As soon as I entered the lab, Yeon Gu-han—who had been chatting with a few others—greeted me with a cheerful smile and walked over.
“Have you been well?”
“Yes, I have.”
“This time, we’ve even brought in machine specialists to make sure the results are accurate. You can really look forward to it!”
They’re going to all this trouble just to re-evaluate a D-Rank Guide?
“So this time, we’re bound to get your proper ranking!”
He was already buzzing with anticipation, even though the test hadn’t even started yet. It felt a little odd seeing how different he was from the first time we met, when he could barely be bothered to acknowledge me. But I couldn’t really blame him—if anything, it just showed how seriously he was taking this research.
“So, about the test…?”
“Ah, right.”
As if he’d just remembered, Yeon Gu-han took a step back and gestured to the people standing behind him.
“These folks will be assisting with the evaluation.”
I followed his hand with my eyes—and the second I saw who it was, I froze.
“Hello. It’s nice to meet you.”
“A pleasure to meet you, Guide Hwang Seol-bin.”
“Ah……”
For a moment, I had no words.
I had mentioned it to Kang Bijun, but I didn’t think he’d actually show up in person. And with Kang Biso too…?
They both looked a bit different from the last time I saw them—probably in disguise. Kang Bijun hadn’t changed much, aside from the thick horn-rimmed glasses and the suit. But Kang Biso? He looked completely different.
His usually messy curls had been slicked back with wax, and he wore a pair of half-rim glasses. He had a soft smile on his face, and combined with the tailored suit, he gave off a polished, intellectual vibe. It was a sharp contrast to his usual self—laid-back clothes, a mischievous grin. Dressed like this, he looked… sharp. Sophisticated.
His forehead’s… kinda pretty.
Without realizing it, I found myself staring. And the moment he noticed, that gentle smile curled just slightly at the corner, a flicker of mischief flashing in his eyes—only to vanish a second later, like it had never been there.
“…I look forward to working with you.”
I must’ve looked spaced out, because Yeon Gu-han patted me on the shoulder a few times, thinking I was just nervous.
“No need to worry. These guys are veterans in the field. You’re in good hands.”
“Alright.”
“Well then, let’s head into the testing room. I’m seriously looking forward to seeing what we find!”
Just as we were about to head in, Kang Bijun stopped him.
“Researcher Yeon.”
“Yes? Is something wrong?”
“Would you mind waiting outside for a bit? We need to boot up the machine and do some initial configuration. It’s classified, I’m afraid. But we’ll share the results with you right after the test.”
“Classified?”
Before Yeon Gu-han could ask more, Kang Biso chimed in smoothly.
“Yes, it’s confidential. But why don’t you wait with me? I’ve actually been following your work for a while. After reading your latest paper, I’ve become something of a fan.”
“A fan? Haha, well… I just wrote that because I wanted to explore a few things more deeply, but hearing that makes me feel pretty proud.”
“Don’t sell yourself short! It was incredibly insightful.”
“Y-You think so?”
Kang Biso smoothly kept the conversation going, chatting like it was second nature. The way Yeon Gu-han’s eyes lit up made it obvious—he was thrilled to have someone to geek out with. I mean, Kang Biso had even read his papers. The man was thorough, that’s for sure.
“Shall we?” Kang Bijun said.
“…Yeah.”
While Yeon Gu-han happily rambled on, Kang Bijun quietly led me into the testing room.
Once inside, I spotted a machine I didn’t recognize—completely different from the one I saw last time.
“…Let’s begin.”
With that, Kang Bijun started operating the machine with practiced ease. Even though it had to be unfamiliar tech, he didn’t hesitate at all. It was clear why he was trusted as a Deputy Commander in a Villain unit.
“Alright, we’re starting. Please step inside and hold onto the handle.”
I stepped into the machine and gripped the handle. Just like before, the machine began to hum and vibrate with a sharp buzzing sound.
I closed my eyes.
[Commencing Guiding Evaluation.]
The mechanical voice rang out as the test began.
What rank would it show this time?
I had asked Kang Bijun to help, just in case things went south… but honestly, there was a chance I’d still turn out to be just another D-Rank—just like Hwang Seol-bin.
Maybe it’s because I’m in this unique possessed state. What if my rank stayed the same, but my ability efficiency shot through the roof?
[Evaluation complete.]
Just as I was wondering how it would turn out, the machine announced the end of the test, and the door slid open.
“So… is it done?”
“……”
Kang Bijun didn’t respond. He just stood there, staring at the result sheet in his hands, unmoving.
“Hello?”
Still no answer. Frowning, I walked over to him.
“What’s wrong—”
I glanced at the test result—and froze on the spot.
[Guide Hwang Seol-bin: Rank SSS]
Not one, not two, but three S’s.
I swallowed hard. I blinked and looked again, but there it was—clear as day. SSS-Rank.
My vision went white.
I mean, I figured my rank might’ve improved a little. But SSS?
Even seeing the result myself, I couldn’t believe it.
And then it hit me—like a bucket of ice water.
What if this gets out?
I’d be exactly like Kim Yong-ha. No more freedom. No more going out. I’d be locked down under the guise of “security,” watched 24/7, and always at risk of being snatched away.
And unlike him, I wasn’t S-Rank—I was SSS.
If they did that to Kim Yong-ha, what the hell would they do to me?
Knock knock.
The door opened, and Yeon Gu-han stepped in.
“Is the evaluation done? If the results are out, I’d like to see them.”
He must’ve wrapped up his chat with Kang Biso, because he strode over and held out his hand expectantly.
No. We couldn’t give it to him. We had to switch it out—now.
And right then, Kang Bijun moved.
He turned his body slightly, hand shifting so fast it was like watching a card trick. In one smooth motion, he swapped the papers—slick, practiced.
The paper now in his hand had a slightly different texture.
With a calm smile, he handed it over.
“Here you go.”
“Thanks. Let’s see…”
Yeon Gu-han took the sheet without suspicion and began reading.
“Rank… D-Rank Guide… Same as before.”
His voice dropped.
“Looks like the machine was just malfunctioning last time,” Kang Bijun said smoothly, like nothing unusual had happened.
“…I see. Damn, I had really high hopes for this…”
His disappointment was written all over his face. That eager spark in his eyes had all but vanished.
“Well, if that’s the result, then it is what it is. Thank you for your time.”
“Thank you.”
“And thank you too, Guide. You did great.”
Kang Biso and Kang Bijun gave me a small nod, then stepped out.
“I’ll take my leave as well.”
“Sure. Of course.”
Yeon Gu-han now looked at me with the same disinterest as the day we first met. Honestly? That was fine. Better than the alternative.
I welcomed the indifference and walked out of the lab—only to find Kang Biso and Kang Bijun still waiting just outside.
Why hadn’t they left yet?
I didn’t want to draw attention, so I greeted them politely.
“Thank you for everything today.”
“Come on, this is just part of our job.”
“…Yeah, I guess it is.”
I wanted to talk more—ask about the test, ask why Kang Biso had come personally—but too many eyes were around. I kept walking, saving the questions for later.
***
Kang Bijun and Kang Biso left the Guide Center without saying a word.
They walked in silence until they were far enough away. Once they slipped into a quiet alley, Kang Bijun finally spoke.
“Hyung.”
“Yeah?”
Kang Bijun stopped walking, and Kang Biso turned to face him.
“It’s insane.”
“What is?”
Kang Bijun reached into his pocket and pulled out the real test result.
“Haah…”
[Guide Hwang Seol-bin: Rank SSS]
The two of them stared at the paper in silence.
“…I’m not seeing things, right?”
“Unless we’re both hallucinating, nope. That’s SSS.”
They’d expected maybe A-Rank. At most, a miracle S-Rank like Kim Yong-ha.
But this? This blew all expectations out of the water.
“SSS… I didn’t even know that rank existed.”
“Espers don’t even have an SSS tier. But here we are—SSS-Rank Guide.”
A slow smile curled across Kang Biso’s lips, filled with satisfaction.
Kang Bijun shuddered.
“What the hell’s with that creepy smile? You’re giving me chills.”
“I mean, come on. Isn’t it awesome? He’s my Guide.”
“Ugh… Seriously?”
Kang Bijun wanted to scoff, but stopped. Now it all made sense. The obsession. The persistence.
He always wondered why Kang Biso was so hung up on Hwang Seol-bin—even with all the talent and high matching rates out there. Now, it was clear.
The guy was SSS.
And then came the curiosity.
If he’s really SSS… wouldn’t he have high compatibility with most Espers? What does it feel like to be Guided by someone like that?
Not that he’d ever get the chance—Kang Biso had already claimed him.
“So, my lovely little brother, Bijun~”
“…Why are you talking like that?”
Kang Bijun stared at him warily. That tone always meant trouble.
“So what should we do next?”
“Obviously… get him on our side before anyone else finds out he’s SSS.”
At that, Kang Biso smiled like he’d heard the right answer and patted his brother’s shoulder.
“Exactly. I’ll be sticking around the Guide Center for a while, so keep an eye on the base for me, alright?”
“What?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll make him mine and bring him back. Promise.”
He winked.
“Haaah…”
Kang Bijun let out a long, exhausted sigh from deep in his chest.
Whatever. Fine.
It was annoying how openly his brother was slacking off—but if there was one thing Kang Biso excelled at, it was charming people.
If they could win over an SSS-Rank Guide like Hwang Seol-bin, it would change everything.
He just had to trust his brother to do it.
“Fine. Just make sure you bring him in properly.”
At those words, Kang Biso grinned—and his dimples deepened.
“Of course.”
