The Tone-Deaf Healer Kills with a Song - Chapter 31

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Tone-Deaf Healer Kills with Song – Episode 031
The sound of water bubbling filled the air. White steam rose from an old kettle, incongruous with the ornate interior surroundings.
Apart from the hissing sounds, no one had opened their mouth.
After staring at our faces for a long while, Kim Myung-joo finally spoke.
“That’s right, I made it.”
“….”
“Why are you looking at me like that? Are you saying I should have known in advance that you’d use it to harm that young lady and stopped you? I’m a merchant.”
The equipment had left my hands long ago, and from a position where I only needed to receive payment, she furrowed her brow as she spoke about why she should know its purpose.
It wasn’t wrong. In the end, it was all about making a living and doing well, so I couldn’t force some grand cause or desire to save someone onto her.
That’s why I opposed Jung Hwan-jae’s opinion at first. Going to the Workshop to protest didn’t seem like a good idea, and I thought it would be better to find the user and have a firm talk with them instead.
“But this equipment is too precisely specialized for Yeom Ye-ah. Yeom Ye-ah hasn’t even been actively working as a Hunter for that long.”
“Right, because that Kim Kyung-hoon requested equipment that could defend against sound attacks like Siren’s.”
“Moreover, Hanttae kept Ye-ah’s recruitment strictly confidential, yet she was kidnapped on the way to the Dormitory. That means information was leaked.”
I reflexively turned my head to look at Jung Hwan-jae. He was staring at Kim Myung-joo with an unwavering expression. A faint killing intent emanated from his face.
Her expression, which had been blank until moments ago, now regarded Jung Hwan-jae with a chilling gaze.
Caught between them, I felt my innocent back being torn apart.
Did this happen because of me? Is this my fault?
“Are you suspecting me of leaking information right now?”
“There’s room for suspicion, as you must be aware.”
“How unpleasant.”
He, who had initially blamed himself for his lack of management, now vowed to find the true culprit behind this incident and began examining the wireless earphone.
All the equipment management staff remaining at the Guild came rushing out to inspect it, and eventually they discovered the “Yeom Ye-ah Exclusive Defensive Gear” that Kim Myung-joo had created.
My name wasn’t mentioned explicitly, but the situation was far too obvious, wasn’t it?
Jung Hwan-jae, with a cold expression I’d never seen before, insisted they had to meet Kim Myung-joo immediately, and while trying to stop him, I somehow ended up following him here.
“Yeom Ye-ah, why don’t you answer? Do you really think I leaked it?”
“Pardon?”
“Don’t drag Ye-ah into this. You barely know her.”
Startled by the sudden question, I stammered in confusion, but Jung Hwan-jae quickly pulled me behind him. My vision was blocked by his massive frame, and I could only blink.
I wasn’t frightened enough to need this kind of protection. And besides, there was something else on my mind.
“I’m not sure about the leak, but there is something I’d like to ask.”
“Hmm?”
“When did Hunter Kim Kyung-hoon request that equipment?”
The Workshop’s slots require a long wait even under the Hanttae Guild’s name. Guerrilla slots almost never open, and selling finished products already requires an open run.
The potion Kim Myung-joo kindly shared with me would be a premium item requiring months of waiting if I tried to obtain it myself. Of course, Jung Hwan-jae would have paid for it.
In any case, even if equipment were to be made for me, it couldn’t be done in such a short timeframe.
At my question, Kim Myung-joo stared directly at me.
“Six months ago.”
“Pardon?”
“Six months ago, I said.”
That was when I was actively going through interviews with various Guilds. Places where I’d often sing during interviews and frequently knock out as many as five people in the room.
However, they all spoke in unison, assuring me that the secret would be kept and there was no need to worry.
‘No, I’ve interviewed with so many guilds that I have no idea where the leak came from.’
“Kim Kyung-hoon’s primary skill is Confession.”
“Pardon?”
“Against those with weak defensive skills, he uses brainwashing in addition to extracting confessions. The skill itself is known as a type of buff that relieves tension, but….”
He wouldn’t stop at merely relieving tension—he’d push the skill further to incapacitate his opponent. That’s how he’d extract the truth from them.
Without needing him to say more, I understood his intent, so I nodded quietly. It made sense.
He probably wasn’t specifically targeting me. He’d simply gathered information about healers through various guilds, picking out those he could easily overcome.
There’s a new healer, someone with destructive power so immense that opponents collapse just from hearing her sing. That’s roughly what he would have learned.
‘He’s already prepared. Since before I even became a hunter.’
From the moment I was uncertain whether I could even become a hunter, there existed someone who harbored hostility toward me. How could something be so chilling?
When I heard it was created six months ago, Jung Hwan-jae seemed to piece together the timeline and stepped closer to Kim Myung-joo. Kim Myung-joo, who had worn an enigmatic expression while looking at me, soon began conversing quietly with Jung Hwan-jae.
Just moments ago, they’d worn fierce, terrifying expressions as if ready to devour each other, but now they were seriously discussing something. The world of hunters truly remains incomprehensible no matter how much you learn about it.
I shifted my gaze away, trying to look inconspicuous, when Liri’s message came to mind.
[Liri: If you’re really worried, I can just send random messages. Keep your eyes on this chat.]
‘Oh, Liri! Thank you for lending me your strength back then. I won’t face any disciplinary action or anything like that, right?’
[Liri: No. It was technically overstepping at the time, but now your stats have improved and the contract adjustment and psychological distance have narrowed, so that much is sufficient now. Once the ranking tournament ends, I think I’ll be able to use a small avatar.]
I still remember that contract.
The divinity of Handler Liri will eternally protect you for as long as the contract remains in effect.
Fundamentally, I understand that a contract doesn’t break until the contractor dies. I’m not sure whether the contract becomes void if the handler disappears.
The sensation of the feather pulsing in my hand remains vivid. The warmth of it, as if Liri had separated a piece of her soul and placed it upon me.
‘Liri, does an avatar resemble your actual form?’
[Liri: Some make them completely identical to their real form, while others change them slightly. But the essential aspects can’t be altered. For instance, in my case, I’d have wings.]
[Liri: A single handler can have multiple avatars. The more similar they are to your actual form, the more divinity is consumed, so you need to be closer to your contractor.]
[Liri: So I’ll keep evolving from the wings, gradually.]
Wings.
I should retract my assumption that she was a hamster. In my imagination, Liri’s form soon took on the shape of a crested tit. A male crested tit—a small bird that chirps when I’m in danger.
As I thoughtlessly diminished imaginary Liri’s dignity, I found myself in a better mood without realizing it. I barely managed to suppress the smile tugging at my lips when the two of them finished their conversation and approached me.
“Did you hear that Kim Kyung-hoon left the Hunter Association?”
“Yes, everyone said that since it’s right before the ranking tournament, there probably won’t be serious punishment….”
Kim Myung-joo nodded heavily.
The atmosphere right before the ranking tournament is extremely tense, so if no hunter has suffered serious harm, the tendency is to protect them as much as possible.
Though an unfortunate kidnapping incident occurred inside the dungeon, since I’m safe, there’s a high probability it will end with just a fine even after the ranking tournament concludes.
‘Why is hunter law so vague?’
‘Because hunters operate in areas the law can’t reach. The interior of dungeons can’t be regulated, and gathering evidence outside is difficult.’
‘Then could I be kidnapped again by Kim Kyung-hoon?’
‘I’ll protect you by any means necessary so that doesn’t happen.’
Those were Jung Hwan-jae’s words as he soothed me on the way here, when I was fuming with anger.
Until the ranking tournament, it seems I’ll inevitably have to rely on Jung Hwan-jae even more.
As if curious about what I was thinking, Kim Myung-joo stared intently at my face and let out a heavy sigh.
“Honestly, I still don’t believe I was at fault in that matter, but it’s true that I caused you actual harm. I heard you even borrowed a Handler from the organization.”
“…Yes.”
Kim Myung-joo snapped her fingers in front of me. With a sharp click, liquids of various colors flooded in from all directions.
They tangled together in one spot, then began stretching out long like a ball of yarn.
“Still, you’re a promising future client. Let me give you some compensation.”

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