March 19, 2023. 7:51 PM — Mirewood Forward Outpost, Floor 25

  The leaders of both parties returned to the rest of the players when the coordination meeting ended. Veget stepped forward and spoke with his usual calm.

  —To explore this floor safely, we need the poison-resistant masks sold by the NPC caravan at Greenfume Crossing. It's north of here. Once we have them, we can push south into the parts of the map that still haven't been revealed.

  The players fell silent, listening.

  —To reach the caravan, we have to cross a very dense forest —Veget continued—. Bringing a large group would be a mistake; it would only slow us down. That's why Klein's party will handle the supplies. But we need someone with tracking skills and speed—someone who can reach the point while they clear the way.

  Silver's shoulders tightened immediately.

  —Yuiha is the right one —Ryuho said.

  Silver sprang to his feet like a spring had snapped.

  —What did you say?

  —That Yuiha is the best fit for this mission —Ryuho repeated, offensively serene.

  Silver clenched his fists so hard his knuckles threatened to split. Miwa spoke before he could explode.

  —Why Yuiha and not me, onii-san? Do you want to sacrifice her so you don't have to risk me? —she asked, in a tone that mixed guilt with defiance.

  Veget cut in before the argument could escalate.

  —Yuiha is the fastest among us. She has the best tracking skills, the sharpest enemy detection, and excellent adaptability. She's a natural scout. And... —he drew a breath— she's more mature when it comes to acting under pressure. This situation is delicate. We can't afford anyone trying to show off.

  Miwa stared at him like she wanted to burn him alive, but she had no argument.

  Silver stepped forward.

  —Then I'm going too —he declared.

  —Parties cap at seven. They already have six and one slot open —Veget answered, unbothered.

  —Then they go as six, and Yuiha joins me.

  —They need to be in the same party to see HP bars and abnormal status effects. Even you understand something that basic —Veget replied.

  Silver bared his teeth.

  —Then I'll follow behind. I won't get in the way. I'll just stay close.

  Veget looked at him with a tiredness he didn't bother to hide.

  —Do you really not realize how ridiculous you're being?

  Silver advanced again. Three steps separated him from Veget. His arm tense, muscles rigid, eyes sharp—

  —and then he felt warm fingers close around his hand.

  He turned.

  Yuiha was right there.

  —I want to do it —she said.

  —...What? —Silver looked at her like the world had stopped making sense.

  —I want to be part of the mission. Veget is right—my skills are the best fit.

  —But... —Silver's voice cracked, just barely— did you already forget Asuna's warning? This floor is dangerous.

  —I know. And that's exactly why it has to be me.

  Silver swallowed. He'd been protecting Yuiha for months. And it wasn't just fear. It wasn't just attachment. It was something visceral inside him that screamed he couldn't let another group put her in danger.

  —I don't want anything to happen to you... —he managed.

  Yuiha squeezed his hand a little tighter.

  —Nothing will happen to me. I promise.

  Then she turned to Veget.

  —Alright. I'll go with them.

  Veget nodded—and in a gesture so unexpected it silenced the entire camp, he placed his hand on top of Yuiha's head. Brief. Almost awkward. But heavy with something he rarely showed.

  —I've seen your skills —he said— but don't take unnecessary risks. Your safety matters more than any mission. If you need to, drop everything and use a crystal. Understood?

  Yuiha blinked, surprised by the paternal tone she wasn't used to, but she soon smiled sincerely.

  —I'll be careful.

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  During the night, the outpost slept in an almost-real silence. It was a flimsy place: two small inns, a handful of rooms, and everyone else settling wherever they could. Miwa had stood watch until she convinced one of the staff to give her a room. Ryuho, of course, planted himself at the inn's entrance like an inflexible guardian.

  The rest of the group rested outside. Inside a safe zone, there was no immediate danger; and thanks to the wool blankets they'd gotten from the tundra sheep quest on Floor 12—one of Yuiha's recommendations—the cold wasn't a problem. She didn't need hers because of the warming effect of her earrings, but she used it anyway.

  Habit, she always said.

  Silver didn't sleep.

  He sat beside her, keeping watch with his eyes fixed on the outpost gate. That was where she'd leave in the morning. That was where she'd walk into a forest full of toxic fog, unknown creatures, and players he didn't know well.

  He had accepted her decision, but the knot in his chest still tightened. Part of him still believed they'd pressured her. That they hadn't listened. That they were pushing her into unnecessary risk.

  His fists tensed again.

  —You're not going to sleep? —Yuiha's soft voice cut through his storm of thoughts.

  Silver blinked.

  —I'm not tired.

  —You should rest anyway —she said, in that warm tone that always tore down his defenses.

  —I don't want to leave you alone before you go —he finally admitted.

  Yuiha looked at him with quiet tenderness, not surprised at all, like she'd expected that answer. Then she lifted the edge of her blanket.

  —Come. Lie down next to me. I'm a little cold.

  —What!? —Silver shot upright— What about your earrings' effect? Is your gear failing right now? You can't go out like that! If something fails in the middle of the forest it's—

  He spiraled immediately, imagining every possible risk. Yuiha watched him with an expression that was hard to describe: the perfect mix of I want to laugh and I want to hit you.

  —Just get over here, ba-ka —she said, dragging the word out with an exasperated sigh.

  Silver froze for one... two... three seconds—

  —and finally got it.

  He scratched the back of his neck, embarrassed, and lay down beside her—awkward, but determined.

  —Silver...

  —Yeah?

  —You can take off your shield and armor to sleep.

  He let out a nervous laugh and opened his menu to unequip the Warden's Covenant pieces. Once he was down to his base clothes, Yuiha pulled the blanket over him, wrapped an arm around his waist, and rested her head between his shoulder blades, like she'd been made to fit there.

  —I'm going to be fine —she whispered—. I'll take care of myself.

  Silver swallowed.

  —If any of them are in danger... will you be able to ignore it?

  —No —she answered without hesitation.

  He squeezed his eyes shut. It was the answer he expected, and it still hurt.

  —But —she continued, softening her voice— I'm not going to risk my life again to save someone, like I did on Floor 4. I'll do everything I can to protect as many people as I can... but I'm not going to die trying. Not when you're going to be waiting for me to come back.

  Silver took her hand carefully. A silent tear slipped down his cheek without him trying to stop it.

  —Thank you —he whispered, barely audible.

  And then he fell asleep within seconds, lulled by her warmth and by the faint, real feeling that maybe—just this once—luck might actually be on their side.

  March 20, 2023. 7:48 AM — Mirewood Forward Outpost, Floor 25

  Movement in the camp began at dawn. Different parties checked gear, skills, and consumables before heading out.

  Yuiha was already talking with Klein and his group, reviewing the route and timings one last time. She looked calm, focused—almost professional.

  Silver watched her from a distance. He didn't want to invade her space or distract her, but the helplessness returned the moment he saw the group about to leave the safe zone.

  That dull knot in his stomach—the one that had followed him all night—tightened again until it edged toward anger.

  That was when Miwa appeared, walking with her signature feline stride. HappyGoose flinched like a natural disaster had materialized.

  —Klein-kuuuun~.

  Miwa's voice was so sweet and musical that Klein stiffened instantly, like someone had activated a paralysis command.

  —Y-yes, Miwa-san...?

  —Don't call me Miwa-san —she replied, tilting her head ever so slightly—. You can call me Miwa... or Miwacchi...

  The impact was catastrophic. Klein had three near-heart-attacks in rapid succession, all visible on his petrified face.

  —Mi... Miwacchi... —he managed, his soul practically leaving his body through his eyes.

  Miwa smiled, pleased with the immediate obedience. Then she tilted her head at a perfectly calculated angle—one designed to destroy any man's emotional stability.

  —Klein-kun... can I ask you something very, very, very important?

  —Anything you want, Miwacchi —he answered, standing at attention like a soldier before his commander, noticeably red.

  Miwa let out a microscopic smile, no less lethal.

  —Could you, please... take care of my friend Yuiha?

  Klein clicked his heels together and brought a hand to his temple like he was facing a general in the Japanese army.

  —Miwacchi! I swear Yuiha-san will come back safe and sound even if it costs me my life and the life of my entire guild!

  Dale, Issin, Kunimittz, Harry One, and Dynamm didn't react. They were already immune to Klein's excesses. Besides, their internal code didn't allow them to fail when someone entrusted them with a life.

  That was Fuurinkazan.

  Yuiha looked at Miwa with one eyebrow raised, but her eyes sparkled with amusement. She knew Miwa well enough now to understand: this was how she supported her—dramatic, shameless, effective.

  Silver let out a quiet snort of laughter. He couldn't help it.

  Chaotic as Miwa was, she knew exactly how to pull strings when they needed it.

  He watched the party pass through the outpost gate and disappear among the trees.

  Then he walked over to where Ryuho and Veget stood.

  He stopped in front of them, unhurried.

  His voice came out firm.

  Direct.

  Cold.

  —If anything happens to Yuiha, I'll kill you both.

  He didn't raise his voice. He didn't need to.

  Ryuho and Veget felt the air around them grow heavier. They'd seen Silver fight. They'd seen his composure. They'd even seen his fury when he faced death.

  But they had never felt this.

  Those words weren't a threat.

  They were a verdict.

  And both of them knew it instantly.