Chapter 96: Dumb Newbie (2/2)
”But you were, and how did that end up? What was your back-up plan? Your escape routes? Did you have any traps in-case someone followed you? Did you have any protection-artifacts on you? Did you have a diversion? A decoy? Nothing. You had nothing. And when things went south, you started running away as they beat you up. You're impulsive and overconfident, and you'll die because of that.” She blustered in Arthur's face; her face slightly too agitated.
Arthur found himself unable to say anything except clutch his fists until his knuckled blenched. He wanted to thank them before she came in, but now he couldn't bring himself to it. He lost blood and he was injured that he couldn't think about her words.
Seeing him go silent, the girl snorted and left the room. At the same time, Reece and a thirty-something man with dark green hair and a stippled beard walked in. The frustration in Arthur's heart left his body with a sigh, as he was too weak for it right now. He looked at the man who came in with Reece, he had dark circles under his eyes and looked nothing that an awakener should look like. His beard, what had grown of it, was messy and his lips slightly parted to hold a lit cigarette.
”Sorry Arthur, something happened before with Ivy that made her say these things,” Reece said referring to Ivy. Arthur kept his silence.
”Is this the shrimp? He's younger than I thought. Do I also need to change his diapers too? Nowadays, anyone that shits Vihan needs to do the wiping.” The man, Vihan, was as grumpy as Reece had said, if not more. Reece just put it more nicely. Vihan threw his leathered suitcase on the table and opened it while grumbling.
Arthur, lying horizontally, decided it was best not to antagonize this man whose body reeked of alcohol. He watched as Vihan took out black canisters from his suitcase. The man then butted out his cigarette and sat beside Arthur on the table and held his wrist.
Waves of gentle mana percolated through him, looking for the location of his injury. They gathered in his chest before Vihan let go of his wrist and started opening a few canisters.
An herbal aroma spread through the room instantly. Arthur saw Vihan more focused than a meditating monk as he started mixing some liquids in certain ratios.
”Undress,” Vihan ordered, and Arthur tried to sit up but his chest ached badly. He knew he couldn't take off his shirt like this. Seeing this, Vihan sighed and called out for Reece. ”Help the boy,”
”I'll be gentle,”
Arthur shivered at Reece's gentle tone. For some reason, he also felt a slight shiver from Vihan.
”Man, you're still creeping me out with this personality.”
”That's rude,” Reece grumbled while taking off Arthur's shirt. After some painful twists and grimaces, Arthur was topless and Vihan started his treatment.
He dipped his fingers in the chemicals and started tracing them on Arthur's body. His fingertips were unusually cold and Arthur flinched when it touched his skin. Vihan complained about that as well.
”You're lucky that Si saw something in you, my treatments are never cheap.”
His chest was now covered in chemicals and Vihan wiped away the chemicals from his hand while lighting another cigarette. He then hovered his hands above Arthur's bare chest by a few inches and green mana started descending from them.
They crashed into Arthur's body like hot lava, blending with the liquid, and seeping into his body. Arthur's screams reverberated throughout the house while Reece held him down. He was in so much pain that he almost passed out. He could hear his broken ribs mending themselves while his injured organs were burning as a prickling sensation overtook them.
It lasted for a few minutes before it stopped. When it ended, Arthur's consciousness faded as he had no strength left in him. He slept deeply that night.
***
Waking up from sleep came just as peaceful as his treatment had been torturous. When his eyelids parted, the first thought he had was how warm and cozy it felt. He stood up and realized there was no more pain. A blanket had warmed him throughout the night, probably Reace's doing. He flexed his body and marveled at how fast it healed.
”Well someone came back from the dead,” Ivy walked on Arthur, topless. However, she didn't seem to care as she examined him from head to toe. Arthur picked up the new shirt, probably also Reace's doing, from the table and put it on.
”I wasn't dead,” Arthur rebuked but continued before she could say anything. ”Thanks to you guys,” She seemed taken aback with his gratitude. ”You were right, I was reckless.”
”Ooh, it's good that you realized your mistakes, but your nickname stays unchanged. Sorry~” Despite her mean words, Ivy was grinning.
”However, Si could've sent you guys with me before I was caught.” He noted, looking at Ivy blankly. ”He wanted me to feel grateful for your help, for his help. He wanted me to feel helpless and then you'd come to my rescue,” Arthur could see Ivy's expression freezing before a playful and sly smile was painted on her lips.
”The Dumb Newbie is not that dumb, it seems.”