From Underdog to Overlord
That night, James had just finished a grueling 36-hour shift in the surgical ward. As he passed the dimly lit doctors' lounge, he froze. He heard Sofia sigh. Heart hammering against his ribs, he pushed the cracked door open.
There she was. Sofia, his girlfriend and fellow resident, was wrapped in the arms of Max Peter—a hotshot young specialist and the son of the hospital’s owner.
"Sofia?" James’s voice cracked.
Sofia flinched, nervously straightening her white coat before her expression shifted into a mask of cold, sharp contempt. Without a hint of guilt, she brushed past him, Max trailing behind her as if James were nothing more than dust on the floor.
James couldn't let it go. He chased them into the main corridor, which was slick with soap from the night cleaners. Bristling with suppressed rage, he demanded, "Sofia, what are you doing with this guy? We’re engaged!"
Max cut him a look of pure derision. "Sofia, you actually know this bottom-feeder?"
After pinning James with a look of utter disgust, Sofia scoffed. "Oh please, Max. As if I’d know someone like him. He’s just some scholarship resident who got lucky enough to step foot in this building. He’s not even on my level."
Max let out a jagged laugh. "Beat it, peasant. Go play doctor with your patients and get out of our sight!"
James stood his ground. "Sofia, you’re cheating on me with him? After everything we’ve been through?"
Sofia’s eyes narrowed, cold as ice. "James, have you no shame? I felt sorry for you because you’re smart, but that doesn't mean we have a 'special connection.' Look at yourself. You have zero future in this industry without connections."
James’s world shattered. They had promised to build a clinic together while watching the New Year’s fireworks. James had even bought her a diamond ring, scraping together every penny from his meager salary for five long years.
Sofia dug into her bag and hurled the ring at James’s chest. "I only accepted this because I thought it was designer! Turns out it’s just trash from some pawn shop on the edge of town," she said viciously. "You were just trying to trap me in your poverty."
James caught the ring. "Sofia, I don't want this anymore." As he moved to hand it back formally, Sofia violently swatted his hand away. The sharp edge of the diamond setting caught James’s cheek, slicing a bloody gash across his face.
"You’re attacking me?! You p*****t!" Sofia shrieked hysterically.
Seeing this, Max saw red. "How dare you lay a hand on Sofia!"
THUD. Max’s fist connected with James’s jaw. As James crumpled onto the cold hospital floor, Sofia joined in, digging her high heels into his face. James couldn't believe the woman he loved could be this heartless.
The commotion drew the attention of the Hospital Director, Dr. Arnold Peter, a world-renowned neurosurgeon. He was Max’s father.
"This is a hospital, not a fight club!" Dr. Arnold barked.
Max immediately pointed a finger. "Dad, this resident tried to harass Sofia and attacked me when I caught him!"
Arnold glared at James, not even bothering to listen to an explanation. "James O'Connell, you’re fired! I’m pulling your license and blacklisting you from this hospital!"
"Wait, Dr. Arnold," James croaked, trying to push himself up with a bloodied face. "Sofia is my fiancée. Max took her from me. I never harassed anyone!"
Max leaned in and whispered to his father, "Dad, James has had a mental breakdown from the workload. He’s hallucinating that Sofia is his girlfriend."
Dr. Arnold snorted. "James, get out of here now, or I’m calling the cops!"
James was kicked out like a common criminal. He stumbled out of the hospital, dazed. Suddenly, a violent gust of wind tore a massive billboard from its hinges. The heavy steel frame slammed directly into James.
He lay there, broken. As his consciousness began to fade…
[God-Tier Power System Activated...]
[Syncing memories... 10%... 50%... 100%]
[Welcome back, Master]
James bolted upright. The wounds on his face and body vanished instantly. His skin glowed with a healthy radiance, and a surge of incredible energy pulsed through his veins.
[You are the God of Healing, your memories long suppressed] a message echoed in the void of his mind. [You now possess the 'Hand of God.' You can cure any disease and destroy anyone who stands in your way.]
James gasped. He was a God? He possessed miraculous healing powers?