Without any ulterior motive, Kroso simply wished to draw closer to the girl in his arms. If he could, he’d gladly bear every ounce of the Archangel’s toxin-ravaged agony himself.
Her lips were icy. A bone-chilling cold seeped toward him strand by strand, stiffening Kroso’s face.
Yet the worse her condition, the sharper his heart ached. Ignoring any risk to himself, he leaned in slowly.
Closer… closer…
At last, the Archangel’s faint, naturally fresh scent reached his nose. From this distance, he could count every single one of her long, thick eyelashes.
For the first time, he noticed how taut and flawless her skin was—like translucent milky jade. One glance, unforgettable.
But Kroso’s thoughts held no trace of impropriety. He only prayed she’d survive this sudden toxin surge. Even if she awoke crippled, he’d care for her for life.
*Please hold on, Archangel!*
Gently closing his eyes, he pressed a slow, tender kiss onto her trembling, frigid lips.
“Mmm…?”
A wave of intense warmth flooded her lips. Even half-conscious, Sylvia shuddered.
Like a drowning soul grasping a lifeline, her mind surged back from the brink.
*What is this?*
Moments ago, she’d nearly succumbed—the toxins had invaded her mental status panel, ravaging every stat.
It was catastrophic: like a game monster bursting from the screen while you remained helpless. Even a level-1 goblin would be unstoppable.
But this sudden scorching breath arrived just in time. As her consciousness clung to its last thread, it ignited the pitch-black chaos.
*Whoosh! Whoosh!*
Blazing flames roared. The toxins sealing her mind shattered. She saw her panel again—lingering toxic mists still devouring her stats.
Horror struck: her Level glowed crimson at 1. One step from death. Strength and Agility: 0. No wonder she felt utterly powerless.
Worse—Magic had plummeted from 70 to 41. Too low for even Mid-tier Sacred Healing.
Low-tier healing couldn’t purge mental toxins. Without action, she’d watch herself fade slowly.
*What do I do?* The original story held no clue. No reference.
Tears of desperation welled as flames failed to dislodge the stubborn mists. *I don’t want to die!*
Then—a untouched stat bar blazed: **Cinder Points!**
A miracle?
Hope flared. The value, once zero, now read **31**.
No time to question. Sylvia willed her hand up in the mental realm—*reset Magic to 70, cast High-tier Sacred Healing!*
Sensing the shift, the mists swarmed back, slashing Magic to 40.
Panic flickered—then resolve. *Even at 39, I can still reach 70. I’ve got this.*
Just press the plus button.
*Almost there!*
The intelligent mists thrashed wildly—but external aid had arrived too swiftly. No time to adapt.
Victory was sealed.
*Hum…!*
The instant Magic hit 70, Sylvia cast High-tier Sacred Healing.
Pure white Holy Light flooded her mind. The mists vanished—utterly purified.
*Pant… pant…*
Saved.
Regaining bodily control, she stayed vigilant until the Holy Light fully sealed the rift. Only then did she exhale and open her eyes.
But…
“Mmm…?”
Thick eyelashes trembled before her. A strong masculine scent filled the air. Most shocking—her lips were sealed by another’s.
Fierce yet tender. Her defenses shattered.
*Someone’s… kissing me?*
*The Hero?!*
Her mind short-circuited. *My first kiss…!*
Before outrage could rise, the Cinder Points stat—reset to zero—quietly began ticking upward again.
*What…?*
Staring in stunned silence, realization dawned. She froze.
“Archangel! You’re awake?”
Feeling warmth return to the girl in his arms, Kroso jolted up. Cheeks flushed, eyes wide with confusion, the Archangel stared directly at him. Heart soaring, he blurted out his concern.
“Thank you… Hero. I feel much better.”
The moment he lifted his head, the glowing Cinder Points dimmed—still rising, but far slower.
Proof. Sylvia instantly understood: Kroso had saved her. *Through… that.*
*Could Cinder Points rise with intimacy toward the Hero?*
The thought sent her heart racing. Flustered, she couldn’t meet his gaze—but gratitude remained unwavering. That kiss had truly saved her life.
Yet… it was her *first kiss*. The memory burned vivid. Held tightly in his arms, her cheeks flamed.
*Darn it!*
This fierce, protective warmth… why did it feel so dangerously addictive?
*I can’t think this way!*
How could she harbor such feelings?
But… closeness to him boosted her power. Saved her life. Resistance felt impossible.
*So… utterly torn.*
