"Now that's out of the way, we should head to Floor 5," he said. "But before we do, I need to expand my arsenal. My Artem-Abilities are too limited. I need a teleportation Artem to teleport directly to any part of the dungeon. Going back and forth to find Altars is a waste of time."
Livia sighed. "Well, until you get an ability like that, the Altars are the only way to move between Floors."
As they walked, Ichio glanced at her, activating Eclipsight like it's now second nature. His eyes gleamed faintly as Livia's stats appeared in his vision. While he only glanced at her equipment, something caught his attention.
"You've gotten some new weapons," he said.
Livia tilted her head. "What of it?"
"Let me guess," he said, his eyes still scanning. "These two are the latest additions."
--
*Blight Blade*
A sleek, curved blade with a venomous green glow, forged from the scales of a high-ranking Lizardman. The Blightfang Blade inflicts poison damage with each strike, weakening enemies over time. Its special ability, Venom Pulse, releases a wave of toxic energy that poisons multiple enemies within range.> *Oathbreaker Edge* A jagged, black greatsword with an aura of dread. Its core is said to be infused with the broken will of defeated kings. The Oathbreaker Edge grants the user King's Fury, a temporary berserk mode that increases strength and speed at the cost of defense. It also has Judgment Cleave, a devastating overhead strike that ignores armor or defense.> "Blightfang Blade and Oathbreaker Edge," Ichio said as the ability faded. "Not bad. You've done well to keep upgrading." Livia smirked, pride flickering in her eyes. "They'll come in handy when we hit the next Floor." --- The pair walked through the bustling streets of the nearby town, its lively atmosphere a stark contrast to the ominous Ainslif they had left behind. The town square bustled with adventurers and merchants, and the scent of food wafted through the air. "First stop, the Altar," Ichio said. The two made their way to the glowing shrine in the heart of the town. As they activated it, the air shimmered around them, and they were transported to Floor 5. --- Floor 5: Lumina The two appeared in the heart of Lumina, a town bathed in perpetual golden light. The streets were lined with cobblestone, and its buildings glowed faintly with enchanted runes. The distant hum of activity filled the air, players and NPCs bustled about with weapons and supplies. To the east of the town lay the Luminaria Arena, a grand structure visible even from a distance. Ichio scanned his surroundings, his expression unreadable. "This is a Safe Zone and an Arena Floor. If we want to rank up here, we'll have to take quests or fight other players in the arena. But first, we'll need supplies and information." "Let's grab some food first," Livia said, her gaze wandering toward a nearby restaurant. --- At the Restaurant: The restaurant, Golden Moon Tavern, was warm and inviting, its walls decorated with banners of past champions who had fought in the arena. The scent of roasted meat and spiced stew filled the air, making Livia's stomach rumble. They found a seat by the window, and a cheerful waitress approached them. "Welcome! What can I get for you two?" Ichio scanned the menu briefly before setting it down. "I'll take the Hunter's Feast—roast wyvern with a side of herb-roasted potatoes—and a glass of marta cider." [One question, the fuck did they get wyvern meet from] [Okay, fine but I'm not the only one thinking it] Livia tapped the table, thinking. "I'll have the Phoenix Platter—grilled firebird steak with saffron rice—and a Moonlight Ale." The waitress nodded and hurried off. Minutes later, their food arrived, each dish steaming and beautifully plated. The wyvern meat was tender and flavorful, and the firebird steak had a smoky, rich taste that left Livia impressed. "This is better than I expected," Ichio admitted, sipping his cider. "Finally, something you don't complain about," Livia quipped, digging into her food. They finished their meal in silence, the satisfying meal restoring their energy. After paying, they left the restaurant and wandered the town. --- The Lumina Inn: As night fell, they checked into an inn named Starlit Haven. The cozy establishment had a rustic charm, with wooden beams and soft lantern light giving it a welcoming atmosphere. "I'd like a room for two," Ichio said to the innkeeper, sliding a handful of coins across the counter. The innkeeper nodded, handing him a key. "Room 12, upstairs. Two beds. Enjoy your stay." [The fuck did he even know the price?] The room was modest but comfortable, with two beds, a small table, and a window overlooking the glowing streets of Lumina. Livia dropped onto one of the beds with a sigh. "Three days since the merge, and we've finally got a proper place to rest." Ichio sat on the other bed, leaning back against the headboard. "Don't get too comfortable. Floor 5 is just the beginning." "Yeah, yeah," Livia muttered, already drifting off to sleep. Ichio glanced out the window, the golden light of Lumina reflecting in his eyes. "Just the beginning," he murmured. As Ichio drifted to sleep, his mind carried him back to a simpler time. He was no longer the man navigating the chaos of a fused reality—he was a six-year-old boy again, sitting cross-legged in his dimly lit room, clutching his cell phone. The familiar blue glow of EG: Explore Game illuminated his small face, and after a year of dedication, the screen flashed a message: Ichio blinked at the message, confusion etched on his young features. "Seriously? I beat the game? But… I spent so much money on it though." He scrolled through his inventory, finding every Artem, Artifact, and item imaginable in the game already in his possession. "There's nothing left for me to get… What now?" The doorbell suddenly rang, cutting through his thoughts. He hesitated, looking toward the front door. His parents weren't around, leaving the house eerily quiet. With a sigh, he shuffled to the door and opened it to find a tall man standing there. The man wore a wide-brimmed hat that cast a shadow over most of his face. "Where are your parents?" the man asked. "They're out for a stroll," Ichio replied, keeping the door only slightly ajar. The man smiled faintly and held out a clipboard. "Sign here." Ichio raised an eyebrow. 'Seriously? Does this guy think a kid has a signature?' Still, he grabbed the pen and scribbled his name awkwardly. The man nodded and gestured to a large box on a dolly behind him. Moments later, the box was inside the house, pushed into a small, empty room that Ichio didn't spend much time in. "What is this?" Ichio muttered, eyeing the box. With some effort, he pried it open. Inside was a gleaming Arcade Cabinet with the bold letters EG: Explore Game Ver 2 etched across the top. His eyes widened. "Version 2? Is this different from the one I've been playing on the cell?" Nestled in the box was also a large container of coins and a neatly folded letter. He tore it open, his expression hardening as he read: "Dear Ichio, We hope you're doing well. We're sorry we haven't contacted you, but we've heard a lot of kids your age love gaming. So, we bought this for you. Feel free to invite friends over to play with you. Enjoy it, okay? —Mom and Dad" Ichio stared at the letter for a long moment, his small hands trembling. "Seriously? After all this time, this is all they have to say?" He shoved the letter aside, his gaze falling back on the Arcade Cabinet. "Well, I guess it's mine now." A few days later, Ichio began playing the new version of the game. The cabinet glowed to life, and as he gripped the controls, he was mesmerized by the enhanced visuals and mechanics. But just as he was settling into the game, the screen went blank. A moment later, he found himself standing in an endless white void. His heart raced as he spun around. "Not this place again..." A familiar voice echoed. "Yo Bro." Ichio turned sharply and saw the same man from before, his face partially obscured by a shadow. "Not You Again!" Ichio exclaimed. The man smiled faintly. "Tomorrow, go to the arena. You'll find what you seek there." "Wait!" Ichio shouted, running toward him, but the man turned and began walking away. Ichio tried to follow, but everything around him began to blur. --- Ichio stirred, feeling a warm breath near his face. His eyes fluttered open, and the blurry figure of Livia leaning over him came into focus. "What are you doing—?" he began, but before he could finish, she leaned closer, her lips nearly brushing his. Startled, he shot up, and their mouths accidentally collided in a brief, awkward kiss. Time seemed to freeze for a moment as the realization hit both of them. At that exact moment, the door creaked open. The innkeeper stood there, holding a tray of breakfast. She took one look at the scene—Ichio and Livia's faces centimeters apart—and her eyes widened. "Oh, my! I didn't mean to interrupt," she said, a teasing lilt in her voice. Livia jumped back, her face flushed crimson. "It's not what it looks like!" Ichio rubbed the back of his neck, trying to regain his composure. "Yeah... uh, good morning." The innkeeper chuckled as she placed the tray on the table. "Good morning indeed. Enjoy your breakfast." She left the room with a knowing smile, leaving the two in awkward silence. Livia finally broke the tension, crossing her arms. "Next time, don't just lie there like a corpse when someone's trying to wake you up." Ichio smirked faintly. "Noted. Though, you might want to work on your timing." She glared at him but said nothing, grabbing her plate and starting to eat. Ichio sat back, as he picked at his own food. After finishing their breakfast, Ichio pushed his empty plate aside, glancing at Livia. "I want us to head to the Arena. There's something I need to check out." Livia nodded without hesitation. "Alright. Let me get ready." She stood and began adjusting her gear, while Ichio leaned back in his chair, his mind elsewhere. Suddenly, a voice rang in his head—a familiar, steady tone. "Master, this is Nyx," came the telepathic message. "They are currently on Floor 9, but no one has attempted Floor 10 yet. I'm unsure why, but everyone seems to be avoiding it. They've decided on retreating to Floor 5 to rest before continuing." Ichio's brow furrowed slightly. "Noted," he replied calmly. "They're leaving now," Nyx added. "I'll continue monitoring them." "Understood. Keep me updated." Ichio commanded. The connection cut off just as Livia looked over, catching his intense, distant gaze. "Um, why are you staring at me like that?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. Ichio blinked, shaking off his thoughts. "Nothing. Don't worry about it." They left the inn. As they passed the counter, the innkeeper couldn't resist teasing them, her knowing smirk making it clear she hadn't forgotten the earlier scene. Ichio's eyes narrowed, his cold glare cutting through her like ice. The smirk vanished as she quickly looked away, muttering under her breath, "Wow, that's intense…" --- The streets of Lumina were bustling, as always. However, a commotion ahead caught their attention—a crowd had gathered, murmurs and gasps rippling through them like waves. Curiosity piqued, Livia grabbed Ichio's arm. "Let's check it out." He hesitated but sighed, allowing her to lead him. They pushed through the crowd to the front, where five burly men were surrounding a lone girl. The girl stood tall despite her slender frame, her long, dark-shaded hair cascading over her shoulders. She was cornered, but her expression wasn't one of fear—it was calm, calculating, and eerily composed. Ichio crossed his arms. "What's going on here?" Before anyone could answer, he shook his head. "Livia, let's leave. I don't want to get involved in whatever mess this is." But Livia's eyes were fixed on the girl, her gaze sharpening. "Wait… Haruka?" Ichio frowned. "Do you know her?" Livia nodded, her voice low. "Oh, if I mentioned her full name, you'd definitely know who she is—Haruka Tanaka." Ichio's eyes widened slightly before his expression hardened. "Tanaka? Even more reason for me not to get involved." Before they could leave, a man in the crowd whispered just loud enough for Ichio to catch: "Wait… isn't that Valkyrie, the Contractor from Valhalla? Those idiots just messed with the wrong person." The words made Ichio pause. "That title… that name…" As if in response, the world seemed to slow. --- **The Valhallan Contractor** The contractor who weaves pacts with spirits of Valhalla The Valkyrie's chosen one, forging contracts with the damned… Valkyrie Kahal> --- The air grew heavier as her presence changed. Her hair began to rise as though caught in an ethereal wind, and she stretched her arms wide, palms open, her voice ringing with authority: "Guardian Devils of the gates of Valhalla! Spirits of Valhalla! I call upon thee!" The ground beneath her cracked, releasing dark energy that coiled around her body. Swirling shadows danced with blinding white light, the conflicting forces amplifying the pressure in the air. The onlookers stumbled back, struggling to breathe under the immense weight of her power. Ichio's eyes narrowed as he instinctively activated ECLIPSIGHT, his golden irises glowing faintly as he analyzed her stats. What he saw made his breath catch. This… isn't an ordinary person, he thought, sweat forming on his brow. Her stats were immense, far surpassing anything he'd expected. He knew with absolute certainty that if he fought her, he wouldn't come out unscathed. "Ichio," Livia whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "What's wrong?" He didn't answer. His gaze remained locked on Valkyrie as the energy around her surged, the sheer intensity making the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. "This might get messy…" CHAPTER END.