Graves nodded once, sharp and military. "Medic!"
The VHC medical team descended on us like locusts. Someone wrapped thermal blankets around Cel and Monica. Another medic tried to examine my arms, took one look at the burns, and immediately started yelling for advanced burn treatment.
I sat down hard on the grass, suddenly aware that my legs had stopped working entirely.
Nel materialized a notification directly in my vision.
[LEVEL UP ACHIEVED]
[ALL ATTRIBUTES RESET TO F-0]
[TRUE VALUES HIDDEN: MULTIPLIER ACTIVE]
[NEW BASELINE ESTABLISHED]
The world tilted sideways.
Someone caught me before I hit the dirt. Cel's face swam into focus above mine, her periwinkle eyes wide with concern.
"Satori? Stay with me. Don't you dare pass out."
"Not passing out," I managed. "Just resting my eyes."
"That's literally what passing out is, you idiot."
Fair point.
The VHC medic appeared with a syringe full of something glowing. "This will help with the pain."
"Will it make me high?"
