“I’d like to introduce someone. This is Lee Yu-won, our new S-rank Guide. Got tested right after graduating high school, and guess what? Turned out to be one of those ultra-rare S-ranks!”
The Center Director beamed with pride.
“I’m Lee Yu-won.”
The man gave a curt bow as he spoke. He looked young—undeniably so—and though his face was expressionless, his awkward stiffness gave away his age.
“Seriously? Most kids delay their aptitude tests as long as possible, but this guy comes in right after graduation and turns out to be S-rank? We’ve had zero non-matching S-rank Guides lately—I was starting to get worried. This is great, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, amazing. Hello, I’m Kang Rion.”
“Please feel free to speak casually.”
“Oh? Sure, then.”
Rion accepted the offer without a second thought. With an S-rank Guide, the actual matching rate didn’t matter—they were a huge help regardless. They’d probably be seeing a lot of each other, so why bother with formalities?
In his usual laid-back tone, Rion asked,
“Twenty?”
“Yes.”
Yu-won answered while deliberately avoiding Rion’s gaze.
What’s his deal? Rion, momentarily thrown off, glanced at the Center Director for guidance.
“Ah… Yu-won seems a bit shy. Yeah, uh… okay. Let’s go ahead and run the matching test, shall we?”
The Director was flustered too. He’d known Yu-won was a little reserved, but he hadn’t expected him to act this way even in front of Kang Rion.
Most rookies got excited or at least curious when they met Rion. But this one? Odd. Shaking off the thought, the Director led them both to the matching machine.
Since the emergence of Espers and Guides, science and technology had rapidly advanced—but personality traits couldn’t be captured by machines.
Even when data was collected, it tended to disappear after less than three hours. So despite the hassle, Espers and Guides still had to sit down and physically place their hands on the device for matching tests.
“Not expecting a miracle here. Kang-woo clocks in at 34%, right? Even if Yu-won only hits 30%, that’s a huge help.”
The Center Director tried to reassure Yu-won as he sat silently and placed his hand on the machine, his expression unreadable.
“Well, he is an S-rank. No matter the result, it’s still a win for the center,” Rion said casually as he took his seat. After seeing so many disappointing scores, he no longer expected much from anyone.
Still, he’s an S-rank. Even if our matching rate is low, he’ll be useful to the center—and the world.
Thinking positively, Rion placed his hand on the machine.
“Starting it up.”
The Director pressed the power button. With a soft whirr, the machine came to life.
“You know the drill, Rion. It’ll take a few minutes, so just keep your hand on there even if it gets uncomfortable.”
“Got it.”
“…Hey. Is he always this stiff?”
“A little, yeah.”
The short responses made it hard to keep the conversation going, and Rion fell into silence.
Geez, even his face looks uptight…
Were all kids like this these days?
Rion stared at his hand on the machine. No—he was the elder here, and a senior in the field. Just because the kid was a little shy didn’t mean he should give up on him.
“You took the test really early, huh? Were you always interested in this kind of work?”
“Yes.”
“Really? That’s unexpected. A lot of people don’t want to do this kind of job, even if it pays well.”
In Korea, Espers and Guides were required to take aptitude tests once they turned twenty. But while the money was good, most people didn’t want to risk their lives—or their youth—on dangerous work.
So unless someone was desperate for money or had no choice, few rushed to take the test the moment they turned twenty.
From the looks of him, it didn’t seem like Yu-won was hurting for cash.
Rion glanced at his clothes and watch and asked,
“Did something in particular make you want to do this?”
“…Not really. Anyway, I think the results are up.”
Yu-won’s reply was another short deflection, and Rion awkwardly turned his head. Damn kid’s got zero charm.
It didn’t seem like Yu-won had any interest in him, and since matching rates were affected by mutual affinity, Rion didn’t have much hope for the result.
He shook his head slightly at the thought—just in time for the Director to mutter:
“…Is it broken?”
That reaction wasn’t promising. Must’ve come out super low, Rion thought as he flexed his tingling fingers from holding still for so long.
“What? Did it come out at like, 10% or something?”
“No, it’s not that…”
“Then what is it?”
Wait—single digits? Rion’s lowest-ever match was 12%. If it was lower than that, even an S-rank Guide wouldn’t be of much use.
He stood up, preparing for the worst—only to blink in disbelief at the number floating before him.
“…9.9%?”
Two numbers were displayed on the screen. But Rion couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
“No, wait… then where’s the decimal point—why is there a…?”
Yu-won, who had also stood, glanced at the upper readout of the machine. Then, without giving Rion or the Director a chance to stop him, he turned and walked out of the testing room.
[99%]
“Y-Yu-won, Lee Yu-won?! Wait, is this machine broken? This… okay, grab a matched pair with a high compatibility score—no, screw it, just grab any random Guide and Esper walking by! Get the equipment team, too! Hurry!”
The highest recorded match in history was blinking on the screen.
***
“…99%. There’s no other way to interpret this—he’s your matching Guide.”
They’d called in technicians to inspect the machine. They’d repeated the test with several other Guides. Same result every time.
“There’s still a one-month adjustment period, but honestly, with a number like that, it’s basically 100%. It’s just a formality—you’ll be registered as a pair in no time.”
In theory, every Esper and Guide has one perfect match.
But in reality, few Espers ever met their matching Guide, even globally.
It wasn’t like matched partners awakened at the same time, or even in the same region.
Some countries required aptitude testing upon reaching adulthood, but many didn’t. While Espers often became aware of their powers naturally, Guides could live and die never knowing they were Guides at all.
Even if both discovered their abilities, the world was a big place. Without running actual compatibility tests, finding your match was like chasing a miracle.
“Normally, anything above 70% is considered crazy high. If it’s over 80%, people treat it like destiny. Over 90%, and it’s practically guaranteed—it is your match.”
“…Can’t believe this is really happening to me,” Rion murmured, still dazed. He’d imagined, once or twice, that maybe his matching Guide was out there somewhere, but he’d never expected it.
An S-rank Guide. Same country. Same center. A 99% match.
It could only be fate.
“Is the adjustment period really necessary?”
“It is. There was this one case—an 85% match pair registered immediately, but something felt off. Then a few months later, a Guide with a 91% match showed up. Total mess.”
Of course, you two are at 99%, so that kind of issue won’t happen. Still, the one-month adjustment became mandatory after that.
The Director handed over some documents.
“Here, fill this out first.”
“What about him? Is he filling this out too?”
“Of course he is. He’s not just anyone—he’s Kang Rion’s matching Guide. And for him, taking care of only you is a win too.”
“…Still, I think he doesn’t like me.”
Rion looked a little reluctant.
Maybe it was just his personality, but there were too many things about Yu-won that nagged at him.
The moment the match rate showed up, Yu-won bolted without a word. Even now, he hadn’t shown his face once. He must’ve gotten Rion’s contact info from the Director, but hadn’t sent so much as a single message.
“Did I do something wrong?”
“Beats me. Honestly, I’ve never seen anyone act that cold to the Kang Rion. But… I’m sure he’ll still do his job.”
“Yeah. Work’s work.”
Rion nodded.
Like him or not, a 99% S-rank Guide was someone Rion could not afford to lose. No more wasting away from lack of guidance. No more forced vacations filled with anxiety.
Now I’ll be able to save even more people.
That was enough. A bad attitude? He could live with that.
Knock knock.
“Well, speak of the devil!”
Yu-won opened the door to the Director’s office and stepped in. It was the first time Rion had seen him since the 99% result.
“You’ve been briefed, right? At 99%, not registering as a pair would just be a loss. And from your end too, it’s best to—”
“I’ll do it.”
Yu-won cut the Director off before he could finish.
The man blinked in surprise, looking up at him.
“You said we have to fill out paperwork, right? That’s why I came.”
“…Oh. Uh, yeah.”
“Give it to me. I’ll sign.”
Yu-won skimmed the papers lightly before signing without hesitation. His calm, collected signature settled neatly in the Guide section.
“Haha. You’re more decisive than I expected, Yu-won. Still, it doesn’t become official right away. You have to go through the one-month adjustment period first.”
“I don’t mind.”
Yu-won handed the signed document to Rion.
What the hell is with this guy? Rion thought, but didn’t say it out loud. Whatever the case, Yu-won was someone Rion needed.
He forced a smile.
“Right. I’ll sign too.”
With that, the Pair Registration Application was complete, bearing the names of Esper Kang Rion and Guide Lee Yu-won.
“I’ll go ahead and submit this to the Association. Adjustment period starts tomorrow, so go out and grab a meal together or something. You’re gonna be working as a pair from now on—might as well get along.”
The Director clapped both of them on the back with a satisfied grin. These two would undoubtedly become the most powerful pair in history, backed by the highest match rate ever recorded.
Watching Rion slowly waste away over the past four years had been painful, but now the Director could finally breathe easy.
…Unfortunately, that peace of mind didn’t even last a full week.
