The operation was a success, smooth sailing ahead. For the first real mission, everyone’s performance was not something to be scoffed at. Despite being weak now, the same couldn’t be said about their future; they will make sure to rise up and take the lead.

"Everything went well. The system is something extraordinary to pinpoint the location of next appearances."

Charlotte talked with everyone, the system included. It was the end of their mission, after all, meaning that there was a lot they needed to talk about.

"Indeed, you managed to take out those monstrosities. One could only wonder about what sort of experiments led to such creations coming to life, but that is an issue for another day. For now, I must congratulate you. You’ve won my trust."

Glances were exchanged, and expressions shifted like the weather, from excitement to blank stares full of questions.

Darius paid no mind, still trying to process why the system’s trust was important, while the others questioned whether their next missions would be something out of the ordinary, even in a fantasy setting.

"Of what importance is your trust, system?"

Like always, Charlotte was the one to do the questioning. She had an idea of what humans were capable of, and beings that were outside humanity’s scope of understanding posed an even greater threat.

"As you might know, Mark was the human with whom I first made contact as a representative of the system. I aid him in his battles, doing what I could best: using the system. A special connection has formed between us, meaning that I can do a few things."

Alex listened, his ears peeled, racking each and every word inside his mind. Xandra did the same, exchanging opinions with him, but none could know for sure what the truth was.

"What things?" asked Darius, choosing, like always, the straight-forward approach. It wasn’t that he didn’t like to beat around the bush, but rather that he didn’t know exactly how to do that without making a fool of himself.

"You sure don’t fool around. The most important thing that I can do is access Mark’s inventory."

Silence settled in for a minute, doing nothing but adding fuel to the fire that was ravaging their minds. This connection the system has with him raised more questions than it answered, leaving them further and further behind in the fog.

"So, we can look around and see what we find?" asked Sebas, a hint of hesitation in his voice. He didn’t know exactly how this connection worked, but neither did the others.

"Indeed. I watched him work on certain things before succumbing to his fate, and I’m pretty sure they were meant for you."

The inventory opened, revealing a hole no bigger than a car wheel floating before them. One after another, intriguing weapons flowed out, each one of them made for the original team.

"These are the weapons Mark kept working on in his free time. It took him a great deal of focus and commitment to do them, sometimes going on for hours on end. Creation magic, as flawless as it sounds, requires an inhuman level of understanding. I must say, he truly made me rethink certain things about humans."

One by one, they all came and took their weapons, except for Charlotte, who looked at her own sword, a crimson-red katana, with nothing but resentment. It was a good weapon, unlike many others, but a weapon she used when working as a mindless slave to the organization.

Not even a week of work in that place, and it left that much of an effect on her. Her hand tightly gripped the handle, to the point it started causing her pain.

It was just one week, and that one week was more than enough.

Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

Alex was the first to go, carrying an ornate katana with a white blade that reflected the light.Mark made sure to create an intricate design on the guard, a beautiful symmetry of twisting lines and twirling curls made out of a nice, silvery steel. The handle was wrapped in a black material, contrasting the blade’s pure look, evoking the good and bad; black and white.

He picked up the sword, held it tight, and attached it to his side, wearing it with pride.

Next went Xandra, who found a slim double-edged sword made of a light material with the same toughness that steel would have—perhaps being even tougher. The blade itself was simple, bearing a simple text right above the guard: it was her name. The handle itself was another work of art, bearing little lines here and there, made in such a way that they would not affect the integrity of the handle.

She too took her weapon, placing it on her side, just like Alex had done.

"We’re matchy." giggled Xandra, gently pushing against Alex’ arm.

Darius went next, his weapon being the easiest to spot. A double sided war axe, large enough to cut the head of a bull in one good swing. Without thinking too much, he picked it up, barely putting in any effort. He stared at the polished iron, swinging it around, getting a feel for the sturdy iron handle.

"Your weapon is a bit special. Mark stated that he designed it in such a way that it would become heavier over time, implying that you would have to passively train your muscles."

Both Sebas and Alex smiled in silence, thinking that only a gym bro could do such a thing.

"With time it’ll only get heavier..." whispered Darius to himself, as he kept on playing with his finger along the blade. He played with it for a while, enjoying the comfortable grip. It didn’t put any weird strain on his palms.

Only one weapon remained, weapon that surprised everyone. Sebas picked up a sword, similar to Xandra’s weapon, just a little longer. What surprised him the most was that, upon close inspection, he found a line that appeared to separate the sword into two halves, each of which acted as a one-edged sword. He stared at the dark blade, seeing no light reflecting off of it.

"Mark made sure this weapon would be fit for an assassin. No light can bounce off this blade, and at times you can use it as two weapons."

Sebas placed it on his back, his daggers dangling at his sides. They didn’t need to have their weapons out at all times, but their shifting focus made it a necessity.

"I hope you all enjoy your gifts, and I apologize that it was me who gave them to you and not Mark himself."

For a moment, a dark cloud seemed to have settled in, memories of another time were acting as predators, out to get those poor souls who dared think about the days of old.

"Don’t look back, comrades; we have a goal: become strong."

"I’m glad you’re taking it well. Surely Mark would be proud of you. Now, for the other matter at hand, you have some potential help. Alex, for you specifically."

He put his hand in the dimensional rift, taking out an egg.

"Don’t tell me."

He was in awe, thinking about one thing, and one thing only.

"Yes, it is a dragon egg."

Alex started jumping around, holding the egg firmly, like a father who got to hold their child.

"I better take care of this fella. How long until it hatches?"

"I can’t say for sure."

This answer was enough to calm Alex down, yet he still cherished this gift more than he did the sword.

"Also, there’s an entire dragon carcass in here, which I suggest you turn into equipment."

"I know someone who could help." said Charlotte, slowly making her way to the system tab.

"I’m sure we could get it done in a few days, I just need to call someone."

"So I can also get a dragon armor and a dragon egg? Sheesh, my lucky day!"

Darius gave Alex a nastly look, "Who said it was for you? Shut it and enjoy that dragon egg."

"Please leave your petty squabbles aside for now. The system doesn’t detect any interference, meaning that you have some time to train before going out again. Use that time wisely."

They all nodded, sort of glad that someone was there to nag them on and on to do their training and to take things seriously.