The system notification sounded in his mind. Rokuya silently took stock. He had now bought enough equipment to fill all six of his slots.
Boots of Resistance, Shadow Battle Axe, Infinity Edge, Master's Might, Siege Breaker, and Bright Moon, which provided three seconds of invincibility. His four attributes-strength, agility, constitution, and spirit-had also all reached their maximum of fifty points.
His strength had no more room to grow.
Rokuya sighed inwardly. Aside from refreshing cooldowns, there was nothing else he could buy with the Gratitude Points that kept accumulating. But in the prolonged battle to come, unlimited cooldown resets would undoubtedly be his most crucial trump card.
The meeting ended.
[Eight hours until the final battle]
It was time for lunch. Rokuya stayed in the headquarters' dining hall to eat.
Carrying his tray to a corner, he found the Tokito Brothers sitting there having lunch.
Muichiro was eating white radish with complete concentration. His gaze was still somewhat distant, but his movements were practiced. Yuichiro sat beside him, quickly eating his rice while warily watching his surroundings.
Rokuya walked over and sat across from them.
Looking at the two boys who had once fought desperately to protect each other on the mountain, Rokuya felt a wealth of emotions.
"You two have been doing well lately," Rokuya said.
Muichiro looked up and gave Rokuya a faint smile, then lowered his head and continued eating his radish.
"On your last mission to the Swordsmith Village, you worked together to slay Upper Rank Five, Gyokko. Beautifully done. Your coordination, combined with the disruption from Smoke Breathing, really produced results beyond expectations. I'm proud of you." Rokuya praised them generously.
At those words, Yuichiro's grip on his chopsticks abruptly tightened.
He raised his head, his eyes showing clear displeasure and irritation. He