Chapter 63
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Kang Ju-young (1)
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"Come to think of it, I haven't heard your name yet. What should I call you?"
Name?
"Call me Healer."
"You don't want to tell me your name?"
"Someday, I might."
He'd told the organization members in the warehouse that he was Lee Seojun, but he couldn't use that name anymore.
Lee Seojun had revealed his own name through guild chat, so Kang Ju-young would definitely find it suspicious.
'Of course, I could just give a different name.'
Since nothing came to mind, he said "Healer," just like he had to the others.
Naturally, Joo Tae-ho tilted his glass with a displeased expression at the response, but he didn't press the issue.
"Looks like you have your reasons. Fine, Healer. You seem like the type who hates stepping forward, yet you somehow joined the Destroyer subjugation operation."
"I didn't want to, but Seo Do-kyung reached out. So I agreed to help in exchange for compensation."
Joo Tae-ho showed a flicker of interest at the word "compensation."
"Compensation? What kind?"
"A Skill Stone. I need to train up my people, after all."
"I like that you're looking out for your own. And Seo Do-kyung's a good guy. Befriending him won't hurt."
"If we get close, he'll be even more of a pain than he already is."
Joo Tae-ho nodded without denying it.
"Fair point. But isn't it because your abilities stand out? In all my years, I've never heard of anyone reviving the dead."
"If you searched the whole world, you'd find another healer like me somewhere. I'm exceptional, but I don't think I'm one of a kind."
Joo Tae-ho nodded as if it made sense, but Lee Seojun tilted his head.
— Lee Seojun: But doesn't it feel like Lee Seongmin is the best? At least, I've never seen a healer on his level.
"......"
Since Lee Seojun had experienced this world once before, his words carried weight, but he let it slide without comment.
"Still, it's a shame. If you stayed at this school, you'd help so many students."
"I'd be helpful, sure. And people needing help would come knocking nonstop."
If he stayed at the school as a healer, he could easily imagine what would follow.
First off, any instructors or students with family or lovers in need of treatment would come running without fail.
"Hmm."
Joo Tae-ho seemed to think the same, letting out a small hum and nodding.
"True. People seeking you out would multiply in an instant. So, what's your plan going forward?"
"I'm going to lay low. Once they learn the dead from the Destroyer rose again, they'll come hunting for me."
"We keep circling back to the Destroyer. Where did a monster like that even come from?"
Joo Tae-ho seemed to view the Destroyer's power as beyond specs.
It was off-the-charts, but he wasn't about to say that himself.
"We'll figure it out eventually."
"A way to deal with the Destroyer?"
He nodded in response.
"Like you said, we'll find a way. Speaking of, you mentioned getting a Skill Stone from Seo Do-kyung as payment? I happen to have one myself."
At that moment, Joo Tae-ho mentioned he had a Skill Stone too.
One bottle of Blue Flower brew wasn't enough, apparently—he was even offering a Skill Stone.
"......Joo Tae-ho. You're not thinking of giving me a Skill Stone too, are you?"
Kang Ju-young asked with a hopeful expression at his words.
"He said he needs one, so I'll give him a few."
"......"
Kang Ju-young's eyes screamed she wanted to stop him, but she held her tongue.
On the surface, he was their lifesaver, so opposing it might make Joo Tae-ho suspicious.
'Should I refuse?'
Judging by Kang Ju-young's reaction, refusal seemed right.
But turning down his name and now a Skill Stone might hurt Joo Tae-ho's pride.
"Do you have anything in calculation or multi-casting?"
"Calculation and multi-casting? Planning to learn magic, I take it."
He nodded.
"I can't fight with weapons, after all."
"Healers can wield weapons, but you'll be the exception. If you die, everyone loses out."
He meant there was no need for someone who could even revive the dead to take risks.
Anyway, when he mentioned Skill Stones helpful for Absolute Clone, Joo Tae-ho stood up.
"Wait a moment."
Intending to fetch the Skill Stone, Joo Tae-ho left the room right away.
As soon as he was gone, Kang Ju-young shot him a dissatisfied look.
"Normally, you'd refuse, right?"
"He'd be disappointed if I did."
"He's not the type to get upset over something like that."
"Who knows. Or should I say I've received plenty of compensation already?"
The compensation he meant was Kang Ju-young herself.
At his words, she openly furrowed her brow.
"Don't even think about saying it."
"I wasn't planning to, but...... your attitude is stingy."
After all, he'd come all the way to Hero Officer Academy to treat Joo Tae-ho.
Yet her attitude soured just because he'd accepted liquor and a Skill Stone.
'Time to settle this once and for all.'
He wanted an equal, comrade-like relationship—but only with those who liked him.
If she acted this way after all this, she probably wouldn't warm up to him anytime soon.
"On second thought, I haven't gotten full compensation yet."
"Didn't you sign that shady contract?"
"The contract was just basic insurance. You know that's not what I really meant."
"......"
When he brought up the contract again, Kang Ju-young fell silent.
He looked at her, then reached out to the woman sitting right beside him and firmly grabbed her breast.
"This is what you wanted, right?"
Kang Ju-young accepted his touch silently and spoke flatly.
Her reaction suggested she'd anticipated this.
"You saw it coming."
"When I first asked you to treat Joo Tae-ho, you had that same look as the others."
"Same look?"
"Eyes mixed with lust and desire, trying to possess me somehow. It's faded a bit now, though."
From her words, it seemed she'd read his gaze back then.
Even so, she'd signed the contract to get Joo Tae-ho treated.
"The difference is, you'd actually possess me."
"True. I could pin you down right here and show Joo Tae-ho."
As he lightly pushed her while speaking, her eyes trembled faintly.
"......Do what you want. But not here."
"What if I force it?"
"Didn't you promise to respect me?"
"I did. But I thought it was mutual respect."
Despite kneading her ample breast hard enough to distort it, Kang Ju-young didn't even frown.
True to S-Rank form, this was barely pain, but he could see her face flush ever so slightly.
"But I'll give you a chance. Take off your top and show me your breasts."
"Right here, right now?"
"Better before Joo Tae-ho returns. Or I could just take you in front of him."
Kang Ju-young bit her lower lip hard, visibly conflicted.
Then, deciding it was best to finish before Joo Tae-ho came back as he'd said, she lifted her top and bra to expose her breasts.
As expected, large breasts near E-cup, with pale skin and light pink nipples came into view.
"Satisfied now?"
She gripped her top tightly, ready to drop it the instant Joo Tae-ho returned.
Since he'd only done it to break her spirit anyway, he casually pinched and rubbed the protruding nipple without much reaction.
"Way better than over clothes. And they're impressively big."
"Didn't you just say something about my age making them similar or larger?"
"Age is just a number."
He meant people didn't necessarily get more reserved or wise with age.
"Fair enough. Among those who wanted me, there were old higher-ups too."
"Even with Joo Tae-ho around?"
"Joo Tae-ho had trouble acting due to the curse."
She must have been targeted during his quiet periods.
Anyway, while tormenting her nipple, he asked about the next schedule.
"What's the plan after this?"
Grasping his intent, Kang Ju-young hesitated but eventually answered.
"Nothing. We cleared the schedule for the Destroyer subjugation."
"Perfect."
As he replied, sensing Joo Tae-ho's presence, he pulled his hand from her breast.
Kang Ju-young, feeling it too, quickly lowered her top and sat quietly as if nothing happened.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. It took a while to find it after so long."
"You have a lot of Skill Stones?"
"No one in this country has cleared as many gates as I have."
He meant he'd accumulated plenty of Skill Stones from all those gates.
With that, Joo Tae-ho sat back across from him and handed over one Skill Stone.
"I might dig up more later, but be satisfied with this for now. I'll give you the rest next time you visit."
"Next time......"
He trailed off and used his observation skill on the Skill Stone Joo Tae-ho offered.
E-Rank (Lv. 7) Thought Expansion
Using this allows acquisition of the E-Rank skill 'Thought Expansion'.
"Thought Expansion, huh."
"You have appraisal skills too?"
"World's full of scammers."
When he said he'd learned it to avoid being duped, Joo Tae-ho nodded approvingly.
"You're right—better to appraise yourself than hire someone. Anyway, is it the Skill Stone you wanted?"
He glanced at Lee Seojun instead of answering right away.
Lee Seojun nodded at the mention of Thought Expansion.
— Lee Seojun: Yes. Especially great for you, Lee Seongmin. Even if the number of Absolute Clones increases, the burden lessens.
"I'll gladly take it."
Sure, it was E-Rank, but that was fixable, so no issue.
Having received liquor and a Skill Stone from Joo Tae-ho in return, he opened his subspace and pulled out a potion as thanks.
"Here, as repayment."
"A potion? Some kind of elixir?"
"Elixir of Youth. Drink it, and you'll be ten years younger."
Joo Tae-ho and Kang Ju-young stared at the potion he'd produced, eyes wide with surprise.
"Is this the secret to your youthful looks? And it's not from a tower or gate—you made it yourself."
Joo Tae-ho guessed it wasn't looted since it made him ten years younger, figuring he'd brewed it.
'They probably think I drank several based on my appearance.'
Pulling out another here made them assume he manufactured it.
Since only he could obtain it, he saw no real difference and nodded.