Guide Me If You Dare-Chapter 145: NOH YIHUN (1)

TO BE honest, Noh Yihun had always known that his parents were bad people.

His mother, Shin Jiyeon, was a former bully who physically abused her classmates during her high school years. She got away with all the crimes that she had committed because her family was rich.

His father, Noh Moosaeng, was the grandson of a corrupted politician.

Then those two horrible individuals became young horrible parents.

Shin Jiyeon’s family was rich but they didn’t have power. On the other hand, Noh Moosaeng’s family had power as politicians, but they didn’t have money— not as much as what the Shins had, at least.

Hence, Shin Jiyeon and Noh Moosaeng decided to get married for their families to grow richer and more powerful together.

And Yihun’s existence was what sealed the deal between the Shins and the Nohs.

Fortunately, Shin Jiyeon and Noh Moosaeng were too busy with their own lives that they didn’t bother raising their only son.

Hence, Yihun was raised by a kindhearted nanny. His nanny was married to the friendly and honest family driver who was in charge of him as his driver-slash-bodyguard. Hence, he was practically raised by a couple with morals.

Thank goodness.

Anyways, Yihun lived a peaceful life— all thanks to his absent parents.

But that changed when the apocalypse happened.

So, basically, their family went bankrupt— just as many other families did when Gates started releasing dungeon monsters.

He’d say they were still pretty lucky.

Since his father’s side of the family had connections to the people in power, they somehow got an apartment provided by the government after they lost their mansion.

Their lifestyle wasn’t as lavish as it used to be, though.

Yihun was fine with it, but not his parents.

I’m not proud of this, but my parents started a sketchy business where they sell "herbal tea" that, apparently, helps people awaken as an Esper. Even a minor like me can tell they’re scamming people, but many are desperate to awaken, so their "business" is thriving.

Hence, his parents had earned a lot of money from deceiving Civilians.

Unfortunately, Yihun was an accomplice.

The only reason his parents didn’t abandon him was because he was useful.

He was good at numbers, so he was forced to help his parents with their shady business.

Yes, they’re horrible enough to involve their son in their illegal activities.

So, Yihun wouldn’t be surprised if his own parents sold him as soon as they found out he awakened.

The government compensates the families of awakened Espers, after all.

"Congratulations for awakening as a Guide, Noh Yihun-ssi," Yosef Lee greeted him with a smile. "Welcome to the Lab Family—"

"Ahjussi, how much?" Yihun asked coldly. "How much did you pay my parents?"

His parents started to complain and call Yihun rude.

But Yosef Lee raised his hand, shutting up his parents instantly.

"Ten billion won in cash," Yosef Lee said, smiling. "The government saw something special in you, Yihun-ssi."

Due to the crazy inflation, ten billion won didn’t have the same value as it did before.

An average house in Seoul already costs 3 billion won and up.

Having said that, ten billion won was still a crazy amount of money.

"I’m not sure if I should be happy or disappointed that I cost ten billion won," Yihun said indifferently. "But I’ll work as much as I am worth."

***

AFTER Yihun was discharged from the hospital, Yosef Lee picked him up and brought him to a hotel.

It was just a standard hotel in a decent hotel— nothing fancy.

Even the name was normal. ƒгeewebnovёl.com

It’s just called ’Cozy Hotel.’

Anyways, there was a table for two next to the balcony.

Yihun sat on the chair across from Yosef Lee, the round table between had a spread of different pastries.

The old man had tea while he got a can of cider for Yihun.

But, of course, I’m not touching any food or drinks given by a stranger.

"We’re still a little busy because most of the personnel from the recently destroyed Facility are still in the middle of getting transferred to the Lab, so you’ll stay here in the meantime, Yihun-ssi," Yosef Lee explained. "But don’t worry. This hotel is affiliated with the Lab, so all the guests on this floor are your future colleagues."

"Are there newly awakened Espers here like me?"

Here’s the thing: I know that I didn’t awaken as an Esper.

But Yihun had to say it to check if he really heard the old man correctly back in the hospital.

"Yihun-ssi, you didn’t awaken as an Esper," Yosef Lee explained patiently. "I understand why you’re confused, though. After all, the class known as ’Guides’ hasn’t been probably introduced to the public yet."

"They haven’t been introduced to the public yet, but they existed at the same time as the Espers?"

"That’s right. The government is aware of their existence all this time."

"Then why haven’t you introduced the Guides to the public yet?"

"It’s a bit complicated, but you’ll learn all about it in the Lab soon," Yosef Lee said, obviously avoiding the topic. "But, don’t worry— the government is already planning to formally introduce the Guides to the public. I believe we’re the first country in the world to do so."

"That means South Korea is the first country to realize the importance of Guides."

"Yes, and it’s because South Korea is the first country to have Espers going on a Rampage."

"Ah. So Guides have the ability to somehow help those rampaging Espers or something?"

Yosef Lee looked genuinely surprised. "You’re quick on the uptake, kid."

"That was how I survived in our household."

Yihun would admit that he matured faster than his peers.

He was just nine years old when he figured out what kind of parents he had.

It started by listening to the gossip of their household staff members, and then he searched the internet for the scandals that his family was involved with.

He even found community forums that talked about his mother’s bullying scandal.

I think that was the moment I stopped yearning for my parents’ love and attention.

Fortunately, Yihun had a caring nanny and a protective driver-slash-bodyguard.

Speaking of my second parents...

"Does the Lab completely own my life now?" Yihun asked bluntly. "I can already imagine my parents blindly signing the contract after you told them you’d be paying ten billion won for me, sir."

Yosef Lee smiled and nodded. "Don’t worry, Yihun-ssi. The Lab will nurture you properly."

"I doubt it."

"Excuse me?"

"I don’t trust people from the government."

Yosef Lee chuckled. "It’s good to have that mindset, kid— don’t trust anyone in this world, not even your own parents."

"That’s a lesson I’ve already learned. Unfortunately, I’m just a minor, so I can’t do anything about my parents selling my human rights to the government," Yihun said, pausing for a moment. "But I’d like to negotiate."

"Negotiate?"

"Espers get paid for their work. Will I get paid, too?"

"Of course. But since you’re a minor—"

"Park Suro and Jung Ara," Yihun said, cutting off the old man. "Park Suro was my driver-slash-bodyguard while Jung Ara was my former nanny. When our family went bankrupt, we had to let them go. They actually didn’t want to leave me, but I didn’t want my parents to abuse their kindness. So, I told them to leave. Last time I heard, they got hired by a chaebol."

Yosef Lee smiled as if he already knew what Yihun wanted to say. "I understand. I’ll make it so Park Suro-ssi and Jung Ara-ssi will receive the money you send instead of your biological parents."

"You’re quick on the uptake, sir."

"I would have died during Esper Ki Gayoon-ssi’s Rampage if I was slow."

Right, I don’t care about that.

"Sir, I want to cut off my birth parents from my life," Yihun added indifferently. He wasn’t attached to his absent parents, so making that decision wasn’t difficult for him. "If you need my guardians since I’m a minor, then please contact Park Suro and Jung Ara."

"Then I’ll pull some strings to make them your official guardians."

"I’d like that. Thank you, sir."

"Anything else?"

"Sir, do you know what my birth parents do for a living?"

Yosef Lee chuckled while shaking his head. "Your parents aren’t the first people to sell "herbal tea" that "help" people awaken, and they wouldn’t be the last. Unfortunately, the government has other bigger things to worry about, so they chose to turn a blind eye."

"I awakened."

"Did you drink the herbal tea that they sell?"

"No, but knowing my parents, I wouldn’t be surprised if they already spread the news of my awakening to sell their herbal tea. Did you make them sign an NDA, sir?"

"Of course, I did. It’s just a normal NDA so they won’t die if they break the contract. But if your hunch is right, then..."

"Yes, please arrest them or whatever," Yihun said, clenching his hands tight. "I don’t want them to have new victims by using my name."

"Are you sure about that, kid?"

"Yes, sir."

Yosef Lee smiled, his eyes sparkling while looking at Yihun as if he had just found an unpolished gem. "Yihun-ssi, I have high expectations for you." Then he extended his hand to him. "Please make it to the top."

"I’m not the type to work hard—"

"The higher your rank is, the higher stipend you’d get."

"You should have started with that, sir," Yihun said, shaking Yosef Lee’s hand. "I’m not looking forward to working with a shady adult, but I’ll do my best to outsmart you."

Yosef Lee just laughed it off, but would later regret underestimating Yihun’s warning.

***

YIHUN’S first day at the Lab was...

Interesting, to say the least.

Last place.

<Noh Yihun, Rank # 93/93>

Yes.

Out of all the 93 new Guides, Yihun somehow placed last among his peers who took the "entrance exam."

What did the Lab ask them to do then?

Didn’t they just have to literally put their hand on a machine that looked like a scanner?

And he failed that simple test?

Aigoo.

Needless to say, Yihun was humbled.

Is my ability broken or something?

***

EXTRA STORY (in case you miss present Yuno and Ki Gayoon):

Yuno stared at the menu, couldn’t really choose between mango milkshake and strawberry matcha.

He was getting pressured since they were in the drive-thru.

And there was already a car behind them.

"Let’s just get them both."

That was what Ki Gayoon, his boyfriend, said.

And then he really got both for Yuno.

"Have a taste of both and choose what you like more," Ki Gayoon said casually while driving. "I’ll have what you don’t want to drink."

"Oh, that’s smart."

Yuno then took a sip of both the mango milkshake and strawberry matcha.

He then realized he liked tropical fruits better.

And I also realized that this is what boyfriends are for.

"I want the mango milkshake," Yuno said, placing the strawberry matcha in the cup holder. "Hyung can have the strawberry matcha."

"Alright," Ki Gayoon said, and then he grabbed Yuno’s thigh instead of the drink. "What else do you want to eat, Babe Princess?"

You.

***

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