[Lynn]
[Age: 17]
[Level]: 2
[Race: Human]
[Strength]: 3
[Agility]: 4
[Intelligence]: 7
[Constitution]: 3
[Basic Skills]
[Beginner Potion Making: 90/100]
[Beginner Surgical Ability: 20/100]
[Skeleton Coins]: 100
[Reputation]: None
[Introduction]: An unknown assistant at the Bloodsaw Potion Shop, a frail yet shrewd human youth who has survived in this world for two years, though he might die at any moment...
Lynn calmly examined the panel that had suddenly appeared before him. His two years of training to remain expressionless allowed him to maintain composure in nearly any situation.
After studying it for a while, he roughly understood some of the system's functions.
"So as long as I keep completing tasks given by creatures in this world, I can receive corresponding rewards and improve my abilities?" Lynn pondered.
If that were the case, his chances of survival in this world would increase slightly.
Just then, his teacher's hoarse voice and footsteps sounded from inside the house.
"Lynn, I'm going out for about two days. Take good care of the shop. Lock up at night and don't let those annoying thieves take anything."
Scrape—
Dragging sounds came from the hallway.
[Ding! Your teacher Bloodsaw Maniac has assigned you a task: Watch the shop. Reward: Skeleton Coins x50, Basic EXP x100, Special Reward x1]
[Failure penalty: The potion shop might need more... specimens.]
Lynn immediately returned inside.
At the front door stood his teacher dragging a blood-soaked sack, with something rustling and struggling inside it. His teacher's body stood at least two meters tall, covered in dark red cysts.
A panel instantly appeared before Lynn's eyes:
[Bloodsaw Maniac]
[Race: Flesh Golem]
[Level: ???]
[Alignment]: Lawful Evil
[Combat Ability]: Do not attempt to provoke him.
[Introduction]: Owner of the Bloodsaw Potion Shop in Wandering Souls Alley, skilled in various surgical procedures, though often engages in some "interesting" side projects outside of surgery...
Though inwardly shaken, Lynn maintained his composure. "Teacher, is there anything special I should be aware of while you're gone?"
He knew this was a necessary question—his survival might depend on it.
The Bloodsaw Maniac slung the sack over his shoulder and rasped, "Take money from those who have it. Equivalent exchange from those who don't. For those with neither money nor willingness to exchange... carve it out yourself."
Thud—
A bloodstained boning knife landed at Lynn's feet.
[Ding! You have obtained special item: Bloodsaw's Boning Knife x1]
[Bloodsaw's Boning Knife]
[Quality: Fine]
[Level: ???]
[Exclusive]: Bloodsaw Maniac (authorization obtained)
[Introduction]: A surgical knife frequently used by the owner of Bloodsaw Potion Shop. Extremely sharp with strong cutting power against both flesh and spirits. Prolonged use may give you urges to cut things...
"Remember," the Bloodsaw Maniac said as he strode toward the exit with the bloody sack, "no matter what sounds you hear outside, don't leave the Soul Lamp's range."
"No matter who asks you to make a house call, ignore them."
"At night, lock all doors and windows tightly. Kill anyone who enters. Ignore all calls!"
Lynn nodded, committing his teacher's words to heart. "Understood, teacher."
Under Lynn's watchful gaze, the hulking Bloodsaw Maniac soon disappeared into the thick darkness.
Time passed quickly.
Lynn began his daily routine—mopping up blood from the floor, preparing common medicines for various ailments, then sitting behind the counter with the boning knife in hand, eyes closed, waiting for time to pass.
Then—
Knock knock knock—
Three raps sounded at the door.
Lynn looked up toward the entrance to see a filthy little girl standing there, hugging a doll as she gently tapped on the door.
With a pitiful expression, she said, "Is the owner here? My doll's arm is broken... can you fix her?"
[Ding! Blood Puppet has assigned you a task: Treat the injured doll. Reward: Skeleton Coins +50, Surgical Ability EXP +50, Special Reward +1]
Lynn's gaze flicked to the Soul Lamp outside, its flame flickering erratically. The chaotic flickering indicated the visitor's strength level. Under the lamp's protection, as long as you didn't invite them in, they couldn't enter.
Powerful beings being the exception, of course.
A panel instantly appeared with the girl's information:
[Blood Doll]
[Level]: 5
[Race: Flesh Wraith]
[Alignment: Chaotic Neutral]
[Combat Ability]: You could probably provoke it a little
[Introduction]: A doll carrying another doll, searching Wandering Souls Alley for her mommy. Whoever tries to take her favorite doll away... becomes the doll's next meal.
Though inwardly disturbed, Lynn kept his calm expression. "Come in."
As an assistant in Wandering Souls Alley's potion shop, Lynn knew the rules here. These evil spirits and monsters weren't inherently murderous—as long as you avoided their taboos, business could still be conducted.
The girl pitifully carried her doll to the counter and sat down.
Lynn glanced at it—one of the doll's arms had been completely torn off, oozing crimson blood and filth, as if something had viciously bitten it off.
"Doctor, please save my doll," the girl pleaded. "Her arm is broken and lost... she's my favorite doll. If this continues, she'll die."
Suddenly, her mouth stretched violently backward to her neck, revealing a bloody grin. "You CAN fix her, right? Big brother?"
[Lynn's SAN -5]
Maintaining his composure, Lynn examined the doll's torn arm.
Just then, the system's voice sounded in his mind:
[Ding! Bite marks on wound match subject's family member's teeth. Blood composition in mouth matches doll's blood. Preliminary diagnosis: Family member ate the doll's arm.]
Lynn: "???"
This system was truly impressive, able to automatically diagnose for him. This made things much simpler.
Ignoring the girl's bloody grin, he asked, "Have you eaten anything recently?"
The girl instantly retracted her grin, reverting to her harmless, pitiful appearance as she clasped her hands together. "I haven't eaten in days... I'm so hungry. Though last night in my dreams, I did have a big feast."
She licked her lips and suddenly let out a bell-like laugh. "So delicious."
Creak—creak—
The doll on the counter suddenly wore the same eerie grin as the girl, repeatedly chanting, "So delicious! So delicious! Heeheehee!"
[Lynn's SAN -10]