Strongest Maniac: Born in an Asylum

Wee-woo! Wee-woo! Wee-woo!

An ambulance, moving with practiced, almost choreographed speed, swung into the grounds of Green Mountain Asylum.

Doctors and nurses, equally practiced, pushed a stretcher out of the vehicle and sprinted toward the scene.

"Where is the patient?"

It was a familiar first question, in a familiar setting, for the familiar task of transporting a patient. The only thing that wasn't familiar was the patient themselves. Once, the patient roster had been stable, but now, it seemed new blood was being infused into the hospital on a regular basis.

"This patient..."

The doctor assessed Kyle's condition. He gently pressed on Kyle's body. Yes, there were significant fractures. He dared not say more. The fist-shaped indentation on the abdomen was a critical wound. A terrifying force had shattered the rib cage. Without an X-ray, it was impossible to know the full extent of the internal damage, but internal bleeding was a certainty.

If a broken rib had punctured an organ, the situation would be even more perilous.

That was the gentler way of putting it.

To be blunt, they might as well start preparing for the funeral.

Students from the Medical Sect were already administering treatment to Kyle, enveloping him in a soft green light to stabilize his condition.

"Doctor, what's the situation?" the agent from the Special Department asked anxiously.

They had only come to Green Mountain Asylum to have the students volunteer for a day. He had never imagined something like this would happen. How was he supposed to explain this back at headquarters? If a life was lost, the matter would become infinitely more complicated.

"His breathing is shallow. We need to get him to the hospital immediately. Please, help us get the patient onto the stretcher."

The doctor commanded the scene with calm, orderly precision.

Leo and Walter stood beside the stretcher, looking down at the battered Kyle.

"You'll be okay. Walter saved you."

"We'll come visit you."

They had a simple view of life and death. There were only two states: living and dead.

No matter how severe the injuries, as long as someone was still breathing, they were alive.

Kyle struggled to open his eyes, but blood trickled from the corners, obscuring his vision. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't see clearly.

He painstakingly raised a hand.

Leo took his hand, his voice full of apology. "I'm so, so sorry. I didn't know this would happen. I know you want to say goodbye to us. You don't have to force yourself. We understand."

Kyle struggled to sit up, his words coming out in a garbled rush. "Guh... mmmph... uh..."

"Yes, we understand," Leo said. "You go to the hospital first. We'll come see you."

The doctors and nurses wheeled the stretcher away in a hurry.

They loaded him into the ambulance.

Wee-woo! Wee-woo! Wee-woo!

The driver expertly flipped on the siren, floored the gas pedal, and with a screech and a drift, the taillights disappeared from the asylum's entrance.

Leo and Walter stood in place, watching the ambulance fade into the distance, a nagging sense of guilt in their hearts.

Director Hess maintained a safe distance from Leo, speaking in a gentle voice.

"Don't be too upset. I just took a look. He'll be fine. He'll probably just have to stay in the hospital for a month. It's nothing serious."

Leo and Walter heard the Director's comforting words.

Their spirits lifted.

Yes, it was nothing. As long as he was alive, that was all that mattered.

"It's good that he's okay," Leo said.

"I'm a little thirsty. How about we go get some Sprite?" Walter suggested.

The two exchanged a look, and brilliant smiles spread across their faces.

"Okay."

Then, they walked away arm in arm, the recent incident already forgotten.

Director Hess noticed the agent from the Special Department about to stop them and frowned. "What do you think you're doing?"

"After what just happened, there has to be some kind of explanation," the agent said.

Director Hess narrowed his eyes. "An explanation? You insist on getting an explanation from two mental patients? In that case, I can write you a certificate, and you can stay here and discuss the explanation with them at your leisure. How does that sound?"

"I firmly believe my patients had no malicious intent. What just happened was an accident. If you're having trouble explaining this, have One-Eye give me a call. I'll give him the explanation."

The agent from the Special Department was seething with anger, but looking at Director Hess, the fire within him flickered and died. He could only manage a weak reply.

"That's not what I meant."

Director Hess clapped him on the shoulder. "I know that's not what you meant. Didn't we agree before? As long as no one gets seriously injured or killed, it's fine. I think this turned out pretty well. No one died. No need to be so unhappy. I'll make it up to you."

Director Hess was a man of principle.

He would stand up to anyone for the sake of his patients.

But he also needed to make a living.

If he upset people, it would mean no extra income.

"Sigh!"

Director Hess put on a sorrowful expression. Seeing the pale, shaken faces of the young students, he began to shamelessly play his part.

"Future pillars of Seaside City, you don't understand. They are truly pitiful, misunderstood, and uncared for. And on top of that, they suffer from such severe mental illnesses. Look at my hair, it's all white. It's all from the stress of caring for them."

"The expenses for Green Mountain Asylum are mostly paid out of my own pocket. The mental pressure is immense, and because of the lack of funds, the patients often can't get their medication on time, which is why their conditions worsen."

"I am deeply sorry for what just happened. On behalf of my patients, I apologize to all of you."

Director Hess was a man who could both stand tall and bow low.

True to his word, he turned and bowed to the young students.

"Director Hess, please don't."

The young people were full of youthful passion and easily moved by the actions of others. Seeing this white-haired old man with his weary face and helpless expression, their hearts were stirred.

A tall, thin young man spoke up. "I'll donate 100,000 to Green Mountain Asylum. I was originally going to use that money to go on a date with my girlfriend, but I'm sure she'll be proud of me when she hears what I've done."

Hmm... a future beating might be in the cards for him.

Director Hess looked at the young man in surprise and praised him. "To have such a kind heart at such a young age is truly remarkable. I'm a good judge of character, and based on your compassion alone, your future achievements will be immeasurable."

The tall, thin young man puffed out his chest, a look of pride on his face.

He wasn't short on money.

Although 100,000 was a significant sum, he felt it was worth it.

"I'll donate 10,000."

"I'll donate 20,000."

"I'll donate 3,000."

...

"Thank you, everyone. On behalf of all the patients, I thank our nation's pillars for your generous donations. My patients can finally get their medication on time."

Director Hess theatrically raised a hand to wipe away a non-existent tear.

The agent from the Special Department standing beside him saw this and was about to say something, but just as he opened his mouth, Director Hess put an arm around his shoulders.

"These are all good people."

Then, he leaned in and whispered in the agent's ear.

"There was once a heinous, powerful man who was above the law. I personally issued him a certificate of mental illness, and as a result, he was imprisoned for the rest of his life, unable to live or die as he wished. Tell me, wasn't that a great good deed I did?"

The agent's expression turned serious.

He pondered for a moment.

"Yes. A good deed."