Chapter 156:
“Well, that’s true. And it’s not like you can control it.”
Baek Joo-won couldn’t deny it, but he frowned, clearly displeased.
“…Then take me with you when a Rank 2 or higher dungeon breakout occurs. I’ll stay far away and observe. I’ll come immediately if it seems dangerous.”
Baek Joo-won, not being human, had a wide field of vision, like an Esper. He could observe the situation even from a distance, so Seo Jae-yi agreed.
And she had felt his absence keenly during her recent overload.
Just as a Guide was essential to an Esper, Baek Joo-won was essential to Seo Jae-yi.
“Don’t forget. You have to take me with you.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Baek Joo-won kissed her, satisfied, after she promised repeatedly.
“Let’s go. It’s been a while; let’s go on a date.”
“Ah, good. Do you have anywhere you want to go?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, that’s rare. Where?”
It was unusual for him to have a specific place in mind.
They held hands and walked towards the car parked in front of the Center.
Someone had been watching them.
Center Head’s office, located on the highest floor of the Guiding Center.
Kwon Yi-soo hadn’t taken his eyes off them for a single moment.
He finally turned away after they drove off.
‘A 100% Matching Rate.’
A single report, delivered to him immediately after the evaluation.
The previous record for the fastest Pair to achieve a 100% Matching Rate was ten years.
It was a number that could only be reached after a long time together, and yet, they had achieved it in just two months, not even a year.
It was a remarkable achievement, worthy of being reported to the academic community.
So Kwon Yi-soo, though reluctant, reported it to the World Awakened Individuals Management Organization (WAIMO).
They were the ones who had developed the receivers for Awakened individuals and the system for quantifying Matching Rates and overload levels.
They were currently researching Awakened individuals’ abilities, the relationship between Espers and Guides, and Matching Rates.
It was natural for them to be interested in a Pair who had achieved a 100% Matching Rate in such a short time.
—Center Head, we have a call from the WAIMO President.
See? He had barely finished sending the report, and the President herself was calling.
“Put her through.”
—Hello, Center Head Kwon Yi-soo. This is Gloria Loren. It’s been a while.
A middle-aged woman’s voice greeted him.
Gloria Loren, WAIMO President.
She was one of the world’s most powerful S-rank Guides.
“Yes, it’s been a while.”
—I heard the news. Not only did Korea have a new S-rank Pair, but their initial Matching Rate was 93%, is that correct?
“Yes. And you must have also heard that they achieved a 100% Matching Rate in two months. That’s why you’re calling, isn’t it?”
Gloria chuckled at his bluntness, as if telling her to get to the point.
—Yes. It’s remarkable news. It’s unprecedented, globally.
“So what do you want?”
—I’d like to invite them here.
An invitation. The words themselves were pleasant.
But what would they do with a Pair? Would they have them give a speech about peace, or would they just publicly demonstrate their 100% Matching Rate?
The Organization wanted one thing.
“You want to examine how their Matching Rate increased so quickly.”
—I like how quickly you understand, Center Head. Of course, we won’t force them. I promise it will be done with their consent.
He had expected this. That was why he hadn’t welcomed her call.
“You don’t have to promise. I’m not sending them.”
—…Did I hear that correctly?
“Yes. You must be aware of the recent incident in Korea. It’s a matter involving an S-rank Esper, so it’s attracting global attention.”
—…
“The human experiments on S-rank Espers.”
Gloria’s silence was an affirmation.
“The victim is Seo Jae-yi, one of the Pair members. And you want me to send them to the Organization for an examination? It’s just a euphemism for more experiments.”
—That’s a bit of an exaggeration, Center Head.
“It’s not. Seo Jae-yi is currently the most popular S-rank Esper in Korea. I’ll be the one who suffers if I force her to go to the Organization for an ‘examination.’”
He wasn’t worried about Seo Jae-yi, but about the potential backlash against himself.
Kwon Yi-soo veiled his true intentions. He didn’t want Gloria to think he was refusing because he cared about Seo Jae-yi.
“The Center’s position is already precarious due to the revelations about the human experiments, so I’ll have to decline your invitation.”
—…I didn’t know you were such a coward, Center Head.
Kwon Yi-soo swallowed a chuckle at her taunt.
Unfortunately for Gloria, he was a coward.
He was afraid of what might happen if he, whose abilities were far inferior to Seo Jae-yi’s, stayed by her side and accidentally killed her.
That was why he had never expressed his true feelings. He was a coward.
“Thank you for the compliment.”
—Hah…
Gloria sighed at his shameless reply.
“And one more thing. Guide Baek Joo-won is stateless. I can’t force him to do anything.”
Even if Seo Jae-yi agreed, Baek Joo-won would definitely refuse. Kwon Yi-soo knew how much he cared for her.
—That’s a shame. I really wanted to meet them.
Gloria clicked her tongue, having received a definitive rejection.
—For the better future of Awakened individuals.
Gloria Loren wasn’t a greedy person.
She truly cared about all Awakened individuals and was working towards a better future for them.
That was why she wanted to meet Seo Jae-yi and Baek Joo-won.
She had hoped to learn how they had achieved a 100% Matching Rate in such a short time and apply that knowledge to other Pairs.
Kwon Yi-soo knew her intentions were genuine, but he wouldn’t change his mind.
Seo Jae-yi’s well-being was more important to him than all the Awakened individuals in the world.
He didn’t want her to be subjected to any more experiments that would remind her of her traumatic past.
—But I was too hasty and didn’t consider Esper Seo Jae-yi’s situation. Human experiments on Awakened individuals…
Her disappointment quickly turned to anger.
She, who cared deeply about Awakened individuals, had been furious when she first heard about the human experiments.
—When did you find out about this, Center Head?
“I found out when I entered the Center after my Awakening.”
—You awakened as a teenager, didn’t you?
“Yes.”
—Oh, for goodness sake!
It was an indirect confirmation that Kwon Yi-soo was also a victim.
Gloria’s voice was filled with outrage.
—I would be angry even if it were an adult, but children, who should be protected…! Is there anything I can do to help?
She had been rejected in her attempt to invite Seo Jae-yi and Baek Joo-won to the Organization, but this was a different matter. She offered her help sincerely.
“Thank you for the offer, but I’m fine. We’re almost at the end.”
Kwon Yi-soo glanced at the documents piled on his desk.
It wasn’t over just because Jang Woo-seok had been removed.
He was still searching for Park Jung-soo, but besides him, there were still the ruling party and the President.
This wouldn’t be over until they were all brought down.
And Kwon Yi-soo had a plan to destroy them all.
“It will all be over soon.”
—If you say so, Center Head. Please let me know if you need anything. Human experiments on Awakened individuals are an evil that must be eradicated.
“Yes, I understand.”
They exchanged final greetings and ended the call.
“Then all that’s left is…”
Kwon Yi-soo picked up the documents detailing the corruption of the ruling party and the President.
He would use this as leverage to negotiate with the court and avoid punishment for the Center and Association’s involvement in the human experiments.
People wouldn’t think the Center and the Association had revealed the truth for Seo Jae-yi’s sake; they would think they had abandoned the government and protected themselves.
That was fine. He had already discussed it with Haeil.
“It’s almost over.”
Kwon Yi-soo leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.
As always, Seo Jae-yi’s image appeared in his mind.
But unlike before, when he had only seen her suffering, he now saw her smiling happily.
Her vibrant, energetic smile.
Ah, he wouldn’t have to see her dying anymore.
It didn’t matter that her smile wasn’t directed at him, but at Baek Joo-won.
It was far better to see her smiling by someone else’s side than to see her dying alone.
Baek Joo-won took Seo Jae-yi to the same tailor shop where she had bought him a suit.
“Oh, Baek Joo-won, don’t tell me…?”
“You guessed it. This time, I’m buying you a suit.”
Baek Joo-won smiled, pulling her into the shop.
So he had finally brought her here, after being so aroused every time she wore a suit.
Seo Jae-yi chuckled, shaking her head.
“Seo Jae-yi, Baek Joo-won! Welcome back. I’ve been waiting for you.”
Manager Jeong Hoon greeted them with a smile. Seo Jae-yi tilted her head, wondering why he had been waiting, as they hadn’t made an appointment.
Baek Joo-won explained,
“I made a reservation.”
“…When?”
“The day you said we were going to the Center.”
So he had been planning this all along.
“So you’ve finally decided to have a suit made for Seo Jae-yi? I’ve been tearing my hair out every time I saw her on TV in ill-fitting suits, so I’m overjoyed.”
Jeong Hoon exclaimed, relieved that his suffering was finally over.
“This way, please. Let’s take your measurements.”
“There’s no need. I’ll tell you her measurements.”
Baek Joo-won stopped Jeong Hoon, who was about to lead Seo Jae-yi to the changing room.
Both Seo Jae-yi and Jeong Hoon blinked in surprise.
“Excuse me? You’ll tell me?”
“Yes. I know all her measurements. So her shoulder width is…”
Baek Joo-won started rattling off numbers.
Shoulder width, arm length, arm circumference, chest, waist, hips, inseam, leg length, and so on.
Jeong Hoon’s jaw dropped as he listened to the numbers, recited without a moment’s hesitation.
He hadn’t taken Seo Jae-yi’s measurements himself, but he was a professional; he could tell they were accurate.
“Is that enough?”
Baek Joo-won finally stopped after even providing her foot size. He smiled, and Jeong Hoon, still dazed, nodded.
“More than enough.”
Jeong Hoon couldn’t help but glance at Seo Jae-yi, seeing him rattle off even the measurements not necessary for tailoring, as if he knew her body intimately.
She was smiling, dumbfounded.
“How do you even know all that?”
“That’s nothing. I just… memorized them naturally after seeing you a few times.”
“Seriously…”
“You know my measurements too, don’t you?”
Of course she did. She had known his essential measurements even when they had just met, let alone now, after sharing his bed.
Seo Jae-yi also knew almost all of his measurements.
“Well, you two have certainly gotten closer.”
Jeong Hoon, having inadvertently become privy to their deepened intimacy, commented awkwardly.