The Only Enhancer - Chapter 161

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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 161
161 – Human Relations (3)
2.
Most of the work at the Reinforce Guild—in fact, all of it—was handled by the executives.
They all took on every task without becoming a burden to Min-jun.
It wasn’t to diminish Min-jun’s power or his standing within the guild; rather, the executives’ true goal was to ensure everything flowed according to Min-jun’s wishes.
After all, they had each received a debt of gratitude so profound that devoting their entire beings wouldn’t be enough to repay it.
Because of this, Min-jun sometimes felt bored, but this time the situation was different.
No matter how hard the executives tried to handle Min-jun’s work, there were things only he could do.
For instance, enhancement—or if not that, then vigilance against new magic or sorcery.
What Min-jun was doing right now fell into that very category.
Vigilance against new sorcery.
‘Hmm.’
No matter how carefully Ursula acted, I couldn’t possibly miss the faint traces of sorcery she left behind.
Of course, if she was being careful, even I would find it difficult to detect without paying close attention.
That’s right—difficult, but not impossible.
And if I prepared in advance, it became manageable, even if not easy. That was the case now.
It made sense, after all. Knowing she was targeting Hong Myeong, I would naturally have taken precautions. Ursula seemed relieved because she detected no sorcery or magic around Hong Myeong, but that was precisely because I’d calibrated the settings so finely that she couldn’t sense them.
Sensing Ursula’s movement, I found myself consumed by considerable bewilderment.
The most perplexing thing was…
‘How is she alive?’
How she was alive was the most baffling question of all.
I had witnessed her death directly and confirmed it myself. Not only that, but I’d also confirmed the appearance of items, an evolution orb, and magic stones.
Her death as a Disaster Level 8 monster was absolutely certain.
Had she used some resurrection sorcery?
No—not perhaps, but definitely. She had definitely used resurrection sorcery. I just didn’t know the method.
Making a rough guess, I understood it well enough now that I’d awakened to the ways of sorcery.
‘Did she bind her life to the Elder’s?’
There was no other explanation, so I thought as much.
Creating life-related sorcery myself would inevitably be steeped in malice, so I decided to pass on that for now.
In any case, my current dilemma was simple.
I knew Ursula was scheming against Hong Myeong, but I was deliberately letting it slide.
So I could catch her for certain once she became more deeply involved.
The connection wasn’t deep enough yet, so it remained unclear where the sorcery was being cast from.
My greatest objective was locating their headquarters. To learn where the sorcery originates, it’s better to wait and observe rather than reveal my hand now.
The problem was that Ursula currently had no way to act immediately, making it impossible to predict how she would move—that was the biggest obstacle.
If it’s difficult to predict how she’ll act, then waiting is the best course.
But waiting passively carries its own dangers.
It was quite the irony.
‘I need to wait. But I should also be ready to stop her if she makes a move.’
For instance, I could place a curse on Hong Myeong such that whenever he attempted to move or perform some characteristic action, it would lead back to me.
Approaching it as a concept of “stealing” the curse seemed most effective.
Since I was already in this building where Hong Myeong resided, I decided to handle everything at once.
Just as Min-jun was about to secretly embed several spells and curses into Hong Myeong without anyone knowing,
I tilted my head slightly, finding something odd about Hong Myeong.
‘What is this?’
Whether he’d been adversely affected by the curse or not, an aura far more repugnant than before emanated from him.
Had it been merely inferiority complex, I would have overlooked it.
When I first observed Min-jun, the inferiority complex had seemed quite severe as well.
But it wasn’t just that—I could see multiple malevolent intents, and the aura radiating from his essence appeared decidedly unwholesome, suggesting his condition had worsened since arriving here.
Whether that was the curse’s influence or deepening self-loathing, it was difficult to say.
Witnessing this, I inwardly grimaced.
‘Hmm.’
To be honest, I too had experienced a similar period as Hong Myeong.
An orphan with nowhere to rely on, a lifetime devoid of genuine effort.
Yet I had no obligation to do anything for Hong Myeong, nor was he a figure from whom I could gain any merit.
Simply because our pasts resembled each other, there was no practical benefit to offering him aid.
But why did I feel compelled to look after him? I fell into contemplation for a moment.
Of course, I harbored no pure intention to give. I would need to establish multiple safeguards, and my true aim was to make Hong Myeong regard me as his benefactor.
If that came to pass, even if Hong Myeong were to be swayed toward Ursula in some unforeseen way I hadn’t anticipated, I could prevent it with these safety measures in place.
Above all,
‘I was curious what would happen if I enhanced the traits of someone who hadn’t yet awakened.’
It was undoubtedly an act of benevolence, yet I concealed my embarrassment at the realization this was purely for my own benefit, and approached Hong Myeong.
I was genuinely curious what would happen if I enhanced his traits.
I suspected his aptitude might be quite respectable.
Not because his circumstances resembled mine, but because he was deemed compatible with the Monster King’s bloodline—he must possess considerable potential.
3.
Everyone desires talent and power, yet most merely entertain vague thoughts and nothing more.
It’s natural—they’ve never witnessed such lives. But Hong Myeong was different.
Wasn’t he actually experiencing their lives firsthand?
While witnessing it at the Reinforce Guild Building, nothing had actually happened to him.
Having experienced it directly, his thirst could only intensify.
He found himself wishing those vague days of old had been better.
Had he never experienced this, he wouldn’t harbor such thirst, nor would he feel so pathetic.
As a result, merely gazing out the window drew sighs from him.
The spectacular vista beyond the window—a magnificent Han River view—showed a world bustling with activity, each person engaged in their own pursuits, yet Hong Myeong, observing it all, was utterly insignificant.
Looking only at the window, everything in the world seemed trivial, but the truth was that he himself was the trivial one.
“Sigh… I wish I’d awakened too. Really.”
Long ago, thoughts of facing death or avoiding effort had vanished.
Though he’d only spent a day here, confined to this building alone, he’d felt the power and strength they possessed, and his thirst burned intensely.
Of course, awakening alone wouldn’t be enough to join the Reinforce Guild.
Thinking that way, I wondered if it was all pointless anyway.
Other awakened individuals enjoyed their wealth driving supercars, but compared to the Reinforce Guild, they were essentially nothing.
Still, Hong Myeong had at least some connection with Min-jun.
With that connection, what if I awakened?
As that hope bloomed, I began to fantasize.
I’d heard that awakening granted different attributes beyond tank, damage, and healer—what if I obtained such a trait? Wouldn’t that be more than enough to join Reinforce?
If I were to indulge in such fantasies, I thought I’d prefer fighting from the rear like a mage or healer rather than taking an offensive role.
‘I could make an effort, but standing at the front and fighting in combat…’
Fighting monsters on the front lines was one thing, but beyond that, engaging in physical activity simply didn’t feel like it suited me.
I pictured myself like a mage or priest from novels, unleashing holy magic in attacks or controlling magic to overwhelm through manipulation, but reality crashed down on me and I let out a sigh.
What was I even doing right now? Did I think awakening was something anyone could do anytime?
Just as the desire to become special was gripping Hong Myeong, someone pressed the doorbell.
Ding-dong!
I wondered who could be visiting, but since this wasn’t my home, I figured it might be Jung Ji-hwan or another guild member. When I opened the door, I caught my breath seeing Min-jun standing there.
Min-jun, who had first brought me here, was visiting unexpectedly again.
He’d told me to stay here and that he’d protect me, but I thought I wouldn’t see him again since he was busy—yet here he was. It was truly unexpected.
Of course, Hong Myeong didn’t know this, but Min-jun wasn’t actually busy at all.
The executives were handling all the work, and in reality, he’d just been pretending to work in North Korea while suppressing his presence and resting at home.
And he’d come because he’d sensed Ursula’s presence.
If Min-jun had remained here continuously, Ursula wouldn’t have needed to move at all.
As Hong Myeong looked at Min-jun with some surprise, Min-jun spoke quietly.
“It’s good to see you again. I’ve come because there’s something I’d like to propose.”
At Min-jun’s refreshing smile, Hong Myeong swallowed hard without realizing it.
Was he here to silence me? Or had I done something wrong?
While fear gripped me at such thoughts.
Min-jun spoke hurriedly.
“It’s nothing serious—I’ve recently obtained something, and I’d like to test it on you, Hong Myeong. It won’t be anything bad for you either.”
“Pardon? A t-test?”
“Yes. Of course, you’ll need to sign a confidentiality agreement first.”
Why would he ask me to sign a confidentiality agreement?
Such thoughts crossed my mind, but I swallowed hard and pondered internally.
Min-jun’s known abilities weren’t limited to strengthening items—he could also enhance awakened individuals’ level caps.
But testing something new meant… could it be?
‘A power that can awaken ordinary people!?’
Hong Myeong, having unconsciously deduced the truth, blinked repeatedly while staring at Min-jun.
Min-jun’s eyes seemed to smile slightly, as if he knew that Hong Myeong had figured it out.
As though any choice would be acceptable.
And Hong Myeong fell into contemplation.
If I agreed here, could I awaken and gain new power?
If my thoughts are correct, he’ll truly awaken. And it will be by Min-jun’s hand.
Would Min-jun really try to cast aside someone he awakened with his own power?
There’s no way.
From everything I’ve heard and seen with my own eyes, Min-jun isn’t that kind of person.
That meant if Hong Myeong awakened—even in the slimmest chance—he would become part of the Reinforce Guild.
I didn’t know if he could truly awaken.
But if he signed a confidentiality agreement, I would tell him.
Hong Myeong thought it through to that point and nodded.
“Y-yes, I will.”
He nodded with the mindset that he would do whatever it took if he could just awaken, speaking those words, and Min-jun nodded in return before handing over the agreement first.
Hong Myeong signed it as if entranced, and Min-jun, watching him, grinned wickedly as he began formulating the equation to merge his enhancement with his new magic.

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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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