"Choose."
Her eyes burned softly.
"These few… Primordial Arsenal," Yua said, her voice like brushed silk, "are weapons I forged that the world never came to know by name."
She stepped aside.
"I have never shown these to anyone."
She faced him fully.
"And now…"
Her lips curved with that familiar, teasing warmth.
"I let you choose."
The weapons pulsed — slow, sacred, alive.
Victor stood still, breath shallow.
Before him floated a constellation of destruction and divinity.
The sword hovered at the center — long, elegant, white-gold steel. The blade looked thin, yet space around it slightly warped, like the air feared being sliced. The hilt was wrapped in pale silver leather, with a small crystal core beating inside the guard.
Yua's voice filled the hall.
"Eternal Severance. A blade that can cut through concepts — distance, barriers, even fate. Inside it resides a King Spirit born from a fallen war god. It gives its wielder the power to tear through laws."
Victor felt the pull.
But… he shook his head.
Too direct.
The spear spun slowly — long shaft of dark adamant metal, its tip shaped like a breaking star. Blue lightning crawled along its surface.
"Skybreaker Pillar. It houses the spirit of a storm-titan king. It grants dominion over rain, wind, falling skies, and battlefield control."
Powerful.
But he imagined himself holding it.
Too loud. Too flashy.
The gauntlets drifted forward — black and silver metal fingers, joints glowing faint crimson.
"Worldshatter Grasp. Spirits of twin giant kings slumber inside them. Every punch can rupture mountains."
Victor exhaled quietly.
Strength for spectacle, not survival.
The bow appeared — curved like a crescent moon, strings made from light itself.
"Heavenpiercer. Spirit of an ancient hunter-king. Grants perfect aim, instant trajectory correction, arrows that never miss."
Dependable.
Clean.
But he didn't want distance.
The armor shifted closer — white-gold chestplate shaped like wings folded inward.
"Aegis of the First Dawn. A spirit of a sun-giant king protects the user from death once."
Once.
Only once.
Victor frowned.
The shield rotated forward — round, silver-blue, layered like scales.
"Worldwall. Contains a king spirit born from the spine of a divine beast. Can block even divine judgment."
Safe.
But passive.
The earrings drifted like falling stars.
"Twins of Whispering Realms. They carry the spirits of twin illusion kings. They grant mind protection and reality perception."
Useful.
But not enough.
The wings stretched — phantom metal feathers moving without wind.
"Voidflight. Spirit of a skyborne king. Grants supreme mobility and aerial dominance."
He imagined soaring.
Then imagined losing control.
The boots pressed closer to the floor.
"Grimstride. The spirit of a death-march king. Allows stepping through shadows and warfields unscathed."
The gloves hovered.
"Fateweavers. Kings of destiny manipulation live within. Can pull threads of minor fortune and misfortune."
The eyes came last.
Two dark-gold orbs, floating, silent.
"True Sight of the Forgotten Kings. Grants sight through illusions, lies, death, and hidden realms."
Silence.
The last weapon pulsed.
Victor's heartbeat slowed.
And he shook his head.
One by one — his mind tore them apart.
The sword makes me loud.The spear makes me a commander, not a survivor.The gauntlets make me reckless.The bow makes me distant.Armor that breaks once… isn't protection.A shield makes me hide.Earrings protect — but don't empower.Wings make me visible.Boots make me escape, not confront.Gloves toy with fate… too dangerous.Eyes show truth… but don't change it.
He exhaled slowly.
"I… reject them."
The weapons stilled.
The air shifted.
Yua tilted her head slightly.
"You rejected all."
Her voice wasn't upset.
Just softly confused.
"Then tell me… what do you want?"
She stepped closer.
"I will not let you leave without a weapon," she said gently. "That ticket you used… was tied to my oath."
She clasped her hands behind her back.
"Anyone who arrives here chooses something."
Victor scratched his cheek, embarrassed.
"…I'm confused," he admitted.
He looked down.
"…I don't know what weapon I want."
She blinked.
"…You don't?"
He shook his head slightly.
"I… rushed into this. I wasn't prepared."
His shoulders dipped.
"I didn't even know the ticket would bring me to you."
The lie slipped in smoothly.
"I thought it was just a charm."
His voice softened.
"I'm sorry."
Yua studied his face.
The innocent confusion.
The frustration.
The honesty.
Handsome.
Too sincere.
Her lips curved faintly.
"It's okay."
He shifted uncomfortably.
"…I still don't know."
A small silence bloomed.
Her brows lifted slightly.
"Then… how am I supposed to know what suits you?"
He hesitated.
"…Yua."
"Yes?"
"You choose."
She blinked.
He lifted his gaze fully.
"You made all of them."
His blue eyes burned with quiet intent.
"You understand weapons better than anyone."
He nodded.
"You know what would fit me best."
Silence.
She studied him.
Then…
"…Very well."
She stepped closer and stretched out both hands.
"Give me your hands."
He hesitated.
"…Huh?"
She gestured again.
"Your hands."
Slowly, he lifted them.
When he did — she reached out.
Her fingers closed around his hands.
Soft.
Lavender-scented warmth.
Her skin was unreal — too smooth, too warm, like silk warmed by sunlight.
His thumb twitched unconsciously.
He brushed her palm for just a second.
She noticed.
Yua smiled faintly — but said nothing.
Then she released him.
Her eyes closed.
A silver light pulsed from her palms.
It flowed into him.
Victor's body glowed.
A soft silver aura wrapped around his limbs.
His breath caught.
His eyes snapped open.
"What… was that—?"
He looked at her in shock.
She murmured, almost to herself:
"…What terrifying potential."
"…A hybrid?"
Victor blinked.
"…What did you say?"
She opened her eyes and smiled.
"Oh my my… nothing at all."
He frowned — but nodded.
"You… already chose?"
She nodded slowly.
"Yes."
He straightened.
"…Really?"
She waved her hand.
Every weapon vanished.
The hall returned to silence.
Then she lifted her hand again.
The space before him trembled.
Two small shapes drifted forward.
Two rings.
One was black as night, edged in faint crimson glow.The other was silver, bright and calm, etched with gentle runes.
They hovered in the air between them.
Waiting.