Chapter 31

Chapter 31

This is insane.

The message displayed in front of Raciels eyes. He meticulously read its contents.

[Kozumi User Manual]

[Kozumi is an adorable hedgehog. Please take care of it with love.]

[Kozumi offers unwavering loyalty to you, the summoner. A Phantom Beast is not just a pet but also a lifelong companion. Please dont abandon it carelessly.]

[Kozumi can change its size by consuming a combination of two sunflower seeds.]

[Red Sunflower Seed: Enlarges Kozumi. Maximum duration of enlargement = 12 hours]

[Blue Sunflower Seed: Shrinks Kozumi. Please feed it before the maximum duration of enlargement is exceeded. If Kozumi doesnt consume the blue sunflower seed and remains enlarged for over 12 hours, it will automatically revert to its smaller form. However, it will become fatigued and unable to enlarge again for the next 24 hours.]

[A set of two colored sunflower seeds costs 1 HP.]

[Kozumi possesses various skills in both its small and enlarged forms.]

<Kozumis Skills List>

[Infinite Spines (Lv. 1)]

[Night Mushroom Assault (Lv. 1)]

[Tricolor Spines Launch (Lv. 1)]

Exactly what I expected from a hedgehog. It specializes in using spines.

Raciel had been searching for round needles for acupuncture, not just one or two, but a substantial quantity. And now, looking at Kozumis skill list

Infinite spines. Im already loving it.

A satisfying smile formed on his face naturally.

Clearly, the spines were infinite.

Kozumi could use them limitlessly.

Raciel committed the contents of the manual to memory. Meanwhile, the manual gradually vanished, replaced by a small pouch that fell into his palm.

Peering inside the pouch, he found the red and blue sunflower seeds mentioned in the manual.

Just as the manual says. If I feed it the red one, it transforms into a giant?

Raciel gazed down at Kozumi, the hedgehog in his possession. This creature had the ability to become enormous. However, he had no idea just how large it would grow.

Hey.

Kokoo!

Shh. Keep your response quiet. Its the middle of the night.

Kooo.

Good, thats good. Anyway, I have a question. Do you become bigger when you eat this?

Koko.

Really? How much?

The plump hedgehog stood on its hind legs within Raciels palm.

It stretched its tiny, seemingly insignificant arms to their fullest extent.

Kooooo?

That much?

Kooooo!

So, youre saying you become tremendously large?

Kooo, kooo.

Hmm.

Raciel truly had no idea how big Kozumi would become.

But that wasnt important at the moment.

Lets feed you the red sunflower seed and see what happens next time, Raciel thought, organizing his thoughts.

If it truly grows to several meters tall, like an elephant, it could wreak havoc in this place.

Raciel didnt want his familiar bedroom to be destroyed due to carelessness. Instead, he needed to test something more important and urgent.

Then I have another question. You know, your spines. Is it okay if I pluck them out to use?

Kokooo!

Its okay?

Koooo.

Really? Doesnt it hurt? Not at all?

Koooo!

Wow. So, when a spine is plucked, a new one immediately sprouts in its place?

Kookooo.

Thats good. Thats your Infinite Spines skill?

Koooo!

Kozumi nodded its head in an incredibly cute manner.

Raciel continued his questioning.

Then, what is the Tricolor Spines Launch skill?

Kooo? Kkooo, Koooo. Kokooo, Kooo, Kkooo!

Your spines come in three different colors, and depending on the color, the intensity of the sensation when pricked is different?

Kooo! Kkooo, Koooo.

The white spine is mild?

Kooo!

And the brown one is spicy?

Kooo!

And what about the black spine?

Kkkooo!

K-flavor?

Koooo!

What does that mean?

Kkooo, kooo.

You dont know either?

Gardin was stunned.

But, just last night there was no such hedgehog

Thats right. But now there is.

?

I was about to go to sleep when I heard rustling from the window. I was curious, so I checked. And there he was, hanging outside the window.

In the bedroom outside the window?

Yes. I dont know how he managed to climb up there, but he must have gotten lost from the garden.

Is that even possible?

Dont you believe me?

Well, to be honest

If you dont believe it, ask him directly to confirm.

Kooo!

.

Gardin fell silent. He had never seen a hedgehog respond in such a way, a hedgehog that seemed to understand human speech.

What is this? Could it be a Phantom Beast?

Suddenly, Gardin recalled the records of Phantom Beasts that were mentioned in the empires history. Phantom Beasts, mysterious creatures that were said to exist beyond reality. Occasionally, they would reveal themselves to the world. According to legends, they would choose humans and serve them faithfully for life.

Like the giant hamster that aided the genius architect Lloyd Frontera in the distant past, or the bubble snake that caused volcanic eruptions. Or the kangaroo of the legendary commander Charlotte, who developed the kingdom of Magentano into an empire. The hedgehog before him also seemed like a Phantom Beast.

But how? Did His Highness acquire a Phantom Beast?

He couldnt comprehend it.

It was truly puzzling. The Crown Prince had seemingly obtained a Phantom Beast overnight without any prior indications. And yet, the Crown Prince remained calm and acted as if it were normal. The Crown Prince had changed so much from before.

Is there something else I dont know?

Gardin discreetly hid his perplexed expression. Meanwhile, Raciel had gathered the gladiators in the infirmary.

You must all be suffering from withdrawal symptoms. I understand the pain youre going through. Today, we will attempt to alleviate those symptoms. Everyone, please sit on the beds and extend your legs.

The gladiators complied.

Some stumbled. Some endured their sickness. Others managed to lie down or sit on the beds with Demians assistance.

Phew.

Raciel took a deep breath and approached the first gladiator. It was Sergio, who had experienced a seizure the previous day while receiving acupuncture and nearly strangled Raciel. As soon as Sergio saw Raciel, he started trembling.

Yesterday I committed a grave sin, Your Highness.

Did you? Do you remember what happened yesterday?

Just a little

Dont worry. It was because you were in pain. Lets focus on the treatment now.

Raciel retrieved the white spines he had prepared in advance the previous night. Sergios gaze dimmed upon seeing them.

It seems thicker than the needle yesterday

You wont die. If it hurts again, you can strangle me.

Raciel held up the spine.

He aimed for the exact spot where he had punctured the day before. Swiftly, he inserted the needle 0.1 chi deep into the Yutai point.

Thud!

A white spine found its place at the root of Sergios second toe. Raciel closely observed Sergios expression.

Fortunately.

There was no reaction.

You see? It doesnt hurt?

Yes?

Ive pricked you, and youre fine, arent you?

Did you already prick me?

It seems you didnt feel it. Good. Just keep relaxing.

Just as expected.

Raciel clenched his fist inwardly. He proceeded to puncture the points along the Jokyangmyeong-gyeong meridian swiftly.

Thud! Thud-Thud!

He targeted the Neiting (), Xiangu (), Chongyang (), and Haegye () on the toes and instep.

Thud-Thud-Thud! Thud!

He moved to the Pungnyong (), Hageoheo (), Jogu (), and Sanggeoheo () points on the calf. Finally, he punctured the top of the anterior tibialis muscle.

Thud!

The Zusanli () point was reached.

From Yutai to Zusanli. These were the points where individuals with neuropathy, neurosis, and stomach neuralgia often experienced hardened lumps.

The gladiators were no exception. Therefore, Raciel focused on treating these points. Then, he waited for a while.

Hooo

Sergios breathing became noticeably more relaxed.

His complexion also improved.

Good. Its working.

Raciel felt even more confident.

He proceeded to provide the same acupuncture treatment to the rest of the gladiators. As expected, everyone showed similar effects to Sergio. Their breathing became easier, their overly sensitive nerves relaxed, and the stomachaches and indigestion caused by neuropathy significantly subsided.

And thats when it began.

For three days, Raciel repeated the same procedure. Each time, the gladiators withdrawal symptoms noticeably eased. They walked more comfortably, ate without burden, and their depleted vitality gradually recovered. Alongside their recovery, Raciel resumed the moxibustion treatment.

One day, two days, five days, ten days.

The clinic was filled with the scent of burning moxa sticks. In that time, the tattoos on the gladiators backs vanished. The curse that had been linked to the tattoos also faded away.

Finally, on the fifteenth day, as Raciel removed the last moxibustion stick from the gladiators back.

Ding Dong!

[You have successfully eliminated the chronic pain of 13 gladiators, including Demian Cayenne, through the appropriate use of acupuncture and moxibustion. The gladiators have been freed from their prolonged suffering and have escaped the risk of premature death due to the curse of the tattoos.]

[The Medical Billing (Lv. 1) skill has been activated.]

The time for Raciel to charge for group treatment, which he had been eagerly waiting for, had arrived.