Dwarven gunshots and screeches from Homuculi faded as Hohemi and I squirmed through the city. Deep in the winding streets of the Artist's Mount, thinner than halls, I saw only cracks of the moon above. The buildings nestled together as if they were depending on the other ones not to fall. And, from the state of architecture, I got the feeling I was right. 

"What is this, a Pokecenter?"

We slipped past shifty characters and came to an oasis. The only open spot I've seen. Trees, a park, grass. There wasn't a walkway up to the dome in the center, only a big circle, generous helpings of grass fit to stuff a cow. 

It's like they cut a hole into the city. After winding past all those leering bastards, I was relieved. It's more taxing than I thought getting glared at by strangers. Their intent was clear. A bad taste soured my mouth, and my hands gripped Negi's thighs tighter. Hohemi stopped behind me as I shouldered on towards the dome carrying Negi. We stopped before a stone gate. Thick, closed, and pushing against it let me learn it was locked tight.

"I changed my mind. I'm coming." Hohemi said.

"The healer's dangerous, right? Wait out here. I'm fine."

I thought that was obvious. I've been carrying Negi for hours here. Guess not. I pushed the door in with gusto. Dynamic entry. It was locked, heavy, so I felt minor resistance as it snapped and collapsed to pebbles.Had to use more strength then I thought.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

At the time I responded I was bent over, gasping for air. That door was huge.

"The repair cost is going to be enormous..." Hohemi's worried voice bothered me.

This is breaking and entering, yes. The door was gigantic, yes. I almost used a spell to blow it open, but I felt an extra boost once I put in some effort. Must have been Anime Girl backing me up in Stand Form. She's been quiet. I wish she'd say something, even if I can't understand. It's unnerving.

I walked forward into an open area. Rows and rows of stone beds, waist high, layered across the bottom floor. I looked up and saw even more stone beds levitating on open floors, another loosely connected layer of stone beds floating on thin walkways one after another in lattices. Huge gaps opened up all the way to the ceiling. Rows and rows of stone beds shifting into the sky.

"Creepy."

It's like a sarcophagus. The taps of our shoes echoed out through the barren dome.

"Let me do the talking." Hohemi said as she walked forward. I followed after her hurried pace. Even though Negi was dying on my back and my chest was torn open under my blazer, she looked like she was the one in pain. Why? Does this mean she likes me?

I felt stupid for thinking about it at a time like this. I felt stupid in general right now. Really, healing Negi is, questionable at best. I don't have any strong reason behind it. The same with saving him. If I had to compare it to something, it was more like I spilled a soft drink in McDonalds and everyone was looking at me, so I nervously crouched down with some pilfered napkins and tried to clean it up before realizing it made more sense to leave it to the people working there.

Felt apt to me. I've never tried to clean up my mess in a McDonalds— off the floor, that is. When it was a little ketchup that spilled from the dispenser, I automatically grabbed a napkin and wiped it down. Was used to doing it from my movie theater job. More like a reaction than a decision. This felt the same. More preservation of the status quo of me not being responsible for human deaths. 

Oh, I won't count the Adventurers who got smashed by the tentacle. That's several times removed. More like, I decided to block it out and pretend it never happened. H a h a.

Hohemi lead me to the far end of the dome, revealing a small stairway. Again, a narrow crack. I just met Artist's Mount, and I already hate it. Why is all the architecture here so narrow? It's like something's being hidden. Annoying.

Hohemi descended first at a quick pace. I followed her down into a hallway. Doors, unmarked, plain, and stone lined either side of us. Must be rooms. The hallway extended into the distance, stopping at the other side of the dome. At least there's a ceiling here. It wasn't high enough to be comfortable. And I'm small.

Hohemi wound through the hallways. I lost track of all the turns, disoriented in the small bland stone space. Not sure how she expected me to find the healer in here. Maybe she didn't. Probably was going to lead me here, then ditch as soon as I went in? Strange. But, she came with, luckily. I didn't have the courage or will at the moment to question her out loud.

Hohemi stopped in front of one unremarkable door out of many. Does she know this place?

"Can you break this?"

"Wait, why me?"

"You're the one with brutish strength. And I'm not paying for any of this. Let's be clear here. The story, if anyone asks, ever, is that you threatened to kill me unless I did what you said."

"Yeah, yeah." I groaned.

"And don't say anything to her!" 

Nag.

I levered myself on one leg, praying to Anime Girl for super strength as I stomped my foot full force into the door. It popped off like a cork, sailing straight across a dark room. I heard a mirror break, and some girl's starlted voice. Hohemi stole into room, slipping out a second later twisting the arm of small big breasted girl in a white robe.

I only saw her from a distance with Ouji, but it's unmistakably Dojiko. Breasts X were unmistakable. No distance in time or space could separate me from the memory of Breasts X. Hohemi lowered her mouth to the girl's ear, whispering barely loud enough for me to hear.

"I'm sorry, Dojiko. This Homunculi made me do this. It demands you heal a Wilder."

Panic crossed her face. She didn't scream. Am I the villain here? Then, the healer looked at me in confusion.

"Homunculi?"

Her soft voice didn't match the situation.

"Yep." I said.

I wanted to get on with it. I'm the bad guy here. Yep. Let's heal the bastard on my back and book it. I want out of this place.

"Homunculi don't look this cute."

"I'm sorry for being so cute."

Dojiko looked from side to side. She wants to bolt. Rather calm headed despite being ambushed in her room. I complemented her guts. Hohemi dragged her arm, menacingly pulling her back into the darkness.

"Got a light?"

I walked into Dojiko's dark room and cast a fire spell. I kept it to the minimum, thought of a lighter. Luckily, it worked. Glad I don't have to heal Negi. Putting the responsibility on someone else always makes it easier.

Dojiko quiet fumbling movements lit up by flame damned me. If I were in her position, I wouldn't be so calm.

"This is Negi? You're asking me to heal him?"

Oh. So she knows him. 

"Do it." Hohemi's voice tolled over the crouching girl. I'm regretting this situation already. Even though it's not me threatening, I'm guilty. Definitely. The other option is let the kid die, so, I suppose it balances in this case?

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

Dojiko looked up to Hohemi from below. Her stammering worsened the longer she talked.

"I'll die. I'll be mutilated. If I heal a Wilder as powerful as him, it'll tear me apart. Just kill me. I won't do it."

And with that, Hohemi's long dagger unsheathed, shining in the firelight.

Ohh I am a very bad person now. The tears are coming. Quiet sniffles filling the room. Looks like healing magic isn't so simple in this world. I could always just shrug and leave, chalk it up to bad luck. It's not like I owe Negi anything. His value as a thirteen year old is what's keeping him alive at this moment.

"Aaaaaagh."

I let the noise out from my mouth like a steam engine. An older soldier type would be a corpse lying on the sewer floor right now. I feel like a horrible person. Hohemi started to close in on the teary eyed Dojiko.

"Okay, okay, stop, stop." I said. My hand was already rubbing my forehead.

Hohemi sneered at me. Hey. Aren't you the one threatening the small girl with the big breasts? And I'm the bad guy here? Indirectly, I'm the bad guy here, but only indirectly!

I hate to say it. I really hate to say it. I searched around for a candle, lighting it with my flame spell, I shoo'd Hohemi out. She didn't understand the gesture, so I resorted to pushing her physically. She gracefully followed my gentle direction into the hallway and flat onto her butt. "Keep watch."

I circled back to Negi laying on the bed, getting a good look at his wounds. I shifted my eyes away as soon as did. Damn, Yarko. I need to train her. I resolved it with once glance at her chew toy. I crouched next to the bed, sliding up close to the shaking girl.

"Okay. Hi. I'm Wizard." I put out my hand. This is how it's supposed to be done. Right? The healer stared at me blankly. At least her crying stopped.

"Dojiko." She said.

After she introduced herself, my body flexed into a dogeza. "[Gomen Nasai]." I flipped back up into a crouch, continuing as if nothing had happened. "My dog ripped this guy apart. I'll heal him. I'm very strong." I flexed an arm to show her.

"Hah?"

I don't think I am communicating properly. Oh well.

"Explain healing magic. Please."

I really hate this situation. I really hate being responsible. No, rather, he's was going to die if I did nothing, and it's not like I owe Negi anything. He even sliced me across the chest, normally swords don't bounce off chests but that's Anime Girl Physics for you. I should be just fine with letting him die.

Other people would say that. I don't think if I told anyone the story of what happened they'd be like 'oh so he attacked your party, and you didn't kill him?' 'Yeah.' 'Was he trying to kill you?' 'Yup. Shot my loli with an icicle.' 'What's a loli?'

The coversation replayed in my head. I rubbed my fingers against the side of my skull. This is no good.

"I-it's not like I care about him, or anything! I just happened to be responsible for heavily injuring him, is all!"

My words were lost on Dojiko. She tilted her head. Is she looking at an alien?

"To even begin, you'd need to first learn Stranding magic, it's incredibly difficult and takes years of practice."

Stranding? Oh. Maybe it's that thing I learned from Hohemi. I laid my hand on Negi, choosing a non-wet spot. I saw the image of a tree branch shoot into his mana from my hand.

Compared to the tentacle mass, it was much smaller. Like a pond, instead of an ocean. I got a feeling of 'wow is this it?'

"What are you doing?" Dojiko interrupted me. Her eyes went from my hand to my body. "You know it? Are you a healer? But, why would you ask about healing magic, then..."

"I'm different. Go with it. This will all be over soon, I promise."

The words came out of my mouth without prompt. Look, no one likes this, so, might as well be quick about it. End the pain.

Dojiko sighed. She put her hand on Negi, choosing a much more ugly spot. As she did, I felt something enter Negi's mana pond. It was a couple strands, like hair. Oh, so Hohemi must know this 'Stranding' magic, too. I was right. I remember her 'injecting' me with the strand in that cave, it felt more like a tiny whip compared to Dojiko's long hair strands. I guess Hohemi isn't very good at the spell?

"What is this?" Dojiko said. "I can't see anything. It's vast. Like, there's no horizon. Is this Negi's mana? Impossible... this doesn't make sense."

"It's okay, nothing is going to make sense for the next couple minutes. I'll be out soon and let you get back to sleep. Please bear with me for a little longer please."

"You're very nice for someone who has no problem breaking into a girl's room late at night..."

"The situation calls for it! I'm innocent!"

Dojiko struggled. I saw her struggle. Is it painful? Is this the part where her common sense broke? After a brief interlude of pain, she switched into a more focused mode. Years of experience must have tempered her. Not for something like this, though.

"Align yourself to his mana."

"Ok."

I had no idea what she meant, but I'm not going to bother asking questions now. I forged ahead, feeling out Negi's mana. I pressed on it with my tree branch strands. It wrapped into a ball. I could feel it. Tiny, but there.

"How... okay. Okay." Dojiko looked like she needed a moment alone. "Now, command his mana. Act like you're casting a spell. You're casting a spell with his mana. Tell his mana to heal his body."

"Alright."

I didn't like the sound of this at all. I wedged part of my mana into Negi's and—

[Chotto matte.] (Wait a second.)

What? Anime Girl? Where were you? Awfully silent, a lot happened, I was really scared! My heart literally got torn out, this is your body too take some responsibility please!

[To ma te.] (Stop.)

My mana trunk retracted from Negi's mana.

[Kou.] (Here.)

My mana wrapping Negi's began to vibrate. I felt it expand, then it rose into a volume. Sound? It's, an Anime Opening? Wait, this one's weird. I've never heard it before, but the lyrics are clearly in japanese.

[Gambare.]

Sound? Do you mean, like tell, use words on his mana, right?

[Hai! Gambare!]

I really wished I had a more direct translation service, here. Goddamn it, I swear I'll tame Yarko until she translates Anime Girl's lines on the fly after this! Here it goes. Let's see, image—

[To ma te!] (Stop!)

I'm casting the spell, what's wrong?

[Hibike.] (Sound?)

Okay. Words only. Wait, it's like when I talked to Yarko inside the tentacle? Is that it?

[Hai hai.]

Dammit. Okay. Negi, heal yourself. I chanted in my mind, keep my mana wrapped around his. Negi's body shook. Am I doing it wrong? Probably. Should I stop? Nope.

Ice appeared over a wound on his chest. Then all over the torn parts of his body, ice flooded into the wounds. He's good at ice. So, what, he's healing himself with ice?

Dojiko wordless stammering set a good background music as Negi's eyes snapped open.

"[Ice Heal]"

Did he just say his spell out loud? People in this world don't do that... I'm worried. His whole body patched with ice, I couldn't see any blood anymore. Chunks of ice smoothed over his wounds, then, the ice appeared to shrink a little. Like, it was contracting like water. Ice is solid, so my eyes didn't believe it, but clearly the ice moved. Like gelatin? It's jelly!

I read online about Earth having some sort of chemical surgical glue. It must be like that. Better than duct tape I guess. Though duct tape is more versatile.

As the wounds shunk, they then reversed, expanding. Negi sat upright, knocking Dojiko and I away from him, his hands weaving strange symbols in front of his body. Oh no, they look familiar...

"[Kaihou!]" (Expel?)

The ice burst out of his wounds into shards, then the shards shattered into shining droplets. Negi moved his body. Checking out his own hands, he stared around the room. Then at us. Then at my breasts. Then at me.

Good, he looks 100%— wait, he's 100%! Another conversa— er I mean he might kill me. Yeah. It's dangerous. I glared at Dojiko's breasts, then to her face, and at Hohemi who peeked her head in. This is indeed a dangerous situation.

Naturally, it's times like this after healing someone who tried to kill you that you just have to get lost. I did my job, so, responsibility— over. Plan? Escape.

I dashed towards the door as Negi muttered something in confusion, snagging Hohemi along for the ride. I dashed through maze of the catacombs or whatever tugging her along, I didn't realize I had no idea where I was going.

"Left!" Hohemi said.

I turned left. She's flying from behind me like a banner, and yet still, she kept her wits. Strong minded, I'll admit it, I admire that about her. Dashing through the halls under the healing dome, Hohemi successfully steered me to the stairs, where I finally stopped to lever her down carefully, making sure I didn't hit any vulnerable parts. Don't want to heal anything else if I don't have to, that didn't look good.

I soared up the stairs, Hohemi's steps reaching my ears from behind. She's following. Damn. As I ran throught the empty dome, I heard gasping start to crop up, then I lost the sound. I turned, seeing Hohemi in a full dash. She's fast. She bolted after me. Despite her speed, mine was still nonsensical.

At the moment, staring at Hohemi's chest, I understood I could cut my losses here. Go back to the Laughing Dragon. Ignore the dwarves running from their lives thing. Hide under the covers and pretend this never happened.

That was what I really wanted to do. I looked down at my loafers. My right loafer loli, Stehy. Would she be okay with what I just did? I don't know. She did want me to do heroish. That was somewhat heroish. I guess? At the least, I upheld my ideals. Staring at my left loafer loli, I thought back to that painful moment.

It wouldn't be easy getting out of Artist's Mount. The place is really narrow, I don't have a good sense of direction. Maybe Anime Girl could guide me, but—

"Haaah." I sighed. Resting my hand on the back of my head, I relented. Hohemi. Hohemi. I don't have much of a choice, do I? I could get out, I mean, if it got bad maybe I could try a spell or two, I've got good climbing ability so getting out isn't much of a problem but...

Hohemi met me at the door, gasping for breath, she stood up, trying to appear like she wasn't completely winded. It's okay to lose to an existence like me, Hohemi. After all, I'm an Anime Girl, we have our own set of physics, a pitiful human has to obey weight and speed and use muscles and stuff. So, I won't apologize for winning.

"Fast."

[Hayai.]

Anime Girl chimed in. She sounds happy for some reason.

"Um."

I said it as a filler as I looked Hohemi in the face for a minute. My brain turned into a "Now Loading" screen.

"Wizard. You. What are you doing? You're still wounded."

Oh. She still thinks I'm wasn't serious about being fine about the gaping hole in my chest. That's nice of her. I realized then, her smile hadn't been on her face since I saw her in the sewers.

"Er."

My loading screen wasn't finished yet.

"Can I. Go home with you?" I said.

I regretted my words as I was saying them, and even more when Hohemi nodded. Damn her.