The doors of Port Veritas General Hospital hissed open with a sigh of pressurized air, releasing a wave of sterile scent that mingled with a faint undercurrent of human suffering. Aureon stumbled through the entrance, the weight of Elleaner's frail body a heavy burden in his arms, both physically and emotionally. The brightly lit reception area, bustling with harried medical staff and anxious individuals, felt a world away from the dimly lit alley where their fortunes had begun to shift moments ago.
He approached the reception desk, his heart pounding a frantic rhythm against his ribs. A stern-faced medical assistant, her uniform immaculate and her gaze conveying a practiced air of detached efficiency, looked up at him, her eyebrow slightly raised at his dishevelled appearance and the unconscious girl in his arms.
"She needs help," Aureon said, his voice hoarse and urgent. "She's very sick. High fever, trouble breathing…"
The assistant's gaze softened slightly at the sight of Elleaner's pale face. "Place her on that triage gurney," she instructed, gesturing towards a vacant spot near the entrance. "What's your relationship to the patient?"
"She's… she's my sister," Aureon replied quickly, the lie feeling necessary in this bureaucratic environment. He gently laid Elleaner down on the cold surface of the gurney, his hand instinctively reaching out to smooth her brow.
As a medical technician approached, her gaze professional and assessing, Aureon remembered the "Medical Module" from the system. Focusing his willpower, he once again accessed the mental interface. He selected "Diagnostics," targeting Elleaner. The information that flooded his mind was more detailed this time, painting a stark picture of her deteriorating condition: Pneumonia. Severe Bronchitis. Advanced Dehydration. Critical Malnutrition.
Panic flared in his chest, but the medical module also offered potential solutions. He scrolled through the options, his mind racing. He saw treatment protocols, lists of medications, even basic nutritional guidelines. The sheer amount of information was overwhelming, but the urgency of Elleaner's situation focused his mind with laser-like intensity.
The medical technician, meanwhile, was performing her own প্রাথমিক assessment, her practiced hands quickly checking Elleaner's pulse, temperature, and breathing. "High fever, rapid respiration… possible respiratory infection," she murmured to a colleague who had joined her. "We need to get her to a bay immediately."
As they prepared to move Elleaner, Aureon spoke up, his voice surprisingly steady. "I… I can pay for treatment. I have credits." He fumbled in his pocket, pulling out the datapad that displayed his system account balance: 500 GSC. It felt like a king's ransom compared to the empty pockets he had possessed just hours ago.
The medical assistant glanced at the datapad, her initial skepticism fading into a flicker of professional courtesy. "Standard admission requires a pre-payment," she stated, her tone softening slightly. "Let's get her stabilized first, and then we can sort out the financial details."
Elleaner was quickly wheeled away, disappearing behind a set of automated doors. Aureon stood for a moment, feeling lost and helpless, before the medical assistant gestured him towards a payment kiosk. He nervously transferred 300 GSC as an initial deposit, a significant chunk of his newfound wealth, but a price he was more than willing to pay for Elleaner's health.
Waiting was agonizing. Aureon paced the sterile waiting room, his mind a whirlwind of worry and newfound possibility. He kept accessing the medical module, trying to understand the complexities of Elleaner's condition and the treatments she might need. The module offered detailed explanations of pneumonia and bronchitis, outlining various medications and therapies. He focused on the recommended antibiotics, their generic names flashing in his mental interface.
Hours crawled by. Aureon sat on the hard plastic chairs, his gaze fixed on the automated doors through which Elleaner had disappeared. He accessed the "Basic Medical Module" again, exploring its functions. It seemed to offer more than just diagnostic information. There were instructions on administering basic medications, monitoring vital signs, even preparing simple nutrient solutions. The knowledge felt overwhelming, a sudden influx of information that he was struggling to process, yet he clung to it, hoping it would somehow give him an edge, allow him to better understand and potentially aid in Elleaner's recovery.
Finally, a doctor emerged, his expression tired but reassuring. "Mr… Emil?" he asked, glancing at the admittance forms.
"Yes," Aureon replied, jumping to his feet. "How is she? My… my sister?"
"She's stable for now," the doctor said. "She has a severe respiratory infection, likely exacerbated by exposure and malnutrition. We've started her on broad-spectrum antibiotics and are providing respiratory support. She's weak, but she's responding to treatment."
A wave of relief washed over Aureon, so profound it almost brought him to his knees. "Thank you," he whispered, the words catching in his throat.
"She'll need to stay with us for a few days, perhaps longer, depending on her recovery," the doctor continued. "She's severely malnourished, so we'll be focusing on getting her strength back as well."
The doctor explained the treatment plan, the medications being administered, and the importance of rest and proper nutrition. Aureon listened intently, absorbing every detail, cross-referencing the information with what he had learned from the medical module. The system's knowledge seemed accurate, providing him with a deeper understanding of Elleaner's condition and the medical procedures being used to treat her.
Over the next few days, Aureon spent every waking moment at the hospital, sleeping fitfully in the waiting room chairs. He visited Elleaner as often as the medical staff allowed, watching over her as she slowly began her recovery. The high fever eventually broke, her breathing became less labored, and a faint flicker of her usual spirit returned to her eyes.
During these long hours of waiting, Aureon had time to contemplate the "Absolute God Tycoon System." It was more than just a source of emergency funds and medical knowledge; it felt like a fundamental shift in his existence. The "Basic Business Module" offered tantalizing glimpses into concepts like trade, management, and economics – areas completely foreign to his experience as a street urchin. The "Basic Combat Module" showed schematics of hand-to-hand techniques and basic weapon handling, skills that could one day be crucial for their survival in this dangerous world.
He knew, with a growing certainty, that this system was his chance, their chance, to escape the endless cycle of poverty and desperation. The mission was clear: save Elleaner. But beyond that, he felt a nascent ambition stirring within him, a ruthless determination to not only survive but to thrive, to build a life for himself and Elleaner where they would never again be at the mercy of the cold streets or the indifference of a harsh world. The "tycoon" aspect of the system hinted at a future he could barely imagine, a future where he held power and influence.
Elleaner's slow but steady recovery fueled his resolve. He would use this system, he would learn, he would innovate, he would build. The first steps towards healing had been taken, but the journey to becoming a galactic tycoon, a journey driven by a promise made in a forgotten alleyway and now guided by the Absolute God Tycoon System, was just beginning. The bitterness of winter was slowly giving way to the first glimmers of a hard-won spring.