Return of the Sword God-Rank Civil Servant - Chapter 67
Chapter 67
When Suho exited the pocket-dimension house, the Changshik Gang’s building was completely empty.
That was only natural.
After causing that much chaos, there wouldn’t be any fools still hanging around.
Instead, the Bulgasari had finished its meal and was patting its belly contentedly.
“Finished eating?”
“Bul-bul.”
“Go inside and rest.”
“Bul-bul.”
After reverse-summoning the Bulgasari, Suho contacted the Banshees and summoned them to Yeongdeungpo.
He had some tasks to assign.
Once the summons was complete, Suho headed back to Nam Haewon’s house.
“Mr. Nam Haewon?”
When he knocked on the door, Nam Haewon opened it.
“Oh, you’re back?”
Nam Haewon greeted him with a strained smile.
However, he was wrapped in a blanket up to his head, like someone suffering from chills.
It was a symptom of withdrawal from his illusions.
‘Well, it’s not like he’s only experienced illusions once or twice.’
While a healer’s Recovery is great for treating diseases, it requires prolonged treatment for drug addicts.
Even with Recovery, it’s not a miracle cure that heals everything in one go.
‘Maybe a higher-level skill would work…’
But that was only possible for someone specialized in healing, like Isabella.
Suho spoke.
“You seem to be suffering from withdrawal symptoms. Why don’t you come inside, and I’ll treat you.”
“Oh, th-thank you!”
The gangsters were nowhere to be seen in the house.
After finding out the person who knocked them out was the famous Hunter, Ahn Suho, they were gone by the time they came to their senses, as their headquarters had already been demolished.
Suho seated Nam Haewon and began using his items and skills.
[The Ring of Emotions reacts to the target’s strongest emotions.]
[The emotion available for absorption is ‘Black.’]
[Absorbing emotions from the target.]
[Recovery is activated.]
Flash!
As light poured out, Nam Haewon, who had been trembling like someone with chills, visibly relaxed, and his shaking stopped.
While using both abilities simultaneously, Suho reflected.
‘The combined effect of the Ring of Emotions and Recovery… the power of using these two together is really overwhelming.’
Recovery heals physical wounds but does not provide mental stability.
Skills that stabilize the mind can only be mastered at a very high level, and Suho recalled that there were not many healers who had such mental stabilization skills.
‘There weren’t many healers specializing in pure healing in the first place.’
Most healers choose to go hybrid for survival once they reach a certain level.
By mid- and late-stage gates, walking through a gate was like treading on thin ice.
In other words, healers like Isabella were very rare.
‘It’s no wonder—Isabella was a special healer nurtured openly by Russia.’
When Nam Haewon seemed completely at ease, Suho finally deactivated Recovery.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes… Thanks to you, I feel much better. Thank you very much, Hunter Ahn Suho.”
“You recognize me now?”
“Haha… I was just too out of it earlier… I apologize.”
“No need to apologize. Here, take this.”
Suho pulled a document from his inventory and handed it to Nam Haewon.
It was the debt document that the Changshik Gang had against Nam Haewon.
“This, this is…!”
“I just dismantled the Changshik Gang. This is the debt document I retrieved from them.”
“D-dismantled?”
“Yes, dismantled.”
“T-that’s impossible…”
Nam Haewon looked back and forth between the debt document and Suho with a face of disbelief.
His hands, holding the document, were shaking despite the treatment.
That showed how shocked he was.
Suho continued explaining.
“You didn’t borrow that much, but they piled on outrageous interest. So much so that the interest devoured the principal and kept growing indefinitely. But even so, you were diligent in repaying the debt, and that’s probably why they forced drugs on you.”
“… Yes, that’s right. Due to my unique trait, I could manage to keep paying the debt. But because of that, they kept drugging me to keep me in their grasp. Those bastards… they’re truly evil.”
As he continued, tears began to form in Nam Haewon’s eyes, and eventually, he broke into sobs.
It was only natural.
He had lived a hellish life until Suho appeared.
Between sobs, he spoke again.
“H-Hunter… Did you know? I tried really hard. I even attended rehab centers and secretly made antidotes and neutralizers to try and escape from their clutches. But every time, they’d show up and forcibly inject me again…”
It was exactly as he said.
To escape from the grip of the Changshik Gang, he tried countless ways.
He went to rehab centers and secretly made and took neutralizers to combat the drugs, utilizing his unique trait.
But one person couldn’t possibly fend off a gang coming at him in groups, forcibly injecting drugs.
“I sought help from the police and the association, but they offered no assistance, no response. Those… those corrupt bastards. They’re all the same, police or association…”
Nam Haewon was not naive.
He had reached out to both the police and the association for help, but as a drug addict with a debt record in a place like the Yeongdeungpo slums, his cries for help were ignored.
‘They’re all too busy passing the problem around, saying it’s not their jurisdiction.’
The police didn’t intervene because the gangsters were Hunters, while the association used a lack of manpower as an excuse.
Suho once again resolved to join the association and initiate internal reform.
“You’ve endured a lot. But thanks to your resilience, I was able to come here and help you.”
“Thank you… Thank you so much…”
Nam Haewon shed more tears, and Suho quietly allowed him to release his pent-up emotions.
Though he could have calmed him immediately with the Ring of Emotions, he didn’t.
Suho saw Nam Haewon not as a task to complete but as a person.
When Nam Haewon’s crying finally ceased, he wiped away his tears and spoke.
“By the way… If you don’t mind me asking, why did you suddenly decide to attack the Changshik Gang?”
Suho replied naturally.
“Not long ago, I encountered another victim besides you and found out about the Changshik Gang through them. Since I already knew about them, I couldn’t just ignore it.”
“Oh…”
“And I’m set to join the Korean Hunter Association soon. Think of it as just handling my responsibilities a bit in advance.”
“… I see.”
Nam Haewon smiled sheepishly, somewhat embarrassed.
It was understandable.
Just a moment ago, he had been resenting the association.
To change the atmosphere, Suho swiftly shifted the topic.
“More importantly, I have a proposal for you, Mr. Haewon.”
“A proposal?”
“Yes, from what I saw in the Changshik Gang’s records, I learned about your abilities… specifically, your unique trait.”
Upon hearing about a proposal, Nam Haewon grew tense.
Even though Suho was his benefactor, the Changshik Gang had also exploited his unique trait, which was why they drugged him.
Suho asked.
“If I’m correct, is your unique trait ‘Synthesis’?”
Synthesis.
It was exactly as it sounded.
Synthesis was as rare, or perhaps even rarer than Digitization.
After all, while there were two individuals with Digitization, Nam Haewon was the only one with Synthesis.
‘Mix Smith. That was what people called Nam Haewon.’
Mix Smith.
People shortened it to “Mixmith,” a nickname he earned for combining materials to create something new.
Thus, he came to be known as a craftsman.
Suho had no intention of letting him go.
Unlike synthesis skills that require specific recipes, Synthesis allowed him to create without failure.
Nam Haewon nodded and replied.
“Yes, that’s correct. My ability allows me to combine two items into a single object with the harmonious properties of both.”
“If that’s the ability I’m thinking of, then I’d like to formally hire you, Mr. Haewon. As I mentioned earlier, I wouldn’t have intervened if I didn’t know, but after dismantling the Changshik Gang, I’ve encountered numerous drug victims, and as you know, I can’t help them all on my own.”
“You mean…?”
“You mentioned earlier that you secretly made and took neutralizers and antidotes, right? How about creating a proper drug neutralizer this time? Then I could help people more efficiently. Of course, I’d pay you fairly. For instance, I could treat your withdrawal symptoms directly in a safe house instead of a place like Yeongdeungpo.”
Nam Haewon’s mouth fell open in shock.
It was only natural.
He understood just how expensive it was to have access to a healer who could use Recovery.
Not to mention that it was Suho, a mega-influencer level Hunter, offering direct care.
Moreover…
‘Is this man an angel?’
At this point, anyone else would have sought recognition, but Suho didn’t.
Instead, he offered a fair deal to help others.
He could have simply demanded it.
Perhaps that’s why…
Nam Haewon was captivated by Suho’s character.
When Nam Haewon didn’t respond for a while, Suho added.
“If you find the terms lacking…”
“No, I’ll do it. Please let me.”
“Pardon?”
“Please hire me. I don’t even need payment. Saving me from hell and treating my withdrawal symptoms is already more than enough. How could I ask for money?”
“No, I insist on a fair contract, so I feel at ease. That way, I can also officially provide you with the necessary materials.”
“Hunter… just who are you…”
A wave of deep emotion filled his heart.
In this way, Suho succeeded in recruiting Nam Haewon, who would become the newest member of Banshee.
‘I’ll start with drug neutralizers and gradually develop him into Mixmith.’
Nam Haewon had the potential to become a master craftsman.
Not only did he have talent, but he was also destined for greatness.
After all, a year from now, he would eventually create a powerful neutralizer, free himself from withdrawal, and escape the Changshik Gang’s grasp.
At that moment.
Buzz—
His phone rang.
It was Seo Giwon.
– Sir, I’ve arrived at the address you provided.
“I’ll be down shortly.”
Right on time, the Banshees had arrived.
Suho and Nam Haewon went down to the first floor, where Suho distributed various debt documents taken from the Changshik Gang to the Banshees and explained the situation.
“Let everyone know they don’t need to worry anymore and that they don’t have to live in fear. Make sure to keep track of everyone’s whereabouts. We’ll be supplying neutralizers regularly.”
“Yes, understood. By the way, sir…”
The question came from Seo Giwon.
Suho answered.
“Yes?”
“For this kind of contact, wouldn’t it be easier to use my abilities? Is there a reason to meet in person?”
In terms of efficiency, it was a valid point.
But Suho shook his head.
“These aren’t just any victims; they’re people who have suffered from illegal debt and drug addiction. Some don’t have phones and are hiding from the Changshik Gang. All the more reason to meet them in person. Oh, if necessary, use the Nexus name to reassure them. I’ll inform the guild.”
“Ah… I didn’t consider that. I’m sorry.”
“You’re just learning. Now, let’s move.”
“Yes.”
The Banshees dispersed with their orders.
Suho turned to Nam Haewon and spoke.
“Then let’s head out as well. I’ll drive you in my car.”
“Oh, yes!”
Suho took Nam Haewon to the Cheongdam Safehouse.