TGIC Ch 56

Chapter 56

“Because I’m afraid Guide Kwon Gidam will run away.”

“I’m not going to run.”

“How can I believe that? You already tried to run away once and failed.”

“That was…”

I had nothing to say. I couldn’t even make an excuse, since I was caught red-handed on a plane bound for another country.

With a sour expression, I quietly resumed walking, and Vasily naturally followed me.

I changed into something that resembled surgical clothing and lay inside a large machine, waiting for quite a while. Just as my ears began to ring from the loud noise, the results came out.

And with them, a shocking discovery.

“Do you see this area? The chip has adhered to the nerves due to repeated overheating. It’s also attached to the tissue near the spine, so removing it now would be dangerous. If we touch the wrong spot, it could result in a vegetative state or even death.”

“What? I could die?”

“We’ll have to administer medication regularly to slowly dissolve the adhesion and monitor your condition. Immediate surgery is not an option.”

I couldn’t hide the shock on my face as I looked at the faint image of the suppressant chip on the screen. This was an unexpected development.

I hadn’t gotten the procedure done in a hospital, and I had implanted the chip while half-conscious from awakening pain—so if I inserted it incorrectly, I must’ve done it really wrong. Come to think of it, I hadn’t even read the precautions… A vague memory of inserting the suppressant chip right after regressing surfaced in my mind.

“Until the suppressant chip can be removed, limit guiding to one hour per day.”

“One hour?”

My eyes widened. I couldn’t hide the joy spreading across my face.

“That won’t do.”

Of course, Vasily didn’t stay quiet after hearing that. He immediately raised an objection.

“If the chip overheats frequently, the adhesion will worsen. And as you mentioned earlier, Esper, freezing the chip to proceed with guiding is absolutely prohibited.”

“……”

Vasily’s face contorted. He didn’t even try to hide how displeased he was.

“Going forward, you’ll receive weekly injections…”

The physician abruptly stopped speaking. When I looked to see why, I saw him checking my information on the medical screen. His eyes trembled as he stared at my rank.

He turned his head and looked at me—his gaze seemed to ask if I was really a C-rank guide.

I nodded silently, and the atmosphere immediately turned solemn.

Right, I get it. Vasily’s not just anyone—he’s a crazy S-rank Esper trying to pair up with a C-rank guide. They must’ve felt slightly relieved thinking I was only C-rank, but they overlooked the fact that Vasily isn’t normal.

The physician continued reviewing my rank, awakening date, occupation, and other details, then let out a sigh. He gave me a pitying look. I feel the same way…

While the two of us exchanged sighs and sympathetic glances in silence, Vasily suddenly interjected, disrupting the mood.

“Also, get this medication tested for ingredients. It contains monster blood, but my guide has been taking it recklessly, thinking it’s cold medicine.”

“Monster blood?”

The physician looked at me in shock. Why was he giving me the same look he gave Vasily earlier, like I was insane? Weren’t we just sharing a moment of silent solidarity?

“Guide, how long have you been taking this?”

“Since I awakened as a guide.”

“How did you end up taking something like this…”

Since it’s toxic to ordinary people, I understood their reaction. But it’s not like I knew it had monster blood in it. So I’d appreciate it if they didn’t look at me like I was out of my mind.

No wonder the medicine was red like blood and left a metallic aftertaste. Now that I knew it contained monster blood, I figured I should get a thorough check-up at the hospital too. Maybe that’s why I’d been feeling increasingly fatigued lately.

“That’s all for today. Call me when the results come out.”

With that, Vasily turned and walked away without hesitation, as if he had no more business here. But I hesitated in front of the physician and didn’t follow him right away.

I carefully asked the doctor, who was organizing the medication,

“Do you need all of this for the ingredient analysis…?”

“Hmm… About ten pills should be enough.”

There goes my hundred thousand won, vanishing into thin air. I closed my eyes tightly.

“Then can I take the rest with me…?”

“Why are you taking that medicine again?”

Seeing me scooping up the pills, Vasily asked in a displeased tone.

“If I don’t take it, I get headaches.”

“…Does it have narcotics in it or something?”

“That’s something we’ll have to find out too.”

Both Vasily and the doctor looked at me like I’d completely lost my mind, but they couldn’t refute me. I mean, the thing implanted in my neck was an illegal suppressant chip—I couldn’t exactly say I knew it contained monster blood and I still needed to keep taking it…!

After scheduling weekly Friday injection appointments with Vasily’s physician, we stepped outside.

I walked with a bright expression. In contrast, Vasily looked increasingly annoyed, likely due to the inability to immediately remove the chip and the guiding being limited to only one hour per day.

“Guide Kwon Gidam, you seem to be in a good mood.”

“You’re mistaken.”

“Maybe lower those upturned lips before you say that?”

I tried to suppress the grin, but before long, the corners of my lips crept upward again. With a face full of smiles, I asked,

“Will we proceed with the compatibility test on Monday?”

“No. Doing it now won’t change the result. We’ll do it after removing the device from your neck.”

“Sounds good.”

I climbed into the car with a light heart. I’d thought everything—my rank, my compatibility—would be exposed right away, but thanks to the suppressant chip clinging to my neck like it didn’t want to be separated, I managed to delay it a bit.

I was worried about the adhesion, but I’d find a way to get it removed. Vasily wouldn’t just sit by and watch. If it wasn’t possible domestically, he might even take me overseas to have the chip removed.

The revelation of my rank and compatibility had been delayed. The thought that I wouldn’t have to deal with Vasily constantly—at least for a while—brought me some peace.

One hour a day was about the same or even less than what we’d been doing for guiding, so it worked in my favor. Unsurprisingly, Vasily seemed very displeased with the arrangement.

“We’re heading to my place straight away, right? Seems like you’ve brought all your stuff already.”

“Aren’t we already on our way to your house, Esper-nim?”

“Good observation.”

Just as expected. I hugged my large bag and turned to look out the window.

It had been a while since I returned to Vasily’s house.

I hadn’t been here since that small argument we had. Back then, I’d thought I would never have to see him again. And yet, here I was—returning as his guide.

I would have to live here from now on. It was clearly written in the contract. There were still a few belongings left in the house I used to rent from Vasily, so I’d have to collect them bit by bit when I had the time.

As for the stuff in my studio apartment, I’d already packed most of it away, planning to move to the countryside. I just needed to bring over a few boxes. Vasily’s house was spacious, so there should be more than enough room for my things.

As we entered the front door together, I asked,

“Which room should I use?”

“You need a room?”

…Is he insane?

I froze at Vasily’s question, as if he had never even considered the idea. I barely managed to suppress the frustration boiling up and opened my mouth.

“Yes, I need one. I need a place to put my things and somewhere to sleep, don’t I?”

“If that’s the issue, just share my room. I’ll clear out a section of the closet. The bed’s big, too.”

“That’s not what I meant…! Are you seriously suggesting I stay with you all day? I’m sleeping alone.”

We hadn’t even taken off our shoes before the argument started in the entryway. Vasily looked down at me with clear disapproval, and I frowned deeply in return.

“I’ll just use any spare room.”

If I left it to him, I’d end up in his room, so I decided to make the first move. Any room would do, as long as it had basic furnishings—I’d manage.

Saying that, I walked further into the house. I could feel his irritated gaze on my back, but I ignored it and kept moving.

Vasily’s room was the largest one at the far end of the hall. In that case, I should take a room closer to the entrance. It would also be the farthest from his room, and it was the same one I used before the regression.

I reached for the door, intending to go in, but Vasily, who had followed me without my notice, grabbed the handle before I could.

“…What are you doing?”

“You can’t use this room.”