Lin En nodded.
Then he took out the bill, thought for a moment, and said:
"Although this might not be the best time to bring it up, I still need to discuss it with you. The surgery fee is 300 Skull Coins in total, but since it''s my first time, I can give you a 20% discount, making it 240 Skull Coins. The stitching fee is separate, so altogether it''s 280 coins. Would you mind signing?"
"Oww—Oww—"
The Pig Demon let out a pitiful squeal, on the verge of a mental breakdown.
"Sew it up! Sew it up!" he trembled.
Lin En nodded and pointed at the various threads on the wall, saying, "We have hemp thread, wool thread, cotton thread, wire, and steel wire, each with a different price. Which one would you like?"
A tear rolled down the Pig Demon''s cheek as he murmured, "Hemp thread..."
Lin En nodded, took down the hemp thread, and asked, "Do you still need..."
"Sew! Sew!!" he screamed.
Lin En nodded, skillfully picked up his steel needle, flicked the hemp thread, and walked over to the Pig Demon, biting the thread''s end and pulling it taut.
"Stay calm, bear with it a bit, I''m about to start."
[Sewing Skill Experience +1]
[Sewing Skill Experience +1]
[Sewing Skill Experience +1]
***
Finally.
After a dozen minutes.
Lin En took out scissors, snipped the thread, patted the bow on top, and poured a potion into his mouth, spraying it onto the Pig Demon''s stomach.
Instantly, the stitched flesh began to close up, healing rapidly.
[Ding! You''ve completed a hidden task, earning 50 Skull Coins, 50 Surgery Experience, and +50 Visual Diagnosis Experience!]
[Ding! You''ve gained +200 Fear from the Pig Demon]
[Ding! Your Fame in Wandering Soul Alley has increased by 10]If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
Lin En removed his mask, unlocked the handcuffs on the operating table, and cradled the little imp, smiling:
"Congratulations, the surgery went very smoothly. As you can see, this was indeed a routine evil spirit parasitism. Luckily, you met me, or you''d be in big trouble!"
Buzz—
In an instant, Lin En felt his vision blur.
Then he saw a shadow tremble violently and dash off the operating table, clutching its stomach, fleeing towards the door at an unimaginable speed.
Never coming back!
He swore he''d never come back!
Having surgery felt like being butchered! Seeing a doctor once gave him a damn psychological shadow!
***
"You forgot your daughter! We''re an apothecary, not a babysitting service!"
Lin En quickly chased after, shouting all the way to the entrance.
But when he looked again, the Pig Demon was nowhere to be seen in the darkness.
Lin En sighed.
He thought for a moment and still shouted into the mysterious darkness:
"If your stomach feels uncomfortable again, come back and I''ll operate on you. Next time, I promise to give you anesthesia. Also! Come pick up your newborn daughter soon!!"
In an instant.
The bustling darkness fell eerily silent.
Lin En turned and went back to his apothecary.
Then he quickly rushed to the counter, rummaging through the drawers to find a small bottle of powerful recovery potion, and poured it over his right eye.
The eyeball he had forcibly gouged out slowly regained its vitality.
Though it still hurt.
But the effect was good.
Lin En rubbed his reddened eye sockets, muttering:
"Living in this world really keeps you on edge..."
He dared to gouge out his own eye, not because he was truly ruthless, but because he knew his shop had advanced potions that could quickly heal injuries.
However, these were high-cost products, not something he could make, but leftovers from his teacher.
Usually for personal use, not for sale.
[Ding! Multiple abilities can be upgraded, and your reputation in Wandering Soul Alley has improved. Please check the panel.]
Lin En was taken aback and opened the system panel.
[Lin En]
[Level]: 3
[Race: Human Race]
[Strength]: 4
[Agility]: 5
[Intelligence]: 8
[Constitution]: 4
[Assignable Points]: 4
[Basic Skills]
[Intermediate Housekeeping Proficiency: 909/1000]
[Beginner Potion Crafting: 90/100]
[Intermediate Surgical Ability: 203/1000]
[Beginner Knife Skills: 26/100]
[Beginner Diagnostic Ability: 55/100]
[Skull Coins]: 250
[Fame]: 15
[Description]: A somewhat morbid apprentice at the Blood Saw Apothecary, many patients have felt immense malice here. He seems to be gradually inheriting his teacher''s perverse style...
Lin En: "..."
What does this last comment mean?
Isn''t this an insult?
Not objective or fair at all.
Except for not using anesthesia, he was very responsible to his patients. This is just the system''s blatant malice towards him!
Lin En shook his head.
But he quickly noticed that he had leveled up.
From level 2 to level 3, with four additional assignable points.
It must be said.
From this point of view, the panel provided by this system really feels like a low-quality online game.
But it''s clear that this is not an online game; it''s a vicious and dark Otherworld, where death is real.
Lin En didn''t hesitate.
He allocated all four points to Constitution.
For no other reason.
To become a qualified doctor, Constitution must be strong enough, especially in this chaotic world, a weak body will always be the last straw that breaks you.
No matter what.
Survival is the primary element in this world.
"Confirm."
In an instant, Lin En felt a surge of warmth coursing through his body.
He knew those four attribute points were starting to take effect.
Gradually, the fatigue from the surgery was swept away by the warmth, replaced by boundless energy.
He took off his outerwear.
He looked down at his abdomen.
In just a few minutes, his once flat abdomen now showed the outline of several abdominal muscles.
Lin En felt the joy of having a healthy body.
"Wah—Wah—"
From behind the counter came the cries of the Blood Wraith Infant.
Lin En immediately went to the counter, holding the bloody infant for a closer look, and what he saw was concerning.
Because it was not fully developed, it was only about the size of four adult fists.
Apart from a mouth like a black hole, the rest of its face was smooth and featureless, like it was covered with silk.
[Blood Wraith Infant (Unformed)]
[Gender]: Female
[Level]: 2
Lin En: "???"
Because just a moment ago, this Blood Wraith Infant was level 1, and in such a short time, it had risen to level 2?
Does that mean the Blood Wraith Infant is rapidly forming?
At this moment, a system prompt sounded in his mind.
[Ding! You have triggered an optional hidden task: Breaking the Form of the Blood Wraith Infant. Since the infant was born prematurely, the ghost aura within is rapidly distorting its appearance. The more terrifying the appearance, the greater the malice the infant will display upon revival!]