Chapter 70

Chapter 69: Magic Power Rampage Syndrome

The voice was not good.

"What's wrong, Yeon-hwa?"

Jin-hyuk asked cautiously.

"Brother, Grandfather... Grandfather has collapsed. They say he won't make it through the night..."

If Yeon-hwa's grandfather is none other than Mr. Yoo Cheon-yeong?

I remember Kim Gi-tae mentioning Yoo Cheon-yeong during the awakening test.

He definitely asked if he was in good health.

Yoo Yeon-hwa had reacted strongly to that.

An old-timer who had played [The Tower of Trials] with the nickname 'Bulgwangdong Nuclear Fist.'

'If even Yoo Yeon-hwa, who always smiles brightly, is this disheveled and calling for help... '

There's no hope left.

She must just want to vent her sorrow to someone, like grasping at straws.

"Where are you?"

"Huh?"

"Where are you now?"

"Seoul National University Hospital. But even if you come..."

Seoul National University Hospital.

I'll have to change my plans for tonight.

"Wait there. I'll be there in 30 minutes."

＊ ＊ ＊

"Brother, I'm here."

Yoo Yeon-hwa was waiting in front of the hospital room.

"Thank you for coming. I... I didn't even know who to talk to."

Her face was haggard and gaunt.

Her eyes were red and swollen from crying.

I understand her grief, but first, I need to understand the nature of the illness.

"Can you tell me what kind of disease it is?"

"It's a symptom of magic power rampaging. Grandfather had a pre-existing condition, but it suddenly worsened after the Tower of Trials appeared."

The magic power from the tower had leaked out.

This caused various changes.

Artifacts in museums turned into holy relics.

This is also an example of the various side effects it caused.

I have a rough idea of the cause.

'It must be related to the martial arts Mr. Yoo Cheon-yeong learned.'

The magic power from the tower and the accumulated inner energy over a long period of time caused a rejection reaction, leading to the rampage.

"I might be able to solve it."

"R-Really?"

Yoo Yeon-hwa's eyes widened rapidly at Jin-hyuk's words.

The idea that someone could save her grandfather, whom everyone had given up on.

Even if the chances are slim...

Just the fact that there's a glimmer of hope is enough to melt her frozen heart instantly.

"First, I need to see his condition. He's inside, right?"

"Uh-huh. Just a moment."

Yoo Yeon-hwa, wiping her tears, opened the hospital room door.

Creak!

The sound of the door echoed loudly.

Inside the room, there were about a dozen people.

Doctors and nurses in white coats, healers holding what looked like magic wands, and robust men in martial arts uniforms.

Of course, the most noticeable was the robust old man lying unconscious on the bed.

Jin-hyuk's eyes narrowed.

This is Yoo Cheon-yeong.

'The strongest in Korea, perhaps.'

——————————————————

Name: Yoo Cheon-yeong

Gender: Male

Age: 78

Level: 5

Strength 25, Agility 50, Vitality 38, Magic Power 7, Immortal Qi 103

Stat Points: 0

Coins: 0

Occupation: None

Unique Ability: Taiji Wu Xing (太極無形)

Skills: Lv13 'True Tai Qing Flower Heart Method (眞太淸花郞心法)', Lv12 'No Retreat in Battle (臨戰無退)', Lv12 'Enhancement', Lv11 'One Against a Hundred (一當百)'

——————————————————

[Copy Condition: The current healers have long accepted Yoo Cheon-yeong's death as a foregone conclusion. If you expose their ulterior motives of leeching off him for billions and save his life, you can copy one of his skills.]

The stat window of Yoo Cheon-yeong, seen through the 'Eye of Greed,' was nothing short of magnificent.

Level 5.

However, one cannot judge this person by level alone.

While the specific rankings of players have not been determined yet, if you were to name the strongest person in Korea, Yoo Cheon-yeong's name would undoubtedly come up first.

Regardless of level and unique abilities, the sheer power he possesses is remarkable.

'He's never entered a dungeon, they say. It seems that's true.'

He must have only leveled up once, dealing with the monsters that broke out.

It's a bit disappointing that I missed it, as it happened while I was in the labyrinth.

'That's why I came here.'

I came here, abandoning a comfortable rest and a delicious meal.

Of course, my friendship with Yoo Yeon-hwa played a part, but the most important thing was to get the opportunity to copy abilities and skills from a strong person.

Meeting someone like Yoo Cheon-yeong is not a common occurrence.

Just then.

"Miss Yeon-hwa. Where have you been? Now is not the time to leave your post... Huh?"

One of the healers suddenly gasped.

He saw someone very familiar behind Yoo Yeon-hwa.

"It's Player Gang Jin-hyuk!"

"The one who got an S-rank recently!?"

"That's right. It's him."

"What brings him here?"

How could they not know?

The most talked-about player in Korea right now.

Not only did he receive an S-rank for his overwhelming magic power, but his martial prowess against Cheon Yu-seong and Hong Deok-pyo in the training ground was unforgettable.

"Miss, how do you know him?"

"I've known Brother Jin-hyuk for a long time. He offered to check on Grandfather's condition, so I brought him here."

"Really? Check on his condition...?"

"Could it be that Player Gang Jin-hyuk is offering to treat him?"

Everyone in the room spoke with a mix of doubt.

It's hard to believe.

Suddenly appearing and claiming to fix something no one else could.

No, more than disbelief, they were anxious that something important might be revealed.

'Damn it. Why did a top player suddenly show up?'

'Did he notice that we've been leeching off him with life support?'

'It's just showboating. Yeah, that's it. A guy who can only fight wouldn't know the difference between veins and arteries.'

Through the 'Mind Reading' ability of the 'Eye of Greed,' I could hear the healers' inner thoughts.

These people, who profit from others' hopes, are the worst.

These are the worst of the worst.

They know Yoo Yeon-hwa would never give up on her grandfather.

'Disgusting.'

Trying to make others cry for their own gain?

Jin-hyuk's face turned cold.

And at that moment.

The subspace inventory opened.

Whoosh!

A bottle of liquid, the 'Elixir,' appeared in a burst of light.

However, even seeing the elixir, called the universal panacea, the healers' expressions didn't change.

Some even clicked their tongues, as if they had expected him to bring it.

"We've used the elixir several times already."

Healer Huh Jin-soo spoke up.

Of course, they must have tried everything to treat Yoo Cheon-yeong.

Surgical procedures, various elixirs, and herbs—everything they could think of.

"You may be talented in combat, but this field is different. Different."

"There's no way to suppress this disease with any materials currently in the Tower of Trials."

"Of course. Don't worsen the patient's condition with half-baked knowledge."

Mocking and critical comments flowed.

What can I say?

It's like they're warning him not to step into their sacred domain.

Their elitism and sense of authority were palpable.

Now I understand the system's copy condition.

It must have been disgusting to see someone act like they know everything about the tower with half-baked knowledge.

I can fully understand that.

So.

I want to crush them even more.

Jin-hyuk pretended to tilt his head.

"Hmm. Did you use the elixir as is?"

"Of course..."

"Ha-ha. I can't imagine that experts in this field would pour the elixir down a patient's throat with a magic power rampage. Unless their heads are completely empty, right?"

"Thud."

"Ahem! Cough!"

The healers' faces turned red.

They were hit where it hurt.

But if they got angry or argued, it would be an admission of guilt, so they had to swallow their anger.

Good.

Now they seem a bit more docile.

"The patient's condition worsened because the cultivation method he practiced was in conflict with the magic power from the tower. The conflicting energies exacerbated his pre-existing condition. In other words, if we can find a way to dilute the conflicting magic power, we might be able to improve his condition."

"Then, does Player Gang Jin-hyuk know that method?"

"Of course, I do. Just like the excellent healers here."

"Huh?"

"Come on. Why are you being so modest? You already know that this method can only be used when the patient's condition worsens and they fall into a coma. That's why you've been waiting, right?"

Jin-hyuk smiled.

To an outsider, it might have looked charming.

But to the healers, it was a smile they wanted to hit with a cane.

'If I say I don't know, I'll never be able to work in this industry again.'

Huh Jin-soo gritted his teeth.

Being a healer, less skilled than a combat player.

If that rumor spread, it would be terrifying.

"Of course. We've been waiting for that reason."

"Exactly! Then, I'll learn a thing or two from these skilled healers."

Jin-hyuk took a step back.

Huh Jin-soo's face twisted as if he had eaten something foul.

"That... I do know the method, but we've used so many materials that it will take some time to gather them again. It will take at least a few hours, so I'd like Player Gang Jin-hyuk to do it instead."

"Hmm, that's strange."

"Strange? What do you mean?"

"About the materials. From what I can see, there should be plenty left."

A casual remark.

"Wh-what!?"

Huh Jin-soo involuntarily gasped.

His expression management was quick.

But it was useless.

I could hear his inner thoughts through the 'Eye of Greed.'

'How... Is he just probing? Or does he know about the kickbacks?'

How did he find out?

Jin-hyuk's lips curled upward.

'Only I know about the accounts. Especially the seven pseudonymous accounts and Bitcoin wallet addresses. Even if he were a god, he couldn't find out.'

"Looking at the pseudonymous accounts, wow. I see you also had Bitcoin. You must have made hundreds of billions. Of course, you wouldn't have money to buy materials."

"It... It can't be."

Huh Jin-soo staggered backward.

All the secrets he thought were impossible to uncover were now exposed.

'Sure enough, it's a cheating ability.'

Even with conditions, the power to read others' minds is overwhelmingly powerful.

But.

'Absolutely... '

Continuing Huh Jin-soo's thoughts.

'... cannot be allowed.'

This time, Jin-hyuk's pupils dilated.