Order

A week passed and not a lot has happened.

For the first four days, Eve only lay on the bed and slept.

On the fifth, the nurse responsible for him realized that he was starving and adjusted the rate the tube injected nutrients into his throat, greatly increasing his recovery rate.

After 2 more days of intensive healing, Eve was back on his feet again.

Of course, this rate of recovery was only possible because of the residue soul power residing in his body since the Exp allocation. It ran out now though.

After the first visit, Melina didn't come to check up on him, which was fair. He did cause trouble for her.

This was also a piece of good news since only Melina was willing to put in the effort to communicate and connect with him. If she isn't going to come, then nobody from the group will.

This means Eve is left on his own which is for the best.

After observing his status like an obsessed freak, he found out that his agility had dropped from 0.41 to 0.38, explosive strength from 0.59 to 0.52, maximum strength from 0.52 to 0.49, and stamina from 0.55 to 0.50.

Overall, a significant reduction in stats. It could have been even more disastrous if there wasn't soul power constantly healing and replenishing his cells during the last six days.

On the bright side, those ought to climb back up in no time with diligent exercise.

His first action was to go outside and do some stretching.

Before he did anything drastic, he needed his body to be able to move normally.

With muscles as stiff as his, it would be hard to lift heavy stuff and certainly very hard to run. Which is why he had to be careful with this.

Crack

His bones cracked and popped as if they were bubbles. It made for an amusing sound at least.

'What if I just do a really hard exercise right now and tear all of my muscle strands, then wait for them to heal? That would lessen the stiffness a bit more efficiently right?'

The first few days were spent doing variety of stretching activities.

Doing so increased his agility from 0.38 to 0.42. 0.01 more stat than what it was originally.

The next five days were spent doing workout exercises like push-ups, sit-ups, squats, running, and lifting.

These increased his explosive strength to 0.60, maximum strength back to 0.52, and stamina to 0.53.

This week was more productive than what Eve usually did for an entire year.

Eventually, the hospital realized he was healed so after a few tests here and there, they set him free.

Well, more like kicked him out.

'The fee was paid by Melina so I can just leave.'

He stumbled here and there and got lost a bit in an unfamiliar part of the city, but with his memory, he got back on track to the base as soon as he found a reliable landmark.

The door was kicked open, and this time, Eve came in.

As soon as they heard a commotion on the ground floor, a few people came hurrying down the stairs.

"Eve?" Este cried out.

"I thought you were staying at the hospital longer!"

"Well I healed fast and now you are stuck with me again," Eve replied back.

Adrian, who is now under house arrest, stared at Eve with the eyes of a rabid beast.

Maddening hatred painted his eyes and a scornful look was carved on his face.

"Shit, the place got littered by trash after I just cleaned it." He mourned with his eyes closed as he put his hands on his temple and massaged it.

Eve raised an eyebrow.

"Buddy, are you calling me trash? That's rude you know?"

His eyes snapped open and he spat words out like a wild dog barking.

"Yeah, I did, what are going to do, huh!? Cower behind Melina's back like a bitch again? Fight me for real if you think you are some hot shit now."

"Calling Melina a bitch when you owe your current life to us is a little spoiled, don't you think? And no, I'm not fighting you. 

I stated facts you didn't want to hear and you hospitalized me, so we are even by definition."

"What kind of bullshit logic is that? Us? Do you think you and Melina are teammates like we are? She took pity on your sorry ass, that's why you are even alive today. She should have killed you the moment she saw you.

If it was up to me, I would have burnt down your house along with you and your relatives."

"Are you just going to ignore the fact that I have knowledge worth composing a library on the various life forms of the universe? During my relatively shorter stay here, I contributed to this little group more than your emo self did."

"So you're admitting your worth in existence is to be a walking and talking wikipedia?"

"Better than being someone's lapdog. I wonder why someone as prideful as you is working under Melina. A secret crush perhaps? Is this it? Jealously much?"

"You shut your mouth." Adrian jumped in front of him. Eve didn't flinch but his attention was elsewhere.

—

[Mutual hostility detected]

[Rule of Restriction is effect]

[All stats reduced by 90% temporarily]

 —

He smiled bitterly. Melina was improving day by day. Hopefully, she will find the time to teach Eve some of the stuff she does later.

Adrian, however, misinterpreted his smile and his rage burned even fiercer.

"I can tear your limbs off and it won't affect your 'worth' in any way. A stationary wikipedia is better than a mobile one that won't stay put."

"Enough!"

For a moment, Eve thought that they had brought a lion into the building.

It was only when Arco descended the stairs that he realized it was him.

"Adrian, go to your room. Brat, stay here and stay put. You're going to sleep here from now on."

"There aren't any beds here though?"

"Then sleep on the floor, or the couch, whatever, I'm not your caretaker."

His tone made it clear that his words were an order and that he would beat the shit out of anyone who opposes him.

Eve didn't have any plans of going to the hospital the same day he was dispatched so he obliged.

"Why can't we all get along," Este grumbled under her breath before going back to her room.