Chapter 58: When Memory Bleeds
The next morning, the mission board was unusually crowded.
Three caravans were seeking escorts through unstable trade roads. A southern watchpost needed reinforcements against aggressive beasts. And tucked near the bottom, stamped in practical red ink, was a notice that caught Isaac's eye.
[C-Rank Mission: Northern Ruin Sweep]Client: Guard-Captain IlvenLocation: Thornvault Ruins – 3 leagues northObjective: Eliminate nesting beasts. Survey for system-reactive anomalies.Notes: Creatures have begun resisting basic hunting methods.Reward: 35 silver + hazard bonus per confirmed kill.Team Requirement: 2 minimum. Combat clearance required.
"They're calling it C-Rank," Isaac said, "but the words 'system-reactive' don't show up in routine jobs."
Lira glanced at the posting. "Do we accept?"
Isaac looked at her.
She'd been quiet again this morning—but not in a fragile way. It was more like a string pulled too tight. She wasn't falling apart. She was holding something back.
"Let's go," she said before he could answer.
The Thornvault ruins lived up to their name.
Crumbling stones rose from a moss-choked field, jagged and leaning. Nature had reclaimed most of the site—roots twisted through old hallways, and brambles choked what had once been ceremonial stairs.
They moved slowly through the outer courtyard. The scent of wet earth and fur lingered on the breeze.
Then they heard the first growl.
Three long-bodied creatures slinked from the arches—beasts with stretched limbs, patchy fur, and bone-spike ridges along their backs. Their eyes shimmered with pale yellow rings—faint system recognition markers.
[Soulpiercer Sight – Activated]Target: Boneleech Howler – C-Class Beast]HP: 290 / 290Traits:– Agile Ambusher– Piercing Claw– Adapted Hide (partial resistance to lightning/magic)Notes: Subtype evolved from gravehound variants. Spiritual memory not fully contained.
Isaac cursed under his breath. "Partial lightning resistance."
He turned to warn Lira—
—but it was too late.
The moment she laid eyes on the creatures, her hands gripped the staff like a vice. Her breathing hitched.
And something cracked.
Not in the air.
Inside her.
[System Response: Sealed Stat Surge – Phase II]Trigger: Combat Tension + Memory Disruption]Echo Affinity: Instability Detected – Partial Discharge]
Lira screamed.
But it wasn't fear.
It was pressure.
The staff pulsed with lightning—not the sharp, clean bolts of her trained [Stormlash], but wild arcs of white-blue fire that hissed around her body like serpents of memory.
Her eyes burned silver for one breath.
Then she raised the staff and slammed it down.
CRACK!
A burst of radiant-blue lightning exploded outward—not controlled, not precise. The howlers were caught mid-lunge and flung back like ragdolls, convulsing in the air before slamming into the stone pillars.
Isaac shielded his face from the blast.
When it cleared, he looked up.
The beasts were gone.
Burned. Vanished.
And Lira stood at the center, panting.
Her staff was still glowing.
Her eyes were not.
But her System was already reacting.
[Sealed Stat Progressed – Stage: [Fractured]]Stat Name: Soul Resonance – Rank: ??? (Awakening Pending)Sealed Skill Integration Detected – Name: [Echobrand – Rank A] (Unstable)]Note: Skill use exceeded stability threshold. Recoil imminent.
Lira staggered.
Isaac caught her before she hit the ground.
Her pulse was strong, but her face was pale. Her hands trembled as she gripped his jacket.
"I didn't mean to," she whispered.
"I know," Isaac said softly. "You didn't choose it. It chose now."
She buried her face in his shoulder. "It hurts."
"I know."
They left the ruins before sunset, choosing not to report the exact details.
The guild accepted the report, noted the kills, and didn't ask questions.
But Isaac saw a priest in the far hall whispering to a record scribe.
The name "Lira" was spoken.
So was the word "resonance."
That night, she sat beside the fire in the dormitory lounge, a blanket over her shoulders.
Isaac placed a steaming mug beside her.
"Stormlash is still working," she said quietly.
"But something new's waking up," Isaac replied. "Something old. Something hers."
Lira looked at the fire.
"I don't think the System gave it to me."
"No," Isaac agreed. "But the System remembers it was yours once."