Jack

Terry left stealthily as soon as he heard the police sirens.

Since the incident was over, he didn't have any reason to stay longer. Also, he didn't want to attract any unnecessary attention.

He never imagined that his casual jog would result in him saving a life. The good thing is that he got a 'Reward' for being a good Samaritan. He deliberately hinted the man earlier about 'Money and Time' just to get this reward. He thinks that he should try to at least gain something from saving someone.

As he jogs back home, his eyes didn't forget to scan his surroundings. He changed his route back home to look for a 'target'. He wants to practice his "100% drop rate" technique as frequently as possible, that's why he's looking for vending machines wherever he passes.

He managed to find one but unfortunately, it was near a police post. He had to control his desire to practice and can only dejectedly continue his way home.

…..

Within the Red Zone, a man can be seen running in the zigzagging alleyways of the slums. He was holding his eyes while struggling to find something. He stops on every door he sees to look for something.

This man was Jack. He was a good gambler with a little bit of fame in the underground world.

Just earlier, after winning a bit in a poker game, he decided to go for a stroll. He happened to stroll all the way to the Lover's Den.

As he walks, he somehow accidentally witnessed a couple argue. It started with a small, verbal disagreement when all of a sudden the man started to get physical. He, being a 'gentleman', helped the woman and beat the man up. But unfortunately, the woman didn't appreciate his gesture and start to hit him with her bag while cursing.

This made him frustrated so he beat the guy some more until the guy cried and beg for forgiveness. He just wants to vent and never intended to do something excessive but the guy thought otherwise, so as soon as he found an opportunity, the man hurriedly escaped like a coward, leaving his girlfriend behind.

Looking at the coward running, he sneered in his mind 'weak'. Since he already vented his frustration, he decides to do some more gambling and was about to get out of the Lover's Den when the woman suddenly slapped him hard in the face. Stunned from what happened, he was enraged. 'What the f*ck was wrong with this woman? You didn't even thank me for saving you and you're repaying me with a slap?' he then decides to teach this woman a lesson.

The woman, not knowing Jack's thought, cursed at his face once more and was about to follow up with another slap when Jack suddenly reaches out his hand to hold the woman's wrist to stop her attempt. The woman paled when he felt the strong grip of the man on her wrist.

Jack on the other hand smirked upon seeing her reaction. He thought, 'I'll teach you a lesson you'll never forget.' He never intends to do anything further than scaring the woman. He wants to see the woman cry and beg for mercy, he wants to see the miserable state of this woman before stopping.

But it seems like life is playing a joke on him. When he was about to stop, someone threw something on him which made him furious. His rage consumed his mind.

He was a very careful and calculative individual, and as a gambler, although he's not that smart, he still knows how to weigh the pros and cons in every situation. But like any other person, once overwhelmed with emotion, he still lost his rationality. He tried to retaliate only to be injured badly. At the same time, he lost all his valuables including his winnings earlier.

He ran all the way here to seek treatment and never bothered to stop for a second after the 'Demon' let him go. He was looking for an underground clinic to treat his wounds. He wouldn't dare go to a regular hospital because he knows that he would end up in jail if he got caught.

After turning into a corner, he stopped to check a door. He sighs as he confirmed that this door is what he's looking for. He stood in front of the door and knock. The way he knocked was rhythmed, it seemed like it's a code used for communication. He stood there for a minute before someone opened the door.

A buffed man opened the door and motioned Jack to come in. As Jack went inside, he looks around to check the surroundings. This is the first time that he went to an underground clinic, he somehow managed to hear about how to find this one from a friend. He just tried his luck if he could find this clinic because he heard that this is one of the best clinics in the Red Zone.

A short thin man was standing behind the buffed man. It seems like he's waiting for him. "Welcome to The Clinic." the man said as he led the way, it seems like this is his guide. Jack tried to start a conversation but the other party seems like he's not hearing anything he says so he gave up his attempt. As they walk to the unknown destination, he saw armed men on every turn they take but he was used to these kind arrangements after being a part of the underground world for some time so he just ignored it.

After a few minutes of walking, they stopped in front of a room. "Wait here for a moment." The guide said then strode off. He was left alone standing outside the room, he didn't know what to do, should he get inside? He was starting to get impatient due to the pain when he suddenly heard a voice.

"Enter" A voice sounded inside the room. Jack inhaled took a deep breath before going inside. What welcomed him was a nice and clean room like an ordinary clinic. He saw a man sitting leisurely. He wears a lab coat, a clear eyeglass, and a stethoscope was hanging around his neck like a normal doctor. The doctor then motioned for him to sit opposite him.

Jack, still holding his wound sat on the chair. Without waiting for the doctor to speak, he hurriedly said, "Doctor, I need you to treat my eyes, I'll pay no matter how much you want, just save this eye of mine." He was afraid that he might not be able to see the light of the day using his injured eyes.

"Calm down, you don't need to panic, let me see the wound first." The doctor smiled calmly.

When Jack heard what the doctor said, he slowly removes his hand to let the doctor check his wound. The stone was still embedded in his eyes so the doctor leaned forward used a medical penlight to check the wound.

After checking, the doctor sat back then suddenly said. "A kidney."

"Doc, what did you say?" Jack thought that he heard it wrongly. Why would he suddenly mention an organ out of the blue?

"What I mean is the payment for the treatment is one of your kidneys." The doctor said with a smile like it's a normal thing.

Hearing this, Jack was dumbfounded. Who the f*ck is in their right mind would pay a kidney for a treatment. He got furious and stood up, points his fingers at the doctor then shouted, "F*ck you! Who are you kidding huh? Is this how you operate your business? Do you know who I am?"

"Bang"

Suddenly, the door was kicked open, then two armed men rushed inside. They heard the commotion inside and thought that this new customer was making trouble. They pointed their gun at Jack who was now stunned from fright.

The doctor, still calmly sitting opposite to Jack, raise his hand to signal the men to lower their weapon. He then calmly stated, "It seems like our friend here came without knowing the rules." He smiled then continued, "Let me first answer your questions. No, I'm not kidding. Yes, this is really how I do business, and lastly, I don't really know you, but even if I do know you, it wouldn't change anything. Once you stepped inside my clinic, you'll automatically become my 'patient'." He played with the penlight while answering all the questions.

Once he heard what the doctor said, he was frightened. He really didn't know the rules before he came here. It's just that he heard that this clinic has a good reputation so he came here.

The doctor motioned to the two armed men to get out and the two obeyed without a flinch. The doctor then looks at the terrified Jack then laughs lightly.

"Let me state the rules for you since I'm in a good mood." Seeing his 'patient' being ignorant, he tried to 'educate' him. He said unhurriedly, "The first rule, payment will always be a 'part' of the patient. The second rule, once you enter this clinic you wouldn't be able to get out until you're done with the 'treatment'. And the most important rule of all is once you break a rule, not even the smallest 'part' of you will be able to get out of my little clinic." When he mentioned the last rule, the doctor grins evilly which made Jack's hair stood on end. "Well, there's actually more than 10 rules but I forgot the others. Just remember to behave when you're inside my clinic." The doctor followed up jokingly.

'Another Demon.' Was the thought that runs in his mind right now. He never imagined that he would encounter another demon within hours after encountering the first. He was very helpless right now, he wished that he could turn back the time to prevent all this from happening.

He knows the rules of the underground world, that's why even though the doctor looked like he's joking, he didn't dare ignore his words.

"Is there any other option for me?" he can only ask for a compromise.

"Hmmm, if you don't want to pay with your kidney, the other option is your eye." The doctor didn't even think for a second then pointed at his injured eye.

This statement stunned Jack, he didn't know why would he ask for his damaged eye. He gritted his teeth, then said, "Okay you can have my eye." He can only sigh in resignation to his fate. But deep inside he thinks that he made a good bargain. To exchange an almost blinded eye for his healthy kidney is really not a bad deal. He didn't even have to spend a coin. He can only try to comfort himself with these thoughts.

"Also, tell me how you got your injury." The doctor abruptly added.

Jack nodded and told the story. Of course, he didn't talk about the embarrassing things he did.

The doctor listened as Jack told the story and after he digests all the detail, he clapped his hands.

Suddenly, a secret door opened and a few people stepped out wearing scrubs. The doctor talked with the people about the operation and after conversing for a few minutes, they gestured for Jack to enter the secret room.

Jack also heard the conversation, although he didn't understand the scientific terms they mention, he still understood the general meaning of what they talked about. Knowing that nothing shady was going to happen, he steeled himself then proceed to walk through the secret door.

The doctor didn't go with them so he was left standing alone in the room. He was currently deep in thought from what Jack told him. 'Such precise control of power.' When he remembered the stone embedded in Jack's eye, he can't help but praise in his mind.

'How interesting.' The doctor can't help but smile playfully.