‘Hop cones are astringent, beggarticks are bitter, and silver powder is extremely sharp. With the addition of pure water, which has strong inclusiveness, as a buffer, mixing them evenly together creates the so-called “low-grade exorcism medicine.” In the game, when alchemists describe the taste of this medicine, they often use the word “holy”... Hiss~ It feels like a moonlit night on a clear day, ethereal and tranquil—this must be the sense of holiness, right?’

Annie saw that Logan Carter hadn’t said anything for a while and asked worriedly, “Well, does it work?”

Logan Carter nodded. “More or less. Divide this stuff into two portions—spread one on the wound on my neck, make sure to cover all the bloody areas around the wound. I’ll eat the rest.”

Annie immediately did as told. She tore off the bandage on Logan Carter’s neck. The green crystal ointment worked very well; in just a short while, the bleeding from Logan Carter’s neck had completely stopped, leaving only two dark scabs.

“Tear off the scabs to expose the fresh wound,” Logan Carter said through gritted teeth, tilting his head.

“Okay.” Annie complied, moving very quickly. With a swift ‘rip’, she tore off the scabs, making Logan Carter’s whole body shudder uncontrollably from the pain.

Annie immediately pressed the medicine onto the wound. There was a faint sizzling sound, and a wisp of pale blue smoke rose from Logan Carter’s neck.

“Hiss~ That hurts~~”

Logan Carter felt as if countless sharp needles were stabbing into his neck, the intense stabbing pain radiating outward from the wound. The muscles around his neck, even his arms, began to spasm violently beyond his control. Because he was clenching his teeth so hard, the veins on his forehead bulged, making his face look twisted and ferocious.

“Ah~~~” A suppressed moan rolled from Logan Carter’s throat, sounding almost like a beast’s low growl.

The sight was truly terrifying. Annie was a little frightened and instinctively wanted to wipe the medicine off Logan Carter’s neck.

Logan Carter stopped her sharply. “Don’t touch it! Leave it as is!”

In the game, he had used this low-grade exorcism medicine on NPCs before. Their reactions were exactly the same as his now. Although it was indeed painful, it also proved that the potion was correctly prepared.

Logan Carter couldn’t help but sigh inwardly: ‘A game is just a game; what you see is only the surface. Only by truly entering this world can you truly understand its darkness.’

After about half a minute, the pain in his neck began to slowly subside. Another three minutes or so passed before the pain finally dropped to a level Logan Carter could easily endure.

He let out a long breath. “Give me the rest of the herbs.”

After getting the medicine, Ryan Bolton gritted his teeth, tilted his head back, and swallowed all the paste in one go. Then he grabbed the water pouch and took a big gulp to wash away the bitterness in his mouth.

After waiting for about half a minute, a sudden, intense burning pain erupted in his stomach, so fierce it felt like a bomb had gone off inside.

“Ugh~”

Logan Carter grunted, clutching his stomach as he knelt on the ground, his waist bending uncontrollably, his forehead pressed to the earth, both hands tightly gripping the weeds on the ground, his body trembling, cold sweat pouring down his forehead.

For a moment, Logan Carter even felt as if all his internal organs were being roasted alive. He thought he might actually die from the pain.

“Logan Carter, are you okay?” Annie squatted beside Logan Carter, at a loss for what to do.

“I... I’m... I’m fine, just... just... wait...” Logan Carter could no longer form complete sentences.

In the midst of the excruciating pain, Logan Carter’s mind was on the verge of collapse, all sorts of thoughts swirling in his head.

‘Why am I enduring this pain? Why am I running away? Being sucked to death by a vampire isn’t even that painful. If I die, it’ll all be over—maybe I’ll even return to Earth.’

‘No, I can’t give up! Even if this is just a virtual dream, I have to see it through to the end. I must not give up halfway!’

‘But why do I have to persist?’

‘To reach the summit, you must endure the pain! Every great victory comes with a huge price. Endure it, endure it—only if I get through this will I have a chance to kill the vampire Viken!’

With this self-encouragement, Logan Carter managed to hold on.

This time, the pain lasted even longer than before. It took a full three minutes before it began to subside, and another three minutes before it no longer affected Logan Carter’s movements.

Logan Carter’s face was as white as paper, his body drenched in cold sweat. He struggled to his feet and said to Annie, “Now, stab your horse Lili lightly in the butt—just enough to draw blood.”

“What’s the point of that?” Annie was a bit puzzled, but Logan Carter’s performance was truly impressive. His strong endurance, courage, and adaptability were nothing like a pampered rich kid. Although they’d only known each other for about an hour, she already admired this young man greatly.

Since he said so, she hesitated but still did as told. She took out a dagger and made a small cut on the black horse’s rump, and blood immediately began to flow.

“Now cut my arm—just a light cut—and drip my blood onto Lili’s wound. Just a few drops will do!”

“Hm? I think I’m starting to get it.”

She did as instructed, and after she finished, she bandaged Logan Carter’s wound. “Will this really work?”