The quiet after the outbreak felt almost surreal. Where once there had been chaos, now there was a strange stillness that seemed to settle over the guild like a calm after a storm. The plague had subsided, leaving people to slowly resume their lives. In the clinic, we were left with the bittersweet exhaustion of those who had given everything to the effort.
The system's reward—the magical inventory—rested in my hands like a hidden treasure. Its unassuming appearance gave little hint of its powers, yet I knew it could hold twenty items of any size, each stored in a space I could access with just a thought. I placed a few herbal supplies inside to test it, watching as each item disappeared seamlessly, a relief settling over me as I felt the weight of carrying herbs, tools, and medicines lifted.
A day after the outbreak subsided, Alara found me in the storeroom. "You've done something incredible, you know," she said, her voice softer than usual. "Few could have managed what you did. Treating a thousand patients in such a short time…people are starting to talk."
I nodded, feeling the fatigue that had built up over the days settle in my bones. "It wasn't easy," I admitted, "but I had help. I couldn't have done it alone."
She looked at me thoughtfully. "Perhaps it's time you expanded beyond the guild walls. There are rumors of unrest in the outer regions and talk of other kingdoms sending for skilled healers. They're in need of someone with your…abilities."
The thought struck me, igniting the embers of a restlessness I hadn't felt since the plague began. Could I leave the city? Venture into unfamiliar territories? The idea was appealing, promising the adventure and challenge that had first led me here.
That evening, I returned to my room and took out the few books I'd managed to keep—medicinal guides, anatomy scrolls, and notes I had made on treatments from both my world and this one. Placing them in the magical inventory, I watched as each one disappeared with a satisfying click, knowing they were safely stored and ready whenever I needed them.
With the inventory holding my essential supplies, I felt the weight of the city's walls beginning to feel less confining. The system had given me tools, but it had also given me freedom. I could go wherever I was needed without worrying about equipment or materials. My journey, it seemed, was only just beginning.