20 – TDG 20

The ​contents ​of ​the ​bag were a ​luxurious ​red ​velvet ​case ​embossed with the logo ​of ​the Republic of ​Korea government and ​the ​seal ​of ​the ​Esper ​Department. Inside the ​case, ​which ​was slightly smaller ​than my hand, was ​a matte ​all-black identification ​card. The ​S-Rank mark, ​stamped ​in ​a blue hologram ​on the ​bottom left, was the ​first thing that caught ​my eye.

“Wow.”

I let out ​a short ​exclamation ​as I picked up the card. ​So this is the ​S-rank ​exclusive ​card ​issued ​by the state. ​I had ​only ​heard of its ​reputation; ​this was the first time ​I’d seen ​one ​in person. For ​a ​mere ​card, ​its ​all-black look ​had ​an incredible ​aura. They say there’s nothing you can’t ​do with this—is ​that true?

Park Sangjun ​told me to check ​my watch ​as well, since ​a ​mobile certificate had ​been sent there.

The ​benefits an ​S-rank ​Esper receives ​from ​the state ​are ​extravagant.

Basically, housing ​and ​vehicles ​are provided, and ​various ​welfare benefits—such ​as ​security ​personnel ​and free services at high-end medical facilities—are included, not to mention a generous salary, bonuses, and all sorts of special performance incentives.

Since every single one of them is a national-level strategic resource, the government created these policies to prevent talent from leaking overseas as much as possible.

Though, there are still people who defect, claiming it’s a pittance compared to foreign countries.

“Holy… 80% cashback on gas regardless of the affiliate? That’s insane!”

My eyes nearly popped out of my head while checking the benefits available to the cardholder. In an era of high oil prices, they’re giving back 80% of the gas money I spend? How could I not lose my mind? That was far more shocking than discounts at department stores or golf courses, places I’d never even visit.

Ji-hyuk stared at me as I jumped around in excitement and then blurted out,

“Hyung, you take it.”

The goofy smile that had been spread across my face quickly vanished. Park Sangjun, who had been mechanically reading through the Esper privilege clauses opposite us, also stopped talking as if he had suddenly choked.

“W-what are you talking about! If you give this to me, what about you?”

“I have the mobile one.”

Park Sangjun’s expression shifted subtly. He had already witnessed some unusual scenes since their first meeting, and no matter how I looked at it, he seemed firmly convinced that we were dating.

I know there are plenty of Espers and Guides who lock eyes during guiding, get physically intimate, and end up dating in a blur, but while delusions are free, giving away the card makes it an undeniable fact. Regardless of time or place, the only person a male lead gives his black card to is the female lead! It’s an eternal cliché!

It would be troublesome if rumors spread that there was something more than work between Han Ji-hyuk and Seo Joo-won. Our Ji-hyuk is already a sold-out man!

To correct Park Sangjun’s misunderstanding, I intentionally waved my hands emphatically and shouted,

“What are you talking about, kid! You can’t just say things like that! What if your ID gets stolen!”

Then, I gave Park Sangjun a relaxed smile. ‘Hahaha, my boy is still young and doesn’t know how the world works. He’s just too naive, that’s the problem.’ Park Sangjun nodded meaningfully as if he understood, then continued speaking fluently.

“A special IP chip is embedded in the card key, so theft is impossible. Furthermore, the higher-ups do not interfere at all regarding where the card is used, so it is entirely up to Esper Han Ji-hyuk how he uses it. It is perfectly fine to give it to someone precious to him.”

I almost spat out the coffee I was drinking.

He didn’t get it at all!

And what’s with this ‘someone precious’? Don’t give me that greasy smile as if you know everything. I’m telling you it’s not like that, it’s a misunderstanding!

This is a disaster. It backfired. The misunderstanding is already engraved in his skull like oracle bone script. At this rate, anything I say will just sound like a pathetic excuse. What should I do? If Park Sangjun goes back and blabs to Kim Yoo-hwan, the misunderstanding will snowball. Just thinking about it gave me a headache.

The people at the Center were no different when it came to being nosy and talkative about others’ love lives. No, they were actually worse. Since the work in this field focuses heavily on physical contact, the romantic dramas are intense. There’s a funny yet sad tip circulating that you have to be well-versed in rumors to maintain smooth romantic… no, professional relationships.

Moreover, what if it’s the love life of an S-rank Esper, who is always the subject of special interest and scrutiny by all Center members? It wouldn’t take a single day for this spicy rumor to spread throughout the entire Center. Without a doubt, it would start with an anonymous post on the company bulletin board. I can already see what would be written there.

‘Should I just blow up the network?’

I grit my teeth, suppressing the sudden surge of crazy impulse.

Then, a thought flashed through my mind. Maybe this isn’t entirely a bad thing… If I shift my perspective slightly, could this unexpectedly be a blessing in disguise?

It’s not like we’re actually dating anyway.

It won’t interfere with the original love line, and I can safely maintain a monopoly over Han Ji-hyuk until Ah-yoon arrives. What better excuse for us to stay together even after the dedicated assignment ends than the rumor that we’re dating? They say every cloud has a silver lining. I’ll just be generous and accept this minor variation for the sake of my grand future goals.

“…….”

I carefully took the black card back into my hand and pressed it to my visit our sitechest. Seeing this, Park Sangjun’s eyes flickered mischievously. Fine. Misunderstand all you want. Go ahead. Since you’re already Read on Read BL Novelsstarting the engine, go ahead and talk until your mouth is dry.

Of course, I only intended to hold the card; I had no intention of using it. All of Han Ji-hyuk’s money belongs to Jung Ah-yoon. How could I dare touch a single penny of it?

“This is the last of the privilege clauses. From now on, you may call and keep any Guide you desire by your side at any time.”

What appeared on the tablet was the full roster of Guides belonging to the Center.

As Park Sangjun flipped the page, a face that was unpleasantly familiar appeared first. Mr. Kwon Min-wook, the man with a free pass to corporate interviews. I knew it. This bastard must have played his cards with the manager to put himself first on the list.

After seeing such cunning trickery that didn’t miss even the smallest gap, I concluded that my decision not to struggle to correct Park Sangjun’s misunderstanding was the right one.

“The file will be sent to Esper Han Ji-hyuk’s watch. You can view it comfortably at any time and simply press the call button.”

This is one of the privileges only S-ranks enjoy.

The ability to call any Guide belonging to the Center as they please, except for their dedicated one.

As you can tell from the words, for S-ranks, a shortage of Guides is something that simply doesn’t happen.

While multi-guiding is common up to A-rank, who would have the guts to tell an S-rank to share a Guide? Furthermore, there is practically no Guide who would refuse an S-rank’s call.

In the States on the other side of the continent, a single S-rank usually keeps at least five or six Guides around them like keychains, citing things like ‘spares’ or ‘standbys.’ Moreover, they compose these groups of various beauties tailored to their own aesthetic tastes or sexual preferences, enjoying the pleasure of selection.

Called the New Emperors of the 21st century, [visit our site]they often flaunted their wealth Read on Read BL Novelsand power [unauthorized copy]by the number of Guides they possessed.

Some strongly criticize this as a display of vulgarity, but the power of capitalism is not so weak as to flinch at such things. They even go as far as hosting Guide beauty pageants. Have you heard of a Guide beauty pageant? It’s not a tabloid story; it’s a real competition. My feelings when I realized a setting that passed as a joke among characters in a novel actually existed in reality were…

Anyway, Ji-hyuk showed no particular interest even after hearing that he could enjoy similar luxuries.

If it were someone like Im Seong-joon, he would have been drooling while picking out the prettiest ones first, but Ji-hyuk didn’t even attempt to look at the roster.

Of course. My favorite male lead should be like this. He’s single-mindedly devoted only to the female lead.

“Hyung is enough for me.”

“Ah, yes. You mean Guide Seo Joo-won? Understood. Then for the time being… I will relay that you’ll be with Guide Seo Joo-won.”

As if he had already expected it, Park Sangjun calmly wrote something on the tablet.

In other words, I am the first person to be contacted if anything happens to Han Ji-hyuk.

Good, good. A perfectly flawless conclusion. My lips curled up in a satisfied smile.

Just then, as if something was bothering him, Han Ji-hyuk leaned forward.

“No. I’m not talking about ‘for the time being,’ I’m talking about a re-assignment of the dedicated Guide.”

“…What? Re… dedicated assignment?”

I was more surprised than Park Sangjun at those words. My body reacted before my brain.

“Wait a moment, General Manager! I’ll think about that some more!”

“Hyung…?”

I raised my hand to block Ji-hyuk’s words and spoke to Park Sangjun.

“That part… I’ll relay it again. For now, please proceed as is. I beg of you.”

Park Sangjun looked back and forth between our reactions as if he didn’t understand what was happening, then, realizing it wasn’t his place to interfere, packed his things and stood up.

“Understood. I will process it as such and take my leave. Please contact me if there are any changes.”

After Park Sangjun left, only Ji-hyuk and I remained in the hospital room. When I turned around after closing the door, the look in Ji-hyuk’s eyes was indescribable. It was the expression of someone betrayed by a person they trusted.

“Ji-hyuk. Hyung… Hyung will explain. Come sit here.”

Even when I sat on the sofa and gestured for him to come, he just glared at me and didn’t budge. Left with no choice, I dragged the IV pole and approached him.

“Ji-hyuk. Our case was an exception, but a real dedicated assignment isn’t as easy as it sounds. Right now, you feel a lot of attachment to me as your first Guide and feel like you want to be together forever, but that feeling will gradually fade before long. I’m telling you this based on data proven in many cases.”

He jerked away from my hand, [unauthorized copy]seemingly very upset. However, I didn’t [Read on Read BL Novels]Read on Read BL Novelsgive up and kept approaching.

“…Please listen. Once you become dedicated, the Esper and Guide become completely dependent on each other, not just in public duties but even in their private lives. You’re treated as if you’re a married couple. It might be great in the beginning. But every relationship inevitably comes to an end someday. Some end well, but the collapse of a relationship is unavoidable. You’ll never be able to look at each other the same way again.”

“Then we just don’t end it.”

A husky voice flowed from Ji-hyuk’s throat.

“That’s why I’m saying it doesn’t work that simply…”

Couples who maintain a long-term one-on-one relationship with their first Guide are a tiny minority, even abroad.

This is because the fading of obsession and dependency is a natural phenomenon that occurs in an Esper’s brain as they begin to exert independent influence. From that point on, the Guide they feel attraction toward is based on their own true will.

“No. I will never end it. You’re the one being weird, Hyung. Why are you talking as if it’s guaranteed to end?”

Ji-hyuk’s rebuttal hit the mark cleverly. Since it was true that I had brought this up with that specific intention, my heart stung, and I found myself at a loss for words.

The headache-inducing part is that Espers at this stage firmly believe their first Guide is everything. That’s usually the case, but in Ji-hyuk’s case, because his ego is unstable and his dependency is high, he’ll be even more stubborn. However, after just a little while, a moment will come when he cannot understand his past self. Knowing that made my chest feel tight.

You will come to love Jung Ah-yoon, your destined partner. You will soon realize that even pouring all your love into her wouldn’t be enough. I’ve worked hard until now just to see you become happy. So Ji-hyuk, let’s not do something we’ll regret.

“…Then can’t you consider me and think it over carefully? I think you might also need some time to organize your feelings.”

There were plenty of ways to stall for time.