Nothing is free

"Thank you so much for saving our ass, Alex. I don't know what would have happened to us if we didn't meet you here." The one saying thank you is Jack, who is currently sitting on the car's hood.

Earlier, Jack told the story of what happened to him and his companion. The four of them were a group of hunter teams who had just returned from completing a mission. They were stopping at this post when the invasion of the monsters happened. Jack and his companion were forced to participate in defending this place from the attack of monsters. But in the process, a monster slipped away, and Jack became the victim of the monster's attack. He was injured and got treated afterward. But this place could not stem from the attack of the monsters. The survivors chose to leave this post, including Jack and his team.

However, Jack was gravely injured and needed to be treated immediately. So, he and his team decided to go to Karlingford, despite the danger. It wasn't only them who decided to go to Karlingford, so they went there with a bunch of other people.

But on the way, the group was ambushed. The monsters that attacked them were numerous. Amanda, the half-lupus woman, who was driving at the time, saw that the situation was not unfavorable and chose to flee the place. They decided to go back in the direction of Arakan to head to the next town, Telasis. And in the end, that is now, they were saved by Alex.

"I heard you used mana crystal to treat my wound. Is it alright? I don't know if I can pay for it, you know."

"It's fine. It's not like I only have that."

"Wait, what?!" It wasn't strange that Jack was surprised to hear that. Mana crystal was an expensive item that was very useful for mages. But because it was used in large quantities in major wars, the quantity left today was very small in this world. And Alex, from his tone, just treated it like a normal thing.

From Jack's reaction, it seemed like the mana crystal was an unusual object. Alex wanted to know how valuable mana crystals were in this world. But he didn't want to ask because it might make Jack suspicious of his identity.

"Anyway, I've never seen you around here. I assume you are not from here 'cause a mage who can heal would be well known."

"Yeah, you're right." Alex didn't explain further because he didn't want to share something about himself.

Jack also didn't ask further, although he wanted to know. He also changed the topic of their talk. "If you're here, that means you're going to Telasis, right?"

"No, it's Karlingford. It's just yesterday's invasion that made us take a detour here."

"Really? But do you still intend to go there? No way you do, right? Just look at me. This is what awaits you, man."

Alex thought about what Jack had said. He thought he would have survived if he had gone to Karlingford alone. But he was with Iris, so he needed to protect her as well. Unless maybe if he got a vehicle.

"Just go to Telasis, man, until it's safe. You can come with us if you want to."

"Hmm, I don't think so. Or maybe, why won't you come with me to Karlingford?"

"Huh? Is your head fine? Don't you see what happened to me? Why would I have to go back there?"

Alex had a good reason to answer that, but he wanted to wait for the others to return. Jack's partner was now scavenging everything left in this post. After some time, Amanda returned empty-handed.

"There's nothing useful here." She said, complaining.

On the other hand, Lana and the lupus guy were carrying a sack. When thrown to the ground, the sack was filled with scraps.

"I've found many scraps that can be sold later."

Jack, who saw her doing this, covered his face in disbelief. What they needed right now were some essential things like food and clothes.

"Why would we need those things?! Besides, where are you going to put that?!" Jack said while shouting to Lana

"T-top, m-maybe?" Lana didn't understand why Jack got angry. She thought those scraps were worth of money.

Alex didn't care about their bickering, but this was the right time to tell them something important.

"You guys are going to Telasis, right? Well, that means we part ways here. So good luck. I hope you can still be alive until you arrive there, Jack."

Jack and his colleagues were immediately shocked to hear that. "Wait-wait. What do you mean by that?"

"It's simple. What I did was give you first aid. Basically, the spell is just temporarily replacing for what your body has lost, like blood and flesh. You still need proper medical treatment."

Jack and his partner didn't believe this. "Why don't you tell us about this?"

"You've set this up, haven't you?!" Lana said in a high tone.

Alex just shook his head. "I thought you guys would go back to Karlingford, so I didn't need to tell you."

Jack's face looked grim, "How long will your spell last?"

"Who knows."

From what Alex said, it seemed that if they went to Karlingford, Alex's magic would last until there. But if they went to Telasis, they didn't know if Jack would be able to survive or not.

Jack and his partner knew that this was Alex's plan. But the one who healed Jack was Alex, so they couldn't do anything to deny him this trick.

So now they were in a difficult choice. Either do what Alex wants or gamble with the cost of Jack's current injuries.

"Shit, f*ck you, man."

Alex just smiled at the dilemma they faced. Neither in this world nor his, there was no such thing as a free meal.