---
He reached the familiar alley, saw the warm glow of Elara's window... and collapsed face-first onto her doorstep, darkness swallowing him whole
Kael awoke to the scent of lavender and damp earth. Soft emerald light pulsed from Elara's hands, hovering over his temples. The agonizing whispers of the dead thugs had receded, replaced by a fragile, muffled silence.
> **SYSTEM:** *"USER CONSCIOUSNESS RESTORED. BIOMETRICS STABILIZED. SANITY: 75/100 (TEMPORARILY ANCHORED). DIAGNOSTIC: HEALER'S INTERVENTION UTILIZES PSYCHOTROPIC HERBALISM & MINOR COSMIC DAMPENING. EFFECT IS PALLIATIVE, NOT CURATIVE."*
*"The screaming... stopped,"* Kael rasped, pushing himself up on the cot. His ribs were whole, but a deep, cold ache lingered in his mind.
Elara withdrew her hands, her expression grave. *"The body heals faster than the spirit, child. Whatever... *thing* you carry, it feeds on your rage, your fear. It leaves scars on your soul I cannot mend, only soothe. That cold echo... it's like a shattered god's grief."* She placed a steaming mug of bitter-smelling tea beside him. *"This will hold the whispers at bay for a time. But the root remains. It will fester."*
> **SYSTEM:** *"ANALYSIS CONFIRMED. SANITY DRAIN IS INHERENT TO SYSTEM-GOD SYMBIOSIS. LONG-TERM STABILIZATION REQUIRES: 1. INCREASED WILLPOWER STAT (UNLOCKED AT USER LEVEL 5). 2. ADVANCED SYSTEM REPAIR."*
Before Kael could process this, heavy boots pounded outside. Muffled shouts – Vorlag's voice, harsh and demanding. *"Healer! Open up! We know you harbored the Zero murderer! Temple sanction this time!"*
Elara's face paled. *"Vorlag. He's invoked the Temple. They care nothing for evidence, only power and purity."* She shoved a small pouch of dried herbs into Kael's hand. *"Take these. Steep one pinch in hot water when the whispers return. The back window – go! They'll break the door!"*
> **SYSTEM:** *"THREAT LEVEL: CRITICAL. IMMEDIATE EVASION REQUIRED. OBJECTIVE: SURVIVE ARREST."*
> **"REWARD FOR CHAPTER 2 SURVIVAL & OBJECTIVE COMPLETION DISTRIBUTED."**
Bronze text flooded Kael's vision:
* **+35 WAR POINTS (Converted to XP)**
* **XP TO NEXT LEVEL: 35/100**
* **» LEVEL UP CARD (INSTANT) AWARDED! «**
* **» PERCEPTION STAT UNLOCKED! «**
> **SYSTEM:** *"PROGRESSION SYSTEM UPDATED. WAR POINTS ARE NOW EXPERIENCE POINTS (XP). 100 XP = 1 LEVEL. LEVEL UP GRANTS: +1 TO ALL BASE STATS."*
> **"USE LEVEL UP CARD NOW? Y/N"**
*"Use it!"* Kael thought desperately as the front door shuddered under a heavy blow.
> **SYSTEM:** *"LEVEL UP CARD ACTIVATED."*
> **"CONGRATULATIONS! USER LEVEL: 1 → 2!"**
> **"ALL BASE STATS INCREASED BY +1!"**
A surge of warmth, distinct from Elara's healing, flowed through Kael. It wasn't just physical; his senses sharpened. The flicker of the candle flame seemed slower, the scent of herbs more distinct, the pattern of cracks on the wall clearer.
**New Stat Sheet:**
| **KAEL VANCE - LEVEL 2** | **XP: 35/100** | **SAN: 75/100** |
|--------------------------|----------------|-----------------|
| **STR:** 11 → **12** | **AGI:** 7 → **8** |
| **END:** 6 → **7** | **PER:** ?? → **1** |
| **WAR POINTS (XP):** 35 | **QUIRKS:** [Wrath-Siphon] |
> **SYSTEM:** *"PERCEPTION ACTIVE. SCANNING ENVIRONMENT..."*
> **"THREAT ASSESSMENT ENHANCED. GUARD POSITIONS:**
> **• PRIMARY THREAT (VORLAG): FRONT DOOR (IMMINENT BREACH)**
> **• SECONDARY THREATS (x2): FLANKING POSITIONS (EAST & WEST ALLEY ENDS)**
> **• WEAK POINT: NORTH WALL (ROTTED TIMBER NEAR FOUNDATION)."**
The System painted a tactical overlay on Kael's vision. He *saw* the pressure points on the old wall. *"There!"* He lunged towards the back of the shop, not to the window, but to the wall the System highlighted. He slammed his newly strengthened shoulder (**STR 12**) into a specific spot.
**CRUNCH-SPLINTER!**
Rotted wood gave way, creating a jagged hole just large enough to scramble through into the adjoining, abandoned tannery. Dank, chemical air replaced the scent of herbs.
> **SYSTEM:** *"EVASION SUCCESSFUL. OBJECTIVE COMPLETE."*
> **"XP GAINED: +5 (TACTICAL EVASION)"**
> **"TOTAL XP: 40/100"**
Behind him, the apothecary door shattered. Vorlag's roar of fury echoed. *"FIND HIM! HE'S GOT DIVINE CONTAGION! BURN THIS PLACE IF YOU HAVE TO!"*
Kael crouched in the tannery's oppressive gloom, the System's cold analysis in his head, Elara's herbs clutched in his fist, and Vorlag's hate ringing in his ears. He was stronger, faster, could *see* more. But the cold echo in his soul remained, and the whispers waited just beyond the herbal barrier. The hunt was far from over.
--.