I opened my eyes.

The blurry ceiling came into focus.

My body doesn’t hurt so much anymore.

“Avner. You’re awake.”

Lucia appeared in front of my view.

“How long have I been out?”

“A few hours.. ”

“How did I end up here?”

Lucia scanned me head to toe before saying, “Randingo and Ain. An angel repaired the damages for you.”

Underneath the blanket I was still in my normal clothes. My jacket had been taken off and folded to the side.

I looked around and noticed that this was the emergency ward.

Randingo and Ain were talking to an angel which I recognized.

I had an IV in hand. The dinamap monitor showed that my vitals were stable. Probably.

I passed out so I wasn’t able to take my medication. Thus they probably pumped epinephrine or something similar into my veins.

{EROSION VALUE: 77}

I sat up.

[Avner, I’ve contacted your family regarding your condition. How are you feeling?]

Randell. You can’t be serious?

“Who did you contact?”

[Your parents in Rwiel, and your etler Lia.]

Radingo, Ain and the nurse noticed that I woke up and came over.

“You okay?” Ain asked.

“Like I said. You shouldn’t have gone alone.” Radingo reprimanded.

He was right.

I should’ve been more discerning.

I trusted the angels.

No.

I trusted Cain.

Cain trusted his friends.

But I never trusted his friends to begin with.

“Pardon, could you allow me to check on his condition first? Avner, are you alright?”

“Back off.”

“Mister Randingo. I understand your concerns but don’t you think priority should be given to Avner’s condition?” the familiar green haired elf pouted.

I was Nyill.

“Radingo, Ain, I know hir. It’s alright,” I tried to persuade them.

“You know hir?”

“It doesn’t matter which side I’m on. I have a job to do so stand aside you two.”

Randingo and Ain gave way reluctantly.

That was when Lucia stood in front of Nyill.

“Miss Lucia. I don’t mean any harm to him.”

Lucia then bowed.

“I just want to express my thanks. It made me realize that not all angels are the same.”

“No worries. It’s part of my duty,” Nyill said with a professional smile.

Xe then asked me a few questions about my condition. As for how I passed out, Lucia had already provided the necessary information alongside Radingo and Ain’s supplementation. Nevertheless, I explained what happened from my perspective. Nyill said xe was glad I didn’t die from the encounter.

That implied many things.

Pulling off a stunt straight out of an anime. I can’t believe I got out of the situation alive.

The doctor came and gave me one last examination before giving me the all clear.

“You're still up and kicking so I think there are no further issues. You may be discharged. Mister Randingo and Mister Ain, you may take him to the discharge counter and be free to leave. Mister Avner, next time, remember to take your inhaler before it’s too late. ”

“I will. Thank you.”

“Don’t forget your items.”

I got up and collected my jacket. I noticed that Radingo didn’t forget to bring along the eco bag. As reluctant as I was, since I’m already here, I guess I should drop by her place at least. I checked the contents of the bag, and despite dropping it when I passed out, the food samples inside were still good.

I checked my body and didn’t find any sort of scratch or lesions. Meanwhile, my jacket had a few tiny rips and was stained in dirt.

I took my stuff and we headed to the discharge counter.

[You have unopened messages.]

“Open them.”

[“Big bro are you alright? We’re coming over.”]

The message was just sent.

[“No need. I’m being discharged now.”]

[“Really? What happened?”]

[“I passed out because of asthma. I should have used my inhaler earlier. My friends are here so no worries. I’ll be returning home soon.”]

It was already 3 in the afternoon.

I haven't eaten lunch yet, have I? I’m rather hungry.

[“Got it. Come back safe. Tell us if you need anything.”]

Now that’s done.

I replied to my parent’s message. More or less got it settled even though it was more about quelling the panic.

“Just to be clear, you own me on this one Avner. Put in a word for me to join 7SEAS. I paid for your hospitalization fee.”

“How much was it?”

“A hundred and seventy dollars.”

I transferred that amount to Randingo.

“We’re equal now.”

“You.. I saved your arse so you still need to put in a word for me okay?”

“I’ll put in a word if Avner doesn’t,” Ain said with a stretched smile.

“Now that’s what friends are for, ya! Don’t forget, Avner,” Randingo said, hitting Ain’s shoulders.

I nodded skeptically.

“Let’s go. I’ll accompany you home.”

“Before that, can I pass something to someone?”

“That thing in the bag? Who? Is the person being hospitalized for something?”

I nodded.

Tower U, section 3, 5th floor.

“Oh, good to see you again. Are you here to visit her?” The nurse from last time greeted us. I think her name was Shelly.

“Yes.”

We each had to fill up the digital form for the visit before entering. Last time, Cain did it in my stead.

“Avner, this friend of yours isn’t some big wealthy girl right?”

“Daughter of a tycoon.”

“First Lucifer, now this.”

“You sure got some connections.”

“Shh. Please control your voice when you enter, alright?” Nurse Shelly warned.

“My bad.”

After that was done, we followed Nurse Shelly into the hall.

Nurse Shelly is a demon with a coronet, so despite the friendly ambience, it was clear that Radingo and Ain still had their guards up.

“Miss Lynda, this is nurse Shelly. You have visitors.”

Behind the door was a girl whose orange hair was left in a bad shape. When she saw me, her eyes widened

“A-Avner?”

“I came to visit. How are you?”

“W-why..”

“This time I brought some stuff from home. My grandparents made this.”

“Why?”

“I was hospitalized.”

“What? Hospitalized? What happened?”

“Asthma.”

“Oh, asthma? So are you alright then?”

Lynda wasn’t on any stand drip so she got up and approached me. I kept my distance.

“C-come here.. am I that scary?”

I thought of the stigma that plagued NtBM victims. I can’t believe I was one of the perpetrators. Guilt clouded my judgment.

“Sorry.”

I allowed Lynda to approach me.

She looked into my eyes. I stared into her’s. We were like that for a few seconds when she suddenly looked away.

“U-uh I didn’t mean to..”

In a fluster she tried to hide her embarrassment when she noticed the bag I was holding.

“Ah.. what’s inside here?”

She quickly took it and placed it on the table.

“Avner, I think we’ll leave you two yeah.. I’ll take Ain and wait for you outside..” Radingo said in a flat tone.

“Alright. Give us a few minutes. Thank you.”

“Please do. I don't want you to feel like you’re being forced to watch us,” Lynda said.

Bewildered by her statement, the two guys left the room like robots. Nurse Shelly stayed behind to watch over us.

“What is this?”

“It’s bean paste cereal,” I said.

“Made into a bar. Did you make this?”

She took out a piece from the container and held it a mere few inches in front of her.

“I helped out my grandparents, a little. It’s made from real beans which my grandparents turned into paste after boiling it and then mashing it on a hot pan.”

She bit into one.

“It’s good.”

She smiled at me.

I noticed her teeth. Her canine specifically.

A detail like this would’ve been a dead give away that she was a vampire. Whatever it is, it doesn’t matter now. Lynda is being treated for the disease.

“Um.. Avner, have you eaten? You said you were hospitalized, right?”

“Not yet actually.”

“Then take some.”

She shook the container.

“It’s alright. My grandparents made it for you. I still have some back at home.”

“You know, it’s awkward if you just stand there. Take a seat on the couch or something.”

“I’ll be leaving soon it’s..”

“Please don’t.”

“...”