I Became the Only Healer in the Academy - Chapter 7
[The selection time has expired.]
It was truly absurd.
To have imposed such strange restrictions on an ability he never wished for, and now, to render even that choice unavailable.
‘…Is this some sort of game?’
Perhaps, if there were a being like a god, it would be gazing down at him, chuckling.
[A new quest has been generated as an unselected special reward.]
[Will you accept it?]
‘A new quest has been generated?’
Until now, he had been sitting quietly, only to be suddenly faced with a goblin and given the option to choose without any explanation. And now, instead of offering different choices, a window had appeared, saying it would provide a new quest. Seonghyun furrowed his brow.
‘Sigh, there are no other options.’
Nevertheless, the fortunate thing was that it was a quest.
If it was a quest, rewards would soon follow, so Seonghyun accepted without much hesitation.
[Defeat 100 Monsters]
[0/100]
[This quest must be completed alone. Using healing during the quest will result in failure.]
[Reward: A New Path]
‘A new path…’
Considering that being a ‘devotee’ or a ‘crusader’ was just a path to choose, this time, the choice of a ‘new path’ meant a path that could only be reached by completing the quest.
‘That probably means it’s an even better choice.’
Although it might be considered a penalty for not choosing a ‘path’, Seonghyun decided to think more positively.
“Um…”
“Oh, yes.”
“I’m really grateful for today. I’m not sure how to repay you…”
“It’s okay. Just think of it as good luck.”
Seonghyun didn’t pay much attention to Hayeon’s words. He was simply mulling over how to solve this new quest.
“But you saved my life. Can I… would it be okay if I just have your number?”
“Oh, okay. And you don’t need to worry too much about it. If it wasn’t me, It was natural that anyone else could’ve helped you there in that situation.”
Fortunately, while Seonghyun and Hayeon headed towards the gate to exit, no other monsters appeared in their way.
Probably thanks to the scent of blood lingering in the puddle, the nearby monsters had moved in that direction.
“Be careful, I have to go quickly, so I won’t be able to escort you.”
“Oh, no worries! I’m so grateful for today. You take care as well, Seonghyun.”
Hayeon bowed appreciatively and turned away.
Seonghyun did the same, bowing slightly as he entered the shop just before the gate closed, disposing of the crystals he had obtained today.
“10,000 won…”
In just a brief amount of time, it was a substantial amount of money.
Comparing it to the 130,000 won he used to earn through labor before his death, it was a very high profit relative to the time spent.
Back then, he had no choice but to do labor because even a slight injury in monster hunting would have meant the end for his entire family.
“Can I handle 100 monsters before the academy?”
With no one’s help and no use of healing abilities, it seemed like he would need to stay near the gate all day long to handle those.
Now, there are only four days left until the start of the academy.
To step onto the ‘new path’ before the academy starts, he would have to hunt monsters at a rate of about 25 per day.
“Who is it?”
As the phone rang in the early morning, Seonghyun yawned loudly and then answered.
“Hello?”
“This is the Association’s Vice Chairman.”
“G-Good morning, Vice Chairman.”
“I hope it’s not too early for a call?”
In response to the Vice Chairman’s words, Seonghyun checked the time.
‘6 in the morning…’
“Ah, yes. I just woke up. Is there something going on?”
“We plan to make it public in the media tonight. I called in case you’ve had a change of heart…”
“I haven’t changed my mind. You can handle it however you want at the Association.”
Seonghyun’s response was firm, but behind the voice of the Association’s Vice Chairman coming through the phone, there was a sense of worry and concern.
“The moment it’s revealed to the media, regardless of the restrictions, any hunter or guild in South Korea will try to contact you, Seonghyun. Of course, for now, the security is holding them back, but you can’t stay at home forever. Neither can your family.”
The words of the Vice Chairman made sense. He didn’t want a citizen and their family to suffer for the sake of elevating the country’s status.
“I’m already prepared for it.”
“…Then, today at 6 PM. You’ll be in the media.”
“Understood.”
Since he didn’t have any close friends to begin with, there was no one to talk to about the media other than his family.
“I’ll spend today hunting monsters as much as possible from lunchtime, and I’ll stay home in the evening.”
As he fiddled with his phone while lying down, it soon became time for breakfast.
“Son, are you up?”
With a pleasant voice, Seonghyun got up and went to the living room where a meal was set.
“Do you like the house?”
“It doesn’t matter if I like it or not. It’s the house we live in thanks to our son. Of course, I like it.”
Despite the basic living expenses being assured, Seonghyun’s mother continued to work.
“Um… there’s something I want to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“Lately, I feel like… Oppa’s become really heavy.”
“He’s growing up. You should, too. Don’t just put on weight, get more serious.”
“…Never mind.”
“Uh…I’ll be on TV at 6 PM today.”
“What?”
“What did you say?”
Both his younger sister and mother stared at Seonghyun, their spoons frozen in midair.
The mother’s son, the sister’s brother, who had lived quietly without causing any big trouble, is suddenly going to appear on TV.
“I decided to reveal my abilities.”
“…So that’s what you decided.”
“Really? Does that mean Oppa is becoming a celebrity now?”
“I don’t think so. I haven’t properly organized everything yet, so I won’t reveal it all.”
Seonghyun wasn’t overly worried about the association’s decision.
They were individuals who had been racking their brains to raise the nation’s status, and they probably knew better than anyone how to use this situation and how to deal with it.
“Anyway, now that it’s happening, you should be careful from now on.”
“Yeah, I trust that you’ve made the right decision. Don’t worry too much. There are so many security guards; we don’t have to worry about thieves.”
“…”
Seonghyun couldn’t lift his head throughout the meal, feeling sorry for his family.
It was a rather bitter realization that the power to protect his family came from someone else, not from himself.
‘…I’ll just hold out until I get to the academy.’
Seonghyun finished his meal and immediately began to prepare to head out.
There were gates located throughout the country, but it seemed that the gate he visited yesterday was the most suitable for filling the quota of 100 monsters.
“Is it the association chairman again?”
Once again, when a call came in, Seonghyun checked his phone, but it displayed a completely unfamiliar number.
“…A loan?”
Since loan-related calls often came at this time, Seonghyun sighed deeply and answered the call.
“I’m not interested in a loan…”
“Oh… Is this not Kim Seonghyun’s phone?”
Upon hearing a somewhat familiar voice, Seonghyun tried to recall and realized it was Hayeon’s, the person he had saved yesterday.
“Oh, yes. Is this Hayeon?”
“Yes, yes! That’s right. I was wondering if you’re available today…”
“Why? Is something wrong? Did a new issue come up?”
“Oh, no, it’s not that. I was just wondering if you’d like to go hunting together today.”
“Oh…”
Normally, he would have welcomed the suggestion, but it just so happened that the new quest he received required him to hunt alone.
“I’m sorry. I have some business to attend to…”
“Oh, no problem. We only met once yesterday, and I’m being too forward, right? Have a great day!”
Hayeon quickly hung up, and Seonghyun finished preparing to head to the gate.
“I’ll be there before 6 PM.”
“Sure, take care.”
“If I’ve only managed this much by 6 PM…”
Seonghyun stared at the status window in front of him.
[Monsters Killed: 18/100]
Even though he had hunted tirelessly, he had only managed to defeat 18 monsters in the few hours since he started the hunting around lunchtime.
‘There are too many variables.’
It seemed that the gate was entirely open to lower-ranked hunters, resulting in a large number of other hunters.
Furthermore, if another hunter so much as touched a monster, it wouldn’t count towards Seonghyun’s total of 100 monsters.
“Oppa, did you appear on the news too?”
“Doesn’t really matter. Have they started?”
“Your name hasn’t come up yet, but they are talking about healing abilities.”
Upon his sister’s words, Seonghyun immediately walked into the living room.
Their mother was already sitting there, watching the TV with a somewhat tense expression.
[…So far, there hasn’t been any sign of a hunter with healing abilities, but this morning, information provided by the association suggests that a hunter manifested healing abilities.]
[The association has decided not to disclose the hunter’s personal information. According to the information currently released, a male student attending the first year of the academy.]
The association had shown some consideration for Seonghyun.
If they had disclosed both his name and face, not only hunters but also ordinary people would have been aware of Seonghyun’s existence, it was a good thing that didn’t happen.
“But then, won’t no one know that you have these abilities, Oppa?”
His sister had a slightly displeased expression.
She felt that it was pointless for her older brother to possess such an incredible ability without anyone knowing.
“No, the people who need to know will find out anyway.”
“How?”
“If they investigate those who have visited the Manifestation Center recently and those who have received support from the academy, they can find out.”
“So, does that mean everyone in the academy will eventually find out?”
“Well…those who have access to the list of visitors to the Manifestation Center and the list of academy applicants can find out. I think that’s enough.”
His sister seemed a bit puzzled and soon turned her attention back to the TV.
After completing the hunt, Hayeon finished showering and came out of her room feeling refreshed.
“Miss! How was the hunt today?”
“It’s always the same. Could you make me some coffee, please?”
“Of course!”
Out of habit, she turned on the TV and sat on the couch, but the news was broadcasting unbelievable information.
[Featuring a hunter with healing abilities…]
“…What? Healing abilities?”
As someone who was well aware of the weight of that ability, Hayeon watched the screen with a partially blank expression.
“Healing… Could it be Seonghyun?”
No matter how much she thought about it, there was no one else she could think of with healing abilities. Even if they brought any medicine or medical treatment available today, there was no way they could heal the injuries Hayeon had that day in such a short time.
“Here’s the coffee.”
“Come here…”
“Yes.”
“How long can you access the Academy Ability Manifestation Center and the list of scholarship recipients at the Academy?”
“Well, I can get them for you by tomorrow.”
“Please get them.”
Hayeon was already convinced, but she wanted to completely rule out the possibility that it wasn’t him.
‘An Academy student…’
Hayeon was an Academy student as well. She had only finished her first year, and she had planned to graduate. But now, it seemed there might be a reason for her to stay.
