Declaration Of Extra Strike

 

“What? Why squeeze in here? I gave you a spacious room.”

 

That room was bigger, and the bed there was plenty comfortable for him to use alone. Why did he have to come to my room?

 

‘Wait, did he somehow figure out that my bed is more luxurious than the guest room one?’

 

I looked at him with suspicion, and Han Seo-jin patted the empty spot next to him, signaling for me to lie down. Crossing my arms, I shook my head.

 

“No way. We can’t sleep together.”

 

“Why not?”

 

“Because there’s no reason for us to sleep together.”

 

“Of course, there is. You’re my guide.”

 

“Not anymore.”

 

A look of deep disappointment darkened his handsome face. Han Seo-jin got up from the bed and stepped toward me, his voice dropping to a softer tone.

 

“Who says that? That you’re not my guide anymore?”

 

“I did… Hey, Seo-jin…”

 

“You’re the only guide for me, hyung. I left the Center because I wanted to do what you wanted, not because I was giving up on you.”

 

Now standing right in front of me, Han Seo-jin’s serious eyes locked onto mine. I opened my mouth but could only manage to silently gape for a moment before finally finding my voice.

 

“I already made you the guiding potion.”

 

“Thank you for that. Thanks to the potion, I can imprint with you regardless of rank, and isn’t that a good thing?”

 

There he went again, talking about imprinting. Even though I wasn’t an expert, I understood enough about what imprinting meant between an Esper and a Guide. And that was precisely why I couldn’t give in to his request. Firmly coming to that conclusion, I steeled myself. Han Seo-jin took my hand and began absentmindedly tracing over my empty knuckles, grumbling.

 

“We always slept together before. What’s the big deal? We even shared a bed last night. What’s different about adding just one more night?”

 

“Well, that’s… No. It’s not the same.”

 

I said, catching myself as I almost got sucked into his argument. I quickly pulled my hand away from his grasp.

 

Yes, back when we stayed at the dorms, we often shared a bed. So, I could understand how sudden this must seem from his perspective. But this wasn’t the Center anymore; this was

my

workshop. 

 

Here, I was not just a Guide, but Potion Master Joo Ho-hyun. Plus, I couldn’t let anyone here find out I was a Guide. If word got out that I’d shared a bed with Han Seo-jin, it was obvious how everyone would interpret that.

 

‘Everyone would just assume I’m gay!’

 

Technically, that wouldn’t be wrong, since Joo Ho-hyun did have a past relationship with Ryu Su-yoon. But still, I wasn’t looking to spark unnecessary misunderstandings. Thinking about how disastrous the situation could become, I pressed my lips together firmly.

 

“No way. This isn’t the Center, and nobody can know I was a Guide. Go sleep in your own room.”

 

“As expected…….wasn’t like that.”

 

“What?”

 

I wasn’t sure what Han Seo-jin had murmured earlier, but before I could question it further, he looked up at me with a soft smile, as if nothing had happened. He gently grabbed my hand and tried to guide me.

 

“It’s nothing, hyung. How about I just stay until you fall asleep? That’s allowed, right?”

 

“Yeah, I guess that’s fine.”

 

“Come on, lie down. It’s already past one in the morning. Do you always stay up this late making potions?”

 

“Well, if you’d left sooner, I’d have been in bed by now.”

 

He just shook his head and lifted the covers from the spot he had just been lying in, as if to urge me. I ducked under his arm and slipped into the warm space where he’d left his faint heat behind.

 

“Good night.”

 

“Yeah. Now hurry up and leave.”

 

“I’ll go once you’re asleep,.”

 

“Always so headstrong…” 

 

I closed my eyes and fell asleep. But as I lay there, I felt the gentle touch of his hand smoothing over my hair.

 

***

 

I had anticipated that a four-way meeting would be a headache, but I never imagined it would be this intense.

 

Just as he promised, Seong San-ha arrived at the workshop at the crack of dawn, bringing Lee Cho along with him. When the door opened and he stepped inside, everyone in the lobby was stunned, staring at him in disbelief. 

 

It was no wonder: today, Sung San-ha looked exceptionally dazzling. Unlike his usual attempts to dress plainly and avoid drawing attention, he wore a sharp black suit and an elegant, luxurious cape. His appearance was so striking and different that he almost seemed like a stranger.

 

Seong San-ha scanned the room before his gaze landed on me, and he approached with a smile.

 

“Good morning.”

 

“……..Where are you going?” 

 

Seong San-ha glanced up at the second floor, where Han Seo-jin and Park Mu-il had emerged, then leaned in with a playful grin and whispered,

 

“Let’s just call it a bit of… intimidation. How do I look?”

 

I frowned, confused by his words, and took in his outfit once more. Sure, he looked new and striking, incredibly handsome even. And I had to admit, it suited him extremely well. But the mischievous gleam in his eyes annoyed me, and I had no desire to give him the response he was fishing for. I turned on my heel with a huff.

 

“…Yeah, it looks good. But didn’t you say we’re short on time? Let’s head up.”

 

Leaving behind the wide-eyed stares of Jeong-hyuk, Ha-yeon, and Ha-jeong, who seemed dazed by Seong San-ha’s presence, we made our way to the office on the second floor. Once Su-cheol had brought refreshments and closed the door behind him, the office, which usually felt spacious, suddenly seemed claustrophobic.

 

I sat in the main chair and glanced around. To my left were Han Seo-jin and Park Mu-il, and to my right were Seong San-ha and Lee Cho. The tension in the room was palpable, and Seong San-ha, sipping his tea with one leg crossed, made sure to mutter loud enough for everyone to hear.

 

“Conversations like this should be held among people of a certain caliber. It’s hard to share sensitive matters with just anyone. Perhaps if you brought the head of the association…”

 

Han Seo-jin’s expression hardened, his face turning cold.

 

“I’m the one responsible for this case. Besides, if I recall correctly, I have more experience than you.”

 

“I have no interest in talking to a child. Bring someone senior.”

 

“You’re not that much older. Stop acting so superior.”

 

Their pointed exchange filled the room with an icy tension. Park Mu-il’s face turned rigid, and Lee Cho closed his eyes with a strained expression, clearly uncomfortable. But neither Seong San-ha nor Han Seo-jin seemed inclined to stop their verbal sparring.

 

“If you recognize that I’m young, then why don’t you step back? Your ulterior motives are so dirty and underhanded, it’s hard to stomach. I hear you even snuck into the Center to pull some shady tricks.”

 

“People tend to call that an invitation. Maybe you should reconsider who’s really throwing a tantrum here. Just because you cling onto something doesn’t mean it’s yours. And besides, he’s not even your type in the first place.”

 

“The same goes for you. And I know better than anyone what

you

really like.”

 

“Do you really?”

 

The conversation had taken a bizarre and uncomfortable turn, and I couldn’t just stand by anymore. I had to intervene.

 

“What the hell are you two doing? What kind of nonsense are you spouting?”

 

“He’s being disrespectful.”

 

“And he’s being arrogant.”

 

“Are you two joking? We’re here to cooperate on the Novarion issue, remember? If you have no intention of doing that, then both of you can leave.”

 

At my reprimand, Han Seo-jin pressed his lips into a thin line and turned his head away sharply, while Seong San-ha shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. Letting out a sigh, I leaned back against the armrest and turned to face Seong San-ha.

 

“The Center has been investigating Novarion. I told you already, that place is shady as hell. But you got fooled by that jerk, Fa- Kang Eui-jin, and—”

 

“What I’m more curious about is how you found out about it, Ho-hyun.”

 

“………..At our hotel. I overheard you talking with Kang Eui-jin.”

 

“So you were tailing me, is that what you’re saying?”

 

“What hotel?”

 

Seong San-ha ignored Han Seo-jin, leaning in slightly as he clasped my wrist. His fingers were firm but his smile remained gentle, as if the tension in the room didn’t exist. His voice dropped to a softer tone as he asked.

 

“Tell me, Ho-hyun, what exactly did you hear?”

 

“I thought you were asleep and just stepped out for a bit. You were tired from all the trouble that day.”

 

“I got plenty of rest. I was fine.”

 

“You should’ve relaxed and waited for me. There was still plenty to do once I got back.”

 

“Hyung, what are you two talking about?”

 

“Uh? It’s nothing serious.”

 

“Joo Ho-hyun!” 

 

Han Seo-jin shouted, unable to hold back, but Park Mu-il quickly intervened and restrained him. I stared at them, puzzled.

 

It really

wasn’t

a big deal. I didn’t see the point in giving a detailed explanation—that I couldn’t sleep that night after drinking too much wine at a promotional event, and that when Kang Eui-jin came to visit Seong San-ha, I ended up following them. That would be overkill. 

 

Wondering if something else was wrong, I tapped Han Seo-jin lightly on the arm and asked, “Is there something bothering you?”

 

“Yes, because of

someone

.”

 

‘Is this guy seriously getting annoyed at me?’ 

 

I wondered, scratching my head awkwardly. Meanwhile, Han Seo-jin barely managed to suppress his frustration after a quiet word from Park Mu-il. He glared even more icily at Seong San-ha.

 

“The Center is currently investigating a cult.”

 

“A cult? Are you suggesting that Novarion is connected to some religious organization?”

 

Seong San-ha’s muttered comment earned a nod from Han Seo-jin, and the way he did it was undeniably rude. I glanced at Seong San-ha to see his reaction, and it was even worse. He was wearing the most infuriatingly smug smile! With a patronizing tone, Sung San-ha praised Han Seo-jin condescendingly.

 

“You put in some effort, I see. For the Center, that’s quite impressive.”

 

“Ha, what the…!”

 

“But you’re still way off. It seems the Center doesn’t have a clue about their true motives. Why should we bother aligning with you when there’s no apparent benefit for us?” 

 

“That’s exactly what we should be saying to

you

. Chasing after the illusions without understanding the real threat? It’s beyond pathetic. And worse, it seems you’re being played right now. I guess the glory of Cheon Rang is ancient history. Must be the fault of bad leadership.”

 

“This isn’t just a simple conspiracy. There are layers to this that you’ll never grasp if you keep looking at it so narrowly.”

 

“Don’t worry about that. We know more about these tangible enemies than you ever will—like the constellations Castor and Hamal.”

 

At the mention of those names, Seong San-ha’s gaze drifted to me, and I quickly waved my hands in denial.

 

“I didn’t tell him! Han Seo-jin just figured it out on his own. And it’s really nothing, just some names…” 

 

I tried to deflect the topic, worried that Sung San-ha might hold me accountable for sharing sensitive information. “More importantly, did you two come here just to argue?”

 

“I didn’t say anything! Han Seo-jin figured it out on his own. It’s nothing special, just some names… Anyway, did you two come here just to fight?”

 

I hurriedly changed the subject, worried that Seong San-ha might bring up the binding oath.

 

“We should be working together to catch them as soon as possible, and here you are showing off who’s better. If this keeps up, I’ll be the one to die first!”

 

For some reason, Han Seo-jin seemed to interpret my frantic outburst differently. He took my left hand and said, “The Center is chasing after the cult, so you don’t need to worry. I’ll protect you.”

 

Before Han Seo-jin even finished speaking, Seong San-ha grabbed my other hand and pulled me towards him. “I’ll make sure you’re never forced into something you don’t want ever again. Once this is over, let’s go on that trip we promised. Just the two of us.”

 

“Goddammit, that’s not what I meant!” 

 

With both hands held, I yelled, barely managing to swallow back the real thoughts I couldn’t voice.

 

‘These bastards. It’s because of my quest. My quest!!’

Flo here!

The updates are now every Monday and Friday!

Make sure to support the author on ridibooks! It's free chapter a day, so even if you don't understand Korean, just click it to support them! Also, consider buying me kofi if you like my translations~