On the day of Yeonhwa’s departure, not only Doha but also the haughty Director Jeong went to the airport to see her off.
President Lee and the Chairman were too busy to attend, but they had sent lavish gifts.
Director Jeong, an arrogant woman who ran an art museum and treated anyone who didn’t meet her standards as invisible, cared for Yeonhwa as if she were her own daughter—celebrating her birthdays, taking her on trips, and sending her tickets to every special exhibition.
‘Would she have treated me like that if I were his Guide?’
The answer was immediate.
‘Of course not.’
Director Jeong had never shown such warmth to Anya.
The Lee family’s treatment of Dana was far worse than even that.
“Doha, why don’t you form an Exclusive Bond with Yeonhwa?” Director Jeong said in the car, and Dana’s heart froze.
The thing she feared most was becoming a reality.
“If she’s in high school in China, you won’t get guiding as often.
It would be better to form a bond so she can attend school here.
No matter how much China wants to keep her, the UAA will guarantee your right to be together.”
The UAA, the United Awakened Beings Alliance, was an international organization that oversaw the rights of those who were awakened, rendering national borders meaningless for bonded pairs.
Dana’s heart hammered against her ribs.
Every nerve was focused on Doha’s reply, like a sunflower turning to the sun.
“It’s too early.”
“Too early?
She’s an A-rank Guide.
Do you know how many Espers are after her?
China is already trying to pair her with one of their own.”
Doha stared out the window.
“Yeonhwa isn’t interested in that yet.
Even if we did form a bond, it would be after graduation.
Don’t worry about it, and please don’t bring it up again.”
Director Jeong’s brightly painted lips pouted as she met Doha’s sharp gaze in the rearview mirror.
She clearly thought he was being naive but didn’t press the matter.
Ever since Doha had registered with the center, his parents had been careful not to further strain their precarious relationship.
So, Director Jeong took her frustration out on an easier target.
For the rest of the ride, Dana endured her pointless nagging.
“Dana Lee, as soon as we arrive, buy some coffee.
I’m tired; I didn’t have any this morning.”
“Yes, Director,” Dana replied obediently.
“Get one for Yeonhwa, too.”
Dana didn’t reply.
“Answer me.”
“…Yes.”
She hated it, but it was better than usual.
Today was the day Yeonhwa would finally be gone.
At the airport, Director Jeong transformed into a gentle socialite.
“Have a safe trip, dear.
I hope we can meet when I’m in China for business.”
“Of course, Director!
I’ll take you to the best restaurant in Shanghai!” Yeonhwa replied energetically.
Her round face, translucent skin, and cute, cherry-red lips emphasized her adorable features.
Her long, straight hair and slightly short stature inspired a protective instinct.
The simple red dress she wore was surely from a famous designer.
She was a charming beauty.
“Oh, you’re too sweet.”
“I mean it.”
Holding the dripping coffee carrier, Dana stared at the floor.
Just like Doha, Yeonhwa seemed to be from another world.
They suited each other perfectly.
“You two go on ahead,” Doha said to his mother.
“I want to talk with Yeonhwa for a bit.”
“Of course.” Director Jeong watched with a pleased expression as they walked away.
Once they were gone, her gaze fell on Dana, her warmth instantly vanishing.
“Wait here.
I’m going to the restroom.”
“Yes, Director,” Dana replied like a robot.
After the director disappeared, Dana stared after her for a moment before her feet began to move, turning her in the direction Doha and Yeonhwa had gone.
As she neared a corner, she heard a voice and froze, pressing her back against the wall.
“Want to go out with me?” It was Doha.
His tone was light, but it was a confession.
The world turned yellow, and her head spun.
Every fiber of her being strained to hear Yeonhwa’s answer.
‘Of course, she’ll say yes.’
As she bit her lip, Yeonhwa spoke.
“I… I like Mujin.”
Dana’s eyes widened.
She almost gasped.
It was absurd.
‘Mujin Park?
The heir of the Park family?’ How could she reject Doha’s confession?
And for someone else?
It was beyond comprehension.
Forgetting that Doha had just been rejected, Dana felt a surge of indignation on his behalf.
Logically, she should have been relieved, but she felt as slighted as if she were the one who had been turned down.
She knew how well Doha had treated Yeonhwa.
He personally chose her birthday gifts and never missed her piano recitals.
He had even practiced the piano, an instrument he already enjoyed, more diligently because of her.
How could anyone like someone else while receiving the favor of Doha, whose smile alone was enchanting?
“Can we… still be friends?” Yeonhwa hesitantly asked.
Dana scoffed.
Yeonhwa was either impossibly naive or cunning.
Contrary to her thoughts, Doha chuckled.
“What if we can’t?”
“That’s a relief, Doha.”
Doha was quiet for a moment.
“I like you too… as a friend,” she stated.
Leaving the sound of Yeonhwa’s light, relieved laughter behind, Dana fled.
If Doha found out she had been listening, he wouldn’t let it slide with a smile.
Not after being rejected by his first love.
Instead, Dana wanted to kill Yeonhwa.
More than she had when she first saw them in an embrace.
In the car on the way back, Director Jeong chattered on a work call while Doha just stared out the window.
He was clearly thinking about Yeonhwa.
Dana turned to look out the other window, an ache in her chest.
Yet even so, she felt a profound sense of relief that Yeonhwa was no longer in the country.
She clasped her hands and prayed.
‘Please don’t ever come back.’
And so, Yeonhwa left for China.
But, to Dana’s dismay, she and Doha never completely grew apart.
As promised, Yeonhwa periodically visited Korea for him.
They mostly met at the Awakened Center, but sometimes she would come to the house, and the sound of their laughter would drift over the wall.
On those days, Dana would pretend to water the lawn, leaning against the wall to eavesdrop.
The Doha who spoke with Yeonhwa was like a stranger, and though it felt awful, she couldn’t stop listening.
And she would find herself wishing again—that she weren’t a Contaminant, that she were the daughter of a wealthy family.
The thoughts tormented her, filling her with guilt toward herself and her parents.
Then one day, a C-rank Gate opened on the Lee family’s ancestral mountain.
It happened just as Yeonhwa’s visit was delayed due to personal matters.
‘Crash!’
“I-I’m sorry, Young Master!
I’ll clean it up right away!”
“Stop.
Just get out.
Don’t make a racket.” Doha chased the employee out, his voice sharp and devoid of its usual composure.
“Damn it…”
‘Someone make this noise stop.’ His sensitivity had returned, so acute he couldn’t even stand the sound of a human heartbeat.
He allowed no one near him except for Dana.
And at that very moment, a Gate had opened.
The ancestral mountain was directly behind the main house.
There wasn’t enough time to wait for help from the center in Seoul.
If they weren’t careful, low-rank demon beasts would storm Yangundang itself.
“Can’t you do something?” Director Jeong cried.
“If it were an E-rank Gate, perhaps, but C-rank is too dangerous.
We’ll do our best to keep them from reaching the house,” replied Jin Yang, her C-rank Esper bodyguard.
He and Mr.
Joo, now treated as a has-been, stepped forward, but the Gate’s range was too wide for two people to contain.
Soon, demon beasts were swarming at the doorstep.
“Doha!
What should we do?!”
At his mother’s terrified cry, Doha gave a savage smile.
There was no other way.
He had to drag his ailing body out there himself.
Ordering Jin Yang and Mr.
Joo to protect the house, he headed for the Gate.
‘Swoosh!’
A spear of ice formed in the air and pierced the head of a demon beast with chicken wings.
It was the last one.
The area around the Gate was littered with the corpses of creatures Doha had slain single-handedly.
He had cleared a Gate that would have required at least five C-rank Espers.
But the aftereffects of overusing his power were severe.
Chapter 3: Realization
“Ah, ugh.”