V2 Chapter 178

The Harpy would recover as quickly as imagined if the hole on her stomach was closed, as the Healing Potion will do the rest. Although she can just drink another Healing Potion to quicken her recovery speed, that is actually not advisable.

Aside from the fact that Cian was reluctant to waste another Healing Potion, drinking more than one Healing Potion simultaneously could become detrimental.

Healing Potions are, in a sense, dangerous poisons so to speak.

They have materials and ingredients that are extremely aggressive in nature and were only able to neutralize using other materials. Softening them down, one can harness a magical attribute to quicken the healing process while receiving no side effects. However, if this aggressive nature was awakened, it would become a poison instead!

Because of that, to adventurers, its common practice to drink another Healing Potion only after twenty to thirty minutes had passed after drinking the previous one. That’s the shortest amount of time taken for the healing potion to be completely absorbed. And that’s already too fast, with small chances of the user to unluckily experience side effects such as dizziness and nausea.

"Now, since the healing potion would do the rest, all I need to do now is to close her wounds to avoid bleeding her to death. Though, if only I know some healing magic, this would not be necessary... a pity I don't have such convenient abilities..."

While thinking such things, Cian took out a small box filled with varying sizes of pins from inside his storage ring. Then, he took out the smallest-sized pin among the others. The small pin looked like a surgical needle, with an appearance that was almost similar to a fish-hook. He pinches it with his thumb and index finger and pulled out a seemingly never-ending thread that glows a crimson light from within the tip of his index finger.

[Magic Suture].

By using this Magic technique, Cian could create threads that allow him to sew up open wounds and reattached severed limbs and body parts in a very short amount of time. In fact, he had used them on many occasions aside from attaching Chimeric Body Parts, such as closing wounds, attaching limbs and severed parts of his servants under the [Garden of Eden] whenever they were fatally injured in missions.

Because of his mother’s influence and teaching back in the previous life, Cian was quite proficient in surgery and other medical operations. Though he doesn't have the best tools, he can still replicate the procedures and showcase his incredible knowledge in medicine.

“H, hey,” suddenly, seeing what Cian was doing, the strange Harpy that had clung to him a while ago while crying, suddenly walks over and asked with a doubtful expression.

“Hm?” he responded, though without averting his eyes from what he was doing.

“Wh, what are you doing? Why do you have that…small, fishhook-like thing?”

“It’s a surgical needle."

"Su, Suwgical ne, edle? What's that?"

"You don't need to know. Just relax! This will be over soon."

"But..."

"Your friend is not yet safe. If the wound on her body is not closed, she would die from blood loss. This is a difficult operation, so if you want her to live, then don’t disturb me,” Cian muttered ad explained no more.

He look at the surgical needle, he specifically made. It was so small because it has to be able to sew blood vessels together.

Sutures and stitches were a fundamental medical skill. The quality and shapes of these tools used to sew up injuries in the human body were constantly being refined and improved upon every day back in the Modern world of Earth. And now, he had carried all of that refined knowledge into this world.

The needle in his hand had been used throughout all of the medical histories of the modern world and honed into its current shape. Not only that, but it was a high-quality item as well- small, light but sturdy and can conduct magic extremely well. It was a surgical magical needle created by Cian under his serious instruction and was made from a very high-grade material, which assured him of its quality.

As a nurtured hitman to become the best, he was taught to be proficient in everything, including arts and medicine, most especially to human biology.

Looking at the open wound, he immediately understands what he needed to do. Since he was just closing the flesh wound anyway, it is much easier than creating Chimera, and stitching body parts, that needed accurate precision to connect even blood vessels together.

With his skill, Cian didn’t have any problems fixing this kind of wound and would be done in no time. After that, he can only leave it to the healing potion to do its best, as well, as the patient's will power and luck.

The crimson magical thread made from his own magic gleamed brightly, and Cian started his surgical operation to save the life of the dying Harpy.

"Now then, shall we begin..."

Dexterously handling the surgical needle, Cian immediately began stitching, starting with the internal tissue. His hands blurred due to how fast he was moving, that even the Harpies who were worried about what he was doing could only watch the scene aghast.

Cian seemed to have grown several arms as the magical thread that was shining brightly danced in the air.

Truthfully, this would have been a very painful operation. Extremely painful enough that might even cause a nervous breakdown on the Harpy. However, Cian had made her drink the yellow potion. That yellow potion was made by him personally from various herbal extracts, having a numbing anesthetic effect and sleepiness that would knock down anyone who drunk it for almost a day.

According to effects, it could be graded between first and second grade, though since there’s no proper measurement, it was not very accurate. Anyway, even Sibylla praised Cian’s creation due to its numbing effect that erases the pain. Now, Sibylla placed it on her list of potions to make regularly as she was certain of its uses. In fact, among potions sold by their company, the Anesthetic Potion was among the best sellers.

Ever since it was brought out to the public, many people have learned and discovered many uses for it- ironically, however, most of it was not aligned with medical operations like it was intended, and instead, used mostly to take lives.

"...their anatomy looks almost exactly like humans, from organs to skeletal structure. But as expected, the density and weight of their bones are different. Fascinating...but still,"

Cian stared at his hands that were stained in blood after the operation was done. However, he suddenly felt somewhat strange. Of course not because of the blood. However, it was the meaning behind it. His hands are normally tainted with blood. In fact, many lives have been lost because of this. But now, at this moment, his hands are indeed once again covered by blood, but not because he took a life, rather he saves one instead.

It’s a very weird feeling, alright.

He never cared about this before, but after entering that Holy Land, Cian realized that he seemed to have started becoming conscious about this kind of thing before.

Is this what mom was always telling me before…? The ironic but satisfied feelings of saving a life, completely different from normal.

The emotion that seemed to tell you the true meaning of life…

Not the meaning of death.

“Is, is she okay?”

The harpy walked over again and asked.

Cian smiled faintly, though somewhat stiff.

“Yeah, she should be. Now, the Healing Potion should be able to do the rest, There’s no hidden danger of her dying in blood loss, either. There’s no threat to her life now. The operation is a success,”

With those words, the three harpies once again cried out in happiness and relief, while the one who was always approaching him even jumped into his chest. Cian frowned but listening to her constant ‘thank you’ he shrugged his shoulders and let her be.

He had really gone soft, did he?

After a while of rest, finally while cleaning his hands from the blood, Cian was able to hear the situation from the Harpies. At first, the three Harpies couldn’t calm down for a while due to the happiness of surviving and the fact that their sister was also able to make it through alive as well. To this, they were extremely thankful to Cian and even prostrated in front of him, making him somewhat uncomfortable.

Then, once again they mourned when they look at the other harpies that had died before Cian had appeared. It seems like, rather than just four of them, they seemed to be in a group of less than ten. However, they were suddenly attacked, and most Harpies fought, but fell in the end, now leaving four of them.

While listening to their situation, since they are also injured, albeit not as grave as the other one, Cian healed the three Harpies using Grade 1 and 2 Healing Potion. He deemed it enough for their condition. Truthfully, he wanted a piece of the corpses and see if he could obtain useful abilities, but seeing the state of the girls’ corpse and the mentally unstable Harpies, he could only sigh.

It would be a shock for them if he actually ate their sisters in front of them.

He wasn’t that insensitive.

At least...not, in the current him.

While listening to their circumstances, Cian was led to the Harpies Lair—still, aren’t these idiots too trusting? Such thoughts appeared inside his mind. Just because he save them and asked for their village, they immediately led them towards it happily.

These guys are idiots…

What would they do if Cian was a bad guy?

That would surely be the end of them all!

It would be like inviting a hungry wolf into a herd of sheep.

Cian didn’t know whether to describe their actions as naïve or foolish. They already had trouble surviving and yet they still easily trust a stranger and even led them to their tribe.

No, maybe it could be described as kindness…?

Having the heart to trust and respect those who saved them?

Sadly, such a thing was far distant from me…

This kind of world did not need unnecessary kindness, they would only harm themselves in possessing it. To him, it’s utterly not normal to put yourself in such a compromising position. Excessive, and foolish kindness can only be said as vulnerability and weakness, and are punishable by death.

Only the strong survive here.

Cian became silent, but his heart was languishing into a spiral of lamentation.

If it was other people, they would surely not do something reckless as this. They might even wonder if he had some ill motives for saving them. But it seems like these guys are too good to be true, or just foolishly naïve and ignorant.

… … …

Winter Mountain: Demon City of Okmahun.

Winter Palace.

The visitors poured through the castle gates in a river of gold and silver and polished steel—over three hundred strong, a pride of demon elites and soldiers, varying appearances that of different tribes, with bulky bodies and titanic muscles. Some wore armors; some did not, displaying the pride of their very own naked visage.

Over their heads, a dozen golden banners whipped back and forth in the northern wind, emblazoned with the snowflakes and sword of ice that is the infamous symbol of the Princess of Ice. The symbol of freezing fear that terrorizes the mountain regions of the Winter Mountain.

A sight to behold as they marched through with growls and groans of different magical beasts and monsters, most mount by horrible looking demi-humans.

Ruka knew many of the riders.

There came the Mistress of the Avidhorn Family with hair as black and captivating as raven’s feather, and there Nedia Bornhusky with her terribly burned face but eyes still as fierce as a hawk and preying eagles. Despite the terrible burn of her left face, she rode on her mount with pride and dignity that cannot be seen on ordinary women. Blood and death stench emanated from her body as if she has always bathed herself in blood and corpses.

Though, the rumors had confirmed such an impression.

Nedia Bornhusky, Marelys Avidhorn’s fiercest sword, and spear, her right hand that aided her to win many wars and battles. She was the Marquise loyal and most trusted General. Cold and Bloodthirsty, she came from a strange human-like race that lived in the deep of the Winter Mountain—cannibals that eat humans, demons, and monsters alike, and was known and hated by humans as Demon Worshippers.

They have the strange enhanced physical strength that no ordinary humans could ever compare and battle craze almost bordered insanity.

Many people called them Barbarians, Freaks of Nature, or Beasts of Battlefield.

And Nedia Bornhusky, she was what you call a thorough predator.

She bathed in a pool of blood and cut flesh of her enemies as if it was natural, and eats their flesh and drink their blood raw. Among demons and demi-humans, you can say she was a thorough Demon and Monster. However, she was as fierce as a berserker on the battlefield.

Humans feared her, and just the sight of her alone was enough to make them tremble.

Looking at the other side, there, one can see the other new rising star on the battlefield; Sayrash Stormblade, following behind them.

Ruka’s eyes narrowed. She surely had changed after a few weeks of not seeing her. Her first impression on the new her; she was stunning. Her second impression: she was trying very hard to minimize her looks.

Pale grey hair that was almost the same as her beloved Master’s hair color, tied in a simple ponytail. Fresh, creamy skin, a few adorable freckles, oversized wolf ears at the top of her head, and cat-like brown eyes. Wearing a light blue armor she sat straight on her mount, appearing all battle-hardened.

Last time Ruka saw her she still has some immaturity in her expression and eyes. But now, after joining the war at the newly conquered trading City, experience and maturity colored her features, causing it to be even sharper than before. Though, not as terrifying as Nedia Bornhusky, she was now like a fully matured wolf that had tasted blood and gotten used to drinking it.

War indeed can change people.

Seemingly sensing the observing gaze, Sayrash Stormblade turned towards the source and saw Ruka’s sharp cat eyes looking at her, her eyes narrowed. Her mouth opened slightly, revealing her long canines hiding behind those pink, sweetly shaped lips. Her hands gripped the sword’s hilt hanging on her waist.

No doubt, she meant to intimidate the foolish servant who seemed to have dared to eye her with a scrutinizing glare. However, when she seemed to be about to lash out, in anger—her eyes widened in sudden realization.

Ruka was not the least bit unperturbed.

Even if Sayrash suddenly lashes out at her in anger, wanting to punish her for foolish action, she was not afraid.

Someone is standing behind her, and even if ‘he’ was not present, the arms she had longed for every night to embrace her, to hold her, seemed to be all around her always.

The arms that gave her absolute sense of security, and therefore, she was never afraid of her life.

No one can bully her, even if they are nobles, even if it is Sayrash Stormblade who had possessed strange hostility against her beloved Master.

And so, unlike many servants and soldiers in the place, she stood tall with indifferent confidence.