Time rewinds a few minutes, on Artoria's side.
[It is confirmed that the player has completed the opportunity "Lost Ancient Sword." Now issuing task rewards.]
[Please select one follower to grant a random special skill.]
[You have chosen Follower: Guinevere. A random special skill will now be drawn for him.]
[Guinevere has received the skill "Bonded Strength."]
[When he receives a "Bonded Gem" from a companion or lover, he can rapidly increase his power.]
[To raise a single attribute from E to D requires one Bonded Gem; from D to C requires ten Gems; from C to B requires one hundred Gems; from B to A requires one thousand Gems.]
[Congratulations! Because you have drawn a special skill, a new feature is now unlocked: Bonded Gem Exchange.]
[You can acquire Bonded Gems by recharging Mob Pounds—each Bonded Gem costs ten million Mob Pounds.]
After reading that lengthy description, Artoria immediately began counting on her fingers:
"Uh, so…to upgrade Guinevere, E→D costs ten million Mob Pounds, D→C costs one hundred million Mob Pounds, C→B costs one billion, B→A costs ten billion…"
By the time she reached the final numbers, she was half-fainting from hearing them aloud.
[Note: The above-listed number of Gems required for upgrades applies to each single-attribute upgrade, and each gem tier must be exchanged separately.]
"This—this is way too expensive!" Artoria screamed. "There's no way I can afford this."
"Only some fool with money to burn would spend so lavishly—there's no way I'd waste money like that—"
She was about to say it, but before the words left her mouth, she saw the Bonded Gem description:
[Diamonds last forever; one endures through ages.]
[Within each diamond is engraved the unchanging bond you share with them.]
[The number of Bonded Gems is proof of the bond between you.]
[Your bond is not a cheap thing.]
[Precisely because it is so costly, it better proves the deep emotion contained within.]
"This…"
Artoria sank into thought.
It did make some sense. After all, her bond with Guinevere was profound; it could not be cheaply purchased.
Yet still, it was far beyond anything she could bear—or even imagine. She had lived long enough never to have seen ten million, let alone one hundred million. Even a one-million Mob Pound sum was unheard of; she wondered if selling herself could scrape together even ten thousand. One Bonded Gem at ten million Mob Pounds—what exactly was it?
Although she had exactly one hundred million Mob Pounds on hand… spending so much still felt excessive.
[A certain sage once said: While spending money on him does not prove you love him, refusing to spend even money proves you do not.]
[He would sacrifice his life for you, willing to trade his life for your happiness. Would you then resent spending even a soulless coin for him?]
[If you can't bear to spend on him, how can you dare claim you love him?]
"This…"
Artoria fell silent. Indeed, she thought.
Guinevere had already sacrificed so much for her; he had strived so hard to achieve victory once again. If she couldn't spend even a little on him, what face would she have to look him in?
In that case, she might as well spend ten million now to buy Guinevere a single Bonded Gem…
[Warm reminder: Given your financial situation, the system has prepared a super-value first recharge bundle, including items worth 360 million Mob Pounds, priced at only 98 million Mob Pounds.]
"Ah?"
Artoria blinked.
"Ninety-eight million?"
Wasn't that price absurdly high? Of course she wouldn't purchase it—although she could afford it, it was still staggering. If Oberon found out she'd spent nearly Myrion's entire 100 million—and nearly, because Myrion only gifted her 100 million—he'd be furious.
But…she was still curious. What could be worth 360 million Mob Pounds? She simply had to look.
Holding the thought "I'll browse but not buy," Artoria tapped open the bundle details:
[This bundle contains nineteen Bonded Gems…]
"Gasp—"
Artoria drew a sharp breath. Indeed, this super-value label was no joke: the nineteen Gems alone were worth far more than 98 million Mob Pounds—a tremendous bargain.
[…After purchasing this bundle, you unlock "Phased Strengthening": you may spend only half the Gem cost to upgrade Guinevere halfway. For example, spend only five Bonded Gems to raise his attribute from D to D+.]
"Oh!"
Artoria's mind whirled with calculations:
That meant with nineteen Gems, she could push all four of Guinevere's attributes to D, then boost one to C and another to D+, using every Gem without waste…
Honestly, she was tempted.
[…Additionally, purchasing this bundle unlocks Guinevere's Rare Attire: Unbroken Warrior.]
[Once equipped, you can set Guinevere as your main screen companion; outside simulation, you can interact with him on the main screen.]
[As a rare attire, it grants several special voice lines that trigger when you touch him.]
[Would you like to listen?]
Artoria pressed "Confirm" and then heard the familiar voice from the display:
"I refuse to lose. I do not understand 'defeat.'"
"For the one I love, I will not fall here!"
"Watch me, Artoria—observe my battle."
"Trust me, Artoria."
"I will always be by your side."
Artoria felt her heart shatter open.
In that instant, she reached a decision:
Now! Immediately! Right here!
I will buy that bundle!
Even if Oberon tried to stop her, she would spend on Guinevere—no question.
Despite her resolve, Artoria hesitated over the final confirmation. She had the money… but spending nearly all 100 million Mob Pounds at once was still daunting. She took a deep breath and tapped "Purchase."
[Purchase Successful: You have obtained 19 Bonded Gems, unlocked Phased Strengthening, and Guinevere's Rare Attire. Your remaining balance is 2 million Mob Pounds.]
Artoria blinked at the screen. Only two million left! Just barely.
Still, brimming with determination, she offered her first Bonded Gem:
"Guinevere—this one's for you."
[You have given Guinevere one Bonded Gem.]
[His Strength rises from D to D+!]
"Oh!" Artoria gasped as Guinevere's attribute glowed. She quickly gave another Gem:
[Guinevere's Agility rises from D to D+!]
She smiled, handing over a third:
[Guinevere's Endurance rises from D to D+!]
And a fourth:
[Guinevere's Magic rises from D to D+!]
Now all four stats were D+. Fifteen Gems remained.
"Ten more Gems to push one stat to C—should I raise Strength to C?"
She tapped and spent ten more Gems:
[Guinevere's Strength is now C!]
One Gem remained—just one stat she couldn't upgrade further. Artoria stored it away, thinking, I'll keep this last Gem for future use.
Later that day, Guinevere walked over to where Artoria waited. He glanced at her warily:
"You…spent the money?"
Artoria beamed widely:
"Yes. Myrion's investment was meant for us. I will always invest in you first."
Guinevere's heart fluttered:
"You…really did?"
"Of course. I love you, right?"
He froze at that question, blinking rapidly. "You…love me?"
Artoria nodded earnestly, touching his chest. "I'll spend my life on you—whether gold, dreams, or these Gems."
Guinevere's cheeks flushed. A genuine, heartfelt smile spread across his face.
Outside, the golden sunlight slanted low as they stood together, strengthened by trust and a shared Bonded Gem.
Artoria slipped her arm around his waist:
"No more hesitation—let's move forward together."
Hand in hand, they embarked on their shared future, knowing love was worth far more than any price tag.