The Guide is Actually a Body-Switching Esper [BL]
Chapter 171: Too Busy

Chapter 171: Too Busy

"...So such rumors are circulating in the Guild! Can you believe it?" Lane threw himself on the bed, hugging a pillow as he talked on the phone with Damien. He had just finished telling his boyfriend about the raid he was going to participate in, and of course, he also had to complain about the engagement rumors!

Damien was silent on the other end for a moment, before he let out a sigh, and said, "I’m sorry. I will contact Guild Leader Allen, and let him know about the situation... And remind them I have no interest in the offer, and would like them to cease their efforts..."

Lane pressed his lips, listening to the low, mellow voice, as he imagined the frown Damien undoubtedly had on his face. It was quite a shame he couldn’t see it...

"I’m not angry at you or anything," he chuckled, reassuring the man. "I know you refused them. It’s just the Allens who are too dumb to understand!"

There was no response, as Damien simply didn’t know what to say. To agree with Lane? That seemed natural, but at the same time, Lane just called the Allens ’dumb’, so it was too impolite!

"Just be careful during the raid," he eventually said. "Don’t get hurt."

"I know, I know! Don’t worry, it’s just an A-rank dungeon, and we have a strong team! Oh, and by the way..."

"Yes?"

Lane paused, fiddling with the corner of the pillow. He was about to mention Austin to Damien, but was it really a good idea? It probably wasn’t an easy, and most definitely not pleasant topic for Damien to talk about... And while Lane had a hunch the man would tell him if he asked, perhaps it was better done face-to-face. In private, and in a proper mood. When they were both comfortable, and had a lot of time to spare.

So, he chose to change the topic in the end. "Ah, it’s nothing. I just wanted to ask, are you busy at the Association these days?"

"Yes, it is quite busy, why?"

"Well, I was going to take you out somewhere, remember? We didn’t get to do it because you had a lot of work to complete before the summit, but now that we’re back, I thought..."

"Wait a minute." There was a moment of pause, as Damien was likely checking his schedule. "...I’m sorry. I don’t think it will be possible for me to get a full day off, at least not in the next three, four weeks..." Damien sighed.

"Is it really that busy?"

"Unfortunately. We’re understaffed, you see."

More like Damien lacked the ability to say ’no’ to all the work pushed onto him! Lane had worked under some of the other Team Leaders at the Association before, and while they were also busy, not as ridiculously so! To not even be able to get a one day off in weeks? If it were any normal job, that would be against the workplace regulations, Lane was sure of it!

But, since Damien was the way he was, rather than try to push him to argue for his rights, it would be faster and easier to do something about that Section Leader of his. Lane would have to look into what could be done to put him in line, or better yet, replace him.

Lane was the boss of a secret Awakened organization, after all! What was the point of holding such a powerful position, if he couldn’t even save his boyfriend from overworking?

For now though, he just sighed pitifully, "Alright, I get it..."

"I need to go now. I’ll let you know if anything changes," Damien reassured. "And... stay safe."

"Mn. You too!"

The call ended, and Lane tossed his phone to the side with a heavy sigh. It was nice to hear Damien’s voice... But somehow he ended up feeling even more dissatisfied. As if being away from the man was the most annoying, unnatural, uncomfortable thing ever.

He rolled over to the side, squeezing the pillow and hugging it to his chest. There were a lot of reports from his team Lane should read through, and he wasn’t exactly sleepy yet... But he didn’t quite feel like doing it. So, using the fact that he had to get up early the next morning to go on the raid, he just stayed in bed, watching some random videos until he drifted off to sleep.

***

The next day, the team gathered in front of the A-rank Gate, ready for the raid. The trio for the meeting was there, still shaking their heads as they looked at Lane with sadness and pity for some reason...

And, of course, Damien’s father was also present, chatting merrily with one of the female Guides.

Lane looked the man up and down with disapproval. While he still didn’t know what the issue between him and Damien was, Austin’s mere appearance annoyed the hell out of Lane.

Why? Because of his equipment! Just as back at the meeting Austin was dressed in pricey clothes, now his outfit was even more expensive! From his boots, through his pants and jacket, to his gloves, everything was reinforced with dungeon and Mana materials, providing him with great defense. Not to mention his sword - while it was similar to the one Damien used when it came to its length, shape, and probably the weight as well, its quality was clearly at least a few grades higher! Familiar with all sorts of weapons, Lane could tell that much at a glance.

Now wasn’t it simply unfair? As an S-ranker, Damien would make much better use of such high-quality equipment! And yet, he had to make do with whatever the Association provided...

And on top of that, this easy-going, laid-back, and honestly, a bit sleazy, expression Austin wore irked Lane to no end. It simply didn’t suit that face at all! Such a face looked best when it was all serious and frowny instead!

Scoffing under his nose, Lane averted his gaze, reaching out to his spatial bag. Although he wanted to observe the man as much as possible, they were about to head into the dungeon, yet he was still unprepared. And he couldn’t afford to slack off, or else he wouldn’t get paid well!

He took out a few metallic marbles, prepared earlier, and popped them in his mouth, swallowing them. And just in time, because a moment later, Commander Holt announced the start of the raid, ordering everyone to enter the Gate in formation.