I Became The Only Healer In The Academy [EN]: Chapter 221

221

Kal had several compelling reasons to believe the Pilgrim was, in fact, the Saint.

“You seem curious.”

How had Kal figured out that the Pilgrim and the Saint were the same person?

Firstly, there were the two elixirs that Envy had provided.

The Saint hadn’t been making elixirs for very long.

However, there was a significant difference between the first elixir he’d made and his more recent creations.

“As you know, your growth rate far exceeds common sense; it’s practically unprecedented,” Kal said, glancing at the bottle before him. He continued, “And coincidentally, the difference between these elixirs mirrors that same rapid growth. A huge difference in a relatively short period.”

As Kal pointed out, the disparity between the two elixirs was immense.

One was capable of healing relatively large wounds, while the other could perfectly restore the body to its original state, even after amputation.

This mirrored the Saint’s own rapid advancement and capabilities.

“…What does that have to do with me being Kim Sung-hyun?”

Sung-hyun still wouldn’t admit to being the Pilgrim.

He felt there were still points he could argue.

“The reason is simple. This elixir’s development parallels the limits of Kim Sung-hyun’s healing ability, and this ability to create elixirs… is the same as the Pilgrim’s ability to create equipment.”

Kal displayed the ring on his finger and tossed a document in front of Sung-hyun.

“Check it out.”

The document contained the results of a highly detailed analysis of the equipment.

Equipment disassembled to a very high level of detail.

This implied that Sammy had disassembled the equipment.

Which meant Sammy also suspected the Pilgrim was Kim Sung-hyun.

The document, detailing the equipment’s construction and abilities, was so thorough it seemed DeMarge himself had written it.

It explained how the equipment was made and what abilities it contained.

Whether there were any hidden abilities.

It also noted that the construction differed from typical methods and contained only a weak healing ability.

Crucially, the document stated that the equipment’s creation process was unique, as if it had materialized from pure imagination.

“Turn to the next page. There’s conclusive evidence that the Pilgrim and Kim Sung-hyun are the same person.”

Turning the page, Sung-hyun found the results of the elixir analysis.

The results were similar to those of the materialized equipment.

The creation process was also identical.

“In my memory, no one else in this world can create equipment like this. Not even DeMarge,” Kal stated.

“…”

Sung-hyun remained silent, prompting Kal to continue.

“The fact that both of you create equipment with the same unique ability. And the fact that you are both invisible to my Revelation… you and you. The Pilgrim and Kim Sung-hyun were one and the same.”

Kal’s expression wasn’t one of triumph, but rather one of simple confirmation.

“So, I’m Kim Sung-hyun?”

“Yes.”

Sung-hyun had chosen to materialize equipment as a means to quickly meet the leader, Kal.

He’d achieved his goal, but also triggered an unexpected consequence.

‘Sammy’s disassembly skills can analyze equipment in as much detail as DeMarge.’

There was no time for regret.

He didn’t even consider it.

The immediate question was how to deal with Kal and Envy.

At that moment, a voice echoed in his mind.

Demanding he stay still.

Threatening them with death if they moved even slightly.

It was Envy’s mental domination ability.

“Haa…”

Sung-hyun took a deep breath and glanced at the ceiling.

He then used Purification to remove the mental domination from his body.

“…The mental domination is gone. It’s definitely Kim Sung-hyun. He has the ability to Purify.”

“So, you admit it now. That you are Kim Sung-hyun.”

Sung-hyun remained silent.

Instead, he removed his hood.

Revealing a face known to many.

Sung-hyun’s face was more recognizable than most celebrities, so there was no way these two wouldn’t know him.

“You have more talented people than I thought.”

“…So, what’s the reason you wanted to meet me?”

“I simply wanted to see your face. The face of the one who has taken so many lives.”

“Haha. Is your curiosity satisfied? But…”

Kal fixed Sung-hyun with an icy stare and said, “What’s your confidence based on? No matter how strong you are, I doubt you’re foolish enough to come to my base without a plan. Does strength negate intelligence?”

“If that were the case, my intelligence would be nonexistent.”

Kal chuckled at Sung-hyun’s response and leaned back in his chair.

“Now that we’ve met, I’d like to have a conversation. What do you think?”

“As you wish.”

Kal rose and approached the fireplace.

“Would you like a cup of tea? Ah, there’s no poison. Though it wouldn’t matter anyway.”

Soon, tea was served in a simple teacup.

Sung-hyun examined the tea, took a small sip, and listened to Kal’s words.

“Actually, there’s more evidence than just this. We began watching you when we first encountered Envy in China.”

From then on, they had been persistently observing him.

Specifically targeting those with the least amount of mana.

“It was truly amazing. Being invisible to me was impressive enough, but there was something even more extraordinary.”

It was Sung-hyun’s abnormal rate of strengthening.

It was as if some inhuman force had chosen him as a hero to save the world, and his progress was unbelievably fast.

“But there was another question. You always seem to get stronger after healing someone… a very unusual pattern.”

It might seem ridiculous, but Kal had suspected that Sung-hyun gained strength by healing others.

“Somehow, it made sense. The fact that you experience the other person’s pain without exaggeration, whether it’s a severed arm or a severed leg.”

Sung-hyun listened in silence.

Slowly sipping his tea.

He emptied the teacup gradually, deliberately.

As if he would speak only when it was completely empty.

Kal waited patiently, as if he had nothing more to add.

“I have a question. When did you become convinced that I was the Pilgrim?”

“After receiving the equipment. It was then.”

“You knew from then on, and you still met me…”

To be honest, he was a little dumbfounded.

They knew what Sung-hyun had been doing, and inviting someone who had defeated a 1st class gate boss into their base meant they believed they could stop, subdue, or escape him.

“Do you have anything more to say?”

Kal sighed and stood up.

“Well, it’s a little disappointing to lose this place, but it’s a worthwhile price to confirm that Kim Sung-hyun’s hidden ability and the Pilgrim are the same person.”

As if he was done talking, Kal turned away from Sung-hyun.

He took something from his pocket and placed it in front of Sung-hyun.

“If you try anything here or try to chase me…”

It was unremarkable equipment, but Kal’s next words were not.

“It’s connected to bombs planted in Korea. I believe you understand. You can chase me if you’re curious.”

A typical winner’s smile.

Kal hadn’t competed with Sung-hyun, but he wore the smile of someone who had already won.

The moment Sung-hyun followed Kal, the bombs in Korea would detonate.

But was that the truth?

He doubted whether there were any bombs in Korea in the first place.

If he doubted it.

He just had to find out.

“Did you hear that?”

“…? What are you saying…”

“I wasn’t talking to you, so don’t worry about it.”

Sung-hyun was speaking to Chief Cha.

Originally, Envy, and likely Kal, would have sensed Chief Cha’s presence, but since Envy had noticed him before, Chief Cha was concealing his mana as much as possible within the crack.

Sung-hyun also stood and stared at Kal.

Ready to react the moment the other man moved.

“…As expected, the word ‘Pilgrim’ doesn’t suit you.”

Kal, noticing Sung-hyun’s intention, wore an unreadable expression and turned away.

Taking out the equipment from his pocket.

“See you next time. I’ll come find you then.”

Of course, Sung-hyun wasn’t going to let him go.

The alleged bombs in Korea were left to Chief Cha to investigate.

If he didn’t catch Kal now, he didn’t know how much more sacrifice would occur in the future.

Kal’s figure began to disappear into the opening crack.

Envy was a target too, but Kal was the priority.

As soon as he confirmed the crack had opened, a massive amount of mana began to gather in Sung-hyun’s hand.

The amount was similar to that which Kal used when receiving the Revelation.

The technique itself wasn’t particularly complex, but the speed at which he manipulated that much mana was beyond human.

“What can you do with that…”

All he did was focus mana on his hand.

Kal knew Sung-hyun didn’t have any other special abilities, so he wondered what he intended to do with the mana.

Until he saw it.

The concentrated mana was directed at the entrance to the crack.

“…That’s insane.”

It wasn’t just the amount of mana.

The fact that he could manipulate something else with mana meant that his innate mana was similar to the mana spread in the atmosphere.

Even as he thought this, the entrance to the crack was widening.

Due to the nature of movement abilities, he could only move when the entrance was completely closed, so if the entrance reopened, Kal would be trapped.

But Kal wasn’t particularly worried.

To be exact, he was embarrassed by the opening of the entrance, but not by what would happen next.

Kal watched the slowly widening entrance.

Sung-hyun’s hand became visible, then his body, and soon the crack was wide enough to see him completely.

“So. What are you going to do now?”

Was that the expression he had worn earlier?

This time, Sung-hyun looked at him with the expression of a winner.

Sung-hyun expected Kal to act, but Kal simply stared at him.

He spoke slowly.

“…”

It wasn’t a long word, but Sung-hyun couldn’t ignore it.

“That word. It better be true.”

Sung-hyun withdrew the mana he had been using to open the crack.

“Take it.”

Kal handed over the equipment he had used to open the crack.

“It’s equipment that allows you to come to where I am whenever you want.”

Sung-hyun accepted the equipment and slowly removed his hand from the crack.

“I’m only believing this once.”