ncdeer

As a dream, as a fantasy. As a bubble, as a shadow. All that is false, all is as real.

Please, I'm begging you!

The merchant is offering a fortune to anyone who saves his daughter! Please, doctor, I'll do anything!

A Catastrophe is coming to the city my family lives in, and they're trapped... I can't bear the thought of leaving them there!

I know it's asking a lot after you saved my life, and I know you don't want to come down from the mountains, but I'm at my wit's end...

I'll only use the money to get my family out of there! I won't use it for anything else!

Please, this means everything to me! I swear to the heavens that I won't tell anyone! Let my flesh rot off my body if I break my vow!

It worked! It worked! Thank you! Thank you so much! I swear to the heavens that I'll repay your kindness! Let my flesh rot off my body if I break my vow!

Oh, mother... Here, drink up, it'll make you better.

We're out of medicine? Don't worry, we have Dr. Nine-Colored Deer here!

We haven't been able to contact the outside for days. Is there any other way?

More and more people are dying! I thought Nine-Colored Deer was supposed to save them!

Something's not right with her... Where did she come from? Why doesn't she charge any money? Don't tell me she's...?

She only stayed behind to advertise her medicine and gain our trust!

Look at her Originium Arts! She was the one who brought down the Catastrophe!

Elafia! Bringer of evil! Get out! Get out!

Get out! Get out!

I thought I could earn their trust by saving their lives.

I thought we could coexist in peace as long as I healed them, and showed them love.

But is that true?

Go.

Doctor!

You should not have come to me. I want nothing more to do with the world outside these mountains.

Go, and do not return.

I-I understand. I was foolish.

I-I'll try to think of something else... I'm sorry for bothering you.

Hello?

Ah, I knew you'd show up. Thank you for coming so late.

How is the merchant's daughter?

She's here in the clinic. It's not clear what afflicts her, but she's getting weaker by the day. She's able to eat, but she spends most of the time sleeping. She complains of neck pains, and has had a fever for days.

Her father is extremely anxious. Everyone knows he's looking for the great healer rumored to be living in these parts. I thought it was only a matter of time before you came down.

I have never stood idly by and watched a patient die.

But I had a visitor today. I'll need to find somewhere else to stay for a few days.

Someone you saved?

Yes.

There's always people like that... Why don't they respect your wish to not be disturbed?

It doesn't matter. I'll be more careful.

Well, I'm just glad you're still willing to stay in the area at all.

Thank you, Zishu. Now take me to the child.

It hurts... It hurts so much...

Hmm...

This is a rare illness... Not something that I can just whip up a remedy for.

I'll be staying here for a couple of days. I want no visitors, other than patients.

Understood. I'll make sure to keep out unwelcome guests.

Mm.

One more thing. I want you to pass this on to the merchant tomorrow...

What will people think this time? A cold and merciless Elafia...?

Two mace, half a mace, three mace... Roll these herbs into balls, and take them for eight days.

It's so bitter...

Would you like another flavor? Flowers perhaps, or tea?

I like flowers...

Well then... there.

Take a sniff.

It smells... sweet?

There, now swallow it. Not bitter at all, is it? It won't hurt so much anymore.

Why is it sweet?

You were crying because you didn't want to take your medicine, weren't you? It's sweet now, so there's no need to cry.

*Sob*...

And I'll give you some honey once you've had your medicine.

Doctor, you need sleep. You haven't slept in three days!

No, I need to finish this book first. It's important. I'll have my dinner after I'm done.

What...? You just had dinner! I had to make you eat it!

Oh, I see... Well, I'll go to bed after I finish this book—

Go to bed NOW!

Day 2

What's up, Wang?

I'm busy! Don't bother me!

What's the matter? Still short on money?

People like us, we've gotta make it penny by penny, don't we? Wish I was like that rumored doctor who cured the merchant's daughter. Must've gotten a handsome reward.

...Doctor?

Yeah!

Anyway, I'll leave you to it. It's already been a few days, and you need to get your family back as soon as you can, before anything else happens.

Impossible... But she said...

The doctor's not that kind of person...

I'll confirm it with my own eyes tonight!

This one didn't work... This one's no good either; they can't be taken together.

The last prescription was a little strong for little Ci's constitution... I need to rethink the dosage...

The side effect of this ingredient is too strong for her. It needs to go...

She's allergic to this one. I need to find a substitute...

No, it's not enough... I need more knowledge, to find another way. Time is running out...

We have the herbs you asked for... Whoa! What happened to your hair?

Oh... Here, look at this, this recipe...

You keep doing that, I'll fetch a comb.

These two ingredients don't go well together, but...

But...oh!

Whoa!

I'm going into the mountains!

I guess your hair can wait...

What?

It's way after dark. Do you really have to go right now?

I could be back by dawn if I hurry. This new medicine should finally do the trick.

This is a poisonous weed that looks like an edible plant. Better mark it so no one eats it by accident.

I've tried marking immature herbs, but that hasn't worked. Next time, I should move them into the garden.

I hope bugs don't get to them... Never mind, I don't have time for this.

The sun's already rising. Still no luck...

Was it here? I can't find the marks I left the last time...

Whoa, this is a poisonous plant... Never mind, it can wait. But this is about as high an altitude as the herbs will grow.

'It is the color of snow, with a bitter but pure taste. It is found mostly in the clefts of rocks or on cliffs.' On cliffs...

I'm exhausted... but I have to get the herb. Ci can't wait...

The books say you should tie a knot like this... Never thought I'd be using that knowledge like this.