BCGWR Chapter 44 Part 1

Something must be going on.

Han Ji-su had explicitly gaped in admiration, nearly drooling, and then awkwardly added an excuse that he was simply surprised when he glanced at Jung Ha-jin again. Jung Ha-jin’s eyes softened. He wasn’t smiling, but just the gentleness in his gaze made Han Ji-su’s heart pound. It was a face with truly immense power.

‘Even so, to be so openly awestruck by someone’s face…’

“…I apologize. I… stared too much, didn’t I…”

Han Ji-su, thinking it was a truly clumsy and impolite action, quickly apologized.

He chastised himself internally, unable to understand why he had committed such a gaffe, despite having seen many handsome people in his profession. Yet, the man sitting opposite him seemed unfazed. He even shook his head as if finding such a reaction endearing, and with a noticeably milder expression, said,

“It’s fine. I’m used to it.”

“…”

As Jung Ha-jin insisted it was truly fine, Han Ji-su felt even more embarrassed. Jung Ha-jin then tried to soften his voice further and said,

“And I should be the one to apologize. I’m sorry for hiding my identity.”

“…No… but you didn’t exactly seem to be hiding it… Well… there must have been circumstances, but why… um… why are you here? Oh, no, I mean, it’s not that I don’t want you here… I mean, why…”

Han Ji-su stammered, trying to figure out how to gently ask why such a valuable S-rank individual was doing this here. Jung Ha-jin preempted his struggle.

“I wanted to rest.”

“…”

“Next to Guide Han Ji-su.”

“…”

For a moment, Han Ji-su couldn’t control his expression, which clearly screamed “What are you talking about?” As he stared, Jung Ha-jin met his gaze, shrugged, and continued,

“As you’ve probably noticed.”

“…”

“I am a fan of Guide Han Ji-su.”

“???”

Jung Ha-jin added a little more to his reason for volunteering, addressing the dumbfounded Han Ji-su whose expression clearly read, ‘What exactly was I supposed to have noticed? I had no idea.’

He explained that after five years of non-stop work since The Cataclysm, he wished to rest quietly, but didn’t want to spend it meaninglessly. Then he learned that Han Ji-su was suffering from Guide Rampage, and since he possessed skills that could be helpful, and Kim Hyun-ah was looking for a reliable Esper, he volunteered.

He confessed that the reason he deliberately concealed his identity was that he was worried Han Ji-su wouldn’t be able to rest properly due to the burden if he knew he was Jung Ha-jin, so he had conspired with Kim Hyun-ah.

“…That…”

“It’s true.”

“…Uh, um… right… you’re a fan… and you volunteered…”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Han Ji-su was bewildered. Based on the explanation, there wasn’t any grand reason. It simply sounded like Jung Ha-jin was a fan of Loveis Han Ji-su, knew his condition wasn’t good, and volunteered to take a break. That made him even more confused.

‘He doesn’t seem like a fan at all, but let’s put that aside. He’s an S-rank, for goodness’ sake… Is this really okay?’

As Han Ji-su thought that, it suddenly occurred to him what did it matter if he was S-rank. Before being an Awakened, he was a person. Whatever he did during his rest was Jung Ha-jin’s choice.

And though he didn’t quite realize it himself, it seemed true that he currently needed help. Given that trusted people around him were stepping forward, telling him he had problems and expressing concern that he needed rest.

“Well… yes. I understand, for now. I’m a little bewildered, but… um… yes. Thank you for your concern…”

“Not at all. I sincerely hope Guide Han Ji-su gets better.”

“…Oh, yes… though it feels a bit… undeserved to receive such care…”

Han Ji-su said, feeling awkward and at a loss for words. Jung Ha-jin shook his head with a serious expression.

“It’s not undeserved. Though they still say Guide Rampage symptoms haven’t been proven, I think differently. Not everything in the world needs to be visible to exist.”

“…”

“It might seem like meddling, but I wanted to help Guide Han Ji-su.”

“…Ah…”

Startled by a sudden memory, Han Ji-su pressed his lips together, unsure how to respond.

‘…I had forgotten because there were so many Guide suicides…’

Something he had completely forgotten due to its frequency came to mind. The man sitting opposite him was an Esper who had lost his paired Guide, with an 88% Matching Rate, three years ago.

Jung Ha-jin’s paired Guide, who had suffered from Guide Rampage symptoms and indescribable depression and lethargy, ended their own life at home while Jung Ha-jin was in an S-rank Dungeon, leaving a letter of apology to Jung Ha-jin.

Even now, Guide Rampage symptoms aren’t fully recognized, but back then, it was far worse. When Guides became lethargic and struggled, they would first face criticism from their colleagues, and then the rumors would leak out, becoming public on the internet, leading to widespread social condemnation.

Among them, Jung Ha-jin’s paired Guide was attacked particularly severely, perhaps due to their fame. Internet news relentlessly mentioned their name daily, questioning how an SS-rank Esper’s partner could take a break due to burnout.

As such news poured out, citizens condemned them as lacking mental fortitude in various online communities. Vicious comments were posted daily on their SNS, which they had created but rarely used, eventually forcing them to block all comments, but the criticism continued everywhere.

Of course, Jung Ha-jin always showed consideration for his paired Guide, ensuring they rested sufficiently, and publicly stated that it was his recommendation. Despite this, the arrows of criticism flew precisely towards his Guide.

They were denounced for living comfortably as an SS-rank Esper’s paired Guide, accused of being overly dramatic about their struggles while others endured, and treated as a weak, mentally deficient being.