The Genius Necromancer of the Barbarian Race

Chapter 73 : Our Healer Is a Physical Therapist

Our Healer Is a Physical Therapist

Chunsik's statement was no ordinary bombshell.

The traveler before us wasn't a human, but a monster?

In the world of "Dungeon God", where all kinds of monsters abound, there are quite a few that can mimic humans.

― Yes, this one's a doppelganger. I think it's a monster that popped out of a nearby dungeon."

One such monster is, indeed, the doppelganger.

The key trait of a doppelganger is its ability to perfectly copy its target's appearance, and even its voice becomes identical to that of the target.

The problem is, as I recall, the conditions are rather strict.

Apparently, it has to stick with its target for a whole day, and if the original whose face it copied dies, the 'mimicry' dissolves and it reverts to its true form.

"Hmm..."

Trailing off at the end of my words, I stared at the traveler. He seemed flustered at Chunsik's revelation.

But why would a doppelganger be loitering outside the dungeon? And so suddenly, at that.

― Recently, I think it's because the necromancers who used to control this area disappeared."

Aha.

So it's because Mortis's necromancers are gone.

That must be why other monsters are coming out of the dungeon, eager to stretch their legs.

"Um, excuse me...?"

"Wait. I'm considering your fate."

When the traveler (probably) spoke, I raised my hand to silence him and conferred with Chunsik.

"If a doppelganger is wandering around like this, that means the person it copied is still alive. Is that right, chunsik?"

― Yes, I think so."

Which means...

The rings and necklace that guy is wearing. Their original owner must be alive.

"Where is your original?"

"Wa-wait! Are you really going to believe the claim that I'm a doppelganger, just because of that wolf's head?"

Maybe wanting to prove his innocence, the traveler (suspicious) opened his mouth with a furious tone.

Sure enough.

Taking Chunsik's word alone and judging someone to be a doppelganger would be foolish.

Even though Chunsik and I have a contract, we haven't known each other that long, to be honest.

"Chunsik, how did you know this person was a doppelganger?"

Wolf-headed Chunsik looked at the traveler and spoke slowly.

― Master, wouldn't you also recognize a human among a troop of monkeys?"

Hm.

Somehow, that makes sense.

It's like monsters can tell each other apart.

Actually, I have a suspicion of my own.

"You seem to think it's perfectly natural for a talking wolf's head."

When I addressed the traveler, he just looked at me as if I was talking nonsense.

Even in a world filled with magic, it's not common to come across a wolf's head that talks like a person.

And—

There's something else I want to check.

* * *

Just as Chunsik said, the traveler who had been waiting for us was indeed a doppelganger.

It was simple to confirm.

"Open, sesame!!!"

Barkal used the 'Red Wolf Tribe Barbarian' testing method and struck the guy's head with his axe.

The traveler's body, pinned by the axe, crumpled instantly, morphing into the odd form of a monster.

Something between a scarecrow and a paper doll.

As it took that form, the creature coughed up blood and tried to flee, but Barkal's next attack sent it crashing to the ground.

"You thought you could take us on with skills like that? What a fool!"

As expected, the barbarian's axe knows no mercy. Thinking this, I inspected the dead doppelganger's body.

All the jewelry it wore had vanished. As I thought, even the clothes and accessories were part of the 'disguise.'

"Ah..."

I clicked my tongue in frustration.

Even if this world became reality, it was originally a game. I'd hoped it would be something like a "money duplication bug."

― Master, there are more coming."

No sooner did Chunsik warn me than more doppelgangers began to appear from behind the trees.

So the reason they lingered in front of the overturned wagon was to catch people.

Luckily, a doppelganger's strength depends on the physical abilities of the person they're copying.

A doppelganger with no transformation is useless, at least in front of a barbarian, even if it could pose a threat to an ordinary person.

"You think we'd be afraid just because some weaklings gather together?"

Barkal's crimson eyes glowed beneath his skull helmet as he swung 'Erindal.'

Crunch, crack!

When he crushed one doppelganger's body like paper, the others looked startled.

Even so, Barkal didn't slow down, charging forward like a gale and tearing into the doppelgangers.

A moment later, the forest was silent. The scattered doppelganger bodies slowly turned to ash and disappeared, and Barkal smiled victoriously.

"Kahahahahahahaha!"

Leaving the laughing Barkal behind, Serena and I checked inside the wagon.

Inside the overturned wagon, two people were lying unconscious; one was the man I had noticed earlier, wearing expensive jewelry.

"Looks like this is the one the doppelganger imitated."

Serena murmured, glancing at the same man as I did.

"I think they're coming to!"

As she said, with groans, the unconscious pair slowly opened their eyes.

"Don't worry. We're..."

"U-aaaaaaaah!"

The man screamed in utter terror, and at the same time, his previously exhausted face turned deathly pale.

"T-to be kidnapped by a doppelganger!"

"What on earth are you going to do to us?"

Looks like they've mistaken us for doppelgangers.

"No! We're not doppelgangers! Our companion took care of the doppelganger that did this to you!"

Serena shouted, waving her hands urgently, but the wagon's occupants still looked wary.

"Get away from the young master! You bastards..."

"Aaah!"

As they backed away, a groan of pain escaped the mouth of the man covered in jewelry.

"A-are you all right, young master?"

"... I think my bone is broken."

"Please, let me take a look!"

Serena approached the groaning man.

It's a little unusual, but Serena is a cleric.

Isn't this a class that spreads the word of the god one believes in and values serving others above all?

"I am a devotee of Liberas, the Goddess of Love and Virtue! If it's a wound I can heal, I'll do it!"

Serena spoke gently, with a soft and calming voice. Maybe her sincerity got through, because the injured man slowly raised his head.

"S-so you really aren't a doppelganger?"

"Yes!"

When Serena affirmed it, the man finally seemed reassured.

"T-then, could you please heal our young master? I beg you, devotee of Liberas!"

Glancing at the injured man, who was called 'young master' by his companion, Serena nodded.

"Of course! That's my duty!"

"O-oh...!"

Serena slowly examined the 'young master's wounds.

Ignoring the minor scrapes—which may have been caused by either the doppelganger or the wagon tipping—Serena focused on examining his 'joints.'

"The shoulder joint is slightly dislocated. And the wrist... Oh, this is just a sprain."

Diagnosing like an experienced doctor, Serena started her evaluation.

"The ankle is... slightly dislocated, too. If you leave this alone, it could become a chronic issue."

"T-then, can you heal him quickly!?"

"This kind of treatment is my specialty, so don't worry!"

Reassured by Serena's confident smile, the man began to smile as well.

"Thank you! Thank you so much!"

"When this is over, I'll make sure to reward you!"

"P-please, hurry and heal the young master with holy magic!"

Right.

Serena will treat the 'young master' just as they asked.

But what she'll perform—

It won't be the 'holy magic healing' people expect from a cleric.

Because—

She's under contract with Liberas, and can't use holy magic on anyone except herself.

With that in mind, her treatment will not be 'magic healing,' but 'physical therapy.'

"Yes!"

Our 'bone expert' answered with a smile.

* * *

In the past,

I'd seen a technique where you precisely used strength to treat damaged bones or dislocated joints.

Was it called chiropractic?

In the videos I watched, whenever treatment was performed with that technique, people's faces always looked so refreshed.

Crunch, crackle.

"Urgh, ughhhh...!"

Serena's 'physical therapy' didn't look refreshing at all.

"It might hurt a bit! Bite down, and hold it in!"

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah...!!!!!"

Crack.

Crackle.

Along with the intense sounds, something more than a scream escaped from the wounded man's mouth.

"I-I'll tell you everything! The secrets of our merchant guild...!"

"Quiet, just let me finish the treatment!"

Watching the treatment happen, I almost turned my head away without even realizing it.

"I-is this really okay?"

The man who was with the so-called young master asked, and I reassured him.

"My friend Serena is highly skilled in such techniques. While it may not be healing magic, what she's doing is nothing short of magic."

Nodding once, the man kept watching as the 'treatment' continued.

"O-our merchant guild has been colluding with nobles, dealing in bad-quality roses...!"

"Please stay calm!"

"T-there's a secret warehouse! W-we've been siphoning off oil there...!"

"I'm adjusting your joints—please stay still!"

But... can this really be called 'treatment?'

Maybe I accept it because I know what chiropractic is, but for someone who doesn't, it'd look like outright torture.

"You damn bastards! Are you from the Blood and Rose merchant guild, sent to finish us off?"

Seems like I wasn't the only one to think that, as the companion who was watching suddenly geared up for a fight.

"Stay still."

But before the man could do anything, Barkal grabbed him by the shoulder and spoke.

"That technique could be used on you as well. So just tell us everything you know—obediently!"

"Barkal, we are not torturing them."

"Hmm!?"

As expected.

I guess since I didn't warn Barkal in advance, he misunderstood.

This isn't torture, damn it.

"You say it's not torture, and yet Serena is inflicting pain even so!"

Kahahah!

Barkal replied frankly.

"She's insane!"

I told you, she's treating him.

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**New Name/Location/Skill List:**