UNLOCK: I CAN SEE MY STATS

Chapter 7 : A Hand That Heals

Marcus glanced at both Tina and Hays, then approached the medical bed without hesitation.

“Let them see what they want… gifted, talented, whatever. As long as they let me stay here.”

He had no intention of backing down. He would show them a level of skill and precision that made it impossible for them to turn him away. If not for this goal, he would’ve hidden somewhere, quietly training to raise his Physical Fitness and expand his limited Eternal Energy pool.

After all, Eternal Energy was the key to growth.

The more he had, the faster he could evolve. And for that, he needed a safe environment,an environment like the medical unit.

He didn’t need tools or herbs. He had one of the most powerful and dangerous techniques in the world.

A technique only he knew,because he invented it.

But he had no intention of revealing that… not yet.

“I don’t need glory. I just want room to breathe, far from swords and explosions.”

Marcus put those thoughts aside and focused.

He adjusted the soldier’s body, inspecting the amputation site.

The bleeding had slowed, but the edges of the wound were starting to show signs of infection.

Ignoring Tina’s intense gaze, he activated his energy flow, raising both hands and forming rapid, precise seals.

Tina’s eyes widened.

“huh !! , Impossible! , That’s the Energy Scalpel Technique! .... How does a recon scout know that?!”

She was stunned. It had taken her over a year and a half to learn that technique after graduating from the academy,and she was sixteen. Marcus was fourteen, the legal age to graduate.

And he’d just outperformed her.

A bitter smile pulled at her lips.

“No wonder he criticized us… He’s a genius.”

∆ Medical Style: Energy Scalpel Technique ∆

Violet Eternal Energy gathered at Marcus’s right fingertips, forming a glowing scalpel. He looked at it, pleased.

“Hm… first try. Looks like my experience in medical techniques really pays off,even with a smaller energy reserve, I can control it smoothly.”

- Energy Scalpel Technique C: Level 0 (50)

Ignoring the notification, Marcus moved the scalpel with expert grace, removing the infected tissue.

Blood began to flow anew.

Tina instinctively stepped forward to intervene, but Dr. Hays raised a hand, stopping her.

And then, Marcus surprised her again.

He lifted his left hand and wove another set of seals. Eternal Energy surged to his palm, then exploded.

“...”

“...”

“Ugh… That’s embarrassing.”

Marcus thought, catching the twitch of Hays’s lip and Tina’s glare.

“Tried to show off... Looks like using two techniques at once is still too much.”

He cleared his mind and tried again.

Blood Coagulation Technique

This time, the warm energy on his palm stabilized.

He examined his right hand, still glowing with the scalpel, and his left, emanating the new energy.

“This should be enough to get me in...”

He pressed his left palm gently over the wound, stopping the bleeding.

Then, he deactivated both techniques and wiped nonexistent sweat from his brow.

- Eternal Energy: 108 / 137

“Not bad. Could’ve been more efficient, but energy control is improving.”

Clap !!

Clap !!

Clap !!

A slow clap snapped him from his thoughts.

Dr. Hays stepped forward, placing a firm hand on his shoulder.

“Well done, .... Marcus , You’ve proven yourself.”

He turned to Tina.

“See? He wasn’t trying to poison or kill anyone.”

“Hmmph...” Tina replied, averting her eyes.

“Energy Scalpel, Blood Coagulation, excellent control… and single-handed seals? Using two techniques simultaneously? You’re a monster ....”

“This isn’t something you learn in the academy ... I guess this the powerful clan perks , Still, how have I never heard of you?”

“Thanks,” Marcus replied. “I just… never liked the medical field. Or so I told myself.”

Hays smirked. “Could’ve fooled me....”

Marcus ignored the jab and pointed to the soldier.

“Should I continue? There are broken ribs and a minor brain concussion left.”

“Huh?” Hays blinked. “You want to keep going? You sure you have the energy?”

Marcus grinned. “Surprised? Like you said ... clan perks.”

Hays chuckled. “Right, right… Go ahead. When you’re done, come find me,we need to discuss somethings ....”

“Thanks to you, I’m late to the command briefing. But I suppose it’s worth it.

”

He turned to Tina.

“By order of the War Staff Commander, you’re now officially in charge of this medical unit.”

Without waiting for a response, he vanished like a ghost.

“Nice instantaneous technique,” Marcus thought, staring at the empty space.

He glanced once more at Tina before returning to his work. He clasped his hands, rubbing palm to palm quickly.

∆ Healing Technique ∆

Tina mumbled under her breath. “Of course he knows that technique too… What a strange guy.”

Dense Yin-element Eternal Energy gathered in Marcus’s palms, glowing with soft, suppressed heat.

As he passed his hands over the wound, the skin responded, tightening rapidly.

He moved to the ribs.

“This part’s harder…”

He channeled Yin energy into the fractured bones. Under his precision, the ribs aligned and began to heal.

He then sent another wave of Yin energy to the brain and the bone marrow, stimulating blood production.

The soldier’s vitals stabilized. He would wake within 30 to 60 minutes.

Marcus studied the peaceful face and whispered,

“Heh… this brings back memories.”

Then, his eyes narrowed.

“Now… where’s that girl who called me a spy?”

He scanned the tent. Tina was gone.

Eventually, he found her,tending to another patient at the far end.

Marcus sighed, then turned his gaze to the floating panel before him and checked his remaining Eternal Energy.

-Eternal Energy: 64 / 137

"Hmm... Healing techniques consume a lot of Eternal Energy. Understandable,it’s one of the few that simulates the Yin element."

He frowned, glancing briefly at Tina who was still busy treating another soldier, then walked back to his bed and lay down.

"So much energy for one treatment... No wonder barely anyone wants to study medical techniques."

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Tina sitting on an empty bed and starting to extract Eternal Energy in silence.

He exhaled and closed his eyes, letting his body relax while his mind processed his next moves. Soon, he would go meet with Dr. Hays.

"The conversion rate between Eternal Energy and Unlock Points is brutal... Fifty units for one point? Damn this system..."

And while Marcus was quietly planning his next steps, elsewhere…

-------

Lorana | City of Kata – Western Wing of the Mayor’s Palace

A young man stood at the center of the hall, his golden, reptilian eyes gleaming under the dim light. His vertical pupils mirrored those of cold-blooded creatures.

His expression unreadable, he stood with lethal stillness,someone far more familiar with shadows than with light.

“I’m sorry, my lady,” he said in an even tone.

“I take full responsibility. My failure nearly led to Lord Marcus’s death.”

“Hmm…”

The woman before him raised a crystal glass filled with a dark red liquid.

One sip was enough to show her mood was far from pleasant.

“So you understand your carelessness nearly cost me my nephew.”

“Yes… and I accept any punishment you deem appropriate.”

She sighed, placing the glass gently on the table.

“No. In truth, I won’t put the full blame on you… We should’ve been more cautious.”

She paced toward the window, her voice cool, laced with venom.

“Who would’ve thought that bitch and that bastard would conspire against him?”

She paused, then added,

“I saw Liana Karadak… She doesn’t seem like the scheming type. Which leaves the blame on Ryo Geetho. Beautiful face. Vile mind.”

She looked back at Seth.

“You and… Anissa, you’re the ones I trust most. That’s why I won’t punish you this time.”

She paused again, then added in a softer, but no less threatening tone

“But next time…”

He interrupted calmly, his golden eyes unwavering.

“There won’t be a next time.”

She nodded slowly.

“I hope so. Otherwise, the consequences will be severe.”

When the warning ended,one he accepted without complaint,she gestured with her hand.

“Return to your task.”

Seth bowed slightly, then vanished like someone born of shadow.

Moments later, a girl entered, holding a small crystal tablet. Without lifting her gaze, she spoke

“My lady… Any instructions?”

The mayor stared at her for a moment, then said

“From today, double the taxes on all properties owned by House Geetho and House Karadak within the city.”

“Understood.”

Shi’on fell silent for a moment, staring into the horizon, then murmured to herself

“My dear nephew… I helped free you from that tumor called an engagement. If it had continued, I don’t know what those radicals might’ve done… This was all your aunt could do.”

She watched the sunlight filter through the window and added

“Your acceptance of what happened… That was the first sign of maturity. I only pray you’re safe. I couldn’t bear to face my sister if anything happened to you.”

She glanced toward the silent girl still recording notes.

If Marcus had been there, he would’ve immediately recognized who that person was.