Jo Hyeonuk lightly adjusted the microphone height on the platform, then rubbed his palms together as if dusting them off and smiled leisurely.
“Mm, yes. Hello, everyone.”
Composure passed through the eyes of the man who let out a light cough. Befitting a man who had risen to the position of Center Director with the cleverness of not making enemies in any faction, every gesture before the crowd was skillful.
“As you all know, Park Shinui-gun, who had brilliantly decorated the screen until recently, manifested as a Guide last month. And he set an unprecedented record in human history with a 99.99% matching rate with Esper Kang Taejun.”
The congratulatory speech began with unbelievable numbers. It was already surprising that Kang Taejun got a Guide, but the matching rate is 99.99%? Is such a figure even possible? At the theoretically impossible number, Park Shinui stood there blankly with his mouth open before barely coming to his senses.
“You will remember. A year ago, right after closing the ninth S-rank Gate, what promise Esper Kang Taejun made to us. He publicly declared that if the matching rate exceeded even 30%, if there was a Guide who matched him, he would immediately bond regardless of gender. Yes, today! Today is the day that promise is realized.”
As the voice filled with emotion filled the ceremony hall, thunderous applause erupted. Park Shinui slowly nodded while unable to hide his bewildered expression.
Come to think of it, there was such content. Of course, at the time it was Kang Taejun’s self-deprecating declaration, spat out convinced he would never meet a Guide in his lifetime. So that’s why the sudden bonding ceremony scene appeared. It felt like the puzzle was finally coming together. If a 99.99% Guide appeared for Kang Taejun, who would have been grateful for even 5%, the fact that the partner was a man wouldn’t have been any obstacle at all on a national level.
“Espers always live facing death. The world is becoming increasingly brutal, and high-rank Gates are proliferating as if multiplying. Just last month, the eleventh S-rank Gate was created in only six months—looking at that alone, the pace will only get faster from now on.”
As Jo Hyeonuk’s voice lowered, the atmosphere in the ceremony hall instantly became solemn. Park Shinui tried not to be conscious of Kang Taejun standing beside him while secretly glancing at his face.
The Gates that began appearing without warning poured out monsters that ravaged humanity. Weakly F-rank, strongly up to S-rank—their types were diverse. It hadn’t been that long since high-rank Gates started opening, but the problem was that recently their frequency had increased. And to enter such Gates, at least five A-ranks and one or more S-ranks were absolutely necessary.
However, in the South Korea of the novel, excluding the EX-rank Kang Taejun, there were only three S-rank Espers. If the Gates appeared one by one in order, there would be no big problem, but if two or more S-rank Gates occurred simultaneously, it would literally be a disaster unfolding into reality.
“We are now living in a dark age where only the strong survive. At this very moment, many people around the world are losing their lives to monsters, and as you know, not all of us are as strong as Esper Kang Taejun.”
At his tone that was hard to tell if joking or serious, laughter-mixed applause burst out from the audience. Jo Hyeonuk briefly swept over the hall as if observing it, then continued in a calm voice again.
“Therefore, we absolutely need Esper Kang Taejun’s power. Our lives, our future—everything depends on his hands. Why did God permit him such tremendous power? Isn’t it so that this country will not perish, so that it can be saved?”
A man from a prestigious university who manifested as an A-rank Esper but whose combat ability was mediocre. Instead, a man who made connections with higher-ups and built political networks to eventually reach the position of head of the Ability Center. When such a Jo Hyeonuk extolled Kang Taejun’s overwhelming ability like that, Park Shinui vaguely felt he knew what emotions were hidden in that voice.
His oration was closer to a confession of faith than a congratulatory speech. The more tragic the content continued, the more admiration-mixed sighs and even sobs flowed from the audience.
“And here, another miracle has occurred. A Guide with a 99.99% matching rate has appeared. What does this mean? It means that God has chosen us! This country! Everyone!”
Park Shinui’s brow twitched minutely.
What kind of congratulatory speech is that? Is he crazy?
— Don’t do anything and just stay put.
“What?”
— Close your mouth.
“……?”
— Whatever it is, isn’t this the bonding ceremony you so desperately wanted?
Park Shinui glanced at Kang Taejun beside him, then quickly turned his gaze forward as if startled. The bonding ceremony Park Shinui wanted? What does that mean?
— It’ll take a bit more time until the bullshit ends…… so endure it.
“God has given us a prophecy. Through Esper Kang Taejun, He promised to keep this country safe and make it a stronger nation. You, me, everyone—we are all the reason he fights, the goal he wants to protect. Therefore, this bond is extremely important. Who the partner is, what kind of person they were in the past—none of that matters. The very fact that someone who can help him protect the world has appeared is what’s important!”
Bullshit. At Kang Taejun’s sharp analogy, Park Shinui almost laughed.
“If his responsibility, sacrifice, and dedication continue in the future, we can overcome countless dangers. This country, which possesses the world’s only EX-rank Esper Kang Taejun, will become the strongest and most prosperous country in history.”
Jo Hyeonuk passionately poured out words while describing Kang Taejun like state property or a public good. Park Shinui couldn’t stand it any longer and turned his head to look at Kang Taejun. His face, hidden by the mask, showed no sign of being moved even by the blatant demand for sacrifice directed at him.
“The ability given by God is not an individual’s possession. It is a national asset. It’s natural to use it for many people.”
Somehow…… it was becoming embarrassing to keep listening. When he read it as a book, it didn’t seem to be to this extent.
As with most fantasy novels, the protagonist possesses outstanding abilities and doesn’t hesitate to save people. In 《When That Day Comes》 as well, it was natural for Espers to fight for people. Throughout reading the book, Park Shinui also hoped that Kang Taejun would cleanly deal with the Gates and blow away frustrating developments in one shot. That’s what made it enjoyable to read.
But now, listening to Jo Hyeonuk’s words, an inexplicable aversion rose up. That voice extolling Kang Taejun as a hero while shouting that fighting for people was his ‘natural duty’ was extremely uncomfortable.
“Therefore, this meeting of these two people is a tremendous blessing for all of us. What kind of miracle their harmony will create in the future—I too have great expectations.”
Clap clap clap, explosive applause and cheers shook the ceremony hall.
“Let us all celebrate each other and rejoice together!”
Fortunately, it seemed the fanatical speech was finally coming to an end. Park Shinui let out a sigh of relief inwardly while straightening his stiffly frozen posture.
“Thank you for Center Director-nim’s meaningful congratulatory speech. For the next order of business, we will proceed with the ceremony of binding these two people’s covenant before the Esper and Guide Center staff and government officials who have come to this place. We ask that Esper Kang Taejun and Guide Park Shinui face each other.”
Park Shinui looked at Kang Taejun, hoping the dream would end around now. Somehow things had come to this situation, but this much should be enough story progression. The time he dreamed was at most about three hours. Morning should be coming soon.
“Here are the rings forged with divine blessing. First, I will ask Guide Park Shinui. After today, will you complement and fill each other’s lacking parts with Esper Kang Taejun, who has walked different paths and lived in different environments, and be together in every moment?”
‘Don’t tell me I have to answer that goosebump-inducing question?’
Park Shinui looked back at Kang Taejun with horrified eyes. The gaze behind the mask was icy.
— Answer.
“What?”
— Answer it.
“Yes.”
At the nagging voice in his brain, an answer popped out reflexively. As if that stupid answer was so good, MC Im Hasik smiled with satisfaction as if he had gained the whole world. Park Shinui wanted to take back the single word “yes” that came out of his mouth.
“Then, now I will also ask Esper Kang Taejun. In your future life, even when difficult trials and crises come, will you rely on and consider Guide Park Shinui, and wisely overcome them?”
“Sure.”
“Now, please place the covenant rings on each other’s fingers.”
Im Hasik immediately moved on to the next order without giving Park Shinui any time to feel embarrassed at Kang Taejun’s answer. At that moment, a ring case that appeared between the two without anyone knowing floated quietly in the air.
The case, floating serenely while ignoring gravity, opened its mouth smoothly with a single gesture from Im Hasik and revealed two rings. Park Shinui stared entranced at that bizarre scene created by telekinesis.
To see the scene of lifting objects with human power this close up. The supernatural phenomenon unfolding before his eyes was on a different dimension of visual shock. Reality was different—far too different.
