Lynn nodded. He pulled out a bill, hesitated for a split second, and said, "I know this isn't exactly the best time, but we need to go over the costs first."
"The surgery fee is 300 Skull Coins. But since this is my first operation, I'll give you a 20% discount—total 240. The suturing fee is separate, so it comes to 280 in total. Care to sign here?"
"Oink—Oink— "
The Pig-Headed Fiend let out miserable, guttural squeals, his sanity teetering on the brink of collapse. "Stitch me up! Just stitch me up! " he whimpered, his body trembling uncontrollably.
Lynn nodded, then pointed to various spools of thread hanging on the wall. "We have linen thread, wool thread, cotton thread, iron wire, and steel wire—each with a different price. Which one would you prefer?"
A tear rolled down the fiend's cheek as he muttered weakly, "Linen… "
Lynn grabbed the linen thread. "Would you also like— "
"Stitch! Stitch!! " the fiend roared, cutting him off sharply, his voice raw with terror and frustration.
Lynn nodded calmly. He skillfully picked up his steel needle, flicked the linen thread to straighten it, walked over to the Pig-Headed Fiend, and bit off the thread end with his teeth. "Settle down. Bear with it—I'm starting."
[Ding! +1 Suturing Skill XP.]
[Ding! +1 Suturing Skill XP.]
[Ding! +1 Suturing Skill XP.]
After more than ten minutes, Lynn finally took a pair of scissors, snipped the thread, patted the small bow he'd tied on the suture, poured some potion into his mouth, and sprayed it directly onto the fiend's belly. Instantly, the stitched flesh began to seal up bit by bit, healing at an alarming rate, the raw redness fading to a dull pink.
[Ding! Hidden Quest completed. Rewards obtained: 50 Skull Coins, 50 Surgery XP, +50 Eye Diagnosis XP!]
[Ding! Pig-Headed Fiend's Fear: +200.]
[Ding! Reputation in Wraith Alley: +10.]
Lynn removed his mask, unlocked the shackles on the operating table, and held the blood infant in his arms, smiling warmly. "Congratulations—the operation was a complete success. As you saw, it was just a routine evil spirit infestation. But even so, she's a healthy baby girl. If you raise her well, she might even— "
Whoosh—
In the blink of an eye, Lynn's vision blurred. A dark figure shot up from the operating table, clutching its belly, and fled toward the door at an inhuman speed.
I'm never coming back! the Pig-Headed Fiend screamed inwardly. He swore he'd never set foot here again. This wasn't surgery—it was butchery like he'd do to a pig! One visit to this doctor had left him with lifelong trauma!
"Boss! You forgot your daughter! You went through all that trouble to 'have' her—you can't just abandon her! This is a potion shop, not a daycare! " Lynn chased after him, shouting until he reached the doorway.
But when he looked out, the fiend was already gone, swallowed by the darkness.
Lynn sighed. After a moment's thought, he called out into the eerie blackness, "Boss, if your stomach hurts again, come back—I'll operate on you. I promise to use anesthetic next time! And hurry back for your baby girl! If my master comes back, he'll probably chop her up for a drink! "
Instantly, the faint rustles and murmurs from the darkness fell silent, as if even the shadows held their breath.
Lynn turned and walked back into the potion shop. He rushed to the counter, rummaged through the drawers, and pulled out a small vial of Advanced Recovery Potion. He poured it directly onto his right eye—the one he'd wrenched out earlier. The eye slowly regained its luster, though a sharp pain still lingered.
"Works like a charm," he muttered, rubbing his red, watering eye. "Living in this world is truly a nerve-wracking affair… "
He'd dared to gouge out his own eye not because he was ruthless, but because he knew the shop had high-grade potions that could heal wounds quickly. These were expensive, though—he couldn't make them himself, as they were his master's stock, reserved for his own use and not for sale.
[Ding! Multiple abilities are eligible for upgrading. Your reputation in Wraith Alley has shifted. Please check your status panel.]
Lynn blinked and opened the system panel.
[Lynn]
[Level: 3]
[Race: Human]
[Strength: 4]
[Dexterity: 5]
[Intelligence: 8]
[Constitution: 4]
[Unassigned Points: 4]
[Basic Skills]
[Intermediate Housekeeping: 909/1000]
[Beginner Potion-Making: 90/100]
[Intermediate Surgery: 203/1000]
[Beginner Knife Skill: 26/100]
[Beginner Diagnosis: 55/100]
[Skull Coins: 250]
[Reputation: 15]
[Description: A slightly deranged apprentice at Bloodsaw's Potion Shop. Multiple patients have felt intense malice from him—he seems to be gradually inheriting his master's twisted ways…]
Lynn: "..."
What the hell was that description supposed to mean? Was this an insult? It was completely unfair and unobjective! Aside from forgetting the anesthetic, he'd been extremely responsible to his patients. This was nothing but blatant malice from the system!
Lynn shook his head, but his attention quickly shifted to his level-up—he'd gone from Level 2 to 3, with four unassigned points. He had to admit, the system panel felt just like something out of a shoddy online game. But this wasn't a game—it was a cruel, dark otherworld. If he died here, he'd stay dead.
Without hesitation, Lynn put all four points into Constitution. To be a qualified doctor, a strong physique was essential—especially in this chaotic world. A weak body could be the final straw that killed you at any moment. Above all else, survival was the top priority.
"Confirm."
A warm current surged through his body instantly. Lynn could feel the points taking effect—the fatigue from the surgery faded away, replaced by boundless energy. He took off his coat and looked down at his abdomen. In just a few minutes, faint abs had formed on his once-flat stomach. He savored the feeling of having a healthy, strong body.
"Waaah—Waaah— "
The blood infant's cries echoed from the counter behind him. Lynn walked over, picked her up, and frowned as he examined her closely. She was underdeveloped, roughly the size of four adult fists, with a long umbilical cord coiled around her waist. Her body was covered in crimson veins, and her face—aside from a black, hole-like mouth—was smooth and featureless, like a lump of raw meat.
[Unformed Evil Spirit Blood Infant]
[Gender: Female]
[Level: 2]
Lynn: "???"
She'd been Level 1 just minutes ago—how had she already leveled up to 2? Did that mean she was maturing rapidly?
Just then, a system notification echoed in his mind.
[Ding! Optional Hidden Quest Triggered: Blood Infant's Transformation. Due to her premature birth, the ghostly qi within her is rapidly distorting her appearance. The more grotesque she becomes, the greater the malice she will unleash once fully revived!]