act18d0

2上

17 Years Ago

3:09 P.M. \ Clear

Ursus, 147km northwest from the main course of nomadic city Chernobog, village

A hamlet...

Quick, quick, the doctor says to get warm water!

Where would we find warm water so easily? Ask Marfa, ask if her family still has any water they boiled this morning.

Emperor above, we beg you, bless our old dedushka...

Excuse me... What's happening here; who's the doctor you mentioned?

Oh, you're... who are you?

Where did you come from... your clothes mean you're from the city, right? Sorry, sorry, we're busy aiding someone right now... If you don't mind, come with me this way, at least you'll have a place to sit.

It's okay... I came here to find that doctor, as it happens. What's her name?

You... you're not here to...

She's just a shady doctor. Do you have great trust in her?

But she... she's all we have who can save our dedushka. I beg you, I'm begging you, at least just for now—she's only a doctor here to save us.

I'm not here to seize her. I just have a little business with her.

Could you show me the way?

I... I don't know if...

I'm a doctor too. Perhaps I can be of help.

Oh, even a burdenbeast would know you're a scholar, seeing your clothes...

You can tell Dr. Kal'tsit something first. Tell her, her student Lillia's here to visit her, and ask her if she needs any assistance or not.

Ah, so you know the doctor's name, and you're Lillia, is that right? Good, good, truly a wonderful name. Wait there for a moment, I'll go right now.

Ay, hey! Don't forget to ask Marfa, bring warm water over!

Ugh, ughah...

Grit your teeth, and keep holding on.

Ugheaaagh—grh—

...Kal'tsit...

What's going on here?

Attacked by a wild beast. This is just emergency treatment.

Knife.

Ah, er... where—where was it... I can't find...

Here. Hand.

An Infected creature?

Correct.

Any risk of Infection?

Most Infected creatures are cleaner than people imagine. By the toothmarks, a tuskbeast roaming the vicinity.

But if it's come into contact with active Originium...

Infected creatures may have methods to coexist with pathogens, but humans do not.

The situation is severe. This is not Originium infection alone. Additional necrosis symptoms are present.

Hurts... so much...

Calm down, now. Deep breaths.

Hphhh—haaah—hphhh—

Difficulty breathing, likely thrombosis. All symptomatic of acute Oripathy.

But—But doesn't Oripathy make crystals grow out of your skin?! Our dedushka's fine, see, isn't he?!

In certain circumstances, the source of infection ends up rapidly circulating through the blood, and won't present visible Originium crystals like regular cases of Oripathy do. Infection symptoms intensify within a short time, very quickly.

If we don't suppress it via drugs... mm.

Emperor above, Emperor above...

You've learned a lot.

Syringes are... inside the gray medical kit.

Here... You carried a suppressant like this with you?

There's always times of need.

Wait... *cough* *cough* Do—Doctor... is this—expensive?

Thinking about that at a time like this?!

It's affordable. You have no need to worry. Our top priority right now is suppressing your acute Oripathic responses, and prevent an Originium crystal dust outburst.

You don't want the others in the village to suffer because of you, correct?

Ugh!

Steady breaths. Relax.

You'll be fine.

Ngh, alright...

Hfff—haaah—

Urgh... hff... do—doctor... I don't want to... become Inf... *cough* *cough*... Infected...

I'm very sorry.

I... *sob*... I... *cough* *cough*... *cough* *hack* *cough*...

Suffocation. We don't have a respirator...

We have nothing here, but that doesn't mean we can do nothing. Bring the inhaler over.

Doctor! Doctor! I'm begging you, save this dedushka of ours, damn it!

The moment Originium dust permeated his wounds, it was inevitable he'd become an Infected, and all I can do is strive to extend his life.

Hck, *cough*, *hack* *cough* *cough*—huff, hahh—

Has the suppressant still not taken effect?!

Considering the patient's age, the suppressant itself was a tremendous risk. Hold your nerve.

...hah... hah...

Breathing has stabilized some...

Is he better now? Is his sickness gone?

In terms of his acute symptoms, possibly. But if you mean his Oripathy, we can do nothing. No one can do anything.

How could this... Then if the man from the Patrol Unit comes by...

Then just—Then just give me... give me up! I only had so long left anyway... Infected? Fine, so be it... Just as long as you don't let the eggheads in here to run their mouths...

No! We wouldn't, we wouldn't, we just have to hide you. We won't let anyone find you. We'll all hide you safely.

Doctor, thank you so much, doctor, things might not have turned out best, but we... well, we don't have much to repay you with either...

This is merely a doctor's duty. The path ahead of becoming an Infected... is what you truly need to consider. I'm very sorry, that circumstances couldn't permit me to do more.

Suppressant is effective, but wounds are still infected. It may lead to worsening of thrombosis... We may have to operate and excise...

Your judgment is correct. Good sir. Please bear with this.

Agh—alright... alright... eaaargh, ungh—!

Sorry about that, Lillia.

Long time no see, Director Kal'tsit.

Long time no see. Let's walk and talk.

Perhaps... you're not enthused about conversing with me like this after that bloodbath, but from the bottom of my heart, I'm glad you're still alive.

So after that, you hid here the whole time?

From the hill over there, you can see out to Chernobog's skyscrapers. If it were me, I wouldn't opt to shelter so near a cityway.

I'm only stopping over for the moment, nothing more.

What... What have you been doing, ever since?

I don't wish for the hate between you to continue flowing unabated. In particular, it's a hatred that will not only cause one to find their own ruin, but will strongly attract direct reprisal from those murderers.

You're telling me all this on purpose, aren't you?

I won't deny that, Lillia. But...

Dr. Kal'tsit, you're leaving?

Ah, it's...

My student. No alarm, she came to pick me up.

Ah, I see, then... But, well, pick you up?

Oh, Emperor above... You're going after all then?

If you're going, please tell us! You cured my daughter, so at least let us send you off properly!

I will.