Chapter 155:
Joo Seon-min had long been aware of Kwon Yi-soo’s feelings for Seo Jae-yi, and of his constant efforts to support her from behind the scenes. She felt sorry for him.
The problem was Park Jung-soo.
Joo Seon-min and Kwon Yi-soo were the only ones who knew his true intentions.
That was why Kwon Yi-soo had expelled him immediately after becoming Center Head, to prevent him from ever approaching Seo Jae-yi again. Even if he did, Seo Jae-yi wouldn’t spare him now that he was no longer affiliated with the Center. He could die for all she cared.
But she hadn’t expected the government to be secretly protecting him.
‘He’s even more obsessed than Kwon Yi-soo, so he’ll definitely appear before Seo Jae-yi again.’
Baek Joo-won, her paired Guide, would be a thorn in his side. It probably wouldn’t take long.
‘But I don’t need to tell Seo Jae-yi about this.’
How could she tell her, who flew into a rage at the mere mention of Park Jung-soo’s name, that he was obsessed with her?
She didn’t need to know. Not ever.
“Anyway, he’ll appear before you soon. Don’t worry; it won’t take long.”
“Why are you so sure?”
“I have my reasons. It’s not something I can tell you, though.”
“Well, I trust you, Unnie. I’ll wait patiently.”
Seo Jae-yi didn’t press further, trusting Joo Seon-min’s judgment.
“I want to see how this situation unfolds, and there’s also the Park Jung-soo issue, so I’ll stay here until everything’s resolved. Contact me if you need anything.”
“That’s… surprising.”
Even when Baek Joo-won had appeared, she had only stayed for a short while before returning to her dungeon, complaining of boredom.
And yet, she was willing to stay here, even though it might take months for everything to be resolved. She must be taking this situation seriously.
“I’m practically living here now, so contact the Association staff outside if you need anything urgently.”
“You’re living here? You’re even sleeping here?”
“Yes! You’re surprised, even though you practically live in dungeons?”
“Staying in a dungeon for subjugations and living in one are different. Are you sure you’re okay?”
Seo Jae-yi smiled at Joo Seon-min’s concerned question.
“Yes, I’m perfectly fine, so don’t worry. This place is even more comfortable than my apartment now.”
“You’re already more comfortable here than in your own home, even though you haven’t been here for long?”
Joo Seon-min looked around the dungeon with a dubious expression.
It did look like a giant botanical garden. But she, who spent more time in dungeons than anyone else, knew this was still a dungeon. She couldn’t help but be concerned.
But seeing Seo Jae-yi’s relaxed expression and sensing her calm energy, she decided not to say anything more. If she was happy, that was all that mattered.
“I’ll let you know if I hear anything from Gyu-yeon.”
“Yes. See you later, Unnie. Come visit often if you’re bored.”
“Ah, right. There are still monsters here, aren’t there? I’ll come hunting if I get the urge.”
Joo Seon-min chuckled and waved goodbye. Airok, who had been hiding in the greenhouse, fluttered over after she left.
“Is that human really a Guide? She’s terrifying. You’re not going to send me out to fight her, are you?”
“Hmm, I wonder if Unnie has ever fought a dragon? She might be tempted if I tell her.”
“No, Master!”
Airok cried out in alarm, clinging to her. She didn’t understand why he was so afraid of a Guide, even though he had regained his full power.
“Ah, Hae-wi, did you hear what Unnie said? I’m thinking about getting our Matching Rate re-evaluated. Is that okay with you?”
Baek Joo-won, who had appeared from the greenhouse, nodded at her question.
“Well, the result is a foregone conclusion, but it’s not a bad idea to confirm it.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
Seo Jae-yi tilted her head, confused. But Baek Joo-won just shrugged.
“It’s nothing. Anyway, when are we going?”
“There’s no need to postpone it, so let’s go this weekend.”
The Guiding Center was open even on weekends, so they could go anytime.
Baek Joo-won nodded and then, as if it was the most natural thing in the world, kissed her cheek.
“Greetings. I’m Researcher Kim Hyun-hee, and I’ll be conducting your re-evaluation.”
A familiar researcher approached them shortly after they arrived at the Center and requested a Matching Rate re-evaluation.
“Oh, you’re the one who evaluated our Matching Rate before, right?”
The first time she and Baek Joo-won had their Matching Rate evaluated, after he was revealed to be an S-rank Guide.
Kim Hyun-hee had been the researcher in charge.
“You remember! Yes, that’s right. It was an honor to evaluate the Matching Rate of two S-ranks, and I was so happy to hear about your pairing. Congratulations, albeit belated.”
Kim Hyun-hee congratulated them with a warm smile. She had seemed like a kind person from their first meeting.
“How much does the Matching Rate usually increase during a re-evaluation?”
Seo Jae-yi, sitting next to Baek Joo-won, asked as Kim Hyun-hee attached electrodes to their bodies. She explained,
“It depends on the initial Matching Rate and the Pair’s rank. Your initial Matching Rate was already high, and you’re both S-ranks, so it won’t increase by more than 3%, even if it increases significantly.”
“Really? That’s unexpected. I thought it would increase more the higher it was.”
“Think of it like experience points in a game. The higher your level, the more experience points you need to level up.”
Seo Jae-yi immediately understood her analogy.
‘But Baek Joo-won and I are a special case.’
She glanced at Baek Joo-won, who was sitting beside her. He didn’t seem to understand Kim Hyun-hee’s explanation, as he wasn’t familiar with games.
What Kim Hyun-hee didn’t know was that Seo Jae-yi possessed the orb containing Baek Joo-won’s power.
So their Matching Rate would be higher than normal.
“Then let’s begin. Relax.”
Seo Jae-yi, unaware that the orb had shattered during her overload, leaned back comfortably and waited for the results.
The machine before Kim Hyun-hee beeped.
Her calm expression turned to shock as the results appeared.
【S-rank Esper Seo Jae-yi — S-rank Guide Baek Joo-won
Matching Rate 100%】
“…Huh?”
Not 95%, but a perfect 100%.
Kim Hyun-hee stared at them blankly, dumbfounded by the number displayed on the screen.
There had never been a case, anywhere in the world, of a Pair reaching a 100% Matching Rate within three months, let alone two months, of their pairing.
Even considering they were both S-ranks, this was unprecedented.
They were about to make history as the Pair who achieved a 100% Matching Rate in the shortest time, starting from their initial evaluation.
Even Seo Jae-yi was shocked by the 100% Matching Rate, achieved in just two months.
“I expected it to be high, but I didn’t expect it to reach 100% already.”
She said, still dazed, after leaving the Center.
She had already known that the Guiding she received recently was more effective than before.
She had thought it was simply because of the power he had embedded within her, but she hadn’t realized it was because their Matching Rate had reached 100%.
“I became terminally ill because I didn’t have a compatible Guide, and now I’m the Esper in a Pair who achieved a 100% Matching Rate in the shortest time.”
“Do you… not like it?”
“What are you talking about? Of course I like it.”
Seo Jae-yi caressed his cheek, baffled by his question.
“I’m just… surprised. Even considering I possess your power, can a Matching Rate increase this quickly?”
Baek Joo-won smiled and kissed her palm.
It was a meaningful smile, a hint of something hidden behind it, but Seo Jae-yi didn’t notice, her gaze fixed on his lips against her skin.
“I’m not an ordinary Guide, so common sense doesn’t apply to me.”
Baek Joo-won, a monster with the ability to influence Espers.
Seo Jae-yi, belatedly remembering that fact, nodded.
“Now that I think about it, your Matching Rate with every Esper except me is below 50%. Would their Matching Rate also increase like mine if you gave them your power?”
“It would have been possible if I had given my power to another human. But I already gave it to you, so I can’t give it to anyone else.”
Seo Jae-yi was surprised; it was the first time she had heard that.
“You can only do it once?”
“Do you think it’s easy to extend the life of a dying S-rank Esper, an Esper stronger than me?”
He had a point.
Even with his strong regenerative abilities, Seo Jae-yi was an Esper powerful enough to kill him. He must have given her a significant portion of his power to extend her life.
“But are you okay? Didn’t you become weaker after giving me your power?”
“Well, that’s true. That’s why I left the dungeon and watched over you. I was planning on taking my power back if you died.”
Baek Joo-won, playing with her hand, asked, his voice slightly lower,
“Are you disappointed that I didn’t come out to save you?”
Seo Jae-yi burst out laughing at his hesitant question.
“How can I say I’m disappointed when you ask with that expression, with that voice?”
She pulled him closer and kissed his soft lips.
“What does your intention matter? I’m alive because of that power, and you changed your mind in the end. That’s all that matters.”
“…Yes.”
His tense face finally relaxed. Baek Joo-won gently nibbled on her lip as she pulled away and then embraced her.
“And I was the one who tried to kill you first.”
He chuckled, nuzzling her neck, inhaling her scent, now mingled with his.
“That’s true. My intentions were much purer compared to yours.”
“Right? So don’t worry about it. But now that I’m healthy, can’t you take your power back? I’m worried that you’re weaker now.”
Her overload level had been consistently near 0% since their Matching Rate reached 100%.
So there wouldn’t be any problems even if Baek Joo-won took his power back.
He could always Guide her again if needed.
“It’s fine. There’s no human who can threaten me except for an Esper like you. And I can access my full power just by being near you.”
“Huh? Is that possible?”
“Yes. When I gave you my energy, I also took yours. Our powers are mingled, so we influence each other just by being close.”
Baek Joo-won kissed her cheek and whispered, his voice even lower,
“And I’m worried about your overload. It’s a good thing you had my power; it would have been difficult to calm you down otherwise. So keep it.”
His voice trembled slightly, as if he was nervous, or perhaps… afraid.
“I won’t let it happen again, but… it eases my mind knowing you have it.”
Seo Jae-yi silently patted his back at his plea.
She had wanted to return his power, worried that he was weaker, but she couldn’t refuse him when he was pleading with her like this, his voice trembling.
And unlike her, who had no memory of the overload, Baek Joo-won had seen everything. His reaction was understandable.
“Okay. I’ll keep it, so don’t worry.”
“And take me with you when you’re dealing with monsters. Don’t go alone again.”
“Uh… about that…”
Baek Joo-won pulled away as Seo Jae-yi hesitated.
“Why? Are you worried the monsters will be agitated by my presence?”