I Work As A Healer In Another World’s Labyrinth City

Chapter 28 — Giving Treatment

Maaan, it was incredible yknow? The monsters were like 2 meters tall, as big as a bear. And I slashed them like *zubaaa*, right? Yeah, its only a little but this sword has some adamantite in it.

I bought it not long ago with the money I saved up.

A few days ago, having missed out on the Huge Slime hunts, Ruruka was grumbling about taking on a monster subjugation request from the knight brigade. She came back around to the hospital just now; apparently she completed it.

Well, they were surrounding us, but I only got a few scrapes. I was thinking that being the only tank for a party sure is tough.

As Ruruka says that, she glances at Yuel, whos sitting next to me. Whats with that look? Id like you to stop looking at Yuel with those greedy eyes.

Im not giving you Yuel wait, what? Hold on. Didnt you tell me there werent many dangerous monsters near the city? Why were you fighting monsters like that?

I have a feeling Ruruka said earlier that there werent any dangerous monsters on the outskirts of town. But now shes saying that she fought against 2-meter-tall monsters, and moreover that they had her surrounded.

Ahaha, well, you see at first we were just going to hunt small fry like goblins and kobolds on the outskirts of the forest, but since the reward from the knight brigade was so high, there was a lot of competition from other adventurers.

It wouldnt have been worth it, so we went a little deeper into the forest. Then it started to rain and some fog rolled in, and so we kinda got lost and ended up deep inside the forest. The fog cleared up pretty quickly so it turned out okay, but it was nearly a disaster.

Ruruka laughs as she says such a thing. To laugh about flirting with disaster in a forest where monsters appear, is she brave or is she just carefree? Nah, Rurukas party might just be capable enough to be surrounded by monsters and come out with only a few scratches.

Shes likely confident that she wont be done in so easily by the monsters around here. Still, she did get wounded.

Well, even deep in the forest, strong monsters almost never show up around here. Guess we were unlucky. Ah, but well prepare for the worst from now on so its fine? Alright, I talked my head off, could we get to the treatment?

As she says that, Ruruka places her fingers on her shirts hem and prepares to lift it. I indulged Ruruka in that long conversation and finally the wait is over. But at the moment, Yuel is right here. What were going to do now isnt something that Yuel should watch.

Oh yeah, Yuel. Im kinda thirsty. Id like to drink hot tea, could you go brew me some?

Hot tea, is it?

Yuel responds questioningly. Its still spring, but the temperature is rather high today. Shes probably wondering why I specifically asked for hot tea on such a hot day. Its so that Yuel wont see what were about to do.

Yeah, hot tea. I want to drink some piping-hot tea, steeped in boiling water. Get it to a proper boil, got it?

Yes, Master!

Yuel responds enthusiastically at my words and runs off to the kitchen. Its not like I dont feel a little guilty, but theres no avoiding it. Thats right, its unavoidable.

Now that I think about it, whens the last time I had a discount negotiation with Ruruka? I feel like it was quite a while ago. Around two weeks? I cant let this opportunity go to waste.

As Im thinking about it-

Umm, you dont really have to give me a discount today, okay?

Ruruka blurts that out.

Then she shows me the wound on her abdomen. She only raises her shirt a little. Just the tiniest bit.

What in the world happened to this girl?

Yuel is in the kitchen, and Eris is out making house calls to elderly patients. Previously she didnt hesitate to negotiate a discount even when it was a tricky situation where Eris might have been watching.

I-Its 400 Zeni, you know?

Yep. You raised your prices, right? I understand. Heal, please.

Strange.

400 Zeni is a high price compared to what it used to be. And usually she would rush into discount negotiations without hesitation.

For a wound on her abdomen, Ruruka would show off by stripping her shirt until it just barely covered her breasts, starting with her perfectly tight abs then exposing her elegantly thin waist. Then when I raised my voice again, shed lift her shirt a bit higher, giving me glimpses of underboob.

Id be in agony, and at the end of my rope Id reluctantly, with great hesitation, lower the fee. Thats how its supposed to go.

So whats going on this time?

Ruruka can barely look me in the eyes, and shes only lifting her shirt a little. Forget about seeing underboob or waist, not even her belly button is visible. All that I can see is a patch of flesh, no larger than my palm, in the gap between her shirt and her shorts. Theres a small cut on it.

Hey, Shiki get on with it

While Im looking at the wound on her belly and pondering, Ruruka mutters at me.

Whats up with her? Did she decide to change her image to become pure and lady-like or something? Sure, I like it better when theres some shyness, but its not like Ruruka wasnt shy before. Showing herself to me while still being shy about it, that attitude was great.

So why

Hey, its fine if you want a discount?

I unintentionally let that slip. Its not something that should ever be brought up from the hospitals side, but Im unable to let it go unsaid.

I dont have much money but Shiki, if you get turned on you can just go to that brothel, right? So I figured we should stop. Not like Im bothered by it or anything, okay?

A misunderstanding! Im telling you, that was a misunderstanding!

Whaat, so thats what it was? Ahaha, I jumped to conclusions, huh.

As long as you understand.

While Yuel was steeping the tea, I managed to sort out Rurukas misconception. I sorted it out, but

Master, Ive brought your tea.

The minute we finish our discussion, Yuel comes in carrying my tea on a tray.

Then she plops down right next to me as usual. What was the point of fixing the misunderstanding if we have no time left for price negotiations? I receive precisely 400 Zeni from Ruruka, pat Yuels head for bringing me the scalding tea, and down it indifferently.

After Ruruka goes back, I continue doing medical treatment at the hospital. In the past few days, the number of customers at the hospital has risen a little. Its probably a result of the monster subjugation requests that the knight brigade has been sending out.

Rather than the hospitals near the center of the city, this one near the outer edge is no doubt easier to use for the adventurers whove been hunting monsters outside the city lately.

Between sips of the piping-hot tea that Yuel (under the impression that I enjoy piping-hot tea) has been tirelessly making for me every time my cup is empty, I treat patients injuries. I use Heal for light wounds, an occasional High Heal for more severe injuries, and Heal again for tongue burns.

Thats how weve been spending our days.

That night, a knocking noise wakes me up. Its still dark outside. Feels like its late at night.

Its from the entryway. Who could it be at a time like this?

On the neighboring bed, Eris sits up and rubs her eyes sleepily. Indeed, I can hear a noise coming from the direction of the entryway. Someone must be knocking on the front door, even though its this late at night.

A visitor at this hour though since theyre expressly knocking on the door, theres no way its a prowler or burglar.

Shiki, Shiki! Please, get up!

Then I hear a familiar voice. Its Rurukas. As I wonder what might have happened, I head to the entrance.

Whats the matter, at a time like this?

When I open the door, Ruruka is there, out of breath and shoulders heaving. It looks like she ran all the way to this hospital. From her expression I can tell that shes desperate and in a hurry. I dont suppose she was unable to endure her young bodys urges and came for a night visit.

Thank goodness, youre awake! Please, come with me! Fran and Sera they collapsed!