The golden sunlight bathed the road ahead, shimmering against the dusty trail as the Dilhaze party made their way through the outer border of Asteria. The road was quiet, but the air carried the gentle hum of nature—chirping birds and rustling leaves swaying in the warm breeze.
"Hey, Raizo," Fenra said, her fluffy tail swishing behind her as she walked beside him. "Let's take a break. My legs are starting to feel like jelly."
Raizo looked at the three girls, each showing signs of fatigue. Fenra was stretching her arms. Shekiah was silently wiping sweat from her brow. Silvia, normally silent, had a gentle frown on her lips as she adjusted the bow on her back.
He gave a small smile. "Alright. Let's rest under that tree line."
They veered off the path toward a grove of towering oaks. The large trees offered shade from the afternoon sun, and the earthy smell of bark and moss gave the place a calming atmosphere. The party dropped their bags, and Raizo sat with his back against a tree.
Silvia suddenly pulled out a peculiar object—a glimmering the brown necklace shimmering
"Raizo," she said, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. "This… the necklace you found in Lloyd's cave—can we try it now?"
He turned to face her. "That thing, huh? I'm still not sure how it works…"
Shekiah leaned forward, resting her chin on her knee. "Maybe it reacts during combat. You should test it against a monster."
Raizo nodded, slipping the necklace into his pouch. "Alright. Let's keep walking. If we find anything hostile, I'll try it."
---
An hour passed, and the sun began dipping toward the horizon. Orange streaks painted the sky as they approached a forest whose trees towered like titans.
Silvia raised her hand. "I think this is it—the Forest of Vellium. I saw it marked on a map near the Asteria Guild Hall."
Raizo glanced at the thick brush and tall roots. "Forest of Vellium, huh?"
They entered, the light dimming under the canopy. The forest air was dense, humid, and carried the scent of wet earth. After barely five minutes in, a deep growl echoed from the brush.
"Contact," Shekiah whispered, tightening her grip on her longsword.
Three monstrous red bears emerged. Their bodies were massive, their claws long as daggers, and their glowing red eyes were filled with raw killing intent. Each of them stood nearly three meters tall, their crimson fur bristling like flames.
The party immediately fanned out.
Silvia nocked an arrow. Fenra crouched low, claws out and tail still. Shekiah stood like a wall, her sword drawn and firm.
Raizo stood at the center, unbothered, unsheathing Voidbringer. Flames licked along the blade—but this time, subtle sparks of lightning danced around the fire.
"Let's see what this necklace can really do…" Raizo muttered.
The bears lunged forward.
"Scatter and engage!" Raizo shouted.
He dashed ahead, lightning channeling through his blade.
"Lightning Blade!"
A streak of silver shot through the battlefield. One of the red bears swiped at him, but Raizo side-stepped with inhuman precision. With a clean slash through its ribs, the beast collapsed.
> Gluttony Ability Activated
Stats Updating...
ATK: 1110
DEF: 1099
STA: 1200
MANA: 1270
Raizo blinked. "Did you hear that voice?"
"Voice? What are you talking about?!" Fenra shouted as she clashed with a red bear, dodging its vicious paw swipes.
"Nothing!" Raizo answered, but curiosity sparked in his eyes.
He looked toward Fenra. "Try finishing that one off yourself."
"Huh?"
"Just do it. You'll understand."
Fenra didn't question him. "Strengthening!"
A golden aura enveloped her body. She dashed forward like a bullet, slamming her fist into the red bear's stomach. The beast let out a guttural roar as it dropped to its knees. Fenra leapt, spun, and drove her clawed uppercut into its chin.
The red bear flew back and crashed, unmoving.
> Gluttony Shared Ability Activated
ATK: 650
DEF: 590
STA: 580
MANA: 700
"H-Huh?" Fenra blinked, stunned. "I… I heard it too. A voice in my head."
Silvia, up in the trees, fired wind-infused arrows to suppress the final bear as it charged toward Shekiah. "What do you mean voice?"
"She means Gluttony, the one I share with you all," Raizo said. "You girls remember what I told you—this ability lets me absorb stats from monsters… but I also shared a version of it with each of you."
Shekiah's eyes lit up. "So that's what you meant by awakening it ourselves?"
Raizo nodded. "Defeating monsters is the trigger."
With a grin, Shekiah shouted, "Hardening!"
Her body shimmered briefly as her skin gained a subtle sheen of magical defense. The red bear lunged at her, arms wide. She parried the first blow with her longsword and, with a well-timed counter, sliced clean through both of the bear's arms.
The beast let out an enraged scream—but Silvia was already ready.
"Multishot Arrow—Wind Enchant!"
Four arrows, glowing with green magic, launched in quick succession. They hit the bear in vital points—head, legs, and heart. The red bear let out one last breath and collapsed.
> Gluttony Shared Ability Activated
Shekiah
ATK: 590
DEF: 600
STA: 500
MANA: 600
Silvia
ATK: 610
DEF: 500
STA: 600
MANA: 630
Both girls looked stunned.
"I heard the voice too!" Silvia gasped.
"Same here," Shekiah said.
"So this… is how the artifact works," Raizo concluded, clenching the necklace in his palm. "It unlocked your Gluttony links. Each time you defeat a monster, your stats grow. Not just me anymore…"
Fenra flexed her arm, then punched the air. "I feel stronger already!"
Shekiah tapped her blade on her shoulder. "This is going to change everything."
Silvia just smiled quietly, her emerald eyes shining with new resolve.
Raizo turned, walking past the defeated bears. The forest was quiet once again, the tension fading.
"We're stronger now," he said. "But this was just the beginning. This power isn't a gift. It's a responsibility."
The three girls nodded.
"Shall we move forward?" he asked.
"Yeah," they said in unison.