Norlington, Fog Street Clinic, Living Room.
Having completed April's house call, Fran was now in a rather good mood.
Inchworm's injury was a relatively basic case of organ loss, treatable with the simplest and most efficient methods. Therefore, it hadn't required much effort.
By Fran's standards, he didn't even count as an emergency case.
The doctor had witnessed far too many patients in more serious conditions. Missing limbs, corrupted by Chaos, spine ripped out along with the skull, or having the entire chest cavity shattered by a boltgun...
Relatively speaking, Inchworm's condition could only be considered "minor."
However, as a casually placed idle piece, he might yet play an unexpected role...
Fran was not a strategist or plotter and had no interest in arranging and scheming major events. The reason she hadn't refused Inchworm's offer of service was mainly due to a doctor's professional concern for a patient.
After all, she had the habit of conducting follow-up visits. If a patient she had treated died in some nameless corner within a couple of days, it would be quite troublesome for her...
Speaking of which, Fran was now even more interested in that Nightmare Guest.
In Norlington, he took Dorothy's right eye through sneak attacks and coercion, a process that never revealed any noteworthy strength... Therefore, most people only considered him an arrogant petty thief.
Fran was no exception.
However, after learning the details about the Nightmare Guest from the Ash Scar High Priest, she became slightly more interested in this guy.
Through counter-tracking and misdirection, he made the Six-Eyed Crow cult mistakenly believe he had holed up in the fallen city Morien. Then he suddenly appeared in Foy and, while only able to invoke minimal psychic energy, took Inchworm's left eye...
For a third-tier secret cult disciple, this was undoubtedly a record to be proud of.
Moreover, Fran wasn't only concerned about this.
[S-066 Faded to Pure White] could erase the subject's psychic energy; theoretically, the Nightmare Guest should now be no different from an ordinary person. How exactly did he use completely unrelated Lamp-phase psychic energy to employ Raven-Feather secret arts?
Also, the Raven-Feather High Priest's ascension ritual requires a "stolen object" of sufficient merit as a medium, with no strict requirements on the type of stolen item itself. So why was the Nightmare Guest so fixated on obtaining eyeballs?
What that guy was planning might not be a simple ascension...
Fran slightly dispelled the ever-spreading conjectures in her mind, her gaze shifting to a delicate, light-brown veil in her hand.
That was the consultation fee she had just received.
[Mimic Veil (Weaver; Yvonne)]
[Quality: Fine]
[Effect: Consumes a certain amount of psychic energy, allowing the wearer to mimic a person or thing they are sufficiently familiar with. The volume change before and after mimicry cannot exceed 60%. Simultaneously, the accuracy of mimicry depends on the wearer's own proficiency.]
[Note: The original item was a treasure of the Royal Capital of Leyndell in the Lands Between. After Yvonne's infusion of power and modification, it can now be used in other realms.]
This veil could provide a flexible and potent disguise effect, suitable for almost any occasion. For anyone engaged in covert work, it was a treasure they could only dream of.
It's just that it truly wasn't much help to Fran... Even without relying on mimicry, this doctor could easily change her own appearance. It was just a bit troublesome, so she almost never used it.
"Hmm... Need to think carefully about how to maximize the use of this veil's effect."
Fran licked her lips, her amber eyes faintly shimmering, as if inspiration was continuously welling up.
Just as she was still planning what kind of theft in what form to use to advance her [Crown-Thief] talent, Sigrid walked over carrying a wide presentation case.
Her expression showed visible joy, her molten-gold eyes sparkling with excitement, to the point that her cheeks flushed slightly.
"Dr. Fran, I've completed the remolding and reshaping of the chainsword. Please inspect it."
"You've worked hard, Sigrid."
Fran smiled, took the weapon case, and extracted the heavy chainsword, hefting it to gauge its feel.
Warm, yet concealing a mid-day sun-like intensity.
Forged items shaped by Sigrid's smithing seemed to carry a trace of her aura, more or less.
[Ripper Shark (Originally Mk X Universal Chainsword)]
[Quality: Common]
[Effect: Heavier! Stronger! Better at tearing flesh! ...And not as prone to breaking down.]
[Note: The blade houses a secret-art furnace core to provide power, which can be charged using spirit-infused materials, one's own psychic energy, or sunlight exposure. Simultaneously, the smith etched two Sun-Forging prayers for repair and remelting, and mixed in a small amount of living metal, allowing for self-recovery before the toothed chain sustains 20% damage.]
Sigrid maintained a nearly meticulous and rigorous attitude towards items that passed through her hands.
While maximizing an item's strengths as much as possible, she would also try to compensate for certain weaknesses, striving to eliminate flaws at a technical level.
To solve the problem of chain weapons easily breaking down mid-fight, this craftsman had put in considerable thought...
Fran injected a bit of psychic energy into the secret-art furnace core, then pulled the trigger on the hilt. The monomolecular-edged toothed chain immediately began rotating at high speed.
A steady, harsh whirring sound followed.
"To be able to optimize upon the original design with only partial reference materials is truly astonishing talent and learning ability... Sigrid, your forging skill might have already surpassed mine?"
She spoke with a hint of praise.
"Please don't say that. I merely replicated the predecessors' technology. I just added some of my own ideas on that foundation..."
Sigrid lowered her head slightly, placing her hands before her, seeming somewhat embarrassed.
"You're too humble. Most others, even with STC templates, could only produce standard mass-produced items by following the rules."
At this point, Fran seemed to remember something and inquired about the AI's condition.
"By the way, Sigrid, how is Tinúviel recently?"
"Ms. Tinúviel offered many useful suggestions during the forging process. Without her assistance, completing this sword's remelting and reshaping by myself... the timeline would likely have been extended by double."
Sigrid reported truthfully.
Fran wasn't surprised by this.
Concerned that she might cause Tinúviel to have a stress reaction, Fran had never gone to meet that AI. She had almost entirely delegated matters of contact and interaction to Sigrid.
Since the two were getting along so harmoniously, she wouldn't interfere further.
"Oh... Speaking of which, why did you think of naming her 'Tinúviel'?"
Regarding this, Fran was rather curious. This name wasn't common and likely held special meaning.
"About that..."
Hearing Fran's question, Sigrid paused briefly, gathering her thoughts before slowly speaking.
"When I was still with the Sun-Forgers cult in Norlington's East District, a 'Falling Sun Rider' lady took care of me since childhood. She was strict yet kind, practically my only family. And so..."
"I wanted to name that AI after her, as a memorial."
Her expression didn't change much, but her words carried a hint of melancholy.
"I understand." Fran nodded lightly.
Since it was "as a memorial," it meant that Falling Sun Rider also perished in the disaster triggered by the [Final Program]... Refined from body to soul into pure Philosopher's Stone amidst the burning and scorching of the object of her faith.
Although Sigrid had moved past the shadow of that day, this was clearly not a pleasant topic.
After storing the chainsword "Ripper Shark" in her medical kit, Fran extended a hand to Sigrid.
"Staying in the clinic forging all day can make one gloomy. Now that the chainsword's forging is finished... come with me to Gormouth for a stroll."
"Mm."
Sigrid complied obediently, the spirited expression in her eyes also rekindling.
With a flash of blazing white solar light, she transformed into the form of the ceremonial sword "False Sun." Fran immediately hung it at her waist, concealed beneath the hem of her white coat.
In fact, Sigrid reverting to sword form wasn't solely for disguise; it was also her most energy-efficient and comfortable state.
Besides, being personally worn by Dr. Fran against her clothing made Sigrid feel inexplicably secure and calm. That restless heat she usually needed to pacify by hammering iron also seemed to vanish without a trace.
"Sigh... Another ten-plus minute walk back. Well, at least such troublesome back-and-forth travel probably won't be necessary much longer."
Pushing open the clinic door and stepping outside, Fran looked at the seemingly endless Fog Street ahead and couldn't help but sigh lightly.
—
Odington Street, No. 117, Detreka's Residence.
Bartley removed the bandage wrapped around his chest and looked at the spot where a wound should have been, only to find already-healed skin. Even the scar had faded.
Secrets-Hunters possessed physical resilience superior to ordinary people and were less susceptible to weapon injuries, but ultimately, they were still fragile flesh and bone.
Based on his own experience, healing to this degree should have taken at least a month. And that was with the supply of medicines from the Medicae.
"Strange."
Bartley moved his arm, confirmed it had regained flexibility, and then picked up his gear.
The "Nightmare Guest" actually colluded with that old woman Louisa to ambush him and nearly took his life... This indicated his information network was far more extensive than imagined, and his operational style was more dangerous than anticipated.
Such a guy was definitely not a mere "petty thief"; he had to take him seriously.
For the past while, Bartley had been staying at Detreka's place mainly to recuperate and recover his psychic energy. The [Blood Burn] secret art could briefly transform a mortal into a beast capable of wrestling with evil spawns, but its side effects and drain were also significant.
Now that he had mostly recovered, it was inappropriate to continue imposing on the young girl's home.
Damn, if Black Banyan finds out about this embarrassment, he'll laugh at me for a year...
After leaving a note of thanks and a few Norlington silver coins as payment for the past few days' medical expenses, Bartley got up and left Detreka's residence.
Just as he stepped out the door, preparing to enter the street alley, he saw a young woman in an agent's trench coat quietly waiting under the dim yellow streetlight.
"Good to see you, Mr. Bartley."
Vivian slowly pressed down the brim of her agent's fedora, executing an elegant bow.
Seeing the visitor, Bartley wasn't too surprised.
Detreka was Vivian's informant, so it was normal for her to know his location. Nothing strange about it.
"It's you... Miss Vivian. Here to mock me a bit? Go ahead, I'll take it. This time I owe your Confidential Division one."
"You overstate it."
Vivian merely maintained her smile, not responding to his teasing, and instead got to the main point.
"Remember? Earlier, Dr. Fran promised to provide you with a new weapon. Now she's asked me to deliver it to you. Please accept it."
"She specifically mentioned it would be a surprise."
As she spoke, she handed a wooden weapon case to Bartley.
"Hmm... Seems that was the case. Alright, thank her for me."
Bartley had never held high expectations for a weapon a doctor could provide. However, out of respect for the Medicae, he still accepted the case.
The back alleys of Odington Street were dark and desolate, with no passersby in sight. So he directly opened the case to see what kind of "surprise" the other party could bring.
Upon glancing at the contents of the wooden case, Bartley couldn't help but narrow his eyes.
In an instant, his expression uncontrollably showed awe and astonishment. His gaze seemed magnetized, completely unable to look away from the chainsword.
The orderly, fine craftsmanship, the coarse toothed chain, and this blade form brimming with violent aesthetics...
"This is truly... magnificent."
Bartley hadn't even raised an eyebrow when approached by a waitress at the Abyssal Sea Tavern, but upon seeing this sword, he felt a soul-deep intoxication and resonance, causing his hand holding the sword to tremble slightly.
A moment later, he snapped out of it and urgently inquired about the sword's specific performance.
"Miss Vivian, its practicality and durability? And how is it powered, what energy source?"
"This sword boasts top-tier Sun-Forging precision craftsmanship; reliability is no concern. Activate via the trigger on the hilt; powered by psychic energy or sunlight. Of course, sunlight is less efficient; spirit-infused materials are best."
Vivian explained in detail, then even gave some instructions on how to use it.
Feeling the heavy heft of the chainsword in his hand, Bartley's breathing also grew labored.
Tearing apart an evil spawn's body with this thing, watching plasma and bone fragments spray... How wonderful would that feel?
He took some time to calm the restlessness in his heart, then stowed the blade back in its case.
"What's this sword called?"
"The smith named it 'Ripper Shark.' Of course, you can choose whatever name you like." Vivian replied.
"No need to change it, that name is excellent. Very much in the style of us Gormouth folks—when in doubt, slap a fish name on it..."
"Tell Dr. Fran for me, if I die later and my corpse is intact, the Medicae is free to use it for experiments or harvest organs. Don't hold back at all."
Bartley grinned, revealing a rough smile, said his goodbyes, and then slowly walked into the shadows of the alley.
Under the streetlight, Vivian maintained her usual smile.
Only after the Burial Supervisor had completely disappeared into the distance did she raise a hand to her cheek and peel off the Mimic Veil.
Fran casually put the veil into the pocket of her white coat and couldn't help but let out a sigh of admiration.
"No wonder it's called 'Mimic Veil'... this little thing is truly interesting enough."
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T/N: Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this chapter and want to support my work, I have a Patreon!
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