As days passed since his discovery of the ancient ruins and the acquisition of new antiviral knowledge, Jian's work had only increased. People from nearby villages began flocking to the kingdom, seeking his help to cure their families from the mysterious plague spreading across the region. His treatments were highly effective, calming the fevered and soothing those on the brink of death, yet a nagging sense of foreboding crept at the edges of his mind.
Each night, Jian would find himself unable to sleep, haunted by images of those carvings in the ruins and the whispering voices that had surrounded him. It felt as if something larger was looming over him, a hidden threat still buried in the shadows of this world. He tried to shake it off, focusing on the task at hand. There were more lives to save, and the countdown of his quest continued.
As he finished preparing another batch of the antiviral elixir in his dimly lit laboratory, Jian noticed a shift in the air. Frost, his loyal Frozfang wolf pup, was at his side as always, alert and protective. The pup's ears twitched, his head darting toward the entrance, growling softly. Someone was approaching, and from Frost's reaction, it wasn't just another patient.
A moment later, a tall figure appeared in the doorway, silhouetted by the flickering light of the torches outside. It was one of the kingdom's royal guards, clad in dark armor, with an insignia Jian hadn't seen before—a symbol of a rising sun. The guard stepped forward, his face stern and unreadable.
"Are you the healer known as Jian?" the guard asked, his tone formal but laced with urgency.
Jian nodded, wiping his hands on a cloth. "I am. Who sent you?"
The guard hesitated for a moment, as if choosing his words carefully. "The prince has summoned you. He requests your immediate presence at the royal court."
Jian's heart skipped a beat. He had treated numerous people within the kingdom, but this was the first time he'd received a direct summons from royalty. Part of him felt cautious; his recent discoveries in the ruins and the information he had learned were still sensitive, and he wasn't sure what the prince would expect of him.
Seeing no other choice, Jian packed a small bag with essential medical supplies, and, with a signal, Frost padded closely by his side as they followed the guard through the winding streets of the kingdom. Along the way, villagers stopped and bowed in respect, whispering his name. News of his healing abilities had clearly spread far and wide, elevating his reputation in ways he had never anticipated.
The guard led him through the grand gates of the palace, into the heart of the royal court. There, seated on a high dais surrounded by advisors and courtiers, was the prince himself, a young man with piercing eyes that seemed to scrutinize Jian the moment he entered. The air was thick with formality, and the prince's gaze held an intensity that made Jian's pulse quicken.
"Are you the one responsible for healing the sick and quelling the plague?" the prince asked, his voice reverberating through the hall.
"Yes, Your Highness," Jian replied, keeping his tone respectful but firm. "I have been treating those affected by the illness using the knowledge I possess."
The prince leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "Tell me, what do you know of this illness? And how did you come by these cures?"
Jian hesitated. The prince's question hinted at something deeper than mere curiosity. He sensed an underlying concern, perhaps even fear, in the prince's gaze. Choosing his words carefully, he replied, "The illness appears to be caused by a viral contagion. I learned methods to counteract its effects through my own studies and by examining ancient texts that offered insight."
The prince's expression darkened, and he dismissed his advisors with a subtle wave of his hand, leaving the two of them alone, save for Frost, who remained loyally by Jian's side.
"There's more to this than a simple sickness," the prince said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Rumors have spread that this plague is not of natural origin—that it may have been orchestrated by forces that wish to weaken the kingdom from within."
Jian's mind raced. He had considered the possibility of the illness being unnatural, but to hear it confirmed by someone as influential as the prince was unsettling.
"I've seen symptoms unlike any I've encountered before, Your Highness," Jian admitted. "But I have not found any clear evidence to prove it was man-made."
The prince leaned back, his fingers tapping on the armrest. "This plague has afflicted not only the commoners but has started to affect the noble houses. I fear that whoever is responsible may attempt to infiltrate the palace itself. We are on the brink of war, and our enemies may use any means to undermine us from within."
Jian's gaze met the prince's, and he felt the weight of the responsibility being placed on his shoulders. His quest from the system was nearing completion, yet the stakes felt much higher than he'd anticipated. The lives he had saved were no longer just a number to reach a reward—they were a matter of preserving the kingdom's future.
After a moment's silence, the prince's eyes softened slightly. "I am entrusting you with a task, Jian. I need you to find a way to immunize those most vulnerable to this illness, to prevent it from spreading further within our walls."
The system chimed softly in Jian's mind, almost as if reacting to the gravity of the situation.
[System Alert: New Quest Assigned – Develop an Immunization Serum. Reward: Unlock Access to Advanced Medical Techniques.]
Jian's heart pounded. This new quest wasn't one he could take lightly. An immunization serum would require a deep understanding of viral structures, extraction methods, and complex alchemical processes. But the reward—advanced medical techniques—was something that could revolutionize his work, possibly giving him the tools to uncover even greater secrets within this world.
He bowed to the prince. "I will do everything in my power to fulfill your request, Your Highness."
The prince nodded solemnly. "I believe in your capabilities, Jian. The kingdom is counting on you."
As Jian made his way back through the palace corridors, Frost at his side, he felt the weight of his new mission settle heavily upon him. This was more than just a quest—it was a duty to protect the lives of the people who had come to trust him. His journey to the kingdom had been driven by curiosity, but now, it had become something far more meaningful.
Back in his laboratory, Jian began to gather his notes, mentally cataloging every medicinal herb, root, and fungal extract he had access to. He would need to experiment with various compounds, finding a way to create a serum that could potentially immunize the population against this insidious illness. Hours turned into days as he worked tirelessly, testing and refining his formulations.
During this time, Frost remained by his side, offering silent companionship. The pup seemed to understand the gravity of the situation, his usually playful nature subdued as he watched over Jian's efforts with quiet loyalty.
Finally, after endless trials, Jian held a vial of the completed serum in his hands. It shimmered faintly in the torchlight, a culmination of all his knowledge and the system's guidance. He knew that the effects would have to be tested, but in his heart, he felt certain this was the solution the kingdom needed.
As he prepared to administer the serum to a select few trusted individuals within the palace, he couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. The dark forces the prince had hinted at, the mysteries hidden in the ruins, and the whispers of an impending war—all pointed to a future fraught with even greater challenges.
But for now, Jian took solace in the lives he could save, in the hope that his work would help preserve the kingdom's strength in the uncertain days to come. With Frost by his side, he braced himself for the storm that lay ahead, determined to face whatever fate awaited him.