Not a detective

Page 236

"Quick! Save him!" That was Ms. Sagawa's terrified cry. The tapir couldn't keep up the act any longer; she was trying to piece my torn limbs back together.

"What...what happened..."

This was probably beyond Minister Morita's comprehension, and his trembling voice was quite evident.

"Didn't you say... that you would never be harmed in the virtual space?! What's going on?!"

Kirisame Aoi angrily questioned him, and heard the sound of a sword being drawn. Thank goodness she was safe and sound and hadn't been implicated.

I really want to say that we shouldn't argue about me anymore, after all, this is all my own fault, it was my own choice.

But... I can't make a sound.

Medical staff arrived quickly. How do I know? It's because someone pressed their knee against my right chest. There were many people rushing to the scene.

Amidst the crisp snapping of the hemostat against the tissue, the remaining skin conveyed a sensation akin to a tightly wrapped band. I'm sorry, I don't recognize many of the medical instruments.

"Carotid artery severed... This is unbelievable, how did this body survive? The wound is bleeding at a rate of 30ml per minute, prepare absorbable hemostatic gauze!"

A young male voice, trembling with disbelief, tore open some kind of plastic seal. "At least there are still vital signs. Administer 1g of tranexamic acid intravenously, with pressure infusion..."

"Type O negative blood".

That's strange, how did Kirisame memorize it so quickly? I was hoping to answer it myself.

The cool sensation of the liquid being injected into my vein spread throughout my body. I tried to hypnotize myself into thinking that I was "feeling better after the blood replenishment," but unfortunately, this was reality, not the healing potion in the game.

I am still drowning in the brink of death, with only my consciousness remaining.

My limbs were carefully lifted and placed on a soft stretcher, and the transport began—

When trying to move his eyes, his retina could only capture some moving patches of color, and he couldn't open his eyes.

The vibrations from the stretcher wheels rubbing against the ground felt like they could kill me with every stroke, and someone was pressing on my sternum with the heel of their hand, as if trying to knead me like dough.

Each press caused the remaining right lung lobe to emit a wet, mournful sound.

It really hurts.

"Comminuted pelvic fracture with ruptured iliac artery, external fixator applied!"

The dull thud of the metal brace snapping against the bones came from below. Was I going to have to sit in a wheelchair from now on? It was so unfair. I never mocked Chizuko-senpai's physical disability.

Now that I'm becoming like her, she should be more lenient with me, right? Consider it a reward for my good deeds.

"Blood oxygen saturation 68%, prepare for emergency tracheotomy."

A sudden, sharp pain below my Adam's apple made me instinctively convulse, and the coughing during the insertion of the endotracheal tube brought up a large amount of bloody foam.

My body is extremely weak, and I can't even maintain an "invulnerable" defensive state. But it's okay, otherwise it would be difficult if the scalpel and needles stopped working.

As the ventilator began its humming, the monitor's alarm suddenly blared: "Ventricular fibrillation! Prepare for 200 joules of defibrillation!"

The burning sensation from the contact of my skin with the electrode plates had not yet subsided, and my chest cavity had been pierced by an electric current. It was less intense than the feeling from the "Thunder Beast," which should have been much stronger.

300 joules!

Okay, here it comes.

Although I struggled back from the brink of death... my head has left my body, so I shouldn't be feeling an electric current in my chest. What's wrong with me?

Who can tell me?

Unable to ask questions, they are checking the medication:

"After administering 1 mg of adrenaline via intravenous push, add 300 mg of amiodarone to 5% glucose and continue the infusion via pump."

The LED light strip on the ceiling casts a comet-like trail of light across the field of vision, and countless figures weave and crisscross under the shadowless lights.

It seems I arrived at the hospital, in the operating room, but I can't be sure. My memory is fragmented, and the sounds are indistinct.

"Initiate mass transfusion protocol, MTP Group 3 prepares."

"First, transfuse 6 units of red blood cells, 600 ml of fresh frozen plasma, and 1 therapeutic dose of platelets."

"A double-lumen catheter has been inserted into the left internal jugular vein. What is the central venous pressure now?"

"CVP2mmHg, blood pressure undetectable."

"Body temperature 34.1 degrees Celsius. Activate the body surface heating device. Prepare anesthesia: etomidate 20mg, rocuronium bromide 50mg, fentanyl 100μg."

Strangely, although my consciousness was very hazy, I could hear every word they said clearly. Although I couldn't understand the medical terms used for the drugs, they were very clear to me.

Although I was in constant pain and even a large amount of anesthesia could not suppress my body's reaction, I did not go crazy from the pain, but remained unusually calm.

I felt as if I had detached from my body and was standing aside, watching the doctors approach one after another, trying to save the dismembered boy.

...So that's what I saw in the mirror.

The fact that I can maintain an objective perspective on everything is not a good sign. I feel like my soul is about to leave, as if it can no longer stay.

...Cut, cut it down.

I gritted my teeth and watched as the twisting, menacing saw blade pierced my chest.

The high-frequency bone saw hummed within my skull, and the creaking of the retractor expanding the intercostal spaces kept me firmly anchored to the operating table, fueled by intense pain.

Can't die yet.

I can't die yet.

"Penetrating right ventricular injury! Prepare autologous blood transfusion system!"

"The severed end of the left subclavian artery has been located. Microsurgical forceps! Prepare 11-0 polypropylene sutures!"

"Radial artery pulsation has resumed! Distal capillary refill time is 2 seconds!"

"Unbelievable... What is this guy's body structure? I shouldn't be saying this as a doctor, but how is he still alive?"

"Don't blame yourselves... Everyone here feels the same way. Losing more blood than an elephant and still maintaining brainstem reflexes, we may not be creating a miracle, but we are facing a miracle."

The operating light burned a spot of light onto my retina, and I heard their words, and the hum of my own blood swirling.

"Prepare to apply pressure and lock."

I heard the roar of the electric drill.

"Implantation of the humeral defect segment...mesh cage, bone...factor coating confirmed."

"Remifentanil...maintain, add...0.7 μg/kg/h".

Various chemical names glided across the surface of consciousness, like the tide washing over cracked reefs.

The body is being reshaped by countless hands.

Amidst the rhythmic breathing of the ventilator, and through countless tubes, my blood, my life, and my soul seemed to be circulating along the pale blue filter.

My body felt as if it were being disassembled into countless data streams, anchoring me between life and death.

On the verge of death, struggling and climbing upwards in the shallows of the River Styx, I realized at that moment that I was not a god, but just a fragile human being.

I only know one thing:

I can't die yet, I can't die yet.

Winter of Man: Chapter Two - Anger

"He hasn't woken up for three months. It's already winter. How much longer do we have to wait?"

Chizuko's expression was so gloomy it was almost dripping with gloom.

She no longer bothered to hide her sweet smile; her eyes had turned into those of a ferocious wolf, ready to pounce and bite off his neck at any moment.

"I...I don't know either."

Kirisame Aoi stammered, turning her head away, unable to meet her eyes: "It's my fault. If I hadn't let him enter the Orochi Trial... this wouldn't have happened..."

Her hair hung listlessly by her ears, unkempt, and she had thick dark circles under her eyes, with bloodshot eyes that also showed how haggard she looked.

From that day on, she stayed by her bedside, even giving up her position in the supervisory department, and never left.

"Alright, it's not her fault. You know Lu's personality; once he's determined to do something, who can stop him?"

Shinonome Suetsuki spoke calmly.

She was also wearing a hospital gown, half-lying on another hospital bed next to Asakawa Riku's. Although she had no illness, a thin tube was connected to her wrist.

Her blood flowed through this tube, being transported at a steady rate every second to Asakawa Riku...

Asakawa Riku's body was covered by a white sheet, revealing his head and the handsome face of a young boy. His eyes were closed, and he looked as if he were asleep. He was clean and tidy, with no wounds.

However, beneath the sheets lay a horrifying sight: the boy's body had been cut in half, with his limbs severed and even his head separated.

It looked like a dismemberment scene.

However, Asakawa Riku was not yet a corpse. The numerous life monitoring instruments connected to him were operating smoothly, and the data clearly showed that he was still alive.

He was connected by all sorts of metals and pipes, almost becoming half a cyborg, his body wrapped in dense lines.

He just couldn't wake up.

Three months passed in this way. Kirisame Aoi, Chizuko, Yukie, Hoshino, and Higashion Suetsuki all rushed over and waited here for three months.

But Asakawa Riku still hadn't woken up, and so the cold winter began, chilling everyone's hearts to the bone, with no hope in sight.

...

When Asakawa Riku emerged from the dream with his limbs severed, everyone thought he was dead. The dismembered state was so horrifying that blood instantly splattered throughout the room.

Especially Kiri Yukui, who was almost in despair at the time, with empty and blank eyes, and did not respond.

It wasn't until the doctor said he was still alive that everyone rushed him to the hospital for emergency treatment.

The doctors were still baffled. How could someone survive having their head severed?

This might be due to Riku Asakawa's own physical strength and unwavering will to survive, or it might be due to the ingenious and extraordinary advancements of modern medicine...

But this alone was far from enough to allow him to survive after he "disintegrated".

The key lies in "East Cloud Last Moon".

Using the conglomerate's funds, she booked the top floor of the hospital, a luxurious private ward, and spared no expense in investing money and technology to prolong life with expensive equipment.

This level of financial resources is something even the Ministry of Supervision cannot readily provide, and her crucial role extends far beyond that.

Only the people in this room know that Shinonome Suetsuki possesses the superpower of "immortality," and that her blood has special effects.

Therefore, her blood was divided into six parts and transported to various parts of Asakawa Riku's torso, and then the circulation was completed with the help of a machine to achieve the desired effect.

Suezuki and Asakawa Riku had once achieved a resonance as [Nirvana Ones], so her blood had a prolonging effect; one could even say that her blood kept Asakawa Riku alive.

Without her, Asakawa Riku definitely wouldn't have made it through these three months.

...

Chizuko looked past Kirisame and stared at Suetsuki on the hospital bed.

In a brief silence, Xingyu walked over and opened her arms to block the young lady's path: "You... what are you going to say..."

Although she was somewhat frightened by Chizuko's aura and charm, she still insisted on standing there.

However, Chizuko didn't say anything harsh again, but suddenly bowed deeply:

"Thank you all so much for your help during this time."

Even she knew how much sacrifice had been made for Asakawa Lu Dongyun Moyue, and what efforts had been made.

It's not just a matter of funding. We see that Mo Yue is giving Asakawa Riku a lifeline, but this is not just a simple lifeline.

A normal person's limit is 300-500 ml of blood, but Shinonome Suetsuki keeps her blood pump running 24 hours a day.

They are receiving blood transfusions every moment without a break. They have to stay in this ward together; if they leave, they will be doomed.

Her face was extremely weak, her voice was weak and lacked its usual strength, and she had lost a lot of blood. If it weren't for her "immortality" ability, she definitely wouldn't have survived.

It can be said that Mo Yue paid the most; she used half of her life to forcibly keep Asakawa Riku on the edge of hell, refusing to let go.

So Chizuko softened her stance and sincerely thanked her.

Even though she and Higashino Suetsuki usually don't get along and often dislike each other, this isn't the time to act out; they have to unite.

"Do we... have any other options?"

Yuki stood behind and whispered.

At first, her eyes were red and swollen from crying several times, but she has only recently recovered and become stronger.