[Optional Quest Branches]
[Optional Branch 1: Convert it into fuel for the Soul Lamp]Reward: Soul Lamp usage time +2 days
[Optional Branch 2: Feed it to the little darling in the backyard]Reward: Little Darling Affection +50
[Optional Branch 3: Preserve it in reagent as a collectible specimen]Reward: Specimen Crafting EXP +10
[Optional Branch 4: Wait for the Pig-Head Demon to come and take his daughter back]Reward: To be determined…
Lynn calmly examined the four quest branches presented by the system.
"Obviously the fourth one."
Sitting on the counter, Lynn placed the ghost infant on the table and began tapping his abacus seriously.
"I'm a doctor. If someone leaves their kid here and I chop it up on the spot, wouldn't that make me the psychopath? My moral standards won't allow that."
"..."
"I'm already this professionally ethical—shouldn't the system give me something for that?"
[Morality +10]
"..."
Lynn picked up his knife and continued waiting for the next customer.
Two minutes later, he opened his eyes and glanced at the ghost baby.
Its appearance had already begun twisting into something grotesque, like a writhing knot.
[Lynn SAN -1]
Five minutes later.
When he looked again, clusters of swollen blood tumors had begun sprouting across the baby's face, and hoarse wuwa-wuwa sounds seeped out from its pitch-black mouth.
[Lynn SAN -10]
Ten minutes later.
When Lynn opened his eyes again, the face was now completely overrun with twisted black tentacles and intestine-like growths crawling all over it.
[Lynn SAN -30]
The corner of Lynn's eye twitched violently.
The system wasn't wrong at all—if left unattended, this ghost infant was definitely heading straight toward an indescribable horror.
No way.
If this kept going, forget whether the pig demon would still recognize his daughter—
Lynn himself wouldn't be able to stand it anymore.
Too ugly.
Way too damn ugly—nightmare-level ugly.
Lynn stood up angrily, cracking his wrists.
"Fine. I'll do you a favor and give you a free makeover. Better than you coming out later and traumatizing me—and everyone else."
He put on gloves and a mask.
Tied the ghost infant tightly onto the counter with rope.
"Creak—creak—"
The twisted tentacles on the baby's face suddenly split into countless mouths, roaring hideously at Lynn.
Smack!
Lynn slapped them straight back in.
"Behave."
Putting on his monocle, Lynn flexed his fingers calmly.
Then he grabbed the writhing tentacles with both hands and began kneading them like dough.
"Waa—waa—"
Sounds of terror echoed from the ghost infant's body.
[Evil Spirit Blood Infant Fear +10]
Cosmetic surgery was a technical skill.
Though Lynn had never performed plastic surgery before, he was extremely proficient at kneading dough.
In a sense, the two weren't that different.
The first step was simple—
Mix all the sticky, messy substances thoroughly until smooth and round.
Only then could he lay the perfect foundation for sculpting.
[Evil Spirit Blood Infant Fear +10]
The kneading had to be precise—not too dry, not too wet—elastic, resilient.
It demanded serious hand strength.
"Don't move."
"I delivered you into this world. As a doctor, it's my responsibility to make sure you stay healthy during this time."
"Don't worry. Your face is in my hands."
Lynn's expression was grave.
He fully utilized his pre-reincarnation noodle-pulling skills.
After kneading the facial mass smooth—
Stretch.
[Evil Spirit Blood Infant Fear +20]
Twist.
Press it back in.
[Evil Spirit Blood Infant Fear +20]
Stretch again.
Twist twice. Press.
He thoroughly blended the disgusting mass into something uniform and elastic.
The sounds coming from the ghost infant grew increasingly terrified.
[Evil Spirit Blood Infant Fear +20]
Knock. Knock. Knock.
A knocking sound came from the door.
A humanoid creature covered in severe burn scars stood outside. Its face was festering, and foul crimson fluid dripped from its eye sockets.
"I… want to change my face…"
The voice was low and charred.
Lynn glanced over.
[Burned Wraith]Race: Evil SpiritLevel: 15Alignment: Chaotic NeutralCombat Ability: AverageDescription: An evil spirit burned alive in a great fire. 99.9% burn damage. Twisted and gloomy, harboring deep hatred toward all things beautiful.
[Ding! Quest Triggered: Help the Burned Wraith change its face]Reward: 50 Skull Coins, Surgery EXP +50, Special Reward +1
"Welcome! Please take a seat over there and wait a moment!"
Lynn poked his head up from behind the ghost infant, flashing a professional smile.
Splurt—
The mashed ghost infant's facial slurry splattered across Lynn's mask.
The Burned Wraith froze on the spot.
"Please sit. I'll be right with you."
Lynn smiled.
Then he turned back to the ghost infant.
To speed things up, he used both hands.
Grabbing both sides of the kneaded mass—
Pull.
"Waaa——!"
A horrifying scream burst out.
Twist.
Press.
"Ahh—!"
The ghost infant trembled.
He flipped it flat and kneaded even harder.
"I'll be done soon. Please don't be impatient."
Lynn looked up and smiled warmly at the Burned Wraith sitting nearby.
The Burned Wraith stared at the horrifying scene on the counter.
Its legs began trembling uncontrollably.
Another pull.
Two meters.
Burned Wraith: "!!!"
[Burned Wraith SAN -20]
Knead.
Rolling pin out.
Roll—roll—
The ghost infant's face was flattened completely as it screamed.
The pustules all over the Burned Wraith's body trembled.
[Burned Wraith SAN -20]
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
This shop… was seriously wrong.
Trembling, the Burned Wraith raised a scorched hand.
"May I ask… what exactly are you—"
Lynn looked up while kneading, smiling professionally.
"Oh, this little one was just too ugly. Ugly to the point of being cognitively hazardous."
"As a doctor, giving it a proper face is simply my duty."
The Burned Wraith shuddered violently.
"Y-your technique is certainly… unique…"
Its posture straightened unconsciously, eyes wide.
Watching the ghost infant's face being pulled and kneaded like noodles—
Its legs shook even harder.
Horrifying images filled its mind—its own face being stretched next.
Fear surged.
Had it walked into a black shop?!
Pop! Pop! Pop!
Lynn crushed over a dozen swollen tumors on the ghost infant's face.
Thick slurry exploded outward—
Some of it splattered onto the Burned Wraith's face.
It burst.
It actually burst.
"Mommyyyyy (wДw)!!!"
[Burned Wraith SAN -30!!]