Chapter 22: I Really Don't Know Enough (Patreon)

The caravan moved again, and I trailed behind them on foot, breathing in mana to regenerate. It was slower than sitting or lying down, but faster than regular regeneration. The caravan moved so slowly that I had no problem keeping pace. The kids adopted Stretch, so he rode in one cart with a big group of kids petting him. He was having so much fun that I worried he might decide to stay with the caravan. I also checked my blinking light. It started blinking after I operated on the lady, but I didn't want to be rude and check while talking with the caravan leader.

Level up 
+3 intelligence, +3 wisdom, +2 vitality, +3 free points
Class: Healer Level 6
Stat points: 3

I added the points to Luck; it was still the lowest. I also decided to switch the series I was reading; it was good and entertaining but had no class levels or statistics. Perhaps it wasn't the best plan to keep adding my free points to the lowest attribute. I had to "look it up." In addition, I checked out my whole profile to see how much I've improved.

Name: John Rue
Age: 38
Class: Healer Level 6
Spells:
Heal Muscle - 12
Diagnose - 6
Stop Bleeding - 2
Heal Bone - 3
Control Blood - 3
Healing Touch - 9
Neutralize Poison - 1
Purify - 5
Clean - 7
Anesthesia - 3
Regrow Flesh - 1
Fortify Life Force

Hidden Class: Gate Traveler Level 3
Gates to next level: 2/8
Class Abilities:
Conversion
Travelers' Archive
Identify
Storage - x4
Local Adaptation—Spoken language
Map
One of the Crowd

Profession: Merchant Level 5
Skills:
Bargain - 1
Sense Honesty - 1
Appraisal - 2
A Nose for Business - 2

General Spells:
Mana Dart
Mana Shield - 1
Spellbinding - 3
Invisibility - 2

General Skills:
Pencil Sketching - 1
Making Beer - 1
Staff Fighting - 10
Krav Maga - 10
Archery - 10
Minor Spell Adaptation - 1
Mana Sense - 1
Mana Meditation - 3
Develop Negative - 1
Print Photograph - 1
Guitar Playing - 7

Health: 3000/3000
Mana: 370/4200
Strength: 26
Agility: 26
Constitution: 25
Vitality: 35
Intelligence: 34
Wisdom: 41
Perception: 28
Luck: 19
Stat points: 0
Ability points: 49

Huh, when did I get the Fortify Life Force spell? What does it even mean to Fortify Life Force?

I checked, and the description was interesting:

Fortify Life Force
Enhance the energy or force that animates all living organisms.
Fortify Life Force helps the body complete the healing process and deal with the draining effects of intense healing. It can also be used to grow organisms.

I reminded myself to cast it after every healing. It sounded subtle, but essential. After diagnosing myself, I cast Fortify Life Force, and diagnosed again. There was a difference: my mitosis (cell division) was better, and I also felt a difference. There was more pep in my step, and I felt more energetic.

Nice!

After approximately three hours, the caravan came to a stop at a clearing alongside the road. It was big, with many tree stumps at chair height. On one side, there were rough tables built from logs, and throughout the entire clearing, there were many old fires. So, it was a regular rest stop. Three guards took one of the smaller carts only with barrels and led it across the road to a narrow trail. Four guards took shovels and went in different directions. The caravan leader shouted orders about where to place the carts on the road. I heard him shout, "Move it forward, you stupid jurber food; you're blocking the passage," and laughed; I knew what a "Jurber" was.

Settling on a tree stump, I continued to regenerate, enjoying all the surrounding hubbub. Being with good people again was nice. Stretch came over and lay down at my feet.

"Got tired of the kids?"

He yawned.

"Yeah, they can be exhausting but also fun."

He wagged his tail tiredly. Smart wolf dog.

After a short while, the caravan leader approached me and pointed to the right, "The males' latrine is there." Pointed straight, "The females' there; don't go near it if you don't want them shouting at you." Pointed left. "The garbage hole is there; the caravan mage will burn it in the morning."

I thanked him, and he left.

Shit, I still don't know his name.

I wasn't sure about using the garbage hole. I had a lot of takeaway boxes in my Storage in a garbage barrel. It was a good idea, but I didn't think they'd appreciate burnt plastic. I resolved to burn all my garbage when I returned to the wilderness. I thought my small amount of garbage wouldn't be a pollution problem.

After the commotion died down, I went looking for my patients.

First, I found the lady sitting by a fire. She looked up at me with a tired but grateful smile. I could see the exhaustion in her eyes, and her shoulders slumped, even though her leg had healed.

"How are you feeling?" I asked, kneeling beside her.

She sighed, rubbing her forehead. "My leg is fine, thanks to you. But I feel so weak like all my energy is drained."

I nodded in understanding. "That's normal after such intense healing. Let me help with that." I placed my hand gently on her shoulder and cast Fortify Life Force. A soft, warm glow enveloped her that was visible only to my "sight," not to my eyes, and I could see her posture straightening, the color returning to her cheeks.

She looked at me with wide, grateful eyes. "Thank you. Now I am feeling much better."

"I'm glad to hear that. Just take it easy for a while, okay?"

Nodding, she paused briefly before speaking. "Would you like to join me for dinner at my fire tonight? It's the least I can do to thank you."

I considered her offer, then nodded. "I'd like that. Thank you."

Her smile widened, the firelight reflecting in her eyes. "Great! I'll see you then."

Nodding reassuringly, I stood and went to find the man.

I found him tending to their horse, his movements careful and deliberate. He looked up as I approached, offering a tired but welcoming smile.

"How are you feeling?" I asked, noticing the lingering weariness in his eyes.

"I'm doing better, thanks to you," he replied, though his voice hinted fatigue.

Moving closer, I gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "Let me check you over."

He stood still as I diagnosed him. His body had mostly healed, but there were still some lingering issues from the tetanus infection. I cast Healing Touch twice, each time a warm glow enveloping him. Finally, I cast Fortify Life Force, and his posture straightened, a newfound energy apparent in his eyes.

"Thank you," he said, his voice filled with gratitude. "I feel so much better now."

"I'm glad to hear that. Just take it easy for a while, okay?"

He nodded, then his expression brightened. "Would you join me for dinner tonight? I want to thank you properly."

"Thank you for the offer, but I have already accepted another invitation."

His face fell slightly, disappointment clear in his eyes, but he quickly masked it with a polite smile. "I understand. Maybe another time, then."

"Definitely," I said, giving his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Take care, and let me know if you need anything else."

He nodded again, his gratitude evident. "Thank you, really."

With that, I left him, feeling fulfilled from helping them both. I called Stretch over, and we went to dinner with the lady. Once again, I forgot to introduce myself, which was embarrassing. When we found her, I finally introduced myself.

"My name is John; nice to meet you," I said, smiling.

"Hello John, my name is Sami," she replied, returning the smile warmly.

She was stirring something in a pot, and the aroma was enticing. I hesitated momentarily before asking, "Can I use part of the fire to cook for my dog?"

Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You cook for your dog? Why? It's a wild bushland; they eat raw."

I chuckled, shaking my head. "He ate raw meat at the beginning, but after I gave him a cooked steak, he refuses to eat raw. If I try to give him raw food, he pushes the bowl towards me and waits for me to cook it."

We both laughed at the image of Stretch nudging his bowl. I grilled two chickens for Stretch, but to my astonishment, he turned his nose up at them. Stretch usually loved chicken. Confused, I pulled out some ground bison, and his tail started wagging furiously as he did a little dance in place. I made patties and cooked them while deciding to eat the chicken myself.

"Would you like one bird? They are delicious," I offered Sami as I flipped the chicken.

"When I invited you for dinner, I promised I would cook for you, not you cook for me," she said with a light-hearted scold.

"Yes, I know, but I have a spoiled dog," I replied with a grin.

"Of course he is spoiled; you are feeding him an expensive meat saturated with mana," she said, shaking her head in amusement.

"Huh?" I blinked, not sure I heard her right.

Curious, I sensed for mana in the bison beef and realized it was brimming with it. I felt foolish. Of course! I had to channel for a long time to remove the meat—conservation of energy and all that jazz. I summoned a piece of goat meat and checked it as well. It had mana, but less. It all made sense to me now. Stretch had become picky after we started with the goats, and it got worse after I harvested the first bison. That also explained the "progress to awakening" part in his description. I still didn't know exactly what it meant, but I was sure the beef was the culprit. I facepalmed, and Sami started laughing at me.

"You didn't know?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with mirth.

I shook my head, feeling a bit embarrassed. "No, I didn't."

"How? Mana-rich meat like this costs one gold for a 'sak.'"

"How much is a sak?" I asked, curious.

She showed me with her hands—it was more than a pound but less than a kilogram, maybe 800 grams. Feeling cautious, I explained, "I made a barter deal for it but didn't like the taste, so I'm giving it to the dog."

She laughed again, clearly amused.

"You want some?"

"No. It's too expensive," she said, shaking her head.

"I'm feeding it to the dog and will be happy to give you some," I insisted.

After a brief hesitation, she agreed. I summoned a big iron pot suited for cooking on an open fire and filled it with minced meat. I also summoned a big metal bowl with a lovely swirling motif, filled it with chunks, and handed it to her.

"You can keep the pot and bowl as a thank-you for the information you gave me," I said, smiling.

She categorically refused, shaking her head with a firm frown. "I can't accept these, John. They're too valuable."

I hesitated, scratching the back of my neck. I couldn't exactly tell her that both items had cost me about $15 at a flea market. The information she gave me was invaluable, though, and I wasn't about to give up easily.

"Sami, please," I urged, leaning forward slightly. "You've helped me a lot. These items might be valuable to you, but to me, it's just a small token of my gratitude."

She looked at me, narrowing her eyes in consideration, but she set her mouth in a stubborn line. "I don't know..."

She was wavering, so I pressed on, trying to appear earnest and sincere. "Look, you gave me crucial information about the mana in the meat. That's worth far more than these items. Please, just accept them."

Finally, she sighed and nodded, relenting. "Alright, John. But only because you insist."

I smiled, relieved. "Thank you."

She nodded. "You should talk to the mage. She would be thrilled to get some of this meat."

"I will. Thank you."

I sat with Sami by the fire for another hour, chatting about various things. She was a delightful conversationalist, and I enjoyed her company. Eventually, I bid her goodnight and set off to find the mage.

After asking around, I located her by one fire, deep in conversation with the caravan leader. I approached them and politely asked her to step aside with me.

"Excuse me, could I have a word?" I asked, my tone respectful.

The mage looked curious but agreed, stepping away from the group. I summoned a small bowl, filled it with beef chunks, and handed it to her.

Her eyes widened in shock. "Where did you get this?"

"I bartered for it with a butcher. Do you want to buy it?" I replied, trying to sound casual.

"How much do you have?" she asked in a forceful tone, her gaze fixed on the meat.

"A lot," I said, trying to keep my expression neutral.

"But you're a healer; you also need the mana. Why sell it to me?"

"I have a lot and don't like the taste," I explained, deciding it was best not to mention that it was Stretch's food. Her reaction was intense enough; I didn't want her to faint from shock.

"Show me," she demanded, her eyes gleaming with interest.

I summoned a cooler full of minced meat and another full of chunks. Her eyes widened further in amazement.

"Where did you get those boxes?" she asked, curiosity evident in her voice.

"I brought them from my homeland across the sea. I bartered with the butcher for one of those boxes for the meat," I lied smoothly. That was one of the first skills I gained in foster care—the art of bullshit—or 'the art of survival' might be more accurate. Now, it was serving me well to hide my status as a Traveler.

"Only one?" she asked skeptically.

"Yes. If you put ice inside or a mage casts an ice spell and you keep it closed, the box will keep the food cold for days," I explained.

She looked suitably impressed. After inspecting the meat, she offered me 450 gold for all of it. I immediately agreed, trying to hide my excitement. She also offered me 500 gold for the cooler, but I refused. I needed the cooler more than the money. In my mind, I was dancing—not because of the money I made, but because, in a roundabout way, I looted 450 gold.

That's how real looting should work!

I bid her goodnight and then turned to the caravan leader. "Goodnight," I said, smiling. "I'll be continuing on my own from here."

He looked disappointed, but nodded in understanding. "Alright, John. Safe travels to you. We do move very slowly, after all."

I called Stretch from his nap and returned to Sami to say goodbye. "Thanks for everything, Sami. I'm going to set up camp elsewhere," I said, not wanting to shock them with my advanced equipment. I knew I needed to buy local gear for situations like this.

"Take care, John. Safe travels," Sami said, giving me a warm smile.

We left towards the wilderness, across the road. Tomorrow, I need to check the Archive to understand this awakening business.