"Dedication?" Bloodsaw looked at Lynne as if he was seeing a strange creature, frowning, "You call that dedication?"
Lynne thought for a moment, then coughed and somewhat sheepishly lowered his head, saying, "Sorry, sir. I just thought they seemed like good people trying hard to heal everyone, although they do seem a bit obsessive."
Bloodsaw's head buzzed, his gaze slightly vacant.
Good people?
He couldn't comprehend how his apprentice had come up with such a far-fetched idea. But it seemed... He was indeed very interested in this profession...
He looked deeply at Lynne, saying, "I don't know where you heard about this organization, but truthfully, they are indeed one of the few medical organizations in the Dark World known for their exceptional medical skills. However, I still advise you to reconsider joining them, as only those who are not normal get absorbed into that profession."
Lynne pondered, seriously saying, "I'm very normal."
Bloodsaw narrowed his eyes, saying, "Alright, answer a few questions for me. This will also help determine which faction you lean towards, and then you can choose your profession accordingly. How about that?"
Lynne, surprised at first, then earnestly responded, "Okay!"
Bloodsaw thought for a moment, then asked, "Good! The first question is, do you possess compassion?"
Lynne looked puzzled. After a moment of thought, he subconsciously opened his system panel, then nodded, saying: "Yes! A lot!"
He had three points of Caring awarded by the system!
Bloodsaw deeply asked, "Second question, you are a doctor. On the road, you encounter a stranger who is severely injured but harbors ill will towards you. Would you help him?"
Lynne carefully considered the question.
Then thoughtfully said, "If I don't know he harbors ill will towards me, I would definitely go help. After all, I'm a 'white-coated angel', and I can't just watch someone die in front of me…"
Bloodsaw asked gravely, "What if, during the treatment, you discover his obvious ill will towards you?"
Lynne, without hesitation and very seriously said, "First, I'd treat him, then persuade him to be kind. If he's not kind, I'll kill him."
Bloodsaw: "…"
Bloodsaw wiped the sweat from his forehead, thought for a moment, and then went to the backyard. He fetched a thick psychology book and a pair of reading glasses from his library, saying: "Alright, third question. You are a doctor, and you have a patient with a serious problem in front of you. You have the ability to cure him, but the treatment process will cause him great pain, and he might even die from it. What would you choose?"
Lynne pondered carefully upon hearing the question.
"Does he want to live?"
Bloodsaw nodded, "Yes!"
"Has he hired me to cure him?"
Bloodsaw paused for a moment, then said, "Yes."
Lynne then looked up, giving his answer with a smile, "It's simple. If his purpose in hiring me is to be saved, then I must do everything possible to achieve this goal. As for the process... I believe the process is not very important!"
Bloodsaw hesitated, "What if the patient dies midway due to the immense pain of the process?"
Lynne seriously said, "Necromancy, suturing, mechanical modification, flesh modification, puppetry, undead magic, curses... there's always a way to bring him back to life."
Bloodsaw, taken aback, asked, "But... what if the resurrection is not possible..."
Lynne furrowed his brows deeply, pondering for a long time before saying, "Do you want the truth or a lie?"
Bloodsaw hesitated, "The truth, your most genuine thoughts."
Lynne's brows were tightly knit, hesitating for a long time before saying, "Firstly, I wouldn't let such a situation occur, but if it really did happen, I would certainly feel guilty, I would be upset, but as long as the employment relationship still exists..."
He lifted his head, adjusting his monocle as it refracted a faint light. His expression was unusually calm. He smiled and said, "I would try everything to preserve his body until I can resurrect him. I cannot simply give up due to objective or subjective reasons."
Bloodsaw looked at his apprentice in astonishment, unable to utter a word for a moment. Because if this was truly what he thought, this guy might become more terrifying than those of a chaotic evil alignment in the future. Because of his extreme obsessiveness. Because if the question were rephrased to involve killing, it would be profoundly unsettling.
Bloodsaw took a deep breath, saying seriously: "Let's leave this topic for now. Fourth question, suppose someone close to you committed a crime that violates the law, what would you do?"
Lynne cheerfully said, "Of course, I would stand by the side of my closest person."
Bloodsaw asked deeply, "Why?"
Lynne seriously replied, "Law is shit."
"…"
"Then what if he's indiscriminately killing innocents?"
"In which world?"
"Your world."
Lynne thought for a while, then reasoned, "I don't condone the senseless killing of innocents, but if his explanation convinces me, I might consider standing by him. However, if it's just for his amusement, then I'd probably kill him."
"What about in the Dark World?"
Lynne wondered, "Are there innocents in the Dark World?"
"…"
Bloodsaw took a deep breath, then asked seriously, "Last question, if I ordered you to kill someone you didn't want to kill, would you do it?"
Lynne was startled, "Would you give me such an order, sir?"
Bloodsaw slapped his thigh, exasperatedly saying, "Hypothetically! I said hypothetically!"
After pondering, Lynne said, "I can't answer this question as I don't know who you would ask me to kill."
"What if it's your lover or parents?"
Without hesitation, Lynne looked up, revealing his white teeth, and said earnestly: "I'd kill you first."
"…"
"…"
Thump—
A huge lump formed on Lynne's head, emanating blue smoke.
...
A few minutes later.
Lynne sat cross-legged in front of Bloodsaw, puzzled, "Sir, have you figured out what my alignment is? Is it lawful good? The very good kind?"
Bloodsaw, eyes closed, took a deep breath.
Nonsense! This guy has nothing to do with lawful good! From his unabashed disdain for the law and willingness to kill his own teacher, he couldn't be further from the entire lawful alignment. If he were part of an organization that ordered him to do something he disliked, he would probably overthrow that organization too!
But at the same time, he couldn't be chaotic evil either. Because he clearly has his own set of morals and values, different from those who only know kill, kill, kill.
Bloodsaw lifted his head, asking seriously, "What do you think is the essence of being a doctor?"
Lynne thought for a moment, then earnestly said, "To save lives and heal the injured, to ensure good people live happily, bad people die joyfully, and everyone is free from the troubles of disease and pain."
Bloodsaw hesitated, "What do you think is happiness?"
Lynne seriously replied, "Being healthy is happiness."
"…"
Bloodsaw was sweating profusely.
This... Such a low standard? Why are this guy's values and the ideology of the Night Doctors so similar? That won't do! That profession really isn't a regular one!
Hopeful, Lynne asked, "So, sir, what alignment am I?"
After careful consideration, Bloodsaw finally managed to come up with an answer, saying gravely: "If those answers you gave were truly from your heart, then it can be determined that your current beliefs align more with…"
"[Chaotic Good]."
In the potion shop's backyard, Bloodsaw gazed solemnly at Lynne beside him. "So, have you really made up your mind? Are you certain about pursuing the path of a Night Doctor?"
Lynne, with a fist pressed against his chest, declared earnestly, "One should love what they do. Besides, sir, didn't you say it yourself? Despite their stubbornness and eccentricity, the Night Doctors are the most skilled medics in the Dark World. Naturally, I want to learn from the best!"
Bloodsaw's face was a mask of vexation. Though he had said that, he harbored no fondness for the profession. As a respected individual, he dreaded the idea of needing antidotes against the Night Doctors whenever he ventured out.
And the thought of his apprentice adopting their extreme methods was even more disconcerting. He couldn't bear the thought of having someone constantly analyzing him, ever eager to diagnose him with some ailment.
"While I don't oppose your aspiration to become a Night Doctor," Bloodsaw said with gravity, "becoming one isn't as simple as deciding to. No one knows the location of their headquarters, and should you unluckily encounter a wandering Night Doctor, you might be dissected before even asking for an introduction."
Lynne smiled slightly, flipping his thumb up, "Don't worry, sir. I have a special means to locate the Night Doctors' headquarters." He was referring to the special mission assigned by the system.
Observing Lynne's confidence, Bloodsaw shook his head. It was the path Lynne had chosen, and he couldn't intervene. Without experiencing the harsh realities of the world, one could never comprehend the future difficulties.
Bloodsaw looked down, his gaze deep and intense. "Since this is the path you've chosen, I respect your decision. But prepare yourself, for I won't be staying here much longer. I will subject you to intensive training to significantly enhance your medical skills and survival abilities."
Lynne, astonished, exclaimed, "Intensive... training?"
Bloodsaw stood up, his face emotionless, and seized a chainsaw beside him, revving it into life.
Though not a professional physician, I've devised some unique techniques over the past decade," Bloodsaw declared. "Today, I'll introduce you to the 'Chainsaw Dissection Technique.' I'll teach you how to use a chainsaw for rapid and precise surgical incisions – a skill that requires finesse."
Lynne, both amazed and thrilled, exclaimed, "Incredible, sir! What shall we use for training? Babe?"
As soon as he finished speaking, a knocking sound echoed from the front hall, followed by a hoarse call.
"Is there a doctor here? I'm just passing through and have been experiencing some unusual abdominal fluctuations. Can anyone help diagnose me?"
"Yes!"
Lynne and Bloodsaw, in unison, turned around with perfectly synchronized movements.
...
Enshrouded in black fog, the sky was pitch dark.
On the desolate streets of Separated Souls Street, gusts of chilly wind swept through, making the heavy darkness seem like an iron curtain, rendering the place especially sinister.
At that moment, a pale-faced youth scrambled along the street, running forward in terror. From the darkness behind him, occasional eerie laughter sent chills down the spine.
"What the hell is this place? I was just... I was just on the road, how could I..."
Bayi, trembling, kept running forward. He knew he might have encountered a supernatural event.
Just half an hour ago, he had left school, planning to attend a gathering at a bar organized by a few friends. To take a shortcut, he followed the shortest route suggested by the navigation...
But he never expected that the navigation would lead him to such a ghastly place! He was certain that he was no longer in the city, as neither the surrounding buildings nor the environment resembled anything modern.
"Damn it!"
His eyes trembled in panic. Could it be that he had stumbled into a paranormal world? Or inadvertently enter some sort of alternate dimension?
This scenario was all too familiar from horror movies – an oblivious and innocent young man unwittingly steps into a secluded area, only to find himself in a terrifying realm... A random selection of an unwitting participant, perhaps?
Gasping heavily, he dared not linger and raced along the road.
In the next moment, amidst the rolling black fog by the roadside ahead, he saw a woman with long hair, clad in a red dress, standing with her back to him, as if waiting for someone. Her silhouette was hauntingly graceful, her long hair cascading down, emanating a poignant beauty.
A living person?
Bayi gasped, his face filled with astonishment. She was the first being he had encountered on this ominous road. He couldn't afford to hesitate; understanding his whereabouts was crucial.
"Excuse me, ma'am," he panted, stopping behind the woman, "Could you tell me where this place is? It's my first time here, and I seem to be lost."
The black fog swirled. A gentle breeze swept through. The woman remained as still as a statue as if she hadn't heard him.
"Hello?" Bayi asked again, still receiving no response. Swallowing hard, he felt a chilling sensation crawling up his neck.
"Um…excuse me, where is this place…?"
He reached out to tap the woman's shoulder.
Snap—
Before he could finish his sentence, the woman's head spun 360 degrees, revealing a face akin to a blank white mask, from which copious amounts of blood flowed from her neck.
Buzz—
Bayi's gaze became hollow.
"Welcome to—Separated Souls Street."
The mask-like face slowly formed a sinister smile.
"Ahhhhhhhh!!!"
Bayi let out a terrified scream, tumbling to the ground before scrambling up and fleeing frantically into the distance.
A ghost! It was a ghost!
His face turned ashen, his palms ice cold, he ran forward, trembling, not daring to look back for fear the ghostly woman might follow. The road seemed endless.
Far ahead, by a wall, he saw two tall, thin men holding umbrellas. But as he got closer, he realized they weren't two individuals but a single entity, two half-bodies joined together.
Creak—
Creak—
Bayi trembled and lost his soul at the mere sight of the gruesome scene before him.
The "person" he saw was wielding a saw, gruesomely cutting through the joint where the two halves of the body were fused together. Copious amounts of shredded flesh and blood gushed out, splattering the ground.
"Dedication?" Bloodsaw looked at Lynne as if he was seeing a strange creature, frowning, "You call that dedication?"
Lynne thought for a moment, then coughed and somewhat sheepishly lowered his head, saying, "Sorry, sir. I just thought they seemed like good people trying hard to heal everyone, although they do seem a bit obsessive."
Bloodsaw's head buzzed, his gaze slightly vacant.
Good people?
He couldn't comprehend how his apprentice had come up with such a far-fetched idea. But it seemed... He was indeed very interested in this profession...
He looked deeply at Lynne, saying, "I don't know where you heard about this organization, but truthfully, they are indeed one of the few medical organizations in the Dark World known for their exceptional medical skills. However, I still advise you to reconsider joining them, as only those who are not normal get absorbed into that profession."
Lynne pondered, seriously saying, "I'm very normal."
Bloodsaw narrowed his eyes, saying, "Alright, answer a few questions for me. This will also help determine which faction you lean towards, and then you can choose your profession accordingly. How about that?"
Lynne, surprised at first, then earnestly responded, "Okay!"
Bloodsaw thought for a moment, then asked, "Good! The first question is, do you possess compassion?"
Lynne looked puzzled. After a moment of thought, he subconsciously opened his system panel, then nodded, saying: "Yes! A lot!"
He had three points of Caring awarded by the system!
Bloodsaw deeply asked, "Second question, you are a doctor. On the road, you encounter a stranger who is severely injured but harbors ill will towards you. Would you help him?"
Lynne carefully considered the question.
Then thoughtfully said, "If I don't know he harbors ill will towards me, I would definitely go help. After all, I'm a 'white-coated angel', and I can't just watch someone die in front of me…"
Bloodsaw asked gravely, "What if, during the treatment, you discover his obvious ill will towards you?"
Lynne, without hesitation and very seriously said, "First, I'd treat him, then persuade him to be kind. If he's not kind, I'll kill him."
Bloodsaw: "…"
Bloodsaw wiped the sweat from his forehead, thought for a moment, and then went to the backyard. He fetched a thick psychology book and a pair of reading glasses from his library, saying: "Alright, third question. You are a doctor, and you have a patient with a serious problem in front of you. You have the ability to cure him, but the treatment process will cause him great pain, and he might even die from it. What would you choose?"
Lynne pondered carefully upon hearing the question.
"Does he want to live?"
Bloodsaw nodded, "Yes!"
"Has he hired me to cure him?"
Bloodsaw paused for a moment, then said, "Yes."
Lynne then looked up, giving his answer with a smile, "It's simple. If his purpose in hiring me is to be saved, then I must do everything possible to achieve this goal. As for the process... I believe the process is not very important!"
Bloodsaw hesitated, "What if the patient dies midway due to the immense pain of the process?"
Lynne seriously said, "Necromancy, suturing, mechanical modification, flesh modification, puppetry, undead magic, curses... there's always a way to bring him back to life."
Bloodsaw, taken aback, asked, "But... what if the resurrection is not possible..."
Lynne furrowed his brows deeply, pondering for a long time before saying, "Do you want the truth or a lie?"
Bloodsaw hesitated, "The truth, your most genuine thoughts."
Lynne's brows were tightly knit, hesitating for a long time before saying, "Firstly, I wouldn't let such a situation occur, but if it really did happen, I would certainly feel guilty, I would be upset, but as long as the employment relationship still exists..."
He lifted his head, adjusting his monocle as it refracted a faint light. His expression was unusually calm. He smiled and said, "I would try everything to preserve his body until I can resurrect him. I cannot simply give up due to objective or subjective reasons."
Bloodsaw looked at his apprentice in astonishment, unable to utter a word for a moment. Because if this was truly what he thought, this guy might become more terrifying than those of a chaotic evil alignment in the future. Because of his extreme obsessiveness. Because if the question were rephrased to involve killing, it would be profoundly unsettling.
Bloodsaw took a deep breath, saying seriously: "Let's leave this topic for now. Fourth question, suppose someone close to you committed a crime that violates the law, what would you do?"
Lynne cheerfully said, "Of course, I would stand by the side of my closest person."
Bloodsaw asked deeply, "Why?"
Lynne seriously replied, "Law is shit."
"…"
"Then what if he's indiscriminately killing innocents?"
"In which world?"
"Your world."
Lynne thought for a while, then reasoned, "I don't condone the senseless killing of innocents, but if his explanation convinces me, I might consider standing by him. However, if it's just for his amusement, then I'd probably kill him."
"What about in the Dark World?"
Lynne wondered, "Are there innocents in the Dark World?"
"…"
Bloodsaw took a deep breath, then asked seriously, "Last question, if I ordered you to kill someone you didn't want to kill, would you do it?"
Lynne was startled, "Would you give me such an order, sir?"
Bloodsaw slapped his thigh, exasperatedly saying, "Hypothetically! I said hypothetically!"
After pondering, Lynne said, "I can't answer this question as I don't know who you would ask me to kill."
"What if it's your lover or parents?"
Without hesitation, Lynne looked up, revealing his white teeth, and said earnestly: "I'd kill you first."
"…"
"…"
Thump—
A huge lump formed on Lynne's head, emanating blue smoke.
...
A few minutes later.
Lynne sat cross-legged in front of Bloodsaw, puzzled, "Sir, have you figured out what my alignment is? Is it lawful good? The very good kind?"
Bloodsaw, eyes closed, took a deep breath.
Nonsense! This guy has nothing to do with lawful good! From his unabashed disdain for the law and willingness to kill his own teacher, he couldn't be further from the entire lawful alignment. If he were part of an organization that ordered him to do something he disliked, he would probably overthrow that organization too!
But at the same time, he couldn't be chaotic evil either. Because he clearly has his own set of morals and values, different from those who only know kill, kill, kill.
Bloodsaw lifted his head, asking seriously, "What do you think is the essence of being a doctor?"
Lynne thought for a moment, then earnestly said, "To save lives and heal the injured, to ensure good people live happily, bad people die joyfully, and everyone is free from the troubles of disease and pain."
Bloodsaw hesitated, "What do you think is happiness?"
Lynne seriously replied, "Being healthy is happiness."
"…"
Bloodsaw was sweating profusely.
This... Such a low standard? Why are this guy's values and the ideology of the Night Doctors so similar? That won't do! That profession really isn't a regular one!
Hopeful, Lynne asked, "So, sir, what alignment am I?"
After careful consideration, Bloodsaw finally managed to come up with an answer, saying gravely: "If those answers you gave were truly from your heart, then it can be determined that your current beliefs align more with…"
"[Chaotic Good]."
In the potion shop's backyard, Bloodsaw gazed solemnly at Lynne beside him. "So, have you really made up your mind? Are you certain about pursuing the path of a Night Doctor?"
Lynne, with a fist pressed against his chest, declared earnestly, "One should love what they do. Besides, sir, didn't you say it yourself? Despite their stubbornness and eccentricity, the Night Doctors are the most skilled medics in the Dark World. Naturally, I want to learn from the best!"
Bloodsaw's face was a mask of vexation. Though he had said that, he harbored no fondness for the profession. As a respected individual, he dreaded the idea of needing antidotes against the Night Doctors whenever he ventured out.
And the thought of his apprentice adopting their extreme methods was even more disconcerting. He couldn't bear the thought of having someone constantly analyzing him, ever eager to diagnose him with some ailment.
"While I don't oppose your aspiration to become a Night Doctor," Bloodsaw said with gravity, "becoming one isn't as simple as deciding to. No one knows the location of their headquarters, and should you unluckily encounter a wandering Night Doctor, you might be dissected before even asking for an introduction."
Lynne smiled slightly, flipping his thumb up, "Don't worry, sir. I have a special means to locate the Night Doctors' headquarters." He was referring to the special mission assigned by the system.
Observing Lynne's confidence, Bloodsaw shook his head. It was the path Lynne had chosen, and he couldn't intervene. Without experiencing the harsh realities of the world, one could never comprehend the future difficulties.
Bloodsaw looked down, his gaze deep and intense. "Since this is the path you've chosen, I respect your decision. But prepare yourself, for I won't be staying here much longer. I will subject you to intensive training to significantly enhance your medical skills and survival abilities."
Lynne, astonished, exclaimed, "Intensive... training?"
Bloodsaw stood up, his face emotionless, and seized a chainsaw beside him, revving it into life.
Though not a professional physician, I've devised some unique techniques over the past decade," Bloodsaw declared. "Today, I'll introduce you to the 'Chainsaw Dissection Technique.' I'll teach you how to use a chainsaw for rapid and precise surgical incisions – a skill that requires finesse."
Lynne, both amazed and thrilled, exclaimed, "Incredible, sir! What shall we use for training? Babe?"
As soon as he finished speaking, a knocking sound echoed from the front hall, followed by a hoarse call.
"Is there a doctor here? I'm just passing through and have been experiencing some unusual abdominal fluctuations. Can anyone help diagnose me?"
"Yes!"
Lynne and Bloodsaw, in unison, turned around with perfectly synchronized movements.
...
Enshrouded in black fog, the sky was pitch dark.
On the desolate streets of Separated Souls Street, gusts of chilly wind swept through, making the heavy darkness seem like an iron curtain, rendering the place especially sinister.
At that moment, a pale-faced youth scrambled along the street, running forward in terror. From the darkness behind him, occasional eerie laughter sent chills down the spine.
"What the hell is this place? I was just... I was just on the road, how could I..."
Bayi, trembling, kept running forward. He knew he might have encountered a supernatural event.
Just half an hour ago, he had left school, planning to attend a gathering at a bar organized by a few friends. To take a shortcut, he followed the shortest route suggested by the navigation...
But he never expected that the navigation would lead him to such a ghastly place! He was certain that he was no longer in the city, as neither the surrounding buildings nor the environment resembled anything modern.
"Damn it!"
His eyes trembled in panic. Could it be that he had stumbled into a paranormal world? Or inadvertently enter some sort of alternate dimension?
This scenario was all too familiar from horror movies – an oblivious and innocent young man unwittingly steps into a secluded area, only to find himself in a terrifying realm... A random selection of an unwitting participant, perhaps?
Gasping heavily, he dared not linger and raced along the road.
In the next moment, amidst the rolling black fog by the roadside ahead, he saw a woman with long hair, clad in a red dress, standing with her back to him, as if waiting for someone. Her silhouette was hauntingly graceful, her long hair cascading down, emanating a poignant beauty.
A living person?
Bayi gasped, his face filled with astonishment. She was the first being he had encountered on this ominous road. He couldn't afford to hesitate; understanding his whereabouts was crucial.
"Excuse me, ma'am," he panted, stopping behind the woman, "Could you tell me where this place is? It's my first time here, and I seem to be lost."
The black fog swirled. A gentle breeze swept through. The woman remained as still as a statue as if she hadn't heard him.
"Hello?" Bayi asked again, still receiving no response. Swallowing hard, he felt a chilling sensation crawling up his neck.
"Um…excuse me, where is this place…?"
He reached out to tap the woman's shoulder.
Snap—
Before he could finish his sentence, the woman's head spun 360 degrees, revealing a face akin to a blank white mask, from which copious amounts of blood flowed from her neck.
Buzz—
Bayi's gaze became hollow.
"Welcome to—Separated Souls Street."
The mask-like face slowly formed a sinister smile.
"Ahhhhhhhh!!!"
Bayi let out a terrified scream, tumbling to the ground before scrambling up and fleeing frantically into the distance.
A ghost! It was a ghost!
His face turned ashen, his palms ice cold, he ran forward, trembling, not daring to look back for fear the ghostly woman might follow. The road seemed endless.
Far ahead, by a wall, he saw two tall, thin men holding umbrellas. But as he got closer, he realized they weren't two individuals but a single entity, two half-bodies joined together.
Creak—
Creak—
Bayi trembled and lost his soul at the mere sight of the gruesome scene before him.
The "person" he saw was wielding a saw, gruesomely cutting through the joint where the two halves of the body were fused together. Copious amounts of shredded flesh and blood gushed out, splattering the ground.
