Chapter 588: Rhys Chase Falls Unconscious

Ryan Rowe quickly returned, rushing into the living room with two stones in hand. He carefully handed them to Evelyn Ford.

Furnace Stone is a medicinal ingredient used to draw out toxins, reduce swelling, and heal sores. It is the ore of smithsonite, primarily composed of zinc carbonate. Its surface is grayish-white or pale red, honeycombed, porous, and brittle. It has a dull finish and a slightly astringent taste.

It is mainly used to treat eczema, hives, wound infections, chronic and stubborn topical ulcers, burns, scalds, and red, stinging eyes...

Mica comes in irregular, layered sheets that can be peeled apart. Transparent and clean Mica is considered top grade. It primarily has sedative and hemostatic properties and is often used for palpitations, insomnia, coughing up blood, vomiting blood, and bleeding from external wounds.

Evelyn Ford studied the two stones for a long time. These two types of ore weren’t easy to find. If she remembered correctly, Frelia didn’t have any Mica.

"I’ll need to look for them. Can I get back to you tomorrow?" ’The mining area in her space was huge; she would need to search carefully to see if she had these two ores.’

Liam Sterling nodded eagerly. "Of course. We’d appreciate that, Ms. Ford. If you have these two stones, the base can purchase them from you."

Evelyn Ford waved a dismissive hand. "Don’t mention it. Saving lives is all that matters. Nothing else is important."

After Ryan Rowe and Liam Sterling left, Evelyn Ford led everyone into her space. Except for Zoe, Annie, and Wendy, the others put on masks, gloves, and goggles, grabbed flashlights, and went into the mining area to search for Furnace Stone and Mica.

"We should still have several hundred pounds of hemostatic vine. If we can’t find any Furnace Stone or Mica, let’s just give them what we have left."

Ronan Kendrick nodded. "It’s your call."

A strip of white was showing at the roots of Ronan Kendrick’s hair. Evelyn Ford beamed at him. "Ronan, it’s time to dye your hair again."

"You can do it for me." Ronan Kendrick flicked his flashlight beam toward a nearby pile of crushed stone, pulling Evelyn Ford over to take a look.

"Sure. Black again?"

"Dye it whatever color you like." Ronan Kendrick picked up a stone and squeezed it gently, watching it crumble.

"It’s Furnace Stone. This whole pile is."

"Ronan, you never fail to impress. Such sharp eyes. Still, this pile is only a few hundred pounds. After it’s refined, there probably won’t be much left for medicinal use." Evelyn Ford took out a wooden stake and a strip of white cloth. She drove the stake into the pile and tied the cloth to it as a marker.

"Since we found Furnace Stone in this part of the mine, there’s probably more in other spots. Don’t worry," Ronan Kendrick said, patting Evelyn Ford’s back reassuringly. "I’ve read up on it. You don’t need large quantities of Furnace Stone and Mica for medicine."

"I know."

A cry of surprise came from nearby. Evelyn Ford raised an eyebrow. ’Looks like someone else found either Furnace Stone or Mica.’

「Inside the office building」

When Liam Sterling and Ryan Rowe pushed open the office door, they found Rhys Chase collapsed on the floor, his face drained of all color.

"Mr. Chase!" Liam Sterling cried, rushing over. Rhys Chase was unconscious and couldn’t be roused.

"I’ll go get Lynn Pierce! Mr. Chase is having another one of his episodes."

Ryan Rowe stopped him. "Don’t. It’s no use getting Lynn Pierce. Help me move Mr. Chase to the sofa. He’ll sleep for two days and then wake up."

Liam Sterling was frantic. "But Lynn Pierce is an excellent doctor! Or... I could get Ms. Ford! She’s incredible too. For Mr. Chase to just collapse like that, something has to be wrong with him. He’s been working nonstop for months, sleeping only two hours a night. Even a man of steel couldn’t survive this."

Ryan Rowe was silent for a few seconds. "Just listen to me. We don’t need a doctor. Mr. Chase was fine when I came to get the stones earlier, so he must have just collapsed. Don’t worry. I’ll stay here and watch over him. Nothing will happen."

Liam Sterling’s eyes were bloodshot. "Mr. Chase tells me not to pull all-nighters, but look at him, working like his life depends on it. He even said he couldn’t pay me a salary. He’s working himself to the bone, and he’s not getting paid either! We agreed a long time ago that we’d find a quiet place to live out our days. Who would have thought it would turn out like this? All these people in the base... they’ve become our responsibility. There’s no escaping it."

Liam Sterling’s composure suddenly shattered.

"Why should we have to be so selfless? If we’re going to die, we might as well all die together! Once the gates of The Undercity are shut, who cares if the world is ending or meteors are falling outside?"

Ryan Rowe patted Liam Sterling’s shoulder. "Calm down. Mr. Chase needs to rest."

Liam Sterling glared at Ryan Rowe but didn’t grumble any further.

"I wonder if Ms. Ford has the ore... We’ve been asking them for help so often lately, I’m starting to feel embarrassed. Do you have anything valuable? Give me something."

Ryan Rowe was speechless. "I live and eat in The Undercity, and Mr. Chase doesn’t pay me a salary either. I’m flat broke, with nothing to my name. What kind of ’valuable things’ could I possibly have?"

"You really are broke." Liam Sterling felt a pang of pity for Ryan Rowe. At least he himself had managed to save up a few nice things. ’Ryan Rowe’s room probably has nothing in it besides his pillow and blanket.’

"And you have the nerve to ask me for things?" Ryan Rowe huffed, then soaked a towel in hot water, folded it, and placed it on Rhys Chase’s forehead.

"But Mr. Chase doesn’t have a fever, does he?"

"No, but his body temperature is too low. Heat up some water so he can soak his feet. It will help his circulation and make him more comfortable."

Liam Sterling hurried off to get the water.

The two of them cared for Rhys Chase in the office for a full day and night, but he showed no sign of waking. With the Furnace Stone and Mica on his mind, Liam Sterling returned to The Undercity.

When Evelyn Ford heard the knock, she knew Liam Sterling had arrived. After opening the door and seeing him standing there alone, she didn’t ask any questions, simply stepping aside to let him in.

"Haven’t slept?"

Liam Sterling paused. "Ms. Ford, how did you know?"

"You’re wearing the same clothes and shoes, your hair is a mess, and you haven’t washed your face. It’s all shiny."

Liam Sterling’s face flushed. "You’re right, I haven’t slept. Mr. Chase isn’t doing well. Ryan Rowe and I were looking after him."

They were all friends here, so Liam Sterling didn’t bother to hide it.

Hearing that Rhys Chase was unwell, Ronan Kendrick looked up at Liam Sterling. "Did he collapse?"

"Mr. Kendrick, how did you know?" Liam Sterling’s eyes widened in surprise.

"Just a guess. I’ll go over there with you later."

Liam Sterling nodded blankly. He was so tired and hungry that his mind felt sluggish. He wondered why Ronan Kendrick wanted to go to the office building, but he didn’t object.

After managing to get another free breakfast, Liam Sterling finally asked Evelyn Ford if she had found the Furnace Stone and Mica.

"We found some. When Ronan goes to the office building with you later, he can drop them off at the warehouse."

Tears welled in Liam Sterling’s eyes. He felt a powerful urge to kneel before all of them.

"Mr. Kendrick, Ms. Ford, everyone... I really don’t know what to say. Thank you. It’s such a relief you have Furnace Stone and Mica. Otherwise, Ryan Rowe would have had to leave on another long journey. And with Mr. Chase... I’m completely overwhelmed right now. Thank goodness for all of you."

It was the first time Evelyn Ford had seen this expression on his face. Not knowing how to comfort him, she simply took out an apple and handed it to him.

Liam Sterling managed a smile, broke the apple in half, and gave the pieces to Zoe and Annie.