There's no such thing as free. Even for a good deed.
- Author
---
He was the only child of two unhealthy parents. Since he was young, all the responsibilities fell on him—caring for them. With no siblings and no relatives around, he had to rely entirely on himself.
Joseph was born in Umbran Year 970.
His hair was originally dark brown. At the age of fifteen, he received his first blessing from Slother—one of the Seven Gods. At first, he was thrilled. That morning, while cutting wood, a sudden surge of power lit up his pointing finger.
A Roman numeral I appeared on it.His first blessing: Paralyze—a power that could put anyone to sleep if eye contact was made.
He could use the blessing endlessly because he was born with something called a Petty Limit—a reverse restriction.
If a person is born with deep misfortune, like Joseph was, a Petty Limit is etched onto them. In Joseph's case, the moment he was born, his parents' fates were sealed. Misery followed.
The moment he obtained the blessing, his hair turned a vivid red.
But that blessing was never meant to be his.
His parents had traded everything for it—every fortune, every ounce of future help, and even the remainder of their lifespans. They gave it all so their son could live with power.
When Joseph found out the truth, he never used the blessing again.
---
A few days before Joseph's family joined the group of folks, he encountered a strange man.
He didn't see the man clearly—couldn't make out his face or features.
Joseph had been washing his parents' clothes in the river when he heard a voice.
"Joseph."
He paused, scanned the area—no one. He shook his head, thinking it was just in his mind, and kept scrubbing.
"Joseph."
This time, when he turned around, the man was standing there.
"Wha—?!"Joseph leapt back, stumbling three steps and landing in the shallow water.
"Clumsy! Just like I made you," the man said.
Joseph blinked, confused."What do you mean? Can I help you?"
"No. I'm here to guide you."
"Guide me? Guide me where?"
"Head east," the man replied, pausing briefly. "You'll find companions waiting there. You'll meet the others. I can't interfere any further."
As he began to vanish, he added one final note:
"Ah… this is around that time, isn't it?Ask your parents about your blessing."
Then he disappeared.
---
Joseph was confused—but it wouldn't hurt to ask his parents about the blessing.
He had no idea just how much it would hurt to know.
That day, his parents were sitting under the old tree near their small home. They could barely walk anymore, their strength long gone. Joseph walked up slowly, unsure of how to start.
"Dad… there's something I want to know."
The moment he said it, both of his parents froze. Their eyes widened in a mix of fear and guilt. Then, without a word, they turned to look at each other—like they both knew this moment would come. Like they'd been avoiding it for years.
And maybe… now was finally the right time.
His father sighed, voice shaky. "You mean the blessing, don't you?"
Joseph gave a small nod.
His mother looked down at her hands, fingers thin and frail. "You were too young… We didn't want you to carry this."
"But you've already carried more than enough," his father said, slowly lifting his eyes to Joseph. "You deserve the truth."
There was a long pause. The wind whispered through the leaves.
"Joseph," his father called, voice raspy but firm. "Come sit with us for a bit."
Joseph wiped his hands and joined them, a little surprised. They didn't usually talk much—most of their days were spent just trying to survive.
His mother didn't meet his eyes. She stared into the fire, her hands trembling slightly."There's something we've kept from you."
His father exhaled slowly. "You must have wondered… why your blessing came so early. Why it was so powerful."
Joseph nodded silently.
His mother finally looked up, her eyes red and tired. "We made a wish. A desperate one."
"We begged the gods," his father said. "Any of them. Anyone who would listen. We didn't ask for our health, or money… we only asked that you be strong. Strong enough to survive this world."
His mother added quietly, "Slother answered. But not for free."
Then they told him everything—how they offered their future, their strength, their remaining days. All of it. In return, Slother gave Joseph his blessing - a gift not meant for him.
His mother's voice broke. "We were selfish. We didn't want to watch you struggle for us anymore. You were just a child… but you carried burdens heavier than most men."
Joseph sat there, the weight of their truth pressing down on him like a mountain.
That night, after they'd gone to sleep, he stared at the faint glow on his finger—the mark of his first blessing.
And from that moment on, he swore never to use it again.
That night, he remembered the man's words. His advice about asking Joseph's parents had been true. So, Joseph decided—he would go east.
---
A few days into his journey, he came across a group of travelers. The ones we all know now. That was how it began.
When Wandy joined, the disease was already spread. It began with red spots, then came the exhaustion, and then… death. That disease's origin was from Joseph's parents.
The day she arrived, Wandy looked like she was searching for someone. And when her eyes locked onto Joseph, she walked straight toward him without a word.
But for Joseph—drifting between memory and death—this wasn't how it had really happened. No, in his fading mind, something was off.
Wandy glowed as she approached. Bright. Too bright.
When she stood in front of him, she didn't feel like herself. It was the man—the same one who had told him to head east.
"It's not time yet. Get up."
Joseph blinked, confused.
"I said GET! UP!!!"
The voice hit him like a jolt of lightning. His body seized, breath caught in his throat—and then he snapped awake.
He gasped.
Von was holding him up, steadying him. Wandy was sobbing, clutching his arm like she'd never let go. And Ray…
Ray stood just a few feet away, chest rising and falling, eyes glowing faintly. His hand still shimmered from whatever he had done.
Joseph coughed hard, the taste of blood sharp on his tongue—but he was alive.
Wandy choked on a breath between sobs. "You… idiot. You absolute idiot…"
Von let out a slow sigh and gently lowered Joseph to the ground. "You've always been too stubborn for your own good."