Kang Minho stood guard outside the pharmacy while Baek Haemin checked the civilians, each healing their wounds according to the system's quest.
He really didn't want to since he wanted to refrain from using his powers after experiencing the pain he got from it last time, but he also wanted to avoid any penalty from the system.
One difference he noticed while healing them was that it took him far less mana than when he healed awakened hunters. That meant less strain on him, after all the times he had to open Maiden's Sanctuary for Kang Minho.
Han Jiwon fidgeted near Haemin.
"Young master, are you really okay? Aren't you overdoing it? Their wounds aren't even that bad. Hunters are already coming here. I'm sure they could wait a little until help comes in."
Baek Haemin, who was holding an old man's hand, sighed. His hand glowed for a second, just enough to heal the old man's cut on his arms.
Han Jiwon had been pacing back and forth behind him since he started healing the people at the pharmacy.
"I already said it's fine. Your brother said it's all just because of repeated use every day, right? This is just for today, then I can take all the rest when we get home, so you should calm down."
He smiled at the old man who thanked him. The last one was a woman in her thirties. Her head was scraped against the wall when one of the ogres banged it.
She glanced at Haemin hesitantly.
"Uhm, aren't you that famous support hunter? I remember seeing you on the news one time, although it wasn't anything good…"
"Oh, that…"
Haemin avoided her eyes.
What should he say? Baek Haemin did all sorts of things back then, so he couldn't even begin to guess what kind of news it was.
He silently activated Healing Hand before smiling at her.
"Well, you know how news gets. Ha ha, it's just up to you how you want to interpret it."
The lady felt the warm sensation go through her whole body. The young man's soothing face made her feel bad for even saying what she said earlier. She thought he was right. Nowadays, news outlets write what they think would interest the public, not necessarily the truth.
She bowed her head lightly before wrapping her rough but gentle hands around him.
"That's true. We must look at a person beyond what other people want the public to perceive him."
Huh? What does that mean?
The woman stood up smiling, her hands behind her back. Baek Haemin scratched the back of his head as he watched the woman leave jollier than before.
What was she talking about?
Then, he felt a small nudge on his left. Sitting beside him was the first child he encountered all this mess. The boy had been quiet the whole time even when he was getting carried, but now was a good time to finally talk to him.
Haemin started.
"Hey, what's your name?"
The boy looked at him without saying anything, but Haemin didn't let that stop him. He doesn't know what he went through before meeting him, it's better to be as gentle as possible.
"It must have been scary, right? But all those monsters are gone now. You saw that hyung and noona over there?"
He pointed at Kang Minho and Han Jiwon, who gave the young porter a bottle of water.
"They're really strong. You saw them fight the monsters earlier, right?"
When he saw that the child only looked down, Baek Haemin held the boy's trembling hands. He knelt down in order to face his gaze pointing downwards.
"What I'm saying is, you're safe now. It's alright, this hyung would surely protect you, okay?"
His smile was so bright that Seo Hyunwoo's lips started to tremble. His golden eyes sparkled a little just before a tear slipped out. The young boy's sniff could be heard throughout.
Baek Haemin frowned as the grasp on the child's hands loosened and he hugged him tightly. Haemin whispered in his ears.
"It's okay. You're alright now…"
"Y, you bastard!"
A man suddenly shouted from a corner.
His hair was messy, and his emotions were unraveling. The man pointed his finger at Han Jiwon, his words were fuming from his mouth.
"You bitch! It's your fault! My wife's dead now because you didn't save her!"
"What?"
Jiwon's brows furrowed at the accusations thrown at her.
The man continued,
"Even though you're a hunter… you're just useless! How could you let my wife die just like that?! You should have died instead of her!"
"Oh no, what is he saying?"
"She let her die?"
"No way…"
Whispers filled the area around them, people buzzing about the man reproaching the hunter who saved everyone here.
Baek Haemin couldn't stand it anymore. He got between the two and said,
"Hold on, ahjussi. Do you even know what you're talking about right now? Jiwon saved all of you."
The man puffed out his chest.
"And you! You think I don't know you? Aren't you that good-for-nothing gay chaebol who was constantly chasing a man around? Your face was plastered all over the news! Seriously, so disgusting!"
Baek Haemin's veins popped out.
"Ha? What did you say, old man?"
"O, old?"
"Yes, old! That balding head of yours was blinding me this whole time! Why don't you put something to cover it up?!"
Haemin started spitting out words he normally wouldn't.
This was supposed to be a good, sunny day. The first time he gets to enjoy the outside air after being stuck at the Baek manor.
Yet, a dungeon break happened in the middle of the day. A lot of people died, and everyone was left traumatized, leaving a child unable to get any words out of his mouth. He even had to see disgusting monsters, and use up his powers.
Why does he have to listen to an old man spit out curses directed at Han Jiwon too? He's had enough. Today was supposed to be a good day.
Baek Haemin's face scrunched up.
"Fucking geezer… you'd better shut your mouth now."