Guide Me If You Dare-Chapter 307: DE FACTO LEADER

KI GAYOON realized that his unique connection to Lee Sarang was severed when he returned to the surface.

He had been in his private dungeon for two weeks, gathering materials for his construction company. Yes, it was enough time for a lot of things to change in their small country that was often attacked by dungeons and monsters.

So, it was possible that someone or something fucked up South Korea during his absence.

But Lee Sarang would have sent me a message if that were the case.

Ki Gayoon and Lee Sarang created a ’Blue Thread’ made of their Mana before.

It worked like a signal that could send an S.O.S to the other if needed.

However, that link was severed.

"Boss!"

Baekho, his right-hand man, greeted him in a hurry.

Just by looking at the guy’s face and he could already tell that something bad happened while he was gone.

Tsk.

"What happened to Lee Sarang?" Ki Gayoon asked, obviously confusing Baekho. "My connection with Lee Sarang suddenly disappeared, so something shitty must have happened to this country again."

"Esper Lee Sarang-nim is fine, as far as I know. But President Kwak Hakjae-nim and Guide Moon Noa-nim are not okay. They were both taken to the hospital. But the security is so tight that not even Yu Minju could hack the system and find out what happened—"

"Well, I don’t really care about them."

Baekho let out a frustrated sigh. "Boss, Esper Ryu Sungbin-nim made an official announcement letting the whole world know that you’re not a part of the Top 5 anymore."

"Took him long enough to kick me out officially."

"Kim Munhee-nim has replaced Guide Moon Noa-nim as the new chief of the National Guide Bureau."

"Guides are none of my business."

"Esper Ryu Sungbin appointed Cheol Kang-nim as the new President of our country."

"I really don’t care, but who the fuck is that?"

"Cheol Kang-nim is the former mayor of Seoul, Boss. He’s best known for pocketing the relief funds for the victims of dungeon breaks. And his family also used to own a construction company. They went bankrupt after you established Beom-Seok Constructions."

"Ah."

"President Cheol hates you, Boss."

"Like I care."

"You should care, Boss," Baekho said firmly. "President Cheol kept summoning you."

"For what?"

Baekho quickly stepped away from Ki Gayoon as if he was putting a distance between them for his safety.

And he understood why when his right-hand man opened his mouth again.

"Boss, actually, President Cheol is insisting that you choose a Guide from the National Guide Bureau," Baekho said, lowering his head. "Apparently, it’s a presidential decree. Hence, President Cheol expects you to comply, Boss."

Hah!

Ki Gayoon smirked sarcastically, his bloodlust exploding.

That meant all the glasses in the office shattered, then long cracks appeared on the walls and on the floor.

Yeah, he was pissed.

"Presidential decree, my ass. Just ignore that bastard," Ki Gayoon said, scoffing. "Tell Yu Minju to find Lee Sarang for me."

***

WHAT THE FUCK?

Since when did the National Guide Bureau become the Top 5’s HQ?

Moreover...

"Gayoon Hyung, are you here to finally get your personal Guide?"

Ki Gayoon looked at the man who was acting friendly with him.

To be fair, the Guide looked familiar.

"Why the fuck are you calling me ’hyung?’" Ki Gayoon asked coldly, his brows furrowed in annoyance. "Do I know you?"

The Guide’s face turned red as if he was humiliated.

Of course, that was none of his business.

To be fair, Ki Gayoon wasn’t this rude to Guides— he just learned to ignore their existence.

However, he was irritated at the man standing before him for some reason.

"Gayoon-ah, why are you being rude?"

Ki Gayoon lifted his head and was greeted by the person he didn’t really want to see— Ryu Sungbin.

Tsk.

"Have you forgotten Ho Jungwon?" Ryu Sungbin asked. "He was the Guide who had the highest matching rate with you—"

"I don’t care."

"Then why are you here?"

"I’m here for Lee Sarang."

"Well, she doesn’t want to see you."

Ki Gayoon naturally ignored Ryu Sungbin.

And since he didn’t want to talk to the bastard anymore, he simply walked past him.

’Walk’ would be an understatement, of course.

He almost teleported.

In just the blink of an eye, Ki Gayoon reached the floor where he felt Lee Sarang’s Mana.

However, Ryu Sungbin blocked his way once again.

"Get out of my way—"

"Lee Sarang is currently receiving Guiding from her Exclusive Guide," Ryu Sungbin said, cutting him off. "Are you going to interrupt that, you crazy bastard?"

Ki Gayoon frowned. "What? That kid has an Exclusive Guide now?"

"Lee Sarang isn’t a child anymore."

Tsk.

Ki Gayoon really wanted to check on Lee Sarang, but what could he do when the kid was receiving guiding?

"Are you already leaving, Gayoon-ah?"

"I told you— I’m only here to check on Lee Sarang."

"Don’t you have questions for me?"

"About what?"

"You know what I’m talking about," Ryu Sungbin said, frowning. "I broke up with Noa Hyung, I officially kicked you out of the group, and I appointed the new President and the new chief of the National Guide Bureau."

"Do I look like I care about your business?"

"So, you really have abandoned us—"

"You’re older and more mature than me," Ki Gayoon said, cutting off whatever bullshit Ryu Sungbin was trying to say. "Plus, you care about the kids like I do. I don’t care if you turn this country upside down. Heck, I’ll even let it slide if you mess with me. As long as you take care of the kids, I won’t get in your way."

Ryu Sungbin smirked bitterly. "Because you can’t be bothered?"

"Because it’s you, Ryu Sungbin— you’re the true leader of our group and not me," Ki Gayoon said, pausing for a moment. "But, of course, I’m still stronger than you."

Ryu Sungbin looked confused at first, and then he suddenly burst out laughing. "Gayoon-ah, I really can’t beat you."

"Naturally."

Later, Ki Gayoon would realize belatedly that it was the last time he saw Ryu Sungbin smile and laugh genuinely.

***

[Present...]

LOOKING BACK, Ki Gayoon realized that Ryu Sungbin was probably trying to ask for his help silently.

But because he was too dense and too self-absorbed, he ignored the signs.

Now he felt guilty.

Ki Gayoon couldn’t help but let out a long, frustrated sigh.

He only got to look back after Moon Noa disappeared.

The incident reminded him of the time Ryu Sungbin acted strangely.

It started after Moon Noa changed his personality, after all.

If only he had noticed sooner...

"Hyung, what’s with the long sigh?" Noh Yuno asked curiously. "And why do you look serious?"

"I just realized how I failed Ryu Sungbin and the kids," Ki Gayoon said. Even to his own ears, his voice sounded sad and slightly bitter. "Noh Yuno, can I go?"

"Where are you going, Hyung?"

"To where Ryu Sungbin is," Ki Gayoon said, clenching his hands tight. "It’s about time I act like a proper leader."

Noh Yuno smiled and nodded. "Gayoon Hyung, fighting."

***

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