Chapter 8

Shen Shu ran the fastest, and the nurse immediately directed him to the most critically injured Sentinel's room. The nurse had already cut away half of the Sentinel's clothes and, upon seeing Shen Shu, worked even faster. After placing the Sentinel inside the treatment pod, the nurses quickly exited for disinfection without needing any reminders.

The IV line automatically connected to the Sentinel's body.

These three Sentinels must have been injured in the Contaminated Zone; otherwise, they would have been brought in sooner. Shen Shu immediately activated the sealed mode and observed the Sentinel's real-time data: Class A Sentinel, Contamination Value at 88.1%, other metrics also in critical condition. A wound on the Sentinel's chest revealed ribs and a still-beating heart. CT scans showed no missing bones.

He was close to the Alice Line!

In one second, Shen Shu completed Iris Verification and took control of the treatment pod's operations. He immediately injected SG3246 into the Sentinel's body to stabilize the data.

In this situation, a mild sedative like SG3212 would be ineffective. SG3246 was necessary, as even a Class A Sentinel could withstand its potent effects.

The instant the pale yellow medicinal fluid was injected into the Sentinel, Shen Shu was suddenly slammed onto the treatment pod by a massive force. He immediately released his Guiding Substance. Within a second, the pressure on his back began to ease. In that precious moment, he operated Central Control and administered Growth Hormone at 50% concentration.

The Growth Hormone took effect with visible speed. Tiny buds of flesh sprouted from the missing tissue, intertwining and forming pink new flesh.

The pressure on his back grew lighter and lighter until a whimpering sound came from behind him. Shen Shu stood up, and the whimpering behind him intensified, accompanied by the tap-tap-tap of footsteps. Impatiently, Shen Shu snapped, "Sit down!"

"No! Don't order me!"

The footsteps and whimpering stopped abruptly.

Shen Shu had no time to deal with the Mental Body. He focused on monitoring the Sentinel's real-time data while observing the man's condition. He couldn't allow him to enter the Alice Line. The good news was that the Contamination Value hadn't risen further, indicating no latent contaminants in his body. However, the red flashing 88.1% data still made Shen Shu unconsciously frown.

Shen Shu issued another command, retrieving the Sentinel's medical data from the past three months. This time, the data came directly from his teammates, bypassing the Medical Department. The information quickly appeared—the Sentinel had undergone a check four hours earlier, with a Contamination Value of 86.9%.

The current increase in the Contamination Value was perfectly reasonable.

So why wasn't it decreasing?

Even a decrease of 0.01 would indicate the medication was working. The newly formed flesh was almost healed, and Shen Shu wanted to ensure the physical body wouldn't continue to burden the Mental Body. He sent a command to Central Control for SG3023 (Mental Treatment Agent). He expected everything to proceed smoothly, but just before the SG3023 could be injected into the Sentinel's vein, the infusion stopped. Red lights flashed on Central Control, indicating the Sentinel had a severe adverse reaction to SG3023.

Damn it! Why wasn't this crucial information in the medical records?!

Shen Shu cursed inwardly. He opened the treatment pod, leaned in, and kissed the Sentinel's blood-stained lips. A large amount of Guiding Substance, surging due to his emotional turmoil, transferred through their saliva. His slender fingers pressed against the Sentinel's throat, massaging to help him swallow—swallowing allowed more of the mucous membranes to absorb the Guiding Substance simultaneously.

Thanks to the Guiding Substance, which was already abnormally amplified today, it quickly replaced the S-class student's, producing the expected effect. The Central Control lit up green, and the Contamination Value successfully decreased by 0.1%. Shen Shu stared intently at the data, while simultaneously using a portion of his mental capacity to imagine the taste of sour plum essence, tricking his brain into commanding the secretion of more saliva.

The data dropped another 0.2%, reaching 87.8%. The decrease in the median value allowed Shen Shu to exhale a long sigh of relief. After three more minutes, the data reached 87%, only then did Shen Shu release the Sentinel. A full percentage point drop indicated that the Sentinel had passed the critical period and could now enter a stable treatment phase.

At this stage, aggressive medication was unnecessary. Allowing the body to recover naturally with gentle medication was the best approach.

Shen Shu turned to look and saw a reddish-brown wolf sitting behind him—a Texas Red Wolf. Unlike the typically petite Texas Red Wolves in reality, this one was exceptionally large. Even when seated, its head was nearly at the level of Shen Shu's chest.

It gazed up at Shen Shu with wide, hopeful eyes. Shen Shu patted its head. "It's alright now. We can take our time with the treatment."

Suddenly, Shen Shu noticed a man standing outside. He stared sharply at him through the Observation Wall. Shen Shu walked to the wall and asked through the intercom, "Hello?"

The man showed him his ID and stated tersely, "Please cure this Sentinel as quickly as possible and restore his combat readiness."

Shen Shu instinctively began to explain, "He's not stable enough right now..."

The man cut him off with four words that made Shen Shu abandon all attempts at persuasion. "This is an order."

He continued, "Use SG07."

SG07—its early serial number indicated its exceptional efficacy, but it was a drug that caused as much harm to the user as to the enemy. Once administered, SG07 could rapidly suppress the Contamination Value, allowing the Sentinel to recover quickly in the short term, but at the cost of shortening his lifespan.

Shen Shu turned and walked to the treatment pod. He saved the video of the man giving his command and showing his ID in SG07's drug usage record. Just as he was about to initiate the release procedure with triple confirmation, he paused and switched SG07 to SG14.

SG14: a potent mental sedative. This drug was originally derived from the Guiding Substance of an A-grade specialized Guide. For a time, it was impossible to replicate through technological means, making the drug rare after the Guide's death.

Most Sentinels experience severe pain when exposed to S-class students, but it's not fatal and is manageable. Some even grow accustomed to it and use it like regular medicine. However, it had one drawback...

Anyway, injuries sustained during missions are fully covered by official medical expenses. No more tragic scenarios of working for five years to pay off treatment installments!

Why use SG07, this Analgin for Sentinels, when we have a superior drug? Am I a doctor or not?! Whatever I say goes! If anyone asks, I'll just say it's against medical regulations and requires a formal application process. Bring three copies of the required documents, get them all stamped, and I'll administer the injection!

The emerald-green liquid surged into the Sentinel's body. Even in his unconscious state, the Sentinel sprang to his feet, his body rigid. The Texas Red Wolf, writhing in agony, thrashed on the ground, its body convulsing, yet it still obeyed Shen Shu's command to remain silent, only a few whimpers escaping its throat.

Shen Shu inserted earplugs and said softly, "You can make noise now."

The Texas Red Wolf immediately opened its mouth, but Shen Shu heard nothing. He watched the data steadily decline, estimating that the Sentinel would regain mobility within two hours. Satisfied, he stepped aside to check his Contamination Value.

20.3%.

The value must have risen again after dropping during his contact with the Sentinel.

Tsk, the metallic tang of blood... Remember to spray more when disinfecting later. Level 2 Contact with patients for channeling was part of his professional duty. Even if the man was currently spewing vomit, Shen Shu would kiss him if necessary. But he couldn't risk carrying pathogens and contaminants to other patients.

A nurse appeared outside the Observation Wall and gestured to Shen Shu. He nodded and immediately entered the isolation chamber for disinfection. After he finished, the man was still there. Shen Shu approached and said, "Please wait one moment."

Soon, a nearby machine printed out a paper document containing the SG14 medication usage record and the download address for the video of the man's earlier order to use 07. He handed the document to the man. "Please sign here."

The man took it, glanced over it, and frowned. "SG14? Doctor, why didn't you follow my orders?"

"Our hospital determined that SG14 better meets the patient's needs and will allow him to regain combat readiness quickly—the patient doesn't meet the criteria for SG07," Shen Shu replied with a gentle, polite smile. "Please trust our professional judgment."

The unspoken message was: Don't you dare question my expertise with your amateur opinions. If you think you know better, treat him yourself. Don't dump him in a hospital and expect us to clean up your mess.

After hearing Shen Shu's explanation, the man gave him a deep, appraising look and signed his name. Shen Shu confirmed the signature, took a photo for the records, and handed the work order to the nurse. This documentation was essential for official reimbursement.

Without hesitation, Shen Shu moved to the next ward. It was a dire situation: their department had originally had five Guides, but one had resigned to get married. The remaining two were low-rank C-class Guides, while Shen Shu was Grade B. The only Alpha Guide stronger than him, a Grade A, was away in the Capital for advanced training. Today's three Sentinels were all in critical condition, and Shen Shu worried if the two junior Guides could handle them.

Even the Director, as skilled as he was, could usually only offer guidance from the sidelines, much like Shen Shu's own Teacher. A Sentinel wouldn't let their guard down until they were fully calmed, and only then could a Guide enter.

My lower back was still aching from being tackled earlier.

The nurse had already handed him the data for the other two patients. As Shen Shu reviewed the information, deciding which ward to visit first, he noticed the Observation Wall was displaying an unobservable state, showing only real-time data. Then he understood.

Right, a Level 3 Guidance State.

Level 1 Guidance, also known as Level 1 Contact, involves skin-to-skin contact. It's typically achieved through hand-holding, hugs, and other forms of skin contact to establish a light connection and facilitate channeling. For Shen Shu at work, Level 1 Contact is the most common method, and simply releasing pheromones also falls under this category.

Level 2 Guidance, or Level 2 Contact, involves contact with mucous membranes and bodily fluids. It's usually achieved through activities like kissing and sexual intercourse, which involve mucous membrane contact, to establish a moderate connection and facilitate channeling. This type of guidance is often used in emergencies or for cross-tier channeling. Directly injecting Concentrated Guide Fluid also falls under Level 2 Guidance.

With current medical advancements, Level 2 Guidance can often be achieved through medication, and in some cases, the treatment effects can even surpass those of Level 2 Contact. After all, when the fluid is directly administered into the bloodstream, it's technically much stronger than Level 2 Contact.

Level 3 Guidance, or Level 3 Contact, involves sexual intercourse to establish a deep connection and facilitate channeling.

Shen Shu believes there's not much difference between Level 3 and Level 2 Guidance; both involve mucous membrane contact. However, Level 3 Guidance effectively boosts dopamine levels in Sentinels and Guides, rapidly increasing hormone levels and enhancing the treatment's effectiveness.

Don't ask why. The answer is based on extensive data research and rigorous analysis: Level 3 Guidance is effective in treating many patients who don't respond to Level 2 Guidance. Perhaps in five or ten years, with further technological advancements, we'll find a way to replace Level 3 Guidance altogether.

This isn't simply a matter of human rights. Guides can't perform Level 3 Guidance with Sentinels at any given moment; circumstances often don't allow it. Would you expect a Guide to perform Level 3 Guidance on a Sentinel in the middle of a battlefield while Mutants are rampaging? Would you ask the Mutants to pause their slaughter for a ceasefire while the Guide finishes?

Then the Mutants would be the ones complaining about lack of martial honor!

Guidance takes time. The patient might die before it's even halfway done. What's the point then? If we develop a drug that can replace Level 3 Guidance, Sentinels' survival rates will skyrocket.

Shen Shu moved on to the next ward. The real-time data from both rooms remained stable, so he didn't need to enter.