The smell of smoke still hung in the air.
Harvie stood at the edge of Embervale, watching the burning village. But this time, the fire hadn't spread far. The child was safe. The mother held him tightly, tears running down her face. People were alive.
Because he had already seen it once.
Harvie took a slow breath, steadying himself. This is my second chance. I won't waste it.
---
Earlier, when he first arrived in the village, everything had gone wrong. He was clumsy. He tried to help and got in the way. Then he died.
Now, everything was different. He knew where the corrupted beasts would come from. He warned the villagers early. He grabbed a fallen sword and fought, copying the creature he killed.
The message still echoed in his mind:
> [Skill Copied: Beast's Echo – Enhanced Senses for 5 Minutes.]
It wasn't flashy, but it worked.
He could hear the breathing of nearby beasts. Smell their sharp scent. Feel danger before it arrived.
This time, he didn't die.
---
"Hey!" a voice snapped. "Who are you really?"
Harvie turned. Edna stood in front of him, arms crossed. Her red cloak was torn, soot smeared across her cheek. But her fire magic was still strong—he could feel the heat coming from her hands.
"You showed up out of nowhere," she said. "Then predicted where every beast would attack. Even I didn't see that coming."
Harvie forced a small smile. "I'm just lucky."
Her eyes narrowed. "No one's that lucky."
He stayed quiet.
Finally, she sighed and turned away. "Fine. But I'm watching you. Don't screw this up."
---
Later, as the villagers rested, Harvie sat under a broken roof. He looked at his hand, remembering the pain from before—being torn apart, the scream of the child, the sudden darkness.
I died. And I came back.
He didn't know how many times he could keep doing this. Could he really die again and again?
His chest felt tight. He didn't want to die again. Not even if he could return.
But he knew one thing: if I have to die to keep her alive... I will.
He looked toward Edna, who stood near the fire, helping the injured.
Even if she didn't trust him yet, he would follow her. And maybe, one day, she'd understand.
One day. Just not today.