Free Web NovelChapter 492: (Un)necessary Treatment
In the end, the healer never got to Lane. After the prolonged, fruitless efforts to resuscitate Brian, he announced that he was too exhausted to carry on and help Lane as well.
Even though there were Guides around. He could easily receive some guiding and have his strength restored.
But he didn’t. Not necessarily because he didn’t want to (although that seemed to be true as well), but rather because of Team Leader Patel, who had clearly hinted that this was what he was supposed to do by asking him suggestively whether he was tired.
No one spoke up for Lane. Under any normal circumstances, perhaps they would have, but after hearing how Lane abandoned their Guild member, leaving him to die while only taking care of himself, they all felt that there was no need for that. Since Lane hadn’t helped Brian, he didn’t deserve their help.
Well, it was whatever. Lane didn’t care. He only had superficial wounds, and while he was bleeding, he didn’t feel much pain. The only problem was that his clothes got dirty, since when he put them on, his skin was still damp with blood and lake water.
As for the fact that his actions had been exposed... That didn’t matter all that much either. People were going to talk, and the Allens were surely going to use this opportunity to damage his reputation... But that was about it. Lane couldn’t be held responsible for choosing to save himself over Brian, especially not when they were underwater, with very limited oxygen, and several S-rank monsters that Lane had to take care of first. freēwēbnovel.com
His actions were perfectly justifiable. Most of those who now looked at him with scorn would have likely done the same in his place. Only because they were safe and hadn’t been with them in the cage were they able to judge Lane so harshly.
Regardless. Since when did Lane care about such things? He just answered all the questions, and once they were done, got into one of the jeeps. Now that he had made it through the ’accident’ his parents had planned for him, he should be safe for a while, as they wouldn’t be so stupid as to make another attempt at his life too soon, lest it might raise suspicions. Thus, Lane could finally get some rest. Not that he really needed it, but it would feel nice to get some sleep. Once he got back in his room, he was going to just take a quick shower and jump straight to bed.
...Or so he planned.
"Follow me," Team Leader Patel commanded, as the car came to a stop once again.
Jumping out of the jeep, Lane looked at the building in front of them, his brows lifting. "Where are we going?"
They were at the main reception hall, not in front of the Emerald Mansion, where most of the staff were staying. The two were not too far from each other, just a few-minute walk away, but still. The Emerald Mansion had its own parking, just as big as this one, if not bigger. Considering that they didn’t drive there, it meant that Lane most likely wasn’t going to return to his hotel room anytime soon...
Was the Allen Guild going to detain him or something? Over some stupid accusations or ’suspicions’? They had no basis to convict him, as Lane hadn’t broken any law (aside from unauthorized use of unreported abilities, but that couldn’t be proved. The tentacle monsters only had injuries from daggers), but they might want to try to use this opportunity to interrogate him some more, in hopes that he would slip up and reveal something he shouldn’t.
Or simply torment him. Knowing his parents, that was also a valid possibility.
But no.
"You’re injured. Since our healer couldn’t help you, we’re taking you to a hospital," Team Leader Patel shortly explained.
"...The hospital?" Lane’s face instantly turned pale. He had a bad feeling about it. Still, holding to the last bit of hope, he hesitantly asked, "The Association’s hospital?"
Team Leader Patel didn’t answer right away. Not because he was considering it or anything, but rather because he couldn’t be bothered. He was a Team Leader, and while Lane wasn’t from his Guild, he was technically working under him temporarily. There was no need for him to explain himself to Lane.
His lack of answer only caused Lane to turn even paler. Although it was neither a confirmation nor a denial... He suspected that the Association’s hospital was NOT the one that they were taking him to. Rather, they were probably going to drag him to the Allen Guild’s private hospital...
For the first time since the beginning of this whole damn thing, Lane started feeling anxious. He hadn’t been truly nervous in the arena earlier, nor was he afraid when locked in the cage, even with the very limited supply of air. But now, just thinking about the impending hospital visit, a sinking feeling took over his whole body.
Receiving healing was fine. Treatment at the hospital affiliated with the Association was alright as well. Having possessed multiple people, civilians, Guides, and Espers of various ranks, Lane naturally had gained a great understanding of the injuries they all typically suffered during fights and their recovery speeds. Faking a believable state wasn’t much of a challenge to him.
But that didn’t mean that it was foolproof. If the Allens wanted to use this opportunity to drag him to their affiliated hospital and run tests on him, they would be able to discover that he was not a mere A-ranker... They wouldn’t be able to find EVERYTHING about his abilities, of course, the Awakened science luckily hadn’t advanced to that point just yet, but still. Anything they might discover would at the very least put Lane on a disadvantage, if not cause him a lot of trouble soon.
"Uh, I don’t think it’s necessary. My injuries don’t seem serious enough, I’ll be fine with just some Recovery Pills and good rest..." he tried to get himself out of the situation, but Team Leader Patel shot him down immediately.
"You were injured during a fight with S-rank monsters. You need medical attention, even if you think you’re alright."
"Then, you can drop me at the Association’s hospital..."
"We can’t do that," Team Leader Patel interrupted Lane. "Since it’s likely due to our error that you ended up injured, the Allen Guild will provide you with best treatment at our private hospital."
"There’s no need for that, really..."
Lane’s words were once again cut off, this time by Team Leader Patel crossing the Gate. He didn’t give up, though, and bit his lip, quickly trying to think of any arguments he could use, as he followed the man to the other side. Not out of his own will, of course - given the situation, he really didn’t want to leave the dungeon at the moment - but rather because of the other members of the Allen Guild practically pushing him to move forward.
"Tsk." He clicked his tongue, throwing a quick, side-eye glance at the Esper next to him. Is that how the Allen Guild is treating the Association members who got injured because of them (kind of)? He didn’t bother saying anything, though, and instead turned his attention back to Team Leader Patel. Although he still haven’t figured anything out, he couldn’t just give up on arguing...
However, before he could say anything, his attention was completely stolen by the sound of a familiar voice.
