Chapter Forty-One: The Medical Clinic

Wu Que and Chen Tianyu walked toward the northwest, leading the children by the hand, unaware that these deformities born of nightmares were burning their own lives to declare war on the creator who had forged them.

A wisp of black ash drifted from the direction of the Sick Village, carried by the dust until it settled before the two men, who inhaled it into their nostrils.

"There's a burnt smell. Do you catch it?"

Chen Tianyu wrinkled his nose, unbuttoned his collar, and tossed his tie onto the ground.

"Hmm..." Wu Que lowered his head and kept walking in silence.

The scent felt strangely familiar. It reminded him of the smell of insects burning inside a plastic bag on the stone pile behind Chang Town long ago. An ominous premonition welled up in his heart, but Wu Que refused to dwell on it, simply patting his head to keep himself alert.

The further northwest they traveled, the thicker the air became. Even with their mouths shut, clotted grime and sand lashed against their faces. The two had no choice but to carry the children on their backs, using their discarded outer garments as shields to push forward.

The "Kangkangs" had become very quiet since leaving home; they clung tightly to Wu’s back, burying their faces into the hollow of his neck.

"Kangkang, have you ever been to the medical clinic before?" Wu Que asked, turning his head while pushing through the sandstorm.

"Yes."

"No."

Chen Tianyu spat out a mouthful of sandy saliva and turned to ask, "Well, have you or haven't you?"

"No."

"Yes."

"Little rascals," Chen Tianyu muttered with a disgruntled chuckle, turning his head back around.

"What does Dr. Deng do when he visits your house?" Wu Que continued.

The little "Kangkang" on his back lifted his head slightly. "I don't know. Uncle Deng always looks stern when he comes. He doesn't say hello to us, and he doesn't play with us."

The "Kangkang" on Chen Tianyu’s back jumped in, "Every time Uncle Deng visits, Dad opens the door to the cellar. They never let us listen to what they talk about."

The first "Kangkang" added, "I like it when Uncle Deng comes over. Whenever he visits, Mom takes peach shortbread out of the biscuit tin for us to eat. But Uncle Deng doesn't seem to like it; he always keeps a straight face and leaves in a hurry."

Listening to their chatter, Chen Tianyu rolled his eyes toward the heavens and turned to Wu Que. "See? I told you they were just little brats."

The four of them continued their conversation as they walked until the sun set, when they finally spotted a vibrant red cross amidst the swirling sand. They hurried toward it, and at that moment, system notifications chimed in the ears of both Wu Que and Chen Tianyu.

"Congratulations to the Dream-Mender for successfully unlocking a major location: The Medical Clinic. All major locations have now been unlocked."

"The following are the rules of the Medical Clinic for the Dream-Mender."

"1. Every word the children speak is important; please ponder them carefully."

"2. Dr. Deng Ming possesses absolute authority within the clinic; do not defy him."

"3. Dr. Deng Ming will not provide assistance easily."

"4. A healer’s pursuit throughout life is sincerity, universal love, and the salvation of the world."

*A healer’s pursuit throughout life is sincerity, universal love, and the salvation of the world.*

Wu Que recited the words in his heart and opened his mission panel.

Major locations unlocked: 3/3 (Rust Lake, Sick Village, Medical Clinic).

Dream Demon kills: 0/1.

It was now certain that the "It" everyone referred to was the Dream Demon, and that killing "It" would complete the dream-entry mission.

Before they knew it, they had reached the entrance of the clinic with the children and pushed open the heavy doors. As they entered, a faint scent of disinfectant filled their nostrils, accompanied by the crying of children. A nurse with a sweet face pushed a treatment cart, weaving through the children. She administered injections and changed dressings with such practiced efficiency that it seemed sparks were flying from her shoes.

The "Kangkangs" seemed fond of the nurse; they hopped and waved their arms at her.

"Auntie Tiantian!"

"Auntie Tiantian!"

The nurse looked toward them upon hearing the calls, offering a slight smile that revealed two beautiful dimples. Wu Que and Chen Tianyu exchanged a quick glance, feeling a surge of excitement. In the Sick Village, the two boys were always referred to collectively as "the children." Here in the clinic, would the nurse be able to call them by their individual names?

The nurse walked toward them, her lips parting.

"My little darlings, what took you so long?"

"Just as I thought..." Chen Tianyu turned to Wu Que, helpless. "Still using that local dialect."

The nurse noticed the two men behind the children. Their hair was a disheveled mess, and their bodies and faces were caked in dust—they looked like child abductors. Yet, she bowed to them and said gently, "Outsiders, Dr. Deng and your companions are in the doctors' duty room. Please follow me."

Guided by the nurse, Wu Que and Chen Tianyu led the children through the rows of youngsters receiving infusions until they reached a large iron door.

"Isn't this the entrance to the ICU?"

Because of his mother's history, Wu Que was very familiar with hospital layouts. He was certain that this one-way white iron door was the entrance to the ICU family waiting area—a place of torment. His eyes darted around as he pondered.

"Why would Dr. Deng's office in this dream be the ICU?"

"Strange and bizarre things may stem from the imagination, but elements that align with the real world must come from experience."

He remembered the little boy on the bed, hooked up to a ventilator, whom he had seen before entering the dream.

"None of the four children have respiratory issues."

"I need more clues."

The nurse entered a passcode, opened the white iron door, and smiled sweetly at them. "Dr. Deng and your companions are in the duty room. I must return to attend to the children's infusions. You may move about as you please; feel free to ask me if you have any questions."

With that, she pushed her cart away, as if her feet had sprouted wings.

Chen Tianyu adjusted his glasses and stared blankly at the nurse's retreating back before suddenly blurting out, "Little Wu, let me tell you, if you're looking for a wife, you have to find one like that."

Wu Que ignored him and led "Kangkang" through the door into the duty room.

"Sigh, you're still young and don't understand; this one is the cream of the crop."

Despite his words, Chen Tianyu quickly composed himself, grabbed "Kangkang," and followed inside.

Beyond the door lay a narrow staircase that only allowed one person to pass at a time. Just then, a figure began descending from above. Due to the dim lighting, the person's face was obscured.

"Excuse me, could you let us head up first?"

As Wu Que spoke, he looked up at the person.

One glance was all it took to make him break into a cold sweat, as if he had fallen into a frozen abyss. Behind him, Chen Tianyu froze in place, his voice trembling and cracking with terror.

"The... the Overseer?"