# Chapter 19
Once I recovered enough to move freely, Director Ham requested that I come to work at the Guide Bureau. The reason was that the few S-class guides should maintain close relationships with each other.
Guide Bureau 1 consisted of eleven people, all S-class guides. They used three floors, with four people per floor. I was assigned to the top floor where Director Ham was located.
I couldn’t help but marvel at the offices of Guide Bureau 1. Not only were there four separate offices per floor, but each office also ensured complete privacy.
The Bureau 17 where I had worked had thirty C-class guides using the first floor, divided by partitions that looked like they would break if bumped. We called it the chicken coop. Though we rarely used it since everyone mostly worked in the field, hardly anyone visited except to write reports due to its uniquely cramped discomfort.
Compared to that, this place was nothing short of heaven. So this was how differently S-class guides were treated. With wide eyes, I headed toward the office with my name on it. I was told I could furnish the office according to my own style, but I only requested the most basic items. The monochrome furniture was visibly brand new.
“In Bureau 17, they gave us just one decades-old metal locker, but they’re pouring all their budget here.”
It seemed like too severe discrimination for people who were all guides. I didn’t feel any sort of relief at having escaped that situation. My heart and body still remained at C-class. That’s where I would return to. I wanted to think that this place was just temporary.
I turned on the state-of-the-art computer and processed the documents neatly arranged on the desk one by one. They were reports on the recent Chicago gate incident, S-class training, and documents related to managing pair relationships.
“Why is there so much? It’s intense.”
S-class guides, who had much more media exposure compared to C-class guides, seemed to have three times as many regulations to follow. It also stated that strict confidentiality on classified matters was essential.
While skimming through the documents, thinking it was too much to even restrict contact with family members, I heard someone’s voice.
“Knock knock.”
When I looked up at the verbal knocking sound, there was a man with his hair tied high. It looked almost like a traditional topknot.
“Guide Park Garam?”
“Yes.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Oh Guhyeon, who uses the same floor.”
“Ah, Guide Oh Guhyeon. I’ve heard a lot about you. Pleased to meet you.”
Oh Guhyeon was a guide with tanned skin and a robust physique. He laughed generously while grabbing and shaking my hand.
“I like how friendly you are. Many guides feel uncomfortable sharing a floor with Director Ham, but that guy hardly sticks around here, so don’t worry too much. Soon, Guide Jeon Jinhyeok, who uses room 3, will come too.”
“Ah, yes. I should have greeted you first… I was just dealing with the backlog of work since I arrived. I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine, it’s fine. Who cares who greets whom first? Director Ham likes formality, but we prefer comfort. If you’re free this evening, let’s have dinner together, the three of us. There’s a place nearby that makes great dururuchigi.”
Oh Guhyeon emphasized this while waving his hands as if he genuinely didn’t mind. I smiled and answered.
“Ah, yes. That sounds good.”
Oh Guhyeon said he would come around the end of the workday and returned to office number 2. Number 1 was Director Ham Minho, number 2 was Oh Guhyeon, number 3 was Jeon Jinhyeok, and number 4 was me.
In other places, these two would probably be considered the most powerful in Director Ham’s circle. Oh Guhyeon and Jeon Jinhyeok were known among guides as the “Hands of God.”
The two, who were the same age, had been guides for 25 years this year and could heal almost any esper. The reason I say “almost” is because Kim Haewon was the only esper they couldn’t guide. Except for him, they had good compatibility with all espers.
They were popular due to their sturdy physique that belied their mid-40s age and their handsome southern Korean looks. Feeling significantly inferior in terms of build, I did some stretching as if to broaden my shoulders before sitting down.
But no sooner had I sat down than the bell rang. It was Director Ham’s secretary. Being told to come to office number 1 immediately, I acknowledged and hung up. The reason he called me despite being so close was probably to emphasize that he was the boss and I was a subordinate who must obey him at all times.
What an old-fashioned jerk.
I composed my reluctant expression and entered office number 1. Unlike other offices, there was an additional wall, and I had to be verified by the secretary at the front desk before entering Director Ham’s actual office.
Knock knock. When I knocked, I heard a voice telling me to come in. I entered, closed the door, and greeted him properly.
“Come closer. Have you met Guhyeon and Jinhyeok?”
“I met Guide Oh Guhyeon. I heard that Guide Jeon Jinhyeok is on his way.”
Ham Minho nodded as if he understood. His expression looked even more like an old toad than usual. Something seemed to displease him. I maintained proper posture and waited for his words.
“Do you know what other guides call Guhyeon and Jinhyeok?”
“The Hands of God.”
“That’s right. The Hands of God. Countless S-class espers have survived thanks to them. Do you know what’s really great about them?”
“I don’t know.”
“Why don’t you know?”
I met his eyes at the sudden absurd question. There was anger in Ham Minho’s eyes. Clearly, something had upset him. I lowered my gaze and continued.
“I still lack enough knowledge. I would appreciate it if you could enlighten me, Director.”
“Ah, tsk, tsk. You were originally a C-class, weren’t you?”
He really couldn’t be anything but an unpleasant bastard. If he was going to chew me out after specifically calling me in, shouldn’t he at least tell me the reason first? Watching him beat around the bush instead of speaking directly made me feel like rage was welling up in my chest.
“Their admirable point is that they don’t discriminate against any esper. Whether it’s D-class, A-class, or S-class.”
“Yes, I see.”
“Unlike you, who whines about only wanting to take on one pair guide!”
“I… I’m sorry, but I told you last time that I would follow your decision, Director. I never whined.”
“Stop pretending! You encouraged Esper Kim Haewon to send this official document from the Esper Bureau! Do you know how embarrassed I was? It made me look like I acted on my own without understanding the situation!”
Director Ham Minho exploded and crumpled up the document, throwing it. I picked it up. As he said, it was a document from the Esper Bureau.
It expressed regret regarding the esper matching of Guide Bureau 1, which best knew SS-class Esper Kim Haewon’s current condition, and requested consideration for Guide Park Garam to work exclusively for Esper Kim Haewon until his condition stabilized.
While the content seemed gentle, the tone was almost threatening, as if asking whether they wanted to fall out with Esper Bureau 1 or if they failed to understand the situation.
“Look at it if you have eyes!”
Ham Minho’s face was red as he vented his anger at me, spitting as he spoke. But there was no mention of me anywhere. It was just Ham Minho’s imagination. I looked at Ham Minho with an expressionless face.
“Didn’t you receive a report that I almost died while guiding Esper Kim Haewon?”
“What?”
“Or that he headed alone to the Chicago gate because he didn’t like me?”
“…”
“There’s no mention of me in this at all. I don’t understand why you think I’m the cause. I’m a guide belonging to Guide Bureau 1 who must follow your decisions, Director.”
Ham Minho’s face turned bright red, and his fingers trembled. Since my words were not wrong, he seemed to have nothing more to say. I put the document on Ham Minho’s desk and said,
“What good would it do to impress an esper, even if it’s Kim Haewon? I’m an employee of the Guide Bureau. Please don’t forget that damage to your dignity is also infuriating and humiliating for me. I’ll take my leave now.”
“Is it really not you?”
“…”
“Did you really know nothing about this!”
I, who had been standing with my back turned, looked at Director Ham again.
“Esper Kim Haewon and Esper Nam Ihyeon happened to visit together before. At that time, Esper Kim Haewon seemed to learn about the temporary guide relationship, and he told me something.”
“…”
“He said it was filthy.”
“What?”
“That’s probably the reason.”
Director Ham seemed to have a deflated expression at this unexpected reason. He must have thought I had buttered up Kim Haewon to make him look bad.
I left the director’s office and shook my head. Jeon Jinhyeok, who was just arriving at work, saw me. He was a man with very sharp and fierce eyes.
“Are you Kim Haewon’s guide?”
At his aggressive tone, I started to greet him but stopped and widened my eyes.
“Are you going to make me ask twice? Are you Kim Haewon’s guide?”
“Yes, yes. That’s right. I’m Park Garam.”
“You bastard!”
Jeon Jinhyeok suddenly lunged at me. I was so surprised that I had no time to defend myself before he grabbed me by the collar.
