NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 16: The Diseased Hospital
Elliot shut his apartment door and dropped onto his bed, his mind racing. The abandoned hospital loomed large in his thoughts, and the faint dread of the unknown weighed on him. He forced himself to relax, knowing full well the importance of a clear mind and rested body for tomorrow's mission. His armor and daggers were laid out nearby, within easy reach. Soon, exhaustion overtook him, and he drifted off into an uneasy sleep.
Morning came all too quickly, the weak light of dawn creeping through the cracks in his window. Elliot sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes and stretching his aching limbs. His small, cramped room felt even more suffocating than usual. He dressed quickly and headed downstairs to the boarding house's dimly lit common area. The smell of stale air and faint mildew filled his nostrils.
Grabbing a stale bagel and a lukewarm cup of water from the modest breakfast setup, he leaned against the counter. His fingers fidgeted with the bagel as his thoughts wandered.
I could really use a cup of coffee right now. Too bad it costs more than I can spare.
The bitter truth stung more than he'd care to admit, but there was no point dwelling on it. The simplicity of the morning routine steadied his nerves, grounding him in the present. It was a fleeting moment of normalcy before plunging into the chaos that awaited.
With his inner armor concealed beneath his worn clothes and his daggers tucked securely away, Elliot stepped into the chilly morning air. The city was eerily quiet, its usual bustle subdued, as if it too sensed the unease in the air. He set off on his trek to the hospital, the tension in his chest growing with each step.
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The hospital loomed before him, its crumbling exterior more imposing than he remembered. Broken windows gaped like empty eye sockets, and the peeling facade seemed to leer at him mockingly. Vines crept up the walls, their tangled growth giving the building an almost organic, living quality.
Elliot hesitated at the entrance, letting out a slow breath to steady himself.
No second chances. Don't screw this up.
He wasn't here to admire the scenery or wallow in fear. Activating his [Arcane Sight], he channeled energy into his perception. The world shimmered and twisted as the skill took hold, colors bleeding into surreal, otherworldly hues. Blues became vibrant, reds smoldered like fire, and faint auras danced on the edges of his vision.
His gaze swept over the hospital, searching for anything unusual. A faint, pale green glow shimmered in one of the north-facing rooms on the second floor. The aura was oddly familiar, reminiscent of Gorrik's iridescent energy, though the green tint puzzled him.
Does the color mean something? Maybe something Beyonder-related?
He filed the thought away for later, the important thing clear: there was a Beyonder inside. Whether they were hostile or not, he was about to find out.
After letting his energy recover, Elliot stepped inside, his movements cautious and deliberate. Dust motes swirled in the weak light filtering through the shattered windows. The building's interior was a graveyard of medical equipment: rusted gurneys lay overturned, shattered IV stands littered the floor, and faded charts clung stubbornly to the walls.
Looks like this place hasn't seen life in decades.
His boots crunched softly against the debris-strewn floor as he moved deeper. The air grew heavier, carrying with it a rancid stench that hit him like a wave. His stomach churned, and he instinctively covered his mouth and nose with his sleeve.
This isn't natural. What the hell am I walking into?
Tracing the source of the stench, he found a grotesque pile of flesh and pus near the stairs. It was fresh, the sickly yellow-green fluid oozing from the remains still pooling on the floor. The sight was nearly enough to make him retch, but he swallowed hard and forced himself to activate [Observation].
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Rare Item: Infected Corpse
Description: A human body infected by an unknown pathogen. The victim died within the last 24 hours. The pathogen's nature is highly virulent and potentially mystical in origin. Avoid prolonged exposure.
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The truth sent a spike of fear through him, like ice flooding his veins. His breathing quickened as he stepped back from the rancid pile of flesh, instinctively covering his nose and mouth with his sleeve. Despite the makeshift barrier, the sour, cloying stench clung to him, filling his nostrils and throat. A bead of sweat trickled down his temple as an ominous thought clawed at the edge of his mind.
Could I have been exposed to whatever did this?
The decaying remains before him weren't just grotesque—they seemed wrong on a fundamental level, like something unnatural had twisted their very essence. His hands trembled as he wiped them against his pants, the sensation of unseen contamination clinging to his skin. He pulled up his Status, his heart thudding painfully in his chest. His vision blurred slightly from the sweat and anxiety, but the words on the translucent interface were impossible to miss:
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STATUS
Name: Elliot Graham
Level: 2
Sequence: 9 (Arcanist)
Health: 98/100 (-2 per minute)
Stamina: 98/100
Energy: 16/20 (+10 from quest)
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His health was ticking down, 2 points per minute, like a death clock counting down his life. Panic threatened to break through his calm exterior, but he fought it back. There had to be a way to figure this out, to understand what was happening to him. His thoughts scrambled, trying to make sense of it all. He had used [Observation] on the infected corpse—maybe using it on himself would give him a clearer picture of the affliction.
It was a long shot, but it was the only option he had. The skill could sometimes reveal details that the eyes alone couldn't grasp, and if it worked, he might get more specific information about the pathogen—its progression, its effects, and how much time he had left. He forced himself to breathe deeply, steadied his shaking hands, and focused.
He activated [Observation] on his own body, mentally preparing for the flood of information that might follow. The words materialized in front of him almost immediately:
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Subject: Elliot Graham
Status: Infected
Description: The subject has contracted a mystical pathogen. The effects are slowed by Sequence 9 resistance but remain lethal over time. Immediate treatment or elimination of the source is required.
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Elliot's stomach dropped. The only Outer Deity he knew of tied to disease was the Monarch of Decay. That could only mean one thing—a boon wielder of the Second Law Pathway was here, spreading sickness like wildfire. The quest's title, Diseased Hospital, wasn't just a title. It was a warning.
His grip on his daggers tightened as he climbed the stairs to the second floor. Each step felt heavier than the last, the stench of decay growing stronger with every breath. Sweat slicked his brow as his heart pounded in his chest. He reactivated [Arcane Sight], tracing the pale green aura through the dim hallway. It led him to a door at the far end.
The faint glow spilled through the cracks around the frame, casting eerie shadows on the walls. Elliot steadied himself, taking a moment to channel [Static Charge] into his daggers. Sparks crackled along the blades, their hum a reassuring reminder of his power.
You've got this. No hesitation.
With a burst of energy, he kicked the door open and stormed in. The room was dimly lit, the faint green aura illuminating the crumbling walls. On the bed lay a frail man in a hospital gown. His body was skeletal, his face pallid and sunken. Green veins pulsed faintly beneath his skin, glowing with an unnatural light.
He must be the source.
Elliot didn't hesitate. He darted forward, driving his electrified dagger into the man's chest. Lightning surged through the blade, paralyzing the Beyonder. The frail figure convulsed, a gasp of shock escaping his lips. Blood sprayed from his mouth, the crimson droplets stark against his pale skin.
Elliot pulled back, heart pounding. He waited for the familiar chime of the quest completion notification, but it didn't come.
That was too easy. No way it's over.
Before he could react, the man's body shattered like glass. The sound of breaking mirror shards filled the room, and Elliot stumbled back, stunned. Glittering fragments scattered across the bed and floor, vanishing into nothingness.
Then he noticed the blood.
A splatter from the Beyonder's cough had landed on his hand, and a sickly heat began spreading from the spot. His head swam, and nausea clawed at him. He glanced at his Status again. His health bar was plummeting, ticking down faster than before.
A cold laugh echoed behind him, low and mocking.
Elliot froze, his heart hammering in his chest as the room grew darker. He spun around, daggers raised, but his blurred vision made it hard to focus.
What the hell is going on?
The laughter grew louder, filling the room with an oppressive malice. His grip tightened on the daggers, though his body felt weak and unsteady. His knees threatened to buckle under the weight of his own fear.
"Welcome to my domain," a voice rasped, thick with disdain. It was deep and gravely, resonating in a way that made Elliot's skin crawl. The figure stepped into the faint green light, revealing a gaunt face with eyes that burned like smoldering embers.
"You thought it would be that easy?" the figure sneered, its lips curling into a cruel smile.
Elliot's breath caught in his throat. His mind raced, desperate for a plan. His health was draining fast, his energy reserves were dwindling, and his body felt like it was on the verge of collapse. This wasn't a battle he could win with brute force.
He had to think. Fast.