...
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
A steady rhythm echoed somewhere nearby.
Kai slowly opened his eyes.
The ceiling above him looked unfamiliar.
Plain.
Wooden.
Not the operating room.
Not the clinic.
His entire body felt...
Heavy.
As if every muscle had been replaced with stone.
"..."
He tried lifting his right arm.
It barely moved.
"...Ow."
His voice came out hoarse.
His throat burned.
The surgery.
Dr. Z.
Magic Circuits.
"...I'm alive."
The realization made him laugh quietly.
"I actually lived..."
The door creaked open.
A familiar figure walked inside.
Messy black hair.
Glasses.
White doctor's coat stained with dried blood.
Dr. Z.
He glanced at Kai.
Then smiled.
"Oh."
"You're alive."
Kai stared.
"...That's your greeting?"
"I was expecting the opposite."
The doctor walked over and casually placed a clipboard on the nearby table.
"I was too."
Kai frowned.
"...Comforting."
"It should be."
"It isn't."
Dr. Z ignored the complaint and began examining Kai.
He lifted one eyelid.
Checked his pulse.
Placed two fingers against Kai's neck.
Then suddenly—