The S-class Awakening

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The car's engine hummed softly as they drove through the busy streets, the sound of tires against asphalt muffled in the vehicle's luxurious interior. Jonghyun sat in the passenger seat, the cold air from the air conditioning brushing his face, but it did little to cool the heat rising in his chest. The day had already been strange enough—guiding Seojin had left a strange static sensation in his hands that hadn't faded yet. Now, this. He stared out the window, trying to ignore the overwhelming sense of anticipation that sat like a weight in his stomach.

Seojin didn't speak much during the drive, his gaze fixed ahead, his posture relaxed, as though nothing in the world could rattle him. Jonghyun glanced at him once more. How is he so calm? Jonghyun couldn't shake the feeling that everything was spiraling out of his control, the future slipping further away with each passing minute. The contract offer hanging in the air was a constant reminder of that.

Finally, Seojin broke the silence. "You're coming with me," he said, his voice low and commanding. There was no room for questioning in the way he spoke. His words were an order, not a request.

Jonghyun turned his head sharply to look at him. Coming with him? The question burned in his chest. "Where?"

"To Legion," Seojin answered simply, not looking away from the road.

Legion. The thought of it made Jonghyun's pulse quicken. The S-class guild, one of the most influential and feared groups of espers in the world. I'm just a guide. He hadn't even been expecting to come face-to-face with someone from Legion today, let alone being invited to join them. His heart pounded in his chest as doubt gnawed at him.

"Why me?" Jonghyun finally asked, his voice quieter than he intended. "What could someone like me possibly do for you?"

Seojin shot him a brief glance, his eyes unreadable. "You're more than just a low-level guide, Jonghyun. I've seen it." His lips curled into a small, enigmatic smile. "You have potential. I'm offering you the opportunity to realize it. Not everyone gets that."

Jonghyun didn't know whether to feel flattered or terrified. He couldn't figure out what Seojin wanted from him. The offer seemed too good to be true, and he knew that nothing ever came without a cost. But what cost? His heart clenched at the thought.

The car continued its path through the city, the skyline of Legion's towering skyscrapers looming in the distance. Seojin didn't elaborate on his reasons, leaving Jonghyun to wrestle with his thoughts in silence. By the time they pulled up to the Legion building, Jonghyun's mind was a mess of confusion and questions.

Legion's headquarters stood in stark contrast to everything Jonghyun had ever known. The sleek, polished exterior gleamed under the setting sun, towering above the surrounding buildings. The marble floors, gleaming in the lobby, and the cool, dark wood that lined the walls of the building all screamed of wealth and power. Jonghyun had never felt so out of place in his life. The massive glass windows offered a panoramic view of the city, but all he could focus on was the weight of Seojin's presence beside him.

The elevator ride was silent, the only sound the soft hum of the machine as it ascended. Jonghyun found himself clutching the edge of his coat sleeve, unsure of how to act. Seojin, however, remained unfazed, his eyes ahead as if this was just another day. As they reached the top floor, Seojin stepped out first, his movements precise and calculated. Jonghyun hesitated for a moment before following him into the office.

Seojin's office was just as imposing as the rest of Legion. Large, dark furniture filled the room, and the walls were adorned with abstract artwork, all pieces that hinted at his wealth and taste. His desk was massive, polished to a mirror-like shine, and Jonghyun couldn't help but feel small standing in front of it.

"Sit." Seojin's command was firm, though his voice held no malice. It was simply the way he always spoke—demanding, calm, and powerful.

Jonghyun hesitated but sat down in the chair across from Seojin's desk. His eyes drifted to the papers that Seojin had already placed in front of him—documents that looked formal and heavy with meaning.

"This," Seojin said as he pushed the papers toward Jonghyun, "is a contract. If you accept, you will become my exclusive guide." His gaze met Jonghyun's, unwavering and intense. "You will quit your job with the government and follow me wherever I go. You will live with me, work with me. You will be there every time I go through an eruption. Your task will be to guide me, always."

Jonghyun's throat tightened. He hadn't expected this. Exclusive guide? The idea of quitting his government job—his stable, secure job—felt impossible. His fingers itched as he glanced over the contract. It was clear that there were many clauses, most of which he didn't understand fully, but the price was obvious.

It's a high salary, much higher than my current one. The payment jumped off the page. It would set him up for life. But there was a catch—he would give up everything. Everything. He'd be tied to Seojin in ways he wasn't sure he was ready for. The idea of living with Seojin, being at his beck and call, filled him with a mix of excitement and dread.

"You're offering me all this?" Jonghyun asked, his voice almost a whisper. His heart beat faster as his eyes traced the contract's fine print. He would be paid more than he ever could dream of, but the cost... the cost was everything he had.

"I am," Seojin said simply. "And you'll be loyal to me, as my guide. You will be exclusive to me, Jonghyun. No one else will take your place."

Jonghyun stared at the contract, the weight of Seojin's words pressing on him. The offer was so much more than he ever could have imagined. It's everything I've ever wanted, but... He hesitated, biting his lip as uncertainty crept into his chest. Was he ready to give up his autonomy? To throw away his career for Seojin's world? Could he really let himself be tied to someone like this?

Seojin watched him closely, his gaze unwavering. "You'll live with me. When I erupt, you'll be there to guide me. You'll have no life outside of that. Do you understand?"

The silence stretched between them, and Jonghyun struggled to find his voice. He could feel the pull of the contract, the promise of wealth, power, and a life with Seojin. But the thought of it... it made him uneasy.

"I... I need to think about it," Jonghyun said finally, his voice trembling slightly despite his efforts to sound firm.

Seojin didn't seem surprised. Instead, he pushed another form toward Jonghyun. "Another test. To see if you're truly a low-level guide or not. Then we'll see if you're worthy of this contract."

Jonghyun took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the decision hanging over him. "I'll wait for the results."

Seojin gave him a small nod, the faintest smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Good. Don't take too long. I expect your answer soon."

As Seojin's gaze lingered on him, Jonghyun couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. The beginning of something he wasn't sure he was ready for.

End of Chapter 8

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