Chapter 18: The Healer Feels a Bit Flustered
"Thanks for seeing me home."
I said as I closed the car door. It was a dark night, but the brightly lit streetlamps made it anything but pitch black. After the company dinner wrapped up smoothly, I'd gotten a ride back home courtesy of the Yoo siblings. The other members had called designated drivers for their own trips home too.
"No problem at all. It's the least we could do."
"Whoa~ Seojun, we're the ones who should be grateful. Get home safe, yeah? Sis, you don't have to glare like that—Oppa won't touch a hair on his head!"
"How about starting from the top and chopping his head off?"
"Leave him be. Might as well let it grow out now that it's come to this."
Yoo Chae-eun's eyes widened in horror. It was heartwarming to see the siblings bickering like that. I couldn't help but wonder what it would have been like if I'd had a little sister.
"Alright, Jae-hyun hyung, you take it easy tonight too. Everyone, get home safe. I'm heading in."
I waved, and the two of them waved back enthusiastically, like little kids. Full-grown adults, but both so endearing. Once their car had completely vanished into the distance, I turned and started walking toward my place with unhurried steps.
It was a high-end villa aimed at the elite, so the landscaping was impeccable. I spotted a little public walking path. Why not take a short stroll?
"Oh. Nice."
The damp grass felt good underfoot. A cool breeze soothed the alcohol-warmed sweat on my skin. Midway through, I plopped down on a bench, twisted open the hangover drink I'd been clutching, and took a slow sip down my throat. The tangy flavor wasn't bad at all.
The team had sympathized with Ma Pildu as he knocked back drinks and vented. The boss is awake—cheers. The pain of betrayal—cheers.
"...An internal enemy, huh."
Yoo Jae-hyun's confession had enraged everyone. Betrayal by a comrade they'd gone into the dungeon with. The attackers had bolted from the dungeon straight into a scout offer from Cheonsu Guild. With no clue about it, all Yoo Chae-eun could do was...
"...Throw away her pride and beg."
Of course, it was hard to call everyone who left Pania for Cheonsu a traitor. But if you singled out the hunters who'd gone in with Yoo Jae-hyun back then...
Especially that hunter with the Necromancer class—Kim Do-hyun. Known as B-rank, but probably closing in on S-rank. That curse he'd cast must have been slowly killing him. Chae-eun probably blamed herself for everything.
Things were looking up now, but the hardships up to this point wouldn't change. And if Cheonsu was behind it, why? They were already thriving—no need for such tactics. Above all, Kang Ga-young had no reason to cross that line.
"...Hmm."
Before I knew it, the hangover drink in my hand was empty. Oh, right—there was that big raid coming up soon. Before diving into the raid proper, we'd planned to loosen up in a small dungeon, just for Yoo Jae-hyun. Me, Ma Pildu, and Jae-hyun. Ma Pildu's grinning face as he said, Let's heat things up, just us guys! It was so ridiculous, a chuckle escaped me.
"Ugh."
I stood, brushed off my butt, and turned to head home. That's when voices drifted over from afar.
"Huh. People out walking even this late."
Not my business, even if I was doing the same. Glancing over, it looked like a young woman. Security was tight here anyway—no need to worry.
"Hey! Whoa—?!"
Until the woman following behind called out and tripped.
"Anyway, that's how it is. My class has 6 guys and 14 girls. Still, ours has the highest guy-to-girl ratio."
She twirls the selfie stick mounted with her phone this way and that. Reading the incoming chat window aloud—her name's Han A-reum, occupation: high school girl.
"...No. When's the gender ratio gonna normalize? Seriously. These damn monsters."
No one knew how they zeroed in on places packed with young guys. Boys' high schools were prime monster bait especially. Han A-reum swept back her hair, then went quiet as if remembering something. Soon, she smirked and spoke up.
"Oh. Last time, I saw this total oppa of my dreams..."
"Nah, don't comfort me. He didn't reject me—he just put me on hold 'cause I look young."
She peeled off the black mask dangling from her chin, looking annoyed. Her lip line curved into a convincing smile.
"Not dangerous here. Look at the house prices. Security's top-notch, and hunters live here too."
Obviously her parents' place, but still her home now. She could brag a little. Maybe film a house vlog next time?
"...Ugh, if money worked, I'd lure him in a heartbeat. Too bad."
Han A-reum recalled the guy from the subway. Not a total heartthrob, but handsome enough, perfect height difference for her, and...
"His smile was so pretty too. Guess I like pretty boys."
"Nahh. Rude af. Anyway, that's it for today—heading home! Poof!!"
Han A-reum snorted inwardly and turned her head. Her pupils dilated, vision sharpening—or so it felt.
Subway guy? Wait. Let me say something at least...
"Hey! Whoa—?!"
Too hasty. In her panic, her foot missed the ground. She hit the deck in an instant. God, so embarrassing I could die. She couldn't rewind time, but she wished he'd just ignore her and keep walking. Or not—actually, she wanted him to ask if she was okay.
Footsteps approached.
Meeting like this... fate? But what if he looks down on me?
"Hey, you okay?"
That low, heart-fluttering voice.
"...N-no, not okay. Sniff."
Ughhh, dying of shame for real.
The woman sprawled face-down on the ground stood, cheeks burning. Her shorts left the blood trickling from her knee in plain view. Nicely buzzed, I reached out without thinking.
Heal
A green glow flowed to her bleeding knee. Not a monster wound—just a scrape from falling—so it healed clean in under three seconds.
"Whoa. Oppa, you a doctor? No—hunter? Healer?"
Her face lit up with shock and awe, hand over her mouth. Classic reaction for a girl her age.
"Hunter, yeah. Healer."
"Insane. Epic. Wait—do you remember me by any chance?"
"Huh? No. I'm heading home now. You get home safe too."
"No, wait. Oppa, hold up. I asked for your number on the subway before—really don't remember? Like! Me! Yeah? Too young? Didn't give it, hmph. Ring any bells?"
Did she? Kinda rang a vague bell, kinda not.
"Ah, sorry, but I really gotta go home. Your parents must be worried."
Purifying Light would zap the hangover instantly, but I wanted to crash buzzed and content.
"Okay, just a sec. Wait."
I ignored her persistent chatter and speed-walked away. Once far enough, I heard her muttering alone.
"What, Lee Seojun? That S-rank healer?! For real. Whoa. The world. Wow. Total fate? Looks like he lives here too..."
Soon enough, the day to enter the small dungeon arrived. No gear or potions needed this time—just me, Ma Pildu, and Yoo Jae-hyun shaking off the rust.
"Hahat! Man, my heart's racing. With me up front, he was nailing his aim like old times!"
Ma Pildu pointed at the gun Yoo Jae-hyun held, laughing. Jae-hyun's class was Gunner; paired with his archer sister Chae-eun, they'd make a killer ranged duo.
"Alright, Seojun. Ready to roll?"
Jae-hyun spun his gun with pro-level flair. Cool as hell, total badass vibe. Procedures done, so...
"Yeah. Let's go."
I followed Ma Pildu and Jae-hyun into the dungeon. The scenery shifted slowly.
"Wide open field, huh?"
The fresh green expanse cleared my mind. Per the briefing, no need to trek—just mop up monsters here.
"What monsters spawn here?"
"Those—uh, wait and see."
A scarecrow hopped over from where Jae-hyun pointed—paper face with a grumpy drawing pasted on. Totter, totter, totter.
"Railgun."
A red beam lanced straight through it in a flash. Jae-hyun's skill. The scarecrow crumpled, and thunder rumbled from the sky.
Chirp chirp! Chirp chirp!!
Five giant sparrows dove from above. I flinched instinctively.
"I'll wrap it quick. Just in case, Pildu hyung—watch Seojun."
"Krahaha! No worries!"
"Barrage incoming~."
Jae-hyun leaped high into the air. His Concentrated Fire activated.
Bang! Bang-bang!! Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang!!!
Holes riddled the massive sparrow monsters' bodies as they plummeted. All five down, Jae-hyun landed lightly. Clear in a blink.
"Done. Lunch—what you want? My treat."
He grinned. Anyone'd think he was a revenge novel protag. Skills sharp as ever—no rust.
Should I clap? Then Ma Pildu crossed his arms and bellowed.
"Definitely slower than your prime, but this'll do. Hahat!"
I nodded dazedly and murmured quietly.
"Whatever. Anything's fine."