"If the test release garners interest, we'll expand production and distribution. Crystal Quill Press has contacts in major markets, including Leanbox. From there, we'll work on building your reputation as an author. If you've got another story in the works, as you mentioned, we'll look into developing that as well. But first, this one needs to prove itself."

Kaide absorbed the information, his heart racing.

"That sounds amazing. But, um, what about rights and royalties?"

The old man chuckled.

"That's where the contract comes in. If you're interested, we can sign an exclusive agreement. Crystal Quill Press will be your publisher for any novels you want to put out. In return, we'll handle everything — editing, printing, marketing, distribution. You'll get a royalty percentage from every sale. Standard rate is 15%, but since you're doing a lot of the heavy lifting with these manuscripts, I'll bump it to 20%."

Kaide's eyes widened.

"20%? That's . . . really generous."

"Don't thank me yet, kid,"

the man said, sliding a piece of parchment across the table.

"Read the fine print first. This agreement gives us exclusive publishing rights, which means you can't take your work to another press without breaking the contract. However, you'll retain full creative rights, so the stories remain yours."

Kaide picked up the parchment, scanning the neatly written terms. He frowned slightly as he read.

"What about deadlines? I don't want to rush my stories."

"We'll set reasonable deadlines for each project based on the scope of the work," The man assured him.

"I'm not in the business of squeezing talent dry. If you need time, you'll have it. But if you sit on a manuscript for long periods of time without progress, we'll have to revisit the terms."

Kaide nodded, feeling more reassured. After carefully reading through the details, he took the offered quill and signed his name with a flourish.

"Welcome to Crystal Quill Press, Kaide," the man said, shaking his hand firmly.

|♪♪♪♪♪|

As Kaide and Filyn left the shop and made their way back to the inn, the weight of the agreement settled over him — not as a burden, but as a new sense of purpose.

"I guess it's official,"

Kaide said, glancing at the signed contract tucked into his bag.

"I'm an author now."

"Not just any author,"

Filyn teased, nudging him with her elbow.

"You're their author. And you've got me to keep you on track, so no slacking."

Kaide laughed, his earlier nervousness replaced by a growing excitement.

"I'll hold you to that. Just don't be too harsh with your critiques."

"No promises," Filyn replied with a grin.

Back at the inn, the two sat by the fireplace once more, the warmth and light casting a golden glow over their faces. Kaide spread out his notes, already brainstorming ideas for his next story. Filyn leaned back in her chair, watching him with a mix of amusement and admiration.
It was the start of a new chapter — one filled with challenges, creativity, and boundless potential. And with a partner like Filyn by his side, Kaide felt ready to face whatever lay ahead.

As they strolled through the dimly lit streets of the town, the bustle of the market now far behind them, Kaide clutched the remaining manuscript pages close to his chest. Filyn, walking alongside him, glanced up at the sky where stars were beginning to peek through the deepening twilight.

"You know," Filyn said, breaking the comfortable silence,

"You might actually have something there. Even I would read a story like that."

Kaide looked at her, surprised.

"Really? You're not just saying that?"

"Of course not," she said, a sly grin tugging at her lips.

"I'd have plenty of notes, of course. You're lucky I'm such a generous friend."

He laughed, a bit more relaxed now.

"Thanks, Filyn. That means a lot."

The familiar sign of the inn came into view, its warm glow spilling onto the street. The two stepped inside, the scent of roasted meat and fresh bread greeting them. Filyn dropped onto a cushioned chair by the fireplace while Kaide set his papers down carefully on the table.

As the fire crackled softly, Filyn leaned back and let out a contented sigh.

"So, about that other story you mentioned . . . care to spill the details?"

Kaide hesitated, but the teasing glint in Filyn's eyes was too much to resist.

"Alright, but only if you promise to keep an open mind."

"Please," she said, smirking.

"With you around, my mind's been wide open for ages."

And so the evening passed, the two friends sharing stories and plans, the warmth of the fire wrapping around them like a promise of new adventures ahead.

|♪♪♪♪♪|

For the next few days, Filyn and Kaide spent their time completing quests, working from morning until afternoon. They often split up to handle different tasks — Kaide prioritizing gathering quests while Filyn focused on manageable monster-clearing missions. When they worked together, their quests were always straightforward monster hunts, steering clear of any outlaws or dangerous entanglements.

During their breaks, they frequently visited the library, where Kaide would immerse himself in writing his original story. While he had contributed BOFURI to the Hyperdimension, it didn't feel like his own creation, even after the significant changes he had made.

Kaede and Risa, now university students in his story, occasionally drew comparisons to the girls from Overflow, much to his amusement. The characters had their love interests, and their world intertwined with the Sword Art Online universe, with public events from SAO naturally woven into the narrative. Despite these inspirations, Kaide's manuscript had evolved into a fresh tale, standing on its own while retaining subtle nods to its origins.

Much of this progress came thanks to the advice of Mr. Binder T. Scroll — or Mr. Scroll, as they'd come to call him. The enigmatic old man had guided Kaide through editing, proofreading, and even marketing strategies, helping him shape his story.

One night, after four grueling days of money grinding, Kaide sat scribbling in his notebook. Filyn lounged nearby, visibly bored, her restlessness breaking the quiet.

"How far are you in the story?" she asked, yawning.

Kaide glanced up.

"Almost done with the first volume. Just four chapters left."

Filyn's face lit up with excitement.

"Let me see! Let me see!"

She'd been hooked ever since Kaide showed her the first half of his manuscript. As he handed it over, she eagerly dove in, her boredom forgotten, her enthusiasm reignited.

|←←•→→|

"The Final Door"

The air inside the Celestial Vault was damp and electric, as if the ruin itself was alive. Reina led the group cautiously through the jagged corridors, her grip on her sword tightening with every step. Behind her, Tristan and the others exchanged uneasy glances, their torches casting long, wavering shadows.

Then came the whisper. A low, sinister hum that seemed to coil around their ears. Reina turned, and there stood Kael, the spirited rogue who had joined their cause with a grin and a dozen tricks up his sleeve.

"Reina, we need to move faster,"

Kael said, his voice steady despite the tension. He was the one who always lightened the darkest moments — a joke, a smirk, an uncanny knack for slipping out of danger.

They reached the final chamber. The Sword of Eternis lay ahead, encased in a crystalline pillar. But as Reina stepped forward, the shadows erupted into a massive spectral beast.
Kael didn't hesitate.

"Go!" he shouted, drawing his twin daggers.

"I'll hold it off!"

Reina's heart clenched.

"Kael, no! You can't — "

"I'm not much for crowns, but I'm good at distractions,"

he said, flashing one last grin.

"Don't waste this."

Kael darted toward the beast with the agility of a fox, slashing at its glowing form. The others pulled Reina toward the artifact, her protests drowned out by the clash of steel and magic.

With a deafening roar, the chamber began to collapse. Dust filled the air as the group was forced to flee.
When they reached safety, Reina turned, her voice breaking.

"Kael..."

But all she saw was the crumbled vault. No sign of Kael. No proof of his fate.

And for the first time, she felt the weight of leadership — every victory, every loss, carved into her soul.

|←←•→→|

"You monster! Why did you kill Kael?!"

Filyn's voice trembled with fury as she stormed toward Kaide. Before he could react, she grabbed him by the collar and began shaking him violently, her face a mixture of rage and anguish. In her fervor, she ended up straddling him, oblivious to the awkwardness of her position.

"He's only been in this volume, and you already killed him off?! What kind of heartless monster are you?!"

Kaide raised an eyebrow, unfazed by her outburst. His expression teetered between mild annoyance and amusement.

"Did I," he said slowly, his tone dripping with nonchalance,

"specifically state he had perished?"

Filyn froze mid-shake, her hands still gripping his collar. The weight of his words hit her like a bucket of cold water. Her face flushed a deep crimson as the realization of her actions sank in.

"I — I..."

she stammered, quickly letting go and scrambling off him. She smoothed her clothes in a desperate attempt to regain composure, avoiding his gaze.

Kaide stood, brushing off imaginary dust from his shirt. He smirked, leaning closer to her.

"You should pay attention to the details, Filyn. Not everything is as it seems."

Still flustered, she glared at him, her arms crossed.

"You enjoy tormenting your characters — and me — don't you?"

Kaide chuckled.

"What can I say? Keeps things interesting."

Filyn muttered something under her breath, vowing to never let him catch her off guard again. But deep down, a tiny part of her couldn't help but hope that Kael's fate wasn't sealed just yet.

Kaide sat at the table, scribbling away as ideas continued pouring out of his head and onto the page. The soft glow of the inn's fireplace illuminated his workspace, casting flickering shadows over the stacks of papers and notebooks surrounding him. His quill paused mid-sentence when his phone rang, the unfamiliar tone catching him off guard.

Two days earlier, he and Filyn had finally managed to save enough credits to buy the latest phones — a luxury they'd been eyeing for days after catching their eye on it. Though half a year old, the devices were still considered cutting-edge. Naturally, Kaide's was quickly shaping up to be a business phone, while Filyn's was already loaded with every game she could find interesting.

The moment Kaide purchased them, his first priority was to get Mr. Scroll's contact information. Now they wouldn't need to visit Crystal Quill Press repeatedly just to check on updates.

Kaide quickly picked up the phone, clearing his throat as he answered.

"Hello, this is Kaide speaking."

"Kaide, this is Scroll,"

Came the familiar voice on the other end, direct as always.

"Oh! Mr. Scroll," Kaide replied, sitting up straighter as if the man could see him through the phone.

"Good to hear from you. Is everything alright?"

"Better than alright,"

Scroll said, his tone calm but carrying a hint of excitement.

"I wanted to update you on the progress. The manuscript's first round of proofreading is complete. My editors had plenty to say, but nothing that should take more than a few days for you to address. They were impressed, Kaide. This story has potential."

Kaide exhaled, relief washing over him.

"That's... great news. Thank you for letting me know. Should I come by to pick up the notes?"

"No need," Scroll replied.

"I've already forwarded everything to your email. Take your time reviewing it, but don't take too much time. Once the edits are finalized, we'll start preparing for the first printing."

"Got it,"

Kaide said, nodding even though the man couldn't see him.

"Thank you again. I'll get started on those revisions right away."

"One more thing," Scroll added, his tone growing a bit more serious.

"How's the new manuscript coming along? You mentioned another story the last time we spoke."

Kaide glanced at the scattered pages of notes on the table.

"It's... coming together. Slowly, but I think it has potential as well."

"Good. Crystal Quill Press isn't in the habit of rushing writers, but if this first book is successful, there's going to be demand for more. Keep that in mind as you work."

Kaide felt a mix of pressure and excitement bubbling up.

"I understand. I won't let you down."

"Good. Keep me posted." With that, Scroll ended the call, leaving Kaide staring at his phone with a nervous grin.

Kaide leaned back in his chair, letting the reality sink in. He reached over to his phone, pulling up his email and finding Scroll's forwarded notes.

Before he could dive in, Filyn plopped into the chair across from him, holding her phone up triumphantly.

"I just hit level fifty in Star Chaser! This phone is amazing."

Kaide chuckled, shaking his head.

"I'm glad one of us is using theirs for fun."

Filyn smirked.

"What, business calls with Mr. Scroll aren't fun? He's got that charming, no-nonsense vibe."

Kaide rolled his eyes at her comment. Filyn leaned forward, peering at the notes on his screen.

"So, what's the verdict? Are you rewriting half the book, or did they love it as-is?"

"A little of both," Kaide admitted.

"They liked it, but there's still a lot to fix. I'll be busy for a while."

"Good," Filyn said with a teasing grin.

"Wouldn't want you slacking off now that you're a real author."

Kaide rolled his eyes again but couldn't hide his smile.

"Thanks for the support."

"Always." Filyn stretched, standing up and pointing toward the door.

"Well, while you're busy rewriting your masterpiece, I'm off to the market. Don't forget to eat, or I'll make fun of you when you pass out."

"Noted,"

Kaide said with a laugh as she left. He turned back to his notes, the weight of responsibility settling in once more. But this time, it wasn't daunting — it was invigorating.
He picked up his pen and got to work.

|♪♪♪♪♪|

The snowy plains of Lowee stretched endlessly before Kaide and Filyn, their boots crunching against the frost-covered ground. The air was sharp and cold, but it carried a strange serenity — at least until their target showed up. 

"So, remind me again,"

Filyn said, adjusting her gauntlets as her breath misted in the icy air.

"What kind of monster are we hunting this time? Something big and dramatic, I hope." 

Kaide glanced at the quest details on his phone.

"It's called an Ice Fang Wolf. Apparently, it's been harassing travelers heading to the eastern villages. Medium-sized, fast, and territorial."

Filyn cracked her knuckles, a grin tugging at her lips.

"Sounds fun. How about you? Ready to try that fancy swordplay of yours?"

Kaide chuckled, resting a hand on the hilt of his sword.

"I think I can manage. But don't steal all the glory this time."

"Oh, please. I'm the distraction — you're the finisher. That's teamwork."

The two trudged further into the frozen wilderness, the wind howling around them. Kaide decided to bring up something that had been on his mind.

"So," he started,

"I've been thinking about the new story idea separate from 'Sword of The Exiled Queen'." 

Filyn raised an eyebrow. "The one you mentioned to Scroll? Finally ready to spill the beans?" 

"Maybe," Kaide said, grinning.

"It's about a wandering swordsman who's forced to work alongside an exiled princess. They're trying to uncover the truth about a mysterious artifact tied to both their pasts, but —" 

"Let me guess," Filyn interrupted.

"They don't get along at first, but sparks fly anyway?"
 
Kaide rolled his eyes.

"That's part of it, sure. But it's more about how they grow — learning to trust each other, facing their own flaws, and trying to break free from the roles society forced on them." 

Filyn tilted her head, considering his words.

"Sounds like it could be something. You've got a knack for the emotional stuff. Just don't make it too sappy."

"Noted," Kaide said with a laugh. 

Their conversation was cut short by a low growl that echoed across the plains. Ahead, a sleek white wolf with icy-blue fur and jagged, frost-covered fangs emerged from the snowdrifts. Its glowing eyes locked onto the two of them, and it crouched, ready to pounce. 

"Here we go," Filyn said, slipping into a fighting stance. 

The Ice Fang Wolf lunged. Kaide sidestepped gracefully, drawing his sword in one fluid motion. Filyn charged forward, her gauntlets shimmering with a faint magical glow. She landed a heavy punch against the wolf's side, sending it skidding across the snow. 

"Keep it busy!"

Kaide called out, circling around. 

"On it!"

Filyn taunted the creature, dodging its snapping jaws and retaliating with rapid punches. The wolf snarled and lashed out with an icy breath, but she ducked behind a boulder for cover. 

Kaide seized the opening. With a sharp exhale, he surged forward and delivered a precise slash to the creature's flank. The wolf yelped, stumbling before collapsing into the snow. 

"Well, that was easy,"

Filyn said, brushing frost off her coat. 

"Easy for you,"

Kaide replied, sheathing his sword.

"You get to punch everything. I have to wait for an opening." 

"Hey, I'm not stopping you from learning hand-to-hand," she teased. 

As they began the trek back to Lowee's guild hall, Kaide's mind drifted.

"You know," he said thoughtfully,

"I've been thinking about getting that three-sectioned staff. It might suit me better for close-range combat while still giving me reach." 

"As I told you, that's your decision to make." Filyn said.

"But you're gonna need something durable if you plan to smack around both monsters and, uh, less-than-lawful types."
 
"Exactly," Kaide agreed.

"I'll ask the receptionist about a good blacksmith when we get back."

Reaching the guild hall, Kaide and Filyn submitted the quest. The receptionist, a cheerful woman with a bright smile, handed over their reward.
 
"Great work out there! Here's your payment — 600 credits." 

Kaide pocketed the credits before clearing his throat.

"Actually, I have a question. Do you know of any blacksmiths in Lowee who could make a custom weapon? Specifically, a three-sectioned staff. It needs to be durable enough for fighting monsters and, well, the occasional outlaw." 

The receptionist's eyes lit up.

"You're in luck! There's a renowned blacksmith just outside the city — Forgeheart Armory. The smith there specializes in custom designs and works with high-grade materials. Tell them what you need, and I'm sure they can help." 

Kaide nodded, already making plans.

"Thanks. We'll head there tomorrow." 

Filyn leaned on the counter, smirking.

"Can't wait to see you swing that thing around. Just don't smack yourself in the face while practicing." 

"I'll do my best," Kaide said dryly, though he couldn't help but laugh.
 
As they left the guild hall, the snow began falling softly, blanketing Lowee in a quiet, peaceful glow. With their next destination in mind, Kaide felt a renewed sense of purpose. The journey was far from over — and he wouldn't have it any other way.

|♪♪♪♪♪|

Chapter 4

Tasks

3197 words