“...When did you even see me?”

“I also watched the footage of you speaking with Aaron. The way you calmly dismissed his nonsense and responded with poise and composure... I couldn’t help falling for you.”

He looked straight into my eyes—almost too directly—and explained the reasons he'd fallen in love.

But that made him fall for me?

“...Are you blaming me for the conflict with your brother?”

I asked, wondering if this was some kind of indirect dig, but David shook his head.

“No. I’ve lost all affection for him. There’s a limit to how much disgrace one can bring to a family. I don’t even want to see his face. Grandfather’s been insisting I get him out, but I’ve been ignoring him.”

Even if Aaron had lost all value as a Guide due to his Dust addiction, the Han family still had David. There were long-standing criticisms that the Han family was weaker in practical ability compared to their rank, but David was the exception—an S-rank Esper with unmatched skill, even by American standards.

If David offered to help with gate raids or pledged loyalty to the U.S. or Italian governments, those governments would probably go out of their way to have Aaron extradited. But he must’ve refused.

In the original novel Swamp of the Guide, Aaron’s selfish and villainous nature wasn’t publicly known, but this time was different. The scandal involving Professor Oh and Aaron made international headlines. The Royal Family’s reputation plummeted. Their reality show and related businesses reportedly took catastrophic losses.

Aaron had crossed the line, and it looked like David had finally given up on him.

Come to think of it, in the original, when David had tried to avenge Aaron, it wasn’t really about affection. He was more furious that a “provincial Beta” like me had insulted his family name.

Either way, it seemed he wasn’t here for revenge this time.

But falling in love at first sight? That was even worse.

“Still, I suppose I should be grateful. If not for this incident, I might never have found a jewel like you.”

David reached for my hand and tried to kiss the back of it.

Startled, I pulled away.

“In case you forgot, I’m a Beta.”

David was even more obsessed with traits than Aaron. He was a notorious Casanova who only slept with Omegas—even for one-night stands.

He never saw Betas as romantic options. That was a huge relief.

“Before your brilliance, such things lose all meaning.”

“....”

“I now realize that everything before this wasn’t love. I didn’t know until I saw you.”

How could he say something so cringeworthy with such a straight face?

“I wanted to fly to Korea the moment I saw you. But reality got in the way.”

You mean you were afraid of being questioned by investigators if you came to Korea. Not that I was complaining—but stop acting like you’re a tragic romantic lead.

“And now we’ve met here in Aquilus. It must be fate, right?”

“I’m here with Esper Joo Seunghyuk.”

Publicly, Seunghyuk and I were in a relationship. Maybe that hadn’t reached the U.S. yet, but David—Aaron’s brother—had to know.

“Just because there’s a goalkeeper doesn’t mean I can’t score. You moved on from Park Gunwoo to Joo Seunghyuk—now it’s my turn.”

Like brother, like brother. Same brand of arrogance.

“There’s a misunderstanding. I never dated Park Gunwoo.”

“Doesn’t matter. Just give me a chance. Someone like Seunghyuk is too small a vessel for you.”

He was just as impossible to talk to.

David was an S-rank Esper, a superior Alpha, and a globally famous celebrity. His stunning looks had earned him a string of flings.

But none of that mattered. No matter how bad Aaron had been, this guy was somehow worse. I couldn’t feel even a shred of attraction.

If anything, talking to him made me miss Seunghyuk.

“You’re being rude. Esper Joo Seunghyuk isn’t someone you can insult. If we’re done here, I’ll be leaving.”

If he wouldn’t go, then I would.

I bowed briefly and stood. But then David suddenly grabbed for me.

“Yeonsu—ugh!”

Before he could even touch me, he was thrown backward. My eyes widened when I saw who had attacked him. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

“Seunghyuk...!”

“Are you okay, hyung?”

Seunghyuk wrapped his arms around my shoulder.

“Yeah.”

“Sorry I’m late.”

“No, I’m really fine.”

David stood up, brushing dust off his slacks and glaring at Seunghyuk. His mana surged violently, but Seunghyuk’s power completely overwhelmed him.

Tension filled the room as the two S-ranks clashed with invisible force. The hotel guards were too frozen to intervene. Everyone in the café was staring.

If the two of them really fought, the entire café would be obliterated. And if other Espers got involved, the damage would be catastrophic.

Only one person could stop this.

“Stop!”

I shouted firmly. Both men looked at me.

“David Han-ssi. I’m currently in a relationship with Esper Joo Seunghyuk. I’ll pretend today’s incident never happened.”

“...What a pity.”

David was the first to pull his mana back.

“Then may I at least have your contact info? I’d like to become your friend.”

“I’m not one for ambiguous friendships. Sorry.”

I took Seunghyuk’s hand and turned away.

“Seunghyuk, let’s go.”

“...Okay.”

He followed without protest. But even once we reached the room, he hadn’t fully let go of his mana.

Still, no matter how angry he got, I knew now—he’d never turn that anger toward me.

As long as I didn’t run away again...

“Seunghyuk, thank you for coming. I really hated that guy.”

I entwined my fingers with his and looked him in the eyes.

“You hated him?”

“Yeah.”

“Why?”

“He was rude.”

At that, Seunghyuk’s expression stiffened.

What...? Did I say something wrong?

“Seunghyuk? What’s wrong?”

“...I’m rude too.”

“...”

So he had noticed.

“Hyung... do you hate me too?”

He looked at me with eyes full of worry.

“Well, you’re...”

I should say he’s not rude.

That’s the “right” answer. But it felt like too much of a lie to say it out loud.

His eyes trembled.

“What about me...?”

“You’re fine. You’re younger than me. It’s natural to be a little rough around the edges.”

I reached out and gently stroked his hair. Seunghyuk smiled and leaned into my chest.

“Yeah. I’m young. So teach me. Stay with me and show me what I don’t know.”

Just a one-year age gap, yet the shamelessness was unreal. But somehow... it was adorable.

I must be insane.

***

That night was the day of the Aquilus Auction.

“Seunghyuk, are you really going? Can’t you skip it?”

I had assumed he wouldn’t ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) go.

In the original, Do Hyeokjin is murdered and Seunghyuk is framed. I thought he'd use this opportunity to quietly fly back to Korea.

But both he and Do Hyeokjin were still going.

“It’s fine, hyung. I’ve made preparations. There’s nothing to worry about.”

Seunghyuk’s face was calm and confident. I believed in him... but something still felt wrong.

“There’s no reason for you to be there. Seunghyuk, the Nemershield Necklace—it’s fake. I know you don’t trust me fully, but can’t you believe me this once?”

Later in the original novel, it’s revealed that the Nemershield Necklace at this auction was a counterfeit.

It didn’t raise compatibility; it manipulated the measurement machine. Despite its high classification, it had no real utility. It was worthless in practice.

But the con artists were clever. They rebranded the relic as the “Nemershield Necklace” and put it up for auction. It sold for a ridiculous sum.

But if anyone used the necklace, they’d instantly realize it was fake.

So the scammers murdered the winning bidder—Do Hyeokjin—and took the item back, making it look like a robbery.

Some of the scammers were high-level Espers, which is why Do Hyeokjin was caught off guard.

In the end, it was all just a massive scam. Neither Do Hyeokjin nor Seunghyuk had any reason to be there.

“I believe you, hyung.”

“Then why go?”

“There’s something else I have to buy. That’s what I really came for.”

“Not the Nemershield Necklace?”

I had assumed that was what he was after.

A compatibility score above 30% was enough to enable guiding. If he still had rejection issues, he’d need that necklace.

“No. Why would I need something like that? I already have you.”

Seunghyuk smiled sweetly and pulled me into a hug.

So he really didn’t care about the necklace.

Well, if he’d wanted to fix the rejection, he would’ve taken a compatibility test long ago.

“Then what are you buying?”

“That’s a secret.”

He grinned.

Somehow, that smile made me feel uneasy. Maybe it was just me.