Was Happy Being a Despised F-Rank Healer, You Know? - Chapter 187

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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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19. And the Pinwheel Turned (5)

‘I thought I wouldn’t know about Hyun I-seo, but it seems I was wrong.’
If that was the case, then Hyun I-seo’s decision to reveal his skill to some degree in the performance might actually have been the right call.
“No, sir.”
“That’s a relief, then.”
He spoke with genuine reassurance.
Sensing something oddly benevolent in the tone, Lee Hae-sol tilted his head.
“Do you not need help right now?”
“Help isn’t necessary.”
“Hmm.”
“Would it be alright to discuss the details later?”
“Well, I was asking now because if you put it off, the Awakener Management Center might get wind of it.”
The casual way he stated that he’d intended to clean things up before word reached the ears of the Management Center was unmistakably kind.
“What’s your reason for helping when you don’t even know the circumstances?”
Of course, as a Hunter, he couldn’t simply overlook suspicious behavior either.
“It’s goodwill toward the rising generation.”
“…….”
Seeing Lee Hae-sol’s skeptical expression, Song Moon-gyeol manipulated his phone and showed him a screen.
“……This is.”
“See? Look at the comments.”
While there were plenty of compliments about appearance, surprisingly varied opinions filled the space below the video.
‘I’ve heard the Azure Dragon Dungeon video was released, but.’
Holding up the phone so Hali could see it too, Lee Hae-sol scanned through the comments.
No matter how you looked at it, there was conspiracy talk about how suspicious it was for so many high-rank Awakeners to be concentrated in a single class.
Threaded below that were counter-arguments saying that the way they handled their skills was still underdeveloped, so anyone could see these were students who’d just enrolled in the Hunter Academy.
He’d expected most reactions to focus on Yuhan Seong, but according to what his family had relayed, the response was evenly distributed across all of Class 8.
There was no mention of Isang Hee, who hadn’t been visible in that dungeon.
“In other words, fans.”
In fact, it was very strange for Song Moon-gyeol to say something so directly given his nature.
But if it was to lower the guard of the young person before him, he could manage that much.
Putting on a poker face was easy enough.
“……Sorry?”
Lee Hae-sol blinked, briefly losing his sense of reality.
The contrast between that nightingale-like voice and the dark, hulking frame made it feel all the more like a dream.
It was somewhat unsettling, truth be told…….
Hali flinched too—was she picking up on the same discomfort?
Lee Hae-sol quickly shook his head to dispel the odd impression.
Returning the phone, he spoke awkwardly.
“Thank you for…… thinking kindly of us……?”
Song Moon-gyeol nodded, then spoke while suppressing a leaking laugh.
“You seem to be in a hurry. Want me to give you a ride?”
“That would be appreciated.”
Nova reappeared.
“It’s not far.”
“Could you drop us off deeper along the forest path, past the plaza?”
Judging that Isang Hee should have arrived by now, Lee Hae-sol asked.
Song Moon-gyeol nodded.
Lee Hae-sol’s Water Spray enveloped Hali again.
This time, unlike before, only a faint flow of mana could be felt without any visible trace—a masterful display of control.
“Your mana manipulation is quite skilled.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
“No, I genuinely mean it.”
Just before Nova moved, Song Moon-gyeol’s expression turned to face them with genuine admiration.
‘It hasn’t even been a few months since leaving the Azure Dragon Dungeon.’
Even if Hunters were capable of growth, did this pace make sense?
‘There’s something more here.’
There were certainly various things known about the frighteningly fast growth of Class 8 students.
For instance, about Jin Hali here, who was showing signs of mind control.
“We’ve arrived.”
Song Moon-gyeol glanced at Hali, then set the students down while maintaining an impassive expression.
Beyond the plaza where the festival was held, in some part of the forest beside the very trail they’d walked to reach that plaza—nowhere near an actual path.
Exactly as ordered.
“Impressive.”
As Lee Hae-sol marveled at Nova, Song Moon-gyeol observed him silently for a moment, then asked bluntly.
“Does the Clan Leader of the Lee Family know about that skill level?”
“He does not.”
“Can I tell him?”
He lowered his eyes.
Song Moon-gyeol’s expression brightened with intrigue, as if he’d anticipated the answer.
Sensing someone approaching, Song Moon-gyeol spoke without waiting for a reply.
“Keep it a secret.”
“……Thank you.”
Lee Hae-sol expressed his gratitude.
The skill he’d just displayed was one he hadn’t yet revealed even to his own classmates in Class 8.
There was no helping it.
He’d acquired it the moment he entered this Sinmyeong Dungeon.
“It’s natural for someone your age to have a secret or two.”
However.
As Song Moon-gyeol drew out his words, Lee Hae-sol gazed toward the trail beyond the forest and asked.
“Is there something else you needed?”
“The S-rank Hunters I know are all difficult to approach. Maybe it’s because you’re a student. You feel different, Lee Hae-sol.”
“…….”
He seemed impassive, but exasperation was apparent.
Song Moon-gyeol laughed with a deep, bearish rumble.
Even his nightingale-like voice sounded like a bear’s growl now.
“I’d like to have a conversation with you later, taking our time. Would that be alright? If possible, all your Class 8 friends too.”
“I’m not sure.”
“If I thoroughly block the Management Center’s involvement?”
The Awakener Management Center wasn’t some villain from a novel, but the way people treated it certainly seemed harsh—yet Lee Hae-sol felt no urge to object.
He knew the Management Center sustained Hunter society while simultaneously being deeply corrupt.
Those with families would have heard hints of this.
Yu Hee would be the same in that regard.
So he couldn’t refuse outright.
“……I’ll ask them and gather only those who agree.”
“That’s enough.”
Good, then.
Murmuring as such, Song Moon-gyeol gestured to the birds, sending them into the forest depths that Lee Hae-sol hadn’t been paying attention to.
“Don’t underestimate journalists.”
As Lee Hae-sol regarded him with an odd look at the small shriek, Song Moon-gyeol said just that before vanishing with Nova.
The fact that his presence could no longer be felt at all drew genuine admiration.
[Another strange person’s attached themselves to us…….]
The Lion’s disgruntled mutter could be heard from within Hali’s arms.
As he concealed his form, Lee Hae-sol spoke to the Lion.
“I’ll tell the others about my skill once the performance ends, but could you keep quiet about it for now?”
This was also directed at Hali.
The Lion stared up at Hali for a moment, then poked its head toward Lee Hae-sol and said.
[Of course!]
“Thanks. ……There won’t be any danger, so don’t worry, Hali.”
He would make sure of that.
Ever since entering this place, there had been this sound—or was it a resonance?—that seemed to reach only him.
Though it carried no content, it conveyed an intention that transcended words.
‘The time to swing has come.’
Swing what, why, and against whom—
None of that was explained, but the approach of that moment was certain.
Lee Hae-sol’s shadow rippled once.
Moments later, his form vanished from that spot along with the Water Spray.
Immediately after, Isang Hee emerged from the trail.
“Ha! What? You were here the whole time?”
He was utterly incomprehensible.
Why pretend to be meek? Had it even gained him anything?
Lee Hae-sol harbored such questions while observing, but soon his gaze shifted elsewhere.
“Eek!”
While checking on Hali’s state—she stood vacant as if under mind control—Isang Hee shrieked upon discovering that the Lion in her arms had been pretending to hold her back from moving forward.
“What is this, gross! What kind of F-rank carries around a Summoned Beast like that? Since when?”
Looking closer, the Lion had transformed into a black rabbit.
Though the rabbit’s spinning eyes looked vicious, Isang Hee showed no fear and flung it to the ground.
Then spoke.
“Tsk, wasted time on this worthless thing. Hey, get moving. I’ll have to guide you directly at this rate.”
For just a moment, Lee Hae-sol thought he glimpsed a wry smile at the corner of Hali’s mouth.
Hali began to walk.
‘What kind of mind-controlled person walks so elegantly—no, walks like that? She’s just slow.’
Everything about it displeased him.
Thinking as much, Isang Hee began to walk beside Hali, as if trying to conceal her mind-controlled state.

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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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