The Only Enhancer - Chapter 156

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 156
156 – Reserve (2)
1.
Purifying Morgana, whom Jung Ji-hwan had captured, proved to be an astonishingly simple task.
Since Jung Ji-hwan had bound her securely with his curse from the start, I was able to purify her in one go and return.
Fortunately, the other executives had also finished their tasks, so we managed to repel the Deep Sea Faction’s invasion quite effectively.
Above all, I had come to understand their objectives very clearly.
It was a considerable harvest.
And on top of that, Morgana had been purified.
I heard she was the sister of Ursula, who had self-destructed?
I had obtained quite valuable intelligence.
Though she seemed a bit mentally unstable, she was still Ursula’s sister and possessed considerable information. I couldn’t help but feel fortunate.
Anyway.
‘Thank goodness she’s awake.’
Upon hearing that Ma Chong-sa Natalia had regained consciousness, I was heading there immediately.
The other executives had finished their tasks—some went to rest, others to complete their remaining work.
Since I had nothing pressing to do, I went straight to Natalia.
Besides, I was curious about something.
As I made my way to the Hospital, I pondered.
As long as she had mana, there would be no problem, but I was genuinely curious.
What exactly would Ma Chong-sa’s characteristic mana be like?
Unlike the others’ characteristic manas, I couldn’t quite grasp what kind she might possess.
Well, with the other executives’ characteristic manas, I could make some deductions just from their names.
But with Ma Chong-sa, I couldn’t quite get a sense of it.
Would she create bullets?
But if that were the case, wouldn’t she be closer to a blacksmith than a gunsmith?
Well, of course, even Andrew, the blacksmith, was hard to gauge at first.
But now I know the answer, don’t I?
The blacksmith before evolving into a Magitech Engineer possessed the characteristic of creation, and the characteristic mana now that he’s become a Magitech Engineer is the same—it carries the attribute of craftsmanship.
Then would Natalia, the gunsmith, also possess a characteristic mana related to firearms?
I couldn’t help myself due to such curiosity.
What would it feel like?
‘I’ll know as soon as I see it.’
What I once had to experience directly, I could now discern merely by observation.
It was thanks to my elevated realm of understanding.
As my proficiency in handling mana—distinct from level—increased, it was only natural that my capabilities expanded.
In truth, dividing me by level now seemed rather odd.
Of course, there were still things that required level increases to accomplish.
Regardless, there was considerable I could do right now.
I intended to use that ability to verify what kind of mana Natalia possessed.
Upon arriving, Min-jun made his way directly to the VIP hospital room where Natalia was staying, and there he found her in perfect health. Her mana as well.
“Oh.”
Pure admiration—who would have thought she possessed such a complex amalgamation of attributes? Min-jun smiled faintly at the sight.
Natalia’s characteristic mana was divided into roughly three distinct types.
The first to be sensed was the concealment specialization of a sniper, followed by trajectory manipulation, and finally….
‘Bullets, as expected?’
It was the attribute of magic bullets—the ability to create projectiles from mana itself.
While he had rarely encountered such a trinity of attributes before, their combined essence perfectly suited Ma Chong-sa’s calling.
Concealment for the shot, trajectory manipulation for accuracy, and finally bullet generation—the most essential element for a gunslinger.
More precisely, it was an attribute that allowed her to embed skills directly into her ammunition.
She possessed characteristic mana equivalent to the research Andrew had so desperately sought—already perfected.
In any case, the three were so intricately interwoven and entangled that distinguishing them required deliberate effort.
In other words, these three had merged to form Ma Chong-sa’s characteristic mana.
While each could be used independently, they were so seamlessly integrated that separation felt unnatural.
As Min-jun quietly marveled at this, Natalia spotted him and quickly rose to her feet, expressing her gratitude.
“Thank you.”
She conveyed her sentiment in halting Korean, and anyone listening could feel the sincerity behind her words.
Observing the atmosphere, Yu Ji-min bowed respectfully to Min-jun.
Min-jun regarded Yu Ji-min.
“The doctor completed his examination and said there are no serious complications, as her body showed no prior conditions.”
“I see. With proper treatment administered, that makes sense.”
“It’s all thanks to you, Guild Master. The discharge procedures have already been completed, so she can remain comfortable here if she wishes. The hospital director even visited and said she may stay longer if desired, or simply leave without any concern when ready to depart.”
“Ah, thank you very much.”
Min-jun nodded to Yu Ji-min, gesturing for her to attend to her duties.
From Yu Ji-min’s perspective, she would have preferred to remain and witness how things would unfold, but the awkwardness was palpable, so she nodded in agreement and stepped outside.
Knowing Min-jun’s temperament well, she was certain that even after her departure, nothing inappropriate would transpire between them, so she left the room without hesitation.
With Yu Ji-min gone, Min-jun nodded reassuringly and activated his translation skill to address her.
“Please speak freely—I understand everything.”
“Ah!”
Natalia was visibly startled by such a remarkable skill, but she soon composed herself and gazed at Min-jun thoughtfully, sharing various thoughts.
Most of them were expressions of gratitude toward Min-jun.
“I had resolved to endure as long as possible until death, but you came to rescue me. I’m grateful I persevered.”
“Hmm, I suppose I timed it well. Fortunately.”
“I truly cannot thank you enough. This kindness is something I shall never forget for as long as I live.”
“While I wouldn’t call it a great burden on my part, I gratefully accept your thanks.”
“…And.”
As Natalia spoke, she paused briefly, causing Min-jun to tilt his head slightly in curiosity.
What was she about to say?
With that thought, he observed Natalia carefully.
Natalia gathered her thoughts.
No, I had already finished organizing everything before Min-jun arrived.
What I needed now was the courage to tell him.
I squeezed my eyes shut and thought again.
I recalled my current state of mind.
I had always lived alone.
I had a family when I was young, but I lost them all in an accident along the way.
Living alone like that, I awakened as Ma Chong-sa.
A trait where I could do nothing without a mana gun.
With this useless trait, I simply lived alone.
Thinking that I was truly worthless.
But now, someone had appeared who thought me useful and protected me.
‘Whether it’s a plan or an attempt to use me, it doesn’t matter.’
Min-jun had become my light.
The purpose for which I had merely survived without dying while living alone.
That’s why I was ready to give him everything.
When Natalia opened her eyes after making that resolve, Min-jun looked at her as if asking what she would say, and Natalia opened her mouth as she saw him.
“After I woke up and thought for a moment… this is Korea, and there was even a guild member watching over me.”
“Yes. That’s right.”
“I don’t think it can be seen as mere kindness. I don’t know what you think, Guild Master Kim Min-jun, but based on my judgment, it seems you know exactly what trait I possess and what use I have, so I thought perhaps you need me.”
“Hmm?”
Min-jun’s eyes gleamed with interest.
Natalia, who had been speaking nervously at first, gained a bit more confidence from his reaction and continued.
“If perhaps you needed me and brought me to Korea and have been nursing me through a guild member, then as someone who has received your grace, I wish to dedicate everything to you, Guild Master Kim Min-jun. I still don’t know well what use I have, but I believe you know my worth, and I wish to give you everything.”
“…haha.”
Min-jun laughed awkwardly at those words.
He couldn’t clearly discern what feelings prompted Natalia to speak to him this way.
But.
“I appreciate the sentiment, but I have no intention of taking Natalia as a slave.”
“….”
In the brief silence, Min-jun continued speaking.
“You don’t need to offer everything. As you suspected, I do know that Natalia is Ma Chong-sa, and I understand her worth well. But I didn’t save Natalia only to invite her to my guild—even if that hadn’t been the case, I would have saved her.”
“…ah.”
“Offering me your loyalty is something I’m grateful for, but you have your own life as well. Natalia. Please live your own life. And….”
As he said this, Min-jun pulled out a contract.
Contradicting what he had just said about living her own life, it was a lifetime contract and confidentiality agreement, yet Min-jun handed it over and spoke briefly.
“You can manage both guild life and your own life. And isn’t it too wasteful to throw everything at me? There’s still so much you can enjoy.”
At Min-jun’s words, spoken with a slight smile, Natalia’s face flushed red.
She felt quite ashamed, both of her embarrassment and of having spoken while swept up in the moment.
And finally, as she looked at Min-jun, an emotion began to bloom within her.
Natalia quietly nodded and signed the contract.
Min-jun offered Natalia a straightforward explanation of the Guild.
Naturally, he spoke of things that could only be obtained through the Reinforce Guild.
“Once you join our Guild, we can first prepare a mana gun for you. I was already having one crafted before meeting you, and I considered it quite fortunate timing. And since you’ve already signed the contract, I can tell you this—I’m capable of enhancing traits. For instance, I elevated Andrew, who was a blacksmith, into a magical engineer. I’ll do the same for you, Natalia, and enhance your traits. It’s one of the perks of a lifetime contract.”
“Oh!”
Hearing those words, I couldn’t help but be genuinely astonished.
She could enhance traits themselves.
Natalia, taken aback, could only nod at Min-jun, and seeing her reaction, he explained several other matters as well.
That she would become an executive and what kinds of work she would undertake.
Of course, she would need to raise her level first, but he assured her that could be done quickly.
Since she hadn’t been kidnapped long ago, he suggested she first adapt to life in Korea before heading out on raids, and with a delighted Natalia in tow, he made his way to the Reinforce Guild Building.
After assigning her a workspace there, he provided her with various information.
While she didn’t need to learn Korean fluently, understanding Korean culture was necessary. Min-jun arranged for a Guild member to explain these things and made sure Natalia could manage on her own.
As I emerged and headed toward the Workshop with a subtle smile to meet Andrew,
I noticed a gaze secretly watching me and turned my head.
“Is something the matter?”
“Eek?! Ah, oh! W-well, that is…”
Gwen, who drew out her words, bashfully averted her gaze from Min-jun while lowering her head.
Curious about what it might be, I looked at Gwen.
Gwen lowered her head further and, insisting it was nothing, quickly left the area.
‘What was that?’
Watching her go with a bewildered expression, I let out a soft chuckle and shook my head.
She really was peculiar, after all.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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