Wait, did the ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) buff skill just rank up?
The rank-up of my most frequently used buff was definitely welcome.
But why so suddenly?
Maybe it was because the system had backstabbed me so often, but something about it felt unsettling.
And I couldn't immediately guess what kind of new effect came with the rank-up.
It was a buff that required physical contact to activate, right? So what could possibly—
Just then, as if expecting my doubt, another window popped up right away.
Ding!
《Skill rank-up has updated the status window.》
《New effects have been added due to the skill rank-up.》
[Primary Skill: Bond of the Guardian (SS-rank)]
Strengthens the target's stamina and original stats through physical contact.
└ Buff: Increased damage for primary skill
└ Buff: Increased base movement speed
└ Buff: Stabilization effect
└ Prayer Meditation: Area Buff
What? Area buff?
My eyes widened on their own.
An area buff—right after getting area-wide purification and healing? This was insane!
System, since when do you do anything this nice?
Whatever the reason, it was the best reward I could've hoped for right now.
I didn't hesitate and was about to activate the area buff immediately—
"Guh...!"
A large hand suddenly thrust through the status window and roughly grabbed me by the throat.
"Cha Seohu."
Only then did I remember Kang Haeil's presence next to me, forgotten in my excitement about the skill. His voice was laced with rage.
He yanked me toward him, his lips curling into a sneer.
"Why don't you ever listen, huh?"
His grip tightened, cutting off both breath and blood flow. Pain surged through me.
"You think everything's solved now?"
As I scratched at his wrist with my nails, struggling to break free, Kang Haeil brought his face closer.
"We already knew you had a healing skill. Purification... ha, didn't expect that part, but whatever."
"Ghhk—l-let... go...!"
"Nothing's changed. If we don't deal with that monster, no one gets out alive. You're coming with me."
His icy blue eyes burned down at me.
"There's nothing you can change."
"..."
"It's not that your skills are useless. Just come back to our sector with me and use them for us."
He really had the nerve to spout this shit like it made sense.
I wanted to say something, but his grip didn't loosen at all.
Since I wouldn't move according to his will, it looked like he was planning to knock me out and drag me off.
As my breath remained blocked, my eyelids began to flutter shut against my will. My chest heaved, and it felt like my lungs were being ripped apart.
The sense of danger finally sank in.
Fuck, if I pass out here, I'm screwed.
I hadn't even had the chance to use my buff skill yet. Leaving everyone here with an L-rank monster while I escaped alone? Just the thought chilled me to the core.
Why won't any of my traits activate at times like this?
No matter how many traits I acquired or ranked up, they were all useless right now.
I did have one trait I could activate manually—but it only improved memory and judgment. In this kind of situation, that meant nothing.
If only one of the traits with a chance to stun enemies on contact would trigger... but the probability was too low—
Boom!
"...!"
My vision shook violently as air suddenly rushed back into my throat.
Someone had pushed Kang Haeil off me and rescued me.
Cough, cough! I hacked uncontrollably and raised my head.
I assumed it had to be Kwon Taehyuk or Ryu Sunghyun. Cha Sahyeon was too far away, and Park Minhyuk was still sitting dazed and vacant.
But the broad back now standing protectively in front of me—belonged to a Hunter I never would've expected.
"...Park Heeseok?"
A massive lion-like figure with thick white mane. It was undeniably Park Heeseok.
Why the hell would he help me?
I felt more baffled than grateful.
I stared at him in disbelief, but he paid no attention to me and shouted at Kang Haeil.
"For a dealer to fail to protect a supporter and instead oppress him like this—how disgraceful! I'm ashamed to share a class with you!"
"..."
You're seriously saying that?
This was the same Park Heeseok who tried to attack a supporter during the guild competition, only to be stopped by me and booed by the audience.
Kang Haeil looked irritated, probably not expecting Park Heeseok to step in either.
"I don't have the stomach to exchange words with a slobbering dog of a dealer who simps for a supporter. Get lost. This is family business."
Park Heeseok bared his fangs and growled like a beast. From his raised hands, sharp claws extended outward.
"Hunter Cha Seohu!"
Just in time, Kwon Taehyuk came running over.
Perfect. With this, I had everything I needed to act.
Using Park Heeseok as a shield in front of me, I shouted,
"Hunter Park Heeseok, please protect me!"
"A-ah, understood!"
Though flustered, Park Heeseok answered dutifully.
Kwon Taehyuk's eyes trembled with anxiety as he reached me. But he had his own tasks to do, so he could wait.
It was time to use the buff that Kang Haeil had interrupted. I clasped my hands together and activated the skill.
[Prayer Meditation (Area Buff)]
Holding both hands together amplifies the skill's effects and expands its range.
《Skill: Bond of the Guardian (SS-rank) activated!》
《Primary skill damage is increased. (Area) (Duration: 14:59)》
《Base movement speed is increased. (Area) (Duration: 14:59)》
《Stabilization effect applied. (Area) (Duration: 14:59)》
There was no flashy light like with Holy Power, no dramatic wings sprouting from my back.
Instead, the reactions of the Hunters around me were effect enough.
"Gasp...!"
"Is this... a buff? From Hunter Cha Seohu?"
"Wh-whoa, what is this?"
Not only Park Heeseok and Kwon Taehyuk, but all the other Hunters clutched at their chests in surprise. The buff's clearest effect was felt in the heart.
Everyone—dealers and supporters alike—could feel the change.
I observed their reactions and let out a small breath of relief.
Thankfully, unlike when I needed physical contact, there don't seem to be any side effects.
And the duration was better than expected.
Since it was an area effect, I had braced myself for a very short window. But fifteen minutes? That was way more manageable. If the fight wasn't over by then, I could just cast it again.
I turned my gaze to Cha Sahyeon, who stood close to the monster. He too looked at me, his expression mixed.
Before him stood a towering wall of pitch-black shadow.
I didn't need an explanation to understand—it was a barrier he had created to buy time for me to save the others with my skill.
The shadow wall trembled violently as if it could break apart any second. He couldn't hold it much longer.
It's okay now.
I gave him a short nod—my signal that he could start fighting and that I'd support him from the back—and turned to Kwon Taehyuk.
"Guildmaster, please hold me."
"...Pardon?"
"There's something I need to find while you fight the monster. Team Leader Park Minhyuk!"
Wrapping my arms around Kwon Taehyuk's shoulder as he reflexively lifted me up, I shouted for Park Minhyuk.
Park Minhyuk, who'd been staring at me blankly, snapped back to his senses with a jolt.
"That thing is the boss monster! We have to take it down to clear the dungeon!"
"Ah..."
"Go in together. You can get hurt, or tired—it's fine. I'll keep providing buffs and healing."
At my words, a sharp gleam returned to Park Minhyuk's eyes.
"...Understood."
That was one burden lifted. If it was Park Minhyuk, he'd be able to lead the confused Hunters well.
"Let's go."
I whispered quietly to Kwon Taehyuk and looked to the side.
My eyes met Kang Haeil's.
He was still standing in the same spot, utterly frozen.
His face—paler than ever—was filled with shock.
The healing and purification skills, I had acquired long ago. But the area buff was something I had gained just now. No matter how good his little brother's foresight was, he couldn't have predicted this.
It was the first time I'd ever completely outplayed Kang Haeil.
Maybe that's why—even though I knew this wasn't the time—I couldn't stop myself from smiling.
When I didn't look away and instead smiled confidently, Kang Haeil's blue eyes wavered.
...God, this is just too fun.
Grinning, I gripped Kwon Taehyuk's shoulder tightly as he leapt forward, soaring off the ground with me in his arms.

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