[Lynn] [Age: 17] [Level]: 2 [Race: Human] [Strength]: 3 [Agility]: 4 [Intelligence]: 7 [Constitution]: 3 [Basic skills] [Intermediate housekeeping proficiency: 901/1000] [Basic potion crafting: 90/100] [Basic surgical skill: 20/100] [Skeleton coins]: 100 [Renown]: None [Description]: An obscure assistant at the Bloodsaw Apothecary, a frail but shrewd human youth. He has survived in this world for two years, but he could die at any moment...
Lynn calmly examined the panel that had suddenly appeared.
The ability to keep a straight face, which he had developed over the past two years, allowed him to remain composed in the face of almost anything.
He studied it repeatedly for a while.
He gained a rough understanding of some of the system's functions.
So, as long as I keep completing tasks given to me by the creatures in this world, I can earn corresponding rewards and improve my various abilities?
Lynn pondered.
If that was the case...
His chances of surviving in this world had just improved a little.
Just then, his teacher's raspy voice and footsteps came from inside.
"Lynn, I'm going out for a while. I should be back within two days. Keep a close eye on the shop, lock the door at night, and don't let those annoying thieves take anything."
Scrrrape-
The sound of something being dragged came from the corridor.
[Ding! Your teacher, Bloodsaw Maniac, has issued you a task: Watch the shop. Task rewards: Skeleton coins x50, basic EXP x100, special reward x1] [Failure penalty: The Potion Shop may need more specimens for its collection.]
Lynn immediately went back inside.
There, at the entrance to the front room...
His teacher was dragging a blood-soaked sack, with something seemingly rustling and struggling inside.
That body, at least two meters tall, dark red and covered in cysts, belonged to his teacher.
A panel instantly appeared before Lynn's eyes as well.
[Bloodsaw Maniac] [Race: Stitching Monster] [Level: ???] [Alignment]: Lawful evil [Combat capability]: Please do not attempt to provoke him. [Description]: The proprietor of the Bloodsaw Apothecary in Wandering Soul Alley. Skilled in all manner of surgical procedures, but outside surgery, he often pursues some "interesting" side ventures...
Lynn was shaken inwardly, but his face remained impassive.
"Teacher, is there anything I should watch out for while you're away?"
Lynn asked.
He knew this was something he had to ask. Otherwise, he might end up dead.
Bloodsaw Maniac swung the sack onto his back and said raspily:
"If they have money, take their money. If they don't, take something of equal value. If they have no money and refuse to trade, cut it off yourself."
Clack-
He tossed a bloodstained Boning Knife down in front of Lynn.
[Ding! You have obtained a special item: Bloodsaw's Bone Knife x1] [Bloodsaw's Bone Knife] [Fine grade] [Level: ???] [Exclusive to]: Bloodsaw Maniac (authorization granted) [Description]: A surgical knife frequently used by the proprietor of the Bloodsaw Apothecary. Extremely sharp, it cuts through both flesh and ghosts with exceptional ease. Rumor has it that after using it for too long, you will find yourself unable to resist the urge to cut something...
"Remember."
With the blood-soaked sack over his shoulder, Bloodsaw Maniac strode toward the exit.
"No matter what you hear outside, do not leave the Soul Lamp's range."
"No matter who asks you to make a house call, ignore them."
"At night, shut the door and close the windows. Kill anyone who comes in, and ignore anyone who calls out to you!"
Lynn nodded, committing his teacher's words to memory.
"Yes, teacher! Understood."
Then, under his gaze, the hulking Bloodsaw Maniac soon disappeared into the dense darkness.
Time passed swiftly.
Lynn began his daily routine, wiping the blood off the floor and preparing ordinary potions for treating various illnesses. Then he sat behind the counter, holding the Boning Knife with his eyes closed, waiting for time to pass.
Then, a moment later...
Knock, knock, knock-
Three knocks came from outside.
Lynn raised his head and looked toward the entrance.
A little girl, filthy from head to toe, stood in the doorway with a doll in her arms, gently knocking on the door with her small hand.
With a pitiful expression on her face, she said:
"Is the owner here? My doll's arm broke off. Can you save my doll?"
[Ding! Blood Puppet has issued you a task: Treat the injured doll. Completion rewards: Skeleton coins +50, surgical skill EXP +50, special reward +1]
Lynn glanced over.
The flame of the Soul Lamp outside the door flickered faintly.
Its chaotic flickering indicated the visitor's strength. Under the Soul Lamp's protection, visitors could not enter unless he actively invited them in.
Of course...
Powerful creatures were an exception.
The girl's information instantly appeared before his eyes as well.
[Blood Doll] [Level]: 5 [Race: Flesh Wraith] [Alignment: Chaotic neutral] [Combat capability]: You can afford to provoke her a little. [Description]: A doll carries a doll, searching for Mommy in Wandering Soul Alley. Whoever tries to steal my favorite doll will be eaten by my doll...
Lynn felt his skin crawl, but his face remained calm.
"Come in."
As an assistant at the Potion Shop in Wandering Soul Alley, Lynn knew this place had its own rules. These evil spirits and monsters were not all truly bloodthirsty by nature. As long as he did not violate their taboos, he could still do business with them.
Looking pitiful, the girl sat down at the counter with the doll in her arms.
Lynn glanced at it.
One of the doll's arms had been torn clean off, and scarlet blood and grime oozed from the wound.
It looked as though something had viciously bitten it off.
"Doctor, please save my doll. Her arm broke off, and I can't find it. She's my favorite doll. If this keeps up, she'll die."
The girl pleaded pitifully.
Then, suddenly, the corners of her mouth jerked back all the way behind her neck, and a bloody smile instantly spread across her face.
"You can save my doll, can't you? Right, big brother?"
[Lynn's Sanity Value -5]
Lynn remained composed and reached out to examine the stump of the doll's severed arm.
Just then, the system's voice sounded in his mind.
[Ding! The wound shows signs of tearing by teeth, provisionally matching those of the patient's family member. The blood in her mouth matches the doll's blood. Preliminary diagnosis: The patient's family member ate one of the patient's arms.]
Lynn: "???"
This system really was impressive. It could even help him make a diagnosis automatically.
If that was the case, things would be much simpler.
He glanced at the little girl, ignored her bloody smile, and asked, "Have you eaten anything lately?"
The little girl instantly withdrew her bloody smile and returned to her harmless, pitiful appearance. Pressing her palms together, she said:
"I haven't eaten anything for days. I'm starving. But when I fell asleep last night, I had a huge feast in my dream."
She licked the corner of her mouth, then suddenly let out a silvery laugh and said:
"It was delicious."
Creak-creak-
The doll on the counter suddenly let out the same chilling laugh as the girl, repeating those words over and over.
"It was delicious! It was delicious! Hee hee hee hee!"
[Lynn's Sanity Value -10]
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