Four days after power leveling with Pencilgon at the Tear-Glimmering Underground Lake, Azusa, swamped with university lectures and his convenience store job, finally gets a rare free day.
At 9 a.m., rain patters outside. "Today's goal: secure Energy Stone and Bluelet Rock to complete Madness Breaker's evolution paths," Pepper plans. After breakfast, a bathroom break, gear checks, and placing water nearby, he opens the window slightly, locks the door, and logs into Shanfro from his bed.
"Yo, Pepper. Been a while," Bilac greets.
"Morning, Pepper-han!" Aitouil chimes.
Pepper spawns in Rabbits' Grand Palace's rest room bed, greeted by Bilac and Aitouil peering at him.
"Morning, Bilac-san, Aitouil."
"Your weapons are repaired to max durability," Bilac says, showcasing her master craftsmanship.
"Pepper-han, come with me and Bilac-neesan," Aitouil urges.
"Huh, what for?" Pepper asks, only to be floored by Bilac's next words.
"The old man wants to talk about that SF Suit you found. Showed him the details, and he wants to see it."
Sweating bullets, fearing trouble, Pepper feels like a condemned prisoner trudging to the guillotine. He follows Bilac and Aitouil to the grand hall where Weissash awaits.
In Rabbits' Grand Palace's grand hall, where Pepper first met Weissash, they face each other again, now with Bilac present.
"Pepper, you've grown into a fine figure. Quite the change," Weissash remarks.
"Thanks, Sensei," Pepper replies, bowing while seated.
Whether due to power leveling or Weissash's foresight, the great Vorpal Bunny puffs his carrot-shaped pipe, eyeing Pepper. After a pause, he cuts to the chase.
"Bilac says you found the Radiant Series in the Ancient Iron Ruins?"
"Yes. While mining drive ore on the third floor, the floor collapsed, leading to a hidden room. A video there showed a woman saying it's the 'vessel' for flying the blue sky, hoping her 'dreams and wishes' are fulfilled by a righteous heart," Pepper explains, presenting the Radiant Series and gauntlets from his inventory.
Weissash inspects them. "Definitely the Radiant Series. Well-preserved, carefully stored."
"Shall I hand them over, Sensei?" Pepper offers.
"No need. You found it; its dreams are entrusted to you. It's yours," Weissash says, returning them. Then, he poses a question. "Pepper, if you gather its components and revive it in this world, what will you do?"
The Radiant Series enabled flight, but sparked conflicts and bloodshed, staining the sky with sorrow. Weissash tests if Pepper can bear the weight of flying, honor the entrusted dreams, and weave them anew.
Pepper reflects. He hasn't planned beyond reviving the series, but publicizing it risks reigniting wars over its unique power. He must clarify his path to Weissash.
"Sensei, right now, I don't believe I can truly wield the Radiant Series," Pepper admits, acknowledging his current standing and the consequences of wielding such power.
"I'm still small and weak. If I held the power to fly, other pioneers would target me." Weissash raises an eyebrow, intrigued.
Despite the Vorpal Soul Collar granting extra stat points, Pepper lags behind veterans in skills and stats. Overwhelming force would crush him, and losing the series could spark wars.
"I gave you that collar, but aren't you selling yourself short?" Weissash asks.
"This world has pioneers and monsters stronger than me. If I can't protect entrusted dreams or my own gear, I'm unworthy of the Radiant Series," Pepper says. He faces Lycaon's curse, a promised battle with Wezaemon alongside Towa, and future dealings with Saiga-100 and Kyoju. Even if he can't match their levels, he refuses to lose in spirit, honoring the woman who entrusted him.
"I'm a weakling. Yet, for her who believed in me, entrusting the 'answer' and 'dreams' of the ancient era, I'll protect her final wish. I'll become stronger—truly a hero. A fool's empty words will become truth, proven to this world."
This is Pepper's declaration to Weissash: he's not ready to wield the Radiant Series but vows to become worthy.
Silence fills the room. Weissash locks eyes with Pepper, who holds his gaze, knowing averting it would brand his words lies. Despite fear, he stands firm.
"…Turning empty words into a hero's truth. That's some resolve, Pepper," Weissash grins, his rugged Vorpal Bunny king face acknowledging Pepper's conviction.
He continues, addressing Pepper, Aitouil, and Bilac. "The Radiant Solreia gauntlets in the Radiant Series can activate without all three components, but they're dormant. A massive hit, like from those giant beetle attacks, should wake them."
Pepper recalls the thunder-wind strike from Tyranid Giraffa and Kaiserion Caucasus five minutes into their tag-team fight. Weissash's words confirm Radiant Solreia as a gimmick weapon against them.
"One last thing. With your current strength, you can reach the Gear Mechanism—the final 'answer' for flight—at Eiko Saisho's Dead Volcano Lake," Weissash reveals. The Radiant Series's 'vessel,' the beetles' 'soul,' and the 'mechanism'—the last piece—reside in the final Thirdrema area, alongside the Bluelet Rock needed for Madness Breaker's evolution.
The Great Vorpal Bunny Reveals the Final Resting Place of the Answer to Soaring the Skies
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