Chapter 7

“One bottle of oil… is worth one… one million won?”

“Selling just one bottle would cover my rent?”

My mind went blank.

For humanity, curing mana poisoning had always been a shared dream.

And now this single item claimed it could do exactly that.

For a moment, I wondered if I was still dreaming.

“Can this really reduce mana poisoning?”

“Even when S-rank Saints and Healers spend all day using their skills, even when they pour holy water over a patient’s entire body, they can only keep the condition from getting worse. They can’t actually heal it.”

Mana Poisoning.

Even S-rank Hunters had been helpless against it.

If this contract could truly treat such an incurable disease…

Then this wasn’t merely a rare item.

It was hope that could change history.

“If that’s true…”

“Then humanity might actually be able to conquer the Gates.”

One after another, the faces of legendary hunters forced into retirement because of mana poisoning came to mind.

So did the Hunters whose abilities had greatly declined because of it.

Then…

I even thought of my parents.

The ones who had lost their lives to a gate.

After waiting quietly, Mimi finally answered.

“Of course.”

A tremendous surge of excitement swept through me.

I dropped to my knees and tightly grabbed the cat’s tiny black paw.

Its soft fur brushed against my sweaty palm.

“T-Then…”

“Can this contract heal Hunters besides the person who signs it?”

“That depends on you.”

“Depends on me?”

“Your skill will eventually make it possible.”

“My skill…?”

For a moment…

My mind went completely blank.

It didn’t feel real.

The world’s greatest researchers and healers had devoted everything to curing mana poisoning without making even the slightest progress.

And now…

I was being told that my skill would create the cure.

It sounded impossible.

Something no one else had ever achieved…

“I…”

“My skill…”

Ah…

Now I understood.

Now I knew why my status window had contained those grand words about saving humanity and protecting Earth’s peace.

I still didn’t know exactly why this mysterious cat had chosen me or granted me these powers.

But one thing had become perfectly clear.

I finally knew…

What I was meant to do.

The Next Morning

“…Mmm.”

The smell of dawn tickled my nose.

As I slowly opened my eyes…

A blue light filled my vision.

I’d fallen asleep on the sofa, and the television’s blue screen was shining directly into my face.

“…Ugh.”

Half-asleep, I focused my eyes.

Mimi was lying flat on her back in front of the TV…

Fast asleep.

“So that’s why…”

“Every time I came home, the TV was mysteriously turned back on.”

“News-addicted cat.”

Letting out a small sigh, I forced my sleepy eyes open and got up.

Hearing me move, Mimi woke up and stretched all four legs lazily.

“Yaaawn…”

“Why are you already awake?”

Just as Mimi said…

I’d only slept for two or three hours.

But I didn’t feel like staying in bed.

“I feel guilty.”

“Guilty about what?”

Instead of answering, I pointed at the television with my chin.

The previous night’s news was still playing.

Hunter Kang Jinseo! Have you awakened a Search Skill? What’s the secret behind becoming the first person to clear a Maze Gate? Are you planning to assist with the remaining twenty-one Gates?

Which country will you help first?!

Reporters crowded around Senior Jinseo like moths flying toward a flame.

They shoved microphones and phones in front of him.

He was famous for never showing emotion.

Yet even from the way his brows were tightly furrowed…

It was obvious how much he hated the situation.

That was why I felt guilty.

Because he was receiving worldwide attention…

For something he hadn’t even done.

According to Mimi…

The moment I left the gate, it had teleported me straight back to my shop.

That was why the media believed Jinseo had been the first person to clear the gate.

When I asked why it had done that…

Mimi answered simply.

“If I hadn’t…”

“You’d be trapped in that crowd of reporters right now.”

“And besides…”

“I needed time to convince you.”

It was hard to deny.

If Mimi hadn’t teleported me away…

I probably would’ve lost my mind.

Before I’d even accepted the fact that I had awakened…

The Hunter Association would’ve dragged me from place to place.

“So…”

“Korea’s number one Hunter?”

“Yeah.”

“I need to master my skills as soon as possible so I can clear up the misunderstanding.”

“And I still have to find a Hunter willing to sign the contract.”

“I thought someone like you would hate making other people sign contracts.”

“I do hate bothering people.”

“But…”

“After seeing the buffs this contract provides…”

“It doesn’t feel like I’d only be causing trouble.”

“And honestly…”

“I don’t think I can survive entering another gate alone.”

“Have you decided who you’re hiring?”

“I’m still thinking.”

“Don’t hire just anyone.”

“Your skills are powerful.”

“But if the person using them is weak…”

“You’re finished.”

I nodded.

Of course I wasn’t planning to recruit a low-ranking Hunter.

Even if Maze Gates were generally low-ranked…

There were still twenty-one of them.

Anything could happen while clearing that many gates.

I wanted someone experienced.

Someone high-ranking enough to handle unexpected danger immediately.

“So who’s your first choice?”

At Mimi’s question…

My eyes drifted toward the TV on their own.

“Korea’s Number One?”

I flinched and shook my head vigorously.

“What am I thinking?!”

“No!”

“How could I possibly hire the busiest Hunter in Korea?”

“And…”

“He’s already suffering because of me.”

“I’m not shameless enough to ask that.”

“Then who?”

“…Maybe Sister Nara?”

“The one ranked twentieth?”

Among all the Hunters I knew…

She was the only high-ranking one I could comfortably ask for help.

Still…

There were too many problems.

She was a healer.

She had recently founded her own guild.

She was already incredibly busy.

And after this incident…

One of her key guild members, Hunter Oh Hyeongtaek, was trapped inside the Tokyo Gate.

She probably didn’t even have time to breathe.

“…Besides, asking such a busy person feels wrong.”

Since she rarely entered Gates herself…

Her mana poisoning wasn’t severe.

She probably wouldn’t consider my contract particularly valuable.

“Hmm…”

“Actually, Hunter Oh Hyeongtaek would’ve been perfect.”

“The rookie?”

“Wasn’t he ranked fifth?”

Hunter Oh Hyeongtaek was an S-rank.

The newest S-rank Hunter to awaken.

With his handsome face, model-like physique, and friendly personality…

He had become extremely popular both in Korea and overseas.

I’d even seen an interview where he admitted that he loved receiving attention.

Especially the applause and camera flashes after clearing a gate.

That was probably why he had volunteered first when Japan requested assistance.

“He probably would’ve loved being called the Hero Who Saved the World.”

“He’s noisy…”

“But he’d be useful.”

“The problem is…”

“He’s trapped inside the Tokyo Gate.”

“…Ugh.”

There really wasn’t anyone who perfectly matched my conditions.

South Korea simply didn’t have enough S-rank Hunters.

That meant I’d have to consider A-rank Hunters instead.

But who…

“Haaah…”

“If only Donguk Oppa were here…”

I grabbed my head and sighed deeply.

At this rate…

I might have to dig out my Hunter Academy graduation album and hold auditions.

“My head hurts.”

“I’ll think after taking a shower.”

Maybe cooling my head with cold water would help me think of someone suitable.

Just as I headed toward the bathroom…

The cat hurried in front of me and blocked my path.

“Feed me first.”

“You’re not really a cat.”

“You don’t have to keep pretending anymore.”

“Go feed yourself.”

Right then…

The sleek black creature let out a loud,

“Meeeow.”

“…Seriously?”

“What am I supposed to do with this shameless cat?”

Standing with one hand on my hip, I looked down at it.

“If I feed you…”

“What will you do for me?”

“What?”

“It’s only natural for a human servant to feed their cat!”

“That only applied when you were an ordinary cat.”

“…You’re hurting my feelings.”

The black tail swished irritably from side to side.

Clearly…

It was annoyed.

“But will you still be annoyed…”

“If I have this?”

I reached into a cabinet the cat couldn’t reach and pulled out a premium can of cat food.

I only gave it to Mimi once a week.

“Hmm…”

“I was going to give you this if you helped me.”

“My goodness!”

The cat’s vertical pupils instantly became perfectly round.

The proud little creature immediately started rubbing itself nonstop against my legs.

“What is it?!”

“Tell me already!”

I couldn’t help laughing.

Watching Mimi behave exactly as it always had made me feel strangely relieved.

The Mimi I knew…

Hadn’t disappeared after all.

Click.

As I opened the can, I smiled.

“Teach me how to use my skill.”

“The fast way.”

“Fine, fine!”

“Just hurry up and open it!”

The cold shower left my shoulders shivering.

Every time I thought about the fact that I could now cure mana poisoning and conquer the Gates…

A strange heat spread throughout my body.

A cold shower was the only way to clear my head.

By the time I finished…

My thoughts had become much clearer.

The fatigue was gone.

All I could think about now…

I was mastering my skill as quickly as possible.

The penalty for failing the quest kept replaying in my mind.

“You’ll lose someone precious.”

“That’s the worst possible outcome.”

After tying my hair into a ponytail…

I walked toward my workshop with determined steps.

As I reached the door…

I absentmindedly picked up the medicine sitting beside it.

The workshop was always filled with the strong scent of flowers and essential oils.

Normally…

The smell gave me terrible headaches.

Taking medicine beforehand had become a habit.

But then…

I realized I didn’t need it anymore.

The fragrance filling the room smelled wonderfully pleasant.

There wasn’t the slightest hint of a headache.

It was the moment I truly realized…

That I had awakened.

“Teach me how to use my skill, Mimi. ”

As I took out my flasks, droppers, and other tools…

I found myself smiling.

For the first time in a very long while…

Working felt exciting.