The Guide is Actually a Body-Switching Esper [BL]-Chapter 46: Transfer Request

"Come in," a low voice came from within, as Lane knocked on the doors to the office on the floor above.

He walked in, stopping right by the entrance, and nodding his head in a polite greeting. "Good afternoon, Section Leader. I’m Noah Murray. I have an appointment scheduled at 4:30. I wanted to ask whether it’s possible for me to come in now?"

"Ah, yes. Murray from Damien Lennox’s team, right?" Section Leader smiled at Lane. "Please, come in."

"Thank you so much."

"That’s alright. Now, I’ve summoned you because I wanted to ask about the request you submitted in the system. Am I correct in understanding that you wish to be transferred to the general staff?"

"Ah, no. I still would like to work as a field agent."

Section Leader furrowed his brows slightly, surprised. "Are you aware that as a field agent, you will still need to go on dungeon inspections, even if you change teams?"

"Yes, of course."

That was the main job of field agents, of course, since the Association didn’t have many dungeons to clear. And the reason why Lane joined the Association in the first place.

"The same situation as in the Eldenveil can occur again."

"I am aware."

"Then may I ask what prompted you to submit such a request? I initially assumed you might have grown terrified of dungeons after facing the monsters, but it appears not to be the case?"

"Ah, well, about that..." Lane rubbed his neck, his lips bent in an awkward, embarrassed smile.

If he had to give an honest answer, the reason was that he had grown somewhat terrified of a certain monster. Or rather, the monstrous patience of his Team Leader.

He didn’t actually think it through. He submitted the request to transfer teams when drunk, after hearing a bit about Damien’s history from Ava. Such requests could take weeks to process, so he just ignored it afterward...

How could he have expected that he would be summoned for a meeting in just a few days?

So, in the end, the best argument he could come up with, was, "I’m just afraid I’m not good enough. As an A-rank Guide, my main role in the team is to provide Team Leader Lennox with guiding when needed, right? Our compatibility, however, is very low... As a Guide, I don’t have any other abilities, and in terms of combat capabilities, I am falling behind everyone else on the team, even the other two Guides... Therefore, I think I’m not suitable for this team."

"Is that how you feel?" Section Leader observed Lane with interest, leaning on the desk with his hands intertwined in front of him. "If that is the problem, then you don’t need to worry. Team Leader Lennox seems to value you a lot."

Lane involuntarily tensed up. "Did Team Leader perhaps say anything about me?"

"No, I’m afraid not. He did, however, pass your trial period already, even though he never before did it ahead of time."

"...Is that so?"

"Yes. I can only assume he must have been very satisfied with your performance."

Lane’s eyes twitched. frёeωebɳovel.com

Satisfied with his performance? As if! Damien only passed him so that he could keep an eye on him, Lane was sure of it!

Still, he forced himself to smile, as he said, "If that is really the case, then I am so relieved!"

"Then, are you withdrawing your request?"

"Uh..."

Without even giving Lane time to give a proper answer, Section Leader leaned further forward, his eyes narrowing slightly as he focused on Lane. "Or is there anything else? Another reason why you don’t want to work under Damien Lennox?"

Lane paused, staring at the man. Section Leader tried to sound concerned, but...

Unlike what he believed, Lane was not a newbie. Section Leader might have thought that the Guide in front of him was a naive young man, barely an adult, who had just joined the workforce, without even finishing uni. Lane might still have been much younger than Section Leader, and he never finished high school, let alone uni... He also never met the current Section Leader before, but...

He had met plenty of men - and women - just like him. It wasn’t difficult for Lane to catch on to what Section Leader was thinking of.

Damien Lennox was young, competent, talented, and an S-ranker. Section Leader, who was barely an A-ranker, simply felt threatened by him. So, he was trying to dig up some dirt.

For a moment, Lane hesitated. If he were to just say a word, not even any clear allegations, just twist the truth a bit, he should be able to negotiate the transfer. He could keep an eye on Damien’s moves from a safer distance, while continuing to plant the Fertilizer while on a different team. It could be a better option for him.

But... wasn’t it excessive? Section Leader would likely use it, exaggerating it a bit, and letting the rumors spread. And that would negatively affect Damien...

Of course, that was none of Lane’s problem. However, since he still had other ways to get what he wanted, there was no need to torment the man like that. Since Lane was the one who pestered Damien first, he would be nice this time, and let it go.

"No, Sir. The only reason why I applied for the transfer was because I was worried about my own incompetence."

"Are you sure? If you’re reluctant to talk because you are afraid, then rest assured, I would most certainly..." Section Leader tried again to incite Lane to talk, but was interrupted by his phone ringing. He glanced at the screen, his brows furrowing.

"One moment, please. I need to pick it up."

"Hello? Yes? What? Where? Alright..."

Lane sat all focused, trying to listen in on the conversation. All he could hear were some words and phrases, but he could more or less figure out what was going on. He couldn’t help but grow excited.

"I understand. I’ll dispatch the teams as soon as possible." Section Leader finally finished the conversation and put his phone down. "I’m sorry, but we need to finish today’s meeting here. If there’s anything else you’d like to discuss, we can meet again another day..."

"Section Leader, did something happen?" Lane asked urgently, barely holding back his enthusiasm.

"We seem to have another dungeon break."

"Where? Should I go help?"

"Are you on shift right now?"

"No, I’m not... However, during a dungeon break, the more people to help the better, right?"

"That’s... true." Section Leader was so taken aback, that for a while, he just stared at Lane wide-eyed. It was rare to see a Guide so willing to throw themselves into danger. However, he didn’t have time to think about it too much.

"In such case, head to the parking garage, and join in with the Guides there," he commanded, before typing something on his computer. A few seconds later, alarms flared in the whole headquarters, announcing the state of emergency, and signaling all the Awakened on shift to gather. He couldn’t afford to pay any more attention to Lane.

Not that Lane wanted, or needed, his attention. Having been through it before, he knew all the procedures very well. He was already out of the door, running toward the garage at full speed - he didn’t want to risk being left behind due to being too slow!