National Asset: The Marvelous Tyler Wood

Chapter 2

Upon hearing what Tyler just said, the lady's face twisted with even more anger and fear.

“Over my dead body will I allow you touch my grandfather, with those grimy fingers of yours!” she screamed.

Then she stood like a guard, protecting the car and preventing Tyler from having access to where her grandfather fought for breath.

Through the car window, Tyler observed the sick man's condition deteriorating rapidly. The white foam now flowed more abundantly, and the man's lips had turned blue.

Tyler's expression remained impassive as he assessed the situation.

“Your grandfather has approximately fifteen minutes remaining,” he stated with quiet certainty. it wasn't a threat, but a simple observation of reality.

Tyler considered his options with practiced efficiency. Walking away would be simpler, yet it contradicted the purpose of his training. The first principle of the Supreme Forest teachings: preservation of life above all else.

With deliberate calm, nothing  wanting to waste anymore time Tyler moved forward. His steps were unhurried yet purposeful, his gaze fixed not on the woman but on the patient beyond her.

“Stay away!” she yelled. “Stop right there!” Her voice grew louder and more panicked with each step Tyler took.

However Tyler continued his approach, unbothered by her escalating protests. His focus remained on her grandfather who required treatment.

In desperation, she reached out and grabbed Tyler's arm to stop him.

But as soon as she touched his torn clothes, a horrible smell hit her nose. She quickly pinched her nose shut, recoiling from the forest scent that clung to him.

Tyler glanced down at her hand on his arm, then met her eyes with an untroubled gaze. With minimal effort, he disengaged himself from her grip.

“Please excuse me,” he said with a precise movement that used the minimum necessary force, he guided her aside.

The lady stumbled backward and fell, more from surprise than from any forceful push.

However Tyler didn't spare her a second glance as he continued toward the car with the dying man.

As she lifted her head to protect, her eyes caught sight of several men approaching from the forest path.

At that moment without hesitation, she screamed,

“Help! There's a thief trying to steal from us! He's attacking us!”

Tyler heard the approaching footsteps but didn't alter his pace or look back. His hand moved to his torn pocket, fingers finding the medicinal herbs he'd prepared during his final days in the forest.

At that moment the men's hands seized him, but Tyler remained collected. He didn't struggle or show alarm.

 Instead, he held out the medicine with a steady hand.

“This man has been poisoned,” Tyler stated, his voice carrying the weight of absolute certainty.

“This antidote must be administered within the next ten minutes. Your intervention is delaying essential treatment.”

The men tightened their grip, unmoved by his words.

Then the lady scrambled to her feet, brushing off her clothes. “This dirty man tried to rob us,” she said, tears forming in her eyes. “My poor Grandfather is so sick. We're trying to reach the miracle doctor in Dapplewood, but Grandfather got worse on the way. Then this... this beggar appeared from nowhere and tried to steal from us, then he attacked me!”

At that moment One of the men looked at the car and the sick man inside.

“Don't worry, miss. I know these roads well. I'll drive you straight to the miracle doctor.”

Tyler watched this development with perfect composure. His face revealed nothing of his thoughts as he calculated the remaining time against the distance to Dapplewood.

“Your grandfather is suffering from hemlock poisoning,” Tyler stated to everyone present, his voice neither raised nor urgent, yet somehow commanding attention. “The journey to Dapplewood takes forty minutes. He has less than ten minutes before permanent organ damage occurs.”

He held out the medicine again, his posture expressing complete confidence in his assessment.

Immediately the young lady's face turned red with rage.

She couldn't believe the  dirty beggar, was still trying to talk after being caught. She walked closer to the car and reached into her expensive purse, pulling out a thick wallet.

“Five thousand dollars,” she announced, holding up the money where the three men could see it. “Each of you gets five thousand if you teach this filthy thief a lesson. I want you all to show him what happens when he tries to trick people in need!”