Phoenix Healer - A Meaner Azarinth Healer

*Ding*

(Unique) Title - [Avatar of the Twin Phoenix] detected.

You have regained access to your Akashic Record.

ATTENTION: Your Akashic Record has been altered.

A blue screen insistently buzzed in the darkness of her closed eyes, jerking her awake.

She tried to move, but nothing happened.

Then, she heard a hum.

Voices, faint at first and then louder and louder, chanted throaty sounds while a single one intonated a hymn.

“Goddess of Light, Goddess of Fire,

To You we surrender our deepest desire.”

“Goddess of Light, Goddess of Fire,

To You we surrender our deepest desire.”

“Goddess of Light, Goddess of Fire,

…

Where am I…

Suddenly, one by one, all the humming voices joined the hymn, the words now booming across the chamber, louder and louder.

The rhythmic chant built to a crescendo until it suddenly stopped, flooding the place with the quiet of a graveyard.

She hadn’t been able to move a finger nor open her eyes, but now she felt a burning sensation rising through her chest, shooting blazing tendrils of energy all across her veins.

And so, she came to life with a wheezed breath followed by an intense fit of cough, and she propped herself up.

She felt a wetness all over as she rubbed her eyes multiple times to bring the scene around her into focus.

Coughing to high heaven, she finally managed to get the sticky liquid off her eyes enough to make out her surroundings.

The next moment, she wished she hadn’t.

She was lying on top of several fresh corpses drenched in blood—in a large room with walls covered in pulsating and shining red runes while several hooded figures stared at her, gathered in a circle.

She stood propped on her hands, not understanding, not... remembering anything.

W—where...

“Hey!” One of the men shouted. “Damn it! One’s still alive!”

She was too dazed to understand they were talking about her.

“Snuffed embers! I can’t believe this! Who forgot to kill her?! That’s why the summoning ritual hasn’t worked, you dimwits!”

W—what…

Another hooded figure sighed and stepped forward, drawing a curved blade from his belt.

“Whatever! I’ll take care of this.”

“Come on, hurry up!”

Who... who am I?

The hooded figure walked up to her and, as soon as he was in range, swiped the blade at her throat.

Her body reacted before she could even realize it.

She leaned back, easily dodging the blade, and kicked the groin of the man who had climbed the low pile of bodies.

The man hunched forward, moaning in pain.

She grabbed his wrist and, applying pressure on it with both hands, disarmed him. She caught the dagger before it could get lost in the pile of bodies and stabbed the bent man through an eye.

Her movements, however, were not those of someone who just awoke without memories—but of someone with superior battle instincts.

She stood up, looking around the room and trying to orient herself, but two more figures had run up to her with daggers in their hands.

One of them swiped at her, but she simply ducked, used her armpit to lock the man’s elbow in it, and broke his arm in one swift move.

Then, as the second tried to attack her, she used the first as a shield. The hooded man ended up stabbing the human protection she had gotten herself.

She was about to slit the throat of the man she had locked down, but she felt something going through her back.

She looked down, seeing a spear lodged in her side.

She heard something cut the air, and she tried dodging the second spear directed her way, but this one lodged right into her neck.

She fell to the ground.

As she choked to death on her blood, she heard the guy walk back toward the other hooded figures—

Hooded figures?

—And realized that those were probably…

Cultists? Fanatics?

“Who forgot to kill that freak?!” The man with a broken arm shouted, furious. “And who brought a virgin with a Class! Idiots! The ritual called for classless sacrifices!”

“She didn’t have a Class,” another protested. “We double-checked everyone!”

“Have you seen what she’s just done?! How could she not have a Class?!”

“I can’t believe we killed thirty-three virgins from Valoria, and it still didn’t work,” another male voice sighed.

“You must not lose faith,” an elderly voice responded. “We have committed our souls to the Endless War. Her Flame is indestructible. Bear some faith, and Her Warmth shall touch you. Our Goddess has not left us alone.”

“Her Avatar should have come here already,” the other man sighed. “Maybe we translated it poorly? It wouldn’t be the first time. We followed the ancient ritual word for word—we lost so many men to unearth it. Why... why isn’t the Goddess of Fire’s Avatar with us?”

“I don’t know,” the elderly voice said. “Anyway, we’ll need to find more virgins for the next ritual.”

“What will we do with the bodies, Elder Sandoval?”

“Let’s just burn them.”

Burn?

Before she could formulate any other thought, blazing magical flames enveloped her. She was incinerated before even the smallest sound could come out of her mouth.

* * *

*Ding!*

You have fulfilled the requirements for the Class – Phoenix Healer (Rare)

*Ding!*

You have acquired the Class – Phoenix Healer (Rare)

*Ding!*

{Unique} Title Boost Detected - The Specifications have been Revised.

+2 WIS, +2 SPI, +2 INT, +2 CHA and 2 Free Attributes per Level

+5 VIT, +5 END, +5 STR, +5 DEX, +5 WIS, +5 SPI, +5 INT, +5 CHA and 6 Free Attributes per level

You are blessed with the Embers of the Golden Flame of the Phoenix. A Phoenix Healer helps fighters with their extremely powerful healing capabilities by drawing on their connection with the Golden Flame’s Embers. However, Phoenix Healers suffer from a small Mana Pool and weak Mana Regeneration.

You are the carrier of the Twin Flame of the Phoenix. You're blessed with the Obsidian Flame and the Golden Flame, making you a self-regenerative, immortal fighter. However, it’s of utmost importance to maintain a steady balance among the two aspects of the Phoenix. The consequences of an imbalance would be dire.

Necessary Experience to Advance the Class (Modifier): x1.3

Necessary Experience to Advance the Class (Modifier): x20

This time, she came to life wheezing and then choking as she liberated herself from a gigantic mound of ash, her naked limbs flailing wildly and taking a few seconds to fully excavate herself out.

“W—what,” she coughed loudly, whipping her head around.

The ashy chamber was empty, save for the many footprints all around.

She looked at the ‘Class’ she had received.

“Phoenix Healer?”

She looked at the crossed-out text and the redacted one below.

Because of her ‘Title,’ it appeared she had just gotten a boost to whatever a ‘Class’ was.

I don’t know what the numbers mean, but they look ok?

She focused on the last line for a second.

Necessary Experience to Advance the Class (Modifier): x1.3

Necessary Experience to Advance the Class (Modifier): x20

This variation is stronger, it seems, but… it requires twenty times more experience to advance it. Whatever that means.

She looked around and coughed again, not being able to get rid of the aftertaste of funerary ash in her mouth.

Yet, for some reason, she wasn’t freaked out at all.

Maybe I used to work with corpses? She wondered, looking down at her hands, slim and young. Who knows.

One thing was certain: she had experience with fighting.

A lot of it.

The stones under her feet were warm; the mound of ash must have helped keep the heat there.

She looked down at herself and realized she was completely naked.

Then, as curiosity took over, she grabbed one lock of her hair, brushing away the dirt to reveal a vibrant color.

Red?

She stared blankly at it.

I guess I don’t even know if I’m supposed to have red hair or not.

Whoever she was—or used to be—she had no memory.

*Ding*

Quest Received – ‘Memories of the Flame I/???’

Uncover a fragment of your past.

Reward: ???

*Ding*

Quest Received - ‘No Man’s Land I/III’

Explore the ‘abandoned’ Temple of the Twin Phoenix.

Reward: ???

“Why is ‘abandoned’ between air commas?” She frowned.

*Ding*

Your Akashic Record has been updated.

“My Akashic Record?”

She looked at the blue screen with a frown.

Another screen appeared in front of her, much larger than the others.

Name: Monica Monroe

Race: Earther

Title: Avatar of the Twin Phoenix (Unique)

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

2nd Class: None

Talent Class: None

Attributes

…

*Ding!*

Your Tutorial Ability activates. Attributes have been granted a brief explanation. You can still ask for more in-depth information if you’d like to.

You can also deactivate the Tutorial at any time!

Vitality - 5 (Life Energy Total)

Endurance - 5 (Life Energy Density)

Strength - 5 (Maximum Output of Life Energy)

Dexterity - 5 (Granularity of Life Energy Control)

Wisdom - 5 (Mana Energy Total)

Spirit - 5 (Mana Energy Density)

Intelligence - 5 (Maximum Output of Mana Energy)

Charisma - 5 (Granularity of Mana Energy Control)

Free Attributes: 6

Racial Abilities (Earther)

Tutorial

Quest System

Inventory

Map

Myriad Tongues

My name is…

“Monica...”

Monroe?

Monica was under the impression that she was supposed to remember more after hearing her name, especially after seeing her last name.

I need to know more, a part of her told her. I’m in danger. I need power.

The thoughts came without her even realizing it.

“Can I get a Tutorial about this screen?”

*Ding!*

Your Tutorial Ability activates.

[Tutorial Message]

What would you like to know?

“Explain what ‘Race,’ ‘Title,’ and ‘Classes’ are.”

[Tutorial Message]

Your Race is how the System categorizes you comparatively to all other Races in the universe.

Usually, newly absorbed planets do not have more than one Race.

Therefore, it might become clearer once you meet other races through the System!

[Tutorial Message]

A Title is something you conquer by completing challenges.

Different Titles provide different bonuses.

You can swap most Titles by thinking of ‘Titles’ and replacing your Title with the one you prefer.

[Tutorial Message]

Classes are a reflection of your skills, abilities, and the path you choose to walk in this world.

As you gain experience and grow, you can acquire and upgrade Classes that offer unique Skills and Perks.

Monica read the messages and scrolled them back and forth, trying to glean as much information as possible.

Earther? Is that where I come from, then? Ear—th?

“Titles,” she said next, curious to see which titles she had.

*Ding*

Your Title is Locked.

You cannot change your Title.

“Can I see my current Title?”

[Title: Avatar of the Twin Phoenix {Unique}]

Effects:

You can resurrect after death. The time it takes for you to come back from the ashes depends on the extent of damage that was suffered.

Classes affiliated with the Twin Phoenix receive a unique boost.

Resurrect? Monica thought. I can’t die?

She had already died once. But did this mean she could die as many times as she could?

She would need more time to investigate, but for now, she needed to move on and find a way out of this place.

“Ok,” she thought, clearing her throat. “Do I already have Skills? Because I might need them soon.”

*Ding!*

Your Tutorial Ability activates.

[Tutorial Message]

Think of ‘Skills’ to go through the list of your current Skills.

[Tutorial Message]

You have yet to check the Class Skills you gained by choosing your Class.

Monica did as she was told and suddenly saw three large notification screens appear before her.

*Ding*

You learn the Class Skill – Golden Flame

Golden Flames (Class Skill, Healing Skill – Phoenix Healer)

Harness the power of the Golden Flame to heal wounds and restore your health. This flame can be used to mend injuries, both minor and severe, in yourself and others. It also enhances your regenerative abilities, speeding up the healing process.

Usage: Concentrate on the Golden Flame within your heart and channel its energy to the target area. The intensity of the flame determines the speed and effectiveness of the healing.

Limitations: Overuse can deplete your vitality and weaken your overall strength temporarily. Maintaining balance with the Obsidian Flame is crucial to avoid burnout.

*Ding*

You learn the Class Skill – Obsidian Flame

Obsidian Flames (Class Skill, Offensive Skill – Phoenix Healer)

Wield the power of the Obsidian Flame for offensive capabilities capable of unmasking any lie and destroying your enemies. This flame can be used to incinerate threats, forge barriers of fire, and empower your sight. It embodies destructive force and can be directed outward to combat enemies.

Usage: Channel the Obsidian Flame’s energy through your hands or eyes, directing it towards your target. The flame’s intensity correlates with your anger and determination.

Limitations: Overuse can lead to losing control, potentially harming allies or yourself. Balancing with the Golden Flame is essential to maintain stability.

*Ding*

You learn the Class Skill – Phoenix Feathers

Phoenix Feathers (Class Skill, Constitution Skill – Phoenix Healer)

Channel the essence of the mythical phoenix through Her Feathers.

Usage:

Primary Effects:

Active: This skill doubles the resilience, strength, and speed of your body; an additional 10% increase is added for each level. Upon activation, Phoenix Feathers now also provides an immediate, temporary +1 boost to all attributes; an additional +1 increase is added for each level. These bonuses last while the skill is active or until the rage-triggered secondary effect is activated.

Passive: Your skin becomes as durable as the mythical phoenix’s feathers, offering unparalleled resistance to physical damage and complete invulnerability to lesser flames.

Secondary Effect: “Fury of the Phoenix”:

Activation Condition: This effect is triggered when you enter a state of pure rage.

Effect: In this state, you can burn your Phoenix Feathers. Doing so massively enhances the skill’s power, granting a significant boost to all physical and magical attacks. For a limited duration, you gain a +30 bonus to all attributes aside from Vitality (an additional +3 per each skill’s level), and your skills manifest with double the potency and scale. This includes an enhanced ability to manipulate both the Golden and Obsidian Flames.

Limitations: Each Phoenix Feather burnt drains a portion of your life energy, temporarily reducing your Vitality by 30 points (+3 per each skill level) for a duration after the effect wears off. If your Vitality is negative after Fury of the Phoenix runs off, you will die. Resurrecting after dying because of or during Fury of the Phoenix will result in all your Attributes and Skill potency being cut by 80% for the next 24 hours.

Cooldown: Once Per Day

Suddenly, Monica saw a flicker at the corner of her eye, and two flames coalesced on her forearms in the shape of long, wide feathers.

She felt immediately stronger and punched the air a couple of times, her fists so fast she feared for a moment she’d injure herself.

Then, she looked at the feathers she had conjured.

Each was a bright red even though her skills had mentioned ‘Obsidian’ and ‘Golden’ Flames.

She stared at the fire on her skin, amazed that her flesh wasn’t singed by it.

She might not have known anything about herself other than her name, but she could feel a large smile naturally stretching over her face.

This isn’t too bad, she told herself as she was about to check on her Attributes.

“Snuffed Embers, who are you?!”

She spun to find one of the hooded men unsheathing a dagger from his belt.

As she focused on him, Monica saw a title above his head.

[Apprentice Cultist - Level 8]

Monica looked at the feathers on her forearms and cracked her knuckles.