Nightmare Paradise : Starting as a Doctor

Chapter 138: Calm Before the Storm

Eeeeek!

A high-pitched squeak suddenly pierced the oppressive silence, reverberating faintly off the cold, barren walls. The sound was sharp and startling, like a pinprick in the dark stillness.

It had come from a small, shadowy figure darting across the floor—a rat.

In an instant, slender white filaments sprang to life, entangling the rodent and swiftly encircling its body and limbs in a constricting cocoon. Letting out another squeal, it thrashed in vain, unable to escape the binds.

"False alarm," Lynn quietly sighed, calming his heart, which leaped at the sudden noise. He regarded the captured creature pensively, his head tilting to one side. This could be an opportunity to test some things.

With subtle gestures, he slowly retracted the cage back towards himself, bringing the struggling animal directly in front of where he sat. The beady eyes darted around frantically, desperate to escape.

Watching impassively until it was within arm's reach, suspended in mid-air before him, he extended one finger and gently stroked the top of its head. At the same time, a hypnotic glow emanated from his gaze.

Immediately, the rat went still, its panic quickly fading. The eyes took on a vacant, glassy appearance as the ability effect took hold. The frantic thrashing of its limbs ceased completely.

"You've come at the right moment," he remarked in a low voice to the entranced rodent. This was the perfect test subject to practice utilizing some techniques he recently learned.

Since his return from the dungeon, his free time in the past two days had been filled with intense study and practice. Much time was dedicated to absorbing and decoding more knowledge from the tamer manual.

He carefully released the restrictive binds, allowing it to scamper down and perch atop his outstretched palm. Its tiny claws grasped his skin for balance as its blank stare remained fixed ahead.

The hypnosis had been a success. Now it was time to take things a step further by attempting to establish a spiritual connection through which he could exert influence and control.

Closing his eyes, Lynn visualized his inner energy flow, guiding it along intricate pathways that he had painstakingly memorized. Delicate streams of spiritual light circulating within him came together to form runic symbols.

As the ancient script slowly emerged, he channeled his focused intent into each graceful stroke. The runes seemed to hum and vibrate, resonating in response to the power channeled into their designs.

This technique was very complex, far more intricate than anything he had attempted before. The runic sequence seemed to be composed of parts from multiple simpler abilities.

After all, it was one of the fundamental things anyone aspiring to undertake the awakening ritual of the tamer class had to learn. Serving as the initial step, it allowed establishing a deep bond with a creature.

However, what Lynn was using now was merely a weaker version of the full technique. He had neither the material nor the intention to establish a permanent connection with this rodent.

From his other hand, blood slowly welled up. Crimson beads glinting with spiritual energy formed upon his outstretched finger. By infusing this vitality into the rat, he would form a temporary link.

When these droplets touched the creature's skin, they instantly disappeared, absorbed into its body. At the same time, he felt a peculiar sensation in his mind as if a thread of consciousness had extended from him to the animal.

Through it, he could vaguely perceive the creature's primitive thoughts and instincts. More importantly, he now had a channel to influence and control its actions more efficiently.