The golden light of the Gate faded, and Raven's feet touched the crystalline grass of Maple's Blaze's entrance clearing. The transition always left him slightly disoriented—the shift from dungeon depths to open sky, from constant combat to relative safety.
Behind him, Ava, Axel, and Effel emerged from the light, all looking as exhausted as he felt.
Three days in the Iron Depths. Three floors cleared. Two boss monsters defeated. And more gold than any of them had ever dreamed of possessing.
Raven checked his status screen:
---
ID: Avarice
Name: Raven Hayes
Jobclass: Sword Saint (EX)
Level: 6 (34%)
Title: N/A
Attributes:
Strength: 11
Agility: 11
Stamina: 11
Magic: 5
Charm: 10
Unallocated Attribute Points: 12
Class Abilities:
- Sword Mastery (E Rank)
- Saint's Endurance (E Rank)
- Sword Heart (E Rank)
- Saint's Flash (E Rank)
Skills:
- Inventory
- Basic Meditation (E Rank)
- Power Strike (E Rank)
Portfolio:
- Pounds: £3,057
- Gold: 500
---
Five hundred gold coins. Fifty thousand pounds. And that was before selling the boss drops from Floors 2 and 3.
"We actually did it," Ava said quietly, staring at her own screen. "Three days. Full clear. Two boss kills."
"And we're alive," Axel added, dropping his pack with a heavy thud. "That's the important part. Alive and rich."
Effel smiled, though exhaustion showed in her eyes. "You three exceeded every expectation. Most parties take weeks to clear Iron Depths. You did it in three days."
"With your help," Raven said. "We couldn't have done it without your guidance."
"Perhaps. But the fighting was all yours." She pulled out her collection bags, now bulging with alchemical materials. "I need to sort through these and begin brewing. You three should handle your loot sales and get proper equipment. Meet me at my workshop in two hours?"
They agreed and parted ways. As they walked through Maple's Blaze toward the market district, Raven noticed the settlement had changed. More guards patrolled the streets. The division between natives and Strangers seemed more pronounced. And there were fewer Strangers visible than before.
"Where is everyone?" Ava asked, voicing his thoughts.
"Probably still in dungeons," Axel replied. "Or they went back to their own cities. Some might have..." He didn't finish the sentence, but they all understood. Not everyone who entered the beta realm came back out.
They found Grimshaw's Acquisitions—the same shop where they'd sold their first monster materials. The proprietor's eyes widened when they laid out their haul.
"Patriarch Fang, Grade 2," he said, examining the massive spiral of bone. "Excellent condition. Fifty gold."
"Stone Pelt, Grade 2. Forty gold."
"Alpha Horn, Grade 3..." He paused, holding the item up to the light. "This is exceptional quality. I can give you one hundred and fifty gold for it."
"And these?" Raven gestured to the Supreme Armor Plates from the Armored Bear Alpha.
The merchant's hands actually trembled as he examined them. "Grade 3 armor materials of this quality... I'll give you two hundred gold. And I'm being generous because you're repeat customers."
They also sold accumulated materials from the regular monsters—pelts, fangs, claws, lesser mana crystals. When the merchant finished counting, the total was staggering.
"Six hundred and twenty gold coins, divided three ways," the merchant said. "That's two hundred and six gold, six silver, and seven copper each, rounding up."
Two hundred and six gold. Twenty thousand, six hundred pounds. Per person.
Raven felt the weight of it as the coins materialized in his inventory. Combined with his dungeon completion bonus, he now had seven hundred and six gold coins. Seventy thousand, six hundred pounds.
His Portfolio updated automatically:
---
Portfolio:
- Pounds: £3,057
- Gold: 706
- Total Value: £73,657
---
"This is insane," Ava breathed, clearly checking her own balance. "I have over seventy thousand pounds. I've never... I mean, my family's annual income was maybe thirty thousand, and that was with both parents working."
"We earned it," Axel said firmly. "Every coin. Every fight. We earned this."
They moved through the marketplace, no longer window-shopping but actually purchasing. The difference in how merchants treated them was immediate—when you had real money, everyone wanted your business.
First stop was armor. Raven's jacket was shredded, barely holding together after three days of combat. They found a leatherworker who specialized in awakened equipment.
"Combat-grade leather armor," the craftsman said, showing them his wares. "Grade 2 materials, reinforced with mana-infused thread. Light, flexible, won't slow you down but will stop claws and most blade attacks."
Raven chose a dark gray set—chest piece, bracers, and reinforced boots. Forty gold total, but when he put it on, the difference was remarkable. The armor felt like a second skin, moving with him instead of restricting movement.
Ava selected similar armor in deep green, while Axel chose something heavier—Grade 2 plate armor for his chest and shoulders. Stronger protection at the cost of some mobility, but his Mountain King class could handle the weight.
"Weapons next," Raven said, and they headed to the weaponsmith district.
The first few shops offered Grade 2 weapons, all impressive compared to their common gear but nothing that made Raven's Sword Mastery sing with recognition. Good weapons. Serviceable weapons. But not the right weapon.
Then he saw it.
The sword hung on the back wall of a shop called "Ashenfell Armaments," displayed like art rather than merchandise. Even from across the room, something about it called to him.
The blade was elegant—a longsword roughly forty inches from pommel to tip, with a gentle curve that suggested it could both cut and thrust with equal efficiency. The metal had an unusual quality, seeming to shimmer between silver and white depending on how the light caught it. The crossguard was simple but beautifully crafted, and the grip was wrapped in dark leather that looked like it would fit his hand perfectly.
"You have good eyes," the shopkeeper said, following Raven's gaze. She was an older woman, native to the realm, with the weathered hands of someone who'd spent decades working a forge. "That's Silverbright. Grade 2, Adept rarity. Been in my shop for three weeks, and no one's been worthy of it."
"Worthy?" Raven asked.
"Some weapons are just tools. You pick them up, you use them, you set them down. But some weapons..." She gestured to Silverbright. "Some weapons choose their wielder as much as the wielder chooses them. That sword's been waiting for someone who can appreciate what it offers."
She took it down from the wall and handed it to Raven.
The moment his fingers closed around the grip, he knew. The balance was perfect—not just good, but absolutely perfect for his build and style. His Sword Mastery immediately recognized the weapon's quality, feeding him information about its capabilities.
---
[SILVERBRIGHT]
Type: Longsword | Rarity: Adept
Passive Skills:
1. Precision Edge (Passive) - Blade maintains perfect sharpness through combat. Cutting power never diminishes during extended battles, ensuring consistent damage output.
2. Perfect Balance (Passive) - Sword's weight distribution automatically adjusts during combat. +15% attack speed and -20% stamina consumption for all sword techniques.
3. Reflective Parry (Active) - Execute a perfectly angled parry that reflects light into opponent's eyes while deflecting their attack. Briefly blinds enemy and creates opening for counter-attack. Cooldown: 20 seconds.
4. Flowing Riposte (Active) - After successful block or parry, immediately chain into a lightning-fast counter-strike. Next attack has +50% speed and +40% accuracy. Cooldown: 15 seconds.
5. Momentum Break (Active) - Execute a powerful defensive strike that interrupts enemy combos and creates distance. Stops aggressive enemy attack patterns and forces brief reset. Cooldown: 25 seconds.
Ultimate Skill:
6. Flowing Silver Dance (Ultimate) - Enter heightened combat state for 30 seconds. All strikes flow seamlessly into the next with perfect form. Grants +40% attack speed, +25% damage, perfect accuracy on vital points, and immunity to interruption. After use, wielder suffers moderate fatigue. Cooldown: Once per battle.
---
Raven gave it a few test swings, and the blade sang through the air. His Sword Mastery and the weapon's Perfect Balance synergized immediately—every movement felt effortless, like the sword was an extension of his arm rather than a separate tool.
"How much?" he asked, already knowing he'd pay almost anything for it.
"Three hundred gold," the shopkeeper said.
Axel whistled. "That's steep."
"It's also worth it," the shopkeeper replied. "Grade 2 weapons with multiple active skills and an ultimate ability? Most shops charge four to five hundred for comparable pieces. I'm giving you a fair price because..." She studied Raven carefully. "Because that sword recognizes you. And I'd rather it go to someone who'll use it properly than sit on my wall collecting dust."
Raven didn't hesitate. "I'll take it."
The transaction was completed, and Raven attached Silverbright to his belt. His old common sword went into his inventory—he'd keep it as a backup, but he knew he'd never willingly use it again. Not when he had a weapon this perfect.
Ava purchased a Grade 2 spear with fire-enhancement properties—one hundred and twenty gold. Axel found a massive Grade 2 warhammer that synergized with his earth manipulation—one hundred and fifty gold.
"Potions," Ava reminded them. "We burned through our healing supplies in the dungeon."
They visited an alchemist shop—not Effel's, but a competitor. The proprietor was less friendly but had excellent stock. They each purchased twenty Grade 1 healing potions at two gold each, and five Grade 2 healing potions at ten gold each. Total: ninety gold each.
By the time they finished outfitting themselves, Raven had spent five hundred and thirty gold. He still had one hundred and seventy-six gold remaining—more than enough for the house deposit and living expenses.
---
They met Effel at her workshop as arranged. She'd clearly been busy—the space smelled of herbs and chemicals, and dozens of vials lined the shelves, glowing with various colored liquids.
"I have something for each of you," she said, presenting three vials filled with deep purple liquid. "Greater Stamina Potions. Grade 2. These will restore fifty percent of your stamina instantly. Consider them payment for keeping me safe in the dungeon."
"Effel, you don't need to—" Raven started.
"I want to," she interrupted firmly. "You saved my life twice. This is the least I can do."
They accepted the gifts gratefully. Then came the awkward part.
"We're heading back to Queen's," Raven said. "We need to handle some business in our own world. But we'll return. This isn't goodbye."
"I know," Effel said, though something flickered in her eyes. "You're Strangers. You have lives beyond the realm. But..." She looked directly at Raven. "When you do return, find me. I'd like to continue working together. You're the best party I've encountered."
"We will," Raven promised.
Ava's expression was carefully neutral, but Raven could feel the tension radiating from her. The moment they left Effel's workshop, that tension exploded.
"So," Ava said, her voice tight. "She's got quite the attachment to you."
"She's grateful we saved her life," Raven replied carefully.
"She's interested in you," Ava corrected. "Anyone with eyes can see it."
"Ava—"
"It's fine," she said, though her tone suggested it was absolutely not fine. "You can talk to whoever you want. Date whoever you want. It's not like we're... I mean, we're just friends, right?"
Raven felt trapped. This was a conversation they'd been avoiding for days, and now it was happening in the middle of Maple's Blaze with Axel awkwardly trying to pretend he wasn't listening.
"We are friends," Raven said slowly. "You're one of my best friends, Ava. That's not going to change."
"But that's all we are," Ava finished, and there was hurt in her voice despite her attempt to sound casual. "Got it. Message received."
She walked ahead, putting distance between them. Axel shot Raven a look that clearly said you're an idiot, but wisely said nothing.
Raven wanted to call after her, to explain... what? That he was terrified of complicating their friendship? That he was keeping secrets that made any relationship dishonest? That he was scared of hurting her when the truth about his EX rank eventually came out?
Instead, he kept walking, the weight of unspoken words heavier than any armor.
---
They found a quiet spot outside Maple's Blaze to Gate back to Queen's. The transition was smoother this time—Raven was getting used to the sensation of reality shifting.
When the light cleared, they were standing in the same alley where they'd departed three days ago. But the moment they stepped onto the street, Raven knew something had changed.
The city felt different. Hostile. Tense.
They started walking toward the city center, and the changes became more apparent. Military checkpoints had been established on major streets. Buildings bore fresh scorch marks and impact damage. And everywhere they looked, people were divided—awakened walking with confidence or arrogance, non-awakened hurrying past with heads down.
A news broadcast played from a storefront television, and they stopped to watch.
"—attack on the government convoy has escalated tensions between awakened guilds and federal authorities. RedFlame Guild, led by the SSS-rank awakened known as Inferno, has claimed responsibility for last night's incident. President Ashford issued a statement this morning—"
The screen cut to footage of the President standing at a podium, looking exhausted.
"—will not be intimidated by demonstrations of power. We are actively working with cooperative awakened organizations to establish order and protect all citizens, regardless of their status. To those who choose violence over cooperation, know that you will be held accountable."
The broadcast cut to shaky phone footage of the convoy attack—pillars of flame, disabled vehicles, Inferno's ultimatum. The destruction was surgical, precise, and absolutely terrifying.
"That's an SSS-rank," Axel said quietly. "That's what real power looks like."
Raven watched the footage and felt cold certainty settle in his stomach. He was Level 6. Inferno was probably Level 20 or higher, maybe much higher. The gap between them was enormous.
They continued walking, and Raven noticed people's reactions to them. Their new armor, their confident bearing, the weapons at their belts—it all marked them as awakened. Some people nodded respectfully. Others crossed the street to avoid them. A few looked hostile, hands tightening on concealed weapons.
"We need to get off the street," Raven said quietly. "Find somewhere private."
They ducked into a small park, finding a bench in a secluded area. Raven checked that no one was watching, then accessed his inventory.
He'd been carrying two items he hadn't shared with his party. The Heart of the Alpha from the Armored Bear boss, and the Superior Mana Crystal from the Stone Wolf Patriarch.
Both were Grade 3. Both could be absorbed. And both were his by right—the party had agreed he'd take the Heart as his share of the Floor 3 boss loot.
He pulled out the Heart first. It was crystallized, no longer organic—about the size of his fist, glowing with faint red light.
---
[HEART OF THE ALPHA - GRADE 3]
[ABSORPTION WILL PERMANENTLY INCREASE STAMINA BY 5 POINTS]
[WARNING: CAN ONLY ABSORB ONE ALPHA HEART PER TIER]
[CONTINUE? YES/NO]
---
Five permanent Stamina points. That would increase his health pool significantly. Raven selected YES without hesitation.
The Heart dissolved, flowing into his chest as pure energy. For a moment, his heart actually stopped—just one beat skipped—and then restarted with a rhythm that felt stronger, more powerful. Warmth spread through his entire body as his cardiovascular system was fundamentally enhanced.
---
[STAMINA INCREASED: 11 → 16]
[HP INCREASED: 125 → 175]
---
Raven took a deep breath, feeling the difference immediately. His lungs felt larger, his blood moved more efficiently, his body's capacity for endurance had jumped significantly.
Next came the Superior Mana Crystal. This one was larger, more complex—swirling patterns of blue and purple energy contained within transparent crystal.
---
[SUPERIOR MANA CRYSTAL - GRADE 2]
[ABSORPTION WILL PERMANENTLY INCREASE MAGIC BY 3 POINTS]
[CONTINUE? YES/NO]
---
Three points. Significant for someone who'd started with only five Magic attribute. Raven absorbed this one too.
The sensation was different—cool rather than warm, flowing through his nervous system rather than his bloodstream. He felt his mana pool expand, like a cup suddenly becoming a bucket.
---
[MAGIC INCREASED: 5 → 8]
[MP INCREASED: 50 → 80]
---
Eighty mana points. Enough for eight Power Strikes, or five Saint's Flashes with room for other abilities. His combat flexibility had just improved dramatically.
Finally, Raven needed to allocate his twelve unallocated attribute points—four from level 4 (one base level that gave him 3), three from level 5, and three from level 6. His EX rank giving him three points per level instead of the two his friends received.
He needed to be smart about this. His fighting style relied on speed, precision, and endurance. He decided to split the points:
- Strength: +3 (11 → 14)
- Agility: +4 (11 → 15)
- Stamina: +2 (16 → 18)
- Magic: +3 (8 → 11)
The changes flooded through him. His muscles became denser, more explosive. His reflexes sharpened, his perception of movement accelerated. His endurance deepened further. And his mana pool expanded again.
---
[ATTRIBUTE ALLOCATION COMPLETE]
HP: 175 → 195
MP: 80 → 110
---
Raven checked his final status:
---
ID: Avarice
Name: Raven Hayes
Jobclass: Sword Saint (EX)
Level: 6 (34%)
Title: N/A
Attributes:
Strength: 14
Agility: 15
Stamina: 18
Magic: 11
Charm: 10
Unallocated Attribute Points: 0
Class Abilities:
- Sword Mastery (E Rank)
- Saint's Endurance (E Rank)
- Sword Heart (E Rank)
- Saint's Flash (E Rank)
Skills:
- Inventory
- Basic Meditation (E Rank)
- Power Strike (E Rank)
Portfolio:
- Gold: 176
- Total Value: £17,600
---
He was significantly stronger than when he'd entered the dungeon. But more importantly, the gap between his stats and his friends' had widened. If they ever directly compared numbers, the deception would become obvious.
"You okay?" Axel asked. "You've been staring at nothing for five minutes."
"Just allocating my stat points," Raven said, which was true. "Trying to decide the best distribution."
"I put everything into Strength and Stamina," Axel said. "My class doesn't need much else."
"I split between Agility and Magic," Ava added. "My fire abilities scale with Magic, and I need speed for my spear work."
They didn't ask what Raven had chosen, for which he was grateful. The conversation moved to more immediate concerns—finding a house.
"With our combined money, we can afford something decent," Axel said. "Maybe not in the city center, but somewhere safe."
"Outskirts might be better anyway," Ava suggested. "Less attention. More privacy for training."
They spent the next three hours walking through Queen's residential areas, checking listings on their phones and visiting properties. The experience was eye-opening and depressing in equal measure.
The first house they looked at was perfect—three bedrooms, small backyard, decent neighborhood. Then the real estate agent saw their weapons and armor.
"I'm sorry," she said, her professional smile not reaching her eyes. "This property has already been claimed. I must have forgotten to update the listing."
The second agent was more direct. "The owners have specified non-awakened tenants only. Insurance concerns, you understand."
The third property they visited, neighbors actually came out to protest. "We don't want your kind here!" one man shouted. "Take your powers somewhere else!"
By the sixth rejection, Raven's patience was wearing thin. They were sitting in a small café, drinking coffee and reviewing remaining options, when Axel's phone rang.
"It's my brother," he said, stepping outside to take the call.
The moment he was gone, Ava turned to Raven. "We need to talk."
"About what happened earlier—"
"Not that," she interrupted, though her expression suggested that was definitely part of it. "About you. About what you're hiding."
Raven felt his blood run cold. "I don't know what you—"
"Don't," Ava said flatly. "I've known you for years, Raven. I know when you're keeping secrets. And you've been keeping a lot of them lately."
"Everyone has secrets," Raven tried.
"Not like this. Not the kind that make you check your status screen when you think no one's looking. Not the kind that make you absorb items in private." She leaned forward. "I'm not stupid, Raven. Your abilities are too strong for A-rank. Your growth is too fast. Your instincts in combat are too perfect."
Raven's mouth went dry. How long had she suspected? What had she noticed that he'd missed?
"I'm not asking you to tell me everything," Ava continued, her voice softer now. "I know you have your reasons for keeping secrets. But I need you to know—whatever you're hiding, it doesn't change how I feel about you. About us being friends. About trusting you with my life."
She stood, preparing to leave the table. "Just... don't shut me out completely. Okay?"
Before Raven could respond, Axel burst back inside, his face lit with excitement.
"I found us a house!"
---
The property was on the outskirts of Queen's, bordering the forest that separated the city from rural farmland. It was a modest two-story house with three bedrooms, a small kitchen, a living room, and—most importantly—a large basement that the previous owner had converted into a workshop.
"My brother's friend owns it," Axel explained as they stood outside, examining the exterior. "His family moved to Scotland after the awakening. He wants to sell quickly, and he's willing to work with awakened buyers because he's awakened himself—just hasn't revealed it publicly."
The house was solid if not spectacular. Brick construction, a sturdy roof, windows that looked recently replaced. The yard was overgrown but not unmanageable. And the location was perfect—isolated enough for privacy, close enough to the city for convenience.
"How much?" Raven asked.
"Forty thousand pounds," Axel said. "But he'll take it in gold at the current exchange rate. So four hundred gold coins."
They looked at each other. Combined, they could easily afford it—Raven had one hundred and seventy-six gold, Ava and Axel each had similar amounts after their equipment purchases. They'd pool resources, split ownership three ways, and finally have a proper base.
"Let's do it," Ava said.
"Agreed," Raven added.
They met the owner—a nervous man in his thirties who kept glancing at their weapons but clearly needed the money more than he feared their presence. The transaction was completed through his solicitor, who'd learned to handle awakened currency exchanges. Within two hours, they had a deed and keys.
The house was empty—the previous owners had taken everything—but it was theirs. Three seventeen-year-olds who'd been scraping by days ago now owned property worth forty thousand pounds.
"We need furniture," Ava said, walking through the empty living room. "Beds, at least. Kitchen supplies. Basic necessities."
They spent another two hours shopping at discount furniture stores, purchasing the essentials. Three beds, a couch, a table and chairs, cookware, dishes, linens. Everything was delivered by evening.
As the sun set, they stood in their living room, surrounded by flat-pack furniture they'd assembled themselves, looking around at the space that was now home.
"We did it," Axel said quietly. "We actually did it."
Raven felt something tight in his chest loosen. For the first time since his parents died, he had a home. Not a rented room above a restaurant, not a foster placement, not temporary shelter—a real home that couldn't be taken away.
"We should celebrate," Ava suggested. "Order proper food. Christen the place."
They ordered Chinese takeout—not the cheap kind, but actual quality food from a good restaurant—and ate sitting on their new couch, watching the news on Axel's laptop.
The broadcast was grim. Guild conflicts were escalating. More awakened were disappearing into the beta realm and not returning. The government was struggling to maintain control. President Ashford had announced formal partnerships with Zenith and Sun Guilds, which had immediately drawn threats from RedFlame.
"It's getting worse," Ava said quietly.
"It'll keep getting worse," Raven replied. "Until the apocalypse the Administrator warned about arrives. Then it'll get much worse."
"Cheerful thought," Axel muttered.
They finished eating in contemplative silence. Finally, Raven stood.
"I'm going to claim the basement bedroom," he said. "You two can have the upstairs rooms."
"The basement?" Ava asked. "That's the worst room."
"It's the most private," Raven corrected. "I like having my own space."
What he didn't say was that he needed privacy for training, for meditation, for all the things he did that might reveal his true rank if observed too closely.
They didn't argue. By ten PM, they'd all retreated to their respective rooms, exhausted from the day's events.
Raven lay on his new bed in his basement room, staring at the ceiling. His new armor hung on a hook, Silverbright leaned against the wall within easy reach. His status screen floated in his vision, showing stats that were now significantly higher than his friends'.
Ava's words echoed in his mind. Whatever you're hiding, it doesn't change how I feel about you.
But would that still be true when she learned the full extent of his deception? When she realized he'd been lying since the moment they awakened?