Chapter 66
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[Repaying Debt]
After completing the discharge procedure, I came to the hospital room of Uncle Bonus, aka ‘Sword Saint’ Sanuki Shoichiro.
Other than me, there are Higaki and Iris who have come to visit him before I know it in the hospital room, and they are currently sitting on chairs by the wall so as to sandwich both sides of Luisina, who came with me.
As for Uncle, he gave her a cold gaze when we had entered the room because he had been informed that she was a member of the ‘Black Sword’ ahead of time, but when I told him that we were allies for the time being, he relaxed his gaze.
“Ahh, that reminds me, boy. You didn’t explain anything about the matter to the young ladies here? That’s a bit cruel of you, y’know?” (Sanuki)
“To think you would discover the incident in the opera house in advance and even knew about the ‘Black Sword’, on top of that. All the more reason I need to have you explain the source of your knowledge.” (Higaki)
“You are so cruel, Sakurai-san. Not explaining anything about such an important matter to us…I am sad that you don’t trust me…” (Iris)
Higaki who looks sullen and Iris who looks about to break into tears any time now.
Back then, my head was wholly filled with the thought of repaying my debt, but looking back on it, well, I think that I did many extremely selfish acts.
I trust them, and that was why I left the shitty lizard bastard to them, though…no, that only sounds like an excuse.
“As for me, if you knew that the incident would occur in advance, I wished you had prevented it rather than took advantage of it. Even if you hadn’t, if you had at least told me that the incident would occur ahead of time, I think we could have possibly reduce the number of injured people…” (Higaki)
Higaki says slowly and in a low voice.
Since it’s her, I had thought that she would harshly point out my faults, however, she sounded as though she was blaming her own untrustworthiness.
The emotions contained in her voice give the impression that she is feeling miserable for some reason.
That figure of hers thinking that she could have done something if she was involved, preventing others from getting injured, closely resembles not the usual her, but that of the original game heroine ‘Ao Higaki’ that I know well.
“I don’t mind Sakurai-san doing whatever you like, however, I don’t want you to do dangerous things. If you think you can go to the Netherworld again if you die, please throw that idea away. Anubis-sama said that it is rare for a soul to be able to revive repeatedly.” (Iris)
It’s not like I was acting with the intention of dying, but from others’ perspective, it might looked like I was endangering myself with reckless acts.
I don’t know how ‘Black Sword’ was described by Uncle, but people would normally be worried when they hear that an acquaintance had plunged themselves into the base of an antisocial force.
Iris is one of the kindest people I know, and she has child-like mind because of what happened in the Netherworld.
It’s not hard to imagine that she would be extremely uneasy if she were to hear that I, one of the people she depends on, expose myself to danger, regardless if it’s right or wrong.
“I mean, um, that. Sorry.” (Sakurai)
Anyways, I decide to bow and apologize.
However, the society isn’t so kind as to forgive you with just an apology.
I need to take action to convey my sincerity to show that my apology isn’t merely for form’s sake.
In my previous life, I’m a Japanese who demands unrivaled severity in apology.
Because I’ve been accustomed to lowering my head and am able to lower my head on a regular basis, I now understand that the true form of apology that the two people demand is in my hands.
The crystallization of wisdom that the wise men of mankind have accumulated since the dawn of history…that is exactly what is needed now.
I put down the luggage on my back and kneel on one knee while looking at Higaki and Iris.
The two involuntarily swallow their saliva to me whose extremely resolute face and dead serious eyes are directed at them.
“——So, how much is the consolation fee?” (Sakurai)
“I should’ve known better than to expect you to honestly apologize.” (Higaki)
No, no, no, I AM honestly apologizing right now, though?
Even though I truly admit my fault unlike usual, what is this reaction?
“Sakurai-san…you…why…” (Iris)
“HAHAHAHA! That’s, that’s the boy for you! To, to think of settling it with money! HAHAHAHA!” (Sanuki)
“It’s so awful that it’s refreshing. It’s amusing to watch from the sideline.” (Luisina)
That’s weird…did I say something strange?
I thought that the ideal form of apology for the mental damage I caused to Iris and Higaki was a consolation fee.
Or, could it be, they want the traditional apology style to customer, dogeza?
Dear customers, if you wish to pick seppuku option in our store, please prepare a potion at your own expense, however, we shall provide you a special service this time.
Ah, but don’t behead me to end the seppuku, okay? I will die if my head is cut off, after all, so please spare me from that.
“So, do you forgive me? Or not? If you’ve forgiven me, then I’d like to move to the main subject.” (Sakurai)
“Ah~ geez, fine, I’m fed up and exhausted already.” (Higaki)
“Sakurai-san really is a hopeless person, making me feel assured like usual in this way…” (Iris)
Somehow, the mood feels like they’ve forgiven me, so good job, me!
Now that’s behind us, let’s move to the main subject of my coming to Uncle’s hospital room.
I take out a cheque that can be redeemed at the bank from the leather bag and a bag containing the gold coins that I had separated in advance and hand it to Uncle.
Uncle, receiving it, confirms the contents, before muttering, “Ou, thanks,” without being affected by the amount.
To be unfazed receiving an amount of money that I’ve never seen in the game, let alone in reality in my previous life, should I say, as expected of the top adventurer praised as the ‘Sword Saint’?
“But still, to think you’d be able to pay back the money this quickly, youngsters these days sure are amazing. I’m honestly surprised.” (Sanuki)
“Teacher. Sakurai is just especially weird, so please don’t use him as your standard of youngsters.” (Higaki)
“If there are people who can be legally beaten and steal money and materials from, I think any normal human (gamer) would do so too, though.” (Sakurai)
“I don’t want to believe that there are many of such people in this world…” (Iris)
“It’s not, in any way, legal, but. In the olden days, there was a kind of robbery group targeting nobles. Though, they had essentially been subdued and thrown outside the wall with nothing but clothes on, at this point.” (Sanuki)
Ah, banishment outside the wall, huh; according to the setting in the book that came with the collector edition, it is a heavy punishment equivalent to death penalty in reality, right? How much did those robbers steal?
Outside the wall field- I’m sure I’ll be going there when I take the upper-class certification quest, but the farther it is from the nation, the more terrible the condition becomes, isn’t it?
It is an unforgiving field where the further you proceed, the stronger the enemies, the higher the encounter rate, and the more often hostile reinforcements coming in during a battle, even encountering boss-class monsters one after another is not weird.
In that world where there are no supply bases, you could do nothing but pray to find a drop item or a corpse of an adventurer to replenish your items for survival.
Due to the random map generation system, the terrain outside the wall was unique to each player, so the information posted on the bulletin board on the strategy guide site was only at the level of advice until a patch that added a fixed terrain was released later. When it did, the residents of the dedicated thread on the bulletin board all faced toward the sky and exclaimed, “Ohh, God!”
There were even some people with extra-shitty luck who got a terrain where the nation was located in the center of a gigantic lake that could be mistaken for a sea, and were absurdly required to pay money and materials to ‘cross the sea’ each time they wanted to go to the dungeons outside the wall.
In one of my playthroughs, I encountered a terrain where there were poisonous swamps in all directions and volcanic area beyond them.
In that terrain, the volcanoes erupted once every 5 minutes, hailing me down with the erupted magma and volcanic rocks, due to that, I felt like my heart breaking down every time I went out to complete quest.
(Thinking about it now, I feel like the biggest drawback of this game were the elements outside the wall…)
Well, the elements outside the wall were mostly end-game contents, and the only things that were largely related to the main story were upper-class quests and, in some cases, the map named ‘Sacred Mountain’, but some people evaluated it as trashy, though.
Speaking of which, the fact that the patch fix was released quickly was probably because the developers had expected it… I sure have digress. Now let’s return to the main subject.
“Anyways. I’ve handed you over 80 million gold, adding up the debt you overcharged me and the reward for your work! With this, my debt to you is now all cleared, Uncle!” (Sakurai)
“It would be great if you would pay for my treatment while you’re at it, though.” (Sanuki)
“I had thought you would say that, so I already paid for it.” (Sakurai)
“Oh, really? So you do remember favors. Ain’t you thoughtful to your master, boy?” (Sanuki)
Uncle’s treatment cost was quite high, most likely due to the fact that potion was no longer that effective on him.
Probably it is also the bad effect of the surgical technology being not that advanced in this world.
Still, considering that it still cost about 2 million gold, I’m personally interested in how much treatment was given to me whose body had become something like a daruma doll that had been ritually incinerated back then.
Actually, I haven’t try treatments that normally can’t be done or human experimentation – which I haven’t get the approval for – with the rare materials Uncle brought back, have I? I should try them one of these days, right?
Anyway, with this, about 80% of the money I earned in this event has gone.
However, when I think of the fact that I can work hard to purely raise my level without having to think about money from now on, I don’t care one bit about that 82 million gold.
After all, raising your level…how should I put it…uhm…is an act that must be done with liberty, pure heart, and piety, you know, hiihihihi!!
“Hey.”
While I’m thinking about such things, I notice that someone is pulling the hem of my clothes.
“Un?” (Sakurai)
“…………”
When I turn around, there’s Luisina there.
I silently take out a cheque, write ‘5 million’ on it and hand it to her who silently holds out her hands as though asking for something.
“Then, next is—” (Sakurai)
“Sakurai, it’s bad for my heart seeing you silently give out such a large amount of money for some reason, so stop it.” (Higaki)
“Hey, this is not enough.” (Luisina)
“Mateos-san, it seems as though you don’t have the word ‘modesty’ in your dictionary…” (Iris)
“Fine, I’ll double it, okay?” (Sakurai)
I write ’10 million’ on a new cheque this time and exchange it for the 5 million one I gave her earlier.
Perhaps Luisina is satisfied with it, as she raises the cheque by the window and stares at it for a few seconds, before folding it carefully and stowing it in her nurse uniform’s pocket.
With this, a total of 92 million gold gone. I earned about 120 million, so I have about 30 million left, huh.
“Even with this much money, I surprisingly can’t think of a way to use it.” (Sakurai)
“Since it’s you we’re talking about, why don’t you use it to buy weapons, armor, consumables or the likes?” (Higaki)
“Other than consumables, it’s faster just to get them in a dungeon than to buy them, and my current equipment I brought from the Netherworld is stronger, to begin with.”
The ‘Netherworld’ that I arrived in unintentionally.
While resolving the turmoil that occurred there, I had obtained mid-game class arms with the help of Anubis.
The majority are in Iris’s place, but as long as I have them, I won’t have any problems with arms for a while.
It can even be said that I completely have no need of the obtainable equipment sold in stores at this time except for some rare finds that are sold with a low probability and items that have a limited number of purchases.
In the original game story, as the story progressed, the lineup of stores would increase, and items with higher performance than before would increase in number, but when they came out, there would be no need to look at them.
The reason being, the drop equipment and reward that could be obtained from the intermediate/advanced-class quests had far higher performance and were more convenient, so the only things you’d buy at the stores were consumables. Truly, a game-like situation.
And for me who has knowledge of the original game, it is much easier to go get them by myself than to buy them with money, besides, I know where the truly high-performance ones gather, so I don’t plan on going out of my way and spending up this large amount of money.
“If I can buy experience points with money, I would have used it all up in a second, though…” (Sakurai)
“If you don’t need it, then you can just leave it in my care.” (Luisina)
“Aren’t you being too greedy, Diva-sama?” (Sakurai)
“Unlike you, I have to start over completely broke. No matter how much money I have, it won’t be enough. As a good person, shouldn’t you normally take pity on me and give it all to me if you can’t think of how to use them?” (Luisina)
“I’m not a good person, so I only gave you a reward that worth your contribution. If you want money from a good person, go beg on the street.” (Sakurai)
“Cheapskate~.” (Luisina)
Anyways, I also don’t want to leave it as is, should I save it?
No, I suddenly got a lot of money, so if the information gets out somehow, it won’t be weird if relatives who I’ve never heard of to suddenly spring up out of nowhere.
Those kind of people have the established reputation of being unpleasant and persistent, so for a healthy leveling, I’d like to remove any elements that might attract them toward me.
However, in that case, Luisina’s proposal may be a good…no, since this is a rare opportunity, I want try to do things that are only possible if you have lots of money.
Like, burning a bundle of bills or something…I can only burn cheques, so there’s no meaning to it, huh.
“…Hmm, hospital, hospital, huh. Alright, Higaki, accompany me to the reception for a bit.” (Sakurai)
“What are you planning to do?” (Higaki)
“It’s not like I’m planning to do a anything wrong, so don’t stare at me. There’s something I’m curious about, but I just thought it would be better if there’s someone other than me who can understand the particulars if it involved procedures. Iris would probably find it difficult, and Luisina don’t really like to go to places with many people.” (Sakurai)
“Mmu. I am still new to the systems and procedures of the world of the living, it can’t be helped.” (Iris)
“World of the living? Young lady, could it be, you came from the world of the dead?” (Sanuki)
“Ah, yes. Did I not say it when I introduced myself?” (Iris)
“That sounds interesting. Would you tell me a little about it, I get curious, you see.” (Sanuki)
“Then…just a bit until Sakurai-san and Higaki-san come back” (Iris)
Iris glances at me and says, looking a bit uneasy.
In a situation where Higaki and I would be absent, she wouldn’t shrink from Luisina and Uncle, who she roughly met for the first time?
Still, as she is willing to talk about the ‘Netherworld’ she may be thinking of confronting and healing her own trauma.
“It’s maybe a positive sign.” (Higaki)
“Maybe~.” (Sakurai)
While agreeing with the words Higaki muttered, I lift up the slightly lighter leather bag and leave the hospital room.
Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!
[Repaying Debt]
After completing the discharge procedure, I came to the hospital room of Uncle Bonus, aka ‘Sword Saint’ Sanuki Shoichiro.
Other than me, there are Higaki and Iris who have come to visit him before I know it in the hospital room, and they are currently sitting on chairs by the wall so as to sandwich both sides of Luisina, who came with me.
As for Uncle, he gave her a cold gaze when we had entered the room because he had been informed that she was a member of the ‘Black Sword’ ahead of time, but when I told him that we were allies for the time being, he relaxed his gaze.
“Ahh, that reminds me, boy. You didn’t explain anything about the matter to the young ladies here? That’s a bit cruel of you, y’know?” (Sanuki)
“To think you would discover the incident in the opera house in advance and even knew about the ‘Black Sword’, on top of that. All the more reason I need to have you explain the source of your knowledge.” (Higaki)
“You are so cruel, Sakurai-san. Not explaining anything about such an important matter to us…I am sad that you don’t trust me…” (Iris)
Higaki who looks sullen and Iris who looks about to break into tears any time now.
Back then, my head was wholly filled with the thought of repaying my debt, but looking back on it, well, I think that I did many extremely selfish acts.
I trust them, and that was why I left the shitty lizard bastard to them, though…no, that only sounds like an excuse.
“As for me, if you knew that the incident would occur in advance, I wished you had prevented it rather than took advantage of it. Even if you hadn’t, if you had at least told me that the incident would occur ahead of time, I think we could have possibly reduce the number of injured people…” (Higaki)
Higaki says slowly and in a low voice.
Since it’s her, I had thought that she would harshly point out my faults, however, she sounded as though she was blaming her own untrustworthiness.
The emotions contained in her voice give the impression that she is feeling miserable for some reason.
That figure of hers thinking that she could have done something if she was involved, preventing others from getting injured, closely resembles not the usual her, but that of the original game heroine ‘Ao Higaki’ that I know well.
“I don’t mind Sakurai-san doing whatever you like, however, I don’t want you to do dangerous things. If you think you can go to the Netherworld again if you die, please throw that idea away. Anubis-sama said that it is rare for a soul to be able to revive repeatedly.” (Iris)
It’s not like I was acting with the intention of dying, but from others’ perspective, it might looked like I was endangering myself with reckless acts.
I don’t know how ‘Black Sword’ was described by Uncle, but people would normally be worried when they hear that an acquaintance had plunged themselves into the base of an antisocial force.
Iris is one of the kindest people I know, and she has child-like mind because of what happened in the Netherworld.
It’s not hard to imagine that she would be extremely uneasy if she were to hear that I, one of the people she depends on, expose myself to danger, regardless if it’s right or wrong.
“I mean, um, that. Sorry.” (Sakurai)
Anyways, I decide to bow and apologize.
However, the society isn’t so kind as to forgive you with just an apology.
I need to take action to convey my sincerity to show that my apology isn’t merely for form’s sake.
In my previous life, I’m a Japanese who demands unrivaled severity in apology.
Because I’ve been accustomed to lowering my head and am able to lower my head on a regular basis, I now understand that the true form of apology that the two people demand is in my hands.
The crystallization of wisdom that the wise men of mankind have accumulated since the dawn of history…that is exactly what is needed now.
I put down the luggage on my back and kneel on one knee while looking at Higaki and Iris.
The two involuntarily swallow their saliva to me whose extremely resolute face and dead serious eyes are directed at them.
“——So, how much is the consolation fee?” (Sakurai)
“I should’ve known better than to expect you to honestly apologize.” (Higaki)
No, no, no, I AM honestly apologizing right now, though?
Even though I truly admit my fault unlike usual, what is this reaction?
“Sakurai-san…you…why…” (Iris)
“HAHAHAHA! That’s, that’s the boy for you! To, to think of settling it with money! HAHAHAHA!” (Sanuki)
“It’s so awful that it’s refreshing. It’s amusing to watch from the sideline.” (Luisina)
That’s weird…did I say something strange?
I thought that the ideal form of apology for the mental damage I caused to Iris and Higaki was a consolation fee.
Or, could it be, they want the traditional apology style to customer, dogeza?
Dear customers, if you wish to pick seppuku option in our store, please prepare a potion at your own expense, however, we shall provide you a special service this time.
Ah, but don’t behead me to end the seppuku, okay? I will die if my head is cut off, after all, so please spare me from that.
“So, do you forgive me? Or not? If you’ve forgiven me, then I’d like to move to the main subject.” (Sakurai)
“Ah~ geez, fine, I’m fed up and exhausted already.” (Higaki)
“Sakurai-san really is a hopeless person, making me feel assured like usual in this way…” (Iris)
Somehow, the mood feels like they’ve forgiven me, so good job, me!
Now that’s behind us, let’s move to the main subject of my coming to Uncle’s hospital room.
I take out a cheque that can be redeemed at the bank from the leather bag and a bag containing the gold coins that I had separated in advance and hand it to Uncle.
Uncle, receiving it, confirms the contents, before muttering, “Ou, thanks,” without being affected by the amount.
To be unfazed receiving an amount of money that I’ve never seen in the game, let alone in reality in my previous life, should I say, as expected of the top adventurer praised as the ‘Sword Saint’?
“But still, to think you’d be able to pay back the money this quickly, youngsters these days sure are amazing. I’m honestly surprised.” (Sanuki)
“Teacher. Sakurai is just especially weird, so please don’t use him as your standard of youngsters.” (Higaki)
“If there are people who can be legally beaten and steal money and materials from, I think any normal human (gamer) would do so too, though.” (Sakurai)
“I don’t want to believe that there are many of such people in this world…” (Iris)
“It’s not, in any way, legal, but. In the olden days, there was a kind of robbery group targeting nobles. Though, they had essentially been subdued and thrown outside the wall with nothing but clothes on, at this point.” (Sanuki)
Ah, banishment outside the wall, huh; according to the setting in the book that came with the collector edition, it is a heavy punishment equivalent to death penalty in reality, right? How much did those robbers steal?
Outside the wall field- I’m sure I’ll be going there when I take the upper-class certification quest, but the farther it is from the nation, the more terrible the condition becomes, isn’t it?
It is an unforgiving field where the further you proceed, the stronger the enemies, the higher the encounter rate, and the more often hostile reinforcements coming in during a battle, even encountering boss-class monsters one after another is not weird.
In that world where there are no supply bases, you could do nothing but pray to find a drop item or a corpse of an adventurer to replenish your items for survival.
Due to the random map generation system, the terrain outside the wall was unique to each player, so the information posted on the bulletin board on the strategy guide site was only at the level of advice until a patch that added a fixed terrain was released later. When it did, the residents of the dedicated thread on the bulletin board all faced toward the sky and exclaimed, “Ohh, God!”
There were even some people with extra-shitty luck who got a terrain where the nation was located in the center of a gigantic lake that could be mistaken for a sea, and were absurdly required to pay money and materials to ‘cross the sea’ each time they wanted to go to the dungeons outside the wall.
In one of my playthroughs, I encountered a terrain where there were poisonous swamps in all directions and volcanic area beyond them.
In that terrain, the volcanoes erupted once every 5 minutes, hailing me down with the erupted magma and volcanic rocks, due to that, I felt like my heart breaking down every time I went out to complete quest.
(Thinking about it now, I feel like the biggest drawback of this game were the elements outside the wall…)
Well, the elements outside the wall were mostly end-game contents, and the only things that were largely related to the main story were upper-class quests and, in some cases, the map named ‘Sacred Mountain’, but some people evaluated it as trashy, though.
Speaking of which, the fact that the patch fix was released quickly was probably because the developers had expected it… I sure have digress. Now let’s return to the main subject.
“Anyways. I’ve handed you over 80 million gold, adding up the debt you overcharged me and the reward for your work! With this, my debt to you is now all cleared, Uncle!” (Sakurai)
“It would be great if you would pay for my treatment while you’re at it, though.” (Sanuki)
“I had thought you would say that, so I already paid for it.” (Sakurai)
“Oh, really? So you do remember favors. Ain’t you thoughtful to your master, boy?” (Sanuki)
Uncle’s treatment cost was quite high, most likely due to the fact that potion was no longer that effective on him.
Probably it is also the bad effect of the surgical technology being not that advanced in this world.
Still, considering that it still cost about 2 million gold, I’m personally interested in how much treatment was given to me whose body had become something like a daruma doll that had been ritually incinerated back then.
Actually, I haven’t try treatments that normally can’t be done or human experimentation – which I haven’t get the approval for – with the rare materials Uncle brought back, have I? I should try them one of these days, right?
Anyway, with this, about 80% of the money I earned in this event has gone.
However, when I think of the fact that I can work hard to purely raise my level without having to think about money from now on, I don’t care one bit about that 82 million gold.
After all, raising your level…how should I put it…uhm…is an act that must be done with liberty, pure heart, and piety, you know, hiihihihi!!
“Hey.”
While I’m thinking about such things, I notice that someone is pulling the hem of my clothes.
“Un?” (Sakurai)
“…………”
When I turn around, there’s Luisina there.
I silently take out a cheque, write ‘5 million’ on it and hand it to her who silently holds out her hands as though asking for something.
“Then, next is—” (Sakurai)
“Sakurai, it’s bad for my heart seeing you silently give out such a large amount of money for some reason, so stop it.” (Higaki)
“Hey, this is not enough.” (Luisina)
“Mateos-san, it seems as though you don’t have the word ‘modesty’ in your dictionary…” (Iris)
“Fine, I’ll double it, okay?” (Sakurai)
I write ’10 million’ on a new cheque this time and exchange it for the 5 million one I gave her earlier.
Perhaps Luisina is satisfied with it, as she raises the cheque by the window and stares at it for a few seconds, before folding it carefully and stowing it in her nurse uniform’s pocket.
With this, a total of 92 million gold gone. I earned about 120 million, so I have about 30 million left, huh.
“Even with this much money, I surprisingly can’t think of a way to use it.” (Sakurai)
“Since it’s you we’re talking about, why don’t you use it to buy weapons, armor, consumables or the likes?” (Higaki)
“Other than consumables, it’s faster just to get them in a dungeon than to buy them, and my current equipment I brought from the Netherworld is stronger, to begin with.”
The ‘Netherworld’ that I arrived in unintentionally.
While resolving the turmoil that occurred there, I had obtained mid-game class arms with the help of Anubis.
The majority are in Iris’s place, but as long as I have them, I won’t have any problems with arms for a while.
It can even be said that I completely have no need of the obtainable equipment sold in stores at this time except for some rare finds that are sold with a low probability and items that have a limited number of purchases.
In the original game story, as the story progressed, the lineup of stores would increase, and items with higher performance than before would increase in number, but when they came out, there would be no need to look at them.
The reason being, the drop equipment and reward that could be obtained from the intermediate/advanced-class quests had far higher performance and were more convenient, so the only things you’d buy at the stores were consumables. Truly, a game-like situation.
And for me who has knowledge of the original game, it is much easier to go get them by myself than to buy them with money, besides, I know where the truly high-performance ones gather, so I don’t plan on going out of my way and spending up this large amount of money.
“If I can buy experience points with money, I would have used it all up in a second, though…” (Sakurai)
“If you don’t need it, then you can just leave it in my care.” (Luisina)
“Aren’t you being too greedy, Diva-sama?” (Sakurai)
“Unlike you, I have to start over completely broke. No matter how much money I have, it won’t be enough. As a good person, shouldn’t you normally take pity on me and give it all to me if you can’t think of how to use them?” (Luisina)
“I’m not a good person, so I only gave you a reward that worth your contribution. If you want money from a good person, go beg on the street.” (Sakurai)
“Cheapskate~.” (Luisina)
Anyways, I also don’t want to leave it as is, should I save it?
No, I suddenly got a lot of money, so if the information gets out somehow, it won’t be weird if relatives who I’ve never heard of to suddenly spring up out of nowhere.
Those kind of people have the established reputation of being unpleasant and persistent, so for a healthy leveling, I’d like to remove any elements that might attract them toward me.
However, in that case, Luisina’s proposal may be a good…no, since this is a rare opportunity, I want try to do things that are only possible if you have lots of money.
Like, burning a bundle of bills or something…I can only burn cheques, so there’s no meaning to it, huh.
“…Hmm, hospital, hospital, huh. Alright, Higaki, accompany me to the reception for a bit.” (Sakurai)
“What are you planning to do?” (Higaki)
“It’s not like I’m planning to do a anything wrong, so don’t stare at me. There’s something I’m curious about, but I just thought it would be better if there’s someone other than me who can understand the particulars if it involved procedures. Iris would probably find it difficult, and Luisina don’t really like to go to places with many people.” (Sakurai)
“Mmu. I am still new to the systems and procedures of the world of the living, it can’t be helped.” (Iris)
“World of the living? Young lady, could it be, you came from the world of the dead?” (Sanuki)
“Ah, yes. Did I not say it when I introduced myself?” (Iris)
“That sounds interesting. Would you tell me a little about it, I get curious, you see.” (Sanuki)
“Then…just a bit until Sakurai-san and Higaki-san come back” (Iris)
Iris glances at me and says, looking a bit uneasy.
In a situation where Higaki and I would be absent, she wouldn’t shrink from Luisina and Uncle, who she roughly met for the first time?
Still, as she is willing to talk about the ‘Netherworld’ she may be thinking of confronting and healing her own trauma.
“It’s maybe a positive sign.” (Higaki)
“Maybe~.” (Sakurai)
While agreeing with the words Higaki muttered, I lift up the slightly lighter leather bag and leave the hospital room.
Repaying DebtAfter completing the discharge procedure, I came to the hospital room of Uncle Bonus, aka Sword Saint' Sanuki Shoichiro.Other than me, there are Higaki and Iris who have come to visit him before I know it in the hospital room, and they are currently sitting on chairs by the wall so as to sandwich both sides of Luisina, who came with me.As for Uncle, he gave her a cold gaze when we had entered the room because he had been informed that she was a member of the Black Sword' ahead of time, but when I told him that we were allies for the time being, he relaxed his gaze.Ahh, that reminds me, boy. You didn't explain anything about the matter to the young ladies here? That's a bit cruel of you, y'know? SanukiTo think you would discover the incident in the opera house in advance and even knew about the Black Sword', on top of that. All the more reason I need to have you explain the source of your knowledge. HigakiYou are so cruel, Sakurai-san. Not explaining anything about such an important matter to usI am sad that you don't trust me IrisHigaki who looks sullen and Iris who looks about to break into tears any time now.Back then, my head was wholly filled with the thought of repaying my debt, but looking back on it, well, I think that I did many extremely selfish acts.I trust them, and that was why I left the shitty lizard bastard to them, thoughno, that only sounds like an excuse.As for me, if you knew that the incident would occur in advance, I wished you had prevented it rather than took advantage of it. Even if you hadn't, if you had at least told me that the incident would occur ahead of time, I think we could have possibly reduce the number of injured people HigakiHigaki says slowly and in a low voice.Since it's her, I had thought that she would harshly point out my faults, however, she sounded as though she was blaming her own untrustworthiness.The emotions contained in her voice give the impression that she is feeling miserable for some reason.That figure of hers thinking that she could have done something if she was involved, preventing others from getting injured, closely resembles not the usual her, but that of the original game heroine Ao Higaki' that I know well.I don't mind Sakurai-san doing whatever you like, however, I don't want you to do dangerous things. If you think you can go to the Netherworld again if you die, please throw that idea away. Anubis-sama said that it is rare for a soul to be able to revive repeatedly. IrisIt's not like I was acting with the intention of dying, but from others' perspective, it might looked like I was endangering myself with reckless acts.I don't know how Black Sword' was described by Uncle, but people would normally be worried when they hear that an acquaintance had plunged themselves into the base of an antisocial force.Iris is one of the kindest people I know, and she has child-like mind because of what happened in the Netherworld.It's not hard to imagine that she would be extremely uneasy if she were to hear that I, one of the people she depends on, expose myself to danger, regardless if it's right or wrong.I mean, um, that. Sorry. SakuraiAnyways, I decide to bow and apologize.However, the society isn't so kind as to forgive you with just an apology.I need to take action to convey my sincerity to show that my apology isn't merely for form's sake.In my previous life, I'm a Japanese who demands unrivaled severity in apology.Because I've been accustomed to lowering my head and am able to lower my head on a regular basis, I now understand that the true form of apology that the two people demand is in my hands.The crystallization of wisdom that the wise men of mankind have accumulated since the dawn of historythat is exactly what is needed now.I put down the luggage on my back and kneel on one knee while looking at Higaki and Iris.The two involuntarily swallow their saliva to me whose extremely resolute face and dead serious eyes are directed at them.So, how much is the consolation fee? SakuraiI should've known better than to expect you to honestly apologize. HigakiNo, no, no, I AM honestly apologizing right now, though?Even though I truly admit my fault unlike usual, what is this reaction?Sakurai-sanyouwhy IrisHAHAHAHA! That's, that's the boy for you! To, to think of settling it with money! HAHAHAHA! SanukiIt's so awful that it's refreshing. It's amusing to watch from the sideline. LuisinaThat's weirddid I say something strange?I thought that the ideal form of apology for the mental damage I caused to Iris and Higaki was a consolation fee.Or, could it be, they want the traditional apology style to customer, dogeza?Dear customers, if you wish to pick seppuku option in our store, please prepare a potion at your own expense, however, we shall provide you a special service this time.Ah, but don't behead me to end the seppuku, okay? I will die if my head is cut off, after all, so please spare me from that.So, do you forgive me? Or not? If you've forgiven me, then I'd like to move to the main subject. SakuraiAh~ geez, fine, I'm fed up and exhausted already. HigakiSakurai-san really is a hopeless person, making me feel assured like usual in this way IrisSomehow, the mood feels like they've forgiven me, so good job, me!Now that's behind us, let's move to the main subject of my coming to Uncle's hospital room.I take out a cheque that can be redeemed at the bank from the leather bag and a bag containing the gold coins that I had separated in advance and hand it to Uncle.Uncle, receiving it, confirms the contents, before muttering, Ou, thanks, without being affected by the amount.To be unfazed receiving an amount of money that I've never seen in the game, let alone in reality in my previous life, should I say, as expected of the top adventurer praised as the Sword Saint'?But still, to think you'd be able to pay back the money this quickly, youngsters these days sure are amazing. I'm honestly surprised. SanukiTeacher. Sakurai is just especially weird, so please don't use him as your standard of youngsters. HigakiIf there are people who can be legally beaten and steal money and materials from, I think any normal human gamer would do so too, though. SakuraiI don't want to believe that there are many of such people in this world IrisIt's not, in any way, legal, but. In the olden days, there was a kind of robbery group targeting nobles. Though, they had essentially been subdued and thrown outside the wall with nothing but clothes on, at this point. SanukiAh, banishment outside the wall, huh; according to the setting in the book that came with the collector edition, it is a heavy punishment equivalent to death penalty in reality, right? How much did those robbers steal?Outside the wall field- I'm sure I'll be going there when I take the upper-class certification quest, but the farther it is from the nation, the more terrible the condition becomes, isn't it?It is an unforgiving field where the further you proceed, the stronger the enemies, the higher the encounter rate, and the more often hostile reinforcements coming in during a battle, even encountering boss-class monsters one after another is not weird.In that world where there are no supply bases, you could do nothing but pray to find a drop item or a corpse of an adventurer to replenish your items for survival.Due to the random map generation system, the terrain outside the wall was unique to each player, so the information posted on the bulletin board on the strategy guide site was only at the level of advice until a patch that added a fixed terrain was released later. When it did, the residents of the dedicated thread on the bulletin board all faced toward the sky and exclaimed, Ohh, God!There were even some people with extra-shitty luck who got a terrain where the nation was located in the center of a gigantic lake that could be mistaken for a sea, and were absurdly required to pay money and materials to cross the sea' each time they wanted to go to the dungeons outside the wall.In one of my playthroughs, I encountered a terrain where there were poisonous swamps in all directions and volcanic area beyond them.In that terrain, the volcanoes erupted once every 5 minutes, hailing me down with the erupted magma and volcanic rocks, due to that, I felt like my heart breaking down every time I went out to complete quest.Thinking about it now, I feel like the biggest drawback of this game were the elements outside the wallWell, the elements outside the wall were mostly end-game contents, and the only things that were largely related to the main story were upper-class quests and, in some cases, the map named Sacred Mountain', but some people evaluated it as trashy, though.Speaking of which, the fact that the patch fix was released quickly was probably because the developers had expected it I sure have digress. Now let's return to the main subject.Anyways. I've handed you over 80 million gold, adding up the debt you overcharged me and the reward for your work! With this, my debt to you is now all cleared, Uncle! SakuraiIt would be great if you would pay for my treatment while you're at it, though. SanukiI had thought you would say that, so I already paid for it. SakuraiOh, really? So you do remember favors. Ain't you thoughtful to your master, boy? SanukiUncle's treatment cost was quite high, most likely due to the fact that potion was no longer that effective on him.Probably it is also the bad effect of the surgical technology being not that advanced in this world.Still, considering that it still cost about 2 million gold, I'm personally interested in how much treatment was given to me whose body had become something like a daruma doll that had been ritually incinerated back then.Actually, I haven't try treatments that normally can't be done or human experimentation which I haven't get the approval for with the rare materials Uncle brought back, have I? I should try them one of these days, right?Anyway, with this, about 80% of the money I earned in this event has gone.However, when I think of the fact that I can work hard to purely raise my level without having to think about money from now on, I don't care one bit about that 82 million gold.After all, raising your levelhow should I put ituhmis an act that must be done with liberty, pure heart, and piety, you know, hiihihihi!!Hey.While I'm thinking about such things, I notice that someone is pulling the hem of my clothes.Un? SakuraiWhen I turn around, there's Luisina there.I silently take out a cheque, write 5 million' on it and hand it to her who silently holds out her hands as though asking for something.Then, next is SakuraiSakurai, it's bad for my heart seeing you silently give out such a large amount of money for some reason, so stop it. HigakiHey, this is not enough. LuisinaMateos-san, it seems as though you don't have the word modesty' in your dictionary IrisFine, I'll double it, okay? SakuraiI write '10 million' on a new cheque this time and exchange it for the 5 million one I gave her earlier.Perhaps Luisina is satisfied with it, as she raises the cheque by the window and stares at it for a few seconds, before folding it carefully and stowing it in her nurse uniform's pocket.With this, a total of 92 million gold gone. I earned about 120 million, so I have about 30 million left, huh.Even with this much money, I surprisingly can't think of a way to use it. SakuraiSince it's you we're talking about, why don't you use it to buy weapons, armor, consumables or the likes? HigakiOther than consumables, it's faster just to get them in a dungeon than to buy them, and my current equipment I brought from the Netherworld is stronger, to begin with.The Netherworld' that I arrived in unintentionally.While resolving the turmoil that occurred there, I had obtained mid-game class arms with the help of Anubis.The majority are in Iris's place, but as long as I have them, I won't have any problems with arms for a while.It can even be said that I completely have no need of the obtainable equipment sold in stores at this time except for some rare finds that are sold with a low probability and items that have a limited number of purchases.In the original game story, as the story progressed, the lineup of stores would increase, and items with higher performance than before would increase in number, but when they came out, there would be no need to look at them.The reason being, the drop equipment and reward that could be obtained from the intermediate/advanced-class quests had far higher performance and were more convenient, so the only things you'd buy at the stores were consumables. Truly, a game-like situation.And for me who has knowledge of the original game, it is much easier to go get them by myself than to buy them with money, besides, I know where the truly high-performance ones gather, so I don't plan on going out of my way and spending up this large amount of money.If I can buy experience points with money, I would have used it all up in a second, though SakuraiIf you don't need it, then you can just leave it in my care. LuisinaAren't you being too greedy, Diva-sama? SakuraiUnlike you, I have to start over completely broke. No matter how much money I have, it won't be enough. As a good person, shouldn't you normally take pity on me and give it all to me if you can't think of how to use them? LuisinaI'm not a good person, so I only gave you a reward that worth your contribution. If you want money from a good person, go beg on the street. SakuraiCheapskate~. LuisinaAnyways, I also don't want to leave it as is, should I save it?No, I suddenly got a lot of money, so if the information gets out somehow, it won't be weird if relatives who I've never heard of to suddenly spring up out of nowhere.Those kind of people have the established reputation of being unpleasant and persistent, so for a healthy leveling, I'd like to remove any elements that might attract them toward me.However, in that case, Luisina's proposal may be a goodno, since this is a rare opportunity, I want try to do things that are only possible if you have lots of money.Like, burning a bundle of bills or somethingI can only burn cheques, so there's no meaning to it, huh.Hmm, hospital, hospital, huh. Alright, Higaki, accompany me to the reception for a bit. SakuraiWhat are you planning to do? HigakiIt's not like I'm planning to do a anything wrong, so don't stare at me. There's something I'm curious about, but I just thought it would be better if there's someone other than me who can understand the particulars if it involved procedures. Iris would probably find it difficult, and Luisina don't really like to go to places with many people. SakuraiMmu. I am still new to the systems and procedures of the world of the living, it can't be helped. IrisWorld of the living? Young lady, could it be, you came from the world of the dead? SanukiAh, yes. Did I not say it when I introduced myself? IrisThat sounds interesting. Would you tell me a little about it, I get curious, you see. SanukiThenjust a bit until Sakurai-san and Higaki-san come back IrisIris glances at me and says, looking a bit uneasy.In a situation where Higaki and I would be absent, she wouldn't shrink from Luisina and Uncle, who she roughly met for the first time?Still, as she is willing to talk about the Netherworld' she may be thinking of confronting and healing her own trauma.It's maybe a positive sign. HigakiMaybe~. SakuraiWhile agreeing with the words Higaki muttered, I lift up the slightly lighter leather bag and leave the hospital room.
