Chapter 139: Ch 139: Calling Alan for Help

’This is so overwhelming. I need to get it all out of me. My guiding... I cannot control it right now.’

Noah felt like a broken fountain that was leaking guiding every second. He was usually great at holding the guiding back, but his body was reacting heavily right now, making his guiding run out of control.

It was so much that it felt like his guiding was boiling out of the pot that was his body and devouring anything that came in contact with him.

He could even see Riku’s face going slack as he was made to endure all of Noah’s guiding at once.

As a medical expert, he likely knew by now that something was wrong with Noah, but as an esper, he could not bring himself to step back. Even if he knew that it was wrong for him to be receiving this guiding, he still could not let his grip on Noah falter.

’This is so overwhelming. I need to get it all out of me. My guiding... I cannot control it right now.’

Noah felt like a broken fountain that was leaking guiding every second. He was usually great at holding the guiding back, but his body was reacting heavily right now, making his guiding run out of control.

He could even see Riku’s face going slack as he was made to endure all of Noah’s guiding at once.

As a medical expert, he likely knew by now that something was wrong with Noah, but as an esper, he could not bring himself to step back. Even if he knew that it was wrong for him to be receiving this guiding, he still could not let his grip on Noah falter.

Noah noticed it as well.

’I need to stop.’

The thought came suddenly, cutting through the haze clouding his mind.

Noah gritted his teeth and forced himself to pull his guiding back. It felt like trying to drag something enormous back into his body, and pain shot through him as he abruptly severed the connection.

Riku stumbled backwards, breathing heavily.

For a moment, neither of them moved, and Noah thought that it was over. But then Riku took a step towards him.

"Noah... Guiding..."

His voice sounded strange, almost unfamiliar. It was as if he was not himself at that moment.

Noah’s eyes widened as soon as Riku reached out as if he wanted to grab his hand again. Noah immediately moved backwards to avoid him.

"Professor Riku, stay back."

Riku stopped, but only for a second. His expression was dazed, and Noah could see that the esper was fighting against himself. Whatever Noah’s guiding had done to him, it had not simply disappeared when the connection was broken.

"Noah, I..."

Riku took another step, but that was enough for Noah to immediately turn around and rush towards the bathroom.

He nearly tripped over his own feet in his haste, but he managed to reach the door, slam it shut, and lock it behind him.

He leaned against the door, breathing heavily.

’What is happening to me?’

His entire body felt strange.

The guiding was still surging inside him, desperately looking for somewhere to go, while his mind was screaming at him to get away from everyone.

He grabbed his phone with shaking hands and immediately called Alan.

Once.

No answer.

Noah swallowed nervously and called again, but still nothing. Alan was not picking up his call.

"Alan..."

His voice trembled as he tried a third time, but the call continued ringing without anyone picking up.

For the first time in a long while, Noah felt genuinely helpless.

’I am really in trouble this time.’

He stared at the locked door, listening to the silence outside.

Then—

BANG!

The medical wing door slammed open.

Noah flinched as soon as he heard footsteps rush across the room, followed by a heavy thud.

He heard something hit the floor.

"Noah!"

Alan’s voice called out, and Noah almost sagged against the door in relief.

"Alan!"

He heard another sound, followed by silence.

When Noah finally dared to look through the narrow gap beneath the bathroom door, he saw Riku lying unconscious on the floor.

Alan stood over him, his breathing uneven.

"What happened here?"

Noah did not answer immediately. He could sense Alan’s guiding waves spreading through the room, and the moment Alan took another breath, his expression changed.

He had sensed Noah’s guiding, and Alan immediately understood that something was wrong. His eyes darkened, and he took a step towards the bathroom.

Noah’s heart jumped.

"Stay back!"

Alan stopped and looked towards the bathroom door and clenched his fists. His expression was filled with concern and horror.

"Are you hurt?"

"I don’t know."

Noah pressed his forehead against the door.

"I lost control of my guiding. Professor Riku... he couldn’t control himself either. This is not entirely his fault either."

Alan remained silent for a few seconds, and then he slowly lowered his hands.

"Alright. I’ll stay here."

Noah could hear how difficult it was for him to say those words. Alan was affected too by whatever was happening to him. The guiding filling the medical wing was reaching him, and even from behind the locked door, Noah could hear Alan’s breathing becoming heavier.

But he did not move closer.

"I said stay back."

Noah whispered.

"I know, and I will. I won’t come any closer unless you ask me to."

Alan leaned against the opposite wall and forced himself to remain there, and Noah closed his eyes.

For some reason, hearing those words made his chest tighten.

He had called Alan because he was afraid, but now that Alan was actually here, Noah finally felt like he was not alone.

But the guiding inside him was still raging.

’Just when will the effect of this medicine fade? I want to go out and look at Alan once more.’

Alas, it was going to be some time until it burned out of his system. Alan, who could no longer see him suffer, called for Daniel.

After all, another guide would likely be better for Noah to have around at the moment.