I wasn't sure when I had passed out, but I must've died because there was no other way that I would be feeling as comfortable as I was now. All the previous pain was gone and I was left in the hazy, semi-conscious state that came from not wanting to wake up from the best sleep of your life.
Faintly, I heard the soft sound of a door clicking and footsteps approaching, then felt the slight movement of air brushing over my hair. None of it managed to rouse me, though, and I continued to sleep, not giving the distractions much interest.
"Is he still sleeping?" What was Ash doing in my room?
Another voice responded, vaguely familiar with its high pitched, lilting tone. "His consciousness is stirring, but he won't wake for a while. We don't have to worry about him overhearing our conversation, if that's what you're worried about."
Ash hummed a little in acknowledgement, but offered nothing else. The silence reigned until it was broken by the unidentified second person, much to my dismay. Would they just leave already so I can enjoy my rest? Geez.
"There's no way this guy is a transmigrator. After that pathetic display? Yeah, no chance."
Ouch. There's no need to be so mean.
Ash seemed to agree. "Grey almost died. Have some compassion," he scolded.
A scoff followed, oddly musical. "I'm your system, I wasn't made to feel emotions like 'compassion.' Besides, who was the one who threw him in there despite knowing he was too weak to handle it?"
Wait, what? Hold on, there's too much to unpack right here. Ash had a system? It also kind of sounds like he set me up to get killed, but that's not important right now.
Why did Ash get a system and I didn't? We're both transmigrators, where's the fairness?
Ash cut off the rest of my thoughts before they could become too heated. "Did you already forget? You were the one, D00601, who said he was suspicious and that we should test him. I was just following your suggestion."
"I've told you my name is Delilah," the system snapped back.
"If you're going to insist that you can't feel emotions then you can't care whether I chose to call you by your chosen name or the one assigned to you."
I didn't need to see the expression on his face to know that Ash was mocking the system. So much drama. It was interesting at first, but now all I wanted was for them to finish talking and get out so I could sleep.
"If only the spectators could see your true face," came a wounded mutter.
"It wouldn't matter anyways. They don't care if I'm a good person, they just want a show and a show is what I'll give them."
Okay, what the hell is he talking about? At first, I was kind of following along, but now it's gotten way above my pay grade. Not that I'm getting paid, but damn it, I should be!
"Enough about that, though. We only came here to confirm he isn't a transmigrator, and we did. I still don't know why he could see you that day, but I don't think it's anything we need to worry about," Ash said.
It clicked then. The bird! That's why I thought the voice sounded familiar, I had recognized it as the talking bird from when I first met the guild members. Wait, does that mean the bird is Ash's system?
I heard the sound of footsteps walking away and the door closing behind them as they left. I tried to digest everything I'd just heard. What was up with these spectators Ash had mentioned? I swear, with each new piece of information I learn, this world just gets more and more complicated. I'm too simpleminded for all this.
And indeed I didn't think too hard about things. Why bother when it wouldn't help me at all? It's better just to go to sleep and deal with things as they come. With that in mind, I let go and finally fell into slumber.
When I woke again, it was for real this time and my eyes opened to a bright white ceiling. My attention was grabbed by a beeping and I traced it to an IV line running into my vein. More medical equipment stood nearby just outside the hanging privacy curtains.
Said curtains were drawn back to reveal Angel Boy donning disposable gloves while making his way over to me. I was hit with a burst of panic at the sight, recalling my last time being treated by a doctor, but I shoved it down and tried not to look anxious.
"Hey, Grey! Are you feeling okay?" Angel Boy asked, coming up beside me.
I nodded, adding, "Yeah, surprisingly."
And it was true. I probably shouldn't be alive right now, considering the state my body was in back inside the dungeon. Now, there was no pain to be felt, just the slight discomfort of the IV.
"Yay! I used my healing skill on you, but your injuries were so bad I wasn't sure if I fixed all the damage or not. I was kind of expecting there to be some leftover internal wounds, but if you're saying you feel okay that's a good sign."
"Thank you, Milo," I said sincerely. I really meant it too. All he's done since we met is help me and I couldn't have made things easy for him.
"Don't thank me yet. Wait till you see what I have for you," he grinned and pulled out a new prosthetic foot from behind his back, all shiny metal and expensive parts.
"I had wanted to get you a custom model, but the order had to be rushed after your injury. The old one couldn't be salvaged," Angel Boy explained to my stunned expression.
Tears welled up in my eyes and I dragged the back of my hand across to wipe them, sniffling as I did so. "Thank you," I repeated, trying to blink back more tears.
"Eh, what are friends for, right?"
I paused before I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. I hadn't really thought about it, but I guess I'd never actually considered us friends until now. Hearing that Angel Boy did, however, made me realize he had been acting like a friend this whole time. I was just too blind to see it.
Angel Boy worked in silence on attaching the food to my leg, letting me have my moment. The difference in pain levels of this time and the first time were so vast, and I felt a brief flush of resentment for the other doctor for being so rough.
When he finished attaching my new foot, he took out the IV and pulled up a chair to the side of the bed to talk.
"Do you want to talk about what happened in the dungeon?"
I was shaking my head before he could even finish the question. Nope. No way do I want to talk about it. I wasn't ready to revisit that trauma yet. I'd rather just try to forget for now.
Angel Boy scanned my face and sighed. He respected my wish, though, and turned the conversation to another topic.
"So, anyways, we all talked about it while you were sleeping and Ash suggested it would be better for you to stay out of the dungeons. Are you okay with that?"
Okay with it? Hell yes I am! Most people don't worry about dying for their job and now I am once again among that number. Why wouldn't I be happy?
"You don't need me to help?" Please say no.
"We've been managing just fine with the five of us. Use this chance to do something fun, maybe pick up a hobby. We've still got a few months till the tournament, so you'll have a lot of free time," Angel Boy told me.
I thought about it and Angel Boy smiled seeing me consider his words. "You've got plenty of time, so don't feel pressured."
"Alright."
Maybe I should get a job; find something to keep me busy. It also wouldn't hurt to earn some pocket change. I can ask the guildmaster if he's got anything. After I get out of here, of course.