Chapter 18

“Esper Yoo Tak.”

“Yes!”

“Are you struggling with anything at work?”

Without realizing it, Eu-jin asked out of habit, checking in on the younger Esper’s well-being. It wasn’t exactly appropriate for someone as new to guiding as him to say such things, and even as the words left his mouth, he regretted it. Fortunately, Yoo Tak didn’t seem to take it the wrong way. On the contrary, he looked delighted that Eu-jin cared enough to ask.

“Not at all! Everyone’s been really good to me. It’s been two years since I joined Delta Team, and I’m really satisfied.”

“Well, that’s good to hear.”

“I just wish you’d join our team, Guide-nim….”

For someone who seemed like a pushover, Yoo Tak was sharp enough to seize the moment and try recruiting Eu-jin.

“That’s something I’ll decide on my own, so don’t concern yourself with it.”

“But it’s just that constantly changing guides is so tough for us…. Every time we go into a rift, I feel so anxious. And watching Suh-o hyung and Saebyeok noona fight all the time is scary.”

“Well, you’ll just have to endure it until you find someone good.”

“Can’t you be that someone, Guide-nim?”

Yoo Tak’s voice dropped into a forlorn murmur, laced with the unique sense of helplessness that only the youngest in a group could muster. It tugged uncomfortably at Eu-jin’s sense of responsibility.

“I can’t help with that.”

He set the profile down on the desk and leaned back in his chair, tilting his head back as a headache started to creep in. His fingers raked through his bangs as he tried to push away Yoo Tak’s words, but the younger Esper’s nervous confession about fearing rifts kept gnawing at him.

“……”

Offering advice to such an inexperienced junior felt like exposing his own cards, so he hesitated. After biting his lip a few times, he finally spoke, as though surrendering.

“As a healer-type Esper, you need to stay in the rear no matter what happens. You’ve got a tendency to move forward on instinct.”

“Huh?”

“Leave the fighting to the combat-types and focus on keeping yourself safe. If the healer goes down, the entire team is as good as dead. Don’t forget that. You said you don’t have natural healing abilities, so make sure you always carry protective gear and high-grade elixirs.”

“Oh… I do bring the ones we get as supplies.”

“No, I’m not talking about the standard supplies. There are special ones made by the main office’s weapon development team. Ask Team Leader Ahn to get some for you.”

“Wait, there’s something like that? I’ve never heard of it.”

Yoo Tak blinked, his eyes wide. With his mouth slightly agape, he looked even more naive than usual, as though his confusion was painted across his entire face.

Watching him, Eu-jin sighed internally. Am I doing the right thing here? He had a feeling even Ahn Itaeh might not know about this. It felt like he was digging his own grave. Narrowing his eyes, Eu-jin added in a slightly threatening tone:

“This is classified, so don’t you dare tell anyone you heard it from me.”

“Oh, got it!”

“Promise me. If word gets out, you’re dead.”

“I promise! I really do!”

After extracting multiple confirmations, Eu-jin waved off Yoo Tak’s attempt to seal the promise with a pinky swear.

“Enough. Just go.”

“But I still have time left….”

“Leave. Now.”

Without hesitation, the rookie guide dismissed the second-year Esper with the same casual tone he’d used throughout the conversation. Yoo Tak, though slightly bewildered, couldn’t muster a protest and shuffled toward the door, disappointment plain on his face.

“See you next time, Guide-nim.”

“Out.”

The curt guide didn’t even bother looking back as the door clicked shut behind the dejected Esper.

* * *

“God, I’m exhausted.”

Baek Eu-jin rubbed his tired face, wondering how half a day in the guiding room could feel more grueling than rolling through a rift. He slumped on the sofa, waiting for his next appointment.

The scheduled time had already passed by five minutes. Sinking into the couch like a withering plant, Eu-jin glanced at the clock, secretly harboring a faint hope.

“Maybe they won’t come? It’d be nice if they just didn’t show up.”

Knock, knock.

But, of course, his wish was in vain. The sound of knuckles on the door made him groan internally.

Dragging his weary body up, he opened the door, only to find the same tall figure he’d seen yesterday.

Unlike last time, Kwon Suh-o wasn’t wearing a hat to conceal his face. It was as if he wanted the world to know he was here for a guiding session, his striking features boldly on display.

As expected, the murmuring of people in the hall reached Eu-jin’s ears. He instinctively turned his head.

Everyone—Espers and guides alike—was craning their necks, sneaking glances at room 1514. Whispers spread quickly, their hands covering their mouths as they gossiped. It didn’t take much imagination to guess what kind of rumors were forming.

“Are you planning to leave me standing here all day?”

“….”

“Let’s go inside. Time for my guiding.”

Kwon Suh-o’s soft, almost teasing voice dragged Eu-jin’s sharp gaze back to him.

Looking up, Eu-jin met Suh-o’s gaze. The man’s long, fox-like eyes were curved in a sly smile, as if they shared some kind of secret. It was an audacious act, making it seem like they were closer than they actually were.

Without a word, Eu-jin grabbed Suh-o by the wrist and yanked him inside. The tall man followed effortlessly, as though he’d expected this reaction.

“You’re really making a scene, huh?”

“Don’t be dramatic,” Suh-o replied, his tone infuriatingly casual.

Having been here before, Suh-o made himself comfortable. He settled into the sunlit single-seater sofa, crossing his long legs leisurely.

Dressed in a fitted black turtleneck that accentuated his toned physique, Suh-o looked every bit like a sleek predator—a panther draped in shadow. Even his sharp, cold demeanor hadn’t changed.

When his usual smile faded, the youthful impression disappeared, revealing the mature and commanding air he normally carried.

“If you have something to say, get it over with and leave,” Eu-jin said, his tone dripping with annoyance.

“Are you busy?”

“Yeah… planning to leave early today.”

Eu-jin replied lazily, deliberately avoiding Suh-o’s presence by focusing on his watch. It was 2:30 PM. With luck, he might manage to sneak in a half-day leave.

But then, Suh-o broke the silence.

“Baek Eu-jin.”

The casual, honorific-less use of his name made Eu-jin blink in disbelief. He looked up, caught off guard by the audacity.

We’re the same age, sure, but since when were we on a first-name basis?

Suh-o, who had been lounging with his chin propped on his hand, had been watching him intently the whole time. Now, as Eu-jin’s attention finally shifted his way, a satisfied smirk curled on Suh-o’s lips.

“Hey, Baek Eu-jin.”

The cheeky tone grated on Eu-jin’s nerves. He wasn’t about to back down.

“What, Suh-o-yah?”

“What’ll it take for you to join us?”

The blunt question was so absurd that Eu-jin let out a dry laugh. This guy’s something else.

Leaning back against the sofa, Eu-jin crossed his arms and adopted a deliberately lazy posture.

“What’ll it take for you to give up?”

“I’m not giving up. We finally found the right guide.”

“Why me? At least tell me that.”

“You fishing for compliments? If I tell you, will you join?”

“Of course not. Just curious.”

Their verbal sparring continued, both maintaining an air of casual amusement, but their gazes were sharp, as if testing each other.

Eventually, Suh-o broke into a smirk.

“You’re good at what you do. No hand-holding, no babysitting, no micromanaging. You just get the job done.”

“Ever think it was just luck? Maybe I was just having a good day.”

“Then you’re too skilled for it to be a coincidence,” Suh-o shot back smoothly.

Uncrossing his legs, Suh-o shifted his position, his every move oozing effortless confidence. The way his black attire clung to his frame, combined with his slow, deliberate gestures, was like watching a scene from an old silent film.

“You should’ve kept up the pretense. Played the part of a clumsy rookie till the end. But you didn’t—you showed your hand,” Suh-o continued, brushing his hair back with a careless flick.

For the first time, Eu-jin’s composed expression cracked. His light blue eyes trembled slightly, catching Suh-o’s attention.

Noticing the reaction, Suh-o smiled like a mischievous kid who had won a game.

“What’s your deal, Guide Baek Eu-jin?”

“…”

“You brush off enthusiastic offers like they’re nothing, act like you’ve been through it all, and carry yourself like someone who’s seen every storm this world has to offer.”

Suh-o’s probing tone was casual, but his words hit with precision. Whether he truly knew something or was just fishing, each statement felt like a ripple breaking through the surface.

Swallowing hard, Eu-jin steadied himself, erasing any trace of unease from his face. His tone turned calm and indifferent once more.

“You’re twisting things way out of proportion. Whatever the case, I’m not becoming your team’s guide.”

“Do you really like desk jobs that much?”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“I can’t see how that’s any fun.”

Kwon Suh-o’s sharp eyes scanned the guiding room, as if to emphasize how lifeless it seemed. His thick brows furrowed in genuine confusion.

“Stable pay, a safe working environment, fixed hours—it’s not even a contest, really.”

“…That’s true.”

Suh-o surprisingly agreed without much fuss, nodding as if the reasoning genuinely made sense to him. But the suddenness of his acceptance made Eu-jin suspicious, and sure enough, Suh-o’s next words blindsided him.

“Then the solution is simple. I just need to make this job unbearable for you.”

“…What?”

“If it ever gets too hard here, feel free to run straight to Delta Team.”

“Kwon Suh-o!”

The tall Esper abruptly stood, tousling his already perfectly styled hair into a chaotic mess. His knuckles pressed hard against his lips, making them redden and swell slightly.

Satisfied with the effect, Suh-o glanced at his reflection in the nearby glass and ran his thumb over his plumped lip. Then, almost regretfully, he tugged at the high collar of his turtleneck as if wishing he’d worn something else.

“Should’ve worn a shirt today. I could’ve popped a couple of buttons.”

“What are you doing?”

“Getting ready to make things inconvenient for you, Baek Eu-jin.”

To any observer, Suh-o’s disheveled appearance screamed scandalous. He looked as if he had just walked out of a heated kiss, his disarray unmistakably intentional.

The guiding room was already under plenty of scrutiny, and if Suh-o walked out looking like that, misunderstandings were guaranteed to explode.

“You’re not planning to leave like this, are you?”

“Wonder if there are still people outside.”

Without waiting for a reply, Suh-o strolled toward the door, his long legs covering the distance in just a few strides.

“No, wait—don’t!”

Despite Eu-jin’s desperate protest, the doorknob turned with a resounding click. The lively chatter from the hallway spilled into the room.

With all eyes outside now on him, Suh-o stepped halfway out the door, turning back dramatically to face Eu-jin.

“Today was wonderful, Guide-nim.”

“Kwon Suh-o!”

“Think carefully about my proposal. I’ll be back.”

Suh-o threw a final, sly glance over his shoulder and disappeared behind the closing door.

The guiding room fell deathly silent.

Staring at the door in disbelief, Eu-jin muttered under his breath.

“That crazy bastard.”

Just as he feared, rumors spread like wildfire.