Ivark tried to push himself up, bracing one knee against the ground, but his body did not respond as it should have and he ended up falling onto his side again, raising only a thin cloud of dry dust. His breathing grew faster, heavier; each exhale sounded as if he were dragging gravel through his throat.

  The wound Kai had inflicted during the fight was still open, and the contrast between the orc’s green skin and the dark shade of his blood made everything look worse than expected.

  Kai slowly lowered his weapon, noticing how absurd the weight of the club now felt in his hand. Shit… I don’t have any healing. He gnced around quickly, searching for some pnt, some leaf, anything that in his previous life he might associate with first aid, but all he saw was compacted earth, scattered grass, and the silent clearing that just minutes ago had been a testing ground.

  Kai clenched his teeth without realizing it. He felt a faint tingling in the fingers that still gripped the weapon, as if the club were hotter than before. He lowered his gaze to his hands and, for an instant, he did not see a leader. He saw a man who had enjoyed that final blow too much.

  The image of the impact returned to his mind: the dull crack, Ivark’s body recoiling, the fleeting satisfaction. The clearing remained silent, but now that silence pressed against his ears. Did I go too far? He thought about the level difference, about the cold calcution he had made before the fight.

  It had not been an accident. He had wanted to test the gap in power. And he had done so without measuring the consequences.

  He looked at the orc struggling to stand again. If Ivark died here, it would be because of his decision. Kai swallowed and fully lowered the weapon, pnting it against the ground.

  From now on, every test of strength will have a safety margin. I cannot afford to lose loyal subordinates just because of pride.

  Katherine took a step forward, her brow furrowed and ears tense; Sira, on the other hand, watched with almost indifferent calm. Kai decided to act before the situation worsened.

  He forced himself to think coldly, letting the system appear in his vision. The translucent interface flickered slightly as it obeyed his mental command.

  System, check Sira’s and Katherine’s abilities. Does either of them have healing?

  The air felt heavier as he waited for the response. Ivark tried to move again and let out a low grunt, more frustration than pain, but his chest rose and fell violently.

  Katherine pced a hand over her chest, clearly shaken, while Sira tilted her head slightly, analyzing without intervening. The panel finally responded.

  [System][Skill Found: Healing 1 – NPC Katherine]

  Kai blinked. Healing 1… that should be useful, even if it is basic. He looked at Katherine; her worried expression confirmed that the situation was overwhelming her emotionally.

  The clearing remained silent, with no external threats, which at least gave him room to maneuver. He decided to rely on that immediate advantage.

  "Katherine, heal him," he ordered firmly, pointing at Ivark.

  She took a small breath, as if pushed from behind. "I… I do not know how to heal, Kai…" she replied, shaking her head softly, insecurity clear in her voice.

  Kai frowned. The system does not make mistakes. He watched Ivark grit his teeth, trying to maintain composure despite the obvious pain. The surroundings were still stable, no enemies, no interruptions. Just them and the direct consequence of his test of power. Sira crossed her arms, waiting. Kai took a breath and chose to simplify it.

  "Yes, you can. Just say it. Point at him and activate the skill."

  Katherine’s gaze wavered between Kai and Ivark. Her fingers trembled slightly before she extended her hand toward the orc.

  Kai watched the scene carefully, ready to intervene if something went wrong. Katherine closed her eyes for a moment and murmured softly, "Healing."

  A faint green light began to envelop Ivark, barely noticeable at first, like illuminated mist. Kai observed how the tension in the orc’s body eased slightly. Good… it works. He remained attentive until he was sure the effect was real.

  The green aura intensified around Ivark’s torso, spreading from the wound across the rest of his body like a translucent yer. What had just happened was evident. Katherine had successfully activated the skill. Visibly, the blood stopped flowing as heavily, and the orc’s breathing gradually stabilized.

  Kai noticed the drained color in Ivark’s face soften, though he was not fully recovered. So this is Healing 1… basic, but enough to stabilize him. Sira watched with a faint smile, while Katherine kept her hand extended, focused.

  Kai decided to reinforce the instruction so she would not hesitate. "Keep the skill active until you see him stable," he said firmly.

  Katherine nodded, still nervous. Ivark let out a longer, deeper breath, this time without the harsh rasp that had accompanied it before.

  The green glow slowly faded, as if the process had completed. Kai assessed the result. Now we have a more banced team… tank and healer. We just need someone who can attack from range. The clear surroundings reminded him they could not rely solely on brute force.

  Sira stepped forward. "Very well, Kat. Now you are useful," she commented lightly.

  Katherine lowered her hand and shot her a sideways gnce, clearly annoyed. Kai noticed the tension immediately. She still has not forgotten the beating from before.

  Ivark, now sitting more steadily, inclined his head toward Katherine.

  "Thank you…" he said sincerely.

  Kai felt a faint weight in his chest. I caused this. He stepped closer to the orc.

  "Ivark… I apologize. I just wanted to measure the difference in power," he said, a hint of guilt in his voice.

  The orc shook his head firmly, lifting his chin slightly. "It does not matter, Master. With that power… we will conquer more vilges," he said, completely convinced, one hand resting on the spot where the wound had been.

  Kai felt a certain happiness despite the apparent damage he had caused. You only think about conquering more vilges… yes, that may be the path forward.

  "It will be so, Ivark," he replied with conviction.