World Filter

Mark stifled a yawn as he arrived at the medical tent. A woman with dark circles under her eyes manned the front desk.

As he got to her she asked what he was there for.

When he had said he was assigned to work here her face had lit up.

Mark suddenly felt like he was entering the wolf's den. She checked his name off a clipboard and took him to the back, handing him a cup of coffee.

Which Mark took happily, sighing when it was gone.

“The Doc is actually already in the triage tent. Go straight down this hallway and you shouldn't miss it” she said.

Mark nodded moving in the direction she pointed. He went forward, pushing through a flap that opened up into another massive tent.

Right away he was nearly bowled over as he was passed by a medic carrying another soldier with a neck wound.

“We got another red doc!” the soldier screamed to a man in full medical grab.

The chaos of the room hit Mark in full as everywhere the eye could see bodies lay in coats. All were injured in some form or another. Some were screaming in pain and being held down by another soldier. While others didn't even move or blink.

Mark realized there were nowhere near enough nurses here and the soldiers were having to fill the role.

Mark saw several people hunched over the injured using Prana to heal. Colored triage armbands were tied around all the injured. Telling the doctors where to go next.

Red for immediate danger.

Orange for significant injury, but not life-threatening.

Green for minor injury.

Blue for lost cause.

There was a lot of red and blue here.

Mark’s body began moving before his brain had caught up. He moved toward the soldier that had nearly knocked him over. He was busy tying a red armband to the man.

Mark stopped in front of the cot and activated [Prana pulse], finding a torn carotid artery and massive blood loss. If Aura didn't exist this man would have been dead a long time ago.

Mark poured Prana in and was slightly shocked by how little it took. The combination of his greatly improved stats and his new chest piece was making the world of difference. As soon as the wound was closed, Mark hit him with a weak [Regenerate] aimed at making blood and looked up at the soldier.

Calling the word green he announced the patient's state change.

The soldier looked toward the man's now healed neck and then at Mark in surprise, then quickly started untying the red armband and putting a green on.

Mark was already on the next red.

[Prana pulse]. The man was suffering from a broken spleen. Server internal bleeding. hemorrhagic shock.

Prana flowed from Mark. He shouted for a green armband and moved on. The soldier ran behind him getting the armband off.

Mark moved through the room. Hitting each red he could see in range. The room was massive and as soon as he thought they were done another appeared.

At one point he passed the Doc who was busy working.

“Pace yourself, I don't need more helpers collapsing on me,” the Doc said coldly.

Mark didn't say anything, but he was more than capable of managing his resources. He wasn't someone with no training, he knew to take care of himself first when these kinds of situations arose.

As he dealt with each case, Mark saw the man at work and he was impressed. What was impressive was that he used little to no Prana. Only Mana. He seemed to have years of skill behind him and used small spells in place of different instruments. Using what Mark first thought was [Telekinesis] which he used with incredible control to set bones, sow wounds closed, and bind the body.

However Mark at one point saw blood begin to flow back into the wound. Which if Mark had to hazard a guess was some type of blood control spell. Which made him rethink the [Telekinesis] angle

Either way, Mark's interest in the man was piqued.

Eventually, only oranges remained.

Mark released a breath he didn't realize he had been holding and turned to the doc. Mark was sitting at 49 Prana left.

The doc had an impressed look on his face.

“Good, you have training in triage?” he asked.

Mark nodded.

“I was studying to be a physician before all this went down,” Mark said.

“It shows. They finally sent a good one. Take care of that half, I’ve got this side”

“Sure, does this happen every day?” Mark asked.

“Every goddamn day since the fall,” he said bitterly

Other civilians had been slowly filtering in since Mark got here, and each one that did took some of the burden off them. Mark noted that at most they only healed two to three people before leaving the room exhausted.

But as far as Mark was concerned every bit helped. The doc thought otherwise, shooing them when they got in his way.

“You’re a grumpy fucker aren't you?” Mark said as the last of the orange armbands were settled.

He snorted.

“Not particularly,” he said, not even trying to keep the venom out of his voice.

“Hah. Please, you haven't even told me your name yet” Mark laughed.

“Doctor Friedrich at your service,” he said in a derisive tone.

“Mark, nice to meet you Doc”

He was completely unfazed by the man's supposed rudeness. He knew many men like this when he had moved through practicals. They were exhausted and used anger as a shield.

Men like this took time to build trust with. If he want to ask him questions then he’d have to earn his respect.

Mark was leisurely sorting through the greens when other medics started filling the tent.

It was probably them that made sure all these people had made it here alive.

Mark even thought he recognized a few faces.

These were the men on the wall during the night watch.

Without even needing to be asked they filled in and began seeing to the remains of the injured.

Mark saw one sit down shakily in a cot while clutching his hand.

Moving closer he saw the man was missing his pinky finger. He’d wrapped the stub but the bandage was soaked in blood.

Stopping in front of the man Mark said.

“You did a good job out there, mind if I take a look?”

The medic looked up and nodded. He looked at Mark like he was trying to figure something out.

Mark undid the bandage and sent Prana to the wound.

Now it was one thing to repair what was damaged but something else entirely to replace what was lost.

Mark started off strong, sending a large amount of Prana to the wound to recreate it. He used the man’s body to map out the missing digit and slowly rebuild the finger. It was intensive on his resources and some might call it a waste, but not to the man. The only cases left in the tent were green, so Mark spent 15 Prana to grow the man a new pinky. Bone started to build up first, then muscle, and finally flesh.

The man looked at his hand in wonder. Looking up he seemed to come to some sort of conclusion.

“You’re the guy that was on the wall last night,” he said it more as a statement than a question.

Mark shrugged and said.

“I was on the wall last night, but not too sure what you mean buddy”

“The one that threw up that huge shield. The men are talking all over about it. What's your name?”

“Um, Mark and yes I did, but I would prefer it if you didn't go spreading that around,” Mark said.

“For sure, mum’s the word. Listen, do you got any tips for how I can heal like that?” he said, indicating towards his hand.

“Oh, yeah. Actually, I have an account that teaches all the stuff I learn about healing if you are interested. It’s called WoundedHealer. Though, I’d recommend getting [Meditation] first if you don't already have it”

Mark then showed the man how he went through his checks and the spells he used. Telling him which ones to prioritize first.

After a while, he started to gather a crowd, as he went from cot to cot. He didn't stop them from watching. If they were willing to learn, he was willing to teach. Eventually, the doc broke it up saying they weren't a teaching hospital, but by then almost all of the green patients were walking out under their own power.

Mark hopped on one of the cots in the corner and started to meditate. He wasn't doing this for long before Jonathan rocked up, waking him from his [Meditation].

“Yo man we gotta talk.” was the first thing he said.

“Sure what’s up”

“Turns out quite a few people noticed the exp gain last night. And with the display you put on, they are putting things together.

We’re getting requests from Major Liam Grantwood to loan you to him. Just so you know we said no, as you don’t work for us we won’t force you to do anything. However, I thought it would be best to let you know because he has significant influence and they will probably come to make you an offer. ”

Mark frowned at this.

“Who is Major Liam Grantwood?” Mark asked.

Jonathan hummed for a moment in thought and then said

“So this safe zone is run by two Majors, Sam’s dad and Major Liam Grantwood. Overall he seems to want to help but his methods are different from ours. He believes that military law is the be-all and end-all. Stating that the only ones to fight should be personnel with clearance. So soldiers. He fought the creation of SAGE tooth and nail, saying it broke the chain of command. HQ in Manhattan okayed it because of the value we bring to the board. We will help you where we can, but at the end of the day you are free to choose what you want.”

Mark took this all in as he started to get a better picture of the playing field. It looked like factions of the military were wrestling for power. Mark enjoyed a low profile but it seemed as if that was going to end soon.

“Hmm. Alright. Well, I’ll keep that in mind” he said.

“Good. Now on to the other reason I’m here. Do you have enough Prana to get rid of my Cv? I’m willing to pay 100 Sp per 10% percent”

Mark had not expected so much, but he saw no reason to say no to the amount offered.

“Sure, gimme a moment,” he said.

Checking his level he saw he was sitting at 109 Prana.

Moving the Prana to his hand he held it out towards Jonathan.

The moment he took his arm Mark activated [Draw Corruption].

Immediately a massive amount of Corruption washed through Mark. Directing his reserves of Prana he burned away what was entering with [Corruption recovery].

Mark watched black veins filled with darkness enter through their connected arms and where Mark's arms started purple light fought off the Corruption.

It held out for 10% before fading and the rest flowed in uninterrupted.

Mark took a breath as the aches returned, although they were slightly easier to bear than last time.

“Okay, I gotta say that didn't look like you were burning it off,” Jonathan said.

Mark nodded.

“Yeah, cus I’m not. I’m taking it from you”

He frowned.

“You should have told me that. What are you sitting at, at the moment?”

He checked his Cv

“It wasn't important and I’m using it to train myself to handle more. Right now 42%”

“Jesus, hand it back. That much ought to be affecting you” Jonathan said in shock

Mark shook his head.

“Can’t doesn’t work that way and I don't intend to take on any more anytime soon.”

After a scrutinizing look, he said.

“Well… as long as you know your limit” he made a hand gesture.

Jonathan Wilson wishes to initiate a trade with you: Yes/No

The window appeared and 250 Sp appeared on Jonathan's side.

“That’s not what we agreed on,” Mark said.

“So sue me, that's what I’m paying,” Jonathan said, holding Mark's gaze.

Shrugging his shoulders Mark hit the accept button.

Mark just so happened to be looking towards the entrance of the tent. So he saw Daphne and another man enter the tent.

“We’ll talk more later, Sam said she wanted to speak to you at lunch about your thoughts on how to arrange the healers on the wall,” Jonathan said as he got up to leave.

Mark said he’d meet her at 1:00 PM in the Mess hall, But his eyes never left the two.

Eventually, Daphne spotted him and they began making their way over.