The Night’s Stillness

The fight began almost immediately as the swarm of enemies closed in on us.

Wogg charged forward with his axe, cleaving through the Rocklings that surged ahead. His movements were powerful but calculated, each swing demolishing the smaller monsters. I joined in, switching my APW to a mace and trying to focus on the Rocklings while staying out of Tsuki's way.

Tsuki darted toward the Boulderbeast Titan, drawing its attention with quick, precise strikes. Her agility was astounding as she dodged its massive, molten fists, countering with a glowing slash that barely seemed to dent its rocky hide.

But the real problem was the Cliffshade Wyvern, which circled high above us. Its sharp screeches echoed across the battlefield, commanding the Stoneclad Vultures to attack in coordinated waves. The vultures swooped down relentlessly, forcing Wogg to split his attention between defending himself and dealing with the Rocklings.

I swung my mace at a Rockling that lunged at me, shattering it into pieces. But my mind wasn't fully in the fight. I kept glancing up at the Wyvern, its shadow passing over us again and again.

"What do we do about that thing?" I muttered under my breath, dodging a sudden strike from a vulture.

The Wyvern suddenly dove toward Wogg, its claws glinting ominously in the dim light.

"Wogg, look out!" I shouted, but it was too late. The creature's attack struck him hard, knocking him back a few steps. He let out a growl of frustration and swung his axe wildly, driving the Wyvern back into the air.

"Master, that Wyvern is too dangerous to leave unchecked!" Tsuki called out, still dodging the Titan's molten strikes. "We must deal with it, or we'll be overwhelmed!"

"I know!" I shouted back, gripping my APW tightly. But how?

I smashed another Rockling, my mind racing. The Wyvern was too high for any of us to reach. Wogg was already struggling to defend himself, and Tsuki couldn't spare her focus from the Titan. I needed to do something, but I didn't know what.

Then I saw Wogg take another hit from the Wyvern's swooping attack. This time, he staggered, blood dripping from a gash on his shoulder.

Something clicked.

My APW… It can transform.

Switching my weapon to a lance, I gripped it tightly and waited for the Wyvern's next move.

The creature let out another screech and began its descent, claws outstretched as it aimed for Wogg again. My heart pounded as I raised the lance, aiming carefully.

This has to work.

With a shout, I threw the lance with all my strength.

The weapon flew through the air, spinning end over end, and pierced the Wyvern's wing. The creature let out a deafening screech as it plummeted to the ground, its massive body crashing into the rocky terrain with a heavy thud.

I stared in shock for a moment, barely believing what I'd just done.

"Master, well done!" Tsuki's voice snapped me out of it. "Now focus!"

---

With the Wyvern grounded, the battlefield shifted in our favor. The Stoneclad Vultures, no longer receiving orders, scattered in confusion.

Tsuki took advantage of the moment, delivering a devastating attack to the Boulderbeast Titan. Her weapon glowed brightly as she struck its molten core, creating a powerful shockwave that shattered the Titan and several nearby Rocklings into rubble.

Wogg, now free of the vultures' relentless attacks, grinned and turned his attention back to the remaining Rocklings. His axe swung with renewed vigor, cutting through them like a hot knife through butter.

The Wyvern struggled to rise, but it was too injured to fight effectively. I retrieved my APW, shifted it back into a mace, and finished the creature off with a heavy strike to its neck.

The battlefield fell silent, save for the sound of our heavy breathing.

---

Aftermath

As we regrouped, Tsuki examined the loot scattered around. Among the rubble were a C-rank sword and a C-rank hammer, dropped by the mid-bosses.

"These are perfect for you, Wogg," I said, tossing the hammer to him.

He caught it with a grin, inspecting it with an appreciative nod. "Not bad, kid. This'll do nicely."

Tsuki handed me the sword. "Master, perhaps this will suit you better than your current weapon?"

"Thanks," I said, sliding it into my inventory.

After the intense battle, I glanced over at my companions. Wogg's broad frame was visibly damaged, with cracks running along his arms and chest—signs of his undead nature. Despite the sturdy appearance of his orcish body, he wasn't immune to the toll the fight had taken.

"We're stopping here," I said, surveying the rocky terrain for a suitable resting spot.

"As you wish, Master," Tsuki said with a respectful bow, her voice as steady as ever.

"Master, I'm fine," Wogg grunted, adjusting his grip on his new hammer. The weapon, dropped by the Boulder East Titan, seemed to suit him perfectly.

"You're not fine," I countered firmly. "Sit down. You need to recover."

Wogg grumbled but obeyed, settling on a large rock with a heavy sigh.

I rummaged through my pack and pulled out a few vials of glowing blue liquid—the potions I had found on the second floor. While Wogg and Tsuki appeared alive thanks to my unique necromantic abilities, they were still undead at their core. Traditional healing potions wouldn't work on them, but these potions restored internal mana, which their bodies used to sustain themselves.

"Drink this," I said, handing one to Wogg.

He hesitated for a moment before taking the vial. "You're too kind, Master."

"It's not kindness," I said with a smirk. "If you fall apart, who's going to swing that hammer?"

Wogg chuckled deeply and downed the potion. As the mana flowed through him, the cracks on his arms began to glow faintly before sealing themselves.

"That's better," he said, rolling his shoulders.

"Good. Now rest," I said, turning to set up camp.

---

I pulled out my small cooking kit and started preparing a meal. The air in the rocky biome was thin and cold, with the occasional gust of wind carrying dust and ash. The jagged peaks and steep cliffs around us made it feel like we were on another planet.

As I worked, Tsuki stood nearby, her golden eyes watching me intently. "Master, you seem to enjoy cooking," she remarked.

"It helps me relax," I said, cracking an egg into the pan. "And it's practical. We all need to eat, even if you and Wogg don't technically have to."

Tsuki tilted her head, her long silver hair catching the light. "True, but it's strange. I feel... satisfaction when I eat your meals. Perhaps it's a side effect of being your creation."

Wogg, seated on a nearby boulder, let out a hearty laugh. "Side effect or not, it's the best food I've had since I died."

I rolled my eyes. "Not a high bar, is it?"

He shrugged. "Still true."

Once the food was ready, I handed out portions. Despite their undead nature, Tsuki and Wogg both ate with visible enjoyment, their expressions surprisingly human.

"It's delicious, Master," Tsuki said softly, her voice carrying an almost musical quality.

"Glad you like it," I replied, taking a bite of my own.

---

After we finished eating, I decided it was time to rest. The battle had drained all of us, and I knew we'd need our strength for whatever challenges lay ahead.

"Tsuki, you'll take first watch," I said, packing away the cooking supplies.

"As you command, Master," she replied, standing and gripping her sword with practiced ease.

"Wake me if anything happens," I said.

"Of course," she said, her tone unwavering.

Wogg had already stretched out on the rocky ground, his massive frame relaxed despite the harsh terrain. Even though he was undead, he seemed to enjoy the routine of resting after a meal.

I set up my sleeping roll and laid down as well, exhaustion quickly catching up to me. My eyes grew heavy as I watched Tsuki take her position, her silhouette sharp against the dim glow of the rocky mountains.

"Rest well, Master," she murmured, her voice carrying a quiet determination. "I'll ensure nothing disturbs you."

With her standing guard, I allowed myself to drift off, trusting that she would keep us safe through the night.

---

The air grew colder as the night deepened, but nothing disturbed our rest. Tsuki remained motionless as a sentinel, her golden eyes scanning the surroundings for any threats.

Wogg's steady breathing, though unnecessary for an undead, created a comforting rhythm in the background.

As I drifted deeper into sleep, I felt a rare sense of security, knowing that my creations—my companions—would protect me without hesitation. Whatever challenges lay ahead on this treacherous floor, I knew we would face them together.