Chapter 123: Hospitalization

“Naoko…”

Yukina stared nervously at the tightly shut operating room door, unable to sit still.

Although the temperature wasn’t low at all, her fingers were as cold as ice.

She wiped away her tears over and over again.

The image of Ephnel being carried off the helicopter on a stretcher flashed before Yukina’s eyes countless times.

That beautiful, youthful face, stained with blood, had pierced Yukina’s heart like a knife.

When she was sent back to the temporary command post, Ephnel had been given a painkiller and had fallen asleep.

After some preliminary wound treatment at the command post, she was sent to the Joint Hospital without a moment’s delay.

She was wheeled straight into the operating room the moment she was off the plane, and had been in there ever since.

Canary had been sent to a ward much earlier, but Ephnel had yet to appear before Yukina’s eyes.

Every second of waiting was agony for Yukina.

Even though Yukina had mentally prepared herself for this countless times, when she saw it with her own eyes, she still felt a powerlessness and turmoil that filled her heart.

“Don’t worry, Ephnel’s life isn’t in danger. And we will definitely make sure nothing happens to her.”

Yonomori Nami gently patted Yukina’s shoulder, comforting her.

Because Commander Masaki Hinaki was in a meeting, Yonomori Nami had been sent to handle matters here and to keep an eye on Ephnel’s condition.

Ephnel’s condition was not optimistic.

Although it wasn’t life-threatening, her injuries weren’t something that could be easily recovered from in a week.

In the current situation, Ephnel was very important and absolutely could not have any mishaps.

This was not only because of the crucial information Ephnel held about the “Angel” Seiran, but also because of Ephnel’s status among the Agents.

“But… Naoko… why isn’t she out yet…”

Yukina asked, her eyes brimming with tears.

Yonomori Nami pursed her lips, a little unsure of how to answer.

“Her eye was injured, so the surgery is probably a bit more complicated…”

She explained.

Thanks to a brief explanation from Ephnel beforehand, as well as the reports from her rescuers Ayse and Erincia, Yonomori Nami knew a little about Ephnel’s situation—Ephnel was injured because she was stunned by the Angel’s identity, giving Seiran a decisive opportunity for a sneak attack. Then, she was thrown off balance by the suddenly evolved Erosion Organism and was finally besieged by more than a dozen of them at once, resulting in serious injuries all over her body.

The only thing that was surprising was that among all of Ephnel’s injuries, not a single one had hit an artery.

Moreover, Ephnel had avoided other vital points and certain areas to the greatest extent possible, preserving her mobility as much as she could.

This was why Ephnel was able to hold on for so long in that desperate siege and was even on the verge of breaking through.

It was well known that the Erosion Organisms in the Outer Boundary area were generally stronger and more threatening than those that appeared within the city.

It had to be said that, given the situation Ephnel had faced, escaping with only these injuries could even be called a “miracle.”

If any other Agent had been in Ephnel’s position at that time, it would have undoubtedly been a dead end.

So, more than sadness, what Yonomori Nami felt in her heart was “relief.”

Relief that Ephnel hadn’t died out there.

But she couldn’t explain this to Yukina.

For the current Yukina, saying these things would only agitate her.

At this moment, Hanasou Kotone also came to Yukina’s side and gave Yonomori Nami a meaningful look.

She gently took Yukina’s hand, making Yukina look at her.

“Shiomi-san, don’t worry!”

She recalled the beautiful smile Yanase Naoko had shown her and softly, gently comforted Yukina.

She raised her injured hand and gently cupped Yukina’s cold hands with both of her own.

“Miss Yonomori has assured us, and there are so many skilled doctors working hard for Yanase-san. She will definitely be alright. No matter what, as long as you’re here cheering for her, she will absolutely be fine. To Yanase-san, Yukina must be the most important person. She will definitely pull through.”

Yukina sobbed, wanting to say something, but when she opened her mouth, no sound came out.

She nodded.

At that moment, in front of the operating room at the end of the corridor, the red “In Surgery” light went out.

That was Ephnel’s operating room.

The door was pushed open.

A nurse pushed a hospital bed, and four doctors, clustered around it, appeared in Yukina’s vision, discussing something with grave expressions.

Yukina looked towards the hospital bed.

Ephnel was now in a loose-fitting gown.

Gauze was wrapped around her leg, her arm, her shoulder.

Her right eye was covered with a thick white cloth.

The only parts of her body that could still move freely, besides her waist, were her neck, one arm, and one leg.

She lay quietly on the bed, her eyes closed, like a sleeping beauty waiting to be awakened.

“Naoko!”

Yukina almost forgot to breathe and rushed forward.

She looked at Ephnel’s colorless lips, wanting to touch her but pulling her hand back.

She was afraid she would accidentally shatter the tiny girl.

“…How is she?”

She followed the doctors and nurses, her voice hoarse, almost pleading:

“How is my sister?”

The doctor paused and was about to speak when a small, soft hand tugged on the corner of Yukina’s clothes.

“Yukina, I’m fine…”

The voice was very weak, a little hoarse.

“Naoko… Naoko…”

Yukina quickly leaned down, calling Ephnel’s name through her sobs.

Tears streamed from her eyes, impossible to wipe away.

Her vision was blurry.

Ephnel squinted her left eye, avoiding the light from above.

Her eyelashes fluttered open and closed slightly as she gazed at the tear-stricken Yukina.

The small hand moved again, gently caressing Yukina’s face, wiping away the tears from the corner of her eye.

“I’m really okay…”

Ephnel looked away, staring at the IV drip above her.

Everything in her vision seemed to be swaying.

“It’s just… my head is a little dizzy…”

She said in a muffled voice.

Ephnel was placed in a private room and treated as a high-priority patient.

With over a hundred stitches all over her body, the gauze wrappings made her look like a rice dumpling.

In fact, Ephnel had already started to wake up towards the end of the surgery—even when not in a synchronized state, as an Agent, her physical constitution was much better than an ordinary person’s.

The effect of anesthetics on her was greatly diminished.

So the anesthesiologist had to give her another dose of local anesthetic.

Ephnel was groggy all the way until she was wheeled out of the operating room.

When she opened her eyes again, she was already here.

She was very familiar with the facilities; this was one of the private rooms provided specifically for Agents.

Moreover, it was located right next to Fuurin Shion’s room, and Canary’s room was across the hall.

At this moment, after giving a few instructions, the nurses and doctors left.

Because Ephnel needed quiet rest, they didn’t stay long.

The soundproofing in these special rooms was very good.

The air was quiet, with a faint smell of disinfectant.

The beeping of the electronic monitoring equipment was rhythmic, like ripples in water.