Inside the Cave of Origins, the air felt different—thick with the scent of ozone and ancient rain. Austin watched as the Celestial Aloe extended its roots into the glowing soil.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: DIVINE GARDEN ESTABLISHED.]
[LEVEL UP: LEVEL 8 REACHED!]
[NEW FEATURE UNLOCKED: ALCHEMICAL REFINERY (STAGE 1).]
Austin felt a surge of strength. His stamina bar, which had been flashing red, suddenly turned a brilliant, solid gold.
"System," Austin whispered, "if Dr. Vane's people are still outside, I can't stay here forever. How do I protect this place?"
[ADVICE: USE THE ALCHEMICAL REFINERY TO CREATE 'MIST OF OBLIVION'. IT WILL HIDE THE CAVE ENTRANCE FROM ALL ELECTRONIC AND HUMAN SENSES.]
Austin didn't waste a second. He gathered the minerals dripping from the cave walls and combined them with a single leaf from the Aloe. Using his Divine Energy, he brewed the mixture in his palms.
Suddenly, a thick, white fog began to roll out of the cave, spreading across the forest floor. Outside, he could hear the confused shouts of the mercenaries.
"Where did the cave go?!"
"The radar is blank! It's like the mountain just disappeared!"
Austin sat back, finally taking a moment to breathe. He looked at his hands—they were no longer the hands of a struggling apprentice. They were the hands of a man who could rewrite the laws of biology.
[URGENT MESSAGE FROM THE DIVINE ARCHIVE:]
[AUNTIE IS IN DANGER. THE SHADOW MEDICS HAVE TRACKED YOUR BLOODLINE TO THE MANSION IN ONITSHA.]
Austin's blood ran cold. He had the cure, he had the cave, and he had the power—but his enemies were playing dirty. They couldn't find him, so they were going after the only thing he loved.
"System," Austin growled, his eyes flashing with a dangerous gold light. "Prepare the Teleportation Array. If they touch a single hair on her head, I will show them why I am called the Divine Medic."