The Owner of the Healing Therapy Shop Is Ranked 0th in the World - Chapter 7

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

The Owner of the Healing Therapy Shop is World Rank 0

Chapter 7

To think that treating mana addiction, humanity’s common wish and dream, could be possible with just this one item.

This time, I really thought I might be dreaming.

“This mana addiction… can it really be alleviated? Even when S-rank saints and healers use their skills all day, even when holy water is poured all over the body, they can barely maintain the current state without any recovery.”

Mana addiction, a disease that left even S-rank Hunters helpless. If such an incurable disease could be treated, this paper wouldn’t just be a rare item, but hope that would write a new chapter in history.

‘Then conquering Gates might become possible.’

The faces of legendary Hunters who retired due to mana addiction and Hunters whose abilities drastically declined because of the addiction came to mind one after another.

And I could even see the faces of my parents who lost their lives to Gates.

After the wait, Mimi finally spoke.

“Of course.”

Tremendous excitement enveloped my body.

I crawled on my knees and firmly grasped the cat’s small, black front paws.

The cat’s soft fur stuck to my palms that were damp with sweat.

“Th-then, can you treat other Hunters besides the person who signed this contract?!”

“That depends on you.”

“It depends on me?”

“It’ll become possible through your skill.”

“Through my skill…?”

My mind went blank for a moment.

It felt unreal. To think that I could create a cure with my skill when outstanding researchers and healers from around the world had devoted everything to treating mana addiction without any progress.

Wasn’t this truly like a dream?

Something no one else could achieve…

“I… with my skill…”

Ah, now I understand.

Why grandiose words like world peace or humanity’s salvation were written in my status window.

I still don’t know exactly why that mysterious cat chose me and gave me this power, but one thing became clear.

What I need to do from now on.

* * *

“Mmm.”

The scent of dawn brushed past my nose.

When I drowsily opened my eyes, blue light filled my vision. Since I had fallen asleep on the sofa, the blue light from the TV screen had covered my eyes.

Ugh.

When I focused with my eyes half-closed, I saw Mimi lying sprawled in front of the TV, fast asleep.

Now I knew why the TV I had definitely turned off before leaving was always on when I came home.

‘A news-addicted cat.’

I let out a short sigh and forced my drooping eyes wide open as I got up from my seat.

Sensing my presence, Mimi opened her eyes and stretched all four legs while yawning.

“Yaaawn, why are you up already?”

As Mimi said, it was early morning with only two or three hours having passed since I fell asleep, but I didn’t want to be lazy.

“I feel sorry.”

“About what?”

Instead of answering, I pointed at the TV with my chin. Last night’s news was playing on the screen.

[Hunter Gangjinseong! Did you acquire a new search skill?! What was the secret to being able to conquer the Gate first! Do you have plans to support the remaining 21 Gates in other countries!]

[Which country do you plan to support first!?]

Reporters swarmed like moths to a flame around Senior Jinseong, who was known for conquering the Mapo-gu Gate, shoving phones and microphones at him.

Just seeing the furrowed brow of that senior, famous for his expressionless face, made it easy to tell how much he disliked the situation.

That’s why I felt sorry.

Because he was receiving worldwide attention he didn’t need to receive due to the false accusation of conquering the Maze Gate.

When I asked Mimi, she said that as soon as I escaped from the Gate, she teleported me in front of the store, which is why Senior was reported as the first conqueror.

When I asked why she did that, Mimi gave a clear answer.

“If it weren’t for me, you’d be stuck in the middle of those reporters right now, wouldn’t you? And I needed time to convince you.”

As Mimi said, if she hadn’t teleported me, I probably would have been overwhelmed by now.

I would have been dragged around by the Hunter Association and whatnot while not even being able to accept the fact that I had awakened.

“Ah, Korea’s number 1?”

“Yeah, if you want to clear up the misunderstanding, you need to quickly learn how to use your skill. You also need to find a Hunter to write a contract with.”

“I thought you’d be reluctant to write contracts given your personality?”

“I do hate causing trouble for others, but well. Looking at the contract buffs, it’s not just causing trouble, right? And I don’t have confidence to enter Gates again.”

“Have you decided who to hire?”

“I’m still thinking about that.”

“Don’t think about hiring just anyone. Your skill may be powerful, but if the main body is weak, there’s no answer.”

I nodded repeatedly.

Of course, I had no intention of asking low-rank Hunters. Even if Maze Gates are generally measured as low-rank, there are 21 of them.

Something could happen while dealing with all those Gates.

I was primarily considering high-rank Hunters with extensive Gate experience who could respond immediately even if dangerous situations suddenly arose.

“Who are the candidates?”

At Mimi’s answer, my gaze involuntarily moved to the TV screen.

“That number 1?”

I was startled and shook my head vigorously.

What am I thinking right now!

“No! How could I possibly hire the busiest Hunter in Korea? And he’s suffering because of me… I’m someone who knows shame.”

“Then?”

“Um, Nara?”

“Rank 20?”

Among the Hunters I know, Nara is the only high-rank one I could easily ask for a favor.

But there are many concerns.

First, Nara is a healer and is very busy running a guild she recently founded. Moreover, with this incident trapping Hunter Ohyeongtaek, an important guild member, in the Tokyo Gate, she would definitely be incredibly busy.

“But it feels awkward to bother someone who’s busy with a request…”

Since she rarely enters Gates directly, her mana addiction symptoms are mild, so she probably wouldn’t welcome my contract much.

“Hmm, Hunter Ohyeongtaek would be perfect.”

“The rookie? Was he rank 5?”

Hunter Ohyeongtaek is an S-rank, the most recently awakened rookie Hunter.

Thanks to his flashy appearance, model-like physique, and easygoing personality, he’s gaining popularity both domestically and internationally, and I heard he really loves receiving attention.

Especially, I’ve seen him interview about how much he loves the gratitude and camera flashes he receives after conquering Gates.

That’s probably why he was the first to step forward when Japan requested Gate support.

“He probably really wanted the title of hero Hunter who saved the world.”

“He seems noisy but useful.”

“The problem is he’s currently trapped in the Tokyo Gate.”

Ugh, there were no Hunters who met the conditions.

It couldn’t be helped since this country has an insufficient number of S-rank Hunters.

Then I should consider A-rank Hunters, but who would be good…

“Haah, it would have been nice if Dongwook oppa were here at times like this.”

I grabbed my head and let out a deep sigh.

I might as well take out the Training Academy graduation album and hold auditions.

“Phew, my head hurts.”

I decided to think after washing up. I thought that after cooling my head with cold water, a Hunter who meets the conditions might come to mind.

As if knowing I was heading to the bathroom, the cat quickly approached and blocked my path.

“Feed me first before you go.”

“You’re not a cat. You don’t need to act anymore, so take care of yourself.”

Just then, a beast with sleek flowing black fur let out a “Meowww.”

“Ha, this is ridiculous.”

What should I do with this cat that’s shamelessly meowing as if it never spoke human words?

I looked down at the cat with my hands on my hips in a defiant pose.

“If I feed you, what will you do for me in return?”

“What? It’s natural for a servant to feed their cat!”

“That was only when you were an ordinary cat.”

“…It’s disappointing when you act like this.”

The cat’s black tail swished left and right. It was an expression of displeasure.

But what about this – will this make you feel bad too?

I took out a can from a cupboard beyond the cat’s reach. It was a premium can I only gave once a week.

“Hmm, I was going to give you this if you’d do me a favor.”

“Oh my!”

The cat’s vertically slit pupils instantly became round. Mimi, who had been standing near my feet pretending to be aloof, immediately started rubbing against my calves non-stop upon seeing the can.

“What’s the favor! What is it!”

Pfft.

I couldn’t help but burst into laughter at Mimi’s honest and transparent behavior. Seeing her act exactly as she always did, a small sense of relief bloomed as I realized the Mimi I knew hadn’t disappeared somewhere.

Click-!

I opened the can and said to Mimi.

“Teach me how to use skills, quickly.”

“Got it! Hurry up and pour it!”

* * *

After being under cold water for so long, my shoulders were shivering.

Every time I thought about being able to treat Hunters’ mana addiction and conquer Gates with my skill, a tingling heat would wrap around my entire body.

A cold shower was the best way to get rid of useless thoughts.

Now that I’d finished my long shower, my mind was much clearer.

My fatigue had long since disappeared, and only the thought that I needed to complete my skill as soon as possible drove me forward.

The penalty given for Quest failure kept hovering before my eyes.

‘Losing someone precious. That’s the worst.’

I gathered my hair and tied it up tightly, and my steps toward the workshop carried even a resolute determination.

Before entering the workshop, I absentmindedly picked up the medicine I kept by the door.

The intense fragrance that filled the workshop where I directly extracted and blended oils always caused headaches, so it was a habitual action to prevent that.

But I soon realized I didn’t need to take the medicine.

I wondered if the floral scent filling the workshop could be this fragrant, and I didn’t feel any headache at all.

It was a moment when I truly realized I had awakened.

“Teach me how to use skills, Mimi.”

Even joy was evident in my hands as I took out work tools like flasks and droppers.

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