Chapter 376
Chapter 376
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 376
Chapter Title: Colors from Outer Space
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"Blackie, you little punk—already burying your face in big sis's tits again? Here, got the money. Twenty silver. Adds up to thirty-nine for today's take. Come on, Blackie, lift your head and clap."
Clap clap clap clap!!!
Instead of clapping, I thumped my good arm against my chest and pulled my face away from Claudy's bosom.
"Now let's head to the monastery. Seeing your arm all fucked up like that is tearing my heart apart. We gotta get it treated ASAP. Get up already."
"Yeah."
Man, I've got a ton on my plate today.
Winia grabbed my hand, and off we went to the relief monastery. I've been freeloading here a lot lately. Healing magic is the real deal for recovery—you can't just ignore it.
If only I had the cash.
"Here for a broken arm."
"Oh dear. You really put your body through the wringer, huh?"
"Tell me about it."
We checked in with the priest at the counter inside the monastery and waited a bit. People were bustling about everywhere— it had this weird, upbeat energy despite everything. Busy place all around.
The fact that a medical facility like this was humming with life was proof enough of how cutthroat this world is.
"Blackie, I'm saying this now, but put your body first, got it? Money and all that shit means nothing if you're dead. Understand? Don't go throwing yourself around like that."
"I know damn well, Your Majesty Winia."
"Winia, you don't get it 'cause you're a mage. That's one of the cool things about Katt."
"Sis and I see things real different. Sigh."
We were chatting away in the waiting area when the priest called my name. I stood up and followed the guide to—what else?—a bustling general treatment room.
In the back, folks with all sorts of wounds were getting healed by nuns and priests. I scanned for familiar faces, but nada.
"Broken arm, right? Name?"
A sleepy-looking nun with seaweed-like blonde hair approached and asked.
"Katt."
"That's the one. I'm Shasha."
I bowed politely and explained my symptoms.
"I've already done basic first aid."
"Impressive. Alright, let's get started."
"First time with a fracture, though. Does healing fix bones too?"
"Hmm... varies by person. Some stop bleeding, regenerate flesh, even erase scars. Me? I'm best at mending and regenerating bones."
The nun explained in a surprisingly clear, composed tone that didn't match her tired vibe. Putting it together, yeah—this is another world, alright.
Healing and magic are both mysterious black boxes to me, so whatever.
Just shining light on a wound and having it heal is a miracle in itself.
Not that the mana in my body is any different, if you wanna nitpick.
"Alright, extend your arm."
I carefully laid my arm on the table, bracing for pain. The nun deftly removed the splint and gripped it.
Ting...!
Pain shot through just from the touch.
Fractures are no joke.
"Starting treatment now. Might hurt, but no screaming."
"What am I, a kid?"
The nun murmured a prayer. Her hand glowed pale green, and a warm energy flowed in.
Getting healed doesn't hurt at all.
This healing sensation is fuaaaaaaargh!!!!!!!
"TeeeeeEEEEEENG!!!!!!!!"
"Ah! Quiet!"
The nun suddenly clamped down hard on my arm, unleashing agony like I was dying. I bit my teeth to stifle a "you fucking bitch!"
No, fuck! It hurts like a motherfucker!
Fine in a fight, but non-combat pain like this? Can't handle it!
"Bit rough, but channeling divine power directly like this helps the bone knit. Hang in there."
"Hnggh...!"
"Hm, sensing mana in you... Might reduce the effect. But with mana, your natural healing's better anyway, so no biggie."
Karin mentioned it once.
High-level folks like her? Basic heals barely work. Potions are cheaper.
My guess: your mana reserves cut the recovery amount. Stronger you are, pricier the heal.
"KieeeEEEEK!!!"
"Such a wimp! Quiet down! You look like you could chew through a monster—act like it! Shut your mouth!"
"It hurts too much, fuck!!! Seriously fucking hurts, stop please!!"
"Knitting bones always hurts!! So, you gonna keep roughing it up or not?!"
The nun suddenly barked, threateningly.
Felt like I was getting punished for wrecking my body!
"I won't! I swear, just go easy!!!"
"Swear to Ishataredhi you'll never get hurt again—before I make it hurt worse!"
"Who's that?!?"
"Goddess of mercy, opportunity, and recovery!!"
"Got it, I swear!"
"Good! No more injuries, ever!"
"Yes! Yes! No hurts, please!"
That's how I endured that hellish treatment.
Even after I begged to swear to whatever god, the nun ignored it and just kept ranting about not getting hurt.
I get the sentiment, but it hurt so fucking much it was bullshit.
Foam at the mouth levels.
Eyes rolling back—hope I don't awaken spirit possession or some shit.
"All done. Arm feel okay?"
"Urgh...! Whew!"
Fuck, my dignity's in tatters.
I flexed my arm. Expected pain, but nothing. Brain fried from agony? Nerves dead?
"Doesn't hurt."
"Felt it knit. Not fully set yet—still weak. Splint it for a few weeks. Daily life should be fine."
"...Method's kinda brutal, but thanks. There's bone potions—would those help?"
"Of course. And... break it again, it'll hurt the same."
"F-Fucking scary."
"So, gonna get hurt or not?"
"Never!"
I swore as I left the treatment room.
Last service: she splinted it herself.
True zealot for recovery. Her threats screamed conviction—no patients in this world.
Today's pain? Lesson learned. No more fractures. Hurt worse than fighting that troll.
Pain hits harder in safe zones. Combat numbs it—this place doesn't.
"Katt. Heard screaming?"
"Nah, imagination. Let's head back."
"Potion first, Blackie."
"Right."
Downed a potion.
Waited—warm tingle, but no real difference.
What's next?
Rest.
Sunset soon.
"Ah, starving. Blackie, sis—meat time."
"Oh my."
Heading to the dorm, Winia grabbed our collars. Yeah, famished.
"Hell yeah!"
Stuffing faces at a nearby joint. Cost a bit, but we made bank today.
Back to dorm, day's done.
Quest cleared, loot sold, healed, belly full—rest time.
Unpack, wash up. All done, sandwiched between Winia and Claudy like always.
"Blackie. Wonder what happened to that hunchback."
"Who knows."
Village handles it. Told the chief the truth—his call on order.
"Forgiven? After that mess?"
Claudi stroked my chest.
"Probably not."
Idiot's stunt threatened the community big time.
Forgivable? Depends on view, but no society lets it slide.
"Eh, moron's deed—might get off easy."
Winia shrugged, hugging my neck. No big deal anyway.
World where people and monsters scrap—petty shit's worthless.
Bigger question: how's Coolguy faring in the arena? That'd intrigue folks more.
That kinda thing.
"Katt... Can't hold back anymore?"
"Blackie, my lower belly's throbbing."
Guess no rest till dawn again.
"Just once."
* * * Two weeks flew by.
Good food and rest sped recovery, but I was full-on isekai NEET Kim Katt during treatment.
Killed time borrowing books from the library.
Didn't skip training, though—just no left arm.
Tried inventing one-handed real-mount incision swordsmanship since I'm one-armed, but wielding a two-hander single-handed? Tougher than thought. Gave up.
Wasted time at the Adventurer's Guild for intel or library too.
Checked in with Karin midway, met Lisha too.
Winia bought new spellbooks from the Magic Tower, demoing magic with mad focus. Claudy slept till noon if bedtime was dawn.
"Blackie heading out?"
"Quick stop at the Guild."
"Just rest, why hustle? Love your work ethic, but I'd rather chill."
"Cabin fever. Back before lunch."
"Fine, go stroll."
"Need anything?"
"Nah today."
Light gear, out I went.
No splint—daily life's fine. No pain, but no straining. Everyday use till full recovery.
Passed the main street, entered the Adventurer's Guild.
"Barbarian."
"Kob."
Shoulder grabbed.
"Hic."
"Huh?"
Turned—same old blonde shovel-jaw grinning. This guy... been ages.
First since slaying the alraune and bolting the jungle.
"Shit, lookin' healthy as fuck. Whatcha been up to?"
"Same old. You look great too—been too long."
"Fuckin' grab a drink?"
"You initiating? Let's go."
Morning dive into a dingy corner pub. Kobson's spot, he says.
Swapped updates over rum and jerky.
"Heh heh, jungle cash? Gambled it all away."
"Risked my neck, thought big payout. Debts piled, hit a far dungeon... nightmare."
Dungeon?
"Dungeon? That exist?"
"More like basement of a forgotten temple. Found in distant mountains—scholars and mages hired E-rank grunts like us. Called a dungeon, but just grunt work. Killed tons of giant bugs... grim. Post-jungle, bug monsters everywhere."
"World's ending."
"Hate bugs. Creepy fuckers."
"Farm boy, eh?"
"Why I hate farming."
That sorta talk.
Kobson hustling around Isvant, same as ever. But why chase glory with gambling?
Gonna break his jaw one day.
"Yo, barbarian. Heard the big news?"
"What."
"That insane story."
"No clue."
Kobson slammed his rum, face serious.
"Meteors rained down like crazy."