The Only Enhancer - Chapter 39

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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 39
Episode 39 – Level Measurement (3)
Click, click, click, click, click, click, click!
As if possessed, the reporters frantically snapped photographs, their shutters firing in rapid succession.
Kwon Woo-hyuk watched the scene with a bewildered expression.
What in the world was happening here?
The reporters he had brought were writing articles about someone else—why?
It was a foolish thought.
Level 3 in less than a month?
Impossible.
But look at the expression on that Hunter Association Staff member’s face.
‘If that’s an act, they deserve an Oscar!’
Someone else had stolen the spotlight that should have been his.
His insides twisted with frustration, but that wasn’t what mattered right now.
‘If that’s real, wouldn’t they easily surpass Level 5? Or could they even reach Level 6?’
As a member of the owning family of the Mirae Guild, one of the Top 5 Guilds, Kwon Woo-hyuk knew well enough.
What the qualities of a Level 6 hunter looked like.
But had advancement ever been this fast?
He’d heard it took at least six months to reach Level 3.
Regardless, his stomach wasn’t sitting right, but that wasn’t the priority now.
With so many reporters already gathered, controlling the narrative was impossible.
So then.
‘Sigh, what a headache.’
Kwon Woo-hyuk briefly regretted calling so many reporters as he left the area.
Of course, he didn’t forget to make a phone call on his way out.
“Hey, hyung? You haven’t seen the article yet, right? From what I can tell, they’ve got at least Level 6 potential….”
And with that, he departed.
The money spent calling reporters or the level measurement?
Who cared.
Right now, moving quickly was the priority.
Besides, even if he stepped forward now, who would give him credit?
A story about Level 6 potential would bury anything he said later anyway.
5.
When I first arrived at the Level Measurement Room, I saw reporters lined up everywhere, but I didn’t think much of it.
I’d seen quite a few hunter-related articles distributed with photos taken in front of the Level Measurement Room before.
Since the Hunter Association Staff didn’t stop them, I assumed this was normal.
It doesn’t matter if it’s known now.
I was here too.
‘I’m confident I wouldn’t lose even if Myung Ha-jin or Cha Hae-yeon came.’
It might sound arrogant for a mere Level 3 to say, but I’d acquired quite a few exclusive items, and I’d equipped most of my gear with +4 enhancements.
Even Myung Ha-jin and Cha Hae-yeon couldn’t do anything about this situation.
Both the defensive set and the offensive set had been completed, hadn’t they?
Using the Enhancement Mage’s exclusive options, my combat power had risen beyond imagination.
In a situation like this, while it was fine that I was an Enhancement Mage, I wondered if there was any real reason my level needed to remain hidden.
Wouldn’t it be better to reveal it rather than keep concealing it?
I could operate openly either way.
For someone with Level 6 aptitude, the speed was fast, but there would be individual variations.
I thought this much would be overlooked.
Click click click click click!
However, as I watched the possessed shutters of the journalists, I furrowed my brow deeply.
And the Hunter Association Staff member stared at me with a bewildered expression.
‘W-what on earth is happening!?’
I had received word that the Saint would be visiting, but I thought it had nothing to do with me conducting level measurements.
I had simply come to work this morning and conducted level measurements as usual.
What was this all about?
I asked the bewildered Hunter Association Staff member.
“Is there a back exit?”
“Y-yes? W-well, there is.”
“It seems difficult to leave in this state. Would it be alright if I left through the back exit?”
“Ah….”
As the Hunter Association Staff member turned his head at my words,
I could still see the throng of journalists flashing their shutters and shouting loudly.
“You’ve set the world record for the fastest achievement of Level 3 in less than a month! Please give us a comment!”
“Even those with Level 5 aptitude don’t have this kind of speed—please explain yourself!”
“Where are you currently active!?”
“Right now…!”
Seeing how aggressively the journalists were rushing forward, it seemed absolutely impossible to leave through that way.
The Hunter Association Staff member nodded without realizing it.
It seemed I shouldn’t be sent out like this.
With that thought, the Hunter Association Staff member led me toward the back exit, and I could hear the journalists clamoring behind us, but I ignored them and came out through the back door.
“Min-jun!”
The Saint rushed over, calling out urgently.
Why was she coming so frantically?
“We sincerely apologize for the journalists! We were planning to prepare slowly since we thought you’d arrive at the scheduled time, and that became the problem!”
At the Saint’s words, spoken without even catching her breath, I tilted my head in confusion.
What?
Weren’t there usually this many journalists?
With that thought, I remained calm.
“I-I’ll guide you now. Journalists and crowds will soon swarm this place, so it would be best to avoid the area. I’ll explain everything in the car.”
Startled by the considerable urgency in her voice, I nonetheless nodded composedly.
Under the Saint’s guidance, I hurried into the car and swiftly escaped the Hunter Association Headquarters.
It wasn’t long before an avalanche of articles began flooding in.
[World Record for Fastest Level 3 Achievement Broken Domestically!?]
[Hunter Reaches Level 3 in Just One Month—Who Is This Person?]
[Mysterious Hunter Shrouded in Secrecy Achieves Level 3 in Merely One Month.]
[Exclusive Reveal! The Hunter with the World’s Fastest Level 3 Record!]
There was no mention yet of “Kim Min-jun” or Level 6.
But it was only a matter of time before the story spread like wildfire.
Watching the endless stream of articles, I felt no sense of alarm.
Given how many journalists were present, this level of buzz was inevitable.
Besides, I hadn’t been particularly concerned about it from the start.
What troubled me was the Saint’s expression—it was far too grave.
‘Did I arrive too early?’
I was the one who came ahead of the scheduled time.
I had acted on my own initiative, but I’d assumed such a large gathering of journalists was normal.
Apparently, that wasn’t the case.
It wouldn’t have mattered if the information got out, but seeing the Saint’s reaction made me wonder if I’d made a mistake.
Was it because my Level 6 potential was supposed to be classified?
If so, then yes, it was a mistake.
‘Should I apologize?’
For someone who had just turned twenty, this could be quite a serious matter.
“I’m terribly sorry. It was our fault.”
The Saint apologized first.
It was certainly the Association’s mistake for failing to keep the journalists at bay.
Not alerting the Level Measurement Room was equally their error.
They should have informed everyone in advance, either sending the journalists away before my examination or arranging a separate meeting.
Their complacency about the appointment time not yet having arrived was a grave oversight.
Even though Kwon Woo-hyuk from Mirae Guild had stepped in, the Association possessed enough influence to have easily kept the journalists away.
The Saint’s apology was entirely justified.
Of course, arriving earlier than the scheduled time wasn’t entirely without fault on my part, but if they had prepared thoroughly from the beginning, this situation wouldn’t have arisen.
In terms of responsibility, the Association bore the greater burden.
“Is this a serious matter?”
I asked, now realizing that the presence of journalists moments ago was abnormal.
However, the Saint’s response wasn’t particularly negative.
In fact, quite the opposite.
“I apologize to you, but perhaps we should say this turned out well?”
“Is that so?”
“Sigh, yes. Truthfully, I never imagined you would achieve Level 3 so quickly… but this allows us to publicize that you are a tremendous national asset and provide you with comprehensive support. Of course, there’s no need for you to join the Association.”
“That’s a relief then.”
“Moreover, if word spreads about your Level 6 potential, it will become far more difficult for the Sacerdotal Society or Changgong Guild to make a move.”
What on earth is she talking about?
I gaze at the Saint with curiosity.
The Saint explained kindly.
“Until now, the Hunter Association has only tried to protect you, but now that you’ve demonstrated such value, everyone will want you. Even if those two guilds make an offer, the other four of the Top 5 Guilds will actively block them. Rather, they’ll probably want you to join the Association or start your own guild.”
The four other Top 5 Guilds that failed to contact me first will actively obstruct the Sacerdotal Society and Changgong Guild.
From the Hunter Association’s perspective of protecting me alone, and from my own perspective, there was nothing disadvantageous about this.
“And some people might even think you’re beyond Level 6.”
“Pardon?”
“For instance, the aptitude of an unprecedented Level 7….”
“Ah.”
Even as the Saint spoke, she fell into thought.
It was certainly a plausible theory.
Reaching Level 3 in merely a month.
A timeframe no one had ever achieved.
What kind of mana capacity would allow such speed?
Considering the report I received from Park Min-ho, it was extraordinary.
He said that even while using damage skills attached to items until three teams’ mana was completely depleted, I never appeared to run low on mana.
‘It’s certain.’
The Saint was convinced.
I was destined to become the first Level 7.
What would happen when this young man, still unfamiliar with the world, reached that height?
The Saint simply swallowed hard in admiration.
Meanwhile, I pondered, leaving the Saint behind.
‘Level 7, huh.’
Considering my leveling speed and other factors, it didn’t seem impossible.
But.
‘Is Level 7 really the end?’
Something told me it wouldn’t be, I thought.
6.
[Korea’s Second Level 6 Prospect Discovered Today!]
[World Record: Level 3 in Just One Month! Unearthed in South Korea!]
[Mirae Guild’s Kwon Woo-hyuk: ‘Some Already Knew This.’]
It was the hottest news burning up the internet right now.
Many people were quite pleased with the news.
In an era where national power is judged by Level 6 Hunters and 6-tier equipment.
With the emergence of someone with new Level 6 potential, there was no reason anyone wouldn’t welcome it.
Well, there was one exception.
The guild master’s office located at the top floor of the Changgong Guild Building.
Han Mu-gyeol, sitting quietly there, gazed coldly at the articles and shut his eyes tightly.
“….”
He said nothing and released no sigh, yet the deep furrow etched between his brows spoke volumes of his profound displeasure.
Why did it have to surface now, of all times?
All five of the Top 5 Guilds and the elite mega-guilds snapping at their heels had learned of it.
Even the Sacerdotal Society found it difficult to move recklessly.
He’d wondered if the Hunter Association had orchestrated this, but it didn’t appear to be the case.
The problem was that while the media prattled on about Level 6 potential, those who possessed genuine knowledge of Level 6 understood the truth.
‘That is absolutely not Level 6.’
It transcends that.
No one with Level 6 potential had ever reached Level 3 in a single month.
Even the fastest had taken three months, and the average Level 6 required six months to reach Level 3.
Yet this person had done it in less than a month.
Considering the frequency of raids and the skills deployed, one could only conclude that his mana quantity and quality existed in an entirely different dimension from conventional Level 6 hunters.
In other words.
‘Level 7.’
An unprecedented realm.
And such a being had chosen to reveal themselves now, of all moments.
Changgong Guild no longer had any place in this game.
Neither would anyone else.
The five Top 5 Guilds and the Sacerdotal Society were too busy checking one another.
He might even prefer the Hunter Association to manage Kim Min-jun.
‘I’ll have to abandon any schemes.’
No matter what, touching Kim Min-jun—who might possess Level 7 potential—was too risky.
If he were caught red-handed?
‘How terrifying.’
He would forfeit his ambitions of expanding onto the world stage and instead prepare for erasure from existence itself.
All that remained was to attempt persuasion during Han Tae-jun’s remaining contract duration.
But it was unreliable.
Until a more elegant solution presented itself, he would lie low.
However, if an opportunity arose…
‘I would devour it without hesitation.’
Seven.
Level 6 potential and the world’s fastest Level 3 record.
And it had emerged from South Korea.
Amidst the endless cascade of articles, some people remained skeptical.
-Is this for real?
-Wait, another Level 6 from our country?
-Fastest Level 3 record?
-Level 3 is literally the first major threshold and the most frequently measured checkpoint, so setting a record there is absolutely insane;;;
-How did we have such talent in Korea?
-The Association needs to handle this right now. If they mess up and he emigrates, that’s a total disaster;;;
—The Association needs to secure his coattails no matter what.
—Kyaa~ Boss! Lower the shutter!
Finally, Korea is producing real talent!
Only 15 Level 6 Hunters exist in the entire world.
Ma Hyun-seok, the Association Chairman, was already one of them, but Japan alone—right next door—had two.
And without even going that far, China had three.
That’s when Kim Min-jun appeared.
A new Level 6 prospect.
It was more than enough to set people’s hearts ablaze.
—Wait, isn’t he affiliated with one of the Top 5 Guilds?
—From the way the Association is stepping up, wouldn’t he be Association-affiliated?
—Kyaa! Is he going to work alongside Ma Hyun-seok, the Steel Hero?
—Whoa! Does that mean our country’s Calamity-class Level 5 monsters are nothing now?
—If there are two Level 6 Hunters, we should definitely be able to handle them much more safely than before, right?
Though raids were said to have stabilized, everyone harbored anxiety about Calamity-class Level 5 monsters.
If a Calamity-class Level 5 monster appeared, entire cities could vanish without anyone batting an eye.
No matter how many Level 6 Hunters Korea had, there was only one, and safely taking down a Calamity-class Level 5 monster was beyond reach.
And now a Level 6 prospect had emerged?
It could dispel a significant portion of the citizens’ anxiety.
Japan was already demonstrating that theoretically, with two Level 6 Hunters and thirty Level 5 Hunters, raids could be conducted safely.
The number of Level 5 Hunters was still insufficient, but that was acceptable.
—Kyaa! Ma Hyun-seok is a tank, and this newly appeared person is a healer, right?
—Ma Hyun-seok? Is the Steel Hero your friend! Show some respect with the honorific;;;
—Are you out of your mind;; Drop the honorific?
I already reported it.
Kim Min-jun watched the internet burning hot with discussion about him, feeling bewildered.
It wasn’t just ordinary citizens—Hunter Net was in an uproar too.
—A Level 6 healer? Are you serious;;
—This is it!
—Wow, this is what a real nation looks like~!
—If we just fill in more Level 5 Hunters, Korea will become an incredibly safe country.
—Please, if the new healer is Korean, let’s support them.
—For real, I hope they grow safely and faster than anyone else.
—Wow, a real Level 6 healer… even regular healers are called royalty and whatnot, so what would a Level 6 healer feel like?
—Just imagining it makes me dizzy;;
Everyone was showering me with praise.
It felt somewhat embarrassing and awkward.
But it wasn’t an unpleasant feeling.
“Ahem, let me stop looking and focus on enhancement instead.”
I needed to upgrade all my exclusive option-equipped items to +4.
So much to do, so much to do.
Min-jun threw himself into the reinforcement work.
Meanwhile, as the news blazed across Korea, strange bubbles churned violently in the depths of the East Sea, far below the surface.

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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
—————