Chapter 44:

Chapter 44:

Chapter 44

Seo Gangrim got up from his spot and woke up Father Yohan.

"Father Yohan."

"Uh, uh, yes... Brother..."

"We're being attacked. Get up."

At Seo Gangrim's words, Father Yohan hastily got up and put on his glasses.

The group surrounding the tent... there were about four of them?

【"Wow, the first day passed without incident!"】

【"Who are they?"】

【"Let's go out and see what's happening, Gangrim! I want to know what's going on!"】

【"Send out Father Yohan first!"】

Asking Father Yohan to go out was an unreasonable idea. Instead, Seo Gangrim whispered to him, "I'll go out and deal with them. Father, you stay inside. If you run away, it'll only get worse. If things get dangerous, shout for help."

"Yes, yes..." Father Yohan was already frightened.

Seo Gangrim thought they might tear through the tent and come in, but they only seemed to be eyeing the tent greedily from nearby. Holding his breath for a moment, he saw the entrance of the tent gradually opening. The moment outside air started to seep in, Seo Gangrim thrust his sword through the gap.

"Aah!"

A scream erupted at the same time Seo Gangrim felt his sword pierce flesh. He immediately dashed out of the tent and swung his sword at the attackers. Confused faces met his gaze.

"Weren't they asleep?"

"Let's just take it!"

"Collect all the rations, clothes, and the tent!"

The attackers were all unfamiliar faces. They stared at Seo Gangrim with a sinister look in their eyes, much like wild animals. Checking their combat power using 'Destiny Analysis', Seo Gangrim found they were low-ranked.

【Wow, there seem to be more than we thought.】

【Is Gangrim fine alone?】

【Yeah, right. He should stick with the others.】

【Hey, isn't Gangrim being too calm? He might have some hidden cards.】

【Is that so? He always forgets to carry his weapon because he's always been walking around unarmed.】

Seo Gangrim thought of using 'Fighting Instinct', which would increase his probability of winning, but he couldn't a guarantee to keep them all alive. As much as possible, he wanted to leave one of them alive and gather information... Saving just one would probably be enough. As he was contemplating who to spare, one of the opponents approached, and spoke, "Hey. If you hand over your food, we'll let you go without harm."

"Sure. We're thieves, not murderers."

At their words, he unconsciously let out a laugh. Even if they weren't murderers, taking away food in this situation was akin to committing murder.

Seo Gangrim glared at them and replied, "What if I don't?"

"Then we'll have to take them by force."

Before he even finished speaking, the other person rushed at Seo Gangrim with an axe in hand. Thankfully, Seo Gangrim Agility was now over Level 20 after killing a lot of monsters in the previous stage. Hence, he was able to move before the opponent arrived with his axe.

*Swoosh!*

"Gah!"

Seo Gangrim kicked him in the jaw with his knee, and followed it up by a swift blow to the head with the hilt of his sword. As the man stumbled and fell, another guy charged at Seo Gangrim. He was of a higher rank than Seo Gangrim, but not that much stronger.

*Thud!*

"Aaagh!"

As Seo Gangrim thrust his sword into the opponent's thigh, the man lost his balance and fell, and just as Seo Gangrim was about to finish him off...

*Boom!*

"How?"

Seo Gangrim took something out of his pocket. It was a leaf as large as a fan.

"This leaf is said to have a detoxifying effect. It apparently removes poison."

"Wow, I see. How did you know about that, Brother Gangrim?"

Instead of answering, Seo Gangrim pointed at the sky with his hand. Seeing his hand, Father Yohan nodded.

"God must have shown you. Thank goodness."

With this conviction, Father Yohan didn't press for more answers. Seo Gangrim settled near the riverbank and started preparing the meat. The meat he had detoxified yesterday was today's dinner. He skewered the meat and placed it over the campfire. Soon, an enticing aroma began to waft through the air.

"Father, you can eat now."

The detoxified meat, placed on a plate made of the detoxifying leaves, was ready. Father Yohan seemed moved by its appearance, but he also seemed perplexed.

"Aren't you eating, Brother Gangrim?"

The food was only placed in front of Father Yohan. Seo Gangrim nodded.

"I'll have some separately in a while. Please go ahead."

"But..."

"It's alright."

Upon Seo Gangrim's words and after hesitating for a moment, Father Yohan eventually started eating the meat little by little. Despite his concerns about the poison, the taste was surprisingly excellent. After finishing the meal satisfactorily, Father Yohan expressed his gratitude, "Thank you for the meal, Brother."

"Now that you're done, it's time for you to help, Father."

"Of course, anything you need!"

Finally, thinking he could do something helpful, Father Yohan smiled brightly. In front of this cheerful Father Yohan, Seo Gangrim took out something. It was the freshly captured monster meat. Blood was still dripping from the greenish flesh. Father Yohan looked at it curiously, "Brother, what are you going to ask for...?"

Instead of answering, Seo Gangrim put a piece of the raw meat in his mouth. It hadn't been detoxified yet. Father Yohan, surprised, jumped up and exclaimed, "Brother! You mentioned that the meat is poisonous!"

"Yes, it is."

Seo Gangrim nonchalantly cut another piece and put it in his mouth. The nauseating taste spread through his body as it moved through his tongue. As the poison started to take effect, his veins gradually became visible. Seo Gangrim said with a slight chuckle, "Now it's time for you to administer the cure, Father."

"What?"

"It means you will detoxify me."

Seo Gangrim continued to slice the meat slowly and put it in his mouth.

"Go ahead, Father."

As Seo Gangirm started eating the poisoned meat, his veins began to show. Even the gods seemed to be in an uproar.

【What is Seo Gangrim doing?】

【Oh my, he's eating poison.】

【Why on earth is he doing that?】

【Does it taste good? It looks like he's eating something like pufferfish.】

As the poison started to spread, his body began to stiffen. It wasn't a fatal poison but a paralyzing one. Unaware of this fact, Father Yohan activated his ability in haste.

[Ability 'Healing Hand' activated!]

White light emanated from Father Yohan's hand, and Seo Gangrim felt his body quickly relaxing. Seo Gangrim let out a rough breath. His skin color returned to normal, and the numbness faded away.

"Brother, are you okay?"

"...Yes, my hand is working properly now."

He clenched and unclenched his right hand and then started eating monster meat again. Seeing this, Father Yohan's face turned pale.

"I'm going to keep eating, so please keep treating me."

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