Chapter 12: The Team Heading to Area A
"Director, exactly how long am I supposed to keep doing this Guiding support work?"
I sat inside the director's office and complained. I knew this was bound to happen from the moment I received Jae Hyo's message, but I still wanted to voice my displeasure.
Jena said, "Until Jae Sin finds his Guide and no longer falls into a dangerous state. You know the priority law for SS rank Espers in Country K. Maintaining the stability and survival of SS rank Espers takes precedence over all other principles."
To save Jae Sin, any Guide of rank A or above must provide unconditional support. A Guide like me, who has compatibility above zero with Jae Sin, is even more obligated to be present.
"Everything would be fine if he were not such a bastard."
I said angrily.
Jae Sin treats Guides like trash. He is obsessed with searching for his so called "fated Guide," an extreme fixation on the concept of destiny.
Jena shook her head and told me to bring Lee Do Ha and Cha Cha to Area A. This time, Jae Sin's condition is extremely serious. Area A has requested compatibility measurements with all Guides regardless of rank, in order to find additional Guides who can stabilize Jae Sin.
"Even a B rank Guide like Lee Do Ha? Is Jae Sin about to die or something?"
I sneered darkly.
"Do not make that face. If Jae Sin dies, we will not live peacefully either. Losing an SS rank Esper is an irreparable loss for humanity."
Jena's words made me suddenly recall that about a year ago, the SS rank Esper Seon Ji Yong went missing and never returned. To this day, people are still trying to locate him, to confirm whether he is alive or dead. Losing Seon Ji Yong plunged Area S into crisis for a period of time, and Area A had to take on part of Area S's rift zones to help relieve the pressure.
Losing Seon Ji Yong alone caused that much damage. If Jae Sin were to die as well, humanity would truly be in danger.
"Alright then. For the sake of a lazy and comfortable life in Area D, I will try to save Jae Sin's life."
It is not like this is my first time anyway.
I returned to Team 7's office and called Lee Do Ha over, explaining clearly that we needed to go to Area A.
"Me? A mediocre B rank Guide like me also has to go support an SS rank Esper?"
Lee Do Ha stood there in a daze, just as shocked as I had been earlier.
"They want all Guides from rank B and above to go to Area A for compatibility testing with Jae Sin. As for actual Guiding support, that will mainly be handled by me and Cha Cha."
Lee Do Ha nodded in partial understanding. He asked for half an hour to go home with Lee Do Yeon to pack some belongings. The trip to Area A is quite far. Even traveling by car will take about a week.
Ever since rifts began appearing everywhere with varying levels of intensity, air travel by plane has become extremely dangerous. No one knows which dimension a plane might accidentally fly into.
Because of that, humans have long been limited to land travel. The skies are reserved only for Espers with flight or levitation abilities.
I called Min Seok. We would need a high rank Esper to accompany us and protect the physically fragile Guides. In my opinion, Min Seok is the most suitable choice.
"Oh, right. Zero would not be suitable to come with us. He is an A rank Esper, but Min Seok is better suited to provide protection. That is right. It will just be me, Cha Cha, and Lee Do Ha."
"Hyung!"
Suddenly, I was pulled into a tight embrace.
Clinging so closely and hugging this tightly could only be Jo Hyun.
Jo Hyun must have just returned from training. He was still wearing his tight black outfit that accentuated his bulging chest and abdominal muscles. His warm breath brushed against my ear.
I patted the arm wrapped tightly around my neck, signaling for him to let go, but instead, he tightened his grip even more.
"Ahem… Jo Hyun…"
Jo Hyun said, "I will go with you. You do not need to ask Min Seok Hyung!"
His sparkling eyes stared straight at me, not allowing me to evade his gaze.
"But you are still in your internship period, right? Focus on your training. This trip will last about a week."
Obviously, that was not enough to stop Jo Hyun.
He clung to me tightly, refusing to let go unless I agreed.
"If you leave for a whole week without bringing me…"
Jo Hyun murmured in my ear.
"Then I will not receive any Guiding for an entire week. I will get exhausted and pass out, Hyung."
I was startled.
"You cannot receive Guiding from someone else? I will arrange it…"
Jo Hyun said, "Never. I will only wait for Hyung to come back!"
In the end, I gave in. I cannot allow a newly awakened Esper like Jo Hyun to go without Guiding for an entire week just because of my absence.
And so, that very afternoon, I received the keys to a government vehicle from Director Jena and began loading our luggage into the trunk.
"Kim Jun Hyung! I am here!"
A girl ran out of the headquarters carrying a large travel bag. She has a very cute appearance, with light brown hair and eyes, and charming dimples on her cheeks.
It was Cha Cha, the most beloved A rank Guide at the Area D management headquarters.
Lee Do Ha, Cha Cha, and Jo Hyun were all present. We began our journey toward Area A.