Calvin lay sprawled on the jagged, unforgiving cave floor, his body trembling as life ebbed away. The sharp, metallic scent of blood mingled with the damp, earthy aroma of the cave, suffocating the air around him. Blood gushed relentlessly from the gunshot wound in his chest, the crimson liquid pooling around his battered frame. His head throbbed violently, the impact of slamming into the stone wall leaving a deep gash that oozed warm rivulets of blood, trickling down his pale face.Outside, the fountain’s ethereal trickling seemed almost mocking, a serene melody in stark contrast to his agony. Its waters crept into the cave, cold and clear, mingling with the pool of his blood, creating crimson tendrils that snaked their way back toward the fountain. Each shallow, rattling breath Calvin took was a battle, a struggle against the oppressive weight of death that seemed to loom over him, relentless and merciless.A mechanical voice broke through the suffocating silence in his mind, cold a
Their words resonated deep within him, pulling him out of the despair that had threatened to consume him. The faces of his patients—people he had fought to save—flooded his thoughts. A young girl clutching his hand as he stitched her wound. A soldier gasping in relief after Calvin’s quick intervention on the battlefield. An elderly man who had smiled and said, Thank you for giving me another day.These memories reminded him of who he truly was—not a warrior fueled by vengeance, but a healer guided by compassion.“I’m a doctor,” Calvin murmured, his voice trembling but resolute. “I save lives… not take them.”The moment the realization took root in his soul, something extraordinary happened.The fountain outside began to churn, its tranquil waters growing restless. The liquid shimmered with an otherworldly light, surging toward the cave in a series of glowing streams. Calvin’s pendant, still radiating a golden hue, seemed to respond, vibrating with increasing intensity.The water seepe
As the soldiers of Han Xin retreated momentarily into the shadows, their leader’s gaze fell on the abandoned blue gem near the fountain. His eyes widened in realization.“The fountain’s power… it’s been absorbed,” he muttered, his voice thick with rage. His hand tightened around the hilt of his blade as he barked a new order. “He must die! That power belongs to us!”The soldiers, their fear momentarily overcome by duty, regrouped. Their eyes burned with determination, but deep down, hesitation flickered. Calvin, now standing tall and radiant, turned toward the blue gem. The artifact, though lifeless now, still held the potential to threaten the balance of the fountain’s energy.“No,” Calvin said quietly, his voice carrying a calm authority that resonated across the clearing. His glowing hand extended toward the gem. Energy crackled in the air, golden light sparking around his fingers as he focused on the object.In an instant, a beam of light shot forth from his hand, striking the blu
Rain continued to fall in relentless sheets, mingling with Calvin’s tears as he trudged through the dimly lit streets, Lizzie’s lifeless body cradled in his arms. Each step was a battle against his grief, the weight of her loss far heavier than her slender frame. Passersby stopped to stare, their faces a mixture of curiosity and concern, but Calvin paid them no mind. His focus was solely on Lizzie, on finding a way to honor her sacrifice.The sound of sirens pierced the night, and soon, a police car pulled up ahead, blocking Calvin’s path. Two officers stepped out, their expressions wary as they took in the scene before them. One of them, a burly man with a stern face, approached cautiously, his hand resting on his holstered weapon.“Sir, stop right there,” the officer commanded, his voice firm. “What’s going on here? Who is she?” He gestured to Lizzie’s lifeless form, suspicion flickering in his eyes.Calvin halted, his heart pounding. He opened his mouth to explain but found no word
When Calvin woke up, the sky outside the window was already painted with hues of orange and gold, signaling the late afternoon. He blinked slowly, his body stiff and aching from sleeping on the hard floor. As he stirred, his stomach growled loudly, reminding him of how long it had been since his last meal.For a moment, he thought everything had been a terrible nightmare. But as his hands moved instinctively to touch his chest and arms, the lingering soreness and phantom pain of his injuries reminded him otherwise. His mind snapped back to the horrifying events—the battle, Lizzie's sacrifice, and the burial in the garden."It wasn’t a dream," Calvin whispered hoarsely.He sat up, placing a hand on his forehead as the memories washed over him again, each one more vivid and painful than the last. His heart ached deeply, but his physical weakness demanded immediate attention. He took a deep breath and summoned the system."System," he said quietly, his voice breaking.The familiar mechan
"Don't worry, Lizzie. I'll get the money for your surgery," Calvin said as he sat beside the hospital bed where his younger sister lay weakly. The sunset cast warm hues through the window, creating an emotionally charged atmosphere in the room."You've already sacrificed too much for me, Calvin," Lizzie replied weakly, her eyes looking tired yet filled with appreciation."Don't say that, Liz—""Fifty thousand dollars, Cal! Where are we going to get that much money? You already married that dreadful woman to get three hundred thousand dollars. She's not going to give us fifty thousand dollars more, Cal. I don't want you to be humiliated again just because of me!" Lizzie exclaimed, interrupting her brother's words with clear disapproval evident on her face.Calvin, with a tense expression, sighed deeply.He knew Lizzie's words held truth.A year and a half ago, Calvin was forced to marry Alana Perry, the daughter of the Perry family, one of the wealthiest families in Ellstown, even coun
Calvin took a long breath, trying to contain his emotions. Alana was indeed very beautiful and attractive, but she was very harsh towards him, probably because he was only her contract husband.Calvin looked around, the sterile and cold hospital corridor did not convey the warmth he needed right now.He felt alone, estranged from his previous life in his homeland of Barrion.Since the war broke out between Barrion and its neighboring country, Han Xin, Calvin, and his sister fled to Hudden for a new life.Calvin's family background and past glory were now nothing but ruins almost without a trace. Therefore, according to Calvin, whoever he and his family used to be, all of that was no longer important.He reached into his jacket and retrieved a golden amulet.It was his family heirloom, the most precious possession he owned.Before his mother passed away, she entrusted the heirloom to Calvin with a solemn request to keep it safe.Calvin stared at the golden amulet, taking a deep breath,
"Lizzie, I will talk to Dr. Kevin Lang," Calvin said with a voice full of conviction, although he was slightly trembling due to the worries haunting his mind. "Maybe he can provide some relief or a payment postponement. Your surgery needs to be done urgently, and we can't wait any longer."Lizzie's face looked full of concern as she listened to Calvin's words. Her gaze reflected disbelief and fear of the possibility of Calvin's efforts failing."But, Calvin, Dr. Lang is a jerk. He won't help us. It's clear he loves Alana and resents her marrying you. That man will surely make things difficult. Did you see what the nurses just did? They didn't want to help me, even though I was in pain. Whose orders do you think that was?" Lizzie gasped for breath as she still struggled to hold back her pain. The pain reliever she just took only had a slight effect.Calvin took a deep breath, trying to calm himself before answering. "I have to try, Lizzie. We don't have any other choice. I can't let yo