Enno
Age: 17
Level: 2
Race: Human
Strength: 3
Agility: 4
Intelligence: 7
Constitution: 3
Basic Skills:
Intermediate Household Proficiency: 901/1000
Basic Potion Making: 90/100
Basic Surgical Skill: 20/100
Skeleton Coins: 100
Fame: None
Introduction: A frail yet shrewd young human assistant at the Bloodsaw Apothecary, who has survived in this world for two years but might still die at any moment…
Enno calmly scanned the panel that had suddenly appeared in front of him. The poker face he had cultivated over the past two years allowed him to remain composed no matter what he faced. He studied it carefully for a moment, getting a general understanding of the system's functions.
“So, as long as I keep completing tasks given to me by the creatures of this world, I can gain rewards and boost my abilities?” Enno thought to himself. If that was the case, then his chances of surviving in this world just went up a notch.
Just then, his teacher's raspy voice and footsteps echoed from inside the house.
“Enno, I'm heading out for a couple of days. I'll be back in about two days. You take care of the shop, lock the doors at night, and don't let those annoying thieves get their hands on anything.”
Scrape—scrape—
The sound of dragging echoed down the hallway.
Ding! Your teacher, Berserk Bloodsaw, has assigned you a task: Take care of the shop. Reward: 50 Skeleton Coins, 100 Base Experience, 1 Special Reward.
Failure Penalty: The apothecary may need more 'collections.'
Enno immediately went back inside. There, in front of the front hall, his teacher was dragging a blood-soaked sack, something inside it still squirming. The teacher's towering height and dark red, pustule-covered body were unmistakable.
A panel instantly appeared in front of Enno.
Berserk Bloodsaw
Race: Frankenstein's Monster
Level: ???
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Combat Ability: Don't even think about messing with him.
Introduction: The owner of Bloodsaw Apothecary in Wraith Alley, skilled in various surgical procedures but also known for his “interesting” side projects…
Enno was taken aback, but his face remained expressionless.
“Teacher, is there anything special I should watch out for while you're gone?” Enno asked. He knew he had to ask; otherwise, he might not live to see another day.
Berserk Bloodsaw hoisted the sack onto his back and croaked, “If they've got money, take it. If they don't, barter for it. If they won't barter, cut 'em up yourself.”
Thud—
A bloodied flensing knife landed in front of Enno.
Ding! You've obtained a special item: Bloodsaw's Flensing Knife x1
Bloodsaw's Flensing Knife
Quality: Fine
Level: ???
Exclusive to: Berserk Bloodsaw (Authorization Granted)
Introduction: A frequently used surgical blade by the owner of Bloodsaw Apothecary, extremely sharp and effective at slicing through flesh and spirits alike. It's said that after using it for a while, you'll just want to keep cutting something…
“Remember,” Berserk Bloodsaw said, shouldering the blood-soaked sack and striding toward the door, “no matter what you hear outside, don't step out of the soul lamp's range. Don't entertain any requests to go out and treat someone. Lock the door and close the windows at night. Kill anyone who tries to get in, and don't respond to anyone calling you.”
Enno nodded, committing his teacher's words to memory.
“Yes, Teacher. Got it.”
With that, the hulking figure of Berserk Bloodsaw quickly disappeared into the thick darkness.
Time passed quickly. Enno began his daily routine, wiping up the blood from the floor, preparing ordinary potions for various ailments, and then sitting behind the counter, holding the flensing knife, eyes closed, waiting for time to pass.
And then, in the next moment—
Knock—knock—knock—
Three knocks came from outside the door.
Enno looked up toward the entrance. There, a dirty little girl stood at the door, holding a doll and gently tapping on the door with her small hand. Her face wore a pitiful expression as she said, “Is the shopkeeper there? My doll's arm is broken. Can you fix my doll?”
Ding! Blood Puppet has assigned you a task: Heal the injured doll. Reward: 50 Skeleton Coins, +50 Surgical Skill Experience, 1 Special Reward.
Enno glanced at the soul lamp's flame outside the door. The chaotic flickering indicated the strength of the visitor. Under the protection of the soul lamp, as long as you didn't invite them in, they couldn't enter. Of course, powerful beings were an exception.
A panel instantly appeared in front of him with the girl's information.
Blood Doll
Level: 5
Race: Flesh Wraith
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
Combat Ability: You can mildly provoke it.
Introduction: Carrying her doll, wandering Wraith Alley, looking for her mom. If anyone tries to take her beloved doll, she'll make them her doll's next meal…
Enno felt a shiver down his spine, but he kept his composure on his face.
“Come in.”
As an assistant in Wraith Alley's apothecary, Enno knew the rules here. As long as you didn't cross their taboos, these wraiths and ghouls weren't necessarily bloodthirsty. Business could still be done.
The girl, looking pitiful, sat down in front of the counter with her doll. Enno glanced at the doll's arm, which had been completely torn off, blood and filth oozing out. It looked like something had bitten it off viciously.
“Doctor, please save my doll. Her arm is gone. I can't find it. She's my favorite doll. If we don't do something, she'll die,” the girl said pitifully. Then, suddenly, her lips twisted back to her ears, revealing a bloodied grin.
“You can definitely save the doll, right? Right, big brother?”
Enno San Value -5
Enno stayed calm, reaching out to examine the doll's torn arm. At that moment, the system's voice sounded in his mind.
Ding! The wound shows signs of being torn by teeth, which preliminarily match the girl's teeth. The blood in her mouth matches the doll's blood. Preliminary diagnosis: the girl ate the doll's arm.
Enno: “???”
This system was indeed impressive, automatically helping him diagnose the situation. If that was the case, then things were simpler.
He glanced at the little girl, ignoring her bloodied smile, and said, “Have you eaten anything recently?”
The girl's bloodied smile instantly disappeared, and she returned to her previous harmless, pitiful look, clasping her hands together.
“I haven't eaten anything in days. I'm starving. But last night in my dream, I did have a big feast.”
She licked her lips and suddenly let out a tinkling laugh.
“It was delicious.”
Creak—creak—
The doll on the table suddenly grinned in the same eerie way as the girl, repeating the same phrase over and over.
“Delicious! Delicious! Hehehehe!”
Enno San Value -10
