"You all better choose your next words carefully. I am in a good mood for now, but who knows how long that will last."

The esper’s smile was creepy. Even Shuu felt like he had to step away from someone trying to help him.

As an S-class guide, Shuu was not affected by the esper’s pressure as the others were. But he could tell that currently the pressure was high enough to make other S-class espers bow their heads as well.

The kidnappers stood no chance against the S-class esper and they knew that as well. But they did not want to lose their golden egg-laying hen without a fight either.

"S-Sir, please understand. The contract-?"

"Oh-! This puny thing? It’s a good thing I never signed it and no one bothered to check either. So I don’t care much about it."

The esper took out the contract before he burned it. Everyone gasped as they saw the white paper turning black under the flames.

Once a contract was signed, it was impossible to get rid of. But the fact that this one had gotten burned too easily could only mean that the esper was telling the truth.

"N-No way-! Hey, did you not check-"

"I d-did check, but...how could this be?"

The kidnappers were flabbergasted. Not only were they scared, but they also knew that a single wrong move could mean an end for their business and their lives as well.

They turned to look at the unnamed esper who had just burned the contract and let out a nervous laugh.

"S-Sir, surely we can come to a compromise. If you tell us what you want, then we can make sure to provide you with it. J-Just name your price-"

"I want him. This guide is my type- from his face to his body. I will be taking him as compensation."

Shuu was grabbed and picked up before anyone could protest. It felt calming to be in the esper’s arms and he did not mind the extra attention.

Moreover, now that he no longer had to smell that sweet scent, his headache was getting better as well and he was able to think properly.

"S-Sir-! You can’t just take our guide! We have contracts to fulfill and he still has work to do-"

"Hmm, so kidnapped guides need to work as well. Should I report you to the labour minister for this?"

The esper questioned, but the kidnappers were not done. They had prepared a perfect solution for such a situation.

"We have a working permit signed by the guide himself. Here, please take a look-"

The workers took out a form Shuu had never signed and held it in front of the esper to try and get the upper hand. But the esper was not about to let them have their way. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"Oh-! Another contract? Do you mind if I check this one as well?"

"S-Sir wait-!"

But it was too late. The contract burned and everyone else could just watch this happen in silence.

The second the contract was burned fully, others realized what was happening here as well and turned on the kidnappers.

"Is this a fraudulent business? I knew something was fishy from the start.

"This deal was too good to be true, right? Anyway, an S-class guide without an esper? Sounds so absurd. Maybe these kidnappers knocked out the esper or something."

"Or maybe the esper died. Anyway, it is dangerous to be here. Should we run away?"

"Our contract is to not hurt this place, but it never said anything about not getting others to destroy it. This will help us hide evidence...I mean, extract justice."

The espers were deciding what to do with this place and Shuu wanted to give his thoughts as well.

But before he could decide, his body was picked up and put on top of a familiar shoulder.

He blinked and looked down, only to see a smiling face looking back at him.

"Kid, if you are going to thank me for helping you out, then I won’t mind a little guiding here and there. Now, shall we get going?"

The man asked Shuu, but it was not like Shuu could give him an answer. So Shuu was carried out of the building and only put down in an unfamiliar office.

The unknown esper finally introduced himself to Shuu.

"Hello friend. My name is Loki. You can think of me as your friendly neighbour esper who decided to express his unyielding heart by helping the weak. It’s nice to meet you."

The esper extended his hand toward Shuu and Shuu looked at his hand before he reached out to shake it as well. Two pairs of eyes clashed and the pair relaxed a little bit in each other’s presence.

"It’s nice to meet you as well. My name is Shuu and I want to thank you for saving me. But I want to ask you- why did you save me? The only thing it accomplished was putting you in danger as well. There was no need for you to interfere-"

"I did it because I need your help and also for the sake of this world. But we can discuss this once your partner gets here."

"My partner?"

Shuu felt a little confused. There was only one person who came to mind when the term ’partner’ was used. But his and Kaiden’s relationship was not one they had broadcasted, so there was no way for others to know about it.

Unless...

’Did this man spy on me and target me even before I got kidnapped? I don’t sense any hostility, but still...’

It was possible that this man was trying to trick Shuu, but something about his presence felt weird.

Maybe it was Shuu’s imagination, but the space around the esper seemed slightly warped and heavy. It almost felt like he was looking at Kaiden.

"Are you...even human? I have a feeling you are not who you say you are."

Shuu wanted confirmation, so he threw the bait out. And the other responded quickly.

"Indeed, I am not human. But that is not something for you to worry about at the moment. Just know that I am on your side."