Chapter 7
Chapter 7
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Unexpected Invitation
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There was a brief commotion.
The quiet hospital room suddenly filled with the sound of shattering glass, drawing people rushing in.
"What happened?!"
"Oh, Priest. Well..."
Aren explained to the crowd that the patient had woken up, and I chimed in from the side, saying it had helped me come to my senses.
Judging there were no major issues, they cleaned up the broken teacup while they were there and gave me another check-up.
"Any discomfort when moving your arm?"
"It's fine. Moves perfectly."
I spun my arm, which had nearly been torn off, right in front of the priest's eyes.
Showing it worked flawlessly now, he looked relieved.
The priest also pulled out a pen and jotted something quickly on the chart. After a moment, he dotted the final period and spoke.
"...It seems there's no issue with immediate activity. If you'd like, we can process your discharge right now."
"Then please do."
A clean bill of health from this world's doctor. I thanked them for the treatment and left the hospital.
"You could rest a bit more at the hospital."
Aren followed behind me, and I nodded at her words.
"The hospital food is definitely tasty."
Meals provided, a place to sleep.
A private room ensuring privacy—it was perfect.
For someone like me with nowhere to go right now, it was the ideal spot to crash temporarily.
"But why stick around a place that drains money like crazy even for one night?"
The Labyrinth City has three medical facilities in total.
The public hospital run by the city itself.
Privately operated ones.
And the temple of the Weeping Angel Church, the largest religious power in this world.
The public hospital lives up to its name as a city-run public service—cheap and decent enough.
The staff there are devoted to their patients.
But the rooms aren't separated, and the environment is poor.
In the Labyrinth, people get injured and die constantly, so hospitals like that echo nonstop with pain and screams.
Bloodstained blankets and beds left lying around is common, and with a shortage of beds, patients often end up on the floor.
Above all, the lack of priests who can perform miracle-like healings is a big drawback.
Low-level priests volunteer daily under the banner of service, but all they can do is staunch bleeding at best.
Proper healing starts at mid-level priests and up, and they usually take better offers from temples or private hospitals instead of working at the public one.
The one who treated me not only healed my wounds in seconds but even regrew flesh on my nearly severed arm.
At least mid-level, probably high-tier, right?
"Why are you staring at me like that?"
"Just grateful you went out of pocket to get me into a private hospital."
Private hospitals, especially ones employing priests, cost a fortune.
A Novice Explorer would need to complete double-digit commissions just to pay it off.
Aren runs a potion shop even before being a Novice Explorer, but still.
'As far as I know, Aren doesn't have that kind of money right now.'
How'd she pay that much?
Put her house up as collateral maybe?
Either way, it was undeniably expensive.
"If you have a conscience toward your benefactor, paying that much is only right," she said.
"That's proper, but most don't, which is why I'm saying this."
Whether my old world or this one, scumbags without conscience are everywhere.
The kind who repay kindness with enmity, without a shred of shame.
Even back home, there's that saying about saving a drowning guy only for him to demand your bundle—like that, most try to squeeze more out of you for being nice.
This place is no different; it's where people live.
The Labyrinth City runs on the law of the jungle.
The weak don't survive.
With a medieval backdrop, they've got that backstabbing mindset they wear like a badge of honor.
What does that mean?
Utter trash bastards.
Not baseless cursing—I've learned it the hard way through regressions, stabbed in the back countless times.
'Leon, you're expelled from our party.'
'Listen up, you only get betrayed because you expect loyalty.'
'You trash. Get out of the Labyrinth City!'
I've been the kicked-out protagonist, branded a traitor, used as bait and discarded.
Of course, with my personality that can't live owing debts, I paid them back in full.
Regressions erased it all, but I remember every bit.
I won't lash out at innocents over it, but if a new opportunity arises, I'll make them crawl.
Anyway, in this trash-infested Labyrinth City, Aren is an angel. An angel.
"So I'll say thanks here."
I bowed my head to express my gratitude to Aren.
It was the most I could offer her right now.
Aren waved it off.
"Don't bow so much. Like I said earlier, I should be the one thanking you. Don't hype up spending a little money as some huge favor—it makes me uncomfortable, so stop."
I know it's burdensome.
That's why I keep emphasizing it.
Sorry to her, but planting a debt of gratitude makes handling someone easier.
I prefer leading over being led, so I'll keep creating these debts of the heart.
'Alright, enough with the thanks. Next...'
"More importantly, what's the Labyrinth situation now?"
"If you mean the Labyrinth, it's chaos. It's under blockade. No mid-tier Explorer or higher, and the gendarmerie won't even let you in."
"Blockade, huh. Because of that monster guarding the upper entrance wandering around?"
"Yes. The Wraith Knight. Our party got wiped by it, and I was the only survivor."
Normally stationary elite mob starting to roam the top floors, massacring explorers.
A mandatory event that shakes up the Labyrinth's entire ecosystem from this point.
It's recorded as a city-wide uproar, a massive shift rendering old info obsolete.
If this were a game, the opening cinematic might kick in here, I tentatively guess.
Saving the damsel in distress, adapting to the revamped Labyrinth, facing new threats.
Protagonist and heroines lining up, spouting lines like "My adventure starts now!"
I imagine it that way.
"Still can't believe we survived as Labyrinth newbies against that monster."
"Well, I did take one sword hit from it."
And repaid it by gutting the thing.
"Don't worry, though. I already informed the Golden Wing Guild, so it'll be handled soon."
"Yeah... probably."
I trailed off and slipped a hand into my pocket.
'No way they'll find it no matter how hard they look.'
Couldn't exactly say I killed it.
Doubt she'd believe me anyway.
What if I showed her the spoils from the Labyrinth?
She'd probably faint from shock.
Either way, the blockade won't last long.
As I recall, this incident kicks off more Wraith Knights wandering around.
They all look the same, so they'll catch one, claim revenge for guild members, and wrap it up.
I can see it playing out without watching.
In past loops, administrative handling always went like that.
And I know who's trying to bury it quietly.
High-tier Explorer Phasis.
'Right now, he's probably snagged a Wraith Knight in the Labyrinth and scheming to neatly cover it up.'
The nostalgic name crossed my mind, and my face twisted involuntarily.
Grinding my teeth so hard my poker face nearly cracked.
"With the blockade, no Labyrinth diving for a while."
"That's why I'm asking—what's your plan going forward?"
"Plan? Securing a place to stay first."
"You haven't found lodging yet?"
"Worried about a bed tonight, but it'll work out somehow."
In front of her, I played it concerned, but selling Labyrinth monster loot would cover room and board easily.
As a fresh Novice Explorer, it'd draw unwanted eyes, but sacrificing some profit, I could fence it anonymously on the black market.
That was the idea.
"Then... um, if it's okay..."
"?"
Aren stammered for a moment.
As I tilted my head at her averted gaze and fidgeting index fingers touching, unexpected words slipped from her mouth.
"If it's not too uncomfortable, you could stay at my place until you find something..."
She mumbled it, blushing, voice trailing shyly.
Damn, I couldn't help but admire inwardly.
'Definitely a dating sim.'
Progresses fast.