Patients admitted to the Creature-Induced Injuries Ward seemed to be in better spirits, still having the energy to make demands.
Like the patient currently facing Galen Claudius, head of the Creature-Induced Injuries Ward, who nervously said, "Don't break open my wound. It'll hurt too much!"
Galen Claudius's tone was as calm as ever. "Can you tell me why? Your wound is far too swollen. If we don't open it up, it will take much longer to heal."
The patient's left forearm was severely swollen, even thicker than his thigh. The area around the ragged wound had already turned green, with pus seeping from it.
"Then let it take longer!" Though cold sweat covered the patient's forehead, his tone remained stubbornly resistant. "Who knows whether you'll cut open the wound and take out my bones! Anyway, don't break it open!"
"All right, since you insist..." Galen Claudius said. "But you'll have to stay here for a while. We'll only let you leave once the swelling shows signs of going down."
This time, the patient did not resist and nodded repeatedly in agreement. Perhaps because he had finally relaxed, he began baring his teeth in pain instead.
Galen Claudius turned and retrieved a small box. Inside were wriggling brown leeches, each about the size of an index finger.
He deftly pinched up a leech and placed it over the patient's wound. The leech bit down at once, its body rapidly swelling as its color changed from brown to brownish green.
"Sir, remember not to leave on your own..." As he used the leeches to "stitch" the wound, he instructed, "If you forcibly pull them off, they'll tear away a large patch of your skin too."
After the patient was wheeled away by a nurse, Galen Claudius looked at Wizet and asked, "What