Chapter 9 - Monster's Toxin
The two nurses began repositioning him to lie supine.
Vin Robs' forehead furrowed as he shook his head at Rour.
"The amount of toxin that entered your body when you were first treated at the medical camp should've been fatal on the spot. But they managed to administer the antitoxin just in time. Still, that wasn't the only factor that saved you—it was your body's response. Exceptional and fast. It allowed the medicine to work optimally in such a short time."
A grin spread across Vin Robs' lips.
"I always feel a sense of triumph when I manage to pull someone back from the brink of death after a monster's toxin. It's like reviving a fallen hero," Vin's gaze shifted between Rour and Reg, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes as if savoring a victory only he could fully appreciate.
"But, then again, your case is unique. No one has ever recovered this quickly, or this well," he emphasized with a nod of approval.
The nurse, who had been monitoring the machine's screens, handed Vin her tablet. His grin widened as he skimmed through the data, swiping through the screens, and typing something in.
Without missing a beat, he began a thorough head-to-toe examination of Rour.
"You like to party, Mr. Walden?" Vin asked suddenly, his tone casual yet unexpected.
"Pardon?" Rour's brow furrowed in confusion.
Reg let out a low, crisp laugh.
"We're stationed in the Front Sector, Dr. Robs. Roasting clams and drinking beer are probably the only parties we know."
Vin tilted his head, visibly puzzled. He was an Eliteer—born and raised in the pristine comfort of Sector S, without ever setting foot outside of it. Far removed from the rugged realities of the other Sector.
Although the conditions throughout the Neo Schao region were described in detail in their school textbooks, for someone like him, the trivialities of life outside his bubble were clearly different from his understanding.
Even more so in the Front Sector. If Reg went into more detail, the difference between their worlds would be like night and day—almost alien, utterly unimaginable.
"In that case, I'll teach you how to party our way. Once you're done with your medical rehabilitation, I'll throw you a proper celebration. It'll be festive—I promise."
Rour smiled faintly, nodding.
"Thank you, Doctor Robs."
Though he wasn't entirely sure if the man would follow through with his promise, the sentiment was appreciated.
Reg escorted Vin Robs out, followed by the two nurses who finished tidying the medical supplies.
Left alone, Rour felt an odd mix of relief and bewilderment.
The sensation of being struck by the monster still lingered in his memory—a searing pain far worse than the last time he woke up for the first time in this place. A thousand times more terrifying.
Now, lying here after surviving what should have been certain death, he felt both grateful and strangely moved.
Adjusting his position to make himself more comfortable, his eyes wandered around the room, taking in every detail with fresh curiosity.
The walls were all covered by plain bright white tiles. The ceiling matched, painted in the same white tone. Directly opposite his bed, a seating arrangement with a long sofa and two smaller ones surrounded a table.
His gaze shifted to his left, catching the glint of sunlight filtering through a massive window to his left. For a moment, he couldn't reconcile the sight with his memories. The towering glass, the gleaming surfaces—these weren't features of the harsh, worn-down Sector he knew.
The air was also crisp, almost too clean, carrying a faint antiseptic scent that prickled at his senses.
It struck Rour as odd. He wondered which part of Neo Schao he was currently in.
Certainly not the Front Sector, and definitely not Sector X—where he lived. Because they wouldn't be able to have a building with facilities like this.
Glass, especially, the raw materials for making glass and mirrors were an expensive commodity.
Buildings in the poor Sector could only afford to have small glass windows, or none at all.
The problem was, refraction of sunlight through glass is necessary to help the natural disinfection process in the room from all kinds of microorganisms.
Hygiene is a deeply ingrained part of their lifestyle. A principle emphasized heavily due to the devastating Foam Plaque pandemic that claimed countless lives decades ago.
Prevention is paramount—avoiding exposure to microorganisms, regardless of their type—is far better than risking negligence and succumbing to preventable diseases.
The Country takes such matters very seriously, thoroughly investigating the source of any infection. Whether it spread from uncontrolled mutations or personal carelessness.
If individual negligence is identified as the cause, the consequences are severe. Families of the responsible parties face harsh penalties, charged with endangering Country security and harming fellow citizens.
This level of accountability isn't just a societal norm—it's firmly codified in the law.
So, the poorer citizens tried to find alternatives. Relying on wide open doorways or windows for light and ventilation.
But for maintaining cleanliness by minimizing direct exposure to the outside environment, their windows are designed more like doors, without fixed glass panes.
As Reg returned, Rour immediately asked, "Which sector has a medical center like this?"
Reg's grin widened mischievously. "Where do you think?"
Rour squinted in suspicion. From his bed, he could see tall buildings looming beyond the large window.
It had to be Sector B or A.
But surely, it couldn't be Sector A... could it?
It was very likely Sector B—because he had seen similar tall buildings while on a relief mission in border area of sectors C and B.
"Sector S. We're in Sector S right now," Reg announced with a smirk.
Rour's eyes widened in disbelief.
"How is that even possible? How did we get into Sector S?"
Reg shrugged nonchalantly. "I don't know how, but here we are."
The revelation was almost too much to process. The information he had just heard sounded like a highly improbable lie.
Sector S was the heart of Neo Schao—the most prestigious and heavily secured area in the entire country. Home to the Capital and the State Center, it was a fortress of privilege and power.
Only Eliteers and Eliteer's Guards had access to this sanctum.
Its security was impenetrable, even to the most skilled rebels or hackers. In other words, if there was any crime happening within Sector S, the culprits are their own residents.
Yet, the evidence around him—the luxurious building materials, the furniture, the sophisticated medical equipment that looked very expensive—left little room for doubt.
"Amazing, isn't it?" Reg chuckled. "You can't deny it, Rour—you're lucky."
Rour sighed. He'd heard the word lucky countless times that day, especially from Dr. Robs. While he appreciated the sentiment, hearing it repeatedly made him feel like his insides were bubbling with irritation.
"Look," Reg said, his tone more serious now. "You were unconscious for two whole weeks. Initially, no one could even predict when—or if—you'd wake up. They said your medical condition was... strange."
"Was my condition that bad yesterday, Commander?" Rour asked, trying to recall that dark day. "I remember the monster hitting me. Then earlier, when I woke up, I was in a lot of pain. The pain... it was unbearable. The doctor said the toxin could've killed me. It was because of the effects of the toxin, right?"
Reg nodded solemnly.
Patrioteers like Rour were well-versed in the effects of monster's toxin. Toxicology was a core part of their training—a grim necessity on this cursed island. They all received toxicology in their first month as trainers. So it was like common knowledge to them.
Every monster in this island carried toxin potent enough to kill through mere contact with human skin. Its toxin transmitted only through the pores of the body-through contact. Even the faintest exposure could spell doom.
Sometimes he couldn't imagine how his predecessors had survived in such threatening conditions, with far less advanced technology as it was now.
Surviving in post-war conditions alone would probably not be easy. Let alone having to continue the war with opponents they never expected before.
Regarding the poison possessed by monsters, to Rour's knowledge, there were two main symptoms that would always appear.
Delirium.
And, severe pain.