Chapter 45
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: Silver Herb
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After safely conquering the second B-rank rift, Yeon Sung-hun gave his raid team a break as usual.
It would be too much strain to dive into consecutive explorations like before, given that it was a B-rank rift.
Above all, Yeon Sung-hun had his own task to handle.
Processing the materials discovered during this B-rank rift exploration.
Silver Herb, a variant of Mana Herb that bloomed with faint silver flowers unlike the common blue-flowered Mana Herb.
Like Mana Herb, it enhanced potion efficacy, but its primary effect was to greatly increase mana capacity itself.
An elixir of sorts that placed a heavy burden on the mana circuits if consumed raw, but in the hands of an alchemist, such side effects were no concern.
In the workshop he'd newly set up in the basement of his new home, Yeon Sung-hun carefully processed the Silver Herb.
Ideally, it required a few more ingredients, but he couldn't obtain them right away.
Mana enhancement was one of his top priorities at the moment, so he couldn't afford to wait.
Besides, this Silver Herb was also one of the materials needed to treat Choi Yeon-ah.
As such, Yeon Sung-hun made do with what he had on hand, synthesizing as best he could.
With extra caution beyond his usual meticulousness, he achieved satisfactory results despite the missing ingredients.
Carrying the quietly synthesized potion upstairs, he found Choi Yeon-ah waiting, as he'd summoned her beforehand.
She'd even brought Urr along; on one side, Yeon Hae-eun was giggling away, while she chatted animatedly with Lee Hee-yeon.
Whatever they were talking about, it must have been hilarious—their faces lit up with nonstop smiles, nearly drawing one from Yeon Sung-hun as he watched.
Standing still to quietly take in the peaceful scene, Yeon Sung-hun was spotted first by Choi Yeon-ah.
"Ah, Sung-hun."
"Hello, Yeon-ah. Sorry to keep you waiting."
"No, I was having fun with your mom. Right, ma'am?"
"Yes. Our Yeon-ah is such a good talker, time just flew by."
How had they gotten so close that she was "our Yeon-ah" already?
Letting out a soft chuckle, Yeon Sung-hun quietly called Choi Yeon-ah over.
As he led her to his room on the second floor and vanished inside, Lee Hee-yeon shot him a knowing smile, but Yeon Sung-hun pretended not to notice.
A spartan space with just a bed and desk, utterly devoid of other furniture.
Glancing around the quiet interior, Choi Yeon-ah smiled brightly.
"It's neat."
"I mostly just sleep here, so it's a bit empty, huh?"
"A little sparse, yeah. We should add something."
"Yeah, we'll fill it up slowly."
"Want to go shopping together next time?"
"Sure, if you're okay with it..."
"Then let's go next day off. I might not look it, but I have a good eye for interiors."
"I'll trust you on that, Yeon-ah."
"Yep, just leave it to me."
They shared smiles for a moment before Yeon Sung-hun spoke plainly.
"I called you today for your treatment."
"...Is that so?"
"Yeah, you've waited long enough."
"No, I was prepared to hold out another year."
Shrugging lightly, Choi Yeon-ah earned a quiet smile from Yeon Sung-hun as he handed her a potion.
"Is this...?"
"As I said, I can't cure you instantly. It'll take time, step by step. Today is the first."
"...Just drink it?"
Choi Yeon-ah stared at the potion with trembling eyes.
It was just the beginning, but having watched him closely for so long, she trusted without doubt that Yeon Sung-hun would heal her.
Meeting her eyes full of anticipation and longing, Yeon Sung-hun nodded gently.
The clear silver liquid slid down her throat with a glug.
"Ah..."
Draining the potion in one go, Choi Yeon-ah let out a soft exclamation.
She glanced at Yeon Sung-hun.
"It's... more than I expected... um..."
"No real sensation, right?"
"...Yeah."
Was it because she knew how exceptional his potions usually were?
Even with prior explanation, she couldn't hide her faint disappointment.
Yeon Sung-hun smiled faintly at her.
"It's just the start. Take them steadily, and the effects will show gradually."
"Okay. I trust you."
Her eyes brimming with faith, Choi Yeon-ah nodded firmly.
Yeon Sung-hun watched her a moment before pulling out another potion.
"What's that one?"
"Oh, this is for me. Mana enhancement potion..."
"Come to think of it, your mana was quite low for your rank, wasn't it?"
She nodded in understanding, though her expression held a hint of puzzlement.
Awakened hunters typically possessed mana fitting their rank, but Yeon Sung-hun did not.
He wasn't exactly sparing in mana use either.
On the contrary, anyone seeing him craft potions would assume his mana was his highest stat—making this all the more odd.
To her questioning look, Yeon Sung-hun merely shrugged.
He had no intention of revealing he wasn't truly awakened.
"Should I step out?"
"You can watch, but it comes with some pain. Probably not a pretty sight..."
"If you're okay with it, I'll stay. Better to handle any issues right away."
"No real need, but..."
He trailed off, but Choi Yeon-ah showed no sign of leaving.
Shrugging once more, Yeon Sung-hun sat cross-legged in one corner and downed the potion.
The signature foul stench of his potions hit first, followed by the liquid sliding down his throat.
He closed his eyes and focused immediately.
Refined and processed though it was, expanding mana capacity was no easy feat.
His mana circuits throughout his body ignited all at once.
Cold sweat began beading on his forehead naturally.
The mild pain at first steadily intensified.
'Damn. Should've mixed in more painkiller?'
He regretted prioritizing preservation of effects with mostly auxiliary ingredients.
A standard recipe wouldn't have hurt this much.
Grimacing at the worse-than-expected agony, Yeon Sung-hun clenched his teeth.
Losing focus now would ruin everything.
Not only wasting precious materials, but in the worst case, damaging his mana circuits.
He endured, teeth gritted, for some time.
Finally, Yeon Sung-hun exhaled softly and opened his eyes.
His whole body ached like he'd brewed potions all day.
One difference: his mana capacity had clearly surged compared to before.
'Safely... success.'
Nearly tripled.
His base had been so low that even triple wasn't a huge absolute gain.
Objectively, still far below B-rank average.
'Gonna need a few more doses for sure...'
The bigger it got, the smaller the gains, so no expecting today's jump again—but drink he must.
While enduring monstrous pain.
'Need to tweak the recipe a bit.'
As he breathed out quietly, Choi Yeon-ah handed him a towel.
"You okay?"
"Ah... thanks."
"Looked like it hurt a lot. Any results?"
"Not bad, but not great either."
"Why? Problem?"
"Too painful."
Choi Yeon-ah let out a small chuckle at his dramatic complaint.
"Mana circuit expansion does hurt especially. No real meds for it yet."
"Don't worry. I'll take responsibility and fix you up."
"Yeah, I believe you."
Nodding readily, Choi Yeon-ah headed back downstairs with Yeon Sung-hun to the living room.
There, Lee Hee-yeon and Yeon Hae-eun were delighting in Urr's antics.
Urr, mid-play, spotted its master at last and its eyes sparkled.
Staring pleadingly as if begging for rescue, but Yeon Sung-hun smirked and looked away.
"Kruuung...!"
Betrayed by its trusted master, Urr wailed pitifully.
So human-like that everyone laughed at it.
That day, Choi Yeon-ah stayed for dinner before heading home late in the evening.
Short break over, third B-rank rift exploration.
While reading Yoon Ji-su's team's report, Yeon Sung-hun glanced toward a sudden commotion.
Beyond the barricade blocking outsiders, Han So-yul scowled fiercely at a middle-aged man as they argued.
The other raid members watched anxiously.
"That's..."
"Song Myeong-heon, guild master of Hwarang."
"...Ah."
Yeon Sung-hun nodded with a soft exclamation.
About time he showed up.
Han So-yul was a mercenary in name, but practically a Golden Guild member already.
Plus, she'd skipped all Hwarang's rift raids while joining every one of theirs.
How could her guild master just sit idly by?
Especially with her as Hwarang's star hunter.
Spot-on about Song Myeong-heon's reason, Yeon Sung-hun headed over promptly.
Their argument grew louder as he approached.
"What the hell is this, Han So-yul?! You know this is all contract violation?!"
"You still see me as a kid?! I checked everything! I'm not harming the guild— I should have the right to explore rifts I want personally!"
"If you wanna raid rifts, do it with us! Why this no-name...!"
"Done talking? Our guild is so great!"
"What? 'Our guild'? You really...!"
"That's enough."
Yeon Sung-hun quietly cut off Song Myeong-heon's bellow.
"...And who the hell are you?"
"Yeon Sung-hun, guild master of Golden. I've heard much about you, Guild Master Song Myeong-heon."
"You're that..."
Song Myeong-heon quickly sized Yeon Sung-hun up and down.
Yeon Sung-hun kept his smile despite the blatant appraisal.
"...I wanted to meet you anyway. See what kind of punk steals other guilds' members."
"Don't badmouth Oppa!"
"Han So-yul, you...!"
"It's fine, So-yul."
Cutting off another outburst, Yeon Sung-hun smiled at Han So-yul.
She hesitated at the reassuring look—like "trust me"—then grudgingly nodded and stepped back.
Now facing off squarely, Song Myeong-heon's overt displeasure contrasted sharply with Yeon Sung-hun's steady smile.
Yeon Sung-hun spoke to the glaring guild master.
"We both know the score, so no excuses or beating around the bush. Yes, scouting So-yul."
"...You're insane. You take responsibility for that?"
Shrugging nonchalantly at the glaring Song Myeong-heon, Yeon Sung-hun threw him off.
Song Myeong-heon was A-rank, a bit below average in combat but sharp politically.
His keen instincts made him falter at Yeon Sung-hun's utter composure.
'Got something up his sleeve?'
He hadn't come blindly despite his anger; he'd researched Yeon Sung-hun and Golden Guild.
Impressive growth for a new guild despite small numbers; each member skilled.
Mostly vetted ex-K.G., with founding members showing insane progress—like past S-ranks.
And Choi Yeon-ah, former S-rank, was in it.
Glancing her way, Song Myeong-heon saw her watching quietly.
A veteran hunter himself, he knew her prime terror well.
'She once shook the Association to its core, right?'
Even Seong A-reum trembled before her then...
Shaking off involuntary fear, he dismissed it.
She was a fangless tiger now; everyone knew she'd lost her arm and prowess.
No need to fear.
His calculations were solid.
Individuals strong, but numbers lacking.
Hwarang wasn't small; aiming big, he could crush them in open war.
At most a dozen-plus; with Han So-yul, thirteen.
A minor guild to squash by force.
'Should be, but...'
What was that confidence?
Naive to guild disparities?
'No, research shows he's capable...'
Aside from poaching Han So-yul, he'd love to recruit the whole guild.
Such a foe ignorant of the gap?
'...Something he's banking on...'
Yeon Sung-hun smiled faintly at his furrowed brow.
"Didn't research properly, huh?"
"...Don't know what you're counting on, but you'll regret that attitude."
"People who say that usually do."
Song Myeong-heon scowled at the casual remark.
"...I'll file a formal complaint with the Association."
"Hm, unexpected. Thought you'd go full war."
"...How long that confidence lasts..."
"But is that okay for you? So-yul mentioned plenty of your dirty laundry."
"...Han So-yul, you—!"
So that's his confidence—she spilled everything.
Fury boiling, Song Myeong-heon roared.
A raw, draconic aura exploded.
Han So-yul hid behind Choi Yeon-ah, sticking out her tongue.
"Should've behaved! I told you not to do that stuff!"
"That was for the guild's sake! For us...!"
"Enough. I don't want to escalate either. Just stay quiet till So-yul's contract ends."
"...Han So-yul, blow that open and you, me, Hwarang—all done! Your parents' blood money...!"
Enraged, Song Myeong-heon dodged suddenly.
Choi Yeon-ah had silently drawn her blade on him.
No swing, but threat enough.
'I'm dead...!'
Even A-rank Song Myeong-heon flinched at the murderous intent.
Choi Yeon-ah glaring lethally was no fangless tiger.
Forgetting protests, he stammered.
"Wh-what... the hell...?"
"Talking family crossed a line... Want to die?"
Her personal sword drawn, she stared him down coldly.
Overwhelmed, he backed away instinctively.
"Yeon-ah."
"Sorry, Guild Master. Couldn't hold back..."
"No, you did great. Without you, I'd have thrown a potion."
Smiling slightly, Yeon Sung-hun shook a potion vial in hand.
His familiar special explosive brew—one could burst a Sand Worm.
Sharing a pleased glance, they turned back.
Song Myeong-heon still cowed by her killing intent.
Yeon Sung-hun spoke calmly.
"You're the adult here—let's keep boundaries. I have more cards than that... Family was way over the line, no?"
His voice emotionless and steady, chillingly so.
Flat tone made him seem greater than Choi Yeon-ah for a moment.
Like a giant before him.
Shivering unwittingly, Song Myeong-heon fled.
Clinging to last pride, he jabbed a finger while retreating.
"I won't let this slide! You'll pay!"
Third-rate villain lines.
Staring only at Yeon Sung-hun—not Choi Yeon-ah—it was pathetically obvious.
Watching him vanish, the raid members chuckled freely.
"What a sight. Over this little...?"
"Well, with Sis like that, anyone would. Try it on A-reum—no reflex headbutt..."
"Quit spreading rumors!"
Thwack—a short hit, followed by Seo Jin-su's yelp.
Well-deserved; no one cared, fearing Choi Yeon-ah more.
As everyone commented on the departed fool, Han So-yul quietly approached Yeon Sung-hun.
"...Sorry, Oppa."
Her face downcast.
Not liking it, Yeon Sung-hun clicked his tongue briefly and patted her head.
"It's fine. No big deal. You okay?"
"I'm good. Knew my parents were trash forever."
She brushed it off casually, but Yeon Sung-hun tsked again.
Words aside, how could she be?
Faust aside, he knew family value well.
He stroked her head again.
"Mom and Hae-eun decorated your room all pretty."
"Huh? Really?"
"Yeah. Furniture's short, but they're excited to shop with you."
Her face lit up instantly.
Bouncing with anticipation, just like Mom and sister.
Yeon Sung-hun smiled unwittingly.
The uninvited guest soured the mood somewhat, but afterward, Yeon Sung-hun and the raid team began the rift exploration without issue.