Treasure Rabbit
“That way.”
Ian pointed in the direction where he felt an uncanny sensation. His eyes saw nothing. But—something was definitely there. A sensation he'd never felt before told him so.
“Hold on.”
Aymdel slowly raised her bow. Holding her breath, she aimed at the empty air Ian had indicated.
Ping— A short, sharp sound rang out, followed by a thunk.
The arrow had embedded itself in something.
“...?”
But—there was nothing. The arrow hung motionless in the empty air, as if lodged in an invisible wall.
Everyone stared blankly at the scene.
Then—
“It's a Treasure Rabbit!”
Ian shouted suddenly.
“Lidoem, slice that thing open! Right now!”
As he barked the order, he drew up his mana. Lidoem snapped out of her daze and moved.
Ian knew what it was. A monster he'd seen in the game. A kind of golden goblin. It had a goblin's form but hopped away like a rabbit, stealing treasure. That's why players called it a Treasure Rabbit.
Whoosh—
Lidoem's greatsword arced through the air in a parabola, slashing at nothing.
Crack! A bizarre tearing sound echoed, and the air split open long like a rift in dimensions.
From the gap peeked a goblin with snow-white fur and red eyes.
At the same moment, the first gem on Ian's wand flashed.
“Spread, bind—Static Thunder!”
As the incantation completed, currents exploded outward.
Crackle-crackle-crack!!
Lightning raced along the ground and dove into the rift. The Treasure Rabbit's body jerked violently, convulsing as if electrocuted.
“It's gonna run! Finish it now!”
At Ian's shout, Lidoem and Aymdel moved in sync. One arrow. One sword stroke. That was enough.
Thud.
The Treasure Rabbit's head hit the ground.
“Whew...”
Ian finally let out a long breath. Treasure Rabbits were monsters you had to kill the moment you spotted them, or you'd never see one again. Speed was everything.
“This... is really a Treasure Rabbit?”
Aymdel asked cautiously, her eyes still fixed on the corpse.
She seemed to know what it was.
“Yeah. Time to check the loot!”
Without hesitation, Ian thrust his hand into the aerial rift where the Treasure Rabbit had emerged. His fingertips touched something heavy.
A faint smile tugged at Ian's lips. He pulled hard.
Pop.
A small pouch emerged from the space.
Zing—
As Ian pulled out the pouch, the rift slowly sealed shut, vanishing as if nothing had happened.
Ian held the pouch out for everyone to see.
“Can we take a look together?”
Aymdel asked, glancing at him sidelong. Her gaze was already locked on it.
Ian chuckled and shrugged.
“We all took it down together.”
Lidoem nodded quietly at his words. Shiro edged closer without a word.
Shrrk—
The pouch mouth loosened slowly. A soft golden glow leaked from within.
“...Wow.”
A short gasp escaped Aymdel.
The pouch brimmed with gold coins. They jingled crisply with every shake—clink, clink.
“This... all gold?”
Aymdel muttered, eyes wide.
Lidoem stepped forward, peering in, and murmured low.
“With this...”
Squelch.
Ian silently plunged his hand inside, shoving coins aside. A Treasure Rabbit would surely have something he needed.
From the pouch's depths, he drew out an object.
“Can... I have this?”
It was egg-shaped, small. Its surface etched with intricate runes. A rune stone.
His words were casual, but his grip tightened hard.
'If it's this...'
He unconsciously squeezed tighter.
Until now, Ian's magic had been incomplete. Mere mimicry of form, hollow shells. He hadn't even formed a single circle.
But with a rune stone, he could become a real mage. A true mage with circles...
Perhaps sensing his resolve—
“We're the ones in debt here.”
Aymdel stepped back.
“You found it, Ian. Use it freely.”
Shiro smiled brightly, chiming in.
“Ha, if you'd just step on me once...”
Lidoem muttered.
Ian pocketed the rune stone wordlessly.
“We'll split the rest outside.”
Even with Shiro, he had no intention of venturing deeper into the jungle. In a way, this haul was thanks to Aymdel. Sharing was only fair.
“Really?”
Aymdel's face lit up.
“Hm...”
Lidoem still looked displeased. The gold mattered less than being stepped on, apparently.
Ian stowed the items in his bag and turned lightly.
“Since we're stopped, let's rest nearby.”
The brief fight and loot had spiked his dopamine—he felt good—but best to cut it short now. And Shiro's wound needed checking.
“Yes. I'll scout a spot nearby.”
Aymdel nodded and moved off, scanning as she walked slowly.
Moments later.
“This... should work.”
She'd found a small clearing. Quiet surroundings, no monster presence. Perfect for a short break.
Ian nodded curtly. His gaze shifted to Shiro as they settled. Getting her back to normal was priority one.
“Shiro, mind if I take a look?”
“Yes...”
Shiro tentatively offered her shoulder. It twitched faintly.
Ian unwound the bandage silently. The arm wound was nearly healed—potion magic, or her natural recovery? But the shoulder—deep gash from the blade's pierce, still raw.
Far from done. Ian's eyes darkened slightly.
“Need another potion.”
He pulled the last one from his bag.
Then.
“Isn't that... expensive?”
Shiro's voice came hesitantly. Her gaze flicked up, then down.
Ian chuckled.
“I'll just buy more.”
Thud—he nudged the pouch in his bag. Clink—heavy metal rang out.
Shiro's eyes widened just a fraction.
Ian soaked the bandage casually and wrapped her shoulder—gently, so gently.
“...Ah.”
A soft breath escaped her. Ian said nothing. This would stabilize it.
But—'The real issue's elsewhere.'
His gaze went to her gear. Armor torn in places, left arm sleeve shredded. Shield... gone entirely.
Ian spoke slowly.
“Once we're out, we'll get you new armor fitted.”
“...Yes.”
Shiro nodded faintly. Silence fell.
Then—Ian extended a hand.
“For now, use this.”
A wooden shield, iron-reinforced. Laughable compared to her old one. To others, just a basic shield.
“Yes...?”
To Shiro, it felt like a gift from him.
She glanced between the shield and Ian.
“But...”
Her words trailed. “...then what about you, Ian...?”
Unspoken, her fingers clenched faintly. Hesitation.
Ian saw it and smiled faintly.
'She's so obvious.'
His heart tickled oddly.
“You protect me, Shiro.”
Casual words. But reason enough.
Shiro's eyes wavered.
“...”
Brief quiet. Then—slowly, carefully—her hand reached for the shield.
Thud.
The weight in her palm. Unfamiliar.
Yet—strangely warm.
“...Understood.”
Softly. Clearly. Her head dipped slightly.
Maybe nothing to Ian—but to Shiro, it meant the world.
Ian turned away casually.
“Rest a bit more, then move.”
“Yes...”
A serene reply. But—her grip on the shield tightened.
Shiro bowed her head slightly at Ian's words. Her ear tips flushed faintly.
“Yes... it's fine.”
Her voice soft, tentative.
Ian nodded curtly, then approached Aymdel, who was still scanning warily.
“Aymdel, can we talk a sec?”
“Y-yes...!”
She startled, shoulders jumping. Tension plain.
Ian glanced at Shiro once, then spoke.
“Shiro's wound... won't heal fully by tonight.”
“I... see...”
Her words faded. Eyes dimming. Fearing he'd say to turn back—
Ian exhaled softly.
“Not heading back yet.”
“......!”
Aymdel's eyes flashed up.
“That guy's on this floor.”
Her stiff expression eased at last.
“Th-then...?”
“Need a spot to rest a day.”
Ian added calmly.
“Once Shiro's fully recovered, we go.”
“...Thank you.”
Relief in her breath, deep bow.
Ian watched briefly, then looked away.
Truth was, no real reason to help. Or come this far.
But—'No turning back now.'
Foot in the door, see it through. Plus.
That guy on this floor. More numbers helped against him.
Ian spoke again.
“And... one more thing?”
“Yes?”
“The one left on 4F.”
Aymdel's pupils quivered faintly.
“Her boon... do you know what it is?”
“Ah...”
A short breath. Aymdel opened her mouth, then dropped her gaze. Hesitation.
Boons. Not something to share lightly outside the party.
But—
“Seeing how much you trust her.”
Ian's voice lowered.
“Figured I should know too.”
Silence. Fingers gripped and released her hem.
Hesitation. Then, finally—
“I... don't know the details, since it's someone else's boon...”
Aymdel slowly opened her mouth.