Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Nayeo-ju Saves the World
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As I ran closer, the surroundings came into clearer view.
Strange patterns and letters were intricately drawn around where Han Ji-seong had collapsed.
"A magic circle?"
At the same time, an information window popped up.
Han Ji-seong's problem wasn't just his sensitivity to darkness.
Among S-rank hunters, he had an enormous total mana capacity.
Enormous, really.
It was usually a good thing, but for a hunter who had to use that power mainly in dungeons, his sensitivity to darkness turned it into a fatal flaw.
Long ago, when he was with Fantasia Guild, Han Ji-seong would vomit blood and collapse after using his skill just a few times.
And after unleashing attacks that demanded massive mana, he would go berserk right away.
Fainting could be overlooked, but a comrade rampaging mid-dungeon raid put everyone in mortal danger.
The guild members suddenly had to watch out for both monsters and their teammate.
That's why he left Fantasia on his own two feet and joined Justice Guild, which didn't do dungeon raids.
Even after that, it seemed he'd kept researching alone like this.
But there was a fatal mistake here.
"It's all dungeon products."
The ink used to draw the magic circle, the massive mana stones placed in every corner—everything was emanating darkness.
No wonder his dark addiction levels shot up so fast.
For now, I hurriedly shoved the surrounding mana stones into my sub-space.
I couldn't lift Han Ji-seong and move him, so it was the only choice.
"Han Ji-seong-ssi, can you hear me?"
"Ugh..."
I shook his shoulders vigorously and called out loudly. Thankfully, he reacted.
He was barely opening his eyes.
But my expression grew even graver.
"Black tears."
The moment Han Ji-seong opened his eyes, tears trailed from the corners—pale gray at first.
It was the symptom I'd seen every time someone rampaged inside [Sejong Wall].
Thick, black tears, as if the darkness itself had condensed.
I quickly checked Han Ji-seong's dark addiction level.
Fortunately, he hadn't fully rampaged yet.
The description for dark addiction cure in my skill window hadn't changed.
"Han Ji-seong's favorability right now..."
Last time I'd checked, it was '♥12'.
For some reason, it had gone up by 1.
I didn't know the max favorability, but I couldn't expect '♥12' to be high.
"Still, I have to try."
One fortunate thing: Han Ji-seong was barely conscious right now.
So he probably wouldn't even register that I had a dark purification skill.
"Use skill."
The "physical contact" part was annoying, but whatever.
I grabbed Han Ji-seong's left hand with both of mine.
"That's too much."
But there was no time to complain.
The moment that 98% hit 100%, an unstoppable rampage would begin.
"Tell me my current stamina."
I didn't hesitate long.
"I'll purify 15%."
"Didn't expect to burn through my first big use this fast."
I took one last look at Han Ji-seong's pale face, then closed my eyes to focus.
The unpleasant sensation of energy draining from my body hit me, just like when healing wounds.
I had no idea how much time passed.
After using the skill, dizziness made the world spin; I could barely stay sane.
I only regained my senses thanks to the system's alert.
"Ah, damn it."
A groan escaped me.
I braced myself against the floor to keep from collapsing.
"Ugh."
Meanwhile, the system bombarded my vision with noisy windows.
[Stamina too low]
Why was it still dropping?!
Before I could snap, my vision was narrowing to black.
Thankfully, Han Ji-seong's condition had improved dramatically.
He looked exhausted, but not like a corpse anymore.
"Guess... I need a nap."
I flopped down beside Han Ji-seong.
Need to get stamina-boosting items ASAP, I thought.
When Han Ji-seong came to and saw the familiar ceiling, he let out a small sigh.
'Rampaged again, huh.'
He recalled the bone-chilling cold that had frozen even his heart before he blacked out.
Another failure.
He'd been so sure it would work this time.
What went wrong?
Not enough mana stones?
Or an error in the magic circle?
At this rate, he'd just be a burden to the guild.
If he couldn't strengthen this frail body, he at least needed to find a way to reduce his mana.
"Haa."
Having purged some darkness through the rampage, his body felt light.
Good.
He'd get up, wipe the black tears from his face, and resume research...
"You're awake?"
"Nayeo-ju?"
He adjusted his glasses, but sure enough, Nayeo-ju was sitting on his bed.
"No, Nayeo-ju-ssi. What are you doing here? It's dangerous next to a rampaging hunter."
"Rampaging?"
She tilted her head quizzically.
"Looked more like a cold to me."
"No, I definitely rampaged..."
"No idea what dream you had, but you were burning up."
Han Ji-seong knew his rampage symptoms well.
He'd lose consciousness and collapse, then lose control of his mana.
Once the real rampage kicked in, everything around him froze.
Blizzards, barrages of dozens of Ice Spears—his main skill going haywire.
His body too: freezing solid like a giant ice block.
'But I had a fever?'
Reflexively, he wiped under his eyes.
Nothing.
He stared blankly at his pale palm, lost in thought—until Nayeo-ju approached and placed a hand on his forehead.
"Do you know how scared I was? No answer from outside the door, no picking up the phone!"
Her scolding rang in his ears, but her touch, checking his temperature, was gentle.
It even felt wonderfully cool, as if he really had a fever.
"What's the point of having a healer around if you're just gonna boil soup out of me later? If you're sick, say something ahead of time!"
"I'm still not quite getting..."
Han Ji-seong was confused.
His body felt strangely light, making it worse.
"Looked like you pushed too hard with research and caught a cold. Don't do that anymore."
"So Nayeo-ju-ssi used a healing skill on me."
"That's what I've been saying."
"My condition is too good. Even potions never cleared my headaches like this..."
"What, insulting an A-rank healer now?"
"Ah, no, that's not..."
"If you're fine, get up. Gonna lie there forever?"
Nayeo-ju patted his shoulder.
"Ah...!"
Only then did Han Ji-seong realize he was still in the middle of the magic circle and bolted upright.
No usual dizziness either.
'This... is the healing skill's effect?'
Back in Fantasia Guild, he'd received heals from A-rank healers.
But they'd done nothing for headaches or dizziness.
"Thank... you, Nayeo-ju-ssi."
He set aside his swirling thoughts and spoke to her.
"Get some exercise normally. The training grounds are almost done anyway."
"Exercise... will that help?"
"Duh."
Nayeo-ju clicked her tongue and kept scolding.
"Why do you think physical enhancers and melee fighters have lower rampage death rates than mages?"
"Makes sense."
Han Ji-seong nodded, guessing the answer.
High-rank hunters treated rampages like periodic nasty flu.
But relatively frail mages died from it more often.
He'd chalked it up to mana capacity, but now he listened to Nayeo-ju's fresh hypothesis.
"'Stamina is national power' for a reason, right?"
"Got it. Guess I'll train stamina too."
"Not too hard, though. Regular heals from me will make you way healthier."
"Then I'll rely on you going forward."
"That's why guilds have healers. No need to thank me. Ah, using the skill tired me out a bit. I'll head out, so you rest too. No more research."
Han Ji-seong had been planning to peek at the magic circle more, but flinched.
"Rest today, no excuses. Tomorrow the training grounds finish—you won't get a break then."
"...Understood."
With a suspicious squint that said 'don't you dare not rest', Nayeo-ju left.
Alone, Han Ji-seong sank into the soft bed.
How long since he'd lain down this peacefully?
Soon, his silver lashes fluttered shut.
"...Warm."
Savoring long-lost body heat, he slept—unaware.
The doorknob Nayeo-ju had just touched was frozen cold.