A Terminal Healer Needs an Obsessive Maniac

Chapter 112

[The skill 'Sanctification' has been activated.]

Ryu Seo-ha immediately expanded a translucent barrier, artificially extending his sensory range. In the hallway beyond the door, he detected one person slumped on the floor and another entity rushing towards them with alarming speed.

[The designated target (S-rank Awakened, 1 individual) has been granted the buff 'Basic Shield.']

[The designated target (non-Awakened, 1 entity) has been granted the status ailment 'Paralysis.']

After applying an emergency stop to the threat, he flung open the door to reveal a familiar face—Han Ga-eul, a guild member from FromHell who had recently attracted attention as an S-rank production-type Awakened.

"This... this person...."

Han Ga-eul was sitting on the ground, gripping a staff-shaped defense item tightly with both hands, her posture conveying the gravity of the situation.

Opposite her stood a man frozen like a statue. His eyes, marked by discolored irises and unnaturally constricted pupils, were identical to the symptoms of viral infection Ryu Seo-ha had seen before. His pale skin was marred by bruising, and dark veins protruded beneath it.

[The designated target (non-Awakened, 1 entity) has been granted the buff 'Status Ailment Removal.']

Ryu Seo-ha administered a tranquilizing buff to the man, who collapsed to the floor as the paralysis wore off. His appearance returned to normal, but his gaze remained fixated on Han Ga-eul with a disturbing intensity.

"Ga-eul, are you alright?"

Ryu started to extend a hand to the trembling Han Ga-eul but stopped short, instinctively aware of his lover’s feelings.

"Y-yes... I'm... fine...."

Still in shock, she nodded faintly, her hands trembling as they held the staff. Instead of helping her directly, Ryu Seo-ha turned to face the male employee, who was now glaring at him with obvious resentment.

"Did you violate the guild-wide directive not to consume potions recently?"

The man’s expression twisted in anger as he rose, his hostile gaze fixed on Ryu as if demanding, who do you think you are to question me?

“Urgh!”

But his glare didn’t last long. Choi Kang-hu, who had stepped in between them, seized the man’s entire face with one large hand and lifted him off the ground. The man's feet flailed in the air as Choi effortlessly hoisted him up. The Yeoui Sword in Choi's other hand transformed into a dagger, its sharp tip aimed directly at the man’s eyes, as if ready to gouge them out.

"Kang-hu."

Ryu Seo-ha’s quiet voice made Choi lower his weapon slightly with a sigh. Though the pressure on the man’s face remained, it seemed like Choi wasn’t going to spill any blood—for now.

“C-cooperation?”

“Yes. You’re coming with us to the U.S.”

They had to finish their dungeon raids quickly. To manufacture defensive items that could cover all of Korea, they needed rare materials, which they would have to secure themselves. But first, they had to handle the earthquake damage in Namibia.

After consuming the Rank Booster Potions, search-type Hunters used their upgraded skills and electromagnetic detection techniques to sweep through special dungeons across the U.S. under the watchful eyes of the CDC. Expensive scroll items were consumed at an alarming rate, as though they were water.

“Oh, it’s exactly as you described!”

Standing in front of an A-rank gate in San Francisco, Han Kang-seok, his face pale with exhaustion, marveled at how Ryu Seo-ha had pinpointed the exact dungeon.

“Dr. Han, wait here.”

But before Han could even ask how Ryu had identified this particular dungeon—one that housed an elemental-type boss monster and had a jungle-like environment—Choi Kang-hu ordered him to stand back.

“Wouldn't it be better to send him back to Korea? He hasn’t slept all night,” Ryu suggested gently, his voice laced with concern.

“It won’t take more than an hour, and then we’ll move on to the next gate.”

Choi Kang-hu caressed Ryu’s cheek, speaking softly. However, his expression remained cold as he added that Han would be compensated for his efforts.

“...He might be in danger on his own.”

Ryu whispered, glancing at the U.S. association agents stationed nearby. He was less concerned about the American government and more about the cult’s possible reach. Given how many people had already been abducted, it was only natural for Ryu to worry about Han Kang-seok’s safety. Since leaving the island, Ryu hadn’t even seen his sister, Ryu Jung-ah, just in case.

He suddenly realized that his sister had stopped contacting him altogether. Feeling a surge of unease, Ryu checked the CCTV app installed at the Han-nam-dong mansion and, seeing his sister sitting safely on the sofa, finally felt relieved.

"Let’s apply your skill before we go," Choi Kang-hu suggested, his voice unusually soft.

“You want me to use Sanctification? But once we enter the dungeon, I won’t be able to supply the magic to maintain it...”

“I’ll infuse it with my magic to keep it active.”

“Wait... are you asking me to clear the dungeon alone?”

Ryu looked puzzled, but Choi Kang-hu shook his head, frowning, as if such a ridiculous idea had never crossed his mind. He reached into his subspace and pulled out an object.

“I’m lending you this.”

It was a single, shiny, jet-black strand of hair... no, it was someone’s hair.