Time passed without me {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} managing to ask a single question. Tomorrow was the last day of finals. Once it was over, the semester would end and summer break would begin.

In the original story, Kim Jun was locked up in Joo Seunghyuk’s house the moment break began.

What would happen to me?

What was Seunghyuk hiding from me?

Did he really orchestrate Park Geonwoo’s accident?

The Center and the Academy both cited “national security” to suppress any reports about the condition of an S-rank Esper.

Which meant I had no way of knowing how badly Geonwoo was injured, whether it was really an accident, or if someone was behind it.

My mind was a tangled mess when my phone buzzed.

[010-XXXX-XXXX]

An unknown number.

It could be spam or a misdial, or maybe a scouting offer. Or maybe—just maybe—it was Park Geonwoo.

I hesitated for a moment, then answered.

“Hello?”

— Hello. Is this Guide Lee Yeonsu?

So much for spam or a wrong number. And it wasn’t Park Geonwoo, either. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

But the voice... sounded familiar. Who was this? From the accent, he was probably a Korean raised abroad—or someone who had lived overseas for a long time... A foreign guild scout, maybe? It was that time of year, after all—break season, when offers usually started pouring in.

“Who is this?”

— I’m Joo Jeonghan, Seunghyuk’s older brother.

Ah. Joo Jeonghan.

Sungan was the top conglomerate in Korea, so the faces of the owner family were widely known. Jeonghan, in particular, assisted Chairman Joo and handled the day-to-day operations of the company. He often gave interviews and presentations. His unusual accent, a result of studying abroad since childhood, made his voice memorable.

But... why was Seunghyuk’s brother calling me?

“Ah, hello.”

— May I see you for a moment? Please keep it secret from Seunghyuk.

Was it okay to meet someone behind Seunghyuk’s back?

But if it was Joo Jeonghan... He had been the only person in the original story who ever took Lee Yeonsu’s side. Even the reckless Seunghyuk couldn’t treat him carelessly.

Why would someone like that want to meet me in secret?

Could he be the key to uncovering the truth Seunghyuk was hiding from me?

I hesitated, then opened my mouth.

“...Alright.”

***

Jeonghan said he was near the Academy and wanted to meet as soon as possible.

Fortunately, I had a break between classes, and it was currently Seunghyuk’s exam slot. If we were going to meet without Seunghyuk knowing, this was the perfect time.

I headed to the café we agreed on and saw him seated in the far back.

Joo Jeonghan was the Chairman’s eldest son—and both Seunghyuk’s cousin and older brother. But the two looked nothing alike.

Jeonghan had monolids, thin lips, a lean frame—he was the understated, clean-cut type. People said he and his younger brother Joo Taehan took after their biological father.

By contrast, Seunghyuk was a stunning, flamboyant man who resembled the Chairman so closely that it was almost strange anyone had ever questioned his parentage.

Just as I recognized Jeonghan, he recognized me and stood up.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Joo Jeonghan, Executive Director of Sungan Guild and Seunghyuk’s brother.”

He had many titles, but introduced himself as Executive Director of the guild. Only ability users could serve as guildmaster or vice-master, but non-ability users could hold other executive roles.

“Hello. I’m Lee Yeonsu.”

“I imagine my sudden call must have surprised you. Thank you for agreeing to meet me.”

He spoke with courteous formality. Up close, he really did look a lot like his brother Taehan. But his demeanor and aura were completely different.

Just like in the original story.

Unlike the second son, Joo Taehan—who constantly picked fights with Seunghyuk out of inferiority—Jeonghan was always kind to him.

It was Jeonghan who, noticing Seunghyuk becoming more and more like the Chairman, had suggested a second DNA test just in case.

And he was the only one who ever treated Lee Yeonsu kindly.

When Yeonsu struggled with his low matching rate to Seunghyuk or wished desperately to awaken as an Omega, Jeonghan was the one who offered comfort and support.

Even if it didn’t change anything in the end.

Still, Jeonghan cared for Seunghyuk so much that people said he loved him more than his own brother. That much had remained true both in the novel and in real life.

“I’ve heard a great deal about Guide Lee Yeonsu’s accomplishments. My father also deeply regrets failing to secure an exclusive contract with you.”

“You flatter me. But... what did you want to speak about?”

I had snuck out specifically during Seunghyuk’s exam period. I didn’t have time to sit through pleasantries.

Jeonghan seemed to understand.

“You’re busy, so I’ll get straight to the point. I understand you’re currently dating my brother.”

“Ah, that...”

On the surface, yes, we were “dating.” But was I supposed to admit that to his brother? As I hesitated, Jeonghan continued.

“Please break up with him.”

“...What?”

“Seunghyuk is about to be engaged. It’s an important matter—not just for him, but for the entire Sungan Group.”

Ah... so that was it.

That part had been in the original story too. The one where Seunghyuk got engaged through an arranged marriage.

And the fiancée he was betrothed to was...

“May I ask who he’s engaged to?”

“The only daughter of the Lexington Pharmaceutical Company.”

Just like the original.

In Swamp of the Guide, right when Kim Jun had started to open his heart to Seunghyuk, a bombshell dropped.

Seunghyuk was engaged to the sole heiress of the world-renowned pharmaceutical company, Lexington.

When Kim Jun confronted him in anger, Seunghyuk couldn’t understand what the problem was.

He said it was just a business arrangement for a merger, that Jun would still be his exclusive Guide, so why was he upset?

That was the moment Kim Jun realized Seunghyuk didn’t love him. It shattered him.

I never thought that storyline would actually play out here.

Everything else was different from the novel—but this part was exactly the same...

Was this what Park Geonwoo was trying to tell me?

That behind my back, Seunghyuk was negotiating an arranged marriage with the Lexington Group’s only daughter?

He told me he wanted to marry me. Told me he didn’t need some political marriage.

Liar.

So everything else was a lie too?

All the time we spent together after our first night—was it just theater?

Did he orchestrate this whole thing just to take revenge for that exclusive contract rejection seven years ago?

Toying with me, using me as a last fling before marriage.

...Well. I guess it would be pretty shocking if someone who clung to me 24/7 suddenly announced he was getting married.

If I hadn’t known the original story, the betrayal would’ve hit even harder.

As I stayed silent, Jeonghan quietly studied my face.

“Of course, Guide Lee, you are an exceptional talent. I may not be an ability user, but I’ve helped my father manage Sungan Guild and seen many Guides. Even among them, your abilities are extraordinary. And a few months ago, you even saved Seunghyuk’s life. I’m truly grateful.”

He rattled off a string of compliments, then carefully shifted the tone.

“But... you’re a Beta, correct?”

“......”

“Seunghyuk is going to be the next leader of the Sungan Group. No matter how capable you are... a Beta male, frankly, would be...”

“......”

I’d never really been ashamed of my designation before.

But now I just felt gross.

For the first time, I understood why the original Yeonsu had been so desperate to awaken as an Omega.

If he kept hearing crap like this whenever he tried to be with Seunghyuk, it made sense he’d push himself to the edge.

“When news of your relationship broke, Lexington Pharmaceuticals was furious. Seunghyuk may be a free spirit, but he’s always been polite. I don’t understand how he could make such a blunder.”

A blunder?

What exactly was the mistake here?

Was it that he dated a Beta? Or that the news went public?

Jeonghan’s tone remained unfailingly polite. But sugarcoating it in courtesy didn’t change the fact that the content was garbage.

He must’ve seen the expression on my face, because he looked flustered and bowed his head.

“I apologize for the offense. If you wish, we’re prepared to offer financial compensation.”

“Compensation...?”

“Yes. We don’t want Sungan to become enemies with Guide Lee. My father also stressed that we treat you with the utmost respect.”

“...I see.”

So the Chairman personally gave the order?

In the original story, when he found out Seunghyuk was seeing an F-rank Guide, he went ballistic and sent thugs to threaten Kim Jun.

Not even company employees—just hired goons.

I guess sending the eldest son this time was their way of honoring my S-rank status.

“There have been many people who’ve caught Seunghyuk’s interest over the years.”

“...Excuse me?”

“Because he’s an Esper, there were times he needed deep guiding. He also connected with several Guides with high compatibility. Of course, I acknowledge that he’s shown particular attachment to you. But even while dating you, he never gave up his engagement to Lexington. That suggests his feelings... may not go much further than that.”

Why was he telling me all this?

Didn’t he just say he didn’t want to make me an enemy of Sungan? Then why spill that Seunghyuk’s been seeing other people?

It felt more like a veiled attack on Seunghyuk than anything else.

If he really cared about his little brother, would he be telling me any of this?

Suddenly, his words reminded me of Professor Oh.

...Can I really trust what this man is saying?