Chapter 00 …

“Welcome back to the largest draft show in history, breaking records for scale, value, and speed every year! We can’t wait to see which companies will recruit the most coveted talents this time!”

The circular stadium hosting the draft show was alive with excitement. The host’s voice echoed through the speakers from the stage where dazzling fireworks exploded overhead. At the same time, deafening cheers erupted from the audience.

The stadium, packed with people, was already so full of heat and energy that it felt as if the confetti raining down from above might melt into the air itself.

“Wow…”

In a secluded corner of the stadium, crouched near the inconspicuous F9 entrance, Shin Jaeyoung let out a small gasp of amazement.

The fireworks bursting brilliantly overhead.

The spotlights shooting across the arena.

And the famous Espers and Guides stepping onto the stage.

To him, it all felt like an entirely new world.

“Now, let us introduce the PMC companies that will be competing today!!”

As the host spoke, the giant display screens hanging from the ceiling flashed to life, showing the logos of PMC (Private Military Companies) from around the world one after another.

Every time a famous name appeared, the cheers doubled in volume.

The Espers and Guides walking onto the stage could barely hide their excitement as they looked up at the screens.

Watching them, Jaeyoung felt his own heart begin to race.

Just standing up there would be an honor.

As he thought that and clasped his hands tightly together, a sudden commotion rippled through the crowd.

Lost in a daydream while staring at the display screen, Jaeyoung quickly lifted his head toward the stage.

At last.

He was coming out.

“Aaaah!! Serin!!”

“It’s Serin!!”

“Serin, look over here!”

“No way, it’s really Serin!!”

The screams, cheers, and trembling voices filled with excitement were all calling out for one person.

Overwhelmed with anticipation, Jaeyoung clasped both hands tightly against his chest and swallowed nervously.

Finally.

Finally, he was going to see him.

Jaeyoung’s eyes sparkled with admiration.

The figure climbing the stairs gradually came into view.

Unlike the others in military-style uniform suits, this man wore a racing jacket and leather pants, his bright yellow hair standing out immediately.

Numerous piercings lined his ears.

Jaeyoung knew exactly what they were.

Suppressors.

Devices used to restrain an Esper’s power.

The fact that Serin wore so many on both ears was proof of just how immense his power truly was.

After stepping onto the stage, he turned to face the front.

At that moment, his face appeared on the giant screen.

———!!!

As thunderous cheers erupted from the crowd, Jaeyoung felt as though his breath had stopped.

His mouth fell open on its own.

Serin.

The man was unbelievably handsome.

Thick eyebrows.

Sharp eyes.

A perfectly sculpted nose.

A clean, defined jawline.

The kind of handsome man for whom every cliché description fit perfectly.

Yet his atmosphere was strangely unique.

The slight twist of his lips.

An image that seemed upright and respectable, yet somehow carried a rebellious edge.

That subtly crooked expression gave off the unmistakable aura of a troublemaker.

Jaeyoung covered his mouth with his hand.

Once again, he found himself shocked.

Serin, his idol, was this beautiful and this cool.

The kind of person who deserved even more attention than the entire world could give him.

As Jaeyoung gazed at him in awe, Serin casually greeted the crowd with a wave from the center of the stage before striding directly toward the host.

“…Huh?”

Everyone else was too busy applauding to notice.

But Jaeyoung caught something strange.

Serin’s expression did not look good at all.

The draft show was important to the other Espers and Guides as well, but the true centerpiece of today’s event was Serin himself.

He was the Esper with the highest market value.

The Esper ranked No. 1 in the official rankings.

The biggest question was which PMC company he would transfer to.

That was why countless spectators, reporters, and even representatives of major PMCs had rushed here.

Then why…

Why did he look like that?

Jaeyoung tilted his head in confusion.

Just then—

Beeeeep—

A loud burst of speaker feedback shrieked through the stadium.

Serin had snatched the microphone away from the host.

The stadium, which had been overflowing with excitement moments ago, suddenly fell silent as though cold water had been poured over it.

“M-Mr. Serin, you can’t do this…!”

“If I’m the one speaking, what’s the problem?”

“No, the event—!”

“Wasn’t it your side that forced this event through after I said I wouldn’t participate in the first place?”

Their argument outside the microphone was broadcast clearly throughout the stadium.

As everyone froze in shock, Serin blocked the host’s attempt to reclaim the microphone with one hand and flashed a crooked grin toward the audience.

The giant screen camera zoomed in on him again.

The sight nearly made Jaeyoung’s heart stop.

Yet for some reason, he felt uneasy.

Smiling crookedly, Serin spoke.

“I will not be participating in today’s draft show.”

The crowd, which had gone silent moments earlier, immediately broke into confused murmurs.

This show had been created for Serin!

Everyone else was merely supporting cast.

People had come here specifically to see where Serin would go.

And now he was saying he wouldn’t participate?

As the organizers hurried into action, Serin calmly dropped another bombshell with a completely expressionless face.

“I’m going to become a civil servant.”

Everyone’s jaws dropped.

The Esper with the highest value.

The highest popularity.

The highest ranking.

Serin…

What did he just say?

Jaeyoung’s mouth hung open as well.

Um, excuse me, Mr. Serin?

“…That’s impossible.”

You’re the greatest Esper there is.

Why would you choose to become a government-employed Esper, working endless hours for a pitiful salary and barely any overtime pay while being buried in work day and night?

Why?

Why on earth would you do that?