Deal Breaker - Chapter 15
Twenty million won in debt from paying for her late mother’s medical treatment, a semi-basement lease contract that was about to expire, the money and time needed to prepare for the civil service exam, and her grandmother’s health, which was deteriorating by the day.
“To others, this might look like a cliff, but to me, it’s a fork in the road.”
The familiar thorny path she’d always walked, or a smooth path that felt unsettling only because she didn’t know what might be lurking ahead.
If she took a step forward, her feet might hurt, but it wouldn’t break her whole body. She’d survive.
Even now, she was barely scraping by month to month, but somehow, she managed to live. When her apartment contract ended and she thought she’d end up on the streets, she’d ask for help from people around her and look even harder, and eventually, a suitable place would always show up.
“This thorny path I’m on is hard, but it’s not impossible to walk. Still, if I choose the easier, more comfortable road, even though it feels unsettling, that’s just my own greed.”
Hyeji hesitated for a moment, then opened her mouth, ready to be called a fool.
“There’s something I really want.”
“What is it?”
“A Han River-view apartment.”
She thought he might laugh at her, since for him, something like that would be nothing, but Kanghyeon nodded seriously.
She could’ve settled for any apartment, but she was fixated on a Han River-view apartment because, to Hyeji, it symbolized wealth, success, and stability.
“If I could get to that point, I feel like I’d finally be able to relax and enjoy my life.”
That she’d acquire it within five years, pay off the mortgage within ten, maybe change jobs after that, or keep doing this work if she liked it… For the first time, Hyeji found herself excitedly talking to someone she’d just met about her plans. Not just for owning a Han River-view apartment, but for her whole life.
“So, I’m not being forced by my situation. I’m choosing to follow my own desires.”
Kanghyeon, who had been listening with his chin in his hand, nodded thoughtfully.
“Your goal is real estate, huh? That’s constructive.”
Was that a pun? She decided not to laugh until after she’d signed the employment contract.
“You look young, so I was worried, but your thinking isn’t childish.”
He dropped his hand from his chin and leaned in a little closer.
“Then I’ll be honest with you, too.”
“Yes, go ahead.”
“I never planned on accepting contact-type guiding.”
With that, Kanghyeon began to frankly share his side. Because he hadn’t found the right Guide, he’d never been able to use his abilities to the fullest. No type of radiative guiding or tranquilizer had much effect. Still, he’d never even considered trying contact guiding.
“My abilities may not be perfect, but they’re not below my standards—or the industry’s.”
Hyeji nodded, showing she understood. For someone who’d never found the right Guide, his achievements were impressive. The center regularly posted about the feats of affiliated Espers and Guides, and ‘Han Kanghyeon’ always had a prominent place on those boards.
“But now, an S-Class Guide, and a 94.52% match rate at that…”
He’d memorized the exact match rate he had with Hyeji.
“Before this, my highest match rate was only 34%.”
Barely over the minimum requirement.
“So, I know better than anyone that you’re a savior I can’t afford to lose. Even so, the reason I didn’t want to sign is because it’s contact guiding. And you’re still young. If you were even the same age as me at twenty-six, I’d have wavered. Those two things were deal breakers for me.”
Now she understood why, despite being her number-one match, he was the last to contact her. Or rather, she’d only heard why he hadn’t contacted her. There were still two deal-breaking conditions, so she still didn’t know why, in the end, he’d called her.
“Even so, the reason you want to make this contract is…?”
“Because I heard, of all things, that my rival also matched with you.”
“Huh? Who?”
“Andrei Borodin.”
The third-highest match rate. A freelance Esper of Russian nationality.
“Oh, him.”
She nodded, and Kanghyeon’s face darkened.
“So he contacted you. I guess that makes sense…”
“I even met him. He flew to Seoul about a month ago. He came again last week and wanted to meet.”
“From Russia?”
“Yes.”
“What’s your match rate with him?”
“Fifty-two percent.”
That’s bad. Kanghyeon muttered, holding his jaw in one hand. Since Borodin was also an S-Class mental-type Esper like him, it was no wonder he looked uneasy.
Wait.
Suddenly, Hyeji also began to worry.
“Can a Korean like me even guide a Russian Esper?”
“It’s fine, as long as it’s not a hostile country. There’s no legal problem with you being a Guide for a Russian Esper, but the Korean government will be disappointed. For me, it’s the end.”
“Huh? It’s that serious?”
“About thirty percent of my job is sabotaging Borodin. And about twenty percent of the time, he’s sabotaging me. Our win rate is about fifty-fifty. We’re basically joint number ones. But if you go to Borodin, he’ll become the undisputed strongest, with a win rate approaching 100 to 0, and my record will be cut in half. At minimum.”
“That sounds serious.”
“It is. I wouldn’t care if you went to someone else. But of all people, Borodin…”
