The Only Enhancer - Chapter 77

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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 77
Episode 77 – A Bomb? (1)
0.
Low-grade Health Potion.
In any game, it’s the lowest-tier potion among those commonly found.
But if this were reality, the story would be quite different.
Until now, no healing items had existed.
Or rather, even if they had, they were the exclusive domain of Healers.
After all, any top-tier item with healing properties required the user to possess a buff skill.
In other words, healing had always belonged to Healers alone.
Yet suddenly, a potion had appeared.
Why had everyone tolerated the Healers’ tyranny all this time?
Because they played the most crucial role in making raids clearable safely.
But if a potion—one of their exclusive functions—suddenly emerged?
The Healers’ position would inevitably be shaken.
-What exactly is that guild doing?
-They can strengthen items and make potions. I can’t even imagine what comes next.
-Lol, are they also strengthening people and raising their levels?
-Do you really think that’s possible?
-Lol, another serious one showed up. But this one’s actually worth debating.
-Wow, potions really are revolutionary.
-Right.
Item enhancement was certainly a remarkable ability, but the vast majority of Hunters had struggled to benefit from it.
After all, even if +5 and +6 items flooded the market, only a tiny fraction of Hunters could afford them.
But with low-grade potions like this appearing?
The lower-tier Hunters who comprised the majority could finally reap the benefits.
-Honestly, taking a Healer to a Disaster Level 2 raid is such a pain.
-If you buy one of these, you don’t need Healers anymore, right?
-Sure, losing the buffs is significant, but Disaster Level 2 isn’t impossible without them, is it?
-Yeah, this really is revolutionary.
-I’m so sick of putting up with the Healers’ arrogance all this time. This is perfect.
-And now that low-grade exists, mid-grade and high-grade will follow, right? If potions for Disaster Level 4 monsters come out, we could even save people the Healers couldn’t reach?
-It’s revolutionary in every way.
-The dynamics of raids will definitely shift.
The vast majority of Hunters were naturally showering praise.
After all, a potion that had never existed before carried that much impact.
Especially since there was no guarantee it would stop at low-grade.
In fact, higher-tier potions were almost certain to follow.
As everyone anticipated this, the Healers—whose position had become precarious—naturally began to harbor discontent.
Yet they couldn’t voice any meaningful objection.
-Ugh, that’s really irritating.
-Tell me about it.
-It feels like the status of Healers is declining. It’s unfortunate.
-Shouldn’t we be fighting for our rights? Let’s stand up!
-No;; The guild that made that is the Reinforce Guild, remember? The one with the Reinforcement Mage. If we rub him the wrong way, we might not even be able to buy enhancement items. Should we really stand up?
-Still, shouldn’t we at least verify all of this?
-If Healers stand up and he just says “Fine, I won’t sell to Healers,” we won’t be protecting our interests—we’ll be ruined instead.
-Ugh;;;;
If I fell out of favor with Min-jun, I wouldn’t be able to buy enhancement items at all.
Though the number of items Min-jun had released to the market was still limited, anyone could tell from the fact that he’d dumped +6 enhancement items at the auction house as a performance piece what his intentions were.
It was a declaration of war.
A proclamation announcing that he had claimed the position of absolute power in this world.
Healers, more sensitive to hierarchy than anyone else, could feel it in their bones.
It was the classic pattern of the strong dominating the weak.
But what could they do?
They had to survive like this.
In truth, Healers didn’t really need highly enhanced items during raids.
Since they stayed in the rear, safety was assured, and there was no need for high enhancement values anyway since they weren’t attacking the monsters.
But Disaster Level 5 raids were a different story.
When death could come at any moment, having even a safety net brought peace of mind.
That’s why they couldn’t even dare to challenge Min-jun’s authority.
That’s how the Hunter world was right now.
So even as potions appeared in the world, Healers could do nothing about it.
As low-grade potions sold, the world was reminded once again of the Reinforce Guild’s name.
1.
As the Reinforce Guild’s reputation grew higher by the day.
Various discussions were taking place in the National Assembly of South Korea.
The reason was, as always, the Reinforce Guild—more specifically, Min-jun.
Normally, there would be nothing for the National Assembly to worry about regarding Min-jun.
Why?
Until now, there had been a thick wall between Hunters and politicians.
It was thanks to Ma Hyun-seok, who was both the chairman of the Awakener’s Association and a member of the National Assembly.
Ma Hyun-seok handled all Hunter-related laws and matters.
The assembly members disliked Ma Hyun-seok despite being a fellow member and a Hunter, but since he had the support of the entire nation, they were reluctant to touch him carelessly.
So in most cases, they had no choice but to let Ma Hyun-seok handle things himself.
But this case was different.
“Hmm, what do you all think about this matter?”
“Well, given the amount involved, it’s hard to just leave it alone.”
“Hmm, isn’t it nearly 40 trillion won in cash? And it’s foreign currency at that, so its value is immeasurable.”
“Still, he’s a Hunter, after all…”
“As long as Ma Hyun-seok holds his ground, I’m reluctant to move.”
“Mmm.”
The staggering 40 trillion won in foreign currency that Min-jun had brought in!
It was because of that astronomical sum.
Back when Min-jun had posed as a Healer, he had already received tax exemption benefits.
But that exemption only applied to raid-related income, didn’t it?
That’s how laws work.
Put it on the nose and it becomes a nose ring; put it on the ear and it becomes an earring.
In other words, the +6 items Min-jun had sold were ultimately created through his ability, making them unrelated to raids, so there existed a “justification” to levy taxes on them.
But how would they handle it?
That was the problem.
“Hmm, still, the boy is young, so we can just pressure him into compliance, can’t we?”
“He’s barely twenty years old, after all.”
Everyone has an obligation to fulfill their tax duties—we can’t give special treatment.”
“Well, normally we’d levy taxes exceeding 50%, but since this is his first time, how about we be lenient and assess only 40%?”
“Hehehehe! That’s a splendid idea.”
“Even those celebrated Healers only receive tax exemptions on raid-related income—asking for more would be pure greed.”
Who exactly was being greedy here?
40 trillion at 40% meant a staggering 16 trillion.
Paying taxes is certainly an obligation everyone must fulfill.
But to levy such excessive taxes on Min-jun, who elevated not just national prestige but national dignity itself?
It was no different from slitting open the belly of the goose that laid golden eggs.
These foolish people, coveting a mere 16 trillion, couldn’t even fathom what might happen if Min-jun’s feelings were hurt.
Some assembly members who understood the situation frowned, but they couldn’t stop them.
Public opinion had already shifted that way.
Now there was no one who could stem that tide.
“Then let’s make sure he understands his tax obligations.”
“Hehehehe! A fine sentiment.”
“The tax service will handle it appropriately.”
“Still, just to be safe, make sure Ma Hyun-seok doesn’t get wind of this. Brief him thoroughly.”
“We’ll need to process this as quickly as possible.”
Thus, the assembly members, their eyes gleaming with greed, attempted to slit open the belly of the goose that laid golden eggs, oblivious to their own station.
Not even realizing that the goose might actually be a dragon.
Some members clicked their tongues at the sight of these officials abandoning all reason and thought for greed, yet deep down, they too hoped to benefit from it.
2.
Kwon Tae-hyung, the investigation team leader at the Seoul Regional Tax Service, licked his lips at this major case after so long.
Kim Min-jun, the guild master of Reinforce Guild, the hottest topic these days.
An order had come down from above to investigate him.
Rumor had it he’d earned close to 40 trillion won through auctions alone?
Though his Hunter registration classified him as a Healer, he hadn’t sold through raid channels, and strictly speaking, wasn’t he not really a Healer at all?
One way or another, I’ll find a way to impose taxes on them.
Of course, I’m willing to be lenient to some degree.
Didn’t the higher-ups say not to demand more than 40%?
But Kwon Tae-hyung had no such intention.
I’m determined to extract 50% by any means necessary and earn bonus points and favor from the higher-ups.
Of course, Kwon Tae-hyung didn’t know much about Hunters in detail.
But ultimately, the goal was to force them to pay taxes, wasn’t it?
‘Normally, I wouldn’t go looking for them—I’d summon them instead.’
Given the amount involved, and with orders from above to handle it as quickly and discreetly as possible.
Kwon Tae-hyung took action personally.
The building that could be called the Reinforce Guild’s headquarters.
Impressive height, certainly.
How much could I extract if I imposed taxes on this building as well?
My mouth watered at the thought, but I held back for now.
As I entered the Reinforce Guild Building with the employees I’d brought along.
There were several people who appeared to be security personnel.
They were actually guild members, but with insufficient staff, they had volunteered to handle security duties.
And Yu Ji-min, one of them, spotted them and quickly approached with a question.
“What brings you to visit?”
“I’m Kwon Tae-hyung, Team Leader of Investigation Team 2 at the Seoul Regional Tax Service. I’ve come regarding tax-related matters with the Reinforce Guild’s Master.”
“I see. Would you mind waiting a moment?”
Despite his overbearing tone, Yu Ji-min responded as if it were nothing serious, causing Kwon Tae-hyung’s eyebrows to twitch, though he restrained himself.
Though she had the audacity to block his path, seeing Yu Ji-min’s rather attractive appearance made him inclined to cut her some slack.
Yu Ji-min caught the unsavory glint in Kwon Tae-hyung’s eyes and frowned momentarily, but without paying much attention, she picked up her radio.
Crackle—!
“Ah, this is Yu Ji-min. The Tax Service Team Leader has arrived in the lobby.”
Not long after those words came through, a response arrived.
Crackle—!
-Bring him up.
At the sharp voice, Kwon Tae-hyung flinched involuntarily, but Yu Ji-min paid no mind and spoke to him.
“Please use this elevator to go to the top floor.”
Kwon Tae-hyung nodded slightly in acknowledgment, then boarded the elevator with his subordinates in tow.
As they ascended to the top floor.
His subordinates, who had come with him, trembled somewhat nervously and spoke.
“Sir… will this be alright? We’ve never directly confronted Hunters before.”
“That’s… well, yes.”
Looking at his terrified subordinates, Kwon Tae-hyung clicked his tongue dismissively.
“Pathetic fools. Hunters go to prison just for laying a hand on ordinary citizens. Especially the prisons Hunters go to are far harsher, aren’t they? Knowing that and still being scared—pathetic. Absolutely pathetic.”
At Kwon Tae-hyung’s words, their faces flushed, but fear was unavoidable nonetheless.
After all, there’s a common saying: the law is distant, but the fist is near.
It wasn’t a careless remark.
Fear was justified.
I couldn’t understand what Kwon Tae-hyung was relying on to be so brazen.
Did he have multiple lives?
Above all.
‘Won’t this kind of tax assessment cause trouble?’
‘That’s what I’m saying.’
The staff had such thoughts, but what could they do?
As civil servants, they had no choice but to obey orders from above.
They hadn’t committed any major wrongs, but they were caught between a rock and a hard place.
As they worried about this and that, they finally arrived at the top floor.
When Kwon Tae-hyung saw the door to the Guild Master’s office with a massive nameplate reading “Guild Master, Kim Min-jun,” he clicked his tongue and muttered.
“Huh! Acting all high and mighty like that, yet still hasn’t paid any taxes. I heard he was young, but he has no sense of propriety.”
The subordinates were anxious about who might overhear.
But Kwon Tae-hyung, confident as ever, grinned wickedly and walked forward without hesitation.
And as he reached the door to the Guild Master’s office.
The door opened on its own, and from within, a man wearing sharp-looking glasses—Jung Ji-hwan—bowed his head and spoke.
“Welcome, Team Leader Kwon Tae-hyung from Team 2 of the Seoul Regional Tax Service.”
As Jung Ji-hwan guided him in, I could see Min-jun, who was already seated—still young, or rather, appearing quite youthful.
And as if to welcome him, I spoke first.
“Welcome.”
“…Hmm.”
He disliked the sight of this young upstart sitting there and greeting him so casually, but Kwon Tae-hyung barely restrained himself and took the offered seat.
But such composure would surely disappear soon.
How many business owners had he seen become endlessly servile once tax assessments began?
Some would threaten, others would rage, but in the end, they were all the same—begging and pleading for leniency.
Min-jun would certainly be no different.
“If you’ve come from the tax service, it must be about taxes, I presume?”
“Ha ha, of course that’s why I’m here. First, take a look at these documents.”
Kwon Tae-hyung smiled with ease and handed over the materials listing the amounts he had assessed.
Along with supporting documentation.
Everything was thorough and backed by legitimate evidence, so there were few loopholes to escape through.
Of course, Min-jun had made contributions that could justify requesting tax exemptions, but I intended to weasel out of it regardless.
No matter how capable his aide was, he was still young, wasn’t he?
Surely he would tremble at the sight of such a large sum.
But then it happened.
Min-jun nodded as if it were nothing and spoke.
“So you’re imposing a 50% tax assessment?”
His voice was remarkably calm and unbothered.
Kwon Tae-hyung instinctively sensed something was wrong, but he ignored the feeling.
It was probably just bluster.
‘That’s definitely what it is.’
Kwon Tae-hyung was thinking exactly that when Min-jun’s response left him utterly stunned.
“Of course. Roughly 20 trillion won, I’d say?”
“…!!!”
His jaw dropped so far it nearly split his face.
Was this really being resolved this easily?
He never expected it to be this simple.
Honestly, the way Min-jun had answered so readily made his favorability toward the young man skyrocket.
The kid actually had potential after all!
It was at that very moment Kwon Tae-hyung was thinking this.
“Haha! Well thought out. The duty to pay taxes is something everyone….”
“Excuse me, Jung Ji-hwan? Last time, didn’t Liam Schmitt mention what he’d offer if you went to Germany?”
“Ah, there were various tax exemptions and benefits, but the conditions from the United States were far superior. They said they would spare no expense on research facilities and all forms of support. They’re also offering immigration benefits to all guild members and their families, along with complete tax exemptions.”
What was he hearing right now?
At first, Kwon Tae-hyung thought he’d misheard.
But seeing his two subordinates’ faces turn ashen—no different from his own—he realized he hadn’t misheard at all.
“Wow, the United States sounds great. Plus, we have the friendly Saint Guild there anyway.”
“It’s fortunate you’re preparing to immigrate in advance.”
“Ah, w-well. That is….”
“Don’t worry, I’ll pay the taxes before I leave.”
“N-no, I mean….”
“Could you leave now? Just provide me with the account for the tax payment.”
A premonition that this situation was spiraling out of control made Kwon Tae-hyung’s complexion turn deathly pale without his realizing it.
Alarm bells rang in his mind that he had to smooth this over somehow, but what method could he possibly use?
Yet no solution came to mind.
Min-jun looked at the panicked Kwon Tae-hyung and smiled faintly before speaking.
“I’ll ask again—could you please leave now?”
His voice was polite, yet cold as ice.
Only then could Kwon Tae-hyung regain his senses.
Now he finally understood what he had done, blinded by his own greed.

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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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