"Thank you for saving me earlier."
“…?”
Lee Chae-jin politely lowered his head. As I looked at him in bewilderment, I remembered how I was the one who got hit by the hydra's tentacles instead.
"Oh, that was… I moved my body unconsciously."
"…"
"And I wasn't really hurt…"
Lee Chae-jin stared at me as I fumbled for my words out of embarrassment.
"Still, if it weren't for Hunter Han Yi-jin, I would have been captured by Hydra."
"Well… yes?"
"Unlike Hunter Han Yi-jin, I might not have been able to endure.""Hmm…"
Well, that's possible. Alchemist Lee Chae Jin is a production-type hunter; he might not be able to hold on like me and may have been dragged underwater. If that had happened, it would be even more difficult to save him. I nodded at Lee Chae-jin's words, and he approached me.
"I don’t like to owe anyone."
"Uh… is that so?"
"My life motto is not to owe to others and not to help others."
"Haa…"
That sounds like a great emotional quote inspired by Ebenezer Scrooge. Well, I guess that's understandable considering Lee Chae-jin's past from the novel. There should be many people who envied and took advantage of him as a genius alchemist.
I nodded silently, and Lee Chae-jin continued.
“So if there is anything you want from me, just tell me.”
"Something I want…?"
"Anything, but not for the price of my life, as you know, I am a remarkable alchemist."
"Ah."
So, was he suggesting compensation for getting caught by Hydra in his place earlier? The words that came out of Lee Chae-jin's mouth were unexpected, and I was momentarily stunned.
However, this was a golden opportunity to get the potion from Lee Chae-jin. I didn't think twice before answering him.
"Then, there is a potion I want."
"…Please tell me"
For a moment, Lee Chae-jin's expression turned slightly cold. I didn't know why I felt that way, so I tilted my head and opened my mouth again.
"I want an S-grade antidote potion."
"…An antidote… potion?"
"Yes, you have it, right?"
Lee Chae-jin looked confused as my eyes lit up. Then he scanned over my body and asked me with a questioning look.
"Have you been poisoned?"
"It's not me, but Hunter Sung Yoo-bin who was poisoned."
"Hunter Sung Yoo-bin… ah."
Lee Chae-jin's eyes widened as he realised something. He glanced at Yong-sik at my feet. Yong-sik frowned and growled in response to his gaze.
"So you're going to use the potion I gave you to someone else?"
"Well, yes?"
"…Even though receiving a different potion would be much more advantageous?"
"Different potion? Hmm…"
Of course, the potions Lee Chae-jin currently possesses were already amazing, but the potions he concocted would soon become even more of a bonanza. The golden starfish alone, which he collected in great numbers today with my help, will play an important role in the novel. I'd rather get some of them later. While hiding my true feelings, I smiled at Lee Chae-jin.
"I don't know much about other potions. And also I am responsible for Hunter Sung Yoo-bin's poisoning because of my summon."
"…"
"Do you by any chance have an S-grade antidote potion?"
"Yeah, I do have it."
"Oh!"
I was worried that an A-grade antidote wouldn't be enough, so I was relieved that he had an S-grade antidote. Lee Chae-jin looked reluctant and took out one of the potions from his inventory. He handed me a potion, which contained a pale green liquid.
“Are you sure this is what you want?"
"Yes! Thank you."
I shook the potion in my hand with excitement. The light green liquid glistened. With Lee Chae-jin's guarantee of its efficacy, I believe this potion would completely cure Sung Yoo-bin's poison.
"I told you earlier, right? I can't leave my debt unpaid."
"Er… yes."
"I feel a bit uneasy about this. Let me know if you need my help in the future."
"Yes?"
Lee Chae-jin, who said so, held out something to me. When I received it, it was a business card with his contact information.
"This is my personal contact number. I'm not affiliated with any guild, so it might be hard to find me."
"No, this is…"
Lee Chae-jin was unable to join any guild due to his personal circumstances and was wandering around as an independent. I think he lives in a different residence from time to time, but is it okay for him to give me his personal contact information?
When I looked at him with a puzzled face, Lee Chae-jin turned his head away with an indifferent expression.
"It's late, let's go back."
"Wait…”
"Yi-jin-ah, you're done with your business, right?"
“…”
Lee Chae Jin returned to his original position, and Eden clung to me as if he had been waiting.
Ah, right. I had agreed to do something for Eden in exchange for his help. Honestly, I don't know what he wants, but I had to listen to him because I promised. But more importantly, I had to give this potion to Sung Yoo-bin first.
"Wait, I need to give this."
"Tsk."
"Are you a kid?"
I held Eden's lips as if he was pouting like a child, and let go. Then he quickly turned around.
“Hunter Sung Yoo-bin!"
"…Hunter Han Yi-jin?"
Sung Yoo-bin, who was surrounded by healers, looked at me with a surprised expression.
"Everyone, stop it. It's pointless anyway."
"But…"
"Haa."
Seeing Sung Yoo-bin refusing to be healed by the healers, Song Cha-hyun sighed deeply. I approached Sung Yoo-bin to see how she was doing.
"Hunter Sung Yoo-bin, how's your condition?"
"I'm perfectly fine.”
"…"
She was completely… not fine. Didn't the poison spread more than before?
The poison from Yong-sik, which had penetrated the defence of her battle suit, was bubbling on Sung Yoo-bin's skin. I couldn't bear to look any longer and turned my head.
"This, use it."
"What is this?"
"It's an S-grade poison antidote potion."
"How can I…?”
Sung Yoo-bin's eyes opened wide as she unexpectedly received the potion. I explained to her about helping collect materials and assisting Lee Chae-jin.
"…So, since he told me to let him know if I wanted anything, I asked for the antidote potion."
"Hunter Han Yi-jin… tentacles…"
"Yes?"
"Um, it's nothing."
I think I just heard a word I shouldn't have heard from the heroine's mouth, but I must be mistaken, right?
"Anyway, please drink it quickly. If that doesn't work, I'll have to ask for another."
"Ah, I understand."
Sung Yoo-bin nodded and gulped down the potion. I watched nervously as her throat gurgled.
"Ha… it doesn't taste good."
"I'm not really curious about that… Oh!"
As soon as Sung Yoo-bin drank the potion, the poison attached to her body disappeared as if it had evaporated. An exclamation of astonishment escaped my mouth.
"The poison really…"
"You're better now? You're better, right?"
"Yes, I think so."
"Wow."
As expected of the genius alchemist, Lee Chae-jin. His skills are truly remarkable.
I screamed for joy inside, but suddenly Song Cha-hyun bowed her head toward me.
"Thank you so much, Hunter Han Yi-jin."
"What? No…"
This is a bit awkward, Guildmaster-nim.
It was because of Yong-sik that Sung Yoo-bin was poisoned, so I felt bad and awkward receiving her gratitude.
“Hunter Han Yi-jin. You've fought a terrifying monster for me, I'm touched."
“Eh?"
"From now on, my life belongs to Hunter Han Yi-jin…"
"Take her away until she calms down."
"Hunter Han Yi Jin…!"
At Song Cha-hyun's cold command, the Valkyrie members grabbed Sung Yoo-bin's arms then lifted her up and took her away.
"…"
I looked at Song Cha-hyun while watching the scene with a confused face. Song Cha-hyun's face, which had been hardened, became a little more relaxed than before.
"It's all thanks to Hunter Han Yi-jin. If it weren't for your summoned dragon, we probably wouldn't be able to clear Area 3."
"But that's why hunter Sung Yoo-bin got poisoned."
"Wasn't that also solved by Hunter Han Yi-jin getting the potion?"
"Umm…"
"Hunter Lee Chae-jin wouldn't give his potion easily even if you give him a billion dollars… I wonder how you managed to coax him."
"Ahaha."
And I even accidentally got his contact information. I don't even know what Lee Chae-jin was thinking.
He said he couldn't live without being in debt to anyone. He didn't seem like the kind of person who would return the favour that much. Or maybe he's just a perfectionist. Either way, his potion had helped, so I was glad.
"Still, we need some preparations, so we're planning to move to the 5th Area when it gets brighter outside. We also need to wait for the cooldown of your auxiliary skill."
"Ah, okay."
“So, please get some rest."
Song Cha-hyun spoke briefly, as if she was busy, and quickly went somewhere. Looking around, everyone seemed busy except for me.
Ah, there's someone else who seems to be free.
"Yi Jin-ah, are you really done with your business now?”
"Phew."
Eden approached and teased me.
Though, I couldn't ignore him anymore since we made a promise. I turned around and looked at Eden.
"So, what do you want?"
"Umm…"
"I hope it's not some perverted request."
"When did I ever make a perverted request?"
"…"
When I looked at him, Eden smiled awkwardly, perhaps feeling a bit uncomfortable under my gaze.
"Calling me a pervert, this oppa was sincere…"
"Do you really want to die?"
“Ah, I got it."
Eden gave me a frightened look, as if my fist with this weak body was something to be afraid of, but he quickly changed his demeanour.
"It's just a very simple request."
"What is it?"
"That is…"
"…?"
Eden leaned in closer and pressed his cheek against mine. Then he said cheerfully.
"Kiss me!"
T/N: 🤭🤭😚
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