The Fall of Aspera

Her lips pressed together. Sylva stared into the distance. Her eyes narrowed, brows dropping.

And then, she turned to face the ocean and raised her voice in a piercing whistle.

A series of excited yips followed from far away. Bruce shielded his eyes with his hand and squinted at the distant dunes.

A moment later, Aspera came rushing across the grass, skidding to a stop in front of Sylva. She barked happily at her mistress, her stubby tail wagging furiously. The small wolfling danced in place as Sylva gave her a thorough petting, running her hand over the soft fur and ruffling her floppy ears.

Once satisfied with her greeting, the wolfling hopped around and nuzzled against Bruce, rubbing her head against his thigh. He laughed and scratched her behind the ear the way Sylva had just done. Aspera pressed hard into his palm, demanding more attention.

A low, growly voice spoke to Bruce directly, as if inside his head.

Bruce blinked, glancing at Sylva and Istora before addressing the wolfling.

The small furball cocked her head.

Aspera licked his hand and rubbed against him again, letting out an excited yip.

She sat by his side, looking up with those innocent eyes and stubby tail wagging happily.

Istora smiled, her tendrils twitching and twisting through the air. Bruce could almost feel the happiness rolling off her.

I'm starting to notice that whenever she's emotional, it has a physical sensation to it, like being able to sense the wind against my skin. Guess the Soul bond is helping.

Sylva gestured toward the shield, pointing at it. "Well, let's see how this will work. We'll practice using it to stop arrows tomorrow before we head out. You're gonna want to move a lot more than you used to when blocking—much less standing in one place. It took a bit, but I figured out how to get an arrow moving up to a hundred and fifty miles an hour."

He grimaced, looking at his makeshift defense. The outer layer of a turtle shell shimmered with a glossy blue tint in the sun. On the interior, Sylva and Istora had woven thin cords in a lattice pattern that secured the wooden handle and straps. They hadn't managed a smooth finish, but the weapon should function well enough.

It was the perfect size for his body, just over six feet tall.

Bruce drew the gladius and lunged, testing its reach. He smiled, thinking about how good a bow would feel. The sword didn’t quite have the speed of Sylva's blade. It was a bit shorter and lighter than her weapon but similar to his katana's length.

The thought made his stomach clench as he remembered how the ninjas had murdered him.

He took a few swings with his new weapon. "Definitely an improvement."

"You know, Riste, you never mentioned where you got your gladius," Bruce said, glancing back at the athletic woman. "And how the hell did you learn to use a gladius like that? The last person I knew who could wield a sword so effectively was my karate instructor back home. He won a bunch of competitions for Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Yet I doubt he'd have been able to hack it with swords."

Sylva's face closed off, eyes becoming empty chips of stone as she looked away. "Yeah... not important."

An uncomfortable silence hung over them as Istora moved to Sylva, reaching for her hand. Her soft fingers wrapped around Sylva's, caressing the taller woman's rough palm.

"Riste," she breathed, pulling her away from the treehouse.

They walked in silence until Istora guided her behind a thick cluster of bushes. When Bruce turned around, he found them embracing and whispering in a language he didn't recognize.

I need to be more careful with my questions. We may share our memories and knowledge, but that doesn't mean they're ready to relive them. Not sure I want to revisit some things myself.

"Ready to try the armor?" Sylva asked, returning a few minutes later. She carried a bundle of cordage and a woven basket with something lumpy inside. "It's going to suck compared to anything you ever wore back home, but it should offer more protection than just the pants."

"Yeah. Let's give it a try," Bruce said as he set down his spear, gladius, and shield. He unbuttoned his shirt and removed it. "Do you think we'll need to take the shield apart when we start walking? It might get bulky."

"Let me know how it feels. But I think we should make the bracers removable. It's tough enough keeping it strapped on with only the two of us trying. And that thing is a bitch to haul."

Istora stepped behind him, tail brushing against his bare chest as she began tying the first cords into place.

I wonder if this will be awkward for them? Guess it doesn’t matter much to me. We were strangers before sharing minds, and this will just take a little getting used to. If Aspera hadn't forced her hand, would Sylva have ever told me? Or did she see an opportunity to make something of this strange new world? She was here first, so maybe that's what led her to reveal everything.

A faint flicker of concern teased at his mind but never amounted to anything stronger. In the end, Sylva was still his friend.

"T-there. Do you think you can move around with it, Jace?" Istora asked from behind. The slender alien held up a set of pants she'd woven from coarse fibrous threads. They looked like an oversized pair of swim trunks with the way they hung on Bruce. "We need to reinforce the sides and back so the tukuron can't rip them off."

He nodded and moved around the large area below his treehouse. It wasn't quite a full yard in size, but enough to give him plenty of room to test his weapons.

"Not bad," he said, slinging his shield aside and retrieving his spear. He'd knapped a more pointed blade, making the weapon over five feet long, including a leaf-shaped obsidian head.

A sudden flash of awareness startled him before Bruce realized he felt Sylva watching. Glancing over his shoulder, he met her eyes as she studied him intently.

Istora smiled, tail brushing against his leg. "I think you should take your pants off. To t-test them. Since we might want to reinforce those parts too."

"Oh, uh, sure," Bruce said, glancing back at Sylva, who wore an oddly hungry expression. After shucking his pants and tossing them aside, he accepted the shield. The smooth hide wrapping the shell felt odd but fit well against his forearm. The rockback had been nearly four feet tall, so the large oval shield came up to his chest. He slung the shield and leather cord off his arm with ease.

"You're right. I like this new design. Even with a strap, that other one was a pain to haul around. Now it feels more like a buckler."

"That's what you humans call it?" Istora asked, moving to stand closer as her tendrils slid against his shoulder.

"Yeah. Not much heavier than mine either, which is impressive, given it's a lot bigger."

"Well, it was the largest piece. But Sylva thought this was easier to work with," Istora explained.

Bruce nodded, eyeing the shield, which looked vaguely like a large tortoise shell. "Agreed. And I like how it feels in my hand. If I hold it by the rim, it feels sturdy enough to stop an attack and then some."

The shield's handle allowed him to hang his arm out the bottom or hold it tight. While he would rather carry his spear, the shield gave him a bit more defense than the club.

Sylva flashed a wide smile. "Well, that's great news, since we're hunting the tukuron tonight."

"And you're sure about this?" Istora asked. The Shaman had grown progressively more apprehensive during the week. And while she never voiced her concerns, Bruce sensed her worry and doubts. He assumed she didn't want him facing additional danger, but he'd resolved to trust in Sylva.

The athletic woman grinned, eyes fixed on the shield. "Of course I am. This is going to be so fun!"

Istora sighed and turned to meet his eyes. "We still have time until sundown. I'm all set with my mana regeneration. We can hold off until tomorrow."

"Hey, what's the big deal?" Bruce asked, accepting the shield from Sylva. "I've already unlocked every achievement I could find."

"Yeah," Sylva agreed, grinning. "I'm itching to hunt down the tukuron, if it exists. We haven't seen or heard anything about the other adventurers. So it seems like we're in the clear for now. Besides, this thing might be worth over ten thousand SE."

He glanced at Sylva before turning back to Istora, who bit her lip, tail coiling around his leg. "I know Riste is right, Jace. It's dangerous, but there's an enormous reward."

His frown deepened. "I know, but the idea of taking a risk with a weapon made of rockback shell worries me. I wouldn't use my gladius unless I was desperate, and that stuff has got to be far less sturdy."

Sylva shook her head. "Rockbacks aren't exactly known for being easy to kill. The shell should work pretty well. At least give it a try. Please?"

She thrust the shield out at Bruce again. With a sigh, he accepted it from her and raised the piece high. Even if they hadn't spent an entire night on it, it was a solid effort. The outer surface was painted flat black. Sylva used cordage and rockback shell to lash leather straps to either side that formed an arm hole. It still left his forearm exposed, but she thought that was a minor price to pay for increased mobility and range of motion. The back featured a wooden grip. Sylva used a combination of woodworking knowledge from home and experience to devise a simple hinge and pin system to secure the shell. A large, leather loop dangled below the grip for his right hand.

Bruce had suggested adding a crossbar or additional reinforcing straps. He doubted it would have mattered. His attempts at reinforcement failed to unlock any Crafting Achievements. Apparently, the Interface expected a certain degree of quality in completed items.

"Not perfect, but it works," Bruce said, rotating his arm and flexing his shoulder to check the fit. "I really can't think of much else we could've done given the tools and materials at hand."

Sylva nodded, giving him a proud smile. "You're damn right. That thing is awesome. We might need to add a counterweight if you decide to switch weapons."

"That's true," Istora agreed, nodding thoughtfully as she eyed the shield. "It's not perfectly balanced. He might overcompensate his movements in battle without something to counter the weight. A pouch filled with rocks could probably work."

"Or we could add a spike in the center and use one of the spare rockback shells. I'm surprised we haven't made more armor from them yet," Sylva said. "That stuff is hard as hell."

"Yeah, but there's so much bamboo. We've already made enough spears for both you and me, plus extras to arm all the Daubeni when they grow up. Even if they aren't all that effective, I don't want to take any chances with that tukuron, especially given my limited reach with this spear. Still, I could carve out a chunk of the shell and drill a hole for cordage to bind a spearhead." Bruce said, eyeing the makeshift buckler critically. "I'll need some extra protection while playing distraction anyway."

Istora nodded. "Mmhm. And I should ward your armor so we don't have to worry about it catching fire or anything like that."

The trio continued to brainstorm improvements to his equipment until the morning they finally set off for the hunt.

After packing up several clay pots for Sylva's plan, Bruce, Sylva, and Istora started off, armed with a collection of crude but serviceable spears and Istora's magic. They planned to travel to the nearby location Sylva had identified. Once there, Bruce could craft an actual spear head for his club and see what they faced. If it looked doable, they would bring the tukuron down, harvest the beast, and haul its carcass back for processing and sale.

Hopefully, I don't die horribly trying.

They'd just stepped past the last ring of trees when a high-pitched squeal came from nearby. Istora gasped and rushed away, sprinting past Bruce and Sylva in a flurry of rustling leaves. She vanished into the undergrowth before they could question her strange behavior.

Bruce frowned. "Wonder what was up with that?"

Sylva snorted. "What you mean is—where she ran off to this time."

"You aren't wrong," Bruce admitted, shrugging. "Still, I feel like Istora has been acting weirdly since the start of our trip here. Almost as if she's keeping something from us."

"And, are you planning to bring it up with her?" Sylva asked. "She's a grown woman. If she wants to hide something, you should give her some space. Just try to keep an eye on her to make sure nothing is wrong."

He let out a long sigh. "You're right. She's not your responsibility. I'm sorry to drag you into this. But since we were talking about her anyway, I just needed a third perspective to confirm my concerns weren't irrational.

Bruce stepped close and hugged Sylva, who hesitated for a moment before returning it. "Just know that no matter what, I'll always be grateful to you for helping Istora survive." He released her then turned to Istora, calling out.

"Hey, Istora. How about some dinner?"

The ratfolk smiled, setting aside her work. "Coming!" She bounced to her feet and scampered over, pausing beside her chair to lift an arm over her head with a curious frown. After a second, she shrugged and joined them at the table.

Dinner proceeded without incident, and Bruce didn't notice any overt signs of her being under a thrall. As night fell, he followed Istora and Sylva to their treehouse. It took no time before Istora led him to bed.

Late that night, Sylva woke them as the sky began to lighten. Her voice held no trace of sleep as she spoke.

"We've wasted enough time. The sooner we leave, the better," Sylva said, already strapping her armor on. She flashed a wolfish grin. "I can't wait to see what the tukuron tastes like."

Istora nodded vigorously as she laced up her tunic.

The trip took nearly an hour to reach the edge of the woods where Istora pointed to the south. According to her directions, they should find it in the next mile or so, though she knew little more than that.

Despite her confidence in defeating the tukuron, Bruce felt trepidation as they headed into the open landscape. Istora had only spotted two goblins, neither armed with anything more dangerous than a knife.

Thankfully, both gave up trying to ambush them and ran away. No sign of a threat appeared the rest of the day, and they made good progress across the rolling hills of scrubby trees and brush.

Near late afternoon, Bruce caught sight of a lone figure staggering down the road toward them. The woman was barely recognizable as human, with sunken cheeks and wild hair. As they drew close, he saw her rags, skin covered with dirt and patches of red welts. The only thing resembling civilization was the tarnished bronze bracelet clamped around her left wrist.

In the end, the woman collapsed less than fifty yards from them. With how dehydrated she appeared, Sylva feared she wouldn't last long enough for Istora to summon healing magic. So the athletic woman raced ahead without a second thought.

It took mere seconds for Sylva to kneel at the stranger's side. She uncorked the water bladder at her waist and pressed it to the other woman's lips, carefully trickling in sips between desperate swallows.

Istora jogged to catch up as Sylva sat the poor woman up so she wouldn't choke on water.

"I- I'm a friend, okay?" Sylva said. "We'll get some water in you, then figure out where we're at."

The woman nodded as she drained the rest of the water skin. Her ragged breathing eased somewhat, and she stared up at Sylva and Istora.

"Y-you're the ones from that fire. They caught up to me." The words emerged as little more than a croak.

"Who caught you? Your people?" Sylva asked.

The girl shook her head. "Took me a day and a night ago. Had some armor like soldiers but different. Not from my town."

"Did you recognize the language they were speaking?" Bruce asked.

"No. Not any of our trade tongues, either. But it sounded a bit like..." she paused to swallow some more water. "Different dialect of Tressoh. But a few words and syllables wrong."

"And where's your village located?"

"A day southwest."

After a quick look back at camp to ensure Nibbler wasn't running loose, Bruce sat beside the strange girl, still wearing the odd bracelet. He held up a crude pen he'd made earlier in the day, trying to draw the area roughly five hundred miles from Seattle. She listened patiently as he described everything he knew about Tua'Rey, drawing an approximation on the map.

While not quite on a par with Google Maps, her sketch was impressively detailed.

Bruce studied the rough lines, pointing to an area that resembled Puget Sound. "This looks a bit like home, so we're in northern California. Your town is probably here."

Istora peered closer before shaking her head, brushing her cheek tendrils against his bare shoulder. "No, my village is further south and west. That area you just showed me is the Great Wildwoods, where I was living. Our city would be here."

She tapped the map to indicate a point farther south, near a wide river. Bruce's heart pounded at the thought of being close enough to get back home, though the distance between them and Istora's location remained considerable.

"Wow, we were pretty damn close to your city," Sylva said. She stood behind the pair as they knelt beside the rock on which they'd drawn the map.

"Yeah. It's a bit scary to think I lived only a week away from you guys at best."

"Maybe it's a good thing we met the way we did, then," Bruce said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "We would've come right through the Wildwoods while hunting the drake, if the goblins hadn't attacked."

Sylva laughed, running a hand through her brown hair. "True. I'm glad my first days in this world weren't lonely. We'll take the trip back together once we finish up with the tukuron."

"Y-yeah," Istora stammered, giving Bruce an odd look. "I can show Jace and Riste around in the meantime, help you learn some of our local magic and the like."

He gave her an inquisitive glance, wondering what prompted her sudden change in demeanor. Yet the foxlike woman turned away before he could question her.

After several tests, he confirmed that his spear had the range to pierce the beast's hide. Bruce also took time to craft a stone point for each of his six remaining arrows, leaving him five iron points left. His crude attempts at crafting flint tools would need improvement, but the results were enough to sharpen Sylva's weapons.

At last, when they had crafted or repaired every useful tool they could think of, their party headed out to hunt the tukuron. Sylva wore her green tunic with a belt around her waist. Her leather armor hung near the fire, soaking in a pot of grease and oils. The flexible hide had become brittle from age.

She carried her enchanted bow strung across her shoulders and her quiver at her hip. In addition to a knife and a few other basics, her belt held a water skin, and a pouch with dried fruit, jerky, and a handful of raw potatoes.

Istora wore an outfit similar to Sylva's, though she still retained the ragged robes that made up her shirt and skirt.

She also carried her staff and water skin but left her pack in camp. She would cast a preservation ward over their kill before they returned to camp. It took nearly her entire mana pool, but as long as they weren't delayed long enough for her spell to fail, the meat would stay fresh.

A crude wooden club, carved into a cudgel shape and hardened using Sylva's flint knife, dangled from Bruce's belt. While he doubted its usefulness, Istora seemed insistent that he bring some form of blunt weapon, should the need arise.

He accepted the shield from Sylva and strapped it to his left forearm. The weight was odd, especially at his unaccustomed angle of carry, but Bruce quickly grew used to the sensation.

Sylva flashed a satisfied grin. "That'll do."

"Feels sturdy." He gave it an experimental shake. "The handle fits nicely and doesn't come loose."

They had fashioned it using leather straps secured by a shell button. After so much time wearing hides, Bruce barely noticed the weight. The shield was a little heavier than carrying the turtle over his shoulder, but he felt confident he could keep it braced if the tukuron came charging.

"You can wear it slung across your back if you want to switch fighting styles," Sylva said. "I thought I'd try the same, if the tukuron is big enough. You know, get some range with arrows or javelins to whittle down its Health before diving in."

"It'd also help to protect our backs." Bruce shrugged, glancing at his new shield. "Wish it was bigger. Something around the size of a roundshield would be nice, but we've got enough weight to lug along already."

"Yeah, but this one should be a little stronger too." Sylva rapped a fist against the outside. "At least according to my Enchantment skill. Not sure how good it is, though."

Bruce grinned, remembering how his stone axe had split from hitting a rock. "Well, hopefully, it doesn't crack like an egg. I could feel it shift when I used it as a bludgeon before."

"I know. You nearly clobbered me when we were setting up those dumbbell rocks you crafted. If not for my Strength boost, I wouldn't have been able to stop your swing."

Istora giggled.

Bruce looked over the shell again. It still bore several nicks and scars from their earlier attempts to fashion it into a usable shape. Even with the enchantments, Sylva claimed, there would still be room for improvement.

The handle rested above his wrist with another length of leather below, keeping the whole thing fastened tight. His grip fit the crossbar nicely, letting him shift the position with ease. He'd be able to slide the shield into place or bring it close to protect himself against incoming blows.

A quick shake confirmed his earlier hunch—that this wasn't a true roundshield. Sylva's initial design placed too much weight at the outer rim and left the middle slightly thinner than the inner portion. If the tukuron did enough damage to weaken the shell, Bruce might be better off carrying it under his left arm like a satchel rather than fighting behind it.

Still, as a first attempt, the result was surprisingly solid and well worth trying out in combat. The shell also offered more protection than leather armor, especially given Bruce's minimal Health total.

It still smelled a little funky.

That, at least, should clear up once Istora imbued her spell onto it.

The other issue Bruce discovered with the design was the center of gravity. While it weighed less than twenty pounds, having half that much weight dangling at the edge made it feel much heavier when swinging it like a weapon. He wasn't sure he'd ever use it like a bludgeon—not when his spear was a superior choice—but if he found himself without a weapon, it might prove useful.

"We've got enough acazite to craft me a pair of bracers and greaves, don't we? Then I won't need to carry anything to fight hand-to-hand." Bruce lifted the shield like a satchel and shifted it around on his back. "Or, maybe not. We'll figure this out."

"Maybe you could enchant it with magic?"

"I wish it was that simple, Riste. If it was, I'd probably have enchanted the spear."

"Yeah," she muttered.

Istora hopped up. "Yay! I can set the spell then. Just hold it for me, okay?"

"Sure thing, sweetie."

Bruce lifted his arms in position, cradling the roundshield against his chest with his right arm resting across the front, palm facing down. Sylva took a step back and Istora walked up next to Bruce, placing one hand on the bottom rim while her other rested against his shoulder.

"There are several protective spells I can cast on people," she explained, her tendrils waving softly. "This one's simple and only works while you're holding the shield. It reduces damage by twenty percent, but will drain your Spirit once every ten minutes."

She muttered an arcane phrase under her breath, then withdrew her hand as the shield flared green.

Shifting her weight to peer around it, Istora smiled. "If I'm around, we can recharge it with SE every time the spell drains."

Sylva clapped her hands, grinning ear to ear. "And now, that brings us up to date on the crafting. We've got a solid shelter, tools, a new suit of armor, a couple decent weapons, and some training to level our basic abilities."

"Sounds like it's time to move on to tukuron hunting?"

The beautiful Champion nodded. "As much as I enjoyed crafting, I think the experience would have been more fun if we were building for ourselves instead of random Achievements. Plus, I'm curious about what we'll unlock when we kill the damn lizard."

"I'm kind of surprised you aren't interested in grinding out your own gains. Given that your base stats were so much higher than mine."

"It wouldn't do much. My physical Attributes are already pretty close to maximum—around ninety. If I really focused on crafting or training, my stats could increase, but nowhere near as much as yours. So, I figured I may as well help you earn more Attribute points instead."

Bruce flashed her a smile. "Thanks. Appreciate the help. And sorry if Istora was… um..."

Sylva's cheeks reddened, and she gave a slight nod.

I really hope she isn't interested. Things are so much easier when there aren't other people who could... get emotionally attached. Or jealous.

When Bruce accepted the shield, the Interface pinged, rewarding him with a new message.

You have completed a crafting task that has challenged your understanding and met your own standards of excellence: Turtle Shell Shield! You have crafted an implement worthy of a champion! While you know this is nothing compared to what Master Armorers might make, it suits your needs. The materials were of low quality and required more effort than the result warrants, but that just shows your skill. You have unlocked two additional Tukuron Hunting Achievements. Your base attributes have increased! You may also choose between Strength, Constitution, Spirit, or Intelligence as well as the following new Maneuvers: Turtle Hide Vambraces. Turtle Shell Buckler. You may purchase these items for SE or learn them from Istora for free.

You have discovered an unknown martial Maneuver: Turtle Hide Vambraces? Would you like to spend 5 SE to learn? Yes/No.

You have discovered an unknown martial Maneuvor: Turtle Shell Buckler. Would you like to spend 3 SE to learn? Yes/No.

Congratulations-you completed five major tasks during the last week and met your own standards. As reward, you've received +2 Attribute Points to assign.

Bruce frowned as the flood of messages filled his mind, not expecting such a heavy ding.

His excitement was tempered by the fact that he couldn't accept the armor unlock. After several attempts, it was obvious that wearing anything else counted against accepting the new Maneuver. While Bruce understood Istora's reluctance, she'd already given her approval.

The same restriction limited how he could equip the other Maneuver, Turtle Shell Buckler. When he tried strapping a large shield to his arm, he was unable to trigger it. Bruce assumed this meant a weapon needed to be used offensively while it was equipped, rather than just held in reserve.

Despite the lack of usable Maneuvers, Bruce enjoyed working on shields. Sylva was right—making them gave his crafting an outlet beyond grinding pots or sharpening stones. It was also a chance to spend time together without any flirting between them.

The next two days passed uneventfully. Each night, the trio reviewed their plan to find and slay a tukuron.

They set out early the fourth morning, hiking into the jungle in hopes of locating one of the creatures before it reached an adult size.

A light mist rolled in from the lagoon and swirled around the tops of the trees. Sylva wore her leather armor and carried her recurve. She even managed to hide its enchantment well enough. While Bruce suspected Istora knew, the Rathemian offered no comment.

He kept his shirt off, not wanting to dirty the garment needlessly. Despite their efforts, his pants weren't much better than the ones Istora initially wove for him, so he wasn’t terribly worried.

Tails tucked away inside the waistband, Istora bore a small backpack filled with a simple first-aid kit, a supply of healing potions, and extra food. Sylva carried a sling bag with her quiver, several waterskins, and a pouch with assorted seeds. Her bow case was strapped to her back.

While she could easily hold a full quiver in her hand, she claimed she'd seen archery instructors carrying more to practice proper technique and keep their arrows organized. Bruce saw no reason to argue, though he was surprised by just how much gear they were managing. It was a good thing he had enhanced stats. He didn't think he could have handled half of it without boosted Strength and Endurance.

The new shield had been a project that took nearly the entire week. Sylva found an appropriately sized rockback shell while hunting. She'd cut it into shape with her gladius, and Bruce added some wooden reinforcement along its edges. The result was awkward but felt sturdier than they'd expected.

After several days of fiddling, they finally secured a cordage handle and discovered a way to anchor it to the center of his back when not in use.

Bruce grinned. "It's pretty heavy, but not bad."

Sylva flashed a smile. "Now don't forget what I told you about keeping it centered."

He rolled his eyes, shifting the weight on his shoulder. "Yes, mom."

"Well, maybe you'll remember if I tell you enough. And the best defense is one where the enemy can't even hit you. Keep the shield between you and its head at all times. If things get too tight, get the hell out of range as fast as you can. A monster big enough to fight with a sword wouldn't normally carry one."

After trying the shield on and off for the last couple days, Bruce decided it felt good.

The final version was made from the back portion of a rockback, which offered far better protection than its thin sides. They removed the center ribs of its carapace, saving those for tools and weapons. As the shell grew more convex with their work, they had to make new straps for securing the handle.

Sylva was quite proud of her latest achievement, crafting a long length of cordage using dried reeds and vines. With his greater strength and Sylva to help pull, she rigged something she called a latigo over the inside of the shield to add a handhold that wouldn't slip.

Bruce gave it a quick test, then flashed an excited grin at her.

The athletic blonde returned a smug smile. She was sitting nearby wearing a makeshift swimsuit made from strips of hide, which only served to highlight her incredible figure. It was easy to imagine why Istora didn't seem to mind sharing Bruce with her. The girl's body was a damn fantasy come to life.

She looked like she could have been on the cover of Sports Illustrated. And that was while sitting on a rock playing around with bits of cordage.

Her tanned skin practically gleamed in the bright sunlight, and he found himself studying her every curve.

Istora giggled, her tail sliding over Bruce's shoulders. "We need to finish packing up before you two get too distracted.

Bruce blushed. Despite his own growing feelings, he did his best to keep his eyes to himself. He wanted to treat both girls with respect. Yet, Sylva looked good enough to eat, wearing nothing more than her makeshift bikini top and loincloth.

She smiled, turning to gather more supplies and adding several packs to their growing pile. The bow Bruce carved for her looked absurdly large next to her slender figure. It was nearly four feet tall and made from thick branches of greenheart bamboo. The string proved the challenge, taking days of crafting and experimentation before they managed something strong enough.

Bruce donned the new shield and lifted the newly carved spear to test their weight. As he swung the crude wood, his mind conjured memories of practicing the javelin back in high school.

They still didn't have a solid idea where the tukuron might be located. Sylva told him they needed to visit the nearby village of Kusnou to talk to some hunters who knew the area and gain information. Hopefully, they'd offer help or at least point him in the right direction.

Sylva slung an enormous quiver of arrows onto her back. She wore a breast band and loincloth similar to his, the only real difference being the addition of a poncho woven from strips of hide. "We need to hurry if we don't want to sleep under the stars."

Istora approached, sliding against him to deliver a long kiss. Afterward, she turned to hug Sylva. "I'll miss both of you while you're hunting. Stay safe, okay?"

Sylva laughed and planted a playful smack on Istora's firm butt. "Yeah, yeah. You know me. I'm always careful," she replied, grinning at the indignant yelp the Rathemian emitted.

With one last lingering glance over her shoulder, Istora followed the winding path to her garden.

Sylva looked up at the thick canopy before shifting her gaze to the sky, watching the slow descent of the sun toward the western horizon. "We should probably get going. That'll give us several hours to hunt. Assuming you're up for it?"

"Sure. How are you feeling about the plan?"

She shrugged. "Not much room for errors, but that's kind of the theme. We need to take advantage of our skills. As long as we can keep that thing from closing with me, this should go smoothly."

Bruce nodded. His earlier worries about Istora's subdued reaction seemed unwarranted. She remained attentive as they discussed strategy and the upcoming hunt, even offering a few ideas.

I know Sylva likes her, but I think Istora might be just as worried about her as she is of Sylva.

Sylva handed over a set of rockback bracers Bruce had been working on to enhance his protection. He pulled them on, flexing his bicep against the rough fabric before smiling at her. "Well, let's find out what's lurking around this area," he replied, nodding toward Istora.

A slight breeze stirred the thick, jungle leaves.

Bruce turned. His spear lay next to their supplies beside a tall boulder. He walked over and picked it up before stepping onto the dirt trail leading away from camp.

"Lead on!" he called out to Sylva.

She followed him out of camp, carrying only a bow and quiver over her back. The pair set off deeper into the trees.

Sylva led Bruce down a worn dirt path leading east toward Kusnou and the lake beyond. The journey took several hours, but both walked at a steady pace, neither winded.

When the city came into view, Sylva slowed to a halt and motioned to a large field at the outskirts. "Look there. What do you see?"

Bruce raised a hand to shade his eyes before squinting into the distance. The land was broken into small fields, mostly devoted to farming vegetables. Beyond that was a massive pen holding animals whose only resemblance to cows was their size and basic body plan. "I guess the obvious answer would be the giant, mutated cattle?"

"Those are geru—cows if you want to be unkind about it. And, what about the farmers?"

"A dozen guys with tools standing near a big hole? Wait, that's not a hole..." He frowned at the sight.

As he studied the group, Bruce noticed they didn't wear leather or burlap clothing like the farmers they'd seen before. Instead, they wore robes of various shades.

Then, Bruce noticed the tall men all appeared similar.

Shit! They're from the City. If there are cultists out here, I doubt they're digging just for fun.

Bruce focused on the strange people again, scanning the field to locate signs of anything odd. It took a moment to see a cluster of tents pitched beside a small copse of trees beyond a cornfield. Several others wandered the perimeter of the field or walked nearby paths. The largest tent was an impressive canvas affair. It even had a flag bearing a red cross. The flag's familiar design sparked memories from high school. The symbol looked very much like a knightly order from medieval Europe.

What's their banner doing up here? Did they arrive by caravan?

It only took a quick check of their clothing and arms to reveal that these people were far better equipped than the average villager.

Most wore heavy armor covered with padded cloth and quilts for protection from the sun. They carried metal shields and swords—steel. Several of them carried crossbows that would put any modern military to shame. Bruce suspected a single bolt would blow through his body like wet cardboard.

The lead warrior was clad in mail armor, a kite shield held lazily against his side. He had light-colored hair, cropped short, and pale skin, like those he'd seen in medieval Europe. His features were stern and handsome, like an actor from an old historical drama. The others behind him wore a mix of expressions ranging from boredom to disdain. The leader eyed Bruce, Sylva, and Istora with open distrust as he drew closer.

I guess I can't blame them. We must seem like backwoods hicks compared to their fine gear and weaponry. And we probably don't smell too pleasant after so long without proper bathing.

The leader spoke to one of his companions, then strode over.

I really need to learn a language other than Dauben. Hopefully, Sylva has experience dealing with foreigners.

Though her bow was slung across her back, Sylva's hand strayed toward her knife as the man drew near. "You've got a problem?"

"No, I'm just not used to your language," he said. The blond warrior glanced toward the woods and sighed. "My name is Haldrek."

Sylva studied him, and he waited for her to speak. "Name's Sylva." She hesitated for a moment before nodding at Istora. "Istora."

Bruce grinned. "I'm Bruce."

The young woman gave him an enthusiastic wave from her perch in the center of a veritable swarm of the Daubeni. He hadn't bothered asking how many of the little creatures there were, but their group had grown to an impressive number. A single glance at his Interface told him the truth, that this was the entire population of a race brought back from extinction.

"How many of your people survived?"

The young woman's enthusiasm vanished and her face fell into a sad frown. "Just me."

Bruce wasn't sure if there was an appropriate response to that, so he remained silent.

A short time later, Sylva stepped out of the large hut carrying the spear they'd crafted earlier and held it out toward him.

He frowned, but she didn't respond to his expression.

The haft was about six feet long and formed from bamboo. Rockback shells adorned the point and butt of the primitive shaft, providing extra durability.

As he stepped forward, she lifted the spear. Despite the heavy materials, the weapon was light enough to be practical.

"I made a mistake with the original stone spear. I forgot that your Strength isn't much higher than mine. That thing felt like dragging a boulder."

Bruce laughed. "Yeah. My old one-seventy could handle it easily. But after weeks of being a hundred pounds below that?" He shook his head. "I'm amazed the Daubeni use that as a measure of strength. You and I are almost double what most men could hope to achieve even back in my world."

Sylva grinned. "Well, you may have a point. Though, it's hard to tell in this case since the Daubeni aren't nearly as strong as humans from my world. Their Strength stats are similar to mine before Aspera gifted me her boon. And while the men were a bit stronger than the women, it wasn't by much." She chuckled. "Maybe that's why their civilization crumbled? All their top hunters died off due to stupidity or disease, and without their protection, they just died out?"

Bruce shrugged. "Maybe." He focused on the shield as he reached out for it, bracing for a heavy lift.

As he wrapped his fingers around the handle, he found the bamboo-wrapped stone surprisingly light.

They'd drilled a hole in the shell, allowing him to pull it onto his forearm and grip it like a buckler. Yet, with a thicker, broader surface and no real handle, it still provided far more coverage than the small bronze disk he'd trained with at the Academy. The Daubeni had given them plenty of rockback shells to work with, and a large section of the creature's carapace would cover his shoulder and back well enough to stop arrows.

"That is much better," Bruce said. "It's even light enough for me to block and hold out comfortably."

Sylva grinned.

Istora flashed an amused smile at Bruce as her needle raced along, sewing the hem. "You did pretty good Riste. Even I'd have trouble making anything that sturdy out of a shell, let alone something that light."

"Yeah, not my strong suit." Sylva chuckled.

"Hey, I don't want you to feel bad," Bruce protested. "If it weren't for you, this wouldn't have been possible. Istora can sew but lacks the raw materials to make a suitable handle, and her leatherworking is limited to cordage." He took the proffered shield. "Plus, there are plenty of crafting unlocks still hidden from me. Something could come in handy later."

Sylva shrugged. "I'm just glad someone can appreciate what little I have to offer. You both work so well together; it's clear I'm superfluous in some ways. The only thing I bring to the table right now is knowledge. Not exactly something that will win us a fight."

Istora wrapped her arms around Sylva, her tendrils caressing the human woman's shoulders and back. "You're part of our family too, Riste. And the first non-monster friend Jace ever made."

Sylva blinked rapidly as she turned to Istora. "Y-yeah?"

"Yeah," Bruce confirmed. "And let me say, I love her like a sister, but she doesn't cook worth a damn."

Sylva chuckled at that as she wiped her eyes. "I'm so glad she came along. My parents died when I was young, leaving my only living relatives distant cousins in India. I'd been a loner before coming here, and I'd been terrified this place was gonna suck all the hope and joy outta me." She pulled Istora into a hug, eyes locked with Bruce's. "Without either of you, I wouldn't have made it. All my training is great and all, but what good is it without friends and family?"

Istora giggled happily, squeezing Sylva back as they swayed from side to side. Her tendrils snaked around Sylva, stroking the human woman's hips and sides as she smiled at Bruce, tail swinging.

She looked beautiful, like some otherworldly jungle nymph who might seduce him deep into the darkest glade.

His eyes trailed down over the pale scales of her exposed midriff. The leather skirt she wore hid nothing as her smooth lower lips pressed against Sylva's belly.

They fit together so well. A matched pair that were far too lovely, their soft feminine bodies melding into one another as they embraced.

The sight tugged at Bruce, sending conflicting thoughts through his mind.

On one hand, seeing the two beauties cuddling made his heart swell. After their recent difficulties, it was amazing to see how happy his lovers were together.

I hope our friendship survives. But even if we don't have romance in our future, I love them both as sisters. Even if things go south between us someday, I want what's best for them. And what could possibly be better for Sylva than to get home? Maybe I can even find a way to visit once she figures out whatever technology or magic will get us back to Earth.

The thought of visiting their world gave rise to several other possibilities—possibilities that involved exploring an alternate reality with magic, superpowers, and beautiful women.

And maybe men too. I'll need to ask Nat if being here counts for any polyamory requirements in her sexuality. Can't let my hopes run away with me just yet.

She flashed a relieved grin at Bruce. He could practically feel the tension in her shoulders evaporate.

Bruce frowned. She has been a little off recently. I know the whole sharing thing is strange for her, but she was pretty into Istora from day one. We've all grown closer lately, so why is she acting weird about it? It's not like we've talked about where our relationship might go. Is it because I didn't get the achievement? Maybe she expected I'd be the one to come back. She did say it might have mattered.

Pushing the thoughts aside, Bruce gave the shield an experimental thrust before settling the edge of his blade against it and swinging.

Sylva took the hit well. Her arms jerked slightly with the strike. She stepped back, rubbing her shoulder with a frown.

"Sorry!" Bruce pulled the weapon away and set it down. "Not sure that's going to work as a block. Even a rockback shell can't stop an enchanted sword."

Sylva shrugged. "Well, I don't see us finding any real armor out here. You're probably right—it won't stop a blow from some sort of demon monster, but the leather straps should prevent it from hitting me in the chest."

Bruce grinned at that. It felt good to not only have Sylva looking out for his best interests but also to finally wear clothes that might offer some protection. He'd spent so long in loincloths and nothing else that wearing the soft leather pants and moccasins was like stepping into another reality.

He held out a hand and accepted the shield. It was surprisingly light. Bruce slipped on the harness and held the shield in his left hand, his arm supported by the straps.

Istora walked up next to Sylva. Both women studied him critically. After a moment, she sighed in relief. "Your shoulder and back muscles look much stronger. That thing wouldn't budge when you tried earlier. Do you think it'll be useful?"

"Yeah. I might add a bit more leather later to keep it lighter, but this should serve well enough," Bruce replied.

It's not ideal, but if I can get a shield bracer and helmet, it shouldn't hinder me too much. The shield's a good size, and we have plenty of stone to shape into tools and armor.

Istora grinned, nodding happily. "That's great. Now you won't need to worry too much."

Bruce raised an eyebrow at that. Sylva coughed softly, but her lips twisted in amusement. "I'm sure it'll prove handy. Especially since he has more health than either of us. The shield will help him tank any hits, giving us more leeway. He also unlocked several useful Do You Even Lift achievements that will boost his health pool further." She eyed Bruce with a slight frown. "But you aren't as bulky as someone I could mention, which is worrisome in its own way. If the tukuron crushes your chest—"

"I get it. That's why I'll be using Maneuvers," Bruce interjected before she could elaborate. "But you're right. It does feel more natural. And this shield is probably a foot thicker than the Spartan version, so I doubt a blow would shatter it. Even the rockback shell held up well. Let me try moving around with it strapped to my arm. Once we're good on gear, we can go after this tukuron of yours."

Sylva gave an enthusiastic nod. She'd been eager to hunt the lizard for several days now, hoping to find something worth enough money to purchase proper armor—and more exotic foods. While Nibbler and his growing horde feasted on raw meat, Sylva remained less enthused at their limited diet of meat and fruit.

She'd even spent three nights hunting and snuck back to camp to stash meat for preservation. Given Nibbler and friends were eating more food than ever, Sylva had no problem taking some for herself.

Bruce practiced with his spear and shield, using his enhanced Strength to move them like extensions of his body. It reminded him of training with the football team, which he quickly put out of mind.

The weight of the heavy shell would still get tiring after an extended period, but at least he had a tool for deflecting attacks. He'd need it against such a large beast.

"This should serve well. But just in case," he said, picking up the stone axe he'd crafted. It bore no more enchantment or upgrades, yet its weight was comforting. "I'm glad I didn't trade these away."

"Good thinking. I've already packed what I'll need for the trip, so I can help you get ready whenever you're done. This shouldn't take long. I want to get going before sunset."

With his gear settled, Bruce headed for the bamboo field to gather up a few shoots. When he returned with them, Sylva took several for her pack, giving them a thorough soak in the freshwater spring. They could use a spare container for when they camped out.

"All right. Time to go find that big lizard," Bruce said. "I've unlocked a few skills I think will help us in the fight. Not sure I want to unlock Tukoron Slayer just yet though."

Sylva's jaw dropped, but she soon giggled. "I thought that achievement was just to avoid a repeat of this encounter with my friend's pet chicken."

"Yeah. Figured it wasn't worth the time investment when we'd never see one anyway."

The other girl let loose an amused snort. "Well, it sure is convenient now."

Once everything was prepared, Sylva turned and raised a hand. "So, what's this hunting plan?"

Istora answered. "Tukurons are known to congregate around large streams in search of food. Since Bruce and I have spent weeks traveling by such rivers, there's a decent chance we'll come across one. We only need to follow the stream for half a mile or so to the north, then turn west. The hunters I overheard were confident the beast lived a short distance into the rainforest that direction."

Sylva gave a pleased nod, grinning. "Good work, Istora! You're really fitting into your role as guide. Maybe you should join my little minions when you aren't helping Bruce. You might enjoy it."

The Rathemian flashed an impish smile at Bruce, making no effort to hide her enjoyment of spending time with him.

He laughed, shaking his head in amusement. "Okay, let me run through this one last time to make sure everything is clear. After our experience with the rockback, I don't want any misunderstandings. Sylva, you stay at a safe distance, using the bow. If I see an opening, I'll use a Maneuver to rush the tukuron into its back leg. It's weakest there according to our scout reports."

Istora looked up from her leatherworking. "Just so long as Jace doesn't overextend. Once his Maneuver is exhausted, he won't be able to defend himself."

Bruce nodded. "Yeah. But Sylva can cover us until we recover the energy for another strike. As a melee fighter, I'll have to risk getting hit occasionally. But if that thing charges her, I'm certain Sylva would get torn to shreds."

The young woman rolled her eyes but couldn't hide a wince. "Yeah. No doubt about that. And I wouldn't be much help in the melee either. If we get into trouble, I'll retreat back into the trees and try to snipe off a limb or eye to give us some breathing room."

"All right," Istora said, handing Bruce the freshly finished trousers. "So Riste and you are the main force of the fight. As for me, I'll provide you with as many protective wards as I can. Once they're spent, my healing magic will serve us best, especially since it's not limited by Maneuvers like yours, Jace. You don't have long before the hunt, though, so try it on, then let's see if your spear will do any good. It needs to last beyond this hunt, so we need to test it."

The leather armor Istora finished for the tukuron hunting party was rough. Yet, it was comfortable. A crude shirt and leggings protected their upper bodies and legs. A thick hide kilt reinforced their chests and groins. Though the protection wasn't much, it was the best they could manage, given how thin the rockback hides were compared to the shell.

They spent several minutes testing and adjusting their gear, and soon they were ready.

"Okay, looks like we're as prepared as we're likely to get," Sylva said, slinging the bow over her shoulder. "Istora, you should ride on Nibbler with me. If there's any trouble, Bruce and I will need your healing."

Istora flinched before nodding. "Yes, of course."

She turned and ran off toward the main treehouse, only to return carrying a backpack made from bark fabric.

A wave of dread washed through Bruce as he remembered what that bag held. Istora hadn't shown him the contents since the day of the rockbacks' attack, but Bruce feared her reaction if he pressed the issue.

The last time they'd talked about the pack, the beautiful rathemian woman had been distraught. Istora was a bundle of contradictions sometimes.

At other times, she was open and unafraid to express her feelings. Then, there were moments like these. Forced to face an unpleasant truth she wished to ignore.

But even those brief snippets weren't enough for Bruce to figure Istora out completely. And with the upcoming hunt, the risk of conflict was high. If Bruce was going to help Sylva, they needed more than just a spearhead.

"Hey, do you have any more copper?" he asked, turning to Istora. Her fingers ran down the length of her tail as she met his gaze.

"No. We used it up already, didn't we? Making the kettles for Riste."

He frowned. "Oh yeah, I forgot. Sorry."

Aspera chose that moment to appear, flitting between them to grab a berry from Istora's basket. "Hey! Look how smart you are!"

She grinned and took another. Then, Bruce realized Aspera was looking at the shield and not Sylva.

"So how did your magic help make the shield?"

Sylva shot a concerned glance toward Bruce before speaking. "Istora used a touch of acid on the leather straps to help fuse them to the shell."

"Yeah. Riste is really clever. We needed strong straps, but this way is better," Istora added.

After securing the shield to his forearm, Bruce moved his arm around, testing its weight. "And this won't mess up our ability to trade the shell away, right?"

"Nope. Acid does a nasty number on organic material. I wouldn't call it fire, but it's like concentrated vinegar that corrodes flesh and some wood and leaves." She frowned down at the shield as Bruce ran his fingers across the smooth interior. "You'd think that would be a common discovery, given how many people live off the land."

The shield was shaped like a shallow, circular bowl with a wooden grip near the center, offering just enough room for his hand to hold it firmly. He stood and turned it over. A piece of sinew ran under the outer edge and up through a small hole, connecting to a leather strap Sylva had run across his forearm, holding the shield securely in place.

It had a rough finish—Istora had made it from some of the rockback hide—but looked functional and was lighter than he'd expected.

He lifted it again, examining the inner rim. Sylva hadn't been thrilled about carving off part of the tough shell, but he preferred the protection that the stony exterior offered to his wrist.

Turning, he struck at a large stick with Striking Serpent, activating its power halfway through the motion. While less impressive than his first attempt, he landed faster and stronger than without. His knuckles struck the branch with enough force to knock it out of Sylva's hand.

A satisfied smile stretched his face. "Yep. That works."

Istora ran an appreciative gaze down his form as her tail teased his thigh. "Yeah, I'm very satisfied too."

Sylva burst into laughter. "Oh my god, you guys! Get a room!"

"We did, but this jerk keeps wandering into it," Bruce teased.

As Sylva snorted, Istora sidled up behind him, running her slender fingers across his back, "I don't think we should take time to build a fire. I just want to gobble up that thick, throbbing–"

"Ahem." Bruce held up a hand. "The fact that you used the word gobble is a big reason why you can't join us during work time." He gave Sylva a sly grin, enjoying the way she rolled her eyes.

Istora giggled, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "Fine. You are working too hard." She gave him a tight squeeze and then turned to sit next to Sylva.

While crafting Achievements, they'd also built several crude bows. Each weapon bore an unusual compound twist-grain pattern, and Sylva hoped it would increase the power behind each arrow. While the others weren't strong enough to launch steel arrows at a safe velocity, they easily launched rocks over eighty yards.

"Ready to shoot a few practice rounds?"

Bruce shook his head. "Probably not wise. We'll do that tomorrow with live targets."

"That's fair," Sylva said. "I just can't help thinking back to all those days in college worrying about my GPA and how much I'd enjoy the whole 'kicking ass in a dungeon' thing once it finally happened." She looked down. "But I never guessed the world would actually end. It sucks. So much work trying to save people, but I can't even save my own family."

Bruce laid a hand on her shoulder, squeezing gently. "It's not over yet, Nat. You're doing everything you can to get back home. And even if things turn out as poorly as they could, your family knows that you never stopped trying—and will keep on trying."

Sylva sighed, offering Bruce an appreciative smile. "I guess that's all we can do right now, huh?" She nodded toward the pile of supplies waiting nearby. "We've got everything together. Might as well pack and get moving."

An hour later, the trio marched into the jungle, carrying bags filled with gear. They had fashioned sturdy spears and an arsenal of rocks for Sylva and Istora. Even in normal life, Bruce had spent plenty of time hiking and hunting, so he hadn't struggled too much when Sylva first explained what equipment they needed. He couldn't use his bow though, and instead had his stone hatchet strapped to his hip.

Nibbler and several Daubani followed at a respectful distance.

Bruce and Sylva discussed where to start the hunt. While she'd been here for six months, the area was immense, and there were hundreds of hiding spots to explore. So they decided to visit a clearing that she had already investigated several times.

She pointed toward a path through the underbrush. "There's a lake nearby. A large group of hunters talked about spotting this beast near the water's edge. I was planning on taking my team here next anyway since we hadn't scouted it yet."

"Sounds good. And if we can't find the tukuron today, I might do some fishing, and you could show me the ropes tomorrow morning." He glanced over to see the eager grin on her face. "And don't get your hopes up too high. It has been ten years since I even thought about casting a line in the water."

Istora giggled. "If Jace doesn't want to hunt anymore, maybe we should have him take up cooking. You think he can unlock Achievements from cooking fish?"

Sylva smirked and glanced back at Bruce. "You should ask Kera about that. She's always whipping up exotic dishes when she levels cooking for an Alt in her games. Probably made her a fortune trading out some weird ingredient. What was it she told us? Uncommon spices sold well?"

Istora clapped her hands excitedly. "Yes. If he unlocks something tasty, he should share it with me."

As Sylva and Istora went off to grab their gear, Bruce slipped his arm back through the straps. Despite the crude nature of the shield, the thick belly plate would hopefully serve as decent protection.

He had unlocked a crafting achievement while shaping the wooden grip to rest securely within his hand. And Sylva was right. As his Boon scaled and the Crafting skill increased, making it much simpler than his first pottery attempt.

I wonder if the stats and SE will be as big as from that pot, though? I guess I'll find out when it upgrades after another rank.

Bruce joined the pair with everything prepared for the hunt.

Over the past few days, Sylva had made an iron-tipped hunting bow of bamboo for Istora. In exchange for several pairs of panties, a brassiere, and her favorite sweater, Sylva earned enough acazite to forge the arrowheads.

The garment enchantments wouldn't do much against attacks, but Istora wanted something that reminded her of home. Her tail coiled around the bow's grip as she nocked an arrow.

Sylva had also gifted the girl a belt knife and set aside a second gladius for Bruce, as she still felt attached to her old companion.

Bruce hefted his shield. While he couldn't tell the exact details of its properties, the Interface provided an overview.

Turtle Shell Shield: An amateurishly crafted, oversized turtle shell converted into a shield. This simple wooden shield offers rudimentary protection to its wielder. Its stats have been locked behind an Achievement.

He frowned at the description, then tried channeling a few points of mana into the shield. While the wood burned and blackened in several spots, nothing else happened.

Well, might as well use it. He took a moment to adjust to the weight and slung his bamboo spear over his shoulder. After several weeks practicing his Maneuvers without anything to attack, it would be nice to finally put them to good use.

Bruce was glad to see that his increased Agility had improved his running speed too, if not to Sylva's level. She seemed pleased when he caught up with her a few minutes later, as he'd been unable to do so the previous day.

Her bow slung over her shoulder and quiver packed with acazite arrows, Sylva led them north. Despite her complaints, she was still a good guide.

They soon left the jungle behind for open ground covered with tall reeds and thick brush. Istora frowned. The change left them uncomfortably exposed. Bruce had grown used to her tail snaking around his waist.

Sylva pointed.

Several long shadows raced between the reeds. Their bodies resembled those of large deer. Bruce estimated their heads were probably at waist height and their body size rivaled that of a rhino. He was grateful for the sturdy leather armor the pair of Champions had managed to prepare.

The Interface gave no description when he focused on the creatures. Apparently, the tukurons weren't worthy of its attention.

"You sure this is a good idea, Nat?"

She shot him a confident grin. "I told you, we'll be fine. There are three of us." She hesitated, then leaned close and dropped her voice to a whisper. "Well, if Istora would stop doting on you, I might consider taking you out for a run."

Bruce felt the blood drain from his face.

Sylva laughed.

"Come on, Bruce. It was a joke. You two are adorable together." The Champion punched him on the shoulder. "You've got nothing to fear from me."

He grimaced. "Just checking. Given our last conversation, I wasn't entirely sure. So... did you ever try anything with Istora? You know..."

"No! We didn't get that intimate."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Oh come on, Bruce. Why are you looking at me like that? Are you honestly surprised?"

He shook his head. "Guess not, given your reactions at breakfast yesterday. I was just curious."

She crossed her arms and scowled, her voice growing louder. "So why the fuck would I tell you if we did? I thought we were friends. Why is my sex life any of your business?"

Bruce blinked. Her cheeks burned bright red, and she looked ready to punch him. "Uh, I don't know what came over me. I don't usually ask such personal questions. Just... forget I ever mentioned it, okay?"

After a long pause, her brow furrowed, Sylva asked, "Are we still good to hunt?"

"Yeah. Sorry I snapped at you. Still, I'd like to hear more about your time back home. Your life as an archaeologist sounds exciting," Istora said, tendrils writhing with apparent enthusiasm.

"What was your job before coming here?" Bruce asked, curious. He'd been too busy to dig into what she did before her arrival.

"I worked at a gym—a fitness facility—but the owner wanted me to sell supplements. Supposedly, they made people healthy and strong. A real fountain of youth." She gave a derisive snort.

Istora leaned closer, stroking Bruce's forearm. "Sounds amazing!"

"Nah, just an obvious pyramid scheme. They were just fancy drugs, most with barely any evidence they worked. I know what makes people strong: hard work and dedication to your goals."

Sylva turned back to Bruce, frowning. "Anyway, glad you like it. We should be ready to hunt this thing down whenever you want."

Bruce nodded, testing his grip and adjusting the position of the strap so that it no longer rubbed on his thumb. "Yeah, I'm about as prepared as I'm going to get. You've thought over your plan? No matter what the Interface says, these monsters are unpredictable, even when playing by the rules."

"For sure," Sylva answered. "I'll fire a volley as we approach the creature. I hope to hit an eye if possible, but failing that, I'll wound a leg and drive the beast away from you. That should let me kite it until you can catch up and finish it off."

With nothing more to do in preparation, they left early the next morning, taking only enough food for lunch. The tukuron lived more than two dozen miles southeast and were known to range far and wide in search of prey. The terrain varied from forest to rocky hillsides as they traveled, following the stream down to where it fed into a small river.

Tall trees, their thick canopy stretching high above, grew upstream from where they joined the river. Sylva described them as evergreens like back home. They didn't find a clear trail to follow, but the dense forest seemed to impede large monsters well enough.

A few hours passed before they spotted signs of something huge having broken through the brush—animal tracks and crushed saplings leading southward.

After a few miles of walking, Sylva pointed ahead. "Look at that," she said softly.

Bruce looked over, eyes widening in surprise. There stood an enormous mound of what looked like white sandstone. Though he couldn't see any seams between rocks or joints, it was too perfectly formed for a natural structure. He'd seen the odd sight many times when driving out to the desert before hiking. It seemed impossible, given the lush foliage around the formation.

"What is it? That doesn't look natural."

Sylva frowned, shaking her head. "Never saw this back home. Some kind of rock?" She walked forward, climbing halfway up the mound and reaching out with her hand. As soon as her fingertips made contact, the surface rippled. Sylva yelped in surprise, backing away. She stumbled, nearly falling. Bruce quickly reached out, catching her by the elbow to steady her. "That wasn't rock!"

The mound shifted, a massive white dome lifting a few feet above the top. Bruce froze, staring as a pair of large eyes opened. He couldn't place what animal it resembled—not quite a turtle or snake. There was a hint of elephant in its long snout and small tusks jutting up.

But the resemblance ended there. Its head looked like a massive egg, a good two feet long. The creature reared higher, a stubby tail arching above. The thing seemed a little over five feet tall, the dome of its shell at least double that in height.

It turned toward Sylva, opening its maw and issuing a loud hiss. She yelped, taking a few more steps backward as Bruce stared wide-eyed.

"Don't move," Istora said. Both Bruce and Sylva froze, looking at the Rathemian as she crept up next to them. "She's just protecting her egg."

Bruce took a careful step back as Istora eased forward, approaching the giant turtle with her hands raised in a placating manner. Then, after a few muttered words he couldn't understand, a small, green light swirled up from her hand, floating into the turtle's open maw.

A soft glow shone behind the creature's teeth for a moment before vanishing. Its massive eyes closed once more, head dipping slowly beneath the surface.

"So much for turtle soup," Bruce murmured, eyeing the large animal skeptically.

Istora giggled. "Not this one anyway. She'll hatch her egg soon. Then she'll lay another before the next wet season arrives."

After they collected a second shell, Bruce crafted a proper spearhead from rockback horn—taking three tries to gain a success for the Spearman achievement.

His skill with working stone and knapping flint remained rudimentary at best, but he still improved over the course of several attempts.

The spear would be heavy and cumbersome, and its crude appearance wouldn't win any awards. However, Bruce took pride in it and his efforts to increase his crafting skills.

If I spend a month in the lab learning chemistry and then whip up a potion in a day, I'll probably feel the same kind of satisfaction. Crafting may not be my passion, but I do enjoy seeing results.

"It should hold up against most things, so long as you don't thrust like a complete idiot," Sylva said. "Still, we need to make a trip into a town to get a real one. We're going to need decent blades."

"Probably a good idea," Bruce said. He tested the shield again, finding its weight manageable. It could block most attacks. A lucky shot might still pierce it. Yet, his Maneuvers would provide even more protection.

The shield was the final item he needed before heading off with Sylva to find the tukuron—or at least some smaller prey until he gained experience using his new weapons.

"We should set out today if possible," Sylva said. "No telling how many hunters are already looking for this thing."

Istora shook her head, handing over a set of pants she'd completed weaving earlier that morning. "It isn't wise, Riste. The two of you don't have weapons that will work against it yet. If you come back hurt or can't bring down the tukuron, this has all been for nothing." She held up Bruce's stone axe and his crude flint knife.

Sylva grimaced, rubbing the back of her neck. "She has a point. We shouldn't go with these weapons. I could try and kill it from a safe distance, but I'd rather we all attack it together. And the odds of success drop sharply without good weapons and armor to protect us."

"That is true." Bruce took a few practice swings with the stone axe and knife, testing his reach with the shield. It was cumbersome at first, but the weapon felt solid in his hands. His strength was higher than before, so wielding the weapon was no problem. It was learning its quirks he needed to focus on. The Maneuvers might even prove a godsend if he learned how to use them in a fight. "How much would a full suit of acazite plate cost? You know, if we were shopping around in a town."

"About ten thousand coins," Sylva replied.

Bruce winced. "Right. That's pretty serious money. Are the scales and meat from the tukuron more valuable?"

"The best estimates I heard were five hundred coins, but they said tukuron are rare, and it could fetch upwards of a thousand."

"Holy shit, that's crazy. Why haven't they been hunted to extinction then?"

Sylva shrugged. "Tukuron only live in mountainous regions with heavy trees. Apparently, they're not very tasty without magic involved in the cooking. And there aren't enough of them to justify massive efforts to hunt them down."

"Yeah, even with my high Attributes, lugging a giant lizard back up here doesn't sound fun," Bruce said. "You sure the meat will be worth it though? What if we do all this work and the thing is poisonous?"

Istora snorted. "It's not, don't worry. As I told you before, my people ate tukuron all the time. My mom used to make a really yummy stew out of it."

"In that case, I'll start working on some bows. With our Strengths, we should be able to bend some stout bamboo, maybe even make something decent. We might only have a hundred pound draw for now, but a hundred and ten's not bad. The tukuron won't care too much about size at that point," Bruce said.

"Sounds great. I still have more ideas I want to try. You guys got this?" Sylva asked, nodding toward the shield.

Bruce nodded and lifted the shield before swinging his arm around, pivoting smoothly and raising the shield to guard his right side. "Yep. It feels good, really stable. You're a genius."

Sylva gave him a smug smile as she backed away and left for her project. "I know. Let me know if you need anything."

Once Sylva left, Bruce turned to Istora and noticed the furrow of her brow. Her tail and ears laid low and her shoulders slumped. She'd barely spoken a dozen words that day.

"Hey, what's wrong?" he asked, leaning the shield against the wall of the smaller treehouse and sitting next to her.

Istora sighed softly and leaned against him. "I don't want you to fight the tukuron tomorrow."

"We've been over this. Sylva says it will be fine."

She shook her head. "No. I—I have a bad feeling. It's a premonition."

"A premonition," Bruce said, skepticism heavy in his voice.

"It is what we call it when a Seer senses a possible future," Istora explained quietly, her tail wrapping around his waist.

Sylva sighed. "Can we try again with different materials? I just know that's going to break after a couple good hits. It's far too light for that large of a surface area. The rockback plate is barely a half inch thick and only covers a bit of the front."

Bruce ran his fingers across the dark, scaled hide, admiring its texture before he shook his head. "Unfortunately, my options are pretty limited here. That hide was the most effective thing we've tried so far. This whole construction will need a lot of adjustments in any case, given the limitations of our materials. For now, I just wanted to confirm that something close to the right idea."

He lifted the shield, finding the eight-foot oval shape bulky and heavy. His Strength wasn't high enough for the size and weight to be inconsequential, but he could still handle it. He shifted into a fighting stance and took several steps.

His first step was clumsy. With how low and wide the shield was built, Bruce felt like he'd been transported to Roman times. While his movements improved, the shield would need substantial modification.

I want a proper tower shield if possible. Something tall and rigid like I'm used to from games. Sylva's not going to make a huge kite shield viable. I'll have to get creative. Or find better materials.

Sylva sighed. She looked frustrated with their progress as she examined the shell. "You should use your power. It lets you sense how something will work, right? How does it feel?"

"Yeah, that's right. You're doing a fantastic job." Bruce shook his head as he examined the shell. "It feels decent. Still needs a lot of work. And my ability is too new. It doesn't offer nearly as much insight as I'd like."

Her lips curled up into a teasing grin. "Really? Because I remember when we made our first bamboo spear. You knew just where to notch it and what sort of grip would work best. Seems like you're holding out on me. If you have super-powered intuition, then why isn't it working now?"

Bruce chuckled. "Not quite. More like I have a super-powered hunch. The system can show me lots of details and options, but none of this stuff counts as weapons or armor. That means no stats or information beyond surface details. My Maneuvers require weapons and armor too."

"So you're going into battle without your special abilities," Sylva observed with a frown.

"Basically, yeah. I think the more things conform to my old idea of what works, the more useful they'll be. For some reason, that includes having a shield."

"If Jace dies, I will make sure his ghost knows it's his fault," Istora remarked. "Even if he is still alive."

Bruce laughed. "We'll be careful, my love."

Istora gave him a warm smile.

He shifted the weight of his new turtle-shell buckler. "All right. Now I just need a spear. We finished that yesterday, so let's hope it counts as a weapon. Can you call your friends over, Istora?"

The petite woman waved her hands. A flurry of magical symbols winked into existence in the air around her. Moments later, dozens of curious Daubendians crowded around Bruce.

He laughed. "Not this close, guys. Spread out a little. If you're going to help, you've got to be organized."

They obeyed and fell into lines. Sylva snickered and began counting them.

Sylva turned to Istora and cocked her head. "So how much do you understand when he does that? Like when Bruce's making a shovel or knife?"

Istora smiled, her tendrils fluttering in amusement. "Not much. Just words like 'out' and 'in'. And it sounded like he was singing for a bit before he started speaking weird. You two know something?"

"Nope," Bruce answered with a grin. "That'll be our little secret. Ready for some training, Nat?"

"Yeah, sounds fun. Let's head over to the other end of the campsite."

After checking their equipment one final time, they headed toward an open field near their camp. Sylva carried a handful of arrows tucked beneath the grip of her bow, while Bruce wore his new belt that held the gladius Sylva had loaned him.

It felt odd to be carrying a weapon. Before leaving home, he'd been unarmed aside from the rock he took with him into the Void. Now, he wore armor and wielded weapons again. It felt… good, even if he had little skill with his sword.

The three settled around a fire pit they'd built. As he did with all tasks involving flame, Bruce carefully observed Istora work. While he knew her well enough to realize she didn't dislike the mundane chore, he worried her abilities were too powerful for her to stay sane.

Aside from that, he enjoyed watching her deft motions, especially when her tail wagged happily as she cooked.

They ate while discussing their plans for tomorrow. Istora cast a glance around the campsite and smiled. Over the week, everyone had helped turn the site into something far more welcoming and organized. Their treehouse offered safety, a proper toilet, and storage space for the few valuables they possessed. The crude fence made of bamboo served to protect Nibbler and the Rockbacks. They still had a ways to go, but Bruce was quite pleased with their progress.

Istora stood up, dusting off her hands and picking up their cookware to wash.

As Bruce finished his last bite of fruit and rice, he glanced over at Sylva. Her tanned skin gleamed in the sunlight. He wondered how he should proceed, given her mixed signals.

Maybe I should talk to Istora, get her opinion?

She seemed to notice his distraction and arched a dark eyebrow. "Yeah?"

"I think Istora's right about you joining Aspera."

Her jaw dropped and her eyes widened. "W-what? Why would I do that?"

"Well, that seems pretty obvious. You have incredible physical abilities, but your Mana Reserves are too low for a Shaman. I was thinking more long-term. Say, a hundred SE will unlock a skill tree. Or, well, you won't need to rely on anyone else to cast magic."

"So I can become my own team, independent from whatever faction I join?" Sylva asked, rubbing her chin in thought.

Bruce nodded, smiling. "Exactly. Even without learning how to enchant your bow with Fire or Air magic, I think you'll still find it worthwhile."

"What about you, Jace? Are you going to pursue a melee build with Aspera or keep on the path she's set you on?"

He blinked, glancing over at Istora as he hefted the shield in his right hand. While it was still bulky and uncomfortable, he didn't notice any issues carrying it at all. The leather padding Sylva attached made all the difference. "Well, she did teach me how to use weapons, but my Mana Reserves aren't anywhere close to Sylva's."

Istora shook her head and gestured at Bruce. "Maybe not yet, but Aspera can guide you along the right paths to grow them faster. That means becoming more in tune with mana. You already do that when healing the Rockbacks anyway, so it shouldn't take long before your Mana Reserves reach hers."

Bruce glanced at Istora in surprise. He'd assumed the differences were a function of her race, the boon of a higher Tier, or her magical talents. "Seriously? How much faster is she expecting me to grow?"

Sylva shrugged. "I don't know exactly, but it sounds like the kind of thing that should be easy if you put in the effort."

"Yeah," Istora continued, pointing toward Bruce. "And since you can access Tiers of energy normally reserved for magic users, she says it'll be easier for you than most."

"Tiers? What kind of tiers are we talking about?" Bruce asked, frowning at the two women.

Istora's face scrunched up for a moment, and then she brightened up. "That's something else she mentioned might unlock at Tier Three. It's something with levels, like in games. Except this isn't a game, so who knows what that will look like."

Sylva shrugged and leaned closer, looking closely at the shell. "I'd been wondering about that myself, but the only thing that comes to mind is experience points, you know? Like gaining EXP from kills or completing quests."

A grin crept across his face as he considered the prospect.

So glad I'll be able to Level and power level. And if my Strength gets high enough, I'll have no trouble making weapons for all three of us! I won't need to buy things from the marketplace. Though, with everything we've earned from the last week, maybe I can afford to splurge? I could always try to replicate some of the armor I got from Aspera and the Marketplace. That's bound to earn a ton of Experience too.

After several false starts, Bruce had finally completed what looked like a crude axehead.

The head alone weighed five pounds, but that was well within his comfort zone for handling. It also provided access to the best Maneuver of the week, and he'd even unlocked an improved variant that boosted damage and speed.

Istora had woven cordage to use as a handle, attaching it with clay and rockback plates. With his improved Strength, he could wield the tool with ease.

The weight of his axe-spear was nearly twenty pounds, almost twice as much as his original spear. His arm moved far faster than ever before, leaving behind a shimmering blur of movement. He wasn't fast enough to dodge or strike someone, but he believed it might help him evade attacks and set up counterstrikes.

When he showed off his new Maneuvers and weapon for Sylva and Istora, they both grinned excitedly. It was a good look on the two women. And if he felt his eyes linger on his dark-haired friend longer than was necessary, well, he wouldn’t object to getting to know her better when they got back from this hunt.

Once he and Sylva tested the shield—using rockbacks and a crude pot as target practice—she left to prepare. While he didn't have any real way to protect Istora or Sylva yet, that changed today.

While waiting for the next tukuron to respawn, Bruce spent the last few days experimenting with acazite tools.

With the forge Sylva created using clay, stone, and cordage, Bruce set about crafting. It proved surprisingly efficient, using charcoal to burn limestone, creating the essential ingredient of acazite. Once he had a decent quantity of ore, he ground the mixture using the kick wheel, turning it into a fine powder that needed only water to complete the mix. He then placed it in another, smaller pottery vessel and mixed the liquid together.

The entire process unlocked new Maneuvers for each step of refining the material. And when he finally fired the pots in the furnace to harden the acazite, an exciting prompt appeared.

Welcome to the Acazite Brotherhood!

You have joined an ancient order founded in ages past, dedicated to preserving knowledge of these wondrous materials. Though much has been lost over time, your work will keep these precious secrets alive.

Your first step toward mastery is at hand. Forging and casting metals are but a beginning. The true strength of acazite lies in its use for enchanting items and equipment.

+32 Stat Points

+150 Social Points

Achievement!

Forging Acazite

To unlock the power of this ancient material, you must temper it with your soul. You have successfully bonded the substance to your spirit. Others will be unable to utilize the power imbued within without great difficulty.

+8 Strength

+5 Endurance

Enchanting (Tier 1) unlocked

Bruce shook his head, still smiling over the ridiculous greeting that popped up earlier when he forged his new short sword. As soon as Bruce hammered in a bronze sword tip he crafted from scrap, the prompt had appeared.

You can do anything! You can touch the sky!

Congratulations on unlocking Enchanting! If you weren't such a crafter, your prowess with blade might have gotten you into trouble.

+2 Strength

Sylva snickered and grinned. Istora covered her mouth, unsuccessfully stifling a giggle.

He held the shield out to examine the front. A rockback plate formed the bulk of the front, with thick bamboo supports and rawhide straps affixed to the back. Sylva had fashioned the handle from another branch of sturdy bamboo.

The crude craftsmanship didn't look like much, but his Maneuvers indicated he could block attacks up to seventy pounds with reasonable strength. And a few hours working the shield helped him unlock yet another Achievement.

Not as good as Sylva's bow or Istora's wards, but better than nothing. The tukuron will hopefully stay long enough for me to kill it outright, but in case it bolts, at least I can hold it off until Riste shoots it.

Istora grinned, her tendrils waving in pleasure. Though after the last week, Sylva had no qualms about ogling the beautiful shaman, and she looked a bit dazed for a moment.

Bruce cleared his throat. "Well, what do you two think about tomorrow? If we leave early, we should be able to reach the valley by noon. We can set up someplace defensible for a base camp and survey the area for trails. Depending on how it goes, maybe we can return with some meat and hide."

The pair shared a glance before Istora shrugged.

"Sounds fine," Sylva said.

Istora smiled, her expression warm. "You don't need to ask us permission for everything. Riste and I are happy to follow your lead, Jace."

Bruce laughed, shaking his head. "Yeah, I've been meaning to apologize about that. Back home, I would never hesitate to offer an opinion. You two seem to have a good head for things, and it doesn't feel right to tell you what to do."

Sylva grinned as she stood, stretching. "It's cute, honestly. Most guys can barely be bothered to open the door for me, but here you are, worried about respecting our opinions. Plus, I really like it when you take charge in bed." She chuckled at Bruce's embarrassed grunt. "But we all know what we want. We're here for adventure, not politics. So just make the call, and we'll all fall in line."

The athletic woman flashed a smile before glancing away, her cheeks pink. "Besides, you saved my life and helped avert a tragedy back on Rathema. If you hadn't intervened, who knows how things would have turned out for me."

Sylva held out the shield, smiling as he accepted the weapon.

He hefted the rockback plate shield, checking the rawhide handle that attached to the center back. The leather cord that held it in place also acted as the central support, so the shell wouldn't buckle from an impact.

As much as I dread the idea of being a meat shield, this thing should let me survive a couple of hits.

"It's light enough, which will help with using Piercing Fang. My first attempts at running with it strapped over my back were… clumsy. And even if Striking Serpent lets me run faster, carrying this would trip me up," he mused. "Good catch, Nat."

Sylva smirked. "Of course. Can't have you crashing into me when things get crazy."

Bruce nodded as he lifted the shield, testing its heft. It would take some getting used to, but that wasn't too surprising. Most game-based mechanics were designed to be intuitive to anyone familiar with the genre. He assumed the system didn't want novices struggling to figure out their inventory or use items in combat.

"Looks like we're as ready as we'll ever be," he said, glancing at his friends.

"We'll need to leave the treehouse unguarded for several days, so I hope your monster doesn't get hunted before we can claim our reward," Sylva teased.

Istora stepped into a pair of leather sandals they'd crafted for her, the first shoes she'd ever owned. She took a step to adjust herself, grinning. "They're perfect, Riste! Thanks!"

The athletic woman smiled at their alien friend. "No problem, Istora. Those will work great on rough terrain like the jungle."

After they were finished, Bruce turned and strode off into the forest to try Striking Serpent again. He needed to grow familiar with how it felt to use the Maneuver. As he focused, the power activated just as planned. His form blurred with unnatural speed, covering a surprising distance. He managed to come to a stop before plowing headlong into a thick palm trunk but failed to slow down enough. His chest smacked hard against the tree, making him reel back from the impact.

Ouch. That stung. Guess it's going to take a bit to figure this power out. At least the cooldown has reset so I can test again.

Bruce waited for his stamina to return before activating Striking Serpent once more. Each attempt drained his SP and only let him move so fast. The faster he sprinted, the more it cost in energy. And if he wasn't careful, he risked overbalancing or failing to dodge an obstacle.

But as the week progressed, he began to grasp how much he could push himself with the Maneuver. With some practice, his first two attempts didn't knock him on his ass anymore, though he still lost his footing and crashed when trying to come to a stop.

This time, Bruce used the momentum of the movement to spin around, slapping the spearhead against Sylva's makeshift shield. To his delight, it stuck.

"Woohoo! Way to go, Jace!" Istora shouted with a giddy cheer.

"Damn, that was impressive," Sylva said. "You got those to work fast. How are you feeling?"

Bruce grinned. "The shield doesn't quite fit me yet, but if I move my elbow correctly, I can angle it just right so that the spear won't slip." He tugged the wooden shaft from her shield. "It's not as convenient as a sword, but this is a good setup for stabbing. Even if the spearhead does pop off a few times. Maybe I should try shaping the point a little differently to hold the bindings."

"Sounds like something to take care of after the hunt. We really need to get going. If someone beats us to the tukuron and claims the bounty, we'll be eating lizard jerky for a week instead of celebrating your new stats," Sylva said. "Oh yeah, that reminds me. We forgot to pick up anything nice for a gift. You have any ideas?"

Bruce laughed. "Let's focus on hunting the thing down first. Then we'll worry about the reward."

"Good idea."

Sylva nodded. She wore the breastplate Bruce had gifted her and had even reinforced it with a few plates. It provided better protection than his bracers or a simple hide shirt and leggings. The latter of which Bruce sported at the moment.

His only other clothing had come from Aspera, and none of it was suitable for the coming hunt.

"Riste, you all set? We can head out whenever you're ready."

Sylva's cheeks reddened as she met Istora's gaze.

The Shaman's shoulders slumped, and she cast her eyes down. "Jace, why don't you and Riste go get the tukuron without me. Once my SE replenishes fully, I'll teleport back and open a Portal. If you have any wounds, I can help when you return."

Bruce's stomach clenched, a sense of wrongness filling him at the thought. "Hey, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing." She shook her head, tail thumping the ground beside him.

"No, it's clearly not." He laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Istora, what's bothering you?"

"I just... well..." The rat girl took a slow breath before finally looking at him, her voice trembling. "Jace, why didn't you tell Riste about your other Boon? It hurts that you hid it from her. Even if it seems to work the same as mine, it would've made a difference to me if you had told her the truth, so..." Her voice trailed off as she studied his expression, searching.

Stomach tightening, Bruce turned to the firepit. Sylva was busy cleaning up tools.

Should have seen this coming. She isn't wrong; Sylva will care—probably be a little pissed off. Not exactly going to look good when we tell her together after she already helped us come up with ideas for the others.

"Okay. You're right," he said. "Sorry. I meant to tell her, but things got away from me, and—"

She hugged him, and warm tendrils stroked his cheek. "I'm sure it'll be okay, Jace. Riste's been through a lot. Give her some time. Let her see you two work it out."

Sylva stepped away. "Let's grab that lizard before someone else beats us to it. We can talk to her afterward."

"Agreed." He turned toward Istora. "So we'll leave Nibbler in charge with his tribe watching over camp?"

The rat girl grinned and nodded. "Don't worry, I'll watch after the others. With my mana refilling, I can protect everyone if you aren't back tonight. If anything happens, I'll let you know over the Boon link. You should see if Aspera will come keep watch while I'm not around tomorrow so I can stay fully mana charged."

"Good idea. With our SE pools, that's an asset we'd be foolish to waste. Might ask her about helping with more training too." Bruce sighed. "Just wish we had a sword to work with. These Maneuvers both need to strike something living or it won't count. Guess I'll be slashing at trees and hoping for unlocks."

"I wonder what's going on there. Are your attacks different if they strike dead flesh instead of plants or live wood?" Sylva said.

"Probably," Istora answered, then frowned as she focused on a loose string on Bruce's trousers. "It does seem like this world has less… flora than mine."

Sylva glanced down at her friend, her hands moving without pause as she braided cordage. "Istora, are you alright?"

"Huh? What do you mean? I'm fine, why wouldn't I be?" The Rathemian smiled cheerfully, even if it did not quite reach her eyes.

Sylva hesitated, a question unspoken on her lips before she shrugged. "No reason. Just want to make sure we take care of each other."

"Of course!" The slender girl's tail lashed. Her voice lowered so only Sylva could hear. "Riste, Jace is going to be fine. I'm casting a defense spell to protect him, and you'll watch out for us from the air."

"True, but-"

Sylva cut off as the shield slipped from Bruce's grip, landing atop her foot with a loud thud. Istora giggled as the woman groaned and rubbed the injured spot. "See what I mean, Riste? I'd be happy if this thing was made from leather and didn't weigh fifty pounds. No idea how the hell those Greeks and Romans carried these damn things without getting tired."

"They've been breeding muscle memory and physical culture since before modern Europe existed. Just because it's not possible today doesn't mean it wasn't doable back then," Sylva argued.

"Weren't a whole lot of heavy hitters that early who could fight people like us today." He flexed a bicep and kissed his bulging muscles.

Sylva snickered. Bruce had grown more muscular. Still lean compared to professional wrestlers, but his chest and abs showed prominent ridges, and he'd gained at least a half foot of height.

He grinned at Sylva. "What? Think I'm just a pretty face?"

Istora sidled up behind Bruce and stroked his shoulders, eyes shining with pride. Her fingers traced the line of his arms, then she ran her hands across his stomach. "Pretty _and_ handsome," she purred. "And Riste will never admit it, but she thinks so too."

Sylva looked away and busied herself stowing their supplies for the upcoming hunt.

Bruce smirked, enjoying their teasing. "Well, if Sylva's that impressed, maybe she wants some alone time in our treehouse tonight." He gave Istora a wink as he pulled her close and kissed her deeply.

"I do not!" Sylva shouted as she grabbed a handful of dried fruits, stuffing several into her mouth to hide her reddening cheeks.

The slim blonde grinned as her lover drew back. "I'll just have to be twice as loud then. I'm sure Riste can use magic to protect us from the neighbors hearing," Istora purred, stroking the back of Bruce's neck.

A groan escaped Sylva.

He chuckled at his lovers' antics before accepting the shield. "Thanks. So, how many times have you practiced swinging this thing? I assume I'd be shit at defending against arrows," Bruce asked, taking a few cautious practice swings with the bulky shield. The turtle shell hadn't shattered when dropped from any height during testing, but he wouldn't be eager to slam it into the ground himself.

"Don't worry. I won't start shooting until you've gotten into position." Her eyes traced his arms and chest before jerking up to his face. Sylva flashed an embarrassed grin and rubbed the back of her neck.

Istora smirked as she draped her tail across Bruce's shoulder, its tip brushing Sylva's hand.

His gaze flicked toward the darkening sky before looking around to ensure no Daubeni were close by. He sighed with relief. The damn little creatures could smell weakness. "Thanks. You sure we should do this after dusk? I can barely see my hand in front of me."

"That's the idea. Tukuron are nocturnal. If it does what we heard those guys talking about, then we shouldn't expect to find it at dawn or high noon. This time is when it'll come out."

Bruce looked toward Istora, who sat by the firepit they'd constructed the day before. A dozen Daubeni lounged by her feet, chewing on a variety of grasses, leaves, and bamboo shoots. One played with the long, fluffy end of her tail, while another braided some twigs.

Sylva shrugged. "You asked if the tukuron would kill anything nearby. Not unless the Daubeni start wandering off too much."

"I suppose that makes sense. I was just expecting a fight of some kind," Bruce said.

She glanced around at the growing horde of furry beasts and smiled. "If so, we'll be fine. With how much time I've been spending making new bows, there must be dozens of them running around now."

"Right." Bruce stepped closer to Istora and bent to scratch her ears. She purred, shifting in her seat, and leaned against him, tail slipping under the hem of his shirt.

"It'll all work out, Riste. Don't worry about the Daubeni. They may be annoying at times, but Nibbler is smart enough to keep them out of trouble," he said, rubbing her lower back. "And, once the three of us are strong, there won't be anyone who can hurt us here. So, let's head out and bag ourselves this tukuron."

****

They found the trailhead a quarter mile into the bamboo forest where Sylva had spotted hunters earlier.

A crude wooden sign with strange symbols indicated they'd reached their goal, and they soon found tracks that appeared recent.

It looks like a bear.

The ground was littered with deep pawprints, each as wide as Bruce's chest. A layer of broken grass led deeper into the thick bamboo grove, which stood fifty feet tall.

"What do you think?" he asked, following the tracks.

"This must be it. Unless the Daubeni are even more careless than they seem. These look pretty fresh," Sylva said, crouching down to peer at the indentations. "And we're not far from the place I overheard those guys talking about. There was a massive tree just up ahead."

Bruce looked at Istora.

The Shaman stood several steps away, staring at the bamboo leaves blocking their view. She'd barely said anything since they started. Her tail hung low, and tendrils fluttered against her jawline.

"Istora?" Bruce walked over to her and slipped a hand around her back, stroking between her shoulder blades. "What's wrong? You've been out of it all day."

"We should finish getting ready. The sooner we kill the tukuron, the better," Sylva said from where she leaned against a nearby tree.

Bruce nodded, not looking away from Istora.

Trying to pull off her pants, the furless girl nearly toppled to the forest floor. Her tendrils flared wide and reached up to steady herself, latching onto branches overhead.

"That sounds wise. We can always add a leather cover later," Sylva said, glancing at Istora for a moment before turning her attention back to Bruce. "I'd try something like a corrugated iron boss over a wood handle, but we have no way of smelting ore or heating the metal without a forge."

Bruce shrugged. "Even if we had the resources, it'd take too much time to learn how to build a proper furnace. And I have a feeling things will get more dangerous soon. It's not a huge issue for now, but that rockback was terrifyingly tough."

"Agreed. So what do you think?"

Sylva turned, and Bruce paused, trying not to laugh.

His friend stood with a pant leg around each ankle. She hopped back and forth, attempting to keep her balance while stepping out of one at a time. Her tendrils strained against her shirt, trying to hold her aloft while the pants slid to the ground.

Istora laughed.

Glaring at both of them, Sylva muttered under her breath, kicked her way free of the pants, then pulled a belt tight around her waist.

Bruce took the shield from her as Sylva tugged a tunic over her head.

The turtle shell was only fifteen inches across and weighed far more than expected, as Sylva had made the frame from the rockback beast's tail bones. It was a good thing she hadn't made the entire structure from wood. He might not have been able to lift such a heavy shield without his new Strength. Still, compared to carrying a massive turtle earlier, the shield hardly registered.

He spun it on his arm, marveling at how it turned to direct a strike away instead of blocking head-on.

Bruce nodded to Sylva, who now wore a similar outfit, having sewn more of Istora's furless skin into trousers. "Now I just need some decent armor. Can you help me with this?"

Sylva rolled her eyes at him but walked over and tightened several straps on his shield. She had already shown him how to adjust them, but she seemed reluctant to give him proper instructions.

"It fits great," Bruce said.

He spun it several times, then slapped it on his body, trying to see what else would trigger a new Achievement.

Nothing happened.

After a few minutes, Sylva stepped away and muttered under her breath.

"You know, we'll have to talk eventually."

Sylva glared at him. "I don't think there's much to say."

"There isn't? How about when we first arrived. You wanted nothing to do with me until you learned I wasn't from this world. What changed?"

Sylva turned her glare skyward. "Oh, I don't know. Maybe it's that you lied to me. Or perhaps that your wife is currently pregnant."

The venom in her tone gave Bruce pause. "That's what's been bothering you so much? And that doesn't explain why you seem pissed off every time I'm nice to Istora. Or that you're upset even after spending most of last night in the company of two other women."

Bruce grabbed the shield, pulling it from her grip and nearly tipping Sylva over. "What the fuck?"

As Sylva scrambled to regain her balance, Bruce spun on one foot, launching the shield outward with a kick. It spun several times before crashing into a tree and bouncing back.

Swaying to a halt, Sylva glared at him, hands clenched into fists.

He caught the returning shield.

Achievement Unlocked—Kicking Turtleback

There are many ways to fight, from brute force to clever strategy. For all that punching and kicking are considered base techniques, the right application can provide an opening. And sometimes that opening is necessary.

The Interface doesn't tell me if I gained any SE from it, but better safe than sorry.

While they had crafted the shield to Sylva's specifications, this test proved he'd be using it primarily as a weapon, not as proper protection. The handle provided far more leverage.

That also meant his fingers remained vulnerable when using Striking Serpent or Piercing Fang. Still, Bruce wouldn't turn down whatever protection it offered. He practiced holding and releasing the shield several times until it felt natural to do so without looking.

Istora frowned, glancing over to where Bruce had planted a makeshift wooden post into the ground. "Riste, what will you be fighting the tukuron with?"

The muscular woman flashed a mischievous grin, bending to pick up her bow. "I figured I'd shoot it from a safe distance, like always."

"We have no idea how much it takes to bring it down." Bruce shook his head. "It would be better to be careful. If we want to sell its carcass for a lot of money, the less damage the better. And this thing is huge if it's as valuable as you claim. It'll make the rockbacks look tiny."

Sylva's smile faded at his serious tone. "Okay, what do you suggest?"

Bruce shrugged, setting the shield to one side. "There's an Achievement for fighting off an attack." He looked around before snatching up the turtle club. "Maybe a melee strike will suffice."

He lifted the club overhead, waiting for Sylva to string an arrow. Then she drew back, aiming at a target roughly ten feet away.

Bruce focused on trying to anticipate her arrow, readying the club. As expected, Sylva released the arrow faster than he could blink. It slammed into his forearm, ricocheting into the dirt. Pain surged as he hissed.

She grinned. "You dodged!"

"Yeah, but we need more power," he answered, massaging his arm. "How about that big spear we made?"

Sylva's mouth pursed. "Sure, it might be strong enough. But it's a bit heavy for me to draw quickly. You want to try shooting it at me while I block it?"

His eyes widened. "Umm... Are you sure that's a good idea? What if you can't catch it in time?"

She laughed, reaching over to squeeze his bicep. "Dude, if you punch me with your noodle arms, I'd be insulted."

Bruce smirked. "I don't know... It wouldn't be hard to surprise you with my ninja moves. Might even get you a new Achievement."

"Don't joke around!" Istora pouted at him.

"We'll both be fine. But just in case..." Bruce turned toward Sylva. "Got your sword handy? We can finally try out that thing from your favorite show."

Sylva blinked. "Uhh... What do you mean?"

"Remember that one movie where a guy got stuck in a different world and trained under a samurai?"

"Ah, yeah. He did the thing." She paused for a moment, eyes widening. "Wait, do you think you could unlock a power that way?"

Bruce shrugged. "Beats me. Seems unlikely since our Maneuvers aren't from that movie or the book it was based off. It's possible though, especially if the rules here are a bit like in the old version."

"Let's keep an eye out," Sylva said, staring up at the trees. A faint smirk touched her lips. "We might find a baby dragon for you to train. It'd be fun watching Istora deal with that."

Bruce followed Sylva's gaze. At first, he saw nothing but trees and branches. Then, his eyes fixed on movement above. A pair of red eyes stared back, followed by a flash of yellow teeth.

Sylva laughed as she spotted his panicked expression. "Relax. That's a squirrel. The only reason they aren't bothering us is the furry fuzzballs we have around camp. They know to avoid things that make Nibbler look like an average cat."

"Yeah, I suppose so. Speaking of dragons, did you guys see any nearby while you were scouting?" He turned back, taking the shield from Sylva and running a thumb across its curved surface.

The shield was made from the upper portion of a rockback shell. The underside bore a rough, porous texture, but the outer surface had a hard, polished shine. Sylva and Bruce used a shell and adze to scrape away the leathery hide and sinew clinging to the shell. It was ugly work, but after several hours, Bruce found himself holding a large piece of what resembled armor plating.

Istora had helped, forming a handle by weaving cordage around the shield's edge. Together, the three of them added a series of thin, finger-sized strips of wood for grips.

Bruce held up the shield now, admiring the handiwork. They had drilled numerous small holes in the top right corner, allowing Sylva to pass twined cordage through the holes before wrapping them down around the wooden grip.

As if sensing his thoughts, the athletic woman answered. "It'll need some more work, but that should do for now. I'm thinking we should lash some cross-stays on the other side. That will help with stabilizing it once you start swinging it."

"Yeah. You've got a good eye for this. Makes me wonder why I didn't go into woodshop when I was younger." He glanced over at Istora. "What do you think, Istora? Good enough for fighting a big lizard?"

"You can fight any monster you like with Riste protecting your back. With her watching your flank, nothing can stop you. It'll all go perfectly."

The girl's odd emphasis drew a glance from Sylva. Something seemed off about her words, but neither questioned Istora further.

He held up the shell, glancing between it and the spear propped nearby. "If you don't mind helping me with the other straps and braces, let's do this right. With any luck, our plan will work tomorrow—then we can head back home and take things easier."

Sylva chuckled at that. "Yeah, I miss the good life. Maybe we should make a list of stuff to look for?"

"I figured we'd just buy some of the tools I had back in New York."

Istora grinned as she helped strap the burlap pads in place. "We could use my family's money. The bankers still know me by name. And I have a box of gems and gold hidden in my old room in Rhamorion. Not like any thieves would find it since only Riste and I know where it is hidden."

"Well, guess that settles things then."

After a moment, Sylva snorted, giving Istora a dubious glance. "You guys hid your wealth in your bedroom? Are you sure it's still there?"

"Of course. That hiding spot was built during my great-grandfather's lifetime. I think it will survive." She smirked at Sylva. "You sound like Jace did when I first explained why it was so important to stay close together."

"And what about your clothes?" the athletic woman asked.

"Oh, some of us can get by without them just fine. Most species use cloth as clothing for protection."

Sylva chuckled, glancing at Bruce. "Good thing you've been working out then. You might want to try harder to get rid of those pants."

Istora laughed.

Bruce's face felt hot, but he ignored their banter and turned his focus back to the shield. The handle helped a lot, allowing him to control its swing with ease. Unlike wooden shields, the rockback plates had plenty of weight. The sturdy shell also deflected water. So even a drenching wouldn't make it heavier than usual.

It was a nice bonus he hadn't expected.

Bruce swung the turtle shell several times, trying to accustom himself to its heft and swing. He still felt sore from testing the stone weights, but that was good practice. Better to get sore from lifting heavy stones than fighting.

Satisfied with how he managed it, Bruce held his free hand out to Istora. "I'm ready. Let's try a cast."

She took his hand with a smile, intertwining her fingers with his own. Sylva grinned at the exchange.

Bruce activated Piercing Fang. Mana stirred in his body as a warm tingling sensation filled him, building toward the moment of release.

Istora touched his hand, the warmth of her fingertips brushing his own. Mana rushed into him in an instant, the power that had stirred now bursting into life. It roared through his body, filling him with exhilarating energy before releasing.

His fist lashed out, striking the edge of the turtle shield. An ear-ringing clang drowned out other sound.

The shield rang like a gong. Even the wood attached to its back was undamaged, but the metal arrowhead sticking out from its edge was bent.

Both women stared at him in disbelief, then broke into delighted laughter.

Bruce flexed his throbbing knuckles. It hadn't hurt as bad as he'd feared, and he grinned. "Looks like my first real attack counts for two. Now if only I had a way to stop them from hitting me."

"Your stats should help, but if you really want to prevent an attack, it would help to improve your reflexes."

He arched an eyebrow. "I'm open to ideas."

Her lips twisted into a grin. "Dodgeball."

Bruce chuckled. "What?"

"My high school was obsessed with that damn sport. My PE teacher thought it would improve our coordination. It mostly involved her whipping a ball at us. If you dodged, you got an A. If it hit? Guess who had to clean the gym." She made a disgusted sound. "Not a single person managed to dodge the damn thing. At least, not without using magic."

He eyed her for a moment. "You didn't cheat with some ability from your Champion Attribute?"

Sylva rolled her eyes, tossing black hair over her shoulder. "Nope. And why should I need to cheat to dodge? Shouldn't it be enough to avoid getting struck if I'm paying attention?"

That struck Bruce as fair. He nodded, testing the weight of the new shield.

The outer face was still a shell, but Sylva had mounted a sturdy handle to the inner side and built a leather strap at the bottom to slip his arm through. The back and sides were reinforced with rockback plates, creating something useful, even if crude.

Bruce took a few steps and practiced lifting it. The balance was a bit odd compared to what he'd expected, but he could manage it.

He slipped his arm inside and pulled the shield into place. The weight distribution was solid, though the leather handle felt too fragile.

Istora made a pleased sound. "It's perfect."

"Not yet it isn't." Sylva grinned. "I'll mount that spear head you made when we get back. It won't take long."

Bruce held his tongue, knowing it wouldn't help. He wanted to keep a backup spear, but both women remained firm on this point. After three days of making the things, he felt like an ancient spear smith who was never satisfied with his creations. The final product had met his standards, and there were only so many hours in a day.

Taking the shield, Bruce nodded toward their packs. Sylva carried a small tent roll and bedroll strapped to her pack. Bruce's bag held most of their rations along with an acazite dagger and flint-and-steel. The rest of their equipment, such as the rope and leather straps, lay in Sylva's larger pack.

He pulled the strap tighter and checked that everything was secure before slinging the shield over his shoulder. It wasn't as cumbersome as he'd expected. Even though the edge curved slightly, the thick shell fit comfortably over his back, allowing him to pull it into place if needed.

The three of them headed off into the jungle. Sylva had told them hunting would take most of a day to reach the tukuron's den, but she'd spent the last several mornings scouting and learning the way. With her guidance, they traveled at a decent pace through the dense foliage.

After an hour of walking, Bruce found it odd. Their route took them in roughly a straight line north, away from the river. Yet the surrounding jungle still felt familiar.

Where the hell are we? And what is this damn fog hiding?

His gut had been churning all week. Something didn't add up, though he couldn't put his finger on why.

Tilting her head, Istora stared around, as though seeing something only she could sense.

She's still looking pale. I know she says she's recovered, but maybe we should wait longer before hunting this tukuron?

Bruce slipped the shield off again and tested it with several swings and jabs. The shell made an excellent weapon in a pinch, and having it mounted on his arm offered protection.

Not like any metal would have stopped those goblins' acid arrows though. Hopefully, this will give me an edge when fighting the tukuron.

"How about you, Istora? Can you help me figure out where this one needs fixing?" Bruce asked. He set the turtle shell back onto the table as he looked over.

The dark-skinned woman flinched, blinking before smiling sheepishly. "W-what?"

"Well, the last few days you've been distant. You said you were fine, but are you sure? You seem like something is weighing on you."

Istora flushed red, looking down at the loincloth she'd completed earlier. She bit her lip and shook her head, her tendrils lying flat against her chest. "Yeah. It's all good. I promise. Just thinking about everything that happened, Jace. That fight was rough—really damn hard."

That was an understatement. Despite her Shamanic Magic being weak, she'd used it all up and then some. Sylva hadn't realized how taxing her magic was at the time, forcing Istora to work through her exhaustion after.

It was the first time Bruce saw a woman puke, and he wished he could have helped somehow. Unfortunately, only the healer could help their patient, as both the Interface and Istora claimed.

His gut sank as he watched the dark-skinned beauty. There was something she wasn't telling him. While she did seem distracted whenever Sylva was nearby, there was more going on.

She was worried or scared. Of what, he didn't know. He couldn't bring himself to press when she'd so clearly wanted to move on after their last conversation.

"How do the straps feel?" Sylva asked, crouching and inspecting the new design.

"Great, actually. Much easier to work with than a hand-hold." Bruce raised his left hand, clenching his fist. The thick strips of rockback hide slipped into the grooves he'd carved around the edge. A small hole at the upper edge provided a place to slide his forearm, giving him a strong grip. The entire construct resembled a scaled kite shield—aside from its origin. "Good job on getting the handle right. This is awesome!"

Sylva shot a triumphant grin at Istora before looking back at Bruce. "I told you I was smart."

"You definitely proved that," Bruce laughed. "So you think this should block anything the tukuron will throw my way?"

The athletic woman shrugged. "Honestly, I can't be sure. That's one big lizard. The only way to know for sure is to test it."

"Let me see!" Istora chirped, setting aside the crude pair of pants she'd been working on and rushing over. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden light on the three Champions and the assembled Daubentons.

Sylva grinned, passing the modified shield over. "Well, it doesn't look pretty. But we'll have it in time to test it tomorrow on the way out of town."

The new shield didn't resemble his rockback plate. Sylva had fashioned a handle for the front, allowing him to better aim when blocking attacks. The curved shell rested against his arm as she adjusted it to fit the length of his forearm.

The athletic woman stepped back. "So I didn't manage a perfect copy of that rockback, but I'm glad to have the practice. We'll need to see how it feels with the rest of your armor."

"Definitely. The scale armor might be a bit too heavy, so maybe the mail hauberk?" Bruce glanced down at the haphazard pants, a mix of burlap and crudely stitched scales. "And Istora did such a nice job with those pants..."

She shrugged, glancing between the two Champions. "Riste can help make adjustments. It'll give me a break from weaving, anyway."

Sylva snickered. "No problem, Zar. You already did a great job on them, honestly. Maybe try making a skirt next?"

Istora's expression clouded, her brow scrunching in confusion. "Why? Shouldn't we prioritize pants?"

"Sure," Sylva replied, nodding sagely. "But Jace's legs are amazing. And you've made a bunch of shirts by now, so a skirt won't take long to throw together. Just some woven rope to hold it up and tie in the back."

Istora considered this, her face slowly easing into a dreamy smile. Her tail rose, stroking the length of Bruce's muscular leg. "They are nice."

Sylva burst out laughing. "It's settled, then!"

Bruce smiled, but his eyes remained focused on Sylva, considering what she'd said earlier.

We both know I'm going to die again...

Sylva looked him dead in the eyes, her expression fierce. "I'll keep you safe. Promise."

He nodded in return. "You too, Riste. You're not going anywhere."

Istora glanced between them, clearly sensing the mood had shifted. She set aside the pants she'd been working on, her tendrils reaching for Bruce's chest and neck.

Bruce chuckled, turning to Istora. He rested a hand atop her head. "I have a plan in mind for this next part, and I need to know how far you're willing to go..."

"For my Champion?" she asked, looking up at him.

Sylva grinned over at the two of them. "Just make sure you give him time to recover, Zar. You've never heard him in the middle of battle before, and the sounds he makes are glorious."

"Oh," Istora whispered, her eyes taking on a predatory glint as her lips curled in a hungry smile. Her tail stroked up the inside of Bruce's thigh, dangerously close to his crotch. "That can be arranged."

He shifted, trying not to get too distracted as the two women discussed him as if he wasn't present.

The shield reminded Bruce of a classic Greek aspis but lacked the traditional central grip. Instead, Sylva and he had designed the handle by wrapping cordage around a branch.

A single strap secured his forearm, leaving his wrist and hand free. When they'd been testing the weight earlier, he had trouble maneuvering it, but his current Attributes more than compensated.

"It should protect most of your torso, just need to remember to duck when using Striking Serpent," Sylva said, nodding in satisfaction.

"Yep. The handle is in an optimal place." He lifted the shell and gave a few practice swings to make sure his center of gravity was steady. "You did good, Riste."

She snorted. "I know. It looks like I remembered my blacksmithing lessons after all."

Bruce chuckled, setting aside the shield. While he couldn't use Maneuvers when hitting a stationary object, there was something viscerally satisfying about punching the solid wooden surface. His fist ached from repetitive strikes earlier.

"So what do you think?" he asked Istora.

She considered him for a long moment. "Not as powerful as Riste, but definitely effective. And the way you're using it seems quite familiar with that strange Maneuver of yours."

"Yeah, I'll need to take some swings at a real enemy and see how it handles during combat, but I'm already feeling pretty confident." Bruce gripped the edge of the shell, finding its balance good and center of gravity ideal. "This feels great. It's going to make my Maneuvers much more formidable in a fight."

Sylva grinned over at him, her eyes running down his body. She bit her bottom lip. "It does look really nice on you. If we can get that lizard, we should spend our earnings on some proper armor. I don't think you fully appreciate just how sexy you look right now."

Istora chuckled from the opposite corner of their cabin.

Bruce raised an eyebrow. "What? Why are you laughing?"

Istora glanced up at him, shaking her head. "Riste's not being honest. You've been looking sexy this entire week."

"Really?" He considered the leather wrap tied around his waist and the cordage bracers on his arms. "The clothes I wore in high school were fancier than these rags."

The Rathemian set aside the rough pants she'd finished to stand and slink toward him. "That's how I prefer my men. Strong, fit, and powerful. If anything, it's an improvement. No idea how anyone would have worn so much cloth in your world. It must have been stifling."

Sylva rolled her eyes. "Jace's body is incredible now, and you know it, Istora." A smile crossed her face as she glanced back at him. "I'm just saying the simple tunic fits the look."

Bruce laughed. "Maybe so. And this shield works really well too."

"What are we going to name it?" Sylva asked.

He raised an eyebrow.

"Seriously. It's a classic RPG trope. And naming our equipment gives us more familiarity with it, which should improve our use."

Istora tapped her lips, looking at the circular shield. "Aspera's Hearthfire."

"Uh... wow. Okay. Not what I would have guessed," Sylva said, laughing.

Bruce stared at Istora, eyes tracing over the smooth skin covering her lithe frame. While the name sounded nice, something about it felt out of character for the woman who had shared such passionate nights with him. He shook his head and flashed a wry grin. "Yeah, you aren't exactly an inferno. No offense, of course. Though I'm not sure why we're naming a turtle shell a goddess's name."

"A-aren't you going to call out your Maneuvers in battle?" Istora asked, cheeks turning red.

"Well, yeah."

"You mentioned it when you fought those goblins back in the forest. Do you know anything about Astra?"

He shrugged. "Not really, other than her being some war god, or goddess, in my world."

Istora gave a firm nod, meeting Bruce's gaze. She bit her lip for a moment before speaking. "In my language, Aspera means fire. It also means life. A hearth is both a place of safety and a source of warmth—life. I like the idea of Aspera's Hearthfire as a name. Her protection, her warmth. We should always try to remember that aspect of the world's energy while we're in this place. Otherwise, I feel like we'll become like many in my home world and lose ourselves to hatred and death."

Her words made Bruce uncomfortable. He'd seen far too much violence to accept that it was wrong. And yet…

He glanced at the woman. Istora's dark eyes burned with passion. And I can't really say it isn't beautiful. The last few nights have been beyond amazing. She's just as sweet as her father's food.

It was strange to him that she could seem so innocent in one respect, but also so sensual. Bruce shook his head. "I know you're right. And I want us all to grow stronger and help our people survive here."

"Then do not forget to hold the fire—to seek Aspera—in your heart."

"Right," Sylva added, patting Bruce on the back. "She's a goddess. A real, actual goddess who wants you as a Champion. It's not like she has much of a choice. She needs us to do this for her."

The blonde warrior rolled her eyes.

Bruce flashed a tight grin, pushing his guilt down. Sylva's comment hurt, but only because there was truth to her words. "Okay, then let's focus on what we can actually change. Namely, making sure that when we're facing off against whatever this tukuron monster is, we win. You guys get set up, and I'll finish my final preparations for the trip. We still have a few hours until it gets dark, right?"

Sylva nodded and walked away. Her body language seemed more relaxed. But a moment later, she paused to grab her quiver before heading up the bamboo ladder to the large treehouse she'd made hers.

It was difficult to keep track of the passage of days, but Bruce assumed it had been over a month since arriving in this world. They were as prepared as possible, and with their supplies, hunting shouldn't take long.

He returned to the rock that he used to knap spearheads. A stack of them rested nearby, along with the turtle shell shield Sylva had finished. His goal for the day was to increase the number of available spearheads.

If the tukuron is anything like what an elephant might be, a single shaft might not prove enough.

When his arm grew tired from shaping obsidian, Bruce began practicing his Maneuvers. He tested Striking Serpent at the speed of a typical run and found the effect useful if not overwhelming. Piercing Fang was more effective. While less dramatic than using an actual weapon, he could easily imagine piercing flesh with the power.

His progress improved when he attempted using Piercing Fang while wielding the primitive spear. After an hour, he unlocked an additional Ability by stabbing at a tree, allowing him to target two foes at once.

Bruce smiled, pleased by his advancement. "Guess we're ready for that hunting trip. You mentioned the tukuron before, right Istora? Can you give me more information? Like, what are its strengths and weaknesses?"

Istora nodded slowly, setting down her bone needle. She reached into her satchel, then passed him a folded paper. The page unfolded to reveal a pencil drawing of the giant lizard. It stood several feet taller at the shoulder, though its height was difficult to judge due to a hunched spine and raised tail.

"Wow. So, a little bigger than I was expecting. Its back looks well armored, but the sides might be less so, judging by how the hide hangs loose. And is that a ridge of spines along the tail and neck?"

"Y-yes," Istora said.

Bruce considered the monster. "Hmm, not sure how hard those will be to pierce with my spear. They look thick. Sylva, think your arrows will even hurt it?"

She eyed the drawing critically. "Maybe if I use one of my iron tips. But these are enchanted, and I wouldn't risk using a regular point unless I get a great shot."

Istora stood nearby, idly caressing a pile of leather with a bone needle. She'd finished both pairs of pants earlier. Sylva was already dressed in hers.

"If Riste shoots first, maybe she'll wound it enough that we can land finishing blows?" Bruce said, frowning at the picture.

The image looked less menacing than a Tyrannosaurus rex but was far larger. A thick neck supported the head. Its scales appeared tough and well armored, though the legs and sides weren't nearly so protected. While there was plenty of meat to hunt, Istora pointed out a vulnerability near the armpit.

"What if it gets close to me before Sylva can land a shot?" he asked.

"That's where my magic comes in," she said, setting the pants down. "I've never cast any spells in combat, but I think you should be able to get within range without too much risk. Riste will take her time aiming each shot. Hopefully, the beast won't notice the tiny darts piercing its hide until it's already injured."

"You want me to run around inside the monster's reach? Doesn't sound like the safest tactic."

Sylva smiled. "Don't worry, I'll stay away from its tail and jaws. And when we go hunting, you'll have this bad boy to hold against attacks."

He grunted in response. "Fine. Let's practice then. This way, Istora can throw me some targets again."

While neither Bruce nor Sylva had unlocked any offensive Maneuvers, there seemed no downside to having Istora hurl things for them to try striking with a spear. Their efforts hadn't turned up much success yet, but Bruce hoped that might change someday.

The pair made their way down the ramp to a nearby clearing. Sylva had found it a good location for archery practice. Istora set out in search of suitable targets, calling back to warn them that it might take a few minutes.

Sylva sighed as Istora headed off, staring at Bruce.

"What?" he asked.

Sylva shook her head, waving for Bruce to ready himself as she walked off. Once at a reasonable range, she called back over her shoulder, "She's changed so much since you came. I barely recognize the woman anymore."

Bruce raised an eyebrow. "How do you mean?"

"Remember how quiet and withdrawn she was? A little like Tessa. Though even worse."

"Sure."

The dark-haired woman smiled sadly, notching an arrow to her enchanted bow. "She never said anything about it, but we all noticed Istora acting scared out of her mind every time a guy came too close to her. And, she looked awful. She was practically skin and bones. We were all worried that some creep might abuse her if she ended up alone with them."

Istora paused, setting the fabric down, her tendrils and face drawn in lines of worry. "We should head to Kusnou tomorrow," she interrupted.

Sylva shrugged in response. "It's just a short distance to the village, Jace. You've got enough Achievements for now."

He frowned. "Sure. I'd prefer a few more Attributes, but they seem to scale based on my level, so I'm sure there's nothing to worry about. As for the tukuron, is there any downside to doing it tonight?"

"Well, I could have Riste and Tessa do a little more exploring in the area. They both have Perception over a hundred."

"And you haven't scouted this tukuron before?"

Sylva shook her head. "There aren't any Champions nearby. Well, none that are showing on my map. So if we're quick, it should be safe enough. We just need to watch for Daubeni, who might be dumb as rocks but are craftier than they look."

"What's your plan if we come across any?" he asked.

Sylva sighed before answering. "Trying to deal with those idiots is pointless. We'll just ignore them, so long as they ignore us. They'll have moved on by the time we get back. And the longer we wait to start hunting, the more chance there'll be people looking for it."

Bruce nodded. "Okay. Are we ready to go, then?"

He still wore only the simple loincloth. While not quite at Sylva's level of scandalous, Bruce felt his ass was at risk of flashing everyone. His spear was the most advanced weapon they'd been able to come up with.

It stood around seven feet tall with a six-foot haft that included a butt spike and sharpened end. Sylva had offered her bow, but Bruce suspected he would find it unwieldly until he built more muscle mass.

"Yep. Let's load up," Sylva said.

Istora grabbed him for an enthusiastic hug. "I'm really excited to see your plan for this tukuron. Hopefully, we can finish it quickly and get to the village in time for dinner."

Bruce patted the young woman's back before she let him go.

Istora glanced down at the ground. "Though if we can't...that's okay too. You could stay here with me for another day."

She flashed a sultry look that made Bruce think hunting the tukuron would prove a great idea. Sylva snickered but kept her comments to herself.

Once she'd donned her chainmail coat and helm, Sylva checked her inventory one last time and nodded.

"Everything looks good. Now that your new outfit's complete, let's go!"

Bruce took the shield from her. They had reinforced the sides, using leather straps to fasten it to his arm and hand.

After several minutes of struggling to find a comfortable hold, he stood with shield in his left hand and a simple spear in his right.

Sylva raised an eyebrow. "That's the best you could come up with?"

Bruce shrugged. "We'll see what happens when I test them out. And it's easier to carve. With my Strength, I might have made the wrong choice otherwise."

Istora glanced at him, flashing a soft grin before returning to her needlework. Despite having been a city girl back on Earth, she proved adept at crafting clothes. She even fashioned a pair of sandals from tough ratemelon skin for his feet.

Not sure how effective these are going to be with no soles, but it's better than nothing. If we ever do get some money, I want sneakers like nobody's business.

Sylva flashed a faux scowl, but he could tell her heart wasn't in it. "And miss out on the chance to flex your muscles? As if."

After another round of giggles from the women, Bruce returned to work. A crude hammer and chisel, also of stone, allowed him to add decorative swirls that seemed popular in Rophmna.

If my Strength was a hundred plus, I might be able to fashion something decent with wood and bone. That will have to wait until we have cash flowing in and proper tools.

It still left him in awe. He stood less than five feet tall with the body of a scrawny high-schooler. But he could heft and swing a massive wooden spear in one hand. If someone told him he'd be an athlete here, Bruce would've scoffed. Yet, each day proved that impossible future possible.

He took a few practice swings with the spear Sylva fashioned from a dead yarap root. The blunt weapon wasn't as effective as Trevor's gladius, but its weight felt reassuring in his grip.

Bruce grinned. "All right. I guess this is it. We ready?"

"Just about. And the tukuron are supposed to hang around near Kusnou, right?" Sylva asked as she finished strapping on her breastplate.

Sylva made her own armor after she'd helped Bruce craft the burlap bracers and discovered a pattern of Achievements for crafting gear. Her set was still crude by Earth standards but far more effective than anything else in Kusnou. Bruce's crude bracers didn't help much when it came to combat, but he did enjoy the boost in Strength they granted.

The athletic woman held an arrow as she examined Bruce's stone spearhead. She'd enchanted several with different effects as a reward for her Maneuver practice. Unfortunately, neither of them understood how enchantments worked. The Interface gave nothing but vague explanations on their nature. They could see the runes they formed, but even knowing them didn't provide an understanding of their purpose.

Sylva grimaced, muttering as she adjusted something.

Istora looked up from Bruce's trousers, her tendrils waving in curiosity.

She smiled. "Got it! It'll give me a bonus to my attack stat whenever I use the bow. Not sure what it will do otherwise, but I'm glad to have some enchanting done."

After a few last tests, Bruce handed the crude shield back. Sylva frowned, examining its surface. "It's gonna need another coat of glue to fill in the gaps and cracks. And it's still pretty ugly..." She shot Bruce a glance as a sly smile crept onto her lips. "Well, at least it matches your bracers."

Bruce snickered. He turned to examine Istora's work as Sylva headed over to check on a cooking pot suspended above a firepit. The Shaman stood, brushing her long blue hair out of her eyes as she held the loose-fitting breeches up for examination.

"Thanks," Bruce said. "Should save me from chafing."

Istora smiled brightly, her dark green skin flushing. "I hope you like them. Your clothes are all so dirty, and these might help you with the cold at night."

She had taken their suggestion to wear less around camp since it was hot as hell, which made the treehouse far more comfortable. But Bruce and Sylva still found it odd when their companion walked about nearly naked.

After Bruce donned the breeches and confirmed that they fit well, he asked, "Are you looking forward to our big hunt?"

Istora's smile broadened. She glanced away, her fingers fiddling. "Yeah, but I am worried that we won't find a tukuron. And, maybe it will attack us instead? You'll be okay though, Jace. You're really strong now."

"Well, if nothing else, the trip should be fun."

She laughed, the tension fading. "Right."

The sound of a throat clearing broke the moment. Sylva shot him an annoyed look before accepting her trousers from Istora. "Thank you!"

Istora flashed an embarrassed smile, blushing violet as she turned back to Bruce. His clothing lay neatly folded nearby. He pulled his pants on as she approached, offering a sly wink that caused her to bite her bottom lip.

Despite Sylva's presence, Istora still seemed eager to resume their nightly activities once they returned to the jungle. For all her bashfulness, she wasn't shy around their other companion. If anything, she seemed to enjoy Sylva's presence. And, Istora certainly wasn't lacking in confidence.

He was still a bit bewildered by the entire situation but figured they could discuss it later.

"Try it," Istora urged, placing the shield in his hands. It was smaller than Sylva had predicted, just over half his height and barely wide enough to cover his head and torso if held low.

Bruce picked it up and tested the weight. The handle felt sturdy, which made him wonder how she'd bored it without the turtle plate breaking. Despite the shell's rough exterior, it was far lighter than he expected. The wood wasn't nearly as dense as the turtle plate itself, though he guessed the shell was reinforced with magic.

He gave the shield an experimental spin before setting it aside, ready for his second attempt. He stood straight, right arm angled toward an invisible enemy.

This is ridiculous. Why did I agree to this again?

Istora had convinced him that, despite the oddity of a barbarian fighting with a shield, he was technically a Champion of Chaos—and she had been right. A new Maneuver had unlocked as soon as he started practicing shield bashing.

Striking Serpent required the speed and aggression of the prior Maneuvers, while Shield Charge built up speed like a barreling car. However, it used mana to enhance his natural reflexes, allowing him to bash an enemy without having to slow down.

He activated Striking Serpent, darting toward the nearby log. The movement boost let him clear the distance before the cooldown wore off. Bruce planted a bare foot against the bark and pushed off, turning to strike the log as hard as he could. The log shattered from the force.

As he landed, Bruce smiled. He wasn't sure what he'd been expecting when it came to fighting, but these Maneuvers were far cooler than he'd imagined.

His first thought was that they were reminiscent of something from Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat. Yet, the speed boost made them different from supercombo type moves. These didn’t require any other actions during their use and worked perfectly well against inanimate objects.

"What was that? It looked like a move out of a martial arts movie!" Istora exclaimed.

Bruce explained about the Maneuver system and his own Class, then launched into an abbreviated history of the various fictional games and shows he referenced.

By the time he finished, the Rathemian girl seemed to be taking his descriptions entirely too seriously, which prompted another round of questioning. She clearly wanted to know every detail about his old world.

Sylva listened to the exchange with a thoughtful expression. "Huh. You never described Earth or your homeworld like this before. I'd say this sounds less like a game and more like a fantasy show, though. Something closer to Dragonlance or Earthsea maybe?"

Bruce blinked. He had read those books years ago, but it hadn't occurred to him to mention them when Istora started asking about where he came from.

"Huh, yeah. Those were great books. And honestly, that fits."

She nodded, leaning against a nearby tree as she spoke. "Anyway, once Istora finishes the pants, you'll have something a bit better than your loincloth and bracers. The stone axe will work well enough until you figure out an enchantment, but we should also make some bows and arrows if we plan to go hunting. My bow is powerful, but it could break if used as a club, so the range would come in handy."

The shield proved far more manageable, and it even deflected Bruce's blows from Striking Serpent without cracking. Once they added a leather strap to secure the metal shank he'd crafted as a spearhead, they deemed it adequate.

On the final day before they left to hunt for the tukuron, Bruce finally mastered knapping. The Interface acknowledged his progress with a prompt.

Bruce shrugged. "Sounds good to me."

They made plans to head out first thing the next morning, which turned out to be surprisingly chaotic.

Istora woke well before sunrise to wake Bruce. Their nighttime activities helped to ensure that she always slept in. Though they remained quiet, their lovemaking still roused Sylva, and the athletic woman insisted that Bruce make breakfast instead of getting started early. He suspected Sylva knew why Istora had woken up on time.

As the hours ticked by, a crowd of Daubeni crowded around them. They clearly wanted food, but none seemed willing to risk asking for anything, despite Sylva repeatedly ordering them away.

Finally, Bruce had enough.

After slapping together a simple egg omelet with bits of turtle meat and some wild onion, he handed a third of it off to Sylva. Then, after giving Istora the biggest chunk, he carried his remaining meal to where most of the little creatures watched. He sat down on the ground in front of them, ignoring their wary stares.

A low murmuring rippled among the Daubeni, and Bruce felt the furred gremlins creeping closer. As he dug into his food, the closest approached and began sniffing at his hands and the ground.

After finishing half his meal, he set the rest of his omelet down, watching as several fought to claim the offering. A small smile tugged at his lips.

These little guys are like a cross between monkeys and puppies. They may not be cute, but I think they might have potential if we can work out their feral tendencies.

One particularly bold creature claimed his unfinished egg concoction and scrambled up a nearby tree. It began stuffing its cheeks as several others tried to follow suit, shrieking and fighting among themselves.

Yeah, they really need a bit more civilizing.

He pushed himself up to his feet, grabbing for the wooden spear and practice spear they'd been working on. It took several more failed attempts before he received the Maneuver description again, but this time, something was different.

The Interface prompt read like an advertisement rather than the usual system messages.

Pierce the Flesh- Spear is one of mankind's oldest weapons. Even without enchantments or magic, properly constructed spears can reach farther than a bow with greater power. You have demonstrated your ability to use a spear in combat as well as to create one that strikes true. Now, you need only wield it against the foe who dares raise their claws against you to complete Pierce the Flesh.

Requires:

Spear: Spear must be made from Acazite-type material. Shield: Shield must be constructed from organic materials (e.g. wood, leather, skin, etc.).

Unlocks: Piercing Fang Maneuver. +25 Strength.

A smile touched Bruce’s lips. Finally, we have an advantage against the tukuron. If the system has to specify types of materials like that, this must be one of the big ones.

After reading the description, the girls asked several questions about the unlock, but Bruce hadn't unlocked anything quite like this before. They'd experimented a bit more with his new Maneuvers, concluding that each appeared to have its own cooldown time.

Piercing Fang's activation was far faster than Striking Serpent, perhaps only taking fifteen to twenty seconds to re-enable. But given his stats, even if he only used one once an hour, he should have more than enough time to recover it if the monster was slow enough to avoid the strike.

When Sylva saw his expression, she grinned. "Looks like it was worth the time and effort."

"Yeah," he replied, shifting the shield around his arm to test the fit.

Istora beamed. "I know we'll kill the tukuron."

Sylva's grin faded as she nodded to the jungle. "I hate to admit it, but I wish this damn planet had dungeons like you suggested."

Bruce shrugged, trying to lift his new shield up and down to exercise his arm. He'd need to strengthen his muscles if he planned to use a heavy shield.

It's almost two feet tall with a rockback shell. Weighs over forty pounds and I'm going to run into the tukuron with it.

He eyed the shield, which appeared crude, yet sturdy. "The Interface mentioned something about ruins. Maybe we can explore them when we're done?"

She grunted and rubbed her tattoo. "Maybe. I want to focus on building some proper gear and figuring out a way back to Earth."

"Don't blame you." Bruce nodded but then paused, staring at her forearm.

Wait a second.

"Hey, that wasn't there before!"

Sylva frowned, glancing down at her forearm. "What wasn't? And when did you see my arm?"

Istora snorted, tail stroking his back as he held out the shield.

"No, not your tattoo. There's a small white icon of a shield glowing beneath the skin."

Sylva squinted at the spot he pointed to. "I don't see it. Maybe that's because I'm looking right at my arm? It could be a passive skill or maybe a new type of marking from our Boon," she offered, her eyes still studying the spot.

The Shaman paused her weaving. Her tendrils reached out, stroking Bruce's arm. "I feel a new link to Riste. You too, Jace?"

Bruce nodded. "I can tell you're near me without even looking. I was wondering if there was a range limit or something."

"Doesn't appear to be one," Sylva observed.

With so many tasks to focus on, and both Sylva and Bruce being more comfortable around the Shaman now, no one felt shy anymore when changing.

Istora had spent every night nestled between Bruce and Sylva for over a week and seemed determined to use her newfound freedom to the fullest. Her eyes studied his body as he stretched. She wasn't quite drooling, but it was close. "Jace, I need a break from crafting, otherwise my fingers will fall off. Can we do it?"

Bruce laughed at her eager expression. "Not yet. If we keep working, I should have everything unlocked before tomorrow."

She pouted but refocused on finishing the pants. They still needed a drawstring but looked sturdy enough to endure a fight without splitting.

We're running out of rope. And if the tukuron scales can help make stronger cords, we'll have another source of materials to trade with the locals.

Despite Bruce's concerns that crafting would prove boring, he was impressed by the variety and utility of Istora's skills. Not only did she weave crude garments and netting from cordage, she'd also turned bamboo and branches into primitive spears and bows.

Not surprising given how many different forms of textiles and tools Istora used during our rescue. Even if I'm not sure this shield is quite up to taking on a dragon.

Bruce accepted the shield. He held the shell tight against his forearm. Despite its size, he found it easy to wield.

His hand tightened around the bone handle. It felt solid and secure. If anything, he worried it might slip loose during battle.

He walked closer to the stoneback shell they'd embedded in a post and swung the shield at it. A loud, metallic *thump* resounded as the wooden boss of his shield smacked into the thick plate.

"Yeah, that looks good," Sylva said with a grin. She turned and gave Istora an approving nod. "It should hold up, and we got a decent bounce."

Istora offered a shy smile as her tendrils reached over, checking the tension on the strap connecting the shield's back edge to the handle. "There should be some flex that'll help absorb some of the shock. Plus, the shield should help keep it on your arm during any wild swings."

"And if it does slip?"

Sylva snorted. "I've seen you play football, Jace. I'm sure it won't do more than bruise your ego. We made sure the handle is long enough that even with both hands bracing behind the shield, it shouldn't be able to knock your arm aside too easily. But if that's all it takes to stop you, we'll make another spear. Maybe this time, Istora can conjure a little more fire."

"Hmph." Bruce shook his head, grinning. "I think I still need to unlock a few more Crafting Achievements before I tackle the big guy. At least, that seems prudent."

He gave the shield a few experimental swings. It felt solid, despite the crude nature of its construction. He took a few practice blocks as well, but Sylva's attacks were no more intimidating than a few harmless slaps.

After spending a few moments blocking each possible strike she could conceive of, Bruce smiled. "Yeah, this should work. The weight isn't terrible, and it feels surprisingly stable."

"Might not want to try and jump into any rivers with it though," Sylva replied dryly, giving him an appraising look.

He laughed at that, recalling the many football players who had slipped up during games over the years. "That probably wouldn't end well."

Istora grinned, offering the rough hemp pants she'd finished. Her smile fell a second later, though, glancing worriedly toward the path they'd cut through the jungle.

Bruce donned his new equipment—boots, pants, tunic, and gloves, all made from rockback hide. Once he finished, he hefted the shield, finding it felt solid and secure against his forearm. Istora conjured a fireball that he easily blocked.

A series of chimes resounded in his mind, and Bruce read the incoming notification.

You have acquired the skill Stonebreaker's Shield, Shield Proficiency (Shield). Increase your understanding of shields to enhance their use. Bonus increases with rank.

Stonebreaker? I'm guessing that comes from working on so many rockback shells. Still, it seems pretty darn useful. The bonus Strength from my Shining Shell armor will make sure I can actually lift this shield when we reach town.

While it lacked the enchantments and craftsmanship of the gladius or spear, Bruce could see how well-made the weapon was. It featured an adze hewn from dark stone, fixed to the shaft with cordage, which would add some range in his attacks.

Bruce gave the spear a few experimental thrusts and swings. Its length wasn't ideal—just shy of seven feet. Yet, with a foot or more of sturdy reeds forming the handle, and the head crafted from black granite, it was a solid weapon.

He'd tried crafting several versions of the tip before settling on the simplest one, and his efforts paid off.

You have received the following bonuses for creating your first enchanted item: Crafting has reached Rank 35, Stonecrafting, Spear Proficiency I.

Well, I didn't even realize stone was considered a "stone." Still, an enchanted spear is way cooler than I thought possible.

He nodded to Istora, who raised a hand and spoke in that fluid language he was still trying to learn. A faint green glow shimmered around them.

She had cast Ward of Preservation earlier, keeping their dinner safe for travel and ensuring it wouldn't spoil before they made it back to the cave.

Sylva stood, offering to take his spear while he grabbed his gear. The shield weighed several hundred pounds. Despite his Strength being over eighty now, Bruce was winded, barely able to lift the turtle shell onto his back.

That was just a test run, though. I didn’t attempt Striking Serpent or use my armor either. If I can activate my Maneuvers when necessary, this won't even faze me.

As Bruce fastened the rope strap across his chest, he felt a sudden surge of Strength and Agility. The turtle shell on his back suddenly felt weightless, and he could sense a wave of magic flowing around it. A new notification appeared.

Your Shining Shell armor has unlocked the spell, Shield of Raiju. You now have access to a single active use per day. Increase your understanding and control of shields to learn new abilities.

Bruce glanced at the two women. Sylva eyed the shell curiously, but Istora gazed at him with wonderment.

The slender, furry alien woman had grown close to his level of Strength—or perhaps a few points weaker—by crafting so much clothing.

She could probably lift this too, Bruce thought, grinning as he raised the shield to examine it. The leather binding and cordage they'd attached to the rim of the turtle shell was functional, but it did nothing to enhance the appearance.

He focused, sending a surge of mana to the crystal set into his bracelet. A familiar crackle rippled down his arm as blue lightning arced over his skin. He cast the spell.

Sharp barbs extended along the edge of the turtle shell, like the clawed paws of an enormous cat, but with two more fingers. Bruce couldn't help grinning at the new effect.

His Shield of Raiju granted three defensive stances that changed based on how he activated it.

Shifting Sand, the passive mode, offered only minimal protections but had little impact on his SE regeneration. The passive mode also allowed him to alter its form to suit his needs.

Piercing Fang could transform into a spear or pike. While using Striking Serpent left him vulnerable to return attacks, the defensive power formed sharp spikes that increased his parries and strikes by a decent margin.

He chose to try it in the defensive version first and grinned as magic flowed down his arm, blue sparks crawling along the wooden frame of the shield. The magic transformed, coating the turtle shell with shimmering blue energy.

It weighed less than it had when Bruce first strapped it to his back. A wave of power coursed through him. He felt a subtle sense of focus, almost like an intense burst of adrenaline but without the accompanying anxiety.

Sylva took a few steps backward, raising her bow. Without conscious thought, Bruce shifted his stance, lowering the shield just enough to reveal his eyes. He locked his elbow in place, keeping a grip on the shield handle while Sylva aimed.

When the first arrow thunked into the turtle shell shield, Bruce grunted at the impact. His arm ached slightly, but his grip held strong.

Sylva drew again and loosed. This arrow struck home too, its steel head biting into the wood frame. The next three arrows hit just as hard and fast, the last one landing close to his foot.

A grin spread across her face. Her breathing came deep and slow as she relaxed the tension in her bowstring.

She walked forward to inspect the shield.

Bruce pulled an arrow free and examined the shaft. She'd been right.

The arrowhead cut almost an inch into the hardened wood. Had it struck him instead of the shield, it might have punched through the leather straps and even pierced his shoulder. The shell would prevent any arrows from penetrating too deeply, but her enhanced strength gave the arrow more power than it should have possessed.

Istora's tendrils stroked Bruce's back. "It turned out really good, guys. Maybe add some more reinforcement to the inside, like we did with the shield edges? But I'm surprised Riste's bow isn't stronger, Jace. Isn't it supposed to be an enchanted bow?"

Sylva shrugged and gestured for Bruce to hold the shield up. "There were restrictions on it."

"How so?"

"That was one of the only weapons that survived after the fall of Atlantaea. So I couldn't design anything more modern."

He gave her a sideways look. "So, you knew a lot about Atlantaea from the beginning?"

She smiled. "I learned everything my grandfather taught me when he brought us to Earth. He never liked talking about Atlantis, and it just made him sadder. I guess when he heard that you were interested in the city, he changed his mind. Maybe he hoped learning what happened might give you some comfort. Not that there's much to know. I'm still confused by the differences between those cities, myself."

Istora looked up at him. "What exactly happened during that first fight?"

Sylva sighed, glancing toward her pack where her enchanted bow lay within reach. "He did say there'd been a battle there once, but it was thousands of years ago, and we don't have many records about what caused it. What is known is that some kind of force came to punish my people. It used our technology against us, destroying our most powerful machines with ease. The destruction leveled entire continents, shattering mountains in a single blow. Our only defense was our magic and the ancient spirits of Atlantis themselves. They managed to fend off the enemy long enough for us to evacuate the planet. Most of our population escaped." She fell silent for several moments, her eyes distant before shaking her head. "It's why it's so strange to me that you ended up here instead, Bruce. There should be another Earth somewhere else. One without any connection to Atlantis."

He frowned. "That's odd."

Sylva shrugged. "Maybe I've misunderstood something."

"How did you end up on your Earth?" Istora asked.

The athletic woman grinned, the darkness falling from her eyes. "My father is an accomplished spellweaver and was a researcher with the University of New Atlantis. He worked on a research project studying the effects of mana on spatial fabric, which I understand a lot less than the name implies. I don't remember exactly, but there was some sort of accident, and Dad lost control of the portal he was studying. The whole team was evacuated here as a safety precaution." She laughed and shook her head. "Mom was mad for like, two weeks, then she settled in and we were a family again."

Bruce's breath caught in his throat. His parents had died in a traffic accident during his senior year of high school. They'd been together for decades, and Mom was the person that made their home a proper house. His father had always struggled to show affection, much less express it. Still, Bruce missed the way his mother lit up whenever she smiled or hugged him. He felt a pang of jealousy as Sylva talked about how close her parents were.

At least they have each other, and I can imagine what life was like before the attack. It's strange. I still feel grief, but it seems somehow distant. Like my memories are those of someone else. My mind seems to be adapting.

Sylva shrugged. "A bit ironic, but if my dad hadn't screwed up his research, I'd never have met Trev, and who knows what might have happened?"

The athletic woman gave Bruce a warm smile that sent shivers up his back. Her tanned skin, golden hair, and strong features should have made her look harsher than her soft gaze did. The light pink blouse she wore brought out her brown eyes, and he caught glimpses of her curves.

Is it just the fact that I've only slept with Istora so far? Am I missing the physical intimacy?

Her brows raised in concern when he didn't say anything.

He flushed and nodded to the shield. "Sorry, lost in thought. This is a vast improvement. I'll need to drill some holes so I can attach a cordage strap, but that's just an experiment to see if I unlock any Maneuvers."

Sylva let out a breath and nodded. "Cool. Okay, then we can set out. My mana is mostly full, so I'll make some mana potions tonight." She grinned as her hands glowed. "You still think it's cheating since we can craft them from plants."

"No idea. You're using the Mana to activate the Alchemy skill and brew them. I'm guessing they aren't pure mana like that potion you gave me, or they would be worth a fortune, right? So maybe they count. Either way, I'll take full advantage of your crafting skills. There's no way I could have made such a nice bow. I can barely make a decent spear point much less a proper arrowhead."

His smile fell slightly as he caught her frown. The weapon had come after she killed the kobold Champion and gifted him the gladius.

"Something wrong?"

"Nah, just hoping I get another Enchanter Achievement soon. The bow only seems to boost my Accuracy a tiny bit when I draw. I thought it would increase damage somehow, but that didn't happen."

She handed Bruce the shield, and he secured it onto his left forearm using leather straps. After some initial trouble, Sylva crafted an effective carrying strap that let him shift his grip to the inside. They even attached an extra piece of rockback plating to make it sturdy enough to take a serious blow without breaking.

"Well, we already discussed that the stats are likely hidden by a certain level or something else until we've unlocked them." She shrugged as he moved his arm around to get used to the weight and the feel of holding a large shell against his body. "We'll both probably unlock one soon."

Bruce grimaced. "Yeah, I'm thinking so. My Interface says we're ready. So we need to head out tomorrow."

Sylva hesitated, a faint scowl twisting her lips. "I think I should go hunting it alone. The bow will make the job easy. The thing was only described as big and scaly, but from what the hunters said, it's pretty vulnerable to damage through its thick hide. My arrows can easily punch through."

Bruce glanced over at Istora, who had frozen with needle and thread in hand, ears splayed flat, eyes wide and anxious.

She shook her head sharply and met his gaze, a stubborn look on her face. Her tendrils waved at him as if they had minds of their own, and she turned her head. Her tail thumped a quick rhythm against the ground. "Let Riste try."

"What's up with you? It sounds like both of you don't really want me around. If you don't want me tagging along, just say so."

Bruce turned the shield over, frowning at its weight. After working on crafting Achievements, he realized the true value of strength and agility Attributes. They not only improved performance in combat but gave him the ability to carry heavier loads without exhaustion. His body felt stronger than ever before, even when compared to football and his training regimen in college.

Sylva scowled. "You aren't getting it. We're worried about you." She glanced over at Istora. "It'll be easier to explain what we've learned if you have an Enchanter or similar Crafting Attribute. The enchantments work pretty much like those we use in games. The better your base material and the workmanship, the greater the enchantment potential."

Bruce frowned at the rockback shell that made up his shield. He'd been unable to get an exact readout of its stats, but he knew it was far superior to a leather shield from his world. A large section of one edge was missing, exposing the wooden frame. "We used cordage and other things, though."

"Cordage is easy for me, and I'm a Champion," Sylva said with a shrug. "The point is we did our best and enchanted the shell anyway, so it's stronger than leather would be. The enchantments themselves are simple and limited in scope, but that's not a fault of the shell itself."

Bruce nodded.

She pointed at the shield. "So when we enchanted it, we tried for some basic ones to help increase its durability and give it resistance to flame. It's not fireproof, though. But the problem is that this shell isn't rated for a high quality enchantment, meaning the enchantments won't last long." She smirked and added, "You should definitely have Istora look at it to get an exact idea."

Istora grinned and looked over to him. "Well, according to the Interface, it'll resist heat and impact by twenty-five percent, but it will fade in roughly twelve hours. The actual durability is lessened by the enchantment too, so it won't be as hard. So be careful, okay?"

Bruce smiled down at the girl. She might not be good in combat, but her gift allowed them all to become far stronger.

"Thanks," he told her.

After testing it, Bruce frowned. He liked the feel of the turtle shell under his hands, its weight balanced perfectly for him.

The shell itself had transformed into a dark crimson hue during their crafting efforts, but there remained the matter of making the shield functional. They'd used a sturdy wooden frame similar to Trevor's kite shield to support the shell, but it was cumbersome and lacked straps to secure his arm.

Sylva held up a cordage that she made using some leather she had from before.

Istora perked up as Sylva explained it to Bruce. The woman pointed out all the things they made of it, from the turntable, to their clothes, to the ropes binding together their new shields. She was also working to make a strap for the top of the turtle shell. It was going to function as the shield that he would place his hand in when not in use, just like a Roman shield.

The whole thing was quite interesting to see. A mix of primitive and modern methods. But Bruce figured it should do the job if they got in trouble.

While experimenting with different types of cordage, Istora discovered a process for creating natural rubber using only sap and ash from a nearby tree. Their efforts yielded both strong lines and a thin but sticky substance. They coated the shield, helping secure it against Bruce’s left arm.

His new shield wasn't pretty; it wasn’t even symmetrical. Yet its weight was pleasant and balanced to his arm's strength. And it should be effective at soaking incoming damage.

A simple, wooden frame reinforced the shell on its back side, offering solid protection for his hand and forearm. The upper third consisted of the same rockback carapace they had used for armor, but the lower half was fashioned from the original shell of an average turtle they'd killed.

Sylva had helped Bruce affix a curved strip of rockback shell to protect his hand and fingers when it was raised, leaving them vulnerable without it. Bruce thought it resembled the Spartan shield from Red Dead Redemption 2. Only in reverse, and smaller, with a more rounded top and lower crossbar.

The only thing that remained to complete his armaments were some armored pants and a cloak. Those had proven tricky as his measurements varied wildly by morning and evening, despite Sylva measuring him daily. They managed a pair of makeshift shorts out of rockback shells, but they needed to wait until the afternoon if he was going to wear them that day.

As for the cloak, Istora had woven some soft fabric out of vines and leaves. She even created an ingenious clasp using bits of shell carved into hooks and connected by cordage. The material was a pleasant green shade, and he looked forward to wearing it once they left.

After he spent an evening grinding a new spearhead with Istora helping, she crafted one last thing. A belt pouch and strap for the sheath of Trevor's gladius. Bruce hoped he could use it for Piercing Fang at some point. It fit perfectly with a simple loop of rope tying it shut. He'd been unable to find the sheath when he'd examined the fallen warrior's gear.

They spent several days preparing to hunt the tukuron while Bruce waited for his Attribute scores to reach ninety or greater before leaving.

He tried sparring with Sylva to practice his Maneuvers without actually injuring himself. His efforts proved fruitless though, and he decided to simply avoid using them against the giant monster.

It would have been nice to get in a few practice runs first, but I can see why so many Champions end up as a pincushion for their opponents. No way I could use the Maneuvers for actual attacks. And once you hit someone with your sword or spear, it gets awkward if it doesn't penetrate.

As they neared departure day, Sylva suggested they visit a nearby village to learn more about hunting tukurons. Bruce initially balked at the idea, worried that the locals might recognize the pair of Champions.

When she argued that even if the town was home to the hunters she'd overheard, there were few reasons to believe anyone in Kusnou would seek out a fight. Sylva did agree to wear clothes when they visited and keep her Champion cloak hidden in her Inventory.

The trip took an entire morning since they followed the river upstream at an easy pace. Bruce carried a bundle of spears on his back, but they hadn’t bothered preparing any other gear. The journey was only to gather information and plan.

Istora opted to stay in camp, claiming she needed to finish the pants and would watch over Nibbler. Despite their suspicions of her intentions, Bruce and Sylva didn't press further.

It took about five hours to reach the hamlet of Kusnou along a muddy road leading off from their path along the riverbank. Unlike Sorenson, Kusnou wasn't walled. It held about a dozen simple roundhouses built mostly of wood with thatch roofs, several animal pens, and a larger structure near the center of town. A single dirt path wound through the buildings, which Sylva identified as a meeting hall and an inn. She gestured toward a building with a few empty spaces for animals outside, the only one showing signs of neglect and disrepair.

Sylva had changed into loose hemp garments similar to Istora's usual outfit but made for the cooler weather and without revealing furry limbs. With no better idea of local customs, she tied her hair up under a wide-brimmed hat. Bruce wore the pants, boots, and padded gambeson that Sylva had purchased at a store in Sorenson, the gambeson still showing some minor singe marks from their last fight.

A middle-aged man wearing simple homespun stood leaning against a building nearby, eyeing Bruce and Sylva as they entered town. "Never seen ye before. Come far?" He asked with a thick accent, though his voice lacked any menace.

Bruce and Sylva glanced at each other, both unsure what to say.

"Stopping to trade, maybe rest a while," Bruce replied.

The townsman eyed him for several seconds before shrugging and replying. "I'm sure the village will welcome you and your companions." He motioned toward the gate as he spoke.

Sylva let out a sharp laugh. "Tried that joke when I first got here." She grinned at Bruce, then turned back to the man. "It took some explaining, but I figured it out eventually. Turns out his song is referencing a children's story back on Earth. We'll pass this time, though, we're in a bit of a hurry."

"As you wish. Good day, strangers. Be well. If you change your mind, please come and seek us out." The guard gave a polite nod and waved them on.

Bruce returned the gesture, then started singing. "Come along with me..."

"And you'll be," Istora chimed in. She still wasn't familiar with Earth music, but they'd played plenty of Bob songs over the past week.

Bruce smiled at her as they continued to sing, making their way deeper into town. It took nearly ten minutes to weave around the busy streets, heading toward the city walls.

Several people recognized them and stopped to introduce themselves. Sylva handled introductions since Istora remained shy, and Bruce tended to get tongue-tied when talking to women.

Most gave curious glances at the spear he carried across his back—the stone tip now securely fastened with cordage to a straight length of bamboo. The primitive weapon reminded him of a boar spear, though much more slender. He hadn't bothered carving runes or adding anything more sophisticated than a cross-piece.

As they reached the outer gate, Sylva glanced at him with a wry grin. She paused singing to whisper, "I can see you, so it definitely works."

The woman waved at someone nearby and spoke in her local language. While Istora struggled to follow the quick words, Bruce felt certain it involved giving directions to the tukuron territory and warning them of the impending hunt.

Sylva sang the final note of the song and turned to Istora and Bruce. "Alright, I told her where we're heading and to ask if anyone else wanted to come along. It might help to have backup, just in case. But she said it would take a couple days for anyone to catch up."

"How many people actually know about the monster? Enough to get to it first?" Bruce asked. He adjusted his pack to sit more comfortably.

Istora moved closer, draping an arm over him as they walked.

"A few probably do. But the only way I found out was when a couple of those hunters visited town last month. I got curious and followed them around a bit." She grinned. "They mentioned the area several times, and I overheard something about setting up camps there soon. When I pressed further, one finally broke down and explained what they were after. Since it's such a dangerous monster, he thought it'd be fun to go along—but needed to convince more people to come with. They're not all from Larendath, so word won't travel far, and the other two I overheard weren't locals either. That gave us some time before others arrive."

"But they could find out from the same tavern," Istora countered.

"Yeah, but I doubt they'll rush off immediately. You know how lazy some of the locals can get. They talk a big game, but it always takes them a few days to arrange things like this. Not even sure they've convinced anyone else to join. From what the guy said, he still needs at least four more."

"Hmm. I guess that's true," Istora conceded, finishing the crude pants with a grin. "There. All done." She stood, walking over to hand the new pants to Bruce, who slipped his arm free from the shield.

Sylva grinned. "It works just like a buckler. Now, try your other Maneuver on the shield. Then you should have plenty of practice for when we fight the tukuron. I'm going to check my gear and pack up some food."

"Thanks, Riste. I need to be ready for whatever it is capable of," Bruce said, turning the new shield over in his hands. While he wasn't fond of the ugly appearance, it had been quite effective at blocking the blunt impact of Piercing Fang. He took several steps away from the others and activated Striking Serpent.

The rush of speed left him sprawled on his back, face down in the dirt.

His head ached, and both lungs burned.

"Shit," he muttered, his voice strained as he sucked in several sharp breaths.

"You okay?" Sylva asked, rushing over to help him up.

"Y-yeah, just not used to that speed yet. Felt like someone punched me in the stomach."

"What's it feel like? Your Maneuvers seem like they work a bit differently than my Boon." She cocked her head to one side. "Is it like channeling a force or power through you?"

Bruce shook his head, grinning. "Definitely not. It's strange... but, almost as if time slows for a few heartbeats. Like..." He searched for words to explain the sensation. "Imagine everything is moving underwater. You can perceive what's happening, but there's a weird delay."

Istora giggled. "Aren't your eyes moving at normal speed then, Jace?"

"That's the really crazy part. My eyes and ears seem unaffected, but I only sense time moving slow."

Sylva nodded. "Hmm... Maybe that makes some sort of sense. My arrows have to cover the distance to whatever I'm attacking. That would slow with movement, especially through air."

"And if it affects everyone but me," Bruce added.

"What if Riste moves fast to attack? Will your Boon work against her Maneuver?" Istora asked.

"I don't think it'd be a problem. I still have to move to strike my target. The fact that others are slow doesn't really impact how I move." Sylva grinned, patting Bruce's cheek as she continued, "Besides, what man wouldn't want to have a woman who can kick your ass?"

Istora snorted. "He might not mind if you're not his sister."

Sylva laughed, her cheeks red. She glanced over at Istora and shrugged. "Can you blame me? Jace is hot with his new muscles. And those green eyes... If he wasn't already with you, I would have made a play for him before long."

"True," Istora purred, looking Bruce up and down. "Jace is quite pleasing to look at these days. Almost unfair, honestly. The other Rathorians are going to be quite taken when they see him next. Especially with his dark fur."

Sylva giggled, her blush fading. "And those black eyebrows and short beard make him even sexier."

Bruce sighed, turning back to the shield. "Can we focus on the task at hand? Let's see if this thing works better."

He slung it over his arm by the cordage handle, grateful for the padding Sylva had attached. His forearm pressed against the leather straps and shell rim, with the front edge set several inches below his chin. It allowed for a free line of sight and a clear path for his spear.

Bruce lifted the turtle shield with both hands, surprised at its lightness. "You two did an amazing job. Feels good."

"Thanks," Sylva replied, grinning. Her arms were crossed beneath her breasts, the woman standing tall. She'd been wearing her new attire the entire week. Sylva wore a mix of dark blue, knee-length leggings, and a white skirt that barely covered the top of her thighs. Her sleeveless red vest looked much like a sports bra, showing off her toned stomach. A golden bracelet wrapped around her left arm below the bicep. The leather belt and sheath for her gladius were her only weapons.

Istora, for her part, was once again barefoot but dressed in tan shorts that revealed long legs, and a short tube top with brown shoulder straps. The garment revealed the swell of her full breasts, revealing smooth green skin.

The Rathemian's tail swayed behind her, its dark gray length capped with white tufts matching her hair. Her ears had lost a bit of their previous sharpness. And her face and body appeared softer, far less gaunt than when she arrived.

A wave of desire rolled through Bruce at the sight of his two companions. Though he still considered himself to be an average guy in most ways, there was a noticeable bulge in his loincloth.

"I'll take that as a yes, then." Sylva smirked. "Told you it would work. I guess this is a kite shield. Still, the Greek-style handle makes it easier to maneuver. Good thing I used those rockback plates for backing instead of trying to attach a proper metal one. It would've weighed so much more if I did."

Bruce chuckled. "True. It feels good. My forearms won't get chewed to hell by that tukuron's scales now, at least. And you're right, your original attempt didn't have nearly enough protection for the arm. Thanks for fixing it, Riste."

Istora stood, the pair of pants dangling from her hands. "I think this will work perfectly. I'm going to finish sewing this together, but it should fit over the ones we already made. I'm glad they're wide and thick like my tribe's wear. The cordage will need to be replaced often, but I'll make some extra. If nothing else, we can use it as rope for our weapons and arrows. You'll look great, Jace. I wish I'd had one when fighting those monsters outside Kusnou, too."

Sylva smiled and sat beside Bruce. "If it's big enough, it could double as a bedroll."

Bruce grinned as Istora returned to her task. "And a bag too. We should try a larger shell at some point. I feel ridiculous with the burlap pants, though."

"Yeah, the tan is weird." Sylva laughed. "But I don't know how to sew or spin, so you get hand-me-downs until we find a tailor. And if we get back alive, we'll need to set up a clothing manufacturing assembly line. Istora can help make the raw fabric, I can cut the shapes with my gladius, and someone else can sew them together. You need proper clothes, and we've got over a hundred furry people who need them too.

Istora finished stitching one leg of his makeshift pants and glanced up at Bruce, grinning. "You have to wait until our babies come before you wear clothes."

Bruce laughed at her earnest, slightly tipsy expression. He reached up and stroked her tufted ear. The Rathemian giggled happily, rubbing her cheek against his palm.

"Oh really?"

"Mhm. It should feel good!" Sylva held up the shield and raised her eyebrows as she waited for him to accept it. "Try again. I tightened the cordage."

A smile tugged at Bruce's lips as he took it from her. He turned to Istora. "I've got a crazy idea. How about we just wear the damn thing strapped to our backs? Sylva, why not drill some holes and tie it there with the rope? We can make leather straps later if you have enough."

"Hmm, let me see," Sylva said. She picked the shield back up and peered closely at the shell, examining where the leather strips attached to it. After a second, she looked back to Bruce. "We'll need to modify the hole locations, but it should work fine, right?"

Istora giggled and wagged her tail as she continued to sew. "It'll look great on you, Jace!"

The athletic woman gave him a playful grin before heading over to her bag of supplies. "You're gonna give me a complex with how fast you're growing, big guy. I've barely gained a point since Aspera's blessing. It's been three weeks!"

Bruce glanced away as a smile tugged at his lips. That was another issue Istora and I needed to talk about... I'll have to see if she can explain how that works. Sylva isn't getting weaker. Otherwise, she'd be dead by now. But maybe she just isn't gaining stat growth since she hasn't accepted a boon.

After spending a few moments examining the leather and wood straps Sylva had devised, Bruce took the shield from her. He set it on the ground and pressed his foot against the wooden portion until he located where the support brace had been inserted. Then he slid the looped leather strap over his forearm and raised the shield, smiling when it felt perfect.

It wasn’t fancy, but given his recent experiences fighting goblins and rockbacks, he valued solid armor far more than something that looked cool. The shell had proven tough enough to resist the spear strike of a powerful turtle. He hoped it would prove more capable than the makeshift breastplate he tried making, which failed miserably against the same enemy.

He glanced down at the crude piece of armor before looking to Sylva and Istora. It was the most effective thing he had created, so far—even if its design left much to be desired. "This will work nicely. Thanks."

"Great," Sylva said with a broad grin.

"I've got pants just about done. I was planning on crafting some shirts later, but you can use my spare one for now," Istora added as she sewed the final cordage tie around her own makeshift sandal.

With only Sylva's loincloth in mind when he made the belt he crafted the previous day, the cordage held no more than a handful of things. So far, Sylva had a few extra pieces of rope hanging from hers as well.

She glanced up at Bruce. "We should really make a proper pouch, too. Or maybe even a backpack, so we don't need a bag at all."

"Maybe next week? Once we have the tukuron carcass, we'll have enough supplies for weeks and plenty of leather," he responded, pulling his new shirt over his head before strapping on the belt and securing the belt knife. Then, he checked the small stone knife tucked into one of the loops of the belt. "You sure we shouldn't be worried about other hunters claiming our prey? The thing sounds valuable, and if that many people were talking about it..."

"Nah. It sounds like there's only one tukuron in the area. I think they have several breeding grounds. Otherwise, someone would've made a killing on hunting them. And we're nowhere near those places. But you're right. We should try to hunt the tukuron as quickly as we can manage," Sylva said with a shrug. "But the shield looks great!"

"Y-you are both very clever! My mate is a true wonder!" Istora cooed, tail stroking his back and making Bruce grin.

Sylva laughed. "Yeah, he is. If Jace had tried tackling this himself, he'd probably still be stuck on the first step."

Istora nodded solemnly.

"Oh, come on. How bad could it be?" Sylva asked.

A few minutes later, Bruce walked toward the shoreline, where Istora had left his spear in the sand earlier. "I don't even know what to say."

The handle's outer edges extended from the middle of the shield. The grip itself was a thin strip of rockback belly plate held in place by leather straps, providing just enough surface area for a comfortable handhold.

Sylva snickered from behind him. "If you think the handle is bad..."

As he reached the shore, Bruce examined the bronze-like spearpoint affixed to his favorite pole. It looked ridiculous, but as long as it proved functional...

"How the hell does anyone even see that thing?" Sylva asked, giggling as she stared at the weapon.

Bruce glanced down at the foot-and-a-half-long spearhead, secured just above the base of the spear shaft with cordage and strips of stoneback hide. With a small profile, it lacked a haft to help aim it, and his only recourse was to try using his thumb and pinky. He turned the spear, moving the head back and forth, trying to judge if it would be useful in a fight.

A smile spread over his face as he lifted the weapon up into a guard.

"Jace, your hand looks like you're trying to take a selfie with your crotch."

"This'll work," he said, chuckling at Sylva's comment. "And yeah, the spear needs a serious redesign. If it gets the job done against the tukuron, I won't care what it looks like."

Sylva eyed it critically. "Yeah, but there are some weird ridges on the flats of the blade where you attached it. I thought we could sharpen them into something functional? Maybe form a proper point if you get another crafting Achievement."

He smiled, raising his eyebrow. "I suppose a weapon with its handle and spearpoint protruding from a massive turtle shell is somewhat appropriate given my Class."

"The Shield Turtle?" Sylva snickered as he nodded.

"What do you think, Istora?" Bruce asked, looking over at where she stood beside a pair of baskets filled with grass they'd need to spin later.

Istora studied him. "Um, I'm not sure."

"It looks... sturdy," she added before Bruce frowned at her.

"Well, it's definitely less cumbersome than what we had before. The only downside is that it doesn't really stop my arms from sticking out," Bruce said, glancing down at the shield.

He lifted the stoneback shell up in front of his torso as he would a buckler, holding his spear in a ready position. It did offer him significant cover on his left side but exposed his right arm. However, Bruce figured he could deflect a sword strike or blow with his burlap bracer. If nothing else, the armor provided extra padding for blocking strikes.

He moved around a bit, noting the heavy thud that shook the ground with each step as he got used to the new weight.

"It could be a problem if we end up fighting a bunch of ranged attackers. They could shoot me from the other side, and I wouldn't even know."

Istora tilted her head, her ears flicking forward. "Can't you deflect arrows?"

"I can probably deflect anything that's coming straight at me. But if an archer fires off an angled shot, this shield won't help much."

Bruce paused, tapping a finger against the stoneback's shell. He glanced up at the thick bamboo stalks sprouting from the canopy overhead. The long shafts formed an arboreal ceiling above them, providing shelter and shade as well as material for construction.

An idea struck him, and Bruce reached up, snapping a bamboo shaft clean off the trunk. The towering plant didn't react despite the fact he'd just broken the top off, leaving a jagged edge behind.

He gripped the broken section with his left hand, noting that the remaining bamboo felt unreasonably sturdy, and slipped it through the strap at the base of the shield. When he lifted it back up, the bamboo pole protruded past the top edge and extended nearly two feet past his head.

"Not bad!" Sylva cheered. "Now you can poke things without putting your arms out."

"Yeah, not sure if I can swing this around safely though," Bruce admitted.

Istora shook her head. "You wouldn't want to strike someone with this even if you could. It's heavy. Your goal is to keep the tukuron occupied, so they focus on you and Riste can land her shots."

"Right. Still, I should figure out a way to use it defensively. If you guys distract it, maybe it could provide enough cover to stop its tail or claw strikes." Bruce glanced over at Sylva, who nodded encouragingly. He stepped out of their shelter to test the shield.

Unlike earlier attempts, he was able to hold it steady with one hand. A slight shake still resulted as he walked. His muscles strained slightly against the weight and lack of balance. But, he could carry and lift the thing easily, meaning it wasn't much of an impediment to movement.

After stepping into a clear patch of earth, Bruce gripped his bamboo staff and activated Piercing Fang. When the energy surged through his left arm, he released it.

He stumbled forward as he lunged, but the Maneuver worked as intended. A quick jab slammed the spear point into the dirt.

Sylva clapped. "Nice! Any difference compared to normal?"

"It takes effort to channel the mana for both arms. Using either one is pretty easy, but I can't sustain them at the same time without straining."

Bruce grinned over at Sylva. He took a moment to channel the power into his right arm. Without a weapon in hand, it was like holding a bow drawn to its full extension and not firing. With a flex, the power burst outwards in a single wave, rippling out across the ground before it faded. "Yeah. My Strength is high enough now that this isn't even a strain to hold."

Sylva whistled appreciatively.

Istora's brow furrowed for a moment. "But what does that mean? That wasn't one of your Maneuvers..."

"I learned I could channel energy into my hand," Bruce replied.

The otherworlder nodded. "Ah. Just as a Mage can shape a spell before it's cast."

Sylva frowned thoughtfully. "So you could do it repeatedly then without losing stamina?"

"No. It feels like the same sort of drain as using a Maneuver," Bruce responded, shaking his head. "Channeling mana takes more effort than throwing a punch with a normal arm."

Istora looked thoughtful but shook her head when she noticed his gaze. "I'm still trying to figure this stuff out too. It's really strange."

Sylva handed the shield over, and he turned to place a small bamboo stalk into its handle.

This shield would never survive modern warfare, let alone stand up to a heavy assault rifle. The material itself is fragile enough that a single bullet might break it. Still, given my level, I bet it'd be far stronger than the shields they had back in ancient times.

Bruce swung it experimentally before channeling mana into it. He managed to maintain Piercing Fang for nearly ten seconds before stopping. "Well, it counts. Not sure about the damage reduction, though."

"The System is pretty vague when it comes to combat," Istora said. "If you hit the shell from the front, it'll stop it. But things like arrows can get around the edge. A spear or sword will go right through it, if they're sharp enough. So it's not really about deflection or stopping force; it's more about what can be stopped at its point of contact. And anything that hits your hand will still affect you."

Bruce frowned, staring down at the shield. The design resembled an asymmetrical triangle, with the apex in the front and top, pointing toward any threats. If he were forced into melee, he could swing it out as a strike weapon. He couldn't hold the weapon and shield in the same hand, though. There just wasn't enough room, even without his knuckles touching his left palm.

Maybe it'd work with a different weapon, but I don't plan to get that close. With this thing in my offhand, though, the shield protects most of my body. Even covers most of my head, as long as I crouch a little. Though, a full helmet might be a good idea...

He nodded in satisfaction. It was far lighter than the wooden round shields they'd made for the Daubena and much sturdier. The shell was almost four inches thick, with the apex facing outward from his right shoulder, and sloping back around him to the left. The edge that ran along his left shoulder was almost flat so that he could lean into it. The bottom edge swept out in a shallow arc to the right, providing some extra coverage of his leg and upper foot. It also provided more leverage when pushed forward or held defensively.

He took it into his hands, testing its weight before trying a few defensive postures. It still felt unwieldy, but a week wasn't enough time to master even basic techniques. A more natural feeling would come with practice.

The main question was whether he could use his newfound speed to any advantage. It probably wouldn't do much against melee opponents, but a charging beast might benefit from a few solid pokes with the Piercing Fang attack.

And if we can lure the tukuron into Nibbler's horde, they might provide some cover. Still need to make sure to avoid hitting them on accident, though. I doubt a turtle shell would survive one of my empowered strikes.

Istora flashed him a warm smile. "Looks good, Jace. Now all you need is pants so your thighs won't get sliced up." She held out a crude burlap pair. "Riste helped me figure out how to sew cordage to this rough material, so it should be a little easier on your legs."

"Uhh..." Sylva frowned, staring down at the ground.

"Are these different? I don't follow," Bruce asked, examining them. While made of burlap, these fit differently than the other pants.

His friend cleared her throat, unable to look at him. "Yup. They're women's, uhh, pants."

She still wouldn't meet his eyes.

He arched a brow at the athletic brunette. "You trying to tell me something, Riste?"

"Don't make fun. I... You know what, forget it!" she huffed, flushing in embarrassment as she spun around.

A knowing grin tugged at his lips. He'd been wondering how long it would take before she confronted him. She might not be able to hold a grudge like most folks, but Sylva was also pretty direct.

He shook his head, smiling. "I'm serious. Tell me what you've been thinking. Your mood has been weird for days."

She grimaced and shot an uncertain look at Istora. "Is this... okay with..."

"Istora? Yup, that's fine. You're my best friend, so whatever you have to say, I want to hear."

Sylva took a deep breath. "First, know that I'm just... worried about you." She looked around, then gestured at him. "All of this. We don't really understand our situation, and I don't like you trusting the Interface. It seems pretty damn convenient that we can read each other's thoughts—and see numerical stats."

Istora opened her mouth to protest, but Bruce cut her off. He'd seen this coming, and his mind was made up.

"I get what you're saying, but Aspera and the others were right. In this world, strength is what matters. Strength determines how much you accomplish and whom you influence. And without the Interface, I might have accepted her offer for free power or ended up dead. Or worse. Who knows what the other Champions are capable of, or where the hell they came from.

"Besides, what's the alternative? That I stay here while the two of you risk life and limb in my place? No way."

Both women looked like they wanted to argue, but Istora nodded. "You're right. Sorry Riste. It's just... My people aren't warlike. I think we're the only ones on the continent who don't raid their neighbors for slaves and supplies. We've done okay against goblins, but I can't bear the thought of Jace getting hurt if we stumble into a fight we can't win."

Sylva grimaced but gave up arguing. She held out the shield once more. "Let's try this again, okay?"

"Yup!" He snatched up the large shell that was now covered with leather straps and fastened to a wood frame. "The shell still feels kind of... flimsy. Do you think it'll really deflect a spear? And that strap doesn't seem like it'll stop any blows. I'll probably need both hands to wield it anyway."

"We can work on it, but I'm guessing it will be good enough for the tukuron. Especially if I use my bow's special property to increase my Strength. Remember when we talked about it and came up with plans to hunt deer? It boosts the Strength of everyone in range. If it affects us and Istora, plus the arrow itself... Well, let's just say you might want to wear some padding under your clothes. If we find a way to enchant more arrows, they might shatter if I release too many shots at once. Anyway, this will definitely improve our odds. So stop being so damn stubborn and take the stupid thing. I won't apologize for wanting to protect you. Istora does too, in her own way. Let us help. I'll die before I'll let you get hurt because of me."

Her voice trembled as she finished, and Bruce blinked in surprise. The sudden vulnerability surprised him. For most of the time he'd known her, Sylva had been upbeat and irreverent, cracking jokes even as she faced down horrifying situations.

Istora stood to put a hand on her shoulder, looking up into Sylva's face with understanding in her purple eyes. "We've been through worse, Riste. Don't let fear rule you."

Sylva drew a shuddering breath. She gave them both a rueful grin. "You're right. But there are so many ways this can go horribly wrong. We need to have a contingency plan in place. I keep thinking of all the things we need to get in order before we leave."

"That makes sense," Bruce said. "But there will always be a reason to hold off, to wait until tomorrow. There's no guarantee any other plan would work better than ours anyway. Sometimes, you just have to go for it. So, let's stop delaying and head out."

The athletic woman closed her eyes. "Maybe I'll spend some SE and buy a Skill that can help us find a tukuron more easily..."

Bruce grabbed Sylva's shoulders and steered her towards the camp. "Nope, don't you dare. Save your points for more Skills. If we want better equipment, it's up to us to earn it. You've done so much already with this plan and setting up a base camp. I won't ask for any more. This is something I need to do."

"I know, but-"

"I know we can rely on you, but please, try to trust us too?" Bruce met her green gaze, smiling.

Her eyes flicked over to Istora, who nodded, then she looked back at Bruce, giving a resigned smile. "Sure. But if I'm close enough, I'll still be healing."

"Not going to stop you there. If I were ever stupid enough to pick a fight with you, I'd take any help I could get," Bruce said before he glanced down at the crude burlap loincloth-like garment he wore. "And once you finish these, I'm probably going to look less like Tarzan."

Sylva's laugh echoed as she shook her head. "Well, yeah. As cute as you look in burlap, I thought something with a little more durability would be a good idea. I've got a lot more thread than burlap. The pants won't be anything special, but the shirt will be made from tougher sail cloth. Maybe Istora can put an enchantment on it?"

"That shouldn't be hard. I have a protection ward that should work. What type of magic do you think the shield can hold?" the catgirl asked.

"Maybe a speed buff? That seems like a useful ability when facing the tukuron," Bruce replied, eyeing the shield critically. He reached out and accepted it, turning to see his reflection in the pond.

Sylva shrugged. "I wouldn't try too many enchantments until you can actually use Maneuvers and channel SE, Jace."

The shield resembled a tower shield, which suited Bruce well enough. Its curved surface could easily cover him from feet to neckline as long as he stood completely straight.

Istora approached, tail sweeping over the ground as she eyed the turtle shell shield. "This is really neat. I love how it has a handle and everything. Can you move your arm well? And did you carve it with a stone blade?"

Sylva smirked. "Nope, we used my dagger to cut the leather straps and bored small holes with one of the arrows. As for the shield itself, I carved an arrow slot out of the front. There's a smaller slit in back as a vent for any fire or smoke wards Istora can work into it."

"Oh wow! Fire wards aren't very useful on plants, but they might work to make our arrows more effective. Or, maybe a ward to repel moisture could help protect the wood and keep the fletchings from warping," Istora said as she circled the shield, her hand stroking the smooth inside.

Bruce held up the wooden practice spear he'd crafted. "Ready to do the enchantment?"

Nodding, the catgirl raised a finger and began tracing lines over the shield. "It won't make it invulnerable or anything. But, it'll help protect it."

A thin red glow shimmered in the wake of Istora's moving finger as she traced a complicated pattern. He watched with fascination as the design resembled some of the runes he remembered seeing in various movies and RPGs, yet there was something uniquely foreign to their shape.

When she finished, Istora took a step back and smiled. "There. Now your shield has a magical coating that will deflect weaker attacks and magic. I can't stop your weapon from being broken or shattered, but you're not gonna die because a spear tip poked through. If your enemy is strong enough to damage it, I'm just gonna have to put some serious juice into the spell."

"That's amazing, Istora! Thank you," Bruce exclaimed. He shifted the shield around, noticing how light it felt. It almost seemed to slide onto his arm as if they were designed to be partners.

After glancing over, Istora nodded, her tendrils flitting about like restless snakes. "Yeah. Just make sure you use a big rock when you bash. If the shield is already damaged, my spells will help. But don't hit things that could break it."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Now we need a spear. You've been practicing with those?" Sylva asked, tilting her head at Bruce as he swung the shield about, adjusting to its weight.

"Yep. The first ones were pretty rough, but I got some nice unlocks for stone spears that had sharp edges. The bone heads don't fit in my hands as well, but I can swing them around."

Bruce took a few practice swings with his newest stone-tipped spear. Unlike the others, its point was carved from rockback bone instead of flint. With some experimentation and several broken shards to show for it, the trio settled on a design they could reproduce with minimal tools: a smooth shaft of hondosur wood, ending in a sharpened length of bone.

Sylva nodded, eyes fixed on the tip. "Those babies should cut like a dream."

A new notification blinked in the corner of his vision. Focusing on it, Bruce found a new listing under Maneuver Unlocks.

─ Spearheading- You have unlocked a Maneuver that can only be used while wielding a spear.

─ Prerequisites: 50% Agility, 50% Might, Stone Spearsman Level 4

─ Cost: None, Cooldown: N/A

─ Effect: A swift strike to cripple your foe's defenses.

─ Maneuver Bonus: Deal a powerful blow equal to your weapon damage, plus additional 25% against enemies wearing armor. Target must be unaware and unshielded.

The moment the Interface appeared, Bruce grinned. His vision blurred as a sudden surge of vertigo washed over him, but it cleared quickly. When his senses returned, he could sense the exact position of the new maneuver without looking for it.

─ You have unlocked the Maneuver: Shield Bash.

─ Shield Bash: Use an attack to push back your opponent, stunning them and preventing their counterattack for 3 seconds.

─ Cost: None, Cooldown: One Hour.

─ This is one of many basic combat maneuvers. By default, they are only accessible during certain combat conditions. As a Champion with training in martial combat, you can access basic maneuvers freely.

Bruce reached for his latest spear, carved from a rockback shard. He lunged with it, smashing the butt of the shaft into his makeshift stone-studded leather cuirass. He grinned. It hadn't come cheap, but even Bruce could tell the armor would offer a decent defense.

It was worth it. The tukuron isn't anything close to what I'd expect of a dragon. If it were that tough, we might have needed to come up with something different. Still, it's got some serious strength, and I've never fought against any large animals. A bit of protection seems wise.

He glanced at Istora, who sat weaving rockback plates into a crude cuirass of her own. His heart skipped a beat as she met his gaze with a coy smile.

Damnit. How is she so hot? And why is she smiling at me like she knows what I'm thinking?

The days spent away from her had been hard on Bruce. Her scent clung to every blanket and piece of bedding they owned, making it impossible to ignore her absence.

Sylva snorted, snapping his attention back to her.

He frowned.

What's that look for? I wasn't staring THAT long. Though, she does look pretty hot today with those cut-offs and halter top. How the hell can she make burlap look that sexy? And Istora was practically begging me to ravish her this morning. They're gonna kill me if these cut-offs keep creeping higher.

Sylva glanced up at the treehouse. Istora lounged on the platform wearing a tiny pair of shorts. She waved at Bruce with a smile, but something in her face suggested a devious amusement.

With a grumble, Bruce stood and accepted the new shield.

"It doesn't look like you did anything to it."

Sylva sighed. "Try to bash it against a rock with some strength."

She held the plate against a nearby stone as he swung. It smacked against the edge of the rock, making a metallic ping, but refused to dent or even scratch the surface. Instead, its impact felt muffled, like the shield had bounced off a giant cushion.

Sylva raised an eyebrow. "Well, that's not what I expected. Still, it's clearly tougher than anything else around here."

Istora approached with the latest pair of pants. As she bent to hold the bottom against his feet, she paused, glancing at Sylva. "Are you sure you can't enchant it? Maybe it wouldn't damage as much?"

The redhead shook her head. "No, magic doesn't affect rocks like that. If we want to do something with the shell, I could try to inscribe a rune. But that just adds durability, which doesn't help if his arm gets yanked out of the shield itself."

Bruce nodded. He had the same concerns and knew from experience the dangers of over-specialization.

"It's not that big an issue though, right? You guys haven't seen anything stronger than those Daubens," Bruce said.

"Maybe. But you're gonna be our shield wall. Your body won't stand up to many attacks at once. Remember how tough rockback shells are and what the Interface says."

As if I can forget.

Bruce readied his new wooden spear with its acazite head.

The Shell is strong, and will withstand the blows of even the most vicious beasts. Its weight can only be wielded by a champion. It provides significant protection against blunt force impacts.

"Yep, but I don't think that's what she meant by 'vicious.' Sylva, you said you overheard some adventurers talking about the tukuron being wingless. Wouldn't that make it more of a beast than a monster?"

"What do you mean? They mentioned being wingless and that it was huge."

"Well, according to the Interface, this shell would provide a fair bit of resistance to anything from a dragon to an elephant."

Istora sighed. "It could be worse. You never know how strong a creature really is until you face it, right? And you have your Maneuvers if things go badly. Plus, we can retreat and come up with a better plan. If this doesn't work, I'll enchant it for more durability. Maybe I should learn some magic attack spells."

Sylva shook her head. "Nah, I think this will work great, but we won't need it for a day or so anyway. We don't have enough supplies to go now, and we'll need to get that enchanted acazite. I'm sure some trader in the city would charge too much for us to afford it, so I thought maybe we could trade it directly to the blacksmith instead? Or try and sell it? Then, we can buy everything else we'll need."

Bruce looked over their gear, thinking of various RPGs. "We should bring more rope, some oil, maybe get a few healing salves. I might be able to use my Maneuver to deal damage without needing to attack, but the extra protection of the shield doesn't hurt. Do you have any ideas about where to buy these tukuron parts?"

"I didn't, no. But I overheard guys talking in the market, so I've got directions. They're meeting tomorrow." Sylva sighed. "I really hoped there was something like an Adventurers' Guild here, but I guess that was silly."

"Yeah, well, with your archery skills, we should be able to take down a large animal. And there's no shame in being smart about a hunt. My old man always told me that there are smart ways to be stupid, but dumb ways to be smart. It's the same thing—just one of the bad ones."

"Huh. Didn't think of it like that, but yeah." She laughed. "He sounds like my grandpa. What did he do?"

"Oh, he was a lawyer. He always said that you have to work twice as hard to get ahead because everyone else will cheat."

Bruce turned toward Istora, who was watching him with an amused look.

"What? Why're you looking at me like that?"

She shook her head. "That explains a lot. Anyway, your leather pants are done. Let's see if they fit."

As much as he wanted to avoid spending all day making clothes, Sylva insisted they'd need them.

After several days of labor and experimenting, they managed to come up with a decent pair of rugged cargo-style trousers that resembled his old work jeans. The cloth came from a woven sack, which Bruce reinforced with stone chips. A rockback shell made the final product sturdy.

Sylva laughed as Bruce put on the pants, which Istora had embroidered with blue cordage.

It felt kind of weird to put clothes back on after weeks in nothing but loincloths. It didn't help that Sylva kept snickering at my legs. Can't really blame her, though. I've got thick thighs and the fabric is damn skintight. Probably should have asked Istora for a few less tight.

"So what do you think?" Bruce asked. "You keep giggling like a twelve-year-old."

She grinned. "Well, I haven't seen anyone look that sexy in pants in a long time. We can work with this if it works. I doubt it'll deflect many attacks from whatever we're hunting though."

Bruce turned toward the nearby clearing. Three young rockbacks grazed on bamboo shoots. Each wore a protective belly plate tied with cordage. And like him, they'd grown a fair bit of mass in just over a week.

When he tried piercing them with Piercing Fang, it didn't work unless he could reach at least part of his arm through the shield's straps. His body couldn't absorb any kinetic force without contact either, so the armor had some drawbacks. It felt kind of cool having a shield and a spear though.

The first two turtles he tried to charge with Striking Serpent ended in spectacular failure.

He got faster, but not fast enough to catch one, especially while wearing unfamiliar stone soled sandals and an awkward shield. The third charge worked a bit better. This time, he slammed the creature, driving it into the ground and causing it to flip on its back, limbs flailing.

As Bruce moved toward it, intending to try Piercing Fang again, he noticed how it struggled in the dirt, helpless. Before he could finish it off, the turtle flipped itself over. A sudden feeling of horror overwhelmed Bruce as the memory of killing the goblin shaman crashed over him. He stared at the turtle, his vision wavering as sweat poured down his face.

It wasn’t even the first time he'd killed a turtle. He and Sylva had slaughtered dozens over the last week in order to test different things.

What the fuck is wrong with me? I knew the Shaman would need to be killed when we rescued Istora. Why do I have such a hard time now? I shouldn't feel sorry for the damn thing! It was going to eat us for dinner! And now it'll kill something else. Just because it feels like some kind of moral quandary doesn't mean it is.

He couldn't find the resolve to strike. Instead, he turned, looking to Sylva.

She studied him for several seconds before sighing, then shot the turtle between the eyes. A spray of blood covered the leaf litter behind the creature's head.

Istora hissed, tendrils snapping outward as she flinched back. Sylva turned toward her, arms spread wide, palms down in a pacifying gesture.

"Why?" Bruce asked.

"Dude. If you weren't willing to kill, we'd have let the rockback take us." She shook her head. "If the only choice is to kill or be killed, don't hesitate."

His hands clenched into tight fists. A heavy weight pressed in on his chest, threatening to overwhelm his heart and crush him.

"But, I—"

She reached over and gently cupped his cheek, then gave a sympathetic smile.

"Bruce, you're such an amazing person. I wouldn't blame you for what happened in the slightest. There's no need to punish yourself. Don't hold back to try to protect the lives of beings that want nothing more than to hurt us. And if you don't have the resolve to finish the job, trust me to do it."

A lump formed in his throat, preventing him from speaking. All Bruce could do was nod.

They'd finished constructing the shield after Bruce had made his first stone axe. Using several layers of sinew around a rockback plate, Sylva and Bruce managed to form a passable buckler. It was ugly as sin, with rough cordage binding it all together, and looked barely large enough to deflect a spear.

Though, given that they were going up against a ten-foot lizard that weighed nearly a ton, that was probably for the best. If Bruce couldn't parry a thrust or deflect a bite, it wouldn't matter if the little shield blocked more than a few inches.

"What is it? Is something wrong?" Sylva asked, head tilted as she stared at him.

He opened his mouth but didn't have the words to explain what it meant to be holding such a tool again. The little buckler lacked the heft he was used to, but its construction was solid.

I'll never take for granted having a decent axe and a proper shield ever again. Especially one crafted by two people I can trust with my life.

Sylva gave him a long look. She opened her mouth to speak but then shook her head, a gentle smile creeping onto her face.

The trio made use of the days he spent crafting to build additional gear. Istora took her first step toward creating a ward that would slow decay. Her spellwork wasn't anywhere near complete but was enough to test a few pounds of meat.

Sylva also helped Istora develop several defensive spells. Between his Maneuvers and his new buckler, Bruce had no doubt that whatever they faced would regret the fight.

After Bruce strapped on his homemade shield, Sylva passed him a ten-pound bundle. He winced.

Ugh, I guess she was right. I really do need to put in more effort at this if I want my Strength to keep up with my Attributes.

Hefting the turtle-shell buckler onto his left arm, he tested the weight, then nodded.

The athletic young woman grinned. With a burst of speed and grace, she struck his shield with an overhand strike. Bruce staggered but held his ground.

Istora cheered.

After the initial impact, he could tell the wood was fine but that his shoulder had taken a serious jolt.

It could have been worse, though. Bruce gave Sylva an impressed nod. She returned it before glancing back at Istora, whose hands were pressed tight against Bruce's back as she rubbed against him. Sylva rolled her eyes but smiled.

"Yeah, yeah. We're going soon. And I'm glad it works," Sylva said. "I can barely do pushups right now without breaking a sweat."

Bruce nodded, remembering when he'd gotten close to one hundred Strength in FFO. Everything that used to require a weapon became tiring if not outright impossible. "Yeah. That makes sense. My muscles are more dense than ever, but my body mass hasn't changed much. So I'm using more energy for the same tasks. At least I've got some Attribute modifiers to help mitigate fatigue.

"We'll need to see if we can buy a pair of weights while in Kusnou," he mused. "If I can exercise a bit, even with small ones, I think I could maintain a better fighting form."

Sylva smirked. "You're already a bit of a meathead, but I doubt it'll stop you from getting bigger arms any time soon."

Bruce shook his head, testing the shield's weight one final time and strapping it on over his forearm. "I don't think my Attributes actually grow muscles. When I gained points back before the change, I never looked in a mirror until after that event with Farn. The transformation then was a result of the sudden surge of energy changing my body and hair. In the end, I looked how I thought of myself."

"That makes sense. And I've noticed the changes too," Sylva said. "After gaining so many stats, I lost my freckles. It was odd noticing something I hadn't thought of in years."

He shrugged. "It was a huge shock, but I'm glad it changed how I look. Even if some of the scars are still a reminder."

The three of them stood staring at each other, knowing it was time to set out.

"Ready?"

Istora nodded but wouldn't meet his eyes, tail twitching erratically behind her. She kept stroking his shoulder while they ate breakfast, despite only wearing the same skimpy cloth loincloth as normal. He felt like a giant at six-foot-two but still barely cleared five foot at best. Bruce wanted to ask what troubled her, but hesitated due to the large group of furballs nearby.

Sylva grinned back. "Oh yeah. I've never hunted anything this big before, but with your Maneuvers, you're fast enough to dodge even if it's slower than us. That, combined with my bow, should make quick work of it."

"Let's do this thing then," Bruce said. His chest felt tight as the moment of truth arrived. A tukuron may have been nothing compared to the things he'd faced in Farnogg Fen or when he escaped Kusnou, yet it had been years since his last fight.

As they stood up, Istora's tiny hands tugged at his fingers.

"Y-you promise me to be safe?" The petite girl met his gaze at last. Her face was a picture of anxiety, her golden eyes shining.

"I'll be fine. Trust me, it takes more than a big lizard to kill me," he said, trying to sound confident. In truth, he didn't know how well his skills would work after so long and without any recent combat experience.

Istora leaned down, pressing her lips tight against his. She pulled away slowly, smiling and nodding before darting back to their treehouse to work on clothing.

With Istora taking care of the filtration system, Bruce only needed to focus on getting as much crafting in as he could. When they left for the hunt the next day, Sylva wanted them to have proper attire and armor.

He turned to Sylva and laughed. "Thanks for your help."

She grinned, flashing white teeth. "No prob. Glad to do what I can. I used to do a lot of woodwork with my dad."

Istora flashed an excited smile from where she sat, tail curling behind her. He accepted the offered shield, finding its weight comfortable. The shell was roughly five feet tall and two and a half wide, with a pair of cord handles attached to its rim. They ran parallel to each other and gave it a vaguely kite-like shape. It still made an absurd clatter when he shifted it on his arm, and the whole thing felt heavier than he liked, but it seemed perfect for blocking attacks.

"Looks like we're set then," Sylva said, her words accompanied by an uncharacteristic yawn. "Just need to stock up on water and food. I'll make some pouches for you to carry stuff, so we only need to make one clay jar. If we get in trouble and run into the hunters, you can toss the extra gear."

He raised his eyebrow. "Why just me?"

Sylva laughed. "You're going to be running around like a maniac. I'll need my hands free, and Istora needs her magic."

Istora nodded vigorously. She'd been quiet the whole time as he and Sylva talked over the day's plans.

"Something wrong?" Bruce asked as he took the shield.

She shook her head.

"Riste and Jace should go tomorrow. I can stay behind with the tribe," Istora said as Bruce ran through a series of blocks, learning to feel out his new weapon's reach.

Both turned to look at her, eyes narrowed.

Her tendrils flicked around nervously. "The tribe will be safe, and you two can hunt faster without me."

Bruce shook his head. "Why not come with us? Sylva was able to find some food earlier, so we won't need to stop hunting right away. You can use the time to gather goblin grass for mana."

"Y-yes, that would work well. Let's do that instead." She flashed a forced smile before returning to weaving.

Sylva turned, her lips pursed. "I'll just, um, check our packs again. Make sure everything is ready."

She left quietly, though her footsteps still thumped through the forest canopy above. Bruce sat down next to Istora, pulling her into his arms. "Talk to me. What's going through your mind?"

She nuzzled against his neck, her face hidden in his hair. "I'm scared, Jace."

"But, what for?"

Her tendrils writhed with agitation, tickling Bruce's throat and neck. "Riste is different. More forceful than other females."

He raised an eyebrow. "And...?"

"I know how much you love Riste. My heart aches seeing how you are with her." Istora looked up at him, her emerald eyes meeting his. "Do you want us to do more like this—to share?"

Bruce took a deep breath, trying to focus on the feel of her, her scent, rather than the sudden surge of emotion that gripped him. He shook his head, kissing her neck.

Istora frowned but remained quiet.

After a few minutes, he let out a deep sigh. "I just... don't know if we're safe. When I get back, it feels like there's always another threat right around the corner."

"Like with the stoneback you attacked last night?" Istora asked.

"It was coming to our camp! And besides, I couldn't sleep, anyway. Too wound up over hunting this damn lizard."

Istora set her sewing aside. "We're as ready as possible, Jace. We've got your armor—or what passes for it—a decent shield, a sturdy spear, and a few arrows with tips made from that rockback's belly plates. Plus, the others will be here. They can guard the village for a few days," Istora said, gesturing at Nibbler and his crew. "We'll all be here together."

Bruce sighed, running his hands through his hair. "I know. My gut still twists up every time something new goes wrong."

She gave a sympathetic nod. "Yes. This has been rough for everyone."

"Okay, give it a shot. Let's see if I'm a natural-born knight," Sylva said, smiling.

The shield was roughly circular, about two feet across. Bruce lifted it with a grunt before strapping the leather band around his arm. The shield covered his body from upper stomach to mid-thigh. Not exactly lightweight. He hefted the shield a few times. The rim provided good weight to stop blows and balance against his body.

Bruce held up his gladius for a quick test, rapping the shield edge against his sword.

Sylva cringed. "You know, Jace, just because something works doesn't mean you have to keep doing it that way. How about not abusing our new metal, huh?"

"Oh, right. My bad. So what do you think about this size?"

"Looks great to me," Sylva answered, nodding. "I made it as wide as possible so you can brace yourself with it. Should work decently enough as long as we avoid any huge blows." She hefted the crude oval shield, about two-foot across. Rockback shell covered most of its front side. A cordage strap allowed him to attach the shield to his bracer.

Bruce picked up the newly carved spear they'd made for him, testing its weight. "Thanks, Riste. You're amazing at this craftsmanship stuff. I mean, we started off making spears by whittling stone tips into pointed sticks, and you've already improved their durability and efficiency."

She grinned. "Well, not as good as the metal ones I used to make. Those were way better."

He raised the wooden weapon, glancing down the shaft. "Yeah, well I appreciate everything you do."

"Me too, Riste! You built us a bed and table and everything!" Istora said. Her tendrils bobbed as her tail curled around his arm, sliding against his skin. She had insisted on sewing some crude underclothes for him, much to his embarrassment. Thankfully, Sylva spent most of the process with her hands over her eyes, trying to focus on anything other than Bruce's bare form.

Sylva waved a hand dismissively, smiling. "It's nothing, really. Just doing my part."

Istora grinned at her, and Sylva flushed crimson, turning away with an embarrassed laugh. Bruce had noticed her staring at him with a hungry expression. Istora wasn't blind. They'd have to discuss this new relationship dynamic eventually. But not right now, so Bruce focused back on the shield, grateful to move on from the awkward silence.

Bruce hefted the weapon and grunted. While far lighter than his old shield, it still packed a punch at twenty-two pounds. He held the wooden spear he and Sylva carved earlier. After making several practice thrusts, he tested his grip.

He swung the crude shield out with one arm, letting it rest on his forearm. "How's it look, girls?"

Istora clapped eagerly. "Looks great!"

Sylva nodded. "Good stance. Keep your guard up and knees bent just a tad. You should be fine, as long as you remember the basics," she answered, then glanced up into the branches of a nearby tree. "Oh, hey there! What're you doing in this tree? This is a good place to find something to eat, isn't it?"

An iridescent bird chirped down at Sylva, tilting its head. "You don't say? Well, sure, if you can catch me." The girl flashed a grin. "I accept that challenge!"

In one swift motion, she unslung her bow and nocked an arrow before taking aim at the strange little bird. A heartbeat later, she loosed, her projectile streaking through the air.

"Got it!" Sylva called out, holding out her hand to catch the tiny creature. When the arrow pierced the ground just behind the bird with a dull thud, Bruce stared at her. "Uh, what? What are you doing?"

Sylva shot him an incredulous look, pointing at the sky where the bird circled overhead, its chirping changing to mocking laughter.

"Did you see that arrow? And have you ever met a wild animal willing to let you pet it? No way that thing was going to land on my arm like a trained hawk or something. I only need one wing to aim."

Bruce raised his eyebrows but laughed as he shook his head.

The athletic blonde grinned, watching the small creature try to pull the arrow loose. A moment later, she nocked another projectile and released.

This arrow slammed into the tiny beast just above the arrow pinning its wing to the dirt, skewering it through the chest. She sauntered over, yanking it free and plucking a tuft of blue feathers to use for arrows.

It took Bruce a few swings to get used to the feel, but soon they were back to practicing with a wooden spear. Sylva joined in, and while her sword couldn’t reach as far as his weapon, she still managed a decent practice.

A quick lunch passed by before Bruce asked, "So, how many days should we spend hunting this thing?"

"That depends on whether or not you can craft something useful for us."

"Crafting is more effective in games because a single crafter can produce more materials than would be available from the entire world," Istora said, then blinked, glancing at the ground.

The women both stared at him. Sylva smirked, arms folded across her chest. "She's right. We could spend the next five days hunting down more materials, and you'd probably still surpass our total. How did you get so lucky? You have the crafting Boon and are unlocking Achievements faster than anyone could hope. Not even Istora unlocked anything before you found her."

Istora blushed, smiling softly.

He grinned sheepishly. "No idea. If I had to guess, my parents probably have some influence. They're both into historical reenactment, and my dad does a lot of martial arts stuff. Guess I picked up some knowledge without knowing it. Or maybe it's simply easier for me since I know about it and games?"

Sylva gave his back an encouraging pat. "Maybe so. Still, you can't argue with success, right? The more you unlock, the higher your score will be at the end. Not that many people can say they're earning points for things other than achievements."

"Well, when it comes to my crafting, that's only because I have a Boon." Bruce sighed. "Not sure if there's much else I can try. All this seems like just basic work, not something worthy of unlocking anything. That means the tukuron hunt should finally provide some actual combat rewards."

Sylva glanced over at the Shaman. "Are you still going to be okay to cast spells? You've got mana again, but not a ton."

Istora set aside her needle and thread, moving closer to Bruce. She leaned into him, wrapping both arms around one of his. "Yeah. It still hurts, but the Interface is right about it being 'no longer debilitating,'" she replied, voice laced with irritation. "It's manageable, now."

Bruce nodded, stroking her arm. He'd noticed that Istora had slowly begun using her hands for more tasks over the last week.

The trio continued experimenting with magic. Unfortunately, without an enchanted weapon, Bruce lacked any way to use his magical potential. Both of his abilities relied on touch, requiring physical contact with a target. Since neither power could harm something if it wasn't alive, he was out of luck.

His inability frustrated him. In many games, characters often unlocked new abilities at set levels, and he wanted to take advantage of what few tricks he had.

Bruce had managed to figure out how to apply Maneuvers, such as Fiery Burst, to his attacks. But since those didn’t do more than start minor fires, he couldn't test anything more sophisticated.

Both Bruce and Sylva were curious about his ability to absorb magic. The Interface offered no help, so they made guesses by comparing notes and working out scenarios.

Bruce tested Fiery Burst on both Istora and Sylva multiple times, but it produced the same effect each time—a painful, hot pulse that ended almost instantly. However, Sylva confirmed it hurt much more than it did when cast normally.

That led him to suspect his absorption worked with any aspect of magic. While his body only resisted damage from fire, perhaps that was because his Maneuvers had yet to advance or learn new ones. It seemed unlikely he could draw in healing powers, given the nature of his Boon.

Still, he might be able to gain some utility out of this trick.

After spending several days training, Bruce, Sylva, and Istora all felt confident they were ready. Once supplies were prepared, they headed out to hunt the tukuron, hoping to earn enough to build a proper village.

And get some real weapons. I can make more spears easily enough, but a shield isn’t practical for long-term hunting.

As the party of three and five Daubeni moved up a gentle ridge, a strange call echoed in the distance. It sounded like a distant train whistle mixed with an elephant trumpet.

Bruce turned, peering back toward the sound as his hand slipped under the strap holding the turtle shield tight against his left shoulder.

The noise had come from far away; he judged that based on the fact it faded a heartbeat after registering, unlike most calls.

"You hear that?" Bruce asked.

Both of his companions nodded, and Sylva held up a fist before turning her head towards the direction of the noise. Her keen hearing had already confirmed the source, so they knew to face the same way.

He listened intently. "Do either of you know what that is?"

"I heard that call once before, when I arrived here. Though it was a lot deeper."

"It's from a creature called an arkacite. They're dangerous predators."

Bruce frowned as a long shadow fell over them from behind. He whirled to face the threat, and his eyes went wide. A colossal gray form, almost thirty feet long, passed them by. It lumbered forward on six thick legs. A short tail wagged as it ambled ahead, the powerful limbs supporting a massive frame.

Atop the broad back sat a rider wearing scale mail and leather armor.

"An armored elephant?" Bruce asked, watching in awe as the creature walked down the slope toward the bay, where several boats were moored.

"Sort of. Arkacites are common here. That guy probably got stranded when he went off course and sailed here rather than going around."

Istora stared at the creature, jaw agape. "W-why was the arkacite walking with its rider?"

Sylva flashed a sheepish grin. "I didn't see why not, so I made Nibbler lead a few of the bigger arkacites closer. Once he calmed down, the rider came back on foot. It took me forever to hitch them all up. I figure they can help build us some goodwill while we're gone. Besides, there's no reason to waste so many big animals. We have a ton of cordage now, so hitching them to stuff was pretty easy."

"Are you crazy? A stray kick from that beast would break bones."

Sylva laughed, gesturing to Bruce. "You're forgetting who's behind the shield."

Bruce shook his head as he stood up, adjusting the simple leather strap and slinging his new weapon over his shoulder.

The wooden spear shaft felt rough under his palm. Still, its heft was comfortable, and he'd carved and chipped several stone spearheads before crafting the perfect one. The spearhead was a handspan wide, with a chiseled edge to either side, and jagged teeth along the rear.

He turned to Sylva, holding the shield up between them. She had tied off the handle in front, allowing him to swing the shield down like a door as well as use it for thrusting attacks. The heavy shell was strapped to a wood and hide backing that let him control the shield's placement without worrying about the weight.

"This'll definitely come in handy."

She smiled. "Glad you think so. I'm surprised you're not wearing Trevor's armor."

"It needs repairs, and we need to figure out how to fasten the straps around me. Since the enchantment won't work for me, it'd be useless for anyone else. Maybe Istora will use it someday." He grinned at Sylva, then turned to Istora. "You ready?"

"Yup, just finished. Here, these should help if the pants tear." Istora handed him a pair of crude pants, then pulled a large, jagged leaf from her belt pouch. It was wide enough to wrap around a human body but barely four feet long. "I used this in a quest when my party ran low on food. As soon as I cast the ward on it, the leaf will shrink down and cover your rump."

Bruce raised an eyebrow at the oversized leaf before shaking his head. "What is it?"

"A shakkus leaf. If you eat the whole thing, it makes you really happy. But cutting off and rubbing pieces on wounds makes you numb for a few hours. They taste terrible and don't smell much better. Riste can cut off slices if you need to protect against cuts."

After trying on the new clothing and seeing the result of Istora's week of work, he felt confident in their plan. Sylva still wore a form-fitting tunic and short pants she made from a mixture of rathemian linen and cloth salvaged from Trevor's clothes. Though, Istora now owned one of her old leather bras.

While Bruce lacked a shirt, his new pants and burlap bracers were reinforced with rockback hide on the inside. A large piece covered the front of his stomach, flaring up over his chest to provide greater protection. His shoulders and upper back received similar treatment. The overall effect looked bizarre, but he trusted her when Istora assured him they would hold together if attacked.

They all wore woven footwear, including Sylva. The tough bamboo fibers lasted much longer than Bruce expected. Yet, without modern chemicals to make rubber, the sole quickly fell apart.

Sylva's enchantment-enhanced bow looked impressive, but not out of place, given Bruce's stone spears and knife. She'd added a rockback shell to her own leather armor, making her look like a primitive Amazon.

He grinned, flexing his left arm as he grasped the simple wooden grip. The shield gave him confidence that he could protect himself far better with minimal investment in Strength. "I do miss my pistol, though."

"Right? I bet that would really come in handy," Sylva said.

Bruce nodded in agreement before frowning and turning to Istora. "Wait, how does gunpowder work here? Or guns for that matter?"

She raised an eyebrow and answered warily. "Gunpowder?"

"Yeah, a chemical mixture for blasting, fireworks, and firearms. It's a major industrial reagent on Earth. We make rockets and bombs from it. If you have some idea of it, then it must be available somewhere. Have you ever encountered it?"

Istora stared at him for a long moment before answering carefully. "I don't know of such a reagent, though we do have various magical mixtures that produce flames. I assume that's what you're thinking of."

Bruce glanced over at Sylva who looked down awkwardly. He frowned and took a deep breath. Maybe talking about Earth tech is a bad idea? Not sure why they'd be so secretive about it if it existed, but I'll play along for now.

"Right, of course. And maybe magic can work like gunpowder. My mistake. I'll just call this a... wooden grip." He flexed his left arm, hefting the shield in front of himself. "This is so much better than carrying around a large stone or leather sheet."

With his high Agility, even holding the twenty-pound turtle shell became effortless, and its slanted shape should provide good deflection. He smiled, turning to Sylva. "Let's finish up, then try those maneuvers against a practice dummy."

The petite woman grinned and slapped him on the shoulder. "I think we'll make a decent Champion out of you yet. If not, we can always use you to run interference from now on. With enough speed boosts, you'd make a decent shield wall."

Istora laughed before pressing her nose against his shoulder, breathing in deeply. "He already has a nice shield."

Sylva stared at him, blinking, before laughing.

He turned, eyeing the grinning Rathemian with suspicion. "What was that?"

Istora grinned and pointed at his chest, where the red shirt hung open. The shirt looked rather threadbare. His increased strength meant tearing it had become something of a worry, leaving him little choice but to take a break.

"I'm afraid to ask, but what do you mean? And are you just being coy, or don't you know what Greek means?"

Sylva grinned from ear to ear. "That's your first tattoo, Jace. It appeared out of nowhere as soon as I buckled the handle around your arm. Guess we won't have any problems identifying the Chosen of Alithrya in the future."

Istora laughed. "It really looks like you branded yourself."

Sylva sighed. "We'll need to talk to Valdun later and see if he can help design something else for you. A proper shield, or even plate armor wouldn't stand out so much."

Bruce frowned, rotating his arm back and forth before turning it so his palm faced away, toward his shoulder. It fit the grip perfectly.

A dark pattern stained the inner edge of the shield, shaped like a stylized Grecian warrior with his spear thrust forward. The shield had a familiar green cast, though much more vibrant than the rockback shell.

That seems suspiciously convenient, but I won't look a gift horse in the mouth.

He smiled, slinging it on his left arm and turning his attention back to Sylva. "If Valdun's still in town, then we need to ask if he can identify Istora's ring."

The blond woman grinned. "I've been wondering about it too. We know it was enchanted, but no idea what the specific magic does."

Istora perked up from the other side of the crafting area. "It is supposed to amplify my Mana pool," she said.

Sylva nodded, turning to Bruce. "That seems likely. I can see a Shaman wanting to bolster their Magic pool. You should have asked Valdun while he was here."

He chuckled, rotating his arm so the shield sat atop it. "Yeah. It felt like too many questions, though. I doubt that merchant knew enough about jewelry, anyway. If the spell is powerful enough, then we need to visit Alma. Hopefully, she'll know enough about Shamanic magic to identify it."

"Hopefully?" Istora squeaked. She looked more than a little nervous.

Bruce took the shield with its leather cord, looping it over his right arm as he moved closer to Istora. "It's probably safe. Even if the Boon was meant for a specific race, Alma will have some idea of what it is and does."

The Rathemian still didn't look convinced as she pulled at her long white braid. "Are you sure? If the spell is not attuned to humans..."

He set a hand on her shoulder. "If it's too risky, we could always use something else for our seal."

A pout formed across her muzzle as she tilted her head to the side. Her voice dropped lower into a soft whine. "But it matched Riste's shield."

Sylva sighed beside Bruce, shaking her head. She held out her hand towards Istora, where a simple design of four concentric circles rested on top of her palm.

"See, this is the best one yet," Sylva said. The shield's central disk had been polished until it shone, with a dark green edge that almost seemed to flow, a stark contrast from the lighter green around it. A single ring of polished black material surrounded it all.

Istora crossed her arms as her mouth pressed into a thin line. Bruce felt her tail curl up between his legs, but he was more focused on the shield.

Sylva looked like she was trying to stare into his very soul as her amber eyes stared into his own. She gave him a long, slow nod. "This one. Definitely the best so far."

"But the others-" Istora started before Sylva cut her off.

"No, we're done messing with designs. It's perfect," Sylva said before Bruce could get a word in. He couldn't argue since the shield felt light, even if a bit cumbersome, and offered ample protection for his vital parts. The handle even seemed secure enough to block attacks.

Istora growled quietly under her breath. Her tail flicked as she crossed her arms and focused on Sylva. "Then you don't think you'll need help?"

"Nope. If we run into trouble, Bruce can handle it while I back him up with my bow."

Istora gave another growl, eyes narrowed as she stared at the other woman. Bruce raised his hands.

"Sylva is right. I might not have Maneuvers, but having my spear will help against whatever threats might show up." Bruce slipped the long bamboo weapon through one of the loops at the rear of the shield. The shaft proved long enough for him to keep an arm's length away without impeding his movement. The sharp rockback blade felt secure enough not to risk falling off, even if it did require him to lower the shield. It wouldn't slow his attacks, however.

A loud snort was the only response before Istora went back to work with a scowl.

"Is something wrong?" Bruce asked.

Istora shook her head, refusing to look up from her project. "I just think you should trust Riste with her bow instead of bringing a spear."

The woman in question snorted. "Even if Jace and I both attack and focus the tukuron down, there are bound to be other monsters in the area. A strong one can still surprise us. Better to have multiple ways to fight."

Bruce shrugged when Istora glanced up to meet his eyes. "Riste makes a good point, and the spear is light enough not to hinder me, unlike a shield or sword."

"Yeah, but my spells will keep Jace safer than anything else. Just let me cast a ward over you."

Sylva sighed. "You know they don't last long."

"Just give me a chance to try before rushing into danger. You're being reckless, going after such a dangerous creature."

A frown played across Bruce's lips as he studied Istora. Despite his best efforts, he couldn't remember anything from his night with her. While he didn't recall feeling any affection for the girl, her reaction to him each morning suggested he'd done his job.

Istora was pretty enough but nowhere near Bruce's usual tastes. It made no sense, but maybe something happened when he'd used Aspera's magic, altering his brain chemistry to trick him into enjoying herself. He knew nothing about the spell except what she told him, and he didn't exactly trust a succubus.

And Istora kept making these cryptic comments about Sylva. Like her constant references to Sylva being "too big" or "too bold" whatever that meant. He just hoped the two girls wouldn't start arguing.

With a shrug, Bruce gripped the shield. The wood proved well sanded and smooth, with an even weight. Most importantly, its rough, dark surface would hide him far better than bright blue leather.

Bruce tried several grips before settling on an armband loop to keep his hand secure against the inside of the shield. With how strong and fast his Striking Serpent strike proved, he wanted to move his arm more freely.

The handle on the inside let him shift the shield into a blocking position as if he wore a bulky metal bracer, and the weapon could also absorb the energy of a strike. A much more mobile shield than the old Roman scutum. And Sylva used cordage from rockbacks and a large chunk of shell to make a carrying harness to help ease the load.

Bruce smiled at Sylva. "Not bad at all. The strap makes all the difference. How much weight will it handle before I have to buy more SE for Strength?"

Sylva shrugged, giving him a wry smile. "No idea. I'm not even sure you're working within our game mechanics." She reached out and tapped the shield's surface. "But it seems more or less what I would expect."

"Let's hope." Bruce turned his attention toward the sky. "And, if the weather holds up, we'll want to leave at daybreak." He glanced back over at his companions. "Everyone ready?"

Istora smiled, tail wrapping around her ankle. She wore a tunic and breeches fashioned from burlap Istora had woven, which offered her plenty of freedom of movement. A crude bow was slung across her back, alongside a quiver of crude arrows made from bamboo shafts, feathers, and sharpened flakes. "Yep! And it should be fine, my storm magic will keep any rain away until we head home."

Bruce nodded, turning toward Sylva. The athletic blonde wore loose leathers and a sturdy breastplate. They'd salvaged the armor from a long-abandoned fort near their cave. It wasn't especially strong but should be able to deflect most normal weapons.

His only real piece of protection was his makeshift helmet—a simple helm they'd found within a ruined building.

Despite Sylva's attempts to repair the damage from water and rats, Bruce refused to wear the thing until thoroughly disinfected.

He reached out and took Sylva's hand, the pair gripping each other's wrist. "Good luck, Riste."

She grinned. "You too. You've been working hard all week, let's see it in action today."

"Yep."

Sylva glanced at Istora. "How are you feeling about everything? And the plan?"

The Shaman gave her an uneasy smile, tail wrapped tight around her thigh. "I'm still kind of nervous, but I think we'll be fine. Just make sure to focus on defending Jace, and everything will go smoothly."

Bruce frowned. "Istora, are you sure about this? No one is forcing you to come if you're not ready for this." He gestured to her clothes. "And what about your robes? Your armor would let you protect yourself a lot better."

She shook her head, tail sliding across his shoulder. "Not yet. The clothes I wove myself are easier to move in. I-I want to be with you. I have to earn back your trust somehow. This is important for us—the money we get should give us a decent foundation here."

"If you're certain." He reached out, catching her hand. "You don't need to try earning my forgiveness. We've spoken about what happened enough that I'm well past being angry or even disappointed. I understand how frightened and desperate you were when you betrayed me. The whole situation was pretty fucked up."

Istora leaned into him as Sylva watched, her expression solemn.

The Rathemian gave an emotional laugh, tears forming. "T-thank you." Her tail wrapped around his wrist, squeezing gently. She stared into his eyes. "When I get home, I'm going to spend the rest of my life making it up to you, Bruce. Just you wait."

He gave a weak laugh. "That's a pretty long time. Still, I'm glad you'll be here with us."

As if on cue, Istora pressed tight against his side and Sylva pulled him into a hug, the group holding each other in silence for a long while.

Later that afternoon, while working on his newest spearhead, a new notification appeared.

It looks like a regular stone axe head. The crude implement could kill things easily enough, but without any real skill or knowledge behind your use, you lack confidence. Still, it isn't as though any monsters around here need a fancy engraving job. Do we have any idea what this will cost? It's a pain, having no store interface to browse through.

Crafting Skill Rank Up! Level 12.

You have completed an average-quality project that demonstrates a solid level of expertise with Stonecrafting.

You are now well-practiced at creating implements of rough utility from stone and stone tools.

Spearmaking Skill Rank Up! Level 9.

Crafting Skill Rank Up! Level Eleven.

It's just like I always say—if you can make a spearhead, then you know enough to make a better spearhead. Don't worry if your spear gets broken, and please don't try sharpening this without a good grindstone.

As Bruce grinned, a strange, tense silence filled the clearing. Glancing up, he noticed both women stared at his naked lower body.

Sylva finally shook herself free of the staring contest. Looking away from his body, she cleared her throat and muttered something. The blonde woman quickly stood up.

Istora laughed, tail flicking playfully as her yellow eyes gleamed. She gave him an unsubtle onceover before focusing back on his face.

Her mouth opened, and Bruce braced himself for teasing comments. Then her expression softened, and she shrugged.

I think they were checking me out? Well, I'm glad that made things awkward for everyone. Now that my Attributes are going crazy, it seems like even my musculature has changed. I still don't have the kind of insanely ripped physique of the Champion statues from the Interface menu, but I look good. Really good. Maybe too good?

He took the shield with its rockback-plate interior, testing the handle. A simple hole drilled through a shell fragment held the spear-like grip in place. He tested a few swings and thrusts.

As much as the turtle shell annoyed him at times, it was undeniably effective. Its size provided ample coverage for most of his body while he maintained free motion for attacks with his spear.

The first test against Nibbler confirmed his suspicion. His Maneuver-enhanced attack knocked the creature away. The furry monster bounced once and flipped end over end. It shook its head after landing but otherwise looked fine.

Bruce grinned, pleased that he hadn't hurt Nibbler by accident. Yet, as he went to return the shield to Sylva, she held up a hand.

"Try casting some of your mana on the edge," she suggested, smirking. "This has got to count for some sort of Achievement."

He nodded, reaching within to draw out a bit of mana. With only twenty points in Focus and a pool size of thirty-five, his maximum wasn't huge. But it was enough to try something small.

His mana flowed along his forearm and into the wooden shaft he'd bound to the back of the shield. He could feel his mana filling it. Like the spearhead, he'd managed to carve with his Maneuvers, Sylva made short work of shaping wood they used for a smooth grip.

Istora held her hand against it. "I feel something within, but you're a lot better at this than I am. Maybe Riste should cast it? You still have higher Focus, and we'll need your full stats."

As he nodded, Sylva took it from him and sent her magic through the weapon.

You've created a magical item!

The item 'Straight Shooter' is a primitive bow of unknown construction. A new Ability has been added to Sylva's skill tree.

She grinned. "Yeah. No clue what Straight Shooter does, but I'll check it out when we return. Let's see if it works."

It took Bruce only a moment to realize she had enchanted the shield with her ability to make an arrow always hit. It still wasn't a sure thing, but should dramatically increase his chances.

They also found a use for the leathery skin Sylva had skinned off the rockback. The creature lacked an actual hide since its belly plate and thick shell covered everything other than its face and mouth.

So Istora fashioned leathery shoulder straps from the skin—and made a few belts, leggings, and tunics that fit Bruce better. Given how hard she pushed, his relationship with Istora continued to grow increasingly intimate.

After a week of crafting and planning, Bruce checked his Status, reviewing the final tally of his latest achievements:

Bruce Chan – Human

Species: Human

Champion - Althanea

Unspent Stat Points: 10

Health: 50

Mana: 27

Stamina: 21

He took a deep breath and reached for the handle, bracing for pain. Then, he slipped his forearm through the wrist loop—and nearly stumbled from shock.

After his brief moment of elation, however, disappointment filled him.

Well, shit. The handle must have activated a Maneuver, but it didn't seem too different from my unenchanted practice ones. No cooldown timer either, since it hasn’t faded.

After he finished checking over the details of his new shield, the three Champions sat around the cooking fire and ate the stew Istora had prepared.

It lacked meat, which made sense, considering they were saving the best cuts for when they hunted down the tukuron. Sylva, with the help of her interface, had devised several techniques for drying, smoking, and otherwise preserving meat.

Istora had a strange glint in her eyes as Bruce spoke. When the meal ended, the Rathemian stood and announced that she would be heading out.

With the hunting plans made, there wasn't anything pressing they needed to accomplish. The sun still hung high overhead, leaving Bruce a long afternoon to work out with his new weights and do whatever else came to mind.

After they watched Istora head out, Sylva glanced back toward their main hut and asked, "Think we should check out your new place?"

He laughed and gave her a teasing wink. "What about Istora?"

"She won't be back until tomorrow evening. Think you're up for it?"

Sylva leaned over and kissed him, and they fell back onto the straw.

Afterward, Bruce lay beside his lover, gazing up at the ceiling of woven palm fronds that served as their roof. A warm breeze brushed against them.

With Sylva asleep by his side, Bruce closed his eyes, trying to get some rest, but worry nibbled at the back of his mind. He tried to identify the source but found no real cause.

There were so many reasons to fret, but he kept coming back to Istora. The more he thought about his friend, the more concerned he became. Her behavior struck him as weird the past week. She acted clingier than usual. Yet, if he pressed her about anything, she grew evasive.

Istora hadn't been around to hear his and Sylva's plan. They'd wanted to make sure she knew their intentions before approaching her. If he hadn't made such a mess of things with her back in Dagat, Bruce might have been able to read between the lines. Or maybe I'm just overthinking it. No one handles relationships well at that age. But still, why's she been acting so nervous?

When he looked over at Sylva sleeping beside him, guilt gnawed at him again. I promised myself I wouldn’t let her down a second time. So why do I keep fucking up? Maybe we should forget about killing that tukuron and focus on building things here. Once my crafting catches up with what's required to build a village, I can move onto the next step in my quest. I bet we could—

The faint sound of footsteps came from beyond the hut. Istora wasn't home, already harvesting more goblin grass for the day, but the rest of his companions slept nearby. The only other person who regularly walked that softly was...

"Riste?" he whispered. "Is something wrong?"

"Oh, hey, Jace." She sounded like she was right outside the hut. "Uh, nope. Everything's cool. You know...cool as ice. Um, is everything all right inside? Need any help?"

A muffled growl from Istora followed. "No, no, I can wait. Don't you dare—"

"Nah, we're good, Nat," he shouted over his girlfriend's protests.

She peeked around the hanging reeds that covered the door. Her eyebrows raised, and then Sylva grinned. "Looks like some interesting noises came outta your hut yesterday."

"Riste! What are you doing down there!" Istora hissed.

"I think we all know what happened. It sounds like fun."

"Well...uh, okay...yeah. It's been great," Bruce said. "And thanks. This is amazing. I can't believe how good it feels in my grip. You're like a genius, Riste."

He held the simple wooden shield aloft and admired its solid craftsmanship. While only three feet across, it offered good protection, far superior to the previous attempts. The curved edge looked like something a medieval knight would use. The inner edge slanted back into a sharp point to keep enemies from snatching it away.

A simple handle stuck out near his elbow, so he could grip it, swing it about like a weapon, or just hang on with one hand. Thick leather straps had been nailed through the back, so he could strap them onto his forearm.

Despite the poor workmanship and awkward appearance, it felt right in his hand—and his mind practically screamed that his Strength should help make it better.

It also counted toward the Shieldwall Achievement, allowing him to push his Strength into the nineties.

A loud crack echoed through the clearing, and he turned to see a large boulder fall away from another one.

Istora beamed at them both, sweat dotting her brow. She glanced down at the cracked boulder sitting atop another. The smaller stone sat undamaged in the shattered remnants of its former prison.

His girlfriend waved to the rock, then shouted, "Jace, do you think this might be useful?"

Bruce approached the shattered rocks, and his eyebrows rose. They had a very specific purpose in mind. "You know...yeah, this just might work. Not sure how we'll lug it, but if we can, I think you have something here."

He slipped his arm out of the shield and picked up a fist-sized piece. After a moment of inspecting the dark rock, he tossed it over to Sylva. "Here's hoping you got the right rock after all. I think you might've actually done it. If so, that could save us weeks of effort and give me far more protection."

Istora squealed happily, bouncing up and down with excitement. "If it works, you mean it counts as armor, too? It sounds amazing!"

Bruce shrugged. "It did say she figured out how to make metal weapons and armor. There were no stats or details. So, hopefully. If not, then I guess it's just an extremely tough shield. Still awesome."

Istora threw herself at Sylva and hugged her. "This is so exciting! Jace gets to look all cool and fight with you. We should have a celebration when you come back."

She gave Istora a tight hug in return. "If we both live through the hunt. I was already thinking about celebrating tonight. What do you think?"

"Oh! Yes. Celebration, please," Istora replied, blushing slightly. "Maybe another bonfire and some dancing?"

Bruce grinned. "We can try our first round of tukuron-meat barbeque too. With your ward, even if it isn't that great, it'll taste fine."

Istora looked away from them both, her eyes distant, as if she thought of something else. Finally, she met their eyes and nodded. "I'm still not sure going hunting is wise, Jace. The area Riste talked about is far too dangerous, with powerful monsters."

"We're just taking a look around for now. If it's that tough, maybe the hunters got lucky and took out another monster? If they didn't, we can just come back and prepare more." Bruce frowned, noting the worry etched upon her face. "Hey, are you okay?"

Istora forced a smile that came off more worried than reassuring. "Y-yeah. You're both Champion Warriors. I'm just being silly."

"What's wrong, hon? Why don't you like this idea?" He glanced up at Sylva, who was frowning, but she only shook her head. She had no idea either.

The Rathemian girl shifted uncomfortably, staring down at the half-sewn pants she'd been working on. "It just seems too dangerous, Jace. We don't have the manpower to pull off something so ambitious. It feels like... it's a recipe for disaster."

He knelt beside her, placing one hand on her shoulder and meeting her eyes. "Well, what's the alternative? The plan was for the three of us to take the tukuron. If the six guys your heard talking were all level one Champions like you were, it might've been dangerous for you before Aspera boosted our stats. But, between the three of us—and with Sylva being so much stronger than me—it should work."

Istora gave an exasperated sigh, dropping the clothes she was sewing. Her tail whipped back and forth while she pouted. "I think it would be smarter to send a group of three or four people to hunt it. That way, there will be plenty of support without risking you getting hurt."

A smile tugged at Bruce's lips, and he pulled her in for a tight hug. After a moment, she leaned into him.

"Hey, Jace? I was thinking," Sylva said, eyes still focused on the shell. "We could make some wooden armor if that might help you stay safer."

He grimaced, shaking his head. "No chance, Tal. My Strength isn't high enough to lift that stuff safely. Plus, while the leather-lined shell works well, it does chafe."

Istora laughed, leaning in and pressing a kiss to his cheek. "Aww, poor little Jace! We can always use a few extra hours tonight to make it feel better."

He turned slightly pink but smiled at his Rathemian lover. "Maybe. We'll see how worn out I am after practicing Striking Serpent for a bit. Not looking forward to falling on my face again."

"Just make sure to stretch first and get your joints loose," Sylva offered. "Your muscles will get stronger with use, and the Attribute boosts should make practice easier. Don't expect to master Maneuvers straight away, though. They look incredibly powerful."

He grunted, moving carefully to test the range of motion. "Yep. Though, with my Dexterity sitting above eighty and Strength pushing into the triple digits, I don't want to injure myself." He grinned at Sylva. "That goes for you as well, Tal. The only reason you haven't suffered any injuries training is because Istora's here."

Sylva blushed but nodded. "I'm a quick study, so you shouldn't have too much trouble keeping up."

Bruce sighed, glancing over at where Istora was still weaving clothing for him. Sylva followed his gaze but remained quiet.

After a moment, he cleared his throat. "So, about the next step. If we're going to face something larger and stronger than rockback turtles, we need better gear."

Sylva blinked. "We could spend time crafting things like bows and arrows?"

"That was my plan when I suggested this hunting trip. But that's just wood. You were right—the tukuron is a powerful foe. We have enough stone tools that you shouldn't encounter many obstacles to making bows and arrows with the local bamboo."

Sylva frowned. "Why are you saying 'shouldn't,' then? Did your Interface give you a quest or something?"

Bruce shook his head. "No, nothing so convenient. It's more of a hunch, really. If you want to make a longbow, then we'll need to get creative. Otherwise, shorter bows, like yours, could be crafted in no time at all. Even a simple hand bow from a bit of rockback shell might work if we're willing to compromise accuracy and range."

"I can try working with some bamboo to create a new longbow later, but the local materials just aren't up to the task," Sylva sighed, shaking her head. "Maybe if we use rockback plate as an internal frame, I could craft something stronger. But again, it'll take time—maybe even days or weeks. We're lucky these turtles haven't wandered off."

Bruce took the shield. "It's not a perfect solution, but we don't have the tools for crafting fine woodworking here."

Sylva grunted, helping hold the leather bindings against the shell. The resulting shield wasn't the most beautiful construction, but it functioned well enough. The smooth stone spearhead he'd shaped proved strong and sharp, able to punch through turtle shells without much trouble. He could only imagine what it could do to flesh and muscle.

Despite how excited they were over the new equipment, Bruce was nervous. His lack of knowledge made him feel vulnerable. There were so many ways a simple hunting trip could turn into disaster.

After a few quiet breaths, he pushed aside those worries. They wouldn't help anything. Instead, he looked down at the pair of crudely crafted stone knives he'd made.

When he'd tried to give the weapons to the monsters, they had ignored him and remained clustered around Nibbler, who now sported a large headdress.

Bruce took the rockback shell shield with one hand and gripped one of his knives with the other. After several rounds of experimentation, Sylva and he had settled on a grip.

She grinned as he swung the shield, the cordage and wooden slats creaking softly.

Sylva nodded, looking more serious. "Not perfect, but you're better off than I was when I arrived. We'll be able to sell some of this junk back home too."

"Hopefully so. If not, we'll need to keep these skills sharp. Might find another world someday that needs some Champions. Or, the right kind of loot can unlock a Maneuver," Bruce added with a rueful laugh.

Sylva snorted and gave him a light shove. "I like you, Bruce, but I'm still not letting you take my sword."

"Wouldn't dream of it, Nat. You're welcome to borrow Istora's bow if you want, though. Not like she'd use it. We just need to teach her to draw it properly."

Istora glanced at Sylva with a hopeful smile, which she promptly ignored.

"No thanks. I'll stick with my own weapon. My enchanted steel gladius is an invaluable magical treasure. We have enough money for any gear we need."

He gave her a crooked grin. "And I suppose my spear's lackluster by comparison?"

Sylva laughed. "Definitely not up to our standards, Jace. A proper spear needs a steel head and haft, right? Don't forget a decent helmet and armor. We should grab a sword for you too."

He glanced down at his bare chest and the crude leather pants Istora was sewing. "Yeah, that seems like a wise idea. Not quite up to the standards of the old Spartan hoplite warriors. Their famous phalanx probably would have crumbled against our foes' firebombs. Even without the firearms, these are a nasty enemy."

"You're telling me, Bruce. The monsters on this world are vicious," Sylva replied with a shiver. "I'm glad you showed up when you did. It's nice having allies again."

Istora nodded but remained distracted, fingers tapping at the shell of his crude shield.

Bruce stepped forward to hug Sylva. She hesitated only briefly before returning the embrace, squeezing him hard enough to bruise. "Just so you know, Nat, you don't have to go back home. I won't think less of you if you decide to stay here."

The beautiful warrior woman sighed, looking over his shoulder at Istora. "I... can't, Jace. Not yet anyway. Once I get back, I need to tell my family that I'm still alive. And... I can't abandon them."

He nodded, pulling away just enough to see her face. "It's okay. I was afraid I might never see you again when we got separated. Just know that both Istora and I will support you no matter what choice you make. Though, I admit I'll miss your cooking. You really are handy to have around."

"Oh yeah? Maybe I should leave after all," she shot back with a teasing grin. "If I'm only appreciated for being useful..."

"That's not true, Riste," Istora said. She set aside her sewing to rise and pull them apart, hugging Sylva tight.

With her hair cut short, the two were almost similar in height. Sylva's long-sleeved black sweater and brown pants fit loosely but didn't disguise her fit body. Istora wore a simple tan tunic shirt that left her pale arms bare and an ankle-length skirt of the same color.

Though the two were similar in build, they stood out like night and day.

Bruce chuckled, raising his left hand. "Look, it's working already!"

Sylva rolled her eyes. "I'm joking. And you need to test its defense. It doesn't count until you deflect an arrow."

Istora giggled, still wrapped around Sylva. "Riste is just teasing you. We made this one as good as we can for now. I agree with Riste, though. The wood and bone construction should protect you better than this one does."

"We might get the chance to test out a wooden shield soon enough. You both think that tukuron will show up?" Bruce asked.

Sylva paused, chewing on her bottom lip for a moment. "Yeah, but probably not any time soon. I bet they move around a lot, hunting prey in the forest. When I first got here, there weren't any signs of a big lizard either. Even if the thing avoids coming this far east, the hunters I overheard talked about it as a regular meal."

Nodding, Bruce took the shield and strapped it to his left forearm. "Fair point. It's kind of sad to kill such a cool-looking creature, though. If they're like an eastern dragon, the scales are going to be gorgeous. But hopefully, they'll prove delicious enough to make up for it. Not like we have other sources of protein available."

"We can always go vegetarian if necessary," Istora called out from her station where she was sitting with her legs folded beneath her. She flashed a grin, glancing over at him.

Bruce laughed. "You won't get any arguments from me. A few more meals of rabbit or fish and I might give it a try."

The trio enjoyed a companionable silence as they resumed work. It took Bruce several more hours of chopping wood into useful shapes before he felt ready to tackle the next step—constructing the treehouse wall panel.

With Istora and Sylva guiding him through the process, the three had turned dozens of trees into massive sheets of flat lumber. Bruce was amazed by how sturdy they were given their seemingly flimsy nature. Still, they proved much easier to transport once mounted on a pair of log ramps, and it made them simple to construct as panels.

After a brief argument between the girls about the best way to attach the wooden planks, Sylva gave in and let Istora use a mortar-like cement of dried clay to seal it in place. The dark-haired woman had been leery about the idea, thinking it would add weight or weaken the structure. But with the extra time to dry, they decided it was safer than risking having one fall away at an inopportune time.

By the time nightfall arrived, the walls were complete and the roof beams installed. All three collapsed to rest for a bit. They still had lots to do. He had to mount the walls into the tree branches and install a ladder.

The following morning, they finished the treehouse with the first panel. It lacked doors or windows, but they accomplished more than he had expected in a single week.

It didn’t take long for Bruce to learn the limits of his ability to channel mana when building the wall panels. When he tried pushing more SE into them, he ran out of mana rather quickly. The additional mana cost of shaping each section exceeded his max MP.

At that point, he switched to trying to channel raw mana. His plan was to see if he could enhance the wooden panels like he did the rockback plate.

While crafting, he tried to push more SE into his work by focusing on the wood—imagining his magic flowing into it and infusing its essence. It took him several days, but Bruce finally succeeded. The panel was slightly stronger, more resilient, and even gained minor resistance to fire and water damage.

He repeated the process dozens of times during his crafting experiments and was finally rewarded with an Achievement unlock.

Boom Goes the Dynamite- For blowing up the very tree you wanted to live in. - +10 SE

The unlocked power required him to expend SE to activate and would detonate anything he channeled mana into. Even rocks. Its destructive potential seemed similar to C4 in real life. Given its destructive nature, Bruce worried it might destroy a tree house panel or the other woodwork around.

But once he realized he could create a delayed activation by using mana to keep it inert, he found ways to put the ability to use. Sylva crafted some clay containers to store excess food in. He stored several days of rations and an assortment of crafting goods in the bottom of a large pack Istora sewed. If things went well, the three of them would return within a day. The food should stay safe until then.

Even with everything in order, he found himself distracted, worrying for the others. So far, there had been no news about Istora arriving safely or what was happening in Rathemen. As always, he felt torn between wanting to return home—despite the dangers—and hoping her parents were right that staying here was better.

Istora glanced up from her work and smiled at Bruce. Sylva took a seat on a fallen tree beside him.

They set off after lunch. He hadn't bothered hunting since finishing his Crafting spree, so his supplies were dwindling. With so much game nearby, finding prey was trivial.

A half-dozen rabbits, squirrels, and even a few fowl would keep them fed for a while. Bruce packed everything carefully in one of the ceramic jars and wrapped the container tightly before shoving it into his pack.

Istora carried several empty pots and cups, her backpack loaded down with food. She looked tired from the exertion of packing.

Bruce was thankful for her improved endurance and recovery, though. He remembered how difficult it had been for her to make even the simplest trips in the early days. Now, her stats and stamina let her carry far more than either Bruce or Sylva.

Nibbler followed them for a time as they cut east across a low mountain pass. When they arrived at the tukuron's territory, the bear cub darted into the trees, disappearing from sight. The area was a broad river valley, filled with bamboo and evergreens. A pair of enormous waterfalls thundered at the far end.

They made camp by the rushing creek that flowed away from the falls and rested for the night. Bruce couldn't sleep much, too eager and excited for their coming hunt. Still, Sylva snoozed like a baby while Istora purified water and added fresh fruit to Bruce's pack.

As they waited for sunrise, he noticed how pale she seemed and her eyes remained dark with shadow. He wondered if something was wrong. Istora hadn't been sleeping well, and he wanted to ask. His fear of alienating her held his tongue, however.

When he turned over, trying to clear his head, he saw Sylva's eyes open—wide awake, and staring right at him. "Bruce." She glanced back at Istora before meeting his gaze again.

"Yeah?"

She rolled on top of him, covering his mouth with a firm hand. Then she spoke in a low murmur. "Don't scare me like that," she whispered.

It was early in the morning, and Istora still lay asleep, tucked against his side. "I've been worried. I mean, I thought you had some feelings for me, or I guess at least liked me...but the two of you..." She sighed, her lips turning down as she looked away.

"Sorry." Bruce struggled to find anything better than the lame apology. He gently pried her hand away. "I did. Do, I mean. My emotions feel so messed up right now. I want to be angry at Istora, but I can't. That doesn't make sense."

"Not really. Though, from what I've read, people's brains respond differently to stress. I doubt the effects of bonding with her will end anytime soon. And, I'm not exactly blameless here. My libido is probably more powerful now than when I was young." Sylva smiled shyly. "And that was intense. You two are pretty damn loud. It's hard to ignore you."

A flush crept across his cheeks as he considered Istora. After a week without the bond, his anger had slowly eased, replaced by a confused mix of resentment and lust. While Bruce didn't want to think about their emotional bond, the physical effect was more immediate—and impossible to ignore.

Her dark lashes fluttered against tan skin, and the Shaman's tendrils gently tightened on his neck, tugging him closer. Her tongue flickered out between her sharp teeth before sliding up the underside of his jaw.

The Rathemian's low growl sent heat rushing to Bruce's groin. She reached out, tugging him forward, intent clear upon her face.

Sylva looked away, trying to pretend she couldn't see them. A soft moan escaped her lips, her hands clenching tight. The sound caused a pang of guilt in Bruce's chest but not enough to halt his pursuit of pleasure.

Istora glanced over his shoulder, looking right at the Shaman. "What do you think, Riste? Isn't Jace sexy?"

Sylva swallowed, staring off into the distance. "W-well, yeah, sure. I mean, what kind of question is that?" She sighed, shaking her head as she turned to look back at the couple. "But, yes, Bruce. You look great."

Bruce's body tensed at the unexpected compliment. He knew that Sylva thought he was good-looking—or used to, anyway—and even Istora had mentioned enjoying the sight of him without clothes. It still caught him by surprise each time she commented.

Sylva turned away, busying herself with the pile of items she'd gathered. "I'll pack my supplies into my ring and the clay jugs you made for me. Once you both have gear for your weapons, we should head out."

Istora nodded excitedly. "I'm ready."

Bruce glanced down at his new ensemble. Since he still refused to wear animal skins, the others had scavenged clothing from nearby ruins. The result looked something like a combination of a tunic and robe, with pants secured by cords of rockback shell. He also sported burlap bracers reinforced by the same armor plates that formed the base of his crude spear shaft.

It's hardly stylish, but at least I won't offend anyone with my lack of fashion sense.

His hands closed over the simple wooden shield they had crafted together. A layer of rockback shell covered its front, bound with thin leather. Three metal hooks anchored a grip to the back.

He swung the shield out before him. While it would prove more cumbersome than a modern buckler, it wasn’t bad. He took a practice swing and activated Striking Serpent.

Sylva raised her chin and sniffed. Her voice carried the faintest edge of smug satisfaction.

He grinned in response.

They've both helped me out so much, even if Sylva acts jealous or irritated sometimes. Not sure what we'd do without either of them.

As they continued testing the shield, Istora called out a warning, pointing at a large shape barreling through the woods toward them.

Sylva drew her bow before she noticed who was with the newcomer.

Cole grinned from ear to ear and lifted his hands as he neared. The muscular man had grown leaner since arriving in Earris. Bruce noticed new lines in Cole's face and wondered how the other man had fared during his weeks alone.

A large furry body pressed tight against Bruce and Sylva, tail wagging frantically. It had grown several inches taller and now stood almost up to their waists. Its eyes sparkled with eager excitement, tongue lolling from its mouth.

"Nibbler's so cute!" Istora gushed. The slender woman ran her tendrils through the little beast's fur.

The moment passed in the span of a breath as Nibbler realized something was amiss. His eyes fixed on Cole and went wide, fur standing on end as his growl thundered through the clearing.

Sylva grabbed one of her arrows from her quiver. "Oh, shit." She looked at Istora. "He won't actually attack... right?"

"I'll stop him if I can, but we've trained them away from aggression. And Cole..."

Bruce held up his free hand and took a step forward as Nibbler stalked toward Cole, baring his teeth.

Cole's expression twisted with worry, and he backed up, hands lifting to protect his face. "Jace?"

Bruce dropped to a knee before his friend. He grasped Cole by the shoulders, giving the man a rough shake. "Hey, relax. Nibbler can help guard our camp, but only if he recognizes you as an ally."

"What? How? The last time I saw the mutt, it nearly bit my head off."

"I'm not surprised," Istora said. "You've grown a lot stronger, and they have an intense wariness of powerful people. They still see Bruce as weak, and even then, some of them were afraid to approach at first."

Bruce nodded. "I had to prove that I meant no harm several times. I wasn't even strong enough to knock them over when they wanted to playfight."

He stepped aside and held up a hand toward Istora. "Can we have some jerky, please? We're going to need to win him over with a treat."

Istora gave him a confused look, tail swaying behind her. "I mean... why not just order him to be nicer to Cole?"

"What do you mean, 'order him'?" Bruce asked.

Her tendrils twitched. "Just like I've been doing with the pack. I don't know what the little cutie has against your friend, but a simple order should fix the problem. Unless he's been ignoring me this whole time. The little guys are awfully stubborn."

Bruce scratched at the back of his head. He still wasn't used to how expressive Istora had become.

It's weird seeing her so comfortable around others now, Bruce thought. And maybe a tiny bit hot? I suppose the biggest change is that I'm able to have a conversation with someone so sexy without tripping all over myself.

She gave him a wry look. "I guess you'd prefer my usual wardrobe."

"Uh..." Bruce fumbled for an appropriate response. "That's not... well... you're pretty, Istora, regardless of what you're wearing. Just takes some getting used to."

Sylva chuckled as she sat nearby, tanning one of the many rocksback hide Istora had prepared.

The Rathim woman giggled. "So cute, Jace. But I don't want you losing focus whenever we need your help."

His cheeks heated as he took the shield and stood with his back against a tree, trying to ignore Sylva. "Okay, here goes nothing."

Using his new Strength, Bruce drove the point of a rock into the ground just outside the circle. He planted a foot on the stone, then gripped his spear. "Here goes!"

He yanked the spear up. The impact rocked the crude shield and would likely leave his shoulder sore. The shaft of the spear shattered with a crack, sending shards flying.

"Ow." Bruce let the shield slip and shook out his arm, wincing. "Think it works."

Sylva crowed triumphantly. "Yes! That'll definitely work against claws or fangs. Might take some punishment from a sword or heavy ax but should protect you from any of our prey."

Istora looked up with a grin, tendrils wiggling. She sat naked among her weaving projects. The way her dark flesh contrasted with the woven grasses entranced Bruce. "It's time then? You're ready to hunt the tukuron?"

"Ready enough," Bruce replied. "And since we finished everything on our list yesterday, I think now's as good a time as any."

He felt eager. The idea of facing another powerful monster didn't frighten him the way it once had. While Aspera's Boon gave him significant power, he knew he wasn't anywhere near as tough as most Champions or Shamans.

"You seem relaxed, Jace," Sylva said. "You sure you'll be okay?"

Bruce turned and shrugged. "I won't lie. Part of me is scared shitless. Yet I'm learning there's just no use being afraid of what might happen. We do as much preparation and training as possible, then it's time to face reality. Whether we live or die comes down to hard work, skill, and a little luck."

"Sounds like you've been thinking a lot about this," Istora remarked softly.

"I have," Bruce sighed, running a hand through his hair. "If this world were like our games, I'd expect us to end up dying horribly. But after seeing a few more options—and realizing death probably isn't permanent—I can accept the risk. If we screw up, well... the idea of coming back here alive is comforting. Though, I won't deny it would really suck."

Istora frowned, looking as troubled as she ever did. "I-if you don't feel comfortable fighting the tukuron yet..."

"It's fine, babe. Don't worry." Bruce flashed a confident smile before accepting the shield. "So, Sylva, what'd you come up with?"

The slender woman smiled. "I figure that if there was a cooldown or cool-down to your Maneuvers, the easiest way to deal with it is by using a shield. Most games require a cooldown between blocks. Though, those tend to be much shorter than attacks. We don't know how long it will be until you can use your Maneuvers again, but having a shield will give you a chance to get close."

He nodded and set down the shield. "If I'm going to train, then we need to pick up a practice weapon too."

Bruce headed for the pile of supplies next to their newly completed treehouse and returned carrying a pair of wooden spears and an eight-foot polearm. "Now where did I put my sword?"

The others stared at him in confusion, so Bruce held up a hand as he rummaged through a pack. When he straightened, he revealed a battered aluminum baseball bat with an oversized, wooden handle.

Istora snickered. "You know that won't last long against a monster, right? Even the worst spear would break it."

"It's fine. No worries. Besides, it's not for combat." Bruce took off his shirt and set down the weapons. "Okay. We're going to work on defense today. Just try to attack me. Sylva first."

She laughed. "Alright, you asked for it."

Sylva stepped back a pace and hurled a fast ball toward his head. Her strength proved too great for him to block, the blow staggering Bruce. He shook his head clear as she launched a jab, smashing into his face hard enough to rock his head back.

"Shit! Are you okay?" Sylva asked, eyes wide in alarm.

"Yeah. Fine," he wheezed before trying again. This time, he succeeded, raising his left arm in time to catch the ball. Even with the straps, the impact jarred his shoulder. Still, the blow wasn't nearly as bad as when he hadn't been ready. "Damn. I think it worked."

Sylva beamed and helped remove the shield. After a few more test swings, Bruce felt certain that having some armor would help against the tukuron. Once Sylva tested a few strikes, he agreed she should stick with the bone club she'd made to fight alongside him.

Istora frowned as he took the shield back, still fumbling with how to sew together a pair of pants. In theory, she shouldn't have had a problem. Her tendrils could grip tools, as long as they weren't too fine or delicate. Unfortunately, sewing and weaving required her to manipulate dozens of filaments. And while she could manage basic repairs, the thought of creating clothing from raw fibers remained elusive.

Still, she proved a deft hand at preparing the barkcloth fabric he created, which they all agreed he'd need on a hunt. Sylva's enchanted cotton clothes didn't count for Bruce's achievements, but her pants, shirt, and cloak offered good protection against the elements.

With Bruce wearing the armor, Sylva wielding her spear, and Istora packing healing salves and potions in addition to the usual filtered water, they prepared to set off the next morning.

To reduce their chances of missing any food in the event they failed, they agreed to spend four days hunting the monster.

Bruce spent the afternoon preparing for his first serious attempt at Maneuvers, practicing Striking Serpent in full armor. It proved an arduous process. He needed to move his entire body through the form with a speed boost active. His first attempts were clumsy enough to cause him to trip. Still, he managed it a few times.

Sylva offered to give it a try herself, but he knew he had a far greater chance of landing an attack if he didn't have to deal with dodging her spear.

Afterward, Sylva and Bruce headed down to the river to wash up, finding an area where the water came up to their knees.

He'd thought Sylva's eyes would pop when she first caught sight of Istora's tail, let alone her other assets. Fortunately, his own nudity no longer seemed to bother her.

The slender brunette flashed him a playful grin before she waded into the current and ducked beneath the surface, emerging a few moments later with her wet hair plastered to her face. She swept the strands back as she stood and looked his way. "I think you're about as ready as you're going to get, Jace."

"I agree," Bruce said, feeling an odd sense of nostalgia as he washed up, recalling how many times he'd gotten in trouble for sneaking out to do exactly this as a kid. "Let's hope the hunting pays off. We could use a solid victory."

Istora paused. The trio stood hip-deep in the gentle current. Her hands brushed over her abdomen. A pensive frown flickered across her features. Then her mouth twisted into an unconvincing smile as she moved close to hug Bruce.

He reached out to pat her shoulder.

"What is it?"

"Nothing," the alien beauty said as she nuzzled against his neck. Then she turned back to her weaving.

Bruce took the shield from Sylva and hefted it. A pair of wood handles jutted from the sides, allowing it to be wielded with one arm or two.

The shield proved awkward, and its center was off balance due to the hole Sylva needed to cut for his arm. He suspected some skill was required to use it properly, like knowing when to lean his weight and when to brace.

Despite the many issues with the crude turtle-shell shield, Bruce received a pleasant surprise from the Interface.

You have upgraded your weapon and made it more personal. A new title is available, Warrior: Shell Shield. You have been awarded 20 SE!

Shell Shield:

Shielding yourself with armor crafted from a foe you've bested will offer superior protection. This weapon will grow in power as its wielder becomes more adept at using it. The Turtle Shield was the first upgrade and offers +4 physical resistance.

Reaching level 2 adds another physical resist bonus (+3) and a spell resistance boost (+2).

You have unlocked a hidden ability. All shields upgraded to level 2 will count as a weapon as well as defensive gear. While blocking, the Turtle Shield's attack value will be added to your chance to parry a blow. If your defense succeeds in parrying an enemy strike, counterstrike damage is increased by 3x normal for a single attack!

Physical Resistance: 87 (83+4) Spell Resistance: 0

As soon as he accepted the shield, it morphed, turning transparent. Only Bruce's familiarity with its appearance revealed it was there. He laughed at the sight and pulled his arm free, leaving the shield floating in midair. Then he set it down and stepped back.

The translucent shield faded into view and Bruce scooped it up again. It shrank a bit until it fit snugly around his arm. Once fastened in place, it again turned invisible.

When Bruce poked at it, the shield felt like solid rubber rather than an actual shell.

"That is amazing," he said.

Sylva looked surprised, then grinned. "You must have some pretty serious stats. The first guy who held that didn't see a thing."

He smiled, tapping the empty air with the blunt head of his spear. A loud thump confirmed the shield's location, and it appeared as if it had always been there.

"So cool. Think of how useful this will be! Now I just need to make myself a shirt of chainmail." He laughed, looking up to the sky. "And why not a magical sword? Can you hear me, Interface? I know there's some kind of item rarity system or magic system. If we're really supposed to kill the tukuron, I demand an enchanted blade!"

To Bruce's surprise, his vision blurred for a moment.

Do you want your quest updated with the addition of new information? Quest requirements changed by 1%. Current total: 76%

A shiver ran down his spine, and Bruce froze. He closed his eyes to focus on the feeling, trying to pinpoint its origin. It wasn't like an attack. There was nothing malevolent or dangerous in the sensation.

The only word he could use was awareness. An understanding that something in his world had shifted, though he could find no sign of any visible change. The world around him looked just as it had moments earlier.

"Jace? Are you okay?" Istora asked.

He focused on that point again but came up with nothing. "Uh, yeah. Sorry. Just felt weird there for a second."

Sylva tilted her head. "Are you having a bad reaction to a system update or something?"

He shrugged. "I have no idea. I haven't noticed anything like that when new stuff appears in my menu, but you might be right."

With everything they needed accomplished, there was nothing to delay the hunt. Their group prepared the next morning, making sure all four of their treehouses were well stocked with water, food, and other necessities. The treehouse would provide shelter for Sylva and Istora, but Bruce and the rest of the furry crew planned to sleep beneath the stars.

The camp and treehouse were far enough removed from any goblin settlements that the tukuron hunters hadn't found the place. And while Sylva's plan called for returning within a week, they still made the decision to take some precautions.

They decided on a signal should they need help, which meant Istora spending several days working on a warding. The spell proved complicated, requiring her to mark a dozen runes into the ground surrounding the campsite and tie them to an amulet crafted of stone, wood, and bone.

After a bit of work, Bruce managed to form a rough sphere, and the rune symbols took shape before his eyes.

Istora spent her free moments teaching Bruce about how magic functioned in Astare, and the differences between Wards and Enchantments.

"An Enchantment is created when someone applies power to an item—like casting a spell through one. The effect depends upon the type of mana and the runes carved onto the item. You've seen that my arrows are enchanted, but with a simple Ward, which means they don't have any offensive power."

"They seem pretty sharp," Bruce noted, admiring her handiwork. "Not that I'm complaining, of course. They've saved our bacon more than once."

She flashed a smile, tendrils waving gently in what he'd come to understand as a shy gesture. "That's just their design. I know you like throwing javelins, but these should have at least twice the range. Plus, even without a skill point, my bow has greater draw than anything a mortal would have. It's one of the few items we looted that can handle a hundred plus draw strength. And with a steel head, these will do the most damage of anything you've thrown."

Sylva handed over a pile of the arrows she'd created during his grinding week. After unlocking Enchanting with the steel arrowheads, he had focused on pottery and stonework, not bothering to copy any of her others. He knew how to carve them by now but wanted to buy supplies, not use up steel arrowheads.

Bruce took the offered shaft and examined it in awe, comparing its length to his old javelin. "These are amazing!"

The steel spearhead was nearly six inches long, and it was fixed to a five-and-a-half foot wooden shaft. A dozen or so fletches added more length to the tail. Even more impressively, each arrow was tipped with a wicked barbed point that curved back toward the body.

"Yep. And if you hit something vital, these will stay stuck inside. That's my guess, anyway." She grinned excitedly as she grabbed and held up another. "They've got great balance too."

Istora finished weaving a pair of crude breechcloths, setting one aside for Bruce before slipping into the other. She eyed the new arrows carefully. "Wow! I didn't know they could be this impressive, Riste. They're far prettier than the ones your friend made, and they feel like they might actually hit something."

Sylva beamed proudly. "Yeah, the wood isn't exactly straight, but we're working with what we have."

Bruce nodded, smiling at her enthusiasm. "You're a true rock star, Riste. These are amazing. You must be really close to hitting your Enchanting capstone too. If you can improve them even more when that unlocks..."

Sylva grinned broadly, clearly pleased. "Well, the steel is awesome. Not just because it's strong enough for me to enchant easily. The stuff conducts magic great too. When I hit my next Rank, I should be able to make something like enchanted armor plates for you guys."

The thought of magical armor thrilled Bruce. It was as impressive as anything from an RPG. But his smile soon wilted. "That would be great. It sounds expensive though."

She snorted derisively. "Oh, yeah. For now, we'll probably have to buy armor. Even with this tukuron bounty, it might take awhile to save up the money."

"You don't have any looted coins?"

Sylva shook her head and sat at one of the nearby bamboo furniture sets. They'd created several more chairs, table, and a couple beds for their treehouses, though the latter was a work in progress.

"Not that I've seen so far. Maybe people don't use coins. I wouldn't know. Weird, though, considering how much these other races care about trade," Sylva grumbled.

"Hmm, that's strange. Do you think people in Kusnou have a different economy?" Bruce asked. "Somehow, I doubt we'll see a credit card any time soon."

Sylva laughed and looked down at the crude belt holding up the cloth loincloth she'd adopted for adventuring.

"Yeah, maybe. The elves seem to value coinage since they have a currency exchange in Kusnou. And it makes sense for the Kusnauxi to be a cash-only society if they grow so much of the food for the other races. What kind of coins are we talking about here?"

"Tons. Hundreds of different sizes and materials. Gold, silver, copper, brass, bone, rock, even wood. Some shaped like hexagons, or octagons. All carved with weird writing." Bruce held out a small handful of samples. He'd only discovered the issue after Istora had tried to use the acazite tools at Kusnou. The metal traders simply laughed.

She shrugged. "I'm not too surprised by that, honestly. Most advanced societies trade in some form of money for ease of doing business. Makes things much less chaotic. It seems odd for the rest of these races to live so primitively."

Sylva snorted, nodding. "Right? That's something I can't get over. There should be far more people in this world than just us. The way you told it, Riste, your home was very technological, right?"

Istora paused in weaving grass rope. "Oh yeah. They even had televisions and airplanes. Nothing too modern but definitely far beyond anything else here."

Bruce took a few steps, testing his balance. He was no shield-bearer, but it felt surprisingly light. The curved shell offered decent coverage. While it couldn't defend against a spear thrust or a strike from an ax, he'd easily block many normal attacks with it.

"Hey, Istora, any word about other Champions besides the ones we've seen?" Bruce asked.

Istora nodded. "Yeah. There are five, but you'll only find them if they let you. And I heard a rumor that they never work together."

"You think they know about us? They might try to attack when they see we're camping out here," Bruce said, lowering his shield.

"I doubt it, Jace. Not if they've been following the same Boon rules we have. Remember? We were forced to wait for an entire day to enter this world. If these others started at different points, they could be thousands of miles away. And if they're like the four of us, they'd still have had to fight monsters as well as figure out how to survive. That could take years," Sylva said.

"You know, she's right. It took Riste and me almost nine months to learn enough to get by in this world. And if they started elsewhere or came later than us, even longer." Bruce smiled at Istora and rubbed her ears.

She snuggled against him. "I hadn't thought of that. Guess you guys are just smart. No surprise there. You're Champions, after all."

Bruce shrugged. "Not so sure about that. Maybe we're lucky and these others aren't as fortunate. I don't know. But, Sylva, did you hear anything about them from the locals?"

"Yeah. There's some talk in Rheytun, but nothing consistent. Lots of rumors and stories, and I can't always tell which might be true. But what I can say is that these other Champions must be keeping busy. One or the other seems to be stirring something up regularly."

Bruce glanced up as the treehouse door opened, revealing a grinning Trevor. The teen carried a basket of berries and wore an odd conical hat made of leaves and woven grass. He looked like a stereotypical farmer.

Bruce had finally finished his first attempt at making clothes for the skinny guy. It turned out to be challenging. Without being able to use a sewing machine, he needed to take extra care in handling the plant fibers used for the thread. Making burlap had taken Bruce days to learn; Sylva had already started weaving clothing for herself. Her new attire was rough, but serviceable. Bruce figured he would end up with a tunic too.

Istora offered to help Bruce construct a loincloth for Trevor, but he refused the offer, wanting to surprise the kid. He wasn't surprised that his attempt at underwear ended up lopsided, so he focused on pants and a shirt instead.

The result was ugly, but functional, with loose cloth shorts and a baggy shirt. They might not last long, but both men should find them better than the skimpy loincloths.

Istora handed a pair of sandals to Sylva as well. The woman accepted them gratefully. The primitive shoes weren't pretty, but after trying to wear tree bark strips and leaves, she welcomed the better protection.

Sylva eyed his shield again, brow wrinkling in thought. A small frown flitted across her face, but she shrugged a second later.

Not sure what that's about, but I probably don't want to ask either. She can get weirdly protective and fussy. Though I do owe her big time for this shield and spear.

"Good. You should use a leather strap or cord instead of rope, but it seems plenty sturdy. Just needs a few final adjustments. Do you want another loop over your wrist? That'll let you pull it in tight during battle," Sylva asked.

"Maybe one a bit below that will help with carrying."

"That's where the first one is for. So you can hold things too. I see the problem. It keeps spinning around, so you have to move your arm to get to stuff?"

Bruce blinked. "Uhh, yeah. Is that not how it works normally?"

The muscular woman rolled her eyes and sighed. "Men. If I could make an enchanted breastplate to let me carry a sack on my chest, you'd all wear one without complaint. And this was the one time I don't even make a dirty joke."

Istora giggled. "Riste does make jokes often. I've lost track of how many times she's made Jace blush."

"I'm a natural joker. Besides, Jace can't blame me. Not when he lets you use your tongue to wake him up each morning."

Istora wagged a finger, smiling. "I wouldn't do that if Riste wasn't watching me. My shyness means that my mouth does... odd things."

"Mmhm. It also seems to work well on other parts of Jace's body. I remember when we first got together, I used to sneak off during football practice to—"

A blush lit up Istora's face. Her tendrils writhed, and she clamped both hands over Sylva's mouth. "Not in front of the children!"

Bruce snorted, taking the shield from his partner. She grinned behind her friend's hand, clearly enjoying flustering Istora. The petite woman tended to go off on tangents once she started talking about sex or anything related to her shy tendencies.

Trying not to think too hard about what Sylva claimed she did, Bruce hefted the turtle shell shield, feeling its weight. It still felt odd holding a real weapon. Despite having trained with spears and bows, nothing quite compared to gripping an actual sword or holding a sturdy metal shield.

And that's before considering Aspera's spear is actually made of acazite and my armor of shell, wood, and stone. My spear won't even hold an edge for long and is bound to shatter after a couple of hits. At least the turtle shell should be tougher than leather. If we find other materials I can use for armor, it'll be nice to finally upgrade.

Nibbler waddled over to where they stood near the treehouse. A handful of his crew followed, though several of the ratlike creatures scampered away when Bruce waved.

"Hey buddy. Want to take a look at my new shield?"

The blue-furred creature held out a pair of forepaws, clearly asking for Bruce to pick him up. After setting aside the shield, he lifted Nibbler high and spun around as he walked the small clearing they'd claimed as their encampment.

Istora giggled watching, as the baby rockbacks squeaked and chased them around. When Bruce glanced back, he saw her tail flicking back and forth. It always seemed to do that when she found something humorous or funny.

As they twirled around, a few of the Daubeni wandered off until only Nibbler's main retinue remained. One of the little creatures had taken to following Bruce around and sat watching them dance.

"I have an idea," Bruce said, setting Nibbler on the ground.

"Oh?" Istora asked. She paused from stitching together pants to smile up at him. "W-what kind of idea?"

He grinned at her, enjoying her bright brown eyes. She was wearing a short dress of rabbit fur since the evenings grew cool. It suited her, even if Bruce would prefer she went without anything at all.

With Istora and Sylva busy most of the day with hunting and crafting, he spent countless hours pondering over his first evening here. What it would be like to have them both sharing his bed—though technically they were on a floor mat. He still couldn't quite wrap his mind around the thought of being with them at the same time. And what about the other girls back at the village? It was difficult to deny there was an attraction, at least where Yara and Sarsa were concerned. The whole concept of sleeping with multiple women hadn't occurred to him until he met Istora. Now it plagued his thoughts daily.

"Jace," Istora said, giving him an irritated huff. "You d-didn't answer me."

"Huh? Oh, sorry. Just distracted thinking about these Maneuvers again."

"Mmhmm," Sylva said, smirking. "Well, show us what you can do now that you have a proper shield."

Bruce nodded, focusing inward. After several days of trial and error, he was ready to give Striking Serpent a true test. He drew in a deep breath and held his shield in a close guard. Then he imagined striking Sylva with a sharp jab to the forehead.

As power flooded his muscles, he threw a lightning-quick punch and gasped as the strike blurred into an unseen streak of motion.

A loud boom echoed across the forest as his fist cracked into Sylva's face hard enough to send her tumbling ass over tea kettle. She hit the ground, bouncing twice before coming to a stop. The woman was dead to the world.

Istora cried out and scrambled toward the fallen huntress. She paused, eyes growing wide when she realized Sylva was okay. Then the Rathemian turned to Bruce with a fierce glare. Her normally brown eyes glowed with purple light as she pointed a clawed finger at him.

Shit. I just killed Sylva by accident.

Bruce dropped into a combat stance and readied a punch to try and parry. The last thing he wanted was to accidentally kill one of his best friends. Yet, before his muscles tightened, he stumbled back with a grunt.

The spell hit like a battering ram. Power pulsed around Bruce. He could feel tendrils wrapping around his limbs—though they were clearly meant to reinforce his strength rather than hold him. It was so strange. Like Istora had cast a spell on him without the normal casting time.

He blinked down at Sylva as she groaned, pushing herself to her feet.

A purple aura shimmered over Bruce, his veins glowing violet from the magic coursing through his system. The sensation felt incredibly similar to when Istora had empowered his strikes against the rockback turtle. Though that hadn't felt nearly so powerful, likely due to being his first exposure.

"Woah." He grinned, testing himself with a simple block. "This is incredible! I can practically feel the power pumping through me!"

"Y-yes. This is the only offensive spell I have though," Istora said apologetically.

"Oh, I'm not complaining. You just keep helping to heal us in a fight. Having a combat buff will be amazing. Though, can you tell how long it lasts?"

Istora paused, then shook her head. "The magic feels... uncertain, almost transient? But I think it will last until you use that maneuver."

Bruce blinked. That's weird. Why would Istora's spell end if I attack?

"Interesting," Sylva murmured. "If the effect ends after a single blow, we should take advantage of your speed while you can, just in case."

He accepted the wooden practice shield. They'd used the rockback shell as a mold, wrapping the inside with clay before applying more to the outside to strengthen and smooth it. It wasn't pretty but provided protection.

As soon as he took the shield, Istora reached out, casting Strengthen Strike onto him. Her eyes glazed over slightly, and a moment later, a familiar violet aura surrounded him. The woman had learned to cast the spell with no preparation time, saving Bruce valuable seconds in a fight.

Bruce turned to Sylva, grinning as he brandished the round wood shield. She had rigged a sling, but he wanted to start with melee attacks until the others got back. He wouldn't risk their lives if this ended up being a fool's errand.

Bruce fell into a modified fencing stance, left foot forward and right extended for balance. He swung his fist against the hard wooden surface, aiming to strike at the edge of the shield. A hollow thump sounded from the blow, the impact not affecting his hand at all.

Well, that felt like a normal punch. Let's see what happens.

A rush of energy filled his limbs. Bruce spun about, bringing the shield around in a vicious arc that smashed down on another rockback. This time he heard an audible crack as it hit the ground.

It felt like hitting something with his fists, though without any feedback in the way of vibrations. The power boost was far less potent than Striking Serpent, yet the ability granted a greater effect, one that could be applied to any tool or weapon.

"Looks good," Sylva called. "How did you like it?"

He shook out his arms, then gave the shield a quick test against several other rockbacks. While Istora kept them from moving much, he still struggled to move fast enough to apply any force behind his blows. Still, Bruce was sure it would work better against a humanoid attacker.

After another two days, his efforts paid off.

You have completed the Achievement- Do You Even Lift (x99)

+ 100 Attribute points distributed throughout the Physical Ability Tree

Bruce felt a rush of strength, the world blurring around him as he lifted the wooden board that served as the shield's base. A moment later, everything returned to normal. He turned to Istora with a grin.

"I think this will work. It looks kind of like a Roman scutum." The shield was roughly rectangular in shape, and just big enough to cover him up to his shoulders when he raised it. It had a simple wooden grip behind the thick hide backing, providing an anchor point for the forearm. The hide also protected from enemies reaching between the cross braces.

Istora nodded happily. "So we should have something sturdy to hunt that tukuron tomorrow?"

"Well, the shield itself isn't enchanted," Sylva said. "It might protect against weaker attacks, but anything like an orc's sword is still going to hurt you pretty bad. Don't expect to block anything stronger than a stone-tipped arrow."

"And this leather won't stop a sharp blade either," Bruce said. He turned the scutum, noting how it covered his shoulders, arms, and chest. His left hand gripped a leather handle extending a few inches from the edge, the wood reinforced by two layers of leather straps. Sylva had tied down several small sections, ensuring that the surface wouldn't shift. "But I think it's a vast improvement over carrying one around. Now all I need is a weapon."

"Well, if you hadn't skipped out on making bows for me or Istora, I'd suggest using one. We're still working on my kite shield and spear."

Istora held up her newest pair of pants, eyes alight with satisfaction. She'd made the fabric and Sylva had reinforced them with rockback plates stitched in. Their crude cordage wasn't good for much else yet, though Istora planned on weaving some thicker strips to act as belt loops and shoulder straps for later shirts.

With the new shield sorted, Bruce continued training and crafting for two days more. On the morning of the third day after grinding crafting Achievements, he had almost twenty pounds of fish and crabs to fry up as a celebratory feast.

Sylva spent that last morning helping him with Maneuver practice. With only a bow and handful of arrows, it was hard to gauge his true speed, but he moved at least ten feet in the blink of an eye. That didn't count any additional boost from Striking Serpent, so Bruce assumed his speed was well over thirty-five miles per hour.

They both felt confident he could use a spear without accidentally hurling himself across the clearing. Though Sylva thought a mace would suit him better. They didn’t have any good options, however.

Istora used the rock salt crystals left over from drying meat to preserve their final dinner. Bruce enjoyed the crunchy fish skewers, but Istora preferred crab meat mixed into her fish.

They set out early the next morning, trekking south. With all of his Attributes over seventy, Bruce hiked far quicker than in his past life, making short work of the forest floor. His only complaints were that he couldn’t walk as fast as he wanted—the terrain limited his progress to around forty miles per hour, or a brisk walking pace. He still couldn’t fully control Striking Serpent yet.

Nibbler and four dozen Daubens grew restless once Bruce and his companions headed into the woods. After an encouraging scratch from Istora, they settled down in front of the new cooking hut.

Their trip went smoothly. Sylva and Istora wore their leather clothes for the first time. As they walked, Bruce wondered what kind of armor might fit Sylva without slowing her. Plate mail would be unwieldy, given her Maneuvers.

She insisted that if she could avoid melee, her bow would prove effective enough. Yet Bruce felt exposed compared to his companions, especially after encountering the first tukuron tracks later that afternoon. The creature had left five-inch-wide prints, with a stride nearly twelve feet long.

After studying the massive paw prints, Sylva explained how tukurons had long legs, thick scales, and broad bodies. They were similar to Earth monitor lizards but several times larger.

The tracks were fresh—the group hadn't seen any sign of one yet—but their quarry hadn’t left the forest or headed back to the river yet.

That night, they set up camp. Sylva hunted a nearby koocoo den, slaying two adult males and a single female.

The trio discussed plans to deal with the tukuron when it turned out there were six adults in the pack. After killing so many goblins, Bruce assumed he knew what to expect, but the next morning was a surprise.

Each one stood around eight feet tall, easily two heads taller than he was. Even Sylva looked smaller. Their scales resembled an iridescent green and copper snakeskin pattern, thick plates covering most of their body. The long muzzle was a maw filled with sharp teeth, similar to a crocodile.

Istora confirmed they were fast swimmers that hunted fish and the occasional small dinosaur. They even climbed trees if given time to stalk prey, which is how the hunters from Kusnou knew of this particular pack.

The largest one stood twelve feet tall, its tail alone as wide as Bruce was. Given the clawed hands and feet, there was no way the thing would fit inside his cabin. Yet their size alone wouldn't deter Sylva, who was eager for the experience it would earn them.

Bruce took careful note of everything they knew. The tukuron pack was spread out in two places: a small pond and their den nearby. The six adults had no reported young and ranged widely to hunt.

While Sylva didn’t know exactly how dangerous the lizards were, Bruce wasn't going to leave his fate to chance. He decided to take things slow until he was certain of victory.

Sylva grinned as Bruce stepped up to try their latest attempt at a shield. This one resembled a wooden wall that he could grip with both arms. A steel spike protruded from the top, making it useful for offensive and defensive moves.

Bruce tried the shield on, gripping the edges tightly.

Achievement gained - Shields Up. You're a veritable warrior! Keep protecting your companions and you may just unlock more advanced versions of these mundane shields.

Shield Bash Mk 1

You've found the proper use for a sturdy shield. Strike with force and drive back your foes.

Effect: +5 to Strength when striking an enemy with a shield.

Duration: 30 seconds

SE Cost: 4

Cool Down: None

That's more like it. Your training has borne fruit! No longer is your shield just a piece of wood strapped to your arm. It's finally something you can use to smite the enemies of humanity... err, or your family.

Strength: +5 (Parrying Shield)

Agility: +10

Might: +5

Effect: Can wield a spear with both hands while carrying the Parrying Shield.

The pair laughed at the Interface prompts before Istora stepped up to Bruce, inspecting the armor. She wore a proud smile and caressed the rough leather and shell that lined the thick branch frame strapped to his forearm.

After days of practice, Istora cast a simple enchantment upon it that would reduce any damage taken while in use by fifty percent. He still expected the tukuron to leave more than a few scratches on it, but if it bought him enough time to strike with a Maneuver or land a killing blow, the magic would prove worth it.

Even after several days of casting, Istora remained exhausted. Bruce had only seen the woman more worn out after his time healing her. When asked why she bothered to help him unlock all the crafting Achievements, Istora just gave him a shy smile.

Bruce knew the two women spoke privately every day. It felt a bit weird not knowing what they discussed, but his gut insisted it was nothing untoward. Sylva even took over hunting and guard patrols when Bruce and Istora focused on training.

Despite Istora insisting her magic needed time to restore, she pushed herself to help Bruce. Their efforts yielded a pair of shields enchanted to reduce damage by thirty percent. He felt a little guilty letting her waste that much mana, but if they faced something dangerous enough for extra protection, it would be worth it.

Bruce grinned as he practiced wielding the shield. He spun it with a flourish—the heavy movement sending a slight shock wave rippling from it, as it did before—and caught it on his arm. After the last few days, the weight was minimal. The enchantments made it feel almost light enough to forget he held the shield at all.

Istora chuckled. Her tendrils caressed his forearm as he gripped the shell. She nodded approvingly at the thick leather-wrapped handle that made gripping the shield far easier.

After a week of crafting and training, they had prepared for the hunt. They planned to leave first thing in the morning, but first, Sylva suggested one final challenge:

"Think we should try to take down a rockback with just melee? It'd let me unlock the Berserker achievement."

Bruce grinned, rubbing the sore shoulder that hadn't fully recovered from a particularly brutal day of weightlifting. "I think that might be pushing things too far. A brawler I might be, but even my football days are behind me. You do want this to be a victory, right?"

Sylva smirked at the joke. "We're only a week or so from reaching one hundred Attribute Points, you know."

He raised an eyebrow. "So... wait. The one thousand point cap is absolute? It makes sense that a Champion's maximum potential would be higher than an ordinary human's, but I assumed we could still improve past a thousand once we met that ceiling. Or am I misunderstanding something?"

"The cap only applies if you max your natural stats first, which isn't happening until you reach tier two. You'll start earning points from kills in combat and quests as soon as that happens. For now, focus on training everything else.

Bruce shook his head in surprise. "Shit, I thought the cap was for everyone, Champion or no. So once you have your primary stats locked in at the current level, you can continue to improve everything else up to one thousand? And this limit is just the starting point—meaning that I can probably gain a hundred stat points when I advance?"

She shrugged. "I'm not sure about a hundred, but that's the general idea."

"Damn. My Attribute growth has been pretty limited compared to some others," Bruce admitted, thinking back to their group. Trevor could run twice as far, carry almost three times as much weight, and throw a spear over a third farther. Even the smallest goblins could beat Bruce out when it came to physical feats.

Istora's head snapped up as she met Bruce's eyes. She blinked for a moment before responding. "Y-yes. That makes sense. Jace started from a lesser species, and the first evolution only allowed you to raise the basic stats. Plus, his Interface seemed different than ours from the start. He was slower to understand new information and lacked basic skills."

Sylva grimaced as if something had tasted bitter.

"I did. It sucked. I can't imagine how frustrating it must have been for Trevor and Nadiya, especially during that first fight," Bruce replied. Then he turned his attention back to the shield in front of him, examining it as he took the handle.

The shield was roughly two feet tall by one wide with a rounded top. They had cut a notch from the rim, allowing him to slide his arm inside. The surface was made from the same gray stone as his knives. Sylva had found a good natural shape and smoothed it down using Bruce's newly-forged adze.

Sylva smiled. "The idea of using leather to wrap around it didn't take off, huh? Even without any glue, I think you could've figured out a workaround."

"Not worth the effort at this point," Bruce said. "I'm glad we managed to figure out some way of attaching the handle."

Istora held up the leather strip she was working on. "I still want to sew together something like a shoulder strap if we have time. We can test it tomorrow, and maybe modify it if you don't like it. Jace did an amazing job with his knife, so the spearhead won't take much longer now that he's unlocked Knapping."

Bruce stepped toward the shield, picking up a piece of scrap leather he had carved into the shape of a tukuron for size. He carefully examined the smooth gray-black rockback shell they'd transformed into a shield. The inner side had been trimmed into a shallow bowl, allowing for a more comfortable grip. They had added a simple leather rim to protect the sides. Sylva's clever idea to create a hand grip on the interior of the shell allowed him to use it much like a classic Greek hoplite shield.

His eyes traced the thin grooves Sylva had created to cut weight. She had been right to recommend adding these. Despite his improved strength, the turtle shell was still over forty pounds. The cuts saved at least a few, and it wouldn't be as hard for him to carry or control it in battle.

After examining it from all sides and trying to strike it with his newly-forged knife, he set it aside and turned his attention back to crafting.

They needed to get moving soon; they only had a day left until Sylva heard the hunters talk about departing to slay the beast.

Sylva grinned before turning her focus toward Istora. "Speaking of which, are you coming with us? I still think you should stay here and rest, but you've refused every time I bring it up."

"I can't let my mate wander off alone," Istora said firmly, meeting the athletic woman's gaze.

The two girls sat around the fire pit near the central clearing. The large firewood stack Sylva and Bruce had been working on would hopefully last the week.

"Well, okay then," Sylva muttered.

Bruce raised an eyebrow at that. Her reaction seemed strange. Yet, they all knew she couldn't dissuade the Shaman once Istora made up her mind. "Why do you look disappointed?"

"We won't need the extra shield with me staying back and Istora supporting us from safety. I was looking forward to fighting back-to-back." She laughed. "I bet that sounds weird."

Istora snorted a laugh. "Yep. You sound like a pair of mates. And we still have that stupid tukuron hunt to worry about anyway."

Bruce smiled as Sylva sighed and gave him a wan smile. "She's right. I'd rather fight with you, but there's no need to risk you if it's not necessary. If Istora can cast defensive magic on us, we should be fine even without me guarding your flank."

"Thanks," he said. The two women meant the world to him, so he would do whatever it took to protect them. Especially since Istora refused to use her spear unless forced.

She smiled and turned away, picking up the rough gray-brown pants.

They looked crude, but Bruce couldn't fault Istora's weaving abilities. In less than a month, she'd already created a pair of burlap pants and vest that proved far more comfortable than his makeshift loincloth.

While he was busy with crafting, the Shaman spent her days preparing travel food for their upcoming journey.

Bruce's eyes wandered from the pants to Istora's tail. Her new garments failed to cover much of the lacy fins near the tip that made the appendage so unique—and entertaining.

The young woman laughed. "You like? I added more fringe. Just because we'll be hiking into the wilderness doesn't mean you can't enjoy the view." She gave him a wink.

Istora had made burlap pants similar to Bruce's old ones and a simple skirt for herself. The grayish-brown color of the rough fibers complimented her scales. He thought she looked far cuter than he could pull off.

"Yeah," he replied sheepishly, blushing at her flirtatious grin. Istora's tail wrapped his thigh as she pressed against his side, causing Bruce to miss whatever Sylva said next.

He was so distracted that her voice startled him.

"Huh?"

"I asked if it works." Sylva gave an exaggerated eye roll.

He cleared his throat. "O-oh. Yeah. Thanks. It feels good."

The turtle shell provided excellent protection, even blocking some of Sylva's attacks with a wooden staff. However, the heavy plating meant he needed a powerful weapon. They crafted several steel arrowheads, but he found none were as sharp as his first attempt, likely due to an Achievement boost.

In the end, he made use of his first success. Bruce had wanted a bronze dagger but knew the ore would take far too long to smelt—even after grinding the Knapping and Smithing skills up a dozen levels.

He used the sharpest steel arrowhead to refine the edges of one of Sylva's gladius hilts. Once ready, Sylva helped him create a basic wrap of leather and cordage so he could safely grip the bare tang.

After attaching an antler guard, Sylva's enchanted hilt became the head of his first adamantine dagger, a fitting name that sounded badass enough for an epic video game sword.

When it came time to test his new weapons, Bruce focused on trying to replicate a maneuver he knew well: the undercut from Soul Calibur III.

While not terribly fast, Piercing Fang struck from beneath the edge of the shield. When he aimed at a tree, he pierced through bark, leaving a scar. He needed to refine his aim with a better sense for distance, but the move was surprisingly useful against a non-moving opponent.

In the evenings, Istora showed him the beginnings of her magic. They decided her healing spell was too weak to try it on a person yet. In the meantime, the Rathemian practiced using wards of different types.

Warding Earth provided protection against attacks from all angles and even allowed them to sit and rest atop it while the earth remained invulnerable to attack. They couldn't make warded stone, though, only the earth around it. It wasn’t particularly flexible as a magical defense, but the ward gave a nice reprieve during breaks.

Ward Water was a great boon since they could safely sit and drink water. Though only when Istora was in contact with the surface and concentrating. Without her touch or continuous concentration, the water was deadly once more.

Both Wards consumed energy inversely proportional to their strength. The stronger the magic, the shorter the duration. After much deliberation, they agreed that maintaining Water Ward for an hour a day would conserve as much mana as possible, without jeopardizing Bruce and Sylva's water supply.

Warding Earth cost a mere fraction of mana. Yet, it seemed as though the ward would require Istora to remain in physical contact with it and focus, limiting their usefulness.

On a whim, they tried experimenting with a spear and rockback plates strapped together into a crude tower shield. While the weight was manageable with his higher Strength, Bruce found it difficult to move in anything but a straight line.

I can work with this shield, but I need to practice fighting with it. If I do face that tukuron alone, even once Sylva has finished preparing the bow, it won't hurt to have a little more defense.

As a final experiment, he tied on the bracers to see if he could unlock another Achievement.

Sylva smirked. "Those are ridiculous."

"It's hard to take the guy wearing burlap armor seriously," Istora admitted as she helped remove the makeshift armor. "We'll be back with proper armor soon though. I can't wait to see what a dwarven craftsman will be able to do with rockback hide and acazite."

"What about magic items?" Sylva asked.

"Ooh, good point. A shaman usually starts as an apprentice. But we should have some gold after the tukuron, right? Could save up a bit of the money and head to Rathe. You're both welcome to join me. It'll take us months to travel that far, but you need to check out your homeland sometime anyway," Istora explained. "The capital has adventurers from all over the world. So there are bound to be lots of quests that can make for quick cash and help you complete any quest Achievements. Maybe we can even find a trainer or spellbook seller!"

Bruce perked up at the idea of visiting a civilized city. "That sounds excellent. I'd love to find someone who could show me the basics of enchanting. And, once we've got the cash, I'm eager to buy some proper gear. Especially armor that doesn't make me look like a poor, starving farmer."

"You know, if the goblins don't attack, we'll probably earn enough to buy better gear in Kusnou instead. And I'm sure the crafters there will give us better deals than what Rathe offers." Istora looked off into the distance for a moment before shaking her head. "I wonder where it is? I know I traveled with the caravan from there to Tignar, but I was only an apprentice and wasn't allowed near any of the maps. My mistress was quite strict when it came to teaching me magic, but she let me accompany the expedition as a sort of reward."

Bruce frowned, wondering why she had brought up something related to her past. While he still wanted to know more, he hesitated to bring it up. She hadn't shown interest in discussing anything of note until now.

Sylva cleared her throat, drawing Bruce's attention back to the moment. "If you're finished playing test dummy, maybe try to figure out how to trigger those Maneuvers so we can practice?"

"Right. Thanks," Bruce replied. He pulled at the Interface, trying to remember what exactly he had been doing at the moment Aspera had triggered. A brief pause later, he spoke up, "So, this shield needs a good name! I'm thinking 'Captain America.'"

Sylva's face wrinkled. "What?"

"Ya'know, cause he uses a round shield like this. Though, his looks more like a trash can lid." Bruce shook his head. "Anyway, if your magic is a power based off comics, then my shield should be named after someone."

A thoughtful expression crossed Sylva's face. "Hmm. So your Boon is related to that sort of thing? That explains why we're here instead of something more traditional. You're kinda obsessed with stories. Guess you really were born in the wrong universe."

Bruce groaned and took the shield. "Let's see if this works this time..." He gripped it in both hands and tried to invoke Piercing Fang. His arms jolted back. He staggered and stumbled but managed not to fall down. "It works!"

Istora bounded over. "Really?"

"Looks like it." Bruce handed the shield to her, which she grabbed from the edge. The moment she lifted it off the ground, it fell out of her hands, causing him to chuckle. "So I'm guessing the whole 'Shamanic Power' thing means I need a special ability to access it. Good to know."

"That is strange. I never heard of anyone needing a Boon before being able to use magic," Sylva said with a frown. "Are you sure it worked, Jace? We'd be risking our lives on this hunt otherwise."

"Yeah. I felt it. Like an extension of my body, only heavier."

"Hmm. That gives me another idea." Sylva snatched the shield from Istora and ran over to the nearest tree, hefting the shell as if to ram it against the trunk.

She stopped when Bruce let out a sharp cry, clutching his head. A wave of pain lanced through him and receded in seconds.

Istora glanced up from where she was braiding strips of rockback shell into a thick loincloth for Bruce. "What was that?"

He grunted, pushing down a rising sense of dread. "Don't know, exactly. Sudden pain, but it's gone now. Maybe like motion sickness?"

"Interesting... maybe your Boon protects against physical harm to your brain or spine? It felt almost like an overabundance of dopamine. Or an overdose. It was too brief to tell."

Sylva frowned. "Well, let's hope nothing is wrong. I don't suppose you can remember where it came from?"

"Not sure," Bruce said, running through his memories, trying to find the origin of his knowledge. "I've picked up bits of trivia all the way back to being little. But this feels older... Like a memory from when I was a kid, yet still somehow not mine. It doesn't fit."

Istora set the partially finished pair of pants aside, a thoughtful look on her face. "You mentioned before that magic might not follow the same rules. Maybe some of Jace's magical growth was too fast or something."

"We can't rule out that possibility," Sylva admitted. "If anything, our situation has only proven how weird and unpredictable magic can be. I need to study magic more."

Bruce grunted in acknowledgment but found himself distracted by strange thoughts. He reached out, taking the shield Sylva offered and turned it around slowly.

He felt his eyes drawn toward its surface. A wave of goosebumps trailed down his back, the hairs along his arms rising in response as if in recognition.

It was as if something buried deep within his subconscious cried out—not with words, but with a visceral instinct he couldn't shake. This was part of him. The same way his eyes saw and his hands gripped the wooden haft.

It was... right. And Bruce didn't question his sudden connection, feeling a surge of elation when he realized what it meant.

Mana Shield- A basic Mana Shield will deflect minor impacts. You gain a passive increase to Magic Power so long as it remains intact. You must have an open mana pool to activate this ability. This ability may be upgraded.

A moment later, the world shifted around him. He heard Sylva gasp and blinked to find himself kneeling before an ornate stone archway. He raised his gaze toward an endless void. Stars swirled overhead, and below, space stretched into eternity.

Before him, three massive figures stood, each radiating otherworldly power.

Bruce froze, mouth dropping as he tried to process the scene. It was too much to take in.

A pair of arms slipped around his neck and lips pressed against his cheek. He jolted, recognizing Istora's voice.

"I'm here. I don't know what this means, but everything's fine." She glanced over at Sylva, frowning. "Or did I miss something?"

"Nope," Sylva said, shooting her a strained smile before turning back to Bruce. "You're zoning out again. What is it?"

It took Bruce a moment to gather his thoughts, struggling to reconcile the surrealness of seeing them together. Not only that, but seeing them clothed!

He'd been working for weeks with both women in the nude. Yet, seeing them clothed sent his mind reeling, like stumbling onto a porno unexpectedly. The sudden dissonance seemed to mock everything he thought he knew about reality.

A quick glance around the clearing confirmed what he expected.

They're dressed and have been for several hours.

Yet, he couldn't seem to shake his shock. Even more disturbing, it felt like some other part of him reacted to the sight, leaving Bruce unsettled.

I know I was just staring at Riste for ten seconds like an idiot. Thankfully, she doesn't know my thoughts well enough to guess the problem. Or she's pretending not to notice.

He blinked, turning his attention back to the shield.

"It wasn't too hard once we figured out the right angle," Sylva replied with a shrug. "But it's still heavy as fuck."

"Maybe you can find some armor made from rockback shells when we visit Kusnou?" Istora suggested. Her hands continued weaving as she spoke.

Bruce nodded. "I'll look for something similar—though I'd prefer something lighter."

He took a moment to survey his equipment before donning his burlap jerkin.

"Not going to wear the bracers?" Sylva asked, sounding concerned.

He shook his head. "They're pretty heavy and bulky, and I can't even deflect an arrow. Probably won't provide much defense against the tukuron if these stats are accurate." Bruce pointed at the description of the Rockback Scale Jerkin:

Rockback Scale Jerkin

Quality: Average

Armory Slot: Torso

Armor: 8 Defense

+3 Vitality

-7 Spirit (Total Spirit is now 30)

This shield will protect you better than an entire platoon of soldiers! Well, maybe not that good.

I love Sylva and the progress we made together, but damn does my Interface have an odd sense of humor.

Bruce grunted as he accepted the shield. Unlike his bracers, which had only reduced his Spirit by seven, this piece of equipment lowered it by the full thirteen. If Sylva and Bruce were right about Maneuvers having cooldowns, he expected that reduction would be a pain. Still, he planned to use Piercing Fang first and save Striking Serpent as a finisher.

Hopefully, it'll work once or twice so I can see the effect firsthand before it expires.

The leatherwork completed, Istora rose to her feet, looking over their handiwork. Her eyes glowed blue as she scanned it with Arcane Awareness. "Looks sturdy. Can you wield it?"

He grinned, hefting the heavy shield. It still needed proper padding, but overall, he felt satisfied with the craftsmanship. And having a means of blocking attacks would come in handy if the tukuron proved too dangerous without his Maneuvers.

Bruce held it up, positioning it as though expecting a sword strike. He mimicked Sylva's best guess for how to block, based on historical videos she'd seen. After practicing a few times, he found the weight manageable and the positioning reasonable. The shield lacked a central handhold like the classic tower shield, but it was much easier to hold while advancing.

"Feels pretty solid," Bruce said, slinging his arm through the shield's straps. His strength had grown substantially from crafting.

"Good. I'm impressed that you and Riste figured out how to use its shape as a weapon," Istora replied. "Maybe we'll make it even sturdier after we slay the tukuron and earn some coin.

Sylva smirked. "Yeah. Maybe add spikes or something. Or a second shield for my other arm."

Bruce chuckled and shifted his left arm. With the wide edge hanging out in front and his arm angled down, he could thrust forward to knock an enemy back before swinging the heavy shield around to bash them with its outer edge. "I'd like another one of these—without the handle—to use when fighting with my Maneuvers. Then, I could drop it if a situation turns really sour, but this one will keep me alive in a pinch."

"You could strap a second shield to your right shoulder too," Istora added.

He lifted an eyebrow, considering her suggestion. "Well, we have plenty of material left over from making the shields. It wouldn't be much trouble to cut another turtle shell in half and fit handles to both sides.

"Maybe make it sturdier if we can?" Sylva suggested. "The handle is just woven cordage, so it's pretty weak. We want it to survive several hits at least."

Bruce nodded. He'd already gained a decent grasp of how to work leather thanks to the crafting unlocks. Istora had taught him the basics of sewing—mostly how to mend clothes. She'd taken over making everything with her higher Dexterity, but he could still manage simple repairs.

With a shrug, he picked up his latest spear—a solid affair made from two shafts of hardwood bound by cord and adze-cut grooves. Its bronze head shone, the alloy he'd crafted showing off flecks of orange. A few notches at the base would hold the new shield in place.

It'll probably do fine. The tukuron sounds tough, but I'm nearly three times as strong as any human back home. My Strength stat isn't a hundred yet, but if we fight the monster somewhere with lots of bamboo and roots, I should be able to out-maneuver it. And I need a living target for my Maneuvers anyway.

While not quite satisfied with his preparations, Bruce refused to wait longer. They weren't certain what season it was in Boles, which could prove a serious problem. Sylva's research indicated that winter tended to hit early. If they didn't earn the required coin within a month, Bruce might die of exposure trying to brave a snowstorm wearing just burlap.

As I'm planning to face down some giant lizard, dying to frostbite doesn't sound so bad. Still, it would leave Sylva and Istora in the lurch. No sense in letting us all starve.

Picking up the heavy wooden shield, Bruce slipped his left forearm through the attached straps. With the added bulk and weight, his balance was slightly off, but a few experimental lunges felt natural enough. The new shield also provided much more protection than the earlier one made from cordage and plates. It was a definite improvement.

"I want to try something," Sylva said. She grabbed one of the new arrows he'd helped make, fitted the head into a bowstring holder, and placed it against the top edge of the shield. Then she held her hand up like a baseball mitt. "You know what you're doing with that thing."

Bruce grinned. His dad's family immigrated from Japan shortly after his grandfather got out of the Japanese military. Despite this, none of them were terribly good with technology or electronics. Which made the discovery of his love of RPGs especially ironic. But Bruce's maternal great-grandmother, who had married into the family, had been quite athletic. They'd bonded over sports.

In middle school, he'd briefly entertained joining his cousin in kendo. Though, his grandmother insisted he practice sumo instead. It had not gone well, as the art didn't rely nearly as much on raw power as she expected. But he'd developed an appreciation for how effective traditional shields could be—as long as the wielder used them correctly.

The only question here was whether he could manage the feat while being able to strike at the same time. If the shield functioned like a buckler, blocking attacks would be easy but slow. A full shield required far more time and training to wield efficiently. He'd have to learn how to use it quickly, or be prepared to suffer damage.

I've learned how to fight with a knife and some hand-to-hand training. So I can probably work this out given enough time. But there's no way I'm going to master it this soon. Still, I'm getting more comfortable with the idea of charging into danger to distract this monster.

As if sensing his thoughts, Istora asked, "Are you still set on going in front of Riste?"

"Yep. It should give us the best odds."

The shy girl smiled, tail flicking from side to side. "You'll do great, Jace. We won't let you die."

Sylva nodded. "I'll hit it with an arrow the moment I find an opening. You're just keeping it distracted anyway—don't try to kill it."

With their preparations completed, the three Champions and Nibbler gathered near the shore. Several of the Daubeni joined them, chattering about the upcoming hunt.

"Do you have everything you need, Riste?" Istora asked.

Sylva lifted the spear Bruce had knapped for her, a new quiver full of arrows, and her bow. "Yup, looks like it. My armor might as well be made of tissue paper. So, this thing better not be dangerous to poke with sticks. If so, it's your turn to tank."

Bruce nodded, holding his spear tightly. The blade he'd wedged between two rocks last night had cracked slightly during his practice earlier. Still, it was the best he could do without access to proper materials.

Istora stepped over and placed both her hands on the front of his shield. After several long seconds, pale, ghostly runes flashed into existence. The symbols resembled runic letters that formed a strange, foreign language. When the light faded, she pulled back and smiled.

"That should help protect you, Jace," she said, nodding firmly.

"What did you cast? Is this a magic spell?"

The slender girl nodded. "Yes! A bit of reinforcement magic."

"I wasn't aware your magic could do that," Sylva commented. "Though, I guess it makes sense. You're using your magic to help support Bruce with those tentacles, so why wouldn't you be able to improve his gear as well?"

Bruce lifted the shield, surprised at the reduced weight. "That's amazing, Istora. What's the difference? Does the effect vary depending on the material?"

She smiled and wove her hand through the air, causing the same glow as before to shine through the turtle shell. After a few minutes, the glow faded. "It might make a small difference if something is heavy but really shouldn't be. But that isn't what I'm doing here." She rapped the shell, sending out a soft, hollow echo. "If I cast my spell too many times, the material will lose integrity and shatter. My magic strengthens it so it can support Bruce's body without breaking from the impact of his hits."

Sylva picked up one of the arrowheads Bruce had made and pressed hard against the shell's edge. A moment later, the tip crumpled. "Huh. Nice work. You could probably sell protection services. I imagine people would pay good money to have you use that spell on their armor. So you aren't permanently enhancing it? Just helping the material withstand whatever force hits it?"

Istora nodded, tendrils waving happily in the wind. "Yes! The only reason the arrowhead broke is that I strengthened the shell to withstand hundreds of pounds of pressure. A leather jerkin or metal breastplate wouldn't hold up well against such an assault."

"Still, the spell does seem helpful."

Bruce hefted the shell, admiring the effect. "I imagine this'll help prevent me from eating dirt during Striking Serpent. Though, it won't do much if the tukuron bites me."

Both women grimaced.

Istora hugged Bruce tight. "W-we'll keep you safe. You don't need to worry, Jace."

"I can help with that too." Sylva handed Bruce a knife, carved from an oak branch she'd enchanted with Sharpening. "We're ready now. Let's go hunting."

Despite their confidence, Sylva suggested they wait until sunset. While they could travel under cover of darkness, fighting a giant beast would be easier with the advantage of the sun at their backs.

After a simple meal of fruit and bread, the three companions headed out, taking the path down the hill toward the river. Sylva and Istora shared the duty of hauling several empty sacks.

"So where do we need to go?" Bruce asked as they hiked down the winding trail.

Sylva turned right when the path forked, and Istora followed without hesitation. "The map only points toward this area, so I'm not exactly sure how far it is. But, like I said before, it isn't far from us. We'll probably make it in two days."

"Sounds good. It'd suck if it took weeks."

Istora's furry tendrils writhed along Bruce's body as they hiked together. A pack filled with food and water sloshed on his back. He carried a spear of hardwood reinforced with strips of rockback shell. While it might be weaker than Bruce hoped, he suspected Sylva's bow would do more damage anyway.

A large wooden club hung from Sylva's belt, carved into a rough spike at one end and reinforced by steel bands. "So, where exactly is this thing we're hunting?"

Sylva led them away from camp along a worn path down the mountainside. "Just around a small bend up ahead. Shouldn't take too long to reach the streambed. Once we get there, the map should update."

"Do you need any more arrows?" Bruce asked, looking down at her quiver. He noted she was wearing one of her nicer dresses. "And why are you dressed up? We're going hunting. Unless you plan to wear a suit and tie once you slay the monster, it seems a bit impractical."

The tall woman blushed, her cheeks turning bright red. She shrugged, tugging at her dark blue dress. "We're going to a city after this hunt, so I thought it'd be nice to look decent. As for arrows, no. I've got enough. I was trying to craft some myself with stone heads, but that's even more challenging than you made it look. Besides, if everything works out, we can buy new ones instead."

"Why didn't you tell me about your idea sooner?" Bruce asked, scratching under Nibbler's chin when the fluffy beast scampered up on his shoulder. "We could've bought more gear before now."

Istora laughed. "You were just excited to craft everything yourself, and Riste probably knew we wouldn't have enough time to get all the unlocks needed."

Bruce groaned. "Okay, you got me there. Crafting has been a blast."

Sylva chuckled. "Totally."

The tall woman took great pride in his progress, helping Bruce find new things to try. He felt like he'd unlocked his inner creative. And the bonus Attributes proved helpful too, especially for crafting.

Sylva rolled her eyes. "Let's hope we can avoid having to kill more giant lizards. If we do end up hunting this thing, I can go for the eyes if you run interference with a shield and spear. The arrows should punch through well enough even without me putting everything behind them."

"You mean not holding back at all?"

She shook her head. "No. Even if I'm not using my bow properly, just shooting normally will still put my Strength behind the shot."

Bruce grunted in surprise. He needed to stop forgetting she had the same abilities he did—only significantly more Stat Points invested than he had. "That'll be tricky. You're going to have to call out where you shoot, or you'll end up hitting me in the back. We'll want to try that at camp tomorrow morning before we head out, with the targets set up on the rockbacks."

Istora's tail thrashed. "But won't that wake everyone? It'll take all morning to clear the forest of turtles. And we don't know when the tukuron will show up."

Sylva frowned. "Good point. I think you two should focus on practicing with Jace's Maneuvers too. We'll need to get used to fighting alongside each other. I can make stone arrows so we don't waste any bolts."

Bruce nodded and set the turtle shell down. "That sounds like the best plan. Let's give it a day or two to practice then head out to hunt. That way we should have some options if anything goes wrong."

"Sounds good," the athletic woman replied.

They spent the next day honing their combat skills. Bruce focused on mastering Striking Serpent and Piercing Fang while Istora provided aid via her magic.

Sylva's enchanted bow remained impressive. She fired bolts as fast as Bruce could swing his spear and could empty her quiver in seconds. Without the enchantment, Bruce doubted even Sylva's prodigious Strength would let her use it effectively.

Istora was still struggling to figure out how to make her magic fight back. While she had enough SE left for six more castings, the young woman seemed intent on finding a more powerful spell.

Bruce was curious how their battle would play out with the tukuron. Even without a ranged option, it might go poorly if the monster targeted him directly. If he couldn't block and parry effectively, Bruce risked taking serious damage or getting knocked unconscious before it died.

The next night, the trio headed out, and Bruce took up point with Istora riding behind Sylva. They arrived near their quarry by midday.

According to Sylva's description, a pair of towering boulders marked the spot. Bruce followed her directions and found the formation easily enough.

Istora slipped down from Sylva's mount, casting her spell without hesitation. The young woman placed both hands atop a mossy boulder. Golden runes swirled around her body before she pressed them into the stone itself.

She withdrew her hands, now coated with thick black mud. Then Istora walked over to her lovers and began drawing lines across their bodies.

"There, that should help protect you." Istora smiled. She looked almost serene standing barefoot in a ragged linen skirt as she marked herself with her own handprints. "This way we'll be safe together."

Sylva snorted. "It had better work. I feel ridiculous."

Bruce laughed. "Yeah. You're not wrong."

Though crude, the shield would serve its intended purpose.

A pair of short handles allowed it to hang from his shoulder or strap it to his forearm. The shield was a bit shorter than his body but broader and covered in thick leather strips.

Istora painted the trio in mud—except Bruce was mostly black and green compared to the others. When he asked why, she smiled sheepishly.

The women donned leather breastplates reinforced with rockback plates. Bruce and Istora wore only woven vests for now.

When you see this beast, I have zero interest in getting up close and personal. Better to focus on staying alive while letting Sylva work her magic.

They took one of the large hammocks and used a rockback shell to make a sledge for their spoils.

It's been a crazy ride, but I finally feel ready to go hunt a monster. And we're doing well enough that even if this takes longer than expected, we'll still have enough supplies for everyone back at camp.

On the day they were set to depart, he and Sylva finished the preparations by packing several clay pots and jugs with filtered water. The women also created a set of clothes and tools for Bruce from spare cordage and woven burlap fabric.

The final piece was a bow, the most complicated and time-consuming thing they'd yet attempted. They only had his steel knife for cutting and shaping materials.

After failing to find an acceptable sapling, Sylva suggested a different material.

Instead of wood, they crafted the bow frame from two rockback belly plates. Each was slightly longer and thicker than his arm and covered with hard leathery skin.

She made three layers by laying the first inside out, pressing the second over that one, and turning the third one right side out to form the outside layer. The three sections allowed space to place a core in between them.

To shape it, she used a stone blade to cut the curve of the weapon before adding tension and heat to bend it properly. Bruce and Sylva worked together to add more rockback plates and shells to reinforce the whole thing.

While Bruce would prefer something far more modern and complex, Sylva refused to risk making a crossbow until she acquired an instructional Boon or could test out its mechanics.

A small groove along the spine housed a simple lever that allowed her to draw and relax the bowstring.

When asked how she learned to construct a recurve, she shrugged. "I like watching survival shows and crafting tutorials. And I took fletching in high school," Sylva explained.

He accepted the heavy shield with a nod, examining it. The front featured a simple leather harness they'd rigged from some rope and cordage. On the back side, the curved shield ended with an angular corner jutting off from the side. The end was blunt but strong enough to batter away attacks.

Bruce raised his left arm to slip his fingers inside the harness and found that the entire shield was a little big on him. "Not exactly convenient. It'll take a solid grip to hold steady, but I can manage."

"Maybe if we drill another pair of holes in the strap?" Istora said.

He shrugged. "This will work fine for now. It just requires adjusting my stance to block."

Sylva nodded. "Agreed. Let's move on to spearcrafting. We don't have much of your precious metal knife left, so I'm curious what you'll need to make a good one. If nothing else, a proper spearhead is likely to net you an Achievement."

They settled into a routine that morning.

When his first stone spear snapped, it prompted another idea. After trying and failing to unlock a specific kind of crafting, the team agreed on a backup plan. He began working on making a proper steel knife with his single, cherished steel arrowhead. The task proved tricky since he'd already bent it slightly while knapping tools.

Bruce had yet to figure out what would trigger an achievement in metalworking, so the new spear shafts required the stone heads until he mastered crafting steel ones.

The new shield worked decently and was far better than his previous efforts. Istora helped secure it to his arm, using a harness they rigged up from leather cordage and pieces of rope.

I'm amazed by how versatile this material can be. It might not be a steel belt, but rope is definitely a vital staple for survival. No clue how they made such a strong substance, though. I've seen no machines capable of spinning anything so fine. Maybe Sylva will know.

Bruce slipped his right hand through another strap and pulled the shield closer, giving it a firm shake. It stayed snug. With a deep breath, he grabbed the leather-wrapped grip of his spear and turned toward Sylva. "Wish me luck."

She grinned. "Not necessary. You'll do great, Bruce. Now come at me, like you want to kill me. And remember, try to hold the Maneuver active."

He took another fortifying breath, then stepped forward with his left leg. "Here goes nothing."

Bruce's spear darted out faster than before, but Sylva effortlessly swatted it aside with her bow. He pushed through the failure and continued attacking, trying to land a hit. She was easily twice his size and far more skilled, but he kept an eye on her footwork as they fought.

When the fight reached ten minutes without any sign of her growing tired, Bruce gave up, letting the Maneuver deactivate.

Sylva grinned and relaxed. Her face was slightly flushed from exertion.

"I'm impressed." Bruce panted. "You weren't even breathing hard."

She shrugged. "Physical stats. And I have way more SE than you, so I could probably have held that active longer. You were right to quit, though. We need you as rested as possible for the fight against the tukuron, and overreaching is dangerous if you don't know how long you can hold a Maneuver."

Istora giggled. "Not surprising. Riste's an incredible woman, you know."

Sylva shot Bruce a quick wink, then laughed along with their alien partner.

A sudden weight pressed against Bruce's legs.

Looking down, he saw a fluffy Daubengi with purple eyes. "Oh. Hello there, little guy."

The furball rubbed his muzzle against Bruce's calf, trilling in satisfaction.

Istora sighed and leaned against Bruce. Her tendrils had grown longer, so she could wrap several around his waist at the same time. It made him glad he wore shorts. "I've noticed the females keep choosing mates. That could explain the problem of them not getting enough rest to stay healthy. There have to be a hundred and fifty of them now!"

"Yeah, I noticed they were multiplying, too," Bruce said.

He looked over at Sylva. "Can you ask Trevor and Maseo to help train a squad to watch the camp while we're gone?"

Sylva nodded. "Maseo already volunteered. He's been bored, but Trevor has barely left that treehouse the last few days. Ever since he unlocked that ability that gives him enhanced Perception, he says it makes everything too intense. He can barely keep food down with how bright the sky and sun are."

A sympathetic wince twisted Bruce's face. "Sounds rough. Still, if it means an improvement in our scouting abilities, I'll consider it worth it."

"Well, he has made some contributions toward your armor and weapon, so it might not be a total loss. That sword hilt he created is probably worth a couple of bucks," Sylva replied.

He chuckled as he took the shield from her, running a thumb over the engraved stone hilt protruding from the edge of the sturdy turtle shell. Its surface was covered with an odd mixture of natural leathers, woven rockback plates, and other materials. It looked rather Frankenstein, but Istora believed it would work well, and Bruce trusted her judgment when it came to crafting.

Istora smiled down at Nibbler where he sat proudly next to Bruce's leg. "Oh, definitely! That piece looks wonderful, and it has a nice heft to it. Maybe I can get a picture of Bruce wielding the gladius, so he can sell it back home."

Bruce grinned. "Yeah. If I'd known you guys wanted to make a sword hilt, I would have picked up a gladius blade while we were in the dungeon." He ran a finger over the stone hilt protruding from the top side of the shield. "Though the hilt doesn't match it. Might raise some questions."

"We'll need to trade for another soon enough," Sylva replied. "Once you learn how to use a sword, and if the Gladius isn't a lost tech weapon. I don't recognize its style, but given the weird mix of tech and magic here, there could be lost technology lying around everywhere."

Bruce turned back to his current challenge. The shield felt far too heavy in his left hand, so he switched to his right. After a few attempts to get comfortable, he decided against trying to fight with it strapped to his arm.

Instead, he settled for just using his grip. With the strap tied snugly to the thick leather wrist guard, he should have at least a firm handle on the thing.

With the shield gripped securely in his right hand, Bruce approached the nearest tree with branches that were close together.

"This will look silly," he muttered before ducking his head under a branch and taking a swing. The makeshift spearhead caught between two branches with a loud thunk, and Bruce laughed. "Yep, looked pretty stupid."

Istora shook her head. "No, I think you're on to something. Just need a better grip. Maybe make a little hook to grab branches or branches? Let me work on it."

Bruce pulled his arm free and handed the shell back to Sylva, who eyed it thoughtfully. "We probably shouldn't use leather strips like this either. We'll probably end up using that material for a few things later. And given how sturdy the shell is, maybe I can modify it further?"

Istora stood from the log she'd been sitting on and joined Bruce to examine their creation. She tugged at the edge of the turtle's belly plate where Sylva had attached it with cordage.

Her deft fingers moved, untying knots until the piece came free. After setting it aside, the slender catkin pulled Sylva's gladius and tapped on the front side of the shield. Her fingers brushed the surface with an almost reverent air, her tendrils fluttering as if stirred by a gentle wind.

"Maybe you're right Riste. I've got a few ideas too. Could you start grinding out some spearheads?"

The tall, athletic blonde smirked. "Sure, but Jace still needs practice." She turned her back to them, making her way to where they'd piled a large mound of acazite nodules.

After Istora returned the sword to its scabbard, Bruce set the shield against a nearby log and faced the feline girl. Her sleek black ears flicked as he spoke.

"I get that you have some kind of defense spell in mind, but this isn't about you. My goal here is to be an annoying distraction so that Riste can shoot it before it reaches us."

Istora nodded, handing him a crude wooden spear shaft she'd finished carving that morning. He slipped it through a simple ring of leather cordage attached to the front of his shield to create a cross between a spear and lance.

When he finished tying off the cord, Bruce nodded. "Okay, what's the verdict?"

The lean girl turned to Istora, who shook her head. She held the skirt they'd sewn out to Bruce.

After he donned them and pulled the lacings tight, Istora gave an approving nod. They didn't match her sultry ensemble of halter top and sarong. But considering where she grew up, Istora's style probably was considered practical wear by desert standards.

"Looks good," the black-haired beauty said with an approving smile. "Though you should consider how to protect your knees from cuts when kneeling. Maybe try reinforcing the front of each leg?"

Sylva glanced up, giving him an appreciative look as she eyed the crude shorts. The athletic blonde shook her head with a smirk. "Maybe we should just have him keep fighting naked."

Istora grinned and waggled an eyebrow as she purred, "I think that might distract me as much as him."

"Probably. You're right about the protection though, Riste." Bruce paused, shaking his head. "What kind of life is this, anyway? Less than a month ago, I'd never held a spear or sword."

Sylva scoffed. "A month ago, you never woke up inside the body of another planet's god."

"Yeah. Can't say I missed my old life, but still... this seems like a pretty big leap."

"We're gonna take down a tukuron today, though." Sylva's eager grin spoke volumes. After a week of waiting, the woman was finally getting to go hunting again. "I've only seen one other, but that one was smaller than a horse and nowhere near as armored as your rockbacks."

Bruce gave an amused snort. "My rockbacks? Is it really my responsibility to control these things?"

The blonde gave a casual shrug. "If the name fits... they were yours from birth."

"Birth? More like adoption since we rescued them."

"They seem pretty content." She smirked. "And who says they were referring to the Daubens?"

Istora giggled.

Sylva's smirk morphed into a grin. "Maybe you're onto something. Who am I to question my Goddess, anyway? I think this calls for a test run, don't you, Istora?"

Her smile turned wicked.

"Awww, c'mon. Why do you have that look on your face?"

Sylva laughed. "Cuz I just realized that I know more about Greek shields than you do. When we talked about the Spartans before, you had no idea how a hoplon's leather strapping worked."

"It's not like I ever made one," Bruce protested, "so excuse me if I don't remember the little details about them. They were big and round and the strap ran around under the user's arm, right?"

The muscular woman giggled. "They had these awesome little designs too—well, I thought so as a kid. Probably shouldn't have loved them so much as a tomboy back in fifth grade. Dad used to joke that he raised an Amazon."

"I mean, given that your mother's from Greece, that makes sense. Were there any in particular that stood out?"

"Oh! One had a big owl across its surface. I remember loving that one. My sister always made fun of my nerdiness, but I was such a dork about it."

"I'm sure the owl suited you. The Greek goddess Athena was an owly lady. But did you ever notice how those things are blind as bats in daylight?"

Bruce scoffed. "Of course, I know. You're not making fun of me, are you? It's just nice to share something with someone else. And we all have to love something, right?"

Sylva's brow furrowed slightly as she stared at him for several moments. She smiled and shook her head. "No, I like that about you. You love life and find joy in simple pleasures. That's refreshing to see after coming here and seeing such a bleak, desperate world. Even with people trying, hope can be hard to find sometimes."

"Oh, you guys should definitely look for something to love, okay?" Istora insisted. "It might seem silly, but you'll both be happier for it."

Bruce laughed. "She's been after me about loving stuff, too. It is pretty nice. But, given how many of those lizards she seems to find, I feel like we need to try and name them all. They're gonna end up being an issue soon, aren't they, Istora?"

The Rathemian blinked at him as if surprised by the change of topic before breaking into a wide grin. "Maybe, but I'm sure Nibbler will help keep everyone in line, right? We've still got a whole year to figure things out."

Sylva shook her head before returning to studying the shield. "Not exactly the point, Bruce." She paused, glancing at the nearby trees. "But you do have a point. We might need to put down a few boundaries for Nibbler and friends—and maybe build some pens or something to help limit how many we can accommodate. I'm guessing they reproduce far faster than rats in my world."

Bruce shrugged and hefted the shield. He couldn't lift it, let alone hold it up for any amount of time. The thing weighed easily sixty pounds.

Sylva frowned, shaking her head. "Yeah, that's way too much for a normal human. Let's reduce the weight and reinforce it. Can't believe I overlooked it. We should also add another strap. You can adjust it if necessary. Sorry about that."

"Not your fault," Bruce replied.

Istora hopped to her feet as he stepped over to set the heavy shield down. "I think the weight was an issue earlier. You weren't used to the idea of wearing a shield, so you didn't want to carry its full weight."

Bruce grunted. "Oh, that makes sense. I've used my spear as a kind of defense against attacks—and I got the basic concept from playing football. I don't normally think of wielding a shield when doing hand-to-hand."

"Exactly. Now your Attributes have improved and you know how to use it." She glanced at Sylva, then at Bruce, tail twitching anxiously. "Can you demonstrate your new Maneuvers with it? We should test if they work with our tools too, right?"

He flashed a smile before picking up the shield, testing its weight. He found that, compared to earlier attempts, it was almost comfortable—though his left forearm would definitely end up bruised.

"Here goes." Bruce activated Striking Serpent. He'd expected to gain only a small speed boost and perhaps a bit of grace. However, his surroundings transformed, and time slowed to a crawl. The air itself became thick and difficult to move through. It almost reminded him of water or some other viscous fluid, but his vision still remained crystal clear.

His mouth fell open in surprise, and his breath felt oddly labored. Not that Bruce noticed since his every sense remained locked on Sylva, standing across from him. She carried a practice spear, ready to launch an attack if needed.

I can do this!

The woman's eyes widened as Bruce darted forward, moving faster than ever before. The distance between them shrank, and Sylva began raising the spear. Bruce aimed his weapon. With a sharp clack, he slapped her thigh with the blunted flint head, disarming her in one quick strike.

"Damn, Bruce!" Sylva yelped. She rubbed at her leg through the cloth of her trews. "Good thing you aren't using that real stuff."

A moment later, the world lurched back into motion, time flowing as normal again. He exhaled sharply, suddenly noticing the burning strain in his muscles.

Istora hurried over, tail sweeping the ground anxiously. "Riste! Are you hurt?"

The other woman shook her head. "Nothing to worry about—no bruise will slow me down."

"Well, let me check, just in case," Istora said. She leaned forward, tendrils flicking over Sylva's arm.

Bruce glanced at his own hands, flexing them with surprise. How did that little shield hurt so much? I guess it's heavy enough that blocking a full-strength spear thrust would cause a lot of force. Or maybe it has to do with the cooldown. Either way, good thing the tukuron won't have magic attacks to contend with.

After testing the grip for a moment, Bruce activated Striking Serpent twice, then lunged across their makeshift sparring ground. In the same instant, he triggered Piercing Fang, his movement becoming far swifter than the eye could follow. His spear flashed toward Sylva, who stood ready with an enchanted arrow.

To his surprise, his strike proved surprisingly fast, the speed not slowing as it had in the past.

Then the arrowhead slashed into his bicep. Blood began welling from the shallow cut.

Istora gasped and rushed forward. She held up her palms as Bruce felt warmth wash over his arm. The pain vanished instantly, and the wound closed without leaving a scar.

He grimaced. "Looks like I need to learn how to use this shield."

Sylva grinned at him. "Damn, Jace, that was freakin' awesome! Even with my Attributes, you were nearly as fast as me."

"Yeah," he laughed, looking down at his arm. "I'm not sure how it does that, but being a Champion is sweet. I could keep up with my eyes shut and didn't miss a beat. Hopefully, it won't cost too much SE. That seems like it should be a pretty limited ability, given that I don't get a ton of SP for my stats."

"True. There's some cool magic, though."

"Yeah, no kidding. Still, even if that power lasts all day, it will probably only be useful when we face off against a single creature. Otherwise, it will burn too many resources."

"We should hunt goblins today, then. We'll need to learn what your SE regeneration rate is before tackling the tukuron."

He nodded, sliding his hand into the straps wrapped around the top of the wooden frame. "So you've said. Let's give this thing a try. How do I hold it?"

Sylva handed him the short bow as well. "Hold the bottom grip like that would be normal and the middle one to protect your chest. It's pretty simple. Just don't get complacent and drop it. That thing's heavy as hell, and getting clobbered by it will hurt."

He gripped the central shaft, trying to position his arm in a way that looked natural but could also support the weight. "Like this?"

"Yeah. Good thing we made a curved edge on the front instead of one with sharpened edges, like some Roman scutum designs. The arc makes it better balanced for use as a thrusting shield. Otherwise, the weight and length might cause problems. You've got over twenty pounds of plate strapped to it, so it's bound to be a pain to keep up. Though I bet the extra weight gives the thrusts a bit more oomph. Just need to give it a few tests to see if you need any modifications."

Bruce laughed, giving the leather straps wrapped around his forearm and upper arm a final tug. "It feels secure. Let's try moving with it a bit and see what it feels like."

"Be careful and don't let it hit anything important. That's going to hurt like hell when it collides with your nuts," Sylva teased.

Istora grinned. "Oh, we tested the shield thoroughly before adding the straps and handle. His poor ball sack took several impacts before I was satisfied it would be strong enough to protect them. We couldn't have Jace running around impaired while hunting the tukuron now, could we?"

Bruce flushed slightly, still not quite used to Istora's openness regarding sex. "Well, she may exaggerate a bit..."

She scoffed. "I never exaggerate when it comes to matters of pleasure."

Sylva laughed, shaking her head as she pulled some cordage from the work bag by her side. "Well, thank you for suffering for our sakes, Jace. How do they feel now?"

"They're going to be tender for a while. And I think that might be worse than the actual hits. They feel hot and heavy."

She handed him a strip of rawhide. "That's why we put layers of cloth between the straps and your skin. It should keep the friction from burning you. Do the straps shift? That's where the cordage comes in handy."

Bruce slid the thickly padded straps up and down. After several days working with them, the motion came naturally. "No. The grip feels solid, even without gloves. We've done good work here, Nat."

The slender young woman grinned at his praise as she tied the length of leather into place, adding an additional brace between his arm and shoulder. "You were the one that designed these. I just helped assemble them. Besides, I've got a personal stake in making sure they're right. Can't have the tukuron biting your pretty face off, can I? Who'd cook breakfast then?"

Istora laughed softly, brushing Bruce's hair with her tail. "If you can't reach the counter anymore, I can always prepare our food, Riste. But don't worry, he'll be careful."

Bruce snorted as he stood, hefting the shield. His Strength was high enough to use it well enough, though it was a bit top-heavy. He tested a few swings and feints, finding the awkward weight manageable. The wide shield offered decent protection.

"This should do well enough," he said. "Now, all I need are some nice leather armor and a real spear and we're set."

Sylva's excited smile fell into a scowl. "Jace, why do you have to be so good with tools? Couldn't you have been content as a caveman and left this crap for me to do?"

Bruce grinned, tapping the spearhead she'd helped him shape. "Well, at least my crafting unlocked an upgrade to the spear. And the bow."

She sighed. "Yeah, that's great. Now, we just have to get ourselves over to Kusnou so I can buy them. With all that tukuron meat Istora was kind enough to preserve, we have more than enough cash. Though, it would be nice if her ward stopped attracting bugs."

"You are the only one complaining, Riste." Istora smiled, flashing fangs.

"And whose fault is that? We're both human, but somehow, you don't get bit once. Meanwhile, I'm covered in welts and I keep hearing weird chittering in the night. I wouldn't put it past your furry buddies to have taken up mosquito hunting. They seem to enjoy biting stuff."

The slender Shaman snickered, her tendrils waving through the air as she shook her head. "I've no control over them, and as you can see, I'm wearing fur as well. You're just... special, Riste."

Sylva rolled her eyes before shifting her gaze toward Bruce, who stood with the shield held loosely. "Well, how's it feel?"

Bruce raised a hand to silence his lovers' bickering, flexing his grip on the wooden handle attached to the rockback shell. "It's perfect. Really well balanced, too." He grinned at them, feeling eager and excited to hunt.

After more than a week of waiting and preparing, we're finally ready. Time to bag that tukuron. Then, all our worries should be over. We can relax, build a home, and maybe even start a family.

"We'd better get moving," Sylva said, giving an impish smile. She reached up and squeezed Bruce's shoulder. "This is going to be fun."

Bruce snorted. "Let's hope so. If nothing else, it will be a good test for my Maneuvers."

Istora giggled, pressing against Bruce's side. "And Riste's magic arrows, right? Jace won't take any real damage with your help, right?"

Sylva laughed, waving dismissively. "Of course not. He'll be just fine."

Bruce rolled his eyes at the lie, but he'd taken far worse injuries. Even if Sylva missed, he'd live. "I'm sure everything will be great. No need to worry, Istora."

The slim Shaman bit her lip, ears drooping. Her green eyes were filled with anxiety and doubt. "But it sounds so big. Will it really work?"

"We can always call in reinforcements. Your magic should keep us healthy, even if something does go wrong," Bruce said. "Remember, you saw me with that broken rib and all those stab wounds. Sylva and I have faith in you."

Istora straightened. "Right. Let's do this."

With a groan, Bruce took hold of the makeshift buckler. His arm dipped under the weight. Still, it wasn't nearly as bad as he'd expected. "Damn, woman. What did you do? You're lucky I'm strong." He flexed a bicep, grinning as both women admired his lean musculature.

Istora giggled, reaching up and pinching one of his pecs. "It helps that we've been hunting with you every day. And your magic grows more potent every day, too. It will keep getting stronger over time."

"Speaking of," Sylva said, drawing her gladius. "Can you cast that spell on me, Istora? I know it makes us weak and I don't plan on needing to fight anytime soon, but just in case."

The Rathemian nodded and cast Ward of Effulgent Healing. As she completed the gesture, a warm glow spread through Bruce. A tingle ran from his fingertips to his toes, his heart thumping louder in his ears as Istora's spell took effect. She shivered as her tail slid away from him.

Sylva grinned, handing Bruce back the shield and picking up her bow. "You feeling that, too? Like being pumped up and ready for a game?"

Bruce tested the weight of his shield, nodding. His arms still felt shaky, and there was a hint of fatigue to his muscles. Yet, Istora's ward boosted everything from reaction time to strength, agility, stamina, and toughness. "Feels amazing."

Istora smiled up at Bruce from where she sat working with their limited supply of cordage, sewing a stone tip onto his new spear. "I should be able to cast that enchantment over and over again if necessary. We shouldn't need many healing spells since you're both covered in armor, but I think this will help."

Sylva's smile twisted into an annoyed glare. "So, what's your plan?"

The woman had explained the area where they'd find the tukuron—a shallow cave a few miles to the south.

"My idea is simple enough: I'll run in front, and when the thing lunges, I can attack. Once it recovers, hopefully, my shield will block its next blow so you can finish the job," Bruce replied as he tested the weight of the new weapon.

The spearhead was crude, but at least his weapon would do a lot more damage than rock-tipped spears or a flint-headed ax.

"Should work. As long as you don't panic and try to fight without me. My bow should give us plenty of options. We just need to make sure this thing never gets close enough to hit either one of us with its tail."

Istora grinned, tail curling around Bruce's leg. "Don't worry, Riste. I'll cast a ward over Bruce that should help protect him. Maybe you too if we're not standing too far apart?"

Sylva rolled her eyes. "Not sure how a magic barrier will stop something that can punch through a tree, but I suppose it can't hurt."

After a few practice swings and tests, Bruce judged the shield adequate for their task. It would take time to familiarize himself fully, but Sylva helped him build an armored harness they'd test as well.

By the end of the week, he was comfortable wielding both with only occasional use of his Maneuvers. Still, he suspected they would soon prove ineffective against the tukuron. Even in a world where his Strength was absurd, he doubted a normal human could ever hope to compete with any creature weighing several tons and sporting claws capable of piercing steel.

With a grin, Bruce looked at his status.

Name: Bruce Silver

Traveler Status: Unbound (Awakened)

Titles:

Blessed by Aspera

The First Champion of Rathema

Vessel of Rathema

Aspects

(1) Enhanced Physicality - Tier 0

(1) Enhanced Mind – Tier 0

(1) Manifold Will – Tier 0

(2) Familiar Bond - Tier 1

Attributes

Strength: 84

Agility: 65

Toughness: 74

Mind: 85

Will: 92

The physical portion of Bruce's status showed noticeable growth over the past few days. Not enough to catch up with Sylva but impressive regardless.

While his Agility didn't reflect his actual fitness levels, it improved the control he possessed over his body. Istora suggested it also helped his reaction time, which was useful news.

His Strength made lifting and hauling far easier. It gave him better endurance during exercises too, meaning fewer breaks.

Mind offered some subtle advantages. He noted his improved ability to recall names or facts from before arriving. While his mind never seemed to struggle with basic recollections, he could notice the difference after only a few weeks. And the improvement only became more obvious as the days passed.

Will provided more concrete benefits. Istora had explained it helped him focus better, increasing his rate of learning. Bruce noticed that once again, his comprehension and retention rates had increased substantially.

Enhanced Toughness made him physically hardier. Though, the true benefit came from its contribution to his Constitution Attribute. With the attribute well into the eighties, he could easily work at a punishing pace all day long without slowing.

While the attribute made him much healthier, his body seemed impervious to fatigue and other discomforts. It still tired when overworked but never slowed or suffered like before. He had to strain a lot harder to achieve pain-causing levels of effort.

As for Enhanced Mind, it mostly focused on his memory and perception of time. While it didn't make Bruce more intelligent, his brain processed information faster and with a heightened clarity that impressed his companions. The attribute was likely why Bruce found it so easy to remember details after having Awakened.

With a little concentration, his perception of time slowed down—but only a bit. Still, Bruce appreciated any advantage he could get against foes moving much faster.

Bruce nodded toward the shield. "Yeah, but this should help a bit in combat. I really appreciate all the help you've put into making this."

"Don't even worry about it," Sylva said, grinning as she stood to take the spear.

Bruce handed it over.

She gave it an experimental thrust. "I still prefer the bow. Even if that spear will pack a punch thanks to our boosted Attributes."

While they experimented with different weapon types, Sylva spent most of her time in her workshop. Her bow had seen better days, the unvarnished wooden frame scarred by her adventures and several replacements of the string. Bruce didn't have many ideas for archery gear, but he carved a stone arrow point for her from some quartz they'd found near the stream. It was crude but sharper than bone, and the smooth crystal would hopefully penetrate better.

With Bruce focused on crafting unlocks, Sylva and Istora prepared a hunting kit. They collected bundles of vine cordage, an assortment of baskets and water skins, and a pile of fire starters. Istora spent a few afternoons filling clay vessels with filtrated water from the river for the trip.

When it came to food, Sylva made it abundantly clear that her rations from Earth tasted infinitely better than anything this world provided.

The young woman turned out to be surprisingly inventive, even if much of it failed to satisfy their palettes. Bruce tried to offer assistance, but she had more skill with spices than he did, having been a lifelong cook. Still, the meals he ate were better than the dried meat and berries.

Sylva continued to improve her bows and arrows. The one she carried when he first met her was her spare, and the other had seen better days. Her improved equipment included a pair of reinforced back quivers made from rockback plates. The quiver she wore held arrows and was attached to her harness; the other was a satchel used to collect more projectiles as the hunt progressed.

While Bruce experimented with crafting, Sylva and Istora took care of hunting and foraging.

One afternoon, Sylva returned after a long day out in the woods alone, a large smile lighting up her face as she announced that the area was clear of any obvious threats. She and Istora had killed off every giant lizard within at least a few miles, ensuring none would pose a threat to camp.

That evening, Sylva showed Bruce her latest bow. It was roughly four feet in length and constructed from bamboo with some vines for a grip. A thin vine strip ran the length of the staff and was tied off at either end to give the hand-grip more definition. The limbs themselves were straight and formed the shape of an elongated oval.

She held up a second bamboo tube. It was about the same length but only a foot in diameter. The ends had been capped, forming a quiver. A few dozen arrows were inside.

Bruce recognized a handful from ones he had carved stone tips for, but a dozen or so lacked fletching or had feathers he didn't recognize.

"This is why I haven't had time to work on clothes. Istora gave me a huge boost forging these. Check it out."

Accepting the bamboo holder, Bruce pulled it open and retrieved the nearest arrow. A grin stretched his face when he studied the head. Unlike those with flint or bone tips, this one was steel and looked similar to a hunting point, but much narrower. He glanced between it and Sylva. "No freaking way."

She laughed. "Yeah, you did that while making arrows to test your first crafting Achievement. You put metal slag on an arrowhead and then struck it with your spear. Next thing I knew, the arrow glowed bright for a moment."

Bruce frowned, trying to remember the details.

Sylva smirked. "After we made out, obviously. You went off into the woods again, mumbling something about a smith. So I took over the arrows, and we've been trying to find more ways to combine magic and enchantment. And that was where all of our steel arrowheads came from."

"Oh, good." He laughed, grinning at Sylva before turning back to the arrow. "We're going to have a ton of these now. So this should be interesting. Now, what did I enchant? Right, that stone axe head."

Bruce gripped his newly improved spear with both hands and thrust hard at the center of the shield. He felt the impact through his right hand, which barely flexed under the force. "This thing is amazing. How did you keep me from getting the Shell Shock Achievement?"

Istora shook her head. "No idea. Sylva asked about your other buffs when you were busy carving bamboo, and I got a message saying they were all applied. The magic only works if we activate it."

He looked up to find her blushing furiously, her gaze focused on a pair of leather loincloths. She handed one over with trembling fingers as he reached for it.

"Um, Jace... could we talk a moment? There's something I need to tell you," she whispered, her tail quivering.

Worry lanced through Bruce. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Well, that's not entirely true. Look, the tukuron is a serious threat and we should plan on it attacking us when we try to hunt it. We'll also have to figure out how to move the carcass after we bring it down. Not sure the two of us can drag its body very far. That thing has got to weigh tons." Sylva sighed.

"I know you don't want to hear this, but your only hope of hurting a tukuron with anything less than magic will be if it steps right on top of you." She frowned as her gaze traveled over the treehouses. "We should probably put off hunting until I've set up the filters. At least we'll be able to store the meat, then, so we don't need to bring any Daubens with us. And Istora might even get an enchantment out of killing the thing."

"You think it's that dangerous?" Bruce asked.

She laughed. "It could crush a bear like a bug if it stepped on it. Its skin is tough enough to shrug off crossbow bolts from most of the adventurers around here. I doubt any of your Maneuvers will make a dent."

Istora grinned from where she sat near their smoldering campfire, working on her needlecraft. The loincloth she wore drew Bruce's eye down toward her tail and her well-muscled legs, bare beneath the scrap of leather. "Jace and Riste are Champions, though, right? So it won't be completely invincible."

Bruce shrugged, still not comfortable thinking of himself as a hero. He slipped the hide-covered wooden handle of the round turtle shield over his wrist. While it lacked the solid feel of a Roman scutum or the simple elegance of a Japanese tessen, Sylva and Bruce had worked hard to form it from a single curved stoneback shell, using only a sharp rock and a few woodworking tools. The effort had taken him several days, but it was the result that counted.

He'd never been a big fan of shields, but with how tough this monster sounded, he doubted his body would survive without protection. I don't plan on taking any hits head-on, but this will give me a place to retreat to. At least until the tukuron figures out how to get around it.

As Bruce stepped into the forest, he tried Striking Serpent, and a burst of movement magic washed through him. The sudden acceleration caught him by surprise, and he stumbled into the tree. It hadn't quite reached its intended destination, the rockback he'd started toward, but that was enough to trigger another effect he'd learned to expect.

Congratulations! You've discovered a new Maneuver - Pouncing Tiger! You've managed to use a boosted skill with your chosen weapon before the ability ended. Your mind has recorded these events and developed an alternative variation on your initial skill.

It's dangerous to go alone. Take this- A new martial art born of your unique insight! The first step to a mighty warrior or deadly assassin. Be sure to thank those who taught you the Maneuvers you needed to progress in this path.

Bruce sighed, shaking his head as he examined the shield. Even knowing to anticipate surprises from the Interface, this new trick would have taken him off-guard without the notification. Still, given the power boosts it provided, he would manage.

Once he mastered his newfound speed, he tried to activate the second Maneuver. Piercing Fang proved too complicated to use when moving so fast. He wasn't sure if his increased Strength or the Maneuver granted better results, but his jab drove deep into the tree trunk, cracking its hard outer layer and leaving the bark peeled back.

I'll still need to take this slow and figure out the limits and quirks of my new Maneuvers.

After two weeks, Bruce was satisfied with their preparations. If he kept grinding Achievements, he suspected the power gap would eventually close. But Sylva was eager to try the bounty hunt.

It felt good to finally step away from camp. As soon as they walked out of sight, Bruce sighed in relief. I've grown so used to watching over everyone. Even though I know Nibbler and the others can watch the place, it's hard to walk away.

Their route took them east. They passed by fields where crops were well into growth, the tall shoots waving in the wind. While he was tempted to pause and study what looked to be several varieties of grain and beans, they didn't have time.

As they entered the forest, Sylva led them to the right, following an animal trail that grew wider as it wove through the trees. The sounds of civilization gradually faded until all he heard were birdsong and the soft swishing of leaves in the breeze.

After an hour, Sylva paused, studying the underbrush. Istora moved up beside her and began muttering an incantation. Once she finished, an amber haze shimmered across his skin.

She caught his questioning glance. "Invisible. A passive spell," she whispered before returning her attention to Sylva.

The dark-haired woman had her bow in hand, and her eyes flitted from tree to bush, never resting on one place for long.

A hulking gray-furred figure burst out of the trees. As big as a horse, the wolf leapt at Bruce, fangs bared and hackles raised.

Shrieking in shock, he flinched away as Sylva's arrow struck the beast with a wet thunk. His left arm came up defensively, even though he knew the arrow would pass right through. He heard Istora yelp in surprise, but nothing struck him.

I've got to keep calm and focus on my Maneuvers, or I'll be worse than useless. The damn things just caught me by surprise.

With a low growl, the monster slammed into him, pushing Bruce to the ground. A paw batted the shield to one side, claws scraping off the hardened shell.

Bruce managed to hold the wolf off. It snapped at the shield before lunging forward to sink teeth into his forearm. He bit back a scream and twisted sideways to escape its grip. His arm still remained pinned.

Tears pricked the corner of Bruce's eyes as agony ripped up his limb. The shield fell from limp fingers as he struggled against the hulking figure. As they grappled, Bruce caught a flash of white in the wolf's mouth.

Fear filled his mind at the sight. "Get it off!"

Pulling away, Istora shouted, "Hyrnek, let go! Stop it!"

The animal whined, the white object disappearing before he bounded off. Bruce scrambled away from where the beast retreated, his left arm burning. Glancing down at it, he froze in place, unable to look away.

What the hell? The skin is raw, and I can see something burrowed beneath...

When Istora spoke a word he didn't understand, his gaze was drawn to a small white worm falling to the ground. He shuddered as she stepped closer and spoke gently.

"Let me see your arm." She examined it closely. "It will take a few days, but I think my spells can heal the damage. Don't touch any raw meat, or we'll need to cut it off."

He stared at the bloody scrape for a long moment. Bruce had skinned animals before. Yet, the thought of being unable to tell if he'd washed properly—a worrisome prospect given the limited bathing options available.

Istora continued to examine it. "You got lucky. I would have spotted it much faster, but I'm attuned to magical ailments and poisons. Thankfully, you've healed so many things that your body can recognize infections, too. The only real threat is infection, and the wound is already trying to clean itself."

Bruce glanced over at Sylva as she walked up to stand beside him. "What kind of infection?"

The other woman grinned. "A fungal infection."

"Like an STD? You've been giving me mushrooms?!"

Sylva laughed for nearly five minutes and refused to stop no matter how he glared at her.

Even Istora snickered. "I told you we were good. I don't know what this 'Greek handle' is, but a single thick strip of wood was enough. That one's been reliable so far."

Her smirk brought a blush to Sylva's face.

They still needed to craft armor for both women, but the turtle-shell shield provided sufficient protection for their coming hunt.

A few days of crafting later, the women were set. With his armor-smithing skills severely lacking, they relied on making burlap bracers with rockback plate guards. While Istora was reluctant to use her last woven shirt, Sylva helped her sew the crude fabric garment into a vest, stitching in the belly plates as best she could. It looked ugly, but the thick material should provide decent protection.

Istora refused to wear any armor beyond her vest, insisting she was a shaman and that it wasn't her job to fight. Bruce was relieved to find his new Strength score was sufficient to stop an attack if need be, even without relying on Maneuvers. Still, he wasn't eager to test the limits of his defense, so he agreed.

"I'm ready, Riste," she said.

The other woman finished testing her new composite bow. Bruce had assisted her in fletching more arrows, and Istora had imbued most with a protective spell, sealing them against damage. They also prepared additional spears and Bruce's obsidian knife.

Assembled near their campfire, Bruce felt like they were adventurers preparing to set off on some grand quest. Even Sylva, in her simple brown leathers, looked the part with her enchanted quiver and composite longbow.

He donned the armor and pack Sylva handed him, which included several days' worth of food as well as his old spear. Then they headed toward the hills where they hoped to find this tukuron, a quest that would take them further away than ever before.

The trek to the rolling hills took them over an hour, but once they spotted the first rocky elevation rising above the canopy, their steps grew cautious.

Sylva drew her bow and scanned their surroundings. "I see signs of a nest in that direction. We'll need to get closer to find any tracks though."

Bruce nodded, glancing back at Istora. Her black eyes swept through the brush, but her lips remained pressed tight. "Something wrong?"

She frowned, head tilting back. After a moment, she shook her head, flashing him a weak smile. "Nothing serious, love. Just feeling off balance. I think that spell I cast on you earlier isn't agreeing with me."

He stepped closer and kissed the top of her head. The faint floral scent of her hair always calmed his nerves. "Want to sit this hunt out, then?"

"No, no. That's not necessary. My Mana Pool is almost full. It should settle soon enough," she assured.

"Okay. Well, take it easy today. Maybe stay at camp while we scout and hunt. Don't want you passing out or getting sick."

Her brow furrowed slightly, but she nodded. "If that's what you think, love."

Before he could respond, Sylva's shout interrupted. "You okay?"

A frown still creased Istora's face as she called back, "I'm fine. Just feeling a little nauseous. Probably from all that goblin grass tea."

Bruce glanced at his lover and offered a reassuring smile. Then he pulled his pack onto his shoulder and turned to Sylva. "Let's get this done. Time to find that tukuron."

Istora stepped up, kissing him firmly. His arm came around her waist, but she stepped away a moment later. A weak smile touched her lips, her head tilting down.

His gaze lingered a moment before turning to Sylva, who cleared her throat. "Well, uh, here ya go." She handed over his new shield. "Think we've finally got a handle on it—literally. Shouldn't rip loose unless you swing it against a boulder or something."

Bruce grasped the thick rope that wrapped through the center hole of the turtle shield. The grip was awkward, but it had some give, giving him a decent amount of control. The edge of his new shield was rounded compared to traditional round shields from his studies, but the leather-and-shell surface could absorb some damage.

"Feels good. Let's give it a test. What do you have, Nuts?" Bruce asked.

The petite Champion held her longbow in one hand and grinned as she swung it toward her bag. She was always eager for combat training sessions. "A few arrows we can use."

Sylva's skill with making simple weapons had improved dramatically over the past week. As promised, she'd been making arrows for herself, and Istora also asked for a dozen.

Bruce took the three that she handed him. He tossed one at his new shield. It stuck firm, which was encouraging. Though, he suspected it wouldn't fare as well if something came crashing down against the wooden surface.

"So far so good."

"How did you learn so much about armor?"

"Back in college, my friend Rhea went through a medieval phase. Had us help her test different materials, like mail or ring and scale combinations. The Greek round shield worked best for us—even without enchantments. So, I figured it would be more stable for someone still learning."

Bruce glanced back at the turtle shield. "You know, I have zero idea what your class does exactly."

Her eyes widened and she laughed. "Oh man, we should've talked about this before. Guess I'm just used to it being me against the world. My stats are hidden from most people, and the gods don't share much about what classes do. So most folks only really know I can talk to monsters."

"Makes sense. The Boon was supposed to let me understand animals, but my connection with Nibbler feels way stronger," Bruce admitted as he took the shield.

With a few swings and a thrust, he tested its weight. It didn't move around or slide down when he moved the shield up to intercept attacks. "So, what's a Beguiler?"

A wry smile spread across Sylva's face. "It's a subclass that helps me gain allies. Most of them can get pretty far without one, but my parents were adventurers. As a result, we never had much cash to spare. So, when I arrived here, I knew it would take alliances if I wanted any chance of making it."

She smiled fondly at her bow, a sleek weapon of dark wood. "The class lets me charm people to befriend them. Somewhat like a druid that gains animal allies, but this makes people loyal companions. They also get a bonus from my Attributes if they meet some condition. Nibbler's pack have a higher Resistance than normal, thanks to my Class Perk. And even your rockbacks are sturdier. My mom thought it was an amazing choice and helped convince the goddess to let me take it."

"Huh, so you convinced her?" Bruce asked.

"Well, not exactly. She was already going to help me choose a class before my Boon. Aspera has a knack for that kind of thing," Sylva said. "I know you didn't really want a Class, but it helps so much."

"I'll admit I'm tempted," Bruce said, smiling back. He knew the Interface was trying to coerce him but couldn't help himself. Her grin turned into a frown, and he quickly added, "But I know you said that the System won't make sense if I don't use the language it thinks in. I've learned how to control myself for now, but I don't trust it forever."

Sylva looked unconvinced and let out a deep breath, eyes unfocused. After a moment, she nodded to herself, then grinned at Bruce. "I'm good at understanding people's needs. We're pretty different, but your heart seems almost as big as mine, and I'll respect your decision. Anyway, it looks like Istora is just about done with those pants."

With a nod, Bruce slipped the shield off his arm and sat down next to his girlfriend. She grinned at him as she handed over the pants, made from dark grey rockback hide. "Here you are!"

Bruce pulled them on, nodding in approval. "Comfortable, and they fit better than any pants I could've managed. What do you think?"

Istora's cheeks flushed, but her tendrils were rigid in excitement. "Not bad for first attempts. Maybe add some more color? You're not supposed to blend in with the shadows, Jace."

"Oh. Yeah, that makes sense. So, like black or red?"

"Red." The girl pointed at her vibrant robes. "That should help draw attention so we can get ready in time for your Maneuvers."

Bruce raised a brow. "But they might think I'm a mage."

Istora pouted and poked his nose. "And how many people do you expect to meet in the forest? Even if they do, why not have a color that reminds you of Riste?"

"You're sure about this, hon?"

She smiled, stroking a tendril across his cheek. "Of course. I know we can win, and Riste really wants to kill the thing. And, it's been a while since she last went hunting with others. Plus, with the new weapons she made us..." Istora shrugged, her tail twitching against Sylva's knee.

Sylva grinned, pulling out another rockback-tipped arrow. "Yup. Got enough arrows for each of us to shoot this thing a couple times, too. So even if the rest don't do much damage, you can still help us."

Bruce laughed. "Thanks for looking out for me."

Istora giggled, pressing her lips to his ear. "We both are. But, if the tukuron proves too dangerous, please run? I... we don't want you getting hurt again."

He wrapped his arm around Istora's waist, meeting Sylva's eyes over her head.

"I know, hon. We'll only do this if we're certain of victory."

Istora smiled, nuzzling him briefly. Then she stepped back, tail swishing as she returned to work on his clothes.

Sylva raised her eyes from the stone spearhead she was working on to look at Bruce. "You remember how we practiced using your shield?"

"Yeah. It's still a pain keeping track of where everything is moving, though."

She grinned. "That'll only go away with practice. The good news is, that thing will deflect arrows pretty reliably—and most spears, unless the person's insanely strong. A tukuron should bounce right off your shield."

Istora laughed. "Of course it will. Riste wouldn't risk us with a bad plan. Besides, I think our mate looks dashing wearing his armor and shield."

Sylva rolled her eyes. "You're biased, hon."

"Oh, and you aren't?" the alien girl asked, grinning. "Even if he wasn't a Champion and handsome as sin, his soul shines brightly, drawing me even before we met in that cave."

"What do you mean by his soul shining?" Bruce asked.

Sylva smirked. "We've discussed it, actually. Not that either of us really understood what it meant. You know how some people just give off an air? Like, their body language speaks volumes. We figured it's because of your Charisma stat. The more charismatic or attractive someone is, the more we can sense that energy coming from them."

"Huh." That sounded useful, though he wasn't sure how.

Sylva smiled. "I could see it before I Awakened and could access my abilities. It got brighter during our first sparring session, even though it already felt like it was glowing a bit at the start of the hunt."

He gave her a quizzical look, not quite understanding.

She giggled. "It's an ability called True Sight. I could always read people pretty well, but this is a supercharged version. There are certain types of people who stand out. Yours is... interesting. Like an old lantern flickering in a dark room. It's kind of strange really. Most people shine brighter than you, but that light isn't very strong."

Well, she's still an attractive young lady, and we are both single, so she probably isn't into guys. Which is for the best. I'll do my damnedest to give her any support she needs, but I can't imagine pursuing anything beyond a friendship.

"I see. Does that mean you're looking for more handsome heroes?" he asked with a grin.

The athletic woman gave him an amused stare. "More like hot ladies. You ever heard of lesbians, Bruce?"

Oh. That makes more sense.

"Umm... Yeah. Definitely," he replied awkwardly.

Sylva giggled, then smirked. "I know you think we're all gorgeous and probably figured I was bi or pan." She shook her head. "If I had to put a label on myself, I'd be ace, not demi."

Bruce frowned. "Huh? How do you mean?"

She pointed to Istora. "What would you say our resident alien cutie is?"

"Shameless," he answered, grinning.

Sylva nodded with mock solemnity, then continued. "Right. Anyway, I'm thinking it should work like a hoplon shield, like this."

Then she demonstrated an unexpected move. Bruce watched in surprise as the young woman took a broad stance and gripped the leather strap along the edge of the shell, extending her arm forward. Her other hand rose to cover her right shoulder.

"Oh, hey! I think I know that move. It's a thrust, right? Like a sword?" Bruce asked excitedly.

"Exactly. It'll be a good defensive tactic. If we encounter the tukuron head-on, we can probably hold it off between us with the shield wall."

"Yeah. And if it tries to rush or pounce us, a good shove could toss it off balance."

Sylva grinned. "Just don't use this unless you need to. Don't want you getting hurt just for an Achievement. We also still need a proper spearhead. You're not done yet. How is that coming along anyway? Did any new ideas for unlocks pop into your head?"

Bruce shook his head. "Sorry. No real ideas. I could try to make a stone knife and see if that unlocks anything."

Sylva snorted. "If nothing else, it would make an ugly shiv. Besides, that's what a bow is for. I can do the killing while you stand around looking pretty—as long as it doesn't run away when my arrows hit it."

"That might not be so easy," Istora said quietly. "This creature sounds very much like the igurret. Only stronger. It will sense magic coming against it."

Sylva shrugged. "You'll need to warn us if something's coming our way, but we're going to rely on stealth anyway. If the tukuron notices me, the plan falls apart anyway."

"We're just waiting on the spearhead now, right?" Bruce asked.

"And those clay jugs we discussed," Sylva reminded him. "We also should craft a set of leather quivers for all these arrows too. They tend to fly everywhere whenever I shoot from a seated position. If one hits someone, I doubt it'll be lethal, but it would hurt like a bitch."

Bruce chuckled. "Good idea. Should we pack everything?"

She nodded. "Yes. If things go according to plan, we won't return for several days. We can grab a meal later. First, we'll want to scout and plan this carefully."

With that, they worked for another hour to finish as many details as they could think of. Bruce took some time to try out his new Maneuvers once again—and not just for unlocks.

They were still experimenting with the exact nature of his Maneuvers, and Istora refused to let him use them against the rockbacks for fear he'd injure himself. So far, they'd identified some restrictions and limitations but had only limited experience to build from.

"Okay, we've delayed enough," Sylva called out as she grabbed her bow. "It's time to hunt a tukuron!"

After helping him adjust the crude leather jerkin Istora crafted, Bruce pulled on a burlap shirt. His pants felt odd without underwear, but those had proven unachievable until they obtained some hemp fibers.

The final pieces of Bruce's gear consisted of a primitive sling tied around his waist, a knife in its simple wooden sheath, a pouch of spare stone sling ammo, the makeshift shield attached to his back by cordage, and finally a coiled up length of rope thrown over his shoulder.

Bruce grabbed the spear Sylva made for him, then nodded to Istora. She had chosen to remain at the camp—the only one who would. They would be moving too fast for her to keep pace.

"Be safe," Istora called to him. He kissed her cheek.

"You too. Keep an eye out for anything suspicious."

She smiled and held up her crude spear, a rockback tip tied on with cordage. "Don't worry. We have plenty of meat, and I can help ward the trees against animals so they don't get into our supplies."

Sylva flashed him a thumbs up.

As soon as Bruce stepped out of the treehouse, four goblins swarmed him, climbing over him to reach Istora.

A chuckle bubbled up as he left the treehouse.

Sylva and Bruce both had a full kit of gear to test. Bruce hoped he wouldn't need any of it but wanted to be prepared just in case.

They walked in silence as they set off toward their destination. Bruce wore Istora's homemade leather jerkin and the crude burlap pants that reached halfway down his calves. The crude sling Istora made hung from his belt and a pouch of rockback sling ammo hung opposite, resting against his thigh. He carried the spear Sylva crafted to test his Maneuvers against animals. His shield rested across his back. A length of cordage over his shoulder held it in place.

The final piece was the bow he built as one last experiment. They weren’t hunting anything with arrows yet, but his hope was to eventually improve it. Since he unlocked Do You Even Archer, he figured the Interface would allow him to apply its benefits to future weapons.

For the moment, the four-foot long composite bamboo bow was a decent enough weapon. It drew around sixty pounds of force and fired an arrow the length of his hand. The stoneheads didn't fly straight, but a little work and practice might fix that issue.

Though the idea of hunting with a bow seemed odd, given his Strength boost, he enjoyed it, finding it almost meditative. And his aim with it proved shockingly accurate. He figured the skill might prove helpful once he learned actual ranged attacks.

Sylva's Enchanting feat enabled her to create simple runes. She added one to each of her arrows and could enchant more if they brought enough wood. Given the power of her bow, the stone heads flew too fast to have any accuracy, which meant enchanted arrows were essential.

Istora tied back the bottom half of Bruce's hair with a cordage bandanna. Then they left on foot for Sylva's target.

The area where the tukuron lived turned out to be only a handful of miles north of their camp. After crossing over the ridge separating their bamboo forest from the valley, they spotted lush forests and grassy plains.

A shallow river cut through the middle of the fertile valley. Several hills dotted the area, making it look like an idyllic landscape in a medieval fantasy.

"Wow, this is incredible," Bruce said, gazing around the valley as he stepped from the steep hillside.

"Yeah, the terrain seems perfect for animals to breed and live," Sylva agreed. The athletic woman wore leather armor Bruce had bought from Kusnou's smith. She still needed an archery skill, but her Strength had proven sufficient for drawing the bow.

Bruce nodded, adjusting his makeshift helmet. "It feels like I walked out of my apartment and into a game."

Istora grinned. "We're close. I feel it calling to me."

Her words gave Bruce pause, but he didn't voice his concern. For weeks, Istora had spoken of the area with increasing fervor, but lately, she spoke almost reverently. She'd always been strange, but the shift felt eerie.

He took a few practice swings and jabs with his spear. The rockhead blade was the only real improvement, sharpened using a stone scraper. They'd considered using one of the arrows but feared breaking one off. The weapon's balance was still poor. Still, it felt a world better than a crudely formed branch.

The pair practiced together with their new equipment. Sylva had an actual shield and a proper spear that Bruce had made based on hers. Yet, her Strength and Maneuver made him look like an idiot as she effortlessly dodged or deflected his attacks.

After their mock spars, they gathered their gear and loaded the packhorses. Despite feeling overloaded, Sylva claimed that their load was light. She and Bruce both carried spare shields on their backs and additional supplies in panniers hanging from the pack animals.

Despite their weapons and armor, none of them looked threatening. Sylva had insisted on traveling incognito, to avoid drawing attention. Instead, she wanted to scout the tukuron ahead of time.

To prevent Istora from being discovered as a Rathemian, Sylva and Bruce decided on a cover story.

When asked, Sylva explained they were refugees heading north to the human kingdom.

Istora had no trouble speaking the common language but still pretended to use the primitive pidgin, keeping her speech short and simple. Despite her efforts, none of the Daubeni appeared convinced she was any different from Nibbler and his ilk. She even avoided showing off her magic beyond minor wards to preserve meat and other necessities.

Bruce took a few experimental swings with his improved spear, pleased to discover it fit his style much better than before. It was nowhere near the quality of one of Sylva's weapons, but his skill far exceeded what he had managed in just a week.

"Well?" the athletic woman asked, gesturing at his arming sword. "Gotten any new unlocks, or are you really that worthless?"

He glared at the grinning Champion, trying not to think about why she would be so knowledgeable about unlockable achievements.

Not going there again...

While he hadn't received an Achievement yet, Bruce could tell this build was closer to what he'd played with in Torn World.

"I like it. I can't wait until we slay our tukuron and pick up better armor."

The trio spent the rest of the week planning their hunt. It took days to hike across the swamp to find the hunting party Sylva had overheard. They searched for signs along the way and came across traces of large lizards that appeared recent enough to be the targets.

The area wasn’t far from the village the group had initially fled, and the path there passed several ruins, which the locals called mazelike, filled with hidden threats.

That first evening, the companions made camp in a small hollow at the base of a cypress, a little distance from a wide stream.

Before eating dinner, they planned for tomorrow. The other hunters had already set traps and nets to capture the lizards alive, but they weren't expecting trouble.

While Sylva would handle killing, Istora worked to prepare spells for the hunt.

The athletic woman wanted the Daubeni's tukuron for its hide, meat, and scales—as well as whatever items it carried. Bruce thought the idea odd, until he realized the creature was much like the animal skins in modern video games that often offered crafting components.

It also meant they could eat their fill while they hunted. While Sylva wanted to save enough to feed the village, Bruce decided there was no point in starving themselves while tracking the beast. They didn't have any idea how long it would take to find the thing.

He reached out and accepted the new shield, pleased that the cordage and shell held it together. It even allowed him to use his improvised spear for his first Maneuver.

After taking a deep breath, Bruce used Striking Serpent, thrusting with all his strength. The tip slammed against the shield with a meaty thud, and the entire structure trembled. When he inspected the shell, he found it undamaged.

That was a hundred-ten pounds, right? That feels about right. But I wonder why it isn’t my current maximum? Maybe it increases at different intervals? Or maybe it increases as you hit other plateaus?

Bruce glanced at the athletic woman. She eyed him and his spear with open curiosity, so he grinned. Then he used Piercing Fang and stabbed at the shield. A wave of energy flowed down his body, the muscles bulging as the attack struck. This time, the turtle shell cracked and splintered.

As before, his Maneuvers offered an unexpected acceleration. He just needed to be careful to use them at the right moment.

Bruce set the cracked shield aside and accepted the spear from Sylva. With both hands gripping the weapon, he focused his attention on the ground beyond her shoulder, ignoring his friends. His mind envisioned the path that would lead to victory over their foe, the tukuron.

Firming his stance, he struck the ground, triggering Piercing Fang.

With an explosive burst of motion, Bruce rocketed across the clearing toward a target only he could sense. In less than a heartbeat, his spear slammed into the earth where the tukuron might have been. After using the strike to break his momentum, Bruce twisted to face where Sylva stood.

The shield still attached to his left arm, he felt off balance. Bruce stumbled, nearly falling. However, he recovered quickly enough that it looked intentional. He hoped.

A triumphant grin lit Sylva's face. "I told you he'd make a great tank, Istora!"

As Bruce walked back to retrieve his spear, she clapped, laughing. Istora's ears tilted low, but she tried to offer a reassuring smile.

"I'm happy he got some Maneuvers, but he should be careful. I've learned that sometimes things hide in shadows even if they can't be seen." Istora paused as Sylva rolled her eyes. "I know he needs to improve his combat skills before we face any true enemies."

While the other two talked, Bruce lifted his new weapon. He was happy with the balance of this latest version. Using some scrap stone and cordage, they fixed the sharp rockhead to a bamboo handle. His previous spears broke each time he used Striking Serpent, unable to absorb the momentum. They hoped the addition of acazite might be more effective.

Now let's see if it works better than wood.

Sylva and Istora stopped talking and turned to watch.

He drew the weapon back over his head as far as possible and struck downward, hitting the log they'd dragged into the clearing. Bruce focused on activating his Piercing Fang and grinned as energy pulsed through his body.

The strike landed on the log, which promptly shattered. Splintered bits flew everywhere as Bruce staggered away. He shook his arm, trying to get feeling back.

Sylva cheered as she ran up and slapped his shoulder. "Hell yeah! Now you can help us kick tukuron ass!"

"If we're done making him into a proper warrior?" Istora asked, holding out a pair of shorts. She grinned at his appreciative look and giggled when Bruce leaned down to give her a quick peck.

They were still learning how to make durable clothes. The process was more complex than weaving fabric with fibers. First, they had to weave a base from a tough sisal-like grass.

Istora did most of that work after Bruce used the spearhead to cut bundles of grass for her. Sylva had helped initially, but her lack of talent at weaving frustrated the Rathemian until the Shaman finally sent her away.

Once they created a sturdy layer of fabric, Bruce and Sylva used bone needles to stitch on pieces of rockback shell. They weren't able to cover every inch with the shell plating. Even if they had a hundred shells, the resulting outfit would've weighed hundreds of pounds. Instead, they focused on vital areas, like the chest, shoulders, legs, and forearms.

Sylva's enchantment of speed and durability also improved its strength significantly. While it was far from armor, it would improve Bruce's chances of surviving combat.

Istora handed Bruce his newest garment, a set of loose pajamas-like pants and a shirt with long sleeves made from woven goblin grass.

The crude cloth felt itchy, but when they tried attaching plates of rockback shell to the shirt, it tore the material. He wore them now because the alternative was a loincloth or going around naked.

Bruce grimaced. I wish they could hurry and invent a better fiber. Cotton would be heavenly compared to this itchy shit.

The clothes Istora wove didn't hold a candle to the clothing that manifested as part of his initial gift pack. If only it wasn't bound to my soul, or whatever. Still, this new stuff is far superior to the bark clothes I wore when I arrived. They're so thin, you can barely feel them.

He moved the shield around and practiced drawing it from over his shoulder. Its curved profile allowed it to slide back down his arm with ease, allowing him to catch it in a blocking position without having to fumble around for the handle.

Istora smiled. She hadn’t spoken about their future plans much over the last week, but each night, she insisted Bruce snuggle tight against her, not unlike a clingy kid. He worried she would object to hunting the tukuron, though they needed resources to buy supplies if they hoped to start a village.

Bruce raised his hand and beckoned with a finger, sending out the pulse of force he discovered that morning.

The Interface revealed it to be an attack called Shield Bash, and his current SE limit for it was seven. Even if his max was only 17, that meant it would be stronger than several of his best moves.

He didn't want to experiment inside their makeshift campsite, afraid he might accidentally topple one of the platforms or something.

Istora frowned as she watched Bruce train, and Sylva caught the shift in the Shaman's mood.

"You alright?"

She forced a smile and nodded. "Yeah. Just a little worried about Jace fighting that tukuron."

I don't get why she's been so concerned. When I tried hunting it on my own, she thought it was a great idea. "Well, he'll be fine. With me guarding your backs, he shouldn't have much trouble," Sylva said.

"Yup. Totally!" Istora squeaked. "And we should probably head out soon. It might take us a few days to find the tukuron if what I remember about this forest is correct."

Istora turned back to work. Her ears twitched, betraying agitation.

I still don't get why she seemed freaked when we started talking about this hunt. Did something happen to her in this world?

Bruce shook off the thought. He hadn't pressed her for more details about her past, not wanting to relive his own trauma.

It was easy to recognize the signs in someone else. But he knew that ignoring it or brushing aside a trauma only delayed processing it. And who knows what her life was like here before she came to Earth. She mentioned her people had been scattered—is she anxious about returning to a region where they used to live? Or afraid of being caught?

Either way, he decided it wasn't his business unless Istora chose to talk about it. And if she did want to discuss her experiences with the Fae and the war that killed her father and almost claimed her, he was ready to listen.

He grabbed the wooden handle weaved from flexible vines that allowed him to brace it against his forearm. When he raised his right hand and activated Striking Serpent, his left blurred forward striking the shield at lightning speed. He didn't have as much power as when Sylva or Istora performed the same action, but Bruce still had the time to pivot, bringing the edge around in a quick slash toward Sylva.

The athletic woman hopped back, dodging the blow with ease.

"That was wicked fast," Bruce grinned. "Though, it does feel a bit cumbersome."

Sylva shrugged. "Might be worth getting a heavier shell—you know, for that added damage resistance and all."

"Yeah, I like the way you think. Might be a bit big for regular use, but could be helpful when fighting monsters."

They spent another few hours tweaking the shield's designs before adding additional protection: reinforcing the inside with rockback plates on one side, and covering the outside with a layer of leather.

As they worked, Istora continued crafting. The pants were rough, but the Shaman seemed to have a gift for clothing. With a few more practice runs, he hoped her next attempt at cloth pants would provide the same warmth as his burlap jacket.

He had taken to using his jacket for sparring matches with Sylva and had learned that burlap wasn't an effective defense.

Bruce picked up the crude shield, which weighed over sixty pounds and was a good foot wider than he was tall. The top slanted from the back edge to the front. And while it lacked metal, he was certain a well-placed strike would damage the sturdy shell. It had proven far stronger than wood.

They hadn’t added a rockback belly plate to this shield, not wanting the extra weight to slow him down. Still, given how many plates were spread out around the campsite, there should be enough for a set of armor later.

His initial attempt to activate Piercing Fang failed, forcing him to drop the shield to free his other hand. He focused and performed the action a second time.

The blow caught the edge of the thick shell. While Bruce felt a slight recoil from the impact, the force traveled back up his arm—painfully.

He dropped the shield with a clatter.

Damn, that really hurts. And it doesn’t look like it took any damage either. Though I guess they did warn me. I need to find something that weighs a ton so I can trigger a defensive Maneuver.

Bruce shook his head. This isn't gonna work. The shell just seems like it might block a hit, but if someone attacks with real strength, I won’t even be able to hold onto the damn thing. He studied the primitive design thoughtfully. Well, we can modify it. If the tukuron goes for Sylva, I need to keep it distracted long enough for her to deal the killing blow. Better to have the weight centered over my shoulder and back instead of down by my arm.

He handed the shield off to Sylva. "Give me a minute to see if I can't change that up. It should work as a regular shield, but we want to maximize my odds when playing the distraction."

Sylva gave the weapon an awkward shake, attempting to swing it as a bludgeon. "Yeah, this just doesn't work as a melee weapon. Though if you had a strap for your right arm, I could think of a few interesting options. Could try some two-weapon combat to start with. Then, if we strapped a second shield across my back and shoulders, I'd look awesome. You could call me 'Shield Maiden' or something."

Bruce laughed at the idea. "You might be thinking of Valkyries, and wouldn't that imply you were from Norse mythology? And who would take the role of Odin or Thor?"

Istora's voice grew thoughtful as she focused on her tailoring efforts. "There are more than gods of your world. Aspera told me of many other pantheons. So, Shield Maiden Riste makes sense. Though that name reminds me too much of those weird animated cartoons."

The blond woman shrugged, leaning against a nearby tree. "Either way. We made you a passable shield, so now we can move on to hunting that tukuron. If it has enough Strength for the Rockbreaker ability, you'll have some real armor."

"Yep. I'm ready. The weight feels good once you get used to it," Bruce said. Then, he reached back to pat Istora. She leaned in to meet him for a quick kiss. "It was a great idea for Sylva and me to work together on making this. It's a lot more functional than any of our earlier tries."

Istora flashed a wide smile. "Yeah, I didn't want to mention it, but it looked really ugly there for a minute. Good thing Talia is good at figuring out designs. Now, you can hold the monster off with one arm while we hurt it. That should let me and Nibbler do our thing."

Talia shrugged, looking pleased with herself. "Oh, stop, I just knew something about how wood and metal works."

Istora frowned down at her sewing basket. "I'm done. I wish I could make cloth armor, but nothing I've tried works like the leather. I'd probably have to enchant them to make them even marginally tough. Though, I wouldn't be able to tell if they blocked anything until it hit us hard enough."

"Hey, Istora, don't sweat it," Bruce said, reaching out to stroke her thigh. The woman leaned into him, purring as he stroked her hair.

Sylva rolled her eyes. "You're such a cat sometimes. Maybe I should call you Kitten instead of Shaman."

"Don't you dare. And you shouldn't give your enemies nicknames either."

Sylva snorted. "Like anyone would ever confuse the name Talia for an insult."

She smirked, crossing her arms. "Besides, how else can I remember which Daubeni is which?"

"You've spent enough time with them now, I'd think you would remember without any names," Bruce countered, testing how the shield slid on his arm.

"Oh, stop nitpicking. There are a bunch of them and, given my Attributes, we both know I'll outpace you if we need to keep up with a pack of rabbits."

"I'm not going to let it bug me too much," Bruce conceded with a shrug. "But you'd better make sure it doesn't slip when we're in battle. I need this hand free so I can hold a weapon."

She snorted. "It's not going to slip. I tied the damn thing to your arm."

Bruce grinned at his friend. "I don't want to fight about it anyway. The other upgrades were fantastic. If I don't have to waste time managing a shield, my offensive options increase. And I appreciate the added cushion between me and a monster. A layer of wood and rockback is the best kind of defense."

"Exactly what I've been saying about armor," Sylva shot back, grinning.

"And speaking of defensive options. Take this too," Istora said, holding out a small bundle.

Bruce set aside the shield and unfurled the bundle to find a set of gray burlap pants. "Practical."

Sylva rolled her eyes, smirking at Istora. "You sure he's okay? We have better materials for that stuff."

"I don't mind rough pants. The more important things are a weapon and armor."

"Actually, those should work. We could use a belt with a pouch for his tools, but the material isn't bad. If I remember right, the tukuron's claws aren't venomous or poisonous, so I doubt Istora's defense would be much use. And with your Strength and Agility, you'll probably move faster than any bite or slash."

Bruce smiled, nodding in agreement. "I'm hoping that I can unlock a more powerful Maneuver if I kill it by myself."

"So you're going to try charging it?" Sylva asked, a hint of mischief creeping into her eyes. "Like with an enchanted horn and shouting about how you killed a troll."

"Yeah," he admitted.

Istora looked up from her work, grinning. "It'll be fine. You've gained a lot of strength over the last couple weeks. And I'll ward the shield as soon as you start."

Sylva nodded. "I'm sure this will work, Jace. Just make sure to keep your feet planted. And aim the shield. If you trip, you need to keep it from crashing into your face."

Bruce snorted. "Thanks for that visual. I'll do my best not to faceplant."

They stepped back, giving him plenty of room, as Bruce braced himself behind the shield. It had a slight curve, and the outer lip formed a sharp point that should make it useful for jabbing. He drew back his spear, aiming it directly at the shield.

He pushed with his mind, activating the Maneuver. His feet dug into the soil as he rushed forward. His arms buckled against the force of the impact.

The turtle shield held, but the wooden butt end of the spear shattered, flinging broken wood everywhere. Thankfully, the stone tip remained intact.

Bruce stumbled from the remaining momentum. Then he grinned, laughing. "That's so much more effective than last time! We should have used a rockback shell instead of an armadillo."

"Yep," Sylva said.

He took the shield from her, turning it over. He'd attached a wooden stock that curved upward, providing a firm handle. "How'd you know it would work?"

Sylva flashed a wicked grin. "Call it my Champion intuition. My body is designed to help me fight, and I got a sort of instinct for using weapons and tools."

Istora glanced up, beaming at them. "It's good to see both of my warriors looking prepared for the hunt. Now if we had a horse or an enchanted steed..."

"Well, Nibbler probably wouldn't do," Sylva said.

A tendril brushed along Bruce's shoulder. "Are you sure you'll be alright in that armor? I didn't think you were so eager to become one of those turtle people."

"You've been working on this outfit for weeks," he teased. "And it's really impressive. I appreciate your efforts, Istora."

The Rathemian nodded, cheeks darkening with blush as she ran a finger along the edge of her tail. "Yeah. W-well, I wanted to ensure my Champion looks presentable and is properly protected."

Her crafting had resulted in a sturdy yet comfortable breastplate and pauldrons carved from rockback shells and plating, and a pair of crude bracers to cover his forearms. She'd attached wooden supports to keep the armor from shifting around, even providing cushioning with several layers of fabric. It wasn't fancy—or pretty—but felt sturdy enough for their needs.

"It may not be acazite, but I'm betting these plates will block something more lethal than a club or spear," Sylva said. "You wouldn't even need to enchant them for it to be an improvement over your old flimsy clothes."

Bruce chuckled. "True enough. And, it's lighter than I expected."

"Well, if we succeed in killing the tukuron, we'll be able to purchase acazite mail or plate. Or maybe find you a nice enchanted breastplate," Sylva said, grinning. "This is our best bet for now."

The shell wasn't quite big enough to cover Bruce entirely, but he could deflect most attacks aimed at his center mass. The weight distribution was also decent, making it easy to wield the shield even in his off hand. It still had a high profile, so he couldn't raise it overhead, which was an issue since they needed to defend themselves against flying enemies too. He'd be far less vulnerable in proper armor and had a dozen new Maneuvers that used his sword to attack without exposing his chest.

Istora grinned, stroking Bruce's shoulder with her tail. "I've finished the pants! This way, you won't tear your clothes and distract me when Riste is trying to help you craft a weapon."

Sylva shook her head but remained focused on carving out the next arrowhead.

Since he didn't know much about leatherworking, crafting pants from rockback hides proved challenging. Istora had been kind enough to use the smaller shells for the crotch area, leaving the tougher hide to protect his thighs. She sewed everything together, with cordage tying down the waist, and carved an additional hole so his belt held everything in place.

Once he donned them, Bruce realized there was one thing he hadn't considered. His new gear included a groin protector, crafted from stone.

"This, uh..." he began, voice trailing off.

Both women glanced up as he cleared his throat, blushing furiously.

"Yes?" Sylva asked. "Having issues already?"

"Um. Not exactly..."

Istora let out a low squeal and leapt to her feet, rushing over to him. She tugged at his new shield. "Does it have something to do with this?"

Sylva blinked. "Oh... that. Yeah."

After several tries, they'd gotten the shield strap length just right. But since she'd been in a playful mood, Istora had wrapped Bruce's wrist and forearm a few too many times, ending up in the crotch of his pants. Bruce's sudden gasp and moan caused a good deal of confusion before Sylva realized what had happened.

Once Istora freed him, he held the shield out. An engraved relief covered the front—a large 'V' framed by a pair of serpents intertwining around it, with tails curving down the sides. The symbol looked familiar to Bruce but was hard to identify from a simple drawing.

"Is it...?"

Istora flashed a smile and hugged him tightly, her fingers stroking the shield. "Sylva did an amazing job, right? It looks just like Valdun!"

He glanced at the grinning woman. "You made this?"

She laughed. "It wasn't hard at all. And don't try to get me to tell you how to carve that design. That's my secret."

Istora's tendrils wrapped Bruce's shoulders and neck, brushing his cheek with their sensitive tips. "Isn't it amazing?"

"That's one word for it," Bruce muttered, his voice gruff as he tried to keep his reactions under control. Istora had discovered the effect the tendril tips had on him and seemed intent on abusing the knowledge. "Amazing is also the perfect way to describe her carving. But what is it? It's so familiar, but I can't quite place it. Looks like something from a medieval coat of arms or something."

"Really?"

"Yeah. It looks European and has a vaguely Eastern style to it. Like a heraldic symbol for a family." Bruce shook his head and let out a heavy sigh. He hadn't really thought of the other Champions for several days. Part of him still refused to accept their fates, but there was nothing he could do at the moment. "Still, it's incredible work. And we'll be able to protect it with acazite soon. Thanks for making this."

Sylva snickered. "Well, when Riste's hands were too shaky to finish, you needed protection."

He grinned at her. "That was only because a certain beautiful woman decided to give me a rather thorough massage. You could have left some of the muscles intact. The poor shield will never recover from that abuse."

Sylva smirked before turning away in a failed attempt to hide her blush.

As Bruce accepted the shield, an Interface notification appeared.

You hold the Shimmering Serpent. A sturdy wooden kite-style shield with an acazite overlay forged by a talented Champion. Made with care by Sylva D.

Achievement unlocked: You can take the man out of fantasy games but not the other way around.

He snorted and showed it to the others. Sylva laughed while Istora flashed a warm smile.

Bruce slipped his left forearm back through the strap, adjusting to the balance and heft of the shield.

After days spent practicing wielding the shield, it felt natural in his grasp. The weapon didn't quite suit him the way Valdun had, but Bruce was confident it would do well enough for slaying tukuron and whatever else might come their way.

Though I hope this won't end with us fighting some giant monster or an actual dragon.

"Good," Sylva said, stepping behind him and giving the shield another push on his back to ensure it was secure. "I'll work on finding something more practical next. It's just hard with your build. That's not easy to make or maintain, even for you."

He snorted.

"Hey, I'm just trying to help keep your scrawny ass alive, so don't give me grief about it."

Bruce raised his free hand and stepped away from Sylva. "All right, fine. No need for the threats. I'll admit that maybe you're a little more knowledgeable about these things than I am."

She snorted but grinned.

I guess all the effort we've put into the shield is paying off. The first attempt was kind of ugly. It felt too much like being forced to craft armor during a tabletop game to earn enough hit points. But Sylva really took charge with the design. This turned into a proper shield rather than just a glorified plate of turtle meat.

Bruce raised his arm and adjusted his grip, moving his forearm to different positions until finding a spot that seemed comfortable. His left arm held the handle while the wide strap near his elbow and a smaller one near the shield's rim kept it tight against his body.

He'd never used a traditional buckler, preferring kites shields and oval-shaped tower shields in games. But given the nature of Striking Serpent, something lightweight that allowed mobility would prove better.

The turtle shell was far heavier than the rockback shield, even without the extra acazite layers, but still light enough to keep from being a burden. He lifted the shield with his right hand and stepped toward a small stump near their workstation.

As the smooth edge of the shield tapped the surface, he activated Striking Serpent and jabbed it down, driving the heavy stone spearhead into the trunk. The blow left a gouge in the bark that was deeper than he'd expected.

Bruce smiled. "Yeah, that works perfectly."

Sylva grinned as she nodded.

"Good. I think we're as prepared as we can get," Sylva said. "With this, you can use Striking Serpent with Piercing Fang to attack the tukuron without losing momentum."

He tested the shield again. It didn't offer as much coverage as the tower shields he was used to but felt more practical for the current situation.

After a few hours spent getting comfortable using it, Bruce nodded to himself. While still heavier than a traditional kite shield, it wasn't anything he'd complain about. And given how sturdy the rockback hide and plates were, it offered solid protection against slashing and bludgeoning attacks.

The next day, they loaded their backpacks.

With Bruce, Istora, and Sylva carrying full packs, their progress through the jungle was slow. As much as it grated at him, he could do nothing to assist with navigating. Sylva's skill exceeded his ability to identify terrain. He could follow her and Istora just fine but would struggle to retrace their steps.

I might need to spend a few days mapping. Once I understand our surroundings a little better, hopefully my Scouting or Survival will provide some insight. For now, I'll focus on the hunting party.

As usual, the trio moved through the undergrowth in relative silence. The lack of small talk wasn't due to fear of attracting predators, merely practicality. A single misstep could mean disaster when hiking through thick brush.

Bruce felt uneasy leaving the comfort of their treehouse village. Still, Sylva assured him there was nothing dangerous living in the area. If anything, wildlife was scarce, thanks to the goblins and the rathemians eating everything edible.

That was a concern given their food supply. Sylva had identified the local plants, and Istora was experimenting with a variety of dishes made from the goblin grass and jungle fare. However, Bruce worried that soon it wouldn't be enough.

The tukuron Sylva sought had an area where it would leave footprints. The size and shape left a trail she could follow, despite the foliage being less dense than usual in the region.

She explained that the animals avoided this patch of forest for some reason, but she wasn’t sure why.

It turned out to be more like an entire hillside that had been burned down.

"This is odd."

They moved through the charred forest, finding large patches of exposed earth.

"You think the monster caused this?"

"No clue," Sylva replied. "Maybe it burned off vegetation so it could reach things to eat?"

As Bruce scanned the area, he felt eyes upon him. He looked over his shoulder but saw nothing. Still, it made the hairs rise on his neck.

It feels like someone—or something—is watching us. Or just me... It doesn't seem hostile, but I've got a weird sense of deja vu. I wonder what that's about?

Despite the unsettling sensation of being observed, it didn't stop Bruce from attempting Piercing Fang. It failed again when he struck a tree, but a moment later, his Skill updated.

Piercing Fang is Level 10. Increase attack speed when aiming at a vital spot by 3.4%. Chance of inflicting bleed effect is +8% if the target suffers a strike to a vital spot. You can inflict a critical wound more easily by targeting vital spots. Critical wounds inflict more damage, may cause negative status effects and debuffs. Bleed effect ticks every five seconds. May cause pain spike debuff which slows movement and inflicts -10% to Dexterity and -5% to Strength.

"Nice! Look at those bonuses," Sylva said.

Istora cheered from her place where she sat weaving more burlap.

"It is pretty useful, though I wish I could practice without having to kill something."

"That seems like something your Goddess should grant you, Jace. I wonder why she didn't?"

He shrugged. "Maybe she thought I was already familiar with how my Maneuvers work. Or that a Champion would use Skills differently from normal people? Either way, it seems she doesn't care what we do for XP—or that's the impression I'm getting from her silence at least."

"Well, not getting any messages or quests from the gods helps, honestly," Sylva said with a grin. "Don't need our heads exploding every time one of those assholes wants us to do something."

Istora grinned back at Sylva. "They probably want us to fight the Fell God because he killed them all once."

Sylva chuckled, leaning in conspiratorially. "And if that wasn't enough, he also took all their money!"

Bruce couldn't help laughing at Istora's confusion. After some explanation of ancient movie references, Istora laughed as well.

Sylva slapped him on the shoulder. "Go give that tukuron a poke. Let's see if you can even land a hit with those moves of yours."

He grinned and put on the leather harness they'd made from rockback tendons and belly plates. The three-quarter turtle-shell shield he secured to his arm was about a foot wider than his shoulders. A rockback shin guard added an extra layer of protection for his forearm. It wouldn't stop anything stronger than a knife thrust, but the thick hide protected his wrist and hand.

With the crude burlap bracer underneath, Bruce didn't worry about getting cut on his own gear.

Not gonna win any cosplay awards, but it will have to do. The idea of getting close to that thing without something to help fend it off still makes me queasy.

It only took a few tries for him to secure his spearhead to a bamboo shaft with a rockback sinew bind. The head remained loose enough for his spear thrusts. Yet, Bruce discovered a drawback—each blow made an audible creak.

"That might give away my attacks," Bruce muttered.

Istora's brows lifted as she tilted her head quizzically. "What? It doesn't sound bad to me."

Bruce blinked and realized she couldn't see the problem. He pulled out his old spear, jabbing at air a few times. "Don't you hear the difference between these?"

Istora frowned and glanced to Sylva for support. "Um... I'm not sure what you're trying to say, Jace. They both sound fine?"

A grin crossed his face as he chuckled. "The difference is obvious to me because I got my Boon from a video game." He tapped his chest with a wink.

"Okay," Sylva responded with a bemused look.

"The wooden shaft made an audible sound, even though we tried binding it tighter. But that's no issue here." Bruce gestured at the wood and bone. "They're silent compared to bamboo. So, the problem is our weapon. We'll need something that makes noise when I jab and thrust. If my spear is dead silent, the tukuron might not sense the attacks."

"Damn. Should have thought of that."

Bruce shrugged. "That's why I'm here. To think of stuff like this."

"So, what do you want to use?" she asked.

"If Istora can help us come up with something to make a stick rattle or clack, that could work."

"Hmm, I am unsure," Istora murmured as she looked at the two. "I'd need a piece of bamboo large enough, but we're running low. It seems like the type of sound needed might be too subtle for your weapon."

"Well, let's just start by making my spear rattler. It shouldn't be hard to test since there will always be some kind of noise when I thrust. You could tie something to a piece of bone or even my hair to make it rattle if needed."

"Alright." Sylva nodded. "You should have plenty of leather to lash it to the shaft, right?"

"Yeah." Bruce tapped the spearhead on his leg. "I can cut off some strips now while you work on my armor. I figure you'll get that finished quicker."

Istora laughed as she ran her tail around Bruce's back, stroking his stomach. "Oh, probably, but if he gets his pants ready now, he won't need to take them off." She winked at Sylva. "And then we could take them off later."

Bruce couldn't help his snort, even as his ears grew warm. "Uh... right, well, in that case..."

The athletic blonde shot him a wry grin before turning and busying herself with his crude leather armor.

Sylva spent a couple days crafting new clothes. He wore nothing besides a ragged loincloth most days. She fashioned him a pair of pants, made from thin, coarsely woven cloth, and a matching shirt. Both looked like something someone might have worn thousands of years ago.

"That's perfect," Bruce said as he took the pants, his cheeks warm. While they'd slept together a few times since she'd arrived, the thought of being mostly naked in front of his former classmate still flustered him.

"It took me three tries to get the length right."

Bruce smiled at her back as he slipped off his loincloth. "At least my tail has its uses."

Sylva shot him an amused smirk over her shoulder.

"Ohh, I love your tail," Istora murmured, her dark eyes following Bruce's movements as he slid on the trousers. "It always feels so good when it brushes against me while we—"

Sylva snorted. "I'll take your word for it, Istora. That part of our anatomy still works like back home." She rolled her eyes. "As someone who didn't lose his virginity until last month, some of us don't want to think about it 24/7."

Istora pouted.

Tail swishing, Bruce turned his attention to the shield. He could tell where they'd messed up during their early attempts, but he appreciated their improvements.

After trying a few basic blocks with the crude wooden sword he'd made, Bruce tested several strikes. The shield was a bit heavy but better than the rockback shell he'd been using.

"The straps we tied around the inside should keep it from slipping loose. I just wish we had metal bolts to hold it together," Sylva muttered, running her finger across a crack in the leather strap holding it together. "We'll need to repair it a few times before it comes apart for good."

Bruce grinned at her. "We can pick up some proper tools and supplies on our way back. Shouldn't be too much of an issue once we return."

"I agree. If there are craftsman selling equipment, there's likely a smith with iron or steel to trade. Not to mention actual pots."

"Aww, but I love my clay pot," Bruce teased, pointing to his oversized bowl. "Such a wonderful jug. I'll always cherish it."

Rolling her eyes, Sylva threw the nearest projectile—an empty leather satchel—at his head. "Oh, shut it. It looks like you found a use for yours. You should have seen Istora try drinking out of it last night. Took her several minutes before figuring out how to tip it."

Istora glared daggers at Sylva before her cheeks warmed. "It... um... it tasted fine though," she mumbled, turning back to her work.

Snickering, Bruce stood and swung the shield around. Its light weight made it simple to use.

"I still think the Greek langets would have worked better than bone pegs, but they'll do," Sylva muttered, inspecting their makeshift metalwork. "The rockback shell is plenty tough and should deflect anything other than a direct hit from a big war hammer or something like that. And since we can repair any cracks..."

"And your enchantments give it an edge against things like claws and fangs," Bruce said, spinning about and taking practice swings with the spear they'd built from a hardened branch. It felt strange using his right hand after so many years of throwing left-handed, but it wasn't as difficult as expected. "Should be pretty effective at blocking or slowing a charging creature."

"Yep. The shield looks heavy, but it's just twenty pounds. Plus, you've got the muscle to shrug off its weight." Sylva frowned, looking between his face and their work. "You sure this is enough for you, Bruce? We're only planning to hunt a large lizard, not some monster dragon, and I'm going to stay out of melee range. You'll have Istora for support. Not sure if I would have suggested it otherwise."

Bruce grimaced. "I get it. When I first started playing games, I hated running around with daggers or a sword in my hands. Never liked the idea of having to be up close and personal in fights. I always picked a ranged class instead. The only time I played melee was when my dad wanted help running his character through dungeons or PvP." He sighed.

"So what changed?" Sylva asked.

"After spending so long locked inside, my physical ability tanked. I could barely make it from my apartment to the market. So I turned to gaming. It was the best workout option I had—at least until that night when the world went mad." He shrugged. "I played as much as I could handle, eventually developing a bit of a warrior's spirit."

Istora giggled as she worked her needle.

He grinned at the catgirl. "What can I say? The classics still hold true."

"True for a barbarian, maybe." She flashed a grin and winked, setting to her work once more.

Sylva snickered, looking up from where she sat next to a stack of turtle scales. They were slowly shaping the armor for Bruce using one of the shields as a pattern. "I'm not too sure how effective a turtle shell will be, but we made several improvements over the Greek versions. Still think it's worth having?"

He shrugged. "Probably. From what we know, it should give me a pretty significant bonus to block an attack without being too heavy or unwieldy to swing a spear. Even if it isn't as good as metal armor, I can't believe there are many warriors around with better protection."

"Yeah, I just wish Istora's ward spell could extend to this thing." Sylva grimaced. "It would have been great if she could have added the protection without having to spend so much energy for something temporary. We might be able to get enough leather to make another breastplate, but that takes time. We've got plenty of scales, but it's not easy to bind them together for the most part."

Istora nodded absently. She'd been distracted and quiet much of the morning. "The best bet is probably to make more like the Greek hoplon. The problem there is weight, and these won't work with Bruce's Maneuvers well. So it comes back to whether a breastplate offers more benefit than a shield."

"True," Bruce replied. He set aside the bone needle he'd made to bind a strap to the back of the turtle-shell shield. "Let's see how it feels. Maybe it will unlock another crafting Achievement and solve that problem."

He grabbed the shield by its sturdy strap and hoisted it over his shoulder. A moment later, he let out a soft whoop. "Hey, look at my stats! It gives a six percent bonus to Block and Melee."

Sylva leaned in to examine the display Bruce showed her, her long ponytail brushing his arm.

Bruce grinned as he glanced at the Interface log.

You're so close you can taste it! Taste, feel, smell... Just a bit more effort will net a serious improvement to your defenses. That extra armor class may be the difference between victory and defeat in battle.

New Achievement: Turtle Man. (III)

You've learned what's most important to a warrior: survival. You'll make an excellent bouncer or door greeter. Keep at it, and one day, you might be as big and powerful as a turtle!

Effect: +20 Physical Defense, +4 Strength.

A wide grin spread over Bruce's face as he studied the Interface's notification. "Hell yeah!"

"So did it unlock?" Sylva asked, leaning over to squint at his eyes.

He chuckled, turning his head toward Istora. She stared at him from where she sat near his other side, but the rathemian didn't appear to be seeing him at all, focused on something deeper in her mind.

The petite woman hadn't taken a nap since yesterday afternoon. The deep bruising had vanished under Istora's renewed care, allowing Sylva to wear pants again. Despite being tired and sore, she insisted she was eager to move ahead with their plan.

Bruce had learned more about their new friend. She was a natural-born ranger, who was blessed by a local deity to guide her through the wilderness.

Sylva had chosen Aspera, but was open to other goddesses when her original failed to offer any boons. It seemed that while Champions were rare, gods appeared eager to acquire followers.

Bruce didn’t understand her situation entirely, but thought the local deities were something like ghosts or disembodied voices in the minds of Champions.

They were willing to grant blessings, but without physical bodies, they couldn't communicate or help beyond providing knowledge. They also lacked any form of empathy, which meant their interactions were strictly transactional.

In theory, there should be powerful gods who ruled over entire worlds, but the only evidence Bruce had seen so far of their presence was the occasional Champion.

The local deities didn't seem able to offer a wide variety of boons, though Bruce wondered if they'd ever heard of an old favorite. Maybe one day he would try to learn how to play a violin or guitar and unlock another power?

Sylva clapped her hands excitedly. "So are we ready to take this tukuron down?"

"Yep," Bruce replied, lifting up his improvised stone spear. His first effort had broken apart during testing. Now, he carried a three-and-a-half foot length of sharpened rockback shell with a cordage wrap for balance. Sylva had fashioned a sturdy wooden shaft that allowed him to swing it like an axe or thrust it at a target.

Istora offered Bruce an approving grin as she finished rolling a pair of pants she'd fashioned from thick leaves. Her tail swept over her head to caress the back of his neck. She'd been quieter than usual the past few days, but given what they were about to do, he didn't blame her.

Still, seeing the rathemian's excitement made him wonder. What's got her so enthusiastic? It feels strange. Istora's normally more pessimistic. He shook the thought aside as she spoke.

"Here you go. These should fit perfectly, and they're much thicker than I usually make for me."

Bruce thanked her before donning the pants, finding them almost baggy. Yet when he stepped into a patch of sunlight, the light brown material shone green as the weave reflected the light. "Well, that should help keep me hidden while we hunt."

They'd spent hours experimenting with the rockback fibers. The rough strands resisted shaping at first, but Istora explained that most spiderwebs held some natural oil that kept everything soft. Once Sylva suggested trying a fire pit to smoke and boil them, things began going much better.

Now the fiber they produced resembled coarsely woven burlap.

Istora had also used a bit of magic to enchant several pieces of clothing so they wouldn't rip apart at a moment's notice. Bruce wore a crude tunic of sorts under a simple vest made from the thick shell.

The shield turned out surprisingly well. He'd expected a turtle shell to be weaker when drilled for holes, but apparently, its integrity was far more robust than a standard leather shield.

He accepted Sylva's gift, finding that its weight wasn't too bothersome once his Strength grew high enough. When he activated Piercing Fang, he discovered his arm didn't tire as easily. Bruce suspected the combination of a shield and his own physical stats would allow him to deflect blows more effectively.

Sylva nodded as he took the shield. "There we go."

"I think this will work great. We're ready to hunt this tukuron then?" he asked.

His companion flashed an eager grin. "Yeah. Let's get our new armor before it takes some hunter out there in the wilds and costs us hundreds of crystals. Hopefully, those crafters have your gear ready."

The last couple days had been devoted to experimenting with other projects.

Bruce had taken the rockback shell and broken down one side to create a rough shield. He'd made it simple since Sylva didn't trust him with the tools to carve a true boss from stone. It was shaped roughly like a broad, squat teardrop. The shield measured three feet wide at its widest point, narrowing down to a foot at the bottom edge.

He'd reinforced the edge with strips of hardened hide, wrapping around its curved rim to improve durability. Then, they'd added a wood handle that ran across the back side to protect his hand and wrist.

The shield weighed around twenty pounds—just heavy enough to be distracting but light enough that his current Strength let him wield it easily.

Bruce reached out to accept the shield and found it almost identical to the turtle shield he'd once used in an RPG, albeit simpler. The shield lacked a boss, and instead of leather wraps, Sylva had affixed rockback plates. It had a smooth curve and the wooden grip along the back wasn't wrapped with protective rings or studded with nails. But overall, it proved effective.

Sylva beamed at Bruce's praise. She turned to the other two. "This might not hold up against an actual weapon, but I doubt anyone on this world will have armor or weaponry that'll threaten Jace's defenses."

Bruce lifted the shield before him, testing its heft. While he still had to practice, the familiar motions came easy. His football coach had taught the basic fundamentals for using a shield back when he played high school ball. And if video games had taught Bruce anything, it was the value of proper gear and a bit of teamwork. He turned to Sylva and Istora. "Well, you guys did good work, but that doesn't mean we should underestimate our quarry."

"I-it won't," Istora murmured.

Istora seemed worried about something all week, but no matter how many times Bruce asked what was wrong, she claimed to be fine. After a moment, she turned and smiled. "We should head out as soon as possible."

The tukuron lived north of their camp, deeper into the forest. Sylva knew where it nested thanks to her tracking skills. Despite their efforts, they'd barely been able to craft anything resembling leather armor for either of them. It took hours of work each day. Even with his new Strength score, Bruce's dexterity left a lot to be desired, making his crafting slower than Sylva's.

They finally settled on reinforcing a leather coat of sorts for Bruce by adding rockback plates. The thick hide would protect him from most blows. He could only hope it would stand up to the beast. Sylva wore her usual mix of furs, and Istora's robe covered most of her fur-covered skin.

After finishing, Sylva spent a few hours teaching Bruce and Istora survival skills.

It felt a little absurd given his former profession, but it made sense. There wasn’t much need to know about wilderness navigation and survival in a city.

Sylva walked them through everything from identifying tracks to basic traps that might slow their quarry down. She also shared various tricks she'd picked up over her time in the Amazon, and Bruce couldn't help but laugh at her tale of how to identify which vines were edible.

"Oh yeah! I forgot about that!" He turned to Istora. "The vine she means grows in a pattern like a spiderweb."

Sylva grinned as he continued.

"Well, if you chew a bite of vine and it tastes bitter, toss it. If it tastes sweet, keep chewing, and you've got something tasty to eat."

Istora looked skeptical, eyes flicking between the two. "But we might get poisoned from eating some random plant. Why bother with something so inefficient?"

Sylva sighed, shaking her head. "Not every day I meet a person who isn't aware of that little survival tip."

"Rathemia wasn't a land full of plants. It was mostly mountains, rocky fields, and ruins."

The athletic woman nodded slowly. "Right. Anyway, I used to go on jungle treks all the time and picked up that trick. If your clothing is wet, you can use moss to absorb water. That stuff grows just about everywhere, so I figured it was worth a shot." She shrugged. "Didn't hurt anything to try it out."

His leather jacket now worn underneath a new shirt, Bruce accepted the crude shield. Istora had crafted straps from tukuron skin to hold the piece in place over his left forearm. With the help of a cordage-covered stick and rockback plates, it was almost functional.

As Bruce moved about, Sylva followed, carefully eyeballing the work. Once again, they'd used their limited tools and resources to create something viable. The weight distribution still needed fine tuning, but their second iteration of a turtle shell shield would offer at least some protection.

If all goes well, I can unlock better techniques with more crafting and improve the design. We'll need it if we end up fighting other people in the future.

"I'm impressed. That design should work pretty well." Sylva flashed a crooked smile. "You know, back home, they always made leather shields for movie extras with the straps facing inward to make them look more realistic. I thought it was kind of silly when I learned the reason. Apparently, those straps were actually necessary. Not sure why, but this reminds me of it."

"Yeah, I know what you mean," Bruce said. "And maybe that's why it worked but it wasn't effective? Or whatever the hell phrase they used."

He experimented with swinging the shield around a bit. They'd opted for something more functional than beautiful, drilling holes to attach a pair of stoneback shell pieces as handgrips and adding cordage to hold everything together. The whole thing had more than enough weight and strength to be practical.

When he tested its sturdiness, the edge clacked against a fallen log nearby. The shield showed zero damage, though the log had a visible indent from where it struck.

Istora approached. Her fingers drifted across the tough material. "That looks like it'll work really well. Though it might be even better if you can add some rockback plates for extra protection?"

"I'd love to, but we haven't seen any rockbacks for a while," Bruce replied, shaking his head.

"Yeah, it's hard to catch one unawares." Sylva frowned. "But at least we've got plenty of shell and shell shards in case we run into another one. If I remember right, they don't live long, right? We'll probably see one later on our hunting trip."

"Hopefully soon." Bruce smiled, then glanced between them. "Anything else we need to do before heading out?"

Sylva's eyes shifted as she considered, and she turned to glance toward Istora. "I'd say your gear is mostly ready, Jace."

The smaller woman nodded, her tendrils flitting wildly as she looked to her partner. "Mmmm, there should be enough food here for now, but Riste needs to take more of our plants. I'll prepare the seedpods tonight and put them away in the treehouse. You might be gone a few days, so she'll need more than usual."

"Right." Bruce turned to Sylva. "We can make baskets from reeds after you're done with the shield."

They returned their focus to crafting, and before long, they had everything prepared. The morning of the tukuron hunt arrived.

Bruce had to admit he was excited. As useful as his new Attributes were, he hadn't had a chance to test them out properly since arriving.

Before setting out, Sylva asked if he'd made any more progress with his power. He sighed and shook his head, then frowned at the Interface and thought back to their prior attempts to activate Striking Serpent without targets.

Maneuver Name: Striking Serpent (Tier I)

Mana Cost: 25

Activation Time: Instant

Range: Short

Movement Modifier: 1.3x (Left arm)

Cast Time: 1s

Recast: 20s

Mana Cost: 24 SE

Effect: A simple wooden bar runs perpendicular across the back of the shield, providing a solid handhold for striking blows and keeping your other hand free. The thick piece of wood gives this shield excellent sturdiness. The rockback shell provides good protection for this small buckler.

Sylva grinned as they walked to a nearby meadow where he could practice with his spear.

Despite a week of crafting, Bruce felt far from an expert knapper, but his weapon had progressed. He had carved the point from the rockback tooth and created a socket using the stone he knew would spark. Using vines and cordage, he lashed the shaft to the end and then carefully wrapped leather scraps around it to create a decent grip.

As expected, he gained an Achievement, though they still didn't know what it did. Bruce tried a few swings, but without any enemies to attack, his skills were on display for everyone to see. The blade was sharp enough to cut air, and he made a solid impact against a thick-barked tree. His Strength and Agility seemed to do little to aid him in his clumsy attempt.

The shield, on the other hand, was well crafted. The heavy plank and its attached handle were stable when he held it out. Despite knowing it probably wouldn’t protect him from any real attack, it seemed solid.

They returned to the treehouse in the evening. They didn't want to delay and decided to travel to Kusnou before tackling the tukuron hunt. It was a few days away, and they could stock up and sell meat if they needed extra supplies.

The forest was far from hostile, but Sylva wanted to test his combat ability against a few goblins. She'd taken some convincing to even consider letting the creatures get close. Her first arrows missed.

Bruce's reflexes with Piercing Fang seemed decent as he dodged the green creatures. Still, with no real training to speak of, he wasn’t capable of putting it to much use.

Istora joined the hunt. The petite shaman's magic proved useful for keeping the beasts at bay. Yet, the lack of a ranged attack meant Sylva remained on edge. The goblins could only be considered a success once Bruce slew them with a thrown spear, but the achievement and SE were nice.

He unlocked another Achievement by crafting an effective backpack. His first attempt had been too small and cumbersome to actually carry anything. With Istora and Sylva guiding him, he completed an upgrade using bamboo struts and a large patch of leather. The result seemed sturdy enough.

While Bruce focused on his own stats and equipment, Istora and Sylva helped themselves, as well as others. Sylva gained her own Strength and Agility boosts from unlocking a few Maneuvers using spears he created. She tested the powers when sparring with Bruce or practicing with her bow. He learned to respect her raw talent.

The tall woman would've had a hard time handling herself in a swordfight, but even back when they first met, she'd been far more skilled than he'd given her credit for. While not capable of acrobatic flips and the like, Sylva moved with impressive quickness. In the week of training, she grew steadily more precise with her motions.

They practiced together, working to coordinate while using their weapons and maneuvers. Sylva proved better able to dodge Bruce's lunges despite her slower speed. It was like comparing a defensive end to a wide receiver. When facing either, a quarterback wouldn’t have much hope of completing a pass if the defensive player were closer. Still, she lacked the strength to easily overpower him.

When sparring, Bruce found his Maneuvers helpful, and Sylva had to move cautiously. Even so, she kept trying new tricks he hadn’t anticipated. Her footwork and flexibility let her duck and weave, even in close.

They didn't land many blows during their duels. Neither wanted to risk hurting the other and were tentative as they practiced. But once their stats rose, they could trust in their bodies' durability to avoid pulling punches.

On a whim, Bruce tested Striking Serpent against one of the rockback turtles. The creature died instantly when the blow struck. A quick check of the Interface confirmed he'd acquired thirty SE.

Istora was thrilled at Bruce's improvement. She cuddled up to him each night, her tail often stroking places that made it difficult to get much rest. She seemed desperate to prove he was her chosen. Yet, Bruce could see the way Sylva looked at him whenever she thought no one was looking. The tall woman had grown far quieter over the past week.

It felt like I was leading her on, but it isn't like we have much in the way of time or privacy. Istora isn't jealous of Nat, either, even with how openly affectionate she's been. I don't know what the hell to do about this.

By the third day, they were almost ready to go on the hunt. Their preparations complete, Bruce approached Nibbler.

"Okay, Nibbler. We've been trying to decide if it'd be smarter to stay or not." Bruce paused, staring at the chubby green monster. "We think there's a good chance you could keep any threat from messing with our stuff while we're gone."

"Yes," the diminutive creature barked, eyes wide as he bounced on his stubby legs. His ears perked up as he looked at Bruce hopefully.

Bruce nodded, looking at Nibbler skeptically.

The creature has gotten far too smart...

Istora and Sylva both laughed when Nibbler leaped onto the shield, clinging to it like a child climbing on an adult's back.

Sylva patted his head with a smirk. "Don't know if I like your choice of armor, but it could work. That thing is pretty tough. You might not get any Maneuvers benefits though."

Bruce shrugged. "If I had a piece of proper metal armor, maybe. Still, I don't want to waste time or SE to craft some when we could buy decent equipment for far less trouble. This works, and as long as I stay out of reach, it'll protect me. We need to get going before someone else kills the tukuron. Besides, Istora promised she'd give us an enchantment for my spear to make it stronger and sharper."

He looked up from fiddling with his improvised shield and glanced at Istora. "Right?"

She grinned, nodding excitedly. "Yep! I'm almost done weaving a ward on this pair of pants, but then I need to cast that spell. So, you guys should head out soon."

Sylva smirked. "I'd love to see your face if you try fighting without something to protect you."

"You just want to get away from pottery duty," Bruce teased.

"Maybe, but that doesn't mean I don't want to survive, too. That thing's supposed to be really dangerous, right?" Sylva asked, looking at Istora.

The blue-skinned woman nodded. "Yes. From what Riste said, it'll take several arrows to do any damage. If we can lure it in close, you won't need to waste any."

"Good. And if I do, it'll mean even more money for us to buy proper gear. Though, once you learn those spells, you could join the party instead of just support," Sylva suggested.

Istora shook her head. "There's only so much magic I can weave in a day, and Jace is our best combatant. You can fire off four or five attacks in the time it would take him to hit one or two with his spear. I'll do my best to keep you both safe."

Sylva frowned thoughtfully, nodding as her gaze wandered to her enchanted bow. "I've been thinking. When we sell the meat and hide, maybe we should look into getting me a gun?"

Bruce grimaced at her suggestion. "Guns? Here?"

She shot him an exasperated scowl. "You really think something this ridiculous isn't happening elsewhere? Weird things happen to people all the time. The question is whether I can get something that works."

"If it's not working, can you even enchant it?" Bruce asked, turning to Istora.

She shrugged. "Don't know. Probably not without special materials. I remember someone from my city being able to weave a spell to make the powder work again if a gun breaks, but only if the damage wasn't too bad."

"That doesn't solve the issue of us being in a world where metal objects disappear if we don't use them soon," Bruce pointed out.

Istora scowled, then shrugged. "Well, until that happens, why don't we try something else? If it breaks or gets damaged, the wood might still be useful to craft with, and you'll have the material to make a new shield, assuming Riste hasn't already found one."

"I did see a good shield earlier this week. I was waiting to ask Nibbler's horde to hunt it. Didn't think it was worth the risk to let them practice," Sylva admitted. "This is our first big monster kill. I want to make sure they can follow instructions and not run away at the wrong time."

"They are very brave," Istora added.

Bruce looked down at the wooden shield and shrugged. "Well, I'm pretty used to using a shield, so hopefully, that helps with training. Can't hurt to try."

After they'd finished working on the shield, Bruce took it to the central clearing to test his Maneuvers against trees. The turtle shell deflected the occasional strike well enough, but wood and leather were definitely the better materials for the task. He practiced until both his arm and Shield Mastery gained a level.

As Bruce tested his spear's new stone point against his shield, Sylva called out to him. "Hey, we've got a problem. Come see!"

He rushed back to where they'd built the shelter for his nighttime excursions.

Sylva crouched by the door. When he came over, she pointed inside. "What happened? Where'd your stash go?"

Bruce stared into the empty building, feeling numb. How many tools and pieces of wood did he have stored inside? All gone.

"Is this because we took stuff to make the shield?" he asked.

Sylva shook her head with a grimace. "It hasn't just happened in here, Jace."

She led him to several other crude sheds they used for storage, only to find everything missing.

"How'd you find this?" Bruce asked as they returned.

She pointed down toward where Sylva's bed was hidden from sight by foliage. "A few things fell over, including some of those baskets you made. So I came over to clean up and check it out. Found that when I got close."

With a worried frown, Bruce picked up the small stack of tools Sylva had dropped when finding the empty building. After she stored the rest of them, they walked back toward the fire circle. "The stash was hidden enough that if someone wandered through, they'd have had a hard time spotting it unless they stumbled across it like you did."

"Yeah, I didn't want it lying out in the open, but I don't mind being seen working on things, so..." Sylva shrugged.

Bruce took a deep breath. He couldn't help but feel like he should have noticed it missing. Or at the very least been aware of the thief's presence.

That feeling is paranoia talking, though. We've all been working and watching for threats to our camp, and these thieves could easily sneak in during the night. And there could be dozens of possible reasons someone might steal everything. Hell, we even suspected there were other humans in the area.

Istora placed a paw on his shoulder and smiled. "It'll be okay, Jace. Even if that happened, there's still plenty of stuff left."

Sylva nodded. "Yeah. There's plenty of food stocked up, and none of it can be used by most people here. It's probably a prank or something—someone trying to scare us off the island. Whoever it was will probably come back soon and apologize. I wouldn't worry about it too much."

Tail swishing slowly, Istora tilted her head as she gazed down at him with concern. "Jace...do you hear that? It sounds like—"

An ominous rumble filled the air.

Something large crashed through the forest. The ground shook as though from an earthquake. Sylva cursed as she fell over, dropping the shield.

"Get under cover!" Bruce shouted, sprinting for the closest treehouse. He didn't pause as he reached the lowest branches. Instead, Bruce launched himself into a mad leap that carried him onto the treehouse. It groaned beneath his weight as Bruce grabbed onto the edge with one hand. His other arm still held the shield.

Istora followed close behind, leaping up without missing a beat, while Sylva used the branch stairs.

Bruce turned in time to see a massive serpent slither toward their village. It was at least six feet across, with brown scales and an arrow-shaped head. Each flick of its tongue was the size of a horse.

This wasn't just any monster. A name floated above its head.

Serpent. Level 5.

Its body seemed to flow over obstacles, easily dodging every tree and obstacle in the forest as it came. A long row of fins ran down its back, and the beast's mouth opened wider than Istora's.

"I'm not sure this thing is like a snake," Bruce said. "What is a giant worm doing here?"

Istora shrugged, her tail wrapping around his leg. "I-It's definitely a serpent of some kind, but... yeah, that thing has way too many legs."

"Whatever it is, we can't fight that thing without magic. We need to run!" Sylva said.

Hefting the crude turtle shield on his arm, Bruce backed away, trying to stay between the monster and his friends. He was still unarmored—they didn't dare waste leather on a prototype—and knew his strength wasn't enough to block many blows.

This thing was far larger than any serpent he'd ever seen, its head easily twice the size of an elephant. A row of fins down its back rippled with color as they ran. And despite Sylva's insistence that it was some sort of giant centipede, dozens of legs scuttled along the sand as it pursued them.

Each impact of its huge body made the ground quake like an earthquake, but Bruce had finally found a Maneuver that lived up to its name.

The serpentine monster snapped at Bruce, but he ducked behind his shield, bracing with his legs. The impact felt like a freight truck crashing into his arm, knocking him backward. The shield held though, taking the majority of the force without so much as a crack.

Bruce's feet dug furrows in the dirt, carving a path along the beach. Only then did he notice his position and how close he'd come to falling into the surf. He glanced over at his allies, spotting Sylva hiding up in a nearby tree. Istora was already hidden in her bush-like illusion, which she now cast in under ten seconds.

A massive set of teeth crashed together inches from his face, and Bruce reflexively brought his shield down onto the creature's head. His weapon bounced off, doing little damage.

With his new shield proving itself, Bruce shifted tactics.

"Come on, you ugly lizard," he taunted, moving back toward the forest. "Is that all you've got?"

The giant centipede hissed as it pursued, its huge mouth opening wide again.

This time, Bruce had no trouble deflecting the blow, shoving the impact away with his shield.

I should try to name it at some point. Calling it just 'the monster' gets repetitive. Maybe something like... Hissy Fit? That doesn't sound too tough, though. I'll have to think on it.

His second maneuver activated flawlessly, launching him across the sand. He slammed into the creature's head, the impact jarring him, but not as severely as he'd expected. Bruce grabbed his gladius, driving it into the rockback's neck before backpedaling.

Istora hurried over to cast her magic.

Bruce felt a familiar warmth spread throughout his body—the effect of the Healing spell.

"That went well," he said, glancing toward Sylva. She stood in the doorway to their newest shelter, her bronze skin shimmering in the sunlight.

Even clad in burlap, the athletic woman remained a stunning sight.

"Thanks!" Sylva flashed a bright grin. "What next?"

Bruce shrugged. "I was thinking about trying my Maneuvers on a smaller target like a bird or something. You've caught some fish already, and I think we should see if my Maneuvers work again. Once that's done, I suppose we need to head to Kusnou. That way, we can pick up the supplies we need. If anyone has an issue with it, I doubt they'll be too difficult to intimidate."

A wicked grin spread across Sylva's face. "So I just need to hit something?"

He nodded, raising his shield to protect his head and chest.

The athletic woman launched off the ground, twisting her torso. She delivered a mighty kick to his shield. The impact slammed the sturdy wood into his forearms, sending Bruce tumbling to the ground.

Laughing, he clambered to his feet. "Yup. It works! Let me try Piercing Fang on you. And give it all you've got, Riste."

Sylva flashed him a toothy smile and sprinted to attack, leaping at the last moment to slam her sandaled feet into his shield. The force of her impact sent Bruce backward again, yet his stance held.

"Hell yeah!" Bruce cheered, holding up his shield. Then he laughed. "Not bad for a gamer nerd who spent high school playing football rather than learning anything cool. Or, as I think of it, the only worthwhile sport. We can practice this some more later, but we've got places to go and people to see."

"It looks great." Sylva gave him a quick thumbs-up. "The shield does what it's supposed to. You have a proper base of defenses now. The rest will just come with practice and more training. I'm glad I won't need to protect you."

Istora let out a squeak as he turned toward her. She wore a shy grin and held up a pair of baggy pants made from burlap. The seams were loose and frayed, and she looked a tad unsure.

"Oh, thanks! This is great, Istora. Can't believe I'm still running around in a loincloth. Well, the pants are better suited for battle anyway. It'd suck if something hit me right in the ass. And my loincloth might fly off. Who knows where that thing might end up? Some poor person might trip over it at best. In battle, they could impale themselves and die or, even worse, get stuck wearing it. And that would be awful."

"Y-yes," she murmured, eyes shifting away as her cheeks heated. "Though, not terrible if it ends up like that."

Bruce's brows shot up, and he glanced at Sylva, who shrugged. He couldn't resist the obvious bait and cleared his throat. "Why don't you explain your train of thought a bit more, Istora?"

She froze for a second before shooting a shy look up at him. "Well, Riste's cute... and her tail seems like it would make a good accessory."

Istora squeaked when Sylva swatted her rear with said tail. Then she flashed a teasing smile and went back to weaving.

"Anyway!" Sylva blurted, glancing toward Bruce. "What do you think of the shield? It isn't going to be the most effective against some of the stronger foes we'll face, but it could help prevent serious wounds from something weaker. Or reduce a wound's severity, depending on where it hits you."

Sylva gave Bruce another one-eyed wink and smirked. He wasn't sure what was stranger—having someone flirting with him while he was in a relationship or that person having four eyes.

I really don't want to know if she has another pair under those bandages. That'd just be wrong.

Bruce shrugged off the thought and raised the shield. The smooth inner curve felt oddly comfortable against his arm. "Yeah, I'll still take an impact like a punch to the gut. Not much that will stop that, no matter how tough a shell is. Still, this definitely improves it."

"What do you think, Istora? Could Jace wield one of these in battle?" Sylva asked.

Istora blinked up at him, then focused on the shield. She bit her lower lip, thinking it over. "I'm not sure. If it hit something weak, the impact might kill whatever it strikes." Her eyes narrowed, glancing at the edge of the shield's rim. "Couldn't you strike with the top too? Or angle your arm down so you catch the attacker's arm instead of the middle?"

"Yep," Bruce said. "The design of a medieval kite shield gave me the idea, but Greek hoplites often used shorter, circular shields in battle. So yeah. It'd probably deflect an arrow easily enough. Not sure how well it'll fare against a charging orc though."

Sylva shook her head, dark green hair waving about. "Orcs don't seem common around here. The stories say they inhabit more remote lands to the northwest and southwest. You'd have to meet a group on expedition or during a raid. Or stumble across some ancient dungeon. I wonder what would happen if we got inside one?"

Bruce laughed. "Hopefully, the magic of an ancient dungeon wouldn't try to wipe us all out like a deadly video game tutorial. I could do without that particular adventure."

Istora nodded vigorously, looking like an anxious bobblehead.

Sylva grinned as she looked between her friends. "Yep, not even mentioning the countless stories about adventurers being slain by traps or summoned minions before they even reach the Boss. Let's skip the obligatory dungeon dive and head straight to the big game hunting, eh?"

"It'd be nice if things were just like a fantasy story for once," Istora said. She finished knotting a rope to the last belt, then turned and began threading it through several slots carved in the rear of the shield. Once that was done, she tied off the remaining length to form a makeshift strap so he could sling it across his back.

Sylva held the shield, still grinning. "Well, here goes nothing." She passed the shield over to Bruce.

Bruce accepted it from her, examining the completed product. He raised an eyebrow at Sylva.

It consisted of a rockback kite shield strapped to a curved wooden armature to stabilize it and add a bit of lift.

The shield measured roughly three feet in height and four feet in length and curved outward, coming to a point at its bottom.

While nowhere near the size and weight of a medieval shield, the wood and armor plate would likely prove sufficient to block an attack. And Sylva had carved handholds near the edge for better gripping.

The only real problem was the weight. Even with both arms, it pulled against him, making it difficult to hold up.

And while Sylva insisted the shape would keep him from getting his arm broken easily, she acknowledged that a direct hit would still be painful.

Bruce gave her a thumbs up and took a step back from her.

Sylva held the makeshift spear out to him. "I've got to hand it to you. You've come a long way with this."

He laughed as he accepted the stone spearhead. A cordage wrapping around the base kept it wedged atop a straight and sturdy shaft, and an additional layer bound everything together so the entire weapon wouldn't fall apart at the first hit.

"Well, even a monkey could have carved this by now, though I'm far from done learning," Bruce replied, then turned and set the shield against a tree stump to tie the new spear to it.

As soon as Bruce's hands left it, the shield slumped forward like a sleeping dog, but he was confident it would remain tied when fighting.

"We could carve some notches in the shell so you can tie it to the handle as well," Sylva said.

He grinned and gave her a nod, but she only rolled her eyes at him.

"Don't worry, I'll help. We both know your knot skills are subpar. Now, if you want to tie something fun..." Sylva trailed off and laughed when he shook his head at her.

The shield measured roughly one-hundred-twenty-five centimeters from rim to outer edge and weighed almost thirty pounds. While nowhere near as heavy as a medieval kite shield, it made an excellent buckler-sized alternative. It also felt sturdier than Sylva's earlier attempts. The curved sides provided solid protection and helped stabilize it.

It reminded him of the sort of small buckler a Greek warrior might have carried. He gripped the handhold and swung it experimentally a few times.

And while he wasn't eager to let this tukuron get too close, he had to admit the shield offered far better defense against a massive lizard than the oversized board he'd fought the basilisk with.

At first, Sylva had wanted to craft an armored version like Bruce's new bracers, but their experiments revealed the rockback plates would not survive even a single hit. The hard scales could hold their shape without breaking, but it wouldn't offer any more protection than the original shell.

So they focused on weight instead and built the handhold into the shield so Bruce could wear it. It didn't fit well, and they couldn't do anything about that until they returned from hunting the tukuron. Still, the shield worked pretty well for its intended purpose.

"Alright, you ready to make some monster hunting history?" Sylva asked with a wide grin.

Bruce smiled back. "Nope! Not even a little bit. But I'd rather tackle the threat here than wait around to see what else this world might throw at us."

The petite woman's grin faltered, then she punched Bruce hard in the shoulder. "That's the spirit! Though, maybe a little less pessimism and more hope, hmm? We really can do this!"

He gave her a sheepish smile, nodding.

She wasn't wrong. Even without the others, Bruce and Sylva together could take down a large predator easily enough. With Istora offering support, they would decimate most monsters.

"I wish the rest were coming too," Istora whispered, eyes turned away as she tied the front of his new canvas pants shut with cordage. "They'll miss all the fun."

Sylva snorted and nudged him playfully. "Right? It'll be so boring out here with only the three of us."

With a laugh, he turned his attention back to the shield. The rim had come in handy when fighting the rockback and made it easy to brace against impacts. Though, he knew that was less about his choice and more thanks to the massive strength of their chosen beast.

The center had taken considerable work to remove the meat sack from, leaving the surface rough. To his surprise, that actually proved useful once he strapped the shield onto his forearm. Each scale felt like a little barb anchoring it in place, keeping it from slipping out of position.

"This will definitely work, Riste. You guys did awesome."

Istora squealed excitedly and hugged his waist, leaning her cheek against his chest. Her tail slid across his stomach, stroking him through his pants.

"W-we're not done yet, Jace. We've got something for your spear too. Do you think that'll help?"

Bruce laughed, stroking Istora's hair tenderly. "Yeah, that'll work great."

Sylva nodded but then frowned down at their new canvas pants and shirt. He knew exactly why since she'd voiced her concern before. While the clothes had looked alright at first glance, wear was already beginning to show. Bruce couldn't imagine what a few days in the jungle would do to them, nor what other dangers they'd face.

It bothered him too, but there wasn't much choice. The only animal worth hunting around the island was the rockback, and none of them were confident about tackling one until they had better equipment and a plan.

The three of them went hunting several times without any luck finding prey. They ran across more rockbacks than anything else and soon began avoiding those monsters.

A large cat had stalked them during one patrol of the nearby woodland, but the beast gave them a wide berth once it realized how outnumbered it was.

Bruce took hold of the hide strap and lifted the new shield. To his surprise, the turtle-shell design worked well, with enough weight to absorb impacts but light enough to remain manageable.

A series of leather straps connected the center of the curved plate to a grip. It allowed Bruce to easily secure the shield against his arm with a quick snap of the wrist.

Holding it against his chest as he crouched to avoid being knocked out by its rim, he activated Piercing Fang. It was the maneuver they had decided would work best as his opener if the tukuron attacked.

He focused inward on a single thread of SE, directing it toward his core before channeling it outward in a sharp surge. His hand struck the edge of the shield, sending an odd ripple down its length. For an instant, a faint line of violet light traced the edge of the shell.

It might not hurt the beast much, but I should at least be able to activate it if the creature attacks me. Not sure if I should aim for its eyes or mouth with this maneuver, but we'll figure it out.

A series of excited trills sounded behind him as Nibbler waddled over and examined the shield, sniffing the metal-rimmed turtle shell.

Bruce handed it to him with a chuckle.

The fluffy, six-foot-tall ape took the shield in his hairy paws and studied it curiously. He seemed unsure how to hold the turtle shell as he tried to mirror what Bruce had done. It was clear enough that Nibbler didn't have much idea of how to use a weapon or shield, yet he wanted to join the hunt for the tukuron as well.

After several tries, he mimicked Bruce and secured the straps so the shell was positioned against his arm and chest. A series of chattering squawks sounded as he danced around in a circle before handing the shield back.

Bruce laughed as he passed the weapon back to Sylva.

A grin split her face as she tossed him the spear.

His new weapon was similar to the stone-tipped spears that had unlocked another Achievement earlier in the week. The spearhead was acazite, an alloy of iron and other metals mined deep within the Kusnou Mountain Range. He could tell by how light it was, despite being nearly twice the width and length of his previous version. It was well balanced and the smooth edges seemed sharp enough to cut leather. The tip was triangular with a small gap where it joined the wooden shaft.

The acazite alloy was worth the price Sylva had spent as its weight and strength would improve its effectiveness, even if his Strength Attribute remained far weaker than hers. It would likely help him avoid any penalties for wielding a non-ideal weapon too.

He examined the spear again and grinned, realizing just what his allies had done. Bruce laughed and flashed Sylva and Istora a thumbs up.

They had taken an old leather sling strap from one of the abandoned packs in their initial raid on the cave. Its frayed ends were still stained dark with dried blood from when the previous owner had been injured. Now it held the new spear in place behind his shoulder.

Its design was crude compared to modern creations, but the result worked much as he expected. Two pieces of rockback shell formed its main frame, each piece a mirror of the other that flared out to cover his lower back and part of his thigh. A second leather band ran up to the turtle shell on his chest, providing a cross strap that would lock the shield in position.

Sylva stood back, examining them both with an appraising eye. Her face was split by a wide smile as she gestured at Bruce. He had stripped down to a pair of burlap shorts.

His newly chiseled abs looked impressive enough to make his football coach proud. And his biceps were nearly twice the size they had been only a few days before. He knew without a shadow of doubt that his stats had made the growth possible.

And the Interface confirmed his improved physique with an update.

─ Name: Bruce Asenguard

─ Title: None

─ Age: 19

─ Level: 3

─ Class: Pathless Warrior

─ Branch Skills: Brawling - Rank II

─ General Skills: None

─ Boons: Analyze (A Boon granted by Aspera, Goddess of Knowledge)

─ Path Skills: Combat Assessment (Unranked)

─ Maneuvers: Striking Serpent (Novice), Piercing Fang (Novice)

─ Attributes:

─ Health: 460

─ Mana: 360

─ Stamina: 590

The Interface offered no clues regarding the specific values required for each type of armor to count toward protection. They hoped this combination would help mitigate the penalties for improperly crafted equipment.

It wasn't exactly like the shields he was accustomed to. The wooden handle was positioned off-center with a leather shoulder strap to hold the turtle shell firmly against his body. Still, Bruce managed to swing his arm freely without dislodging the makeshift buckler. He'd need time to get used to the weight, but it should work.

"Good, we'll make a fighter of you yet," Sylva said with a grin, patting him on the shoulder. "I hope my sword comes back soon. A warrior and a paladin is a classic combo."

Istora looked up from her task. "You're a p-paladin too?"

"No, I'm a champion. It's not quite the same, but I received Aspera's Boon just like Bruce did."

"Yours is different than his."

"Is it? How do you figure?"

The young alien smiled, tendrils rippling as she shrugged. "Your body gives off an aura like Jace does. His shines from him and makes him visible to the unseen eye. Yours is more subtle but still noticeable if you look closely."

Bruce stared at Istora. "Are you saying there are hidden Attributes I can't see with the Interface?"

"Oh, no. Not at all." Istora flashed a shy smile. "I'm not talking about an Ability. This is different. Like a quality in people who have been Bound to the Goddesses." She shrugged.

Bruce had no clue what the Rathemian meant. And her ability to see his stats was still weird. "Well, so long as Riste's invisible to enemies, then that should make things easier. Speaking of, I'd like to hear more about your Champion stuff."

Sylva turned, her dark skin shimmering slightly in the sunlight. It was hard to pin down precisely, but somehow, she looked different. He blinked, then shook off the sense that something wasn't quite right with her appearance. Maybe her hair is brighter than before?

Istora smiled warmly. "Yeah, it should. I'll need to cast another spell for you tonight. We don't want any nastiness crawling over you tomorrow night."

"Good call. Though, if we can't hunt until the second day, it'll delay our journey," Bruce said.

"That's fine. More time to finish preparing will be useful. But it looks like we're ready, at least. I doubt my bowstring will last more than a day or two more," Sylva said, rubbing her fingers against the tightly wrapped leather.

Istora stood up and placed a hand on her shoulder. The athletic woman flinched away. "Ah! Jeez. Your hands are so damn cold!"

"Sorry," she said, pulling back. "I should try to fix that."

"Don't bother. You can't stop your body from absorbing magic, and it won't help with a temporary problem," Bruce said. He'd noticed she didn't have any issues holding hot cups and hadn't given it any thought until Sylva's comment.

Her skin had an even warmer hue and looked more saturated in color since they arrived. Sylva appeared as vibrant as ever, but the change still stood out to him.

It reminded Bruce of looking through a camera with different filters. She always looked gorgeous, but now something extra drew his gaze to her whenever she passed by.

Bruce tried to chalk up the shift in Sylva's appearance to spending too much time in the sun. Or maybe he was just used to seeing her in the same old clothes day after day. Though the fact that neither Istora or he had any reaction to it bothered him.

As much as he'd grown accustomed to Istora's unusual appearance, he should at least get some sense of unease when Sylva's hair shifted between shades of black, red, blue, and green. He'd even seen her dark brown skin shimmer a bright orange one afternoon. And then there was the subtle shift to her frame.

Something about Sylva wasn't quite right, but neither he nor Istora thought it merited concern. The whole situation left him scratching his head.

With a grin, Bruce slung his bamboo spear over his shoulder and hefted the shield in his free hand. It was heavier than expected but lighter than he imagined a wooden version would be. The outer shell remained intact, leaving the tough inside flesh of the turtle exposed, and he suspected it would deflect blades and arrows without much problem.

While he experimented with blocking strikes and thrusts, Sylva walked around, making notes on a spare piece of parchment.

Istora continued working the rockback leather. It turned out tougher to tan and mold than expected. Thankfully, she'd gotten a pair of simple loincloths from Trevor in exchange for their old footwraps.

While he liked the extra protection he got from clothing, Bruce decided the fabric just wasn't practical. They needed armor instead. For that reason, Istora set aside any leather to tan as an eventual project and only made what he'd need for the day.

After trying the shield for several hours, Bruce sat down beside Sylva, who worked on carving a turtle bone into a proper spear point.

Istora had suggested that if an acazite spearhead worked, something simpler might be even easier to craft. And given Bruce's current inability to use magic, wood held more appeal than metal.

Though the first bone he used snapped when he struck the rock, he soon refined the process, and Sylva set aside her own attempts with a curse. The sharpened spear point was crude yet effective.

With a wide grin, Bruce stood, turning back to the turtle shell shield.

This is probably way too heavy for most people. But with my Strength, it shouldn't give me much trouble, he thought as he raised the wooden grip to rest in the crook of his left elbow, right hand wrapped around it to steady the shield.

I doubt I can block many direct strikes or stop anything from charging me, but the defense will be nice. Maybe if we find some actual leather?

Bruce stepped toward Istora with a cocky grin. He lifted the shield as he swung the gladius with his free hand. With a quick motion, he struck his intended target—before halting.

Inches from her face, the blade halted as if caught on something.

Istora laughed as she lowered her hand. A moment before, it had been held up near the weapon. Now, it fell to rest on the shield. She rubbed her thumb against the shell.

An orange glow surrounded the point of contact.

With a smile, Sylva leaned forward for a closer look. The magic reminded her of when she drew the energy to cast her spells from around her body. She could feel the tingle of it even this far away.

The shield shuddered. Orange energy flashed from where the blade contacted the shell and spread across it in a ripple. In less than a second, the entire surface glowed.

Istora glanced back and forth between her companions before stepping closer, lowering her other hand to cup Bruce. The heat of her spell flared beneath her touch as she channeled additional mana to empower the shield.

She nodded, flashing a wide grin as he lifted the gladius and stabbed toward the stoneback shell. It bounced off, but the orange light around it darkened a shade.

A loud pop cracked against his arm and shoulder. A jolt of pain shot through him, quickly subsiding to a dull ache.

Bruce grunted as he lowered his left arm and shook it out, turning toward the source. Istora sat just a dozen feet away. She had an open jar beside her and raised a second fistful of acazite to throw.

Bruce eyed the metal as Istora lobbed her attack. Another explosion sounded as it struck his shield with a flash of orange and a ping.

With his arm still shaking out the sting, Bruce glanced back to the woman he loved. Their eyes met as she reached for another handful of iron shards. He couldn't help but laugh.

As long as she's willing to stand behind me and lob the stuff, we might pull this off. If I'm not dead of exhaustion by then.

Istora threw the handful at him before reaching for more. Bruce stepped forward as the shield took the impact with an orange flash.

"Well, good news. You won't need to stop moving to use it."

Bruce rolled his shoulder as a pair of acazite fragments bounced off the ground beside him. "Nope, doesn't require focus or even effort on my part. Though I wish I knew why the damn thing was glowing."

Sylva chuckled, flashing a proud grin.

"The spell isn't complicated or even difficult. So long as I know the runes, casting magic is basically just an exercise in math and logic," Istora explained.

"Yeah, I've seen the symbols floating around as you cast them, but nothing ever appears in the Interface." Bruce looked at Sylva. "You know any magical theories?"

She shrugged. "I don't recall that sort of stuff from anything I played or read about."

Istora frowned. "My teacher talked about this, but we didn't have time to learn." She stared off toward the west before turning back and continuing, "Runes are like tiny circles—no, maybe more like a tree with its branches interconnected. It's possible that the power comes from the earth itself, from beneath us. Each rune is like a root reaching down and drawing power through to complete the circuit and allow mana to flow."

Bruce glanced over at Sylva, then gestured at Istora. "That sounds really cool."

"Yeah, but doesn't help me much." The athletic woman gave her friend a frustrated shrug. "I'm used to spells having distinct parts to their activation, you know? With no runes appearing and no description in my Interface, I have no idea where to even begin."

Istora bit her lip. "Oh. Right."

Sylva frowned. "You alright?"

"Sorry, yeah, I've been feeling a little overwhelmed lately. You guys work well together."

"We have experience hunting monsters—and played games together. When you're a team from day one, you kind of learn each other's strengths."

A pensive look crossed Sylva's face as she helped Bruce fit the shoulder strap. Her expression seemed odd, but Bruce couldn't put his finger on why.

He flexed his arm a couple times before moving his shoulder side-to-side. The strap was made of thick cordage around which rockback hide had been stretched. It wasn't pleasant against his skin, but the hide added rigidity while the cord allowed a wide range of motion.

They'd taken inspiration from Roman scutums, including making the shield round, instead of rectangular or curved as a Greek aspis was. Given Bruce's plan to rely on quick, aggressive moves, it seemed wiser to keep a large front area for deflection and not worry about edges to catch weapons.

It lacked even the rough shape of an actual shield, the inside smooth where no leather remained to prevent chafing. While still rather plain, the outside surface looked a bit nicer than he and Sylva's prior attempts.

Most of the effort involved removing the bony plates inside that formed the creature's chest. Bruce used a chisel made from a bone spike he'd broken off the shell as a crude hammer. They'd also trimmed off excess length from the handle using another piece of steel.

It looks so basic that it seems like I could take down a tank with it, but it fits well. He hefted the shell, then tried moving his arm about. It didn't slow me at all when we tested it earlier. And since my left hand will wield my spear, I can use my whole body as leverage to block attacks.

"Alright, let's test this thing," Sylva said, reaching back and pulling her bow over her shoulder.

As soon as she had it drawn, Bruce tensed, ready to react to any incoming attacks.

*THWAP!*

A thick wooden arrow bounced off the rockback shell with a meaty sound, then landed in the grass between his feet.

Bruce winced, jerking his head up to see Sylva, bow still held in hand as she grinned at him.

She smirked. "How's your HP?"

"My health bar just dropped a little," he admitted.

Sylva laughed as she slipped the bow back over her shoulder. "That thing won't deflect anything stronger than a wooden club or spear."

"Still a big improvement from before. How far away were you? Didn't even hear the string."

She grinned. "A good fifty feet. I was a little worried, given that this is my third bow. All my early ones shattered pretty fast. But Istora enchanted it for me, and the wood seems pretty resilient. The enchantment will hold forever, so long as she doesn't mess with it again."

Bruce glanced over at Istora, who smiled demurely.

"And yes, she's amazing," Sylva continued. "I couldn't care less about mana, but Istora does wonders for us. Especially you."

Istora blushed, and Bruce chuckled.

Sylva snorted, rolling her eyes.

While working on the shield, they'd also crafted a better spear. Its foot-long point consisted of sharpened steel that Sylva had used as part of her first bow. It weighed heavily on Bruce's mind, knowing how lethal they'd be against most enemies.

I doubt we could take down Aspera, let alone the other Champion, but I've heard of bears with similar strength. So, if we come across the wrong foe, it might give me enough of an edge to flee or at least make a run for it. And Sylva's been itching to try these bows out for real.

Sylva picked up her own rockback shell she'd prepared and slipped her right arm through the straps. They held it snugly, so it could cover up to her collarbone. Her bow was propped against a stump a few paces away, her quiver hung on the trunk beside it. She grinned excitedly at Bruce, practically bouncing on her toes.

He chuckled, shaking his head. "You seem ready for something. I don't know what, but you seem ready."

She snickered. "The anticipation is killing me. Finally hunting something bigger than an ugly deer. Can you imagine how powerful we'd have become if the System allowed us to hunt?"

"Honestly, yeah," he laughed, raising his shield. "Alright, Riste. Show me how this Maneuver goes again. My Strength is good enough, but I've got to master it."

He focused on activating Striking Serpent. As the power stirred inside him, his body lunged forward without his conscious intent.

When Bruce had first tried, he'd been concerned, wondering if he'd hurt himself. A test with Sylva's spear hadn't even cracked a rib, but her blows still bruised him.

It took time for him to relax during training, and not panic that he might seriously injure himself. After several days, Bruce realized the Interface somehow regulated his motion within its abilities. Once he calmed down and concentrated, his actions weren't jerky or uncoordinated.

The first step—as always—proved tricky, as he tripped over his feet when the Maneuver kicked in, stumbling. He felt himself lose the ability to activate it, but he managed to keep his feet.

After stabilizing his stance, Bruce repeated the action.

Again and again, he performed a short hop that propelled him forward faster than any Olympic sprinter ever achieved. Each time, he was able to trigger Striking Serpent and maintain his feet afterward.

When he finished practicing his Maneuvers for the afternoon, he glanced back to find the girls wearing matching smirks.

His face flushed with heat.

Istora giggled.

Sylva smirked, shaking her head. Then, she pulled her bow off her back and selected a training arrow.

The slender brunette nocked an arrow and took aim at a nearby boulder. As she drew back the bow, Bruce saw that the string stretched farther than he would have thought possible, and she pulled it so smooth it almost looked effortless.

The arrow blurred across the gap, thunking into stone with a solid thud.

Bruce approached the target and found the arrow buried a good hand's length into the rock. She didn't need any fancy special abilities to punch through thick hides.

"Well, seems like I'd better keep up."

"You better."

Taking a deep breath, Bruce stepped back several paces from the boulder, then ran forward. As he activated Striking Serpent, the power surged through his legs, and he covered the distance between himself and his target with startling speed. His feet tangled up, but this time Bruce kept his feet under him. He twisted to avoid crashing into the rocky obstacle, slamming his left foot down to pivot and face the opposite direction.

He stumbled as his left knee almost buckled. He managed to keep his feet, though the force made him wince. If it weren't for Aspera's blessing, his knees would have exploded after that move.

When he turned to look at the girls, Istora's wide eyes made it clear she saw the whole thing. However, Sylva was walking around the boulder, so maybe his Maneuver remained undetectable.

"So it definitely works," Sylva said. "It'll probably take some practice to get the timing right."

Istora walked over, a mischievous gleam in her dark eyes.

The tendrils wrapped around Bruce's left wrist tugged him closer until he stood pressed against the lithe shaman. He smiled and stroked her back as she leaned against him, hugging tight.

Her voice turned sultry, tail stroking his cheek. "Does Jace need me to help him practice?"

Sylva's face reddened. She looked away, stuttering slightly. "Uh, n-nope. He seems to have it down pretty well. We can try to fight some monsters today. Just gotta avoid breaking the shell again."

Sylva glanced at the nearby rockbacks, one eye still twitching. Her idea for training had resulted in quite a few failed shields. "I'm starting to regret teaching you how to throw a Frisbee back in college."

"What?"

Bruce held up his hands, laughing. "That's not what I was doing!"

"Could've fooled me. Now, quit making out with Istora and grab the shield so we can test your Maneuvers."

He took the shield, which he now dubbed the tortoise shield, from Sylva, trying not to blush. Her casual acceptance of their relationship felt odd but made life easier.

They walked out toward a grove of trees, searching for a smallish boulder to use for target practice. As Bruce searched, Istora walked ahead. Something had changed since the shaman arrived, but Bruce couldn't figure out what was causing her subdued mood.

Not a single innuendo-laden joke or seductive look. While I love being with her, we could all use a laugh right now.

Shrugging, he looked around. There didn’t seem to be any good targets nearby. When Istora called out, she stood by an old tree that must have blown down at some point. Beneath it, an impressive collection of mushrooms grew from a rotting stump.

The trunk's size and gnarled surface reminded him of a giant mushroom too. I bet the kids back home would freak if we told them there really was a Giant Mushroom Tree in our world.

Bruce walked over to where Istora waited.

When he arrived, she pointed to one of the fungi. A cluster of smaller ones clustered at its base. Each stood nearly six inches tall and had a thick stalk. The wider top was a brilliant scarlet color that darkened as it spread into a pale yellow cap.

"What's up? Looks like some kind of toadstool," he asked.

Istora nodded, her tail stroking his arm. "There's an Achievement to earn for eating poisonous mushrooms."

A wry smirk spread across Sylva's face as she held out a mushroom, offering it to Bruce. "If you're brave enough to eat it..."

Bruce's eyes widened. "You mean...?"

"Yup. That one will kill a normal person. Even a Champion with a higher Constitution. It's super gross. Kinda tastes like a bitter nut. So it needs to be cooked, I guess?"

"So why are we harvesting it again?" He eyed the red-topped fungus with trepidation.

"Oh, you won't need to eat it this time. Just chew it for a minute, then swallow."

Bruce wrinkled his nose and plucked up a mushroom. He stared at it for several seconds, working up his courage, then popped it into his mouth. A vile, chalky flavor spread across his tongue.

Gagging, Bruce forced himself to chew the awful mushroom and swallowed before he could second-guess his decision. "Ugh! How does anyone actually eat this?"

A sly smirk appeared on Sylva's face. "Not a lot of people do. Most tribes who have the recipe for it either don't use it or trade it to outsiders in exchange for something good. It tastes like bitter, dry dirt and is nasty as fuck."

Istora frowned, a hint of sadness in her amber eyes as her tendrils curled.

Sylva turned to their new friend. "What's wrong?

"This just reminds me of when I got here. There are no proper blacksmiths nearby to enchant his equipment with defensive runes. That means he needs to be even more cautious when fighting. W-without a strong party to help protect Jace..."

Bruce chuckled and reached over, patting Istora's back. "It'll be fine."

She looked up at him, and Bruce leaned in for a kiss. Tendrils stroked across his bare chest and down his arms. When the soft furry tip ran up and down his neck, his eyes rolled up for a moment.

Giggling, Istora pulled away, a sly smile tugging at the edges of her mouth. A flash of hunger darkened Sylva's eyes.

Nibbler yipped, and the other little Daubani joined in. They crowded around Bruce, who grinned as they rubbed against his legs. He patted their fuzzy heads as he spoke.

"Sorry, guys. Istora's the jealous sort, so keep your eyes to yourselves, okay?

He crouched down, scratching between their ears. "I'll miss you too, though, if I don't come back?"

A pang of sorrow gripped his heart for a moment. Despite their appearance, Nibbler and his kin proved friendly and loyal. The fluffy Daubani hadn't displayed anything monstrous—though one of their number was strangely shy and refused to show himself. Bruce had glimpsed a brown fur-covered lump scurrying into hiding before he could get a proper look.

When Bruce finished petting them, he took the crude shield and lifted his shirt, settling it into place by an arm strap. He adjusted the fit until he could comfortably reach the weapon he'd fashioned for testing. A spearhead had proven impossible, but they managed to make an effective hatchet from flint.

Istora looked up from her stitching, smiling. Her expression fell as Bruce hefted the simple axe and began working through some test swings.

"What's wrong?" Sylva asked.

Istora flinched. "U-um, nothing. It just seems... dangerous for Jace to go alone."

The slender woman sighed before glancing at him. "I know you can do this, Bruce. You're probably the strongest guy I've ever met. And you already killed two of the bastards, but that rockback shell took some damage. That tukuron was stronger. What if you can't break its armor? There aren't many healing potions I could buy with what we've got left. It'd be a risky fight."

Istora nodded and smiled shyly at Bruce. "I'd worry too much if you went without us, Jace. You should have backup."

"Are we even sure there's a tukuron nearby?"

Sylva grimaced. "Yes. Yes, I'm certain. I spotted another group hunting the thing last night, but they didn't have good weapons. Not that they could've caught it anyway—it's smart enough to keep range when threatened. But that doesn't mean it's impossible to slay if we use Riste's bow and your Maneuvers, right?"

Bruce shrugged. "No guarantees, but yeah. It should work, assuming we can track it down. That means we'll need some tracking skills and plenty of practice."

After several days of making arrows for Sylva, crafting stone tools, and testing new Maneuvers, they gathered together what equipment they had, plus supplies and their only healing potion. They also brought along a rope-wrapped spearhead Bruce crafted for piercing flesh.

"The tukuron hunt has been a pretty low priority given how much else we needed to get done. Since this isn't urgent, I thought you guys could use a little bit of down time. So let's take one day to do a little sightseeing before going after the tukuron?" Sylva asked hopefully.

"We have enough food now and everyone should train a little with their weapons before tackling something as strong as the rockback. I think exploring would be a great idea," Istora said, her tendrils twining around Bruce as he settled onto a seat woven of bamboo poles.

Sylva smiled at the smaller woman. "Istora, you're absolutely right! We might even find some stuff valuable enough to buy a bunch more gear. How 'bout we all sleep in a bit, relax, and start early tomorrow? Besides, you mentioned your parents' house being near here. What if we check it out?"

Istora flinched like she'd been slapped, staring at the slender blonde in surprise. "Uh, no! We shouldn't—"

"Oh, I don't mean steal or anything!" Sylva's pale cheeks flushed pink with embarrassment. "But what if you had a family heirloom? Something of value you left behind that we can recover? We've got some space in our packs."

The dark-haired girl squirmed. "No, it's too dangerous."

"C'mon. I know the tukuron lives east of here," she replied, glancing at Bruce. "Right across the river. What if it was on our way?"

His heart twinged in sympathy for Istora. Bruce set down the shield. He took her hands and turned to face her. "Hey, are you okay? We don't have to check on your parent's house. I know you're not close to them, and it won't hurt anything."

Istora shook her head, long white braid bouncing against his chest. "It's not that. There's just so much else we need to focus on."

Her tendrils hugged his neck, tugging at Bruce, but he held his ground.

"We'll get by." He rubbed her back with one hand as Sylva shifted on her stool. "Besides, I promised to keep you safe. How am I supposed to do that if you're hiding things from us?"

A low hiss slipped from her lips. Her hands twisted around to clutch his wrists, pushing away slightly. "I'm not keeping secrets, Jace."

He met Istora's gaze. "But—"

Sylva interrupted. "We don't have much time, guys."

Istora flinched, glancing between Bruce and Sylva. Her white tail lashed against the ground. "Jace, please?"

He nodded, still unsure if she'd lied but willing to give her a chance to explain.

"Now that we're on a roll with this," Sylva said, pulling her attention off Istora, "let me help you get it finished up. Then we can work on your armor."

Bruce frowned at the blonde woman but set down the shield and nodded. They worked on an assortment of clothing options, including the burlap bracers, crude pants, and a rough hooded cloak he could wear as they traveled.

When they finished, he slipped into the outfit, admiring his appearance in the mirror Sylva held up. Bruce ran a hand through his black hair. He didn't usually care about looking like an action hero but had to admit he cut an impressive figure.

Sylva's eyebrows climbed when she saw him. "Wow."

"What?" he asked, frowning down at the outfit.

She shook her head. "No, you look great."

Istora's tendrils snaked around Bruce, and she pulled him tight against her naked body. Her white tail snaked over his shoulder to trace his jawline. She murmured in his ear, "Very imposing, Jace."

Though tempted to suggest heading back to their bedroom treehouse, he resisted. They needed to track down this tukuron sooner than later and hunt it before someone else could claim its bounty.

Sylva grinned when he ignored their intimacy, instead running through a few practice attacks with the wooden spear he'd crafted.

It was plain but would do until he could find something better. There were plenty of bamboo stalks he could use to craft a superior spearhead.

"You good?" she asked after a minute.

He smiled at her. "Yeah, just a bit sore from our workout earlier, I guess. Let me try this armor and we'll see if it's worth bringing."

She grinned, eyes roaming down his shirtless torso. He'd gained noticeable muscle definition during his grinding and she made sure to keep reminding him.

Istora had already tried to drag him off for more 'intensive' training, but Sylva called her name and interrupted with yet another question about their next trip.

The blonde woman glanced over to Istora. "Can you help me pick out a good stone for arrowheads? Jace might not think anything of using granite, but we want something more brittle and durable."

"Um, sure. I know some pretty common stones that might work better." She rose and wrapped Bruce in her tendrils again. Then, the dark-haired girl leaned up to nip his ear, whispering, "We're definitely picking up where we left off later."

He laughed, shooing her off.

They both walked to the supply of rocks collected by the others. Sylva pointed to a small group. "This lot came from the stream."

"Hmm. Those won't work."

She glanced over. "You can tell?"

"Yeah. I tried working with them yesterday and got zero feedback from my Boon. This looks like slate. It'll be too brittle for a spearhead. The bamboo here would be better."

Sylva nodded thoughtfully. "Well, that's what we get for leaving crafting to a nerd."

"Yep." He winked at her and headed for a fresh stand of bamboo.

With Sylva providing him a second pair of hands, Bruce made quick progress cutting and processing the bamboo into spears. He cut most into twelve-foot lengths for throwing and set aside a few dozen six-foot ones to use as poles and shafts for other tools. The first spearhead was a bit lopsided but serviceable, so he moved on to the next.

Ideally, he'd like something better than the basic knife Sylva used to trim the branches and bark from the pole. With the help of a few dozen Daubeni, she finished carving eight staves for him before working on an acazite spear of her own.

Istora helped with his project but spent more of her time weaving baskets for Sylva and practicing purifying water.

"That should be enough," he said.

Sylva rose and dusted her hands off. She eyed his haul, then the spear he was carving. "You sure? Don't we need more?"

"No, this is more than enough," Istora chimed in. "Aiming your bow is so easy that you don't need to get too close, even if something hits the barrier spell I'll put on Jace. So a big shield won't hinder your archery much. But it should deflect or catch any attacks targeting him. That will free Bruce up to attack from a distance. Once he gets closer, I can help him with an Attack Buff to make his spears hit harder."

Sylva shrugged and walked away to start making herself a larger version of the spear she'd created.

The shield itself proved quite heavy, but nothing Bruce couldn't handle. His stats had grown to the point that he barely noticed its weight. And after he attached a leather handgrip and rockback plate for added durability, it proved stout.

Bruce turned toward Sylva, testing the feel as he adjusted his grip and swung it like a scythe. The movement caught on his mind. There were plenty of martial arts and historical weapons forms that used shields and large swords in much the same manner. A solid swing would provide considerable protection in the midst of combat.

It's still awkward and heavy. No chance of wielding this thing and a spear. So, I can probably either use a knife, my new Maneuvers, or swing it as a weapon. I can work with that.

The next week, Bruce threw himself into training. He made a dozen acazite spears and sharpened his gladius. He used the shovel and a few other tools to dig a proper sparring pit for practicing with Sylva. It wasn't much more than an earthen arena, but it allowed for proper swordplay.

He and Sylva started small at first, each carrying a stick rather than a live weapon. While Sylva had been training since childhood, Bruce surprised her by easily keeping pace.

Their training took a different tone after Sylva pointed out that sparring with real weapons wouldn’t allow for healing if someone failed to dodge.

"Okay," Bruce said, eyeing Sylva as they stood across from each other in the sparring pit. "Try not to slice me to ribbons."

"I'll try my best. Let's do this."

Bruce nodded, then activated Piercing Fang as he ran forward. The world slowed, allowing him to approach her much faster than normal. Sylva drew back the stone spear with ease. Just as he stepped within her reach, Bruce launched his attack.

Before Bruce could follow up his strike, Sylva danced away, the speartip coming within inches of his face. He blinked in confusion at how quickly his attack had failed. His spear hadn't even touched Sylva. She'd moved faster than he would have expected possible.

She grinned. "You didn't actually think you could just walk into melee range and stab me, right? You're not wearing a helmet."

He frowned at his friend's smirk. "What do you mean?"

Sylva laughed. "Well, let's be fair. If anyone knows what I can do, it's probably you. So, maybe that was dumb. We still need to work on your technique though. Come on, we'll keep practicing. You almost tagged me that time."

Bruce spent a bit more time grinding his Maneuvers each morning when he trained Sylva with his gladius. While they couldn't determine whether either ability had a cooldown or reset period, he could trigger each effect again within about thirty seconds.

They also continued their practice with spears. By the end of the week, Sylva was able to keep up with him, even though her stats were much higher. She explained that her training and years of practice granted greater insight on how to exploit her physical advantages.

They used their bamboo spears until Bruce unlocked an Achievement for making iron tipped weapons, crafting a dozen of them with the acazite from the river. Then they started trading off. Sylva wielded her steel gladius with grace, but the weight made it ungainly as a spear. Instead, they both agreed the superior speed advantage Bruce enjoyed outweighed the slight increase in penetration the metal provided.

Once they reached the area Sylva had learned of, they spent half a day searching for signs of the tukuron, finally finding evidence near a small creek. The creature had left an impressive trail. When he saw the claw marks, Bruce understood why the hunters had been so confident.

Even if its scales are as tough as the rockback shells, I doubt we have to worry about it dodging our spears. It can hardly move faster than a car.

The monster didn't follow any obvious trails. Instead, it seemed to pick a direction at random, often wandering several miles before returning to the creek. As they followed its spoor, the tracks became far easier to spot in the muddy streambed.

After a bit of experimenting, Bruce discovered that Piercing Fang seemed to provide some awareness of nearby predators. He noticed movement through the forest just before the creature's massive silhouette appeared at the edge of his vision.

Holy shit! It looks like a dinosaur. That's a fricking T. rex, but with a thicker tail and no forelimbs!

The tukuron looked like someone took an African elephant, added an even bigger head, and then stretched and rounded its limbs. It ambled slowly at first, but the thing picked up speed after a hundred yards or so.

The group froze, watching from a hilltop as it moved. They didn't feel too exposed, as Sylva's scouting revealed the area contained no enemies nearby.

Bruce's eyes fixed on the creature. "How big do you think that thing is?"

Sylva shook her head in response. Her voice wavered as she spoke. "Freakin' huge. I'm taller than this thing's leg. We'll have to be careful, even if our weapons are super effective."

Istora gulped. She stood between the two Champions and fidgeted, staring at the ground. She'd been more distant in recent days, and the look in her eyes wasn't helping.

She's acting like something's bothering her, but every time I ask, she says it's nothing. What gives?

His concern grew when Istora refused to meet his gaze, despite him trying to catch her eyes several times. He took a breath, trying to calm himself. Istora was the Shaman. She could probably sense whatever worried at him. Maybe she just needed some time.

He focused on Sylva instead. The tall blonde had shown little hesitation while helping him train over the last few days, even with everything it implied. They practiced fighting together, working to learn each other's movements. While they made a decent team, Bruce felt a lack of true synergy.

Sylva's reflexes and skill meant she moved far more effectively than him. Bruce hoped they would develop into a great duo in time, but it likely wouldn't be any time soon.

The most surprising part came when she suggested wrestling—in private—so they could work on close-quarters combat. She refused to give details, blushing the whole time, but he agreed to it. Bruce expected Sylva to pull him down, but instead she let him pin her the first several times before trying to retaliate. The more they grappled, the more she struggled.

Bruce felt no pleasure at his new strength forcing the beautiful woman to submit. Each bout left him more troubled and embarrassed until he asked if she wanted to stop. Her response surprised him.

"N-no. Just keep going."

When Sylva pinned him down and started rubbing against him, he froze. "Wait! Istora and I are... a thing?"

She stopped, trembling as she glared at him. "Then why did you keep going? What kind of jerk messes with a girl like that?"

His eyes widened. He had to have misunderstood. Sylva never gave the impression of being so timid or shy. Even so, the words spilled out before he could stop them. "What do you mean? You're a gorgeous, athletic blonde, but you kept letting me win when we wrestled! Why would you want this?!" He waved a hand from head to toe, gesturing at his own body.

Istora stood off to the side, watching the exchange in silence. Her ears stood high as her tail swished.

Sylva pounded one fist against the ground and pointed at Bruce. "What the fuck is wrong with you?! I've had guys make jokes about being a man-eating cougar, but damn. How can you look like that and still be such a moron?!"

The words caught Bruce off guard. Was he missing something? "I mean, it's just a few extra stat points... Wait, are you saying I should go back to normal?"

"Of course I don't want to be bald, wrinkly, and have saggy balls. I'd rather not turn into a hag in thirty years." She paused for a long breath before meeting Bruce's gaze. "But you can keep those stats for your girlfriend and maybe your new harem."

A snort cut through the awkward silence. All eyes fell on Istora as she shook her head, then started laughing so hard she cried. After several moments, the girl's mirth dwindled, leaving a smirk and mischievous glimmer in her eyes.

"Riste, you need to learn how to pick your battles. Besides, who's going to take care of Jace when I'm sleeping—or too busy?"

The redness spreading across Sylva's face almost matched her hair. Still, she nodded before muttering about getting wood. She disappeared in seconds, but not before Bruce glimpsed the smirk creeping across her lips.

What was that? And why was I even blushing? Oh gods, are Istora and Sylva working together?! They've known each other for barely more than a month.

Istora's giggles grew louder.

I know Sylva doesn't have anyone special either, and I like both of them, but isn't it a bit soon? Am I overthinking this?

He focused on the shield instead of the girls. It was a beautiful piece, if one that felt out of place in such a savage world. After drilling three small holes into the upper left corner of the shield, Sylva wove cordage through the shell to secure the boss.

The center hole was where Bruce would carry the thing, and they added a shoulder strap. He tested the leather buckle they'd secured to hold it in place. It shifted, and the weight of the shield felt uncomfortable across his shoulders.

Istora nodded to Sylva. In response, she wrapped a thin cord around the base of his arm. With surprising skill, Sylva measured his forearm before adding an extra inch or so of length. Then, she knotted the end and snipped it.

With two more holes bored into the wood grip, Bruce attached the cord to hold the shield to his arm.

He adjusted the fit of the boss until the bottom rim rested between his wrist and elbow. This put most of the shield directly in front of his chest, with only the top-left portion hanging down over his left shoulder.

Holding the thing felt weird when he flexed his arm and gripped the lower edge, but the fit was perfect. The shield sat tight against his forearm, giving him enough leverage to use it as an effective defense.

Bruce took several steps, moving back and forth before making a jab with his right arm. The shield swung to cover his body, just as intended.

The girlish shriek that followed had him spinning to face Istora. The Shaman was sprawled out with a grin from ear to ear.

When Bruce asked her what happened, she shook her head.

He and Sylva watched as she struggled to regain her composure.

She took a breath before finally admitting, "Y-you looked too handsome practicing. Made me remember how skilled you are, and I sort of fell."

"I thought we'd established that Bruce is cute, Istora. No need to be quite so blunt," Sylva teased.

Istora blushed deeper.

The athletic woman laughed, nudging Bruce. "She's always been like that."

Bruce slipped his arm through the last strap. A leather band ran beneath the shield with two smaller ones supporting the outer edges, securing the thing tight to his forearm. "And I never would've believed the Greeks were right about this, let alone how effective it feels."

"Well, you wanted some protection. It seemed silly not to use history as inspiration."

"Still seems weird to me that it wasn't already a thing in this world. Not like the technology isn't present."

"It's like medieval fantasy," Sylva said.

"Yeah." He grinned, giving his head an amused shake. "I guess in real life, everyone knows that Greek shield wall tactics aren't practical when fighting horse archers or against heavy infantry."

The athletic woman snorted, adjusting one of the shoulder straps. "No kidding. I learned a bunch of fancy techniques too, but I'm guessing they only work if both sides have similar styles and equipment." She paused, eyeing the shield before meeting Bruce's gaze. "Still think I should join you? The arrows from my bow are enchanted, so I can shoot pretty accurately without the help of an Agility Maneuver, but what about the tukuron?"

He sighed, shoulders slumping. "Yeah. This shield still doesn't feel like much protection compared to the rockback, especially with you shooting it in the chest. And, I could really use your help if anything happens to Istora."

She shrugged. "We've spent this past week working on crafting achievements and hunting. With how fast I gain XP now, a solo hunt would probably boost me to level eight in a few days. But I have the feeling we won't have that kind of time."

Istora frowned. "Well, let's talk about tactics. Riste will have a clear shot at the monster as long as she keeps her distance and Jace can keep the tukuron focused."

Bruce and Sylva shared an amused look.

"And when a supercharged dinosaur tries to rip my face off," he asked, "what should I do exactly?"

She blinked at him. "What? Oh! Use your new maneuvers on it. We talked about this already."

"But it didn't work earlier. How do I know when one of my boosts is ready? If I could've used it against the rockbacks, we could've killed a whole herd of them instead of just the pair we managed."

"We talked about that too, Bruce," Sylva said patiently. "The Interface makes it obvious when you're allowed to use one. For your healing ability, you simply have to cast the spell whenever the skill resets. Piercing Fang says 'unavailable' until it's available again. Like when one of those video games you played would tell you to check later if you couldn't craft a recipe yet."

"Fair point," he conceded, taking a moment to read the Interface notice.

> Do You Even Lift (Unlocked)

> The weight of steel is but an annoyance for one of your Strength.

> +1 STR

He glanced over at Istora, smiling when she met his gaze.

She smiled back with that adorable expression, the tip of her tail twitching as it brushed against the ground. While he couldn't be certain, it was clear the two women cared deeply about each other. They'd grown closer over the past week, sharing secrets, teasing him, and swapping recipes for food and clothing.

Maybe if things work out, one of these days I'll wake up next to the pair of them.

Shaking his head, Bruce adjusted the shield before turning back to Sylva.

The tall woman grinned. "Great! Okay. So the handle lets you use a single hand, but can also lock to support both arms in a heavy bash." She walked around behind him and tapped a knob he hadn't noticed. "Turn it here to secure it. Then you have this strap loop, so you can slip your arm through and tighten it. That way, even if the monster breaks the handle, the shield is still on your arm."

Bruce slipped his forearm in. It reminded him of one of those old Roman shields, with an inwardly curved top. Unlike the flat ones he'd seen, this shield sloped outward, allowing a full view of any threats. A short spear was useful, but a tukuron should provide better visibility than a rockback.

His makeshift leather pauldrons fit comfortably over the leather cord straps, protecting his shoulders and upper arm. Sylva had stitched a crude design in green dye and applied a waterproofing agent made from animal fat. They wouldn't stop a sword or other sharp object, but anything glancing off would be fine.

"How does it feel?" Sylva asked. "Took us a lot of work to make something that should hold up to our Strength and Agility. And the shell is surprisingly sturdy."

Bruce rotated his arm, turning the shield side-to-side, surprised by its lightness. After making a halfhearted block, he nodded.

"I like the balance. You did a great job designing it," Bruce said.

Sylva grinned. "Yep! I've got an idea for a bracer too, but maybe that can wait until next week, while you're resting from all those grind sessions."

Istora stepped closer. She traced a finger over the edge of the turtle shell, testing the smooth, glossy surface.

"This looks wonderful, but Riste, how do we stop Jace from getting hurt when he slams into the ground with such force?"

A grin crept across the tall woman's face. "We won't tell him what's coming. He'll learn on his own."

"Hey! Wait..."

Sylva shrugged, grinning as she leaned in close to Bruce. "You're so distracted by the pretty girls, you never see the cliff."

Bruce rolled his eyes. "You're a cruel teacher."

Sylva laughed, leaning over to kiss Istora, whose cheeks darkened.

"Yep. But I'm worth it, right?"

Shaking his head, Bruce took his leave. Despite their attempts at training his new Maneuvers, neither knew much beyond "hit the turtle with your sword."

So far, his success had been limited to a few accidental unlocks, including one from chopping wood. At least the boost helped when it came to crafting spears, though he wondered why he earned any SE for that feat.

Bruce turned his thoughts inward, analyzing his progress over the last few days.

A few things stood out.

I've gained a couple Levels in Fishing and Bow. Also a surprising Level in Woodcarving.

The Interface only displayed an Attribute increase for crafting when they unlocked a new Achievement. There were exceptions like when they made spears, though. Bruce suspected the game rewarded specific tasks with experience gains, even if he didn't realize it at the time.

His Maneuvers had remained at Tier 1 until that morning, but after his latest Attribute boost from Crafting, his Strike Serpent had increased to Tier 2. Piercing Fang remained unchanged, which seemed odd. But he had a theory he might eventually unlock some sort of defensive option.

It seemed Sylva was right about leveling up his weapons and shields. Not that it mattered. He still didn't have anything to use against ranged foes.

The two of them returned to their treehouse to find Istora already at work. She had crafted a number of articles of clothing.

After a brief discussion, Bruce and Sylva agreed. If their first hunt was going to be dangerous enough that they wanted to wear armor, they could put off any exploration of the area for a day or so. Instead, they needed to focus on crafting items they might need.

That afternoon, Sylva and Istora sewed a series of burlap tunics with overlapping plates sewn into place, and they managed to cobble together some leggings that would allow Bruce to move without getting cut up by the rough fibers of their crude clothing.

Istora wove more cordage so they could fasten their makeshift armor. Once they completed their armor, they tested it a few times.

The crude fabric did not offer much protection. Yet it provided far more than bare skin, especially combined with their new shields. The rockback plates added further to the effect, providing additional flexibility for movement. They hoped they wouldn't suffer cuts like when battling the goblins.

They even made a matching capeline hat for Sylva and hood for Istora from the leftover leather to keep the rain off and hide their hair.

After they finished donning their armor, the trio gathered their gear.

It took most of a day to reach the tukuron territory Sylva had overheard discussed by those hunters. Bruce and Istora were both winded, despite Bruce's increased Endurance and Constitution.

By unspoken consent, Bruce took the lead as they traveled through the forest and crossed a wide-open meadow filled with colorful flowers.

With his Attributes, he heard something that Sylva and Istora failed to notice at first—a deep, ominous growl that rumbled across the fields.

At a quick gesture, he crouched low.

The three Champions crept forward, searching for their prey. It wasn't long before a massive, bipedal creature prowled through the brush, a long, powerful tail balancing it.

"There it is," Sylva whispered. "You two stay here."

She nocked an arrow as she rose from her crouch, drawing back her bow in a smooth motion. Just as she released, her Maneuver activated and an aura of darkness engulfed the arrow. The black shaft shot forth with a faint whistling noise, slamming into the tukuron's flank.

The creature bellowed in surprise as it whirled to face the woman. She had already nocked another arrow, however, firing it before the beast could fully turn to confront her.

The second projectile hit the monster square in the shoulder. The monster stumbled, crashing to the ground, then struggled to stand as Bruce dashed forward, spear leading.

The weapon plunged deep into the monster's neck as Bruce threw himself atop the beast. He clung to the spear's shaft, trying not to lose his only weapon, even as the tukuron flailed wildly beneath him.

Istora chanted as she ran over to help. Her arms lifted above her head, forming an X-shape, and white light enveloped Bruce. A rush of heat flooded through his body, lending him strength.

"Flesh mend, blood renew. Grant my ally the breath of life."

The spell invigorated him, giving Bruce a burst of vigor. While useful in a fight, he wished she could cast it before the battle even started.

A faint, green glow lit up around Sylva's right eye before fading away. "Well, that should make fighting a bit easier."

"Thanks," Bruce said. "Hopefully it won't take too long to bring down this monster. Any updates on it?"

Sylva frowned and nodded. "It was worth the wait, unfortunately. The first group has run into it already. I guess we weren't the only ones getting our tools in order. Anyway, their talk of the tukuron isn't nearly as excited as I remember hearing before. Sounds like the damn thing took out at least one person."

"Damn."

"Don't feel bad, Jace. I've learned more about combat since then. Even with my Attributes being almost what yours were back then, I wouldn't have fared well against something like that."

Istora shuddered. "So, what do we know?"

Sylva shrugged. "I haven't heard any rumors of tukuron sightings from the others recently. So hopefully it's still around. I'd hate to go hunting for it only to find another group has already taken it out."

She paused, brow furrowing. "I don't think it's too fast. The guys talking about it had a wagon. They wanted to bring along an elephant crossbow and didn't plan to have it on hand."

"Elephant crossbow? Isn't that kinda ridiculous?"

"No. A lot of nobles and rich merchants carry them. It takes a huge chunk off of a hunt if you can drop your quarry with a single shot. Makes tracking down even the toughest monsters worth the price," Istora said, her voice oddly subdued. She continued tying stones onto a belt made from cordage, her eyes flicking toward a rock near Sylva.

The athletic blonde frowned, staring at the boulder. Her lips moved, and she muttered to herself before she spoke louder. "So... if you're sure. You don't have any experience hunting tukuron."

"Yeah. It's been way too long since I had some proper meat anyway. If we bring it down and can keep it from spoiling, it'll be great. Especially when you're able to get that filtration system running. Then all that good meat won't be spoiled by drinking filthy water." Istora forced a smile.

What's going on with her? Ever since we started planning this, she's been acting odd. Almost... paranoid? The whole hunt makes sense, but there has to be something else at play.

He gave Istora a quick kiss on the top of her head as he stepped into the forest. "I'm game to try, though I'd feel better if I was certain I could make use of my new Maneuvers." He turned his eyes to the shield strapped to his left arm, testing its balance. "This isn't half bad, by the way. Nice work, Riste."

"Glad you like it," she said, glancing at the shield. The wood-and-shell construction had taken them a few days to complete. Once satisfied, they had attached rockback plating to one side to give it extra protection against piercing and bludgeoning attacks. A cordage strap around his arm allowed him to adjust it, while still leaving his left hand free.

"I'm not sure about how well it will stand up to anything like the rockback turtle, but I figure it'll keep a bear or something off us long enough to make a run for it. We should be safe from wolves at least—unless we get into a pack of them." She shrugged. "But it'll help protect you while you try out those skills. What do you think?"

"Works great, Riste. Let me just see..." He slipped into the stance that felt right when he tried the skills. After a moment of focus, he thrust forward, the power flowing through him. The shield slammed into a thick bamboo shoot, causing it to bow outward.

Huh, so there's some form of inertia negation here. Or maybe it's all in my head? No, can't be. That felt much like using a weapon. And the bamboo has far more rigidity than what I practiced on.

Pulling back, he struck again, pushing power through his core. As the blow landed, the world slowed for an instant, drawing out the attack as though the air itself resisted his motions. It passed in an instant, but time had truly slowed.

A strange sensation gripped his hand, as if it pressed against something immovable. A loud crack erupted, then echoed across the clearing. In that brief moment, he could see the bamboo shoot snap in slow motion, sending its upper third rocketing away. The speed at which the wood shot backward confirmed Bruce's suspicions.

As his attack ended, the odd sense faded, time resuming normal speed. Bamboo exploded from the shoot he hit. It whistled through the air before crashing into a dense copse of bamboo twenty yards off.

"Hey, nice! So you are able to use your new Maneuvers," Sylva said. "Guess you can't just test it on a wall or something though."

"Yeah, but this confirms it'll work when I need it," he said, flexing his left hand as the strange sense passed. "It was a weird feeling. Kind of like hitting the brakes on an old truck and bracing myself with both feet. Or maybe hitting the bumper of one."

"Oh, that is soooo awesome. Imagine the power behind your blows when it actually hits." The petite woman clenched her fists. "Just imagine! And that's just Piercing Fang. What if you activate Striking Serpent too? Your attacks would be insane. Though... I'm kind of sad. You got so many Maneuvers first. They were kinda my thing back home—I mean from what I saw in the old RPGs."

"Sorry. But I've got a plan for unlocking a few more of your abilities. We're going to find a way for you to train the skills before we hunt the tukuron."

"I hope so." Sylva frowned down at her hands, which she balled into fists again.

Bruce smiled, reaching out and squeezing her shoulder. "It'll be okay, Riste."

She laughed, punching him in the arm. "I know, Jace. Don't worry. So... How'd this look?" The shield she held up was made from rockback hide stretched over a light frame of bamboo. An acazite spike was lashed to one side for a counterweight. It was too large to carry one-handed but easy enough with two.

"Much better," he said, taking the shield. "With just your muscles, you're like an Olympic-level athlete, right? You must be carrying thirty pounds."

Sylva rolled her eyes, waving toward where Istora sat. "Try seventy."

A grin spread across his face as he lifted the shield. Though somewhat rough, it was lightweight and easy to grip. Its edge felt sharp, and he could sense that he could cause considerable damage if he struck hard enough. The shield lacked any sort of straps for his arm, but a cord around the outer edge should let him use it as a kind of sling. "Not bad."

He held it to his left side and swung it forward. The acazite-tipped point slammed into a nearby bamboo shoot. The bamboo cracked under the blow, but the hide and wooden frame held firm.

"That'll do. Maybe we should add a cross brace to strengthen it further. That rockback skin is thick, but we won't have time to make another." Bruce swung his makeshift shield, noting how the counterweight shifted. "This will probably be fine. Might just need a better spear too. One with some weight behind it so I can stab instead of swing."

The last week had seen him grind through all the crafting unlocks he could come up with, even going as far as making himself a primitive helmet from stone, leather, and rockback shell. The result resembled a WWII infantry helmet more than a classic Greek hoplon or Roman legionnaire's scutum.

It was ugly as hell and lacked a neck guard, but it covered most of his head, at least. Given the lack of armor that fit a person shaped like him, they would have to make do with what they had.

Still, it should work if the tukuron's claws strike it. No way I'm taking the chance of an open helm again.

Sylva frowned, looking over the rough wood and stonework. She was in the middle of making herself a new bowstring to replace the one Istora tore apart. Bruce hoped that crafting with enchanted leather for this would provide one of the archery unlocks he craved.

I know I missed my shot with spear throwing and wrestling.

As Sylva pondered, her eyes widened.

"What is it?" Bruce asked.

She bit her lip, face reddening before she glanced away.

A knowing smile spread across his lips. "You figured something out, didn't you?"

Sylva met his gaze, sighing. "Maybe. Well, the problem wasn't the shield itself. We didn't have any decent grips for it. I thought we could use cordage to tie some rocks to the other side. That made it too heavy to move well with your Strength."

"Right. So what changed? You look excited."

Her smile widened. "That's because I figured out why this hasn't worked so far. Your stats weren't high enough—yet."

"Oh."

Sylva handed him the shield again.

"And if the tukuron swipes down with those claws of his, that shell will act like armor," Istora said, voice filled with excitement. "Jace can just block with his shield."

I like it when you're so confident, he thought, feeling proud that her shyness around Sylva had disappeared.

He nodded. "If we can figure out a better grip, maybe some sort of strap? This is nice and sturdy." He rapped his knuckles against the wood frame.

Istora held up a stone knife, carved with a crude spiral symbol. Her tail flicked happily behind her. "It'll do. If I engrave a pattern with my knife, it should count toward a Maneuver."

"Yeah, and since your Attributes are lower than mine, it's not that farfetched to believe you can get it to work sooner too," Sylva agreed, picking up her enchanted bow.

Bruce frowned and turned his back, raising the shield over his head and hunching. "Hey, could one of you try an attack? My arms and shoulders are sore from training. Need to see how this handles any strikes."

His heart rate kicked up a notch, mind recalling the many times he'd seen someone take a bad hit and go down.

"Let me do it, Riste. You have much better control of your Strength," Istora said. She grabbed one of their spare arrows.

Sylva frowned. "I was going to aim below the rim anyway. So even if I slip and attack too hard, Jace can easily dodge it."

"But if I hurt you-"

Bruce placed his hand on Istora's shoulder and squeezed gently. "How about we compromise? Let Sylva take a swing first and see how it goes?"

Istora gave him a look that suggested she thought him stupid before her shoulders sagged. "Alright. But, if either of you gets hurt, don't ask for healing."

It would have sounded more threatening without the cute head tilt. She still refused to meet Sylva's eyes.

I'll need to try to talk to her again. I doubt she'll tell me what's wrong, though.

"Got it, no injuries. And Riste, could you ease up please? There are only so many injuries she can heal any one day," Bruce said.

Sylva glanced toward him with an arched eyebrow. "You've fought beside her for longer than I have. Did you expect her to take it easy?"

"Yes, because there isn't anything we're doing right now that should lead to getting injured!" Istora countered.

The athletic woman sighed and shrugged. "We don't know how well it works or what we'll run into during the hunt."

"I still think this is overkill, Nat. You're putting way too much into it."

The tall blonde folded her arms across her chest. "I told you from the beginning, our lives are tied together. If one of us dies, all of us die. That's why the gods placed us together in this world. Whatever happened that gave us our Champion Boon probably affected everyone with it."

Sylva was right, but he hated thinking about the implications.

She shook her head, sighing. "Let's test that and see if it helps you feel less nervous. Riste, could I borrow your bow?"

Istora flinched, blinking at the unexpected request.

"It won't hurt. Jace is going to stand right there, and I'll do the bare minimum amount of energy," Sylva added.

That seemed to mollify the Shaman, and she handed over her bow.

"What are you going to do?" Bruce asked.

Sylva flashed an easy smile, drawing one of the arrows from her quiver. She nocked it to the string, pulled it back barely halfway, then aimed high.

*Shiiit.* His heart jumped into his throat.

"You'll be fine." The bowstring sang, and Sylva's hand jerked slightly.

The arrow darted from sight so fast it was like she'd released a firework rather than a projectile. The shaft embedded itself into the shield, missing Bruce's head by scant inches.

*DING!*

You have achieved a Heroic Feat! You have crafted a crude weapon with your own hands. Now, go forth and kill a lot of monsters with it.

Bruce blinked at the notification, barely resisting an instinct to look toward Sylva. "Um. Was this planned?"

The athletic woman smirked and folded her arms across her chest as she stared him down, one eyebrow arching. "That sounded suspiciously like suspicion, Jace."

"Yeah, well... that's because I'm pretty damn sure you set this up."

"Set what up? All I did was give you a sword," she countered, grin widening.

"One that gave me a new Achievement right as we finished putting the shield together. You knew exactly what to do to complete that Heroic Feat, and don't try denying it. I can see it on your face."

Sylva scoffed and grinned at Bruce. "And if it was? That Achievement should have doubled the stats granted by your armor. Which is why you're wearing it, so don't complain about my good deeds. Anyway, let's test your shield."

Bruce took the turtle shell with a roll of his eyes. He raised it toward the tall woman as he braced himself, then shouted, "I am Captain America!"

Nothing happened.

The shield was crude, not even shaped correctly. It resembled a flat rectangle, rather than an oval, with a single handhold affixed to its front. They hadn't even carved or trimmed any details, leaving it raw and functional.

Still, he gave it a good heave, attempting to hurl the turtle shield like Thor's hammer.

Again, nothing. No glowing light. No surge of power. It hit the ground hard.

"You have to say that phrase again," Sylva suggested. "I think you need the specific wording."

The shield was an awkward thing. Heavy enough to make him wonder if its material was steel, yet lighter than the rockback shell he'd used before.

Still, it would stop arrows. And the straps made it easy to hold in a single hand without cutting off circulation. If anything, Bruce liked it more than Sylva's metal one, since it could deflect attacks from the sides or above.

Of course, he wouldn't be able to cast Maneuvers with it at the same time. And the leather straps weren't strong enough to withstand the strain of magic. Bruce would need to get rid of it during any combat. But so far, nothing in this world had forced him to worry about multiple targets at once, and the shield could help against the tukuron they planned to hunt.

He took the shield and fastened the straps over his arm as Sylva held the wood brace for him. Once it was in place, Bruce turned his forearm and flexed.

Achievement Unlocked!

Do You Even Lift?

Requirements: Grind your strength to 80 and acquire a Shield Specialization.

Reward: Increased damage dealt when you wield a shield.

I wonder if this is a unique Specialization? Maybe I need to use a different type of shield or fight with one longer than my arm span to unlock another one.

The turtle shell had been cut to create an oval that fit comfortably within his arm span. Its top was angled in a smooth curve to deflect attacks from above, and the shell bulged at the center of its interior face to protect the forearm. It was a basic design, but the wood handle fastened inside its front edge allowed for solid grips and gave Bruce some options for maneuvering.

They still needed to craft leather straps for the back side of the shield, but it seemed well suited for his needs.

Sylva grinned. Despite the crude conditions, she was still gorgeous. A few smudges of mud and soot accentuated the tanned beauty of her bare skin. Without modern hygiene, she reeked of sweat and grease, but it did little to undercut the exotic appeal of her body. And the lack of underwear beneath her own hide skirt—now a pair of tight-fitting shorts—meant he received glimpses of her toned flesh whenever she bent over.

Istora giggled and wrapped her tendrils around Bruce, knowing where his thoughts had led. The rat girl hadn't missed his appreciative glances. He smiled sheepishly.

The two women spent a fair amount of time working together to create his leather gear. Istora wove the grass to make a coarse fabric Sylva then used to sew clothing for him. They even crafted a belt and scabbard.

Despite her best efforts, Sylva wasn’t a master seamstress. Bruce thought the leather looked like he'd been mugged by an octopus. Still, after several days of grinding, he finally received the latest of many Leatherworker Achievements. The resulting set of pants and armor vest proved quite durable, with plenty of rockback plates laced throughout to protect against slashes or punctures.

The shield was something else altogether. Sylva had carved a wooden handle out of a tree branch that let him grip it without needing to wrap the straps around his arm. But it still lacked a center brace, leaving Bruce to balance it by himself. It seemed to work in short bursts, but if he held it up for any length of time, he struggled to keep it stable.

I need a better way of bracing it than just pressing it against my forearm. He tried adding more wood strips behind the shell, but that only increased its bulk. The thing was too awkward and unwieldy.

The answer hit him while crafting more spearheads. While trying to shape a piece of rockback bone into a point, he saw how Sylva had fastened the wood handle to the shell. An idea occurred to him.

They cut several thin strips off the tree they used for the handle. After carving them into V-shaped brackets, he bound them to the shield by tying each one to a short cord. Then Bruce slipped one end of the cord into the hole before using a long, thin strip of hide to secure it. That meant he needed to make additional holes in the shield itself, but it served as a solid solution for affixing the brackets in place.

They repeated the process several times before finding a configuration that worked well enough for his purposes. He had to keep the spear angled so he wouldn't catch its blade on the top lip of the shield, but otherwise, it provided adequate protection.

As Bruce stood and practiced with the improvised equipment, he smiled. It feels weird compared to training with pads in football or even my modern armor vest. But given the limitations, this is far better than I expected.

With his Strength over eighty now, he managed to control the shield with minimal trouble. Its bulk didn't feel quite as unwieldy either. His new level of stats was far beyond anything he'd managed back home.

Sylva smirked. "Glad we're not going against anything like a tank, or it would be useless against anything more dangerous than a gnoll."

Istora frowned. "It doesn't look very effective. Shouldn't Jace make one of the stonehide lizard shells?"

"We could, but he'll be using the spear as his primary weapon," Bruce explained. "Besides, my armor vest will give me some extra protection, and I should be able to avoid taking blows from anything more dangerous. It just seems better to focus our efforts on spears, knives, and arrowheads for the hunt."

They tested the makeshift shield, holding it out to block Sylva's strikes. Her knife-like sword left nicks on the rockback shell but refused to cut through the hard material.

After they repeated the process several times with no problems, she asked, "Still okay, Bruce? Not too heavy?"

"No. Just awkward since I can't get as good of a grip as when I held it by hand. We might need to add a longer handle."

She smirked. "Not sure a handle that long would be practical in a fight. Though you could probably wear it on your back like some of the soldiers at Kusnou did."

Istora stepped forward and smiled. "May I try attacking too? I don't think anything else will unlock the last pottery achievement for Bruce."

Sylva laughed. "That sounds like a fair point. What about you, Jace? You want Istora helping you grind out the rest of those achievements?"

He chuckled. "Sure. Go ahead and give it a try, Istora. That seems pretty safe."

"Okay, hold out the shield and keep it steady. I've got just the right thing for this. Something simple but effective."

With a flick of her wrist, Istora loosed a pebble from her sling. It bounced harmlessly off the shield, clattering to the ground.

"Nice! Good shot!" he praised, earning a pleased grin from Istora.

She hugged Bruce. "It wasn't my best. Should have hit center mass. But I think it'll work just fine for our hunt. Even with Riste's help, fighting such a big creature sounds frightening, but we can do it. Together, we're so strong."

"Yes we are," Sylva replied as she flashed a grin at Bruce. She grabbed her sword. "Now, let's see if you can stop this with a simple block."

She drew her sword, swinging the long, narrow blade at him. It clanged against his shell shield, sliding harmlessly away.

Istora smiled at Bruce before nodding toward the pile of armor pieces they'd collected from dead Daubeni and monsters. "Jace, what do you think? Do you want to try a rockback shell helmet as well?"

He considered. The shell had proven remarkably resilient, but wearing it would mean leaving his head completely unprotected. A helm could provide more effective protection.

"Maybe if I had something to use as padding to cushion my head." He looked over the discarded clothing from the Daubeni soldiers. Several pairs of linen pants would be too large for his head. And he had no intention of wrapping his hair in fabric. He needed something soft enough not to snag his dreadlocks.

Sylva's ears twitched in interest. She strode to a small cluster of bushes and reached behind them, pulling out a ball of fluff.

"How about this?" she asked. "I found a nest the other day."

Bruce grinned as she handed him the soft, cottony ball. The stuffing felt perfect. "Oh yeah! This will work perfectly."

"Can we see you test your maneuvers now that you have it?" Istora asked, tail waving back and forth with enthusiasm.

"Sure, why not? What's the best target?"

Istora stepped aside. "Riste already killed our last turtle, so perhaps the log in the middle of the clearing?"

"That'll work."

Striking Serpent didn't help much. It allowed him to lunge forward faster, but his spear thrust still had little effect on the rough log. His shoulder would be bruised by morning, even with Sylva helping build his Endurance. Still, it showed his attacks did some damage.

Piercing Fang was different. When he triggered it, his attack became far sharper, more effective. The blade punctured nearly ten inches deep.

Istora clapped. "I guess that means you're ready."

Sylva gave an exuberant fist pump. "Yeah! Once you finish weaving those pants, we'll have everything we need."

"Not quite. I thought a few burlap bags wouldn't take me long but spent far too much time yesterday. There were a lot of knots that needed reworking. So, unless you want to walk all the way to Kusnou in underpants..."

Bruce shrugged. "Hey, if it's that or go commando... I don't mind showing a little skin."

"If you two are finished comparing what passes for undergarments around here, we still need to make a spear."

Istora flashed her toothy grin, her face flush. "No need. I finished yours this morning."

He hadn't noticed, probably because Istora had used his clothes as a model for length. Though, compared to his other primitive tools, the spearhead looked almost polished. It was made of the same obsidian as the gladius hilt and attached to a rockback spike with twine, much like Sylva's bow.

After handing him the weapon, Istora pointed out towards the forest. "Want to test it out? The tukuron might not be big like a rockback, but it will still take more than a single strike."

"Yeah. I'm not sure where you got your magic, but that blade is sharper than my adze." He gave the new weapon an experimental swing. "The balance feels good too. Better than the gladius, honestly."

Sylva snorted, tossing him the turtle shell. "Gladius? You mean your fancy knife? I guess you've been spending too much time with our Shaman."

Grinning, he slipped his left arm through a vine strap tied to the underside. Holding the handle, his hand and forearm rested just behind the top edge. A few pieces of wood strapped along the inside created an indent to support his forearm.

"So far so good," he said, giving the shield a practice swipe. He didn't have to worry about the weight, but the balance felt surprisingly comfortable.

With his other arm, he tested a few thrusts with his new spear.

"Good to see it working. If we get a chance to hunt some deer or boar, I'd love to unlock another cooking Achievement." Sylva gave him a thumbs up.

Istora snickered, eyes fixed on his crotch.

Yeah, pants are really gonna make a difference once I unlock those. Maybe if I can trade for an awl, Istora can help me make a sewing needle. Even if she still likes seeing me without clothes.

Despite the lack of underwear, the shield worked surprisingly well. Sylva had cut several rockback plates slightly larger than his hand and secured them inside the shell with cordage, forming a reinforced edge.

They had tied vine straps around the shell so Bruce could wrap his arm under the shield and strap it in place. With another set of cords tied to the inside, he could tug his arm through without removing the shield entirely.

The entire setup had a primitive but solid look, reminding him of Spartan hoplites.

Istora finished her work and held up a pair of gray leather trousers. Sylva helped Bruce secure the shell in place, making sure it worked as planned. Satisfied, she looked over at Istora and clapped her hands, excited.

Bruce couldn't help laughing as Istora presented his first pants. He accepted the item, smiling as he examined her craftsmanship.

"This should prove a welcome upgrade."

"Oh, I wouldn't get too comfortable with your modesty," Sylva grinned.

His brow furrowed, and he tilted his head. "Why? Did you make me underwear?"

"No. And trust me, you'll be glad about that once we hunt that tukuron." Sylva smirked, then laughed when Bruce's face heated, remembering what happened each night.

"I'm happy to give you some privacy during the day though. That should help keep things from getting... distracting."

Istora sighed, staring at his crotch before she handed him a pair of dark brown burlap trousers.

The moment Bruce took them, he smiled at an unexpected discovery. "Wow. These are softer than I expected."

"Yeah. The cloth we've made is scratchy and stiff until I wash it," Sylva replied.

Bruce glanced down and grinned. He tugged at a loop made from shell cordage around his waist. It looked like a pair of brown shorts, but he would call them boxers. His final pair had a thick cord sewn to the inside seam, letting him adjust the fit without too much fuss.

He secured his new pants with the belt loop then took the shield from Sylva.

Bruce held it with both arms, surprised at its weight. With a little help from Istora, they affixed the vine straps around his arm and tested the fit. When Bruce dropped his other arm, it snapped in place, secured tight around him.

The shell weighed more than expected, as if he were wearing an impromptu suit of heavy armor. He frowned as he moved his arm back and forth. The shield swayed, its top edge bobbing wildly.

The turtle shell was larger than anticipated and only protected his front and part of his right side.

If he held the shield directly in front, his neck was vulnerable. With its current setup, the shield was designed for an average-sized opponent, so the top reached above Bruce's head. While he wasn’t terribly short at six feet even, it required him to hunch over to shield his torso and face.

Even if they fixed the problems, it left his legs bare, which had proven a serious problem before. Bruce was also unsure how to wield the spear at the same time.

He set the shield aside. If nothing else, its existence meant they could kill a much smaller lizard-bear and have decent protection from its claws and teeth.

Sylva grinned as she saw him approach with the new spear. It was the most successful design yet, the flint head affixed to a long wooden haft using green wood glue. His second try had ended up snapped in half when he struck a rock.

When the glue dried, Istora had enchanted the whole weapon. As far as Bruce could tell, she was unable to infuse the material directly, and the magic only seemed to work within wood. Instead, she placed the spell along the outside edge of the spearhead where it was most likely to see use.

The shaman claimed the enchantment would cause wounds to fester. Bruce wasn't sure how that worked, but it might prove helpful if their target got lucky and landed a hit.

Istora gave them both smiles as she finished a rough pair of pants, handing them to Bruce. They were made from the same material as her shirt: stitched together burlap panels reinforced with the stoneback's belly plates.

Once Bruce dressed, he took the spear and shield, moving through his routine. The shield fit well, its edge jutting out above his head and shoulders for extra coverage. He moved through a few steps, finding the weapon surprisingly agile, which felt a little absurd given its mass and reach.

The weight also allowed him to keep the butt off the ground and rest some of it against his hip. He had no way to test its defensive capabilities without attacking another rockback. Even so, he was pleased.

"Looks good," Sylva said, leaning back against her tree and resting her chin on her hands, eyes on Bruce. "You'll make a good tank with a little practice. Though, if you ever find an actual shield, we should switch. The size of those things makes a buckler look silly, but my bow and your spear will be effective at a distance. If you're right next to me, I won't be able to do anything useful."

"That's fair. I'm still going to use this during our next hunt. But the moment we reach a town and learn where to buy better equipment, I'm switching," Bruce replied.

With only one more day before they could start looking for the tukuron, it was time to craft a proper spearhead. Sylva provided him with several lengths of bamboo to work with. It took three tries to create a sharp enough flint edge and form a sturdy connection between the haft and point. But once he achieved success, an Interface notice popped up.

Congratulations! You have unlocked the skill Stoneworking, granting two ranks. While it is not uncommon for a human to master this art, you have accomplished something remarkable: forging an iron hard tool using stone. A pity your parents won't know what a good job you've done. Keep working hard, Bruce. There are so many things that will never occur to you without guidance and effort.

"Well, the new spearhead definitely got me another Stoneworking Achievement," Bruce said. "I'm also surprised to see my parents mentioned."

Sylva glanced over. "What does that mean?"

"They never showed up during my Ascension process. Guess I should have known better. The Interface is what's making it possible for us to stay sane and survive here in this jungle, after all." Bruce paused. "You didn't see yours either?"

"I saw you, your dad, and our cat from Earth."

A pang of envy flashed through Bruce before he shook it off. He wasn't jealous of her seeing their feline companion—he'd already realized how much he missed his former housemates—but having his father and mother there meant so much to him.

As Bruce took the shield in hand, a rush of pleasure washed across his mind, and a notice popped up.

Congratulations! You have unlocked the Shields (Basic) skill, granting five ranks. Your ability to use a shield in combat has improved as you experiment with various forms. While still quite crude by traditional standards, your skill remains beyond the level of most who live in these wild worlds. Keep up the good work, Bruce.

The wooden disk was three feet in diameter with a grip carved at its center and leather strapping wrapped around the base. Its only ornamentation consisted of two rows of four bone spikes arrayed like a smile. The projectile defenses weren't great, but a little padding fixed that.

Since the shield proved a useful tool and weapon, Sylva used it for crafting, creating an excellent set of archery targets. She was still learning how best to aim in this new body but had progressed from consistently hitting her chosen target to consistently missing.

Bruce was also glad to receive the Shields (Basic) bonus as even a few points boosted his Strength Attribute. Now he could reliably use the crude creation without his left arm feeling as though it would be torn out of the socket.

A couple days later, they packed up and began their hunt.

The tukuron's reported nest lay deep in a small valley, several days march from the village. It was just over twenty miles from where they first appeared in this world.

Istora had never visited the location, but Sylva had flown over it before returning to the village. She'd seen what looked like tracks near an abandoned ruin and thought it worth checking out. The group brought several clay vessels filled with filtered water and stored fresh meat in Istora's enchanted haversack, so they had minimal supplies to carry.

Their journey proved uneventful, and after a week, they neared the valley. A nearby stream provided fresh water, and their rations held out. They'd eaten nothing but dried turtle and goblin grass. Istora insisted the former tasted delicious. Bruce disagreed.

Sylva's enhanced perception picked out what might be a game trail as they reached the forested edge of the valley, which proved as barren as she described. The only plant life consisted of scraggly weeds and hardy shrubs clinging to existence.

Tukuron tracks stood out prominently where the soil was soft enough, indicating Sylva's report was accurate. It seemed like they hunted the same direction, toward a small mountain on the valley floor.

Sylva led the way in pursuit. Though Istora had never been this way, the valley's lack of vegetation made tracking the giant lizard's backtrail straightforward. They followed the winding trail a few hours before coming to an old ruin.

Most of the stonework foundation lay intact but overgrown with a thick layer of vegetation. The area around the building was cleared, and tukuron tracks crisscrossed the ground. A large nest of sticks and deadfall dotted the center of the yard.

Though the structure was mostly collapsed, Bruce spotted the remains of pillars and the outlines of doorways leading into the hillside. There was something oddly familiar about the ruins.

Istora walked past, ignoring the building and heading for the clearing. She crouched low to study the tracks before looking up toward the sun. "The creature lives beneath the stonehouse."

Bruce frowned. "That makes no sense. How is the nest outside and not underground?"

She shook her head, gesturing at the surrounding trees. "Its den is elsewhere. These tracks are far from fresh and do not include any babies. I think the monster uses this place to leave its lair and gather food."

"Hmmm... well, guess it doesn't matter. We've got the drop on the thing either way."

Istora smiled but held out both hands, warding them back. "It'll smell you before we're ready to attack and flee deeper into the old building. Can Riste fly high and kill it with arrows while Jace and I lure it out?"

Bruce grinned. "Let's try that. If the arrows don't finish it off, I can help pin it down. And with the enchantment on your bow, we shouldn't have much trouble hunting other predators once we have its pelt."

After checking their equipment, Bruce, Istora, and Sylva headed toward the stone ruins to hunt their prey. The structure sat at the bottom of a low bluff where a creek ran through the forest, curving away from the mountain and valley floor.

They made excellent progress and soon approached the stone building. After spotting their quarry, Bruce gestured for Sylva and Istora to follow his lead. He moved forward, careful to avoid snapping any twigs or alerting the giant lizard to their presence.

Istora and Sylva crept behind him, keeping silent as they slipped between trees. They moved closer to the edge of the clearing, and he raised his hand, gesturing for them to stop.

The tukuron appeared to be a mix between a crocodile and an iguana. It rested at the top of the ruined foundation with only one of its four eyes open.

It looked around, and Bruce ducked below the underbrush as he waited for it to relax. After several minutes, he rose to check again, but the monster appeared asleep.

Sylva crouched next to him, bow drawn. She had five steel arrows set across her lap, ready to launch in rapid succession.

He glanced toward Istora, who nodded with determination as she clutched the bowstring and nocked a fletched shaft to the bowstring.

Bruce studied the giant lizard one last time before looking at Sylva.

She gave a tight nod. "It's do or die time."

A loud harrumph came from his right. He rolled his eyes at Istora, and they both snickered. "Sorry, Riste, couldn't pass it up."

"Ugh! You and your dumb jokes..." She waved her hand, rolling her eyes, then shifted into a crouch. "I'll count down from three. Then, you move in and start stabbing. Get me?"

He nodded, hefting the crude spear. After several days of training and grinding out a crafting Achievement with it, the weapon finally felt natural in his grip. "Good to go. I'll attack from your ten o'clock."

Tapping her bow against the ground, Sylva grinned. "Sounds like a plan. Three, two... One!"

They launched forward, Sylva launching arrows at his head. While his armor wouldn't stop them, she'd coated the shafts in a green paste made from a tree sap and herb they identified by taste. The resulting chemical burn might have been lethal if the arrow pierced skin, but it still hurt like hell.

Bruce raised the turtle shell shield and activated Striking Serpent. Faster than before, he dodged to the side.

A single arrow slammed into his makeshift burlap bracer, burning painfully. Even so, the shot had missed most of his arm.

Bruce darted to the right, trying to flank Sylva. With her speed at over eighty-five, he would never keep pace otherwise. His legs pumped hard, and he channeled his speed toward the woman. He felt his legs moving faster, muscles responding more quickly than normal. It wasn't much, but it gave him hope that with practice, he might improve his abilities further.

In a blur, he leapt at Sylva, stabbing out with Piercing Fang. She dropped under his thrust before twisting aside to let another arrow fly. This one punched into the ground next to his thigh.

The woman spun her body in an acrobatic twist, landing lightly on her feet. Sylva grinned as she raised her bow.

Shifting the stone head of his spear to his shield hand, Bruce reached behind himself. He drew two arrows from his quiver, throwing them toward Sylva's chest. The athletic young woman danced backward, ducking one shaft. She caught the other with her left hand.

Bruce rushed her again, trying to close the distance between them. Sylva moved like smoke, slipping past his thrust, drawing one leg up to kick him in the shoulder.

A dull thump hit his chest. Grunting, Bruce staggered back a step before launching his body forward, shield raised. "Hey! It worked!"

The stone projectile bounced off his turtle shell shield. Bruce smiled down at his new weapon. "I can move easily while using it too."

"Looks great, Jace. We'll still want something heavier, but this should work," Sylva said with a smile.

She tossed the stone missile aside, turning toward Istora. "How are the pants coming?"

The Rathemian nodded. "G-good. They should fit, I think."

Sylva smirked and raised a hand. "Let's see it!"

Istora blushed. Her tendrils twitched in agitation as she handed over the pants.

The athletic girl chuckled and gave them a critical once-over. "You did good."

"Yeah. How'd you make those so well? Your previous ones were, well..."

Sylva shot him a flat look before rolling her eyes. "Aren't you the one who has all these weird crafting unlocks? It wasn't a problem. Not really." She paused. "I mean, the cordage is still kinda crude, and it's not super sturdy. They'll probably only last a week or two. Just need to keep our strength at the upper end of normal."

Bruce laughed and patted Sylva on the back with his right hand, noting how the muscles played under her pale skin. He turned, inspecting the makeshift equipment.

They were headed out on an epic quest, at least for him. Still, this felt much less epic than the movies he'd watched over the years. No magic armor, no legendary weapons. They'd built everything from the ground up—literally.

Well, we did kill those rockbats, but that was Sylva doing most of the work. Though I have been getting stronger and faster, which means my spear should be more effective too. Still, going to rely on the shield and turtle shell to help absorb the shock. Don't want to test my luck against the tukuron unless I'm using Piercing Fang.

As Bruce considered their plans for hunting the unknown monster, he noted how Sylva's pants hung loose and saggy around her legs despite being woven from the tough fibers Istora preferred.

While Sylva was no fashion model, she had an attractive figure, curvy without being overly muscled. Her lack of underwear revealed an ass most girls would die for, but Bruce averted his eyes from her backside. The thought of ogling his friend in such a way made him feel dirty.

It's weird how casual we all are about nudity here. I know that if she saw me with Istora, we'd act pretty differently, though. And even when the two women bathed or changed clothes, Bruce tried not to look—with only mixed success.

He took the shield from her, slipping his left arm through the loop, careful not to dislodge the thick braid Istora had used to secure the grip in place.

"Perfect," he said, slinging it over his shoulder. "Nice and light too. The plates you added help protect against shock from arrows."

Istora smiled at him. "The wards help too. I'll reinforce them whenever they're ready to wane, but should last a couple weeks if they get attacked. Just make sure that it doesn't get too damaged. Otherwise, they will fail faster."

Bruce glanced over his left arm. His bracers bore no sign of his previous failure and wouldn’t do much against a solid hit. If anything, their weight would help absorb a blow. Still, between the bracers, shield, spear, and armor, he felt far more confident of success.

I still want more Attribute boosts before our hunt, but this is better than nothing.

He nodded. "And you can help us kill any other rockbats we might run into so we won't be surprised by their poison spit."

"Yeah," Sylva agreed, handing Bruce the latest version of his spear. "The tukuron should be even tougher than that rockback. Not going to lie, I'd be more comfortable if we had enchanted gear for you, but that's not happening anytime soon. So, we need to rely on teamwork. You'll tank and use Maneuvers to keep the beast distracted from us. And when the time is right, I'll put an arrow down its throat."

Bruce nodded, accepting the five-foot shaft. They'd worked on it for the last four days, using his new shovel to chisel out a crude acazite point. When combined with a second rockback shell secured at the end with braided cordage, it made for an impressive weapon—or would once the stone was sharpened into a proper speartip.

"We've got this," he said confidently. "With Istora and you backing me up, it shouldn't be a problem."

"It will be fine." Istora's tail curled around his thigh possessively, and he felt grateful that they'd all been naked almost all week. Otherwise, his armor would have grown pretty uncomfortable.

Bruce spent the morning working on his spearhead and then testing different angles of attack with his sword. The gladius wasn't ideal, lacking much of a cutting edge or guard. Still, it gave him at least some familiarity. And, unlike his crude spear, at least he understood the weapon's limits and capabilities.

Sylva had been training as well, both with the bow and throwing their newly fashioned bolas.

Bruce found the latter weapon surprisingly challenging to use, and the trio laughed whenever one of them ended up tangled in cordage after missing their target. Sylva proved almost as inept as he did, so Istora became their go-to girl when they needed a bola thrown.

Bruce accepted the heavy wooden disc. Its leather strap allowed it to rest against his forearm. The turtle shell was about a foot wide and two feet tall, curved slightly, and weighed far more than expected. A simple handle allowed him to spin it around when needed.

He grinned as it moved easily, already envisioning ways to counter and redirect strikes with the shield.

Sylva nodded approvingly as he practiced blocking attacks.

Istora let out a pleased squeal. "I love it! That should really help keep you safe."

"I'll still be doing the same thing. Tank for you and Nat while you shoot at it," Bruce replied. "Just like we practiced last night."

Sylva chuckled. "Except last night, we were in the bedroom. Not in the middle of the swamp. Remember, Istora only knows how to cast that ward right after killing an animal, not in advance. If she tries, she gets a nasty headache from magical backlash."

Bruce nodded. "Yeah. I remember. We won't know what it can do until we have to cast the ward to prevent spoilage. Hopefully, it will be enough. Otherwise, we may need to bring a clay vessel for that part."

He accepted the turtle shell and tested it against a fallen log. It was large, about five feet tall and three wide. A sturdy branch formed its handle, and a rockback belly plate reinforced the underside, providing plenty of protection for his vital parts.

With Sylva's Strength helping with the strap, they'd anchored it well to support his arm. Bruce swung his sword, using Piercing Fang to test how it shifted as he moved. After a few more swings, he grinned. "Yeah, this works. Now that I can block blows, I think this is ready for a hunt. What do you say, girls? Are we ready to bag our monster?"

Istora let out a delighted squeal and bounded into Bruce's arms. Even Sylva flashed an excited grin before catching herself and forcing a more neutral expression. "Finally! That shield turned out pretty good. With the rest of the stuff, I think we're as prepared as possible. I vote we try it out tonight. It's still light out. We could scout out the area and bring back some meat. Then, we'll know if we're missing any essentials."

Bruce chuckled. "Sounds like a plan. We might be a bit low on provisions by tomorrow though."

"I'm fine with that. I just need enough food to sustain my Attributes." Sylva flexed, displaying her muscular arms. "We can survive off fruit and nuts for a few days if necessary."

He couldn't deny the benefit of being able to forgo eating meat—especially when it meant avoiding killing animals for it. His stomach, on the other hand, had more complex thoughts about the idea. "Okay. Just means a later dinner for me and Istora. Though maybe you should grab some food from the stash before we head out. Your Agility is high enough that I'm not sure I could beat you if you ran off."

Sylva snorted. "Like I'd betray you. That would be so cliché. You really think I want to be stranded here alone? It's better with three. Plus, I kinda like having Istora around as backup too. She has a much more optimistic view of the future than us two doom gophers."

Istora perked up at the mention of her name and smiled. "That reminds me. How are the wards holding up, Riste?"

The athletic woman shrugged. "They seem okay. They're still there when I wake up, even though Bruce doesn't stick around. He never comes to the shelter unless you coerce him."

She cast him a sidelong glance as a mischievous grin stretched across Istora's face. "Well, it wouldn't be polite for him to visit without me. I mean, what would the other women say? Can't have everyone thinking I don't share."

"Share?" Sylva asked, blinking in confusion.

"Tsk, tsk. You can be so obtuse. Share! Meaning my boyfriend. Jace is mine now."

Bruce laughed at Istora's mischievous grin and teasing tone. He was learning there was a much deeper mind behind her sweet façade. And it felt good to be the focus of her attention.

The two women both paused, staring at him with wide eyes.

He shook his head. "Not sure anyone needs to 'own' me, ladies."

Istora chuckled warmly. "You say that now."

He shot her a grin and tried lifting the shield by its leather grip. The movement felt easy despite his low Attribute, thanks to the strap on his forearm. "I'll admit it's a definite improvement. Might not last long in a fight, but it should provide some protection until you can get back in the mix. And I can carry it one-handed without slowing us down too much."

"Good." She stepped in close and kissed him, tendrils stroking his chin. "Let's head to Kusnou."

Her tail slid across the ground behind her in an agitated pattern, her words more of a command than a suggestion. He raised a quizzical eyebrow but didn't press. Istora wasn't prone to giving orders—and something about going to town seemed to unsettle her.

After packing a bag and strapping a crude stone spearhead to a shaft of bamboo, they set off for Kusnou. Once out of sight of their camp, Istora and Sylva dropped their masks, returning to human form.

On the walk, Sylva spent ten minutes explaining the plan for acquiring tukuron equipment to him in more detail. While they spoke, Istora clung to his side with her tail entwined around his waist, her eyes flicking back and forth nervously as they walked.

He wanted to ask what bothered her, but with Sylva close by, it didn't seem like the right time. Instead, he let the matter lie for now. They'd been here a few months and still didn't know anything about Istora's people or world. She might fear that her homeland is dangerous. Or that they can't make it without her magic.

When Kusnou came into view, Bruce stopped in surprise, and he took in the scene. The town looked far larger than he expected from the description of a trading hamlet.

The wooden stockade walls stretched over 30 feet high and surrounded several acres of space within. A double gate stood open with a pair of guards outside, wearing leather armor with spear and buckler at the ready.

Sylva turned at his hesitation and nodded toward the city. "See, I told you this place would be safe. The town guard is pretty tough. Not sure why, but when we got here, we met an adventurer that mentioned something about a war. He wasn't exactly chatty though."

Bruce shook his head and continued walking. The path leading to the town entrance passed by rows of tukuron fences and corrals. Bruce gaped, counting dozens of the gigantic beasts milling about. They easily topped forty feet long and measured about twenty wide. Thick brown hide covered the large lizards' bodies. Though they moved slowly, powerful muscles shifted with each motion. Long jaws full of sharp teeth revealed vicious, crocodilian heads, which bobbed slightly as they fed upon hay tossed out by slaves.

Several had dark green scales, and others showed deep reds and blues. All carried ridged horns sweeping back along their head. Many wore saddles or harnesses covered in metal spikes and chains, marking them as working beasts used to haul wagons. Others wore no such adornments.

A nearby slave in a gray tunic glanced up from tending one of the enormous animals. His eyes went wide, and he backed away from Bruce with arms raised, trembling. The boy couldn't be more than fifteen, his brown eyes showing hints of a yellow sheen. He babbled, sounding panicked and pleading in a language Bruce didn't understand.

Sylva rushed over to restrain the frightened youth, pulling his arms down, and speaking in a quiet, reassuring tone. "You're safe here. Nobody is going to hurt you. No need to panic."

The slave stared at her, looking terrified and unsure what to do.

"Riste? Can you tell me why he's so scared?" Bruce asked, watching as other slaves nearby dropped to the ground, cowering as well.

"This guy won't talk. None of them will. I think something bad happened when the goblins were captured, but that's just a guess," Sylva answered.

She released the boy, but he stayed near Sylva, seeming afraid of everyone else. A quick check of his tunic showed several tears in it. Bloody marks along his neck and wrists matched similar injuries on his fellow slaves.

"Think someone is beating them?"

"Probably. That's standard for some types of slavery. It's just easier when you can buy someone for cheap." Bruce shook his head and turned to the nearby stream, dunking his hands into the water. "It doesn't change what we're doing with those other slaves, but maybe we'll get lucky. If we offer to set them free or buy them from their owners, we might manage it without violence."

"Let's hope so," Sylva said.

A nearby groan drew Bruce's attention, and he stared as a man crawled out of the river. He looked familiar.

Where have I seen this guy before? His hair was long, and it took a moment for Bruce to recognize him.

The newcomer pushed himself up on shaky hands and knees. Long black locks fell to obscure his face. When he lifted his chin and brushed his hair aside, the man's brown eyes met Bruce's.

"M-Marcus?"

Istora gasped, rushing over to embrace the man. "Brother! You are here!"

"And naked," Sylva remarked, grinning at the muscular African-American man. She wore only a bra and panties, still sweaty after hours of physical work.

Despite all her talk about nudity being normal, she sure doesn't seem bothered by him getting an eyeful.

Marcus hugged Istora close and offered Sylva a small bow. His voice was deep, with a thick Southern accent. "Miss Sylva. It is good to see you."

She chuckled. "Likewise, Marcus. You can call me Riste if you prefer. And it's just a pleasure to look at."

The muscular man's dark skin showed little tanning, though a long red scar ran from his left shoulder to his abdomen. While his body showed clear signs of malnutrition, Marcus appeared remarkably hale after nearly drowning and having suffered what was likely near-fatal blood loss.

"I'll remember that," Marcus murmured. He pulled back his wet hair, revealing several additional scars on his neck and throat. A pair of angry burns lay on his left cheek. They continued down his shoulder and seemed to cover most of his torso. "My apologies for the lack of attire."

Sylva shrugged. "Nah. This isn't my first nudist experience. Been camping at some resorts that got rid of swimsuits years ago. Just need to stop being such a prude. I blame too much exposure to people who think seeing a naked body means lusting after them."

Marcus' brow furrowed as he glanced over at Bruce and Istora. "That's not the same young man I rescued, is it? And a new ally?"

She nodded. "Yeah. So this guy's a Champion now too. I can introduce you later."

Istora perked up. She'd been helping with their clothing project earlier but excused herself after the third time she dropped stitches. Her cheeks flushed a faint blue.

The African American man nodded, then gestured at a nearby tree trunk. "In that case, perhaps I should return to my task. There is still wood to shape for the new cabins."

"I'm not sure they'll be needed for a while yet, but there's no harm in preparing for future residents," Sylva said, smiling at him. "If you need help, ask any of the furballs. They love working on projects. We've got more than enough food, so don't worry about hunting or fishing unless you want a snack. We've plenty of meat. It might spoil if we can't come back soon, though, so don't overdo it."

After Marcus left to join Trevor and some other men in chopping trees and carving out logs for the next set of cabins, Bruce strapped on his burlap bracer. "It seems like he's coming out of his shell."

"Yeah. The guy was really jumpy at first. Probably worried about us stealing from him. Can't say I blame him too much." Sylva shrugged. "He did give his knife to you. You should talk to him later, Jace. Maybe he'll open up after seeing how serious you are about building something here."

He nodded, then lifted his crude spear. "Ready for a little combat training?"

Sylva snorted. "We don't know much about that tukuron besides what those guys in the tavern said. Better if we learn your strengths before we get there."

"And that means...?"

She smirked. "A duel! And not a sparring match where we hold back. Full speed attacks, right at one another."

Istora yelped.

Sylva turned toward her. "Don't worry, Istora. No spells yet. We've got to make sure it won't break Jace's stick before we even think about putting it to use against the tukuron."

"Okay," Istora mumbled.

"I guess it's too much to hope we'll test it without damaging it, huh?"

Sylva shook her head ruefully. "That thing will stop anything short of a mithril blade, at least if I judge from the other animals that wear these shells. The arrows are still deadly. We should test if we can use magic too, but I doubt that will change much."

Bruce nodded. "True. And it shouldn't get ruined unless you drop a meteor or something on it."

"Not sure how to go about testing that, but I'll try to keep that in mind for the future," Sylva deadpanned.

Bruce chuckled, then turned to Istora, who was biting her lip. He raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong?"

The Rathemian sighed, then smiled. "Nothing, Jace. We're ready to hunt the tukuron right?"

Bruce looked over to Sylva, who nodded. She grinned. "Yep. You finished grinding that last night and have as many unlocks as I can think of."

"I'll make clay jars for Riste's filtering system too. And then we'll set off in the morning," he said, looking back at Istora. When she simply smiled in response, Bruce shook his head ruefully.

She'd been acting strangely all week. It was subtle, but now he was confident it wasn't his imagination.

They still spent each night together. Bruce tried not to think about where Istora went during the days and ignored the looks she shared with Sylva. It all added up to a mystery he had no idea how to solve.

But tomorrow we'll be fighting a massive monster. Now's probably not the best time to try and find out what's going on.

Istora nodded in reply, finishing his rough pants. As he thanked her and headed outside to test his new shield against stone attacks, Bruce reflected that whatever the issue, at least Istora didn't seem angry with him.

Still, that doesn't explain why Sylva acts so guilty when the three of us are together. There has to be an explanation. I'm not crazy!

The shield deflected arrows easily. And, the turtle shell proved tough enough that it survived his first few Piercing Fangs. They were careful not to damage it too badly. Still, Bruce's hopes of crafting a replacement from acazite proved realistic.

Sylva even devised a strategy for dealing with its speed. "It might not run away from you but that doesn't mean we should risk it reaching us. Once you engage, I'll shoot it until I'm sure it can't ignore me anymore. Then, as soon as I'm clear, you finish it off."

Istora added a defensive spell to protect him if the beast managed to bypass him. While she was unsure what impact that would have, at least they all agreed it would be better than nothing.

They planned to face down the tukuron, then head to Kusnou. Istora insisted that any town near the border must have some connection to her homeland.

While she and Sylva spoke of it occasionally, Bruce remained ignorant of the place and wanted to ask more questions. But as much as they made progress with his crafting, the others did equally well in increasing their combat skills.

A few days later, Sylva came back from exploring the area, eager to share news about their future target.

"So, based on their descriptions, it sounds like the tukuron is something like a wingless wyvern. About twelve feet long, maybe a foot at its widest, and stands roughly seven feet tall."

Istora's head bobbed, but Bruce noted that her body language remained stiff. "I don't know where these people have encountered our enemies, but I agree it sounds like a zenodar, the apex hunter in the jungle. We only ever saw one, when my village fell. The zenodar slaughtered more than a dozen of us before fleeing to a safe distance and watching us starve."

Sylva grimaced. "If they're as formidable as you make them sound, why did they run away?"

"They can sense magic, and my parents had cast protective wards to slow the fire. While not strong enough to truly injure one, such spells are usually enough to drive an enemy off."

The young woman nodded. "Well, I scouted out the area those guys mentioned. And we should definitely check it out."

Istora set aside the shirt she'd been crafting for Bruce, joining the other two.

"What did you find?" Bruce asked, his brow furrowing with worry.

"Tukuron tracks and lots of them. The hunters must've come in from the south, which is why they never got attacked. There's a small stream running north that they probably waded along to hide their scent. That was the direction the tracks headed in after leaving camp."

She pointed to the map she had drawn based on her explorations and the descriptions of the hunters. Her notes indicated how she'd confirmed everything via the local vegetation.

Bruce grimaced. "If they were moving away from our camp, that's great. Do we need to worry about it circling back? Or can it recognize where they were hunting before and head home?"

The athletic woman hesitated, then shrugged. "Probably not smart enough for that. And if so, what will it matter? The whole point of coming here was to hunt this thing."

"Good point," Bruce admitted.

Istora sighed and nodded her agreement.

He tested the shield, strapping it to his arm. After several adjustments, he felt confident he wouldn't fall over from the weight. When Sylva suggested adding a pair of handles behind the shell, they all agreed it was a great idea. The extra grips made moving the bulky protection far less awkward.

"Alright, with this shield, I don't think I need armor." He glanced around, spotting Sylva's bow. "Can you hand me that spear?"

Sylva grinned and passed the spear to Bruce.

I can work with this. If I have to rely on a single blow, let it count. The head isn't the sharpest, but a hard enough thrust should pierce leather armor. Now that we're heading after the tukuron, it seems time to give that new Maneuver a try.

He focused his thoughts, attempting to trigger Striking Serpent and Piercing Fang simultaneously. Both techniques activated at once, sending power surging through his limbs. To Bruce's surprise, the effects meshed seamlessly, amplifying each other.

The Maneuvers lasted barely a second, yet, he still managed three lightning-fast strikes before they ran their course. Bruce's arm ached, his mind reeling from the speed and violence of those three blows. The first two glanced off Sylva's chest, but the final one pierced the leather.

She stumbled back, wincing as blood darkened her top. "Ow!"

"Damn. I'm so sorry," Bruce apologized, helping to steady her. "I should've warned you I'd been working on my abilities."

Sylva smirked and grabbed one of the bandages they'd prepared for that exact purpose. "It's okay. Just remember that next time. And don't expect too much out of your Maneuvers when we hunt that tukuron."

Istora winced as she examined Sylva's wound. "Sorry. My Healing Touch only heals magic damage, but I can make more healing salve. It will close the wound if nothing else."

Sylva waved it off as the bleeding slowed. "No biggie. Not the first time I've been injured practicing fighting techniques. And this isn't life-threatening. So thanks for trying."

"I could get my mom or dad to see about healing you." Istora chewed her lip, eyes downcast.

The athletic woman shook her head. "It's just a flesh wound. And like hell I'm going back there again so soon. They were a huge help with our situation, and I do appreciate them treating Bruce like one of their own." She paused, taking a deep breath to calm herself. "But I have a hard time around them. Their love feels like it comes with strings attached, even if they aren't saying it. You know?"

Istora blinked, glancing over at Bruce. He could sense the tension in her tendrils from his spot by the fire, roasting the day's kill. "Uh, what kind of strings?"

"They both made little digs about my weight when they met Bruce. And Mom kept dropping hints that we should start thinking about settling down, and Dad kept saying how amazing it is for me to find such a great guy so early in life."

Tails and ears drooped as Istora spoke. "Oh. Yeah, now that you mention it, it does feel like maybe they were a bit passive aggressive. That's so rude!"

She flashed a wan smile. "Yeah. Sorry, let's get back to crafting." Sylva pointed to the shield, trying to move the conversation away from her issues.

Bruce hefted the thick stoneback shell, now reinforced with a hardwood backing and handle. The handle gave him something to grip with his right hand while still protecting most of his body.

"Okay, seems solid. Let's test its endurance. Want me to fire an arrow at it?"

Istora gasped, tendrils flailing. "What? Don't shoot Jace!"

Sylva grinned at her, tail flicking playfully. "I won't actually hit him, unless he decides to be reckless."

"No shooting, Sylva," Istora grumbled. "If you hurt Bruce, I'll be very unhappy with you."

"Oh yeah?" The other woman smirked, raising her bow and drawing an arrow. "How would you punish me?"

The Shaman hesitated for a moment before replying. "I'd refuse to share Bruce. He can have sex with both of us, but I'd only share you."

Bruce nearly dropped the shield as his cheeks burned. It wasn't often that he felt embarrassed. He looked up in time to see Sylva's jaw drop as she stared at Istora, her face rapidly matching Bruce's.

The black-haired beauty flashed a smug, self-satisfied grin at the stupefied women. Her tail swung in slow, languid strokes, betraying none of the shame he knew she felt for making such a bold statement.

Istora leaned over to plant a quick kiss on Bruce's cheek. "Anyway, if you think we could get a few of the Daubens to guard our home, it would free up even more time." She winked, tendrils wagging flirtatiously as her smile shifted from smug to warm.

His heart thumped at the sudden mood shift.

Oh crap, I'm falling hard. Damn.

"Uh, y-yeah. That's not a bad idea. They can watch the camp and bring us back any animals they catch." He swallowed.

After a long pause, Sylva cleared her throat. "You could teach them a hand signal. A few of those fuzzy jerks are bright enough for that. You should be able to come up with something."

"Oh, I guess we'll need something to butcher meat, won't we?" She laughed, a note of nervousness to the sound. "That will work, right?"

Bruce forced a smile and a nod, trying to ignore the memory of Sylva staring at the shell earlier. "Yeah, should be good. I think it'd be pretty hard to miss one of these things. Just have to hope you're not in their path."

A flash of pain crossed her face before it turned somber, almost angry. "Bruce..."

"I know," he replied softly. "It wasn't your fault. You didn't have a choice."

Sylva let out a huff of frustration and looked away, her gaze drifting down the beach where a lone figure stared out at the ocean. Istora and several of the Daubeni had gone hunting for dinner.

"I'll go talk with her," he said, resting his hand on her shoulder. "She hasn't been herself lately."

"That's putting it mildly," Sylva mumbled under her breath.

"Do you want to come?"

She glanced at him, frowning. "No. Not yet. I'm pissed off right now and will just end up lashing out at her again. We need her."

Bruce chuckled, shaking his head. "Don't worry about it. Let me try and smooth things over. You focus on those spearheads we talked about."

The athletic woman nodded and walked over to the campfire, picking up the bundle of sharpened rock that sat next to it. Istora was weaving the same style of grass mats that lined their bamboo floorboards, chatting cheerily with a few Daubeni sitting nearby. She wore one of his tee shirts tied off near her hip to make it into a crude dress, leaving her legs bare. The garment still swamped her, but Bruce suspected she just enjoyed showing off her body.

Istora stood and waved Bruce over. He forced a smile as he approached. One of her furry companions chirped and nuzzled her shin, earning a tender look.

"I can't believe how friendly those things have gotten. I wouldn't have been surprised if they wanted us to bring them some tasty tukuron too," Bruce said as he settled next to Istora.

"You'd like that, wouldn't you, Nibby?" she asked the nearest monster, which purred and rubbed against her leg.

"Are they really that smart?"

"Probably. And I've never seen Daubeni this social before. They've got their pack leaders and their clans. But normally a lone goblin is a dead goblin." Sylva knelt to pet the happy creature.

Bruce shook his head and walked down to the beach. "We're heading out in the morning. Let's see how effective this shield will be."

Sylva smirked. "Try not to break your spear, tough guy. Even with my Strength, that rockback shell wasn't easy to bore through. And we don't have any steel to use for an arrowhead yet."

Bruce flashed her a cocky grin, his free hand flexing. "You should have seen me back during football season. I'd get tackled constantly, but by the end of the games, I'd feel invincible."

She snickered and shook her head. "It'll be like fighting against another Champion at the very least. Tukuron are known for their thick scales, and most adventurers treat them like mini-bosses because of it."

"I've got no intention of taking these things on by myself. That's why we've been practicing this whole week."

Sylva nodded. "True. And the arrows do have piercing properties now. I still don't think we can kill it unless you get a perfect shot through the eyes."

Bruce shrugged. "That's fine. Just distract it long enough for me to finish it off. As long as I'm not getting swarmed by goblins or ogres, I can probably take out a bear or whatever the heck it is with a few well-aimed spear strikes."

Istora smiled at him before focusing on her sewing. Bruce was glad she'd abandoned her original idea of weaving armor for him. After seeing her loom crafted from bamboo, he'd quickly realized why the craft took days upon days to complete.

I suppose my first woven clothing will be an exciting change. Istora did an admirable job with the trousers. At least now the seams won't rip whenever I move.

His girlfriend focused intently, working to create crude stitching by hand, tail flicking. She wore the burlap shirt she'd made earlier, a pair of shorts they'd bought in Cressia, and sandals. Her bare legs drew Bruce's eye.

He blinked, shaking away the distracting thoughts, and took the offered shield. Unlike many fantasy shields, it was almost round, and only a foot tall. But that would make it easier to block attacks from every angle.

This turtle shell makes an effective medium. We've wrapped cord around it for the handle. If someone tries to break it, I'm betting they'll get cut up, at least a little. The edges are sharp as hell, thanks to Sylva's smithing skills.