Episode 13: A Silent Oath

The golden embers of Healing Flame faded from Kuro Jin's hand, but the warmth it left behind lingered in the air—and in his mind.

He stood over the unconscious man—Akira—now breathing steadily. The forest had gone silent again, no trace of the shadowbeasts that once prowled the mist.

Kuro Jin pulled his cloak tighter and took one last glance at the injured stranger.

"I'm not your savior," he muttered. "Not yet."

Then he turned—and walked away.

But with each step, the Divine System hummed louder in his mind, like it disagreed.

[Passive Thread Established – Akira Daisuke | Status: Dormant Companion Candidate]

Fate Alignment Detected: Converging.

Bond Progress: 7%

Kuro Jin didn't stop walking.

---

Later That Day – Outskirts of Elaria

From a distant hill, the city of Elaria shimmered beneath the afternoon sun—high walls of white stone, watchtowers glinting with magic wards, and an inner sanctum surrounded by floating crystal pylons.

Kuro Jin lowered his hood.

"That's where the trail leads…" he whispered.

[System Ping: Echo Signature – Detected beneath Elaria's eastern catacombs]

Codename: Second Flame | Status: Dormant Relic

Difficulty Level: Tier B+

Access Requirement: Clearance or Disguise

He studied the guards patrolling the outer gates—uniforms pristine, weapons enchanted.

"No way they're letting someone like me in."

Just then, a notification blinked.

[New System Feature: Persona Shift – Rank F]

Allows temporary disguise based on memory imprint or visual mimicry. Duration: 20 minutes. Cooldown: 8 hours.

Kuro Jin's eyes widened.

"A disguise system…?" He smirked. "Convenient timing."

---

Moments Later – At Elaria's Southern Gate

A lone traveler approached—a soldier in standard patrol uniform, blood-stained but alert.

The gatekeeper raised an eyebrow. "You're back from the forest sector?"

"Yes, sir," Kuro Jin answered, lowering his tone to match the real soldier's memory signature. "Had a run-in with corrupted beasts. Reporting for inner ward access—sacred relic recon."

The gatekeeper studied him. Then nodded.

"Move fast. Commander doesn't like stragglers."

Kuro Jin entered.

[Persona Shift Remaining Time: 18:52]

---

Inside Elaria

The city bustled with magical activity—floating vendors, spell-crafters inscribing glyphs in mid-air, knights patrolling with enchanted familiars. The deeper he moved into the central district, the more advanced the arcane tech became.

But he wasn't here to admire it.

He followed the system's guidance—down into the eastern catacombs, where light could no longer reach.

The air turned cold.

[Divine Relic – Second Flame]

Proximity: 42 meters

Warning: Hostile Guardian Detected

He stepped into the final chamber—and stopped.

At the center, floating above a shattered altar, was a sphere of deep crimson light—surrounded by broken stone statues and old, dried blood.

But worse—guarding it, slumped yet still alive, was a Knight-Warden clad in rusted divine armor. One eye glowed red.

It stood slowly, sword dragging across the floor.

"You… are not Arlen," the knight said, voice crackling.

Kuro Jin's hand went to his dagger. "No. I'm the one finishing what he started."

---

[Mini-Boss Encounter: Fallen Warden of the Flame | Class: Beta+]

Objective: Defeat or Purify

The knight lunged forward with a roar. Kuro Jin dodged, activating Phantom Veil, and countered with Flame Sigil: Severance Line—scorching a gash across the armor.

The Warden responded with a ground slam—magical spikes of hardened light erupting beneath Kuro Jin's feet.

[HP -22% | Current: 68%]

"Fine," Kuro Jin growled. "Let's do this your way."

He triggered Soulbrand Resonance, charging in under a shield of invincibility, and slammed his palm directly against the knight's chest—igniting Healing Flame.

But instead of damage, the fire purified.

The red glow in the knight's eye flickered—then dimmed.

It stumbled back, sword clanging to the ground.

"I… remember… Arlen's fire… you carry it…"

Kuro Jin stepped forward. "Then give me the Second Flame."

The knight nodded slowly.

And vanished into light.

---

[Boss Defeated: Purification Path Taken]

[Divine Relic Acquired: Second Flame of Origin]

Effect: Enhances all flame-based abilities. Unlocks Second Tier Skills. Boosts regeneration and synchronization speed.

[Synchronization: 66%]

Kuro Jin felt the power surge through him—stronger, deeper, more stable.

But more than that, he felt something watching.

From beyond the system.

From beyond the sky.

He looked up at the glowing sphere now settling into his palm.

"This world… it's more broken than I thought."

He turned toward the exit, footsteps echoing through the stone corridor.

Above him, Elaria glowed like a beacon.

Below, secrets stirred restlessly.

And far to the west…

A pair of eyes opened in the drowned city of stars.

[To Be Continued...]

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.