Ren stepped out of the orphanage, leaving behind a quiet space where the children continued to play, their laughter echoing through the late afternoon like a gentle melody, one he no longer belonged to.
The door closed softly behind him, dividing two worlds.
Inside was warmth, fleeting moments of peace and safety, an instant in which he almost forgot the hardships that awaited beyond.
Outside was reality. The path he had to walk.
That door didn't just block out the clear, innocent laughter, it marked a shift in his resolve.
No more half-hearted conversations.
No more vague hesitation.
No more lingering doubts keeping him stuck in place.
Ren clenched his fists, his fingers curling unconsciously as if trying to grasp something, determination, direction, an answer.
The decision to leave burned within him.
It wasn't a passing thought, nor a shallow choice. It was inevitable.
He couldn't stay here forever.
He couldn't keep himself trapped in fear and uncertainty.
Meeting Yuna and Lily made him realize that everyone had their own path to follow.
Yuna had her goal to pursue. Lily had something she needed to do. And everyone else was moving forward, not waiting for anyone.
And he... He could no longer stay still.
He had to go.
He didn't know where his next destination would be, nor did he have a clear plan. But that didn't matter anymore.
Because no matter what happened, no matter how unclear or difficult the road ahead might be, he would keep moving forward.
Without looking back.
Ren walked through the empty streets, his steps neither rushed nor hesitant, simply carrying him forward, as if he had already decided on a destination, even though, in truth, he had no idea where he was going next.
The sun had begun to set, casting its last golden rays over the worn rooftops and stone-paved streets, painting everything in a soft yet melancholic hue of orange and red.
The sky in the distance darkened, signaling the transition between day and night, between light and shadow, between the end of one thing and the beginning of something new.
A gentle breeze drifted through the narrow alleys, carrying the late afternoon's lingering chill, rustling the wooden sign hanging before an old general store.
But Ren paid no mind to any of it. He simply walked on, silent and alone, letting his thoughts carry him away.
There was too much to think about. Too many things to consider.
Gareth had left earlier. He didn't know exactly when, only that by the time he turned around, the familiar towering figure was gone, as if he had never been there at all.
No farewell. No sign to let him know. But that wasn't surprising. Gareth wasn't the kind of person who waited for anyone, nor was he the type to explain his actions.
And Ren… had no one left to wait for.
He had made his decision to leave. But where? And for what?
Those questions lingered in his mind, circling like an unsolved puzzle, but this time, they no longer weighed him down with hesitation or fear.
Unlike the early days when he was afraid, uncertain of himself, doubting his own steps, imprisoned by the fear of making mistakes, of not being good enough to continue.
Now, there was only one thought in his mind.
I have to keep going.
No matter what awaited ahead, no matter how difficult the road would be, no matter how many times he would fall, he had to keep moving.
Because if he didn't, if he hesitated and wavered, if he kept lingering in a place where he didn't belong, he would be left behind forever.
Ren clenched his fists tighter, feeling the tension in his fingers and knuckles, but for the first time, he felt lighter than ever.
He had nothing in his hands. No powerful weapons, no shining armor, no special skills that would make him stand out among the thousands of other players.
But that didn't matter.
The next morning, Ren sat at a rustic wooden table inside a small inn, quietly enjoying a simple breakfast that still carried a sense of warmth and comfort.
Under the soft morning light filtering through the window, the warmth from the steaming bowl of soup spread through the air, seeping into his cold fingers, loosening the stiffness in his muscles after a long sleep.
In front of him, the bowl of hot soup released a faint, delicate fragrance of slow-cooked vegetables, blending with the subtle richness of meat, a slight touch of savory depth that wasn't overwhelming.
Thin wisps of steam curled upward, swirling gently in the air before disappearing, leaving behind a lingering warmth.
Black pepper flecked the golden broth, adding a mild, fragrant heat that balanced the clear and soothing taste.
Beside it, a thick slice of bread rested neatly on a ceramic plate, its crust crisp and lightly cracked at the edges, revealing the soft, airy interior within.
It must have been freshly toasted before being served, because when Ren placed his hand over it, he could still feel the gentle heat rising from its surface.
He picked up the wooden spoon, stirring the soup lightly, watching the warm liquid swirl before carefully bringing it to his lips.
The moment the first taste touched his tongue, he immediately felt the natural sweetness of well-cooked vegetables, the rich yet not overpowering depth of the broth, and a faint trace of meat's subtle savoriness.
The seasoning wasn't excessive, never drowning out the delicate harmony of flavors, but instead, blending them together seamlessly.
He closed his eyes, letting the warmth spread down his throat, settle into his stomach, and slowly chase away the lingering chill in his body.
For a moment, everything seemed to slow down, his senses focused solely on the comforting feeling seeping through his limbs.
It had been a long time since he last sat down and truly enjoyed a meal without being burdened by countless thoughts.
He picked up a slice of bread, tore off a small piece with his fingers, and dipped it into the soup, letting the liquid soak into the soft crumbs before bringing it to his mouth.
As he bit down, the crispy crust shattered into tiny flakes, while the tender interior, saturated with hot broth, melded seamlessly with the rich flavor.
The gentle aroma of freshly baked bread, combined with the deep savoriness of the broth, made each bite more satisfying than ever.
Ren continued eating, unhurried, fully present in the moment, neither distracted nor rushing through his meal.
Each spoonful of soup, each bite of bread, carried echoes of the past of hurried, meager meals during his struggle for survival, of days spent gnawing on hard rations without truly tasting anything.
It was still a simple breakfast, plain, unadorned, without extravagance.
Yet, it was this simplicity that he cherished the most, for now, he understood that sometimes, the smallest things were the most precious in this unforgiving world.
The warmth of the meal spread through his body, bringing a quiet peace he rarely experienced.
Perhaps, before stepping into the challenges of a new day, a fleeting moment of stillness like this was all he really needed.
Ren rose from the wooden chair, his gaze sweeping across the small, familiar inn one last time.
The plain wooden walls, the old table with its worn edges, the soft morning light filtering through the window, everything remained just as it had been on the first day he arrived.
So many memories were tied to this place. It had been his first refuge, a safe haven amid the confusion and exhaustion of adapting to this world.
Taking a deep breath, he slowly made his way toward the counter. The innkeeper was busy checking her ledger, her graying hair neatly tied back, her posture bustling yet exuding the same quiet warmth as always.
At the sound of his approaching footsteps, she looked up. A brief flicker of surprise crossed her gentle eyes before softening into a knowing smile.
"You're leaving, aren't you?" Her voice was warm, carrying both a question and an understanding.
Ren stopped before the counter and nodded. "Yes. I'll be leaving the Town of Beginnings today."
The innkeeper didn't reply right away. She simply observed him for a moment, as if weighing her words.
Then, a small smile appeared on her face. "Time flies. It feels like just yesterday you were standing here asking me about room prices."
Ren's lips curved slightly, but he said nothing. He felt the same.
The past felt so close, yet when he looked back, he realized how much he had changed from that lost and weary figure, now able to stand on his own, at least for the time being.
The innkeeper reached under the counter, retrieving a small cloth pouch, and placed it gently on the wooden surface. "Some bread and dried meat. The road ahead won't be easy. This should help you a little along the way."
Ren glanced at the pouch, then at her. It was just a small gift, but he could feel the sincerity behind it.
A bit of warmth, a bit of concern, and perhaps, something akin to the affection one might have for a child about to leave home.
Slowly, he reached out and took it, fingers tightening slightly around the rough fabric.
"Thank you. Everything has been wonderful, as always." His voice was quiet, but the sincerity in it was unmistakable.
The innkeeper simply smiled. "It's nothing. Take care of yourself, kid."
Ren gave a small nod.
He was not one for long farewells, nor was he good at expressing emotions.
But as he turned toward the door, a strange feeling welled up inside him, not quite hesitation, not exactly reluctance, but a clear awareness that from this moment on, he was truly stepping beyond familiar ground, venturing into a much larger world.
This time, no one was beside him. No familiar faces, no comrades who had once fought alongside him.
He would walk this path alone.
The inn's door let out a faint creak as he pushed it open. The golden morning light spilled in, casting a soft glow over the threshold.
He stepped forward, leaving behind the past, and before him... a new journey awaited.