After some time, the two of them gathered around a rough camp inside one of the pyramid's inner chambers.
Rio was the one who had put it together.
It wasn't finished—not even close—but it was enough for now. He had dragged over two old wooden chests and placed them near each other to use as seats. One of them had cracked hinges and smelled faintly of dust and age, but it held.
Inside the other chest, Rio had found something unexpected.
Gold coins.
Not many—but enough to matter.
He had carefully moved them into the outer pocket of one of the backpacks and immediately told Filip about it. Filip had only nodded, clearly too tired to react properly, but Rio could tell it had eased something in him.
The camp itself was simple. A few torn banners—once ceremonial flags—had been ripped down from the walls and folded into something that could work as blankets or padding. It wasn't comfortable, but it was better than bare stone.
There was also a massive burial coffin nearby.
Unlike the others, this one was intact—beautifully carved, its surface decorated with intricate patterns and faded symbols. Rio had stood in front of it for a long time before deciding not to open it alone.
If there was something inside…
Something worse than a skeleton…
He would wait for Filip.
Still, he hoped—quietly—that the coffin might have a padded interior. If it did, it could become a proper bed.
They agreed to check it later.
For now, they sat near the camp with Oathkeeper hovering between them, its soft blue light illuminating the chamber like a living lantern.
Both of them held their books.
They looked identical.
Black covers. Smooth and heavy. The familiar blue emblem of Oathkeeper etched into the front.
The only difference—
The names.
Rio was written on one.
Filip on the other.
Filip opened his book first.
The very first page bore a golden stamp—complex and unfamiliar. As he tilted his head, his ears shifting to the side, his body slowly went rigid.
He had seen that symbol before.
On Earth.
In the pyramid.
On the medal that had sacrificed them.
His breath caught.
Nothing happened.
No pain.
No reaction.
Slowly, he exhaled and looked up—just in time to see Rio nearly fall off his chest in shock after seeing the same stamp.
Filip snorted.
He barely managed to stop himself from laughing.
"It doesn't seem active," he said quickly. "Not right now."
Rio steadied himself, ears flat in embarrassment.
Filip turned the page.
Mark of Power
Rank: Divine
Description:
This mark allows its bearer to offer a sacrifice to the god who granted it.
In return, the god may grant power or items.
The reward will never exceed the value of the sacrifice.
Activation:
Speak the god's name while placing your hand on the mark.
At the bottom of the page, written in large red letters, was a name.
Filip shuddered.
He closed the book slightly and looked at Rio.
"Let's… not say that name unless we absolutely have to."
Rio nodded immediately.
They turned the page together.
On one page was a familiar blue emblem.
Oathkeeper's.
On the opposite page:
Soul Dragon Mark
Rank: Legendary
Description:
All items bearing this mark become resistant to damage.
They are self-repairing and self-cleaning.
Activation:
Passive enchantment.
Filip blinked.
"…That explains it," he muttered.
Rio tilted his head. "Explains what?"
"My clothes. They were clean when I woke up. No tears. No dirt."
Rio smiled faintly. "That solves a lot of problems."
They turned the page again.
This time, the image showed a figure that looked exactly like them—same body, same ears, same tail—but dressed entirely in white.
Below it:
Race
Foxkin
Rank: ?
Description: ?
They both stared at the page.
"…That's it?" Rio asked.
Filip sighed. "That's it."
A little disappointed, they turned the page again.
Filip's ears drooped immediately.
His tail went still.
On his page:
Class
Sword Magician
Rank: ?
Description: ?
Filip stared at it in silence.
"…Guess I'll have to figure that out myself," he muttered.
He glanced at Rio—
And immediately noticed the difference.
Rio was completely absorbed.
His tail swayed gently. One ear stood upright, the other drooped slightly—focused, curious, alert.
Filip thought, without meaning to: Cute.
Rio's page showed an archer moving through a forest, following a glowing blue trail toward unseen prey.
He read carefully.
Spirit Ranger
Rank: Legendary
Description:
The bearer moves more easily through forests and natural terrain.
The class accelerates mastery of the bow beyond normal limits.
Spirits may be used to locate prey, scout areas, and guide shots.
Spirits can calculate trajectory to strike moving targets.
"…Interesting," Rio murmured.
Filip leaned over his shoulder to read.
Rio gave him time, then asked, "What do you think?"
Filip straightened, ears twitching.
"…Useful," he said flatly.
Rio smiled.
They turned the page again.
To see what their talents awaited them.