Akira barely remembered the journey back to his apartment. His body moved on autopilot, keeping to shadows and back alleys while his mind replayed the fight over and over.
The dual-guardian gate. The artificially placed anchors. Someone had made him go through all this, but who and why?.
When he finally stumbled through his bedroom window—climbing was easier than risking Mia hearing the front door—he collapsed onto his bed and immediately pulled up his inventory.
[MINOR HEALTH POTION x3 AVAILABLE]
[CONSUME?]
"Yes," he whispered, downing all three in quick succession.
The liquid tasted like burnt sugar and medicine, but the effect was immediate. The burns on his arms began to fade, the ache in his muscles dulled to a manageable throb, and the cut on his cheek sealed itself.
[HEALTH RESTORED: 65%]
[ESSENCE RESERVES: 28%]
"Not perfect, darling, but enough to avoid questions," Ai said. "Make sure the Essence Cloak is at maximum."
