Arlon sat in silence.
June's words still lingered in his mind, playing over and over like an echo he couldn't quite shake.
He had spent his time in EVR pushing forward, fighting battles, and making decisions based on what needed to be done—never considering the weight of his actions on the world itself.
He had never tried to lead.
But had he been leading all along, without realizing it?
Her words had filled his heart with something he couldn't quite define.
And at the same time, they had left it feeling empty.
He couldn't tell if the weight on his chest was responsibility… or hesitation.
---
Time passed, and the countdown for the six-month leaderboard rewards ended.
Arlon and his group were gathered inside a small café in Istarra, tucked away from the noisier parts of town.
The air smelled of brewed tea and fresh bread, and the soft murmur of other players filled the space.
The group had been chatting about various things—fights, training plans, what they would do next.
