I exhaled sharply, forcing myself into a trance. My vision sharpened, every detail of her fair skin etched in perfect clarity. Blood welled from beneath my fingernails, condensing into the familiar shape of a scalpel. Even as it solidified, I called out {Anesthetic Shot} in my mind.
The crimson blade shimmered, wrapped in a faint green glow, and before John could react, I made my move.
My fingers worked with practiced precision, excising the necrotic tissue in swift, deliberate motions. Foul vapor rose as the rot burned away, and at the same time, I activated {Blood Cleanse}, flushing her bloodstream of the poison that had begun to spread.
Everything had happened so quickly, but now came the hardest part, closing the wound. Yet for some reason, my system offered me no method to seal it.
What do I do? I wondered, my mind racing. But I didn't waste time. My eyes snapped to John's stunned face.
"Needle. Stitches. Now!" I barked, my tone leaving no room for hesitation. If he knew even the basics of medicine, he would obey.
He didn't answer with words. For a brief moment, our eyes spoke instead, an unspoken understanding only doctors could share. Then, in the blink of an eye, he was gone, vanished like a puff of smoke, and returned just as quickly, leaving me stunned. In one hand he carried a bottle that reeked of alcohol, in the other, a needle and thread for sutures.
I took them without hesitation. My gaze lingered on her face for just a moment longer, then with a steady flick of my wrist, I stitched the wound closed with practiced precision.
A bead of sweat rolled down my forehead as I exhaled deeply and stepped back, careful not to press any further strain on her fragile body.
Then, something soft curled around my fingers. My heart skipped as I looked down. Wrapped around my fingers was Elira's hand. Her grip was warm, firm even, not what I would expect from someone standing at death's door.
Our eyes met. Her gaze was soft, impossibly gentle, yet behind it shimmered a quiet strength. Those eyes glowed golden, bright and mesmerizing, almost like twin suns staring straight into me.
"Elira?! Elira!" John's voice cracked from the side, trembling as he shoved me slightly aside, his whole body shaking. Yet she didn't look at him. Her gaze stayed fixed on me.
What's wrong with this girl? Why is she staring at me so deeply? The weight of her eyes made me strangely uneasy… but not in a bad way.
"Thank you." The words left her lips, soft but steady. Her eyes held a mystery in them, yet also something genuine.
Pride swelled quietly in my chest. Back in my old world, patients rarely looked me in the eye after surgery, and even fewer ever said thank you.
"No problem. Just save your strength and…" My gaze flicked toward John, whose face was twisted with conflict. "…your dad is here too. He was worried about you."
I had to get out of this moment. Something more than just saving a life was making me excited.
The two of them quickly reconnected. After a while, she finally let go of my hand, and the second I looked away toward the corner, I almost squealed.
The system messages had flooded my vision, bright and overwhelming. I held myself back from freaking out. It felt like being a child again, being handed my favorite candy by my mother.
[Congratulations!]
An entire row of the system's congratulations flashed in red.
[You have successfully cleared your first quest {Save the life of your first patient}]
[You have received an S grade reward: Twenty skill points; Two Hundred System Shop Points; Ten recipes for Blood Surgeon medicine exclusives; Five recipes for common and Six recipes for rare grade pharmaceuticals; A new exclusive skill: Healing Touch (Click for more details)]
[You have reached Level 2 {Blood Surgeon}]
[Your abilities have been upgraded]
[You have been granted a title: {Savior of the Enemy}]
[You have been granted a title: {Blood Surgeon}]
I watched the flood of messages and secretly tried to inspect each and every single one of them. This truly was like a video game, which made me wonder how far I could take this. What would I reach when I maxed my exclusive class… what would happen if I climbed to the very top of this world?
The questions both excited and scared me, but they gave me a path forward. I wouldn't wander this world blindly. I knew what I had to do to be free. Even now, I swore I could still feel her touch on my skin, the villainess of this story. And Hera… my wings. It still hurts even now...
How dare she? AAHHH! Annoying… Forget it. I had to grow strong first before taking any of them on. And what better way than maxing my surgeon skill with my real-world knowledge and experience?
That's it. I decided then and there. I would open my own clinic in this world. I would treat people and demons alike, no matter who asked for me. Only not the heroine or the villainess. Those two were far too hateful.
"May I ask for my savior's name?" A gentle voice called from behind me. I turned and saw Elira sitting up, supported by John. Her gaze was serious, and I felt something in her; something like a connection.
"I'm Beatrice. And I'm not your savior. I'm just a doctor. That's my job." I smiled brightly, but her eyes only trembled at my words. She shook her head firmly.
"You're my savior, Lord Beatrice."
She tried to push herself upright, and my heart nearly leapt; I almost rushed to stop her. It would be a disaster if her stitches tore already. But thankfully, John was quick. He held her back, shaking his head, clearly forbidding her to stand.
"If you don't mind… please allow me to stay by your side." Her voice wavered, but her eyes burned with quiet determination. "As your servant, as someone who learns from you… someone who can grow strong enough to protect you one day."
Her fingers tightened slightly against John's arm as she spoke, her gaze fixed on me in a way that felt almost too intense, too raw. Gratitude was there, yes, but beneath it, there was something softer, maybe warmer; a spark that made me look away for a moment just to steady myself.
I stood frozen, as though struck by lightning. Had I heard her right? Even John stayed silent, until inevitably their argument erupted.
He argued it was reckless, that I was dangerous. She countered that she was an adult now, free to choose her own path, and that path was with me. Watching them clash, I couldn't help but laugh softly. In a way, it reminded me of my fights with my late mother…
"Fine, fine. Stop fighting. If John is okay with it, I'll allow you to follow me. But not as my servant. I'll only accept if you agree to be my friend." I said it with a smile, though my chest tightened strangely as I caught Elira's gaze again.
I guess this world really is meant for me. And maybe, just maybe… for the first time, I won't have to walk it alone.