'No need to recycle, and I won't store it either.' Riku shook his head. 'Shambhala is a lifesaver—there's no way I'm locking it away in storage.'
[Understood]
The system fell silent.
'Binding this instantly… That's convenient. No compatibility issues to worry about.' Riku grinned as he gripped Shambhala.
"Riku, everything's ready. Come out for a second." A clear female voice called from outside.
"Yeah, I know." Hearing her, Riku's golden eyes narrowed slightly. He got up, slipped Shambhala into his pouch, and opened the door.
Standing there was a girl with red hair, blue eyes, a pair of goggles on her head, and a striking figure in her black-and-white clothes.
Her name was Couronne—Riku's "sister," after her father adopted him when Riku's village was destroyed by the war among the fantasy races.
"Riku, how's your health?" Couronne looked at him with concern. She'd heard his earlier outburst but now, as another mission approached, she was worried again—he always carried too much.
"No problem." Riku's expression was steady. He tapped his chest. "Everything's locked up in here."
"That's good." Couronne's face stayed worried, but she didn't notice that the real Riku was already gone.
"This time we're after a Dwarf-made telescope. If we can retrofit it, we'll spot trouble sooner and escape the fighting." Couronne's voice trembled a bit. "But as important as it is, don't push yourself. You're our pillar."
"I understand." Riku answered calmly.
To survive, humans needed every scrap of wisdom and every tool. Strength, resolve, and intelligence—all essential.
Even then, every settlement lost at least a hundred people each year—sometimes wiped out entirely.
Thanks to Riku and Couronne, their group lost only forty-six in four years—a miracle.
'But every one of those forty-six… I sent them to die to buy the rest of us a chance to escape. That's what broke the old Riku.'
"Couronne, just protect the settlement. I'll take care of everything else."
He didn't say more. Riku stepped past her and into the dim hallway.
"Geez, I'm supposed to be the big sister, but he always calls me Cour… such a stubborn little brother." Couronne muttered, watching Riku's back with aching concern.
"Riku, be careful!"
"Riku, please come back safe."
As Riku entered the open cave, everyone working there greeted him, praying for his safe return.
Riku nodded to each of them in turn. In this dark world, no one was useless. Even the youngest had a purpose.
"Riku, here's your gear." Ivan walked over, handing him a dust mask, heavy fur armor, and a big pack.
"Aley and the others?" Riku asked as he suited up.
"They're getting ready," Ivan replied, scratching his head.
This mission was supposed to be for five, with three other teammates besides Ivan.
Riku glanced at Ivan—a man with a wife and daughter who, in the original story, would die within a year.
'No need to drag them along. This time, I'll go alone.'
"Let them know: I'll do this solo. The rest of you stay here."
Ivan froze.
"Riku! Don't joke around!" Couronne ran up, grabbing his collar.
"I'm serious." Riku met her gaze, unmoved.
He remembered this from the novel. In the original story, the mission succeeded, but two companions died after running into beastmen. If things went the same way, going solo with Shambhala was safest—even if it was still risky.