Chapter 48
Chapter 48
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: The Miracle of Dragon Blood
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I looked at Ha-yoon with anxious eyes.
She had spoken with considerable confidence, but I couldn't guarantee it would work on Ha-yoon too.
Ha-yoon finished drinking the dragon blood and slightly furrowed her brow.
"What's wrong?"
"...I don't know. It feels weird somehow."
"Has the sensation returned to your legs?"
"...I'm not sure, huh?"
In that instant, Ha-yoon's eyes filled with surprise. At the same time, her face twisted.
"What's the matter?"
"It, it hurts."
"What?"
"My legs hurt...."
Hold on... If the nerves were severed, she shouldn't feel any pain at all. Does that mean her nerves have truly regenerated?
Whether my prediction was correct or not, surprise and joy crossed Ha-yoon's face. Even the pain in her legs seemed welcome.
"How... how is this...."
She couldn't continue. I probably would have been the same. She'd been facing a lifetime of paralysis from the waist down, but from this moment, she had the possibility of walking normally again.
"Ha-yoon."
"Y-Yes."
Ha-yoon was already crying. Like someone who had witnessed a miracle.
Seeing that filled me with an inexplicable sense of pride.
And with that, I realized something.
The old me was a powerless human who could only watch helplessly when seeing someone's tragic story or a disaster unfold.
But now, things were different. I could do what I wanted.
I could help if I wanted to help them, and I could save people in crisis.
Moreover, I could do all that without bearing any risks.
My thoughts deepened. Why had this power come to me, of all people?
It wasn't the same as other mutants, was it?
At the very least, it wasn't a power given to be used recklessly.
"Sister, thank you... really, thank you...."
Ha-yoon said through her tears. I gently stroked her hair.
"Yeah. In exchange for healing you like this, today's events are a secret. Got it?"
"Yes. I'll take it to my grave."
"Don't tell your parents either. If anyone asks, just say a miracle came to you."
"...Got it."
Ha-yoon kept crying. They say tears come when you're overwhelmed with emotion.
She must have lived each day wrapped in a despair I couldn't even imagine.
But those days were over now. She could step into the world on two legs again.
That alone made giving her the dragon blood worthwhile.
I sorted my thoughts. This could be used for public good.
My body wouldn't die just from drawing some blood anyway.
I should talk to Teacher and the National Intelligence Service Director.
What I was thinking was distributing dragon blood as a commercial medicine.
If I routed all the patents my way... I'd never have to worry about money for life.
I'd need to find a reliable pharmaceutical company, but that could be handled through the National Intelligence Service Director or Teacher's connections.
The issue would be applying it to health insurance, but... at this level, wouldn't people gladly accept it?
In the end, it would mean no more people suffering acquired disabilities from accidents.
Of course, I had no intention of stepping forward myself.
Just promote it as a miracle drug.
I'd keep the dragon blood component as a strict secret.
Something like a drug that boosts vitality and aids nerve regeneration would be appropriate.
There might be side effects, but... that could be found out through clinical trials later.
We could also check how effective it is when diluted.
All in all, things were about to get busy.
* * *
After Seo-hyun left, Ha-yoon pinched her cheek with her pounding heart.
A faint pain spread across her cheek. As expected, it wasn't a dream.
How on earth did this happen?
An unbelievable event had occurred. She was still feeling pain in her legs.
But that pain was one of joy. Her legs had felt nothing—no pain, no sensation at all.
Ha-yoon shed tears again. There was no particular reason.
Just overwhelming gratitude.
Ha-yoon knew she'd never forget this day.
Ha-yoon tried to stop her tears. A nurse would come to check on her soon.
She didn't want to show her crying face to others.
But the tears kept flowing.
The past few months had been like hell, day after day. She didn't feel alive even while living.
It wasn't just that she could never use her legs again—the pitying gazes from those around her had been chillingly repulsive.
'Don't look at me like that.'
It was what Ha-yoon desperately wanted to say to others.
But she couldn't bring herself to. So she pretended to be as okay as possible.
She wasn't okay at all.
That made her days even more hellish.
She even thought dying like this might be better.
But apparently, people aren't meant to die that easily. A sudden miracle like this proved it.
Ha-yoon didn't forget what Seo-hyun had said.
Treat this as a miracle and say the same if telling others.
She was well aware of the uproar dragon blood would cause if revealed. If word got out, there'd be chaos.
She had no intention of getting her savior in trouble.
A few hours later, the nurse entered the room to check on Ha-yoon.
Ha-yoon still hadn't calmed down at all.
The nurse noticed Ha-yoon's swollen eyes and face and asked in surprise.
"Ha-yoon. Did something happen?"
"S-Suddenly, my legs hurt."
"...What? W-Wait. Your legs really hurt?"
The nurse said that and lightly touched Ha-yoon's leg.
"...Ow!"
It wasn't a feigned reaction.
She realized she needed to fetch the attending physician immediately.
"Wait, just wait a moment. I'll get the doctor."
Soon after, the doctor rushed in and examined Ha-yoon.
They realized a miracle had come to reality.
Her nerves had regenerated suddenly, without any prior signs.
"Ha-yoon. Did anything happen?"
"No. Just... this morning, something felt off.... Then suddenly, it hurt."
"My god. No warning signs at all.... Does this even make sense?"
"Doctor. Can I walk now?"
When Ha-yoon asked, the doctor answered firmly.
"Let's start rehab soon. If the nerves have regenerated, building up the muscles again should let you walk just fine."
* * *
The moment I left Ha-yoon's room, I contacted the National Intelligence Service Director.
-Oh, Bureau Chief. What's up?
"Ah, Director? I have something to discuss briefly. May I come see you?"
-What's the matter?
"It's about Ha-yoon."
-I heard you visited her today.... Something happen?
"I'll explain the details in person."
-...Alright. I'll adjust my schedule a bit.
"I'm heading over right now."
I rushed straight to the National Intelligence Service and met the Director privately.
"You said it was about Ha-yoon. What happened?"
"Ha-yoon will be able to walk again soon."
The Director's eyes widened at my words.
"...What do you mean?"
"One of my abilities. My blood can heal people. However... I don't know exactly what effects it has. I only know it regenerates nerves and boosts vitality."
"My god. That... that fact needs to be kept secret, doesn't it? If it gets out, everyone will covet your blood."
"Right. So... I'm planning to make sure there's no need to covet it."
"What do you mean?"
"Director. Do you know any good pharmaceutical companies?"
"Pharmaceutical companies? Don't tell me."
"I'm thinking of distributing it commercially. So anyone can use it easily. But I know it requires clinical trials and procedures."
"...I see what you're aiming for."
"And if possible, talk to the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service too. I want kids like Ha-yoon to walk the world again. Even if a new drug is made from my blood, I don't want it to be just for the rich."
"I'll do my best. But... are you sure you're okay with that?"
"It's fine. I used to be a small-minded person who thought more money was always better, but now that I can rake it in with a pitchfork... I don't place that much value on money anymore."
The Director looked at me with a choked-up expression.
"...Thank you. Truly."
"No. If anything, I should be thanking you, Director. Thanks to the swift guidelines you set for mutants, I haven't faced human malice much since mutating."
The Director had more reason than anyone to hate mutants.
But he didn't.
He created guidelines for mutants and helped them integrate into society.
He didn't pour out blind hatred on them.
He broke the chain of hatred before it could start.
For a man like that... couldn't a mutant do at least this much?