kscans

Chapter 255 - One Month Later

Time passed.

We were thoroughly enjoying our hospital life.

...Rumily was confined to her bed around the clock, but she occasionally took walks with crutches. It was her own request, as she wanted to avoid letting her body grow dull. Milfy and Matilda always accompanied her.

In the hospital, they were quite the center of attention. After all, all three were beautiful enough to be called so.

Among the patients, they were known as the "Three Angels." Some revered them, while others got worked up just seeing them.

...Of course, no one in the hospital was a match for them if they tried anything, and they would surely turn down any confession they received. In fact, several patients and visitors had already been shot down in flames.

Tina mostly stayed in her room, though she occasionally went for walks. Her ‘All-Round Perfection’ skill had a captivating effect on people. In fact, it wasn’t just the patients; even the male doctors were making eyes at Tina.

As a result, she ended up in an argument with one of the nurses, who was apparently dating one of them. ...Knowing that trying to explain would be futile, Tina decided to confine herself to her room, wearing glasses and a mask whenever she had to go out.

And Bardos, he was practically living in the staff-only sports gym.

When I went to check it out, it was surprisingly well-equipped, enough to put any commercial gym to shame. Bardos was curiously trying out all the different training machines.

He could bench press fifty kilograms fifty times and look completely unfazed, and after two hours on the treadmill, his breathing was only slightly ragged. ...He was lifting weights that were utterly impossible for an ordinary person.

Even I could only manage about twenty reps of thirty kilograms on the bench press. At first, I thought he’d get bored, but he was surprisingly sticking with it.

When I asked him about it, he said, "I get to use all this interesting equipment for free, you know? ...There’s no reason not to."

He looked happy.

I guess that made sense. It was all equipment that didn’t exist in his world. It was only natural he’d want to keep using it.

Amidst all this, one of the nurses would occasionally come by Bardos’s side and bring him refreshments.

When I asked if they were close, he said, "? ...Nah, I’ve just been seeing her around a lot lately. For some reason, she brings me stuff often. ...Is she bored?"

He was full of questions.

...I sensed a rather proactive approach from her. Well, maybe someone like Kuroda had asked her to look after us. In fact, the care Rumily was receiving was almost excessive.

I didn’t pay it much mind and worked out alongside him. ...The two of them, unable to comprehend the nurse’s true feelings, spent their days in blissful ignorance.

And then...

As we were spending time in the hospital room as usual, there was a knock on the door. Kuroda and the hospital director entered.

Kuroda spoke. "...Kaikawa-san. The preparations are complete."

To this, I replied, "...Does that mean Rumily’s leg is ready?"

Confirming my question, Kuroda said, "Yes. We were conducting research on the Reverse Slime in parallel. Thanks to those results, everything has proceeded according to schedule. As for the surgery itself, I’ve been told it won’t be that difficult."

Surprised by his unexpected statement, I asked, "? What do you mean? ...I’ve heard that reattaching a limb is an extremely difficult procedure."

This was a natural assumption.

Though I didn’t know the details, the surgery was expensive and a major operation. It had to be highly difficult.

The director took over for Kuroda. "Allow me to explain. Normally, reattaching a human body part involves using artificial materials. Specifically, we insert them into the body to reinforce the connection. ...However, living a normal life as before is difficult. Complications arise, and the risk of infection is high. Above all, inserting artificial materials into the body is extremely dangerous. It is most logical to use materials that have the least impact on the body, like bone."

"...However, as a result of our research on the Reverse Slime... we discovered that it not only heals wounds and diseases but can also fuse severed parts. Previous information suggested that what was lost could not be regenerated, but by applying our cloning technology, we’ve made a certain degree of regeneration possible. This can truly be called a quantum leap in medical science!! I am deeply moved!! To be involved in such an event as a participant!! At the time, the pressure was almost unbearable, but now I am incredibly grateful!!"

As he grew more excited, Kuroda cleared his throat.

The director came back to his senses.

"...Ahem! ...My apologies. In any case, to get to the point, the surgical procedure will involve stitching the leg in place and then securing it firmly. After that, we will use the Reverse Slime to treat the wound. As soon as it has completely attached, we will remove the stitches and treat it again. And with that, the surgery will be complete."

To this, Tina asked, "...May I ask a question? Why is it necessary to secure it with thread?"

The director replied, "...As a result of animal experiments, we found that if we don’t secure it, the parts end up attaching in a misaligned state. Of course, we were able to correct it afterward. That’s why it’s necessary to secure it precisely. We considered using clamps, but for some reason, the Reverse Slime didn’t react, and even when we forced it, it wouldn’t regenerate at all."

"...When we used thread, however, it regenerated. Whether these actions are instinctual or not is still unknown. The research on the Reverse Slime will likely continue for some time. ...Eventually, our goal is to create a topical cream or liquid antidote. On another note, we’ve determined that the slime’s diet consists of grass, particularly medicinal herbs, but how long is its lifespan?"

At this, the four of us exchanged glances.

Tina spoke on our behalf. "...No, we don’t know. To begin with, we’ve never given much thought to a monster’s lifespan. I’ve heard that there are monsters that live for not just decades, but centuries."

Matilda added, "I agree. The oldest monster we’ve ever fought was a Kraken. According to legend, it had existed for about a hundred years. There are even older monsters out there somewhere. ...Honestly, we don’t have the time to think about such things."

To this, the director responded, "A Kraken... that giant squid? ...Such things exist. Well, I suppose so. This is another world, after all. And what became of this Kraken?"

I spoke up. "...We hunted it. There was a subjugation request for it. After that, we cooked it up and had a delicious meal."

I recounted the memory.

Kuroda was astonished. "...You ate it? ...Why didn’t you bring it back?! ...It would have been a major attraction!"

To his surprise, I said, "We were out at sea, and I wasn’t sure how long it would keep. Besides, the port town was in trouble at the time, so between the festival after we defeated it and the audience with the king at the castle, we didn’t have any time to bring it back."

After hearing my explanation, Kuroda calmed down.

"...Well, that’s true. No matter what I say, the past is the past. If anything similar happens in the future, please do bring it back. ...Please♪"

He had a creepy smile on his face.

It might have been his business smile, but on an older man, it was nothing but unsettling.

"...Well, when the time comes," I said. "...So? When will the surgery be?"

The director answered. "...It will be tomorrow morning. The cloned leg has already arrived at the hospital, but various officials will be coming to observe the post-operative procedures. That is why."

Milfy made a face. "...Does that mean they’re coming to watch some kind of spectacle?"

She looked displeased.

...I felt the same way. We weren’t performers putting on a show, and having people come to watch was unsettling.

The director said, "Your feelings are understandable. However, this surgery is truly unprecedented. As interested parties, they wish to make great use of this for the future. Please, I ask for your understanding."

He bowed his head.

Being treated with such deference, we couldn’t very well refuse.

I said, "I understand. However, please do not approach Rumily carelessly. She dislikes dealing with people of that sort."

I looked at Rumily.

Her expression showed that she agreed with me.

Kuroda said, "...I will handle that matter myself. ...Well then, everyone. Please prepare for tomorrow."

With that, Kuroda and the director left the room.

In the room, now with just the five of us, Matilda said, "This is great. Once your leg is healed, you’ll be back to your old self."

Milfy added, "...Yes, we can run the shop together again. Just a little more patience."

Rumily was moved. "...It feels like a dream. To think a lost leg could be restored. It was unthinkable in the world I came from. The technology of this world is truly amazing."

Her feelings were natural. I said, "This place is far more advanced than your world. They put a lot of effort into the medical field, especially with pathogens and infectious diseases. ...On top of that, if this surgery is a success, it will save countless patients who have lost limbs. Making clones is pointless if you can’t reattach them."

Tina said, "...So that’s why they’re observing. Let’s pray that those who come have pure intentions."

Bardos spoke up. "...Well then, I’m going to go sleep in my room. I thought about hitting the gym one last time, but those guys might still show up. After all, tomorrow, it’ll all be over."

With that, he left the room.

...He was right. For people like them, tonight was the last chance. Kuroda had said they wouldn’t come, but letting our guard down could lead to trouble.

Precisely because it was the final night, we wanted to ensure our victory and safety.

I said, "Bardos is right. I’m going back to my room to get some sleep. When night falls, we’ll take turns guarding the front of the room. Tina, you stay inside. I need you to guard from there."

Tina replied, "Understood. I’ll get some rest as well. ...You two, please keep Rumily company and play with her to ease her mind."

Milfy and Matilda nodded.

I returned to my room and took a nap in preparation for the night.

And then, night fell.

...Nothing happened.

The next morning.

Since we had taken turns on guard duty, we weren’t particularly tired.

Tina emerged from the room. "There was no attack last night. I suppose we can rest easy now."

To this, I replied, "Yeah. Nothing happening is for the best."

It was anticlimactic, but that was for the best.

...Thirty minutes before the start of the surgery.

Doctors and nurses were in the room, conducting a final examination. The surgery would not proceed unless they confirmed the patient’s physical and mental state were normal.

...The diagnosis was no problem.

Ten minutes before.

Rumily was placed on a stretcher and taken towards the operating room.

...We accompanied her. Rumily’s face was tense. It was only natural. Even people from Earth get nervous before surgery. ...For someone from another world, the feeling was twofold.

In front of the operating room stood several elderly men in white coats.

They seemed to be the VIPs.

As Milfy and Matilda tried to follow Rumily into the operating room, a nurse stopped them.

"I’m sorry, but this area is off-limits."

Milfy was about to argue, but I stopped her.

"...Those are the rules. Don’t worry. Leave what’s happening inside to me. If I use my skill, I can get a general idea."

With my ‘Detection’ skill, I could perceive any unusual activity.

Though still a little anxious, Milfy nodded.

And then, the light above the operating room door turned on.