114
Siwoo’s face brightened as he stood in front of the bathroom mirror. His thin, upturned lips revealed his satisfaction. It was the expression of someone who had achieved victory in a fight.
“That was good.”
Siwoo had obtained the consent of all guild members. He had managed to get their approval for his on-site guiding in just one day.
“Let’s do this really well.”
Yoo Jihan had announced his consent through the secretary, and Kang Geonho had nodded reluctantly after Siwoo’s signature collar-grabbing. He couldn’t easily refuse due to his guilt over kissing Siwoo and running away. And as for the youngest…
“What are you muttering to yourself for so long?”
Ha Seojun peeked through the bathroom door, his eyes twinkling with interest. The corners of his mouth twitched as he tried to suppress a laugh. That bastard, I’ll…
“Why are you opening the door! Do you want to get scolded?!”
Seojun’s smile grew wider at Siwoo’s sharp outburst. Not ‘do you want to die’ but ‘do you want to get scolded’? He couldn’t help but smile even as he tried not to.
“If you’re ready, let’s go. We’ll be late.”
Seojun lightly knocked on the door and left first. Siwoo followed right behind, poking Seojun’s broad back. It was an expression of intimacy.
Siwoo really liked Seojun right now. Even knowing his true personality, he appeared kind and gentle as the youngest. It was because Seojun had immediately agreed to Siwoo’s on-site guiding. He couldn’t help but find him endearing.
“Just take it easy. You don’t need to do well.”
“Move aside. I need to take my supplements.”
Siwoo pushed Seojun aside and took out a box of vitamin bottles from the kitchen. He piled up various supplements he usually didn’t bother with, filling his palm, and swallowed them all at once. It’s not good to gulp down medicine like food.
“Eat them one by one.”
“You eat some too.”
Siwoo forcefully placed some pills in Seojun’s hand. They were common supplements that even ordinary people took. Although they were unnecessary nutrients for Espers with abundant strength, Seojun took them without refusing. Like a docile sheep, he did everything Siwoo told him to.
“Are you going to wear a hat again?”
“Should I not?”
Seojun had come wearing a long-billed cap, mask, and glasses again today. When Seojun asked if his appearance was that bad, Siwoo quietly shook his head.
“I was just worried you might be uncomfortable.”
“I’m not uncomfortable. Let’s go now.”
Seojun grinned and gestured towards the entrance hallway, telling Siwoo to lead the way. Siwoo stepped out of the dormitory energetically.
Today was a day he needed to muster more strength than ever before. It was the day of his grade assessment.
* * *
Not all guides could accompany Espers to the field. On-site guiding was only possible for those ranked B or higher. Especially for inexperienced rookie guides, they needed to be at least B+ rank to be allowed on-site.
At sites where gates opened unexpectedly, unpredictable dangers lurked at every moment. No matter how careful one was, there were always injuries. Therefore, after rank, the most important qualification for on-site guiding was excellent physical fitness and athletic ability.
“Guide, are you nervous?”
Seojun casually asked as he noticed Siwoo becoming quieter as they approached the test site. He couldn’t help but keep glancing at Siwoo’s face, which clearly showed signs of nervousness.
“No. Why would I be nervous?”
Always trying to act tough. At Siwoo’s firm reply, Seojun mumbled, “I see,” and rummaged through his pocket. He had brought something just in case. Actually, Geonho had thrown it to him to take along, but Seojun had intended to bring it anyway.
“Eat this.”
Seojun unwrapped the gold foil and offered the round chocolate inside. It was a snack with a deep flavor, filled with nutty hazelnuts and rich chocolate jam. This was Siwoo’s favorite chocolate.
Siwoo immediately opened his mouth and bit into the chocolate. Before he had even finished swallowing, he poked Seojun’s side, greedily asking for more.
“Give me another one.”
“I’ll give you more after you finish that one.”
“I’ve finished it. Hurry up and give me more.”
“Open your mouth and let me see.”
Seojun slowed his pace and leaned in, saying, “Let’s see.” Siwoo opened his mouth wide as if yawning. One chocolate wasn’t nearly enough for him.
“You’re not hiding it under your tongue, are you?”
Not realizing Seojun was teasing, Siwoo diligently moved his tongue in all directions to prove his mouth was empty. His tongue moved more flexibly than when kissing. Seeing this, Seojun’s Adam’s apple subtly bobbed up and down.
“Eat slowly. Keep this one for later.”
Seojun popped a new chocolate into Siwoo’s mouth and took out another to put in his pocket. With his sugar levels replenished, Siwoo looked up at the approaching building with a slightly less tense expression. Though not as tall as the main building, it felt much more intimidating due to its name as the test site.
“Just do it casually. No one cares if your rank comes out low.”
Seojun spoke sincerely as he pulled his cap down further. He stopped near the building entrance, unable to accompany Siwoo inside.
“When you’re done, contact the secretary to come back. Don’t come alone.”
Siwoo nodded as he briefly scanned the people gathered around the building. From here on, he had to go alone. Seojun had already used up most of his free time eating breakfast with Siwoo this morning.
He’ll probably be cooped up all day again when he goes back. Along with Kang Geonho.
“Hey, youngest.”
Siwoo lowered his voice as he patted Seojun’s shoulder.
“Just hang in there a little longer. I’ll make sure you can move around freely soon.”
Instead of saying it was okay or thanking him, Seojun just smiled and waved one hand. His smile was quite bright, visible even through the mask and glasses. Seeing that cheerful expression, Siwoo headed towards the test site with peace of mind.
Beep beep-
“Oh, shit…”
Siwoo’s frail body staggered as he got off the treadmill. He barely managed not to fall, steadying himself with his hands on his knees as his legs trembled.
Wiping the profuse sweat from his forehead, he checked the recording watch provided by the test site. The watch screen displayed his heart rate and guiding metrics in real-time. He had to wear the watch until all of today’s rank tests were over.
Ah, should I try again?
Siwoo’s expression darkened rapidly as he looked around the spacious test site. All the guides at the test site had prepared for the rank assessment over several months. Siwoo was the only one panting heavily after each piece of exercise equipment.
During the grip strength test, the test site manager even came over to check the equipment, thinking there was an error in Siwoo’s measurement. Siwoo gritted his teeth to hold back the tears of embarrassment that threatened to fall.
“Guide Han Siwoo, you’re doing the second test today as well, right?”
A manager holding a chart informed Siwoo of the next test location. Originally, there was a preparation period between the first and second tests. However, Siwoo didn’t have that luxury. He had said he would do everything today to receive his rank as soon as possible.
Realizing his physical condition wouldn’t improve in such a short time, he decided to give up and focus on the second test. The second test evaluated only guiding ability. He was confident his guiding skills were not inferior to others. After all, his skills had been recognized by the Baekya Guild. He believed he would at least achieve a B+ rank.
“After you’ve rested enough, come up to the 5th floor when you’re ready.”
Following the staff’s guidance, Siwoo entered the break room. He needed rest after the two-hour physical test that had exhausted his body.
I should have exercised more. Siwoo deeply regretted the time he had spent complacently, trusting his natural athletic ability. He regretted taking it easy, having been able to climb tall trees effortlessly and never losing in a race to anyone.
He knew his stamina had decreased, but he didn’t realize it was this bad. He was especially shocked at how quickly he became out of breath and how his chest tightened after just a little running. To think his body had become this weak.
Sitting in the most secluded spot, Siwoo slumped in his chair and took out the chocolate from his pants pocket. The sweetness in his mouth made him feel a bit better. Right after getting off the treadmill, he had truly felt like he might faint, his vision going white. If someone had been there to support him, he might have collapsed. Being alone, he had to grit his teeth and endure.
“Aren’t you thirsty? Want some water?”
Just as Siwoo was starting to feel thirsty, he overheard a conversation from another table.
“Guide, use this to wipe your sweat. If you’re hot, wear this.”
“Lift your legs. I’ll massage them for you.”
Siwoo’s ears perked up at the kind conversations echoing from all around. They were all voices of Espers taking care of their assigned guides.
“You worked hard. Go home and rest well today.”
“Ah, I don’t know. I think I messed up again this time. If I get a low rank again, I’m never doing this again.”
There were quite a few experienced guides who had come for reassessment, not just rookie guides. Next to them were one or two large Espers. They were taking such good care of their guides that it made Siwoo’s ears itch.
Ignoring the lovey-dovey atmosphere of their conversations, Siwoo took out his phone. He checked his empty message inbox and then pretended to type messages, randomly tapping the screen.
They must know I’m taking the test today. Why hasn’t a single one of them contacted me?
The youngest had seen him off, so that was understandable, but couldn’t Kang Geonho at least make one phone call? Even Yoo Jihan, who used to send messages whenever he had a moment, had stopped completely since getting busy. As for Kang Taebeom, well, he was Kang Taebeom after all.
As Siwoo was recalling each of his Espers one by one, curling his upper lip, someone approached his table.
“Excuse me.”
They placed their hand on the chair opposite Siwoo. Startled, Siwoo quickly looked up.
