Chapter 65:
“…….”
Gong Ju-hyun left the shop, a gentle smile gracing his lips as the sweet scent of flowers enveloped him.
He had admired Seo Jae-yi for a long time.
She was an Esper shrouded in mystery, her appearance and personal information unknown, but that didn’t matter to him.
The youngest S-rank Awakened individual, Korea’s strongest Heat Manipulation Esper, Haeil Guild’s most powerful asset, the confidence to single-handedly face even Taesan Guild, the second-ranked Guild…
How could he not admire someone with so many impressive titles?
More importantly, he had an unforgettable memory of her.
When he was fourteen, he had gone on a family trip to the beach, and a dungeon break had occurred. Seo Jae-yi had been the one to resolve the incident.
He hadn’t been able to see much due to the Center and Association personnel controlling the scene, but one thing remained vivid in his memory.
The intense, scorching flames that had effortlessly evaporated the liquid monsters empowered by the ocean.
Perhaps that heat had ignited a fire in his heart. From that day forward, Gong Ju-hyun had obsessively collected all information related to Seo Jae-yi.
He was surprised to learn that she was only two years older than him and disappointed that her face was unknown.
Time flew by as he immersed himself in her.
One day, he realized that his admiration had blossomed into something much deeper.
‘I never imagined I would fall in love with someone I’ve never even seen.’
And then, earlier this year, he had awakened as an A-rank Guide.
He had been overjoyed!
He even secretly hoped he might have a chance with her, knowing that she still didn’t have a compatible Guide.
But the test results had cruelly shattered his hopes.
His Matching Rate with Seo Jae-yi was only 35%.
Kwon Yi-soo, an S-rank Guide and the Center Head, had a 37% Matching Rate with her. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t become her exclusive Guide.
But he didn’t despair. He had the second highest Matching Rate, even though he was only an A-rank, so he might get a chance to Guide her someday.
He diligently attended Guide training, determined to make the most of that single opportunity. He even went through physical and firearms training with unmatched passion, so he wouldn’t hold back the S-rank Seo Jae-yi.
And then, one day, as he was eagerly awaiting the day he would meet her…
‘Hello, my name is Park Jung-soo. Are you Guide Gong Ju-hyun?’
A gloomy-looking, somewhat unpleasant A-rank Guide had visited him.
‘Branch Head Chu Sung-won told me you’re very interested in Esper Seo Jae-yi…’
He had come with an irresistible offer.
‘Would you like me to help you become her Guide? I was a research team leader at the Central Center, so you don’t have to be suspicious.’
Was that even possible with a mere 35% Matching Rate?
It was highly suspicious, but his offer was too tempting, so Gong Ju-hyun had accepted.
And he had kept his promise. About six months after receiving his “help,” Gong Ju-hyun’s Matching Rate with Seo Jae-yi had increased to 48%. The results were consistent, no matter how many times they retested.
He had been overjoyed. He had even bowed to Park Jung-soo, thanking him profusely.
And then, he had received news from Branch Head Chu Sung-won that the Prime Minister was planning to push him as Seo Jae-yi’s exclusive Guide. He had felt like he had the world in his hands.
It was shortly after that he learned about Seo Jae-yi’s terminal illness and the appearance of a Guide with a 93% Matching Rate.
“I was so devastated back then…”
He muttered bitterly, looking at the bouquet.
Fortunately, the meeting had been arranged, and he had finally met Seo Jae-yi in person.
How could he even describe it?
Seo Jae-yi’s appearance was completely different from what he had imagined.
He had pictured her as tall, well-built, and charismatic, but she was petite, had an average build, and her pretty face was full of mischief.
He loved it. He fell for her again, seeing her shatter all his expectations.
He wanted to be her Guide. He wanted to Guide her even once. He wanted to save her with his own hands, the girl who had less than a year to live.
He imagined himself Guiding her. His energy flowing into her injured body, cleansing and soothing her. Seo Jae-yi smiling brightly at him, satisfied with the Guiding that fulfilled her completely.
It was a scene he had longed for, so just imagining it filled him with happiness, his fingertips tingling.
‘I don’t want him as my exclusive Guide. Do I have to spell it out for you? This is frustrating.’
But contrary to his imagination, Seo Jae-yi had rejected him outright.
She had left without a second glance, even though he had begged on his knees. His heart ached.
‘But I can’t give up.’
She had said it was dangerous, but there would be no danger after she was healed by the Guide with a 93% Matching Rate.
He would work hard and become a Guide worthy of her.
“I’ll convince her.”
Gong Ju-hyun buried his face in the bouquet, the strong scent of freesia and roses filling his senses.
He would cherish this bouquet, even though he had bought it. It was made by Seo Jae-yi, so he would dry the flowers and keep them when they wilted.
He lifted his head, carefully tucked the bouquet into his chest, and walked away with a determined stride.
***
Grayson’s expression had been bright when he arrived in the US.
But the moment he stepped out of the airport, he was kidnapped.
There was only one person in the US who could confidently kidnap the next Esper Association Head.
“…Even so, sending Eli was too much, Association Head.”
He had been brought to the US Association headquarters, specifically, the Association Head’s office.
Grayson, facing the Association Head, groaned and glanced to his side. A tired-looking man with brown hair was yawning languidly.
It was his friend, Elijah Lane, the spatial ability Esper who received the most VIP treatment in the US.
“I thought it was too much too. I’m exhausted, and I had to go all the way to the airport to catch you.”
Elijah clicked his tongue, showing no sympathy for his friend.
William Taylor, the US Association Head, who had been glaring at Grayson, roared,
“Too much? What you did wasn’t too much? I had to send Elijah to catch you because I was afraid you’d run away!”
Of course, it wouldn’t have worked on Grayson.
“Hah, old man. You know me too well…”
William Taylor’s face flushed at his casual remark.
“You, what did you do in Korea? You said you could handle it, and you came back empty-handed?!”
That was why Taylor had sent Elijah to apprehend Grayson the moment he arrived at the airport.
“I really tried my best. Baek Joo-won is probably the only person I’ve ever put this much effort into. But what can I do? My charms didn’t work on him.”
“Anyone who falls for your “charms” is strange! I shouldn’t have sent you. Why did it have to be you?!”
“No, sir. Anyone would have failed. His heart is already set on someone else.”
How did he end up raising this kid…
Taylor, lamenting his fate, tilted his head.
“What? I thought his affiliation wasn’t decided yet.”
“Not that. He has other plans. He said he went to Korea to obtain something he wants.”
“He rejected our offer to come to the US for that?”
“Yes. He said nothing is more important than obtaining it, whatever it is. I didn’t hear what it was, though.”
Grayson shrugged, and Taylor sighed.
He knew Grayson well, having raised him himself. He wasn’t the type to lie about this.
It meant they had to give up.
“Something he wants so much that he’d reject even a spatial ability Esper… What could it be?”
“I don’t know. The important thing is that even the US can’t offer it. I’m curious. I’ll have to ask him what it is when he achieves his goal.”
“…What is that stateless Guide with the deadly ability thinking?”
“His ability is deadly indeed. I received a bit of his Guiding, and wow, even I was tempted.”
Taylor was startled by Grayson’s words.
“You received Guiding?”
“Or rather, I stole it.”
What had this kid been doing in Korea…?
He had gone alone, so they couldn’t even send a “bodyguard” to monitor him. They had no idea what he had been up to.