LTTH C22

Chapter 22

“Blessing.”

The utterance of the skill’s name escaped his lips, and a vivid golden radiance enveloped the Master of the Tower’s entire being. It was unlike the Purification or Healing Prayer cast moments before. The tentacles’ reaction attested to this. They faltered as they had before to Purification and Prayer, wrapping once more about the Master, but pain was evident. Had they been capable of sound, their thrashing might have been screams. At length, the black tentacles struggled fiercely before grudgingly releasing their hold.

Before the Master could sink into the dark swamp, James and Sehyun rushed forth, hurriedly bringing him to safety. The tentacles lingered in the void yet made no move to approach further.

“Haah, what was that just now?”

“…A skill.”

“‘Just’ a skill, you say?”

James’s blue eyes, sharp and unwavering, fixed upon Hansol. Though those eyes gripped firmly as if to bind him, Hansol regrettably knew little of that skill. Nor did he comprehend its effects. He was confident only of his innocence in its use.

“Ugh…”

The Master twitched on the ground, slowly shaking his head. Hansol suspected consciousness would return soon. Reassured somewhat, he cast both Purification and Heal upon the Master before turning away.

Six were ensnared by the tentacles, apart from the Master.

Hansol glanced down to his skill window. Mana was neither consumed nor were stats depleted. The skill ‘Blessing’ did not expend mana or points. Still, it was not an endlessly reusable gift. The principle of equivalent exchange remained—the consumption of one thing for the gaining of another, upheld steadfast since the system’s birth.

Therefore, it was most fitting that some unseen cost had been paid, unnoticed by Hansol. How many might the skill affect? Its precise effects remained unknown. Yet one truth shone—these bound souls could be freed. Hope and possibility stirred Hansol’s healer’s blood anew.

“First, we shall save those.”

“…A thousand questions arise, yet so be it.”

James watched Hansol’s resolute steps with a look wrought of deep curiosity before entrusting the Master to the Holy Knight youth and following close behind.

What would happen if the mana ever drained to naught? Initially, dizziness and headaches, akin to mild afflictions, would ensue. Yet mana generally recovered naturally, making the pain brief and bearable. But what if such recovery were impossible? The answer stood before his eyes.

Approaching the hunters lost to consciousness, Hansol once more cast Blessing. The spectacle was unchanged. Resplendent golden light cocooned the hunter, while the tentacles writhed in alarm, writhing frantically before finally relenting.

The embraced man hung limp as if already departed from life, yet warmth lingered, and a pulse was faintly felt. There was no cause for mortal concern.

This hunter, recently collapsed upon the earth, was well-known—familiar to Hansol. With pale skin and light brown hair, his bearing resembled Sehyun’s. The two shared the title of knight yet could not be more disparate in fame.

‘Was he not also a knight in England?’

Forsaken, abandoned by his nation; a fugitive before escape to England.

He was one who had survived, though some whispered ‘fugitive’ or ‘traitor.’ Yet such rumours faded before his zeal to clear Gates and slay monsters. His reputation had been reshaped. No longer did ‘fugitive’ or ‘traitor’ preface his name.

“Uh, Hansol.”

“……!”

“You have regained consciousness.”

Just as he gently laid aside the article on England, approaching another hunter, Hansol’s steps halted at a familiar voice. Turning, he perceived a wizard in disarray, struggling to steady himself as he approached.

“Haah, once more, Hansol has saved me.”

“Are you feeling well?”

Clutching his head, the wizard shook his head slightly—the mana yet not fully restored, though he appeared soon to recover.

“Yes, completely. By the by, how many times can you use that ‘Blessing’ skill upon me?”

“…I’m uncertain. For now, I must do what I can.”

“If it were possible to use it indefinitely…”

As if sharing a secret, the Master paused briefly and gazed intently at James before continuing.

“It seems there is a chance Hansol may be taken from us.”

“Ha ha. That shall not happen.”

Though wearing a strained smile and denial, the Master’s words suggested trouble should the skill prove unlimited in use. Though its precise effect remained a mystery, it was certainly potent enough to rescue from such monsters.

“Truly, Hansol… First fetch the dying, then we shall converse.”

The Master swiftly assessed those hunters ensnared by the tentacles and prioritized salvation—soon, all were freed.

Though Hansol had doubted the efficacy of the skill’s continuation, Blessing functioned normally until the last captive was saved.

Fortune smiled their way, yet as tension simmered between the Master and James, Hansol perspired cold sweat, watching warily. It seemed a cat and dog were set upon one another.

“There are sparks flying between you two…”

“That, Hansol, you must never forget—you belong to us.”

“Is not it for Darling to determine where Darling resides?”

“…Dar-ling? To whom does that pertain?”

“Certainly, to Hansol.”

“Bah. And yet I accepted you as a ranker.”

Words exchanged sharply, as the Master’s face contorted and mana quivered within his grasp. The air was charged as if a battle between him and James was imminent. Hansol’s eyes widened as he interposed between the two.

“W-wait just a moment!”

‘Are you both sane?’

Had they been clear-minded hunters, this would have been mere bickering only. The Gate still awaited clearing. Surely they would know this.

Yet neither was fully sane, it seemed.

Both must have been aware that unrest here could jeopardize the entire endeavor. The boss remained unseen, let alone the lesser monsters. With hunters weakened and ensnared, conserving energy was paramount—even here.

‘What on earth are they thinking?’

Though Hansol had but five years’ experience, he understood well the impact of party dynamics on the success or failure of a Gate clearing. Rankers above all else must comprehend this.

He cared little to know what folly had so unsettled their minds to forget the Gate’s clearing; for now, Hansol could do naught but divert attention. Without hesitation, he cast forth a question meant for the Master and altered the course of conversation.

“Pray, wait a moment. I inquire—Can the Master perceive the effects of this ‘Blessing’?”

“Perhaps it does not appear within the skill window.”

“Indeed, regrettably.”

Moved by Hansol’s earnestness, the Master loosened the mana clenched within his hand and gazed into the void. Presumably, he watched the system’s window before his eyes.

“This differs from mere ‘Purification’ to dispel curses or ‘Heal’ to restore vitality.”

“Now that you mention it, I did not receive this. Darling, use it on me as well.”

“Hansol, you must understand that hunters strengthen only through items or leveling.”

“Of course.”

“Now wait. I ask again—Use it on me.”

“Please, be silent.”

“Silence, what?”

“In truth, as hunters climb to ranker status, leveling slows. The amount of experience demanded grows, and so do the requirements for items.”

Wise words. Hansol’s level, lingering around twenty despite recent rapid experience gains, made leveling comparatively swift thus far. Beyond level one hundred—the dreaded ‘witch’s district’—hoping to level through mere Gate clears would be a forlorn pursuit.

“Although high-ranking wizards employ buffs, these typically only enhance mana regeneration. The same goes for other classes. But this ‘Blessing’ is different. It increases total stats—health, mana, attack speed, and more. Do you understand?”

“…Surely not.”

“It means the skill lifts the combat power of hunters by at least one and a half times. Simply put, a hunter of level 100 receiving your buff, Hansol, fights as though they were level 150.”