The Dean's Changes

A black bus drove into Pluto City and arrived at the Fifth Hospital.

Fully automated driving

No windows

Multi-layered protective structure.

The truck was carrying early-stage Pseudo-Human caught through psychological screenings across the country.

These initial Pseudo-Human were not yet able to construct Phobia-concretization. Before boarding the vehicle, they were all injected with long-acting anesthetic drugs and wore restraint devices, posing almost no danger.

Currently, the security team from the Fifth Hospital will be responsible for escorting them to the intensive care unit for detention, where they will receive relevant drug treatment over the next six months.

A doctor was responsible for receiving and checking passengers as they got off the bus.

He needs to check the basic condition of these Pseudo-Human, since there have been cases of self-harm or even suicide during transportation, which would require emergency treatment if such an incident occurs.

Watching the Pseudo-Human step off the large black trucks, the doctor silently counted, "The number is increasing... It's about 13% more than three months ago. If this continues, the Fifth Hospital will eventually be saturated, and we'll need to add other hospitals."

Just as the doctors were getting annoyed by the number of cases,

A Pseudo-Human, foaming at the mouth and exhibiting an arched posture, was carried off the stage.

He appears to be a malnourished underage boy in dire condition, and the devices binding him may hasten his death.

"Keep the shock collar in place, remove the handcuffs and shackles and loosen the restraint clothing, and prepare to send the patient to the emergency room."

Just as the doctor gave the order and the security guards were about to take action,

Snap!

One hand gripped the security guard's exoskeleton armor, preventing him from releasing the restraints.

During the period when the Pseudo-Human was admitted to the hospital, the Fifth Hospital was completely sealed off, and the surrounding area was even fenced off with electric fences, so no outsiders would be allowed to approach.

However, although this person who arrived suddenly was not a staff member of the hospital, everyone was very familiar with his appearance.

"Luo Di?"

Luo Di moved his right hand and gently poked his finger into the center of the Pseudo-Human's back.

Perhaps it touched a nerve.

Perhaps sensing a threat,

Perhaps Luo Di said something,

The young man, who had been holding the bow up backwards, immediately straightened his body, and everything returned to normal. He even sucked back the white foam from the corner of his mouth.

"Physiological camouflage, this guy's worth observing; he might be a decent Pseudo-Human. I'm leaving now. Is the dean in his office today?"

"Yes, the hospital director has been working non-stop lately, even on his days off."

"Good."

Because of his acceptance of the "Suffering System," Luo Di's connection with the torture chamber has deepened.

As he stepped through the familiar hospital gates,

The scene before my eyes was flickering slightly.

The once-normal hospital was painted with a layer of dark black paint, and Gothic-style columns and spiked structures were added to the building's surface and top.

You could even faintly hear screams of agony from the torture.

In the blink of an eye, everything returned to normal.

Take the elevator to the floor where the Dean's Office is located.

Perhaps because they had been notified in advance by the front desk, the office door was already open.

The dean was practicing Tai Chi inside, and he looked noticeably younger than before. Also, seemingly because he was lonely, he kept a small dog in his office.

But what's most intriguing is a particular detail.

The once conservative former dean actually got his ears pierced and started wearing a hook-shaped metal earring.

Before Luo Di could even greet him, the dean came to greet him first.

"[0510] The ward has been reserved for you. You don't need to go through any formalities, just go directly there. How long are you planning to stay this time?"

"I don't know, at most three days."

Although the dean didn't say anything, a hint of disappointment flashed in his eyes.

"Go ahead, the hospital will cooperate with you."

This time, Luo Di didn't rush to leave. Instead, he suddenly leaned forward and whispered a name.

"Mr. Hook?"

The dean paused for a moment. "Luo Di, what's wrong with your mental state again? My name is Hawkins, Orft Hawkins."

Luo Di did not leave but continued to ask questions:

"Dean, you seem a little different than before?"

The dean did not hide anything and took the initiative to tell Luo Di about this change.

"That's right. From the moment I met you, I sensed a change."

At first, I just felt like I was about to develop a mental illness, but as I gradually adapted, I felt myself becoming younger and my mind becoming clearer.

Even when you're not here, just being here at work makes me feel energized and like my youth has returned.

Ever since I was once pricked by a metallic spike that grew from your body, I've gradually come to like metallic elements, especially hook-shaped ones.

The old dean even deliberately showed off his earrings, and continued speaking:

"Luo Di, you can rest assured, this change in me is clearly abnormal."

I immediately checked myself and even took the time to go to the Research Bureau for a pituitary scan. I didn't find any Mind Corner, so I guess this change was influenced by you as the connector.

I really like this feeling; it's like I can live another half a lifetime.

"Um."

Although Luo Di did not sense the aura of hell emanating from the dean.

But the dean has indeed changed, and this matter needs to be asked of Mr. Hook. In Luo Di's eyes, the dean is a kind old man, someone who cares about him, and such a person must not be allowed to get into trouble because of him.

[Torture Chamber - Sermon Room]

Mr. Hook is a little different today; he's busy doing something on the stone platform above the steps.

Since Luo Di was not currently subject to any time restrictions on his medication, he was not in a hurry and stood aside quietly waiting.

About twenty minutes later, the procedure, which resembled a surgical operation, was completed.

Mr. Hook led a humanoid dog down.

The dog's head is made of four skulls arranged horizontally to connect their mouths, creating the effect of a "long dog's muzzle".

The body is stitched together with various wires, which may look rough, but each wire is actually outlining runes to maintain its integrity.

The dog's legs and feet are made entirely of bone and metal, with spikes at the bottom.

The pet leash was a wire attached to a hook on Mr. Hook's back.

"Oh, you've arrived?"

Luo Di pointed at the human-faced dog and asked, "Mr. Hook, what is this?"

"Didn't I tell you before? Criminals who can withstand punishment and accept suffering have the opportunity to become my subordinates."

Of course, they have committed crimes after all, and they cannot be forgiven just because they are useful.

After the selected criminals are hung up there for a certain period of time, waiting for most of their blood to drain out, they can begin the painful reformation.

I personally prefer creatures like hunting dogs.

"How is it? Not bad, right? It effectively helps me monitor the various cells."

"It's really good."

Just as Mr. Hook reached out to stroke the hound's skull, the hound seemed to smell something unusual. Even though Luo Di was essentially a member of the torture chamber, he possessed an odor that didn't belong to hell.

Crack! Crack! Crack! The barking never stops.

"Oh?" Mr. Hook followed the hound's senses and looked at Luo Di's right hand. "You had a pituitary implanted in the back of your hand?"

"Yes."

"Come over here quickly and let me see! This is a technique I've never seen before."

Hawke had intended to use the hook to tear open the back of his hand, but looking at the stitches and the unstable energy fluctuations, he decided against it.

He simply gently brought over Luo Di's palm and examined it closely against his skin.

"Great! Remember to bring me some of this good stuff next time. Debts won't be erased just because you've accepted the Suffering System."

"Good."

"Since you're not here to return the money, and you weren't seriously injured, what do you want with me?"

"I briefly set foot on the red soil twice in a row and participated in a war... I was surrounded by all kinds of spines, and the other side was something related to disease and plague."

"Um!?"

Upon hearing this, Hope tilted her head and quickly stepped forward to examine the spine.

"You've been feeding very quickly lately, already reaching 50%. But as Distant Apostle, you need to be at least fully saturated to make contact."

Could it be because you had your spinal surgery done prematurely?

How long did it take?

Have you ever had combat experience?

"It takes no more than five minutes. Every time I'm about to collide with the other party, I return to reality."

Is there any way to temporarily stop this? I'm going to a very dangerous place next, and I must prevent this unstable projection of consciousness.

Hawke used his fingers to lick his lips, tearing at the dry, flesh beneath them.

"There's no need to suppress it. Projecting it in advance will actually benefit you. You just need to learn how to control it. You can stay here with me for the next few days, and I will teach you how to control it."

"Are those fighting the Spine invaders from beyond the borders, or..."

"Hahaha!" Luo Di's question made Hawke burst into laughter, and the hook on his back shook and bumped along with it.

"Who would dare invade the True Hell... Only you would say something like that. The surrounding worlds are so terrified at the mere mention of our name that they try every means to flee and stay away, and some cowards even abandon their original worlds."

You're only participating in a relatively 'routine' war.

The Spinewalkers inherently crave war, and unfortunately, a large power in the True Hell is also willing to cater to such wars. They don't actually enjoy war itself, but rather the breeding ground for plague it brings.