From Humiliation to Godhood

5: St. Pete’s Hospital [1]

“Sir,” the receptionist began, her patience wearing thin. “You should leave now that we’re trying to be polite or we’ll let the security handle the job.”

Leon glared at them. ‘If I had my full power, they would kneel before me without question.’ He sighed, restraining his frustration. ‘How am I supposed to meet this so-called friend of mine in such a world?’

“Are you deaf? I said leave.” The nurse pointed toward the exit, her voice sharper this time. “Unless you have an appointment, you have no business here. Now go back to scrubbing your in-laws’ floors.” She let out a mocking laugh.

Just then, the elevator doors slid open with a soft chime. A man stepped out, carrying a frail young girl in his arms, a woman following closely behind, tears streaming down her face. And behind them—

“Dante Cole.”

Leon smirked, stepping forward with ease. “Ah, just the man I was looking for.”

Dante’s eyes widened at the sight of him. “Leon? What are you doing here? Are you ill?”

Leon scoffed. “Ill? Me? Hardly.”

“Leon, can we talk later? I'm busy right now,” he said, worry etched on his face, before turning to the couples. “Mr. And Mrs. Vale. We tried our best, but we honestly didn't know what to do. She has no fever, no visible infection, no organ failure. Every test results comes back normal, yet her body continues to shut down.”

The couple exchanged a pained glance before Mr. Vale sighed. “We were hopeful to think another hospital would succeed where others have failed…”

Leon’s gaze drifted to the unconscious girl. Her skin was ashen, her breathing shallow, life slipping through her fragile form like sand through an open hand.

As he stared at the girl, his silver eyes glowed, and he blurted out, “Oh, I see.”

Then he continued, “That child… I need to examine her immediately. If nothing is done, her condition will eventually lead to death.”

Mrs. Vale gasped at his words, clutching her chest as fresh tears spilled down her cheeks.

Dante stared at Leon, his confusion deepening. “Leon, what are you trying to do? You have no medical expertise. You shouldn’t interfere so just leave before you make things worse.”

Leon merely chuckled, unbothered. “But I do know what I’m talking about. And tell me, what harm could it do?” His piercing silver eyes shifted to the desperate parents. “Your daughter’s condition is beyond medical understanding, isn’t it? You’ve sought answers and found none. You’re running out of options. Running out of time.”

The couple exchanged a wary glance, torn between desperation and skepticism.

“And you… what exactly do you think you can do?” Mr. Vale asked, suspicion lacing his voice.

Before Leon could answer, Dante cut in. “Nothing. He can do nothing. Leon isn’t a doctor. He’s not even remotely qualified. He’s a business and finance major. Whatever he’s thinking, it’s nonsense. Don’t listen to him.”

Leon turned to Dante, his expression calm but sharp. “Aren’t you my friend?”

Dante hesitated, confused. “Well… yeah?”

“Then tell me… am I an idiot?”

“What?”

“Do you think I’d come here, stand before you, and say something I don’t mean?”

Dante blinked, momentarily thrown off. “Well… you’re an idiot in a lot of ways. But… not in this way, I suppose.”

Leon smirked. “Good. I agree.”

Then, with confidence, he turned back to the parents. “Now, do you want to take a chance on me? Or do you want to watch her slip away?”

Mrs. Vale clutched her husband’s arm, her voice trembling. “Maybe we should just…”

Mr. Vale cut her off with a sharp glare at Leon. “If you can’t heal my daughter, I swear I will make your life miserable.”

Leon’s lips curled into an amused smile, muttering, “Mortal, you vastly overestimate your ability to dictate my fate.”

Dante swallowed hard and leaned in, whispering urgently. “Leon, I don’t think you fully understand. These are the Christopher and Lillian Vale, one of the top ten wealthiest families in the city. If you fail, he will keep his promise. And trust me, you don’t want to make an enemy out of him.”

Leon let out a deep breath, unfazed. ‘Since my awakening, my abilities have been unstable, but I was able to heal my vessel. That means my regeneration is still intact. My knowledge of healing…every remedy I’ve mastered over lifetimes, is still with me.’

With that certainty, he nodded. “Let me see her.”

Mr. Vale hesitated, then reluctantly turned his daughter’s face toward Leon.

Leon stepped forward. He didn’t need machines or charts. He simply placed his hand over the girl’s forehead, closing his eyes.

Then, he saw it.

“Hmm…” He let out a slow, unimpressed breath. “Tch. This? This is simple.”

The couple’s eyes widened at his casual tone.

“Deadly, yes,” Leon admitted, his fingers twitching as he withdrew his hand. “But far too simple to be beyond me.”

Dante tensed. “Leon… what are you saying?”

Leon’s silver gaze lifted, sharp and sure. “It’s a parasitic infection.”

Dante froze. “That’s… No. Impossible. We tested for that—”

“Not this one,” Leon cut in. “It’s a rare strain. It attacks the nervous system first, making it undetectable in the blood tests you do these days. It doesn’t trigger fevers or inflammation, which is why your machines found nothing.”

Dante’s mind raced. That… made sense.

“But if it’s a parasite, then—”

“C-can you treat her?” Mrs. Vale asked.

Leon nodded. “Of course, but she should be on a bed. She will need to rest after this.”

Mr. Vale didn’t hesitate. “Then we’re taking her to a ward.”

Without another word, the couple rushed toward the elevator.

Dante cast Leon a skeptical glance, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Do you really know what you’re doing? Because I highly doubt that.”

Leon simply placed a firm hand on his shoulder. “Trust me.”

Dante frowned, but he nodded. He knew Leon wasn’t the type to take reckless risks. If Leon was sure about this, then he must have something. Curiosity burned in Dante’s chest as he gave a reluctant nod

They stepped into the elevator, and as it ascended, Leon’s eyes looked around with intrigue. ‘This era… It’s far too convenient.’

Technology had made everything effortless. He almost pitied the world for its reliance on such fragile constructs. Though, he still found it impressive. There must be a lot of great minds.

Soon, they reached Room 312 in the east wing. Mr. Vale wasted no time laying the little girl, Emily onto the hospital bed.

“So, what next?” Mr. Vale desperately asked, looking at Leon with a hopeful gaze.