Chapter 3: The Fever Demon’s Challenge

Mo Bei had thought he was getting used to this bizarre new world, but as he stepped outside his clinic that morning, reality hit him in the form of a possessed-looking man stumbling around and mumbling nonsense.

The entire village was in an uproar. Women pulled their children back into their homes, and the braver men stood at a distance, gripping farming tools like makeshift weapons.

"Doctor Mo! Something is wrong with Lao Hu!"

Mo Bei frowned, adjusting his sleeves as he approached the source of the chaos. A muscular man, perhaps in his late thirties, was sweating profusely, his breathing shallow, his eyes unfocused. More concerning, however, was the small, flickering red creature clinging to his back, resembling a tiny fire spirit with stubby horns.

[Disease Identified: High Fever - Fire Sprite Variant]

[Difficulty Level: Medium]

[Recommended Treatment: Cold Compress + Fever-Reducing Herbs + Rehydration Therapy]

Mo Bei clicked his tongue. A fever sprite, huh? The creature wasn't as large or intimidating as other ailments, but it refused to let go, occasionally fanning flames over Lao Hu's shoulders.

The moment Lao Hu saw Mo Bei, he let out a delirious groan.

"HE'S BURNING UP!" one of the villagers shouted.

"I CAN FEEL MY BRAIN MELTING!" Lao Hu mumbled, swaying on his feet.

Mo Bei was already in motion. The man was overheating and seconds away from collapsing.

"Hold him still," he ordered. Two burly men hesitated before nodding, stepping forward to steady Lao Hu as his knees buckled. The fever sprite squeaked in protest, gripping his back tighter.

Mo Bei ignored it and pressed two fingers to Lao Hu's wrist, feeling his pulse. Fast. Too fast. He checked the man's lips—cracked and dry.

Severe dehydration. If this fever wasn't controlled soon, he'd be in real danger.

Step 1: Lower the Temperature

"Get me cold water, and lots of it," Mo Bei commanded. The villagers rushed to comply. Meanwhile, he grabbed a cloth from his inventory, soaking it in the first bucket of water they brought. He quickly wrung it out and pressed it to Lao Hu's forehead, his neck, and his armpits.

The fever sprite let out a tiny shriek, flickering weakly.

The system chimed in:

[Cold Compress Applied. Fever Sprite's Strength Reduced by 10%.]

Mo Bei smirked. So it really does work.

Ignoring the sprite's squeaky protests, he grabbed his mortar and pestle, grinding up fever-reducing herbs—honeysuckle, forsythia, and a touch of mint to help cool the body. His system-enhanced tools made the process faster.

When the medicine was ready, he forced Lao Hu to drink it down.

[Fever Medicine Applied. Fire Sprite's Strength Reduced by 40%.]

The sprite let out a tiny "eep!" and flickered like a candle in the wind.

Step 2: Rehydration Therapy

Mo Bei turned to a woman standing nearby. "He needs warm rice water. Make sure he drinks slowly, small sips at a time."

She nodded and rushed off.

Lao Hu, now semi-conscious, groaned, his body no longer twitching. The sprite flailed but looked visibly weaker.

Mo Bei smirked. "Not so tough now, huh?"

[System Rewards: 50 EXP, Fever Treatment Skill (Basic), Cooling Bandages, 800 Yen, +4 System Points]

The fire sprite let out one last, pitiful whimper before popping like a soap bubble, disappearing into nothingness.

Lao Hu's body sagged, his breathing finally evening out. Mo Bei wiped his forehead, turning to the villagers. "He'll be fine now. Just keep him hydrated and let him rest."

The people cheered, some even bowing in gratitude. Mo Bei, however, was more interested in his new loot.

[New Item: Cooling Bandages - Enhances Fever Treatment by 20%.]

Not bad. This system was ridiculous, but at least it knew how to reward a job well done.

As he walked back toward his clinic, a new mission appeared before him.

[New Mission: Treat 20 Unique Diseases to Unlock System Expansion]

Mo Bei chuckled to himself. Alright, then. Let's see what the next challenge brings.