S-Rank Healer Gets Kidnapped First Chapter 52

The day of the competition had finally arrived.

I never expected that I would come to the Association twice on my own feet in such a short span of time.

The Association was bustling with people. Seeing it brought back the day I had first been pushed out of my position as the First Team’s healer, so it wasn’t exactly a pleasant feeling.

“Where are we supposed to stand?”

“I think we need to go farther inside.”

Cha Seohae and Han Seongwoo exchanged words as they had just gotten out of the car.

Then Cha Seohae spotted me and approached.

“Why the expression?”

“It’s nothing…”

I had been caught in the mood I wanted to hide, and I missed my chance to make an excuse.

I avoided his gaze, but under his persistent stare, I reluctantly explained.

“It reminded me of that day. There were a lot of people here then, too, with all the reporters and citizens.”

Maybe because we were in the same place on the same day, Cha Seohae nodded.

“You’re right. There are a lot of people, just like that day.”

“…….”

“It’s natural that it would remind you.”

As if telling me not to dwell on it too much, Cha Seohae added,

“If you could easily forget bad memories, why would worry even exist?”

“…….”

“What matters is that if the same thing happens again, you’ll be able to get through it now.”

“…….”

“The ones who should be regretting things are over there.”

Cha Seohae pointed toward the Association building with his chin.

“You’re different from before, so there’s no need to make yourself suffer over it.”
“Ah…”

“That doesn’t mean I think being B-rank was a problem, either. You probably did your best back then, too, in your own way.”

Perhaps because he was one of the people who had seen both the unstable me and the person I was now, Cha Seohae’s words eased my sunken mood a little.

I couldn’t help being reminded of the past, but somehow, I felt a little liberated from the Association.

“Today, you should be thinking about how you’re going to show off your abilities. That alone is probably enough to make you nervous, right?”

Cha Seohae changed the atmosphere as if teasing me.

With only one corner of his mouth lifted, he looked rather sly.

Looking at him, he seemed so different from the Cha Seohae I had met for the first time, the one who had seemed almost insane.

Even with the same tone of voice, he had been threatening back then.

‘Is that only natural? Our relationship has changed, and he’s also gotten better from the sensitivity caused by insomnia and tinnitus.’

Thinking that I had changed him like this somehow made me embarrassed.

“Besides, if you’re an all-rounder, you’re allowed to be a little arrogant, like an all-rounder should be. What are you worried about?”

An all-rounder.

It wasn’t a title just anyone could have.

It referred to someone who excelled in every area, capable of attacking, defending, and healing themselves.

“As the leader, I can tell you’re reliable whether I put you on the attack team or the defense team. So don’t worry about pointless things. Just think about how you can draw more attention.”

Cha Seohae finished speaking and patted my shoulder.

Just as I was about to thank him for comforting me, other people approached us.

“Wow, maybe it’s because this event only happens once a year. A lot of people have changed since I last saw them.”

“Yeah. Doesn’t that guy look bigger than last year? Did he put some effort into building himself up?”

“I suppose having more core strength and muscle is always better for combat.”

“That guy actually lost weight. His body used to be heavy and he was really slow. I wonder if he’s more agile now.”

“We’ll know soon enough once we fight him.”

Perhaps because there were more familiar faces than strangers, the three of them noticed the changes right away.

“Did you have something to say?”

“No.”

When I silently mouthed the words, Cha Seohae asked.

I had missed the timing, so I shook my head and started walking.

And that was when I realized just how popular Baekyang was.

Even on the way to our designated area, we received quite a few greetings.

“Thanks for coming with us during the last negotiation! We were able to wrap up the contract smoothly thanks to you.”

“No need to thank me! It’s good if everyone benefits!”

“There were a lot of complaints about the proposal we presented last time. Do you think we could adjust it again?”

“Come to headquarters sometime. Let’s discuss it again.”

“I heard there was an unidentified raid nearby. Is everyone okay? Do you know how worried we were?”

“It ended well. Thanks for worrying about us.”

Surprisingly, the three of them responded to every greeting they received.

Watching the scene from behind, something suddenly occurred to me.

‘Come to think of it, Han Seongwoo said Baekyang generally maintains its unity no matter what.’

That must have been why they seemed to have so many friendly relationships.

‘Even just looking at the Association, there’s nothing good that comes from making a bunch of enemies.’

As I followed behind them, several people also greeted me along with them.

I diligently returned their greetings until one person pointed at me.

“Aren’t you the Association’s healer?”

“Pardon?”

“I think I’m right. You were the First Team’s healer before, weren’t you?”

I had barely gone outside a few times, yet somehow they recognized me.

‘There shouldn’t even be any photos of me floating around since I never made it into the articles.’

I instinctively tensed, wondering how they knew me.

Then I realized there was no hostility in this person’s eyes.

After exhaling once and completely relaxing, I awkwardly nodded.

“Back then…”

“Ah, so I wasn’t mistaken. Oh, don’t get the wrong idea. I remember you because I once worked with the First Team and received a heal from you.”

“Oh.”

Once I understood the reason, I finally felt relieved.

When I smiled comfortably, the Hunter held out his hand.

“I didn’t get to greet you because you looked so busy at the time, but thank you. Thanks to you, I’m alive and well like this.”

“I was just doing what I was supposed to do.”

It had been a time when my confidence was practically buried underground.

I had heard several times a day that my healing condition was poor.

“I don’t think being B-rank was a problem, either. You probably did your best back then, too, in your own way.”

Cha Seohae, and now this person as well.

Neither of them denied the version of me from before I became S-rank.

‘That’s right. B-rank wasn’t a bad rank, either.’

I recalled those words that had always comforted me after such a long time.

Just as I was about to willingly shake his hand—

“Now you should remember her as Baekyang’s healer, not the Association’s healer.”

Cha Seohae suddenly slipped between us and shook his hand instead.

It happened in an instant.

The Hunter and I blinked, trying to understand what had just happened, and looked at Cha Seohae.

But Cha Seohae continued in a perfectly calm voice.

“That’s why she’s participating in this event.”

“Ah, right. She should be remembered as Baekyang’s healer now. Since this was work, I made a mistake while trying to thank you.”

No matter how many friendly relationships Baekyang maintained, there was still an obvious hierarchy.

In the end, the Hunter who had offered me his hand corrected himself while awkwardly reading the room.

Only then did Cha Seohae smile sweetly and give him a small wave.

“Right. I look forward to working with you.”

“Yeeah…”

I turned my head at the sight.

It was difficult to look at the Hunter I had just been talking to.

His expression practically screamed How excessive.

I lightly tapped Cha Seohae’s arm to get us away from the situation, and he turned toward me.

“Let’s go…”

I spoke quietly, and Cha Seohae followed without complaint.

“Our spot is here!”

Na Ye-ri waved both hands enthusiastically and called us over.

A flag with the word ‘Baekyang’ written on it stood in front of us.

I had more or less figured out that the competition was a contest to protect the flags.

As I touched the flag, wondering if there would be a more detailed explanation, a sound came from the stage.

The microphone turning on was followed by a series of coughs.

“Ahem.”

My hand touching the flag and even the blinking of my eyes stopped completely at the sound.

The speech hadn’t even begun yet, but I could tell who it was just from that cough.

A nightmare-like person I could never forget, no matter how much I wanted to.

Someone who held that much influence over the people belonging to the Association.

“Hello, everyone. It’s a pleasure to see you again at the competition after such a long time. I’m Park Wonju, the Association President.”

The Association President was the kind of person who brought every unpleasant memory rushing back.

“Phew.”

I calmly exhaled.

Then I slowly raised my head.

I made up my mind that even if our eyes met, I would never look away.

I had done nothing wrong, so I had every right to stand here proudly.

As I stood there with my shoulders squared, I heard someone quietly laugh.

When I turned around, it was Cha Seohae again.

His lips curved gracefully as he spoke.

“You look cool.”

His calm voice made my heart pound.

“As expected, you didn’t become an all-rounder for nothing. Look at you—not even shrinking back in front of someone like that.”

Cha Seohae spoke as though he were genuinely impressed.

My entire field of vision was filled with his handsome face.

Looking at his clear, pale-blue eyes, I could no longer hear the Association President’s voice that had been buzzing in my ears moments ago.

I felt at ease, as if I had stepped into a safe place.

“He doesn’t exactly have a pleasant voice. I wonder how long he plans to keep talking.”

Cha Seohae deliberately provoked him, too.

He had probably noticed how I had trembled slightly before straightening my shoulders.

Seeing him so exaggeratedly take my side made my face heat up for no reason.

“Hey, we’re right below the stage! How can you say things like that? This is being broadcast live, so watch what you say.”

Na Ye-ri, unaware of the situation, hurriedly tried to stop him.

Of course, Cha Seohae apparently had no intention of going any further, because he merely shrugged.

“Yeonhee. I brought some snacks, so please have some.”

Childeugi handed me a handful of chocolates.

He had been there with us on the day of the incident, too, so he seemed to be worried about me.

I accepted the chocolates spilling into my hands and smiled.

“Thank you.”

The face that had been stiff until moments ago relaxed.

Looking at their faces, the corners of my lips naturally lifted.

“It’s your first match, so you might be nervous. It’s an annual event, but the newcomers are always nervous. Relax, Yeonhee. If not you, who else could make the highlight of the day happen here?”

“Exactly. Have we ever lied to you?”

“But how are we going to divide the roles? I want to move together with Yeonhee.”

“Let’s see how things go first.”

Han Seongwoo turned his head with an utterly fed-up expression.

Leaving their conversation behind, I looked toward the road.

“……”

For a moment, my eyes met the Association President’s.

Those predator-like eyes still gleamed sharply.

But now, even looking into those eyes no longer made me shrink back completely.

‘All he did was look at me. What are you going to do about it?’

Since the event was being broadcast live, the restrictions on our actions applied to him as well.

I didn’t look away.

I stared right back at the Association President.

For a while, an unpleasant silent confrontation passed between us.

Finally, the Association President smiled in a friendly manner.

“Now, then. I’ll explain the most important rules of the competition.”

I endured it.

I picked up some water to moisten my dry throat and listened to the explanation.

I leaned forward to concentrate, when suddenly I felt someone’s presence right beside one ear.

“What?”

When I turned at the sound of breathing coming from far too close, Cha Seohae was leaning his upper body toward me.

“I need to hear the rules. Otherwise, how am I supposed to know what to do?”

“You were craning your neck just for that? Forget it. I’ll tell you later. No. Don’t worry about the rules at all.”

“What? What am I supposed to do if I don’t even know them? I can just listen now.”

“Too much enthusiasm can be dangerous.”

Was he worried about me?

Before I could figure it out, Cha Seohae continued.

“It must have been hard to even look at someone’s face from this close, but you tried your best to endure it.”
“But…”

“I told you earlier. For this match, just think about making yourself stand out. We’ll take care of everything else.”

His words that he would take the burden off my shoulders left me speechless.

I had endured everything so fiercely because I needed to overcome it if I wanted to get revenge on the Association.

But strangely, my heart, which had been so calm, suddenly tightened with emotion.

I had been doing all of this for my own satisfaction, so I never expected it to mean this much to me that someone had recognized how hard I had worked.

Cha Seohae met my eyes as though he could see straight through me.

At this point, he must have noticed the change in my emotions.

Not wanting him to see how choked up I had become for no reason, I lowered my gaze.

Even then, Cha Seohae quietly continued.

“That’s what a team is for—to share each other’s burdens.”