Early in the morning, before the sun had risen, Takeshi and Nyx busied themselves packing their bags. The soft glow of dawn barely seeped through the cracks in the dungeon walls.
As Takeshi finished securing his pack, his gaze drifted toward Nyx, who was carefully placing items into her bag. His eyes caught a glint of something unusual—a mysterious steel cube in her hand as she tucked it away.
"What's that, Nyx?" Takeshi asked, his curiosity piqued.
Nyx turned to glance at him, holding up the object briefly before stowing it. "This? It's a steel cube. When infused with mana, it can create any weapon you want. The weapon will even have a random spell imbued into it upon creation."
Takeshi raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, but where'd you get something like that?"
"I found it while I was looking for your weapons in your room," Nyx replied casually, her tone nonchalant as she resumed packing.
Takeshi hesitated for a moment. "Okay…" he said, his tone hovering between doubt and acceptance.
With their preparations nearly complete, Takeshi glanced back at Nyx and noticed her clothes—old, worn, and frayed at the edges.
"Are you planning to wear that outside?" he asked, unable to hide his concern.
Nyx looked down at herself, a faint blush of embarrassment crossing her face. "Yes… Most of the clothes I found don't fit me," she admitted, brushing her hand across the fabric.
Takeshi frowned, clearly unsatisfied. Without a word, he reached into his bag and pulled out a neatly folded garment. "Here, wear this. I found it inside a chest while I was exploring," he said, holding it out to her.
Nyx hesitated but eventually took the clothing from him, disappearing into a nearby room to change.
When she returned, Takeshi's eyes widened in shock—and awe. The outfit was a stunning dress, its soft pink fabric enhanced by deep red accents and bold black trim. The elegant design balanced striking contrasts, creating a harmonious blend that complemented Nyx perfectly.
Takeshi stood frozen, captivated by the transformation. Nyx's radiant beauty and unexpected cuteness left him momentarily speechless.
"So," Nyx began, smoothing the dress with her hands, "how do I look?"
Takeshi smirked, his cheeks tinged faintly red. "You look amazing as ever," he replied with a confident nod, unable to keep his eyes from lingering a moment longer.
Nyx smiled, a rare warmth lighting up her expression.
With their preparations complete, the two ventured outside the dungeon, their new weapons and items in hand, ready to face whatever challenges awaited them in the vast unknown.