The Only Enhancer - Chapter 53

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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 53
Episode 53 – Breaking Changgong Guild (2)
“What?”
“What are you saying to the guild master?”
“Forbidden items in possession?”
“W-what are you talking about?”
The murmurs erupted instantly.
The raid formation wavered for a moment.
But gritting her teeth, Cha Hae-yeon held the line.
Crash! Bang!
Realizing they were still in the middle of a raid, the tanks snapped back to attention and supported Cha Hae-yeon.
The situation was chaotic precisely because the raid was ongoing.
Han Mu-gyeol seized the opportunity and tried to incite them quickly.
This couldn’t end like this.
Everyone here belonged to Changgong Guild.
No matter how capable Jung Ji-hwan and Won Eun-seong were, escaping with so many people present wouldn’t be easy.
I had to incite the guild members quickly and capture those bastards.
“What nonsense—!”
“Isn’t that the Lantern God’s Flame?”
It wasn’t Jung Ji-hwan’s voice.
Han Mu-gyeol turned his head, forgetting his attempt at incitement.
There stood Min-jun, smiling as if he already knew everything.
If that bastard knew too, could he have come prepared?
A sting operation?
Han Mu-gyeol quickly shifted his gaze to Jung Ji-hwan and Won Eun-seong, but they were looking at Min-jun as if his involvement was unexpected.
Jung Ji-hwan maintained his composure, but his eyes showed considerable surprise.
Won Eun-seong clearly had no idea.
“The Lantern God’s Flame?”
“W-what’s that?”
“I-I don’t know?”
“It’s the Lantern God’s Seal—an item containing a powerful hypnotic ultimate skill, isn’t it?”
An accurate explanation.
Jung Ji-hwan spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear, following Min-jun’s words.
“Yes, that’s correct. It’s a forbidden item under both the Korean Awakener Association and International Awakener Law.”
“W-why would the guild master have that…?”
“C-could it be…”
Han Mu-gyeol watched the situation unfold without speaking.
The atmosphere felt ominous.
Items forbidden under International Awakener Law were managed with particular sensitivity.
They had to be reported immediately upon discovery, and possessing them secretly meant being treated as a villain.
The punishment would be determined by how the item was obtained.
Even Han Mu-gyeol, the guild master of Changgong Guild, one of the Top 5 Guilds, would face no exception.
Rather, the media would swarm like predators tearing into prey.
The Awakener’s Association would be no different.
It was crumbling.
The sky he had built over a lifetime.
Collapsing like a sandcastle.
I had to stop it.
By any means necessary!
‘I cannot surrender my Changgong!’
There had to be some way to turn this around.
But.
Click.
“Don’t move.”
Jung Ji-hwan’s voice was glacial.
A mere Level 4 insect crawling forward.
Rage boiled within me, but I forced myself to contain it.
If I lost control here, there would be no turning back.
I had to resolve this somehow.
“…There’s been a misunderstanding….”
The moment Han Mu-gyeol raised his hand to explain the misunderstanding.
Jung Ji-hwan, who had issued the warning, moved first.
Whoooosh! Shhhhhhh!
Four different curses manifested in an instant.
Vitality, mobility, and even mana drained from his entire body at will.
The giant’s patience shattered.
“You filthy vermin!”
The hideous giant revealed his true nature.
Won Eun-seong moved as well.
Bang!
Won Eun-seong surged forward, splitting the air like a blade.
The giant Han Mu-gyeol tried to block with his skewer-like spear, but countless curses seized and dragged at his body.
“Aaaaaaaah!”
He thrashed to break free, but Won Eun-seong was faster.
Gripping the spear, he hurled it toward Han Mu-gyeol.
Thud!
The spear embedded itself in his right thigh without resistance.
Though he had just thrown it, a spear materialized in Won Eun-seong’s hand as if by magic, and he took another throwing stance.
Thud!
The spear shot forth again, this time piercing deep into his right shoulder blade.
The curse had delayed my reaction, preventing me from using a skill—and this was the result.
Won Eun-seong then summoned a spear with an ominous aura and aimed it at Han Mu-gyeol’s throat as he spoke.
“I told you not to move, didn’t I?”
“…You bastards sure know how to crawl your way up!”
Han Mu-gyeol cried out and activated his ultimate skill.
Ultimate Skill: Giant’s Body.
A tank-class ultimate skill considered the pinnacle of its kind—granting gigantification and resistance to various skills simultaneously.
Both Won Eun-seong and Jung Ji-hwan frowned at the sight.
He was really going to see this through to the end.
And during a raid, no less.
He’d lost his reason.
‘This is going to be a grueling fight.’
As Jung Ji-hwan felt that weariness settle in, an enormous surge of mana descended from the sky.
Was it someone’s ultimate skill?
If so, whose?
His thoughts ended there.
Beyond that, he could not think.
Whoooosh.
In the sky hung a dark, mana-formed silhouette of something.
Breath caught in my throat.
Even as I opened my mouth to gasp for air, none came.
Those who had turned pale from the lack of oxygen could sense it.
This existence was on a different tier altogether.
Even the Disaster Level 4 Mountain Range Tree Spirit was no exception.
The Mountain Range Tree Spirit trembled violently, its breath strangled, and none dared to move.
The entity tilted its head, observing the trembling giant yearning toward the heavens with curiosity.
Its head twisted at an angle that should never bend for any human.
Yet it laughed, as if delighted.
That laughter was eerily similar to the pure, innocent laugh of a child.
Then, as the entity extended a finger toward the giant, a mana-formed cage materialized, trapping the giant within.
As if declaring that the heavens were not permitted for you, it laughed and vanished.
Boom!
Han Mu-gyeol collapsed as the ultimate skill Giant’s Body dissolved, and the sky returned to normal.
And everyone present could sense it.
‘W-what was that just now?’
‘I-it’s still alive, right?’
‘W-what on earth was that?’
‘G-Guild Master?!’
Everyone was too bewildered to speak.
Only Jung Ji-hwan quickly grasped the situation.
‘It was similar to when the Association Chairman used their ultimate skill.’
An ultimate skill comparable to a Level 6’s.
And then Min-jun spoke.
“Let’s focus on the raid.”
At those words, everyone recalled the tanks struggling valiantly and turned back to their positions.
Regardless, now was the time to continue the raid.
As everyone refocused on the raid and turned back, Jung Ji-hwan and Won Eun-seong examined the fallen Han Mu-gyeol.
He wasn’t dead.
But seeing him collapsed as if lifeless, Won Eun-seong swallowed hard and asked.
“That just now….”
“A curse. One comparable to a Level 6’s ultimate skill at that.”
“…You mean…?”
“That’s all. Don’t say anything more.”
At Jung Ji-hwan’s firm words, Won Eun-seong nodded and fell silent.
Won Eun-seong understood as well.
A curse ultimate skill comparable to a Level 6’s.
That could only mean one thing.
A +6 skill.
And it was obvious who had orchestrated it.
Jung Ji-hwan and Won Eun-seong exchanged glances and looked at Min-jun, who smiled knowingly at them both.
And as he did, he thought to himself.
‘The effect is incredible.’
Min-jun, toying with the +6 item—Ursula’s Dreadful Cage—was thoroughly satisfied.
And watching Min-jun like that, Won Eun-seong asked Jung Ji-hwan.
“…Do you think we actually need bodyguards?”
At that question, Jung Ji-hwan frowned as if he’d heard something absurd and looked at Won Eun-seong.
“By that logic, why would the Association Chairman bring bodyguards along?”
“Ah.”
Let’s finish the raid safely without any further commotion.
Both Jung Ji-hwan and Won Eun-seong were somewhat tense.
Now that Han Mu-gyeol was already detained, they could potentially resist to the bitter end.
Even if he was the guild master.
But an unexpected reaction came from an unexpected person.
“I will turn myself in.”
At Cha Hae-yeon’s earnest words, Won Eun-seong harbored some suspicion, but Jung Ji-hwan nodded.
An unmistakable sense of guilt was evident on her face.
Well, regardless, she seemed to want to reduce her sentence through voluntary surrender.
Jung Ji-hwan had already secured the evidence conclusively.
The flames of the Lantern Reaper.
Everything proceeded smoothly.
‘Things are working out nicely.’
With the arrest of Han Mu-gyeol and Cha Hae-yeon, the key figures of Changgong Guild, the raid ended there without continuing further.
3.
[Changgong Guild’s Han Mu-gyeol Arrested!]
[Han Mu-gyeol Possessed Prohibited Items.]
[The Reason Han Mu-gyeol Possessed Prohibited Items is None Other Than His Level 6 Aptitude!?]
[Association Chairman Ma Hyun-seok: ‘We Will Conduct a Thorough Investigation and Announce the Details of His Crimes.’]
[Changgong Guild’s Guardian Cha Hae-yeon: ‘I Will Surrender Myself. I Will Cooperate Fully With the Investigation.’]
[What Will Become of Changgong Guild?]
Articles poured in unexpectedly, and chaos erupted.
Changgong Guild’s guild master Han Mu-gyeol had fallen from grace.
The cause was revealed to be his desire to possess Min-jun, and the scandal burned even hotter.
The moment the Lantern Reaper’s flames were made public, public opinion deteriorated rapidly.
It was shocking that he had coveted a hunter with the potential to become South Korea’s second Level 6, and had attempted to brainwash him using an item equipped with a hypnosis-type ultimate skill.
Those who initially thought it couldn’t be true had no choice but to turn against Changgong Guild once the item was revealed.
-Wow, Han Mu-gyeol is such a piece of trash???
-Insane;; A brainwashing item? This is a villain, what else?
Haha, a giant? Ugh, that’s so gross, seriously.
-But if he’d actually succeeded, it would’ve been a disaster. Becoming a slave;;;>
-Exactly. The Association really did a good job, didn’t they?
-Of course! We have a hero!
-Is the hero your friend? Why aren’t you using honorifics?
Changgong Guild had been one of South Korea’s first guilds and undeniably one of the nation’s greatest.
But its collapse came in an instant.
Changgong Guild, bearing the prestige of the Top 5 Guilds, crumbled rapidly, and its members began scattering in all directions.
It was a predictable sequence of events.
Guild master Han Mu-gyeol and Level 5 Cha Hae-yeon had been arrested.
Moreover, Cha Hae-yeon had even exposed countless misdeeds through her surrender.
Unable to remain in such a place, the majority withdrew from the guild.
While such a massive incident was unfolding.
Min-jun was sipping tea in the Association Chairman’s Office.
Slurp.
Ma Hyun-seok watched Min-jun drink his tea calmly and spoke as if exasperated.
“…Phew, you’re truly remarkable.”
“Well, it’s not really my matter anyway.”
That’s fair enough, isn’t it?
I had that thought, but since the perpetrators were already all arrested, it was a closed case.
For Min-jun, the victim, there was nothing more to concern himself with.
But that didn’t mean everything was finished.
“Take this.”
“Oh! This is—!”
Ma Hyun-seok spoke as he withdrew quite a substantial collection of items.
Min-jun’s eyes gleamed with barely contained excitement.
Without exception, all +4 reinforced equipment.
And several of them were even +5 reinforced items.
A rough count revealed approximately twelve +4 items and a remarkable five +5 items.
“These are the items that Sanryong from China possessed previously, along with the equipment Han Mu-gyeol was wearing. Well, consider this a simple reward for now. I’ll consult with the council members shortly and bring additional compensation.”
“Oh! Thank you so much!”
“Heh, you certainly seem thrilled. Well, with a trait like yours, I suppose that’s understandable.”
Ma Hyun-seok recalled once more the theory that personality shifts somewhat according to one’s trait.
Everyone enjoys items, certainly, but look at that gleam in his eyes.
It was identical to the fervent gaze of researchers eager to conduct experiments.
There was even a hint of madness to it, perhaps.
In any case, Ma Hyun-seok thought as much while clearing his throat.
“Ahem.”
“…?”
Min-jun lifted his head at the sound, regarding Ma Hyun-seok.
As if asking what he had to say.
Then, as if suddenly realizing something, he posed a question instead.
“Oh! Would you like me to enhance your equipment as well, Chairman?”
At those words, Ma Hyun-seok’s pupils trembled like aspen leaves.
Enhance his equipment?
Surely not—
“What, what? To +5, you mean?”
“No, to +6.”
He could already enhance items to +6?
Well, that actually made sense.
Hadn’t he heard from Won Eun-seong and Jung Ji-hwan’s reports that he appeared to have used an ultimate skill corresponding to Level 6?
That meant he had utilized the ultimate skill of a +6 reinforced item.
In other words, Min-jun had already become capable of creating +6 reinforced equipment.
At that realization, Ma Hyun-seok felt a chill run through him.
+6 reinforced items—of which only ten existed worldwide, items whose mere possession was said to elevate a nation’s prestige—he spoke of them as casually as offering a gift.
He had already grown this much?
In merely a month and a half?
The growth rate was incomprehensible.
It was clear that Min-jun’s standing would only rise with each passing day.
‘Wait, what did he just say?’
Suddenly, alarm bells rang in Ma Hyun-seok’s mind.
He had been startled by the mention of +6 items and fallen into speculation, but this was not the time for that.
Min-jun was offering to create a +6 item for him.
I hadn’t yet revealed Min-jun’s identity as someone capable of crafting +6 reinforced equipment, and now Ma Hyun-seok would possess such an item?
That would be far from retirement.
That couldn’t happen.
“…Ah, ah, n-no, it’s, it’s fine.”
I declined as politely and casually as possible.
Min-jun tilted his head curiously.
Refusing +6 reinforced equipment?
Was he more frugal than expected?
Or perhaps the equipment he currently wore didn’t suit his preferences?
That was certainly possible.
‘I should have something custom-reinforced for him.’
If I provided an item perfectly tailored to Ma Hyun-seok, even his frugality wouldn’t allow him to refuse.
Now that skill extraction existed, it was entirely feasible.
Of course, I intended to reinforce an unenhanced item to create it.
Since he’d given me something, I could certainly do this much.
“Ahem, I’ve been keeping you far too long. Go on with your work.”
“Ah, thank you.”
Min-jun certainly had much to do at the moment.
I wondered how he’d known that, but truthfully, Ma Hyun-seok simply wanted to send him off quickly to distance himself from retirement.
Just as Min-jun was about to leave.
“Oh right, I almost forgot to give you this.”
“W-what is it?!”
Could it be +6 reinforced equipment?
I watched nervously, just in case.
It wasn’t an item.
It was merely a stack of papers.
Curious, I examined the first page.
The text was immediately visible.
[Guild Application Form]
“Oh!”
So he was finally going to establish a guild.
And in that moment, I imagined it.
What would a guild created by the world’s only enhancement mage be like?
Envisioning combat with +5 and +6 reinforced equipment adorning every member, I felt a thrill run through me.
Perhaps….
‘It might become the only guild capable of raiding Disaster Level 5.’
I nodded to myself in admiration.
“With you at the helm, you’ll build a magnificent guild. One that no other guild in the world could ever rival.”
“Ah, thank you.”
At Ma Hyun-seok’s praise, I scratched my head bashfully.
To anyone observing him now, he appeared to be nothing more than an ordinary twenty-year-old youth.
No one would ever suspect that he possessed the power to command the world itself.
“Leave the paperwork to me. I have more than enough influence to handle it.”
“Thank you so much for your help. I truly appreciate everything you do for me.”
“Ha, it’s nothing. More importantly, how are you planning to recruit members?”
“I’m thinking of posting a recruitment notice, reviewing applications, and then conducting interviews.”
“Good approach. I understand. I’ve kept you long enough. The guild will be officially established by today, so don’t worry.”
“Thank you. I’ll be counting on you.”
Ma Hyun-seok watched Min-jun bow respectfully and depart, smiling contentedly as he examined the documents.
Was it because Jung Ji-hwan helped? The paperwork was certainly well-organized.
It felt like everything necessary had been prepared.
‘If I just recruit the guild members now… hm?’
As Ma Hyun-seok reviewed the documents, his eyes grew tired, so he closed and opened them again.
‘Am I so exhausted that I’m seeing things?’
Let me rub my eyes and look again.
The text remained the same.
[Guild Master – Kim Min-jun]
[Guild Member 1 – Jung Ji-hwan]
“….”
It seemed they had slipped it in while filling out the documents.
Seeing this, Ma Hyun-seok felt a headache coming on and clutched his head.
“Sigh…”

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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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