Fynn's legs ached, and his chest felt tight as he slipped through a narrow alley, the rain-slicked pavement reflecting the neon lights of the city. The armored figure from earlier had not pursued him—at least not visibly—but that didn't make him feel safe.
He ducked into the entrance of a small, unassuming café tucked between two high-rise buildings. The sign above flickered in a muted blue: "Byte & Brew."
Inside, the air smelled of coffee and ozone, and the soft hum of magic-enhanced devices gave the place a faint glow. Holographic menus hovered over tables, and patrons quietly practiced spells or coded small enchantments alongside their drinks.
Fynn slid into a corner seat, placing the elemental on the table. It chirped softly, sparks flickering along the wood.
Finally… somewhere I can breathe, he thought, exhaling heavily.
He opened his VR interface, trying not to draw attention, and typed a simple command to examine the elemental: /scan_compiled_entity/.
Lines of glowing code appeared in front of him, highlighting the elemental's properties: size, energy consumption, behavior patterns. Fynn's brow furrowed. Even a "simple" rogue spell had layers he hadn't understood.
He tried a cautious command: /mana_boost/.
The elemental flickered, sparks brightening for a moment before settling back to normal. Fynn scribbled notes on his tablet.
Energy cost is low, but volatility is high… if I make a mistake, it could explode or… worse.
While he worked, he noticed a table across the café. A young woman was tinkering with a small floating orb, her fingers tracing code in midair. She noticed him glance over and gave a small nod, barely acknowledging him—but it was enough. Fynn felt a strange comfort. Not all eyes are enemies.
He spent the next hour cautiously experimenting with commands. Small sparks, little flares, and minor levitations—nothing destructive, but enough to give him confidence. Each success made him feel the tiniest bit stronger.
Finally, he leaned back, rubbing his temples. The city outside hummed, drones passing, neon flickering, distant magical duels echoing faintly. The elemental chirped softly, curling around his tablet.
Fynn realized something important: surviving wasn't about being the strongest. Not yet. It was about understanding the rules, learning fast, and staying one step ahead of those who were watching.
For the first time since the rogue spell appeared, he felt… a little in control.
But even as he sipped lukewarm coffee, a soft vibration from his VR interface reminded him that this was just the beginning. The world outside was waiting, dangerous and unpredictable, and Level 8 was still just the start.