Chapter 16: Rest, Recovery, and Ridiculousness

Simon kicked open the door of the inn with the grace of a drunk bear and tossed Katsu onto the bed like a sack of potatoes.

THUD.

The unconscious fire-wielder bounced once, landing in a weird angle with his legs hanging off the side of the mattress.

Simon stared.

"…Yeah, that's fine."

With that, he turned around and left.

The moment Simon stepped into the Rankers Guild, the entire hall went dead silent.

Heads turned. People whispered. Some gasped.

"Holy crap, is he even alive?"

"Did he lose a fight? Simon never loses fights!"

"Maybe he finally got humbled?"

"Nah, bet he just got hit by a horse cart."

"Or ran into his ex."

Simon ignored all of them and walked straight to the reception desk, where a young woman with sleek black hair and piercing green eyes adjusted her glasses, staring at him like he was a ghost.

"Simon?" Shania Kusaka, one of the guild's top staff, looked him up and down. "You look horrible."

"Good to see you too," Simon deadpanned, tossing the golden chest onto the counter. "Here."

Shania's eyes widened. "Wait. You found this?"

"Yeah."

"In your state?"

Simon sighed. "I ran into an old colleague."

Shania folded her arms. "Did this 'colleague' throw you into a blender?"

"…More like a tactical meat grinder."

Shania blinked. "That's… oddly specific."

"Can I just get my reward?" Simon groaned.

Shania shook her head, scribbled something, and handed him a pouch of coins. "Here. And please see a healer before you drop dead on my counter."

"No promises."

Simon strolled into an alchemist's shop, scanning the dusty shelves filled with bottles of all shapes and sizes. The old alchemist behind the counter, a man who looked like he hadn't blinked in twenty years, eyed him suspiciously.

"You buying or bleedin' out?"

"Both," Simon said flatly. "Two healing potions."

The alchemist squinted. "You got coin?"

Simon tossed a few on the counter.

The old man picked up the coins, bit one, then nodded and handed over two vials filled with glowing blue liquid.

"Good stuff. Freshly brewed. Might taste like garbage, though."

Simon popped one open, sniffed it, and immediately gagged.

"…What is this?"

The alchemist shrugged. "Science."

Simon sighed, grabbed the potions, and left before he regretted his life choices.

Back at the inn, Simon sat at the edge of Katsu's bed, holding a potion.

"Alright, wake up."

Katsu didn't move.

Simon rolled his eyes and flicked his forehead.

FWOOSH!

A tiny flame popped out of Katsu's mouth like he was a malfunctioning candle. His eyes shot open.

"Wha—?! Where am I?!"

"In bed. Now drink this." Simon shoved the potion at him.

Katsu groggily took the vial and downed it in one gulp. His face twisted in absolute disgust.

"GAH! It tastes like—like burnt seaweed mixed with regret!"

Simon took a sip of his own and immediately regretted it.

"Ugh. The old man wasn't kidding."

Katsu sat up, only to immediately flop back down like a fish out of water.

"Uh… why can't I move?"

"Oh yeah," Simon said casually, stretching. "You fried yourself back in the ocean. Overused your flames. Your body's toast."

Katsu's eye twitched. "So… I'm stuck like this?"

"For three days."

"THREE DAYS?!"

Simon smirked. "Yup. And don't worry, I got someone to take care of you."

Katsu blinked. "Wait, what?"

Simon leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "I hired a maid to look after you."

Katsu's brain short-circuited. "HOLD ON. Why can't you do it?"

Simon shrugged. "Busy."

"With what?"

"Another mission."

Katsu's jaw dropped. "You're ditching me?!"

Simon smirked. "You want me to take care of you? Then follow me on my next mission."

Katsu tried to move again. Nothing.

"…I hate you."

"Noted."

Katsu groaned. "Fine. When does the maid get here?"

"In an hour."

"Great…" Katsu muttered, closing his eyes. "I hope she's at least normal."

Simon's smirk widened.

"Define normal."

Katsu's eyes snapped open. "Wait, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?!"

But Simon was already walking out the door.

"Have fun, buddy."

And with that, he was gone.

Katsu lay there, helpless.

Trapped.

With an unknown maid on the way.

He groaned, staring at the ceiling.

"…I'm so screwed."

Simon walked through Ember City's busy streets, rolling his shoulders as he read his next quest details.

"Huh. This should be fun."

He cracked his knuckles.

Time for another job.

To Be Continued…