Guide Me If You Dare-Chapter 137: NEW RULES

"GAYOON-AH, you probably didn’t know since you’ve just rejoined the team, but the rules have changed."

Tsk.

Ki Gayoon was annoyed when Ryu Sungbin called his name familiarly, but it was even more annoying because he knew the bastard did it mockingly.

This bastard always speaks like an "older brother" when he’s trying to lecture you.

"Before you can challenge the current #1 Esper, you must receive permission from President Cheol Kang, Chief Kim Munhee, and President Kwak Hakjae first," Ryu Sungbin explained. "But even if you gain their seal of approval immediately, we still have to wait for at least a month before we can have an official duel."

Gayoon knitted his eyebrows. "Why wait for that long?"

"If two Espers within the Top 5 agree to a duel with their official ranks on the line, then it should be done on a big stage. The people in charge of official matches need at least a month to prepare a big stage for us."

"So, they need to make a spectacle out of our fight? For what? Entertainment? Profits?"

After all, a fight between two members of the Top 5 wouldn’t be shown for free.

Tickets would be sold for the "show," and even the live broadcast would be pay-per-view.

"Raising the new generation of Espers and Guides is expensive, Gayoon-ah— the government needs to raise as much funds as needed for our country’s future."

Haaah.

I need to steal the spot from this bastard as soon as possible, but I can’t show him I’m in a hurry. Otherwise, he’ll only delay our match longer.

"Fine," Gayoon said, acting indifferently. "I’ll submit a request for a duel with you in the meantime. You’re not going to reject my challenge, are you?"

"That depends on your performance, Gayoon-ah," Ryu Sungbin said, smirking. "If you help us drive away the Japanese and Chinese Espers who are challenging our authority, then I’ll accept your challenge as soon as I receive the official request."

Tsk.

"Whatever," Gayoon said, annoyed that Ryu Sungbin kept calling him the way he did when they still had a normal hyung-dongsaeng relationship. "Just tell me where and when you need me, and I’ll save your sorry ass."

"We’re having a meeting at my house tonight— come and join us," Ryu Sungbin said before turning his back on him. "If you don’t know where I live, then just ask Moon Noa."

Ryu Sungbin didn’t look back.

Matthew and Jin Sooin then followed the #1 (for now) Esper.

Will it kill you to just send me your location?

However, Gayoon just held it in.

The only verbal fights I enjoy are the ones I have with Noh Yuno.

"Gayoon Oppa, why do you want to fight Sungbin Oppa?" Lee Sarang, who was still standing next to Gayoon, asked while looking up at him with those curious eyes of hers. "Do you need Sungbin Oppa’s position as the official #1 Esper?"

She’s not wrong, but...

"Why would you think I need that bastard’s spot?"

"Because Sungbin Oppa’s position as the #1 Esper gives him the right to lead all the Espers in the country," Lee Sarang said. Her voice was sweet and innocent, but her eyes looked calculating. "As long as Sungbin Oppa is our #1 Esper, then all Espers in Korea would follow the National Guide Bureau instead of the Esper Association."

Oho?

Is Lee Sarang sober?

"Because of Sungbin Oppa, President Kwak Hakjae of the Esper Association has lost his power over our country’s Espers," Lee Sarang said, still acting innocent despite the "theories" coming out of her mouth. "Gayoon Oppa, are you planning to retrieve the power that the Esper Association lost? For Yuno’s protection?"

"Lee Sarang, you still have a vivid imagination, huh?" Gayoon commented, gently flickering Lee Sarang’s forehead. "And are you not going with the others?"

"I’m on your side, Oppa."

"What?"

"I like Sungbin Oppa, but I like Gayoon Oppa more~"

"If you want to be my ally, then you have to be useful to me," Gayoon said, raising an eyebrow at Lee Sarang. "You’re no longer a child, Lee Sarang. I’m not going to babysit you anymore."

"I know, Oppa," Lee Sarang said, smiling. This time, her smile was genuine and really sweet. "Don’t worry, I’ll get better soon. I actually feel better after Yuno gave me a light Guiding."

"What?"

"I have a plan to get better—"

"No, not that. Did you say Noh Yuno give you a light Guiding?"

"Oh. He didn’t tell you?"

"..."

"Oppa, don’t be mad at Yuno. It’s just a light Guiding," Lee Sarang said, patting Gayoon’s shoulder awkwardly. "See you later, Oppa!"

And then Lee Sarang was gone.

"Tsk." Gayoon clicked his tongue, clenching his hands tight. "Noh Yuno, you really want to see me go insane, huh?"

***

"GUIDE NOH Yuno-ssi, stay here for a moment— Esper Yang Youngjae-ssi would like to talk to you. If that’s alright with you, of course."

Yuno nodded. "That’s fine with me, sir."

"Alright. I’ll call him then," Bambi said, and then he paused for a moment. "The Choi family has started the funeral process for the deceased Choi Kangmin-ssi. They’re going to cremate his body. Would that be enough to destroy his Core so it won’t get stolen?"

"Yes, sir. When the body is cremated, the Core dies with its user."

"That’s a relief then."

Hmm?

Yuno didn’t want to admit this, but Bambi looked like he genuinely cared for Choi Kangmin.

Did he suddenly grow a conscience? After using Guides like pawns?

"Thank you, Guide Noh Yuno-ssi," Bambi said. In fairness, the Team Leader sounded sincere. "You worked hard to solve this case. Good job."

Yuno bowed politely. "Thank you, sir."

Bambi just nodded before leaving the room.

And when the door closed...

"Yuyu, congratulations on your first romantic relationship~"

It was Moon Noa.

Yes, his boss stayed behind as well.

"Sajangnim, why are you making weird bets with Gayoon Hyung?"

"Because it’s fun to tease your boyfriend. And, because of that, Yoonyoon calls me ’hyung’ again~"

Aigoo.

To be honest, Yuno still felt awkward with Moon Noa.

After all, he said some mean things to his boss at the hospital.

"Yuyu, I know what you’re thinking," Moon Noa said. "Don’t worry, I’ll apologize to Osaki Shohei before they return to Japan."

’They.’

"Is Haru-nim leaving, too?"

"Of course, Yuyu. Haruharu is Japan’s one and only true sun— there’s no reason for him to stay here."

"No reason?"

Moon Noa just smiled sadly.

Yuno wasn’t nosy, but he wanted to know if his boss would truly end his vague relationship with Haru.

However, before he could even ask, they were interrupted by a knock on the door.

"It’s me, Yang Youngjae."

"Please come in, sir."

The door opened, and then Yang Youngjae entered the room— greeting both Yuno and Moon Noa politely.

"I’ll leave you, then," Moon Noa said, patting Yang Youngjae on the shoulder. "Yang Youngjae, fighting."

Yang Youngjae bowed to Moon Noa politely. "Thank you, sir."

Moon Noa just smiled and waved before leaving the room.

"Yuno-ssi, I know I should be kneeling and begging for your forgiveness. But let me ask you a question first," Yang Youngjae said in a serious tone. "The bastard who killed Choi Kangmin..." He clenched his jaw, obviously suppressing his anger. "How do I kill him in the most painful way possible?"

Oh.

To be honest, Yuno was conflicted.

He could understand why Yang Youngjae wanted this kind of revenge for Choi Kangmin. But, on the other hand, he felt bad for the baby chick that was used as a pawn.

Jae has to face the consequences of his actions, though.

"I’m not talking about physical pain, Yuno-ssi. I heard you and that bastard grew up in a bad environment. So, I’m sure he’s used to torture," Yang Youngjae said when he probably noticed the conflict on Yuno’s face. "What I want is for that bastard to die without knowing peace— I’m talking about that kind of pain."

Ah, so mental torture it is.

"Then it will be enough to tell him that he failed, Esper Yang Youngjae-ssi," Yuno said, sighing. "Tell Guide Jae-ssi that "Father would be rolling in his grave" because of his failure— and Jacob Hyung-nim has abandoned him."

***

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