# Chapter 77
Jiwon and Suhyun entered the Association building simultaneously. The atmosphere of the Association was distinctly different from before.
First of all, many of the Espers and regular employees who had participated in this incident had been replaced, uprooting long-standing bad practices along with them.
But Jiwon sensed something off. It wasn’t simply the atmosphere created by changed staff.
The gazes of everyone remaining at the Association were all directed at Suhyun.
“Taking down two S-class Espers all by himself…”
“That’s practically a monster…”
Jiwon openly frowned and turned his head toward the source of the voices. The group that had been huddled together startled and quickly vacated their spots.
“Haa…”
A sigh escaped him from the absurdity of it all.
If he could hear them so clearly, how much worse must it be for Suhyun?
Jiwon glanced at Suhyun to gauge his reaction.
“Don’t mind it.”
Suhyun shook his head.
“How can I not mind?”
Suhyun overwhelming Kalik and Chase was an incredible feat. It deserved praise rather than criticism.
But the stares that followed from people were extremely unpleasant from Jiwon’s perspective.
Gazes that went beyond respect or surprise to include fear couldn’t possibly be pleasant.
“The least they could do is be grateful…”
Suhyun genuinely seemed unbothered, which upset Jiwon even more. How could he be okay with being whispered about as a monster? Was he accepting that label for himself?
Since it had come to this, perhaps it would be better to scare them so they wouldn’t dare open their mouths in front of them.
Though soft-hearted Suhyun would never do such a thing.
“I prefer not being thanked. I thought you felt the same way, Guide-nim.”
Jiwon narrowed his eyes.
“Nothing should be given too easily. They’ll immediately take it for granted… Didn’t you say something like that?”
“…Ah.”
Jiwon let out a short sigh at Suhyun’s added comment. He was right.
It was Jiwon’s usual thinking that gratitude was useless no matter how much it was expressed. Gratitude is momentary, and people quickly take things for granted.
Most people mistake continued kindness for entitlement. Rather than that, he thought it better to establish a vertical relationship, even through what some might call power harassment.
He also wanted to place Suhyun at the very top of the pyramid since he was an S-class Esper. To ensure no one would dare challenge him.
“Everyone listens better than before.”
This incident brought them one step closer to the situation Jiwon wanted.
The more they feared Suhyun, the less they dared to defy him.
Just two days ago, Jiwon himself had realized this in the dungeon where Suhyun had taken the lead.
In truth, Jiwon had hoped Suhyun wouldn’t enter dungeons for a while. He didn’t like the idea of Suhyun’s stability dropping from frequent use of his abilities.
He wanted him to maintain a stable state for a long time, like the American Espers.
But Jiwon couldn’t stop Suhyun, who had insisted on going. The fortunate part was that Suhyun returned without the slightest disturbance in his wavelength.
In contrast, the other Espers’ wavelengths were completely chaotic.
As Jiwon later learned, even though Suhyun hadn’t done anything, they had frightened themselves into exhaustion by moving quickly out of fear.
It must be frightening indeed. Setting aside the fact that he had defeated the American Espers, he had also attacked a Korean Esper and the Association Chairman. They might excessively worry that he could attack anyone if provoked.
‘Do they really need to be afraid to listen?’
It didn’t make him feel particularly good. After all, they were looking at Suhyun as if he were a monster.
Breaking through the unsettling gazes that disturbed his mood, the two arrived at the 10th floor where the conference room was located.
“Oh, you’re here?”
Jo Wooyeon was the one who greeted them. Jiwon tilted his head with a smirk.
“My goodness. If it isn’t Division Director Jo Wooyeon. I’m honored that you personally came out to welcome us.”
“…What’s your problem?”
Wooyeon’s brow furrowed at the formal greeting. Jiwon continued to smirk as he responded.
“How could I have any problems? The Division Director himself has summoned us.”
“What’s wrong with Guide Jiwon?”
“…I’m not sure.”
Wooyeon asked Suhyun about Jiwon’s sullen tone, but even he couldn’t provide a proper answer.
It seemed the stares and whispers that had been fixed on them since entering the Association had soured his mood… but Suhyun wasn’t the type to explain that in detail.
“Haa, why do you keep calling us here?”
Seeing Suhyun’s troubled face, Jiwon sighed briefly and asked curtly.
“This isn’t even a meeting we need to attend.”
“Hmm.”
When Jiwon openly expressed his dissatisfaction, Wooyeon hummed thoughtfully. It didn’t seem like he disliked being called here specifically, but perhaps something unpleasant had happened at the Association?
Since Wooyeon was well aware of how people had been looking at Suhyun recently, he could roughly guess what was happening.
Especially considering how much Jiwon cared for Suhyun.
“You two are essentially the core of the Riska dungeon issue. How could you not attend?”
Since Suhyun was present, Wooyeon spoke indirectly. It was true, though.
“That’s field work. We can write a report, and you can give us directions and orders based on that.”
“Don’t you hate that sort of thing the most?”
“That was because I couldn’t trust the higher-ups who were all a mess then…”
Jiwon stopped mid-sentence. Wooyeon laughed lightly.
“There weren’t many trustworthy people at the Association, were there?”
“……”
“It’s still a bit lacking now.”
Jiwon pretended not to hear and didn’t respond. He knew if the conversation continued, Wooyeon would surely bring up the proposal to join the Association again.
As the Association’s structure changed completely, Wooyeon first coveted Jiwon. His reason was that having Jiwon occupy a position within the Association would be reassuring.
“Please find a good candidate elsewhere.”
Jiwon shrugged as he answered.
“I’m busy enough just guiding Esper Suhyun.”
“I’m fine with—”
“Esper-nim, shall we grab a coffee?”
Jiwon smiled as he led Suhyun away. Someone who usually said so little was quite good at interrupting at times like this.
Suhyun nodded and followed Jiwon. Wooyeon did the same.
“Why are you following us, Team Leader?”
“Team Leader?”
“Ah, yes. Division Director.”
“I thought I’d buy you a cup of coffee.”
“…That won’t persuade me.”
“Who said anything about that?”
They say position makes the person.
Since becoming Division Director, his personality seemed to have changed a bit. Jiwon glanced at Wooyeon, who was smiling in a way that didn’t suit him, and shook his head.
“Unless a guide with an extremely high matching rate with Esper Suhyun appears, it’s absolutely impossible, Division Director.”
Jiwon’s attitude was resolute. It was the same answer he had given when first proposed.
However, Wooyeon’s reaction was slightly different from before. He smiled as he responded.
“So if one appears, then it’s possible?”
Momentarily speechless, Jiwon blinked slowly. His attitude clearly showed that something was up.
“What are you saying?”
Suhyun, who had been quietly listening to their conversation, asked with a furrowed brow.
Jiwon quickly waved his hand, trying to cut off the conversation. If his suspicion was correct, he didn’t want Suhyun to hear it.
“It’s nothing.”
But Wooyeon wouldn’t let it go. He dropped his smile and spoke with a serious expression.
“I’m not joking. One has appeared, for real.”
Jiwon’s body flinched.
“Of course, not at the level of Guide Jiwon’s matching rate. The exact figure would need to be tested, but the estimated value is 83%. That’s quite respectable.”
“……”
“Ah, I should explain to Esper Suhyun first. Congratulations, Esper Suhyun. Finally, a new guide with a high matching rate with you has emerged.”
“…A guide, you say?”
“Yes. They awakened three days ago and are an A-class guide. Though it’s an estimated matching rate, it’s more likely to rise than fall.”
The back of Jiwon’s neck went cold. Logically, this should be cause for celebration. It would be much better than having to handle Suhyun alone.
But how could he explain this feeling?
“…I see.”
Jiwon squeezed his eyes shut.
He knew it best. Knowing how important guiding was for an Esper, the thought of Suhyun receiving guidance from someone other than himself was unbearable, causing this adverse reaction.
A completely useless jealousy was beginning to blossom.
“So Guide Jiwon, think seriously about it now.”
Jiwon didn’t want to hear Wooyeon’s words. The Riska dungeon meeting was just an excuse; he ultimately wanted to deliver this news.
Jiwon realized that Wooyeon had read his emotions. Knowing that Jiwon was in no state to make a rational judgment, he had deliberately announced it in front of Suhyun.
“Stop being a dedicated guide and join the Association. Of course, Guide Jiwon will still be needed for the Riska dungeon, but…”
Stop being a dedicated guide? What would that mean? Would he have to move out of Suhyun’s house? Would daily guiding be done by another guide instead of him?
Would he only… only be able to meet Suhyun at the Riska dungeon… only at that dungeon that appeared once in a while…
“…Is my opinion not necessary?”
As his gaze fell amidst his chaotic thoughts, a cold voice pierced his ears.
