The sky above Hollow Orchard had turned violet — neither day nor night.
Jiwoon sat in the middle of the sanctuary garden, small hands curled around a stick, drawing circles into the dirt.
"I think I used to be… bigger," he murmured.
Shiro, the spectral fox-shaped companion, lay beside him — half-asleep, half-watching.
Kaelya observed from a distance.
"He's stabilizing, but only physically," she told Vera.
"His mind… it's fragmented. Like he remembers emotions, but not the people tied to them."
In the Inner Chamber
Kravein entered without knocking.
"He's a target."
Kaelya turned sharply.
"He's a boy."
"He's the system's vessel. That makes him dangerous — to others and to himself."
Vera interrupted.
"And yet… he saved us all."
Kravein didn't deny it.
"I'm not saying abandon him. I'm saying prepare. If the Sin Avatar manifests again, we may not get a second warning."
Meanwhile – Jiwoon's Dream
In his sleep, Jiwoon walked through a vast black corridor.
Chains floated through the air. Whispers coiled like smoke.
"Do you remember who you were?"
"You had power. They feared you."
A mirror stood before him — taller than any mountain.
He looked up at his reflection.
"I was… something terrifying."
Then a soft hand touched his shoulder.
"You still are. But that doesn't mean you're alone."
It was Vera — or someone who looked like her — standing in white robes.
"You forgot the fire. But the ember remains."
The reflection in the mirror grinned with fangs.
Morning
Jiwoon woke up screaming, glowing marks flickering across his arms.
Kaelya rushed in, placing both hands on his cheeks.
"Breathe, Jiwoon. You're safe. You're not alone."
He looked up at her — dazed.
"Was that… me?"
"Yes," Kaelya whispered. "And you still are."
[System Notice]
Sin Resonance rising
Emotional Lock weakening
Divine Avatar Status: Dormant (Suppressed)
External Threat Approaching: Confirmed