Was Happy Being a Despised F-Rank Healer, You Know? - Chapter 131

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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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16. An Odd Omen (8)

A heavy silence settled over us.
At the same time, watching our stiffened faces, Lion spoke with a soothing tone.
[Of course, I’m not congratulating you on being influenced by the Annihilation Dungeon. It’s not a good thing, but having entered the Annihilation Dungeon—not some other dungeon—during your adolescent years when your growth potential is greatest means you’ve acquired the world’s most powerful growth engine. Moreover.]
Lion hesitated for a moment, then continued.
[……that dungeon is special…….]
For just an instant, Lion appeared to be wrapped in dark mist.
“Lion?”
[You, get a grip on yourself.]
Even Erich, who had been posing as an earring to avoid the children noticing anything, stepped forward to snap Lion back to attention.
The mist gradually faded, and Lion lifted his head, wearing a perfectly composed smile.
[So now you understand, yes? The question for you isn’t how strong you become, but how little you’re influenced by it.]
Each of us fell silent for a moment, lost in thought.
It was likely that everyone was reviewing their individual skill changes since the Azure Dragon Dungeon.
Since we didn’t share every minor detail with one another, it might take time.
So it fell to me, the one with the least noticeable changes, to ask.
“Lion, why are you telling us this?”
[Well, to ease the wariness your friends harbor toward us, of course!]
“……Huh?”
[If your friends are influenced by us, they can defend against the Annihilation Dungeon’s influence to some degree. That is what I wished to convey.]
“What?”
[You see, the System Window that humans call by that name cannot be said to originate from the Other World.]
“What do you mean by that?”
Yuhan Seong tilted his head and asked.
[Just as we came to be this way through exposure to a dungeon from the Other World, it’s a protective barrier created by this world so that it could survive the invasion of Other World dungeons.]
“……Protection?”
Yu Hee repeated the word with an odd expression, as if hearing something strange.
The people here hadn’t had happy childhoods as Awakeners, so that word would carry a certain dissonance for them.
‘Especially Yuhan Seong, who had been worn down by repeated regression.’
Though it did seem he wasn’t reacting as negatively as some of the others.
Lion lowered his voice and continued.
[Of course, the System doesn’t truly protect you. It’s ultimately a matter of management.]
“Fascinating. That’s the kind of thing that could redefine everything about the current Hunter system.”
Yuhan Seong murmured.
[Is that so?]
Lion responded, though he seemed barely interested in such matters.
But we were different.
“The System is supposed to be divine.”
“Or at least it’s perceived as something derived from dungeons.”
“And no entity has ever spoken like this to us in two hundred years.”
Han Seong and Seo Jeong-u’s words were punctuated by Yu Hee’s nod of agreement.
Lee Hae-sol, who had been silent, suddenly asked.
“You were listening to our whole conversation earlier, weren’t you? You already knew we’d ask about going into Hali’s dungeon.”
[Of course!]
To call it eavesdropping would be unfair—Lion was my summon, so there was nothing to question. One need only think of Yuhan Seong’s Magpie. Even if Magpie heard our entire conversation, he would never betray or bring harm to his master, since they were of one body.
Lee Hae-sol had raised the point not as a complaint, but simply to clarify.
Lee Hae-sol spoke.
“Hali, it looks like at least all of us can enter your dungeon.”
“Yeah, looks like it.”
[That’s right. We can accommodate as many as you wish! I’ve simply drawn out this preamble because I have a proposal to make. Since you are friends of the Protagonist, this Lion is exercising courtesy.]
Lion laughed softly, as if expecting thanks.
[Now then, let me lay it out clearly! When you enter a dungeon, you become influenced by that dungeon. If you’re only influenced by the Annihilation Dungeon, the System—which would normally be a shield—could end up completely corrupted by the Other World. Then no matter how much you grow, that path leads only to ruin! Do you follow me thus far?]
Lion clapped his paw once and raised his voice, and everyone nodded silently.
Their expressions suggested they’d at least hear him out, and Lion seemed satisfied with that much.
Lion took flight and gently settled into my palm again.
[Irritating creature.]
Erich muttered very softly, as if asking me to hear only him, and when I gently squeezed the earring and released it, Erich scoffed and fell silent.
[Excellent. Then what would be necessary to minimize the influence of the Annihilation Dungeon?]
“……Lion, from the way you promoted it earlier, it seems like you’re saying that being influenced by the Baridegi Dungeon would solve this, am I right?”
[As expected of the Protagonist—you are astute. Correct!]
“Ha ha…….”
Lion seemed delighted and pleased, but I couldn’t laugh yet.
There was one problem with what Lion had said.
“Is it just by entering the dungeon that you become influenced? I don’t think that’s quite it.”
And Yuhan Seong picked up on the very point I wanted to raise.
Lion grinned widely, as if waiting for this question.
[Normally influence is received upon clearing, but anyone reckless enough to attack the boss in our dungeon would be counted among the Protagonist’s enemies and therefore could not survive.]
Before Lion could make any more unnecessary threats, I asked.
“So what’s the way to do it?”line>
[You need only endure trials within the dungeon equivalent to the effort it takes to clear it. Of course, you must pass through.]

“Take a test?”
[More precisely, you would undergo training. Though not merely physical training—you’d undergo mental discipline as well.]
After a moment of silence, Lee Hae-sol looked at me once and asked quietly.
“What happens if you do that?”
[At minimum, you won’t be consumed by Annihilation.]
“Like a vaccine. Does your growth rate slow compared to if you didn’t?”
To Yuhan Seong’s question, Lion shook his head.
[Annihilation is vicious, but cannot run deeper than us. Ultimately, the answer to overcoming that ferocity can be found through walking with us. Young humans can hardly fathom the Principle of the Tai Chi…… but with the Protagonist’s friends, it might be somewhat better.]
I was letting most of it slide, understanding it roughly enough.
I smiled silently and looked at Lion intently, and Lion felt my gaze, looked up at me, and gave me a cute, bright smile.
Fine, I’ll set aside interrogating him for now and have a separate talk later.
“But why should we trust what you’re saying?”
It was then that Yu Hee, who had been giving off a subtly hostile air, smiled brightly and spoke.
[A rather rude question.]
“But a fair one. I haven’t even agreed to entrust Hali’s protection to you yet.”
“Excuse me? We haven’t fully accepted it either. We’re only treating you as a summon.”
Seo Jeong-u laughed and objected, but Yu Hee didn’t even glance his way.
Lion quickly looked up at me, then turned back to the others and muttered flatly.
[Young humans. You ought to be grateful that you are friends with our Protagonist…… Well, fine. For one week. Simply observe us for one week before deciding.]
Whether to use the Baridegi Dungeon merely as a refuge or as a platform for growth.
[The space I can offer is limited to my domain alone, you understand.]
“Why is that?”
When I asked, Lion looked slightly troubled but answered straightforwardly.
[……The other two have a tendency to guide beings toward the Underworld.]
“But you…….”
Should I mention that this one is King Yama?
Everyone seemed to just understand him as a grim reaper, more or less.
As I trailed off uncertainly, Lion laughed as if amused, then sprawled out on my palm and spoke in a sort of hum.
[That’s acceptable for the Protagonist, but the side effect of desiring death could manifest in other humans. It’s best they avoid exposure to that particular influence.]
Not that it’s good for them, he added—rather, it would be better for the Protagonist that way—and with that, Lion affectionately rubbed his cheek against my palm once.

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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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