Chapter 18: Bonds and Battlefields
The next day, Nix and Roni began their usual morning routines. They trained together, working through exercises to keep their bodies sharp for the challenges ahead. Afterward, Nix helped Granny Laurie with her daily chores, while Roni assisted her grandparents. As noon approached, Nix sent Roni a brief message: “I’ll be out for a while, gathering materials.”
Roni replied, “Grab some stuff for me as well. I'll send you a list.”
A few minutes later, Nix received her list of requested supplies. After telling Granny Laurie he’d be gone for a while, she gave him a simple nod, and he packed his gear, heading out to work on his next project.
At the dump site, Nix’s thoughts were clear and focused. He wanted to create something that would enhance Roni’s combat abilities, something to keep her safe while making her more efficient. First, he worked on a sturdy bow, designed for long-range, silent attacks, perfect for her style. To make it unique, Nix installed a power mechanism that increased the bow's strength the longer it was charged.
Next, he designed a semi-automatic bowgun, capable of rapid-fire arrows for close combat. He made it versatile for different battle situations.
The final piece was the most critical, armor. Using his hair-weaving abilities, Nix crafted a protective yet lightweight suit, balancing flexibility and durability. He reinforced the joints and interior with padding to absorb any heavy blows. Since Roni hadn’t become an Evolver yet, Nix added a simple exoskeleton to enhance her combat movements. To top it off, he gave the armor a camouflage design, allowing Roni to blend seamlessly into various environments.
After five hours of intense work and a few breaks to restore his energy, the armor was complete. Nix packed everything, eager to surprise Roni.
---
Later that afternoon, Nix hopped on his scootie and took the train to the South Hunter Base. His COIN balance showed 2,300 remaining. After stopping by the market to purchase hunting tools, including sleeping gas tanks and grenades from Roni’s list, he picked up microprocessor systems to further upgrade her armor. Before heading back, he visited the Hunter’s Quest Hall and accepted an extermination task for Level 1 beasts.
As he was leaving, Concierge Lisa spotted him. “Nix!” she called out. “Everything good?”
“Yeah, just about,” he replied, then remembered something. “Lisa, how much are those E.P. Bar chips?”
“They’re 500 COIN each,” Lisa said with a smile. “They’re flying off the shelves, so now’s a good time to grab one.”
Intrigued, Nix bought two, one for himself and one for Roni when she eventually became an Evolver. After the transaction, Lisa explained how to install the E.P. Bar and sync it with his Hunter’s Watch.
---
Back home, Nix called Roni over. She arrived, curious but silent. He handed her the pack without a word. As she unwrapped the bow, armor, and bowgun, her eyes widened in surprise.
“You made these?” she asked, examining the gear.
Nix nodded. “They suit your style. The armor is light but strong, with features like thermal control and a movement tracker, and you can put another jacket over it.”
Roni was momentarily speechless. After adjusting the armor to fit, she tested her mobility, then inspected the bow, noticing a small button. “What’s this for?”
image [https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54034369390_fd6bd7f2b3_m.jpg]
Nix explained, “That’s the power mechanism. The longer you hold it, the stronger the arrow becomes. First mode doubles the strength, and if you charge it for five seconds, it increases fivefold. Just be cautious, the second mode has a cooldown.”
Roni’s grin widened as she admired the gear. “Perfect. I’ll test it in the field.” She glanced at Nix, eyes gleaming. “I’ve also been working on new traps and arrows.”
Nix raised an eyebrow, impressed. “Show me when you’re ready.”
Roni leaned in and kissed him lightly. “Always full of surprises,” she murmured.
Nix chuckled, feeling her excitement. Afterward, he decided to install the E.P. Bar to test its functions. Within minutes, his Hunter’s Watch beeped, displaying his stats and a new progress bar. Seeing 3.1% on the bar surprised him. He experimented by consuming a Level 1 GEM and watched the bar increase to 3.3%. A Level 2 GEM raised it to 4.3%. This newfound knowledge gave Nix insight into planning his future hunts more effectively.
---
Later that day, they traveled to a Level 1 hunting zone, a dense forest where lower-level beasts roamed. Roni wanted to test her new gear, and Nix set up a small base camp, content to observe as Roni prepared herself. She checked her traps, adjusted her bow, and loaded her bowgun. Nix respected her wish to handle this hunt solo.
Soon, a group of Lowfang Boars emerged from the shadows. Roni moved quickly, setting wire traps and loading a Mutated Pepper Gas arrow. As one of the boars triggered the trap, she released the arrow, filling the area with blinding gas. The boars thrashed about in confusion, and Roni took them down with precise shots.
Nix stood silently in the background, impressed by her skill, deadly, efficient, and calculated. It was everything they had trained for.
When a larger, mutated Razorback charged, Roni didn’t hesitate. She led it into a trap, slowing its advance with ground spikes. As the Razorback pressed forward, she fired several arrows to weaken its legs before delivering a final piercing shot to the neck.
When the battle ended, Roni gave Nix a small nod. No words were necessary. They understood each other perfectly.
---
As they packed up, Roni noticed something glimmering near one of the boars. She picked up a small blue crystal and held it up for Nix to see.
“Look at this,” she said calmly.
Nix examined the crystal and nodded, “It’s as blue as your eyes.”
Roni tucked the crystal into her pouch, already planning to use it as a surprise for Nix’s birthday.
---
After completing the Level 1 task, Roni suggested they move to a Level 2 area next. Nix agreed, knowing their progression as a duo was important. They ventured deeper into the forest, where the beasts were stronger, faster, and smarter.
Nix stood in the center of the clearing, ready to draw attention. He glanced at Roni, who was already positioned in the shadows. There were no words exchanged, just a nod of trust.
When a pack of Razorhide Wolves appeared, Nix tightened his grip on his bat, giving Roni a slight nod. She acknowledged it with a silent gesture, her bow already drawn.
As the first wolf lunged at Nix, he caught it mid-air with his [Phantom Hands] and slammed it into the ground. He engaged the other wolves, giving Roni time to set her traps and take aim. Her arrows flew with precision, ending the wolves swiftly.
After the hunt, Nix crouched near one of the fallen wolves, noticing something unusual. He found a small black crystal, no larger than a grain of sand, with faint green dots scattered across it. It resembled the Crystal CORE in his chest but seemed less significant. He pocketed the crystal, thinking it would make a good gift for Roni.
Roni, who had been observing quietly, noticed the gesture but said nothing. She had her own small blue crystal ready for Nix, knowing what he was planning.
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With the hunt complete, they packed up their gear and walked back to the South Hunter Base. They exchanged no words of praise, just the quiet satisfaction of a job well done. Their bond had deepened, built on trust and an unspoken understanding.
As they walked side by side, Nix felt the weight of the day lift. The hunt had been successful, but more importantly, they moved in sync, relying on each other without hesitation.
The small black crystal in his pocket wasn’t just a gift; it represented the bond they shared.
---
The next day was Nix’s birthday, and he celebrated with Roni and Granny Laurie. After a small celebration, Roni asked if she could take Nix to train, knowing they might not return that night. Granny Laurie hesitated but eventually gave her blessing. Nix, curious, kissed his grandmother goodbye and followed Roni’s lead.
She brought him deep into the forest, to a hidden treehouse that Nix had never seen before. Roni explained that her father built it when she was younger, and no one ventured into this area due to fear of encountering Level 1 beasts. “This is where I come when I need to think,” she said quietly.
Nix nodded but still didn’t fully understand why she brought him here.
Roni turned, closing the space between them, and kissed him. She whispered softly, “I want this to be your place too.”
Surprised but happy, Nix embraced her. That night, under the quiet forest sky, they shared a moment that would forever mark their bond. For Nix, it was a night of deep connection, a night where he gave himself fully to her.
As they lay together afterward, the tension and weight of the world momentarily lifted, Nix pulled out the necklace he had made with the black crystal. Roni smiled, already anticipating the gift, and handed him her blue crystal in return. The exchange was silent, intimate, and meaningful, an unspoken promise of their bond.
---
With their bond now solidified, Nix and Roni spent the next few days together, basking in the warmth of their deepened connection. Their time at the treehouse had become an unexpected escape from the chaos of the world outside. There, they embraced the simplicity of being with each other, finding comfort in each other’s presence. Their moments together were filled with passion, yet they maintained a quiet, almost unspoken understanding, one that did not require excessive words.
Despite the temptation to lose themselves entirely in this newfound closeness, they hadn’t forgotten their commitment to honing their skills. Each day, they sparred, trained, and practiced their coordination, perfecting the silent teamwork that had always defined their dynamic.
After three days, they decided it was time to head back to the Level 2 zone. Nix suggested they collect more Gene Bones and take on new tasks to stay on track with their progress. As they prepared to leave, Nix checked his Hunter’s Watch, focusing on the E.P. Bar he had installed. His eyes widened when he saw that his progress had risen to 4.5%.
He hadn’t consumed any GEMs in the last three days, and he couldn’t figure out why the percentage had increased. For a moment, he pondered whether their training or perhaps even his time with Roni had contributed. After a few moments of consideration, he decided to push the thought aside for now, making a mental note to investigate later.
“Something wrong?” Roni asked, noticing his momentary distraction.
Nix shook his head with a small smile. “Nothing, just the E.P. Bar acting up. It’s probably nothing.”
Roni nodded, her expression calm, before glancing at the horizon. "Ready for the Level 2 zone?" Her tone carried that familiar confidence, the same intensity she always had before a hunt.
Nix returned her look, giving a short nod. They were both eager to challenge themselves further, to test their abilities not just individually but as a team.
---
The Level 2 zone greeted them with its usual eerie stillness, but Nix and Roni moved through the terrain with a practiced ease. Their movements were fluid, coordinated, each trusting the other to handle their part of the hunt. They didn’t need verbal commands, their bond was enough to communicate their intent.
image [https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54033050292_28dd5b0268_m.jpg]
Roni took point, slipping into the shadows like a predator, laying traps in strategic locations while Nix held the center of the clearing, acting as the bait. His [Radar Sense] picked up vibrations in the ground, their targets were approaching.
Today, they were after a group of Bladetooth Boars, known for their razor-sharp tusks and thick hides. Nix’s job was to draw them in, to distract them long enough for Roni to work her magic from the shadows.
As the first boar charged, Nix braced himself. The massive creature barreled toward him, tusks gleaming in the low light. Without missing a beat, Nix activated his [Phantom Hands], extending them from his forearms to grab the beast mid-charge. With a twist of his body, he slammed the boar into the ground, leaving it stunned. Another quick strike with Morning Wood ensured it wouldn’t get back up.
Roni, meanwhile, was a blur in the background. Silent, efficient, and deadly. One of the boars stumbled into her wire trap, its legs bound by the near-invisible threads. Before it could react, Roni released a Piercing Arrow, the shot sinking deep into its neck.
Nix caught a glimpse of her as she moved, setting up another trap while simultaneously firing off a volley of arrows from her bowgun. The synchronization between them was seamless, each movement perfectly complementing the other.
As more boars entered the clearing, they followed the same routine, Nix engaging the beasts head-on while Roni manipulated the battlefield from a distance. She was precise, taking out the creatures without wasting any energy or movement. Every arrow, every trap, every step had a purpose.
Within minutes, the group of Bladetooth Boars was defeated, and the clearing returned to its silent stillness. Nix wiped the sweat from his brow, glancing at the scattered Gene Bones they had collected from the hunt. Roni joined him, her expression calm, though there was a gleam of satisfaction in her eyes.
Another successful hunt.
---
As they packed up the Gene Bones, Nix couldn’t help but think back to his E.P. Bar. It didn’t make sense for his progress to have increased without consuming any GEMs, yet here he was, further along than before. His instincts told him something was happening that he didn’t yet understand.
Roni, sensing his thoughts drifting, placed a hand on his arm. “You’ll figure it out. There’s always something new out here,” she said simply.
Nix nodded, appreciating her grounded approach. He didn’t need to have all the answers right now. What mattered was their progress, both in their skills and their bond.
---
As they made their way back to the Hunter’s Base, their pace was slow and steady. The day had been productive, but Nix’s mind kept returning to the mystery of the E.P. Bar.
He glanced at Roni, who walked quietly by his side. A small smile tugged at his lips. It didn’t matter if there were unknowns ahead. With Roni by his side, they would face them together.
Their connection, both in and out of battle, had grown stronger with every passing day.