A new day had begun.
At the inn where Klein's group often gathered.
The atmosphere remained as lively as ever, laughter, the clinking of knives and forks against ceramic plates, the aroma of toasted bread and sizzling bacon filling the air.
Yet, at a familiar corner table, four people sat in unusual silence.
Dynamm glanced around, but his mind wasn't focused on the breakfast in front of him.
Something felt missing. Breakfast… didn't taste as good as usual.
The piece of bread in his hand had gone cold, yet he hadn't even taken a bite.
"Damn it…" Dynamm muttered under his breath, fingers tightening around his fork, as if blaming himself.
Klein looked at him but didn't say a word. Issin and Dale remained silent as well.
They all knew what was on Dynamm's mind. Because they felt the same.
They had spoken with Ren yesterday.
And though no one said it outright, they all understood that an invisible distance now separated them from him. Not out of resentment or conflict, but simply because of silence.
Dynamm bit his lip, his voice dropping. "I went too far, didn't I?"
No one answered immediately.
Klein sighed and set his knife down. "Not just you." His gaze drifted toward the empty spot at the table—Ren's usual seat during breakfast.
Ren always chose that seat, where he could eat while watching the morning sunlight spill over the cobbled streets.
"I think… we all did."
Dale nodded slowly, his voice calm but weighted. "He's been through more than any of us. But in the end, we just watched in silence as he walked away."
Issin said nothing, simply finishing his tea.
None of them wanted to leave things like this. But no one knew how to fix it either.
Was it too late to do anything now?
"I'm going to find Ren." Dynamm clenched his teeth and slammed his hands onto the table.
Klein glanced at him, his eyes flickering, warm, understanding, not the least bit surprised. He knew Dynamm too well. But that warmth was quickly replaced by contemplation.
"Issin, Dale… what do you think?" His tone was measured, not revealing his own stance yet.
Dale set his glass down, tracing the rim of the cup as if weighing his thoughts. "Do you think he'll come back?"
Dynamm didn't answer right away. He wasn't sure. But the guilt in his chest wouldn't let him sit still.
"At the very least, I have to try." His eyes were resolute.
Klein was silent for a moment, then stood up. "I'm coming with you."
Issin raised an eyebrow at the two men brimming with determination. A quiet sigh escaped him. "Haizz… If you're both going, then count me in. I was just as guilty… for staying silent."
Dale chuckled lightly and shrugged. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go before Ren disappears from town."
No more hesitation.
All four of them stood at once, leaving their half-eaten meals behind, striding out of the inn.
They didn't know if Ren would accept them.
But if this was their last chance to hold on to something, they wouldn't let it slip away.
Just as they were about to leave, a familiar voice called out from the counter.
"Where do you think you're all rushing off to?"
The innkeeper stood with her arms crossed, sharp eyes scanning each of them.
She wasn't the type to meddle in others' affairs, but today, something about her expression felt different.
Dynamm flinched. "We already paid…"
She frowned. "It's not about the money."
Klein halted, a bit taken aback. "If you need help with something… I'm sorry, but we have something more important to do."
"This about that kid?"
She didn't say his name, but everyone knew who she meant.
No one answered immediately, but their silence spoke volumes.
The innkeeper scoffed, not in reprimand, but in understanding. "You're all so slow. Only thinking of chasing after him after he's already left?"
Dynamm lowered his head, the guilt weighing even heavier.
"You know where Ren went?" Dale asked, his voice calm yet laced with urgency.
The innkeeper shook her head, causing a heavy weight to settle over them, until she added:
"This morning… he came to see me. Asked me to give you this."
She held out a pristine katana.
The group froze.
Klein's gaze dropped to the sword in her hands, its blade gleaming, the black-wrapped hilt simple yet refined.
A perfect weapon. No flaws.
Dale was the first to reach out, turning the blade lightly, feeling its perfect balance.
This was no ordinary sword.
"It's yours, Klein," Dale said, handing it over. "Ren bought it with his own savings."
"Wait....how do you know?" Dynamm's eyes widened in surprise. "Did he tell you?"
Dale was silent for a moment before shaking his head. "No, he didn't say anything. But I can guess… even him hunting alone last night… was probably just to save up enough money to buy this."
For a moment, silence blanketed the room.
Klein tightened his grip on the hilt, the cold metal seeping into his palm.
He could picture it, Ren, clad in worn armor, hands still scraped from battle, standing at the blacksmith's counter, quietly laying down every last Cor to purchase this katana.
Not for himself.
But as a parting gift to Klein.
"…That idiot." Klein chuckled, but his voice was hoarse.
No one spoke.
Issin poured himself more tea in silence, while Dynamm stared at the floor, his expression conflicted.
"I said such harsh things to him…" Dynamm murmured, his voice rough with regret.
Klein ran his fingers lightly along the blade's polished steel.
It was flawless, fitting perfectly in his grasp, as if Ren had spent a long time choosing it just for him.
No letter, no message.
But to Klein, this katana was Ren's farewell.
"…Did he say anything?" Klein finally asked, his voice quieter.
The innkeeper shook her head. "He only left the sword and told me to give it to you when you left. But that kid… he was very polite."
Dynamm bit his lip, clenching his fists. "So that means… he never intended to see us off?"
The innkeeper remained silent for a moment before letting out a quiet sigh. "I don't know what that kid was thinking, but when he left… he looked lighter than he did yesterday."
The group exchanged glances, none of them speaking.
They all remembered Ren's expression the night before, the hesitation, the uncertainty, and the invisible distance none of them had dared to cross.
Now, he had made his choice.
A long silence stretched between them before Klein slowly reached out and took hold of the katana's hilt. He ran his fingers lightly along the sheath, feeling its smooth surface.
Ren hadn't come to say goodbye.
But this sword… this was his final answer.
"Let's go. We're leaving the Starting Town." Klein equipped the sword and spoke to the others.
The others gave small nods in response. They wouldn't wait for Ren.
He had already given them his answer.
Still… they hoped, someday, somewhere...they would meet again.
Klein remained silent for a moment before slowly turning his gaze toward the empty space inside the inn.
There, only vacant chairs remained. The early morning sunlight streamed onto the wooden floor, stretching faint shadows across the planks.
The corner of his lips lifted slightly, but the smile carried a trace of bitterness.
"I hope… that in the end, you'll find a reason to fight… something to hold onto… without having to let go again."
Then, the wooden door quietly shut behind them.
"Phew… I thought I was going to get caught…" Ren exhaled softly, then carefully stepped out from the kitchen.
His steps faltered slightly, and he lowered his gaze, avoiding the innkeeper's eyes.
He knew what she was about to say.
"I just… wanted to make sure they really left," he mumbled, though even he didn't quite believe his own words.
The innkeeper simply smiled, gentle, understanding, yet knowing.
"They've been gone for a while now, kid. No need to sneak around just to watch them leave."
Ren gripped the hem of his shirt, staying silent.
She didn't press further. Instead, she reached out and brushed off a bit of dust from his shoulder, her voice warm and soft.
"There are things… that don't disappear just because you can't see them anymore."
"Now then… what do you want for breakfast?"
"The usual," Ren answered, perking up slightly at the thought of food. Some of the loneliness and emptiness within him faded, if only a little.
He walked toward the corner of the inn where he usually sat. The others' dishes hadn't been cleared yet, but he didn't mind.
Quietly, he sat down, his eyes drifting over the unfinished plates and cups.
Traces of a lively breakfast. Chairs left slightly askew, half-empty cups of tea, and a few scattered crumbs of bread left on the plates.
All of it was proof that… they had been here.
Ren reached out and brushed his fingertips along the edge of the wooden table, feeling the lingering warmth on the surface.
For some reason, that warmth made him feel a little better.
The innkeeper set a tray of food in front of him, her voice as gentle as ever. "It's still warm. Eat up."
Ren nodded, picking up his spoon, a faint smile on his lips.
There was still an emptiness lingering inside him…
But at least, today's breakfast still tasted like the ones before.
Lowering his head, he scooped up a spoonful of hot soup and brought it to his lips. The familiar taste spread across his tongue, warm and comforting, reminding him of just how hungry he was.
From behind the counter, the innkeeper glanced at him, observing without making it too obvious. She wiped her hands on a cloth draped over her shoulder before speaking.
"So… where are you heading next?"
Ren paused for a moment before continuing to eat, as if the question wasn't that important. But his eyes wavered slightly.
"I don't know yet."
The innkeeper didn't respond right away. Instead, she slowly poured a cup of warm tea and slid it toward him.
"Then keep going until you do."
Ren looked up, meeting her gaze. He wasn't sure if he fully understood the meaning behind those words.
The innkeeper chuckled lightly. "Just don't forget to drop by again sometime."
There was no pressure in her words, yet they left behind a lingering feeling.
Ren gave a quiet nod. He didn't make any promises… but he didn't deny it either.
Outside, the morning sun had risen higher, casting long shadows on the cobblestone streets. A new day had begun.
And so had Ren's.