"Oh, wait—he's alive. False alarm!"
"Hmph. No need to send the medics an anonymous tip then."
Benji groaned.
His mind spun, confusion cutting deep. 'What's happening? Who are all these voices?'
Opening his eyes was a hassle. But when he did—even more confusion hit him.
He was lying flat on a cold tarred ground, moonlight bright above. From the two buildings looming like giants to his left and right, he could tell it was an alleyway.
That and the faint smell of garbage.
Yet, all that wasn't the part that unsettled him most.
It was the group of people circling him like vultures waiting for a wounded buck to drop. Their faces were unfriendly, some grinning and scowling when their eyes met.
What in the ever-loving fuck is happening?
[Host awake! Running the current body's stats. Please, stand by.]
Benji's eyes widened.
It was that mechanical voice again.
When everything went black and he thought he'd lose consciousness forever—or wind up in hell—a silvery mechanical voice, like a robot's, rang in his head.
He thought it was his mind still fighting fruitlessly to keep him alive.
But now—
"You've suddenly lost your snark?" One of the guys sneered, raising a foot.
Before Benji knew what was happening, he sent a sharp kick to his stomach. He heaved, rolling to the other side as a sharp pain spread through him.
His hands found his stomach, and his teeth gnashed.
However, instead of a bullet wound—he touched a soft fabric that clung to his body.
'This...' his thoughts went wild. 'What is the meaning of this? I–I was shot, wasn't I?'
"Guide Han, don't you think we should leave him now?" Another voice suggested. "I think he's learnt his lesson. Next time he'll know better than to try seducing your man."
Benji's brows furrowed.
Guide Han? Seducing... Seducing his man?
Wait a damn minute—wasn't this the plot of that horrible Guideverse book?
[Scan completed! Showing Host's stats now:]
It was that mechanical voice again.
Stats?
"W–Who are you?" He mumbled hoarsely with a cough, his throat raw like he swallowed glass. "W–What stats? What's going on?"
[Name: Ambrose Hale.
Age: 22
Category: C-Rank Guide (Locked)
Occupation: Guide at Phoenix Flight Guild.
Strength: 5
Speed: 6
Durability: 5
Healing factor: 5
Reflexes: 5
Powers: Guide-Link with an Esper.
Current linked Espers: 0.
Total Evaluation: Average adult man with Guide abilities.
Probability of getting slimed by a monster: High.]
All this information was displayed in a blue holographic screen projected in front of his face.
Yes—a holographic screen.
And from the unbothered looks he got from the guys surrounding him, it seemed he was the only one who could see the screen. Or hear the mechanical voice.
[Oh, great. A sharp host... Perfect!]
[Sorry for your confusion. Don't worry, you'll get the memories of your current body loaded in a few minutes. For now... Try surviving your current situation.]
"Surviving?!" He croaked. "Again, who the hell are you? Did Tyler send you? Can you tell the mother fucker to leave my life?! It was bad enough that he robbed and shot me. Now he's pulling a prank and getting people to beat me up?"
[Sweetheart... You somehow came to an even wilder conclusion than plain old transmigration.] The mechanical voice sounded almost mocking. [Your former body, the one known as "Benji Foster"—is dead. This is an alternate earth and an entirely different body you're inhabiting.]
Welp.
Maybe he was in hell after all.
"Who the fuck is he talking to?" One guy asked as he rolled back to face them. "Guide Han, that last kick must've messed up his head."
The rest of them burst into laughter. All except 'Guide Han'. The one who so graciously woke every cell in his body with a kick earlier.
He was dressed in a black turtleneck, an expensive-looking watch strapped around his left hand. The contrast of moonlight in the dark alleyway made it hard to take in his face.
But his stance and the little of what Benji could make of his eyes... Were ice cold.
Without warning, Han lowered himself, grabbing Benji by the collar.
The latter could barely move his body—or rather, the new body he was inhabiting. If he should believe the words of that mechanical voice.
[I see you're going to be a hard nut to crack. No worries. We'll get along soon enough—or you'll die trying.]
DING!
Another holographic screen flickered to life in front of his face.
This time it had a word written in bold.
Mission.
[FIRST MISSION ALERT: Use your current body to survive an encounter with Han and his lackeys until help arrives.]
[REWARD: Instant Unlock of your locked potential.]
[PENALTY: Obvious death.]
Benji's fingers shook.
He was beginning to understand what was happening here. As much as he wanted to deny the possibility, he'd somehow been "transmigrated" to the Guideverse Manhwa he was trying to read.
As the weak main character.
There was a problem with that though. He never got far in that Manhwa.
In fact, this exact scene where the MC was left for dead in an alleyway was where he stopped.
Fuck, wasn't this a sign that he's cursed?!
Also... Did that mechanical voice just tell him to survive—
"Look at me," the icy voice of Guide Han cut his thoughts short. The other man now had him on his feet, dangling him by his collar. "Eyes here, scum."
With a grunt, Benji lazily scanned the guy from head to toes.
Now that he had a better view... He could admit that his assaulter was handsome.
Dark brown and almost black almond eyes. Light olive skin. A sharp jawline and thin lips that looked like he hadn't smiled genuinely in a while.
[Perhaps if you put more focus on completing your mission instead of admiring your rival, you'd have a chance of survival.]
That mechanical voice snapped back his senses.
Right—survival.
Suddenly, Han pulled Benji closer until his minted breath brushed his face. "What should I do to you if I see you close to Devon again?"
Now who the hell is Devon?
Benji's fists slowly balled beside him.
His eyes swept past the faces of the guys behind Han. All three of them.
The way this situation mirrored the robbery that led to his death brought back all the rage. All the hate. All that desire for revenge and justice.
And now it was directed at one handsome source.
"Oy?!" Guide Han snapped, shaking Benji violently. Then he muttered something in Korean before continuing. "Did the beating make you deaf? Answer me or—"
CRUNCH!
Benji didn't think before he sent a knee straight at the bastard's balls. The latter's eyes widened, a pained howl ripping out of him.
He doubled over, letting go of Benji who staggered backwards.
[Ouch. Low blow. But I'll allow it.]
His vision spun, legs wobbling for a few seconds. But he soon got control of his body, putting on a fighting stance as he glared at Han and his minions.
"Guide Han!"
"Did he just kick him in the balls?!"
"Shameless brat!"
They tried assisting Han but he shrugged them off, pinning his gaze on Benji. "Oh, now you asked for it!"
He charged at him, fists spread out. Ready for a punch.
Benji panicked, stumbling sideways enough to dodge a punch aimed at his head. A cylindrical garbage can broke his fall, some of it's content spilling to the floor.
Thinking quickly, Benji grabbed the lid, spinning around just in time. Han was upon him, right fist angled for a devastating punch.
With everything in him, Benji swung the garbage lid, slamming him hard on the face. The sound resounded through the alley, alongside Han's satisfying whimper.
Just when Han's friends made moves to come attack him—
A huge burst of yellow light followed by searing heat filled the alley. Benji squinted, turning his head to the source.
At the far entrance of the alley stood a man covered in yellow flames. "What's the meaning of this?!" He boomed like a god seeking answers, fiery gaze searching through the place.
Then his eyes landed on Benji—or rather, Ambrose—briefly. Before sliding to Han who held his face, crying out.
"D–Devon!" His previous cold, mafia boss like demeanor faded, replaced by a terrified front. "It's... It's Ambrose. He started all this!"
Ambrose's mouth fell open.
That glorified lantern was Devon?
And—did this bitch just make himself the victim?!