Chapter 27: Kindling the Flame
The morning light crept through the blinds, casting faint stripes across the room. Sienna was still asleep beside me, her breathing slow and steady, her face soft and peaceful in the dim glow. I stared at the ceiling, thoughts churning like embers refusing to die out. Yesterday had been a test—a brutal one—but it wasn't the end. It was only the beginning.
I couldn't let myself get comfortable. I had a mission.
Carefully, I slid out of bed, grabbing my mask from the nightstand. As soon as it was secure over my face, the weight of responsibility settled in again. Mr. Fox was back.
I arrived at Station 47 with a clearer head. No distractions, no doubts. Just a goal. I needed to rank up my Firefighter Job to A-Rank. That meant one thing: progress. But progress wasn't simple. Chief Ryan was the only A-Rank firefighter here, and though I had the Destroy skill, I wasn't going to use it on him. He was a good man—a leader who deserved better than being reduced to a stepping stone.
So, what did that leave me with?
Rank-Up Quests.
I'd only encountered one since getting this system, but they always appeared during pivotal events. The problem was that quest like these were extremely rare and they didn't just fall into your lap—you had to be ready for them. And readiness meant skills.
Copying skills was an option, sure, but they'd only come in at Level 1. That wasn't enough. I needed something stronger. I needed Absorb.
I scanned the station with fresh intent. Faces I'd seen yesterday blurred into the background, but then my eyes landed on someone—someone familiar.
Logan Pierce.
The B-Rank firefighter I'd scanned back in the truck. Yesterday, I hadn't gotten a good look at him thanks to the suit, but now, standing there in casual gear, he stood out. Tall, solid build, with a kind of easy confidence that made people naturally drift toward him. My Team Coordination skill whispered at the edges of my mind—this guy was a pillar here. The glue that kept things running smoothly, like a big brother everyone could rely on.