Story Reader / Affection / Wanshi: Lucid Dreamer / Story
Three days have passed since the group left Babylonia.
For the past two days, the researchers have been enthusiastically collecting plant samples from this pristine mountain forest. According to the plan, everyone should head to Nanyun Old Town at the foot of the mountain today.
It isn't until everyone is packing up to leave the mountains that someone finally realizes something is wrong.
You are leading the way, but turn around to hand the navigator to the rest of the group, looking absolutely certain.
How can this be... How can there be anything that science can't solve...?
The researcher gives the navigation device a good whack, but brute force fails to work its magic—instead, the compass needle spins merrily in response.
Ugh! I can't take it anymore... Let's wait the rain out somewhere. We're already lost anyway... No point in wandering around in circles.
I-I agree... Who knew a little rain would make the mountains so cold and damp... And they said Nanyun was supposed to be warmest this time of year...
Nanyun Old Town lies on the outskirts of Kowloong. For decades, few outsiders have ventured in—the ancient trees surrounding the town grow so densely that they blot out the sky, making it easy to lose one's way even with navigation equipment.
When the team first suspected they were lost, the researchers casually continued collecting mushroom samples that had sprouted after the rain. But as the sun begins to set, the rest of the team, having followed the Commandant in circles through the mountains, is finally too tired to go any further.
Listening to the researchers' dramatic whining, you realize that fatigue is starting to set in.
At the mention of food supplies, the researchers stop their complaints and meekly enter the cave—these guys lost their rations yesterday.
They all sit on the damp ground and stare at one another.
(Stomach growls)
Ahaha, not me! I mean, look outside—this place would have made a perfect healing resort... if it'd been easier to navigate.
...Right?
The researcher notices everyone staring intently at him. After a moment of awkward silence, he decides to admit it.
Fine, yes, that was my stomach growling! I'm absolutely starving!
The researcher stares at the tightly wrapped square package for a long moment before carefully declining the gesture of goodwill.
Um... why don't we eat something else instead?
Are you seriously being picky now? You're the one who lost our food, and you should be grateful we even have compressed biscuits to eat!
Can't you aim higher? This is Kowloong we're talking about—Kowloong—the City of Delicacies!
Come on, don't tell me you're not even a little hungry.
Well...
Alright, you know what, this is what we're gonna do!
The hungry researcher, having made up his mind, drops his sample bag to the ground with a thud. He takes out all the mushroom specimens and lays them out on a clean rock.
You're going to eat those?!
Look where we are. Kowloong folks eat these mushrooms knowing some of them are poisonous. You're not gonna go home without giving them a try now, are you? And... see how fast they've been growing after the heavy rain...
His eyes gleam with joy as he stares at the vividly colored mushrooms.
Are you out of your friggin' mind? There are so many mushrooms here—do you even know which ones are safe to eat?
Don't worry. I brought an edible mushroom identification guide.
The researcher quickly pulls out a thick manual and sorts the mushrooms into three piles.
This pile is clearly inedible, this one the manual marks as safe, and I can't tell with the rest. To be on the safe side, let's only eat the ones we know are absolutely safe.
Hey, you planned this all along, didn't you!
You're all being too cautious. I asked around before coming here—the Nanyun locals don't even need any guidebooks. They just avoid the red caps with white stems and eat everything else.
Besides, I heard there's an out-of-town doctor in Nanyun Town who's quite the expert at treating mushroom poisoning, so there's definitely gonna be help if things go south. What do you think, Commandant?
Whatever! Come on, let's try it!
Are you for real?!
I-I'm not eating wild mushrooms from the middle of nowhere! No way, no way, NO WAY—!
Despite the female researcher's fervent protests, she finds herself outnumbered by the rest of the group—who seem seconds away from eating their bowls raw. They waste no time starting a fire to cook.
Soon, the cooked mushroom soup, seasoned with MSG and salt, fills the air with an irresistibly mouth-watering aroma. Everyone gathers around and stares at the swirling clear broth—a strange glint gradually appearing in their eyes.
The researcher who first suggested cooking the mushrooms gulps audibly, clearly almost unable to contain himself.
Hehe... I'm going to dig in, haha...
He tilts his head back and downs the mushroom soup in one go.
How's it?
The onlookers scrutinize his face closely, searching for any signs of discomfort.
...Mmm... Mmm...
After savoring it for a moment, he gives an emphatic thumbs-up.
It's great!
—Alright folks, dig in!
With their guard down, everyone scrambles to get their share of the soup. In the midst of the chaos, they make sure to push a bowl into the hands of Gray Raven's Commandant sitting in the corner.
Uhmm, the soup... I'm surprised it actually tastes pretty good.
See? I told you I've thoroughly studied the "Adventurer's Guide to Edible Fungi". I'd never put anything dangerous in the pot! Still don't trust me?
Well, at least it wasn't bad enough to warrant a visit to that Construct doctor.
The what?
As the Female Researcher chews on the tender, savory mushrooms, she pauses in thought before a look of sudden realization crosses her face.
Oh, you mean that doctor who treats mushroom poisoning? The doctor is a Construct?
Yes, I heard about him before coming here. They say this Construct doctor looks young but is incredibly good at what he does. I heard he can even perform eight surgeries back-to-back... "Kowloong's Godly Doctor" is what I would call him!
The group begins chatting with their mouths full of mushrooms.
I-I know, right? He's widely praised for his great dedication to saving lives in Kowloong!
Uh, you know what's funny? Why do you have two heads?
I... I was gonna ask you that same question. Is that... a bunch of dwarves dancing around you?
N-no way!
You... I... uhh...
The researchers exchange glances for a moment, mushroom soup still in hand, then drop to the ground one after another with thuds.
The world around you starts spinning.
Who in the world... said these things... were absolutely safe...
...
...
Your consciousness sinks like a sandbag would into water. Half dreaming, you seem to feel someone's fingers pressed softly against your temples.
The headaches and stomach pains you experienced from the poisonous mushrooms gradually subside, and your furrowed brows relax.
Hey, wake up! It's morning already—time for your medicine!
When your eyes open again, it takes a while for you to adjust to your surroundings—
You find yourself lying in a room with traditional decor, resting on soft bedding. A pillow sits within arm's reach, and a pleasant medicinal aroma wafts through the air.
If it weren't for the dull ache in your stomach reminding you of the mushrooms you ate, you'd love nothing more than to roll over and sleep for a few more hours.
He was spot on about when this person would come to.
With effort, you manage to turn your head around, only to find a little black-haired girl by the bedside, staring at you with big, round eyes.
I'm Wan! My grandpa adores me, and I'm the heir to the clinic!
It takes you a few seconds to see where you are now—a traditional clinic in Kowloong.
But I'm still an apprentice...
The girl sticks out her tongue playfully before making a dash for the door.
Wait here. Let me go fetch him.
You should've seen how panicked he was when he carried you all back—I've never seen him so worried!
Wan.
A man's voice rings out from behind the door, cutting off the girl's yapping.
Yawn... I see you're awake.
A white Construct walks in with a yawn, lifting the curtain as he looks at you still out of sorts on the bed.
You fall back with a thud and close your eyes in peace.
...I'm not just gonna go poof no matter how you decide to get up. Hurry up and get up already.
Wanshi pulls you up from the bed, except your mind is still too hazy to process anything.
My question exactly.
Except the researchers who came with you already answered that... What a surprising coincidence.
Just as I was falling asleep last night, I picked up Gray Raven's signal... I could hardly believe it myself. I had to check several times to be sure.
Given the situation, it was hard not to assume you were in danger, especially with those signals coming from the back of the mountain.
What Wan said a little earlier hit you—she probably wasn't stretching the truth when she said she'd never seen Wanshi as worried as he was.
Wan chimes in at the right moment.
You were in pretty rough shape yesterday. Kept spouting all sorts of nonsense, too.
You were saying things like "destroy the Punishing", "behold my power", "retirement benefits"... and the rest I just couldn't understand to save my life.
Wanshi asked us to put you under our care here since he apparently thought that you might say things you shouldn't.
As Wan speaks, you spot a familiar white pillow at the foot of the bed.
It is. He hasn't slept for a day now and only went out for a bit.
...Wan.
It's fine—at least you're not spouting nonsense anymore.
You've shown the best recovery among all the patients. You should be able to get up and move around soon.
You can't help but fear for the researchers who ate more than they should have when Wanshi brings up the rest of the group.
Wanshi, apparently having seen right through you, starts talking again.
The researchers have been moved to other rooms. They're all awake now, except for the guy who ate the most—he needs to sleep some more.
Wanshi studies your face, pauses in thought, and, with a subtle smile playing on his lips, drops a question he's been meaning to ask.
...Would you mind telling me what made you think eating wild mushrooms from the mountain was a good idea?
Unable to find any justification for such absurd behavior, you close your mouth in embarrassment.
...Didn't have a choice, huh.
Wanshi repeats your words.
I see. You didn't eat much—looks like you only had some because everyone else was egging you on.
...Don't tell me this was all because you were hungry?
The locals in town have gathered plenty of mushrooms. If you'd like some, just let Wan and me know, and we'll get them for you.
As for those growing in the forest, let them stay right where they belong.
Alright, show me your hand. Let me check your pulse.
Wanshi gently places his fingers on your wrist, occasionally tapping it, seemingly lost in thought.
Hmm... Your pulse is steady and strong, with no signs of weakness or irregularity...
You're all clear. You can get up and move around now.
I only started learning after coming to town. We Constructs learn faster, but I've barely scratched the surface.
The locals are generally experienced in identifying mushrooms, but Kowloong still sees quite a few poisoning cases every year. The local doctors have developed a comprehensive treatment theory based on traditional medicine to deal with poisoning incidents.
Wanshi points at your wrist.
This method of identification is much safer.
You know what, let's drop it. Come on, I'll show you around Nanyun.
Perhaps from staying up all night by the bedside, Wanshi lets out a gentle yawn while leading you out.
Along the rustic wooden corridor, cheerful children run past the two of you with playful laughter. The clinic is old, but the townspeople still come here all the time.
You two walk together until you reach the archive storing antique medical books.
Hmm... this is gonna be difficult.
The harder Wanshi studies the antique book in hand, the deeper his frown becomes.
The mushrooms you ate contained high levels of hallucinogenic compounds. It'll take at least a week or so for the effects to wear off.
Until then, possible side effects include, but are not limited to: hallucinations, incoherent speech, and inability to tell hallucinations from reality...
Better safe than sorry.
Wanshi closes the antique book and brushes the dust off his shoulders.
For the next few days during our journey through Nanyun Old Town, I'll need to stay by your side at all times.
Your safety is a top priority to me.
That's what everyone says after eating poisonous mushrooms.
After the Punishing outbreak, a bunch of Kowloong's medical records were lost. We don't know much about the hallucinogenic compounds in these toxic mushrooms now.
Just because the tests show no obvious signs doesn't mean your body has fully recovered.
So this isn't an overreaction—I shouldn't have to repeat myself, right?
Wanshi is as soft-spoken as ever, but something in his tone now brooks no argument.
At times like these, you know you should just take the doctor's orders.
As it happens, the Rain Flower Festival is only a few days away.
Hmm... Want to go to the festival together?
A gentle breeze sweeps through the corridor, lifting Wanshi's curly bangs to reveal a pair of clear, golden eyes twinkling with amusement.
You'll like it there.
