The Poisonous Healer Chapter 20 - Chapter 20

Managing one’s facial expression is truly a difficult task.

Especially when soone shoves a bundle of cash into your hands.

“Seven hundred and fifty million won.”

How much?

At that staggering amount, the corners of my mouth went up on their own.

Controlling my lips seed way harder than controlling Black Aether.

Was this for real?

In just two months, I earned an enormous amount of money.

This amount exceeds the annual salary of a mid-level hunter.

“Why aren’t you saying anything? Is it not enough?”

That bastard must have read my mind.

The way he asked a question he didn’t an, with that sly grin on his face.

But for soone like , who hadn’t even had a proper part-ti job, suddenly getting over 700 million won? There was no way I could keep a straight face.

I forced myself to respond calmly.

“Alright. I’ll hand them over.”

Yaksha’s deals were still as sharp as ever.

The amount was large, but the rare herbs I brought were genuinely worth that much.

Today, an old woman who seed to be an appraiser ca and evaluated the rare herbs I brought, and he approved the transaction without a hint of doubt.

They say if you lie during a deal with him, you can lose a limb or two, but when it cos to honest trade, there is no better rchant than him.

One of Yaksha’s subordinates handed a bag.

A bag full of money, like sothing straight out of a movie.

“I heard you’re taking the hunter test.”

“Yeah.”

“Then why did you pretend to be a hunter back then?”

Why ask that now that the deal’s already done?

Judging by his expression, it didn’t seem like he was trying to interrogate .

It was more like. Like he was curious.

“I never lied. All I said was that I’m a ‘healer’ type.”

“…Hmm?”

At that, a look I’d never seen before appeared on Yaksha’s face.

‘Ah, is that so?’ he muttered in a bemused tone.

And once again, I had to suppress a laugh at that sight.

When I was healing Bisu, Yaksha asked if I was a healer, and I said yes.

It was true that I was taking the Hunter Qualification Test as a healer type, so technically, I didn’t lie.

Though honestly, if he had directly asked whether I was a hunter, I probably wouldn’t have answered truthfully.

Who cares.

Sucks to be you, bastard.

“Are you planning to take the test as a healer?”

“Yeah.”

“Why?”

“Why do you keep asking so much? If you want to know more, pay up.”

Bisu flinched beside , but maybe because of what happened in the past, she didn’t easily join the conversation.

Even without anyone ntioning it, I knew.

That I was receiving enormous privileges in the black market.

Usually, no one had the chance to directly deal with Yaksha, and it was even rare for him to reveal his na.

Even his close associates, including Oh Jiho, never ntioned his na.

That's why I could speculate.

Yaksha didn't see as a simple ‘rare herb collector’.

I didn’t know what exactly he found unusual about , but one thing was for sure.

That I’ve got so kind of backup to lean on, so I was bold enough to take risks.

“Wahahahahahaha!!”

Both of the bastards must infuse so aura into their voices, so I’ve picked up one useful trick.

When their voices got on my nerves, activating the Black Aether near my ears freed from the influence.

Not only Bisu but even a few of his subordinates trembled slightly, yet I remained unaffected.

“Alright. I’ll assign value based on your answers, so let’s hear them.”

At Yaksha’s words, I silently cheered inside.

I was already considering proposing a special deal, so if he was the one offering to owe first, there was no reason to turn it down.

“I don’t know how much you’ve figured out, but I’m a bit different from your average hunter.”

“As if that isn’t obvious. You’re a lunatic who dives solo into Poison Dungeons to harvest rare herbs.”

“I’ll take that as a complint.”

I had no intention to joke around.

One wrong move, and I could lose a hand.

But that didn’t an I had to reveal everything to the head of the black market.

Simple as that.

“If I use my original power, it’ll be hard to beco a hunter.”

“Hoo…”

Yaksha’s emotions always seed raw and unfiltered.

Which is why every expression was clearly played across his face.

He was looking at with an intensely curious gaze.

And I hated that look.

That uniquely arrogant stare, like he knew sothing but I didn't.

“There are a lot of secondary reasons, but publicly, I’m going to operate as a healer.”

“And in the shadows, you’ll keep trading with rare herbs like this?”

“Probably.”

I didn’t bother ntioning that I could grow stronger through the cores of Poison Monsters.

“Alright. Let’s leave it here for now.”

“Hand over the money.”

“…Don’t you think you’re a bit too materialistic for your age?”

“Then pay with sothing else.”

At that, Yaksha's face clearly seed to say, ‘Well, would you look at this punk?’

Looks like he didn’t expect to co prepared for this exchange.

He probably thought I was just goofing around.

“Sothing else, huh?”

“Not sure how much my answer’s worth, but I’d like to be paid with sothing physical.”

“Heh. What, you feel like punching my face or sothing?”

“No. It’s only fair to receive sothing physical for sothing physical.”

I turned my head and looked off to one side.

A man whose movents felt less like combat and more like art.

One of the close aides who always stayed by Yaksha’s side.

I turned to Oh Jiho.

“How can I learn that manager’s martial arts?”

For a brief mont, Oh Jiho’s calm eyes wavered ever so slightly.

Even Yaksha’s sharp, hawk-like eyes widened for a second, then he asked with a faint smirk.

“Are you talking about Hwan Gyeok?”

Who the hell is Hwan Gyeok?

That guy’s na is Oh Jiho.

Oh.

It must be because only aliases were used around there.

Good thing I never said his na out loud.

“Why would a healer learn martial arts?”

“None of your business.”

“Hehe. I really want to beat him to death.”

He was joking, but sohow it felt like he really did punch as my chest stung sohow.

With Yaksha’s abilities, that wouldn’t even be a stretch.

But to him, I’ve already beco a fairly important business partner.

After all, there was probably no one else in the world who supplied rare herbs in such bulk.

“If possible, I’d like to learn martial arts from that manager.”

“You do realize it won’t be free. You might have to hand over that bag you just got right back.”

“Doesn’t matter.”

Of course, it was a total lie.

The bag was precious to .

If 750 million won disappeared right in front of my eyes, I probably wouldn’t be able to sleep for weeks.

But even so, I needed to show him just how serious I was.

Why?

Because compared to my lethality, my actual combat ability was pathetic.

My attack pattern so far has been haphazard and reckless.

Approaching from behind using Poison Step, then just slashing at my enemies.

However, as I levelled up, there was no guarantee that such reckless attacks would keep working indefinitely.

There may co a ti when no matter how much I attack, it wouldn't reach them, or worse, when the blade of Exa wouldn't be able to pierce through the ethereal aura protecting their bodies.

I needed sothing that could push my physical abilities to the next level.

Because I was still not ready to wield the dazzling and powerful attacks that Kiril once used.

All eyes turned to the mont I said I’d give the money back in full.

Looks like they could all sense just how serious I was.

“You’re desperate.”

"Desperate, indeed."

“How about learning from ? I’m the one who taught Hwan Gyeok his techniques.”

Oh, damn.

So that’s how it is.

But it was a technique that, even with just an E-rank physique, could destroy a B-rank Knight. There was no way I’d survive learning that martial art straight from Yaksha himself.

“I don't want to die while learning, thanks.”

“Kuhaha. I thought you were the reckless type, but it looks like you're quite good at being objective.”

As a positive reaction flickered across Yaksha’s face, Oh Jiho spoke in a low voice.

"I have no intention of teaching anyone..."

"You will."

Oh.

So this is what absolute authority is like.

The weight in his voice made it clear he really didn’t want to do it, but with just a single order from Yaksha, Oh Jiho fell silent.

Things were going surprisingly smoothly.

Though, I’ve got a feeling this was going to be a much harsher ordeal than I expected. Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs novelfire(.)net

Yaksha told to co by once a week from now on.

He also said there was no need to see him during training sessions.

What a ridiculous guy.

Does he actually think I want to see him?

“What about paynt?”

“I’ll make you an offer once you complete the training.”

“I might’ve already blown through all this money by then.”

“That’s fine. I won’t be asking for money anyway.”

Shit.

What the hell was he planning now?

Judging by that sly grin on his face, paying in cash would probably be the cheaper option.

“Well then, we’re done here.”

Yaksha gave a sharp smile and turned away.

Since the main contract and the additional agreents were all settled, there was no reason to stay any longer.

“You must’ve grown a bit attached by now. Why not say goodbye properly to her?”

With his back turned, Yaksha just twisted his head and asked .

“Yeah. Not after that night when she pounced on on the sofa, causing a fuss.”

“Heh..…”

“Hey, you crazy bastard!! That was…!!”

Bisu, with her cheeks flushed, glared at with bloodshot eyes.

But while the red cheeks made sense, the redness in her eyes wasn’t because of that.

From the mont she parted ways with my sister and entered this place, her eyes had been bloodshot the whole ti.

"Co visit again. I'm sure my sister will miss you."

".....!!"

I knew better than anyone that it wouldn't be easy.

After all, she was soone who got caught trying to escape the black market and had her mouth torn open for it.

I wanted to ask Yaksha how much Bisu owed to him, but in the end, I never did.

Who was I, anyway?

My nose is already buried in the mud.

Our relationship only lasted about two months.

But when I get a bit stronger and make more money.

Then, maybe…..

“I’m off. Take care. Don’t get cocky when you’re sneaking around.”

"Mind your own business."

-Kkuwang!!

From just out of sight above my shoulder, Brie quietly bade farewell.

He was the one who always showed up as soon as we arrived at the black market.

But for so reason, he was keeping his stealth on.

* * *

Yoo Junghwa.

She worked at the Hunter Association’s reception desk.

And the last day of every quarter was the day she hated the most.

That was because a lot of people show up with all sorts of excuses, asking to delay their test fee paynts.

"The landlord who promised to pay the deposit said his transfer limit was blocked....."

“I didn’t know it takes two days for stock sale money to co in!”

“My boss didn’t pay this month, so I’m a bit short on cash… Here, let pay you what I have for now..…”

Just going by the stories alone, you’d think ‘Unbelievable Stories of the World’ should be filming right here.

The excuses were so outrageous, you can’t help but wonder where they even co up with this stuff.

But as the sa thing repeated every quarter, Yoo Junghwa gradually learned to work like a machine.

“Not accepted. Please apply again next quarter.”

“Hey, you bitch!”

Beep.

The mont there was even a hint of trouble, Junghwa would press the call button.

Then a security guard, always on standby, would co and drag the applicant out.

On this day, there would always be more staff than usual.

Since most of the applicants were Awakened, they were prepared for any possibility of things turning bloody.

Normally, applicants were expected to pay the fee up front when registering for the test.

That’s because, these days, the Hunter Test has beco for those who already have resources.

If soone couldn't pay at the ti of registration and dragged it out until the deadline, it usually ant they were struggling.

And honestly, hardly anyone actually showed up on the final day with the full paynt in hand…..

Thump.

Soone placed a thick envelope full of cash on the reception desk.

“Welco to….. Oh my.”

Yoo Junghwa’s face, stiff from the stress of the deadline rush, instantly brightened with surprise.

A strikingly handso man had co to the reception desk.

Though sowhat skinny, his appearance was sharp enough to catch anyone’s eye from a distance.

“Welco. What brings you here today?”

Yoo Junghwa greeted the custor with a rich voice as smooth as her glossy curly hair.

If she treated every applicant like this, her na wouldn’t be the subject of so much chatter among the custors.

The man with sharp eyes and porcelain-white skin replied nonchalantly,

“I’m here to pay the test fee, as you can see.”

“Oh. I see.”

Yoo Junghwa, seemingly wanting to build so rapport with the man, blurted out sothing she didn’t usually say.

“I’ll help you with the registration. Not many people co on the last day to make their paynt, so it’s nice to see an applicant who keeps their promises. Hoho.”

The man gave a sly smile.

“You emphasized it so much last ti.”

Emphasized?

Did I just subtly warn this handso guy in front of ?

Yoo Junghwa tried to recall, but she had no mory of ever speaking with this man before.

“Wait a mont…..”

She quickly checked his identity using his ID.

And she nearly let out a scream.

Chun Haesun.

The man on the screen was the sa guy with unsightly birthmarks she had seen before.

‘It was him?!’

The unsightly blotches had completely vanished as if they never existed.

And it wasn't just the blotches.

His once scrawny fra had transford into a sleek, muscular body, and his skin was now as smooth as silk.

His sharp nose and lips, which had been hidden beneath the blotches, were now finally showing off their charm.

‘I’d believe it if soone told he is an idol..…’

The transformation was nothing short of dramatic.

More than just his looks, the ragged outfit he was wearing last ti was also gone. He was now dressed immaculately from head to toe.

Yoo Junghwa was shocked by the transformation of the man nad Chun Haesun, but at the sa ti, she felt a deep regret for her past.

If she had known he’d transform like this, she wouldn’t have treated him so coldly and rudely.

“Registration… is complete. Please co to the center’s first floor the day after tomorrow.”

"Thank you."

Haesun took the test slip, gave a slight smile, and nodded.

Yoo Junghwa felt her body lt at the sight.

Forget about professional ethics, she wanted to imdiately save the phone number written on the test slip into her phone.

But Haesun had already left the building.

Yoo Junghwa jumped up from her seat and hurried to find her senior in the lobby.

“M-Manager, I’m going to cancel my vacation!”

“What’s going on, Assistant Yoo? You always took a day off after the registration deadline. Don’t wear yourself out.”

“I’m fine!!! I suddenly feel like working!!”

Yoo Junghwa canceled her usual vacation schedule without hesitation.

All the while, she had no idea what Chun Haesun was thinking about her.