[Ancient Temple Sword]  
[Elite Grade]  
[Attack Power: 320]  
[Increases damage of 'Moonlight Slash' skill by 50%]  
[Socket 1: EMPTY]  
[Socket 2: EMPTY]  
[Socket 3: EMPTY]  
(Bound upon equip)

"Nice."

The sword from this dungeon had three sockets, meaning it could hold up to three Echo Stones.

"Attack power and a lifesteal Echo Stone... hmm, what stat should I add next?"

I was lost in happy contemplation.

I was planning to purchase a 'Red Echo Stone' with a lifesteal ability using my coins, but now it seemed better to add a stat Echo Stone to make full use of the three slots.

For now, I transferred the attack power and lifesteal Echo Stones from my current weapon. As for the remaining slot, I’d decide on it later.

The other rewards included high-tier enhancement materials like advanced magic stones and some miscellaneous items.

"Wow."

I covered my flushed face with my hands and gazed at the new dungeon outfit I had acquired.

[Outfit of Archangel Dominion]  
[Upper and Lower Body Item]

It was a pristine white outfit, looking like something an angel might wear. The fabric draped lightly and delicately, with a deep neckline and a hem that barely covered the thighs, leaving much of the legs exposed.

Could I really wear something so revealing?

But still, it was a rare outfit from the new dungeon. It would be a waste not to try it on.

"Well... let's try it on."

*Whoosh.*

"Ah!"

I immediately felt a cool sensation running between the fabric that barely covered my chest and thighs. Startled by the revealing nature of the outfit, I quickly changed back into my 'Desert Admiral' outfit.

Yeah, this isn’t something I can wear outside.

Sighing, I stuffed the outfit into my dressing room inventory.

And then, on the altar where I had defeated the bosses, there was a peculiar, glowing blue object.

I needed to check this out last.

*Fwoosh.*

[Quest Item]  
[The Eternal Flame of the Blacksmith]

"This is it."

This was the ancient flame that the Dwarves, over a millennium ago, had gone to such lengths to protect, even creating massive golems to guard it.

But why had they hidden this flame here?

Was there some cataclysmic event in the past that had required such extreme measures to safeguard this flame?

And those two bosses... their forms...

"Angels."

I had never heard of angels existing in this world, even a thousand years ago.

The goddess who summoned my soul here and created my body—she couldn’t intervene directly in this world.

Only the Holy Maiden had enough divine power to make any difference. The other priests weren’t much help.

The selection process for the Hero was clumsy at best. Souls were summoned, bodies were given, a holy sword was handed over, and that was the end of it.

Rain, a weak girl who suffered from the confusion of a soul not fully belonging in this world.

The Hero Rain, who had only borrowed the power of the Holy Sword, wielding strength far beyond her natural capabilities.

In the end, the Hero had achieved an incomplete victory, both mentally and physically unfinished.

If there had been powerful angels who obeyed the goddess’s commands, perhaps the 'Demon' could have been vanquished more thoroughly.

Archangels and Fallen Angels.

The golems created by the ancient Dwarves to imitate these beings.

Were they reflections of what had once existed in this world?

"Hmm..."

---

The 'Eternal Flame' that had been hidden in the temple was returned to the Dwarves.

Chief Drugel of the Dwarf village shed tears of joy, dancing around in celebration.

For his age, he sure had some energy.

Smiling brightly, I watched him dance.

Even if I hadn’t been the one to return the flame, it would have been delivered to the Dwarves by whichever party achieved the first clear.

Thanks to the efforts of 'adventurers from the stars'—the players—the continent was slowly regaining its strength.

The dungeon’s layout and flow were so natural. If it was intentional, it was really impressive.

"Ha ha! Rain! I’ll personally perform the first blacksmithing using this flame! Will you entrust it to me?"

"Wow, thank you so much."

"No need for thanks—you’re a friend and benefactor of the Dwarves!"

I took out the 'Ancient Temple Sword' I had enhanced using regular magic stones.

The advanced magic stones, which were previously rare and only obtainable through limited sources like arena rewards, could now be acquired through the daily quest from clearing the temple.

These advanced magic stones allowed weapons to be upgraded beyond the limits of regular magic stones. Even with a top-tier blacksmith, the success rate was only about 10%.

Luckily, failed upgrades didn’t break the weapon, though I would lose the materials and gold.

The process was expensive, and the success rate was low, but if it succeeded, the power difference between me and other players would increase significantly.

With the Eternal Flame and Chief Drugel’s help, the success rate?

"80%...!"

I jumped for joy.

This was basically a guaranteed success!

*Clang! Clang!*

"Oh no! My hand slipped! Sorry about that. Oh, moving after such a long time has worn me out. Come back in a few days, and I’ll try again."

"Wah... wah..."

Tears welled up in my eyes.

---

The capsule opened, and I slowly got up from my stiff posture.

"Ugh."

I hugged my shoulders and shivered for a moment.

Rain had been through a lot of pain today. And I had suffered alongside her.

Still, thanks to the proper care and medicine, I wasn’t experiencing heart palpitations or nosebleeds like before.

A couple of times like this should be fine. If it accumulates too much, though, it could start to affect my real body.

But for now, my muscles were just sore. My body, still fragile, was aching all over.

It’s fine. Rain had fun, so this much pain is tolerable.

All I can do is take care of my body.

*Whirrr.*

As soon as I logged out, I heard the sound of the house assistant robot’s wheels.

I had cleared the dungeon, so it was time to eat before resuming the grind.

*Creak.*

The door opened, and to my surprise—

The house robot entered with a tray of food, and behind it was someone smiling mischievously.

"Chris?"

"Raiiin~! You did great today! You beat me again, huh?"

"Heh..."

Sweating nervously, I avoided Chris’s gaze.

Rain had clearly enjoyed running the dungeon solo, and Chris had seen it all. She probably had a million questions.

"Uh, come in."

---

Chris beamed while I sweated nervously, feeling like I was sitting on pins and needles.

She watched me eat with an amused smile, saying nothing.

*Sigh.*

Setting down my chopsticks, I looked directly at Chris.

At this point, I had no choice but to address her curiosity.

"Chris, after I finish eating, I’m going back to farm the temple. Would you like to join me for a run?"

"Oh! Sure! I was about to ask the same thing!"

Chris clenched her fists excitedly and nodded eagerly.

"Great! But first..."

"First?"

I gently wrapped my arms around my sore shoulders.

It wasn’t just my shoulders; my whole body ached. I needed to relax my stiff muscles, but I couldn’t do it alone. I needed Chris’s help.

Taking care of my body is important. If I’m healthy, Rain can play without any burden.

"Chris, would you mind giving me a massage? My body’s really sore."

Chris’s eyes widened in shock, and her mouth dropped open.

"Wh-what? Are you sure? Really? It’s okay for me to do it?"

"...Why are you reacting like that?"

"Ah, it’s nothing! Um, okay, I’ll do it! But, are you sure? You really want me to?"

"Yes."

I laid down on the bed and closed my eyes.

"Chris, relax. It’s just a massage. You learned how to do this in the hospital, right? It’s something caregivers do for people in pain. Just breathe..."

"...?"

I squinted slightly, watching Chris mutter to herself.

She had climbed onto the bed, her hands trembling as she hovered them over me.

"Your face is so red, Chris. Hehe."

Her face, as red as her hair, was amusing to watch.

"R-really? Maybe it’s too hot in here! Should I turn the heat down!?"

Chris fanned herself frantically before shaking her head and finally placing her trembling hands on my shoulders.

At last, her hands, though shaking, gently but firmly began to press into my muscles.

*Squeeze.*

"Mmm."

A soft, pleased sound escaped my lips as the pressure released tension in my muscles.

Chris gasped, then suddenly dashed out of the room.

*Thud! Thud!*

I heard two loud bangs from the hallway, followed by Chris returning with a slightly redder forehead.

"Huff, huff. I’m fine now!"

"...?"

Chris’s bloodshot eyes returned to my body, and she continued the massage.

Starting from my shoulders, her hands gradually moved down my arms to my hands.

I closed my eyes tightly, enjoying the sensation of her skilled massage.

*Squeeze.*

*Twitch.*

"Hee...!"

*Thud! Thud!*

Each time I let out a pleased sound, Chris would dash

 out of the room and return after I heard more thuds against the wall.

When the massage was over, I got up and rotated my upper body.

Chris was really good at this. My muscles felt much looser.

I smiled gratefully at her.

"Thanks so much, Chris. That felt great. Shall we head to the dungeon now?"

Chris collapsed to the floor, panting, her eyes glazed over.

"...I don’t care about solo or party play anymore... I’m so exhausted... I might die right here...."

She looked completely drained.

Feeling guilty, I bowed my head.

"I’m really sorry. I won’t ask for another massage next time."

"N-no! You can ask anytime! I love doing it! Really!"

Chris frantically waved her hands in protest.

Her erratic reactions left me puzzled.

Was she tired, or was she okay with it?