Guide Me If You Dare-Chapter 147: NOH YIHUN (3)

"I UNDERSTAND your concern, Yihun-ssi— but please listen to my explanation first."

"Okay," Yihun said calmly. "I’m listening, sir."

Yosef Lee looked shocked by his response, and then he chuckled. "Alright. I’ll start explaining now."

Yihun just nodded politely, and then he listened intently to the lecture.

"It was three years ago when Esper Ki Gayoon-ssi, the strongest Esper in the country, had started showing symptoms of losing his mind," Yosef Lee started his lecture with the mention of South Korea’s strongest Esper. "It was also when we discovered the existence of Guides— aka the Awakened People capable of stopping an Esper’s Rampage."

Oh.

So, the government has kept the Guides’ existence a secret from the public?

"At that time, we didn’t know how valuable the Guides were, so the government didn’t use our resources to find more of them. Espers are deemed to be more valuable since they are the ones who fight monsters and raid dungeons, so we use our resources to nurture them," Yosef Lee continued with his explanation. "However, that changed after Esper Ki Gayoon-ssi’s Rampage a few months ago."

Right.

Espers are valuable when they protect people, but what happens when they lose their mind?

Simple.

Rampaging Espers become more dangerous than dungeon monsters.

"Fortunately, a Guide who has been by Esper Ki Gayoon-ssi’s side managed to calm him down before he could do more damage," Yosef Lee said. "The government has learned from that incident. And that’s why we’ve established the Lab. Well, to be precise, this Lab was built two years ago. But this is the first time we’ve opened our doors to these many Guides."

Yihun had to admit that Yosef Lee’s team did a good job.

93 Guides don’t sound a lot, but it’s not like Civilians awaken every day. It’s already a miracle that they found those many Guides.

"And, now, the Lab is going to teach you what it means to be a Guide," Yosef Lee said, smiling. "Espers lose their minds when they reach past their limits. According to our studies, when Espers use too much of their Mana, their Mana starts to turn ’corrupted.’ We don’t know what causes that phenomenon to happen, only that it drives Espers insane. That’s where the Guides enter the picture."

Finally.

"Guides have the ability to purify the corrupted Mana of Rampaging Espers," Yosef Lee continued with his explanation. "Guides, just like Espers, have Cores in their hearts that serve as their Mana storage. While you’re here, we will teach you how to control the flow of your Mana. You can’t use it to fight like how Espers use their power. However, your role as Guides is just as important in keeping the country safe." The old man paused, and then he shook his head. "No, I’m sure the entire world has already realized the importance of Guides in this day and age. Just like South Korea, other countries have started to take care of your class. It’s only a matter of time before the entire world becomes aware of your existence."

So, in short, Yihun and the others weren’t the first batch to awaken as Guides.

But we’re the first batch to receive this much attention from the government.

"So, President Moon Nam-il ordered the Lab to nurture Guides from now on," Yosef Lee said. "And that’s why you’re all gathered here. As I said earlier, we’re here to teach you how to perform your duties as Guides."

Yihun waited.

He wasn’t amused, and he doubted he would.

This entire thing feels icky.

"As I mentioned earlier, skinship is the key," Yosef Lee said, and then the old man deliberately turned to Yihun. "But, first of all, I need to explain that the level of skinship between an Esper and a Guide depends on the pair’s compatibility rate."

Oh.

So, we need to be compatible with an Esper first.

"It’s not necessarily the rule, but most high-class Guides have a good compatibility rate with high-ranking Espers," Yosef Lee said, and then he paused for a moment. "Have you seen the result of the exam you took before entering the Lab?"

Majority of the "students" let out a groan of disappointment.

Yihun understood that reaction.

Right— we’re at the bottom.

"Unfortunately, all of you here got a very low compatibility rate with the A-Class to C-Class Espers who are active at the moment. Most of you have a 15% compatibility rate with D-Class and F-Class Espers, though," Yosef Lee said as if consoling the "class." "So, you can still fulfill your duties as Guides. The Lab will nurture you until you reach your maximum potential."

Riiight.

Maybe it was just Yihun and his pessimistic mindset, but he felt like something was amiss.

"Now let’s talk about how Guides are supposed to use their abilities on Espers," Yosef Lee said, side-eyeing Yihun. "Since you have low compatibility rate with most Espers, light physical contact would suffice. I’m talking about holding hands, hugging, and kissing if necessary. You don’t have to do anything else beyond that."

Argh.

I can’t believe this old man is talking about that stuff casually as if half of the people in this class aren’t minors.

"Only Espers and Guides that exceeds the 75% compatibility rate are required to do beyond basic skinship," Yosef Lee said, and then he turned to Yihun with a smile on his face. "Are you satisfied now, Yihun-ssi?"

"No," Yihun said bluntly. "I’d like it if the government would make a contract that says minors wouldn’t participate in whatever "beyond light skinship" entails."

This time, his peers looked at him as if they couldn’t believe him.

Yosef Lee, on the other hand, let out a frustrated sigh. "Yihun-ssi, the world has just experience the apocalypse a few years ago. Don’t you feel the urge to protect our country? You should use the ability you received for the greater good."

"We’re just kids, sir," Yihun said bluntly. "Why is an adult like you making kids carry the burden of saving the world on our tiny shoulders? By using our body, no less. I understand that we’ve just experienced apocalypse. But don’t lose your humanity, sir. You’re an adult, so please act like it."

"Yihun-ssi—"

"But I understand the part where you said we should use our ability for the greater good," Yihun said, accidentally cutting off the old man. "I’m not saying I won’t cooperate— I’m just saying that between saving the country and protecting the children of the world, I’d choose the latter. No child should carry the burden of saving the world even in the face of an apocalypse."

At this point, Yosef Lee looked too stunned to speak.

But, this time, some of the "students" who were quiet finally spoke up.

The first one to do so was Jacob— the older boy sitting next to Yihun.

"I agree with my dongsaeng," Jacob said, already claiming Yihun as his younger brother. "We want to learn how to use our ability to save the world, but not without at the expense of our human rights."

"We’re aware that we don’t have the luxury to be picky with our job since our world has turned out like this— but if you won’t protect the children of this country, then who would?"

"Asking for our protection is the bare minimum, so I hope you don’t see us like we’re bad kids, sir."

Right?

Yihun was glad that some agreed with him.

But, of course, there were some who obviously thought he was being too dramatic.

"I guess this is what makes your class special, Yihun-ssi," Yosef Lee, who seemed to have recovered from his shock, said while laughing. "Everyone, allow me to reveal your class."

Oh, right.

Yihun was relieved that the old man remembered.

I thought he had already forgotten about that part.

"All of you here belong to a new class that we’ve just recently discovered," Yosef Lee said, his voice suddenly cheerful. "We officially welcome you to the Lab, our precious E-Class Guides."

Yihun raised an eyebrow.

There are no E-Class Espers, but we have E-Class Guides? freёnovelkiss.com

***

"YIHUN-AH, your hand!"

That was a rude command.

Hence, Yihun purposely ignored Esper Lee Taesan— the D-Class trainee Esper assigned to him.

The Lab doesn’t only have Guides— we also have rookie Espers here.

After all, the Facility that was supposed to nurture young and newly awakened Espers was destroyed by Ki Gayoon.

"Noh Yihun!"

Tsk.

Yihun was busy drawing human anatomy on his sketchbook when Lee Taesan suddenly grabbed his headphones.

It was self-study time, hence the auditorium hall was half-empty.

There were a few pairs of Espers and Guides in the middle of light Guiding (just holding hands).

Anyway, Yihun was just minding his business when Lee Taesan bugged him.

Just when I thought I could finish studying how to draw human anatomy...

Haaah.

Yihun raised his head and give the trainee Esper a sharp look. "If you need Guiding, then ask politely, Hyung-nim."

Lee Taesan was older than him by three years.

And yet he acts worse than a middle-schooler on their emo phase.

"This is why the older trainee Espers hate you, Yihun-ah," Lee Taesan complained, and then he sat next to him. "The hyungs and noonas say you act like you’re above Espers when you’re just a mere low-ranking Guide. In fact, the hyungs and noonas think your entire class is arrogant. After all, you’ve become the face of the E-Class Guides."

"Well, tell them that I don’t think I’m above them," Yihun said bluntly while closing his sketchbook. "But Guides are definitely not below Espers."

"If you tell them to treat Guides as their equals, they’ll kill you."

"Where is their arrogance coming from, Hyung-nim? All Espers in the Lab are trainees who haven’t raided dungeons yet. As far as I know, the Lab trains you by making you fight tamed dungeon monsters. To be precise, half-dead dungeon monsters to ensure your safety."

"That’s right. What about it?"

"You only fight half-dead dungeon monsters, and yet you already come running to us for some Guiding after your training?" Yihun asked bluntly. "And yet you have the nerve to think you’re above us—"

"I get it, so shut up!" Lee Taesan said in a panic, covering Yihun’s mouth with his hand. And then the trainee Esper whispered. "Yihun-ah, the hyungs and the noonas will really kill you if you don’t watch your mouth."

Whatever.

But Yihun would later realize that he should really know when to shut up.

***

IT HAPPENED the night the instructors had to leave the Lab.

Yihun woke up when he cried loud cries from outside his room.

He ranked first during their first evaluation, so he got the privilege of having a solo room.

The standard room was occupied by two E-Class Espers, and they were separated by their gender. Boys on the fourth floor, girls on the fifth floor.

And the cries are coming from the girls’ floor, huh?

Guides were Awakened People, too.

Hence, the sharp hearing.

"What’s happening?"

The question came from Erwan— one of the Top 12 like Yihun.

He’s my neighbor.

"I’m not sure, Hyung-nim," Yihun said, walking towards the elevator with urgency. "But I intend to find out."

"I’ll go with you."

It wasn’t just Erwan.

The others who also came out to check what was happening went with Yihun.

And when they arrived on the fifth floor, they were shocked by what greeted them.

The older trainee Espers (all grown up men and women) were dragging the girls outside— and were in the middle of sexually harassing them.

"What the fuck do you think you’re doing?!"

"Ah, you’re finally here, Noh Yihun."

The Esper instructor that Yihun couldn’t remember the name of suddenly appeared in front of him, smirking.

This is the one who keeps picking on Guides.

If Yihun remembered correctly, this man was in his early twenties.

And grown-up who didn’t grow up well.

"The higher-ups think your class is too uncontrollable, so they gave me the right to teach you a lesson," the Esper instructor said arrogantly. "Noh Yihun— watch carefully. Guides belong to Espers, so know your place."

Haaah.

Fucking hell.

For the first time in Yihun’s life, he felt livid.

SNAP.

That was the sound of his sanity snapping.

Before Yihun knew it, he was already clutching the Esper instructor’s chest— the bastard’s heart beating loud and fast under his palm.

To be honest, he didn’t know what exactly he was doing.

He was simply following his instincts.

No— it’s more like I’m following what my Core is telling me to do in order to protect myself from this threat known as an Esper.

Yihun calmed down, thanks to that thought.

My Core is guiding me, so I just need to listen to it carefully.

"What are you trying to do, Noh Yihun?" the Esper instructor asked mockingly. "Fight me by Guiding me?"

"Yes, you bastard," Yihun said coldly. "This is called Reverse Guiding."

***

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

KI GAYOON raised an eyebrow when he got a call from an unexpected person.

He was curious, so he picked up the call.

"What do you want, you prince bastard?"

<"Congratulations on dating your first love, Gayoon-san.">

"Did you just call to tease me?"

<"I’m not teasing you. I just called to let you know that from now on, I’m going to treat you as my son-in-law. I’ll welcome you to Japan with open arms if South Korea betrays you.">

"Why am I your son-in-law?"

<"Noa-san treats Yuno-kun as his son, and I want to be Yuno-kun’s stepfather.">

"As if I’d play along—"

<"I’ll send you the list of Yuno-kun’s favorite snacks, and the list of toys that he’s trying to collect.">

"I understand, Haru Hyung," Gayoon said obediently. "From now on, I’ll root for you to get Noa Hyung."

<"Thank you, my son-in-law.">

***

Please ADD <GUIDE ME IF YOU DARE> to your LIBRARY to be notified when an update is posted. Thank you! :>