[System Prompt: Congratulations! You have successfully slain "Frostheart" Glakral, completing "The Trial of the Frozen Throne"!]
[EXP Gained: 15,000]
[Silver Acquired: 80]
[Items Obtained: Eternal Ice Core ×1, Heart of Absolute Frost ×1, Rune of Frost Giant's
Legacy ×1, Ice Rose Seed ×1]
[Hidden Class Unlocked: Ice Rose Mage]
Light flickered, and Mira was transported back to the entrance of Ever Frost Gorge.
Yet she felt no joy of victory, not even the slightest interest in the bountiful rewards or the sudden burst of system notifications.
She simply stood there, stiff and motionless, the cold wind brushing her shoulder-length blue hair, unable to scatter the storm of emotions swirling in her eyes.
Step by step, she slowly walked toward the place where Kiriya had "died." Kneeling, she picked up the [Uncommon Stone Pendant], still covered in frost.
The pendant was icy cold, yet it seemed to sear her palm like fire.
She gripped it tightly, her knuckles turning white from the force. Her face was lowered, veiled in an unreadable mask of ice, but her faintly trembling shoulders betrayed the turbulence within.
"…Silly…" she whispered under her breath, so faint it was nearly inaudible, her voice hoarse and heavy with a storm of emotions.
Just then, Lina's voice came through the party comms.
"Mission complete? Where's Kiriya? Are you both alright?" Her tone carried concern, and she instantly sensed something unusual in Mira's silence.
Mira took a deep breath, forcing her voice back into its usual cold steadiness, though a faint rasp still lingered, betraying the weight beneath:
"…Mission's complete. He… returned to the respawn point."
She paused, then added softly, almost as if speaking to Lina but also to herself:
"…I owe him one."
With that, she ended the comms, lowered her gaze to the Stone Pendant in her palm, and remained silent for a long time.
At last, she clenched the pendant tightly in her hand and turned toward the teleportation circle. Her back was still straight and cold as ice, yet something within her had quietly changed.
The soft white glow of Greenhaven's respawn point slowly dispersed, and Kiriya's figure reformed.
The loss of one level, along with the absence of the [Uncommon Stone Pendant] in his equipment bar, reminded him of the brutal sacrifice he had just endured.
He exhaled lightly, flexed his wrist, and instead of sorrow, his face bore a faint relief—the kind that comes after seeing a challenge through to the end.
"…Guess it worked out in the end," he murmured, opening the party list. Seeing Mira alive, online, and one level higher reassured him. Just as he was about to contact Lina and Violet, a familiar yet slightly changed cold voice came from behind.
"Kiriya."
Turning around, he saw Mira standing just outside the respawn point. She had clearly been waiting.
Her shoulder-length blue hair was still immaculate, but at the tips, faint and delicate ice-rose patterns shimmered under Greenhaven's warm sunlight.
The frost aura surrounding her seemed more restrained, yet the ice magic within her surged stronger than ever—the mark of her new hidden class, [Ice Rose Mage].
Her ice-blue eyes no longer held the absolute detachment they once did; instead, they flickered with a complex mixture of emotions: concern, gratitude, and even a hint of warmth she was still unaccustomed to.
Their gazes met briefly. Mira looked slightly uneasy but did not look away. She extended her hand. Resting on her palm was the [Uncommon Stone Pendant], once encased in frost but now glowing once more with its azure radiance.
"Your pendant." Her voice was still cool, but softer than before, carrying a trace of warmth that was easy to miss. "You dropped it in the trial."
Kiriya blinked, then smiled, naturally taking it back and equipping it once again.
"Oh, thanks. I thought I'd have to grind mobs to re-farm this thing."
His tone was light, as though the sacrifice and loss of gear had been nothing but trivial.
Mira watched his unbothered smile. The corners of her lips moved slightly, as if she wanted to say something but couldn't find the words.
She lowered her head instead, eyes falling to her boots. Her voice came softer this time, yet clear enough to reach Kiriya's ears:
"…Thanks. For… that moment."
The words seemed to cost her great effort, and a faint blush tinged the tips of her ears, though quickly hidden beneath her cool aura.
Kiriya chuckled, his grin widening at the rare sight of Mira's awkward gratitude. Waving a hand with his usual carefree air, he replied:
"Don't mention it. That's what teammates are for—to take the hit when it counts. Besides, we won in the end, didn't we? And hey, your new class looks incredible. 'Ice Rose Mage,' huh? Congratulations!"
He didn't press her about her despair, nor did he emphasize his own sacrifice. Instead, he brushed it off as nothing more than a teammate's duty and genuinely celebrated her achievement.
Mira froze, then lifted her gaze once more. His eyes, always glinting with laughter, held no trace of calculation or expectation—only sincerity and openness. In that instant, the last walls of ice within her heart crumbled completely.
Taking a deep breath, she spoke again. Her tone was still cool, but now carried recognition and the faintest of smiles:
"…Mm. Without you, I couldn't have done it."
At that moment, Lina and Violet arrived.
Violet walked gracefully, her calm smile already radiating warmth. Even before she reached them, her soothing voice carried over like a balm:
"Kiriya, I'm glad to see you safe."
Lina's sharp gaze swept over Kiriya first, ensuring he was unharmed, before shifting to Mira, her ice-blue eyes glinting with subtle understanding.
Mira gave Lina a slight nod.
"Mission's complete. Thanks to him." She paused, then added, "He's reliable."
A small smile curved Lina's lips.
"I always knew that."
Violet's eyes softened as they lingered on both Mira and Kiriya. Insight and satisfaction flickered in her gaze as her lips curved into a graceful smile.
"It seems you endured a fierce battle, but ultimately one shared in victory. Mira, congratulations. This new power suits you beautifully.
Her tone was genuine, warm, filled with the gentle approval of an elder sister.
Faced with such kindness, Mira's cold aura softened. She lowered her head slightly.
"…Thank you."
Kiriya rubbed his nose with a grin, cutting in:
"Well, it was a bit intense, but the outcome was perfect. Hidden trial cleared, new teammate recruited—double win." He turned to Mira, his voice bright and earnest:
"By the way, Mira, we're heading to challenge the level 30 dungeon 'Hellfire Volcano.' It's tough, and we could really use someone with your control and damage. With your new power, want to join us? We're friends now, and I think we'd sync up great."
Mira hardly hesitated. She glanced at Lina's encouraging look, then at Kiriya's open, expectant smile, and finally at Violet's warm approval. She gave a small, firm nod.
"…Alright. My Ice Rose power should prove useful."
"Wonderful." Violet clasped her hands gently, her smile serene.
"Our party feels more complete and stronger now. With you here, Mira, I feel much more confident about what lies ahead." Her words flowed like spring wind—gentle, but imbued with certainty.
Lina also smiled, briefly and steadily.
"Welcome aboard, Mira."
Kiriya extended his hand, grinning.
"Then, let's work well together from here on, Ice Rose Mage."
Mira looked at his outstretched hand, hesitated briefly, then placed her gloved hand in his for a light shake.
"…Mm. Let's."
"Come on," Lina suggested, "to celebrate Mira's new class and clearing the hidden trial, and to welcome our new teammate, let's head to the tavern. My treat."
Violet nodded softly in agreement.
"A wonderful idea. After such an intense battle, we all deserve a chance to relax and talk." Her caring gaze swept over the group, naturally protective and kind.
Kiriya and Mira exchanged a look and shared a faint smile.
Though Mira's was still subtle, it was undeniably real.