The Gentleman at the End

Chapter 57: Chapter 56: Incident

The clinic’s front yard and the external mountain forests showed only slight signs of grayification with no signs of any living creatures.

Both of them temporarily hid under a broken tree in the front yard,

observing the main building of the clinic cloaked in moonlight and emitting a constant flow of gray streams on its surface.

It was as if the moon were a spotlight with the clinic as its primary target for illumination.

After a period of observation, Yi Chen spoke quietly about his confusion.

“The longer we observe, the more alien this clinic bathed in moonlight seems, becoming unrecognizable from the one we explored during the day… It seems to grow larger, more profound, and there’s an indescribable sense of incongruity.”

Edmund immediately added a line, “Activity, is that it?”

“Exactly, that’s the feeling… It’s as if the entire building is gradually awakening, like it’s a living creature. If we were to walk in through the front door, it would be like entering the insides of a monster.”

Edmund briefly explained:

“That’s the effect of grayification.

Legend has it that in the fully formed Gray Domains, landscapes and structures or even human-built edifices undergo drastic transformations, sometimes manifesting areas that defy all logic.

These areas act like living organisms, they undulate, crawl, and might even devour all intruders.

The grayification inside the clinic is already severe, and I estimate that in less than a week, this place will officially become a Thin Gray Domain.”

Hearing this explanation, Yi Chen became even more puzzled.

“I have a question… There were no signs of grayification when we came during the day.

Why has it reached such a degree come nighttime? Was there no transition period?”

However,

This question also plagued Edmund, who had been thinking throughout their time observing under the tree.

He bit his nails, making a bold guess:

“Logically, grayification shouldn’t be intermittent.

This level of grayification definitely didn’t just happen; it’s been at least seven days.

I suspect it has something to do with the ‘moon’… Maybe the appearance of the moon has brought us into a ‘Same Space’.”

This conjecture reminded Yi Chen of a game setting from his previous world,

“An inner and outer world?

Is there a possibility that only the two of us are affected by the moonlight, thus being pulled ‘inside’?

Perhaps Dagbert and Miss Anna remain unaffected, still on the ‘surface’?

That could explain the sudden disappearances.”

As he entertained this increasingly likely speculation, Edmund’s expression turned grim.

“If that’s really the case, we may likely die here.

An entity that can create ‘Same Spaces’, bearing traits of the moon, is at the least a Severe Patient, possibly even close to an Open Source… and belongs to a major figure from an unresolved ‘False Moon event’.”

Just then,

Little Grapes suddenly popped out, waving its hands excitedly!

“How interesting~ With this, perhaps we could find ‘Moon Grapes’ to eat! You guys better strive hard, earnestly search for the creator of this ‘moon’.

I highly approve of your speculation.”

Little Grapes’s somewhat humorous language somewhat eased the tense atmosphere,

Following this line of speculation, Yi Chen continued to raise his own doubts.

“If there really is such a powerful being, when we were inside the clinic and just now on the rooftop killing the patient, he could have easily come out and killed us.

Actually, nothing appeared,

The matter concerning the ‘Same Space’ is still just our speculation,

Of course! If there really are two overlapping spaces, perhaps the ‘forgotten secret medicine’ is on this side as well.

Let’s go check inside the clinic.”

“Hmm~ But, we must be cautious! Once we gather enough clues to prove there’s a terrifying existence far stronger than us behind the clinic, we’ll immediately terminate the mission and rush to the carriage meeting point.”

“Hmm.”

The two set out,

quietly approaching the main building’s front door, using the isolation and concealment provided by their apparel.

Yi Chen led the way, with Edmund following behind,

It is worth noting,

Although moonlight could cast into the interior of the clinic, providing enough brightness. @@novelbin@@

the two still lit their kerosene lamps,

The firelight not only dispelled the darkness but also warded off the somewhat peculiar ‘Moonlight’.

As they stepped into the lobby,

both were stunned, seeming unable to accept the scene before them.

[Grayification]

The transformation occurring inside the clinic far exceeded their imaginations.

1. Small holes and abscess tissues appeared on the surface of the walls, with liquid constantly flowing out from them.

2. Opposite, what should have been a broken elevator was fully repaired, only it had been painted blood-red, and, combined with the interior lighting, it resembled a gaping, blood-red mouth, waiting for prey to enter.

3. Behind the counter sat a [nurse], dressed in a clean nurse’s uniform and white cap, except her face was wrapped in bandages.

Ticking~

Blood continued to ooze from between the bandages, forming a ‘mouth of blood’.

This nurse had no fingernails, instead, fine needles protruded from the tips of her fingers.

Creaking~ in a very rhythmic manner, scraping the tabletop, and making an unbearably screeching noise.

Upon seeing this, Yi Chen and Edmund simultaneously drew their weapons and approached the counter.

Just then

the nurse suddenly spoke, and more blood seeped out from the bandages around her mouth:

“Welcome to the [Moonlight Clinic], I’ve been waiting for you here for a long time.

You were able to calmly and decisively avoid Dr. Marin’s rounds and later kill Dr. Francisco on the rooftop… Your agility and bravery have been recognized by Mr. Lee.

As the person in charge of the Moonlight Clinic, he would like to meet you, has some matters to discuss in person, and might even offer you some special rewards.

If you refuse to meet,

you will be forever trapped in the [Moonlight Space] created by Mr. Lee, who is the closest entity to the ‘Moon Scar’.

Also, our clinic will deploy all its staff to relentlessly hunt you down… until we deprive you of your mobility and then perform a full-body transformation surgery on you.”

While Edmund was still hesitating,

Yi Chen gently placed his hand on his shoulder, whispering:

“Our suspicion was correct, an existence suspected to be a [Severe Patient] has created this Same Space. For some unknown reason, we were drawn here.

The nurse’s words just now are enough to show they have known about our movements from the start,

They chose to test our strength instead of killing us outright… this clearly indicates they have a certain ‘need’ for us.

Choosing to ‘meet’ is our only chance of survival,

I have experience in interacting and cooperating with Patients; let me handle this ‘meeting’.”

“Okay…”

With no better option, Edmund could only harden his resolve and agree.

Yi Chen stepped forward, casually resting his arm on the counter, casting a look at the nurse.

“Please lead the way.”

“Alright, please follow me.”

The nurse limped into the elevator bathed in deep red light.

The elevator’s right side panel was covered with buttons in the form of flesh bumps, all marked with negative numbers.