I’m Not Your Fated Guide, But… Chapter 0 - Prologue

“Ugh, it hurts like hell, seriously.”

As I grumbled while rolling an egg over my swollen eye, my teammates started gathering one by one to gawk at my face.

“It’s bruised all black and blue.”

“Man, that looks awful. You should get it treated quick. Want me to call Haewon for you?”

Park Haewon was the dedicated esper for that jerk Moon Youngsu, and he had healing abilities. With just one touch from Esper Park Haewon, a bruise like this would heal in no time… But reality wasn’t so kind. With a sigh, I spilled the reason why I had no choice but to rely on folk remedies.

“The Center Director put a ban on treating me and Gye Joonmin.”

At that, everyone nodded as if they understood.

“Hmm, I’m on the Director’s side. If you keep getting banged up from brawling instead of missions, I’d be pissed too.”

“I’m voting for the Director too.”

“Yeah, now that I think about it, we can’t waste our precious Haewon’s ability on a scrub like you.”

Unbelievable. They all sided with the Director. Not a single person was on my side.

No, come on, shouldn’t they at least back me up since we’re in the same line of work? I started feeling skeptical about this workplace environment where camaraderie was nowhere to be found. Ha, to think I’m surrounded by such disloyal jerks. Won Yoogyeol, you’ve lived your life in vain… truly.

“It’ll be even more of a spectacle tomorrow. If you’re gonna use your face like that, just give it to me.”

“You like my face? Well, don’t go falling for me. You’re not my type.”

“What’s that, you crazy bastard?”

Moon Youngsu cussed and threw something at me. I picked up the small box that hit my forehead and fell. It was ointment.

“Oh, thanks.”

I looked into a hand mirror and applied the ointment to the cut at the corner of my mouth. Ouch, it stings. I guess I won’t be eating spicy food for a while. Of course, on a day like this, I’m craving a steaming bowl of kimchi jjigae.

“You’re really something else. Aren’t you scared of Esper Gye Joonmin at all?”

“Scared? Of what?”

“He’s an S-rank esper, even if he’s a mental type. If he got serious and used his abilities, turning you into mush would be nothing for him.”

“Tch, if an esper’s gonna fight a guide, it’s gotta be pure physical strength. That’s the world of fair and square combat, isn’t it?”

“Still, espers have naturally superior physical abilities. Their starting point is different from ours.”

“What’s that? I can lift 550 in the big three, you know?”

“Oh, wow, good for you, good for you. So if you’re this bruised up, what happened to Esper Gye Joonmin?”

“You gotta give as good as you get, right? I gave him a nosebleed.”

I flashed a victor’s smile and rubbed my philtrum with the knuckle of my index finger. Not just any nosebleed, mind you, but a double nosebleed.

“You’re really you. After living under the same roof for four years, isn’t it about time you two got along?”

Everyone shook their heads in disbelief. Their reactions suggested it wasn’t just Gye Joonmin’s fault but a mutual screw-up. Honestly, I felt so wronged.

No, I swear I tried to get along with him at first. But that jerk was the one who…!