# Chapter 12
In truth, Hajin desperately wanted to rest. No matter how many times people claimed no one was hurt, how often does one witness bullets flying around in South Korean society?
However, since he had walked into the Association of his own accord, he needed to look after his own interests. While some places might be different, discord inevitably arises wherever people gather.
Even now, weren’t there groups of people watching him from a distance, gathered in small clusters?
At his previous workplace, how many people had talked behind his back during his early days, criticizing him for being an outsider with obsessive-compulsive tendencies?
‘A Guide who appeared out of nowhere, receiving protection from S-class Espers, and even being personally welcomed by the Chairman—other Guides must feel threatened.’
Hajin didn’t properly understand the relationship between Espers and Guides. He hadn’t experienced it firsthand. But he clearly remembered how they changed after just one Guiding session.
‘Even if they pretend otherwise, Guides must feel a sense of superiority.’
Moreover, these Guides had been selected and raised by the government from a young age, so they must be quite spoiled and corrupt among themselves.
Then suddenly, an outsider like him appears, accompanied by the Chairman and S-class Espers—by tomorrow, rumors would surely spread everywhere.
‘My rank will be S-class anyway, so there’s nothing to worry about. When the Chairman is present, I need to solidify my position.’
Changing values isn’t easy, but Hajin was the outsider who rolled in. What’s more, he would be positioned at the very top. He was likely to face suspicion before even trying anything.
So wouldn’t it be better to prevent others from even thinking about causing trouble?
He hoped his concerns were unfounded, but those watchful gazes didn’t seem ordinary, so he decided to be cautious.
Hajin swallowed a sigh. He’d never cared about office politics at his company, but now he had to get involved. He already felt exhausted.
“Ho ho, well now. I had no idea Guide Lee Hajin’s passion was this impressive. It must be because you’re young. I should learn from this kind of dedication.”
Unaware of Hajin’s thoughts, the Chairman seemed momentarily surprised before breaking into a hearty laugh.
“If that’s what Guide Lee Hajin wants, let’s prepare for the test right away. Secretary Lee.”
“Yes, Chairman. You can go right now.”
“Let’s go then.”
As the Chairman took the lead, those who had been waiting to have even a brief conversation with Hajin reluctantly stepped back, smacking their lips in disappointment.
Pretending not to notice those gleaming stares, Hajin moved forward, with Alpha Team following protectively behind him.
“Are you sure you’re alright? You could rest a little,” Cha Jinwoo whispered quietly.
Hajin shook his head. “It’s better to take the beating sooner rather than later.”
As they emerged from the crowd, the disapproving gazes intensified. It certainly wasn’t that these stares intimidated him—Hajin was far too strong-willed to be cowed by such things.
It was just annoying. Even Hajin, who had no friends, knew how hot-tempered people that age could be. And if they were raised being pampered as Guides on top of that?
‘Without the Espers, I’d probably face confrontation with every step.’
The thought alone was dreadful. Having already lost his decent job and home, now he’d have to deal with childish provocations too?
It was bothersome. That’s why, childish as it might seem, he wanted to start with the rank assessment to silence them.
This was a problem Hajin needed to solve himself. Did he think the people standing behind him or the Chairman didn’t notice those burning gazes and were just pretending not to?
Of course, he thought he heard someone mutter something like “what are they looking at?” a few times. But in any case, they had no justification to block those people’s path.
At any rate, only after moving to the measurement room did he stop feeling those hostile gazes. If not for the Espers guarding his back, the back of his head would have been drilled through long ago.
“Dr. Song.”
At the Chairman’s call, an aging man with graying sideburns approached.
“Welcome, Chairman. Is this the Guide you mentioned?”
As the gaze of the man called Dr. Song fell on him, Hajin’s expression changed as if he had never been tired, and he extended his hand.
“I’m Lee Hajin.”
“I’m Dr. Song Jinsung. If it’s not impertinent, may I ask you one question?”
A question right after exchanging names? It was startling, but Hajin wasn’t in a position to refuse, so he could only nod.
“Yes. That’s fine.”
“Was your manifestation late, or did you hide it?”
Hajin’s poker face broke for the first time at this blunt, direct question.
“Pardon?”
Seeing Hajin’s surprise, the watching Espers were about to speak up, but the Chairman raised his hand to stop them. Regardless of how capable they were, they couldn’t ignore him as long as they belonged to the Association.
They remained in place, grinding their teeth in dissatisfaction.
Cha Jinwoo took a deep breath to calm himself.
Normally, he would have remained composed. He would have been the one stopping others from acting out. But whenever he got involved with Hajin, he wasn’t his usual self.
‘Tsk, I shouldn’t have called the others stupid.’
Yet the more absurd thing was that he welcomed even this change. Despite losing the self he knew, he didn’t mind because Hajin was the reason for the transformation.
In fact, he wanted to be dyed even more in Hajin’s colors, which said it all.
‘If I’m like this, the rest of them must be acting like they’ve lost their minds.’
Cha Jinwoo let out a sigh, something he rarely did. As much as he wanted to act on impulse like the rest, he had to maintain his reason for the sake of his younger team members.
Going back to Hajin’s situation, he was caught off guard because he hadn’t expected to be questioned so directly.
Even though showing surprise in front of someone determined to interrogate would only seem like admitting the truth, controlling momentary emotions wasn’t easy.
‘Calm down. It’s nothing to take seriously. This might actually be good.’
What could it mean to ask such a question openly in front of the Chairman? Hajin’s mind raced.
Failing to report as an Esper or Guide was a serious crime punishable by a fine of up to 50 million won or imprisonment for up to three years. Yet they were specifically asking Hajin if he had hidden his abilities or not?
‘They’re just asking as a formality. Or they’re implying they’ll overlook it even if I lie.’
Once his thoughts were settled, Hajin’s eyes returned to their usual calm state. Then Dr. Song asked again.
“Is that question difficult to answer?”
Hajin smiled gently.
“Not at all. I was just momentarily surprised that you would ask so directly.”
“Oh my, being cooped up behind a desk has made me tactless.”
At Dr. Song’s light banter, Hajin, now completely composed, shook his head with a small smile.
“Not at all. I was just surprised for a moment. I didn’t mean to criticize you.”
‘Is everyone at the Association this sly, as if they’ve each swallowed a snake?’
Things weren’t flowing as easily as he’d expected, and Hajin briefly wondered if he should have waited to get tested, but then shook his head.
They would have asked the same question now or later. It was just a matter of facing the music sooner rather than later.
Hajin slowly moistened his dry lips with his tongue before answering.
“Of course, my manifestation was late. Otherwise, how could I have evaded the mandatory testing?”
“Indeed. Haha, I heard you guided the entire Alpha Team, so I thought you must be a skilled Guide. I knew it was rude to ask, but I did anyway. Please understand.”
“I completely understand.”
Artificial words deserved artificial responses. Whether they believed him or not was no longer important.
He had given them what they wanted, so this matter was concluded. Since the Chairman was present, there wouldn’t be any issues even if it came up again.
‘Sly…’
Hajin decided to be more vigilant. Had Dr. Song set this up himself? Hajin somehow doubted it.
‘If that’s the case…’
Hajin’s gaze almost turned but stopped. If so, the one who instructed this setup was likely the Chairman. Even without evidence, Hajin was almost certain of it.
‘I need to be careful.’
If he wasn’t careful, he might get completely taken advantage of. Even though he had nowhere else to go now that his identity as a Guide was exposed and he was being watched from all sides, that didn’t mean he needed to be completely exploited.
“Let’s proceed with the measurement then. This way, please.”
Following Dr. Song, Hajin saw a small machine in an empty space.
“Here, would you hold this?”
“This is what you use for measurement?”
Hajin was puzzled by the device, which looked different from what was used during the government’s periodic testing.
Dr. Song chuckled at Hajin’s reaction.
“We recently changed the equipment. The previous one was outdated and quite heavy, making it difficult to transport.”
“Come now, let’s get this over with.” At those words, Hajin grabbed the machine. As if it turned on when someone touched it, the machine, which looked like a toy lie detector, lit up and blinked for about a minute.
Just as Hajin was wondering if it usually took this long, Dr. Song approached with a puzzled expression, as if something was strange.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
