Being Ordinary is the Best 8

Chapter 8

Cha Jinwoo was casually dropping formalities and addressing him familiarly, but Hajin, focused on the explanation, didn’t notice.

The anti-Esper organization. A radical group that insisted on controlling and managing Espers who had surpassed human limitations.

They were regulars in the news. Excluding dungeon-related accidents, one hundred out of one hundred incidents were caused by anti-government or anti-Esper groups.

Despite most Espers being affiliated with and managed by the government, these groups remained unsatisfied.

They advocated for separating Espers from civilians, essentially keeping them confined.

“Though their military power is weaker than the anti-government forces, that’s precisely what makes them more dangerous. They’re a group without Espers. They’ll target you to use as a means to control Espers. And unlike Espers, they won’t be kind to Guides.”

“Haah…”

After hearing the explanation, Hajin couldn’t hold back a sigh. He’d only done one good deed, and now he was caught up in such a complicated situation.

‘It would be fortunate if they just kidnap me quietly.’

What if they took his acquaintances hostage or blew up buildings to cause chaos? Innocent people would be injured or killed.

Was Jinwoo bringing this up to play on his guilt? Hajin’s gaze shifted toward Cha Jinwoo.

He stood in place without taking a step closer, but his eyes continually examined Hajin’s face.

There was something about him—though Hajin wasn’t sure if it was appropriate to describe a person this way—that reminded him of a large guard dog looking to its owner for cues.

“…Shepherd.”

“Excuse me?”

Cha Jinwoo reminded Hajin of a German Shepherd. His handsome face, his squared posture—everything.

Hajin, who distanced himself from people to hide his secret, had instead gotten closer to animals. They wouldn’t recognize him as a Guide even if he touched them.

But due to his excuse of being a germaphobe, not only could he not keep pets, but he couldn’t even touch colleagues’ dogs when they occasionally brought them in.

One shouldn’t treat people like dogs, but once Hajin saw the resemblance, he couldn’t help but soften.

Seeing Jinwoo’s expression grow increasingly anxious, as if wondering if something was wrong with him, Hajin shook his head.

Treating a person like a dog—he should reflect on that.

“It’s nothing.”

Returning to the main topic, assuming Jinwoo’s story was true, three forces were targeting Hajin. Among them, the most moderate toward him was the government.

‘Father told me to avoid them, but…’

If he had to ally with one faction, the government would be best. It was where the Espers he had guided were, and it was also the safest place.

“So what you’re saying is…”

He was about to inquire further. In an instant, Cha Jinwoo scooped Hajin up and leaped high. It happened so quickly, in the blink of an eye, that Hajin was simply bewildered.

“What is this…?”

“Keep your head down.”

As Hajin raised his head to assess the situation, a gentle hand pressed the back of his head, forcing him to bury his face in Jinwoo’s shoulder again.

“Sniper fire. Don’t lift your head and hold onto me tightly.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than the terrifying sound of bullets embedding into concrete reached their ears.

They’re already moving—faster than I thought. Clicking his tongue and muttering that, Cha Jinwoo continually dodged and blocked incoming bullets while speaking into his radio.

“This is Cha Jinwoo from Alpha Team. Under sniper fire while making contact with the Guide. Building rooftop at 8 o’clock. Evacuate people from the building immediately and request backup.”

[Understood.]

Clinging to Jinwoo’s neck to stay alive, Hajin swallowed a sigh. At this rate, regardless of his response, his ordinary life was as good as over.

It was no longer a time to worry about becoming the center of attention at work due to Jinwoo’s visit.

“Seeing that they’re using guns, it must be the anti-Esper organization.”

Jinwoo was quietly impressed by Hajin, who calmly analyzed the situation even under these circumstances. As expected of his Guide.

However, regardless of Jinwoo’s admiration, Hajin was simply dumbfounded, wondering how guns were possible in a country where firearms were prohibited.

“Yes. Since the organization is mostly composed of civilians, they primarily use such weapons.”

Phssk.

At that moment, a bullet precisely penetrated the space where Hajin’s head had been.

Though it wasn’t difficult for Cha Jinwoo to dodge, he couldn’t help but feel uneasy at the threat directed at his Guide. He’d given the coordinates a while ago, so why hadn’t they taken care of even one sniper, leaving Hajin exposed to danger?

“Has no one gone to the building at 8 o’clock? Why are bullets still coming?”

To use the radio again, Cha Jinwoo held Hajin with one arm. Despite using just one arm, his posture remained stable, making Hajin feel a bit strange.

He knew Espers were different from ordinary people, but still, Hajin was a grown man… He couldn’t help but think that way.

[The building is full of KEs bastards!]

Gunshots could be heard through the radio. Hajin instinctively tensed at the sound of gunfire, something he hadn’t heard since his military service.

The sense of reality that hadn’t hit him even while bullets aimed at his head now struck him forcefully as he took a mental step back.

Noticing the movement of Hajin’s muscles, Cha Jinwoo clicked his tongue softly. He’d made his Guide anxious when he should be making him feel secure.

“Tch, Alpha Team, what are you doing?”

Upon sensing Jinwoo’s discomfort through the radio, a voice that had been silent until now responded.

[On my way~]

“Handle it quickly. The Guide is under threat.”

[What?! You should have said so earlier!]

[Sniper eliminated.]

As soon as those words came through, the rain of bullets stopped. Hajin breathed a sigh of relief, but having faced a life-threatening situation for the first time, he couldn’t hastily leave Jinwoo’s embrace.

And naturally, Jinwoo had no intention of putting down the Guide cradled in his arms.

It was embarrassing for a man over thirty to be held in another man’s arms like a child, but anyone who’d been showered with bullets in broad daylight would react the same way.

The radio communication continued. Though the mechanical noise made it difficult to understand the voices, since they mentioned Alpha Team, they must be the Espers Hajin had met before.

[What? Baek Jaan. When did you get there?]

[When you were slacking off with your radio turned off.]

[Hey, shit! Why are you saying this with the radio on, you bastard!]

Cha Jinwoo immediately turned off the radio upon hearing the bickering. Hajin had also been thinking it was too noisy, so he welcomed the action.

“These KEs bastards don’t have a single Esper, yet their intelligence is quick. Hmm, I should reflect on this.”

Just then, a voice that belonged neither to Cha Jinwoo nor Hajin was heard. Before Hajin could identify him, he felt a sense of buoyancy throughout his body, followed by a burst of hot flames infused with light.

“Ugh.”

No matter how much the flames were directed at the opponent, for Hajin, who was merely a civilian, the heat was unbearable.

When Hajin finally couldn’t stand it anymore and buried his face deeper into Jinwoo’s chest with a groan, the flames disappeared instantly.

Cha Jinwoo had unconsciously used his ability at the appearance of a dangerous opponent, but quickly withdrew it and checked on Hajin.

“Are you alright?”

Then a voice filled with pure surprise interjected.

“Wow, the great Cha Jinwoo is fidgeting. Is that Guide so impressive? Seeing how utterly devoted you are, he must really be an S-rank.”

“Seo Juan…”

Cha Jinwoo, who had been checking on Hajin, uttered the name with a chilling voice—a cold tone that contrasted with his flame ability.

As the scorching heat subsided, Hajin could turn his head again. The ponytailed man who had suddenly appeared waved his hand cheerfully when his eyes met Hajin’s.

When Hajin ignored him and looked at Cha Jinwoo, his expression had hardened frighteningly. It seemed he wasn’t affiliated with the government. Given his sudden appearance, he must be an Esper…

“Anti-government faction?”

Seo Juan was genuinely impressed by Hajin’s quick deduction of his identity.

“Oh, not only pretty but smart too? You’ve got it all. Instead of that scary guy, would you like to come with me, young and fresh? I’ll treat you well.”

Despite his solid appearance, he spoke like a playboy trying to seduce women. And unfortunately, Hajin didn’t like that type.

“Why would I follow someone I don’t even know?”

At that, Seo Juan casually introduced himself as if that was the only issue.

“Ah, I haven’t introduced myself. I’m Seo Juan. Now, will you come with me? I’m not just saying this—I’ll really treat you well. Of course, I’m good in other ways too, so just tell me if you’re interested.”

‘Now I’m even being sexually harassed.’

Hajin slightly furrowed his brow at Juan’s overly casual, even sleazy personality. He definitely didn’t seem compatible with Hajin.

Before Hajin could decline, Cha Jinwoo spoke first. He didn’t even want to let Juan hear Hajin’s brief response.

If it weren’t for Hajin’s safety, he would have torn Juan’s mouth apart right then and there.

“Seo Juan. Stop the nonsense and get lost. Do you think you can defeat me alone?”

Cha Jinwoo growled at him. His voice, scraping from his throat, was like that of a beast.

Even though Hajin knew it wasn’t directed at him, he unconsciously shrank back, while Juan, the actual target, continued to smile playfully.

“I’m just here to say hello today. If you act so scary, won’t the Guide run away?”