"What did you just do to them?" Jacob asked.

"I read their minds, detected them, and killed them with [Mind Attack]," Lance replied, letting out a deep breath at having successfully used all three of his abilities simultaneously for the first time. He could feel that the ability to use Mana Manipulation was growing with each kill he made: there wasn't any sort of level-up or even a gauge indicating how many more times he would be able to activate his abilities before he needed to recharge again, but he could understand it. He had an instinctive grasp on his mana now. It was not quite as detailed as the charge he had on his menu, but it was there, and that was what was important.

"Before, that attack just made them spasm," Sophie said. "Did it level up?"

"You know about ability leveling?" Lance asked.

Sophie nodded, which he guessed kind of made sense. She seemed like someone who wouldn't stop learning—someone determined to improve herself and take control of her life rather than sit around waiting for others to do things for her.

Lance thought suddenly; he hadn't really been paying attention to much of anything since the battle began, mostly because he'd already decided they were going to win this one regardless of whether he took part in it or not.

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He pushed these thoughts aside though: right now, all that mattered was that both of their enemies were dead at his hands; three men who would never hurt anyone again after tonight's events.

They'd cleared a huge monster and a group of people, which was more than most buildings had to offer. Was there something special about this hospital? Was it as fucked-up on the inside as the police station?

Only one way to find out.

"We need shelter," Sophie said. "And I increased my health, but I'm still bleeding. It'll be risky, but I'm going to go into the hospital."

"I'm coming with you," Lance said.

"I don't like it, but sticking together is our best chance," Jacob added. "W're coming with."

"We have to go through every room and clear them out," Lance said aloud, stepping forward towards a door that was now open slightly as someone—presumably the monster they had killed--had kicked the bottom half of it down. "Are you sure you're ready to do more?"

Jacob nodded immediately, but Sophie hesitated before replying; she seemed like she wasn't sure she wanted to kill anymore, even if it was just for survival purposes. Lance knew that feeling well, though he thought he was gradually getting over it.