The Regressed SSS-Rank Supporter Who Turned Dark - Chapter 48

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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 48
“Cha Eun-sung???”
Jung Ho-bin’s eyes widened as he spotted me.
“When did you go back there? You were just here a moment ago?”
Whoosh.
As Jung Ho-bin spoke, Helkiyan flashed a sly smile and vanished without a trace.
[Helkiyan] card’s spirit has returned to the deck.
“Heh.”
Jung Ho-bin would never know.
That he’d been robbed blind right before his eyes.
Far from suffering any harm, he’d actually escaped with his life.
“The fog is too thick.”
“Y-yes, that’s true.”
Jung Ho-bin accepted my explanation.
The other survivors showed no signs of noticing anything amiss either.
“Have you been waiting long, young master?”
Lumos approached me and bowed respectfully.
“…Please don’t do that.”
I was so embarrassed that I could feel my ears burning hot.
If only my appearance were younger…
Receiving such treatment from an elderly man felt awkward, and I was acutely aware of the stares from the onlookers—it was maddening.
“How could I not serve you with utmost devotion, master of infinite power?”
“Please, couldn’t you be a little less formal?”
“How could this old servant fail to attend to you with the greatest care?”
“Ugh!”
Old servant, old servant, old servaaaaant…
“I understand, so please lower your voice. Keep it so others can’t hear.”
“I shall obey your command, young master.”
Lumos whispered in a quieter tone.
That was better.
Phew…
“Let’s all head inside. There’s no point lingering outside the building.”
I hurried Jung Ho-bin and the other survivors forward.
“I really thought I was going to die. Ugh…”
The moment Jung Ho-bin stepped inside the building, he collapsed and groaned in pain.
It wasn’t exaggeration.
In fact, Jung Ho-bin was battered from head to toe—he’d only narrowly avoided fatal wounds.
Not a single part of his body was unscathed; even that handsome face the fans adored bore long, deep gashes.
Still, his injuries weren’t as severe as those Kim Sang-eung had sustained, so he was definitely treatable.
“Stay seated.”
I summoned Undina.
“You called for me, Master?”
“…Must you do that too?”
This time, heat crept up my face as well.
“M-Master?”
“Are you a summoner-class Hunter?”
“No matter what, calling me ‘Master’ is a bit much… What era are we living in?”
My embarrassment only deepened listening to the survivors’ conversation.
We can hear everything, you know….
“…Could you heal these people for me?”
“Yes, Master!”
Undina answered cheerfully.
“I shall become the healing west wind and gladly obey your command, Master.”
“….”
Whoooooosh!
Undina transformed into wind and enveloped Jung Ho-bin and the survivors.
The survivors’ wounds visibly faded.
Torn flesh knitted together, swelling subsided, and broken bones mended.
“Huh?”
“Suddenly it doesn’t hurt?”
“What, what is this?”
Exclamations of astonishment spilled from the survivors’ lips.
Those who had been sprawled across the floor moments before were now rising to their feet one by one.
“Is this… not a dream?”
“The healing ability is incredible?”
The survivors marveled repeatedly at Undina’s power, examining each other’s bodies in disbelief.
I was equally astonished.
‘Area-wide healing is possible?’
As with healer-class Hunters, single-target healing was the absolute foundation.
But healing multiple people simultaneously was far from simple.
Only a rare few among healing Hunters could manage it, and even then, the effectiveness paled compared to single-target healing.
Yet Undina had healed both Jung Ho-bin and the survivors simultaneously, and flawlessly at that.
‘The efficiency is absurd.’
Even a Hunter specialized in healing couldn’t accomplish this with merely a 3-star rating.
‘So feeding her 5-star Green Etherium was worth it after all.’
I found myself nodding involuntarily.
I was eager to see what would come next.
If I kept obtaining Green Etherium to feed her, just how powerful would Undina’s healing become….
* * *
After sending Jung Ho-bin and the injured up to the Second Floor, I spoke with Lumos.
Since there was still some time before our escape, I decided to rely on the card spirits a bit longer.
Now that things had come to this, I intended to bring as many survivors as possible.
It was the bare minimum I could do as a hunter, and besides, if we all escaped together, each person’s survival odds would improve.
“Um, would you possibly be willing to help us a bit more?”
It might have been an unreasonable request, and given the other person’s age, my tone was extremely polite.
“How could there be any question? If it is your command, young master, this old one shall break bones and shatter body to complete the task.”
“Ugh.”
I simply couldn’t adapt to this—my body shuddered involuntarily.
“Please don’t overexert yourself.”
“I shall engrave your consideration deep within my heart, young master.”
….
Just stop talking. Please stop.
“You come with us too.”
I summoned Helkiyan, the card spirit from the [Helkiyan] card, once more.
“Since the master commands it, I shall gladly go. Haha.”
Helkiyan readily agreed to my request as well.
“May fortune accompany beings like ourselves—the card spirits.”
The card spirit from the [Fortune] card bestowed a blessing upon Lumos and Helkiyan.
After Lumos and Helkiyan departed.
“…Ugh.”
My legs gave out, and I nearly collapsed.
I barely managed to grab the wall and stay upright.
‘My ether consumption is too severe.’
The cause was ether depletion from the successive summoning of card spirits.
With barely a handful of ether remaining in my body, a sudden wave of dizziness crashed over me.
For hunters, ether was far more than just an energy resource.
It was no exaggeration to say it encompassed both life force and stamina, so it was only natural that heavy ether consumption brought both physical and mental strain.
‘I need to drink an ampoule.’
Fortunately, Oh Tae-kwon and Kim Seung-hye had packed several ampoules, so I wouldn’t collapse from complete ether exhaustion.
Gritting my teeth, I grasped my trembling legs and made my way to the second floor.
“His name is Cha Eun-sung?”
“Is he a healer-type hunter? A supporter?”
“He seems too strong for that. Even back at the restaurant, and judging by the skills he just displayed, he looks more like a dealer.”
The survivors were engaged in a back-and-forth debate about my identity.
“Heh.”
I laughed.
I didn’t even know my own identity yet—what could third parties possibly understand?
“Keep it down, will you?”
Ra Si-hyun approached the survivors and snapped at them.
“We just saved you, and you come here to chat? Why, with monsters crawling all over outside, are you trying to advertise our location?”
“I-I’m sorry.”
The survivors flinched at Ra Si-hyun’s sharp words and piercing gaze, their mouths snapping shut.
“You’re here, brother.”
“Easy now. Monsters won’t come swarming just because we’re having a conversation.”
“B-but shouldn’t we still be careful?”
“You’re not wrong. But this isn’t the time for unnecessary chatter.”
Whether from embarrassment or caution, the survivors averted their eyes, careful not to meet each other’s gaze.
“Seung-hye, could you bring me those ampoules you prepared earlier?”
“Yes, just a moment!”
Perhaps troubled by what had happened before, Kim Seung-hye moved with lightning speed to hand me the ampoules.
[Ether has been restored!]
[Ether has been restored!]
…
[Ether has been restored!]
My ether filled rapidly, and the early symptoms of exhaustion began to fade.
‘That’s better.’
The dizziness cleared, and my trembling legs felt solid beneath me once more.
“Wow, our team leader managed to survive after all.”
“I’m no team leader. The real one is standing right there.”
Jung Ho-bin pointed at me in response to Oh Tae-kwon’s jest, waving his hand dismissively.
“I apologize to Ho-bin, but that’s how it is.”
“Don’t let your pride get hurt. Ha ha.”
“Of course Eun-sung is the team leader.”
The rest of the team nodded in agreement with Jung Ho-bin’s words.
“Ugh.”
Please, no….
I absolutely despise these embarrassing, awkward moments.
I could enjoy it subtly, but I can’t let myself.
It’s simply my nature.
Before I returned to the past.
Even when I was active as a top-ranked hunter, receiving the attention of the media, broadcast networks, and people around the world, I never grew accustomed to it.
“Is there anyone here with O-type blood, by any chance?”
I asked the survivors, both to hide my embarrassment and to change the subject.
It seemed I would need more blood for a transfusion to Kim Sang-eung.
“Ah, I have O-type blood.”
“I’m O-type too.”
Several survivors raised their hands eagerly.
* * *
The Paelings.
The performance of Lumos, Helkiyan, and the Goddess of Fortune was nothing short of brilliant.
One hour before the tidal window opened.
The number of survivors they had brought along had reached approximately thirty.
“Thank you so much.”
“Cha Eun-sung, you are a true hero.”
“You are the savior of my life.”
The survivors thanked me in unison, bowing their heads repeatedly.
I wondered if their gratitude came too early—the crisis hadn’t truly subsided, and we hadn’t even escaped yet.
Still, there was no point in dampening the spirits of those expressing their thanks.
‘Time….’
Forty-five minutes remained until the tidal window opened.
‘I need to get moving soon.’
I woke Kim Sang-eung first.
Thanks to Undina’s healing and blood transfusion, Kim Sang-eung regained consciousness the moment I pressed gently on his collarbone.
“Easy, easy. You’ll break my collarbone.”
“Are you coming to your senses?”
“I am, I am. Where did you get such incredible strength? Ugh!”
Kim Sang-eung sprang to his feet and spoke.
From the look of him, he had completely regained his condition.
“Save the thanks for after we get out of here. Survival comes first.”
“You’re absolutely right.”
“Let’s hear the situation.”
“Everyone, gather around.”
Among the survivors were several instructors from the Special Armed Forces Training Institute, so we huddled together and formulated an escape plan.
The plan was simple.
We would head to the Transport Station, roughly three hundred meters away, secure vehicles, and then escape Jebu Island once the tidal window opened.
Though hastily devised, the plan drew no serious objections.
With no better options available, it was the most rational and effective escape method.
“I know it’s a burden, but I need you to take point, Cha Eun-sung. You’re the only one who can navigate. I’ll cover the rear.”
“I’ll do it.”
Of course.
I had to lead.
Without the Search card, this operation would have been impossible.
“Everyone, follow orders carefully. No matter what happens, stay calm and respond with composure. Our instructors will prioritize protecting the trainees and civilians.”
“Understood.”
It was fortunate that several instructors were mixed among the survivors.
Just before we left the building.
“Cha Eun-sung.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
“No matter what it takes, I will get you out safely. I promise you.”
My eyes met Kim Sang-eung’s.
I felt it.
His sincerity.
He would probably throw away his life for me without hesitation.
But that wasn’t what I wanted.
“Please don’t say such things. We’re all going to survive and return together.”
“Kid, look at you—once small as a bell, now all grown up.”
Instructor Kim Sang-eung let out a soft chuckle, a faint smile crossing his face.
“I’ll open it on three.”
I stood before the door, placing my hand over the release button.
“Three, two, one.”
Whirrrrr, click!
The door slid open.
Outside remained unchanged.
Dense fog.
Visibility stretched only a few meters ahead.
A pristine realm of death sprawled before my eyes.
But we couldn’t simply wait for rescue and wither away sitting here.
“Let’s go.”
I took my first step into the mist.
And so our escape began.

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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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