Chapter 5 - Evil Shade virus

Hugo and his wife were shocked when Drew quickly retracted his hands. Not just them, even Drew was confused.

 [That boy has a deadly illness. It can spread through skin contact, though it is only limited to Deviants]

 Drew breathed a sigh in relief. At that moment, Hugo spoke worriedly.

 "Is anything the matter Mr. Drew?"

 "It's nothing serious. I just noticed something peculiar about your child's illness. Let me inspect him a bit" Drew lied, while feigning to be deep in thoughts.

 "What kind of illness is it?" He asked Rollie.

 [Scan him with the analysis skill]

 Drew did as he was told. Soon, the results were out.

-[TARGET INFO]

-Name: Rick Martins

-Age: 7

-Zodiac: Aries

-Specie: Homo-sapiens

-Agility: 1

-Speed: 1

-Physique: 1

-Strength: 1

-Energy: 10

-Combat power: 2

! ! ! - Target has contacted the Evil shade virus. Host should keep his distance

 "What's an Evil shade virus?" Drew questioned.

 [Evil shade virus is a deadly ailment feared by Deviants]

[It is born when an homo sapien's cell is pushed into a forced metamorphism. When a Deviant contacts this ailment, there is a negative reaction in their RCx cells, causing weakening and then death]

 Drew gulped. He felt lucky that Rollie stopped him at the last moment, or he would've been writhing on the floor right now.

 "Can it be healed"

 [Yes. But only skilled Shamanic doctors are capable of this. However, they are rare.]

 "So does that mean that there's no other way?" Drew took a peek at the couple behind him who wore worried expressions.

 His cheeks flushed red in embarrassment. He once claimed he would help them. He couldn't go back on his words.

 [Actually, you can help him] Rollie suddenly said.

 Drew's eyes lit up.

 "How?!"

 [By becoming a shamanic doctor]

 The happy expression deflated.

 "How long will it take?"

 [Ten years? At minimum]

 Drew shook his head voraciously.

 "That's too.. ten years is too long. Even if i become one, Rick would be long dead right?"

[Yes. That is the case for others. But for you, a couple of deci points would do the job]

 "I got it!" Drew opened the system panel, clicking on the SHOP bar. He searched for Shamanic Medicine.

-[RESULTS]

-SHAMANIC MEDICINE (12 LEVELS) LEARN THE WAY OF THE ANCIENT SHAMANS (WILL COST YOU TWENTY DECI POINTS)

 Although he felt his heart hurting, he went ahead and purchased the skill.

 His deci points dropped down to seven.

 Waves of new information began to flood into his head. Drew felt a nerve racking margarine but he gritted his teeth and endured.

 Hugo watched blankly at Drew. Due to his back facing them, they couldn't see the look of pain on his face.

 "Do you think he can cure our Rick?" Maria whispered.

 "Believe in Mr. Drew.. believe in him"

 Drew didn't know how long it lasted, but the pain eventually vanished. He wiped off the beads of sweat on his face and began to go through the new memories in his head.

 There were acupunture techniques, herb making techniques and potion techniques.

All in all, there were fifty techniques. Maybe God was smiling on him because the technique for treating the Evil shade virus was also included.

 Plus, without even using 'Analysis' he could see the full body condition of Rick.

 Surviving for a month won't be an issue.

 "I have finished my diagnosis" he finally turned towards Hugo and his wife.

 "What is the problem?" Maria cried out.

 "He contacted a deadly virus. You are lucky you found me. If you didn't, your son would've been dead in a month time" Drew decided to reveal the truth.

 Hugo and his wife went pale. Maria was worse, since the pace of her heartbeat increased by a notch.

 Afraid that she might have a cardiac arrest, he decided to tell the couple the good news.

 "This virus is a little special. I doubt any doctor can treat it. Luckily, I can"

 "Really?" it was as if Hugo and his wife so a ray of light after journeying through a dark and long tunnel.

 Before Drew could reply -

 PUTONG!

"If you can heal my son, I'll do whatever you tell me to!"

 "What are you doing" Drew shrieked when he saw Hugo on his knees. He quickly pulled gm up.

 "I am not helping you with malicious intent. I am helping you because I need to"

 Drew wasn't just mincing words. If he was a wicked sort of person, he would've sent Rick to an hospital, spend lavishly on hospital bills, earn deci points then leave.

 Eventually, indirectingly causing Rick's death.

 After much talking, Hugo and his wife calmed down. However, they could hardly surpress the excitement evident in their eyes.

 Drew decided to pass the night there. The next day, he and Hugo would go to the suburb in search of the herbs and equipments so he could heal Rick.

 Hugo's family was really nice. Apart from Rick, they also had a dog named Maverick, who for some reason was attracted to Drew.

 That night, they had a sumptuous meal and Drew had to admit that local meals were a hundred times better than intercontinental dishes.

The next morning, Drew and Hugo bid farewell to Maria before leaving for the sub urb using Hugo's taxi.

 "You said you know almost everywhere in this town right" in the taxi, Drew suddenly asked a question.

 "Yes. I am pretty confident in myself when it comes to that aspect" Hugo patted his chest confidently.

 "Good. Do you know where I can buy medicinal herbs? Acupunture needles and a China wear pot?" Drew listed the ingredients for Rick's treatment.

 "Those items are not common. If your luck is good, you can find them in the relic market" Hugo replied after a short pause.

 Afraid that Drew wouldn't understand, Hugo explained further.

 "The relic market is popular for having items dating back to several centuries. Although there are some fakes, you can run into a real deal if your luck is quite good" 

 Drew nodded.

 "Alright, take me there"

 As for buying fake materials, Drew wasn't bothered since he had money in excess. A few thousand dollars on fake materials was nothing.

As long as they would bring him deci points that is.

 Plus, he had 'ANALYSIS' so he wasn't scared of being scammed.

 Hugo was a pretty quick driver. In the span of twenty minutes, they were already at the relic market.

 "It really looks like a relic market" Drew thought inwardly.

 Most of the sellers sold from kiosks while a minority sold from caravans. All around were ancient herbs, paintings, sculptures, praying beads beads and the likes.

 Hugo found a corner to park. He and Drew alighted, walking into the relic market.

 "Young folks! I have just what you need! these prayer beads once belonged to a powerful buddhist monk from ancient time. It has spirituality and can soothe the mind. Only five thousand bucks!" an old granny called out to them from her kiosk.

 Drew glanced over, scanning the 'ancient prayer beads' she held up to them.

 Instantly, he became interested. Which monk from ancient times or spiritual bead?

 It was a fake, manufactured a year ago.

The duo toured around the relic market. Many called out to them, seeking for them to buy their wares.

 However, a majority of them were fakes. Only a miniscule number were the real deal.

 Although Drew didn't have any use for them currently, he still bought them.

 Who could guarantee he wouldn't need them in the future?

 Plus, it was a chance to farm deci points.

 However after going round the relic market for an hour, Drew began to grow worried.

 He spent twenty thousand bucks buying some useful stuffs, however he didn't find the three ingredients for Rick's treatment.

 "Sir. I would like to ask a question" Drew said to the fat middle aged man he just finished patronizing.

 "Ask away little brother!" the fattie was in a good mood.

 He just made three thousand bucks off this young man before him.

 "Do you know where I can purchase acunpture needles? jade eye ginseng? olive ray fruit.."

 Drew listed out the ten herbs necessary for Rick's treatment.

"Those herbs are rare little brother. I doubt you would find them even if you ransack the whole relic market" the fattie sympathized.

 Drew sighed dejectedly. Didn't that mean his trip here was half a waste?

 "But, you came at the right time. I heard that Red Mist auction house is hosting an auction in an hour time. Rumours claim that this time catalogue has some good stuff in them. Perhaps, you might find what you want" the fattie suggested.

 "Where is this Red mist auction house?"

 "Walk straight ahead. At your left, you will cross a wooden bridge. The auction house is just a few yards away from the bridge"

 "Thank you sir!" colour returned to Drew's eyes.

 "No probs!" the fattie beamed.

 Drew returned back to Hugo and told him the news. Naturally, the latter was quite excited.

 Since the auction would start in an hour time, they decided to grab a late breakfast at a restaurant.

 After asking for directions, they arrived at an eastern themed restaurant built like a pagoda.

The sign board read 

 "Salivaty Restaurant"

 Drew and Hugo opened the door and walked in. Instantly, it was as if they were plunged into a market place.

 The customers at the first floor were quite noisy and loud.

 Drew felt irritated. He marched towards the stairs, leading towards the second floor with Hugo behind him.

 However, they were quickly stopped by two bouncers who suddenly jumped to block their paths.

 "What's the meaning of this?" Drew frowned.

 "Sorry. But you are not allowed to go past this floor" the bouncer at the left replied.

 A sneer plastered on his lips.

 "Is this how this restaurant  works? you can clearly see that the chairs and tables are fully occupied" Drew tried speaking calmly.

 "Then eat on the ground. Or better still, get the hell out. How can a poor peasant like you afford the second floor" the bouncer at the right snickered with contempt.

 At that moment, a young man in his mid twenties walked into the restaurant. His arms were wrapped around the waist of two ladies.

The young man was handsome but sickly pale and ha a pervert vibe surrounded him. Plus by the branded clothes he wore, he was from a rich family.

 As for the two ladies, they were scantily dressed, leaving their fair laps in full display.

 The trio walked towards Drew's direction, directly ascending the stairs leading to the second floor.

 "How come he is permitted to enter, while I can't?" Drew became angry.

 "What do you know? how dare you compare yourself with young master Ray? what an idiot" the bouncer at the left was merciless with his words.

 "Why bother talking nonsense with this pauper? let's just throw him out"