The adrenaline from the fight slowly ebbing away as his friends crowded around him, tending to his wounds. The atmosphere was light, filled with laughter and camaraderie. It was a rare moment of joy and connection in a world that had been anything but kind to him.
As the evening wore on, Jack felt exhaustion creeping in. "I need some rest," he said, his voice heavy with fatigue.
One of his friends, a burly fellow named Thorne, helped him up. "Come on, let's get you to your room," Thorne said, slinging Jack's arm over his shoulder and guiding him out of the training grounds. The rest of the group waved him off with cheerful goodbyes, their spirits high after the day's unexpected turn of events.
Once inside his room, Jack collapsed onto his bed, the soft mattress a welcome relief for his aching body. He stared at the ceiling for a moment, then called out, "Myth!"
"Yes, Master?" Myth's voice was as calm and clear as ever.
"Thanks for the right timing," Jack said with a tired smile.
Myth responded, "That wasn't me. It was your hard work that paid off at the right time."
Jack chuckled, though it quickly turned into a wince. "My foot is killing me after that kick."
"That's because your body condition is still at Level One," Myth explained, his voice tinged with a hint of concern.
"Body condition? What's that?" Jack asked, curiosity piqued.
In response, Myth projected a glowing status bar in front of Jack. "Body condition represents your physical and mental capabilities—strength, speed, intelligence, and so on. The more capable your body is, the better and more controlled you'll be with your skills."
Jack's eyes traced the lines on the status bar. "So, by increasing my level, I can become more powerful and use my skills more effectively?"
"Yes," Myth confirmed. "Your progress will allow you to unlock greater potential and refine your abilities."
Before Jack could ask more, a sudden knock on the door interrupted their conversation. It was Lara, her voice coming from the other side. "Jack, can I come in?"
Jack pushed himself up in bed, quickly tidying his appearance. "Yeah, come in."
Lara entered the room, her expression softening as she looked at him. "I heard what happened today. Congratulations."
Jack nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Thanks. And, uh, sorry for not telling you beforehand. I knew if I did, you'd probably try to stop me."
Lara crossed her arms, a mix of concern and frustration flashing in her eyes. "You're right—I wouldn't have let you do something so reckless, you idiot. Just look at yourself!"
Jack glanced down at his bandaged limbs and bruised skin. "Yeah, I guess I look pretty bad."
Lara sighed, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. "Anyway, I just came to let you know that we're going on a hunt tonight. But you're injured, so you're not coming."
Jack, always stubborn, immediately protested. "I'm fine, really. I can come."
But Lara was having none of it. "No, you're not fine," she said, her voice firm. She turned to leave, her frustration palpable."Rest up, Jack."
As the door closed behind her, Jack sighed deeply, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over him. "Why does she have to be so stubborn?" he muttered to himself, though he knew her concern was genuine.
With a final, tired exhale, Jack let his body sink back into the bed. His eyelids grew heavy, and before he knew it, sleep overtook him, pulling him into the depths of much-needed rest.