The Youngest Master wants to be exorcised! chapter 22

Given that appearing on a variety show inevitably attracts negative comments, Hyunsoo prohibited the three members from using the internet for a while.

Since the show started airing, the four members were thoroughly detoxing from the internet, unaware of the public’s reaction. However, there were people monitoring it.

Kim Soojung, the deputy head of the special D Team, and assistant manager Shin Jowoon were those people.

[HOT] (1st) Center promotion variety show is disgusting (1,289)

I’m a current Esper with four years of experience at the center.

Watching the hot new promotion variety show and feeling disgusted, I need to say something. I really don’t know what the higher-ups at the center are thinking…

You might not know, but the dedicated guide for D Team’s founding members died a few months ago.

Now they’re shooting this variety show… Any Esper who has completed their mandatory service would understand, but losing a colleague who worked alongside you messes up your mental state…

Moreover, D Team has been relentlessly assigned missions without proper rest.

Right after the guide died, the center hastily replaced them with an S-class guide who’s only been here for a year…

When D Team requires at least three years of experience, they just shoved an S-class guide in because they are rare.

After the incident involving the assault of a trainee Esper, the atmosphere at the center was chaotic, with the director going wild and disciplinary actions taken against those responsible.

The team leader even resigned.

Despite the chaotic atmosphere, they decided to shoot a funny variety show to lighten things up, but it’s just disgusting…

You might not want to see a variety show about Espers, but we risk our lives working, and we don’t want to be portrayed comically.

Although D Team probably appeared because they were ordered to, even after six years, you have to follow orders.

I’ve occasionally seen D Team, and they were never the laughing, smiling people shown in the show.

Personally, I respect them a lot… Seeing them criticized makes me think this show is a complete failure.

In case you think I’m lying, here’s proof.

(Photo of a note with nickname written on Esper uniform)
(1,289 comments)

[BEST] ㅇㅇ: “So, they didn’t let the kids rest and made them shoot a variety show to lighten the mood? Are they insane? I laughed while watching, but now I’m pissed.”

[BEST] ㅋㅋㅋ: “While watching, I was puzzled why a top-performing attack team had a first-year guide, but now I see… Poor them.”

[BEST] Anonymous: “Honestly, these Esper variety shows are annoying, making the busy kids show their abilities and tell stories. They’re not clowns.”

Soojung sipped her hot Americano and frowned. The center’s determined and large-scale promotion, combined with the eye-catching faces, resulted in a hotter reaction than expected.

“They said SY would handle any insults or rumors related to Jaehee, so we only need to handle issues involving the other members.”

“Of course. Let’s gather data and continue monitoring.”

“Understood.”

“Ugh, what a hassle.”

Even though the variety show would have materialized regardless of her suggestion, Soojung felt oddly guilty.

She had initially broached the subject of the show, making her feel responsible for the chaos that followed.

“This doesn’t feel like resting at all.”

During the variety show filming period, special D Team members were not assigned field missions.

However, the sub-part team members, except for the main participants, had to monitor the situation.

Due to the aftermath of the trainee assault incident, the center’s legal team was overwhelmed with legal issues.

‘If you collect the data and pass it on, we’ll handle it. We’re so busy we might die, with people even sleeping here due to overtime.’

A legal team member, acquainted with team leader Kim Soojung, pleaded with her, blaming the incompetent higher-ups for overburdening the staff.

“Oh. We must definitely sue this person. Assistant manager Shin, did you get the PDF?”

“Yes. This place is a den of malicious comments. It’s the complete opposite of other sites.”

Assistant manager Shin Jowoon diligently scoured sites hostile to Espers, collecting evidence to bring down the malicious commenters with the full force of the law.

* * *

Before the airing of the second episode of [D Team Life], anonymous communities that usually fangirl over handsome Espers were experiencing an unexpected boom.

For fans who were always starving for content, it was a blessing.

-[Miscellaneous] Wow, so many new fans. It’s been a while… Nice to meet you all! (16)

-[Miscellaneous] If you’re new, check the guidelines and enjoy fangirling! (9)

-[D Team Life] Found old interviews of D Team (113)

(Video of Jung Minchan interview) (Video of Song Jiwon interview) (Video of Kim Yoon interview)

The boys look so youngㅠ No, but seriously, these guys who used to give curt, short answers with stern expressions in interviews become fanboys around Jaehee.

Are you guys in love or what? Is this aunt being overly sentimental again?

┕ Kim Yoon is still so lively, lol. I’m watching it muted while goofing off at work, but I can hear his voice. Hahaha.

┕Jiwon… that journalist bastard has been bothering you, huh… Wait, I’ll go smash that bastard’s head… Damn it, they’re shoving a microphone at someone who can’t even wipe their own blood properly.

Originally, the community was created to fangirl over Esper and Guide, so only friendly posts flowed in.

After doing some low-key promotion on SNS and communities, new members came flooding in through searches, making it very crowded.

They dug up old interview videos, articles distributed by the PR team, and proof photos registered on the center’s homepage, posting them as memes.

In the midst of this fiery excitement, the mood shifted when someone brought up a post that had made it to the community’s best rankings.

– [D Team Fan] Ah… this doesn’t seem like a time for us to laugh and enjoy ourselves…. (390)

https://www.esperandguide.co.kr/besttalk/1088823

The guide dedicated to D Team just recently passed away, and it seems like they’re forcing themselves to film…

┕Could it be… that they were looking at the youngest with eyes full of honey?

┕Ah… Is this the person? I checked for obituaries from the center, and when I searched D Team S-grade guide, this person came up. They were with the kids for six years…ㅠ…(image capture)

┕┕This is a bit much; at least cover the name before posting. Spreading news about someone’s death like this seems crossing the line.

┕┕┕22222 I was shocked watching it. Have some decency.

┕But even if it’s forced, the kids’ faces look too natural and comfortable. Hmm, let’s see first.

┕It’s been a long time since I’ve been excited, and now you’re pouring cold water on it… Sigh.

The post confirmed by Team Leader Kim Su-jeong spread to anonymous communities as well. When the heated mood cooled down a bit, the preview for episode 2 was uploaded.

They watched the preview with unease.

As they pressed play, the image that appeared was Lee Jaehee walking down the hallway with a face devoid of laughter.

[Production Team: Jaehee, where are you going?]

[Lee Jaehee: I’m on my way to attend the regular guide training at the center.]

[The youngest still needs to learn!]

The scene of sitting in the center’s training room, taking notes briefly passed by, and then the screen transitioned.

[Jung Minchan: Hey, Jiwon. I asked for you to slice some carrots, not juice them!]

[Song Jiwon: (Expressing through gestures since in silent practice)]

[Kim Yoon: Oh, it’s frustrating! Please, speak up!]

Jiwon raised his fist in a completely non-threatening gesture.

[Song Jiwon: (Roughly means to lower your eyes)]

[Jung Minchan: Huh… Can we finish this before Jaehee arrives?]

[What on earth are they doing in the kitchen…?]

The screen briefly transitioned, and a scene of Lee Jaehee dropping chopsticks and running out of the dining room was broadcasted.

[Find out what happened to the peaceful D Team this Wednesday!]

The preview ended with lively sound effects.

The mood, which had briefly calmed, reignited.

– [D Team Fan] Isn’t this just one of those clichés where someone’s pregnant and having morning sickness? (Pass the trash talk) (11)

– [D Team Fan] Did they assassinate the youngest…? (9)

– [D Team Fan] Jaehee’s guide domination is seriously epic (15)

The fact that it’s only their first year and they have only a few badges is so cuteㅠ The sky blue suits them so well… (Image edit)

***

At the time when the preview for [D Team Exploration] episode 2 was released, the D Team, nearing the end of the shoot, looked serious seeing the heavily armed production team.

“Are you okay with this?”

“Of course! Our camera director has experience filming documentaries in dangerous areas with monsters. Plus, they’re an S-grade Esper who has completed mandatory service.”

“Still, holding cameras or equipment might make it hard for you to prepare for unexpected emergencies.”

Minchan scratched his head with a worried look.

“Ah, it’s just a simple task. According to the reconnaissance report, it’s only a level 3 Lizardman. With three S-grade Espers, it would be strange if it were dangerous. Besides, showing Esper abilities will make the footage more engaging.”

The PD reassured them, saying they would film with the minimum number of staff.

Though it was an agreed matter in advance, handling mainly grade 1 monsters, such show-off filming felt awkward.

Minchan looked at Jiwon and Yoon.

They gave him a look that said they were impatient to start. Minchan nodded with a begrudging expression and approached Hyunsoo, who was with the production team.

Since Hyunsoo joined the D Team as Lee Jaehee, it was the first time he would accompany them on-site. Though he would be in a safe base camp, he couldn’t help but worry.

“I’ll be back soon. Stay close to the sub-team.”

Hyunsoo nodded.

‘The guy who knows best how many years I’ve been on-site is overprotecting me.’

Even though he thought that to himself, he aimed to ensure safety as much as possible. He was borrowing someone else’s body, after all.

“Jaehee, I’ll be back quickly! If anything happens, contact me immediately. Got it?”

Yoon, who could teleport, tapped the receiver in his ear.

“…Stay in a safe place.”

Jiwon, who unintentionally took on a silent practice concept in front of the camera, hesitated and mumbled softly.

Hyunsoo, looking at the D Team’s worried eyes with a cold stare, nodded and waved his hand.

“Got it, so go quickly. The production team is waiting.”

Hyunsoo sent off the ones who were touching their cheeks and fidgeting with their hands as if reuniting with separated family members.

The regretful ones left with the production team to handle the monster that appeared in Area 23.

The remaining camera captured ‘Lee Jaehee’ who was waiting.

Honestly, I wondered what kind of footage would come out, but I left it alone. If it turned out boring, it would be to Hyunsoo’s benefit.

The remaining production team, seemingly trying to create content, threw a question.

“Jaehee, this is your first time waiting on-site, right?”

“…Yes.”

It was everyday life for Hyunsoo, but it was Lee Jaehee’s first time. It felt like more and more of the things Hyunsoo lived through in the past were being erased while living under Jaehee’s name.

‘It’s the perfect time to mess up if I let my mind wander in front of the camera. I need to stay focused.’

Hyunsoo shook off his thoughts and answered the questions from the producer. At that moment, he couldn’t imagine what would happen a little while later.