Chapter 105: The Cure

Unfortunately, within Black Hawk Corporation, not a single evolved individual possessed miraculous abilities capable of raising the dead or reconstructing shattered limbs. Even the power to regenerate severed limbs was nowhere to be found.

Typically, such abilities were classified as advanced, ranging from A-rank to S-rank, reserved solely for evolved beings at the Hunter tier. It was nearly impossible for scavenger-level evolvers to wield such powers.

Moreover, healers at the Hunter level were exceedingly rare and highly coveted. Even in the superior faction of Ancient Desert City, which oversaw Black Hawk Corporation, these healers were revered and granted certain privileges. It was unthinkable for them to serve a lower-tier faction like Black Hawk.

Among the evolvers in Black Hawk Corporation, the most potent healer barely reached Level 6. This individual served as the dedicated physician for the five executive officers, rarely extending aid to others.

The rest of the healers were mostly Levels 1 or 2. Those who had reached or surpassed Level 3 and possessed a second ability numbered fewer than five—an extreme rarity.

Upon entering the infirmary, following Dr. Dale’s instructions, Zhang Ran first stepped into the adjacent shower to cleanse himself of sweat and blood. Then, bare-chested, he lay down on the central hospital bed.

“All right, I will begin your treatment now. Remember, stay calm and allow my healing energy to flow naturally, or it will affect the outcome,” Dr. Dale said softly as he rose. A dense teal-green glow appeared along his arm.

After about ten seconds, once the glow stabilized, Dr. Dale extended his arm and placed his palm over Zhang Ran’s chest.

At the instant his palm touched Zhang Ran’s body, the green light surged from his arm into his hand, then permeated Zhang Ran’s skin, entering his body.

The streams of green light brought a soothing warmth, spreading comfortably throughout Zhang Ran’s body. They sought out and enveloped the icy malevolent curse energies lurking within.

The life energy from the Healing Technique intertwined with the cursed forces, swiftly neutralizing them. Yet, this process rapidly consumed the healer’s life energy.

After roughly ten minutes, Dr. Dale’s stored life energy was depleted, but only about half of the curse within Zhang Ran had dissipated.

Dr. Dale was merely a Level 2 healer, vastly outmatched compared to the Level 4 Eyed Fiend. Even though the Eyed Fiend’s Curse Technique hadn’t fully struck Zhang Ran, it was far beyond what one Healing Technique could completely remove.

Of course, while the Curse Technique’s effects weren’t entirely eradicated, Dr. Dale’s treatment was not without merit. The blisters and swelling on Zhang Ran’s skin had lessened significantly, and his attributes had risen from 80% to approximately 95%.

“Young man, do you feel better now?” Dr. Dale asked after finishing the initial treatment.

“Yes, I feel much improved. Your healing was very effective. Thank you, Dr. Dale!” Zhang Ran responded, confirming by checking his condition with his chip.

“Good. Let me rest for five minutes to recover my energy, then I’ll perform a second treatment,” Dr. Dale said, sitting down beside the bed to rest.

For evolvers, using their abilities drained energy. Combat and psychic domain abilities primarily consumed physical stamina, while spellcasting, perception, or support domain powers mainly taxed mental strength.

Generally, the higher the ability’s level, power, and effect, the greater the stamina or mental energy required. Combat and psychic abilities cost less energy than spell or support abilities, while perception abilities, usually sustained, consumed the least.

Healing Technique was a D-rank skill. For an average Level 2 evolver in peak condition, mental energy would suffice for 4 to 6 uses. However, Dr. Dale was a 50-year-old man whose mental vigor had waned with age, so even one use necessitated rest.

“All right, let me continue your treatment,” he said after about ten minutes, having regained his composure. He rose and approached Zhang Ran again, speaking quietly.

“Thank you for your hard work, Dr. Dale!” Zhang Ran replied politely.

This time, Dr. Dale summoned the Healing Technique again. A green glow flickered on his arm, but it gathered noticeably more slowly, taking fifteen seconds to complete.

As before, he laid his palm on Zhang Ran’s chest, and streams of life energy flowed into his body.

Afterward, Dr. Dale exhaled deeply, fatigue evident, and sat down to rest once more.

The life energy spread rapidly within Zhang Ran, tracing and neutralizing the last remnants of curse energy.

Ten more minutes passed, and the curse inside Zhang Ran was nearly eliminated. His physical condition fully recovered.

“All done, young man. The treatment is complete. You may leave now,” Dr. Dale said slowly.

“Yes, I feel much better. Thank you again, Dr. Dale!” Zhang Ran responded.

A chip scan confirmed that 99% of the curse energy had been purged, with less than 1% remaining—easily handled by Zhang Ran’s own body.

After expressing his gratitude once more, Zhang Ran left Black Hawk Hospital and headed to the guild hall.

At the material recycling area of the guild hall, Zhang Ran sold materials harvested from four mutated beasts, earning nearly fifteen thousand Black Hawk Coins. His total Black Hawk Coin balance now stood at nine hundred thousand.

Having sold the materials, Zhang Ran returned to his apartment. With a thought, he retrieved the mental crystal of the Eyed Fiend from his space box.