-- Aster --

For the first time since this entire thing started, I could finally have a moment to breathe. I still felt the power flowing out of me into the possibilities and the longer I held the more it drained. Thinking I had led the people far enough away I cut the flow of power to the skill. My vision snapped back to a single perspective instead of a hundred dreamlike visions, causing me to wobble from the drastic change in perspective.

I steadied myself and let out a long breath thinking about what I had left to do. Just need to tag three more guards then I can leave the city. Though I still don't understand why it will be so difficult to go back, the city doesn't fully know where my guild is, and I doubt they were told I was head back there.

Not knowing, I just shook my head and turned away from the window of the second-story office building I was in. There wasn't a single person in sight and the main lights were off, though I could see into the bigger bullpen area. Must be their day off. Seeing it was empty I took a step towards the exit, and promptly fell to my knees.

That's not good.

To the outside world, I looked perfectly fine, but that was mainly thanks to the full-body covering of my starlight cloak. In reality, I had been stabbed, shot, frozen, burned, and had rapid changes in g-forces which were not good for my internal organs. If I were to bring down the cloak even I was afraid to look at what damage was still there. In fact, I was shocked I was even able to make it this far without collapsing.

I was pretty sure I had some type of shrapnel in my ankle from the bullet from the beginning. Not to mention the multiple arrow wounds, and one broken shat still in my arm. I found to my immense displeasure that cutting magic, or even deflecting it didn't necessarily negate the magic effects.

Thankfully I was able to seal the wounds keeping most of my blood inside, but now I was learning how extensive my internal injuries were. With me finally slowing down, the adrenaline had worn off, and now my body didn't seem to want to move. Seeing I was in a safe-ish place I let myself fall into the office chair. I closed my eyes and began to take a moment to heal.

Healing was as always a painful experience, but the pain had become a familiar feeling for me as I disassociated myself from it. Letting it tear through me as I looked at it with an odd detachment. Some might think it's mind over matter, but I think I just broke when I became a rogue and they stamped me, awake. Ever since experiencing that soul-searing agony, the pain has not meant much to me.

I began to guide power through my body searching for the worst damage and guiding the energy to heal the damage. I frustratingly, found the shrapnel inside my body slowing the process, so I focused on pushing them out. Slowly pieces of metal, stone, wood, and sand, began to push through my skin, reopening wounds I had already sealed. Blood dripped down to the floor along with the pile of junk. I was shocked at how much shrapnel was inside me.

Seeing the blood and debris pool all over the office I couldn't help but laugh. Someone is going to come into this office and think something horrible happened.

Did it? No. Not yet.

Once all the foreign objects had been pushed out, the healing sped up exponentially. It seems that reaching the max level had a shocking number of benefits.

I wonder how many people actually ever reach thirty.

That owl lady seemed like she might be, but I think that might have just been her level of skill. She was definitely close though, for some reason I somehow knew she wasn't at max level. Despite her grey hair, something was missing. Though even at her level she could have destroyed me if that had turned into a drawn-out fight, with all the damage I had already accumulated. If it was a fair duel and I was completely healed...I'm not sure if I could win. I might be strong but she was much more skilled than I was.

My thoughts were a nice distraction as I continuously mended myself, and after a while, I finally felt the last muscle reattach itself. Now I just needed to strengthen my fresh tissue while I planned.

What do I need to do first?

I still need to tag three more guards before I can even leave the city. I thought that would be the hardest part, but so far just getting out of the city was harder than marking the officers. There has to be some twist once I leave the city because just making it back to the guild sounds much too easy.

This shit is never easy. I was starting to work myself up and that wasn't helping me fix the damage. Strengthening the muscles was taking much longer than healing them. I had long figured out that while power can heal me it still converts the energy from my body.

I need to get my hands on some food.

I began to rummage around the desk looking for something hoping this person keeps snacks. I spent a good ten minutes fumbling around the drawers, only finding papers random papers, I did learn this office was one that manages city delivery quests.

Finding no food I shambled my way out of the office and hoped that they had a break room with something. I quickly found the break room and thankfully a bunch of people had left their lunch.

I never thought I'd be one to steal a coworker's lunch. Well, glad I don't work here then.

I dived into the fridge scarfing down everything, not bothering to taste. It was a lot of food and as soon as it passed into me it seemed to be almost instantly converted to energy. I could feel my muscles getting stronger. Once I couldn't eat anymore I fell back to the ground.

So step one find three guards.

No actually step one makes three tags, I could have just zoomed past the last two if I had them ready, instead, I had to make them on the spot, and that still took a few precious seconds.

First, make the tags now.

Do I want to hunt the guards or hope I run into more on the way out? I didn't know what would be easier but it would be a risk either way.

I let out a long sigh when I realize I was going to have to take some time to hunt them down. Otherwise, I couldn't guarantee I would run into any. Not to mention there might be too many people to even try to reach them.

Step one makes a tag, step two finds a place guards gather, step three get out of the city and final step for making it back.

That's when it hit me, a memory of a guard asking if I was sure I wanted to go into the guild when I was going through training.

The guards know where the shadow guild is. I'm sure it's not a well-kept secret, there are bound to be plenty of people around it. How am I going to get by them? Do the people even know I need to return?

If only I could see what they saw. I could plan better.

I was lost in thought when I heard a familiar voice call out into the empty office.

"Hello?" Violet walked up the stairs to the office room and I had the door wide open.

Oh, come on!

My mind froze as I watched Violet turn, and lock eyes with me. I thought I was made. I completely forgot about my starlight cloak. What is she doing here?

Violet's reaction though was to just raise an eyebrow in surprise and walk a little closer.

"You the one who challenged the city."

Her words snapped me out of my stupor. I cut off the flow strengthening the new tissue. I was leaning up against a fridge as I slowly moved to my feet.

Would I be able to run?

Yes, but there would be a chance of the tissue taring again if I stopped now.

Violet rolled her eyes and asked annoyed, "I asked you a question? Do I need to get the guards?"

Shit, do I need to kill her. I really don't want to do that, and she doesn't deserve it. I don't think I could do it if I wanted to. Maybe I can just jump out the window.

I began to turn to the window to jump when she spoke, "I'll take that as a yes. Here Catch."

Her words caught me so off guard I instinctively turned to catch the jar she tossed to me. It was only when I caught it did I remember she had no idea who I was. I almost dropped it when I instantly realized what it was.

High Healing Salve. This shit is expensive where did she get it and why would she just give it away?

I looked over to her tilting my head in confusion.

Violet seeing this, laughed and only said two words. "Fuck them."

Those two words were so her. She was just as tired of all this bullshit as I was. I took the jar and feeling the muscles were finally strong enough I blurred past her to the exit. Ready to take on the city.