The Only Enhancer - Chapter 44

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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 44
Episode 44 – The True Nature of Kim Min-jun, the Healer (?) (3)
6.
Disaster Level 5 raids had always brought grim tidings.
With bad luck, even precious Level 5 hunters sometimes fell, which was why.
Three years ago during the Jirisan Disaster Raid in Korea, Level 5 hunters had indeed perished.
Level 4 hunters went without saying.
But this Gangneung Disaster Raid was different.
The first Disaster Level 5 raid with zero casualties.
An achievement only hunter superpowers like the United States had ever accomplished.
[Gangneung Disaster Raid Successfully Concluded!]
[First Disaster Level 5 Raid with Zero Casualties! Will Korea Finally Become a Safe Zone for Disaster Level 5?]
[Hunter Association Chairman, Steel Hero Ma Hyun-seok: ‘This entire success is thanks to the healers who provided steadfast support from the forward base.’]
[A ‘Level 6 Aptitude Healer’ Shows Outstanding Performance at the Gangneung Disaster Raid Forward Base.]
[Interview with Forward Base Healer: ‘Without that Level 6 Aptitude Healer, things could have gone very badly.’]
Succeeding in a Disaster Level 5 raid without casualties held profound significance.
It was proof that South Korea had proudly joined the ranks of hunter superpowers.
Of course, there was still room for improvement.
The results were good, but looking at the process, without the Tier 6 equipment, such an achievement would have been impossible.
And Min-jun’s steady support from the rear was equally substantial.
But what did it matter?
For the citizens, the results alone were more than enough.
-Wow——! Boss! Lower the shutters!
-This is truly moving. Our country has finally joined the ranks of superpowers!
-Wait;;; How long has it been since Level 3 was revealed, and he’s already showing off? Is the Association pushing him?
-Nah, but looking at other interviews, there are plenty from the Top 5 Guilds too.
-Yeah; Han Tae-jun especially was really hyping him up.
-So what! He’s definitely Level 6 Aptitude!
While the Association Chairman was undoubtedly the hero of this raid, all eyes inevitably turned to Min-jun.
After all, hadn’t the Chairman himself mention that it would have been impossible without the steady support from the forward base?
Given that this raid could have produced considerable casualties, the people’s support was equally explosive.
Especially the families of Level 4 hunters.
-My brother is level 4, thank you so much. ㅠㅠㅠㅠ This time, my brother left me with a will and I was really shocked, but I’m so glad he came back safely.
-My daughter is Level 4, and while she said she’d be fine, I was still worried since it was a Disaster Level 5, so I prayed. It feels like those prayers were answered. I’m so grateful to all the healers at the forward base.
-That healer with Level 6 Aptitude, thank you so much. Thanks to you, my son came back safely. When he returned, he said he was fine and told me not to worry, but I couldn’t believe how much he’d grown. I was so proud. My son said that without you, he would have died. Thank you so much.
-My husband….(continued)
With countless such testimonies, people naturally praised Min-jun.
While the entire nation sent admiration and acclaim, there were inevitably those who viewed it with displeasure.
-Why are they hyping up a Level 6 Aptitude so much? Anyone can see this is typical image-making, right?
-I get that he’s impressive;;; but can they stop hyping him up;;;; it’s getting disgusting to watch.
-Lol, isn’t he Korean? His mind’s definitely going to change.
-What’s so great about him anyway, honestly.
-I heard the Hunter Association threw equipment at him like crazy;;;; isn’t this corruption?
But such comments were quickly buried under a wave of backlash.
-????Are you sane? If someone’s accomplished that much, supporting them is only natural, right?
-Are these people insane;;; even giving him more benefits wouldn’t be enough. If a Level 6 talent like this emigrates, these bastards will beat their chests in regret;;;
-Isn’t he Korean?
-Could be a villain though
└That’s true…. I’ll look into it.
└Who the hell is this guy?;;;
└No clue, must be some gimmick account.
└His nickname says he’s the captain of the Anti-Hunter Task Force????
└For real?
└You actually believe that? lololol
In any case, where there is great light, there is also great shadow.
A considerable number of people had begun to harbor envy and jealousy, though their numbers hadn’t grown too large thus far.
Meanwhile, what was Min-jun—the one causing all this commotion—doing?
‘What should I pick to get a good reputation….’
He stood before a display case holding 4-star items that glowed with a subtle crimson hue, lost in thought.
To explain how Min-jun came to be here, one would have to go back not long ago.
7.
After the Gangneung disaster raid ended.
Everyone who had participated in the raid prepared to leave Gangneung.
Of course, the Hunter Association personnel who hadn’t participated would handle all cleanup of the raid’s aftermath, and they planned to stay to restore the damaged harbor as much as possible.
Once Min-jun decided to leave, he boarded a mana-powered helicopter provided by the Hunter Association, heading toward Seoul.
He was traveling alongside Hunter Association President Ma Hyun-seok.
It wasn’t just Ma Hyun-seok aboard.
Three Level 5 Hunters from the Hunter Association were present.
Leading them was the Saint Lee Hee-bin, followed by the Spear Destroyer Won Eun-seong and the Blue Swordsman Go Ji-woo.
They were all renowned figures in Korea.
Min-jun and Jung Ji-hwan were squeezed in between them.
‘This is quite overwhelming.’
In the past, he wouldn’t have dared even look at such people, yet here he was, sitting among them.
Now Min-jun understood his own worth, but it was still daunting.
Yet amid all this, only Jung Ji-hwan looked directly at Hunter Association President Ma Hyun-seok with a composed expression and asked.
“President, I’m just asking to be sure, but are you settling the compensation with just the 5-star items?”
The audacity to say that despite being given 5-star items as compensation.
Or should this be called recklessness rather than audacity?
As expected, Won Eun-seong responded to Jung Ji-hwan’s words with exasperation.
“No wonder he’s crazy, or did getting dispatched there make you think you’re one of them?”
‘That’s what I’m saying.’
Even Min-jun nodded at Won Eun-seong’s words.
Is he really insane?
I kept that thought to myself and waited to see what he would say.
I was curious what he’d come up with.
I’d dispatched Jung Ji-hwan to protect Min-jun, but Jung Ji-hwan’s affiliation was officially with the Hunter Association.
Yet he was taking Min-jun’s side like a madman.
I was curious about it.
“I was dispatched for protective purposes, but looking at the orders here, there’s a directive from the Association President to provide all conveniences. I interpreted ‘all conveniences’ to mean acting as a dedicated secretary, but is my interpretation wrong, Won Eun-seong?”
As Jung Ji-hwan spoke, he pulled out what he called the orders from the document bag he’d been carrying around.
Was that what he’d been carrying it for?
Min-jun stared at it in disbelief.
Even Won Eun-seong could only click his tongue.
“…You’re insane.”
“It’s natural for curses to come out when there’s nothing else to say.”
“But still, getting the Top 5 should be enough. What more do you want?”
“Hmm, it seems you don’t realize how remarkable the results Min-jun the healer created are? In the first place, all Level 3 healers retired around five hours after the raid started. In other words, during the remaining one hour and seventeen minutes until the end, only Min-jun the healer treated the Level 4 hunters. In other words, without Min-jun the healer, we wouldn’t have achieved the honor of a raid with zero casualties.”
“…You’re talking like an ass.”
It was Won Eun-seong’s highest praise.
Though he spoke roughly, Won Eun-seong understood the meaning behind those words, so he said nothing more.
And Ma Hyun-seok, the Association President who had been watching this with apparent enjoyment, opened his mouth.
“Team Leader Jung Ji-hwan, you’re right. But the only thing I can give you right now with my authority is that Crimson Lotus Gauntlet that just dropped. You can expect further compensation later.”
“Ah, thank you.”
Though Jung Ji-hwan answered, Ma Hyun-seok was looking at Min-jun as he spoke, and Min-jun also expressed his gratitude.
Of course, Ma Hyun-seok shook his head, saying it wasn’t necessary.
“You’ve done great work, so I’m simply giving you appropriate compensation. Thanks to you, not a single Level 4 hunter died. This is undoubtedly a value that cannot be calculated. And it was accomplished because of you. So you should be more proud of yourself.”
“Ahem.”
Being praised so openly in front of everyone was embarrassing, but it didn’t feel bad.
Rather, it felt fulfilling, if I had to describe it.
To receive such praise from Ma Hyun-seok, called the hero of South Korea.
My heart swelled with pride.
“Moreover, the Crimson Lotus Gauntlet should have excellent compatibility with you as a healer. The attached skills are buff and detection types.”
“Ah, yes. It certainly seems excellent.”
“The stealth detection skill is rare, so I hope it proves useful to you.”
Min-jun fingered the Crimson Lotus Gauntlet as he spoke.
None other than a naturally born 5-star item.
It was the first naturally high-tier item Min-jun had ever possessed.
Moreover, the embedded skills were also exceptional.
‘Crimson Lotus is a physical buff with debuff immunity, Radiant Sphere is stealth detection type, and finally the ultimate Crimson Lotus—Bloom is a buff skill that grants flame properties to mana.’
All three skills were useful.
The combination was quite good, and they were skills that held nothing but benefit for Min-jun.
Their value exceeded imagination.
If my level increased, I could reinforce these to +6 as well, couldn’t I?
The thought alone set my body ablaze with anticipation.
Since things had come to this, I needed to level up faster.
‘It feels like there isn’t much time left either.’
While I was heading to Seoul anyway, I should buy plenty of enhancement materials and do some reinforcing.
Rather than waste time trying to get a naturally +2 item, I should focus on leveling up first.
That would be useful in many ways, wouldn’t it?
The enhancement success rate would increase, and new skills would emerge.
As Min-jun was organizing his plans internally,
Ma Hyun-seok asked, observing him.
“You don’t seem inclined to postpone the reward we promised you.”
“Pardon?”
“If you’re comfortable with it, you can go choose a +4 item right now.”
“…!!”
A +4 item just like that?
The Saint had said to come anytime, but I thought preparation would be necessary.
Today, right now?
Min-jun stared in disbelief.
The Saint and Jung Ji-hwan chimed in as well.
“It is rather overdue, that’s true.”
“As long as you’re not too exhausted, it would be good to receive it now.”
Min-jun nodded in agreement.
Won Eun-seong and Go Ji-woo glanced at Min-jun but didn’t pay much attention.
Or rather, they seemed uncertain what to say to him.
In any case, that’s how I ended up standing before the +4 item display at the Hunter Association Headquarters.
The Saint, Won Eun-seong, and Go Ji-woo had left first, exhausted, while Ma Hyun-seok wanted to see what I would choose but reluctantly had to leave to handle other matters.
As a result, Min-jun and Jung Ji-hwan were admiring the display together.
I thought there wouldn’t be that many.
The surprisingly large number of +4 items left Min-jun in contemplation.
‘Hmm, so I need to choose four from these.’
I examined them carefully, focusing on items with the best synergy, and Jung Ji-hwan waited without complaint.
Soon, Min-jun had selected all the items.
Jung Ji-hwan applauded from behind and spoke.
“Your discernment is truly excellent.”
Though he spoke with admiration, his expression remained cold and expressionless.
Was that genuine admiration?
In any case, Min-jun decided that was enough and stopped by the market.
At first, I glanced back, wondering if Jung Ji-hwan would grow suspicious if I bought too many enhancement materials.
Jung Ji-hwan spoke as though it were obvious.
“I’ve been dispatched to protect and ensure the convenience of Healer Min-jun, so please don’t worry. Safeguarding information about Healer Min-jun is a fundamental principle of protection. Even if it’s the Association Chairman.”
I wondered if this man was truly from the Hunter Association, but I didn’t worry too much about it.
I felt like what I was purchasing this time would be sufficient.
Above all, hadn’t I already obtained four pieces of 4-star equipment from birth?
If I enhanced all of these to 5-star, I’d have more than enough to level up.
Now that I had all the materials prepared.
Only one thing remained.
‘Time to level up.’
8.
Anti-Hunter Task Force Team Leader Jung Ji-hwan.
Contrary to my concerns, Jung Ji-hwan didn’t even think about the fact that I was purchasing large quantities of enhancement materials.
He had no questions or suspicions—he didn’t think about it at all.
His sole concern was one thing.
Ensuring the convenience and safety of Min-jun, who could be called the most critical figure in current Korea.
That’s why he had secured the house next to Min-jun’s in advance.
One might ask if it was necessary to go this far, but it was naturally required.
“Hmm, Level 4, are you? Where did you come from?”
The words were spoken gently, but the voice was frigidly cold.
One might have felt a chill at that icy tone, but the man who heard it had no leisure for such thoughts.
“Ughhhh!!”
The man pinned beneath Jung Ji-hwan’s foot wanted to cry out in pain and writhe, but Jung Ji-hwan’s skill binding his body prevented even that.
He wanted to cry out in agony, but the gag in his mouth made even that impossible.
Before the man could even finish speaking, Jung Ji-hwan nodded as if he understood.
“A villain from China.”
With those clipped words, his presence dominated the surroundings.
The man understood well too.
Anti-Hunter Task Force Team Leader Jung Ji-hwan.
A half-wit who can’t even catch monsters?
He wanted to see the face of whoever spouted such nonsense, but he couldn’t.
Jung Ji-hwan, merciless toward villains, spoke while looking at his gleaming ring.
“Sleep.”
Thud.
Watching the unconscious villain, Jung Ji-hwan lowered the foot he had raised against him.
He was quite displeased, yet his expression remained cold and impassive.
“Take him away.”
At Jung Ji-hwan’s command, two Anti-Hunter Task Force members appeared from nowhere and dragged the man away.
After that, he’d be dragged to the interrogation room and spill information, but that was beyond Jung Ji-hwan’s concern.
Jung Ji-hwan was here only to guard this place and ensure Min-jun’s rest wasn’t disturbed.
Several days passed like this.
It hadn’t been long at all.
Merely four days.
Since reaching Level 3, I had enhanced nearly hundreds of items, and among them, I had strengthened innate enhancement items countless times.
I decided to enhance at a pace entirely different from before.
Reaping the benefits of this approach, Min-jun gazed at the message materializing before him with an expression of deep satisfaction.
[Your level has increased.]
[You have reached Level 4 and acquired a new skill.]
[You may now attempt +6 enhancement.]
[You will no longer gain experience from enhancements below your current level.]
The message I had yearned for ever since awakening as an Enhancement Artisan.
At last, I had earned the right to challenge +6 enhancement.

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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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