The Only Enhancer - Chapter 23

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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 23
Episode 23 – The Negotiation Table
0.
Han Tae-jun sipped his tea while reviewing files on his tablet PC.
They were files on Kim Min-jun, a newly awakened healer who’d only been active for two weeks.
While the information wasn’t exhaustive, it gave him a decent picture of what this rookie healer had been up to.
He’d found the encounter at the restaurant intriguing, but the Kim Min-jun in these files was far more fascinating.
He’d already reviewed and confirmed these files with Han Mu-gyeol, but he checked them once more before meeting the man in person.
How much you know about your counterpart before sitting at the negotiation table matters considerably.
It determines what terms you can secure and which ones are beyond reach.
Yet something felt peculiar.
‘Hmm. These buffs don’t seem like they’re from a Level 1 healer…’
According to the reports Choi Jung-min from Han-sung Guild and Kang Na-gyeong from Mirinae Guild had submitted to their respective guilds, that was the case.
Information obtained with such difficulty had to be reliable.
Even if Choi Jung-min was unreliable, Kang Na-gyeong was a rookie Han Tae-jun had heard of before.
If she said the buffs didn’t seem like they came from a Level 1 healer, she had to be right.
If her statement was true, someone with Min-jun’s level of potential should have already become known among the guilds.
‘It’s curious every time I look at this part.’
Both Han-byul Guild and Mirinae Guild had tried to suppress information about him.
The reason was surprisingly simple.
‘They said there was trouble.’
Both parties had conflicts with Min-jun.
It wasn’t anything major, but Han-byul Guild had a candidate they’d marked for recruitment who had a bad history with Min-jun.
That would be a significant blow.
More than anything else.
‘The possibility of a connection to the Top 5 Guilds is interesting too.’
Han Tae-jun knew of no such incident.
No matter how hard they tried to hide it, the Top 5 Guilds always learned about each other’s affairs to some degree.
If Min-jun had connections to another Top 5 Guild, he wouldn’t be wandering around like this.
The reason was simple.
It was because he possessed high-grade enhancement items.
‘Of course, a typical Level 1 wouldn’t casually carry around +3 gear—it’s expensive.’
But it’s not impossible to obtain if you really wanted to.
A fascinating man in many ways.
I wonder what kind of impression he’ll make at this negotiation table.
I’m looking forward to it.
Han Tae-jun took another sip of tea and assessed Min-jun.
Based on the impression he’d gotten last time and the files before him.
‘I’ll decide after he passes this test, but he’s worth recruiting with the highest treatment we can offer.’
His consistent participation in raids and the decent personality he’d shown last time made that clear.
Moreover, according to reports from both the Han-byul Guild and the Mirinae Guild, that alone is sufficient.
Of course, that’s only if the test results are satisfactory.
What kind of impression will I make?
Just as Han Tae-jun was anticipating something, the promised time drew near.
It was almost time.
Han Tae-jun spotted me at the entrance—apparently I couldn’t manage to be late—and watched as I approached with confident strides.
And soon his expression hardened.
It wasn’t because of my more confident demeanor or overflowing self-assurance compared to last time.
It was simply.
‘…The aura is different.’
The presence emanating from me was different.
So vastly different from when he’d seen me last time.
If I hadn’t mentioned the date of my awakening, he would have believed I’d leveled up.
Han Tae-jun revised his previous impression of me in his memory.
‘I need to completely overhaul my plan.’
Han Tae-jun revised his assessment of me internally, then offered a light bow as he looked at me.
“It’s been a while, Kim Min-jun. Thank you for coming.”
“The pleasure is mine, Han Tae-jun.”
We exchanged a handshake with faint smiles, but internally Han Tae-jun couldn’t help but break into a cold sweat.
Had I been hiding my aura last time?
Had I anticipated something like this?
If that were true….
What kind of proposal should he even make?
‘This is troublesome.’
1.
At the table draped in silence, only two teacups sat, and no words passed between us.
We observed each other, each probing the other.
‘What kind of proposal should I make?’
‘Is he going to ask me to join the guild?’
Han Tae-jun was deliberating what proposal to make, while I was thinking about what he might say.
I had already resolved not to join any guild, so I was prepared to decline a guild offer.
But raids were a different matter.
‘The Top 5 Guilds have their own Disaster Zones. More than that, they can tackle Disaster Level 2 Zones, not just Disaster Level 1.’
Doing mercenary work or a raid or two didn’t fill me with much reluctance.
There was no reason to worry about being caught as an Enchanter, and how many opportunities would I get to observe a raid from one of those famous Top 5 Guilds?
Of course, that depended on the conditions being right.
I wasn’t the type to prostrate myself in gratitude just because a Top 5 Guild told me to join them.
Above all.
‘My aptitude as a healer is considerable too.’
Wasn’t that what every party I’d been in had unanimously said?
It doesn’t feel like I’m receiving a Level 1 buff.
In other words, the buff’s effectiveness is absolutely extraordinary.
That’s only natural.
‘Because I’m an enhancement specialist, not a healer.’
The phrasing is a bit odd, but if I can enhance items, what’s the difficulty in providing body buffs?
Now, if it’s the same skill, I have confidence that I’m superior.
I had no intention of accepting anything less than a deal worthy of my value.
Experience is somewhat lacking, but there are only the Top 5 Guilds, and Changgong Guild is just one of them.
‘I won’t join a guild, but joining a raid team should be possible.’
I heard that even the Top 5 Guilds often call in mercenary healers.
Well, that’s only because healers are so scarce.
If I use that to my advantage, I could easily move between guilds and participate in raids.
With my buffs, there’s a high chance I’d get calls from other Top 5 Guilds as well.
As that happens, my reputation would naturally rise.
Of course, I need to be careful since I’m hiding my true power, but as long as I don’t enhance items right in front of them, I won’t be discovered.
Above all.
‘I heard there are cases where enhanced items are received as additional mercenary fees. Even if I sell enhanced items, I can avoid suspicion.’
Last time, I thoughtlessly brought eight +1 enhanced items and sold them, but I can’t keep doing that.
Eventually, a long tail always gets caught.
If I work as a mercenary like this?
I can more than divert attention.
Moreover, there’s information that details about mercenary healers are kept strictly confidential.
Guilds hide information thoroughly to check each other.
That’s quite believable.
And there’s one more advantage to this arrangement.
‘I can sell +2 enhanced items too.’
If I work as a mercenary healer for the Top 5 Guilds or Large Guilds, I won’t be suspected even if I sell +2 enhanced items.
As long as I don’t bring multiple items at once.
Just as Han Tae-jun researched Min-jun for the negotiation table, Min-jun had also researched extensively.
To lead things as favorably as possible.
‘I have nothing to lack.’
Min-jun sat confidently, sipping his tea.
Han Tae-jun soothed his discomfort with tea as he observed Min-jun.
‘I can’t tell what he’s thinking.’
He waited to see if there might be conditions Min-jun wanted first, but nothing came.
So he’s telling me to make the first offer.
He’d warned against this from the start.
He wanted to frown, but maintained a poker face without showing it.
There’s nothing more foolish than revealing emotion at a negotiation table.
Han Tae-jun reorganized his thoughts once more.
Originally, I would have put him through a test before recruiting him.
But look at that confident attitude.
There’s nothing to be ashamed of, nothing to regret—a stance completely devoid of desperation.
It was a stubborn demeanor rarely seen before the banner of the Top 5 Guilds, yet such individuals did exist.
‘They show up from time to time.’
Healers who understand their own worth exceptionally well.
Those commonly called mercenary healers.
Healers with outstanding potential often recognized their value and engaged in negotiations, walking a tightrope between the Top 5 Guilds.
And among these mercenary healers, the most exceptionally talented ones had formed an organization.
It was called the Sacerdotal Society.
The power they wielded was beyond imagination.
The Top 5 Guilds were beneath their notice.
And for good reason.
‘The Sacerdotal Society has two Level 5 healers alone.’
With only three Level 5 healers in all of Korea, the fact that two of them belonged to that organization spoke volumes about their influence.
Not many people in the country knew about that organization yet.
At most, the Top 5 Guilds and the highest-tier large guilds.
Unlike guilds, there were no binding constraints holding members together—it was merely a gathering of mercenary healers, which made it all the more formidable.
If Min-jun truly was a member there, his unwavering confidence and possession of three high-tier items would make perfect sense.
‘Hmm.’
But there was a possibility he wasn’t.
More precisely, the probability he wasn’t was higher.
If he were already a member of the Sacerdotal Society, Han Tae-jun should have picked up on it to some degree.
They would have introduced him as their new member first.
Since Han Tae-jun was also a healer, he knew quite a bit about the Sacerdotal Society.
Though he’d never received an invitation, being a direct member of the Changgong Guild.
But there was another reason I thought it more likely Min-jun wasn’t part of the Sacerdotal Society.
‘I’ve never heard of the Sacerdotal Society accepting a Level 1 healer as a member.’
Not even once.
This was why I hadn’t considered it from the start.
That’s also why Han Tae-jun and Han Mu-gyeol hadn’t even mentioned the possibility of Min-jun being part of the Sacerdotal Society.
But judging by Min-jun’s demeanor and presence now, something felt unusual.
Since they’d never accepted a Level 1 healer before, perhaps he wasn’t yet affiliated with them.
The possibility that he was simply an exceptionally talented new healer couldn’t be ruled out.
But it would be wise to negotiate assuming he was a member.
If he wasn’t, well, that was fortunate—but if he was, complications could arise.
Preparing for contingencies was always the right approach.
“The reason I called you here, Healer Kim Min-jun, is to make you a mercenary offer.”
“Not a guild offer, then?”
Min-jun asked, sounding somewhat taken aback.
I thought if he called me to a place like this, he’d shove a guild contract in my face first, but that wasn’t the case.
I was genuinely asking out of ignorance, but from Han Tae-jun’s perspective, it seemed like I was testing him.
‘Is he really a member of the Sacerdotal Society?’
Seeing his reaction like that, I even began to think he might actually be.
On the other hand, if he really was, would this be the first time a Level 1 healer has joined the Sacerdotal Society?
I’d need to look into it later.
For now, this table was what mattered.
If he really was a member of the Sacerdotal Society, then establishing a connection would be profitable in itself.
‘The Sacerdotal Society operates in the form of mercenaries, but they tend to establish preferred guilds for transactions.’
Just like having a primary bank, it’s convenient for them to deal with one guild consistently, so they do the same.
That’s why it was better to secure a contract before the other Top 5 Guilds made contact.
‘Above all, if he really belongs there at Level 1, it’s unheard of.’
It’s an exceptional circumstance, isn’t it?
In other words, it also means he possesses unprecedented potential.
Han Tae-jun combined as much information as possible in his mind and reached a conclusion.
‘He might be a candidate member of the Sacerdotal Society.’
The possibility that he wasn’t yet a formal member, but a candidate.
This possibility was far more likely.
‘Maybe that day when he saw me wasn’t a coincidence either.’
Could he have approached me to become a formal member?
Thinking that far, goosebumps erupted across my entire body, but I suppressed it with superhuman composure.
I calmed my excitement and thought carefully.
Actually, this was fortunate.
If he were a formal member of the Sacerdotal Society, I wouldn’t know, but as a candidate, he’d be less troublesome to deal with.
‘Even as a candidate member, I can’t try to negotiate carelessly.’
Even as a candidate, he’s connected to the Sacerdotal Society.
I had to show all my cards from the start.
That’s why Han Tae-jun decided to show the maximum he could currently offer.
“Our Changgong Guild’s Team 5 currently has only one healer. Originally, each team must operate a minimum of two parties, so we’re short one healer. That’s why I’d like to establish a temporary mercenary contract. Here are the conditions.”
Han Tae-jun said this and handed over his tablet PC.
The conditions written there were as follows.
[Mercenary raid contract (3 times), 50% share of byproducts acquired from raids, advance payment of one raid’s worth as contract fee, access to Changgong Guild’s exclusive market during mercenary contract, absolute confidentiality regarding the healer.]
Each condition was remarkable enough to be offered by a Top 5 Guild.
Min-jun’s eyebrows twitched slightly as he read it.
Han Tae-jun flinched in surprise at that expression, but soon waited calmly.
Meanwhile, Min-jun couldn’t hide his shock internally.
‘What is all this?’
Each condition was jaw-dropping.
These were absolutely not conditions a Level 1 should receive.
Yet he was offering all of these?
Min-jun pondered for a moment.
Was there some hidden agenda?
Yet even scrutinizing Han Tae-jun’s expressionless face, I could discern nothing.
Was there something I didn’t know?
Out of an abundance of caution, I reviewed everything, but there were no toxic clauses or disadvantageous terms whatsoever.
If anything, the toxic clauses belonged to Changgong Guild—for me, there was only benefit.
Of course, Changgong Guild would gain something too, but by all appearances, my advantage was greater.
I stroked my chin, lost in thought.
‘Not even a guild contract, and they’re providing all of this?’
It was far too suspicious.
I scanned for fine print—perhaps some slave contract hidden away—but found nothing.
It was an entirely straightforward agreement.
The number of requests was only three, which was remarkably few.
For reference, three meant three creatures.
Once these three were complete, additional contracts were not mandatory.
The terms were so favorable that refusing would be foolish.
I nodded in agreement.
“Excellent. Let’s proceed with this contract.”
“I’m glad it meets your approval.”
With a subtle smile, we shook hands, and I signed the agreement.
Thus, I concluded a three-request mercenary contract.
“Then I should take my leave due to a report I need to file.”
“Of course. Until next time.”
As Han Tae-jun rose to leave, I stood and saw him out.
Exiting the café, Han Tae-jun immediately called his uncle and guild master, Han Mu-gyeol.
-What is it.
“I felt I should inform you, so I’m calling.”
-It seems the meeting didn’t go as planned.
“Yes, it appears Kim Min-jun the healer may possibly be a member of the Sacerdotal Society.”
-….
“I’ll keep a close watch.”
-Understood.
After ending the call, Han Tae-jun thought of Kim Min-jun and reflected.
‘There’s no way a Level 1 could exude such an aura.’
Of course not.
Because he wasn’t Level 1—he was Level 2.
Though naturally, Han Tae-jun couldn’t possibly know that.
“Sigh.”
As I pressed my throbbing temples and boarded the car, the driver asked.
“Where shall we head?”
“Please head to the guild headquarters.”
There were matters that needed to be handled.
I needed to find out if any new members had joined the Sacerdotal Society, and I had to prepare a raid capable of properly assessing Min-jun’s true capabilities.
Disaster Level 1 monsters weren’t sufficient.
At minimum, Disaster Level 2 monsters.
Only then could I properly evaluate his abilities.
Above all, since Min-jun was Level 1, there was much to prepare.
Safety had to be considered and there were many things to attend to, but at least I could say some burden had been lifted.
‘Team 5 should handle this without issue.’
The party was mostly composed of Level 2 hunters.
Though there was one concern.
‘The healer of Team 5 was named Jang Ji-won, wasn’t it?’
Since he wasn’t a healer I had personally selected, I wasn’t certain about his character. He wasn’t particularly trustworthy.
If it weren’t for Min-jun, this healer wouldn’t have warranted my attention in the first place.
Since I hadn’t seen him in person, I couldn’t make a proper assessment, but from the records I reviewed, there were no major issues.
He seemed acceptable.
‘I should give him a warning beforehand.’
This was meant to be an opportunity to verify Min-jun’s abilities.
There absolutely couldn’t be any trouble.
Above all, there was a possibility he could be a candidate member of the Sacerdotal Society.
I had to be careful.
Still, if I went myself, I could control the situation as much as possible.
My thoughts were increasingly turning toward the possibility that he might be connected to the Sacerdotal Society.
Even if he wasn’t a member, the possibility of him being a candidate was substantial.
First, I needed to find out if he was connected to the Sacerdotal Society.
Meanwhile, Min-jun chuckled to himself with a grin, as if he’d received an unexpected windfall.
“Once the contract money comes in, I could even get a better place, right?”
We were already planning to look at homes today anyway, so this worked out well.
Then the meeting was finished.
‘Should we go?’
Min-jun rose from his seat with a subtle smile.

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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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