His vision came back into focus and pooling what mental strength he had left, Jake wobbled to his feet with great difficulty. If anyone could see his insides right now, they would have diagnosed him as dead on borrowed time.
His stomach, instead of looking like a skin sack, now looked more like a sea urchin saturated with black light. Those needles were mutating and deteriorating the mucous membranes and organs nearby, transforming those cells from the inside out in a way that did not look like evolution.
Despite Jeanie's help, his digestion of the Mana Storm was failing. Jake knew his body better than anyone else and he knew it was in trouble.
It was no longer the time to worry about others. Charity always began with oneself. Giving others money you didn't have, compromising your health and your future for others was never a wise idea.
'If I forgot to save someone, sorry. I did my best.' Jake inwardly apologized without showing any sign of guilt. He didn't owe anyone anything.
