LTTH C39

Chapter 39

It was a misunderstanding. No matter how much people said healers hoarded wealth, that was not yet the case for Hansol.

He only possessed the 150 million contract fee from the association and the promised funds for purifying the Dark Zone from the American side, though the latter had yet to reach him. His pure assets amounted to just the 150 million—a sum far less than what others might consider “a lot.”

“I would like to stay longer if possible.”

Moreover, Hansol was someone who wished to remain in Britain even without being clung to by anyone. Yet he had a commission that required travel every thirty days. Unless someone covered the penalty with the association, this procedure had to be followed for a year.

“Then…”

Hansol lightly suppressed the semi-corpse’s attempt to rise with a glance and turned away. Where else could he go?

“Hansol!”

At that moment, the thin flap of the tent lifted, filling his view with a light breeze and crimson hair. A mage wielding high-level buffs—Kassie.

With his characteristic graceful movements, Kassie quickly approached before greeting, then immediately began speaking rapidly.

“Good heavens. Hansol, where on earth have you been? Do you know how many times Isaac nearly died because of me? Had you been just a little later, it would have been me lying there, not Rachel!”

Clasping his hands tightly and locking eyes with Hansol, Kassie’s excitement was unabashed. Isaac followed behind, but he seemed oblivious to Kassie.

“Kassie.”

“Ahaha. No, no. It wasn’t just nearly dying—it was duels that teetered between life and death, countless times, you know?”

As the low voice behind him prompted the quick change in his tone, Hansol could not utter a word.

“Seriously, where have you been? Even tracking magic couldn’t locate you.”

Had they set such magic? Swallowing the urge to scoff amid absurdity, Hansol calmly replied,

“I returned briefly to Korea.”

“Oh, Korea. I thought you were from there all along. It’s the country that never withheld support for Britain, even to the very end. They truly have not forgotten.”

Well, that was hardly a noble intention. Hansol knew the Korean Association better than most; he could neither dispute nor argue Kassie’s words. Damn those damned associations—they owed their thanks to him.

“They are restoring the international dimensional magic circles properly now.”

“Not long now. Restoration has just begun. Moreover, a break recently occurred nearby, so it should remain safe for some time. That’s partly why this campsite was chosen.”

Indeed. The atmosphere felt somewhat eased beyond what he had thought.

Gate breaks never recur in the same zone for a time. Britain’s interval was shorter than Korea’s but governed by the same system. Different durations, but the same laws.

“Though remnants remain near, it is safe for now. Scouts possess the strength to handle the dangers.”

“This place is probably the safest in all of Britain.”

Isaac, growing more talkative, emphasized security again and again while hauling Kassie along. As Kassie was dragged from the tent, he flailed his arms and shouted,

“Hansol! If anything happens, call me!”

Could he really come if called? Watching him about to be led away helplessly, Hansol’s thoughts wandered idly.

“Don’t be upset that they won’t stay with you.”

What was with this guy? Hansol could not hide his incredulous stare upon the semi-corpse’s meaningless words. He would hardly be upset Kassie abandoned him. Rather, it was the unblinking gaze following his every move that weighed on him.

“The restoration of the international dimensional magic circles is vital for Britain’s future, so it is a choice made with tomorrow in mind.”

“I hope you understand that.”

Quoting excuses Hansol need not hear, the semi-corpse spoke quickly. He responded halfheartedly “Yes, yes,” then returned to treating the wounded.

After somewhat completing the semi-corpse’s care, Hansol’s first task was to separate the injured—those requiring even a regeneration skill’s aid on one side, and the less grievous on the other.

The lighter injuries healed rapidly with but a few casts of healing and healing light. A few days hence, such folk might rise beyond this tent and stand freely. Watching them gently exercising, Hansol exhaled and slid into a chair beside the semi-corpse.

‘There is no one in dire enough condition to worry about just now.’

Unlike before, Hansol had learned how to take things slower. He then pulled forth a skill enhancement stone from his rewards. Though he had heard much about weapon enhancement stones, a stone to enhance skills was a first.

His eyes swept over his skill list—Heal, Healing Light, Prayer of Healing, Purification, Blessing, Sanctuary Declaration—all familiar, yet filled him with pride. Yet, using the stone, no skill showed need for urgent enhancement.

‘It would be nice to see the change, at least.’

As ever, the system was hardly kind. It carved out unique exceptions for Hansol, but its usual lack of generosity operated fairly toward all.

“An enhancement stone, is it?”

“Yes?”

The semi-corpse, resting upright but turning his head, regarded the stone in Hansol’s hand.

“By its color, that is a skill enhancement stone? They are rare, but occasionally found.”

“Really?”

Hansol’s jaw dropped at the calm tone.

“Though rarer than the mana stones inside monsters, after slaying a few hundred or so, they appear.”

Did he know? Even this unruffled tone startled Hansol.

A few hundred. A simple number, yet England brimmed with monsters by the thousands. Moreover, such a stone was only a rare drop among all kills, regardless of grade. Surely the system’s injustice lay here, of all places.

“Do you need it? If so—”

“No, no. I am fine.”

Hansol’s expression stiffened at the system’s favoritism, but he soon recovered composure. He was no child to sulk over extra rewards in England.

Yet, sensing Hansol’s fleeting change, the semi-corpse sprang up abruptly.

“I can bring some immediately.”

As if ready to shower Hansol with heaps of enhancement stones, Hansol waved him down and laid him back.

Though generous stones were welcome, Hansol’s curiosity veered elsewhere.

“Can you tell how much a skill improves with this?”

“Hmm. I do not know precisely. The system is not so kind… but roughly it is about a one-and-a-half-fold increase.”

“…One-and-a-half-fold.”

The semi-corpse glanced into the void, rolling his eyes before continuing. Probably viewing his own system window, though no message politely stated such enhancements.

In other words, on intuition alone, a 1.5 times boost. And the stone was not too rare after all. Hansol flicked several stones in hand; there seemed no reason to hoard them.

Which skill should I enhance? His gaze lingered, settling upon one.

‘Sanctuary Declaration.’

Though it consumed skill points, it was his most potent skill.

After much thought, he found no better choice. The decision was slow, but once made, his actions were swift. Using an enhancement stone on Sanctuary Declaration, the stone gleamed briefly before fading.

‘Was it consumed?’

There was no indication on the skill window.

Skill cannot be enhanced.

‘Of course. It would not be so easy.’

In a different way, the disappointment was consistent.

Damn it. Swearing softly at the system, Hansol slid the stone back into inventory. Aside from Sanctuary Declaration, no skill required urgent improvement. None dissatisfied with their current effect. The conclusion: no immediate need.

“Personally, Sanctuary Declaration seems best. If prioritizing, that is.”

Though it had failed upon attempt. The semi-corpse’s offhand advice was perhaps less for enhancement than for annoyance.