I Became The Only Healer In The Academy [EN]: Chapter 173

The world was once again thrown into turmoil with the emergence of another healer.

While the chairman of the American Association was under Sung Hyun’s control, preventing overly aggressive actions at the national level, the same couldn’t be said for individual hunters.

America boasted some of the most powerful hunters in the world, and many of them were excited about the prospect of a new healer.

Padron, a prominent figure among the hunters who were critical of Sung Hyun, initially shared this sentiment, though his personal feelings towards Sung Hyun had since softened.

But these were just emotions.

The emergence of another healer represented a significant potential boost to the hunter community, and they couldn’t afford to remain passive.

And it wasn’t just America that was reacting.

Even with the American Association’s chairman effectively sidelined, other nations began to mobilize at a national level.

Hunters affiliated with various countries’ associations started taking direct action.

Their destination, predictably, was the remote village that had originally leaked information to the media and continued to do so.

“Is this the place? The village where the Pilgrim first appeared?”

“Yes, it is.”

The village was so dilapidated it was hard to believe anyone could live there.

Sand stretched in every direction, and the dwellings resembled crude shelters made of cloth and mud.

“Are we the first to arrive?”

“Yes, you are likely the first.”

“Haa… let’s go.”

It had been several days since the initial media reports.

While many countries expressed interest, few had actually taken concrete steps.

To do so was to signal a willingness to diverge from Sung Hyun’s path.

“The goal is cooperation or appeasement; at the very least, avoid making them an enemy.”

However, the moment the Russian team set foot on this land, they distanced themselves from Sung Hyun.

They couldn’t afford to fail.

The Russian hunters entered the village where the Pilgrim had been sighted.

“Ha, they don’t even bother to greet us… Do they think they have something to rely on?”

They were prepared to use lethal force if necessary.

They had gathered considerable intelligence on the Pilgrim, but they were the first outsiders to arrive.

If they couldn’t secure what they wanted, they wouldn’t allow others to succeed either.

“It’s over there.”

The only structure in the village that could be considered a building.

The village elder and those with information about the Pilgrim were waiting inside.

The Russian hunters marched towards the building, ignoring the frightened stares of the villagers.

As they reached the entrance, a man who appeared to be the village elder emerged.

“Welcome.”

“…Nice to meet you. I’m Kabulski.”

“I’m Tulua.”

Judging by Tulua’s eyes, he clearly believed he held the upper hand in this encounter.

Kabulski bristled at the expression, but he wasn’t about to derail the conversation before it began. He forced a smile and said,

“I believe you know why we’ve come.”

“Of course. Please, come in.”

The building’s interior was unremarkable.

The most luxurious item inside wouldn’t even qualify as ordinary elsewhere.

“Hmm? Why is that door locked?”

In the small building with only a few rooms, one door was securely locked.

“…Is the purpose of your visit to open that door?”

At Tulua’s question, Kabulski smirked inwardly and replied,

“Of course not. I was merely curious.”

‘There’s something behind that door.’

Kabulski glanced at the locked door before following Tulua, careful not to linger too long.

“Let’s get straight to the point.”

“Good. The point.”

Tulua settled into the seat of honor before Kabulski could, having anticipated his attempt.

“…”

“Aren’t you going to sit down?”

Kabulski, feigning amusement, sat in the adjacent seat, fixed Tulua with a stare, and asked,

“Can we meet the Pilgrim?”

“I don’t know that either.”

“Then have you met the Pilgrim?”

“I have met him, and I plan to meet him. Quite often.”

Kabulski groaned inwardly at the implication that Tulua met with the Pilgrim regularly.

‘Is their relationship deeper than I thought?’

“So, what do you want?”

“The Pilgrim. From what I gather, you’re receiving treatment in exchange for providing information to the media. If you arrange a meeting with the Pilgrim for us, we’ll ensure you have everything you could ever want for the rest of your life.”

“…”

Tulua unconsciously swallowed hard at Kabulski’s extravagant offer.

An offer without the condition of having to get along with the Pilgrim was more tempting than anything else.

“Just… just arranging a meeting is enough?”

“Yes.”

Kabulski was encouraged by Tulua’s reaction.

‘This guy is easily swayed by bribes.’

“How can I be sure you’ll keep your word?”

Kabulski immediately dropped his subtle smile and replied in a firm tone,

“You can trust the word of the Great Russian Association…”

“It’s not that, but the Pilgrim has already instructed me to relay a message to anyone who comes looking for him.”

“To us?”

“No. He said that if I or anyone around me is harmed in any way, he will immediately go to Korea.”

“…”

If Tulua was telling the truth, this was the worst possible scenario.

‘That Pilgrim… he’s no ordinary man.’

“It’s alright. We have no intention of harming this village.”

All they needed was to secure the Pilgrim.

They could deal with the consequences later. Russia was not weak enough to let go of a talent that was already within their grasp.

“Well, I need some time. I do have meetings with the Pilgrim, but I can’t meet him whenever I want…”

“Ah, I understand perfectly. We can wait patiently, so please just convey the message when you meet the Pilgrim. And…”

Kabulski gestured to the hunter accompanying him.

The hunter produced a piece of paper from his coat.

“I considered offering cash… but the local currency is different, and physical money seemed too conspicuous. So, I prepared this instead.”

“What… is this…”

“It’s a check issued by a Russian bank.”

The check displayed a string of zeros Tulua had never seen before.

“I see you’re a reasonable man, so this conversation has concluded more quickly than expected. Consider this a gift from Russia, regardless of the outcome.”

“Th, thank you.”

“Then, goodbye.”

Kabulski looked down at the bowing Tulua with thinly veiled contempt, snorted silently, and left the building.

“Tsk, you have to know your place to survive.”

Kabulski clicked his tongue, already envisioning Tulua’s downfall, and departed the village.

Tulua remained frozen, staring at the check in his hand.

“With this much money…”

Enough to live a life of luxury.

He thought he could be content with this, but Tulua’s greed was insatiable.

Whether he had forgotten the Pilgrim Sung Hyun’s advice, he was slowly becoming consumed by avarice.

“If I can’t even arrange a meeting, then this much…”

Besides, these were the first to arrive.

Many more would come in the future, and what he received now might be the least of what was to come.

“I have to make sure it is.”

As if struck by inspiration, Tulua began to scan the room.

“Yes. That would be perfect.”

His eyes landed on the only item that could be considered a luxury: a frame.

A frame containing a flag.

Tulua removed the flag and carefully inserted the check in its place.

“Hahaha!! I’m a genius.”

He hung the frame in the most visible spot, as if daring anyone who entered to notice it.

“Keu keu… Keu hahaha!!!”

For a while, the room echoed with laughter fueled by greed and ambition.

It had taken Russia a few days to make their move, but once they did, others quickly followed suit.

Not only countries in the top 10 world rankings, such as England, China, and France, but also those outside the top 10, like Japan, took swift action.

They didn’t necessarily harbor animosity towards Sung Hyun, but they couldn’t ignore the immense power he possessed.

“…What is that?”

“What… is that?”

“That’s Russian…”

Today alone, hunters from three other countries, besides Russia, had come to visit.

Of course, they immediately noticed the Russian check displayed so prominently and began offering even more enticing deals.

“Just money is…”

“Given what happened three years ago, Russia can’t be trusted…”

Their obsession with Tulua stemmed from a single reason.

After the existence of another healer was announced, they launched an immediate investigation but couldn’t find a single trace of the Pilgrim.

They dispatched personnel to the surrounding villages, but the Pilgrim had vanished without a trace.

“I need time to think.”

“I’m scheduled to meet the Pilgrim in a few days, so please be patient.”

Tulua had initially been nervous about negotiating with hunters representing entire nations, but after his encounter with the Russians, he realized he held all the cards and his anxiety vanished.

“Heu heung… where should I go?”

Some offered money.

Some offered power.

And some offered both.

“No, there’s no need to decide yet.”

It was only the first day.

The time ahead would be far longer than Tulua imagined, and all of it was on his side.

“Ah, right. I have to do this first.”

The Russian check that had been the first to adorn the frame had already been replaced.

Because he had received even better offers.

Tulua, having replaced the previous item with the newly acquired one, leaned back in his chair, anticipating the riches to come, and propped his feet on the table.

“My fate is very good.”

“Wh, who is it!”

Startled by the sudden voice, Tulua fell backward in his chair and looked towards the source.

“Su, Pilgrim?”

“I heard you’ve been meeting quite a few people. Who are they?”

“Th, they’re just people who came to meet you.”

“…Is that so?”

Even though his face was hidden by a hood and his combat abilities were virtually nonexistent, Tulua felt a chill run down his spine.

“What did you receive?”

“N, nothing much… just a little money or maybe a guild leader position somewhere…”

Fortunately, the document displayed on the wall offered him a guild leader position, and Tulua averted his gaze, shoving the Russian check under his rear.

“Do as you please. Do you have anything to say?”

“Ah, the people who came today said they really don’t need anything and just want to meet you once… is it, is it a little difficult?”

“It’s not difficult to meet them.”

“Re, really? Then when…”

“Those people haven’t left yet, have they?”

“Yes, they must be staying in a nearby big city.”

“Tell them I’ll find them myself.”

“Okay.”

“And the things you received. Don’t get too greedy.”

“Huh?”

The Pilgrim vanished as quickly as he had appeared, leaving only those words behind.

It seemed impossible to capture him; he disappeared as if he had evaporated.

“Give this… up?”

Tulua retrieved the Russian check from under his rear.

“…”

After staring at the check for a moment, Tulua looked around and shoved it deep into a drawer.