Guide Me If You Dare
Chapter 59: BABY STEPS

Chapter 59: BABY STEPS

[A while ago...]

"YUYU, how do you think that person managed to put a leash on our country’s strongest Espers?"

’That person?’

Ah, Moon Noa was probably talking about the President who came after Kwak Hakjae stepped down from his position and before President Cheol Kang took the presidential seat.

So, we’re talking about the person who ruined the lives of many Espers and Guides.

"That person recognized the true value of Guides, so she passed the law that allowed the government to "own" Guides," Yuno answered, wondering why his boss was suddenly giving him a pop quiz. "Since Espers aren’t allowed to have their own Guides anymore, they are forced to come to the National Guide Bureau if they want to receive Guiding. The National Guide Bureau is a government branch. So, if a high-ranking Esper wants a high-class Guide, then they’ll try to curry favor with the government. That’s how the previous President gained power over the highest-ranking Espers in the country."

In short, the previous President enjoyed getting bribes from Espers.

"Very good," Moon Noa said. "Next question. How did that person manage to "tame" Guides so their heads wouldn’t get big and they wouldn’t think about escaping or eloping with the Esper they fell in love with?"

"I don’t know, sir."

"The answer is simple, Yuyu: that person taught Espers that treating their Guides like mere sex toys or sex slaves would make them submissive. That’s why most Espers are abusive towards their Guides, and why most Guides have low self-esteem."

"Now I’m confused, sir. That person put a leash on Espers by exploiting Guides. But that person also taught Espers that abusing their Guides is the best way to tame them?"

"Yuyu, to that person, Espers and Guides are the same," Moon Noa said in a serious tone. "She used the Guides to put a leash on Espers, then she used the Espers and their mental instability to keep the Guides in check. So, in the end, a toxic symbiotic relationship between Guides and Espers was born. Do you know why the government ruined what started as a harmonious relationship between Guides and Espers?"

"I’m not sure, sir."

"If the Guides gain independence from the government, then the Espers won’t have a reason to cooperate with the government anymore. They will just directly employ Guides to work for them," Moon Noa explained. "Most high-ranking officials are Civilians. Hence, if the Espers decide to take over Korea, even the President wouldn’t be able to stop it. That’s why I commend that person for thinking far ahead. She stopped the possibility of Espers overthrowing the government early by having complete power over the Guides in the country. You know what that person did to the Guides in the Lab since you were there, Yuyu."

Ah, right.

"Guides can’t disobey the government," Yuno said bitterly. "It’s something that is wired in a Guide’s system when they sign a contract with the National Guide Bureau."

"There are exceptions, though."

"Yes. For some reason, E-Class Guides are unaffected by whatever "brainwashing" the former President did to the Guides in the past."

"Correct."

"Sajangnim, too," Yuno reminded his boss. After all, he wasn’t the only one who wasn’t affected by the "brainwashing." "You were able to break free from the government’s clutches because you’re an S-Class Guide."

"Yes, the two of us have the power to defy the government, Yuyu," Moon Noa said in a serious voice. "That’s why I need your help, Yuyu— let’s help our fellow Guides gain independence. Everything else will follow after that."

"But isn’t it too late for that already, Sajangnim? The government has control over the highest-ranking Espers in the country now. If the government notices some kind of movement from the Espers, they will stop providing Guides to them. Without proper guiding, Espers will be consumed by their Madness and go on a Rampage."

"Yuyu, baby steps— we’ll do baby steps, one at a time. We’re not going to start a revolt. Not yet, at least."

Yuno tilted his head to one side. "So, what would be our first step, sir?"

"We can’t give the Guides of this country their complete freedom yet— but there’s something we can help them gain on their own," Moon Noa said, smiling like the sly fox that he was. "Yuyu, let’s think of a way to make Guides realize their worth."

***

[Present...]

"HYUNG, I know that Espers are dangerous to us, but k-killing them is a bit..."

Oh.

"You misunderstood, Kim Jaeha," Yuno said while shaking his head. "I’m not saying I made the self-defense kit to kill Espers— I just want you to know that if ever you find yourself in danger because of an Esper, then that self-defense kit could save your life even if your opponent was an S-Class Esper. That’s how confident I am with our product."

Kim Jaeha looked relieved after realizing that Yuno didn’t create weapons with the intention of mass murdering Espers.

I’m not a psychopath, thank you very much.

"Can I keep this, Hyung? Of course, I’ll be careful not to let someone else see the kit," Kim Jaeha promised. "I don’t want Hyung to get in trouble for making an illegal set of self-defense items."

"I’m giving it to you because I want you to have it," Yuno said. "And I trust you, Kim Jaeha. I know we only met recently, but you already have my trust. I’m a good judge of character. I wouldn’t have shown you that illegal kit otherwise."

Kim Jaeha suddenly fell silent.

Did I say something wrong?

"Hyung..."

"Yes?"

"Did you give me this kit because you think Esper Matthew is abusing me?"

"Is he not?"

"I’m not sure, Hyung," Kim Jaeha said, giving Yuno a sad smile. "Everyone around me keeps telling me that it’s my duty to guide Matthew Hyung. That I’m just overreacting every time I get uncomfortable during an intimate Guiding Session..."

Haaah.

What kind of bastards would gaslight a child like that?

This kid reminds me of someone from my past.

"Kim Jaeha, you’re a precious person before you’re a Guide," Yuno said firmly. "Heck, you’re barely an adult. You need to be protected from abusive people."

Especially from your Esper.

Kim Jaeha looked touched by what Yuno said. "Hyung..."

"You being a Guide don’t give your Esper the right to force you to do things against your will. If you can’t say ’no’ out of fear, tell me. I’ll do the talking for you. I’m good at trash-talking, after all."

"Hyung, shouldn’t you be telling me to grow some backbone and stand up for myself?"

"You’re still a kid, so you’re allowed to depend on a reliable adult."

"Can you be that reliable adult for me, Hyung?"

"I learned from a certain someone that you shouldn’t work for free," Yuno said in a lazy, lighthearted tone. "Kim Jaeha, why don’t you help me with my petty revenge against Esper Ki Gayoon? Then let’s see if I could be that reliable adult for you."

"You fought with Esper Ki Gayoon-nim and you’re getting revenge instead of apologizing to him? Hyung, this is why I already know that you’re a reliable adult," Kim Jaeha said, his face beaming. "Please teach me your ways."

Pfft.

Why do I feel like I gained a disciple instead of a dongsaeng¹?

Anyway, Yuno nodded because he didn’t have the heart to disappoint Kim Jaeha. "Sure, I’ll teach you how to kill your Esper from high blood pressure."

***

"WELCOME BACK, Boss."

Ki Gayoon just nodded in response to Baekho’s greeting.

The Gate of the dungeon that he had cleared appeared on top of an old temple in the mountains.

Fortunately, there were no reporters around.

It’s easy to scare away reporters at remote places like this, after all.

Gayoon checked his watch for the time and the date.

It’s already Friday, huh?

That meant Noh Yuno had to work at the National Guide Bureau that day.

Gayoon turned to Baekho. "Have you set up Noh Yuno’s workstation in the office on time?"

Baekho gulped hard as if he was nervous. "Uhm, Boss, about that..."

Haaah.

Gayoon closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. "What did that little rusty shit do this time?"

Later, Ki Gayoon would realize that he’d die early because of Noh Yuno.

Either from high blood pressure or heart attack— perhaps, both.

***

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