Embedded Files
Over the past few months here, I've slowly gotten used to life here on this island called Japan
Yes, it's not as good as the modern day to which I woke up from, but I know things can be worse when it comes to time travel. I could be stranded in a more unpleasant time, like Roma or Egypt for example. The cultural shock would be too much for me
I have been a doctor for some time now. It aligns with my previous occupation from the original Earth, so the job was much easier once I've gotten a hold of the local's medicine
The village I reside in was now a bustling trade town with many people taking the short road across different towns. It wasn't used to be like this, but whatever
The point is, my fame as a healer apparently had traveled far enough for some of them to seek treatment from me. Some time it's simply curiosity, other times it's from desperation for their supposed "incurable" diseases that just happens to be incurable because lack of modern medicinal knowledge
Often time, I would gladly help them. This is not one of those time
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"God damn it! No treading in my clinic!"
I cursed Kami. I cursed Yami. I curse every god out there for bringing this hurdle upon me
"You Ronin are all dirty" I pointed at the river just to the left of the field "Go wash yourself and I'll let you enter"
The men before me shifted, sheepish grins adorning their face. Some of the regulars only rolled their eyes at our antics
The band of men wore dark blue and gold patterned Hakama over kimono. Woven straw hats and light iron helmet adorning their heads as part of their uniform, but most importantly they all have sheathed katana strapped to the hips.
Shinsengumi, or rather, the beginning of them
During the Bamatsu period, Japan's forced opening lead to major political instability within the country. Loyalists and the Shogunate fell into disagreement, which caused them to form the Roshigumin, Shinsengumi's predecessors. Made up of a large numbers of samurai, they are tasked with protecting the Shogun on his way to Kyoto and meet with the Emperor at that-this time
The group before me was just coming out from one side of the forest after having taken down some bandit on the way. Their supplies were running low and they decided to get into town to have a refill
Which is when they met me buying some milk from the vendor
One thing lead to another. Conversations piled up and their commander asked me to treat some of their wounded. Reluctantly I agreed, because it's good money. Just because I don't need to eat or sleep means I don't have a use for currency. Thus they decided to stay here for a few days before continuing on
Their leader, a man by the name of Kiyokawa Hachiro, soon become acquaintance with me. From the outside, he is a polite man. I remembered he did contribute to the collapse of Roshigumi, which eventually lead to the Shinsengumi being formed. A part of me tell me that there's more to him than meets the eye and that I should be cautious of him
But then again, the men won't be treated if I just walk away from him
I accepted.
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It was only after thinking about it that I realized my mistake
The Butterfly Effect. I haven't realized I'm supposed to be a foreigner to this timeline, and as such fate itself might be altered by me
If I treat them now, there's a chance something in the future will change. Change at my own will, the difference may be minimum, but I'll live long enough to see the consequences turning into a shit storm
What if by delaying their journey by a few days, I ended up changing the course of history itself?
No, it's too late worrying about that now. I am an anomaly from the start. My existence here is something not allowed to happen. But why nothing changed ever since I came here is something only I can hypothesize for
For now, my only hope of preventing a time paradox is to stay out of major events and subsequential actions that may lead to their alteration.
I'll live an average and healthy life.
Die an average and healthy man
Hopefully. Nothing too important will change.
"Dokutah, more wounded this way!"
Shaking my head, I head back into my store and continued on my treatment of the men there
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Something that I always appreciated about Japan is that they're one of the only countries who are willing to adopt new concepts into their culture, while upholding thier national traditionalism at the same time
For me it's more the case of people in the pre-Edo period already accepting surgery as a method of treatment
[Surgery] (Lvl Maxed)
- Increase surgery speed for a patient by 50%
- Maxed out perk: Increase precision with surgical tools by 80%
- Cost: None
"Woah, look at how fast he's working on Takaeda...."
"The guy doesn't even feel pain. Is that level of skill possible?"
Of course not. He just feel numb
I can't tell if people in this era isn't aware of the concept of anesthesia yet, or they're just ignorant. Nonetheless, they counted as "Implements directly used in the saving of lives" so using [Medical Tool Creation] I can technically create an unlimited amount of them with enough Mana
Cutting down the thread that sew off the Ronin's flesh, I put the needle down the bin along with other used one. Scalpels and other long-term tools sat in another box, waitig to be sterilized after the session
"That should be it" I told the aged man "I don't think this need to be said, but you'll need some time to rest before you can enter intense combat. Doing so will risk tearing up the wound agan"
"Yah, thanks Dokutah-san" Takeada grinned, patting his arm slightly to test the stitch's firmness
It's doctor, you fool
"By the way, the chief wants to have a talk with you outside the restaurant"
Oh, Kami. Don't tell me Kiyokawa is intending to....
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"I want to recruit you into our rank"
I resisted the urge to palm my face
The presence of a high-ranking officer along with the village's doctor was enough for others to notice. A crowd formed around us, all straining their ears to get a piece of our conversation amidst quiet chatter
Naturally, Hachiro's offer toward me shocked them. I looked at the villagers who have either resigned or conflicted looks in their eyes
They think you will accept. They think you, a doctor, would be willing to abandon them in place of a few bucks
I recalled when I first entered this place, the village was a wreck. Poverty and unsanitary living conditions caused many people to be infected with diseases that they're too poor to get treatments from
What would happen had I not been there? Woould the children and the old suffer in silent, before passing away without anyone's notice?
"I refuse"
A silence descended
"So quick to answer" The Ronin's eyebrows went up "We haven't even state the term and payment yet"
"I'm not proficient as a field medic" I lied as naturally as I breathed "The place I am most comfortable with is right here, in this village, where I can freely do research and cure others of their illness"
"Such talent wasted on the weak and feeble. You will earn more respect on the battlefield"
"Respect is not what I seek. Happiness is" A frown made its way across my way at his words "I treat everyone equally. Not based on gender, age, occupation, nor ranks. A doctor saves people and ensure they live a healthy and happy life"
"You're a joke of a doctor"
"All the better. Laughter is the best medicine a person can have"
I sighed as the man's finger twitched, his hand trailing down the handle of his blade in preparation for a brutal slashdown. Let it be said that annoying someone with a sword, regardless of time or place, would most likely cause him to use it on you
Using [Medical Tool Creation], I conjured several scalpels behind my back, ready to use them as throwing knives if the situation demand it
"Now, now, leave the doctor alone will you?"
A new voice sounded out, halting our movement. From the crowd emerge two people
One is a man of intimidating stature, looming above us with a scowl seemingly permanent on his face. His black hakama seemingly increase his image as a strict and wild man in my mind.
The other is a young girl wearing a cherry-color Kimono. Her bright smile seems to dissipate the tension in the crowd. Her hair is a curious blonde unfit for a Japanese. And her eyes...
That's the eye of a natural killer
I glanced away. My scalpels vanishing into thin air as I discarded them. Across from me Hachiro's hand immediately went off his sword and a fake smile soon plastered on his face
"Ah, Okita-san, Hijikata-san. I'm afraid I have no idea what you're talking about" He greeted them "We're just having some light banter is all"
...Okita?
...Hijikata?
"If you'll excuse me, there's still some papers I need to work on back at the office" I bowed and bailed "Your men are all treated. All the supplies are restocked. I think we should each be on our own way"
As I left, goosebumps flared on my skin as the killer's eyes locked onto my back
Ahhh, just ignore them
Everything will be fine
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Skill List:
*[Healing]
- [Heal]
- [Diagnosis]
- [Mass Heal]
- [Medical Tool Creation]
- [Surgery]
*[Killing]
- None
*[Trading]
- None
*[Art]
- None
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