Chapter 20 – B+ Grade Talent
Lynn completed the threat assessment in a fraction of a second.
Weapon—
Active.
Distance—
Six meters.
Lethality—
Absolute.
But the hand holding the gun—
Unstable.
Frank's arterial pulse was collapsing. Peripheral perfusion was critically low. At his current blood pressure, voluntary muscle control in the fingers would degrade within thirty seconds.
After that—
The gun would fall.
But within those thirty seconds—
A single .45 ACP round would be enough.
Lynn did not move.
"It depends," he said calmly, "on whether you can afford it."
Frank tilted his head slightly.
Unexpected.
"Heal me," he said.
Each word forced through clenched teeth, but controlled.
"One hour."
A pause.
"If you can't—doesn't matter. I walk out… or die here."
The system activated.
[Patient: Frank Castle — The Punisher]
[Injury Assessment:]
30+ ballistic wounds (9mm / 7.62mm), 17 retained fragmentsSplenic rupture (~3 cm), active hemorrhage (~15 ml/min)Right renal capsule tear (~12 ml/min bleeding)Left lung: dual penetrating wounds → hemopneumothoraxMultiple fractures and soft tissue traumaBlood loss: ~38% → pre-hemorrhagic shock
[Mortality: 89.3%]
[Time to death: ~43 minutes]
[Reward Potential: B+ Talent]
B+.
Lower than Batman.
Lower than Daredevil.
But Lynn's cognition immediately reframed the value.
Frank Castle was not enhanced in the conventional sense.
No advanced technology.
No mutation in the traditional Marvel sense.
But his physiology—
Was abnormal.
Pain tolerance beyond neurological limits.
Accelerated clotting response.
Dense scar regeneration.
Cellular recovery rate exceeding baseline human norms.
This was not willpower.
It was biological adaptation.
A survival system.
A passive healing factor.
And right now—
That was more valuable than intelligence or perception.
"Put the gun down," Lynn said, already turning toward the operating room. "I'll finish before you die."
Frank watched him.
Two seconds.
Then—
Holstered the weapon.
Not trust.
Necessity.
Frank entered the operating room under his own power.
Unstable—
But controlled.
Lynn moved to assist.
Frank shoved him aside.
"No need."
He reached the table himself.
Removed his jacket.
It hit the floor heavily—
Loaded.
Multiple magazines.
Two spare sidearms.
Then—
The vest.
He tried to remove it.
Failed.
Fine motor function was degrading.
"I said—"
"Your radial artery pressure is below sixty," Lynn cut in. "Continue and you won't have the strength to lie down."
Silence.
Frank stopped resisting.
Lynn removed it.
The body beneath—
Severe.
Not just damage—
History.
Layered trauma.
Knife scars.
Burns.
Ballistic wounds.
Old and new.
And the healing patterns—
Abnormal.
Granulation tissue denser than normal.
Scar edges compact.
Accelerated recovery confirmed.
The current wounds—
More than thirty.
Some actively bleeding.
Others partially sealed.
Any ordinary human—
Would have died long ago.
Frank Castle—
Was still standing.
"Lie down."
Frank complied.
Prone.
Lynn began tactile assessment.
No imaging required.
His fingers traced along the spine.
Every fragment—
Mapped.
Every wound—
Resolved.
Right thoracic region—
Subcutaneous 9mm round.
Left—
Irregular 7.62 fragment.
Right kidney—
Active internal bleeding.
Audible.
Continuous.
Left lung—
Fluid accumulation.
Air leakage.
Spleen—
Primary hemorrhage source.
Rupture approximately three centimeters.
Plan formed instantly:
Control splenic hemorrhageStabilize renal injuryResolve thoracic pressure imbalanceRemove fragments (selective priority)
Estimated time:
Thirty-five minutes.
Margin:
Minimal.
Lynn picked up the scalpel.
"What are you doing?" Frank asked, turning his head slightly.
"Surgery."
"Anesthesia?"
"Do you want it?"
A pause.
"No."
"Expected."
No argument.
The scalpel descended.
Left abdominal wall.
Precise incision.
Frank's musculature resisted—
Denser than baseline.
Increased force required.
Approximately twenty percent more.
Then—
Entry.
Blood surged outward.
Rapid.
Dark.
The abdominal cavity opened under surgical light.
The spleen—
Exposed.
Ruptured.
A three-centimeter tear with irregular edges.
Not a clean penetration.
Blunt trauma followed by mechanical tearing.
Active hemorrhage.
Uncontrolled.
Frank's body tensed.
No scream.
No movement.
Only breathing—
Tightened.
Controlled.
Lynn moved immediately.
Compression.
Clamping.
Stabilization.
No hesitation.
No wasted motion.
The operation—
Had begun.