episode_0448

The relentless grip of winter, which had been pouring out record-breaking cold, was finally broken.

As the temperatures, previously plunging below zero, gradually rose, a new presence arrived along with the slowly approaching spring.

“Ah…, it’s already time for the new semester to start.”

It’s the time when college students’ combat prowess reaches its peak.

Initially, it was all good.

Being able to experience university life that I had to give up just to make ends meet.

But as it approached the end of the second year and entered the third year, well…

“It’s bothersome.”

Both magic and swordsmanship have already entered their own distinct realms, leaving nothing much to learn at the university.

Towards the end of last semester, the professors were even keeping an eye on me.

Well… It’s understandable.

The active hunter grades of Korean university professors are Grade A.

So, it’s only natural to be concerned when a student, an active Grade A hunter, who has caused quite a stir in the world multiple times, is sitting there without giving up on either field.

“Other classes aren’t particularly interesting either…”

At one point, I tried diverting my interest towards things other than magic or swordsmanship.

Curses, enchantments, or other minor types of magic that could be helpful.

While it seemed like mastering them could be beneficial, I didn’t delve deep into them.

Although this body excelled in talent, ultimately excelling in something required a considerable amount of time, so I realized that delving deeper into what I was already learning would be more helpful in many ways.

In other words, it meant making decisions about what to focus on and what to discard through selection and concentration.

No matter how much I learned here and there, in the end, magic and swordsmanship were the only things I would use as my main skills.

In fact, it wouldn’t have been possible if it weren’t for my unique background to handle both of those at the same time.

“…Or is it not entirely impossible?”

Acknowledging it as completely impossible, I realized that there was one exception.

Son Seo-yeon.

He possesses talent in both magic and swordsmanship without undergoing the same transformations as me.

Moreover, he doesn’t give up on either and is progressing well in both.

Some simply attribute it to inheriting good genes from his parents.

“That’s true.”

If one hadn’t inherited talent from the start, they might not have had the courage to walk paths where the end is uncertain, let alone simultaneously tread on two such paths.

However, handling those two excellently is solely due to Seo-yeon’s efforts.

From that perspective, it was indeed a bold decision.

Even I, despite having talent, am not confident that I could handle both skillsets simultaneously, so how did I come to think that way?

“I’m him, after all.”

Anyway.

As we approach the beginning of a new school year, we made a significant decision.

That decision was none other than graduation.

With my promotion to S-rank, it goes without saying, and even the team members who became A-rank no longer have much to learn diligently at school.

So, we chose to graduate.

Of course, not immediately, but we decided to attend just one more semester.

There’s much to do.

We need to check out the guild headquarters, hire staff to handle miscellaneous tasks, and…

Even when we leave, we must take a look at the talents of this year’s freshmen; there might be valuable gems hidden among them.

“Phew.”

Just thinking about handling all these tasks within one semester makes me sigh.

Team members aren’t much help in this regard.

Perhaps Ju-yeon can be of assistance, but even with the two of us, it’s not an easy task.

“I wish there was someone to help.”

Talent is needed.

Someone who can efficiently handle the things I want by just mentioning them.

But even that is no easy feat.

People with the potential to be invaluable are usually already in someone else’s pocket.

A rare talent that has yet to be discovered is hidden in a difficult place to find.

“Taking it step by step should work….”

As he was mentally prioritizing his tasks,

“Dojin, come down for dinner!”

He heard Joohee’s lively shout from downstairs.

“Already time for that.”

He immediately got up, opened the door, and headed downstairs.

Yujeong was already seated at the dining table, and Joohee, busy in the kitchen, was being assisted by Baekhyun.

A scene that had become familiar.

But one thing bothered him.

“How is the seasoning?”

“It’s good, Unni.”

“Hoho, that’s a relief. I was quite worried since it’s my first time cooking this dish.”

Baekhyun’s expression while talking with Joohee didn’t look very pleasant.

It didn’t seem like something upsetting happened… but there was a slightly melancholic vibe.

Even without conversing, he seemed to understand what might be going on.

Perhaps it was due to his position and his younger sister.

He had promised her.

To return the life she wanted in order to repay his debt.

However, despite several months passing, he hadn’t paid much attention to it.

Of course, it wasn’t intentional; it was just delayed due to constantly arising issues, but the fact remained that he hadn’t paid attention.

He needed to look into it before it was too late.

How to give her the life she desired.

And if possible…, even a way to cure his sister.

—

Kim Dojin pondered.

Between his previous life and his sister’s treatment, what was more urgent for her.

With contemplation, the answer came.

‘She would want her sister’s treatment more.’

Congenital mana deficiency.

A condition where the body lacks sufficient internal mana from birth.

When young, the body is small, requiring less mana, but as it grows with insufficient mana, tragedy strikes.

A body unable to handle the grown form with inadequate mana quickly loses vitality.

Ultimately leading to death.

Efforts were made worldwide by pharmaceutical companies to develop a cure for congenital mana deficiency, but none succeeded.

The solution to overcoming congenital mana deficiency is simple.

Forcefully increase the body’s mana levels.

Thinking along these lines, one method came to mind.

‘What if we administer elixirs?’

Attempts to treat congenital mana deficiency through elixirs have been frequent.

All of them failed.

Through these failures, the real issue with congenital mana deficiency became apparent.

‘The core storing mana itself is small.’

Mana is stored in a core near the heart, moving through circuits extending throughout the body like veins.

This is true even for ordinary individuals who do not consciously use mana.

Those who collapsed due to symptoms of congenital mana deficiency all shared one thing: their mana-storing cores were small.

Unable to even absorb enough mana to sustain the body.

After identifying the cause, vigorous research was conducted once again, but congenital mana deficiency remains an incurable disease to this day.

‘There is no way to forcibly expand the core.’

Medication, procedures, surgery.

None of these methods could enlarge the core.

As of now, congenital mana deficiency is considered an incurable disease beyond human conquest.

Even someone like Kim Dojin cannot conquer a disease that pharmaceutical companies worldwide have given up on.

That’s why he contacted someone who seemed to have a chance.

-“Congenital mana deficiency, you say….”

“Yes…. I thought if it was the Holy Maiden, she might know a way.”

Sophia Saintes, the pinnacle of the healing profession, capable of making even those facing death spring back to life.

He thought she might know something.

-“In the past, when I and other priests gathered, there was a time when we researched treatments for congenital mana deficiency.”

“There was a time….”

“Yes, unfortunately, we haven’t found a clear treatment method.”

“I see.”

The saints and priests of the Vatican Orthodox Church are all experts in healing.

For them to gather and research, only to fail, is truly a verdict in itself.

Congenital magic deficiency is an incurable disease beyond human conquest, they say.

“If even the saint has failed…, there seems to be no solution.”

It left a bad taste.

Having staked her life, he wanted to resolve her biggest concern.

As he hung his head in dismay.

-“…There is one way.”

At the voice that came through the screen, Kim Dojin’s ears perked up.

“A way… you say?”

Sitting somewhat stiffly, she turned to look this way.

-“I’ve heard a story about curing congenital magic deficiency once before.”

Kim Dojin’s eyes widened at this.

“Is that really true?”

It was nothing short of astonishing.

Until now, there had not been a single case of congenital magic deficiency being cured.

She spoke.

-“I heard they kept it hidden because they didn’t want the public attention.”

“Ah…”

-“Even if it were revealed, no one could attempt it anyway.”

Kim Dojin’s eyes narrowed.

“Is it… a risky method?”

-“No. I heard they treated congenital magic deficiency through elixirs.”

“Elixirs? But we know from experiments that they are ineffective.”

-“Most elixirs are like that. Except for one.”

Most commercially available elixirs have been tested by pharmaceutical companies.

In other words, among the elixirs not available on the market, there is one that can cure congenital magic deficiency.

“Oh.”

At that moment, a name flashed through Kim Dojin’s mind.

“…Elixir.”

At the muttered name, the saint reacted.

-“That’s right. Through the elixir, they resolved congenital magic deficiency.”

Only then did understanding dawn.

Why she said it was a method that couldn’t be attempted even if the case was known.

‘If it’s the elixir, it makes perfect sense.’

The elixir.

Just one sip heals all bodily ailments and wounds, while draining a whole bottle reconstructs the body into an ideal form, making it a legendary potion.

‘Yes, with the elixir, it’s possible.’

By reconstructing the body through the elixir’s effects, the core would surely expand.

This would allow for a greater intake of magic, thus curing congenital magic deficiency.

For a moment lost in dreams, Kim Dojin snapped back to reality and chuckled wryly.

“…It was quite an unbelievable story.”

The price of the elixir is estimated to be over hundreds of billions.

Not only is the amount a problem, but the item is unobtainable even if one had the money.

Because the merchandise has long dried up.

Some even say the elixir no longer exists in the world.

Disheartened by fleeting hope that quickly faded, the saint’s story reached above him.

-“Kim Dojin, Hunter.”

“Yes.”

-“Do you want to save her that badly? Would you use the elixir if you had it?”

“Well, I’m not sure.”

He pondered for a moment.

If he had the elixir in his hands and could use it to save her sister.

Would he use it without hesitation?

‘It would be a shame.’

Very much so.

But.

“I might hesitate a bit… but ultimately, I think I would use it.”

After much deliberation, Kim Dojin would have used the elixir.

Why?

Nothing special.

“I detest living in debt.”

Especially when it’s a debt of life, one wouldn’t want to carry it around and live with it.

Knowing full well how heavy and suffocating it makes a person’s heart.

In his answer, which clearly conveyed sincerity, she smiled gently behind the veil.

-“You truly are an unpredictable person.”

“Is that so.”

To her, he truly appeared to be that way.

Just when one thought they had grasped a certain degree of understanding, things would veer off in completely unexpected directions.

How many times had this already repeated itself? It had reached a point where it was impossible to keep track.

Perhaps that’s why curiosity began to stir.

Would he act as he did a little while ago when the elixir was in his hands?

Or would he… go against assumptions and use it to satisfy personal desires?

-“Hunter Kim Dojin.”

“Yes, Saint.”

-“I have an elixir with me.”

As Kim Dojin stared blankly at the sudden declaration, she continued.

-“I happened to have something to ask of Hunter Kim Dojin, which works out well.”

“Ask… what is it?”

-“As a member of the Guardians, there’s something I wish for Hunter Kim Dojin to do.”

Guardians.

They were undoubtedly an organization formed by the seven major sects to counteract the Seven Sins, weren’t they?

-“Did I not mention? I will definitely ensure that you are rewarded for the duties you perform as a guardian.”

She had indeed said that.

At the very least, she had promised to adequately reward them for their efforts.

-“If you carry out this mission, I will give you the elixir as a reward.”

“….!”

It was an offer that was hard to refuse.