Léon: The Cat Killer

Although the person was silent, the faint dark circles under their eyes were deafening... As for whether these dark circles would resemble those of Kal'tsit, that probably depends on whether Medic's action preparation group plan can be successfully launched.

"Getting back to the main point, the biggest factor preventing people from joining Rhodes Island is that they cannot accept the fact that their identity as an infected person is made public, or even that they need to appear in public and work as infected people... Although various branches of Rhodes Island employ infected people, most of them do not disclose their condition, but instead choose to live as ordinary people by relying on the distributed blocking drugs..."

“Even though the salary and benefits offered by Rhodes Island headquarters are more generous than those at the local branches, the mere fact that working at Rhodes Island headquarters requires wearing an Oripathy monitoring ring is unacceptable to them…”

"Huh? How can there be people like this?! Medic, didn't you tell them that Rhodes Island also has normal people? I remember Medic, you don't have Oripathy, right? Didn't you explain that to them?"

"However, among those who rejected Rhodes Island's invitation, there were objections such as, 'If it weren't for Oripathy, why would you be wearing a detector?'"

"This...this is just ridiculous! Working and living in an area with a risk of Oripathy, of course you have to wear a detector, otherwise your condition will worsen..."

Seeing that Huang, the driver, was even more agitated than Medic herself in just a few words, Medic had no choice but to pat her on the shoulder to calm her down and then end the conversation.

"Yes, that's also their biggest obstacle... 'What if I get sick or my condition worsens?'..."

“Currently, many factories like Columbia are recruiting people under the guise of providing preferential treatment to infected workers, but in reality, very few actually do so… Now, Rhodes Island, a company that has just been registered and whose flagship, the landship, is not even finished, what can convince them that we will indeed fulfill our promises… This is how the so-called crisis of trust arises.”

"But these three people are willing to join Rhodes Island."

Sussuro steered the conversation back to their objective. Medic stroked Huang's cat ears with one hand to soothe the angry big cat, while secretly giving Sussuro a thumbs-up with the other... Only then did they realize that Huang, as a member of the action team, was such a sentimental person and could get emotionally agitated so easily when it came to the issue of infected individuals.

It was great that Sussurro was able to change the subject, allowing Medic to continue explaining the background of the mission:

"Yes, they were willing to join us... and the story goes back to about six months ago."

"According to the report from the head of the Letania branch, Stewart and Andercher, who were travelers at the time, encountered an accident above the snow line in the mountains. Their friend, Miss Meryl, who also worked locally, used skis to traverse more than ten kilometers of mountainous terrain... First, she went down the mountain and used all her savings as collateral to rent a car... It was a ski that was almost broken... Then she entered the city where the intercity network was located and finally sought help from Rhode Island by phone."

"The process is said to be quite difficult, after all, the treatment of infected people is very expensive. Many medical institutions hung up the phone as soon as they heard that Meryl was just a scenic spot employee and a member of the ski rescue team. Public hospitals also said they would not accept infected patients... When she found Rhode Island, she was even talking nonsense... like 'I will do anything but please help my friends'... like that."

Sussuruo: "It sounds... so tough..."

Medic: "It's not just what you hear. When the local Rhode Island emergency medical team found her afterward, she had frostbite, fractures, sprains, and multiple abrasions, among other injuries. According to her, she spent five hours rappelling down from the snow line to the car rental shop at the foot of the mountain. Local staff said that the distance would take more than eight hours by car."

"...So, that means he was a very experienced rescue team member... It's admirable that he would go to such lengths for his friends... How are they doing now?"

While Huang was lost in thought, Nana withdrew her hand and turned a page of the document in her hand:

"After six months of treatment, the three of them have recovered from their serious injuries... The two boys' Oripathy condition has been brought under control by the local Rhodes Island squad, while Merry was lucky enough not to have contracted Oripathy."

"But their situation isn't very good right now... because Miss Meryl's way of knocking on doors for help was so conspicuous that the major local businesses and grassroots government officials all know that one of the three of them has Oripathy."

"Those two boys... Let's leave aside Andercher and Stewart, who are tourists. Meryl lost her job at the scenic area because of her flamboyant actions, and the ski rescue team also fired her... Currently, all three of them are in dire financial straits."

"Although the local Rhode Island branch has done everything possible to reduce medical expenses... the medication... especially a six-month supply of Oripathy blockade medication, is clearly not something three young people can afford."

At this point, Medic shrugged helplessly:

"Although Kal'tsit told me... not to treat the reserve action group plan as a rescue rather than a recruitment effort, with the goal of achieving something... the truth is, currently, only those with no other options are willing to enter Rhodes Island."

"Once the landship is officially completed, and with the 'face' of this top-tier company, I'll probably be able to do even more... For now, let's take those two patients and that brave young lady back to the island. Frankly, having an office with only five people handle three critically ill patients, two of whom are Oripathy patients... is clearly too much of a burden."

Seeing that the atmosphere inside the car had visibly improved, Medic turned to another page of the document in his hand: Age

"Now that we've covered the situation in Letania, let's talk about ourselves... The three people we're transferring are seriously injured patients who have been recuperating for six months. Two are men suffering from Oripathy, and one is a woman whose cast was recently removed... We can confirm that they have basic mobility, but what's more worrying is their mental state... Sussuro, when we were making rounds together before, you seemed to always have a stern, expressionless face? Why don't you try showing some of your approachability?"

Medic's words startled the pink-haired fox, and then Susuluo quickly shook her head and waved her hand in refusal: "Chess..."

"No, no! I look young, and if I don't have a serious expression, I'll completely lack the composure a doctor should have... I'm not a medic; you can tell how skilled a surgeon is just by looking at me..."

"Hmm...then Huang..."

Just as Medic suggested having Huang approach the ship to build rapport, she immediately recalled Huang's overly enthusiastic displays of affection when she first boarded. The "cat killer" was worried that having Huang go might backfire, as her constant and overly enthusiastic nature could be counterproductive.

After all, for someone who is worried about their surroundings, excessive enthusiasm is like a raging fire that will burn them... Thinking of this, Nana suddenly remembered the cold treatment she received from Kal'tsit when she first arrived at Rhodes Island.

Was she also considering this possibility when she placed herself in the relatively quiet medical area and allowed herself to linger beside the kitten?

Shaking his head, Medic focused his attention back on the current task:

"Forget it, I'll do it myself... Besides, I'm not infected, so this way I can demonstrate the company's strategies and policies regarding the infected..."

"Medic, are you sure you can handle this? Don't come in all formal and businesslike right away. It wouldn't be good if a newbie like us misunderstood..."

Hearing Huang's questioning, Medic, who had remained expressionless, took out a hand mirror from her bag, lightly touched up her eyes and cheeks with a makeup brush, then closed the mirror and looked at Huang with a business-like smile in the rearview mirror: a

"How could that be? I'm so enthusiastic and know how to keep things in line... As for my professional skills, I'm top-notch in Leidenson City... How about it, don't I seem much more approachable now?"

When Medic made a V-sign at the corner of her eye, Susuluo seemed quite interested in Medic's makeup technique, while Huang, who had little experience with such things and no particular feelings about them, remained inexplicably silent for a moment.

"Flirtatious...it feels a bit disgusting. Can you go back to being the quiet but reliable Medic you used to be?"

"...I just wore eyeliner to make my smile more infectious...This is standard makeup for business events."

Despite saying that, seeing Huang's discomfort, Medic still took out a wet wipe and wiped her face, then reapplied skincare products.

"In short, it seems the communication work will fall to me... Sussuro will act as the accompanying doctor to ensure the newcomers' condition and to take care of themselves... Huang, your role in the team is a protector, so I won't go into the basics like remembering to keep your weapon with you..."

"Most importantly, you can have doubts about my judgment, but we can discuss explanations afterward. My orders must be carried out thoroughly... Accordingly, I will be responsible for your safety and the mission itself during this mission... I still reserve the right for you to complain to Kal'tsit about me afterward... But if you have any objections to my command as captain now, you'd better raise them now."

Sussurro: "...So formal...Is this what a Columbia agents are like?"

Huang: "'I will be responsible for your safety'... Ah~ Medic, you really are the type who says weird, cool lines when no one's looking... I'm going to fall for you, little cat~"

"Because I have indeed experienced leading an unruly team... and the outcome of that mission was regrettable..."

"Oh! It's a spy story? What happened in the end? (The rest of the text appears to be gibberish and unrelated to the story.)"

Seeing the gleam in Sussuruo's eyes, Medic helplessly shrugged:

"It has to be kept secret... but in general, it's a story about a crisis of trust caused by mutual distrust... which allowed the enemy to exploit the loopholes, almost causing the mission to fail."

Huang: "So, how do Susuluo and I compare to your teammates from that time?"

Seeing that Huang seemed quite concerned about whether she trusted him, Medic smiled slightly again. Unlike the professional smile created by makeup, this time the cat killer's smile didn't strike Huang as strange.

"Of course, I trust you..."

After all, in the eyes of the girls, Rhodes Island is essentially very simple.

Aside from Rhodes Island, what other organization would take in victims of politically charged tech companies and disabled agents... and what other organization would genuinely treat Oripathy and provide care for patients at a loss of three doses?

"Well then... my trusted friends, let me finish out the action plan. To enter Letania as quickly as possible, we'll take turns driving today... Once we get to the city, we'll rest briefly, then pick up the staff and return to our ship... Is there anything you feel is inappropriate?"

""No!""

"Then, Huang, speed up!"

P.S.: This is the part I wrote half yesterday and half today... I'll continue writing later... It's still early, I won't fall asleep again!

The Mystery of Medic 2: Episode 034 - Matilda's Melancholy

Matilda felt she no longer had anything to fear.

Little Felin made friends with peers in her new place, and with Amiya's encouragement and guidance, she made many new friends... However, her new friends all had very strange attitudes toward her family.

Her father, who had been away from home, has now returned to her side, and his strong arms will help her defeat all her enemies.

Her older brothers, who had become estranged from her when she started school, returned to her side. Their arms, just like when she was a child, protected her at all times, shielding her from view.

My mother, who had been working overtime, returned to my side. She led me forward by the hand, and when necessary, she would pick me up to help me overcome dangers or obstacles. The touch and temperature were exactly the same as I remembered.

My sister, who had supposedly disappeared while I was preparing for exams, returned to my side. It felt like when my sister would clean my ears when I was little. When my sister's hands covered my ears, the connection between me and my family became incredibly clear...

Although things are different now, Matilda has to wait for her older sister Nana to be by her side to talk to her family... but her family is still with her, so Matilda's life doesn't seem to have changed much...

No, perhaps there are still some changes.

Now it seems that all the decisions need to be made by Matilda herself.

Once Nana is not around, it means that everyone who can guide me is not around.

Matilda was not afraid of the silence around her, but she was still uneasy.

……

Opening her eyes, Kal'tsit, unlike Medic who always adjusts the bedside lamp to a dim yellow for the kitten, prefers a bright and shadowless treatment room.

She thought that a bright environment would reduce the child's wariness of an unfamiliar room, but she didn't expect that the lighting, similar to that of the Loken Water Tank Laboratory, would lower Matilda's mood to a certain level from the very beginning.

Fortunately, the kitten's thoughts were connected with Amiya's... The two little ones, close in age, shared joy and endured sorrow together. With the silent comfort of the rabbit who followed Kal'tsit, the kitten didn't scratch at the ceiling light strip with her tiny paws that could sweep up an entire floor of the landship in one blow.

Instead, the cat covered its face with its paws:

"...So dazzling...Lin Yiwu kicked his dad..."

"Is that so... I'm sorry, but when the light illuminating the darkness is too harsh, even a warm flame can burn... just like the technology you possess... it appears on this land in its worst possible form..."

Shaking her head, Kal'tsit categorized the data while speaking to the two little ones beside her:

"The Loken Williams I know is not a short-sighted or ruthless person... but he still made this... infamous choice... it's regrettable."

“Loken Williams… I know that name… Nana and my family told me not to think about him, but he keeps appearing in my memory… It’s a very painful memory, even in my dreams, I can clearly feel the sensation of those machines cutting my brother and myself apart…”

In just a moment, the kitten's tail fur, dried by the heater, visibly bristled. The girl clenched her fist, and the electric current generated by her telekinesis crackled. An invisible hand in the air clenched its fist, and the compressed air triggered the monitoring alarm... But Kal'tsit had casually turned them off while collecting data. Only Amiya comforted the kitten by hugging it, and the pressure in the air instantly vanished.

“I will make him feel that pain… To let bad people know how bad they have done, they have to feel pain… at least as much pain as we have.”

After wiping the developing gel off her body, the naked kitten raised her hands for Amiya to put her clothes on. This interaction reminded her of Cole... but floating herself up with her mother's hands didn't allow her to hear her mother's voice.

So the kitten looked around and then pursed its lips slightly:

"Where is Sister Nana?"

“Medic has gone to carry out her own plan... If she succeeds, she will come back and bring you new friends.”

“…New friends? I don’t want new friends, I want Nana-neechan…I already have Amiya as a friend, so it doesn’t matter if I don’t have new friends…Please let Nana-neechan come back…Mom and Dad’s voices are on Nana-neechan’s side.”

Seeing the kitten stubbornly wanting Medic back, Kal'tsit and Amiya exchanged a glance. The latter's eyes were full of helplessness, while Kal'tsit's eyes... were filled with exhaustion and resignation.

Kal'tsit originally thought that Amiya's presence could alleviate the kitten's unhealthy dependence on Medic... after all, the two little ones had gotten along so well in the previous few days.

However, the other party's reaction finally confirmed one thing for Emerald Feline: the Rhodes Island Black and White Cats' undead game was clearly not as simple as she had thought... just a mental problem.

However, when Williams was mentioned alone with the kitten, the little guy's almost overflowing aggression was different... When Medic was mentioned, not only did her abnormal mental fluctuations disappear, but even the special brainwaves that represented the activation of mental chains and telekinesis became calm.

It seems that Medic is Matilda's personal tranquilizer; even just mentioning it verbally is enough to eliminate most of the kitten's mental problems.

This trait seems to have a certain convergence with Medic's condition in Kal'tsit's medical records.

Both rely on each other for support in their lives. Medic was able to stabilize his mind through the kitten and start working like a normal person... So, given that the reverse is also true, does it mean that he can use simple rhetoric to keep both dangerous individuals safe at the same time?

Thinking this through, Kal'tsit held the medical record, pondering her words:

"...Matilda, do you know what happened to you?"

"I know, it hurts, it's bad... experiment... something terrible for me."

"This incident was terrible for Medic...and for Nana too...You might first think of the eye you accidentally injured at the end of the incident, but it was actually a glimpse into Nana's psychological problems."

"Heart? My sister seems to have mentioned something similar..."

Seeing Matilda's worried eyes, Kal'tsit, though unaware of who the 'sister' the kitten was referring to was, felt she had found the right direction to address the black and white kitten's mental health issues.

Whether it's Williams' experimental creations or the killing machine that woman created through law and witchcraft... either of them, taken individually, are heavyweights that cannot be ignored on this land.

If the two women operate independently, the aftermath of the Loken tank incident will be very difficult to resolve.

But now the two share a similar concern for each other... Kal'tsit can use this as a basis to anchor the two 'children' with monstrous abilities to each other emotionally... allowing them to at least become 'human'.

"Your spell has a mind chain effect, can you feel it? Nana is actually in a lot of pain..."

When asked about Kal'tsit, the kitten, who had no verbal instructions from her 'family,' could only shake its head. Matilda nervously fidgeted with her fingers, her voice low:

“When I’m with Nana-neechan, the voices of my family all come out at the same time… That’s… a peaceful time that only comes at night every day… I… never really paid much attention to Nana-neechan…”

"So... that wasn't your imagination after all... but rather a kind of 'dead soul' constructed using magic..."

With another sigh, Kal'tsit felt things had become even more complicated. Fortunately, the idea of ​​using Medic to calm the kitten down still held true.

“It’s normal that you didn’t feel it… because according to Nana’s medical report, she has a constitution that cuts off emotions and thoughts… what you can feel from her is probably the feedback of the thoughts of your family’s dead souls that she ‘stores’… so when you are close to Nana, you feel familiar and feel that your family is still by your side… there’s nothing wrong with that, and I don’t mean to blame you… but, Matilda, have you thought about the kind of harm you are causing Nana…”

"Hurtrate? Me... to Nana-neechan? How could I hurt her?"

Seeing Amiya gently hold the kitten's hand in comfort, Kal'tsit chose to ruthlessly expose Nana's hidden feelings for the child:

"Let's start by talking about the eye injury you left on Nana... In my opinion, although it was an accident... she probably gave up trying to dodge, which is why she was injured... Otherwise, based on my understanding of her, a child who has just gained unfamiliar powers, no matter how hard she tries, cannot be hurt."

“Matilda, I’m going to teach you a psychological concept called survivor syndrome… which refers to the guilt that survivors of a tragedy feel towards the dead.”

"And Nana, she has been dwelling on the deaths of your mother and sister... who were her only friends and the first to treat her kindly... Nana felt that their deaths were her responsibility... and as a result, she turned raising you into a shackle on herself."

Matilda: "...I...have I become...a burden to Nana-neechan?"

Seeing that the emotional buildup was almost complete, Kal'tsit scribbled a few lines on the medical record and continued:

"You don't have to be... Ultimately, a living person should look like a living person... Of course, you can communicate with the dead through Nana, as if they are still alive by your side... But right now, your guardian is actually Nana, the Rhodes Island operator 'Medic'... Everything about her is being shattered by that guilt, and she is forcibly pouring it onto you..."

"If this kind of distorted emotion were placed on an ordinary child, it wouldn't be a big deal if it resulted in a spoiled and dissolute individual... But in the end, Matilda, you are not an ordinary person."