*Uhuk* *uhuk*…
Covering his cough with his hand. Blood spilled from his mouth in quite a large amount. Looking at his hand soaked in blood, Ace could do nothing.
He then tried to regulate his breathing back to normal, but the pain in his chest only worsened his condition.
*Uhuk*…
Why does it feel like… my body is being crushed from the inside, like slime.
And—
As he took his first step. His body's nerves began to react as if they were bursting from within. Until the grip of his hand started to weaken.
The lantern he was holding fell hard to the ground.
Followed by Ace collapsing face-first after his body suddenly went into shock and was no longer able to move. His body instantly convulsed as it was forced to adapt to the condition he had just experienced.
What the hell is this.
My body is going numb. I can't even make a sound from my mouth, how and… why!
Without realizing it, his body began to stop moving, even though his heart was still beating. Ace started to feel mental exhaustion, his vision becoming blurry, and slowly he began to lose consciousness.
As Ace lay helplessly sprawled. A melody appeared from the darkness of the room, as if someone were humming. The voice was so beautiful that it slowly began to move Ace's body rhythmically, like a puppet.
His softened body slowly lifted, as if tied by strings, now floating like a soulless doll.
The room grew more and more ominous, everything felt like a pull. One that led directly toward a gigantic door standing wide open.
♪♪~humming~
A woman's voice echoed from within the corridor, forming a seductive lure. As if controlling the melody like an instruction—guiding Ace to immediately enter, with an elegant tune like a shepherd leading her sheep.
~♪ come here, poor little sheep, you must be in great pain. Don't worry, I—I will help you soon.
~♪ *soft laughter*
After the melody led Ace into the corridor, the pulling force stopped. And the door slowly closed tightly, sealing the empty room forever.
———
Faint, noisy voices began echoing in Ace's mind. As if something extremely serious was happening. His blurred vision showed several figures resembling medical staff along with a familiar white hallway.
✚ Health Care Facility
–Everyone please. Make way, this is an emergency.
–Prepare the equipment immediately!
–My god, how unfortunate.
Where am I!
Why are medical personnel beside me—where are they taking me? ..
And why do their faces look blurry.
It's too bright. My eyes feel like they're about to be damaged.
A door was forcefully pushed open. Bringing Ace into a place filled with light, the room glaringly vivid.
...uhhh.
...so bright.
Thousands of footsteps moved simultaneously in chaos. Until they finally stopped as they surrounded Ace, wearing full medical attire and masks covering their faces. Along with one specialist.
–Alright everyone. The surgery will begin immediately.
Wait! I'm going to be operated on. But why am I not fitted with an oxygen tube?
The specialist gave firm instructions, making the atmosphere in the room tense. There wasn't even the slightest interaction.
Everyone worked silently and seriously.
[ Condition detection machine = ON ]
*Beep* *beep* [ Success rate 45% ]
Everyone focused on the surgery, slowly attempting to repair Ace's internal organs. But it triggered a foul stench from within his body along with a dense dark aura.
One female assistant hurriedly informed the specialist that the item he requested was ready for use. The specialist nodded while remaining focused on his task.
*Beep* *beep* [ Success rate 49% ]
The specialist stopped the operation, placing his surgical tools onto the medical trolley beside him. Then he signaled the female assistant to bring the item immediately.
The assistant quickly brought in a medical trolley with a display case.
There was a large futuristic jar placed on top of the trolley the assistant carried. Inside, something like a living liquid covered its contents, pitch black with faint blue light glowing within.
The jar was lifted slowly and carefully handed to the specialist.
The situation was currently unfavorable. Moreover, the contents of the jar were highly suspicious. As if there was an ulterior motive behind the ongoing surgery on his body. Which was left wide open, exposing several of his internal organs.
The jar was carefully opened, its contents releasing a stench that instantly spread throughout the operating room. Emitting radiation-like cold temperature and the scent of mint leaves.
Everyone simultaneously covered their noses, as the thick odor stabbed their sense of smell, some even starting to feel nauseous from inhaling the surrounding air.
But this did not apply to the specialist.
He casually poured it over Ace's body. Whose condition continued to worsen due to infection from the surrounding air.
His skin turned pale, blood gushed out like a flowing spring, and his eyesight deteriorated further.
Until his condition triggered an emergency warning system, designated for patients.
=[ Danger warning, patient condition deteriorating. Perform medical treatment immediately ]=
The alarm repeated endlessly, echoing throughout the entire building.
Ace, who had not understood anything that was happening, now felt his body convulsing due to interference with his brain nerves.
Without hesitation. The specialist calmly and slowly poured all of the liquid until nothing remained.
The intense burning pain was enough to make Ace writhe in agony, due to the sudden mixture invading his organs.
Ace stared at the specialist beside him, fury surging in his mind, urging him to kill the specialist immediately. Ace forced his body to move. But the more he resisted, the more pain it inflicted upon him.
Even screaming was already meaningless for him.
Yet in his dire state, a mysterious voice emerged in his mind, while the people around him now stared at him with empty expressions.
=={ No need to worry… the purification within your soul will be completed soon, be patient… }==
A strange disturbance occurred, his vision seeing the surrounding area becoming abstracted like a glitch.
=={ Purification. Complete }==
*Emergency alarm echoing*
"..."
*Steadying his breath*
A light shone upon him, and he opened his eyes once again. "Where am I." He awoke to find himself in a different place, bewildered by what had happened.
"Ah, my head hurts."
"!..Patient clothes! Am I in an operating room?" Looking around. "If I remember correctly, there were people here besides me, but where did they go!" He climbed down from the operating table, but as he stepped down, his foot touched something strange. Something thick and viscous.
"What is this—" he stepped back after seeing something that was far from ordinary.
Several human bodies were scattered everywhere, in horrific condition, blood covering them entirely.
End of Chapter