Lynn nodded.
Then he pulled out the bill, paused for a moment, and said:
"Although it's probably not the best time to bring this up, I still have to tell you."
"The surgery fee is 300 Skull Coins, but since this is my first time, I can offer you a 20% discount, bringing the total to 240 Skull Coins. The stitching fee is separate. Altogether, that’s 280 Skull Coins. Would you like to sign here?"
The pig-headed demon let out a miserable squeal, his mind on the brink of collapse.
"Stitch it! Stitch it!!" he trembled.
Lynn nodded, then pointed to the various threads on the wall.
"We have hemp thread, wool thread, cotton thread, iron wire, steel wire... Each one has a different price. Which would you prefer?"
A tear trickled down from the pig-headed demon's eye corner as he muttered:
"Hemp thread..."
Lynn nodded and took the hemp thread.
"Would you still like..."
"Stitch!! STITCH!!!" The demon screamed.
Lynn nodded, skillfully picking up his steel needle. He flicked the hemp thread, walked up to the pig-headed demon, and tugged at the thread with his teeth.
"Hold on, bear with me a little longer, I'm starting now."
[Stitching Skill Experience +1]
[Stitching Skill Experience +1]
[Stitching Skill Experience +1]
Finally, after a good ten minutes...
Lynn took out a pair of scissors, snipped the thread, and patted the butterfly knot he’d made. He took a potion and sprayed it on the demon's belly.
Immediately, the stitched wound began to close up, the flesh rapidly healing.
[Ding! You completed the hidden quest. You gained 50 Skull Coins, 50 surgery experience, and 50 diagnosis experience!]
[Ding! Your Pig-Headed Demon Fear Level increased by +200!]
[Ding! Your notoriety in Soul Alley increased by +10!]
Lynn removed his mask, unlocked the handcuffs on the operating table, and cradled the little demon in his arms, smiling.
"Congratulations! The surgery went very smoothly. As you can see, this was a standard haunting spirit infestation. Lucky for you, you met me. Otherwise, you’d be in big trouble!"
Buzz—
In an instant, Lynn felt a flash before his eyes.
Then, a shadow trembled violently and bolted from the operating table, clutching its stomach and sprinting toward the door at an unimaginable speed.
It would never come back!
It swore it would never step foot in here again!
Getting surgery here felt like having a butcher carve you open! This visit to the doctor had given it a psychological trauma!
...
"Boss! You left your daughter behind! We're an apothecary, not a babysitting service!"
Lynn quickly chased after, shouting, running all the way to the door.
When he turned back, the pig-headed demon was nowhere to be seen in the darkness.
Lynn sighed.
He thought for a moment, then called out into the eerie blackness:
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
"Boss, if your stomach still hurts, come back and I’ll operate again. I promise I’ll give you anesthesia next time. Also, get your daughter and take her home soon!"
In an instant, the previously bustling darkness became eerily silent.
Lynn turned and walked back into his apothecary.
He quickly rushed to the counter, rummaged through the drawers, and pulled out a small bottle of powerful healing potion. Without hesitation, he poured it directly into his right eye.
The eyeball he had forcefully removed slowly began to regain its vitality.
It still hurt, but the effect was remarkable.
Lynn rubbed his red eye socket, muttering:
"Living in this world really makes you constantly anxious..."
He dared to remove his own eye, not because he was cruel, but because he knew his store had high-quality potions that could quickly heal injuries.
However, these were high-end products that he couldn't make himself—they were his mentor's stock, used only for personal use and never sold.
[Ding! You have several abilities ready for upgrade. Your reputation in Soul Alley has improved. Please check your panel for details.]
Lynn paused and opened the system panel.
[Lynn]
[Level]: 3
[Race]: Human
[Strength]: 4
[Agility]: 5
[Intelligence]: 8
[Constitution]: 4
[Available Points]: 4
[Basic Skills]
[Intermediate Household Proficiency: 909/1000]
[Beginner Apothecary: 90/100]
[Intermediate Surgery Ability: 203/1000]
[Beginner Knife Skills: 26/100]
[Beginner Diagnosis Ability: 55/100]
[Skull Coins]: 250
[Reputation]: 15
[Description]: The apprentice of the Bloodsaw Apothecary, known for their unhealthy nature, many patients have felt immense malice here. It seems they’re slowly inheriting their mentor’s... twisted style...
Lynn: "..."
What’s with this final remark?
This is basically insulting me, isn’t it?
Not objective at all.
Aside from not using anesthesia, I’m very responsible toward my patients! This system is just being malicious!
Lynn shook his head.
But soon, he noticed something—he had leveled up.
He had gone from level 2 to level 3 and had earned four extra attribute points.
It had to be said, the panel provided by the system really had a cheap MMORPG feel to it.
But the reality was clear: this wasn’t an MMORPG, it was a dangerous and dark alternate world where death was permanent.
Lynn didn’t hesitate.
He allocated all four attribute points to Constitution.
Why?
To be a competent doctor, your constitution had to be strong, especially in this chaotic world. A weak body could easily become the last straw that broke you.
Survival. That’s the most important thing in this world.
"Confirm."
In an instant, Lynn felt a warm current flowing through his body.
He knew the four attribute points were now in action.
The exhaustion from earlier, from the surgery, was quickly swept away by the surge of energy, replaced by an unending vitality.
He took off his outer garment and looked at his abdomen.
In just a few minutes, the once flat belly now had visible contours of several abdominal muscles.
Lynn felt the bliss of a healthy body.
"Wah—wah—"
From behind the counter, the ghost baby let out a series of crying sounds.
Lynn quickly walked over, picked up the bloody ghost baby, and inspected it.
And that look immediately revealed the problem.
Still undeveloped, it was about the size of four adult fists.
Its face was completely smooth, as though covered by a silk cloth, with only a gaping black hole for a mouth.
[Evil Spirit Blood Baby (Unformed)]
[Gender]: Female
[Level]: 2
Lynn: "???"
Just a while ago, this ghost baby was level 1, and now, it had leveled up to 2?
Does that mean it’s rapidly forming?
Just then, the system’s voice echoed in his mind.
[Ding! You’ve triggered a hidden quest: Ghost Baby Mutation. Due to premature birth, the ghost baby’s internal spirit energy is rapidly distorting its appearance. The more terrifying the appearance, the greater the malice it will exhibit when revived!]