, just a bit…”

“No. That’s enough. This will do.”

His head still spun and his insides ached, but he could move now.

The wounds across his body were also starting to heal. The bleeding from his stomach had stopped as well.

At this rate, his returning regenerative ability would take care of the rest soon.

“Guide Jiho. You remember what I told you, right?”

“Y-yeah…”

“About the gun. Mine has a strong recoil, so be careful.”

“Oh! Right!”

“Stay hidden here.”

Nod, nod!

Jiho nodded eagerly. Then, imbuing his guiding energy, he gripped Dojin’s hand firmly.

“If it gets bad, come back here. I’ll guide you again.”

His lips were swollen, tear streaks still clinging to his eyes—and yet, his words were full of bravado.

Dojin couldn’t help but let out a small, inappropriate chuckle, then quickly cleared his throat.

“Yes. Stay safe.”

“You too.”

Dojin pressed a light kiss to Jiho’s lips one last time, then hurried out of the space.

It was a small hiding spot, yet the moment Dojin left, it felt far too wide.

‘…It’s okay.’

Jiho touched his lips, as if seeking the lingering warmth. Then he buried his face in his hands and rubbed it.

Recalling Dojin’s heat and scent—the things he had felt beyond the fear, disgust, and horror.

‘It’s okay.’

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