Lynne maintained a serious demeanor, soothing their emotions, "Rest assured! Although I've only practiced with the electric saw for two days, I always achieve excellent scores. None of the patients who woke up have ever complained."
The Twin Ghosts trembled, "Really?"
Lynne nodded confidently, "You might feel a bit of discomfort, but let me start. Do you need anesthesia? I have plenty in my bag."
The Ghost Shadows swallowed nervously, "No need for that. We saw ourselves daily and have become numb to pain. Our only request is to make it quick. Can you do that?"
The reflection in Lynne's glasses shone, "Don't worry, I'm very fast. Let's get started!"
"Okay... okay."
Lynne drew a dotted line along their seam with a marker, fully prepared for the task.
With a focused look and a spark in his eyes, Lynne activated the electric saw and, to the astonishment of the Twin Ghosts, leaped forward, holding the saw firmly and slashing down at their connecting part.
A piercing scream tore through the night.
...
Minutes later.
[Ding! Electric Saw Skill +1]
[Ding! Electric Saw Skill +1]
[Ding! You have successfully separated the Twin Ghosts into two entities, creating your first perfect case in electric saw surgery. Precision +1, Attack +1.]
[Ding! You have successfully created the "Single Ghost," earning 200 experience points.]
On the ground, the now separated Twin Ghosts lay twitching, foaming at the mouth.
Lynne was squatting beside one of them, stitching their torn skin with unbelievable speed.
[Ding! Your Sewing Skill +1]
[Ding! Your Sewing Skill +1]
He bit the thread with his teeth, snapping it effortlessly.
Adjusting his monocle, Lynne announced, "All done. The total surgery time didn't exceed five minutes. Now you both are independent entities. How's that? Not bad, right?"
One of the Single Ghosts struggled to rise but halfway through, collapsed back in pain.
The other Ghost, in a daze, murmured, "Very... very good... but I just want to ask, how did you manage to make us, beings devoid of pain, feel such agony..."
The pain... hell pain...
Lynne thought for a moment and replied, "Maybe it's a talent."
"Talent?!" The two Single Ghosts murmured, echoing the unconvincing word.
Was his talent automatically inflicting pain on others? That was some horrendous gift!
Satisfied with his work, Lynne turned to rummage through his medical bag, muttering, "No worries, I'll prepare some potions to prevent infections. Rest well for a couple of days, and you'll be as good as new!"
He pulled out two bottles of potion and turned with a smile to hand them to the ghost shadow. But as he turned, Lynne froze in surprise. Where the Twin Ghosts lay a moment ago, only two dashed outlines remained.
"Where did they go?"
He spun around and was astonished to see one of the Single Ghosts (right) dragging his unconscious brother by the leg, speeding away down the street with unbelievable velocity, and disappearing around a corner in a blur.
The speed and determination resembled someone fleeing from the grim reaper, accelerating to 200 miles per hour.
Lynne stood dumbfounded, "But... I haven't given you the medicine yet..."
...
Resigned, Lynne shouldered his medical bag and continued on his way. Following the map for about two miles, he lifted his head to see a castle that stood out starkly from the surrounding structures.
A flash of lightning illuminated the giant sign: [Home of Happiness].
"It seems I've arrived!"
Lynne smiled, tucking away the map, happy to have reached his destination despite the delays. He hoped his client wouldn't be upset by his tardiness. But just as he was about to knock on the door, he felt a tap on his leg.
"Giggle, giggle—"
A childlike, bell-like laugh came from behind.
"Hey, mister, are you new here?"
Lynne turned, his face softening into a friendly expression, "Yes, miss."
Then he instantly recognized the girl poking his back – the tattered clothes, small red shoes, bells tied around her leg, and the button-eyed doll in her arms.
Blood Doll!
Indeed, it was her. No wonder the voice sounded so familiar.
Seeing Lynne's face, Blood Doll's bright, eerie smile instantly stiffened, her pointing finger frozen in place.
[Ding! Blood Doll's fear towards you + 1.]
"What a coincidence, long time no see."
Lynne squatted down, gently patting Blood Doll's head. He then playfully poked the clearly terrified doll in her arms.
"Aren't you usually at Wandering Soul Lane? What brings you to this spooky place? Earned any money yet? Remember, your eyeball is still with me, hehehe."
Blood Doll clutched her doll tightly, teeth chattering in fear, "The... the unscrupulous doctor from Bloodsaw's... w-wah..."
[Ding! Blood Doll's fear towards you + 1.]
[Ding! Blood Doll's fear towards you + 1.]
How... How could this be! She thought she had left Wandering Soul Lane behind, yet she ran into him again! Her mind flashed back to the day of her medical visit, the doctor's hand intruding into her body.
"Yiing!!"
Blood Doll shuddered, turning to flee with her doll in arms. But Lynne quickly grabbed her collar.
"Help!! Help!! A perverted doctor is bullying a child!! Ahhh! Help..."
Blood Doll thrashed and screamed in terror.
Lynne, annoyed, gave her a sharp rap on the head.
She immediately squatted down, nursing the bump on her head, "Ouch... wah..."
Lynne's expression turned serious, "Don't make strange noises. I have something important to discuss with you. Do you remember the limbs I pulled out of your stomach that day?"
Blood Doll sobbed, "Wah... What for? You want to search again? I don't want that, wah!"
Lynne shook his head, "You might have misunderstood me. But I need to clarify something. Have you been searching for your mother?"
"Yes, so what? You can't be my mother, wah..."
Lynne gazed at her intently, "Have you ever considered that your mother might have been by your side all along?"
Blood Doll paused, confused. She looked up at Lynne, not understanding.
Lynne adjusted his monocular, "Have you ever thought that maybe your mother is inside your stomach?"
[Ding! Blood Doll's fear towards you + 5.]
[Ding! Blood Doll's fear towards you + 5.]
Blood Doll swallowed nervously, her voice trembling with fear, "What... what do you mean?"
Lynne leaned in closer, locking eyes with her, his voice a gentle whisper, "After you left, I realized the rotting flesh and limbs I extracted from your stomach... they all belonged to the same person. And..."
He pulled out a comb from his system space.
"In your stomach, I also found this comb, belonging to your mother."
A buzzing silence enveloped Blood Doll. Her doll suddenly let out a series of sharp cries, writhing in her arms.
[Ding! Progress in your hidden quest 'Blood Doll Finds Her Mother' has reached 10%.]
Lynne continued solemnly, "Could it be, in a moment of extreme hunger, unconsciously, just as you ate your doll's arm, you also consumed... Your mother."
[Ding! Blood Doll's fear towards you + 5.]
[Ding! Blood Doll's fear towards you + 5.]
Blood Doll, in a daze, placed her hand on her stomach, murmuring, "Impossible... How could I eat my mother... Mommy said she was just leaving for a while, and told me to wait for her to come back... Mommy said she was going out... Mommy..."
Lynne glanced at the wailing doll in her arms, suggesting, "Is it possible that your mother, distressed by your hunger, sacrificed herself, chopped herself up, and fed herself to you?"
The doll's cries grew louder.
Blood Doll screamed, her mouth opening unnaturally wide, her hair fluttering without wind, "You quack doctor! Stop saying such bizarre things! How could my mother do something like that! I would never eat my mother, never, even if I starved forever!"
[Crisis level 20%]
[Crisis level 30%]
Lynne adjusted his monocle, his voice steady yet caring, "Don't be angry, this isn't just a wild guess. How about this? After my visit, you can come back to the potion shop with me and identify those remains. If they truly are your mother's, I might be able to help you. If not, I'll take responsibility for my words. How does that sound?"
Blood Doll's gaze still held anger, but the wildly dancing hair behind her slowly settled down.
A faint smile flickered in Lynne's eyes as he gently patted her head, "Don't be sad. In fact, your mother has always been by your side, you just didn't realize it. I must go now, or my client will get impatient."
Blood Doll looked lost and confused, watching Lynne stride confidently towards the grand doors of the castle.
Just as he reached the entrance, Blood Doll's voice called out from behind, "I advise you not to go in there. If they are your clients, you're in big trouble. That's all I'll say, believe it or not!"
Lynne turned, only to find Blood Doll had vanished like a ghost.
Startled, Lynne faced the castle again.
Creak...
The massive doors of the castle slowly opened on their own, a cold wind whistling out from within, sending chills down his spine.
Lynne grinned, revealing his white teeth, "No, my clients are always adorable."
...
Stepping into the castle, the courtyard was covered in fallen leaves. The windows of the castle were all boarded up, indicating long neglect.
Reaching the main hall's doorway, Lynne raised his hand to knock.
Creak...
As before, the door opened automatically.
"Anyone home?" Lynne called into the empty hall, lifting his soul lamp, "I am Lynne, the doctor you booked. I've arrived. Is the master at home?"
His voice echoed through the hall, unanswered.
At that moment, Lynne felt a strong sensation of being watched. Instinctively, he turned around.
Then he saw it - a pale face without pupils, staring blankly at him from a window in the high tower. But it was just for a moment. The face vanished as if it had never been there.
Lynne gazed in astonishment.
Almost simultaneously, the candles on the chandelier in the hall behind him flickered to life, casting a continuous, undulating glow across the entire space.
"Welcome," echoed three amiable voices in unison.
Lynne turned around. Where once there was only darkness and silence, now stood a dining table laden with exquisite delicacies. Servants bustled around, polishing counters and tending to the candles.
At the table sat a content family of three: an elegantly dressed lady in an evening gown, a gentleman in a tailcoat, and a young boy with a stiff smile. They all smiled warmly at him, an empty chair at the table seemingly prepared just for him.
Lynne cocked his head.
Indeed, they seemed like a very hospitable family.
A professional smile played across Lynne's lips as he strode forward. As he crossed the threshold, the door behind him creaked shut.
"Good evening, I am Dr. Lynne from the neighboring Wandering Soul Lane." He glanced at the order in his hand, his eyes twinkling. "May I inquire who Miss Alice is? I've accepted her invitation to treat her illness. Are you her family?"
In an instant, the profiles of the three flashed before Lynne.
[Happiest Father: Carmel]
[Race: Stitched Puppet]
[Description: The head of the happiest family in Separated Souls Street, an elegant master of the house, and Alice's affectionate father. He's always polite and exceedingly kind.]
[Happiest Mother: Dark Elf]
[Race: Elven Puppet]
[Description: Matriarch of the happiest family in Soul Alley, a chatterbox noblewoman, and a mother whose presence is irresistible. She always ensures her children are well-fed.]
[Happiest Brother: Bayi]
[Race: Human Puppet]
[Description: Alice's favorite brother, recently returned from another world. He often brings Alice intriguing toys and never bullies or harms her. He's exceptionally kind.]
Lynne quickly scanned the profiles without betraying any emotion, maintaining his professional smile.
Gazing at this family, seemingly stitched together from different worlds, Lynne's smile brightened.
"We have been eagerly awaiting your arrival," said the noblewoman, parting her bright red lips in a regal smile, yet it unnervingly unsettled him. "Poor Alice has been ill for so long. Many doctors have tried and failed to cure her, leaving much to be desired."
Bayi, the brother, grinned eagerly, drooling slightly, fork in hand. "But you will cure Alice, won't you, Doctor? You must be able to!"
Carmel, the father, followed with a smile. "That's why we've prepared this lavish feast to honor you. We are privileged to have you in our humble abode, Doctor."
The three widened their smiles further, making them appear even more radiant.
[Ding! Optional Quest Triggered: Assist your client, Alice, in curing her illness. Reward: 1000 Skull Coins, 2000 Experience, Special Reward x1]
[Ding! Quest Triggered: Survive and Escape the Home of Happiness. Reward: 300 Skull Coins, 500 Experience]
Lynne maintained a serious demeanor, soothing their emotions, "Rest assured! Although I've only practiced with the electric saw for two days, I always achieve excellent scores. None of the patients who woke up have ever complained."
The Twin Ghosts trembled, "Really?"
Lynne nodded confidently, "You might feel a bit of discomfort, but let me start. Do you need anesthesia? I have plenty in my bag."
The Ghost Shadows swallowed nervously, "No need for that. We saw ourselves daily and have become numb to pain. Our only request is to make it quick. Can you do that?"
The reflection in Lynne's glasses shone, "Don't worry, I'm very fast. Let's get started!"
"Okay... okay."
Lynne drew a dotted line along their seam with a marker, fully prepared for the task.
With a focused look and a spark in his eyes, Lynne activated the electric saw and, to the astonishment of the Twin Ghosts, leaped forward, holding the saw firmly and slashing down at their connecting part.
A piercing scream tore through the night.
...
Minutes later.
[Ding! Electric Saw Skill +1]
[Ding! Electric Saw Skill +1]
[Ding! You have successfully separated the Twin Ghosts into two entities, creating your first perfect case in electric saw surgery. Precision +1, Attack +1.]
[Ding! You have successfully created the "Single Ghost," earning 200 experience points.]
On the ground, the now separated Twin Ghosts lay twitching, foaming at the mouth.
Lynne was squatting beside one of them, stitching their torn skin with unbelievable speed.
[Ding! Your Sewing Skill +1]
[Ding! Your Sewing Skill +1]
He bit the thread with his teeth, snapping it effortlessly.
Adjusting his monocle, Lynne announced, "All done. The total surgery time didn't exceed five minutes. Now you both are independent entities. How's that? Not bad, right?"
One of the Single Ghosts struggled to rise but halfway through, collapsed back in pain.
The other Ghost, in a daze, murmured, "Very... very good... but I just want to ask, how did you manage to make us, beings devoid of pain, feel such agony..."
The pain... hell pain...
Lynne thought for a moment and replied, "Maybe it's a talent."
"Talent?!" The two Single Ghosts murmured, echoing the unconvincing word.
Was his talent automatically inflicting pain on others? That was some horrendous gift!
Satisfied with his work, Lynne turned to rummage through his medical bag, muttering, "No worries, I'll prepare some potions to prevent infections. Rest well for a couple of days, and you'll be as good as new!"
He pulled out two bottles of potion and turned with a smile to hand them to the ghost shadow. But as he turned, Lynne froze in surprise. Where the Twin Ghosts lay a moment ago, only two dashed outlines remained.
"Where did they go?"
He spun around and was astonished to see one of the Single Ghosts (right) dragging his unconscious brother by the leg, speeding away down the street with unbelievable velocity, and disappearing around a corner in a blur.
The speed and determination resembled someone fleeing from the grim reaper, accelerating to 200 miles per hour.
Lynne stood dumbfounded, "But... I haven't given you the medicine yet..."
...
Resigned, Lynne shouldered his medical bag and continued on his way. Following the map for about two miles, he lifted his head to see a castle that stood out starkly from the surrounding structures.
A flash of lightning illuminated the giant sign: [Home of Happiness].
"It seems I've arrived!"
Lynne smiled, tucking away the map, happy to have reached his destination despite the delays. He hoped his client wouldn't be upset by his tardiness. But just as he was about to knock on the door, he felt a tap on his leg.
"Giggle, giggle—"
A childlike, bell-like laugh came from behind.
"Hey, mister, are you new here?"
Lynne turned, his face softening into a friendly expression, "Yes, miss."
Then he instantly recognized the girl poking his back – the tattered clothes, small red shoes, bells tied around her leg, and the button-eyed doll in her arms.
Blood Doll!
Indeed, it was her. No wonder the voice sounded so familiar.
Seeing Lynne's face, Blood Doll's bright, eerie smile instantly stiffened, her pointing finger frozen in place.
[Ding! Blood Doll's fear towards you + 1.]
"What a coincidence, long time no see."
Lynne squatted down, gently patting Blood Doll's head. He then playfully poked the clearly terrified doll in her arms.
"Aren't you usually at Wandering Soul Lane? What brings you to this spooky place? Earned any money yet? Remember, your eyeball is still with me, hehehe."
Blood Doll clutched her doll tightly, teeth chattering in fear, "The... the unscrupulous doctor from Bloodsaw's... w-wah..."
[Ding! Blood Doll's fear towards you + 1.]
[Ding! Blood Doll's fear towards you + 1.]
How... How could this be! She thought she had left Wandering Soul Lane behind, yet she ran into him again! Her mind flashed back to the day of her medical visit, the doctor's hand intruding into her body.
"Yiing!!"
Blood Doll shuddered, turning to flee with her doll in arms. But Lynne quickly grabbed her collar.
"Help!! Help!! A perverted doctor is bullying a child!! Ahhh! Help..."
Blood Doll thrashed and screamed in terror.
Lynne, annoyed, gave her a sharp rap on the head.
She immediately squatted down, nursing the bump on her head, "Ouch... wah..."
Lynne's expression turned serious, "Don't make strange noises. I have something important to discuss with you. Do you remember the limbs I pulled out of your stomach that day?"
Blood Doll sobbed, "Wah... What for? You want to search again? I don't want that, wah!"
Lynne shook his head, "You might have misunderstood me. But I need to clarify something. Have you been searching for your mother?"
"Yes, so what? You can't be my mother, wah..."
Lynne gazed at her intently, "Have you ever considered that your mother might have been by your side all along?"
Blood Doll paused, confused. She looked up at Lynne, not understanding.
Lynne adjusted his monocular, "Have you ever thought that maybe your mother is inside your stomach?"
[Ding! Blood Doll's fear towards you + 5.]
[Ding! Blood Doll's fear towards you + 5.]
Blood Doll swallowed nervously, her voice trembling with fear, "What... what do you mean?"
Lynne leaned in closer, locking eyes with her, his voice a gentle whisper, "After you left, I realized the rotting flesh and limbs I extracted from your stomach... they all belonged to the same person. And..."
He pulled out a comb from his system space.
"In your stomach, I also found this comb, belonging to your mother."
A buzzing silence enveloped Blood Doll. Her doll suddenly let out a series of sharp cries, writhing in her arms.
[Ding! Progress in your hidden quest 'Blood Doll Finds Her Mother' has reached 10%.]
Lynne continued solemnly, "Could it be, in a moment of extreme hunger, unconsciously, just as you ate your doll's arm, you also consumed... Your mother."
[Ding! Blood Doll's fear towards you + 5.]
[Ding! Blood Doll's fear towards you + 5.]
Blood Doll, in a daze, placed her hand on her stomach, murmuring, "Impossible... How could I eat my mother... Mommy said she was just leaving for a while, and told me to wait for her to come back... Mommy said she was going out... Mommy..."
Lynne glanced at the wailing doll in her arms, suggesting, "Is it possible that your mother, distressed by your hunger, sacrificed herself, chopped herself up, and fed herself to you?"
The doll's cries grew louder.
Blood Doll screamed, her mouth opening unnaturally wide, her hair fluttering without wind, "You quack doctor! Stop saying such bizarre things! How could my mother do something like that! I would never eat my mother, never, even if I starved forever!"
[Crisis level 20%]
[Crisis level 30%]
Lynne adjusted his monocle, his voice steady yet caring, "Don't be angry, this isn't just a wild guess. How about this? After my visit, you can come back to the potion shop with me and identify those remains. If they truly are your mother's, I might be able to help you. If not, I'll take responsibility for my words. How does that sound?"
Blood Doll's gaze still held anger, but the wildly dancing hair behind her slowly settled down.
A faint smile flickered in Lynne's eyes as he gently patted her head, "Don't be sad. In fact, your mother has always been by your side, you just didn't realize it. I must go now, or my client will get impatient."
Blood Doll looked lost and confused, watching Lynne stride confidently towards the grand doors of the castle.
Just as he reached the entrance, Blood Doll's voice called out from behind, "I advise you not to go in there. If they are your clients, you're in big trouble. That's all I'll say, believe it or not!"
Lynne turned, only to find Blood Doll had vanished like a ghost.
Startled, Lynne faced the castle again.
Creak...
The massive doors of the castle slowly opened on their own, a cold wind whistling out from within, sending chills down his spine.
Lynne grinned, revealing his white teeth, "No, my clients are always adorable."
...
Stepping into the castle, the courtyard was covered in fallen leaves. The windows of the castle were all boarded up, indicating long neglect.
Reaching the main hall's doorway, Lynne raised his hand to knock.
Creak...
As before, the door opened automatically.
"Anyone home?" Lynne called into the empty hall, lifting his soul lamp, "I am Lynne, the doctor you booked. I've arrived. Is the master at home?"
His voice echoed through the hall, unanswered.
At that moment, Lynne felt a strong sensation of being watched. Instinctively, he turned around.
Then he saw it - a pale face without pupils, staring blankly at him from a window in the high tower. But it was just for a moment. The face vanished as if it had never been there.
Lynne gazed in astonishment.
Almost simultaneously, the candles on the chandelier in the hall behind him flickered to life, casting a continuous, undulating glow across the entire space.
"Welcome," echoed three amiable voices in unison.
Lynne turned around. Where once there was only darkness and silence, now stood a dining table laden with exquisite delicacies. Servants bustled around, polishing counters and tending to the candles.
At the table sat a content family of three: an elegantly dressed lady in an evening gown, a gentleman in a tailcoat, and a young boy with a stiff smile. They all smiled warmly at him, an empty chair at the table seemingly prepared just for him.
Lynne cocked his head.
Indeed, they seemed like a very hospitable family.
A professional smile played across Lynne's lips as he strode forward. As he crossed the threshold, the door behind him creaked shut.
"Good evening, I am Dr. Lynne from the neighboring Wandering Soul Lane." He glanced at the order in his hand, his eyes twinkling. "May I inquire who Miss Alice is? I've accepted her invitation to treat her illness. Are you her family?"
In an instant, the profiles of the three flashed before Lynne.
[Happiest Father: Carmel]
[Race: Stitched Puppet]
[Description: The head of the happiest family in Separated Souls Street, an elegant master of the house, and Alice's affectionate father. He's always polite and exceedingly kind.]
[Happiest Mother: Dark Elf]
[Race: Elven Puppet]
[Description: Matriarch of the happiest family in Soul Alley, a chatterbox noblewoman, and a mother whose presence is irresistible. She always ensures her children are well-fed.]
[Happiest Brother: Bayi]
[Race: Human Puppet]
[Description: Alice's favorite brother, recently returned from another world. He often brings Alice intriguing toys and never bullies or harms her. He's exceptionally kind.]
Lynne quickly scanned the profiles without betraying any emotion, maintaining his professional smile.
Gazing at this family, seemingly stitched together from different worlds, Lynne's smile brightened.
"We have been eagerly awaiting your arrival," said the noblewoman, parting her bright red lips in a regal smile, yet it unnervingly unsettled him. "Poor Alice has been ill for so long. Many doctors have tried and failed to cure her, leaving much to be desired."
Bayi, the brother, grinned eagerly, drooling slightly, fork in hand. "But you will cure Alice, won't you, Doctor? You must be able to!"
Carmel, the father, followed with a smile. "That's why we've prepared this lavish feast to honor you. We are privileged to have you in our humble abode, Doctor."
The three widened their smiles further, making them appear even more radiant.
[Ding! Optional Quest Triggered: Assist your client, Alice, in curing her illness. Reward: 1000 Skull Coins, 2000 Experience, Special Reward x1]
[Ding! Quest Triggered: Survive and Escape the Home of Happiness. Reward: 300 Skull Coins, 500 Experience]
