noveltune Chapter 23
Chapter 23
“The blood analysis results? As far as I know, there was nothing special...”
The Association researcher shook his head and looked at Ryu Seo-ha cautiously. He was someone who had been present during the forceful blood test. Now one of the popup dungeon survivors.
“Both the ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) and CRP (C-reactive protein) levels were within normal range, and other aspects... Oh! The mana compatibility score was significantly higher than the average for S-rank hunters.”
The researcher continued while flipping through charts. It was a 180-degree change in attitude from the awakened registration day.
“Could I possibly get a copy of the measurement test results?”
“Of course! Just a moment!”
Ryu Seo-ha received the blood analysis test results and left the Association building, pulling his hat down low and swallowing a sigh.
‘Was it just something he said?’
Even after confirming with his own eyes that there were no abnormalities, the 4th Apostle’s words still bothered him. As befitting a secret society with worldwide influence, the Cult’s information and technology were pioneering.
Just as he had spouted nonsense about giving a number and telling him to contact, this too might be a lie. Even while thinking that, he kept worrying about it. Starting with the Cult’s Apostle revealing himself directly. There’s no way they would carelessly release doppelgangers and block outside interference to raise social awareness for no reason.
Why on earth did they do it? To observe someone possessing unusual strength and someone they want to make a sacrifice?
Maybe they wanted to see how they would deal with crisis situations while conquering an artificial dungeon. Then were the remarks that seemed like trying to drive a wedge between the two people a move to attempt kidnapping again?
‘Is a healer worth that much?’
Though they may be more special materials than other classes, the amount of mana that can be extracted from one person is still ridiculously small. It’s hard to think it would be worth the risk of exposing the Cult’s identity.
The more he pondered, the more questions multiplied. Shaking his head, he called a taxi through an app and got in. It was a luxury he couldn’t have imagined before, but now he couldn’t easily use buses or subways.
S-class healer Ryu Seo-ha, flooded with CF love calls despite series of incidents...
Healing-type hunter turns out to be max level in practical response too?
Blinded grade Choi Gang-hu, S-class possibility speculated
FromHell Guild Master, really level 1? Suspicions about long unregistered period
Ryu Seo-ha and Choi Gang-hu were once again on the media’s chopping block. It was such a hot topic that if it weren’t for the hunter industry where incidents frequently occur, there might have been controversy about staged acts for publicity in other fields.
The greatest interest was focused on things like Choi Gang-hu’s actual combat power and Ryu Seo-ha’s talent as a combat hunter. Despite how many people died. Just like during the popup dungeon, the attitude of taking human lives lightly was remarkable.
In contrast, the atmosphere of mourning was stronger in the quarantine zone, which was an apocalyptic situation. It seemed to be because they had routinely enjoyed stimulation in peacetime. Yesterday, armed national hunters burst in right after the monitoring room was half-destroyed.
Hunter test monitoring room recording lost... Who’s responsible for negligent management?
Shock! Doppelganger intruding on practical exam?
From S-class healer kidnapping to murder case! Conspiracy theories raised
The on-site supervisor who received a brief report of the situation reported to superiors, and all applicants had to be interrogated as witnesses and persons of reference. The action cams were submitted to the audit team as evidence.
The victims’ bodies preserved in a frozen state were transferred to the National Forensic Service for autopsy, and the results came out that very day. Everything was handled quickly. Almost bitterly so.
Status: Remaining lifespan 21 days 21 hours 44 minutes / Waiting to receive reward
Time was already short, yet it felt like problems were only increasing instead of being resolved. Even if they obtain the elixir from the S-rank dungeon that the FromHell Guild members will conquer, there’s no certainty he can survive.
Regardless of how he felt inside, he had to go to work. Now that he had acquired his hunter license.
The headquarters located in Samseong-dong was splendid, unlike a new guild. As expected of a subsidiary guild of a large corporation.
“Hello!”
“Hello.”
From the moment he entered the lobby, office workers greeted him with friendly greetings. Their glances were mixed with curiosity and wonder. It was the same when getting his employee ID and in the elevator.
Today he had no dungeon conquest scheduled. He just had to treat one employee affiliated with the guild and then comfortably wait on standby until it was time to go home. No wonder non-combat healers are called a cushy job.
“Is it alright to start treatment right away?”
“Yes, of course.”
Han Gang-seok, who is currently in charge of the Production Research Lab at FromHell Guild, nodded quickly. His eyes were full of curiosity. Ryu Seo-ha first unwrapped the tightly wound plaster cast and placed his hand on the calf.
The skill ‘Healing Light’ is being cast.
A pure white light that looked like it could purify one’s mind just by looking at it enveloped the broken leg.
“Ooh...”
“Wow...”
Han Gang-seok observed with eyes that looked like they might shoot lasers. Han Gaeul, standing beside him, also let out a pure exclamation of admiration along with him.
“Would you like to try moving your leg?”
“Oh! It’s completely healed. No pain at all.”
Han Gang-seok immediately stood up and boldly tried jumping, giving a thumbs up.
“By the way, I wonder if it can heal other things too...”
“Other things?”
“You know, erectile dysfunction or decreased libido... Ow! Why are you hitting me? It’s a joke, a joke!”
Han Gang-seok grumbled and rolled his eyes after receiving a crisp back smack from Han Gaeul.
“Really, I’m so embarrassed... I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s fine.”
Ryu Seo-ha smiled and shook his head at Han Gaeul, who apologized on his behalf with a red face. There was no need to take offense at a harmless joke.
“Excuse me.”
Just then, with a light knock, a tall man entered. Ryu Seo-ha’s eyes widened.
“Oh, Guild Master Gangseong?”
Han Gang-seok also raised his voice in surprise.
“I found the right place. Ryu Seo-ha, do you have a moment to talk?”
Gangseong Guild Master, Choi Junwan, asked with a smile. His attitude was far too relaxed for someone visiting the guild of an opponent in a succession struggle. It seemed he had visited unofficially without prior notice.
“What brings you here?”
“It’s a bit awkward to talk here, shall we go down to the cafe?”
“...I’m sorry. I’m still on duty.”
There was nothing good about meeting privately with someone directly opposing Choi Gang-hu. There was no need to give room for unnecessary misunderstandings.
“It will only take a moment.”
“I don’t know what this is about, but I’m busy with work.”
“I was under the impression your schedule was finished... Was I mistaken?”
Despite repeated polite refusals, Choi Junwan shook his head as if he had checked everything beforehand. He didn’t seem likely to back down easily. In the end, Ryu Seo-ha had no choice but to follow him. I’ll just hear his business briefly and get up right away.
“Ryu Seo-ha. Did you know?”
Fortunately, Choi Junwan didn’t seem to want to drag things out either, as he got straight to the point as soon as they sat down and ordered drinks in a quiet cafe.
“That Choi Gang-hu has assigned a stealth-type hunter to monitor you.”