December 12, 2022. 8:21 AM – Outskirts of Tolbana, Floor 1

  A soft snowfall blanketed the plains outside Tolbana, muffling the noise of the world. They ignored the boars—they no longer gave any useful drops—and cut down the wolves that attacked along the way. They had left the inn at exactly 8 o'clock. Silver had found Yuiha already waiting for him in the lobby.

  —Can I ask you a question? —Silver said as they walked.

  —You just did.

  ...Silver watched her with a crooked smile.

  —Why are you still using the starter gear?

  Yuiha glanced at him briefly but didn't slow her pace. It wasn't the first time someone asked, and it wasn't something she liked to answer. Still, Silver had agreed to help her after she told him about the quest for the children. Maybe he would understand.

  —The orphanage needs money to keep going. Sasha is busy looking after the kids, so I help cover the weekly expenses. With the col I earn hunting monsters and selling every drop, I manage enough for myself and for them.

  Silver was taken aback. He already knew she was kind—he had met her on that freezing day in the Town of Beginnings, when he had lost all hope. A simple gesture from her—a piece of bread and the beginner's guide—had been enough to get him to where he was now. And he was sure he wasn't the only one.

  But that she was dedicating her in-game life to supporting those children... that was something else entirely. It completely changed what Silver thought he knew about her. And the way he admired her.

  —You're incredible —was all he managed to say.

  —For being ridiculous? —she asked with a dry laugh.

  Yuiha glanced sideways at him but found not a trace of mockery. What she saw in his eyes was something else—something she couldn't quite place, and it made her a little uneasy.

  —What? Do I have something on my face?

  —No, sorry. It's just... you're far too good for this place.

  Yuiha raised a brow, demanding an explanation. Silver scratched his neck, nervous, and tried again.

  —I've never been good with words —he admitted—. But since the first time I saw you handing out bread and guides in the Town of Beginnings, I was stunned by your kindness. While everyone else fought only for themselves, you gave us a little light when we'd already given up.

  Silver took a breath and continued.

  —Thanks to you, I pulled myself out and kept going. Now I'm a little stronger, and I believe I can survive. And now you tell me you give everything you have to help those kids trapped in this nightmare. I can't imagine anyone better than you being here.

  Yuiha listened in shock. She turned her gaze away as her eyes blurred with emotion.

  —I was glad to see you outside the town, truly. But I also know that other players left, like you did... and died.

  —Do you blame yourself for them? —he asked, surprised.

  —Sometimes. They wouldn't have died if they hadn't gone out.

  —There were also players who never left to fight. Overcome by fear, despair, hunger... they threw themselves off the edge and took their own lives. You save lives, Yuiha. At least mine. And I'll always be grateful.

  Her eyes widened, brimming with emotion. She hadn't known how badly she needed to hear those words until that moment. She smiled, as if a heavy weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

  Silver felt something stir inside at her smile, nervous because he didn't know what to do with it. Until the howls of wolves reached them. For once, he was glad to see enemies. Both drew their weapons.

  —It's the Alpha —she said, spotting it in the distance.

  —Perfect —Silver grinned—. Last time it gave us trouble, but this time we'll show it who's boss.

  They advanced until the white Alpha and its pack of five came into view. Silver didn't even draw his shield—he just smirked and charged.

  —Silver!

  He ignored her as the wolves intercepted him... or tried to. With surprising agility for his size, he dodged the first two and killed them with single blows—without using sword skills. For a second, he felt almost proud. But the other three reached him, two sinking their fangs into him. He threw them off, killing another, just as she arrived to finish one herself.

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  —What's wrong with you? —she scolded, angry—. Are you in a hurry to die now?

  Silver could only offer a strained smile, half apology, half regret.

  When they finally faced the Alpha, the fight was nothing like before. The beast lunged and Silver blocked cleanly with a skill.

  —Switch!

  Yuiha surged forward, unleashing a flurry of precise, rapid strikes. She compensated her lack of strength with sheer speed and accuracy. When the Alpha tried to counter, she intercepted it with Snake Bite and left the follow-up to him.

  —Switch!

  Silver hammered heavy blows, knocking the Alpha to the ground, then finished it with Cross Sting. A notification flashed before him:

  [You have obtained: White Hunter Fur Mantle (Rare)]

  He checked the stats: +2 Defense, +4 Agility, 25% chance to resist Frozen. Cold Resistance.

  —Take it, it'll help you —he said, handing the cloak to Yuiha.

  —Are you sure? It's rare gear.

  —I don't need it. I've got enough VIT to handle this cold. And you've been trying to warm your hands since we left town.

  Her eyes widened. It was true: the thin starter cloak didn't protect her, just covered her. She'd always hidden it well from others—but he'd noticed. He was more observant than he looked.

  —Thank you —Yuiha said without hesitation.

  She equipped the white fur cloak immediately. It draped down past her knees. Though it lacked a hood, the cold vanished at once. The warmth and softness drew out an involuntary sigh. For the first time since winter began, she stopped shivering.

  —Hey...

  —Yes? —he asked, meeting her eyes.

  —Why did you rush in like that against the monsters?

  The question caught him off guard. He scratched his neck, searching for an excuse. He couldn't admit he just wanted to show off. Not after getting bitten.

  —...I wanted revenge for the trouble they gave us last time.

  —Seriously? —she asked, incredulous.

  —Of course. Remember the day you fell on me? That Alpha gave us a good scare.

  She studied him, trying to see if there was more behind his words. Then she sighed heavily.

  —I've already seen too many people die, Silver —her voice carried no reproach, only sadness—. Could you not do that again while you're with me?

  Silver felt her gaze pierce him. Her eyes glistened, filled with genuine concern. He froze, guilt weighing on him.

  —I'm sorry. I'll be more careful from now on.

  —Promise me.

  ...Silver looked at her as if seeing her for the first time. Then he nodded slowly.

  —I promise.

  She smiled at last, openly—her smile that warmed his very soul.

  December 12, 2022. 11:05 AM – Hill Ruins, Floor 1

  [Hill Mushrooms: 10/10]

  They were near the entrance of the ruins when they picked the last mushrooms for the quest. Silver stared ahead, where his next Warden's Covenant mission awaited. But not today.

  —These mushrooms are harder to find than in a normal quest —she commented.

  —Yeah. Strange that it takes so much gathering work for such a... festive reward —Silver caught himself just in time.

  She raised a brow at him, but smiled anyway. He held her gaze for a long moment before turning back to the ruins.

  —You can't keep going with starter gear.

  Yuiha blinked at the sudden remark.

  —Don't worry. It's enough for this floor and the next.

  —No, it's not —he countered—. A couple weeks ago I triggered a hidden quest here, fought a skeleton way stronger than normal. I was one hit away from dying —he gave a bitter smile—. And if that happens on Floor 1, imagine the rest.

  She looked down, uncertain. She'd never heard of quests like that in the beta. She had believed staying on Floor 1 was safe.

  —And how did you trigger that quest?

  —I stepped on a pile of bones. —Silver tilted his head back, remembering.

  Yuiha waited for a hint of mockery. But there was none.

  —I'll keep that in mind.

  —If you want, we can find quests that drop gear. I'll help you complete them.

  —Thanks, but I don't want to trouble you too much. Let's just go finish the mushroom quest.

  She turned without waiting for a reply, heading back. Silver lingered a moment before following. He wanted to say more—but didn't know what.