The ward had returned to a tense calm.
Vice Director Chen's eyes burned with anger.
Dr. Wang's face was pale, his knuckles white as he gripped the edge of a counter.
Lin Chen didn't look at them.
Instead, he sat back in the corner, letting the system interface float before his eyes.
[Authority Token detected.]
[Usage available: 1 time.]
He clicked the icon.
Instantly, a faint aura spread out from him, invisible to ordinary people but perceptible to those with influence.
A shiver ran through the senior staff in the ward.
Vice Director Chen's jaw tightened, and he instinctively took a step back.
Lin Chen leaned forward slightly, his voice calm, deliberate.
"From today on, anyone questioning my authority in this hospital will feel the consequences."
The system confirmed with a soft ping.
[Authority Token effect active.]
[Influence radius: Entire hospital.]
---
Outside the ward, whispers spread.
"Did you feel that?"
"Doctor Lin… something's different."
"He's… commanding respect."
Vice Director Chen stormed into Director Liu's office, slamming the door.
"Director Liu! This intern is using… some kind of influence! This isn't allowed! We must stop him!"
Director Liu raised his hand, silencing him.
"Chen, calm down. You can't stop someone who has already proven himself indispensable. Look at the patient. He's alive because of Lin Chen."
Chen's face twisted with frustration.
"I don't care how skilled he is! He's an intern! And he humiliated you in front of the board last time!"
Director Liu leaned back.
"Then you'll need more than words. Authority is built on results, not anger. Lin Chen has results."
---
Lin Chen walked through the ward, hands in his coat pockets.
He glanced at Dr. Wang.
"Did you enjoy embarrassing yourself today?" His tone was calm, but the cold edge made Wang flinch.
"I… I—" Dr. Wang stammered.
Lin Chen didn't give him a chance to reply.
He turned toward the patient.
"Xu Ming," he said softly.
"Rest for now. Tomorrow, I will personally oversee your treatment."
Xu Ming's eyes widened in awe.
"This… Doctor Lin… I don't even know how to thank you."
Lin Chen smiled faintly.
"Live. That's thanks enough."
---
Back in the on-call room, Lin Chen examined the Authority Token interface.
[Authority Token usage count: 0/1]
He smirked.
"One token… and the hospital bends to me. Interesting. There's more power to explore."
At that moment, a notification popped up:
[System task updated: Investigate the hospital's hidden corrupt network. Reward: Advanced Medical Technique + Authority Expansion.]
Lin Chen's eyes narrowed, excitement flashing.
"Corruption… hidden influence… this is exactly what I need."
He stood and walked toward the director's office.
The ward, the staff, even the powerful Vice Director Chen—none could stop him now.
A sovereign was rising.
And the city would soon witness the true power of the Supreme Medical Sovereign.
---