Damned System

"I'm sorry, due to my negligence…" Amiya murmured with guilt in her tone. Perhaps she was too innocent for this world, taking the blame on herself.

"It's fine. I was also at fault for letting my guard down," I replied nonchalantly. Despite being a temporary base of operations, the camp had a lot of advanced medical equipment. The report from a medic identified a broken shoulder and ankle, which wasn't too bad.

"If you'd like, we can transfer you to Rhodes Island for recovery tomorrow. Free of charge, of course, as thanks for your help," Amiya offered.

"Sure, let's discuss it later," I replied. It was free treatment, so there was no loss. I've become quite a scourge in order to find the funds needed for a business.

After some small chatter, Amiya waved me goodbye as she had to return to her duties. I was surprised to find out that she was a leader in Rhodes Island, but considering her unique attire compared to the others, it made sense.

With Amiya gone, I returned to contemplating what I should do with the apple pie Exusiai forced on me. After Exusiai found out about my injuries, she was quick to offer me apple pies despite my reluctance. I wasn't hungry enough to eat a whole pie, but I didn't want to waste it either. If only Amiya accepted the offer to take it.

"Yo!" As I contemplated the apple pie situation, I heard Rimuru's voice from the entrance of the medical tent. When I looked up, I saw the other groupchat members. They were fine minus Jinwoo, who had a cast around his arm.

"Want some apple pies?" I offered as they took a seat around my makeshift hospital bed.

"Sure," Rimuru replied as he reached out for the cold apple pie.

"So, you can't move?" Zhongli asked as he stared at the massive cast around my left leg.

"Yup, but at least it wasn't a broken spine," I replied.

"Indeed. I've just received news from Miss Ch'en. It seems she managed to find us land and a place to set up a business. With all of us here now, what kind of business do you think we should open?" Zhongli asked as he pulled out a stack of paper. It was the documents needed to open a business.

"Also, the owner will be you since you're the only one with an ID. It's a miracle that they haven't found out about us yet," Rimuru chuckled as he reached out for another apple pie.

"True," I replied with a snicker.

"As for what business… How about a Venture Capital Firm? We just need money, and it won't take that much time," I said after some thought. Being an investment firm was highly risky, but I've taken a little liking to risks recently. If investments pay off, I'll have some income without doing much work.

"As for the name… How about we go with Ark LLC?" Rimuru suggested. Everyone in the room wasn't bothered coming up with a name, so we all just nodded. After Zhongli filled out the information required, with my one functional arm, I signed off the paper.

I could hear a collective ring from our phone. Rimuru was the first to pull his phone out with excitement and relief. It was finally over...

Just as I was about to sigh in relief, Rimuru's expression turned dark once he read his phone. With confusion, I pulled out my phone to have a look.

[System: (Mandatory Quest) (2/2)

Quest details: Remove all Reunion forces in the slums

Quest Reward: 10,000,000 legal LMD, 300 GC points to all members

Quest Failure: Guaranteed death of all members

Time limit: 18:00:00:00

]

[Groupchat Upgrade features:

Groupchat Currency: Obtained from completing quests, can be used to purchase things through the groupchat.

Groupchat Shop: Purchase a wide variety of items using GC points, and the contents cycle every week.

Interworld Travel: Travel to worlds you've been to before, at a cost.

]

"Fuck!" I shouted as I slammed my functional hand on the bed.

"Cut down on your swearing," Zhongli said as he calmly sipped his tea. I didn't know why he was so calm in this situation, but I supposed useless anger wasn't much better.

"This is impossible. Drive ALL Reunion forces out in the span of two weeks?!" I sighed with frustration. It was especially difficult with my current situation. The feeling of not being able to do anything was dreadful.

"I'm sorry, I'll leave it up to you guys to do this quest," I said with a downtrodden tone. Although it was expected that we would be caught up in another quest, I was angry. The feeling of being incapable, there was no time to recover. If quests are infinitely forced upon us every second, perhaps- wait no, I still had to recover my memories. I need to have something to remember before I die.

"Not so fast," Rimuru suddenly said with an upbeat tone, contrary to the mood of the room. Before I could begin to question Rimuru, he turned into a slime and consumed me. I felt a cool and refreshing feeling for a second before I was unceremoniously flung back onto the bed along with Jinwoo.

"I can heal both of you," Rimuru said with a cheeky smile. I didn't appreciate the lack of consent, but I was still thankful nonetheless.

"Why didn't you do that earlier?" I asked with embarrassment.

"Well… I kinda forgot," Rimuru rubbed the back of his head with an apologetic smile. I couldn't be too angry at him, after all, he did help me.

"How do we explain this to the others?" Jinwoo raised a serious question. I looked at Rimuru for a moment before I came to a solution.

"I've done a little research. There's magic in this world called Arts. We could use that as an excuse," I said. I managed to get signal whilst waiting at the border of Lungmen for entrance, which meant I could research all of the unfamiliar terms that came up prior.

"Ah, by the way, Clukay, you have a weird tumour growing inside you. I removed most of it, but some parts were deeply embedded in vital organs. I'll try my best to get rid of those once I've found a way to safely extract them." Rimuru added. One of the terms I researched, 'Infected,' led me to a whole new world that I was a part of. Through it, I could finally understand the reason for Reunion's existence.

"Thank you, Rimuru. The tumour you're referring to is basically rock cancer, the source of the term, 'infected,'" I told my findings as I tested my previously broken limbs.

"Wait… is it airborne?" Jinwoo asked with concern.

"Traces of 'Originium' is naturally in the air, but it won't affect you much unless you directly come in contact with a large quantity," I said as I bent down to pick up my HK416.

"Let's get this all over with," I said as I loaded a fresh magazine into my gun. They were strangers, yet I trusted them with my life. I felt as if I could finish any challenge the system gave me.

I couldn't find the reason why I felt the way I did, but perhaps my Amnesia played a part in it. Damned system and Amnesia.

I'll get both of you.