Phoenix Healer - A Meaner Azarinth Healer

The Golden Flame spread slowly over Madeline's body. Monica summoned it a few inches above her abdomen, from where it cascaded into golden droplets akin to falling stars. As soon as they touched the frail woman’s skin, Monica felt a ripple in the Mana inside the room.

Right after, the black tendrils started evaporating. But in an ominous twist, a screeching sound came from the black veins consumed by the Golden Flame.

"It's working," Monica told Dotty and Ronny, reassuring them that, despite the horrific sound effects, the healing process seemed to proceed unimpeded.

Several minutes later, with about half of Monica's Mana reserves gone—the most Mana she had consumed since awakening in this new world—Madeline's skin became rosy again.

As if nourished by her flames, the woman's cheeks filled up a little, and her hair thickened. Now, with some slight redness returning to her face, she looked like a beautiful woman in her twenties despite probably being a decade older, as if she was just taking a beauty nap.

Dotty and Ronny stared at their mother with open mouths. However, Monica, who had felt the malicious power that had corrupted Madeline's body, summoned two more Golden Flames, one each over the children's heads.

There was no screeching this time, but Monica could feel her Mana being drained. Now that she was looking for Corruption, unlike the first time she had healed the children inside the Twin Phoenix Temple, she could also sense traces of it in their bodies.

“I feel lighter!” Ronnie said, amazed.

“Is Mom okay?” Dotty asked with a hint of fear in her voice.

She had, of course, seen Monica heal Madeline, but she didn’t know if everything had gone well.

“She’s fine. I’ve eliminated all the Corruption,” Monica said.

“What was that sound?” Dotty asked, shivering at the sole thought of it.

“Good question,” Monica replied.

* * *

“What we know of the Twin Phoenix, as an Ancient Beast, is that its Avatar is the greatest fighter,” Lucas shrugged. “We don’t know much about the properties. Of course, Phoenixes are creatures known among Scholars for their regeneration, with some legends even alleging they can return from death by their ashes. However, I don’t really know anything about the power of the Twin Phoenix’s Avatar.”

Monica had sought an explanation from the Level 21 Scholar, but not even he could explain beyond what was already evident: her powers were a match for Old Gods’ Corruption.

Moreover, she had gotten a pleasant surprise from the healing.

*Ding*

Healing Skill – Golden Flame reaches Level 5

*Ding*

Healing Skill – Golden Flame reaches Level 6

*Ding*

Healing Skill – Golden Flame reaches Level 7

Monica checked her Akashic Record.

Name: Monica Monroe

Race: Earther

Title: Avatar of the Twin Phoenix (Unique)

1st Class: Phoenix Healer (Rare) - Lv. 6

2nd Class: None

Talent Class: None

Attributes:

Vitality - 37

Endurance - 30

Strength - 30

Dexterity - 59

Wisdom - 30

Spirit - 30

Intelligence - 30

Charisma - 30

Free Attributes: 0

Skills:

Golden Flame (Healing Skill) - Lv. 7

Obsidian Flame (Offensive Skill) - Lv. 7

Phoenix Feathers (Constitution Skill) - Lv. 5

Equipment:

Steel Talons (Uncommon)

Twin Phoenix Bracers (Divine) - Twin Phoenix Set (1/12)

Racial Abilities (Earther):

Tutorial

Quest System

Inventory

Map

Myriad Tongues

Monica unceremoniously dumped all her eighteen Free Attributes into Dexterity, bringing it from forty-one to fifty-nine.

Faster lives longer was her reasoning.

Plus, Ted had said that for every Strength Attribute, she needed about three Dexterity ones to have her speed maxed out.

With Madeline healed and still sleeping, Monica had decided to let the kids enjoy the company of their mother and let them sleep off the tiredness of the trip in her same bed.

That’s why she had rounded up the three aspiring Cultists and had them stand before her, not too close to the house.

“Here’s the deal,” Monica said with a smile, “I’m about to free all of you. If you want to rejoin the Cultists, go ahead and leave the village. If I find any of you messing with the people here, I will kill you—brutally.”

The three lowered their gaze for a moment, and Monica smirked.

“Look at me, please,” she said. “This is not a game. I don’t need fake contrition. I’m serious. Ted, cut their bindings.”

Ted stepped over and cut the ropes binding their wrists with his knife.

Let’s give them some sense of security.

Monica had lied, of course.

She had been telling them from day one that they could rejoin the Cultists if they wanted to because it was the only way to weed out the wretched ones.

She couldn’t trust them, but she knew that if she gave a good enough impression that she wasn’t going to kill them just to try and rejoin a cult, they might show their true hand.

“Please, go now.”

If they go and try and leave now or tonight, I’ll kill them. I can’t risk it.

It wasn’t a foolproof plan, but there wasn’t a way that wouldn’t take days, if not weeks, to weed out the real threats among them.

Her idea was pretty simple.

Someone trying to join a Cult must have not much going on in their life.

“Oh, by the way, if you want to take up a job in the village, let me know.”

“I’d like to join you, milady,” Lucas said with his head bowed.

I know you do, Monica thought.

“I still have to make plans, Lucas. Meanwhile, I’d like you to help me gather the rest of the villagers so that I can heal them. Assess which ones are the most sick and bring them in mixed groups. Healing Madeline took half of my Mana, so it’d be better to take more moderate cases for now and get a feeling of how much healing they need. Dotty and Ronnie, for some reason, required much less Mana than their mother.”

“Interesting,” Lucas's eyes sparkled and, now with his hands free, fetched a booklet from his inner pockets and started scribbling on it.

As soon as Lucas scampered away, Monica turned toward the other two.

“So,” she smiled. “What about you guys?”

“I’ll be going my way,” one of them said.

“Joining the Cultists?” She smiled innocently.

“None of your business.”

Monica ignored the manners of the guy, who was an idiot as far as one could throw him. Instead, she focused on the other man, who was observing her reactions to his companion’s idiocy.

He might be interested in going as well.

“Go your merry way,” Monica smiled. “But remember, if I catch you again, you’re dead.”

“Whatever,” the guy brooded and left.

Then, she turned toward the cautious guy, who clearly, out of the three, represented the biggest threat.

He’s a smart one.

“What’s your name?” Monica asked.

“Tertius,” the guy said, holding her gaze.

“Tertius, what would you like to do?” Monica asked.

The man took a long look at Monica before speaking.

“You’re going to kill that guy.”

“You don’t know his name?” Monica frowned.

“I didn’t bother learning it. He’s an idiot.”

“How do you know I’ll kill him?”

“Because,” Tertius sighed and rubbed his face, “you killed Sandoval. Sandoval had troubles with his Class and couldn’t level, but that’s because the old man was a fool. If he had chosen swordsman as his first Class, he would have been way past level 100. That’s how skilled he was. To kill Sandoval, it takes someone beyond skilled. He twenty levels on you. And you’re still Level 6.”

“I don’t understand how that means I will kill your little friend,” Monica said, tilting her head.

“Some think that here and there you can find incredible warriors who are absolute idiots, Monica,” Tertius addressed her by name. “It’s this myth between nobility that the right breed of idiot will make for a peerless talent in battle. The reality is that you only go as far as your intellect and your luck. Sandoval made one wrong Class choice and got stuck his whole life. I’ve asked Theodore how you killed the old man and managed to burn down the rest of the Cultists with one last breath.”

The redhead started smiling without realizing it as she finally started picking up on what the young man was saying.

“You know how dangerous it is to let someone like him go,” Tertius said, “pointing at the guy in the distance. You just don’t want to kill innocents. But you’re not letting us go back to being Cultists. You’re most definitely not stupid.”

“And how do you know I won’t kill you just for revealing my intentions? You know, you could have tried fooling me.”

“You’re not a Goddess, but you’re an Avatar. As far as I know, you might own a Skill able to spot lies. Gods are masters at that. If I tried to lie to you, you would have killed me on the spot.”

“Tertius sounds like a fancy name,” Monica reasoned out loud. “And you called Ted Theodore. Are you a noble?”

“Yes,” Tertius sighed.

“Frustrated, intelligent, and a little bitter. Perhaps, not a firstborn, and therefore not someone who will inherit the family’s fortune.”

“My older brother was trained to be the next head of the family,” Tertius confirmed Monica’s guess. “I’ve known enough about Cultists and magic to know I would have thrived and been able to go back, perhaps with a Necromancer Class, and brought an army of the dead onto my brother’s head.”

Monica first crossed her arms and then brought a finger to her lips.

“You look like a practical man, Tertius. Would you like to listen to what I offer for you to keep your life?”

Tertius raised his hands and gestured for her to go ahead.

He’s a fun kid, Monica mused, entertained by his manners. And I’m pretty sure I can use him for good.

“I will take you with me, hunting. I’ll help you become stronger. In exchange, you avoid joining an organization of idiots. You protect this village for three years, organize it, make sure that Ivor doesn’t act out—train Ivor to improve. And I will go with you to your brother’s estate. If your brother is a fool, I will lend you a hand in getting rid of him.”

“That’s—” Tertius’s eyes went wide.

“Pa-pa-pa,” Monica shut him up. “I will only help as long you’re good and just. I imagine I will be roaming the place to get more information on who I was and what happened to me and help out these people. Let’s say you survive the training, the three years in the village, and somehow your brother has to cede his place to you. If I ever caught wind of you being a wretched piece of shit, I will come there, Tertius.”

“And you will kill me,” Tertius nodded. “Lady Monica, this is an offer beyond fair. I’ve always dreamed of dealing in such rational terms.”

“You will not like your duties,” she said.

“May I point out,” Tertius cleared his voice, temporarily ignoring her, “that you do speak like someone with several hundred levels below her belt? Meanwhile, you’re still quite weak, comparatively.”

“I know,” Monica nodded. “Do you believe that will be the case for long?”

“I don’t,” Tertius shook his head. “That’s why I would like to accept the offer. I understand I will be tested. But that’s all I really wanted out of my life. A fair chance. If my brother governs our lands properly, I will forfeit my claim.”

“This should make things easier,” Monica smiled. “Now, take this.” She took out a spear from her inventory. “And go take care of the other guy. That’s your first job.”

“Would like his whole body or just his head as proof?”

“Make it the whole body. And leave it somewhere outside the gates. I don’t want the entire village to freak out.”

Monica saw the guy take the spear, give it a long look, and nod.

I hope he doesn’t try to run, she thought. This could have been an incredible ruse.

* * *

Thankfully, it had been not.

Tertius had returned after a few hours, giving Monica a curt nod and informing her, between healing breaks, that he had taken care of business and brought back proof.

The reason she had given Tertius such a deal instead of just killing him was a burning feeling that the boy, like Lucas before, would be useful. She didn't know why, but she could feel deep inside herself when someone had a chance at redemption. She imagined it was part of her powers as an Avatar. And, partially, the fact that she seemed to have a very strong sense of justice—sometimes cruel justice with compassion only for those who worked for it.

She had briefly wondered whether this was the right approach while still feeling alienated from her own feelings. She quickly concluded that it was hard to say. For the moment, she was at peace, knowing that it was the most practical approach.

Perhaps it had been arrogant of her to make promises, first to Lucas and then to this guy. But Monica also didn't want to sell herself short. It wasn't arrogance when you had these powers. It was more akin to responsibilities. In fact, after a brief splitting headache, a peculiar phrase had emerged in her mind: "With great power comes great responsibility." She couldn't agree more.

That's why she was currently setting up shop in the center of the little village where Lucas had brought her around six people, mostly with bad coughs, except for one burly man who presented on his half-naked chest the same tendrils that she had seen on Madeline's skin.

[Blacksmith - Level 15], read the tag above the man's head.

"Nice bracers," the blacksmith said, sitting on the stool that Monica had placed in front of herself. She didn't want to stay standing the whole day.

"Thanks," she said. "So, I hear you are capable of healing Corruption."

"Yes," Monica said. "Do you mind?" She pointed at his chest.

"How is it that you can heal Corruption when I know for a fact that Healers can't do that? And how are you even able to know that this is Corruption? Who says you're not a scammer trying to pull some weird con on all of us?"

Understandably, after she'd healed a few people before this guy, she had finally gotten a skeptical person. With this being such a small village, she had been quite surprised no one had actually questioned her and just allowed her to work her magic on them like that.

"Well, for one, I don't take any money," Monica said.

"Scammers are known not to take money upfront. Build trust if you want to pull a long con."

"Well," Monica smiled, "I punched your village chief's teeth out and dealt with his goons. If I wanted to take anything from any of you, it seems like I could just do that. Don't you think?"

The blacksmith scrunched his brow, bit his upper lip, and gave her a long look. He laughed heartily. "I guess you're right." He pulled open his half-burned leather vest, exposing an incredibly muscular chest and a striking set of abs. He was a big guy, a middle-aged man, and if Monica remembered correctly, one council member.

She stared at his body with an approving nod. Pretty nice, she thought to herself. She didn't need to touch people to heal them, but she thought that going the extra mile wouldn't hurt. So she placed her hands on his chest and summoned the Golden Flame.

It's not such a bad job after all, Monica smirked to herself.

"Hey, that's ticklish," the man complained.

"Oh, shut up, you big baby." Monica slapped the man's chest, making him slightly wince with the power behind her lithe fingers.

*Ding*

Healing Skill – Golden Flame reaches Level 8

As soon as she was done, she felt she was about to run out of Mana. So she turned toward Lucas and said, "I'm done for now. I'll take more tomorrow." Then she turned toward the blacksmith. "You're on the council, right?"

"You bet I am," the man said, putting his leather vest back on.

"I guess I have to talk to you guys," she said with a smile. "Why don't you gather the rest? I'd like to have a word."

The blacksmith agreed and went to gather the rest of the council. As Monica watched the man's large, muscular back move away, staring perhaps a bit too long, she suddenly heard a notification ring in her head.

*Ding*

Quest Completed - ‘No Man’s Land II/III’

Investigate Rock's Heel sickness.

Reward: Loot Chest (Uncommon)

*Ding*

Because of your kind deeds and kindness in helping fight off the Corruption, your Reward has been upgraded.

Reward: Loot Chest (Uncommon)

Reward: Loot Chest (Rare)