"Lie down."
Kai hesitated.
"...Now?"
"Now."
Kai slowly climbed onto the table.
Metal restraints immediately locked around his wrists.
His ankles.
His waist.
Click.
Click.
Click.
Kai looked down.
"...That was fast."
Dr. Z tightened the final restraint.
Satisfied.
Kai swallowed.
"...Doc."
"Hm?"
"...Based on what I remembered..."
"...what's the success rate now?"
Dr. Z became strangely quiet.
He reached toward the instrument tray.
Picked up a gleaming mana scalpel.
The blade shimmered blue beneath the lanterns.
Kai watched it approach.
"...Doc?"
No answer.
"...Seriously."
"...What's the success rate?"
Dr. Z finally smiled.
"...Higher."
Kai blinked.
"...Higher?"
"Higher than last time."
Kai's mind immediately spiraled.
Higher...?
One percent?
Five percent?
Fifty?
...Zero point two?
His breathing quickened.
"...We..."
"...We can still talk about this."
Dr. Z walked closer.
"...Can we?"
Kai smiled nervously.
"I think communication is important."
Dr. Z nodded thoughtfully.
"I agree."
Kai sighed in relief.
Then—
The doctor calmly stuffed a cloth into Kai's mouth.
"Mmph?!"
"There."
"Much quieter."
Kai stared at him in horror.
Dr. Z adjusted the surgical light.
"...Let's begin."