“……What do you mean?”
At the questioning tone, President Jang Gijun replied very kindly again.
“We are going to conduct the matching rate test again.”
“Why?”
The results were already out. Lim Haeyul couldn’t fathom why the test needed to be redone.
Well, actually, it was something President Jang Gijun could reasonably suggest. Lim Haeyul had heard that matching rate tests were conducted periodically, just in case.
However, it seemed more likely that they wanted to understand why Cha Jae-woo’s condition was improving day by day. Lim Haeyul was a D-rank Guide, and Cha Jae-woo was an S-rank Esper. Even with a high matching rate, the difference in ranks couldn’t be ignored.
Considering that there had never been anyone else who guided like Lim Haeyul, they might have concluded that there could have been a mistake in Lim Haeyul’s rank. Although suddenly cutting off contact with the Guide Association seemed most suspicious.
“I apologize for the abruptness. It was urgent to schedule the time…….”
“Hmm.”
President Jang Gijun gestured for them to enter.
Following him, Lim Haeyul and Lee Ju-yeon moved. It seemed better to comply rather than refuse without a reason and cause trouble.
They arrived at the Guide test room. It wasn’t the same place where Lim Haeyul had been tested before, but the equipment was the same. The machine, resembling a coffin, opened and closed automatically like something out of a sci-fi movie.
On the day of the test, Lim Haeyul had been so fascinated by it. Lim Haeyul had never imagined becoming a Guide and had spent a long time examining the test machine.
While Lim Haeyul was looking at the machine, a researcher conducting the Guide test approached. At President Jang Gijun’s signal, he immediately nodded and asked,
“Would Guide Lee Ju-yeon like to go first for the test?”
“Yes.”
Lee Ju-yeon remained calm throughout. He seemed to have known that the test would be conducted.
‘But isn’t he too calm? Or is it just me? Is it usually not a big deal?’
Lim Haeyul felt uncomfortable with the sudden test because he had something to hide about his guiding. However, Lee Ju-yeon didn’t seem bothered. So, Lim Haeyul quickly accepted it and watched Lee Ju-yeon enter the test room first.
“It’s such a relief that Guide Lee Ju-yeon appeared.”
“…….”
“Don’t you think so, Guide Lim Haeyul? It must have been difficult handling Cha Jae-woo Esper alone.”
“Ah, yes. Well…… I guess so.”
Even with a high matching rate, Cha Jae-woo was indeed difficult to handle alone. It was fortunate that Lim Haeyul had changed his guiding method; otherwise, Cha Jae-woo might still not have been able to enter the Gate.
“A matching rate of about 34 percent is quite good. Especially since he is B-rank, which is a very good sign. Even with a low matching rate, someone of that rank can help reduce your burden, Guide Lim Haeyul.”
“Yes…….”
President Jang Gijun was so eloquent. If Lim Haeyul hadn’t seen Cha Jae-woo’s condition himself, he might have believed that Lee Ju-yeon would be helpful.
However, it didn’t feel that way at all. After seeing Cha Jae-woo’s condition following Lee Ju-yeon’s guiding, Lim Haeyul didn’t think his burden would be reduced.
‘But what if something goes wrong?’
As Lim Haeyul listened to President Jang Gijun, a sense of unease crept up. There was a chance that his unique guiding method might be exposed by the machine.
The thought made Lim Haeyul’s back stiffen. He broke into a cold sweat, imagining the worst-case scenario where everything was revealed, and he became a subject of research.
‘……That can’t happen.’
Anxiety rose, but Lim Haeyul couldn’t think of a solution. He fidgeted nervously. Meanwhile, Lee Ju-yeon finished his test and came out.
“Guide Lim Haeyul, shall we go in?”
The researcher gestured to Lim Haeyul with an expressionless face. Lim Haeyul hesitated for a moment but then nodded and entered the test room.
Lim Haeyul’s heart pounded as if it would burst out of his chest. As he entered the machine, it felt like his heart would explode. He closed his eyes tightly, trying to calm his nerves.
‘There’s no way it can be detected.’
He chose to believe that, even though he couldn’t be sure. It was too late to back out now that he was already inside the machine. Refusing at this point would only make things stranger.
He tried to calm his racing heart and closed his eyes. The machine hummed to life, and soon the measurement was complete. As the door automatically opened, Lim Haeyul stepped out, anxiously watching President Jang Gijun and the researchers.
“Thank you for your effort, Guide Lim Haeyul.”
Lim Haeyul nodded, though he hadn’t done much. The researcher handed the printout of the measurements to President Jang Gijun.
“I had a feeling……” President Jang Gijun began, swallowing hard. “Fortunately, your matching rate remains the same.”
“Huh?”
“Sometimes, even with a high matching rate, it can drop over time. But yours hasn’t changed at all, Guide Lim Haeyul.”
President Jang Gijun sounded genuinely pleased, but Lim Haeyul remained cautious. There seemed to be more to it.
“Oh, and interestingly, Guide Lee Ju-yeon’s matching rate has increased.”
“Really?”
“Yes. It’s now 37 percent. Before the last Gate mission with Cha Jae-woo Esper, it was 34 percent. That’s a 3 percent increase.”
President Jang Gijun smiled broadly. “Perhaps Guide Lee Ju-yeon and Esper Cha Jae-woo have good compatibility. Sometimes, when a Guide and Esper are well-matched, the Guide’s matching rate can gradually increase. It would be great if that’s the case here, haha.”
Lim Haeyul was taken aback. He had never heard of such a thing. While Kim Sol had mentioned that matching rates could sometimes increase, there was no research explaining why.
Moreover, President Jang Gijun had just explained that matching rates could drop, and now he was saying they could increase. It felt like he was hoping Lim Haeyul’s matching rate with Cha Jae-woo would drop, while Lee Ju-yeon’s would rise.
President Jang Gijun’s exaggerated enthusiasm was also suspicious. Lim Haeyul tried to keep his expression neutral, but it was challenging.
“I heard that Guide Lee Ju-yeon stabilized Cha Jae-woo Esper’s energy very well during the Gate mission. He was able to return home safely. Perhaps the synergy between them increased the matching rate?”
Lim Haeyul’s expression darkened. He knew the truth—Cha Jae-woo’s condition had not been good. He had clearly been to the Gate twice.
‘What help?’
Lim Haeyul wanted to refute every word, but he held back. He knew that a matching rate needed to be above 50 percent to be considered effective. A increase from 34 to 37 percent was negligible.
Why was President Jang Gijun exaggerating as if it were a significant achievement? Everyone should know this, yet he was acting as if it were a big deal.
Lim Haeyul couldn’t reveal that he knew Cha Jae-woo’s true condition, so he just watched President Jang Gijun silently.
Soon, President Jang Gijun turned to Lim Haeyul.
“Isn’t this great news? Don’t you think so, Guide Lim Haeyul?”
“Ah, yes…….”
It was true that having any compatible Guide for Cha Jae-woo was fortunate. Lim Haeyul’s mana was limited, so if Lee Ju-yeon’s matching rate increased further, it would be beneficial.
Originally, more help would be better. Lim Haeyul was willing to work with Lee Ju-yeon if it meant Cha Jae-woo would be more comfortable.
However, he felt uneasy. President Jang Gijun’s exaggerations and his attempt to seek Lim Haeyul’s agreement made him suspicious.
“So, Guide Lim Haeyul,” President Jang Gijun continued.
“Yes?”
“How about we let Guide Lee Ju-yeon take over Cha Jae-woo Esper’s guiding entirely?”
“……What?”
The suggestion caught Lim Haeyul off guard. Everyone else seemed to have already agreed, including Guide Lee Ju-yeon.
“I want to explore the possibilities,” President Jang Gijun said seriously. His gleaming eyes made Lim Haeyul uncomfortable.
“If Guide Lee Ju-yeon’s matching rate increases further through guiding, Cha Jae-woo Esper will effectively have two Guides.”
It sounded like President Jang Gijun expected the matching rate to skyrocket, but Lim Haeyul was not convinced.
“……We can’t be sure about that.”
“True. We can’t be sure. But we can’t just do nothing. We know you’re doing a great job, Guide Lim Haeyul. But…….”
President Jang Gijun’s gaze scrutinized Lim Haeyul from head to toe.
“Guide Lim Haeyul is a D-rank. Even with a high matching rate, you can’t fully stabilize Esper Cha Jae-woo. He might seem fine on the outside, but he’s surely deteriorating inside. No matter how high the matching rate, if the necessary amount isn’t met, stability can’t be achieved.”
Lim Haeyul knew he was effectively guiding Cha Jae-woo. Cha Jae-woo’s energy was stabilizing, and even after Gate missions, he was in better condition than before. Lim Haeyul could stabilize Cha Jae-woo better than anyone else.
But he couldn’t reveal this. President Jang Gijun was right in a way. If Lim Haeyul were guiding normally, he wouldn’t be able to satisfy Cha Jae-woo’s needs. Everyone would think so logically.
“So, I’ve been thinking,” President Jang Gijun continued. “What if Guide Lee Ju-yeon takes over as the main Guide for Esper Cha Jae-woo, and Guide Lim Haeyul assists in emergencies?”
Lim Haeyul remained silent.
“If the matching rate between Guide Lee Ju-yeon and Esper Cha Jae-woo continues to rise, it would be even better.”
Lim Haeyul still said nothing.
“I think this is a good proposal for Guide Lim Haeyul as well, don’t you agree?”
President Jang Gijun’s words hung in the air, awaiting a response.
