The next day.
Arin wakes up in his room—completely exhausted and weak. His face shows deep fatigue, and his eyes are heavy with pain.
[System alert: Ember Energy Level: Low]
Mira sits beside him, not letting him move until he's ready. Her eyes hold a mix of worry and concern.
Arin's eyes gradually open.
"You're finally up ...how are you feeling?"
"Yeah, I'm drained up, but okay...."
Mira hesitates but quickly asks,
"Arin, what are you hiding? Why are you fighting ...so hard? Tell me, Tell me the truth."
Arin hesitates, looking else where, carrying guilt, exhaustion, and so much he's kept inside. In a small voice, he says:
"Mira… there's something I've been hiding from you… I didn't know how to tell you before."
"There's something inside me. Something like a system. It gives me missions… it tracks fear. Sometimes it glitches."
"That's how I've been fighting the Shadows. Not by luck."
[System note: Fear Index tracking active — current 82%]
He takes a moment to breathe, and a deep pain shows in his eyes.
"And that thing… attached to Mr. Colin yesterday… it wasn't human."
"Every time it activates, I feel less human. Like I'm losing something I can't get back."
"I didn't want you to see this side of me."
"I wasn't trying to lie. I just… thought you'd be safer if you didn't know."
"It's not something normal people can easily understand."
Mira stays silent for a while, her gaze fixed on Arin. Her face shows confusion, concern, and a strong desire to understand. She slowly exhales and gently places her hand over his.
"You've been carrying all that alone…?" she says softly, almost a whisper.
Arin looks away, his expression heavy with guilt and fatigue.
"I thought it was better that way."
Mira looks at him, slowly leaning closer. Shock, fear, and empathy all mix on her face.
"You wanted to protect me, but can you really carry this alone, Arin?"
Arin slowly takes her hand. His exhaustion, guilt, and fear start to surface. Mira places a water bottle in front of him, unfolds a blanket, and lets the gentle scent of healing herbs fill the air.
[System alert: Vitality critically low — recovery recommended]
"I… I don't even know where to start," Arin says, tears welling in his eyes.
"Everything I've done… every fight… it's like I'm fighting myself too."
Mira whispers softly,
"Arin… you don't have to fight alone anymore. I'm here, and I'm with you…how many times have I told you, we'll carry it together."
Arin's eyes show a flood of emotions—relief, guilt, fear, and deep gratitude. He smiles faintly at Mira.
Mira gently brushes strands of hair from his face and covers him with the blanket. Her care, patience, and calmness slowly ease the sharp edges of his exhaustion and fear.
Arin takes her hand with his, speaking quietly, almost to himself:
"Thank you… for being here. For… understanding. I don't deserve this, but… I'm glad you're here."
Warmth and assurance shine in Mira's eyes.
"I know you think so low about yourself, but You deserve it, Arin. And I… I'll always be here with you."
Later.
Arin and Mira step outside. The evening air is thick and heavy, and Arin's body is still weighed down by exhaustion.
Mira supports him by the shoulder, a blanket loosely wrapped around him. His steps are slow and unsteady, but he tries to move forward.
[System alert: Distorted energy detected — nearby]
The shadows along the street stretch long and flicker unnaturally, almost as if they are alive. Arin senses it first — a cold, suffocating pressure crawling up his spine.
"Mira… there's… something here," Arin says in a quiet voice, his hand trembling as he reaches out.
[System suggestion: Initiate combat readiness — Fear Conversion available]
Suddenly, from behind a tree, a blur of movement erupts — a massive demonic form appears. Its claws slice through the air, aiming straight for Arin.
Arin reacts instinctively. Though he is still weak, he activates Holy Touch, a faint aura glowing from his hands. The demon recoils, smoke curling from its claws.
He tries Shadow Cleansing / Fear Transmutation, converting fear into power, but his body trembles from exhaustion.
[Ember Energy: 27%]
[Fear Index: 91%]
[System warning: Vitality low — risk critical]
Mira shouts and throws a small pouch of herbs into the air, briefly distracting the demon.
Arin uses Fear Conversion, turning his panic into energy, causing his aura to flare. The demon is temporarily pushed back, but it's not enough to defeat it.
[Mission status: Active — potential failure high]
The fight continues for several minutes. Sparks, shards of shadow, and smoke fill the air. Arin's body shakes, showing he hasn't fully recovered.
The demon grows stronger, its shadow spreading across the ground, swallowing the holy light.
Arin collapses to one knee, barely maintaining his aura.
[Mission failure probability: 94%]
[Commencing emergency override…]
[Override cancelled — external force detected]
Just as the demon prepares to strike again, a ripple of white energy erupts. The demon freezes mid-lunge, shrieking, its claws inches from Mira.
From the edge of the shadowed street, a boy steps forward. His presence was calm and overwhelming.
"You really shouldn't be out here like this," the boy says, his voice steady, almost echoing in the dim light.
The air shimmers around him, and the demon recoils violently.
The boy's movements were precise and flowing. With his gestures, pure energy slices through the demon's shadow.
The demon struggles to resist, but the boy's power was controlled, almost surgical.
Energy swirls around him — forming barriers, attacks, and purification waves simultaneously. Within moments, the demon cracks and finally dissipates into smoke.
[Enemy: Demonic Host (Grade B) — defeated]
[Contribution: Arin 47%, Mira 15%]
[XP Gained: 0 — Fear Index not maxed]
[Current Level: 2 → 2 (Progress 73%)]
The boy approaches calmly but alertly. Arin scans him — his eyes flicker faintly, hinting at a hidden connection to powers beyond normal comprehension.
"You're lucky I was nearby," the boy said.
The boy steps closer, his eyes calm but sharp. The white glow around him fades, leaving only the faint shimmer of purified air. Arin and Mira both stare at him, breathing heavily.
Arin leezes heavily, still leaning on Mira. "Who… are you?" His voice wavers, half from exhaustion, half from disbelief.
The boy tilts his head slightly, calm but firm. "I'm Kael. You don't recognize me, do you?"
Arin shakes his head slowly, confusion etched into his features. "No… I… I don't remember meeting you before. How—how do you know my name?"
Kael's eyes soften, a quiet warmth beneath his steady gaze. "I knew your grandfather. I was one of his students. I… have been watching over things, in my own way."
Mira furrows her brow, glancing between them. "Your grandfather…?" She asks cautiously.
Arin blinks, realization slowly dawning. "Grandfather's student… Kael?" His voice is barely audible, trembling between disbelief and recognition. "You… he taught you… before he… before he left?"
Kael nods. "Yes. And I've kept an eye on what your grandfather cared about. Including you." His gaze flickers to Arin's aura, assessing but gentle. "You've grown strong, but reckless. And tired. Very tired."
Arin swallows hard, a mix of relief and lingering guilt washing over him. "I… I didn't know anyone could—could help like that. I thought I had to do everything on my own."
Kael steps closer, the tension in his presence easing just a bit. "You never had to. Even your grandfather didn't. You're not alone, Arin."
Mira gently squeezes Arin's shoulder, a small smile of reassurance forming. "See? You're not carrying this alone anymore. You have someone who understands… someone who knows the world you're fighting in."
Arin exhales, leaning slightly against her. "I… I just… I'm still scared. Every time I think I'm ready, something… worse shows up."
Kael crouches slightly to meet Arin's eye level, his tone softening. "That's normal. Fear doesn't make you weak. It's what you do with it that matters, that's what your Grand father, the pope taught me.."
Arin lets out a shaky laugh, more relief than humor. "I… wish my grandfather were here to say that."
Kael smiles faintly, a warm but wistful curve. "He would have. And he'd be proud of you. Even now."
For a moment, the night feels less oppressive. Mira leans closer to Arin, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead. The air carries a soft warmth, as if the world itself is giving them a moment of peace.
Arin glances between Mira and Kael, the weight on his shoulders lightening just a fraction. "Thank you… both of you. For… staying."
Kael straightens, his gaze calm and steady. "I will, as long as you need me. But don't forget—you've earned every step you've taken yourself."
Mira grins softly, a gentle tease in her voice. "And now you've got backup. Don't go breaking yourself before we even get started, hero."
Arin lets out a small laugh, the first real one in days, and leans into the warmth of their presence. For the first time in a long while, he feels… safe.