chapter 3: a mysterious man.

Unknown Man's POV

It happened before I even realized it.

One moment, I was walking. The next, my hand had instinctively reached out—grabbing the waist of a stranger who had tripped.

The instant my fingers brushed against that small waist, an unusual current surged through me.

Smooth. Warm. Steady.

A foreign but oddly comforting sensation.

I froze.

Guides never comforted me.

No matter how many times I had been paired with one, their presence always felt… off. Useless. Their so-called "stabilization" techniques had never worked on me.

I had long since accepted that I was different. That there was no Guide out there who could ease the restless, rampant energy inside me.

And yet.

This one…

Something was different.

I looked down, my hood casting a shadow over my face.

The person in my arms had short, wispy hair. Delicate features. Wide, glistening eyes. Their skin was pale, almost porcelain-like.

At first glance, they looked like a girl.

But I knew better.

I had already investigated him.

Xú Yànchéng.

The real son of the Gu family.

Swapped at birth.

A fool. Innocent.

A variable.

I had already planned to manipulate him. He was naïve, easily swayed—a perfect chess piece.

And yet…

I was still gripping his waist.

Still feeling that strange, steadying warmth seep into my skin.

Unacceptable.

I let go.

Watched as he hit the ground.

Watched as he grumbled under his breath, unaware that I could hear every word.

For a moment, I felt—

Amused.

It was rare for someone to speak so carelessly in my presence.

But I said nothing.

Instead, I glanced down at my hand—the same hand that had grabbed him.

My fingers twitched slightly, as if still remembering the sensation.

How… strange.

But there was no time for this.

It wasn't time yet.

So I turned and walked away.

Without another glance.

MC's POV

What the heck, what a rude guy.

Still rubbing my poor butt, I barely had time to recover before—

A hand appeared in front of me.

A very attractive hand.

Slender fingers. Long, elegant nails. The type of hand that belonged to a handsome man.

I gulped.

Slowly, I looked up.

And, oh.

Oh.

Jackpot.

A blond-haired, green-eyed Adonis of a man smiled down at me.

Tall. Well-built. A natural charmer.

If this wasn't a Male Lead, I'd eat my shoe.

My eyes sparkled with opportunity. Who would've thought I'd meet TWO handsome men the moment I stepped outside?!

But before I could react—

Another voice joined in.

A voice that was… slightly feminine.

My stomach dropped.

I turned my head, already dreading what I would see.

And there he was.

A short, slender man with dark brown hair and black eyes, dressed in fancy branded clothes.

And that damn earring.

I knew that earring.

I knew that man.

THE PROTAGONIST SHOU.

My mind went blank.

Wait. WAIT. If he was here—

I turned back to the blond man.

…Oh no.

Oh, hell no.

This was the second Male Lead.

The Protagonist Shou's childhood sweetheart. The guy doomed to lose to the Main ML in the love triangle.

I felt devastated.

What a waste of a good face.

But then, another problem hit me.

The blond guy wasn't just a love rival.

He was also an S-Class Esper.

And I—

I was a Guide.

If he found out… I was DONE FOR.

Espers were everywhere. Guides were rare.

And this was a 19+ novel.

I REFUSED TO BE DISCOVERED SO EARLY IN THE STORY.

So, naturally—

I did the most logical thing.

I ignored the blond guy's hand and scrambled to my feet on my own.

No physical contact. No Esper discovering I was a Guide. No "accidental" romance plotlines.

Absolutely safe. I was a fan of bl novels but I had read soo many tearing hole novels especially man cast of the bl had the biggest ones. I'll better stay far away what if some bed scenes sanario came up.

I ws still not ready.....I think I kinda regretted it now. Experiencing the real thing wasn't soo exiting anymore.

Meanwhile, the two guys started talking, ignoring me completely.

Ofc in thir eyes I was just a mob even if I am a beauty. I scoff to my self. I am not nasisistic at all.

But in the end.

Good.

Better for me.

…Or so I thought.

[System Notification:

➤ Protagonist Affection +1%]

HUH?!

I did nothing!!! But I think it helped to tighten the relationship ship between the main characters.

I look around at that dou.

Fuck I wished. I havnt looked back and listened.

"What are you doing with that girl ?"

"I was just helping her, she seemed to be in pain" he was like a golden retriever sunny and bright with conviction.

Anway he was a beast in bed...he had did yhis and that with the protagonist shou stated as guiding he was a madman in that chapter. Which is why I was scared.

But the protagonist shou was kaready engaged...to another esper our ml...but u know what. They call that guiding work and help for the needed saying it was a job.

In my eyes that was just fuckung straight up gang Bang.

Anway they were calling me girl. I turl my short length hair.

But whatever. They could mistake me for a girl all they wanted or think what ever it was non of my business.

I had bigger problems.

Like the fact that I was still in my pajamas.

Oh.

Oh no.

I was still wearing fluffy duck-print pajama pants.

Kill me.

Before I could even process my shame—

[System Notification:

New Task Unlocked]

Huh?! Already?!

I quickly checked the system panel.

[Task: Move into the Gu Family

Duration: 1 day

Penalty for Failure: Mastermind's Destruction Bar +5%]

I froze.

ONE DAY?!

I WASN'T EVEN HOME YET.

"Show me some mercy, System!!!" I screamed internally.

[Sorry, Host~! But this is a major turning point! If you don't move in, how can the story continue?]

"But there's still a whole day left!!!"

[Yes! So you better start preparing~ (*≧▽≦)]

I nearly collapsed on the spot.

Fine. FINE.

If I was going to be forced into the Gu Family tomorrow…

Then I deserved a stress-relief session.

Karaoke Therapy

I changed my plan.

Instead of going to a café to fake study, I beelined straight to a karaoke lounge.

There was only one way to vent my frustration.

Singing my lungs out.

I stormed into a karaoke place, booked a private room for two hours, and ordered a ridiculous amount of food.

Because guess what?

I was rich now.

My "biological parents" had already transferred a hefty sum into my account last night.

Sure, they hadn't contacted me personally.

They sent their secretary instead.

But you know what? Fine by me.

As long as the money flowed in, I wouldn't complain.

"HAHAHAHA, I'M RICH NOW!" I cackled, shoving food into my mouth.

And then—

I picked up the mic.

And I sang with my whole chest.

♪ Anxiety~ Always inside of me~

Not flying away~ ♫

♪ Anxietieeee~

It's flying inside me~

Can't it stay away from meeee~? ♫

I belted out my original anxiety anthem, flailing dramatically on the couch.

…

This was self-care.

This was peace.

This was—

[System Notification:

Gu Family's Car Will Arrive Tomorrow Morning.]

I grabbed a drumstick, dramatically shaking it at the ceiling.

"JUST GIVE ME ONE DAY OF PEACE, SYSTEM!!!"

[Hehe~ No can do, Host~! (*≧▽≦)

Rememberyour parents are rich!]

…....I think I don't feel soo reluctant anymore.