Chapter 225: The Seed of Modern Medicine
Kellar laid sheets of tanned leather across the central table of the medical ward. Around him, the head healer and his three apprentices watched as the glass bottles, ampoules, and packages pulled out by the Shaman rested before them.
To purchase this batch of pharmaceuticals—doses of anesthesia, broad-spectrum antibiotics, antivirals, and surgical suture kits—Kellar had spent the last of his remaining Tribal Evolution Points. He knew it was a risk, but ensuring the survival of his warriors in upcoming battles was worth every point spent.
"Take up your styluses and carbon mixture," commanded Kellar, gesturing toward the leather strips. "Today you will learn the names of the active ingredients, the dosages, and the way to administer each of these medicines. I want no mistakes; an incorrect dose can be as lethal as the blade of a sword."
The healers nodded and began inscribing every instruction onto the leather strips using the charcoal-based ink they relied on for writing. Kellar taught them how to identify the bottles, explaining how anti-inflammatories reduced swelling, how antibiotics prevented wound putrefaction, and how the morphine ampoules were reserved for severe trauma to prevent soldiers from entering pain-induced shock.
While the apprentices practiced tracing the symbols onto the leather, Kellar recalled the Fruit of the Tree of Life, the fruit he had consumed long ago that had saved his life when he stood on the brink of death. Focusing on the system interface, he searched through the catalog of plants and alchemical remedies to see if he could purchase its seeds or the fruit itself.
However, upon filtering his search, the translucent screen yielded no results and displayed a notification:
[The requested resource (Fruit of the Tree of Life) is currently locked]
Requirement: Elevation of development to Level 4 Tribe is required to unlock mystic botany and special crops.
Kellar let out a sigh as he read the message. There is still a way to go... One step at a time, thought Kellar.
"We have a problem! We need help!" shouted a winded worker as he stumbled inside.
Behind him, two men rushed in carrying an apprentice who was writhing, screaming in pain as he covered his face with blood-stained hands. One of the healer apprentices approached and tried to pry the boy’s hands away to assess the injury, but the youth let out a shriek and thrashed, making any examination impossible.
"Step back," commanded Kellar in a firm voice, stepping forward. "This is an opportunity for you to see our new supplies in action."
Kellar reached into his robes and produced a vial along with a syringe. With fluid movements, he drew the dosage of morphine into the needle. Stepping over to the screaming youth, he gripped his arm and plunged the needle into the muscle. Within seconds, the boy’s spasms ceased, his breathing evened out, and his eyes closed, slipping into unconsciousness.
The healers and workers took a step back with shock.
"Is he... has he passed away?!" gasped one of the healer apprentices, his eyes wide with fear.
"No, he is not dead; he has fallen asleep," replied Kellar calmly, stowing the vial away.
"How can someone fall asleep while wrapped in such pain?" whispered the head healer in disbelief.
"That is the function of our new medicine," explained Kellar, looking at his pupils. "With this, you will be able to render even a person with injuries unconscious so you can proceed with treatment and save their life. Now, let us examine him."
𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦
Kellar pulled the young man’s hands away from his face. His skin was severely lacerated, covered in chemical burns and sharp stone shrapnel wounds.
"What happened here?" asked Kellar, looking up at the men who had brought him in.
The workers lowered their heads, not daring to speak. At that moment, the door swung open again and both Garik and Lennis hurried into the ward, their faces soot-stained and pale.
"What happened, Lennis?" asked Kellar sternly.
"It is our fault, Great Shaman..." admitted Lennis in a hushed tone, his eyes filled with remorse. "We were testing the new crystals. When ground down individually, they were stable and showed no reaction. However, we continued with the trials and mixed a bit of Fire-Earth crystal powder with a pinch of Windstone... The resulting explosion was terrifying. It is more than a hundred times stronger than ordinary gunpowder, but it is unstable; it detonates at the slightest friction or contact."
Kellar remained silent for a moment, processing the revelation as a flicker of fascination burned in his eyes. A superior explosive! thought Kellar immediately. If they could stabilize or properly harness that volatility for grenades, artillery shells, or landmines, they could fight the massive beasts of the Ash Valley without fear.
However, he adopted a strict posture and locked eyes with the two craftsmen.
"I understand," said Kellar gravely. "In any case, you must exercise caution. You are handling materials that you have never touched before. You must follow the safety guidelines we established for these scenarios to the letter. I will not tolerate anyone dying due to negligence."
Both Garik and Lennis bowed their heads, overcome with shame. Indeed, Kellar had previously instituted protocols and safety regulations regarding the handling of dangerous chemicals and unknown materials; yet in their eagerness to achieve breakthrough results, they had nearly killed several apprentices in the forge. The young man on the cot was the case, but he was not the only one injured in the blast.
"I will settle scores with you two when I am finished here," warned Kellar.
Without giving them time to reply, he turned back to the healers, whose eyes remained glued to the breathing of the sleeping youth, and gestured for them to step forward.
"Step closer and pay attention so you learn how to treat these wounds," commanded Kellar in a firm tone that dispelled the lingering anxiety in the room. "The morphine has eliminated the pain and prevented him from slipping into shock, but if we do not cleanse these wounds, extract the debris, and seal the flesh, infection will claim his life within two days."