Chapter 40
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Business (4)
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"Cadet Lee Seongmin. That was a very impressive fight."
Instructor Kang Ju-young said that the moment our eyes met.
She was definitely perceptive enough to gauge just how much power was infused in my sword.
"Would you be up for taking another entrance test?"
"A test?"
Lee Seojun chimed in with a guess at the word "test."
-It seems they want to recheck because your entrance test results don't match your performance now.
I nodded inwardly in agreement, but I didn't think there was any need to actually go through with a test.
"No, I'm good. It'd just be a waste of time."
"I see."
Instructor Kang Ju-young backed off without pressing further, as if she understood.
"Anyway, you took down a boss-grade monster, so we have to give you the points. Come get your 40 points."
I calmly accepted the 40 points, but Oh Ye-rin and the others openly rejoiced as they received theirs.
Leaving behind my satisfied teammates and the envious stares from the surrounding students, I thought to myself.
'Now I can head back to the dorm and give Seo Ji-ho that contact info.'
It was something I'd brought on myself, but today would be a busy day of running around.
After finishing his practical combat class, Seo Ji-ho called the number Lee Seongmin had given him.
Fortunately, the other side picked up and asked in a low voice who it was.
-Who is this?
"......This is Seo Ji-ho, referred by Lee Seongmin. I heard you can restore a hero's abilities."
-Lee Seongmin, huh...... So, what's your business?
Seo Ji-ho felt there was something vicious about the other man's voice, even though he'd barely spoken.
He wondered if this might be a trap, but it was too early to jump to conclusions, so he pushed the thought aside.
"I'd like you to treat my father."
-Of course. What else would it be? But let me say this upfront: I'm not doing it for pocket change.
"As long as the treatment is certain, I'll pay any amount."
-I like the sound of that. We'll discuss the details in person.
"Yes. And if it's alright, may I choose the meeting place?"
-Do whatever you want.
With the man's permission, Seo Ji-ho suggested a café near his house.
He explained that his father had just finished treatment and couldn't go far, and the man agreed before hanging up.
'That should do it.'
Since it was near his house, he could handle any problems that arose.
His home was guarded around the clock by bodyguards and heroes dispatched from the Hero Association.
'Let's go.'
With that, Seo Ji-ho used his leave pass and headed home.
As expected, his father and mother were there, and he gave a brief explanation before trying to escort his father out.
"Ji-ho. Healers who can restore abilities are so rare that even searching the whole world, there are only a handful."
Of course, Seo Ji-ho's father, Seo Do-kyung, was skeptical of his son's words.
That's how rare they were, and treatments took a long time.
Besides, if such a healer existed, the nation would secure them by any means, so he assumed it was a lie.
"Can't you trust me just this once and come along?"
"Just once......"
But Seo Do-kyung couldn't bring himself to ignore his son's plea and nodded.
"Alright. You said it's right nearby, so it wouldn't hurt to check it out."
Seo Ji-ho convinced his father relatively quickly and they headed to the café together.
After sitting there for a while, someone entered not long after.
'Mm.'
Seo Ji-ho let out an involuntary groan upon seeing the unfamiliar man who walked in.
He didn't usually believe in physiognomy, but anyone could see this guy's face screamed serial killer.
"......"
Seo Ji-ho's father, Seo Do-kyung, also kept his eyes fixed on the newcomer with a hint of suspicion.
As the father and son watched the man, he scanned the room before his gaze settled on them.
Thud, thud—
He strode over purposefully and looked straight at Seo Ji-ho.
"You Seo Ji-ho?"
"......Are you the healer I spoke to earlier?"
"Yeah. The one you were looking for."
Surprisingly, the man introduced himself as the healer and pulled out the opposite chair without asking, sitting down.
Seo Ji-ho and Seo Do-kyung were shocked that this serial-killer-faced guy boldly claimed to be a healer, but they didn't show it.
"Let's talk business first. With that guy's referral, I'll take exactly 100 billion."
"Pardon?"
Seo Ji-ho was startled by the amount, far larger than he'd imagined.
"Or if you have a rare Skill Stone, I'll take that instead. Depending on the rarity, I might give you a better deal."
Seo Do-kyung responded to the man's words.
"100 billion is steep, but not impossible. And from what you say, you prefer Skill Stones, right?"
The man nodded at Seo Do-kyung's question.
He didn't have an identity or bank account yet, so Skill Stones were cleaner and easier.
"Personally, I prefer Skill Stones."
"In that case, I have a Skill Stone called [Star Tracking]. It's level 10, so it should be the rare one you mentioned."
When Seo Do-kyung brought up the [Star Tracking] Skill Stone, the man glanced away briefly.
He seemed to ponder for a moment before shaking his head and asking for something else.
"Anything else?"
"Nothing else at level 10."
Level 10 Skill Stones were rare in and of themselves.
Not something one person would have multiples of.
"As you know, level 10 Skill Stones are priceless. Easily over 100 billion."
Seo Do-kyung subtly steered the conversation to imply he was taking a loss.
And it wasn't wrong—level 10 stones traded for hundreds of billions.
"Or is there another Skill Stone you want?"
"Hmm. Something in the multi-casting line would be nice."
"Multi-casting...... That's tricky. I don't need those skills, so I gave them to colleagues or sold them."
The man shrugged helplessly.
"No choice then. I'll take the [Star Tracking]."
"You're taking a Skill Stone worth over 100 billion."
Grasping Seo Do-kyung's intent, the man asked with a low, sunken gaze.
"You keep bringing up the price, so it seems you want something more."
"Nothing major. We're clearly losing out here, so treat one more person."
"I was too nice quoting such a low price."
The man weighed [Star Tracking] against treating two people, then nodded.
"I'll concede this time."
He chose the level 10 Skill Stone.
Confirming the deal, Seo Do-kyung smiled faintly.
"Glad we could settle amicably. May I ask how long the treatment takes?"
"Time?"
"Treatments usually take time based on the injury. I just want to know how long yours does."
The man nodded as if understanding, then stated the time.
"About 10 seconds."
"......10 seconds?"
"10 seconds."
"Are you joking?"
Seo Do-kyung coldly questioned, unable to believe "10 seconds."
The man met S-Rank hero Seo Do-kyung's gaze nonchalantly.
"Joking? You think I'd joke about something you'll see for yourself soon?"
"Then treat me now. It won't take long if it's 10 seconds."
The man extended his hand toward Seo Do-kyung as if that worked too.
As Seo Do-kyung and Seo Ji-ho watched, a brilliant light gathered in the man's palm.
"There's one more, so I'll treat you first."
With that, the light flowed from the man's hand into Seo Do-kyung.
Crack—crack—
The light perfectly mended even the slightest misaligned bones, damaged muscles, and nerves.
"......"
Seo Do-kyung stared at the man in astonishment at the clear changes in his body.
After the 10 seconds the man mentioned passed, the light faded, and Seo Do-kyung felt his unbelievably lightened body.
"......It's real."
"Father. Are you alright now?"
Seo Ji-ho, who had been watching, asked too.
Seo Do-kyung honestly described his condition.
"Yes. The aches in my wrist and shoulder are gone. And the knee pain too."
His eyes still held lingering shock.
Just this healing alone made him the best in the world, he thought.
"How have you stayed unknown until now?"
"I haven't stepped out."
"You could have all the money and Skill Stones you want just by entering gates."
"That'd be more hassle than it's worth. Anyway, let's wrap up the deal instead of pointless talk."
At "deal," Seo Do-kyung agreed without further irritating the man.
"Understood. Then we'll go home, bring the Skill Stone and the other person."
Afterward, Seo Do-kyung returned home and contacted another S-Rank hero, Im Yeo-sol.
Im Yeo-sol had fought the Destroyer even after her spirit summoning was reversed, breaking limbs like Seo Do-kyung.
As a summoning hero, she could fight without full abilities, but he contacted her as a fellow S-Rank.
In a way, it was Seo Do-kyung looking out for her.
Anyway, he handed over the Skill Stone from his home safe to the man.
The man treated Im Yeo-sol when she arrived, then left as if he had no more business.
Naturally, the two who'd been healed directly were convinced gate raids would be far easier with this man, and pondered it.
Whatever.
"Thank you."
Back at the Hero Officer Academy, Seo Ji-ho thanked Lee Seongmin the next day.
Lee Seongmin, out for morning physical training, looked at the sudden thanks from Seo Ji-ho.
"Thank you for what?"
"Thanks to the person you introduced, my father has fully recovered."
"Ah. I just made the introduction, so don't worry about it."
Despite the dismissal, Seo Ji-ho shook his head.
"I can't do that. If you need my help in the future, call me anytime. I'll assist however I can."
Thanks to him, his father had regained his abilities.
He was ashamed of suspecting a trap at first.
But Seo Ji-ho planned to repay it slowly by helping Lee Seongmin.
"Well, sure."
Lee Seongmin nodded with a somewhat subtle expression.