All-rounder Healer Chapter 274: Just A Heal

　The next day, as soon as I woke up, I felt a coldness on my face.

“Ugh…” (Rook)

　The room is cold. It’s the coldest I’ve felt since I came to this world.

　I got up while holding Shion, who was sleeping tucked under my arm as if it was his permanent position, and put on the fur cloak that I had been using as a comforter.

“Alright.” (Rook)

　I left the room, went down the stairs, opened the door to the inn, and stepped outside to find a flurry of petal-like snowflakes outside.

“It’s snowing?” (Rook)

　No wonder it was cold.

　The ground was not covered by snow, but I could see small patches of snow at the edge of the street.

　From the looks of it, it might have been falling since the night.

“Hmm…” (Rook)

“Kyu?” (Shion)

“No, I thought we should explore outside of town while we still can.” (Rook)

　This kind of snow in early winter will probably fall deeper in midwinter. It is better to know the surrounding terrain while I can.

　After the snow covers everything, it will be hard to see anything.

　Besides, I’d like to get out of town to experiment with [Light Arrow].

“That’s the plan.” (Rook)

　We then went to the Adventurers’ Guild to gather information about the surrounding area, but it was the morning rush hour and we couldn’t find any adventurers who seemed to be free.

　So, I went to the tavern master to get some information about the area.

“There are a lot of abandoned mines around here. They are all over the place.” (Tavern Master)

“Hee, I see.” (Rook)

“Monsters sometimes live in abandoned mines and turn them into nests, so adventurers asked to patrol them regularly. …That’s a request that only adventurers whom the guild trusts will get.” (Tavern Master)

　I wrote down what I had heard on a piece of paper.

“There is an entrance to a mine on the west side of town that they are still digging, but you won’t get much out of going that way.” (Tavern Master)

“Why?” (Rook)

“The town is crowded with people, so even if monsters appear, they will be hunted immediately, and in the first place, it is controlled by the military. Monsters have already been cleaned up, so you won’t find any.” (Tavern Master)

“I see. That’s right.” (Rook)

　I had a glass of thin grape wine, and I asked him a lot of questions.

　After leaving the Adventurers’ Guild, we headed out of town to gather information.

　There are several mines around the town, and many of them are abandoned. The mine currently in operation is on the west side of the town. The mountain range on the west side is steep and difficult to climb normally. The area around the town, as well as the areas near the mountains, are rocky and rocky, and not much vegetation grows—

“Ah, is that so?” (Rook)

　If there is not much vegetation, there should be few medical herbs available. In other words, I think it is very likely that they are not able to produce as many potions as other towns. That means—

“Are they more dependent on recovery magic than other towns?” (Rook)

　I think that’s a strong possibility.

　The price of potions may be higher than in other towns.

　Given that, I think it is only natural that the Adventurers’ Guild here places a high value on recovery magic users. Since potions are a difficult alternative, the presence or absence of a recovery magician will make all the difference.

　I left the town while thinking about various things, and walked toward the south with the slum on my side.

　On the right side is a large mountain range running north to south. On the left side is a wasteland. Rocks of various sizes were lying around in the bleak landscape of the mountainous area.

　Here and there we see what appear to be adventurers, and others in tattered clothes, not sure if they are adventurers or not. What are they doing?

　After walking for a while along the path leading from the south gate, I spotted a small presence behind a rock.

“Is that a Horned Rabbit?” (Rook)

　I gripped my Mithril Alloy Cudgel and walk cautiously.

　As I approached the two-meter-high rock from the outside to go around it…

“Gyu!” (Horned Rabbit)

　A small gray mass leaped out of the rock and struck me in the shin. I swatted it away with my Mithril Alloy Cudgel like a golf swing, and with a crack, the gray mass hit the rock and stopped moving.

“This must be a little tricky if you’re a low-rank adventurer…” (Rook)

　A rushing attack from behind a rock to my feet. I know its location with [Magi Location], but a normal adventurer might not notice. Even if it doesn’t result in a fatal injury, if you’re a low-rank adventurer, if the large blood vessel in your leg is damaged, you may end up with a disability.

“That’s when a healer might be needed.” (Rook)

　I break off the horn of the smashed dead Horned Rabbit and put it in the bag. Dismantle the body. Since I’m not used to it, it doesn’t work very well.

“There hasn’t been a lot of chance to dismantle monsters lately…” (Rook)

　In the dungeon in Elem, there was no dismantling because the monsters disappeared, and in the dungeon in Aluppo, there was almost nothing to dismantle because it was full of undead. I have a complete lack of experience.

“It’s a good opportunity for me to practice with a Horned Rabbit..” (Rook)

　I would probably have to deal with higher-ranked monsters sooner or later, and I would hate to be bad at dismantling them that my materials were ruined and there was no point in hunting them down.

　With this in mind, I dismantled the Horned Rabbit into magic stone, shredded meat, and rag-like fur, and put it in a bag.

　…Well, I guess I’ll get a little better at it if I keep dismantling Horned Rabbits over the winter.

　I use [Purification] on everything and stand up.

　I check my surroundings with my [Magi Location], but there’s no sign of the creature.

“I’ll try out the Light Arrow here while I’m at it.” (Rook)

　I point my right hand at the large rock where the Horned Rabbit was crushed along with an incantation.

“Light, pierce my enemy! [Light Arrow].” (Rook)

　An arrow of light – more like an ice pick – shot out from my right hand and flew toward the rock, bouncing off the rock as soon as it hit.

　A cloud of dust danced around it.

“…hmm.” (Rook)

　When I approached the big rock and observed the place where it exploded, the surface of the big rock was slightly gouged, but it didn’t look like it had sustained that much damage.

“The light attribute has the lowest offensive power… huh?” (Rook)

　That’s what the grimoire said, and I realized it again.

　This magic cannot be a ‘trump card’. It is simply one more long-range attack of a different kind.

　I tried a few trial-and-error methods, such as applying more magic power, but it just didn’t feel right.

“More like this… Eternal Force Blizzard! Yes, the enemy will die! (Rook)

“Kyu…” (Shion)

　Without paying attention to Shion’s flabbergasted voice, who had suddenly poked his head out of my hood, I thought about it.

　Currently, I feel that it is difficult for me to aim for high power with attribute magic. With this, [Holy Ray]’s power is overwhelmingly higher. Should I think about the high power increase from a different direction…

　After checking the surrounding terrain and defeating the Horned Rabbits I encountered, I returned to town before dusk.

“Oh, Mr. Rook, just in time. Are you going to be okay with your time now?” (Receptionist)

“Huh? Oh… Yes, sure.” (Rook)

　When I went to the Adventurers’ Guild to report the defeat, I was immediately approached by a familiar face.

　She was Sarah, the receptionist who helped me when I first arrived at the Adventurers’ Guild.

“Actually, a young adventurer has been injured, and it seems that he doesn’t have the money for the church to heal him…” (Sarah)

“Oh… I see.” (Rook)

“So, as a reward, it seems that I can manage to get five silver coins, but what do you think? The Adventurers’ Guild doesn’t charge a fee for this service. Can you at least take a look at him for now?” (Sarah)

“……I understand.” (Rook)

　I don’t know if five silver coins are cheap or expensive, but from the way the conversation went, I’d say it’s pretty cheap.

　Now, let’s see what it is…

　When Ms. Sarah took me to a room on the second floor of the guild, there was a man with a bandage wrapped around his leg—or rather, a boy lying on the ground, surrounded by three men and women of the same age peering into him.

“Mr. Rook, it’s him.” (Sarah)

　Ms. Sarah’s words drew everyone’s eyes to us.

　His face was young and he looked younger than I am now.

“A healer?” (Adventurer)

“John! A recovery mage is here! You’re going to be alright now!” (Adventurer)

“Please take care of him!” (Adventurer)

　His three party members shouted.

“They are adventurers from the slums who live day-by-day. He’s alive, but his injured leg will keep him immobile for a while, but if he continues like this…” (Sarah)

“…if it continues like this?” (Rook)

“Even during the warmer seasons, the three of them won’t be able to support the lives of an injured party member… but right now…” (Sarah)

“Oh……” (Rook)

　I have noticed many things.

　It’s heavy, too heavy! I wonder if the medical professionals on Earth are also carrying such heavy pressure.

　I don’t even want to imagine it, but they would face all kinds of things if I refused to help them here.

　Many things come to my mind that I think about and don’t want to think about.

“I understand. Let me help him.” (Rook)

　Saying that I kneeled down in front of him and activated my magic.

“Light healing [Heal].” (Rook)

　A soft light enveloped the stilled adventurer.

　That was all I did.

　The wound would be completely healed, though I could not see it under the bandage.

“Huh? Oh! The pain is gone!” (John)

“Hooray!” (Adventurer)

“That’s good! Thank goodness…” (Adventurer)

　As I watched them tearfully rejoice with each other, I found myself thinking about a number of things.

　A young man, younger than I am now, could have his life ended by a wound that can be healed with just a single [Heel]. Such harshness exists here.

“Thank you! Thank you very much!” (Adventurer)

“Thank you for saving my life! Thank you!” (John)

“Really, I don’t have words…” (Adventurer)

“Thank goodness……” (Adventurer)

　Hearing their words of gratitude, I think again.

　This is not a world where people who are injured or sick can receive free medical treatment. It is different from Japan. It is a world where people without money usually die in the streets.

T/N: This chapter really stuck with me. I used to take care of some terminally-ill patients in church-run care homes. It’s not pretty and money was never there. Ugh. I don’t like this chapter. 

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