Deep in the Living
Chapter 93 - 87: Administering Punishment

Chapter 93: Chapter 87: Administering Punishment

[Fifth Hospital]

Given that it is a newly established large psychiatric hospital in Mingwang City, new patients from other cities arrive almost every week.

The Dean was in his office, straightening his attire, as he would need to personally inspect the admission process of the new patients shortly.

Looking at himself in the mirror, even though he was already past sixty, he felt much younger than before, a feeling he almost experienced daily.

His spirits and vigor have significantly improved compared to the past, and even the bald spot on his head seemed about to sprout new hair.

This change seemed to have started after coming into contact with that special patient, Luo Di.

These past few days, Luo Di had left the hospital to assist with investigations, and the Dean actually found himself somewhat unaccustomed to it. However, in his heart, he still wanted Luo Di to leave, as that kind of life was too thrilling, and he feared his heart couldn’t take it.

Just as he finished dressing up and was about to head downstairs via the elevator.

Ding!

The young man standing in the elevator car carrying a backpack had just ascended from the first floor.

The Dean was so frightened that he was almost biting his hand, and his normally poor Mandarin suddenly became coherent.

"You... You... Luo Di, have you already helped the Investigation Bureau crack the case?"

The Dean was eager to hear the answer "Yes," so once it was confirmed, Luo Di could officially proceed with the discharge procedure, and the stone in the Dean’s heart would be completely put to rest.

"Yes! But... before I sign the paperwork, I need to stay on the critical care floor for a period of time, maybe a day or maybe several days. This is the paperwork I got from the Investigation Bureau, and I hope the Dean can cooperate."

"Ah!? So you will still be coming here these few days?"

"Yes, I’ll be troubling you, Dean."

Looking at the complete paperwork handed over by Luo Di, including a document personally issued by the City Investigation Bureau, he could only nod with a silly smile. Nevertheless, for some reason, although the Dean seemed very uncomfortable on the surface, deep down he was actually looking forward to the upcoming days.

Luo Di was, as usual, assigned to room [0510], and was still given double the dosage of medicine.

...

[Preaching Room]

There was nothing on the hooks above the dome; it seemed the master of the place had not yet returned.

Luo Di, standing by the door, did not wait long before a dragging sound echoed from behind him.

Mr. Hawke, wearing a surrealist leather coat, his skin pale like wax and bearing a slight resemblance to the Dean, was dragging a "patient" that was barely recognizable as human back to this place.

"Just a moment."

He hung the "patient" onto one of the hooks inside the Preaching Room, and elevated it into the air.

"What is this?"

This was the first time since Luo Di had been in the Preaching Room that he had seen Mr. Hawke bring a patient from the Punishment Room area here for processing, naturally piquing his curiosity.

"The ones locked in the Punishment Room are troublemakers who need to receive the punishment of True Hell. But, if there are some interesting ones among them, who can survive the endless torture while retaining a sense of self, they will earn my [appreciation].

Their bodies will hang here to dry naturally.

Once the inferior blood within is completely dried out, they can become my subordinates. It’s a pity you already have a status; otherwise, I’d really want to pull you in as well.

Did you bring the items so quickly?"

"Yes."

Luo Di tossed over two pituitaries, which landed in Mr. Hawke’s hands.

Mr. Hawke’s expression first showed dissatisfaction, but soon returned to normal, "These two have neither the concentrated aura nor the internal structure of the first one you gave me.

However, this one, being an intermediate transitional pituitary, is quite interesting; it can be used for research. But let this be the last ’half-hearted’ delivery. If there’s cooperation in the future, make sure to bring me valuable things.

Considering that I couldn’t help you with the resurrection, let’s consider the deal barely completed."

"Thank you."

Luo Di had no intention of staying longer. During his half-month stay with Mr. Hawke, he had learned much and understood his status in so-called [True Hell].

Lingering here did not seem to mean much for him, now known as ’Spine’.

After nodding his thanks, Luo Di prepared to turn and leave.

"Hey, don’t be in such a rush; you really have no sentimentality, even after half a month of companionship.

Although we are not the same kind, and you cannot work for me, it doesn’t mean we can’t continue a deep collaboration. How about making another deal with me?

Bring me some more valuable pituitaries."

"What use do you have for these?"

"I don’t know, they’re just interesting. You know, it’s boring being here every day. It’s rare to meet an Angel Envoy from another world like you, it’s better to bring in some novelty than nothing at all."

"What will I gain?"

Snap!

Mr. Hawke lightly snapped his fingers,

The hook above Luo Di’s head descended, piercing into his bionic left arm, stripping it from his body with such speed that there was no time to react.

"This inferior piece of junk in your body makes you look cheap.

After so many days together, I’ve said more than once that your body is quite nice, your pain tolerance is quite gifted, and you seem to be quite interested in the torture devices here.

As long as you can bring me more interesting things, I will make you a [hand].

A hand that is worthy of you, conforms to the theme of the Punishment Room, and fully matches your temperament.

One that will make your Hunting more interesting and more efficient."

"Hand..."

Luo Di’s thoughts were pulled back to a few months ago, and then quickly returned to the present, "Is it my own hand?"

"It seems you still lack knowledge about the body. Based on your body, of course it’s your own hand after being reshaped and created.

However, I will make modifications to your body’s tolerance limits according to the ’Punishment Room theme’.

If you are not satisfied in the end, I can help you remove it, keeping only the attribute of the hand.

Personally, I hope you can become more resourceful and powerful, so that you can complete more killings, and bring me back more interesting things."

"The appearance of the hand looks like a normal arm, right?"

Luo Di revered the body, just like Murderers in the movies all have complete bodies that belong to them; mechanical prostheses are outright blasphemy to Murderers.

Mr. Hawke made a small gap with his thumb and forefinger, "There will be a slight difference. It looks like a normal arm usually, it’s only during your activation of the Hell Attribute and during Hunting that it will become different."

"Okay."

"Aren’t you curious what I’m going to put inside your arm?"

Luo Di shook his head, "It doesn’t matter, I may not be able to come here often in the future, it would be best to do it quickly."

"Alright, let’s get started!

I need to remind you, although reshaping the body is not very painful, the ’things’ I am going to stuff inside will cause quite intense pain.

You need to fully embrace this pain during the process in order to unleash the full power within."

"Let’s start now."

"Okay."

Mr. Hawke’s purely white face split into a smile, with small hooks also dangling between the gums and teeth of his mouth.

Snap~ a snapping of fingers echoed.

Hooks from the dome above descended, carrying a series of materials for the arm reconstruction.

1. "Several arms hanging on hooks" - some still very fresh, some already covered with livor mortis. Some still resembled human arms, others completely outside the realm of Human.

2. "Long, slender tubes" - filled with milky white liquid, these long, transparent tubes were fitted with syringes for injection.

3. "A barbed iron wire" - just one, 5cm long, encapsulated and soaked in a transparent container.

Mr. Hawke pointed to the three tools and said, "Guess, which of these is the most expensive?"

"Iron wire?"

"Smart indeed. This is our Order’s treasure, capable of completely converting a common Demon.

The prisoner I dragged in earlier, once his blood runs out, will also receive this, and if he can endure, he will become my subordinate.

Of course, you’re different.

This is only for the transformation of one of your arms, after all, you’re already a Spine, your nature is nearly unchangeable.

Such a valuable thing, I’ve ’advanced’ to you, remember to bring me something more valuable next time."

"Okay."

The transformation began.

The initial shaping of the flesh of the arm was not bad, Luo Di showed no change in expression throughout.

But as the syringe was inserted into the arm, injecting strands of unknown milky white substance,

Then placing the barbed iron wire in the palm, the wire burrowed in on its own as if alive.

Luo Di, who thought he was prepared, who believed he had adapted to the Suffering of the Punishment Room,

Only felt a profound Pain spreading in his left arm, unbearable, uncontrollable, as if to rip apart his entire body.

The Pain turned into a series of hooks pulling at the muscles of his entire face,

His mouth uncontrollably opened wide as he screamed in agony,

Blood flowed from around his completely bloodshot eyes due to the rupture of numerous capillaries,

Mr. Hawke could truly feel this Pain, even indulged in the screaming, repeatedly wanting to reach out and touch the young man’s body, but considering it might affect the merging of the Pain, he withdrew his hand.

The more he looked at the young man before him, the more satisfied he felt, as if his initial goal was never the pituitary gland.

"If you can withstand it, perhaps we can engage in a deeper collaboration..."