After getting to know the whole situation, Claudia was not the only one who was surprised. Even Lily was astounded too.Had she known Dustin’s identity, she would not have let Caden drive him away so easily. After all, he had helped her daughter!"It’s fortunate that nothing serious happened. Had we thrown the pill away, Sheila would have been in grave danger!" Lily shuddered to think of what could have happened.She considered herself lucky that she still had the pill with her, or the consequences would have been unimaginable."Sheila is safe for the time being, but the coldness within her has yet to be completely eliminated."After checking on Sheila, Caden ordered, "Claudia, go to the medical center and get Dustin here.""But Uncle Caden, you don’t really believe that the fellow can cure Sheila, do you?" Claudia’s expression was one of disbelief. She had a preconceived notion that Dustin wasn’t a trustworthy person."I’d just like to see what treatment plans he has to propose," Cade
"Stop whatever you’re doing!" The voice bellowed.Xavier Horst strode in imposingly and shouted, "Uncle Caden, we do not know this man! We cannot let him put Sheila’s life at risk!""I understand that you’re worried for Sheila, Xavier. But we do not have any better alternatives now. He is our only hope." Caden shook his head."Who says we have not got any better alternatives? See who I brought!" Xavier gestured dramatically and directed everyone’s attention to the entrance.In came a podgy old man dressed in a loose green robe. He made his way in confidently."Dr. Shane?" There was an instant uproar when everyone caught sight of him.The doctors’ seemed to have transformed into eager fanboys who met their idols. Their level of excitement was off the charts. This was, after all, the world-renowned miracle healer, Dr. Malcolm Shane!His expertise in acupuncture was one of a kind, and all these experts and professors were considered nothing compared to him."Dr. Shane?" Caden and the res
The doctors gathered around to reprimand Dustin."Young man, may I know from whom you learned your skills? How dare you brag in front of everyone?" Malcolm gave him a once over, obviously displeased.In all the years he practiced his medical skills, he had never once been doubted. Much less by a rascal who was still wet behind the ears!"Hah! You overestimate yourself! How dare you put on airs in front of Dr. Shane? You’re really asking for it!" Xavier said in a hostile manner."Young man, I do not know where you got the confidence to doubt Dr. Shane, but I would like you to please leave now. Do not disrupt him from saving my daughter!" Caden spoke sternly with an annoyed expression. How dare this fellow tried to take advantage of his benevolence?"There’s no need to drive him out. Let him stay and watch. Since he doubts my skills, I’ll show him what I’m capable of!" Malcolm stood with his hands behind his back. "As expected of Dr. Shane! He carries himself with such dignity and confi
"What?"Everyone turned to look.Sure enough, they found her just as Lily said. Sheila, whose condition seemed to have improved a while ago, now looked much paler than before, and more frost had formed on her brows and hair.From the way things looked, not only had her condition not improved, it even worsened."Dr. Shane, whatever is going on?" Caden’s brows knitted together tightly, his expression stern."This is most peculiar. Technically speaking, she should be fine after the coldness has been expelled." Malcolm found Sheila’s condition very strange. She had been fine just a while ago; how did her condition worsen in just the blink of an eye?"What do we do now, Dr. Shane?" Caden questioned persistently."Don’t be anxious. Let me give it another try." Malcolm didn’t give up just yet. He used the same technique to rid Sheila of the coldness within her.But the results were the same. In just under three minutes, Sheila’s condition went back to square one. It was as though the coldness
Everyone watched wide-eyed as Dustin administered the fiery beetle.The moment it entered Sheila’s body, the effect was immediate. The cold air around her began to dissipate, and in less than three minutes, her body had gone from icy cold to being at a regular temperature.She gained color in her cheeks, and her breathing steadied.Then, under the disbelieving gaze of the crowd, she whimpered and came around."She’s awake?" Astonishment was evident on the crowd’s faces.The fact that a rascal like Dustin was able to cure Sheila of her condition when even Dr. Shane was unable to was beyond them.It was shocking indeed!"H—How is this possible?" Xavier’s eyes widened, bewildered.How could an unknown doctor possess such skills?"How did he do it?" Claudia was equally amazed and terrified.She struggled to come to terms with how something she had always thought was evil had healing properties."I never knew that the mystic arts had such amazing effects!" Malcolm’s eyes lit up as he marvel
Caden gestured to the butler, who immediately got the message."This way, please, Mr. Rhys.""Sure." Dustin nodded and followed the butler to the lounge. He took a seat and waited. It was a long wait.It wasn’t until he finished his third cup of tea that Caden appeared with several men in tow."I really appreciate you saving my daughter, young man. Here’s a ten-million-dollar check. Consider this your pay." Caden sat down and motioned to one of his men, who presented a check to Dustin."What? Thank you for your kind intentions, Mr. Murray, but this isn’t what I want." Dustin stared at the check, puzzled. "It doesn’t matter whether you want it. What matters is that this is what I’m paying you for a job well done." Caden sipped on his tea."What’s that supposed to mean?" Dustin’s eyes narrowed."Don’t you get it? The Gozoraberry isn’t yours. All you’re getting is the money." Caden spelled it out in plain words."Mr. Murray, we had a deal. I cure your daughter, and you give me the Gozora
"Hahaha!" Dustin was so infuriated that he laughed out loud when he saw the guards rush in.Anyone would have assumed that such a prestigious family would at least put in some effort to uphold their reputation. Who would have guessed that they would act so shamelessly?Not only did they go back on their word, they even betrayed someone who had offered them help in their time of need! And now that things didn’t go their way, they resorted to violence and threats. How tyrannical and despicable!"Caden Murray! Are you about to repay kindness with ingratitude?" Dustin’s gaze frosted over, and an imposing air came over him."Young man, you’d be smart to back off now. Ten million dollars is enough to last you a lifetime. You better not get greedy!" Caden warned.People in his position were only interested in what benefited them. Naturally, he would place connections with the Horst family above an unknown doctor like Dustin."Am I being greedy, or are you the one taking advantage of me? Do yo
When Dustin returned to Peaceful Medical Center, he found a silver Bentley parked right at the entrance.He walked in to see a lady with a beguiling face. Her shapely figure and enchanting temperament, matched with her bewitching smile, made her nothing less than a top-tier seductress."What brings you here, Ms. Harmon?" Dustin was slightly startled. Though they were already familiar with each other, he still found her stunning every time he saw her."Why to see you, of course. You're such a busy person, and you rarely ever come to see me. Surely you can't forbid me from coming here to meet you?" Natasha said begrudgingly."That's not what I meant. Right, how's it going with Immortunol? Are its effects as expected?" Dustin changed the topic awkwardly. "It's much better than expected! I've come here especially to thank you. Immortunol has way better effects than Eternumax. I believe that once Immortunol is launched, the big bucks will start rolling in in no time." Natasha smiled."Is t
"Oh? Are we going all out now?" Dustin smirked, with a hint of amusement in his eyes.Mulder, who had advanced to become a grandmaster martial artist through drugs, had a weak foundation. Even after taking the enhanced serum, he still posed no threat to Dustin. If Mulder were a hundred times stronger, he might just barely be able to fight Dustin.As the serum's effects pushed his body to the limit, Mulder suddenly let out a furious roar. His muscles swelled rapidly, and his bones cracked as they expanded. His body grew larger at an alarming rate, and his clothes tore apart under the strain.His six-foot frame stretched to nearly seven feet in mere moments as his body swelled to monstrous proportions. His face twisted fiercely, and his skin darkened as black scales surfaced.With another guttural growl, his roar turned beastlike. He grabbed his shredded shirt and ripped it away, exposing his broad chest covered in dark scales. A faint, eerie sheen flickered across their surface."D
Dustin's words made Mulder frown.Mulder knew all too well that Warrick was the kind of man who had no sense of loyalty or honor. If Warrick could kill his own personal guards without hesitation, what would stop him from killing a stranger? Mulder was certain that the moment things went south, Warrick would be the first to flee. Given the choice, he'd never willingly risk his life as Warrick's sacrificial pawn. But now, there was no turning back.With his undercover identity exposed and him helping Warrick escape, Mulder became a sworn enemy of West Lucozia. His name was now on the most-wanted list.Tonight was their best chance to escape. If they missed it, finding another way out would be nearly impossible.There was only one path left for him—kill whoever stood in his way and make it onto that escape boat."Enough talk, punk. Let's see what you're really made of," Mulder said.After weighing his options, he gritted his teeth and finally decided to draw his longsword. His fig
"You had your chance. Don't blame me for what happens next," Dustin said.With a slight squeeze of his fingers, the steel blades clamped between them shattered with a sharp clang.Before the two Hall of Gods members could even react, Dustin waved his hand.The two men were sent flying as if they'd been hit by a truck, hurtling over 30 feet through the air. Blood sprayed from their mouths and noses before they hit the ground. They were critically injured and on the verge of death.Dustin slowly turned his head and looked at the man who had just tried to ambush him.The man glanced at the broken sword in his hand, then at Dustin, who looked utterly unfazed. He hesitated for a split second—then bolted.With a powerful leap, he dove straight for the sea. He knew Dustin's strength was on a completely different level. There was no chance of outrunning him on land, so the only hope was to disappear into the water.It might have worked—if not for what happened next.Just before he hit
"You're not a fisherman? Who the hell are you?"Mulder's guard shot up the moment he got a clear look at the young man's face.Fishermen who spent their days at sea were usually tanned from the sun, but this one had a fair complexion. It felt a little strangeNoticing something was off, the men behind Mulder drew their blades and fixed their sharp gazes on the fisherman.The so-called fisherman standing guard wasn't just anyone—it was Dustin, who had been waiting for them all along.Since his plan was set in motion, he'd been stationed there from morning until midnight. After what felt like an eternity, his targets had finally arrived."Isn't it obvious? I'm here to capture you."Dustin rose from the deck and rolled his shoulders before speaking in an even tone. "If you don't want to die, surrender now. Otherwise, it'll be too late.""Watch out! It could be an ambush." Mulder swiftly pulled out his dagger. His sharp gaze scanned the surroundings for any sign of hidden troops.
As night fell, Warrick sat motionless in his room as he tried to calm his mind through meditation. He had always been able to clear his mind with ease. But tonight, no matter how hard he tried, focus eluded him. A restless unease settled over him and refused to let him relax.Nearly two hours passed before Mulder's scouts finally returned. This time, they brought good news.The smuggling route they had scouted was completely safe, with no signs of an ambush. The West Lucozia army had yet to discover this potential escape route.Once everything was confirmed, Mulder let out a breath of relief. Warrick, too, finally felt the weight lift from his chest."Since the route is safe, we should set out immediately to avoid any unexpected complications." Warrick said. He had no intention of waiting any longer. He was a wanted man, and every moment in West Lucozia increased his chances of capture. There was no telling when the army might surround him. Only by escaping to Thaloria would he
After a hearty meal, the burly Warrick sprawled lazily onto the bed and dozed off. He slept soundly till dusk, lost in a deep dream. When the sky was painted in brilliant hues of the setting sun, only then did he wake up leisurely.The exhaustion from the previous day seemed to have melted away. He felt invigorated, refreshed, and in high spirits.At that moment, Leigh had already set the table in the hall with quiet efficiency. Compared to the first meal, this spread was far more lavish.At the center of the table sat a whole roasted pig. Its golden-brown skin glistened with a rich, crispy sheen. The mouthwatering aroma filled the room, making it impossible not to crave a bite.Warrick had never been one for formalities. The moment he saw the feast, he didn't hesitate. He strode over, took a seat, and started digging in. He ate with zero restraint without sparing a single thought for Mulder, who was still out gathering intel.After a while, half of the roast pig was gone. His fac
"Who is it?" Warrick's grip tightened around the hilt of his steel blade. His eyes, sharp and alert, were like those of a startled predator—full of caution and menace.For the past few days, he had been on edge, like a cornered animal. He barely slept and was constantly on high alert, fearing danger would strike at any moment.The door slowly creaked open. An elderly man with gray hair stepped inside with a tray of fruit and pastries in both hands.Before he could even register what was happening, a flash of cold steel appeared, and Warrick's blade was at the elderly man's throat.The elderly man trembled with fear. The tray slipped from his grasp, and fruit and pastries scattered on the floor."Easy, Sir Prescott. He's one of us." Mulder stepped forward and pressed down on the flat of Warrick's blade with a finger. He smiled and explained, "His name's Leigh Houston. He's mute and has served the Hall of Gods for years. He keeps watch over this tunnel entrance and has never slipp
"Here's the problem—even if we know Warrick's intentions, how do we stop him?" Austin asked.Right now, Warrick had already disappeared without a trace. Austin's team hadn't even come close enough to get a hold of him, so there was no way to track him down.West Lucozia's vast territory and resources made it impossible to seal off every exit route completely. While it might be manageable in the short term, prolonging such an operation would significantly impact West Lucozia's economy. Wasting resources on a single fugitive wasn't a wise move."Warrick is a wanted man across the entire city. There's no way he's leaving through official channels. He'll have to sneak his way out," Dustin analyzed. He continued, "According to the maritime charts, if he's traveling from West Lucozia to Artea, he'll have to go through Thaloria. That's our lead. Get someone on it immediately—find out how many smuggling routes there are from West Lucozia to Thaloria.""Got it. I'll get it done right away
"Damn you, Mulder! You've really screwed me over this time." Axel gnashed his teeth as rage boiled inside him. Mulder's betrayal hadn't just implicated Axel's sister, but it had also dragged Axel himself into the mess.Mulder had climbed the ranks to assistant chief of the City Defenders in just a few years, and Axel had played a major role in backing him.Now that this mess had blown up, Axel was right in the middle of it. No matter how he tried to explain, he was going to take the fall for it."Everyone, follow me! Let's capture that traitor."After learning Mulder's escape route, Axel waved his hand and led his enforcement team out at full speed.He had already messed up by failing to capture Warrick, which was a serious lapse in duty. Now, with his brother-in-law openly rebelling against them, things had only gotten worse.If Axel didn't turn this situation around and bring those traitors to justice, his days as an enforcement team captain were numbered.After a thorough s