Chapter 9

The device I received from Dr. Jin consists of three parts. One of them is a corneal implant device, the same as the one Kiril gave me. Dr. Jin detached the device that was attached to my eye and installed an upgraded model for me.

Poisner Device-V1

A combat-ready version of the prototype I had before.

For some reason, there were markings I hadn't seen before.

User Information

Poisner Class Level: 1

Black Aether: 1557

Physical Enhancement Ability: 'E'

Self-Healing Ability: 'S'

"Wow..."

I already knew that my current physical condition was on par with a low-level Knight. However, after wearing the new device, it seems that not only my physical abilities but also my healing ability have been reflected. Even though I haven't resolved most of the toxins in my body, my self-healing ability is rated as 'S'. What kind of body do I have?

And what is this Poisner Class Level?

I had many questions, but I had already left Dr. Jin's house (?). There's no way to contact him until he tells me about his new residence. I have no choice but to figure it out on my own. When I get home, I plan to conduct some tests. If everything goes as I think, I can make myself appear as a healer. For that, this thing's role is more important than anything else.

"Can you do it?"

-Gwong.

Bori flaps its wings and roars as if telling me not to doubt it. ...It's too ridiculous to call it a roar.

Kiril said that when he first awakened, he had red spots all over his body, just like me. That means he also couldn't fully control the toxins in his body. Surprisingly, Bori said it ate all the remaining toxins in her body. Considering the strength she showed, it's hard to imagine how vast the amount of toxins was. Therefore, I can draw the following conclusion: Bori can absorb an almost infinite amount of toxins. The reason for its overconfidence is probably due to this ability.

「I was hesitant about whether to tell you this...」

Before we parted ways, Dr. Jin told me one thing. He said he was the one who built the backbone of the communication network used by hunters in the past. Although the form has changed, Dr. Jin could eavesdrop on the transmissions between the Hunter Association and the guilds if he wanted to.

「Of course, I haven't used it until now. A long tail is bound to get stepped on, and I'm tired of hunter affairs.」

However, Dr. Jin felt a strong curiosity about the unprecedented dual gate incident. He checked the transmission records between the Glory Guild, which was in charge of the affected area, and the Hunter Association, and the content was as follows:

「Contrary to what is known, the damage to the Poison Team deployed in the Old Town was minimal. If they had been deployed to the Open Town, even if it was late, they could have halved the damage.」

「...!!」

This was a kind of confirmation of my suspicions. The media's report that it was an unavoidable incident at the same time was a complete lie. They abandoned the Open Town even though they could have done more, and the Association tacitly approved it. It wasn't just a matter of weighing lives; they outright abandoned one side. The reason they abandoned the Open Town was simple: it wasn't a profitable area.

"Sometimes, humans are more terrifying than monsters."

-Gwong.

Bori nods vigorously as if to say, "You're right." I pat its head and come down from Cheonggye Mountain.

* * *

Seoul, where land is expensive. Among them, Cheongdam-dong is known for its golden land. The headquarters of the Glory Guild, 'Glory Tower,' is located there. It's a large, grand new building constructed with expensive materials, boasting an appearance that seems to flaunt its status as the most powerful group in South Korea.

In the reception room of 'Glory Tower,' two men are sitting.

"Thank you for your hard work, President. I appreciate you inviting me."

The thin, white-haired journalist bows to the large man. The man opposite him looks to be in his 30s, about 15 years younger than the journalist, but neither of them pays attention to the age difference.

The leader of the Glory Guild and the best tank knight in South Korea, Koo Geun, is sitting in front of him.

"Hehe. No need to thank me. I hope our sincerity is conveyed."

"It will be conveyed without a doubt."

Koo Geun conducted an interview with the editor-in-chief of Joongang Ilbo for an hour. The topic was the recent unusual incident involving the dual gate and the poison monsters. Given Koo Geun's position, Joongang Ilbo couldn't send just anyone. The elderly editor-in-chief came personally as a gesture of goodwill, and they maintained a friendly relationship.

The media and large corporations are groups that need to be on good terms.

"Sincerity... sincerity..."

After leaving Glory Tower, the editor-in-chief repeated the same words. He knew exactly what Koo Geun meant by sincerity. The Glory Guild did their best during the dual gate incident, and the deaths of the victims were unavoidable. That's what it would be. The details and the 'truth' don't matter. Koo Geun wanted sincerity, not the truth, and the editor-in-chief would only write about that sincerity from now on.

Joongang Ilbo's newspaper and website are filled with Glory Guild advertisements almost daily. Over 30% of their total advertising revenue. Even if the editor-in-chief's grandfather were in charge, he couldn't ignore the 'truth.'

"Still... if you think about it, it's not entirely wrong. The Glory Guild did protect the Old Town..."

The editor-in-chief rationalized it to himself, his mouth tasting bitter. Koo Geun. His growth of the Glory Guild wasn't just due to his qualities as a hunter. Perhaps his talent as a businessman surpassed his talent as a hunter. His smooth talk, trustworthy image, and innate cunning, completely different from his sturdy appearance, along with his strategic ability to dodge the core issues, made him the most influential figure in the Hunter Association. Thus, even the largest media company in the country had to write favorable articles.

Is there really a group that can oppose the Glory Guild, which controls money, power, and the media?

The editor-in-chief shook his head and started his car.

Meanwhile, as soon as the editor-in-chief left, Koo Geun roughly untied his tie.

"What are so many questions for? Shit. Are your ears getting worse with age?"

The friendly smile he maintained during the interview was gone. Only a fierce warrior who crushes monsters on the battlefield remained. His raised sternocleidomastoid muscle and short, spiky hair seemed to reflect his temperament.

"How did the new recruitment go?"

Koo Geun asked the secretary who was standing next to him as they left the reception room.

"Yes. We recruited half of the top 30% of hunters who passed the qualification exam."

"Half... What's the average tier?"

The secretary's face stiffened slightly.

"B tier... There are about five A tier hunters, but a few C tier hunters are also included."

"C tier?"

His voice wasn't loud, but the low, deep tone made the secretary sweat.

Based on past experience, Koo Geun seemed quite dissatisfied with the current situation. Not only because of the position, but how many employees can face the anger of an S-tier knight?

The secretary, using all his brainpower, emphasized the inevitable situation.

"That was the best we could do. No S-tier prospects were found this quarter, and the C-tier hunters we recruited are all healer types."

Koo Geun's eyes softened at the mention of healers.

"Right... In a world where anything can happen, replenishing healers is essential. By the way, is Maria still in 'that state'?"

"Yes... She's in the dedicated healing room."

"Tsk... I wonder how long she plans to continue this foolish act."

Koo Geun shook his head and clicked his tongue. In the past, and especially now, healers are needed more than ever. The Glory Guild has a legendary healer who has been with them since the beginning.

Maria.

A founding member of the Glory Guild along with Koo Geun, she is one of the top three S-tier hunters in the country and even globally. The public's support for her is almost religious. Her face, as if crafted to heal people, and her benevolent smile make people feel healed just by looking at her. The public gave her the nickname 'Mother' despite her being in her early twenties, but the level of support for Maria is comparable to a religious following.

She is as kind as the benevolent smile she shows to people, but the problem is that she carries unnecessary guilt because of it.

"Let's go in."

"...Yes."

Maria's dedicated healing room. Koo Geun, standing in front of the door, scratched his head as if he didn't want to go in, and the secretary's face turned pale.

It's called a healing room, but it's a place where secret acts, completely opposite to Maria's image, are repeated.

"Ugh..."

As soon as they entered, the secretary pinched his nose shut due to the overwhelming smell of blood. Koo Geun's forehead creased deeply, but his voice became as soft as during the interview.

"Maria, this time it took quite a while."

"...You came."

A woman covered in blood, a far cry from the image of a mother, was kneeling on the floor.

"Let's stop now. We did our best."

"..."

Maria was silent for a moment, then drew a line on her carotid artery with her delicate hands.

Splat.

"Ugh... Ugh!"

As blood gushed out like a waterfall, the secretary couldn't hold back a groan. Koo Geun sent the half-fainted secretary out and held Maria's bloody hand.

"Maria."

Surprisingly, her neck was already smooth. Despite the blood still wet, her exceptional healing ability wouldn't leave the wound alone.

"President Koo, I still don't understand. Did we really do our best?"

Her usually warm eyes were filled with a cold, piercing chill. Koo Geun's eyebrows twitched for a moment, but he nodded with a stern face.

"Yes. Unless we had two bodies, we couldn't have blocked the dual gate with one team."

"What if we split the team? Or if we went to the Open Town later..."

"Maria."

Koo Geun's voice became firm.

"That sounds like you're saying I'm not qualified to lead the guild."

"That's not it... It's not, but..."

"I know. You always suffer thinking about the people we couldn't save. But I swear on everything I have. We, and you, did our best. This time too."

Please stop this foolish act.

That was what he most wanted to say, but Koo Geun swallowed it. What he was most worried about during the dual gate incident wasn't the media, the victims' families, or the government. It was the woman in front of him, covered in blood, Maria.

She was kind, but not foolish. The fact that the healing (?) process, which should have taken a day, has been going on for days is a sign that she is suspicious of the handling of the dual gate.

"I know you're grieving. I'll give you some time off. Go out and get some fresh air instead of staying in this dark place."

"Yes, I will."

She answered, but her voice still lacked strength. Is there an event that can give her a mental break?

Koo Geun, thinking hard, found a satisfactory solution.

"Later, I'll contact you. Go to the Hunter Association headquarters."

"The headquarters?"

"Yes. The condition of the recently recruited hunters isn't good. I want you to personally select potential healers for the next test and make a list."

She is kind to the point of feeling sympathy even for monsters. It would be better for her emotional well-being to observe the young sprouts rather than forcing her into the battlefield. It's not common for a corporate hunter to participate in hunter selection, but with the company being 'Glory Guild' and the evaluator being 'Maria,' it's practically a free pass.

Her seemingly innocent mind once again proved to be sharp.

"Yes, I will."

Maria answered as before, but her voice now carried a sense of relief.

I'll be out of this damn place soon.

Koo Geun, satisfied, greeted her.

"I hope you find a valuable connection at the next qualification exam."