Chapter 32
A massive Spirit Sprout corpse.
Larger than other sprouts, it was clearly an elite specimen.
One person passed out, and another who only had a nosebleed but seemed healthy.
Here’s the question.
Who defeated the Spirit Sprout?
“It’s unfair!! Bilha did it!!”
Sigrin clutched her forehead and shouted.
She expected the misunderstanding, but no one believed her explanation.
“Ugh… But doesn’t Bilha only have a latent core?”
Apple gave an awkward look.
“Check the Kill Count Watch. I didn’t kill any sprouts, I swear!”
“Miss, beasts not assigned as tasks don’t get recorded on the watch. …But you’re right.”
Luca, who had hoisted Bilha over his shoulder like luggage, looked at Sigrin, who was desperately trying to explain.
“Well, it does seem like you took it down alone… But some beasts attack in groups, so don’t go ahead. It’s dangerous. If you really want to go, call me. I’ll put together a party with strong people.”
“I’m not going!!”
Luca narrowed his eyes.
If you’re going, go with me.
He’d been worried, but seeing her perfectly fine made him a bit annoyed.
Bilha, who went with her, was sleeping peacefully while Sigrin dealt with the beast.
Even if he wasn’t helpful, she wanted to bring him, so she did.
“If you ever want to go, just say so. For now, this place is dangerous, so let’s get out of the mid-tier hunting grounds and talk later.”
“Okay, sure.”
Smiling brightly, Sigrin opened the lid of her Violin Case and placed it over the beast.
I’ll process it into items later.
Whoosh!
The Violin Case rattled and swallowed the corpse in one gulp.
But now, the side effects were starting to creep up.
She felt like collapsing.
“Apple, can you carry me?”
“Of course!!”
Apple, who’d been staring blankly as Sigrin made the massive beast corpse vanish, lifted her without complaint.
✦ ✦ ✦
Thanks to the strong Luca, Sigrin safely climbed the cliff leading to the beginner hunting grounds.
Thinking about how she suffered just to climb a not-so-steep cliff made her want to cry.
Sigrin was moved to the nurse’s office with Bilha. Midway, she started running a fever and felt dizzy.
Meanwhile, Apple seemed relieved.
She’s human after all.
Defeating a mid-tier elite beast alone and being completely fine would’ve been stranger.
Lying on the nurse’s office bed, Sigrin exhaled hot breaths.
Just as Bilha escaped his curse side effects, now her ability side effects tormented her.
Her fever spiked, and her consciousness grew faint.
“When Bilha gets better, you get sick. When you’re sick, Bilha’s fine. A relay of invalids?”
The nurse’s office teacher, Melimel, snorted and asked.
Sigrin was too sick to respond, seeing stars on the ceiling.
“Purr.”
Bilha poked his face toward Sigrin and muttered.
“Huh…?”
“Purr.”
“Yes, I’m purring.”
Bilha stared at Sigrin, sweating and grimacing.
Something felt off.
He wasn’t in pain at all.
Normally, they’d both be suffering together.
Bilha recalled the fight with the beast.
Had he been attacked without realizing it?
But he took all the hits and did all the fighting, so why was she the one suffering?
An image flashed through his mind.
[Kyaaah!]
Sigrin tumbling down a cliff from the recoil of her gun.
[Argh!]
Sigrin tripping over her own feet while running.
[Wilt-wilt nosebleed!]
Sigrin shouting something strange and bleeding from her nose.
Sigrin was the weakest person Bilha had ever seen.
Maybe even weaker than him.
“Bilha, how’s your condition now…?”
“Less pain.”
“Less pain, good. The blessing worked.”
Sigrin smiled brightly and placed a hand on Bilha’s head, gently patting it.
“I’m glad you’re in less pain.”
“….”
Bilha gazed at Sigrin, then closed his eyes.
“Bilharan, you’re fine now, so you can leave.”
“…Ugh.”
Reluctant to leave Sigrin, Bilha lay back down, feigning illness.
“Fine, rest more.”
✦ ✦ ✦
The nurse, Melimel, had to go home too.
The nurse’s office couldn’t stay open 24 hours.
“Student Sigrin, feeling better? If you’re still sick, want to go to the Cardia Temple? The priests there work at night.”
“No, I’m much better… I think I can go now.”
Yawning, Sigrin blinked slowly.
Time to head back to the dorm.
After packing, she headed to the Lemaos Library.
The sun was setting.
Despite the eventful day, the calm ending made it feel like nothing had happened.
Step, step.
Step, step.
Though she walked the hallway alone, there were two sets of footsteps.
“Um… Bilha?”
“…?”
“Not going to Midriba?”
He shrugged, and Sigrin shrugged back.
When with Bilha, it was best to turn off her thinking switch.
Wobble.
Her legs buckled from lingering side effects. She nearly collapsed, but…
Grab!
Bilha, walking behind, caught her by the collar, lifting her like a cat or dog.
“Uh… It’s a bit embarrassing, but thanks.”
Sigrin resumed walking, and Bilha followed like a duckling trailing its mother.
They eventually reached the Lemaos Library.
“Living the good life.”
Luca commented, seeing Sigrin lounging in a cart Bilha was pulling.
After stumbling a few more times and being caught by Bilha, Sigrin asked him to pull the cart. Luckily, one was nearby.
“So, you decided to adopt him?”
“Adopt? He just followed me.”
“…For someone who ‘just followed,’ he’s pulling your cart.”
“I was dizzy and couldn’t walk, and he kindly offered a ride.”
Getting up from the cart, Sigrin placed a hand on Bilha’s shoulder and smiled brightly.
“Thank you for taking care of me until the end. You can go now.”
“….”
“….”
“…?”
Bilha didn’t leave.
“Miss! I got porridge and snacks since you might be hungry at the nurse’s office… Huh?”
Hearing the library door open, Apple rushed down from the second floor and sighed upon seeing Bilha.
“Ha… So, he’s been demoted to a pet?”
“Can Bilha eat snacks with us? He looks hungry.”
“Sure, sure!”
“Tell me how much you spent, and I’ll pay you back.”
“No, it’s fine! Just let me stay your subordinate!”
“…Huh?”
Sigrin was a bit taken aback but nodded, thinking Apple really wanted it.
“I said before, if you want, go ahead.”
“Yes!! Thanks! I’ll bring the snacks right away!!”
Apple bounced up the stairs excitedly.
Sigrin felt a bit conflicted and turned to look at Bilha.
Bilha blinked sleepily, his eyes half-closed.
“Bilha… You didn’t follow me all this way to become my subordinate, did you?”
Bilha rolled his eyes to look at Sigrin.
“You’re my closest friend.”
“…!!”
Sigrin suddenly recalled the time she brainwashed Bilha.
[Who’s Bilha’s closest friend?]
[White Head.]
[That’s right! You’re closest with White Head. Good job.]
Hearing the results of her diligent brainwashing now felt deeply moving.
It might be the brainwashing, but overcoming hardships together had definitely brought them closer.
Making another friend felt really good.
Oh! I can finally submit the assignment from Assistant Angel!
Her original reason for befriending Bilha was to complete the assignment perfectly, so it was about time to submit the report.
Sigrin smiled happily, unaware of the trouble awaiting her the next day.