"I'm sorry, I don't have confidence in forging a three-sectioned staff," the blacksmith said, his tone apologetic but firm.

Kaide and Filyn stood in front of the Forgeheart Armory, disappointment settling in. The smith had been their last hope, but now it seemed their plan for the custom weapon was on hold.

The blacksmith's explanation had made sense: three-sectioned staffs were a rarity. Most adventurers preferred weapons with more direct damage potential, like swords, spears, or guns. Magic had further reduced the need for exotic weapons, leaving the three-sectioned staff practically obsolete in the age of technology and powerful spells.

"I understand. But are there any materials you'd recommend for durability? We're planning on doing some quests around Lowee, so we'll be dealing with tough monsters. I can't afford it breaking in the middle of a fight."

The blacksmith shook his head.

"Durability, huh? That's gonna be a challenge. . ."

He leaned against the counter, crossing his arms. The blacksmith scratched his chin thoughtfully.

"Well, if you're set on a weapon like that, I'd say you're gonna want something really strong. If you're going to be out there, questing in Lowee, the best materials I can recommend are Miranium or Frost Ore. Both are durable enough for heavy combat, and they hold up well in the harsh cold of Lowee's northern regions. You'll need to deal with Snowy Beasts or Glacier Bears to get them, though. And trust me, you don't want to take them on unless you're prepared."

Kaide's eyes lit up.

"Miranium and Frost Ore, huh? Those sound perfect for what I'm looking for. Thanks for the tip."

Filyn looked between Kaide and the blacksmith, her frustration fading. 

"I guess we'll have to hunt down these beasts ourselves then, huh?"

"Seems like it," Kaide said, a grin spreading across his face.

"But it's not all bad. We'll get the materials we need and maybe make some extra money along the way. Plus, we'll be able to forge both our equipment."

The blacksmith nodded in approval.

"Good thinking. Just make sure you're ready for those beasts — they don't take kindly to adventurers hunting them for resources. But if you're going after them, you might want to check with the guild for quests related to those monsters."

Kaide thanked the blacksmith again, his mind already racing with plans. As they left the Forgeheart Armory, Filyn was the first to speak.

"Well, that was a bust for the staff commission, but at least we got some good information." She rolled her eyes.

"And now we have to go hunt Snowy Beasts and Glacier Bears. Fun."

"It's fine, Filyn," Kaide replied with a chuckle.

"We'll make it work. We just have to get the materials, and then we'll find a smith who can actually forge our gear. The blacksmith said Miranium and Frost Ore are key to durability, so that's what we'll focus on."

"I guess I'll have to get a new gauntlet too," 

Filyn said with a playful grin.

"But don't get too excited about that staff. If you can't even handle it yet, it might end up being more of a hassle than it's worth."

Kaide smiled, already thinking about their next steps.

"We'll see. I'm sure with the right materials, we can make something that suits both of us. Plus, if we manage to defeat those monsters, we'll have more than enough to get the job done."

"Well, that sucks," Filyn muttered, arms crossed in frustration.

"I still can't believe the smith recommended to us didn't even try! That receptionist. . . Specializes in custom designs, she said. Works with high-grade materials, she said. Now we're stuck."

Kaide wasn't as upset, his mind already moving on to a solution.

"It's fine, Filyn. Sure, it's a hassle, but we'll make it work. Besides, I've got an idea on how we can still get this done."

He gave her a reassuring smile, patting her head gently.

Filyn sighed, her frustration slowly easing as she listened.

"Okay, what's your plan?"

"We gather the materials ourselves — Miranium and Frost Ore. The blacksmith recommended those if we're planning on questing in Lowee anyway. We find a smith who can work with those materials and forge both your new gauntlet and my staff."

Filyn's eyes brightened a bit. 

"You're right. That's actually a good idea. We just have to find the materials, but then . . . who's going to forge them for us?"

"I already have someone in mind," Kaide said confidently.

"It'll take a bit of dimension traveling, but they'll be more than willing to help, especially since Miranium and Frost Ore aren't found in their world."

Filyn thought for a moment, nodding slowly.

"And they'll be excited to work with new materials. Maybe we can sweeten the deal with extra resources for experimentation?"

"That's what I was thinking," Kaide replied.

"We'll sell a portion of what we find to the smith, then give them the excess materials for the commission. We'll make sure they're taken care of, and we'll get our gear forged the way we want it."

"Sounds like a plan," Filyn agreed.

"So, we'll sell the smaller pieces, keep the decent ones for ourselves, and use the bigger ones for the commissions, right?"

"Exactly. And while we're at it, we can gather enough materials to pay for our stay here and keep our finances in check. We'll use the income from the novels to cover our day-to-day expenses. This way, we won't have to worry about inns for too long."

With a solid plan in place, the two headed back to the inn where they had been staying. Along the way, they discussed their next steps in more detail — both their quest for materials and the future of their adventures.

|♪♪♪♪♪|

At the guild hall, Kaide and Filyn walked up to the quest counter, the warm glow of the hall welcoming them. The receptionist, Financier, greeted them.

"Good afternoon! How may I assist you two today?"

Kaide leaned forward with a smile.

"We're interested in taking on a quest involving Snowy Beasts or Glacier Bears. We need some specific materials — Miranium and Frost Ore. Do you have any details on quests related to them?"

Financier finally glanced up, her sharp eyes quickly assessing them.

"Snowy Beasts and Glacier Bears, hmm? I have a couple of quests on file that might suit your needs. Let me check the specifics."

She quickly flipped through a ledger, efficiently scanning the entries.

"Ah, here we go. There's a request to eliminate a pack of Snowy Beasts causing trouble in the eastern ridge. And further to the north, a Glacier Bear has been terrorizing a village. Both should yield the materials you're looking for."

"That's perfect," Kaide said, his face lighting up. 

"Are there any special considerations we should be aware of?"

Financier adjusted her glasses, her tone slightly more serious. 

"The Snowy Beasts are more numerous but less dangerous individually. The Glacier Bear, however, is much stronger and solitary. I'd recommend tackling the Glacier Bear together, but only if you're confident in your abilities. It's not an easy job. Be sure you're adequately prepared for both, especially the bear. It's not a fight you can take lightly."

Financier warned.

Filyn stepped forward, cracking her knuckles.

"We've got this. We're not exactly rookies."

"Good to hear," 

Financier gave them a polite but serious nod before handing them the quest paperwork. 

"I'd advise caution, but I trust you'll be able to handle it. Once you've completed the quest, be sure to report back here with the materials. Good luck, And be careful."

Kaide signed the quest form and gave Financier a small nod of thanks.

"We'll get it done. Thanks for the help."

Financier simply nodded, returning to her paperwork, though she couldn't help but notice the determination in their eyes.

"Take care, adventurers."

As they walked away from the counter, Filyn grinned.

"Snowy Beasts and a Glacier Bear? This is going to be fun. At least we'll get the materials we need and put a dent in these monsters at the same time."

"I'm more focused on the materials," Kaide replied, though a grin tugged at his lips.

"But I'm not complaining. Let's get this done and head to our smith."

With their quest in hand and a renewed sense of purpose, the two adventurers set out toward the eastern ridge, ready to face the Snowy Beasts and Glacier Bear, knowing that this would bring them one step closer to forging their perfect equipment.

|♪♪♪♪♪|

Kaide and Filyn trudged through the snow, the icy wind biting at their faces. The eastern ridge loomed ahead, a jagged expanse of rock and frost-covered trees. It was eerily quiet, save for the crunch of snow beneath their boots and the occasional howl of the wind.

"This is the place," Kaide said, scanning the area. 

He adjusted the grip on his sword, the leather of his glove creaking.

"The reports said six of them. They've been making a mess of things for travelers around here."

Filyn pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders, her sharp eyes scanning the frosty horizon.

"Snowy Beasts are tough. If they're in a pack, they'll be a handful."

Kaide nodded.

"We'll need a plan. Charging in blindly isn't going to work, especially if they're grouped together."

The two found a rocky outcrop that provided some shelter from the wind and a vantage point to survey the ridge after a bit of walking.

"We need to separate them,"

Kaide said. He pulled a map from his pack and pointed to a narrow pass.

"If we can draw one or two into this area, it'll give us a better chance. The rest will scatter once they realize we're taking them out one by one."

Filyn tapped her chin thoughtfully.

"I'll lure them. You stay here and ambush the first one. After that, we'll regroup and deal with the rest. We'll need to take out the biggest threats first."

Kaide frowned.

"Be careful. These things hit hard."

Filyn flashed a confident grin.

"Don't worry about me. Just make sure you're ready when I bring them to you."

Filyn crept through the snowy trees, her footsteps almost silent. The first Snowy Beast came into view, a hulking creature with shaggy white fur that blended seamlessly with the surroundings. It pawed at the ground, its glowing eyes scanning for prey.

Filyn picked up a rock and hurled it at the creature, hitting it squarely in the side. The beast roared in anger and charged after her as she dashed toward the pass.

Kaide waited, sword drawn, his heart pounding as the beast thundered closer. As it entered the pass, he leaped from cover, slashing at its flank. The creature howled in rage and lashed out with its claws, narrowly missing Kaide as he ducked under the blow.

The fight was brutal. The beast's strength was formidable, and it took several precise strikes from Kaide and Filyn working in tandem to bring it down.

"That was tougher than I thought,"

Kaide admitted, wiping sweat from his brow despite the cold.

Filyn crouched by the beast's body, pulling a shimmering small Miranium shard and a piece of Frost Ore from the creature's remains before bursting to pixels.

"Well, at least it dropped something good."

The second beast was far less challenging. Filyn easily lured it into the ambush, and they dispatched it without much effort. However, it yielded no loot.

"Cheap bastard," Filyn muttered as she kicked the snow over the beast's body, turning it into pixels.

The third beast put up a little more of a fight but was ultimately no match for their coordinated attacks. It dropped another small Miranium shard and a pelt, which Filyn quickly pocketed.

"Not bad," she said, examining the quality of the fur. "This'll sell nicely."

The fourth beast was more dangerous, its claws glinting like ice picks in the light. Kaide barely deflected a swipe aimed at his chest, and Filyn narrowly avoided being pinned against a tree. Once it fell, they found a medium Miranium shard, another pelt, and a set of sharp claws.

"These claws are nasty," Filyn said, holding one up to the light.

"Bet we could get a good amount from the guild for this, or we could have it used for our commission."

The fifth beast was enormous, towering over the others they had faced. Its fur was thicker, its movements more deliberate and calculated. It roared, shaking the snow from nearby trees, and charged at Kaide with terrifying speed.

Kaide braced himself, blocking its initial strike with his sword. The force of the blow sent him skidding back, his boots digging into the snow. Filyn darted around the beast, striking at its legs and sides, but it's thick fur absorbed most of the damage.

"We need to hit it hard and fast!" Kaide shouted.

Filyn nodded, leaping onto a rock for better positioning. She threw one of her daggers, striking the beast in the eye and causing it to roar in pain. The distraction gave Kaide the opening he needed. With a powerful strike, he drove his blade into the beast's chest, finally bringing it down.

Their reward was worth the effort: a large Frost Ore and a large Miranium shard.

Filyn grinned as she held up the glittering ore. "Now this is more like it!"

Kaide chuckled, though he winced from a bruise forming on his shoulder. 

"Let's hope the last one isn't as tough."

The sixth and final beast was agile but no match for their teamwork. It dropped a medium Miranium shard and a small Frost Ore, modest but still valuable.

As they stood amidst the aftermath, their packs heavier with loot, Kaide sighed in relief.

"Six down. That wasn't so bad . . . except for the first and fifth."

Filyn smirked.

"Those two were fun. The rest were a nice warm-up."

They made their way back toward the village, the snow crunching beneath their boots. The hunt had been challenging, but the rewards — a wealth of Miranium, Frost Ore, pelts, and claws — were worth the effort.

"We should celebrate when we get back,"

Filyn said, her breath fogging in the cold air.

"A good drink and a warm fire sound perfect right now."

Kaide smiled faintly.

"You're not wrong. Let's get out of this cold first."

|♪♪♪♪♪|

Kaide and Filyn entered the bustling guild hall, the warmth of the large hearths washing over them as they stepped out of the cold. Their packs clinked faintly with the weight of their spoils. The smell of roasted meats and woodsmoke filled the air, mingling with the faint hum of conversations among adventurers. 

Financier, the ever-diligent guild clerk, stood behind the counter, meticulously jotting notes into a ledger. Her keen eyes immediately spotted them, and she greeted them with her usual calm composure. 

"Kaide, Filyn. I see you've returned from your quest. Was it successful?" she asked, her voice smooth and professional. 

Kaide hefted his pack onto the counter.

"Very. We've got some pelts and claws to sell. Think you can give us a fair price?"  Filyn added.

"The pelts are in excellent condition, and the claws... let's just say they'll make something nasty." 

Financier examined the goods, her deft fingers running over the soft pelts and the razor-sharp claws. She nodded approvingly.

"These are of high quality. I'll ensure you're compensated fairly." 

After tallying the items, Financier handed them a pouch of credits .

"This should cover the value of your goods. You did well out there." 

Kaide pocketed the credits  with a nod.

"Thanks. Let us know if anything else comes up." 

|♪♪♪♪♪|

The pair returned to the inn they were staying at, the warmth inside a welcome reprieve from the chill outside. After greeting the innkeeper and confirming their room was ready, they made their way upstairs. 

"I'm hitting the bath first," Filyn said, already pulling off her gloves.

"I need a soak after all that running around." 

Kaide raised an eyebrow but smirked.

"Go ahead. Don't use up all the hot water." 

Filyn shot him a playful glare as she disappeared down the hall. 

Kaide waited his turn, stretching his sore arms and legs in the meantime. When Filyn returned, her hair damp and her face flushed from the heat, he grabbed a fresh towel and made his way to the bath. 

The steaming water soothed his aching muscles, and for a moment, he let himself relax, the tension from the hunt melting away.   

Memories from years ago began to resurface. He paused, staring into the mirror as a faint smile tugged at his lips.

A Flashback had begun.

|←←•→→|

Kaide was no older than four years old, having been recently reborn into this world. His memory of his past life was hazy at best, and much of his new reality felt like an endless cycle of discovery. He had grown comfortable with his family, but there was one person who stood out the most: his cousin, Neptune. 

Neptune was years older than Kaide, and her spirited personality made her the center of attention in every room. Her purple hair shone like silk, and her laughter was infectious. She wasn't just his cousin — she was his first friend and, unbeknownst to the young Kaide, his first crush. 

One evening, the two of them were told to bathe together by their parents. 

He fidgeted nervously, his cheeks a deep crimson as he stared down at the floor.   

Across from him, his cousin Neptune — who looks very similar to the Neptune of Hyperdimension in her Hard Drive Divinity — was humming cheerfully, pouring warm water over her lavender hair.

"Come on, Kaide! Don't just sit there like a statue!" she said, her voice light and teasing.

"You'll never get clean that way!" 

The bath was warm, the water shimmering with bubbles that reflected the soft light of the room. Neptune sat across from him, her cheeks slightly pink from the heat.

Kaide remembered staring at her, entranced by how the water clung to her hair and her usual confident demeanor softened in the relaxing environment. 

"I-I'm fine!"

Kaide stammered, his small hands gripping the edge of the stool tightly. His heart was racing, and he didn't understand why.

Sure, Neptune had always been playful, but seeing her in this setting — a towel loosely draped over her shoulders, her long hair cascading down her back — felt different. 

Neptune turned to him, her violet eyes sparkling mischievously.

"Don't tell me you're shy. You're a kid! Stuff like this is totally normal, you know?" 

"I'm not shy!"

Kaide protested, his voice cracking slightly. 

"Oh, really?" she said, smirking.

Before he could react, Neptune scooped up a small bucket of water and dumped it over his head. 

"Gah! Neptune!"

Kaide spluttered, shaking his head as water dripped down his face. 

"There! Now you look like a proper bath buddy,"

She said, giggling as she handed him a washcloth. 

Kaide grumbled under his breath but couldn't bother the small smile that crept