Chapter 79:
Seo Jae-yi’s prediction was correct.
The government was furious when they learned about Baek Joo-won and Seo Jae-yi’s pairing through Gong Ju-hyun and Branch Head Chu Sung-won.
Prime Minister Jang Woo-seok, who had met with Baek Joo-won personally, was the most enraged.
“He didn’t listen to my advice, even though I gave it to him kindly. Is he stupid or just foolish?”
How could he choose Seo Jae-yi? What good was an S-rank if she was dying and losing her powers?
Jang Woo-seok clicked his tongue and called Center Head Kwon Yi-soo. He would surely join forces with them, as he wouldn’t be happy about this situation either.
But reality was different from his expectations.
—Well, I don’t think Guide Baek Joo-won’s choice is bad. We can’t just let Seo Jae-yi die.
Jang Woo-seok thought he had misheard, hearing Kwon Yi-soo’s indifferent voice.
“What are you talking about? You know Baek Joo-won is more important than a single life like Seo Jae-yi!”
—I didn’t know you would weigh the lives of citizens like that, Prime Minister.
Jang Woo-seok realized his mistake at Kwon Yi-soo’s sarcastic remark. But he thought it was true.
“It means that an S-rank Guide is that valuable. An S-rank Guide can save countless lives.”
—Anyone would think Guide Baek Joo-won is leaving the country. The person he’s going to save is a Korean S-rank Esper.
“Seo Jae-yi is going to die soon anyway. What good will Guiding from Baek Joo-won do?”
Jang Woo-seok didn’t know much about Espers and Guides. He didn’t think he needed to.
Therefore, he didn’t believe that Seo Jae-yi would regain her health even with Baek Joo-won by her side.
It was a foolish misconception.
“And wouldn’t it be good for you if Seo Jae-yi dies? You don’t like her, do you?”
—…Did I ever say that myself?
“We all know each other; there’s no need to hide it. Are you worried about rumors spreading that the Center Head killed an S-rank Esper? We’ll make sure that doesn’t happen, so don’t worry. We don’t want you to be in trouble either.”
It was better for him to maintain his power for the government to control Awakened individuals easily.
“So don’t worry and just focus on how to bring Baek Joo-won back to the Center.”
—Prime Minister, do you know how big of a security risk it would be if an S-rank Esper disappeared?
“What?”
—You seem to be unaware because Awakened individuals handle all the dungeons. The danger from monsters will double if Seo Jae-yi dies.
Jang Woo-seok couldn’t help but scoff at Kwon Yi-soo’s words. It was ridiculous. The danger doubling just because Seo Jae-yi died? Nonsense.
“Just a single dying Esper. We still have many S-rank Espers in this country.”
—…You truly don’t understand. Anyway, I have no intention of killing Seo Jae-yi for the safety of this country’s citizens. Your opinion, as the Prime Minister who weighs the lives of citizens like a scale, might be different.
“Hey, Center Head!”
—This wouldn’t have happened if the government hadn’t suddenly pushed Guide Gong Ju-hyun onto Seo Jae-yi. You were too hasty, Prime Minister.
Gong Ju-hyun. The A-rank Guide with a 48% Matching Rate with Seo Jae-yi.
Jang Woo-seok had been honestly happy when he appeared. He thought Seo Jae-yi would compromise if they offered her a Guide with that level of compatibility.
He truly knew nothing about Awakened individuals.
“That’s enough!”
—It’s not enough. We’re not on the same page. Anyway, I have no intention of breaking up Baek Joo-won and Seo Jae-yi’s pairing. So withdraw your plan to insert Gong Ju-hyun between them.
“Center Head!”
—I saved this country. If Gong Ju-hyun had become Seo Jae-yi’s Guide, Seoul would have been destroyed by an S-rank Esper overloading.
“W-what?”
Jang Woo-seok was flustered. He had thought it would be fine if she received some Guiding from Baek Joo-won and then continued with Gong Ju-hyun. Overloading?
—It’s been decades since we started coexisting with Awakened individuals, and you know nothing. You need to study more. Don’t touch Seo Jae-yi anymore. I warned you. I’m hanging up now. Don’t call me with such trivial matters.
Kwon Yi-soo hung up after his sarcastic remark.
Jang Woo-seok, dumbfounded, was speechless. But as his shock subsided, he was left with only fury.
“That disrespectful bastard!”
He threw the ashtray. The glass ashtray shattered against the wall. He was still fuming.
That ungrateful bastard, acting all high and mighty just because he had some power.
But he couldn’t kill or remove Kwon Yi-soo just because he was angry. His anger was directed towards an easier target.
“If it weren’t for Seo Jae-yi!”
She should have just died last year. If Kwon Yi-soo hadn’t bothered to save her dying self and had just thrown her in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, she would have exhausted her powers and died.
“Is that rumor about the Center Head hating Seo Jae-yi false?”
It couldn’t be. Kwon Yi-soo had never Guided her properly when she was at the Center. He must have hated her, leaving her to suffer from Guiding deficiency.
But it didn’t matter anymore, even if it was a false rumor. He could just kill her.
Then everything would be resolved.
“I can’t act openly, so I need to find another way.”
He couldn’t just kill an S-rank Esper. Even he, who knew little about Awakened individuals, knew that.
He just had to make her use her powers excessively, burning away her remaining lifespan. And once she died, Baek Joo-won, having no reason to stay, would naturally come to the Center.
By controlling Awakened individuals appropriately, the threat to the government and the ruling party would disappear, and public approval ratings would soar.
“Yes, that’s the best course of action.”
Jang Woo-seok smiled, finally feeling relieved.
Everything would be fine.
Branch Head Chu Sung-won had told him the government would resolve the situation soon, but Gong Ju-hyun couldn’t wait.
He went to Park Jung-soo’s house, seeking his help. He lived alone at the foot of a mountain, away from other houses.
“I didn’t expect you to come so soon. You must be in a hurry.”
Park Jung-soo, with his usual gloomy expression, appeared when he rang the doorbell. His face, which had once been repulsive, was now a welcome sight.
“Of course I’m in a hurry.”
But Gong Ju-hyun couldn’t help but be startled when he entered the house.
‘Why is this house so desolate?’
The dimly lit house felt eerie, like an abandoned haunted house.
“Why did you call me to your house? Not your lab…”
Gong Ju-hyun asked hesitantly, feeling a bit scared.
“Ah, the surveillance at the Center lab has become stricter. There’s someone in the higher-ups who dislikes me. But don’t worry.”
Park Jung-soo stopped in front of the door at the end of the hallway. Unlike the other rooms, it was locked with a sturdy padlock. He unlocked it, and the distinct smell of chemicals, typical of a lab, wafted out.
“I can help you here.”
The room, even larger than the living room, was filled with computers, stacks of papers, potions, lab equipment, and even a lab bench with a metal stool behind a glass wall. It looked like he had moved his entire lab from the Center.
Ironically, this lab was the most lively space in the house.
“A lab in your house…”
“I can’t sleep if I’m not researching. Do you know how much there is to research in this world? Dungeons, gates, monsters, and Awakened individuals…”
A strange fervor filled Park Jung-soo’s voice.
He was usually lifeless, draining the energy from anyone around him, but he transformed whenever research was involved. He became like a man possessed by research. It was honestly creepy.
“And I’m most interested in Awakened individuals. Espers, Guides. They’re both Awakened, but how can they have such opposite abilities?”
Park Jung-soo tapped the metal stool and smiled at him.
“Guides can live without Espers, but Espers die without Guides. Isn’t that fascinating? A human holding another human’s life in their hands! They’re the perfect research subjects!”
Gong Ju-hyun had never seen Park Jung-soo smile before. He knew he was obsessed with research, but now it felt like madness.
‘Should I continue trusting him?’
He seemed to see Awakened individuals only as research subjects. Was it really okay to keep receiving his help? Wouldn’t it endanger him, and even Seo Jae-yi?
“Please have a seat, Gong Ju-hyun.”
Park Jung-soo gestured towards the metal stool. Gong Ju-hyun hesitated, a sudden wave of unease washing over him, and Park Jung-soo tilted his head.
“What’s wrong?”