Guide Me If You Dare
Chapter 97: WHEN GUIDES UNITE

Chapter 97: WHEN GUIDES UNITE

"THEN the serial killer probably knows that we already know about their existence— and that they’re here in Korea," Moon Noa said in a serious tone. "I guess Haru-nim’s arrival in our country gave them an idea."

Oho?

Yuno realized that Moon Noa was serious because he addressed Haru formally instead of calling him ’Haruharu.’

Sajangnim looks pretty cool when he’s not acting goofy— just like now.

It actually reminded him of the cold and aloof Moon Noa who saved him from the Lab a few years ago.

"That and probably because Chinese Espers have arrived in Korea as well," Bambi said while nodding. "The serial killer knows they’re being hunted by both the Japanese and the Chinese government. There’s no way the serial killer wouldn’t realize that Korea is already aware of their crimes."

"They seem to be in a hurry," Moon Noa said. "They probably knew they didn’t have the luxury to hunt down the elite Korean Guides since both Japan and China are after their throat. That’s probably why they’re trying to provoke us— they want us to get angry and confront them instead of hiding behind our Espers’ backs."

"And it’s working," Yuno said. If it was a normal situation, he would have just shut his mouth and listened. But he couldn’t just stay still and do nothing. "We should attack first instead of waiting for another Guide to be the serial killer’s next victim."

None of the Guides was against what Yuno said.

We’re all out for blood here.

"Guide Noh Yuno-ssi, it could have been you instead of Guide Choi Kangmin-ssi," Bambi said bluntly. "The serial killer seemed like he made a mistake because he thought Guide Kangmin-ssi was still a part of the Top 5. He probably didn’t get the news of Guide Noh Yuno-ssi taking Guide Choi Kangmin-ssi’s place because he was running away from the authorities. Had the serial killer known, they would have probably gone after you instead of Guide Choi Kangmin-ssi."

Yeah, that was something Yuno had already figured out when the serial killer said they "killed the wrong person."

And it wasn’t just me.

Since the Guides and Espers in the room were all quick-witted, everyone probably realized that as well. But none of them brought it up— except for Bambi.

But I think I know why Team Leader Bambi-ssi is provoking me.

"What do you think you’re doing, Bambi?" Ki Gayoon asked coldly. "If you’re just going to blame my Guide for something he has nothing to do with, then we’re leaving. I won’t let you make Noh Yuno feel guilty for his fellow Guide’s death."

"Did my Guide say something wrong, though?" Ryu Sungbin retorted. "Ki Gayoon, you’re being too sensitive."

Of course, Ki Gayoon didn’t take that well.

Aigoo.

"Esper Ryu Sungbin-ssi is right— Team Leader Bambi-ssi didn’t say anything wrong," Yuno said bluntly, earning him a glare from Ki Gayoon. But he just ignored his Esper since he wasn’t done talking yet. "It’s true that the serial killer might have gone after the "last place" among the Top 5 Espers’ Guides, and that position belongs to me. However, I’m confident that I wouldn’t have been his first victim."

Bambi raised an eyebrow at him. "Are you that confident because you have Esper Ki Gayoon-ssi? But, Guide Noh Yuno-ssi, remember this: According to our investigation, Esper Yang Youngjae-ssi only left Guide Choi Kangmin-ssi alone for five minutes. He didn’t hear or feel anything strange during those five minutes; hence he failed to come to his Guide’s rescue. Don’t be too complacent just because your Esper is strong."

"I’m confident not because of Esper Ki Gayoon-ssi, but because of my own ability," Yuno said bluntly, surprising Bambi. "I’m confident that I could have survived for five minutes, or at least until my Esper comes to my rescue, because of my skills."

Now everyone’s attention was focused on Yuno— especially the attention of his fellow Guides.

I must have sounded arrogant.

"Team Leader Bambi-ssi, I know you’re making me feel guilty on purpose because you want my cooperation," Yuno said, making Bambi flinch as he hit the bull’s eye. "You don’t have to provoke me— I want to catch the serial killer, after all."

"That’s good to hear," Bambi said while nodding. "Actually, Guide Moon Noa-ssi and I have already talked about what to do next."

Now everyone’s attention turned to Moon Noa.

"We’re going to have a lavish welcome party for you, Guide Noh Yuno-ssi, as the new member of the new Top 5," Moon Noa said, addressing Yuno formally. "In short, we’re going to lure out the serial killer."

"I object," Ki Gayoon said. "You’re going to use my Guide as bait? Hell no."

"Hyung, I appreciate your concern, but I want to do this," Yuno said firmly. "Sajangnim, Team Leader Bambi-ssi, can we ask the Espers to leave the room?"

"Noh Yuno," Ki Gayoon called his name angrily. "Have you gone insane?"

"I agree with Guide Noh Yuno-ssi," Bambi said, stopping Ki Gayoon from throwing a tantrum. "Esteemed Espers, please leave the room."

Ryu Sungbin, Lee Sarang, Matthew, and Jin Sooin immediately got up from their seats and left the room without making a fuss.

Wow.

They really follow Team Leader Bambi-ssi’s every word.

"Esper Ki Gayoon-ssi, you should leave as well," Moon Noa said. "Go and accompany Haru-nim before he gets bored."

Ki Gayoon let out a frustrated sigh, but he got up and glared at Yuno before leaving the room.

Haaah.

Yuno didn’t show it, but he was pretty nervous.

Hyung is really pissed.

***

"I KNEW you’d get kicked out."

Tsk.

Ki Gayoon was already annoyed that he was kicked out of the room, and it didn’t help that Haru had to tease him about it.

He found the dethroned Crown Prince in the café on the 3rd floor of the National Guide Bureau’s HQ (where the meeting was being held). Had he known Haru was wasting time there, he would have just bought a canned coffee from the vending machine.

"Gayoon-san, join me."

"Fuck off."

"Gayoon-san, I’m bored."

"Who told you to wait for the sly alone like a dog?"

"Gayoon-san, do you want to hear a funny story about Yuno-kun when Noa-san brought him to Japan for the first time?" Haru asked, smiling slyly. "Yuno-kun put my cousin, the current Crown Prince, in his place back then."

Haaah.

Gayoon walked past Haru’s table to order an iced coffee.

There were Hunters and Guides in the line, but they all made way for him while bowing.

Even the staff looked shocked and scared to see him. But, at least, they made his iced coffee quickly.

After that...

"Is that a story for you to share?" Gayoon asked when he took the seat across from Haru. "I don’t like Noh Yuno to think we’re talking behind his back."

"It happened to me and my family, so I have the right to share it with other people," Haru said casually. "And Yuno-kun didn’t ask me to keep it a secret."

"You talk as if the Japanese Imperial Family is just your average folks."

"That’s how Yuno-kun treated them."

Heh.

As expected of my punk.

"Gayoon-san, you’re already smiling when you haven’t heard the full story yet," Haru said teasingly. "You seem to be so fond of Yuno-kun."

"I wouldn’t have made Noh Yuno my Exclusive Guide if I hated him."

"Do you want to know how to figure it out?"

"Figure out what?"

"Whether you like Noh Yuno as a Guide or a person," Haru said, smiling as if the sly fox had possessed him. "I used this method and realized I was in love with Noa-san."

"Wait," Gayoon said, knitting his eyebrows. "Why do you even suspect that I’m in love with Noh Yuno?"

"Oh, you, sweet summer child."

***

"SO, AS I said earlier, we will lure out the serial killer by organizing a lavish party."

Yuno listened to Moon Noa carefully.

He also noticed that Bambi didn’t look surprised.

It seems like Sajangnim and Team Leader Bambi-ssi have already talked before this.

"Chief Kim Munhee and President Kwak Hakjae protested at first. They didn’t want to gather the Top 5 Guides in one place, but Guide Bambi-ssi and I believe that this is necessary," Moon Noa continued with his explanation. "So, we convinced them that this is for the best."

Kim Jaeha raised his hand awkwardly. "Guide Moon Noa-nim, c-can I ask a question?"

Moon Noa smiled at the kid gently. "Of course, Guide Kim Jaeha-ssi. Go ahead."

"W-Won’t it be insensitive to throw a lavish party after one of us was k-killed," Kim Jaeha said. He looked scared of speaking up, but he did it anyway. "It’s disrespectful to Kangmin Hyung and his family..."

Aww.

Kim Jaeha is really a good kid.

"There’s a reason why we haven’t announced Guide Choi Kangmin-ssi’s death to the public yet," Moon Noa said gently. "Your Team Leader already talked to Guide Choi Kangmin-ssi’s family."

"We’ve already informed Guide Choi Kangmin-ssi’s parents about our plan to capture the serial killer who killed their only son," Bambi said. "They gave us the permission to hold a party as a way to lure out the culprit. But, in return, they asked us to freeze Guide Choi Kangmin-ssi’s body. They said they’ll only hold a funeral service for their son once the serial killer is caught."

All the more reason to catch that bastard then.

And every single Guide in that room felt that motivation.

"What do we do when the serial killer shows up at the party?" Rebecca asked, clenching her hands tight. "I want to kill that bastard, but I can’t do that when we don’t know exactly how they kill our kind. We’re Guides, and we’re still Awakened People. It shouldn’t have been that easy to kill our fellow Guides."

"The serial killer seems to be working alone," Mo Hanjin added awkwardly. "That must mean they really have the ability of an Esper."

Yeah, Rebecca and Mo Hanjin’s worries were all valid.

And that’s why...

"If the culprit’s only killing method is shattering our Cores, then there’s a way to protect it from getting shattered," Yuno said carefully. "I know a technique that will definitely increase your chances of surviving in case the serial killer corners you alone. And I can teach it to you if you allow me." He paused for a moment before adding awkwardly: "You don’t have to trust me— but please trust my skills as a Guide."

An E-Class Guide, to be precise.

My colleagues didn’t die just for the elite Guides of this country to die one by one defenselessly.

***

Please ADD <GUIDE ME IF YOU DARE> to your LIBRARY to be notified when an update is posted. Thank you! :>

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.