The moment they reached the top of the short stairway, the blue screen appeared in front of them once again. It floated in the air, casting soft azure light across their faces as they stood side by side.

[Congratulations! Your party has cleared floors 7 and 8.]

[Your loot total comes out to:

395 x Pure KiloSouls

85 x Tier 8 Common loot

37 x Tier 8 Uncommon loot

11 x Tier 8 Rare loot

3 x Tier 8 Epic loot

1 x Tier 8 Legendary loot

105 x Tier 7 Common loot

…]

"About what I expected. The monetary value here is staggering, though." He ran a hand through his white hair, still damp with sweat from the battle below.

Anny leaned closer to the floating message, squinting at the smaller text. Her shoulder brushed against Nova's arm as she studied the rewards. "Do you see anything you can use for equipment?"

"Oh, yeah." Nova pointed to specific items on the list. "The greatest reward is the Sky-wyrm Crystal Core, which I'll definitely get a use for. Then there's the Dragon Head from the chimera, which probably has some interesting fire-attributes. Lastly, one of the epic grade eight materials is a type of metal I haven't heard of before, so that will be interesting to check out."

Anny stepped back, stretching her arms above her head. "I just want a sword, honestly."

"Yeah, that's my first priority." Nova nodded in agreement. "I'll probably just use the best stuff we got on that. But this time I think we need some protective gear as well."

"Yeah, I'm not sure the shield will last much longer either…" She turned the shield in her hand, studying the bruised surface with a hint of sadness in her eyes. "Maybe you could make something like Millie's amulet?"

"Maybe." He tapped his fingers against his leg as he considered the possibilities. "Not as powerful, but I can probably make something that can work as a one-time protection."

Anny's face brightened. "Sounds good!"

She walked toward the dungeon exit, peering into the outside world. It seemed much less crowded compared to the last time they stood there. "Seems like they haven't realized we've entered. But we should still disguise ourselves, right?"

Nova didn't answer with words. He simply dropped to one knee and pulled the backpack from his shoulder, opening it wide. He pointed into the empty space with a smile. "Your carriage, Princess."

"Noo," Anny protested, shaking her head. "Can't we just... I don't want to ride on your back again."

A flash of warning suddenly revealed itself in Nova's mind as Anny stared into his eyes. The sensation was unmistakable—his new trait from the Regis fragment activating.

'Ah, so that was a lie? Or just a half-truth?'

Nova felt a twinge of guilt. Keeping this trait from Anny felt wrong. It was the smart move in some ways, but if he couldn't trust her, who could he trust?

"I..." The words caught in his throat. Nova took a deep breath and started again. "One of my new traits lets me know when someone is lying. Just so you know."

Anny froze. Her eyes widened in shock. "What?!" She stared at him, mouth slightly open. "But... that wasn't a lie. Not really..."

"You saying that didn't trigger anything, so… maybe it was a half-truth? I'm still figuring this thing out." Nova kept his voice gentle. "I won't press you, but... Are you fine with me asking some questions for safety?"

Hurt flashed across Anny's face. She took a step back, creating distance between them. "I thought... you trusted me."

"I do." Nova stepped forward, closing the gap she had created. "More than anyone—which is why I'm telling you all this."

The tension in Anny's shoulders eased slightly. She looked away, focusing on the wall beside them. "Then, ask your questions."

Nova hesitated. The dungeon corridor suddenly felt too small, too confining for this conversation. But there would never be a perfect time.

"Is there anything important you're keeping from me?"

Anny's face contorted as she struggled with the question. Her fingers twisted the hem of her tunic. "Is it important?" she mumbled to herself. "It probably is..."

"You are?" Nova prompted.

"No, well, it's not..." Anny stammered, still avoiding his gaze. "I'm finding it hard to... to endure."

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Nova frowned in confusion. "Endure?"

"Being around you." The words came out in a rush, as if she had been holding them back for too long.

"Ah." Understanding dawned on Nova's face. "Well, I guess this is as good a time as any to talk."

"No, I'll just endure it!" Anny shook her head vigorously, steeling her resolve. Again. "It won't become a problem, I promise."

'She really believes those words. But she's panicking, afraid of what I'll say...'

"Anny." Nova called her name softly, trying to catch her gaze.

"Can we leave?" She gestured toward the exit, desperate to escape this conversation. "I want to rest."

"I might be healing." The words came out before Nova could consider them properly.

Anny stopped her retreat. She turned back to him with confusion written across her features. "What?" She stared at him, fear and uncertainty mingling in her expression. "What does that mean?"

Nova took a deep breath, steadying himself. Centuries of experience had failed to prepared him for moments like this. "I told you about how I never felt any romantic love for anyone, in any of my lives..." He paused, gathering his courage. "Well, I think it might be starting to happen."

"You think it might be?" Anny's voice rose with a mix of hope and frustration. "That sure is reassuring!"

"It's the best I have." Nova spread his hands helplessly. "When you kissed me—"

Anny leaned away from him the moment he mentioned it. She hid her face with one hand, clearly having the memory fresh in her mind.

"I felt a spark," Nova continued. "Something new that I haven't felt before, at least not that I can remember. And... I think it's changing me."

"So what, I just have to wait and see?" Anny dropped her hand, revealing flushed cheeks. "Hope for the best?"

"It's all I can give you right now." Nova wished he could offer more certainty. "It's a side of myself I've never felt before, so I can't say anything for sure."

Anny sighed heavily. The sound echoed in the stone corridor, amplifying her disappointment. She leaned against the cold dungeon wall, slowly sliding down until she crouched on the floor. "I'll continue enduring, then. For as long as I can."

"I'm sorry." The words felt inadequate, but Nova had nothing better to offer.

"Yeah..." Anny stared at the ground between them. "Well, who's to blame, huh?"

"I'm tempted to say no one, but who knows if that's true?" Nova extended his hand to help her up.

Another sigh escaped Anny's lips. She took his hand and pulled herself up. "Let's get out of here. We have a bed waiting for us."

Nova nodded, grateful for the momentary reprieve. He knew this conversation wasn't over—merely paused. But for now, they had more immediate concerns. Finding Millie remained their priority, and everything else would have to wait.

A few days later, Nova once again found himself in the forge, looking at a row of completed works. It had taken him that long to finish, but most of the time was spent on the final product.

'She won't be complaining about this one any time soon. I might need a faraday cage or something to be able to stay close to her, though…'

He picked up a sword from the desk, feeling the electrifying sensation coursing through his body. The metal was beautifully layered with an inherent pattern of jagged edges and glowing lines, pulsing faintly in a rhythm just like the sky-wyrm's spine.

[Created: Storm-shard (Legendary) {Grade 9}]

[A masterwork straightsword forged from Elecite metal infused with a Sky-wyrm Crystal Core. The blade stores electrical energy in its core, capable of releasing incredible forces of destruction when swung. Forged by Nova.]

[Enchantment: Storm Caller {Grade 9}]

[An advanced enchantment that draws upon atmospheric energy to enhance strikes. Each successful hit builds charge within the blade, eventually releasing devastating electrical damage that can arc between multiple targets.]

[Enchantment: Supreme Durability {Grade 10}]

[A profound enchantment that maintains the blade's edge and lets it withstand forces far greater than it would normally be capable of. If the blade bends or fractures, it will receive essence from the wielder to restore its form to perfect condition.]

Nova stared at the sword with satisfaction. It would serve Anny well, perfectly complementing her fighting style while offering versatility they desperately needed for the challenges ahead.

Next, he turned his attention to the protective amulets. The Sky-wyrm had also dropped a few scales with good defensive properties, which he had prepared and made into amulets.

[Created: Displacement Amulets (Epic) {Grade 7} (Pair)]

[Matching amulets crafted from Sky-wyrm Scales. When activated, they create a momentary rift that displaces the wearer up to fifty meters in their chosen direction, or to the other amulet. The protection can only be used once before breaking. Forged by Nova.]

[Enchantment: Emergency Displacement {Grade 7}]

[An enchantment that stores spatial coordinates and can forcibly relocate the wearer when triggered. The effect requires conscious activation but works instantaneously once initiated.]

'These should keep us safe in emergencies. And I guess Anny won't mind a bit of matching jewelry either… I hope.'

Next on the table was a piece he had crafted for himself. He had selected a length of rare hardwood from floor seven, which the system had identified as Adamant Oak, and carved it into a staff. The wood was as hard as metal, but it retained flexibility that would prevent it from shattering under stress.

At the top of the staff, he mounted the vial with the Tears of the Mermaid Princess he had received from the church and used for his unification skill. The vial would help him channel and focus his essence, much in the same way Millie had used her arm to cast spells. The materials complemented each other perfectly, creating resonance patterns that would amplify his spells.

[Created: Stormfocus Staff (Epic) {Grade 8}]

[A masterwork staff crafted from Adamant Oak with a vial filled with Tears of the Mermaid Princess on its top. The staff enhances magical control and allows for more precise targeting of spells. Forged by Nova.]

[Enchantment: Essence Booster {Grade 8}]

[An advanced enchantment that increases the efficiency of essence usage, increasing the speed at which spells can be channeled through the staff by approximately fifty percent.]

'With this I'll be able to cast my spells much faster. I still need to control the runes and formations, which would likely be a challenge for any other mage—especially in this world, where they all rely on the system to cast for them.'

Finally, there were a few pieces of lightweight armor forged from remaining materials. The protective plates were flexible yet durable, designed to fit beneath their regular clothes without restricting movement.

'They're probably weaker than my skin, but it won't hurt. Plus, they can expand to fit us in any form… Human form, at least.'

He stepped back from the workbench, surveying his creations with tired satisfaction. Sweat and soot stained his clothes, and his muscles ached from hours of continuous work, but the results were well worth the effort.

'Now I just need to take these back to Anny. I hope she's found a good spot to reach her next level…'

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