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Series Group
Runaway Esper
Type
Web Novel (KR)
Genre
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Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5    56% (56 votes)
4    12% (12 votes)
3    11% (11 votes)
2    10% (10 votes)
1    11% (11 votes)
Language
Support Book (#ad)
Author(s)
One entry per line
Artist(s)
One entry per line
N/A
Year
Example: 2012
2022
Status in COO
Status in Country of Origin. One entry per line
329 Chapters (Completed):
-Main Story: 316 Chapters (completed)
-R19 Side Story: 13 Chapters (completed)
Licensed
No
Completely Translated
Original Publisher
One entry per line
English Publisher
One entry per line
N/A
Release Frequency
Every 4.1 Day(s)
Activity Stats
[Graph]
Weekly Rank: #4945
Monthly Rank: #944
All Time Rank: #6775
Reading List
[Graph]
On 1751 Reading Lists
Monthly Rank: #9381
All Time Rank: #5764

Description

Links are NOT allowed. Format your description nicely so people can easily read them. Please use proper spacing and paragraphs.

Espers are guaranteed sufficient guiding in exchange for serving the state.

Except for runaway espers.

Runaway espers, due to their unstable metrics, are like ticking time bombs that could go on a rampage again at any moment.

Shin Joo-hyun, who went on a rampage immediately upon manifestation and spent 11 years being used by the Association like a dog, lived a life far removed from guiding despite being an esper.

In front of him appears Cha In-ho, a famous actor who manifested late at the age of 26 as a guide.

And he has come to be matched with a runaway esper.

“From now on, I will be your matching guide, Joo-hyun. Please take care of me.”

But this guide, for some reason, keeps acting like he knows Joo-hyun…

“I am the only person who knows Joo-hyun.

And you are the only one who knows me.”

Will Shin Joo-hyun be able to uncover Cha In-ho’s true identity?

Read If:

You want to see a cold, prickly, handsome Bottom hopelessly fall for a mostly gentle Matching Guide, and a beautiful, warm-hearted Top who eventually throws away his plans and regrets his hesitation once he accepts his true feelings.

Highlight quote:

“Shin Joo-hyun. Don’t make me really angry, come here.”

Associated Names
One entry per line
폭주 에스퍼
Related Series
N/A
Recommendations
Damn My Guide (2)
Traces of the Sun (2)
Success Oriented Guide (1)
I Confessed To You By Mistake (1)
Dawnlight (1)
The Life of Low Level Espers’ Max Level Guide (1)
Recommendation Lists
  1. BL List {Kr} 3
  2. completed BL's
  3. BL Dungeon/Guide verse
  4. the best in my opinion
  5. Next Reading List 17

Latest Release

Date Group Release
01/08/25 Peach Tea Agency c148
01/07/25 Peach Tea Agency c147
01/06/25 Peach Tea Agency c146
01/05/25 Peach Tea Agency c145
01/04/25 Peach Tea Agency c144
01/03/25 Peach Tea Agency c143
01/02/25 Peach Tea Agency c142
01/01/25 Peach Tea Agency c141
12/31/24 Peach Tea Agency c140
12/30/24 Peach Tea Agency c139
12/29/24 Peach Tea Agency c138
12/28/24 Peach Tea Agency c137
12/27/24 Peach Tea Agency c136
12/26/24 Peach Tea Agency c135
12/25/24 Peach Tea Agency c134
1…1112131415…22
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Review
6 Reviews


ChaosBirdETERNETY
New ChaosBirdETE
Aug 16, 2025
Status: c316
Ok this is the first review I'm doing so if it's a bit odd please forgive me.

I want to start this with a fear I had. I Like angsty stories where the protag suffers but don't actually like tragedies. Because of that I was hesitant to read this since it has the tragedy tag. For others who feel similarly and are worried about picking this up, here's some non-specific info.

... more>>
Spoiler

The story has PLENTY of angst, hurt, and tragedy, but it has positive end. It's the kind of story where the MC suffers through hell yet finds light despite the pain, as opposed to the type where everyone dies in misery the end. So if you're concerned about a sad ending like I was then dont worry, it does end on an uplifting note.

[collapse]

Now for my actual review. It's hard to know where to start but I guess I'll start with my negatives.

  • First off, I feel like there were times, especially in the beginning hundred chapters, where things were repeated unnecessarily. Like it told the same info again and again. I realize that perhaps the reason was to help get you more immersed in the MC's mind since what's repeated is stuff he thinks about constantly. Still though, I found it more annoying and think there are better ways to do that type of thing if that's what was intended. It gets better as it goes on, with the middle I think being really solid and focused, but that issue sort of comes back a bit near the end.
  • Most of the time it was fine but near the end, I feel like the author described thoughts too much while the characters were in battle. It hadn't been an issue beforehand for me, but in the last hundred chapters I felt like the fights became too slow and focused too much on internal monolog. It was especially frustrating for me when
    Spoiler

    MC was fighting Cha Ki-heon on the Block A roof. Their whole philosophical talk at that moment while the others fought just beyond the door really took me out of it.

    [collapse]
  • The translator overall did a great job and I'm very thankful. Still, I want to mention this. Throughout the whole story there were occasional, but constant, issues of names getting mixed up, pronouns being switched, and some sentence structures being confusing. It's not enough for me to feel too frustrated but it was really confusing at times. It also led me to unfortunately overcorrect at times. Like I got used to just correcting names in my head when things didn't seem right that when a sentence didn't immediately make sense to me, I'd correct in my head, only to see a few sentences later that the original WAS correct. Again it's not horrendous, but I do feel like the translator could have used a second pair of eyes or reread through.
  • Spoiler

    At the very end, I felt like how the monster was handled was really anticlimactic 😭. I know theres a different review talking about the final stand against the "big baddie" and that being called anticlimactic, I disagree to that. I think the final fight with the big bad was handled well honestly. It wasnt an explosive ending, but considering the stories themes, I think it fit perfectly. He was a broken man running on fumes of hatred and sorrow. One who refused to face the harsh reality and who pointed his finger at everyone but himself for his miserys. I think him in the end being a pathetic and miserable man who cant even commit to his own misery/plan makes sense. What I'm MORE upset about was the monster. 😭 They had this big, potentially world ending monster in this gritty, death soaked story... only to have it be resolved in a way befitting a comedy... And I know MC and his team were tasked with focusing on the rebels but when MC just sat there watching and waiting for his group to wrap up I got SO STRESSED. And WHAT was the point of the info about the poisonous plant if it was never going to be used?? Like I guess it's to make the rebels more of a threat since the rebels dont have to worry about the monsters, but still. Why was that never relayed to the others or.. just something?? The monsters wrap up really just felt like a comedy bit... Did not fit the stories feel imo.

    [collapse]
Beyond those things, I really loved this story a lot. I can't give it a 5* because the above points, and I was debating giving it a 3*. I honestly might be closer to a 3.5* than a 4* rating, but I overall really enjoyed this story and do recommend it if you can handle this kind of thing. It made me care enough to write my first ever review on here.

I don't think I have enough specific points to make bullet points for good things like I did the negatives, but I really loved reading this story and am excited to read the epilouges! My favorite point was probably in the stories middle but I also really loved how it amped up and how everything connected to eachother. It used the idea that things mentioned should be used really well and continuously raised the stakes and emotional impact. All the characters, not just the MC and ML, were also really well done. The world feels properly alive which is something I really appreciated.

In the end, I's say its a quality read. Not exactly one you just pick up on a whim, you do need to have a certain stomach for misery, but the author did an amazing job and the translator did well for such a daunting story.

Thank you to the author and translator for your hard work!! <<less
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Kakipii13
Kakipii13
Oct 08, 2024
Status: c54
In a Guidverse world, conflicts arise because of both monsters coming out of Gates and because of shady organizations doing ethically questionable things (an understatement). "Runaway Espers" are espers who lost control of their powers, bringing destruction and death all around them and either dying themselves or becoming a prisoner/forced su*cide Squad member to the shady Association.

Our runaway Esper MC's position is "prisoner since he was a child, treated like he's less than human, forced into dangerous missions and assassination jobs, and being ab*sed by basically everyone without them facing... more>> any consequences". He's well aware of his position as a dog for a vaguely evil organization but is resigned to his fate, and his guilt leads him to even believe that his terrible situation is a punishment he deserves. Interestingly, unlike a lot of other dystopia-set Guidverse stories, the Espers are the ones at the mercy of the Guides, and boy does that play a tragic part in the story. The real treatment of runaway espers by the Association is strictly hidden from the outside world, but the MC's match with the celebrity Guide ML, although under questionable circumstances, leads to events that are slowly starting to bring this mistreatment and shady actions of the Association into light.

The description I gave sounds kinda grimdark, but I assure you it isn't that bad - the MC and his fellow runaway espers are all not in great places mentally (another understatement), but they haven't lost their humanity. They feel guilty and responsible for any destruction or death they've caused, and the MC in particular goes out of his way to save people if he can. There's hope, not only because of the "revealing the secret organization" plot going on in the background, but because of the MC's character growth and changing mindset over time. And while the MC is either oblivious or choosing to ignore it because he's resigned to his lot in life, it's clear that outside forces are trying to help him.

The first arc of the story focuses on establishing the setting and characters, with scenes focusing mostly on the interactions between MC and ML, and their complex relationship as Esper and Guide. The next arcs not only elaborate on the MC's character but also begin to slowly ramp up the plot, bringing action and fights with the MC's missions and slowly revealing more of the "probably evil conspiracy that's definitely going to spark societal discord" plot.

The MC's changing emotions about the ML play an important part of his character growth, but it's only part of it. The story is more than a romance, and the relationships between the MC and other characters matter. The story shares a similar settings to other guideverse stories, but the point of view of the MC as he's inadvertently tossed into the center of a greater conflict is the focus around which the story revolves.

I'm a sucker for "su*cide Squad" - like settings with sympathetic MCs, and I like this MC in particular. The MC is a realistic depiction of someone with trauma and depression, and his mental health affects his actions and relationships with others in realistic ways. At the same time, despite being OP the abilities the MC can use are limited because of the danger of "running away" again, restricting his actions and making fights actually have tension. It makes me emotional from the human drama but also excited to see how the plot develops. It gets a 5/5 from me. <<less
20 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
yukirye
yukirye
Oct 12, 2024
Status: c58
I found myself hooked to this book and felt so bad for the MC on the things he's being subjected to.

Unlike the usual Guide x Esper story where Esper is the one being lauded as the savior, we are treated to completely different twist where the Esper is treated like a criminal with no rights at all.

The story is well written, exploring the effects of guilt and trauma on the MC that was shaped by his environment.

I hope the TL for this will be completed. &Gt;.<
8 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
fimbeeso
fimbeeso
Jun 05, 2025
Status: c304
This story dives deep into the harsh life and suffering of runaway espers, making it impossible not to feel frustrated and hurt alongside the MC. His pain is raw and intense that I feel like I'm breaking with him in every chapter. Even the title speaks for itself and constantly reminds you of what he is.

Runaway espers are treated worse than animals. Ordinary people ab*se and control these powerful beings, and the facility they're kept in (Building C) is basically a nightmare. The Association strips them of their rights and... more>> humanity, using them like hunting dogs to make society see them as monsters. And the rebels..? I fcking hate both sides!!

Guides hold all the power. Though they look ordinary, their unique ability to heal Espers gives them complete control. Without a Guide, an Esper is basically doomed. The story explores how this power imbalance traps runaway espers at everyone's mercy.

(The real enemy here isn't the monsters beyond the gates, it's the humans.)

The MC (Shin Joo-Hyun) is one of the most tragic characters I've read in a long time. He's endured physical and mental ab*se, humiliation and is still suffering. Completely broken, suicidal, barely hanging on but somehow still fighting. Even with everything stacked against him, he still comes across as strong and likeable.

I can't help but to imagine the potential he'd have if he wasn't a runaway esper. He'd probably have a much happier life in another guideverse story.

The ML (Ch In-Ho) is a complicated figure. At first, he seems kind, but there's something suspicious about him, you won't really understand his hidden intentions. He disappears and reappears, which gets frustrating, and you might even start to resent him. But once you see things from his perspective, everything starts to make sense, and you begin to understand him more deeply.

Their relationship starts off messy, full of pain and misunderstandings. Even though they find comfort in each other, you can't help but feel sympathy for both. They're scarred, but they help each other heal.

The romance isn't the main focus, but it's there and definitely worth it.

I'm not usually into ab*se-heavy stories since they're tough on my mental health, but I never thought I'd read one past 100+ chapters and actually like it. The writing feels so real and raw, it pulls you right into the characters suffering. It's not about flashy fights (though there are fight scenes) but it's more about the harsh reality runaway espers face. And when the things you've been hoping for actually happen, the payoff hits hard. It's a realistic rollercoaster of emotions.

Appreciate the author and translator so much for this! <<less
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Essence45
Essence45
Jun 08, 2025
Status: Completed
I'll give it 5 stars for world-building, character development, angst and relationship development. Joo-hyun especially is well-fleshed out and my heart bleeds for everything he goes through. Unlike many web novels, there are also many well-developed side characters too, which also really adds to the story. The plot has a ton of tension, and I love the moral ambiguity - the world is dark and gritty, and the good and bad guys aren't always clear. My one criticism is the final battle fight scenes. Some authors are able to write... more>> fight scenes with remarkable vividness and tension, where you sit on the edge of your seat completely enraptured... This unfortunately was not like that. The final battle wasn't terrible, but I feel like it had so much more potential. It was described in enough detail that I feel like it should've been heart-poundingly exciting, but instead it just fell kind of flat.
Spoiler

At the end, even Inho says, "that felt anti-climatic" and I could not agree more.

[collapse]

Still definitely worth reading and a very enjoyable novel overall though. <<less
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b0nk
b0nk
May 27, 2025
Status: c244
Very good, but it's a tough read. MC might be the most pitiful character I've ever read about. They are constantly putting him through the wringer. Every time you read a section and think "wow it has to get better after this" it only gets worse. And every time you think that it can't possibly get worse it gets worser.

The romance is good, but the story is definitely more action driven, so if you're looking for pure romance this is not for you. Also, there is constantly angst and problems... more>> between the MC and ML. It gets a bit frustrating constantly reading about how the MC is suffering. Very few good things ever happen to him. It gets to a point where you start to think that the author genuinely dislikes the MC and makes him suffer for fun. Anyways, this story is NOT lighthearted at all and is basically a torture diary of the MC. It's still good though. You just might have to take some breaks for your emotional well being. I'm just hoping things get better for him. <<less
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
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