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07 February 2024

Dungeon Refrigerator 149.2

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Muto Chiropractic Clinic


Relying on the address on the business card, I headed there on my bike. Muto Chiropractic Clinic was on the second floor of a mixed-use building in the shopping district. But when I arrived, not only Muto-san was there. But also Sato, Kato, and Gotou-chan.

"Huh, why is everyone here?"

"Oh, Zuccky-san, you turned back into a man again!"

"I'm attending school. But I'm also working part-time here for practical training."

"Well, this place seems to be booming. Hmm, are there more injured people than usual?"

The tenant space in the not-so-spacious mixed-use building. The treatment space was clearly visible from the entrance counter and waiting area. In the waiting area, there were quite a few customers who seemed to have injured their limbs waiting for their turn.

Curious, I glanced towards the back. There, Muto-san, with a bulldog face was sewing up the back of a middle-aged man who had taken off his polo shirt.

"Uh, Mutoh-san, why are you doing this again?"

"Oh, Zucky! Sorry, but wait a bit. I can't let go right now..."

As I tilted my head, Muto-san, who noticed me, spoke up.

"You came here just casually, so it's okay. But why is Muto-san doing medical procedures again?"

"Well, I never imagined I would end up like this..."

While saying so, Muto-san skillfully sewed up the wound on the middle-aged man's back with his rough hands used for massage. Then, in his place, a plump woman in a nurse-like white coat who had been moving behind Muto-san spoke up.

"It was really tough at that time. Oh, nice to meet you. My name is Sudo."

"Sudo-san is the pharmacist at the pharmacy next door. Oh, Sudo-san, this is my friend, Zucky."

"Nice to meet you."

It happened on the day Dungeon Stampede occurred.

It seems that many people who were attacked by monsters overflowing from the dungeon rushed to Muto-san's clinic and Sudo-san's pharmacy, saying, "Please help us!" Even if they wanted to go to the hospital, the streets on the way there were danger zones, so they had no choice.

So, the troubled Mr. Mutoh headed to the pharmacy for a disinfectant for the wounds. Then, he learned that Sudo-san at the pharmacy was also in the same situation, and somehow the two cooperated to treat the injured people.

"That's right. And it has continued like this, even now."

"I see. But Mutoh-san, do you have a medical license?"

"I don't have such a thing. So I only get paid for massages and medicine, and treating injuries is a service."

"Yeah. Hospitals are packed everywhere, and no matter how long you wait, you can't get treated. Thank you so much, Doc, Ichiichi... Ouch!"

Both Mr. Mutoh and the middle-aged man being stitched up answered my question. I see. I guess that's how it is. As long as both parties agree, it's not a problem.

"But... it's quite a deep wound. Was it a goblin with a knife or something?"

"No, according to someone knowledgeable about such things, they said it was a Chupacabra."

"Huh!?"

Wait, what's that!? Chupacabra is a cryptid that sucks the blood of sheep or goats in Mexico?

"No, I don't know much about it! But someone who seems to know about such things said it must be a chupacabra! So it must be!"

"Hey, don't move. Stay still..."

Wow! So Chupacabras appear in Japan too. Or maybe they came from the dungeon.

Upon closer inspection, there were also thin, long cuts running to the left and right along the long cut on the middle-aged man's back. These might have been inflicted by something resembling three long claws.

"By the way, what kind of monster was it?"

"Huh...? Oh? It attacked suddenly from behind, so I didn't really see it. But it was big with bright red eyes, and its mouth was torn up to its ears...!"

The middle-aged man being stitched up seemed to recall the incident and shivered, his neck shrinking. Then, the sewn-up wound cramped, or he raised his voice again, saying, "Ouch!"

"Hey, Zucky, you're disturbing the treatment."

"Oh, sorry, Muto-san. Well, I guess it's time for me to go. Oh, here's a souvenir. I smoked some meat. I think it's delicious thinly sliced and put in ramen."

"Oh, sorry about that. Well, come by again sometime."

"Yeah, I'll be back. See you."

"Wait, Zucky-san, are you leaving already?"

"Yeah, Gotou-chan is leaving too!"

It seems Muto-san is trusted by his customers and is doing a great job. He's like a bulldog sensei, not a white beard or black beard. Well, anyway, it's good to see him doing well.

But still, a chupacabra. If I had to choose, I'd rather be kissed by a cute girl than be bitten by such an ugly monster.

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