The walk back to town was quiet.
Not the peaceful kind from before—
But the kind that came after something snapped.
The wind brushed past them, carrying the distant sounds of players still grinding in the Yakolith Field. The same field Rio had just spent nearly half a day in.
And yet—
She walked ahead without a word.
Ryota followed a few steps behind, hands behind his head, glancing around casually like nothing had happened.
"…You're mad."
Rio didn't answer.
"…You're definitely mad."
Still nothing.
Ryota scratched his cheek.
"…You want me to say sorry?"
Rio stopped.
Not abruptly.
Just enough.
Then—
"…I'm not mad."
She turned slightly.
Her expression was calm.
Too calm.
"…I'm evaluating."
Ryota blinked.
"…Evaluating what?"
A pause.
"…Whether your existence is a net positive or negative to my efficiency."
Ryota stared at her.
"…That sounds serious."
Rio turned fully now.
"…You farmed one hundred and seventy-seven ores."
A beat.
"…In the same time I got six."
Another beat.
"…Without knowing they were rare."
Silence.
Then—
She sighed.
A long, controlled exhale.
"…You're staying."
Ryota grinned.
"…Nice."
By the time they reached town, the sky had deepened into night.
Lanterns flickered to life along wooden posts. NPCs moved with quiet purpose, while players gathered in small clusters—trading, talking, boasting.
Rio didn't slow down.
"…We're going to the blacksmith first."
Ryota nodded.
"…For the musket?"
"…Yes."
The blacksmith's shop was loud.
Metal clanged against metal.
Sparks flew in bursts of orange and gold.
The air was thick with heat.
Behind the counter stood a broad NPC blacksmith, arms crossed, eyes sharp.
"…What do you need?"
Rio stepped forward.
"…Bronze Flintlock Musket."
The blacksmith raised an eyebrow.
"…Do you have the materials?"
Rio opened her inventory.
Placed them down.
Yakolith Ores.
Enough.
More than enough.
The blacksmith examined them briefly.
Then nodded.
"…Wait."
The crafting process was quick—
But deliberate.
Metal heated.
Molded.
Shaped.
The sound of hammering echoed through the shop.
Each strike precise.
Each movement practiced.
Until finally—
The blacksmith placed it on the counter.
A sleek, compact musket.
Dark metal body.
Subtle engravings along the barrel.
Lightweight.
Balanced.
Deadly.
Rio reached for it.
The moment her fingers wrapped around the grip—
A faint system glow appeared.
Flintlock Imperial Musket Acquired
Attack +12
Synergy Bonus Applied
Her stats shifted.
Adjusted.
Improved.
She lifted it slightly.
Tested the weight.
Her eyes narrowed just a bit.
"…Good."
Ryota leaned in.
"…That looks cool."
Rio didn't respond.
But—
She didn't disagree either.
After leaving the shop—
Ryota stopped.
"…Wait."
Rio glanced back.
"…What."
He opened the market tab.
"…Give me a second."
Rio watched as he pulled up the Yakolith Ore listing.
Sell Price:
1 Copper
He hovered over it.
"…So I just sell these, right?"
"…Yes."
Rio turned away slightly.
"…Just don't mess it up."
Ryota clicked.
And then—
The number changed.
1 Copper → 2 Copper
A small fluctuation.
A market shift.
A timing window.
Ryota didn't even notice.
He clicked confirm.
142 Yakolith Ores Sold
Total Earned: 284 Copper
A quiet pause.
Rio froze.
Slowly—
Very slowly—
She turned her head.
"…Ryota."
"…Yeah?"
"…How much did you just get."
Ryota checked casually.
"…Uh…"
"…Two hundred eighty-four copper?"
Silence.
Rio stared at him.
Completely.
Utterly.
Speechless.
"…You…"
A pause.
"…Timed the market."
Ryota blinked.
"…I did?"
Rio took a step toward him.
"…You sold during a spike."
Another step.
"…At double value."
Another.
"…WITHOUT KNOWING."
Ryota scratched his head.
"…Oh."
Rio looked up.
For a moment—
Just a moment—
She questioned everything.
Then—
She turned away.
"…Unbelievable."
A pause.
Then—
Ryota opened his inventory.
Pulled something out.
And handed it to her.
"…Here."
Rio blinked.
"…What is this."
"…Money."
She checked.
100 Copper Received
Her eyes widened slightly.
"…Why are you giving me this."
Ryota shrugged.
"…We're partners."
A pause.
Rio looked at him.
Really looked this time.
But before she could say anything—
Ryota turned.
"…Let's go."
"…Go where?"
He grinned.
"…Auction."
The auction hall was alive.
Voices layered over each other.
Bidding.
Arguing.
Negotiating.
Players crowded around display boards and counters.
Items floated in holographic displays—
Weapons.
Armor.
Materials.
Rare drops.
Rio stepped inside.
Her eyes immediately scanning.
Analyzing.
Breaking everything down.
Prices.
Demand.
Opportunity.
Ryota, meanwhile—
Walked straight in like he owned the place.
"…Woah."
A staff floated nearby.
Glowing faintly.
A sword with jagged edges spun slowly in another display.
Armor pieces shimmered with enchantments.
"I swear ever since we played this game, the auction house had became your favorite place"
Rio spoke looking at Ryota
"Who wouldn't, the place looks so cool" Ryota replied with a grin in his face.
Rio crossed her arms then smiled.
"…I guess you are right"
Ryota nodded.
"…Got it."
He walked forward.
Paused at one display.
Tilted his head and then look at Rio.
She was walking towards the exit.
"…Hey Rio."
"…Where you going?"
Ryota's voice cut through the noise of the auction hall.
Rio didn't stop immediately.
She slowed.
Then turned slightly, glancing back at him over her shoulder.
"…Auctions aren't my thing."
Ryota blinked.
"…Huh?"
She shifted her weight, arms crossing lightly.
"…Too unpredictable."
A pause.
"…Too many variables."
Her eyes scanned the room briefly—players shouting bids, prices fluctuating, items changing hands in seconds.
"…I prefer certainty."
Ryota scratched his cheek.
"…So you're leaving?"
Rio nodded.
"…Yes."
Then—
A small pause.
Her expression softened. Just a little.
"…You can stay."
Ryota blinked.
"…Really?"
Rio looked at him properly now.
"…You seem to like this place."
A beat.
"…So go ahead."
Another pause.
"…Have fun."
Ryota smiled.
"…Nice."
But then—
Rio stepped closer.
Her gaze sharpened slightly.
"…But don't do anything stupid."
Ryota raised his hands defensively.
"…I won't."
"…And don't waste money."
"…I won't."
"…And don't buy anything you don't need"
Ryota hesitated.
"…I won't."
Rio stared at him for a second longer.
Like she didn't believe him.
Then—
She sighed.
"…I have errands to run."
A pause.
"…Around the city."
Her voice lowered slightly.
"…And… thank you."
Ryota blinked.
"…For what?"
"…The copper coins."
A brief silence.
Then—
She turned.
"…I'll be back later."
And just like that—
She was gone.
The noise of the auction hall returned.
Louder now.
Chaotic.
Alive.
Ryota stood there for a moment.
Hands in his pockets.
Watching the direction Rio left.
Then—
He smiled.
A small one.
Quiet.
"…Alright."
He stepped away from the crowd.
Toward a quieter corner of the hall.
Opened his menu.
Currency Exchange
Copper → Real World Funds
He stared at the number.
194 copper.
A lot.
More than enough.
He paused.
Then selected:
Convert: 142 Copper
The system processed instantly.
142,000 Yen Transferred
Ryota looked at the confirmation.
Then slowly closed the window.
"…That should help."
He muttered it quietly.
Not for anyone else.
Just for himself.
A small smile remained on his face.
Then—
He turned back toward the auction.
"Alright."
The moment he stepped back in—
The noise hit him again.
Bids being shouted.
Players arguing over prices.
Items being displayed mid-air.
Ryota walked through it casually.
Looking left.
Looking right.
A glowing sword.
Too expensive.
Skipped.
A heavy armor set.
Too bulky.
Skipped.
A rare potion bundle.
Too confusing.
Skipped.
Then—
He stopped.
"…Oh."
A small book floated in one of the displays.
Plain.
Simple.
No glow.
No aura.
No excitement.
Sealed Book — Starting Bid: 5 Copper
Ryota tilted his head.
"…A book?"
He leaned in slightly.
"…Can you write in this?"
No answer.
It was an item.
Ryota shrugged.
"…I could use a notebook."
He raised his hand.
"…Five copper."
No one contested.
Item Sold
The book dropped into his inventory.
Ryota smiled.
"…Nice."
He kept walking.
Then—
He saw something else.
A small, glowing core.
Floating gently.
Soft light pulsing from within.
Broken Guardian Core — Starting Bid: 4 Copper
Ryota blinked.
"…That looks cool."
He stepped closer.
"…Kinda looks like a pendant."
A pause.
"…Rio might like this."
He raised his hand again.
"…Four copper."
No one bid higher.
Item Sold
The core vanished into his inventory.
Ryota nodded.
Satisfied.
Then—
He continued walking.
A ring caught his attention.
Simple.
Metal.
Unremarkable.
Provocation Ring — Starting Bid: 7 Copper
Ryota tilted his head.
"…What does this do?"
He checked the description.
Forces enemies to focus attacks on the wearer.
"…Oh."
A pause.
"…That's kinda useful."
Another pause.
"…I think."
He shrugged.
"…Seven copper."
Again—
No competition.
Item Sold
The ring joined the rest.
Ryota looked at his remaining balance.
Still had plenty.
"…Nice."
From the outside—
It looked like he was just buying random things.
Cheap things.
Useless things.
A notebook.
A glowing trinket.
A weird ring.
Nothing impressive.
Nothing powerful.
Nothing worth attention.
But Ryota didn't mind.
He smiled slightly.
Hands in his pockets.
Walking through the auction like it was just another day.
"…This place really is fun."
And somewhere else in the city—
Rio was handling her own matters.
Unaware—
Of what Ryota had just done.
The town felt different at night.
Not quieter—
But sharper.
Lantern light flickered across wooden paths, casting long, shifting shadows that danced with every passing breeze. Players moved in clusters, their voices low but urgent, trades and plans forming in hushed tones.
And through it all—
Rio walked alone.
Her steps were steady.
Measured.
Purposeful.
She moved from stall to stall with efficiency that bordered on mechanical.
Potions first.
"…Two minor healing."
The NPC vendor nodded, sliding the small red vials across the counter.
"…And three stamina."
Coins exchanged hands.
No hesitation.
Next—
Utility items.
Antidotes.
Basic bandages.
A single emergency mana vial.
Everything calculated.
Everything necessary.
Not a single copper wasted.
"…That should be enough."
She muttered it quietly to herself, organizing her inventory with practiced precision.
Two players brushed past her, arguing over weapon prices.
She ignored them.
Because for Rio—
The town wasn't a place to relax.
It was a place to prepare.
And then—
She stopped.
Not because she wanted to.
But because something—
Or rather—
Someone—
Caught her attention.
Two figures walking side by side.
Calm.
Composed.
Familiar.
"…Fayzan."
The man turned at the sound of his name.
White cloak shifting slightly as he stopped.
"…Rio."
A faint smile formed on his face.
"…Good timing."
Beside him—
Ayame gave a small nod.
"…Good evening."
Rio returned it.
"…Evening."
A brief pause.
Then—
Fayzan spoke.
"…We verified it."
Rio's eyes sharpened slightly.
"…The hidden dungeon?"
He nodded.
"…Confirmed."
A beat.
"…Our scouts found the entrance exactly where you said it would be."
Rio didn't react outwardly.
But internally—
That was confirmation.
Her memory—
Still accurate.
"…Good."
She said it simply.
Fayzan crossed his arms lightly.
"…Which means we can proceed with the rest of the deal."
Rio nodded once.
"…Agreed."
Ayame stepped slightly forward.
"…We'll need the boss information."
Rio's hand hovered near her menu.
Ready.
Prepared.
But then—
Fayzan tilted his head slightly.
"…You're alone."
A small pause.
"…Where's your partner?"
Rio didn't hesitate.
"…Ryota?"
"…He's at the auction."
A beat.
"…Probably buying something unnecessary."
Fayzan blinked.
Just once.
Then—
A quiet breath escaped him.
…The auction?
His gaze lingered on Rio for a moment longer.
…I see.
A thought passed through his mind.
Unspoken.
…Not like she needs protection.
…If anything…
His eyes narrowed slightly.
…She's the most dangerous player I've encountered so far.
But none of that showed on his face.
"…I understand."
He said calmly.
Rio didn't notice.
Or perhaps—
She did.
And simply didn't care.
"…Let's proceed."
She opened her interface.
Preparing to send the information.
Coordinates.
Boss patterns.
Attack phases.
Weaknesses.
Everything.
But before she could confirm—
THUD
A heavy sound echoed behind them.
Something hit the ground.
Hard.
Rio's eyes snapped open.
Her body moved before thought.
Turning instantly.
A player—
Collapsed on the wooden path.
Purple hair.
Armor cracked.
HP—
Critically low.
"…Odion!"
Fayzan's voice broke through the air.
He rushed forward immediately.
Dropping to one knee beside him.
Ayame moved just as fast.
Her hands glowing faintly as healing magic activated.
"…Hold still."
Light spread across the boy's body.
Trying to stabilize him.
Rio stepped closer.
Her gaze sharp.
Analyzing.
Damage pattern.
Burn marks.
Deep cuts.
Irregular.
Not monsters.
Players.
Odion's breathing was uneven.
Shallow.
Forced.
His eyes barely opened.
"…Sumi…"
His voice was weak.
Barely audible.
Fayzan leaned closer.
"…What happened?"
A pause.
A struggle to breathe.
Then—
"…Sumi is in danger…"
The words barely came out.
"…Burning Pride…"
A cough.
Blood.
"…They attacked us…"
Silence fell.
Heavy.
Immediate.
Rio's eyes darkened slightly.
Fayzan's expression hardened.
Completely.
Ayame's healing intensified.
But even she knew—
This wasn't just an injury.
This was a message.
And whatever happened—
Wasn't over yet.