Guide Me If You Dare-Chapter 181: DAMAGE CONTROL

<"BOSS OPPA, with all due respect, I freaking hate you.">

"Like I care," Ki Gayoon responded bluntly to Yi Minju. "Just help the PR Team take down all the harmful comments and bullshit articles directed at me."

Yi Minju, aside from being the head of the Intelligence Unit, was also in charge of helping the PR Team clear his reputation. After all, Yi Minju was a master hacker. She could track down all the trolls spreading hate towards Gayoon and his company.

To be honest, he had stopped caring about maintaining his image a long time ago.

However, this time, they had to earn the general public’s love and respect.

Bambi and Ryu Sungbin have the general public’s trust. Even if we reveal the fact that the two have been controlling the top Espers all this time using the Guides, most people won’t believe us. Especially when we don’t have solid evidence against them yet.

In short, Gayoon’s PR Team better do a good job in painting him out to be a saint or something.

<"Should we reveal it, Boss Oppa?">

"Reveal what?"

<"That you own the mysterious foundation called ’Normalcy.’ It’s known for building public schools, orphanages, and small hospitals in poor neighborhoods for free. All the establishments that you built under ’Normalcy’ have proven to be sturdy against Dungeon Breaks. Of course, they thought the buildings survived only because of luck. People don’t know that Beom-Seok Constructions was the one behind them.">

"Do we have to reveal that?"

<"Boss Oppa, you picked a fight with the most beloved Esper in the country on national TV. You have as many fans as Esper Ryu Sungbin-ssi, but the general public loves him more. Most people still see you as a menace, you know?">

Ahem.

<"While we’re at it, we should also reveal that you’re the real founder of New Blood Institute. If it wasn’t for that foundation, this country wouldn’t have discovered talented Espers from the slums. And if you didn’t support those poor kids, they wouldn’t have awakened their potential to be the country’s new generation of heroes.">

Everything that Yu Minju said was true.

Gayoon established the New Blood Institute with the intention of supporting children from the slums who were orphaned by Dungeon Breaks. What made his institution different from normal orphanages was he gave the children the option to train.

In a normal world, teaching young kids to fight would be considered unethical.

But not in an apocalyptic world.

Having said that, Gayoon made sure that the kids weren’t forced to train. And if the children chose to train, the conditions wouldn’t be harsh and difficult for them.

They started training kids like how professional coaches would train young athletes.

A few years after its establishment, the New Blood Institute started producing high-ranking Espers— gaining the respect, admiration, and gratitude of the entire country.

And, yes, Gayoon was the founder of that great institution.

Not even Ryu Sungbin knew that he owned New Blood Institute.

He placed a puppet chairman to hide his identity as the real founder.

<"Boss Oppa, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say you’re the ’Daddy Long Legs’ of those slum kids turned high-ranking Espers.">

"You’re being cringe, Yu Minju."

<"If we want to steal the general public’s love and respect from Guide Bambi-ssi and Esper Ryu Sungbin-ssi, we have to tug at their heartstrings. That’s why we have to reveal that you own both the Normalcy Foundation and the New Blood Institute, Boss Oppa. If we do, then we’ll also gain the support of the children who became Espers, thanks to you— their real benefactor.">

"That’s true, but that also sounds bothersome."

<"Whatever, Boss Oppa. I’m in charge here, so I don’t have to listen to your opinion.">

This brat...

<"Are you still with Guide Moon Noa-nim? Can I talk to him for a moment?">

Haaah.

"Wait a moment."

Gayoon then turned to Moon Noa who was quietly sipping his coffee.

After the commotion that they caused at the Bureau, the two of them just left and headed towards Moon Noa’s office since it was closer than Lee Woonhak’s clinic.

I sent Lee Sarang back to the clinic first to check on Noh Yuno and the Guide kid.

"Yu Minju wants to talk to you, Hyung."

Moon Noa smiled before accepting Gayoon’s phone. "This is Moon Noa speaking. Hello, Minmin."

Gayoon sipped his decaf coffee while Moon Noa was talking to Yu Minju.

He wanted to go home already, but he had to work harder for now because he had to make this country safe for Noh Yuno to live in.

I wonder what that punk is up to while his husband is busy working for his future.

***

YUNO almost died again.

Fortunately, Yang Youngjae caught him mid-air before his poor body hit the wall.

Then Kang Dabin created a huge scorpion made of sand while looking around as if he was looking for an unseen enemy.

On the other hand, Gu Inwoo created a small Stone Golem.

It was no use since the opponent was a ghost.

"Yuno-ssi, are you alright?" Yang Youngjae asked worriedly when they landed on the floor. "Are you hurt anywhere?"

"Nah, I’m fine. Thank you for saving me, Youngjae-ssi," Yuno said, and then he turned to Kang Dabin and Gu Inwoo. "Hyungs, it’s no use. You can’t fight a ghost."

Kang Dabin and Gu Inwoo asked at the same time: "What ghost?"

"It’s more like a piece of Esper Matthew’s soul."

Naturally, everyone looked surprised by what Yuno said.

In fact, they were looking at him as if he had just lost his mind.

I get it since what I said is hard to believe.

However, there was one person in the room who seemed to understand what Yuno was trying to say.

"Madam, I remember you saying that the Esper Core in your heart belongs to Esper Matthew," Lee Woonhak said, and it seemed like the healer’s brain was already putting two and two together. "When you said the "ghost" you’re seeing is a piece of Esper Matthew’s soul, do you mean that the Esper Core in your heart contains that piece? And it allows you to see his "ghost?""

"That’s right, Hyung," Yuno said while nodding. "The ghost told me I should stop you from sealing his Core again. Apparently, if you seal the Core, I won’t be able to see and hear him."

"Well, I don’t care about a ghost’s request even if the ghost in question is Esper Matthew-ssi."

"Huh?"

"Madam, we need to seal the Core, or else it will absorb your Mana again just like it did earlier," Lee Woonhak reminded him. "If you faint again, Gayoon will lose his shit."

"Or find a shaman to exorcise the ghost," Kang Dabin added. "Gayoonnie is a certified lunatic, but he becomes more unhinged when you’re involved, Madam."

Yuno wanted to complain, but what Lee Woonhak and Kang Dabin said sounded like what Ki Gayoon would actually say.

And if his boyfriend found out that he got into a dangerous situation again...

Shit.

Hyung may not allow me to leave the house for real.

"Inwoo Hyung, I saw your message to Gayoon Hyung before," Yuno said. He hated snitching, but he had to let Gu Inwoo know that Ki Gayoon let him read their group chat because he had to make an appeal. "You said you’d take my side if Gayoon Hyung and I fought, right?"

Gu Inwoo looked surprised at what he said, but he nodded. "Yes, I did say that to Boss before. But you’re not fighting right now, are you?"

"Not yet," Yuno said, clasping his hands together. "So, to prevent a fight between me and Gayoon Hyung, please don’t tell him that I was attacked by a ghost."

"You want me to lie to the Boss, Madam?"

"It’s not lying when you’re not going to say anything in the first place."

"Well, I can keep my mouth shut," Gu Inwoo said, and then he pointed at Kang Dabin and Lee Woonhak. "But those hyungs would be hard to bribe."

Yuno immediately turned to Kang Dabin and Lee Woonhak.

But before he could even act pitiful...

"As your Healer, I can’t lie about your current condition, Madam," Lee Woonhak said sternly. "I’ll still write in my report that the Esper Core is absorbing your Mana again. And if Gayoon asks to see your diagnosis, I have no reason to deny his request."

"What do you mean you have no reason to deny Gayoon Hyung’s request, sir?" Yuno asked, using polite language to gain sympathy. "Aren’t doctors not allowed to share their patient’s information with other people?"

"I’m a Healer and not a licensed doctor since I only use my Mana to treat people, so I didn’t make that kind of oath. And since this is my private clinic, I can do what I want. I won’t get in trouble since I’m one of the few precious Healers of this country."

"That’s called abuse of power, Hyung."

Lee Woonhak smiled as if he was proud. "I’ll do anything and everything for Gayoon even if it means breaking the law or losing my humanity."

Aigoo.

"Just come clean later, Madam," Kang Dabin said playfully while patting Yuno’s shoulder. "It’s better if Gayoonnie hears it straight from you than hearing it from us."

That made sense, but it was still annoying.

But, on the other hand, I’m glad that Hyung has loyal subordinates.

Haaah.

Then Yuno had no choice but to tell Ki Gayoon about what happened.

<"You’re talking about Ki Gayoon Hyung, right?">

Oh.

Yuno almost forgot that the "ghost" was still with him.

<"What are you to Gayoon Hyung?">

"I’m Gayoon Hyung’s Exclusive Guide," Yuno said, and then all the men in the room gave him an expectant look. "And lover. We’re in a serious relationship. So, once Hyung finds out that you hurt me, you’ll probably rest in peace forever."

***

"SO, WHY did you follow me?" Lee Sarang asked the person who literally blocked her way. She was driving Ki Gayoon’s car when this person just came out of nowhere. Hence, she was forced to come out of the car. "Are you here to fight?"

"I don’t fight battles I can’t win," Jin Sooin said, shrugging. "Is Kim Jaeha still alive?"

"What makes you think Kim Jaeha is with us?"

"Because I left him in a place where Noh Yuno would find him."

Lee Sarang sighed. "Unnie, who is the "Matthew" that we’ve been with us for the past few years?"

"So, you don’t remember?" Jin Sooin asked, smiling bitterly. "Sarang-ah, why don’t you use your new ability to find out?"

***

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