Chapter 51
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: A Desperate Plea
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The family, who had been leisurely enjoying their day off, along with Han So-yul, were stunned by the ragged state of the two who returned.
By their standards, what they called a date was really just going out to look at furniture, but seeing the pair come back looking no better than beggars naturally elicited a strong reaction.
Yeon Sung-hun quietly smiled at the family's frantic concern, repeatedly asking if they were okay.
Fortunately, the house itself seemed unscathed.
Yeon Sung-hun lightly stroked Ur, who was mewling worriedly at his feet.
Afterward, giving only a brief account of events—skipping anything that might worry the family—Yeon Sung-hun went quietly up to his room with Choi Yeon-ah.
Han So-yul, sharp as ever, followed discreetly and urged him to tell her the truth, so he shared the facts only with her.
An A-Rank hunter like Han So-yul could find out anytime she wanted anyway.
Learning that it hadn't just been some monsters but that the two of them had taken down an S-Rank wyvern left Han So-yul utterly shocked.
She fumed that if something like that happened, they should have called her right away.
"How was I supposed to contact you in the middle of all that? It's so far from here—how long would it have taken you to get there?"
"If I chug a potion and run, it's quick! How could you two think of tackling an S-Rank monster alone? What if something terrible happened?!"
"Still, knowing you were here at home let me fight without worry. Thanks as always, So-yul."
"Don't try to change the subject!"
Yeon Sung-hun clicked his tongue briefly at Han So-yul's worried outburst.
She was too perceptive to brush off easily.
"Anyway, how've things been lately? The Song brothers haven't been bothering you, have they?"
It was obviously an attempt to shift the topic, but Han So-yul seemed willing to let it slide quietly.
She let out a short sigh before speaking.
"After getting totally crushed by you, what could they possibly say to me? At first, they treated me like I didn't exist, but lately they're clinging desperately, trying to do anything for me. They're even calling regularly to check in, which they never did before."
"If they get too annoying, just say the word. I'll give them a stern talking-to."
"How on earth did you do it? They're not the type to act like that..."
"Too early to tell a kid. I'll explain later, so hold off on the curiosity for now... Yeon-ah, drink this potion first and get some rest. We'll talk about the rest tomorrow after you've recovered."
Choi Yeon-ah quietly took the potion Yeon Sung-hun offered and nodded deeply.
Only after confirming she downed it and grimaced at the familiar foul taste did Yeon Sung-hun have Han So-yul escort her to the guest room.
Han So-yul led Choi Yeon-ah away as naturally as if it were her own home.
"Phew..."
Finally alone, Yeon Sung-hun let out a low sigh.
He hadn't shown it much, but in terms of exhaustion, his was even worse than Choi Yeon-ah's.
Even as his mana capacity had grown, he hadn't pushed himself to the limit like this lately. The long-absent fatigue and pain made Yeon Sung-hun tremble quietly.
"Team Leader Gye will handle the wyvern and other drakes. As for what I need to do..."
His sluggish mind, fogged by fatigue, struggled to turn as his phone buzzed softly.
Glancing at the caller, Yeon Sung-hun answered immediately.
"Yes, Seong A-reum Hunter. Calling means things have improved a lot, I take it? Are you alright?"
- All the monsters that poured out have been cleared. It's in a lull now. I'm fine, of course... Anyway, I heard from Main Hunter. How are you holding up, Guild Master?
"Suffering greatly because of it."
- Goodness... Why did a wyvern have to show up right in front of you? Still, it minimized casualties, so it's an honorable pain. How's unnie?
"Pretty worn out, but no other issues. Though she seemed distressed hearing about Jeon Hae-ryong Hunter."
- Yeah... The elder's basically her benefactor. With her personality, she'd want to rush to help right away. She's just holding back because it's impossible.
"Hm."
Yeon Sung-hun fell silent at Seong A-reum's words.
"Any plans to send in a separate rescue team?"
- Some suggest it, but it's not feasible.
"Why not?"
- We don't know how many survivors, but it won't be many. Can't risk more lives to save a handful... We saw that risk plenty with unnie.
"I see."
Yeon Sung-hun nodded slowly before asking right away.
"You seem skeptical about dispatching a rescue team, Seong A-reum Hunter?"
- No need to take pointless losses. Best to secure survivors who've escaped and handle the outflow monsters.
"Hm. What about Jeon Hae-ryong Hunter or Yoo Jun-young Hunter? Their survival odds?"
- The elder has experience like unnie's and a high chance of making it out. Yoo Jun-young, not sure. Even if he survives somehow, might end up like unnie.
"So you think they'll likely survive."
- The elder went in right after failure was confirmed.
"Is Jeon Hae-ryong Hunter that capable?"
- He's held his position steadily for years. Top candidate for next Association President, so yeah.
"Next Association President... I'd like to meet him sometime."
- If he makes it back safe. Anyway, details will reveal themselves in time.
Seong A-reum continued matter-of-factly.
- You and I are both exhausted, Guild Master, so I'll hang up. I've passed on everything relevant.
"Please contact me if new info comes in."
- Yes, right away. Oh, how's unnie now? Want to call and check on her.
"Hm. Well, physically fatigued, she'd have crashed quickly, but mentally it's worse... Try calling."
- Is that unnie digging a hole alone again?
"With So-yul there, maybe not as bad?"
- True enough. Thanks anyway. I'll call her separately.
"Yes, take care."
- You too. Good night.
Click. After ending the call, Yeon Sung-hun sighed softly.
His mind raced to summarize the situation and plan ahead.
A bit dizzy from extreme fatigue, but he needed to set a rough direction now.
"Key is whether Yoo Jun-young Hunter survives."
Will he return alive, or die?
If alive, intact or like Choi Yeon-ah?
Weighing variables, Yeon Sung-hun organized plans late into the night.
A few days later, around noon with the sun high, Yeon Sung-hun stifled a pained groan and sat up.
He wiped away the cold sweat soaking him and sighed lowly.
"Just a pittance of growth."
Yeon Sung-hun had just downed a mana enhancement potion.
He'd taken them steadily, but the agony remained unchanged.
Gains diminishing relative to pain, efficiency worsening.
Still, with mana ever insufficient, he endured.
"At least barely B-Rank now."
Scraping by, but steady doses got him there.
Process excruciating, though.
Sitting up, Yeon Sung-hun glanced out the window.
Yeon Hae-eun and Han So-yul giggling at Ur rolling endlessly in the yard.
Lee Hee-yeon and Choi Yeon-ah smiling leisurely under a parasol nearby.
Utterly peaceful.
Just watching from afar brought a smile.
Yeon Sung-hun chuckled unwittingly and shook his head lightly.
"Ur... cat or bear? Hard to tell."
Born A-Rank monster, lord of the mountain, devil of the peaks—yet now, who could believe it?
Size and looks unchanged from first sight.
Even Yeon Sung-hun—Faust—didn't know monster ecology deeply, but this seemed off.
'Might have issues. Should examine later.'
Yeon Sung-hun chuckled softly watching Ur dash after Han So-yul's cat toy rod.
Then his phone rang.
Caller: Seong A-reum.
Regular updates from her lately, so not odd.
Timing was, though.
Usually evenings after daily wrap-up; today too early.
'Something big?'
Tilting his head briefly, Yeon Sung-hun answered.
And heard shocking news from her.
Yoo Jun-young rescue failed.
Jeon Hae-ryong seriously injured entering to save him.
Her urgent voice cut the call short after the gist. Yeon Sung-hun swallowed hard.
Couldn't grasp full details, but her tone painted the dire scene.
New info spun his mind rapidly.
Yoo Jun-young or Jeon Hae-ryong's fate didn't much concern him personally, but others differed.
Like Choi Yeon-ah resting there?
Gazing at her chatting happily with his mother Lee Hee-yeon, Yeon Sung-hun swallowed again.
Couldn't hide facts from someone like her.
Had to tell, somehow.
Her joyful face upon hearing? Predictably shattered.
"Tricky. So tricky."
Sighing once, Yeon Sung-hun stepped out heavily.
Carrying news sure to torment Choi Yeon-ah endlessly.
Calling Choi Yeon-ah aside quietly for a talk, Yeon Sung-hun relayed the news straight.
No embellishments—just the facts. Her face twisted predictably.
A despair he'd never seen.
Yeon Sung-hun—Faust—had witnessed countless deaths, but her expression was hard to bear.
Should he offer comfort?
As he pondered, Choi Yeon-ah spoke first.
"Sung-hun, please... Save the elder. Please save him."
Voice soft, but desperately earnest.
Her hands gripped his tightly. Yeon Sung-hun swallowed.
'Benefits of saving Jeon Hae-ryong? Losses? Can I even succeed?'
Calculating scenarios, his eyes met hers looking up pleadingly.
His racing mind halted.
"...Even if I go, it might not work."
"It's okay. If it's you, Sung-hun... The one who vowed to heal me when everyone gave up..."
"...Alright. I'll go see."
Her face lit up with a gasp at his calm words.
His mere presence convinced her Jeon Hae-ryong was saved.
Telling of her usual trust in him.
Watching silently, Yeon Sung-hun quickly packed potions.
Actions might vary on-site, but basics needed.
Included new types never circulated.
Then Yeon Sung-hun and Choi Yeon-ah left the house.
Yeon Sung-hun didn't know the exact S-Rank rift location, but Choi Yeon-ah guided them there.
Far closer to central Seoul than expected; he tsked quietly.
No wonder they kept it secret.
An unconquerable rift devouring S-Ranks right near the capital—what fallout?
Arrived, but couldn't rush to Jeon Hae-ryong.
No authority to enter rashly.
In the urgent pinch, Choi Yeon-ah grew frustrated at the gate guard blocking them, but he wouldn't budge despite her protests.
Seong A-reum wasn't picking up either.
Before Choi Yeon-ah drew her sword in impatience—better to vault the fence?—a voice reached Yeon Sung-hun's ear.
"What's all the racket at the entrance now? What is it? Huh...? Unnie Yeon-ah?"
At the call, Choi Yeon-ah—mid-draw—and the firm guard turned.
There stood Yi Ye-rang, shouldering a monster corpse several times her size.
Back from culling recent escapees.
Choi Yeon-ah's face brightened instantly.
"Ye-rang!"
"How'd you get here, unnie? Ah, heard from A-rmi? But why're you waiting outside?"
Thud. Dropping the corpse, Yi Ye-rang tilted her head.
Choi Yeon-ah hurriedly explained.
"Wha...? For real? The world has that happening? How don't they recognize your face? Newbie?"
Yi Ye-rang gaped incredulously at the guard.
"Don't know unnie, called 'Red River' for blood flowing like rivers? What end times are these!"
"I... uh, procedure requires..."
"Procedure my ass. Unnie's face is a free pass anywhere! What guild? Haetae? Galaxy? Corporate?"
"I'm from Yuhwa..."
"Ah, same as Main Hunter. New guild, so maybe. But ignorance ends a hunter's career? In our day, uproar already! Unnie's mellowed a lot—not drawing yet!"
Chewing out the guard while slyly ribbing Choi Yeon-ah too.
As Choi Yeon-ah nearly drew amid the new jab, Yeon Sung-hun stepped forward.
"Shall we leave it there?"
"Huh? And you are?"
"First time meeting in person, though we've talked. Yeon Sung-hun."
"Yeon Sung-hun...? Wait, then are you...?"
Yeon Sung-hun nodded with a slight smile at the puzzled Yi Ye-rang.
"Whoa! The real alchemist?! Wow, in the flesh! Amazing! Nice to meet you! Really, really nice!"
Instant joy upon recognizing him.
Her "fan" claim over calls was pure, genuine truth.
Unsure whether to like it, Yeon Sung-hun smiled awkwardly.
"Should've spotted you with unnie! Sorry! Should've gotten a pic from A-reum-ie! Argh! Mortified!"
"Mm. It's fine. More importantly..."
"Why're you here? Ah, for the elder! Everyone's given up! Welcome! Come in!"
Thrilled, Yi Ye-rang grabbed Yeon Sung-hun's arm and dragged him.
True to her rep as strongest S-Rank in raw power, resistance futile.
"Ah! Our alchemist can enter, right? I'll take responsibility! Not nitpicking procedure again?"
"N-no! Go ahead!"
"Great! Let's go! Clear the way, alchemist's procession! Unnie, hurry! To the elder!"
Yeon Sung-hun bowed his head involuntarily at her brazenness.
Felt it on calls, but her energy unmatched among all he knew.
Thanks to Yi Ye-rang—not simply, but safely—they entered.
Embarrassment aside, no hitches; Yeon Sung-hun and Choi Yeon-ah reached Jeon Hae-ryong's treatment site unimpeded.