Chapter 12

In this world, there are people who can appease wrath with just one word. On the other hand, there are foul-mouthed bastards that could bring wrath with just one word.

Haon thought Cha Yugeon was the latter. What does it matter to him whether he gets hurt or not? Moreover, the reason he’s hurt was non other Cha Yugeon himself. Haon found himself gritting his teeth at Cha Yugeon’s arrogant attitude, dismissing the favor as if it were just a trivial matter.

In a fit of rage, Haon struggled to control his anger and then glared at Cha Yugeon with all his might. Following that, he threw the medicine bottle that had rolled in front of him toward Cha Yugeon. Unfortunately, Cha Yugeon agilely avoided it, but his expression suggested he wasn’t pleased. Regardless, Haon continued to glare at Cha Yugeon and raised his voice.

“Just don’t give it to me, damn it. Did I ask you to? Did I threaten to kill you to give me that? And why do you think I even get hurt in the first place? Who do you think caused this? You really pissed me off.”

“Hey, are you crazy? Seriously…”

Though he wanted to swear even more, Haon restrained himself from uttering harsher words. Regardless, Cha Yugeon responded with a dismissive expression, rubbing his hands in a nonchalant manner.

When the S-rank esper loses his temper, even Haon felt a bit intimidated. But now, it was a different situation. To put it bluntly, he was an S-rank guide, and there was no need for him to shrivel up in front of Cha Yugeon when he had even prevented Cha Yugeon from going on a rampage.

“Hey! I didn’t mean that… No, forget it.”

“Whatever, it will happen either way.”

That was the end of their conversation. Haon felt relieved at the peace that had finally come. Talking to that bastard Cha Yugeon only made him angry and there was nothing to gain from it.

Haon lay back on the desk again and closed his eyes. He thought he could make up for the lack of sleep this time. But that was only Haon’s misconception. Just as he heard the sound of the door opening, the sound of shoes continued.

“Forgive me for being late.”

At the voice of Director Han, Haon opened his drowsy eyes. He unconsciously sighed softly, thinking that he had missed sleep.

Then Director Han tilted his head.

“Mr. Park Haon, is there anything wrong?”

“No, there’s nothing. I’m just tired.”

“If by any chance your physical condition is not good, please let me know. We’ll assign a dedicated medical team.”

“Thank you.”

Although he thanked him for his words, in reality, the taste in his mouth was bitter. It seemed that even a dedicated medical team was assigned to a superior guide. Thinking about it, even when Haon was an A-class esper, a dedicated medical team was assigned to him. Spending too much time as a lower-class esper made him forget about his privileges in the past.

Haon felt more bitter about the current reality due to the discriminatory treatment between higher and lower-level esper. If he hadn’t manifested as an S-class guide, he would have been treated poorly the entire time and eventually kicked out of the Center.

“Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule. I called you all because I have something to say about yesterday’s mission.”

Director Han cleanly cut to the chase with a voice without any unnecessary details. Indeed, the position of a director was not just for show; there was a pulling power that attracted people. Haon felt a twinge of envy not only for his ability as an esper but also for his charisma.

“Yesterday, when Mr. Park Haon prevented Mr. Cha Yugeon from going into a rampage, the momentary suitabilty of Mr. Cha Yugeon power rose to 75 percent. Considering that the average resonance when a dedicated guide prevents the rampage of the esper is around 80 percent, it’s not a significantly low figure.”

He calmly continued his words. Haon listened to him, trying to figure out what he ultimately wanted to say. Glancing at Cha Yugeon, he seemed to be pretending not to care, but he appeared focused on the director’s words.

“But as I mentioned before, your compatibility is 107 percent. On average, the matching rate between an esper and a guide is around 80 percent. If it exceeds 90 percent, they become dedicated partners. However, despite your compatibility being 107 percent, the percentage is significantly lower than others, only at 75 percent.”

“Oh… So, are you saying that we’re not partners after all?”

Haon asked, filled with anticipation. If he could refuse now, he wanted to refuse. Haon had promised himself that he would break away from that guy. Of course, he had already guide him once, but he thought it would be better to cut him off pretending not to know him, and achieve inner peace.

“…What? Is that how it is? Director, are you really saying that I’m not partner with the je… I mean, not partners with that guy?”

Haon looked at Cha Yugeon with dissatisfied eyes. Although it wasn’t likely, Cha Yugeon seemed disappointed. If Director Han said they weren’t a partner, he should welcome it with open arms. It was probably Haon’s misconception, but still.

Haon looked at Cha Yugeon with skeptical eyes. Then Cha Yugeon met his eyes. After a brief pause, he raised his eyebrows as if to say, ‘What are you looking at?’

As expected, that guy Cha Yugeon didn’t seem to be disappointed by the fact that they weren’t partners. Haon waited for the director’s response with a much lighter heart.

“No. On the contrary, despite the momentary suitabilty was only 75 percent, Mr. Park Haon still able to effectively guided Mr. Cha Yugeon, who was in a coma state. The center highly evaluates this phenomenon as extremely positive.”

“Oh…?”

“If the momentary resonance of both of you exceeds the average, Mr. Park Haon, you could not only stop Mr. Cha Yugeon’s rampage, but he could also utilize his abilities more efficiently. That is the opinion of the researchers within the center.”

“What does that mean…?”

Haon didn’t fully understand the director’s words. He understood the meaning, but he didn’t want to accept the subsequent story.

Especially the assumption, ‘If the momentary resonance of both of you exceeds the average,’ bothered him. Assuming this meant that the center saw the possibility in this.

Then…

“That doesn’t take away from the fact that I’m that bastard’s dedicated guide… …?”

“Yes.”

He asked just in case, but Director Han’s response was firm. Haon, overwhelmed by a sense of despair, clenched his head and mumbled through closed lips.

“Well, that’s how it is. What can we do?”

At Cha Yugeon’s words, Haon lifted his head abruptly. It was because the guy’s tone sounded gleeful. Surely, he must be equally uncomfortable with the fact that they are partners, so there’s absolutely no reason for him to enjoy this situation.

“I don’t like it either, but for now, there’s no other alternative, right? So, me and him have to continue as partners.”

“Yes. Additionally, both of you should engage in training to your increase momentary compatibility.”

“What? Is there such training?”

Surprised, Haon blurted out at the director’s words. Despite having spent quite a while in the center, he still seemed to be filled with ignorance about this world.

“In theory, guiding becomes stronger as physical contact intensifies. Therefore, momentary compatibility can also vary depending on the level of physical contact.”

“What does that mean…?”

Upon hearing his words, Haon’s complexion turned pale. Although the director was carefully phrasing his words, Haon had grasped his intention.

Could it be that he’s suggesting to engage in physical contact with Cha Yugeon, or something horrifying like that?

Haon looked at the director with pleading eyes, hoping fervently that his thoughts were just a misunderstanding. He desperately wished for the director to prove him wrong.

“The training involves both of you increasing the frequency and intensity of physical contact.”

However, the words from the director’s mouth plunged Haon into the abyss.