The Healer’s Secret Kiss and the Chimera’s Fall

< p >A sharp, guttural roar tore through the cavern as the chimera slashed its claws in a wild arc. The creature blended the speed of a werewolf with the raw power of an orc warrior — one careless moment and its throat would be gone.

< p >Jina’s heart hammered with pain as she dragged every last drop of mana from her body and swung her gauntlets with brutal force.

< p >Kwang!

< p >Sparks exploded in every direction. The rotting face of the chimera split wide open, lips and all, exposing yellowed fangs in a grotesque maw.

< p >She had slain dozens of undead while tagging along behind her knightly master, yet this was her first time facing a chimera.

< p >If it had been her master, he would have split the thing’s head open and turned its body into red paste without breaking a sweat.

< p >Even without him, it would have been easy in her old workshop back home.

< p >She never would have found herself in this situation, and Ahin would never have had to worry about her.

< p >“Damn it…!”

< p >She gritted her teeth and threw another punch, colliding head-on with the chimera.

< p >Kwoooaang!

< p >A deafening boom rang out. Both she and the creature were slammed backward.

< p >The impact hurled Jina farther than it flung the chimera, and the monster’s claws whipped up in a wide arc behind her.

< p >The opening was obvious, but she had no time to counter.

< p >The moment she steadied herself, the chimera would recover its balance. It was still fresh and alive; she was already running on empty.

< p >As she braced for the next leap, golden eyes flashed before her.

< p >“…[Ice Arrows].”

< p >Instead of the massive ice spike from before, three slender arrows of frozen mana materialized in the air.

< p >She had poured everything into the previous spell. This was the absolute limit.

< p >If mana didn’t recover, even this would have been too much.

< p >The power was nothing compared to the big spells, but the control was perfect.

< p >“I’ll take your eyes.”

< p >Cold killing intent colored the voice, as though the future itself had been spoken.

< p >A single split-second opening had appeared from the clash with Jina.

< p >Haru, who had been waiting for exactly that moment, loosed the ice arrows straight at the chimera’s eyes.

< p >The chimera had three eyes.

< p >Even if she twisted and shattered two with her claws, one would remain.

< p >■■■■■■!!!!

< p >A pained roar tore from the creature.

< p >She clamped down on its left eye as black blood bubbled out, producing a sound that was no longer animal at all.

< p >Haru had aimed for the center eye.

< p >Werewolves and orc warriors both had only two eyes.

< p >Why would it deliberately add a third? It had to have a special purpose.

< p >Yet when Haru had sacrificed mana to target the middle one, she had stolen the left eye instead.

< p >Still, the effect was immediate.

< p >The ice arrow hadn’t just pierced the eye — it had gone straight through the skull, leaving a gaping hole from which rotten brains and blood gushed.

< p >Jina, voice hoarse with exhaustion, asked, “Did I hit it?!”

< p >“…Don’t say that. It’s bad luck.”

< p >Haru frowned, answering in her usual deadpan tone while taking a deep breath to ease the crushing pain in her chest.

< p >“This isn’t the kind of thing that kills you. If it was, I would have done it already.”

< p >“That means…”

< p >KROAAAARK!!!

< p >The ground exploded as the chimera roared in rage.

< p >Jina clenched her teeth and swung her gauntlets.

< p >“[Smash]!!”

< p >Her heart was on the verge of bursting from overuse, yet she refused to fall.

< p >She had struck the monster’s head anyway, but the retaliation — claws raking toward her face — left her too exhausted to block.

< p >Even with her skull pierced by the ice arrow and crushed, the power didn’t diminish.

< p >Or perhaps she simply felt it more keenly because she was the one who had taken the hit.

< p >She had intended to buy time.

< p >Suddenly, a black claw flashed right in front of her eyes.

< p >“Jina, lower your head!!”

< p >A voice rang out.

< p >KWAANG!

< p >The chimera’s outstretched claw shot straight into the air.

< p >It wasn’t over.

< p >The same black claw was flicked aside, then swung again without losing power.

< p >Crack!

< p >With a crisp sound, the fingers holding the claw were severed.

< p >“Jina, take Haru and fall back. You’ve held up well so far.”

< p >“…Er?”

< p >The figure blocking her path belonged to a familiar woman.

< p >The party leader of their group, a swordswoman wielding both sword and shield.

< p >Jina realized the golden eyes that had glanced back over Er’s shoulder reminded her of someone.

< p >She clamped her mouth shut.

< p >“Ahin is right behind you. Go heal.”

< p >“Wait a second, you can’t take her alone—!”

< p >“It’s fine. I can manage.”

< p >Er’s voice was steady, but her fingers briefly tightened around the Rosario at her neck.

< p >“…There’s something I need to pass on.”

< p >The instant she said it, golden light surged from Er’s blade.

< p >The mana that had once been pale sky-blue was no longer that.

< p >Instead, a golden aura blanketed the entire blade, flickering like heat haze.

< p >“[Divine Charge]? No, even more than that…”

< p >“Details later, idiot! Get down!”

< p >“…What? Why are you angry?”

< p >“I don’t know!”

< p >Er shouted, then kicked off the ground and slashed her sword.

< p >Explosive golden light lanced out, slicing through the chimera’s arm and igniting black blood.

< p >KROAAAARK!!

< p >The chimera howled, but Er ignored it.

< p >She slammed her shield into the monster’s maw, then thrust her sword forward.

< p >“[Pierce]!!”

< p >The original [Pierce] concentrated mana at the tip to punch through a single point.

< p >Now the entire blade was glowing golden, and particles of light scattered outward like fireworks.

< p >KWOAAAAAANG!!!

< p >KIEEEEK!!!!

< p >A huge hole was torn through the chimera’s chest, spraying black blood.

< p >The blood didn’t reach the walls or floor — it was instantly incinerated by the white flames that engulfed it the moment it touched Er’s mana.

< p >■■■■■■■■■■■!!!!!

< p >The chimera that had been pressing her moments ago now roared again, rolling its body in frustration.

< p >It was like watching a legendary hero from an old story, relentless, pushing the monster back with every swing.

< p >From her foggy vantage point, Haru’s tired voice drifted over.

< p >“…Ahin succeeded.”

< p >“That’s the method you told me about?”

< p >Haru’s face was deathly pale from mana depletion; her usual half-lidded eyes narrowed slightly.

< p >“…The output was weaker than expected. Ahin compromised at the end.”

< p >“What do you mean?”

< p >“Mana transfer is most efficient when bodies are in direct contact.”

< p >“The less mana is lost during movement, the more effectively it can be shared.”

< p >Haru had explained it to Ahin.

< p >The best way to transfer his holy power to Er.

< p >A kiss.

< p >Jina’s expression twisted with a storm of emotions.

< p >“Ahin… you pervert?”

< p >“Who’s a pervert?!”

< p >The golden-eyed man who stepped forward was Ahin.

< p >For some reason, his normally pale face was flushed red.

< p >“A gentleman, man, a gentleman!”

< p >“…Did you kiss her?”

< p >A chill ran down Ahin’s spine at the sight of Jina’s blazing blue eyes.

< p >He answered in a trembling voice, “N-no, I didn’t!”

< p >“…Then what? You just touched her a little? Why is she acting like that?”

< p >“…”

< p >Despite the crisis, Jina’s voice was overflowing with pressure.

< p >Ahin panicked.

< p >“W-well, I did, but…”

< p >“…”

< p >“Hey, don’t pick up those gauntlets! Drop your fists!”

< p >“Explain quickly.”

< p >Ahin noticed Jina’s eyes losing their focus as her words grew shorter.

< p >“I-it was on her forehead! Just a light touch on the—”

< p >“Fine. I’ll kill you and then die myself. I’ll meet you in fifty years — wait for me!”

< p >“Stop using the same tired old lines!!”

< p >Ahin grabbed Jina’s fist to shove her away, but Haru’s slow voice cut in.

< p >“…Uncertain. Output may be insufficient.”

< p >Er’s strength had increased compared to before, and the [Bond] state was restored with even higher capabilities.

< p >Still, it wasn’t enough.

< p >They didn’t know how many hits the chimera had endured before.

< p >“It’s a gamble. Nothing else to do about it.”

< p >Ahin spoke, then began glowing with light.

< p >In the brilliant radiance surrounding him, his golden eyes sparkled.

< p >“[Protect].”

< p >A golden shield instantly enveloped them both.

< p >“W-what is this?”

< p >“…It seems Er’s [Shield] attribute was shared through the strengthened [Bond].”

< p >

< p >Ahin lowered the status window that had appeared and spread his arms.

< p >“I don’t know why this damned holy bastard won’t hand out combat skills… but right now, we’re passing.”

< p >Kwoong!

< p >The golden shield flared brightly in front of them.

< p ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠>“This is what we needed. Er can pour everything into her attack now.”

< p >His voice reached not only Jina and Haru, but also Er, who had just shattered the chimera’s leg.

< p >“We’ve been waiting for you, Ahin.”

< p >Er lifted her sword, golden eyes different from usual.

< p >Her blade blazed.

< p >Golden light erupted, and a purifying holy aura rose from the sword.

< p >The chimera stared at it.

< p >The divine light it had to swallow and regurgitate.

< p >The most brilliant light in the world.

< p >Hatred for it was burned into its soul and refused to fade.

< p >It would burn its own body to ashes if it had to steal the light.

< p >So it opened its ruined mouth with the eye still embedded in its forehead glowing red.

< p >One eye was already dead, dripping black blood, but it didn’t matter.

< p >As long as the eye in its forehead remained intact, it could swallow the light.

< p >No matter how strong the light was, it could eat it — and then spit it back out through the eye.

< p >“Your eyes are the core, aren’t you?”

< p >A mocking voice echoed.

< p >The speaker was a human holding a brilliantly glowing sword.

< p >“Instead of having a heart, it was using the third eye. Yes, that’s why it gave up its other eyes to protect this one.”

< p >The woman spoke while her own golden eyes held the color that wasn’t originally hers.

< p >KROAAAARK!!

< p >The chimera’s roar was an attempt to hide its weakening.

< p >What did a human care?

< p >It still had a sturdy body and an indestructible form.

< p >And as long as the eye in its forehead was intact, even the strongest light—

< p >“…[Judgement].”

< p >KWOAAAAAANG!!!

< p >A golden light formed a lance and streaked toward the chimera.

< p >Er’s strike was far stronger than the previous one.

< p >Her companions gasped in shock.

< p >The chimera, however, wore a filthy grin.

< p >This was nothing.

< p >A mere boost in size? It could eat that all day.

< p >And then it would spit the light back out.

< p >This time, the humans had nowhere to run.

< p >Even the weak little man was tiring out, so there was no way to stop it.

< p >So then—

< p >“…Did you really think this would end it?”

< p >In that instant, the chimera saw.

< p >A human staring at it with lowered, calm eyes — unlike the desperate jaws it had opened.

< p >“Did you? This was just a taste, wasn’t it?”

< p >Er watched the chimera’s jaws widen as the light grew brighter and let out a quiet laugh.

< p >The [Judgement] had been massively strengthened, yet it still wasn’t enough to fell the monster.

< p >Like the beasts created by dark mages, it had the ability to absorb mana.

< p >The eye embedded in the chimera’s forehead spewed red light wildly, scattering the mana it had stolen in every direction.

< p >But that was all.

< p >In Er’s eyes, which had turned the color of a man, the solution was perfectly clear.

< p >A way to defeat that chimera.

< p >A way to repay the trust of that man.

< p >“[Punishment].”

< p >Judgement gave birth to punishment.

< p >A single strike to wipe away evil and restore light burst forth from the woman’s fingertips and appeared in the world.

< p >In that moment, she felt her soul being sucked out and burning.

< p >She barely understood.

< p >This power had not been granted to humans.

< p >Her forbidden soul would burn in the light.

< p >But her soul did not burn — the light given by a man wrapped around her.

< p >And in that moment, she saw.

< p >The hidden side of a man she had never told anyone about.

< p >Whether because they were connected or because it was a fleeting illusion, she could not tell.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

< p >But the light exploded.

< p >An immense radiance unlike anything before swallowed the underground.

< p >The fur covering the chimera’s body ignited.

< p >The black blood flowing inside it turned to flame and consumed its flesh.

< p >Only the eye that had been glowing menacingly remained.

< p >It reached out with a mind consumed by agony and a body collapsing.

< p >It could not end like this.

< p >There was something that still had to be done.

< p >The source of the light.

< p >The owner of the light that had created it—

< p >That was the chimera’s final act of defiance.

< p >It forced mana into a single point, gathering all the overflowing energy.

< p >It was the third eye — the very core of the chimera.

< p >If it was going to die anyway, if it was going to end here—

< p >“Impossible.”

< p >A man’s voice.

< p >The man hiding behind the golden shield curled his lips upward.

< p >“No desperation patterns allowed.”

< p >KWOAAAAAANG!!!

< p >The chimera’s final act of defiance slammed into the golden shield and vanished.

< p >It produced a monstrous boom and scattered light particles in all directions, but that was all.

< p >The light was simply too brilliant.

< p >It consumed the monster’s body.

< p >It ended there.

< p >The chimera that had lost its final eye collapsed.

< p >The monster that ate light burned its own body in a light far too brilliant.

< p >It could not eat.

< p >It could not spit it back out.

< p >It was far too strong.

< p >Far too strong — a sun.

< p >That was the final word left in the chimera’s consciousness.

< p >●

< p >Darkness is everywhere.

< p >It never stops, and it never ends.

< p >So it always follows the footsteps of living things and keeps pace with them.

< p >It was the same for the shadow of someone wearing a black robe.

< p >—Has it been severed…?

< p >The countless tendrils of darkness connecting everywhere had snapped.

< p >It had taken little effort, but the creature with three eyes surely had his shadow inside it.

< p >—Has it found the light…?

< p >The black-robed figure muttered, its crimson eyes spreading outward.

< p >Countless corpses around it staggered to their feet.

< p >—Is it time to reclaim the light…?

< p >The thin hand holding a black cross spoke those words.

< p >A black Rosario with a blood-red gem in the center — an ominous artifact.

< p >●

< p >She was dreaming.

< p >A dream from her past, long ago.

< p >Someone’s back was so comfortable, so warm, so kind.

< p >Every time he called her name, she smiled without realizing it — the most precious person in the world.

< p >How long had it been since he had called her name?

< p >Suddenly she wanted to say it.

< p >“…Dad.”

< p >Er’s consciousness snapped back to reality.

< p >Her body was jolting.

< p >Her legs were floating in the air while a solid sensation pressed against her front.

< p >She realized it was someone’s back and almost screamed.

< p >“Dad? It’s me, not Dad.”

< p >“A-Ahin?”

< p >Er realized the man carrying her was unusually pale and shouted in panic.

< p >“G-goblins?! The chimera—?!”

< p >“You defeated it.”

< p >“Then where are we—?!”

< p >“Going up to the surface… whoosh…”

< p >“Put me down!”

< p >Ahin was sweating and gasping, and Er’s cry only made him smile weakly.

< p >“Don’t push yourself. You fainted earlier.”

< p >“What? That’s not… ow!”

< p >Er tried to move her arms on instinct and screamed at the excruciating pain racing through her whole ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠body.

< p >Ahin chuckled softly, as if he had known.

< p >“There was nothing at the end of the tunnel. They were probably just holding the monster inside. Still, I had to tell the guild, so Jina and Haru went first.”

< p >Jina and Haru, fast on their feet and a Silver-rank mage with professional magic skills, had headed straight for Carpe.

< p >The sky through the ceiling hole was already darkening, so Jina had to carry Haru while running all the way back.

< p >Ahin, who had poured every skill into helping her, could only smile tiredly at the surging fatigue.

< p >“…Why didn’t you come back together?”

< p >“Just in case the trail disappears again.”

< p >“Even if it does, you’d stop me yourself?”

< p >“…”

< p >Ahin shrugged at Er’s words and lifted her body again, voice hoarse.

< p >“I wasn’t planning to stop you. If I did, I’d just run away.”

< p >“What? So are you running away right ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠now?”

< p >“No, I just figured it was time for you two to come back, so I left first.”

< p >“…How long has it been?”

< p >Er asked, and Ahin smiled without answering.

< p >She realized enough time had passed from his smile and let out a small sigh.

< p >“…Put me down. I’ll walk.”

< p >“I don’t want to.”

< p >“Stop messing around…!”

< p >“It’s not messing.”

< p >Ahin grinned and turned his head.

< p >“When we get back, you’ll carry me.”

< p >“W-what…?”

< p >“If you don’t, I’ll think about how much trouble I can cause you…”

< p >“I-I’m not going to do that!”

< p >Er shouted, then suddenly fell silent from a rush of embarrassment.

< p >The jealousy she had voiced about Ahin carrying Haru had come back to bite her like this.

< p >She felt bad and ashamed, and there was nothing she could say.

< p >Ahin noticed and chuckled again.

< p >“Haru’s just a shorty. There’s nothing like that to worry about.”

< p >“…Her figure isn’t short.”

< p >“…”

< p >“Her height may be small, but her volume is definitely there. Jina has definitely surpassed you, and maybe even more than me…”

< p >“…That’s not true.”

< p >“What?”

< p >Er asked in surprise, and Ahin answered without turning his head.

< p >“…You’re the one who’s more advanced.”

< p >“W-what…? Ahah?!”

< p >Er, realizing the meaning, let out a sharp cry and flailed her arms.

< p >“W-what are you saying?! Pervert! Pervert!!”

< p >“S-stop shaking! You fell over—uhaaak!!”

< p >A strong smell of sweat and earth filled the air.

< p >Ahin spat out the small amount of dirt that had entered his mouth and tried to sit up with a tired voice.

< p >“…Am I on top?”

< p >A voice answered.

< p >In the darkness, Ahin saw a pair of green eyes looking down at him.

< p >Perhaps to protect Er even as he fell, Ahin had wrapped himself around her.

< p >Of course, the one hitting the ground was Ahin, and the natural result was Er landing on top.

< p >In the darkness where Ahin’s light had completely faded, the two said nothing.

< p >The warmth of the other person’s body was painfully clear.

< p >Their breaths, heated by tension, brushed against each other’s necks.

< p >“E-Er…”

< p >“…Ahin, there’s something I want to ask.”

< p >Er said quietly.

< p >“You have something hidden, don’t you?”

< p >“…W-what are you talking about?”

< p >“If you really want a peaceful life, you don’t have to be an adventurer.”

< p >“That’s… because of money…”

< p >“With just one of your heals, you could become the richest person on the continent.”

< p >Er’s suspicion turned into certainty when she saw Ahin’s mouth close.

< p >Her memory of the moment she had stolen a glance at his memories.

< p >The dark shadow hidden behind his face.

< p >She asked carefully.

< p >“…There’s another reason you’re an adventurer, isn’t there?”

< p >“Er, that’s…”

< p >“You can’t tell me yet?”

< p >Er’s voice was so gentle that Ahin could only stay silent.

< p >“You haven’t told anyone, have you?”

< p >“…I’m sorry.”

< p >“…I only wanted to hear it. And if it’s you, I believe you’ll tell me someday.”

< p >Er said, then reached into the darkness and gently held Ahin’s face.

< p >“If no one has ever gone further than me, that alone is enough.”

< p >“…Thank you.”

< p >“So I’ll go a little further than you too.”

< p >“…Huh?”

< p >Ahin asked, puzzled.

< p >“Your forehead is too cowardly, you know?”

< p >“E-Er, wait, it’s been cleaned—”

< p >“It’s fine. So.”

< p >Er spoke with a smile brighter than anything Ahin could see.

< p >“Close your eyes for me first?”