Chapter 46:
“Why are you being so rude to my employee?”
“Employee? You hired a monster?”
Grayson, being an S-rank Esper, immediately recognized Airok’s true nature. It was only natural, considering there was no such thing as a talking, water-spraying lizard.
“Isn’t it dangerous?”
“Dangerous how?”
“He might be acting docile now, but he could go out and eat people at any moment.”
Grayson’s gaze towards Airok was wary. As an Esper, whose duty was to eliminate monsters, his desire to kill Airok was understandable.
But why should she be understanding?
Seo Jae-yi smacked Grayson on the back of his head.
“Ouch! Honey, could you please be mindful of your brute strength?”
“Why should I be mindful of someone who’s mistreating Logi? He’s been so helpful to me.”
Indeed. He not only helped her cultivate dungeon plants but also suppressed her leaking ability without causing any damage.
Airok was essential for Seo Jae-yi to safely run her flower shop.
“That’s right, that’s right! I’m loyal to my Master, so don’t try to sow discord between us!”
“Apologize to Logi.”
Grayson finally apologized, pressured by Airok and Seo Jae-yi. However, his gaze remained wary, as if he couldn’t shake his suspicion of monsters.
“So this human is your friend, Master?”
Airok glared at Grayson as well.
Seo Jae-yi nodded at his growl.
“It’s embarrassing to admit, but yes.”
Seo Jae-yi had met Grayson during her time at the Center. They had met during a joint training session between the Korean Esper Association, the Center, and a US organization.
Seo Jae-yi had been confined to the Center at that time, so she had no friends. Grayson, who had suddenly appeared before her, had been incredibly annoying, to the point where she wanted to punch him.
“And then?”
“We fought. We beat each other up. That’s how we became friends.”
Something about that process seemed off…
But even Grayson smiled, reminiscing about the “good old days.”
These two were strange.
“Even back then, your intentions weren’t pure.”
Seo Jae-yi looked at Grayson, recalling their past encounter from eight years ago.
His soft blond hair, his beautiful sky-blue eyes, his handsome face that didn’t match his nickname, “Millstone.”
He was handsome enough to make anyone’s heart flutter, but Seo Jae-yi’s gaze was indifferent.
“It seems like it’s the same this time. You’re here to meet Baek Joo-won, right? On an official mission from the Esper Association.”
“…”
“Well, I knew this day would come… but I didn’t expect you to come yourself, Maggie.”
She had already anticipated that the US, which was aggressively recruiting talented individuals, would target Baek Joo-won. And they would offer him an irresistible deal, one that the Korean Center and Haeil couldn’t even dream of matching.
But she had never imagined Grayson would be the one bringing the offer.
“Of course I had to come. It’s the best approach.”
Seo Jae-yi clicked her tongue, looking at him with disapproval.
“I don’t care if others hate me.”
“As long as you don’t hate me.”
“What are you talking about? Of course I’ll hate you! I’ll become a ghost and haunt you when I die. I’ll make sure you don’t live long either!”
Their nonsensical conversation continued for a while, taking a strange turn.
Airok, who had been blinking, confused, stared at Grayson in horror when he answered.
“Wow, so I’ll still be able to see you even after you die? And to die by your hands… I’m so happy. Yes, let’s be together even in death!”
This guy was insane!
Airok had seen all sorts of humans while being with Seo Jae-yi, but this was the first time he had encountered such a creep.
He seemed to be nothing but trouble for Seo Jae-yi. Airok started seriously contemplating whether he should intervene and separate them for his Master’s sake.
***
News of a US Association official coming to Korea to recruit Baek Joo-won spread quickly.
Baek Joo-won was bombarded with pointless calls from early morning, causing him a headache.
From government officials to several Guilds, including Taesan. He was seriously considering blocking them all.
[Let me know if a millstone-faced blond jerk shows up.]
A message from Seo Jae-yi, filled with pleas and threats, stood out among the countless annoying messages.
Judging by the “blond” part, she was probably referring to that Mac something from the US…
‘But what’s a “millstone”?’
He didn’t know all the Korean words, so he didn’t understand what “millstone” meant.
He wasn’t particularly interested in meeting the person who was responsible for the overwhelming number of calls, but he was curious about his appearance.
“Hello, Guide Baek Joo-won.”
The person in question appeared as he was leaving the Center after his training.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Mac Grayson from the US Esper Association. Please call me Grayson.”
He greeted him casually and handed him a business card. Baek Joo-won stared at Grayson, not the elegantly designed card.
‘He really is a jerk.’
How could he smile so smugly with such a handsome face? He must be the “millstone” Seo Jae-yi was talking about.
Baek Joo-won sent a message to Seo Jae-yi, informing her that the blond jerk had appeared, and then accepted Grayson’s card.
“I heard you came from the US to see me.”
“Then it’ll be a quick conversation. I’d prefer to talk somewhere quieter. Would you mind moving to a different location?”
He had rejected Taesan, but he wanted to hear the US offer, which was supposedly incredible.
Grayson’s face brightened when Baek Joo-won agreed.
***
They moved to the luxurious presidential suite of a five-star hotel in Seoul, where Grayson was staying.
“It’s better to have confidential conversations in a private setting like this, away from prying eyes.”
The view of Seoul was spread out below them through the large windows, perhaps because they were on a high floor.
‘This is my first time seeing the city from such a height. It’s quite nice.’
Baek Joo-won lingered by the window, fascinated by the view.
Grayson, noticing his interest, made an offer.
“If you like this place, please let me know. We can arrange for you to stay here for a while. Consider it a complimentary service, completely separate from the contract I’m about to offer you.”
To offer a free stay in a room that cost at least ten million won per night. It was a bold offer, typical of the US.
“I apologize if it’s too much.”
“Not at all.”
Baek Joo-won wasn’t the type to feel pressured by such an offer.
“It’s nice. Then could I ask for a week?”
Grayson, who had been placing the coffee he had ordered from room service on the table, gaped at him.
He stared blankly at Baek Joo-won, silhouetted against the sunset over Seoul, and then burst out laughing.
“Ah, I apologize. I didn’t mean to laugh at you. Ahem. When would you like to start?”
“Tonight would be great, but tomorrow is fine if it’s too difficult.”
“How can I delay after hearing that? Please wait a moment. You might suspect it’s not a complimentary service if I said I’ll arrange it after our conversation, so I’ll do it right now.”
Grayson made a call in front of Baek Joo-won. After a brief conversation, he hung up and showed Baek Joo-won his phone screen.
“I booked it under your name, Guide Baek Joo-won. Please confirm.”
“It’s confirmed. But I don’t even have identification. How did you book it under my name?”
“I’m an S-rank Esper on an official mission from the US Esper Association. This is a simple task for me, and it’s what the US can offer.”
The small talk was over. The real conversation was about to begin.
“But you must have been inconvenienced without identification. We can issue you US citizenship immediately if you agree to become a Guide for the US.”
Stateless individuals usually desired two things.
One, identification. Two, settling down in one place instead of wandering.
And most stateless individuals desired to go to the US. The government control wasn’t as strong as in China, and it was safe, as they possessed the most S-rank Espers in the world.
Grayson knew this well, having brought numerous stateless Awakened individuals to the US.
“We’ll also provide you with a luxurious mansion or penthouse in your preferred location, and we’ll offer you the highest salary in the industry. And don’t worry, we won’t require you to participate in dungeon raids. You just have to be a Guide for the US.”
“I understand. It would be problematic for me, a Guide who affects Espers, to enter dungeons.”
Baek Joo-won spoke frankly, implying that they already knew about his ability.
Grayson smiled enigmatically. He had seemed frivolous and goofy, but now he exuded a chilling aura, befitting an S-rank Esper representing the US.
“But that doesn’t diminish the value of your ability. An Esper who affects Guides would be a problem, but the opposite isn’t.”
“Because I can save critically injured, unconscious Espers? Anyone?”
“Ah, of course, that too. That alone makes you a very attractive Guide. Even I’m tempted.”
Grayson, covering his mouth partially, looked Baek Joo-won up and down. His eyes, like those of most Espers who desired a skilled Guide, were filled with greed.
Baek Joo-won wasn’t surprised; he had been subjected to such gazes from many Espers since awakening as a Guide.
But strangely, he didn’t find this gaze as unpleasant as he had found Taesan’s Park Hyung-woo’s.
Why?
“But there’s another situation where your ability will truly shine. You have no idea how extraordinary your ability is.”