The Tone-Deaf Healer Kills with a Song - Chapter 35

—————
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 035
[Liri: I don’t want to.]
‘Liri, why are you in such a bad mood today?’
[Liri: Because you’re going to a party today. I’m worried you won’t play with me anymore. And there will be so many Hunters and Staff members there. With multiple Divine Vessels manifesting, I’m afraid you’ll feel small standing alone among them all.]
Liri’s mood had soured precisely from the day I eagerly accepted Jung Hwan-jae’s partnership proposal.
There had been moments when I felt awkward because she responded seriously to what I’d thrown out as a playful jab about jealousy.
If it wasn’t that, it would be closer to simple concern on her part. But whenever I asked what was wrong that day, she wouldn’t answer.
“Liri.”
[Liri: Yes, Yeha.]
When I call her like this, she responds faithfully—it doesn’t seem like she’s actually angry. She’s probably just pouting adorably.
Not long ago, I went shopping with Jung Hwan-jae. He said I needed proper clothes for the party and swept through the department store, paying with the company card.
‘Since this is ultimately part of work duties, it’s only reasonable that I use the company’s funds, not yours.’
He offered this incomprehensible reasoning. His face looked so bright while picking out clothes for me that I couldn’t bring myself to protest.
What he chose for me was formal attire for the party. Though given that a Gate could open at any moment, he picked pants instead.
More precisely, he bought me a formal pants suit set for the party and two additional seasonal dresses I’d merely glanced at.
‘Senior Jung Hwan-jae, doesn’t this seem a bit extravagant?’
‘It’s always good to have a piece or two of clothing you can pull out and wear whenever you go somewhere.’
Once I made up my mind, there was no way to counter his words. I had clothes I could pull out and wear anytime, and I had enough money to buy a piece or two.
But rather than showing off about buying me clothes, he was looking at me like a puppy waiting for praise, so I lost the will to stop him.
When did it start? Whenever I saw him, my heart would soften bit by bit. Perhaps it was because I felt like I had a family again after so long.
The warmth of his hand, the way he tilted his head slightly whenever he smiled—these trivial things had begun to weigh on my mind.
[Liri: You call me over and then stand there with such a happy expression all by yourself. That makes me sulk too, Yeha.]
“Oh, I’m sorry. Actually, there’s something I wanted to ask. I want to know about the disappearance of Staff members. A Hunter I almost faced in the ranking tournament said that a Staff member was killed by Kim Kyung-hoon.”
I wasn’t sure if the word “death” even applied to the existence of a Staff member.
Liri fell silent for a moment, as if thinking. Well, anyone would react that way if suddenly asked a question related to their own death.
Had I been too inconsiderate? I waited for Liri’s answer while putting on clothes and accessories.
[Liri: We don’t have a concept of death. We were originally dead, and our existence was recreated by converting all our abilities into data. We seal away the Divine Vessels we used, and when a suitable contractor appears, we unseal them.]
So they too were entities within the Valkyrie Network. I still didn’t fully grasp the exact concept.
I fixed my hair while looking in the mirror with my eyes narrowed.
Another stream of messages appeared, asking if it was okay to chat while I went about my tasks.
[Liri: And when we exhaust all of this Divine Vessel, we have no remaining data, so we disappear. You humans seem to think of that as death, but we don’t cling to that disappearance. However, because our contractors need us, we treat disappearance as our final end. If we vanish, our contractors can no longer use Divine Vessels.]
Beings who could willingly disappear whenever their contractors needed them to.
Perhaps endless devotion could arise from the absence of lingering attachment to living or existing.
I continued speaking without letting it show. Or rather, I tried not to let it show. I just couldn’t hide the strange crack in my voice.
“So then, if a Staff member just… um, wanted to, they could do that? Completely regardless of how their contractor feels?”
If I were Liri, I would have laughed loudly hearing my voice crack like that. Fortunately or unfortunately, Liri wasn’t beside me right now.
Even after finishing my preparations to leave, I dragged out the time by pretending to check whether my power bank was fully charged, whether my wallet was in my bag, and whether my cards were neatly arranged.
My desperate efforts bore fruit when Liri’s answer finally arrived, though late.
[Liri: Fundamentally, a Staff member’s Divine Vessel is vast data that’s difficult to contain in a human vessel. So the Staff member diminishes themselves to grant authority that humans can endure. Of course, this requires the contractor’s permission.]
[Liri: The only procedure is revealing the Staff member’s true name to the one who will inherit all the Divine Vessels.]
My real name.
I’d suspected that Liri might not be her true name, but hearing it declared like this felt strange.
So the day I understand Liri better will be the day I lose her.
I nodded quietly and turned to leave the room, trying desperately to push such thoughts from my mind. There was no reason for that to happen.
“Yeah.”
“Senior.”
As I stepped outside the Dormitory building, Jung Hwan-jae greeted me with a bright expression. He seemed to have been waiting since early.
At first, I’d thought he was nothing but taciturn, but he was actually quite expressive.
I’d already received all the directions on where and how to go. I naturally moved with him toward the front of the Guild and teleported to the Party Venue.
“You don’t need to be so nervous. They’re all just people like us, and even if someone is rude here, it’s not because they’re Hunters—it’s just that they’re that kind of person.”
“Is there anyone I should be careful of?”
“I was planning to warn you about Hunter Kim Kyung-hoon, but it looks like he won’t be coming this time.”
What appeared before my eyes was an elegantly constructed luxury residence.
The structure, which seemed to be about five stories tall, had more of a resort atmosphere than a house. I could see an invited chef from outside busily moving ingredients.
The interior also seemed bustling, as most of those who had agreed to attend had already arrived.
“You noticed.”
“Pardon?”
“That we’ve arrived.”
Indeed, everyone’s gaze was fixed entirely on us.
This must be what it feels like to stare into a cat’s eyes at night. The moment our eyes met theirs, I found myself instinctively looking away.
Jung Hwan-jae walked slowly with his arm around my shoulder, as if telling me not to lose heart.
In truth, this gesture didn’t ease my tension at all. But I moved forward, maintaining an outward appearance of confidence.
[Liri: The Hunters here have all gathered to achieve their own goals. There can be friendships among them, or they might be spying on enemies.]
[Liri: Regardless, you mustn’t reveal your hand carelessly here, Yea.]
I gave a barely perceptible nod and reached my hand toward the building’s door.
But before I could pull the handle, the double doors swung open on both sides. The figure standing beyond looked at me and smiled gently.
Silver hair was pinned up high with a hairpin, and the noble eyes looking down at me were blue. As I gazed at that face whose gender was impossible to discern, beautiful lips moved.
A low, weighty voice pierced my ears.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. Hanttae’s healing mage, Yom.”
“Ah, yes, of course.”
I’d decided to be called by the surname Yom rather than the name Yea. That would make it less likely my identity would be exposed.
I’d missed the timing for introductions. Blinking helplessly, the figure extended a hand as if offering a handshake.
Only then did I notice the flowing design of the clothes. I traced the Eastern patterns with my eyes before looking up again.
I knew who this was.
“Humble as it may be, I’m Hwa-jon. I’ve been waiting here to welcome both Yom and Jung Hwan.”

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