GTLTGIDES chapter 47

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His worried face was too close.

Even though we’ve had several mucous membrane guidings, my heart still trembled—perhaps because of his outstanding looks, or maybe because of the special seriousness of “in-action” Cha Junseong.

‘If you feel bad, don’t do it.’

Eunsoo’s voice echoed in my head almost reflexively, making me tense up.

I debated whether I should brush his hand away, but his hand soon moved up to my forehead, seemingly to check if I had a fever.

“…No fever.”

“Yes. I’m really fine.”

“…”

“It’s just that… I’m not at full capacity, so I don’t think I can do a mucous membrane guiding today. I’m sorry…”

I didn’t have the strength to handle the overwhelming emotions that usually poured out like a waterfall during mucous membrane guiding.

Especially with Cha Junseong’s state of mind, the pressure on my insides would be too much for my weak body.

I would surely cause trouble again.

“Forget it. I didn’t call you here for guiding.”

“Then…?”

“…We’ll talk after I finish the mission.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I must have taken up your time when you’re busy.”

I was holding Cha Junseong up, rambling about personal matters after hearing the gate alarm.

Damn. This is embarrassing. Even now, someone could be in danger or struggling.

“Don’t make that face. It’s okay.”

Cha Junseong playfully tapped my forehead with his finger.

Startled by his playful gesture, I looked up and saw him smiling at me, relaxed.

Whether it was the sunlight pouring behind him or that beautiful smile, I found myself dazzled.

“Ah…”

“The situation is under control and it’s not urgent. Just wait over there. I’ll be back soon.”

“Um… Okay! Stay safe.”

“Yeah.”

Cha Junseong adjusted his gloves.

---

Cha Junseong sent me to a tent where the field control team was gathered.

The “Field Control Team” was like the jack-of-all-trades of the scene, arriving faster than anyone at any site involving Espers and Guides, including gate incidents.

They evacuate civilians to safety, manage the situation until the assigned team arrives to prevent escalation, provide support for swift resolution after the team arrives, and even take care of some of the aftermath.

“Heewoon, it’s been a while.”

“Oh, hello…”

As soon as I entered the tent, greetings poured out towards me.

Since we often encountered each other, they treated me more warmly than other teams did.

‘But it’s still awkward…’

Even if they were warm, it was purely business.

Yang Heewoon, who lacked social skills and had no real interest other than Huimang, wasn’t particularly close to anyone.

I didn’t feel any particular affinity toward them either.

There were characters within the Field Control Team mentioned in “The Genius Guide’s Melancholy” , but none played a significant role. Besides, Eunsoo didn’t like them much.

This was partly because Eunsoo had a celestial and solitary personality, even among the Espers of Special Team A, but there was another reason…

‘Maybe I should just leave…’

Cha Junseong had told me to stay inside the tent in case I collapsed from feeling unwell, so I could receive immediate treatment.

But, as expected, I didn’t want to blend in with these people.

“You came to see Junseong in action, didn’t you?”

“Oh, I…”

“Come over here and take a look. It’s really something.”

I was leaning towards stepping out of the tent, but before I could refuse, I was pulled over to a monitor.

One of the Field Control Team members, wearing a name tag that read “Kim Miri,” chattered on, explaining what was on the monitor.

“The red dots on the screen are the current locations of the detected monsters. The bigger the dot, the stronger the wave. And those glowing green dots approaching the monsters are our allies—in this case, Junseong, who just went in. While there are other team members involved, Junseong is the only one heading in this direction.”

“I see…”

“Get ready. You’re about to witness something amazing!”

Her voice was full of pure excitement, his cheeks flushed with anticipation.

What was he about to show me?

It was too late to back out now, and my curiosity was piqued.

I glanced around and focused on the screen he pointed to.

And then, in the next moment, I understood why he was making such a fuss.

“Wow…”

A gasp of awe escaped me.

As soon as the green dot representing Cha Junseong entered the field, the red dots began to disappear at an incredible speed.

There were so many of them that one might expect a few to slip by, but they were all wiped out in an instant, as if he had taken control of the entire area.

This overwhelming display of power. The meticulousness that allowed no room for error.

I was just watching dots on a screen, yet I felt chills. I clenched my fists tightly.

• No more monster waves detected. The situation is resolved.

• Then let’s head back.

• Yes. We’ll handle the cleanup.

• Good. I’ll leave it to you.

The radio crackled with the announcement that the situation had been resolved.

Several team members left the tent to begin the cleanup.

Kim Miri, who was beside me, still looked at me with an excited expression.

“Incredible, right?”

“Yes… Really…”

I must have looked just as flushed as he did.

My heart was racing, and I didn’t know what to do with myself.

But at the same time, I felt a twinge of sadness.

‘If only I were feeling a bit better…’

If I had been in better shape, I could have guided Cha Junseong on the field and witnessed his incredible performance up close. It’s such a shame.

Cha Junseong is always impressive, but Special A Team shines the brightest in the field.

I wonder if I should have pushed myself to go with them, but I know I’d just be a burden in my current state, which makes me sad.

“I wish I could be more helpful…”

Even if I can’t make as big of a contribution as Eunsoo, I want to at least be a teammate who doesn’t hold them back.

I stared at the green dot representing Cha Junseong for a long time.

I hope Cha Junseong comes back soon. If possible, I want to be the first to tell him that he did a great job.

That’s the best I can do for him today, with my inability to guide.

Should I step out? As I glance towards the door, gauging the timing, someone suddenly asks me,

“By the way, Heewoon, is the rumor true? About you two being… involved like that?”

“What? No! Absolutely not!”

What on earth is he talking about?

I was so startled that I vigorously denied it, flailing my arms.

Damn.

If I knew this would happen, I would have been more careful about the rumors.

What would Eunsoo think if he heard this?

“Oh, I see! That’s a relief. I really thought it was true.”

“Heewoon, I’m so jealous. You’ve even done membrane guiding with Junseong, right?”

“Honestly, it would be tough to guide the whole Special A Team, but I’d really love to guide Junseong.”

“He’s probably a great kisser too, right? He seems like the kind of guy who’s good at everything…”

“…”

But as I watched his breathe a sigh of relief and express his envy when I said Cha Junseong and I weren’t involved, I started to feel strange.

He even said he wanted to try guiding with him.

“So, it’s true that the Control Team has a high ratio of guides…”

It’s a ridiculous story.

There’s no rule that says there can only be one dedicated guide for the team.

Everyone at the Management Bureau knows that Yang Heewoon, a B-rank guide, is struggling alone to handle Special A Team.

And yet, the reason why Yang Heewoon is the only guide for Special A Team is simply that no one else has volunteered for the position.

“What is this, like thinking someone else’s rice cake looks bigger…?”

I don’t know what their intentions are.

Even if they tried membrane guiding with Cha Junseong, most of them wouldn’t last three seconds before collapsing.

It’s not just a matter of enduring pain; enduring the crushing pressure, the fear of imminent death—it’s not something you can do without serious determination. It takes a toll on the body as well.

His notoriety is well-known, so they should be aware of it.

Yet, they still envy it, probably not because they want a relationship between an Esper and a guide, but for other, less noble reasons.

Unlike the other two members of Special A Team, who are admired as idols, it seems like many people covet Cha Junseong as a husband…

It made me feel even more uncomfortable.

Knowing what they might desire while presenting themselves as guides, and how they might view others like me, who are also guides…

I really don’t want to mix with these people. I quietly started to move away.

But it was already too late.

“Isn’t it a relief? That guide kid who was recently released after being detained… If he still had has abilities, he’d have definitely been assigned to Special A Team.”

I overheard it.

Damn it.

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