Chapter 38

"Poor Sadako, still so shy. She crawled back into the TV and hid in her well again," Chika sighed.

Several girls settled onto the hospital bed. Natsuki pulled out the medical record and passed it around.

"Sakurai..." Chika's eyes widened. "Apart from the name, can anyone make out anything else?"

"It's like some kind of demonic script," Rikka shuddered, her ahoge quivering as she pressed her eye patch. "When Dad was in the hospital, the doctor's writing looked just like this. I couldn't understand a word."

"Doctors' handwriting might as well be Martian. Only their colleagues can decipher it," Natsuki chimed in.

Chika turned to the group's brainiac. "Hey Kaguya, can you figure it out?"

Kaguya remained silent, looking sheepish. Even with her linguistic prowess, the medical chicken scratch was beyond her.

"It's okay if we can't understand it," Natsuki reassured them. "Once the hallway's lit up, we can ask other players if they can decode it."

"Um..." Asuka raised her hand timidly. "I might be able to read a bit of it."

All eyes turned to her.

"I'm not making this up!" Asuka hurried to explain. "My dad runs a small clinic, so I've seen medical records before. The handwriting is similar, so I can kind of understand some of it."

"Why do doctors write so messily anyway?" Chika wondered.

"I asked my dad that when I was little," Asuka replied. "He said medical records are really for doctors and nurses to read. Most patients can't even understand the instructions for taking medicine properly."

"We're counting on you, then," Kaguya said, handing over the record.

Asuka took it nervously. "I can only understand a little, and there are parts I don't recognize at all."

"Don't worry," Natsuki encouraged her. "This is already more than we hoped for. Just tell us what you can make out."

Asuka took a deep breath and began deciphering the alien scrawl on the medical record.

Asuka squinted at the medical record, deciphering what she could. "It's about a girl named Sakurai. She has some serious congenital disease affecting her movement. They could only keep her in the hospital for 24 hours for basic treatment, but her condition kept getting worse..."

She trailed off, looking apologetic. "I can't make out the specific name of the disease. There's a list of medications too, but I don't recognize any of them."

"That's fine, you've done great," Kaguya said, rubbing her forehead. "We can piece the rest together ourselves."

Chika piped up suddenly, "Hey, is it just me, or are these dark periods lasting longer?"

"You're right," Natsuki agreed, frowning. "I'm not sure what that means, though."

As if on cue, the lights flickered back on. Natsuki led the girls out into the corridor, heading straight for the room with the lone patient.

"Damn, it's locked," Natsuki muttered, jiggling the handle.

"The key..." Chika mused, tapping her chin. Her eyes suddenly lit up. "Oh! Could it be that fragment we got from the cow lady?"

"Classic game logic," Rikka nodded. "Collect fragments, combine them into a key at the end."

"Worth a shot," Natsuki agreed. "Better to try something than just stand around."

"Natsuki, you should do it," Chika declared. "Let's start with Room 401."

Natsuki paused, remembering. Room 401 - that was where they'd encountered the succubus.

Curiosity piqued, she pushed open the door. Inside, a terrified player cowered in the corner. Opposite her lounged a dark-skinned succubus, complete with wings and tail.

"It's... a man?!" Natsuki blurted out, caught off guard.

The succubus's eyes gleamed as they fell on Natsuki. "Oh, perfect timing! Come here and recharge my magic, won't you?"

Natsuki took in the succubus's appearance - dark skin, vertical pupils, purple hair. A blood-stained bone whip dangled from one hand. The spirit wore next to nothing, barely covering the essentials. An aura of icy dread surrounded her.

"Oh, a living man!" The succubus's eyes lit up at the sight of Natsuki. She kicked away the cowering player. "Quick, come replenish my mana!"

Natsuki raised an eyebrow. "Are you serious about this mana replenishment?"

The succubus grinned, revealing sharp canines. Her scarlet tongue flicked across her lips. "Of course not. I just prefer... unconventional methods."

Her eyes flashed red. "As a man, your blood must be delicious. I can't wait any longer."

Natsuki frowned. Drinking blood to restore magic? Who'd agree to that?

"I'm afraid I'll have to decline," he said firmly. "I'm not that kind of guy."

"You think you can just waltz in here and leave?" The succubus lashed out with her whip, wrapping it around Natsuki's arm. "Kneel and lick my feet!"

Caught off guard, Natsuki couldn't resist the spirit's supernatural strength. She yanked him closer.

Just then, Chika burst in. She pointed dramatically at the succubus. "Outlaw Zhang San! I summon you - dare you answer?"

The succubus tilted her head, confused. Suddenly, her mouth moved of its own accord: "Zhang San is here!"

Natsuki felt strength return to his limbs. He grabbed the petite succubus's wrist, lifting her small frame. "What was that you just said?"

"Human, what have you done to me?" The succubus's eyes went wide. She tried to struggle, but found herself paralyzed.

Realizing she was outmatched, the succubus changed tactics. "Master, I could lick you instead, if you prefer."

Natsuki turned to Chika. "Search her for anything useful."

As Chika patted down the succubus, Kaguya crossed her arms. "What exactly does 'replenishing magic' mean?"

Rikka, ever dramatic, covered her eye. "Vengeful spirits need to replenish their magic, just like humans need air. Otherwise, they grow weaker."

Kaguya looked skeptical. "That sounds made up."

"It's true! Salt is the source of human magic!"

Asuka stood back, biting her lip. She couldn't help thinking that a succubus's method of "replenishing magic" was probably not as innocent as they were making it out to be. Hadn't they seen how Saber restored mana in Fate? These two were being surprisingly naive about the whole thing.

"Got it!" Chika exclaimed, finishing her search. She held up a small, shimmering fragment from the succubus's tail.

Natsuki released the succubus, who was now feigning weakness. They had neutralized Zhang San, but couldn't destroy her. Though Kaguya had an exorcism tool, time was running short, and they had other spirits to deal with.

"Let's go," Natsuki said, turning to leave.

"Wait," Chika grabbed his sleeve. "We can't just leave like this."

Natsuki raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"We were pretty rough with Miss Succubus. She'll want revenge."

"I can't leave the room," the succubus interjected quickly. "I can't get revenge on you."

Chika helped the trembling player to her feet. "If we leave her here, she'll be in danger."

Natsuki looked at the girl, noticing the whip marks on her skin and the tears in her eyes. Leaving her alone with an angry spirit would be disastrous.

"She can rest in our ward for a while," Kaguya suggested calmly.

Natsuki nodded, recognizing the value of building connections, even in a horror game. He turned to the girl. "Want to come with us?"

"Yes, please," she nodded eagerly, jumping at the chance to ally with these capable players.

"Sorry for the trouble we've caused," Chika said gently, offering a handkerchief. "Here, dry your eyes."

"Thank you," the girl sniffled gratefully, looking at Chika with admiration. Even in this gloomy place, Chika seemed to radiate warmth and light.

The succubus gnashed her teeth as they left, but didn't dare resist. "Damn you," she hissed at Natsuki. "Next time I see you, I'll drain you dry!"

Natsuki ignored her, leading the group to the next ward. Without hesitation, he pushed open the door and strode in.

"Someone's reported illegal transactions here," he announced authoritatively. "Keep your heads down and don't move!"