Fateful Encounter

The morning sun filtered through the trees as the group prepared to break camp. Dave had spent most of the night working on their equipment, using the spare gear from Queen Mia and Gruf to enhance everyone's existing items through his [re_coding] ability. The now-statless pieces of armor and weapons lay scattered around their makeshift shelter, drained of all their magical properties.

— We can leave those behind, Dave said to Alpha as they packed up. I transferred all their useful stats to your current gear. No point carrying dead weight.

Alpha shouldered his pack and helped Suzaku distribute the sleeping bags and provisions between them. Kuria insisted on carrying her own staff, though she moved carefully as they prepared to leave.

— Everyone ready? asked Alpha.

The group set out through the forest, following Kuria's directions toward the town she had spotted from the aeronef. The morning air was crisp and filled with the sounds of birds and rustling leaves.

After about an hour of walking, Kuria began to lag behind. Despite her cheerful determination, she wobbled unsteadily with each step, occasionally reaching out to steady herself against tree trunks.

— Let us take a break, suggested Suzaku, noticing Kuria's struggle.

They found a fallen log to rest on, and Kuria gratefully sat down, breathing heavily from the exertion.

Suzaku watched her with concern.

— I do not understand. Your health points should be completely full after the regeneration effect worked all night. Why do you still seem so weak?

Dave floated closer, having been observing her condition during their walk.

— I think I know what is happening, he said to Alpha. Even if an object or a person regains their HP or durability stats, if they are physically broken or their wounds are not attended to properly, then no matter how much they heal, it is useless.

Alpha translated Dave's explanation to the others.

— Think about our aeronef, Dave continued. Its magical systems were damaged beyond repair. Even when I tried to boost its stats, the physical structure was too compromised to hold the enhancements. The same principle applies to Kuria.

— But her wound has closed, Alpha pointed out.

— The surface, yes. But she lost a massive amount of blood and had a gaping hole punched through her chest not so long ago. Her body needs time to actually recover from that trauma, regardless of what her health bar shows.

Kuria listened to Alpha's translation with a mixture of understanding and resignation.

— Yes, that pattern holds true, she confirmed with a nod. The healing magic only restored my life force, but not the actual physical damage to my body. Even with my experience as a cleric, there is only so much magical healing can accomplish when the body has sustained such severe trauma.

Alpha nodded thoughtfully.

— That makes sense. So we should expect you to need proper rest regardless of what your health bar shows.

Dave found himself both intrigued and wary of how this world continued to develop its own natural laws beyond his original programming. Each new discovery revealed mechanics that were logical but completely unpredictable.

Suzaku had been listening thoughtfully to this explanation.

— That would explain why experienced healers always emphasize both magical treatment and proper rest. The magic handles the immediate life-threatening aspects, while the body still needs time to truly mend itself.

Kuria sighed but managed a weak smile.

— Well, at least now I understand why I feel like I have been trampled by a herd of stone trolls. I suppose I will just have to take it slow for a while.

— We will adjust our pace, Alpha assured her. There is no rush to reach the town today if you need more time.

Dave found himself both intrigued and wary of how this world continued to develop its own natural laws beyond his original programming. Each new discovery revealed mechanics that were logical but completely unpredictable.

As their break came to an end, Dave suddenly had a brilliant idea.

— Wait, Alpha. Before we continue, let me try something.

Dave floated over to a random rock on the ground and opened its data panel. Then he quickly accessed all their supplies and equipment, transferring the weight values from their sleeping bags, provisions, and gear onto the stone.

— There, Dave said with satisfaction. All of your items should be virtually weightless now.

Alpha lifted his pack experimentally and his eyes widened in surprise. What had been a heavy burden now felt like it weighed almost nothing.

— This is incredible! How much does our equipment weigh now?

— Practically nothing, replied Dave. I transferred all the weight to that rock over there. Sorry I did not think of this earlier - it would have saved you a lot of trouble during our journey.

Alpha stood up and adjusted the now-featherlight pack on his back, then turned to Kuria with a determined expression.

— Come on, he said, moving toward her. I am going to carry you.

— Alpha, you are already carrying all our sleeping bags and most of our provisions, Kuria protested, her cheeks reddening with embarrassment. I cannot ask you to carry me too.

— You are not asking, Alpha replied firmly, scooping her up in his arms despite her protests. I am offering. And I will not put you down until we reach the town safely.

Kuria found herself cradled against Alpha's chest, her face burning with embarrassment as she looked to Suzaku for support.

— He has a point, Suzaku said with amusement. You can barely walk on your own, and we still have hours of travel ahead of us.

— This is so embarrassing, Kuria mumbled, but she had to admit it was much better than struggling to walk.

— There is nothing embarrassing about accepting help when you need it, Alpha said gently, beginning to walk forward while carrying both her and their supplies. We are a team. We look out for each other.

Kuria sighed in resignation, realizing she could not resist even if she wanted to. Despite her protests, she felt safe and secure in Alpha's steady arms.

— Fine, but only until I get my strength back, she said quietly.

— Of course, Alpha agreed with a smile.

Dave floated alongside them as they resumed their journey through the forest, amazed by Alpha's determination to help his teammates, even when it meant carrying an injured companion for hours while their supplies felt weightless on his back.

The sun was beginning to set when they finally reached the small town of Glitter Woods. It was a modest settlement nestled between tall pine trees, with wooden buildings that seemed to blend naturally into the forest around them. Warm light spilled from windows and the sound of conversation drifted from what appeared to be the main tavern.

— Finally, breathed Suzaku with relief.

Alpha carefully set Kuria down near the tavern entrance, and she managed to stand with only slight wobbling.

— Thank you for carrying me all this way, she said gratefully. I feel much better now.

— No problem, Alpha replied, stretching his back. Let us get you properly healed and find rooms for the night.

As they approached the wooden door of the tavern, Alpha pushed it open and stepped inside. The warm interior was filled with the cheerful noise of locals enjoying their evening meals and drinks.

But as Alpha crossed the threshold while still supporting Kuria, a young man came rushing from the opposite direction and collided directly into them. The impact sent both Alpha and the stranger tumbling to the floor in a tangle of limbs.

— Ow, Alpha groaned, helping Kuria who had fallen beside him.

The young man who had run into them scrambled to get back on his feet. He was just a boy who didn't even seem to have reached puberty yet, with striking red eyes and dark hair that fell messily around his face. He wore only a simple pair of pants and nothing else, despite the cool evening air. Most notably, he carried a long, thin object wrapped in a worn blanket strapped to his back.

— I am so sorry, Alpha began, starting to apologize as he helped Kuria stand. I should have been more careful entering—

But the young man's red eyes went wide with what looked like recognition and fear. Without saying a word, he spun around and tried to bolt for the back exit of the tavern.

— So you did survive... said Suzaku quietly, her voice carrying across the now-silent tavern as every patron turned to watch the commotion.

The young man froze mid-step, his entire body going rigid at the sound of her voice.

Before he could recover from his shock and continue running, Suzaku moved with swift precision. She stepped sideways and positioned herself directly in front of the back exit, her arms crossed and her expression unreadable. The boy was now trapped between the curious tavern patrons and Suzaku's imposing presence.

— Going somewhere? she asked, her tone deceptively calm.