Chapter 9: Pania Guild's One and Only Healer
As always, Kang Ga-young quickly fell asleep after finishing her work. Lately, she had come to enjoy drifting off to sleep. If someone asked whether it was due to the stress of hunter life or simple sleepiness, the answer was no. It was the dreams.
At first, she hadn't realized it. In her dreams, she spent delightful times with a man whose face was blurry. Laughably, her dream self smiled happily just being with him. As an S-rank hunter, she could easily distinguish reality from dreams. The issue was that the dreams were enjoyable enough.
Soon, the blurry man's face sharpened into focus. A familiar face. Neat black hair, clear skin—it was that man she'd met before, Lee Seojun.
Why is this guy showing up in my dreams?
She didn't know the reason, but she decided to just enjoy it. The setting in the dream wasn't the meeting place from before. It was inside a damp dungeon. He was dressed as a porter, lugging a bag as big as himself. She chatted with him in the dungeon as if it were familiar territory. It felt almost illusory.
"Seojun, right? Isn't it tough?"
"Ah. Hunter Kang Ga-young. I'm fine. Do you need anything?"
Unlike the brief real-life encounter, his attitude here was warm. Even though it was just a dream, she was satisfied.
"Still, it's amazing. A young guy like you doing porter work."
Of course, no job was beneath anyone. But just one generation ago, so many men had sacrificed themselves. The gender ratio among adults—excluding the younger generation—was a dismal 3:7.
With his handsome looks, he could easily make money elsewhere. Was he so desperate for cash that he'd risk this dangerous job?
"Haha, you think so? But everyone treats me well. Thanks for worrying."
She hadn't really been worried. Dazed by his clear, boyish smile, she spent the rest of the break smiling back.
"Ah! Ugh!"
A young man's voice cried out from behind. She whipped around. A monster that had dodged an attack was rampaging toward the porters. Of all people, he was injured. For some inexplicable reason, it infuriated her.
Whirlwind Flash
True to its name, a whirlwind of sword energy exploded the monster's head. She rushed over and checked him—blood was pouring from his thigh.
"Heal him. Now!"
She glared at the useless healer just standing there. This wasn't like her at all.
Lee Seojun furrowed his neat brows and weakly grasped her hand.
"Hunter, I'm okay. A potion will handle this."
Blood gushing from his thigh like that. Using a potion with no effect—it grated on her.
Be honest. If it were anyone else, she'd have begrudged even the potion cost, let alone a healer's skill.
"Are you deaf? If you don't heal this man, you'll never hunt again."
She spat a savage threat at the dumbstruck healer. Not an idiot after all—the green light of a heal skill seeped into Lee Seojun's leg. The bleeding stopped, the wound vanished. Kang Ga-young sighed in relief.
Showing emotions so openly wasn't like her. With all eyes on her, pointless regret washed over.
"Th-thank you, Hunter Kang Ga-young. And thank you too, Healer."
Relief colored his voice. He must have been in pain. His ears flushed red as he kept thanking her profusely. For his size, he looked adorably like a bunny.
But why thank that idiot healer?
"As long as you're safe."
She slowly looked away from him and stood. This dream would probably end here. It had been satisfying enough.
If only it were real. No. She could make it real. That was easy for her.
She'd already declared to other guilds: take in Lee Seojun, and she'd turn them into Pania's sorry state.
Kang Ga-young, deep in slumber, slowly opened her eyes. Moments later, her phone alarm rang.
I took an early walk to the subway station. Unexpectedly, there were empty seats—weekend lull, I guess. I plopped down, feeling good. Should've taken a taxi instead.
I double-checked the Pania Guild address on my phone.
"Um..."
"......"
"Hey!!"
Someone called from beside me. I turned. A girl who looked like a student was staring.
What's up? I removed my earbuds and smiled.
"What is it?"
"Whoa, your smile is insane."
"Pardon?"
"Uh, no, I mean... can I get your number? To chat casually?"
She thrust her smartphone at me, face stiff. High schooler at best. Her friends watching from afar looked underage too.
"Be honest—how old are you?"
"...I'll be an adult soon."
Figured. Can't hit on someone just 'cause they look decent.
"Got it. When you're bigger, I'll give it then."
The station alert chimed—I stood to exit. The girl didn't hide her disappointment but composed herself.
"What? You're not giving it after all? I'll really come find you, you know? You have to give it then."
Immature, but gutsy. That fades with time. I nodded and headed to the doors.
I climbed the stairs slowly. The Pania Guild building wasn't far from the station.
Inside the sleek building, the clean interior greeted me. A few people glanced, but I ignored them. Mostly civilians, not hunters.
I approached the reception desk.
The staff startled at my sight, then flashed a bright smile.
"How may I help?"
"I'm here to see Guild Master Yoo Chae-eun."
"Do you have an appointment? Your name?"
"Yes. Lee Seojun."
She tapped her laptop, nodded, and pointed.
"Take that elevator. Ah, one moment please."
"Sure. Thanks."
Soon, a staffer came to greet me. A slight bow, then past reception to the elevator. She pressed the floor and guided me to the guild master's office.
Knock knock.
"Guild Master, a guest is here."
"Come in."
I nodded and turned the knob.
A woman with chin-length bob hair stood, her demeanor warm.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Lee Seojun. Have a seat here. It's an honor."
"No, thank you for reaching out first."
"What would you like to drink?"
"...Anything but coffee."
Yoo Chae-eun picked up the desk phone, ordering drinks. She guided me naturally to the sofa by the table.
"First off, thank you for coming. Pania Guild sincerely welcomes you. As in the email, we'll offer the best terms."
"......"
I stared silently. She gauged my reaction and slid the contract onto the table.
"Annual salary 30 billion won, and the vacant vice-guild master position. Of course, renegotiable after the term. If you need housing..."
Not bad. But vice-guild master sounded annoying. A position where they protected me and I helped them—that was ideal.
"I'll pass on that for now."
"Ah, I see. May I ask why?"
Her disappointment was plain. Without the heavy makeup, her features were strikingly pure.
"I can't handle vice-guild master. I'm an S-rank, but a rookie with no experience. Would the members even listen to me?"
"...I have no room for pride. As you know, Pania was once as strong as Cheonsu Guild. Until the former master fell into a coma."
I'd searched basics. Even a declining guild without a single healer? Unless deliberate interference.
"Most high-rankers and healers went to Cheonsu. Those left are loyal or affectionate toward the guild. Yes, it's my failing. I can't miss this chance."
Yoo Chae-eun stood abruptly, bowing 90 degrees. A faint perfume wafted as she bent.
Cheonsu snatching every healer Pania got? Not surprising.
"Please, join Pania Guild!"
I'd planned to mull more. But holding second place domestically without a healer? Impressive.
"Then add a few conditions. Okay?"
"What are they?"
"No vice-guild master. As a rookie, 30 billion is fine—renegotiate later. And I need people to protect me."
"...You don't have attack skills?"
Her gentle eyes sharpened. Sharp observation.
"Yes. So if Pania promises to protect me and my family, I'll sign gladly."
"Deal. No reason not to. We'll assign at least C-rank hunters as guards."
"And keep it discreet. Mom would worry..."
"Fine. Lastly, one test?"
I nodded. She pulled an arrowhead from her desk drawer, slashing her arm casually. Blood flowed from her wrist.
"Heal this."
Heal
The familiar green light flowed from my hand into her arm. Soon, flawless, scar-free skin.
"...Perfect. This warmth... it's been so long."
Yoo Chae-eun murmured. She looked up, eyes shining.
"News said five times max. Is that true?"
"...No."
She bowed her head with a faint, wistful smile.
"It's okay. Even once or twice is fine. With you, the anxiety of no healer vanishes."
As she beamed thanks, I spoke slowly.
"No limit. Hundreds of times if needed."
"...What? Impossible."
Yoo Chae-eun gaped, disbelieving. I smiled—expected that.
"Let's test it together. I'm curious too. What's Pania's next dungeon?"
I'd tested plenty last night, but still. She gulped audibly.