"Search and Treatment Center?"
"Yeah."
As they returned to where Geonwoo was, Haewoon asked Sihyun about the plan they discussed earlier. Sihyun nodded in response, and Haewoon furrowed his brow, seeming to ponder the sudden suggestion. Sihyun, adjusting his collar casually, rolled his eyes. Today, it was particularly difficult for Sihyun to act as if Haewoon was perfectly normal.
Normally, he might have agreed without hesitation. Well, maybe he wouldn't have agreed even at other times.
"How much mana do you have left? You can't keep using the same skill continuously, right?"
"I have enough mana for a while. And that's why I need you."
"...Are you trying to manipulate me into doing something right now?"
Haewoon was shocked at Sihyun's casual tone. It might have seemed exaggerated, but in terms of their objectives, they were somewhat similar, leaving Haewoon unable to argue and causing him to step back behind Hamin.
"No, I can't do it!"
"Why? Even if you have plenty of mana left—"
"If I have enough—"
"I can also use mana recovery skills if needed. I can't restore as many people as before, but single recovery has a slightly longer cooldown, but it's possible."
The healer's mana recovery skills mainly comprised three types. One was a single recovery that restored around 20% mana per use, the second was a full recovery that restored 100% of an individual's mana, and the last was a mass recovery akin to the blessing from earlier, restoring 100% mana for a large number of people. Although the cooldowns and usage frequencies varied based on proficiency and talent, it was clear that the further one went, the longer the cooldowns became.
In short, unlike divine blessings, the relatively light single recovery had a cooldown of about 30 minutes, making it easier to use skills more frequently. Of course, despite the shorter cooldown, it was still inefficient due to its mana consumption.
Sihyun lowered his head, regretting his choice of class. The class instructor mentioned that the speed wasn't bad, but compared to other classes, the initial growth was still lacking.
After finishing his brief regret, looking at the others, Haewoon said with a mindset of 'I don't know, do as you like,' as he glanced at Hamin lying down and Seowoo, who was still not fully awake.
"So, to sum it up, you're planning to establish a rescue team and set up a treatment center to treat students? And get points for it."
"Yeah."
"The ones sent out by the rescue team are Min, Geonwoo, Seowoo, and Haru hyung?"
"Seowoo when she wakes up."
"...What benefit does the rescue team get from this?"
It was a pretty sharp question. At the same time, for Sihyun, who hoped to smoothly skip over this subject, it was an unwelcome question.
"For rescuing people, you'll receive 100 points per person rescued. Extra points as a goodwill score. If you rescue and defeat an Irregular, you'll get even more than that. There's a benefit. I didn't ask you all to do pro bono work."
"I'll put a flying magic spell on the rescue team so they can find students from above?"
"Yeah."
"That's inefficient."
Haewoon replied without a moment's hesitation. Frankly, if they had the physical strength of the Four Heavenly Kings, they could earn more points by hunting down Irregulars among themselves rather than participating in the rescue team. Haewoon seemed to know that fact as well, judging by Sihyun's rolling eyes.
The rescue team and the treatment center operation were tasks meant specifically for Sihyun. Simultaneously, it was also a means to check the Four Heavenly Kings, so there was nothing better than this to secure the top position.
So, there was no way he could back down.
"Is it necessary?"
"What?"
"Do you need the top spot?"
"Umm... Not really?"
While it might be the case for Hamin, Haewoon wasn't particularly fixated on rankings. Once you reached a certain level, that was it. He preferred more enjoyable things than that. Sihyun took a step closer to Haewoon.
"I need it."
"Me?"
"...In a way, yes."
Although it was about needing the top spot, the context seemed oddly twisted. As time passed, Sihyun tilted his head slightly.
"Are you asking for help, Kang Haewoon?"
"......"
It wasn't a command or coercion; it was a request. Despite seeming like a threat or coercion, it was strictly a request, which made Haewoon emit a groan as he looked at Sihyun. Taking a step closer, Sihyun looked at Haewoon, then glanced at Hamin, who seemed to be still lost in thought, and then at Geonwoo, who seemed indifferent. Haru remained silent as usual. And Seowoo...
"Just by helping, right?"
Seowoo, who had suddenly awakened, was sitting up, smiling at them. That typical, finite smile of hers.
"You seem fine."
"Thanks to you."
"Then, give me the value of a life."
"I can't refuse when you're asking."
Seowoo deliberately exaggerated her response. Sihyun, who had something to ask about Class C, frowned but seemed softer than usual, as if something else had snapped inside. Was it not just Sihyun who felt that way, but also Hamin, who was observing Seowoo with a twisted expression.
With a flicker of a glance, as if agreeing, Haru nodded. Geonwoo also nodded. It was only Haewoon and Hamin left.
"Since we have the three, there's no need to ask someone who clearly doesn't want to help."
Since they were your partners, it'd be good to go and earn some points.
With a nonchalant tone, as he turned away, Haewoon hastily grabbed Sihyun's hand. Surprised, Sihyun stared at the hand that was grabbed. Meeting his gaze, Haewoon chuckled slightly, looking at Hamin. It was a chuckle that seemed to say that even if he said nothing, it was understood.
"Even though you followed along whenever I said it's okay, now you can't help when asked?"
"Eh?"
"I thought I helped you guys."
Haewoon's groan intensified. He hesitated, and Hamin gave a strange look towards me. Geonwoo seemed to have no thoughts. And Haru...
"It's okay if I help?"
When Seowoo, who was sitting up for an unknown period, smiled towards me, it was all an act.
"I guess you're fine."
"Thanks to you."
"Then, give me the value of a life."
"If you're asking, I can't refuse."
Seowoo deliberately exaggerated her response. Though it seemed to border on a life-and-death situation, Sihyun seemed to perceive something was slightly off and approached Hamin.
"...It should work."
That would have been his answer, based on my experience. And given that experience, in this situation, Hamin was undoubtedly going to say.
"...I'll help."
He didn't say that.
Kang Sihyun, after getting consent from the other five individuals except himself, used the mana that had fully recovered during their conversation to extend a barrier around him.
Setting up a treatment center wasn't much of a hassle. As long as a tent was set up in a reasonably safe place, it served as a makeshift clinic. And truth be told, as long as Sihyun had cast the barrier, there was no safer place until his mana depleted.
"Wow!"
Haewoon seemed delighted as the barrier was set. When Sihyun looked at him and swung his staff, a massive pillar of light appeared in front of Sihyun's barrier, shooting up into the sky.
"What's this?"
"A landmark."
It might have sounded grand with its name 'Sacred Light,' but it was merely a visually impressive skill. Nevertheless, it was being used creatively in this manner. Sihyun glanced at the towering beam of light and cleared his throat—it was time to announce the establishment of the clinic.
"But how will people know about the clinic?"
"Through a loudspeaker."
"Huh? We have that?"
"We do."
Sihyun swiftly decided and grabbed the staff after a brief contemplation. Although it seemed wasteful to use his Copy ability for this, there was nothing better for publicity.
"Ahem, this is Kang Sihyun from Class A of 1st Year."
His voice echoed through speakers scattered around, filling the space.
"By now, some of you might have spotted the pillar of light. If you need treatment, please walk towards the location of the pillar. We will provide treatment for 200 points. If, due to some reason, you cannot leave the spot, wave your hands to the sky, and the rescue team from Class A will assist you. Please note, if unable to endure the night and meet death, 500 points will be deducted from the points earned. That's all."
"..."
In response to Sihyun's voice reverberating like an echo, the attention of the Four Heavenly Kings was fixed on him. As if asking when he managed that, Sihyun shrugged at their questioning looks.
"The principal's mic had an amplification skill attached. I went to him to learn it."
"That's learning, not stealing. So, the deduction of 500 points is true?"
"I haven't died yet, how would I know? Giving 200 points is better than losing 500, that's what I meant."
Ignoring Hamin's correction and wry laugh, Sihyun remained casual. As a suggestion to not stand idly and get on with work, he told Haewoon to apply a flight buff. But as Haewoon stared at him and hesitated, he suddenly spoke up.
"What's wrong?"
"Why?"
Thinking there might be an issue, Sihyun inquired, and in a flash, Haewoon leaned in. No matter how cute Haewoon might appear at seventeen, he was still a lunatic. Although it was fine for a day, Sihyun didn't want Haewoon clinging to him, so he pushed him away, giving a stern look, which brought out Haewoon's erratic nature after a long time.
"It was a good decision to become friends with Sihyun. How do you manage to be so funny every time? Should we date, Sihyun?"
"What nonsense."
Instead of responding to the absurdity, Sihyun pushed Haewoon's face away. It wasn't until later, when Haewoon moved away from him, that the rescue team from the Four Heavenly Kings, including Hamin, swiftly moved.
***
"[Received 200 points from 'Jeong Eunhye.']"
"Earning 100 points for treating others' injuries."
"[Received 200 points from 'Nam Jihwa.']"
"Earning 100 points for dispelling a curse."
"Released others from a curse, earning 100 points for altruism."
"[Received 200 points from 'Kim Yooja.']"
"Earned 1,000 points for treating many people."
"[Received 200 points from 'Namumyeong.']"
...
Total points: 12,500. Starting with 4,500 points and carrying out treatments until his mana was depleted, Sihyun checked the results and collapsed on the ground. Working tirelessly day and night, the sky, once incomparably blue, now seemed to have turned pure white. It was somewhat fortunate in the midst of misfortune that there were many friends fallen in the same space.
"Is it very tough?"
"...Manageable."
When Haeru approached with a worried expression, Sihyun, who had held back the words 'I'm at my limit,' replied. Then he called for Hamin.
"Lee Hamin."
"Why?"
"Check the points for me."
"What?"
At Sihyun's unexpected words, Hamin frowned. When he asked why he had to check, and suggested that if Sihyun didn’t want to show, he should ask for at least 1,000 points, Hamin stared at him as if he were a petty crook. And it was at that moment that 3,000 points arrived.
"[Received 1,000 points from 'Yoo Seowoo.']"
"[Received 1,000 points from 'Ban Haru.']"
"[Received 1,000 points from 'Baek Geonu.']"
As three windows popped up, Sihyun, wide-eyed like a rabbit, looked back. He could see three people looking at him as if confirming a promise. Just as he was about to let out a surprised laugh, a massive system window filled his vision.
"[Gameplay time has reached 70 hours. Logging out automatically.]"
It signaled the end of the first end-of-month evaluation.
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