NOVEL NEXT Chapter 18: Chapter 18
It had been three weeks since Zedd's escape from the military academy, and the once-young soldier had now become a fugitive, a criminal wanted across the land. The academy had labeled him an S-Class threat after the assassination that had marked the beginning of his fall from grace. But surprisingly, Zedd hadn't been found yet. He had expected them to track him down within days, but to his amazement, the military still hadn't caught up with him. The thought of the academy's incompetence made him feel both a sense of relief and disbelief.
Last night, after days of work, Zedd had finally completed the most important task of his life. The synthetic tissue he had been developing—a project that started the night he took that first life—was now fully perfected. It was 100% complete, and for the first time, he could truly feel the fruits of his labor. This achievement wasn't just a scientific breakthrough. It was a dangerous step into uncharted territory, one that would forever change him.
The next phase of this work was even more daunting: grafting the synthetic tissue to his own body. Zedd, now both the surgeon and the patient, was ready for the transformation. He had perfected the material, but now he had to undergo the most painful and difficult procedure of his life. It would be a test of his resilience and willpower. Once complete, he would be one step closer to breaking the constraints of the human body, gaining strength and durability that could surpass any human limitation.
The morning sun streamed through the cracks of the wooden walls as Zedd sat up in his bed, a groan escaping his lips as he stretched. His body ached from the long hours spent working on his project, but there was no turning back now. He had come this far, and the procedure was necessary. He would complete it today, no matter the cost.
After a quick wash and brushing his teeth, Zedd dressed in his usual attire and made his way to the village restaurant. This small, familiar place had become a second home to him, and the food, though simple, was always satisfying. As he entered, the waiter greeted him with a smile, having learned long ago not to mess with Zedd—he had already shut down their previous scam attempt with little effort. Zedd had become a regular here, and the restaurant had benefited from his business, often making a solid profit on his frequent visits.
Zedd sat down at his usual spot and ordered his breakfast: a plate of bread, meat, and vegetables. As he ate, his thoughts wandered. He had done a few bounty hunting jobs to keep his coin pouch filled, and now he had more than enough money to live comfortably for a while. His total reserves were 200 silver coins and 500 gold coins, a sum that would carry him through the next few months, at least. With that, he felt a small sense of security.
"The food here sure is delicious," Zedd mused inwardly, taking a bite of his bread. "They don't cut corners. I'd rate them a 9 out of 10." It wasn't Michelin-starred food, but it was good enough to make him feel at home.
Zedd had never cooked a meal in his life—his attempt during his survival class at the academy had resulted in a resounding failure. In fact, his cooking skills were so bad that his grade was a flat "N"—Never let this person cook again. It was a lesson learned the hard way, but Zedd didn't mind. He wasn't there to cook; he had other skills to focus on.
Finishing his meal, Zedd stood up, paid his bill, and made his way out. He had important work to do, and the clock was ticking. There was no time to waste.
His next stop was the local herb store. He already had a list of the items he needed to ensure the success of his procedure: painkillers, herbs for infection prevention, and, of course, bandages. The woman behind the counter looked him up and down as she read the list.
"You sure about all this, kid? You look barely fifteen. For a boy your age, you sure know your medicine," she remarked, raising an eyebrow.
Zedd didn't flinch. "No need to ask questions," he said, his voice low and firm. "Just give me what I need, and I'll pay you for it."
The woman seemed taken aback for a moment but nodded, gathering the herbs and medicines Zedd had requested. She handed him the items, and he paid her 10 silver coins for the bundle.
Next, Zedd headed to the village doctor's office. The doctor was an older man, always a bit grumpy but efficient. Zedd had already made up his mind to stock up on bandages, and he didn't waste any time. The doctor didn't ask questions, and Zedd paid for 10 rolls of bandages at the price of 3 silver coins.
With everything now in hand, Zedd turned back toward his cabin, his mind running through the procedure in his head. He had the herbs, the painkillers, the bandages—all the materials he needed for his operation. The only thing left to do was prepare the space.
When he arrived at his cabin, Zedd realized he was missing one crucial item: wooden planks to seal off the windows and door. Privacy was essential, especially for such a delicate procedure. He couldn't afford any distractions or nosy villagers peeking inside. He quickly found what he needed and carried the planks back to his cabin.
Locking the door from the inside, Zedd went to work, nailing the planks onto the door first. The wood creaked as the nails went in, and he sealed it tight. Next, he moved to the windows, blocking out any light and leaving the cabin in total darkness. He needed complete privacy, and once the windows were sealed, he was ready.
Zedd lit three candles and placed them carefully in the corners of the cabin. The soft light flickered, casting shadows around the room, but it was enough to see by. He arranged the items on his table, making sure everything was in place. Painkillers, herbs, bandages, and surgical tools—everything was ready.
He set the bed in the center of the room, knowing that this would be where the procedure would take place. He had to be both the surgeon and the patient, and he had to be prepared for everything that would come after the grafting. His heart raced at the thought, but he remained calm. Focused.
Zedd placed the synthetic tissue on the table and examined it once more. He had spent weeks perfecting it, and now it was time to integrate it into his body. It was an ambitious procedure—one that carried great risk. But Zedd knew that the human body had limitations, and he was determined to break them.
With a deep breath, Zedd set the final pieces in place. There was no turning back now. He had everything he needed, and today, he would push the boundaries of what was possible. As he prepared to begin, his mind was clear. He was ready.