TNAAS Ch 4

Episode 4

“Oh… It’s just that I have trypanophobia^[1], so it might be a bit difficult…”

Yeonwoo made a last-ditch attempt. Even in a world where magic existed, he thought that blood would still be drawn with needles. But as if that wasn’t even a possibility, the staff member smiled brightly and reassured him.

“It’s fine. For people like you, we can draw blood using leech monsters instead of needles. Even if you have sensitive skin or are particular about hygiene, don’t worry. They’re safe, since they’ve been managed and refined directly by Ivant.”

There had never been a way out to begin with. No one could have imagined they would prepare this thoroughly. Yeonwoo’s so-called last resort ended up vanishing as nothing more than desperation.

With his very soul emptied out, Yeonwoo slumped his shoulders with the same worn-out expression as the others around him. The staff member ignored Yeonwoo’s hollow gaze and led him toward the examination room. People passing by flinched whenever their eyes met his, but nothing registered in Yeonwoo’s own.

What do I do now? If they find out I’m a Spirit Master, won’t they throw me into some high-level boss raids? That’s inefficient. And such a hassle!

He screamed silently inside, but no clever solution appeared. Then suddenly, a thought brushed through his mind.

Since he was a Spirit Master, maybe…

Ah, ah. Spirits, can you hear me?

Based on what he’d seen in anime or novels, spirits could usually communicate without words. Operating on that assumption, he tried it. But of course, nothing in this world ever went the way he wanted. He called to the spirits inside like a madman, but only hollow silence echoed back.

Then—

[Argh! So noisy! Why are you suddenly talking so much…?]

[Huh? Now that I think about it, why is he talking? Why is he able to communicate with us?!]

[Master! You learned how to speak! We told you ages ago to pick up speech, didn’t we?]

What was this? Multiple spirits? And noisy, at that? A faint light returned to Yeonwoo’s once-empty eyes, and he frowned. He wondered if spirits were supposed to be this noisy, but then realized with shock that he could finally communicate with them. That meant all his earlier thoughts might have been heard, too.

[We already knew you were an idiot, but this is serious!]

[And remember, spirits take after their master. You’re loud and dumb, so of course we are too!]

Yeonwoo grew dejected again at their merciless words that seemed like they would strip him to the bone. Up until now, he had only played the game outside this world, so naturally, there was no way he could communicate with them. There hadn’t even been any quest or story like that, so how could he have known?

When the examination room door came into view, Yeonwoo realized this wasn’t the time to be dragged around by them. He asked desperately, Can you guys materialize, by any chance? Like, maybe move around without being seen by others?

[Of course we can! We couldn’t before because you never told us to, but now we can!]

It was hopeful. After his last desperate attempt had been crushed so brutally, this new possibility felt even brighter. With his face lighting up, Yeonwoo pleaded with sparkling eyes. People passing by flinched once again at the sight.

Then… could you secretly draw some blood from someone else? There are plenty of mages here, so just one person’s blood would be enough!

A brief silence followed, then the sound of gagging echoed inside his head.

[Master, so that’s your taste? Collecting other people’s blood?]

[They say a quiet cat climbs onto the stove last^[2], and that’s exactly right for you!]

[This is why choosing a master carefully is so important.]

Just because words were spoken didn’t mean they made sense, yet they hurled insults without hesitation. To make it worse, the cat goes onto the stove first, not last. Though hurt, Yeonwoo refused to give in and tried his best to convey his desperate sincerity.

That’s absolutely not my taste. I have to take this test now, but if they find out I’m a Spirit Master, things will get really troublesome for you, too, won’t they? So please, I’m begging you! Please!!

[Then you should’ve said that from the start.]

[Every time you went to fight bosses, you never even paid us. It was such a pain!]

Yeonwoo almost wondered what spirits would even use money for, but he stopped himself, careful not to think it aloud in case they heard.

I’ll try to stall for time, so you have to hurry back, okay?

[We’ll be back, Master!]

The three spirits shouted in unison, and a small orb floated up in front of his eyes before quickly vanishing. At that moment, their voices ringing in his head also disappeared. It felt like a storm had passed, and Yeonwoo finally felt he could breathe easier. Of course, he was still worried they might botch the task, like children fumbling while trying to draw blood.

“This is the examination room. The leech monster will be prepared shortly, so please wait here for a moment.”

Arriving at the door, the staff member opened it and kindly gestured toward a chair beside it. Looking around inside, Yeonwoo felt puzzled. For a place supposedly used by everyone registering as mercenaries, it looked far too neat and spotless. Almost as if it were rarely used at all.

“Other people do use this room too, right?”

The staff member, who had just transferred the leech to an aluminum dish, flinched and glanced back at him.

“…Yes, of course, but is there… a problem?”

Not understanding why the man seemed so startled, Yeonwoo tilted his head and honestly shared his thoughts.

“It’s just too clean. I can see you did a good job cleaning, but still, it feels a bit…”

“We maintain sterilization through magic, so I believe that’s why it seems that way. Furthermore, this place is managed directly by the Guild Master, so we’re especially strict about cleanliness.”

“Oh…”

Watching the staff member rattle off words so urgently, Yeonwoo felt a flicker of suspicion, but since NPCs operated according to fixed settings, he figured this was just one of those cases and let it slide.

Well, considering this is someone who even hides his face, maybe it’s only natural.

Seeing Yeonwoo accept it without further doubt, the staff member let out a sigh of relief and approached with the aluminum dish in hand.

“The slimy texture might feel strange, but there won’t be any pain, so don’t be afraid. Now, could you give me your arm?”

The moment had finally arrived. The spirits hadn’t returned yet, and if things went ahead like this, it would spell disaster. Yeonwoo’s eyes darted around as he racked his brain for a way to stall. That was when a picture frame hanging on the wall caught his eye.

“What’s that frame over there? Is it a photograph?”

The staff member, who was about to grab Yeonwoo’s arm, turned his head toward where he was pointing. The moment he checked the frame, his face went pale, and he hurriedly blocked Yeonwoo’s view with his body.

“Th-that, that’s a photograph of the Guild’s elite members together with the Guild Master. I-I think it would be best if you didn’t look at it.”

To react so strongly over a picture of the Guild Master? Even more suspicious than before. Yeonwoo couldn’t understand why he was acting this way, and curiosity began to stir within him.

There’s an old saying that among all human desires, curiosity is the hardest to resist. And if it’s not there, then so be it. Anyway.

I can’t let this go.

“Hearing you say that just makes me more curious. Might as well take this chance to see the Guild Master’s face, right?”

Bouncing with excitement, Yeonwoo tried to peek around the staff member who was blocking his sight. But the man moved quicker, seating Yeonwoo firmly in the chair. Blue chains bound his waist to it, making it impossible to move.

“I apologize! This may be a bit excessive, but that photo is top secret. You absolutely cannot look at it!”

If that was the case, then why hang it on the wall at all? Clicking his tongue, Yeonwoo looked at the chains with fascination. For the first time, he was seeing real magic at work in front of him, and the sight stirred something grand in his chest—it was, after all, still a game.

Judging by the blue hue of the magic, this staff member’s class was likely “Cold.” Cold users mainly wielded ice magic and could form all kinds of structures with ice. In the game, of course, they only used basic attack spells.

Watching Yeonwoo staring blankly at the chains, the staff member felt guilty, as though he had done something cruel to an innocent child. Still, he resolved to finish things quickly and send him out.

“L-let’s continue then. Please stay still, if you would.”

Ah. Lost in wonder at the magic, Yeonwoo had momentarily forgotten about the examination. His face drained of color. The staff member moved swiftly, placing the leech onto Yeonwoo’s wrist. Now bound, Yeonwoo had no way to stall for time. Just as he was panicking over what to do, a clear voice rang in his head.

[Master! We’re back!]

Oh! My angels, you’ve returned!

He was so overjoyed that his eyes nearly welled with tears. The angel-like spirits had come back. While Yeonwoo was basking in gratitude, the sound of gagging filled his head again.

[Master, what’s wrong! Did you already get beaten up?!]

[Didn’t we tell you not to pick fights with random people?]

[How badly did you get hit for your mind to go this far?!]

It felt like they themselves were the ones striking him, but Yeonwoo was so glad to hear them that even such painful words didn’t matter. Now all he needed was for them to feed the blood they had collected to the leech.

Quick, give that leech the blood! Hurry!

[Got it!]

A faint warmth rose from his chest and flowed swiftly down into his wrist. Yeonwoo didn’t know exactly what was happening, but firmly believing that the spirits were working hard, he squeezed his eyes shut.