DG Ch 7.1
by Aoi07. Hyeon Shinwoo: The Shaking Car
Taegyeong had a lot to prepare to become Field Team Z’s dedicated guide, just like five years ago.
The first was the company dinner. Renting out an entire fancy restaurant and having all the employees attend made it a daunting event for new hires. Moreover, unlike the boisterous main hall, there were also several groups who gathered in private rooms for a quiet drink.
And Taegyeong’s task was to visit all those rooms and greet everyone.
‘I really don’t want to go…’
Taegyeong shuddered at the thought of old men patting his ass or touching him. The lower-ranking espers were particularly bad. He could think of at least five who had tried to jump him.
As he was sighing deeply, avoiding the rooms, he saw a familiar man smoking outside the window. Dark circles under his eyes, a pale face, and dull, lifeless eyes that met Taegyeong’s.
‘Hyeon Shinwoo?’
No. He couldn’t make eye contact. He might be charmed without even realizing it.
Hyeon Shinwoo had the ability to control and manipulate the minds of monsters, turning them into his weapons. It was said that his ability also worked on humans. He usually wore an ability control device, but you never knew.
Taegyeong looked back at where Hyeon Shinwoo had been standing. He’d disappeared without a trace.
“…Guide-nim.”
“Eek!”
A chilling voice came from behind him. Hyeon Shinwoo was a man of few words. His presence was just as subtle, and this was the first time he’d spoken to Taegyeong in over a week since they’d met.
“Yes, Esper Hyeon.”
“I… have a favor to ask…”
“A favor? What is it?”
Hyeon Shinwoo glanced nervously around and pointed to a dimly lit hallway.
“…Can we talk over there for a moment?”
The lights flickered, as if malfunctioning.
The dark hallway led to the restrooms. There were plenty of empty rooms nearby, which made him uneasy, but Taegyeong nodded dumbly.
Hyeon Shinwoo led the way. Thud, thud. He reached the last room, which seemed rarely used, turned on the light, and entered. There was a low table and a chilly air inside.
Hyeon Shinwoo sat with his back to the window. Taegyeong sat opposite him and coughed.
“Are you planning on continuing to work at Duodeca, Guide-nim?”
“Yes. Of course.”
“Then… you must be considering becoming our team’s dedicated guide.”
“Of course, if I can. I’m considering it.”
Actually, becoming a dedicated guide wasn’t just a matter of wanting it. It was unusual for Lee Taegyeong, a rookie five years ago, to become the team’s dedicated guide in just two years.
“I… have a concern.”
A flicker of hope crossed Hyeon Shinwoo’s face, but it quickly faded. He clasped his hands together and licked his lips.
“A concern?”
“Actually, I haven’t been able to receive guiding. My constitution must have changed, I haven’t been able to receive any guiding since the last gate incident…”
‘Oh…’
This was a serious problem. If an esper couldn’t receive guiding, it could lead to a surge.
“Since when, exactly?”
“A month ago…”
“Then, you’ve been relying on medication all this time?”
Hyeon Shinwoo nodded slightly. His unusually pale complexion and lifeless face must have been because of that.
“Let me try guiding you once.”
Taegyeong held out his hands, and Hyeon Shinwoo took them, closing his eyes.
Taegyeong searched for Hyeon Shinwoo’s tangled energy. The black, clumped wavelengths were like a tangled ball of yarn, impossible to unravel.
“I’ve been to the hospital, but they said there’s no other way besides medication. What should I do? I heard Guide-nim went to medical school. As an esper specialist. So I thought you might know something…”
“There is one other way.”
“Really?”
“Bonding with a guide with a compatibility rate of 70% or higher.”
Bonding was a matter of probability. Sex guiding increased the chances of bonding. Most bonds formed with a low probability, less than 50 attempts, and in Hyeon Shinwoo’s current state, the probability seemed even lower.
“B-Bonding is a bit…”
“It’s better than continuing to rely on medication without receiving guiding.”
“What if the guide dies? My compatibility rate with other guides will decrease, and I don’t want that.”
“I’ll find you a guide. Don’t worry.”
Hyeon Shinwoo’s eyes widened. Taegyeong smiled brightly and stood up.
“Can’t Guide-nim do it? Our compatibility rate is high.”
“I’m sorry. I’m not thinking about bonding yet…”
‘I might die in five years. This is like gambling.’
Hyeon Shinwoo frowned at Taegyeong’s words.
“Guide-nim, I didn’t expect this from you.”
“I’ll introduce you to a better guide than me. Don’t worry too much.”
“It’s not fair to just leave after I’ve confided in you like this.”
Hyeon Shinwoo approached Taegyeong. Click, slam! He roughly closed the door and glared at Taegyeong.
“The executives are gathered next door, so keep your mouth shut.”
“Heuut!”
Hyeon Shinwoo shoved Taegyeong onto a pile of cushions with brute force.
Taegyeong, landing on the soft cushions, flinched and backed away from the looming shadow. This was different. He felt genuinely scared, his teeth chattering. The energy Hyeon Shinwoo was emanating felt like a sharp, esper-like ability.
“Take off your pants and touch your cock.”
Taegyeong realized his hands were moving on their own. It was because of Hyeon Shinwoo’s mind control ability. He unzipped his pants and took off his boxers against his will.
“E-Esper Hyeon Shinwoo. Please don’t do this…! Ahht!”
Taegyeong grabbed his limp cock with his cold hand.
“What do you think I’ll do if you don’t?”
Hyeon Shinwoo crouched down to Taegyeong’s level, his elbows resting on his thighs, looking down at him condescendingly, like a predator eyeing its prey.
Taegyeong gasped for air, glancing down at his fully erect cock.
“I-I’ll bond with you. I will, but not now… I really have to go greet everyone. I can do it anytime after the company dinner.”
“Well, fine. And don’t tell anyone about what happened here. It’s no fun if you tell.”
“Heup, heu…”
“You won’t be able to say anything anyway. It’ll look like you were caught masturbating, wouldn’t it?”
Taegyeong wiped away his tears with his fingers. Perhaps feeling sorry for him, Hyeon Shinwoo pulled up his boxers and patted his swollen cock.
Only after he zipped up his pants did Taegyeong come to his senses and stand up. Hyeon Shinwoo waved nonchalantly and left the room as if nothing had happened.
“…”
Taegyeong took a deep breath and leaned against the soft cushions.
‘Interesting.’
His body moving on its own, against his will. Being manipulated and played with like this, according to Hyeon Shinwoo’s whims, seemed interesting. He would show him exactly who he was.
He felt strangely aroused.
Afterwards, Taegyeong, still aroused, diligently visited all the executives’ rooms.
He’d catered to the whims of the older executives and listened patiently to the superiors’ nagging disguised as well-meaning advice. He’d built up enough of a reputation, so he felt reassured, and he thought it would be good to network with the guides from other teams.
Taegyeong was the youngest among the many experienced guides with extensive field experience. A 20-year-old high-ranking guide was rare.
The guides from other field teams treated Taegyeong warmly, unlike the guides on his own team, Field Team Z.
“Taegyeong-ssi, I heard you collapsed in the office the other day?”
“Ah, yes. I’m fine. I must have been a bit sleep-deprived.”
“Still, you shouldn’t push yourself too hard.”
“Try this. It’s something only guides I know take. You won’t need any other supplements if you take this vitamin.”
A guide from Field Team D offered him a bottle of pills. Taegyeong readily accepted it, thanking him, and read the ingredients.
‘Guiding Enhancer.’
A multivitamin designed to facilitate guiding with less energy expenditure. It tasted awful, but the pharmaceutical company was reputable, so it was effective. It was a necessity, especially since he had to guide Hyeon Shinwoo.
“Taegyeong-ssi, you seem to handle your alcohol well.”
“It’s because you’re a young, young man. Your glass is empty. Have another drink.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
The guide sitting across from him lifted the bottle.
Taegyeong wasn’t a heavy drinker. He’d managed to discreetly empty a few drinks into a bowl, but there were unavoidable situations. Like when everyone toasted together. Especially when someone offered him a drink directly, it was considered rude not to drink it immediately.
After a glass, a bottle, five bottles… Taegyeong started nodding off.
‘I feel nauseous…’
His head spun, and his face flushed. The restaurant lights danced before his eyes. The team guide sitting across from him was saying something, but it went in one ear and out the other. He felt inexplicably upset and started to cry.
“Nngh…”
Taegyeong’s swaying head fell against the shoulder of the person next to him.
“Taegyeong-ah, you can’t sleep here. Lee Taegyeong, are you sleepy?”
“…My pretty hyung…? Hanyeong-hyung.”
Taegyeong reached out and grabbed Seon Hanyeong’s cheeks. Kiss! He kissed his nose, and Seon Hanyeong burst out laughing. Why was he laughing? Taegyeong tilted his head, puzzled.
“Kiss… here…”
“How much did our Guide-nim drink?”
“Nngh, one glass…?”
“Yeah, five bottles. Let’s go home.”
“No… Woo Esper-nim’s not here, I’m scared…”
Taegyeong pushed Seon Hanyeong away and curled up on the floor. Seo Wooyeol, seeing him curled up like a shrimp, chuckled. He patted Taegyeong’s back, trying to wake him up, and Taegyeong slowly sat up.
“Lee Taegyeong, are you oka—”
“Bleugh.”
“…”
Seo Wooyeol, covered in vomit, froze like a statue. He, who never even screamed at the sight of grotesque monsters, let out a whimper.
“Haaa! Fuck!”