Warm orange light flickered softly inside the blacksmith workshop.
The rhythmic sound of metal striking metal echoed through the snowy village while sparks burst into the air like miniature stars.
Outside—
Dragon's Peak howled beneath another wave of blizzards.
But inside the forge—
warmth finally existed again.
Rio sat quietly on a wooden bench near the furnace, her Crimson Bloodmoon resting beside her.
Kiraya leaned against the wall nearby while slowly rotating her newly modified weapon in her hands.
The massive gunblade reflected the forge fire beautifully.
Meanwhile—
Cynthia stood in front of the crafting table with both hands on her hips.
Her long blonde hair swayed gently from the heat of the forge as she stared directly at Rio.
"So…"
Cynthia crossed her arms.
"Are you absolutely sure?"
Rio tilted her head.
"About what?"
Cynthia pointed directly at the Crimson Bloodmoon.
"That."
"The weapon."
"I can improve it."
Kiraya blinked slightly.
Even she looked curious.
Rio's mythic weapon was already absurd enough.
If someone like Cynthia enhanced it—
who knew how terrifying it would become.
Cynthia stepped closer.
"With my Unique Skill…"
"I can reshape the structure."
"Boost the material output."
"Improve mana conductivity."
"Strengthen durability."
"I can even amplify the hidden properties."
She looked genuinely excited now.
"It would become way stronger."
Kiraya nodded.
"She's right."
"Most players would kill for that offer."
Cynthia looked back toward Rio.
"So?"
Rio stared quietly at the Crimson Bloodmoon.
The silver saber reflected the forge flames softly.
A faint crimson glow pulsed through the blade—
almost alive.
Almost breathing.
Rio slowly reached down and grabbed the weapon.
Then shook her head.
"No."
Cynthia froze.
"…Huh?"
Rio smiled faintly.
"I want to become stronger by my own terms."
Silence filled the forge.
Kiraya suddenly smiled.
"…That sounds exactly like you."
Cynthia blinked several times.
"But…"
"I still owe you."
Rio tilted her head.
"Owe me?"
Cynthia nodded immediately.
"You saved my life."
"Twice."
"If it wasn't for you…"
"I'd probably be dead right now."
Her voice softened near the end.
"I can't just accept that without doing something."
Rio laughed softly.
"That's what friends do."
The word hit Cynthia directly.
Friends.
For a moment—
the usually energetic crafter looked stunned.
Then embarrassed.
"…Still."
"I want to help somehow."
Rio looked at her quietly for a few seconds.
Then finally sighed.
"…Fine."
Cynthia's eyes sparkled instantly.
"Really?!"
Rio opened her inventory.
"Then make me a sword."
Kiraya raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
Rio began placing materials onto the crafting table one by one.
First—
a massive silver claw.
The atmosphere shifted slightly the moment it appeared.
Cynthia's eyes widened.
"That's…"
Rio nodded.
"A claw from the Silver Werewolf."
Then—
Rio placed down a broken black-red steel fragment.
The moment Kiraya saw it—
her eyes widened instantly.
"…Wait."
"No way."
Rio calmly answered.
"A piece of Allure's blade."
Cynthia stared in complete disbelief.
Hidden dungeon boss materials.
And not just ordinary hidden bosses either.
These were monsters players normally wouldn't even survive seeing.
Then Rio placed several glowing Yakolith ores onto the table.
Finally—
she reached into her inventory again.
And dropped down a massive icy fang.
CRACK.
The crafting table slightly dented under its weight.
Kiraya's jaw slowly dropped.
"…That…"
Rio casually nodded.
"The Frost Wyvern Queen's tooth."
Cynthia stared at the materials like her brain had completely stopped functioning.
"…What kind of life are you living?"
Kiraya immediately pointed at the fang.
"Wait."
"You actually cut one of its teeth off?"
Rio nodded casually.
"When you and Cynthia fell."
"Auram went after you."
"The queen tried eating me while we were fighting."
Kiraya blinked.
"…Tried eating you?"
Rio shrugged.
"So I slashed its tooth off."
"She screamed so loud my ears hurt afterward."
Kiraya covered her face.
"…Why do you say horrifying things so casually?"
Cynthia meanwhile looked like she was seconds away from fainting.
"These materials…"
"…they're absurd."
She slowly reached toward them.
Then immediately activated her Unique Skill.
[Unique Skill: Armament Transfiguration]
A glowing blue quill materialized in Cynthia's hand.
The atmosphere inside the forge shifted instantly.
Blue scriptures began appearing around the room.
One after another.
Dozens of magical symbols floated into existence.
The blacksmith nearby stopped hammering completely and stared.
Even the forge flames flickered strangely.
Cynthia slowly began writing in the air.
Each stroke created glowing runes.
The Silver Werewolf claw dissolved first—
turning into streams of silver energy.
The Yakolith ores shattered next.
Blue crystalline particles scattered into the air.
The broken blade from Allure trembled violently before reshaping itself.
And finally—
the Frost Wyvern Queen's fang cracked apart into icy white fragments.
The materials merged together.
Compressed.
Folded.
Reconstructed.
The forge itself began shaking slightly.
Kiraya stared in awe.
"…Amazing."
Rio quietly watched the entire process.
The floating scriptures wrapped around the forming weapon like chains.
Then suddenly—
Cynthia thrust the glowing quill downward.
The entire forge exploded with blue light.
BOOOOOOM.
Wind surged through the workshop.
The forge fire bent sideways.
And then—
silence.
A sword slowly floated downward.
It was beautiful.
A black blade covered in glowing blue scriptures.
Silver markings ran along the edge like veins.
The center of the sword emitted a faint icy glow.
The hilt was wrapped in dark leather while the guard resembled clawed fangs.
The blade itself felt elegant—
but dangerous.
Like a weapon meant for a predator.
A system notification appeared before Rio.
[Item Created Successfully]
[Epic Weapon — Unnamed]
[Attack Power: High]
[Bonus Effect: Frostbite Accumulation]
[Bonus Effect: Mana Flow Enhancement]
[Bonus Effect: Predator Instinct]
Cynthia wiped sweat from her forehead.
"…Done."
Rio grabbed the blade carefully.
The moment she held it—
the blue scriptures glowed faintly.
Kiraya whistled.
"That thing looks insane."
Cynthia smiled proudly.
"I didn't name it though."
Rio blinked.
"Why not?"
Cynthia scratched her cheek awkwardly.
"I figured…"
"…you or your important friend would want to name it yourselves."
Rio froze for a second.
Then suddenly hugged Cynthia tightly.
"Thank you."
Cynthia immediately turned bright red.
"W-Wait—!"
"You're hugging too suddenly—!"
Kiraya burst out laughing nearby.
"She really likes you."
Cynthia looked like her soul almost left her body from embarrassment.
After finally calming down—
Rio suddenly reached into her inventory again.
"Hm?"
Kiraya and Cynthia looked confused.
Rio tossed two books toward them.
Both girls caught them instinctively.
Then froze.
"…Skill books?"
Kiraya looked down first.
Her eyes widened.
[Skill Book — Freeze Point]
[Cost: 55 Mana]
[Type: Defensive Sword Skill]
[Effect: Freeze anything directly touching the user.]
Kiraya stared at it.
"…Rio."
"This skill is valuable."
"Why are you giving this to me?"
Rio shrugged casually.
"It doesn't fit my build."
Then she smirked slightly.
"A crusader using fire attacks and ice defense sounds cooler anyway."
Kiraya stared at her for a second.
Then burst into laughter.
"…Fair point."
Meanwhile—
Cynthia slowly looked at hers.
[Skill Book — Icy Mist]
[Cost: 100 Mana]
[Effect: Become invisible for 5 seconds.]
Cynthia's eyes widened immediately.
"T-This…"
"An invisibility skill?!"
Rio nodded.
"I don't need it."
Cynthia looked completely speechless.
"…Do you just casually hand out rare items to people?"
Rio tilted her head.
"Should I not?"
Kiraya laughed again.
"Trust me."
"You get used to it eventually."
Cynthia looked down at the skill book quietly.
Then smiled softly.
"…Thank you."
For the first time since meeting them—
the atmosphere felt peaceful.
Not as guild members.
Not as players.
But simply—
friends gathered around the warmth of a forge while snowstorms raged outside.
And somewhere deep within Rio's memories—
she realized something important.
In her previous life—
she never had moments like this.
Not once.
Night had fully settled over the final village near Dragon's Peak.
Snow drifted lazily beyond the windows of the inn while lantern lights flickered softly across the frozen streets outside.
The village was quieter now.
Most players had already logged out for the night after the fishing event.
Only the sound of distant wind remained.
And through that cold silence—
someone was running.
Fast.
Rio sprinted through the village streets with uneven breathing.
Her boots kicked snow behind her while her messy silver hair swayed wildly from side to side.
Her clothes were scratched.
Covered in dirt.
Small traces of blood still stained the sleeves near her wrists.
The climb down Dragon's Peak…
the avalanche…
the Frost Wyvern Queen…
the hidden dungeon…
the nonstop battles…
everything had left her exhausted.
But she ignored all of it.
Because right now—
there was only one thing she cared about.
She tightened her grip around the wrapped weapon in her hand.
"Please still be there…"
Her breathing grew heavier.
She finally reached the inn.
Without hesitation—
she pushed the door open.
The warm air from inside immediately brushed against her freezing skin.
Rio quickly climbed the stairs two at a time before arriving at their room.
She stopped for a second.
Then slowly opened the door.
The room was quiet.
Ryota stood beside the bed.
Packing his things.
His movements paused the moment he heard the door open.
Silence filled the room.
Rio stood there quietly.
Messy.
Tired.
Covered in snow and dirt.
Ryota slowly turned around.
Their eyes met.
For a moment—
neither of them spoke.
Then Rio carefully stepped forward.
"…Ryota."
Her voice was softer than usual.
Ryota stayed silent.
Rio gripped the wrapped weapon tighter.
"…Could we talk?"
Still no response.
Rio lowered her gaze slightly.
"…I know I upset you."
"…And I don't really have an excuse."
She scratched her cheek awkwardly.
"I'm not good at this kind of stuff…"
"…but I know I did something wrong."
Her voice became quieter.
"And I'm sorry."
Ryota's eyes widened slightly.
Rio took a slow breath.
Then carefully unwrapped the weapon in her hands.
A familiar blade appeared beneath the cloth.
Ryota froze.
"…Iron Steve?"
The sword looked almost exactly the same.
The simple steel blade.
The worn grip.
The familiar appearance he had carried since the beginning of their journey.
Rio smiled weakly.
"I didn't know that sword meant so much to you…"
"…but I managed to restore it somehow."
Ryota stared silently at the blade.
His expression slowly changed.
Shock.
Confusion.
Then realization.
His eyes slowly widened as he noticed Rio's condition properly for the first time.
The dirt on her clothes.
The scratches on her arms.
Her exhausted breathing.
The faint bruises near her shoulders.
"…Rio."
Rio laughed awkwardly.
"Yeah…"
"…turns out climbing Dragon's Peak again is really painful."
Ryota blinked.
"…Again?"
Rio scratched the back of her head nervously.
"Well…"
"…I kind of fought frost wyverns."
Ryota stared.
"…What?"
"And maybe a Frost Wyvern Queen."
"…What?!"
"And there may or may not have been frost elves involved too."
Ryota's jaw slowly dropped.
Rio waved her hands quickly.
"Okay look, that's not the important part—"
Before she could finish—
Ryota suddenly pulled her into a hug.
Rio froze completely.
Her eyes widened.
"…Eh?"
Ryota held her tightly.
"…I don't understand"
His voice trembled slightly.
"You went through all that just because of my sword?"
Rio slowly blinked.
Then awkwardly laughed while trapped in the hug.
"Well…"
"…you looked really sad."
Ryota lowered his head slightly.
For a moment—
he didn't say anything.
Rio smiled softly.
"I guess you forgive me huh?"
Ryota slowly nodded against her shoulder.
"…Yeah."
Rio laughed quietly in relief.
Then Ryota noticed something.
A faint durability value hovering above Iron Steve.
[Durability: 1/1]
His eyes widened.
"…Wait."
Rio scratched her cheek again.
"…I'm sorry."
"There wasn't any way to fully repair it anymore."
"The blacksmith said the damage was too severe."
Her voice softened.
"So…"
"…he converted it into a relic."
Ryota carefully looked at the sword again.
Rio smiled gently.
"You can keep it forever now."
"It won't break anymore."
Ryota quietly stared at Iron Steve.
The very first weapon Rio had ever given him.
The sword he used when he first entered Evermount.
The sword that stayed with him through every battle.
Every dungeon.
Every moment.
And now—
even after breaking—
she still brought it back for him.
His chest tightened slightly.
Rio then suddenly remembered something.
"Oh right."
She opened her inventory.
A dark sword materialized in her hands.
The blade was black with glowing blue inscriptions running across its surface like flowing energy.
Cold mist faintly drifted from the steel itself.
The weapon looked elegant—
yet dangerous.
Ryota stared at it in amazement.
Rio carefully handed it toward him.
"I also got you this."
Ryota slowly grabbed the weapon.
The moment he touched it—
a system window appeared.
═══════════════════
[Unnamed Epic Weapon]
Rank: Epic
Attack: +43
Dexterity: +7
Strength: +5
Effect:
• Frost attacks have a 12% chance to inflict Slow
• Increased movement speed while attacking a target
Durability: 1200/1200
═══════════════════
Ryota stared silently at the sword.
Rio smiled.
"Iron Steve was your sword when our journey started."
"The sword of a beginner."
Her eyes softened slightly.
"So…"
"…why not let this one symbolize our journey moving forward?"
Ryota slowly looked up at her.
Rio raised her fist toward him.
Her expression was warm.
Gentle.
Sincere.
"Partners?"
For a second—
Ryota simply stared at her.
Then slowly—
he smiled.
A genuine smile.
The kind Rio had been waiting to see again.
Ryota raised his fist.
And bumped it against hers.
"…Partners."
The moment their fists touched—
a faint system notification quietly appeared before both of them.
═══════════════════
[Bond Level Increased]
Rio & Ryota
Bond Level: 11
Special Condition Achieved:
[Eclipse Vow Resonance Efficiency Increased]
═══════════════════
Rio blinked.
Ryota blinked.
Then both of them immediately looked away awkwardly.
"…That timing was suspicious."
"Agreed."
Silence filled the room for a second.
Then Rio suddenly burst out laughing.
Ryota followed shortly after.
The heavy atmosphere from earlier finally disappeared completely.
Outside the window—
snow continued falling quietly over the village.
And somewhere far away beyond the mountains—
the next update of Evermount slowly approached.
Floor 2.
Floor 3.
A new world.
A new era.
And now—
the two of them would face it together.
As partners.