"No recycling or storage," Riku said, shaking his head decisively. Shambhala was not just any item; it was his lifeline, and he wouldn't stow it away as a mere collection.
[Understood.] The system's voice echoed briefly before falling silent.
"The system has made this convenient, letting Shambhala recognize me as its master right away. No need to worry about adaptation." Riku held the gleaming artifact in his hand, a smile creeping onto his face.
Just then, a crisp female voice called out from outside, "Riku, everything is ready. Come out."
"Got it." Riku's golden eyes narrowed slightly at the sound of her voice. He tucked Shambhala into an empty bag, stood up, and made his way to the door.
When he opened it, he was greeted by a girl wearing goggles atop her red hair, with striking blue eyes and a figure clad in black and white attire. Her name was Couronne, Riku's older sister—though "sister" was a title forged in the fires of shared tragedy. Riku's original village had been reduced to ruins in the wake of a chaotic race battle, leaving him as the sole survivor until he was adopted by Couronne's father.
"Riku, how are you holding up?" Couronne's voice was laced with concern as she studied his expression. She had witnessed his hysteria earlier, the frantic energy that had consumed him in that room, and knew he had been struggling.
"I'm fine." Riku's voice was steady, betraying none of the turmoil beneath.
A melancholy look washed over Couronne's face. She had no idea that the boy she once knew had fundamentally changed; the original Riku had been consumed by despair and was no longer there.
"This time, we're going to excavate the telescope of the Dwarf species," she continued, her tone somber. "With it, we can observe various phenomena ahead of time to avoid chaos in the war." Her eyes were filled with worry as she added, "But you have to prioritize your safety, Riku. You're our leader, our pillar."
"I know," he replied calmly, steeling himself against the weight of her words.
In this harsh world, survival often depended on the wisdom of the weak. Strength, decisiveness, and intelligence were crucial in a realm where even the most cautious villages lost hundreds of lives yearly, often obliterated by the aftermath of conflicts.
Thanks to Riku and Couronne's relentless efforts, their settlement had only suffered forty-six deaths over the past four years—a miracle by any measure. Yet, those deaths weighed heavily on Riku's conscience, each one a grim reminder that he had orchestrated their sacrifices to save himself and others. This burden of guilt had festered within him, leading to a deep, consuming depression.
"Couronne, just guard the settlement. I'll handle the rest." Riku brushed past her without another word, slipping into the dimly lit passage.
"Honestly, I'm the older sister, and yet he still calls me Couronne. What a disobedient brother," she muttered, half-heartedly complaining. But despite her words, concern filled her gaze as she watched him disappear down the corridor. "Riku, remember to be careful!"
"You must come back safely!" she called after him, her voice fading into the darkness.
Emerging into the cavern, Riku was met by a group of workers who paused their tasks to greet him, their expressions a mix of respect and hope. Each one offered silent prayers for his safety, a bond forged in the fires of adversity.
Riku scanned their faces, acknowledging each one. In this dark world, no one was worthless; each individual had their own skills, even the young ones yet to fully grow.
"Riku, this is your gear." A robust man approached, offering a dust mask designed to shield against the harsh environment, accompanied by warm fur armor that wrapped around his body.
"Ivan, where's Arey and the others?" Riku donned the gear swiftly, his hands moving with practiced ease.
"They're getting ready too," Ivan replied, scratching the back of his head, his demeanor relaxed despite the gravity of their mission.
"This is a five-person task," Riku stated, his gaze serious. "But I'll handle this alone. You all should stay back at the settlement."
Ivan blinked in disbelief, taken aback. "Riku! Don't joke about that!"
"I'm serious." Riku's voice held a cold resolve as he met Couronne's worried gaze.
Having read the "No Game No Life" novel before, he was acutely aware of the potential dangers that lay ahead. In a previous iteration of this mission, his companions had faced demons, resulting in two sacrifices for survival. If he stood idly by, the tragic cycle would repeat itself. With the Teigu Shambhala, he would be safer acting alone.
Yet, he knew the danger would still loom large.
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