Without stopping, Rim Young was slowly being drifted by the water bottle forcefully, yet he didn't let go of it. Though he wanted Wi Hajoon to stop, he was also secretly really stoked to witness Wi Hajoon use his ability for him. Rim Young's cheeks burned, so he lowered his head until his feet were just beside Wi Hajoon's.
The pull of the water bottle ended there, and without saying anything, Wi Hajoon grabbed his hand, crushing it in his fist but not hard enough to hurt him. Rim Young peeked upwards at Wi Hajoon's back as he was led by his hand now. Though this was probably to ensure Rim Young wouldn't run away putting himself in danger.
The reason Rim Young didn't want Wi Hajoon to use his ability, however, was because the more Espers used their abilities inside the restricted zones, the more the polluted air affected them. Using these abilities already caused them mental and physical instability over time, which naturally made them more prone to accumulate the polluted air caused by the fissure. And if they go too long without a Guide, they enter a state called Rampage, which usually ends in a violent death or massive collateral damage.
Wi Hajoon shouldn't—no, he couldn't—go into a Rampage state, not under his watch. He wouldn't let him. One way or another, he will stop him by whatever means possible. In the ending of the novel, Wi Hajoon had gone into a Rampage state; that's why he had killed everyone close to him. He was sure of it. There was no way Wi Hajoon would kill his friends and family otherwise.
"Where are we going?"
Rim Young asked in a low voice again. Wi Hajoon just continued walking ahead. This restricted zone was originally Anam-dong, in the district of Seongbuk. Rim Young knew where the safe zone was located as he had read in the novel, but he also didn't know where he was currently. He glanced around to see if he could find a familiar building when Wi Hajoon abruptly paused, causing him to hit the brakes just as abruptly.
"What?"
"Shhss..."
Rim Young curiously spoke out. Wi Hajoon put a finger on his lips without looking at him. Then Rim Young also heard it. That familiar sound of clapping asscheeks...
If only the two-limp bubblegum monster didn't have multiple folds on its gigantic body that flapped against its own skin...
To their left, another one or perhaps the previous one was searching for them. Two globs on its head were shining, meaning it had heard something and was on the hunt for food, using the light to brighten its perception. Swallowing his lips, Rim Young was as quiet as a rock, trusting Wi Hajoon to take care of it.
Using his other hand, Wi Hajoon carefully took out the butter knife, his personal weapon, from the tactical strap on his thigh. Realizing it quickly, Rim Young immediately hid his head in Wi Hajoon's direction, almost touching his forehead to his chest. At the same time, Wi Hajoon threw the knife in the monster's direction. Not that his aim was really good; he had to use his ability to steer the blunt butter knife over to the monster.
The only way to kill a two-limp bubblegum monster was to either blow up with it as it senses you or prick it to burst the bubble.
FWOMP!
Instantly, upon the butter knife poking the monster, it blew up in their faces—well, not in his face because he was using Wi Hajoon to cover up, but it was quite nearby. The ground shook with the bubble blast, leaving a sticky and gooey mess just at the tips of their feet. Wi Hajoon jerked his arm that he had put up to shield his face from a piece of pink jelly to shake off that very piece onto the road.
Rim Young also straightened up as if he hadn't just used Wi Hajoon to save his skin and glanced in the further distance, recognizing a shop.
["Hyeong Ki speaking... Esper Wi Hajoon, was that you just now?"]
A voice came through the walkie-talkie clipped to Wi Hajoon's belt. To communicate more effectively, Espers used walkie-talkies inside the restricted zones. Each of the Espers present in this restricted zone had a walkie-talkie, and that meant Hyeong Ki also had one and had heard the explosion.
"Yeah, what about it?"
Wi Hajoon spoke in a slightly raised voice to Hyeong Ki.
["I think I'm just across from you. Let's work together to clear the zone quickly before dark."]
Wi Hajoon gazed at him as he recalled his weapon into his hand again and replied back.
"I want to work alone."
["Don't be childish now. I need your assistance, Esper Wi Hajoon."]
Hyeong Ki emphasized his full name, as if reminding him that they were working right now and he should comply with him to clear the zone and work better. Wi Hajoon and Hyeong Ki's abilities truly did go really well together. If Rim Young hadn't needed to prevent the fight, he would have agreed on them working together from here on, but knowing what he knew, he also thought it would be better if they didn't meet up at all.
"Then do me a favor, and you can clock out early."
["What is it? It's so unlike you to ask me a favor."]
Rim Young's eyes widened as he shook his head side to side with speed, showing how much he didn't want Hyeong Ki to come pick him up, but Wi Hajoon, overlooking the gesture, still said it.
"There is a B-Class Guide here. Take him to the safe zone. I will clear the zone myself."