"That, that can't be true... Did you perhaps experience any side effects?"
Dangerous, you say. What on earth could that mean? After all, the effect of the [Radiance of Healing] is quite simple. It is a skill that removes and heals the target's ailments. What could be dangerous about a power that is solely dedicated to someone’s recovery?
'It does make you a bit tired if overused, but...'
That was really all there was to it. There were no significant restrictions or expenditures in using it. But now I wondered if perhaps some issue I was unaware of had arisen? Just as I was about to ask, she answered first.
"Certainly, the effect itself is extremely beneficial. But it is problematic because it is too excellent."
Still not understanding the meaning of her words and feeling flustered, she began to explain in a more serious tone.
"Do you remember what I looked like when we first met?"
"Yes. You were very badly injured."
"The reality was worse than it appeared. The necrosis rate of my internal organs had exceeded the critical point, and the reverse current from the broken body was damaging my central nervous system as well. It was a state not much different from actual death. If the emergency response team had discovered me, they likely would have classified me as a clear case of no resuscitation possible and refused to transport me. But you..."
For the first time, a subtle emotion shone through her previously expressionless face. It was awe.
"You restored even a corpse that should have certainly died in an instant. That is a result that surpasses all existing medical limits. It is something that would be impossible even with unimaginable amounts of capital, personnel, and advanced research. If the fact that such a power exists became known to the public..."
The gaze looking towards me suddenly changed to a cold hue.
"The ripple effect would undoubtedly be dangerous. Everyone in this city would target you."
For a moment, I did not understand. I wanted to say that she was dramatically exaggerating the situation.
However, the more I mulled over her words, the more I began to feel the weight they carried.
Even in a world where science has advanced, there are still diseases and disabilities that humanity has not overcome. And there are still people suffering from them. No, far more of them.
Even those who are already in conditions that have available treatments might not have the money to buy the medicine or be in an environment where they cannot receive proper prescriptions, dying in this back alley without being counted.
But what if even a rumor spread about a 'miracle that can solve any incurable disease'? What would happen then?
Some might regard it as mere hearsay. However, the desperation of those facing death has always surpassed imagination. They might come seeking help, clinging to any straw. Perhaps countless sick people would flood in without restraint. Could I handle all those who came alone?
Rejection would not be tolerated. Patients or their precious loved ones would do anything to cling to their fading lives. Just as they said, they would do anything...
Just imagining it sent chills down my spine. Moreover, that was not the end of it.
"Groups that pursue profit will also be entangled. For instance, pharmaceutical companies or medical insurance firms, businesses that make money off customers' health would view the [Miracle of Healing] as akin to a mythical Holy Grail."
If they could analyze the principles of miracles that surpass advanced medicine and turn them into a product, it would generate astronomical profits. From their perspective, they would desire to secure that power at any cost.
They might skip normal hiring processes and resort to crimes like kidnapping, threats, or confinement. In this city, companies trample on personal rights if it means making money.
They might even find themselves subjected to inhumane experiments to uncover the secrets of the ability after being dragged to a facility like that.
I momentarily felt dizzy at the dreadful imagination.
"I have heard that the treasures given to those who lack the power to protect themselves are like a disaster. The talent I possess now felt similarly. From someone else's perspective, it would definitely be something they would want to snatch or monopolize."
Yet, I had no means or strength to resist that.
I felt like a child thrown into a slum with a gold ingot in hand.
'What should I do...?'
As I was lost in bleak possibilities, she spoke again.
"If you are concerned about your personal safety, I have a suggestion."
"Yes?"
"After all, I am currently unassociated. How about hiring me as a bodyguard for a while?"
I instinctively raised my head. It was a very tempting proposition.
She was someone who had just effortlessly dispatched a security company’s special forces. With such a protector watching over me, there would be no situation where I would truly be in danger. But—
"I... don’t have money to pay you."
As it turned out, I had no financial means to hire anyone at the moment.
Though I owed her for saving my life, she had also saved my life once already. We both understood that while we could be grateful to each other, that goodwill alone wouldn’t suffice as a lifetime excuse.
As I was fretfully pondering this, her voice reached me again.
"I will accept your ability as the price of our contract, not money."
"Ability, you say?"
"Yes, my current body has many functions diminished. I have recovered to a level that does not endanger my life with your help, but there are still many damaged components in my body, including memory devices. I hope you can take the time to fully repair those parts later."
As soon as I heard that, a question arose reflexively.
"Is that even possible?"
No matter how miraculous the healing powers were, wouldn’t that be more about maintenance or repair than actual healing? But she seemed to have some confidence in her assertion.
"Of course. As long as you provide your ability, you don’t have to worry about the specifics."
If the person receiving the treatment said this much, it must be true.
"......."
So I contemplated her proposal for a moment.
A bodyguard... It was a pretty good idea to think about again.
Even if the secret of the [miracle] were not to leak, accidents like today's could occur at any time. A single stroke of bad luck that could have ended my life was sufficient. I felt a deep conviction that I needed to be prepared to protect myself.
Thus, the option to refuse no longer existed. I nodded and responded.
"I would like to accept that proposal."
"Alright. As for the contract period..."
She paused for a moment and then spoke again.
"How about starting from now and lasting for seven years?"
I calculated for a moment in my head.
Seven years; I wasn’t sure if that was an appropriate duration or not.
I was not a celebrity, so I had no experience in hiring a bodyguard.
However, I recalled from the original game [Neo-Front Cyber City] that hiring someone capable of defeating a Juggernaut single-handedly would start at a minimum of a hundred thousand credits.
Given that one credit-dollar here was roughly equivalent to a thousand won in reality, calculating that in Korean won would mean it was well over a hundred million.
And that wasn’t per year, but per month.
"......."
In a lawless city, strong power is always in demand, so I could understand the price tag. However, stretching that over seven years would easily surpass several billion won, and my head momentarily reeled at the thought.
'Thank goodness I’m not paying with money.'
In the first place, that amount of time was more than enough from my perspective, so I had no desire to negotiate.
'After all, I'm not planning to live here for life.'
My goal from the beginning was simply to return to the real world. Seven years was a sufficient period to collect the clues needed for that. This was a highly information-oriented world, after all. If I put in the effort, I could find any knowledge.
If it dragged on for more than that... it would likely mean that there was no hope from the start.
'At that time, I would probably be doomed to spend the rest of my life here.'
But that... was something I truly did not want to imagine.
Every morning in this strange world, I continued to pray.
Please, let me awaken from this long nightmare today.
Desiring to start the day not in a cramped, unfamiliar single room, but in a familiar bed, I woke up, only to be disappointed by the unchanged scenery.
I wanted to walk the calm streets without the sound of gunfire.
I wanted to eat warm rice, not processed foods packaged in plastic for every meal.
Above all, I wanted to see people.
Friends with whom I had grown up and who knew each other better than anyone else.
Acquaintances who had been a source of support during difficult times.
And the faces of my family, who had always loved me selflessly... I wanted to see them again.
I hated the thought of parting from all those relationships I had built up over my lifetime without even getting to say goodbye.
So I had to return home. By any means necessary. I vowed that I would definitely return.
The current contract was the first piece of that puzzle.
"Alright. Seven years, I look forward to working with you, Esty."
As I extended my hand, she grasped it and replied.
"Thank you for accepting the contract. From this moment on, I will do my utmost to protect you, Miss."
"Ugh?! Cough-cough!"
"Are you alright?"
The unexpected term caused me to cough violently. It was a pronoun I had not anticipated...
"Ah, please don’t call me that... like that..."
But her response was calm.
"It was a general term used to refer to unmarried female bodyguard subjects according to the manual... Is there something you would like me to correct?"
I didn’t even know where to start explaining. So after a moment of flustered pause, I somehow managed to respond.
"Now that I think about it, I haven’t even told you my name. So, um... Ivenia. Please just call me Eve."
"Understood. Miss Eve."
It was still an awkward name, but at least it was better this way. Calling me 'Miss' had made me so flustered that I was still coughing.
After that, I found my calm demeanor somewhat annoying, so I shot her a brief glare before extending my hand again for a handshake.
"Let’s get along well."
"I will do my best."
Thus began our bond.">
