The S-class Awakening

In a world where supernatural abilities are common, guides and espers are two distinct yet intertwined forces. Guides are individuals born with the rare ability to connect with and assist espers—people with extraordinary powers—by helping to control or amplify their abilities. Espers, ranging from low-level to S-class, can manipulate elements, space, time, and more, but their powers often come with dangerous side effects. Without a guide, an esper's power can spiral out of control, leading to catastrophic consequences.

Guides, in turn, are often seen as lesser in status, their powers mostly used to manage lower-level espers or offer support during missions. However, those rare guides who can bond with higher-class espers—especially S-class—are regarded as both powerful and valuable. In this world of power, politics, and danger, the bond between a guide and an esper is not only essential for survival, but can become something far more intense, leading to obsession, duty, and a fate that intertwines them forever.

The echo of his footsteps was the only sound in the corridor. Fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting a cold, sterile glow on the cracked tiles beneath his shoes.

Han Jonghyun's ID badge swung from his neck, the laminated plastic smudged and curling at the edges—much like his career.

In the reflection of the metal panel beside the door, he caught a glimpse of himself. Pale skin, soft features, and hair the color of moonlight—silver strands that had earned him years of taunts. "Freak." "Ghost." "Not normal."

Even now, with his hair tied back, the oddity was unmistakable. His eyes—green, muted, and out of place against his Korean features—only made him stand out more.

The scanner hummed under his palm. A faint beep. The door hissed open, and the sharp scent of antiseptic greeted him.

Inside, a young esper sat strapped to a padded chair. Their eyes were wide, glazed with the telltale haze of pre-eruption. Jonghyun skimmed the file:

Name: Kim Raon – Esper Class: E

Status: Unstable

Symptoms: Auditory Overload

Treatment: Basic Guide Stabilization

An E-Class. Barely a step above a civilian.

Jonghyun spoke, his voice calm but tired. "Raon, can you hear me?"

The esper flinched but answered. "You're… the guide?" Their voice carried disbelief, eyes flicking to his faded blue guide band—the mark of a low-tier guide.

"Yeah," Jonghyun replied evenly. "Let's get you steady."

Raon's lips curled in a sneer. "Great. A bottom-rank guide. Guess I'm done for."

Jonghyun's jaw tensed, but he didn't flinch. It wasn't the first time.

Placing two fingers to Raon's temple, he murmured, "Breathe. Focus on me. Just... let me in."

The first contact was a storm—chaos and static. Fear. Confusion. The sharp edges of panic.

Jonghyun pushed back with steady warmth, weaving through the tempest with practiced ease. His presence wrapped around Raon's frayed emotions, guiding them back from the edge.

The storm eased. Raon's body stilled, their breathing slow and steady. Clarity returned to their eyes.

"…Huh," Raon muttered. "Not bad. Maybe you're not such a washout."

Jonghyun's lips quirked faintly. "Lucky for you."

But no one else would call it luck.

---

The door clicked shut behind him, and the hum of the hallway pressed down like a weight.

"Han Jonghyun."

A voice—sharp, clipped, and familiar. Jonghyun turned to find Director Seo Hyeonjun approaching. Two higher-ranked guides flanked him, their golden bands flashing against their wrists.

Hyeonjun's gaze swept over him like he was something to be scraped off a shoe. "Another low-level case. I assume you didn't break anything?"

Jonghyun's fingers curled at his sides. "Raon stabilized within standard time."

Hyeonjun's lips barely twitched. "Within standard. As always."

The message was clear: Never more. Never less. Always just... average.

The director's voice carried a mocking edge. "Your affinity control is… adequate. But guides like you?" His eyes flicked to Jonghyun's silver hair, a flicker of distaste passing through his expression. "A dime a dozen. Best to stay in your lane."

Jonghyun's fists clenched, nails digging into his palms. But he said nothing.

---

That night, he lay in his narrow bed, staring up at the cracked ceiling. The familiar weight of almost pressed on his chest. Almost good enough. Almost worth something.

His fingers brushed his hair—silver, unwanted. A reminder that he was different. And difference, in this world, was rarely a blessing.

But power? Status? None of that mattered to him.

He didn't want to be a hero.

He just wanted to matter

End of Chapter 1

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