Hello everyone, SleepyTime here. Some of you might recognize this novel from Wook’s Teahouse before the whole site was taken down, and yes, I’m the original translator who uploaded this novel there. At first, I’m just going to let this novel gather dust in my drive since I don’t have the time to upload 90++ chapters, but due to some of my readers that still wanted to read this novel, I decided to post it in SoR. Hope you all enjoy it, thank you.
Chapter 5
by SleepyTime“Huh…?”
Haon dumbly muttered at Director Han’s words. He couldn’t believe he heard correctly, and He didn’t feel surprised nor confused. Naturally, he thought he must have misheard.
“What… What did you say? This guy, Park Haon is my guide?”
However, Cha Yugeon also seemed to have heard the same words as Haon. So there were two possibilities. Either both coincidentally misheard the same thing, or they both heard it correctly.
While Haun logically knew that the latter was slightly more likely, he couldn’t accept the fact. He wanted to reject the fact that he became Cha Yugeon’s guide.
“Director Han, I think I might have misheard something… Right? It’s not true, right?”
Reluctant to utter the words that he became Cha Yugeon’s guide, Haon looked at Director Han imploringly. Just becoming a guide out of the blue from an A-class Esper was enough to drive him crazy, but the fact that he have to guide Cha Yugeon was something he couldn’t accept.
“Don’t joke around. I’m serious. I’m so serious that I’m about to lose my mind. I’m barely holding back the urge to burn everything here, so say it again.”
Cha Yugeon even began to threaten, also not wanting to believe the current situation.
Haon involuntarily let out a bitter laugh as he looked at Cha Yugeon. No matter how much that bastard hates the current situation, there is no way he hates it more than himself. But what right did he have to be upset?
“Ha, haha.”
“Are you laughing? Do you find this funny?”
“I laughed because I’m dumbfounded. And why do I need your permission to laugh with my own mouth? I’ll laugh if I want to, what’s it to you?”
“You think this is funny? Do you find it amusing, damn it. You and I… Oh, forget it. Let’s not talk about it. It’s impossible. What kind of talent does someone like you have… This is ridiculous.”
Cha Yugeon scanned Haon up and down, then shook his head disdainfully. It was clearly an attitude of disregard for Haon.
Seeing that, scratches on Haon’s pride were inevitable. Haon managed to shake off his anger and glared at Cha Yugeon.
“What can you do if I were really your guide?”
“As if that’s possible! The guy who was an FF-class Esper suddenly becomes an S-class guide? Say something more reasonable. Right, Director Han?”
Annoyed, he glared at Director Han while muttering. Then Director Han handed over a document folder that was on the table.
“Mr. Park Haon is indeed Mr. Cha Yugeon’s guide. Here’s the examination record.”
“What…?”
Cha Yugeon nervously muttered as he grabbed the document folder from Director Han’s hand, almost snatching it. Up until that moment, confidence was evident in his expression. The confidence that clearly declared there was no way someone like Park Haon could be his guide, and it was visible in his expression as his confidence reversed.
“…”
However, as Cha Yugeon flipped through the inspection record one page at a time, his expression hardened more and more.
Initially, Haon thought it was amusing, but as Yugeon’s expression completely transformed into shock, Haon also became uneasy. Initially, he just wanted to show that Yugeon was wrong about him being so unlucky, but it didn’t mean he genuinely wished to become his guide. If Director Han’s words were true, it posed various difficulties.
“What’s wrong? Why are you like that?”
Seeing Cha Yugeon standing frozen as if turned into ice while flipping the last page, Haon felt his mind turn as cold as ice. Goosebumps rose on his skin from the chilling sensation.
Quickly, Haon snatched the document folder from Yugeon. If it were the usual Cha Yugeon, he would have vigorously protested and tried to reclaim it, but now he simply handed it over without any resistance.
Even that felt ominous to Haon. He moistened his parched lips with his tongue and examined the inspection record.
<Examination Items>
Power Compatibility Test
Examinees: Cha Yugeon (Esper), Park Haon (Guide)
Power Compatibility Rate Data between Mr. Cha Yugeon (Esper) and Mr. Park Haon (Guide)
The paper with bold letters spelling “Power Compatibility Test” displayed Cha Yugeon and Haon’s names prominently. The test paper then meticulously listed both their names repeatedly. After providing details such as gender, age, height, weight, and other profiles for both individuals, there were several pages of unknown data tables.
And on the very last page, Haon froze in place.
Cha Yugeon (Esper) Park Haon (Guide)
Estimated power Compatibility Rate: 107%
(*Error Range 0.5, Accuracy 99.9997%)
“107 percent…”
Haon muttered in disbelief even after staring at the number with his own eyes. Seeing Haon’s frozen state, Cha Yugeon, who had been rigid, seemed to come to his senses. He snatched the test result from Haon’s hands.
“This, this is a lie, right? It can’t be true. Even if the compatibility rate is only at 90%, it’s considered excellent for a dedicated partner, right? But 107%?”
“…”
“Fine, let’s say I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt, and you’re the only guide who matches me the best. Originally, I didn’t have a proper designated guide anyway. But 107% is an absurd number. Do you expect me to believe that I match this guy so well? Does that even make any sense?”
The audacious Cha Yugeon continued to curse and mock him, not even caring that Haon was present. Even though Haon was distracted due to the test result, he couldn’t tolerate the insults. Eventually, he couldn’t hold back and growled.
“Cha Yugeon, who do you think you are to insult me like that?”
“I don’t have the time to worry about you right now, just stay quiet.”
“Don’t act like you’re not the only one who’s unhappy with this!”
Despite Cha Yugeon’s threatening warning, Haon didn’t back down.
Tension built up between them, followed by a heated atmosphere.
“Mr. Cha Yugeon, please don’t make me attack you. And once again, let me clarify that Mr. Park Haon is indeed Mr. Cha Yugeon’s guide, and you two have become each other’s dedicated partners.”
“By whose decision?!”
“I refuse!”
Simultaneously, Cha Yugeon and Haon shouted in response. The timing of their protests overlapping seemed to irritate them further, and they glared at each other as if ready to kill.
“Even if you both do not wish for it, the test results came out this way. If you’re not satisfied with the outcome, and you both disagree with being dedicated partners, then we will consider it as dissatisfaction with the Center and take appropriate measures.”
“If you’re going to threaten me, go ahead.”
Cha Yugeon scoffed, ignoring Director Han’s serious warning. The threat from the Center might be effective for ordinary Espers, but for an S-class Esper like Cha Yugeon, it held no weight. He maintained a confident attitude despite the stern warning.
However, the following words from Director Han made him pause.
“Mr. Cha Yugeon, do you want to continue living without a guide in the future?”
“…”
“Weren’t you the one who desired a guide more than anyone else?”
Silence filled the room. Cha Yugeon remained silent, not giving any positive or negative response. He knew the impact his words could have.
“…It doesn’t have to be that guy. Right? After all, I’ve been guided by other superior guides—”
“That’s not enough, Mr. Cha Yugeon. You should know that.”
“…”
Cha Yugeon tried to suggest alternatives by mentioning other superior guides, but he eventually fell silent at Director Han’s words. He was so irritated that even Haon could hear the sound of his teeth grinding.
“Are you planning to let go of your guide right in front of you just because of a momentary pride?”
“…”
“The person you’ve been waiting for your whole life?”
By this point, Haon, who had been listening quietly, felt uneasy. Cha Yugeon spoke as if he held the reins in this relationship. Of course, Haon couldn’t help but be displeased.
Adding to that, Haon couldn’t accept the fact that Cha Yugeon considered him the person he had been waiting for his entire life. It was a problem beyond unpleasant.
“Damn it.”
At that moment, Cha Yugeon muttered a brief curse and left the hospital room. The door that was slammed shut was broken and collapsed.
“Crazy bastard…”
Haon muttered while looking at the broken door. He found it dreadful to imagine having to live with such an ignorant guy as his guide.
“Director Han.”
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry. Even if you beat me up to death, I can’t be a guide to that guy.”
After coldly stating this, Haon quickly left the hospital room. Though Director Han called after him, he didn’t look back. His only thought was to get out of this place as soon as possible.
“Do they think I’m crazy? To do the bidding of that bastard.”
Running straight to his dorm, Haon caught his breath and packed his belongings. While he didn’t want to look down on guides, the thought of being Cha Yugeon’s guide made him sick. If he become Cha Yugeon’s dedicated guide, he would be trapped and living according to that bastard will,
Haon packed up his luggage as quickly as possible and left the room.