I Became the Childhood Friend of a D*ug Dealer

The phenomenon of awakening is found in most living beings.

However, when awakening occurs in entities other than humans, they are generally referred to as monsters.

That was the content of the presentation.

“This is a type of science. What we call magic is still unexplained by principles.”

The presenter continues.

About fifteen people are watching from the front.

“In fact, if you dig deep enough into modern science, you will eventually reach areas we do not understand. There are worlds we don’t know about.”

Why am I here?

It feels like a considerable amount of time has passed.

I have repeated the cycle of regaining consciousness multiple times.

My bangs lightly obscure my vision.

It’s not like my hair was so long that it would poke me in the eyes, but it seems like time has flown by as my hair has grown.

“Anyway, various opinions have emerged on how we should perceive this phenomenon of awakening.”

A presentation about awakening?

I don’t even know why I am here.

I’m not sitting; I’m standing.

I don’t seem to be a participant in this place.

I’m just standing.

Waiting as if I’m the next presenter.

Waiting for my turn.

What turn?

“The appearance of gates and dungeons often affects nearby creatures and produces what is known as monsters, awakened beings. It is also true that some creatures are presumed to be from another world.”

That’s what I’ve heard.

“So what about human awakeners? Can we treat them as typical humanity?”

Of course, awakeners are human.

What else could they be?

“Should we understand this simply as the uncovering of hidden potential in humanity, or should we separate them as being different from existing humans?”

They say they’re different from existing humans.

That much is true.

“Given that there are those who awaken and those who do not, even under the same environment, it has been concluded that this phenomenon of awakening only occurs in some individuals.”

That’s obvious.

If everyone awakened just because the environment was the same, Seo-Ah would have become an awakener like Si-Hoo.

“The meaningful awakening rate is exceedingly low. They have distinct characteristics that are clearly different from standard humanity…”

They keep mentioning humanity.

“It concludes that these individuals will not be granted general human rights…”

No rights?

Did I hear that wrong?

“Therefore, in order to preserve and promote humanity, awakens are treated on par with other monsters. However, considering that they were once human, certain standards have been established…”

Sounds frightening.

“Firstly, they lack human reason and judgment.”

I can feel eyes staring at me.

“Secondly, if they must depend on others to survive…”

I wanted to speak, but it’s impossible.

“They should be understood as beings similar to general monsters.”

Move.

Do something, anything.

No, my body refuses.

“The government fully permits the handling and experimentation of humanoid monsters, and the details of the experiments are entrusted to…”

Applause.

Looks like the presentation is over.

“That’s all. Well then.”

What comes next?

“Now, before we move on to the next agenda…”

The person sitting in the center begins to speak.

The lights are all directed toward the podium, so it’s blinding.

I can’t see who it is.

“What is that next to you?”

They point at me.

So why am I here?

I don’t even know.

“It’s an awakener.”

“What, was it raised or created?”

“It’s nothing special; I brought it along because there’s something to show during the next item.”

I’m not used to having attention focused on me.

Still, I don’t show it at all.

No change in expression.

I’m just standing still.

“Alright, moving on to the next item.”

“Next, we’ll discuss the control of the awakened beings. When using the developed spell [Command], we can achieve complete control over awakeners that can understand speech.”

“Don’t you always have to use drugs beforehand?”

“It’s a hassle when they don’t understand speech.”

Ah, commands.

If you give a command while under the influence of drugs, you must obey.

They call it [Command].

“While physical shock collars have shown some usable results, it turns out that devices that directly affect the nerves are the most efficient.”

That sounds terrifying.

Are they talking about such subjects so casually?

“How was the experiment conducted?”

“We first collected brainwaves, and even if there are premonitory symptoms of aggression, we inflict pain…”

“No, where did you set the test subjects loose?”

“Monsters? We released them near the academy. We heard there was a request to measure the skill levels of the academy personnel.”

The academy.

Oh, that place where students fight.

Yes.

I remember now.

“How much of my land did I buy there? If you’re going to do something like that, at least consult with me!”

“Ah… yes. Well, it is something that the government approved, so…”

“Are you going to keep talking about this useless stuff?”

“Ah, anyway. So, it was confirmed that the control devices work properly. If you look here…”

The white screen that the beam projector was projecting onto is pulled up.

Something hidden behind the screen reveals itself.

“Whoa.”

I hear inhalations from various spots.

“What is that?”

“A wolf?”

The creature standing behind the screen is a wolf monster, standing silently, not doing anything or showing its teeth.

“It turned out to be a wolf after all.”

“It’s rare for it to just stand there like that.”

It’s not dead.

It’s breathing.

But it doesn’t attack.

“Yes. This is how it is. I can control it with this remote. Let me show you.”

Grraaarrr!

It bares its teeth.

“Attack.”

At that moment, the wolf charges.

At who?

Me.

Why me?

There are plenty of other people around.

It lunges at me, trying to sink its teeth into my nape.

Thud.

The weight of the wolf knocks me to the ground.

Creeeak…

Snap!

Crack!

Unpleasant sounds all around.

“Stop.”

Immediately, the wolf ceases its attack and pulls back.

“See, as you can see, it is possible to control them without needing to use [Command].”

It doesn’t hurt.

Thank goodness.

Although it feels like I’m bleeding, it doesn’t hurt.

Is that a good thing?

“Safety is guaranteed. The problem is that it can’t control creatures that lack brains, are too big or too small, or monsters immune to pain.”

“And?”

“Let me know when it can be supplied for military use. It’s still hard to mass-produce, and the procedures are complicated.”

“Speaking of control, isn’t the important thing to maintain the original functions of the monster? If that wolf attacks on command, can we say it retains its original attacking power?”

It seems strong; I can tell from having been targeted.

But I feel like I’m bleeding heavily.

Someone, please apply a tourniquet or something!

I can’t move at all, as though a heavy rock is placed on my body.

“That part is probably because its savage nature has been suppressed, so it’s somewhat weakened. There is still room for development in the technology.”

“Isn’t that just a broken machine? What’s different from beating it down to make it obey? The one behind me also listens well when I beat it up.”

Behind the person speaking from the audience, a blurred figure of a large build can be seen.

It wasn’t visible when standing.

Seems a bit more apparent while lying down.

Is that also a monster?

It’s hard to see because of the backlight.

“The day when this technology becomes fully developed isn’t far off. It’s a project that big corporations are also participating in. Advancements in technology utilizing magical power are impossible without government cooperation.”

“Let’s move on to the next item.”

I wish someone would at least spare a glance at me.

“Yes, the next is about the disposal of the dragon captured last time.”

A dragon?

This world has dragons.

Oh, right.

I’ve seen it on the news.

Awakeners killed a dragon.

“We captured it, but we have also secured all the items, and it’s awkward to keep it any longer. Since it tends to grow stronger just by sitting idle…”

I guess dragons grow even when left alone.

That’s a ridiculous trait.

“If you release it near the academy this time too, I wonder how much the land price will drop. Please refrain from trying to pick up land at rock-bottom prices.”

“Ah, that won’t happen. We have found a special purpose for the dragon.”

The person sitting in front speaks up.

“Spill it.”

“Now, there is this fallen awakener, right?”

The eyes are again focused on me.

Are they going to save me?

Heal me?

No, that doesn’t look like a friendly gaze at all.

“Oh, it’s hard to see. Then, [Rise.]”

It’s a command.

I stagger as I try to get up.

But no, I can’t get up.

Blood drips down from my clothes.

Why am I really here?

For what purpose?

No, I can’t get up.

I suddenly feel my hair has grown.

My bob cut now hangs down below my shoulders.

Thanks to that, blood is now smeared on my hair too.

“Indeed, it seems you completely can’t rise. But even in such dire situations, we now have ways.”

Thud.

A needle pricks into the back of my neck.

It’s a familiar sensation.

“If this accident happens… it’s fortunate if a healing awakener is nearby to use their skill. But such talents are rare, which is a problem.”

They continue their talk.

Swish.

Warm fluid flows through my veins.

“Of course, a good recovery potion can heal wounds like this. It’s just that it’s extraordinarily expensive and in small quantities.”

I can feel my blood drying up.

The area that felt like it was broken seems to be improving gradually.

“It seems the healing is complete. Now, [Rise.]”

I must obey the command.

I don’t want to, but I have to follow it.

I stand up and revert to my original standby state.

I’m standing.

Standing still with no change in expression.

“Of course, this potion, while expensive… the amount you get from slaying a dragon is sufficient for the academy’s supply for a while.”

“You plan to deliver this to the academy first?”

“Since the military tends to operate as a group, we wanted to supply the academy first, where individual survival is important.”

“The syringe seems a bit awkward, though.”

“This is quick for immediate effects, but it can also be made into tablet form or a potion form that is normally available on the market.”

The academy.

They plan to give this to the academy.

It seems like a good potion.

But was it necessary to show it like this?

Logically, nobody would do such a thing.

Is it necessary to aim at a person to attack?

Oh.

Am I not a person?

I don’t know.

The wolf, whose attack has halted, is stained with blood.

I also seem to be covered in blood.

Regardless of what happens, both of us can only stand still.

We must obey commands.

I feel a sense of kinship with the wolf.

My heart races.

Is it because of the drug I just took?

I feel dizzy.

Beeeep — a ringing in my ears ensues.

I can’t understand what the people are talking about at all.

[405 hours 22 minutes]

Time.

What was that about time again?

Didn’t it just increase a little?

It seems so.

“…Heh.”

A slight laugh escapes me.

I feel somewhat good.

I’m not scared at all.

It must all be thanks to the drug.

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