Episode 12: The Healing Flame

The night had passed in silence—unnatural and heavy. Not even the owls dared to speak.

Kuro Jin sat at the edge of the Whispering Woods, his body still aching from the clash with the Observer. His cloak was torn. His breath shallow. But his eyes—his eyes burned with focus.

[Synchronization: 61% Complete]

[New Skill Tree Unlocked – Flame Affinity: Branch I]

[Skill Available for Acquisition: Healing Flame]

He blinked. "Healing…?"

A faint ember shimmered in his palm, flickering between orange and gold. Unlike the offensive fire he had channeled before, this flame felt… gentle. Warm.

[Skill Acquired: Healing Flame – Rank D+]

Grants minor regeneration over time. Can accelerate tissue recovery and remove low-tier ailments. Scales with user's Wisdom stat.

Kuro Jin slowly activated it, placing a hand on his chest.

The burn scars and cuts from the Observer's Judgment Spear began to recede. It wasn't instant—but it was real.

He exhaled. "Finally… I can stand without gritting my teeth."

As the soft fire healed him, he looked toward the northern horizon—the path toward Elaria and beyond that… the city drowned by stars.

But before he could rise—

[New Ping Detected: Life Signature – Faint]

0.3 km northeast. Status: Critical Condition.

Kuro Jin narrowed his eyes.

"A survivor…? Out here?"

Without wasting time, he darted into the forest.

---

Moments Later…

Kuro Jin found the source.

A young man—barely alive—lay beneath a shattered tree, blood pooling around his side. His armor was scorched, and a strange insignia marked his chest: twin swords crossing over a serpent.

The system scanned him.

[Status: Unknown NPC – Not Registered in Divine System]

[Condition: Dying]

Kuro Jin clenched his jaw.

"This guy's not normal… but if he's here, someone sent him."

The man groaned, his hand twitching. "T-they're coming… shadow hounds…"

Kuro Jin looked around—dark movement in the trees. Growls echoed in the mist.

[New Enemies Approaching – Shadowbeasts x5 | Level 16–18]

Kuro Jin drew his daggers, flames lighting his blades.

"I'll heal you… after I clear the way."

---

Mini-Battle: Shadowbeast Ambush

He moved swiftly, using Shadow Cloak → Phantom Dash, weaving through trees and delivering lethal strikes.

[Critical Hit – x3]

[HP – Stable: 81%]

The final beast lunged—he parried mid-air, struck its jaw with a flame-coated kick, then sliced its core with Shadowfang Rip.

[Enemies Defeated. XP Gained: 420]

Silence returned.

He rushed back to the injured man and knelt.

"Don't die on me."

He pressed his hand over the wound, activating Healing Flame at full output.

The golden fire spread across the man's chest, slowing the bleeding. Muscles began to regenerate. The man's breathing evened out.

[Stabilization: 54%]

Kuro Jin's system blinked again.

[Bond Thread – Potential Companion Detected: Status Pending]

But Kuro Jin stepped back.

"No. Not yet."

He looked at the sky. "I don't even know who you are."

The man murmured something, still unconscious. A name.

"...Akira…"

Kuro Jin's gaze sharpened—but he said nothing.

Not yet.

He stood.

And turned his eyes north again.

The Healing Flame burned quietly in his palm.

But the war it would ignite… had only just begun.

[To Be Continued...]

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