Lionel could help Noel and Dave without any problem, but Ryu's parents weren't easy to handle. They remained adamant as they blocked the door, not allowing the strangers to enter the ward, let alone help their child.

  "Sir, please believe me when I say only I can solve Ryu's problem," Lionel stressed, losing his patience slowly. He had been trying to convince them for quite some time and was slowly losing it when Ryu's parents didn't budge even once.

  "Who do you think you are? How dare you try to lie to us?" Ryu's father glared at him, not bothering to hide his hostility. He even went ahead as far as to call the police and report them for harassing them.

  Lionel was frustrated. Jacob was angry.

  Ryu's parents remained stubborn, so they couldn't force their way inside; they could only give up.

  Looking at them frigidly, Lionel gritted his teeth. "Sir, don't regret it later. I'll not help you then."

  Ryu's father scoffed at him while the woman beside him, who Lionel assumed to be Ryu's mother rolled her eyes, giving him a look of disgust.

  "Jacob, let's leave. There's no use wasting our time here."

  Lionel looked at Ryu's parents nonchalantly before he bolted out of the hospital with Jacob.

  They had saved Dave and Noel and hoped for Brian and Phil to have saved Katie. They didn't have time to think about Ryu for they still had Sia to save.

  Lionel had no idea how the hospital went into a frenzy because of his actions. The doctors had already been stupefied when Dave had gained consciousness without them having done anything. Heck, they didn't know what was even wrong with him.

  Now, Noel who had shown the same symptoms as Dave had woken up as well, and it made the doctors and the other staff lose their minds completely. What the hell was going on? What kind of magic was this?

  "Mrs. Lard, would you mind revealing what happened? How did your son gain consciousness?" one of the doctors asked, eager to find out what was happening.

  Noel's mother wasn't as tactful as Dave's father and she disclosed all that had happened. She didn't even hide the fact that a ghost had haunted her son.

  The doctors were waiting for her to divulge the truth. They had assumed a great doctor had helped her son. Maybe an incredible medicine had worked its charm. Who knew she'd started speaking nonsense?

  The doctors looked at her as if she was a lunatic. Otherwise, why would she speak about ghosts and talismans?

  "Mrs. Lard, I think you're stressed. I suggest you rest for some time," one of the doctors suggested, taking pity on her.

  Noel's mother didn't notice the strange looks the doctors were giving her and sighed softly. Her tensed mind relaxed and she nodded, accepting their suggestion graciously.

  "I will, Doctor. I will. By the way, when can my son be discharged?"

  The doctors were rendered speechless and their expressions grew stranger.

  "Mrs. Lard, why the rush? We will keep Noel tonight for observation. What if something happens to him?"

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  Noel's mother didn't deny the possibility. Although the man who had cured her son had assured her that Noel was fine and out of danger, she still wanted to ensure that her son was alright. So, she agreed in a blink.

  However, Dave's father wasn't as accommodating as her. He had realized that staying at the hospital was no use. His son was out of danger and even if he wasn't, it was Lionel he had to look for, not the hospital. They'd be of no help to him this time.

  Disregarding, the hospital staff's advice he decided to take his son home. Dave could recuperate well at home. Nobody would disturb his son and the doctors wouldn't hound them for answers. He was already stressed by their relentless pursuits for truth.

  Ryu's father was making his way out of the hospital with the police who had arrived a few minutes after they received his call for help when he heard murmurs around him. But he ignored it and continued walking.

  "Officers, I'll leave the matter in your hands. Please ensure those scoundrels get caught. How dare they say that my child is haunted! They must be trying to scam me." Ryu's father was seething and his expression turned dark.

  The police officers' expressions were no less different and they too were furious. The scammers had upgraded their level. They were even using feudal superstitions to exhort money. How disgusting!

  "Don't worry, Sir. We'll look into this matter," one of the officers promised and Ryu's father nodded and he shook hands with them before retracing his steps to his son's ward.

  This time again, he heard murmurs around him and he slowed down to listen to what the hospital staff were speaking.

  "Do you see that man?" one of the hospital staff at the reception pointed at Dave's father. "His son fell unconscious suddenly and was admitted in the morning. The doctors couldn't find out what was wrong with him. All his reports came normal. But he wouldn't wake up whatsoever."

  Ryu's father's ears perked up when he heard the woman's words. He stared at the man they were pointing at and pursed his lips thoughtfully.

  "What happened then?" the other woman involved in the gossip asked, curious to know what had transpired next. Since she was on the evening shift, she had arrived only an hour ago. She had no idea about the peculiar patients the hospital had to treat.

  Ryu's father listened closely, eager to learn what else the woman had to say.

  "Surprisingly, his kid woke up some time ago. Can you believe it?" the first woman said, still astonished by the turn of events.

  "Are you for real?" the second woman asked in surprise.

  "Yes. His son isn't the only one. There are two other boys with the same symptoms and one of them has gained consciousness as well."

  "How did this happen? Perhaps, one of the doctors diagnosed them," the second woman stated her opinion. But the first woman shook her head.

  "No. The doctors have no idea what happened either. They are investigating the matter."

  The two women stopped gossiping when they saw one of the doctors arrive at the reception and Ryu's father shook his head when he realized he wouldn't be finding anything more. However, he could take a step further, he heard the doctor say, "The kid's mother's gone crazy. Ghosts? Does she think this is a movie?"

  Ryu's father's feet froze in their spot as he stared at the doctor who was now conversing with the two receptionists.

  "What happened, Doctor? Why do you look vexed?" the first woman asked, flashing the doctor a flirtatious smile.

  "It's one of the unconscious kid's mother. She kept talking about ghosts and talismans."

  "What?" the second woman asked, laughing in amusement.

  "Yeah. Apparently, her son was being haunted and someone helped him ward off the ghost. Can you believe it?"

  Ryu's father's mind went blank when he heard his words and a chill went down his spine. His eyes widened and he kept gawking at the doctor for a few seconds absent-mindedly.

  Mortified, he marched forward and approached the doctor who was startled by his sudden appearance.

  "Doctor, what did you say just now?" Ryu's father asked, his tone sharp and demanding.

  The doctor was displeased at his rude behavior. Yet, he didn't ward him off and smiled faintly at him, recalling that he was one of the patient's father.

  "Sir, what are you talking about?" he asked politely, not understanding what the man was referring to.

  "Were you speaking about ghosts and spirits?" Ryu's father clarified and the doctor's eyes widened in realization.

  "Ohh! That? It wasn't me. It was one of the kid's parent," the doctor mumbled. "Wait a minute. Isn't your kid exhibiting the same symptoms as that crazy woman's son? How was her son able to gain consciousness while yours is still in a coma?"

  The doctor was asking himself. But to Ryu's father, it felt as if he was asking him and his entire body shuddered. A possibility sprang in his mind. Even though he felt it to be absurd, he couldn't brush it off from his mind. Immediately, he sprinted in the direction the man the receptionist had pointed to in the beginning had gone.