Deep in the Living
Chapter 148 - 142 The Dean’s Transformation

Chapter 148: Chapter 142 The Dean’s Transformation

A pitch-dark bus entered Mingwang City, arriving at the Fifth Hospital.

Fully automated driving,

Windowless,

Multi-layer protective structure.

What the bus carried were Pseudo-People caught nationwide through psychological screenings in their early stages.

These early-stage Pseudo-People were yet unable to construct Fear Embodiment. Before boarding, they were injected with long-term anesthetics and were also wearing restraining devices, almost nullifying any danger.

They were currently to be escorted by the security team of the Fifth Hospital to the intensive care area where they would undergo related drug treatments for the upcoming half year.

A doctor was in charge of receiving and inspecting them after they disembarked.

He needed to check the basic condition of these Pseudo-People because there had been instances of self-harm and even suicide during transport, which would require emergency medical intervention.

Watching one Pseudo-Person after another disembark from the dark bus, the doctor was silently counting, "The number keeps increasing... about 13% more than three months ago. At this rate, the Fifth Hospital will eventually reach capacity. We will need to set up more hospitals."

Just as the doctor was getting frustrated about the numbers,

A foam-mouthed Pseudo-Person with opisthotonus was carried off the bus.

He looked like an undernourished minor, in a very bad state. The restraining device on him could hasten death.

"Keep the electric shock collar, remove the shackles from the hands and feet and release the binding garment, ready to be sent to the emergency room."

As the doctor gave the order and the security team prepared to proceed,

Snap!

A hand clamped onto the exoskeleton armor of the security guard, stopping the action to release the restraints.

During the admission period of Pseudo-People, the Fifth Hospital was completely sealed off, surrounded by an electric fence, keeping outsiders away.

Only this sudden visitor wasn’t a hospital staff member, but his looks were very familiar to everyone.

"Luo Di?"

Luo Di moved his right hand, lightly prodding the center of the Pseudo-Person’s spine.

Perhaps it was a nerve that was poked,

Perhaps it was a sense of threat felt,

Perhaps Luo Di said something,

The opisthotonic young man immediately straightened his body, returning to normal, even the foam at his mouth was reabsorbed by himself.

"Physiological Disguise, this guy is worth observing; might be a good Pseudo-Person. I’ll be off now. The Dean is in his office today, right?"

"Yes, the Dean has been working lately, not taking days off and staying at the hospital."

"Good."

Due to adopting the Pain System, Luo Di’s connection with the Punishment Room had deepened.

As he stepped through the familiar hospital gates,

The scene before him had minor visual flickers,

The normally normal hospital was now coated with a layer of dark black paint, with gothic pillars and spike structures added to the building’s façade and top.

Even the screams from the tormented could be faintly heard.

In the blink of an eye, it returned to normal.

Taking the elevator up to the floor of the Dean’s Office,

Perhaps having received notification from the front desk beforehand, the office door was already wide open.

The Dean was inside practicing Tai Chi Fist, visibly younger than before. Additionally, as if due to loneliness, a small dog was kept in the office.

Yet, the most noteworthy detail was something unusual.

The once conservative old Dean had surprisingly pierced his ears and wore a hook-shaped metal earring.

Before Luo Di could greet him, the Dean approached him first.

"Room [0510] has always been kept for you, no need to process any formalities, just go straight there. How long are you planning to stay this time?"

"Not sure, no more than three days at most."

Although the Dean said nothing else, a hint of disappointment flashed in his eyes.

"Go ahead, the hospital will cooperate with you."

Luo Di didn’t rush to leave this time, instead, he suddenly leaned forward softly calling out a name.

"Mr. Hook?"

The Dean paused for a second, "Luo Di, what’s wrong with your mental state again? My name is Hawkins, Alfort Hawkins."

Luo Di did not leave but continued to ask:

"Dean, you seem different than before, don’t you?"

The Dean did not conceal it, choosing to openly discuss this change with Luo Di.

"Indeed, since beginning contact with you, I gradually felt a change.

At first, I thought I was about to develop a mental illness, but as I got used to it, I felt myself becoming younger, and my brain more clear.

Even when you weren’t here, just by being here and working, I feel spirited and rejuvenated."

"Ever since I was injured by the metal spikes that grew inside of you, I’ve gradually grown fond of metallic elements, especially hook-shaped ones."

The old Dean even deliberately showed off his earrings as he continued to speak:

"Luo Di, you can rest assured that this change in me is clearly [abnormal]."

"I checked myself immediately and also took the time to have a pituitary scan at the research bureau. There were no abnormalities in any Thought Corner, so I suspect this change is due to the influence of you as a Connector."

"I personally enjoy this feeling, it seems to prolong my life by half."

"Hmm."

Although Luo Di didn’t sense the aura of Hell on the Dean,

the Dean’s changes were indeed real, and this matter also needed to be discussed with Mr. Hook. In Luo Di’s eyes, the Dean was a good-hearted man, someone willing to care for him, and such a person must not come into harm because of Luo Di himself.

...

[Punishment Room - Sermon Room]

Mr. Hook was somewhat different today, busily working on something atop the stone altar on the staircase.

With no restrictions on medication time now, Luo Di wasn’t in a hurry and quietly waited on the side.

About twenty minutes later, the surgery-like work concluded.

A human-shaped dog was led down by Mr. Hook.

The dog’s head was constructed from four skulls arranged horizontally, their mouths joined together to achieve the effect of a [long dog mouth].

The body was stitched together with various iron wires, looking rough but each wire actually traced a rune that maintained its integrity.

The dog’s legs were made of pure bone and metal, with the ends in sharp spike form,

and the leash was an iron wire, hanging from a hook on Mr. Hook’s back.

"Oh, have you arrived?"

Luo Di pointed to the human-faced dog and asked, "Mr. Hook, what is this?"

"Didn’t I tell you before? Criminals who can withstand punishment and accept suffering have the chance to become one of my subordinates.

Of course, they have committed crimes after all, and they shouldn’t be forgiven just because they are useful."

"The selected criminals are hung up there for a certain time, waiting until almost all their blood has drained away, then they can undergo the pain transformation."

"I personally prefer creatures like [Hunting Dogs]."

"How is it? Not bad, right? It can effectively help me patrol the situation in each cell."

"Indeed, not bad."

When Mr. Hook reached out to stroke the Hunting Dog’s skull, the Hunting Dog itself seemed to smell something strange. Even though Luo Di was part of the Punishment Room’s crew, there was an odor on him that did not belong to Hell.

Crack crack crack! The barking was incessant.

"Oh?" Mr. Hook also followed the Hunting Dog’s perception and looked towards Luo Di’s right hand, "You’ve implanted the pituitary onto the back of your hand?"

"Yes."

"Hurry over and show me! It’s a technique I’ve never seen before."

Hook had intended to tear open the back of the hand with a hook, but seeing the stitches and the unstable energy fluctuations, eventually, he decided against it.

He gently picked up Luo Di’s hand, carefully appreciating the skin against his.

"Well done! Next time you get hold of such good stuff, remember to bring some over to me. The debt won’t be written off just because you’ve embraced the Pain System."

"Alright."

"Since you’re not here to repay the debt, and you’re not really injured, what do you want?"

"I’ve stepped onto the red soil twice in succession, briefly taking part in a certain war... I was surrounded by various types of Spine, and the opponent was something related to disease and epidemics."

"Hmm!?"

At these words, Hawkins quickly stepped forward, tilting his head to examine the spine.

"The rate of your recent feedings is quite fast, you’ve reached [50%]. But as a distant Angel Envoy, to establish a connection you need to be fully saturated.

Could your premature Open Spine be the reason?

How long did you go for?

Did you have any combat experience?"

"No more than five minutes, I suppose. Each time I was about to collide with the opponent, I would return to reality.

Is there a way to temporarily suppress this condition? I will be going to a very dangerous place, and I must eliminate these unstable Consciousness Projections."

Hook tugged at his lips with a finger, tearing at the dried flesh beneath his lip.

"There’s no need to suppress it, this premature Projection is good for you, you just need to learn how to control it. Stay with me for a few days, and I will teach you how to control."

"Are the opponents in battle with Spine extraterrestrial invaders or what?"

"Hahaha!" Luo Di’s question caused Hook to laugh loudly, the hooks on his back trembling and colliding along with him.

"Who dares to invade True Hell... only you, kid, would say such a thing. Those surrounding worlds, they are already scared to death just hearing our name, looking for ways to flee far away, and some of the cowards even abandon their native worlds.

The war you took part in was just more ’daily’ affairs,

the Spine community itself loves war, and it’s a coincidence that there’s also a large force in True Hell willing to cater to such wars. They’re not fond of war itself, but rather fond of the breeding ground for the epidemics that war brings."