I Became the Only Healer in the Academy - Chapter 26.1
The friend stood by the man’s side.
Until the very next day.
“How are you doing? You feeling better?”
From yesterday until now, the appearance of the man’s parents, who seemed to be sleeping endlessly, looked relatively peaceful.
However, he couldn’t know what was happening inside, so the man felt frustrated.
“I apologize for saying this, but even if they wake up, it will be difficult for him to lead a normal life.”
“Y-Yes? W-What do you mean?”
The man couldn’t grasp the doctor’s words.
How could any doctor tell the guardian that it might be better for the patient not to wake up?
But on the other hand, if the situation had reached the point where the doctor could say such a thing, it felt like the worst of the worst. So the man eagerly waited for the doctor to prove this expectation wrong.
“The pain they experience is likely to worsen over time. So, we are increasing the dosage of painkillers and even administering narcotic analgesics, but eventually, this may not be enough.”
“So, then…”
“Yes. If they can only feel pain when they are awake, wouldn’t it be better not to wake up at all? That’s what I’m suggesting. Of course, the decision should be made by the guardian.”
Jinseok couldn’t find the words to reply.
To spend the rest of their life lying like this, without even regaining consciousness, was that truly living?
Perhaps enduring pain while awake might be better than spending the remaining days in this perpetual state.
Jinseok clenched his fists tightly.
No matter what choice he made, there was no optimal or best option.
Only the worst and the less worse.
And the fact that he was the one who had to make that choice made it even more agonizing.
He was the one who made his parents like this.
He was the one who had to choose between the worst and the less worse future for his parents.
“We have some time, so please take your time to think it over and let us know.”
The doctor seemed unwilling to continue the conversation.
The more they talked, the more it became evident that all they could do was alleviate the pain.
“Jinseok…”
His friend could only call out his name, offering no other words of comfort.
The only relief was that they could at least propose a solution.
“Uh, uh…”
His friend sat down beside Jinseok, who was overwhelmed with despair, next to his parents’ sickbed.
“Do you remember what I said yesterday?”
“Yesterday? Oh, about there possibly being a solution…?”
“Yeah.”
“What is it? What kind of solution are you talking about?”
Jinseok, wiping away the despair that had lingered in his eyes just moments ago, looked at his friend and asked.
“You know too, right? The healer who appeared on TV a while back.”
“… Ah… I know. How could I not?”
Jinseok was well aware of it too. Becoming a hunter, he couldn’t have missed that news.
“Are we…”
“Yeah. In my opinion, it seems like there’s no other way but that person right now.”
“…”
However, Jinseok didn’t show a particularly positive reaction.
He was well aware of the side effects too.
“Should I step forward for the sake of my family who have no way out…?”
And it wasn’t just about stepping forward.
The most significant issue was whether Jinseok would be willing to feel the pain that his parents are currently experiencing.
“Are you just going to stay still like this?”
“…No, not exactly, but…”
“Then let’s go.”
“…Huh?”
“Let’s go. To meet him.”
Jinseok still hesitated a bit, but as his friend said, meeting the healer seemed to be the only option left.
“But do you know where he is?”
“That person is also a representative at the Academy, just like me. They head towards the gate every day, just like I do. To the same gate you went to.”
“If that’s the case…!”
Jinseok now seemed to have a glimmer of hope.
Although he still didn’t know what kind of person Seonghyun was, he was willing to do whatever it took, even if it meant risking his own life.
Jinseok and his friend left the hospital immediately.
Since they found the only possible solution, there was no reason to hesitate any longer.
About 30 minutes away from the hospital, Jinseok arrived again at the gate he had approached with a different mindset just yesterday.
“Stay strong. It’s going to be alright.”
“Yeah…”
The two went straight through the gate.
Although they sensed the presence of hunters around and checked, there didn’t seem to be any near the entrance. They headed deeper.
“I sense some activity up ahead.”
The friend grasped the presence of the hunters and used one hand to block Jinseok’s way.
Since there was no place to seek help if they encountered a hunter who might have committed a crime in such a deep place, they needed to at least assess the situation before making contact.
“…Yeah.”
“Huh?”
“Do you see that hunter in the middle? That person is the healer.”
“That… the guy…!”
They seemed to have come with the representatives, actively hunting monsters.
“After the hunt, let’s approach them.”
Their monster hunt ended much faster than they expected, and Jinseok and his friend approached Seonghyun’s group without any hesitation.
“What is it?”
Seonghyun had already sensed the presence of the two.
However, Seonghyun was just observing without any animosity, so he watched to see how things would unfold.
In place of the tense Jinseok, his friend cautiously asked,
“Are you the healer?”
“Yes.”
Seonghyun’s response was concise. He didn’t introduce himself separately or ask about their business.
“Could we have a brief conversation?”
“Brief? Sure, just wait for a moment.”
“If you have any business, contact me.”
“Come back safely.”
Inhan and Sang-yeon also seemed fine with the idea of them having a conversation.
“Please take a seat for a moment.”
Seonghyun separated a bit from the group and started the conversation with them.
“Then, what is the matter?”
Jinseok sighed with relief, seeing that Seonghyun didn’t display much wariness.
“Jinseok, it’s your turn to speak.”
