n

n

n

nSmith wanted to move, but he couldn't.

nHe felt the literal piercing cold going through his body. The excruciating pain made it difficult for him to breathe.

nThe ice elemental energy started merging with the water elemental energy that already has a high amount of venomous substance. The worst part is the metal net that held him tightly and the centipede that stuck to his spine.

nIt is spewing lightning elemental energy and it is being injected along his spine into his body through the centipede legs.

nThe pain is too much for him to bear as it is, and now the lightning elemental energy is making it impossible for him to utilize his body and energy. He is paralyzed and he hit the floor.

nAt this moment, an attendant who was standing outside came running in and was shocked to see what was happening in front of him.

nHe ran towards Smith and tried to help him out.

n

"Sir, what happened to you? Sir, can you hear me? Are you okay?

"

nHe was very anxious as he tried to undo the net, but...

n*ZAP*

nAs soon as he touched the net, he felt like he was hit by a lightning bolt and was flung back. He couldn't feel half of his body. His speaking was impaired temporarily.

nBut he tried his to best to bring himself together and called for help in his communication token.

nWithin the next five minutes, almost a dozen people came to the room and helped Smith. They tried to use different medicine, but there is no use. The healers are useless as well.

nAll they can do is carry him to his bed carefully while making sure that there is no damage to his body.

nSmith's direct subordinate who handles most of the business also came running and after examining his situation, he felt anxious.

n

"What is the situation? How did he react to medicine and your treatment?

"

nHe directly asked the healers.

n

"There is no response. His body is suddenly invaded with ice elemental energy and some kind of weird poison essence and it is affecting him on a cellular level. The lightning trap that was on his spine is the most tricky.

nIts lightning element is being supported and enhanced by the ice element in his body. His muscles are paralyzed. He cannot move and even breathing is difficult.

nHe is going through some extreme torture as we speak. If you ask me, this is way out of my league. I wouldn't be able to solve this situation in a decade much less do it immediately.

nSo, I think it is better if you can reach out to Saint. He is the only person who remotely has any chance of treating Smith.

"

nAfter giving his insight, the doctor left.

nThe deputy of Smith gritted his teeth. He knew that Saint might be able to help him, but that doesn't mean, it is going to be easy. With the way, Saint behaves and operates, it is going to be tough to get him to cooperate.

nAnd there is no way he is going to do that at a small price. But at this moment, they don't have any other choice.

nThey have to take Smith there.

nHe looked at Smith one more time. He called for a few of the attendants to bring some kind of weird invention that Smith had made before.

nIt helps with levitating a person or an object easily and a person can relocate the target without any change in its state of it.

n

"Who knows the things you made are to be used on you like this? I will find and kill that bastard before you recover. So, don't die on me.

"

nThey moved Smith slowly towards the space gate that could let them get out of this planet.

nWhile they are doing that, the Deputy of Smith got some news.

n

"Sir, I don't know if you heard about it. But I don't know if Saint will help us at the moment.

"

n

"Why?

"

n

"Saint has been defeated by someone in an open challenge and he was forced to admit his nasty character in front of the whole city. He wanted to kill the guy right after he fulfilled the oath, but not only did that guy escape, he left behind some kind of explosive that made Saint stick to a bed for a few days.

nThe news is that he recovered and is still in a bad mood as he searched for the person who did him like that. But we don't know for sure.

"

nDeputy frowned upon listening to this.

n

"Do you have more details on the situation?

"

n

"Yes, sir.

"

nThe subordinate kept on explaining the whole scenario and all of a sudden, Deputy felt something is wrong.

n

"Do you think that a group of four people came at us with four traps that are obviously linked right after they made a move on Saint? I doubt this is a coincidence and if it is, then there couldn't be a bigger coincidence in this world.

nDon't worry about Saint, I will handle that asshole. As long as he recovered, he doesn't have a choice other than healing Smith. I will make sure of it.

"

nDeputy left along with Smith to Saint's place.

nAfter a while.

nAt Saint's place.

nDeputy is sitting across from Saint who seemed to have gotten weaker for some reason. The usual arrogance and the false grace he paints himself with are nowhere to be seen. He is still cocky, but this time, it is apparent that he is trying to force it.

n

"I heard you got attacked, Saint.

"

n

"So?

"

n

"I have a reason to doubt that Smith is also attacked by the same group. So, if you heal Smith and take out those weird mechanisms that are trapping him, we might be able to find some clues in the process.

"

n

"Do you think you can handle the price? I won't be cheap. And even if you can afford it, I am not really in the mood to heal someone right now.

nSo, get out and come back later.

"

n

"That's not how it works. You and Smith, both are high-level subordinates of Divine Formation Mountain. It is almost a necessity for you to help each other.

nSo, I am telling you once again to reconsider.

"

n

"I did. And my answer still remains the same. If you really are interested in curing him desperately, go and find Vardar or better yet, the person who you think attacked you.

"

nDeputy frowned in displeasure. The resistance is way more than he imagined.

n

"Why are you not considering the consequences of this? If you don't help Smith now, you will lose your trust in other subordinates. Can you really afford that?

"

n

"That's none of your business.

"

n

"Alright then, I didn't want to resort to this, but you are way too stubborn for your own good. So, don't blame me.

nIf you don't heal Smith now, I will deliver this news to the Divine formation mountain, requesting help.

nAnd I will explicitly stress the fact that your attack and our attack are linked. I want to see if the disciples will forcefully take over the investigation of it. I want to see how you will keep your reputation intact.

nAnyway, you of all people know why the subordinates fight so rigorously and eliminate all challenges that come at them.

nIt is because you are only worth as much as your reputation in the organization. If you lose too much and had the disciples and mountain master wipe your ass, you will fall out of their favor.

nI won't care if Smith's reputation is impacted. Because unlike you, his glory is not fake or a façade. He is skilled and his key role is not to fight against people.

nThe only reason he was attacked is because of the traps that were placed at his work. So, I highly doubt the Mountain master will have a different perspective of him just with this.

nBut your situation is far from that.

nYou cannot do anything about the fact that you are defeated in your own forte. You were humiliated, your reputation is gone and that person even put you on a bed for a couple of days.

nThe damage is already done and you need to remedy it, by repairing your situation.

nIf you don't heal Smith, I will rip that situation way too much that there is no coming back for you.

"

n

"You do know that threatening me is not a good idea in this situation right? You came here to ask for my help, you bastard.

"

n

"It doesn't matter now. Does it? As long as I get what I want, I will use any means necessary. Particularly when it is related to Smith.

nSo, don't bother trying to bluff your way out of this, and don't even think that I am bluffing.

nIf you don't start healing Smith right now, I will tear you apart.

"

nSaint became silent as he looked at the Deputy coldly.

n

"Let him stay here and come back in three days.

"

nSaint left after those words.

n

n