REINCARNATION OF THE STRONGEST WAR HERO

Logan walked away from Leonard without looking back. He didn't flinch, didn't pause, and didn't even bother explaining anything else. He had already taken the step and he never had the intention to join his party from the beginning anyway.

Behind him, Leonard stood still like a statue, fists clenched tightly at his sides. Rage was boiling inside him. He felt humiliated. And by a kid who hadn't even seen the cruelty of the real world.

But in truth, he was the one playing with fire.

Logan kept walking. "Your party may be stronger," Logan thought silently, "but it's a pack of hungry wolves… chasing only one thing. Glory. And I want no part of that."

Just before turning the corner, Logan paused.

He glanced toward the healer's room once more.

They weren't that close. Melissa hadn't spoken much to him beyond basic greetings. But even then, Logan could tell….these people, this team…they were good. Better than they let on. And seeing her like that… unconscious, broken… made his heart ache in a way he hadn't expected.

He turned his head away and walked on.

Inside the healer's chamber, the mood was heavy. Silent. No one spoke.

Melissa lay still on the table, her chest rising and falling slowly. A pale cloth was draped over her, and her wound was bandaged. The glow from the healer's spell had faded minutes ago, but her words still echoed in everyone's mind.

"She's out of danger… but I don't know when she'll wake up. She had gone overboard and used too much of her energy without even thinking. That was already worse. And the wound with all of that…." She didn't finish her sentence. But the meaning was clear.

Ronald sat silently by her feet. Jessi stood leaning against the wall, arms crossed, but her eyes never left Melissa. Luna sat on a stool near the head of the bed, holding Melissa's hand in silence.

And Gideon… stood by the door, not saying a word.

His face was dark. Shadowed. And in his mind, only one voice kept repeating again and again.

"If only I had secured a healer earlier… if I had just convinced someone—anyone—to join…"

They weren't just teammates.

They were more than that.

They were family. Even Luna who only joined recently had grown attached to the party.

Gideon clenched his fists and made a quiet vow. "No matter what… we're not stepping into another dungeon without a healer. I must find a healer."

A few minutes later, Luna looked up.

"I'll stay with her," she whispered.

Jessi shook her head. "I'll go first. You guys should eat something."

Luna hesitated but nodded. "Okay."

Ronald helped Luna to her feet, and the two quietly exited the room to fetch lunch for everyone.

Gideon stepped out as well.

But instead of heading to the main hall for eating, he walked toward the guild's central notice board. His boots echoed against the wooden floor.

With a deep breath, he pulled out a small parchment and began writing a notice.

"Party seeking skilled healer. Tier 3 or above. Urgent recruitment before next raid. Fair compensation guaranteed. Gideon"

He pinned the note on the board with a firm tap.

His eyes stayed on it for a moment longer, then he walked away.

Meanwhile, Logan had already returned to his room.

He hadn't eaten. He didn't feel like it.

Inside the small inn room, he dropped his cloak and tunic to the floor, poured some water into a basin, and began washing his face slowly.

Cold water dripped from his chin.

He stared at his reflection in the metal mirror hung on the wall. His eyes looked a little tired. A little distant.

He couldn't shake off the image of Melissa lying on that table.

She had fought bravely. Too bravely.

And now she was barely breathing.

Logan dried his face and sat down on the bed. He didn't cultivate. He didn't practice. He just sat there, arms resting on his knees, eyes staring at the floor in silence.

"Those party members… they seem like good people. I wish I could've done more. Then she wouldn't be in this state."

Logan was actually feeling guilty. That's why he couldn't stay at the healer's chamber for long. If he had used all his affinities, maybe he could've prevented Melissa from getting hurt. Maybe not too. But the possibility was still there. The problem is, he didn't want anymore trouble. He wanted none to come after him, before he could grow strong enough. And he barely knew the party members. Considering all facts he decided against showcasing his full potential. But that was before Melissa got seriously hurt. After that, he only regretted for not being able to help.

Back at the Hunter Guild's main hall…

Leonard was sitting at his usual table.

His knuckles were white from how tightly he gripped his mug. His jaw was locked, and a storm was brewing in his eyes.

Lucas sat nearby, munching on roasted meat like nothing had happened.

"Still mad?" Lucas asked casually.

Leonard didn't reply.

Lucas smirked. "Why don't we teach them a lesson?" Lucas was already a bit displeased with Logan. And this opportunity seemed fitting.

His statement made Leonard's head turn slightly.

Lucas leaned in, voice low and sly.

"I mean… Gideon's team is already weak. One of their members is half-dead. They don't even have a healer. This is the perfect time to step over them."

Leonard didn't respond immediately.

But something in his eyes shifted. Something dark.

He leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly.

"I might just do that."

Lucas grinned. "Now you're talking."

Leonard didn't smile back. He was already lost in thought, gears turning rapidly.

"He picked them over me," Leonard thought, "Now… let him see where that leads."

He looked across the hall, toward the healer's chamber doors.

"Let's see how long that broken party survives."

Both him and Gideon were hunters, comrades in arms, had taken oath to protect humanity from monsters. But that one thing that always destroys sanity and rational thinking. That one thing that takes people into the opposite side.

'Jealousy.'