chapter 2

[As it was the main reason you were brought here, Host. Because of your complaints and how you died while reading the novel, the Lord God felt some remorse. So, she granted your wish to transmigrate. But—since you complained so much—she also assigned me to guide you to improve the plot and bring world peace.]

[After all, in the novel's ending—which you didn't get to read—the Mastermind became an EX-level Esper, opened a rift in space, and wiped out the entire world. So, you have to stop that.]

I stared at the floating blue screen in front of me, my brain lagging like a cheap internet connection.

Wait… so…

I wasn't just some lucky transmigrator who got to live my BL dream?

I was forced to follow the novel… for world peace?!

And I had to prevent some mysterious Mastermind from wiping the world out of existence?

I had only read the beginning chapters! I didn't even know why the Mastermind hated the main characters!

[Don't worry, Host! That's why I'm here! You don't have to stress too much. The plot hasn't progressed to that point yet, so the future might change because of your presence. To make things easier, I'll assign you tasks. But! You should also know about the two bars I'll be tracking for you—]

Two status bars suddenly popped up in my vision.

➤ Protagonist Love Bar: 0% ❤️ (Measures the romantic development between the MLs)

➤ Destruction Bar of the Mastermind: 0% ☠️ (Measures how close the Mastermind is to world destruction)

I stared at them.

Then I squinted.

Then I glared.

"…This looks like a goddamn mobile game HUD."

[Hehe~ Isn't it cool?]

I ignored that.

"But System, how am I supposed to find the Mastermind?" I asked.

[Oh, that… I don't know, Host! That's your job. I can't do everything for you, you know!]

…DON'T ACT LIKE YOU'VE BEEN WORKING HARD THIS WHOLE TIME!!!

I was about to throw hands with my floating system when it casually dropped another bomb on me.

[By the way, Host, your real parents—AKA the Gu family—have already contacted you. It happened last night.]

"…WHAT?!"

[Yep! Your foster parents know too, but they're trying to act natural. You also had a big fight with them last night, but now they think you've calmed down. They assume it was just you throwing a tantrum.]

I sat there, fuming inside but keeping a calm expression outside.

I was forced to leave this family.

I had no say in it.

Even if I didn't want to go, I had to follow the novel's plot.

If I didn't, the world would literally end.

My appetite vanished instantly. I placed my chopsticks down.

"I'm full," I muttered.

My "mom" looked at me worriedly. "Oh, dear, eat some more, or you'll stay short for life."

"And don't you have final exams in three days? If you get sick, it'll be a problem," my "dad" added.

—Cough cough COUGH!

The rice I had been chewing got lodged in my throat.

FINAL EXAMS?!

I—I didn't know anything about this world's academics! What if the subjects were completely different?! What if they expected me to write a ten-page essay on the history of Espers and Guides?!

If this brat chose history, I was done for!

[Host, don't worry~ What is this system for if not to help you? I'll give you all the answers during the exam! You just have to focus on the plot.]

I could have cried from relief.

Oh, so now you're useful, huh?!

I sighed and forced a small smile. "Mom, Dad, it's just that I slept too long. My stomach can't eat much right now—it's strained."

They both hummed in concern, but before I could breathe easy—

"And about your real parents…" My "mom" hesitated, her fingers trembling slightly as she clutched her chopsticks. "You can go back to them. They're rich… They can provide better for you."

Her voice wobbled.

I felt something tighten in my chest.

I had read the novel. I knew how this story played out.

The original Xú Yànchéng had always resented his foster parents, blaming them for his poor upbringing. But right now, looking at my "mom's" teary face and my "dad's" tight grip on her shoulder, I could feel their sincerity.

They really cared about me.

This wasn't an act.

This wasn't a script.

They genuinely loved their son, and now they had to let him go.

And I—who had hijacked this body—had no choice but to leave them. I don't have feeling for them they were like complete strangers to me but nor this body.

I clenched my fists under the table.

I had no choice.

In the original story, this foster family had been given 10,000 yuan, a comfortable apartment, and stable jobs in the Gu family's company after Xú Yànchéng left. They wouldn't suffer. They might even live better than before.

But that didn't make this any easier.

I swallowed hard and tried to force a reassuring smile. "Mom, Dad… You'll be able to live more comfortably after I leave. They've promised to give you an apartment, money, and jobs. You won't have to work exhausting shifts anymore."

Silence.

My "mom" bit her lip. My "dad" looked away.

Neither of them spoke.

I couldn't stay here.

I couldn't refuse.

So—

"I'll be going out," I announced suddenly, standing up. "To a café. To study for my exams."

Total lie.

I just wanted to get out of the house.

I needed time to think.

[Oooh, good idea, Host! Go explore the world! See what the Guide-Esper society is like! Maybe you'll even meet some important characters! Maybe a Male Lead will bump into you, and sparks will fly—]

SHUT UP.

I waved goodbye, grabbed my phone, and bolted.

The moment I stepped outside, I had to stop and take a deep breath.

Because, wow.

This was NOT my world.

This was a fully futuristic, sci-fi city straight out of a high-budget movie.

Tall, sleek buildings with glowing neon signs. Floating cars zooming overhead on invisible highways. Large digital billboards showing live news reports—

"Breaking: S-Rank Esper Lóng Weiyuan obliterates underground drug ring!"

Okay. So Espers were basically super-powered cops.

People walked past me in stylish, tech-infused outfits, some wearing glowing wristbands that probably tracked their Esper-Guide compatibility.

A few of them had floating, AI assistants hovering near their heads, whispering things to them.

I took a slow step forward.

This was so different.

This was so cool.

And terrifying.

Because I knew nothing about it.

I barely even understood how the Esper-Guide system worked.

If someone asked me what my Guide Abilities were, I'd be absolutely screwed. I don't know how to utilize them even though I know how it is.

[Don't worry, Host~ I'll send you all the information you need to pretend you're a normal Guide!]

The system flashed a data screen in front of me.

I scanned it quickly.

Okay. Okay. I could work with this.

Espers were the combat types, with insane physical and mental abilities. Guides were the support types, able to help stabilize Espers when they overused their powers.

Simple enough, it was same as what I knew a little.

But that also meant I was expected to bond with an Esper someday.

Oh.

Oh no.

I suddenly had a very bad feeling about where this plot was going.

I shook my head. No time to panic. I had to act normal. Just blend in.

I didn't like the guiding shit even in bl.....and this novel was an 19+ novel. This was the main reason I read it in the first place.

There was a lot of those scenes. It means I might not be safe here....and most guiding in 19+ works...in that way.....I don't Wana think that I didn't wanted to be cherry popped, I was still a kid.

First step: Find a café.

Second step: Order something cheap to pretend I was studying.

What do I even have money?

I checked unto my terminal or can say my phone. U can see a bank money transfer. Just yesterday night about 5000 yuan was added into my bank account.

I think.....I am rich now.

Hogohoho. Every thing from before vanished from my mind. I was in from money.

I.havnt seen soo much money in my entire life in my own hands.

" hehhehehehehehahahahahahahh"

I laughed like a villan.

If I go to that rich family I don't have to work and can slack off.....

Cough

"Agh" a person bumbed into me and I was falling—

I squeezed my eyes shut to brace for the impact.

But it never come rather a hand grabbed me from the waist.

Huh?