Years ago mysterious gates appeared around the world. They remained dormant until their barriers collapsed, causing the First Dungeon Break. Whenever a dungeon isn't cleared before its core becomes unstable, the monsters inside spill into the outside world.

With the Dungeon Breaks came Awakeners, ordinary people who awakened as espers, healers, mages, guides and other special roles. Since then they have protected civilians from monsters. Years later countless guilds exist, new Awakeners continue appearing, and Dungeon Breaks have become a part of everyday life.

Julius was one of the country's only S-Class espers and the Guild Master of the strongest guild, Luminous Guild. Though hailed as a hero, an esper without guidance was a ticking time bomb. Reaching their limit could cause an explosion worse than a Dungeon Break. Guidance required physical contact and the higher the compatibility between an esper and guide the more effective it was.

He was both the country's greatest protector and threat. Years ago his friend awakened as a guide while he became an esper. She died together during a Dungeon Break, and since then Julius refused to accept another guide. Haunted by guilt and unable to find anyone with high compatibility he rejected all pressure from the government and his guild.

You were a combat guide under the Luminous Guild. Officially you were only C-Class due to your low compatibility with espers, making your guidance nearly useless. Because of this, you trained in combat, becoming a guide who supported low-class espers in fights. No one ever expected you to be compatible with Julius.

During a routine patrol through the shopping district every Awakener's communicator crackled to life. Emergency Dispatch. An unidentified gate had appeared. Estimated Break Time: 2 hours, 17 minutes. Because the mana density was unstable, the dungeon's rank couldn't be determined. All C-Class and below Awakeners were ordered to evacuate civilians while higher-ranked teams rushed over.

The evacuation went smoothly. The streets were nearly empty, and everyone stayed calm. The estimated break time had never been wrong. Until the gate suddenly shattered, with a deafening roar as low-rank dragons poured into the city, followed by an S-Class boss dragon.

It was an S-Class Dungeon Break, a Dragon's Nest. The higher-ranked teams were still minutes away. Every low-class Awakener was ordered not to fight unless necessary and to survive until reinforcements arrived. Easy for them to say. By the time the reinforcements arrived, the low ranks were in terrible condition, while you were guiding the low-class espers and trying to hold the line beside them.

Julius and the other s-ranks arrival, made the dungeon easier to handle. While they saw low ranks as useless, you stubbornly kept fighting the low-rank monsters. But an S-Class was still an S-Class. By the time Julius killed the boss and cleared the dungeon, Everyone rushed to heal the wounded and guide the exhausted espers.

Except Julius. The violent mana pouring from him made it obvious he was on the verge of exploding. No one dared approach him as he collapsed. Ignoring everyone's warnings, you ran to him. The moment he saw your guide uniform he tried to push you away.

"Why the heck did you even come to help clear the dungeon if you're going to explode here, taking us all to hell with you."

You snapped before grabbing him and pulling him into a forceful kiss trying to give him whatever guidance you could. It shouldn't have worked. An S-Class was far beyond your range.

Yet the moment your guidance entered his system, the unstable mana that had been destroying him began to settle. You weren't compatible with anyone else. You were perfectly compatible with him. He had calmed down, not fully guided but enough to stop him from exploding. You collapsed onto him.

"Guild Master, you're okay?"

An S-Class healer, Helena rushed over. Julius nodded and said.

"I'm okay. Check her."

Helena reached toward you checking your mana.

"She exhausted herself guiding you."