The S-Rank Guide’s Escape from Idol Hell 40

A simulator that replicates real-life combat conditions?

Sure enough, as I scanned the room, I spotted several entryways designed to resemble dungeon gates.

They were identical in structure but painted in different colors—white, yellow, green, blue, red, and black, in that order.

As I stared at the doors, the staff member explained,

“You probably know that ability users—Espers and Guides—are categorized from S-rank down to F-rank. These gates follow the same system.”

That was basic knowledge. Even a non-ability user would know that.

“Yes,” I replied with a nod.

The staffer pointed to the gates of the simulator.

“Room 5’s gates are divided from S to F, just like real dungeons. They were designed using data from Hunters who’ve experienced real gates.”

“I see.”

So much for nothing changing in twenty years—looks like the tech has advanced a lot. They even made a simulator this close to a real dungeon?

As I marveled at it, the staffer continued.

“This test in Room 5 is a recent addition. It’s designed to catch those who try to fake their ability levels. The idea is that by throwing them into a gate appropriate to their assigned rank and observing how they handle it with their partner, we can better gauge their true capabilities.”

“…So, basically, put someone in a high-pressure scenario, and their real skill will come out?”

“Exactly. In life-or-death battles against monsters, it’s hard to hide what you’re really capable of.”

Honestly, it was a solid idea.

When things go south, people fight with everything they’ve got. And dungeon monsters don’t hold back—they go all-in trying to kill Guides and Espers.

If the simulator replicated real dungeons and monsters well enough, this could be one of the most effective testing methods out there.

“Ever since this test was added, every single person who tried to overstate their ability has been exposed. Amazing, isn’t it?”

“…Yes. Very impressive.”

Though one thing still bugged me.

“But wouldn’t it be harder to catch people who downplay their abilities? Especially Guides?”

Espers, maybe not. But Guides?

If an Esper tried to downplay their stats, it’d be pretty obvious during combat.

The difference between a punch from an S-rank and a B-rank is night and day. Even if you try to hold back, unless you’re a seasoned veteran who’s intimately familiar with your own limits, your rank is bound to show.

It’s nearly impossible for a high-rank to imitate the power level of someone beneath them.

Take an S-rank hitting a B-rank monster and pretending to be a B-rank. One hit and the monster would either foam at the mouth and drop dead, or take one look at death and bolt.

But if a real B-rank Esper attacked, the monster would be fine—just pissed, charging in like it wanted revenge.

That’s how big the power gap is. An Esper with serious power would have a hard time hiding their rank.

But Guides… they had it easier.

Of course, if we’re talking about a truly desperate fight, where your partner is on the verge of death… that’s a different story.

Say an S-rank Guide pretends to be a B-rank.

Chances are, their partner would also be B-rank. The Secreti case was a rare exception. Normally, partners were paired with those of similar rank.

When there was a huge gap between partners, it ended up doing more harm than good—kind of like overeating or starving yourself. Either way, your health goes downhill.

If a high-rank Guide just passed along a tiny bit of guiding energy, wouldn’t that be enough to fake it?

I phrased my thoughts as a question, and the staffer’s eyes sparkled.

“For someone who gave up being a Hunter to live as a civilian, you sure talk like someone who’s worked in the field for years.”

“…I’ve been studying. Ever since that last dungeon break, I figured I should be prepared in case something like that happens again.”

Not bad for an off-the-cuff excuse.

The staffer seemed to buy it and shrugged.

“You’re right, Guide Yeon Yu-jin. It is hard to catch high-ranking Guides who try to conceal their power. However…”

“However?”

He stepped in close and whispered in my ear.

…When did he get this close?

I had him pegged as a typical B-rank Esper at best.

But something was off. B-ranks weren’t usually this precise when it came to controlling their presence. I hadn’t even heard a jingle from that red earring of his.

What the hell is this guy?

Since when did the government have someone this strong?

While I was still reeling…

“Phew.”

A hot breath touched my ear.

I nearly cursed out loud.

Someone I didn’t know whispering in my ear? Absolutely disgusting.

What the f—?! What the actual fuck is wrong with this guy?!

“Agh! What the hell?!”

Blowing in my ear? Is he insane?

What kind of perverted freak is this?!

Should I file a sexual harassment complaint with the Bureau?

Even as I glared at him, covering my ear and fuming, the staffer just smiled like nothing happened. Maybe it was just my imagination, but it felt like he was mocking me.

“You’ll understand once you’re inside the simulator gate.”

Without waiting for my response, he led me to the green-colored gate.

“You’ve been classified as a C-rank in the previous tests, so you’ll proceed to a mock battle through the green gate.”

“…Have my partner Espers already gone in?”

“Yes. They entered the gate ahead of time and are waiting inside.”

Since I was the one being tested, they were using a C-rank scenario.

But the members of Secreti are all A-rank Espers, even if they’ve only had one real combat experience. If we’re entering a C-rank gate, won’t they clear it in seconds…?

For a moment, I thought this might be disappointingly easy.

No… judging by that smug look on the staffer’s face, there’s got to be some kind of trick.

I’d better stay on guard.

I slowly pulled the lever attached to the simulator gate, and the door opened with a hiss. A chill hit my cheek as I stepped inside.

The space was surprisingly large. There was a glass-like sliding door beneath my feet and a lever on the wall to open it.

It looked like the dungeon simulation was down below—a bottomless hole ready to be entered.

Everything looked normal on the surface. Without wasting more time, I pulled the lever and jumped into the massive shaft.

As I disappeared, the staffer muttered under his breath:

“Good luck.”

***

Once Yeon Yu-jin vanished into the simulator gate, the “staffer”—actually Ban Noah—dropped his smile.

He closed the gate and reached up to touch the red earring dangling from his right ear.

Clink.

The red bead shimmered and began to glow green, and the color of the gate began to shift.

Or more accurately—Ban Noah was returning it to its original state.

The green gate Yeon Yu-jin had entered slowly regained its true color: jet black.

A black gate—the most dangerous tier of simulated dungeon, reserved only for S-rank ability users.

Even as a simulation, the monsters inside were recreated with near-perfect accuracy, powered by advanced tech—meaning they hit just as hard as real S-rank monsters.

“If he really is a C-rank, this is where it ends.”

And if not, he’d survive.

Even if something went wrong inside—if Yeon Yu-jin got seriously injured or crippled—Ban Noah wouldn’t be held responsible.

There had been a different staffer originally assigned to Room 5’s tests. Ban Noah had already tampered with the CCTV, so he could observe at his leisure and slip away when convenient.

With his fingers laced and chin resting on his hands, Ban Noah quietly watched the video feed from inside the simulator gate.

“Let’s see, Yeon Yu-jin… just how useful of a Guide are you?”

The red earring swayed gently as he smiled.

***

Thud.

I landed on my ass after sliding down the long, chute-like simulator gate.

“Ow!”

Rubbing my sore butt, I stood up and looked around.

A dark desert stretched out before me. The air was dry and frigid. The sand beneath my feet was silky and soft.

“Whoa. They even recreated the terrain perfectly.”

Dungeon climates were usually random, impossible to predict. Guess they went with a desert this time to simulate a harsh environment.

Fascinated, I was about to explore the area—then the cold hit me.