Side Story 4:
“So you told her?”
On their way to the Gapyeong forest dungeon from Seo Won-yeong’s workshop.
Seo Jae-yi briefly explained to Baek Joo-won what had transpired with her sister.
“I see. That explains her expression.”
Baek Joo-won recalled Seo Won-yeong’s behavior after he returned to the workshop after his conversation with Seo Hye-ryeong.
Seo Won-yeong, who usually greeted him with an unusually bright smile and exaggerated politeness, had suddenly become… awkward.
It wasn’t a smile, nor a frown, nor anger… it was such a strange expression that even Seo Hye-ryeong had asked if something was wrong.
And it was because she had learned about his true identity.
“So, what did she say? Did she get angry? It doesn’t seem like she accepted it as calmly as Kim Yoo-sung, judging by her reaction.”
Seo Won-yeong hadn’t said anything directly, as Seo Hye-ryeong, still unaware of the truth, was present, but her reaction hadn’t been entirely positive.
“Well, the Guild Leader was surprisingly calm. Won-yeong is still… processing it.”
Seo Jae-yi replied, turning the steering wheel smoothly.
Seo Won-yeong, finally learning the truth, had initially been angry, not so much at Baek Joo-won’s true nature, but at the fact that Seo Jae-yi had kept such an important secret from her family.
Then she had expressed concern for her mother, who was alone with a dangerous monster.
She had calmed down quickly after realizing that Seo Jae-yi wouldn’t do that, of course.
“But she did calm down after I told her you saved my life.”
What had truly calmed her down was learning that Baek Joo-won had given her his magic stone, a monster’s equivalent of their life force.
She had even exclaimed in disbelief when Seo Jae-yi told her that he would also die if she did, as she now possessed his core.
She had been touched by his selfless act, his willingness to give Seo Jae-yi something so precious.
“It’s an important secret, but I thought it was best to tell Won-yeong. I’m sorry I didn’t discuss it with you first.”
“It’s fine. As long as Seo Won-yeong’s suspicions are gone. And she would never try to harm you, not with Seo Jae-yi around.”
Baek Joo-won shrugged, dismissing her apology.
Kim Yoo-sung and Mac Grayson also cared about Seo Jae-yi, but they were still human, unpredictable, so he couldn’t trust them completely.
But Seo Won-yeong was different. She was Seo Jae-yi’s family, and her mother, Seo Hye-ryeong, Seo Jae-yi’s aunt and Guide, also cherished Seo Jae-yi deeply.
If Seo Jae-yi died, Seo Hye-ryeong would be devastated, and Seo Won-yeong would do anything to prevent that.
So he could trust Seo Won-yeong.
“Of course. If you die, I die too, so Won-yeong would never do anything to harm you, not without my permission. Don’t worry.”
“Ah.”
Baek Joo-won smiled, a strange, almost… knowing smile, at her words.
He had told her that he would die if she did, as he would lose his Yeouiju.
But he hadn’t told her that she would live even if he died.
So she naturally assumed she would also die.
‘There’s no need for her to know that.’
She didn’t need to know such things.
“Good. Then there’s nothing to worry about. Though I might get punched.”
He said nonchalantly. Seo Jae-yi, oblivious to the underlying meaning of his words, didn’t notice anything amiss.
“You’re stronger than Won-yeong, and you have regenerative abilities, so you’ll be fine, even if she attacks you with her full power! Though you might end up with a hole in your stomach.”
Baek Joo-won’s face twitched slightly, remembering that Seo Won-yeong was a top-tier Enhancement Esper.
“…Can’t you at least pretend to be… concerned?”
“Even if I tried to stop her, she would still punch you when I’m not looking.”
Knowing Seo Won-yeong’s temper, that was entirely possible.
“So I’m no longer her favorite, huh.”
He had been Seo Won-yeong’s favorite, besides Seo Jae-yi and Seo Hye-ryeong, but it seemed that would change now.
She knew he wouldn’t die, even if she treated him roughly.
“But she won’t be too harsh. You’re my lifesaver, and we’re… married.”
“I don’t mind being… roughed up a bit. It’s not like I’ll leave you.”
Baek Joo-won intertwined his fingers with hers and kissed the back of her hand.
“I can handle anything Seo Won-yeong throws at me, as long as she doesn’t try to separate us.”
Seo Jae-yi had to suppress a moan as his lips trailed from the back of her hand to her wrist.
Hah, what a seductive… monster. She wanted to get to their dungeon, where they could be alone, as soon as possible.
“Won-yeong would never do that.”
Seo Jae-yi added quickly, summoning all her nonexistent patience.
Baek Joo-won chuckled and gently nibbled on her wrist.
It was just a light nibble; he should be able to control himself after their… activities, but he was already getting aroused again.
Seo Jae-yi clenched her jaw.
She didn’t know whether to be happy or sad about having such a seductive boyfriend.
Incheon International Airport.
An elegant, middle-aged woman in a stylish suit and coat, surrounded by bodyguards, emerged from the arrivals gate.
Someone approached her.
“Welcome.”
The woman, startled by the familiar voice, turned around.
Kwon Yi-soo, his expression cold and impassive, stood before her.
The woman chuckled dryly.
“I didn’t inform anyone of my arrival. How did you know?”
“It’s hard to miss your arrival, President Loren.”
Gloria Loren.
The WAIMO President shook her head at Kwon Yi-soo’s words.
“I knew I couldn’t hide it forever, but I thought I could manage for a few hours at least. You’re very… capable, Center Head.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
Kwon Yi-soo bowed his head, his expression not at all grateful.
He hadn’t changed, even after all these years.
“I can guess why you’re here unannounced. Are you planning to go there directly?”
Loren shrugged at his question.
“I was. I wanted to… take care of things quickly before you interfered. But since I’ve been found out, I suppose I’ll need your permission. So, are you going to try and stop me?”
“I’m not sure.”
Kwon Yi-soo paused, as if considering it.
He nodded after a moment of thought.
“You’re not going to leave now that you’re here. You’ll try to see them no matter what, so I won’t stop you. Let’s go. I’ll escort you.”
Loren was genuinely surprised by his ready acquiescence.
“You were practically threatening me before, and now you’re giving me your permission?”
“I’m… aware of your… determination, President Loren. And I believe people should be allowed to make their own choices.”
Loren looked at him suspiciously.
“I appreciate that, but… you haven’t already… made a deal with them, have you?”
“I informed them of your arrival a few minutes ago. I haven’t said anything else.”
“Is that the truth?”
“It’s not out of consideration for you, President Loren. The person you’re hoping to see isn’t someone you can coerce, so I didn’t bother.”
Ah. Loren, who had heard much about Seo Jae-yi’s personality, readily accepted his explanation.
“Then let’s go. It’ll take some time; the distance is quite far.”
Kwon Yi-soo started walking, and Loren, after a moment’s hesitation, followed him.
It was an unexpected development, but her plans hadn’t been completely derailed, so it was fine.
Meanwhile, at the Gapyeong forest dungeon.
“…What?”
Seo Jae-yi, busy packing dungeon plants, overwhelmed by the influx of customers after the president’s impeachment, couldn’t believe her ears.
“The WAIMO President is coming here… to see me?”
Gloria Loren, the world-renowned S-rank Guide with unparalleled Guiding abilities.
The very person who was practically inaccessible even to most Awakened individuals, was coming to Korea to see her?
Why?
“Did I do something wrong? Did I break some international agreement without realizing it?”
“Well…”
Kim Sung-hyun, the staff member who had relayed the news, couldn’t bring himself to say that it was impossible.
It was entirely plausible, considering it was Seo Jae-yi.
“I’m… not sure, but she’s already left Incheon Airport, so it’ll take some time for her to arrive.”
“Then why not meet her at Haeil Guild headquarters? It’s on the way. Why come all the way here?”
“I’m not sure; I haven’t been informed of the details. Center Head Kwon Yi-soo is escorting her, and he just told me to make sure Esper Seo Jae-yi stays here.”
Kwon Yi-soo was coming too?
This was… unsettling. Had she really broken some agreement during the Rank 1 dungeon subjugation…?
“Wait… don’t tell me, she’s here to impose sanctions on my dungeon plant sales…?”
Seo Jae-yi gasped, her eyes widening in horror, and looked down at the dungeon plant she was holding.
“No! I just reopened!”
She remembered the time when she had to close down her flower shop because of that damned Jang Woo-seok.
What if they prohibited individuals from owning dungeons?
“No! I have to protect my forest dungeon!”
Losing her dungeon plant business was one thing, but being evicted from the dungeon was far worse.
‘Then I’ll just give up on the outside world and live here!’
Baek Joo-won would be overjoyed if he heard that.