Raani's face did something complicated, and Jake could see her wrestling with the urge to argue versus the understanding that he was right.
"At least wait until you're fully healed," she said finally.
"I will," Jake agreed.
"A few more days of rest. Then I want to look at A-rank and higher missions."
By the third day, Jake's body had recovered enough that he could move around the villa without assistance, the bloodline regeneration having closed the worst of his wounds and reduced the rest to manageable soreness. The sling came off his arm. The bandages around his torso were reduced to just covering the deepest cuts. He felt stronger than he had before the dungeon, his bloodline humming with power that felt more accessible, more responsive, as though nearly dying had taught it something about efficiency.
He returned to the guild office on the afternoon of the fourth day, ignoring Raani's concerned protests and Chelsea's resigned acceptance.
