Chapter 5: Dr. Scum’s Plan to Earn Trust

Chapter 5: Dr. Kelsey’s Plan to Gain Trust

“…The surveillance footage from the medical room’s mainframe is here, and the related medical reports have already been sealed. The medical personnel involved have also signed confidentiality agreements.”

Kelsey, seated behind her desk, studied the document in her hands intently. Her slender fingers tapped lightly on the surface as she listened to the report. Her index finger paused mid-air. Her cold, clear voice echoed through the office: “Extract the backup footage from the fourth surveillance room and destroy it. There’s no need to retain the mainframe. Format all related medical equipment, following Level 0 protocols. I want a written report by dawn.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

The white-haired woman turned and started to leave. After a few steps, Kelsey’s voice came from behind her: “Release her after dawn.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Closing the office door, the woman stood in the corridor, brushing her hair back with a hand. The work ID hanging from her chest bore a two-inch, bareheaded photo. Her stern expression betrayed no warmth.

“Scavenger, B-class elite operative.”

Only after the Scavenger had left did Kelsey set down the file. She reached into her drawer, pulled out a briefcase, and reviewed the documents once more. When she reached the last page, she couldn’t help but become absorbed.

“…Tests show the target’s internal organs have clear contours with no visible abnormal shadows. No Originium particles are present in the circulatory system, confirming non-infection.”

“What?! How can such a person exist?! He’s like a human artificially grown in a petri dish—a being pure to the extreme. Such a miracle is impossible in this era! His blood repels Originium particles and does not combine with them, which means he cannot possess Originium skills, nor can Originium corrode his body!”

“Dr. Kelsey, this is a divine creation. I recommend preserving his blood samples. If possible, we want to take a bit of muscle tissue for research. His body holds great scientific value!” —Medical Officer Warfarin.

“Recommendation rejected.” —Kelsey.

Click.

All files were sealed. Kelsey placed the briefcase into the nearby safe. She glanced at the schedule: 3:40 a.m. There was still an infection lesion excision surgery to perform, a highly difficult and urgent case requiring immediate attention.

Kelsey pursed her lips and looked away from her watch. There was no time to rest, but it no longer mattered.

…

Zhou Jinru slept soundly through the night and woke to the sun already high. He reached for the alarm clock on the bedside table but found nothing. Opening his eyes, he realized he was in Rhodes Island—it wasn’t a dream.

He put on his coat and left the room, arriving at the central hall. Only Amiya was there, reading files. She spotted Zhou immediately.

“Doctor, did you sleep well?”

Zhou nodded. According to Amiya, Rhodes Island had originally assigned him an office and living quarters, but since he had disappeared, the office was converted to storage, and the living quarters fell into disuse. They now needed refurbishing, so he had to sleep in the temporary lounge in the central hall. The other option was the medical room.

Given that Ansell was on duty overnight in the medical room, Zhou chose the lounge. He didn’t want to see Ansell’s pitiful face when sharing food. Amiya was skeptical of that decision.

Eating the breakfast Amiya brought from the cafeteria, Zhou glanced at the documents she held. He could understand the text: “An order? The Colombian Pioneer Corps’ injection order—quite a large demand.”

In the original game, there were only two types of orders: exchanging Rosalite for LMD or exchanging Originium for Synthetic Jade. Injection orders were unheard of, but this fit Rhodes Island’s identity as a pharmaceutical company.

“Doctor, the Colombian drug orders are large and stable. Dr. Kelsey worked hard to secure them. Over the past year, demand has increased steadily. At this rate, we’ll need to boost production.”

Amiya blinked. “Doctor, handling all this is still tough for you. If you’re free, you could visit other places. Many operatives would be glad to see you.”

He was becoming the mascot.

Zhou didn’t disturb Amiya’s work further and left the central hall. He thought to himself that Amiya was only fifteen by the game’s lore. For some reason, he felt a surge of guilt.

Standing confused in the corridor, staring at the directional map, Zhou eventually headed toward the medical room’s entrance. If he wanted to explore, getting lost was inevitable. Just as he reached the door, a hurried girl bumped right into him.

“Sorry, sorry! Excuse me.”

The girl bowed apologetically and rushed away from the medical room without even looking up.

“Harmony! Come back!”

At that moment, a pink-haired girl emerged from the medical room. Seeing Zhou standing there, her expression flickered with confusion, as if recalling a terrible memory, then turned to panic. Even her furry ears drooped.

“Do-doctor, you’re here. I’m on duty today.”

I’m not some terrifying monster.

Zhou looked at the ID pinned to her collar:

“B-class elite operative, Medical Team—Miyao.”

He grabbed his hair. “I just wanted to take a look, just a casual visit.”

Miyao seemed to misunderstand and hurriedly said, “Doctor, everyone’s glad you’re back. Also, Harmony accidentally bumped into you just now. I apologize on her behalf. Sorry.”

Faced with her respect, Zhou sighed inwardly. Amiya had told him he’d done some terrible things to Miyao before. The already scarce trust had plummeted. She feared him more than she respected him. It seemed he needed to rebuild trust. Since pulling Miyao’s card, he hadn’t used her much—at most, she’d been a tool at the processing station a few times.

The codename “Miyao” was given by Dr. Kelsey, who cared for all operatives indiscriminately. Zhou was certain that if he had done anything egregious, he’d be figuratively hung out to dry, admiring the sunrise and the fresh morning breeze the next day.

At that thought, Zhou coughed a few times and quickly formulated several plans in his mind. He said, “Dr. Miyao, I want to see if there’s anything I can help with in the medical room. As you know, I’ve just returned and am unfamiliar with Rhodes Island. I need to reacquaint myself and hope you can assist.”

Good!

Zhou gave himself an inner thumbs-up, lowering his posture. Miyao, a timid girl, wasn’t good at refusing others. Facing a doctor seeking help, she wouldn’t show coldness. This was the first step toward breaking the ice.

Miyao hesitated, unsure what this ‘scoundrel doctor’ wanted. The nickname was widely known among the operatives, even Dr. Kelsey never forbade it—though never spoken aloud in front of the doctor.

She said hesitantly, “Doctor, I’ll be doing rounds on the lower deck of the ship soon. Would you like to come along?”

I’ve been short on updates—sorry for not posting yesterday, I got back too late and couldn’t update. Facepalm.

As usual, we post twice a day, morning and evening. Yesterday’s update was missed but will be made up this week.

(End of Chapter)