In an instant, everyone posed defensively, each in their own place, ready to fish out Shiller who teleported and landed in different places.
Those present were all experts in their respective fields and responded quickly. They coordinated well, with Spider Man utilizing his spider-sense to predict Shiller's possible landing sites. The others swiftly moved in the directions he pointed out to block Shiller.
After about a dozen such rounds, Shiller finally lay motionless on the sofa, just as the ambulance arrived.
Everyone watched as the medical team hastened, somewhat erratically, to load a blood-soaked Shiller onto the ambulance, each exhaling a sigh of relief.
Stark was the first to extend his hands, speaking to Strange, "Your father has passed away. I'm sorry. I really should have answered your call, but you should also know the reality of the situation…"
Strange pressed his lips together but did not argue. After all, the use of the Lizard Serum Healing Drug was essentially a desperate attempt.
As a doctor, Strange knew better than Stark that pharmacology was an extremely rigorous discipline. A slight change of any attribute in any component of a medication could lead to drastically different results in terms of its impact and degree.
The Lizard Serum was originally developed using the gene that enables lizards to regrow severed limbs. Whether this gene contains the ability to regenerate lung cells was uncertain. Even if it did, no one knew what the consequences of applying it to a patient in severe heart and lung failure would be.
Strange was also aware that the worst outcome was not his father's death but his father transforming into a completely irrational lizard monster, a possibility that couldn't be ruled out given Doctor Lizard's precedent.
In fact, when the doctor issued the notice of critical illness, he had already prepared himself mentally. Lung failure was not just a disease in the history of human medicine, but also an incurable condition in the history of Magic Studies and Magic Medicine. His father's symptoms had accumulated over decades to a seemingly hopeless point.
Strange took a deep breath, trying to conceal the grief etched on his face, then said, "You just arrived at an unfortunate time. Otherwise, I would have been pummeling that Giant Lizard instead."
Then, Strange pursed his lips again before addressing Stark, "You know nothing about surgical medicine, so understand this: surgeons do not diagnose!"
"You didn't consult with your uncle's physicians, you didn't present data on his various bodily functions, and you didn't correctly assess the risks of the operation. You just rushed to find me to operate on him. That's not saving a life; it's potentially killing one."
Stark fell silent. He knew he'd been a bit impulsive. The hospital only gave a preliminary diagnosis, stating that the overall condition was not bad and that surgery could be considered. He then hastened to find a doctor.
In actuality, many routine indicators had yet to be tested, and there was a high chance that the patient could be deemed unfit for surgery due to unsatisfactory indicators mere seconds before the operation. Simply finding a surgeon wouldn't solve the problem.
As the two sighed almost simultaneously, Steve perceived the tense atmosphere between them and stepped forward, "No matter what disputes have occurred between you in the past, now, we're all dealing with the same issue: what exactly is going on with Shiller?"
Strange opened a portal, "Let's go to the hospital first and see what the diagnostic report states."
They arrived at Strange's office in the Elder Council Hospital. Strange went to the adjacent rest room to change into his doctor's uniform and then led others to the emergency room.
Strange inquired about the situation from a nurse. During the conversation, many medical terms went over the heads of the others, but they noticed Strange's frowning deepening.
As Strange's expression became grimmer, their hearts gradually sank. After a moment, Strange turned around and announced, "The situation is a bit tricky. Shiller's wounds can't heal. Even the most basic coagulation is not occurring."
"What exactly is happening?" Stark asked somewhat nervously, "What causes injuries like this?"
Strange shook his head, explaining, "Based on the appearance of the wound, it seems to have been caused by a sharp instrument. However, the subsequent treatment is very different from normal circumstances."
"His wounds can't heal, and all hemostatic drugs are ineffective. Additionally, there's no sign of blood coagulation. The hospital is currently testing his blood to see if he has any underlying diseases."
After a while, a nurse came over with a stack of paperwork. Strange stopped her and glanced at the results of the diagnosis. He then said, "It's very strange: all Shiller's blood tests came back normal and all the basic bodily indicators are normal. Then why can't his wounds heal?"
Suddenly, Strange hesitated before asking a nurse standing at the door of the treatment room "Can I go in for a look?"
The nurse found this a little difficult but when she saw his name on the name card, it seemed like she didn't dare refuse and could only slightly open the door for him.
Shortly after Strange entered, a glow filtered out from the gap in the door. Everyone watching from the outside knew that he must have used the Time Gem again.
When Strange came out, his solemn expression made everyone think that Shiller might already have been called to God. Strange sighed and said, "As I suspected, the problem lies with his soul. That wound is on his soul, and the bodily wound is just one of the symptoms."
"A wound on his soul? Why would there be a wound on his soul?"
Meanwhile, Steve, who was standing a bit further away, appeared deep in thought. Clearly, he had realised something. Sensing the change in Steve's expression, Stark turned and asked him, "Do you know something?"
Steve hesitated for a moment before opening his mouth, "Before, there was a child named Robert who was consistently treated by Shiller. When I went to Shiller to get a new prescription, I overheard their conversation."
"Of course, I didn't mean to eavesdrop." Steve showed a slightly awkward expression, but then his face became serious again as he said, "That kid began to self-harm due to his psychological trauma. Shiller, to comfort him, shared his own story."
"We all know that Shiller used to suffer from autism and underwent treatment in a mental hospital during his teen years. However, when he was first admitted, the doctors weren't professional enough. Insufficient medication led him to lose control and hurt a nurse he'd always deeply respected…"
Contained within Steve's solemn narration was the unfolding in front of everyone of Shiller's story - a tale as faded as an old piece of paper, tainted with the tragic hue of a past era.