Am I a Healer? You'd Better Think So!-Chapter 2: Blood For Blood

The woman in the sky heard that statement without hesitation, then locked eyes with Darian, serious. He didn't look away or flinch—there was a desperate, almost suicidal determination in him.

She gave a slight nod. No need to ask anything; just by seeing where he was and knowing the state of the world, it was clear he'd lived a hard life. He thought this was the biggest opportunity of his life. But... he had no idea about the terrifying abyss he was about to jump into.

Faced with such determination and understanding that he had no way back, her gaze softened. She felt a bit sorry for him, but at the same time, she saw a reflection of herself in him.

*Whoosh*

With a swift movement, Darian watched as her wings flapped with ease, strong winds swirling around her. In a second, she landed calmly before him.

Just as he had sensed earlier, the moment she touched the ground, her wings vanished as if they had evaporated. It was unreal—clearly, they weren't part of her body. She was human like him... or almost. Standing before her, Darian felt overwhelmingly suppressed. Maybe it was because of the sheer beauty he had never seen this close before...

"My name is Rhea." She spoke with a slight smile, meeting his eyes. "Once fully awakened, we name ourselves High Humans. What you're feeling is a result of that. I can't explain much right now, but we live in hiding—we can't reveal ourselves to ordinary people. You're an exception, but there are many rules."

She introduced herself and studied Darian in silence. She had recruited many before and seen this scene countless times.

But unlike almost every other man, his gaze didn't wander to her curves, which caught her off guard. He only felt the natural suppression, but he forced himself to meet her eyes.

After a few seconds, he replied, "M-My name is Darian."

She smiled faintly and nodded. "Come on, you showed up on the last day of recruitment for the test. The others are already gathered, and you'll get an introduction with the whole group."

Suddenly, Darian saw her wings appear again, but this time, a bright yellow aura burst around her. The glow was blinding, so intense he had to squint, his heart pounding wildly at the sheer power.

He felt only a hand touch his shoulder. Then, he noticed his body being wrapped in that yellow energy and...

*Whooosh!*

Suddenly, his world spun in a vortex. His eyes widened as he found himself soaring at an insane altitude. They kept rising, faster and faster—dozens of meters per second. A wave of panic hit him, along with the urge to scream, but he held himself back.

Then, they shot forward at an insane speed.

Looking up, there was Rhea, just a few meters above. Her wings moved gently—it was obvious that they weren't what was keeping them airborne.

The yellow aura seemed like a thread linking them together, pulling him along with her. Some kind of energy was shielding him—he couldn't feel the sharp wind or any other side effects of their speed.

Below, an endless ocean stretched out before him.

Darian lived in what was now known as the New Arcadia Empire. This empire was born from the unification of what used to be called the American continent, encompassing all of South, Central, and North America.

He was being pulled south, over the Atlantic Ocean, until, in less than an hour, an island appeared on the horizon. It wasn't large, but it was dense, covered in wild forest that hid something far more sinister.

At its center, a massive black building rose high. It had countless floors, its presence exuding an oppressive weight. It was as if the island itself whispered an ancient, deadly warning.

The two of them landed gently in a courtyard near the building. The moment they touched the ground, Rhea's yellow aura and wings disappeared.

At that instant, in the distance, a man dressed in full plate armor made of some dark metal emerged from the building. He nodded at Rhea and started walking toward them.

'Be careful. Don't let desperation make you act recklessly.'

Her voice echoed in Darian's mind, gentle yet firm, making him turn to her.

'I shouldn't be saying this, but... just focus on sensing what's inside you. The moment you understand what's there, find whatever feels most natural to you and grab it without hesitation.'

'Everyone else is an idiot and chases after the biggest, the strongest, the most powerful. But what's meant for you is the most valuable. Sometimes, something small and seemingly weak—even if it makes you advance slowly—is worth more than something massive that gives you a head start. Power built up gradually becomes a part of you, and you never stop growing. The fools... they start strong but eventually stop evolving, never reaching their true peak.'

She sighed, then turned to him and spoke lightly, "Good luck, Darian. I hope we meet again."

He nodded, confused, feeling the warmth in her gaze. He felt strange—Rhea didn't look much older than him, yet she was looking at him as if he were a child taking his first steps. Was she offering him help because she had some expectations for him?

There was no reason for that, but... as he stared at her for a few seconds, Darian noticed something surprising.

Everything had happened so fast that he hadn't realized his curse wasn't acting up like usual. But now, he saw it—around her, there was a pure, white aura.

Rhea was completely different from anyone and anything he had ever encountered. And even when he focused harder, no terrifying visions appeared, unlike with every other person he'd ever met.

"Come quickly."

The man in black armor had reached them and spoke in a cold tone.

Darian snapped out of his daze and nodded at Rhea in thanks before following the man into the building.

It was vast and suffocating—something about it reminded him of the mansion where his mother used to work. As a child, Darian had only seen it from the outside a few times before his curse awakened. Now, he was inside, and his chest tightened at the thought of his family.

He had to move forward and make the most of this opportunity. His siblings couldn't be left alone. As for his mother... he clenched his fists tightly.

'Blood will be paid with blood. One day, I'll make you pay a thousand times over.'

Lost in his thoughts, he entered a massive hall, and several pairs of eyes turned toward him.

A dozen figures were waiting— around half men, half women. They all seemed around his age, too. Among them, one girl had hair the exact same shade of green as his.

"I am the instructor in charge of guiding you. First, follow me."

The instructor's voice was cold as he moved toward a door at the back. Darian joined the group, and they all walked through.

On the other side, they found a long, well-lit corridor. Within a minute, they reached the end.

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Ahead, a strange light enveloped them, making their hearts race.

They were in a circular area over a hundred meters in diameter. The top was open, letting the strong sunlight hit the ground. Around them, massive walls enclosed the space, as if the building had been carefully constructed around this very spot.

A celestial blue light filled everyone's eyes, while a wave of heat ran through their chests, sparking an indescribable sensation—almost like euphoria.

Darian and the others turned their gaze to the center of the place. Floating about five meters above the ground, something round hovered gently. It seemed to be made up of hundreds of different points of light, fused together.

"I'm gonna be straight with you."

The instructor stepped forward and spoke loudly, drawing their attention.

"You've heard that you've been chosen by the will of the heavens. Now, it's time to prove your worth. You'll face the entrance test—overcome it, and you'll awaken a power beyond human comprehension."

He paused. Silence spread like an invisible veil, and everyone focused on absorbing every word.

"This power is not a privilege. It's a burden. It was given to us to protect, and only those willing to sacrifice and push past every limit will achieve victory. We are the Spiritual Guardians."

For a moment, no one dared to breathe.

"You've heard the legends. Some have called us superheroes, but our battle goes far beyond what you can imagine. We exist to defend all life in this world. The will of the heavens granted us its blessing, and with it, we cross universes to fulfill our duty."

"Another universe? You mean another planet... or galaxy?" one of the men in the group asked, deep in thought.

"No. The world is so vast that your mind could never comprehend it. Our galaxy is just one among countless others in our universe. And beyond our universe, there are countless more, far beyond our reach. In those places, there are things so unique you can't even imagine. And also... a darkness far deeper and more sinister. Our duty is to put an end to it."

"Why go to others? Shouldn't we protect our own?" a woman asked, troubled.

"Our universe is special. It doesn't need protection. And that's exactly why the people from our universe are the only ones who can help the others."

The first man spoke again: "Our universe? So, there are other forms of life beyond Earth?"

"Yes, but our universe is different. There's very little life. In total, there are only a few hundred planets like Earth. Not all are inhabited by humans, but we all work together as Spiritual Guardians."

The instructor answered quickly and exhaled.

"Let's get straight to the point. If you pass, you'll understand more details later."

Everyone nodded, still full of questions.

"The name 'Spiritual Guardian' isn't just for show. Our power comes from our soul, not just our body. However, the body and soul exist in symbiosis. If our soul grows stronger, our body also strengthens and changes little by little until we become superhuman. That's why we're not just ordinary humans—we are High Humans."

"Physically traveling to other universes is extremely dangerous and risky. There are terrifying powers and creatures that can kill anyone in an instant if you let your guard down. That's why, both in the test you're about to take and in the future, as Spiritual Guardians, our training and evolution take place in a universe completely different from our own—it's called the Divine Protection Universe. And this is done only with our soul."

He looked into everyone's eyes and noticed that their confusion was only growing. So, he added:

"This is a blessing that allows us to evolve. Our universe is called the Universe of the Will of the Heavens. While we're here, it's impossible to grow stronger. Like I said, our home is special. On the other hand, the Divine Protection Universe, where we go to train, is unique in another way—it's perfect for our evolution."

"With only our soul, we can release only about a third of our power. We can train for just thirty days before returning to our bodies on Earth. That's how the symbiosis happens, and our true strength awakens. At that point, we start taking on dangerous missions and heading off to fight in other universes."

Everyone swallowed hard, deep in thought.

"See that? It's called the celestial heart." The instructor pointed to the cluster of floating lights at the center of the place. "That's our gateway to the Divine Protection Universe, where we train. Our bodies are taken to a special place within the celestial heart. There, we remain healthy for thirty days—we don't age, and nothing happens to our bodies while we're away."

A woman couldn't hold back her question: "And if something happens to our soul? Can we die from a distance? What happens then?"

"In a certain way, yes. The Divine Protection Universe is our training ground, but if there were no risks, it wouldn't be training. If you fail the test, or if something happens later in that place, you'll lose everything. In that case, thanks to the blessing of the will of the heavens, you'll simply wake up in your body—alive and well... or almost, because you'll lose all your power completely. And, even worse, you'll lose all your memories."

"You'll be taken back home while still unconscious and wake up there, remembering only what happened before your awakening. If it happens now, it's not a big deal—you'd only lose a few days. But... can you imagine what it would be like to wake up and not remember anything for years?"

"It's even worse than you think. A crushing emptiness will consume you, along with a feeling of loss that will never leave you. Usually, those who go through this can't bear to keep living. In the end... at least you won't die. But maybe disappearing would be a better fate."

Everyone was in shock—this was far worse than just falling into a coma. The person would wake up with the feeling of having lived something extraordinary. They had superpowers, immense responsibilities, abilities beyond human understanding. And then... everything would be gone, like a king reduced to a beggar.

It would be just a lingering intuition—like the feeling of having forgotten something vital, something they desperately needed to remember. But they never would. And the weight of that absence, that formless void, would be an unbearable mental burden.

The instructor continued, his tone serious: "On physical missions in other universes, though, death is real. But... the enemies we face aren't any weaker or less intelligent. Being captured and used until you wither away over decades... sometimes, just dying outright can become a desperate wish you might never be able to fulfill."

Everyone tensed up at this revelation. The power they sought came with massive risks. Reading their thoughts, the instructor added:

"As dangerous as all of this is, the rewards are just as great. Everyone who passes will officially become agents of the New Arcadia Empire. It's like a job—you'll be paid based on your achievements. The stronger and more dedicated you are, the higher your salary. In missions that demand full strength, the victory bonus is massive too. In other words..."

He looked at them gravely. "You must give your best to pass. And once you're in, in the few days you have to train, you can't waste a single second to become stronger. Only power and training will keep you alive. Back on Earth, whatever you dream of can be easily achieved—if you're capable enough."

"But, as you may have guessed, you can never tell ordinary humans about any of this. That's an unbreakable rule and a betrayal of everything you've been given. The moment you even try to reveal anything, all the power inside you will explode out of your body. It will destroy everything and everyone around you, and nothing will ever leak. Consider yourselves warned."

"The test... what is the test...?" murmured the green-haired woman, tense.

"You'll only be going to the Divine Protection Universe in spirit. Once you arrive, the seal inside you will be removed, forming a spiritual root. That root will let your soul absorb a law from that world. This is a one-time choice that will decide your future."

"Once you've fully absorbed the law, the root will merge with your soul, and you'll be approved. Then, you'll automatically be sent to a safe place in that universe, and your journey will begin. Thirty days later, you'll return to Earth. But, of course, saying it is easier said than done."

Darian heard that word—'Law'—and his eyes widened. He'd read about it before, in that fantasy book. Could it be the same thing?

"What are these laws?" the same woman asked, confused.

The instructor answered indifferently, "You'll understand when you get there. In our home, they barely exist, which is why you've never encountered them. But over there, they're everywhere. What I can say is that there are seven natural laws and countless others. Some are simple, some are complex. You need to find the best one and pass the test quickly... or you'll never get this chance again."

Everyone fell into deep thought, while Darian was completely stunned. He knew all about natural laws and many others described in the book. Based on the instructor's brief explanation... could his knowledge actually be right?

"That's enough for now. Once you're approved, you'll understand a lot more. Let me give you one last warning: if three of you pass, that's already a lot. The rest will fail and wake up later."

"You won't actually die, and failing now doesn't have serious consequences. But if you pick a weak, random law, you'll die for real in the future because you'll be too weak... or worse, you might not even be able to die, no matter how much you want to. Maybe playing it safe now and staying alive isn't the best option."

Everyone got the message. They had to prioritize the strongest thing they could find, even if it came with risks. Darian, on the other hand, was shocked—Rhea had given him the complete opposite advice.

The instructor didn't give them time to dwell on it. He waved his hand, and the floating, round object in the center pulsed.

Everyone looked at it—it was as bright as the sun. A powerful light engulfed them, and in the next instant, their consciousnesses were pulled into darkness.

***

Darian's awareness snapped back. His vision adjusted, and soon, he could see the world in front of him.

Everything was dark and silent.

He looked down at himself and noticed a faint glow tracing his form, letting him see himself clearly.

He seemed to be wearing the same clothes as before. It felt like he had a body—he could sense the cold air around him and even something warm flowing inside him.

He focused and picked up on subtle differences. This wasn't his real body. He was a soul. He only knew for sure because he had been told beforehand. And that thing flowing inside him... he recognized it. It was a life energy—something he had read about in that book.

"The book... was it really just fantasy?" he muttered, confused.

At that moment, a strong wind rushed past him.

He turned around and saw another soul just a few meters away—a man from their group earlier.

The man's entire spiritual body was covered in pulsing, colorful lines. They looked like veins... was this the spiritual root the instructor had mentioned?

Darian also noticed the man shifting his eyes around, as if seeing something strange.

Finally, Darian focused on his surroundings, but he didn't see anything too unusual. Well, everything was shrouded in a faint black mist, like the miasma from fantasy stories. That alone was strange enough.

They were in a mountainous region—no plants, no signs of life. The air carried a sinister chill. There was no light anywhere, yet somehow, he could still see a few meters around him.

*Grrraaaugh...*

Suddenly, a deep, guttural noise echoed.

Darian spun forward.

He saw them—two round, red eyes glowing in the middle of a dark mass.

His soul trembled.

It wasn't just fear. He could feel, deep in his being, a deadly threat.

Then, all at once—dozens of light sources flared to life in different directions.

Darian staggered, then turned to look behind him.

He saw that same man from before, glowing with the same intense radiance.

There were exactly twelve of them. Each person in the group was now shining in different directions. Their light shot high into the sky like sacred beacons.

The terrifying creature ahead hesitated, slightly suppressed by their glow.

"What...?"

Darian looked down at himself.

Nothing.

There wasn't a single trace of that radiant energy the others had. Just the same dim glow that let him see himself earlier.

"I... I didn't get anything?"

That thought barely formed before a gust of wind ripped through the air.

*Woosh!*

That man behind him shot away, enveloped in divine light. Another followed. Then another. And another.

Everyone was seeing something he couldn't.

Everyone had received something he hadn't.

Darian's eyes widened in horror.

"No... no way."

He was alone.

As the others vanished, their light faded with them. The darkness slithered back in, suffocating. Silence settled, heavy and absolute.

Then—

*Gwaaaaaar!*

That same growl from before.

But this time, much closer.

And it wasn't alone.

The sounds came from every direction.

Darian slowly turned his head, a chill creeping up his spine.

The darkness was alive.

And it was closing in on him.