UNLOCK: I CAN SEE MY STATS

chapter 8 : Finally in !

Lorana | Eastern Camp – Dr. Hays's Tent

Dr. Naral Hays sat quietly behind his desk, studying the scattered scrolls before him under the dim glow of a crystal light that cast long shadows across the tent's fabric walls.

One document in particular had caught his attention.

Marcus Abomarian

Age: 14

Status: Bloodline Unawakened

Clan: Abomarian

Affiliation: Recon Division – Team 19

No records in medical unit: Former trainee at Kata Provincial Hospital. Direct recommendation from Mayor Shi'on Abomarian.

"Hmm..."

Hays exhaled quietly, leaning back in his chair.

"A recon scout with this level of medical proficiency... and energy control? That's exceedingly rare."

He flipped the page, scanning through the training record.

"Shi'on Abomarian, the mayor, huh. I don't know their relationship, but since they're from the same clan, she arranged a medical course for him two years ago."

He paused for a moment.

"Perhaps she wanted to give him another path after failing to awaken his bloodline... or maybe he chose the medical field himself, clinging to something he could actually control."

He glanced at the recent developments in Marcus's file and suddenly understood why the boy hadn’t joined the medical unit initially and instead chose recon.

"Hmm, looks like he was following his heart, and his lower half, rather than thinking clearly..."

"That Liana girl is truly ruthless. She even dared to conspire and try to kill him just to break off the engagement..."

"A heartbroken lovebird. But from what I can tell, the kid isn’t stupid. I bet he connected the dots and figured it all out... In other words, he gave up on love, or rather, love gave up on him. Then he left recon and came to the medical unit, trying to distance himself from Liana."

He closed the file and laced his fingers beneath his chin, his eyes gazing into the distance thoughtfully.

"But honestly... the seal weaving, the energy flow, the precision in his movements?"

"A brutal talent born for the path of medicine. Even without an awakened bloodline, he can rise in rank with medical skill alone... After all, medicine is a sacred profession."

A slight smile touched his lips, more like a sigh.

"I don't know whether I should thank Liana... or curse her."

He chuckled softly.

---

A few hours later – Lorana | Eastern Camp – Dr. Hays's Tent

Marcus stood in front of the tent belonging to the head of the medical unit.

He glanced at the two soldiers posted at the entrance and gave a slight nod, then looked up toward the sky tinged with the light of dawn.

He sighed, then reached for the heavy curtain that concealed the tent's interior and knocked three times.

"Enter."

Hays’s tired voice called from within.

Marcus pulled aside the curtain and stepped in. Inside, Dr. Hays remained seated at his desk, still surrounded by documents he hadn’t fully looked away from.

As Marcus entered, Hays gestured toward the chair across from him.

"Sit, Marcus."

Marcus approached with calm steps, stopping in front of the desk before silently taking his seat.

Hays exhaled lightly, pushing one of the scrolls aside.

"Have you eaten breakfast?"

He asked with a faint smile as he poured two cups of tea.

Marcus shook his head.

"I see... Join me then."

He pushed a cup toward him while speaking.

"Thanks."

Marcus accepted the cup, examined it briefly, then took a sip.

Hays sighed and said,

"Sorry about what happened with Tina."

Marcus shook his head lightly.

"It's alright."

Hays nodded, then added,

"She received news of her father's death four days ago. Her emotional state isn't stable. The ironic part? He died in circumstances eerily similar to what happened between the two of you."

Marcus raised an eyebrow, voice neutral.

"How did he die?"

Hays answered without changing his tone.

"The enemy infiltrated the medical team stationed at the northern front. Instead of helping the wounded, they poisoned them. Her father was among them... recently transferred from the battlefield in critical condition."

He noticed a faint smirk on Marcus’s lips, which made Hays's expression tighten slightly.

"Hmm? You find that amusing?"

Marcus shook his head.

"I just find it ironic. Her father barely escaped death on the battlefield with grave injuries, only to meet his end in a place that’s supposed to be the safest."

A short silence followed.

Then Hays sighed quietly.

"Maybe... If he’d been in another ward, he might have survived. But Tina couldn’t get over it. That’s why she was so hostile when she saw you."

Marcus responded calmly, his gaze drifting aside.

"I can understand that."

Hays took another sip of his tea, then pulled a blank form from his desk drawer and placed it in front of Marcus.

"This is your official transfer form. We need your signature... with an energy imprint."

He opened a small bottle of black ink and motioned to it.

"Channel Eternal Energy to your fingertip and dip it here."

Marcus extended his right hand, focusing his energy until a faint violet aura glowed at his fingertip. He dipped it into the ink and pressed it onto the designated box.

"Done."

Hays carefully folded the paper, then pulled out a small sealed envelope.

"This is a letter of recommendation. Take it to logistics, they’ll provide you with the medical unit uniform and some basic supplies."

Marcus accepted the envelope.

"Then, return to Tina's unit. You are officially her second-in-command now."

"Understood."

He expected that and didn’t mind. He wasn’t aiming for promotions, just peace to grow stronger quietly.

Hays continued with a serious tone.

"Your skills are exceptional, but advancement takes more than talent. Once you’ve gained enough field experience, we’ll consider raising your rank."

Then, his tone deepened.

"We, the medical unit, are the final line of defense against death. Take that seriously."

Marcus nodded and stood up quietly, preparing to leave. Before he exited, Hays added,

"Don’t forget to report to Tina. You know what comes next."

Marcus nodded once more and stepped outside.

"Finally..." he murmured in relief.

"Finally... I can cut down on some of the danger."

He walked away from Hays's tent and asked a passing soldier where to find the logistics department.

---

Elsewhere – Near the Western Border of the Camp

The patrol squad collapsed silently to the ground, blood pooling beneath them. The terror on their faces froze in place as they fell, lifeless.

"Heheheh... Everything’s going smoothly."

A strange laugh echoed from the emptiness. Then, slowly, near one of the corpses, something moved.

A middle-aged man’s head emerged from the ground, his skin a cracked, dry brown. He moved as if swimming through the earth, completely unhindered.

He raised his hand to his mouth and let out a low whistle...