Chapter 66:
“Well, it’s certainly tempting enough to enthrall any Esper. If any organization, be it the Korean government or anyone else, gets their hands on him, it’ll be a significant threat.”
“That serious? Then it’s a problem. You should have brought him back no matter what! Offered him help from the US! There are plenty of ways!”
Grayson quickly raised his hands, seeing Taylor about to grab him by the collar.
“Ah, but don’t worry too much. I don’t think he’ll join any organization, be it the government or a Guild. I’m not entirely sure, though.”
“So you’re saying you don’t know either!”
Grayson just smiled, despite Taylor’s fury.
He might be saying that, but it was highly likely, considering Baek Joo-won’s behavior so far.
“But I’m a bit curious.”
Grayson muttered, being shaken by Taylor, who had finally grabbed him by the collar.
“Curious about what?”
“Something interesting happened before I left.”
The sudden appearance of an A-rank Guide with a 48% Matching Rate before Seo Jae-yi. And the government pushing him onto her.
How would this situation be resolved? And what was Baek Joo-won thinking?
He truly regretted not being there to witness this chaos and conflict firsthand.
‘Honestly, I hope Jae-yi is even more disappointed in the Korean government.’
Maybe she would come to the US if she was fed up.
He didn’t even care if she became stateless. As long as she left the place that treated her so poorly.
‘It would be even better if she left with Baek Joo-won.’
He was very curious about their decision.
***
Grayson had failed to recruit Baek Joo-won and returned to the US, and the rumor spread quickly.
There were even rumors that energy waves, as if Espers were fighting, had emanated from the US Association headquarters, but they were unconfirmed.
The important thing was that even the US, desperate to recruit Guides, had failed to recruit Baek Joo-won. It meant he had practically decided to stay in Korea.
Only one question remained.
Would he choose a Guild or the Center?
“Hey, S-rank Guide! I heard you’re staying in Korea? Good choice, good choice. You’d just be overworked in the US. It’s more comfortable here.”
The Guides greeted Baek Joo-won as he arrived at the training room, as usual. They seemed surprised that he hadn’t gone to the US.
“But what kind of offer did they make?”
“It must have been an incredible offer, considering Grayson himself came. Can’t you give us a hint, since it didn’t work out?”
Ah, they were just curious.
“I’m sorry, but I signed a non-disclosure agreement.”
It was a lie. They had only made a verbal agreement, but he didn’t want to deal with their pestering.
“Wow, the US. They even make you sign a non-disclosure agreement for an offer? That’s crazy.”
“Well, it’s Grayson. That heartless bastard. This is to be expected.”
Baek Joo-won thought he had misheard.
A heartless bastard?
Grayson was just a blond jerk who cried and whined in front of Seo Jae-yi…
They quickly lost interest and dispersed when he didn’t elaborate.
Baek Joo-won also forgot about them. He only had one thing on his mind now.
‘Seo Jae-yi’s new Guide.’
He hadn’t expected someone like that to appear; it was unexpected. It felt like his territory was being invaded, which sounded strange.
But that was exactly how he felt.
‘It’s time for me to make a decision too.’
His mandatory training was almost over. He had to decide where he was going in a few days.
“Ah, Baek Joo-won!”
Seo Jae-yi approached him after his firearms training.
His shooting posture had become impeccably perfect after Joo Seon-min’s coaching. Seo Jae-yi was impressed.
“You’ve improved so much! You’re a fast learner.”
“You’re disappointed that you have nothing to tease me about, right?”
“…Stop reading my mind.”
“You’re just expressive.”
Seo Jae-yi touched her cheek at his words. An S-rank Esper’s skin should be tough, but her cheeks, jiggling under his fingers, seemed incredibly soft.
‘Her abs were definitely hard, though.’
Baek Joo-won looked at his fingertips, remembering the time he had healed the bruise on her side, inflicted by Taesan Guild Leader Park Hyung-woo. The smooth, yet firm feel of her skin under his touch…
‘What am I thinking?’
He quickly shook his head, clearing his thoughts.
“Here’s today’s bouquet.”
Seo Jae-yi handed him a bouquet as he finished organizing the firearms. It was a beautiful bouquet of purple roses and white gerberas.
“Isn’t it technically today’s bribe?”
Baek Joo-won asked playfully. To his surprise, Seo Jae-yi shook her head firmly.
“I have a different bribe today. Let’s go for your suit fitting.”
Ah, right. They had postponed their appointment because of the unexpected Guide.
Baek Joo-won nodded, having nothing else to do.
“I’ll go wash up first. Can you hold the bouquet for a moment?”
“That makes me feel a bit shy.”
Seo Jae-yi pretended to be flustered, but only her face was; her eyes sparkled with mischief.
Baek Joo-won looked at her for a moment and then leaned closer.
“There’s something even more embarrassing.”
“Huh?”
“Wait for me. I’ll be back soon.”
His suggestive whisper sent shivers down her spine.
Seo Jae-yi’s jaw dropped, the mischief completely gone from her eyes.
“How can you say such a thing…?”
“You have to go this far if you want to tease someone.”
“…I surrender.”
Baek Joo-won chuckled and entered the changing room after Seo Jae-yi admitted defeat.
“Seo Jae-yi? Oh, no. Noona!”
She leaned against the wall, holding the bouquet, waiting for Baek Joo-won.
To her surprise, it wasn’t Baek Joo-won who approached her first, but someone else. She saw Gong Ju-hyun, smiling brightly.
“Hello, Gong Ju-hyun.”
“Yes! Ah, I was assigned to the Central Center yesterday!”
He exclaimed excitedly, but Seo Jae-yi felt uneasy.
He had been assigned to the Central Center, where only elites worked, despite his mediocre achievements.
‘It must be the government’s doing.’
They were determined to push him onto her.
Gong Ju-hyun, oblivious to her thoughts, was beaming. If he had a tail, it would be spinning like a propeller.
Well, it wasn’t his fault. It was her fault for being so attractive that she had fans.
Or was it her fault for being so amazing that she attracted fans?
“But what are you doing here, Noona?”
“Ah, I…”
Before she could answer, she sensed someone approaching from behind the door. Baek Joo-won, dressed in a suit, emerged.
“…”
He looked at the person standing before Seo Jae-yi with a puzzled expression.
“You came out quickly. You didn’t even dry your hair.”
“I hurried because I had someone waiting.”
“That’s good to hear, but please dry your hair next time. You’ll catch a cold.”
“I won’t catch a cold from this. You’re being overprotective.”
“Why does everyone, including Maggie, call me overprotective? Isn’t this normal?”
“No, it’s not.”
Seo Jae-yi pouted at his firm response.
“Um…”
Gong Ju-hyun’s face fell, completely ignored despite being the one who was talking to Seo Jae-yi first.
He tried to join the conversation, but Seo Jae-yi continued talking to Baek Joo-won, seemingly oblivious to him.
“Then I’ll dry your hair with my ability. This isn’t overprotective, right?”
She extended her hand towards Baek Joo-won, and a gentle, warm breeze enveloped him. His damp, brown hair dried instantly.
“This is nice. I’ll ask you again next time.”
“Sure! Ask me anything, anytime. You won’t be able to live without me now.”
“Speaking of which, I got drenched because of you before.”
“…That was, you know, when I was really sick… I couldn’t control my ability properly, so I couldn’t dry you… mumble, mumble.”
Neither of them paid any attention to Gong Ju-hyun.
His face hardened, completely left out.
He knew the man who had casually taken Seo Jae-yi away from him.
Baek Joo-won. The man with a 93% Matching Rate with Seo Jae-yi. The S-rank Guide whom even the assertive Seo Jae-yi clung to.
His rival.
Gong Ju-hyun’s wariness towards Baek Joo-won intensified, seeing them so close.
A sense of anger, the fear of losing the Esper he thought was his, rose within him.
OI OI BACK OFF LITTLE BOY