episode_0270

There are times when I am speechless.

Just a word.

Words originally have no weight or size, but the emotions contained within them are so great and heavy that they get stuck in the throat.

“Chop~ki! Write it over there!”

『… … .』

“But it’s scary when you go out in the hallway! You have to sneak around secretly!”

Eunha thought of herself as a person lacking emotions.

Because no matter what, just smile.

A lazy smile always engraved on the corner of the mouth,

So today, too, I hold the hand of the girl who is chatting lively and smiling just like usual.

(『[Red Woman] isn’t going with you?』)

(『What I want is not ‘you’.』)

At some point, [the red woman] disappeared from sight.

The galaxy moved forward.

Knock knock…

The sound of a carrier being pulled.

The sound of the sleeve of a pure white doctor’s gown brushing against my pelvis.

I walk down a strangely dark hallway.

“Sister. Sister.”

“huh?”

“Sister, I can’t see your face.”

“Oh, that’s scary.”

Swish.

The sound of rain hitting the window.

A sound that dampens the heavy silence.

There was little conversation going on.

Only the occasional sound of a girl’s chattering like a swallow can be heard.

The galaxy is just,

The woman in the doctor’s gown was just,

Holding the girl’s hand,

In response to the girl’s words,

I was just walking down the hallway with the girl.

『… … Weren’t you bored while you were here?』

“Yeah! The old lady next door plays with me a lot!”

“thank god.”

Was it because the hands we held were so small and precious?

It reminded me of old times.

It was like this before too,

I walked down the hospital hallway holding hands with that child.

(Is it stinging? Stinging?)

(Ouch! The injection is bad!)

(Should I get a shot to get better quickly?)

Good kid.

A child who particularly hated injections.

But I like the blood donation bus that my mother drives,

Every time I came to the hospital, I would get on the bus and my eyes would shine.

The image of you sleeping soundly on the blood donation chair still lingers before my eyes.

I wanted to do something.

『… … .』

Memories of ‘me’.

It’s not a memory of the galaxy.

As I stopped walking due to a burning headache, the girl walking next to me looked up at the galaxy.

The view looking up from below is blocked by a chest larger than the head.

I can’t see the face.

The girl, truly impressed, took a step back and lifted her crow’s feet.

Only then does the face of the galaxy, with its stiff smile, appear, like the moon rising over the mountain ridge.

“Sister, are you okay?”

There was no answer.

Just bend your knees and hug the girl.

The girl buried in his soft chest was startled, but soon let out a comfortable breath as she was embraced by the warm embrace of the galaxy.

A pure white doctor’s gown.

The smell of disinfectant that brings back memories.

That child who was light and bright like a dandelion seed.

『… … .』

But……still,

The girl in his arms was not ‘that child’.

I wanted to do something.

The woman in the doctor’s gown patted the girl in her arms.

it’s a shame.

Something is missing.

I was looking for something to bring back memories,

The ending that I’ve reached over and over again… is just regretting the memories that have left.

A hand filled with resentment caresses the area around the young girl’s carotid artery.

『… … .』

“Sister?”

『… … Huh? Huh? ”

Shudder.

Eunha, who had been absentmindedly touching the girl’s neck, answered with a start.

My head hurts so much it feels like it’s going to split open.

Eunha wiped the cold sweat from the back of her neck, feeling slightly dangerous.

The girl who was holding his large chest in her arms looks up at the galaxy with sparkling eyes.

“Sister. How can I grow up to be like you?”

“… Should I drink a lot of milk?”

『Wow! So there’s milk in here?』

“Sister, you are not a milkman.”

Squeak!

Then suddenly, the sound of a rusty wheelchair was heard in the darkness.

It’s the sound of a ‘doctor’ making rounds approaching.

『Ouch! Here it comes!…… Ah, Sister! It’s over there!』

At that moment, the girl in his arms pointed somewhere with her finger.

‘Blood storage room’.

Eunha picked up the girl and went in there.

Click!

The sound of a door opening.

Then, from beyond the darkness, the sound of rusty wheels squeaking and squeaking is heard, rapidly approaching.

Did you hear the door opening?

Eunha, who had rushed into the ‘Blood Vault’, closed the door, and ‘that thing’, which was running at a rapid pace, hit the door.

“Hoo…”

A feeling of pounding heart.

He puts the girl down from his arms and lets out a sigh of relief.

Eunha looked around the ‘blood storage room’ while smoothing her pure white doctor’s gown.

The blood donation boxes are completely empty, perhaps because there are few people donating blood.

Beneath the storage cabinet are a couple of ice chests for transport.

‘Blood storage room… Is the blood drawn from the [blood donation bus] not here? Or is it already all used up?’

Hurry up!

A girl pats the iceboxes lined up on the floor and drags them towards the galaxy.

“Here! There was more yesterday, what a waste!”

“… … .”

Hearing the girl’s words, he bent down and opened the icebox.

Click-.

The cold air seeping out through the lid lifted with hesitation.

Then, as the lid is opened wide, potions with familiar designs greet the galaxy.

[Silver Potion] made by Kang Nari by diluting the blood of the galaxy.

The thing that was kept cold in the ‘blood vault’ was discovered by a girl in the intensive care unit and brought to Eunha.

“… … Found it.”

My head hurts.

Dalgrakㅡ.

Eunha took out a bottle of potion from the icebox and made her usual smiling face.

Same smile as before.

However, the girl who was looking up at the galaxy quietly approaches her and hugs her.

“… … Why, is the potion stuck here? Where are you going to take it?』

My head hurts.

Because I swallowed the ‘gray pill’.

Surely, that must be the reason.

“Sister?”

『… Do you want to go back to the hospital room? Sister, I’ll go out for a bit.”

Click-.

The worries were long.

Eunha, who had taken the icebox containing [Silver Potion], left the ‘Blood Storage Room’.

… … .

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(Ms. Kang Na-ri. I’m sure you promised.)

A conversation I had with Banharin, a regular customer at the cafe, one day.

Kang Na-ri, a former debt collector, thought.

(I hope you will take care of the [Blue Dragon Family] affairs on your own so that no harm comes to Eunha. If it is difficult, I will help you.)

Why does this crazy corner of the house keep interfering with his and the galaxy’s future?

I’m living a good life, independent as if I was kicked out of my family, but why does the label of ‘Blue Dragon’ keep nagging at me at every turn?

( That, that’s why! If anything happens to Eunha from now on, I will help you! Because you are my benefactor! )

galaxy.

A benefactor to whom I owe my life many times.

I want to get a little closer, a little closer, and touch this and that.

I used to feel embarrassed by the ‘Blue Dragon’ that kept approaching me like an obstacle.

​

Today was especially so.

“What the heck is this?”

After parting ways with Eunha, who said she would take a quick look around the hospital, Kang Na-ri was guided to [Cheongryong General Hospital] by the security team leader who followed her like an attendant.

She picked up the documents she had found in the general affairs department and went to the hospital director’s office.

“You don’t have to look at me like that. It’s been a few years since I last saw you… Hmm? You seem to have gotten a few years younger.”

“Hospital Director.”

“Oh, you can call me by my name. I gave you two your vaccinations when you were little, but I don’t know if you remember.”

Overall, he is a square person.

A middle-aged man with particularly noticeable broad shoulders and a square jaw.

The director’s office, which is neatly designed, is filled with framed medical licenses, plaques of appreciation, and other items, as if he has a personality as sharp as his face.

If you are famous, you are famous.

He was a B-class hunter with the [Sterilization] skill who served as the medical team leader of the [Blue Dragon Guild] in the past.

“The kid who said he would become independent and open a potion shop is already like this… Time really flies.”

A relaxed attitude, as if Kang Na-ri doesn’t know why she came.

Were we acquainted with each other?

Kang Na-ri approaches the hospital director, ignoring the security guards following her, and nervously puts down the documents she is holding.

Documents found in the General Affairs Department.

It’s nothing special.

It simply states that the ‘Eun-gang Potion’ supplied by [Cheongryong General Hospital] was delivered to [Cheongryong Guild].

“… Where did you find that document?”

“I broke the safe. I’ll put it back when I’m done.”

Kang Na-ri clenched her fists as if it were a habit and rummaged through her pockets.

He places the remains of the safe, torn out in the shape of a palm, on top of a pile of papers on the desk.

[Ingredient Swap] skill that switches the ingredients of objects touched by both hands.

Could it have been written that way?

The hospital director coughed softly, sat down at his desk, and picked up his cell phone.

Click.

The security team leader, who had been quietly observing the atmosphere at the entrance, locks the door at the hospital director’s signal.

“Ahem… When I first got a call from the association, I was quite flustered. But I was so surprised when the auditor who came to see me was our youngest daughter.”

“… … .”

“The Association was very humble to the creator of [Silver Gang Potion]. How refreshing.”

The hospital director looks at Kang Na-ri.

The youngest of the [Cheongryong Family] who was so reckless that he borrowed money from private loans and went broke, but was fortunately able to recover.

A potion maker belonging to the [Blue Dragon Family].

“You must answer.”

“What?”

“Potions assigned to emergency patients. Why did you divert them to [Blue Dragon Guild]?”

“Because it belongs to the Blue Dragon. It’s a potion made by the youngest daughter, so it should belong to the Blue Dragon.”

Blue dragon.

Fucking blue dragon.

Other hospitals are fine, but this one is a mess.

With my house in this state, how can I face Eunha?

Cafe employee Kang Na-ri frowned.

“And as an additional note, it was transferred to the patient in exchange for full support of hospital expenses. It was a fair transaction, so there shouldn’t be a problem.”

“If there was no problem, why did you hide it?”

“… … It’s a place with the best medical facilities.”

The answer is vague.

It must have been strange to him that not one or two, but all of the emergency patients had transferred [Silver Potion].

“A person died.”

“The risks of the surgery must have been fully explained to the patient and guardian, and they must have signed a consent form for the surgery.”

“If you used [Silver Potion]…!”

“Being too consequential isn’t good either.”

I don’t know.

If Galaxy was by my side, or at least Banharin was there, it might have been a little better.

It feels like I’m talking to a wall.

The more I mix up the words, the less I feel like arguing.

Kang Na-ri let out a deep breath, holding back the thought of reaching out.

Consent form and all…

Aren’t these items supplied to hospitals under the ‘condition’ of being provided to emergency patients in the first place?

What about the doctor of the shattered galaxy?

What should I explain to her?

“… … .”

“Think about it. What is a potion? Aren’t they for hunters?”

Did he think he was being persuaded by seeing Kang Na-ri speechless?

The hospital director moved his square jaw into a kind smile.

“The hospital patients can receive treatment. But what about the hunters? They will use the [Silver Potion] our youngest made more efficiently.”

“… … .”

“Of course, I feel bad for having to hand over potions to all the patients… but when you consider the amount that gets discarded due to expiration dates, it’s still not enough.”

“… … Discard? Discard? ”

Kang Na-ri couldn’t figure out what she was hearing.

At least it doesn’t sound like a person.

Swish…

She clenched her fists as if it were a habit and turned her head weakly.

The security team leader stands guard behind the hospital director’s office, having locked the door.

“… The young master who forced me to leave like that, now only you and your older sister are left. If you want to inherit the family, you have to look broadly. You have to look beyond the patients in front of you, and toward the [Blue Dragon Guild] that is far away.”

“… … .”

“Come to [Blue Dragon Guild] on this occasion. If you want to save people with potions, you have to save my people first, right?”

In the end, the ending we finally reached was just a story about a wealthy family.

Maybe, to say that,

I wonder if he did this just to get me here.

(I hope that you will take care of the [Blue Dragon Family] affairs on your own so that no harm comes to Eunha.)

“… … Crazy guys.”

Because his family was too ashamed to approach Eunha.

I raised both hands while using the [Ingredient Change] skill.

… … .

… … .

… … Beep beep beep. Beep beep.

And then, at that moment,

The cell phone in my jeans rang.

“… … .”

Kang Na-ri stopped reaching forward and took out her cell phone.

Sender, Galaxy.

Have you seen all the hospitals?

Beep-.

For a moment, the hospital director was out of sight.

She answered the phone without hesitation and cleared her throat.

“Ahem… Yes…? Hello…?”

– Wow. Your voice is really hoarse. It’s me, Kang Na-ri. Are you okay?

“ㄴ, yes… What about you? I’m lonely because I’m alone.”

Rattling.

The atmosphere suddenly became tense and the voice was filled with affection.

The hospital director, who was sitting at his desk, was startled and dropped his cell phone.

– I found the missing potion. I’m going to the intensive care unit right away. Do you want to come with me?

“Okay…! I’ll be there soon, so go first…!”

– Thank you… Thanks to the potion that Kang Nari made, I can help people. Thank you so much.

Warm words.

That will do.

A fire breaks out in Kang Na-ri’s heart, which had been cold until just now.

What comes to mind is the image of Eunha, who came to save him even while getting covered in blood.

The galaxy dripping bright red blood,

The strong smell of blood makes my heart race.

A lump in the heart.

The desire to do something.

“Haa…… I’ll be there soon. Eunha unnie.”

Beep-.

After ending the call, Kang Na-ri turned her back on the hospital director.

In front of us, the security team leader stands guard at the locked entrance.

“Get out of the way. I won’t tell you twice.”

“Youngest girl. I just got a call…”

Bam!

As if removing an annoying obstacle, Kang Na-ri’s right hand grabbed the side of the head of the security team leader and pushed it to the side.

Then, the man who had been firmly guarding the door collapses like a doll whose strings have been cut.

“Nari. What…”

“I’m not dead.”

I wonder if the months of training under Banharin were worth it.

Kang Na-ri used the [Ingredient Change] skill with a faint smile.

Thump.

I touched the firmly locked door.

A skill that changes the composition and elements of objects touched by both hands.

Knock knock! Knock knock!

He swept down the thick iron door with his ‘right hand’.

Then, the things that made up the iron gate disappeared like smoke and fell down from the ‘left hand’ that was pointed towards the floor.

Finally, she completely broke the iron door handle, opened the door with a leisurely smile, and went out.

“Please charge the repair cost separately. I get paid a little more.”

“… … .”

“And I didn’t say anything, but [Silver Potion] isn’t something I can decide on?”

Kang Na-ri looks back at the hospital director.

Not the youngest of the [Blue Dragon Family],

A former debt collector who only makes coffee in a cafe,

“I’ll tell you the story I just heard properly… Wait.”

He leaves the hospital director’s office with a dark grudge.

Squeak…

The iron door, torn to shreds in the shape of a palm, screamed pitifully.

… … .

… … .

“Ugh, Eunha…! I’m here!”

“Are you here?”

“What’s that gown? It’s really pretty…”

After a while,

Kang Na-ri, who arrived at the hospital intensive care unit with light steps, joined Eun-ha.

She wore a pure white doctor’s gown over a boxy shirt.

In one hand he is pulling a black carrier, and in the other hand he is holding an icebox containing [Silver Potion].

“I’ll give the potions to the patients first and then think about it. What did you find, Ms. Kang Na-ri?”

” The hospital director was caught, and the potion went to [Blue Dragon Guild].

“Ms. Kang Na-ri. Nice words.”

“The hospital director is a purebred dog.”

“Like.”

A galaxy made lighter by attaching the lightweight artifact ‘1++ Sticker’ to the icebox.

After handing it over to Kang Na-ri, he goes into the intensive care unit.

Beep -. Beep -.

The scene in the intensive care unit was identical to that of [Neulpureum Emergency Center].

8 beds. Machine sound indicating heart rate.

A space where occasional groans of pain can be heard hitting your eardrums.

A heavy silence embraces my shoulders, as if even time has died.

“Wait a minute, this isn’t visiting time…”

“I’m from the Hunter Association. Please cooperate.”

The nurse left Kang Na-ri in charge and went inside.

The job is simple.

Returning [Silver Potion] to the patients.

Since this is the most urgent matter, I will do this first and then ‘deal with’ the rest.

Eunha checked each patient lying on the bed and took out [Eun Kang Potion].

“… … .”

and,

Patients lying down,

She looked at it carefully,

I stopped walking in front of a bed.

“… … .”

Beep -. Beep -.

He was a child.

Something like ‘Fly’ or [Doll Girl],

A young girl at the age when she should be running around and playing with her friends.

Next to the girl, a middle-aged woman who appeared to be a family member was wiping the girl’s face with a haggard look.

Beep -. Beep -.

If you look down, you can see a name tag that says ‘Lee Hee-jin’.

“… … Who is the lady?”

“Just… because he looks like a kid I know.”

“I had surgery 10 days ago, but I still haven’t woken up.”

“… … .”

“She was put under general anesthesia, but her brain is still asleep… Our Heejin is a sleepyhead.”

“… … .”

“I didn’t give it to you because they said the clinical trials weren’t complete yet, but if I had known this would happen…”

I took a step closer.

To the mother wiping the face of her sleeping daughter.

The girl who used to run through the dark hallways with a bright smile is lying here.

“… … You look like your mom.”

With a half-hearted desire,

It doesn’t fly away at all, but is playing somewhere not too far away.

Beep -. Beep -.

Eunha fiddled with the [Silver Potion] she was holding in her hand.

( “Thanks to you, young lady. Just by existing, you become a milestone for countless things.” )

​( “Do whatever you want. No matter what happens, we won’t blame you, young lady.” )

( “If I sleep well today and wake up, I’ll be able to run around with my friends!” )

Silver potion.

An object made from one’s own blood.

Not healing the wound,

Reverting to the ‘original state’,

A potion containing the [Self-healing] skill.

‘Can it be reversed?’

If so, please,

I hope that girl smiles brightly in her mother’s arms too.

“Mr. Mouse.”

“Did you call?”

The worries were short.

The ‘mouse’ who heard the voice of the galaxy opens the door to the intensive care unit and comes in.

“I’ll call you later. When I give you the signal, give that kid a potion. Or put it on his skin.”

“Okay, but why are you doing that?”

“Just in case, I thought it might be a good idea to try them both at the same time.”

A ‘mouse’ wagging its tail with an ‘inverted cross ring’ attached to it.

Maybe it is possible.

Beep -. Beep -.

A mechanical sound that indicates the heart rate.

Soon, Eunha thought of the girl who was waiting for her ‘over there’.

I left the intensive care unit with my usual smile on my face.