The smell of smoke hit first—sharp, acrid, and completely out of place in what was supposed to be a peaceful pitstop. Emberhold was a sleepy town, not the kind of place where buildings spontaneously combusted. And yet, the inn we were staying at was now roaring with flames like it had offended a fire god.
Screams filled the street as villagers scrambled with buckets and water spells. I stood frozen, watching fire crackle from the windows of the upper floors. Then I heard it—faint crying, high-pitched and terrified, coming from inside.
Without thinking, I ran.
Someone shouted my name. Probably Lina. I didn't stop.
The heat inside the inn was suffocating. My eyes burned, and every breath felt like inhaling a campfire. The crying grew louder, guiding me past burning tables and crumbling walls to a collapsed dining area. A little boy crouched under a scorched table, tears streaking his ash-covered cheeks.
"I got you, buddy," I said, crawling forward.
The second I pulled him into my arms, the ceiling above groaned. A massive support beam, already blackened and smoldering, snapped loose.
I froze, the kid clutched tightly against my chest. There wasn't time to move.
Flames erupted midair, consuming the beam before it could crush us. A blinding flare forced me to look away—and when I opened my eyes, she was there.
Lina.
She stood in the hallway like a walking inferno, hair billowing, flames spiraling around her like they were obeying her rage. Her eyes locked onto mine.
"You absolute dumbass," she growled, storming forward.
"I had to—there was—" I coughed, gesturing with the boy.
"I know. But next time, scream or something so I can back you up!"
She took the boy from me and handed him off to one of the villagers at the exit. When she turned back, her fists were still glowing. "What if you had died?"
"I didn't," I said weakly. "You saved me."
She looked like she wanted to yell more—but instead, her shoulders dropped. "You're lucky you're cute," she muttered.
A familiar chime echoed in my head.
System Notification: Link: LinaAffection Level: 82%Emotion Triggered: Protectiveness, DesireLink Skill Evolution Detected
New Skill Unlocked: Infernal Heart — Your flame-linked partner's powers now adapt to your danger level. Power rises exponentially when you're at risk.
The pop-up faded, but the words lingered. Her power had literally evolved because she was worried about me.
I didn't know what to say.
And for once, neither did Lina. She stepped closer, staring at me with flushed cheeks and eyes still glowing faintly.
"You can't keep throwing yourself into danger just because you've got a System," she said quietly.
"I didn't do it because of the System," I replied. "I did it because... someone needed help."
Her expression twisted between admiration and frustration. Then she smacked my shoulder—not hard, but definitely not gently.
"Next time, wait for backup," she muttered, turning away.
I grinned, even as my shoulder throbbed. "Yes, ma'am."
She didn't respond, but her ears were red. That was enough.
Later, while the town began to repair and the chaos slowly faded into calm, I sat under the starlit sky, turning the words "Infernal Heart" over in my mind.
Her flames had always been dangerous—but now, they burned for me.
And that terrified me more than the fire ever could.
End of Chapter 11