A Terminal Healer Needs an Obsessive Maniac-Chapter 126

Kanghoo, who had already requested help from the Fromhel Guild’s research lab, mentioned that it had been easier to analyze the frequency emitted by people infected by the virus after drinking a potion.

"As you suspected, Ryu Seoha."

Choi Kanghoo praised him again, lightly kissing his young lover’s cheek.

"A waveform detectable only by a frequency analyzer made of pure gold."

Choi Kanghoo, who seemed never to tire of it, continued to plant kisses on Ryu Seoha's face while speaking. Ryu Seoha, not pushing him away, wrapped his arms around Kanghoo's broad back, hugging him.

"Can we convert it to location data right away?"

"It was almost suspiciously easy."

While Choi Kanghoo kissed his neck, he answered smoothly and then, as if suddenly curious, asked, "How did you guess that the wave would respond only to gold? Even Dr. Han didn’t seem to think of it."

Leaning comfortably into the hand stroking his cheek, Ryu Seoha chuckled softly.

"There was no explanation provided."

"Explanation? From who?"

According to the information they had recently uncovered, the puppeteer virus that resembled a demonic transformation was controlled by sacs of blood growing inside the infected hosts. It was assumed that the Second Apostle, a puppeteer specialized in controlling people, was responsible for this.

However, even if an apostle could borrow the power of a transcendent entity, they couldn't possibly control so many infected alone. At least one more person with apostle-level abilities had to be involved.

"Kittlova."

Ryu Seoha regarded the S-Class healer Kittlova, whom he had met in Prague, as the prime suspect.

"Will you promise me? When the end comes, you will set me free."

The words of the gypsy woman, who had spoken as if bound by inescapable chains, and,

"Let me cast the healing skill first."

Her actions of stepping forward to heal him, rather than offering any detailed explanations.

"She risked her life to ask for salvation, but she never mentioned how to achieve it."

Although they had been pressed for time, Ryu Seoha was sure that such a wise woman would not have simply forgotten to convey such important information. He mulled over their conversation several times since that day.

"So, I expanded on the topics we had discussed that day, compared them one by one to different approaches, and reviewed every possible clue."

He concluded that she had deliberately avoided discussing some details to reduce the risk of the church discovering her, and his guess had been right.

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"Which topic led you to gold as the answer?"

"The story of a brave woman from the Old Testament."

In the Bible, Esther visited the king to prevent a massacre of her people. Although approaching the king without being summoned was punishable by death, she survived because he extended his golden scepter to her.

Initially, Ryu Seoha had mentioned the story to gauge Kittlova's stance, but it had fit so perfectly that he couldn't overlook it. So, he had all the tools for the investigation made from pure gold.

"Kittlova must have guessed that I would catch on to her intent one way or another."

Considering her reputation for frequently quoting from various scriptures, she might have intended to give him a hint all along. What mattered more was that, thanks to her, they had been able to narrow down her location.

"Do you think that woman who gave us the information is with the Second Apostle?"

"I think it's highly likely."

No matter how powerful Kittlova's ‘Nerve Domination’ ability was, it would be nearly impossible for her to control all the infected hosts worldwide simultaneously. Unless she had borrowed a transcendent power, like the apostles.

From the moment she was mobilized to control the infected, it was likely that Kittlova had begun using power borrowed from a higher entity. Of course, since she wasn't a true apostle with an innate affinity for such power, she wouldn’t be directly connected.

She probably received that power through the puppeteer, much like the shamans who had received fragments of power from the necromancer. The issue was that the farther she was from the source of that power, the shorter her lifespan would become.

Unlike the shamans, who were disposable, Kittlova was a valuable healer and useful as a sacrifice. Moreover, since she didn’t need to be deployed externally, there was a high chance she was with the Second Apostle.

"You're really smart for someone’s lover."

Choi Kanghoo, who had been staring at Ryu Seoha's mouth while he explained, lightly pecked his lips several times as if instinctively pecking for food. Then, with a satisfied smile, he murmured a compliment.

"Shall we go and find the Second Apostle then?"

"No. We’re not fully prepared yet."

Ryu Seoha shook his head slightly as he yielded to the strength pulling him into Kanghoo’s arms. While they had secured most of the conditions needed for victory, they were still lacking in preparation to declare themselves fully ready.

Although finding the apostle’s location and killing him would allow Choi Kanghoo to open the black hole leading to the higher dimension, the real problem would begin after they crossed over.

Ryu Seoha needed an item that would keep him safe and close to Kanghoo during their fierce battle with the transcendent entity. Staying physically connected would not only ensure his safety but also directly aid in the fight.

Fortunately, there was an S-Class item recently discovered in a Shanghai dungeon that could alter the size of its wearer’s body, which Ryu Seoha planned to use. However, their relations with China had soured.

"Can’t we just take that pocket ring?"

Kanghoo casually remarked, but the situation wasn’t that simple. The item was currently in use by a government-affiliated hunter, and while stealing it wouldn’t be difficult, it would be an open act of war.

Ryu Seoha didn’t want to burden the Korean government with such a problem again. He was considering finding a more discreet way to obtain it, as they had done with the reports from Shanxi and Jilin provinces. But just then, an unexpected message arrived from the White House.

"China has declared war."

The message was so absurd that it felt surreal. During an emergency meeting held at the request of the U.S. government, Ryu Seoha quickly realized that this sudden declaration of war was because of him.

The warning sent through the hotline from China claimed that the U.S. had unilaterally blocked any contact with Ryu Seoha. If he wasn’t handed over, they wouldn’t hesitate to start an all-out war.

"The situation over there is so unreasonable... At this rate, we might trigger World War III."

High-ranking officials at the meeting expressed their concerns and worries. It was said that even the journalists and intelligence agents sent to China had lost all contact.

Ryu Seoha recalled the original storyline, where all communications in China were paralyzed after the sudden death of the chairman. While the exact details were unclear, it seemed that China had fallen into chaos, just as it had in the original.

Lost in thought, Ryu Seoha’s eyes narrowed slightly. The way they were trying to drag him into this didn’t sit right with him. Why? Because they urgently needed the help of an S-Class healer?

Something feels off.

He had a gut feeling that the influence of the church might be at play.