With the recordings done and the daylight marched ever on, Trosana took Myles aside.

“I told you your father wanted me to give you something,” Trosana said conspiratorially.

He’d almost forgotten in the chaos but nodded all the same before remembering why they were doing it away from the others.

“You said it was embarrassing,” Myles added.

“I did, didn’t I,” she replied, smiling. “It is in a way.”

From her limited storage, Trosana pulled out a large, battered, and beaten book. Myles realized what it was instantly and reached for it like it was a text from the gods themselves. A tear began to well as he realized what his father had done.

“He figured you’d be like this, hence wanting me to give it to you in private. He wanted you to have this, Myles.”

Bringing it to his nose, he smelled the book. The pages, some of which were slightly singed, smelled of flour, sugar, and countless other seasonings. It had been bound and rebound countless times to account for countless recipes rather than his father buying a magical tome. It was a reminded of days long gone, and he didn’t need to look down to read the words embossed on the cover — Chase Baking.

He had no words and slipped the book into his inventory for its own good. That book was older than he was and mundane. It wouldn’t stand up to a strong wind let alone the strange mud Lyna seemed to be coated with now while laughing like a maniac.

“Thank you,” he said simply.

“Keep performing,” she said with a smile. “And remember, putting on a good show is second to survival. You haven’t been pushing like some of these try-hards, but people love your down-to-earth attitude. Keep doing what you’re doing. Though if you want some advice, maybe clear out the beach? A swimsuit party would bring in a lot more sponsors for everyone…”

Myles laughed. “Maybe we will after the second floor.”

“As long as you put on a good show, my work here is done,” Trosana said, patting the back at her side. “Advertisements are done, interviews are packed, questionnaires have been answered. I couldn’t ask for more.” She paused for a moment, “Well, except from Tail.”

“They’ll come around eventually.”

“Tell that to their sponsors.”

“That’s your job,” Myles reminded her.

***

After Trosana rejoined the other journalists, the rest of the afternoon was spent rather quietly. There were no monsters, no chaos, and a general calm about the entire plaza. However, there was still a caravan full of traders to visit.

With gusto, the team made their way into the middle of town to spend their hard-earned gold, and spend they did.

Copper, silver, and gold were drained from Runners like water through the hole in the bottom of a bucket, items were exchanged, and the world continued to spin. At this point, the party broke ranks to get whatever they needed and agreed to meet again the next morning to sort through their plans to progress.

By the time his wallet was a few pounds lighter, Myles was happily weighed down by a few extra pairs of everything, double his current supply of socks, and enough supplies to bake for an army. Not that he strictly needed all of it, but at Silpha’s urging, Myles wanted to at least make an attempt at making it look like he was keeping his stores full rather than bartering with his dungeon core like a market stall in the royal city. He hadn’t checked all his loot in detail yet and knew that he had a masterwork spice kit, but he figured it would be more practical to stock up on every spice he could get his hands on. From allspice powder to Zakaran black salt, he bought out everything he could find and stuffed it all into his inventory.

“It is strange to see so many doing so much so orderly,” Ashra commented as they left the last stall.

“Not really,” Myles said. “This is nothing compared to some of the larger marketplaces. There are what, a hundred or so vendors?”

“Two hundred and seven.”

“Right. When we finish here, I’ll take you to Barter and show you a real market.”

“Barter?”

Myles nodded as he readjusted his satchel. “It’s a town as large as Hazen, but it’s made up of markets and stalls rather than city blocks. You could shop for days without seeing the same stall twice.”

An idea of wonderment at such a place briefly flashed across her mind. “I would like to see that.”

“That and more,” Myles promised.

***

By the time the pair reached home, Myles was mentally exhausted. Physically, he feel like he could go ten rounds with Ashra and Silpha in training after being so underworked, but his thoughts were sluggish.

“How often does this happen?”

“Too often.”

“About once a month unless the dungeon decides otherwise,” Myles explained as he began organizing his new clothes and other odds and ends. Taking a few items from his inventory, walked out, and handed them to Ashra. “Can you take these to Silpha?”

“Oh, what are you bringing me?”

A housing upgrade the dungeon gave me and all the new cooking supplies I bought.

“I’ve told you before, Myles. I’m not a marketplace.”

And I told you I’d make it worth your while.

“Fine. Oh! If you can find some water or life dungeon core shards, I’d count us even.”

Ashra nodded and vanished into the growing darkness of the outside world. He couldn’t use the regular upgrades any more thanks to the interactions between Silpha’s influence and Myles’s ownership status, but he was sure there was still something she could do with it. Alone for the first time in as many days, Myles turned himself to the task he’d been too tired for the day before. It was time to examine the other items he’d been granted by the dungeon.

One by one, Myles pulled out the rest of the floor completion rewards to examine one by one.

Enchanted Pillow of Lucid Dreaming

Value: [Forbidden from Sale]

Item - Pillow

Description: A pillow designed for maximum comfort and style.

Detail: This pillow has been crafted with the idea of comfort in mind. The breathable material will stay just slightly below body temperature to have a pleasant coolness about it. This item will also adapt its coloring to match whatever environment it is set into, but that’s not the most impressive part about this pillow. The real magic comes once the user is asleep. While sleeping, the user will have recognition of events while dreaming and, with enough practice, can learn to dream lucidly with some restrictions.

Enchanted Flannel Sheets of Warmth

Value: [Forbidden from Sale]

Item Set - Comforter, Fitted Sheet, Flat Sheet

Description: A self-adapting set of bedding designed for maximum comfort and style in the cool autumn and winter months.

Detail: These sheets woven of high-grade wool has been crafted with the idea of comfort in mind. The breathable, warm material will make you want to stay in bed all day. With a self-sustaining Thermal Regulation enchantment that can support up to four individuals in a single bed, it doesn’t matter how warm or cold you like it. Your bed will be the most comfortable place in your home for everyone.

Color - Selected Upon Setup

Enchanted Winter Wardrobe

Value: [Forbidden from Sale]

Item Set - Winter Jacket, Gloves, Hat

Description: A self-sizing set of winter wear to keep the chill off.

Detail: Enchanted with a self-sustaining Thermal Regulation, this set of winter wear will keep your body at the proper temperature to avoid a chill as long as all three pieces of the set are worn. When equipped within your inventory, each piece will size to properly fit over any armor with ease.

Each missing piece will reduce the equipment’s efficiency by thirty-three percent.

Color - Selected Upon Setup

Enchanted Boots

Value: [Forbidden from Sale]

Item - Boots

Description: A self-sizing set of winter boots.

Detail: Enchanted with a self-sustaining Thermal Regulation, Water Repulsion, and Sturdy, this set of winter boots will do more than just keep your feet dry and warm. Their sturdy construction from enchanted leather and steel trim will make sure to never fail when you need them most. Boots can be manually recharged with the Recharge spell or an infusion of ambient mana while the three effects are not in use.

They were excellent pieces of loot by any standard and made Myles very aware of the dungeon’s idea of weather this Run. Winter wasn’t just a possibility; it was coming sooner than any of them wanted. It was strange though. When he’d left home, the first frost hadn’t even fallen yet, but if the gear was any indication of what they’d be expecting, it wasn’t going to be an easy one like back where he grew up.

Lost in thought, Ashra returned to bring him back to reality.

“Myles, Silpha is working on the packet you gave her. She wants you to know it was adapted for her, so the house should be fine once she finishes examining how it works properly.”

“And she didn’t want to tell me herself?”

“She wanted to get started immediately.”

Myles took the pillow from his inventory and tossed it onto the bed, watching it change from white to a slight tanned to offset the color of his sheets. It wasn’t cold enough yet for his other items, but the pillow was something he wanted to try tonight. “Sounds about right.”

“She said you would say that,” Ashra said. Her attention had left him after that as her eyes spent their time looking past him at the bed she so coveted.

Myles didn’t miss that look.

“You have your own bed.”

“It is still not as comfortable as yours.”

“We’ll see what we can do about that later,” he promised.

Ashra only let the ghost of a smile flash as she moved. “If we are done for the day?”

“We are,” Myles said, flopping onto the bed. “I’m going to look at a few more pieces of loot and just write up a few plans to try with the slimes until we can find out the way to the second floor.”

“Rest well, Myles. Do not overwork yourself.”

He laughed at that. “I’ll be fine, Ashra. It wasn’t like we did much today. The worst thing that might happen is I come up with a tea slime or something.”

Ashra paused to consider that. “I would enjoy that creation.”

“You would?”

“Some slimes are nutritious, as you have seen from your breeds, and if it was based on tea plants, it might be medicinal. I have not had tea since I was very young and would like to try it again sometime.”

“Huh.” He hadn’t considered that. Then again, he didn’t think tea grew in the dungeon at all. “I think I might look into that. Right now, I need to see about that elixir slime, then I want to explore some other options. Slimes are versatile, but there’s so much more out there.”

She nodded, accepting his words easily enough. “We still need a distance specialist. We’re at an extreme disadvantage as a team without one.”

That was true enough. One would have been a huge help against Shardking, and that was only the first floor. It may not have changed the fact he and Kendra had to climb inside, but it may have made things easier all the same.

“I’ll be on the lookout.”

“I expect nothing less from you,” Ashra said before bowing.

For Myles, it was still strange watching the way her liquid metal body moved when that was all he had to focus on. It was wholly alien but so natural at the same time. It reminded him of something he’d been neglecting.

“Are you doing okay, Ashra?”

Ashra looked at him, feeling his question out before she answered after a long pause. “No, Myles. I am not,” she said. Before Myles was able to follow up, she gave him a thin, tight smile. “But, I am better than I was.”

Through their connection, he felt the truth in her words as he opened himself up further to her. He could feel raw emotion still simmering, but it wasn’t everything anymore. Despite that, he had to ask.

“Is there anything I can help you with?”

“You are. Experiences and time are healing much of who I am and how I see myself. As of now, I just want to return to doing what we were. I want to keep fighting. I do not want to leave again unless I have to.”

For a long moment, Myles had no words to convey. Words felt too weak and didn’t want to cheapen what he felt. Instead, Myles let his emotions flow across their connection and show his relief with the complex emotions that went with it. Once it passed, Myles shared his plan. “In another day or two, we’ll go hunting again. Find a good dungeon with the team and get more practice in.”

“Unless the second floor opens.”

He nodded. “Unless the second floor opens.”

A long silence filled in the gap that followed until Ashra bowed again. “Good night, Myles.”

“Good night, Ashra.”

As she closed the door, Myles undressed, set the pillow up to test between hie other ones, and settled in under the sheets as his body gave itself over to sleep.

***

Myles awoke to the sun streaming down on him almost as soon as the smells of fresh bread and the sweet-savory scent of cooking candied bacon touched his nose. Stretching his arms, Myles scratched the back of his head as he looked around the garden environment that he’d come to call home lately.

That was quick.

He stretched one arm and then the other. He practically heard his muscles stretch and his joints groan with pleasure as the bed released him from its gripping sheets.

Feels amazing though!

It had only seemed like a moment ago he’d fallen asleep, but he felt as well-rested as if he’d slept for a week. It either was just that good sleeping with the new sheets and pillows or he was just bad at keeping an internal sense of timing while being blacked out.

Well, I can’t be burning daylight. She’d never forgive me.

As he got up, Myles took in the beautiful amethyst sky. The light was not exactly warm but gave him the sense of warmth as it always did as wisps of cloud lazily drifted across the sky. All was right with the world as Myles turned his attention to something closer to home and made note of the garden.

The sugar trees were in bloom still, and the sweet little orbs of nectar were ripe for picking and smelling like candied lemons today. He’d have to make some lemon drops later. Resting in their shade and moving towards the massive kitchen, the cinnamon bun bushes lining the path from his bed were the opposite. They still needed a few more days at least despite being near the end of the season. The frosting on their swirling, perfectly formed leaves was still wet with immaturity rather than having a slightly hard shell. Still, he didn’t linger long smelling the bushes as he walked into the single room of their island and smiled.

“Morning, Myles!” The voice called, echoing in a way that scratched lovingly at his mind.

Myles starred for a moment and quickly shook the strange thought away.

Before him, a beauty of a woman stood at the stove, wearing an oh-so-familiar shirt and apron and nothing else. If she wasn’t enough to summon him, the sound of sizzling meat beckoned him all the same.

“Morning, [],” Myles cooed as he sat down at the table and looked her over for what felt like the millionth time since they’d met.

[]’s hair was as long as the day they met and just as beautiful, streaked with autumn brown and frosted white. A figure that skirted the line between [Warrior] and [Goddess] complimented it well as [] turned caught him starring like he always did.

She flashed him her favorite smile, and the light was almost enough to blind him. Of course, her smile was nothing compared to her eyes. Pools of liquid silver eyes caught the light of the newly minted day as she smiled, and he was lost in them. That smile, those eyes, that woman as a whole made it hard for him to see anything else as it paralyzed his senses.

“You know it’s better when you cook, but today…” she winked, letting him fill in the gap as she took a moment to wipe sweat from her brow.

As Myles ticked off the boxes and found none lacking, he began to panic.

Today? What was today?

Out of ideas, he did what any man in his situation would.

“Candied bacon? What did I do to deserve this?”

He stalled.

[] continued to smile as if she knew the game and wouldn’t share the rules. “Nothing too important,” She lied, trying to drive the point home. “Can’t your wife cook for you?”

Sket! What did I forget? What did I forget!

Something nagged at the back of his mind. He just wished he had someone to ask. The thought made his mind itch, but it was soon forgotten as he deflected the question.

He grinned. “Didn’t you burn it last time?”

She dismissed his comment as she brandished a pair of tongs, clicking them dangerously as the tattoos of light across her skin danced. “You distracted me.”

Quest completed. Myles gains the advantage.

He grinned. “You didn’t complain.”

[[] purred as she picked up a plate and sauntered past him, letting a hand trace his shoulder as she circled him like a predator sizing up its prey.

“Until the stove caught fire,” she reminded him, putting a plate stacked with meat on it in front of him.

“Until the stove caught fire…” Myles agreed, looking down at the plate. His mind reeled seeing the pile of sweet-smelling slices of flesh, still bloodied, and dripping all the more as his wife sat down across from him.

She smiled brightly, the sliver of her eyes seeing everything as her hands folded onto the table. “Is something wrong? Did I burn it? I didn’t mean to, Myles.”

Myles looked at her and then back to the plate of candied bacon and eggs in front of him.

Was it?

“I’m sorry, I just wanted to make today as special as the day we met in the RUN.”

At that moment, everything clicked into place as the strange buzzing in the back of his mind echoed across his thoughts.

How could he have been so stupid!

“Happy seventh anniversary.”

[] grinned all the wider, showing a pointed, slightly relieved, smile. “Happy anniversary, love.”

After meeting at the middle of the table to kiss to celebrate, Myles’s head began pounding. It only lasted as long as it took to finish the plate and go back to their garden.