//TRIGGER WARNING: This story includes talks of self harm. It does not describe the action, but the main character talks about scars and such.\\
How long have I been running? At least ten minutes. Why is the stone monster still chasing me!? Didn't he have enough after killing my party?
More importantly, I'm badly wounded and my mana isn't enough to heal it. Pressing my hands against my stomache won't stop the bleeding. This is the worst. I wish someone could sav-
I trip and fall over thin air. Great, just great.
I try to get up, but my legs keep trembling from a previous injury. When I mean previous, about ten minutes. Maybe nine seconds before my two party members got crushed? I'll probably join them any second now.
The stone monster is coming closer. I lay down on the grass, surrounded by trees. They're so close, they might kiss each other. I smirk and face down. These dark green clothes didn't help disguise myself. Good job there Leon. And Tia, I won't forget that you agreed to this either. Our armor would be much more effective. It didn't hurt too much, right? Should I just accept it and close my eyes?
At that moment I hear a quick "swoosh".
I look behind me and see the stone monster cracking apart from a.. dagger?
I sit up and look at the direction it came from. Ash blonde hair, some scars on their face, a long armed turtle neck navy sweater, black baggy pants, dark brown boots, and so clear turqoise eyes. They walk past me as I gasp.
"Are you in pain? I have some medicine in my cabin. Not a long walk, I promise"
They say as they up the dagger, with a subtle smile. They're voice is mild and husky. Very comfortable to listen to.
I shake my head and try to stand up, but fail yet again. With no hesitation, they lift me up like a bride. I blushed slightly while looking up on their face. From the view, I saw more scars under their chin and around their neck. I narrow my eyes as we start walking to the mentioned cabin.
"Why... Why do you have so many scars?"
I utter out with not much thought. They look at me with a blank expression, then back at the road.
We arrive at the small cabin, and they kick it open with brute force. I widen my eyes and get placed on a comfortable enough bed. There's only one room to this cabin, and it's filled with weapons. I don't see a single piece of food. They open one of the two boxes on the floor. Taking out some herbs.
"You're not allergic to anything?"
They say without looking at me.
"No, I don't think so."
"Great."
They pick up a wooden cup, put several herbs in and pour water in it. She hands me the cup and sits cross legged on the floor. They sigh.
"Thank you for this.."
"My pleasure saving a healer. Aren't many of those coming to this forrest."
They chuckle.
"How did you know I'm a healer??"
I ask confused and amazed.
"You don't have any weapons on you, only a water bottle."
"How do you know if I have weapons or not? Maybe I lost it!"
"Oh, come on. If you were a fighter you wouldn't be running away like that. Your face screamed, help me I don't know what to do!! Don't even mention mages. They have a staff, and can summon it if lost."
They shrug while I get slightly annoyed.
"You're a fighter right? What's your level, huh!?"
I get visibly annoyed.
"Is that how you act towards someone who helped you? If you're that bothered, leave with your negativity. I was just on my morning run."
They take of their shirt and shows a short sleeved dark green shirt. Their body is filled with scars. Barely any space for unwounded skin. Even the scars have scars. What a horrible sight.
"What is that??"
I cover my mouth, not comprehending why on earth they are so wounded.
"Rude, it's obviously my body."
"But what happened!?"
"Well, I know it's hard to believe, but I got wounded."
"BY WHO?"
"Calm down.. It was mostly my doing."
I look shocked, but I calm myself down.
"..Why would you do that to yourself?"
"I get stronger when I get hurt"
"So what did you achieve?"
"I maxed out my level."
"You.. WHAT!?"
An even more shocking fact. She scratches their head before answering.
"Yeah, but I'm sure I can get even stronger after injuring myself. Just a little more, then I might get satisfied"
I grab both of their shoulders, and lightly shake them as I talk.
"YOU DON'T NEED TO GET STRONGER. YOU'RE ALREADY THE STRONGEST FIGHTER. YOU DON'T NEED MORE. PLEASE."
I tear up and look deep into their eyes. We make a long moment of eye contact. After that, they look down at the floor. Tears dropping down.
"But I'll never be strong enough.."
They keep sobbing as I stroke their arm.
"Who says that?"
"My father.. Even in death, he still judges me from above."
"I have no idea what that means, but being the only maxed out human is more than enough. If not more. Please don't concern yourself with dead people."
"Thank you.. but you still have to drink the medicine."
"Ughhhh"