NOVEL NEXT Chapter 54: The Night in The Outer District
"The wounds have been treated, and if there are no complications, your life is saved," Lynn said. "Take this anti-inflammatory medication daily, don't forget." He took a bottle of pills from his backpack and handed it over, urging the man to take them.
At that moment, the big man, although weaker, straightened up, inclined his head slightly, and uttered his gratitude. "Thank you."
"You should refrain from smoking those cigarettes as well, they can hinder your healing process," Lynn advised. Taking Lynn's advice to heart, the big man promptly discarded the cigarette he had just picked up.
With the patient now on the road to recovery, his work here was done, and Lynn's mind shifted to his own needs. He needed to get his fees, the reward he had been promised for saving the gang leader’s life.
"I need to get my share of the reward and get out of here," Lynn said.
The leader nodded his head and turned to look at Marcus, who retrieved a small bag tucked under his cloth, from which he handed Lynn ten rolls of federation dollar bills, two thousand each.
As Lynn clutched the rolls of federation dollar bills, a glimmer of satisfaction flickered in his eyes. Without wasting a moment, he carefully stowed them away in his backpack, ensuring their safety.
Lynn's momentary relief was abruptly shattered as Marcus calmly interjected, "But you still can't leave.” Lynn's brow furrowed in confusion, trying to comprehend the unexpected turn of events.
Marcus's tone was less cold but still unshakeable. "I'm worried about my older brother's comfort after the surgery he just underwent, so if there's a problem, you can take care of it in time."
"In addition to that, night will soon fall.," Marcus continued, his voice softer but still firm. "The outer district is very unsafe these days, it's better not to wander around at this time."
Lynn glanced at Anton, who nodded in agreement, understanding the need for caution. Lynn let out a sigh of exasperation, realizing that he had little choice but to comply if he didn't want to expose himself.
"Let's rest here tonight," Marcus suggested, offering a compromise. "Some of my brothers have also been stabbed. Treat them, and I'll add six thousand to your fee."
Marcus tossed three more rolls of federation dollars to Lynn, who caught them deftly. The additional payment was tempting, and Lynn knew that treating the injured gang members would probably push him to the next level of his class.
In the lounge outside the room where the boss rested, Marcus brought several other big guys to show Lynn the wounds one by one. Everyone had injuries on their bodies, all knife wounds. Some of them were quite serious; they just bandaged them to stop the bleeding.
"I have to say, the physical condition of these people is really good," Lynn thought as he treated and sutured the wounds.
After his treatment of the injured gang members, a notification sounded in Lynn's mind:
[Ding!]
[Class [Doctor] +1 Level: +1 Attribute Point, +1 Skill Point].
[Your body has been strengthened: Strength +1, Intelligence +1]
Lynn checked his status panel and saw that he had indeed leveled up to [Doctor] level 8. His attributes had increased as well.
[Player: Wandering Doctor]
[Authority: F-Rank]
Class: [Doctor lv8] (5%)
Talent: [Gemini Soul]
Attributes:
[Strength 15] [Dexterity 16] [Constitution 15] [Intelligence 16] [Perception 15]
Class Skills: [Cell Proliferation] [String Threading]
General Skills: [Evaluation lv1] [Swordsmanship lv3] [Spiritual Vision lv1] [Quickstep lv1]
Equipment: [Faceless Mask]
"Not bad, my abilities are improving steadily," Lynn thought to himself. "Though this place is dangerous, there are opportunities here as well. I just have to be cautious."
Meanwhile, Marcus had prepared a simple meal for everyone in the kitchen. Lynn and Anton joined the group of gangsters for the meal. Though the food was basic, it was filling after the stressful day.
Once they finished eating, Marcus led Lynn and Anton to the small room where they would spend the night. Inside was a worn blanket and pillow laid out on the floor.
"Conditions are limited, you'll just have to endure it for one night," Marcus said expressionlessly.
"It doesn't matter, there's no place I haven't slept before," Anton replied with a smile, unfazed by the spartan accommodations.
"That's good," Marcus replied before shutting the door, leaving them in near darkness save for the dim light from a sole window.
Both Lynn and Anton tidied up the makeshift bedding as best they could. The multiple surgeries had drained Lynn's energy and he was feeling drowsy. But he remained alert to his surroundings as Anton chose to lean against the door, listening as if wary of Marcus and his group.
In the middle of the night, Lynn was resting lightly when he heard a faint noise outside. Immediately on guard, he saw that Anton was standing seriously by the open door looking at the window.
"Anton, what was that sound?" Lynn asked quietly.
"I don't know," Anton shook his head.
Marcus and the others were also staring nervously out the window in the next room, and Lynn’s expression tightened, "It can't be the Saber Tooth Gang's people finding this place."
"Not sure." Anton shook his head. After a few minutes, Lynn, with his heightened perception, faintly heard an indistinct growl that didn't sound human, followed by screams, which made them even more nervous.
Gazing through the closed window, Lynn saw a massive dark shadow pass by the house at incredible speed. “This form...it seems familiar,” Lynn thought to himself. He recalled the werewolf they had encountered earlier that day. It must have been another one of those creatures.
“Something sinister just passed nearby,” Marcus interrupted Lynn’s line of thoughts from the next room.
"Sinister?" Lynn and Anton were surprised.
"My brother saw a dark shadow pass by the window. It didn't look like a human," Marcus solemnly said. "It must have been some unlucky fellow who encountered it and became its food."
Lynn wanted to go see what was happening outside, but with his current situation, he couldn't leave this place without attracting unwanted attention.
"I should just ignore it for now," Lynn muttered to himself. He went back into the room to rest without looking back, a little annoyed for not being able to investigate what had occurred.