OUT OF RANK

Four

From Vadim's story, I understood that my mother and I were found unconscious. Me in the apartment, and her right at the doorstep. Apparently, my mother tried to open the door to the apartment, but something prevented her, and she lost consciousness.

Most likely because of the thing that I activated, but I did not discuss this with the guys.

We were found by my father's best friend, who came to check on our condition after the news of the death. He was a soldier, and thanks to him we are here. Yes, my mother is also here, but for three years she never regained consciousness. Doctors still do not understand what caused the coma, or "deep sleep", as they call it. My father's friend brought all the leading healers of the country and not only to this issue, but they all just shrugged.

The last attempt was made quite recently. An S-class healer came to the hospital, and even he failed. Also, as far as I understood, in order to hire him, my father's friend had to spend almost all the money. And at the moment he has nothing to pay for my stay here with my mother.

And the mother's condition is very unstable, she balances on the verge of life and death, from time to time she needs the qualified help of healers who have unique methods, thanks to which mother remains in a state of "life". It is not possible to transport her to another clinic and even to another fee, any mistake can cost her her life. And for this life you have to pay very dearly.

- What are the possible ways out of this situation? I asked hopefully. After his story, I'm ready for anything, just to help my mother.

- Well, listen. Decent earnings are now only for adventurers. Even if you become an adventurer of the lowest rank, then there should be enough for bread and butter and for the maintenance of your mother.

— What about another job? Still, being an adventurer is profitable, but dangerous. No, I'm not afraid to die or anything. It's just that if I die, then no one will help my mother. Maybe a friend of my father, but sooner or later he might get tired of it.

“Other jobs are not so easy. Because of the adventurers with their inhuman abilities, many industries have ceased to need ordinary workers. And where they are in need, conditions are too horsey, I would not advise you to go there, ”Vadim said and sighed deeply. Listen, do you smoke? I shook my head in response. "Sorry, can you keep me company?" I can't live without cigarettes, especially after work.

“Well, why not,” I agreed, and together we headed for the exit. - Fuck, but the doctor didn’t lie, I really feel better, I can even walk.

“Hah, yes, you can already run, it’s not for nothing that they pay me money,” Vadim said and winked at me.

Pay? It turns out that he works here for hire and, judging by his clothes, he receives good money. Maybe try to become a healer too? Well, what, the work is dust-free, and safe. Probably, it will be easier for mom to help. And it's much better than dying ingloriously in a dungeon.

— Listen, Vadim, can I become a healer? I asked hopefully.

- And what? Did you like wandering around the hospital? Don't look at me like that, I understand everything. But you will not be able to become a healer purposefully. It all happens by chance. Someone becomes a killer, someone becomes a tank, someone becomes a healer. This is the so-called "random", and it is impossible to guess, - he summed up with sadness in his voice.

“Sorry, but oh well, I’ll deal with this later, let’s go outside already,” I said and ticked myself: learn more about these classes. Because if I'm going to become an adventurer, I'll definitely need to prepare. And information is the best weapon.

For the next thirty minutes, we walked around the hospital, and several times I watched heavily armed men get into army jeeps and leave the territory. After asking Vadim about what I saw, I found out that these are special units that deliver the wounded from the dungeons right here. He also said that each adventurer has medical subsidies and treatment is absolutely free for them. Of course, provided that the wounds were received in dungeons or from monsters that went beyond them.

After walking like this for another half an hour, we parted: I went to my room, and Vadim went back to the guild headquarters, as he was urgently called to help clear the newly minted dungeon. Not forgetting to exchange contacts, we said goodbye.

Almost reaching my room, I noticed a group of people standing right next to it. As I got closer, I saw who it was. And they were all the same faces: Arkady Anatolyevich, a nurse whose name remained unknown to me, and another person in military uniform. He had three big stars on his shoulder straps. Yes, Colonel.

- Pavel, we finally waited for you. Meet Andrei Sergeevich, he served with your father, - the doctor reported to me and pointed in the direction of a man in uniform.

“Good evening, my name is Pavel, it’s very nice to meet you,” I greeted him and extended my hand in greeting.

- And you grew up, did the doctors try? He replied with a smile on his face and shook my hand.

- Yes, and I am very grateful to them for this, sorry that it’s straight on the forehead, but are you on business or just to say hello?

- I recognize the temper, all in the father. Yes, I'm on business, but let's not here. Doctor, where can you talk without prying eyes and ears?

After his words, the doctor hesitated a little, turned around in place and called us to follow him. We did just that. It took a long time to walk, but ten minutes later we were there. Hmm, but from the outside this building did not seem so big.

We got to the room, which, apparently, was used as a pantry, but now it was empty. Only the colonel and I remained inside, but the doctor said goodbye to us and asked me to go to his office after the conversation. I wonder what he needs? Without thinking twice, Andrey began a conversation:

- Pasha, I'm not going to drag it out for a long time, the situation is not easy. As I understand it, you already know about the incident with your mother, Eric has already informed the head physician about their puncture. - I silently nodded - So, as I already said - the situation is not easy. Your mother needs help, I myself would be happy to help, but only my wife is against all this, and my next attempt to help was the last straw for her. So you have to deal with all this somehow. The only thing I can do for you is give advice or share information. Have you already thought about this?

- Yes, I thought, but before I say everything about this, can I ask you a question? Andrew nodded. Why are you helping us? Just because you served with my father doesn't explain why you spent almost all of your money to help me and my mother.

“You see… Your father was more than just a friend to me. He was like a brother to me. Yes exactly. And believe me, it's the least I could do for him.

“I see, if you don’t want to tell everything as it is, it’s not worth it. — No, he did not lie, but he clearly did not say everything.

“Ahem, okay, let’s go, so have you thought of something yet?”

After that, we discussed the topic of adventurers for about an hour. I shared my thoughts on this and expected him to criticize my choice, because it is dangerous. Yes, yes, I decided to at least try, and if it doesn’t work out, the way back is always open. But to my surprise, he supported me and even shared information that he knows firsthand.

For example, to become an adventurer, it is enough to come to an association of adventurers, pass a test of the "level" of strength, pay a fee, namely ten thousand rubles. -something to live. After that, everyone who paid the fee must pass a “level” of strength check. As far as I understood from the story, they have an ultra-precise device right in the building, which in numbers indicates your current level of so-called “power”. If you fork out another hundred thousand, then you can find out your “limit”.

The limit is your maximum to which you can rise. For example, you have an E-rank and your current power level is one hundred and twenty units. For an E-rank, this is a fairly average indicator and you are unlikely to reach the D-rank. But if your power level is around two hundred, then the road to D in the future is most likely open for you. But even here there were exceptions. There have been cases where adventurers who have obtained C rank have managed to raise it to A, but such incidents are almost unbelievable, and these people are extremely few.

I also learned that there are a lot of "classes" as such: from all sorts of assassins who wield a dagger, to magicians who release fireballs at their enemies, and not only. All of them have not yet been studied. Mostly due to the fact that most of the "tops" simply hide their capabilities. But it is understandable: when it comes to huge money, no one wants to share the secret of their success.

After talking more about all sorts of little things, I found out the exact address of the association, and we said goodbye. Andrei promised to put down a good mark after clearing my first dungeon. He did not refuse him and went towards the office of the head physician.

The path was not close, I even managed to get lost. I had to ask the nurses for help. When did they manage to rebuild such huge buildings? Indeed, from the outside it does not seem so big. It's strange, but, apparently, I just don't know something.

When I reached the office, I knocked and went inside. What I saw there, well, could not be compared with the rest of the interior in the hospital. At first, I had the impression that I was in the office of some high-ranking official.

Calling this interior modest is an understatement. Why is there only a huge bear skin in the center of the room, on the sides of which sofas for guests were neatly arranged. But what really caught my attention was a huge panoramic window, in front of which was a dark wood desktop. I think money is flowing to him, and not small. And that's on a doctor's salary? I even whistled involuntarily.

Let him be the main one here, but even the president can envy his workplace. Wait, why is the view from the window so radically different from what I saw from my room? Yes, we are in the mountains!

— Surprised? the doctor asked, and looked in my direction with a sneer. “I was also surprised when I saw this magic for the first time. And I immediately wanted something similar for my office. “Scaze, and how much does it cost to cast such magic?”

- Is it an illusion?

- No, this is the magic of space, this office is in a different plane, and the door is a conductor. — It's a bit complicated, but I think I understood the principle.

“Wait, did you say space magic?” Is it possible that the hospital visually looks smaller than it actually is?

- Yes that's right. This is similar magic, but the direction is different. Visually, the hospital remained the same size as during construction, but the area of ​​​​the premises increased by 3 times. - Phew, and I already involuntarily thought that I was going to the roof.

“I don't think I'll ever get used to this. Okay, I understand that you have a conversation with me? In response, the doctor pointed to one of the sofas. "The hint is clear - the conversation is not short," I thought, and sat down on the sofa.

- Pavel, let's start with what you need ...

Leaving the office, I was very angry and upset at the same time. That's the damn old man! Now it’s clear why he has such magnificent views outside the window! Where is this heard? One hundred thousand a month for the maintenance of the mother! No, I'm not sorry, but this is a lot of money, and how to get it, I have no idea. And the first payment must be made no later than ten days later. But there are also pluses of our conversation: I have already been discharged and I do not need to pay extra for my own maintenance. Although, of course, it is many times cheaper than the treatment of the mother.

After a little thought, I decided to go to my room, pick up my extra things and go towards the association. Fortunately, Andrei left me a couple of thousand for travel and food, as well as ten thousand for passing the test in the association. Should be enough for the first time. Yes, I don't have any personal items. More precisely, there are, but they are all on me anyway, then on the road.

As it turned out, the hospital was outside the city, and the only adequate (!) Way to get to the place was a taxi. I don't even have my phone with me to call him. You have to go on foot and try to catch a ride. “Well, it won’t hurt to stretch a little,” I thought, and jogged towards the city.