Opening The Shop

Michael lay on the cool, smooth surface of the rest floor, the ambient light casting a soft, ethereal glow across the room. It was meant to be a reprieve, a sanctuary from the chaos and bloodshed of the dungeon, but today, it felt more like a stage for the heavy drama unfolding within him. The ceiling above was a swirl of shifting colors, a mesmerizing pattern that did little to soothe the turbulent thoughts churning in his mind.

The rest floor had been a welcome break, a chance to catch their breath and regroup. Yet, as he stared up at the shifting lights, he found himself grappling with the weight of Valencia's earlier words. Her emotions had been raw and intense, and while he understood the depth of her feelings, it was the overwhelming intensity of her possessiveness that unsettled him most. It wasn't just physical; it was a spiritual and primal claim on him, one that left him with a chill that he couldn't quite shake.

He turned his gaze to Valencia, who lay on top of him. Her presence was a strange comfort, but also a source of new complexities. Her jet-black hair splayed out across her back, streaked with scarlet tips that caught the dim light in a striking contrast. Despite the tension that had flared between them, there was an undeniable softness to her in these moments of peace. She looked serene, almost angelic, her features relaxed and her expression tranquil.

Michael's fingers moved almost instinctively to brush a stray strand of hair away from her face. The simple gesture was a silent acknowledgment of the changes they had both undergone. He marveled at how someone so fierce and intense could be so vulnerable on top of him. He shifted slightly, causing her to stir. Her eyes, crimson and sharp, fluttered open and immediately locked onto his.

"Thinking again?" she murmured, her voice a soft, melodious whisper that carried a hint of lingering possessiveness. Her fingers traced a lazy, circular pattern on his chest, a touch that was both soothing and possessive.

Michael nodded, trying to dispel the heaviness that clung to his thoughts. "Just about… everything."

Valencia's fingers paused in their movement, and her gaze grew sharper, more focused. "Everything? You mean us, don't you?" Her tone carried that same possessive edge from earlier, though she attempted to soften it with a fragile smile.

Michael decided to tread carefully. "Not just that. I've been thinking about the challenges we still face, the floors we need to conquer, the weapons I need to acquire, and how I can grow stronger."

Valencia tilted her head slightly, her eyes narrowing as she processed his words. "Weapons? You've never mentioned weapons before." There was a thread of suspicion in her voice, a hint of defensiveness that he had come to recognize.

"Well, it's not something I usually bring up," Michael said with a small, wry smile. He hoped to lighten the mood, to draw her away from her suspicion. "But there's something I haven't told you about my system—how I can see more than just my stats."

Her curiosity overtook her suspicion. "What do you mean? You've shown me your status before."

"Yeah, but it's more than just a status screen," he began, choosing his words carefully. "I can access something like a shop. It's not just for skills or titles; it includes actual weapons and items that I can buy, with the cores and divine crystals I have. I haven't used it much because we've been in a constant fight, but I think it's time I took a serious look."

Valencia's eyes widened, a mixture of intrigue and irritation flickering within them. "A shop… and you didn't tell me?"

"I didn't think it was important until now," Michael replied gently, trying to convey his sincerity. "Besides, I didn't want to rely on it too much. But after everything we've been through—and everything I've lost—" His gaze fell to the empty space where his left arm once was, the reality of his injury hitting him with a fresh wave of realization.

Valencia's expression softened, her possessiveness momentarily giving way to concern as her fingers traced the stump of his missing arm. "You're thinking about your arm."

Michael nodded, a lump forming in his throat. "Yeah. I need to either find a way to regrow it or replace it with something. I've managed so far, but…" He exhaled deeply, the weight of his predicament pressing down on him. "I don't want to be at a disadvantage. Not with things getting more dangerous."

Valencia's gaze grew serious again, her possessiveness returning with a fierce intensity. "I'll help you. Whatever you need to do to fix this, we'll do it together." Her fingers curled around his arm, her grip almost too tight, as if she feared losing him even more.

Michael took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her determination. "I'm going to check the shop and see what I can get. Weapons, maybe something for my arm. We've made it through a lot, but I don't want to rely solely on my magic."

Valencia watched him intently as he accessed his system, her eyes tracing the flickers of light that danced across his field of vision as he navigated through the shop menu. The menu was a complex tapestry of options, each item glowing with an otherworldly light. Michael's fingers moved deftly over the interface, bringing up various options for weapons, armor, and items that seemed to defy the bounds of normalcy.

"I want to see," she said suddenly, her voice low and insistent. "I want to know what you're looking at."

Michael hesitated for a moment but then nodded, shifting to allow her a closer view. Her crimson eyes gleamed with a mix of curiosity and concern as he pulled up the options: rows of scythes, runed prosthetics, enchanted armor, and otherworldly items that seemed almost too fantastical to be real.

"What's that one?" she asked, pointing to an item that shimmered with a light of its own.

"A scythe," Michael said, pulling up the details of the item. "It's called the Raven's Grasp. It feeds on its wielder's life force, but in return, it becomes stronger the more it's used."

Valencia's eyes sparkled with approval. "That sounds perfect for you."

Michael raised an eyebrow, a skeptical smirk tugging at his lips. "You want me to use something that could potentially kill me?"

Her lips curled into a predatory smile, her gaze unwavering. "You're stronger than that, Michael. And besides, I'll make sure you're never in a position where it can harm you. You'll be fine." Her words carried both a promise and a warning, an unspoken pledge to safeguard him while still embracing the danger.

Michael sighed, scrolling through the remaining options. "I need something practical. The scythe could work with my SSS+ skill, but I've also been considering creating something on my own. Like a coilgun or railgun."

Valencia's eyes widened with interest, though a hint of confusion clouded her gaze. "A what?"

"A weapon that uses runes to accelerate metal through magic," Michael explained, his tone becoming animated as he delved into the technical details. "It's a more efficient version of the magic circles I've been using. We had similar weapons back on Earth, but they were inefficient due to their high electricity consumption. This will save me mana and create a physical weapon that packs a serious punch."

Valencia nodded slowly, her mind processing the concept with a thoughtful expression. "You're getting smarter about this. I like that. But you need to ensure it's powerful enough to keep up with what we're facing. The dungeon isn't going to get any easier."

Michael glanced at her, a small smirk forming on his lips. "Are you planning to approve all my future purchases now?"

Valencia's eyes twinkled with mischief. "Of course. I need to make sure my weapon—my Michael—is equipped to survive." Her possessiveness had not diminished, but it now seemed to be interwoven with a complex form of care and concern.

As he closed the shop menu, Michael turned his attention back to Valencia, feeling a mix of gratitude and unease. The bond between them was undeniable, and though it was steeped in darkness and danger, it was also a source of strength. Her eyes, now softer but still burning with an intense glow, met his.

"Thanks for understanding," he said softly, his voice carrying the weight of his appreciation.

Valencia leaned forward, her movement deliberate and filled with purpose. She pressed her lips against his in a kiss that was soft yet lingering, a gentle reassurance amidst the uncertainty. "Just remember," she whispered against his lips, her breath warm and reassuring. "I'll always be here to help you—no matter what."

Michael nodded, feeling the profound weight of her words settle over him. The kiss had been more than a simple gesture; it was a promise, a bond forged in the crucible of their shared experiences. Together, they had faced unimaginable horrors, and together, they would continue to confront whatever lay ahead. Yet, despite the comfort that came with their unity, he couldn't shake the gnawing feeling that their bond, while powerful, was leading them down a darker, more uncertain path.

In this world where darkness lurked just beyond the edges of their consciousness, the journey ahead was fraught with peril. Michael couldn't help but feel that the trials they had faced were only the beginning. The dungeon's challenges would only grow more formidable, and the darkness that had begun to envelop them was a constant reminder of the cost of their power and the dangers of their path.

Valencia's possessiveness, while a source of comfort, was also a reminder of the complex web of emotions that bound them. It was a protective force, but it came with its own set of challenges and uncertainties. As Michael lay there, the weight of his decisions and the responsibilities that came with them pressed heavily upon him. The world they inhabited was not one for the faint of heart, and he knew that the choices he made now would shape their future in ways he could scarcely imagine.

He reached out, his hand finding Valencia's once more, and held it tightly. Her touch was a lifeline, a beacon in the darkness that threatened to engulf them. As they lay there together, their bodies close and their hearts intertwined, Michael felt a renewed sense of determination. They had come this far, and despite the overwhelming odds, they would continue to push forward. The dungeon awaited, with its secrets and dangers, but with Valencia by his side, he was ready to face whatever came next.