Side Story 5:
Kwon Yi-soo and WAIMO President Gloria Loren arrived at the Gapyeong forest dungeon around 8 p.m., after the dungeon plant sales had ended for the day.
It was Kwon Yi-soo’s arrangement, to avoid attracting attention to Loren’s meeting with Seo Jae-yi.
“Oh, it’s… quite well-maintained.”
Loren, entering the forest dungeon, was impressed by the spacious greenhouse near the gate.
The neatly arranged plants resembled a meticulously curated botanical garden.
“Thanks to the… owner of this greenhouse, I’m enjoying a lovely view.”
After a brief survey of the area, Loren turned her attention to Seo Jae-yi, who was looking at her warily.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Esper Seo Jae-yi. I’m Gloria Loren. I apologize for this… unannounced visit.”
Loren extended her hand. Seo Jae-yi’s wary expression softened slightly, seemingly satisfied with her apology.
She shook Loren’s hand and replied,
“Seo Jae-yi. I’m… surprised to meet you here.”
Loren looked at her, studying her expression.
‘She’s put up a wall.’
She had wanted to sense Seo Jae-yi’s energy, even through a simple handshake.
But Seo Jae-yi had erected a barrier, preventing any intrusion.
Loren, though slightly disappointed, didn’t show it and released her hand.
She could still assess Seo Jae-yi, even without sensing her energy directly.
‘…She’s remarkable.’
She had pretended to be captivated by the dungeon plants that stretched before her as soon as she entered, but her attention had been solely on Seo Jae-yi.
She was simply standing there, doing nothing, and yet, a powerful red aura radiated from her.
Gloria Loren, one of the world’s strongest S-rank Guides, had met countless S-rank Espers, but she had never encountered such a potent energy.
It was more than just impressive.
‘Can I even handle that energy?’
It was a power that made even the world’s best Guide question her own abilities.
‘Association Head Taylor couldn’t stop singing her praises, calling her someone even he couldn’t ignore.’
She understood why now.
She would never have understood if she hadn’t met Seo Jae-yi in person.
Her gaze naturally shifted to the man standing beside Seo Jae-yi.
He was breathtakingly handsome, so beautiful that even Loren almost gasped.
“Ah, this is my Paired Guide, Baek Joo-won.”
Seo Jae-yi, sensing her gaze, introduced him. Baek Joo-won simply nodded in greeting.
He too was… remarkable, and not just because of his appearance.
‘I can’t read him.’
Gloria Loren was an S-rank Guide, the most powerful in the world.
She had a unique ability to see the energy of not just Espers, but also other Guides.
There had never been an exception. She could clearly see Kwon Yi-soo’s energy, even now.
A sharp, almost prickly exterior, yet with a soft, gentle core.
She could usually see through any attempts to conceal their energy, but she couldn’t see Baek Joo-won’s at all.
There was only one possible explanation.
‘He’s a stronger Guide than me.’
That made sense. That was why he was the only one with a high Matching Rate with Seo Jae-yi, who radiated such an oppressive aura.
The world’s strongest Pair… It was an honor just to be in their presence.
“It was… unorthodox, but this trip was worth it.”
Loren smiled, looking at the two of them standing side-by-side.
“It seems it’s time for me to relinquish my title as the world’s strongest Guide.”
“Gasp.”
Seo Jae-yi, her previous wariness forgotten, clutched Baek Joo-won’s arm, her eyes wide.
It wasn’t surprise at her unexpected words, but a clear sign that she had been… found out.
So she had known. It would be strange if she didn’t, considering she was the one who received the most of his energy.
“I’ll make a public announcement if you wish. Titles… they can be surprisingly important.”
Loren had held that title for decades; she had enjoyed it, but she wasn’t attached to it.
And she would still be the WAIMO President, with all its authority and power, even without the title of the world’s strongest Guide, so she could afford to relinquish it.
“No, thank you!”
But Seo Jae-yi vehemently refused, as if horrified by the mere suggestion.
It was such a forceful rejection that even Loren, who had held the title for so long, felt a pang of… something.
“You… don’t want me to?”
“No, I don’t!”
“But why…?”
“I can’t… share.”
Loren blinked, surprised by her unexpected answer.
“Share? No one can take Baek Joo-won away from you.”
It was true. Who would dare to break apart the world’s strongest Pair?
That would be suicide.
“Ah, let me rephrase. I don’t want him to receive… more attention.”
Ah, that she could understand.
Seo Jae-yi, who had hidden her face for over a decade, had finally revealed herself to the world a few months ago to protect Baek Joo-won.
But she had still kept him hidden, in the shadows. While those in the know were aware of their relationship, as they were constantly together, it wasn’t public knowledge.
“It’s something Baek Joo-won and I agreed on. He doesn’t want to reveal his face or become more well-known, so I’d appreciate it if you didn’t… announce anything.”
Seo Jae-yi shrugged, seeing Loren’s thoughtful expression.
“And we don’t need such titles. They’re more of a hindrance.”
Her refusal was absolute, her tone brooking no argument. There was no room for persuasion.
‘Association Head Taylor did say Esper Seo Jae-yi was incredibly stubborn.’
She remembered William Taylor’s words, how he had shaken his head, saying no one in the world could change her mind, that anyone who could would be the true strongest.
Loren, having already been warned by her old friend, decided to concede.
“Very well. I’ll respect your wishes, Esper Seo Jae-yi.”
“Thank you.”
“My apologies; I was so… impressed by your power that I got sidetracked. I actually came here for a different reason.”
Loren finally stated her true purpose.
Seo Jae-yi’s expression turned wary, and Baek Joo-won looked at Loren intently.
And then…
Kwon Yi-soo, who had been standing silently in the background, observing the dungeon with a detached air, also turned his gaze towards Loren.
‘What is this…?’
Loren, suddenly the focus of their attention, gulped nervously, feeling the shift in the atmosphere.
Seo Jae-yi and Kwon Yi-soo’s gazes weren’t particularly intimidating, but Baek Joo-won’s was… heavy, filled with an unmistakable wariness.
She quickly explained, worried he might think she was here to harm Seo Jae-yi,
“You two are the Pair who achieved a 100% Matching Rate in the shortest time. I came here to ask how you did it.”
Kwon Yi-soo, standing behind them, clicked his tongue. He had expected as much.
They had already discussed this over the phone. He had been worried that she might try to prevent him from meeting with Seo Jae-yi, which was why she had secretly come to Korea.
But Seo Jae-yi and Baek Joo-won’s reactions were unexpected.
“Huh? Our Matching Rate?”
Seo Jae-yi blinked, as if she hadn’t even considered it.
And Baek Joo-won sighed and turned away, his expression almost… disappointed?
Why was he disappointed?
“Yes. I was hoping you would share your… method, if there was one. It would help lower the Esper mortality rate if other Pairs could also increase their Matching Rates quickly.”
Loren said, her expression slightly awkward.
She had originally intended to invite them to WAIMO for a thorough examination.
But Seo Jae-yi was the primary victim of the horrific human experiments.
So even a simple examination felt… intrusive. And Seo Jae-yi was currently involved in a trial, and the president had just been impeached a few days ago.
She must be reliving her traumatic past; Loren didn’t want to add to her burden.
‘If it weren’t for those damned human experiments… It’s all their fault.’
Loren gritted her teeth, her anger at those who had committed such atrocities resurfacing.
She had been working on legislation to prevent and condemn human experimentation on Awakened individuals ever since the scandal broke.
“Is there… anything else…?”
Seo Jae-yi asked hesitantly.
Loren, though confused by her question, nodded.
“Yes, that’s the Organization’s top priority right now.”
“Ah, that’s a relief!”
Seo Jae-yi exclaimed, her shoulders slumping in relief.
“I was worried you might be here to… prohibit me from using the dungeon for personal gain, to ban dungeon plant sales, deeming it too dangerous.”
Loren, realizing why Seo Jae-yi had been so wary, chuckled.
She hadn’t expected that.
“Not at all. It would be a problem if it were an unregistered group like… Under Guild, but you’re collaborating with the Korean Esper Association, Esper Seo Jae-yi. So it’s perfectly acceptable. Even WAIMO doesn’t interfere with such matters.”
Seo Jae-yi, relieved, tugged at Baek Joo-won’s sleeve.
“That’s great! We can continue our business without worry!”
“Tsk.”
But Baek Joo-won, for some reason, was frowning, his expression sullen.
Loren was confused.
Wasn’t that the answer she wanted? She couldn’t understand his reaction.