Lily nodded slowly, feeling the weight of her father’s words. But Dad doesn’t see it all, she thought, glancing out the window, and I have a feeling Noah has a way of always staying one step ahead.
Meanwhile, Noah shifted the car into high gear, heading toward Amelia’s house. He had promised Adam he’d drop by after dinner with their neighbour, Arthur.
“Adam has his own set of curiosities,” Noah thought, his gaze focused on the road ahead.
“He’s a military man. He probably already suspects that I’m not showing everything, so his curiosity is going to keep him close.”
As he drove, Noah’s thoughts drifted back to the moment he’d seen Arthur’s curiosity deepen over that tea.
“For a person like Arthur, you need to show him enough to keep him interested. But you also need to dose it correctly, otherwise an underdose or an overdose will make him restless.”
Approaching Amelia’s villa, Noah slowed as he neared the familiar security checkpoint. The guards, recognizing him from earlier, nodded in acknowledgement, one of them stepping forward.
“Welcome back, Mr. Thompson,” the guard said with a respectful tone.
“General Adam mentioned you’d be coming by. He’s expecting you.”
“Thank you,” Noah replied, his voice calm and warm. He manoeuvred the car smoothly past the checkpoint, parking just outside the villa’s grand entrance.
Before stepping out, he took a breath, adjusting his jacket.
Adam greeted him at the door, a pleased expression on his face. “Noah,” he said, extending a hand.
“Glad you dropped by. Amelia and I were just talking about you, actually,” Adam said, standing at the doorway with a welcoming grin, shaking Noah’s hand firmly.
Noah raised an eyebrow, smirking. “Bad or good?”
Adam chuckled. “Good, of course! Come inside, it’s chilly out here.”
As they stepped into the living room, Amelia was seated next to her mother, Carmilla. Amelia gave Noah a polite nod, but there was a flicker of curiosity in her eyes.
“Noah, it’s nice to see you again,” Carmilla greeted him warmly. “How are you doing?”
“Good evening, Mrs. Carmilla,” Noah replied with a small smile. “I’m doing well, thanks. And yourself?”
“I’m well, thank you. I hope your visit will be more peaceful this time,” she added with a light chuckle, glancing at Adam.
Adam scratched the back of his neck, an apologetic smile forming. “Yeah, about last time… sorry again for the chaos.”
“My dad’s health has been getting worse, and the doctors haven’t been able to figure out what’s wrong. They’re saying it might be old age, or maybe even something new, something they’ve never seen before.”
Adam sighed, running a hand through his hair. “It’s been hard on all of us. But, enough of that for now. I saw that beauty outside — a Lykan Hypersport, Did you just get it?”
Before Noah could respond, a familiar chime echoed in his mind.
[Ding! The Ultimate Choice System has been activated!]
Option 1: Diagnose the old man, and cure him.
[Reward: Intermediate Soldier-King skills & 1 Miracle Pill & Amelia +10 affection.]
Option 2: Wish the old man good health, and mind your business.
[Reward: A Random Car.]
Option 3: Skillfully avoid the topic.
[Reward: $1,000,000.]
Noah’s mind raced as he weighed his options. It didn’t take long to choose. Option 1 offered more than just skills; it provided a strong connection and he knew how valuable that could be for his upcoming plans.
“It’s time to move to the next step.” He thought silently, as he stared at Adam.
[Intermediate Soldier-King skills are Rewarded!]
Feeling the amount of experience and knowledge gained, Noah felt that his previous self was just a newbie in the field.
His upgraded skill provided him with knowledge of the latest military inventions, including tanks, military planes and guns. He could now operate any of them at an expert level with ease.
“I now have a headshot accuracy of 97%, across all weapons.”
“I’ve actually had the Lykan for about a week now,” Noah said casually. “It’s a nice car.”
Adam’s curiosity piqued, and he seemed ready to dig deeper. Noah, sensing where the conversation was heading, decided to take control of the situation.
“Talking about the old man’s health, I couldn’t help but notice him earlier,” Noah began, steering the topic in a new direction.
“His face looked pale, almost as if he was dealing with some underlying symptoms. Would it be right that he’s been experiencing dizziness in the mornings? Maybe shortness of breath?”
“Is he also experiencing itchiness near the armpit area spanning towards his Latissimus dorsi?”
Adam’s eyes widened in surprise.
“How did you—? Did Amelia tell you?”
Amelia, just as shocked, shook her head quickly. “No, I haven’t told anyone. How could you know all that?”
Carmilla’s eyes narrowed, her polite demeanour giving way to deep concern. “Noah, that’s exactly right. Those are his symptoms. Do you know the illness?”
Noah smiled gently. “I think I have a clue.”
Adam leaned forward, hope flickering in his eyes. “You mean, you might know what’s causing this?”
Noah gave a small nod. “It’s possible. I’d need to see him to be sure, though.”
Adam didn’t hesitate. “Absolutely, let’s go. Follow me.”
Carmilla, who had been silently observing the conversation, turned to Noah as they stood up. “Noah, if you really know something… please, we’d be grateful for any help you can offer.”
Noah nodded. “I’ll do what I can.”
As Adam led Noah up the stairs, Amelia watched them go, muttering softly to herself. “He wasn’t just being polite before… he actually knows something.”
Reaching the top of the stairs, Adam stopped in front of his father’s room and turned to Noah. “I have to say, I wasn’t expecting this. But if you can help him, I’d be eternally grateful.”
Noah met Adam’s gaze, his voice calm yet confident. “Let’s see what we’re dealing with first.”
Adam led Noah into the room where the old man lay, his frail body barely moving under the thick blankets. His face was pale, ashen even, and his breathing was shallow. It was clear that his symptoms had worsened since Noah last saw him. The sight stirred a strange mix of urgency and calm focus in Noah’s mind.
“He only stays awake for a few hours these days,” Adam said quietly, his voice heavy with concern. “I didn’t want him out on the balcony earlier, but he insisted. He loves playing chess. I was afraid his condition might worsen… and it looks like I was right.”
Noah nodded, his expression serious as he moved closer to the old man. He studied him for a few moments, his mind racing through the possibilities, but something nagged at the back of his mind.
His Intermediate Miracle-Doctor skills and knowledge were kicking in, filling his thoughts with medical insights. He was almost certain of the diagnosis, but just as he was about to confirm it, a rapid beeping from the medical reader interrupted his thoughts.
The old man’s heart rate was plummeting.
“What’s wrong? What’s happening?!” Amelia’s voice was sharp, laced with panic. Her usual composed demeanor had shattered in an instant as fear overtook her.
Adam and Carmilla rushed forward, both looking at Noah with wide, terrified eyes. “Noah? What’s going on?” Adam’s voice cracked with panic.
Noah’s eyes darted to the monitor, reading the numbers. The old man’s heartbeats were dangerously low. “His heart rate is dropping fast. We’re losing him.” Noah’s voice remained calm, but the urgency in his movements betrayed his cool exterior.
“Is there a defibrillator here?” Noah asked quickly, glancing at Adam.
“No, we don’t have one here!” Adam exclaimed, his voice thick with dread. “The doctor brings it during his visits! He didn’t leave it here.”
Noah’s eyes darkened. “What kind of doctor doesn’t leave a defibrillator with a patient this critical?” He cursed under his breath, frustration flashing across his face as he unbuttoned the old man’s shirt.
Noah’s hands pressed against the old man’s chest, performing CPR with steady, rhythmic compressions. His movements were precise, almost mechanical, as he fought to restart the old man’s failing heart.
Amelia’s voice cracked with fear. “Noah, is he going to make it? What’s happening?”
“I’m doing what I can,” Noah muttered through clenched teeth. “His heart’s failing!”
The monitor’s beeping became more erratic, each pulse weaker than the last. “Come on, come on!” Noah growled under his breath, his hands pushing down on the old man’s chest in a desperate effort to get the heart pumping again.
“You can’t die on me now, old man. Not right after I got involved. Stop playing games with me”
The room was thick with tension. Adam looked like he was going to collapse from the stress, his face drained of all colour as he watched Noah work. Carmilla was gripping Amelia’s arm so tightly her knuckles turned white. Amelia, standing next to her, could barely hold back the tears welling up in her eyes.
Suddenly, footsteps thundered down the hallway. A man rushed into the room, his white coat flapping behind him. It was Dr. Ray, the family’s primary physician. His face twisted with panic as he took in the scene.
“Adam, what’s going on?! I heard the monitor alarm!” Dr Ray asked, his eyes landing on Noah, who was in the middle of giving chest compressions. “Who is this kid? Move aside, now!”
Dr. Ray lunged toward Noah, but Noah didn’t budge. His hands kept pressing rhythmically on the old man’s chest, his expression focused.
“Move!” Dr. Ray barked again, trying to shove Noah aside. “You’ll only make it worse!”
Noah didn’t flinch, his voice dangerously calm as he spoke through gritted teeth. “I know what I’m doing. Back off until I stabilize him.”
Adam scared out of his mind, decided to trust the professional doctor at this critical junction. He held out a hand, stopping Dr. Ray. “Noah, please let him work.”
Dr Ray looked incredulous, his jaw clenching in frustration. “This kid, he is trying to kill the old man!”
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