Doctor will never die in a hellish situation.

The orange flames overshadowed the dim lights in the warehouse, rising continuously, and the strong aroma of roasted meat filled the air.

"Sure enough, it tastes even better after being roasted." Ifrit was as happy as a primitive man who had just discovered fire, and without caring that the thing in her hand was still scalding hot, she began to chew it.

"Hmm, crunchy, tastes like chicken, and has six times the protein of beef. It'll be even more delicious after grilling it." Qin Duanyu casually agreed, then handed Ifrit a sandworm leg.

Well, it seems I'm quite good at coaxing kids.

Looking at Ifrit, who had turned into a green light source, Qin Duanyu was extremely proud.

The most direct way to subdue a brat is through violent suppression. There's nothing that can't be solved with a beating, and if there is, then give him two beatings. But with his weak fighting ability, doing that would be asking for trouble.

Therefore, we can only resort to gentle methods and use sweet words as bait.

According to the white-faced owl, Ifrit left the lab around 10 a.m. and must be starving by now. So, when Qin Duanyu passed by the food area, he casually grabbed a few sandworm legs and put them in his pocket, which proved useful at the crucial moment.

“You’re not like those annoying white coats. If anyone dares to bully you in the future, I’ll definitely stand up for you.” Ifrit patted his belly and smiled with satisfaction.

"I'll say it again, I wasn't wearing white." Qin Duanyu shrugged. "Are you sure you're not colorblind? Don't be ashamed, I won't laugh at you."

"Don't you understand the term?! Anyway, no one wearing this uniform is a good person, except for Himer and White Owl." Ifrit thought for a moment, then added, "And you too."

Because of certain past experiences, she is far more sensitive than children her age. Yet, every ordinary medical officer she encounters is afraid of the power within her, lest they inadvertently offend her.

monster!

It was precisely this cautious yet fearful demeanor that easily reminded Ifrit of her past experience of being called a monster, which only further agitated her emotions.

Qin Duanyu was unlike anyone she had ever met. Her nonchalant attitude made Ifrit feel like she was being treated as a normal person, and she subconsciously wanted to maintain this relationship.

"It's an honor to be categorized as a good person by you." Qin Duanyu stood up, patted the dust off her bottom, and said, "White-faced Owl should be here soon. Let's go back to the lab with her."

"No!" Ifrit's previously calm expression suddenly changed, and she took a few steps back.

"why?"

“Saria, I want to see her… but… her office has been moved…”

Qin Duanyu suddenly realized why the White Owl was so sure Ifrit was here. The twelfth floor was indeed the medical department's office area back then, but it was later turned into a warehouse due to the conversion of the land-based ship.

poor child.

Although Qin Duanyu did not experience living in a single-parent family, one of her former friends had divorced parents. Whenever she came home from school, that friend would look at the parents of other children with envy.

That feeling must be very painful.

"I don't know if Dr. Himer will listen, but I will suggest she arrange a meeting between you two," Qin Duanyu couldn't help but pat Ifrit's head and gently comfort her.

"really?"

If someone dared to touch her head normally, Ifrit would be furious, feeling that she was being looked down upon. But these hands covering her head seemed to possess some kind of magic.

It's warm and reassuring.

"Of course, there are conditions. You must attend class seriously and do your homework, and you're not allowed to scare anyone else." Recalling the White Owl's complaints along the way, Qin Duanyu held up her little finger, "If you're not comfortable with that, you can make a deal with me."

"It's a promise, I'll study hard from now on. You have to help me persuade Himer that liars swallow a thousand Originium!" Evelyn nodded and hooked her little finger with his.

Ha, swallowing Originium? This agreement is utterly powerless.

However, after a somewhat childish agreement, he and Charmander became much closer.

"Ifrit, why are you leaving the lab?" Just as the two were about to leave, a detached female voice came from afar, and Qin Duanyu clearly felt the little fire dragon's body stiffen.

Looking in the direction of the sound, besides Bai Gugu, there was also a girl with black hair and brown eyes wearing glasses.

Well, the parents of this brat have arrived.

Himer was clearly not the kind of parent who would encourage a bratty child's arrogance. On the contrary, although she cared about Ifrit more than anyone else, she would never indulge her because of it, and she would punish her just the same for any mistakes she made.

So although Ifrit is a bear, she can clearly distinguish right from wrong and good from evil, and is essentially a kind and good child.

"Dr. Hermer, I'm sorry for bringing the child out without your permission." Qin Duanyu stood in front of Ifrit, scratching her head apologetically. "When she was little, my parents often kept her at home and she couldn't go out to play with her friends. I felt a little sorry for her seeing her like this."

"Doctor... I've read your papers and benefited greatly from them on the treatment of Oripathy. Do you also have research in childcare?" Hermer nodded to Qin Duanyu first, then said meaningfully.

"It's better to guide than to block. Children yearn to play outside. If we simply refuse without explaining why, it might backfire." How could such nonsense fool Hermer? Qin Duanyu didn't expect to succeed in deceiving her; she was just using the opportunity to advise her.

"Since it was the Doctor who brought you out to play, let's leave it at that this time. Come back with me." Himer sighed, and finally went along with the suggestion he gave Amiya. "Aren't you going to thank the Doctor?"

"Thank you so much, big brother whose face I can't see." Of the four people present, only Ifrit probably thought she had gotten away with it. She was incredibly moved by Qin Duanyu. "You're called Doctor, right? Please let me know if you ever need my help!"

Operator Ifrit's trust level has increased, currently reaching the "Respect" level.

The system sent a timely notification. Although it was far less than the level of respect shown to ACE and others, Little Dragon's trust in him far exceeded that of many ordinary operators.

“I’m not called Doctor… never mind, just call me that if you think it’s easy to say…” Qin Duanyu called out to Ifrit’s back, but suddenly realized the key point in her words.

Something's not right. Didn't that white goofball say when he asked for his help that Ifrit knew him and would never attack? How come he doesn't even know his name now!

The owl looked completely bewildered; it knew nothing about anything.

Sensing the intense rage emanating from beneath its mask, the white-faced owl held up two fingers.

"The number of photos agreed upon earlier has doubled!"

"make a deal!"

Section 17, Chapter Seventeen: Schot's Melancholy

The next morning, the sun rose.

"What a beautiful sunrise, just like... Rhodes Island right now." SCOUT, dressed in a hospital gown, leaned against the window, his eyes somewhat unfocused.

As a veteran medical operator on the island, Dr. Gavial is indeed highly skilled in medicine. Scud, who was seriously injured by W's bomb, was able to get out of bed and move around in less than a week.

As for the treatment process, well, he didn't want to think about it; it was definitely not a pleasant memory.

Just like the time before the doctor disappeared.

"Your codename is SCOUT? From now on, I'll call you Junior. Don't ask why, I just feel that this nickname is meant for you." He recalled the scene of their first meeting, a faint smile appearing on his lips.

Unlike the serious and earnest Dr. Kal'tsit, that man was approachable. He just casually said a few witty remarks, which put the group of greenhorns at ease.

Although everyone always felt that the Doctor was unreliable and liked to give people strange nicknames, such as calling ACE "Big Brother" and forcing him to grow a beard, the first person everyone thought of in critical moments was always this figure hidden under the cloak.

The arduous training became less unbearable with his guidance, and the difficult battles became easier with his command.

At that time, SCOUT, like all the other members, firmly believed that the Doctor could lead Rhodes Island to glory.

As expected, events unfolded with the organization's offices spread across various mobile city-states. Behemoths such as Rhine Lab, Karan Trading, and Raytheon Industries extended olive branches, engaging in various overt and covert collaborations...

But no one noticed that the Doctor's mindset was constantly shifting with each battle.

Until the outbreak of the Kazdel Civil War.

“Junior, carry out my orders immediately! The sacrifice of B2 and B4 is the price we must pay for victory!” Scout still remembers how the doctor, who once loved his soldiers like his own children, coldly rejected his request to rescue his teammates.

The familiar voice called out his nickname, yet it felt completely foreign to Scout. He couldn't sense any human emotion from the Doctor; he was like a machine that only knew how to pursue victory.

War, war has never changed.

The only ones who change are those who are stuck in the mire.

SCOUT felt no resentment or dissatisfaction towards this; on the contrary, he was filled with guilt.

If war and bloodshed have catalyzed the doctor, turning him from a teacher and researcher into this kind of person, then it is only the fault of those who demanded the doctor's participation in the war.

How he wished the doctor would suddenly grin mischievously and say, "Young man, you're not up to par yet. You were scared, weren't you? Hahaha, it was all a joke!"

However, reality is always cruel, and the ever-growing list of casualties told SCOUT that this was just wishful thinking.

Then, the Doctor disappeared without warning, and the situation in Kazdel took a sharp turn for the worse. Rhodes Island paid an extremely heavy price to extricate itself from the situation, and was never able to regain its former glory.

Along with the Doctor, the goofy junior who used to follow behind him also disappeared. In his place is the taciturn sniper operator SCOUT, who only temporarily takes off his mask when facing ACE and others.

"But is it really a good thing to bring the Doctor back to the battlefield?" Unlike most operators who hoped for the Doctor's return, SCOUT even thought that the Doctor's amnesia was a good thing, hoping that he could stay away from Rhodes Island and never go down the path of war again.

Alas, all I have left is this vague and unreal wish.

SCOUT reached into his pocket to get a cigarette, but then remembered that Gavial had taken all of those things.

Fine, I'll sleep a little longer.

"Oh no, Scout's trying to jump! Nearl, knock him out right now!" Just as he reached for the window to close, an anxious voice came from behind him.

He's a PhD!?

boom!

The excruciating pain in the back of his head caused him to lose consciousness.

When SCOUT woke up again, he found himself lying on the operating table, wearing a straitjacket and bound with several thick leather straps. Lin Guang, Gavial, and Qin Duanyu were standing around him, looking down at him.

"What...what's going on?"

"I want to ask you the same thing. What happened to you that made you want to commit suicide?" Qin Duanyu grabbed his collar and shook him up and down.

“Doctor, I suspect that Scout has PTSD and needs rehabilitation treatment.” Gavial waved the staff in his hand, seemingly choosing where to strike. “However, to prevent him from hurting anyone, let’s give him a sedative injection first.”

Treating physical trauma is Little Crocodile's forte, but treating mental problems falls outside her knowledge; at best, she can only calm the patient down.

……

After a chaotic scene, Scout finally managed to explain the whole story, avoiding falling asleep peacefully again. He excused himself by saying he had something to report to Qin Duanyu and temporarily sent Lin Guang and Jiawei away.

"Say what you need to say quickly, time is the key to success, my friend!" Qin Duanyu urged repeatedly, looking at SCOUT who seemed hesitant to speak.

He appeared at the medical department, not specifically to see Scud, but because Nearl said Lappland had woken up and wanted to see the person who helped her that night, so he just glanced at Scud's ward as he passed by.

"That day in Chernobog, with your wisdom, you should have realized that if my squad had directly stormed the core area, the probability of the main force escaping would have been much higher, right?" Scout took a deep breath and finally asked the question that had been bothering him.

If the Reunion Movement realizes it's just a feint, then all their previous efforts will be wasted, and Rhodes Island will never recover and will completely lose any chance of rising again. The Doctor three years ago would never have made such a choice.

"If everyone dies, who will do the work? Remember, you are my operators, and no one is allowed to die until you've been squeezed dry!"

If initially it was just out of affection for the characters and a desire to try and save these characters who were destined to die, then at this moment Qin Duanyu truly couldn't bear to lose a single operator.

Are you kidding me? Huang was seconded to Yan Country by Kal'tsit, and now only the ACE squad is capable of carrying out high-difficulty missions. He's counting on SCOUT to quickly recover his combat strength so he can make money.

"Understood, Doctor. I'll be a good tool." Scout chuckled, taking Qin Duanyu's excuse as just a casual remark.