Chapter 45:
The Center had made every effort to prevent information about Baek Joo-won, with his unique ability, from leaking to other countries.
However, rumors were hard to contain. Major countries, obsessed with gathering information, already knew everything there was to know about him.
An unprecedented S-rank Guide with a Matching Rate of over 50% with all Espers, a purity level high enough to make Espers lose control, and the fact that he was stateless, making him an easy target for recruitment.
It was only natural for the US, which was trying to counter China, the country with the most Guides, to show interest in Baek Joo-won.
“Hello, Center Head. It’s been a while.”
He had anticipated this, but he hadn’t expected this.
Kwon Yi-soo stared at the handsome blond man, who greeted him in fluent Korean and extended his hand for a handshake.
Mac Grayson, an S-rank Esper and the frontrunner for the next US Esper Association Head.
He couldn’t believe he had come to Korea himself to recruit Baek Joo-won.
“I know you’re not happy to see me, but can’t you at least greet me warmly?”
Grayson smiled charmingly, his handsome face unfazed by Kwon Yi-soo’s cold reception.
Yes, Kwon Yi-soo disliked this aspect of him.
“Hello, Mr. Grayson.”
Kwon Yi-soo finally shook his hand, and Grayson looked pleased.
“There’s only one reason why you’ve come all this way, Mr. Grayson.”
Grayson chuckled, dropping sugar cubes into his coffee.
“That’s right. Our Association Head has been nagging me relentlessly to bring back that Guide, Baek Joo-won. I couldn’t stand it anymore, so I came all this way.”
He took a sip of his coffee, now essentially sugar water with a hint of coffee flavor, and continued casually.
“Of course, we already know that he’s stateless. I didn’t have to greet you personally, but… I’m a man of manners.”
He might have manners, but he seemed to have eaten them with his rice, forgetting them entirely.
That was why Kwon Yi-soo was surprised by his visit.
The US had more Espers than China, but far fewer Guides, so they desperately needed Baek Joo-won.
And they sent this man? Someone as inept at persuasion as Seo Jae-yi?
“I heard that Guide Baek Joo-won hasn’t chosen his affiliation yet.”
“That’s correct.”
“Then I assume Korea wouldn’t object if I entice him and bring him to the US? He’s stateless, after all.”
Providing mandatory training didn’t guarantee influence.
Kwon Yi-soo clicked his tongue at the reminder, but it was true, so he nodded.
“That’s correct.”
“Ah, then…”
“Of course, our relationship will become strained unofficially, regardless of my intentions. I can’t control how disappointed the higher-ups will be.”
“Ah, that’s true. Then…”
“And I have no interest in interfering with personal matters, like a strained friendship.”
Grayson’s face, which had been expressionless, finally faltered. He put down his coffee cup and asked seriously,
“Will Jae-yi hit me?”
Mac Grayson was Seo Jae-yi’s longtime friend. They had met during her time at the Center, so Kwon Yi-soo knew about their relationship.
That was why he was confused.
“Aren’t you already prepared for that? The US must know that she’s quite interested in him.”
They weren’t best friends, but they got along well. He hadn’t expected Grayson to come personally to recruit Baek Joo-won, Seo Jae-yi’s only compatible Guide.
Did he have an ulterior motive? But as far as Kwon Yi-soo knew, Grayson was a loyal subordinate of the US Esper Association Head, even before being Seo Jae-yi’s friend.
“I guess so. Sigh, I’ll probably get a bruise on this handsome face. It already hurts.”
Grayson, seemingly oblivious to Kwon Yi-soo’s thoughts, spoke shamelessly and finished his sugary coffee before standing up.
“There’s a saying in Korea, ‘It’s better to get hit sooner rather than later,’ right? I’ll be going now. It would be better to greet Jae-yi than you.”
Grayson left the office with a cheerful farewell and a sigh, saying he wasn’t sure how to minimize the pain of getting hit.
Kwon Yi-soo, left alone in the silent office, tapped his fingers on the armrest.
To think Seo Jae-yi’s friend, someone inept at persuasion, had come all this way. Had he come to sever their friendship and stab his dying friend in the back?
He already had enough to worry about, and now Grayson was involved.
Kwon Yi-soo clicked his tongue in annoyance.
***
“Let me know if a millstone-faced blond jerk shows up…?”
Seo Jae-yi, who had been sending a serious message to Baek Joo-won, quickly hid her phone screen when she heard Airok’s voice.
“Babies shouldn’t see such harsh language.”
“I bet I can use harsher language than you, Master.”
Airok protested, telling her not to underestimate his centuries of experience.
“But who’s this millstone-faced blond jerk?”
“He’s someone you might meet soon. Listen, Airok. If Millstone shows up at the shop and starts spouting nonsense, just spray him with water. Got it?”
“Uh, is that okay?”
“Yeah. He’s coming to curse me to death.”
“What?! How can he be so cruel?! To our Master?! Don’t worry. I’ll spray him with water the moment he appears!”
“Yes! That’s the spirit!”
Seo Jae-yi and Airok high-fived and nodded in agreement. There was no reason to be nice to a bad guy.
“Honey! I’m here!”
And just then, the blond jerk appeared.
The door opened, and Seo Jae-yi, seeing the gleaming blond hair, instinctively grabbed Airok, channeling her years of experience watering dungeon plants.
“Spray him, Logi!”
Airok, accustomed to the position, instinctively shot water forward.
Splash!
A refreshing sound of water splashing, which she had heard once before, filled the air.
Ah, it sounded so much better this time!
When she had sprayed Baek Joo-won, she had been surprised and flustered, but now she felt a sense of satisfaction.
Seo Jae-yi covered her mouth, a wide smile spreading across her face.
“Oops, my bad!”
“…Honey, you know that wasn’t an accident, right? What’s the point of covering your mouth? I can see you smiling.”
The blond jerk wiped his soaked face with his hand, his eyes filled with reproach. Seo Jae-yi just shrugged.
“Ah, you’re not a welcome guest.”
“This is how you treat me after all this time?”
“Why should I be nice to a friend who didn’t visit even after hearing I’m dying?”
“My friend! How have you been! I was so worried! I couldn’t come to Korea, and I’ve been living every day in anxiety. Sob, sob, sob! Here, a present.”
Grayson handed her a shopping bag.
“It’s a health tonic. It’s expensive. I emptied my bank account for this.”
“My friend! It’s been so long!”
“Yes, honey! I missed you!”
They hugged each other, their dramatic reconciliation complete.
Seo Jae-yi, as a gesture of gratitude for the tonic, warmed him with her heat, drying his wet clothes instantly.
“Wow, I can’t believe you’re actually running a flower shop. When I heard about it, I refused to believe it. You were never interested in this kind of thing.”
Grayson looked around the shop.
“And it’s surprisingly intact. I thought it might be half-destroyed, considering your clumsiness.”
The pale pink wallpaper didn’t suit Seo Jae-yi, but the shop itself was clean and tidy. Grayson, who knew her well, was genuinely surprised.
Of course, he didn’t know that the shop was only this clean thanks to Airok’s blood and tears.
“What are you talking about? I put a lot of effort into maintaining it!”
“You seem happy. And you look better.”
Grayson examined Seo Jae-yi carefully.
It had been two years since he last saw her. Back then, her overload level was so high that she was withering away. The last time he saw her, she had been suffering from constant, debilitating headaches.
‘But she looks much healthier now.’
Her messy hair and petite frame were the same, but her expression was definitely brighter.
Even though she was nearing the end of her lifespan.
“But honey, I’ve been wondering… what is that? Did you decide to raise a lizard?”
Grayson pointed at the white Airok perched on Seo Jae-yi’s shoulder.
“Master, why do all these humans call me a lizard? Where are their manners?”
“He even talks? People often tell me I have no manners.”
Airok finally understood why Seo Jae-yi called the handsome man “Millstone.” He was someone who truly made him want to grind him to dust.