The atmosphere around the table changed.
It wasn't sudden.
It wasn't dramatic.
But something had shifted.
The conversation that had started with casual reunions and old acquaintances had slowly drifted toward a subject far heavier than anyone expected.
Guilds.
Dreams.
The future.
And for the first time since they entered the restaurant, silence settled over the group.
Kiraya sat quietly, staring into her drink.
The warm lantern light reflected across its surface while countless thoughts ran through her mind.
Across from her, Rio continued watching.
Waiting.
Observing.
Finally, Kiraya sighed.
A tired sigh.
The kind that came from carrying something for too long.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
Rio tilted her head.
"Like what?"
Kiraya pointed directly at her.
"Like you're planning something."
Ryota immediately nodded.
"She definitely is."
"Absolutely."
Rio ignored him.
Again.
Kiraya laughed despite herself.
Then leaned back into her chair.
The smile on her face slowly faded.
Rio noticed immediately.
This smile was different.
More fragile.
More honest.
So she asked the question.
"What are you going to do now?"
The question wasn't complicated.
Yet Kiraya froze.
Because she didn't have an answer.
Not a real one.
Not anymore.
Several seconds passed before she finally spoke.
"...I don't know."
The admission surprised even her.
The words felt strange leaving her mouth.
Kiraya always knew what she was supposed to do.
Wake up.
Log in.
Help Eternity Lions.
Plan raids.
Manage members.
Recruit players.
Support Elias.
Strengthen the guild.
That had been her routine.
Her purpose.
Her direction.
And now—
it was gone.
She stared at her hands.
"Honestly..."
A bitter smile appeared.
"I'm kind of lost."
Nobody interrupted.
Nobody laughed.
Because everyone could hear the truth in her voice.
Kiraya continued.
"Back then..."
"Everything I did was for ELEO."
She slowly shook her head.
"I spent every day thinking about the guild."
"How we could improve."
"How we could grow."
"What events we should run."
"How we could help weaker players."
Her voice grew softer.
"Every day."
"Every week."
A faint laugh escaped her.
"That was basically my life."
Rio listened carefully.
Not saying a word.
Kiraya continued.
"Then suddenly..."
"It's gone."
The words sounded heavier than she intended.
Like she was finally saying them out loud for the first time.
"I don't have any plans."
"I don't have any goals."
"I don't even know what I want to do anymore."
The table fell silent.
Even the noise from the restaurant seemed distant.
Kiraya looked toward Hinabi.
The red-haired woman nodded slightly.
Kiraya smiled.
"We talked privately."
"A lot."
Hinabi crossed her arms.
"Mostly because she wouldn't stop overthinking."
Kiraya immediately looked offended.
"I was processing emotions."
"You were spiraling."
"I was not spiraling."
"You absolutely were."
Ryota tried not to laugh.
He failed.
Kiraya kicked him under the table.
Ryota regretted existing.
Again.
After the brief interruption, Kiraya's expression softened.
"Anyway."
She glanced toward Rio.
"We decided we'd just see what happens."
"Take things slowly."
"No pressure."
"No expectations."
Hinabi nodded.
"If things work out."
"Great."
"If not..."
She shrugged.
"We'll stop."
The statement shocked Ryota.
"Stop?"
Kiraya smiled weakly.
"Quit."
The word landed heavily.
"Maybe it's time."
She looked toward the restaurant window.
Outside, players continued walking through Savan.
Adventurers.
Merchants.
Guild members.
Dreamers.
People moving toward their futures.
"I've been doing this for months."
Kiraya's voice was calm.
"I wouldn't regret leaving."
Even though everyone at the table could tell she would.
Rio especially.
Because Rio recognized something.
Kiraya wasn't tired of Evermount.
She wasn't tired of guilds.
She wasn't tired of helping people.
She was hurt.
There was a difference.
A very important difference.
Rio folded her arms.
Then leaned forward slightly.
Her silver hair reflected the lantern light.
And for the first time since the conversation started—
she spoke.
"I know I don't have any right to say this."
Kiraya blinked.
Hinabi looked curious.
Rio continued.
"And I know both of you had a rough time."
Neither woman disagreed.
Rio slowly nodded.
Then looked directly at them.
"I'd like to recruit you."
Silence.
Complete silence.
Even Ryota stopped eating.
Kiraya stared.
Hinabi stared.
For several seconds—
neither reacted.
Then—
Kiraya burst out laughing.
A genuine laugh.
Not because it was funny.
Because she genuinely thought Rio was joking.
"You can't be serious."
Rio didn't laugh.
She didn't smile.
She didn't even blink.
"With every word."
Kiraya's laughter slowly faded.
Because Rio wasn't joking.
At all.
The seriousness in her eyes made that obvious.
Rio leaned forward.
"The shareholders made the biggest mistake possible."
The conviction in her voice immediately grabbed everyone's attention.
"They didn't understand your value."
Kiraya froze.
Rio continued.
"They looked at titles."
"They looked at politics."
"They looked at influence."
Her eyes narrowed.
"But they never looked at the person."
The restaurant suddenly felt very quiet.
Rio pointed toward Kiraya.
"You spent almost a few months helping that guild grow."
"You planned."
"You organized."
"You supported people."
"You helped build something bigger than yourself."
Her voice carried absolute certainty.
"You were loyal."
"You were dedicated."
"You cared."
Kiraya lowered her eyes.
Rio continued.
"And they threw that away."
No one argued.
Not even Hinabi.
Because everyone knew it was true.
Rio looked toward both women.
Then smiled.
A small smile.
A sincere one.
"I'd like to have that person in my guild."
Kiraya looked up.
Meeting Rio's gaze.
For a moment—
neither looked away.
Then Rio stood.
The restaurant noise faded into the background.
The world itself seemed quieter.
She placed a hand over her chest.
Not as a guild leader.
Not as a famous player.
Not as one of Floor Two's strongest adventurers.
But as Rio.
Simply Rio.
Speaking honestly.
"Crowned Era isn't the strongest guild."
Kiraya blinked.
Rio laughed.
"We're not even close."
That earned a few chuckles.
Even from Hinabi.
Rio continued.
"We're reckless."
Ryota nodded.
"Very."
"We're chaotic."
Sayanaki immediately came to mind.
"We're constantly in trouble."
Everyone at the table silently agreed.
Rio smiled.
"But we're moving forward."
The smile became brighter.
"And we're building something special."
For the first time—
there was genuine passion in her voice.
Not determination.
Not confidence.
Passion.
"The shareholders saw someone expendable."
Rio pointed toward Kiraya.
"I see someone irreplaceable."
Kiraya's eyes widened.
"The shareholders saw a problem."
Rio looked toward Hinabi.
"I see someone worth fighting beside."
Hinabi froze.
Rio slowly extended her hand.
Toward both of them.
The gesture was simple.
Yet somehow it carried enormous weight.
"Please."
The restaurant faded away.
The noise.
The people.
The world.
Everything disappeared.
Only Rio's voice remained.
"Join my guild."
Kiraya felt her chest tighten.
She hadn't expected this.
Not from Rio.
Not from anyone.
Rio's voice softened.
"Let's show them our era."
Those words struck something deep inside her.
An era.
Not a guild.
An era.
A story.
A future.
Something bigger than rankings.
Bigger than politics.
Bigger than shareholders.
Then Rio smiled.
The same smile that had carried Crowned Era through impossible odds.
The same smile that made people believe.
"The Crowned Era."
Her silver eyes seemed to shine.
"An era where people shine the brightest."
The words hung in the air.
No one moved.
No one spoke.
Then Rio took a step forward.
And delivered the final invitation.
"Kiraya."
"Hinabi."
"Please join my guild."
Her voice carried absolute sincerity.
"Be the flames that help shape our story."
The restaurant had never felt quieter.
Across the table—
Kiraya stared at Rio.
For the first time since leaving Eternity Lions—
she felt something she thought she had lost.
Purpose.
And beside her—
Hinabi quietly smiled.
Because she could already tell.
This conversation was about to change both of their lives.
For several moments, nobody spoke.
The warm atmosphere of the restaurant seemed to freeze around them as Rio's invitation lingered in the air.
The sounds of plates clinking.
The laughter from neighboring tables.
The footsteps of NPC servers moving between customers.
Everything felt distant.
Kiraya stared at Rio, Rio stared back.
Neither looked away.
Then—
Kiraya suddenly laughed.
A genuine laugh.
The kind that came from the heart.
The kind she hadn't made since leaving Eternity Lions.
She covered her mouth as she shook her head.
"You know..."
Rio blinked.
"What?"
Kiraya continued laughing.
"After a speech like that..."
She pointed directly at Rio.
"...it would be really hard to refuse."
Rio immediately smiled.
Kiraya slowly stood from her chair.
The lantern light reflected off her armor while a gentle smile formed on her face.
For the first time all day—
she looked truly alive again.
"Alright, Rio."
The silver-haired guild leader straightened her posture.
Kiraya extended her hand.
"I hear you."
Rio looked at the offered hand.
Then back at Kiraya.
A smile spread across her face.
"If you really want someone like me in your guild..."
Kiraya's eyes softened.
"...then all I can say is—"
She firmly grabbed Rio's hand.
"Lead us."
The smile on her face widened.
"Lead us to the Crowned Era."
For a brief moment, Rio looked stunned.
Not because Kiraya accepted.
But because she understood the weight behind those words.
Kiraya wasn't simply joining a guild.
She was entrusting Rio with her future.
Her faith.
Her belief.
And Rio accepted that responsibility without hesitation.
She tightened her grip.
"You won't regret it."
Kiraya smirked.
"We'll see."
The two released their hands.
Then Kiraya turned toward Hinabi.
The former Burning Pride officer had been quietly watching the exchange the entire time.
Kiraya's smile softened.
"What about you?"
Hinabi raised an eyebrow.
"Hm?"
Kiraya folded her arms.
"I don't want to influence your decision."
The statement was sincere.
Very sincere.
Even after everything—
Kiraya didn't want Hinabi following her simply because they were friends.
She wanted it to be Hinabi's own choice.
Hinabi stared at her.
Then sighed.
A long sigh.
The kind someone makes when their friend says something incredibly obvious.
"Kiraya."
"What?"
"I already told you."
Kiraya blinked.
Hinabi smiled.
"It was my decision to leave."
There wasn't even the slightest hesitation.
"I wasn't forced."
"I wasn't pressured."
"I left because I wanted to."
Kiraya remained silent.
Hinabi looked toward Rio.
Then toward Ryota.
Then back toward Kiraya.
A small smile appeared on her face.
"Besides..."
She leaned back slightly.
"I'd like to see this Crowned Era too."
Rio smiled.
Hinabi pointed at herself.
"Though I hope you don't mind having a mage like me."
Rio immediately answered.
"I wouldn't have it any other way."
That answer earned a laugh from everyone.
Even Silla smiled quietly from her seat.
The tension that had dominated the conversation for so long finally disappeared.
And for the first time—
the future actually felt exciting.
Rio opened her guild interface.
A blue screen appeared before her eyes.
Without hesitation—
she sent two invitations.
[Guild Invitation Sent]
[Target: Kiraya]
[Guild Invitation Sent]
[Target: Hinabi]
Both women immediately received notifications.
The moment they opened them—
their eyes widened.
"What?"
Kiraya nearly dropped her interface.
Hinabi blinked twice.
Then three times.
Then looked at Rio.
"Rio."
"What?"
"Are you serious?"
Rio tilted her head.
"About?"
"The rank."
Rio looked confused.
Then realized.
"Oh."
Kiraya stared.
Hinabi stared.
Both women looked genuinely shocked.
Because the guild invitations weren't ordinary member invitations.
They contained leadership positions.
Very high leadership positions.
Kiraya looked at the rank again.
Then back at Rio.
"You can't be serious."
Rio folded her arms.
"I am."
"Rank Eight?"
Kiraya almost laughed again.
"We literally just joined."
Rio nodded.
"Exactly."
"That's insane."
Rio shook her head.
"No."
Then she pointed at Kiraya.
"You earned it."
The confidence in her voice immediately silenced her.
Rio continued.
"Starting today."
She looked directly at Kiraya.
"You're Crowned Era's Guild Raid Head."
Kiraya froze.
The title alone carried tremendous responsibility.
Strategy.
Operations.
Raid planning.
Combat organization.
Essentially—
everything she already excelled at.
Rio smiled.
"I want you helping shape how our guild raid fights."
For several seconds—
Kiraya couldn't find words.
Then Rio looked toward Hinabi.
"And you."
Hinabi pointed at herself.
"Me?"
Rio nodded.
"Head of Recruitment And Npc Management."
Hinabi blinked.
Then laughed.
"Wait."
"You're actually serious."
"Very."
Rio continued.
"You're good with people."
"You understand players."
"And unlike me..."
She pointed at herself.
"...you can actually convince people without threatening them."
Ryota immediately nodded.
"That's true."
Rio kicked him under the table.
Again.
Ryota regretted speaking.
Hinabi laughed.
Then accepted the invitation.
A moment later—
Kiraya did the same.
Two notifications appeared.
[Kiraya has joined Crowned Era]
[Hinabi has joined Crowned Era]
For a brief moment—
nobody spoke.
Because something important had just happened.
Two former officers from one of Floor One's most influential guilds had officially become members of Crowned Era.
Not recruits.
Not temporary allies.
Members.
Real members.
Founding pillars of what Rio hoped would become something legendary.
Hinabi immediately opened the guild menu.
Curiosity got the better of her.
The first thing she noticed was the member count.
"...Nine?"
Rio nodded.
"Yep."
Hinabi stared.
Then laughed.
"That's tiny."
"It is."
Kiraya moved beside her.
Together they looked through the guild roster.
Guild Leader.
Rio.
Rank 10.
Ryota.
Both nodded.
That made sense.
Then—
Rank 9.
Sayanaki.
Kiraya smirked.
"I'm excited to meet this one. I wonder if she's also a monster."
Then they continued reading.
Rank 8.
Kiraya.
Hinabi.
The two exchanged glances.
Still surreal.
Then—
Rank 7.
Auram.
Kiraya froze.
"...Hold on."
Rio looked nervous.
Kiraya pointed at the screen.
"Why is your summon in the guild?"
Rio looked away.
Kiraya stared.
Hinabi stared.
Ryota started laughing.
Auram was literally listed as a guild member.
An actual member.
Not a pet.
Not an NPC.
Not a summon.
A guild member.
Kiraya slowly rubbed her temples.
"Of course."
Rio smiled innocently.
"He's very reliable."
"That's not the point."
Then they continued.
Rank 3.
Indra.
Ryota's sleeping dragon.
Kiraya looked at Ryota.
"You put a dragon in the guild too?"
Ryota pointed at Rio.
"She did it first with Auram."
Then came Rank 2.
Ramos.
Silla.
Both NPCs.
Both officially guild members.
Both now protected under Crowned Era.
The roster was bizarre.
Completely chaotic.
Filled with strange people.
Questionable decisions.
And somehow—
it felt right.
Hinabi closed the menu.
A smile appeared on her face.
"You know."
Rio looked over.
"What?"
Hinabi looked around the table.
At Rio.
Ryota.
Silla.
Kiraya.
The ridiculous roster.
The tiny guild.
The uncertain future.
And for some reason—
she felt excited.
"I'm not used to a guild this small."
Rio laughed.
"Most people aren't."
Hinabi smiled.
"But..."
Her eyes shined with anticipation.
"I'm looking forward to it."
Beside her—
Kiraya smiled too.
A genuine smile.
One filled with hope.
One filled with purpose.
One filled with possibilities.
"Yeah."
She looked toward Rio.
Then toward the future.
"Me too."
And for the first time since leaving Eternity Lions—
Kiraya no longer felt lost.
Because now—
she had somewhere new to belong.
And the story of Crowned Era had only just begun.