Days slipped by in a rhythm that was almost too peaceful, too simple, too unlike what they had endured in the past three years. Guldrin fished, casting his line into the clear waters with patience that belied the storm always brewing in the back of his mind.
Ino hunted, moving through the dense forests with a predator's grace, her every movement calculated, every strike decisive. She seemed to really enjoy providing Guldrin with raw meat and vegetation, it was fun to her… A challenge for Guldrin to make something edible with whatever it was she provided…
Shiro, ever the enigma, spent hours refining her skills, sharpening herself like a blade that never dulled. She had been captured, and tortured, and even if she didn't show it, she hated every second of it. She never wanted to experience that again…
Danzo had unwittingly given her the tools, now she would refine them…
She had already pestered Guldrin into teaching her how to replicate the skills using mana instead of Chakra as her skill required, she even gained a new skill, 'Replication' which is kinda overpowered, from her understanding, she just needed a firm understanding of the skill to replicate it in her power system… It was a system replica of Guldrin's ability, and she was thrilled.
This allowed her to master all kinds of skills, and not have to switch between magic systems continuously, everything would run through her mana. This in turn allowed her to become like Guldrin, invisible to sensor ninja and the like… They were ghosts… All they needed to do next was figure out how to replicate these phenomena in the ninjas of this world…
Maybe they could shatter the chakra veins and replace them with mana?
But that was a thought for the future… Neither Guldrin, Shiro, nor Ino understood biology to the degree that would be needed to even attempt this.
For ten days, they let themselves forget.
They let themselves be normal, or at least as normal as they could be. They laughed, explored, and tested their limits against nature rather than against enemies who wanted them dead.
It was a reprieve, a breath of air after years spent drowning in chaos. But deep down, they all knew it was temporary. It was always temporary.
Each morning, as Guldrin sat by the water, hands steady as he cleaned his latest catch, his gaze would drift to the countdown. A quiet reminder that this peace had an expiration date. The survival quest was coming to an end. The moment that timer hit zero, something new would take its place. He didn't know what. He never did. But that was part of the thrill, wasn't it?
Despite the anticipation, there was one thing that gnawed at him, something that made the excitement feel incomplete, Emily.
His feline companion, the one who had been with him longer than anyone, was still sealed away. He understood the necessity, or at least he lied to himself that he understood that completing the quest required sacrifices, but it didn't make the silence any easier.
He missed her weight on his shoulder, the way she always seemed to understand him without words. He missed her presence, her sarcastic little comments, her unwavering loyalty. And her fluff, but he would never admit it.
Alisa was another absence, though a different kind. He knew he missed her, but it was a strange, distant ache. He didn't know how to feel about her, he couldn't remember their time together when Guldrin was a kid, but somewhere deep inside, he remembered, it was in his soul… But the mind was a different thing.
Their time together, at least the time he could remember, had been short. Too short to feel the depth of attachment he knew should have been there. It was still growing, still forming. He didn't know what she would mean to him yet, but he knew she mattered. He spent more time than he wanted to admit, touching his smartwatch, his sentimentality showing… that was another thing he couldn't wait to see change.
And so, the days passed, filled with small, stolen moments of peace.
On the seventh day, he found himself sitting by the fire, absently turning a fish over the flames. Shiro sat nearby, flipping through one of her books, while Ino stood a few feet away, sharpening a knife against a whetstone. Yes, Guldrin had been trying to convert her to his knives, kunai were badly made, and disposable, and Guldrin didn't want any of his people using them if he could help it.
At the very least, the quiet was comfortable, but it wouldn't last. It never did.
"You're staring at that timer again, aren't you?" Shiro's voice was casual, but he knew her too well to miss the undertone of amusement.
"Maybe."
Ino snorted. "You act like you're not excited for whatever's coming next. You get that look in your eye, like a kid waiting for his birthday present. I still can't believe you are both from another world, and something un-chakra-related is pushing you to be better… It is hard to wrap my brain around…"
He smirked, not bothering to deny it. "Yeah, world travel is crazy, I understand your confusion, but… Can you blame me for looking forward to it? Three years. Three years of this quest, of grinding through all the suffering. I think I've earned a little curiosity about what's coming next. This whole world has been nothing but a trial of bullshit proportions… Well, I guess meeting Ino brought some joy to it," He chuckled and Ino blushed, Shiro and Guldrin had taken to teasing the girl, it was a fun pastime.
Shiro flipped a page, not looking up. "Curiosity is fine. Just don't forget that the universe has a way of making sure you regret asking too many questions. Hopefully, if we are lucky, life won't throw us into the belly of the beast again."
"Sounds like experience talking," Ino remarked, testing the edge of her blade.
Shiro finally glanced up, eyes gleaming. "Oh, it is. Or should I say, preconceived notions I have developed over time?"
Guldrin chuckled, but he understood what she meant. The unknown was always exciting, but it was rarely kind. The system wasn't generous, it was calculated, and meticulous in the way it pushed him forward. Every time he thought he had a moment to breathe, it found a way to throw him headfirst into something new.
And still, he couldn't help but wonder.
What ability would he gain? What would three years of accumulated sign-ins reward him with? Would it be something game-changing? Something subtle? Would it be another piece of power that set him further apart from everything he had once known?
As much as he relished the thought, he also knew that power came with its own burdens. He wasn't the same person who had started this crazy journey. The choices he made carried weight now. He had responsibilities, people who mattered, people he couldn't afford to lose.
People he WOULDN'T lose.
The fire crackled, sending a plume of smoke into the air. He let his thoughts drift with it, pushing aside the what-ifs. He would find out soon enough.
—
–
-
The night was still, save for the occasional crackling of the fire. A faint breeze rustled the trees, carrying the scent of burning wood through the campsite. Guldrin sat near the flames, staring into the embers, watching them shift and glow like dying stars. His thoughts drifted, carried away by the smoke that curled lazily into the night sky.
The past three years had been relentless, pushing him to his limits in ways he never could have imagined. But now, with mere hours left until his survival quest officially ended, he felt an odd mix of anticipation and unease.
It wasn't that he feared what came next, far from it. He had long accepted that the system had its own agenda, one he had no real control over. But there was something about these quiet moments before the unknown that always put him on edge.
The wait. The lingering uncertainty.
The knowledge that the second that timer hit zero, everything would change again.
He sighed, dragging a hand through his hair. He had spoken with Shiro and Ino earlier, telling them they would stay for ten days, allowing themselves this brief pocket of peace. And they had. The days had passed in a slow, comfortable rhythm, Guldrin fishing along the riverbanks, Ino hunting in the nearby woods, Shiro perfecting her abilities with an intensity that was almost unsettling.
For ten days, they had lived as though they weren't constantly being pulled forward by Fate, as if they could simply exist in this moment and let everything else fade into the background.
But no illusion lasts forever.
As the final hours ticked down, Guldrin found himself glancing at the countdown more often, unable to stop the habitual flicker of his gaze toward the invisible numbers that floated in his vision.
Then, in the dead of night, it happened.
A pulse of energy surged through him, sharp and sudden, yanking him from sleep. His body snapped upright before his mind had even fully caught up, his senses immediately on high alert. The air around him was thick with something unseen, a weight pressing down on his shoulders. It was the same sensation he had felt every time the system activated, but this time, it felt… heavier. More deliberate. His vision blurred for a split second, static flickering at the edges, and then the words appeared before him.
[Objective One: Survive.]
[Time Until Completion: 3 Years]
[Reward: ???, One Free Random Ability, Next Chain Quest.]
[Additional Note: Good luck. You'll need it. Don't resist, it will be easier.]
[Status: Completed]
Then, as if the system itself was sighing in relief, another message appeared.
[Congratulations, you survived… Here is your reward.]
The words felt different this time. Not just the message itself, but the way they appeared. The system had always been direct, cold, and efficient. But this… this almost felt like someone speaking to him.
Then, a voice, one he had longed to hear.
'Well, of course, it's different, you dummy. I told you, that as you progress, so do I. And now I have more access to the system management… Missed you.'
Guldrin felt his chest tighten at the sound of Emily's voice. It had been so long. Too long.
'Emily,' he breathed, barely realizing he had spoken aloud. 'I missed you too… Why don't you come out and join us? You aren't sealed anymore, right?'
She laughed, light and teasing, just as he remembered. 'Hehe, it makes me all fuzzy inside to know you care… But I can't for now. Alisa and I have been fiddling with the system, and we're at a point where if we stop, something kinda bad will happen. But we're here, and we can talk to you now… Anyway, sign in, then receive your reward... I can't say much about your reward, but the sign-in will definitely be something you like… Byee for now~'
He exhaled sharply, shaking his head with a smirk. 'She is always so free… I'm jealous. If only I could be like her.'
A strange sensation stirred inside him at that thought. A memory just out of reach. It was an odd, nagging feeling, like a song lyric on the tip of his tongue that he couldn't quite recall.
'Why does it feel like I've felt this way before?' he muttered under his breath.
Then… sharp pain.
His head throbbed suddenly, the ache pulsing behind his eyes. That same damn pain that told him he shouldn't be thinking about whatever it is he was thinking about.
A second later, the pain eased, leaving behind only frustration.
'Arghhh, damn it, just another headache. Something else I'm not allowed to think about… Screw it. Sign in.'
[Three-Year Sign-In Activated.]
[Calculating rewards...]
His breath caught.
This was it.
Lines of text flickered in front of him, shifting so quickly he could barely follow them. Then, just as quickly as they appeared, they solidified into something new.
A massive roulette wheel materialized before him.
But it wasn't like the normal sign-ins he was used to.
There were only fifty options displayed on the wheel.
'Hmmm… I've never seen the sign-ins take this form before… This is different. Why can't I see the potential options?'
'Cause.' Emily's voice was practically dripping with amusement.
He sighed. 'Just… cause? That's it? No explanation?'
'Nope~'
Guldrin pinched the bridge of his nose. 'Fine. I won't dwell on it. Sign in, er, I guess spin?'
'As you wish, my love.'
The massive wheel began to spin, a low hum filling the air. A series of rapid clicks accompanied it, sharp, metallic, and irritatingly rhythmic.
Guldrin narrowed his eyes. 'That sound is annoying as hell.'
'Oh, I know,' Emily giggled. 'That's why it's there.'
He groaned. 'Of course it is.'
The wheel continued to spin, a blur of movement, the options unreadable. It felt like an eternity before it finally began to slow.
*Click. Click. Click.*
The pace decreased, the pointer hovering over different sections, teasing the possibility of stopping on one prize before skipping to the next.
Then…
*Click.*
The wheel slowed, the clicking sounds growing sluggish, like the final beats of a drum signaling the end of some grand performance.
Guldrin held his breath, his fingers curling into fists as the last segment of the wheel shuddered to a halt. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, with a chime so sharp and clear it sent a shiver up his spine, the system responded.
"Ding, Ding, Ding!"
A bright light exploded from the center of the wheel, illuminating the space around him with a dazzling glow. It was like staring into the heart of a star, brilliant, searing, and overwhelming. Instinctively, he lifted a hand to shield his eyes, squinting against the blinding radiance. His pulse thundered in his ears, each beat in sync with the ethereal hum that vibrated through the air.
The system's familiar voice chimed in, smooth and unwavering.
[Congratulations! You have obtained-]
Guldrin blinked rapidly as the light began to recede, revealing the words floating before him, shimmering with an intensity that sent an involuntary shudder down his spine.
"You have obtained: The Moon Sanctum."
For a moment, he didn't react. His mind grappled with the words, his thoughts scrambling to process the weight of what had just happened. Then, realization struck, and his eyes widened.
"No way… What is it?"
A gasp left his lips, barely audible, but the disbelief in his tone was unmistakable. He had no idea what this was…
A sudden burst of laughter rang in his mind, light and teasing, laced with undeniable amusement. Emily.
'Oooooh, that's a good one! One more and you would have landed on The Great Tomb of Nazarick!' she cooed playfully. 'Or the one before it… Oops, not telling!'
He could feel her smirking, practically see the way she'd be sticking her tongue out at him in that mischievous way of hers.
Why did he feel like he had seen that before?
And… Why does she appear in a different form when he thinks of this?
And just like that, her connection flickered out, leaving behind only the lingering warmth of her presence.
Guldrin exhaled sharply, shaking his head. Emily's sudden disappearance was nothing new, it was par for the course at this point. She loved dropping cryptic hints and vanishing right when he wanted more answers. But he couldn't afford to dwell on that now. His eyes flicked back to the glowing text hovering in the air, the golden letters pulsing faintly, as if they contained something alive, something waiting.
The Moon Sanctum.
While he was still processing the words, a small moon-shaped pendant materialized in his palm, cold and surprisingly heavy for its size. A thin, intricate chain dangled from it, reflecting the dim light of his surroundings. It was a necklace, but its presence felt far more significant than just another trinket.
Guldrin turned it over between his fingers, examining the tiny runes engraved along its surface. The moment his thumb brushed against one of the symbols, something clicked, like a key turning in a long-forgotten lock.
A surge of energy flooded his mind, and for a brief moment, he felt weightless, as if he was being pulled somewhere else, somewhere far beyond the limits of his current reality.
Then, a voice rang out in his head, deep and slightly amused, yet tinged with something else, something almost melancholic. The scenery seemed to clear a tab bit as Guldrin was able to see two shadowed figures, blurred, but clearly there.
"Hello, testing, testing, one, two… Can you hear me?"
Guldrin blinked. His mouth opened instinctively to respond, but nothing came out. He quickly realized that this wasn't a conversation, it was a recording, a message left behind by someone else.
"It's working, Master," another voice chimed in, this one soft, delicate, yet oddly cold.
"Ah, good," the first voice continued. "Okay, let's get this out of the way. My name is Shin Kiritani. I was, well, I guess I still am, a blacksmith, a swordsman, a martial artist… you get the idea. Level 255, if numbers still matter, or mean anything to you... More importantly, I was the last owner of this pendant."
Guldrin narrowed his eyes. The name didn't ring any bells, but the way the man spoke, so casual, yet so precise, sent a strange chill down his spine. There was a weight to his words, the kind that only someone who had seen far too much and lost even more could carry.
"I know this is weird," Shin went on, a hint of a chuckle in his voice, "but trust me, it's even weirder for me. You see, I used to be a player. A gamer. Just a normal guy, playing what was supposed to be a normal game. I don't even know if you know what kind of game I am referring to… Oh well, doesn't matter… And then, well... it wasn't just a game anymore, through some twisted reasoning, the game became a death game, death inside the game led to death in the real world..."
Guldrin's fingers tightened around the pendant. He could already tell where this was going.
"Determined to get home and free everyone trapped in the game, I fought my way to the final boss. Long story short, I won. Everyone else logged out, or at least I thought they did..." A pause. Then, in a voice that was quieter, heavier, "Except for me."
Something about that sentence sent a ripple of unease through Guldrin's chest. He didn't know this man, had never met him, and yet, he felt the weight of those words.
"Don't get me wrong, I tried. I did everything I could. But I missed my chance. Or maybe... I was never meant to leave. My vision blurred and I lost consciousness…" Shin sighed. "Somehow, five hundred years later, I woke up. Still in the game. Except, it wasn't a game anymore. It was real. And I was alone."
Guldrin swallowed. He didn't know why, but there was something deeply unsettling about the way Shin spoke, like someone recounting a dream that had long since turned into a nightmare.
"Master, you're going on a rant again," the other voice cut in. Her tone was gentle but firm, the way someone might speak to a loved stubborn older sibling. "The ritual has already begun. We don't have much time."
"Ah, right," Shin said, shaking off his moment of introspection. "Here's the short version. I lived. For centuries. And in that time, I lost everything. Everyone. One by one, they were taken… Whether it be by time, by war, or by the world itself. I should have died a long time ago. But I didn't. And now, the world wants me gone. It sees me as an aberration, something that doesn't belong anymore. Everyone has turned against me… Everyone but one…"
Guldrin felt something stir deep in his chest. He had no idea what kind of life this man had lived, but he knew the feeling of being out of place. Of being something the world wasn't quite sure what to do with.
"I have one attendant left," Shin continued, his voice softer now. "Her name is-"
"I am Schnee Raizar," the woman's voice spoke again, smooth and calm. "Master's maid. The final remaining NPC he created."
Shin's voice continued, his tone carrying a weary amusement, the voice of a man who had seen and endured far too much. "Yes," he murmured, his words softer now, as if recalling ghosts of the past. "Schnee is my last remaining, named NPC. The only one left. The others... they're all gone."
The weight of that statement settled over Guldrin like an oppressive fog. He could hear the loss woven into every syllable. He had lost everything, his world, his allies, his creations. And now, after centuries, he had finally reached his limit.
A softer, more composed voice followed, cutting through the moment. "Master, speed it up," Schnee interjected, her tone polite and firm, as if she had long since grown used to keeping him on track.
"Ah, oops," Shin chuckled lightly, though there was little humor in it. "Anyway, here's the short version, well, shorter. The world wants me dead. No, I don't mean the world as an entity, well maybe that has something to do with it? But, I meant the world's inhabitants… Turns out an immortal being doesn't earn friends but jealous fear... I don't want to fight the world. I'm tired. I've fought enough. But Schnee? I don't want her to die with me, nor do I want her to suffer for my mistakes. I made her immortal through these years, and now, she would be left alone… That's where you come in."
Guldrin frowned slightly, listening intently.
"I devised a plan," Shin continued. "I poured everything I had into forging the pinnacle of all swords, a blade unlike any other, imbued with my intent, my will, to find a successor. No, you won't be given this blade, the express purpose of this blade is to slice a hole in the fabric of reality leading to my successor… If you're holding this pendant right now, then congratulations, that successor is you, and the blade was destroyed in the process…"
Guldrin narrowed his eyes. He wasn't sure if he liked how casual Shin sounded about all of this. Just because he was holding the pendant; did that mean he had asked for any of this? But at the same time... something about it felt right. Fate had a strange way of throwing things at him when he least expected them.
He may not like Fate, but sometimes you get what you didn't expect.
"I tried countless times to find my old home, but something beyond my power refused to let me leave, so I gave up on that… Anyways, I don't know your name, your race, your gender, hell, I don't know a single thing about you," Shin admitted. "But if the pendant found you, then that means you're the one meant to inherit what I leave behind."
A moment of silence followed before Schnee's voice chimed in again. "Master..."
"Okay, okay, I'm getting to it," Shin sighed. "This pendant holds everything, my full inheritance. My shop, my life's work, my pride and joy. A fully stocked, blessed, and cursed blacksmith and weapon store."
"And me," Schnee added pointedly.
"Yes, yes, and Schnee," Shin said with a soft chuckle. "She comes with the package. Well, technically, she'll be inside the pendant. Think of it like... a really fancy storage system. Oh, don't try to store anything living inside the pendant, even Schnee was only able to enter it once because I will, or have? Petrified her till the building is released."
Guldrin ran a finger over the pendant's smooth surface. He could feel the faint hum of power coursing through it, like a slumbering beast waiting to be unleashed.
"To use it," Shin explained, "just channel mana into the pendant with the intent to transform it. No incantations, no dramatic shouting, just focus. And, for the love of all things holy, make sure to toss it where you actually want the shop to appear. Otherwise, it will materialize right on top of you. And let me tell you, getting flattened by your own shop and inheritance? Not fun. Speaking from experience, if you were wondering."
Guldrin resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He had been through a lot in his life, but he never thought he'd be getting life advice from a centuries-old blacksmith trapped inside a magical world and speaking through an echo recorded in a pendant… This was something new…
"To store it again, just say 'Storage.' No, I'm not joking this time," Shin added quickly, as if anticipating doubt. "It's simple. I designed it that way. Why? Because I thought it was cool."
"It wasn't," Schnee interjected, her tone so flat and unimpressed that Guldrin almost snorted.
Shin groaned dramatically. "Come on, Schnee, let me have this. I spent years perfecting this voice-activated method…"
"And it still lacks elegance."
"Oh, my weak heart, Schnee, why must you wound me so?" Shin clutched at his chest in mock agony, a theatrical groan escaping his lips. His voice dripped with exaggerated despair, as though he had just been struck by the cruelest betrayal known to mankind.
Schnee, standing beside him with her usual calm and collected expression, did not so much as blink. "I'm just being honest," she replied flatly.
Shin let out an even deeper, more dramatic sigh, as though the weight of her words had physically crushed his spirit. "Fine, fine. I shall suffer in silence," he muttered, shaking his head in mock defeat.
Then, with a small huff, he straightened up and focused once more. "Anyway, moving on, inside this pendant is everything. My entire legacy, my pride, my joy, my blood, sweat, and tears, all condensed into one final gift."
There was a pause, a moment of quiet where Shin seemed to reflect on his own words. The silence was thick with emotion, an underlying weight of finality to his voice. "I wish I could just grant you every bit of knowledge I have. Trust me, I tried. But even I have my limits."
He let out a dry chuckle. "However, I've left behind more than enough. Books filled with my insights, crystalized experiences to guide you, even my own recorded projections to ensure nothing is left to chance. If you were meant to inherit this, you'll understand. The path to mastery will be yours to walk, but I have laid the stones for you."
There was something resolute in his voice now, a finality that echoed beyond just words. "I am Shin Kiritani," he declared, as if cementing his name in history. "The world's greatest swordsman, blacksmith, and martial artist. If you have what it takes, then I have given you all the tools to surpass even me."
Schnee, standing ever poised, finally interjected. "As for me, I will be overseeing the shop. While you are inside, I will do my utmost to protect you. No one will cause trouble within its walls, no matter who they are."
Her voice was calm, but the unwavering confidence in her tone left no room for doubt. "However," she added, her piercing gaze seeming to cut through the very air, "outside the shop, that is your responsibility. I am my own person, and I will not serve someone I do not respect or acknowledge."
Then, as if anticipating any protests, she added, "So work hard, my future master."
Shin let out a small chuckle, his tone carrying an amused warmth. "She says that, but don't let her fool you," he mused, turning his head slightly toward whoever would eventually hear these words.
"Schnee is what you'd call an ice-faced beauty. Calm, graceful, and collected, sure. But I made her that way for a reason. Beneath that cool exterior, she's more caring than she lets on." He smirked slightly. "She won't let you die. No matter how much trouble you get into, she'll be there. However," his smirk widened, almost in mischievous amusement, "she will definitely scold you for making her save you. And let me tell you, I shiver at the thought." He feigned a dramatic shudder. "Good luck with that."
Schnee shot him a disapproving glance, but her lips twitched slightly, betraying the faintest hint of amusement.
Shin exhaled and took a step forward, as if he was about to take his leave. "Now, the last thing I have to say is this: Have fun. Be yourself. Protect those you love." His voice grew softer, but the intensity of his words did not wane.
"Don't let anything stop you. Be who you want to be. Conform to nothing." His expression turned uncharacteristically serious, and his next words carried the weight of an absolute truth. "And, above all else, do not, under any circumstances, show your true talent until you are strong enough to protect yourself from anything."
Schnee's eyes widened slightly, but she did not argue. She, better than anyone, understood the necessity of such a warning. This was what led to Shin's eventual downfall, after all…
"Master, the time is running out," she finally said, her voice quieter than before.
Shin sighed, his usual smirk returning, though it was tinged with something more… melancholic. "Oh yeah, whoever you are… take care of Schnee, alright?" His voice was lighthearted, but there was an undeniable sincerity beneath it. "She might be difficult at first, but if you give her love, she will return it tenfold."
Schnee inhaled sharply, looking as though she wanted to say something, but before she could, the recording began to fade, the echo of Shin's voice dissipating into nothing.
And then, silence. The clearing came back into view as he tried to process what he had just heard.
Guldrin stood there, utterly floored by what he had just witnessed. His mind was a whirlwind of emotions, thoughts colliding against each other like a raging storm. What had started as nothing more than a simple pendant had turned out to be a gateway to something so much bigger, an inheritance beyond anything he could have ever imagined…
His heart pounded in his chest as he processed the words that had been left for him. The world's greatest swordsman, blacksmith, and martial artist had entrusted everything to him? And it wasn't a simple collection of tools and trinkets, but an entire shop, a wealth of knowledge, a legacy so grand that it felt almost impossible to grasp.
And Schnee…
His eyes fell to the pendant in his hands. A single, unassuming object that now felt as though it weighed a thousand tons. Inside this, Schnee waited. A woman who had once served Shin Kiritani himself. A woman who had declared, without hesitation, that she would not acknowledge someone unworthy.
Guldrin swallowed hard.
This… was not something he could take lightly.
His grip on the pendant tightened as Shin's words echoed in his mind once more.
"Be yourself. Protect those you love. And do not, under any circumstances, show your talent until you can protect yourself from anything."
His breath hitched slightly.
"Well," he muttered to himself, "that was... a lot."
Shin's words were a warning. A heavy one. A truth that spoke of the dangers that lay ahead. Whatever path he chose from here on out, it would not be an easy one.
And yet… He wondered, was it ever?
A small smirk tugged at the corner of Guldrin's lips.
He considered his options. He could ignore it, toss the pendant aside, and pretend none of this ever happened. But that idea felt wrong. This wasn't some cheap trinket, this was a legacy. A blacksmith's final mark upon the world. And, He, he was a crafter, a pursuer of knowledge and boundaries to be broken…
Could he allow this chance to slip through his fingers?
With a sigh, he closed his eyes and focused, channeling a small pulse of mana into the pendant. It thrummed in response, growing warmer against his palm. He could feel something stir within it, an ancient mechanism awakening after centuries of slumber.
"Guess I better not disappoint, huh?" he murmured, his grip firm around the pendant.
With a deep breath, he channeled mana into it.
Taking a deep breath he flicked the pendant forward, watching as it landed a few feet away.
The moment it hit the ground, the air around it shimmered, rippling like the surface of a pond disturbed by a single drop of water. Then, with a sound like grinding stone and rushing wind, the pendant expanded outward in a cascade of golden light.
The world around him shifted as a building, no, a fully furnished blacksmith's shop, took shape before his very eyes. Dark wooden beams, stone foundations, and polished counters lined with weapons gleaming in the dim light peaking out from the windows. The scent of metal and oil filled the air, and the faint glow of an inactive forge pulsed inside at the back of the shop.
And then, standing right at the entrance, as if she had always been there, was a woman.
Long silver hair framed a face of delicate, almost ethereal beauty. Her deep blue eyes were sharp, intelligent, and unwavering. She wore a pristine maid outfit, something that seemed both anachronistic and oddly fitting. And though her expression was calm and composed, there was an undeniable intensity in her gaze.
This was Schnee Raizar.
She stepped forward with deliberate steps before she stopped a few feet in front of him, standing perfectly straight, her hands clasped neatly in front of her. Her expression remained unreadable as she regarded him in silence.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then, she bowed ever so slightly.
"Young Master," she said, her voice as cool as ice, yet carrying an undeniable weight of loyalty. "I acknowledge your presence."
Guldrin blinked.
That was… formal.
He rubbed the back of his neck, unsure how to respond. "Uh… thanks? I think?"
Her blue eyes flickered, and for just a brief moment, he thought he saw something in them, an evaluation, a silent measurement of his worth.
"You are the one chosen by Master Shin's legacy," Schnee stated, her voice even and unwavering, her cool gaze fixed on him. She carried herself with an air of grace that made her words feel less like a simple statement and more like a decree. She had the bearing of a Queen.
Guldrin tilted his head slightly, studying her expression. There was no warmth in her tone, no sense of immediate acceptance. He could already tell this wouldn't be easy. "However," she continued, standing straight, "I do not recognize you yet. That recognition must be earned."
Well, that was blunt.
Guldrin let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head. "Fair enough. I'm not exactly expecting you to start calling me 'Master' and following my every word just because some pendant said so."
Schnee's head tilted the smallest fraction, her piercing eyes narrowing slightly as if weighing his response. "That is a wise mindset. Many would assume that ownership alone grants them respect. You do not strike me as a fool."
"Thanks?" he said again, unsure if that was a compliment or just a neutral observation. He could already tell that talking to Schnee was going to be like walking through a blizzard; cold, sharp, and demanding.
Schnee simply nodded before turning toward the shop entrance. "Come. You must see what you have inherited." She glanced over her shoulder, her gaze briefly landing on Ino and Shiro, who were still standing a few feet away, watching the interaction with wide-eyed curiosity. "Your friends will have to wait until I have shown you around. Only then can they come inside. Propriety is important."
Ino blinked. "Uh, is that-"
"She said wait, so just wait a bit…" Guldrin interrupted before Ino could complain. He knew better than to argue about something that seemed like a hard rule in this place. Besides, Schnee didn't strike him as the type to change her mind because someone pouted.
Shiro just shrugged and pulled Ino to inspect the outside of the building.
With that settled, he followed her inside. The moment he stepped past the threshold, he felt it, a shift in the air, something subtle and powerful. It was as if the very space around him held its breath, waiting to see what he would do.
The interior was breathtaking.
Weapons lined the walls in neat, meticulous rows, each one unique, each one radiating an unmistakable presence. Swords, spears, daggers, and even a few firearms that looked as if they had been crafted with precision far beyond the norm. The craftsmanship was undeniable, every weapon had been made with care, honed to perfection, their very existence proof of their creator's skill.
Guldrin exhaled slowly. "Damn." He couldn't help but whistle, causing the faintest of smirks to grace Schnee's lips.
At the far end of the shop, a massive forge dominated the space, its presence undeniable. Despite how long it had likely been dormant, it looked pristine, as if it had been maintained every single day.
Tools of all shapes and sizes were arranged neatly on various workbenches, their placement so precise that even the smallest shift in position would likely be noticed.
It was more than an ancient workspace.
It was a sanctuary.
A place he could feel had been dedicated to a craft beyond his understanding.
Everything here felt… alive. The very air hummed with something unseen, years of dedication, the lingering remnants of someone who had poured their soul into this place.
It was a monument to craftsmanship, to discipline, to mastery.
"This is the Moon Sanctum," Schnee said, her voice softer now. There was an unmistakable reverence in her tone as she stepped further inside, the glow of the lanterns casting shadows against the weapons lining the walls. "Master Shin poured his soul into this place. Every piece here has a history, a purpose."
Guldrin let his fingers brush against the hilt of a sword resting on one of the many racks. It was cool to the touch, but there was something else beneath that, something he couldn't quite describe.
As if the weapon itself recognized his presence, acknowledged it in some unspoken way. "He really was something else, huh?" He might not fully understand the depths of Shin's skill, but to give a weapon a will, one must have been beyond the pinnacle of blacksmithing.
"He was," Schnee agreed. "And now, it belongs to you."
The weight of those words settled over him like a heavy cloak.
This was his now.
Not just the weapons, not just the tools, but the knowledge, the responsibility. He had inherited a legacy, one forged by a man who had clearly been a master in his field. And with that legacy came the expectation that he would rise to meet it.
Guldrin took a slow breath, rolling his shoulders, letting the tension in his body shift into something else, something more grounded, more determined. He had walked into this shop as just another person, but now?
Now, he felt the weight of a legacy pressing against him, wrapping around him like a cloak. It wasn't a burden, though. No, it was an expectation, a challenge, and if there was one thing he had never backed down from, it was a challenge.
A slow grin crept onto his face, one of confidence, amusement, and just a hint of the excitement bubbling beneath the surface.
"Well then," he exhaled, his voice steady but carrying an undeniable edge of anticipation. "Guess I better start proving I'm worthy of it."
Schnee stood still, watching him with a gaze so steady it could have been carved from ice. She didn't speak right away, and for a moment, Guldrin wondered if she was about to make some cryptic remark or challenge him on the spot. But then, after what felt like an eternity, she gave the smallest of nods. It was so subtle that most people wouldn't have even noticed, but to Guldrin, it said everything.
It wasn't approval, not yet. But it was acknowledgment. A step in the right direction.
Schnee turned toward the entrance, peeking her head outside where Ino and Shiro were still waiting, clearly eager to see what had been going on inside. "You can come in now," she said simply, her voice as composed as ever, but there was something different about her demeanor. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but it was there, the faintest trace of satisfaction, as if she had been waiting for this moment and was secretly pleased by their reactions.
Ino and Shiro stepped inside cautiously, their eyes widening almost instantly as they took in the sight before them. Ino let out a low whistle in the same manner as Guldrin, clearly impressed, while Shiro's sharp gaze darted around the room, already analyzing everything in sight.
"Damn," Ino muttered, stepping further inside. "This place is incredible."
Shiro didn't say anything, but the way her fingers twitched slightly at her side told Guldrin she was already calculating something in that brilliant mind of hers.
Guldrin stepped back outside, letting out a deep breath as the weight of everything truly settled in.
This was his now.
This shop, this legacy, this responsibility.
It was exhilarating and overwhelming all at once, but there was no doubt in his mind, he was exactly where he was supposed to be.
'Okay… I am very pleased with this reward…' he thought to himself, his heartbeat still a little quicker than usual. This was definitely better than he had expected. He had walked into this thinking it was just another… Well, he didn't know what it would be…
Maybe another step forward in his journey?
But now, standing here, feeling the energy of the place wrap around him, he knew this was something else entirely.
But there was still more to do.
'Next, the ??? And the random ability…' he thought, rolling his shoulders again, ready for the next surprise. 'Emily, use the random ability voucher. I'm excited to see what I'll get.'
'As you wish, my love,' came Emily's playful response. 'Hey, Alisa, spin the wheel, I'm kind of busy working on the whats-you-call-it, right now.'
'Sure… Young Master, say spin,' another voice, Alisa, this time, chimed in, sounding far too pleased with herself.
Guldrin exhaled, cracking his neck slightly before giving the word. 'Spin.'
The moment he said it, the familiar sight of the massive, glowing wheel appeared before his eyes, hovering in the air with an almost surreal presence. The wheel was enormous, its sections filled with an overwhelming number of choices, each one a possibility, a chance for something great… or something absolutely ridiculous.
Nine hundred and eighty-one choices.
Guldrin raised an eyebrow at that. 'Nine hundred and eighty-one?'
'We're still adding more,' Emily's voice returned smoothly. 'But this is what we have for now.'
He watched as the wheel spun, the familiar clicking and clacking filling his ears. It was an obnoxious sound, really, but at this point, it was almost nauseating but also, strangely enjoyable. Every time that wheel spun, it meant something new was about to enter his life, for better or worse.
'The ??? hasn't been decided yet,' Emily continued, sounding mildly annoyed. 'So you'll have to wait for that reward. And no, I have no idea how long you'll need to wait…'
Guldrin exhaled through his nose, watching as the wheel spun, feeling that same mix of excitement and wariness that always came with these moments. Nine hundred and eighty-one possibilities. That was a lot of chances for something incredible… and just as many chances for something completely absurd.
He just had to hope luck was on his side.
"Congratulations, you have received: Dynamic Adaptive Shielding"
For a moment, Guldrin just stared at the words floating in front of him. He could practically feel the weight of those syllables settling into his bones. The name alone sounded absurd, like something ripped straight out of a science fiction novel where overpowered protagonists walked around with god-tier defenses. His instincts were already screaming that whatever this ability was, it had to be ridiculous.
'Show me the skill description… I have a feeling this is going to be broken as Hell.'
[Skill: Dynamic Adaptive Shielding]
Type: Passive/Active – Defensive
Rank: Legendary
Cost: Variable (scales with damage received)
Cooldown: None (continuous adaptation)
Effect:
A self-adjusting barrier that evolves in response to threats. It analyzes incoming attacks and alters its properties in real-time, providing optimal defense.
Elemental Adaptation: Reduces or nullifies damage from fire, ice, lightning, and other elements after brief exposure.
Physical Resistance: Hardens against blunt, slashing, and piercing attacks, minimizing impact.
Magic Countermeasure: Partially absorbs or reflects hostile spells.
Reactive Evolution: Gains resistance to repeated attack types, stacking up to 3 times.
Overload Discharge: Upon absorbing excessive energy, the shield can release it as a shockwave.
Limitations:
Energy consumption increases with prolonged use.
Initial attacks still inflict reduced damage before full adaptation.
Can be shattered by overwhelming force or unpredictable attack patterns.
Guldrin exhaled sharply through his nose, barely suppressing a laugh. His fingers twitched slightly at his sides, the sheer audacity of this ability washing over him like a tidal wave.
'Yup, that is crazy… Like… what the actual hell? And it's passive?'
He was half-expecting something good, but this? This was bordering on divine protection. He had seen plenty of powerful abilities, and had earned his fair share of absurd skills, like fishing, though he had learned to love it, but this was in a league of its own.
A shield that adapted to whatever was thrown at it? A defense that evolved in the middle of battle? It was like having an invincible suit of armor that learned how to counter every hit it took.
He could already picture it, facing down some overconfident enemy, letting them think they had the upper hand, only for their attacks to grow weaker and weaker as his shield learned them.
The smug satisfaction of watching an opponent realize their strongest moves were now useless against him? Oh, that was going to be so satisfying.
'Yes, my love, you have received a great reward this time…' Emily's voice chimed in, sounding far too pleased with herself. 'Would you like to roll Shiro's reward next?'
Guldrin considered it for a moment before sending a mental message to Shiro.
'My lovely girlfriend, do you mind if I roll your ability reward while you look around the shop?'
There was a brief pause before her response came, amusement lacing her words.
'Hehe, sure, but it better be something good.'
Guldrin smirked. 'Spin it, Emily. Let's see if we can get her something great as well.'
Once again, the massive wheel materialized before him, glowing with an almost otherworldly energy. It was just as ridiculous as ever, packed with countless possibilities ranging from game-changing abilities to things that were… well, less useful. He had once seen something like Enhanced Sock-Folding on this wheel, and to this day, he still wasn't sure if that was a joke or a genuine skill.
Like, how could sock folding be useful?
Could he fold the socks that someone was wearing?
Oh, that actually sounds scary, crushing someone's feet as if they weren't there while folding socks? Nope, let's stop going down this rabbit hole.
He exhaled and gave the command. 'Spin.'
The wheel obeyed immediately, its neon-lit sections flickering by in a blur of colors and text. The familiar clicking sound filled his ears, each tick of the wheel adding another pulse of anticipation. He had no idea what it was going to land on, but considering how absurd his own skill had been, he had high expectations for Shiro's.
The wheel slowed. Then slowed some more. And finally…
"Congratulations, you have received: Chemistry Proficiency"
Guldrin blinked. That… wasn't what he was expecting.
'Oh?' His mind was already whirring, dissecting the implications. 'Ooooh, that actually sounds useful. Show me the skill description.'
'Certainly,' Emily responded smoothly, and the details popped up before him.
[Skill: Chemistry Proficiency]
Type: Passive – Knowledge
Rank: Varies (Novice → Master → Grandmaster)
Effect: Grants deep understanding of chemical reactions, enhancing synthesis, analysis, and manipulation of substances.
Formula Mastery – Boosts success rate when crafting potions, explosives, and alchemical compounds.
Reaction Prediction – Reduces failure rates by anticipating chemical interactions.
Toxicology Insight – Improves poison resistance and antidote creation.
Material Refinement – Enhances the purity and potency of crafted substances.
Limitations:
Requires proper materials and equipment.
Risk of failure or explosions at lower proficiency levels.
Increases proficiency through successful concoctions, refinement, and use.
Guldrin let out a low whistle, impressed despite himself. 'Well, damn. That's actually amazing. Shiro's going to love this.'
He could already imagine it, Shiro in a lab coat, surrounded by flasks bubbling with strange concoctions, cackling softly to herself as she brewed up something horrifyingly potent. With her intelligence and creativity, there was no telling what kind of insane brews she would come up with.
Explosives? Absolutely.
Paralytics? Without a doubt.
Highly volatile chemicals that could probably melt through steel? Most definitely.
The thought sent a shiver down his spine, but in the best way possible.
'Shiro's going to become an absolute menace with this,' he thought to himself, chuckling under his breath. 'I give it a week before she accidentally creates something classified as a war crime.'
He turned his head slightly, watching as Shiro continued wandering around the shop, her fingers lightly trailing over some of the objects as she studied them. She had that familiar glint in her eye, the one that meant she was already planning something.
Guldrin smirked. 'Hey, Wifey, your ability's been rolled. Wanna take a guess?'
Shiro turned to him, tilting her head slightly before her lips curved into that small, knowing smile of hers.
"I don't need to guess," she said, voice filled with quiet amusement. "You're looking at me like I just gained the power to burn down a city."
Guldrin chuckled. "I mean, you basically did. Chemistry Proficiency."
Shiro's eyes lit up with unmistakable delight. "Ooooh."
That was all she said, but the sheer amount of excitement packed into that single sound was enough to make Guldrin grin.
"I expect great things," he said, crossing his arms.
"Oh, you'll get them," Shiro responded smoothly, already turning away, her eyes gleaming as she scanned the shelves stacked high with treasures. "So, so many great things... and don't forget, my love, poison is my main element. That and wind. Just imagine all the things I can do with this skill."
Guldrin didn't need to imagine. He already knew.
With his new ability making him an evolving fortress capable of adapting to any threat, and Shiro now well on her way to becoming the living embodiment of mad science, things were about to get a whole lot more interesting.
No, things were about to get downright ridiculous. The thought sent a shiver down his spine, equal parts anticipation and mild dread. If anyone could find a way to turn simple chemistry into a nightmarish battlefield tactic, it was Shiro.
As their conversation carried on, Schnee, who had been observing with quiet curiosity, tilted her head slightly. Unlike Ino, who was utterly absorbed in examining every weapon within reach like a child in a candy store, Schnee actually seemed to be listening.
"Chemistry," she mused thoughtfully. "Master has spoken of this before. We once had a friend who specialized in potion-making here at the shop. If you are interested, you may use her setup. She won't be needing it anymore…"
Her voice trailed off slightly at the end, her expression shifting ever so subtly.
Guldrin caught it immediately, as did Shiro. The unspoken weight in Schnee's words was all too clear, whoever this friend had been, they were gone now. Not away, not missing. Gone.
Shiro, despite her usual playful demeanor, softened at this revelation. There was a deep respect in her tone when she spoke. "I swear I will use it with care and make her proud, if you're willing to allow me to use her potion equipment."
For a moment, Schnee hesitated, as if lost in thought. Then, slowly, a small, almost wistful smile crossed her lips. "I would be truly surprised if you were able to even scratch her equipment. It was heavily enhanced, she always pushed the limits and shattered her vials constantly. The reinforcements became a necessity. All I ask is that you make her proud as you promised."
Shiro nodded, her expression unusually serious. "I will."
Schnee gestured for them to follow. "Come with me. The basement was her domain. Master always said it looked like the lab of a mad scientist."
The group trailed behind as Schnee led them through the shop, past towering shelves crammed with mystical artifacts, deadly weapons, and contraptions whose purposes were entirely unknown. Every inch of the place seemed to hum with the remnants of the past, failed or successful.
Eventually, they reached a heavy iron door in the back, half-hidden behind a bookshelf. Schnee pressed her hand against a concealed rune, and with a low hiss, the door creaked open. The air that drifted out was thick with the scent of alchemical ingredients, herbs, charred substances, something vaguely acidic.
The staircase leading down was steep, the kind that made you second-guess your footing with each step. But as they descended, a whole new world unfolded before them.
The basement lab was… well, it was a sight to behold.
Massive workbenches stretched along the walls, cluttered with glass vials, bubbling flasks, and instruments that looked like they belonged in some kind of high-fantasy version of a mad scientist's hideout.
There were shelves upon shelves of labeled containers, filled with powdered minerals, exotic plants, and shimmering liquids that seemed to shift colors as you looked at them.
A large cauldron sat in the corner, faint embers still glowing beneath it as if it had been left burning for years.
There were reinforced glass tanks, some empty, some holding strange glowing substances that pulsed faintly.
And then there were the scorch marks. Everywhere. The ceiling. The floors. Even the furniture bore the scars of past catastrophes.
Shiro let out a low whistle. "Now this is a lab."
Guldrin wasn't sure whether to be impressed or deeply, deeply concerned. "You sure this place isn't still active? It looks like someone just left in the middle of an explosion."
Schnee faintly curled her lips. "This is how she always kept it. Even on a good day."
Shiro was already moving, her fingers tracing over the equipment, her mind undoubtedly already racing with possibilities. "This is perfect," she murmured. "With this setup, I can start right away. There's no limit to what I can experiment with. I can refine poisons, develop airborne toxins, mix new compounds-"
Guldrin cleared his throat. "You're not planning on testing any of that here, are you?"
Shiro paused. Then grinned. "No promises."
Guldrin sighed. "I'm gonna need another ability just to survive being around you. Though, my new one might help…"
Schnee watched their exchange with a slight smirk before stepping aside. "The equipment is yours to use as you see fit. Just be careful, some of these substances are… volatile."
"Oh, I love volatile," Shiro said with a gleam in her eye that should have been concerning. "Volatile is fun."
Ino, who had been uncharacteristically quiet up until this point, finally looked up from the weapon he'd been examining. "I feel like we should reinforce the walls before she starts working," he muttered to Guldrin.
Guldrin nodded solemnly. "That's probably a good idea."
But there was no stopping Shiro when she had that look in her eyes. She was already pulling vials from shelves, inspecting powders, mentally piecing together concoctions that would probably terrify even the most seasoned alchemist.
Guldrin exchanged a glance with Schnee. "So… how many explosions are we talking here? One a day? Two?"
Schnee simply smiled. "Let's just say Master eventually stopped trying to count."
Wonderful.
At this point, all Guldrin could do was brace himself. His girlfriend had just been handed the keys to what was essentially a fully-stocked, high-end alchemy lab, the kind of setup that even the most reckless mad scientist would look at and say,
"Maybe we should set some ground rules."
The reinforced glass, the heat-resistant workstations, the rune-inscribed cauldrons that pulsed ominously… everything in this place was designed to withstand catastrophic failures. And that was the problem.
It meant someone, somewhere, had looked at the previous owner and decided, 'Yeah, we need to make sure this place survives her experiments.'
Now, that responsibility had been passed to Shiro.
The universe had officially made a mistake.
He could already picture it, Shiro hunched over a bubbling cauldron, eyes glowing with barely contained excitement as she mixed something that should never be mixed, only to cackle maniacally when it inevitably exploded in a plume of green smoke.
He could almost hear the moment she'd inevitably shout "SCIENCE!" right before a chain reaction went off and a small, accidental bioweapon was created.
And knowing Shiro, she wouldn't even be sorry.
But despite the impending chaos, despite the knowledge that he was almost certainly going to be subjected to weeks, no, months, of potentially hazardous "test runs," he couldn't help but smile. Because damn it, she was happy. That mischievous glint in her eye, that barely restrained enthusiasm, it was contagious.
Before he could get too comfortable, however, Schnee suddenly turned toward him, her expression calm but firm, as if she had already decided something without any room for negotiation.
"Oh, Young Master," she said in that effortlessly polite tone of hers. "I will be preparing dinner. Please remain inside the shop until I return with the necessary raw ingredients."
Guldrin blinked. "Uh… okay?"
Schnee nodded approvingly, then continued, as if she hadn't just dictated his entire evening. "I do have my own storage filled with ingredients, but those are from my world, and Master Shin expressly warned, 'Do not just feed otherworldly beings the meats of their world without proper precautions.'"
Guldrin frowned. "...Why do I feel like that advice came from an incident that would scar me if I knew its origins?"
Schnee's lips twitched, but she did not answer the question directly. "So," she continued smoothly, "I will be hunting some beasts to prepare for dinner until I have a proper understanding of the physical makeup of the beings in this world. I have already sensed some interesting creatures, and some other beings with some not-so-good intentions…"
Before he could even attempt to ask what exactly that meant… Because she said beasts? What kind of beasts? Were they going to be eating some kind of local monstrosity tonight? He didn't think chakra animals would be considered beasts to someone like her…
Schnee moved.
And in the blink of an eye, she was gone.
Gone like a gust of wind. One second she was standing there, speaking with that calm and collected demeanor of hers, and the next, she had vanished entirely, leaving only the faintest ripple of displaced air in her wake.
Guldrin stood there for a moment, staring at the empty space she had occupied, before slowly turning to Shiro.
Shiro, who had just finished arranging her new lab space and was now delicately holding a beaker filled with some bubbling, neon-blue liquid that he was pretty sure had not been glowing a second ago.
She looked up at him, her expression perfectly innocent. "What?"
Guldrin exhaled through his nose. "Two things."
She raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"One," he said, pointing vaguely at where Schnee had just disappeared. "How much trouble do you think she's about to cause on this 'beast hunt' of hers?"
Shiro hummed thoughtfully, then shrugged. "Depends. What's the over-under on her bringing back something still alive and calling it a 'research specimen'?"
Guldrin winced. "High. Way too high."
"Mm. Then yes, we should prepare for that."
Fantastic.
He shook his head. "And two-" He pointed to the beaker in her hands. "What in the fresh hell is that?"
Shiro grinned. "Oh, this?" She swirled the beaker slightly, watching as the liquid inside shimmered and pulsed, shifting from blue to an ominous deep purple. "This is the beginning of my first experiment."
"Shiro," he said carefully, "I have known you for a long time. And when you say 'experiment' in that tone, it usually means I should be worried."
She pouted at him. "Oh, come on, where's your sense of adventure?"
"Buried six feet under, right next to my sense of self-preservation."
Shiro snickered. "You say that now, but when I create the world's first wind-based, airborne neurotoxin that only affects hostiles, then you'll be impressed."
"Or unconscious."
"Details, details."
Guldrin pinched the bridge of his nose. "Can we at least agree that you won't test whatever that is until Schnee gets back?"
Shiro gave him an exaggerated sigh. "Fine. But only because I don't feel like dealing with her 'I am deeply disappointed' expression I am sure she would make..."
That was… honestly the best outcome he could have hoped for.
At least, for now.
Because if there was one thing he knew for certain, it was that things were about to get very, very interesting.
(Give me your POWER, Please, and Thank You! Leave reviews and comments, they motivate me to continue.)