The Weakest Healer Became a God

Mysterious Nurse

The academy hospital was much quieter than Adrian expected. The moment the doctor finished checking the wounds, he ordered several scans, blood tests, and other examinations before Adrian was allowed to leave. Adrian sat on the edge of the examination bed while a machine passed over his body, its soft mechanical hum filling the room as images appeared on the screen beside the doctor. After several minutes, another nurse came in to take a blood sample, and then the doctor checked the results before looking at Adrian again.

"Why all these scans and tests?" Adrian finally asked, glancing at the equipment around him. "You already checked my wound, and it's completely healed."

The doctor adjusted his glasses and looked at the scan in his hand. "Nothing important. We're just making sure you're still human and haven't mutated."

Adrian raised an eyebrow.

"Mutated?"

"You've heard about it before, haven't you?" The doctor asked.

Adrian nodded slowly. He had heard the rumors. Whenever a party encountered an SSS-Rank beast, there were always stories about students returning with strange changes in their bodies, and some of those stories were far worse than simple injuries. "Something like this usually happens whenever a party encounters an SSS-Rank beast," Adrian said. "At least, that's what I've heard."

The doctor nodded and placed the scan down before replying to him. Well, you are correct because SSS-Rank monsters are different from ordinary monsters. They're terrifyingly strong, incredibly fast, and the most dangerous part isn't even their strength."

Adrian remained silent, waiting.

"They can inherit the memories of the people they kill," the doctor continued. "Some of them can even shapeshift and pretend to be their victims when they come into our world. That's why the academy takes encounters with them so seriously. If you don't know what you're dealing with, you could be standing beside one without realizing it."

Adrian remembered the warnings he had heard before. Even the academy's Vice Chancellor had once given students a simple piece of advice about SSS-Rank beasts. Run like your life depends on it. If the dungeon portal was still open, reach it immediately, and if reaching the portal was impossible, activate the emergency teleportation function on the watch before the beast could catch you.

The doctor picked up another report and looked through it. "We're not accusing you of anything. We're just making sure you and everyone around you stay safe."

"Okay." Adrian gave him a faint smile. "I understand."

The doctor returned the smile before turning back to the monitor, but Adrian's eyes suddenly moved toward him. His enhanced vision slipped past the doctor's skin, muscles, and ribs, revealing what lay beneath. Adrian's gaze settled on the man's chest for a moment, and his expression changed slightly.

"You should stop smoking."

The doctor's hand froze.

For a second, the man simply stared at Adrian.

"Smoking?" he repeated.

"Yes."

"I don't smoke."

Adrian looked at him quietly.

The doctor straightened his coat and gave an innocent smile. "I've never smoked before."

Adrian almost smiled at the obvious lie. "Your heart says otherwise."

The doctor's smile disappeared.

Adrian pointed lightly toward the man's chest. "You have inflammation around your heart and the blood vessels leading toward it are already showing signs of damage. It's not severe yet, but if you keep smoking the way you have been, it will get worse."

The doctor stared at him, completely caught off guard.

"How..." He slowly lowered the report in his hand. "How did you know I smoke?"

"Because I can see it."

The doctor frowned.

Adrian quickly corrected himself. "I mean, it was obvious."

"It wasn't obvious." The doctor shook his head. "Only my daughter knows I smoke."

Adrian gave him a small smile. "Then maybe your daughter was right to be worried."

The doctor stared at him for another moment before letting out a quiet breath. "You really are strange."

Adrian shrugged.

The doctor glanced down at his chest before looking back at Adrian. "What should I do?"

"Stop smoking completely if you can. Don't try to reduce it slowly and convince yourself that's enough. Drink more water, get enough rest, and have your heart checked regularly. If you keep using fire-based abilities while your heart and blood vessels are getting worse, the damage will eventually affect your ability to control your flames."

The doctor's eyes widened.

"And in a few years," Adrian continued, "you might not be able to use your fire element properly anymore. If it gets bad enough, it could even affect your ability to heal patients because you'll be too weak to maintain your ability for long periods."

The doctor slowly sat down.

For the first time since Adrian entered the room, he looked genuinely concerned.

"How did you know all of this?"

Adrian looked at him for a moment before giving the same faint smile. "Just instinct."

The doctor stared at him, then shook his head with a quiet laugh. "Instinct, huh?"

Adrian nodded.

The doctor smiled back, although his eyes remained thoughtful. "Same gesture."

Before Adrian could respond, the door opened.

"Doctor?"

A young nurse stepped into the room.

She looked around Adrian's age, dressed in the academy hospital uniform with a file held against her chest. Her long hair framed a beautiful face, and even before Adrian properly looked at her, something inside him reacted.

His body stiffened.

A cold sweat formed across his forehead.

The nurse walked toward them without noticing anything unusual. "You called me?"

"Yes, Stephanie," the doctor said. Prepare his files and discharge him once everything is completed.

"Okay."

Adrian slowly lifted his head.

His eyes met the girl's face for only a brief moment before he immediately looked away.

His breathing changed.

His fingers tightened against the edge of the bed.

Something about her presence made every instinct in his body scream.

He lowered his gaze, hoping she hadn't noticed.

Stephanie placed the file on the table and began arranging the documents. "You can sign here."

Adrian reached for the pen, but his fingers were trembling.

He forced himself to steady his hand before signing his name.

Stephanie watched him for a moment, but said nothing.

Adrian returned the file to her.

"Okay, sir. You may go." She handed the documents back to him. "I believe you know your route from here."

Adrian nodded.

He stood immediately and walked toward the door, his pace slightly faster than normal. He kept his eyes ahead and refused to look back at the nurse. He had almost reached the ward entrance when something suddenly blurred past him.

Adrian stopped.

Stephanie was standing directly in front of him.

He hadn't even seen her move.

She tilted her head slightly and looked directly into his eyes.

"You know something, don't you?"

Her voice was calm.

Far too calm.

Yet something terrifying sat beneath it.