Isn’t it an Impossible Game for the Strongest Solo Gamer with Terrible Social Skills to Reincarnate as a Hated NPC in a VRMMO - The Strongest Solo Gamer with Terrible Social Skills Reincarnates as a Hated NPC in a VRMMO Chapter 119

119 Visiting the Sick ② Sleeping Princess

Next, I head to room 403.

This is where Yoshikawa and Sakaki are hospitalized. Sakaki Touko’s condition is particularly severe. Since it’s a women’s hospital room, I need to be careful when entering.

I think to myself as I climb the stairs, and on the 4th floor, I spot a familiar face – a bespectacled man, Kobu Masaharu… Just as I heard, he’s batting. Next to him is the tall volleyball club member, Takatou Aki. They’re probably on their way back from visiting Yoshikawa.

Now, what should I do…

When I see a familiar face, it’s normal to greet them, but unfortunately, I have communication anxiety. Even if I’m wearing the mask of a cheerful person, my fundamental personality doesn’t change. So, in this situation, my approach is to hide and slip by unnoticed. I won’t let anyone say anything about it. I won’t let them…

“…Ishiru?”

“What!?”

I was a second too slow in hiding! High and mighty Takatou, you’re too sharp! I reluctantly raise my hand to respond, caught off guard. Tohoho… I’m doing something unnecessary again…

“Is that so? I just dropped by because I was free. So, you’re saying it’s my fault for visiting Fukawa and the others?”

“Ahh… it’s not just Himeko-san. Segawa also… got hurt because of my responsibility…”

“Huh?”

“If only I had more power…”

“…”

Saying that, Fukawa leaned against the wall, his head hung low. I couldn’t help but look away at Takao, who had a stunned expression on her face. Was it going to be like this forever? How frustrating.

“…Hey, Fukawa? I know you’re drunk, but I don’t think it’s your fault that the two of them got hurt. Segawa is a tank, so it’s part of his job to get hurt, and Fukawa is the PT leader, right? Considering the rules of the opposing battle, it’s only natural to get targeted by the enemy. What are you even thinking about…”

“—That’s it.”

“Huh?”

“If I were the leader, it would’ve been better. I pushed Himeko-san into a dangerous role… and I chickened out. That’s what I can’t forgive myself for…”

What’s with him? …I get it.

You’re saying Fukawa should be the leader, right?

“—No way! It wouldn’t have changed anything!!”

“—”

I waved my hand to assert myself. In this case, the leader’s decision-making has nothing to do with it. It’s simply a matter of individual strength being insufficient. Even if Fukawa were the leader, I don’t think the outcome would have changed. It’s possible that the damage would have been even greater.

“That situation didn’t have anything to do with being the leader, right? Are you trying to punish yourself because it’s easier? You can’t bear to face reality, can you? I understand how you feel.”

“…No… I…”

“If you have time to regret, then start moving. Find out what you can do and take action. That’s what it means to do your best, right?”

“—!”

“…I talked too much. I’ll be off.”

“Ishiru!”

“Huh?”

“—Thanks.”

Takao bowed to me.

That’s why it’s so frustrating.

I left the two of them and headed to the 4th floor of the hospital ward. Ah, room 403. Room 403… and…

“This is it.”

I knocked on the door, but there was no response from inside. …Are they sleeping? I could just leave, but I was a bit concerned, so I quietly opened the door.

—Ah, I see.

I can understand why Fukawa had a mental breakdown.

This is… unbearable.

“—”

Fukawa Himeko and Sakaki Fuyuko. The two of them were lying in bed, their bodies covered in bandages, and were in a coma. The artificial respirator attached to them was a painful sight. Sakaki was still okay, but I didn’t want to see Fukawa in this state…

The hospital’s medical level is high, but even so, the damage is severe. With the development of recovery medicine, the recovery of external injuries has accelerated, but that’s not all-powerful. Rapid cell division promoted by the medicine would shorten telomeres and put an excessive burden on the body.

It seems that the government is encouraging the use of recovery medicine among explorers because of their human experimentation aspect. Other countries are also doing it without hesitation, so their values are broken.

This information is already publicly known, but considering the convenience, explorers have no choice but to use recovery medicine, right?

However… the problem lies in its quality.

In other words… medical technology in this world is lagging behind the original. The strategy information is shallow, and materials that require on-site processing haven’t been discovered yet. The development of high-grade recovery medicine is also due to that reason.

“…Sorry for the intrusion.”

I said, and I parted ways with the painful-looking Yoshikawa. …Next is the 5th floor, huh… I’m feeling heavy-hearted.