The Only Enhancer - Chapter 72

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Episode 72
Episode 72 – The Enhancement Mage Comes Out (1)
0.
The benefits of staying in the United States.
It sounded quite appealing on the surface, but was it really?
‘Isn’t this just an attempt to tempt me into staying longer in the United States?’
Min-jun’s suspicion was entirely justified.
Miller was currently doing everything in his power to keep Min-jun in the United States.
His true intention was to win Min-jun’s favor during his extended stay and somehow convince him to remain in the country permanently.
Of course, Min-jun could sense this as well.
Ever since becoming an Enhancement Mage, my intuition had sharpened considerably, and I could quickly discern people’s true intentions behind their words.
Though I recognized the scheme, I wasn’t particularly offended by it.
After all, it meant he recognized my value.
‘I must find a way to keep him in the United States.’
Miller had already made this decision before even meeting me in person.
Win his favor by any means and make him grow fond of America.
But the Min-jun he observed directly exceeded all expectations.
His mana reserves were extraordinary, but the aura he emanated was absolutely overwhelming.
To be honest, he was talent worth keeping in the United States by any means necessary.
But doing so could invite serious consequences.
If the seed hadn’t sprouted yet, perhaps, but now it was impossible.
Because of Jung Ji-hwan?
No, that couldn’t be it.
‘The man himself is a monster.’
No matter how old Miller had grown, he was still Level 5.
If he engaged in combat right now, he was confident he could land a blow on Jung Ji-hwan.
But facing that man, such thoughts didn’t even occur to him.
Gulp.
Judging by sheer presence alone, he was equivalent to a Disaster Level 5 monster or higher.
Against a Disaster Level 5 monster, combat was conceivable, but against Min-jun, it wasn’t even possible to imagine.
It felt like facing an indescribable, unknowable monster.
One could even say he was a Disaster Level 6 monster.
Though no such records had been observed yet, there was no guarantee that Disaster Level 6 didn’t exist.
In any case, this was Miller’s assessment.
Of course, none of this reasoning applied to Min-jun.
“I appreciate the offer, but since I’ll be leaving soon, I’d prefer to receive all benefits in cash or items instead.”
“…I understand.”
He conceded without resistance.
Continuing to scheme here would have been counterproductive.
As Miller gracefully retreated, Min-jun smiled with satisfaction.
Miller clicked his tongue inwardly.
What on earth was this man’s true identity?
Even if he possessed the aptitude of an initial Level 7, Miller had a nagging feeling that wasn’t the whole story.
No, he was certain of it.
‘There’s definitely something more than that.’
What could be greater than Level 7 aptitude?
He couldn’t even imagine it.
If such a thing existed, what level would it reach?
At minimum, wouldn’t it be something capable of shaking the world itself?
Miller felt himself growing dizzy with such thoughts.
Perhaps that’s why.
Without realizing it, Miller’s words tumbled out instinctively.
“What exactly are you hiding?”
It was a tactless remark.
Asking someone to reveal their hidden cards.
There couldn’t be a more absurd thing to say.
Miller himself was startled by his own words and quickly covered his mouth, preparing to apologize.
This was clearly a mistake.
In decades of experience, this was undoubtedly the first such blunder.
Why had such words escaped him?
Just as he was trying to recover quickly.
“You’ll find out soon enough.”
At Min-jun’s words accompanied by a confident smile, goosebumps erupted across Miller’s entire body.
Ah, so that was it.
So that’s why he’d asked instinctively.
He understood it himself now.
‘Something superior to Level 7, and the power to stably eliminate Disaster Level 5 monsters. Not just himself, but his guild members also possess the power of enhancement. Is that what he’s saying?’
If that were true, then Level 7 aptitude could be considered trivial.
Hadn’t Miller felt it in that moment, looking at Min-jun’s response?
This man might be someone even the great United States would struggle to contain.
One of the hidden truths Miller wouldn’t have seen if he hadn’t asked instinctively.
Miller rapidly erased all his plans from his mind and said one thing instead.
Something that would leave a favorable impression on Min-jun in this situation, no matter what.
“The United States will always consider you an ally.”
It was an inappropriate thing to say to a single person.
It was an expression of nations establishing friendly relations with each other.
But why was it?
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Keep that in mind.
This phrase meant Min-jun didn’t consider himself beneath the United States, at the very least.
I no longer cared what ability could produce such a result.
There was only one thing that mattered.
That he genuinely believed it, and Jung Ji-hwan—like myself, one of the agents called a legend—also believed in him and followed him.
It was merely circumstantial evidence, but no proof could be more certain than this.
Miller considered it a stroke of immense fortune that he had managed to speak these words.
Whatever it was, something extraordinary would happen soon.
After concluding his meeting with Min-jun and heading back, Miller quickly called the President.
“Mr. President, it appears a matter requiring top priority has emerged.”
-…Let’s discuss it in person.
With that brief exchange, Miller hung up, and the driver naturally headed toward the White House.
Gazing out the car window as they drove, Miller closed his eyes.
Perhaps a upheaval comparable to a great transformation was about to unfold.
1.
Min-jun returned to Korea two days later.
After strengthening bonds with the guild members—primarily through raids—and earning substantial experience, more than half of the members had reached Level 5.
Out of 28 members excluding Min-jun and Jung Ji-hwan, a remarkable 14 had advanced to Level 5.
The sheer number of Level 5 hunters was unprecedented.
But was Min-jun the type to be satisfied with this?
Of course not.
‘I’m already prepared to advance to Level 6.’
Besides, I could clear Quests whenever I wished.
The world was overflowing with Disaster Level 5 monsters.
Hunting those creatures would allow me to elevate all my guild members to Level 6.
Though that was still somewhat distant.
In any case, I was formulating the plan.
Of course, there were matters to handle first.
I intended to address one of them today.
“Hmm, there’s more to prepare than I expected.”
“Since it’s such an important matter, there’s no helping it.”
“No, even so, this is relatively modest.”
Min-jun said this with a broad grin.
And I surveyed the hall being prepared.
A press conference hall.
The journalists hadn’t gathered yet, but they would soon.
All the guild members already knew about it, and I had completed all preparations.
I had accumulated tens of trillions in wealth, and my military strength was equally formidable.
There was no one in the world who could touch me.
Just to be safe, I had even sparred with Jung Ji-hwan, who could be called the world’s strongest.
The result was an overwhelming victory for me.
All of Jung Ji-hwan’s curse skills failed to penetrate my overwhelming mana.
And that was even after removing all defensive equipment.
According to Jung Ji-hwan, if they fought one-on-one right now, he could even defeat the Hunter Association Chairman.
The fact that Min-jun had overwhelmingly defeated someone of that caliber meant that no one in the world could do anything against him.
‘I’ve even received certification of absurd power. Now only one thing remains.’
Min-jun rested briefly with that thought in mind.
How much time had passed?
Jung Ji-hwan, who had been busily preparing, approached Min-jun and spoke.
“All preparations are complete.”
It seemed it was time for me to make my appearance.
2.
A massive press conference hall.
It was so enormous that one wondered if there had ever been a press conference this grand.
Yet none of those gathered here found it strange or complained about it.
Rather.
“I’m glad they finally built a proper press conference hall this time.”
“What did you expect? It’s spacious and nice. Though even this vast space seems cramped.”
“At the last founding ceremony, there were so many big shots that I couldn’t ask questions freely.”
“Ah yes, that’s right. They said there are no hunters today, right?”
“Exactly, that’s the best part. When hunters swarm in like that, it’s intimidating to ask questions, you know?”
Several reporters shot him looks suggesting he only asked garbage questions anyway, but if he were the type to be intimidated by that, he wouldn’t have earned the reputation of a hack journalist.
In any case, the massive press conference hall was packed with reporters.
As the reporters filled their seats, several guild members stepped forward to begin the press conference, and the reporters themselves grew restless.
The beginning felt imminent.
“So what are we all gathered here to discuss today?”
“Huh, with that level of observation, shouldn’t you quit journalism?”
“What, what?”
“That’s a fair point. You should be able to figure it out just by watching the preparations.”
“Uh, uh?”
“Isn’t that a level measurement device on the podium?”
“Does that mean the level has increased?”
“Gasp! Already? How long has it been since they announced he was Level 3?”
“It hasn’t even been a month and a half, has it?”
“And already Level 4?”
“This is a scoop! A real scoop!”
Reporters making a fuss over surface observations.
“…I heard he did something extraordinary over in Taiwan.”
“…I heard that too, but is it reliable information?”
“…I heard it from a trustworthy source.”
“…That’s unbelievable. A Disaster Level 5….”
“Shh. Someone might hear us. Making a fuss over just Level 4.”
“Huh, so Reinforce Guild becomes the world’s number one guild?”
“I’m not sure about that. They say Hunter Association Chairman Ma Hyun-seok helped them. Still, thinking about the future, it seems inevitable, doesn’t it?”
Journalists speculating about the future based on the information they’d gathered.
“After Taiwan, they went to the United States, right? Could it be an immigration announcement?”
“Huh! That would make him a traitor to the nation.”
“Hmm, is immigration really something to call treason?”
“If there’s an extraordinary offer, honestly, anyone would go.”
Even journalists expressing their concerns.
Everyone was noisily spinning theories, speculating about what Min-jun would announce.
As the conference hall itself grew chaotic.
Suddenly, a chill began to envelop the press conference venue.
“What, what is this?”
“Uh, did someone turn on the air conditioning?”
“No, this isn’t just air conditioning level!”
The startled journalists trembled, each muttering a word.
But not a single guild member offered an answer.
They all simply maintained rigid, alert postures.
Why was that?
The journalists, seeing this, unconsciously swallowed hard, and the disorderly hall was soon engulfed in silence.
Wrapped in silence to the point it didn’t feel like a press conference at all.
Then, footsteps echoed from afar.
Thump, thump, thump.
The sound of heavy, weighted footsteps.
No one could mistake it for anything but a man’s gait.
Yet all the journalists, hearing it, couldn’t move rashly.
The sensation of something massive approaching them was overwhelming.
Had anyone thought for a moment that this wasn’t a press conference, some would have fled from the sheer oppressive force.
As the footsteps drew gradually closer, he appeared.
A man who enveloped the hall with his presence as if declaring himself its master.
Min-jun had arrived.
“….”
“….”
“….”
Not a soul in the press conference hall could speak.
They couldn’t speak, couldn’t even move.
The immense aura that had felt like a chill was no longer perceptible.
Because Min-jun had withdrawn it all upon his entrance.
But that made it all the more terrifying.
Because no one knew when that aura might burst forth again.
Then Min-jun stepped onto the podium and opened his mouth.
“First, I’d like to thank all the journalists who’ve gathered here today.”
At those words, several journalists snapped to attention, pulling out recorders and cameras. A few snapped photographs, but the atmosphere remained cautious throughout.
Min-jun paid them little mind and continued with his prepared remarks.
“I’ve arranged this gathering to discuss three matters. Out of respect for your time, I’ll present these quickly and conclude the conference.”
It was practically an announcement rather than a request, yet no one dared to object.
There was something about him that suggested he could do as he pleased.
Everyone nodded, resembling fledglings awaiting their meal—ready only to listen.
Observing the journalists’ demeanor, Min-jun nodded as well.
Just as Jung Ji-hwan had said, taking the initiative like this certainly made things easier.
Satisfied with the perfectly timed advice, I recalled what I needed to announce and raised my hand first to speak.
“First, I intend to disclose my level.”
As I said this, I placed my hand on the level-measuring device prepared on the podium.
A brilliant, intense violet light erupted forth.
“!?!?!?!????”
“!!!!!!!!!”
“!!!!!!?!???”
“L-Level 6?”
“A-Already?”
The journalists who had been making a fuss about him reaching Level 4 widened their eyes in shock, their bodies trembling with awe.
Not only them, but every journalist present was astonished, though their shock seemed particularly intense.
Having revealed my level, I continued speaking.
“My level increased recently after I defeated a Disaster Level 5 in Taiwan.”
The casual manner of my statement shocked all the journalists.
Did he really defeat a Disaster Level 5 in Taiwan?
It was an absurd claim, yet those who already knew couldn’t help but be even more astonished.
“So it was true after all….”
“Wow.”
“That’s insane!!!”
“Absolutely incredible.”
As everyone trembled with awe, I pressed forward rapidly with my next point.
“Next, my characteristic isn’t actually that of a Healer.”
A shocking revelation.
Then what on earth was it?
Not a single journalist present was unaware of the miracle I had performed during the Gangneung Disaster raid.
The tremendous mana and healing output I had channeled from the rear to restore all the Level 4 Hunters was something no skill attached to an item could accomplish.
Yet now he was suddenly claiming his characteristic wasn’t that of a Healer.
What could it possibly be then?
The journalists forgot to ask questions and simply stared at Min-jun.
Min-jun retrieved an item from his inventory.
A brilliantly radiant, intensely red item—a weapon enhanced to +5 no less.
But the moment Min-jun activated his skill.
A dazzling brilliance swept through the press conference hall with overwhelming force, and as the light dissipated, it had transformed into an item radiating an ethereal, mystical violet radiance.
“?????????”
“!?????”
“!?!?!?!???!??”
“W-what did I just see?”
“D-did you just film that!?”
“O-of course we’re filming! W-we’re broadcasting live! This!”
Journalists, cameramen—everyone stood transfixed, their souls seemingly departed from their bodies.
The laws of the world had shattered.
Everyone gathered here experienced the shock of witnessing power that defied a single physical law.
One might say they were those who had witnessed telekinesis firsthand in a world without Hunters.
But beyond that, the shock was so profound that everyone stared at Min-jun with expressions of sheer astonishment.
In the midst of this, Min-jun nodded as if it were the most natural thing and spoke in a calm voice.
“I possess the characteristic of an Enhancement Artisan—the ability to strengthen items.”
Truly shocking information.
Normally, journalists would have rushed to write articles calling it an exclusive scoop, but not a single person did so now.
Not a single one.
They simply did their best to comprehend what had just occurred.
Staring blankly at Min-jun.
Min-jun grinned and spoke.
“Lastly, we’re recruiting for Reinforce Guild Team 2, so please inquire! That concludes today’s press conference. Thank you all.”
With those words, Min-jun smiled brightly and vanished, while the now-silent press conference hall was engulfed in a delayed shockwave.
“This is insane!!!???”
“An Enhancement Artisan!? Good heavens!”
“What happens when this gets out?”
“There are foreign press here too—we can’t suppress this!”
“I’m losing my mind! He just revealed it like that!?”
“And that final promotion!!!”
“B-but wouldn’t anyone want to join?”
Truly a shocking event.
Merely a month and a half ago, the fact that someone who was only Level 3 had appeared as Level 6 would have been news to shake the world.
The claim that they had stably eliminated a Disaster Level 5 monster.
And the characteristic of an Enhancement Artisan.
Each piece of information alone was something that could not be simply glossed over.
And yet, at the end, a promotion for his own guild?
It was absurd, yet it was a story that would captivate anyone.
A guild led by the world’s only Enhancement Artisan.
The journalists unconsciously swallowed hard, and the moment they regained their senses, they all began frantically writing articles without any hesitation.
And so that news began to shake the world.
3.
Min-jun’s announcement spread across the entire world in an instant.
The Reinforcement Specialist—humanity’s first unique trait.
As leaders of nations watched him reinforce equipment before their very eyes, they engaged in heated discussions, and even the United States, which had moved swiftly to act, could not hide its shock.
Miller was no exception.
Naturally, the reactions from hunters across the globe were equally intense.
The world’s first Reinforcement Specialist, and a guild led by such a specialist.
More and more people sought information about the Reinforce Guild, and they soon discovered that all its members had been equipped with Level 5 gear at the guild’s founding ceremony.
Some even uncovered that in Taiwan, every single item had been reinforced to Level 5.
Armed with such extraordinary equipment befitting a Reinforcement Specialist, his guild became the object of desire for every hunter who laid eyes upon it.
And the news reached even an obscure hunter in the United States, one whose name had yet to become known to anyone.
A room where magic stones from multiple Disaster Level 1 Zones scattered about in disarray.
There, a mysterious woman watched Min-jun’s press conference video on the internet.
She was a woman with striking reddish-brown hair and fair, luminous skin.
With beauty so extraordinary that anyone would mistake her for a model or actress, she sprang to her feet upon seeing the footage and cried out.
“Wh-what?! This trait is absolutely perfect for me! Where did they say that was? Korea? I have to go right now!”
And so hunters from all corners of the world began converging on Korea.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————