The Mysterious Clinic

After landing at Fushin Airport, Shuri gazed intently at the messages lighting up her phone screen.

"Why did you suddenly go to Fushin, Rin?"

"Were you stressed out by everything that happened? Should I come over to join you?"

"Rin, I'm worried… Please let me know if you're alright."

Shuri hovered her fingers over the keyboard, eager to respond, yet she hesitated.

The moment she typed a reply, she quickly deleted it a few seconds later. She didn't know how she should answer Noran's messages. Shuri didn't want to lie to him, and avoiding him wasn't an option either.

However, she couldn't bear seeing Noran's worry, or worse, his anguish, reflected in his eyes if she were to tell him that she might only have less than a year to live. It was easier to just flee to Fushin with the hope of finding a possible solution before revealing her illness to him.

After boarding the express train to her next destination, Shuri finally decided to send a reply, "I'm fine, Ran. Please don't worry. I just thought I could take this opportunity when you're away to visit the Guardian Forest."

She wasn't lying in her reply.

Indeed, Shuri had wanted to visit the Guardian Forest, but she wasn't so naïve as to believe that she could find the divine tree and fairies to help her with her illness. Her sole reason for rushing over to Fushin was to seek medical help.

Besides the Guardian Forest, Fushin was also renowned for its exceptional Eastern medicine practices. People from far and wide would journey to Fushin seeking medical assistance, drawn by its reputation for effective treatments.

Shuri remembered when she was ten years old, her parents spent a fortune, even downsizing their home, to seek treatment for Karlene's fragile health, but none of the doctors were able to improve her condition. It wasn't until they sought out Madam Faye, an Eastern medicine doctor in Isla Town, which was located within the province of Fushin, that they finally found hope.

Rumors circulated about Madam Faye's exceptional ability to heal any illness, and Shuri's parents, driven by desperation, spared no expense in seeking treatment for Karlene's fragile health.

As time passed, Karlene not only became strong and healthy but also developed a physique surpassing most individuals. Her body grew exceptionally robust, possessing strength and vitality that surpassed the norm. Incredibly, she even achieved a remarkable milestone by earning a second-degree black belt in taekwondo.

If Madam Faye could turn a frail girl into a superwoman, surely she'd have a way to extend her life for a few more years, right?

Shuri quickly checked into the hotel after arriving at Isla Town. After exiting the hotel, she noticed that the phone signal in the town wasn't particularly good. There were times when she couldn't get any connection while trying to navigate her way around, so she had to resort to asking kind locals for help.

Her ability to distinguish between good and evil came into handy at times like this. She could seek out kind souls who were willing to help her unconditionally. Through them, she learned that Madam Faye was considered by some to be a divine healer, while others whispered about her mystical abilities akin to those of a witch.

Despite her mysterious background, those in desperate need would seek out Madam Faye. However, she was known to be selective with her patients, and would often turn down anyone she didn't like no matter how much they were willing to pay her.

Eventually, Shuri found an elderly couple who knew where Madam Faye's whereabouts. They kindly directed her to the secluded clinic, which lacked phone or internet service.

Shuri was extremely thankful for the elderly couple's help and wanted to repay them, but they refused any compensation. Their selflessness reminded Shuri of the many kind souls who had crossed her path during her upbringing. Their influence had been profound, shaping her into the compassionate individual she had become.

Therefore, Shuri had never once used her ability to seek personal wealth or gain. Although she knew she could easily become rich by utilizing her ability in the casino or politics, she refrained from doing so because it would betray the values instilled in her by those who had shown her kindness.

After the elderly couple left, Shuri stood before the clinic, her gaze lingering on its unassuming exterior. Unlike the grandiose buildings of modern medical facilities, this clinic appeared remarkably ordinary, resembling a quaint suburban house nestled among the surrounding trees and foliage.

As Shuri approached the door, she didn't find any sign at the entrance. She assumed the clinic was open because the door was unlocked.

"Excuse me," Shuri called out politely as she pushed the door open and stepped inside.

As soon as she entered, Shuri was hit by a mix of unfamiliar smells. The air was heavy with the scent of herbs, blending with other odd but not entirely unpleasant aromas.

As Shuri looked around, she couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder and curiosity. The clinic's interior was unlike anything she had ever seen. The walls were adorned with Eastern-inspired decorations, and curious artifacts and mystical symbols were scattered throughout the room. Soft, ambient lighting created eerie shadows, adding to the overall sense of mystery.

As she explored further, Shuri couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, as if unseen eyes were observing her every move. Despite the strangeness of her surroundings, she felt a strange sense of calm come over her—a testament to the otherworldly atmosphere that filled Madam Faye's clinic.

Suddenly, a voice emerged from the shadows, its tone soft yet commanding. "I see that I have an interesting patient here today."