The Late Game Healer Is Way Too Strong – Chapter 174

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟕𝟒: 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐢 𝐊𝐚𝐧𝐠-𝐲𝐮𝐥

A genius is someone who transcends time.

For example, let’s say a genius appears once a month.

Can someone who appears only twelve times a year in a single field truly be called a genius?

It would be difficult to say so.

Just as an Italian artisan meticulously weaves a masterpiece, a genius emerges from the depths of accumulated time.

Because they are not as common as mass-produced goods, people are fascinated by geniuses and eagerly await their emergence.

Recently, the Korean Hunter community has been abuzz with excitement and controversy.

While the appearance of Min Siwoo, once known as one of the Three Venerables, was welcomed, the fall and betrayal of Ryu Ji-hwan, as well as the emergence of two S-rank Gates and frequent Gate occurrences in Asia, have caused no small amount of unease among the populace.

As the expectations placed on the genius Ryu Ji-hwan dissipated, people yearned for someone to appear who could once again inspire their hopes.

That’s when news broke of the birth of a new star who had surpassed Ryu Ji-hwan’s record.

The appearance of the new prodigy, Choi Kang-yul, was more than enough to quench the public’s thirst.

“Is this the first S-rank Hunter in years?”

“In any case, it’s definitely the first since Ryu Ji-hwan.”

“He may be skilled, but his personality is lacking. However, I’ve heard Choi Kang-yul is well-known for his good manners.”

“I wish he would join our Guild.”

“Wake up. Is he crazy? He’d never go to a mid-sized Guild like yours, not when he could go to Heptagram.”

“Oh, but dreams are meant to be dreamt.”

The Guild Leaders gazed at Choi Kang-yul with a glimmer of hope that he might choose them.

If only he would choose their Guild, even just once. . . they thought to themselves.

Even the Guild Leaders of Heptagram, recognized by the Republic of Korea, eagerly anticipated Choi Kang-yul’s choice.

But the world is full of ironies.

“The Guild I wish to join is. . . Hunter Min Siwoo’s [Mad Dog Guild].”

Choi Kang-yul’s choice surprised everyone present.

If there was one person in this place who didn’t want him to make that choice, it would have to be Siwoo.

“Ha. . . interesting.”

Siwoo’s lips curled into a smile.

“Why on earth did he choose you?”

Do Kyung-hoo looked at Siwoo with a slightly tipsy expression.

“Master, is this the first time. . .you’ve ever been chosen?”

“Uh, yes.”

“And the first person to choose you. . . is a coveted S-rank rookie.”

Kang Yeo-hwa’s expression was filled with envy.

Choi Kang-yul, the only graduate who had chosen [Mad Dog Guild].

The Guild Leaders, including Heptagram, looked at Siwoo and Choi Kang-yul in turn, their faces filled with surprise.

Their expressions all seemed to convey that his choice was unexpected.

“Oh. . . Graduate Choi Kang-yul. May I ask why you chose [Mad Dog Guild]?”

The host, who had been observing the situation, directed the question to him naturally.

“It’s a personal reason.”

Choi Kang-yul answered curtly before returning to his seat.

“Hyung, didn’t you say you weren’t interested in recruiting Guild members? Are you going to refuse?”

“Master, you should definitely accept! Just look at the expressions of the other Guild Leaders. They’re all after him.”

“Hahaha! If you turn him down, I’m going to have to make sure he joins [Brawler]. I have to raise him as my successor.”

Siwoo scratched his chin and glanced at Choi Kang-yul.

When his gaze met Siwoo’s, he bowed his head slightly.

“Hmm. . . this was not in my plans. What should I do?”

Siwoo tapped his fingers on the table, lost in thought.

🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷

A few days later, in the training hall of [Mad Dog Guild].

Siwoo sat at a table on one side of the training hall, waiting for his ‘guests’.

Moments later, Kang Yeo-hwa, Min Si-joon, and Lo-an arrived, followed by Benedict, Do Kyung-hoo, and Choi Kang-yul.

“Greetings, seniors.”

Choi Kang-yul arrived first and greeted those seated at the table with a stern expression.

“Oh~~ Our [Mad Dog Guild]’s rising star, it’s nice to finally meet you!”

“. . .You are not a member of [Mad Dog Guild].”

Lo-an, who was standing next to him, corrected Benedict’s exclamation.

“Hey~ If we’re under the same teacher, aren’t we in the same Guild? Besides, we’re comrades who have fought side by side, hahahaha!”

“. . .I have never fought side by side with you.”

“Can you two stop having silly conversations in front of the junior?”

Kang Yeo-hwa, unable to bear it any longer, stepped in and ended their conversation.

“Welcome.”

Siwoo approached Choi Kang-yul and extended his hand first.

“It’s a. . . pleasure to meet you. My name is Choi Kang-yul.”

“Yes, it’s the first time we’re speaking.”

“. . . . . .”

“I called you here today to talk about your application.”

Choi Kang-yul, who had not been nervous even in front of dozens of Guild Leaders, had a stiff expression for the first time.

“What do you mean by ‘talk’? Don’t tell me you’re going to refuse. . .?”

“Hmm? No, not at all. My other disciples are urging me to accept you unconditionally. I was going to accept you anyway, even if it wasn’t for that. But let’s move to a different table for now.”

Siwoo chuckled and led Choi Kang-yul to a table a short distance away.

“Sit down. Would you like some coffee?”

“No, thank you. I’m fine.”

Choi Kang-yul sat down in a rigid posture, waiting for Siwoo to finish speaking.

“You don’t have to be so stiff. Relax.”

“I’m fine. My father is a soldier, so I’m used to it.”

“Well, then. . .”

Siwoo took a sip of his coffee.

He could see his companions listening intently from afar.

“Is there anything you want from our Guild? Such as a signing bonus, or perhaps a steady supply of artifacts or items?”

“Nothing in particular.”

“I see. . . Then why do you want to become a Hunter?”

“It’s been my dream since I was a child.”

“A dream? What part of it, exactly?”

“I wanted to protect people from monsters. And eventually, I want to become a strong Hunter and clear Gates.”

Siwoo stroked his chin.

His goal itself was not clear, but the intention behind it was clear and certain.

The spirit and passion he sensed in the other’s eyes were so ardent that they spoke for themselves, without the need for empty words.

“You don’t have to worry about becoming a strong Hunter. I’ll make sure you become one, whether you like it or not.”

“Is that so. . .”

Choi Kang-yul smiled faintly for the first time at Siwoo’s dry joke.

“I don’t plan on growing my Guild as large as others. I won’t increase my members much, and I plan to keep the size around the same as it is now. I won’t hold back on money, though. I don’t have much desire for money, so I share my portion with my members.”

“Oh. . . that’s fine. I didn’t join because of money. If I can learn under Hunter Min Siwoo, that’s enough for me.”

“May I ask you one thing?”

“What is it?”

“Is there a reason why you specifically want to join [Mad Dog Guild]?”

Choi Kang-yul closed his mouth and hesitated for a moment.

Then, very carefully, he began to speak haltingly.

“Actually. . . when I was young. . . a Gate went berserk and the car I was in with my parents was attacked. My parents tried to make sure that at least I would escape, but. . . I was too young and just cried on the spot. . .”

He paused for a moment, fiddling with his calloused fingers.

“The monster came closer and closer. It could have been because of my cries, or it could have been because of the blood my parents were shedding. Just when I felt like it was all over. . . someone approached and killed the monster in an instant.”

“. . . . . .”

“And they healed my parents’ bleeding wounds and had someone else evacuate our family to a safe place.”

Choi Kang-yul recalled that emotion as he recounted the memory, which was both terrifying and heartwarming.

“Later, when I was old enough to understand, I tried to find that Hunter, but there was no information at all. I worked hard in silence because I wanted to become a Hunter like that, but I didn’t know who it was, so it was frustrating. But then. . .”

“. . . . . .”

“Not long ago, I saw a familiar face on the news. They said it was a Hunter who had represented the Republic of Korea over a decade ago.”

Choi Kang-yul slowly raised his head, which had been bowed until now.

His expression was composed, but his eyes were moist with a determination that was quite different from before.

“Hunter Min Siwoo, you are my family’s benefactor. My life was extended thanks to you, so please let me serve you in the future.”

Siwoo smiled faintly, feeling a bit embarrassed.

He would occasionally receive words of gratitude like this.

It wasn’t a common occurrence, but it was true that he felt awkward whenever he received them.

Since he had never done anything with the intention of receiving someone’s gratitude in the first place, hearing such words felt like receiving an unexpected gift.

Siwoo stood up and patted Choi Kang-yul on the shoulder.

“Let’s do our best. . . disciple.”

“Yes? Yes, thank you!”

🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷

“I’m glad Master likes him.”

“Sister, aren’t you upset that hyung is taking away a good prospect? I feel a bit sorry for him.”

“I am sorry, but let’s be honest. Which one has a better chance of growth, someone under us or someone under Master?”

“That would be. . .hyung.”

Min Si-joon did not offer much of a rebuttal to Kang Yeo-hwa’s words.

His regret was from the perspective of a Guild Leader. However, as a Hunter, it was only natural that joining Siwoo’s Guild would be the wisest decision, more so than joining any other Guild.

“Hahaha, I’m sorry. What you should be worried about is not whether the newbie will learn well, but when he will surpass you.”

“Hey. . . Hunter Do Kyung-hoo. . . Isn’t that a bit too harsh?”

“Oh, Min Si-joon. Think about it carefully. He’s someone who has been S-rank since he became a Hunter. And if his teacher is your brother, it’s obvious that he’ll rise in rank.”

“. . .Hmm.”

Min Si-joon realized that there was truth in those words, and his face grew troubled.

“Oh? The two of them are moving to the center of the training hall.”

Kang Yeo-hwa pointed at Siwoo and Choi Kang-yul with her finger.

People’s gazes naturally turned to the two of them.

“Are you sure it’s okay? It must be nerve-wracking to be in front of all these rankers.”

“No. I’m just ashamed to show my skills in front of my benefactor.”

Choi Kang-yul answered Siwoo’s question with a stoic expression.

The reason he had come to the training hall was none other than this.

After hearing Choi Kang-yul’s background and past that had led him to [Mad Dog Guild], Siwoo had asked him to have a light spar with him.

“Let’s. . . see your skills with your S-rank abilities.”

“I will do my best.”

Choi Kang-yul’s eyes lit up as he charged at Siwoo.

“Your speed is not bad.”

A smile spread across Siwoo’s lips as his opponent approached him.

A barrage of lightning-fast punches flew towards Siwoo.

Even though they were punches without mana, their speed and power were considerable.

Siwoo dodged the attacks by a hair’s breadth and observed Choi Kang-yul’s movements.

In that instant, Choi Kang-yul put Siwoo in a chokehold and attempted to headbutt him.

However, Siwoo’s counterattack was faster.

Smack!

A short blow landed on Choi Kang-yul’s abdomen, and a groan escaped his lips.

“It seems you have the basics. You’re also skilled in close combat. All you need to do is learn how to apply and combine your skills. . . Shall we start the real sparring now?”

“Yes, understood.”

Mana surged from Choi Kang-yul’s body.

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