(CH20)FEATHERS AND REVELRY

The village was alive with music and laughter. After slaying the Rampaging Agmorant, the people of Luis's hometown threw a raucous celebration—torches flickered, ale flowed, and the scent of roasted meat filled the air.

Icon stood in the middle of the square, its metal limbs jerking in something that vaguely resembled dancing. Villagers clapped along, amused by the construct's attempts to mimic their movements.

"MASTER. DANCING IS ILLOGICAL BUT PLEASING," it announced, before nearly tripping over its own talons.

Zyx floated nearby, cackling. "Look at him go! Like a drunk scarecrow!"

Luis leaned against a wooden post, watching the festivities with a small smile. His fingers tapped his Soul Forge tab, scrolling through his gains:

SOULESSENCE:10,920

That fight gave me enough for something, but...

Zyx peered over his shoulder. "Wow. You really are pathetic. Still using a Scrap Hammer and those Boots of the Iron Guardian? Even Pim's junk vials are fancier."

Luis sighed. "I need better gear. Maybe armor?"

Zyx gasped dramatically. "Armor? You mean you don't enjoy nearly dying every fight? Shocking."

Luis scrolled through the Armor tab, stopping at one that caught his eye.

Feathered Leather Armor(ScrapTier)

Cost: 10,000 Souls

Stats:

+10 Armor

+5 Magical Resistance

+10% Movement Speed

Special Ability: [Wind Dancer] – Attacking grants +20% Movement Speed (decays over 1.5 seconds).

"This one," Luis muttered. "Light, mobile—perfect."

Zyx squinted. "Ohhh, feathers. Is this to match your murder-bot's bird obsession?"

Luis ignored him, confirming the craft. The armor materialized in his hands—a sleek, dark leather chestpiece lined with faintly glowing blue feathers along the shoulders.

He slipped it on. The fit was perfect, the weight barely noticeable. He flexed his arms, testing the mobility.

"Damn. This feels good."

Zyx smirked. "Now you only mostly look like a homeless guy."

Luis rolled his eyes. "I'm gonna test it outside the village."

\As Luis turned to leave, Rico stumbled into his path, a mug of ale in hand. His face was flushed, his grin lopsided.

"Wheeeere you goin', city boy?" he slurred, slinging an arm around Luis's shoulders. "Party's just gettin' good!"

Luis tried to shrug him off. "I'm not really a dancer, Rico."

Rico gasped, clutching his chest. "Not a dancer? You? The same Luis Mendoza who, at age twelve, tripped over his own feet at the Harvest Festival and face-planted into Old Man Dazo's prize pig?"

Luis's face burned. "That was one time—"

"Ohhh, it was glorious," Rico cackled, nearly spilling his drink. "Pig squealin', you screamin', the whole village howlin'—"

"Okay, enough," Luis groaned, shoving him away. "I'm going for a walk."

Rico wiped tears from his eyes. "Suit yourself. But you're missin' out." He waved vaguely at the crowd, where Icon was now attempting to teach villagers robot dance moves. "Even your toaster's havin' more fun than you!"

Luis smirked. "Yeah, yeah. Save me some food."

The forest outside the village was quiet, the distant sounds of celebration fading behind him. Luis stretched, rolling his shoulders in the new armor.

"Alright, let's see what this can do."

He broke into a sprint—and immediately felt the difference. The Feathered Leather Armor made him lighter, his movements sharper. A few practice swings of his hammer triggered [Wind Dancer], sending him darting forward with unnatural speed.

Zyx whistled. "Not bad. Still not murder levels of fun, but hey, progress."

Luis grinned. "Think I can take on a Silver-class alone now?"

"Oh absolutely not," Zyx said cheerfully. "But you'll die faster, so there's that."

Luis was about to retort when—

A rustling in the bushes.

He froze, hammer raised.

A small, furry creature tumbled out—a monster hare, its iron teeth glinting.

Luis exhaled. "Really? This is my test—"

The hare lunged.

[WIND DANCER ACTIVATED]

Luis sidestepped instantly, the world blurring as he swung. The hammer connected—CRUNCH—sending the hare flying into a tree.

"Huh," Luis breathed, looking down at his armor. "This… this might actually work."

Zyx grinned. "Guess you're not totally hopeless."