Yongguk took his time to respond to all of Yunho's questions. His information was extensive, explaining a backstory of abuse and deceit and breaking out from those shackles. Yongguk himself was neither esper nor guide. He worked for Auresce in the past as a staff member and got fed up with playing favourites to force other people to find miserable ends full of guilt.

Talking to him brought some light back to Yunho's hopelessness. He could make up for his mistakes, and he wasn't entirely at fault for them.

After a tour through the bright and open interior of their base, they drank some tea together and Yongguk listened to Yunho's story. He didn't have much to say and didn't feel good mentioning Auresce's shortcomings, but Yongguk's sighs told him he wasn't the first to experience those things. And that Auresce was well aware of his lack of training.

Yongguk kept his manners and didn't speak too badly about them.

"Consider our proposal. The decision is yours. So long as you know there is an alternative, I am assured you will pick what resonates best with you. Merely don't become trapped in your own mind."

He sent Yunho home at a reasonable hour and the same driver as before brought him back. This time, he snuck a few curious glances at Yunho.

"How did you like it?" He asked and Yunho had to fight a smile at his nosiness. He sounded like Yunho's younger brother.

"It was something else," he admitted, and a pleased grin flashed over the man's lips.

"Tenebra is much better than Auresce. In every regard," he boasted, and Yunho chuckled about him. Contrary to Lux, he didn't sound arrogant and more like a child showing off a Lego creation to their mom.

"What do you prefer about it?"

"We have more down-to-earth people, a nicer boss, better personalised training and hotter espers."

The last part made Yunho guffaw. He choked on his spit since he hadn't expected that, and his driver sent him a smug grin through the mirror.

"Hotter espers?" Yunho repeated since he couldn't believe his ears, but the nod he received back was grave.

"You haven't seen them, but our attractiveness-quota is definitely higher. I have seen Auresce's people. Promise you fit in with us much better."

Amused by his refreshing playfulness, Yunho leaned back in his seat.

He had to agree. Mingi had looked different from anyone in their fancy little uniforms in Auresce could. Yunho was dying to learn more about him. Yongguk had shared only a polite amount of information since Mingi wasn't present.

And his guiding had been... so powerful.

Yunho was almost tempted to ask the driver about him, but they arrived before he could muster the courage. When he picked up his bag, Yunho sent his driver a genuine grin. He warmed up quickly to these people and was excited about this prospect after a long time. He didn't know yet whether he would join Tenebra, but he would keep them in mind as good people, no matter what.

"Thank you for your service today. I learned a lot. Tell Mingi I am thinking about his offer."

His driver waved a dismissive hand.

"All good, you're a decent guy. I would be glad to see you around."

Yunho left, glad to have been accepted on the other end as well. It wasn't for his disinterest in Auresce, but their relationship was hardly mutual. Tenebra might just be what he was looking for. Yongguk made it sound as if he could promise him stability and no premature death.

If Yunho didn't have to be so afraid, this life wouldn't be as scary.

He greeted the receptionist on his way in and she sent him a spotless smile.

"How was your free day?" She made polite small talk and Yunho shrugged. If his eyes twinkled differently than when he had left, they could chalk it on meeting family.

"I had fun. Anything special today?"

"Nothing. Have a good night."

Yunho jogged up the stairs how Bora would have wanted him to. He had to meet Minjae tomorrow for a training session and to warm up to each other. Since he had time, he would spend a few days mulling his options. Maybe call Mingi again before his final decision.

After he got ready for bed, Yunho watched some anime and then slept early. This night, his dreams were more peaceful, as if the Zen of Yongguk's presence eased his nightmares.

In the morning, Yunho felt refreshed. He decided already.

He would try again with Auresce. They took him in and his program here was good. If he communicated his needs, he might get what he needed since he only ducked in terror so far. He could protect Minjae based on what he learned.

But if Auresce proved once more that he didn't matter to them, Yunho would move on. He wasn't keen on losing his life if he could make himself useful somewhere else.

Thus, he met with Doctor Han in his office. When he stepped in, the therapist looked surprised to see him, but he remembered Yunho's name when they shook hands.

"What brings you here, Mister Jeong? It is not time yet for another check-up."

Though Yunho was still hesitant about making demands in this place, his conversation with Yongguk gave him some confidence. What purpose did he have for those people if he was cast aside and couldn't fight properly? He needed to stand his ground to be of help. And to feel assured of his purpose here.

"I have another concern, actually, and thought you might help me best." Yunho exhaled. Good, so far. If espers had other concerns like mental health issues or nutritious worries, they would also come here.

"Of course, take a seat." The doctor invited him. They sat at the desk together, and Yunho hid his nervous fingers under his thighs. He tried to pick the most sensible words to address the issue. When he couldn't take the tension anymore, he just brought out whatever he puzzled together from Yongguk's information.

"Could it be that I was sorted into the wrong level? It seems like I might be a rank B instead of D. Guiding seems relatively useless on me and if I had a B-class guide, I might be able to avoid situations like the ones priorly."

The doctor's milky eyes studied him over his glasses. Instead of tapping away on his computer, he crossed his fingers under his chin.

"Have you committed to the full scope of guiding with your prior guide?"

"N-No," Yunho stuttered, ears reddening. The question seemed wildly too intimate, and he complied only because Doctor Han was his physicist.

"Then how would you know? If simple guiding cannot heal the full scale of your injuries, then you must heighten the intensity. You can't expect us to assign you a rank S guide so broken bones are healed at the touch of a hand."

"W-Well..." Yunho fumbled for words, embarrassed to be shut down. He knew what he felt. Mingi hadn't healed all his injuries at once, but the effect was immediate. Soothed Yunho how Bora couldn't, both in his physical pain and the torment of his mind.

But it was risky to mention him.

"I talked to some people who were convinced a higher-level guide and training would be ideal for me. From what I learned, it seemed correct..." He lost the ground for his reasoning and the doctor noticed. His smile remained thin.

"You dare question our experts?"

Yunho immediately lowered his eyes at the stern tone. All prior faith was lost.

"No. My apologies."

Would Auresce insist on having him in this position because he posed a risk otherwise? Did they not allow him to get stronger since he might hurt someone?

Upset, Yunho bit the inside of his cheek. He wished he were as courageous and bold as Bora. If she was here with him, she would not let loose until his wishes were resolved.

"I can assure you we ran extensive tests on you and picked your rank based on a global standard. Though a mistake in level or rising along the ranks has been heard of, you haven't been around for long enough to show such potential."

Before Yunho could try to explain the difference in guiding, a message blaring over the speakers startled him out of his chair. A new rift. Level A. All alerted forces were called to depart.

Yunho glanced at his phone. He was drafted again. It had been a while, and he supposed if his powers worked, they would be very helpful for the battlefield, even at the front.

When he stood, Doctor Han gave him his hand, but Yunho noticed how cold it seemed. How wary of his sources.

"Well then, please excuse me. Thank you for assuring my worries," Yunho mumbled even when his chest was tight with fear yet once more.

More death and agony awaited him. More failure and disappointment from the people around him.

Yongguk's words rang in Yunho's ear. That they kept him small on purpose. That espers like him would be disregarded by Auresce until they were wrung out of all ability and died or until they left from their upset.

"You seem shifty, Mister Jeong. What gives you reason to doubt us?" Doctor Han asked him with his arms crossed behind his back. Unseeing eyes stared at the white lab coat, too nervous to be found out if their gazes locked.

"Nothing, sir... I merely wish the best for the centre." They took him in, gave him a place to be and to use his powers in. Within their system, he had everything provided to him.

And yet, he could see the differences. His wariness didn't come from a lack of guiding.

Minjae would be out there as well. Waiting for Yunho to come running with his injuries. Perhaps he could help, but something in Yunho doubted that.

Bora's dead eyes flashed before Yunho's inner eye. What if a kid died because of him?

As if his panic showed, Doctor Han patted his shoulder with a stiff hand. His perfect smile meant business.

"Then you will get out there. And you will hold your force. You die before anyone else dies. Remember your purpose," he told Yunho, making sure he was reminded how expendable he was. How inevitable his end.

But it wasn't. Yongguk told him about the espers at Tenebra. It didn't have to end here.

Yunho lowered his head. His voice was choked up in his throat, but he forced himself to stay strong.

"Yes, sir."

"Good. Get going."

Yunho rushed outside with his phone clutched in his hand. Others ran past, scurrying to collect weapons and uniforms while the helicopters landed in the yard.

Jumping up the stairs two steps at a time, Yunho matched their pace. He made it to his room and snatched his backpack from his ground. He threw his laptop, his charger, some shirts and a picture he brought of his family inside. Left the snacks in his fridge and the books he borrowed from the library for his self-studies, since rank D espers only had a few classes available compared to higher ranks.

He shrugged off his white uniform jacket and flung it onto his chair. Slung his baseball jacket over his shoulder instead.

When he ran downstairs, everyone was in too much mayhem to get busy to question him. He slipped out of the back door and jogged across the grass to the gate.

Auresce would spot him on their cameras. Would they search for his irrelevant self? He doubted it.

The man at the gate eyed him warily.

"Do you have a permit to leave?"

Yunho held up his phone, and the warning attached to it.

"I am sent to join the team from the back. Esper. Let me through."

Perhaps the poor guy was new. Perhaps Yunho just got him fired. Either way, he was let through for that fancy title attached to his name that he never asked for.

He made it through the door and raced into the alleyways, away from the seeking eyes of drones and helicopters that might notice him running. As he ducked among narrow roofs, he brought up his phone and tapped on Mingi's name, by now saved in his device.

This was his decision. He didn't know what would come of it and whether this was the best idea, but he would commit to it.

And he wouldn't look back.