"Not quite," Joey replied, looking down at his current state of dress and then gestured at the wedding dress sprawled across the cave floor.

James burst out laughing at the absurdity of it all. The image of Joey—bare-chested, his pants practically hanging on by threads, his growing muscles on full display—now faced with the prospect of donning a wedding dress. It was clear that at this rate, Joey was going to end up fully in the buff sooner rather than later.

"I mean, I don’t think you have much of a choice, honestly," James said, trying and failing to hold back another round of laughter.

Joey scowled, his expression a mix of resignation and disdain as he picked up one of the dresses by the lace trim, inspecting it like it was some kind of bizarre alien artifact. "Couldn’t it have been a suit or something a little more... normal?" he grumbled, shaking his head.

Meanwhile, James took a step toward his trident, intending to practice his form a bit more, but his legs betrayed him. He stumbled and went down face-first, narrowly missing a jagged rock. "Ahh!" he groaned, rubbing his head as he tried to collect himself. Joey looked over, his tirade cut short, his face suddenly all curiosity.

"Guess leveling up really does make a big difference in our strength. I wasn't expecting that," James said, forcing out a laugh, trying to play off his embarrassment.

Joey stared at him, wide-eyed, his disbelief clear. "Yeah... It’s literally changing our whole muscle and skeletal structure, man. Miss Clara talked about that in class, don’t you remember?" Joey paused, an amused grin starting to form as he watched James struggle to push himself upright. "Looks like you might need to take it easy for a while, huh?"

James frowned, embarrassed. Miss Clara’s lessons felt like a lifetime ago, and in some ways, they were. "Well, maybe I wasn’t paying as much attention as I should’ve," James said, standing up gingerly. Joey was still giving him a strange look, like he wasn’t quite sure if James had hit his head a little too hard.

Joey gave up on trying to educate James for now and looked back at the dresses, clearly not happy. "Fine, while you try to figure out how to use your new muscles, I'll... deal with this," he muttered, holding the dress up in front of himself with two fingers, like it might bite him.

"You sure you don’t want me to help you put that on? I mean, you want to make sure it fits, right?" James teased, smirking as he adjusted his grip on the trident.

Joey shot him a look that could kill. "I swear, if this thing comes with a veil, I’m gonna—"

"Gonna what? Throw a bouquet at me?" James snickered, barely able to keep a straight face. Joey grumbled under his breath, but James could see the corner of his mouth twitch, fighting back a smile.

James shook his head, chuckling as he walked out to the larger cavern, trident in hand. He figured he might as well put his new stats to use and get accustomed to the changes in his body. He didn’t know much about proper forms—what he did know came from snippets of books or vague memories from Frank’s life—but thrusting seemed like a good start, especially given the type of enemies they were fighting. He needed strong, straightforward movements.

The main area near the lake was the perfect spot to practice. It was wide—about twenty feet from the cave wall to the lake’s edge—and James kept a safe distance from the snapping claws of the crustaceans in the water. The dark, reflective surface of the lake seemed to stretch on forever, disappearing into the cavern's shadows, a subtle reminder of the unknown dangers lurking in these waters. He checked above, ensuring nothing lurked on the ceiling. The cavern’s dim light gave everything an eerie, shifting glow, the bioluminescent mushrooms scattered along the walls casting a faint emerald hue across the rocky surfaces. James tried to focus on the task at hand, ignoring the fear gnawing at the edge of his thoughts.

He glanced over at Joey once more, hearing the muffled grumbles echoing from the cave. Joey was clearly not thrilled, and James had to admit to himself that the idea of Joey in a wedding dress was a hilarious visual. He shook his head and turned back to the task in front of him. He couldn’t afford distractions, not out here.

focusing on his own predicament James examined the trident closely. Its grip had a rough knurl that helped hold traction, originally intended for wet work in the seas but now, ironically, perfect for combat. He could see dark, dried blood nestled in the knurling—his own or a salamander's, it was hard to say. It wasn't much to look at: utilitarian, simple. The handle was rounded, transitioning into a square shaft where three prongs jutted out, each ending in elongated points like oversized barbed arrowheads. To James, it seemed almost lighter than it should have been. Maybe that was just a trick of James' increasing strength and the changes brought by leveling up.

The strange reality of being tossed from one form to another was something Frank hadn’t quite adjusted to. From the familiarity of a grown man's body—albeit dying—to being thrust into the growing form of a child again. The sense of vertigo was almost constant. There were no mirrors in this cave, but Frank knew he needed to take stock of what he looked like now, to try and settle that strange disconnect.

He leaned over the lake's still water, peering at his reflection. The image of a young boy stared back at him. He looked about 5'9—remarkably tall for a ten-year-old, but growth seemed different in this world. Green eyes glinted in the dim light, full of curiosity and uncertainty. Shaggy sandy-blonde hair almost brown in the dimness and with the dirt hung loosely, with a hint of unruliness that would never stay tamed. The last traces of baby fat were starting to melt away, revealing the beginnings of a sharper jawline beneath. He didn’t have the muscle mass Joey was developing—Joey’s body was starting to bulk up with strength that was undeniable—but there was an emerging litheness to James’ build. His body was wiry, hinting at a suppleness that spoke of agility rather than brute strength.

In the sunlight, he knew his skin was tanned, evidence of his time spent outdoors. It was strange, but James had started to notice looks from the older girls back in the village. Even now, the thought made Frank uneasy—a feeling that mixed awkwardly with the remnants of his past life. In one part of his mind, he was still a married man, with memories of Claire so fresh it felt like he'd just seen her a week ago. But then, there was the whole life he’d lived as James. The mix of past and present, of grown man and child, was confusing, disorienting. It was better to focus on the immediate challenge—like survival.

Stepping back from the water’s edge, James shifted his stance, falling naturally into a boxing position. He threw a few practice punches, testing the speed of his new form. It felt strange; his fists moved faster than they ever had in either life, throwing off his rhythm. His body wasn’t used to this newfound agility yet, and each movement carried more speed than he anticipated. Still, after a few repetitions, he started to get a sense of the new balance, the increased strength and speed. It was exhilarating in a way.

He remembered the brief season when Frank had taken Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes. He wasn’t anything special, just a guy trying to keep fit, but now those memories became invaluable. He mimicked what he remembered from TV shows or old training sessions—basic jabs, simple blocks, footwork. Nothing fancy, but in this world, even basic skills might make a difference.

His thoughts wandered to how different everything felt. The strength in his punches, the lightness of his body, the way the trident moved almost naturally in his grip—all were foreign yet familiar at the same time. He wasn’t just learning how to wield the trident; he was learning who James had become. It was as much about finding his physical balance as it was about understanding this new version of himself—someone shaped by two lives, two sets of experiences, and an unfamiliar, unpredictable world.

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He could hear the distant echo of dripping water in the cavern, a reminder of just how quiet everything else had become. The darkness beyond the faintly lit area was imposing, like it could swallow him whole if he wasn't careful. The weight of the cavern's oppressive quiet settled over James, reminding him that while they had a moment of relative safety, they were still very much in danger.

After a few minutes, he felt confident enough to attempt a sprint. He scanned the cavern—checking all the crevices and shadows, noticing how the light from the mushrooms flickered as if to warn him—and was glad he did. As he rounded a corner, a salamander sprang out of a hidden recess. Its body seemed to blend almost seamlessly with the shadows, its scaly skin glistening in the dim light. James jumped back, raising his trident just in time.

The creature’s hiss filled the cavern, echoing off the walls, bouncing between the stalagmites that lined the far end of the cave. Its eyes glinted with an almost feral desperation, its entire body coiled with tension, ready to strike. James had enough time to shout out, "Joey! I could use some help here!"

Joey’s muffled voice came back, sounding less than enthusiastic. "You better not be joking about this, James! I’m not running out here in this thing for nothing!"

The salamander charged, and James held his ground. He focused on everything had learned about the trident so far—point forward, let the weapon do the work. The salamander moved with reckless abandon, and James knew he only had one chance. He thrust forward, feeling the surge of power flow through his body. The trident guided his hands—it felt as if the weapon knew exactly where it needed to go.

The middle prong pierced through the salamander’s eye, slipping straight into its brain. The creature let out a final shuddering hiss, then fell limp, its body going still as its legs gave way beneath it. James stood there for a moment, surprised at how clean the kill had been. He felt his heart pounding in his chest, each beat like a reminder of how close he'd come to failure.

A notification flashed in front of his vision.

{Level Three Dark Salamander Defeated}

{Bonus EXP for fighting an enemy higher level than you}

{40 EXP Awarded}

{Congratulations! From your efforts, you are rewarded}

{One Wooden Flail of Extending (Ashen)}

{Congratulations! Your reward is Upgraded!}

{One Iron Flail of Extending (Saffron)}

{Congratulations! From your efforts, you have leveled up - Trident Proficiency (Ashen Level Four)}

{Active Skill Acquired}

{Accept? Y/N}

- Trident Power Thrust (Ashen Level One)

- Create a powerful thrust that will amplify the damage of any weapon used. (Ashen)

James stood there, catching his breath, foot resting on the slowly dissipating salamander as he watched Joey stumble out of the cave. His friend’s face was red, and James could hear his muttered complaints long before he could make out his expression.

And then he saw it—Joey had the wedding dress on. Not only that, but the sleeves were awkwardly rolled up to his elbows, and the bottom hem was tucked into a makeshift belt Joey had fashioned out of leftover scraps of his shirt. Joey looked utterly ridiculous—like a kid who’d raided his older sister’s wardrobe and decided to play dress-up.

James let out an involuntary snort, then burst into laughter. He doubled over, nearly dropping the trident in the process. Joey shot him a withering glare, his face going an even deeper shade of red.

"Laugh it up, why don’t you," Joey huffed, adjusting the dress to keep it from tripping him. "This thing is ridiculous. Why are there so many frills? And what is this even made of? It’s itchy!"

Still laughing, James wiped a tear from his eye. "I’m sorry, Joey. I just—" He broke off again, giggling uncontrollably. "I think you’re starting a new fashion trend, honestly. The fierce warrior look combined with the lace—it’s... something else."

Joey crossed his arms, the lacey sleeves making him look utterly absurd. "I swear, if we find a monster that actually respects fashion, I'm sending it after you first. And if it likes lace, I'm feeding it this entire dress, frills and all."

James nodded, still trying to catch his breath. "Deal. Just... just don’t trip over your hem when you do."

Joey looked down at the billowing fabric, rolling his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Let’s get moving before I decide to throw you in the lake and let the pincers have at you." The salamander had finished dissipating, and a soft tink caught both their attention as a small object appeared in the dust. Joey suddenly roared forward, a burst of movement to reach the loot first.

"This one is mine!" Joey shouted, already halfway there.

James couldn't help but laugh again. "Haha, I'm pretty sure this round is mine, but alright," he said, shaking his head in amusement.

"Nuh-uh! Two wedding dresses—one went to me and one to you. That means I get the next loot! It’s mine!" Joey bent down, grabbing the item eagerly.

"Oof, this is really heavy," he said with a pout, struggling to lift it. "I don't think I can use this, James."

"Here, let me try," James offered, walking over to the flail. He bent down, noting its iron construction. The metal links looked heavy but perfectly balanced. He could tell that, in the right hands, it would be a formidable weapon. He reached out and attempted to pick it up. The weight took him by surprise, and he nearly dropped it. "I think we need the flail skill or something, Joey. It’s weird, though. I would at least like to keep it for later—it might come in handy."

A faint buzzing tickled the back of James's mind, and he decided to try once more. This time, to his own surprise, he lifted it easily, as though the weight had changed somehow.

"THERE’S NO WAY! YOU GOT THE FLAIL SKILL TOO?" Joey exclaimed, kicking at the wedding dress in frustration, sending the lace frills flying.

James laughed, shaking his head. "No, I didn’t get the flail skill, but..." He paused, a grin spreading across his face, "I did get offered another skill."

Joey mimicked James in a high-pitched voice, "'Buuut I did get offered another skill,'" then huffed and turned away, stomping back toward the cave. James could see he was just trying to hide his embarrassment—he clearly wasn't enjoying being outdone, especially while dressed like this.

James, still chuckling, picked up the flail and trident, then followed Joey back to their makeshift camp. The sound of Joey’s grumbling echoed through the cavern, mixing with the splashes of water against the lake’s shore.

Finally back at the cave, both boys sat down, and Joey eyed James suspiciously. "So how did you pick it up?"

James thought for a moment, then said, "I think it’s about intent. When I picked it up the first time, I wanted to use it as a weapon, and it wouldn’t budge. But the second time, I tried thinking that I just wanted to carry it, and it worked. Give it a try—just don’t think about using it as a weapon."

Joey, still skeptical, did as James suggested. He approached the flail and, with an expression of concentration, bent down and lifted it—this time with relative ease. His eyes widened in surprise as he hefted it up, the weight feeling manageable as long as he wasn't thinking of swinging it around like a weapon. He looked at James, his face a mix of amazement and confusion.

"Whoa, it actually worked," Joey said, his voice carrying a hint of disbelief. "But, I don't get it—how does this even make sense? It’s like the weapon knows if I want to hit something with it or not."

James nodded thoughtfully, resting his chin on his hand. "Yeah, it's weird, right? I think it's part of how this whole SYSTEM works. Maybe the SYSTEM or whatever magic is involved here reads our intent—like it knows what we mean to do, not just what we're physically trying to do." He paused, a faint grin forming.

Joey rolled his eyes. "Man, I swear, if I have to learn how to think a certain way just to carry stuff, we’re going to have a problem. It’s enough trying to stay alive in here without worrying about magic reading my thoughts."

James laughed, shaking his head. "Yeah, well, at least we figured it out. Just think of it as practice—maybe it is trying to get us to be more creative about how we approach things."

Joey set the flail down carefully, giving it a wary look. "Creative or just annoying... still, at least we know we can carry it back if we need it. But I’m not lugging that thing around all the time," he said with a dramatic sigh, leaning back against the cave wall.

James smirked. "Fair enough, I'll take my turn carrying it when we move on. For now, let’s rest up and get ready for whatever comes next. And hey, if you need a weapon, you still have that dress," he teased, earning a half-hearted glare from Joey.

"You know, if this dress magically turned into armor, you’d be singing a different tune," Joey shot back, though there was a trace of a smile tugging at his lips. "Just you wait. I’ll figure out how to make it work for me."

"I'm sure you will, get some sleep Joey I'll keep watch,"

"alright thanks James, good night."

"Goodnight Joey,"

James watched as Joey bundled up the other wedding dress to use as a pillow and closed his eyes, turning to the front of the cave he looked at his status again.