* * *
Despite Beom Sinje’s relentless attempts to reach her, his tone remained calm and composed.
“Apologies, Guild Leader Beom. I didn’t realize you’d been calling so much. I had something else occupying my attention and usually keep my phone on silent during those times.”
Ignoring the classical music that had been playing softly in the background, Sarah shamelessly lied.
She knew he wouldn’t catch on anyway.
Her excuse also carried an unspoken reproach—was he really calling her repeatedly without knowing what she was up to?
- I see. Are you available to talk now?
He hadn’t been expecting an apology, but his straightforwardness made her curious.
He wasn’t the type for small talk or casual check-ins.
“Yes, go ahead. What made you call me so persistently at this hour?”
Her voice still carried traces of sarcasm.
She was certain Beom Sinje wouldn’t miss it.
- It’s hard to say who’s more sharp-tongued, you or your boss.
“Is that so?”
Rather than deny it, Sarah acknowledged his observation with a hint of amusement.
- Doyoung fainted from overusing his abilities. He was unconscious for about an hour, woke up briefly, and fell asleep again. I was wondering if you might have any medication that could help.
So that’s why he kept calling.
Upon learning it was about Doyoung, her expression darkened.
“He passed out? How much did he push himself…?”
Concern filled her voice.
- He pulled a grown man up from a three-story height.
Three stories… that’s at least nine meters.
“…Ha. I wasn’t aware his powers had recovered that much. When he first got the medication, he couldn’t even use telekinesis at all.”
- …Is that so?
Sarah didn’t notice the brief hesitation before Beom Sinje responded.
“Yes. At the time, he mentioned that consistent use helped him move towels or small objects with ease. He even asked for a way to speed up the recovery process.”
Perhaps she’d kept too much to herself.
The moment she realized Beom Sinje’s connection to Doyoung, she began revealing information she had held onto alone.
- There’s such a drug?
“Even the best pharmaceuticals can’t restore lost abilities or accelerate growth overnight.”
Sarah’s tone was firm, followed by a sigh.
The former leader always operated beyond normal expectations.
‘Well, that’s how he managed to grow Antithesis and disband it all in one fell swoop.’
She wondered if the day would ever come when she could have an honest conversation with him.
- Doyoung must’ve been training separately.
“Seems so. Guild Leader, you know better than anyone—awakening a power doesn’t automatically make someone proficient at using it. It takes practice.”
Running her fingers through her damp hair, Sarah continued.
“In Korea, we have educational institutions called training academies. Other countries have similar programs.”
She later found out Doyoung infiltrated one of those schools.
Apparently, he wanted to root out potential troublemakers early and ensure the national education system was functioning properly.
‘Of course, someone like him would have the guts to take on government agencies.’
“In Korea, they established educational institutions called nurturing training schools, and other countries have academies with similar curriculums.”
Doyoung’s reason for infiltrating the school left her speechless when she later found out.
He had been trying to weed out potential troublemakers early and ensure the national education system ran properly.
‘It figures someone like him could pull that off against government agencies.’
Doyoung probably created the antithesis to confront the government agencies opposing the establishment of private enterprises.
At first, he must have wandered, unsure of what to do because he was too young…
‘Though for someone like that, he seemed a bit too intense and blinded by revenge at the start.’
Well, whatever.
By the time she met Doyoung, he was the most ideal boss she could imagine, so what did it matter what he was like before?
- The issue is that he doesn’t recognize his limits and overdoes it.
“That’s true. He does have… a tendency for that.”
- This time is no different. He didn’t need to step in; things would have resolved on their own. Did he think that would make people appreciate him?
As she listened to Beom Sinje, Sarah felt she could almost pinpoint who exactly this “grown man” he kept referring to was.
Of course, she had a hunch from the moment he brought it up.
“If it was no one else but the Guild Master… I guess his actions make a little more sense.”
Thinking about how uncharacteristically Doyoung acted when it involved Beom Sinje, it was hard to deny.
Then, Sarah suddenly recalled the long message Park Bora had sent before she contacted Beom Sinje.
[Did you know you’re dating the Chunho Guild Master? I nearly fainted when I heard that. When did you two even start? When he disappeared, we all tried so hard to find him, but turns out the Chunho Guild Master brought him back? Has it been since then? Is that why you live together? I heard you’re working as his secretary now—does that mean it’s an office romance? I’m seriously shocked. Why didn’t you tell me sooner?]
The text, crammed with characters, felt full of Park Bora’s frustration.
Sarah let out a long sigh after reading it.
‘It’s fine for adults to date. But could they at least not make it so obvious in front of others?’
Apparently, that was too much to ask of those two.
Even the stiff, aloof Chunho Guild Master subtly revealed his feelings in such ways.
“And I get the Guild Master’s worries too. When I used to work with him, there were times I wished he’d take better care of himself first.”
- He can be reckless.
“Exactly. I kept telling him to delegate to his subordinates, but he insists on stepping in personally. Even when we say we’ve got it covered, he can’t relax until he checks. When will he ever fix that exhausting personality?”
It was the first time a deep sense of camaraderie formed between the two as they bonded over their shared frustration with Doyoung.
- Don’t worry. I’ll make sure that never happens again.
“…Ah.”
Sarah let out an involuntary chuckle.
She found herself laughing softly for a while before composing herself.
“Alright, I’ll count on you. Honestly, I’ve always hoped someone would be by his side, and if it’s you, I feel reassured.”
- I would’ve done well even without you asking.
How does he always have a comeback?
Then again, maybe that’s why someone like him could handle the stubborn Doyoung.
“Of course. That’s why I trust you even more. I don’t have any remedies, but if there’s anything you need, just let me know.”
- Funny you mention it—I was planning to bring something up.
As if he had been waiting for her to say that, Beom Sinje spoke swiftly, and Sarah’s eyes gleamed with curiosity as she listened.
* * *
