The moment Sarah was flung toward the jagged spikes lining the cave wall, time seemed to slow. Alice reacted instinctively, her reflexes sharper than ever thanks to their intense battles. With a shout that echoed through the cavern, she hurled her Iron Rank Axe like a javelin, aiming not for Sarah but for the icy spike itself.
The weapon struck with devastating force, shattering the frost-covered protrusion into fragments just before Sarah collided with it. Instead of impaling herself on the deadly spike, she slammed hard against the cave wall behind where the spike had been. Her health bar dipped dangerously low, but she survived—barely.
Adrian's heart leapt into his throat as he watched the scene unfold. Relief washed over him when he saw Sarah slump against the wall, dazed but alive. He didn't have time to dwell; the Forest Guardian roared in fury, its massive form shaking the ground beneath their feet.
Without hesitation, Adrian sprang into action. His agility carried him swiftly around the bear, weaving between its lumbering strikes with precision honed by countless hours of practice. Each movement felt fluid, natural—a testament to his steadily increasing Physique . The bear's attention remained fixed on Sarah and Alice, giving him the perfect opportunity to strike from behind.
He darted forward, his short sword flashing in the dim light. The first backstab landed cleanly between the beast's shoulder blades, sinking deep into its hide.
Damage Dealt: -45 [Backstab Bonus]
The bear snarled, twisting violently in an attempt to dislodge him. But Adrian was already moving, slipping away with practiced ease. He circled again, waiting for the right moment to strike once more. This time, he aimed lower, driving his blade into the soft tissue beneath the bear's ribs.
Damage Dealt: -52 [Precision Strike]
The third attack came moments later, this one angled upward to pierce the bear's flank. Blood sprayed across the stone floor as the creature staggered, visibly weakened.
Damage Dealt: -60 [Critical Weak Point Hit]
By the time Adrian completed his third strike, Sarah and Alice had recovered enough to rejoin the fight. Their teamwork clicked seamlessly, each member knowing exactly what to do without needing to speak.
With renewed determination, Adrian launched himself at the bear again, timing his movements carefully. As the beast turned its massive head toward him, Sarah seized the opening. She downed her last healing potion—the starter-grade variety that restored 100% HP due to the early-game mechanics—and charged forward with startling speed. Her longsword gleamed as she swung it in a wide arc, slicing deeply into the bear's side.
Damage Dealt: -78 [Empowered Slash]
The bear bellowed in pain, whirling around to face Sarah. Its claws lashed out in a sweeping motion, threatening to cleave her in two. But Alice stepped in, her mace descending in a powerful downward swing that intercepted the bear's attack mid-strike.
Blocking Success: Staggered Attack (-30 Damage)
The impact sent shockwaves rippling outward, forcing the bear to stumble backward. It gave Sarah the opening she needed. She lunged forward, her blade poised to deliver the killing blow—but the bear twisted at the last second, narrowly avoiding the fatal strike.
"Damn it!" Sarah cursed under her breath, frustration evident in her tone.
Adrian didn't hesitate. Seeing the bear's guard momentarily lowered, he closed the distance with lightning-fast strides. His short sword found its mark, plunging straight into the bear's exposed eye socket.
Damage Dealt: -92 [Critical Finisher]
The Forest Guardian let out one final, ear-splitting roar before collapsing onto the ground, its massive body dissolving into motes of golden light. Silence fell over the cavern, broken only by the sound of their ragged breathing.
System Notification:
Combat Complete
Reward: Experience Points +200 per player
Additional Reward: Special Drop Detected
As the notification chimed, all three players leveled up simultaneously, jumping from Level 4 to Level 7. The boosted strength of the boss combined with their prior experience points had pushed them over the threshold.
Adrian Vale
Level: 7 (15 / 100 EXP)
HP: 140 / 140
Strength: 6
Agility: 14 (+5 base increase, +2 from Hoodie, +3 from Tunic)
Endurance: 5
Stamina: 6
Intelligence: 4
Luck: 2
Physique: 9 (Tier 0 – Unawakened)
Their stats reflected significant growth, particularly Adrian's Physique , which had climbed steadily throughout the battle. They shared triumphant grins, adrenaline still coursing through their veins.
On the ground where the bear had fallen lay a shimmering dagger. Its hilt bore an intricate rose design, polished to a mirror finish. Adrian picked it up cautiously, examining it closely.
Item Acquired: Golden Dagger – "Thornfang"
+14 Strength +50%
Backstab Damage
Special Effect: 5% Chance to Stun Opponents for 3 Seconds (Rear Attacks Only)
"Well, that's… impressive," Adrian muttered, his voice tinged with awe. "Guess being a gold-rank weapon means business."
Sarah groaned dramatically, folding her arms. "Show-off. Let me see those stats already!"
Adrian sent the information to both sisters using the share feature. When they received it, their reactions were immediate.
"Holy crap," Sarah exclaimed, her eyes widening. "That thing is ridiculous! You're gonna wreck everything now."
Alice nodded in agreement, though her expression remained calm. "Yeah, no kidding. Just don't go getting cocky or anything."
Adrian chuckled softly, patting Sarah on the back. "You almost died trying to get here, you know. Be glad you stuck around long enough to level up."
Sarah rolled her eyes but smirked. "Please. I'm irreplaceable."
Despite their victory, Adrian decided against equipping the dagger immediately. Players outside the cave might notice its glow and assume it was worth stealing—a risk they couldn't afford so soon after such a grueling fight.
As they exited the cavern, Jason Syris and his party stood nearby, clearly waiting for another turn at the boss. Adrian avoided making eye contact, keeping his pace steady as they passed by. Once they were far enough away, he turned to the sisters.
"Just a heads-up," he said casually. "If anyone sees us with high-tier gear, they might try to take it from us. Gold-rank items are rare this early in the game."
Sarah frowned, crossing her arms. "Ugh, that's annoying. But honestly? If I saw someone rocking something cool, I'd probably want it too."
Alice shrugged. "It's part of the grind. Still sucks though."
Adrian laughed at their honesty. "Fair enough. Let's grab some supplies and head back tomorrow if we feel like farming the boss again."
In the village square, they stopped by the merchant stalls to restock on healing potions. Each bought two vials apiece, ensuring they'd be prepared for future fights. As they finished their purchases, Sarah pulled out her phone, syncing it with the game system to check notifications.
"I've been MIA for way too long," she explained, scrolling through messages. "Mira's been blowing up my phone. Apparently, she needs help finishing a project since her dad's been riding her about freedom or something. She wants me to log off and assist before we dive back in."
Alice raised an eyebrow. "You're actually gonna leave?"
"For a bit," Sarah replied, shrugging. "Don't worry—I'll be back. Besides, someone's gotta keep you two nerds in line."
Adrian smirked. "We'll manage. Just don't take too long."
After Sarah logged off, her voice still lingering in their ears from the playful banter they'd shared moments ago, Adrian and Alice found themselves alone in the quiet corner of the bustling village.
The world around them buzzed with activity—players haggling over gear, merchants shouting deals, and groups organizing parties for nearby quests. But where they stood, there was a strange stillness, as though the chaos had parted ways just for them.
Adrian glanced at Alice, who leaned against a wooden post, her arms crossed loosely. Her expression was unreadable, but something about her posture suggested she was lost in thought. He tilted his head slightly, noticing how the golden light of the setting sun caught the edges of her hair, giving her an almost ethereal glow.
"What do you think?" he asked casually, breaking the silence. "Should we grab some food before heading out? I haven't tried anything in this game yet."
Alice blinked, snapping out of whatever reverie she'd been in. She considered his suggestion for a moment, then shrugged. "Sure, why not? Might as well see what all the fuss is about."
Her response came out flat, lacking its usual sarcastic edge. Adrian frowned slightly, picking up on the subtle shift in her tone. "You okay?"
She hesitated, her gaze flicking toward him briefly before dropping to the ground. For a second, it seemed like she might brush off his concern with one of her trademark quips. Instead, she paused, her mind racing with uncertainty.
"I've been thinking a lot…" Alice began slowly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I need to know… am I not your type or something? I can't shake the feeling that you don't see me as… well, as a woman."
Adrian froze mid-step, caught completely off guard by her words. Confusion etched itself onto his face as he turned to look at her fully. "What brought this on?"
Alice sighed, running a hand through her hair. She kept her eyes downcast, avoiding his gaze. "It's stupid, I know. But it got me thinking. This has happened before, you know. In the real world, guys show up trying to flirt with me and Sarah. We end up using you as a shield to fend them off."
He raised an eyebrow, recalling those instances vividly. There was that time at the arcade when she introduced him as her boyfriend to some guy who wouldn't stop hitting on her. Or the other day in the plaza, when Jason—the—knight wannabe had made a move, only to be shut down by Adrian stepping in. It wasn't the first time she'd used him as a buffer zone, and honestly, he hadn't minded. It felt natural, almost comfortable.
"You always act so cool about it," Alice continued, her voice trembling slightly. "But now I'm wondering… do you ever notice me? Like, really notice me?"
Her question hung heavy in the air between them, raw and vulnerable. Adrian opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out immediately. His mind scrambled to process what she was saying, to understand the weight behind her confession.
"Of course I notice you," he finally said, his voice soft but firm. "You're Alice. You're strong, funny, and way too stubborn for your own good. Why would you even doubt that?"
She bit her lip, clearly struggling to articulate her thoughts. "It's just… I remember telling that guy from school we were dating once, and you went along with it without batting an eye. And now, here in the game, you never look at me the way other guys do. You don't peek or flirt or anything. It makes me wonder if maybe… you don't find me attractive."
Adrian's chest tightened at the vulnerability in her voice. He took a step closer, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Alice, listen to me. I don't look because I respect you. You're more than just someone's crush or fantasy. You're my friend, my teammate, and someone I trust completely. That doesn't mean I don't see you—it means I see all of you. Not just your body, but your strength, your heart, everything."
For a moment, she didn't respond. Her eyes remained fixed on the ground, her cheeks flushed with emotion. Then, ever so slightly, the corners of her lips twitched upward into a small, grateful smile.
"Thanks," she murmured softly, her voice steadier now. "That actually means a lot."
They stood there in silence for a while longer, the tension easing between them. Finally, Alice straightened up, brushing imaginary dust off her armor. "Alright, enough of this mushy stuff. Let's go eat. I'm starving."
Adrian chuckled, shaking his head. "Glad to see you're back to normal."