Chapter 148 – GOY 148

#148

“I ​was ​incredibly ​nervous ​back ​then ​when they said ​they ​were ​going ​to ​test the matching rate ​between ​you and Jin-hwan.”

Unlike ​me, Park Geon-woo ​seemed ​to ​be ​immersed ​in ​pleasant memories. Did ​he ​not ​remember what his ​father had said to ​me that ​day?

Well, it’s ​usually the ​one who ​was ​hit ​who remembers, while ​the one ​who did the hitting ​forgets. Though, to be ​precise, Park Geon-woo wasn’t ​the one ​who ​actually struck me…

“I see.”

While I gave ​a lukewarm response, the ​final ​door ​opened, ​and ​Jin-hwan came into ​view.

I’ve heard ​that ​many people are ​flustered ​when they see Jin-hwan in ​person. I ​was ​no exception.

Since it ​is ​a ​tool ​capable ​of measuring ​immense ​amounts of ​mana in an instant, people expect it ​to be massive, ​but Jin-hwan’s actual ​size was quite modest. ​It was ​slightly smaller than ​a ​volleyball.

Of course, this ​information has become ​public knowledge ​recently. ​It’s been ​covered ​extensively on ​TV ​and YouT*. ​However, ​even ​those who know ​the ​information about ​Jin-hwan ​cannot ​help ​but be surprised by the sight unfolding before them.

The most famous photos of Jin-hwan were unauthorized copyof it being kept Read on Read BL Novelsin [visit our site]Gyeongbokgung Palace in the early 1900s.

Since the establishment of the Republic of Korea’s government, it had rarely been disclosed to the public. Because of this, people tended to associate Jin-hwan with a classical image of the Joseon Dynasty.

However, the current Jin-hwan was surrounded by all sorts of cutting-edge equipment, boasting a visual that looked more like a sci-fi movie than a historical drama.

As we arrived, the security equipment surrounding Jin-hwan was deactivated. However, the wires connected to the bottom of Jin-hwan emitted a bright light. The wires led to the computer room in the right corner. Through the glass window, a portion of a massive computer was visible. That was the supercomputer that controlled the Hyeonmu Pavilion, and its size and shape were distinctly different from a standard PC.

The computer served not only for Jin-hwan’s security but also for rapidly decoding and recording the data measured by the treasure. It was said that it wasn’t simply a culmination of modern scientific technology, but a work created by combining several other treasures. However, which treasures were used was not visible from where we stood.

“We will now begin the matching rate test. Esper Park Geon-woo, please stand on the right; Guide Lee Yeon-soo, please stand on the left.”

Following the staff member’s instructions, we stood facing each other.

“Please place your right hand on top of Jin-hwan. Spread your entire palm and hold it as if wrapping around Jin-hwan, but you must not apply any pressure.”

“Yes.”

“Understood.”

Park Geon-woo and I placed our hands up while listening to the staff member’s precautions. Then, a blue light surged up from Jin-hwan before quickly disappearing.

“The test is complete. Please remove your hands.”

As we pulled our hands away, the staff member looked toward the computer room and spoke.

“The results will be out shortly, so please wait a moment.”

Aside from the process of getting to Jin-hwan, the test itself was much simpler than a machine.

After waiting for about ten minutes, the computer room door opened, and a young male employee wearing glasses stepped out.

“It is 77.210%.”

He spoke in an utterly dry voice.

77% was a very high figure for an S-Class, but it was 8% lower than it had been in the past.

“The figure has changed significantly. Did something happen because of the attack this morning?”

It would be a serious problem if something had actually happened to Jin-hwan. Park Geon-woo’s expression, which had been relaxed until a moment ago, stiffened noticeably.

“No. The result is accurate. The figure changed because the matching rate between the two of you has dropped.”

The male employee answered in a stiff, visit our site[Read on Read BL Novels]robot-like tone and then disappeared back into the computer room. Consequently, the atmosphere turned chilly.

“We must prepare for the next matching rate measurement. Let’s go.”

The staff member beside us glanced at us for a moment, but without any words of consolation, they proceeded to prepare for the next test.

We followed the staff member. As we left the space where Jin-hwan was located, the first door closed.

“Guide Lee Yeon-soo, please wait here for a moment, and Esper Park Geon-woo, please wait in the car.”

“…Understood.”

Park Geon-woo stared at my face. He looked as if he had something to say to me, but in the end, he kept his mouth shut and strode away.

As Park Geon-woo left with the staff member, the door on the opposite side opened and then closed again.

I was left all alone in a space filled with Barriers. But is it really okay to leave me alone? What if I were to target Jin-hwan? Aren’t they too lacking in vigilance?

Well, although there’s no one physically in front of me, they’re probably monitoring me via CCTV or mana.

And even if I did target Jin-hwan, I wouldn’t be a threat at all…

As I stood still, recalling the Read on Read BL Novelsresults of the matching rate test with Park Geon-woo, the Read on Read BL Novelsdoor opened and Joo Seung-hyuk entered with a staff member.

“Seung-hyuk-ah.”

“Hyung, why do you look so upset?”

“Well…”

I couldn’t bring myself to speak. As I bit my lower lip, the staff member spoke.

“I will check if the test preparations are ready.”

She bowed slightly and entered the area where Jin-hwan was.

Even though she was only going in for a quick check, the heavy door opened and closed again.

“Did something happen?”

Joo Seung-hyuk looked at my face without even glancing at the staff member.

“…My matching rate with Park Sunbae dropped by 8% compared to before.”

“Are you sad because your matching rate with that bastard dropped?”

Joo Seung-hyuk’s voice instantly turned cold. In the past, I would have trembled, but now I know.

He isn’t angry at me. And I was certain that Joo Seung-hyuk would not harm me.

“It’s not that, I’m just scared… What if my matching rate with you drops too?”

“Are you worried that the matching rate with me might drop?”

“Yes. I am.”

“Don’t worry. That won’t happen.”

Joo Seung-hyuk looked straight into my eyes. How could he be so certain?

“Do you think so…?”

“Yes. It will come out well. And even if it doesn’t, it doesn’t matter.”

“Still, I hope it doesn’t drop.”

“Why? Do you think I’ll change just because the matching rate is low?”

“No.”

I shook my head. I didn’t think he would turn away from me just because the matching rate dropped. I trust him now. But…

“Still, I want to be a source of strength for you.”

Regardless of his feelings, I wanted the matching rate to be high. I wanted to be a Guide that Joo Seung-hyuk could be proud of.

“Those words alone are enough for me.”

Joo Seung-hyuk’s gaze was steady. My face was the only thing reflected in his exceptionally large pupils.

I carefully reached my hand toward his hair. I had always wanted to pet him, but I had been too afraid to actually do it, as if I were touching the nose of a wild beast.

Finally, my hand touched Joo Seung-hyuk’s hair. His hair was soft and felt fluffy because it was so thick. I stroked the jet-black hair. Then, Joo Seung-hyuk looked up at me intently.

Was he annoyed that I touched his hair so casually?

Feeling timid, I tried to pull my hand away quickly, but he gave a small smile and lowered his head. It was as if he were telling me that it was okay to pet him more.

A smile naturally formed on my lips as well.

“Seung-hyuk-ah, let’s get the test done quickly today and eat something delicious.”

The Inspector General had only asked to check if there were any abnormalities with Jin-hwan through the matching rate and mana measurements; he hadn’t requested cooperation in catching the culprit. This meant our job ended here.

“Are you hungry? Do you want to go right now?”

“No, not exactly. There’s something I really want to tell you over the meal.”

Once the test was over, I was going to confess my feelings to Joo Seung-hyuk. It didn’t matter what the result was. I was going to pour out all my sincerity to him.

“What is it?”

His pupils trembled. He was worried about what I was going to say. I smiled even more brightly and brushed back his hair.

“Something I really want to say. And something I hope will make you happy.”

“I guess we should eat soon.”

He gripped my hand tightly. I also squeezed his hand back.

Just then, the door slid open and the staff member approached.

“The matching rate test preparations are complete. Please come this way.”

We followed the staff member’s guidance and went inside.

It had been a while since Joo Seung-hyuk had seen Jin-hwan. However, he didn’t seem particularly moved even after seeing the Republic of Korea’s New National Treasure No. 1.

“We will now begin the matching rate test. Esper Joo Seung-hyuk, please stand on the right; Guide Lee Yeon-soo, please stand on the left.”

We stood facing each other. Then, the staff member continued with the exact same script as before.

“Please place your right hand on top of Jin-hwan. Spread your entire palm and hold it as if wrapping around Jin-hwan, but you must not apply any pressure.”

It seemed there was a set manual for conducting the matching rate test.

As I was about to place my hand on Jin-hwan, a different kind of tension than before welled up inside me.

“Phew.”

As I took a deep breath, the corners of Joo Seung-hyuk’s mouth curled up.

“Don’t worry.”

“Okay.”

Hearing his words made me feel a bit more at ease.

Looking into each other’s eyes, we placed our hands on Jin-hwan side by side.

At that moment, a red light began to emanate from Jin-hwan.

‘Why is it red?’

I had heard that when measuring mana, Jin-hwan emits green for Espers and yellow for Guides, and when measuring the matching rate, it emits a blue light…?

And that was indeed the case. When my mana was tested, it was yellow, and when the matching rate with Park Geon-woo was tested, it was blue. But why on earth…?

While I was wondering, the red light spread and filled the entire space.