I don’t know for sure.
But this guy wants to build a friendly relationship with us.
It probably does have some kind of purpose.
But no matter what that purpose is.
This guy didn’t have any hostility toward us.
And to build that friendly relationship, it was bringing us benefits.
‘This apocalypse is far too harsh for humanity to endure alone. I’ve known that for a long time.’
Then.
‘The more allies you have, the better.’
I looked at the scenery outside the window.
-GRAAAHHH.......
Those monsters roaming around outside.
An overwhelming force, enough to fill all of Gangnam.
And the quality of that force wasn’t bad at all.
The downside was that there didn’t seem to be anyone above a certain level of strength, but our unit could handle that.
And besides.
‘It even has overwhelming healing ability that doesn’t even compare to our unit’s healers.’
An awakened person’s abilities are definitely powerful.
But.
Those martial artists from the [Cheonsan Mugwan].
And the dwarves buried in the [Underground Mine].
And Borjin of the [Green Mane], who spent an entire life communing with spirits, and others like it.
Compared to the otherworld beings with specialized abilities in their own fields.
It was true that awakened people’s abilities were lacking in some ways.
And.
‘There was a lot to learn from them, too.’
Our unit’s fighters grew tremendously through the teachings of the [Cheonsan Mugwan].
Our engineers and mages went through revolutionary-level technological development through the knowledge buried in the [Underground Mine].
And Jeong Sua gained enlightenment in spirit arts through Borjin.
Exchanges with otherworld beings specialized in their own fields.
Brought explosive growth to our unit.
‘This guy is the kind of existence that could give our healers a huge breakthrough.’
If that was the case.
Even setting aside that army.
That alone was more than enough value to justify building a friendly relationship.
Instead.
To do that.
‘I need to confirm it.’
What its purpose is.
And.
“Why would you go that far, even becoming enemies with an existence that strong...... just to help us?”
What it was hiding.
{......I attacked you wrongly before. There was a clear reason to repay that mistake, yes, but.}
“That can’t be all.”
It wasn’t really my place to say, after being helped.
But helping someone while opposing an existence like that [Matron] isn’t easy.
And yet it helped us.
That thing that hated wasting its army that much, dropped countless troops into that Matron’s territory just to help us.
{.......}
When I asked that question.
The taste I felt from it changed sharply.
The emotion in that taste...... a faint bitterness.
‘Flustered.’
And then.
......a very thick, scorching spice.
‘Extreme...... rage.’
And in response to my question.
{I find those things that call themselves Divinity and whatever else...... utterly disgusting.}
“What?”
It answered.
In an extremely earnest way.
Its strength drained away, and the monster slumped over the table.
It was sprawled there weakly, but the words that came out of its mouth—
{They’re all liars.}
Were unmistakably.
Nothing but truth.
*****
“......So? What happened?”
After the treatment ended.
When I asked that into empty air—
-There was nothing.
An answer came from beneath my feet.
Through [Taste Bud Enhancement], I’d confirmed it didn’t have hostility.
But you never know.
I was still wary of that doctor.
“Nothing happened? Are you sure?”
-Yes. Just like the first surgery, those monsters came pouring out and performed your surgery, master.
With a hideous appearance like that.
And just looking at the monsters it drags around.
It isn’t normal.
There was no way I could trust something like that easily.
-If we sensed malice, we would’ve reacted, but.......
“So it was normal treatment...... that’s what you’re saying.”
-Yes. The surgery itself was kind of...... how should I put it...... hard to watch.
In case it tried something strange while treating me.
I’d ordered Ariella and the vampires to examine the treatment process in detail.
But it didn’t seem like anything like that happened.
“That’s a relief. Still, just in case, don’t let your guard down. If you feel like something’s wrong with my body...... you know, right?”
-Yes. Even if I don’t want to, my body will react automatically, so don’t worry.
The Oath of Retainers prevents a retainer from doing anything that would harm the master’s body.
If a situation arises where it seems like a problem might occur, that oath will react immediately and protect me.
‘So far, it doesn’t seem like it’s trying anything....... It definitely has something in mind, though.’
Even as I stayed wary of what it was thinking.
I continued the deal with it.
[Trait - ‘Ingredients Identification (Enhanced)’ activates.]
[Blood Great Monster, Powro]
The next thing we hunted was.
A grotesque monster that looked like a massive, beating heart that could move.
-Tsk...... disgusting.
‘It says that thing is a blood great monster. Isn’t it basically the same kind of monster as you?’
-Oh my. Are you comparing us refined nobles to that kind of beast? Later, I’ll have to slowly educate you on just how flourishing noble civilization was, master......
The blood vessels sprouting from that heart attacked us, moving like enormous snakes.
They were obviously blood vessels, but they were so tough and hard that even blades didn’t bite properly.
{It seems the source of the Legion Commander’s vitality comes from that blood.}
“It does. But you said it too, didn’t you? If I use too much of this blood, I’ll.......”
{Step beyond humanity. I know. But...... there’s a way where you don’t need to increase the amount of blood.}
Those blood vessels.
Replaced my blood vessels, which—by the doctor’s expression—had become “like a rag.”
{The blood flowing through the Legion Commander’s body is certainly mighty, but the vessels containing that blood were far too fragile. The flow will be much smoother now.}
Slice.
I took my knife and lightly cut my arm.
But the wound regenerated instantly.
‘The recovery that weakened after we returned from Gyeonggi...... came back.’
No, it wasn’t just “back.”
It was much faster than before.
‘Looks like even a beast like that is pretty useful.’
-.......
And.
After each surgery, there was always a short recovery time.
In those moments, I—
“About what you said last time.”
{That again?}
Decided to throw questions at it.
When I started talking.
The doctor answered with obvious irritation.
{It’s true that trust between doctor and patient is good, but there are many opinions on whether you need to share even the private domain. For the record, I’m against it.}
“Why are you reacting so sensitively? I’m just asking because I’m curious.”
{It doesn’t seem like that’s the reason.}
Whether it liked it or not.
I thought through my next question.
‘Honestly, there’s a question I ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) want to ask more.’
But I feel like it’ll refuse to answer that part.
No matter what, this treatment is something I need too.
It’s not good to ask something weird too recklessly and have the treatment stop.
So I decided to ask a different question first.
“The reason I came looking for you was because I’d heard a rumor.”
{A rumor?}
“There was a rumor there was an outstanding doctor in Gangnam.”
The reason I came looking for it was.
The power of the [Blue Bird of Rumors] that Jang Youngwoong gifted me.
And that blue bird’s ability is literally to tell rumors.
“You don’t seem like the kind of guy who interacts with humans, so I was curious how a rumor like that spread.”
{Ah, that.}
At my question.
It answered calmly, considering how much it had acted like it disliked the topic.
{It’s nothing special. Even before meeting the Legion Commander, there were a few cases where I made similar deals.}
“Deals?”
{If someone could pay a price appropriate to the treatment, I treated them.}
“You treated...... other people?”
{Not with materials as precious as the ones I used on the Legion Commander, of course. But that was when I obtained knowledge about you...... natives, and information about the Legion as well. For the price of some treatments, I received information.}
Apparently.
This thing had contacted humans other than us before.
[Wraith Sword Demon]
[An old warrior’s wraith who wanders the world with only bones remaining.]
Next.
The creaking I’d felt in my joints disappeared completely.
“......You said you’ve met humans. Then let me ask you.”
{Hm. What is it.}
“Maybe.”
I asked it, my voice trembling a little.
“Did you ever betray those humans......?”
{......Betray?}
“I’m curious what happened to the humans you dealt with.”
This thing is a monster.
And besides.
Looking at the monsters wandering outside.......
I can guess how it built up its forces.
‘Not through any normal method.’
I wondered if.
It betrayed those humans after the deals.
But.
{What happened...... they recovered healthily and left.}
“.......”
I didn’t smell any lie in its words.
So it didn’t betray those humans.
{If you’re asking what happened after that, I don’t know either. I fulfilled my responsibility to treat them, but there’s no reason for me to take responsibility for follow-up management after that.}
Well.
I do know how it ended.
Because there are no living humans on this land now.
“......Those humans were something else. No matter how badly they needed treatment, to try to make a deal with a guy like you.”
This thing’s appearance was grotesque enough to not lose to any monster I’d ever seen.
Most people wouldn’t even think to speak to it.
I could roughly guess how desperate the people who dealt with it must’ve been.
But then.
{......A guy like me.}
At my words.
The ‘doctor’ answered in a tone like it found it ridiculous.
{What’s wrong with me, exactly?}
“......Uh.”
{It’s hard for me to say it myself, but...... I’m diligently treating the Legion Commander, and I’m honestly answering questions outside of work as well, am I not.}
And.
When I noticed the taste of emotion coming from it, I couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh.
Because this thing—
{I’ve invested a lot for the Legion Commander...... and yet the Legion Commander calls me “a guy like you.”}
“......Are you feeling hurt?”
{Is that not allowed?}
At something I’d thrown out without thinking.
It was feeling hurt.
*****
{It was like that from the first meeting.}
The voice echoing in my head didn’t waver much.
But.
{It’s true that the first meeting between the Legion Commander and I was bad....... But I remember apologizing for that trouble, and in my own way, trying to help by giving advice as well.}
“That’s true.”
That part is true.
Because thanks to that advice.
We were able to approach the identity of that otherworld.
{But even then...... the Legion Commander spoke as if you just wanted to fight first.}
“That’s...... also true.”
That part was true as well.
It wanted to withdraw from the battle.
But I was the one who held it back and said we should fight.
{After that, even when I saw that the otherworld layered over this land was shaking, I sent my children there without hesitation and helped the Legion Commander.}
“.......”
That was true too.
Without that army, we probably wouldn’t have even been able to hold out until the Matron chose to withdraw.
{And yet the Legion Commander...... even while requesting treatment from me, you only harbored suspicion and kept getting angry.}
“Hey, that’s—”
{Does the Legion Commander know how many troops I committed to help you? This land...... this region called Seoul is filled with strong enemies. Even I don’t have a completely safe position here. And yet I helped you while accepting that much damage.......}
“So—”
{Because the Legion Commander’s body looked bad, I even recommended you come for treatment later. And when you actually came, I guided you to the best treatment I could provide...... yet the Legion Commander did nothing but get angry at the fact that I could not restore your body to its original state.}
Amazingly.
Everything it was rattling off......
{Even though I gave proper treatment, you got angry and accused me of making you step beyond humanity....... Honestly, I should be receiving thanks, so I wondered why I had to have my medical art—something I’ve trained my entire life—belittled.}
Was.
Not a single lie—just facts.
And.
As I listened to it, I thought.
‘What the hell is its angle?’
To suddenly express hurt like that.
What kind of ulterior motive was hidden in that behavior.
To figure that out, I forced my brain to spin as fast as possible.
‘......Ah.’
And.
As I thought it through, I realized one fact.
‘It’s not hiding an ulterior motive.’
I opened my mouth, my voice shaking.
“Don’t tell me, you......”
For me.
It was honestly unbelievable.
“You don’t have some hidden ulterior motive?”
{......That’s absurd.}
This thing.
Wasn’t hiding anything from me.
{Have I ever told even a single lie to the Legion Commander up to now?}
“.......”
This thing was treating me.
With absolute honesty.
