Ankexikaao finally learned his lesson. This time, he obediently pulled out the sword-like weapon seemingly named 'Youbisi'.

Though reluctant, he honestly placed Youbisi on the table.

"Youbisi... you've been with me so long. Is this really the end for us?"

Ankexikaao gently stroked Youbisi, sobbing. I ignored him and grabbed the sword. As my first 'weapon', I was thrilled.

Weapon data for Youbisi instantly flooded my mind.

"...Weapon detected. Identifying..."

"...Identified. Updating..."

——————

Item Name: Youbisi

Rank: Legendary (S)

Type: Melee Weapon

Attributes: Attack +0; Agility +100; HP +1000

Special Abilities:

Life Surge: User's vitality, HP regen, damage resistance, and resistances are multiplied. Current multiplier: 2x.

The Kind Blade: Wielder gains no destructive power but unlocks life's secrets. Attacking a target removes all debuffs and restores 30% HP. (Cannot target self; cooldown per unit.)

Hero Exclusive: Usable only by a Hero.

Title Obtained: Life-Saver

Weapon Lore (Legendary Exclusive): In ancient times, the Goddess of Life personally gifted Youbisi to the Hero. He revived countless Demonkin in the great war, nearly dooming humanity...

...

I fell silent.

Blinded by Ankexikaao's grand historical tales, I'd foolishly believed this world was 'normal'!

"This is bullshit! What's this weapon even for?! I need attack power! A sword that heals targets—is that even a sword? Does it deserve the name?!"

Furious, I slammed Youbisi onto the table.

Ankexikaao gasped, snatching Youbisi up and stroking it. "Youbisi, no pain, no pain... Daddy's here, be good~"

After comforting it, he glared at me.

"Talk to me if you have issues! Hitting a child—what kind of move is that!"

...

"Don't you know Youbisi's different? Weapons with 'titles' are all sentient! You hurt her feelings! Apologize now!"

Ankexikaao raised Youbisi high, dead serious. "Say sorry! Or I won't let you leave!"

"Sorry..."

"Good. She forgives you." He placed Youbisi back in my hands.

I tried sensing its sentience but felt only cold steel.

"Youbisi won't talk to you yet. She'll appear once you bond. Sentient weapons are 'spirit weapons'—all legendary. Do you grasp their worth? Even the most useless one fetches tens of thousands in gold coins. Mortals would kill for it!"

Ankexikaao scolded me. I nodded eagerly, promising never to repeat it. Secretly, I planned to sell this junk sword later.

"Done with my tasks. You can leave... Your friends wait outside. Your group got lucky. The others? One has a single survivor, critically wounded. The other has two alive..."

His words jolted me. I asked anxiously, "Is Anjelit alive?"

"Tch, that yellow-haired, flat-chested girl?" Ankexikaao's tone turned sour. "Alive. Just unconscious from heavy injuries."

"That's... good. Alive is enough."

I'd expected losses, but not this grim. Still, not my problem. Relief washed over me. I'd rush Anjelit to the Sanctuary for healing, then treat her with mission rewards.

But glancing down, I froze.

A mysterious rune glowed under my feet!

Ankexikaao followed my gaze, tapped his head, and squinted. "Oh right! You've class-advanced. Treaty rules teleport you out of the starting village. Farewell, Rogelit~"

He waved goodbye.

I panicked. I knew class-advancing or hitting level 20 triggered this—but when did I advance?! How didn't I know?!

"A Hero's advancement is automatic after collecting exclusive weapons. Youbisi is Hero Exclusive~" Ankexikaao answered my unspoken question.

The teleport circle blazed brighter!

"Wait! Hold on! I'm not ready! Let me say goodbye to Anjelit! Hey, wait—!"

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh."

Wind roared in my ears.

The cave vanished. I floated in a sky-blue void.

Air?

Below sprawled a dense, green forest.

I was falling—fast!

"Bullshiiiiit!!!"

I screamed, plummeting down. A loud *thud*—then darkness.

I woke to nightfall. Lying on the ground, covered by cloth. A crater and campfire glowed nearby.

Meat sizzled over flames, smelling delicious. Beside it sat a cute blue-haired girl.

Her clothes were unfamiliar. A short sword hung at her waist; a wooden bow rested on her back.

"You're awake~" She beamed, handing me a skewer of roasted meat. "Hungry? Eat up. My grilling skills are top-notch!"

Her innocent smile held no fear. She seemed naturally caring.

So... she'd covered me with this cloth too?