Taking a look at my new abilities' descriptions, I nod in satisfaction.
[Mana Lance(B): The caster forms a Lance out of mana, and can either wield it as a melee weapon or shoot it like they would a spell.] [-] [+]
[Incinerate(B): The caster coats their target in flame, burning them alive unless they can tank the firepower of the spell or put out the flames in time.] [-] [+]
[Flame Shield(B): The caster creates a shield of flames around themselves, burning incoming attacks before they can reach the caster.] [-] [+]
[Mana Efficiency(C): Reduces the Mana cost of spells by 20%] [-] [+]
[Fire Resistance(C) Reduces the damage of any flame-based attacks by 20%, and reduces the damage of the caster's own flame spells by 35%] [-] [+]
I send a short message to Julia, now that everything's over.
TheGamer: I had to kill someone in a gate. I don't have her remains, but I have the remains of the others she killed, where should I go with this.
I receive a reply much quicker than I thought I would.
GuardianGrace: Give me your location, I'll be there ASAP. Keep messaging me while I make my way over, are you okay? Do you want to talk about what happened with me?
I give her my location, and continue with answers to her questions.
TheGamer: I'm fine, I wasn't hurt, she killed the rest of our party and was planning to kill me too, but, well, I'm here and she isn't, so you can guess how that went.
As we're messaging, I bring the remains of Justin and the others out of my inventory.
GuardianGrace: I don't mean physically, Buford. You poor thing, Jesus. I mean are you okay mentally? You're only 15, I'm so sorry you went through that.
Realization hits me as I read her message.
'Oh, she's worried about my mental health. To her knowledge we are just a normal 15 year old, she doesn't know anything about our past. I should probably act at least a little rattled.'
TheGamer: Oh, um. I'm okay, it doesn't feel real right now, so I'm not doing too poorly or anything, and I also know that she would have killed me had I not killed her. I did what I had to, I'll be alright.
As we're messaging Julia shows up with a team of agents, and immediately rushes to me to give me a hug.
"You really aren't hurt? Your mana is also much stronger than when I last saw you, you definitely didn't take my advice!" she says, probably trying to focus my mind on a topic other than the life I just took.
"Well, what can I say, it seemed fun and lucrative, and so far it definitely has been!" I smile.
"I'm glad you seem like you're doing okay, I can arrange for a therapist if you feel you need one, and I'll have the bodies sent to their families, thank you for going through the trouble of bringing them out with you."
She says, having the other agents collect the bodies and bring them to decay-preventing devices to bring elsewhere. I'm not aware of the protocol, but they'll probably ask their families if they want to see the remains or just receive their ashes.
"I'll drive you home, I'll buy you food on the way, get some rest when you get home." She says, worry still thick in her tone.
"I will." I say, pondering whether I ask the question that's on my mind.
Glancing over at me, Julie urges me on.
"Say what you want to say, Buford."
"Why is... No one looking at me like I'm a monster? Why aren't people looking at me with fear and disgust?" I ask, thrown off by the looks I've been given.
She freezes and stiffens as we wait for the light to turn green.
"Why would anyone treat you like that? You're a child, and a victim. You are not a monster, and you have done nothing wrong. What happened in that Gate, it's not something anyone should have to go through."
Her answer surprises me, but warms my heart a little. Reaching my hand up to scratch my eyes, I notice droplets on my hand afterwards. Am I... crying?
"Hey, hey, sweetheart, you're alright. It's okay." She says, genuine warmth in her voice.
"I'm.. I'm sorry, I've just never been treated like I'm not a monster after I've had to kill someone." I say, my voice trembling a little.
"Have you... Remembered things? From before your blip?"
'Fuck, I may I have slipped up. Well, I may as well be honest, I can always hide in my B-Tier Dungeon'
"Flashes, bits and pieces, mostly trauma." I admit, omitting the other parts about my world of origin.
"This is... A first. I wouldn't recommend sharing this with anyone else yet, and I'll keep it off the record, given all you've been through. Lots of people would be dying to interview or interrogate you if that information got out. Very little is known about blips, and there a lot of rumors about it too."
"Mm, thank you for the warning. And for the comfort." I say, the laat part a little more quietly as I wipe my eyes.
After having a meal with Julia, and her obvious attempts to cheer me up and comfort me actually working more than I thought possible, she drops me off at my house and I head to my room, immediately plopping onto my bed face first and falling fast asleep, not noticing the Holographic System Notification in front of me.
[Pixel Ford has cleared the Dungeon!]