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Here’s the revised version of Chapter 82: Save a Life, focusing on fluidity, readability, and an engaging narrative style:
Chapter 82: Save a Life
As they prepared to revitalize the Empathy Clinic, one thing was clear: they needed herbal medicine.
Southdale, nestled at the border of two provinces, was known for its humid climate and dense underbrush. It was an ideal location for gathering wild mushrooms, truffles, and root herbs—all of which were favorites of Wolf’s. The moment he caught the scent, he wasted no time in digging them up.
For most people, surviving off the land meant collecting a few herbs here and there. But they weren’t just most people. By the time they had cleared half the mountain, they had gathered enough to last them for a while.
On their way back down, they crossed paths with Harry Lane, a mushroom collector who was out before dawn, searching for his bounty. He stopped in his tracks, his eyes wide with surprise at seeing others out so early.
“It’s still dark. You two are a bit bold, aren’t you?” he said, eyeing them curiously.
Although the wilds were largely safe, with most animals confined to protected areas, this was still untamed land. There were even prohibition signs at the mountain’s base, warning people to stay away.
Harry looked them over, puzzled. “What are you doing here so early? Backpackers?”
Wolf yawned loudly, clearly unaffected by the surprise encounter. When he heard Harry speak, he perked up, looking more alert.
“Are you mute?” he asked with a smirk.
Harry was taken aback but quickly shook it off. He turned to Wynter, holding up his flashlight. “Did you come out here to pick mushrooms because you’re short on cash?”
Wynter smiled faintly, a soft, polite smile. “Yes.”
Harry let out a long, exasperated sigh. “What nonsense! You shouldn’t be out here at this hour. Come on, follow me. I’ll take you both back down. There are wolves in these mountains.”
Wolves?
Wolf straightened instantly, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.
But Wynter frowned. “Wolves?” she repeated, concerned.
“Yeah,” Harry replied, raising his flashlight high. “I’m not sure how they got here, but they’ve been spotted. If you’re picking mushrooms, you should head to the mountain near the city center—it’s much safer there.”
“But there are no root herbs there,” Wolf thought to himself. He had already been to that mountain, and it hadn’t been fruitful.
Wynter nodded. “Alright, we understand. Thank you for the warning.”
Harry paused, glancing back at them with a concerned frown. “Are you two siblings? You don’t look that old. Where are your parents?”
It seemed strange to him—why would parents let children go up a mountain in the middle of the night? It seemed careless.
Wynter smiled again, this time with a hint of sadness. “We don’t have parents. Only Grandma.”
Harry’s expression softened, his worry deepening. “Then you need to head back early. If your grandma knew you were out here, she’d be beside herself with worry.”
Wynter signaled for Wolf to sling his bag over his shoulder, a small, understanding smile on her face. “You’re right.”
Harry’s concern didn’t seem to wane. “If your family’s struggling, you can apply for subsidies. The government’s policies are a lot better now. My daughter went to school on subsidies, you know.”
He walked them to the entrance of the mountain path. “It’s safe here. Go down this way, and you’ll hit the national highway. Just don’t come back here again, alright?”
Wynter paused, still observing Harry as he turned to leave. She chuckled softly. “Actually, sir, we have a clinic. I came out to help my grandma pick some herbs—she has trouble walking.”
Harry stopped in his tracks, confusion creeping across his face. “A clinic? But… you came out here for herbs?”
Wynter lowered her eyes, her expression unreadable. “It’s late, and I wasn’t sure if you were a bad person, so I didn’t explain everything earlier. I’m sorry for being cautious.”
Harry chuckled, shaking his head. “Don’t worry. It’s good that you’re cautious. Safety comes first.”
But before he could leave, Wynter called after him again. “Sir, can I ask you something?”
Harry turned back, curious.
“Have you been feeling chest tightness or shortness of breath lately? Dizziness, perhaps?”
Harry’s eyes widened, and he spun around, his face going pale. “How do you know that?”
Wynter gently took Wolf’s hand and offered a reassuring smile. “I learned a little about medicine from my grandma. If you’re planning to keep going out to collect mushrooms, make sure you take breaks. Don’t push yourself. And it might be a good idea to get an electrocardiogram tomorrow to check on things.”
Harry stood still for a moment, clearly rattled, before giving a slow nod. “Thank you,” he muttered, his voice tinged with disbelief.
With a final wave, he made his way down the path, his steps slower than before.
