I Became The Rankers’ Number One Pick [EN]: Chapter 43

43.

Seo-ah, wincing at the sight of her own blistered foot, retrieved a cheap healing potion and sprayed it on.

“Ah, ouch, that hurts….”

She couldn’t afford to waste a maker’s potion [a high-quality potion crafted by a skilled artisan] on something like this, not when the future was so uncertain. She needed to conserve her resources.

After washing away the blood and pus as best she could, Seo-ah used a recovery skill on herself.

“Hoo… I hope this helps.”

Even though she had pushed her stats to the limit of E-grade through rigorous training, walking and running all day at the pace of A-grade hunters was taking its toll.

Her thighs and calves were screaming in protest, but she couldn’t let them see it.

If she showed any weakness, they would undoubtedly be considerate, but from that moment on, Seo-ah would be seen as nothing more than a burden.

‘I have to avoid drawing attention to myself as much as possible.’

The recovery skill completed its work.

The blisters had vanished, and the red, swollen areas had subsided. However, the throbbing pain remained.

It was the best she could expect from an E-grade healer’s level 2 recovery skill. Besides, healers always experienced reduced efficiency when treating themselves.

Seo-ah reluctantly put her shoes back on.

These shoes were a special A-grade item made by a maker, which was why her weak E-grade feet were able to endure this much. Even with the item buffs, she couldn’t completely overcome the overwhelming stat difference.

“Seo-ah, Seo-ah! Where are you!”

“Yes!”

At Baek Eun-hee’s call, Seo-ah quickly got up and rejoined the group.

“…….”

Unbeknownst to Seo-ah, Yang Tae-woo was watching her from the shadows of a tree.

Baek Eun-hee gathered everyone and gave instructions.

“Okay, from now on, we’ll go in shifts of one or two to sleep. Let’s do one more sweep of the area first.”

“Yes, let’s hurry back. It’s getting really dark.”

Everyone except Yang Tae-woo and Seo-ah scattered to scout the perimeter. The dots on the trackers on their wrists dispersed across the area.

Yang Tae-woo, who had been silent until now, stood up and began walking towards the lake.

“…….”

Seo-ah watched Yang Tae-woo, then slowly rose to her feet.

‘I can’t keep living like this.’

It was becoming unbearable to maintain this awkward distance between them.

She didn’t know why the ‘Warm Sunlight’ skill [a skill that makes the target feel comfortable and friendly] didn’t work on Yang Tae-woo, but she felt she needed to have a conversation with him, at least once.

Since there was nothing else to do alone in the tent, Seo-ah followed Yang Tae-woo, keeping a discreet distance.

It was dark, but she wasn’t particularly afraid.

They had scouted the area thoroughly and driven away any monsters, and the group was close enough to respond if she called out.

Yang Tae-woo reached the edge of the oasis lake.

He seemed to take a deep breath, then kicked a stone next to him in frustration.

The stone skipped across the water and disappeared with a splash.

“Damn it.”

He sat down, muttering curses. Watching him, Seo-ah felt a surge of apprehension.

But she had to overcome it.

Seo-ah deliberately made a rustling sound as she approached Yang Tae-woo.

“Why did you follow me?”

Yang Tae-woo spoke without turning around. He seemed to know she was there all along.

Yang Tae-woo possessed the heightened senses of an A-grade hunter; it was only natural.

“I wanted to chat for a bit.”

“Chat? What about? We’re not going to see each other again after this raid anyway.”

Seo-ah walked over and sat down next to Yang Tae-woo, maintaining a respectful distance.

Two moons were reflected on the still surface of the oasis lake. Seeing the twin moons, she was reminded that they were inside a gate [a portal to another dimension or world].

“Why do you hate me?”

“…….”

She wouldn’t be surprised if Yang Tae-woo didn’t answer.

He wasn’t obligated to, and as he said, they might never meet again after this raid. Still, she had to try.

“If it’s because I’m a hindrance, I’ll do my best to be more….”

“It’s okay. Nothing will change even if an E-grade tries harder.”

“Well, that’s true. I’m just doing it to make myself feel better.”

When Seo-ah readily agreed with Yang Tae-woo’s sarcasm, his eyes narrowed.

In truth, Seo-ah was unsure how to approach someone so openly hostile.

Should she just leave him alone? Everyone else is nice to me. Just as she was considering this, Yang Tae-woo spoke quietly.

“I really had to claw my way up from the bottom to get on this team.”

“…….”

Seo-ah listened in silence.

“An A-grade healer with only high recovery… is just an A-grade in name only… and can’t even get hired anywhere.”

Yang Tae-woo muttered, grinding his teeth.

“Healers who don’t use maces are even more of a burden.”

“Come to think of it, you use a rod instead of a mace….”

“My natural stats are crap.”

Yang Tae-woo muttered, looking at the sky. He must have opened his status window [a display of a character’s abilities and attributes].

“Would you believe me if I said that originally my strength, stamina, agility, and magic power were all lower than C-grade? Only my mental strength is A-grade.”

“…….”

“I was barely considered an A-grade healer, but I could never go to the gates that other A-grade healers go to.”

“But you still came all the way here.”

At Seo-ah’s calm reply, Yang Tae-woo’s resentment burst forth.

“Because I literally rolled around in the mud. I trained when others were sleeping, and I deliberately stood at the front in C-grade raids, even though I’m a healer. And then I got cursed at!”

Perhaps recalling those days, Yang Tae-woo chuckled bitterly, then returned to his sullen expression.

“So I barely raised my stats and matched the rest to B-grade… but it’s still not enough. I’m still desperately trying not to fall behind.”

“That’s even more impressive to me.”

Seo-ah praised him sincerely.

Yang Tae-woo glanced at Seo-ah, then closed his mouth, saying nothing more.

Seo-ah had also recently raised her stats through training. She knew how difficult and painful the process was.

Still, Seo-ah had [Brain] [referring to her unique ability or a person who helps her] and many people helping her.

Yang Tae-woo probably wasn’t as lucky as she was. Moreover, stats rise quickly at first, but slow down significantly later on.

If so, he would have worked much harder and longer than Seo-ah herself. More than she could even imagine.

He was probably able to endure it because his mental strength was so high.

Once she understood that, she could empathize with him.

“It’s understandable that you wouldn’t like me joining this team so suddenly.”

After a moment of silence, Yang Tae-woo said bluntly.

“It’s okay, what’s the point of saying it now… the guild leader has already decided to take you, so what does it matter whether I like it or not.”

“That’s right, I’m already in this gate. And… you might not notice it, but I’m trying my best.”

“I know.”

“Yes?”

“I know. That you’re also trying.”

“…….”

She didn’t know why Yang Tae-woo was suddenly acknowledging her.

When Seo-ah stared at him in surprise, he looked away, embarrassed. Then he suddenly grabbed his hair with both hands.

“Damn it, I didn’t mean to do this. Why am I… telling you these things.”

“Hunter Yang Tae-woo?”

“Argh, forget it. Stick out your foot.”

“My foot?”

“That, foot. I saw it was all messed up.”

“Ah….”

That’s when it happened.

[Skill ‘Warm Sunlight’ is activated!]

What is it? Why is the skill activating now?

Seo-ah took off her shoes without hesitation and held out her foot. It looked clean on the outside.

“I was going to ask you anyway.”

“…….”

Yang Tae-woo frowned at Seo-ah’s face, which was smiling more brazenly than he expected, and then silently used his recovery skill.

As expected of an A-grade in recovery, her foot healed completely in just a moment. Not only her foot, but also her stiff legs and waist felt lighter.

The effect seemed faster than what she had received from Song Jin-ho earlier.

“Thank you.”

“It’s okay, just don’t be a nuisance during tomorrow’s forced march.”

Yang Tae-woo’s tone was definitely softer than before.

It must be the effect of the skill? She still wondered why the skill had activated at that moment.

“Anyway, thank you.”

Yang Tae-woo turned his gaze away from Seo-ah again. Looking at the tracker, the group seemed to be gathering back at the tent.

“Let’s go back.”

“Okay.”

Just as they were about to get up, a splash of water erupted from the quiet lake.

Splashhhhh-!

Seo-ah reflexively drew her Bbyong Hammer [a toy hammer that is surprisingly effective as a weapon] and gripped it with both hands.

Kwaaaang!

“Ugh!”

A tremendous impact reverberated through the Bbyong Hammer, and Seo-ah’s body, still holding it, was sent flying.

If the entire Bbyong Hammer hadn’t been covered in Pokrylium [a fictional, highly durable material], Seo-ah’s body would have been torn in half along with the Bbyong Hammer.

“Hey! Wake up!”

While Seo-ah was struggling with the dizzying impact, Yang Tae-woo quickly tried to draw his rod. But the monster was too fast. The monster instantly seized Park Seo-ah and Yang Tae-woo with its massive pincers and vanished into the water.

“Seo-ah, Tae-woo!”

Baek Eun-hee, arriving just in the nick of time, jumped into the water without hesitation.