I Became The Only Healer In The Academy [EN]: Chapter 225

Sung Hyun cut short the press conference, deliberately ignoring the window that had appeared before him.

“That will be all for today.”

No one tried to stop Sung Hyun as he rose from his seat and left without hesitation.

He had answered every question and addressed every concern thoroughly.

The press conference sparked considerable debate.

Some still suspected he had exploited Russia, while others argued that as a top-tier Hunter of Russia, he had done everything expected of him, and even things he wasn’t obligated to do, so what was the problem?

They all wanted Russia to make an official statement, but Kabulski, who was most deeply involved, couldn’t speak up.

If his dealings with the Hunter supremacist group were exposed, it wouldn’t just be his own safety at risk.

After the press conference, Sung Hyun returned to his hotel in Russia, where he would spend his last night.

Earlier, he hadn’t been able to properly examine the window concerning the owner of the 2nd Class Gate, as he was in the middle of the conference.

“The owner of the 2nd Class Gate, huh.”

The first thought that came to mind was how strong the owner of the 2nd Class Gate might be.

He had encountered the owners of the 3rd and 4th Class Gates, but he hadn’t fought them seriously, so he didn’t know their exact level.

Judging from what he felt back then, it seemed they were opponents Sung Hyun would have had to take seriously.

Compared to the Demonic Beasts, who were the owners of the 5th Class Gates, there was a significant difference.

So, what about the owner of the 2nd Class Gate?

“Stronger than the boss of the 1st Class Gate, right?”

If the boss of the 1st Class Gate was the owner of that gate, then the owner of the 2nd Class Gate would be the owner and boss of all the 2nd Class Gates that had appeared and would appear worldwide.

It was unlikely that their levels would be similar.

“I wonder what kind of bizarre abilities they’ll have…”

Just thinking about the boss of the 1st Class Gate, they had abilities that could copy an opponent’s abilities or completely seal their movements, any one of which would be enough to put someone in the ranks of the top-tier Hunters.

The thought of an existence stronger than that boss made him quite tense.

“How strong *is* the owner of the 2nd Class Gate?”

The one who answered the question, which he had thrown into the void, was none other than the Window.

[The owner of the 2nd Class Gate is the combined level of all the Demonic Beasts you have dealt with.]

It was surprising that the Window answered in such detail, but what was even more astonishing was the information about how strong the owner of the 2nd Class Gate was.

“The combined level of all the Demonic Beasts I’ve dealt with?”

The number of Demonic Beasts Sung Hyun had dealt with was at least several thousand, most of which were Demonic Beasts from 3rd Class Gates or higher.

If it was the combined level of all these Demonic Beasts, the amount of magic power would be nearly infinite, if not actually infinite.

“Well, the amount of magic power doesn’t matter anymore.”

The problem was what kind of outstanding abilities they had.

With the revelation at the press conference that the Pilgrim was Sung Hyun, the number of people with faith had increased significantly.

At the same time, the Window connected to the owner of the 2nd Class Gate had appeared, but no new abilities had emerged.

“For now, I’ll stop increasing the number of faith subjects and focus on finding more ways to deal with the owner of the 2nd Class Gate.”

He might need more faith subjects, but if he tried to meet that criterion, he could end up in the worst-case scenario of meeting the owner of the 1st Class Gate at the same time.

“So, how much time is left until I meet the owner of the 2nd Class Gate?”

[Time available to summon the Gate connected to the 2nd Class Gate: 71:47]

The time given this time was a total of 3 days.

He had to prepare to face the owner of the 2nd Class Gate during these 3 days.

But what *could* Sung Hyun prepare?

He didn’t need things like Elixirs, and his Manifestation ability allowed him to create things within his own capabilities, so he didn’t need any other equipment.

“Let’s just relax and wait.”

Hopefully, he could overcome the owner of the 2nd Class Gate with his current level.

A place where he couldn’t receive help from anyone else.

Sung Hyun had to win this lonely battle on his own.

He was also the one who had won those battles until now.

Sung Hyun prepared for what would happen next during the 3 days before meeting the owner of the 2nd Class Gate.

Even if he managed to deal with the owner of the 2nd Class Gate, it would be meaningless if he wasn’t prepared for what came after.

Fortunately, many places were already making significant progress, more than Sung Hyun had expected.

This had been happening even before Sung Hyun finished talking with the United States, and after he finished talking with the United States, it had completely transformed into a national-scale industry.

Thanks to this, all the Hunters affiliated with the Association could be incorporated into the new system, and even those who weren’t could not miss the opportunity to become stronger with this support, so everyone was joining in.

Places that had already sided with the United States had completed the establishment of the system.

As a result, the level of the Hunters had improved even more than before.

“As expected. It’s more than I imagined.”

“Haha. It’s the United States, after all.”

The chairman of the American Association’s voice was filled with subtle pride.

Not too much, not too little.

“What is the average level?”

“Everyone has adapted well to the new theories. There will be no problem in subjugating Gates that are at least one grade higher than before.”

Those who had subjugated 4th Class Gates could now subjugate 3rd Class Gates, and those who had subjugated 3rd Class Gates could now subjugate mutated 3rd Class Gates.

Of course, the difference between 3rd and 2nd Class Gates was enormous, so this level of growth was still significant.

The Gates had also become stronger as they dealt with the existing Gate owners.

The time it took to grow this much was less than a year.

“That’s a relief. There won’t be any problems with support or anything else, right?”

“Of course not. The source of Crystals disappeared as we subjugated the 1st Class Gates that we had monopolized, but didn’t an even better place emerge?”

The chairman, who had spoken as if it were a relief, quickly waved his hand and made excuses, knowing how Sung Hyun usually felt about this kind of thing.

“Ah, the reason is unknown, but since it’s a place that can’t be subjugated, it accidentally became our monopoly. It’s a blessing in disguise. Haha.”

“I understand perfectly. More importantly, what about the movements of the others…”

“You saw that far ahead as well. There were many movements to check the system we had accepted before, but they have become even more active since we revealed that the Pilgrim and Hunter-nim are the same person.”

It must have been ingrained in their subconscious.

They wondered why Kim Sung Hyun, the top-tier Hunter who had nothing to lose, was trying to hide his identity.

“We have taken measures to allow them to check appropriately.”

“Thank you for your hard work. Are the places receiving support also at a level where they can subjugate Gates one grade higher?”

“Yes. The average I mentioned earlier includes all of those places.”

At this rate, even if the 4th Class Gates were to disappear, they might be able to cope.

The 5th Class Gates had already disappeared long before Sung Hyun started to establish a system.

Naturally, they would think that this could happen again.

The system that Sung Hyun had created by mobilizing everything he had would result in far fewer sacrifices than when the 5th Class Gates disappeared.

“In your opinion, Chairman, what do you think would happen if the 4th Class Gates disappeared now?”

“The 4th Class Gates…disappeared?”

Although there had been a lot of growth, the number of Hunters subjugating 4th Class Gates was still overwhelmingly larger than the number of Hunters subjugating 3rd Class Gates.

Their level had also increased, but the problem was that they had no experience in subjugating 3rd Class Gates.

Their level was right, but they had no experience.

“That’s not just a problem for the safety of the Hunters. The civilization of humanity, which has been built on Crystals, would be threatened.”

This was another problem that Sung Hyun hadn’t thought of.

The existence of Crystals had already deeply penetrated everyday life.

If these Crystals disappeared, it would be no different from the decline of civilization itself, not just the loss of convenience.

“Is there no way to prepare?”

“It’s possible, but it will take quite a bit of time. We have to reuse various technologies that we don’t use now.”

“Well…it’s better than disappearing completely.”

The chairman looked at Sung Hyun as if asking him to repeat himself, as he hadn’t heard Sung Hyun’s quiet reply.

“Yes?”

“No, it’s nothing. Thank you for your hard work. Please look for any way to prepare.”

“…Yes, I understand.”

He was curious as to why Sung Hyun was talking about the disappearance of the 4th Class Gates as if it were a certain future, but he didn’t ask.

Since he had finished talking with the chairman of the American Association, there was no need to check with other places.

Although the chairman didn’t have faith, he couldn’t lie to Sung Hyun, at least not to Sung Hyun.

“Ah, and…I saw the interview.”

“Is there something you’re curious about?”

“Yes, I was wondering if I could ask…”

The chairman cleared his throat briefly and asked Sung Hyun.

“The situation will certainly flow as Hunter-nim intends. But my question is how actively they will engage.”

“Didn’t I just tell you?”

“Yes? You gave me the answer to this question?”

The chairman recalled the conversation he had had with Sung Hyun so far, wondering what he meant, but there was no answer that felt right.

“The 4th Class Gates. Didn’t I say they would disappear?”

“Ah, yes, that’s right.”

“That may not be all.”

The biggest change in the Gates recently.

The strengthening of the existing Gates.

They would be able to obtain better quality Crystals, but they would also need more Hunters to subjugate them.

Hunters with high levels.

“If it goes as Hunter-nim says, it will certainly be a stronger catalyst than anything else.”

“I have done everything I can as myself, and the rest is their choice. I can’t force them.”

“Haha…that’s right. You can’t force them.”

It was hard to believe that he was saying this after almost forcing the situation, but Sung Hyun’s word had become law in the world of Hunters.

“There’s not much time left. Until the day comes when we don’t know what will happen.”

“I understand. I will prepare as much as possible.”

With the chairman’s determined expression, their conversation ended.

————————-

Today.

The day he would encounter the owner of the 2nd Class Gate.

Sung Hyun had come to the most deserted place in preparation for any possible situation.

The place where he had first met Katman.

It was once the center of attention, but now it was a forgotten place that no one remembered.

Sung Hyun would have destroyed the laboratory if he could, but he had put it on the back burner after hearing from Sammy that there was no danger to life inside.

Even if he healed them, there would be no place to return to in this desolate plain.

Since there was no point in thinking about it, Sung Hyun tried to change his mind.

“Russia will…definitely be a catalyst.”

When Sung Hyun dealt with the owner of the 2nd Class Gate, the Gates would once again undergo a rapid change, as they had done until now.

Sung Hyun sighed deeply and checked the Window.

[Time available to summon the Gate connected to the 2nd Class Gate: 00:02]

“How strong *are* they…”

As Sung Hyun entered the battlefield where he had to win alone, he looked at the Window again and said.

“I’ll be the judge of that.”