Honey-Coated S-Class Guide — Chapter 6
“Tell me honestly.”
“…Actually, after buying the things I needed to start living alone, I had less money left for living expenses than I’d planned.”
“Hmm. I thought so.”
Ahn Dante didn’t look particularly surprised, as though he had expected it.
“All right. I’ll give you an advance on your salary.”
Jin Hyoseop’s eyes widened.
“W-would that be all right?”
“Why wouldn’t it? It’s not as though you’re going to take the money and run.”
His eyes crinkling in a smile, Ahn Dante brushed a flake of seaweed from the corner of Jin Hyoseop’s mouth.
“You’ll be working at our guild for a long time, won’t you?”
Since he did want to stay for a long time, Jin Hyoseop quickly nodded.
“I’m sorry. Asking for an advance before I’ve even received my first paycheck…”
“At times like this, you say ‘thank you,’ not ‘I’m sorry.’”
“Thank you, Guild Leader.”
“Good boy.”
His smiling eyes curved into deeper crescents. Apparently pleased by the obedient response, Ahn Dante seemed to be in a good mood.
“Oh, right. There’s a guild gathering tomorrow. Would you like to come?”
“A guild… gathering?”
“Yes. The government recently ordered all the guilds in Korea to assemble.”
Jin Hyoseop’s expression grew uneasy.
“Why has the government suddenly ordered everyone to gather?”
“My guess is that it’s because of the dungeons. They’ve restricted information online, so word hasn’t spread, but several days ago, gates of various sizes opened all across Korea at once.”
Ahn Dante went on to explain that there were quite a few large ones. Unless assignments were properly allocated beforehand, guilds might all converge on the same places.
“They’re probably planning to gather the guilds and divide up the work.”
“I see.”
Without giving it much thought, Jin Hyoseop nodded.
“Yes. I’ll come with you.”
“Oh, that’s a relief. Having you there might make the gathering a little more enjoyable. Honestly, I don’t want to go, but I have to. You wouldn’t believe how much the other guild leaders badger me at these meetings lately. It’s stressful.”
“Badger you… about what?”
“Dungeons. We haven’t participated in a single dungeon raid for two years. That’s probably why they bother me every time I go.”
So not entering dungeons causes that sort of trouble.
Jin Hyoseop nodded thoughtfully.
“Then are you planning to enter one this time?”
“If we do, will you leave our guild?”
“Pardon?”
Jin Hyoseop’s eyes widened. He hadn’t expected Ahn Dante to say that.
“Why would you think so?”
“Because you said you joined our guild because it was safe. Because we don’t enter dungeons.”
“Well…”
For a moment, his lips moved without any words coming out. But as Ahn Dante waited patiently, Jin Hyoseop finally managed to answer.
“That was certainly part of my reasoning, but I have no intention of leaving the guild simply because you enter a dungeon.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
After all, a guild’s espers needed to enter dungeons to earn money and keep the guild running. If he intended to remain affiliated with a guild, Noapi was still his best option.
Come to think of it, how had Noapi stayed afloat without entering any dungeons for two years?
The question arose, then quickly subsided. Ahn Dante could afford to drive such an expensive car. They must have earned plenty from their odd jobs.
“Haha. That’s a relief to hear.”
“Does that mean you are planning to enter a dungeon?”
“No. I’ll avoid it if I can. We’ll just let them give us an earful and come home.”
“Right…”
“Anyway, finish your lunch. I have something to take care of, so I should head out.”
Telling him to be ready at two the following afternoon, when he would pick him up outside his home, Ahn Dante stood.
“Take care.”
Ahn Dante waved, looking considerably happier than before.
Wondering what part of their conversation had put him in such a good mood, Jin Hyoseop took another bite of his rice ball.
Jin Hyoseop checked his outfit in the mirror.
A neat white shirt and dark trousers. This should let him blend in reasonably well, whatever sort of gathering it turned out to be.
All right.
He lightly patted his cheeks and headed outside.
As he emerged from his apartment building, he spotted a familiar car. Standing in front of it was a man with exceptionally long legs, looking like a model as he stared expressionlessly at his phone.
Jin Hyoseop started toward him, then stopped.
Dressed in a dark gray suit, Ahn Dante looked so exquisitely handsome that he could easily have passed for a celebrity. Jin Hyoseop had always thought his appearance was striking, but the suit made him even more dazzling.
The outfit he had considered perfectly acceptable moments earlier suddenly felt shabby.
Self-consciously smoothing the slightly wrinkled hem of his white shirt, Jin Hyoseop approached.
Once he was close enough, Ahn Dante slowly raised his head. A picture-perfect smile spread across his expressionless face.
“You’re here.”
“Yes. Hello.”
“Get in. Coda says he’s already there waiting.”
Apparently, Jin Hyoseop was the only one worried about his appearance. Ahn Dante didn’t say a word about his clothes.
Unusually quiet today, Ahn Dante started the car. Jin Hyoseop sat in the passenger seat, gazing blankly out the window.
After some time, they arrived in an open area with no other buildings nearby.
“Let’s get out.”
Jin Hyoseop slowly followed him out of the car.
He had thought they were in the middle of an empty expanse, but once he stepped out, he saw an enormous, magnificent building rising from the sprawling grounds.
“Wow…”
An involuntary exclamation escaped him as his mouth fell open.
A huge logo and a familiar name were emblazoned across the building.
[National Security Bureau]
“The National… Security Bureau?”
Ahn Dante handed his keys to an attendant who appeared to be a valet, then approached Jin Hyoseop.
“Didn’t I mention it? Most guild gatherings take place at the National Security Bureau. It’s the largest guild in Korea.”
The National Security Bureau.
Korea’s one and only S-class guild.
Feeling inexplicably nervous, Jin Hyoseop swallowed. Ahn Dante put an arm around his shoulders and drew him closer.
“What are you so nervous about? Just think of it as a visit to a ridiculously big company.”
Jin Hyoseop wanted to protest that it couldn’t possibly be that easy, but Ahn Dante, a C-class esper, showed no sign of nerves whatsoever. If anything, he looked indifferent.
Apparently, Jin Hyoseop was the only one intimidated by the enormous institution. It was as though the S-class and C-class had switched places.
Worried that his nervousness would seem strange for an S-class guide, Jin Hyoseop forced himself to straighten his back and compose his expression.
“Shall we?”
“Yes.”
They entered the building.
They seemed to have arrived at just the right time, as there were plenty of people who appeared to belong to other guilds. Many evidently knew one another, exchanging brief greetings as they passed.
Among them, Jin Hyoseop spotted one familiar face.
“Oh, there’s Coda.”
Ahn Dante had noticed him too and gave a small wave.
Coda wore a suit even more immaculate than his usual attire. Perhaps because of his height, he looked every bit like a model as he approached from across the room.
When he reached them, he bowed his head slightly and silently took his place beside Jin Hyoseop.
“Shall we head inside and have something to snack on? The National Security Bureau always has these gatherings catered. Honestly, they place far too much importance on appearances.”
“Yes. That sounds good.”
The three of them slowly made their way farther inside.
New eyes turned toward them as they walked, but none lingered for long. Once people checked who they were and realized they weren’t anyone famous, their gazes moved on.
“Oh, it’s all Western-style sweets this time. Do you like desserts?”
“Yes, I do.”
“That’s good.”
Ahn Dante picked up the most ornate plate, filled it with food, and handed it to Jin Hyoseop.
The desserts were tiny and beautifully made. Even before he tasted one, he caught the rich scent of butter. When he popped it into his mouth, it was pleasantly sweet without being overwhelming.
It was a refined sweetness unlike anything he had tasted before.
“Ah…”
“Is it good?”
“Yes. It’s delicious.”
His face brightening, Jin Hyoseop picked up another dessert.
His cheeks flushed and puffed out with each mouthful, and his little exclamations of delight continued. As he filled his mouth almost to bursting and reveled in every bite, Ahn Dante and Coda found themselves staring at him.
Eventually, Coda picked up a dessert from in front of him and held it out to Jin Hyoseop.
“…Oh? Is that for me?”
Coda nodded.
“Thank you.”
The corners of Jin Hyoseop’s mouth, already relaxed from enjoying the desserts, lifted into a smile.
Coda watched him quietly. Somehow, his composed expression seemed to soften a little too.
Beside them, Ahn Dante looked between the two and chuckled.
“You really like desserts, don’t you?”
Jin Hyoseop looked down at the sweet in his hand, then nodded.
“Yes. I think I do.”
“Haha. Either you do or you don’t. What do you mean, you think you do?”
Looking pleased himself, Ahn Dante took a bite of the dessert Jin Hyoseop was holding.
No one approached them, and the food was delicious.
For all his nervousness before coming, everything was perfectly peaceful.
