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Chapter 59

He must have set some standards for me, but as my value increases, so should those standards and the likenesses of receiving more from him.

Plus, having an excuse to meet him privately later to receive the leftover compensation wasn’t a bad thing.

“I might forget over time, so try to collect the remainder as soon as possible.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

“Then, you may go back and rest now.”

Whoosh-

The moment Ludwig’s gaze fell on Se-Hoon, Se-Hoon’s entire body vanished from the office, just like how he was summoned.

Checking that he had safely returned to his hospital bed, Ludwig withdrew his senses and looked at Eun-Ha.

“As I mentioned earlier, I’ll use the cover story that you were attacked by a demon. It might be bothersome, but if you get interview requests, try to accommodate them a bit. You can name... the ones you usually don’t like.”

“Understood.”

“And for the research budget... let’s start with around one billion for now. As it’s only for you and that friend to use, the other professors might complain if I allocate too much.”

It was true that it was a smaller amount than the research grants professors usually received, but it wasn’t much of a problem. When considering that, in reality, only Se-Hoon alone would be using it, that was especially true. Besides, if he were to produce results, the budget and funding could be increased indefinitely later.

Affirming that the conditions were not bad, Eun-Ha nodded.

“Will do.”

“Good luck. It might be the path that’ll lead you to become a Perfect One.”

“...”

Hearing that, Eun-Ha silently stared forward.

Perfect One was a title and mark of accomplishment granted only to those who were a step higher than S-rank heroes and had ascended to the top of a Tower of Heroes. To her, that title was something she felt close to yet immensely distant from.

“I’ll try my best,” she answered calmly.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

“Then...”

Bowing, she turned around to leave the office, but she suddenly turned around and looked at Ludwig.

“Chairman.”

“What is it?”

“My eyes were on Lee Se-Hoon first.”

Caught off guard by her sudden statement, Ludwig stared blankly at her before chuckling and asking, “So, what do you wish to propose?”

“...I just wanted you to know.”

Leaving behind that evasive answer, she vacated the room. With no one left in the office besides Ludwig, a low voice echoed from beyond the white hole.

“Even that chunk of metal knows how to be greedy.”

Hearing the sarcasm, Ludwig nodded.

“Indeed. I never thought that, out of all the professors, Dean Ryu would be the one giving me a warning.”

“Be careful. From the way it’s growling at you already, it might even try to bite with just a little provocation.”

Had he pushed a contract and promised Se-Hoon funding instead of just stopping at compensation, Eun-Ha wouldn’t have just watched silently.

Ludwig recalled how Eun-Ha had blocked the way while he was talking with Se-Hoon and let out a small laugh.

“Don’t worry. She’s not at that point yet.”

“You truly have an incomprehensible hobby.... Anyway, which side do you think was involved in this?”

Immediately erasing his smile upon hearing the voice’s question, Ludwig answered, “It must be Exuviation. That dungeon was probably a place where they were conducting their research. They seem to have used Wurgen’s body part as a linchpin.”

“To think they implanted the body part of a Perfect One into a monster to accelerate its awakening... their technology keeps advancing.”

Despite the fact that this incident would cause a tremendous uproar if publicly announced, Ludwig had felt no particular feelings about it. As the leader of Babel, an educational institution and a giant research lab, he would have eventually encountered those who were a part of this realm anyway.

“It does seem a bit too early though...”

“Then, what will you do?” the voice asked, sounding a bit higher than usual. It seemed to be expecting something.

“It would be best to take care of it once.”

Seemingly answering that expectation, Ludwig vanished from the office leaving that calm reply, and the white hole disappeared along with him as if it had never been there.

From that day on, landslides and building collapses of unknown origin occurred all around the world.

***

“Hm...”

Waking up from a nap after returning, Se-Hoon immediately checked his body condition.

His entire body felt like it was being pricked by needles, his bones ached, and his joints creaked as if they were being wrung out.

He could only sigh upon feeling the horrible pain in every part of his body.

Still... this isn’t too bad.

Painful as it was, a wound without pain was far more frightening. In that sense, this level of injury was manageable, but no matter what he said, those around him wouldn’t listen.

Maybe I should have asked for an elixir from Ludwig...

With the right elixir, he could have used Soul Honing to instantly treat himself. With that thought, he began to seriously ponder whether to save the reward or shorten the six weeks of recovery time.

Knock knock-

“Hey. Are you asleep?”

He suddenly heard a casual knock and a quiet voice. Recognizing the owner, he sat up.

“Come in.”

The door opened as soon as he gave permission and a girl with silver hair—Luize—came in holding a black plastic bag.

“What did you come here for?”

“I came because I heard you were attacked by a demon and were injured,” she answered without hesitation.

Sitting down on the chair next to his bed, she looked over his body from head to toe.

“But you look better than I thought? I heard you were badly injured...”

“What do you mean, badly injured? This is practically nothing.”

Seeing Se-Hoon, who, apart from the bandages, seemed to have no injuries at all, she grew puzzled.

“Really? Professor An wouldn’t have restrained you here for six weeks without a reason though...”

“It’s true. I just have some torn muscles, slight cracks in my bones, and slightly weakened mana circuits.”

“Which parts?”

“Every part.”

“...”

Staring quietly at him for a moment, Luize wore a bitter expression and murmured, “I was wondering where you were injured, and it seems it was your head after all...”

“...”

“Well, don’t worry, and just eat this. It’s your favorite, Jason cherries.”

Seeing how she held out the black plastic bag with Jason cherries and spoke gently, Se-Hoon’s face was full of disbelief. It was hard for him to adapt to how different she was.

Back in the day, she would’ve just spat on me, saying it would heal.

On one hand, he was pleased to see that she hadn’t become twisted, yet on the other hand, he was disappointed that there was no one to empathize with his nostalgia.

As he ate the cherries while lamenting, Luize cautiously asked about his condition again.

“So... you’re not seriously injured, right?”

“I’m fine, really. Are you that worried?”

“Worried? What’s there to worry about? I was just curious, that’s all. You make it sound so strange...” she grumbled, annoyed.

Quietly watching her, Se-Hoon slightly lifted the corners of his mouth.

“Really? But I heard from Professor An that he was tired of you nagging about whether I was okay.”

“What?! I told him not to tell anyone about that, yet he already...!”

Midway into her reflexive shout, she suddenly widened her eyes, realizing something. Soon, her neck began to turn red.

“You... you...”

“Yeah, yeah. If anyone, it should be me you should be worried about.”

After all, he had helped her through tough times in the hospital and had taught her Incantation Magic that suited her aptitude. It was only human to worry a bit about their benefactor, wasn’t it?

Satisfied by her reaction, he nodded. At that moment, he suddenly remembered a method he often used before the regression.

“Ah, perfect timing actually. Say you want me to get better quickly using Incantation Magic. The more sincere it is, the better it works.”

“...”

“What are you doing? I’m the patient here, aren’t I?”

Trembling slightly, her eyes glowed blue as she clenched her fists.

Knock knock-

“I’m coming in.”

But before Luize could do anything, the door burst open without even waiting for a response to the tidy knock.

The one that walked in was a young man with black hair and a blunt expression—Sung-Ha. Se-Hoon’s eyes widened in surprise.

“What? Why are you here?”

“I came after hearing that you were injured,” Sung-Ha replied indifferently.

Then, acting like there was no other reason to be there, he approached and examined Se-Hoon from head to toe.

“You don’t seem to be that injured. Aren’t you being a bit of a crybaby?”

To others, his tone could be interpreted as him trying to pick a fight, but Se-Hoon responded with a brightened expression, seemingly having been waiting for someone to say that.

“Right? I said I was fine, yet they still won’t discharge me...”

“You shouldn’t have come to the hospital in the first place. From now on, don’t you dare get treatment unless you’re on the verge of death.”

“I was thinking the same.”

Looking at the two of them, who seemed to be in perfect agreement, Luize couldn’t help but wear a peculiar expression.

Am I the odd one here...? She was baffled by the absurdity of their conversation.

Meanwhile, Sung-Ha took out a small booklet and handed it to Se-Hoon.

“Take it.”

“What is this?”

“I’ve compiled a list of items you might need.”

Hearing his explanation, Se-Hoon briefly flipped through the booklet. It was a catalog listing various elixirs and equipment that aid the body, all of remarkable quality, leaving Se-Hoon quite surprised.

“What? Am I supposed to choose from these?”

“Yes. I’ll pay for my debt with that.”

“Thanks... wait, what?”

Upon the unexpected answer, Se-Hoon became puzzled.

“Wasn’t this a get-well-soon gift?”

“No, I just came here to settle an unpaid debt. Anyway, you must have a rough idea of what you need by now.”

“...”

“Is there a problem?” He looked at Se-Hoon as if questioning what the issue was.

Se-Hoon sighed in resignation.

“Of course...”

It wouldn’t be Yeom Sung-Ha if he actually brought a get-well-soon gift. It made more sense that he had taken this as a chance to settle a debt instead.

Se-Hoon wondered how he should deal with Sung-Ha.

“If that’s the case, why don’t you just leave right now?”

But before he could figure it out, Luize, who had been watching from the side, spoke up, staring at Sung-Ha with an annoyed expression.

“If you want to sell stuff, go and sell it at a market stall. Don’t come all the way to the hospital to be annoying.” She openly displayed her hostility.

In response to her fierce tone, Sung-Ha turned to look at her and asked calmly, “Are you Luize Valente?”

“So what if I am?”

“Hm.”

Scrutinizing her from head to toe, he muttered in a deflated voice, “You’re not very strong.”

“What?”

“Be quiet and leave the room. This is none of your business.”

Losing interest in her, he spoke dismissively, not even bothering to look at her. Upon his blatant disregard, her eyes turned cold.

“What if I don’t want to?”

“What did you say?”

“I said I don’t want to. Are you deaf?”

She glared at him, her lips twisted in disdain.

“Who are you to tell me to leave? Ridiculous.”

“...Presumptuous.”

“At least I’m not rude like you.”

As the conversation went on, the temperature in the room seemed to drop and the air was filled with a dangerous tension. It felt like a fight might break out at any moment.

Yet instead of doing something, Se-Hoon just watched with a fascinated expression, ignoring the charged atmosphere.

These two... the way their personalities are incompatible with each other is the same as before.

He had always thought that their clashes in the past were because of their messed up personalities, but he now realized that it was simply because their inherent natures didn’t mesh.

Though, when compared to before the regression, they’re both relatively polite.

If they were still the Mad Dog and the Blast Dog, they would have already thrown punches at each other.

Wondering when things would escalate, Se-Hoon continued watching with interest.

“Excuse me.”

“Ah, huh? Why is the door open... Yeom Sung-Ha sunbae?”

Entering through the door left open by Sung-Ha, the unexpected arrival of Erika and Jake slightly eased the previously tense atmosphere.

“Did you come to visit?” Se-Hoon looked at them in surprise.

“We heard you were seriously injured... but what happened here?”

Sensing the unusual atmosphere in the room, Jake glanced around cautiously. Unlike Jake, however, Erika strode forward, positioning herself between Luize and Sung-Ha.

She had inserted herself without paying attention to either of them, causing both their brows to furrow slightly.

“Here. A get-well-soon gift.”

She handed Se-Hoon a wooden box she had brought. The box’s elegant and unusual appearance caught his eye, prompting a curious expression.

“This is a get-well-soon gift?”

“Yes, open it.”

Following her suggestion, he carefully opened the wooden box.

Inside was a small pill with the appearance of yin and yang. The extraordinary aura it emitted caught his attention, and he immediately checked the information message.

[Yin-Yang Pill]

[Tier: Hero] [Quality: Perfect]

[A miraculous pill that holds yin and yang mana in perfect balance.

It specializes in stimulating body regeneration, and its power can be amplified based on the affinity with the elemental attribute of the wielder’s mana.

However, caution is needed when consumed by those with elemental mana attributes that have no affinity with yin and yang mana, as there may be a conflict.

*Stimulates body regeneration

*Amplifies elemental mana that has an affinity with yin and yang mana]

She had given him a difficult-to-acquire Hero elixir, the Yin-Yang Pill, which was known for its exceptional versatility and effectiveness.

Looking at Erika, who was proudly presenting the valuable gift, Se-Hoon spoke up.

“Is this really a get-well-soon gift?”

“Yes.”

“And you’re not going to ask me to pay for it?”

“I don’t do petty things like that.”

At her firm response, Se-Hoon briefly glanced at Sung-Ha, whose expression had hardened, perhaps finally realizing that he had made a mistake. In the meantime, Jake also approached and handed over a black box.

“I... brought something too.”

Upon receiving the box from him, Se-Hoon immediately opened it to find a palm-sized black jelly. At first glance, it resembled a slime, but inside it, he saw dense clouds of darkness mana.

Isn’t this...

He quickly checked the information message.

[Shadow Ether]

[Tier: Rare] [Quality: Perfect]

[Ether refined from darkness mana.

It helps rapidly recover weakened darkness mana and enhances its sensitivity.

*Recovers darkness mana and increases its sensitivity]

Shadow Ether... at this quality, I might even be able to use this to fully awaken my darkness mana attribute.

He had been considering fully awakening his darkness mana attribute soon, and this material seemed perfectly suited for the task. Seeing how Se-Hoon was pleased, Jake smiled.

“I heard it’s hard to treat injuries inflicted by mana of the darkness mana attribute, so I went looking for this. How is it?”

“It’s amazing. You’re not going to ask me to pay you, right?”

“That sort of thing... well... I usually wouldn’t do it, right?”

Glancing at Sung-Ha, Jake was cautious with his answer, seemingly understanding what was going on.

Now shifting his gaze slightly to Sung-Ha, Se-Hoon asked, “Anything you learned from them?”

At this point, one would probably assume Sung-Ha had understood what he did wrong.

However, upon hearing Se-Hoon’s question, Sung-Ha looked at Se-Hoon quietly before his expression hardened. Then, he leaned in closer. With a grave voice, he whispered into Se-Hoon’s ear.

“Be careful.”

“...?”

“There’s no way they’d give away items like those for free. It’s likely that they have some scheme in mind.”

Seeing the seriously concerned expression on Sung-Ha’s face, it seemed he was offering Se-Hoon some advice from the bottom of his heart.

And upon hearing Sung-Ha’s sincerity, Se-Hoon wore a big smile on his face and patted Sung-Ha’s shoulder.

“Leave.”

And with that, Sung-Ha was ushered out of the room alone.