The Cure for the Rare Disease (2)

For a brief moment, my mind went blank. Eily, who had been smiling brightly and full of energy just yesterday, had turned gloomy overnight and was now talking about quitting. Yeah, in a word, I was so flustered that I couldn't think straight.

"I'm sorry, Master… I think I have to resign starting today."

What on earth had happened to her? I started to worry even more.

"What's the reason for quitting?"

When I asked Eily why she wanted to quit, she immediately dropped her head with a troubled expression.

"Ugh… well—"

What could it be that she was struggling even to say it out loud? She couldn't get the words out and just fidgeted with her thumbs nervously.

"Actually… there's a family issue."

But soon, as if she'd gathered her resolve, she hesitantly parted her lips and poured out everything.

"I have a younger sister who's a year younger than me—"

Once she'd decided to share her story, her emotions welled up, and sorrow crept into her voice.

"Mm…."

I listened as Eily explained in detail everything that had happened from the past.

"And… ugh…."

Her voice grew faint midway, as if the miserable reality of her situation filled her with grief.

"That's how it is…."

"Hmm, I see."

In the end, I learned exactly what circumstances Eily was in and why she wanted to quit.

"Your sister's sick with a serious illness, right?"

"…Yes."

I knew she had a frail younger sister. She'd mentioned her during that incident in the kitchen last week, so I vaguely remembered.

"Hm…."

But I hadn't realized it was this serious.

"We don't have the money to buy medicine yet, and she's in critical condition right now, so we've decided that at least until she improves, I'll stay by her side and nurse her."

I fully understood the reason she'd decided to quit.

"So, Master… Eily humbly asks to leave your side for a while."

"Of course, the household won't suffer without one incompetent maid like me. I hope you won't find things inconvenient without me."

"I promise it won't be for long, and someday, I'll definitely return to your side."

Eily bowed deeply, as if bidding a bittersweet farewell.

She seemed to want to say it was an unavoidable choice for her sister's sake. When she lifted her head, her face was twisted in reluctance.

"Eily."

Seeing that, I closed my eyes for a moment and sank into thought. Then, steeling my resolve, I stood up.

"Yes…?"

A typical noble might have pitied her story but easily granted her farewell. But—

"Mind if I see your sister's face?"

My thinking was a little different.

"I-it's humble, but… please come in…!"

Heading east from the main gate of Stenman Mansion led to a small slum.

"Pardon the intrusion."

Eily's home was a rundown house. As soon as I stepped through the entrance, a musty smell hit my nose.

"Please wait just a moment, Master! I'll prepare some tea right away…."

Every time I took a step, the rotting wooden floor creaked and cracked.

"It's fine. More importantly, where's your sister?"

This old house looked like it might collapse like a house of matchsticks with a single poke…. Did Eily's family live in a place like this?

"Yes… my sister is in the room at the back. Normally, Mother comes by every evening to look after her."

Following her guidance, I headed deeper into the house.

Creeeak…

Unlike the well-maintained doors of the mansion, this one let out a sound straight out of a horror movie.

"Ugh… ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Sis…?"

Inside the room lay a girl, emaciated like a skeleton.

"Julie…!"

Eily's sister, Julie. The moment she saw her sick sibling, tears welled up in Eily's eyes.

"Julie, Sis is here."

Eily went to her side and gently stroked her forehead.

"Ugh… sorry, hehe… I need to get better soon."

Her faint breathing sounded like it could stop at any moment.

"Ugh…."

It was like watching a rose's flame flicker out, its petals wilting away.

"No, no…. From now on, Sis will stay right by your side and protect you…."

Eily gripped her fading sister's hands tightly.

"Will you be okay…? With work…."

"I decided to take a short break. Don't worry!"

Her touch was filled with desperate strength.

"Sorry… because of me…."

"No need to apologize!"

Even if her sister were to slip away, she wouldn't let go of that hand—her iron will shone through.

"………."

It felt like watching a tragic play. A frail sister and her devoted caregiver, facing a hopeless reality yet trying to live positively.

"Mind if I take a look at her face?"

I didn't want to ruin their moment, but to assess her condition, I had no choice but to interrupt.

"Ah? Sure…."

"Then, pardon me."

With Eily's nod, I quickly examined the sister's complexion, forgoing any sentiment.

"Who ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠is this, Sis…."

"Ah…! This is my master, a very kind person."

While Eily and Julie talked, I meticulously checked the girl's abnormal symptoms.

"Hm?"

And then… I spotted something surprisingly easily.

"Master? Is something wrong…?"

"Hold on—"

Purple discoloration spreading below the collarbone.

"Mind if I pull your top down a bit?"

"Y-Yes…? Ah, yes!"

To check more closely, I tugged the collar of her shirt down slightly.

"This is…."

What appeared was skin tainted a deep purple, as if corrupted, along with a grotesque yellow tumor.

"………."

Honestly, at first… I just wanted to check her condition and, if possible, call a good doctor or cover the medicine costs.

"……."

But the moment I saw Julie's symptoms, something clicked in my mind.

"Eily, I need to step out for a bit."

"Huh? Where are you going?"

That skin tissue, the yellow tumor… if my memory was right, it was definite.

"Won't take long. I'll bring back the 'medicine' right away. I know this condition all too well."

"Huh?!!"

Because it was a debuff that appeared in the game too.

"Ugh…?"

One sentence flipped the grim atmosphere on its head. Eily and her sister stared wide-eyed in confusion. Eily's expression mixed guilt and hope.

"But Master…!!"

"It's fine. Just wait without worrying."

Finally, time to put my knowledge to use—

"I need to go catch a snake right now."

"Boss… is this the right place?"

"Yeah, it is. Quit yapping and follow."

On a mountainside untouched by human hands, a bandit leader was leading his gang somewhere.

They pillaged without regard for race if there was profit, committing murder and kidnapping without hesitation—truly a vile, lawless bunch.

"And boss… did you hear? They put up your wanted poster in the Royal Capital…."

Their leader, Jack, was a notorious criminal who gave even the nation headaches.

"Jack boss! That's awesome. Means the guards are starting to fear you, right?!"

"Hmph! No guts to catch me, so they pull petty stunts like that. Nothing to it. Uhahahaha!"

His bounty was high, posted on village and guild boards. His wicked personality played a part, but his real skill as a powerhouse was the biggest issue.

"Oh ho~ It should be visible by now~?"

Right now, Jack was searching for something with as many underlings as possible.

"But boss… what the heck are you looking for? With this many guys…."

"Wait and see…… Aha! There it is!"

It was traces left by massive 'snakes' slithering about.

"Just follow this, and we're good!"

"What's this?"

"You'll see! It's the trail left by those 'lamia' bastards!"

Irritated by the question, he snapped and followed the lamia tracks.

The lamia race. Half-human upper bodies with snake scales and tails below, they lived in groups in deep forests or large mountain caves.

"Lamia tribe?"

"Yeah~! Don't you know they make nests in huge caves and live like humans?!"

"As winter approaches, lamias stockpile food and valuables in their lairs."

"They've probably got a good stash by now~?"

Jack grinned slyly as he explained his grand scheme to his men.

"So, we raid their lair and take it over—we'll score stuff worth a fortune?!"

His men caught on and started cheering in admiration.

"Ooh! We could get months' worth of loot!"

"Exactly~! So hustle if you wanna eat well!"

"Yes—!!"

Jack laughed even more disgustingly at their boosted morale.

"Plus, lamias are all females. Capture 'em alive, and we can sell 'em as slaves to those with exotic tastes."

Plotting even dirtier schemes, he drooled over visions of immense wealth, as if victory was already his.

"Awooo—!!"

But then, a chilling howl echoed through the forest.

"U, uwaaak?!"

"What?!"

"Boss! It's a pack of Dire Wolves!"

"Graaaang!!"

A pack of Dire Wolves charged the bandits amid the chaos.

"Boss! There's a lot of 'em!"

"Don't wuss out! They're just wild beasts!"

Jack and his men drew weapons and swung at the ferocious monsters.

Slash—

"Kyaaang—"

The Dire Wolves' ambush was brief; the tide quickly turned to the bandits.

Slaaash—

"You pathetic mutts!"

Crack—!!

Especially for Jack, hardened by years of banditry, Dire Wolves were mere weaklings.

"Grrrng…..!"

"Kyeng, kyeng!"

After a skirmish, the wolves sensed the power gap and fled.

"We did ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠it, boss!"

"Hmph… wasted our energy for nothing."

As they caught their breath and regrouped, another attack came.

Thwuk—!

"Guh, guhek!"

Arrows flew at them next, like a follow-up strike.

"What the—?!"

Unlike beast weapons, these were human-made, tensing Jack up.

"…..!"

His gut screamed danger as he scanned around.

"Sssr…."

"L-Lamia tribe!!"

A half-snake, half-human creature of a different species appeared from ambush.

"You dare invade our territory?"

"Tch, Dire Wolves your pets? Explains the ambush."

He clicked his tongue and drew his sword again.

"Perfect timing. I'll make one of you spill your lair's location!"

Kicking off, he dashed at the lamia scouts.

"Hmph!"

"Think we're scared?"

Two lamia soldiers blocked him with tridents and swords.

"Outta my way!!"

Clang—!

One strike shattered their weapons, neutralizing them.

"Ugh?!"

"Kuh…!"

"Hahaha! If that's your level, your lair's no problem!"

Confirming their strength, he grinned confidently.

Whoosh—

That was when it happened.

Roooar—!!!

"Uwaaaah!!"

His men were swept away by a massive flame storm—

"What?!"

Jack gaped at the sudden mid-tier magic.

"Ho ho, is that so~?"

A leisurely, archaic voice mocked his shock, worming into his ear.

"So confident, are you~?"

A lamia with ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠red scales, red hair, and red eyes emerged.

"Your courage is admirable."

She wielded a massive staff, likely the spell's caster.

"Kuh! Who the hell are you?!"

Jack scowled at the alien, dangerous presence.

"Why should I tell weak humans like you?"

The red lamia smirked suspiciously, narrowing her eyes in disdain.

"But I'll tell you this much."

She slowly aimed her staff at Jack.

"I am the queen of this forest, the judge who will punish you."

And like a final kiss, she whispered slyly and sweetly their doom.

"Magic of fire… lend me your power—"

Chanting a powerful spell, flames surged like waves.

Kwaaaaah—

"Uwaaaak—!"

"Graaak! M-mercy—"

"Boss!! Save us!!!"

The bandits screamed in agony, like sinners roasting in hell's pit.

"Ugh….!"

Jack ground his teeth, racking his brain for a way out.

"………."

But soon, instinct told him the truth.

No matter what he did, he couldn't handle that magic.

"A… aa…."

He let out a frustrated groan, staring at the massive blaze.

"A… aaaaaaaaah—!!!!"

The brutal flame's death sentence engulfed him—

And that was his final scream.