21st Century Necromancer

Chapter 10: Chapter 10 What Happened in the Past

"When I was at the University of Tokyo, the professor in charge of my guidance was researching targeted drugs for cancer treatment, so that was my main research topic too." On the hospital rooftop, Chen Yu leaned against the railing, took a sip of coffee, and shared his past with Hiromi Jounouchi, "Back then I had a wild idea, hoping to develop a broad-spectrum targeted drug that would work against all cancers. After all, fundamentally, cancer tumors are caused by cancer cells, and if you can develop targeted drugs against cancer cells, you'd be able to target all cancers."

"But isn't that too idealistic? Different cancers have different characteristics, how could there be a drug that targets all of them?" Hiromi Jounouchi, a doctor herself, knew upon hearing Chen Yu's words that while the idea was appealing, it was impractical. However, thinking about the medicine bottle that Inomata Naoki had shown earlier, she couldn't help feeling uncertain again, "The medicine Inomata-san asked you for... Did you actually do it, Mr. Chen Yu?"

Chen Yu did not confirm Hiromi Jounouchi's guess but instead turned around, rested his elbow on the railing, and continued to speak while looking out at the bustling Tokyo, "At that time, the professor's evaluation was that it was a wild idea, but he did not stop me from continuing my research. On the contrary, he attached my project under his research, providing me with a lot of help and allowing my research to continue."

"So what happened in the end? Did you develop this drug, Mr. Chen Yu? Or was the research unsuccessful?" The implication in Chen Yu's words was clear: he had indeed researched a targeted drug for all types of cancer tumors, which made Hiromi Jounouchi very curious about what happened afterward.

"My classmates at the university were pessimistic about my research, thinking I was impractical, and being Chinese, I faced a lot of ostracism, so I did not have any help, and the research did not go smoothly." Chen Yu seemed to recall the difficulties from back then, his expression becoming somewhat bitter, but he did not dwell on these memories and continued talking, "It was also at that time that I met Naoki. I studied surgery, and he studied internal medicine. He was very interested in my research topic and often used his free time to help me with experiments. That's when we became good friends."

As he spoke of his friendship with Inomata Naoki, Chen Yu let out a somewhat nostalgic laugh, and Hiromi Jounouchi, knowing it was because of Naoki's illness, couldn't help but speculate, "So what's the matter with Inomata-san's illness? That peculiar condition in the medical record... Is it because of your drug? Are these side effects?"

Finally, Hiromi Jounouchi's guess made Chen Yu nod, his voice becoming a bit hoarse, "With Naoki's help, the research was challenging, but we still made progress, and I did indeed develop a drug that could suppress the proliferation of cancer cells."

As is well-known, the cause of cancer is cancer cells themselves, which are characterized by their unlimited proliferation, transformability, and tendency to metastasize. If the proliferation of cancer cells can be inhibited, it would be of significant importance for cancer treatment.

Chemotherapy, commonly used in cancer treatment, aims to kill cancer cells with various chemical drugs, and targeted therapy is also a form of chemotherapy. However, due to the strong life force of cancer cells, typically chemotherapy harms the body significantly while killing cancer cells. But as medical technology has progressed in recent years, new drugs are continuously being developed, and their side effects are gradually decreasing.

Hiromi Jounouchi had looked at Inomata Naoki's medical record; he had advanced-stage esophageal cancer, and judging by the condition at that time, if left untreated, he would have a maximum of three to six months to live, but the record was dated two years ago. This undoubtedly indicated that Chen Yu had indeed successfully developed the drug and managed to extend the life of a patient with advanced cancer by at least a year and a half.

Do not underestimate this year and a half. As a surgeon, Hiromi Jounouchi knew that even just this short period, for many patients with advanced cancer, is something they would exchange everything for.

But the eerie physiological state of Inomata Naoki documented in his medical record, along with the strange demeanor of Chen Yu, made Hiromi Jounouchi deeply feel that there must be some unspeakable drawbacks to this medicine, or else Chen Yu would have already made a name for himself with it.

Thus, Hiromi Jounouchi tentatively asked Chen Yu, "So, Mr. Chen Yu, what are the side effects of this medicine? Is it like what happened to Inomata-san?"

"This drug works by inhibiting cellular activity to prevent the proliferation of cancer cells. The initial animal tests were very successful; we could clearly detect the deactivation of cancer cells in mice," Chen Yu continued to explain to Hiromi Jounouchi, but his expression grew increasingly bitter, "In my excitement over the successful experiment, I was blinded and didn't check the specific conditions of those mice before rushing off to share the good news with my professor. Naoki voluntarily stayed behind to clean up the lab for me. With the intention of delivering the good news to the professor as soon as possible, I left the lab without realizing that Naoki..."

"He used the medicine on himself?" Hiromi Jounouchi guessed what had happened next.

Chen Yu nodded, picked up the medical record of Inomata Naoki, which had been set aside, flipped it open, and spoke with a remorseful tone about the events that unfolded, "At that time, Naoki had already been diagnosed with late-stage esophageal cancer, a fact he kept from me, and I had no idea that he had cancer. So after I left the lab, he used the leftover experimental drug on himself.

As a result... the proliferation of cancer cells in his body was indeed inhibited, and even the tumor itself lost its activity. If that had been all, one could say that the first human clinical application of the drug was a great success. But in reality, Naoki's bodily functions were only at 70% of what a normal person's should be, including his body's regenerative capabilities, metabolism, blood circulation, and even breathing and heart rate—they were all comprehensively suppressed."

Chen Yu lowered his head in frustration, obviously feeling deep guilt and regret for his momentary negligence that had led to his friend's current state.

Seeing Chen Yu so disheartened, Hiromi Jounouchi instinctively went to his side, wrapped her arms around him, and softly consoled him, "It's not your fault, and think of it this way, Mr. Chen Yu, without your medicine, Inomata-san would have died a year and a half ago. You allowed him to live another year and a half, didn't you? Also, since you were able to develop this drug, you must surely be able to improve it, right? You will definitely be able to cure Inomata-san!"

Being gently embraced by Hiromi Jounouchi, Chen Yu couldn't help but hold her in return, "Thank you for your encouragement, Hiromi."

"This is the first time you've called me Hiromi, not Hiromi-san," finally being held by Chen Yu, Hiromi Jounouchi's face also displayed a joyful and blissful smile.

While the two were enjoying this touching moment, a young nurse suddenly burst onto the rooftop. Upon seeing Chen Yu and Hiromi Jounouchi embracing, she instantly coughed in panic. Waiting for the two to separate, she then said to them, "Doctor Chen Yu, Doctor Jounouchi, the test results for Mr. Inomata Naoki are out, but..."