Chapter 134: Kill Me, Kill Him |
"Not a Patient?"
Lu Qiuqiu was stunned, feeling that something was even more amiss.
Guan Shan might not remember what happened at that time due to his illness or other reasons. It was normal for him not to remember Sacred Heart Hospital or his attending physician.
But Lu Mingyi shouldn't forget his own patient...
Although there was a six-year gap, Lu Qiuqiu had found Guan Shan's photo in the medical records archive. His appearance hadn't changed much in terms of features, just a bit more mature now.
However, it was possible that Lu Mingyi had treated countless patients and might have forgotten him. Moreover, Lu Mingyi had aged decades overnight due to that Esper's torment, so a sudden decline in memory was not out of the question.
Lu Qiuqiu thought for a moment and coughed twice, gently reminding him, "Cough, cough, his name is Guan Shan, like in the phrase 'Guan Shan travels far, flying like an arrow.'"
Lu Mingyi looked at her, waiting for a while without any response, and frowned in confusion, "Then? Aren't you going to introduce the others?"
Lu Qiuqiu: "..."
Lu Qiuqiu opened her mouth, wanting to say something else, but fearing Lu Mingyi would scold her for being rude, she could only introduce the others... though she didn't really know them, just reciting what they had introduced themselves as.
She was quite afraid of her stern grandfather. After all, she had been learning medicine under his strict requirements since childhood, suffering through days of endless memorization.
Looking back, she realized that school was much happier than home...
At least before university, there were only a few books to memorize at school, while at home there were entire bookshelves of books to memorize.
Thanks to this devilish childhood, she had basically skipped the chance for any real happiness... Boo hoo hoo.
So when Lu Mingyi became serious, Lu Qiuqiu usually stayed silent.
After introducing everyone, Lu Qiuqiu confirmed that Lu Mingyi had no recollection of the name "Guan Shan," and her doubts grew larger.
There were only two possibilities.
Either the medical record she had was fake, or... someone's memory had been altered.
Originally, the latter seemed like a fantasy to Lu Qiuqiu, but now she was in a space created by an Esper.
The latter possibility had greatly increased.
Could it be that another Esper had erased everyone's memories back then, leaving only the medical record sealed in the archives for six years?
While Lu Qiuqiu was pondering, Guan Shan, who had opened the fourth door, encountered another "prisoner" in the room.
This time, however, the "prisoner" was still sane.
"Please kill me."
The "prisoner" clasped his hands together and pleaded with Guan Shan.
In Guan Shan's eyes, the "prisoner" was as hideous as those corpses, with limbs like a beast's, but his eyes were closed, wearing a tattered kasaya, with hair grown wild like weeds.
He held a string of rotten prayer beads, with faint golden engravings visible when he moved them.
What caught Guan Shan's attention the most was the blade covered under the kasaya beside him.
He was marked as an NPC, not a monster.
【You have encountered an NPC】
【[Blade-Wielding Monk] ??? (lv.19)】
【HP: 30000】
【Description: A monk trapped here for thirty years, who has not lost his will, seemingly due to an unfulfilled wish?】
Reading this, Guan Shan was surprised.
After playing the simulator for so long, he finally encountered an NPC that seemed capable of giving quests!
Though there wasn't a glowing exclamation mark above his head, Guan Shan could sense the presence of a quest...
Alright, a horror game didn't usually have proper quests, but this NPC could at least be communicated with.
"This monk's level seems to be the highest I've seen so far, right?"
Guan Shan recalled that the dungeon's boss was only level 17 with forty thousand HP. This level 19 monk with thirty thousand HP probably had extremely high Attack Power.
Thinking from another perspective, being trapped here for thirty years, maintaining thirty thousand HP, and staying sane was terrifying.
In any case, caution was necessary.
Guan Shan confirmed with Lin Shuman that they also saw the person as a monk, but looking more normal, even kind.
Guan Shan approached, slightly bowing, and raised his crowbar, "Master, are you trapped here too? I have a way out; why not come with us?"
The Blade-Wielding Monk shook his head, "No, my light has burned out, and this body is merely sustained by that evil being. What keeps me going is just a lingering wish. Thirty years have passed, and seeing your modern attire, I know the outside world has changed beyond recognition..."
"I no longer have the ability or the reason to leave."
The Blade-Wielding Monk handed his prayer beads to Guan Shan, speaking softly, "These prayer beads were a gift from my master, Liao Ye, when I took my vows. They nourish the spirit. Now, if you can cut away my sins, I will give these beads to you."
"If you encounter anyone who recognizes these beads in the future, please tell them that Qing Yi is dead, with no more attachments."
Though his voice sounded extremely hoarse and frightening, Guan Shan could still hear a hint of gentleness, showing the monk's profound Buddhist practice.
This room seemed quite sinister. Staying here for long could turn one into a monster, like the previous three Espers.
Yet this monk, Master Qing Yi, remained clear-minded, which was extraordinary.
Guan Shan took the prayer beads, and their attributes immediately appeared. It turned out to be an item!
【Blade-Wielding Monk's Prayer Beads】
【Effect: For each Buddhist item held, its effect bonus increases by 5%, stackable; when HP reaches zero, there is a chance to avoid death once and recover 1% HP.】
【Description: A treasure passed down in the Green Moss Temple, symbolizing the abbot.】
Guan Shan's pupils contracted in shock. What a powerful effect for nurturing the spirit!
Setting aside the terrifying effect if combined with the 【Ksitigarbha Statue】, the ability to avoid death once was currently his most powerful item!
After just a few words, the monk entrusted such an important item to Guan Shan... It seemed he was truly desperate.
Guan Shan quickly promised, "Since it's your last wish, Master, I will definitely fulfill it."
"However, I have some questions. Could you answer them, Master?"
Qing Yi nodded, and Guan Shan inquired about the 【Ksitigarbha Statue】.
Qing Yi looked at Guan Shan and said, "It is indeed a Buddhist treasure... one of them. However, most were lost during the turmoil, and it's rare to find a complete one now."
"That evil being wanted to know its whereabouts and usage, but unfortunately, I don't know either."
Guan Shan nodded, then asked about the Green Moss Temple and Espers, but Qing Yi, from a different era, couldn't provide much information. They parted regretfully in the end.
Guan Shan swiftly granted Qing Yi a quick death.
It wasn't out of cruelty; Qing Yi's marker had gradually turned red by the end of their conversation.
It seemed Qing Yi had finally reached his limit.
Opening the next door, Guan Shan saw a middle-aged man being held hostage by the bloodman.
The bloodman sneered, "I didn't expect you to have the ability to split space, but this is the end... Is this man your goal too? Detective Bai Ye, your senior."
"How about it? He killed Qing Yi without hesitation; aren't you afraid he'll kill you too? Why don't we work together..."
Bai Ye's eyes lit up upon hearing this and shouted to Guan Shan, "Good job! Don't worry about me, kill him!"