HLSEBT - 11

11. Fated Partner

“We’ve both gotten what we wanted, haven’t we? I’m getting guided and becoming healthier, and the other person either gets danger pay while working with me or collects promotion points to get transferred to wherever they want.”

“So… it’s a transaction?”

“Exactly. Though we don’t exactly sign a contract out in the open.”

“…”

“I’ve seen a few cases where people used my name to jump ship to another company, but honestly, it didn’t bother me much.”

A transaction. So that’s what this is. Yoon Taeha was slightly surprised by how formal and defined the term felt.

He had expected clichéd phrases like mutual trust or emotional connection.

Even Seo Dojin, who he thought was the most human of them all, thought this way—there really was no hope left.

“Just think of it as making a business partner. It’s not like we’re in the first generation anymore, where Espers and Guides were forced into marriage pairs.”

“You youngsters have it good.”

“Why are you acting so old when you’re still so young?”

Seo Dojin, who had started chewing on ice, spoke in a tone so light it felt like he might float away.

“There’s one thing you need to keep in mind.”

A large, calloused hand landed on top of Yoon Taeha’s head. Pat, pat. A few comforting yet teasing taps followed.

The stuffed bear’s head and Yoon Taeha’s head bobbed up and down simultaneously.

“Things are easiest when they stay purely business.”

Huh? That’s his car. Let’s go. Following Seo Dojin’s urging, Yoon Taeha stood up.

Even though he couldn’t get drunk, he suddenly craved alcohol.

“I absolutely can’t give our Taeha away!”

Wasn’t I the one trying to get drunk? Why is this unnie more wasted than me? Yoon Taeha wore an expression of disbelief.

“What’s this now?”

“How could you understand… I raised my baby with so much love… even if he looks tough on the outside, his heart is so delicate.”

Is this… kind of an insult? She supported Han Gyewool, who was leaning heavily on her shoulder.

She must’ve been under so much stress from the ad shoot. Before the meat even arrived, Han Gyewool had already cracked open half a bottle of soju, using corn salad as a side dish.

I noticed something was off when the manager left with an apologetic look, saying, “Please take care of her.” She really came prepared today.

Thankfully, she’s religious, so at least there’s that.

After finishing off the meat on the grill, the three of them moved on to making fried rice. Seo Dojin grabbed the scissors, insisting he’d make it using his own special method.

“If you run into another weirdo, just let me know. I’ll socially bury them for you. I’ve got tons of followers. And you, Seo Dojin, since you’re strong, handle it physically. Pat their heads with a shovel…”

“Didn’t your ion drink have alcohol in it? Why are you like this?”

Seo Dojin, who had been delicately cutting up seaweed, chimed in.

“She’s drunk. Stop drinking.”

Yoon Taeha joined in. Han Gyewool reluctantly obeyed the alcohol ban, furrowing her brows. She looked a bit wronged.

“But you guys really don’t get drunk… I don’t lose control of my drinking either when I go out…”

“This is child’s play.”

“I prefer beer, actually.”

You’re all so full of yourselves. The actor, who hadn’t given up on enunciation even while mumbling drunkenly, leaned on Yoon Taeha’s shoulder.

Han Gyewool had a habit of clinging to those around her when drunk.

“Our Taeha probably won’t hang out with me once he gets a Guide… I don’t have any other friends…”

“I don’t think you need to worry about that. He gets dumped all the time anyway.”

“It’s because those fools can’t tell quality from junk. Plus, you deliberately act nasty sometimes too!”

“Oh dear, how did you know? Come on, wake up and eat some fried rice before your stomach hurts.”

The fried rice topped with cheese sizzled on the hot plate. Let’s eat quickly and move on to round two. Seo Dojin made a terrifying suggestion.

“Anyway, this time, choose someone good…”

Han Gyewool nodded, as if trying to shake off her anxiety.

“Someone smart, handsome, healthy… someone who will treat you well.”

“If such a person exists, I’d be happy. I’ll kneel down and welcome them myself.”

“You talk big but do nothing. You’re not even an actor, yet sometimes you seem more…”

Before Han Gyewool could deliver what would’ve been a scathing remark, she slumped against the wall and fell asleep mid-sentence. Just passing out like that.

Yoon Taeha muttered quietly.

“At least she means well with her nagging.”

“She has a good memory, after all.”

“The biggest mistake of my life was getting caught by Winter Unnie in the hospital room. Ever since that day, her nagging has tripled.”

Seo Dojin responded with a nonchalant tone.

“Everyone would react the same way after seeing you locked up in a private hospital room.”

“……”

“I thought you were doing better since you even went on that long-term mission to Hawaii.”

“Hmm…”

“If you don’t have an excuse, at least listen politely. Stop rolling your eyes looking for one.”

After receiving a full lecture from Seo Dojin about the positive influence Guides have on Espers, the fried rice had completely disappeared.

“I’ll go settle the bill.” Seo Dojin took out his personal card and returned after paying not just for their meal but also for the managers in the next room.

In his hands were two bottles of the drink Han Gyewool had advertised earlier.

“…I can’t even look at those.”

Though Han Gyewool, who had woken up by now, made a face of disgust, she didn’t refuse when he suggested holding them in plain sight as they left.

“Unnie’s going home~”

Hugging her stuffed doll, Han Gyewool, half-drunk and half-asleep, closed the car window. Seo Dojin and Yoon Taeha waved goodbye.

The dazzling lights from the bustling city signs reflected fully on the glasses Yoon Taeha wore. Pulling her cap down tighter, she turned her body toward Seo Dojin.

“Are we going to the dormitory? Or your parents’ house?”

Seo Dojin was a rare case among high-level Espers—both of his parents were alive and healthy.

It was slightly different from how the Center was everything to Lee Hakyung and Yoon Taeha. He had a family waiting for him at home.

“My parents went on vacation to a villa in Bali a month ago. A week after arriving, they contacted me: ‘Son, we’re in Bali now. We used some of last year’s bonus…’“

But no one was waiting for him at home now.

Still, he had a family home.

“So, the dormitory?”

“Yeah.”

“The subway hasn’t stopped running yet, so let’s take it.”

The two headed toward the subway station.

Seo Dojin, walking half a step ahead to block the crowd, spoke first.

“Starting next week, I’m going out for training.”

“Training? What kind of training?”

“A special instructor at the Shelter. Once a week, three hours of practical combat lessons.”

“Special instructor? Seriously?”

Seo Dojin becomes ruthless once he puts on his dobok (martial arts uniform). Was this really a good idea for the kids? Reading his expression, the soon-to-be instructor joked around.

“It’s only for a month. The idea is to tighten up the discipline that’s gotten lax after summer break—with the help of a cool senior...”

Vibrate.

A short buzz interrupted their conversation.

“Oh, hold on a sec.”

“Me too.”

Both pulled out their phones simultaneously. On this lively, noisy Friday night street, people passed by, glancing curiously at the two who had abruptly stopped.

Yoon Taeha’s eyes quickly scanned the screen.

Sender: Team Leader Cho.

[Serious disqualification issue found with the first candidate. Jet will inform you of the details. Handling will proceed according to internal regulations.]

So it was true.

It felt like a heavy weight pressing on her chest had suddenly dropped away. Did she want this? Or was it the opposite?

Her heart began to race faster. Whether out of fear or excitement, her heart pounded at the same relentless pace.

To keep herself from losing focus, Yoon Taeha took a deep breath.

As she bit down hard on her lips, Seo Dojin suddenly led her under a roadside tree. It seemed like he had something to say that needed to stay out of sight.

She pulled her phone close to her chest to hide the screen from Seo Dojin.

“Did you check it?”

“Huh?”

“The message from the Center.”

Only then did she notice another notification. Seo Dojin’s face grew tense as he glanced around. This felt unsettling. Quickly, she opened the second message.

[D-Class Rift Expected to Occur]

- Location: Hapjeong Station ~ Yanghwa Bridge ~ Seonyudo Hangang Park ~ Subway Line 2 Dangsan Railway Bridge

- Gate-type

- Two-way opening expected

- Approximately 15 minutes until the predicted rift forms. Immediate evacuation of citizens is advised.

The alert from Gaia’s prediction system indicated an imminent dimensional rift. Since they had received the first notification, it was certain that the Korean government had also been informed.

The level was rated D—moderate. The problem lay in the location and type of rift.

“Why is the location prediction so vague this time? They usually give a narrower range.”

“Maybe Gaia’s slacking off because it’s Friday. Maybe it wanted to clock out early too.”

Unaware of the impending danger, people continued to casually stroll through the nighttime streets.

“Are you joking right now?”

Rifts were broadly categorized into two types: Dungeon-type and Gate-type.

Dungeon-type rifts led to a third space—not Earth—once you entered the warped dimensional entrance. These were isolated zones where humans could fight or explore.

Gate-type rifts, on the other hand, allowed creatures from another world to cross over into Earth. In these cases, Earth’s geography remained unchanged.

The only issue was that previously unseen lifeforms would emerge, often with the intent to kill humans.

Naturally, the potential for casualties was much higher with Gate-type rifts since they intruded directly into people’s daily lives.

And this particular case was flagged as a two-way gate. Meaning there would be openings at two separate locations.

It was nighttime, and subway Line 2 would undoubtedly be packed with people heading home after work or enjoying leisure activities.

Seo Dojin, gripping his head in frustration, muttered, “Senior is on a business trip right now and can’t make it back immediately.”

And, of course, Lee Hakyung was also away on a trip. Whether she was a dedicated Guide or not didn’t matter at this moment—it wasn’t the priority.

“I’ll head to the subway station. You go to Yanghwa Bridge and Seonyudo Park. We’ll regroup later.”

Just as Yoon Taeha began to move, her wrist was caught. She turned around, eyes wide.

Seo Dojin’s face, now devoid of any humor, was sharper than she expected.

“Will you be okay?”

“I’m fine. I just ate some meat, didn’t I?”

“I know you’re barely hanging on by a thread.”

Seo Dojin wasn’t foolish enough to fall for Yoon Taeha’s feigned nonchalance. His grip tightened slightly.

“Don’t push yourself too far.”

“How could I do that?”

“Hey.”

“Leave a message for Winter Unnie. Tell her not to come this way.”

With that, he disappeared, leaving only his words behind.

“She never listens.”

Left alone under the roadside tree, Seo Dojin wasted no more time.

Wheeeeeen.

- This is the first evacuation order. Upon hearing this sound, all citizens are instructed to immediately proceed to the designated evacuation areas...

The spot where the two had stood moments ago was now filled with the blaring wail of sirens.