Night fell over Asteria. The streets were quiet, and the stars shimmered like silver dust scattered across the sky. At the Steller Inn, the Dilhaze party rested after their long day. Fenra and Silvia slept soundly, curled up on their beds, while Shekiah's heavy breathing came from the other room.
But Raizo couldn't sleep.
He slipped quietly out the back door, Voidbringer at his side, and stepped into the moonlit yard. The cool breeze brushed against his skin as he gripped the black hilt. He raised the blade, its dark surface reflecting faint glimmers of starlight, and began swinging.
One.
Two.
Three.
Each swing cut through the still air with a sharp whoosh. His hands stung from the force, but he didn't stop.
"Why… why do you feel so different?" he muttered, staring at the blade. "You're not like any ordinary sword. From the moment we met, I knew it. So why did you choose me as your wielder?"
He swung again, harder this time, focusing on every block, every parry he had learned in countless battles. Sweat trickled down his temple. His breath came heavy.
Then… it happened.
The sword pulsed.
A crimson glow spread across its surface like living fire. The hilt grew heavier in his hand—so heavy he almost lost his grip.
"What the—"
The blade began to change. It stretched, widened, thickened until Raizo found himself holding something far larger than before—a greatsword, as massive and brutal as Shekiah's own blade.
Raizo froze, staring at the weapon in disbelief. The crimson light faded, leaving behind the new form.
"This… this isn't normal…" he whispered. His voice shook as he lowered the weapon. With a flicker of light, the sword shifted back to its original shape, sleek and black, as if nothing had happened.
Raizo's mind spun. "How… how did that happen? Did I do this? Or… did the sword do it on its own?"
He gripped the hilt tighter. "No. It's not random. It changed when I was thinking about blocking Shekiah's strike."
He focused again, recalling that exact moment. The thought of needing greater defense burned in his mind—and just like before, Voidbringer pulsed red, reshaping itself into a heavy greatsword.
Raizo's eyes widened. "I get it now. You… you respond to my thoughts."
He paused, an idea forming. "If you can become a greatsword… what about something else?"
He pictured a bow, sleek and strong, the kind Silvia would use. The sword hummed faintly but didn't change.
"…Nothing?"
Raizo frowned. Then, his memory flashed back to his duel with Shekiah—how his blade had shattered her weapon.
"No way… could it be?" His breath quickened. "When I destroyed her sword… did you absorb it? Is that why you can mimic its form?"
The realization sent a chill down his spine. This sword wasn't just alive—it was evolving.
By morning, Raizo was still thinking about Voidbringer's ability. He gathered his party in the inn's backyard. Fenra yawned and rubbed her purple eyes, while Silvia stood with her arms crossed, clearly curious but trying not to show it. Shekiah was silent as always, her towering presence casting a shadow on the grass.
"Watch carefully," Raizo said, raising the blade.
At first, nothing happened. Then he focused on the memory of Shekiah's greatsword. Crimson light flared once more, and Voidbringer morphed, growing thicker and heavier until it matched Shekiah's weapon perfectly.
The reaction from the others was instant.
Fenra's jaw dropped. "Raizo… your sword… did it just—change?!"
Silvia's emerald eyes widened. "That's not normal… that's a mimic weapon. But I've only heard of those in legends."
Even Shekiah, who rarely showed emotion, stared in awe. "That… that's my sword's shape. You copied it. How…?"
Raizo lowered the blade, the weight of the greatsword familiar now. "I think I understand how it works. This sword—Voidbringer—can change form. But only when I've destroyed or absorbed another weapon's essence. I… I think it's tied to my Gluttony ability somehow."
Fenra's tail swished with excitement. "That's insane, Raizo! You basically have every weapon you break!"
Silvia smirked. "That's dangerous. And… unfair."
Raizo gave a small smile. "Maybe. But it's our edge now."
Shekiah stepped forward. "If that's your strength… then I'm even more certain I made the right choice joining your party."
Raizo nodded and sheathed the sword. "Speaking of which, Shekiah—are you ready for your first quest as part of Dilhaze?"
The ogre girl smirked. "Always."
"Good. Let's head to the Adventurer's Guild and pick something worthy of testing this new power."
The three girls nodded in agreement. With the morning sun rising behind them, the Dilhaze party set out for their next challenge.