A swirl of memory: the Guardian’s brutal swipes, unstoppable as a landslide, had battered him and Joey, scattering their best-laid plans. In that moment, raw power or stealth might not have mattered. They had needed to survive those first hits to find a plan. Ultimately, James suspected that in a world with so many unknown threats, the ability to not die might be paramount. The sting of Nyx’s fate taught him that he couldn’t always kill a monster faster than it could strike back. But maybe he could outlast it, giving him time to strategize—and giving those under his protection the chance to stay safe.

His hand hovered over the name: Steel Bloom Cuirass (Saffron). A piece of living steel that strengthened in times of danger appealed to him on a deep level. He wanted an armor that would do more than just sit there; he wanted something that actively responded to threats, that would protect him, so he could in turn protect others. He drew a shaky breath, tears welling again at the thought that he had not been able to protect Nyx. This is my best chance to ensure it never happens again, he told himself.

Placing his palm on the cursive text of the Steel Bloom Cuirass, James willed it to become his. The words brightened, then vanished in a tiny swirl of light that coalesced in front of him. The sparkle condensed, until a simple, stylized breastplate rested on the table. It gleamed faintly, as though breathing with a soft metallic glow. Intricate designs resembling vines and roses wound across its surface, and James swore he saw them pulse, as if acknowledging his presence.

He reached out, lifting the cuirass with care. Though it appeared made of steel, it felt strangely alive—warm, pliant in his hands. He brushed a finger over the engraved petals near the collar, marveling at the craftsmanship. Then, quietly, he set it aside, grateful that at least one piece of this puzzle was settled. A faint pang of regret whispered about the other items, but he hardened himself. No one could have everything.

Now came the other daunting choice: the Skill Combination. The note stated: up to Saffron Rank. The skills in that range were {Trident Essence Thrust}, {Essence Sight}, {Battle Strategy}, and {Essence Inspect}. {Meditation} was still “Ashen Rank Three,” so if he wanted to combine something with it, that was permissible too, but the result might not match Saffron’s potency unless the synergy was extraordinary.

He deliberated carefully, recollecting each skill’s role:

- {Trident Essence Thrust} was his hallmark attack, born of merging stamina and mana.

- {Battle Strategy} was a broad application skill that sharpened his combat instincts and made him more flexible in the face of unpredictable foes.

- {Essence Sight} was an invaluable observational tool, letting him track flows of power both in enemies and the environment.

- {Essence Inspect} dove even deeper, analyzing properties, weaknesses, and hidden attributes.

- {Meditation} gave him mental clarity, faster recovery, and emotional stability.

Which synergy would best serve his vow to protect others and survive?

On one hand, combining {Trident Essence Thrust} with {Battle Strategy} could birth something truly formidable in combat—an adaptive strike that exploited weaknesses in real time. It was a tempting solution for straightforward fights. But in the Echoing Hollows, the biggest threat had not been just the need to strike harder; it had been the unpredictability of the environment, the forced illusions, the draining darkness.

He closed his eyes, recalling how {Essence Sight} had often revealed crucial details, from lurking enemies to structural weaknesses in the cave. {Essence Inspect} gave him an even deeper read on his items. If those two combined successfully, he might unlock a single skill that fused the best parts of each: a continuous, in-depth scanning ability that let him size up foes at a glance.

Yet James also thought about {Meditation}. The emotional rollercoaster he had suffered—especially losing Nyx—showed him how vital a calm mind could be in crisis. Could combining Meditation with something else elevate him further, giving him constant insight or focus? For instance, {Meditation + Essence Sight} might lead to an ability to view essence flows not just with his eyes, but with an inner clarity, even while in motion. Or {Meditation + Battle Strategy} might help him maintain a level head, weaving tactical brilliance with emotional balance.

He frowned, drumming his fingers on the table. The synergy with Meditation appealed more than he initially expected. After all, if he lost his composure, all the raw data from scanning the environment wouldn’t help. And it was that swirl of panic that nearly cost them their lives more than once. A combined skill might instill him with unwavering calm that sharpened his strategic abilities.

{Meditation + Battle Strategy}: The more he entertained the idea, the more it seemed like a natural fit. Meditation encompassed mental discipline, resource management, and self-awareness. Battle Strategy was about situational analysis, adaptation, and cunning in the midst of chaos. If these two could fuse in a beneficial way, James might be able to slip into a state of “battle clarity,” where even under immense pressure, his mind remained focused and flexible.

Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

Admittedly, {Meditation} was only Ashen Rank Three, whereas {Battle Strategy} was Saffron Rank Five. The disparity could be a problem—fusing a lower-ranked skill with a higher-ranked one might risk overshadowing the lesser. However, the System’s prompt said “up to Saffron Rank,” which might allow the new skill to ascend to that level, absorbing the ranks from {Battle Strategy} and hopefully carrying some ascended aspect of {Meditation}.

A vision flickered in James’s mind: He saw himself in the midst of a chaotic fight, everything in slow motion as he calmly appraised the situation, each enemy movement carefully weighed, each second of stamina or mana accounted for. He wouldn’t be paralyzed by fear or battered by wild surges of adrenaline. He would become the eye of the storm, controlling the battlefield from a place of inner tranquility.

Yes. That was the synergy that might have saved Nyx. Calm focus. Clear thinking. The ability to manage the chaos so it never overwhelmed them. That’s what he lacked in the Echoing Hollows, and that’s what he yearned to develop now.

Steeling himself, James pressed his hands together. “I… hope this works,” he murmured. The risk was real: if the combination failed, he might end up losing {Battle Strategy}—an integral part of how he fought. But he could not remain stagnant. He had to evolve.

Summoning the faint, translucent System interface, James located the Skill Fusion option. The panel glowed, lines of text swirling as it read his intentions. Two skill icons appeared: {Meditation} and {Battle Strategy}. They hovered, pulsating like living runes.

Are you sure you want to fuse:

{Meditation (Ashen Rank Three)}

+

{Battle Strategy (Saffron Rank Five)}

Warning: This fusion may result in skill rank realignment and unpredictable effects.

Proceed Y/N

The caution triggered a burst of anxiety in James’s stomach. He forced a deep breath, recalling Nyx’s lifeless form and the oath he made. He hovered his finger over Yes for a moment, then pressed it. At once, the text changed, the skill icons merging in a dance of swirling lights. A surge of energy rushed through James’s mind, momentarily pushing out all other thoughts. He gasped, his vision going dark around the edges, then exploding with swirling patterns of gold and azure.

For a heartbeat, he thought he heard a hum, a melodic, resonant tone like a choir of distant voices. He clenched his teeth, hoping fervently that this was the right decision. Then, with a sharp crack, the lights collapsed into a single icon. The System interface displayed:

{Strategic Tranquility (Saffron Rank Four)}

He released the breath he’d been holding. The skill’s name glowed, letters shimmering as though newly forged. James immediately focused on it:

Strategic Tranquility (Saffron Rank Four)

- A fusion of mental fortitude and tactical awareness, allowing the user to maintain heightened situational analysis under stress without losing emotional clarity.

- Grants a calm mindset in battle, improving stamina and mana recovery slightly while actively engaged. Adaptations to enemy tactics occur faster, as the user can swiftly weigh probabilities and countermeasures.

- Extended use risks mental fatigue if the user’s Wisdom is low. The skill’s stability scales with Endurance and Wisdom.

- “The mind that sees the battlefield as a still pond can track every ripple without losing itself.”

James blinked at the description, relief washing through him. Saffron Rank Four was one tier below {Battle Strategy}’s original level, but it had integrated the features of {Meditation}. This was not a crippling downgrade; it was a new, consolidated skill that promised synergy. He inhaled, feeling the subtle presence of Strategic Tranquility settle in his psyche, like an undercurrent of calm.

He tested it, letting a fraction of the skill flow through him. Instantly, he felt as if the weight of lingering exhaustion lifted marginally. His mind felt more alert, less muddled by sorrow. The ache for Nyx remained, but it no longer threatened to drown him every time he paused to breathe. Instead, it sat in his heart, a solemn reminder, fueling him without overwhelming him.

A tear rolled down his cheek regardless, the memory still far too fresh. He let it fall, not trying to stifle it. Grief and progress were not mutually exclusive—he could carry both. Maybe that’s what it means to keep going, he thought.-

He rose from the chair, noticing how his legs trembled a bit less now. He still felt the lingering effects of nearly dying in that wretched rift, but each breath in the safe room was a balm. The letter on the table now displayed a faint checkmark beside the item choice and skill fusion. All that remained was the overwhelming 1500 EXP that demanded allocation.

The dull throb of compulsion returned, urging him to distribute the experience, to watch his level surge and see numbers rise. He pulled up his Level line:

| Level: 5 (4/506)

He had barely broken into level five. 1500 EXP might not rocket him to the heavens, but it was still significant for someone so early in their growth. The memory of falling behind in the rift because they had insufficient stats to stand toe-to-toe with the Guardian lodged in his mind like a thorn. He would not risk that again.

“Right,” he whispered. “I have to do this.” The safe room offered him twelve hours—enough to rest, heal, and carefully plan. He would not simply throw points around blindly. But first, rest. He realized that in the swirl of decisions and heartbreak, he had not truly I moving since the moment he entered the rift. If he wanted to reallocate stats wisely, he needed a clearer head. “I should… I should lie down.”

Surveying the cozy living room, he spied a door on one side. Upon checking it, he found a snug bedroom with a small bed, plush pillows, and a nightstand. The air was warm, inviting. A tiny pang of guilt twisted in him at the thought of how luxurious it all felt when Nyx would never again curl up at his side. But he reminded himself that refusing rest would not honor her memory. Surviving, learning, and growing would.

His body ached fiercely as he sank onto the mattress. The tension in his muscles started to loosen, the safe room’s protective aura encouraging restoration. In his mind, he remained half-focused on the new skill {Strategic Tranquility}, feeling how it softened the edges of emotional turmoil. Perhaps, in time, he would perfect this synergy, turning it into a shield against panic and despair.

At last, he allowed himself to sleep.