CH 9.2

Lunatic simply stands in place, staring blankly at Jiang Yiyi, his eyes returning to no focus in particular.

Jiang Yiyi pats on the shoulder once more and says, “you almost beat him to death.”

Lunatic blinks, showing no other reactions.

Jiang Yiyi glances at the notification popping up nearby – Skill ‘Psychology’ has reached Elite level – then quietly looks away and lowers Lunatic’s stopped fist back to his side.

Now, Jiang Yiyi finally has an awareness dawn on him, that he might actually be some notable individual.

At least, Jiang Yiyi has never heard of such an application of psychology——He looks at Lunatic, who’s blanking out still, and then around the canteen that has fallen to complete silence, before his eyes settle on Butcher.

“I’m done with my meal. Let’s go.”

It is at least three seconds before Butcher finally retrieves himself from the unreality that just took place before him.

“Get a doctor!” Butcher orders a prison officer, and raises his voice again, “what are you all doing here? Go finish your meals! Waste any food, and don’t think about eating ever again.”

The quiet prisoners quietly returned to their desks, with eyes glued onto Jiang Yiyi and Lunatic.

Butcher walks up to Jiang Yiyi, looking over at Lunatic, who’s gone remote mentally once more, “you know each other?”

A lot of ears are perked up.

“It’s our first meeting.” Jiang Yiyi then raises his head towards the exit of the canteen, “we’re not going?”

Butcher’s usual amicable demeanour is back, “as expected of the Doctor… Let’s go, to the cell.”

He walks ahead and says, “the supply of single cells are quite tight…”

He stops abruptly.

Jiang Yiyi turns to look at Lunatic behind him.

He follows blankly and silently; blood from his chest has coloured most of his clothes red. The chopstick is still inserted squarely on his body, but he does not even seem to feel it. He merely stands there behind Jiang Yiyi.

Butcher’s expression is a little inscrutable, “Lunatic’s cell is a single cell, by the way. It seems he’ll be moving, then.”

“Doctor is a surgeon by trade, if I recall?” Butcher has weaved through the quiet and still canteen, chatting with Jiang Yiyi while everyone else stares, “can I trust Lunatic’s medical care to you?”

“You can give me an application of whatever medical supplies you need.” Butcher smiles, “we always have need for more physicians on the second floor. We’re glad you’re here.”

“No need to hold back, just tell me if you need anything.” Butcher checks the cell and then stops to scan his card. He glances at Lunatic, still following closely behind Jiang Yiyi, “since… you made my life easier. Now I’ll help yours. Win-win.”

“I also like win-wins.”

Butcher then gestures inside the cell, “it’s a room for four, but you two are the only occupants for now.”

Jiang Yiyi heads in, followed closely by Lunatic.

Butcher shuts the cell door, then leans on it to continue talking to Jiang Yiyi, “that prison officer… need me to deal with him for you?”

See how generous this guy is?

Jiang Yiyi deliberates the risks and rewards of falling out. Then decides, given Lin Yi’s looks and Butcher’s completely unremarkable NPC-like appearance, to make the right call.

“No need. Having a friend makes it easier to get things done.”

“Ah, a friend.” Butcher repeats the word with a hint of surprise, and quickly moves on from the topic, “then I’ll let him bring you the medical equipment later…” He pauses, “after which, I’d have him bring them back to me.”

He can’t just have it? Jiang Yiyi retracts his previous statement. This guy isn’t much generous either.

“You know these are dangerous items. If it was found out a prisoner had unchecked access to them, we’ll both be in a lot of trouble.” Yet Butcher goes on to add, “it would be a different story on the third floor, though.”

“Oh, look at the time, I have to go.” Butcher isn’t able to see much from Jiang Yiyi’s expression, so excuses himself. When he turns, he recalls something, and looks back at Jiang Yiyi, “Doctor, you still recall the rules I told you?”

Jiang Yiyi does not offer him the chance to intimidate him once more, “worry not. I like rules.”

Butcher makes a show of heaving a sigh, “your files say that you were a surgeon?”

Jiang Yiyi confirms in the blink of an eye, “that’s right.”

“It would seem that the Doctor is versed in the field of psychology as well?” Butcher mentions, seemingly offhandedly, “we also got our experts on Lunatic’s case, and they say it’s something like PTSD… We don’t get the technical jargon, but apparently getting the condition under control is difficult.”

Watching Lunatic all docile standing behind Jiang Yiyi makes his brows twitch, “I didn’t see the Doctor do anything, so how did… he calm down?”

Jiang Yiyi answers quite earnestly, “it’s difficult to explain…” Because he does not really know how either…

Not that the methodology is something to Butcher’s interest either. He is more concerned with something else, “can he be cured entirely?”

Jiang Yiyi looks at Butcher with surprise; the man does not appear to be feigning an interest right now. He looks back at Lunatic, whose eyes move slightly in response to meet his gaze.

He sees no sign of conscious intelligence in there.

A pacified wild beast is still a wild beast that can turn on others at any time.

“I am but a surgeon.”

Butcher is not surprised at the answer. Leaning on the door, he simply mentions, “if you take the time to read Lunatic’s file, Doctor…” Then he straightens up, “you may find your interest piqued.”

“Whatever your goals for coming to Stargaol are, the reward for fixing Lunatic would definitely be worth your while.”