Raymond did not stop there but pushed the hose through the incised skin.
Plop. Plump.
Blood was pushed out of the hose.
'What if the bleeding doesn't stop?'
Raymond checked the amount of blood coming out with nervous eyes.
1.5 liters.
If more blood flowed out at once, a major operation had to be performed to open the chest, find the blood vessels, and stop the bleeding.
In other words, an open thoracotomy had to be performed.
Unfortunately, this was a major operation that could not be performed with Raymond's current capabilities.
The only thing Raymond could do now was to insert the hose and wait until the bleeding stopped spontaneously.
Drip, drip.
Fortunately, when it was about a liter out, the blood stem began to weaken.
'Okay! Just wait while I drain the blood and it will stop bleeding naturally.'
For the time being, the worst was averted.
But the situation was not over.
Despite the blood being drained, the patient's breathing was not stable.
'The broken ribs are preventing him from breathing properly. I need to find where the ribs are supposed to be and make sure they are stable.'
Fortunately, the fracture itself was not serious.
In this case, the ribs did not need to be perfectly attached.
They could be allowed to regain their original place and facilitate breathing. Then the bones would attach naturally over time.
It belonged to the easy surgical axis compared to other major surgeries, but not to Raymond.
He would have put his heart and soul into it.
'Don't bend.'
A cold sweat broke out on Raymond's forehead. He moved his fingers with maximum concentration and fell into surgery.
***
Fortunately, thanks to much-elevated senses, the surgery was able to proceed smoothly.
The patient had fortunately passed the pass and was now in a stable recovery phase, but there was a problem.
'What if the Dark Blade guys come?'
Toms was an extremely brutal person. He would not have left alone those who had broken his warnings.
"How about asking Mr. Kansir for help?"
"I think he'll be swept away in a heartbeat, don't you?"
Unfortunately, the Blue Moon Guild of Kansir and the Dark Blade Guild were overwhelmingly different in terms of power.
In the end, there was only one answer.
They had to escape.
"Hanson, let's pack up. We have to scatter before they get here."
Hanson nodded heavily.
'I never thought I'd close the treatment center like this. I haven't even improved enough yet. I couldn't even pay my debts.'
As he was packing up, Raymond was suddenly frustrated and on the verge of tears.
How could he let himself run away!
He didn't do anything wrong!
'No! If I run away like this, all I have left is my debt. Even if I avoid the Toms' hands, Healer Loa---no, Demon Loans, will catch me.'
Incidentally, it was Raymond who only had more debt because he was running a treatment center for the poor.
The jewelry ring he had received the other day was not enough to pay off his debts. He still had a small amount of debt behind him.
No matter how he got out of Toms's way, the demon loaners would catch him. It was like avoiding the fox and getting caught by the tiger.
'What shall I do? Is there any way?'
Raymond rolled his head.
It was then.
[Finished the quest!]
[Achievement: "Overcomer of Iniquity"]
[You will receive a bonus level upgrade!]
[You gain 20 bonus skill points!]
It didn't end there.
[You will be given a hidden bonus!]
[You will be given a "Temporary Proficiency Increase Item (Class A)"!]
[Temporary Proficiency Increase Item]
Grade: A
This item raises the proficiency level of one skill to grade A for 24 hours.
'To grade A?'
Raymond had a surprised look in his eyes.
Incidentally, most of the skills he now possessed were ranked D.
Then an additional message came to mind.
[A quest is coming up!]
[Save the patients from suffering!]
Precedence: Greater Righteousness Level
Difficulty Level: High
Quest Description: There are a host of evils that torment patients. A true cause is one that does not turn its back on patients suffering. Clean up the hordes of evil and put the patients out of their misery!
Clear Condition: Dark Blade Guild cleanup
Compensation: Bonus level up x3, 50 skill points
"Crazy! What is this?"
Raymond screamed.
'I'm a healer! But why am I wiping out a dark guild? It doesn't make any sense!'
Why would there be a quest like this?
He was just about to pack his bags again.
'Wait. Is there really no other way but to run away?'
No.
If there was, there was only one.
Just to sweep the Dark Blade Guild as per the quest description.
It was impossible.
'No, is it really impossible? Think about it. If I just run away, I'll be captured by Demon Loans and become a slave to treatment.'
He was so frustrated that he cried when he tried to escape as it was.
He hadn't done anything wrong, but to become a fugitive and have the treatment center he had worked so hard to raise go under and become a debtor!
'Think, Raymond. You're smart! If you run away like this, you'll be in huge debt!'
If he had nothing, of course, he would have run away.
But he had a lot of debt on his back.
The weight of the debt was heavy.
The thought of losing all his investments and becoming a beggar in debt made him unable to step down.
He rolled his head desperately.
What if I raise my skill proficiency to rank A? Is there a way? What if I raised my proficiency in magic to rank A?
But he shook his head.
A-Rank (Advanced Class) magic!
It was either high-level magic or test-trainable magic, so it would be possible to defeat Toms in one fell swoop.
The problem was that even if he raised his magic rank, he didn't have enough mana to use it.
His current mana was barely enough to use D-rank magic.
'What about other skills? Any skills that might be useful?'
Then he thought of one thing.
Just one.
There was a way out of this situation!
Nothing short of a gamble, but a way to fix it all, without running away.
"Hanson."
"Yes?"
"Can you give Kansir the letter I'm writing now?"
Hanson rolled his eyes.
"Senior? Then?"
"I won't run away."
"...!"
Hanson exclaimed in surprise.
"Senior? It's dangerous! You know how vicious they are."
"I do. But I still can't leave like this."
He could not leave like this, crushed by regret and becoming a debtor.
Hanson, of course, reacted a little differently.
"No matter how much you do it for the people of the slums...! Still, this!"
"There is one way for me to do it. So do you believe me?"
"Senior... Senior, why on earth are you so good to others..."
Hanson's eyes were filled with tears.
He seemed to misunderstand something in earnest, but Raymond himself was nervous and could not correct the misunderstanding.
"Your role is important. You must deliver the letter. Got it?"
"I understand! I will definitely serve you even if it costs me my life!"
Hanson brought up the letter with the determined expression of an intelligence officer carrying out an express secret mission on the battlefield.
After Hanson left, Raymond whispered.
'Use Hidden Bonus. Increased Proficiency.'
One skill was essential to this operation.
Right now.
'Heart of Steel.'
[The level of skill of "Heart of Steel" will go up to Level A!]
[Heart of Steel]
Classification: Properties Skill
Grade: Legendary
Proficiency: D → A
-Maintain a steel will and a firm heart at all times.
-The increase in proficiency is maintained for 24 hours!
Fear was gone as if washed away.
A fiery will and steel firmness settled in his heart.
'Let's go.'
He was headed to Lantram, the Bay Area's entertainment district.
It was where the Dark Blade Guild was located.
"Hoh? Who is this?"
Toms seemed surprised and greeted Raymond.
"I can't believe you visited such a shabby place in person."
Toms smiled coldly.
"Even if you didn't, I had an errand to run, and I thought I'd pick you up."
Errand.
It was about treating the patient.
They were words that suddenly made his heart drop, but thanks to his Heart of Steel, he was able to maintain a sense of normalcy.
The moment Toms saw the suspicious look in Raymond's eyes, which were not the least bit upsetting, he said,
"I came here to tell you something."
"What is it? Go ahead."
Raymond looked straight at Toms.
The moment Toms freaked out at the look in his eyes that were filled with steel will!
Raymond opened his mouth.
He bowed his head.
"I'm sorry!"
"..."
"Forgive me just once!"
There was silence for a while.
Toms laughed blankly.
"This... Why do you do things you regret?"
"I'm deeply reflecting on myself! There won't be such a mistake in the future."
"Hoho."
"And I have also been deeply troubled by the suggestion you made the other day."
"Hm?"
Toms gave him an interested look.
Raymond continued to speak with his head still down.
In a servile, polite manner.
"I deeply appreciate your offer to me, which I do not deserve. May I have a moment of your time so we can talk about it separately?"
"Haha!"
Toms burst out laughing.
"I can give you as much time as you want. Guys! We have a precious guest. Welcome him inside!"
"Yes, Master!"
Toms turned away pleasantly and could not see.
How Raymond looked with his head down.
His eyes, filled with steel will, shone with firm determination.
'I will not perish in vain! I'd rather kill a tiger than go to hell!'
***
"I will give you my loyalty!"
"Haha. Loyalty? I don't think that's fair."
"Then I will give my life!"
Raymond's self-respect, liver, and bitterness.
"Today is a good day. I am honored to welcome such a fine healer to our guild."
"It's my pleasure to serve a man like you!"
"Haha. By the way, are you sure you are okay? I thought you wanted to work for the poor in the Bay Area."
It was a question of his true feelings.
'This is important.'
Raymond replied flatly.
"No. I'm not. My goal is to make money, though?"
"Hmm."
"I had no choice but to come to the Bay Area because no one was writing to me outside. At a time like that, you offered me an excessive amount of money, and I just wanted to thank you for that."
Was it because of a sincere heart?
Or was it because of the Heart of Steel? The performance went smoothly.
"Haha. You amaze me today. But I like it."
Toms bared his teeth and smiled.
"It is much better to be frank than to pretend to be good and to be hypocritical. People are greedy beings. Isn't that so?"
"Yes! That's what you're all about. Wise words!"
A friendly conversation ensued, and Raymond brought up the main point after hearing the expression on his face.
"So... I have one thing to tell you..."
Raymond said.
"Since I will be working for you in this way, may I examine your body as a souvenir?"
"My body?"
Raymond nodded.
"Yes, there is a secret technique they use in the ancient art of medicine called 'medical checkups.' It is a way to detect and prevent diseases that will occur in the future."