Chapter 36:
“Continue tailing him. But only when he’s alone. And don’t get caught by Haeil.”
“Yes, sir. What about Guide Baek Joo-won’s dungeon practice?”
Han Sung-woo asked, knowing they couldn’t disrupt the globally standardized Guide training program, despite their suspicions.
After completing theoretical and practical training, both Espers and Guides had to participate in dungeon practice runs.
Even though dungeon subjugation wasn’t mandatory for S-rank Guides, Baek Joo-won still had to participate at least once, in case of emergencies.
However, there was one problem.
“He’ll have to Guide during the dungeon practice. It would be a disaster if an Esper loses control inside the dungeon.”
Even Jo Won-jung, an A-rank Esper who had experience as a Guiding practice partner, had lost control after receiving Baek Joo-won’s Guiding.
If other Espers reacted the same way, they couldn’t send him into a dungeon. It could lead to the annihilation of the entire raid team.
‘Judging by Seo Jae-yi’s experience, it seems to have less of an effect on S-rank Espers. But we can’t form a raid team entirely of S-rank Espers.’
Most S-rank Espers were entangled in complex relationships. Some had political conflicts, while others, like Haeil and Taesan, simply disliked each other.
Putting them together with Baek Joo-won, a valuable target? The raid team would implode before they even entered the dungeon.
“First, let’s confirm if Baek Joo-won’s Guiding truly affects all Espers.”
Did all Espers lose control, or were there some who were unaffected? Could S-rank Espers, besides Seo Jae-yi, endure it?
Scheduling the dungeon practice run would come later.
“What if all Espers below A-rank can’t handle it?”
Sending him into a dungeon would become difficult.
However, his extraordinary ability, a Matching Rate of over 50% with all Espers, wouldn’t lose its value.
‘It would become even more desirable.’
Espers weren’t always in their right minds. They often fainted from exhaustion after battling monsters. In those situations, Baek Joo-won’s ability would be incredibly useful.
‘But what if even S-rank Espers can’t handle it, if only Seo Jae-yi, who learned how to resist a Guide’s influence, can endure it?’
Then…
“…Let’s conduct an experiment first and decide later. Select an A-rank and a B-rank Esper from the Center. And for S-rank, we’ll use Director Yoon Ji-hyun.”
Yoon Ji-hyun, the head of the Center’s security team, had a Matching Rate of 52% with Baek Joo-won.
While she didn’t have a paired Guide, her overload level was quite stable because she often received Guiding from Kwon Yi-soo, with whom she had a high Matching Rate. She would be a suitable test subject.
“Yes, sir.”
“And just in case, contact Seo Jae-yi as well. We’ll need someone to subdue Director Yoon if she loses control.”
There was another S-rank Esper at the Center, but Seo Jae-yi, who could withstand Baek Joo-won’s Guiding, was a better choice for subduing someone.
If both S-rank Espers at the Center lost control after receiving Baek Joo-won’s Guiding, everyone would be in danger.
“Yes, I’ll contact her immediately.”
What would the results of the experiment be? Would Baek Joo-won’s Guiding affect even S-rank Espers? Or would they be able to resist?
And which outcome would be more favorable to Kwon Yi-soo?
Even he didn’t know.
***
The day of the experiment.
Rumors had spread within the Center that even Jo Won-jung, a relatively skilled A-rank Esper, had lost control after receiving Baek Joo-won’s Guiding.
Therefore, both Han Ga-ram, an A-rank Esper, and Kim Dong-woon, a B-rank Esper, who had been summoned as practice partners, were visibly nervous. They didn’t even look at Baek Joo-won with friendly eyes.
Just a few days ago, everyone had dreamed of becoming Baek Joo-won’s practice partner. The atmosphere had changed completely.
“Esper Han Ga-ram will receive contact Guiding, while Esper Kim Dong-woon will receive radiative Guiding.”
The stronger the contact, the more effective the Guiding. Naturally, radiative Guiding, where the ability was emitted into the air without physical contact, was less potent.
However, it would also be easier to maintain control, so they decided to test both methods.
“We’ll subdue you immediately if there’s a problem, so relax and try to be as comfortable as possible. Any questions?”
Han Ga-ram raised her hand at Kwon Yi-soo’s words.
“I-I heard that Esper Jo Won-jung was suspended because of the incident. Will we be punished as well if we lose control?”
“No. If you lose control, it will be determined to be due to Guide Baek Joo-won’s ability, so there will be no punishment. Esper Jo Won-jung will also be reinstated immediately.”
Both Han Ga-ram and Kim Dong-woon relaxed, relieved that their biggest concern had been addressed.
“Then let’s start with Esper Han Ga-ram.”
Unlike last time, both Kwon Yi-soo and Seo Jae-yi entered the Guiding practice room. They stood behind Han Ga-ram, ready to subdue her if necessary.
Baek Joo-won, who wasn’t nervous at all, unlike Han Ga-ram, glanced at Seo Jae-yi.
Her usual playful smile was gone. She was observing Han Ga-ram with a cold expression.
Her determination to prevent another incident like the one with Jo Won-jung was palpable.
Baek Joo-won couldn’t tear his gaze away from her.
“Let’s begin.”
At Kwon Yi-soo’s command, Baek Joo-won and Han Ga-ram clasped hands.
The gazes of the four individuals, each with their own thoughts and emotions, focused on their joined hands.
***
“Good thing I came.”
Seo Jae-yi sighed after the experiment.
To summarize the results, it was only partially successful.
Han Ga-ram, who received contact Guiding, endured a bit longer than Jo Won-jung, but that was it. If Seo Jae-yi hadn’t been holding her shoulder with a vice-like grip, she would have lost control as well.
On the other hand, Kim Dong-woon, who received radiative Guiding, managed to maintain control throughout the session. While he struggled a bit, he didn’t lose his composure.
It was a relief that there was some progress. If a B-rank Esper could withstand Baek Joo-won’s radiative Guiding, A-rank and S-rank Espers would likely have an easier time.
Only the contact Guiding session between S-rank Yoon Ji-hyun and Baek Joo-won remained.
“Mr. Baek Joo-won, are you alright?”
While Yoon Ji-hyun, who had arrived after Han Ga-ram and Kim Dong-woon left, was talking to Kwon Yi-soo, Seo Jae-yi checked on Baek Joo-won.
“You’re asking about my well-being after crushing that Esper’s shoulder? You’re really good at taking credit.”
“Of course I have to take credit. That’s how you know I’m helpful.”
“You were quite helpful. I wonder if her shoulder is okay.”
Baek Joo-won shook his head, still vividly remembering Seo Jae-yi holding Han Ga-ram’s shoulder with a crushing grip.
Han Ga-ram had only endured longer than Jo Won-jung because of the pain in her shoulder.
“But she probably doesn’t care about you at all.”
“Why?”
“Didn’t you see their expressions when they left? They were filled with aversion towards me.”
It was understandable. Even an A-rank Esper had lost control after receiving his Guiding, despite his exceptional abilities. If there were Espers who craved him, it was only natural for others to fear him.
It seemed like Han Ga-ram and Kim Dong-woon belonged to the latter category, perhaps due to the rumors that had spread after the incident with Jo Won-jung.
With his abilities confirmed by today’s experiment, the number of Espers who feared him would likely increase.
“Are you hurt by that?”
Baek Joo-won blinked at Seo Jae-yi’s sudden question.
“Strange. You don’t seem like the type to be easily hurt.”
Seo Jae-yi was right. Baek Joo-won hadn’t been bothered by their expressions.
“Well, it would be unfortunate if you were genuinely interested in them, but honestly, I’m a bit happy.”
“Why?”
“They’re all Center Espers, right? If they reject you, wouldn’t that decrease the chances of you staying here?”
Baek Joo-won chuckled, amused by her opportunistic side, despite her seemingly naive personality.
“I’m relieved to see you smiling. I was worried you might be nervous since the next test is with an S-rank Esper.”
Seo Jae-yi looked at Yoon Ji-hyun, who was talking to Kwon Yi-soo.
Yoon Ji-hyun, with her stoic expression, was incomparable to A-rank Espers like Han Ga-ram and Jo Won-jung.
She was as loyal to Kwon Yi-soo as his secretary, Han Sung-woo, and had been appointed as the head of the Center’s security team in recognition of her loyalty.
Yoon Ji-hyun had honed her abilities to prove herself worthy of Kwon Yi-soo’s trust, and as a result, she was ranked among the top S-rank Espers.
In other words, Baek Joo-won could be in danger if she lost control.
“Is it difficult for you to completely subdue her?”
“Wow, are you challenging me?”
Seo Jae-yi’s jaw dropped. He had essentially called her a coward, and she couldn’t just ignore it, especially as a competitive S-rank Esper.
“Sigh. I hate to admit it, but it would be difficult.”
But this wasn’t the time for bravado. Baek Joo-won’s life was at stake, so Seo Jae-yi pouted and confessed the truth.
“But it’s not because I’m weak! If only my condition was better…”
Yoon Ji-hyun had a Matching Rate of almost 70% with Kwon Yi-soo, an S-rank Guide. She often received Guiding from him, so her condition was always optimal.
Seo Jae-yi couldn’t defeat her, no matter how hard she tried.
“So you’re saying you can defeat her if your condition improves?”
“Mr. Baek Joo-won, did you take lessons on how to provoke people with words? Every sentence is a masterpiece.”
Baek Joo-won seemed to have a natural talent for sarcasm.
“Then let’s begin the final Guiding session.”
Kwon Yi-soo and Yoon Ji-hyun approached them, signaling the end of their conversation.