Slough University hospital Ward 812 ( Emerald ward )
The room exuded an air of sterile perfection, bathed in soft, ambient light that glowed from the walls. Clean white tiles covered the floor, reflecting the pristine environment. In the center stood a large operating table, its surface gleaming with a metallic sheen. Surrounding it were an array of machines, each one meticulously designed to monitor every vital aspect of the surgery. There were the pulsating heart rate monitors, the respirators, and the intricate array of tubes and wires connecting the patient to the life-sustaining equipment.
The group of six held an aura of calm determination as they donned their white lab coats. Dr. Johnson Hartley, the brilliant surgeon leading the team, had auburn hair cascading down his shoulders, framing his sharp, intelligent eyes. His hands, steady and precise, conveyed his years of experience. Beside him was Dr. Henry Carter, an older gentleman with graying hair and a kind smile, known for his gentle demeanor and encyclopedic knowledge. Dr. Sarah Reynolds, a talented anesthesiologist, had a warm presence that reassured both patients and colleagues. Then there was Alex, the seasoned operating room nurse, whose sharp wit and quick reflexes made him a valuable asset. Marissa, the diligent surgical technician, possessed an uncanny ability to anticipate and fulfill every need. Finally, Jonathan, the neuroscientist, stood tall and confident, his deep understanding of the human brain guiding the team through uncharted territory.
As the surgery commenced, the machine recording the teenager's brain activity monitored every electrical impulse, mapping the delicate symphony within her mind. The steady rhythm of her brainwaves filled the screen, like musical notes on a score. But then, as if a thread had been severed, the harmonious melody faltered. The once vibrant waves diminished in amplitude, losing their strength and purpose. Dr. Johnson watched the screen with great concern, his brow furrowed, as the digital display reflected the growing peril.
The atmosphere in the room suddenly shifted. The machines surrounding the patient began emitting urgent beeps and whirs, their alarms echoing through the stillness. The heart rate monitor displayed a flat line, devoid of any signs of life. Dr. Henry's eyes welled up with tears, a testament to the deep connection he had formed with the young patient. The others stood motionless, their hearts heavy with grief, knowing that their efforts had not been enough to save her fragile life.
With a solemn reverence, the room fell into a hushed silence. The lifeless body of the teenager lay upon the operating table, covered gently with a white sheet, leaving only her face exposed. Dr. Johnson approached, his steps deliberate and measured. He extended a tender hand and gently caressed the girl's forehead, whispering a silent farewell. And one by one, the members of the group, carrying the weight of their collective sorrow, turned and left the room, their spirits heavy but determined to continue their noble pursuit of healing.
*************************************
The Ward breathed an air of sleek elegance, with walls made of opaque glass that emitted a soft, calming glow. Embedded within the walls were pulsating LED lights, casting an ethereal luminescence that shifted in soothing pastel hues. The pristine white floor, polished to a mirror-like finish, gave the impression of walking on clouds. Holographic panels adorned the walls, displaying intricate patterns and abstract art, providing both aesthetic pleasure and distraction.
With a hesitant awakening, the lady's eyelids fluttered open, revealing a world bathed in digital brilliance. Her vision struggled to adjust to the augmented reality overlaying the room, causing a momentary blur. A cascade of pixelated particles danced before her eyes, gradually dispersing to reveal the room's true form. As the visual distortion faded, the lady found herself immersed in a hyper-real environment, where every detail seemed sharper, brighter, and more vivid than the world she once knew.
However, the awe of her surroundings was soon eclipsed by a blinding headache, threatening to rupture her consciousness. It felt like an electric storm surging through her neural pathways. The hospital room she found herself had obvious tier 4 designs, curved walls were painted in a calming shade of pale blue, giving the space an otherworldly ambience. Soft, ambient lighting glowed from recessed panels in the ceiling, casting a gentle glow across the room. The air smelled sterile and slightly metallic, a reminder of why people hate hospitals. A large window on one wall allowed a glimpse of the cityscape beyond, with soaring towers and shimmering holographic advertisements.
As she slowly fluttered open her eyes, the world around her appeared distorted and hazy. Her vision struggled to focus, the room a blur of colors and shapes. Blinking several times, she tried to clear the fog that clouded her senses, gradually bringing the room into sharper focus. A sense of disorientation washed over her as she realized she had no recollection of how she had arrived in this unfamiliar place.
As her vision sharpened, a sharp, searing pain pierced through her temples. A blinding headache tightened its grip on her, causing her to wince and clutch her head in agony. The pain threatened to overwhelm her, the intensity almost pushing her back into the comforting embrace of unconsciousness. Desperately, she tried to piece together fragments of memories, but her mind remained frustratingly blank. An overwhelming sense of confusion and helplessness settled upon her, adding to her distress.
A low hum filled the room, gradually growing in intensity as twelve machines lining the chamber's walls came to life. One by one, the machines emitted soft, pulsating lights, and the sound of whirring gears and subtle electronic beeps filled the air. It was as if the room itself had awakened, responding to her presence. The machines seemed alive, their purpose still shrouded in mystery.
Each machine had a distinct shape, size, and purpose. The first was a towering device with multiple articulated arms, covered in intricate sensors and probes. It hummed softly as it reached out, seemingly ready to conduct advanced medical examinations. The second was a sleek pod-like structure, suspended from the ceiling, containing a complex array of tubes and wires, poised to administer potent medications or perform intricate surgical procedures.
A third machine resembled a cylindrical chamber with a transparent front panel displaying what appeared to be a virtual reality interface. It seemed designed to provide immersive experiences or assist with mental rehabilitation. Nearby, a small, spherical contraption floated at eye level, pulsing with warm, soothing lights, suggesting it might be responsible for emotional or psychological support.
Another machine resembled a miniaturized robotic arm, delicately manipulating tiny tools and instruments, hinting at its involvement in precision surgeries. Yet another machine seemed to be an incubation unit, with a transparent dome enclosing a small, cocoon-like structure, suggesting its role in nurturing and healing damaged tissue.
The remaining machines included a sophisticated scanning device, capable of producing detailed 3D images of the body, an advanced neural interface for monitoring brain activity, a complex system for nutrient and medication delivery, a state-of-the-art vital signs monitor, a device with pulsing energy fields for pain management, and a serene-looking chamber filled with swirling mists, possibly connected to therapeutic treatments.
" What is this? "
Emily's eyes widened in surprise as she noticed something obstructing her vision. Frowning, she instinctively reached up to scratch at the obstruction, only to find that her hand passed through it as though it were a holographic illusion. Confusion etched across her face as she realized that the obstruction was not a physical object but rather some kind of augmented reality display. It seemed to be permanently affixed to her field of vision, refusing to budge no matter how much she tried to dismiss or ignore it.
With growing curiosity and a hint of trepidation, Emily examined the digital display that had appeared seemingly out of nowhere. Information began to materialize before her eyes, displaying her identification name and status in a format she had only seen in AR games. As her gaze lingered on the display, more bizarre information began to emerge_
[Name›› Emily Harrington]
[Race›› Elda Ghoul]
[Category: Supernatural]
[Class›› Undead]
[Grade›› Elda]
[Affinity rank››Shadow Necromancer]
[Level 1]
[Exp 0/100]
[Health››100/100]
[Energy››100/100]
[Malestorm Quotient 33 MQ]
[State›› Normal]
Looking at the information in front of her, she was trying to figure out what they meant. Emily appeared unable to open some sort of description for them and there wasn't really anyone or anything that told her what was going on.
'Health' seemed to be pretty self-explanatory, but 'Energy'? The best she could come up with was that it might be something similar to Stamina. As for the 'Malestorm Quotient', she considered it to be a very strange thing to appear in the first place.
On the screen itself, at the top the tab read 'Status', but right next to that, there was another little tab labeled 'Quests' and another blurred one labeled 'Shop'. Quest had a little red dot, which would usually indicate that there was something new that he hadn't seen before. At least that would be the case if it worked like her comm notifications.
Clicking on that, a few more screens popped up in front of him again.
[New quest received]
[Get the perfect body]
[Daily tasks (Sunday)]
[Lift›› Lift 800kg ]
[Diet›› Eat 2 kilograms of meat per day, and drink 1liter of blood]
[Quest reward›› Exp ]
Two kilograms of meat and drink 1 liter of blood?! I'm I some Lion or something?
[ Congratulations you have been granted the Elda Ghoul System!]
Emily struggled to reconcile this unexpected twist with her understanding of the world. She realized that she did possess a system, but it certainly did not manifest itself in such a bizarre and disorienting manner before. This newfound revelation felt like a jarring disruption to her reality, forcing her to question her very existence and purpose. It was as if she had stepped into an alternate universe, where she was no longer human but an enigmatic entity known as an elder ghoul.
bewilderment gave way to a spark of skepticism, Emily couldn't help but wonder if this display was simply a result of some mischievous update to her existing system, a digital prank designed to confuse and bewilder her. Determined to unravel the truth, she decided to communicate with the system directly, choosing her words carefully to avoid any potential escalation or misunderstanding.
Taking a deep breath, she addressed the enigmatic system, her voice laced with both curiosity and caution. "Armodeus, I demand an explanation for this unforeseen development. Is this some kind of elaborate prank or has my system truly undergone a profound transformation?".
"ZIIIIIIIIIIIIOOOOOMMMM"
As the door buzzed softly, it swung open, revealing an Old man with graying hair holding a steaming coffee mug in his hand. The smell of freshly brewed coffee trailed behind him, permeating the quiet hospital room. His footsteps halted abruptly, and his eyes widened in shock as he saw the supposed dead patient sitting upright on the hospital bed. The coffee mug slipped from his trembling fingers, crashing onto the floor below. The sharp sound of shattering porcelain pierced through the otherwise silent room, shattering the uneasy stillness.
The teenager, who appeared to be sixteen, sat motionless on the hospital bed. Her frail body seemed almost translucent under the soft glow of the overhead lights. Dried blood mapping her face, telling tales of a long and eventful life. His white hair, speckled with patches of blood.
Thoughts raced through the man's mind as he stood frozen in disbelief. He stumbled over his words, his mouth forming unintelligible murmurs. Questions swirled within him. How was this possible? Was it a mistake? Could the patient have been ...
Doubt clouded his thoughts, challenging the very foundation of his understanding.
As his mind grappled with the inexplicable scene before him, the man's eyes rolled back in his head, and his body convulsed briefly before collapsing to the ground. It was as if a sudden surge of overwhelming emotions or shock had overcome him, rendering him unconscious. His limbs twisted unnaturally as he fell, limbs seemingly betraying his body's attempt to maintain balance.
The sound of the fallen coffee mug triggered the hospital's cleaning bot into action. It whirred to life, swiftly making its way towards the spilled coffee and broken shards on the floor. With mechanical precision, its extended arms reached out to begin its task of cleaning the mess. However, something unexpected happened - as the cleaning bot maneuvered closer to the fallen man, its cleaning rays seemed incapable of disintegrating or passing through his unconscious body.
The cleaning bot persisted, repeatedly bumping into the man's head as it continued to clean around him. Each collision elicited a soft thud and added an unintended rhythm to the room's atmosphere.