Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended

CHAPTER 181: What Was and What Is

Zurrel rushed to the front to assist a nun and a monk as they carefully unloaded a man from a wagon and carried him onto the apothecary's front porch. There was no time for formal greetings or friendly smiles—every second counted if they hoped to save the life before them.

"Diagnosis?" Lefahne asked, her voice steady despite the urgency as she slid a cushion under the man's head while they lowered him to the wooden floor.

"Suspected drug overdose," the nun replied briskly. "Likely pixie crystal."

Zurrel's sharp gaze fell on the bandage covering the man's right eye. "And that? The injury?" he asked, noting the unsettling blue tint of the man's lips and fingernails.

"An old wound," the monk answered, rolling the frothing and convulsing man onto his side to clear his airways.

"He's having a manaflux (seizure)," the nun announced.

"No," Zurrel countered firmly, carefully repositioning the man onto his back. "It's a soulspasm (cardiac arrest). I'll start CPR."

Lefahne raised her hands that started to glow. "I'll manage his blood flow and stimulate the brain's mana signals. Silvie," she turned to her daughter who was already administering a potion to flush the froth and saliva from the man's mouth. "Fetch the usual elixirs—quickly!"

"Y-Yes, Mother!" Silvestia stammered, rushing to comply.

After diligently playing her role, the girl stepped back toward where Fay stood, her gaze shifting to her parents as they worked tirelessly.

Silvestia sighed, her eyes heavy with sadness. "For the past few years, there's been a growing addiction problem in the city. A potent drug has been spreading through the black market, and it seems the situation has only worsened with the looming war."

Her gaze softened as it lingered on her parents who were ceaselessly working to save the man's life. "We've been working closely with the Seraphina Church to help those affected. My parents provide healing and elixirs to counter the addiction, while the church offers counseling and shelter. I guess nothing much has changed since I've been in a coma."

Fay lowered her gaze sympathetically, sharing in the girl's distress.

***

Lefahne sighed, rubbing her brow with the back of her hand. "It seems we're finally through the worst of it," she said, a faint smile forming on her lips.

The monk and nun let out collective sighs of relief.

"With daily doses of this elixir and plenty of rest," Zurrel added, "he should be back to full health within a week."

"That's such a relief," the monk said, a note of joy in his voice.

Lefahne paused, her fingers gently removing the bandage from the man's eye that had been inadvertently healed during the treatment. "...Doesn't he seem familiar to you, Sister Lyra?"

The nun's expression darkened. "That's because we all know him," she replied solemnly. "If you've ever needed a loan or made a deposit or withdrawal, you've likely crossed paths with this man."

Lefahne's eyes widened in shock. "You don't mean—"

The nun nodded gravely. "Yes, that's him. He's the bank teller from the Merchants' Guild. A religious family man, happily married with three beautiful children. A seemingly perfect life."

Zurrel furrowed his brow, deep in thought. "So, in addition to being a holy man, he's financially stable with a family. Seemingly everything one could ever want to be content. In that case, what could have driven him to this?"