After finishing a simple breakfast that was just enough to dispel their fatigue and weakness, the two of them felt their strength returning.
The sun was shining just right, warm on their skin, sweeping away the chill that had clung to them from the cemetery.
"Alright, stamina bar full!" Lina stood, stretching her arms. Her brand-new [Guardian's Oath] shimmered with an icy-blue gleam in the morning light.
"Time to put an end to this gloomy quest once and for all."
Kiriya rose as well, giving a small nod. Together, they crossed the now-bustling plaza once more, heading toward the secluded archway in the city's western district.
Unlike last time, the air grew less oppressive the closer they came to the cemetery.
Though still quiet and desolate, the faint whispering voices and bone-chilling cold had eased significantly.
It felt as if, with the vengeful wraith purified, the land itself could finally breathe again.
Outside the Night Watcher's cabin, Old Henry was no longer huddled in his chair. Instead, he stood holding a broom, sweeping away leaves and dust at his doorstep with clumsy but deliberate motions.
Though his hands still trembled slightly, the paralyzing terror on his face was gone—replaced by weary relief and a tentative hope.
Hearing footsteps, he suddenly looked up. The moment he saw Kiriya and Lina, his cloudy eyes lit up. He nearly threw the broom aside and stumbled toward them.
"M-Milords! You're back!" His voice was still raspy, but no longer frayed with panic—only trembling with excitement and gratitude.
"Last night… it was so quiet! No voices! No shadows! I—I even slept for a bit! My first real sleep since this nightmare began! You… you really did it, didn't you? It's over, right?" He asked with desperate urgency, as if needing final confirmation.
A gentle smile softened Lina's expression. She nodded.
"Yes, Mr. Henry. It's over. The source of the curse festering deep within the cemetery has been purified. Those restless souls… should have found peace by now."
She didn't speak of the brutal battle against the Lord of Wraiths, nor the tragic history of the Monteil family. Some truths were too heavy for an old man who only longed for quiet.
"Thank the goddess… oh, thank you, brave adventurers!" Henry muttered, wiping at the murky tears welling in his eyes with the back of his rough hand.
"I knew it… I knew I wasn't mad…"
Almost frantic with gratitude, he hurried back into the cabin and returned with a worn, bulging coin pouch and a small, oilcloth-wrapped parcel that carried a faint herbal scent.
He offered them with both hands, solemnly.
"This is the promised payment—and a little something extra from me. Please, take it! These old bones of mine don't have much worth, but these herbs I gathered long ago can help heal wounds and ward off chills. I hope you don't mind accepting them!"
[System Notification: Quest "Investigate the West Cemetery Anomaly" Completed!]
[Rewards:]
EXP: +6500
Gold: +50 Silver Coins
Reputation: +300 (City of Dawn)
Item Acquired: [Henry's Gratitude] (Special Consumable – Instantly restores 20% HP and MP upon use)
Materials Acquired: [Century-old Serenity Bloom] ×3, [Silverleaf Herb] ×5
[Level Up! Kiriya has reached Level 28!]
[Level Up! Lina has reached Level 27!]
As the glowing system notifications flared across their vision, both of their presences seemed to grow noticeably stronger.
Kiriya tightened his grip on his sword, clearly feeling the surge of power and speed coursing through his body once again.
Lina glanced down at her own status panel, and a small, satisfied smile curved across her lips.
The rewards weren't especially grand, but that special consumable—paired with the old man's sincere gratitude—felt warmer than any rare loot could.
"You're too kind, Mr. Henry. This is simply our duty," Lina said softly, accepting the payment with a respectful nod.
"It… it should be safe now, right?" Old Henry asked again, still hesitant, his eyes filled with fragile hope.
Kiriya finally spoke, his tone carrying an uncommon certainty.
"Yeah. Nothing's going to be knocking on your door again."
The dry humor in his words completely put the old man at ease. Henry exhaled long and deep, a true look of relief spreading across his face.
"That's good… that's good… If you ever need this old man for anything, just say the word! Not that I can help much, but still—!"
After bidding farewell to the overjoyed watchman, they stepped once more into the sun-drenched city streets. For a moment, it felt almost like waking from a long dream.
"Phew… finally over." Lina exhaled softly, slinging the new shield over her back. Sunlight danced over her silver pauldrons.
"That was… a little too thrilling for comfort, but worth it. At least that poor old man can sleep in peace now."
"Yeah." Kiriya gave a short reply, scanning the bustling streets as though already seeking his next objective.
The short break after such an intense fight was comfortable—but somewhere deep down, the hunger for challenge was already stirring again.
Just as he debated whether to visit the blacksmith or head straight for a new dungeon, Lina's voice broke in with a teasing lilt.
"So, Mr. Lone Wolf," she tilted her head, her ice-blue eyes sparkling under the sunlight, "What's next? Planning to continue your solo adventure? Or… do you mind keeping a reasonably reliable shield around—one who only occasionally needs you to bail her out?"
Kiriya's step faltered. He turned to look at her.
She stood there smiling, morning breeze playing with a few strands of her silver hair, the crowd behind her reduced to a blur.
He remembered the image of her standing resolute in front of him during the crypt battle, and her unguarded smile over breakfast.
Solo grinding might be efficient—but somehow, it felt like something was missing.
He was silent for several seconds. Lina almost expected him to give his usual curt "No,"—but instead, he spoke.
His voice was still calm, but there was no hesitation in it.
"East—Silent Gorge," he said, already glancing toward the city's eastern gate.
"Intel says the elite mob density and drop rates there are perfect for parties around level 27. There's also a chance to farm [StarForce Steel], which I'll need for my weapon upgrades."
He paused briefly, then added,
"And you'll need to break in your new shield in real combat."
Lina blinked, then her smile broke wide, bright as morning sunlight—equal parts proud and delighted.
"Got it! Target: Silent Gorge for StarForce Steel and EXP!"
She quickened her pace to match his, her voice light and spirited.
"Let's go, swordsman! And this time, I definitely won't—"
She cut off as Kiriya suddenly stopped.
There was an uncharacteristic flicker of something—almost frustration—across his face.
"Wait."
Lina blinked, confused.
"Hm? Forget something?"
He turned toward her, his gaze slightly evasive, as if unused to handling something this… mundane.
Raising his fist, he coughed lightly into it before speaking, somewhat stiffly:
"Have we… actually exchanged real-world contact info yet? I mean—outside the game."
"Eh?" Lina blinked in surprise.
They had fought through life-and-death battles together, shared breakfast, even agreed on their next destination—yet somehow skipped this most basic step.
"Oh! You're right!" She laughed, shaking her head.
"We were too busy slaying monsters and discussing tactics! What if one of us logs off or misses the schedule? We'd just be waiting around like idiots in the street!"
Kiriya nodded, then quickly typed a string of numbers into the party chat.
His fingers traced the interface with precise motions, his expression oddly focused—as if completing a critical quest.
"Done," Lina said with a bright smile after saving his number.
"Then… I guess we call it a day? After all that fighting, I'm starving for real food."
Kiriya nodded. His own mind was worn from the intensity of the battle.
"Yeah. Rest well."
"You too!" Lina gave him a cheerful wave as her body began to turn translucent."See you next time! Good night!"
"Good night." Kiriya watched until her form completely dissolved in a soft glow.
He logged out as well, removing the Mind Gear.
Reality settled back around him—quiet, familiar. Outside his window, night had fallen.
Rubbing his slightly sore temples, he was just about to get up for food when his phone screen suddenly lit up.
A new message notification.
He unlocked it with his face. The sender was an unknown number—but auto-tagged by the system as [Friend – Lina].
The message was simple: a cute sticker of a winking cat waving hello, followed by:
["Mr. Swordsman" already logged off? (^▽^)]
Kiriya stared at the text for a few seconds, momentarily stunned.
The bubbly, cutesy tone was so unlike the composed frost knight he knew in-game.
Then, a faint, unbidden smile curved across his lips.
He typed back:
[Yeah. Logged off, "Ms. Knight."]
After a pause, he added one of the default system smiley faces.
[:)]