Chapter 11
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Translator: MJK
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: 2. The Generous Healer (1)
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Guess that means I need to play the role of the disobedient F-class hunter.
But Yoo Han-seong, defying my expectations, let out just a single sigh.
He stared at me quietly for a moment, then left me with one word.
"Later."
"Huh?"
"Later. If you open that potion shop of yours, give me a call."
Was this... some kind of encouragement that I'd actually make it to graduation? Nah.
He wasn't the type to go easy on me just because I was young.
Hiding my suspicions, I plastered on a bright, innocent smile.
"Why? Planning to be a regular customer?"
"We'll see."
Tch. I clicked my tongue, and he gave a faint nod before brushing past me.
He's really just gonna walk away like that?
I stood there blankly watching his retreating figure, then it hit me—this was a perfect setup for whatever I decided to do next.
I immediately balled my fist like I was thrilled to finally be recognized, chuckling to myself, then shouted after Yoo Han-seong while his back was still in sight.
"Just you wait! I'll make it impossible for you not to become a regular!"
You were probably thinking post-graduation, but the truth is, that shop's opening soon.
Yoo Han-seong didn't react at all as he kept walking away.
Those damn brats.
With Erich's heavy sigh and grumbling as background noise, I headed straight back to the old school building.
Time to squeeze Erich dry—or rather, begin special training.
It was all a coincidence.
Yoo Han-seong running into Jin Hari and having that unexpected conversation.
After all, he'd gone there thinking about acquiring a demon sword.
Jin Hari just happened to brush up against it by chance.
Times like this made him think that no matter how hard someone tried, the true owner of an item was always someone else.
Still, Jin Hari, huh.
'She's not without her suspicious points.'
But strangely, she didn't trigger any wariness in him.
Yoo Han-seong returned to his dorm, rubbing his eyes as he recalled the girl who'd grabbed his hand just moments ago, trembling with a shaky voice as she poured out words nonstop.
I'm exhausted.
He hadn't even used any mana, but unexpected events always drained him like this. Managing his expressions while expending mental energy in short bursts wore him out.
"Jin Hari."
This was the second time he'd murmured her name where no one could hear.
At this point, he had no choice but to admit it.
She kept drawing his gaze because she reminded him of his old self from long ago.
'She's not like me.'
He'd known that intellectually, but after she'd grabbed his hand, it hit him even more vividly.
Jin Hari evoked memories of his weak past self while also being entirely her own person.
That might be why he couldn't look away.
Would Jin Hari make a different choice from him—the one who'd reached S-class while losing everything precious, only to return to protect those things?
Recalling her surprisingly resolute voice, he found himself genuinely curious about her decision.
'She's grown a backbone.'
It wasn't like he'd let his guard down about assembling an S-class party.
No, Jin Hari was just... unique.
'She doesn't feel like a hunter.'
More precisely, she lacked the distinctive aura of an Awakened.
Hunters who couldn't conquer dungeons still changed irrevocably after Awakening.
Their vibe shifted, somehow.
Partly because mana flowed around their bodies.
But Jin Hari's presence was noticeably fainter compared to others.
'Because she's F-class?'
He'd speculated as much before, but after seeing her today, he wondered if it was just her personality that was unusual.
'Like how she has zero sense of caution. It's weird.'
That might explain why he never noticed her before his regression—at some point, anyway.
She had the perfect personality for dying young.
'This time, though, she's clearly made a different choice.'
He didn't know what choice she'd made before or how she'd died early. But this timeline was different; that much was certain.
'She said she saw it in a dream?'
A magic that bound otherworldly beings with mere words.
It could be cast regardless of mana quantity, but right now, he was the only one who knew about it.
And Jin Hari had learned it from a dream, apparently.
Yoo Han-seong's expression hardened slightly.
"Does she have memories?"
His own voice sounded unsteady even to his ears.
"If so, who has them? How many? And up to what point?"
Why her, of all people—and not his close comrades from back then?
This would later be revealed as a phenomenon affecting those watched closely by otherworldly gods, but he didn't know that yet.
Not knowing meant he had no choice but to keep an eye on Jin Hari.
Strangely, it even put his mind at ease.
He finally had a reason to watch her.
"...Hah."
Going soft over a few worrying gestures.
Was it because he'd run alone toward a hopeless goal for so long? He didn't even have the energy to deny it anymore.
He craved people.
Someone he could connect with.
Or maybe he just needed some warmth.
'Even now, in this state, I haven't changed.'
Still weak. Still overthinking.
Yoo Han-seong smiled faintly and closed his eyes.
He'd rest them briefly, then get back to what needed doing.
This time, for sure.
He swallowed words that refused to form, and with that, sleep claimed him.
The demon sword Erich was a chicken rib for the protagonist.
After reaching S-class, he'd never once lacked mana.
Even now, disguised as D-class, popping a mana potion was enough if he ran low. No need to trade stamina—or lifespan—for power.
'He knew he couldn't give it to the freshman rep, so he kept it, but throughout the original story, that sword was a subtle source of stress.'
Running low on stamina meant combat endurance tanked, making it risky mid-battle.
'No matter how high-quality the supplied mana was.'
Not useless, but few situations called for it—a true chicken rib item.
The supposedly dormant demon sword wouldn't shut up even while sealed, prattling annoyingly.
Then, facing death, Yoo Han-seong fell for its temptation, sacrificing his stamina for mana to escape.
That partially broke Erich's seal.
"A seal?"
That's right, whelp. I'm sealed. Break it, and even a pathetic F-class like you could touch the divine.
"Does that... hurt? Are you in pain right now?"
I asked with a pitiful pout, like a clueless kid, and Erich fell silent.
Then he replied icily.
What the hell kind of question is that? You think this pathetic seal could cause me pain? How insolent, whelp!
"So it doesn't hurt. Whew, that's a relief."
Relief? What—! Damn it, did you even understand what I just said?
"Yeah. I got it."
Then why—!
"Well, I just don't see why I should. You said it doesn't hurt."
Huh?
A little sullenly, acting like the type who'd sulk and refuse to speak if pushed even slightly, I mumbled on.
"I just want to get good at potion-making. That's all I need. I don't care about touching any divine beings."
I don't know what you think you'll gain with lies like that, but—
"It's true. An F-class like me can't become some grand existence anyway, so it'd just draw suspicious looks right away. And even if I could, I wouldn't know what to do with that power."
...Potions! You could make heavenly potions!
"Uh... That's kinda tempting, but you don't really know. I have no handiwork talent, so even with tons of mana, I couldn't make anything that good."
And so on, prattling all day about why there was no need to unseal him.
No—a full week, turning into a potion-making zombie.
Gah! You... you brainless brat!
Finally, Erich exploded.
And started spouting nonsense in his rage.
Don't you ever feel like slaughtering them all for treating you like this?! A brat like you—I oughta just smash!
"Huh?"
Smash! ...Get your head on straight! Argh!
Watching Erich claw at his nonexistent hair had been my small joy all week.
Gently stroking the earring with gratitude, I told Erich—who suggested opening an F-class dungeon for me to rot in—that it was fine.
"It's okay, even if they neglect me. Makes sense, doesn't it? I'm not mad or anything."
Thanks to that, I only had to dip into the final exam dungeon.