The Healer Wants to Rest
As soon as we emerged from the dungeon, the late afternoon scenery greeted us. The sun was setting, casting a gentle dusk over everything. Despite the time that had passed, people were still waiting for us.
"Guild Master Yoo Chae-eun, it looks like the dungeon was cleared without issue. Would you mind a quick interview?"
We must have looked remarkably unscathed. Not a single scratch, just our clothes a bit dirtied. The reporter thrust a microphone toward us.
Yoo Chae-eun softened her expression and addressed the porters among our group. "You porters worked so hard this time. There were some unexpected incidents, but I trust you'll uphold your end of the deal. We'll settle everything today, so get some good rest."
The four porters nodded in thanks and stepped away. Spotting me, the reporter's eyes lit up.
"You're Lee Seojun, the world's first S-rank healer, right? Is it true you've joined Pania Guild instead of Cheonsu? Does that mean you and Guild Master Yoo Chae-eun are...?"
"...Pardon?"
I blurted out in confusion before I could stop myself. How did it jump to that?
"Reporter, what are you implying? We're not interested in an interview, so please leave," Yoo Chae-eun said, hurriedly trying to usher us away. But I had other ideas.
Weird misunderstandings and rude speculation? No thanks. And they'd waited this long—they seemed persistent. What if the article twisted things? What if it turned out like last time?
"Chae-eun, if it's okay, mind if I do a short interview?"
She looked worried but nodded. I stepped forward to the microphone.
"First off, I've never said I would join Cheonsu Guild."
"But in your previous interview, it seemed like you were leaning toward them. Is there a reason you had to go with Pania?"
That interview—I hadn't weighed options on air, had I? Did they spin it weird?
"I've never intended to join Cheonsu from the start. I don't know what rumors are floating around, but Pania was the guild I thought suited me best, so that's where I went."
"Thank you for that. For your first dungeon as a hunter, any thoughts?"
"Sure. All the guild seniors were A-rank or higher, and it was a mid-to-small dungeon, so nothing too tough. They took great care of me. The cup ramen for dinner was delicious too. But..."
I trailed off, and the reporter swallowed hard, leaning in. This was cleared for me to mention, right?
"But?"
"The Reaper at the end was a bit tricky."
"The Reaper? How? It's rated A-rank. Is it even possible to clear with so few people without a scratch?"
"That's what having a healer like me is for."
The reporter jumped, firing off questions, but Yoo Chae-eun cut in, pulling my arm toward the parking lot. The reporter followed for a bit but finally gave up with a regretful look.
Thud.
Yoo Chae-eun stowed her bow in the trunk and glanced at me. She looked like she had something to say but held back. Did I overshare in the interview? No, she would've stopped me.
"...Um, Seojun."
"Yes?"
After a brief silence, she shook her head as if deciding against it. "Let me drive you home. Hop in."
"Ah, thanks. Appreciate it."
I slid into the passenger seat like before. She gripped the wheel expertly and started the engine. Staring out the window, cars and pedestrians blurred by. The awkwardness got to me first.
"Man, today was chaos, huh? You should head home and rest too, Chae-eun."
"......"
"Oh, and you handle that bow like a pro. Well, duh, you're an archer. But that phoenix one—your fire arrows were awesome."
My villa came into view. As I pondered what to say next, she spoke.
"Thank you so much for the praise. But without you, it could've been disastrous."
"Nah, it wasn't that big a deal. Uh."
"Can I ask one thing?"
Go ahead. Her troubled expression during the drive had bugged me.
"...That Purifying Light skill—it recovers all status ailments, right?"
Her desperate look made me nod. "Yeah. You felt it yourself, didn't you, Guild Master?"
"Right. I did. That blue light..."
She murmured, nodding to herself. Her slender shoulders trembled faintly.
"If it's okay... could you come with me somewhere for a bit?"
"...Pardon?"
"No, it's too late today. You must be exhausted. But if possible, could we go to the hospital soon? As soon as we can?"
Her voice cracked, eyes reddening with unshed tears. I fought the urge to stroke her hair, forcing a smile instead.
"I don't know the reason, but sure. Let's go tomorrow. It's late now anyway. We can do what you need, then grab a guild dinner."
I'm starving. And I need a shower.
"...Yes. Thank you. I'll make it worth your while."
Definitely needs my skill. I could guess what for. We exchanged goodbyes, and I got out. My steps home felt light.
Punching in the door code, a delicious aroma hit me—sizzling meat and soybean paste stew. My stomach growled. Meat party? Without me saying I was back? New shoes by the door caught my eye.
"Mom, I'm home. Starving. How'd you know to grill meat?"
"Oh~ You're back? My boy worked hard."
Mom welcomed me. Next to her, a cute woman with hair neatly swept back gulped down meat. Round glasses. Park Ha-yoon.
"...You came over, Ha-yoon?"
"Huh?"
I tilted my head, and Mom jumped to her defense, hugging Ha-yoon protectively. No need to go that far.
"Mom wanted to cook you a meal, so I invited her over briefly. You're hungry too, right? Wait just a sec—I'll set the table."
This awkwardness might give me indigestion. We're not on bad terms, but is this necessary?
"No, it's fine. I'm not that hungry. Grabbed dinner with the team after work."
I brushed it off. Just wanna rest. Oh, gotta wash this robe and return it.
"Eat with us."
"...Huh?"
"Oppa, you said you were hungry. Or do you want me to feel uncomfortable?"
She stood by her chair, staring. I sighed.
"Fine. Let's eat."
I strode to the table and sat. Park Ha-yoon, you picked the wrong fight. You just lost your chance at seconds. I'm famished. No escape now—the meat's all mine!
Yoo Chae-eun watched the man walk away in a daze. Purifying Light—one of his skills. Others would gawk at his unlimited, instant heals. But not her.
"...Maybe he can save Oppa."
A faint hope, for her brother—vegetative, as good as dead. He used to tease her endlessly, but he was her only family, always protective deep down.
As guild master, he'd been exceptional. S-rank, stronger than her even.
"Chae-eun, the boss!!"
"W-what? Oppa Pildu, what's wrong?!"
"...Ambush. Hospital first. Might be the end. Brace yourself."
"Oppa ambushed? By healers? No way. Don't lie."
At the hospital, her brother—Yoo Jae-hyun, Pania's guild master—lay there. Oxygen mask, barely clinging to life. Gruesome wounds everywhere. Hospital healers rotated shifts.
Visible injuries healed over time. But he never woke. Some unknown black magic curse, devouring his life. Regular healers could only stall it.
Her car pulled up to the hospital. She parked swiftly; her secretary waited with a drone.
"Today's activity log."
"Got it."
The secretary left. Inside, Yoo Chae-eun splashed cold water on her face in the bathroom. Sweat and smudged makeup washed away. In the mirror, her lips twitched into a faint smile.
The hospital's most luxurious VIP room: climate control, blinds for perfect light and temp. Shower, kitchenette included. On the plush bed lay a man strikingly like Yoo Chae-eun, in deep slumber.
She set her bag on the sofa beside. "I'm back, Oppa."
No welcoming voice. Pitifully so.
"Hey, Oppa. Something amazing happened today."
"......"
"Remember that S-rank healer I contracted? Seojun. Total jackpot. Even his face is my type? And his skills are insane."
Staring at the doll-like figure, intermittent breaths the only sound, her heart ached. But she raised her voice.
"Unlimited heals. No limits. He's all the healer Pania needs."
She squeezed her eyes shut. A tear fell.
"After you fell... those healers and hunters who fled to Cheonsu—they'll regret it."
Cheonsu profited most from Yoo Jae-hyun's fall. She was grieving, unready for guild master. She knew her shortcomings. Pulled all-nighters on paperwork, dove into dungeons. Terrified of ruining his legacy.
Bleeding from the nose with effort, rewarded by betrayal.
"...Maybe you can wake up, Oppa."
Unbelievable. What to do with this treasure, Lee Seojun? That man... I...
"Don't cuss me out for the guild's state when you wake."
No, cuss away. Just wake up.
"I really gave it my all."