episode_0465

After a long time, the younger sibling, who had always been lying down, finally left the hospital to undergo an examination and returned.

The expression of the doctor who returned with her was truly filled with indescribable emotions.

It was understandable.

“Congenital magic deficiency… has been cured. Well, it’s ambiguous to call it a cure.”

The symptoms of congenital magic deficiency, also known as a rare or incurable disease in Hunter Society, had disappeared.

But that wasn’t all.

“I don’t know how this happened, but… Baek Hyeonjin’s condition is incredibly good.”

“Good meaning…?”

“As soon as he wakes up, with just enough nutrients, he could walk… no, run.”

Isn’t it absurd?

To think that the only thing lacking in the patient’s body, who had been unconscious for over ten years, unable to move a muscle on his own and lying down following the nurses’ instructions, was merely nutrients.

The attending physician and the guardian were both perplexed by the situation, unable to comprehend.

Their gazes naturally drifted towards Kim Dojin, who was sitting a little further away on a chair, nodding off with a tired expression.

Both of them realized simultaneously.

“It’s only him.”

In the current inexplicable reality, the only person who could provide a clear answer was him.

Without anyone saying anything, their steps naturally led them towards Kim Dojin.

A shadow loomed over him in an instant.

When Kim Dojin raised his head with a dazed look, Baek Hyeonja asked, “The examination just finished. Hyunjin… has been cured.”

“Hehe, that’s great.”

Kim Dojin laughed with unadulterated joy.

“…Can I ask something?”

“How did you treat your brother?”

“That’s right.”

The intense gazes of the two were fixed on him.

One was a magician, the other a doctor.

Both professions were meant to satisfy curiosity and resolve doubts, but if one had to choose which leaned more towards understanding and solving, it would be the latter.

However, it was regrettable.

The answer he was about to give was in a realm quite different from what they hoped to understand or solve.

“It may not be the answer you want, but if I have to say… I simply pressed the button using the power of the potion.”

An unexpected and far from fulfilling response.

Upon hearing this seemingly dismissive statement that ignored all previous efforts, the doctor cautiously spoke up.

“There have been frequent attempts to treat congenital magic deficiency through potions. And they all failed.”

If everyone else failed, how could you succeed?

“Well… maybe the potions others used were just weak?”

At this statement that seemed to disregard all previous efforts, the doctor, with a puzzled expression, spoke up.

“To treat this disease, we’ve tried almost every existing potion as a remedy, and it’s not an exaggeration to say that…”

“That’s right. Saying ‘almost every’ implies there are some that haven’t been tried. I used one of those.”

Frustrating.

It wasn’t like he was beating around the bush or anything; he was just stating the facts.

The doctor, growing impatient with this repetitive questioning, cautiously inquired about Kim Dojin’s deliberate rhetoric.

“So, can you tell us what potion you used this time… if you don’t mind sharing?”

“Of course.”

Unlike before, he readily answered and took out a small vial from the box beside him, showing it to both of them.

“This is it.”

“Hmm… this is…?”

As the doctor’s curiosity about the potion couldn’t be contained, Kim Dojin spoke up.

“Elixir.”

“Gasp…?!”

“Oh my…!”

Out of the blue, the most potent elixir appeared.

Upon this, the faces of the two individuals were painted with astonishment.

* * *

Things have taken a turn.

To be precise, they’ve twisted to the point where “twisted” doesn’t quite capture it all.

There’s always a cause that follows the results obtained.

Thus, she turned back.

Where did all these events originate from?

And the answer came quickly.

“Kim Dojin….”

From the moment he started acting out, disruptions began to impede the smooth flow of events.

*Sigh.*

She regretted it.

She should have taken any measures when she realized he could pose a significant threat.

Back then, she thought there was still plenty of time.

But there wasn’t.

“He grew too quickly.”

In the blink of an eye, he had grown too much.

To the point where not even she, no matter how capable, could handle him perfectly.

As a result, her situation became more complicated.

The various incidents, big and small, that had occurred in Korea.

Part of the responsibility for not preventing them fell on her as well.

“…….”

Of course, that doesn’t mean they can directly harm or sanction her.

Her role is merely that of a supporter.

She sympathizes with some of their intentions and walks alongside them, but it’s not her role to serve them.

However, she also can’t completely ignore their opinions.

It was at this moment that she was contemplating.

Buzz-

The vibration of a smartphone resonated in the room.

“…….”

It wasn’t her usual smartphone placed on the desk; it was another one hidden deep in the desk drawer that was vibrating.

This phone only vibrated for one reason.

A call.

*Sigh.*

She let out a soft sigh and immediately got up, heading to her research lab via the elevator.

The spacious room filled with equipment and facilities packed to the brim.

Among them, there was one item unrelated to her research, sitting in a corner of the desk—a transparent crystal orb.

Naturally, it wasn’t for decoration.

It was a communication device.

When she infused magic into the empty orb, it connected to another orb placed at a designated coordinate, illuminating that location.

Inside the orb, against a dark background, a blurry silhouette became clear.

-“Long time no see, Scarlet Location.”

A warm and affectionate voice of a young man finally reached her ears.

In contrast, Han Juhee responded coldly.

“I’m busy, so let’s keep it brief.”

A voice filled with disappointment returned.

-“Oh… You’re still as cool as ever. I wish we were closer.”

The gap between them naturally narrowed.

“Don’t get the wrong idea. I empathize with your intentions, but I have no desire to be close on a personal level.”

-“Haha… You’re so straightforward; there’s nothing more to say.”

As rude as he was in crossing those blurred lines, he never caused harm to their relationship.

Understanding her firm response, the man took a step back.

-“Alright. Let’s get straight to the point as you wish.”

His tone lowered.

Simultaneously, the atmosphere around them underwent a sudden change.

From warm and affectionate to cold, sharp, and icy, he continued speaking.

-“You are aware of how painful recent failures in Korea and neighboring countries have been, right?”

“…….”

-“Of course, it’s not your fault. However… If you had shown a bit more proactive behavior, we believe things would have led to better results than they are now.”

It was true.

Indeed, she had maintained a passive attitude in several incidents.

Each time, because Kim Dojin had caused chaos with her daughter.

At that thought, she shot back with a sharp gaze and asked,

“So, what are you trying to say?”

-“We have doubts.”

“Doubts… you say?”

“Given your meticulous nature, you couldn’t have possibly not anticipated this outcome. Isn’t that right?”

“….”

She fell silent once again.

If she claimed she hadn’t expected it at all, it would be a lie.

But her mistake was only a small part of the whole.

“The organization’s power turned out to be weaker than I thought, which led to these results.”

“….”

Being manipulated here and there wasn’t solely her fault.

The organization also suffered defeat for failing to capture that one hindrance.

The man who had been silent for a moment calmly accepted her criticism.

“You’re not entirely wrong. The urgency on our end contrasts with the negligence in Asia.”

However, he didn’t just accept it passively.

“…That’s why I was counting on your assistance.”

A chilling tone crept into his voice.

It was a warning.

He implied that the responsibility he could shift onto her or the organization had reached its limit.

In response, she changed her approach and asked, “So… are you doubting me and asking for some kind of proof?”

“I’m not asking for proof. I simply have a task I hoped you’d assist with.”

She smirked, lifting one corner of her mouth in response to his words.

It was a subtle jest.

If erasing doubt through her help isn’t proof, then what else could it be?

Although she wanted to cut off communication, whether he doubted her or not, she held back.

Then she inquired, “What do you need me to do?”

To which the man flashed a wide smile, revealing his white teeth as he replied, “Brainwasher. We need him.”