The dungeon had finally fallen silent.
Not the silence of peace
But the silence that came after surviving something that should have killed everyone inside.
Broken stone littered the battlefield.
The shattered remains of pillars leaned dangerously against cracked walls while the faint scent of ash and blood still lingered in the air.
Members of both Eternity Lions and Burning Pride continued searching through the remains of the hidden dungeon, gathering whatever loot had survived the chaos.
Meanwhile
Rio sat quietly atop a broken stone slab near the entrance.
Ryota stood beside her.
Auram remained nearby as well, standing silently like a vigilant knight guarding his liege.
The Crimson Bloodmoon rested across Rio's lap.
Even now
The weapon pulsed faintly.
As if still alive.
Rio exhaled softly before finally lowering her gaze toward the item Fayzan had thrown earlier.
A pair of relics floated above her inventory interface.
The moment she inspected them
A glowing system window appeared.
[Relic Pair Identified]
Eclipse Vow
A pair of linked relics forged from intertwined destinies.
Relics react only to those bound by deep emotional resonance.
Item 1: Pendant of Eternal Grace
+3 Intelligence
+2 Dexterity
Item 2: Bracelet of the Fallen Oath
+0.2% Attack Speed
+15 Movement Speed
Linked Relic Effect: Soul Echo
Allows the wearer to cast:
One castable active skill belonging to the linked relic holder.
Restrictions:
Cannot copy Passive Skills
Cannot copy Aura-Type Effects
Cannot copy Permanent Traits
Cannot copy Ultimate-Class Abilities
Copied skills retain:
Original attribute type
Base functionality
Partial scaling from original owner
Cooldown:
72 Hours
Usage Limit:
Once per Battle
Activation Requirement:
Both relic holders must be classified as "Married"
Bond Level Requirement: 10+
Additional Effect:
When Soul Echo activates:
Black-and-white chains manifest briefly between both users
The caster's aura temporarily shifts to resemble their partner's
Silence.
Absolute silence.
"…What."
Ryota blinked several times.
Then again.
"…What kind of ridiculous item is this?"
Even Elias—who had been calmly organizing loot moments earlier—froze.
Kiraya leaned over Fayzan's shoulder.
"…Married?"
Hinabi nearly choked.
Fayzan stared at the screen for a few seconds before bursting into laughter.
"HAHAHAHA!"
He pointed directly at Ryota.
"You two seriously got the most suspicious item possible!"
Ryota immediately panicked.
"W-Wait! That's not the important part here!"
Kiraya smirked.
"Oh?"
"Then what is the important part?"
Ryota froze.
"…The stats?"
"Terrible answer," Kiraya replied instantly.
Even Rio—
Actually looked surprised.
Not embarrassed.
Surprised.
"…This item appeared this early?"
She muttered quietly.
Her eyes narrowed slightly as she reread the interface.
Because she remembered this relic.
Or rather—
A version of it.
But not this one.
Not on Floor One.
And definitely not from a hidden dungeon this early into the game.
Something had changed.
Again.
Ryota looked at Rio carefully and whispered.
"…You know this item?"
Rio nodded slowly.
"…In the original game…"
A pause.
"…Relics like this only appeared much later."
Her eyes remained fixed on the interface.
"…Much later."
Fayzan crossed his arms.
"What are you two whispering about"
Rio then look at Fayzan
"Nothing important, Ryota was just asking if we could really have it"
Fayzan laughed and then look at Ryota
"Well lucky you two then."
He grinned.
"Because this thing's useless to us."
Hinabi sighed tiredly.
"…Most players would never meet the requirements anyway."
Kiraya smirked.
"And even if they did…"
"…who would trust another player enough to share skills with them?"
That actually made the room quieter.
Because everyone there understood exactly how absurd this relic truly was.
A linked relic.
A trust relic.
A relic that required absolute synchronization.
Not just emotionally but mechanically.
And for a game like Evermount—
That kind of bond was almost impossible.
Rio stared at the pendant for another moment.
Then without hesitation she grabbed the silver-and-black pendant from the interface.
Ryota blinked.
"…Wait you're actually equipping it?!"
Rio tossed the bracelet directly at him.
"You're using that one."
Ryota caught it instinctively.
"…Seriously?"
Rio smirked slightly.
"Last chance."
She looked toward Elias and Fayzan.
"…Because once we equip these…"
"…there's no taking them back."
The two brothers laughed immediately.
"Don't worry about it."
Fayzan waved casually.
"It's our thanks for saving us."
Elias nodded calmly.
"And honestly?"
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"There are probably far more valuable relics deeper in the game."
Kiraya crossed her arms.
"…Still feels weird watching this happen."
Hinabi sighed.
"…I'm pretending I saw nothing."
Ryota scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"…This somehow feels more stressful than fighting Allure."
Rio rolled her eyes.
"Just equip it already."
"…Right."
Ryota slowly equipped the Bracelet of the Fallen Oath.
The moment he did—
The bracelet locked around his wrist automatically.
Black-and-white energy flickered briefly.
At the same time—
Rio equipped the Pendant of Eternal Grace.
A pulse spread outward instantly.
The two relics resonated.
For a brief second—
Thin chains of black and white light connected Rio and Ryota.
The air around them shifted.
Everyone watching widened their eyes slightly.
Then—
The chains vanished.
A system notification appeared.
[System Notice]
Eclipse Vow synchronization complete.
Bond Recognition Successful.
Soul Echo unlocked.
Ryota stared blankly at the message.
"…That sounds way too serious."
Rio quietly closed the notification.
But internally—
She was thinking about something else entirely.
Bond Recognition.
The system recognized them immediately.
Without hesitation.
That meant their compatibility was already absurdly high.
Higher than it should have been.
"…Interesting…"
She whispered quietly.
Ryota looked at her.
"Hm?"
"…Nothing."
Rio stood up slowly.
"…Let's head back."
The others nodded.
One by one, brief farewells were exchanged.
Elias gave a respectful nod.
"Next time we meet…"
"…hopefully it's under less chaotic circumstances."
Fayzan grinned.
"Or more chaotic."
Kiraya smirked.
"…Knowing her?"
She pointed at Rio.
"…Definitely more chaotic."
Hinabi looked exhausted.
"…Please don't bring another hidden boss into existence next time."
Ryota immediately replied.
"That wasn't our fault!"
Auram silently followed behind Rio as they finally departed the dungeon.
The deeper parts of the hidden dungeon remained behind with Eternity Lions and Burning Pride.
But for Rio and Ryota—
The night was finally ending.
Or at least—
It should have.
The moon hung high above the forest path.
The air felt cooler outside the dungeon.
Quieter.
Ryota stretched slightly as they walked.
"…Today was insane."
"Mm."
"…We almost died like… twelve times."
"Probably more."
Ryota sighed.
"…I miss when we were just fighting wolves."
Rio smirked faintly.
"…You were getting destroyed by wolves."
"That's not the point."
Auram walked silently behind them.
Then—
Ryota suddenly stopped.
"…Hm?"
Something lay near the roadside.
Half buried in dirt.
A book.
Rio immediately recognized the design.
"…A skill book."
Ryota crouched and picked it up carefully.
The cover bore the same markings as the hidden dungeon.
"…Magumo must've dropped it while escaping."
Rio narrowed her eyes slightly.
"…Or Sayanaki let him drop it."
Ryota blinked.
"…You really think she killed all of them?"
Rio continued walking.
"…I know she did."
A quiet pause.
"…And somehow…"
"…that interest me more."
Ryota looked down at the skill book in his hands.
Then slowly opened it.
A glowing interface immediately appeared before him.
And his eyes widened.
The forest path was quiet.
For the first time in what felt like forever—
There were no explosions.
No boss monsters.
No collapsing dungeons.
Only the sound of footsteps crunching softly against dirt and scattered leaves as Rio and Ryota made their way back toward the Town of Beginnings.
The night sky slowly faded above them.
Hints of dawn stretched across the horizon in soft orange and pale blue.
Auram walked silently behind the two.
His presence remained calm and vigilant, though faint particles of light occasionally drifted from his body—proof that his energy still had not fully recovered.
Meanwhile—
Ryota stared at the skill book in his hands.
Curiosity filled his expression.
"…So what exactly did Magumo drop?"
Rio glanced sideways.
"Open it."
Ryota nodded.
The moment he touched the cover—
The book glowed faintly.
Golden letters appeared in the air before him.
[Skill Book Identified]
Sword Skill: Radiant Cascade
Classification:
Active Skill — Light Attribute
Mana Cost: 125
Description:
Launches four concentrated spheres of radiant energy toward a designated direction.
Effects:
Each sphere explodes upon impact
Moderate splash damage
Scales with Intelligence and Dexterity
Effective for ranged pressure and area denial
Recommended Classes:
Swordsman
Crusader
Warrior
Ryota's eyes widened.
"…Whoa."
He immediately looked at Rio.
"Do you want this?"
Rio stared at him for exactly two seconds before sighing.
"…Come on."
A faint smirk appeared on her face.
"We both know you want the cool skill."
Ryota coughed awkwardly.
"…I mean…"
"…look at the description."
Rio rolled her eyes.
"Besides."
She stretched slightly as they walked.
"I'm planning to get a different ranged skill eventually."
Ryota blinked.
"…You already have a gun."
"It broke."
"…Right."
A pause.
"…Still cool though."
Rio snorted quietly.
Ryota stared at the glowing skill book again.
His excitement became painfully obvious.
Then—
Without thinking—
He impulsively hugged Rio.
"…YES."
Rio froze instantly.
Completely.
Her brain visibly stopped functioning for half a second.
Auram immediately looked away.
A veteran warrior recognizing incoming disaster.
Rio's face rapidly turned red.
"W-What are you doing?!"
Ryota blinked.
Then realized.
"…Oh."
"OH?!"
Rio immediately shoved him backward.
"I'm too tired to deal with this right now!"
Ryota scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"…Sorry?"
Rio crossed her arms tightly while avoiding eye contact.
"…Just learn the stupid skill already."
But despite her embarrassment—
She smiled faintly.
"…I'm glad you like the book."
Ryota paused.
Then smiled back.
"…Yeah."
He activated the skill book immediately.
The pages dissolved into glowing particles of light that flowed directly into his body.
A system notification appeared.
[System Notice]
You have learned:
[Sword Skill: Radiant Cascade]
Mana Cost: 125
Skill Proficiency: Beginner
Ryota flexed his fingers slightly.
"…Okay that actually feels cool."
Rio sighed.
"Everything feels cool to you."
"Because it is cool."
Auram quietly nodded in agreement.
Rio stared at both of them.
"…I'm surrounded by battle maniacs."
A few minutes later—
Ryota suddenly remembered something.
"…Actually."
He lifted his wrist slightly, looking at the Bracelet of the Fallen Oath.
"How exactly does this Eclipse Vow thing work?"
Rio looked at him for a moment.
Then—
A mischievous smirk appeared.
"…Here."
A crimson flash appeared beside her.
The Crimson Bloodmoon materialized instantly.
Its silver-and-crimson blade gleamed under the faint morning light.
Then—
Without warning—
Rio tossed the Mythic weapon directly at Ryota.
"WOAH—"
Ryota barely caught it.
The moment his hands touched the weapon—
The Eclipse Vow bracelet and pendant both glowed faintly.
Black-and-white chains flickered briefly between the two of them.
Rio crossed her arms.
"Cast Moonlight Melody."
Ryota blinked.
"…Seriously?"
"Try it."
Ryota looked down at the Crimson Bloodmoon.
Then shrugged.
"…Alright."
He raised the blade.
Mana gathered instinctively.
Then—
He swung.
"Sword Skill—"
A crimson glow erupted around the blade.
"Moonlight Melody."
The moment the skill activated—
A system notification appeared instantly.
[Soul Echo Activated]
Linked Skill Detected.
Activating Player Rio's Skill:
[Sword Skill: Moonlight Melody]
CRIMSON LIGHT exploded outward.
A massive crescent-shaped slash wave erupted from the blade and tore through the forest.
BOOOOM.
The attack sliced directly through a massive tree several meters away—
Cutting it completely in half.
The upper half slowly slid downward before crashing into the ground.
Silence followed.
Ryota stared blankly.
"…No way."
The Crimson Bloodmoon disappeared from his hands immediately afterward.
A second notification appeared.
[Soul Echo Cooldown Activated]
[Bracelet of the Fallen Oath'sSoul Echo]unavailable for: 71 Hours 59 Minutes
Ryota slowly looked at Rio.
"…That's insane."
Rio smirked slightly.
"That's your answer."
She tapped the pendant lightly.
"We can each use one active skill belonging to the other."
Ryota looked genuinely amazed.
"…That's broken."
"Very."
A pause.
"…Which is why relics like this are dangerous."
Ryota looked at his bracelet again.
Then at Rio.
"…So theoretically…"
"You could use my skills too."
Rio nodded.
"Yep."
Ryota immediately grinned.
"Oh no."
Rio narrowed her eyes.
"…Why do I suddenly feel threatened?"
Ryota dramatically pointed at himself.
"Imagine Chronos Eye plus Scalular Impact."
Rio immediately pointed back.
"No."
"YES."
"No."
Auram quietly interrupted.
"…That combination would be catastrophic."
Both Rio and Ryota paused.
Then simultaneously looked at Auram.
"…You're probably right."
The group continued walking through the forest path peacefully afterward.
For once—
There were no enemies.
No ambushes.
Only quiet conversation.
And exhaustion.
Eventually—
Auram slowed slightly.
Rio noticed immediately.
"…Your energy?"
Auram nodded.
"…Still unstable."
A small system window appeared beside Rio.
[World Legacy Summon Status] Auram
Energy Recovery: 56%
Current State: Unstable Manifestation
Auram looked toward the distant silhouette of the Town of Beginnings.
"We are nearing civilization."
He placed a hand against his chest respectfully.
"…I will return to rest for now."
Ryota smiled lightly.
"…Thanks again for earlier."
Auram shook his head.
"My blade exists to protect."
Then—
His gaze shifted toward Rio.
"If you call my name…"
A faint smile appeared.
"…I will answer."
Particles of light slowly began surrounding his body.
Rio nodded quietly.
"…Get some rest."
Auram closed his eyes.
Then vanished.
The system notification appeared instantly.
[System Notice]
World Legacy Summon: Auram
Status:
Resting State
Energy Recovery Continues...
Silence returned.
Ryota looked at the now-empty space beside them.
"…Still feels weird."
Rio nodded.
"…Yeah."
A pause.
"…But reassuring."
The two continued walking.
And eventually—
The forest opened.
The Town of Beginnings appeared ahead of them.
Warm lights glowed softly across the streets while the first rays of sunrise illuminated the rooftops.
NPC merchants were beginning to open their stalls.
Players wandered sleepily through the streets.
The world was waking up.
Ryota stretched dramatically.
"…I'm starving."
Rio sighed.
"…Same."
Ryota pointed toward a nearby restaurant.
"Food first?"
Rio immediately answered.
"Yes."
No hesitation.
No debate.
After surviving hidden bosses, betrayal, near death, and world-ending monsters—
The only thing both of them wanted now—
Was breakfast.