Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Live Miracle and Backlash
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“Big Sis. What floor is it?”
As soon as I got out of the taxi, I called Jeong Sia.
“I’ll come out. They said you need an access badge to enter.”
I waited in the lobby on the first floor of the JBC building. Soon, Jeong Sia and Park Jeong-hwa came down in the elevator.
Jeong Sia waved happily as she approached me.
“Hey. Big Sis.”
Then I looked at Park Jeong-hwa.
‘She doesn’t know Hyeon A-rin is dead yet.’
If she knew about her death, Park Jeong-hwa wouldn’t be here.
She’d have rushed off right away to dig into Hyeon A-rin’s death.
“Sis. This is the Lee Han I told you about.”
At Jeong Sia’s words, our eyes met.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Park Jeong-hwa.”
I could tell from her eyes.
She didn’t like me one bit.
“Yes. Hello. I’m Lee Han.”
Whatever.
I extended my hand to Park Jeong-hwa.
Jeong Sia was watching, so she had to shake it, right?
Park Jeong-hwa pressed her lips together and gripped my hand.
“Hold on a sec.”
Her phone rang, so she let go of my hand and pulled it from her pocket.
Park Jeong-hwa, about to step away to take the call, suddenly froze in place.
“Yes? Really? It’s my niece. Our A-rin? No way. Definitely Hyeon A-rin, my niece? Where is this… I’ll head over. Yes.”
Looks like she just got the call.
Knowing Hyeon A-rin’s trait, Park Jeong-hwa wouldn’t have believed it.
Anyone trying to kill Hyeon A-rin would’ve fallen to her charm instead.
Of course, assuming it was a normal attack.
“Sia. I need to swing by the police station real quick.”
“What happened to your niece?”
“Yeah. I’ll check it out first and fill you in. No way that happened. Stay home after the broadcast. I’ll call you.”
“Yes. Sis.”
Park Jeong-hwa hurried off without so much as a glance my way.
“What’s going on?”
Jeong Sia tilted her head, staring worriedly at Park Jeong-hwa’s retreating figure.
“I’ll tell you later. For now, let’s head to the waiting room where Big Sis was.”
I followed Jeong Sia inside the broadcasting station.
We rode the elevator up and entered the waiting room where Jeong Sia had been staying.
“Big Sis. Got a lot of calls?”
Who on earth would reach out to recruit a legendary healer like her?
“Yeah. Sis said calls came in from ten places already.”
“Decided on any?”
“No. Not yet. I plan to visit the places Sis recommended myself first.”
The place Park Jeong-hwa recommended.
“Where?”
It was obvious.
“The church Sis attends. She said they do a lot of good work.”
As expected, it was the Resurrection Church that Park Jeong-hwa belonged to.
“A church? What would you even do there?”
“What else? Heal people who can’t afford treatment with my skills.”
A classic Jeong Sia response.
That kind of work was definitely better suited to a church than profit-driven guilds.
If it was a normal church, anyway.
“Yeah? When are you going? I’ll tag along.”
“There’s a service tonight, so that’s when. To check out the vibe. But with whatever came up for Sis, not sure if she can make it.”
Tonight, huh. They must be desperate for her power.
Knock knock!
Someone knocked on the waiting room door.
“Jeong Sia-ssi. Still a bit of time left, but the guest arrived. You need to come quick.”
It was a station staffer.
Jeong Sia responded and glanced at me.
“You’ll stay here, right?”
Of course.
I was going to be Jeong Sia’s shadow from here on out.
“Yeah. Go ahead. I’ll watch the broadcast and wait.”
Jeong Sia hurried out the door.
Left alone, I pulled out my phone.
‘Resurrection Church. What the hell are they up to?’
I needed to know at least something about them.
I searched for Resurrection Church.
I hadn’t heard of them at first, but there was plenty of info now.
‘So that’s their game. It’s plain as day.’
The reason they wanted Jeong Sia was right there in plain sight.
Resurrection Church leader.
An eye-catching line amid the stuff about Lee Si-woo.
[He calls himself the Messiah and claims he can resurrect within three days of death.]
They were gearing up for the scam of the century.
A cult.
Honestly, I don’t believe in religion, so I don’t know the nitty-gritty of cults.
Back then, with no trait and eyes only on money, I’d risked my life diving in and out of Utopia. I barely remembered anything solid about Jeong Sia.
One thing I did know about cults, though.
They worship humans, not gods. So their leaders were always yapping about miracles.
‘That’s why they needed Hyeon A-rin.’
To brainwash people into worshiping him, but her immature magic power had its limits, they must’ve figured.
Then a new weapon for enchantment appeared.
Jeong Sia’s [Resurrection].
‘Resurrect in three days, huh?’
Even in an era where people shot fire and ice from their hands, resurrection was a bona fide miracle.
‘But could they try to revive Hyeon A-rin?’
Whatever they were scheming, they’d get smashed by me first, but in a way, it was impressive.
Lee Si-woo was only 34. Starting a religion at that age and leading zealots like Park Jeong-hwa.
An unfamiliar name to me, but if he’d built it all solo without help...
‘Can’t drop my guard.’
Better safe than sorry.
“Hello! This is Kim Hyun-seong, who just interviewed our country’s first-ever legendary healer, Jeong Sia-ssi.”
The TV in the waiting room was playing. It was the guy who’d interviewed Jeong Sia first.
Kim Hyun-seong’s booming voice rang out.
“This time, we’ll test just how powerful Jeong Sia-ssi’s skills really are. Everyone’s curious about legendary healing power, right? JBC’s got you covered!”
For now, I sat on the sofa nearby and watched the broadcast.
‘But how do they plan to test her skills? Probably tied to that guest they mentioned.’
Jeong Sia’s trait was healing-focused.
To test a healing skill, you needed a target.
“Now! Introducing our guest helper!”
Someone with a trait that blocked pain? So they self-harm and she heals?
The TV screen switched quickly to the studio entrance.
‘They’re going this far...?’
Wondered why they were rushing to snag her.
Paramedics carried a man on a stretcher into the studio, holding it front and back.
First thing that caught my eye through his torn clothes: exposed ribs.
“Ugh...”
The blood-soaked man was groaning in agony.
“This man was in an accident just 30 minutes ago! No trait, no money for a hospital. So JBC stepped in, got permission from his guardian...”
Kim Hyun-seong was explaining the injured man in detail, making sure to note there were no legal issues.
But his words were cut short by Jeong Sia’s furious voice.
“What the hell is this?!”
Jeong Sia dashed straight to the man on the stretcher, her face hardened.
“Even if you’re curious about my skills, dragging a critically injured person to a studio instead of a hospital? And taking 30 minutes? What if he’d died en route?!”
She hadn’t expected a guest like this.
“That’s, Jeong Sia-ssi. As I just explained, he had no money for the hospital...”
“If he has no money, you lend it to him! Ignorance is one thing, but knowingly exploiting him like this is inhumane!”
I was a little surprised.
Didn’t expect this side of Jeong Sia. I figured the overly kind girl would just go along without a peep.
“You two! Hold the stretcher steady!”
Jeong Sia asked the two paramedics holding the stretcher, then extended both hands toward the man atop it.
Honestly, the real problem started now.
Healing skills weren’t omnipotent. They just boosted regeneration.
At Jeong Sia’s level, her mana would deplete fast, and the skill would cut out midway.
Or the man wouldn’t hold out and die mid-process.
‘What are they thinking?’
Park Jeong-hwa and the station had to know she was only level 5.
‘Maybe I had it backward.’
This broadcast might not be to hype her value.
It could be to tank her reputation.
‘Humans care more about results than the process.’
If the man died right here?
All the blame and backlash would crash down on Jeong Sia, the legendary trait holder who couldn’t save the guy dying in front of her.
-A legendary healer who can’t even save one person?
Sensational headlines would flood the internet.
And when her rep hit rock bottom and everyone shunned her, the Resurrection Church alone would extend a hand.
‘Scenario’s flawless.’
Pulling her out of the pit like a savior.
All they needed was a place that could save people. She’d obviously join the ones who accepted her.
‘In cahoots?’
Maybe this JBC station was tied to the Resurrection Church.
“Huh? What?”
Lost in thought while glued to the screen, I couldn’t help shouting and jumping up from the sofa.
My prediction was way off.
Mine and the Resurrection Church’s.
“Does this even make sense?”
In my past life, I’d seen a legendary healer up close and fought alongside one. So I knew damn well.
“That’s not legendary level.”
The skill Jeong Sia was showing on screen right now—a straight-up miracle—couldn’t possibly be mere legendary tier.
True to [Pure White Saintess], a white light began from her hands and enveloped the man.
And just like that, he wore a peaceful expression.
His exposed bones had all realigned, and the wounds visible through his torn clothes were gone.
Five seconds, tops?
This was at minimum a mythic-tier healing trait ability.
Just one rank above legendary, but the power gap was like heaven and earth.
“Wait just a bit—he’ll wake up soon. You two keep an eye on him till then.”
After the light faded, Jeong Sia casually handed the dazed paramedics responsibility for the man, as if it were a given.
“Everyone.”
Unlike before, she stared straight into the camera filming her. Somehow, her resolve and conviction shone through the screen.
“As you saw, this is my power. But sadly, I can’t spam skills nonstop. That short burst used up all my mana.”
From Jeong Sia’s words, I figured out the source of her insane healing ability.
‘She said she can control her mana.’
It was the power of [Heal Mastery].
Jeong Sia kept going.
“So please don’t think I can heal every injured person solo. While my mana recharges, call 119 yourselves, and if you can, cover their hospital bills. That’ll save more lives.”
Pretty sharp.
She already knew how the public would react after seeing her power.
“And I won’t be appearing on JBC anymore. Not after dragging in someone who could’ve died just to test my skills. Have a happy day, everyone—and let’s all help each other out.”
And she was fiery to boot.
‘Didn’t know she had that side.’
“W-Wait, Jeong Sia-ssi! Hold on! There’s a misunderstanding!”
Kim Hyun-seong called after her in a panic, but Jeong Sia had already left the studio.
I turned off the TV screen as I watched the speechless Kim Hyun-seong amid what was basically a broadcasting fiasco.
Jeong Sia would be back in the waiting room soon. Time to get ready to greet her.
I’d expected her to burst in all hyped up, but she quietly opened the door, looking deflated.
“What do I do? I think I caused a scene. Ha! I gotta fix this temper of mine...”
Looks like I misjudged. She wasn’t being fiery.
“Big Sis goes blind when you’re pissed?”
“Yeah...”
She was the type whose eyes rolled back when heated.
“It’s fine. You did good. Your message got through to everyone. For now, have some water and catch your breath.”
I handed her a water bottle I’d already uncapped.
“Thanks. Without you, my heart might’ve pounded so hard I’d faint.”
She took the bottle from me and downed it in one go.
“Feeling calmer?”
“Now think about what’s next.”
Jeong Sia’s eyes went wide as she stared at me.
“What? Did I mess up again?”
“Nah. That sis of yours. Unlike you, she’s a JBC writer. She knew the broadcast script inside out, so she won’t be thrilled about this.”
I’d thought she’d be stomping around in worry, but nope.
“Sis? Well, no helping it. That was straight-up wrong. She’ll get it.”
Responding so casually. Still, I learned one key thing about Jeong Sia.
‘Even if I become her top priority, I can’t cross the lines she’s drawn.’
Same for her, but we’d end up on the same path anyway.
“So what now? Head home?”
At my question, Jeong Sia nodded.
“Yeah. I’ll wait at home for Sis to call. Whatever.”
“Yeah. Let’s go.”
I left the waiting room with Jeong Sia.
“Jeong Sia-ssi!”
But the moment we stepped out, an unwelcome guest appeared like he’d been lying in wait.
“You wreck the broadcast and just walk out? How do you expect us to handle this?!”
Kim Hyun-seong.
His face flushed red, he charged at Jeong Sia like he wanted to smack her.
“Get back in there and explain or apologize! ‘No more JBC’? Who’s gonna take responsibility for the damage to our station?!”
“That’s...”
Jeong Sia hesitated, her face scared as she backed away.
That instant, I stepped in front of Jeong Sia and faced the fuming Kim Hyun-seong.
“The aftermath’s the station’s problem. We’re just guests.”
Kim Hyun-seong’s eye twitched.
“And who the hell are you?”
“Her manager.”
“Her manager’s Park Jeong-hwa! Get out of the way!”
Kim Hyun-seong thrust out his arm, grabbed my shoulder, and shoved hard to push me aside.
I didn’t know if he had a trait, but his level was low regardless.
I could tank it easy.
“Wha—?”
I flew back like a cut puppet string and slammed my shoulder into the wall.
“Ugh.”
I even let out a groan for effect.
“Wh-What? Why’d he fly?”
I heard Kim Hyun-seong’s confusion and Jeong Sia’s shock at the same time as I clutched my shoulder and struggled to my feet.
“You definitely hit me first, right?”
Let’s see.
There was a CCTV proudly mounted at the end of the hall. It’d captured everything crystal clear.
“H-Hit you?! I just gave a light shove!”
At my shameless claim, Kim Hyun-seong looked flustered.
“Might’ve been light for you, but it felt like a dump truck slamming me.”
“No dump trucks here! You psycho! This—!”
“Now cursing too?”
“How’d a nobody like you even get in here?!”
“As Jeong Sia-ssi’s manager? Not the point right now.”
I rotated my bumped shoulder and slowly walked toward Kim Hyun-seong.
“You hit first, so from here on, it’s self-defense?”
“What?”
Self-defense.
Tricky law, but a beauty.
Nice ring to it too.
Without hesitation, I drove my fist into Kim Hyun-seong’s gut.
“Guhk...”
His breath caught, and he dropped to his knees, mouth agape.
I held back from stomping his head with my knee.
‘Beat him too hard, and it gets messy.’
For self-defense off a shoulder shove, this was perfect.
I gazed down at Kim Hyun-seong steadily.
“That broadcast was coordinated with Park Jeong-hwa, right? Take it up with her. Got it? And if you call the cops, check the CCTV first. It caught you hitting me clear as day.”
No comeback, no guts to lunge. Kim Hyun-seong just hung his head, trembling.
He knew pressing further would just embarrass him more.
“Let’s go, Big Sis.”
“Uh... yeah?”
I grabbed the wrist of the stunned Jeong Sia, who couldn’t even answer properly.
We pushed past the gathering crowd and hopped into the elevator.
“Take a taxi here?”
“Yeah. Left the car at home. Sis picked me up.”
I hit the first-floor button right away.
“Think it’ll be okay? She’s still Sis’s colleague.”
Jeong Sia asked me in a downcast voice, looking worried.
“If he hadn’t backed off, you wouldn’t have been okay.”
“True. Honestly, he scared me when he came at us. Glad you were there.”
“I’ll handle crap like that from now on. Don’t worry.”
After getting off on the first floor, I walked out with Jeong Sia and asked,
“If Sis calls, you’ll check out the church?”
“Probably gotta. But what if she saw the incident on the broadcast and changes her mind?”
The Resurrection Church would never ditch Jeong Sia.
Especially right now, with Hyeon A-rin dead.
“Then I’ll just chill at your place and wait.”
“Sounds good? It’s almost 5 p.m. anyway. Call should come soon.”
Ring ring! Ring ring!
Right as Jeong Sia finished, her phone rang like it’d been waiting.
“Huh? It’s Sis. Hello? Yeah. Yeah.”
Jeong Sia jumped on the call with Park Jeong-hwa. Wonder what they were saying.
“Got it, Sis. Yeah.”
She hung up and turned to me.
“Sis is coming home too? Said to head to the church at 8.”
“Yeah?”
I couldn’t wait.
To see Park Jeong-hwa’s shit-eating face.