Skarlet sat up in bed, she yawned with a stretch high above her head. She frowned as she slipped from the sheets, she was dressed in a white nightgown decorated with small pink bows on the collar, sleeves, and hem. She sighed as she noticed herself in the mirror, Amethyst had helped her buy new clothes. One of those was the sleepwear she was currently wearing. It was really soft and comfortable, honestly she didn't have to be told she could see it in her reflection. The dried drool on her chin, that red mark on her cheek matching with the one on her arm. Her hair was frazzled and her eyes stuck together. She wiped them lazily, her eyes strayed to her bed as she thought it would be nice to sink into that comfortable darkness once more, it takes so much to just step out the door. I could live forever in a nice dream, a comfortable sleep. . . She sighed as she turned to the sword leaning against her desk a wonderful dream for sure. She thought as she yanked her gown off, she was also wearing new underwear. Personally Skarlet didn't care that much, her old underwear had been aggressively trashed by Amethyst though. Skarlet shivered slightly, Amethyst was angry that she wore such old plain panties. The first store they had visited was an underwear store, she was currently wearing mostly white with light gray flowery patterns on both the bra and underwear. Amethyst had said that the fact that Skarlet didn't put effort into her appearance was a crime and that she would help her remedy it. Skarlet basically had a whole new wardrobe. One of the main things was that Amethyst had basically trashed all her old clothes for being too gloomy, now her wardrobe was filled with more lighter colors and less black.

As Skarlet looked at herself she was left with the acknowledgement that it did look better, she looked more appealing, well if you ignored her devastating appearance. Skarlet summoned a ball of water and dropped it on her head.

She relished in the cold feeling as it trickled down her skin, puddling beneath her feet, she wiggled her toes feeling the water between them. It was a simple thing, Skarlet panned her eyes from her feet upwards, as she reached her face she had to pause and reach upwards, her finger brushing against her cheek. She was smiling, her first thought was a question. Is something wrong? But as she collected her thoughts that question changed. Why am I happy? She realized that the Aggressively affectionate Amethyst and the thoughtful Aiko made her feel wanted even needed. She realized that even though Amethyst's antics could be annoying, but they were blatant showings of affection.

Skarlet was forced to Acknowledge that she enjoyed someone fussing over her, reminds me of my older brother, I miss. . . No I shouldn't dwell on my own mistakes. I'm trying to remedy them.

Skarlet began wringing the water out of her hair and brushing it before casting a wind spell to dry herself off.

Skarlet quickly got dressed in her skirt and shirt, pulling on her gloves and stepping into her boots. She picked up her breastplate, softly rubbing the shiny surface before buckling it against her chest. Skarlet couldn't help but frown at the space in the chest area. Yoffin said the armor was made for her at the request of her parents, and he simply made quick modifications when she came and could receive it. Guess changing the breastplate to fit snugger wouldn't have been a quick fix.

Skarlet sighed as she adjusted her knife sheath at her waist before buckling the belts and turning to her cloak, hanging off her desk chair.

Skarlet lifted the cloak, it was a little big, dragging on the ground when worn. The hood of the cloak looked like a cat, she frowned as she gazed into the button eyes before throwing it over her shoulder and clipping the chain together at the neck.

Skarlet then sheathed her knife and sword. She stepped up to the mirror, she sighed as she looked at her swollen cheek. Damn he hit so hard. She thought as she gave her hair a few brushes with her fingers, it didn't really help though her hair was always a bit messy. Though she couldn't help but admire her new outfit, it was the highest quality fit she'd ever had. The skirt was a bit short but that wasn't really something she cared about. The gloves and boots had red wolf fur lining them. It was pretty cool, and the skirt with red in-between the folds. She gave a little spin as a small smile crept onto her face. I look pretty good huh. She struck a pose before turning away from the mirror as she blushed slightly. I'm not a kid, geez, she scolded herself lightly before stepping through her door which had been rather quickly repaired. She headed for the kitchen but paused as her stomach growled. She turned and with hesitancy, stepped into the lobby.

"Come on Maria, if you weren't awake enough to eat yourself you should have laid in bed longer." A voice spoke, it was warm, but scolding. Skarlet turned to see a white fox Lithian feeding a young girl, one who she recognized as Maria Macuroll, the Lithian wore a slave collar. Skarlet wrinkled her nose at that, but she recognized the girl, she was often with Cody.

"I was hungry, and the smell was reaching all the way to our room." Maria answered, she was side eyeing her servant with a smirk.

"What about Cody, we shouldn't stray too far. . ." She trailed off, she looked worried, but Maria waved her off.

"He's too cautious, I appreciate what he's doing, but I doubt anything will happen here. I want some of the meat now please Clara,'' Clara looked frustrated, but grabbed a piece of the fried meat strips and plopped it into Maria's open mouth. Skarlet would have just walked past them, but there was a man getting close to the young oblivious noble girl. He was dressed in dark clothes with a hood up, he would have looked out of place if not for the fact that many dressed like that around here. Skarlet included, she sighed realizing she was about to involve herself in something troublesome.

Skarlet approached slowly as well, a glint of metal made her quicken her approach, her tail was low like when she was hunting in the forest. Seemingly out of nowhere, the man thrust a knife at Maria's back. Skarlet reached out and caught his wrist, twisted it just right, causing him to drop the knife and allowing Skarlet to catch it in a single fluid motion. She pushed him back and placed the knife at his throat.

"This is a dangerous knife to use for breakfast." She threatened, he paled as Maria and Clara leaped up, Clara pushed Maria behind her.

"Oh, I umh, shit." He realized he couldn't talk his way out. It was at that moment that Cody walked down the stairs, he stopped mid-yawn. His eyes widened, taking in the scene before him. Then he hardened his face and stepped forward, he took the man's hands and pinned them behind his back.

"Hey, umh, thanks Skarlet. I can take it from here." Cody thanked her awkwardly, She just relaxed her stance and turned around, she took the knife by the blade and threw it. It embedded itself in the wall next to the head of a man, he held a mini crossbow and was aiming it at Maria. After he realized he'd been caught he bolted.

She just nodded at Cody before heading towards the breakfast line, her tail flicked at the tip betraying her annoyance. She felt his eyes trained on her and she wondered what he was thinking.

Skarlet sat down with her breakfast and began to eat as Cody, Clara, and Maria left the inn. She took a bite of the meat as she thought, I killed a lot the other day, I wonder how much stronger I've gotten. She ate quietly but felt people staring at her so she finished up quickly, eating a few bites of everything before getting up and pushing open the inn doors. The sun was up already, in fact, it was midday. She threw her hood up and started walking.

Skarlet pushed open the Guild doors and headed towards the desk, she opened her mouth, but couldn't speak.

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"Skarlet! The horn you brought back was analyzed. That was a D class monster!! I need your guild card." The receptionist freaked out as she grabbed Skarlet's hand.

"A-alright." Skarlet handed her guild card to the receptionist. The receptionist slid the guild card into a magical device. It looked kinda like a microscope.

"Place your hand here." Skarlet placed her hand on the handle above the card. "Now push your mana into it." Skarlet did as she was told, the crystal lit up and a stream of mana seeped into her card and it glowed. "Alright." Skarlet took her hand off and her card was handed back to her. "You're now E rank." The whole guild went quiet. Skarlet's ears raised in surprise, and her tail curled around her. She snuck a few glances behind her, they were staring. "Isn't it exciting? You're finally moving forward. You got a lot to live up to though, so work hard!" Sasha seemed excited as she lifted a fist up and grabbed her forearm with sparkling eyes. That's when the voices started, and the dread sunk in.

"Skarlet ranked up?"

"Seriously"

"Isn't she a runt."

"Maybe she's just a late bloomer."

"I'm gonna keep my eye on her." Voices whispered around her, they judged her, she jammed her card back into her pocket. She turned to leave, Sasha was about to ask her something but Skarlet stopped her.

"G-gonna hunt some more." She stammered, trying to explain herself. Her eyes darted, she wanted to leave.

"Well if you bring anything back that's commissioned we'll pay you for their completion." Skarlet nodded, turned and left quickly, eyes bore and words spoke at her back but she ignored them all. She pushed out into the sun, turning towards the east entrance, she walked briskly down the sidewalk. Before slipping down a side street, the stucco was cold on her back as she leaned against a building in the shade. She laid her hand against her chest feeling her rapid heart beat as a tear dropped from her cheek. Damn, why'd she have to bring up my parents. Skarlet slid down the wall and wiped her eyes as the tears began to fall. "Shit." She whispered, "I'm still just a damn kid." She whimpered softly as she steadied her breathing.

Thump, thump, thump.

"Hey lookie here, the little runt is fucking crying in a back alley." A voice pushed away the quiet thumping of the approaching footsteps. Skarlet looked up to see a large man, donning leather armor over some cheap pants and shirt. He had a large sword on his back. She stood up and noticed two more guys stepping into view. Similar attire between them.

"The fuck do you want?" Skarlet spat as she stood up.

"Nothing much, just, seems you're starting to forget your place. You belong at the bottom, barely showing your face. If possible you'd be dead, but knowing the guild master, we sadly can't. But we'll make sure you remember your place at least." The large man spoke, the two smaller men stepped forward and the first one lunged.

Skarlet ducked, but was immediately punished for it as a second fist slammed into her gut. With a painful thud, Skarlet slammed into the wall.

"We've noticed your new gear, too good for a bitch like you so let's rip it to shreds yeah?" Skarlet frowned as two glint's of metal revealed that they had pulled out knives. They came at her fast, she brought her arm up to block one attack only to be smashed by another. A fist came flying for her chest and another for her cheek, she sidestepped and ducked. Managing to dodge both she swung her own fist, the man in front of her tilted to avoid her attack. Then he grabbed her arm and bent it, Skarlet felt a white hot pain travel up her arm but she ignored it as she leaned into the bent.

Snap, pain exploded as her arm broke and then a wet thud rang out as she smashed her fist into the man's face, then kicked his shin and shoved him against the wall.

Thud, Skarlet felt more pain as the man's partner began throwing punches at her back, Skarlet ignored him as she started pounding the man in front of her. Fist after fist, blood began to coat her hands, chest, and face as she kept punching him.

Eventually, the man's partner seemed to have had enough as he wrapped her in a chokehold and yanked her off his friend who slid down the wall in a slump. His face was smashed and blood dripped down his lips and nose, he was out cold.

Skarlet struggled as he swung her around and slammed her into the wall, then more pain bloomed as a knife was stabbed into her side. Then a thud as a blindingly fast punch sent her sprawling, Skarlet hit the ground. She couldn't seem to even think for a second as she was still reeling from the punch.

Thump, thump, thump, her heartbeat seemed to echo the sound of the footsteps approaching.

"Damn you fucked Kale up, but that's fine a simple potion will fix him up, but you don't have those do you and without the ability to do magic. Ha imma fuck your face up real good."

The man kicked her hard in the stomach, Skarlet immediately heaved and a chunk of blood splattered against the cobble.

Smack, a boot came down on her head and pressed it into the stone. "What a disappointment, I thought you'd be a challenge after apparently beating that D rank beast." The man grabbed Skarlet's collar and lifted her up, he grabbed the handle sticking from her side and ripped out the knife. Skarlet gasped as blood soaked her side, her thoughts were elsewhere though. This pain, they felt so much worse the night I killed them.

He then held the blade up to her face. "what an ugly child, can't imagine what sorta monsters gave birth to you."

What sorta monsters monsters-monst-mon-mon what? Mom, Dad, brother, monster is not a word reserved for them. No, monster is a word reserved for the despicable daughter who killed them.

Snap, there was a sound of garbling, as drool and blood began bubbling in his throat. The look in Skarlet's eyes as she stared into his was like a beast as he felt her claws digging through his chest. she could feel his innards as she reached inside, the bottom of his ribs scraped her wrist as blood began to pour out.

Thud, his back was slammed against the wall as she began to rip and tear through his flesh, his screams were like music to her. She couldn't stop it as a smile filled her face, she didn't even take the time to spit out the blood slowly rising in her throat. The wound in her side thumped rhythmicly but she ignored it as she focused entirely on showing this foolish man who the real monster was.

She didn't get to play long though, as someone grabbed her. she gripped the man who insulted her parents, her claws sunk deep into his chest. It was no use as she was ripped off him

"Guess you did get stronger huh?" Skarlet hit the wall so hard it cracked, blood pooled in her mouth and trickled down her smiling lips as she looked at the large man. "That's a scary look you got, but it'll take more than that." Then he swung his fist. an explosion tore through her thoughts blasting them to pieces as her mind went blank.

Skarlet woke up moments after, her entire body was on fire and she was no longer in the alley, she was in what looked like a tavern.

"Man I thought you were out with one punch, that woulda been boring." The man spoke again as he stepped through the hole in the wall, Skarlet tried to stand up but couldn't. a name surfaced in her mind as she looked at this man. Alastair, a C rank adventurer, believed in her bad luck rumor and considered her a danger akin to a monster residing in the city.

Alastair began to laugh as he picked her up by the throat, Skarlet couldn't breath, she clawed at his wrist and managed to draw blood but he didn't even flinch. She was then smashed into the bar, an explosion seemed to go off as her face kissed the floor, bar between her and it shattering like glass and covered her in small wounds and splinters. The tavern wasn't open, it probably opened after dark. there was no one here and the fires were out, but that didn't seem to stop the possibility of a bar fight as Skarlet got pummeled relentlessly.

Skarlet struggled and tried to defend herself but there wasn't anything she could do against him. He began to rip and tear at her clothes before smashing his fist into her repeatedly. After feeling satisfied with her bloody face and body he grabbed her broken arm and snapped it in the other direction. Skarlet gritted her teeth at the pain before bracing herself as she was promptly thrown through the storefront window.

Skarlet hit the cobblestone street and tumbled, people walking made a path for her but no one helped. Skarlet lay there and looked at the sky, focusing on the pain she closed her eyes and enjoyed the intense feeling of it. As the people walked by her mind lingered on the two adventurers she'd managed to beat, and a smile peaked out from her bloody swollen cheeks.

"Skarlet!?" A voice suddenly drew her attention before she winced as something wet began to pour on her. Standing above her was a silent Aiko methodically pouring potions while Amethyst crouched down and looked extremely worried. but Skarlet was soon wincing, whimpering, and twitching as the potions began to take affect. Her wounds began healing, she could tell due to the pain. Suddenly she had to bite her tongue as a scream tried to come out. Why does healing a broken bone hurt worse than breaking it in the first place. Skarlet soon sighed as the pain receeded.

"Ha, hey I'm fine." Skarlet protested while gasping for breath, however they ignored her, she was carried out of the street and into a small side shop.

"What happened?" Amethyst asked seriously while two handing an ice cream cone, a white ring around her lips. Aiko was eating more elegantly but also stared intently at Skarlet.

Skarlet sighed, she didn't want to tell them, but. . . She couldn't seem to say no right now. The eyes glaring at her held not hostility but intense worry. So against her instincts, she began recounting the story.