The Only Enhancer - Chapter 68

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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 68
Episode 68 – Ah! It Feels Cheap, Doesn’t It!(1)
0.
I had just returned from three consecutive Disaster Level 4 raids, setting what could be called a world record, so why did it feel this way?
The Reinforce Guild members sensed something was amiss.
“…Why is that?”
“Why… does it feel like we didn’t do enough?”
“Ah, what a letdown!”
“I, I know, right!”
“Ugh, it’s so unsatisfying!”
“It’s like we didn’t get a proper workout!”
“Our bodies aren’t even warmed up!”
“And I wanted to level up faster too!”
Everyone voiced their disappointment one after another.
Well, it made sense.
Hadn’t we been hunting like madmen for several nights straight?
But returning with only three kills felt far too hollow.
Shouldn’t we have caught at least double digits?
Some were even anxious about it.
These were people who had caught five monsters in a single day when they first coordinated as a guild.
In the second raid after that, they had hunted every Disaster Level 4 in an entire region over the course of a week, so three kills could never satisfy them.
They spoke of their regret without realizing something crucial.
‘I see, so that’s how it is.’
Min-jun had heard every word from behind them.
He made a mental note of it and addressed the guild members.
“Everyone, thank you for your hard work today. I know you’re probably still exhausted, but let’s call it a day for now. Those who want to rest can rest, and those who want to enjoy yourselves are welcome to do so. But as you all know, please don’t fight.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Understood!”
“Yes, Guild Master!”
“We’ll keep that in mind!”
Everyone dismissed themselves with disciplined voices, and Min-jun chuckled softly before heading to the finest suite in the Saint Guild’s hotel.
A suite reserved exclusively for Min-jun.
It was certainly impressive.
Thinking this, Min-jun smiled faintly and settled onto the sofa, gazing out at the beautiful night view through the window.
Then I organized the situation in my mind for tomorrow’s negotiation.
‘First, I’ve enhanced the potential of everyone except Isabella and Cha Hae-yeon, who are both Level 5.’
While in Taiwan, I had enhanced their potential relentlessly, giving everyone the boost they needed.
Consecutive enhancement had played a crucial role.
It had saved both time and mana dramatically.
However, not everyone had leveled up.
Including Jung Ji-hwan, only five people had their levels increase immediately after enhancement.
All of them had been at Level 4 for quite some time.
They were typically considered the senior tier within the Guild.
The remaining members received a different message.
[Your potential increases.]
[Your level cap rises.]
[You can now reach Level 5.]
A message stating they could reach Level 5 by accumulating experience.
But it was distinctly different from before.
Min-jun could see it, and they could feel it too.
Their levels remained the same despite the enhanced potential, yet they had become nearly twice as strong compared to before.
Thanks to that, even without Min-jun’s buff, they took down three Disaster Level 4 monsters in just under two and a half hours.
Truly befitting an ultimate skill.
Of course, it consumed considerable mana to enhance them, but since it was Level 4 enhancement, it didn’t cost as much as expected.
‘I decided to enhance the two Level 5 members later.’
Of course, I had already discussed it with them beforehand.
Both were extremely surprised and had already signed the lifetime contracts.
In truth, just lending them 6-star equipment indefinitely would have been reason enough to sign, but when I told them they could also reach the Level 6 they’d always dreamed of.
There was no reason not to sign. Anyway, once those two signed the lifetime contracts as well, the internal Guild matters were settled here.
Now what remained was.
‘The relationship with Saint Guild.’
Saint Guild—or more precisely, Franklin—had taken a friendly stance since sending Isabella to me before.
I was quite troubled over how to handle him.
No matter how immense my power was, there were limits to what I could do alone.
Of course, Jung Ji-hwan was filling my shortcomings, but there were times when even that wasn’t enough.
Ma Hyun-seok had filled even that gap, but now that I was thinking of expanding to the world stage, Saint Guild was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.
As the world’s third-ranked Guild and its leader, Franklin also thought very highly of me.
Though the Saint Guild members’ complaints erupted today, they had no choice but to submit after today’s battle.
‘When I reveal that I’m an enhancement mage, they’ll become reliable allies.’
It was time for the entire world to start noticing.
There was also that reason for why I came to Saint Guild.
To witness the true capabilities of a world-class Guild.
I had already heard through Isabella and Jung Ji-hwan that no one could touch me even if I went public, but I still wanted to see Saint Guild and make my own judgment.
Now I could be certain.
No one would dare lay a hand on me.
‘Before that, I’ll need to forge a more solid alliance with Saint Guild.’
I had an idea in mind beforehand, and I hoped Franklin would like it.
I was looking forward to tomorrow’s lunch with Franklin.
1.
Occasionally, when someone under his command made a mistake, he’d get a headache having to deal with it.
That was exactly what Franklin was doing now.
Franklin bore some fault for not mentioning it beforehand, but even if he had, nothing would have changed.
‘I cannot fathom why his competitive spirit burns so fiercely.’
I had tried my best to understand Awakeners, but this aspect remained utterly incomprehensible to me.
It was the result of Saint Guild’s pride combined with confidence in one’s abilities—something I couldn’t entirely fault Franklin for—but there had to be limits to such behavior.
For the Guild Master himself to act that way toward a distinguished guest he had personally brought.
I would have to impose some form of penalty.
With that thought, Franklin rose from his seat.
Despite having slept, my hair remained sticky and damp, but what could I do about it?
Work awaited, so I ignored the throbbing headache and made my way to the office.
There, my secretary provided various reports, and I reviewed the briefings I had already heard briefly yesterday.
Among them, I could see something that still didn’t sit right with me no matter how many times I examined it.
‘Two hours and twenty-five minutes.’
The time it took to defeat all three Disaster Level 4 monsters.
When I first saw this, I naturally assumed Min-jun had concealed his level.
But according to Henderson’s report, Min-jun hadn’t used any buffs at all.
He hadn’t even used healing magic.
In other words, the pure strength of the guild members alone had produced such a record.
Here, I found myself unable to comprehend.
From what I knew, only Isabella and the former Guardian of the Heavens, Cha Hae-yeon, were recorded as Level 5 or higher in the Reinforce Guild.
Even with Isabella absent, they achieved such speed?
Something was clearly amiss.
‘What on earth is this?’
What was that guild hiding?
Naturally, I had no way of knowing.
Today’s lunch appointment with Min-jun, which had been arranged.
Min-jun was the one who had suggested it first.
Could it be that he intended to reveal something then?
Franklin set aside his musings with a glimmer of hope regarding his ally.
‘There is no greater waste of time than trying to predict the unpredictable.’
The Reinforce Guild had already transcended my common sense.
Thinking further about it here would be meaningless.
Especially with the appointment with Min-jun looming.
For now, the wisest course was to complete as much work as possible before meeting him.
Just as I was about to focus on work.
‘Ah, come to think of it, I did suggest bringing one person along for the meal.’
This was something I, not Min-jun, had brought up.
Min-jun was certainly remarkable, but surely a leader needed someone capable of assisting from the sidelines, didn’t he?
Speaking from the perspective of those who lead organizations.
Min-jun readily agreed and said he would come with Jung Ji-hwan, and while I hadn’t mentioned it, I had already decided on someone myself.
He wasn’t exactly the most trustworthy, but he was undeniably Franklin’s right hand.
“What is Robert doing right now?”
The de facto number one of Saint Guild and one of only three Level 6 hunters in the United States.
Robert Hauser.
The name of the man Franklin intended to bring along.
“He completed his schedule in England this morning and returned.”
“Hmm, ask him how his condition is.”
The schedule had already been discussed.
So he must have come here despite being busy.
Hopefully, there wouldn’t be a repeat of yesterday’s incident with Henderson.
Though Hauser, being a healer, wasn’t particularly aggressive by nature, I’d given him a heads-up just in case.
Still, I was a bit anxious about whether he might do something strange.
‘Not aggressive, but definitely eccentric enough to be concerning.’
It was certainly something to worry about, but it turned out fine.
Franklin didn’t know it, but Jung Ji-hwan coming from Reinforce Guild was equally unpredictable and eccentric.
So Franklin proceeded with his work, praying nothing unusual would happen until lunchtime.
2.
I wasn’t particularly tired, but after waking up and getting ready, I felt oddly refreshed.
Min-jun washed up after waking and checked the time.
It was only 10 o’clock.
‘This is awkward.’
I’d scheduled lunch with Franklin for 12:30.
I had nothing to do and was bored.
Should I do some enhancement in my room?
Min-jun thought about it, then shook his head.
‘I don’t have enough enhancement materials.’
I’d used all thousands of enhancement materials purchased in Taiwan to strengthen guild members’ items, and there wasn’t much left to enhance.
Besides, there wasn’t enough time to buy more here.
And wasn’t the process for foreign hunters to purchase items quite complicated?
In Taiwan, the government permitted it, so I bought easily, but in the United States, it was out of the question.
Of course, I could buy with Saint Guild’s guidance, but again, time was limited.
‘I should just explore the hotel for now.’
Staying cooped up in my room was tedious anyway.
They said the hotel had plenty to see, so it shouldn’t be boring.
I’d eat lunch a bit early, but grabbing some light snacks first would be nice.
Min-jun headed out.
Despite being affiliated with Saint Guild, there were quite a few ordinary people around.
In fact, there were more civilians than hunters.
Perhaps that was only natural.
“Dad! Look over there! That’s a hunter from Saint Guild!”
“Oh! Now those are true heroes! Go say hello to them.”
America loved heroes, so it was only natural they adored Hunters.
And since Saint Guild was the second-ranked guild even in the United States, and worked harder than other guilds to help citizens, they were inevitably popular.
Just like citizens approaching athletes with enthusiasm at a sports stadium, people approached the Hunters without hesitation, and the Hunters welcomed them warmly in return.
They even signed autographs and took photos.
It was practically celebrity treatment.
‘Oh. This looks good.’
As Min-jun observed the scene with that thought, several Saint Guild members recognized him and gasped in shock.
“H-hieek!”
“???”
What was that?
The kind of reaction you’d see when confronted with something terrifying.
The nearby citizens couldn’t help but be startled by it too.
If someone you thought was a hero suddenly recoiled in fear at the sight of someone, what would you naturally assume?
It was painfully obvious.
“W-what’s going on?”
“A Saint Guild Hunter got scared!?”
“They look… terrified?”
“Is he a villain?”
“Wahhh! Daddy!”
As the atmosphere froze in an instant, Min-jun looked at the Saint Guild member as if to say, ‘Do something about this.’
The Saint Guild member realized their mistake and quickly reassured the citizens.
“Ah, everyone, it’s fine! This, this person is an honored guest visiting our guild.”
Gulp.
Some citizens nodded in understanding at the guild member’s tense explanation, but others tilted their heads, wondering if there was really a reason to be that nervous.
But what could they do?
If the guild member said so, then it must be true.
As the atmosphere eased somewhat, the Saint Guild member hurried over to Min-jun and apologized.
“I-I’m so sorry.”
“No, it’s fine. These things happen.”
“Th-thank you.”
Weren’t they being overly frightened?
Considering yesterday’s records, I suppose it’s understandable, but I didn’t really do anything to warrant such a reaction.
Min-jun didn’t know it, but rumors had already spread widely among the Saint Guild members.
The leader of Reinforce Guild, who had rendered them so helpless?
Well, that was part of it, but unfortunately that wasn’t the only reason.
‘H-his aura really is as overwhelming as I heard.’
Yesterday, clouded by pride and confidence, they hadn’t seen it clearly, but now it was unmistakably oppressive.
Wasn’t that true of all the Reinforce Guild members as well?
Since even they couldn’t utter a peep in front of Min-jun, they all warned each other to watch their tongues.
The Reinforce Guild members who had so brutally crushed the Saint Guild shuddered as they spoke.
Naturally, there was nothing more terrifying to them than Min-jun.
“P-please enjoy your tour!”
Min-jun’s expression grew somewhat complicated as he observed the other guild member treating him with such deference, but he deliberately ignored it.
He figured he’d adapt to it eventually and moved on.
But then.
“H-hyiek!”
“T-the Reinforce Guild Master!?”
“Gasp!”
“Huh!”
Every Saint Guild member who happened to pass by reacted the same way.
I bought a hat and mask from a nearby shop and wore them around.
While some people couldn’t recognize me this way, I still looked suspicious.
‘What on earth is this?’
It seemed better when I was simply being ignored.
Why were they acting like this anyway?
As Min-jun wandered about, unaware that all of this was because of his guild members.
I could sense a commotion in the distance.
Wondering if some event was happening, I approached and found the Hotel Lobby crowded with quite a few people, all shouting.
“Wow! Robert Hauser!”
“Saint! Robert!”
“Hauser! Hauser!”
“Wow! Dad, look over there! It’s Hauser!”
“I can’t believe I’m seeing Hauser in person! I have to take a photo and brag about it!”
“I’m so glad I came to this hotel! I never thought I’d see Hauser!”
Everyone called out enthusiastically to one person.
Robert Hauser.
Min-jun knew of him as well.
I thought I’d only see him later when Franklin introduced us.
I never expected to meet him by chance in the Hotel Lobby like this.
‘Interesting.’
Since he was a healer, his combat ranking wasn’t particularly high, but he was a Level 6 healer nonetheless.
The pinnacle of healers—only two existed in the entire world.
His reputation must have been extraordinary for the Saint Guild to abandon their previous guild name and rename themselves after his title, Saint, the moment they recruited him.
Min-jun was curious about what a genuine Level 6 healer was like, so I squeezed through the enthusiastic crowd to get closer.
As I in my hat and mask reached the front row, I could see Robert Hauser entering from the entrance.
He was quite handsome.
Robert Hauser walked leisurely, displaying an aristocratic bearing and wearing a white robe symbolizing his status as a healer—a sight that truly warranted the crowd’s enthusiasm.
But then Hauser’s expression suddenly hardened, and he fixed his gaze on one spot.
None other than where Min-jun was standing.
Min-jun tilted his head, puzzled by something.
Had he been recognized?
Even if they’d seen his photo beforehand, he was wearing both a mask and a hat.
There was no way they could identify him.
Min-jun looked at Robert Hauser with confusion written across his face.
What on earth was this about?
That was what Min-jun was thinking, but the reason Robert Hauser was staring at him was remarkably simple.
An overwhelming amount of mana.
Despite concealing it as much as possible, Robert Hauser, being Level 6, had no choice but to sense it.
Even Hauser couldn’t help but gulp hard at that staggering volume of mana.
It wasn’t merely an amount of mana more terrifying than a Disaster Level 5 monster.
It was mana like an unfathomable abyss whose depths could not be measured.
Robert Hauser’s pupils trembled violently as he looked at Min-jun and spoke in disbelief.
“…M-monster.”
At Robert Hauser’s words, the Hotel Lobby descended into absolute chaos.
“Kyaaaaa! He said m-monster!”
“Run!”
Min-jun exhaled a long sigh as he watched the situation unfold.
Why did things always have to turn out this way?

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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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