Declaration Of Extra Strike

 

“What do you mean, they’re done for?!”

 

I couldn’t help but speak up, prompting Seung-yeon to quickly cover the microphone.

 

“Ho-hyun nim, please…!”

 

“Sorry, sorry.”

 

I gestured that I would stay quiet. Meanwhile, the voice of the researcher from the center continued to spill out.

 

[Remember the poisoning incident on your last day? It was chaotic after that. Investigation units from the central office came down and settled in, related personnel resigned in droves, and the Raven team? They were wiped out. 

 

I’ve never seen a team vanish so completely. The team leader was demoted to some unknown island, and the team members were scattered to remote areas. They even recalled former members for punishment. The main guide, who was a suspect, is still on trial. The higher-ups won’t let it go. I suspect there was external pressure. For a while, it was terrifying to even pass by the main building.]

 

I recalled the last time I saw Han Seo-jin. It made sense now why he was with an external team—because his team had disbanded. While the team leader’s situation was somewhat expected, it was unsettling to hear that even members like Ga-in noona and Woo Ha-yoon, who had little to do with the incident, were affected. It had been a while since I thought of their faces. Although I knew Ye Seung-woo would be punished, it was troubling to realize how far-reaching the consequences were for others. 

 

I shook my head to clear away the distractions. There was nothing I could do about it now, and honestly, I was relieved that Han Seo-jin seemed to be okay.

 

After ending the call with the researcher, I called the center next.

 「Emergency Report 000-9876」 

The number listed on the cooperation request document was for an emergency line that handled complaints and incidents related to dungeons and awakened individuals, available 24/7. 

 

I made an anonymous call inquiring about the ‘Guiding Potion,’ and the dry voice on the other end, probably already overwhelmed with similar calls, asked casually,

 

[Ah, you’re inquiring about the Guiding Potion. Would you prefer a face-to-face meeting?]

 

“No, it needs to be anonymous.”

 

[Alright, in that case, you will have a video meeting with a representative. First, you’ll need to send a sample. Please write the submission number on the package and ensure it is securely packaged. Send it to the Esper-Guide Center, Seoul branch…]

 

The process wasn’t difficult. Sending the sample was straightforward, but the video interview was a challenge…

 

Even though they assured me that anonymity would be maintained and no tracking would occur, I couldn’t trust the center’s desperate words. Given the recent return of Tae Jae-heon, it was better to be cautious.

 

While researching security companies to protect my identity, I found that most were inadequate for dealing with the center. Then, unexpectedly, I found help from an unlikely source.

 

Yang Su-cheol, who had been living halfway in the garden lately, stopped when he saw us calling around to find a security service while passing by with a bag of fertilizer in his arms.

 

“Are you looking for a security service using magic stones? I think I can help. My parents work in that field…”

 

With his usual sheepish look, Yang Su-cheol scratched his head as he spoke. I didn’t expect much, but it turned out that his parents worked at a well-known company in the magic stone tech industry.

 

With their unexpected help, we set up a special security booth in the corner of the office. We packaged several samples of the Guiding Potion with a note containing the booth number and sent them to the Seoul Center.

 

Contrary to my expectation of an immediate response, the booth remained silent for a day or two. One afternoon, when Baek Da-in and Kim Jin-myung had come over to the workshop for lunch and we were chatting away, Baek Da-hye came downstairs, irritated.

 

“Boss, there’s a phone call! It’s so noisy I can’t sleep!”

 

“But there’s no call.”

 

I waved my silent phone around. Then it hit me, and I quickly looked at Yeon Seung-yeon. His wide-eyed expression confirmed my suspicion, and we jumped up.

 

“It’s here! Noona, Jin-myung, we need to go upstairs!”

 

“Sorry, something came up. Please, take your time and enjoy your meal.”

 

When we got upstairs, we heard the phone ringing, just as Baek Da-hye had said. We hadn’t heard it from downstairs. The booth’s screen showed 30 missed calls. As I moved to enter, Yeon Seung-yeon stopped me.

 

“Ho-hyun nim, wait. Let’s make sure everything’s set up…”

 

Yeon Seung-yeon calmly checked the voice modulation and screen obscuration settings before opening the door. 

 

Inside the small, dark booth, I sat down and pressed the button to answer the call. The screen lit up immediately.

 

[Hello!]

 

A voice came through urgently. The screen showed a small, closed-off meeting room with two people inside.

 

[Are you there? Hello, I’m TF Chief executive Han Seo-hyun.]

 

Yeon Seung-yeon, who had agreed to handle the interaction, spoke into the microphone, his modulated voice filling the booth.

 

“Hello. I apologise for the late response.”

 

[It’s okay. We haven’t been waiting long. Are you the producer who sent the guiding potion samples labeled ‘M’?]

 

“Yes, that’s correct.”

 

Watching Yeon Seung-yeon’s trembling hands, I shook my head slightly. While Yeon Seung-yeon who looked nervous answered as he glanced at me, the man next to Han Seo-hyun became excited and asked.

 

[Excuse me, but are you also the one who succeeded in creating it a few days ago?]

 

“Yes, that’s me as well.”

 

[Praise the Lord! Another honor for our country!]

 

[Doctor.]

 

Under Han Seo-hyun’s stern look, the man calmed down. Han Seo-hyun turned to him and said,

 

[Doctor, please explain.]

 

“Yes, although there’s no doubt since the system quest was triggered, we verified through tests with the samples you sent that the guiding effect is substantial and there are no toxins. The only step left is to conduct clinical trials on actual espers.”

 

Clinical trials! 

 

It was a process I was looking forward to. With new potions, hidden abilities or side effects not shown in the status window could exist, so human trials were essential. Of course, my potion had no such side effects, and the trials I’d conducted before were merely for entertainment, watching the terrified Nox lackeys.

 

However, the mention of clinical trials seemed to hit differently for Yeon Seung-yeon, who became even more serious and asked,

 

“The subjects need to be thoroughly vetted.”

 

Taking over the microphone from the doctor, Han Seohyun nodded and spoke with a reassuring look.

 

[You don’t have to worry about safe and reliable SPF. But before that, I’d like to check again if you’re willing to sign a contract with us. It’s a matter we’re very desperate for.]

 

Han Seo-hyun’s words made Yeon Seung-yeon turn off the microphone momentarily and look back at me. Leaning against the wall with my arms crossed, I tilted my head.

 

“What?”

 

“Are you really going to proceed as you mentioned earlier? Selling the recipe instead of manufacturing and supplying it…”

 

“Yeah. Is that disappointing?”

 

Yeon Seung-yeon bit his lip and slowly nodded.

 

“You’ve created such an extraordinary, historically significant potion, but if you sell the recipe without making your name known, you gain nothing—neither fame nor money.”

 

“I’ll be paid.”

 

“It’s not the same as selling it yourself…”

 

“It’s fine. Just answer them. They’re waiting.”

 

As I gestured toward the screen where the two figures seemed puzzled by the sudden silence, Yeon Seung-yeon, looking somewhat resigned, turned the microphone back on and answered.

 

“I will sell the recipe, not supply the product.”

 

[Oh, I see… What? The recipe? Are you serious?]

 

“Yes. The pre-contract will naturally be with Korea, so you don’t have to worry about that. However, as I mentioned, the recipe isn’t complete yet, so we need the center’s support.”

 

[Of course! We will support you as much as you need, with any amount, under any conditions. You have nothing to worry about in that regard.]

 

“Support and anonymity, that’s all we need. Let’s start with the clinical trial today.”

 

[Please wait a moment.]

 

Han Seo-hyun stepped out briefly and returned with someone else a few moments later.

 

“We’ve brought the only safe esper during missions, as requested. This is S-rank Esper Han Seo-jin.”

 

“Han Seo-jin?”

 

Han Seo-jin’s cold gaze glanced at the camera, his expression one I hadn’t expected to see. To my surprise, I let out a gasp, causing Yeon Seung-yeon to quickly mute the microphone and turn to me with a stern face.

 

“Ho, Ho-hyun nim. You mustn’t reveal your identity.”

 

“Sorry. I was startled and couldn’t help it… I’ll keep quiet, so continue.”

 

Yeon Seung-yeon cast a few more uneasy glances my way before turning the microphone back on and speaking again.

 

“Then, please take the potion.”

 

Han Seo-hyun handed the potion bottle to Han Seo-jin, looking at him with a smile. 

 

‘I made this for you, Han Seojin.’

 

Even seeing his stiff, almost icy expression, my heart just fluttered with anticipation. I was sure Han Seo-jin would be delighted. It was sooner than expected, but just watching him take the potion through the screen made all the grueling memories from the dungeon feel almost nostalgic.

 

As the potion bottle was opened, Han Seo-hyun’s surprised expression showed he could sense something different just from the scent. Han Seo-jin held the bottle with a peculiar look and downed the potion in one go.

Han Seo-jin is back T-T. I missed him so much!!!