Jun and Riry''s year together unfolded like a tapestry, each thread woven from shared experiences, growth, and the occasional clash of personalities. They fell into a rhythm, alternating between intense days of work and blissful moments of relaxation. Their bond deepened until they were as inseparable as their beast companions, Yogundr and the Sleeping Leviathan.


    On lazy days, the pair foraged for rare forest components, their laughter echoing through the woods as they debated the uses of the flora and fauna they collected. The forest became their playground, yielding treasures like:


    Gilded Puffcaps: A rare, golden mushroom that released spores infused with mana. These were used in alchemy to enhance stamina and resilience. Shadowbark Trees: Their dark, sturdy wood was ideal for crafting tools and furniture, while their sap could be distilled into a potent adhesive. Moonspike Ferns: Delicate plants with silvery leaves, their extracts useful for stabilizing volatile alchemical mixtures. Starweave Silkspinners: Small, mana-attuned spiders whose silk could be harvested to create enchanted threads for clothing or weapon bindings.


    The beasts they hunted provided an equally rich bounty:


    Crystal Hart: Its shimmering antlers were ground into powder for alchemical enhancements, while its hide was used for lightweight armor. Abyssal Fangcat: This sleek predator''s claws and teeth made excellent tools, and its shadowy pelt offered unparalleled camouflage. Mana-Scaled Raptors: Their scales were refined into protective plates for armor, and their blood was a key ingredient in vitality potions.


    On more industrious days, the two worked side by side. Jun''s hands grew calloused from tanning hides and hammering metal, while Riry''s expertise in alchemy and smithing brought a precision to their creations. They bickered constantly, their voices a mix of exasperation and fondness.


    "You can''t just hammer it like that," Riry scolded one day as Jun worked a piece of Abyssal Fangcat hide. "It''ll lose its elasticity."


    "You''ve said that five times already," Jun replied, exasperated. "I''m not an idiot."


    Riry smirked. "Could''ve fooled me."


    Jun glared at her. "You''re insufferable."


    "And you''re slow," Riry shot back, but the grin tugging at her lips betrayed her amusement.


    They both paused, realizing how their bickering resembled an old married couple''s. Their cheeks flushed, and they turned back to their work in awkward silence, though the air between them was warm with unspoken affection.


    One of the highlights of their year was the significant change in their stats, as shown on their Riggs:


    Juniper Green


    Age: 31


    Credit: 6,500


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.Strength: 32


    Agility: 43


    Intelligence: 55


    Mana: 1000/1000


    Mana Purity: 50%


    Beast: ???


    Type: Symbiosis


    Stigmata: Inside Out


    Riry Bomra


    Age: 89


    Credit: 650,000


    Strength: 180


    Agility: 176


    Intelligence: 350


    Mana: 10,000/10,000


    Mana Purity: 80%


    Beast: ???


    Type: Symbiosis


    Stigmata: Forge


    They compared their stats one evening, sitting around a fire after a long day of work.


    "I''m happy with my progress," Jun said, sipping his tea. "But seeing your numbers makes me feel like a novice."


    Riry shrugged. "You''ve come a long way. Stats aren''t everything." She winked. "Though they do help."


    Jun rolled his eyes. "Thanks for the encouragement."


    "Anytime, shadow boy."


    To celebrate their growth, they decided to spar the next morning. The clearing near the ripple became their arena, and their beast companions watched from the sidelines, observing the match with keen interest.


    Jun drew his shadow blade, its edges flickering with void energy. Riry, in contrast, wielded a glowing hammer, its head pulsing with light.


    "You ready?" Riry asked, her stance relaxed but poised.


    "As I''ll ever be," Jun replied.


    Riry moved first, her hammer swinging with deceptive speed. Jun barely dodged, shadows coiling around his feet to push him out of range.


    "Too slow," Riry taunted, her grin widening.


    Jun countered with a shadow tendril, aiming to trip her, but she leapt gracefully over it, landing with a flourish. "Nice try," she said.


    "Stop talking and fight," Jun growled, charging forward.


    Their blows collided, light and shadow clashing in bursts of energy. Jun focused on exploiting openings, darting in and out with his agility, while Riry''s strength allowed her to dominate the battlefield. Despite the disparity in power, Jun''s tactics kept her on her toes.


    "You''ve gotten better," Riry admitted as she blocked another strike. "But you''re still holding back."


    "Maybe I''m saving my best for last," Jun retorted.


    "Or maybe you''re scared I''ll break you," Riry teased, stepping forward with a feint that forced Jun to retreat.


    Their duel continued for nearly an hour, both of them pushing their limits. Jun''s stamina waned first, his movements growing sluggish. Riry noticed and stepped back, lowering her hammer slightly.


    "That''s enough," she said. "You did well, but you''re not ready for a full match yet."


    Jun scowled but nodded. "I''ll get there."


    Riry smiled, reaching out to tousle his hair. "I know you will. You''re stubborn enough to make it happen."


    The following month was focused on combat and hunting. They worked together to take down challenging beasts, adding to their growing trove of materials. Each creature presented new opportunities for crafting and alchemy:


    Verdant Basilisks: Their scales were highly reflective, used in light-based enchantments. Their venom, when diluted, enhanced focus and clarity. Flarehorn Stags: These creatures'' antlers emitted a faint glow, useful in making lanterns and mana-storing artifacts. Ironback Golems: Their rocky hides contained trace amounts of rare metals, perfect for forging advanced tools.


    They also harvested rare herbs and fungi:


    Crimson Tears: A deep red berry with potent healing properties. Mana Mistletoe: A parasitic plant that absorbed ambient mana, ideal for creating restorative potions. Golden Caps: A luminous fungus that enhanced the potency of mana-infused brews.


    Each hunt and foraging trip brought them closer, their teamwork seamless and their bond undeniable. They lived like a couple in all but name, their feelings for each other evident in the quiet moments they shared and the trust they placed in one another.


    One evening, as they sat by the fire, Jun looked over at Riry. "Thanks for sticking around," he said softly.


    Riry tilted her head, her smile warm. "You''re not so bad, shadow boy. I think I''ll keep you around a little longer."


    They laughed, the sound carrying through the night, a testament to the year they had spent building something neither of them could have predicted.