Ren hesitated.
Yuna's invitation echoed in his mind, dragging along memories he thought he had set aside.
He remembered Klein's group, the first people he had met in this world.
Klein, Dynamm, Issin, Dale...
Those names weren't just teammates. They were the ones who had given him a sense of belonging, even if only for a fleeting moment.
They weren't powerful warriors, nor did they possess ultimate skills or superior equipment.
But they were good people, people who had reached out to him when he was lost, when he had nothing but confusion and loneliness.
Without hesitation, they had welcomed him into their group, shared their food, their knowledge, and even their honest words of encouragement.
They expected nothing in return, never demanded that he repay them.
So why… couldn't he do the same?
If Klein were here, he'd probably chuckle, pat Ren on the shoulder, and say in his usual carefree tone:
"Hey, Ren, if you can help someone, don't hesitate. You never know what's waiting for you ahead."
Dynamm might hesitate, but in the end, he'd nod and go along, throwing in a joke or two. Issin would remain silent, weighing the risks, but he wouldn't oppose it.
And Dale, ever the cautious one, would fire off a series of meticulous questions before agreeing anyway.
So what about him?
Could he do the same?
Could he walk alongside Yuna and Nautilus, fight beside them, trust them the way he once trusted Klein's group?
Or, after everything, was he still just a lone wanderer, forever standing at the edges of relationships, afraid that one day, he'd lose everything again?
Ren tightened his grip slightly, the cold air seeping through his fingers.
His gaze wavered, not because he was uncertain about the invitation, but because of the storm of thoughts clashing within him.
He didn't know if this was the right choice. He didn't know if he could place his trust in others again.
But there was one thing he knew for certain, he couldn't ignore the question weighing on his heart.
Because whether he wanted to admit it or not, something inside him had already begun to waver.
Ren took a deep breath.
He looked at Yuna. She was still waiting for his answer, a hint of worry flickering in her eyes, but her determination remained unshaken.
Nautilus stood beside her, silent. He said nothing, but the way he stood close, ready to shield her at any moment, spoke volumes.
They were weaker than him. That was undeniable.
He could see the difference between them, from the way they held their weapons to the way they stood.
He had spent days training, sharpening his skills, pushing himself to his limits.
On top of that, his equipment and level were slightly above the average player in the Town of Beginnings.
But Yuna and Nautilus… they had probably never experienced a true life-or-death battle.
He could refuse.
He could turn away, continue his journey alone, follow the path he had chosen.
But if he did… what would happen to them?
How many times had they been rejected? How many had turned their backs on them, leaving them to face the choice of leaving the Town of Beginnings alone?
Ren didn't know the true reason behind their decision, but he could see the determination in Yuna's eyes.
A determination no different from his own that day, the day he stood before the quest board, decided to take up his sword, and stepped beyond the safety of town, despite not knowing what lay ahead.
He knew that feeling.
The feeling of someone who couldn't turn back.
The feeling of someone who had no choice but to move forward, no matter what awaited them.
Ren thought of the carefree smiles of the children…
Innocent children, trapped in this death game, unaware of what awaited them.
If Yuna were no longer there… what would happen to them?
Who would visit them? Who would listen to their innocent stories, comfort them when they were afraid, assure them that one day, this nightmare would end?
The image of those clear, untainted eyes weighed on his heart.
It sounded hypocritical.
He had never imagined making a decision for anyone but himself.
From the start, he had told himself that all he needed was to survive, to grow stronger, to move forward… alone.
But now, for the first time, he felt something different.
Something that crept into his chest, faint yet undeniably real.
Compassion.
It replaced the doubt and cold detachment that had shielded him for so long.
Ren remained silent for a long moment. Then, he exhaled slowly, as if releasing a part of the burden he carried.
"…Alright."
Just two words, but they made Yuna's eyes widen in disbelief.
He met her gaze, his voice steady as he continued:
"I'll go with you two."
Yuna froze for a moment, her eyes wide, filled with surprise. As if she couldn't believe what she had just heard.
Perhaps she had already braced herself for rejection, just like all the times before.
Being turned down, hearing the same words, "Sorry," "I can't," or "You should find someone else", had become such a common part of this journey that she had nearly stopped hoping.
But this time… the answer was different.
Nautilus's eyes widened slightly as well. Unconsciously, he tilted his head toward Ren, as if to confirm he hadn't misheard.
Though he said nothing, the way he looked at Ren, calm yet slightly wavering, spoke volumes.
A heartbeat passed in silence. Then, as if realizing something, Yuna clenched her hands slightly, her fingers trembling just a little.
"Really…?"
Her voice was so soft it nearly vanished into the wind, like an unconscious whisper.
It was a question directed at no one in particular, meant only to confirm it with herself. She wasn't sure if she should believe it, believe that someone had finally agreed to go with them.
But the next moment, a smile appeared on Yuna's lips.
It wasn't a bright or overwhelmingly joyful smile, but a relieved, genuine one, filled with emotions that had been bottled up for so long.
"Thank you, Ren."
Just three simple words, yet they carried everything she wanted to say.
She didn't ask for a reason. She didn't need to know why Ren had agreed or what had changed his mind.
She didn't demand or insist. All that mattered was one thing, Ren had chosen to go with them.
Ren watched her for a moment before slowly turning to Nautilus.
"But I have one condition."
Nautilus narrowed his eyes, while Yuna blinked in confusion.
Ren crossed his arms, his shoulders relaxed, but his voice was firm and unwavering, leaving no room for negotiation.
"If you want to leave the Starting Town, you both need to be ready to fight."
The wind blew through the narrow alley, rustling the dry leaves at their feet. Neither Yuna nor Nautilus spoke against it. They only listened.
"Once we leave, danger can appear at any moment," Ren continued, his gaze sharpening. "I can't always protect you both. I'll help, but I'm not a shield for you to rely on."
He paused briefly before lowering his voice.
"If you've decided to move forward, you must be prepared to fight."
He didn't say it outright, but deep down, he knew, if they couldn't stand on their own, then no matter how many people traveled together, they wouldn't survive.
Nautilus remained silent for a moment, as if thinking something over.
Then, without a word, he quietly unsheathed his sword. The steel gleamed under the pale morning light, thin yet sharp, much like the resolve in his eyes.
"…That's what I was going to say." Nautilus met Ren's gaze, his voice steady, not loud, but carrying an unshakable determination. "I know I'm still weak. But I won't back down."
Ren observed him for a moment, his deep eyes assessing something.
Then, he gave a small nod.
He turned to Yuna, who was still gripping her hands tightly, as if trying to hold on to her confidence. She took a deep breath to steady herself, then lifted her head.
"I won't give up." Her voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear. "I know I'm not strong enough yet, but I'll do my best."
Ren looked at both of them again, and this time, there was no doubt in his gaze.
He closed his eyes briefly and exhaled.
"…Alright then."
When he opened them again, his dark pupils shone with a sharpened resolve, like a blade honed to perfection.
"We're leaving the Starting Town."
The three of them stepped out through the western gate, leaving behind the familiar gray stone walls.
Outside, the sky still carried the remnants of morning mist, with the first golden rays of sunlight filtering through the treetops, casting a warm glow over the ground.
The crisp morning air carried the earthy scent of damp soil and the faint, wild fragrance of grass, completely different from the stifling, enclosed atmosphere of the town's alleyways.
Ren led the way, his steps steady, as if already accustomed to the roads beyond.
Yuna and Nautilus followed closely behind. There was a hint of tension in their eyes, but also a spark of anticipation.
For the first time, they were truly leaving the Starting Town, not just to explore, but to fight. To survive.
In the distance, fields stretched endlessly toward the horizon, dotted with low-level monsters moving through the tall grass.
There were no protective walls anymore. No familiar stone-paved roads. Out here, everything was wild, everything was a challenge.
Ren turned back slightly, glancing at his two new companions.
"From this moment on, we're no longer just players standing behind the town's safety." His voice was calm but resolute. "Remember that."
Yuna tightened her grip on her sword, took a deep breath, and a small smile formed on her lips. "I know."
Nautilus said nothing, only nodding, his gaze firm.
Ren watched them for a moment before nodding back. No more words were needed.
And so, they stepped forward, leaving the safety behind them and entering the vast, perilous world, where every step was a choice, and every swing of their blades could decide their fate.