Greed, the Great Sin City, Healing Clinic
Ul’s consciousness surfaced, and the first thing he perceived was a scent.
It wasn’t the fragrance of vibrant flowers. It was more like the scent of the plains stretching endlessly beyond the city. For Ul, who had been traveling repeatedly, the scent was familiar and pleasant.
He reached out, trying to bring it closer. Something soft and smooth touched his hand. There was also something soft, so he pinched it with his fingers and pulled. A voice like “Mueaa?” struck his ears.
And then, Ul’s consciousness awakened. Now, whose cheek was I pulling?
He opened his eyes. He saw a ceiling. It seemed he had been sleeping in a bed. Then, looking at his hand, he saw another person’s head there. Ul was pinching the cheek of a beautiful girl with silver, lustrous hair that looked like it would be pleasant to run one’s fingers through.
“……Shizuku, huh?”
Ul recalled her name from his memory. He couldn’t possibly forget her, who had literally sprung forth from that small labyrinth. The problem was why she was sleeping with her head on his pillow while he slept.
As he was pondering, she seemed to have woken up too. She stirred, and a sleepy face looked up. Even with a sleepy expression, a beautiful girl is still a beautiful girl, Ul mused.
“……Ul-sama.”
Seeing that Ul had woken up and was looking at her, she smiled.
“Good morning.”
“Morning.”
“Good night, please.”
“You just went to sleep.”
Facing Shizuku, who had fallen back asleep with a soft snore, Ul was stunned.
“Oh, you’re awake? Is your body feeling alright?”
A new voice reached his ears. He turned towards the sound. It was a woman, a human, in her mid-thirties. She wore a very large apron. Ul didn’t know her, but he recognized the apron as the mark of a healer. Therefore,
“I have no money.”
“It’s good that you seem to be in good spirits.”
He immediately stated that he had no money, but it was lightly brushed aside. Healing magic is very convenient, but its high difficulty means few can wield it, and thus, it is quite expensive. If one were a native of the city, the cost might be lower, but for Ul, who was not from here, the cost of receiving healing would be astronomical.
“That child was worried about you the whole time. Is she your girlfriend?”
“We just met, we’re strangers.”
“Perhaps it was love at first sight.”
What a curious healer, he thought, saying such things with a straight face, as he looked around. Several beds, identical to the one Ul was lying in, were lined up around him. He understood that this was likely a healing clinic.
“Excuse me. Did you happen to see a bright red cat?”
“Not a beastkin? Then no, I haven’t. Animals are strictly forbidden here.”
“Thank you.”
A red cat. It was the form Akane, possessed by a spirit, often took when she was in the city. If she wasn’t nearby, she must be with that golden woman. He had hoped it would be a dream once he woke up, but that didn’t seem to be the case.
“Your treatment is already complete. The treatment fees have been covered by Diz-sama.”
“Diz?”
“Diz-sama of the Golden Phoenix. She said, ‘I’ll cover Zaza’s reckless expenses.’”
The female healer left, saying, “Please be discharged once you’ve packed your belongings.”
For now, he had discovered the name of that golden woman. It was Diz. Well, it wasn’t as if knowing her name changed anything.
“Now… what should I do?”
“……What will you do?”
Ul looked at his own stomach. The silver-haired head looked up at him. His own reflection appeared in her eyes, as clear and silver as her hair. Her eyelashes are long, Ul thought.
“You’re awake.”
“Good morning.”
“That’s the second time.”
She stirred and sat up. He hadn’t had the chance to observe her appearance in the underground space, but seeing her again now in a safe place, she was, as expected, an exceptionally beautiful girl. The kind of beauty that made you feel like you’d gained something just by looking at her. Under different circumstances, Ul would have been pleased. But that wasn’t the case now.
What to do from now on. He had said it himself, but Ul had only one option available in his current situation.
Become an adventurer.
If he wanted to show Diz, that woman, his worth, that was the only way.
The thought that perhaps other means or professions could also demonstrate his “worth,” as she put it, flashed through his mind but was quickly extinguished. What could he even do with other professions? He wasn’t a citizen, he had no special skills or knowledge, just a nameless brat.
This era of great proliferation of labyrinths was a dangerous one.
Adventurers were at the bottom of the social ladder in this world.
The profession of adventurer, which held the potential for even a nameless child to rise in status by risking their cheap life, was the most suitable, or rather, the only option. However,
“I don’t want to be an adventurer…!”
Ul hated adventurers.
Many nameless individuals become adventurers. The Adventurer’s Guild is widely open to the nameless. Monster hunting, labyrinth exploration, expeditions outside the city—these are often assigned to adventurers, important roles for the maintenance of this world that city dwellers avoid.
Consequently, many adventurers are rough, uneducated, and lack skills or knowledge—they are often “nameless.”
At least, many of the nameless people Ul knew were like that. And they would resort to violence even against women and children, spewing unintelligible screams around them, drinking, and wasting money. They were truly barbaric individuals.
He was dejected by the prospect of having to become one of them.
“You don’t want to become an adventurer?”
“I don’t, but if someone with no background is going to make a name for themselves with nothing but their own body, there are no other options. Killing monsters strengthens the body with magic power. The magic stones that appear can be sold for gold. It’s killing two birds with one stone, damn it.”
Ul continued his explanation listlessly, as if to convince himself, and grew weary of the reality that contradicted his wish not to do it. In response, Shizuku, who had been listening to Ul’s grumbling explanation, nodded in understanding. Then,
“Can I become one too?”
Huh? Ul stared intently at Shizuku’s face. She was beautiful. She was a beautiful girl. Her eyes were large, her nose was high, her complexion was fair, her skin was lustrous even without makeup, and her chest was ample. Therefore,
“No, if you’re going to become an adventurer, you have plenty of other jobs available. Just with that face alone.”
He didn’t intend to suggest something as extreme as selling herself, but by using her appearance, there were definitely better jobs than being an adventurer. If she worked as a popular bar hostess, she would become a huge hit. If she danced, she’d be a star. She could even dream of becoming a mistress to a Priest, a privileged class in this world.
He saw no reason for her to become an adventurer.
“No, it’s not about money. I need to become stronger.”
“Are you some kind of ascetic monk?”
“Yes, something like that.”
She replied with a straight face to Ul’s remark, which was intended as a joke.
Come to think of it, the first time he encountered her, she had used what was likely a teleportation spell. He knew such magic existed. However, it was extremely advanced, and only a few individuals and places could use it. It was something typically only Priests could do.
Ul tilted his head and confirmed.
“Are you a Priest?”
“No.”
“Then are you a citizen?”
“No.”
“Then are you nameless like me? How did you use teleportation magic?”
Shizuku smiled sweetly and remained silent. It seemed she didn’t want to say. Ul was about to press her but stopped himself. If she didn’t want to say, there was no point in pressing. Besides, he wasn’t that interested in finding out. Frankly, he wasn’t interested in her affairs.
Ul cleared his throat and changed the subject.
“Well, it’s your choice. If you want to become an adventurer, do as you please.”
“Yes! Please take care of me!!”
Take care of me?
Before he could even ask, her hand firmly clasped his. Her eyes were filled with overwhelming gratitude towards Ul as she gazed at him.
Could it be that I have to guide them to the Adventurer’s Guild?
The person to ask was right in front of him. He was about to ask, but the overwhelming aura of gratitude left him speechless.
“Well… it’s fine, I guess…”
There was no difference whether he went to the Adventurer’s Guild alone or with the two of them. He made that excuse to himself and felt a slight shiver from the premonition that he might just get dragged along by her.
Shaking his head as if to dispel the bad feeling, Ul said,
“……Well, for now. For now…”
“For now?”
For now, there was something he needed to prioritize. Ul’s body was earnestly telling him so. His stomach had been letting out pathetic groans for some time.
Thinking about it, he hadn’t eaten anything since yesterday morning. If he continued like this, he might die of starvation in the healing clinic, a truly foolish way to die. Therefore.
“I’ll cash in the magic stones I managed to pilfer and get something to eat. And buy shoes.”
Ul was currently without shoes.
Rating, Bookmarks, and Likes would be a great motivation!!
It will also directly affect my continuation, so please support me!!
