George White fumbled around on the bed for a while and found a blue diamond the size of a longan. He held it out in front of Hunter Carter, opening his palm.

Although Hunter Carter didn’t know much about diamonds, seeing one this large, he could tell it was extremely valuable. What’s more, natural blue diamonds were exceedingly rare—the real value was likely beyond imagination.

George White placed the blue diamond into Hunter Carter’s hand. “I believe meeting you at the moment of my death must be the will of the gods. This crystal can take you to the continent where I lived.”

To Hunter Carter, it sounded like a fairy tale, and he was still half-skeptical of George White’s words. He declined, saying, “This diamond is so precious to you—why would you give it to me?”

George White sighed. “There are three pairs of these crystals in total. Swallowing one opens the divine passage, allowing free travel between the continent of Grandia and this world. His Majesty was lucky enough to obtain two pairs and entrusted the crystals to me and General Fumujin. We left through the divine passage, but I never expected to end up in such a predicament.”

George White caught his breath for a moment, then continued, “I don’t have much time left. You’re still young. I don’t want to see you grow old alone like I did. Perhaps this crystal can give you a brand new world.”

Although Hunter Carter didn’t really believe George White’s story, he was still moved by his kindness. “Thank you!”

George White handed a sheepskin scroll to Hunter Carter. “I won’t have the chance to report back to His Majesty. If you manage to reach the continent of Grandia, you must take this and apologize to His Majesty on my behalf.”

Hunter Carter had no intention of going to any continent called Grandia. If he just waited, eventually there would be a chance to be rescued.

George White gently patted his shoulder. “Doctor, let me give you a word of advice: never wait endlessly for a faint hope. By the time you realize it, it will already be too late…”

Chapter 3: [Heading Toward a New World] (Part 1)

Body temperature: 39°C, blood pressure: 190/120 mmHg, heart rate: 130 beats per minute. Hunter Carter anxiously recorded his vital signs. If things continued to deteriorate, he wouldn’t survive to be rescued—he’d die on this deserted island from heart failure caused by excessive left ventricular load.

Although there were some medications in the first aid kit, most had expired due to age. Taking a risk, Hunter Carter tried a few that matched his symptoms, but unfortunately, they did nothing to help.

He roughly estimated that William Longman had injected a total of about 200g of Supree into his body. That dose would be enough to send two hundred elephants into heat, and he was just a normal man weighing 160 pounds. The fact that he was still alive was already a stroke of luck.

Hunter Carter kept pouring cold water onto his underwear, using this method to relieve the swelling and pain in his lower body. He had been exiled to this island for a full day now, and signs of edema were starting to appear. If this continued, the consequences would be unimaginable. Even if he recovered later, there was no guarantee he wouldn’t be left with aftereffects—he might never be a whole man again.

Hunter Carter began to miss the dazzling, lively world of the past. His willpower was constantly battling the intense desires within him.

Night had fallen. Hunter Carter used a small knife from the toolbox to chop down some branches and built a makeshift shelter beside the stone hut. George White held a high status among the apes—no other ape dared disturb his rest.

Hunter Carter spread out a blanket he’d found on the plane and lay down comfortably. Suddenly, footsteps sounded outside. Hunter Carter gripped his pistol and cautiously asked, “Who’s there?”

A female gorilla crawled into his cramped shelter, gazing at Hunter Carter with affectionate eyes. Hunter Carter felt a chill run down his spine under her stare.

“Go away!” Hunter Carter shrank into a corner of the shelter in fright, but the female gorilla didn’t understand his words at all. She thought Hunter Carter was giving her some kind of signal. Her hairy, mountain-like body pressed toward Hunter Carter. He tried to run, but she blocked the exit. Desperately, he pushed aside the branches and stuck his head out.

Suddenly, his ankle tightened—obviously grabbed by the gorilla. Hunter Carter’s strength was no match for hers; she easily dragged him back.

“Let me go!” Hunter Carter’s resistance was feeble. Though he kept protesting, deep down he almost wanted to surrender.

The gorilla bared her teeth and moved her face closer to Hunter Carter.

Summoning all his strength, Hunter Carter shoved her face away. “Let me go…”

The gorilla’s throat rumbled with deep, heavy breaths.

Bang! Just as Hunter Carter’s will was about to collapse, his hand found the pistol at his waist. He pulled the trigger at the ground. The deafening gunshot startled the female gorilla, leaving her frozen for a long moment before she finally came to her senses, shrieking and fleeing the shelter.

In her panic, the female gorilla crashed into the shelter several times. Unable to withstand the impact, the shelter collapsed with a crash, burying Hunter Carter underneath.

Hunter Carter pushed aside the branches pressing on him and crawled out, still shaken.

An angry roar from a giant ape sounded behind him. Its long black hair stood on end in fury. Clearly enraged to the extreme, it pounded the ground with all four limbs, making a thundering noise as it charged at full speed toward Hunter Carter.