Chapter 35: Confession

“Someone who can kill an A-rank Water Spirit and heal you?”

Despite not wanting to hear Na Naya out, Stone Fang frowned.

Killing an A-rank monster aside, only Meng Linna and Miao Miao Niya could heal in the guild.

Silent Kelly spoke up.

“Blood therapy?”

Right, blood therapy.

Stone Fang jumped in.

“With a transfusion vial, you don’t need healing spells.”

Na Naya shook her head.

“I checked. No traces of blood therapy.”

Her gaze locked on Meng Linna, hoping she’d speak.

Instinct screamed Meng Linna did it.

But logic questioned why a D-rank half-baked priest could beat an A-rank Water Spirit she couldn’t.

If that scumbag saved her, she’d brag about it, right?

Na Naya clenched her fists.

Why did she still expect something from her?

Stone Fang guessed again.

“You said you were healed but not fully. Could it be Teacher Big Dream’s potion?”

Teacher Big Dream?

Na Naya glanced at Meng Linna, amused.

The jerk who toyed with her, called “teacher”?

Ironic.

Meng Linna, already guilty, shrank behind Stone Fang.

“Maybe. But if I recall, I explored the ruin in the morning. Your ‘Teacher Big Dream’ only started selling potions that afternoon, right?”

Na Naya paused, letting them speculate.

“Huh, so maybe Teacher Big Dream saved you? She’s D-rank, but her strength’s solid.”

Stone Fang looked at Meng Linna.

“Teacher Big Dream, is it true?”

Unable to play dumb, Meng Linna braced herself.

“No way! I was a teamless nobody then. A support like me can’t solo explore, let alone kill a Water Spirit way stronger than me. Toothie, don’t think I’m strong just ‘cause I beat a wraith.

That was a fluke counter. My strength’s still D-rank.”

“Makes sense.”

Stone Fang nodded.

“Your water cannon was strong, but C-rank at best. No match for an A-rank Water Spirit.”

Na Naya wasn’t ready to drop it.

“What about the healing? Only you and Miao Miao Niya know healing spells in Yanan. And Miao Miao Niya’s the guild receptionist…”

“Healing’s not just spells. No harm telling you now. The Marigold Potion recipe came from someone else.”

Under Na Naya’s pressure, Meng Linna spilled about the potion.

“So the person who taught you the recipe saved me?”

Learning it might not be Meng Linna, Na Naya relaxed.

But a strange disappointment crept in.

“I can’t guarantee that.”

Meng Linna shook her head, staying neutral.

“Can you give me their info?”

Na Naya stepped closer.

“If you’re not sure, I’ll confirm myself.”

“…”

Facing Na Naya’s persistence, Meng Linna wanted to dodge.

But her teammates’ puzzled looks questioned her secrecy.

Yeah, why hide?

She’d apologize to Hagi later.

Her clenched fists relaxed.

“Her name’s Hagi. Lives at the Stray Dog Hotel.”

“Hagi…”

Na Naya repeated, pulling out a coin pouch.

“I keep my word. Here’s the reward for the clue.”

“No need…”

Meng Linna started to refuse, then changed her mind.

“Give it to Hagi. Say I’m sorry for the trouble.”

“…Alright.”

Na Naya said nothing more, pocketed the pouch, and left.

Watching Na Naya stride out, Meng Linna sighed in relief.

Then slumped.

Stone Fang turned, looking into her eyes.

“About that saintess candidate. You know something, right, Teacher Big Dream?”

Kelly was blunt.

“It’s you.”

Not a question, a statement.

Ugh, her acting sucked.

With Na Naya gone, Meng Linna came clean.

“Yeah, I saved her. She was out cold, bleeding. I used a potion to patch her up.”

Kelly nodded.

“As expected.”

Stone Fang was shocked.

“You soloed a Water Spirit? No way!”

Meng Linna waved it off.

They couldn’t get the wrong idea about her strength.

“Na Naya had it on the ropes. I faced a C-rank Water Spirit at best. Got it with a sneak attack.”

“Sounds fishy, but not impossible.”

Stone Fang rubbed her chin, nodding.

They’d teamed up for days.

They knew Meng Linna’s strength.

Listed as a faith warrior, she called herself a support priest.

But in fights, she was a high-damage turret.

Her excuse?

Low-rank priests don’t know support spells.

So she used attack spells to “support.”

Killing all enemies counts as support, right?