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墨書 Inktalez
After hearing Old Expert, a group of people quickly walked in through the door.
Although there had never been any exceptions during the surgery, Old Expert still wanted to maintain a facade of composure in front of Miki. Moreover, performing brain surgery was not something that could be easily learned by mere observation.
"Alright, let's get started. First, we need to administer general anesthesia at three times the dosage for an average person," Old Expert instructed.
The accompanying doctors nodded in agreement, following Old Expert's lead as they began to inject the medication into the patient little by little.
As the effects of the drug took hold, the eyes of the person lying on the bed gradually closed heavily, prompting everyone to take a deep breath.
The next phase of the medical procedure was crucial, and each doctor began to diligently focus on their responsibilities.
"Okay," after an hour had passed, Old Expert and the others were exhausted. The process of Pons Varolii Disconnection Surgery could be quite complex, but these doctors had performed it dozens of times, making them somewhat familiar with it. However, each time required immense effort, and the costs associated with such conditions were proportional to the risks involved.
Although there was a possibility of complications arising after the procedure, such as the patient experiencing brain stiffness or adverse reactions, these issues were evident in corresponding patients. It was impossible for unexpected events not to occur.
At most, they would refund a small portion of the transaction after reaching an agreement, but even so, they would never suffer a loss.
The Pons Varolii Disconnection Surgery was nearly complete; their opened skulls were slowly closing up. By this time, they all let out a sigh of relief. Such work could only be experienced about ten times a year.
However, every instance brought unexpected situations that could catch them off guard. Even minor oversights could lead to permanent harm to the patient's safety.
Yet, going through those ten or so surgeries in a year was not something that could be taken lightly; sometimes a single operation could last over four hours.
The doctors, seasoned veterans in their field, successfully completed the Pons Varolii Disconnection Surgery within a remarkably short time frame.
The longer the procedure dragged on, the greater the potential impact on the patient's health. Anesthesia, even when applied to the nervous system, can have adverse effects; thus, prolonged general anesthesia was not an option. This placed a strict time limit on the surgery, and the mental toll was also inevitable.
"The surgery is over."
The Old Expert emerged from the ward with a sense of finality, as if unveiling a curtain.
"How did it go?" Miki asked.
"The situation is good. He should awaken in about a week. However, this may not pose any issues for him. After awakening, there might be a period of blankness during which he may struggle to adapt. We have severed a small part of his brain that governs thought processes. He may still think afterward, but it won't manifest as excessive personalities like before. His personality has stabilized now; he still exhibits the same quiet symptoms. I’m not sure if it’s depression, but we need to see if this depression will hinder his return to being an ordinary person," the Old Expert explained.
"I understand. I'll take it from here. Thank you for your help," Miki said with gratitude.
"You're welcome. To be honest, I have quite an affection for you. So, would you be interested in being my private pilot for a candlelit dinner while flying?" The Old Expert's tone shifted to one of flirtation as he eagerly responded.
Miki hesitated for a moment, seemingly reminded of more pressing matters that needed her attention. After a brief pause, she smiled and replied, "I'm sorry, sir, but I already have a husband and a young son whom I love dearly. If this is about work, I'd be happy to join you for dinner, but..." In truth, Miki's words were sincere; she did have a husband who had been taken by the war and had not been heard from since—likely dead—and her child had been sent to live with her mother in a more remote area for safety.
She remained loyal to her husband and devoted to her family, even in death.
As a qualified mother, she was determined to raise her child under the rights of a legitimate citizen.
Hearing Miki's rejection deeply touched the Old Expert's heart. Though it was merely his unrequited affection, it was indeed genuine.
"Oh? If that's the case, then so be it, hahaha~" The Old Expert used an awkward smile to ease the tension in the air. Indeed, if this had happened at another time or with different people, he might have lost his temper, especially given his authority in the medical field, where he had no need to be polite to others.
This romance had come quickly and left just as swiftly.
When Colonel Sam heard that the surgery was over and rushed over to prepare for a celebration, the Old Expert found it impossible to feel happy. He sat alone in a corner of the banquet hall, silent and merely eating, avoiding eye contact with the crowd.
By the end of the banquet, the Military Department had arranged a helicopter to ensure their safe departure.
The Pons Varolii Disconnection Surgery was completed, but nothing could lift his spirits.
Freyr was once again placed in a regular ward for observation. During this time, he had completely immersed himself in his room, shutting himself away from the world. Even meals were administered through fluids; otherwise, he truly might not have been able to eat anything at all.
As for Miki's psychological treatment, it was gradually showing some effects.
Compared to before, he had begun to change slowly.
It wasn't realistic to expect a complete transformation of character overnight, and he did not reject hypnosis as a means of help.
Although there was a desire to assist him in confronting the deep-seated fears within his memories, there was also concern that he might react too strongly and develop an aversion to hypnosis. Thus, this part of the experiment had to proceed step by step.
Outside, people were unaware that Freyr had shown signs of improvement; they didn't even know that he had fallen ill once after returning. Clearly, information was being kept tightly sealed.
A long period of time passed once again.
The construction of the city's conical structures had basically come to a halt, extending four months longer than anticipated, during which new Engineers continuously joined the project.
This new city offered many new resources, particularly addressing the ever-pressing concern of food for humanity. With this new territory, there was now a temporary ability for self-sufficiency.
Especially for ordinary civilians, their rights had seen a significant enhancement through the development of the new city, as well as the integration with plants and food sources.
As for the rights of citizens, the increase was even more substantial. After all, they had endured numerous battles in the past and had spent considerable time on the brink of death; thus, this could be seen as a privilege for them. It was time they enjoyed some peace.
Freyr's situation had also stabilized. He was now able to engage in pleasant conversations with others, and the effects of his surgery were no longer noticeable.
At this moment, he had transitioned from being a warrior back to an ordinary citizen.
Of course, he was not lacking in money; he was supported by a large family. However, the Human Government still symbolically granted him the privileges of citizenship.
With these privileges, he caused quite a stir locally.
In addition to receiving significantly better meals than before and having all his expenses covered by the Human Government when going out, he enjoyed the highest level of access to all public places—everything was free for him.
This was not merely a privilege bestowed by the Human Government; even ordinary public schools and society were willing to offer him decent job opportunities with good benefits.
Freyr was no longer a warrior. He had briefly lost all the glory he once possessed, and he had even forgotten the memories of his past life and rebirth.
That memory was gone, the scars had faded, and he seemed to be living better than before.
Moreover, the Hunter Association seemed to have made a final decision: they would indefinitely allow him to roam free, without revoking any of his qualifications or honors.
His team, the Soldier-Level Hunter Team, would not be disbanded either.
However, they hoped for another opportunity to embark on missions with such a courageous and daring individual.
The last mission had resulted in significant losses for the Hunter Association, shaking its higher-ups. After all, a certain high-ranking official's great-grandson, Anis, had died during that mission, leading to an uncontrollable situation.
News of the President of the Association being impeached had also surfaced. There had been numerous impeachment discussions in the past.
Mainly, no one could truly replace Hilbert as President; the current situation was not much different from before.
But this recent impeachment news was the most severe yet. Due to the President's operational errors, the Association had lost over fifty elite hunters—a level of failure never seen before during large-scale missions.
It was indeed a failure; it seemed that the identity of the enemy had gone unnoticed. The only survivor, Freyr, had suffered a significant blow and appeared to remember nothing at all.
The first priority was to stabilize public sentiment. However, they would still send title-level hunters to carry out secret investigations.
Elite troops and the title-level Hunter Team from the Hunter Association were dispatched to conduct covert investigations in newly developed cities. Meanwhile, those Engineers who had endured nearly six months of hardship returned to their hometowns and unexpectedly received substantial aid.
If the premise is that they are unwilling to go to the new city to carry out the next development mission, this bounty would be something an ordinary person could hardly spend in a lifetime.
Indeed, the number of Engineers willing to return has significantly decreased. By the time the second batch of workers, farmers, and developers from various fields arrived in the city to settle and develop the urban model, more than half a year had already passed.
As long as there are no disasters, food reserves have been steadily increasing.
The reserves of potatoes, rice, and flour are essential.
In the past, at the end of each year, scientists would always worry about where to get good seeds for next year's planting; now that concern has diminished.
Although genetically modified foods have no side effects and can be produced from nothing, they can be considered as additional food reserves and require less time to grow.
However, humanity's development process ultimately still relies on traditional foods, including non-genetically modified options.
In reality, consuming too much genetically modified food can lead to various issues. For instance, the number of junk genes within the Gene Chain has been steadily increasing. This includes difficulties in producing efficient and high-quality Genetic Races during the next generation's reproductive process, which can be seen as a sign of societal regression.
As such practices continue, it becomes imperative to limit the consumption of genetically modified foods.
Nevertheless, the current drawbacks are being reduced, and efforts are being made to move in a positive direction.
During this time, public opinion seems to have forgotten that there are still external enemies that have not been completely eradicated. The Zerg occupies a vast majority of the world's territory and is capable of ruthlessly destroying human strongholds with their brute strength. Their armies can even obliterate entire military fortresses with their unpredictable might.
Humanity's remaining places for survival are limited to just twelve locations. Each year, a significant amount of resources and precious Nano Metal is spent to reinforce and raise the city walls. This way, even if some known Zerg s grow tall enough, it won't be easy for them to breach these defenses.
Humanity finally had the chance to establish a new stronghold for survival.
With resources depleted and the soil unsuitable for planting, it was becoming increasingly difficult for such a large population to sustain itself.
Freyr's family had learned about the circumstances surrounding his mission, and they remained worried. They insisted on bringing a psychologist to help him, and even when going out, they would only allow his former friend Relock to accompany him.
Although the Hunter Association sometimes sent people to observe him, hoping he would return to the organization, they were reluctant to assign him high-risk missions. Even civilian tasks, like acting as a bodyguard, seemed suitable for him.
However, his family rejected the association's invitation. After all, handing him over to an organization that thrived on danger was risky; within six months, he would likely be sent on another high-risk mission. What was written on paper contracts was one thing, but unforeseen circumstances during missions were another matter entirely.
While many situations might not constitute a breach of contract, no one could predict unexpected events. The mission system established by the association often encountered surprises.
Once a person settled down, there would always be things to do.
Not long after, the professors from his former university paid him a visit, primarily to encourage Freyr to continue his studies.
They did not want to miss out on such a promising talent, especially with him spending day and night at home wasting his youth.
While education may not guarantee everlasting wealth, for those from affluent families with financial backing, being a scholar could position them as middle-class elites in a future society focused on teaching and nurturing others.
Particularly for Freyr, who had already obtained citizenship rights, many schools were eager to invite him to teach.
However, the current prerequisite was that he needed to solidify his theoretical knowledge first. Studying was indeed a great opportunity for detoxification and brain exercise.
Returning to the quiet school was something he had never imagined. Freyr could still clearly remember his life over the past few years, but the opportunities he had from being reborn and the significant blows he faced in life were all forgotten.
Thus, this school offered him more than just a simple favor; it was perhaps the most comfortable and desired place for him in this world.
During his time in the military, he often reminisced about his past campus life, with fragments of memories surfacing in his mind.
Now, he had indeed fulfilled his wishes.
Returning to school meant focusing on his graduate studies and the path ahead.
It seemed that the professors had also prepared a way out for him, starting from being a teaching assistant, then an associate professor, and moving up to a full professorship.
Before teaching others, he needed to cultivate his own character first, so that he would not fall short in the future.
As a student, he had experienced too many failures and believed that failing was not a big deal.
Even academic pressure did not seem like a significant issue; the teachers at school would always give him some leeway and allow him to pass without much hassle.
However, those in the know understood that such leniency did not exist in society.
Once one became complacent, it was equivalent to passively giving up their rights; in that case, there would no longer be a place for them in society.
A person who can abandon even their own planned ideas will have no grounds for negotiation or respect.
The Doctor and the students had developed plans for the future.
Since the end of that battle, learning seemed to have become the primary goal in life.
The days of nurturing body and mind were long gone; Freyr not only had to learn with an insatiable thirst but also sacrificed his time for cultivation. Although his body had not changed much, it was evident that he had slimmed down compared to the past, giving him a certain charm.
Growing amidst oppression was indeed a testament to one's existence in society.
He had to package himself to be stronger, to become more sociable than before.
Gradually, people no longer perceived him as a patient who had undergone brain surgery.
Even so, there were times when he encountered situations that left him feeling quite embarrassed.
While studying, a forceful push caused all the shelves in the library to collapse. To him, it was merely a push, but it turned the library upside down.
In comparison, there were many other awkward moments that made it clear he was far from being an ordinary person.
He also realized that sometimes losing control of his emotions could cause fluctuations in his strength. Even when he managed to control himself, the force in his hands would still erupt uncontrollably, something he desperately wanted to change but found impossible to achieve.
Change often begins with small matters, and some things are not as simple as he imagined.
Studying became his top priority, and it also helped him recognize the truth about certain things.
On the other hand, the association's commissions never ceased. Although he had considered returning to help, after awakening his Ability, he realized that while he couldn't forget that feeling, his sensory abilities were not as developed as before. Perhaps in the near future, he might return to being an ordinary person.
Life as an ordinary person would likely not resemble his past experiences.
The friends he made during Military Life were true friends who understood the value of sharing both joy and hardship.
No pain or suffering seemed insurmountable; with grit and determination, everything would eventually pass.
Now, however, school had returned to being a solitary experience for him—a fresh start.
Years passed peacefully in learning, although he secretly undertook several covert missions without informing his family.
The tasks assigned by the association were not particularly dangerous or overly exposed. Yet sometimes, he felt a chill of anxiety from the hunters around him, realizing that his skills had noticeably declined compared to those days.
In response to sudden incidents and attacks from criminals, he served as the Protectee's Primary Bodyguard.
He had to step up, but during a mission, he accidentally killed a criminal and was subsequently investigated for it.
It was because of that operation that there were repeated discussions about whether he should continue serving as a Hunter. In the end, the association decided to retain his position.
The status of a Hunter could indeed be restored through future training, but the cost of losing one was simply too great. High-risk missions often posed significant dangers to Hunters, and losing an experienced one was a tremendous waste of human resources.
After all, Freyr had dared to confront the Insectoid when he was a newcomer and had done everything possible to survive.
Some believed that it was merely the cowardly who were easily abandoned by their targets, as among the personnel at that time, his strength was the weakest. Perhaps the opponents at that moment did not even consider him a target worth eliminating.
Yet others disagreed with this notion, arguing that even surviving in a cowardly manner held its own merit.
Some memories from that time still lingered in his mind, and studying that creature was considered a significant discovery.
Later, his brain underwent probing to analyze and excavate those deep-seated fears. Even the most advanced machines could only extract memories that were disheartening; they reflected his profound insecurities and fears that were hard to confront.
The source of his fear remained elusive, leading to discussions about those Synthetic Diamond sculptures. A few people understood them to be remarkable works created from human bodies subjected to extreme pressure and heat, transforming flesh directly into Diamond. Many found it hard to believe such a feat was possible.
In fact, they had confronted their enemies more than once or twice, but facing such a formidable foe—an eerie creature wielding Fire Element abilities—was something truly unimaginable!
Yet, such events had indeed occurred.
The principles behind it were inexplicable, compounded by the fact that no outsiders had witnessed the true form of such monsters.
However, after that incident, military satellites were deployed.
The overall scan of the area showed that the response from Thermal Imaging was lower than the normal temperature difference.
It was as if the creature had evaporated from the human realm, as if it had never existed.
What kind of being could turn these strong humans into mere statues?
It seemed there was no possibility of survival; the Biomedical field had already confirmed their deaths.
All they wanted to know was what had happened during that operation, but even the memory extractor could not decipher Freyr's thoughts.
Only a series of fragmented memories resembling Ultimate Fear left those who witnessed them feeling dazed.
A long time had passed since the incident, and it was uncertain if it would erupt again. However, for now, the surroundings were relatively stable, and human living conditions had improved somewhat compared to the past.
The Human Government finally began to advocate for family planning, as reclaiming a city from the Zerg marked a significant first step.
Increasing the population and enhancing the quality of the military meant being prepared for war at any moment.
As a result, military recruitment had also seen a considerable increase.
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