The Guide is Actually a Body-Switching Esper [BL]-Chapter 78: I’m Still Alive and Well

The sun was lazily climbing up from the horizon, shining its warm, tingling rays onto the half-ruined city. People went about their day, some still struggling to find their way home after a heavy night’s drinking, while others hurried on their way to work, or sipping their morning coffee from paper cups by the street stalls. Nocturnal monsters had long hidden in their holes, leaving space for those active during the day, to bask in the sun.

On one of the tall buildings in the center sat a young man, his legs dangling off the edge. His soft pink hair swayed gently in the breeze, reflecting the shine. A few feet behind him lay a heavy black mask, tossed away so that he could comfortably enjoy the homemade pastries he was snacking on, as he stared at the screen of the phone in his hands.

[Hi, Damien. I just thought I should let you know I’m still alive and well, but I’ll be living in a Forbidden Zone from now on.]

’No, wait. That sounds weird.’

[I’m sorry for leaving without letting you know first, but...]

’But what? Living in Forbidden Zones is illegal, so of course I couldn’t let him know beforehand.’

[Hi, I...]

"Ugh, I don’t know!"

Lane lay down on the roof with a heavy sigh, resting his arm on his forehead.

He just needed to make Damien think that ’Aidan’ was still alive, that’s all. Just because he felt a bit bad for the man, having died on him twice already. It wasn’t even that he NEEDED to do it, to be precise - since he was about to possess an Esper now, Damien wouldn’t be able to figure him out anyway, due to the lack of guiding sessions between them...

But whatever he tried to write, just didn’t sound quite right.

Lane didn’t even know why. It was just a stupid text message. Was he afraid that Damien would be able to read between the lines and discover something?

No, that couldn’t be. And even if he did, if he located the Zone Aidan entered through the mobile signal or something, it still wouldn’t matter. It was difficult to find someone who didn’t want to be found in a Forbidden Zone, especially as big as No. 74.

Lane let out another sigh and got back up, taking another pastry from the box.

The last one.

...Perhaps the last handmade pastry made by Damien he would ever get a chance to try.

He hesitated a bit at the realization, but bit into it regardless. Only that he ate it slowly, savoring the taste, until all the cream filling completely melted on his tongue, the sweetness spreading through his body and lifting his mood.

Once he was done, he finally felt ready. He grabbed the phone again, and typed,

[Hi. Aidan Jenkins here. I wanted to let you know that I have moved to a Forbidden Zone. The whole thing with my application gave me a lot to think, and helped me realize how insignificant C-rankers really are. Because of that, I decided I wanted to try to improve myself. So, I’m sorry, but we won’t be able to have any more guiding sessions together, I’m afraid.]

’And... sent.’

Lane exhaled deeply, looking at the message in an otherwise empty chat log. He and Damien had never exchanged messages before. Or numbers, for that matter. Lane only got Damien’s official contact number from the system...

But now it was all done, and he couldn’t take it back, even if he wanted to, so there was no point thinking about it anymore. Lane stuffed the phone in his pocket, and headed back in. Since he was already there, might as well check up personally on how things were going.

Vulcan was already waiting for him, nervously circling around the office. His mask was off, revealing a pale face, his features distorted by four long, irregular scars stretching from above his left eye, all the way to the right side of his neck. His brown hair was chopped off carelessly, strands of varying lengths handing sadly from his scalp.

The other man in the office presented quite a different sight. His white clothes were all well-fitting, spotless clean and ironed, his white leather oxford shoes polished to a blinding shine. His platinum blond hair, parted on the side, was tidy and combed, flowing in gentle waves. His pretty face was cleanly shaved, and even his hands were well manicured. The air around him was also different - he sat on a chair, his back straight, his legs crossed and his intertwined hands resting on his tights. Perfectly still and serene, with not a trace of anxiety.

The door opened without a knock, making both men turn their eyes to the entrance.

"Boss! Welcome!" Vulcan instantly paused in his steps, bowing deeply. Even the blonde man stood up, giving Lane a bow.

"Mn. Take your seats." Lane nodded, before claiming the comfy leather office chair behind the desk. Unlike the other two men, he was wearing a mask and a hood, leaving only his gray eyes and a bit of pink hair visible. "So, anything to report?"

"Well, we received that man you send, but you confirmed it already, haven’t you, Sir? And as for the recent activity in the Zone..."

"Don’t bother reporting the things that were already mentioned in the report," Lane waved his hand. "I’ve read through it already, and it’s all good. But, about Aidan." Lane paused, his gaze piercing right through Vulcan. "Did you follow all the instructions well?"

"Well, that is... Of course..."

Lane turned his eyes to the blonde man, Blanc.

"He forgot to take the phone," Blanc specified without even the slightest change in expression.

"But I went back for it!" Vulcan protested.

"Yes, after I reminded you."

"That’s-!"

"Silence." Lane tapped his fingers on the desk. "From now on, Blanc will be in charge. Vulcan will be a vice leader."

"But! He’s a B-ranker!"

"So what? His ability is useful, and he’s far more competent. Are you questioning my decision?" Lane lifted his brows. "Besides, I’ve already told you last time. One more mistake and you’re out. Be glad that I’m not demoting you any further."

"...Yes."

"Alright then. Let’s go now, see the new recruits first. I can’t stay for long now, so let’s make things quick."

Blanc and Vulcan nodded, getting up from their seats. They left the office, leading Lane to the old stadium, turned into a training center.