- Did something good happen?

Ania blinked her eyes with curiosity as she noticed, that always deadpan Lorian's lips were slightly curved up.

- Nah, it's nothing.

Lorian shrugged.

- You should smile more, otherwise, girls won't like you.

Ania giggled and joked.

- At least you like me.

Lorian grinned. Ania's face turned red as a tomato as she stamped her foot.

- You bully, humph, who said I like you?

Lorian gave a hollow laughter and rolled his wheelchair.

- Where are you going?

- There's a bit of a commotion outside, let's go out.

- Ok.

Ania positioned herself behind Lorian and pushed the wheelchair.

- Oh, the chief is back. Oh, who's that white old man? What's with his attitude? He looks like a proud peacock.

Ania commented in low voice. Lorian felt nervousness as he guessed visitor's identity.

The chief was following behind the white-gowned old man, acting subservient. The old man had a silky white beard and gave a feeling of an accomplished scholar. His head was raised high in the air as if everyone else was beneath him.

His eyes locked onto Lorian's figure and scrutinized him.

- Is this the patient you spoke of, old fart?

The villagers have crowded around but didn't dare join in their conversation.

- Yes, miracle doctor Jun.

- Humph, using my favor on this hairless brat? Are you looking down on me? My favor is worth in golds!

The referred miracle doctor stared at the chief angrily. The chief couldn't help but sweat coldly.

- No, sir, he, he's someone who...

- Bah, whatever. Let's get this over with.

The eccentric old man quickly got bored and walked up to Lorian. He bent down and grabbed his right knee like a hawk.

Lorian sweated profusely as pain transmitted right to his brain.

- Res, respected doctor, it hurts...a lot.

Lorian spat with gritted teeth. Suddenly he felt pessimistic about the treatment and was somewhat scared.

'What will this eccentric old man do to me? Well, as long as I can recover...I'll endure, whatever it is...'

The old man's grip got fiercer and Lorian couldn't help but grunt out in pain.

- Disrespectful brat, who's a doctor, I'm a miracle doctor, know the difference, humph, humph.

The old man was somehow offended by his harmless words.

'Miracle doctor my ass, you look like a hoodlum.'

The old man finally eased the grip and straightened his back. His head was still high up in the air as he commented.

- Your condition is terrible, brat. I can heal you, but you won't recover completely. You will be able to walk, but your right leg will become lame.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Lorian felt disappointed in his heart but was nonetheless happy his condition could be improved. His evaluation of the so-called miracle doctor increased as well as his tone was confident as if the results couldn't deviate from his foresight.

- Is there a hope of full recovery?

He asked nervously.

Old Jun narrowed his eyes and snorted.

- Fountain of life can fully heal you. Genuine holy water can also do the job. A high-grade healing potion is also a viable option, but...brat, I don't want to crush your hopes, but...you get the point.

The old man looked at him with pity.

Lorian clenched his fists. He wouldn't give up as long as there was some hope left.

- Alright old fart, bring me to a clean room. I'll deal with the rest.

- Yes, yes, follow me, please.

The chief took the initiative to lead the way.

The treatment lasted for 3 full days. Lorian went through excruciating pain, which was worse than death. He fainted multiple times.

The hands of the old Jun glowed with white light as he channeled the pure power of a light element in his leg. The fractured and broken bones started mending. The snapped tendons began reconnecting. It was a very slow and painful process.

However, the pain was good. As old Jun said, if Lorian felt no pain, it meant he was thoroughly crippled and had no hopes of recovery and he would also be hopeless. Fortunately, this was not the case.

The old doctor perspired a lot and by the end of the treatment, his hands and face looked like withered old tree bark. The lively light in his eyes also diminished a lot. He obviously hadn't held back.

- Don't move around too much first few days. You'll be fine and adapt soon. Don't give up hope, boy. You can still lead a simple life. Don't listen to others' ridicule.

The old doctor left these words before departure. Lorian was quite puzzled about the last part but soon forgot about it.

The task deadline had long since passed, so there was no need to hurry back.

Lorian stayed in the village for a couple more days.

The day of his departure came.

He was reluctant to leave since the hospitality he received wasn't small. He even developed a faint sense of belonging to these people, but such life was dull to his taste. His blood was itching for some action, hence he loitered no longer.

He was the most reluctant to leave Ania, who he grew increasingly close to.

- I'll come back for you.

He whispered in tearful Ania's ears and turned around to hop on his horse, never looking back.

- Have a safe travel.

The villagers have gathered around the gates and said their goodbyes.

It was once again snowing. Lorian looked quite amazing with majestic silver robes and wolf mask on. It was only...his right leg was limping a little as he walked.

He took one last glance at the partying villagers when he hopped on the horse.

'Still as cold.'

He thought to himself as he sighed inwardly. He only felt his heart move a little when he laid his eyes on Ania's figure. She was gently waving her hand. The corners of her eyes were a little red.

The snow was trampled. The figure of departing Lorian disappeared in the horizon.

The villagers went back to their daily lives.

Only a single silhouette stared at the empty road for a long, long time.

* * *

In the woods.

A mounted figure advanced in the forest.

Suddenly, Lorian stopped and dismounted.

- I know you're here. You can come out now.

He stated calmly.

There was no response.

The air whistled from behind. Lorian merely repositioned his body slightly and allowed the arrow to pass by him.

Lorian's eyes narrowed as he walked towards the specific direction.

The sound of twigs snapping rang.

- You're not half bad, cripple.

A low voice filled with malice rang as a young man equipped with bow and fur clothes revealed himself.

Lorian smiled.

He knew this person. He was Elise's childhood friend, Ben.

- I don't remember ever offending you.

Lorian stated calmly.

- Haha, I don't understand why everyone thinks so highly of you. You're just a cripple and an outsider. What kind of qualifications do you have to court my woman?

Lorian felt a headache as he answered patiently.

- You must have misunderstood. There's nothing going on between us.

The young man sneered.

- Of course there's nothing, otherwise, I would have killed you back in the village, no matter the consequences.

This guy didn't participate in the battle against the beast tide, so he was clueless about his performance. Having a narrow mind, he must have become jealous of others' treatment towards Lorian and misunderstood his and Elise's relationship.

- You're going to kill me?

The young man grinned as he pulled the arrow.

- Drop dead, bastard.

*Whoosh

Lorian caught the incoming arrow with his bare hand and snapped it into two. Considering his power level and perception and the fact that the attack was expected, it was not a hard thing to pull off.

- You...how?

The young man was astonished as he fired off several arrows consecutively.

Lorian advanced at low pace as the opponent retreated.

Finally, Elise's small-minded, jealous childhood friend dropped to the ground.

- I, I'm sorry. Gah...

Lorian clutched his neck with a single hand and lifted him in the air. Ben flailed and struggled. His hands attempted to make Lorian ease his grip but in vain. His complexion reddened as he was out of breath.

In the end, he struggled like a dying fish and begged with his eyes.

Coldness couldn't help but invade his mind as he saw Lorian's cold eyes behind the mask. This was the last thing he would see. He regretted, but it was too late.

The dead corpse dropped on the ground motionlessly.

Lorian didn't feel even a bit of guilt. This twerp wanted to take his life, so he had to be prepared for the reverse consequences. What did it have to do with him if he was Elise's childhood friend? He was nothing but a dead dog now.

Lorian covered the corpse in snow and dropped it in the woods, then mounted and disappeared from sight.