Chapter 38: What the Hell, This is Crazy
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 38: What the Hell, This is Crazy
“Wait, so that’s what happened?”
“Yes, I’ve been telling you.”
I listened to the explanation of the situation. Apparently, one of the explorers from the Mayerbridge Union spotted and rescued me while they were returning, and since I was unconscious, I was brought here.
Fortunately, they weren't charging me for it. Surprisingly, most of the people admitted to this main building’s infirmary were individuals holding significant positions. It wasn't a hospital for the general public, but more like a treatment center for high-ranking officials.
‘Then why am I here?’
I certainly didn't hold a high position, nor did I have any connection to the Mayerbridge Union clan. I had a faint memory of someone approaching and talking to me on the 10th Floor just before I collapsed from exhaustion.
My eyes had been too tired and my mind too hazy to remember what they looked like. The nursing assistant lady said she didn't know who rescued me either.
“By the way, where are my clothes? And what is this I’m wearing?”
“Ah, your clothes were completely soaked in blood. We had to change you to treat your wounds, so…”
“Who did?”
“T-That… I did it myself….”
“Ah, I see.”
Well, it didn't really matter. In fact, I was just glad it wasn't a man who changed me. The clothes were typical patient scrubs with a slight bluish tint.
My physical condition wasn't bad. Of course, my original body was bound to be in terrible shape, but for now, I had swapped my muscle fibers with those of the Orc Chieftain.
That Orc Chieftain bastard had spent his whole day just sitting around acting tough before his head exploded. Naturally, his muscles hadn't accumulated any fatigue. He probably didn't intend to, but he turned out to be quite helpful.
“Anyway, what should I do now?”
“Ah! Right. I need to report that you’ve woken up. Could you wait just a moment?”
“Sure.”
The nursing assistant hurriedly left the room with a file in her hand. So she’d been just shooting the breeze with me instead of reporting? This place has a pretty relaxed work environment.
To check my condition, I pulled off the top of the scrubs and looked at my body. If I used my original muscles, I’d undoubtedly collapse, unable to even stand on my own two feet.
“Did my body always look like this?”
I’d been working myself to the bone since coming to this world. I couldn't say I hadn't rested a single day, but even while my body was recovering from the Labyrinth, I helped out at the inn.
I also spent time maintaining equipment or restocking supplies. Once my body recovered, I’d go back to the Labyrinth, get thrashed, return, and recover again. It was a cycle.
“Wait, it’s night?”
I hadn't realized because the blinds were drawn, but it was dark outside. The room was so bright I hadn't even noticed.
“Hmm.”
I felt like my body had gotten a bit larger. I was currently recovering by circulating Ursus blood, but thinking back to my body right after I woke up, I still had a long way to go. It looked like I’d have to use the Orc Chieftain’s muscles for a while.
And what I was most curious about was the skill. Just before I collapsed, some explorer had approached me and mentioned that it looked like I’d gained a new skill. I’d been too out of it to know for sure, but thinking about it now, it seemed certain.
‘There’s no way my strength was naturally that high.’
Orc muscles aren't necessarily higher quality fibers than those of a Direwolf Alpha or an Ursus. Those creatures are strong because they’re massive and pack on muscle easily, not because the quality of the muscle itself is superior.
Nevertheless, that sensation when I threw the spear at the Orc Chieftain’s head at the very end… I had no choice but to conclude it was the influence of a new skill.
Just what kind of skill did I get to produce that much power?
“Holy shit. Did I finally get it? A cheat skill…!”
Two months since dropping into this world. Had I finally obtained a cheat skill? My heart was pounding; I couldn't hide my excitement.
“Whew…!”
There was no mirror in the room, but feeling a sudden surge of strength, I started posing like a madman.
“Oh, damn. I’ve turned into a total beast.”
The muscles were practically screaming with vitality. This was it. This was exactly what I wanted.
“Ah, and also….”
I wasn't entirely sure, but I’d used the Umbra Valkyrie’s eye for over an hour. At some point, the feeling that it was too difficult to keep using it had vanished.
Did my body adapt because of the crisis? Or was I just in so much pain overall that the mental overload didn't register anymore? Regardless, being able to use the Umbra Valkyrie’s eye for a long duration was a huge stroke of luck.
To be honest, its performance was broken. The ability to identify an opponent’s weakness, or the weak points of magic and structures, was incredible. Whether it was Iris’s scheme or not, I’d obtained the eye involuntarily.
Still, there was no denying it was a good thing for me.
Knock, knock.
“Come in.”
A knock sounded from the wooden door. A brown-haired man wearing glasses entered. With his scruffy beard and aged appearance, and the white coat he was wearing, he looked like a primary physician.
Behind him were the nurse I’d just met and another nurse I hadn't seen before.
“You’re awake. And standing up, no less.”
“Yes, that’s how it turned out.”
The doctor took off his glasses, hooked them onto his coat, and approached me as if he were looking at something truly miraculous.
“Your muscles were so overworked that we couldn't recklessly use healing magic. We tried to treat you in a way that wouldn't burden your body, relying as much as possible on natural regeneration, but….”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. It’s astonishing that you’ve recovered so cleanly. Would it be alright if we performed a brief examination?”
“Go ahead.”
At those words, the new nursing assistant stepped forward, had me sit in a chair, and reached out her right hand. A faint orange glow flickered at the tip of her middle finger before slowly drifting toward my body.
Ping!
“This… how…?”
“Is something wrong with my body?”
“No… it’s… huh?”
The nursing assistant, whose sophisticated impression crumbled into sheer bewilderment, kept tilting her head as she continued the examination. After inspecting my body for a long time, she finally spoke.
“Have your muscles… been recreated…?”
“Ah, um… something like that. Through a skill.”
“T-Then that explains it. The muscles that had suddenly collapsed have all returned to their original state… no, they’re in a completely different state than before.”
The doctor scribbled something down with interest from behind, and once the exam was over, he asked a few questions.
“Is it not a Super Recovery Ability?”
“No. It’s not that kind of thing.”
“So it doesn't matter how much your body is broken?”
“I’m not sure about that.”
“I see. According to the laws of the Labyrinth City, with a few exceptions, we cannot—without the explorer’s consent—”
“I’m Aven. Please call me Aven.”
“Ah, yes. We cannot arbitrarily appraise Mr. Aven’s skills. According to Lord Delbaheim, it seemed a new skill had been engraved upon you, but for the reasons mentioned, we haven't been able to confirm it yet.”
Was there a law like that?
“Why is that?”
“Well, judging by your reaction, it seems you don't have any Curse Skills.”
“Ah, I see.”
True, if someone had a Curse Skill they didn't want others to know about, having their skills appraised without permission would be a problem. I’d heard there were many types of Curse Skills that would be embarrassing to reveal.
“Our job ends here. Our task was to help Mr. Aven recover.”
“Then can I leave now?”
“Lord Delbaheim mentioned wanting to meet you once your recovery was complete.”
Delbaheim. I’d heard that name just now. Contextually, it was likely the name of the person who rescued me, but I’d been in such bad shape then that I hadn't even seen what they looked like.
Since I was the one who received help, I felt I should at least say thank you. It was lucky for me that they happened to be passing by.
“Hmm….”
The Mayerbridge Union, huh?
‘Ah, about that. The Scarlet Lotus party, the 2nd party of the Mayerbridge Union clan, is scheduled to return this evening.’
No way. It couldn't be, right?
“By any chance, is that Delbaheim person from the 2nd party…?”
“Yes, that’s correct. It is Lady Raya Delbaheim, the Vice-Captain of the Scarlet Lotus party.”
“Uh-oh.”
Shit. What did I say to her?
‘If you’re here to steal my kill, piss off.’
Goddammit.
“Um… by any chance, was she very angry?”
“Who are you referring to? Lord Delbaheim?”
“Yes….”
“No, she didn't show any signs of that. She’s quite stoic, after all. Did you perhaps commit some sort of rudeness?”
“I think so.”
“You’ll be fine. Lord Delbaheim doesn't even blink at most things.”
I really hoped so. She was at least a Palladium-grade explorer. Even if I was in a state of mental and physical exhaustion, telling someone to piss off to their face was a bit much.
Well, considering she rescued me, brought me to the surface, and even got me medical treatment after hearing that, she seemed like a good person.
“Phew, well, that’s a relief….”
“We’ve finished collecting the equipment you were using. It’s in that drawer over there, but since it was in terrible condition, we’ve provided some suitable clothing. You may change as you wish and follow this person.”
The doctor said, pointing to the nursing assistant who had been waiting in the back. It was the one I’d met first.
“It would be rude to just leave without meeting her, right?”
“Ah… it’s not mandatory. However, meetings of this nature usually bring good news, so I highly recommend you meet her.”
“Yes. I’ll do that.”
The three of them left the infirmary. I hurried to open the drawer and check my clothes, but as expected, they weren't in a state a human could wear. They were basically rags.
“The new clothes… ah, these.”
It was a plain white shirt and black trousers. For a world with this level of technology, the clothes were strangely modern. I could tell just by looking that they were high-quality goods, much better than what I’d been wearing.
“The pouch is here.”
I’d tossed the pouch into a flower bed, but they’d picked that up too. I was truly grateful.
“Wait, where’s my egg?”
But the egg I’d picked up wasn't inside. To be precise, the container I’d wrapped in cloth to hold the egg was gone. Did I drop it while eating jerky? That was a real shame.
Once I finished changing, I went outside. The nursing assistant waiting at the door told me to follow her, and I followed her out of the treatment center and into another building on the large estate.
‘This is… the Northeast Clan building.’
The buildings were lined up in a style similar to when I’d come to the Northeast to find the magic item shop. After walking for about three minutes, we entered a magnificent building, went from the lobby to the second floor, and stopped in front of a large door.
“This is Lady Raya Delbaheim’s private office. You don't look like that kind of person… but you know you shouldn't act rudely, right?”
“Yes. Thank you for the advice.”
Right now, I wanted to throw myself into a deepest bow the moment I opened that door. Being polite was a given.
The nursing assistant who guided me gave a brief bow and quickly disappeared. Being left alone in front of the door made me feel a bit nervous. No. I was incredibly nervous.
‘Damn it. Why did I have to swear at a stranger?’
I lifted the door knocker, which was shaped like a white flower, and tapped lightly. A voice came from inside. It was the same woman’s voice I’d heard while I was dazed.
—Come in.
Whew, let’s do this right. Palladium? She might be even higher. Anyway, she was the Vice-Captain of a legendary party in a legendary clan. Stoic or not, I had to apologize.
Creeeeak—
When I pushed the door with a bit of force, the massive door, at least three meters tall, slowly opened to reveal the interior.
“Welcome.”
“Yes, h-hello….”
Snow-white hair, pale skin. Eyes with a slight bluish tint. A stoic face, just as I’d heard, and…
‘Is she an Elf?’
She had the long ears characteristic of Elves.
She had been sitting, but she slowly stood up from her chair and approached me. At that moment.
Thud!
As if her legs had suddenly lost all strength, she collapsed onto the floor. And on the wooden floor where she sat…
Pshhhhh…
“What.”
“Huh?”
Transparent liquid, with warm steam rising from it, began to leak out.
“Uh…?”
With her cheeks flushed bright red, she looked up at me with a panicked expression.
“Why all of a sudden…!”
With a look of pure grievance, she spoke, her voice trembling as if she were about to cry.
“W-Why do you have an Orc Estrus Skill…!”
“Wait, what?”
What the hell, this is crazy.