The Doctor's Beast Tamer System: Apocalyptic Survival

Ch 7 Breath And Blades

But Bast's assumption proved to be mere paranoia, as the sword tip hovering entirely too close to his neck slowly pulled back. The two knights stepped away, though their gazes remained cynical.

"You heard her, Ranu? Remu says this man is innocent," the knight who had targeted Bast's arm said, slowly sheathing his sword.

"You're right, Rae. We can't act recklessly." The other knight nodded in agreement, though his eyes constantly tracked Bast's movements as he edged away.

"You guys crossed the line," scolded the girl, apparently named Remu. She approached with immense effort, still panting and leaning on the arms of the people helping her stand. "He saved me."

Even though her body went limp and half-conscious when he pulled her to the bank, Remu vividly remembered the sensation of water forcing its way out of her lungs. She wouldn't mistake that rescue effort for anything else.

"Don't you dare attack him again!" Remu snapped, widening her eyes fiercely as she glared at both her brothers. "He didn't do anything weird. He genuinely helped me until all the water came out of my chest."

"But he kissed you, Remu!" Rae argued stubbornly.

Hearing the word "kissed," Remu's pale face instantly flushed bright red. She knew he saved her, but she didn't fully realize the exact details of the process.

"I didn't kiss her!" Bast shot back as fast as humanly possible, realizing this misunderstanding could easily spiral out of control again.

Bast straightened his wet clothes to look slightly more presentable, stood tall, and slapped on the most authoritative face and tone he used to reserve for scolding medical interns in his past life.

"That's called cardiopulmonary resuscitation—CPR!"

Bast cut in firmly. He didn't care if they understood the medical jargon; he just needed them to stop viewing his actions as a perverted assault.

Bast pointed at the center of his chest. "I pressed on her chest to pump blood to her brain, then blew air directly into her lungs. This is a crucial procedure so drowning victims don't stop breathing!"

Rae and Ranu still looked suspicious, but they started listening carefully because that highly authoritative, technical explanation actually sounded logical.

Even Remu widened her beautiful eyes.

"You... you know that procedure?" Remu murmured in awe. "I read about it once in an ancient manuscript from the Capital... but understanding it requires a high-tier physician."

[Ding!]

[Target 'Remu' feels amazed by your medical knowledge!] [Reputation Increased +15]

The corner of Bast's lips twitched happily upon seeing the notification. Remu's point meter shot up, approaching 80. Aside from his mother, Remu currently held the highest points.

"Where did you learn that?" Remu probed.

Answering that question wrong could spell disaster. Remu and her two brothers clearly weren't ordinary people. Bast decided to tread carefully.

"I accidentally overheard a merchant from the capital telling a story at the tavern, and I just happened to remember the exact details," Bast lied, fabricating the lightest possible excuse.

"A merchant?" Remu frowned.

"That's an ancient technique I only found in a nearly destroyed book. What kind of merchant could tell you about it in such great detail, and how could you execute it perfectly without breaking my ribs?"

"I'm dead," Bast panicked internally.

Remu's gorgeous eyes kept staring at him, full of scrutiny. This noble girl could dismantle his alibi without breaking a sweat, unlike his mother, father, or the villagers who easily swallowed silly excuses.

"That... well... I don't think we need to discuss it right now. You need immediate treatment—you're still pale. You'll catch a fever if you don't dry off right away."

Bast deployed a high-tier deflection technique. And he wasn't lying; Remu shivered the second the river breeze hit her body.

Rae and Ranu hurried over to support Remu, wrapping a thick coat around their sister's body. "We're going home right now," Rae decided firmly.

"Wait." Remu looked dissatisfied, but fighting her brothers' pull in her weakened state proved difficult. "Just a moment."

"One minute! After that, we go home." Rae's expression softened as he released his sister's hand.

Remu reached out a hand to Bast. "Thank you... if it weren't for you, I'd definitely be dead at the bottom of the river."

"Ah... I just happened to see you," Bast tried to act humble. After all, his Root Weasel actually noticed Remu in the river first.

"Besides, how did you even fall into this rapid river?" Ranu interrupted sharply. "Rae and I only left you alone for a second."

"That..." Remu looked down in embarrassment. "I just... slipped while looking for some rare medicinal plants on the riverbank earlier."

"You shouldn't do dangerous things like that! We have servants to look for them!" Rae snapped.

"Enough! What matters is that I survived!" Remu cut off her brother's scolding. Her fierce attitude instantly returned when cornered. "Now, you two... apologize to—Mmm... what's your name?"

Remu looked back at Bast, just remembering she hadn't learned her savior's name yet.

"Bast, from Cardose Village." Bast stated his name according to this world's customs, drawing from Rotten Bast's memories.

"I'm Remu, from Andera," Remu replied, introducing herself formally.

Bast nodded slowly. "I know. I heard your brothers calling you that this whole time."

Remu flushed again, feeling awkward, but she still tried to smile.

"That's enough! Let's go!" Rae immediately severed the brief moment of camaraderie by pulling Remu's hand.

"Not yet!" Remu brushed him off stubbornly. "You two haven't apologized for nearly cutting off Bast's head!"

"No need," Bast rejected quickly, considering keeping his soul attached to his body gave him enough reason to be thankful.

"It doesn't work like that. You saved my life; I owe you a lifelong debt of gratitude. They shouldn't have threatened your life with their swords," Remu insisted.

So, for the next few minutes, Bast enjoyed the epic spectacle of two elite knights fighting desperately to swallow their pride. Rae and Ranu scrunched their faces in absolute displeasure, looking utterly tortured.