The Time-Limited Baby Doctor Doesn’t Hide The Fact That She’s A Genius - Chapter 245
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Terminal Baby Physician Doesn’t Hide Being a Genius
Additional Side Story Episode 10
“Um, I still haven’t received an answer, but who are you?”
After the situation settled, I asked politely.
A mysterious figure appearing in a space filled only with darkness.
‘You can tell just by looking.’
This is the owner of this space.
What did we come here for? To take a test. So what does that mean? It wouldn’t hurt to make a good impression on the examiner!
That’s why I asked with a pretty smile.
– You’ve noticed, I am indeed the owner of this space, young Physician.
A pleasant answer came back.
– If I answer in a way you can understand… Yes, you could say I’m the First Goddess.
“The First… Goddess? But she is…”
– Dead long ago. Though our clan has long lifespans, we can’t live that long.
The woman’s tail swayed gently.
– I am a fragment left behind by the First Goddess. A soul fragment? You could express it that way. I greet and see off those who come here to take the test.
“Do you also directly decide the success or failure of the test?”
Raon asked.
– That’s right. But success or failure is also determined by the challengers themselves. Little one of the clan.
Somehow it seemed like the First Goddess was looking at Raon very fondly? It didn’t seem like my imagination.
Did she take a liking to him?
Like an elderly grandmother looking at her late-born grandson…
– So cute, and you held back the ninth time for your companion? Too adorable…
“Does the test start right away?”
In contrast, Raon’s attitude was somewhat shy. He must not have liked that I smiled at that person’s tail touch earlier.
– That’s right. Hehe. Shall we start before I’m hated?
The First Goddess didn’t drag it out any longer and clapped her hands.
– The test is simple. When it starts, you’ll be standing at the cave entrance. Just walk straight and exit the cave.
“Oh… that’s all?”
– Yes. But… you in front, you in back.
The Goddess’s tail pointed to me first, then to Raon.
– Young Physician. Until you two come outside, you must absolutely never look back. Absolutely not.
Huh. This is…
‘I feel like I’ve heard this story somewhere before?’
I nodded with a serious expression. It was simpler content than I had thought. I think I can do well.
“Yes, I understand.”
– Hehe, it won’t be as easy as you think. But I’m rooting for you.
The First Goddess, who winked with one eye, clapped her hands once more.
When I slowly opened my eyes, this time I was standing alone.
– Begin.
Without looking back, I glanced around with my peripheral vision. I could see the cave walls.
‘Good. I just need to walk like this, right?’
I started walking.
“Raon? You’re behind me, right?”
Strangely, though Raon should definitely be behind me, I couldn’t hear any sound. I couldn’t sense his presence either.
Naturally, there was no response.
I felt a slight anxiety but endured it and walked. This was probably part of the trial too.
I walked bravely.
The cave was only quiet. It seemed like an ordinary cave. Except the shadows cast here and there in the dim areas were darker than the shadows I usually saw.
Sometimes they seemed to ripple. As if there were ghosts.
‘Phew, I guess it’s fortunate I have resistance to ghosts and spirits(?)’
It’s all thanks to Mother.
Thinking that this path was also a journey to save Mother, my steps felt light.
How long had I walked like that?
“Hello, Physician.”
A strange voice was heard.
From behind, no less.
‘Ah, what a surprise…!’
I almost turned around in shock. Is startling people like this the test method?
I need to fortify my mind more firmly.
I ignored the voice and walked.
“You’re truly an outstanding Physician. Probably among the top physicians who have entered this place! About five fingers worth? Wahaha… You can be proud. This place is… a space that’s been around for a whole thousand years. Even non-humans come here.”
Despite being ignored, the voice kept talking to me.
“Physician, I’ll make you one proposal. I’ll give you that ingredient you want. In return, you just need to do one thing. Just look back…”
Ah, so this is how it works.
I snorted and walked.
What kind of talk is this that wouldn’t even fool a child?
“Haha, that was too obvious, wasn’t it? I’ll change my proposal. The moment you look back now, you’ll gain the ability to cure any disease in this world. I guarantee it in the name of the Goddess who owns this place.”
I hesitated for a moment at those words.
…What?
“You’re truly an excellent Physician, but there’s still a disease you haven’t conquered… To treat that disease, you’d have to sacrifice your lifespan. Isn’t that right? I’ll help you so you have no regrets as a Physician… Oh, if only you’d look back…!”
What came to mind in that moment was Dad’s illness.
The disease I ultimately couldn’t cure alone. The disease I treated by joining forces with Mother.
Sometimes I think about it. If Dad relapses…
I shook my head. That’s nonsense. Whether it’s true or not, even if it is true, what do I care?
The voice that persistently tempted me after that disappeared at some point.
It was a perfect opponent to understand the nature of this space.
‘But if it’s like this, there’s no problem.’
I will save Mother.
I don’t need some ability to become the world’s greatest Physician.
‘I just need to work harder.’
It’s not that I don’t covet the ability to save more people, but it can’t be more important than Mother. Absolutely not.
After walking for a while, the color of the walls changed slightly. No, it might have been my imagination.
‘How far do I need to walk?’
The Goddess didn’t even tell me the distance. I moistened my lips.
Am I thirsty? I’m not sure.
‘Raon is following well from behind, right?’
It’ll be fine. I just can’t hear sounds or sense his presence. I clenched my hands tightly.
They say humans have difficulty enduring mentally for long in spaces where sound is completely blocked.
The pressure from darkness and silence was gradually increasing, but I deliberately ignored it.
How long had I walked?
A playful laughter came from somewhere. I frowned.
For some reason…
That laughter sounded familiar.
‘No way.’
My heart felt eerie, but I ignored it. However, the laughter followed me and came very close.
“■■, I’m glad I told you to read it once.”
I flinched. My steps stopped for the first time.
I was grateful that there was no rule saying I couldn’t stop walking.
Cold sweat ran down the back of my neck.
This voice.
It was a voice so familiar to me, yet one I had forgotten for so long.
It was the voice of my closest friend from long ago on Earth.
That voice that had nagged me to read the novel containing this world.
And even my old name from my previous life that I hadn’t heard in so long.
Without realizing it, I called out that old name.
“…Gyujin.”
“Ahahaha.”
A cheerful laugh came as if I had given the correct answer.
“I came after hearing the explanation. It’s like a dream to me, but this is apparently a really amazing space, right? I really wanted to see you. Do you know how shocked I was when you suddenly disappeared? Just show me your face once ■■….”
I swallowed my breath. It was my long-forgotten friend’s voice.
“They say here we can see each other’s faces and have conversations. They gave me some amazing tea too. Look at this. It’s so much better than that tasteless stuff we had in Yeongwol!”
At the same time, just those few words brought back frighteningly vivid memories.
“You, you’re like family to me. Really disappearing without a word like that… I even went to that island you sang about wanting to visit. I thought you might really be dead.”
“….”
“I lost family. Do you understand? And you won’t even show me your face? Didn’t you want to see me?”
There was a hint of tears at the end of the voice I heard. I bit my lips.
I squeezed my eyes shut and then opened them.
My friend Gyujin had been like family to me, an orphan even in Korea.
He was a grateful friend who didn’t stop there, but even brought me home saying to consider his family as my family too.
Even so, I sometimes read troubled expressions in his parents’ eyes and stopped visiting after that.
But I always felt grateful for your kindness and affection.
I bit my lips tightly.
If I turned around, it felt like he would be there. As my friend said, we were people who couldn’t even say goodbye. If I could have, I would have.
I wanted to turn around and see his face after so long.
But I couldn’t do that.
Strength entered my toes. I forced myself to step forward with effort.
“…If you’re really Gyujin.”
“■■, I really missed you. Even now I….”
“You’ll understand my situation.”
“….”
“I have to save Mother. So I can’t look back.”
I calmly swallowed down whatever was rising up. Perhaps, if I had taken this test in my first life.
I definitely would have turned around here.
“You’re a friend who knows me better than anyone, so you’ll understand. Right? If this is our final farewell, we can share it with our voices. Gyujin.”
“….”
“I’m actually grateful that this opportunity came. If you’re….”
Really real, that is.
“Thank you. Really, thanks to reading that novel that wasn’t even my taste like you said, I lived well.”
There was no need to show the hardships. I’m happy now.
The voice that had been silent for a while soon sniffled. Then briefly spoke to me.
“…You heartless girl.”
I let out a small laugh. That friend’s affectionate curse was really something I hadn’t heard in so long.
“I know too. I really liked you, but I couldn’t become your mother or father. That you were lonely your whole life… I know.”
Whether it was real or not didn’t matter. I decided to be grateful that I could hear the voice I had forgotten for so long.
“So… we won’t be able to see each other anymore, but live happily….”
I decided to believe this was real.
My friend’s voice disappeared along with the sound of crying.
I let out a small sigh. Perhaps because I had been on edge for such a short time, my head began to throb.
After that, countless voices continued to be heard from behind.
The voices of those who abused me pressing me, voices trying to somehow intimidate me and dig at my wounds to make me turn around.
Shaman’s gentle voice from the 3rd round.
I overcame them all with composure, but gradually grew tired.
‘This direction is… right, isn’t it?’
Even though I just had to walk in a straight line, I was thinking such thoughts.
I became increasingly dizzy. All I could see was pitch-black darkness and walls that occasionally revealed themselves.
If not for the voices coming from behind, there were the sounds of my clothes rustling, my breathing, swallowing saliva….
The insane silence pressed down on my mind.
I gritted my teeth.
How much longer did I walk like that.
Finally, I could see the exit leading outside…!
I smiled brightly and began walking quickly, urging my tired body forward.
When the entrance came into view, I stepped forward with confidence.
It was the moment when one of my feet had just stepped on the exit.
“…Biyu.”
At the last moment, I heard Raon’s voice, so familiar I couldn’t possibly not recognize it.
I was briefly happy to hear Raon’s voice for the first time since entering the cave.
“I’m… in pain….”
A weak, dying voice.
“My body won’t move….”
I froze in place.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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