I Became The Only Healer In The Academy [EN]: Chapter 115

With Seonghyun and the Vice President having decided to reveal his abilities, the news spread faster than anyone imagined.

[Korea’s 4th Top-Ranked Hunter Emerges]

The headline, crafted to grab attention, went viral nationwide in less than a day.

And there was more.

The Vice President’s interview was also released, and its content was explosive.

[Where would you rank Hunter Kim Seonghyun’s abilities, Vice President? Setting aside all other considerations, and focusing solely on combat capabilities.]

Even on a screen, the Vice President’s expression was remarkably clear.

[I am absolutely certain. He is number one.]

[Are you sure? No matter how exceptional Hunter Kim Seonghyun is, wouldn’t his role as a healer impose limitations…]

Unsurprisingly, not everyone was thrilled.

Some criticized the Association President for being inconsiderate toward South Korea’s other top-ranked hunters.

That was before the video showcasing Seonghyun’s abilities was released.

In collaboration with Seonghyun, the Association recorded the moment his unique sword appeared and demonstrated its power.

Then, they released it.

They strategically released the Vice President’s interview first to build anticipation, and just as the debates among viewers were reaching a fever pitch, the Association unveiled Seonghyun’s ability, causing a massive sensation.

It wasn’t just explained; it was visually demonstrated.

Dozens of swords floated in the air, each effortlessly piercing through multiple layers of barriers.

It was a brief video, but its impact was immense.

“Now, the number of people targeting the Hunter will increase even more.”

“I know.”

Even though Seonghyun was the target, the Vice President seemed more worried. He was even biting his nails.

“Will this improve our national prestige ranking?”

“That remains to be seen. Rankings below 10th are relatively fluid, but those above are not…”

The jump to 9th place was partly due to the United States’ recognition of Seonghyun’s potential.

Without that endorsement, climbing from 20th to 9th would have been much harder.

“More importantly, now that the Hunter has revealed his abilities and become a top-ranked hunter, there are many mandatory events to attend.”

“For example…?”

“Banquets exclusively for top-ranked hunters, or gates that only they can enter.”

“How many people have entered the gates so far?”

The Vice President, about to explain verbally, decided a visual aid would be better. He retrieved a document from his desk and handed it to Seonghyun, saying,

“From 1st to 9th place. Looking at the requirements for subjugating a Class 1 Gate, at least three top-ranked hunters must be sent from each country.”

“When was the most recent event?”

“Most recently… it was a month ago.”

The only Class 1 Gate located in the southern United States.

But now, time seemed to be moving faster than Seonghyun remembered, and there was one more Class 1 Gate than there should have been.

“The Hunter is the only top-ranked hunter who is also an academy student. Of course, leveraging that status on a global scale might be tricky.”

“Is there a Class 1 Gate subjugation scheduled?”

“Typically, there’s a Class 1 Gate subjugation every six months. But with the emergence of this new Class 1 Gate, it’ll be once every three months.”

Since they had just finished subjugating a Class 1 Gate a month ago, the next subjugation would be at least two months away.

“The Hunter will likely be included in the schedule after the next one, not immediately.”

“Is there a reason?”

“I’m going to make it that way.”

The best way the Association could help right now was to buy Seonghyun some time, even if it was just a little.

With elixirs being produced and distributed, the Vice President believed Seonghyun should at least have ample time to prepare.

“Then, until then, are there no other restrictions on me?”

“Haha. You are South Korea’s top-ranked hunter. Aside from ethical considerations, you’ll be restricting others rather than being restricted.”

The Vice President presented another document and began to explain.

“Now, let me outline the benefits you’ll receive as a top-ranked hunter.”

The Vice President’s confident expression conveyed his certainty that Seonghyun would be pleased.

Seonghyun already knew some of the perks afforded to top-ranked hunters.

Among them, one stood out as particularly important: freedom from political pressure.

He hadn’t been contacted yet, but it was only a matter of time. He needed to nip that in the bud so he could move in his desired direction.

“And you’ll receive policy and financial support when you create a guild. Financial support is contingent on the Association requesting you to subjugate a gate, or upon achieving a certain number of subjugations.”

The second crucial benefit.

He didn’t necessarily need financial policies, but policy support was essential.

He could gain priority in gate allocation.

Beyond that, there were perks like a supported mansion, vehicles, and equipment, but Seonghyun didn’t need those, so he simply nodded.

“Good. Then, please explain the obligations instead of the benefits.”

“You’re more familiar with the advantages of being a top-ranked hunter than I thought.”

“I wouldn’t have revealed my abilities if I weren’t.”

It was the authority to subjugate gates.

Top-ranked hunters could subjugate gates alone.

Unlike standard raid parties that required five members, they could handle up to Class 2 Gates, excluding Class 1 Gates.

Of course, Class 1 Gates were technically possible, but entering one alone was suicidal, even for top-ranked hunters.

“Actually, I hesitated to mention this, thinking you wouldn’t be interested…”

“It’s okay.”

The Vice President trusted Seonghyun, despite his worried expression.

Seonghyun had reached the top ranks with only the abilities he had shown so far, and the Vice President believed he had more hidden potential.

“Now, we won’t be seeing Mercenary A anymore.”

“I suppose not.”

“Cheonjung will be quite disappointed. Haha.”

The Vice President handed Seonghyun a certificate confirming his status as a top-ranked hunter.

“It’s not that I don’t trust you, Hunter… but please be careful.”

“Your concern is appreciated. I’ll keep it in mind.”

Seonghyun shook hands with the Vice President and left the Association.

“Is this where it truly begins?”

Before, he observed from the sidelines, but now Seonghyun was an active participant.

***

“…What?”

Inhwan, about to bite into an apple, stared at Seonghyun, the apple suspended in front of his mouth.

“You heard me. Take charge of the guild’s operations.”

“I’d like to, but the Academy…”

“Not as the guild leader. Just the operations.”

“…?”

He was confused. Managing operations without being the guild leader?

“You’re not joining the guild, but you want me to run it?”

“Yeah. It’s a part-time job.”

It sounded absurd, but it wasn’t inaccurate.

It wasn’t illegal, but it was exploiting a loophole.

“What kind of guild are you planning to create?”

“I’m thinking of accepting as many low-level hunters as possible.”

“Ah… is it because the Class 5 Gates disappeared?”

“Yeah.”

It wasn’t driven by guilt, but if he could earn their gratitude and alleviate his lingering guilt, it would be ideal.

“But if you only gather those hunters, the operating costs…”

Inhwan suddenly remembered who he was talking to.

Kim Seonghyun. The only person in the world with healing abilities.

The producer and seller of the incredible Elixir.

And now, a top-ranked hunter eligible for guild operating funds.

“The operating costs… you can handle them?”

“That’s right.”

But there was more to it.

“You can’t form a raid party with only low-level hunters. You need a raid leader to guide them. And since you’re planning to accept so many, you’ll need several raid leaders.”

“Don’t worry about that. I’ve already found a few.”

“…Who?”

“I’ll introduce them later.”

First, there were other things to handle.

“If you can manage the guild from start to finish, I want to entrust it to you.”

He phrased it as a request, but Inhwan understood it was an opportunity.

“What about DNN [Defense Network News]? They could manage the guild too.”

“DNN manages the elixirs.”

The reason was simple.

Not that he distrusted DNN and Hakeno, but concentrating power in one person wasn’t wise.

“Ah, I see.”

Inhwan understood Seonghyun’s reasoning.

In short, Inhwan was the best fit for the situation.

And it was a great opportunity for him.

“So, is it possible?”

“Of course. I was bored anyway. Should I start right away?”

“Yeah. Do that for me.”

Inhwan seemed more motivated than he had in a long time.

He seemed more enthusiastic than when he was subjugating gates, making Seonghyun wonder if this was his true calling.

“To summarize, since Class 5 Gates will no longer appear, you’ll gather the hunters who used to focus on them. Then, you’ll appoint suitable raid leaders and enable them to subjugate up to Class 4 Gates. Is that right?”

“Exactly. Precisely. Facing a Class 4 Gate monster alone would be impossible, but with multiple people working together, it’s definitely achievable.”

“You don’t have to take responsibility for them…”

“I’m doing it for my own benefit. And for other reasons too.”

To cultivate a positive image.

To ease my conscience.

And to provide them with stable jobs.

“When will you introduce them to me?”

“Just get started for now. I need to talk to those people first, so I’ll introduce you when the time is right.”

“Good. But what’s the guild’s name? Do you have anything in mind?”

“Um… A. Let’s go with A.”

“A? That’s good.”

The two, now connected by a business relationship in addition to their friendship, shook hands.

***

Park Hanwook emerged from the gate as usual.

In the past, he struggled to find open gates, but now his skills were recognized, and he lived comfortably within the guild.

His ability shone whenever boss-level monsters appeared in the gate.

The power to defeat monsters up to Class 3 Gates with a single attack.

Of course, it had a cooldown.

As he was about to sell the crystal he had obtained, a light flickered in front of him.

“Wh-What is it?”

Park Hanwook, unnerved by the unfamiliar phenomenon, drew his sword.