Suddenly,
A shiver of curiosity ran through me.
But can I ask you about this?
Could you answer me?
I give up.
It was a word that came to mind while watching you deal with the golem—it looked too painful. Wouldn’t it have been better to drop the sword and faint?
Yet, you stood up.
Different from me.
“Amazing.”
[What are you just standing there for? Help quickly! I’m dying!]
I was already planning to do that.
Although there’s severe bleeding and bruising, I can do more than emergency first aid with my abilities.
“Hmm.”
By the way.
…How pretty.
Even though her body is decorated with scars and her face is marred by bloodstains, I couldn’t look away from her appearance.
[Quickly! Quickly! Quick! Hurry up! I’m dying!]
“I get it.”
This much won’t kill you, a swordsman with regeneration and a stats like this.
No, rather, why did it become a foregone conclusion that I should save you?
With an abdominal rupture, intramuscular hemorrhage in the limbs…
All I can do is stop the bleeding and supply her with the lost blood. I’m not a doctor, after all. The rest must be left to the association hospital.
I stirred up my mana to coagulate the bloody clot. Expanding it widely, I formed a red current that was absorbed into her body as a reddish aura.
[Good! You’re impressive! Her pale skin color has returned!]
It’s not over yet. Supporting the girl’s legs and shoulder with both arms, I lifted her up.
Let’s see, that spot will do.
Scanning the surroundings, I entered a visible store due to the gate—there was no one around. I grabbed bandages and gauze roughly, and also prepared some antiseptic.
With arterial bleeding gushing out with each heartbeat, having been managed with emergency treatment infused with mana, it’s time to attend to the venous bleeding now.
It’s not a dangerous situation since the aorta isn’t severed at all.
[My insides are burning…!]
“Please be quiet.”
After disinfecting with strong pressure, I wrapped the wound with gauze and bandages. Being unable to confirm the exact fractures here, we need to be careful.
“Why am I doing this…”
She’s a wicked demon.
Not only reviving a nearly dead golem but also making them die again, and putting a fatigued girl to sleep, she’s truly bad.
[Can we take her now?]
“Yes.”
To the association hospital.
In the same pose, I lifted her up and sent energy into her. A few minutes later, the girl coughed harshly and groaned ‘ugh,’ then weakly opened her eyes.
The white jade-like glimmer, still beautiful eyes, even blurred with light.
“Hello.”
“…”
The girl blinked hard, her pupils widening abruptly with a gasp.
“Y-You…”
Let me reiterate; I’ve only done emergency first aid. It’s natural she wouldn’t be in perfect condition. Opening her mouth seemed quite difficult, too.
[Quick! Get on it swiftly!]
Despite Bloddy’s urgent voice, I calmly stood in the magic array. I’ve grown tired of getting carried away and excited over anything.
Dizziness set in, and for a short moment, a cool, heavy aura enveloped me before vanishing.
When I opened my eyes, I saw the governor of Gyeonggi Province. In other words, the low-ranking person in the association. Feeling something boiling inside me.
“Oh…”
[What’s wrong?]
“I thought I’d have to sacrifice my hair under my hat again like last time.”
Her hair was smooth and sleek, so she probably wouldn’t like it flattened due to the hat.
Though Bloddy adjusted us to a secluded alley where we translocated, no matter what, considering I have to bring her to the hospital, I still need to pay attention to the surrounding looks.
Lowering my gaze, I looked at the girl cradled in my arms. Trying to force her arm around my neck, a stir of unease failed to arise.
Rather, this somewhat stern expression might add a bit of thrill.
An expression mixed with anger and fatigue, with a scent completely different from the cold and lifeless one.
Leaving her, I glanced around the area.
There weren’t many people around the hospital and on the street. Instead, it was somewhat desolate.
Anyway, carrying a bloodied association hunter in my arms, could wearing a hat really hide that?
“Put me down…”
“Even with your arm wrapped around my neck, that won’t be persuasive.”
I did it forcefully, but this princess carry is exhausting.
“Grr…”
Whether it’s from anger or resignation, her expression with beads of sweat forming on her forehead and clenching her lips tightly was quite a sight.
[Let’s go then! We should take her to the hospital!]
“It’s alright to go slowly.”
Taking steps with both hands still tied, upon reaching the entrance, a few people stood back with pale faces, but ignoring them, they didn’t interfere, anyway.
Approaching the counter directly.
“Hello.”
“Welcome…”
“…”
Staff members froze, their mouths moved slightly, turning their face pale quickly. At least, no sound—good.
“I’ve done the bleeding emergency treatment, but there’s a fracture and bruising… Actually, with her stats, she should recover soon.”
Seeing this, the staff member turned their eyes to the girl, who was breathing lightly in my arms, showing signs of trembling and pallor.
“The emergency room is on the 1st floor!”
“Thank you.”
Though I confirmed with red glints to include internal bleeding, fortunately, it wasn’t serious. Considering her regenerative capabilities were active, worry was gradually subsiding.
Worry, worry.
Walking toward the emergency room while checking the surroundings, there weren’t many people around, but those who spotted me shouted.
“I don’t know what to do next?”
Without words, I started talking to the girl.
“What’s your name?”
“…”
Finding her breath, her sharp eyes fixated on mine, refusing to open her mouth, too.
Well, maybe it’s understandable; would I want to be treated by someone who would break me apart with a golem and then fuss over healing with drugs and spells?
But, it cannot remain unknown. After all, she’ll probably rush towards me again with her sword raised the moment I turn around.
“If you don’t say.”
Stopping my step, I met her gaze.
“I will kill everyone here.”
She grimaced.
“Erika.”
Erika… Yes, her name…
“How pretty.”
“…”
While I wished her face could be softer, it’s somewhat disappointing not being able to desire more.
I arrived at the entrance of the ER and pushed the door open with mana for immediate treatment. Both counter and rooms were together perhaps to speed up the process.
“Hello.”
“Oh, hello…”
Avoiding further explanation, I lied smoothly.
“She’s a bit sick.”
Feeling responsibility, her reaction showed more shock towards Erika than me. The paled face, commotion briefly, and people rushing from somewhere.
Fatigue sets in easily.
After putting Erika on a bed behind a curtain briefly and slipping away, I wanted some peace.
Ascending to the second floor, walking in the hallway, the ward was distinctly quiet as expected.
Facing a vending machine, I pulled a canned coffee.
Silly, really.
[Well done, Orlie! Resting with a cup of coffee after doing a good deed!]
Good deed?
“I made her look like this with a golem.”
Bloddy remained silent.
[Agh! Come to think of it, I was momentarily insane!]
My mind flashed to Erika’s image.
Standing alone in a battlefield heated by fighting demons.
Taking a sip, it tastes bitter.
[What next? Even if you resist someone helpless, ending their life is unethical!]
“Today I have enough reserves, so it’s fine.”
The gate has opened, and I’ve secured the magic stone.
I’ll need to look after my weapon when I have time too, another story for later.
In fact, there’s something more important.
From the unexpected uproar over several days, I haven’t procured much of the high-ranking layer awakened one’s blood yet.
Sacrificing myself to find an awakened one of rank 2 or higher is painful enough, given my absorption rate is around 70%, even requiring more than ten bodies explicitly stated to be necessary for substantial results.
Of course, I need to extract blood with high absorption rates.
Hence, coming to a conclusion that the crime syndicate in the capital region is the best option for the solution.
Therefore, I need the power of the association. Taking Erika to the ward gave me an idea.
For a moment, to organize thoughts, I translocated straight from the hospital ward to the adjacent association building.
Taking the elevator located at the end of the hallway, I pressed the top floor button.
The structure remained unchanged, maintaining the same chilly tone.
The governor of Gyeonggi Province is an executive in the association. The president is likely in Seoul Headquarters.
Either way, I must meet him, or discuss with the executives.
From their standpoint, terrorist attacks by awakened ones within the Gyeonggi region would be troublesome. What more, with a crime organization involved, planning scenarios involving high-ranked awakened ones would surely concern anyone.
But I have nothing to do with it—my goal is complete regardless.
Stepping forward, the door of the office in sight was swung open.
First glimpse was numerous computers and devices along with the tables and seated people.
Several gazes darted my way, creating a static tension for a short while.
Noise erupted.
“That guy!!!”
“Sir! Sir!”
Seeing the executive, it seems I found the right place.
Whatever, I hate the noisy commotion.
Snatching an approaching man in front of me by the neck, I pressed a knife against his throat.
“Please be quiet.”
A few seconds later, the atmosphere settled once more as I dragged the slumped figure onward.
People dotted here and there wrapped their hands with mana, their tense eyes aimed at me.
At least I avoided unnecessary trouble with hostages.
Moving to an adjacent office, I verified the position of the signboard. Right then, someone was rising and moving hastily towards me.
A shadowy black bob cut, red glints that resembled the battlefield bloodshed.
A luxurious, though plain-looking uniform.
The chilling air similar to what one might feel atop a snowy mountain settled over her—the one who had taken residence in my old memories long ago.
“Long time, Executive.”
“…Orlie.”
Her face contorted furiously.
