08 — A Welcoming Party and Lurking Shadows

Foolishly, I thought things in my life would change a little, but my days passed as they always had—I trained and healed.

“Things aren’t too different from before, are they?” I thought out loud.

“What’d you expect?” Brod replied. “Your job’s healing people. And you wanted to keep training, didn’t you?”

“Of course. Anything if it’ll keep me alive a bit longer.”

I really meant that. My goal from last year, to overcome my fear of adventurers, had reached fruition, and I felt comfortable within the guild’s walls now. It was quite true that people feared what they didn’t know. Get to know a person and you’d find, more often than not, that they weren’t so bad, just like I’d learned during job training in my past life.

“Luciel, try to hang in there this year. I swear to you, I’ll get you to the point where you’ll be able to at least survive bumping into a low-level thief.”

Coach was as dependable as always, but I had to wonder if it was actually okay for me to be training on the job. He did hire me as a healer. But if he says so, I won’t complain.

“I’ll do my best.”

“Good. Now, let’s get some dinner.”

“Yes, sir.”

Together, we made for Gulgar’s domain, although something felt off. Where had everyone gone? Brod said nothing and kept walking, so I ignored it.

The moment we entered the mess, a grand voice cried out, “Presenting our Adventurer’s Guild healer!” A chorus of applause followed.

“Uh, what?”

Within the crowd that greeted me were the guild staff, who should have been off duty today, and many adventurers I knew.

“What’re you so surprised for? You’re stationed at the guild, and that means you’re a temporary staff member. Why wouldn’t we throw a good old-fashioned welcoming party?” My instructor grinned from ear to ear and burst into a hearty laugh.

The dining hall was set up in a standing buffet style, but was still awfully cramped with this many people. I felt nothing but gratitude for everyone who had shown up.

“’Ay, Luciel, c’mere a sec,” Gulgar called from the kitchen. Near the counter was a single, lone chair, waiting to be sat in.

What is this, a birthday party? Man, this is embarrassing...

“Sit down and take this.” He handed me the usual.

Seeing the girls all escape to the entrance near the back was exceedingly depressing. They were practically running away from me. A rancid smell wafted from the pitcher of Substance X in my hand.

“Um, do I really have to drink this? I haven’t even eaten yet.”

“Naw, you’re gonna shower in it. Yeah, you’re gonna drink it! How’s the party s’posed to get started unless that’s your toast?” he prodded. The other adventurers gave me similarly expectant looks as well.

“Fine. So, who’s actually giving the toast?”

“The floor’s all yours, Luciel.”

I knew it. I was going to have to put up with this treatment for the rest of the year, wasn’t I?

“Well then, allow me to kick things off,” I began. “I’ve made a lot of fond memories here over the last year. Good ones, and not so good. Here’s to this year being nothing but good ones. All you adventurers, I expect you to make it back home every day, even if you’re half-dead and have to drag yourselves. I’ll be here to save you. Guild staff, I hope you can put up with me for a bit longer. Here’s to happiness and fortune. Cheers!”

“Cheers!” roared the room.

I threw my head back and chugged the poison in my pitcher. No one joined me. Every single person stared in astonishment.

“Holy crap...” I heard from the crowd.

“I knew that guy was a masochist.”

“Maybe his nose is defective too?”

My nose is just fine, thanks. It reeks to high heaven, but we humans work differently, I thought to myself. Maybe I could get Gulgar to force the comedians over there to try some Substance X themselves.

Once I finished, it was some time before I could speak again.

“Oh, and no alcohol for you, Luciel,” Brod warned.

It took me a moment to process what he’d told me. I hadn’t had a single drop of alcohol since coming to this world, but in my past life, I used to drink just about every other dinner. I really would’ve liked to have had a drink tonight, at least.

My voice finally returned. “Why not? It’s a party, isn’t it?”

“It amplifies Substance X so much, you wouldn’t be able to get out of bed tomorrow morning.”

“You’re joking.”

How the hell does one “amplify” an already overpowered item? It was my own party and I couldn’t even drink. What utter nonsense.

Brod set a plate piled high with food in front of me while pinching his nose. “Here, eat up so you can grow big and strong,” he teased, holding back laughter. “Ya can’t drink with us, but you’ve got as much food and Substance X as you could hope for.”

He’s just straight-up bullying me at this point. It was my own welcoming party, and no one could stand to be near me for half an hour while my breath cleared. I faded into the background and picked at my food alone.

Just as I was nearing my limit, Gulgar showed up with another huge platter.

“I’m beyond stuffed, seriously.”

“Yeah? I noticed you eatin’ more than usual lately.”

“Just trying not to be wasteful. Also, have you seen Galba anywhere?”

“Ah, my bro’s out on an important job. Not here today.”

“Sounds mysterious.”

A trio of adventurers came over. “Hey, healer, how come you can drink that stuff?”

“It’s ’cause his tongue’s all jacked up, ain’t it?”

“I heard healers have dulled senses.”

They prattled on about their theories one after another, although I was sure they didn’t mean anything bad by it. As I fended off their accusations, Gulgar returned with three cups.

“If you’ve got a bone to pick with the guest of honor, I’ve got a little somethin’ to shut you folks up with,” he threatened.

“I’ll drink it for a date with Monica,” one of the adventurers retorted.

“I call Nanaella,” added another.

“I’ll take anybody, I don’t even care at this point,” said the last.

“Gulgar, bring me a pitcher of Substance X,” I requested.

“O-Okay, sure,” he responded, looking rather shocked.

They could say what they wanted about me, but I wasn’t cool with the way they were about the girls like objects. A bit of liquid hell would do them some good.

“Sorry for the wait.”

“Thanks. Now, I’ve got a game, you guys. If you can finish what’s in those tiny cups, I’ll have to down this pitcher. Win, and I’ll talk to the girls for you.”

“You’d better not be lying.”

“We’re holding you to that.”

“Fine, you’re on.”

They began to drink.

The moment the first sip passed their lips, they were down for the count. And just so no one could complain later, I guzzled my own pitcher as quickly as I could. According to Gulgar, they had all passed out.

I bowed to Monica and Nanaella, who giggled in response. Whether they were laughing with me or at me, I was never able to figure out as three shadows suddenly obscured my vision: the Lineage of the White Wolf.

At first, I’d been terrified of them, but ever since I’d saved them from the brink of death, they’d gotten pretty attached to me. They came right up to me, in spite of the fact that I must have reeked.

“Say, Luciel. There’s somethin’ I’ve been wanting to ask you.” Bazan hesitated.

“What’s that?”

“Are you into dudes?”

I immediately choked on my own spit. “Where in the world did that come from?!” I sputtered. “No! I like girls!”

The utter randomness of his question caught me totally off guard. I hadn’t meant to get so flustered, but I couldn’t help it. Thankfully, no one else had been watching.

“Oh, gotcha. You just hang around Brod so much and you haven’t made a single move on any of those pretty receptionists.”

That was because I was in no position whatsoever to test my luck. Brod would be on me faster than I could blink if I tried anything, and frankly, I wasn’t in a suicidal mood.

I sighed. “Romance is important, yes, but lives can end in an instant. I’ve just been so focused on making sure I can survive that I haven’t had any time for other stuff.”

“Damn, kid, you’re too young to be gettin’ philosophical. You gotta cut loose while you can, man!”

The entire room seemed to be listening in now. Playing along was my only escape.

“I suppose so. I’ve gotten used to it, but where I grew up, people didn’t carry around weapons everywhere they went, so when I first came to Merratoni I spent half a year scared out of my mind.”

“You’re brave enough to drink that garbage, but adventurers had you shittin’ bricks?” Bazan howled with laughter. “You’ve got some weird priorities.”

“Hey, that stuff won’t kill me, but when I bumped into you the day I arrived, Bazan, I was completely petrified. Ever since, I’ve been terrified of what adventurers might do to me if I ever got on their bad side.”

“You can keep gettin’ back up after Brod knocks you down like some kinda zombie, but being on ‘the bad side’ of adventurers scares you? Well, you don’t gotta worry about anyone around here gettin’ in your business. Let us know if somethin’ happens.”

“I appreciate it.”

Bazan and I got along surprisingly well. Then, Sekiros and the taciturn Basura joined in.

“So, you’re really a ladies’ man, Luciel?” Sekiros badgered.

“Again?” I groaned. “Yes, I like girls.”

“Now, now. Don’t be a sourpuss.”

“Whose fault do you think that is?”

He chuckled. “Well, ladies’ man, what do you say to comin’ with us on a night on the town one of these days? Have a bit of fun.”

“This city has places like that?”

“That they do. Interested? You stand out like a sore thumb, though, so we’ll need a disguise or rumors’d spread like wildfire.”

“I-I was just curious, okay? As if I even have the time or money to spend on that.” I laughed dryly at myself. The party of three cracked up as well and threw back their mugs of ale.

The party continued well into the night. Once the stench of Substance X had finally dissipated, it was the women’s turn to interrogate me. They were rather tipsy, though, and didn’t pry too deep, giving me a chance to chat with Monica.

“Kururu asked about you.”

She hesitated. “How were things at the Healer’s Guild?”

“It was kind of empty. Like they didn’t have anything to do. They’re trying to hire another receptionist, but I guess no one wants to do such slow work. At least, that’s how it seemed to me.”

“That’s too bad...” She paused. “There’s certainly more for me to do here than there was there. The pay was good, but not too different from what I make now.”

“Do you think moving here was the right decision?” I asked.

“I do,” she replied. “I get to interact with so many people, like you and the other adventurers. And there’s always just enough work to busy myself with. The days fly by so fast I can barely keep track. It feels like I’m living, like I’m actually doing something.” She looked up at me and smiled. “If you hadn’t saved my life, Mister Luciel, I would never have had the chance to experience all this. I can’t thank you enough.”

I caught myself moving to gently pat her head, when——

“Dude, that’s nasty, quit throwin’ up!”

“I’m vomiting ’cause you’re vomiting! Don’t blame me!”

“It’s that damn masochist’s fault for makin’ us drink that shit!”

Suddenly, I was no longer in a head-patting mood. Monica and I sighed in unison, looked at each other, and smiled.

I was trying out some new spells after my morning stretches.

Middle Heal: about three times the recovery effect of Heal for eight MP.

Area Heal: novice-level healing magic that could restore everyone within a two-meter radius of myself, by an amount equivalent to a standard Heal spell. Fifteen MP.

Attack and Magic Barrier: two novice-level barrier spells that reduced damage from physical and magical attacks, respectively. Ten MP each.

Area Barrier: mid-level barrier magic that applied both Attack and Magic Barrier to anyone within a two-meter radius. Note: this did not create a protective field to keep out monsters. Thirty MP.

“This is some hard practice to be doing first thing in the morning. A single Area Barrier knocks me down thirty whole MP. There’s gotta be a way to make these spells easier to use.”

Thoughts of magic had begun to fill my daily meditation.

＊

While Luciel pondered his spells, furious roars echoed through the halls of a certain Merratoni clinic.

“Would you dunces care to enlighten me with an explanation for this? Our income and slave sales are down by half! Half!” bellowed a portly, middle-aged man, wearing a flowing white robe adorned with ornaments and various jewels.

The dozen or so men gathered before him hung their heads in fear of his contorted, rage-filled expression. One of them came forth as representative and bowed.

“Our deepest apologies, Sir, but it is as we said. The Adventurer’s Guild healer is to blame.”

The middle-aged man’s fury did not abate. “Then why was he not dealt with, you inept imbeciles?! You fumbled the assassination of that receptionist too, if memory serves! Is another one of you looking to die? Well, are you?!”

He took an ornate, expensive-looking glass and hurled it at the representative, who did not so much as attempt to dodge. The cup collided with his head, and as blood began to trickle down, he continued.

“Pardon my insolence, Sir, but in an entire year, the healer has stepped outside no more than four times. We have been unable to make contact.”

“Then go there yourself!”

“You see, well...he trains with the guildmaster every waking hour. While he sleeps, high-ranking adventurers guard his room. He is untouchable.”

“Damn it all! That guild and their healer are a real thorn in my side. What gutter did he even crawl out of? Something needs to be done soon. You! Convene all the subsidiary clinics!”

“At once!” answered the subordinate, then hastily exited.

“It would seem I’ve missed a little ant who thinks he can upset my rule of this town. And pests must be crushed.”

The remaining men turned pale as the middle-aged man’s uproarious cackling shook the very air of the room.