Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

Chapter 980: Chapter 979: What Are You to Me?

”Eh? Eh... wait a minute!”

Seeing Fang Zheng pick her up for a hundred-meter dash, Black Cat was stunned, and she struggled desperately, trying to get out of Fang Zheng’s arms. Unfortunately, she couldn’t even muster the courage to break free from Fang Zheng’s embrace.

”You don’t need to trouble yourself, and it’s quite expensive...”

”It’s fine, I have money.”

”But you don’t have to spend money on me. We’re not exactly...”

”Not exactly what?”

Upon hearing this, Fang Zheng stopped in his tracks. He leaned forward and stared at Black Cat.

”Well... it’s just... that...”

Facing Fang Zheng’s intense gaze, Black Cat’s face turned red. Clearly, she was recalling those crazy days spent with Fang Zheng in the game...

”No, it was just... just playing around, that’s all!”

”So you were only playing around with me?”

”Eh eh eh?! Could Sister Liuli really be toying with men?”

Hinata arrived at this moment, hearing their conversation and immediately screamed.

”That always mysterious and middle school syndrome afflicted Liuli, who only has imaginary friends, is actually telling a guy she’s just playing around?! Am I dreaming?”

”Hinata...”

Upon hearing Hinata’s teasing, Black Cat glared at her fiercely. On a usual day as an elder sister, Black Cat might have punished Hinata. However, given Black Cat’s current weak condition, she couldn’t even lift a hand, let alone do anything to Hinata.

”Anyway, I’ll call your parents first...”

Fang Zheng spoke while taking out his phone.

”Hinata, can I trouble you?”

”Of course!”

Hinata ignored Black Cat’s murderous look and cheerfully took the phone to dial a number, connecting to Black Cat’s father’s phone. Fang Zheng took over and started discussing the matters regarding Black Cat’s hospitalization with her father.

Fang Zheng had come to understand the troublesome nature of Japanese people, so he didn’t beat around the bush and straightforwardly stated his intention to contact the hospital for Black Cat and provide her with the best treatment. As for the reason, Fang Zheng had already prepared.

”Your daughter performed exceedingly well in the game. Without her help, we wouldn’t have defeated the level 100 boss so fast and returned to the real world. Both emotionally and logically, we should show our appreciation, so please don’t worry.”

Black Cat’s father was straightforward. Initially, he was somewhat wary of Fang Zheng as a stranger. Later, after hearing Black Cat acknowledge him as a familiar acquaintance from the game, he readily agreed. After all, Black Cat had been recounting stories about her game experience these days, and her parents knew a bit about it. Since the guild president was personally visiting and willing to arrange a good hospital for treatment, naturally, as parents, they wouldn’t refuse.

Thus, after setting aside his concerns, Black Cat’s father readily agreed.

”Ha...”

Realizing she couldn’t fight it, Black Cat could only accept her fate and obediently let Fang Zheng carry her into the car.

”Mr. Fang Zheng, you’re just as assertive as in the game. I thought you’d be more gentlemanly in reality.”

”I expected you wouldn’t be so middle school syndrome in reality either.”

Fang Zheng retorted bluntly and then started the engine, driving towards the hospital. Just as Fang Zheng thought, he initially believed Black Cat’s middle school syndrome was just in the game. Many people have a different personality online than in reality—perhaps a reserved young lady in reality but a vulgar uncle online. Such individuals aren’t rare, and Black Cat’s middle school syndrome... well, it can be understood online, but in reality, it’s a bit too much...

Let’s drop this topic.

”But why are you in such a hurry to be discharged? If I remember correctly, ARGUS should have compensated everyone a hefty sum. Isn’t that money enough to cover comprehensive rehabilitation treatment?”

The Death Game incident had far-reaching effects, and ARGUS went bankrupt from compensating the victims. Every survivor received a considerable sum. Of course, those who returned alive didn’t get as much as those who didn’t, but it was still a substantial amount.

For a typical family, this money should be sufficient to cover treatment and subsequent expenses.

”There are loans to repay at home, and Hinata and Zhu Xi will need money for college later. Rather than spending the compensation on my rehabilitation, it would be better to save it for their use.”

Black Cat considered thoughtfully, but Fang Zheng shook his head secretly.

”The doctor should have told you that if you don’t undergo thorough rehabilitation treatment, you could be left with after-effects. Are you planning to live with such a body? At that time, it might cost you more and cause more suffering.”

”As long as it doesn’t hinder my mission. A mundane body is so fragile; I’ve mentally prepared for this.”

Seeing Black Cat’s excited expression, Fang Zheng could guess that she was likely indulging in the thought of ”her body’s dark power being too strong, causing the frail shell of the mortal world to suffer and enter a weakened state.”

The upside of middle school syndrome is that no matter the adversity, one can amuse themselves and find joy in the fantasy.

At once, it’s absurdly middle-schoolish yet thoughtfully heartwarming... ah, Fang Zheng didn’t know how to describe Black Cat.

Regarding the education issue, Fang Zheng wasn’t worried because he already received news from the Death Game Countermeasures HQ. Since most victims of the Death Game were students and they couldn’t keep up with their original studies during those two years, the Countermeasures HQ decided to establish a specialized middle and high school for these game victims’ future learning and rehabilitation, while also shouldering the tracking and investigation work.

After all, the psychological trauma and mental issues of Death Game victims are societal focal points, and from an official standpoint, gathering them in one place makes observation and control easier.

Fang Zheng had also joined in the establishment of this school in the name of the CC Corporation, providing substantial funds for equipment purchase and teacher recruitment. In fact, most players will start attending the new school from the next semester once their physical health recovers, including Black Cat, Eiriri, Asuna, and many guild players will likely gather there.

Of course, there are exceptions. For instance, Fang Zheng naturally doesn’t need to attend school, and Aoba... she originally was in her third year of high school, with only the graduation ceremony left before graduating; otherwise, she wouldn’t have had the time to play games.

The biggest question for Aoba might be whether to go to college or start working directly...

Fang Zheng drove Black Cat to the hospital, arranged a ward and a series of examinations, and brought in the best rehabilitation experts for her treatment... For Fang Zheng, any problem that can be solved with money isn’t a problem.

And Black Cat seemed resigned to it, just letting Fang Zheng make arrangements without saying another word of refusal... Someone had already paid, and it’s too late to refuse now.

Afterwards, the hospital conducted a series of tests on Black Cat, and unsurprisingly, test results showed her recovery was not ideal. Fortunately, this was still within the acceptable range. Given the relatively advanced scientific level and medical development of this world, as long as money is spent, it’s still curable.

Upon reviewing the results, Fang Zheng decisively made a decision.

”From now on, you should rest well and undergo rehabilitation treatment.”

Fang Zheng put down the report in his hand and looked at Black Cat lying on the hospital bed, while Black Cat snorted lightly.

”I understand... Uh, I thought I could leave the hospital, but ended up back here, and now you’re spending money...”

”If it’s a problem money can solve, then it’s not a problem. If it’s a problem that money can’t solve, then it’s a real problem.”

Speaking of which, Fang Zheng couldn’t help recalling Yuki. If it weren’t for his power, no amount of money could have saved Yuki from death.

”During these days, focus on your treatment. After you recover, I’ll take you, Asuna, and Eiriri to my house.”

Thinking this, Fang Zheng looked at Black Cat and said.

”And, I’ll introduce you to someone.”