The Guide is Actually a Body-Switching Esper [BL]-Chapter 55: A Bit of a Shame

Lane stared at the rows of windows, most of which were pitch-black, as it was late at night already.

’Based on his memories, his current apartment is on the third floor... Second last before the end of the hallway... Overlooking this square...’

It would have been much easier to go through the door. He had the keys, after all. However, it was a relatively fancy complex. Places like that typically had security cameras installed. And, although Lane wasn’t breaking in, but just opening the door with keys as any normal person should, he still didn’t want to be caught on camera, not in his real body. Not to mention, carrying the unconscious tenant from that apartment slung over his shoulder might look suspicious.

He could just leave the man on the bench or something, and go in alone first. With his cloaking ability, the cameras wouldn’t be able to register him. However, if someone happened to pass by and saw the man, things could get complicated...

Not that there were many people wandering around, with the late hour and the fact that they were right next to the border of the Restricted Zone, but still.

’How annoying.’ Lane clicked his tongue.

He quickly scanned his surroundings, to ensure that there was no one lurking anywhere in sight, and leaped up, landing on the railing of the tiny balcony. There were some clothes hanging on the rack there, a dead potted plant, and a bin with several squashed empty beer cans.

Lane exhaled with relief. He seemed to be in the right place.

He opened the balcony window from the outside using his abilities, and carefully sneaked in, as quietly as he could. So as not to wake up the residents. Aidan lived alone, but there was always a chance Lane could have guessed the apartment wrong. Laundry and beer cans were hardly unique balcony decor, after all.

But he wasn’t wrong. Checking the pile of letters and other papers stuffed under the coffee table, he was quickly able to confirm that this indeed was the apartment rented by Aidan Jenkins.

It was quite a spacious and fancy apartment. Nowhere as nice as Lane’s, of course, but in no way inferior to what he rented as Noah. Not a place that a regular office worker could afford under normal circumstances. The prices in the area dropped recently, however, because of the proximity of the Restricted Zone, which was why Aidan could afford to move in.

That was convenient for Lane. Although the distance to the Association Headquarters was not that small, he was fine with everything else. So, there was no need to bother with moving.

He dropped the unconscious man on the couch. His clothes were still completely soaked, but Lane couldn’t be bothered to change them. He’d just take care of it all after possession.

Instead, he opened the laptop. He stretched his fingers above the keyboard...

"What was the password again?"

He checked it earlier, when using Memory Scan, but he forgot. It was ’Sienna’ and then some numbers...

Lane clicked his tongue and got up, searching the place for some notepad and pen. There was so much to remember, but as always, he couldn’t be bothered to memorize it all. Noting the essentials should be enough, as long as he could take over Aidan’s identity successfully.

He pushed open the man’s eyes, activating Memory Scan again. "0... 6... 2... 9... 5... 6," he muttered, noting down the numbers Aidan’s fingers were pressing on the laptop keyboard in one of his memories.

A moment later, he gained access to Aidan’s laptop, logging in.

He repeated the same thing for his phone, bank account, and all social media. Then, he looked for all the important documents, gathering them all in one place.

This much should be enough. Lane only took a brief note of the people Aidan was close with in recent months, without caring too much about the relationships they had. There was no need to remember all of Aidan’s coworkers, since they would no longer be coworkers starting from now! freēnovelkiss.com

As he busied himself with organizing his new life, Aidan’s shaking grew gradually weaker, his fever subsiding. The awakening was almost over.

Lane sat on the coffee table, staring at the man expectantly, close to holding his breath.

It would be great if he was an Esper. Even a lower-ranking one, like D, maybe even E-rank, would be acceptable.

If he was an Esper, then there would be nothing for Lane to worry about. He would never have to provide guiding to anyone, and therefore Damien wouldn’t be able to recognize him.

That’s how he was caught the last time, after all. Because he just had to give Damien the guiding. He pretty much unknowingly dug his own grave.

Mana surging within Aidan’s body settled, leaving behind calm wavelengths, flowing gently through his system.

"Hah!" Lane scoffed, his shoulders slumping in disappointment.

A Guide.

He went through all this trouble, just to be a Guide again...

’This Mana level though...’ Lane narrowed his eyes, examining Aidan carefully with Mana Scan. ’It must be an S-rank for sure...’

Now that was a bit of a shame. The world was so close to getting another S-ranking Guide...

Well, in a way it still would. After Lane stole Aidan’s ability, his guiding should advance to an S-rank. Except, he naturally would never be registered as an S-rank Guide...

Either way, this body was his now. Damien needed at least an A-ranker to replace Noah on his team, so as long as Lane downplayed his capabilities, he would be safe.

He bit his wrist, feeding Aidan his blood, before activating his wavelengths. As they swept through the man’s body, Lane could simultaneously feel the surge of Mana rushing into his own body...

A smile unwillingly blossomed on his face. It’s been a while since he last felt it, such a significant increase in his Mana level...

This Plunder ability of his truly was the best thing that could have happened to him. No one else could grow in strength anywhere as efficiently as Lane.

Lane slowly stood up, taking one last glance at his notes, to make sure that everything he needed was written down. Then, he hid it together with his spatial bag underneath the couch - although Aidan was unlikely to wake up in the next few hours, it was still better to keep it out of sight, just in case.

It was already getting bright outside by the time he finally left, sneaking out through the balcony again. He returned to his apartment, took a quick shower, locked the door, and lay on the bed.

And he switched.