He could not keep his promise to himself. The heaven decided to pour down rain, the whole morning the next day. He did try to enter the forest when the noon came, but the muddy trail ultimately convinced him to retreat back to the village.
With nowhere to go, he was forced to entertain the villagers, who had still not gotten over with what had transpired the other day. While they delivered gifts the day before, they came that afternoon to ask him yet another favor.
They brought unto him a sickly girl, about ten years old, pale and almost bones. Just by listening to her cough, he was sure that she had either pneumonia or tuberculosis.
She walked into the door, being assisted by her parents. Anthony was sitting by the table when he received her, while Irene sat by the bed to make the other chair available.
"My lord, I know that we are being opportunistic of your kindness. But this child had suffered day and night for most of her life. As her mother, I could not bear to see her continuing her torment when I know someone is capable to cure her." the mother of the child knelt to the cold ground and pleaded with tears. "I will give you my life if I have to."
He was left with no choice. Anthony knew that he would need to spend a fortune on a potion once again, as the medicine section was full of medieval concoction he had no knowledge about. He also knew that every purchase adds more waiting time before he could earn enough tokens again to purchase the vehicle.
He was itching for an adventure and had gotten tired of hunting. And he helplessly watched his tokens blown away in the wind for people he was not obligated to help.
Yet, he could only rebuke himself. After seeing the mother's plea and hearing the tortured breathing of the girl, he won't be able to enjoy anything anyway if he ignored them.
"Please rise. I shall do my best." Anthony helped the mother to her feet.
In front of the girl and her mother, as well as the onlookers that had huddled themselves outside the door just to see him, he performed the familiar gestures in the air again.
[Potion of Cleansing
Cleanses the body of any abnormality over 10 minutes.]
[Are you sure you want to buy Potion of Cleansing x1]
[You have spent Tokens x3000]
The sight of the three and the zeroes hurt his eyes and heart. But the deed is done. He pulled the bottle out of the inventory, to the fascination of the crowd again.
He uncorked the bottle and administered it to the girl, and she willfully swallowed the contents. Like the previous potion he brought out, he wasn't sure if the potion of cleansing would work. So, he joined the crowd in anticipation.
Only whispers and her coughing were heard for the first minutes. Everyone observed the girl and found that her cough grew less raspy and loud as time went by. The mother was the one who broke the silence after six minutes have passed.
"How are you feeling, dear?" she said while rubbing her daughter's chest area.
"My chest feels light."
The mother started crying again, but this time, tears of joy. She knelt to the ground, and hugged his feet, blurting out words of gratitude.
"I will do anything to repay you."
Her words were almost deafened by the cheering of the villagers outside. They once again chanted his name, but this time, he no longer appreciated it.
"Please lower your voices, there's a baby inside." he said in a stern voice that quickly changed the mode.
The villagers were silenced at once, regretful of their action. Fortunately, the baby was deep in his sleep.
"Please wait for another four minutes. She should be totally fine by then."
So, the mother did, and when the allocated time passed, all the harmful bacteria have been neutralized and the phlegm have been cleansed. She was still pale and skinny, but the cough had stopped, and she was breathing effortlessly again.
The mother repeated her words of gratitude, offering him her life and all, just like the hunter. But louder and more repetitive.
"I have no need of your life. Your gratitude is enough. Now please prepare her a warm soup, so she could slowly regain her health."
Then turning to the crowd outside the door, he said.
"My power have been drained, and I need to rest. Would you be so kind to leave me alone?"
The tone of his voice was enough to hint of his exhaustion and annoyance. And so, the villagers heeded him, fearful that he might suddenly conjure a flaming ball of fire, directed at them.
The girl gave him a sweet "Thank You" message, which alleviated most of his stress. Seeing her transformation from a child whose face displayed nothing but bleakness and pain, to one who could afford a smile, offered a fair consolation.
The mother and child finally left after a couple more bows. As soon as he was left alone, he closed the door and went for the chair. He lowered his back and put his feet on the table.
[Are you sure you want to buy a Tankard of Ale x1?]
[You have spent Tokens x50]
He chugged down the drink, and enjoyed the familiar burn descending down his throat. It was not as strong and good as whiskey, but it was not bad either. Not mentioning, it is more flavorful and hit harder than most beers.
When he remembered he was not totally alone, he had finished the mug. His eyes darted to the bed and found David still asleep, but Irene was nowhere.
It was then that he felt her slender fingers on his shoulder, massaging his aching muscles and hitting the right spots.
"I don't think I can believe, you being a drunkard, is purely for cover, my lord."
"Guilty as charged."