Strongest Maniac: Born in an Asylum

A familiar sound cut through the air.

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

To the healthy, it was a sound of sorrow. But to the injured, it was a tearful whisper of relief. They're finally here.

Two ambulances, engines roaring, executed a pair of beautiful, controlled drifts before coming to a perfect stop. The rear doors burst open, and several doctors and nurses sprinted out, pushing stretchers before them.

When the doctors saw the three patients, they gasped.

How horrifying!

Could a head take that kind of trauma and still be attached to a living person?

"Thank you for your trouble, everyone."

Director Hess stood to the side, completely unfazed by the scene. Watching the paramedics bustle about, he could only offer his thanks. After all these years, they were always so punctual.

Quickly, the medical team loaded the stretchers into the ambulances.

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

The two ambulances sped away from the asylum. To the drivers, this place was so familiar they could probably navigate it by instinct, even with their eyes closed. It wasn't a special skill, just a matter of grim routine.

"Sigh," Director Hess sighed as he watched the disappearing taillights. "Impressive!"

After the incident with One-Eye, he had once again raised the danger level of Room 666.

At the Hospital.

A paramedic leaped from the ambulance, shouting into the emergency room: "We need hands over here! Three patients from Green Mountain Asylum in critical condition! One with weak respiration, the other two foaming at the mouth!"

"Prep an operating room!"

The hospital's doctors and nurses were all too familiar with the Green Mountain Asylum. They frequently received patients from there—so often, in fact, that they were almost on friendly terms.

A passing nurse whispered to a colleague.

"I bet it's our two usuals again."

At that moment, Vice Director Lee was making his rounds. He was quite satisfied with the work ethic of his staff; they were always so kind to the patients. This was the level of medical care and service a top-tier hospital should provide.

"Nurse He, this is a hospital. What's the rush?" Vice Director Lee admonished a running nurse.

"Vice Director, I'm needed in the ER. We just got three patients from the asylum, and they all need immediate help!" Nurse He said, her expression frantic.

Vice Director Lee's face changed. "It's them again?"

"Yes, it's them. And there's a new one this time," she said, before excusing herself and hurrying towards the emergency room.

Vice Director Lee's expression turned grim. He dreaded these particular troublemakers. It was never-ending. He even had a fleeting, dark thought: what if he orchestrated a little 'medical accident' to finally be rid of them?

Pah!

As soon as the idea formed, he mentally slapped himself. How could I think such a thing? Curing the sick and saving the wounded is our sacred duty as doctors. How could I be worthy of this white coat otherwise?

He pulled out his phone and dialed Director Hess.

After two rings, the call connected.

"Director Hess, my old friend, you've gone too far! In just two days, you've sent me four patients! Didn't I beg you to give our hospital a break?"

"Oh, my dear Lee, my favorite colleague! It's not that I want to, but I can't control them either! You'll just have to work hard. I'll send you a 200-dollar digital gift card in a moment, buy yourself a drink. I'm sending it now, so be sure to accept it. Don't be polite."

"Director Hess, my friend, please, give me a break! This isn't about the 200 dollars!"

A notification popped up on Vice Director Lee's phone. His thumb expertly tapped 'accept'.

"I know," Hess's voice came through the phone, "but there's nothing to be done. You'll just have to put them up for a while. Don't refuse, and don't feel wronged. Otherwise, I'll have to report you for taking a bribe. The transfer is right there, solid proof."

"Got to go, something's come up here."

The line went dead.

Vice Director Lee stood frozen, staring at the accepted transfer. He wanted to slap himself. Why did I have to accept that damn gift?

Hess, you shameless bastard!

Inside the emergency room, the doctors and nurses were in a frenzy.

The head surgeon felt a wave of despair when he saw the patient on the table. Just a short while ago, he'd been planning his retirement speech, looking forward to spending time with his grandson. If it weren't for the hope Vice Director Lee had given him, he'd already be gone.

Now, seeing Leo on the gurney, he was at a loss for where to even begin.

"Chief, the patient's heart rate is spiking!" a nurse cried out.

The head surgeon took a deep breath. "Save him."

His heart was filled with despair. Why can't you just live a quiet life? Why does it have to be like this?

In another hospital room, Leon lay in bed, looking adoringly at his girlfriend as she peeled an apple for him. He had been hit by one setback after another, and he was on the verge of giving up.

But fate, it seemed, was fair after all.

It had brought him the best woman in the world—gentle, caring, and always thinking of him. During his hospital stay, it was this perfect woman who brought him nutritious soup every day.

Though sometimes, the chicken leg in the soup looked as if someone had already taken a bite out of it, those things didn't matter.

What mattered was his girlfriend's unwavering devotion.

He thought of the infertility test.

"I have to tell you something," he said, his voice trembling. "I'm infertile. I can't give you a child of your own. If you can't accept that and want to leave me, I'll understand. I'm only telling you because I don't want to deceive you. Every woman has the right to be a mother."

Leon was nervous, but he held onto a sliver of hope.

Will she be able to accept me, even with this?

The woman finished peeling the apple and held a slice to Leon's lips, smiling sweetly. "It's okay. I don't mind. I love you for who you are. We can adopt a child later. Do you prefer a girl or a boy?"

Leon said, "I'd like a girl."

"But I'd like a boy," the woman said, her voice still gentle.

"I'll listen to you," Leon said, gazing lovingly at his girlfriend. "Whatever you like, we'll adopt." What a perfect woman. Meeting her is a blessing I must have earned over three lifetimes. I have to treat her well forever. Even if she does something unforgivable, I will forgive her.

Wait! Why am I having thoughts like that? A woman this perfect would never do anything wrong.

"Get some rest now," the woman cooed, stroking his forehead. "I'll stay here with you."

"Okay," Leon whispered, slowly closing his eyes, a tear of pure gratitude rolling down his cheek.

Vice Director Lee had given a specific order: all patients from the Green Mountain Asylum were to be placed in the same room. Under no circumstances were they to be separated, to prevent them from causing panic among the other, innocent patients. As the Vice Director, he was always thinking of the hospital's well-being and the safety of its patrons.

He felt he was doing a very conscientious job.

Sometime later, Leon, who was supposed to be resting, felt as if someone was staring at him. He didn't know where the feeling came from.

His sleepiness vanished. He just wanted to open his eyes and chat with his perfect girlfriend.

He opened his eyes.

He turned his head, about to speak, but froze. The bed next to his, which had been empty, was now occupied. But that wasn't the main point.

The point was, he recognized the patient.

It was Leo, the patient from room 666.

Leo stared intently at Leon, a wide, gentle smile spreading across his face. For some reason, that smile sent a chill down Leon's spine.

Leon's breathing became ragged. He pointed a trembling finger at Leo, wanting to scream, but only a choked, "Ah... ah..." sound came out.

A nurse saw the commotion and rushed over. Then she yelled.

"Doctor!"

"Get a doctor in here, quick!"

"The patient is having an episode!"