Logan remained rooted in disbelief, his mind swirling with confusion. "What is happening? Why am I suddenly barred from helping this girl?"
Logan's mind swirled with thoughts and conjectures, a touch of panic creeping in as he worried about making a fatal mistake on his first mission. But all those fears vanished when the system bar appeared.
DING!
[You can't extract the toxic Yin Qi from the girl's body any longer. Your Dantian lacks the capacity to handle such a substantial amount of poison. Continuing this healing would be fatal!]
Logan coughed involuntarily, quickly pulling his finger away from Shania's delicate skin.
Though his instinct urged him to assist every enchanting maiden, Logan knew better than to recklessly endanger his own life.
Logan regarded Shania with profound compassion, his gaze reflecting both empathy and concern.
"This unfortunate girl must have a congenital defect in her Dantian, causing the malignant Yin Qi," he thought. "Regrettably, with my current abilities, there's little I can do to help her."
At the same time, the maiden began to show faint signs of regaining consciousness. Gradually, she blinked several times, her eyes slowly opening as she tentatively surveyed her surroundings.
Moments later, she managed to part her lips, a sign of her slow awakening.
It seemed as though she wanted to voice her thoughts, but she remained silent, her lips moving without sound.
Robert and Matilda witnessed the scene with a tumultuous mix of joy and sorrow. Hurrying to their daughter's bedside, they enveloped her in a tender embrace, her form nestled in the bedding. Tears of relief streamed down their careworn faces, mingling with traces of laughter etched upon their features.
Meanwhile, Logan stood with an inscrutable expression etched upon his face. Despite achieving his first triumph in healing, a sense of fulfillment eluded him. While Shania showed signs of improvement, Logan harbored no illusions; he knew appearances could deceive, and danger still loomed over her like a shadow.
Despite the lingering uncertainties surrounding Shania's fate, Robert was overwhelmed with gratitude. He wasted no time, pulling Logan into a fervent embrace, tears of thankfulness streaming down his cheeks. It was a moment of immense relief, a brief respite in the midst of their uncertain journey.
"Young man... you've saved my daughter's life! I'll give you anything you desire as a reward, just name it," the old man declared earnestly.
Shaking his head, Logan replied gently, "As I've mentioned before, I desire no reward from you. Now, I must take my leave, for there are other responsibilities that demand my attention."
As Logan prepared to depart, Matilda's hand darted out, gripping his wrist with unexpected strength. The elegant middle-aged woman, her anxiety plain to see, implored, "If you decline our gratitude, please at least bless us with the name of our savior."
After a brief pause, Logan responded with modesty, "My name holds no significance, but you may refer to me as The Masked Doctor."
"Wait, we asked your real na—"
Logan wasted no time; he vanished from the room in a swift motion, leaving Matilda to grasp at thin air. Her fingers sought to cling desperately to Logan's hand, only to find it slipping away like an eel, leaving her with a sense of loss and wonder.
"I'll go after him!" Robert's voice carried urgency, driving him to quicken his pace and follow Logan's disappearing figure.
Meanwhile, Shania Moore celebrated as the city's most captivating beauty, struggled to rise from her bed. Her exertion captured Matilda's complete attention, prompting her to rush to her side.
"Oh, my dear, what are you trying to do? Your body is still frail. Just lie down and rest," Matilda murmured, her concern evident in her gentle tone.
Ignoring her mother's plea, Shania persisted, "Mom, who was that young man wearing the black mask?" Her curiosity was palpable, overshadowing her physical frailty in that moment.
Matilda promptly responded, "He's a remarkable doctor who saved you, Shania. A strange doctor... I don't know his name, but he goes by 'The Masked Doctor'."
"I must convey my gratitude to him!" The determination in the beautiful girl's face brought a rosy flush to her cheeks. "Mom, summon the doctors and instruct them to remove these IV tubes. I feel entirely restored!"
***
Logan sprinted as if blessed with divine vigor from the heavens, his form propelled twice as swiftly as the wind itself. He only came to a halt upon reaching a desolate corridor.
Drawing a deep breath, Logan unfastened his mask, feeling a flood of relief wash over him.
"System, show me what I can buy with 20 points!"
A blue screen appears before his vision.
DING!
[20 points may not get you a new medical ability, but there are still some worthwhile side skills you can purchase. Allow us to make a recommendation!]
[First, skill {Night Vision} level 1, giving you 20% better visibility in dark places]
[Second, skill {Poison Detection} level 1, giving you 50% better recognition of poisonous substances]
[Third, skill {Hand Typist} level 2, giving you the ability to type 50% faster and more accurately]
"I'll choose the first skill," Logan decided, finding simplicity in his choice; among the three skills, none seemed particularly useful except for the first one.
DING!
[Skill addition complete!]
[Want to see the skill description?]
"Yes."
[Name: Night Vision]
[Level: 1 (very low)]
[Active period: 30 minutes]
[Cooldown: 15 minutes]
Looking at the system blade board, Logan realized that he couldn't expect much. Despite not having a benchmark for comparison, he knew that 20 points was not a lot at all.
"Well, not bad. It's rather satisfying," Logan remarked with a nonchalant shrug.
As Logan prepared to depart, he caught wind of commotion in the distance. Turning to investigate, he couldn't help but curse under his breath.
The commotion, characterized by a tumultuous uproar, a cacophony of voices, and a flurry of activity, emanated from the vicinity of Ariana, who was enveloped in the scandal of her extramarital affair and was accompanied by a sizable contingent of hospital security personnel, comprising a multitude of individuals dedicated to maintaining order and ensuring safety within the medical facility.
Their presence suggested an extensive exploration as if they had traversed considerable distances, all in pursuit of locating Logan and unraveling the mystery surrounding his disappearance.
"That scoundrel! He's the one who battered my lover's face to a pulp and irresponsibly fled!" Ariana pointed at Logan with anger. "Catch him!"
Logan stood firm, rooted to the spot, his resolve unwavering.
Slowly, he muttered to himself, "You've been bullying and trampling on me for years. I had no choice; I was too weak."
"Now that I have strength, I won't flee or be naive any longer."
"Come on, face me..."
Logan lifted his chin defiantly, meeting their arrival with an unyielding expression. Ariana jabbed her index finger toward Logan's face, then spewed venomous accusations in all directions. "Officer, this scum has no regard for the law! He assaulted my boyfriend without cause and callously departed. You must arrest him and toss him in jail!"Two officers fixed Logan with stern gazes before questioning, "Is her accusation accurate?""Yes," Logan responded without hesitation. "However, there's a reason behind my actions.""We don't need any reasons," one officer interjected with disdain. "Assault within a hospital warrants arrest, regardless of justification."Logan regarded them with an icy stare and responded stoically, "What would you do if you discovered your spouse cheating with a colleague? I suspect you'd react just as I did."As if indifferent, an officer produced handcuffs while walking towards Logan. "Save your explanations for the jury. Here, we won't hear any bullshit coming
Before responding, Shania meticulously scrutinized Logan from head to toe, as if searching for something within the young man standing before her.Logan, sensing Shania's thorough examination, refrained from repeating his question. Instead, he cleared his throat several times, a silent prompt for her response.Shania shook her head several times, as if to dispel whatever thoughts were lingering, before beginning to respond with a question of her own. "Excuse me, are you The Masked Doctor who saved my life?" she inquired.As Logan's suspicion proved correct, his heart quickened its pace within his chest. Without hesitation, he swiftly embraced the charade, playing his part with practiced ease."Miss Moore, I'm afraid you've mistaken me for someone else. I have no affiliation with this 'Masked Doctor' you speak of. As you can plainly see, I'm nothing more than a humble janitor employed by this hospital," Logan responded with a nonchalant shrug, affecting an air of casual indifference.S
Logan's laughter abruptly ceased, his expression turned serious. Disregarding Mr. Nicholson's veiled attempts at manipulation, he replied, "I was reminiscing about some amusing incidents from my time at the hospital. But, Mr. Nicholson, my resolve is firm and unwavering. No amount of monetary enticement can sway me. My decision remains resolute and unyielding.""You..." Mr. Nicholson's scoff was barely audible. "Your idealism blinds you. Just because of your personal woes, you're willing to sacrifice your livelihood. Understand this, individuals like you seldom thrive in reality. I, for one, harbor a bleak outlook, yet I wish you well."Logan smiled in response, his composure unruffled. "Your sentiments are appreciated," he acknowledged graciously.As Logan exited the Human Resources office, he turned abruptly and collided unintentionally with an elderly woman."Hey, do you even have eyes?!"At first, rage blazed in the old woman's eyes, but it swiftly cooled into a look of disdain as
Logan sprang into action with remarkable swiftness, effortlessly evading James' onslaught with a grace that seemed to blur his form against the backdrop of the battlefield. His movements were fluid and agile, weaving through the attacks with razor-sharp reflexes, akin to a shadow dancing on the edge of oblivion.Every motion he made was imbued with such precision and swiftness that it challenged the naked eye's ability to perceive.Despite his relentless barrage, James persisted in launching his assaults with unyielding fervor, his face marked by frustration and exasperation at his inability to land a blow on Logan.With each failed attempt, James felt increasingly cornered, compounded by the realization that his adversary's elusive agility remained beyond his grasp, leaving him futilely grasping at shadows in the struggle.With the help of the system, Logan not only knew every single move he had to perform, but he was also able to practice them flawlessly.It was as if his muscles ha
Logan extended his hand and carefully picked up the sleek, metallic pen from the polished wooden table, and, with a steady and unwavering hand, meticulously signed the official divorce papers at the bottom, precisely beside the clearly marked line designated for his signature."Everything will end here," Logan thought to himself. "The ink strokes on this paper signify a truly new chapter in my life."He signed the papers swiftly and decisively, without a moment's hesitation or second thought. Then, with a somber and contemplative expression, he handed the finalized document back to Emily, who stood waiting across from him, her eyes filled with a mix of emotions.Emily took the document with quick movements, almost as if she couldn't believe Logan would actually sign it. Surprise and disbelief were evident on Ariana's face. Her forehead furrowed as she stared sharply at Logan.She thought, "I was prepared for Logan to kneel and kiss my feet just to get me to call off his divorce from A
Logan zipped through the city streets on his electric scooter, a newfound determination glinting in his eyes. The hospital incident had been a turning point, pushing him to turn a fresh page in his life. He was headed to Dragon Valley, the most exclusive neighborhood in Southriver Hill.Logan arrived and parked his scooter in front of a grand real estate agency, its glass windows and luxurious decor exuding opulence.Entering the office, Logan immediately sensed a cold, dismissive atmosphere. The staff eyed him with disdain, judging his modest appearance and his scooter. To them, someone like him couldn't possibly afford even the cheapest home in Dragon Valley.Logan ignored their looks and walked confidently to the reception desk, clearing his throat. "Good morning," he said firmly. "I'd like to see the most luxurious residence you have."The receptionist, a young woman with neatly tied blonde hair, raised her eyebrows and looked at Logan as if he were joking. "You're not fooling, s
Logan frowned, feeling uncomfortable with this sudden situation. Shania looked at him with a caring gaze, as if trying to understand any doubts he might have."Logan, you should not hesitate to work with me," Shania said in a soft yet firm voice. "If you have any doubts about the salary I'll give you, don't worry. I can make sure you get at least five thousand dollars a month."Logan shook his head slowly. "Thank you, Ms. Moore, but right now I still want to recuperate after my divorce. I want to spend my savings on fun before I go back to work."Shania looked at Logan with a mixture of pity and admiration. She still saw this ordinary man in front of her as The Masked Doctor, the hero who had saved her life. In her heart, she felt a great debt of gratitude. Slowly, an idea came to her mind.Shania muttered in her mind, 'I can buy this man a decent house in return. Perhaps, it will lighten the burden of guilt in my heart a little.'Logan, what is your purpose in coming here? Do you int
Logan settled into the plush seat of Shania’s sleek black sedan, the car’s engine purring softly as they pulled away from the real estate agency. They followed the agent’s car toward Block A in Dragon Valley, the anticipation palpable between them. Shania stole occasional glances at Logan, her unease growing as they neared their destination.Block A was renowned for its opulent residences, homes with sprawling modern designs perched majestically on the hillside. As they entered the neighborhood, Shania’s eyes flitted from one grand house to another. Each residence seemed more impressive than the last, from classic mansions with imposing columns to contemporary marvels of glass and steel, complete with infinity pools and manicured gardens.A tightness grew in Shania’s chest. The magnitude of the homes around them was overwhelming, and the thought of presenting one of these extravagant properties to Logan filled her with doubt. What if Logan wasn’t The Masked Doctor, the enigmatic figur
Harrison's skin prickled as Logan's whisper cut sharply into his ear, cold, unfeeling, and arrogant. His body trembled slightly, realizing Logan was deadly serious. He felt a profound, unprecedented fear wash over him.Logan continued, "Obey me carefully, you old far. If you don't cooperate, you will die. Dismiss all of Ariana's demands against me. Do not impose any penalties that would harm me. Instead, you must ensure Ariana compensates for all of this.""But…" Harrison began to protest."Shut your mouth," Logan hissed like a snake. "Don't you realize your life and death are in my hands, old man?!"Judge Harrison immediately fell silent. Logan felt he had made himself perfectly clear. With a final pat on the judge's shoulder, he stood up and turned to face the room, surveying the gathered crowd.DING![Wow, you really know the fastest way to become popular, don't you?]Logan scratched his head, ignoring the system widget blinking in front of him.[Even though popularity gives a plea
"Logan's trap?" Natalie raised an eyebrow. "I can't believe you're talking nonsense in such a critical situation, Bruno. If you don't give me a satisfactory explanation, I'll file a negative report about you!""Listen to me until I damn finish!" Bruno raised his voice. "What's gotten into you, Natalie? How can you believe that a cup of warm ginger can cure a serious internal condition like variceal hematemesis? The ginger might actually harm our patient. What if Logan is trying to kill Judge Harrison to avoid criminal charges? Haven't you thought of that?"Natalie fell silent, the truth in Bruno's words dawning on her. If Judge Harrison died, the next judge might impose a lighter sentence on Logan, or even acquit him. It made perfect sense that Logan had a motive to kill the judge.Natalie lifted her head and eyed Logan suspiciously. She hesitated before asking, "Is what Bruno said about you true?"Logan gave a cryptic smile, shrugged casually, and said, "Believe Bruno or believe me,
Bruno abandoned his medical equipment and stood up. He waved to the perimeter guards, signaling them to let Logan through."Let him through," he ordered.Following Bruno's direct order, the guards immediately parted and allowed Logan to pass through.On the other side, Troye approached Shania, doubt evident in his voice. "Miss Moore, does Logan really have medical skills?"Shania shot Troye a sharp glance but said nothing.Troye cleared his throat, feeling uncomfortable. "I know you're angry at me for giving up so easily. I just want to make sure..."Shania sighed deeply, then spoke softly, "You wouldn't believe me if I told you. You need to see it for yourself."Troye nodded slowly, refocusing on Logan, who stood close to Bruno and Natalie. Logan's eyes burned with a blend of anger and resentment aimed at Bruno. Bruno twitched nervously, attempting to conceal his unease.Logan ignored Bruno completely and turned to Natalie, who regarded him with curious eyes."Logan Maxwell," she mur
All eyes fixed on Logan with curious expressions and whispers rippling through the crowd."Logan, a mere janitor, assisting Judge Harrison? Impossible," someone remarked incredulously."Perhaps he imagines mopping hospital floors has somehow imparted medical knowledge," another replied. "Still, Judge Harrison's illness is grave. Just observe how seasoned doctors like Natalie and Bruno appear to wrestle with despair.""I see. Logan is too naive if he believes he can measure up to the medical expertise of Dr. Natalie and Dr. Bruno."Despite the barrage of disparaging remarks directed his way, Logan remained unperturbed. His smile persisted, radiating unshakable confidence.The officer in front of Logan chuckled softly and asked, "I don't quite follow your reasoning. Have you pursued medical education before and obtained a medical degree?"Logan simply shook his head. The officer chuckled again, joined now by several participants behind him, who also began to laugh softly.With a restrai
Lying on the floor, his body convulsing, blood continued to spurt from the judge's mouth.The room fell silent for a moment before the officers sprang into action. Logan watched as the courtroom guards quickly surrounded Harrison, who was convulsing on the floor. Meanwhile, the people in the audience stood up from their seats, straining to get a better view."Damn, Judge Harrison's hematemesis is acting up!" one of the officers shouted in panic. "Quick, call an ambulance!" He then turned to the entire courtroom, shouting loudly, "Is there a doctor here?"Bruno immediately raised his hand confidently, thinking he would be the sole hero for Judge Harrison. However, someone else also raised their hand from the back row. "A neurologist here!" the voice shouted.Logan turned toward the voice, spotting a woman in the back corner of the courtroom with her hand raised high. Frowning, Logan realized something."Isn't that Natalie Harper, one of the most renowned doctors at Southriver Hospital
After a few minutes, a voice over the intercom announced that the trial was about to start. Logan, Shania, and Troye exchanged a few final words, finished their snacks, and stood up, ready to face what was coming."Huff, just a few more hours and this will all be over," Shania said with a sigh of relief. "Don't worry, Logan. They can't charge you that easily."Shania smiled confidently, certain they would soon win the trial with Troye's help. But just as she was feeling optimistic, Troye spoke up in a hesitant tone, "Actually, Miss Moore, I can't guarantee Mr. Kane will win this trial. Please don't be overconfident."Shania frowned and asked in bewilderment, "I thought you could expose the judge's corruption with your speaking skills. Are you saying you can't—""You're mistaken," Troye interrupted, his tone tinged with offense as he sensed the accusation in Shania's words. "I can expose the judge's crimes to everyone, but he's still the one running this trial. Even if his corruption i
When all eyes fixed on Judge Harrison, the old man stayed silent, sweat beading on his forehead. Anyone, even a 4-year-old, could tell he was nervous. "This is highly unusual," someone half-whispered. "Judge Harrison is always professional in his work. In every trial he leads, his demeanor is consistent: cold, indifferent, and calm. But now..." Another person immediately agreed, stating that there was something different about Judge Harrison today. "Yet, this is just a divorce hearing," another interjected. "He shouldn't be making such complicated decisions since both parties want the separation. Why does he look like he's presiding over a criminal trial?" Aware that negative comments were mounting against him, Judge Harrison knew his silence would only lead to disaster. He decisively rapped his gavel, startling everyone. "The trial will reconvene after lunch," he stated curtly. "What?!" The room instantly buzzed with murmurs as people exchanged bewildered glances at Judge Harri
As the attendees in the courtroom began to settle down, the door at the back opened, and a dignified man in a black robe entered the room. It was Judge Harrison, an elderly man with thinning white hair, yet exuding an aura of undeniable authority. Everyone in the room immediately stood up as a sign of respect."Please be seated," Judge Harrison commanded with a deep, authoritative voice, after taking his place at the judge's bench. He rapped his gavel once, signaling the start of the trial.The attendees settled back into their seats, the atmosphere growing intensely serious. Judge Harrison surveyed the entire room with keen eyes before continuing."The divorce trial between Ariana and Logan is officially commencing," he announced, his voice resonating throughout the room. "Counsel for the plaintiff, please present your demands."Ariana's lawyer, a middle-aged man with a slick demeanor, stood up and moved to the front. His name was Ronald Baxter, notorious for his aggressive tactics.
Without a pause, Emily's hand shot out, the slap echoing sharply in the tense silence that followed.SLAP!"You sorry excuse for a man!" Emily's voice sliced through the air, dripping with scorn. "Logan's barely out of his twenties, and you, well past fifty. Aren't you ashamed, cowering before someone half your age?"At her words, Soegi's gaze swept over Logan, taking in the young man's muscular frame, a stark contrast to his own frail, aging body.Comparing himself to Logan was like measuring earth against the sky—utterly unfair and illogical."Honey," Soegi pleaded, his voice strained. "Please, let's not say things that defy reason. How could an old man possibly outperform a young one?"However, immediately after Soegi uttered those words, another slap landed on his face, even harder than the first. His wrinkled face flushed crimson, resembling a boiled crab."Age dictates everything," his wife scolded once more. "If I say you can defeat Logan, then you must! I won't tolerate any ex