Dusk, Tupa Tribe Camp, Kapak’s Tent.
Seeing Sando suddenly confront him, Kapak is momentarily stunned, but he quickly regains his composure. He spreads his hands and says to Sando.
"You’ve misunderstood, Sando. I’m not a spy for the invaders, nor am I possessed by an evil spirit. I’m just using these medicines to help my people."
"Help? With the medicines of those pale-skinned people?" Sando says with a harsh tone, and Kapak continues to explain.
"Listen, Sando. Although the invaders are brutal and cruel, their technology is indeed advanced. Haven’t you seen? Over the past two days, I’ve helped many of our people recover from their illnesses. This is something you can see with your own eyes!"
"Everything seems fine now, but who knows if there will be problems later? Who knows if you’ve planted some hidden danger!" Sando continues sternly, clearly unwilling to listen to Kapak’s explanations. This makes Kapak very angry.
"Why won’t you believe me, Sando? Everything I’ve done is truly for the good of the tribe!"
"What makes you think I should believe you? You’re just an ordinary hunter who suddenly became a skilled doctor. Many people in the tribe have watched you grow up, and no one has ever seen you learn these things before... Either you’ve been secretly trained by the pale-skins as a spy, or you’re possessed by an evil spirit."
As he speaks, Sando steps closer to Kapak, his large frame looming over him. His clenched fists seem ready to strike Kapak at any moment. Kapak swallows hard and says.
"I’m not a spy for the invaders, nor am I possessed by an evil spirit. You have to believe me, Sando."Kapak looks at Sando with a determined gaze. Seeing Kapak’s attitude, Sando’s anger flares up, and his fists tighten even more. However, in the end, he suppresses his rage.
"If there’s any problem, go and explain it to the Shaman!"
…
Dusk, Tupa Tribe Camp, a large tent in the center of the camp.
An elderly man with eagle feathers in his hair, wearing a colorful fringed robe, sits in the center of the tent. He is tall and thin, smoking a pipe as he examines something in front of him. Before him is a hand with a splint, and the owner of the hand, Chichiru, looks at the old man with fear and asks.
"Shaman, is there anything wrong with the hand Kapak treated for me? There are rumors that Kapak has been possessed by an evil spirit, which is why he suddenly became so skilled. Could I be affected since he treated me..."
"Don’t worry, Chichiru. Your injury has been treated very well. There’s no trace of an evil spirit. I can feel that your spirit is relieved from the pain.”
"Although I don’t fully understand the medical techniques used to treat your arm, I can tell from the feedback of your spirit that this treatment is correct and effective. It’s a profound and practical skill."
The old Shaman speaks in a calm tone. Hearing his words, Chichiru feels relieved and lets out a sigh.
"Phew... That’s really good to hear. I thought Kapak might have been possessed by an evil spirit, and I’d be in trouble too. But it seems he really learned something from that wandering Shaman..."
Chichiru says with relief, but the old Shaman shakes his head and smiles slightly.
"No Shaman in this land knows such techniques, and such skills are definitely not something one can learn easily in a short time."
Hearing the old Shaman’s words, Chichiru is momentarily stunned, then says in disbelief.
"If no Shaman knows such techniques, then Kapak must be..."
Just as Chichiru is about to say something, the old Shaman waves his hand, cutting him off.
"You may leave now. I have other matters to attend to."
"Yes..."
Seeing the old Shaman’s gesture, Chichiru respectfully responds and quickly leaves. The old Shaman continues to smoke his pipe, waiting.
Soon after, Sando drags Kapak into the tent. One looks nervous, while the other appears domineering.
"Shaman, I’ve brought Kapak. The techniques he’s been using are indeed suspicious. They all come from those pale-skins!"
"Shaman, please listen to me. I have no ill intentions toward the tribe..."
As soon as Kapak and Sando enter, they start arguing and explaining to the old Shaman. The old Shaman, after taking a puff from his pipe, speaks impatiently.
"Enough, enough... Stop shouting. I can hear you... Just stand there quietly..."
Hearing the old Shaman’s words, Kapak and Sando immediately fall silent. The old Shaman then slowly stands up.
Hunched over, the old Shaman walks over to Kapak and begins to circle him slowly. As he circles, he occasionally picks up small jars from the ground and sprinkles water and powder on Kapak. However, none of these actions cause any unusual reactions in Kapak.
Seeing this, the old Shaman frowns slightly, then puts the jars down.
"Kapak, come with me. Sando, you may leave."
After briefly addressing Kapak and Sando, the old Shaman picks up a cane and walks out of the tent. Kapak, slightly stunned, follows him. Sando, left behind with a puzzled expression, can only shout after the departing Shaman.
"Shaman, you must punish this invaders’ spy!"
Following the old Shaman, Kapak leaves the tent and the camp, walking into the forest beside the camp under the fading light of dusk, going deeper and deeper.
As he follows the old Shaman, Kapak walks through the dark forest. He looks at the unwavering figure ahead and nervously asks.
"Shaman, where are you taking me? And please don’t believe Sando’s words. I’m not a spy for the invaders! I even learned to read from you when I was a child!"
"Of course, I know you’re not a spy. If you were a spy... you wouldn’t be so openly treating people. Besides, I doubt the invaders would waste such a talented doctor like you on spying. Our small tribe isn’t that important to them."
Walking ahead, the old Shaman responds calmly. Hearing his words, Kapak feels a sense of relief and continues to ask.
"That’s great, Shaman. You don’t believe Sando’s words. I’m not a spy. Please explain this to him later."
"Haha, even if I explain, Sando won’t listen."
"Why wouldn’t he listen to your explanation?" Kapak asks, puzzled, and the old Shaman responds slowly.
"Sando’s family was killed by the invaders. He harbors a deep hatred for them. He’s used this hatred to gain authority in the tribe, rallying those who share his hatred to his side and swaying the neutral members. With this, he’s built his authority. If nothing unexpected happens, he’ll likely become the next chief... And your actions over the past two days might just be that unexpected event. When it comes to power, explanations and reason are meaningless."
"When it comes to power... reason is meaningless..." Kapak mutters thoughtfully, then asks the old Shaman ahead.
"It doesn’t matter if Sando won’t listen to explanations... As long as you trust me, Shaman, the tribe will trust me too."
"I trust you? Sorry, Kapak, but I can’t do that right now."
The old Shaman responds, and Kapak is momentarily stunned.
"What... You believed I’m a spy?"
"I believe you’re not a spy, but I also don’t believe you’re nothing else. I’ve watched you grow up, Kapak. I don’t recall you ever learning such advanced medical skills."
As he continues walking, the old Shaman speaks, his tone carrying a hint of pressure. Kapak stammers in response.
"I... I learned my medical skills from a wandering Shaman by chance..."
"Haha, no Shaman in this land knows such techniques. Moreover, I’ve examined the patients you treated. Your methods seem very refined, not something you could have learned casually."
The old Shaman chuckles, exposing Kapak’s clumsy lie, then slowly turns to him and continues.
"In this land, mastering a skill without a teacher can only mean one thing: possession by an evil spirit. The parasitic spirit within you allows you to use its skills before death. Of course, this isn’t a good thing, as the spirit will eventually consume you.
"But don’t worry, I will exorcise for you."