The Tone-Deaf Healer Kills with a Song - Chapter 53

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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 053
The sensation of lips brushing against the back of my hand lingered so persistently that I couldn’t fall asleep that night.
It wasn’t a kiss on the lips or cheek—merely a touch against the back of my hand—the kind of gesture one might interpret as encouragement or respect. Yet I seemed utterly defenseless against such things.
After a cold shower and several sharp slaps to my forehead, I finally managed to drift off while humming a lullaby to myself.
The fact that a fleeting kiss troubled me more than actual combat with Rosalind Brown marked me as a disqualified hunter.
I made my way to the Divine Temple with a noticeably haggard expression. The significantly reduced crowd’s attention converged entirely upon me.
“Hunter Yeom Ye-ah, would you be available for an interview later?”
“Pardon?”
Ordinarily, people had never paid me such attention. But now, with the battle against Rosalind Brown looming, everyone seized every opportunity to approach me.
Hunters conducting interviews even inside the Dungeon went so far as to intercept me as I attempted to enter the Divine Temple.
While everyone watched the Ranking Tournament, they seemed eager to be the first to formally report on “Hunter Yeom Ye-ah.”
I understood their enthusiasm—the narrative of someone who hadn’t even registered as a hunter, wandering aimlessly, being chosen by Hanttae’s Guild Master, and breaking into the top 50 rather than merely the top 100, was hardly commonplace.
But Jung Hwan-jae had given me explicit instructions before I entered.
Information should leak out gradually, so I shouldn’t hastily grant interviews.
“I need to focus right now, so I’ll speak with you after this battle concludes. Thank you for your interest.”
“Ah, yes, of course, understood.”
Those present here understood how crucial a hunter’s warm-up process was.
Concerned they might disrupt a rising ranker’s critical moment, they quickly withdrew.
As I stood before the Divine Temple taking deep breaths, I sensed someone rushing toward me from a distance.
Whether instinct or mana, something within me recognized Jung Hwan-jae. I turned to confirm his approach.
I’d heard he also had battles against hunters ranked seventh and above today.
“Ye-ah, I apologize for not providing more appropriate guidance. But please know that reaching this point through training in such a short time is nothing short of genius.”
“Honestly, at any other time I’d boast about winning and coming back, but since my opponent is Rosalind Brown, such words don’t come easily. I’m sorry.”
Jung Hwan-jae shook his head firmly.
His gaze fell upon the rings aligned on both our hands, then he met my eyes once more.
His expression suggested he wished to say something, but ultimately he merely lowered his head to match my eye level.
He seemed to want me to know that even if I lost now, no one would reproach me for it.
But I wanted to win. Even against an opponent I couldn’t defeat, I refused to accept the thought that “losing is acceptable.”
Call it pointless stubbornness or needless pride—it mattered little.
Without even this defiance, how could I possibly endure? With that thought, the spear—now somewhat familiar—materialized before my eyes.
Stat ??? responds to your will.
The creation conditions for Stat ??? have been met.
Not a weakening of the Labyrinth, but rather the fulfillment of creation conditions.
So my special stat was finally undergoing some transformation.
I blinked, a flutter of anticipation stirring within me.
But there was no time to leisurely discuss this system window. The duel with Rosalind Brown was approaching.
I gave Jung Hwan-jae a firm nod to signal my determination, then turned away.
Though this would be my second time passing through these doors, the feeling differed from my confrontation with Hwa-jon.
Then, I’d vaguely assumed he would go easy on me, but Rosalind Brown had declared she would give her all.
Ranking Tournament Participant Entry Confirmation (2/2)
You’re being transported to the Battle Arena.
Which means I need to keep my wits about me.
Both my agility and strength would fall far short of hers. If I’m careless, she could rob me of my voice entirely.
But I won’t go down without a fight. Even if I’m nothing but a trampled worm, I’ll still squirm.
‘…Do I actually have a bit of vanity in me?’
Baldur pledges to continually advance for the many worlds that contend with endless ruin.
Please prioritize safety, and do your utmost in this match.
The arena I found myself in was surrounded by lasers and incomprehensible strings of characters.
Staring at those character strings made my head throb, and I had to look away within moments.
Sentences that seemed like they shouldn’t be understood….
In a moment of carelessness, I felt a sharp sensation slice across my cheek. The sudden burning pain made me instinctively clutch at my face.
When I turned my head, Rosalind Brown stood there with a smile, waving her hand lightly.
“Combat begins the moment you set foot inside it.”
“I was careless.”
“You admit it quickly?”
“Of course. I don’t have much pride to speak of anyway.”
I answered meekly and lifted my head. Rosalind Brown fell silent for a moment, her expression intrigued.
What I’d just done was merely buying time. Rosalind Brown could have retired me instantly if she’d wanted to—she was giving me leeway.
Whether that was to toy with me or to give me a genuine chance, I couldn’t tell.
She wasn’t even wearing ear protection.
“You know light travels faster than sound, right? Which means my attack can reach you while you’re still singing.”
“Yes, if you came at me with real intent, I wouldn’t even have time to resist.”
“I’ll take it easy at first, so let’s see what you’ve got.”
Rosalind Brown didn’t even give me time to say “good luck”—she came rushing at me.
It was strange. Normally I would have been helpless, but I could see Rosalind Brown’s movements clearly.
Though her speed wasn’t slow, the thought “I can dodge this” flashed through my mind, and I tensed my legs and rolled sideways.
A searing beam of light grazed my head dangerously close, and my hair whipped in the wind. The ends smelled slightly singed, as if they’d caught fire.
“If that had touched my skin, I’d be burning. You seem to be holding back quite a bit.”
“…How did you dodge that? That was my full speed.”
“That’s what I’d like to know.”
I hadn’t expected to be capable of moving like that either.
I exhaled sharply.
One thing nagged at me: I must have received a buff from someone. But in my current state, I had no time to check my status window to see who it came from.
The panic left me no room to sing. My mind went blank—I couldn’t even think of what song to perform.
‘I trained my body to respond in urgent situations, but I never anticipated a scenario where my mind would be so frantic that I couldn’t respond at all.’
Until now, I’d had no reason to enter real combat alone, and Hwa-jon had always been quite gentle with me.
I never expected someone like Rosalind Brown to press in so relentlessly.
The characters floating up from all directions kept making my stomach churn, making it even harder to think.
I’d always thought moving my mouth was the easiest thing in the world, but I was wrong.
Even recalling lyrics was difficult. When I tried to whistle, psychological pressure clamped down on my throat.
“Can you dodge any faster?”
“No…!”
Without giving me a moment to catch my breath, beams of light came hurtling at me in rapid succession. I rolled my body as if dodging bullets.
What song could I possibly sing? I adjusted the in-ear monitor fitted against my ear. My mana would regulate itself with Liri’s power supporting me.
The ring on my finger gleamed brilliantly, and I could almost feel Jung Hwan-jae’s lips against the back of my hand.
This was my first time receiving someone else’s hopes and expectations—I couldn’t abandon them so easily.
Stat ??? acknowledges you with heightened awareness.
Stat ??? demands an even more intense resolve.
A song I could sing even without conscious thought.
‘Fortissimo! Stronger still, scream with all your might!’
Ah, that’s right.
I could attack without singing at all.
The moment that realization struck, I pushed myself to my feet.
I stopped dodging, and sharp light grazed my cheek, the nape of my neck, and tore across my clothes. My equipment’s durability drained rapidly, and a searing sensation flooded through my entire body.
“You’re not dodging? That gear won’t last long.”
“I’m not going to dodge.”
Rosalind Brown closed the distance between us in a flash.
I couldn’t lose like this. I had to try something.
Better than yesterday, beyond this moment. Mobilizing everything I knew.
Why? As that question echoed, a blinding torrent of light poured down, and in that same instant, I screamed with every ounce of strength I possessed.
Stat ??? fulfills its condition.
Stat ‘Thirst for Growth’ (A+) awakens!

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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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