Chapter 118

Chapter 118

Squeak.

The bloodletting instrument gleamed with an eerie light as it sliced through a healthy vein of a soldier. A determined resolve filled Shandres gaze.

Excellent.

Evil had to be purged from the body as thoroughly as possible. If negative energy dwelled within, it had to be eradicated. And what was the easiest component to remove from the body?

Blood, of course.

Blood was the wellspring of life, the essence that sustained all living beings.

Consequently, he believed that when the body was afflicted or severely injured, the blood too became tainted. This wasnt merely his belief; he had learned it in college. His master and his masters master had imparted the same teachings.

So, naturally, this method of treatment is the ultimate truth.

Extracting tainted blood from the body was the solution. The more blood you removed, the more space you created within the body for fresh blood.

But what is life?

When theres emptiness, it quickly fills. Thats the law of life.

As the tainted blood was removed, a void was created. New, pure blood would occupy this space and cleanse the body of its ailments.

And then it was done. Any illness would be cured, and even severe injuries could be rapidly healed.

Shandre diligently carried out his work with unwavering faith, positioning a bucket beneath the soldiers arm where he had just made the incision. It was a bucket meant to collect the blood.

However, at that very moment:

Uh, hmm?

The slumbering soldier wrinkled his brow. Perhaps the cut on his arm stung. Slowly, he opened his eyes, which widened almost immediately.

What? What?

The soldier was taken aback.

He had been fast asleep. He had been informed that the stitches on his injured leg were holding up well. The muscles had mended properly, and amputation would not be necessary. He would heal if he simply applied ointment and rested. He had even received words of encouragement and consolation from an officer known as a saint.

So, he had felt at ease.

He had been sound asleep.

But now he woke up to find his arm bleeding!

What? What is this!

The bewildered soldier attempted to sit up, but a firm hand gently pressed down on his shoulder.

Hush.

!

I am Officer Shandre. Do not disrupt the treatment.

Officer? A face he did not recognize. The soldier shifted his gaze between his bleeding arm and Shandres countenance.

Are you the officer?

Yes, you are currently under my care.

But, um, Officer?

Hmm?

I have never seen you before

I arrived earlier today. Is there a problem?

Well, I underwent surgery earlier today.

And?

Officer Rihan said I should just rest now

Is that so?

Why are you here in the middle of the night drawing blood from my arm?

Is that so?

How dare you, a mere soldier, question my methods of treatment?

Shandre narrowed his eyes, and the soldiers shoulders slumped.

No, thats not what I meant

Then what?

I just wasnt informed that Id be receiving this treatment

Are you the only one in this camp whos injured?

Pardon?

There are so many injured people. Do I have to tell each and every one what kind of treatment theyll receive? Even to injured soldiers like you?

Thats

Are you a noble?

No, I am not.

The reason he came here.

A small smile crept onto Raciels face when he thought about the bonus lifespan. It couldnt be helped. It had already been two months since he arrived in Anbouaz. The bonus lifespan he had acquired so far was quite substantial.

[Your Expected Lifespan: 283 days]

Heh heh heh. Hee hee hee.

When he first heard about the civil war in Anbouaz, his expected lifespan was around 170 days. However, since he had been here for about two months, it had increased significantly. The more he looked at it, the happier he felt. Even revisiting the number brought him delight.

If he could continue like this a bit longer?

My expected lifespan will probably accumulate over a year.

Then he could live with less anxiety. The pressure of a time-limited life could be significantly reduced.

To be honest, it has been kind of like that.

This was the first time his expected lifespan had accumulated over 200 days. Until now, he had been living with it dropping to a hundred-something days, or sometimes even below 100 days.

The pressure of dying in just a few months. The stress and fear of living as if being chased. He didnt want to experience that anymore. He had been struggling with similar pressures in Korea as well.

It was like that when I was running my clinic. It became incredibly difficult because of Corona. The income was cut off, yet the rent and loan interest kept draining out.

Money in his bank account was constantly dwindling. How many months could he last? How much money was left now? How much was expected to come in? How much would the next months rent and interest be? He spent days making these draining calculations several times a day. The diminishing bank balance felt as if his lifeblood was being drained from his body. It was the harsh reality of being a small business owner.

It was the same even after coming here. An expected lifespan that reduced by one day even if he just stood still. Calculating it and pondering future plans was no different from his time as a small business owner in South Korea.

But now?

It was different.

Heh heh hee hee hee!

The bonus lifespan that accumulated day by day brought immense joy to Raciel. He relished his nighttime walks, feeling incredibly light on his feet.

However, in the midst of his contentment,

What? Huh? Huh?

A puzzled voice emanated from somewhere in the quiet camp. Raciel abruptly halted in his tracks, nearly in the midst of a joyful dance.

Whats happening?

He strained to listen, and the sounds grew clearer.

Snap out of it. Hey? Huh?

Thwack, thwack!

A somewhat bewildered voice.

Even the sound of slapping cheeks.

These noises originated from the tent designated for the recovery of wounded soldiers. It was a place equipped with single-person tents specially prepared for soldiers who had recently undergone surgery and required absolute rest.

Odd.

Raciel moved in that direction. As he did, the sounds drew nearer.

Hey! Open your eyes, will you? Do you dare not to listen to me?

Thwack! Thwack!

Just a mere soldier!

Thwack! Thwack!

The voice wasnt unfamiliar.

Who could it be?

Then, it clicked.

The individual who had been muttering incoherently earlier today. The one who had fainted after taking a punch. Wasnt his name Shandre?

But why is that guys voice coming from here?

Something seemed amiss. Raciel quickened his pace. He located the tent from which the voice was emanating, flung open the tents entrance, and was met with a surprising sight.

A soldier, weak from blood loss from his arm and as pale as a ghost, was being vigorously slapped on the cheek by Shandre.

The soldier turned his eyes toward Raciel.

Their gazes locked.

Huh?

The soldiers eyes widened.

Raciels expression turned icy.

What are you doing to my bonus lifespan?

(To be Continued)

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