Episode 8: Beneath the Ashes

Kuro Jin stared at the ceiling beams above, listening to the creak of Ember Hollow's humble hut. Outside, the wind whispered through the trees—soft but heavy, like it carried memories long forgotten.

Suddenly—

[System Prompt: Optional Quest Activated]

"Secrets Beneath the Village"

Objective: Investigate the sealed underground shrine below Ember Hollow.

Warning: Unknown entities detected. Danger Level – High.

Jin sat up, flinching slightly from the lingering wound. His HP had stabilized at 35%, but he was far from combat-ready.

Still, something in his chest stirred. A faint pulse—like the system itself was… guiding him.

He turned toward the door.

---

Moments Later…

The village was quiet, blanketed in pre-dawn fog. Flickering lanterns lit the winding paths between moss-covered huts. Children slept. Farmers stirred embers for the morning fire.

But one figure moved through the mist—Jin.

The old man's voice echoed in his memory:

> "Tomorrow, the forest will no longer protect you."

Jin clenched his fists.

"Then I need power before tomorrow comes."

He made his way behind Elder Hara's hut, where a vine-choked stone entrance lay half-buried beneath the earth. As he stepped closer—

[Hidden Path Detected – Shrine of Forgotten Flame]

A faint rune on his palm shimmered in response. The door creaked open on its own.

He descended slowly into the dark.

---

Underground Shrine – Depth Level 1

The stone corridor pulsed with ancient energy. Carvings lined the walls—images of winged warriors, flames devouring armies, and strange symbols in a forgotten tongue.

A notification popped up.

[New Lore Fragment Acquired]

Divine Age Archive – Entry 1

"When a flame is forgotten, it does not die… it waits."

At the end of the corridor stood a massive, cracked statue—an armored warrior holding a twin-bladed spear. And in front of it—

—a sealed stone chest, glowing faintly red.

"Looks like a trial."

He stepped forward, and instantly the air ignited with hostile energy.

[Guardian Awakened – Flame Wraith Alpha]

Level: 32 | Type: Elemental Guardian

Objective: Survive or Defeat

A spectral figure erupted from the statue's base, fire swirling around it like a cloak. Its face was hollow, but its gaze burned with memory.

"Challenger… do you seek the flame… or the truth?"

Jin narrowed his eyes.

"I'll take both."

---

Combat Initiated

The Flame Wraith lunged, hurling a spear of molten energy. Jin quick-stepped sideways, barely dodging as the blast scorched the stone behind him.

[-18 HP]

[HP: 17% Remaining]

[Burn Debuff Applied – 3 Damage/sec for 10 sec]

"Damn it—"

He activated Shadow Cloak → Camouflage and ducked behind a broken pillar.

Cooldown Ready: Shadowfang Daggers – Phantom Dash

He used Phantom Dash, reappearing directly behind the wraith—and struck.

[Critical Hit – 180 DMG]

[Effect: Armor Cracked]

The wraith shrieked and exploded into flame, forcing Jin back.

"I can't brute force this..."

Then it clicked. The runes on the walls. The system's hint.

He channeled energy into the glowing rune on his palm—

[Skill Unlocked: Emberbrand Sigil]

Effect: Deal bonus fire damage for 10 seconds. Can harm flame-based entities.

With a roar, Jin dashed forward again, blades glowing red-hot with divine fire.

"Let's burn your curse away."

The daggers pierced the wraith's chest—and this time, they didn't stop.

The entity screamed, its body splitting apart into ash and light.

[Boss Defeated: Flame Wraith Alpha]

XP Gained: 640

New Title Unlocked: Keeper of the Forgotten Flame

Effect: +10% Resistance to Fire, +5% Damage to Ancient-type enemies

Reward Unlocked: Divine Core Fragment

A mysterious shard pulsing with raw power. Integrates with Divine System.

---

Breathing hard, Jin collapsed to one knee before the broken statue. In his hand, the shard melted into his skin—vanishing into the system.

[System Synchronization Increased – 36% Complete]

But the moment it vanished, the statue's eyes flickered.

A voice echoed in the chamber:

> "He is not the first… but perhaps, he is the last chance."

The shrine walls shook. Dust fell from the ceiling.

Jin stood up slowly.

Outside, Ember Hollow's villagers looked up in fear as red light leaked from the ground below.

Something had awakened.

[Main Questline Progression – Unlocked Hidden Thread: The Divine Conflict]

Jin looked toward the exit.

"This world keeps giving me answers I didn't ask for… but now I want to know everything."

He stepped back into the rising sun, eyes sharper than before.

He had power. He had clues. And now, he had a name etched in prophecy.

[To Be Continued...]

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