The Last Gentleman

The front courtyard of the clinic and the surrounding mountain forest only showed faint signs of grey-erosion, with no living creatures in sight.

The two of them temporarily hid beneath a broken tree in the front yard, observing the clinic's main building bathed in silver moonlight, its surface continuously emitting gray mist.

It was as if the moon served as a spotlight, and the clinic was its main subject.

After a period of observation, Yi Chen quietly voiced his doubts.

"The longer I watch, the more this clinic exposed to the moonlight feels unfamiliar, almost like a completely different place compared to what we explored during the day... It seems larger, deeper, and there's an indescribable sense of wrongness."

Edmund immediately responded, "You mean it's... alive?"

"Exactly, that's the feeling... It seems like the entire building is slowly awakening, like a living organism. Walking through the main entrance would be like stepping into the belly of a beast."

Edmund explained simply,

"This is the effect of grey-erosion.

According to legend, in fully formed gray zones, the landscape and human-made structures undergo drastic changes, sometimes creating illogical areas.

These zones behave like living organisms—they can wriggle, crawl, and even devour any intruders.

The clinic's internal grey-erosion is severe. I estimate that in less than a week, this place will officially become a thin gray zone."

Hearing this, Yi Chen was even more puzzled.

"I have a question... During the day, we didn't see any signs of grey-erosion.

Why has it progressed so far now, just by nightfall? Shouldn't there be some sort of transition?"

However, Edmund was equally troubled by this question. He had been pondering it while observing under the tree.

Biting his fingernail, he made a bold guess:

"Logically, grey-erosion doesn't occur in bursts. This degree of grey-erosion must have been ongoing for at least seven days.

I suspect this has something to do with the 'moon'... Perhaps its presence has transported us into a 'Co-located Space'."

This hypothesis reminded Yi Chen of a game concept from his previous life.

"Outer and inner worlds?

Could it be that only the two of us are affected by the moonlight, transporting us 'inside'?

Dagobert and Miss Anna might still be on the 'surface', unaffected? If so, this would explain their sudden disappearance."

Upon realizing this plausible theory, Edmund's expression darkened.

"If this is true, we might not survive here.

Creating a 'Co-located space' with moon properties requires someone of at least an advanced stage of severe patient, perhaps close to the 'Open Source'—an important figure in an unresolved 'False Moon Incident'."

At that moment, Little Grape suddenly jumped out, waving its hands excitedly!

"Interesting~! If that's the case, there might be 'Moon Grapes' to eat! You two better work hard and find out who created this 'moon.'

I wholeheartedly agree with your hypothesis."

Little Grape's playful tone lightened the tense atmosphere slightly.

Yi Chen, following the train of thought, continued to voice his doubts.

"If such a powerful figure exists, why didn't they attack us while we were in the clinic or fighting on the rooftop?

Nothing actually appeared. Our idea of a Co-located space is still just a hypothesis.

But! If these overlapping spaces do exist, maybe the 'Secret Medicine' is hidden here."

"Let's go inside and investigate the clinic," he concluded.

"Right... But we need to stay vigilant! If we find enough evidence of a powerful, terrifying entity behind this, we must immediately abort the mission and head to the carriage rendezvous point."

"Understood."

The two set off toward the clinic.

Using the isolation and concealment provided by their clothing, they quietly approached the front door of the main building.

Yi Chen led the way, with Edmund following behind.

Notably, although the moonlight penetrated the clinic’s interior, providing enough illumination, the two still lit kerosene lamps. The flames not only dispelled the darkness but also seemed to shield them from the unsettling "moonlight."

When they stepped into the first-floor lobby, both froze in place, seemingly unable to accept the scene before them.

[Gray-Erosion]*

The transformation occurring inside the clinic far exceeded their imagination:

1. Small holes and pustule-like tissues had appeared on the walls, with liquid continuously oozing out.

2. The elevator, which should have been broken, was now fully functional. However, it had been painted deep red. With the internal lighting, it resembled a blood-red mouth, waiting to devour its prey.

3. Behind the counter sat a *nurse*, dressed in a clean uniform and white cap, but her face was wrapped in bandages.

Drip~

Blood continuously seeped through the bandages, forming a grotesque image of a "bloody open mouth."

The nurse had no fingernails; instead, thin needles extended from her fingertips.

Screech~ She rhythmically scraped the desk, producing an unbearable, ear-piercing sound.

Seeing this, Yi Chen and Edmund simultaneously drew their weapons and approached the counter.

At that moment, the nurse suddenly spoke, more blood seeping from the bandages around her mouth:

“Welcome to 'Moonlight Clinic'. I’ve been waiting for you two for a long time.

You cleverly avoided Dr. Marlene’s rounds and later killed Dr. Francisco on the rooftop. Your agility and bravery have earned the acknowledgment of 'Mr. Lee'.

As the head of Moonlight Clinic, he wishes to meet with you in person. There are matters he needs to discuss, and he may even offer you special rewards.

If you refuse, you’ll be forever trapped in the Moonlight Space created by Mr. Lee. He is the closest being to the ‘Moon Mark.’

Additionally, the entire clinic staff will relentlessly hunt you down until you’re incapacitated and subjected to a full-body transformation surgery.”

While Edmund hesitated, Yi Chen placed a hand gently on his shoulder and whispered:

“Our assumption was correct. A certain 'Severe Patient' seems to have created this alternate space, and we’ve been drawn in for some unknown reason.

The nurse’s words indicate that they’ve known about our actions from the start.

They tested our strength instead of killing us outright, which suggests they need us for something. Meeting them is our only chance of survival. I’ve dealt with patients like this before; let me handle the meeting.”

“…Alright.”

With no better options, Edmund reluctantly agreed.

Yi Chen stepped forward, casually resting his arm on the counter, and gave the nurse a confident look.

“Lead the way, please.”

“Certainly, follow me.”

The nurse limped toward the elevator bathed in deep red light. The control panel on the elevator’s right side was covered with fleshy, bubble-like buttons, each inscribed with negative numbers.