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Ever since coming to this world, Ash had heard the term "Blood Moon Judgement" more than once.
At first, he thought it was an execution show.
Then, he thought it was a live-streamed execution show.
Then, he thought it was an online guessing game where a lucky audience member was randomly chosen for execution.
Now, Ash felt that Blood Moon Judgement should be an unrestricted fighting variety show.
"Yes, when death row inmates participate in the Blood Moon Judgement, the prison will remove all your restrictions, and by then you can use magic power to drive the technique spirit."
The medical practitioner extended her hand, and a kind-looking grandmotherly technique spirit appeared in her palm.
"If you ask whether there's an opportunity for trading in Blood Moon Judgement, theoretically there is, but no one can actually achieve it. As to why, I don't need to explain further, do I? You're not someone who hasn't watched Blood Moon Judgement."
"I haven't watched it!"
"Don't think I'm so easy to fool!" the medical practitioner almost roared, "I won't believe such a stupid lie!"
Now the medical practitioner was unwilling to divulge any more information. That lame lie of Ash's made her feel her dignity was insulted. It's one thing to try to deceive her, but using a lie even a child wouldn't fall for? Who does he take her for!
Ash felt wronged too; he really hadn't watched Blood Moon Judgement, but it was common knowledge here, so there was no need for further introduction.
Since he couldn't extract any information, Ash decided to go eat, but the medical practitioner wouldn't let him leave now.
"Why did you ask about that elf's condition just now? Are you worried about him?"
"Saying I'm worried is too embarrassing, I'm just a bit concerned."
Ash scratched the new tender flesh on his shoulder, "After all, he's technically the first person I killed. Isn't it said that murderers always return to the scene of the crime to watch? I guess I have a similar mindset."
"Really, he's your first time?"
"The way you put it can be quite misleading..."
"You're a death row inmate eligible for the luxury suite at Shattered Lake Prison! For you, destroying life should be as simple as dressing, torturing souls as routine as breathing, no?"
"I'm not exactly a good person, but I'm really wronged!"
"I'll believe the first half of your sentence for now."
The medical practitioner looked down at the technique spirit in her hand, pondering her words.
"Alright, I'll believe that it is your first time killing. So, why are you concerned about the elf's life or death? Do you want him to not survive, or do you wish he wouldn't die?"
"Both."
"Both?" the medical practitioner couldn't help but laugh, "You want him both dead and alive?"
"Honestly, I don't really have the kind of grudge against him that requires him to die. If possible, I'd rather whack him with a baton shaped like a geoduck to vent my anger, and I have some questions for him, so I don't particularly wish for him to die."
Ash shrugged, "But if he really did die, I might just lament before falling asleep tonight that life is like the ocean, only those with strong will can reach the other shore... So even if he dies, I wouldn't care much."
"I'm inclined to believe it's your first time killing someone," the medical practitioner said, "Your kind of statement pleases neither side. During case hearings, claiming to be merciful might gain the sympathy of human rights organizations, saying you uprooted with finality might win the support of extremists, but this vague indecisive talk would make all organizations dislike you."
"Seems like the world outside isn't easy to navigate either," Ash sighed, "But where in the world are there so many decisive and determined people? Aren't most people like me, indecisive?"
The medical practitioner was slightly taken aback, shrugged, "There are indecisive people, but one needs to have the capital to be indecisive, like—being good-looking!"
The medical practitioner took out a photo album, flipping it open in Ash's face, "Look, these are trending handsome models of the past five years, do you want to choose one for your new face? I particularly recommend this Number 1 face. It's very trendy, resembling current popular singers by ninety percent, you'll definitely like this face..."
"Clearly, it's you who likes this face!"
"So what if I like it, the one benefiting from having this face is you!"
"Who says so, I'm not looking in the mirror all day, I usually can't see my own face, what use is being good-looking to me? Instead, others stare at me all day, they enjoy it, and I have to endure their leering gazes, do you think I'd be willing to do such a self-sacrificial stupid thing?"
Ash's reasoning was so sound that the medical practitioner was convinced. Her crow mask sagged down, dejected, "Alright, you're right..."
"However," Ash's tone shifted, "You're willing to listen to my grievances and chat with me for so long, this is the only warmth I've felt in this cold prison. Since it's a request from a friend, I can't say I couldn't agree..."
"What, are we friends?"
"If not, then I'll be on my way..."
"Alright, alright, so you're willing to let me perform surgery on you?"
"Actually, not that willing..." Ash hesitated, "I do quite like my current face, you know, having looked at it for so many years, there's a bit of sentiment..."
"So...?"
"I need more money."
"No problem!"
The medical practitioner breathed a sigh of relief, "When should the surgery start? Hang on, there are some techniques I'm not too familiar with yet, let me review them over the next couple of nights... Don't worry, it's very safe, my technique spirit can effectively prevent malignant issues like flesh collapse!"
Ash tugged at his mouth, "I, I'm very reassured, I'll take my leave first then, you prepare slowly, don't rush!"
Magic power was the mage's universal energy, and money was society's universal energy. Although he hadn't seen any hope of escape yet, Ash needed to find a way to earn some money for backup. All death row inmates were, needless to say, a bunch of poor wretches feeding off the state, so Ash pondered long and hard, feeling that his only option left was to trade his face for money.
But it seemed the price was too high; the chance of a botched face was very high, and Ash was a bit scared.
No wonder the medical practitioners were not allowed to reveal their names; probably to prepare for anonymous escape—after refining techniques through numerous medical accidents in the prison, they could just walk away, and death row inmates wouldn't even have someone to curse if they wanted to.
Ash walked to the door, suddenly turned back to survey the treatment room.
"Speaking of which, I've wanted to ask for a while—are you ostracized by your colleagues?"
"Huh?"
"Why do I always see only you when I wake up, where are the other medical practitioners?" Ash speculated, "Did they give the most troublesome work to you, and then pat themselves on the butt and clock out?"
"Not exactly—but you being the most troublesome work, that's true."
"Really not? If you're being ostracized and boycotted by your colleagues, remember to tell me."
The medical practitioner glanced at Ash, chuckling.
"Why tell you?"
"Aren't we friends? Friends are the ones who can gloat on the sidelines when the other encounters misfortune."
"Get lost, get lost!"
Ash waved goodbye, "Doctor [222], see you next time. The apple was delicious, thank you."
...
...
The treatment room returned to silence, the medical practitioner packed up her toolbox, and pushed open the door to the public lounge—the medical practitioners' area didn't overlap at all with that of the death row inmates—and then she saw a group of medical practitioners wearing crow masks waiting outside.
The medical practitioner was startled, almost thinking they were here to hold her accountable.
But upon taking a closer look, she noticed someone in the group of medical practitioners was not wearing a crow mask; judging by the build and the name badge, it was the tall medical practitioner [176] who usually scolded her. His appearance was that of a bluish-scaled fishman, but his eyes were pure crimson, like dazzling rubies.
[176] not only wasn't wearing a mask, but his hands were also bound behind his back, his face showed obvious bruising, and there was a dark green foam necklace around his neck.
The medical practitioner knew exactly what that was.
Miracle, Venous Foam.
It was the most commonly used offensive miracle of the blood mages, integrating trapping and killing, capable of prolonged casting. A target hit by the venous foam would have all veins linked to the foam, and if the foam burst, it meant all the veins would simultaneously rupture, and the heart would quickly lose blood supply and result in instant death.
Any mage, even the weakest, had the ability to instantly obliterate life.
Being shackled with venous foam was the treatment reserved for criminals.
"What did he do?"
"He peeked at your healing technique, miss."
A medical practitioner with a name badge [201] bowed and reported, even the distorted voice by the crow mask couldn't hide his respect.
"Attempting to steal the intellectual property of the Blood Tears Research Institute without permission violates the constitutional principle of 'the sanctity of individual and collective property,' which is undoubtedly a crime."
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