Chapter 123
Chapter 123
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 123
Chapter Title: The S-Rank Healer
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Decartes Mountains, Stage 6.
This was a region where Wang-sik had hit his limit back when he'd been on his own.
Things weren't much different now. The number of monsters attacking had increased in proportion to their party size. An endless flood of S-rank monsters meant they couldn't let their guard down for a single moment.
Even so, the five of them, including Aisi, never once faltered in their roles.
With Wang-sik holding the line, they could focus their firepower and slowly began to adapt to Stage 6.
By the third day.
The five of them were certain.
—This is working.
Their newfound confidence made their hunts even faster.
Their days continued in a rhythm: Stage 6 by day, and descending to Stage 5 to hunt undead by night.
“Phew, let’s take a break.”
Just because they could hunt here didn't mean it wasn't grueling.
“How many S-rank gates do you think we clear in a day?”
“Probably over fifty?”
“Right?”
Their inventories were filled to the brim with mana stones and monster byproducts.
Dragging their exhausted bodies back to base, they would retreat to their rooms to rest, and as if by unspoken agreement, they all checked the news.
“Hmm. They’re doing well.”
Wang-sik’s expression brightened as he read the news about the Royal Club.
They were on expeditions all over the world, as if trying to take over Mad Castle’s role.
They were especially active in underdeveloped nations, releasing articles every day that boasted of their achievements. Thanks to them, Mad Castle had time to strengthen its foundations.
“Everyone must be busy.”
Kang Il-seop used his connections to recruit personnel for the control room, calling in people not just from the Hunter Management Bureau but also from the military. Although Mad Castle’s name was public, it was still shrouded in secrecy, so he had no choice but to select only those he could trust.
Fifteen people were selected for the control room.
Another fifteen were chosen to defend the base and manage the gates in various countries, bringing the total to thirty.
In addition, the expansion of the Giam Island base had begun in earnest.
The core of the expansion was the construction of additional gates, for which they planned to build a separate gate hub building.
Oh Min-jae had secured the technology, and thanks to the Guseong Group, they had ample funds, so there were no obstacles. Even the potential issue with the South Korean government was handled by Kang Il-seop and Han Young-im, who personally stepped in to set up safeguards.
—Giam Island is hereby recognized as a Special Gate Zone.
It wasn't an official declaration yet, but once the details were ironed out, the conditions for long-term development would be in place.
Because of this, construction on Giam Island began not only on essential facilities but also on recreational facilities for the agents.
“For the time being, combat agents are to focus solely on their growth unless absolutely necessary.”
This was a direct order from Kang Il-seop.
Thanks to this, the combat agents could get ample rest and concentrate solely on fighting.
Two months passed.
*Fwoosh!*
A lava spear, leaving a fiery tail in its wake, pierced through the body of a massive lizard on the ground.
As the ten-meter lizard, which had been spitting venom from its two heads, died instantly, a brilliant light erupted.
The light originated from behind the lizard.
“Congratulations!”
“Congrats!”
It was Sa Seon-gi.
The one who had dedicated himself to growth more than anyone else had finally ascended to A-rank.
“Thanks.”
After a brief reply, Sa Seon-gi used the time his friends had bought him to check his changes before rejoining the hunt.
And a week later.
Another bright light brought them joy.
This time, it was Wang-sik.
With him also becoming an A-rank Awakened, the party’s dynamic became even more stable.
The increase in his base defense was great, but more importantly, his new skill was outstanding.
—Passive: Leadership Lv. 5
—Increases allies’ physical abilities.
—Can designate up to 10 allies.
—Effective range of 100 meters.
Once designated, the skill remained active as a passive unless he chose to deactivate it.
Its effect was so remarkable that leaving its effective range felt jarring.
It was excellent that the danger to Min Ha-na and Gong Yeong-ji was greatly reduced, but it had the most significant impact on Sa Seon-gi.
He had already grown immensely upon reaching A-rank, but with Wang-sik’s buff added on, he became so fast that even his allies could barely track his movements.
“Alright, buff totem. Let’s go.”
“You could at least call me a victory totem.”
Since the entire party received the buff, its effects were undeniable.
“I’ll hunt on my own from now on.”
The day after Wang-sik reached A-rank.
Aisi decided to leave the party.
She was the fastest-growing among them and had already reached a level where she could hold her own against S-rank boss monsters. The sight of her crushing and devouring the heart containing the mana stone was enough to make Gong Yeong-ji confess her admiration.
It had become more efficient for her to hunt alone, so she decided to move between Stage 5 and the entrance of Stage 6.
“Don’t stray too far.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Although the party size decreased with Aisi’s departure for solo hunting, their hunts became even more stable.
They moved deeper into Stage 6.
“Now only the youngest is left.”
“Our mascot! Just trust your big sister!”
“I trust the mister, big brother, and big sister!”
“Why am I the only ‘mister’?”
“Hehe. It’s become a habit…”
Even though they were practically wiping out S-rank monsters, they didn't stop. The signs of a rank up had finally begun for Gong Yeong-ji.
***
A month later.
The experience required to go from B-rank to A-rank was on a completely different level from that needed to reach S-rank.
Even though they had picked up speed and were defeating a number of monsters equivalent to eighty S-rank gates a day, Gong Yeong-ji was still A-rank.
“Healers definitely have it tough.”
It was a known fact that growth speed differed by position.
Damage dealers were the fastest, while tanks and healers were the slowest. That was why healers were treated so well.
“I think I’m almost there.”
“Don’t be impatient. We have plenty of time.”
Wang-sik soothed the excited Gong Yeong-ji.
“You’ll make it before school starts.”
“Ah, right. I’m a student, aren’t I?”
“What? You forgot?”
When Min Ha-na asked in disbelief, Gong Yeong-ji flashed her characteristically bright smile.
“It’s been so long since I attended properly. Hehe.”
She had been hunting since before the vacation started, so she had completely forgotten about it.
“You don’t have to give up your personal life. You said you missed your friends.”
“I want to show off after I become S-rank!”
“You’ll get there, for sure.”
“Alright! Let’s get our mascot back to school!”
Gong Yeong-ji was already an excellent party member. No matter how good Wang-sik’s tanking was, they wouldn't have lasted an hour without her.
And that wasn't her only strength.
‘She has great instincts.’
Her situational judgment was quick, and she had an excellent ability to provide support with small skills or position herself near Wang-sik to escape danger.
As an A-rank healer, her healing and recovery abilities were, of course, top-notch.
The moment they had all been waiting for came two weeks later.
It was three days after the school semester had started. They had raided the nest of the S-rank monster, the Demon Ant, and dealt with forty bizarre, giant tree-shaped monsters. Just as they finished off the last one, the King Ant, a sacred light exploded from Gong Yeong-ji’s body.
Wang-sik, feeling as if his entire body was being cleansed, paused for a moment. Only after the light faded did he speak.
“Congratulations, S-rank healer.”
“Well done! Our mascot!”
Sa Seon-gi gave a thumbs-up.
Gong Yeong-ji kept her eyes closed, still savoring the lingering aura of light.
‘Even her aura has changed.’
The team stood guard, giving her a moment. Then, the sacred energy that had vanished began to spread out again.
Just as they were getting used to the feeling of their bodies becoming lighter and their minds clearer, Gong Yeong-ji opened her eyes.
But no one approached her first.
Normally, they would have wanted to pat her head and call her cute, but her gaze was so divine that even her teammates found it difficult to approach her.
“Hehe. Thank you.”
“Agh! You scared me! I thought our mascot had suddenly become an adult.”
Starting with Min Ha-na, they hugged Gong Yeong-ji one by one. Only then did Gong Yeong-ji return to her usual self.
“Thank you! I finally did it!”
“So, shall we see how much you’ve changed?”
“You won’t be disappointed!”
There was a reason for Gong Yeong-ji’s confident tone.
“This is a passive?”
—Passive Skill: Sacred Domain
—Continuously heals allies within range.
—Increases allies’ physical abilities.
—Strengthens allies’ mental fortitude.
—Grants allies a Level 5 shield.
Hearing the skill description, their jaws dropped.
“Yeong-ji is the real victory totem.”
Just by being near Gong Yeong-ji, they would automatically receive heals, buffs, and a shield.
Furthermore, her active skills remained, creating a stacking effect with all her abilities.
“So this is the power of an S-rank healer.”
In addition to that, she gained an area-of-effect heal and an attack skill called Sacred Explosion.
The area-of-effect heal, in particular, had an unimaginable range.
“It says the radius is 500 meters.”
This meant she could heal all allies within a one-kilometer diameter centered on her.
“The cooldown is a bit too long, though. A whole thirty minutes.”
No one else thought it was long, but Gong Yeong-ji seemed disappointed.
On top of that, her existing skills leveled up, drastically increasing their efficiency and speed.
“Wow, the damage dealers can’t even hold a candle to this.”
Min Ha-na was genuinely impressed. The S-rank healer had completely transformed the party’s capabilities.
“At this rate, we might even be able to go to Stage 7.”
“What kind of monsters do you think are in Stage 7?”
“I don’t know either. I’ve never been. For now, Stage 6 is more than enough. We’ve achieved our goal, so let’s not get greedy.”
The objective of this hunt had been to help the team members, excluding Min Ha-na, rank up.
With Gong Yeong-ji’s ascension, that goal had been accomplished.
‘I’m jealous.’
Min Ha-na, the only one excluded from ranking up, tried hard to hide her feelings.
She still showed no signs of ranking up.
‘Does Double S-rank even exist?’
Seeing Gong Yeong-ji, she couldn't help but feel a surge of ambition. As someone who had hunted with Sa Seon-gi whenever she had free time, her desire was all the more fervent.
If there was an unknown world to discover, she believed she was the one closest to it.
While other S-rankers were playing politics, she had been in the Decartes Mountains.
‘I have to get stronger. I’m still not there yet.’
Min Ha-na was not satisfied with being an S-rank.
***
After confirming Gong Yeong-ji’s growth in battle, they returned to the base earlier than usual.
“Let’s report to the Commander first.”
“Yes! I have to tell Seon-yeong quickly, too!”
Gong Yeong-ji’s steps were faster than usual. She was finally letting out all the excitement she had suppressed during the battle.
Seeing her girlish demeanor, the other team members deliberately followed a step behind.
“Oh? Seon-yeong.”
When they reached the control room, Sa Seon-yeong was waiting for Gong Yeong-ji. She took her hands from behind her back and shot a party popper into the air.
“Congratulations!”
Simultaneously, the control room staff rose to their feet and applauded. Min Ha-na had sent a message ahead to share the news.
“Thank you, everyone!”
“We’re the ones who should be thankful. An S-rank healer is on our team. From now on, when I go outside, I’ll walk around with my shoulders puffed out like this.”
Kang Il-seop deliberately squared his shoulders and put on an arrogant expression.
Everyone burst into laughter at the sight, and Gong Yeong-ji smiled more brightly than anyone.
“Thank you! I’ll work hard!”
Gong Yeong-ji bowed deeply before everyone.
It was the image of the world’s most humble S-rank.