The mountain path fell quiet once more.
But this time—
It wasn't heavy.
It wasn't suffocating.
It was… expectant.
The wind moved gently through the valley below, carrying with it the distant hum of the world continuing as if nothing had happened.
But for them—
Everything had changed.
Rio stood still.
The book rested in her hands.
Ancient.
Worn.
Wrapped in a talisman that pulsed faintly with something deeper than mana—
Something older.
Something… absolute.
Ryota leaned slightly closer.
"…So that's it?"
Rio didn't answer immediately.
Her eyes were already scanning.
Reading.
Analyzing.
The moment her fingers tightened around the book—
The world shifted.
A system interface unfolded before her.
But this one—
Was different.
Not the standard blue.
Not the usual transparent glow.
This one was—
Gold.
Threaded with faint lines of crimson and silver.
Like it wasn't part of the game—
But something layered beneath it.
Something hidden.
"…This is…"
Rio's voice dropped.
Quiet.
Focused.
[Skill: The World Legacy]
[Type: Unique – Irreplaceable]
[Description: A relic of a fallen world. Grants the wielder authority over the remnants of its heroes.]
Her eyes narrowed.
"…Authority…"
She continued reading.
[Effect 1: Summon up to 3 World Entities]
[Current Available: 1]
—Auram, The World Legacy Blademaster
—Girsu, The World Legacy Knight (Unavailable)
—Lib, The World Key Priestess (Unavailable)
A pause.
Her grip tightened slightly.
"…As expected…"
But then—
The interface shifted.
Expanded.
New lines appeared.
Lines she didn't remember.
And for the first time—
Rio froze.
"…What?"
Ryota blinked.
"…What is it?"
She didn't respond.
Because what she was seeing—
Didn't exist before.
[Effect 2: Synchronization]
[You may access the abilities, equipment, and growth system of summoned entities.]
[Effect 3: Command Authority]
[Summoned entities may be treated as independent combat units or integrated into guild systems.]
[Effect 4: Legacy Binding]
[Summoned entities may develop beyond original parameters.]
Silence.
"…That's not…"
Rio whispered.
"…That's not how it worked."
"The summons aren't even the same as the original...."
Ryota tilted his head.
"…Huh?"
Rio's mind moved rapidly.
Back then—
This skill was powerful.
But limited.
You summoned them.
Creatures from the World Legacy
Like a beast or a dwarven mage
They fought.
That was it.
But this is different
You summon the main heroes instead
But this—
"…This isn't summoning…"
Her eyes sharpened.
"…This is ownership."
Ryota blinked.
"…Wait—what?"
Rio turned slightly.
Looking at Auram.
Then back at the interface.
"…I can access his gear…"
"…His abilities…"
A pause.
"…Even…"
Her eyes narrowed further.
"…Invite him to a guild."
Silence.
Ryota stared.
"…That's broken."
Rio didn't disagree.
Because it was.
Completely.
Utterly.
Game-breaking.
"…This version…"
A quiet breath escaped her.
"…Is different."
Not just stronger.
Not just enhanced.
But—
Evolved.
Could Liblee's influence caused the skill to evolved.
Or could it be.....
"…Saros…"
The name lingered in her thoughts.
Then—
The system prompt reappeared.
Clear.
Final.
[Would you like to learn the skill[The World Legacy]]
[Yes] [No]
Rio didn't hesitate.
"…Yes."
The moment she selected it—
The world responded.
Light erupted around her.
Not violent—
But overwhelming.
Warm.
Ancient.
Absolute.
Ryota stepped back slightly.
"…Woah—"
The book dissolved.
Turning into pure energy.
Flowing—
Into Rio.
Her body tensed.
Her vision flooded—
Fragments.
Memories.
Echoes of battles not her own.
Voices.
Promises.
Failures.
And resolve.
Then—
System notifications exploded across her vision.
[Skill Acquired: The World Legacy]
[Level Up!]
[Level 4 → Level 5]
[Stat Increases Applied]
[Skill Evolution Detected]
Rio's eyes widened slightly.
"…Already?"
Then—
Another.
[Chronos Eye – Level Up]
[Level 2 → Level 3]
Her breath hitched.
Because she felt it.
Immediately.
Time itself—
Shifted.
Not around her—
But within her control.
[Effect Updated]
[Time Acceleration: 200% → 250%]
"…250%…"
Her voice was quiet.
But sharp.
Precise.
Ryota's eyes widened.
"…Wait—did that just get stronger?"
"…Yes."
A pause.
"…And—"
Her eyes flickered.
[Mana Cost Reduced: 35 → 30]
Silence.
Then—
Ryota laughed.
"…Okay that's just unfair."
Rio exhaled slowly.
"…Now I can use it more freely…"
Not endlessly.
But close.
Very close.
Her fingers flexed slightly.
Feeling the change.
The difference.
The control.
Then—
The light faded.
And the world returned.
But something had changed.
Auram stepped forward.
His presence—
Different.
Not bound.
Not distant.
But connected.
He lowered his head slightly.
Respectfully.
"…Happy to serve you…"
A pause.
His voice steady.
Clear.
"…Lady Rio."
Then his gaze shifted.
To Ryota.
"…And Lord Ryota."
Ryota blinked.
"…Lord—?"
Rio smiled faintly.
Just slightly.
"…Don't get used to it."
But she didn't correct him.
Instead—
She looked at Auram.
Really looked.
Not as a legend.
Not as a hero of the past.
But as—
An ally.
"…I look forward to our adventure, Auram."
A small pause.
But it carried weight.
Promise.
Direction.
Purpose.
Auram nodded.
"…As do I."
Behind him—
Indratos stirred.
The small dragon lifted its head slightly.
Eyes clearer now.
Stronger.
Recovering.
And ahead—
The path continued.
Down the mountain.
Toward the Town of Beginnings.
But this time—
They weren't leaving in defeat.
They weren't retreating.
They were—
Returning.
Stronger.
Connected.
And no longer alone.
Because now—
The game had changed.
And for the first time—
They had a way to win.
The wind that swept across the mountain path felt… different now.
Not violent.
Not heavy.
But quiet.
Like the world itself had exhaled after surviving something it was never meant to witness.
Auram stood before them—no longer clad in radiant armor, no longer carrying the overwhelming presence of a crusader who had once stood at the peak of legends.
Now—
He looked… human.
Tired.
Worn.
But still standing.
Still unbroken.
Rio watched him carefully.
She could see it.
The faint flicker of light around his body—
Fading.
"…You're running out of energy."
Her voice was calm.
Observant.
Auram smiled faintly.
"…As expected of you, Lady Rio."
He didn't deny it.
Didn't hide it.
Instead—
He stepped forward.
Slowly.
Measured.
"…I used everything I had left."
His gaze shifted slightly—
Toward the shattered horizon behind them.
"…To protect you both."
Ryota scratched the back of his head.
"…Yeah, about that—thanks."
A pause.
"…You kinda saved our lives."
Auram shook his head gently.
"…No."
His eyes softened.
"…I merely repaid a debt."
Rio frowned slightly.
"…Debt?"
Auram looked at her.
"…You chose to fight for us."
A pause.
"…Even when you had no reason to."
Another.
"…That alone… is enough."
Silence settled between them.
Then—
Auram took a step back.
His figure flickered.
Just slightly.
Like a flame nearing its end.
"…I cannot remain here."
His voice lowered.
"…Not yet."
Ryota blinked.
"…Wait—you're leaving already?"
Auram nodded.
"…My energy is nearly depleted."
A faint glow pulsed across his body—
Unstable.
"…I must return… and recover."
He turned to Rio.
Then—
Kneeled.
Not out of obligation—
But out of choice.
"…If you ever need me…"
His hand rested over his chest.
"…Call my name."
A pause.
"…And I will answer."
His eyes lifted.
Steady.
Loyal.
"…I will fight beside you, Lady Rio."
Silence.
Then—
He glanced toward Ryota.
A faint smile forming.
"…And Lord Ryota."
Ryota blinked.
"…Okay I'm not used to that title yet."
Rio let out a small sigh.
"…You'll get used to it."
Then—
Auram turned.
Toward the small figure behind him.
Indratos.
The once-mighty ancient dragon—
Now reduced to a small, bandaged creature.
Curled.
Resting.
But alive.
Auram slowly knelt again.
This time—
Not as a knight.
But as a friend.
"…Hey."
His voice softened.
"…Don't worry."
Indratos stirred slightly.
Letting out a quiet, tired sound.
"…I promise you…"
Auram reached out.
Gently placing a hand on the dragon's head.
"…We'll save them."
A pause.
"…Lib."
"…Girsu."
The small dragon let out a soft—
Happy roar.
Weak.
But filled with trust.
Ryota smiled.
"…Looks like he believes you."
Rio stepped forward.
Without hesitation.
Without fear.
She crouched beside Indratos.
Her hand gently reaching out—
"…Hey there."
The dragon tilted its head.
Watching her.
Carefully.
Curiously.
"…Welcome to our adventure."
Her fingers brushed against its scales.
Soft.
Careful.
Indratos leaned into her touch.
Letting out another small, content sound.
Its tail wagged slightly.
Happy.
Safe.
Ryota crouched beside them.
"…Okay that's unfair."
"…He likes you more."
Rio smirked slightly.
"…Of course he does."
A pause.
"…I'm better."
"Oi—!"
Their voices overlapped—
Light.
Normal.
For just a moment—
Everything felt… okay.
Then—
Indratos suddenly perked up.
It circled around Auram quickly—
Small feet pattering against the ground.
It nudged against his leg.
Once.
Twice.
Then looked up at him.
"…Hm?"
Auram tilted his head slightly.
"…What is it?"
The dragon made a small sound.
Insistent.
Determined.
Auram blinked.
Then smiled.
"…I see."
He reached behind his back.
Pulling something from his satchel.
Old.
Worn.
A book.
Bound in faded leather.
Edges slightly torn.
But—
Still intact.
Still important.
He looked toward Ryota.
"…It seems…"
He tossed it lightly.
"…He's taken a liking to you."
Ryota caught it instinctively.
"…Huh?"
Auram's smile widened slightly.
"…Take care of him."
A pause.
"…For me."
Indratos ran over to Ryota immediately.
Circling him once.
Then—
Sitting.
Looking up at him expectantly.
Ryota blinked.
"…Wait—why me?"
Rio stood.
Arms crossed.
"…Because he chose you."
A pause.
"…Try not to mess it up."
"…No pressure or anything."
Ryota looked down at the book in his hand.
Slowly.
Carefully.
He opened it.
The pages glowed faintly.
Ancient symbols shifting—
Rewriting themselves.
Then—
A system window appeared.
[Would you like to learn the skill "World Dragon Crest"?]
[Yes] [No]
Ryota stared at it.
Then looked at Indra.
The small dragon tilted its head.
Eyes bright.
Waiting.
"…World Dragon… huh."
He smirked slightly.
"…Sounds cool."
Behind him—
Auram's body began to fade.
Light breaking apart—
Like fragments of memory.
"…Until we meet again."
His voice echoed softly.
"…Call my name."
And then—
He was gone.
Silence returned.
Only the wind remained.
Rio's interface flickered.
A notification appeared.
[Auram — Status: Resting]Energy: 1%
She exhaled quietly.
"…So that's the cooldown."
Ryota closed the book slightly.
Still staring at the prompt.
Then—
He looked at Rio.
"…So…"
A grin slowly formed.
"…Guess I just got a dragon."
Rio smirked.
"…Guess you did."
Indra let out a small, happy roar.
And for the first time since the dungeon—
The future didn't feel like something they were chasing.
It felt like something—
Waiting for them.
To rise.