Chapter 20: Madness and Bones (1/2)

It began with a bright light. Every time Nikolai tried to open his eyes, the bright light would make him squint. There were only blurry outlines of the surrounding. However, the sound of breathing made him conclude that he wasn't alone in the room.

As his eyes adjusted, he was able to make out the place he was. He was in the basement of the doctor's house. He realized he was naked from head to toe.

”You're awake.” The doctor didn't look at him and kept cleaning his glasses. ”Are you well-rested?”

He talked in a friendly tone, his deep brown eyes looking at Nikolai the same way you'd look at a patient or a slab of meat. His bald head shone brightly in the light after he had taken off his hat.

”Thanks to you, I've had some good quality sleep.” Nikolai tried to pull his arms but he was strapped to a chair. ”What's next? A good meal? I hope I'm not the main dish.”

”...” The doctor studied him with an inquisitive gaze. ”You're oddly calm. Aren't you afraid?”

”Being afraid wouldn't set me free. Well, unless you're into begging.” Nikolai looked at him through the strands of his messy hair. ”What are you planning to do with me now?”

”The options vary.” He walked toward the table where a leather bundle was laid. He undid the leather belt and it rolled to reveal a set of tools. Scalpers, scissors, saws, forceps, and clamps of different sizes were neatly sorted out. ”Your muscles aren't tender; you've used crystals or trained before? No sweat, we can make something out of them.”

”If you were going to kill me, you would have done so while I was unconscious.” Nikolai grinned. ”What is it that you want to know?” At his words, the doctor paused his actions. He turned to look at him with his beady eyes.

”How did you know the password?” He asked with his eyes squinting dangerously. ”Think twice before you lie.”

”I should refuse to tell you, but I'm only a hired knife.” Nikolai shrugged. ”There are only a handful of people who know about your business, you can deduce the rest from there.”

”Talk.” The doctor picked up a scalper and walked up to him. Before Nikolai could say anything, he made a long deep cut across his forearm.

”Agh.” Nikolai winced in pain. ”No need to get so touchy, I'll talk.” The doctor paused at his words. ”If you fail to deliver the crystals to Hyde, there will be less competition on the right-hand man's position.”

”How do you know about that?” The doctor's eyes turned round in shock. ”That's a matter of top secrecy.” He looked at Nikolai with doubt.

Nikolai was saying what he knew from his past life. This person would die at the hands of someone else, a competitor of his a few years from now. This fact made Nikolai realize that the competition must have started in their earlier days in Hyde's association.

”The Crow is looking for its wings.” Nikolai's words made the doctor frown heavily. ”I've overheard some things while I was taking this job, and these could be of value to you.”

”You're lying.”

”Bone!” The scalper was an inch away from his skin before Nikolai shouted something that made the doctor stop. ”It was Bone who gave me the password.”

The doctor's stoic face turned into a grin to reveal his crooked teeth. He retracted his scalper as he looked at Nikolai with a knowing expression.

”I knew that barbarian bastard wouldn't sit idle.” The doctor seemed to link the dots on his own and fill the gaps. ”You no longer serve a need.” He waved his hand dismissively but Nikolai knew that didn't mean he would be freed.

[Choose a response in thirty seconds.]

[Action: Bluff reporting this place to the Union.]

[Action: Try stalling for time to escape.]

[Action: Negotiate to work for Madness.]

Madness was the codename for this doctor, a befitting one too. For the first option, there was a high chance of the doctor figuring out he's bluffing. Even if he bought it, he might still kill him and run away.