Was Happy Being a Despised F-Rank Healer, You Know? - Chapter 168
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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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18. Who Has Opened Their Eyes? (7)
The moment we passed through the entrance with Yu Seop in tow, the air changed.
It felt different.
“Hali, over here!”
Hyun I-seo and Seo Jeong-u were waving their hands. Yu Hee was visible too.
Yuhan Seong, who had to keep going until Isang Hee arrived at our class’s designated stage, seemed to have already headed toward the Festival Plaza.
As we moved in that direction, I faintly sensed the presence of Yu Bin, Yu Min, and several other direct line relatives who’d been trailing behind them.
“We got through, at least.”
I laughed softly at Yu Hee’s whispered remark.
Then I paused for a moment, gazing out across the expanse before us in admiration.
So this is what nature in the Other World looked like.
A wilderness that earthlings had largely lost—it lived and breathed here.
There was the distinctive mana scent of a dungeon, but the air wasn’t oppressive. If anything, it felt light, with something like a grassy fragrance woven through it.
“I really want to study this properly.”
As I muttered excitedly, Hyun I-seo grabbed me and started dragging me forward.
“That’s a sickness too, you know.”
“Ugh. Man, this is such a waste.”
I’d done quite a bit of research on the flora of the Other World and read quite a few related texts.
But perhaps my study time had been too short?
Most of the forms were unfamiliar to me.
Leaves that were round and deep navy blue, stems transparent enough that I could see something flowing inside them, flowers that had no petals yet somehow resembled blooms—things like that.
They lined both sides of the path from the entrance to the plaza. The path forked in several directions, but from what I’d heard, any route eventually led to the plaza, and all were safe.
“Wow, this is really frustrating.”
“I’ve never seen Hali look like this before.”
Seo Jeong-u laughed, his expression genuinely curious.
No one tried to stop Hyun I-seo as he led me along.
Yu Hee was moving alongside Yu Bin and Yu Min, who’d rushed to her, conversing in the exclusive technique of our bloodline.
I could hear Yu Seop trailing behind me, chuckling along with Seo Jeong-u, but I didn’t mind.
“Oh, look at that!”
It was the blue lantern that pulled me back from my fascination with the spread of natural forms.
To be precise, it was Blue Lantern Magic Lights strung up in a row.
Red ones, blue ones, yellow ones.
As their light mingled, the lanterns cast colorful shadows across the flora of the Other World.
And even without wind, they swayed gently, adding a charming delicacy to the scene.
It was the nature of the Other World, supposedly harmless—but at first, I couldn’t quite feel it in my bones.
‘This is different from what I felt in the Baridegi Dungeon.’
So this is what an ownerless dungeon feels like.
Perhaps this one felt so peaceful to everyone because it was a lower rank.
‘It really would be a shame if this place gets destroyed.’
I wished the original storyline event wouldn’t happen at all.
Just then, Hyun I-seo, who’d been ahead, stopped short and let out a small exclamation.
Both Seo Jeong-u and Yu Hee beside me lit up as well.
Following their gaze, I saw an Other World animal sitting near a roadside shrub.
It looked like a rabbit, but it had four ears and no tail. Its eyes were blue, and its fur was silver.
Two students were crouched in front of it, holding something out. They looked like second-year seniors. Since this was the first festival for them too, they were probably just as amazed as we were.
The animal sniffed, then turned away with a dismissive flick. One of the students made a disappointed sound.
I wanted to offer it a Potion to see what would happen, but I forced myself to suppress the rising urge to experiment and kept walking.
For our class to arrive on time—and ideally early—was crucial because of what Isang Hee had arranged.
‘It’s a shame, but after the first performance ends, we should have time to come back.’
Or wait—I have separate prep to do, so maybe I’ll just have to wait until I’m a third-year?
Either way, after resisting the temptation, the plaza we arrived at was rich with sights.
First, it was vast.
The dungeon ceiling was so high it looked like sky.
In the center of the plaza stood a decorative structure made from Other World plants, and it too had Blue Lantern Magic Lights hanging from it, casting five-colored radiance evenly across the entire plaza.
And booths had been set up throughout the plaza, forming pathways.
They’d marked out the paths first, then arranged buildings and booths along them.
A map had been prepared in advance, and you could pick one up at the plaza entrance.
And at this point, I had to part ways with the chatterbox Yu Seop.
I couldn’t take him and the others to Class 8’s stage.
Our teacher would definitely catch us otherwise.
I spoke to the students.
‘I know it’s disappointing, but let’s enjoy the festival once we’re third-years. Understood?’
‘It’s incredibly disappointing, but there’s nothing we can do.’
‘Hey, watch your tone with us.’
Yu Bin interjected.
After reading the presence of those two and Yu Min—who was a bit spacey—and several other direct line relatives, I spoke so they’d all hear me.
‘If any of you get hurt, you have to come to us. Actually, come find me directly. Got it? You can find me easily enough, right?’
‘…Well, you’ve given us Potions, so it should be fine.’
Yu Bin said this almost as a refusal.
‘Even with those, there’s a chance of a situation they can’t handle. When that happens, ignore all the precautions I’ve given you—just survive first. And if even that doesn’t work, come straight to me.’
Yu Hee overheard what I was telling the students and smiled slightly, as if to say she couldn’t stop me.
Seo Jeong-u and Hyun I-seo both shrugged.
Of course, they could have reacted as if I was underestimating their abilities, but by now they wouldn’t throw a fit over it.
‘Promise me. Tell the others too.’
‘…Yes.’
‘Haha, roger that!’
‘We will.’
After hearing affirmations from the silent Yu Min and the other students, I let them go.
When the Festival Dungeon ended and outside visitors were evacuated, the Narin exit would open at that moment, and all I’d need to do was stick with them like now and slip out.
‘If everything goes according to plan, we’ll stay clear of the original storyline incident and leave safely.’
But this warning was in case that didn’t happen.
If worst came to worst, I could even send them to my dungeon.
A moment later.
We parted from the direct line students and entered the plaza with noticeably lighter spirits.
***
Class 2-2 was roasting rice cakes beside a brazier.
Omegi-tteok sat on the brazier, and its scent wafted across the plaza. A sign announced Potion discounts and item exchanges.
“Oh, Potions.”
Occupational habit or not, my pace slowed briefly at the sign, but this time all three of Seo Jeong-u, Yu Hee, and Hyun I-seo pulled me forward and backward, so I didn’t even get a proper look.
Hyun I-seo called out.
“Check it out after we’re done, Hali!”
“How cute.”
Seo Jeong-u giggled, and for a moment he mumbled something strange, but Yu Hee’s affectionate voice rang louder in my ears.
“Let’s look around together once the first performance ends.”
“Hey, what about me? Count me in.”
While Hyun I-seo chimed in, Seo Jeong-u stiffened slightly, his lips trembling.
“Hali, me too!”
“Sure, let’s do it. Let’s all walk around together!”
Even considering the original storyline, it would be better if we stayed together or close by.
“For now we’re just doing a quick look-through, anyway.”
I could see Class 3-4 had set up two swings and were offering swing rides and a group circle dance experience.
Students held hands and moved in a circle, while an Awakener in the middle channeled mana, making the inside of the circle glow softly.
Whether the Other World plants reacted to the light, the surrounding leaves danced in sync.
And as soon as the group dance finished, all manner of mana swirled together and burst into a dazzling bloom.
“Come get your mandarin flower juice!”
The moment the flower bloomed, students in elegant hanbok rolled up their sleeves and switched into merchant mode—which was hilarious.
The arrangement didn’t seem to follow year levels, because Class 1-5 had set up a pansori storytelling experience booth right next to them.
‘So they just grouped things by category?’
Like traditional experience booths?
That class had placed a drum, and a student sat striking it, their sound rippling across the entire plaza. They must have been an Awakener with a Sound Wave Skill.
Whether it was because we were in Other World space, the way the sound resonated seemed a bit different.
‘I should mention this to Kim Myeong-hyeon.’
That’s the student in our class with the Sound Wave Skill.
They’re playing outdoors but it echoes like an indoor space. I’m not sure, but maybe it’s possible to make sound waves stay in one place like a solid object.
Moreover, whether it’s the student’s skill or something else, I found myself wanting to dance even though I didn’t know the tune and there was no choreography to follow.
As I watched curiously, Seo Jeong-u spoke up.
“Kim Myeong-hyeon was apparently inspired by that, and he’s been eager since earlier.”
“Kim Myeong-hyeon is?”
“Yeah. He says his Sound Wave Skill has a wider range. He was talking about showing it during the narration.”
Kim Myeong-hyeon wasn’t one to talk much, but in conversation he was surprisingly passionate, so it made sense.
“…He shouldn’t overdo it. Our play runs morning and afternoon—two time slots in a day.”
“He’ll manage. If he can’t, that hot-headed Hyun I-seo will smack him on the back anyway.”
“Ha, seriously.”
Hot-headed Hyun I-seo ground his teeth.
But he was only laughing.
After walking a bit longer—I’m not sure exactly how long—
we finally arrived at the stage and booth assigned to Class 1-8.
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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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