He instinctively covered the cysts on his burned face, a horrifying image flashing in his mind—himself being popped one by one by that doctor, just like the infant's tumors.
Chatter—Chatter—
Panic overwhelmed him. He trembled violently, his teeth chattering uncontrollably.
[Burned Ghost's Fear: +20]
[Burned Ghost's Fear: +20]
In the next moment, Lynn pulled off his mask, which was caked in thick fluid, and gave the Burned Ghost a friendly smile. "I'll go get tools from the back. Please wait a little longer—you're next."
The Burned Ghost's entire body tensed, its cysts throbbing with terror (ΩДΩ). What a terrifying smile! Why did he wear such a creepy grin when saying it was his turn?!
[Burned Ghost's Sanity: -20]
[Burned Ghost's Sanity: -20]
He'd ventured here today only because he'd seen the old freak from Bloodsaw's Potion Shop leave, hoping to treat his burns without being terrified out of his wits. Little did he know—the old freak was gone, but a young freak remained!
He stared tremblingly at the blood infant, twitching on the counter, her face almost reduced to a mess of black slop.
"Could that… be my fate next… " he muttered weakly.
Just then, ear-splitting, harsh chainsaw revving echoed from behind the curtain leading to the backyard.
Screech—Screech—
Sizzle—Sizzle—Sizzle—
The Burned Ghost grabbed its head in terror (ΩДΩ), so frightened that its bones felt like they were falling apart. A chainsaw?! He said he was going to get tools! Why was there a chainsaw sound from the backyard?! What in the world does he need a chainsaw for?!
An image flashed in its mind: a deranged killer wielding a chainsaw, wearing a twisted smile, closing in on him step by step. Smoke billowed from its head as panic consumed it (??Д??).
Then, its ears pricked up.
Thud—
Thud—
Footsteps grew closer and closer! The man was approaching, chainsaw in hand!
A dark shadow slowly stretched across the curtain to the backyard, and the chainsaw's roar was almost right beside him.
"Aaah—Aaah—Aaah— "
The Burned Ghost clawed at its head in despair, as sanity values popped up above it one after another.
[Sanity: -20!]
[Sanity: -30!]
[Sanity: -40!]
In the next second, its sanity hit zero. The Burned Ghost scrambled toward the door, fleeing in abject terror.
"A black shop! It's a black shop!! Help! Somebody help!! "
[Ding! Burned Ghost Quest Failed!]
[Ding! Burned Ghost's Fear of You: +400!]
[Ding! Congratulations! You've gained your first customer with "Extreme Terror" attitude toward you. Reward: 100 Skull Coins.]
[Ding! Reputation: +10.]
Lynn: "???"
He pulled back the curtain, staring in shock at the trail of ash left by the Burned Ghost as it crawled away. "What happened? I just went to sharpen my scalpel since it's dull. Why'd he leave so suddenly?"
And why did his fear of me jump by 400? How did I make him extremely terrified? I've always stuck to the principle of smiling service, spoken politely, and taken my work with customers seriously. Shouldn't he be growing more fond of me for being so kind?
Lynn was confused. Oh well—if he's gone, he's gone.
He sighed in regret, then turned his attention back to the blood infant. "First, let's get you sorted out."
Ding—
The sharp little carving knife in Lynn's hand glinted brightly.
...
An hour later.
Lynn sat at the counter, set down the knife with a satisfied smile, and looked at the blood infant sitting neatly in front of him.
"Much more pleasing to the eye now, isn't it?"
She had a cherry-red mouth, chubby cheeks, big eyes, and a delicate nose. The terrifying, indescribable mass from before had been carefully carved by Lynn into a cute, lifelike little face.
Before crossing over, Lynn had been the top of his class in art and craft lessons. Every clay portrait he made had won unanimous praise from his classmates.
Lynn smiled, feeling content.
Just then, a vertical pupil suddenly sprouted on the infant's forehead.
Pop—
Lynn poked it sharply, his eyes closed. "This isn't where eyes go. I worked hard to carve this face. Don't ruin it—otherwise, I'll operate on you again."
[Evil Spirit Blood Infant's Fear: +50]
[Evil Spirit Blood Infant's Fear: +50]
[Ding! System Detected: The Evil Spirit Blood Infant's fear of you has surpassed the growth rate of its resentment. Danger Level reduced to -321% and still decreasing.]
[Ding! Hidden Quest Triggered: Suppress the Blood Infant's Resentment. Current Progress: 321%. Reward Obtained: 151 Skull Coins, +100 Plastic Surgery Skill XP, Special Reward: 5x Wraith Hair Strands.]
Lynn was stunned. So this could trigger a hidden quest too? It seemed there was still much to explore about the system's functions.
In the next moment, five long hair strands appeared in his hand. A system prompt about them popped up immediately.
[Wraith Hair Strands]: Hair from a female ghost infused with extreme resentment. When attached to a target, the strands will tightly strangle their neck, suffocating them to death.]
Lynn stroked his chin. This seemed like a good self-defense item—but with only five strands, he'd have to use them wisely.
He put the hair strands away, sat back at the counter, and tapped the abacus again, waiting quietly for the next customer. Of course, his attention never left the blood infant in front of him. At the first sign of her face distorting, he'd fix it right away.
Time passed quickly. The light from the soul lamp outside the door dimmed gradually—signaling that night was about to fall in this world.
The line between day and night in this dark realm was marked by the soul lamp: at night, no matter how hard you tried, the soul lamp would never light. And that meant—without the lamp's protection, any monster could break into your sanctuary and tear you to pieces.
As the light faded and Lynn prepared to close the shop—
Knock—Knock—Knock—
A knock echoed at the door. A tall man stood outside, wrapped in a thick black cloak, wearing a tall black top hat, with long gray-white hair flowing down. His enormous shadow stretched into the shop, exuding an overwhelming sense of oppression.
Lynn's heart tightened. A system panel appeared before him, displaying the man's information.
[Demon Hunter, Ocalos]
[Race: Human]
[Level: ???]
[Combat Ability: You will undoubtedly die.]
[Faction: Chaotic Good]
[Description: A powerful demon hunter wandering alone in the dark world. He belongs to no organization and is extremely mysterious. His life is dedicated to hunting massive monsters he deems evil. Do not attempt to understand him—it is extremely dangerous.]
Lynn: "???"
This one… seems to be human!