A Silent Protector

Ch 5: Stellar Dust

The next day, after breakfast, Ethan went out.

Since there was nothing for him to do, he started wandering here and there.

As Ethan wandered aimlessly, he hadn't realized when he arrived on a bustling street filled with the sounds of lively chatter. The street was lined with shops on both sides. Customers were busy entering and exiting shops, buying things that caught their interest. It was hot today, and despite the heat, the crowds were truly too busy shopping. 

Since it was Sunday, many people were on vacation. Thus, the number of people on the street had increased significantly.

Ethan was dressed in his simple clothes. He looked around curiously like someone experiencing the city for the first time.

Of course, it was not his first time. He was thinking how nice it would have been if there was no hidden dark side in this world.

His appearance attracted disdainful glances from passersby, but he wasn't bothered by it.

"What's going on over there?"

As he was walking, Ethan suddenly found himself surrounded by a crowd, with people pointing at the ground and whispering something.

He got curious and moved closer, only to notice a faint sound of a girl crying.

From the edge of the crowd, he saw a scene where an elderly man with white hair was lying on the ground and a young girl was standing beside him in distress. This girl was truly young, around 16 or 17 years old.

When Ethan saw her face, he saw a strikingly beautiful and cute girl. Her delicate features looked like they were carved from fine jade. They were flawless and perfect. Her small and adorable nose, rosy lips, and big, bright eyes framed by long lashes made her seem almost doll-like.

But now, this lovely girl was crying uncontrollably. Her face was already streaked with tears, making her appearance even more heartbreaking.

The people watching felt their hearts ache. They wanted to run over and hug the girl to comfort her. But no one step forward. They all kept watching the girl and the old man, and some of them were even recording on their smartphones.

"Is there a doctor? Please help my grandpa! My grandpa had a heart attack. Please, someone, help us!" The girl cried. She knelt beside the old man and her tears kept falling.

An older woman in the crowd suggested, "Girl, call an ambulance."

"I've already called them, but the nearest hospital said it would take them more than fifteen minutes to get here. I'm afraid Grandpa won't be able to last that long." The beautiful girl sobbed and wiped away her tears.

By now, the old man had already entered a critical condition. His face was flushed, and he was struggling to breathe. He clutched his chest as if he were on the brink of collapse.

The crowd was silent. Most of them had never witnessed a heart attack, but they knew it could be deadly within minutes. Judging by the old man's state, it seemed unlikely he would not be able to hold on until the ambulance arrived.

Seeing this, everyone looked at the girl with sympathy. Losing a loved one was a devastating experience.

"Grandpa, please hold on..." the girl sobbed while clinging to the old man's shirt as if she was afraid he would leave this world if she let him go.

Many in the crowd were moved and their eyes were red with emotion. But still, no one moved to help. No one even tried to put the old man in their car or even bike and bring him to the nearest hospital that was not even far from this place. Everyone was just watching the scene unfolding silently.

Ethan, who had just arrived and saw this scene, sighed, "I can't just stand by."

"Make way!"

Shaking his head, he stepped forward and called out, "If we wait any longer, it could be too late. I'm here to help."

Ethan was tall and strong. With his build, he easily cleared a path through the crowd. Those pushed aside by him staggered and felt frustrated. They began to grumble and complain.

"What's the rush?!"

"Help? How would you even help? Are you a doctor?"

"This is a heart attack; only hospitals can treat that!"

"Heh, he's probably just trying to impress the pretty girl. Pervert! She is just a child and has not come of age!"

"Someone's about to lose a family member, and you're making it worse. You're scum!"

Criticism and mockery immediately filled the air.

Ethan felt a bit speechless. This little girl had been crying so pitifully for a few minutes already, and no one offered to help. Now that he stepped in, the crowd was ridiculing him.

It was a bit frustrating.

He didn't care though. His priority was saving the old man. The situation was dire, and the man didn't have much time left.

Actually, there is a reason Ethan decided to personally step in. It is because he could sense Stellar Dust in the old man's body. Although it was very weak, there is no doubt that it was Stellar Dust.

If not for the stellar dust, all he would have done was offer someone some money and ask them to bring the old man to the hospital.

Stellar Dust is actually a type of energy people could absorb to cultivate martial arts. Only after absorbing and using it to temper their bodies could they enter the First Realm of Martial Arts.

"Please, save my grandfather!"

When the girl saw someone offering to help, she hurriedly started pleading. Desperation filled her eyes as she looked at Ethan.

It is not that she believed Ethan was really here to help. She also understood the current situation and that no one but a doctor can help. But at least, he offered to help. She has no choice but to trust Ethan, even though he didn't look like a doctor. Her large, tear-filled eyes looked at him with hope.

Ethan smiled at her and tried to assure her, "Don't worry, your grandpa will be fine soon."

For some reason, Ethan's calm smile reassured her. Her anxious heart began to settle. She nodded quickly, looking at him with renewed hope.