Chapter 4

The school nurse put ointment on my face and hooked me up to an IV drip of glucose. "Young man, why are you throwing up blood? Do you have any medical history?" The school nurse advised me to get a thorough check-up at the hospital, just to be safe.

I thanked him, explaining it was just because I hadn't eaten breakfast. I didn't need a check-up; I already knew this body's condition. In my mind, I asked the System why this was happening.

The System's mechanical voice quietly responded. "Because the original host's consciousness is fading faster."

Meaning he wants to leave this world quickly, right?

The System was silent.

I gave a knowing, bitter smile. The original host was adopted by his grandmother. When his grandmother found him as an infant, he was stiff with cold in the ice and snow, his tiny body purple. She thought he was already frozen to death, but then saw a tiny finger twitch. When he was five, his grandmother passed away. The original host was sent to an orphanage by the neighbors. Later, he was taken in by the Stone family, but he never received proper care. So now, the original host wanted to go find his grandmother, the only one who ever loved him...

Perhaps it was the pain, or perhaps it was for the original host. My eyes grew moist, and I stared blankly at the ceiling. In that moment, I wanted to hold him tightly, the him deep within this soul.

I realized Harper was still there and hastily wiped my eyes. I pressed my lips together. "Thank you for bringing me here."

In my last life, facing so much malice, I always fought alone. Now, faced with Harper, who had helped me, I felt a little lost. And I'd just thrown up on her...

Harper raised an eyebrow. "Well, as repayment, how about you bring me breakfast from now on?"

I hesitated. I didn't want to get too involved with anyone.

Harper looked at my faded canvas shoes, then quickly added. "What? Your gratitude isn't just empty words, is it?"

I sighed, having no choice but to nod in agreement.

After school, I planned to go to the hospital. My body's condition would only worsen. I needed to get some painkillers. The original host had a card, given to him by Isabelle as compensation when he first came home. If regular painkillers worked, I wouldn't even bother going to the hospital.

Gastroenterology department at the hospital. Dr. Alex Liu was young. Perhaps seeing me as a younger brother, he gently asked what was bothering me. In that instant, I actually felt like crying. Such genuine concern—I'd never known it in either of my lives.

I managed a weak smile. "Could you please prescribe some morphine?"

The doctor froze, unable to believe his ears. The young man in front of him was barely of school age, yet he was asking for morphine.

I continued, "If not, OxyContin, Fentanyl—anything strong will do."

Dr. Alex Liu choked, his face etched with reproach. "What kind of illness do you have, young man? Have you been examined? You can't just take random medication."

"Stomach cancer, advanced stage," I answered, my tone light, but serious.

His expression instantly froze, and he even seemed a little agitated. "How is that possible? You're so young! Which hospital? Which quack doctor diagnosed you?! Do you want me to report them?"

The doctor's expression was so amusing, I couldn't help but let out a small laugh. "I've already been diagnosed. It's just been getting more painful lately. Could you please prescribe some painkillers?"

Dr. Alex Liu looked at the young man's genuine expression, his heart sinking. "Do your family know?" "You're so young, why aren't you fighting for treatment?"

I sighed. This was one of the reasons I didn't want to come to the hospital. I resorted to playing the victim card. "My family knows. It's just... we don't have the money. And I have several older sisters, so... no treatment."

Dr. Alex Liu looked as if he wanted to say more, but in the end, he remained silent. I left the hospital with my medication.

Unaware that Harper had followed me the whole way.

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