BCGWR Chapter 18 Part 1

“So… if Jung Ha-jin Esper uses that skill right now… even if you’re next to me, you wouldn’t feel any Radiating Guiding?”

“Yes.”

“…What kind of skill is that, exactly?”

“I don’t know the details either. I just heard about its effect.”

“…”

Although Awakened individuals usually speak about their skills concisely or hide key information, Han Ji-su’s expression subtly crumpled, as it was an effect he had never heard of before.

“It’s not a mental-type skill, is it?”

“Haha. Absolutely not. Even if he had a mental-type skill, he’s not the kind of person to just use it on anyone.”

“…”

It was a remark that showed unwavering trust in Jung Ha-jin Esper.

Han Ji-su watched Toto, who, having been pleasantly petted by Kim Hyun-ah, shivered and then completely climbed onto Kim Hyun-ah’s palm, and asked, “What’s his attribute?”

“Water.”

“…He’s really similar to… Jung Ha-jin Esper, isn’t he?”

At that question, Kim Hyun-ah subtly lowered her gaze to Toto. Then, she replied as if it were nothing, “I guess so. Their personalities are probably a bit similar too? He’s generally blunt. But he’s not as bad as Jung Ha-jin Esper, so don’t worry too much.” And she moved her hand more vigorously.

“Squeak, squeak-squeak!”

Toto, who was lying on his back with his belly exposed, enjoying her dazzling touch, shivered his hind paws at her rough-looking but very delicate control.

Han Ji-su felt a little uneasy, as if Kim Hyun-ah was subtly avoiding his gaze, but soon concluded it was a misjudgment.

If he thought about it, it was stranger for an independent SS-rank Esper, not even from the Peace Guild, to stay with him in the Peace Guild Dormitory just to care for him, a B-rank Guide. No matter how much Kim Hyun-ah cherished him, it was unbelievable.

‘Hmm… right. Honestly, it’s unbelievable…’

Quickly dispelling his unrealistic doubts, Han Ji-su felt a little more at ease as he chatted with Kim Hyun-ah about various things.

In fact, it was less of a conversation and more of a series of admonitions: he must always go with Jung Ha-jin Esper wherever he goes, he must contact his sister when he goes out. If anyone picks a fight or bullies him, Jung Ha-jin Esper will take care of them—no, he’ll handle it himself—but still, he absolutely must tell his sister.

And if he ever had a problem, he shouldn’t decide on his own; he should discuss it with his sister first. If it was something uncomfortable to tell his sister, she could even assign someone to counsel him. So he just had to tell Jung Ha-jin or his sister, she emphasized repeatedly.

Han Ji-su listened to her affectionate nagging, nodding his head with a faint smile throughout.

Anyone observing might have thought he was like a bobblehead doll in a car with his mechanical responses, but he was taking in every single word Kim Hyun-ah said.

After chatting for a while, Kim Hyun-ah’s phone vibrated.

“Ah, perfect timing.”

Kim Hyun-ah, checking the screen, placed Toto, who was flattened like a rice cake on her palm, beside Han Ji-su and headed for the entrance. As Han Ji-su stood up and tidied his clothes, he heard the sound of the door opening and voices exchanging greetings.

As Kim Hyun-ah had mentioned, he seemed blunt; the low, deep voice’s greeting was very short and plain. The moment the two entered the living room, Han Ji-su unconsciously swallowed.

‘He’s really big…’

The man who entered the living room with Kim Hyun-ah looked to be over 195 cm tall at a glance.

He wasn’t just tall; his shoulders were broad too. His overall well-balanced physique looked magnificent, unlike his own slender body.

Furthermore, his posture was so straight it made Han Ji-su wonder if he had been a soldier before his awakening, and his gaze when observing Han Ji-su was sharp. Han Ji-su, who was about to greet him first, hesitated for a moment at his keen eyes, prompting Kim Hyun-ah to playfully hit his side and scold, “Hey. Watch your eyes, Oppa.”

“…!!”

Perhaps his side, hit by SS-rank Esper Kim Hyun-ah, hurt, as the man, looking uncharacteristically surprised, bowed his head slightly and introduced himself awkwardly.

“Nice to meet you. I am Jung Ha-jin Esper.”

“…! Ah, yes. I am Han Ji-su Guide. As you might have heard, for now, I’ll be using the name Kim Ji-su, and…”

As Han Ji-su used his transformation skill to change into a female appearance, his eyes widened slightly.

“Outside the room, I plan to… operate in this form.”

Jung Ha-jin nodded, confirming the slender voice that perfectly suited the appearance of a woman in her twenties, and said, “It’s fortunate that your voice can also be modulated. Understood. I look forward to working with you.”

“Ah, yes. The pleasure is mine…”

As Jung Ha-jin extended his hand first, Han Ji-su released his transformation and returned to his original appearance.

And before shaking hands, he wiped his sweat-damp palms on his clothes due to nervousness, then clasped hands with him.

‘…He’s A-rank… right?’

Even while shaking hands, an subtle pressure was felt, making him feel stifled. Kim Hyun-ah had clearly introduced him as A-rank, but to Han Ji-su, the imposing presence he exuded felt like at least S-rank.

It was such a strong Aura/Energy that he was sure anyone would perceive him as S-rank, unless he had “A-rank” written on his forehead.

Han Ji-su, who imagined Jung Ha-jin wearing an “A-rank” sticky note on his forehead for about 0.5 seconds, snapped out of it at Toto’s “Squeak?” and extended his hand.

Throughout Toto’s climb onto Han Ji-su’s palm, up his arm, and onto his shoulder, Jung Ha-jin showed no particular reaction.

“This is my Taming Monster, Toto. He has an S-rank shield skill, and when I transform into my other appearance, Toto transforms into a long-tailed tit.”

“I see. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“…Ah, yes… Um… oh, um… Yes…”

He had introduced Toto to him to lessen the awkwardness of their first meeting, but somehow it felt even more awkward. Moreover, he showed a completely different reaction from what people usually displayed when seeing Toto for the first time.

Most people, upon seeing Toto, would say “Hello, Toto~” or comment on how cute he was, how such an adorable hamster could exist, or ask if they could take a picture.