# Chapter 90
After Hajin finished his work, the Association became busy. They had to conduct examinations on the Espers who had received Guiding, and also had to fend off those who had been confirmed cured as they begged to meet Hajin.
The research wing and medical wing were no different. Even though Hajin had resolved the crisis, research couldn’t stop. Rather, with the additional task of figuring out what was special about Hajin’s Guiding that made treatment possible, they became even busier.
Everyone sighed in relief that at least now they weren’t racing against time.
All this had happened in just a single night.
During that time, Hajin had become the hottest topic of conversation at the Association. One might say when wasn’t he, but this was a different kind of attention.
Previously, people had focused on his uniqueness and rarity as an S-rank Guide, but now they were paying attention to Lee Hajin as a Guide himself.
Especially those who had been with him that night added various favorable comments about Hajin. Initially, they hadn’t intended to speak up like this.
But the small appreciation that had bloomed in their hearts couldn’t remain silent in the face of baseless rumors about Hajin.
They found themselves unconsciously defending Hajin, who had not only helped them avoid the worst-case scenario but had maintained a consistently gentlemanly attitude without showing any displeasure.
And those who had experienced abuse from Guides couldn’t help but listen to their words. At first, they were indifferent.
However, as days passed and more people encountered Hajin during his visits to the Association for after-service, more began to believe those words.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“Pardon? No, it’s not difficult at all.”
“It’s fine.”
As they had heard, Hajin treated everyone with a gentlemanly attitude regardless of who they were. Even after experiencing such an incident due to the Association’s mistake, he moved people by saying there was no need to be angry at innocent people.
“That person is really different…”
The more people experienced Hajin firsthand, the better his image became. And recognizing this new atmosphere within the Association, the Association Chairman summoned Hajin not long after.
Hajin thought the Chairman’s call came sooner than expected, but Alpha Team didn’t think so. They were grinding their teeth at how the Chairman had acted like he would do anything for Hajin when he first returned, but then had no contact after Hajin treated the Espers, regardless of Hajin’s intentions.
“Hyung, let’s go. Let’s see what he has to say.”
Han Seungho was the first to get up from his seat.
After the night Hajin treated the Espers, he no longer tried to separate himself from Alpha Team. Especially in cases like now when he was going to face the Association Chairman, there was even less reason to do so.
“Welcome.”
Of course, the Association Chairman had anticipated they would all come together. But unlike in the hospital room, he greeted Hajin confidently.
He must have been receiving reports on Hajin’s activities. He had racked his brain thinking about how to placate Hajin and what tactics to use to keep him.
But since Hajin was treating Espers on his own and helping with research, the Chairman had become complacent.
The Association Chairman greeted them with a relaxed attitude and even showed the effort of getting up to prepare tea himself. Taking advantage of his turned back, the more expressive members of Alpha Team, Han Seungho and Lee Doyoon, frowned.
Even they could see it. The Chairman’s heart had changed from just a few days ago.
Although people say your mind changes between entering and exiting the bathroom, witnessing the change right before their eyes left them speechless with disbelief.
Their eyes widened as they pointed at the Chairman, as if asking Hajin if he was really going to let this slide.
‘As if I would.’
Of course, Hajin had no intention of doing so.
Hajin nodded once, signaling them to leave it to him, and fortunately, Han Seungho and Lee Doyoon’s expressions softened slightly after understanding his meaning.
“I’m worried the coffee might not taste good since it’s been a while since I made it.”
“Isn’t it important that the Association Chairman made it personally?”
The Association Chairman was very satisfied with Hajin’s words and laughed out loud.
“Haha! It puts my mind at ease to hear Guide Lee Hajin say that.”
However, contrary to his words, Hajin didn’t even touch the coffee. The Association Chairman, who wouldn’t miss this fact, openly glanced at the untouched cup.
“Yet you’re not drinking it?”
Hajin answered with an awkward smile.
“Thinking about what I’m about to say makes me so nervous that I simply can’t swallow anything. Please understand.”
The Association Chairman refocused his relaxed mind. However, a corner of his heart still retained a careless sense of reassurance.
He believed Hajin wouldn’t leave. If he had intended to leave, why would he have worked so diligently?
“I see. We did have an important matter to resolve.”
Answering this way, the Association Chairman also put down his cup.
Hiding his previously friendly smiling face and becoming serious, the Association Chairman left one final remark before Hajin could open his mouth, as if driving in the last nail.
“I should apologize once more. I’m truly sorry, Guide Lee Hajin. The Association bears responsibility for this incident, and I bear the greatest responsibility among all. I’ll ensure this never happens again.”
At these words that seemed to naturally conclude the matter, Han Seungho’s gaze sharpened. However, to the Association Chairman, the Alpha Team beside Hajin wasn’t such a frightening presence.
In some ways, they could become more frightening, but trusting Hajin’s character, the Association Chairman could remain confident even under their piercing gazes.
‘Lee Hajin, you were softer than I thought. Hmph, well, no matter how cold you are, you’re no match for old politicians.’
The Association Chairman hid his true thoughts behind a gentle smile. As expected, Hajin quietly nodded.
“Hearing you say that puts my mind at ease. Not just for me, but for all Guides in the Association.”
However, Hajin continued speaking as if this wasn’t the end.
“Especially… cases like Guide Han Jiwoo’s shouldn’t happen twice.”
The Association Chairman cleared his throat as Hajin mercilessly poked at a sore spot.
“Ahem, that’s right. I promise on my name. This won’t happen to any Guide working under the Association’s name.”
“That’s a relief.”
Hajin smiled as if that was all he needed. The Association Chairman, who had been prepared to hand over an enormous compensation amount, was both confused and elated at the conversation ending more simply than expected.
But it wasn’t time to celebrate. Hajin took a sip of the now lukewarm coffee and opened his mouth again.
“Now, let’s discuss compensation.”
“Huh?”
The Association Chairman, who thought the conversation was over, was taken aback. Hajin rounded his eyes and tilted his head slightly.
“Surely you didn’t think that was the compensation I was asking for?”
His gaze seemed to say: You caused problems through your mistakes and now you’re just verbally promising it won’t happen again, and you think that’s compensation?
The Association Chairman, afraid of ruining the atmosphere he had carefully cultivated, hurriedly opened his mouth to produce laughter.
“Ha, haha! Of course, I had separate compensation in mind for Guide Lee Hajin. You must have misunderstood my surprise at the sudden change of topic.”
‘He’s trying so hard…’
Han Seungho was saying this with his face, but the Association Chairman dealing with Hajin had no time to notice.
Ahem, he cleared his throat to create a pause and regained his composure. It was an impressively quick recovery, but Hajin didn’t think much of it.
After all, he was the one in power here.
“So, what compensation does Guide Lee Hajin want? Tell me.”
“What I want is just one thing. Freedom, that’s all I need.”
It was an ambiguous expression. But as ambiguous as it was, it was dangerous. Couldn’t he leave the Association in the name of freedom? The Association Chairman answered while forcibly smoothing his furrowing face.
“May I ask exactly what kind of freedom you’re referring to?”
The Association Chairman waited for Hajin’s answer, hoping the worst he was imagining wouldn’t come to pass. However, Hajin deliberately betrayed the Chairman’s expectations like someone with a clear plan.
“I’ve been thinking about why things turned out this way while I was gone. At first, I thought it was because I was careless. But that wasn’t it. Then, was it the fault of Alpha Team beside me?”
Alpha Team stiffened as their names were mentioned and memories of that time resurfaced. As if to say he wasn’t blaming them, Hajin firmly grasped and released the hands of Baek Jaan and Han Seungho sitting on either side of him.
“No, it wasn’t. Then, was it the Association’s fault?”
Hajin’s gaze pierced the Association Chairman like an arrow.
He waited for Hajin’s answer, feeling like a prisoner awaiting sentencing. As he met Hajin’s gaze, unable to even swallow, Hajin’s lips opened again.
“It’s not that either. When there are people who deliberately kidnapped someone, why would I look elsewhere to place blame?”
It was a mere moment, literally what could be called an instant. But the Association Chairman had already imagined Hajin blaming the Association and walking out with all the Espers.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
