S-Rank Healer Gets Kidnapped First Chapter 25

A voice that sounded like it was on the verge of death called out to me from behind the door.

I got up at the sight of the slowly opening door.

“Na Ye-ri?”

Who was she? Wasn’t she the person who always encouraged everyone with her cheerful attitude, no matter how gloomy the atmosphere became?

I had thought that no matter what crisis came her way, her bold and spirited nature would remain unchanged forever.

“Crazy bastard trying to kill his own friend. I—I’m going to die before my time at this rate….”

She appeared with both legs trembling uncontrollably.

I had suspected it, but I never imagined I would see Na Ye-ri herself so exhausted that she could barely even support her own body. The situation had gone completely beyond my expectations, and I could only stare at her in silence for a moment.

‘How can someone become this haggard in just a few hours?’

I couldn’t even bring myself to ask if she was all right.

“What about Han Seongwoo?”

“He said he’ll come up after resting for a bit. He’s still in the training room….”

“She’s being dramatic.”

Before long, the culprit behind all these strange events revealed himself.

“Huh?!”

Na Ye-ri’s eyes changed. If she had been a beast hiding its claws in unfamiliar territory just moments ago, she now seemed to have returned to her own territory and was freely unleashing all her energy.

Judging by the ferocious look in her eyes, she must have been seriously pissed off by his calling her dramatic.

“Dramatic? Did you just call me dramatic? You need to meet someone just like you and get thoroughly put through the wringer before you’ll stop saying things like that!”

“Did you get some good rest?”

“Hey! Are you not listening to me?!”

I smiled as I watched Na Ye-ri go completely off the rails.

Whenever she got angry, she would set aside the title of Master and start calling him things like ‘Hey, you,’ ‘you bastard,’ and ‘that guy.’ There was something amusing about watching her do it.

Of course, if she knew what I was thinking, she might be offended.

After coming from the Association, where the hierarchy was so clearly defined, I found this atmosphere simply fascinating.

“Yeah. I was actually watching the news about the Dungeon and the Association.”

As I said that, I suddenly remembered the news I had seen earlier. I immediately asked Cha Seohae,

“Did you know a Dungeon appeared at 1 a.m. today?”

Cha Seohae was silent for a moment before turning his gaze toward the television behind me.

He didn’t answer. But the look on his face as he quietly watched the news playing on the screen was answer enough.

“Why didn’t you go?”

“We didn’t need to.”

“It was B-rank, wasn’t it?”

“We don’t have an absurd number of people like the Association does, and our Guild isn’t so short on money that we have to clear B-rank Dungeons. Rather than clearing every Dungeon we come across, we give our Guild members opportunities and help them get started in business or whatever else they want to do, then make additional income that way.”

“Hmm. So even though you’re a Hunter Guild, you’re not that dependent on Dungeons.”

I had assumed that since Baekyang was supposedly the best of all the Guilds, they would also go to Dungeons that much more often. I had learned something I hadn’t known before.

I was about to accept that explanation and move on when—

“Right! That’s it! I know why we didn’t go!”

Na Ye-ri, who had been sprawled out on the sofa, suddenly jumped to her feet.

I turned toward her in surprise at the loud voice that instantly drew everyone’s attention.

Meanwhile, Cha Seohae, who was between Na Ye-ri and me, moved with the agility of someone who had anticipated this exact situation.

“Shut up….”

“He didn’t go because he was worried you’d say you wanted to tag along!”

Na Ye-ri’s fingertip pointed directly at Cha Seohae.

“Ha. Seriously, that girl….”

I heard Cha Seohae mutter a low curse behind me.

It was quiet enough that Na Ye-ri might not have heard it, but being relatively close to him, I heard it clearly.

‘…Ye-ri. I hope someday you’ll get better at reading the room. Please survive.’

With everything exposed, Cha Seohae admitted the truth.

“It’s true that we didn’t need to go, and it’s also true that I didn’t go because I was worried you’d say you wanted to come.”

He had been worried about me.

The chronic problem faced by Healer-type Hunters was social stigma.

Despite their small numbers and important position, they were scattered about, which made them lack cohesion. The Association also placed many restrictions on Healers because they were considered dangerous, making it difficult for them to obtain information. Even when they went into Dungeons, they were often treated like dead weight because they didn’t have a single decent offensive skill.

Healers whose self-esteem had been driven endlessly downward hated being a burden, and I was no different.

People like that tended to pursue perfectionism.

Even after becoming an S-rank Healer, I quickly became anxious over the fact that my skills weren’t perfect.

Cha Seohae had noticed. He knew that because I placed so much faith in Divine Grace, I also worried that much more about it.

And that anxiety interfered with combat.

“You said you were going to call the mental-type and nature-type Guild members and train them after you finished training with me.”

Ah. She told him about that too.

I frowned as I thought of the Guild members who had promised to keep it a secret.

“They didn’t report it. I found out on my own. How could I not notice when they suddenly decided to stay behind and train more starting from the day they heard about the weakness of Divine Grace?”

“…….”

“Pushing yourself won’t make your weakness disappear.”

“…….”

“Or was my training not hard enough? Na Ye-ri and Han Seongwoo complained nonstop and refused to do additional training.”

“Ah, I’m not complaining.”

Na Ye-ri groaned from behind us.

Cha Seohae didn’t seem inclined to change the subject. He remained standing where he was, waiting for my answer.

No matter how empathetic someone was, they couldn’t completely feel another person’s emotions.

He could never fully understand my anxiety, and I couldn’t say anything to him.

“What I’m trying to say is—”

When I remained silent, my gaze fixed on empty space, Cha Seohae spoke again.

“Don’t push yourself too hard. Who hasn’t tried to overcome their weaknesses? But if Awakening and the System were things you could overcome through effort alone, wouldn’t everyone be S-rank?”

“…….”

“Of course, if training can calm your anxiety, I won’t stop you. But I’m telling you to take care of your stamina, too.”

“Yeah, Yeonhee. We’re all in the same boat. Just trust us this once and take it easy. If you don’t take care of yourself, even the things that were working fine will eventually fall apart.”

Na Ye-ri added her own words.

“It means you’re not the only one worrying about yourself. We’re worried about you too. We’re practically family now.”

Their words of comfort made me think deeply.

‘Family.’

They had often used the word ‘we’ before. That was the biggest difference between them and the Hunters belonging to the Association, who only worked together within a strictly defined web of mutual interests.

I felt at ease watching them, because they never tried to suppress me with their rank within the Guild or their strength.

The countless moments when I had belittled myself as a burden, the worries about my lack of ability—all of them seemed to disappear somewhere whenever I was with them.

“The three of us would have been enough, but we obviously knew you wanted to test yourself in a real battle. We couldn’t just leave you behind. That’s why we decided not to go together.”

Even though that should have been enough, Cha Seohae still seemed concerned. He carefully watched my reaction before adding,

“What? When did you decide that?”

“Without you, since you’re so clueless.”

“Does Han Seongwoo know too?”

“Yeah.”

Na Ye-ri muttered seriously, “This is betrayal. Betrayal.”

“Once we figure out what the Association is really up to, you’ll have to go to Dungeons even if you say you don’t want to. So get plenty of rest while you can.”

“…Okay.”

I had finally heard the honest reason.

Either way, they hadn’t gone because of me, but somehow, knowing the truth made my heart feel lighter.

I gave a brief answer before lowering my head slightly to avoid Cha Seohae’s gaze.

It was strange.

This was a place where my relationship with them had begun under less-than-ideal circumstances.

Besides, when I had been with the Association, believing that they respected Healers, I had thought I would never have anything to do with Baekyang, which stood against the Association.

And yet, I felt comfortable here.

Now that I had left, everything had become crystal clear.

If they truly cared about Healers, shouldn’t they have at least come to me politely and asked why I had made this decision? Yet the people who claimed to protect the nation not only looked down on Healers but acted as though it didn’t matter if we got hurt.

‘Let’s stop thinking about it. Thanks to them, I was able to come to Baekyang.’

I wanted to tell them I was grateful for worrying about me. But saying it honestly felt strangely embarrassing.

‘Besides, it’s hard to even look him in the face.’

Maybe it was because their intentions were so pure, unlike mine, which had originally been to use Baekyang for revenge.

Standing face-to-face with Cha Seohae, who had not only protected me but even accepted me as a Guild member, made me feel infinitely smaller.

“Wow, Cha Seohae. It’d be nice if you took care of the Vice Masters even half as much as you take care of Yeonhee.”

Thankfully, Na Ye-ri’s complaint saved me from the awkward moment.

I quickly cooled the heat rising to my face, trying to erase any sign of embarrassment.

“Why bother? They can take care of themselves.”

Cha Seohae answered indifferently and headed toward the door.

“Uh? Are you running away right now? Where are you going?”

“I need to check on the other Guild members, too. They get upset if I only take care of you two.”

“…Liar. Who would want this kind of training when it feels like they’ll die just from training with you?”

Naturally, Na Ye-ri’s question was completely ignored.

He was about to leave the room when he turned his gaze back and met mine.

“Don’t get any weird ideas.”

“Okay.”

“I’ll increase the intensity starting with the next training session so you can’t go off and do something else. Keep that in mind.”

“…Okay.”

It was the consequence of my own actions, so I calmly accepted it.

“Hang in there, Yeonhee…. No, let’s hang in there together….”

After Cha Seohae left, Na Ye-ri moved closer to me and comforted me.

“Ah. Should we go out and get some ice cream?”

Perhaps she was craving something sweet after training, because Na Ye-ri’s eyes lit up at the mention of ice cream.

It should be fine to stop by an ice cream shop with dependable Na Ye-ri. I readily nodded.

“I’ll protect you no matter what, so don’t worry!”

The sight of her proudly patting her well-trained body was reassuring.

We hurried to get ready to leave, completely forgetting that Han Seongwoo existed.

 

***

 

“I’ve been thinking about mint chocolate this whole time. One mint chocolate and one strawberry, please.”

As soon as we arrived at the ice cream shop, Na Ye-ri chose her flavors without the slightest hesitation and placed her order.

Perhaps she was excited about getting ice cream, because she hummed to herself.

“Would you like them in separate cups?”

“Put them together, please.”

“…Yes.”

The corners of the employee’s mouth twitched. It was as if they couldn’t believe someone would dare put mint chocolate and strawberry together.

“You don’t get to go out often, do you?”

“Yeah. Childeuk always bought things for me. I already felt bad about it, but it’s nice to come out myself.”

“Childeuk isn’t really at the level where he should be running errands for you. You really picked the wrong boss.”

Na Ye-ri clicked her tongue sympathetically.

Her words reminded me of the past, and I nodded along.

“True. He was pretty skilled.”

“Huh? You saw Childeug use his skills? When?”

“On the day we first met. My hands and feet were tied.”

“Oh.”

Na Ye-ri’s face, which had been full of questions, suddenly turned solemn.

I tilted my head at her silence.

“What’s wrong?”

“Well. Our first meeting was a little… you know? I feel like I shouldn’t have asked.”

“Yeah. It wasn’t exactly a fun experience, and it’s definitely not a memory worth dwelling on.”

I shook my head as I recalled how I had genuinely thought I was going to die right there when Do Juyeon chased me while driving.

But for some reason, Na Ye-ri’s expression grew even darker.

Only then did I realize that she was talking about the moment I had been kidnapped.

‘But being kidnapped wasn’t exactly a pleasant memory either… right?’

Realizing where the misunderstanding had come from didn’t change my answer. It was an awkward situation all around.

“Ice cream is ready.”

Fortunately, the ice cream we had ordered arrived at just the right moment.

As soon as I took the cup, I scooped up a spoonful and held it in front of Na Ye-ri’s mouth.

“Here, eat.”

“Uh….”

“I didn’t mean to make you feel guilty.”

“How could I not feel guilty? Geez. And here I was saying things like how we’re family earlier.”

She repeatedly rubbed her face, as though the guilt had suddenly come rushing back to her.

‘Should I change the subject again?’

I considered it for a moment before eventually giving up. Anything more I did would probably only deepen Na Ye-ri’s guilt.

I quietly ate my ice cream and waited for Na Ye-ri to pull herself out of the pit of self-reproach on her own.

As expected, after some time passed, Na Ye-ri seemed to regain her composure. She looked at me with a calm expression and said,

“We should apologize to you for what happened.”