Chapter 3 A Fateful Encounter

A golden light flickered in Dwayne's chest as a torrent of knowledge surged into his mind. When he regained consciousness, he found himself still lying in the alley. The old man stood beside him, startling Dwayne. As he scrambled to his feet, he realized his hands were completely healed. "Kid, you gave up one seat, but ended up with the Hand of Yama and the Cosmic Vault. You really hit the jackpot," the old man chuckled, flashing a grin of blackened teeth. Dwayne touched his hands and asked in disbelief, "So… it wasn't a dream? Are you… a god?" The old man's smile faded, and he said seriously, "Young man, you should believe in science." With that, his body glowed with golden light and soared into the sky. Still dazed, Dwayne wandered back, his mind a chaotic jumble of thoughts he couldn't fully untangle. The Hand of Yama, as its name implied, had the power to control life and death. His left hand granted life, while his right hand could pass judgment on death. With a mere wave, he could hold sway over mortal fate. As for the Cosmic Vault, it was an internal technique that supported the Hand of Yama's abilities. There were other functions too, but he would need to explore and uncover them over time. As he walked, he tentatively practiced and tested his newfound powers. In his mind's eye, his internal meridians appeared like a hologram, and he could feel energy coursing through his body, bringing an indescribable feeling of vitality. After completing a full cycle, Dwayne looked up, his mouth falling open in shock as if he had just seen a ghost. Firstville Hospital. Dwayne quickly checked the time on his phone, realizing only half an hour had passed. In just thirty minutes, he had somehow made it from the suburbs, over ten kilometers away, to the hospital entrance. "grandpa, please… I'm begging you, go back to the hospital. The doctors said if you don't get treatment now, it'll be too late." By the pond at the hospital, a beautiful young woman tearfully pleaded with an elderly man in a wheelchair. Several black-suited bodyguards stood nearby, their eyes filled with sorrow. Gazing at the twilight sky, the elderly man said, "Selina, I've endured more than I can bear these past six months. It's time for a peaceful departure." "No, I've already reached out to the renowned physician in Imperium, Dr. Sean Wilson. He must have a way to cure you!" "Well, he might have been able to save me half a year ago, but now… " The elderly man coughed violently, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth as his dull eyes lost focus. He gazed toward the setting sun, drawing his final breath. "Grandpa!" Selina Yorm's beautiful eyes filled with grief. The black-suited bodyguards dropped to their knees, choking back tears as they shouted in unison, "Farewell, Old Mr. Yorm!" The atmosphere was heavy with sorrow, and even some bystanders who didn't know what was happening felt its weight. Just then, an ill-timed voice cut through the silence. "Hey, I think there might be hope for him." Dwayne approached cautiously, a voice inside urging him forward, convinced he could save the old man. The bodyguards immediately stepped forward to block him. Dwayne explained, "He's not completely gone. I might be able to bring him back." A cold, menacing voice came from the handsome man at his side. "Where did this mutt come from, daring to defile Old Mr. Yorm's body? Drag him away and tear his mouth apart!" "Yes, sir!" The bodyguards moved in to seize Dwayne. "Spencer, don't give him a hard time," Selina said, wiping her tears. Her grandpa had always despised those who used power to bully others. She didn't want such a scene to play out in front of him right after his passing. Dwayne sighed. He hadn't planned to get involved, but the information that had appeared in his mind was hard to ignore. Besides, he wanted to test if his suspicions were right. If he truly could control life and death, then he would have a way to save Claire. Dwayne looked at the elderly man in the wheelchair and said calmly, "He had a heart attack last March, a skull fracture in May, bedridden by July, unable to eat by October, and unable to drink since last week. His heart and organs have all given out." Tears glistened in Selina's eyes as she stared at Dwayne, disbelief written across her face. Even Spencer Maguire was stunned. Dwayne had listed every one of Old Mr. Yorm's symptoms with even greater detail than the doctors. When he finished, Dwayne turned to Selina. "How accurate was I?" "Completely," she whispered, a glimmer of hope appearing in her eyes. She stepped closer to him, her voice trembling. "Sir, do you really have a way to save my grandpa?" Dwayne looked at Selina, her tear-streaked face evoking both fragility and beauty. The setting sun cast a warm glow on her wine-red hair, subtly revealing her snow-white neck, exuding a quiet yet irresistible feminine allure. Selina was stunning. In Dwayne's memory, only his nominal wife, Evelyn Lynn, could compare to her. Spencer quickly interrupted. "Selina, you're letting grief cloud your judgment. Even Dr. Parkson, the renowned medical expert and head of the state's medical association, couldn't help Old Mr. Yorm. How could some nobody pull off a miracle? Don't let yourself be scammed." "If there's even a chance to save my grandpa, I'd risk being deceived a thousand times over." Selina's gaze was full of pleading as she looked at Dwayne. "You said you could save my grandpa. Did you mean it?" Dwayne pressed his lips together, saying nothing. Selina dropped to her knees before Dwayne. "If you can bring my grandpa back, the Yorm family will be forever in your debt, and I… I would do anything for you." Dwayne quickly helped her to her feet. "I understand the pain of losing a loved one. Please don't misunderstand me. I'm not refusing to help. I just don't know for sure if I can save him." Spencer scoffed. "Your trickery is pathetic. Selina, I'd bet anything this guy's a con artist preying on people around hospitals." Dwayne bristled at the remark. "I may need money, but I'd never stoop to preying on the sick and desperate."