“Can you stop staring at me now?” The woman said with a tone that seemed more confused than annoyed.

  “Oh yeah, my bad.” Jack apologized with an awkward smile.

  “Anyway, who are you?” Jack asked the woman.

  “I’m Riveria, pleasure to meet you.” She says with a wide grin while she sticks out her hand.

  “Jack.” He says, shaking her reached out hand.

  Dang it, something’s wrong, I don’t have her ability for some reason.

  Jack carried her and leaped over the lava like he did before and greeted Loid who had his jaw dropped in shock.

  “If you could’ve just done that, why didn’t you do that before.” Loid asked, visibly irritated.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  “Didn’t feel like it.” Jack said while he shrugged.

  Loid scoffed and Jack put Riveria on the ground so she could stand up on her own.

  “Mr Jack, Who is this lady?” Loid asks as she turns his attention to the new person in front of him.

  “This is our new ally, Riveria. She’s going to be traveling with us for a little while, right?” Jack responds, looking at Riveria.

  “Yeah.” Riveria says while nodding.

  “Nice to meet you little boy.” She says, sticking her hand out to Loid.

  Loid looks at her hand, looks to Jack, and then looks back to Riveria, as if he’s about to speak.

  “I don’t like this woman, I refuse to let you take Mr Jack from me.” Loid finally says.

  Riveria gets visibly irritated and mumbles the word “Brat.” under her breath. On the other hand, Jack was dying of laughter and thought the situation was hilarious.

  All of them exited the area and went inside the next tunnel together.

  My hand didn’t glow. Why don’t I have the ability? Does this mean the person has to actually feel indebted to me? But most people would be extremely grateful to me for saving their life. Unless…dang it, I have to make sure.

  “Aren’t you going to say thank you for saving you? You didn’t say it before.” Jack asked Riveria.

  “Nah, why would I? Any decent person would’ve saved me if they saw me in trouble. In fact, I would’ve saved myself too if I saw that happen.” She responds.

  I get it now. The reason why she isn’t grateful is because in her eyes, she has absolutely nothing to be grateful about. I assume that she was raised to help anyone in need as if it was second nature so she thought nothing of it when I saved her. Alright, new goal, save her in a way that sacrifices myself in a way that even she wouldn’t do so she'll actually be grateful to me.