Pania Guild's Salvation
The next day.
I woke up earlier than expected. Since I was already up, I quickly showered and checked my phone.
Sure enough, there was a text from Yoo Chae-eun. How could I take my time after seeing this? No way. This early in the morning? What if I'd overslept? She should've at least called.
I fired off a quick reply, grabbed a water bottle from the fridge, and chugged it down. The cool water cleared my head in an instant. In the dressing room, I threw on some light blue jeans and a gray hoodie hanging on the empty rack. A glance in the full-length mirror—casual vibes, like a fresh-faced college kid. Maybe a bit too innocent?
I hurried out the door, greeted by the crisp dawn air. A short walk later, I spotted a familiar car parked on the nearby road—the sports car from yesterday, Yoo Chae-eun's. There she was, fidgeting, lips moving silently, glancing around. I could feel her anxiety radiating toward me. She was even wearing the same clothes from yesterday.
"…You should've called. How long have you been waiting?"
"Seojun-ssi, thank you for coming. Hop in first, please?"
Yoo Chae-eun's voice trembled at the end. Actions speak louder than words. She opened the door for me herself, so I slid in. In the driver's seat, she raked her hair back anxiously before composing herself and gripping the wheel. We were off.
We arrived at a massive general hospital—high-end, the kind staffed by top-tier doctors or healers. Following her lead, we reached what looked like a VIP room. Guards at the door bowed and quietly opened it for us.
Inside, a man lay on a luxurious bed. One look at his face, and I knew.
"…This is."
"Yes. My one and only oppa, the former guild master of Pania…."
Yoo Chae-eun bowed at a perfect ninety degrees, her plea laced with barely concealed tears.
"I know it's shameless, but please save my oppa. That Purifying Light you used in the dungeon before—it recovers all status ailments, right? I felt it myself, so I know. Everyone's given up on him. Seojun-ssi, you're the only one who can save him."
"……."
"Whatever reward you want, name it. Position, money, anything."
She looked ready to drop to her knees. A guild like Pania would've thrown every healer they had at this.
"Got it. I'll think about the reward later. But it might fail, so don't get your hopes up too high."
She bowed repeatedly in gratitude. Approaching the bed, his face came into sharper focus—gaunt but handsome, unmistakably resembling Yoo Chae-eun.
I perched on the chair beside the bed, steadied my breathing, and called out. Unlike the dungeon, this was just one person.
"Purifying Light."
A blue glow bloomed from my hand, flowing toward the man on the bed. It spread evenly over Yoo Jae-hyun's body.
"Agh!"
A cry escaped me unbidden. Agonizing pain surged up my arm. Suddenly, my vision filled with writhing, ominous black tendrils. They were devouring the blue light pouring from my hand.
"What the hell is this?"
Instinct told me. Whatever it was, my healer class let me sense it clearly.
"This is a curse."
A curse from some unknown S-rank hunter's curse magic—on par with me.
Glancing back, I saw Yoo Chae-eun watching with anxious eyes. That look—I couldn't give up. I was certain: no one else could heal him. More than that, I couldn't ignore her hopeful gaze or betray her pleading voice.
There had to be a way. Somehow. If only my powers were a bit stronger….
Then it hit me—one of my skills. Use it on myself.
"Holy Faith."
Whoosh!!
The skill that boosted allies' abilities. I believed—truly believed—I could perfectly heal this man on the bed.
"…Seojun-ssi?"
Her reflection in the glass showed her hand over her mouth. A shimmering purple light formed, swirling like cherry blossom petals. Chunks of it gathered above my head, condensing from purple to a dense golden ring.
A halo—a glowing circular band of gold, floating serenely above me. The radiating purple aura filled me with an indescribable sense of fulfillment and joy. Like drugs, maybe?
"…System."
Heal: Recovers the target.
Guardian Angel: Become a guardian angel. Designate and protect a desired target.
Purifying Light: Recovers all status ailments.
Holy Faith: Increases all abilities based on ally's trust level.
???: ?????
Holy Faith had temporarily added a (+) to my rank. And something new—or unknown—lurked under a [???] marker. It'd vanish once the effect ended, of course.
"Purifying Light."
I cast it again. A deeper blue glow surged forth. The ominous black tried to devour it—but no chance. This time, the darkness was consumed.
Whoosh—!
From his hair to his neck, chest, legs, and feet, blue light washed over his entire body.
"…Please. Please."
Yoo Chae-eun's whispered prayer from behind. Was it answered? Instinct confirmed it.
"It's working."
Whoever did this—vicious curse. But I'd broken it.
As the blue light faded completely, I let out a deep breath. My heart pounded wildly. Yoo Chae-eun and I waited in tense silence.
"…Ugh."
Yoo Jae-hyun's eyes fluttered open slowly. After so long bedridden, he lacked the strength to sit up right away.
"Heal."
Green light from my hand absorbed into him swiftly. His eyes widened in astonishment. His features really did mirror Chae-eun's.
"Oppa!!"
Her joyful cry, on the verge of collapse. Crying like that first thing in the morning—she'd catch a cold.
Yoo Jae-hyun, Pania's former guild master, a capable and rare male S-rank hunter. His lips parted, voice low and raspy.
"…Angel, nim?"
A restaurant near Pania Guild's headquarters. Great meat quality, killer side dishes—popular spot. They even had private rooms for group outings.
"Welcome. How many?"
The server greeted Kim Na-yoon warmly. It'd been ages since a guild dinner.
"Hmm~ Reserved under Pania Guild."
"Ah, yes. Right this way!"
Guided to the door marked , she slid it open with a sly smile, pitching her voice up.
"Oh my~ What's this? Why's everyone here so early?"
"Unnie, rein in Pildu ajusshi a bit."
Lee Soo-jung, dressed neatly in a blouse and skirt—makeup too, unusual for her—looked exhausted.
"Yo, kiddo, what's with the getup? This? Hahat!!"
Kim Na-yoon stifled a laugh. So transparent.
"Hmm~. Main stars not here yet?"
She slid into the seat next to Ma Pildu, sipping water. Moments later, Lee Se-ah hurried in, shaking damp hands from the bathroom.
"On their way. Be here soon."
She spun her smartphone like a top.
Ma Pildu clapped enthusiastically.
"Hahaha! First dinner in forever—feels great! Right?!"
Flexing his arm muscles, he meant it. They twitched with excitement.
"Hmph. Ajusshi, gross—cut it out."
"Why? You love it deep down, kiddo~."
"Ugh. First guild dinner since the boss… I get you're hyped, but spare our eyes?"
"……."
Silence fell after Lee Soo-jung's words. She gasped, covering her mouth. "Boss" meant Yoo Jae-hyun, Pania's founder who'd built them from a small guild to the top. Cool-headed, but always acting for the members.
"…Sorry."
"No. Forget it. Today's for fun—welcoming the newbie."
"That's right! Moping would just make the boss sad!!"
Ma Pildu boomed a laugh, tapping her arm—not gently, given his strength. She just shrank further, already downcast.
"Pildu-ssi, your hands are heavy—stop hitting the kid."
"…For real? Kiddo, ahem. Sorry."
He scratched his sparse hair, embarrassed. What a sight—sigh-worthy.
"They're here. But three people."
Excluding Yoo Chae-eun and Lee Seojun—one extra? Heads tilted at Lee Se-ah's certainty.
Seconds later, the door slid open.
"Hey?"
All eyes turned—and there stood an unexpected guest.
Lee Seojun in a bulky hat, Yoo Chae-eun with a puffy face. And behind them… familiar, longed-for.
"Boss?!"
"Jae-hyun oppa?!"
"Boss!!"
"…?!"
Our boss, who'd lain in the hospital like the dead, the one we'd begged to wake. Yoo Jae-hyun stood there, awkward and sheepish. Long hair tied back neatly—didn't suit him, but who cared.
"…Long time no see, everyone."
The boss was back.