Rhodes Island quickly dispatched helicopters and vehicles to retrieve all Operators who had escaped from Chernobog.
Although the rescue mission to retrieve the Doctor encountered numerous obstacles, the fact that everyone returned alive was nothing short of miraculous.
In fact, based on how the second half of the operation unfolded, it felt less like they had rescued the Doctor and more like the Doctor had rescued them.
The more they thought about it, the more surreal it seemed, like waking from a bizarre dream.
Upon their return to Rhodes Island, the massive land cruiser, Jay's physical condition appeared fine, but under pressure from both the medics and Amiya, he was pushed into the infirmary for a full examination.
Thanks to Jay's unexpected performance during the mission, Amiya had only expended some stamina and was otherwise unharmed.
Meanwhile, Kal'tsit, one of Rhodes Island's top leaders, had already ordered W to be detained and confined in the holding cells. Afterward, she returned to her office and began reading the abbreviated mission report Amiya had submitted.
Dealing with W could wait until the Doctor's examination was complete. What Kal'tsit truly cared about was what had transpired between Amiya and the Doctor back in Chernobog.
At first, when she read that the Rhodes Island team had managed to escape unscathed despite being ambushed by both Reunion and a group of Sarkaz mercenaries, she nodded in genuine relief.
However, as she continued reading the report detailing the Doctor's actions, Kal'tsit's expression gradually shifted from confusion to a deep frown.
"This Doctor in the report… what the hell is going on with him?"
After a moment, she pinched the bridge of her nose and turned to Amiya, who stood nearby.
"Amiya, is everything in this report about the Chernobog operation accurate?"
"Yes, Doctor Kal'tsit… Although some parts are admittedly difficult to believe, they did all happen."
Amiya answered honestly without hesitation.
"Hmm… hmm-hmm-hmm..."
After receiving confirmation, Kal'tsit rubbed her eyes in disbelief. She took a few deep breaths and braced herself to reread the report in full.
...
A few moments later, she completely lost it.
"This is absurd! The Doctor defeated an entire Reunion squad on his own? And he drove off a team of Sarkaz mercenaries by attacking their crotches?! Then he even managed to rescue the entire Scout Team? Does he not understand how dangerous that was? And then he arbitrarily changed the mission plan, kidnapped Reunion officer W right in front of their faces, and triggered a pursuit by their whole force? What the hell is this man trying to do?!"
"Doctor Kal'tsit, please try to calm down... At least we all returned safely. I'm sure the Doctor had his reasons for making those choices..."
Amiya tried to calm her down, but Kal'tsit wasn't finished.
"That's not even what I'm most angry about!"
"Huh? It's not?"
Amiya was briefly puzzled.
So what exactly had Kal'tsit so furious?
At that moment, Kal'tsit's temples twitched, and her hands holding the report began to tremble violently.
"This Doctor… he actually confessed to that woman named Talulah? He publicly confessed to her? How could he do something so outrageous?!"
She stomped her feet in frustration.
"Does he have any idea who that woman is? Talulah is the leader of Reunion! And he had the audacity to confess to her in front of everyone on Rhodes Island? Does he not understand how this kind of behavior could completely crush morale? Is Talulah really that beautiful? Or did she use some kind of charm-based Originium Arts on him? Even if she did, the Doctor still… he… where did he even learn something like this… he never… not even once with me… If I had known, I would have… unless the sarcophagus changed his personality…"
(This was followed by a thousand more words of Kal'tsit ranting about the Doctor...)
"Aha… haha… hahahaha…"
All Amiya could do was stand silently to the side and nervously laugh.
"Go fetch the Doctor. His medical exam should be done by now. Bring me his results, and bring him too! I'm going to teach him a lesson myself. Losing his memory doesn't give him the right to act like this! Hmph!"
"Understood, Doctor Kal'tsit."
Amiya followed the instruction and made her way to the infirmary, where Jay had just finished his check-up.
As expected, his results came back perfectly fine, which eased Amiya's worry… though now she had another concern.
"Doctor, Doctor Kal'tsit has asked to see you in her office."
"Hm? Kal'tsit wants to see me? Alright, please lead the way."
He had only ever seen Kal'tsit through the game screen before. Now that he'd actually transmigrated into this world, Jay was honestly curious to meet her in person.
Amiya led him down the corridor.
Along the way, she leaned in and whispered cautiously,
"Doctor… Kal'tsit seems really upset after reading the report from Chernobog… especially the part where you confessed to Talulah in front of everyone."
"Oh? She's mad about that?"
Jay was genuinely surprised.
He thought Kal'tsit would be more concerned about him suddenly capturing W, which led to them being chased down by Reunion forces.
As someone who had played the game, Jay was very aware of how cold Kal'tsit usually was toward the amnesiac Doctor...
Things like "grip strength tests" or "Cambridge University" were definitely within the realm of possibility with her...
"Yes. You might not remember since you've lost your memory, but when Doctor Kal'tsit gets angry, she can be… really scary. You might want to brace yourself for a proper scolding..."
"I see…"
Just then, a familiar chime rang out in Jay's mind, followed by a series of system prompts.
Please select one of the following options:
Rational Option: Obediently accept Kal'tsit's criticism. Reward: +30 Rationality
Mad Option: Kiss Kal'tsit to shut her up. Reward: +50 Kal'tsit Affection
Jay blinked at the prompts, momentarily stunned. Then, slowly, the corner of his lips curled into a mischievous grin.
Oh? If choosing the mad option raises Kal'tsit's affection score...
So that's how it is.
Kal'tsit… I've seen right through that tsundere heart of yours.