It was highly likely just a false alarm. After all, even in a zombie apocalypse movie, getting scratched by a passerby didn't guarantee turning into a zombie.
The probability of being infected by a single scratch from Old Sven wasn't high.
But saying there was a high probability of being fine wasn't comforting—it was torment. It was like waiting for a biopsy result at a hospital; no matter how much the doctor reassured you that the chance of malignancy was small, you couldn't put your mind at ease and only grew more nervous.
All you wanted was to know the result as soon as possible, even if only a minute earlier.
That was precisely Lynch's state of mind right now.
He knew full well the odds of infection were low, but that didn't stop his mouth from going dry with anxiety.
The chance of hitting the jackpot might be low, but the mortality rate was a hundred percent—still quite a thrill.
What pained Lynch most was that there was no way to know the outcome in advance; he could only wait until enough time passed to see whether he went mad.
Just give me a definitive answer whether I'm living or dying right now! Why do I have to wait several hours?
“Don't forget what I'm working on. As long as I formulate the medicine, you can be cured even if you are infected. At worst, you'll just have to spend some time down there with them. Don't worry, I won't use you as a test subject—though I can't guarantee those two won't record your embarrassing moments.”
Dr. Sven stepped closer to pat Lynch on the shoulder, but he instinctively dodged. Just as he cautiously took two steps back, however, hands pressed down on both of his shoulders from behind. Natalie and Diana stood on either side of him, hands resting on his shoulders. Judy looked left and right in confusion, then simply reached out from behind and vigorously rubbed Lynch's head with both hands.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Dr. Sven closed in again, extending both hands to pinch Lynch's cheeks and give them a firm twist.
“Alright, that's enough out of you four.”
Lynch shooed away the four troublemakers, a wave of warmth swelling in his heart.
Neighbor, I'm not infected, right?
【The journey holds not only bright sunshine, but also violent storms; not only calm and peace, but also heart-pounding thrills. I am merely by your side, witnessing every landscape with you.】
So you're saying you won't tell me. Lynch mentally rolled his eyes. Is this off-limits too? Will it cause uncontrollable consequences?
【Not really.】
Then why won't you tell me?
【Because this is much more interesting. Very coooooool.】
I told you not to dig through my memories whenever you're bored! Look at what you've turned into.
Lynch gritted his teeth in annoyance, helpless to do anything about it. Yet after being teased by his Neighbor, his tense nerves eased considerably.
The sky hasn't fallen yet, so why the hell am I so nervous? People choke to death drinking water—should I get anxious over that too?
Life and death are determined by fate. Why be a coward? I refuse to believe this is the end of my path of immortality.
Time to sleep.
Lynch gave the two ladies a deep look and squeezed their hands firmly. One felt soft, the other firm—different textures, yet equally familiar.
Unconcealable worry shone in their eyes, yet reassuring smiles rested on their faces, as if there were nothing to worry about at all. Only, both seemed to have forgotten that Lynch was still holding their hands tightly.
Transmigrating to this world and meeting them made it all worthwhile.
A thought struck Lynch as he recalled a line from a TV drama he had watched in his past life. Mm, perfect timing.
Stepping forward abruptly, he pulled both of them into his arms at once. Taking advantage of their stunned, brain-short-circuiting freeze, he planted a quick peck on each of their cheeks.
It wasn't that he didn't want to kiss their lips, but rather that he feared potential risks if he was indeed infected. Their cheeks carried no such danger.
Having committed the act, Lynch saw their expressions turn even more thunderstruck. He released them, turned on his heel, and bolted, plunging straight down the dim dungeon stairs. Only then did he turn back and wave. “I'll be spending the night down here. Good night, you two!”
“Mr. Levive, you're unbelievable! How could you do that?!”
Only now did Miss Diana's brain reboot. Releasing a scream that could rival a banshee's wail, the young countess covered her ambushed cheek with one hand, her eyes wide as saucers, her face beet-red as she stared at Officer Natalie beside her.
Too much! How could he do such a thing right in front of her?! No, wait—how could he do that to her as well?! This is so embarrassing!
Officer Natalie, whom she was staring at, was equally flushed. Biting her lip hard, her hand instinctively rested on her sword hilt. Yet she didn't look toward Lynch, who had vanished into the stairwell; instead, her eyes sneaked a side-glance at the petite countess beside her, who knew what thoughts running through her mind.
“Do people from your country all share this kind of hobby?” From above the stairs, Dr. Sven looked with a half-smile at the two ladies, whose faces were redder than an infected person's eyes, and remarked meaningfully, “He really is quite a fine man. Smart, brave, capable, and fiercely loyal. Except...”
The two ladies' attention was instantly drawn over, offering inquiring gazes right on cue.
“Except he's not easy to divide,” the ferocious ghoul covered her mouth, her eyes crinkling in amusement. “Ensuring each of you gets half won't be easy. Should we slice him vertically or horizontally?”
Hiss... You wicked ghoul! How did people in the Third Age get so good at stirring up trouble?
Gripping her hilt, Officer Natalie gritted her teeth, her voice sounding as if squeezed through the gaps: “I only want the head.”
“Don't say such things, that's not right,” the petite countess reprimanded with utmost seriousness. “Mr. Lynch is so wonderful, how could we let him die with his head severed from his body?”
So I absolutely HAVE to die tonight, huh? Can't you start from the premise that I'm still alive?!
Seeing both pairs of eyes finally turn back toward him, Lynch felt the scratches on his neck throb with sharp pain, as if his head might fall off at any second.
“Stay away from me!”
Shouting at the top of his lungs, he turned and ran, darting into a cell that had just been cleared out. He slammed the door shut behind him, then leaned against it and chuckled softly.
Afterwards, he sprawled out onto the straw inside the cell. For the safety of everyone else, he didn't plan on stepping outside before daybreak.
“Very responsible, not running from fate. He truly is a man worthy of trust—though he seems remarkably skilled at avoiding a different kind of fate.”
Dr. Sven smiled toward the dungeon entrance.
“If only for his sake, I must formulate the cure as quickly as possible. Even though he certainly won't need it, at least it offers extra peace of mind.”
“I'll help you.” Miss Diana didn't dare look into the gloomy dungeon. “I know a bit about occultism, so I should be able to assist.”
“I'm coming too,” Officer Natalie said with a stern face after pacing near the doorway for a moment. “This guy is tricky enough alive. If he really turns into one of the infected, he'll be a massive threat. To prevent that from happening, while I don't know anything about occultism, I can at least do odd chores. Hey, cultist, are you coming?”
“Oh.”
The dazed Judy, as usual, was easily dragged along by the three women. Before leaving, all four couldn't help but look back into the gloomy dungeon, their hearts far from easy.
Lynch, on the other hand, felt quite relaxed. Lying on the smelly pile of straw, resting his head comfortably on his arms while looking up at a spider crawling across the ceiling, he found the experience surprisingly novel.
Listening to the ladies murmuring as they departed upstairs, Lynch smiled knowingly, a sense of happiness welling up within him.
Hehe, transmigrating to this world and meeting you all really is my good fortune.
It truly is my Neighbor's blessing that brought us together. If I were forced to make a choice, wouldn't that go against my Neighbor's gift?
I'm very devout. I would never do something that opposes the divine will.
So only kids make choices. Adults, of course, choose ALL of them.
【Hmm?】
No, nothing. You don't need to comment.
【Fine, you sacrilegious scum.】
Knew you wouldn't have anything good to say.
Lynch curled his lip and closed his eyes.
I hope I get to open them again. Good night, Neighbor.
Rate on N.U.
