Chapter 14
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Admission Procedures
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"Where does it hurt?"
The first thing that greeted us as soon as we opened our eyes...
Was something that couldn't possibly be called human—a grotesque, inhuman creature stitched together beyond all recognition.
It rasped the question through the gaps in its sutures.
And we responded exactly as we'd rehearsed.
"We came in for depression."
The answer to stay in the [General Ward].
The receptionist, who had looked perfectly fine just moments ago, began to slowly unravel at the seams.
Lies... lies... lies... lies... this isn't a lie, is it?
How could it be? If we were fine, we wouldn't have come to a hospital in the first place. We're here because of severe tinnitus and depression.
......Follow me.
We followed her out of the suffocating reception office, which was barely 3 or 4 pyeong in size.
Outside, it looked like any ordinary hospital.
But...
Patient in Room 121, time for your health checkup.
N-No! No way!! Why are my organs disappearing one by one if it's just a health checkup?!
Time for your health checkup.
If it's going to be death by your hands... I'd rather end it myself...!
We'll proceed by force.
Wooddrack—!
Patient 121, who had clung to his human dignity until the end...
Was dismembered in the blink of an eye by a nurse who closed the distance in an instant.
Kaaaaaaaagh—!!!!!!!!!!
We'll suture you now.
You demonic bastard!! You fucking piece of shit!! Uwaaaaaagh!!!
Your next health checkup is scheduled for a week from now. If you have any mobility issues or concerns, please use the call button.
The patient was loaded into a pre-prepared wheelchair and wheeled back into his room.
The nurse leisurely ascended to the upper floor, stuffing the severed limbs into what appeared to be the patient's mouth.
Just this was enough to understand that it was a grotesque, repulsive place.
And unlike [School Strange Tale], it was clear this wasn't something vague force could resolve.
We've assigned you both to Room 112. It's a four-bed room with other patients who have mental illnesses, so please use the call button if you have any issues.
A, yes, got it.
Your consultation is scheduled for two days from now. Scheduled consultations cannot be changed, so please wait in your room. Another nurse will visit.
Yeah, alright for now.
The nurse walked off, uttering only what was necessary in a monotone voice.
As I focused my gaze on her...
👤 Entity Name:Nurse
⭐ Rarity:Stage 1 (Warning)
📝 Description:One of the entities subordinate to [Eternal General Hospital]. A passive entity that acts on orders from higher entities, with a high likelihood of deploying force if it defies commands.
Some useful information, at least.
Unlike how it seemed at first glance—like common sense wouldn't apply—it appeared there was some flexibility within the bounds of given orders.
Kreeeak—
Entering our assigned room...
It looked like a perfectly ordinary hospital room.
Complete with standard bedding, a pitcher of water, and even a TV beside it, just like in any normal hospital.
This seems no different from a regular hospital.
If we ignore the treatments that defy common sense, sure.
Ugh, I got chills when they chopped off those limbs.
Still, having a comfy place to rest is a plus... Huh?
Yu-na's gaze fixed on one of the beds in the room.
In the space that seemed ordinary, two other patients were already there.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
One of them was slamming his head against the wall in an act of self-harm.
I'm Lee Ji-han, new admission.
I have to forget. Forget. Forget.
Please take care of us.
Forget. Forget. Forget.
Unlike us, who were faking illness, this guy seemed genuinely insane—he just kept bashing his head endlessly, ignoring our words.
Thinking he might have some hint, I forcibly restrained him...
Die—!!!!
He lunged like he meant to kill, so I had no choice but to knock him out with a bat to the head.
Considering he bled normally unlike those fake anomalies, he was human enough.
As I was feeling burdened by what lay ahead...
New arrivals?
A voice came from behind the curtain.
Unlike the mumbling patient's voice, this one sounded perfectly sane.
The previous patients in this room never came back... But from the sound of your voices, you seem like people who came here with a 'purpose.'
Who are you?
Ah, sorry for forgetting to introduce myself. I'm Han I-su, admitted a few years ago. Diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor, but after the doctors treated me, I was labeled with 'post-brain treatment sequelae' and placed in Room 112.
I see. Understood for now.
Behind the curtain was a woman so fragile and beautiful she evoked the trope of the 'sickly beauty.'
By her account, she'd been fated to die but ended up here through some twist of misfortune and luck, cured yet unable to leave.
Suspecting she might be a monster pretending to be human, I checked...
👤 Entity Name:Han I-su
⭐ Rarity:Stage 0 (Harmless)
📝 Description:One of the humans trapped in [Eternal General Hospital]. Originally fated to die, but survived due to a mix of misfortune and luck. Has essentially given up on escape after years of imprisonment.
Definitely human.
I couldn't say for absolute certain without seeing a monster capable of fooling my ability, but...
A few months ago, people calling themselves the 'Management Bureau' came into this room.
They claimed to be experts and forced me to cooperate. Of course, in my weakened state, I had no choice but to comply.
A week passed, then two, then a month. And that's when I saw it.
The so-called 'experts' being dragged away by the [Doctor], their limbs disassembled.
From what she panted out...
She was unmistakably human.
A true saint who aided the Management Bureau despite knowing the mortal risk.
Did you get in? You did, right?? It's real, isn't it???
If you really abandon me, I'm gonna shitpost the gallery for real.
You think I won't? Fine, try abandoning me then. No, wait, my bad! I was wrong! ㅎㅎ
Mental Hospital 1st Tier was having a full-on meltdown in real time.
Meanwhile, the [Abandoned Ending] I'd only harbored in my heart was becoming all too real.
The patient over there had the same illness as me, but they had their 'memories' removed under the pretext of an experiment. That's why he's acting like that. Could you stop giving him that horrified look?
......Wow.
No, her attitude did a complete 180.
How does someone live to care about others in a place like this?
Most people trapped in strange tales were the 'as long as it's not me~' type, so my fondness for her only grew.
...Why are you looking at me like that?
Nothing, just feeling a bit solemn.
Solemn?
It's a thing.
The complete opposite of Yu-na, who'd ditch the gallery the moment we escaped.
Made me wonder if the gallery only gave powers to personality wrecks. Of course, I got mine indirectly, so I'm the exception.
We sat on our assigned beds and got to the point.
Unlike random entrants, we'd come specifically to 'escape' or 'resolve' this place, and there was someone on the third floor we needed to rescue.
In real time, her expression shifted from pity to bewilderment to.
Compared to her initial suspicion...
Now she looked at me like I was a saint.
As I'd felt recently, this gaze was burdensome yet kinda ticklish...
'Not bad.'
Should've said we came to save all the patients?
Not that I'd lie like that.
I'll cooperate fully. The problem is my weakened limbs from the side effects, but I can help to some extent.
To what extent?
Hmm, is this okay to say...? To start, all patients who've had even 'one' surgery here have a tiny fragment implanted.
Fragment, you mean...?
I-su looked up with a resigned expression.
Yes. We have fragments implanted that immediately alert the [Doctor] if we speak about the hospital's information. That's why I couldn't give the previous experts any real info, and they went out on their own...
And got completely wiped out.
Truly regrettable people. Their attitude was a bit coercive, but their dedication to humanity deserved respect.
Hmm, I'd probably tell them to fuck off.
Facts.
Unyielding facts.
If guys barged in yelling 'We're the Management Bureau!' while I was a patient, I'd smash their heads on sight.
Yet she respected their attitude and intent anyway...
I'll make sure you escape.
Pardon?
Even if I have to switch places with you. I haven't met you long, but my judgment won't change. If it's too iffy, I'll just take you both out.
A, yes, sure...
After years trapped, even hope had been stripped away, it seemed.
Gazing at the sickly beauty, I vowed.
'Mental Hospital dude, you can't come with us.'
No need to drag around someone problematic, right?
Yeah?
He'd understand.
Or not lol ㅎ