Four hours had passed since Kuin had arrived at the hospital. The once bustling room had gradually emptied until he found himself the last patient remaining. Weakened and drifting in and out of consciousness, he was relieved when a nurse finally called him into an examination room.
Limping toward the room, he was greeted by an elderly gentleman with a kind demeanor. The doctor's white coat gave him an air of authority, but his eyes held a hint of compassion.
"Hello, young man," the doctor said, making notes on his clipboard. "Will your parents be arriving soon?"
Kuin couldn't help but let out a sarcastic chuckle. "If they are, I'd give them a piece of my mind. No, sir, I'm an orphan."
The doctor nodded understandingly. "I see. In that case, what brought you to the hospital, son?"
Kuin's stomach growled loudly, adding to his discomfort. "Ever since yesterday, I've been feeling nauseous and experiencing frequent bowel movements. It's gotten so bad that I've noticed blood in my stool," he admitted, his voice trembling with fatigue. "I don't know how much more of this I can take, Doctor."
The elderly physician made more notes on his clipboard. "Do you remember when these symptoms first began?"
Kuin nodded and began recounting his story. He shared how he had been cast out of the orphanage and sought refuge in that ill-fated ramen shop.
The doctor listened attentively, his expression growing increasingly grave. He interrupted Kuin at the mention of the ramen place. "Ah, I see. I think I know what happened. Let me just take a few blood samples. We may have the antidote here."
Kuin jumped up, his eyes widening. "Antidote? So, I really was poisoned?" He slumped back into his chair, exhaustion evident in his posture. "Just my luck."
"It's unfortunate, but it's not entirely surprising, given your unique circumstances," the doctor replied cryptically.
This statement piqued Kuin's interest. "Unique circumstances? What do you mean by that? There are plenty of orphans in Konoha."
The doctor opened his mouth to respond but seemed to think better of it. A faint grimace crossed his face. "I've already said too much. Let's focus on the blood samples for now."
As the doctor prepared to take the samples, the room filled with a palpable sense of tension. Kuin couldn't shake the feeling that there was much more to his situation than met the eye, and he was determined to uncover the truth, one way or another.
After some tense minutes had passed, during which the blood samples were collected and sent to the lab for examination, the doctor decided to strike up a conversation with Kuin. He leaned back in his chair and inquired, "So, after you leave here, do you have anywhere to stay for the night?"
Kuin gazed at the doctor with a mixture of confusion and resignation. "We just discussed how I've been kicked out. The only thing waiting for me after this visit is a cardboard box."
The doctor nodded in understanding. "Forgive me if that seemed insensitive. I don't get many opportunities to talk to others these days," he explained, his tone carrying a sense of loneliness.
Kuin was aware from his past life that individuals in high-IQ professions, such as doctors, often had their social quirks and sometimes struggled with interpersonal interactions. He could sense a certain social awkwardness in the doctor's demeanor, and it made him wonder about the man's backstory. But at the moment, he had more pressing concerns, like the results of his tests.
"It's all right," Kuin replied with a weary smile. "I appreciate the conversation. So, when will we know the results? And about that antidote... how sure are you that its even in stock?"
The doctor's gaze turned serious as he responded, "The results should be ready by tomorrow. As for the antidote, I'm relatively certain it exists, but I need to consult some medical records to be sure. In the meantime, you should prepare for the possibility that you'll have to endure another few hours of discomfort."
Kuin's heart sank at the thought of another night of pain and uncertainty. He glanced out the window, where the rain had finally let up, and a faint glimmer of hope shone through the clouds.
6 hours had passed since Kuin's arrival at the hospital. The doctor had allowed him to stay the night for observation, concerned about the severity of his symptoms. As the morning light streamed through the window, Kuin's eyes fluttered open. His head felt clearer than it had in days, and he could hardly believe the comfort of the bed he lay in.
"Man, this beats my old bed any day. That thing felt like cardboard compared to this." Kuin stretched his arms above his head, relishing in the newfound comfort. "Now, where's that doctor? I can't handle losing blood every time I use the bathroom."
Feeling rejuvenated, Kuin moved toward the door. Just as his hand reached for the doorknob, it swung open from the other side.
Isn't that creepy receptionist lady again? What is she doing here?
"Oh, awake already?" She feigned surprise, but Kuin could sense something off in her demeanor. "We've found the antidote. A few shots, and you'll be out of here."
Kuin regarded her with suspicion. Trusting strangers was precisely what had led to his current predicament. While the doctor had been kind and helpful, he had no prior interactions with this lady. In this world, it was better to be safe than sorry.
"Umm, I'd rather not, ma'am. I'd prefer it if the doctor who treated me administered the antidote."
The nurse's smile wavered for an instant before she regained her composure. "No, young man, I insist. The poison can be highly lethal if the antidote isn't administered swiftly."
"Yeah, I'd rather take my chances, ma'am. If you'll excuse me, I need to find the doctor." Kuin attempted to slip past the nurse, but her sudden kick to his head halted him.
"You just had to make this difficult."
"Ah, you-" Kuin exclaimed, clutching his throbbing head. "Help! This woman is insane!" He yelled, hoping to attract attention to the room.
"It's no use; I've already activated the soundproofing seals," the nurse replied calmly. "Now you'll pay for all you've done, you monster."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Kuin's voice quivered as he coated his hand with chakra. "Stay back!"
"Heh, how cute. The little monster knows how to use chakra."
Chakra? Kuin thought. So that's what they call this energy.
"Yeah, and I'm not afraid to use it, so back off, lady." Kuin's voice trembled, but his resolve remained steadfast. The nurse unfaced continued to approach. He had warned her, With a swift punch, he attacked, but the nurse evaded it with ease, countering with a knee to his face that sent pain radiating through his nose.
Kuin crumpled to the ground, and before he knew it, the nurse was kneeling on his back, her syringes poised menacingly. "Now, hold still. This will only take a second."
In the mirror's reflection, Kuin watched helplessly as the needle inched closer and closer. Time seemed to stand still as the needle approached.
Lying there, Kuin reflected on the hardships he'd endured in this world, the relentless struggles he'd faced just to survive. He couldn't help but think that this was where his story would end.
The hardships he had to endure all led him here.
guess this is the end huh he thought I had a good run but seems this is where my story ends.
All my struggles led me here to this moment. To be killed by a random nurse in a hospital.
No, no, Fuck that! He hadn't come this far just to have his life snuffed out by this Broad! He had dreams and ambitions he wanted to fulfill, and he would be damned if he let his story be cut short so soon.
Kuin began channeling chakra throughout his entire body, pouring every ounce of his being into overpowering the nurse. Unbeknownst to him, his teeth became more feral, his nails sharper, and his eyes transformed into something resembling a wolf's.
With one final surge of effort, Kuin knocked the nurse off his back and unleashed a frenzied flurry of blows upon her. He didn't stop until his arms could no longer swing. When he was finished, the nurse lay before him unrecognizable, as if she had been mauled by a wild beast.
After calming down Kuin looked at his hands. Covered in blood and skin he had one thought.
"Maybe she was right. I am a monster…" he muttered while clenching his hands. Surprisingly he felt nothing for mauling this woman.