Chapter 49:
“Are you here to train too, Unnie?”
“No, I heard Baek Joo-won was doing firearms training. I was concerned about his clumsy posture during the dungeon practice run. Incorrect posture can injure his wrists and shoulders.”
“Wow, you’re going to teach him? That’s great! I can’t.”
“Right. Espers with nothing but physical strength can’t teach these things properly.”
Joo Seon-min effortlessly shot down the two S-rank Espers with a single sentence.
Ignoring them, she walked straight towards Baek Joo-won and took over the firearms training from the “useless” Espers.
Baek Joo-won’s posture gradually improved under her guidance, as she had far more practical experience than the Center instructors.
“The US offered quite good terms, didn’t they?”
Joo Seon-min asked after dismissing the instructor.
Baek Joo-won, instead of answering, aimed at the target and fired, maintaining the posture he had just learned. He missed slightly, perhaps because he wasn’t used to it yet.
“Yes. The terms were the best so far.”
“I see. Grayson wouldn’t have come personally with a mediocre offer.”
Baek Joo-won fired another shot. He missed the center again.
“Did the US try to recruit you when you awakened, Ms. Joo Seon-min?”
“No, I was in the military at the time. I awakened while serving as an officer after graduating from the military academy, so I was transferred to the Center.”
Even the US wouldn’t be able to poach a soldier from another country.
“Ah, the military. Is that why you’re always in dungeons?”
“That’s part of the reason, but I also dislike how the government and the Center operate. Those who sit comfortably at the top and give orders would never enter a dungeon themselves, so I prefer being there.”
She was essentially saying she was constantly raiding dungeons to avoid seeing those people.
“The government and the Center? Don’t they have high public support in Korea? I heard Guides are living comfortably thanks to the Center.”
Joo Seon-min snorted at Baek Joo-won’s words. It wasn’t mockery towards him, who was unaware of the truth, but anger towards those who had successfully hidden it.
“My advice? If you want to live comfortably as the privileged one, go to the US.”
This was her advice to the still-innocent Guide.
“If you can turn a blind eye to injustice, stay at the Korean Center. As you said, it’s a comfortable place for Guides.”
“I thought you were close to Seo Jae-yi? I didn’t expect you to say that. Mac Grayson too.”
She wasn’t just close to Seo Jae-yi; she cared deeply for her. She had been unable to help Seo Jae-yi, who had been subjected to experiments due to their low Matching Rate.
But…
“That doesn’t change the fact that this is important information you should know.”
“What will happen if I choose Seo Jae-yi?”
“You’ll see things you don’t want to see, and you’ll witness everyone’s ugly true faces.”
“I see. But am I mistaken in thinking you’d prefer that?”
“As you said, I’m close to Seo Jae-yi, so I’m recommending that path.”
Baek Joo-won chuckled at her shameless answer.
“I’ll make a choice I won’t regret.”
“That’s all that matters.”
Baek Joo-won adjusted his posture and aimed at the target again. His stance – legs apart, back straight, shoulders relaxed – was impeccably perfect.
Bang! The final bullet pierced the center of the target.
“Is it better now?”
Joo Seon-min clapped a couple of times in response.
***
As they left the firearms training room, the first thing they saw was Seo Jae-yi and Grayson huddled together.
Joo Seon-min spoke sarcastically, seeing their relaxed demeanor.
“The Guide is diligently training, while the Espers are slacking off.”
“You’re right. I don’t like being treated like a spectacle.”
“Then let’s watch the Espers train.”
Baek Joo-won looked at them with curiosity at Joo Seon-min’s suggestion.
The Guide and Esper training rooms were completely separate, so he had never seen Espers train.
“Seo Jae-yi’s not in good health, so how about a sparring match without abilities, just pure physical strength?”
Unlike Guides, who had ordinary physical abilities, Esper sparring matches were quite entertaining.
Baek Joo-won, intrigued by Joo Seon-min’s suggestion, nodded.
“That sounds good. I’d prefer to be with someone stronger, so I’d like to see that.”
That single sentence was enough to motivate Seo Jae-yi and Grayson.
They jumped to their feet.
“Okay, let’s show him! Maggie, get ready.”
“You better put on a good show if you don’t want to be embarrassed. Are you sure you’re up for it?”
“Really? Okay. I’ll give it my all. I’ll even use my baby strength.”
“…No, I think I phrased that wrong. You don’t have to go that far. Honey, are you listening?”
Seo Jae-yi started warming up, determined not to be embarrassed, as they headed towards the Esper training room. Grayson wailed pathetically with every stretch.
“Mac Grayson, that bastard actually came.”
An unwelcome voice interrupted them.
A rough, disrespectful tone. Park Hyung-woo, the Taesan Guild Leader, glared at them.
“The future Association Head himself came all this way. You’re that desperate for an S-rank Guide?”
“Strange. Were we ever close enough to speak so casually? I have no obligation to respond to such disrespect, so why don’t you just go about your business?”
Park Hyung-woo snorted at Grayson’s blunt response.
“Still a rude bastard. Well, I guess it’s not surprising, considering you came here to finish off your dying friend.”
Park Hyung-woo circled them, glancing back and forth between Baek Joo-won, Seo Jae-yi, and Grayson.
“Seo Jae-yi, how can you be so friendly with the friend who came to kill you? Do you want to make as many memories as possible before you die?”
He was clearly trying to expose Grayson’s true nature and inform Baek Joo-won that Seo Jae-yi was terminally ill. It was a despicable tactic.
“Ugh, is insulting others the only thing you can do? You’re the one with a personality problem.”
But Seo Jae-yi wasn’t bothered. Baek Joo-won already knew about her condition.
But she couldn’t let such an insult slide; it would be a disgrace to her title as the “Reckless Firestarter.”
“Well, I guess it’s not surprising, considering you tried to kill a Guild member from behind after losing your number one spot. Focus on improving your skills instead. At this rate, you’ll be overtaken by Sunghwa Guild before you even reclaim your position.”
“You little-!”
Park Hyung-woo, stung by her accurate jab at his insecurities, grabbed her by the collar.
But despite their significant height difference, Seo Jae-yi stood firm, her feet planted on the ground. Park Hyung-woo’s face turned red with anger.
“Park Hyung-woo, what are you doing? Don’t you know fighting between Espers is prohibited within the Center?”
Should she call Kwon Yi-soo?
Park Hyung-woo released Seo Jae-yi’s collar at Joo Seon-min’s warning, but she still didn’t budge.
He glared at her and then turned to Baek Joo-won.
“Guide Baek Joo-won, I need to speak with you. Spare me a moment.”
“I’m afraid that’s not possible. I’m going somewhere with these people.”
Their expressions varied at Baek Joo-won’s rejection.
“But I can spare you a moment after we’re done. However, there’s a condition.”
“A condition?”
All four gazes turned to Baek Joo-won. He looked at the three Espers, his thoughts unreadable.
“We were actually going to watch Seo Jae-yi and Grayson spar. I don’t think adding one more person would change anything.”
So that was his conclusion.
“I’ll grant my time this afternoon to the winner of a sparring match between the three of you. How’s that? Fair, right?”
It was indeed fair. The three Espers quickly assessed each other.
“Are we allowed to use any means necessary?”
Baek Joo-won shook his head at Park Hyung-woo’s question.
“Ability usage is prohibited. Only sparring with pure physical strength is allowed. I’m more interested in that.”
“Fine. Don’t go back on your word later.”
“There are four witnesses here. I wouldn’t dare.”
Park Hyung-woo’s face brightened at Baek Joo-won’s assurance. His gaze towards Seo Jae-yi was menacing.
***
Unlike the Guide training room within the Center building, the Esper training room was located in a separate building.
But that didn’t mean the facilities were inferior. It was at least five times larger than the Guide training room.
Baek Joo-won, who was visiting this place for the first time, looked around in awe.
“This is huge.”
“It has to be this big to withstand Espers’ powers. Actually, it’s still a bit small for S-ranks.”
The building, constructed with dungeon byproducts, wouldn’t easily crumble even if Espers used their abilities, but it couldn’t withstand the full force of an S-rank. If an S-rank went all out, even this sturdy building would be crushed like tofu.
“No proper training room for S-rank abilities. Isn’t the Center Head being too stingy with investments? Guide Baek Joo-won, the US has training facilities suitable for all Espers, including S-rank Guides. Don’t you want to see them?”
Grayson seized the opportunity to promote the US. The two Korean Espers glared at him.
“So who’s sparring with whom? That damn Firestarter is definitely participating, and you too, Grayson?”
“Huh? Haha. I wouldn’t mind fighting Jae-yi, but why should I bother with someone I’m not close to and who’s not even that strong? I’m picky. Jae-yi, fighting.”
Grayson smiled brightly, raised both hands in surrender, and stepped back.
Park Hyung-woo’s forehead throbbed with anger at his annoying words, but teaching Seo Jae-yi a lesson was his priority right now.
He carelessly tossed his jacket aside and walked to the center of the training room.
“Come on, Seo Jae-yi.”