“Hero… what are your next steps?”

Sylvia forced down the tension in her chest, took a slow breath, and decided to hear Kroso’s plan first.

Resolving the imperial court’s distrust of the Hero was the priority. If he truly began turning to darkness, her fate would be sealed.

“That’s the situation, Archangel.”

Relieved Sylvia hadn’t pressed about that awkward moment, Kroso paused briefly, then laid out his plan.

“First, to regain dialogue with the Holy City, we must awaken General Gene, commander of the Seventh Army Corps. He’s not only my mentor but also the Crown Prince’s father-in-law and martial instructor—a pivotal figure in the imperial court. Once conscious, investigating the mole or lifting the bounty becomes simple; he trusts me completely. As for infiltrating heavily guarded Chernost City… I have a full plan. Archangel, just follow my lead.”

He finished and gazed expectantly at Sylvia seated on the bed.

*So he still needs my healing ability…*

Sylvia sighed inwardly. She recalled clearly: back in Brenwell Town, the Hero mentioned General Gene lay poisoned and comatose.

But now? She could barely cast the most basic Sacred Healing. How could she cure *that* level of poison?

Yet meeting Kroso’s hopeful, encouraging eyes, the words “I can’t” died on her lips.

She opened her status panel instead.

**Name:** Sylvia Rhine

**Race:** —

**Level:** ↓5/120 (Corrupted, Weakened, Poisoned, Scorching)

**Strength:** ↓5/MAX, Weakened↓

**Agility:** ↓5/MAX, Weakened↓

**Magic:** ↓5/MAX, Corrupted↓, Poisoned↓

**Healing:** ↓95/MAX, Corrupted↓

**??:** ↑24/51↑, Corrupted↑, Poisoned↑

**Cinder Points:** ↑65/MAX, Scorching↑

Just as expected—every base stat stuck at level 5 except Healing. Even her Race showed “—”. A bittersweet smile tugged at her lips.

But the Bleeding status was gone, replaced by *Scorching*. And Cinder Points had appeared—a new stat tied solely to Scorching.

The bloodstains on her dress explained Bleeding’s disappearance… but Scorching? Cinder Points? Never existed in the original story.

Worse—Cinder Points started at 65. *Near the 70 threshold for high-tier.*

Uneasy, she scanned further. Same old issue: low Magic locked nearly all innate skills.

*Wait…*

Plus signs trailed the first few stats—faint, translucent. She’d missed them earlier.

But plus signs meant *direct upgrades*. Rare in-game, requiring ultra-scarce resources.

Her breath hitched. Heart pounding, she tapped the Magic stat—*the most urgent one*—finger trembling slightly.

*It has to work. This decides everything.*

5… 6… 7… 8…

*It’s working!*

She nearly gasped aloud. Even if the limit was unknown, she’d unlocked active stat growth. With understanding—and help—she could restore full Magic, then purge all toxins with High-tier Sacred Healing.

Full power. No more fear. *Joy surged.*

“What is it, Archangel?” Kroso noticed her sudden bright expression, hope sharpening his voice.

“Hero, please wait…” Sylvia snapped back, tempering her excitement. *Don’t celebrate early. How high can Magic go now?*

She tapped again.

8… 9… 10… 11…

Numbers climbed slowly. Her pulse raced. *When will the plus vanish?*

*Please… hold until 45. That unlocks mid-tier Sacred Healing.*

Eyes locked on the flickering digits, she prayed silently.

Then—another shift caught her eye.

*Cinder Points!*

It was dropping.

*But I didn’t touch it!*

Only now did she see: every point added to Magic subtracted exactly one from Cinder Points.

*Of course…* Her hands trembled.

Initial Cinder Points: 65. *Meaning… Magic can reach 70.*

*High-tier Sacred Healing!*

She stopped tapping. Pressed and held the plus sign.

23… 35… 47… 58…

Magic skyrocketed—stabilized at 70 in a heartbeat.

*Ding! Ding!*

Two upgrade chimes. Before her eyes, the dim basic Sacred Healing icon blazed into a golden-edged High-tier Sacred Healing symbol, radiant and vivid.

Sylvia’s rigid shoulders slumped. She exhaled deeply. *Thank goodness.*

Saving General Gene was now truly possible.

But… where did Cinder Points come from? And how—*how*—could she replenish them?