The forest was drenched in the aftermath of the storm. Wet leaves glistened under the faint moonlight, and the air smelled of earth and smoke from their hastily built fire.
Andy sat cross-legged, sharpening his chipped sword with a small whetstone. His arms ached from the earlier fight, but his eyes kept glancing at the girl seated opposite him.
Nia Everhart, daughter of a high noble house, was glaring at the flickering flames as if the fire itself had personally offended her. Her fine clothes were torn from the bandits' attack, her silver hair damp and tangled.
She caught Andy looking.
"What?" Her tone was sharp, a dagger of pride in every syllable.
Andy looked away quickly. "Nothing. Just making sure you don't faint or something."
"Hmph. As if I would." She folded her arms. "This… Couple System thing. It's a mistake. It has to be."
Andy gave a humorless laugh. "Trust me, Lady Everhart, I'd be the happiest man alive if it was a mistake. But you heard the voice too, didn't you?"
As if in response, a faint chime rang in both their minds.
[Warning: Partners may not separate beyond 50 meters. Penalty: Shared pain.]
Almost immediately, Andy winced as a sharp sting spread through his chest. Nia gasped and clutched her shoulder at the exact same time.
They stared at each other.
"You felt that?" she asked, her voice unusually soft.
Andy nodded grimly. "Looks like we don't have a choice."
Silence stretched between them, broken only by the crackle of fire and the distant hoot of an owl.
A Small Truce
The night grew colder. Andy added the last piece of wood and leaned back. His stomach growled quietly.
Nia arched an eyebrow. "Was that you?"
"…Maybe." Andy scratched his neck, embarrassed. "I haven't eaten since morning."
After a pause, Nia pulled out a small pouch from her torn dress. Inside were neatly wrapped pieces of dried fruit. She hesitated, then tossed one to him.
Andy caught it midair, blinking. "You're sharing?"
"Don't misunderstand," Nia said curtly, cheeks faintly pink from the firelight. "If you starve, this System will punish me too."
Andy smirked faintly. "Sure, sure. Thanks anyway."
For a brief moment, the firelight softened the tension. They sat quietly, chewing on fruit and bread as if this strange partnership was almost… normal.
System Reward
Just as Andy leaned back against the tree, a soft chime echoed again.
[Bond Progress: 5%]
[New Reward Unlocked: Dual Weapon – Flame & Tide]
Glowing text hovered in the air, and before their eyes, light condensed into two blades. One shimmered with a faint crimson glow, the edge flickering like fire. The other radiated a cool blue light, like rippling water under moonlight.
Andy's eyes widened. "Dual swords…?"
He reached out, and the weapons settled perfectly into his hands, lighter and sharper than anything he'd ever wielded. One burned warm, the other cool to the touch.
The System chimed again:
[Condition: Weapons can only manifest while the bond remains active.]
Nia leaned forward, astonished despite herself. "You… received a weapon reward already? Just from… eating together?"
Andy turned the blades in his hands, unable to hide his grin. "Guess the System likes teamwork."
Her lips curved into the faintest, reluctant smile. "Or maybe it likes making things complicated."
Andy chuckled. "Either way, looks like we're stuck together. Might as well make the most of it."
For the first time that night, their laughter mingled with the crackling fire.
Unseen above them, the glowing letters shifted once more:
[Bond Level: 7%]