Doctor Player

Chapter 2

No! was Raymond’s first thought at this sudden notice of expulsion. If I get kicked out of Bellund, I’ll never become a certified healer!

Of course, Raymond had no particular attachment to the Bellund Infirmary, and he honestly would’ve loved to leave as soon as possible. Only the rules of the Tower of Healing held him back.

Completing the apprenticeship process and passing the qualification exam was the only way to become a certified healer recognized by the Towers. An apprentice who couldn’t pass that exam would only end up an “unauthorized” healer without permission to practice, unable to practice openly and at risk of being reported and arrested for the performance of unauthorized healing.

Becoming a healer is the only way to success for a bastard like me! I have to endure this hellhole and get certified, no matter what I have to do. No matter how disgusting and miserable this place was, Raymond couldn’t get kicked out.

“I beg you to reconsider.”

“We’ve already thoroughly considered this decision. We’ve already given you plenty of time— A whole five years of it.” Lance let out a laugh. “Honestly, it’s absurd. Someone as untalented as you, becoming a healer? If it weren’t for your father, you wouldn’t have lasted a year here.”

Raymond was burning up with anxiety. It seemed the healers had already made up their minds. What do I do?

At that moment, a message appeared before him.

[You can now treat patients by performing surgery.]

He gritted his teeth. If he didn’t do something fast, he’d be kicked out for sure. He decided to take a risk. “Then, I’ll prove that I’m capable of treating patients.”

Lance scowled. “What do you mean?”

“Exactly what I said. If you assign me a patient, I’ll treat them. Just please give me one chance.”

“Is treating patients a joke to you? Fine. It so happens that I have the perfect patient for you.” Smirking, Lance took out a document and handed it to Raymond. “There’s a patient with a severe infection of the buttocks. Why don’t you try your hand at treating this case?”

He then continued in a smug tone, “If you can cure this patient, we will not send you away.”

Lance had a reason for this maneuver. Gluteal infection was a difficult condition requiring grade-B healing at minimum. There was no way Raymond could treat such a patient. He’ll have to admit he can’t do it. But to Lance’s surprise, Raymond didn’t shake his head in refusal.

Heart pounding, he tamped down on his fear and answered instead, “Understood. I will treat this patient.”

Lance’s eyes widened. It had never even crossed his mind that Raymond might accept the challenge. “Aren’t you being rather reckless, Senior Raymond? Treating patients is no child’s play.”

“I am well aware.” Raymond clenched his hands into fists tightly. If it’s a patient with a gluteal infection, there’s a chance.

He hadn’t accepted Lance’s offer without a plan. Based on the abilities he’d recently awakened, he’d judged success to be entirely possible. According to my surgical knowledge, I’ll be able to treat this even with my current abilities.

But though his head was convinced he could do it, his heart was racing wildly. This was his first time actually treating a patient. Despite his informed judgment that there was nothing to worry about, he felt anxious and afraid. Can I really do it? Someone as pathetic and incompetent as me?

Raymond beat back his fear. No matter what it takes, I have to pull this off. Becoming a healer was his only hope in life. If he was expelled from the infirmary, he’d never become a healer, and only end up leading a miserable life constantly scraping at the bottom of the barrel.

“I’ll do my best. Please give me this one last chance.”

After regarding him with a deep frown for a long while, Lance finally nodded. “Fine. But if you fail, you’ll pack your bags and leave immediately.”

“Thank you!” Raymond bowed and exited the room, then took a deep breath, standing in the hallway for a moment.

Another series of messages appeared.

[You have volunteered to treat a patient!]

[Special bonus awarded!]

[You have earned 5 skill points!]

Skill points?

[Skill Points:

Earned by completing special achievements or quests. Points can be used to purchase skills that will aid in treating patients.]

The messages kept rolling in.

[Surprise Quest!]

<Cure your first-ever patient!>

(Medical Quest)

Medicine Level: Half Scalpel

Difficulty: Low

Clear Conditions: Treat your first patient

Reward: Bonus level-up, 10 skill points

Seeing the message, Raymond clenched his fists. His heart was still pounding, but he was resolved to do his absolute best. No matter what it takes, I’m going to become a healer.

In fact, his goal wasn’t so simple. I’ll be the best healer in the kingdom, rolling in riches and fame, and I’ll never be looked down on by anyone ever again.

He thought back to the abuse spat at him over the years.

“Why was that disgusting, pathetic loser even born?”

“Wish he’d just go die in a ditch.”

Every time he heard words like those, he reminded himself that he would become the best and live a life full of honor and wealth, unrivaled by any.

I’ll make it happen. He steeled his resolve once more.

***

The patient lived on Ranken Street, which was populated by poor commoners. He must have been left to me because he can’t afford proper treatment.

Those who could use healing powers were rare, while patients were many. So healers demanded expensive fees, and the price of healing grew exponentially with its rank. Proper treatment was usually only administered to nobles and wealthier commoners, while poor commoners were often left to die without receiving any adequate treatment. This patient probably hadn’t been able to afford treatment either, fated to be turned away without care, until by chance he’d been assigned to Raymond.

“Hello? Is anybody there?”

When Raymond opened the door and stepped inside, he was greeted by a mother and daughter pair. Thankfully, they didn’t reject his services, and in fact pleaded desperately for his help.

“Please save my father!” the young girl said, eyes filled with tears.

The middle-aged woman’s eyes were damp as well. Raymond’s heart was moved by the sight.

Honestly, he hadn’t chosen the path of a healer out of some grand sense of duty to help others. It was just the only path that allowed a bastard the chance to succeed and rise above the limitations of his status. Likewise, he’d only come to treat this patient today to avoid being expelled from the infirmary.

But now, witnessing the mother and daughter’s anguish with his own eyes, something stirred inside Raymond: the instinctive compassion of a healer for their patients. I have to cure this man, both for my future and for the sake of this family’s happiness. His actions here and now would determine whether their expressions would darken with despair or brighten with hope.

Making up his mind to succeed, Raymond said, “I’ll do my best. Would you please bring me to the patient?”

***

But despite his newfound determination, Raymond’s heart raced as he entered the patient’s room. It was only natural for him to be nervous—regardless of the mysterious abilities he’d recently acquired, this was his first time ever treating a patient.

The woman looked up at him and called, “Healer?”

“Ah...”

He was too tense to respond. A pungent smell emanated from the patient, leaving his mind blank. What’s the first thing you have to do when you see a patient...? He’d definitely thought out what he needed to do before he’d arrived, but nothing came to mind now.

At this precarious moment, a message suddenly appeared.

[Attribute skill <Heart of Steel> activated!]

<Heart of Steel>

Category: Attribute Skill

Rank: Legendary

Proficiency: D

- You acquire an iron will and a steadfast courage, amplified in matters relating to patients.

- Proficiency is low! Your iron will is incomplete. To acquire a perfect will and courage, increase your proficiency!

After the message appeared, Raymond’s heart amazingly settled in his chest. In a manner so composed and calm it surprised even himself, he asked, “Can you describe the exact problem the patient is experiencing?”

The woman replied, “A lump appeared on his bottom and didn’t disappear, just swelling up as time went on. Then he started to burn up with fever, and now he can’t even get out of bed.”

Thanks to the skill’s effects, Raymond was able to carry out his duties without freezing up. I need to check his vital signs first.

Vital signs were the most basic yet crucial check needed to assess a patient’s condition. First, he pressed his fingers against the man’s artery to estimate his blood pressure, then gauged his heart rate and respiration. Raymond’s mind rifled through the information given to him by <General Medicine>. Fortunately, he hasn’t gone into septic shock. If I act quickly, his condition can be cured.

He examined the area on the man’s bottom where the lump was said to have formed. There was a swollen lesion located in the center of one buttock. It was an abscess. Raymond swallowed hard. A gluteal abscess.

Medically speaking, it wasn’t a complicated condition. The majority of the treatment revolved around just draining pus from the afflicted area. While it would have been extremely tricky to treat using healing, by medical standards, it was a very basic condition.

Yet despite its simplicity, Raymond felt the tension rising within him once more. <Heart of Steel> was certainly helping, but perhaps due to his low proficiency level, it hadn’t completely eliminated his anxiety. I have to overcome this fear myself. Raymond clenched his fists, steeling his nerves.

“C-can you cure him, healer? The infirmary said the illness is too advanced, and that he didn’t have a chance without high-grade healing...”

The mother and daughter gazed at Raymond with shaking eyes.