The Tone-Deaf Healer Kills with a Song - Chapter 11

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Tone-Deaf Healer Kills with Song – Episode 011
After the Hunter named Mi-ju collapsed with foam at her mouth, I went upstairs and got an earful from my team.
Or rather than scolding me, they looked at a loss, as if they couldn’t figure out what to say.
“So you’re saying you had some influence in a situation you didn’t even intend?”
“Yes, this time the skill cast window didn’t even appear, but suddenly it came out like this…”
“I understand what you mean.”
Understanding that it was a problem stemming from skill inexperience, he ushered me out with an exasperated expression.
Now I’d been stripped of even the most basic right a Korean could claim.
I heard what you said. Just come to my room.
Sitting dejectedly in the Company Cafe sipping an Americano, my phone buzzed with a message. It was the Guild Master.
I’d almost forgotten that I was on my way here after receiving the Guild Master’s call. I got to my feet and headed up to the Top Floor.
“You’ve arrived.”
“Ah, you were w-waiting in front of the elevator.”
I appreciated him waiting, but standing rigidly in front of the elevator like that was bound to startle people. Yet Jung Hwan-jae seemed oblivious to any concern, standing perfectly upright.
I nearly collided with him hard. My expression must have been darker than I realized—I could clearly see him studying my demeanor.
“Do I look that depressed?”
“Yes, we need to find a countermeasure for knocking out outsiders. I think it’s an equipment issue, but have you checked what equipment is available?”
“…”
When I didn’t respond, he stopped mid-step.
His face bore an unmistakable “surely not” expression as he looked at me, and I felt wronged instead. How long had I been a Hunter? Of course I hadn’t acquired equipment yet.
After joining, I’d heard through orientation where I could use equipment owned by Hanttae, but I felt too awkward to just take whatever I wanted.
“With equipment, you try various things and pick what feels comfortable. Once you develop some proficiency, you move on to having custom equipment made.”
“So equipment breaks sometimes while you’re using it?”
“Yes, it’s fine if it breaks. That’s a company benefit we support, so you have no obligation to pay for it.”
Hearing directly from the Guild Master that I had no obligation to pay put my mind at ease. I let out a long sigh without thinking, and his gaze fell on me.
I hadn’t done anything wrong, but my body instinctively shrank as I met eyes that reminded me of my past life.
Just as I was about to break the ice first, his calm words continued.
“Basically, most people use equipment to supplement their lacking stats. There are items that apply corrections to overall stats.”
“Ah, I see.”
“For special stats, you can get help from a blacksmith if you pay a certain amount or more. However, even though we have an exclusive contract with Hanttae, the slots are booked three months out, so please wait.”
Maybe he was worried I’d switch Guilds in the meantime. But I was prepared to be buried here at Hanttae.
I nodded earnestly, and he waved his hand lightly as if to follow, then began walking away. I thought we were heading to see equipment given how he’d phrased it, but apparently not.
Where he led me was his Guild Master’s Office.
“Remember what you told me when you were practicing alone last time? You said you got an additional buff when using songs from the Random Music Box.”
“There’s only one left now, right? Yes, that’s correct.”
What I’d actually asked him was whether he could tell me where to obtain that Random Music Box. I hadn’t opened the remaining one yet, planning to use it after my stats developed further.
“I did some investigating myself, but it might be somewhat incomplete.”
“Ah, you didn’t have to go that far…”
What puzzled me lately was the Guild Master’s attitude toward me. Wasn’t he being excessively kind?
I knew that because Healers were so rare these days, any Guild would meet conditions beyond what was necessary.
But that’s the stance coming from the Guild’s side—I’ve never heard of the Guild Master being this enthusiastic before.
We certainly submitted an inquiry to the Hunter Support Team about this matter, but Jung Hwan-jae answered directly. I remember the department staff looking bewildered, saying they had no idea the Guild Master would step in personally.
“Random boxes typically only appear as rewards for specific situations. However, once your level increases, a detailed search function activates. It’s only available to those with extremely specific stat requirements, though.”
“Detailed search?”
I’d never heard of such a thing even in the orientation sessions. Though I suppose that’s natural—lectures don’t cover cases that appear in only the rarest circumstances.
He nodded lightly.
“It’s used not just for skill searches, but to search for other necessary resources as well. It seems your Creative Technique stat is being used for that purpose, I believe.”
“Ah, I see?”
“Yes, it’s only my speculation. But it appears that the sheet music gets stored in data, and that’s how you acquire new songs.”
“Does that mean the Guild Master also uses detailed search with a stat like that….”
I caught myself mid-sentence and clamped my mouth shut. We weren’t the kind of people who could have that sort of conversation. My habit of attempting small talk whenever I felt awkward had gotten me into trouble again.
Asking about someone’s stats or skills was implicitly considered quite rude, and even more so if they belonged to a ranker.
But he waved his hand casually, as though such a question was fine. As if he understood it was a mistake.
“If the opportunity arises later, I’ll tell you. For now, it’s a bit premature.”
“Ah, well then….”
“Besides, you’re the healer who’s been treating me consistently since before, so I can’t create secrets that are too significant.”
Something suddenly came to mind. A question I’d been harboring for some time.
“But what exactly am I treating you for, Guild Master?”
It had been a persistent mystery.
I’d only treated him twice so far, but from that day when the interview felt like a substitute for something, Jung Hwan-jae had shown a strange reaction.
Even though I hadn’t healed anyone, he’d acted as though he understood the effect from just one song. At first, I thought he had his own means of verification.
“….”
But that wasn’t it. If such means existed, why would the Guild staff scramble at every interview trying to verify whether their abilities were real or fraudulent?
It couldn’t be because of his special skill—he’d clearly spoken as though he’d received treatment from my skill for something. Yet there was no pain, no visible external wounds.
“Am I actually treating something? I honestly can’t tell.”
“Well, yes.”
“From what I can see, you don’t appear to be injured anywhere, Guild Master. And since you’re the only target I can apply my healing skill to, it’s even more confusing.”
I’d clearly heard that once my stats increased and my proficiency improved, things would change. I might not be able to form my own team, but at least I could belong somewhere and form parties with others.
If it’s a low-level Dungeon, I could enter alone, clear it, and come back out. If I’m really lucky, I might even get my name on the rankings. That is, if I’m truly a healer.
But since the skill’s effects show no visible results, I couldn’t gain any confidence. Am I really on the right path?
“If you’re questioning your own abilities, there’s no need to worry. Among all the healers I’ve seen so far, you have the most outstanding ability.”
“But….”
“I already know you’re harboring doubts about me right now. It’s understandable.”
He nodded. As though it was a reason he could fully accept.
A person who’d only just started working here, someone whose life as a Hunter was barely long—the fact that they were probing into him. Most people couldn’t have endured that.
Hunters sometimes displayed behavior where they lost their humanity because of their exceptional abilities. If he’d been like that, I might have been caught in some trap and suffered through a terrible time here.
But he was speaking in a way that showed consideration for me.
“I’m not saying I’m misunderstanding you or that I want to trouble you, Guild Master.”
“I know. Don’t worry. I will never misunderstand you based on anything I might say.”
“But my song is blocked by some problem, and because of that, the form of treatment is urgent. I want to know what kind of buff is being applied as well.”
In a way, I had cut him off mid-sentence, yet the composed expression on his face as he acquiesced was honestly impressive enough to make me feel a touch of admiration.
Though it was possible his face was simply too beautiful for words.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————