Chapter 166: The Symptoms

"Well, I am a child who came from genetic engineering. Once they found out I could see the spirits of the dead, they asked me to become a doctor. I will become a doctor who will communicate with spirits and convey their message to those closest to them." Gwen smiled as she fed Sun from an emergency lunch box. "Unfortunately, I can only see them but can't communicate with them. However, the scientists kept pushing me to increase my psychic powers. Well, my days are just filled with education to become a doctor and practicing psychic."

"Then why were you sent here?" Sun shrugged as she chewed.

A small smile slipped from Gwen's mouth. "In the end, I was considered a failure. Besides not being able to use psychic powers in the way people wanted me to, I was too lazy to study to become a doctor. I know it's a noble job…. Well, I just can't see myself doing that job. I envy you, Sun. From your story, I feel that you really like being a zookeeper."

"You're right." A faint smile formed on Sun's mouth. "One of the reasons I joined the expedition was because I wanted to find the endemic animals here. Well, even though scientists say the percentage probability is close to zero."

Gwen smiled back, moving a spoon filled with rice into Sun's mouth, but the woman shook her head.

"Come on, Sun. You've only eaten so little."

"I really have no appetite." Sun coughed.

Just then, Seb passed by and looked at the ailing woman. Gwen sighed, then helped the woman take medicine.

A large arrow floated in the main room of the house. Instead of pointing down, it points to the warehouse. I got up and headed for where Seb was.

There, Seb was holding a silver package containing onion seeds. "O guardian spirit, if you really exist, I beg of you to allow me to plant this thing. I really want to plant it, but it's like something in my heart is preventing me. Maybe because you don't like it? But, listen to me, O guardian spirit. We're still lucky to have an emergency lunch box that still tastes decent. However, what if the emergency foods run out and someone gets sick and has no appetite again? They will have more difficulty eating if the food tastes bland."

The man paused, took a deep breath. "Ah, I hope I didn't offend you. It's not that I'm not grateful for all the crops, but…."

"All right, Seb," I said before Seb finished his sentence. "You can plant those."

A wide smile instantly bloomed on Seb's mouth. The man unwrapped the package in his hand and took out some onions, which weren't really that big.

"Huh?" Seb raised an eyebrow when he found something else in the package. It was another package made of light brown paper. The size is smaller.

"It's most likely poppy seed." Gwen, who has been leaning on the warehouse frame for some time, said. "I heard there are people who smuggle things like that on the expedition ship."

Holy shit. Opium? The Narcotics?

Seb was speechless to hear the explanation from Gwen.

"Just destroy the seeds," I asked Seb using a firm tone. "Such a thing is pointless…."

"I know the plant can be hazardous if misused." Gwen seemed to cut me off, though her eyes were on Seb. "However, basically, it can be useful too. Our painkillers will eventually run out, and we'll probably need anesthesia at some point."

Hearing those words, I hit the pause button. Gwen's words made sense, but things could get very messy if they were to be misused. Especially if it involves other tribes.

Shit.

After weighing things down for a few minutes, I finally whispered into Seb's ear. "All right, plant the poppy seeds."

"Alright, I'll plant these poppy seeds," Seb answered Gwen after I pressed the play button. He scratched his head with a confused expression, then exited the warehouse.

"Mr. Spirit, I want to tell you something important. But not in this place." Gwen spoke in a low voice. "I don't want to be called a lunatic for talking to myself."

Wouldn't it be even crazier if you were naked in public?

"Okay, follow me." I walked out of the warehouse.

"Where are you going, Gwen?" Manu, who just came out of the well he made, asked. His body is stained with dirt. "You don't know about this place yet…."

"Leave her alone, Manu." I gave orders to the bearded man. "Just go on with what you want to do."

Manu was silent, then started walking away to the river to clean himself.

"Wow, you actually have high authority, Mr. Spirits," Gwen whispered with a chuckle. "Could it be that you ever ordered your woman to do something for you?"

"Well, I'll give my people as much freedom as I can." Honestly, I'm not sure what I'm saying.

Gwen pursed her lips. "Really?"

"So, what do you want to talk about?" I asked after we both got behind a large rock.

"I don't think what Sun went through was not an infection from the wound, but more than that. There are some symptoms that don't match a wound infection." Gwen spoke in a serious tone. Gone were the seductive gestures and tone she used to show.

I felt like my heart was hit by something hard. "Where did she get it from?"

"Perhaps it could be from the attacks of the birds? I don't know. I'm not an expert in that kind of thing yet." Gwen took a deep breath. "What I'm afraid of is that the disease might be contagious. Everyone here has been in contact with Sun, and we don't have enough resources to quarantine the girl."

"What can we do then?" I tried to suppress the panic in me.

"Right now, I can only make masks, although I don't think it will help much since we've all been in contact with Sun. Meanwhile, you can order your people to tell me if they have symptoms."

"Okay, I'll do it." I sighed.