Healing Alicia
Lily, now in her slime form, had shrunk down and wrapped herself snugly around my neck like a warm, living scarf.
I sighed in contentment.
Ah… This sensation… I could get used to this.
But reality came crashing back.
The safe period was over.
The monsters had returned, descending from the sky like a never-ending nightmare.
I immediately hid in the ruins of a collapsed building.
I wasn't strong enough to fight right now. My only ability was my newly acquired healing skill, which didn't exactly help in combat.
I glanced at Lily.
She was an S-Rank monster—she could wipe out small fry with ease.
But…
If I just stood back and let her fight alone, it might make her love for me decrease.
And I really didn't want that.
As I was lost in thought, the sound of a battle reached my ears.
Curious, I crept toward the source and found a group of Awakeners struggling against the monsters.
Their ranks were low—mostly E and D-Rank—and they were barely holding on against the horde.
There were at least a hundred monsters swarming them.
I stayed hidden, watching from behind a pile of debris.
I wasn't worried about them.
I was more worried about my own survival.
Suddenly—
BOOM!
A new figure entered the battle.
A woman.
She was strong—not as strong as Emma, but definitely powerful.
With lightning crackling around her hands, she electrocuted several monsters in a single blast.
The tide of battle shifted in an instant.
With her help, the remaining Awakeners finished off the monsters.
However, they were all badly injured.
An opportunity.
I hesitated, then decided to approach them.
As soon as they noticed me, they became wary.
"Who are you?" one of them asked sharply.
I raised my hands in mock surrender.
"Whoa, calm down. My name is Ethan," I said, putting a little sadness into my voice. "I'm just like you… alone in this world, losing everything to these monsters."
Their expressions softened slightly.
But then, the woman—the one who used lightning—narrowed her eyes at Lily, who was still wrapped around my neck.
"What is that?" she asked, her voice cold.
Oh. Right.
I quickly waved my hands.
"Oh, oh, please listen! This is just my pet! I bonded with her through my system!"
"System?" she frowned.
"Yeah, I'm also a System Awakener," I lied smoothly. "But my system is only D-Rank. It lets me bond with low-level monsters, like this little slime."
The woman sighed, looking slightly less hostile.
"Fine," she muttered. But I could tell she was still wary.
Two of the other Awakeners patted my back.
"Don't worry, man," one of them grinned. "We're all just E and D-Rank Awakeners trying to survive."
They gestured toward a group of normal humans hiding behind them.
"We also take care of non-Awakeners," another one added.
So they were a small survivor group.
About 100 people in total—only 8 Awakeners among them.
One of them pointed to the woman.
"She's Alicia. An A-Rank Awakener and our leader. She lost her parents to the monsters… Now, she protects us."
I nodded. "I see."
They were injured.
A perfect chance.
I turned to Alicia first.
"Hey, Alicia-sis, please don't move."
She raised an eyebrow. "What?"
Before she could react, I placed a hand on her injured leg and activated my healing skill.
A soft glow covered her wound.
In an instant, her leg was fully healed.
Alicia's eyes widened.
"What… did you just do?"
The other Awakeners also gasped in shock.
"You healed her?!"
"That fast?!"
I scratched my head.
"Yeah… I got a small healing skill when I bonded with my slime."
The group murmured in awe.
"Incredible…"
"You can heal us, then?!"
I checked my system screen.
[System Stats]
Name: Ethan CrossAge: 18
Stamina: 5Strength: 4Agility: 6Vitality: 7Defense: 13Aura: ? (Not awakened yet)Mana: 10 → 5 (after using healing skill)
Skills:
Monster Communication (SSS-Rank | Max Level)Love Meter (SSS-Rank | Max Level)Healing (S-Rank | Level 1 | Exp: 1/10)
I frowned.
"I only have enough mana for one more heal," I said honestly.
The group nodded.
"We're fine for now," one of them said. "But… can you heal Alicia's old injury?"
I blinked. "Old injury?"
Alicia suddenly spoke up.
"Yes," she said, her voice quieter. "A long time ago… my ex-boyfriend beat me nearly to death. Left me with a lifelong injury."
My fists clenched.
"What a scumbag," I spat. "How could he do that to such a beautiful lady?"
Alicia gave me a surprised look.
Then—
She smirked.
"You're quite a talker," she said. "Well… thanks for that."
Then—
"Come with me."
I blinked.
"Uh… What?"
"Come," she repeated, turning around.
I hesitated. But seeing no other choice, I followed her.
She led me to a half-collapsed house.
The first floor was still somewhat intact.
We entered a small room.
Alicia turned to me.
"Use your healing skill."
I scratched my cheek.
"Uh… Okay? But where's the injury?"
She was silent for a moment.
Then—
She started undressing.
My brain froze.
"HEY! HEY! HEY! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"