Chapter 7 One Day
Titan looked ready to throw Kane across the room, but Ethan’s ragged gasp stopped him. He stepped back reluctantly.
Kane quickly examined Ethan’s chest, fingers searching for the energy flow. The blockage was deeper than expected — the kind Master Chen had warned could reject treatment completely.
He grabbed a knife from the table and made a small, precise cut on Ethan’s wrist. Dark, thick blood oozed out. “I need to drain the excess before his system collapses.”
Ethan groaned weakly, eyes barely open. “Kane…”
“I’m here. Stay with me,” Kane said firmly.
As he continued working, the lights suddenly flickered and died. The entire room plunged into darkness. Guards drew their weapons, flashlights cutting through the black.
“What the hell is going on?” Titan growled.
BOOM!
The main doors exploded inward. Wood and debris flew everywhere. Guards shouted as black-clad attackers stormed into the room, weapons raised.
Titan moved like a tank, positioning himself in front. Kane stayed focused on Ethan, still working on the wound.
“Who are they?!” a guard yelled.
Ethan gripped Kane’s arm with surprising strength. “They’ve come… for me.”
Gunfire roared through the room. Bullets sparked off furniture and steel walls. Ethan’s guards fought hard despite being outnumbered, determined to protect their boss.
Kane crouched low, shielding Ethan with his body while the dark blood continued dripping from the incision on the old man’s wrist.
“Stay with me, Ethan,” Kane whispered. “Just hold on.”
The attackers’ numbers dwindled fast. One by one, they dropped under Titan and the guards’ fire. The last survivor — a wiry man with a scarred face — threw down his weapon and tried to run.
“Take him alive!” Titan ordered.
The man didn’t get far. Guards shot him down just before he reached the door.
Titan wiped blood from his forehead and surveyed the bodies. He turned to Kane. “Is he okay?”
“Yes,” Kane replied. “But I need to finish the treatment now.”
Titan hesitated, then nodded. “Do it.”
Kane pressed a clean cloth to Ethan’s wrist to stop the bleeding, then repositioned the jade needles on his chest, targeting the deepest blockages.
Ethan’s breathing steadied. The blue tint on his lips vanished, replaced by healthy color. His pulse grew strong and steady.
“He’s better now,” Kane said, looking up at Titan.
Titan moved to the last surviving intruder, who was now bound and kneeling. He grabbed the man by the hair. “Who sent you?”
The intruder laughed, blood leaking from his mouth. “You think you’ve won? This is just the beginning.”
“We’ll see about that,” Titan growled. The guards dragged the man away for interrogation.
The room grew quiet. Everyone watched Ethan’s still form on the couch. Then a low groan escaped his lips.
“Ethan?” Titan stepped closer.
Ethan’s eyes opened. He slowly sat up, rubbing his face. Without a word, he pushed off the couch and stood tall. Strength radiated from him — far more than a man who had been dying minutes ago.
The guards exchanged stunned looks.
Ethan dropped to the floor, palms flat, and started doing push-ups.
One.
Two.
Three.
By ten, the woman in shorts gasped, hands flying to her mouth.
“Twenty-one… twenty-two…” Ethan counted aloud, voice growing stronger. He reached thirty, then stood up smoothly and wiped his hands on his shirt like it was nothing.
“Kane,” he said, turning to Kane with bright, powerful eyes. “You’ve saved me. You did what I thought was impossible.”
Before Kane could reply, Ethan pulled him into a firm hug. His grip was surprisingly strong.
“You’re not just a healer,” Ethan said, stepping back and looking him in the eye. “You’re a medical warrior, just like the stories say. I owe you my life.”
“I only unlocked what was already there,” Kane replied. “Your energy was powerful but blocked for years. Your body was fighting itself. I don’t deserve that kind of praise, Raven.”
Ethan laughed heartily. “You’re a gift sent to me. I’m grateful.”
He placed a hand on Kane’s shoulder, tone turning serious. “This means I’m ready to face whatever comes next.”
The room fell quiet. The attackers from earlier weren’t finished. They would strike again, and now that Ethan was recovering, the stakes were even higher.
“Titan,” Ethan ordered, turning to his bodyguard. “Increase security to maximum. Triple the patrols. Get every detail you can on those intruders.”
Titan nodded. “Consider it done.”
Ethan continued, “And Titan — pay for my medical fees. Open the vault if you have to.”
Titan didn’t hesitate. He reached into his coat and pulled out a sleek black card, holding it out to Kane. “This is a black card. Three million dollars. Take it.”
Kane smiled faintly. “I’m grateful, but I won’t take it.”
Titan’s face hardened instantly. “You’re refusing three million dollars? What kind of man does that?”
“Not the kind you’re used to,” Kane replied calmly.
Ethan burst out laughing, cutting through the tension. “Titan, relax. It’s not about money for him.” He paused, amused. “You’ve never met a man who turns down three million without blinking, have you?”
Titan grunted and stepped back, but his glare stayed sharp. “Whatever he is, he’s still just a man. And if he tries anything—”
“Enough, Titan,” Ethan interrupted sharply. “You still don’t understand who you’re dealing with. Kane Draven isn’t a man you threaten. He is a disciple of a medical saint.”
Titan stiffened, clearly not used to being rebuked, but he kept his mouth shut.
Ethan continued, “Even if you bind his hands, blindfold him, and leave him defenseless, it wouldn’t matter. Kane could still take you down. You’re my best fighter, Titan, but against him you wouldn’t last ten seconds.”
Titan clenched his jaw, pride clearly stung.
Ethan turned back to Kane. “Now, Ryder, since you’ve made it clear you’re not here for money, tell me. What do you want? You saved my life. Name your price.”
Kane leaned forward, locking eyes with him. “You knew about the secret mission the Valkyrie Unit went on?”
Ethan’s face darkened. “I’m aware. It was compromised from the inside. Many good men died.”
Kane nodded. “The name of the person who leaked the information was Marcus Kade.”
Ethan repeated the name slowly. “Marcus Kade…”
“I’m not completely sure,” Kane admitted. “But I trained every man in that unit. I knew their strengths and weaknesses. Kade was a transfer. After the mission, he vanished without a trace. I’ve been chasing a ghost.”
Ethan’s gaze sharpened. He glanced at Titan. “Marcus Kade. You want me to find him?”
“I need you to find him,” Kane corrected. “Can you do it in three days?”
Titan’s face hardened instantly. “Three days?” he repeated, voice dripping with disbelief. “Do you even know where you are? This is Drakonspire Villa. Our intelligence network spans continents. You’re standing in front of the Raven himself, and you think we need three whole days?”
Titan didn’t finish his sentence. His face twisted with clear annoyance.
Kane had phrased it that way on purpose. He needed to light a fire under the big man.
“A day,” Titan said, turning his sharp eyes on Kane. “I’ll have the information within one day. Not because of your doubt, Ryder George, but because we’re the best.”
Titan pulled out his phone and stormed out of the room to make calls.
