SOFTIE 34

Where could there be evidence more vivid than this? Softy also poked his head out to look at the chart. Many difficult terms were written on it, but the matching rate was highlighted in bold. Curiously, however, Softy did not look happy.

“Unlike the pollution level, the higher this is, the better it is.”

“Kkyuit?”

“Really.”

Only then did Softy cry out in joy. It was an expected result, but seeing it with his own eyes felt special. It was the same for the other research staff. They were all people who had suffered emotionally because of Yeonwoo. As they offered their congratulations, Yeonwoo let out a small laugh.

“Cases exceeding 90% are almost nonexistent… Incredible, truly incredible. It’s a whopping 93%. You’ll be boasting the highest pair rate.”

It was certainly surprising that it was 93%. He would have been shocked if it were at least 70%—no, 80%. Even the highest matching rate Yeonwoo had ever had was barely over 60%.

“Noona, I can apply for a Pair Guide now, right?”

“Of course. Look at this matching rate! I’ll apply for it right away. I know you’ve been waiting for this.”

Yeonwoo laughed softly. He had referred to Softy as his Pair Guide from the very beginning. Naturally, he had waited for this day. The moment when Softy would become a Pair Guide in name and reality, a fact no one could deny.

“Do it right now.”

“Just be aware that a report might go up to the higher-ups.”

“I don’t care.”

It was a staggering 93% matching rate. And the subject was Yeonwoo. Even those who had opposed it until now might accept Softy when they considered the synergy.

Softy was already taking Guide classes. This meant there were at least some people willing to accept him. In fact, the Guide Association gave off the impression that they were inclined to accept Softy.

Therefore, even Shin Witaek could not stop them. In the first place, the permission of the Ministry of Supernatural Powers was not required to form a Pair Guide relationship. Their job was to monitor Espers and Guides, not to interfere in every single matter concerning them.

Rather, if Shin Witaek were to come forward in opposition, people would begin to doubt his intentions—whether they were the general public or those who knew the internal circumstances.

While it was true that Shin Witaek regarded Seo Yeonwoo as an obstacle and wanted to kill him, not everyone in the Ministry of Supernatural Powers agreed with his thoughts.

That was why opinions regarding Softy had differed. The problem was that Shin Witaek was not the type to stay quiet. No one knew what kind of sweet words he might lay out to pull people to his side.

Yeonwoo could not just stand by and watch Softy get caught up in that.

“Softy, did you learn about matching rates in class? The higher it is, the higher the guiding efficiency. In the old days, a high matching rate was sometimes called destiny.”

“Kkyu!”

As if repeating the word destiny, Softy stared at Yeonwoo with sparkling eyes.

“Are you happy too, Softy? I’m happy too. Once we become a Pair Guide, no one will be able to say you aren’t my Guide anymore. You only have to guide me. You don’t have to guide any other Esper, not a single one.”

“Kkyuit?”

“That’s right, nothing changes. You can keep living just like you have been.”

Kim Yoojung, who had been quietly listening to Yeonwoo, spoke up cautiously. Just as the Guide Association was wary of Espers who became obsessed with their Guides, the Esper Association felt the same. Yeonwoo, in particular, was a special case.

His very first Guide, appearing for an S-class Esper who had suffered from side effects for a long time. How could he not be obsessed with that Guide?

Seeing Yeonwoo excessively refusing to let Softy out of his arms and staying holed up at home while ignoring provocations from other Espers made her worried.

It was clear they liked each other, but there was a need to point out the reality of the situation.

“Yeonwoo, you know the Association can force a matching test, right? The higher-ups who dislike Softy might make him take a matching test with other Guides.”

“I can just ignore that.”

“…I’m talking about Softy. It’s the same for you, but it could be demanded of Softy as well. Since he’s an S-class Guide, he might boast high matching rates with other Espers, too.”

Yeonwoo’s face hardened, as if he hadn’t considered that.

“He is my Pair Guide.”

“Even for a Pair Guide. Well, I doubt Softy would accept the proposal, but just be aware. They might try to pull some tricks.”

Yeonwoo nodded silently. Shin Witaek was still trying to kill Softy, but there was no telling how others would act. In fact, the Guide Association had tried to save Softy. However, since both sides moved for their own profit, Shin Witaek wasn’t the only one to be wary of.

“And even as a Pair Guide, if a disaster or an emergency occurs, guiding becomes mandatory. In that case, Softy might have to guide other Espers.”

However, Yeonwoo let out a smirk. A disaster situation—sure, that could happen.

“Noona. There’s no way I’d be left out of a disaster like that. So that means Softy only needs to worry about me. Especially if it’s a situation that can’t be stopped without me. Why would he guide other Espers and drain his energy for nothing? Guiding just me will be more than enough.”

Kim Yoojung was momentarily speechless at Yeonwoo’s nonchalant statement. But it was true. Kim Yoojung shrugged her shoulders and laughed.

“I was worried over nothing. You’re the most precious to us. You know that, right? If any staff member tries to approach Softy, we’ll block them all!”

“Thanks.”

“Ah, there was another matter. You said the numerical fluctuations are large? Hmm, according to what was recorded, it’s 80% when using power, and 60% when receiving guiding?”

“Yeah.”

“It’s never gone down to Green, right?”

Yeonwoo nodded slowly.

“Hmm. It’s a bit strange that it hasn’t dropped to Green when Softy is an S-class and the matching rate is so high… You are receiving guiding, right?”

“Softy works hard at it. He keeps doing it even when I tell him not to. At this rate, Softy will collapse first.”

“Softy was born with great energy, so you won’t have to worry about that. What kind? Radiation guiding?”

“Radiation guiding is what I receive the most. He does give me contact guiding too, but he still seems a bit awkward with it. At this point, it feels like they’re about equal.”

He didn’t specifically time the guiding or do it in a formal manner. Sometimes guiding would just pour out when Softy was in a good mood, or he would provide it if their hands just happened to touch.

He left it entirely up to Softy. The only time Yeonwoo requested it was after a Gate raid.

At Yeonwoo’s explanation, Kim Yoojung asked back, also finding it strange.

“And it still doesn’t drop?”

Yeonwoo nodded. His reason for finding it strange was a bit different, but it was indeed puzzling. It wouldn’t drop to Green, as if this were the limit. Especially since Softy had been glaring at the orange-colored gear and trying his hardest, likely because of something he learned in class.

Yeonwoo was living a peaceful life he had never tasted before. So why wouldn’t it go down further?

Kim Yoojung spoke while looking at the information embedded in the gear—the biological rhythm and the changing pollution levels.

“As you know, it’s been over ten years since you last operated in the Green. You didn’t have a Guide, so you overdosed on medication. There’s no case of someone taking only medication long-term for as long as you have. It could be a side effect of the drugs. Or, it could be because you’ve lived with a high pollution level for so long. Yeonwoo, your situation is a bit different from other Espers. You know that, right?”

It had been exactly 18 years. From the moment he awakened as an Esper at the age of ten, he had lived without a Guide.

In the beginning, he thought a Guide would appear soon. But none appeared, and as his pollution level rose, he reached a point where he had to limit his abilities, continuing his activities while fluctuating between Orange and Green. Things improved slightly when medication was developed, but for the past eight years, even medication wasn’t enough, and he had no history of dropping back to Green.

“It’s only been about a month. Let’s look at the long term. Your current state is very good. Since Softy has a high rank and a high matching rate, you’ll return to normal soon. I hear Softy is working hard in his classes, too. The rumors have reached all the way here. That the Slime… no, Softy, lives with a book tucked in his arms.”

At the words meant to lighten the mood, Yeonwoo let out a small laugh. Softy had already become a celebrity within the Association. The fact that a magical beast was a Guide, and specifically Yeonwoo’s Guide, had drawn enough attention as it was, but the way he carried a book around like a passionate model student because he wanted to take classes made him impossible not to notice.