Ch.170170. SS-Class Healer Lee Su-in

I’ve never had any kind of relationship with a woman in my entire life.

Someone who was obsessed with Farming World and spent all day farming since childhood—would such a person have even spoken to a woman, let alone formed a relationship?

But in just the past few months, as if being compensated for all those years, I’ve been getting entangled with beautiful women whether I wanted to or not.

First was Seo Hyoju. Then Kellin.

Some might say it’s only two women, but the fact that these two are renowned beauties recognized worldwide is undeniable.

So while I don’t have much experience with women, from my sole experiences with these two, I’ve gained a certain… information.

Or instinct, perhaps.

One of those things is this look in their eyes.

The look of being captivated by something.

Both Seo Hyoju and Kellin have lived without wanting for anything.

When people who have everything they want and can get whatever they desire show this kind of look, it’s extremely dangerous.

Seo Hyoju was like that, and Kellin especially, for some reason I couldn’t understand, was showing me this look while aggressively pursuing me.

With Seo Hyoju, I thought it was just pure curiosity or a game from a wealthy heiress.

Maybe she wanted to be friends because my abilities seemed impressive.

Or perhaps she wanted to draw me in and make me a hunter she could use.

The same went for Kellin.

But at some point, the line was being crossed so steeply that I started to think it might be something else, so I was being cautious and restraining myself to avoid getting caught in their web.

“What is this place? It’s so cool! Who’s that cute little fairy?”

Ri Suin was an extremely bright person.

She was curious about everything, and above all, seemed to have two particular interests: small, cute things and places she hadn’t been to before.

The Rift Dimension.

The farm seemed to be a place that could satisfy both of her interests.

Her eyes sparkled, and I could see that same something I had seen in Seo Hyoju and Kellin.

I’m screwed.

Two clingy women are more than enough.

Besides, Suin isn’t even connected to me through any business relationship—she’s just someone I’ll never see again after giving her the ability we agreed to exchange for the Ice Spirit Elixir.

At least Seo Hyoju and Kellin regularly deposit money into my account, but Suin, even if she’s the beloved granddaughter of the Murim Alliance Leader, that money isn’t hers.

It would take at least 50 more years for the SS-rank Murim Alliance Leader’s wealth to reach Suin.

Of course, the moment she awakens as an SS-rank healer, Suin would also transcend the level of ordinary people.

But as I knew myself, awakening alone doesn’t guarantee success.

Judging it dangerous, I quickly took Suin outside.

In the process, Lulu, who was bringing drinks, looked at me pitifully, but it couldn’t be helped.

Lulu wasn’t some friend’s house cat, and I could clearly envision Suin becoming obsessed with Lulu and begging to see her again, so it was better to minimize their interaction.

If skipping on hospitality once could prevent her from coming back, so be it.

Of course, this might just be my paranoia, but preemptively blocking potential problems isn’t a bad thing.

My intuition wouldn’t harm me anyway.

Besides, I had already successfully transferred the ability to her.

“Oh, that was quick.”

It took less than 10 minutes.

Suin already knew exactly what ability she wanted, and when I used the SS-rank ability selection option, holy magic was included among the abilities she could learn.

She would learn individual skills and strengthen them using points as she leveled up.

If I had registered her as a farm member, she could have grown faster with farming stat points, but that would be excessive.

Even the SS-rank ability selection option, as I told the Murim Alliance Leader, is a losing deal for me even if I made it a hundred times.

It’s just that I needed the Ice Spirit Elixir right now, plus an SS-rank item. The Ice Spirit Elixir that I’ll continue to use for a long time, with added chaotic energy, made the value slightly less of a loss, that’s all.

“Grandfather! I learned the ability!!”

Without needing to confirm, Suin ran to the Murim Alliance Leader, hugged him, and proudly showed him her status window.

“Oh, congratulations, Suin. Would you show your grandfather the skill?”

“Just a moment.”

Suin stretched out her hand and demonstrated the healing skill she had acquired.

It might not be as good as mine, but being an SS-rank ability skill, it would certainly have some guaranteed effect.

There was no injured person to confirm if it actually healed properly, but seeing the holy light emanating from her hand, the Murim Alliance Leader’s expression finally brightened.

“Hohoho. Congratulations! Congratulations! To think our Suin has become an SS-rank hunter!”

Shrewd old man.

Worried that I might have played some trick, he asked his granddaughter to show him the ability and only confirmed after directly seeing the holy light.

Of course, merely seeing it wouldn’t be the end of his confirmation.

“Grandfather has some business to discuss with this person, so could you step outside?”

“Yes! Thank you. I’ll definitely come back to visit and thank you properly next time.”

“No, that’s not necessary.”

Suin was young but not naive.

At 20 years old, she bowed to me and threw out bait that was hard to refuse.

I hurriedly gestured in refusal, but by not responding verbally, she turned my rejection into mere courtesy.

After she left, I quickly said to the Murim Alliance Leader:

“Please tell her that personal thanks aren’t necessary. This was just a transaction, not like I saved her life or anything…”

“Hohoho. Do you not find my granddaughter appealing?”

“What? What do you mean…”

“I heard you have some kind of relationship with Korea’s S-rank summoner and America’s SS-rank mage.”

“…Who on earth is spreading such strange rumors…”

“Hmm. If you prefer mature women, our Suin might still be…”

“Excuse me, sir.”

“I could arrange it if you want.”

“…”

Looking mischievous yet suddenly serious, the Murim Alliance Leader sat on the sofa and poured himself a glass of whiskey from the table.

“Would you like a drink?”

“No, thank you.”

“Do you know why China has the second most SS-rank hunters after America?”

“I’ve heard things here and there…”

“I killed hunters who tried to emigrate with my own hands.”

“…”

“Including S-ranks, it must be around a dozen or so.”

Why was he telling me this?

The Murim Alliance Leader gave a bitter smile.

“Under the pretext of the greater good. I had to say it was necessary to prevent China from collapsing. Dealing with newly awakened SS-rank hunters wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t particularly difficult for me either. The challenge was handling it before American intervention. There were many problems at first, but how is it now? No country covets Chinese hunters, and Chinese hunters don’t think about going to other countries.”

Then he asked me:

“Is it simply out of fear? China gives the best treatment to its remaining hunters. Even transforming this entire city, including the Murim Alliance, according to my wishes was part of that compensation. China does everything for its hunters. Because of this, they stay out of fear of the stick, but the carrot is so sweet that they no longer feel the need to fear the stick. This might look bad from the outside, but couldn’t it be better for people like you?”

“Isn’t that just putting on shackles?”

“Do I look shackled to you?”

“As the Murim Alliance Leader, can you freely discuss with America and me how much they’d pay for you? Can you say, ‘I’ll consider it if you offer this much’?”

“…”

I thought he was talking nonsense, but in the end, he was trying to recruit me.

Well, he’s not wrong.

If I were just a mediocre S-rank or SS-rank hunter, I wouldn’t be sitting here with the Murim Alliance Leader in the first place, and I might have been swayed by the definite benefits offered by either America or China.

“I plan to sell my unique resources to countries and hunters worldwide. Being affiliated somewhere, reporting to someone—that doesn’t suit me. I appreciate the offer, but if you want something, please join Farmings as a VIP member and purchase it for a fair price.”

I took out a business card and placed it on the table.

The Murim Alliance Leader laughed heartily and downed his drink.

“I heard one of our SS-rank hunters went to buy some kind of fan recently.”

“Was that hunter affiliated with the Murim Alliance?”

“All SS-rank hunters in China are affiliated with the Murim Alliance.”

“They got crushed by America.”

“Hohoho. So it was America after all.”

Then he said to me:

“I won’t lose next time. I can’t allow myself to appear weak in front of my granddaughter’s benefactor.”

The Murim Alliance Leader pocketed the business card.

I was about to get up, having finished my business, when something occurred to me.

“May I ask one question out of curiosity?”

“What is it? If it’s about our Suin…”

“Is Farmings accessible in China too? You don’t get censored by the Party or anything like that, right?”

“…Not for hunters.”

“Take care.”

Having heard something ambiguous, dangerous, and perhaps something I shouldn’t have heard, I quickly left, almost like I was escaping.