In the item shop cart, there were still a few items I had purchased previously but never taken out.
From among them, I retrieved the "Regressor's Growth Package" and the "Status Window Expansion Permit." Just like pulling something out of my inventory, the items materialized in midair.
The Regressor's Growth Package appeared as a green gift box, while the Status Window Expansion Permit looked like a rolled-up piece of worn parchment tied with string.
Cha Sahyeon tilted her head curiously as she saw the two items suddenly appear. I wanted to use them without showing her, but this wasn't the time to be picky.
'Tch. I should've checked these earlier instead of putting it off.'
I had been so disappointed by the divine power skill I paid a fortune for that I hadn't even bothered looking at the other items.
I examined the parchment first. Rotating it in my hand revealed the following message:
[Status Window Expansion Permit]
Tear the parchment in half to use.
Allows you to view detailed item descriptions, hidden stats, and additional alerts.
Thankfully, it was actually a solid item. Without hesitation, I unfolded the parchment and tore it down the middle.
Ding!
《You have used the Status Window Expansion Permit!》
《Updating... Please wait.》
《Loading...》
《Status Window update complete.》
《You can now view item descriptions.》
《Hidden stats will now be displayed.》
《Additional notifications will now appear.》
As confirmation windows popped up, the torn parchment crumbled to dust and vanished. Simultaneously, a new status window emerged.
Ding!
[Sword of Dawn]
A weapon forged from the heart of an Assault-class beast said to be strongest at dawn, and a crystal imbued with frost.
Capable of delivering swift and precise strikes, characteristic of a one-handed blade.
Attack: S
Balance: S
Defense: C
It was the sword I was holding.
Until now, only the status windows °• N o v e l i g h t •° of the "Villain" Cha Sahyeon and the three "Main Characters" would show up, but thanks to the expansion permit, I could now see the properties of items too.
'I had high hopes, but I didn't think it'd reveal this much detail.'
Being able to view item effects was a huge win. Without delay, I turned to the second cash item: the Regressor's Growth Package.
Opening the box revealed a bottle of red liquid with an odd shape, a small golden-hued fruit, a paper slip that looked like a talisman, and a glowing red orb.
[Healing Potion]
A potion that instantly heals injuries. Drinking the liquid quickly restores your body.
[Skill EXP-Boosting Fruit]
A special fruit that raises the level of a chosen skill. Think of the skill while consuming the fruit to level it up. One fruit = one level up.
[Tower of Trials Entry Ticket]
Grants a one-time entry to the Tower of Trials. Challenge your limits by training your combat skills and abilities within the tower.
[Combat Boost Orb]
Swallowing the orb temporarily boosts your combat power. (Duration: 5 minutes)
Thanks to the effects of the status window expansion permit, I could now easily understand what each item did.
Luckily, none of the four had an expiration date, so I could save them for when I really needed them. For now, I stored the Tower of Trials Ticket and the Combat Boost Orb back in my inventory. I'd make good use of those later.
That left me with three healing potions and three EXP fruits.
'I could use the healing potions on the injured...'
But if anyone asked about the potions, I wouldn't have a good explanation. Worse, Kwon Taehyuk was probably nearby. If he saw them, he'd definitely get suspicious again.
'I've got a better option.'
I decided to save the potions for when my own life was in danger and grabbed the Skill EXP-Boosting Fruits instead. Then I stuffed them into my mouth.
'Divine power skill.'
The C-rank divine power skill I'd obtained from the skill capsule—the one that could heal others. I focused on that skill as I chewed.
Cha Sahyeon, watching me suddenly pull out and eat some weird fruit, looked even more baffled than before.
I felt a little bad that I couldn't share, so I patted her head apologetically and kept chewing. It wasn't the time to savor taste anyway. Luckily, the juice made them easy to swallow.
Ding!
《Your divine power skill has been upgraded to B-rank.》
Ding!
《Your divine power skill has been upgraded to A-rank.》
Ding!
《Your divine power skill has been upgraded to S-rank.》
After swallowing all three fruits, my once C-rank skill had safely risen to S-rank.
It felt like a waste to use such incredible items just to level up a divine power skill... but what could I do? I didn't want anyone dying because of the second rift this time around.
Once I confirmed the skill had upgraded, I immediately undressed. Off went the hat, the mask, the denim jacket, and even my shirt and pants—all stuffed into my inventory. I changed into the fresh clothes I'd prepared in advance.
Since I was going to be treating people now, I couldn't show up in my battle gear.
As I changed, Cha Sahyeon blinked wide-eyed in surprise, then quietly erected a shadow barrier around me. There wasn't anyone else nearby, but I appreciated the gesture.
"Mm..."
Once dressed, I touched my left shoulder. It was the area injured during the fight with the monster.
Blood was still seeping out, so the new clothes would get soaked soon. Even if I couldn't hide the scent of blood, I at least needed to look presentable on the outside.
Reluctantly, I pulled one more layer over myself. Instead of pulling out my sword, I summoned a robe.
[Cloak of Sky's Wisdom]
A robe woven from special fabric that enhances defense.
Embedded with Canary's Tear Gems, it sparkles with a deepening blue that evokes the sky above.
Attack: F
Balance: S
Defense: S
+Special Defense: A
As expected, just like the sword, this was an incredibly powerful defense item. I draped the robe over myself, covering the injury.
"Let's go, kid."
With that, I was fully prepared.
I took a short breath, grabbed Cha Sahyeon's hand, and walked toward the main road where Kwon Taehyuk and the Yesung Guild members were gathered.
"Don't use your skill in front of people, okay? You know that, right?"
Just in case, I reminded Cha Sahyeon again. She quietly nodded and followed along.
"Are there more injured?!"
"When is the support team arriving?!"
"Move the injured over here!"
"Guildmaster, what do we do? I just spoke with the support team lead—they said the road's blocked, so they're coming around another way!"
"How long will that take?"
"At least another 10 minutes..."
"Ten minutes?! They'll die before that!"
"Shit, if only we had healing items..."
In the short time I'd been gone, the situation had gotten much more desperate. Watching their comrades die, the guild members couldn't hide their anxiety. Kwon Taehyuk's expression wasn't much better.
Surrounded by critically wounded people bleeding out, and with ten more minutes to wait, Kwon Taehyuk finally blinked calmly and spoke.
"Do whatever you can to keep them alive a little longer. I'll go get the support team myself."
"What? But Guildmaster, you're injured too! If you move like this—"
"They can't get through because of the debris. If I go and clear the path myself, the support team will arrive faster. So—"
"Guildmaster Kwon Taehyuk."
I couldn't let that happen. I quickened my steps toward him and called out.
Kwon Taehyuk flinched at my voice and spun around.
"Hunter Cha Seohu? How did you even—"
He looked shocked at first, then narrowed his eyes suspiciously, glancing between me and Cha Sahyeon.
I scratched my cheek awkwardly and smiled sheepishly.
"Uh, sorry. I sent my sister ahead in the support team car, but she got lost looking for me. I came here to find her."
"This place is dangerous. A monster was just rampaging through here. You brought a child into this—are you out of your mind?!"
"Come on, we just got here. And it looks like all the monsters are already taken care of, right? These folks here got hurt fighting them, didn't they?"
Only then did Kwon Taehyuk seem to come to his senses. He clicked his tongue in frustration.
"Even if they're dealt with, there might be stragglers. Stay put and don't move. I have to—"
"I heard. The support team's stuck and can't get here."
I grabbed his arm as he started to rush off.
"Want me to do it instead?"
"...What?"
"Healing. I'll treat them."
Kwon Taehyuk's black eyes wavered uncontrollably at my response. I smiled calmly and added:
"Actually... I have a healing skill."
[Main Quest: Survive the second rift. (Time remaining: 5 hours 13 minutes)]

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