[Name]: Lynn[Age]: 17[Level]: 2[Race]: Human
[Strength]: 3[Agility]: 4[Intelligence]: 7[Constitution]: 3
[Basic Skills]
[Intermediate Housework Proficiency]: 901/1000
[Beginner Potion Crafting]: 90/100
[Beginner Surgical Ability]: 20/100
[Skull Coins]: 100[Notoriety]: None
[Description]:An unknown assistant of the Bloodsaw Potion Shop.A frail yet sharp-minded human youth.He has survived in this world for two years—though no one knows when he might die.
Lynn calmly examined the panel that had suddenly appeared before him.
The habit he had developed over the past two years—never letting his expression change—allowed him to remain composed in almost any situation.
After studying it for a while,he gained a rough understanding of the system's functions.
"So as long as I continuously complete tasks issued by the beings of this world,I can receive corresponding rewardsand improve my abilities?"
Lynn pondered silently.
If that were the case,then his chances of surviving in this worldhad increased yet again.
At that moment,his teacher's hoarse voice and heavy footsteps echoed from inside the shop.
"Lynn, I'm heading out for a bit.I should be back within two days.Watch the shop carefully.Lock the doors at night.Don't let those annoying thieves take anything."
Scrrrrch—
Dragging sounds echoed down the corridor.
[Ding! Your teacher, Bloodsaw Maniac, has issued a task:Watch over the potion shop.Task Reward: Skull Coins x50, Basic EXP x100, Special Reward x1.Failure Penalty: The potion shop may require more 'collections'.]
...
Lynn immediately returned to the front hall.
At the entrance,he saw his teacher dragging a blood-soaked burlap sack.Something inside was still wriggling faintly.
That towering body—over two meters tall—covered in dark red flesh riddled with swollen cysts,was his teacher's true form.
At the same time,a panel appeared before Lynn's eyes.
[Bloodsaw Maniac][Race]: Stitch-Monster[Level]: ???[Alignment]: Lawful Evil[Combat Capability]: Do not attempt to provoke him.
[Description]:Owner of the Bloodsaw Potion Shop in Wandering Soul Alley.Excels at all kinds of surgical procedures,and frequently engages in "interesting" side businesses outside the operating room…
Lynn's heart trembled,but his face remained calm.
"Teacher, while you're gone,is there anything I should pay special attention to?"
He knew this was something he had to ask.Otherwise, he might die.
Bloodsaw Maniac slung the bloody sack over his shoulder and rasped:
"Those with money—take their money.Those without—trade something of equal value.Those with nothing who refuse to trade—cut it yourself."
Clack—
A bloodstained boning knife was tossed at Lynn's feet.
[Ding! You have obtained a Special Item:Bloodsaw's Boning Knife x1]
[Bloodsaw's Boning Knife]Quality: FineLevel: ???Bound To: Bloodsaw Maniac (Authorization Granted)
[Description]:A surgical knife frequently used by the owner of the Bloodsaw Potion Shop.Extremely sharp.Highly effective against flesh and ghosts alike.Rumor has it—the longer you use it,the stronger the urge becomes to cut something…
"Remember."
Bloodsaw Maniac strode toward the exit with the sack on his shoulder.
"No matter what noises you hear outside,do not step beyond the range of the Soul Lamp."
"No matter who asks you to leave and treat patients outside,ignore them."
"At night, lock the doors, shut the windows.Whoever comes in—kill them.Whoever calls you—ignore them!"
Lynn nodded, memorizing every word.
"Yes, Teacher. I understand."
Under his gaze,the massive figure of Bloodsaw Maniacsoon vanished into the thick darkness outside.
Time passed quickly.
Lynn went through his daily routine—scrubbing the blood off the floor,preparing common medicines for treating various ailments,then sitting behind the counter.
He held the boning knife in his hand,eyes closed,waiting.
Then—
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Three knocks sounded at the door.
Lynn looked up.
A filthy little girl stood outside,clutching a doll in her arms,gently knocking on the door with her small hand.
Her face was pitiful as she spoke:
"Is the shop owner here?My doll's arm is broken…Can you save my doll?"
[Ding! A Blood Puppet has issued a task:Treat the injured doll.Task Reward: Skull Coins +50,Surgical Ability EXP +50,Special Reward +1.]
Lynn's gaze flicked toward the Soul Lamp outside.
Its flame flickered faintly.
Chaotic flickering indicated the visitor's strength.Under the Soul Lamp's protection,as long as Lynn did not invite her inside,she could not enter—
with the exception of truly powerful beings.
A panel appeared before his eyes.
[Blood Doll][Level]: 5[Race]: Fleshbound Evil Spirit[Alignment]: Chaotic Neutral[Combat Capability]: You may provoke it slightly.
[Description]:A doll carrying a doll,wandering Wandering Soul Alley in search of its mother.Whoever tries to take away my beloved doll—the doll will eat them…
A chill ran through Lynn's heart,but his expression remained steady.
"Come in."
As an assistant of the potion shop in Wandering Soul Alley,Lynn knew the rules here.
As long as you didn't touch their taboos,these spirits weren't purely bloodthirsty.
Business could still be done.
The little girl sat down in front of the operating table,hugging her doll tightly.
Lynn glanced at it.
One of the doll's arms had been completely torn off,with dark red blood and filth oozing out—as if something had bitten it off with great force.
"Doctor, please save my doll…Her arm is broken.I can't find it.She's my favorite doll.If this keeps up, she'll die."
The girl pleaded.
Suddenly,the corners of her mouth stretched violently,all the way past her cheeks.
A blood-soaked smile spread across her face.
"You can save her, right?Big brother?"
[Lynn SAN -5]
Maintaining his composure,Lynn examined the doll's torn limb.
At that moment,the system's voice sounded in his mind.
[Ding! The wound shows bite marks consistent with teeth.Initial comparison indicates a high match with the target's family member.Blood residue in the mouth matches the doll's blood composition.Preliminary diagnosis:The target's family member consumed one of the doll's arms.]
Lynn: "???"
This system was terrifyingly effective—it could even perform automatic diagnosis.
If that was the case,this would be much easier.
He glanced at the girl,ignoring her grotesque smile.
"Have you eaten anything recently?"
The girl instantly withdrew her bloody grin,returning to her harmless, pitiful expression.
She clasped her hands together.
"I haven't eaten for many days.I was terribly hungry…but last night, while I was sleeping,I dreamed of having a huge feast."
She licked the corner of her mouth,then let out a bell-like laugh.
"It was delicious."
Creak—Creak—
The doll on the table suddenly began to laugh as well,repeating the same words over and over.
"So delicious! So delicious! Heeheeheehee!"
[Lynn SAN -10]