Yuna quickly noticed Ren approaching. A flicker of surprise flashed in her eyes before settling into certainty, there was no mistaking him.
Though she wasn't particularly familiar with Ren, his presence was too distinct to forget.
It wasn't just his quiet demeanor, the way he moved with slow yet controlled steps, but also the unique armor he always wore, an image deeply imprinted in the minds of those who had taken notice of him in the Starting Town.
His equipment seemed far superior to that of the average player.
The cloak draped over his shoulders swayed gently with each step, the hood lined with wolf fur obscuring most of his face, leaving only his striking blue eyes visible, like gemstones gleaming beneath the shadows.
His gray leather armor bore no intricate designs or embellishments, yet it carried an air of practicality and familiarity, as if it had been through countless battles, soaked in the passage of time and resilience.
Unlike most players, who wore either gleaming metal armor or flashy, easily recognizable outfits, Ren maintained a simple, even somewhat unkempt appearance. But it was precisely this simplicity that made him stand out.
He was like a figure emerging from the darkness, not belonging to the bustling world of ordinary players, but more akin to a lone traveler, forever walking his own path.
More than that…
…They had just met yesterday.
Yuna's gaze wavered slightly, carrying a mix of curiosity, uncertainty, and a faint hint of caution.
She didn't know why Ren was here, nor what he was thinking as he approached them, but one thing was certain, if he had taken the initiative to come closer, he must have noticed something.
Ren wasn't the type to be easily swayed by curiosity or matters unrelated to him. If he had stopped, it meant this situation or the two of them, had caught his attention.
Yuna was the first to break the silence between them. Tilting her head slightly, her eyes flickered with a brief moment of surprise, but she quickly regained her usual composure.
"Ren?" she called out, her voice carrying a casual ease, as if greeting an old acquaintance, yet still tinged with a trace of hesitation. "Are you planning to hunt around here?"
Perhaps even she hadn't expected to run into Ren at this moment, let alone understand why he had approached them.
But the person standing beside her didn't share the same reaction…
Nautilus, the young man with mossy green hair, stiffened slightly the moment Ren came closer.
His eyes immediately sharpened with wariness, a natural reflex when facing an unfamiliar presence whose intentions were unclear.
His fingers instinctively tightened around the hilt of his sword, a small gesture, but one that spoke volumes about his guarded nature.
Ren noticed it immediately. Not because Nautilus intended to attack, but simply because it was a reflex, an instinctive defense mechanism when confronted with something unknown.
The young man stepped forward slightly, half as if to shield Yuna, half to create distance between her and Ren.
A silent form of caution, the reaction of someone who had grown used to protecting themselves.
Though the action wasn't overt, Ren could sense the tension in the way Nautilus gripped his sword.
"…Who is this?" Nautilus finally spoke, his voice low, tinged with unhidden caution.
Ren paused briefly, his gaze calmly sweeping over the young man before settling on the hands still gripping the hilt of his sword.
There was no fluctuation in his expression, nor did he appear remotely threatening.
"Ren," he answered simply, his tone steady and devoid of unnecessary emotion.
Nautilus frowned slightly, as if still unconvinced. But before he could say anything further, Yuna let out a small chuckle, lightly tapping his arm. Her voice carried a playful teasing tone, yet still held an underlying intent to reassure.
"Relax, Nautilus. He's not a bad guy."
Nautilus glanced at Yuna briefly, his expression wavering for a split second before his gaze returned to Ren. His wariness hadn't completely faded.
Even so, his fingers slowly loosened their grip on the sword's hilt, no longer clenching it as tightly. His sharp gaze remained unchanged, as if ready to react at the slightest sign of danger.
Ren stayed silent, neither justifying himself nor refuting anything. He simply stood there, watching quietly, waiting to see how the situation would unfold.
"…I'm leaving the Starting Town soon." Ren was the one to finally break the uneasy atmosphere.
Yuna froze for a moment, a fleeting glimmer of hope flickering in her eyes. But before she could respond, Nautilus spoke first, his voice firm.
"No. Leaving here is too dangerous, especially for players like us." He hesitated, as if carefully choosing his words. "You should reconsider, Yuna. There are still other ways…"
There was clear concern in his voice.
"But…"
Hesitation flickered deep within Yuna's eyes. She pressed her lips tightly together, her fingers unconsciously curling into a fist.
She looked at Nautilus, her gaze layered with conflicting emotions, uncertainty, worry, but above all, an unwavering determination.
"This is the only way…" Her voice grew softer, as if she were trying to reassure herself. "I… I can't just stand still anymore… This burden… it keeps growing heavier…"
Though her sentence remained unfinished, her resolve was clear.
Nautilus' eyes reflected the struggle between reason and emotion. A moment of weakness flashed through them as he looked at Yuna, but then, just as quickly, determination took its place.
Without hesitation, he gave a small nod.
"Then let me go with you."
His voice wasn't loud, but each word carried weight, like a promise that could not be taken back.
Ren furrowed his brows slightly, surprise flickering across his face.
He hadn't expected that Yuna and Nautilus also intended to leave the Starting Town… just like him.
It wasn't an easy decision, especially when the world beyond the town was still an unforgiving land, where even stronger players could lose their lives.
His gaze swept over the two standing before him, quietly observing every expression, every slightest movement.
Yuna looked resolute, yet in the depths of her eyes, a trace of hesitation remained, as if she was struggling to suppress her own fears.
As for Nautilus, though he didn't say much, the decisiveness in his every action spoke volumes—once he made a choice, he wouldn't easily change his mind.
Ren didn't rush to respond.
He simply stood there, letting the chaotic thoughts in his mind settle, allowing the scattered pieces to form a clearer picture of the situation.
They were just like him… they had their own reasons to leave.
After a brief silence, Yuna tightened her grip as if to steady herself.
She took a deep breath, suppressing the turbulent emotions rising in her chest, then slowly spoke:
"Ren… do you want to come with us?"
Her voice wasn't loud, but each word carried sincerity, laced with both anticipation and a hint of hesitation.
Her eyes searched Ren's face, as if looking for a glimmer of hope, no matter how small.
In truth, this wasn't the first time Yuna had extended an invitation. She and Nautilus had tried to find teammates, had approached one group after another, hoping someone would be willing to step out of the safe zone with them.
But all they received in return were hesitant glances, polite refusals, or even firm shakes of the head.
No one wanted to leave the Starting Town with them. No one wanted to take the risk with inexperienced players like them.
They had tried to convince others, had explained that they were ready to fight, that they wouldn't be a burden.
But their words changed nothing. To other players, Yuna and Nautilus were simply two reckless fools walking toward their own deaths.
And so, despite the determination she tried to maintain on the surface, a trace of vulnerability still lingered in Yuna's eyes.
A small hope, but also a small fear, that this invitation would be rejected once again.
That… Ren, like all the others before him, would shake his head and turn away.
Ren froze for a moment.
Yuna's words hung in the still air, like a pebble dropping into a calm lake, sending ripples across his mind.
Go with them?
That thought had never crossed his mind before. He was used to being alone, used to navigating this world by himself.
He had convinced himself that he didn't need companions, that only by relying on himself could he survive.
But now, looking into Yuna's eyes, seeing the mixture of hope and uncertainty within them, he couldn't immediately give an answer.
Ren silently observed the two before him.
Yuna didn't seem particularly strong; deep down, he could see the worries she was trying to hide.
Nautilus was different. He stood there, quiet and composed, neither pressuring nor revealing much emotion.
Yet, even without words, the determination in his gaze spoke volumes, if Yuna decided to leave, he would undoubtedly follow her to the end.
Ren had seen Nautilus fight before. His skills were decent, but Ren wasn't entirely sure, after all, that was just against training dummies.
Ren understood the dangers awaiting outside. The world beyond was merciless to everyone, especially new players with little combat experience.
Leaving the Starting Town was a risky step, once taken, there would be no turning back.
He weighed his options.
If he went with them, the path ahead would no longer be a solitary journey.
He would have to fight alongside others, to care about their safety, to share what he had.
That was something he hadn't considered since stepping into this world.
But if he refused… would he be missing out on something?
Ren didn't know.
He had no answer yet.
But no matter what, he couldn't ignore Yuna's gaze, nor could he pretend he hadn't heard her invitation.
So, after a moment of silence, he spoke slowly:
"…Why?"
His voice was low, carrying no obvious emotion, yet beneath it lay a trace of doubt.
"Why are you inviting me?"