Chapter 9
Chapter 9
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Isn't This How You Use a Spirit?
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Isn't this how you use a spirit?"
"Chief Jeong... You can't take this case."
"Then do you think the media will stay quiet?"
Seoul Hospital's orthopedic department chief, Jeong Hee-je, stroked his chin while staring at the screen displaying the CT and MRI scans.
The general affairs chief had warned that this was impossible and that the hospital would face legal risks if it failed, trying to dissuade him...
'But all the media is already focused on this.'
The patient linked to the healer known in the world by the moniker of Saintess.
Kim Ha-yeon, a 7-year-old girl.
She had been admitted with multiple compound fractures, but based on the original scene photos, it wouldn't have been strange if she had been declared dead on arrival.
An ability awakening that completely defied modern common sense.
Among them, those called healers were especially irregular.
Even judging solely by the photos from the time, she should have had at least organ rupture, intra-abdominal bleeding, crush injuries, various traumas, and every symptom from external impact, yet after the accident news, when Kim Ha-yeon arrived at the hospital, she was astonishingly normal except for her lower body.
'Is this the power of a healer...'
Normally, their domain differed from that of doctors, so there was no opportunity to face their true capabilities directly.
Healers handled fellow hunters, high-rankers at that, while hospitals only saw civilians or low-rank hunters.
In any case, from the hospital's perspective, having a patient who had passed through such a healer's hands was an extremely sensitive issue.
At a time when trust in doctors was gradually declining.
If they could successfully complete a treatment that even the Saintess-called healer couldn't finish, it would help reestablish their position as doctors.
'But this is...'
The past 30 years as a doctor.
He had encountered countless cases, but none where the bones were shattered into this many pieces.
No, even if there were, death would have been declared faster.
The bone photos, splintered into hundreds of pieces like they had been deliberately ground in a mortar, screamed reality no matter how hard you looked.
How on earth were they supposed to treat that?
Using metal plates, screws, or pins was impossible from the start.
Drilling in a screw would crumble even the remaining bone fragments.
Moreover, the surgery itself would require incisions from both thighs down to the toes, so the patient was unlikely to survive it.
"Chief, it's time for Kim Ha-yeon's rounds."
"...Let's go."
Numerous orthopedic surgeons followed behind Jeong Hee-je.
The world's only case like this. They trailed after him like baby birds following their mother in hopes of learning something, but Jeong Hee-je himself was at a loss.
'I don't know either.'
For now, they had to stabilize the patient, let her recover her strength, and then plan the surgery, so the path to the isolated treatment room in the annex felt endlessly long.
"Sob... Thank you... Lord... Thank you..."
As they neared the hospital room, sobbing sounds grew louder.
Kim Ha-yeon's guardian. The crying had continued since yesterday, but today it felt somehow different.
Yes, this was... joy.
A sound overflowing with uncontainable joy.
Wondering what on earth had happened, Jeong Hee-je hurried into the room.
"Oh, the doctor's here. Mom, the doctor's here! Stop crying-"
"Sob, you... came. Sniff- Doctor, our Ha-yeon... The Saintess came... She's really okay now, right...?"
"...This is..."
Kim Ha-yeon, who should have been lying unconscious for days at least due to the IV loaded with narcotic painkillers, was standing.
Standing, of all things.
Her guardian was stroking her daughter's frail legs beside her, shedding uncontrollable tears.
"Chief! What happened... Oh."
Those who followed belatedly were shocked by the scene in the room, while the many others outside buzzed in astonishment, unable to enter.
"...Haha, do you gentlemen... believe in miracles?"
A body stretched straight out like a plank, with a plump face to match.
An expression that somehow exuded a dumb charm.
Short limbs. A round, flat tail.
"You're excited, huh...?"
The half-experimental sea otter was wriggling its body in front of me. Why a sea otter? Because it's ridiculously cute, duh.
Plus, among water-related animals, nothing else came to mind. Fish felt a bit off, and dolphins or whales as alternatives?
But really, that dumb charm of the sea otter. How could I resist?
I briefly considered an otter too, but the giant Amazon otter's ferocious look gave me PTSD vibes, so I scrapped it.
Anyway, my first spirit and properly utilized creation turned out exactly as I wanted: a spirit, specifically of the water attribute.
Why water? Because I already have a fire skill. Single-attribute decks are romantic but lack substance. If you run into something immune to fire, you're screwed.
At first, the sea otter playfully conjured water out of thin air.
Which caused a flood on the floor that I had to clean up.
Luckily, it understood words to some extent.
Excited from being summoned(?), it then rampaged around the room exploring everything.
I anxiously followed, worried it might use water on the bed or computer, but after one scolding, it seemed to hold back.
'Should I make a mini pool later?'
It's a sea otter, after all. It can't live without water.
Oh, there's a bathtub in the bathroom. Let it use that freely.
"But I need to name it... Hmm, what should it be?"
After mulling it over, I went simple and took the "dal" from sea otter.
"From now on, your name is Dal. Got it, Dal?"
"ദ്ദി(៸៸›ᴗ‹៸៸ )"
"Looks like you like it. Good."
Naming is seriously too hard.
Naming confirmation passed unanimously with likes.
I scooped up the excited Dal and headed to the window.
To expand my pathetic mana pool, the tower was the only way.
Whether in the tower or outside, I needed enough mana to at least sustain my body.
Thank goodness Heavenly Flame Guild was protecting me; collapsing randomly like this could put my life at risk.
"But now I have insurance. Ready, Dal?"
The spirit that would make my dream of auto-hunting come true was exactly that.
"(૭ ο ◡ο )૭"
"Awesome, love the confident vibe."
I burst out laughing at Dal raising its tiny arms cutely and transferred to the tower.
Back again to the bland room.
"Hmm... Should I put something here?"
Since my phone was still there from last time, this seemed like my assigned space... If I'd be coming to the tower often, it might be fine to add stuff.
Like a sofa or a gaming console.
No internet was a big downside, but at least there was Tower Gallery.
While I'm at it, let's check the gallery.
Lots of unfamiliar nicks popping up...
What is this, fresh rice cakes out of nowhere?
Seems like backlash against government gate policies. Newbies who just stepped into the tower for the first time don't know about that.
Title: Noob Came Again!
Author: Angry Picasso
Looking for big sis or bro to tell me about 3rd floor info.
Where's that baby troll smell coming from?
When did hunter ages get this high?
As expected from One-Second. Knew I could count on him!
His nosy nature, meddling everywhere, made info easy to get.
Hope Valkyrie to Me or One-Second Sword Saint stick around gallery. That way I can use them when needed.
"Three goblins... No big deal."
For now, let's clear it using only Dal to test. Need to see how it fights and how helpful it is in combat.
Wonder what a water spirit's fighting style is like.
Shooting water cannons or trapping in bubbles to drown them?
If it's as strong as I hope, I could have sweet auto-hunting where it clears floors solo without me lifting a finger.
Might fall short of expectations, but if it gets dangerous, I can just fireball and help.
I scratched Dal's belly as it floated belly-up confidently in the air, then entered the 3rd floor.
The 3rd floor background was a canyon with the rear blocked.
Seemed like head into the small forest ahead, so I cautiously advanced, scanning for goblins.
"Huh?"
As I moved slowly, Dal picked up a large rock from the ground and hugged it preciously.
Ah, sea otter habits?
Just as I felt like I should toss it a shell, the forest shook violently, and goblin shrieks echoed.
"Keruk-keruk-"
"Kakat-kat! Kat-kat!"
"Karak-kararak!"
"Kat-kat!"
...Pretty noisy, huh?
Already three goblins approaching from the forest with red eyes.
But the rear forest was still shaking noisily.
At the ominous vibe, I nearly pre-fired a fireball on the principle of striking first...
"‾͟͟͞(((ꎤ′⁻ ′)—̳͟͞͞o"
Dal shot forward in an instant, grabbed the head of the lead goblin with one hand.
And immediately smashed it down onto the rock clutched to its chest with a thunk!
"...Dal?"