TKS 11

Chapter 11

After the hunter named Miju had collapsed foaming at the mouth, I was dragged upstairs to be scolded by my team.

Or rather, not so much scolded—more like they looked completely at a loss for words.

“So… you’re saying you unintentionally affected someone without meaning to?”

“Yes. This time there wasn’t even a skill-casting window, but suddenly this happened…”

“I see what you mean.”

At least they seemed to understand it was an issue caused by my lack of skill control. With a helpless look, they dismissed me.

Just like that, even the smallest rights a Korean hunter could cling to felt stripped away.

[I heard about it. Come to my office.]

I was sulking in the company café, sipping an Americano, when the text notification came. It was from the guildmaster.

I had nearly forgotten—I was actually supposed to meet him today. Rising to my feet, I headed for the top floor.

“You’ve arrived.”

“Ah—you were waiting for me at the elevator, Guildmaster?”

It was kind of startling, him standing there so straight and imposing. But Jeong Hwan-jae didn’t seem to think anything of it.

I nearly bumped into him. His eyes studied me closely, as though noticing how dark my expression had grown.

“Do I really look that depressed?”

“Yes. We’ll need to find a countermeasure about… knocking out outsiders. My guess is it’s a gear problem. Have you checked what equipment is available to you?”

“…”

When I didn’t answer, he stopped mid-step and turned. His face practically said Don’t tell me….

Honestly, it was unfair. How long had I even been a hunter? How could I already have my own gear prepared?

Sure, after joining the guild I was told I could use the equipment the guild owned. But I hadn’t dared borrow anything. I didn’t want to look greedy.

“With gear, you can try out whatever works best for you. Once you gain more proficiency, you can commission exclusive equipment tailored to you.”

“So… the gear can break while in use?”

“Yes, but don’t worry. That’s covered by guild welfare. You won’t be charged for it.”

Hearing that directly from the guildmaster himself eased my mind a little. I let out a long sigh without realizing. His gaze fell on me again.

I hadn’t done anything wrong, but those eyes reminded me of my previous life, and I instinctively hunched my shoulders.

Just as I was about to speak, he continued calmly:

“Generally, gear is used to supplement lacking stats. Some boost overall stats, others enhance particular ones.”

“Ah, I see.”

“For special stats, you can pay a blacksmith to enhance them. But even with guild contracts, the earliest open slot is three months from now. You’ll have to wait.”

Maybe he was worried I’d switch guilds before then. But I was already ready to bury my bones here in Hante.

I nodded earnestly. He gestured lightly, telling me to follow, and began walking off. I assumed we were going to look at equipment, but instead he led me into his office.

“Remember what you told me while practicing alone last time? That when you used a song from the Random Music Box, you received an extra buff.”

“Yes. But now I only have one left. I’ve been saving it until my stats improve.”

What I’d asked him then was simple: could he tell me where to find that Random Music Box?

“I looked into it myself, though my information may be incomplete.”

“You really didn’t have to go that far…”

Lately, I couldn’t help but be puzzled by the guildmaster’s attitude toward me. He was far too kind.

I knew healers were rare these days, so guilds went out of their way to secure them. But that was guild policy—not something the guildmaster himself needed to pursue so personally.

Even this matter could’ve been handled by the hunter support team. Yet Jeong Hwan-jae had replied directly. The team had even seemed surprised he involved himself.

“Random Boxes usually appear only as rewards for specific circumstances. But once your level is high enough, a detailed search function unlocks. It’s very rare, only available to those with certain special stats.”

“Detailed search?”

I’d never heard of that, not even in lectures. But of course—extremely rare cases weren’t usually covered in classes.

He nodded.

“You can use it to search for not only skills but also needed resources. My guess is that your stat—Creative Technique—is what enables that.”

“Oh… is that so?”

“Yes, just my theory. The sheet music gets stored in your data, and in that way, you learn new songs.”

“Guildmaster… do you also have a stat that lets you use detailed search…?”

I caught myself mid-question and clamped a hand over my mouth. That wasn’t something I should ask. Small talk had once again betrayed me.

Asking about someone else’s stats or skills was considered extremely rude. And if the target was a ranker, it was doubly taboo.

But he simply waved a hand, as though to say it was fine.

“If the opportunity arises later, I’ll tell you. For now, it’s too early.”

“Ah, I see…”

“More importantly, you’ve been treating me since the beginning. I can’t very well keep secrets from the healer who looks after me, can I?”

At that, something I’d wondered for a long time finally slipped out:

“Then… what exactly is it that I’m treating you for?”

It had been nagging me.

I had only healed him twice so far. Yet ever since that first day—the interview that felt more like an ordeal—he had reacted strangely.

Even without me casting a skill, even with just a single song, he had reacted as if he’d felt the effects. At first, I thought maybe he had some special means of testing it.

But no. If such a method existed, the guild wouldn’t be struggling so desperately at every interview to prove applicants weren’t frauds.

His words had implied he truly had been healed by me, even though he showed no visible wounds or pain.

“So… am I really treating something? I can’t tell at all.”

“Yes. You are.”

“But to me, it doesn’t seem like you’re injured anywhere. And the only person my healing applies to is you, which makes it even more confusing.”

I’d been told that as my stats and proficiency improved, things would change. Maybe someday I could join parties, clear dungeons, maybe even slip into the lower end of the rankings—if I really was a healer.

But right now, with no visible effects from my skill, how could I be sure? Was I really on the right path?

“If you’re doubting your own ability, don’t. You’re the most talented healer I’ve ever seen.”

“But still…”

“I know you’ve been suspicious of me. And it’s natural to misunderstand.”

He nodded, as if acknowledging it fully.

It wasn’t unreasonable—someone so new, with barely any hunter experience, suddenly intruding into his life. For most, it would be unbearable.

Hunters, with their overwhelming power, often lost their humanity. If he had been one of those, I might’ve already been ensnared in something terrible.

But instead, he spoke gently, with consideration.

“I know you don’t mean to misunderstand me or cause trouble.”

“I just… feel like my songs are blocked by something. That’s why I want to know what form of healing I’m really providing, and what kind of buffs are actually being applied.”

Even though I had interrupted him, he calmly accepted my words, his composed expression almost strikingly admirable.

…Or maybe it was just because his face was unbearably handsome.