Chapter 58

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Translator: Ebonarch

Chapter: 58

Chapter Title: President's Rewards

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After returning to Babel from Silver Moon Mountain.

Lee Se-hun was immediately carried straight to the Ascus infirmary in Ryu Eun-ha's arms.

It was because he'd been shredded by Polmont's claws, covered in blood, and the recoil from forcibly boosting his physical abilities had put a massive strain on his entire body.

'It's not that serious.'

To Lee Se-hun, the severity of an injury was measured solely by whether it allowed forging or not. As such, his current wounds were manageable enough with a bit of care, making them tolerable at worst.

"Just stay still."

But Ryu Eun-ha dismissed his claims outright and proceeded with the examination. Soon enough, the results came back.

"Six weeks of recovery."

"......Pardon?"

Lee Se-hun stared at Professor Ahn Jeong-wan, the attending physician, in bewilderment at the unexpectedly long timeline.

"Uh... isn't that supposed to be six days?"

"No mistake. It's six weeks."

"No way, for an injury like this..."

He'd pushed himself a bit, sure, but six weeks was way too long.

Ahn Jeong-wan sighed at Lee Se-hun's reaction and continued.

"Take a look at this first."

Snap—

With a light flick of his finger, three diagrams appeared in midair.

They depicted the human body illustrating muscles, bones, and mana circuits respectively. The muscles were torn to shreds in every corner with no intact areas, the bones were covered in hairline fractures everywhere, and worst of all were the mana circuits—shriveled up in places from overexertion, two-thirds blocked in others, in truly abysmal shape.

"I've been a doctor for over thirty years, but this is the first time I've seen someone dismantle their body so meticulously and thoroughly."

Normally, when the body hits its limits, the weakest parts fail first, leading to major injuries.

But Lee Se-hun had distributed the damage evenly—no major wounds anywhere, just minor ones blanketing his entire body, leaving nothing unscathed!

"Your body right now is like cracked glass. It looks fine on the surface, but any strong stimulus will shatter it into pieces."

"Then as long as I avoid any stimulus..."

"How will the treatment proceed?"

Ryu Eun-ha's question prompted Ahn Jeong-wan to erase the diagrams and reply.

"The mana circuits are weakened overall, so rapid healing is too risky. We'll go with activating natural recovery. And to protect the body, we'll use special compression bandages."

"Please take good care of him safely."

"Wait, my opinion too..."

Lee Se-hun's input was ignored as treatment commenced in a flash. Before he knew it, his entire body was meticulously wrapped in gray bandages.

"These are special bandages engraved with body support and mana suppression enchantments. No issues for daily life, so rest easy."

The special bandages clung precisely to every muscle in his body.

As Lee Se-hun ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠grimaced at the uncomfortable sensation, Ryu Eun-ha bowed her head to Ahn Jeong-wan.

"Thank you for ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠your work."

"Then I'll be off."

Ahn Jeong-wan bowed back and left. A heavy silence settled over the now-empty infirmary room.

"......"

"......"

Different from the silence on Silver Moon Mountain. Sensing the inexplicable awkwardness, Lee Se-hun cautiously glanced at Ryu Eun-ha.

She sat in a chair, head slightly bowed, saying nothing. Less like staring at something and more lost in thought. Her demeanor drew a strange expression from Lee Se-hun.

'No idea what she's thinking.'

Among the high-ranking heroes who each seemed a bit off-kilter, Ryu Eun-ha was relatively easy to deal with.

She rewarded good equipment accordingly and cut off even longtime acquaintances without mercy if it was subpar.

Some might call her cold-blooded, but her clear standards made her straightforward.

'But this time feels different...'

Ryu Eun-ha proposed regular supply contracts to blacksmiths she favored, with terms scaling by skill.

Pre-regression, Lee Se-hun got once a week. Other blacksmiths, at best once a month—his level was in another league.

So he'd planned to gauge distance based on pre-regression norms this time too.

But then:

'How about making my meals every day from now on?'

That proposal had wiped his plans clean.

Even at Bond Level Lv.4 pre-regression, once a week was max. Now at fresh Lv.2, daily supply requests?

'Didn't realize taste preferences made this much difference.'

How to measure distance with her now? As Lee Se-hun pondered deeply.

"Cadet Lee Se-hun."

Ryu Eun-ha, who'd been deep in thought, lifted her head and spoke.

"Do you remember the proposal I made on Silver Moon Mountain?"

"Yes. You asked me to make your meals every day..."

"......"

Her eyes twitched slightly at his response before she averted her gaze and continued.

"To be precise, it was about supplies. Sorry for the misleading phrasing."

"Pardon? No need to apologize for that. Meals aren't wrong either."

In truth, Ryu Eun-ha sustained herself on equipment alone, avoiding regular food.

She could eat it, but taste was dulled and efficiency poor.

"Ahem... Glad you took it that way."

Clearing her throat to reset the mood, she met his eyes again.

"Anyway, though sudden, the supply proposal was sincere."

"Supplies..."

"Eating the White Light Sword you made gave me a real shock. Beyond grade, it carried an emotion I'd never felt from any equipment."

"Not that much..."

"No exaggeration—pure truth. That moment's satisfaction rivaled any legendary gear I'd consumed before."

"......"

Her repeated praise made Lee Se-hun's face twitch.

Praise felt good as a human, but from Ryu Eun-ha of all people? Impossible to get used to.

'Can't you do better?'

'Not bad, but uninspired. Try harder.'

'Is this really your limit?'

Evaluations that pointed out flaws—or just complaints. No wonder blacksmiths avoided her.

Yet here she was, using "感動" and heaping extreme praise.

Amid joy mixed with odd discomfort, as he wore a strange expression.

"So... what do you think of the proposal?"

Ryu Eun-ha asked cautiously, studying him.

"All equipment at minimum ten times market price. I'll cover material costs and workshop facilities too."

Just make gear, ignore the rest. In a way, faster growth than Babel life.

But.

"Sorry."

Lee Se-hun shook his head firmly, refusing.

"If the terms aren't satisfactory, I can improve..."

"Terms are fine. I just prefer diverse experiences over tying to one place."

"......I see."

Ryu Eun-ha muttered bitterly, understanding. Watching her, Lee Se-hun thought inwardly.

'Liar.'

No place ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠matched her offer, even if Babel was top-tier.

His real reason for refusing regular supplies? She was Ryu Eun-ha.

'Amazed now, but familiarity will flip her cold.'

Home cooking shocks after travel, but months in, it fades.

Daily gear might lead to "bored" eventually.

'Plus, need to observe more.'

Her grasp of gear "taste" shifted their bond from pre-regression to "empathy."

Good or bad? Unknown. Better to proceed step-by-step, watch changes.

'Not regretting twice.'

Recalling pre-regression briefly, he pushed it aside and bowed.

"Sorry ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to refuse your kind offer."

"No. On second thought, daily gear was too much to ask. My apologies."

Seeing her slightly deflated, Lee Se-hun pulled out his prepared alternative.

"How about research instead of supplies?"

"......Research?"

"On the taste of gear as you perceive it."

Supplies were transactional, strict. Research made everything experimental.

'Failures just "part of process."'

Bonus: secure Babel funding. Win-win.

Ryu Eun-ha pondered his suggestion, then nodded seriously.

"Not a bad idea. Academy president likely approves such topics, and failures... ahem."

Covering her mouth with a cough, she continued.

"Sounds good."

"Then once results..."

"President said to call after treatment. Perfect timing."

"......Pardon?"

Who? As Lee Se-hun puzzled.

Whoooosh!

A bizarre sense enveloped his body.

Before reacting, his bedridden form stood straight, the infirmary shifting to a familiar space.

An antique shop vibe—worn, elegant. Marduk Mansion's president's office.

Lee Se-hun eyed the elderly summoner.

"Long time no see. Been well?"

Ludwig Schubert's soft smile made Lee Se-hun tense slightly.

'Summit Climber indeed... calls with beggar methods...'

Forced relocation from bed to office, posture seamlessly adjusted from lying to standing.

Not just teleport—full control over process.

If enemies, he'd be shredded mid-transfer.

"Hmm."

Reading his expression, Ludwig looked intrigued.

'High grasp of spatial transfer.'

Cadets usually just marveled. Few grasped implications.

Imaginative or paranoid? As Ludwig amused himself.

Thump—

Space warped; Ryu Eun-ha bounced in, landing.

"Sorry for the delay."

"No, my poor summoning."

Unlike his drag, she resisted somewhat.

'S-rank can resist some.'

As Lee Se-hun observed closely, Ludwig addressed them.

"So, care to explain Silver Moon Mountain? Inquiries piling up outside; time to tidy."

Minor incidents pass quietly, but vaporizing a danger zone peak? Impossible to hide.

"I'll explain first."

Standing by Lee Se-hun, Ryu Eun-ha summarized events concisely.

Ludwig listened quietly, intrigued at end.

"A-grade dungeon hidden in D-grade zone... No ordinary one."

Pondering, he eyed Lee Se-hun.

"Heard you fought monsters while Ryu was neutralized. Details?"

"Understood."

Lee Se-hun recounted, omitting Jürgen Kruger's finger.

Summit Climber relic—Ludwig might claim it.

"Finger sliced off; weird item emerged, rampaged. No clue where it went."

"Hmm..."

Ludwig stared piercingly, as if questioning completeness.

Other cadets might shrink, but Lee Se-hun met it steadily.

As gaze prolonged.

Slide—

Ryu Eun-ha wedged between.

"Cadet Lee Se-hun's condition is poor; best wrap quickly."

"Oh?"

Ludwig's eyes sparkled, then he smiled and nodded.

"Right. Insensitive of me. Sorry."

"No."

"Situation grasped. Currently... best deem no dungeon."

He stated calmly to them both.

"Professors missed it—valid reason. Evidence gone, unprovable. Likely pinned as Babel incompetence."

"Agreed."

"No need for freshman scandal. So, reframe as demon raid. Fitting."

Smiling softly, directing cover-up. Familiar pragmatism drew Lee's wonder.

'Knew he wasn't spotless... but this seasoned.'

A man unbound by law if needed. New side of Ascendant Emperor; Lee observed keenly.

"That said, you lose out."

Ludwig frowned at Lee.

"Discovering A-grade dungeon professors missed, fighting weakened A-grade evenly—all vanishes."

"Well..."

Publicity good, but not purely. 'Might draw watchers.'

"Shedding" involved more monster interest, but losing test subject and Climber flesh? Furious.

Thus, cover-up suited Lee fine.

But.

"A bit disappointing..."

No dumber than showing it here.

"Thought I'd show up those who ignore me for once..."

"......Ignore you?"

Low, ominous voice aside. Lee ignored it, watching Ludwig.

"Hmm..."

Pondering, Ludwig nodded decisively.

"Can't just gloss over. Need anything?"

"Need...?"

"Anything you want. Compensate your lost fame."

Vague, but from Babel president Ascendant Emperor? Different.

'Lost fame equivalent...'

His math precise. Listing needs lowest first.

"Approve research on gear taste as Ryu perceives?"

"Oh... with Ryu?"

Ludwig glanced; she nodded.

"Yes."

"He matched your taste?"

"Yes. Once isn't certain, but closest yet."

Ludwig beamed.

"Must research. Approved separately. Next?"

Not counting as compensation. Lee inwardly cheered, next up.

"Set upcoming subjugation training to 'Black Lotus Flood'."

Ludwig eyed surprised.

"Unexpected. Reason?"

"Gain missed fame there."

True goal: monopolize hidden special material. No need to say.

Ludwig nodded.

"Opportunity over reward... Good choice. Next?"

Barely a blip despite class impact.

Emboldened by generosity, Lee went big.

"Need 'Southern Fire Feather'—Vermilion Bird plume."

Long-delayed gear for probing regression memories due to prep/design.

Last piece: hero-grade Southern Fire Feather.

'Can he get it?'

Mong Sang-ah, Muk Jung-am tough; this rarer.

S-rank beast byproduct. Issue: post-kill, self-ignites, 90% body evaporates.

'Feathers near impossible...'

Pre-regression, never seen. Curious if Climber had.

"Southern Fire Feather... Wait."

Ludwig casually waved at air.

Clunk—

Golden keyhole in void, rotated 90, split vertical.

White unknown portal. Something stirred; rectangular blue crystal dropped.

Thud—

Neatly cut blue crystal housing palm-sized red ore. Lee Se-hun's eyes widened.

"No way..."

"Check."

Extended to desk. Approaching tensely, he inspected status.

Perfectly preserved Southern Fire Feather.

Lee revised assessment of Ludwig's prowess casually producing unobtainables.

'Shady, but keep close.'

No partner more vital to blacksmith than one sourcing materials.

Eyes sparkling at it, Ludwig asked flatly.

"That quality suffice?"

"Ah, yes. Perfect. Thank you."

"Good."

Viable for memory-probe gear. Satisfied with deal, as.

"Next?"

Ludwig smiled faintly.

"......Pardon?"

"What next?"

"......"

His eyes quivered.

Southern Fire Feather alone worth billions. More left?

Pondering, next request.

"Dragon Lung Stone too?"

For upgrading hero-grade 'Black Flame Hammer' from Jake bet.

Tricky get; considered Yeom Seong-ha, but if Ludwig had prior...

Thud—

Desk-bound dark-red ore. Pushed over casually.

"Inspect."

"Oh..."

Enough for Black Flame Hammer upgrade.

Two hero materials. All done, satisfied—

"......?"

Ludwig smiling, awaiting expectantly.

Lee simply revised: in harsh world, very very good person.