The surgery was successful. The critical period of the first three days and the optimal recovery period of the first month were all passed smoothly, with no sequelae such as hydrocephalus or epilepsy found.
The patient's post-operative condition was very stable. She ate, slept, and was very stable, but she did not communicate with anyone.
The first month was mainly spent on bed rest, and the second month officially began rehabilitation training. During the training period, the patient was temporarily unrestrained and accompanied by two housekeepers at all times.
"Doctor!" In the monitoring room, Kikyo once again posed her question, "When will Mols get better?"
Kikyo had asked the psychologist the same question countless times. The patient needed quiet rest after the surgery, and Kikyo, who was restricted from visiting, could only vent her anxiety to the monitoring screen or the doctor most of the time.
"According to the tests, Miss Mols has no memory loss or cognitive impairment after the surgery. Therefore, she should understand what has happened to her. Restraining her completely and operating on her brain without her consent, disregarding emotions and discussing solely from a rational perspective, would likely make her believe that everyone around her is untrustworthy," the doctor had replied. "The key is to re-establish trust."
"Trust? Is nineteen years of trust not enough?!" Kikyo's fan cracked in her hand. "Mols... ever since she was born, I've taken special care of her, nurtured her, and never let her suffer even the slightest grievance. Whatever she wanted, I gave it to her. Whatever she didn't want to do, I never forced her. Is that not enough?! What more do you want me to do?! Should I dig out my heart and show it to her?!"
"...After all, she is a patient. She experiences the same thing differently from others," the doctor said. "The most important thing is to find out what she wants now and use that as a starting point for communication."
No matter who it was, no matter what they said to the patient, or what they did in front of the patient, the patient's gaze remained unfocused, showing no interest.
"At least Miss Mols' condition is much more stable than before the surgery," the doctor replied this time. "She stares at her pet blankly, instead of making the pet afraid to approach her."
Animals have an innate sensitivity to danger. When the patient believed herself to be trapped in an illusion, the Zoldycks brought her pet over to conduct a test. As a result, the eagle flapped its wings desperately, crashing into a corner of the room.
"Yes, that hawk... she always liked animals more," Kikyo placed the completely broken fan on the table. "Doctor, you said, 'Animals are simple and can give her a sense of security.' I still find it absurd. No one here can possibly harm her. We are all doing our best to protect her, and we have never given up on her. We did the surgery for her own good."
Showing the patient videos of her losing control and explaining the cause and effect of the surgery to her yielded no reaction.
The patient's continuous silence was both a shield and a weapon, constantly attacking the confidence of those around her, except for the doctor...
In his decades of professional career, the doctor had encountered more than one patient with severe autism. Psychological illnesses often required long-term treatment, and he was accustomed to it. Besides, he was not the patient's parent, so it was not his personal business, and he had no reason to be anxious. He appeared exceptionally calm and patient, conducting two hours of "intervention therapy" daily, which, in other words, was him talking to himself by the patient's side.
The content of his self-talk was derived from the doctor's research on the patient. He interviewed every Zoldyck who was willing to be interviewed. Except for one Zoldyck with "One Kill Per Day" written on his chest, who exhibited the characteristics of a professional killer, the other Zoldycks did not look like killers at first glance. Considering that photos of the Zoldyck family members were reportedly worth 100 million, the doctor couldn't help but think he might know too much about the Zoldycks and wondered if he could leave Kukuroo Mountain alive.
It was a bit thrilling.
"Mols likes sweet things and can't eat spicy food well," was the description of the patient by the Zoldyck with "One Kill Per Day" written on his chest.
"I think I've said enough. You can ask my wife. No one knows Mols better than she does," was Mr. Zoldyck's answer. No, there was more than one Mr. Zoldyck here; it would be more appropriate to refer to it as "Mr. Silva's answer" for distinction.
"If you want to know about my sister, Mom knows best." This was the answer from Miss Mols' first younger brother, a young man not much younger than Miss Mols, tall and slender, about a head taller than Miss Mols.
"You're asking about my sister? Ha, be careful, she might kill you if she's in a bad mood one day." This was the answer from Miss Mols' second younger brother, a plump boy with narrow eyes filled with a mischievous smile.
"My sister is very good to me." The youngest Zoldyck was a little boy about six years old, with silver hair and blue eyes. His upturned eyes held a hint of feline cunning, and he appeared smart and quick-witted, with a very strong curiosity. "Doctor, you've been here for several months, what have you been doing? How is my sister? What did Mom and Dad say?"
The little boy's answer was brief, but he had many questions.
As for Mrs. Kikyo, who was recommended by both Zoldycks, she was indeed talkative when it came to Miss Mols, but she only spoke of her own trivial worries, as if she were the doctor's patient.
In essence, the Zoldycks were tight-lipped, much like cats, wary of outsiders intruding into their territory. Miss Mols was the most unapproachable one.
When she sat, her silver-white hair, which reached past her waist, covered her entire body. Viewed from behind, she resembled a cat turning its head away in defiance.
Huh? Was that a hallucination? Did she just look over?
The doctor, following behind the patient and sorting out his thoughts, was tripped by a root sticking out of the ground. Although he managed to support himself with one hand without falling too badly, his glasses flew off. As he reached for his glasses, which had landed in a pile of fallen leaves, he saw Miss Mols look towards the sound he had made.
"!" Was this a turning point? The previous Mols was completely unfazed by any commotion.
His hand movements faltered for a moment. When he put on his glasses, Miss Mols had already turned her head away.
This was a good opportunity. He should have Mrs. Kikyo come over and try some intimate actions with Miss Mols.
At the doctor's suggestion, Mols' two accompanying housekeepers retreated, leaving Kikyo and Mols alone.
"Mols," Kikyo knelt down and placed a small plate on Mols' lap, who was using a log as a seat. She said softly, "These are freshly baked cookies, all your favorite flavors."
According to information provided by the patient's family, the patient had a preference for delicious food. After the surgery, the patient had been eating bland nutritional meals. The aroma of freshly baked cookies was undoubtedly incredibly alluring.
"Have a bite, Mols." Seeing Mols' lack of reaction, Kikyo picked up a cookie and offered it to her lips.
The tiny crumbs on the surface of the cookie clung to Mols' lips, as if she were wearing lipstick. Mols still did not open her mouth.
"...Alright, Mols, I know I hurt you, and I won't force you anymore," Kikyo withdrew the cookie. "It's okay to be like this. No matter what you become, Mom will accept you."
She reached out her other hand to stroke Mols' head, but Mols turned her head away to avoid it.
"..." Kikyo didn't continue. She silently picked up the cookies and left.
Ah... Ah, despite her resistance, her Mols had finally shown some reaction. If the doctor was not mistaken, this was a sign of improvement!
It's alright, as long as Mols improves, there will be plenty of opportunities to mend their relationship!
Of course, the doctor immediately reported Mols' change to Silva and proposed the next treatment plan.
"Letting her go out alone after passing the test?!" Kikyo exclaimed in shock upon hearing Silva approve the plan. "How can that be! We finally have some progress, and this is a crucial moment!"
"She'll be fine," Silva said. "She has lost her emotional fluctuations, not only positive emotions but also negative ones. She won't yearn for death, but she also lacks the feeling of being alive. She needs more exposure to the outside world and various experiences to fill the void in her emotions."
"The feeling of being alive? The void in her emotions?" Kikyo covered her forehead. "Dear, have you been bewitched by that doctor... Can't family provide these things?"
"Let go, you've been too controlling of her since she was little," Silva closed his eyes. "We shouldn't forget that our protection wasn't meant to keep her at home for her entire life, but out of fear of losing her forever."
"Won't letting her go out now result in losing her forever?!" Kikyo retorted. "She can handle missions without much trouble, but she's so naive. Sometimes she gets nervous talking to us and won't express her feelings. What if she gets tricked by a bad man? Ah— I would surely die of heartbreak!!!!!"
"So I've decided to set conditions for her, requiring her to return home every three months," Silva said. "That way, we'll have room to clean up any messes if necessary. Besides, it's questionable whether she can even develop interest in others."
"It's decided," Silva had no intention of listening to Kikyo's opinion this time.
The strong decided everything, not just the Zoldycks; the world had always been this way.
Kikyo, who emerged from the Meteor City, where the "survival of the fittest" rule was most prominent, wholeheartedly endorsed this ultimate principle, and thus, she obediently cast her abstention vote.
With Silva vouching for the doctor's testing rewards, Mols underwent the test and was confirmed to be able to recognize and control her actions.
At the end of the test, Silva presented Mols with a bill.
Adults must take responsibility for their actions.
The bill listed the losses of property and personnel incurred by Mols during her loss of control, the Zoldycks. The enormous compensation emptied Mols' bank balance for her eighteen years, no, nineteen years, as well as a large sum of cash in her game inventory. Afterward, the debt still amounted to approximately 89 billion Jenni.
"Without interest, you can pay it back slowly," Silva said.
"!" This exclamation was solely the doctor's. The other two present were very calm.
"..." Mols nodded.
Wait, the doctor remembered that the test was supposed to conclude with "helping her establish a positive long-term life goal," wasn't it?!
He was completely stumped, utterly stumped.
"Doctor, thank you for your work these past few days. You've worked hard. We'll have a housekeeper take you back."
As Silva saw the doctor out, the doctor, with great regret, did not get to witness the aftermath.
After the door closed, Mols, who was sitting by the bedside, looked at the closed door. Silva stood there, his head visible, showing her the swirl of hair on his crown.
Silence for a moment.
"You are not suitable for continuing missions at this time, at least not under the name 'Zoldyck.' You have passed the test, and you can choose to stay at home or leave as you wish."
"..."
"Don't worry about the repayment. We'll assess you again in two years. If you regain your condition, you can resume your missions."
"..."
"If you choose to leave, the family will not monitor your whereabouts, but in exchange, you must report back every three months, or we will come find you."
Mols sat motionless, staring straight ahead, unresponsive to Silva's words.
Silva reached out his hand, his palm brushing over Mols' head, and finally settled on her shoulder.
"Mols," Silva attempted to confirm, "Do you understand?"
"..." Mols nodded.
She sat still again.
Alas, she was truly a child that one couldn't help but worry about.
Was the real Mols still there?
Had she been removed along with the surgery?
The swirl of hair in his sight moved. Silva saw Mols tilt her head up towards him. Her blue eyes, which had always been veiled with a layer of dimness, did not become clearer after the dust was wiped away, but instead appeared vacant. Silva recalled his eldest son, who had a similar, inorganic gaze. However, eyes didn't represent everything; his eldest son was quite thoughtful.
"Dad," like a stiff wooden puppet, Mols slowly blinked. After a moment, she mouthed, "Can you hug me?"
...
Mols was leaving. Before she left, she needed to sort out her belongings.
She moved everything from the cabinet in the corner of the room. A large cardboard box was just enough. Carrying the box, Mols encountered her grandfather, Zeno, in the corridor.
"Leaving, Mols?" Zeno said.
"..." Mols nodded.
Zeno waved his hand, palm down, signaling her to put the box down.
After Mols put down the box, Zeno took out a small black leather notebook and handed it to her.
"My gourmet map," Zeno explained. "You and I have the most similar tastes. This isn't a gift, you know. You have to share shops you find good with me."
"..." Mols looked up at Zeno after opening the notebook and finding a card tucked inside.
"Here's a little sponsorship. We can't have the Zoldyck family's eldest lady wandering the streets penniless, can we? It would be a laughing stock." Zeno complained as if displeased. "Tsk, Silva really..."
This complaint was not intended to be finished. Seeing Mols' lack of response, Zeno stopped complaining and returned to his usual serious demeanor. "Mols, since you have time off, go out and enjoy yourself. Don't leave any regrets."
As Zeno was about to turn and leave, Mols closed the notebook and met his eyes. Zeno felt she had something to say, so he stopped.
"Grandpa," Mols mouthed, "Can I still claim the game rewards from before?"
A little surprised, Zeno only then remembered that the game had taken place ten years ago. Yes, had that much time passed? She still remembered.
Time was truly wonderful. Mols, who was so small and clumsy back then, had now grown taller than him.
But she still seemed clumsy.
"Of course," Zeno smiled nostalgically. "A promise is a promise."
Mols [picked up] the notebook into her game inventory. With a blank expression, she extended her hand, carefully and cautiously, as if touching mist that could dissipate. She stroked the surface gently in the direction her hair grew, then withdrew her hand.
Young Zeno also liked being petted by his parents, but people grow up, and the past cannot be revisited.
How many years had it been since she was last petted?
Mols did not completely withdraw her hand. She raised her other hand, leaned her upper body forward, and brushed against Zeno's shoulder. It was brief, and the next second she pulled back, creating distance.
"..." x2
If it wasn't a delusion, that action seemed like a hug.
"...Mols," Zeno began with some concern.
"..." Mols pursed her lips, bent down, picked up the cardboard box, and continued forward.
She walked to the incinerator. She took out one item at a time from the box, glanced at it, and then threw it into the incinerator.
A worn-out bunny doll.
Candy wrappers with different flavors.
Collected snack cards.
Shells of strange colors.
Stamp collection cards from various shops.
...
As she was burning photos of cats, someone arrived, their footsteps light, capable of being drowned out by the crackling of burning paper.
It wasn't intentional; the footsteps of a professional killer, rigorously trained from childhood, were always quieter than those of ordinary people.
"What do you need me for, sister?" The arrival was Illumi.
Silva had ordered Illumi to "prohibit any form of active contact with Mols," taking into account non-active situations. After all, when the family gathered under the same roof, forcing one party to be absent would seem strange to those who didn't know the whole story, like Killua. Maintaining a semblance of harmony was necessary.
When Mols had her butler relay a message to Illumi saying she needed to see him, this non-active situation did not violate Silva's order.
Mols did not respond to Illumi's question. Illumi stood by, hands in his pockets, watching her burn the last photo.
The cardboard box was empty. She stood up and threw the box into the incinerator.
Turning around, the fire in the furnace outlined her in a warm glow, as if she too were burning.
"We must abide by the rules of our transaction," she mouthed. "The payment has not yet been made to you."
Even as the top sponsor, no, precisely because she was the top sponsor, meeting a host privately was a paid service, with payment based on satisfaction.
She took a step forward, two, three, closing the distance to an adequate level.
Due to the height difference, Illumi tilted his head slightly to see her face.
*Slap.*
Mols slapped him.
Illumi did not try to dodge or defend himself with Nen. He excelled in his interrogation classes and didn't even feel pain; he only felt the warmth and softness of the hand touching his cheek.
"You are very pathetic," Mols said emotionlessly, as if relaying a message for a stranger.
Illumi wanted to observe her expression more closely but had to raise his right hand to block his face, catching a coin flying towards his forehead.
It was a 1-Jenni coin.
He let out a soft "Eh," "Is this... my payment?"
Mols did not answer him. She walked past him, without looking back.
Having grown up in a wealthy family, Illumi rarely had the chance to see coins, let alone a 1-Jenni coin. This did give him some novelty. Seizing the opportunity, he examined the unfamiliar coin.
It was silver-white, made of pure aluminum. One side had the number "1," and the other side had a sapling pattern, symbolizing "new leaves." The edge of the coin was smooth, without serrations.
Mols had already walked far away. Illumi looked at her retreating back and gently licked the side of the coin with the pattern.
Next, Mols disposed of the "toys" that had been gathering dust for a long time.
Then, she cut her waist-length hair to shoulder length. As she was tidying her hair, Micky came looking for her, followed by a housekeeper who brought a briefcase-style safe to Mols.
"Sis, I heard you're leaving, so take this!" Micky introduced enthusiastically. "This is my latest invention, a random number bomb. It explodes based on the number of collisions. Because it's random, no one knows until it explodes how many collisions it takes to detonate, creating great unpredictability! The random number range is currently set from 1 to 5. Based on combat performance, I can make further adjustments."
Due to Mols having blown up their house twice, the Zoldycks strictly prohibited the use of any explosives within the boundaries of Kukuroo Mountain. Violators would be severely punished, which forced Micky, who disliked going out, to have others detonate his bombs elsewhere and report the experimental results back to him.
Mols [picked up] the briefcase-style safe into her game inventory and nodded at Micky.
Micky wanted to explain more about the experimental data, but Mols unexpectedly hugged him lightly, startling him greatly and making him forget everything he wanted to say.
Bypassing the stunned Micky, Mols went to Kikyo's room door and knocked. No one was inside.
"..."
Leaving the main house, Kikyo was already waiting nearby, with Killua waving hello to Mols beside her.
Meeting Kikyo's gaze, Kikyo was clearly expecting something eagerly.
"..." Mols raised both her arms. Before she could fully embrace Kikyo, the latter eagerly hugged her back.
"Mols... my Mols, my only daughter," Kikyo's voice was a little choked. "Mom will miss you so much."
"Take good care of yourself when you're out alone, eat properly, and don't eat too much sweets. You're not yet twenty, so don't drink alcohol either." Kikyo was slightly taller than Mols and hugged her so tightly that she almost lifted Mols off the ground. "Mols, you can't trust anyone outside! Remember, the more handsome the man, the more deceitful they are! Call home if anything happens. If anyone appears claiming to be from home and asks you to go with them, no matter who it is or what excuse they use, don't just believe them..."
"Mom. Sister is just taking a break, right?" Killua, who was out of the loop, interrupted the sticky atmosphere that made it difficult to separate.
"En..." Kikyo loosened her embrace, sighing with immense disappointment. "Mols, don't worry about money. I'll transfer some to your account. If it's not enough, you can come home first, and I'll wire you more."
"..." Mols nodded.
"Sister, it's a three-month vacation, right? I'm so envious." Killua, tired of endless dry training and missions, had a considerable burden placed on his young shoulders as the heir everyone had high hopes for. How he wished for an opportunity to play freely! "Remember to bring back souvenirs!"
"..." Mols nodded, ruffled his head, and then hugged him lightly.
"Little Ki," Silva's voice came from not far away.
In Mols' arms, Killua looked towards Silva. "?"
"Don't envy your sister. It's time for us to depart too," Silva said. "We're going somewhere very interesting this time."
"Really?!" Killua's eyes lit up, and he ran to catch up with Silva's footsteps. "Where are we going?"
"Mols," Silva turned his head. "Remember to come back on time."
...
Walking all the way to the nearest town from Kukuroo Mountain, Mols checked her balance. Her account had an additional 500 million Jenni, Zeno's card had 1 billion Jenni, and then there was... Silva's card.
Upon learning she chose to leave, Silva had given her a card, calling it travel expenses, saying he couldn't really let her wander the streets penniless.
*Beep.*
The ATM displayed the queried balance: 100 million Jenni in travel expenses.
At this moment, Killua, filled with anticipation on the airship, was unaware that upon arriving at the Heavens Arena, his future of being penniless was about to begin.