SOFTIE 15

Yeonwoo recalled the past.

As a child. Because of his overwhelmingly vast energy, there was a time when he lived isolated in a separate white room. It was a boring and desolate place. He couldn’t possibly send Softy to a place like that.

Furthermore, they would undoubtedly conduct research under that pretext. When Yeonwoo hadn’t been able to receive Guiding, they had tried to force Guiding into him, and he had been poked for blood dozens of times because they claimed they needed to know why his matching rate with other Guides was so abysmal.

Ah, an unpleasant memory had surfaced.

More importantly, the fact that Lee Taeho was this excited meant that no such case existed… it was highly likely there was no precedent. He was a loathsome human being, but Yeonwoo acknowledged his abilities.

“Kkyu?”

“Ah, it’s nothing. I guess the food is still a ways off. Let’s wait a bit longer. Just ignore the guy outside.”

When the doorbell continued to ring noisily, he sent an electric current through it and broke it. The house became quiet. Yeonwoo gave a proud smile.

Keep on shouting. See if I come out. You’re only overworking your own throat. Just then, he felt a warm sensation. One of Yeonwoo’s eyes twitched as he looked up.

Softy had given him Guiding.

“…Softy?”

As if to soothe his spiteful mood, a refreshing comfort spread through his chest and embraced his body warmly.

The impurities created by using his ability, and even his disgruntled emotions, all vanished. Just like this, Softy noticed Yeonwoo’s emotions faster than anyone and provided Guiding. His head naturally bowed down.

It felt as though the creature were steeped in a cozy morning scent, making him want to take a full bite.

He wanted to pour out all the impurities that hadn’t been resolved for years, asking for more and more, but if he did that, there was no telling what changes might occur in Softy’s body.

The greater the amount of impurities, the more vast the energy required. The fact that the contamination level had dropped to a precarious 70% was a miracle in itself.

Yeonwoo silently stared at the measurement device. Once again, it dropped by 1%.

“Softy, it’s okay. Isn’t it hard for you?”

Softy tilted its head with an innocent face that seemed to know nothing. That expression actually made him feel relieved.

Softy, who hates to be apart.

All of Softy’s actions came to mind. Even though they couldn’t speak to each other, he could tell at least this much: Softy hated to be away from him.

“You mustn’t leave.”

“Kkyuit! Kkyu!”

“Haha, do you like that?”

“Kkyu!”

Even though it would be more appropriate for him to be the one pleading, it made him feel good that his Guide hated being apart from him. It wasn’t just because of the Guiding; he simply felt happy.

Just then, Softy busily pulled something out. It was a single flower, hidden heaven knows where. He had been like this since their first meeting, constantly giving flowers.

Do magic beasts also give flowers to people they like?

“Is this for me?”

“Kkyu!”

“Thank you. It’s pretty.”

Yeonwoo reached out and took the flower. He had received bouquets far more hollow and lavish than this countless times, but none were as fragrant as this single flower.

Yeonwoo’s eyes curved softly as he spoke to Softy. At that, Softy showed an even more intense reaction.

“Right, right. You’re happy, aren’t you?”

Since they couldn’t speak, he didn’t know the reason for giving the flower, but he could desperately feel the emotion of joy.

“Since it’s a gift from Softy, I should display it. I wonder if there’s a vase in the house?”

He thought it would be a shame if it withered. Yeonwoo slowly stood up. For someone like him, who had no habit of decorating with things like flowers, there was no way a fancy vase would be in the house.

Instead, he placed the flower in a suitable cup. A single flower sat alone in clean water.

In the meantime, the food arrived.

The Association was in an uproar. The return of Seo Yeonwoo, the S-rank Esper. A rampage was known as an Esper’s death. It was either self-destruction after exhausting all life energy, or being killed to stop the rampaging Esper—it was always one of the two.

At the news of Yeonwoo’s rampage, everyone had accepted his death, saying the end had come. The higher-ups received the news faster than anyone. And perhaps because they were prepared for the time he would die, their response had been swift.

It would have been nice if Yeonwoo were alive, but something broken must be discarded eventually.

And the one decided to take Yeonwoo’s place was Shin Witaek’s son, Shin Yoosung.

Shin Witaek sat in his chair, clutching his mobile phone. In front of him was a nameplate for the Minister of the Department of Supernatural Abilities, with the name ‘Shin Witaek’ engraved beside it. The call ended without ever connecting to the other party.

“Why won’t this brat pick up the phone! He’s just like his mother, making my insides burn.”

He huffed as he stared at the phone screen. He had heard the news just a moment ago. At the news that Seo Yeonwoo had returned, the higher-ups were turned upside down. There were those who welcomed his return, but there were also those who did not. That was exactly who he was.

His plan to turn his son into a hero had gone awry. Along with his chance to rise to the highest position.

“Sons always have a way of upsetting their fathers. Imagine how bitter Esper Yoosung must feel. Just when he thought he’d finally snatched the Team Leader position, he’s about to lose it again.”

“If he had done well in the first place, this wouldn’t have happened! They’re both S-ranks, so why is there such a difference! Furthermore, if it’s true that he obtained a Guide…”

He clicked his tongue repeatedly. Even now people said there was a gap, so there was no telling how much stronger he would become once the limits on his abilities were released.

“When we actually open the lid, it might turn out to be nothing special.”

“Right, it better be. There’s nothing we can do since he’s back alive.”

“It’s not necessarily bad for you, Minister. If Esper Yeonwoo exists, the profits coming in from Gate clearing are that much greater.”

“Ahem, that is true.”

“Of course, that’s all thanks to your efforts, Minister. Haven’t you invested a lot to make him a hero? As a result, you’ve secured this position as well.”

Han Sunghoon, who was Shin Witaek’s right-hand man and also an Esper, spouted only words that were pleasant to his ears. Since he was soothing his mood, Shin Witaek felt better and cleared his throat.

“I hear people have gathered. Let’s slowly move to the conference room.”

Han Sunghoon led him to the conference room. The room was packed with people. Once Shin Witaek took his seat in the very center, people began a heated discussion, explaining the reason for opening this meeting.

Among them was Ma Seongtae.

‘Those heavy-bottomed folks sure are fast at times like this.’ He swallowed a sigh. As the President of the Seoul Branch Esper Association, he had made his way there to report the situation directly, but they were the kind of people he hated facing.

The Department of Supernatural Abilities. It was an institution created by the state to control Espers. For the safety of the citizens, Espers are beasts that must be controlled. That was their claim.

The moment one awakened as an Esper, they had to be registered with the Association by obligation. Guides at least had a choice because their numbers were dwindling and the history of their exploitation by Espers had become known to the public, but it was different for Espers.

They were perceived as dangerous individuals to be let loose in society. From the moment they awakened, the gazes of those around them changed. In order for them to live amongst people in society, it became an obligation to handle the Gates that ordinary people could not solve.

The state treated Espers even more harshly because they knew Gates were profitable. And they prevented the power of the Association, which moved for Espers and Guides, from growing too large.

Every time an Esper caused trouble, the state directly imposed strong sanctions on the Association, so they couldn’t stand tall.

Now, the positions of Branch Association Presidents were filled by people who knew nothing about ability users and only played power games.

At least the Seoul Branch Association was on the better side. Because of Yeonwoo’s presence.

‘Oh, my life.’

Ma Seongtae predicted the mess that was about to follow.

“So you’re saying you’re going to accept that magic beast as a Guide?”

“In the first place, is it even certain it’s a Guide? A magic beast as a Guide—I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

At the gazes demanding the truth from Ma Seongtae, he opened his mouth.

“It is certain that Esper Seo Yeonwoo’s contamination level has dropped. It is currently the only Guide capable of Guiding him. If that magic beast is a Guide, we have an obligation to protect that child.”

“Protect a magic beast?”

“In that case, are you going to just let Esper Seo Yeonwoo go into rampage again?”

“…”

They deliberated. It wasn’t that they were worried about Yeonwoo. Gates yielded an enormous amount of money.