Alright, this chapter is a bit shorter than normal, but I'll have another one coming shortly. Enjoy, and as always I enjoy feedback.

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  Chapter 8

  Grabbing the hand at my hip I slid backward as I pulled my attacker off balance, throwing him over my hip with a twist of my body. As he landed on the ground in front of me I slammed my foot down into his throat, causing a sickening crack as he struggled on the ground beneath me. Stepping back I slammed my foot into his chest as he turned over, sending him flying across the alleyway into the group in front of me. As the men stumbled over their injured companion, I pressed the rage down, struggling to clear my mind as I breathed deeply. “Focus” I whispered to myself, as I shifted my stance, and took up a form. As the burning rage turned into a cold fury, I could feel something 'break' in my center as warmth washed through my body.

  My body felt alive as I began moving through a Kata, the mana pooling and condensing at my center. As I breathed out I rolled my shoulders, forcing strength into my body as adrenaline rushed through my body.

  Heroic Strength Activated: Strength 150 → 630

  Body Reinforcement Activated: Strength 630 → 693, Dexterity 400 → 440, Endurance 241 → 265

  Lifting one hand up, I beckoned the large scarred man at the front, who suddenly growled as his rage filled visage subtly shifted, his muscles bulging. “GET HER!” he yelled as the hoard of men descended upon me. I leapt forward, as one of the men behind me came within arms reach, my foot flicking out as I spun in air. My foot connected with a thunderous CRACK, his body tumbling end over and into a brick wall, causing dust to kick up.

  I leapt forward as weapons were pulled, my foot deflecting the blade of a longsword upward, as I wrenched an arm back with a sickening SNAP; Someone screamed as I began throwing bodies left and right. The blades began slipping in closer as my attackers closed distance, trying to use the reach their weapons and height afforded them over me. I slammed a hand down into one man sending him tumbling backward like a rag doll.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Catching a stray arm, I flipped over someone's head, wrenching the arm out of its socket, and tossing a body through the air. One of the berserking warriors slammed into me, ramming my body into the wall while I was in the air, unable to resist. My back cracked as I struck the wall, sending sharp pains through my body. A blade slipped through the throng, ramming into my side and drawing blood, as my foot slammed into someone's face.

  Forcing more Ki into my limbs as I struggled against the press of enraged warriors, I felt a dozen more blades pierce my legs and sides. Blood was running down my sides even as my increased regeneration was forcing my wounds closed. I could feel vitality returning to me, but the pain was excruciating.

  Body Reinforcement Activated: Strength 630 → 945, Dexterity 400 → 600, Endurance 241 → 361

  Letting out a scream, I slammed my back into the wall, cracking the brick, as my feet slammed into the press of men, sending them exploding outward. Two of them burst through the already damaged wall, into the building beside us. There was a yell from nearby as someone called for help, and more people began to rush into the alleyway. I rammed my first into someone's sternum, cracking bone and cartilage as blood erupted from the man's mouth, sending him flying through the air. Time slowed as a knife flew past where my head was a split second before, Divine Identify noting it as 'poisoned'.

  I snapped the dagger out of the air, and rammed it into someone's chest, causing their internal organs to explode out of their back in 'bullet time', from the force. As blood and gore washed over crowd, I grabbed another attacker by the legs and began using him as a weapon. People were flying backward as I spun in the air, slamming someone's broken body into the people around me. I slammed the human 'club' into the wall with a loud crack, and tossed him away as I began delivering sharp blows to anyone that got close enough.

  Time slowed again as my body accelerated, the world almost standing still. I forced a knee into someone's center, sending them through the crowd like a cannon ball, leaving a trail of bodies in its wake. The 'level gained' alerts kept appearing as I began rending people apart. I leapt from the ground, causing a body to explode beneath me, the stone of the street shattering as I created small pit.

  As I reached the rooftop I could see the trail of death that had erupted from the alleyway into the streets. Scores of bodies were strewn across shop fronts, and the crowd seemed to have dispersed. Distancing myself from the battle, I scurried along the rooftops at an incredible clip, coming to a stop as exhaustion washed over me. I dropped to my knees, covered in blood and gore, my clothing in tatters. My satchel had managed to survive the battle, and though it felt like I had lost most of my silver, the rest of the money was still secured in my inner coat pockets

  “Have fun?” a familiar voice asked from nearby. I glanced up and saw Charles wandering the rooftop, coming to a stop next to me. He still had that damned grin on his face, and if I had the energy I would have rammed my fist into it.

  “You saw that? And you didn't help?” I asked with incredulity, my wide eyes obviously conveying my disbelief.

  “Why would I do that? You looked to be having so much fun! And you worked so hard for it. You're a girl after my own heart!” Charles said taking a seat on the ledge. “I mean I'll be honest, I didn't think the bait would work, but you proved me wrong.” he said with a smile.

  “...What the flying fuck are you talking about? I didn't want that!” I yelled, angrily. “Why the holy hell would you even think that?” I asked, my voice cracking.

  “...What do you mean? I thought that's why you kept all that money on you. Then you stuffed your clothing with Orichalcum 'just in case' that wasn't enough.” Charles said with laugh. “Then you start stumbling and falling over yourself in the Adventurer's guild in the middle of the day, during a festival to get the most foot traffic. I mean when you bumped your head on the counter, It was all I could do to keep from laughing. Platinum Bak strewn on the floor, and this little girl begging her pardon? Oh, Gods, that was beautiful.” Charles said, leaning back and glancing over the edge.

  “I mean, If I didn't know better I would have fallen for it. I do think you rushed things a bit though. You could have gotten a lot more use out of that ploy you pulled this morning. Wandering into noble's shops, covered in dirt and shit, with a sack of gold. Probably would have kept escalating if the Bishop hadn't stepped in. Shrewd man, that one. He seemed pretty determined that you be kept safe though. “ Charles said, turning his gaze back on me. “Your father must be pretty important.” he said standing up. “In any case, you might want to clean up before re-entering society. Also, you killed a few from the Assassin's guild back there, and they don't tend to take that kindly.” he said wandering over to me.

  Pausing for a moment Charles glanced toward the Grand Amphitheater of Kisk, which was visible over the rooftops. I frowned as I watched lights bleed from within the Amphitheater, the sound of a crowd roaring at whatever spectacle was happening. “Still, we can't all spend our days tarrying and picking fights.” he said looking back at me. “In any case, your shopping is almost over for the day, I assume. Why don't we get you cleaned up, and then grab a bite to eat. After we pick up your guild card, we can get you home again, and call an end to a lovely day.” he said holding a hand out to help me up.

  “Alright...Fine.” I said coming to my feet. I warily followed a man I was coming to consider a blood thirsty nutjob as he escorted me to find a place to get cleaned up.