My mind reeled at his revelation.“Is this fool for real?!” I internally exploded.All the kindness I had shown him, all for naught? Such a waste!“There’s no point in an alliance then. I’ll have to figure out another way-” I caught myself before speaking my thoughts aloud.Suddenly, my attention was caught by the sight of the fine tools I had noticed earlier. Knives and other well-crafted makeshift weapons lay strewn on the ground a few meters away.A grin spread across my face as an idea took form in my mind.“He might still end up being useful, after all.”An uncomfortable silence settled between us, only to be broken by Arthur's hesitant voice.“E-Erm… So…” he stammered, his eyes darting around the room in anxiety.He was clearly wondering about my next move. Luckily, he might not be as useless as I initially thought.“A-Ah, I apologize. I was momentarily lost in thought.” I quickly reassured him, keeping up my friendly facade.“Tell me, Arthur, could your Gift have anything to do

[System Alert]Arthur's face lit up in delight. "It worked!" he exclaimed, his gaze transfixed on the glow emanating from the newly crafted sword. I, too, found myself grinning in relief, thankful our risky endeavor hadn't ended in failure. Otherwise, five invaluable cores would have been wasted.Slowly, I reached for the sword. Its hilt was glowing on the ground, pulsating with an inviting yet intimidating energy. Grasping it firmly, I hoisted it off the ground."Heavy..." I muttered, feeling the considerable weight of the weapon.Bringing the sword closer, I examined it carefully. The blade, thin and long, bore a dark hue, underscored by a subtle crimson aura that surrounded it. I trained my focus on the weapon and the familiar green window popped into view.[System Information]Name: Enhanced SwordRank: F+Level: 10 (Max)Strength: 500Durability: 5,000Core Power: 700Core Energy: 100%[.]A smile of satisfaction spread across my face. The decision to sacrifice two more cores and

After a restful few hours, I stirred Arthur from his slumber, as we made ready to embark from the sanctuary he called home. Cautiously, I stowed all essential items within the confines of my [Subspace], meticulously arranging them for easy access when required. Every significant object was carefully positioned, and its location committed to memory to ensure an uninterrupted focus during combat.“Time to go!” I said, looking at Arthur with a comforting smile. He responded with a hesitant nod.The prospect of stepping out of the house for the first time since the apocalypse would indeed be a daunting task for anyone. His apprehension was palpable, yet I was certain he would soon come to understand the futility of his fears.With a resonant vwoop, the deep freezer and refrigerator that had fortified our entrance seamlessly found their places amongst the other items in my [Subspace]. As the barricade disappeared, the door slowly swung open. With my senses heightened, I cautiously set foot

Pausing, I took a deep breath, "Huu…” and summoned my trusty freezer to act as a barricade between us and any possible danger. Arthur and I were once again venturing into the unknown, stepping inside yet another unidentified apartment.Darkness engulfed the room, but I was well beyond being bothered by such trivialities.“Settle down…” I instructed Arthur, acknowledging but not commenting on the trembling of the scared underling following me.Choosing one of the sofas in the living room, I settled myself, the soft surface providing some relief to my strained muscles.“Haaa…” I sighed, reflecting on the recent battle.Despite the number of Demons I had managed to slay moments ago, fatigue was hardly setting in. The aftermath of the horde's obliteration, including the formidable Hell Kobold Spawn (Adult), had led to a wild increase in my levels. Nonetheless, I didn't let my guard down. Instead, I employed my heightened senses to sweep across the vicinity, in search of any residual prese

My assessment of our preparedness brought forth a satisfied smile as I glanced at Arthur, who responded with a nervous affirmation. A peculiar blend of anticipation and fear tingled at the edge of my senses as my gaze landed on the foreboding door ahead. Freedom from this desolate confinement was within grasp, but the path ahead was strewn with formidable obstacles.Gently tapping the obstructions, I sent the freezer back into my [Subspace], clearing our path. With the task done, I navigated towards the door, instructing Arthur firmly, "Stay behind me!" He promptly fell in line, tailing me closely as we embarked on our journey.The voyage across the hallway of the first floor towards the stairwell was interrupted by a few roaming Demons, most likely stray remnants from the levels above. With deft agility, I unleashed a flurry of blades, dispatching the intruders swiftly. Arthur, caught between eagerness and caution, scurried to collect their fallen Cores. After successfully neutralizi