I Became The Only Healer In The Academy [EN]: Chapter 1

Became the Academy’s Only Healer

1

“You worked hard today.”

Seonghyun accepted the envelope containing 130,000 won [approximately $100 USD] and wiped away his sweat.

“Yes! You worked hard as well. See you tomorrow.”

Seonghyun bowed deeply, finished his greeting, and left.

“Tsk tsk… how did such a diligent young man…”

The manager looked at Seonghyun with pity.

Seonghyun, a graduate of the national academy—a place for only the most gifted—was now stuck in manual labor. The irony wasn’t lost on anyone.

Only a select few unlocked their abilities around the age of 20.

For them, it was effortless, as natural as breathing.

It had been almost five years since Seonghyun graduated.

Compared to his peers upon entering the academy, his talent wasn’t exceptional, but even gaining admission meant he possessed some potential.

Back then, Seonghyun envisioned a bright future.

He believed that graduating would guarantee him a chance to make a name for himself fighting monsters.

But he ended up at the very bottom, barely scraping by.

‘They shouldn’t have let me graduate at all.’

His near-failing score stemmed from his underdeveloped ability.

Unlike other Hunters, Seonghyun’s ability seemed impossible to manifest. Ultimately, his only path to a passing grade was rigorous physical training.

Even then, he was overshadowed by those with active abilities.

The academy, established through international agreement and funded by the state, couldn’t simply expel students.

Instead, they effectively abandoned Seonghyun, deeming him unworthy of further investment and graduating him despite his lack of visible potential.

After graduation, he attempted to open a store dealing in monster spoils, but it failed miserably.

He’d naively assumed that the talent to enter the academy would translate to success in other areas.

“15,000 won for rent, 10,000 won for medicine… should I buy some meat today?”

Seonghyun extracted 20,000 won from the envelope and headed to a nearby butcher shop.

His family consisted only of his mother and younger sister.

His sister was still young, and his mother… well, his mother had lost her mind.

Seonghyun’s father died during a Gate outbreak before he entered the academy.

Gates were areas where monsters appeared, and Seonghyun’s family happened to be traveling nearby when one opened.

They rarely traveled.

In fact, it was their first real family trip. And it just so happened, a cruel twist of fate, that the Gate appeared then.

‘Go quickly!’

His father’s final cry echoed in his memory.

Unlike Seonghyun, his father possessed no talent or ability. Yet, he faced the monsters with a determined look, wielding only a small fruit knife he’d brought for snacks.

“Ha… again…”

It was his last memory of his father, a memory Seonghyun tried to suppress. He shook his head and bought some affordable meat from the butcher.

As he was about to head home, his phone rang.

“Hello?”

“Oppa [term for older brother used by females]! Mom is acting strange again…”

“Again? Okay. I’ll be there soon.”

After his father’s death, his mother initially seemed fine.

She bore the responsibility of caring for Seonghyun and his younger sister, Hyein, without complaint.

But the failure of the store, which was meant to secure their future, broke her.

That’s when it started. Seonghyun’s mother began to act strangely.

‘Monster, it’s a monster!’

Whether it was a hallucination or not, she would tremble and scream about seeing monsters while sleeping or walking down the street.

Dozens of times a day.

Hospitals offered no cure, only medication to slow the decline.

Even then, he couldn’t afford the good stuff.

‘I should have joined the military…’

Graduates of the academy were encouraged to enlist.

It was far more dangerous than regular service, but the compensation was substantial. It might have been a better path.

But he couldn’t bear the thought of leaving his young sister and mentally unstable mother to fend for themselves.

He was the only one who could help them.

“…What’s the use of regretting it now.”

If he’d managed the store better, if they’d chosen a different vacation spot, or if they hadn’t gone at all, his family might have been happy, even if not wealthy.

“I’m home.”

“Oppa, Mom is having another episode.”

“The medicine?”

“I think it’s all gone.”

“Already?”

Seonghyun sighed and opened the drawer where he kept their money.

Only a few crumpled 10,000 won bills remained.

“Put this in the refrigerator.”

“Meat…?”

“I bought it after a long time. Let’s eat together when Mom gets better.”

“Okay.”

Seonghyun went outside to make a call.

“Hello?”

“Oh, Seonghyun? What’s wrong?”

“That’s…”

It was his foreman. If he needed to get his mother’s medicine tomorrow, he’d be late for the morning shift. And if the hospital was crowded, it could take all day.

“…Because of your mother’s medicine?”

“Ah, yes… I was wondering if I could take a half-day off tomorrow morning.”

“Half-day off? Take the whole day. I’ll cover your wages…”

“Yes? But…”

“It’s okay. Consider it a bonus. I’ll handle it. Just be sure to come in the day after tomorrow. I’m hanging up.”

Seonghyun stared at the disconnected phone, biting his lip.

Lost in thought, he gazed at the sky before returning home to wait for his family to share the meat.

But they wouldn’t be eating meat that day.

“Yes? What do you mean, doctor?”

“…That’s the situation. I’m just as shocked. Does this mean people without money should just die?”

Seonghyun nervously fingered the card in his pocket.

It held only about 2.5 million won [approximately $1900 USD].

400,000 won went to rent, and after fixed costs and living expenses, only 300,000 won remained.

“Doctor, the price wasn’t this high last time…”

“We can’t help it. We can’t offer you a discount, can we? You understand?”

“I’m not asking for that! I know it’s valuable, but the price is too…!”

“We didn’t raise it; the government did. Don’t give me a hard time.”

“…Yes, I’m sorry.”

The medicine, which cost 200,000 won a month, had jumped to 1 million won in a single month.

The main ingredient was a monster crystal, and that particular monster had become scarce.

‘Ha…’

Seonghyun sighed and left the hospital.

After picking up his mother’s medicine.

“She’s not here yet.”

Seonghyun was determined to prevent his sister from repeating his mistakes, so he dedicated most of his earnings to her.

Fortunately, she showed promise. If her ability manifested by 20, she’d be taking the academy exam in two years.

“Mom.”

His mother was still asleep.

He watched her for a moment, took the medicine from the envelope, and placed it on her forehead.

She was adept at spitting out pills, so he had to use the more expensive patch.

Seonghyun went to the convenience store.

He bought a bottle of soju [Korean distilled rice liquor], sat on a chair, and began to drink.

Snacks were a luxury.

“A miserable life…”

Seonghyun reflected on his past 30 years.

Was it a sin to work hard?

“Keuheuk…!”

His pent-up emotions began to surface.

Neglected feelings grew larger with the alcohol.

“What… what did I do so wrong?”

The more he drank, the more empty bottles accumulated.

His useless talent, the one that got him into the academy, didn’t even allow him to get properly drunk.

“Ha… let’s go.”

He stumbled home, hearing a commotion ahead.

‘What’s going on?’

“Mr. Kim, what’s happening?”

“Ah, Seonghyun-ah! That, that’s…”

Mr. Kim hesitated.

“What is it?”

He finally spoke.

“A monster… has appeared.”

“What, what did you say?”

His heart plummeted.

His sister and mother weren’t among the crowd.

“Se, Seonghyun-ah! You! It’s dangerous!”

Ignoring Mr. Kim’s warnings, Seonghyun ran towards his house.

Hoping they were safe.

‘Please…’

Without assessing the situation, he burst through the door.

“…”

His sister and mother lay on the floor, and an uninvited guest stood over them.

“No, no!!”

Seonghyun charged at the monster with his bare hands.

He’d never seen this type before, but he was an academy graduate.

He should be able to defeat at least one monster.

At least, that’s what he thought.

“…Huh?”

In a flash, the monster’s hand pierced Seonghyun’s heart.

“Keok…”

The pain was unbearable. Knowing his sister and mother had suffered the same, his heart shattered.

The monster tossed Seonghyun’s body beside them.

“Hmm…”

Then it left.

“Haa… haa…”

Thanks to his academy training, he wasn’t dead yet, but he didn’t have much time.

With trembling hands, he checked on his sister and mother, but his hopes were dashed.

“Haha…”

He could only laugh.

An academy graduate couldn’t even handle one monster.

Where did it all go wrong?

The failed store? Graduating with a failing grade? The trip?

Or entering the academy with mediocre talent?

He was filled with regret, and he hated himself more than anyone.

More than the monster that slaughtered his family.

He never expected a peaceful death, but he never imagined such a miserable one.

‘The beginning was… miserable…’

If this was going to happen, shouldn’t he have been happy at least at the beginning?

Cursing whatever god might exist, Seonghyun grasped his sister’s and mother’s hands, stared at the moldy ceiling, and slowly closed his eyes.

“Heok, heoeok.”

Seonghyun, sweating and gasping, opened his eyes, surprised by the absence of a hangover.

“Oh, right! Work!”

He scrambled for his phone, noticing it looked different.

But he didn’t dwell on it.

‘They were so considerate, and I’m late…!’

He was already late for work.

He threw on his clothes and rushed out the door, where his sister stood, looking puzzled.

“Where are you going so early?”

His sister looked different, younger, like his old memories.

“Hye, Hyein?”

“…What’s wrong? Did you have a bad dream?”

He froze, confused. Then, a familiar voice called from the kitchen.

“Son, are you awake?”

Seonghyun turned to see his mother.

She wore an apron, as if making breakfast, and her eyes were filled with love.

“Mom… ma?”

“Wash up quickly. Breakfast is ready.”

It was unbelievable, but he didn’t want to dismiss it. Seonghyun’s legs buckled, and he collapsed.

“O, oppa!”

“Seonghyun-ah!”

His sister and mother rushed to his side, and Seonghyun stared at them, dazed.