Inside the newly set-up tent, the light from a phone illuminated only a small portion of the space, making it feel particularly dim.
Paul sat anxiously in the tent, already regretting his decision to come here.
He must have been out of his mind to listen to Mike and seek out some Voodoo Spirit Medium Witch Doctor.
Back in his hometown in Mexico, witch doctors were never in short supply, but Mike had never believed they could cure illnesses.
Things like drinking vulture soup to treat cancer.
Or burning a piece of bone to cure mental illness.
If any of it actually worked, why would everyone in Mexico—from ordinary poor people to the powerful—all be running to the United States?
Just as he was feeling uneasy, the witch doctor wrapped in a blanket suddenly smiled at him and said:
"Relax, Paul. Guadalupe and the children want you to be healthy too. I think she's already made chili stew for you to come home to."
Paul was taken aback, his face full of astonishment as he said:
"How did you know…"
His wife's name was Guadalupe, and his favorite dish was the chili stew she made.
The witch doctor before him didn't answer, and Paul was shocked to realize that, at some point, a clay pot filled with bones had appeared in front of him.
As a Mexican, he had seen some Voodoo sorcerers before and understood that this was a Bone Pile Artifact used by Voodooism practitioners.
But when had the other person brought this thing out?
Moreover, inside this Bone Pile Artifact were five walnut-sized skulls with a metallic sheen, clearly meticulously crafted and aged.
"Describe your symptoms," the other person's voice was hoarse and ethereal, with a faint hint of coughing.
Paul quickly replied:
"My… my ankle is sprained, and it's been swollen… cough… and I caught a cold from the rain… I'm running a fever…"
The other person nodded and then asked:
"What medicine have you taken?"
Paul said:
"I took painkillers, but they didn't work very well, so I smoked some leaves. That helped with the pain, but it's too expensive…"
For an undocumented immigrant working three jobs to support a family of five, leaves costing nearly $10 per gram were simply too extravagant.
And he knew that simply numbing the pain wasn't helpful—over time, it would only make things worse.
It could even lead to dependence on stronger painkillers, and eventually, he might end up taking Enhancement Drugs.
He had seen several of his fellow countrymen fall that way.
A big reason he had fled Mexico for the United States was to avoid getting involved with drug cartels, and he certainly didn't want to start taking Enhancement Drugs himself.
The man wrapped in a blanket with strange patterns painted on his face nodded and said:
"You've been invaded by a Damp Cold Evil Spirit. I'll help you exorcise it."
He placed a cup of milk in front of the Bone Pile Artifact, closed his eyes, and began swaying back and forth, chanting incantations toward the artifact.
Paul couldn't understand the incantation at all, but he could sense its fluidity. Combined with the flash from the phone's light, he was momentarily stunned.
"The moon sets, crows caw, frost fills the sky; river maples, fishing fires, facing sorrowful sleep. I summon Ultraman Tiga from above, and Ironhide from below. I also call upon the Golden Gourd Brothers, as husband and wife return home together..."
Wayne spoke rapidly, basically saying whatever came to mind. His voice was low and hoarse, so even if a fellow countryman from Dongda University were sitting right in front of him, they wouldn't be able to make out what he was saying.
After all, what he said didn't matter at all—what mattered was that glass of milk.
Once he had finished reciting all the words he could think of on the spot, Wayne suddenly stopped. Placing his hand on the glass of milk, he widened his eyes and said sternly:
"Evil spirit, be gone!"
Then, with a solemn expression, he said to Paul:
"Alright, drink this glass of milk."
Paul picked up the milk with a mix of doubt and trust and drank it. It tasted strange, but under Wayne's imposing presence, he didn't dare ask any questions.
After he finished drinking, the Medium and Witch Doctor before him said:
"Alright, cough... you can go now."
Paul was taken aback. Was that it?
Then, somewhat bewildered, he asked:
"Sir, am I... am I cured?"
Wayne nodded and said:
"I'm using my spiritual power to help you dispel the evil spirit. You can go back now. This exorcism process will take at least three days... cough... You'll need to come back two more times tomorrow and the day after. Also, make sure to drink plenty of milk these days."
The small amount of confidence Paul had mustered instantly dissipated.
This was too much of a farce.
He sighed inwardly. He had originally thought Mike was a good kid, which was why he had trusted his words.
Now it seemed like it was just a pure scam for money.
But since he was on someone else's turf, he didn't dare say anything out of line and had to accept it.
Feeling uneasy, he said to Wayne:
"Thank you. How much do I owe you?"
Unexpectedly, the man waved his hand and said:
"We'll charge after the third exorcism. If there's no effect, you don't have to pay."
Paul was stunned. Clutching the sweat-dampened bills in his pocket, he had already prepared himself to be ripped off. Now, he asked in disbelief:
"Can I really... just leave?"
Wayne nodded expressionlessly and said:
"Of course. Oh, and if you can bring more followers to Bondye, I can waive your fee entirely... cough... Remember to drink plenty of milk."
Paul was utterly astonished, filled with disbelief. How could there be free medical treatment in the damn United States?
"Then... I'm really leaving?" Paul took a deep breath, stood up, and said sincerely, "I have a night shift later. Thank you for your kindness."
With that, he nodded to Wayne and slipped out of the tent.
After Paul left, Mike entered Wayne's tent and asked anxiously:
"Bro, you really didn't charge him? What if he doesn't come back?"
The tents weren't soundproof, and Mike had heard Wayne and Paul's conversation clearly from his own tent.
Wayne nodded:
"Cough... Don't worry, he'll be back."
Antibiotics plus dexamethasone, a two-pronged approach—Paul's condition would improve significantly tonight.
The reason he had Paul drink more milk these past few days was because cheap American milk contained large amounts of veterinary antibiotics. Drinking more of it could also help reduce inflammation and kill bacteria.
[You performed your first treatment. General Medicine skill improved (Intermediate 50% + 10%). Experience +20]
[Your title Voodoo Medium has been enhanced: Voodoo Medium (10%). A clever adventurer may perhaps walk the path of the Chosen by the Gods.]
Wayne raised an eyebrow.
This was the first time he had learned that titles could level up, and it seemed this thing was related to Career Paths.
He then looked at his status panel.
[Class: Adventurer (Level 1, Career Path not chosen)
Titles: Court Rebel (higher chance of gaining favor from Dungeon Streets); Voodoo Medium (10% - particularly effective against followers of Voodooism)
Stamina: 1.0/1.3
Intelligence: 1.2/1.3
Spirit Power: 0.4/0.6
Health Points: 20/60
Experience Points: 56/100
Skills: Minstrel Performance (Beginner 30%); Stranger in a Strange Land (Passive 50%); Tactical Dagger Usage (Expert); Compound Creation (Beginner 70%); General Medicine (Intermediate 60%)
Battle Pet: Wild Hound (Level 1, 40%)
Status: Severe Illness Recovery]
It seemed this body truly hadn't consumed much in the way of antibiotics, let alone hormonal medications, so the dual approach had a remarkable effect.
In just half a day, his Health Points had recovered by another five points, directly reaching twenty. Even his status had changed from critically ill and weak to Severe Illness Recovery.
The effect was outstanding.
His Level was still 1. It appeared that to break through Level 1 and choose a Career Path, he would need all his attributes to reach or even exceed 1 at the very least.
What he lacked now were mainly Spirit Power and base Health Points...
Just as he was thinking this, David's voice came from outside:
"Wayne... um... sir, are you there? I've brought two friends..."