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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Promise of Recovery
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"...You're joking, right? Even if you are, that's a bit too much."
Was it a tad excessive?
Choi Yeon-ah eased her pressure at the sight of Yeon Sung-hun silently enduring it.
"I don't joke about things like this."
"...You're serious?"
"Yes, I am."
Choi Yeon-ah clamped her mouth shut at Yeon Sung-hun's calm affirmation.
She had no idea how to take this attitude.
Her mind was a whirlwind of confusion.
After a brief silence, Choi Yeon-ah spoke up.
"...I can't believe it. Even high-rank hunters with Heal skills gave up. No potion could fix it. And you're saying a mere D-Rank hunter can? Are you mocking me?"
Her emotions flared as she continued.
Before she knew it, Choi Yeon-ah had slipped back into the sharp tone from her active days, glaring murderously at Yeon Sung-hun.
Though she couldn't use mana anymore, the fury of a hunter who had once stood at the top was no joke.
Yeon Sung-hun endured that intimidating pressure in silence once more.
"Of course, normal Heals or potions couldn't fix it. Your body, Miss Yeon-ah, has already 'healed' and stabilized in that state."
Choi Yeon-ah flinched at the steady voice.
It matched exactly what countless examiners had told her.
Her body was locked in that condition—recovery complete.
"..."
Did he see through her state at a glance?
Choi Yeon-ah's intensity softened noticeably.
Recognizing that meant he had at least some skill.
Still, she couldn't shake the doubt.
He was just a D-Rank, soon to be C-Rank, but far below her standards nonetheless.
Yet, had she glimpsed a spark of hope?
In her pit of despair, that tiny ember prompted her to ask cautiously.
"...If you're going to treat me, how do you plan to do it?"
"There are three ways to fix your body, Miss Yeon-ah."
"Three ways?"
Three methods to mend a body everyone had abandoned—not just one?
Setting aside her recent suspicions, Choi Yeon-ah pressed him urgently.
"What are they?"
"The first is to sever the messed-up circuits again and reconnect them one by one. As you know, it's extremely painful."
"If it heals my body, I can endure that much."
"The problem isn't just that. Reconnecting the countless circuits inside requires incredibly delicate work. Without exceptional skill, it's impossible."
"...So, can you do it, Sung-hun?"
"I could, but I can't guarantee success."
Not in this body, lacking his past life as Faust.
Choi Yeon-ah fell silent at his words.
The faint spark of hope flickered out.
"Anyway, I don't recommend the first method. It's inefficient from the start."
"What about the second?"
"The second is simpler. Rip out and replace every mana circuit in your body entirely. It's radical, but more efficient than the first."
"Then..."
"But unfortunately, you could die in the process."
Choi Yeon-ah frowned at Yeon Sung-hun's shrug.
Was he joking now?
Doubt and anger bubbled up again.
Just as she opened her mouth, Yeon Sung-hun spoke first.
"And the final third option. It takes longer than the others, but it's reliable and safe. Personally, I recommend this one."
"...What is it?"
"What's the best treatment an alchemist can offer? Potions, of course."
With that, Yeon Sung-hun lightly shook a potion he'd pulled out.
Choi Yeon-ah let out a quiet sigh.
"Potions won't work. None on the market have ever worked. As you said, my body's already healed..."
"Regular potions, sure. But mine are different."
She fell silent at his confident tone.
She'd heard from Han So-yul how exceptional his potions were.
She hadn't fully trusted it due to Han So-yul's flair for exaggeration, but even she acknowledged they stood out.
Still, could they really heal her?
How?
"I can't promise an exact timeline, but I guarantee it. I'll fix your body, Miss Yeon-ah. So you can get revenge on that bastard."
His straightforward voice wasn't overwhelmingly convincing.
But in her state of total surrender, it was the only hope.
Perhaps her long-honed hunter instincts helped her decide.
"...Please."
Her quiet plea.
Yeon Sung-hun smiled confidently.
"Gladly."
Their conversation ended when Han So-yul barged in, complaining about the drinks taking too long.
She must have sensed Choi Yeon-ah's overwhelming aura—befitting a top hunter—but tactfully pretended not to notice.
From what she said, she'd leaked just enough pressure to keep things from spilling over to civilian Yeon Hae-eun.
Choi Yeon-ah and Yeon Sung-hun quietly thanked the considerate Han So-yul.
Choi Yeon-ah especially berated herself for overlooking Yeon Hae-eun's safety.
She immediately apologized to Yeon Sung-hun for nearly endangering his precious sister. But since he'd pushed her to that point, he didn't blame her.
He'd been careless too.
Thanks to Han So-yul, Yeon Hae-eun stayed safe, and a grateful Yeon Sung-hun loaded her up with plenty of potions.
She insisted she hadn't done it for that, but she didn't refuse the gifts.
His potions were just too good.
Clutching an armful, Han So-yul joined Yeon Sung-hun and his sister for dinner at Lee Hee-yeon's.
Yeon Hae-eun was thrilled, and Lee Hee-yeon wanted to cook for her, so Yeon Sung-hun didn't object.
From snippets he'd overheard, her family situation wasn't great.
A high-rank hunter like her should have plenty of money, but family issues aren't always about cash.
Actually, was money even Han So-yul's problem?
He wasn't prying, but he vaguely knew her relationship with her parents was rocky.
Back home with Han So-yul, Lee Hee-yeon welcomed her warmly, as usual.
Her bright, pure social charm had half-convinced Lee Hee-yeon to adopt her as a second daughter.
It was a lively, heartwarming dinner.
After dinner, Yeon Sung-hun walked Han So-yul home.
Mid-chat, she asked abruptly,
"What were you talking about with unnie earlier?"
"Didn't you hear it all?"
With her physical prowess, she probably could have, but her reaction suggested otherwise. Yeon Sung-hun tilted his head.
"The mood was so intense. Didn't feel right eavesdropping. Plus, I had to watch Hae-eun."
"Thanks again for Hae-eun."
"Enough with the thanks. Just tell me what you talked about. Haven't seen unnie that mad in ages."
Yeon Sung-hun pondered briefly.
It bordered on Choi Yeon-ah's private matters.
But nothing worth hiding.
Given their friendship, she'd learn soon anyway.
"I agreed to heal the boss."
"Whoa, that's great news!"
Han So-yul beamed quietly.
Just a promise to heal, yet she doubted nothing.
Did she not know Choi Yeon-ah's full condition?
With their closeness, that didn't make sense.
So she purely trusted Yeon Sung-hun to do it...
He had to ask.
"If it's you, oppa, you can do it, right? Since you make those amazing potions."
Her innocent, trusting reply.
Yeon Sung-hun quietly admired how she retained her purity amid family woes and brutal hunter life.
Feeling oddly proud, he patted her head lightly.
"What's that suddenly?"
"Just proud of you."
"Your face looks totally like an uncle's... no, grandpa's right now, you know?"
Yeon Sung-hun shrugged lightly at her tease.
Including his Faust days, she was spot on.
But no way he'd admit that.
He just gave her a fond, grandfatherly pat.
She squirmed at the kid treatment but didn't push his hand away.
Deep down, she liked it.
They walked on with light banter.
As the nagging muscle pain faded, Yeon Sung-hun headed out late at night.
The Black Market auction had started, and he'd been invited to attend.
The items up for bid piqued his interest, so he accepted readily.
Arriving at the Black Market auction house after ages, it was surprisingly quiet and sparse—not the crowd he'd expected.
"We're treating this auction seriously, so riffraff aren't allowed."
Yeon Sung-hun nodded at Jeong Hyun-su's explanation.
Better than chaos from randos.
Jeong Hyun-su led him to a private booth.
All participants had such rooms, apparently.
"For comfort and anonymity. Blindfold and all that, but flashing around here does no good."
The first auction item appeared with his words.
Rift-sourced gear—not crafted by corporate or production-skill hunters, but pure dungeon drop.
These popped up in special rifts occasionally, boasting top-tier performance that hunters coveted.
"An incredible magic sword! Boosts physical stats and offers minor mana recovery! Certified by appraisers—a premium item!"
Bidding started after the host's intro.
The mana recovery tempted Yeon Sung-hun, but skyrocketing prices made him bow out.
No need to splurge.
Jeong Hyun-su, watching beside him, asked,
"Seemed interested. Not buying?"
"At fair price, maybe. Not at that markup. Potions suffice."
"Body boosts, fine. But mana recovery?"
"Hmph. Potions handle mana recovery too."
"...Mana recovery potions exist?"
Yeon Sung-hun shrugged at the stunned Jeong Hyun-su and refocused.
He ignored the persistent questions.
More items followed the magic sword's sale.
A few caught his eye, but all exceeded fair value, so he passed.
"What a waste of money."
To Yeon Sung-hun—practical and efficiency-driven thanks to Faust—endless bidding was pure extravagance.
"Hey, that's how we make bank. No complaints."
Yeon Sung-hun said nothing to the shrugging Jeong Hyun-su.
Indeed, their spending drove up his potion prices too.
After a long session, his potions hit the block.
"Next: potions! Super-special brews by mystery alchemist F! Heals even critical wounds flawlessly! Turns civilians into Hulks! Check your guides for details!"
Yeon Sung-hun watched the hyped host impassively.
No worries.
His potions were always the best.
Jeong Hyun-su had even sent samples beforehand.
To hunters, potions were extra lives.
Everyone wanted his superior ones.
These were all-rounders: healing plus stat boosts.
He knew they'd fetch top dollar.
Bidding exploded, as expected.
"Whoa... insane..."
Jeong Hyun-su marveled at the fierce battle.
Better than anticipated.
It had blown past their projected ceiling.
Worth that much for consumables?
Yeon Sung-hun addressed his shock calmly.
"They're buying to reverse-engineer and replicate."
Participants were big guilds/corps—surely with their own alchemists.
True goal: analyze and mass-produce similars.
Jeong Hyun-su frowned at the sharp insight.
"Isn't that risky?"
"No need. They might guess ingredients, but key materials and recipes? Impossible."
Without those, replication was a pipe dream—even in his past life when he'd shared recipes.
Earth's inferior alchemists? Laughable.
Yeon Sung-hun chuckled mockingly, watching leisurely.
Bidding stabilized eventually.
Three finalists battled it out.
Finally, his potion sold—for an absurd, billions-level sum unbelievable for one vial.
Not the finale, but undisputed top price.
"Yes! That's what I'm talking about!"
Jeong Hyun-su danced in glee over his smart choice.
Yeon Sung-hun stayed nonchalant.
He knew the hype inflated it.
Next auctions would trend down.
Once replication failed, prices would settle.
Not crash, but no repeat peaks.
Aware of this, he felt no joy.
Just acceptance.
"When's the payout?"
"By week's end, latest. Not thrilled? Insane price for one potion."
Shrugging, Yeon Sung-hun stood.
"Leaving? Not staying till end?"
"Saw my potion sell. Nothing else interests me."
"Huh. Fair enough."
Jeong Hyun-su saw him off.
On the way home, Yeon Sung-hun pondered the windfall's use.
'Guild building first.'
Time for a proper base.
Couldn't keep bossing Gye Cheong-san around sans office forever.
Gye didn't mind, but newcomers would.
'Buy a decent spot now, plan real HQ separately.'
Guild growth meant building new might be best.
'Training grounds, facilities—outskirts ideal.'
Less accessible, but better security and space.
Downtown? Costly nightmare.
No shortages ahead, but he hated waste.
Most big guilds were in quiet suburbs anyway.
'Leftover cash... gear for members?'
Not free—loaner style.
Boost their baseline power.
Efficient and welfare-friendly.
'That's the gist. Check with Cheong-san for oversights.'
Mulling expenditures, he headed home.
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