---
Chapter 2: Exiled from the Capital
---
> "A hero who can't destroy is nothing but dead weight."
— Captain Graval, Royal Guard Commander
---
Three days after Rael's summoning, the royal palace made its decision: he was to be exiled to a small village church near the southern border — as far away from the Demon King's army as possible.
No guards. No escort. Not even a proper horse.
"They say it's for your own safety," the head priest had told him. "But really... they just don't want you to embarrass the other heroes."
Rael rode in silence on the back of a squeaky old wagon, next to crates of cabbage.
The capital faded into the distance, replaced by dusty roads and passing hills. The sun was hot, but his chest felt cold.
> "So this is how heroes are treated here."
He opened his status window again.
---
[Rael Stroud – Healer]
Level: 1
HP: 110/110
MP: 280/280
Unique Skill: Sanctified Corruption (Locked)
Next Unlock Condition: Experience Near-Death While Casting Heal
---
Rael narrowed his eyes.
> "Near-death, huh? So I have to risk dying… to get stronger."
"Sounds about right for my luck."
---
The Village of Varnhelm
By evening, he arrived at the remote village of Varnhelm — quiet, poor, and completely surrounded by forest. No castle. No defenses.
The local church was crumbling, and the village priest who greeted him looked more surprised than thankful.
"You're the royal healer they sent? But… you're just a boy."
Rael forced a smile. "I'll do my best."
That night, he was given a dusty cot in the church's backroom. No warm welcome. No heroic feast. Just silence and mosquitoes.
But as Rael closed his eyes, something strange happened.
> 💥 [WARNING: BEAST ATTACK DETECTED – VILLAGE UNDER RAID]
Screams erupted outside. The ground shook. Roars filled the air.
He ran to the door and flung it open — the forest edge was on fire. Giant wolves with red eyes had broken through the trees, their fangs glowing with dark mana.
Villagers screamed and scattered.
A child fell. One of the wolves lunged—
Rael didn't think. He ran.
"Hey! Get back! You'll die!" someone shouted.
But Rael dove in front of the beast, arms wide. "Heal!!"
A golden light surged out of him — not just around the child, but into the wolf.
> 🔔 [Skill Activated: Heal Lv.1]
Target: Enemy
Result: Rejection Detected — Light Energy = Holy Damage
Damage Inflicted: 122
The wolf howled as its skin burned from within, holy light erupting from its eyes and mouth. It collapsed instantly, smoke rising from its body.
The villagers froze.
"What… what did he just do?"
"He… healed the monster to death?!"
Rael fell to his knees. His HP dropped dangerously low from the shock.
And then—
> 🔓 [Hidden Trait Unlocked: Sanctified Corruption – Stage 1]
Holy Healing magic now burns the unholy.
Trait Type: Forbidden/Hybrid
New Spell Unlocked: [Reverse Heal Shot]
Rael gasped.
> "I can fight… I can actually fight!"
---
To Be Continued in Chapter 3: "The Forbidden Technique"
EXILED FROM CAPITAL