When Gabriel looked at his Sigil, he was greeted by the following stats:

[ Name: Gabriel ]

[ HP: 9/16 ] [ –12 ]

[ MP: 10/10 ]

[ Class: Warrior/Demon ]

[ Level: 4 (0/50) ]

[ Strength: 6 ] [ –4 ]

[ Dexterity: 7 ] [ –4 ]

[ Sturdiness: 6 ] [ –4 ]

[ Intelligence: 11 ]

[ Souls: 9.5 ]

–

[ Ailments: “ARS” (weakened body) ]

[ 8 Skill Point Available ]

His stats have been drastically altered. Each attribute relating to his physical power has suffered a loss, displayed as purple numbers next to his stats.

“Oh no…” Gabriel muttered.

This was bad. Very bad.

Without the necessary strength to back things up, his sword-fighting abilities were worthless. His current stats were worse than that of an average adult, which meant that even the lowliest thug would mean a dangerous opponent.

“But it can be cured, right?” Gabriel asked, turning to the businessman.

The man beside him was confused about his sudden change of attitude. Just before, Gabriel acted almost indifferent about his illness.

But it wasn’t a bad thing for the businessman. Not at all.

A small smile grew on his cheeks as he realized: this man might actually be his new piggy bank.

“Of course!” He said, shining with a false beacon of hope. “Your illness might be severe, but thanks to Professor Nucleus’s incredible mind, we can serve you medicine that can fix even an ailment so worse!”

Gabriel’s heart flourished with hope after hearing the businessman talk.

“Really? So then, can I have it? I can’t waste too much time with an illness! My employer is counting on me.”

“Of course! We can serve the cure to your illness… for the right price, that is.”

The businessman grabbed a suitcase from the side of the bed. He placed it before Gabriel and showed him the goods that were inside.

Syringes, filled with red liquid. Small pills with “ARS” written on top. A small plushie with the corporation’s trademark printed on its belly.

“These are the medicines we serve.” Said the businessman, grabbing one of the syringes. “A person with your ailment has to buy three of our liquid-based medicines at first. Completely organic, by the way. They should be enough to return some of the patient’s strength. Then, we move on to the pills, from which you need two boxes…”

While the man talked, Gabriel reached out to grab one of the syringes. However, he was stopped.

The businessman slapped Gabriel’s wrist and pulled away his case.

“No-no-no!” The businessman smiled. “These cost twenty golds each.”

“I can pay you later.”

“Nope! This is no time to try and bargain. Think about it! Every second without the medicine means a bit less chance for recovery. And think about it logically! A lot of small still equals a lot! Those tiny chances add up over time, turning your illness even more incurable!”

“Then what are you waiting for? Give me the medicine!”

Gabriel reached out to grab a syringe, but once again, the businessman pulled away his case.

“That would be great! However, and it pains me to say this, but nothing in this world is free. If you want to survive your ailment, I propose you call one of your relatives to bring us the money. Remember, twenty golds for each, not the entire package!”

The businessman had to resist the grin that oh so wanted to creep up his face. He knew he was deep enough now to propose that “other option” to his unsuspecting victim.

He did not waste any time and continued:

“But if you don’t have that money right now, you could apply for a job in one of our research centers and work off the price! I’m sure a young man like you wouldn’t have a problem with moving boxes or testing some mild drugs...”

Gabriel gazed at the man with a blank expression.

“How much time would it take to buy everything with that option?” He asked gently.

“To work off the price of your medicine? About a week or so, if we’re talking about a single dose. But the further you progress with treatment, the more expensive those pills will become. So, get ready to work some extra hours!”

Gabriel glanced into the distance. He thought about it for a second, then reached for the nearby nightstand.

He searched around with his hand, stopping at a bunch of jumbled-up cables. They must have been part of the machines he was linked to, but that did not bother him enough to care.

“I’m sorry, but my employer can’t wait that long.” He said while untangling the cables in his hand.

The businessman raised his nose and closed his suitcase. His tone of voice also went through a change, revealing his true form.

Instead of being diplomatic and charismatic like a salesman, he was now cold and scornful.

“Have it your way!” He said, turning to leave. “Just don’t come begging when your skin falls off.”

Just as he was about to exit the room, the businessman felt a tight grip on his shoulder. It was Gabriel’s hand, stopping him.

The businessman smiled smugly.

“Hm? Did you remember a long-forgotten relative who might have some cash?”

“No, but I can offer something else.”

“Really? Well then, let’s hear––“

As the businessman turned around to face Gabriel, he was met by his fist flying through the air. Gabriel hit him with a powerful punch that set the man entirely off balance.

He stumbled back against the wall and fell on his rear.

“Idiot!” The businessman yelled. “Do you have any idea who you just hit? I can destroy your entire life with a single command, you hear me?! Say goodbye to your precious medicine while your flesh rots off!”

“No, thanks.” Said Gabriel, then forced a pillow into the man’s mouth. “But I’ll be taking your stuff.”

Silence set into the room.

The doctors passing by the door did not suspect a thing. After all, patients need proper sleep to successfully recover.

Suspicions arose only after a nurse mentioned a businessman walked into the room and haven’t left since.

"Are you talking about Room 40? I saw a handsome man walk in..."

"Why are they so quiet? Are they making love?"

"That's disgusting! I like it."

Suddenly, the door opened. The nurses quickly turned around and tried to act as if they weren’t listening to the two, playing with their hair and fiddling with their thumbs.

The businessman walked out of the room. He adjusted his glasses and brown suit, then approached the nurses with a suitcase in hand.

"Excuse me!" The man cleared his throat. "I have an appointment with another of the radiation infected. Could you help me out? I'm searching for a man who's about /this/ height with emerald green eyes."

The nurses were startled by the man. He looked nothing like an office worker, resembling much more an athlete with a "bad boy" attitude.

One of them sheepishly answered.

"He's one floor above..."

That was all he needed. The man nodded thankfully and went to take the stairs.

"Wait!" Yelled one of the nurses.

The man's steps came to an abrupt halt. He did not turn around but simply moved his head to see her in the side of his view.

That was to hide the fear in his eyes.

"Did they find out my disguise?" Asked himself Gabriel as he glanced back at the nurse.

The woman hesitated, looking away with embarrassment. She tried to speak, but her trembling voice made it difficult.

"Maybe... Uh... How should I ask this..."

Gabriel was ready to break into a run. His eyes darted over the nearest exit points, the closest window and doors, and any items he could use to his defense.

However, the nurse's question was very different from what he had anticipated.

"Are you a woman's man or a… man's… man...?"

Gabriel was caught off-guard by the question. He hesitated for a second, not believing anyone would ask something from a stranger.

But as the stupidity of this situation became clear, Gabriel simply shrugged off her question and answered as vaguely as he could.

"I'm a man of my word. Nothing more."

As he disappeared behind the crowd of patients and doctors, the nurses were left with a bitter taste in their mouths.

"What an asshole!" Said the nurse who was brave enough to speak.

"What was that answer? Did he not understand the question?"

"Anyways, we could still ask the patient. He's not so lucky to just walk away from us!"

The other nurses agreed. They denied letting Gabriel simply outsmart them. If the truth needed some patience, they were more than ready to sweet-talk their patient.

The nurses waltzed into the room while playfully whistling. One of them approach the bed concealed by green curtains and pulled them aside while singing.

"Good morning, sweetheart~"

As the sheets were pulled aside, the nurses screamed in unison. They were shocked to find a tied-up and naked man instead of their patient.

The man was the original businessman who entered the room. His mouth was tucked in with a pillow that quieted his desperate cries for help.

One of the nurses ran up to him and quickly freed his mouth. The man panted rapidly with occasional spits. Then, as his lungs were once again filled with air, he mustered up his power and put it into angry shouting.

"I'll sue this entire place into oblivion! Do you hear me? What kind of men are you keeping in this place? Look at me! Look at what that monster has done to me!"

The nurses recoiled while the man screamed angrily. Only when he stopped to catch a breath did one of them muster up enough courage to ask him:

"Is this some kind of... "fuzzy" ?"

The man was confused by the question.

"What do you mean fuzzy?!" He yelled even louder.

"Like... A "fuzzy play" ... That makes you feel fuzzy… “down there" ."

By the time the nurses realized this was not an open sacrifice to the goddess of love, Gabriel was long gone. He has already found his way to the above floor where Naomi was kept.