The Only Enhancer - Chapter 29

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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 29
Episode 29 – Territory Dispute (3)
Han Tae-jun was the first to react to my words.
He’d heard the name Myung Ha-jin countless times before.
A executive of the Sacerdotal Society, one of only three Level 5 Healers in the country, and the man known as the Ghost.
That unpredictable man, more erratic than any other healer—was that him?
I’d only heard about him; this was my first time seeing him in person.
“That person… is that really Myung Ha-jin?”
At Han Tae-jun’s murmur, the Changgong Guild members also recognized the name and stared at Myung Ha-jin with startled expressions.
“M-Myung Ha-jin?”
“Is that person really the Ghost Myung Ha-jin?”
“H-huh? That Myung Ha-jin?”
Unknown to the general public, but a name that the top-tier guilds couldn’t possibly not know.
The Ghost, Myung Ha-jin.
Why had he come here?
Everyone who suddenly thought of this turned their heads to look at me.
There could only be one reason for him to appear in Changgong Guild Territory.
Who else could it be but me, who had supposedly joined as a mercenary this time?
Even when he first appeared, he’d acknowledged knowing me.
Similarly, I had called out to Myung Ha-jin as well.
Everyone was swallowing hard, deducing that the two of us must be connected.
Then Myung Ha-jin spoke.
“Ah, don’t mind this kitty here. It won’t break through anyway.”
The Disaster Level 3 Cry Cat was raging and clawing at the dome frantically.
But just as Myung Ha-jin said, it couldn’t even land a proper blow.
Kyaaaaaaah!!!
Kaaaaaang! Kaaaaaang!
It struck the dome, yet the energy barrier deflected the attack effortlessly.
The surrounding ground exploded and overturned from the impact, but Myung Ha-jin yawned leisurely and scratched his head as if unbothered.
Despite his relaxed demeanor showing not a shred of tension, everyone gathered here felt strangely anxious.
The only person who didn’t know that this man, moving as if a Disaster Level 3 monster was beneath his notice, was Level 5, was me alone.
Perhaps because of that, I stared at Myung Ha-jin, unable to comprehend the current situation.
‘What is happening?’
Why was he appearing here?
By now, I couldn’t possibly not know that he was an incredibly skilled fighter.
If I had to guess his level…
‘A Level 4 wouldn’t be able to act so casually against a Disaster Level 3 monster. It’s reasonable to assume he’s Level 5.’
My deduction was quite sound.
Even a Level 4 couldn’t display such composure against a creature one tier below.
What was surprising was that the person I’d happened to meet in the elevator before was Level 5.
Level 5—only twenty-one exist in the entire country.
Ordinarily, I would have thought such a person should be living somewhere far more prestigious.
But that’s not what matters right now.
The real question is: why has someone like that come here?
He doesn’t appear to be affiliated with the Changgong Guild.
Brazenly entering the territory of the Top 5 Guilds’ Changgong Guild like this.
It’s insane.
The biggest problem was that such a person had sought me out.
‘At least he seems well-intentioned?’
But why?
Well-intentioned means he doesn’t appear to harbor hostile intent.
Something about this feels off.
I suddenly encountered someone in the elevator who turned out to be a major player, and now that person is approaching me with remarkable goodwill.
By any measure, it’s suspicious.
Goodwill without reason doesn’t exist.
The problem is I can’t figure out what he wants.
While I was still turning things over in my mind, Myung Ha-jin spoke with a smile.
“Ah, what a small world! So you’re here, Kim Min-jun.”
“Yes, I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Puhaha! Well, that’s usually the case. It’s another guild’s territory, after all~”
I thought it strange that someone who knew that would still come like this, but I said nothing.
There was no point in complaining anyway.
‘What is this? Why did he come?’
From the atmosphere, it seemed like he’d come to recruit me.
But could that really be it?
Last time was the same, but seeing his eccentric behavior, it’s certainly plausible enough.
But what of mine caught his eye?
Even if I granted that he’d learned of my abilities through information.
Myung Ha-jin is a Level 5 master.
I couldn’t fathom why someone of his caliber would go to such lengths.
‘He must have some other purpose.’
Because of that suspicion, I couldn’t move hastily.
I didn’t know what he actually wanted.
Well, that made sense.
Ordinarily, someone of such skill wouldn’t come to a place like this merely for recruitment.
The Sacerdotal Society would have been the same.
There was no way I could know that Myung Ha-jin had simply come on his own.
Myung Ha-jin, the center of this situation, let out a soft chuckle.
He was the one who understood this situation best, after all.
I let it pass, but Myung Ha-jin turned his head as if he’d forgotten something, smiled brightly, and looked at Han Tae-jun with a question.
“Oh, I forgot to ask, but you looked like you were in danger, so I helped out. That’s okay, right?”
“…Of course.”
“Normally I would’ve only helped Min-jun~ But consider it a bonus~ A bonus~”
“Thank you. The guild will provide compensation…”
“Ah, no no. No need for that. It was a two-for-one deal anyway, right?”
His tone was light, but his eyes didn’t smile at all.
Cold eyes like those gazing down at prey.
It felt almost like a warning.
Han Tae-jun couldn’t possibly fail to recognize him.
‘Damn it. He was a member of the Sacerdotal Society?’
No, it was more than that.
The fact that Myung Ha-jin was taking such care of him went beyond simply being a member.
He couldn’t be just an ordinary member.
And hadn’t he seen Min-jun use Heal and Blink?
Min-jun, who was definitely Level 1, had used Heal and Blink?
Those must be skills attached to items.
He himself already had a prepared Blink, and even possessed an item with Heal attached.
Among the visibly equipped items, only the wand was Enhanced 3 or higher, but that much could easily be concealed.
More importantly, the fact that the Sacerdotal Society—merely a mercenary group, not even a guild—provided such support meant they valued Min-jun that highly.
‘…The Sacerdotal Society must be hiding information.’
Of course, that wasn’t the case, but from Han Tae-jun’s perspective, he couldn’t help but feel this way.
A member whom the Sacerdotal Society cherished enough to send Myung Ha-jin.
Considering Min-jun’s abilities, it made sense.
He was practically a newly emerging Level 5 Healer.
If anything, had he not been affiliated with the Sacerdotal Society, I would’ve been even more suspicious.
Meanwhile, Myung Ha-jin was laughing inwardly as he watched Han Tae-jun’s mind working overtime.
And for good reason.
‘Wow, he didn’t see through it. Though I’d probably fall for it too.’
What Myung Ha-jin was doing now was bluffing.
Bluffing as if Min-jun belonged to the Sacerdotal Society.
Of course, if Min-jun opened his mouth, the whole thing would fall apart.
But it seemed like there was no need to worry.
‘He’s thinking things through too~’
Min-jun was also working through his mind to grasp the situation.
Well, he couldn’t possibly understand the current situation.
After all, Min-jun hadn’t known Myung Ha-jin before.
Now that he’d learned he was someone important, he was confused.
He’d have a lot on his mind.
Once support from the Changgong Guild arrived, I could just vaguely brush past it and take Min-jun away.
This was almost too easy.
Until just moments ago, Myung Ha-jin had believed the same thing.
That is, until Cry Cat’s head was about to split cleanly in two.
A deafening boom tore through the air!
As Cry Cat’s head cleaved in two, its entire body fractured apart.
The colossal shockwave that had bisected the creature rippled outward, crushing the earth beneath it, and thick clouds of dust swept up by the blast obscured everything in all directions.
The shockwave was so violent that even Myung Ha-jin’s energy dome trembled violently.
“….”
It was then that Myung Ha-jin’s expression contorted and hardened.
The billowing dust dispersed as Cry Cat’s energy coalesced and dissipated.
Simultaneously, Cry Cat’s corpse transformed into items and mana stones before vanishing, and the silhouette that emerged unhurriedly from within seemed far too frail to have caused such devastation.
Yet the figure wielding a shield and sword larger than her own frame evoked the image of a Valkyrie from mythology.
Myung Ha-jin furrowed his brow at the sight of that silhouette.
It was a silhouette he knew all too well.
“Isn’t this the Ghost Senior? It’s been a while.”
The twenty-first Level 5 in the nation and the second Level 5 of Changgong Guild.
Cha Hae-yeon, known as the Guardian of Changgong, had arrived.
And as Kim Min-jun watched the situation unfold, he smiled faintly and thought to himself.
‘I have no idea what’s going on.’
One thing was certain—they were both watching each other with considerable wariness.
There was only one action Kim Min-jun could take here.
‘If I position myself between them and play this right, it could work out.’
5.
The moment Cha Hae-yeon appeared, it was Han Tae-jun who was taken aback.
He had expected reinforcements to arrive, but he never imagined it would be her.
Yet in that instant, he realized it made sense.
With Kim Min-jun—who had mentioned he might be a member of the Sacerdotal Society—present, a territorial dispute had erupted.
Wasn’t it reasonable to send the strongest force available as quickly as possible?
He would have done the same.
The problem was that neither of them could move.
Myung Ha-jin and Cha Hae-yeon had locked eyes and immediately escalated their auras into an outright battle of wills.
They glared at each other, neither willing to yield an inch.
“Huh—well, who do we have here? Isn’t it Cha Hae-yeon, Changgong’s watchdog?”
A Level 5 Healer.
Considering the rarity, she was naturally formidable and impressive.
But the same held true for her opponent.
A Level 5 Tank and the one known as the Guardian of Changgong.
He knew neither was to be underestimated.
In other words, Myung Ha-jin was not someone who could be intimidated by name alone.
Perhaps for that reason, Cha Hae-yeon spoke with confidence.
“Isn’t it natural that I’m here? As you said, it’s hardly unusual for Changgong’s watchdog to be in Changgong Territory. But Senior, why are you here?”
“Did I come somewhere I shouldn’t have?”
“You shouldn’t have. But still, it’s the Changgong Guild, after all?”
“Hmm.”
No matter how eccentric Myung Ha-jin was, Cha Hae-yeon’s words held truth.
It would be awkward to simply crush him with brute authority.
That wasn’t my style anyway.
While the Sacerdotal Society did rank above the Top 5 Guilds, Myung Ha-jin was the one who broke the rules first.
And I had no justification for breaking them.
To recruit Kim Min-jun?
But if I revealed that, they’d learn that Kim Min-jun wasn’t yet affiliated with any organization.
I was certain he’d eventually join, but one could never be too careful.
‘There’s no need for them to know.’
The Sacerdotal Society wielded tremendous power.
But the Changgong Guild, being one of the Top 5 Guilds, possessed the same.
The Sacerdotal Society’s immense power stemmed from exploiting the factional conflicts between the Top 5 Guilds.
Moreover, even though Myung Ha-jin was an executive of the Sacerdotal Society, that didn’t mean he could afford to antagonize a heavyweight like the Changgong Guild.
If I caused trouble here, I’d definitely face consequences.
‘That would be problematic.’
But revealing Kim Min-jun would also be problematic.
Beneath Myung Ha-jin’s seemingly thoughtless movements lay meticulous calculation.
By moving unexpectedly, I’d disrupt their calculations while ensuring mine succeeded.
It had always worked, but conversely, it meant I was vulnerable to unforeseen variables.
A way to conceal my true intentions while expressing a plausible reason.
In such situations, ambiguous phrasing was essential.
“I came to visit our close acquaintance Kim Min-jun. Is that a problem?”
“Hmm.”
Cha Hae-yeon’s brow furrowed at those words.
Was that healer affiliated with the Sacerdotal Society?
It was possible, but something felt off.
‘Why is Myung Ha-jin’s tongue so long?’
There had to be a reason for this.
Though Cha Hae-yeon had only recently reached Level 5, she’d observed Myung Ha-jin for years.
She knew his nature well.
There was definitely something.
Perhaps that healer wasn’t yet affiliated with the Sacerdotal Society.
If he were already affiliated, it would mean he possessed considerable value.
‘And he wants to keep that hidden?’
Nothing was certain yet.
But one thing was clear.
“Oh, so Myung Ha-jin cares for his juniors? That’s the first I’ve heard of it.”
“Well, isn’t that just natural for a philanthropist like me?”
“The danger has passed now, so we should escort you. And we ought to provide compensation, shouldn’t we? After all, this is our Changgong Guild Territory.”
“…That would be difficult, wouldn’t it?”
I was losing on principle.
But I had to push back somewhat.
While we continued our verbal sparring.
Someone stepped forward.
“Shall we end this?”
“….”
“….”
Normally, they might have dared to ask who was butting in, but they didn’t.
Because it was Kim Min-jun, standing at the center of this situation.
Both Myung Ha-jin and Cha Hae-yeon looked at Kim Min-jun without saying much.
Just as I’d calculated.
‘It was the perfect moment.’
I’d inserted myself at the most opportune time.
Now the priority was to bring this situation under my control.
That’s when Cha Hae-yeon spoke up.
“…Well, we were the ones who called upon you, Healer. If we were to let you leave after such an unfortunate incident, our reputation would suffer greatly. Would you please give us the opportunity to offer our compensation?”
She came across with deference, yet there was nothing servile or shabby about her demeanor.
Rather, the way she presented herself with such courtesy and confidence was enough to catch even Kim Min-jun off guard for a moment.
Meanwhile, Myung Ha-jin, lacking any justification, furrowed his brow sharply.
Watching that, I thought to myself.
The choice was mine to make.
Moreover.
‘Myung Ha-jin seems reluctant for my relationship with him to be revealed, while Cha Hae-yeon from Changgong Guild appears curious about what information I possess.’
I hadn’t simply been watching in silence.
I’d been gathering as much information as possible.
As a result, I could glimpse, if not completely, what both of them wanted.
What remained was for me to seize the initiative.
And I wielded that choice boldly.
In the most prudent manner.
“Of course. I should certainly give Changgong Guild the opportunity to compensate me, but there’s no rule saying it has to be today.”
“…Indeed.”
For Cha Hae-yeon, who had been trying to learn of Myung Ha-jin’s plans through me, it wasn’t a satisfying answer.
Myung Ha-jin, on the other hand, beamed with delight.
Until he heard what I said next.
“It seems you have matters to attend to as well, Myung Ha-jin. Let’s meet another time.”
“…What?”
“You came without an appointment, so next time, let’s arrange a proper one. I’m rather exhausted today myself.”
Myung Ha-jin was equally stunned by my words.
But he had no grounds to refuse.
After all, it was Myung Ha-jin who had been the one forcing the issue.
We both offered polite and reasonable excuses to postpone our promise.
And we both chose to meet anyway.
“Well, I suppose that’s true.”
“How about this time next week?”
“That works. I’ll wait for you on the First Floor.”
“I’ll visit the Changgong Guild sometime next week as well.”
“…Yes, understood.”
I had no intention of being caught between two whales and having my back split open.
One week remained.
It was a timeframe we’d settled on because delaying further seemed impossible.
Within that span, I needed to gain enough power to avoid being swept along.
I despised being played with in someone’s grasp.
I’d lived that way my entire life, and I had no intention of continuing after awakening.
There was only one method available to me now.
‘Raise my level as much as possible within that time.’
A concrete purpose for growing stronger had finally emerged.

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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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