"Cure"

Alistair sat on the ground, leaning against a tree. His right hand rested on his chest, glowing with a faint blue light that gradually spread through his body. Blood still seeped from the wounds on his left arm and right shoulder, but he chose to prioritize the paralyzing poison coursing through his veins. He could already feel a tingling numbness in his fingers.

-Is Cure enough to remove the poison?– Ameera’s voice echoed in his mind, laced with concern.

"Depends on the level of the spell," Alistair replied, exhaling a relieved sigh as the numbness began to fade. "My Cure is level 4 for now—it’s more than enough for a paralyzing poison."

His gaze shifted to the swordsman lying motionless on the ground a few meters away. More than a dozen jagged shards of ice pierced the man's body. Three shards embedded in his face were likely what killed him.

-Was he strong?- Ameera asked.

"For his level? Yes, quite," Alistair replied, his tone matter-of-fact. "He knew how to handle his weapon, and his mana infusion was decent for his level. I didn’t give him many chances, but he was solid at leading his group."

-He looks pretty old, like in his 40s. What level was he?-

"I’d say early 30s."

-Is that high?-

"For his age? Not really. Any decent adventurer could reach that level by their mid-30s."

-I thought you said he was decent?-

"I also said he’s probably a veteran. As you know, in this world, you can’t level up by fighting other humans. If he’s a career soldier, he’d be bound by contract and wouldn’t have the freedom to hunt and level up. Especially in this kingdom—Crilia—they see a lot of battles."

-Human contract? Or do you have the system’s contract here?- Ameera asked curiously.

"System’s contract," Alistair explained. "It requires a priest as an intermediary, but it’s fairly straightforward otherwise."

-That sounds very binding. Why would anyone want to be contracted to the military? Wouldn’t being an adventurer be better?-

"If your goal is just to get stronger, then yes," Alistair replied. "But most people aren’t looking for power—they just want a stable living. Contracted awakened usually earn more money than the average adventurer. And, ironically, being a contracted soldier is actually safer than being an adventurer, even if you’re sent to battle often."

"Heal"

"Heal"

After waiting for his mana to recover, Alistair finally had enough for a couple of heals. He focused on the wounds on his arm and shoulder. Once they were dealt with, he got up and walked toward the first shield warrior he had taken down.

The shield warrior was dead. Blood pooled underneath him, and his left greave had been removed. A piece of cloth was tied around the wound on his leg.

-What happened here?- Ameera asked.

"He tried first aid on himself," Alistair explained. "Took off his greave and tied a tourniquet."

-He failed?-

"Yeah. The tourniquet’s too close to the wound—it should’ve been higher. Probably panicked. Or maybe he’d never done this before."

-Probably both.-

"Could be both."

Alistair turned toward the mining site. The fire had died down, but thick smoke still lingered in the air.

-What are we doing next?- Ameera asked.

"What do you think?" Alistair replied.

-Hmm, how long until the smoke subsides?-

"The fire didn’t burn for long. It should clear out within an hour or two."

-Your mana is spent, right? So maybe meditate to restore some mana?-

"Yeah, Ice Shard drained a lot of mana. I like your thinking, but no. I’ll take a short nap instead. I haven’t rested in over a day, and after tense combat like this, I need it. Ninety minutes should be enough—the smoke should be gone by then."

-You haven’t slept in more than a day, just like you said. How do you control your sleep time? Wouldn’t you just oversleep?-

"Don’t worry. I have my trick."

As Alistair walked toward the nearest tree, he pulled out a full waterskin and drained it in a few long gulps. Reaching the tree, he sat down, leaning his back against the rough bark. Closing his eyes, he began to relax.

-Filling your bladder? That’s the trick?-

"That’s one of my tricks," Alistair murmured. "Now, keep it down—I’m trying to sleep."

-…But wouldn’t lying down be…- Before Ameera could finish, her voice faded into silence as Alistair slipped into sleep almost instantly.

____________________________________

After a while, Alistair slowly opened his eyes. Dawn had broken, and the faint light of morning began to brighten the surroundings. He stood up and stretched before turning toward the mining site.

-How… how long was that?- Ameera’s voice was groggy.

"Around 90 minutes," Alistair replied.

-How can you tell?-

Alistair pointed toward the mining site. "The smoke has cleared out, and my mana is almost full. So, about 90 minutes."

-Oh.-

Alistair made his way to the river and knelt at the edge. The water was clear, and he removed the cloth covering his lower face. Using both hands, he scooped some water to his nose and took a sniff. Satisfied, he drank a handful and tested the taste. When nothing seemed off, he splashed water on his face, refreshing himself, then retrieved a few empty waterskins from his inventory and began filling them.

-What were you smelling for?- Ameera asked.

"This is a mining site," Alistair explained. "I was checking for any metallic or tangy smell, in case they were careless enough to wash ore in the river or dump tailings. I also checked for anything foul."

-…You think they dumped bodies in the river.-

"That’s one possibility."

-But you didn’t smell anything foul, so they dumped the bodies downstream?-

"Probably not. This river flows near the town. Floating corpses would attract too much attention."

-You don’t think they buried the bodies?-

"Too much work. It’s easier to dump them in the forest and let animals or beasts take care of it."

Finishing with the last waterskin, Alistair stored everything back in his inventory. He stood up, resecured the cloth over his lower face, and started to cross the river toward the mining site.

-Why did you say that back then? That Emma sent you?- Ameera asked.

"Hmm? Oh, I needed to distract him while I prepared my spell."

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

-Yeah, but why that? Couldn’t you have said something else?-

"Well, that’s because... I. Can’t. Lie."

-…-

"Heh. Nah, it was just the first thing that crossed my mind. Besides, it’s better to say something truthful than to throw out a half-baked lie like, ‘Look behind you!’ I’m not very good at lying anyway."

-Really? Huh, I actually thought you’d make a good liar.-

Alistair tilted his head slightly as he waded through the river. "Huh? You think so? Funny, one of my sons used to say that. Why do you think I’d be good at lying?"

-I… don’t know, just a feeling…?-

"Hmmm."

Finally, Alistair crossed the river and arrived at the mining site. The smoke had cleared, but the air was still heavy and hazy. A thin layer of ash and soot coated the ground and the buildings. Scanning the area, Alistair spotted something at the base of the hill near the mining site, he also noticed several dead bodies scattered across the area. Something caught his attention near the entrance, and he walked toward it.

Lying on the ground near the entrance was a dead body clad in the same armor as the four soldiers Alistair had fought earlier. The man’s clothes were burned, and his armor was singed.

-He was burned?- Ameera asked.

"Yes," Alistair replied. "He probably came this way to escape the smoke, but when he encountered the burning tree blocking the path, he tried to cross instead of turning back. He failed and got burned. I’d guess he used too much energy trying to force his way through, and when he turned back toward the river, it was too late. He choked here."

Alistair continued along the path until the remains of the burned tree came into view. A couple of charred bodies lay on and near the trunk..

-…- Alistair felt a tinge of sadness from Ameera.

"Do you feel sorry for them?" he asked, his tone gentle.

-I don’t… I don’t know. A bit, I guess.-

"Feeling sorry for the people you kill is normal, even if they deserve it. The feeling you have now is perfectly normal."

-I don’t like this feeling. It’s like… regret?-

"I understand. Let me show you something." Alistair turned and began walking toward the mining site.

At the site, he approached a hill where he’d noticed a cave earlier. A collapse of rocks had sealed off the entrance. Now, he stood before it.

-What is this?-

"This is the mine shaft, where they used to extract ore."

-It’s… blocked. A cave-in?-

"No, the bandits probably collapsed it."

-Why?-

"So the smell wouldn’t come out."

-…They dumped the bodies here?-

"Yes."

-…How can you be so sure?-

Alistair placed a hand on one of the rocks blocking the entrance. "They’d have no other reason to collapse it. And it’s faint, but I can smell it."

-…-

"How do you feel now?"

-Better.-

"Good."

-No, it’s not good. Do I have to find a reason every time so I don’t feel bad when you kill someone?-

"Of course not. Like I said, feeling bad for hurting someone—even a bad person—is normal. In fact, it’s healthy. Being able to hurt someone without feeling anything? That’s dangerous."

-What about you, then? Do you feel bad for these guys?-

"No. I’ve been doing this for hundreds of years. I have my own system. First, I don’t hurt people without a strong reason. Second, when I do, I focus on the reason for doing it," Alistair said, tapping the rock. "As long as I have justification, I don’t feel bad."

-I see…-

Alistair stood still, silent. Ameera said nothing either. Both were lost in their own thoughts, deep in contemplation.

Suddenly, Alistair turned his gaze toward the hill near the entrance.

-What’s wrong?-

“Someone’s coming. Three, no… four people.”

Without hesitation, Alistair moved swiftly to the nearest corpse. He retrieved a sword and plunged it into the body’s chest. Pulling it free, he smeared the blood onto the wound on his shoulder and dabbed more onto the left side of his neck.

-We’re not going to hide?-

“No. These people aren’t that strong.”

-So, what’s the plan?-

“I’m going to greet them.”

-While pretending to be hurt?-

“Yes,” Alistair replied as he sprinted toward the river.

-Why go to all that trouble?-

“They might not approach me if I look unharmed. This gives me an advantage… and it’s fun,” Alistair added, smirking.

-That’s one.-

“One what?”

-The first reason I’ve noticed that makes you a great liar: you enjoy acting like this.-

Alistair crossed the river with a faint smile, saying nothing.

____________________________________

Alistair sat on the ground near the spot where the fight had taken place, his sword lying beside him. His left hand pressed against his neck, where blood smeared his skin and dripped onto his armor. His head hung low, and his breathing was heavy.

Suddenly, he grabbed his sword and stood, turning sharply toward the river. A young man stood there, watching him. The man was a swordsman, carrying a round shield strapped to his back and wearing light armor. A sword hung sheathed at his hip as he approached Alistair.

"Are you with them?" Alistair asked, his voice weak. He pointed his sword at the scattered dead bodies, then shifted its tip toward the man.

The man slowed his steps, raising both hands in a placating gesture.

"Easy there, Ronan. I’m an adventurer from Lordton. You may not know me, but I know you. Well, everybody in town knows you. I’m Jimmy," the man said with an easy smile.

"Hello there, Jimmy. What the fuck are you doing here?" Alistair growled, glaring at him, his sword still aimed at the man.

"I’m actually here to help you, bud," Jimmy replied, his grin unwavering.

"Help me? You and your friends?" Alistair asked in an accusatory tone, his sword still in hand.

"Haha, you noticed them, huh?" Jimmy laughed, making a casual gesture with his hand. "We’re just being cautious. We didn’t know what kind of situation we’d find here."

Two more figures emerged from behind the trees—a female ranger with a bow and a second swordsman wielding a longsword.

"We’re really here to help you," Jimmy said, continuing his approach. "We’re the reinforcements Emma sent."

"Emma?" Alistair asked, lowering his sword slightly. "Emma sent you? I thought the adventurers' guild refused her commission."

Jimmy let out a relieved sigh, seeing Alistair relax. "No, we weren’t sent by the guild. After you took off last night, Emma ran all over town, trying to find adventurers willing to take on a private commission."

"So, you took the commission the guild turned down?" Alistair tilted his head.

Jimmy barked out a laugh. "No, of course not. There’s no way we’d take on something that dangerous. We’re not that strong." He gestured at the scattered dead bodies. "But apparently, you are."

"Then what’s your role here?" Alistair asked, narrowing his eyes.

"Emma hired us to act as reinforcements," Jimmy explained. "Our job was to check on you, make sure you were okay, and help if things went south."

“You’re hurt,” the female ranger spoke for the first time. “How bad is it?”

The three adventurers shifted their focus to the wound on Alistair’s neck, which he had been pressing with his left hand the entire time.

“Huh, it’s quite bad,” Alistair admitted, his voice faltering slightly at the end. “Do you have any health potions?”

“Well… I do have one,” Jimmy replied, wearing a sorry expression. “But that’s a pretty expensive expenditure you’re asking for. Emma’s commission barely covers our costs.”

“Don’t worry,” Alistair said as he sheathed his sword at his hip. “I’ll pay you double for the potion.”

“Oh, well, in that case…” Jimmy said, pulling out a clear vial filled with red liquid. He walked toward Alistair, stopping just in front of him and holding the potion out. His two companions followed closely behind.

“Thank you,” Alistair said weakly, reaching out for the potion. But just as his fingers were about to touch it, Jimmy pulled his hand back.

Alistair’s face shifted into a confused expression. “What are you doing?”

“Haha, sorry about that,” Jimmy said with a grin. “But before I hand this over, I have a few questions for you. If that’s okay?”

Alistair’s brow furrowed. “What do you want to know?”

Jimmy smiled and casually slipped the potion back into his bag.

“So, you arrived in town about two weeks ago, right? Well, around that time, some dead bandits were found on the path you supposedly came from. Do you know anything about that?” Jimmy asked casually.

“Dead bandits? This is about dead bandits? Why do you care about that?” Alistair asked, his confusion evident.

“Well, they were part of the Snake Gang,” Jimmy replied, his tone sharpening slightly. “It’s the local criminal group active in this area. We’re just wondering if you saw anything. Maybe it was a fight between rival gangs. Or…”

Jimmy trailed off as the two adventurers subtly began to move, positioning themselves to surround Alistair.

“…Or maybe you’re the one who killed them,” Jimmy said in a low, serious voice. His earlier smile had vanished.

Alistair’s gaze flicked between Jimmy and his companions as they took their positions. He let out a small chuckle, shaking his head slightly.

“I see,” Alistair said calmly. “The truth is…” He removed his left hand from his neck, letting the blood smear visible, and straightened his posture. His voice shifted, growing clear and powerful as he smirked. “Of course, I killed them.”

The sudden change startled the three adventurers. Before they could react, Alistair moved with lethal precision. In a single swift motion, he drew his sword and struck at all three.

The female ranger to his left had her stomach slashed open. Jimmy, standing in the middle, took a deep cut across his chest. The swordsman on the right had his neck severed cleanly.

Alistair let his sword fall to the ground and reached for Jimmy’s shortsword, still sheathed at his hip. Drawing it quickly, he flipped the sword to grip it by the blade’s base, then hurled it toward a nearby bush with reinforced strength.

“Argh!” A scream erupted from behind the bush.

Alistair walked over and pushed aside the foliage, revealing an assassin clutching the sword lodged in his stomach. The man looked up at Alistair, his face twisted in pain, but before he could utter a word, Alistair stomped on his head with his reinforced leg.

Crunch.

The assassin went still.

Alistair turned back toward the adventurers. Jimmy was already dead—the slash had gone deep enough to cut through his heart. The only one still alive was the female ranger.

She knelt on the ground, her pale face streaked with sweat, as blood pooled beneath her. Her abdomen gaped open, and her intestines spilled onto the dirt. Her trembling lips moved as if to speak, but no sound came out. Alistair crouched down and delivered a quick punch to her chin, knocking her unconscious.

She would bleed out within minutes, but at least she would die in her sleep.

Alistair began rummaging through the belongings of the fallen adventurers, taking anything useful. In Jimmy’s bag, he found four health potions. A faint smile crossed his face at the discovery. While he could cast Heal, having a way to recover without using mana was always a welcome option.

-Alistair… These people are with the Snake Gang, right?- Ameera's voice suddenly echoed in his mind.

“Yes, I would assume so,” Alistair replied.

-Then… they’re not from the adventurers’ guild?-

“They probably are. Just because they’re part of a criminal group doesn’t mean they can’t also be adventurers.”

-I… I see. But, Alistair, I’m concerned about Emma. The fact that these people could use her name like that… Tell me it’s fine. Tell me they probably just saw her at the guild. Tell me the gang has someone monitoring the gate and saw you leave for this place. Tell me it’s nothing… Alistair?-

Hearing the concern in Ameera’s voice, Alistair stopped what he was doing and turned toward the direction of Lordton.

“To tell you the truth,” he said after a pause, “I’m also concerned about Emma.”