Chapter 6: Don

Since Mo Dun thinks it's okay, let's give it a try; at worst we'll just be disappointed again.

Anna lifted her head, her freckled face bearing the same worried frown.

If Stone, as captain, is the backbone of the team, then Anna, whose strength ranks just below his, is the team's glue.

Aside from forging and maintenance tasks that can be handed to the non‑combatant Mo Dun, all other logistical support is provided by her.

But she spent the whole night leafing through various books and still couldn't determine what curse had befallen AdaiEr.

"Since we're already here, let me take a look first."

After Stone cleared a path, Ji Ming shed his coat to reveal the white robe underneath and slowly approached the bedridden AdaiEr.

"Hello, I'm Dr. Ji Ming."

"Um… ah."

The girl is not yet of age, and from the pain tears streamed down her small face, her faint golden‑colored bangs a disheveled mess.

She stared with eyes rimmed in blood vessels, her pale‑red pupils trembling slightly, exuding a hysterical excitement.

But upon close observation, the depths of her eyes reveal fatigue after prolonged torment.

This… feels a bit like an overdose of stimulant, huh?

Ji Ming pushed his glasses in puzzlement and summoned his interface panel.

Although he's no proper physician, his system allows him to diagnose in another way.

Due to the level disparity, the character info displayed is incomplete, showing only the crucial level, four attributes, skills, and status.

These data are actually sufficient, but…

Do mages in this world really have this many skills?

As a mage apprentice, Miss AdaiEr possesses 【Fireball】, 【Earth Shield】, and…

【Heavy Slash】, 【Charge】, 【Thrust】, 【Jump Slash】, 【Parry】, and even the 【Sword Blade Storm】 that only apprentice warriors can learn?

Ji Ming is baffled by this long list of skills; what kind of physically‑oriented mage is this?

Only after a delayed glance did he realize AdaiEr isn't a level‑6 mage apprentice at all, but a level‑16 apprentice warrior!

Beneath all this lies a debuff as red as blood.

【Special Curse: Eerie Entanglement (Active 432:10)】

【A bizarre attack from the wilderness struck the target's brain, causing her to fall into an uncontrollable frenzy】

【Note: This curse is cast through the target's relative's heart, thus every seven days it automatically summons a one‑day curse until the target dies】

The numbers at the end are a minute countdown; the poor girl has already endured a full 16 hours.

Ji Ming was stunned.

Is this curse something Zhong Ba Ge researched after reincarnating in another world?

Even at the ends of the earth, it can directly claim the lives of the Nine Clans?

He covered the discoloration on his face with a light cough, thought for a moment, and spoke cautiously.

"When the patient manifested, were there any odd signs, like a sudden surge of strength or abnormal aggression?"

Anna rested her shoulder back, recalled, and nodded.

"Perhaps it was just too painful; yesterday she was like a hair‑mad lioness, and we had no choice but to bind her to the bed."

Stone also massaged his reddened wrist.

"While assisting Anna, she grabbed my arm; her grip was inexplicably strong, nearly snapping it…"

This curse affects more than just a person's condition and mind.

Although AdaiEr's stats, including level, have temporarily regressed to level nine, her Qi and blood not only retain the original base but have even increased by ten points.

One can only say the daily rapport among squad members is decent; even in frenzy, AdaiEr still managed to restrain herself.

Otherwise, a mere 50 points of Qi and blood would be enough to make Stone and Anna dance in the light, and they wouldn't be controllable.

Moreover.

A relatively strong young professional, bearing a bloodline curse from his family, masquerades as a novice mage in a chaotic land…

There must be a story behind this; in a game it would be a major side quest.

If I can grasp it, wouldn't the main storyline become much easier?

Ji Ming pinched his chin, the lenses flashing with keen light.

"Have you considered using anesthetic?"

"This curse attacks the brain directly; if we render her unconscious temporarily, even if it doesn't solve the problem, we can buy some time."

Anna took out several delicate empty vials from her bag.

"We've tried, but it only calms her briefly; it can't even induce sleep."

"At least that shows the direction is correct."

Staring at the lone 'Knocking Club' in his attack skill list, Ji Ming spread his arms and began to bluster.

"As Mr. Mo Dun said, I am a great alchemist from the East."

"Crossing vast deserts and seas to get here, I naturally possess more than just potions."

"In fact, I also apprenticed under a legendary staff master, learning some self‑defense techniques."

He paused deliberately here, noticing that under the flood of information, all four stared blankly, with no intention of refuting him.

Good.

"Among them, the most powerful move is the ancient martial art called Great Annihilation Technique."

"Although my skill is lacking and I can only unleash less than a tenth of its power, but…"

Ji Ming assumed a serious, professional demeanor.

He pointed at AdaiEr's head, tracing a precise area with his hand.

"If you can help me, letting me strike the back of the patient's head with a blunt weapon, I can force her into a dizzy state, and then…"

"Wait!"

Stone immediately waved his hand loudly.

"Doctor, although... but, this is very dangerous, right?"

"The head is one of the body's biggest weak points; if anything goes wrong, it could take AdaiEr's life!"

Anna and the others wore skeptical looks; this treatment plan was indeed too crazy.

Ji Ming, however, slipped both hands into his pockets, his gaunt face full of certainty.

"You guys are overthinking that."

"My Qi and blood are only at four, while in her frenzy state hers has already reached double digits."

"If it weren't for a special power‑channeling technique, I couldn't deal with her at all."

Seeing the others still hesitating, Ji Ming furrowed his brows and added fuel to the fire.

"I have no reason to harm your companion, and if the treatment goes wrong, I doubt I'd be able to leave this room either."

"Set aside your worries and guard, and let the professionals handle it!"

In the silence, Charlie looked at Morton, Morton looked at Stone, Stone looked at Anna, and Anna lowered her head.

After a long while, she let out a deep sigh.

She drew the long sword at her waist and handed her sword scabbard to Ji Ming.

"Then please, doctor, give it a try."

Stone wanted to say something, but swallowed it in the end.

So the group began the procedure.

"Calm down, AdaiEr, if all goes well the pain will soon be gone."

But AdaiEr had no strength left to speak, only twisting her body to let out a suppressed wail.

"Very soon, right away…"

Anna untied the rope while soothingly speaking.

Yet at the moment it was about to be released, AdaiEr suddenly widened her eyes.

A strange perception in her mind sensed the external change and suddenly intensified the curse.

With a roar‑like low growl, the frantic AdaiEr broke free from the loosened shackles.

Her eyes reddened, and her claw‑like right hand lunged toward Anna's throat.

Stone thought the situation was bad and immediately tried to pull Anna away.

Morton also tried to grab the rope, attempting to pull AdaiEr back onto the bed.

But AdaiEr's speed was too fast; the unprepared Anna's body was left wide open, and she was about to have her throat strangled.

It seemed that bleeding and even sacrifice had become inevitable; the youngest, Charlie, even closed his eyes in despair.

Until a sharp, cutting shout rang out.

"Don't go berserk here!"