Chapter 7: Preparations for Leap (3)

[Active Skill]

Name: Sacrifice

Rank: Unique Skill

Mana Cost: 100

1. Generates healing waves that recover the health and status abnormalities of multiple allies.

2. When this skill is used on undead monsters, it transforms into the attack skill 《Judgment of Light》.

*Since the skill was copied using a Blank Card, no penalty is applied.

Jaehyun smirked.

Just as he expected, the penalty of Sacrifice—namely, consuming his own life force—was cleanly omitted. It was the effect of using a Blank Card.

As Jaehyun read the skill information, Yoo Seong-eun approached him with a smile and asked,

“So, what is it you want from our guild?”

Just moments ago, after witnessing Jaehyun using 《Sacrifice》, Yoo Seong-eun found herself intrigued by him.

It wasn’t just his ability to heal that impressed her but also his adaptability and his skilled way with words.

‘Interesting.’

A smile spread across Yoo Seong-eun’s face.

Without hesitation, Jaehyun replied,

“Please be my backer.”

“Backer? You mean support me in growing as a raider … something like that?”

“That’s right. I have big dreams. But to grow, I need money, people, connections—various things. That’s when I hope Yeonhwa Guild will support me.”

Jaehyun knew very well that no matter how high one’s aptitude or talent, without proper support from the environment, reaching new heights would be difficult.

And he understood that figuring out how to grow on his own wasn’t simple.

Yoo Seong-eun pondered for a moment, then nodded,

“Alright. For someone with guts to stir up things to this extent, it’s worth investing. You have the skills to back it up. But there are conditions.”

Jaehyun swallowed hard. His eyes narrowed as he intently stared at the black-haired woman in front of him.

‘Even knowing she can cure her disease, she still stays so calm… Is this the so-called Yoo Seong-eun effect?’

Without averting his gaze, Jaehyun calmly inquired,

“Conditions?”

“Yes, conditions.”

Yoo Seong-eun continued with a playful smile,

“My illness, as you know, is a personal matter. It has nothing to do with Yeonhwa Guild. But what you want is support from not just me but the entire Yeonhwa Guild.

To provide unconditional support to you—”

“I get it. It wouldn’t be fair. Alright, I’ll listen to your conditions before making a decision.”

‘It’s unlikely she’ll propose something overly demanding. After all, such a major guild would not have unreasonable expectations from me. At most, she might ask me to keep her disease a secret.’

Jaehyun knew that since he doesn’t necessarily have to cure her, Yoo Seong-eun was the one at a disadvantage. It was unlikely she’d make an unreasonable demand in this situation.

Just then, Yoo Seong-eun said something Jaehyun never expected.

“Do you have any particular guild you wish to join?”

“…Pardon?”

Had he misheard?

Jaehyun couldn’t immediately grasp her meaning.

This was too absurd an idea to be anything but baffling.

As a raider who’d lived for years, this was a clear-cut offer to scout him.

“…Are you serious?”

“I wouldn’t joke about such things. You know that, don’t you?”

Yoo Seong-eun’s eyes were profoundly earnest.

Jaehyun was at a loss for how to respond.

Even though Yeonhwa was doomed to fail due to an incident in the future, at this time it was South Korea’s most prestigious tier-1 guild.

There was no reason to make such an offer to a greenhorn like him.

Regaining his composure, he once again asked,

“Why? There’s no clear reason for Yeonhwa Guild to recruit me…”

Yoo Seong-eun cut in as if she had been waiting,

“Firstly, you’ve discovered my illness, a closely guarded secret known only by a very few. This implies that your information-gathering skills are remarkable.”

Though the knowledge came from his regression, Jaehyun could hardly reveal that here. He could only listen quietly to her ongoing words.

“Secondly, you perfectly copied my 《Sacrifice》 skill. I’ve never heard of anyone copying a unique skill before, and I’ve no idea how many other skills you could copy. The potential is limitless.”

“…Is there a third reason?”

“There is. And it’s the most important.”

Yoo Seong-eun leaned forward slightly, closing the gap between them.

“Thirdly, you’re here in front of me, completely unfazed. Facing the master of Yeonhwa Guild without a hint of nervousness… Charming.

What do you think? Isn’t that reason enough to recruit you?”

Jaehyun racked his brain desperately.

Joining Yeonhwa Guild now would certainly assure him good conditions and treatment, and indeed, to grow, he would need to join a guild eventually.

But one plays their hand when it holds the greatest advantage. That was the rule Jaehyun set for himself.

Acquiescing too readily now would be undervaluing himself.

Jaehyun coolly met her gaze and said,

“Isn’t it illegal for a guild to make contracts with a minor…?”

Yoo Seong-eun’s lips quirked slightly as though she expected this,

“Have you ever heard of ‘exclusive negotiating rights’?”

Jaehyun’s pupils constricted.

‘Exclusive negotiating rights? So she’s serious.’

Exclusive negotiating rights—Guilds designate young raiders who are not yet adults, support their growth, and ensure priority in forming contracts over other guilds upon their coming of age.

It was a proposition usually made to ‘genius’-level monsters showing great promise.

Overwhelmed by this unprecedented offer, Jaehyun was at a loss.

‘Never imagined the day I’d get such an offer. Before my regression, even low-grade guilds turned me away.’

Recalling the past, Jaehyun gave a bitter smile.

Typically, it’s safer and more lucrative for a raider to belong to a guild.

However, apart from a few national guilds, all others are private enterprises, prioritizing personal interests in a capitalist society. Low-grade raiders—and Jaehyun himself, a fallen combatant—had no place in need of them.

Thus, Jaehyun was naturally eliminated.

So, swallowing his pride, he signed a contract with a Raider Agency.

Despite the hefty fees they took, it was even harder for raiders to find work on their own.

But now,

To him—a Yeonhwa Guild offer with exclusive negotiating rights was unimaginable.

‘I would have been ridiculed for even dreaming this.’

Yoo Seong-eun watched Jaehyun’s expression and chuckled softly,

‘He has his adorable, childish moments.’

“We’ll send the contract to your address. Think over it and decide.”

“Let’s start with the treatment first. It isn’t over yet.”

“Sure, go ahead.”

Jaehyun swiftly turned the topic.

‘It’s definitely a great opportunity. But there’s no need to decide right this moment.’

There was plenty of time. A hasty decision wouldn’t do any good.

‘Let’s focus on the treatment first. I can think about what comes next after that.’

“Then, let’s begin.”

With a resolute look, Jaehyun spoke,

“Okay. I’m counting on you.”

* * *

‘I can’t keep up with this.’

Park Sung-jae was utterly baffled by the unfolding situation.

Indeed, as he had claimed, Min Jaehyun had successfully copied the unique skill 《Sacrifice》.

‘The effects, I saw with my own eyes, can’t be doubted.’

The work Jaehyun had shown was impossible by any ordinary standard.

How many healers and doctors had they sought to cure this disease?

A life’s pursuit laid wasted on those who could not heal it.

“Then I’ll begin.”

―Activating active skill 《Sacrifice》.

―Healing waves imbue your body.

Dense waves of healing energy flowed gradually from Jaehyun to Yoo Seong-eun.

Ziiiiiiing…

As the treatment continued for a few minutes, Yoo Seong-eun’s previously pallid complexion began to brighten.

Watching the improvement in her condition, Yoo Seong-eun shook her head in disbelief.

‘It’s really… I’m recovering!’

The smile spreading around her mouth expressed her current emotions.

Soon, Park Sung-jae, now beside her, thanked Min Jaehyun with a bow,

“I apologize for earlier. Please take good care of our leader.”

“It’s okay. I wouldn’t have believed it either.”

“I’ll apologize later for any rudeness.”

Surprised by Jaehyun’s calm response, Park Sung-jae realized something about him.

Normally, one would expect a teenage boy to be burning with rage at this point.

Yet, Jaehyun calmly continued the healing without hurling any harsh words his way.

Moments later, behind Park Sung-jae, the welcome sound of the system message chimed in.

―You have successfully treated the target’s disease!

―Passive skill 《Emergency First Aid》 level up to 19.

Jaehyun’s face beamed in satisfaction. Turning to Yoo Seong-eun, he nodded,

“The treatment is complete. Try moving around.”

At Jaehyun’s words, Yoo Seong-eun stood up, rolling her arms and pressing her feet into the ground to check her health.

A few minutes later, visibly moved, she said,

“The symptoms… they’re all gone. Thank you. …But doesn’t this mean you’ll incur the penalty?”

“It’s okay. The copied 《Sacrifice》 is exempt from penalties.”

Surprised again by Jaehyun’s answer, both Yoo Seong-eun and Park Sung-jae realized the breadth of his capability.

Copying a unique skill without suffering its penalty?

Jaehyun had inadvertently raised his own value. Yoo Seong-eun offered him her business card,

“Whatever conditions you want, we’ll accommodate them as much as possible. Call me anytime. And think positively about the contract we discussed.”

Hesitating for a moment, Jaehyun then awkwardly spoke,

“There’s actually… one thing I’d like to ask you for right now.”

“Oh? What’s with the suspense? Just talk. You saved my life—the least we can do is back you up with whatever you need from the guild.”

“Please, lend me a lower-tier dungeon from the guild.”

Yoo Seong-eun’s eyes gleamed anew at his request.

Jaehyun firmly continued,

“And into the dungeon… I’d like to go alone.”

* * *

[The donation is in, so check your account.]

[Yes. Thank you.]

[No, I should be thanking you.]

The next day, as promised, Yoo Seong-eun’s message arrived.

“Support funds… How much could it be?”

After returning a message of gratitude, Jaehyun accessed the banking app on his phone.

―Deposit: 100,000,000

―Balance: 100,035,000

“A hundred million!? …As expected of Korea’s top guild, they’re exceptionally generous.”

The sensation was new.

Before the regression, he had never touched such an amount.

Ziiiiiiiing… Ziiiiiiiing…

[This is just the donation for now, and from next month, you’ll receive 5 million won every month as living support. You’ll also be allowed to use the guild’s public resources.]

[Your ID card will be issued too, so you can pick it up the day after tomorrow.]

The following messages barely registered in his mind,

‘With a monthly 5 million won without even working… With this, I could even quit being a raider…’

For a brief moment, Jaehyun was nearly led astray by temptation.

He scolded himself, shaking his head vigorously,

“No, that’s not right. I can’t settle for just 500 a month when I’ve got a mythic item. And… until my revenge is complete, I absolutely can’t quit.”

With renewed resolve, Jaehyun reaffirmed,

“Milles Academy is a battleground for geniuses. To survive there…”

A confident smile crossed his face,

“I must level up, no matter what.”