"What?" Terrence questioned with a teasing smile. "Need extra?"
"Terrence, where did you get all of this?!" Kasper gasped, wide-eyed.
Before them stood hundreds of plastic containers stacked in rows—steaming with food that smelled too good to be real. Beyond that, hundreds of gleaming swords shimmered under the village's dim lights, their blades humming with enchantment. Clothes too..not simple ones, but luxurious, enchanted garments, each glowing faintly with mana lines like divine threads.
And lastly..piles of gold.
"Wait, I forgot something."
He snapped his fingers.
[x250,000 Gold unequipped!]
Terrence grinned. "The more the merrier, they say."
"Son…" Grandpa Jin began, voice trembling. "This is…"
Terrence raised a hand gently, cutting him off. "I know. This-" he gestured at everything "is my gift to this village. I know what it's like to live in poverty, to feel like the world's forgotten you. I hate seeing anyone else go through that. So finally live..and be free."
[Aw, you're sooo sweet, Terrence..]
'Shut up.'
[Haha!]
A hush fell. Then, as if the words themselves carried warmth, tears welled up in the eyes of the villagers. Gratitude. Relief. Hope.
Kasper and Kya ran forward and wrapped him in a tight hug, both smiling through the tears. Grandpa Jin's old eyes shimmered as he laughed softly, wiping them away.
Terrence exhaled and looked toward the horizon, Eiselle should just about be up by now.
"Well, as fun as this was.." he smiled faintly, "I have to go now, everyone."
Groans of protest rose immediately. The villagers didn't want him to leave.
"Can we go with you?" Kya's voice was soft, pleading. Her puppy eyes could melt iron. "We'd love to travel with you..on your adventure."
Terrence glanced at Kasper, who gave the same look..that quiet, hopeful spark that reminded him of a particular little elf. He turned toward Grandpa Jin for acknowledgment.
The old man smiled knowingly and gave a small nod.
[Here, give these two small green healing potions to him for the men knocked on the ground. It spent 4 Reward Points.]
[x2 Items Received!]
'I was just about to ask. Preciate it.'
"Of course you both can come," Terrence said warmly. "But first, give these healing potions to your grandpa for the wounded."
Kasper took them, smiling sweetly as she approached Grandpa Jin. "Will you be alright, Grandpa? You don't-"
"Ah, don't worry about me." Grandpa Jin waved her off, though his smile softened. "I'll be fine. And I've got no doubts you two will be too." He looked at Terrence again. "Go out and live. Have fun! But when you do get married, don't forget about me!"
Kasper rolled her eyes, giggling. "Of course not, Grandpa." She handed over the potions. "Take care."
Kya hugged him tight. "We'll come back soon."
He laughed and pulled both into his arms. "Both of you..take care of each other."
They held him for a long moment, then stepped back to join Terrence.
"Terrence!" Grandpa Jin called again.
Terrence turned, giving him full attention.
The old man's gaze hardened for a heartbeat, the kind of look that said everything words couldn't.
'Protect my granddaughters with your life..and thank you for everything.'
Terrence nodded once, solemnly placing a fist over his chest. "Will do."
Then—
A sonic boom cracked the air. The villagers shielded their eyes as the three vanished.
Elsewhere
Wind tore through the clearing as they reappeared by the familiar waterfall, shaking the forest around them.
"Next time.." Kasper breathed out, trying not to stumble. "Give us a warning before you do that."
Terrence chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "My bad."
"I liked it actually, it was fun! Mor-!"
THUMP.
A voice echoed from ahead. "I see you brought company, T.."
They all turned. Standing there, draped in Werewolf's fur, was Eiselle. Her white hair glinted beneath the sunlight, and her golden eyes burned..not at Terrence, but at the two newcomers beside him.
Kasper smiled and waved politely.
Kya, however, dropped down from Terrence's arm and stepped forward, her tone sharp.
"Yeah? What's it to you?"
Eiselle crossed her arms. Her elf ears twitched, slow and deliberate. A warning.
Terrence could feel the tension build like static.
'Hm..how can I stop this before it gets bad and they fight each other?'
(Cough) [Miracle Touch!] (Cough)
Terrence's grin turned downright mischievous.
'I like the way you think, System.'