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Chapter 71
🕑 Added 2024-01-20 11:27:00 +0000 UTCThree thousand years ago? Again?
Lynne pondered upon hearing this. Titan Skull had mentioned that they had fallen into this darkness from a higher world at that same epoch, nearly annihilated and beheaded.
Could the technological civilization's Colossus that the Demonfolk Association discovered be related to the war experienced by Titan Skull's family?
Bloodsaw closed his eyes and continued, "That strong premonition led us to temporarily suspend the Colossus Project. We, the Elders, decided to separately safeguard the Colossus fragments we had gathered, deemed most valuable."
Lynne suddenly recalled a creature in the backyard and exclaimed, "Babe?!"
Bloodsaw was taken aback, "You knew?"
Without a word, Lynne rushed to the backyard, where the sound of a cellar door being pried open echoed. Soon, angry hisses filled the air.
The next moment, under the astonished gaze of Bloodsaw and Puppet Mistress, Lynne returned, wrestling with a furiously wriggling giant tongue, affirming, "Yes, I guessed it because the only thing of value in our potion shop is this fellow."
"Ssss—Ssss—(Angry)"
[Ding! Babe's favorability towards you -1]
[Ding! Babe's favorability towards you -1]
Babe continued to twist and turn in anger, protesting against Lynne's actions.
Bloodsaw, amazed, commented, "You've become this familiar in just a few days?"
Nodding, Lynne held Babe like a slippery eel, "Yes, Babe was a great help when the Flesh Puppet attacked. We've become almost confidants."
"Ssss—Ssss—(Angry)"
Bloodsaw nodded, "You're right. I brought it back from the association. It's a part of the Colossus, a tongue with a strong sense of self, the naughtiest among the parts we found."
Lynne, holding Babe, asked in wonder, "Sir, are you saying that each part of the Colossus has its own consciousness?"
After a moment of silence, Bloodsaw affirmed, "Yes, it's bizarre but not unheard of in the Dark World. Without exception, they are all tied to a curse."
After explaining the Colossus Project, Bloodsaw recounted how he narrowly escaped from the Demonfolk Association and was rescued by Puppet Mistress during a perilous chase, leading up to the triggering of the Hanged Tower's zero contingency plan.
Lynne took a deep breath and said, "Sir, what are your plans now? With the Demonfolk Association destroyed, you'll continue to stay here with me, won't you?"
He sensed his teacher's unspoken thoughts.
Bloodsaw was silent for a moment before responding, "I did consider living peacefully for a few days, but I don't think I'll stay here much longer."
Lynne was startled.
Bloodsaw sighed, "The Demonfolk Association is no more, but much of the research inside was the result of our hard work as elders. I can't just let those achievements be lost."
Though the Hanged Tower was destroyed, the Association's branches in the Dark World still remained. Bloodsaw recently learned that Heart Eater had moved most of the Association's data to secret bases before the destruction of the Tower.
Despite differing ideals, they shared a zeal for knowledge. As one of the few surviving elders of the Demonfolk Association, Bloodsaw couldn't let the precious knowledge perish with the Association's fall.
Standing up, Bloodsaw patted Lynne's shoulder and said earnestly, "I misjudged you before. Your experiences these past few days show you're fully capable and qualified to stand on your own. Instead of wasting your life following me, you're better off forging your own path! Rest assured, I'll always be the towering figure behind you, and I believe a place awaits you at the pinnacle of this Dark World!"
Lynne gazed at his teacher's earnest and gentle expression on his rugged face, feeling an indescribable warmth. Indeed, it had been two years since he fell into this sunless world, a realm of terror, strangeness, and absurdity. His worldviews had been shattered and challenged time and again.
If not for his burly teacher's protection, helping him adapt, change, and understand this darkness, he probably would have died on his second day in this world.
Reflecting on all that had transpired, Lynne finally smiled and closed his eyes, feeling affirmed by his teacher.
"Ah, yes, finally earning my teacher's recognition."
Opening his eyes, he extended his hand to Bloodsaw, his eyes twinkling with determination, and said, "Don't worry, sir. Although I may not be the most talented, I promise you, I will make Bloodsaw Potion Shop the best in the Dark World! And I, too, will become the most healing doctor in this Dark World!"
Observing Lynne's youthful smile brimming with confidence and his spirited declaration, Puppet Mistress stood transfixed, feeling her heart pound erratically.
Indeed... there's something special about youth...
Despite his earlier peculiar behavior, Lynne's sudden shift to normalcy brought a wave of inexplicable charm and vitality, even making her, an older woman, feel her heart flutter. He was truly handsome.
Had it not been for her commitment to Bloodsaw, she might have been tempted to lure Lynne into a secluded room for some tender loving care! Images of an inappropriate nature began to form in her mind...
Shaking her head vigorously, Puppet Mistress discarded these bizarre thoughts and put on a serious face.
No, that would be too much. Such a vibrant young man should be introduced to her daughters – it would be a disservice otherwise. A plan began to form in her mind...
...
Time flew by quickly.
After their conversation, Bloodsaw and Lynne retired to their respective rooms. Soon, Bloodsaw's room echoed with thunderous snoring, while Puppet Mistress, clad in her wide nightgown and pondering deeply, paced the guest room.
She was still contemplating how to reasonably connect Bloodsaw's apprentice with her daughters. A direct approach would be too abrupt, especially after just meeting Lynne. Besides, if Bloodsaw found out, he would surely object, considering the negative impact on the one breaking the bloodborne curse.
Bloodsaw cherished his apprentice, so he wouldn't agree to this. Thus, she needed to find a different approach. After some thought, an idea emerged in her mind.
"Since he's a doctor, he surely wouldn't refuse a patient's plea for help, especially if it's under the guise of his master's wife asking. And surely, he'd assist selflessly, right?"
A mischievous smile crept onto her face. Once he agreed to help, she could naturally offer him a somewhat valuable reward under the guise of gratitude.
"Ha ha ha ha..."
She chuckled to herself, quietly opening her door. Peeking at Bloodsaw's room, where the snoring was like thunder, she confidently strutted toward Lynne's attic.
Knock, knock, knock...
Three knocks on the door.
Lynne, lying on his bed in meditation, instantly sat up like a zombie.
"Dear Lynne, it's me. Are you there?"
Lynne, taken aback for a moment, quickly realized who was at his door. It was his teacher's old flame. But why would she visit at such a late hour?
He swiftly got out of bed and cautiously peered through a small hole in the door. His gaze met an overwhelming sight, causing his eyes to widen in shock.
Opening the door, Lynne greeted her, "Ma'am, it's quite late. May I ask what brings you here?"
Puppet Mistress stood tall before him, her three-meter stature making Lynne appear particularly petite. As she began to speak, she noticed the blood trickling from Lynne's nose and asked with concern, "Lynne, are you alright? Your nose seems to be bleeding."
Lynne quickly wiped away the blood and, rubbing his temples, replied calmly, "It's nothing serious, just a bit of overheating. I'll be fine after some rest."
Puppet Mistress didn't dwell on it much. Her gaze scanned Lynne up and down, finding him increasingly vibrant and handsome.
However, she didn't forget the purpose of her visit. With a look of discomfort, she held her forehead weakly and explained, "I've been running around these past few days, especially after helping your teacher deal with those Demonfolk Association puppets. I haven't been able to recover my strength, and I've been experiencing constant soreness, weakness in my limbs, and sleepless nights... I don't know what's wrong, so I thought of asking for your help..."
Upon hearing this, Lynne immediately sensed an opportunity for a potential special reward. Without hesitation, he invited her in, "Please come in, ma'am."
Lynne wondered why she hadn't sought his teacher's medical expertise, given his superior skills. But the thunderous snoring from outside provided the answer. It seemed she didn't want to disturb Bloodsaw, who had just undergone surgery.
As she entered, a task notification chimed in Lynne's mind, hinting at a significant potential reward for assisting Puppet Mistress. He quickly set aside his doubts and prepared to help.
After inviting Puppet Mistress inside, Lynne swiftly closed the door. As he turned around, he was immediately struck by the sight of Puppet Mistress stretching languidly, emitting a peculiar yet contented sound. Her voluptuous figure undulated like surging waves, startling Lynne profoundly.
"Goodness!" Lynne thought. "Ma'am, please be mindful! Flaunting your figure so carelessly in front of a young man can be quite shocking."
Nevertheless, being a doctor, Lynne quickly composed himself. He donned his white coat, pulled out a chair for Puppet Mistress to sit opposite him, and calmly took out paper and pen, asking, "Ma'am, where do you feel discomfort? Could you please describe it in detail?"
Puppet Mistress, secretly observing Lynne's reactions and clutching her forehead feebly, replied, "I've been feeling dizzy, with a sore back and aching muscles. It's strange, I can't seem to muster any strength."
Lynne noted her symptoms, asking, "Could it be due to overexertion? Have you not been able to rest and recuperate properly these past few days?"
Puppet Mistress, appearing to feel quite warm, adjusted her nightgown's collar, saying weakly, "I'm not sure... My sleep quality has been good... Yet I just can't seem to find my strength..."
She seemed to be uncomfortably hot, pulling at her collar again, leaving Lynne momentarily overwhelmed.
Quickly regaining his focus, Lynne thoughtfully said, "In that case, ma'am, let me take your pulse and see what might be the issue."
With a smile tinged with hidden intent, Puppet Mistress held out her hand, feigning frailty.
Unbeknownst to Lynne, she was perfectly healthy. This visit was merely a ruse to connect him with her daughters. She anticipated that Lynne would not be able to diagnose any ailment, and she planned to casually request some invigorating herbs or a massage, then generously reward him for his assistance – a perfect scheme.
...
Lynne gently placed his hand on Puppet Mistress's wrist, closing his eyes to concentrate on the rhythm of her pulse. After several seconds, confusion clouded his face; her pulse indicated nothing abnormal, contradicting his expectations of fatigue-related symptoms.
"How is everything, doctor? Is it serious?" Puppet Mistress asked with feigned worry.
Regaining his focus, Lynne assured her, "Just a moment, the feedback from the pulse check takes some time. Please be patient."
Narrowing his eyes, Lynne accessed his system panel, deciding to deploy his diagnostic skill for a more thorough examination.
Upon activation, the system's notifications began to chime in Lynne's ears:
[Ding! Detected condition: Skeletal Compression]
[Ding! Detected condition: Flesh Mutation]
[Ding! Detected condition: Bloodborne Curse]
Startled by the findings, Lynne stood abruptly, his gaze intensifying as he looked at Puppet Mistress.
"What's the matter?" she asked, slightly taken aback by his reaction.
Lynne, with a grave expression, stated, "Ma'am, your illness is quite serious."
Minutes later, in the front hall of the apothecary, Puppet Mistress sat bewildered at the counter, watching Lynne hastily gather various herbs.
Puzzled, she thought, "Wait, I'm not really sick. I just wanted to create an opportunity for my daughters. How did a casual check-up lead to such alarming diagnoses?"
"Lynne, what exactly is going on? I should only be suffering from overwork, right?" she asked, visibly tense, staring at Lynne's solemn face.
"It's not just overwork," Lynne replied seriously, returning to the counter with an armful of herbs and his monocle in place.
Sitting down, he looked earnestly at her and inquired, "Ma'am, I need you to be honest with me. In recent years, have you frequently felt a heavy burden on your bones? During high-intensity activities, do you often feel like your body is on the verge of collapsing, requiring long periods of rest to recover?"
Puppet Mistress was taken aback.
"No way!"
What a joke! She was the mistress of the Puppet Courtyard. Although not yet at the level of a King, few in the Dark World dared to provoke her. If there really was some vile affliction within her own body, wouldn't she have noticed it?
Doubt began to cloud her mind, and her trust in the young man before her started to waver. She wasn't ill at all! Could he really diagnose her with some random illness?
Lynne adjusted his monocle, gazing deeply at her, and said: "No, madam, it's not that there's nothing; rather, something is masking it, making it difficult for you to detect the symptoms manifesting in your body."
Puppet Mistress hesitated, "What are you talking about? Don't fool me. Even your teacher wouldn't dare to fool me!"
Lynne's gaze turned solemn, "Madam, let me ask you another question. What form does your power take?"
Puppet Mistress frowned. She raised a finger, and at its tip, a mysterious black halo appeared instantaneously.
"Curse magic, so what?"
Curse magic is a mysterious magical energy present in the Dark World, often used by wizards, demons, sorcerers, and the like.
Lynne calmly said, "Madam, have you always retained a vast amount of curse magic within you?"
Puppet Mistress raised an eyebrow, "Yes."
Lynne adjusted his monocle again and said profoundly, "And what about without the augmentation of curse magic? Have you experienced that?"
