The surrounding smoldering flames begin to extinguish themselves one by one. The forest is silent. The winds start to cool. Renkai looks up. Snow has begun to fall. She extends one hand out, and a snowflake falls directly into her palm.
"It always seems to snow late on this side of the Great Lake."
She slowly closes her hand. She walks closer towards Artelia Novieko's corpse. She places her left hand on her nose and closes her eyes.
"Thank you. If you truly are watching from the other side, I'll show you a worthy adventure that rivals Telaria Elrod's."
She retracts her hand and takes a few steps back, getting one last look. Iden speaks up.
She would have won if she hadn't been injured and if Daegon hadn't gotten her attention. You do understand that, don't you, Renkai?
She shakes her head, her face unmoved.
I wouldn't lose. Even if I couldn't win, I wouldn't die. I'm not allowed to die yet.
Iden lets out a small laugh.
Of course not. The day is nearing.
Renkai lifts her head and stares into the snowy sky.
"The day of my revenge."
She begins walking along Artelia's body, eventually arriving at the wound she took advantage of. She climbs up and dislodges the remains of her greatsword from it.
"Missy."
Renkai turns her head, watching an exhausted Daegon slowly approach.
"Was everything you.. told the dragon... true?"
She turns her head back, her gaze focused on the scales around the wound.
Iden.
Don't worry. Already on it.
The sides of Renkai's vision begin to change once more. Instead of sheets upon sheets of information, a few arrows appear at various angles.
Just follow the arrows, and you'll be fine.
As Renkai begins to follow the arrows, gouging through Artelia's flesh, she responds to Daegon.
"Yes. Everything you heard from our conversation is true. What of it?"
Daegon stays quiet, shocked by her reply. Eventually, he continues.
"D-do you really think you could kill someone like that?"
Renkai pauses her movements. She turns towards him with an unbothered face.
"Doesn't matter if I think I could. I have to."
She resumes gouging through Artelia's flesh, eventually managing to free a couple of her scales. She holds onto the remains of her greatsword in the same hand and jumps down, approaching Daegon, staring deep into his eyes. Her eyes filled with something, something Daegon can't pick up on.
"For my revenge, I have to. As long as that demon exists, I refuse to rest. I will avenge my mother, my town, no matter what."
She walks past him, and Daegon is quiet. Snow piles onto the floor, eventually leaving visible footprints. She continues to walk until she's staring down at Grey. He's leaned against a tree, the only thing that's allowing him to sit up.
"Grey."
"What do you want?"
His voice is filled with clear disdain.
"You understand you can't be an adventurer anymore, don't you?"
His face twists. The realization is visible on his face. The disdain grows.
"It's all your fault! Had you simply-"
"Is it really, though?"
"Of course it is! You knew this was going to happen! If you had-"
Renkai interrupts him, letting out a sigh, clearly displeased by his behavior.
"Then tell me, 'Leader'. What was it that I said about my previous parties?"
"That is irreleva-"
"The only person who played their role, besides myself, was Daegon. As a Dwarf, he's naturally sturdier than the rest of us, making an excellent frontliner or defender. He kept Artelia's attention on himself while I was descending. What was your friend's name again? Clea? As an Elf, she excels in mana and magic. Of course, her position in the group would depend on what kind of magic she learned. Nonetheless, she ran in the midst of a fight, against a red dragon, and lost her life. I don't understand why she turned her back against an enemy, though, I guess I'll never know. As for both of us, humans, we can do a bit of everything. But you, 'Leader', are the one who's supposed to plan for every possibility. Artelia caught us first, and you hadn't planned for that."
Grey's face contorts in shock. The assumption that Renkai was merely a young girl adventuring on a whim was the first thing on his mind. Despite listening to her story, he continued to believe she was a reckless girl. Yet, she understood the roles that each race could play, as well as the harsh realities of adventuring.
"So, 'Leader', are you truly worth being called an Iron-ranked adventurer?"
Grey doesn't reply.
"Missy, you're t-"
She turns her head to Daegon.
"As Iron-ranked adventurers, we are the ones people see the most. Realistically, an Iron-ranked party, such as ours, would have lost against a dragon. The only reason the two of you have survived is thanks to me."
Her words shut Daegon down. She turns herself back to Grey. His face contorts in a mix of frustration and sorrow. She crouches down, staring him down despite being at the same eye level as him.
"At this point, you would only be a burden to any group. You can choose to die here, and I will inform the Guild that both Clea and you fought bravely against the dragon, or you can become a mere shadow of your former self."
Hey, are you sure this is what you should be telling him?
"Missy, wait-"
Renkai raises her free hand, shushing Daegon in an instant.
"Daegon. I understand your intentions, but I have an obligation to prevent a fool from running around causing accidents. You gave me your word that you trusted me. This mission doesn't end until we report back to the Guild. I will hold you to your word until then."
Daegon immediately understands. She shifts her focus back to Grey, her gaze intense.
"I am but a girl. Yet I am on the same rank as you. I can barely wield a greatsword. I know more than you. I did more than you. I'll ask you once more. Are you worthy of being an Iron-ranked adventurer? Are you worth being called 'Leader' by anyone?"
Grey doesn't say anything. Rather, he can't say anything. He wants to retort, but he can't come up with anything. His mind is completely blank. Renkai stares him down with disgust.
"No. Of course not. I shouldn't even have to concern myself with you. Actually, I don't have to concern myself with you. You'll never be able to ruin another party."
Renkai turns around and begins to walk away. Daegon makes no effort to stop her from passing him. Simply watches as she continues.
"W-wait... please. Don't leave me here."
Renkai turns just her head around. Grey's pitiful look is all she needs to understand his response. She turns back around and continues walking. She waves her hand, getting Daegon's attention.
"Daegon. If you wish to bring him back with us, I won't stop you."
It takes a few moments, but Daegon moves and carries Grey over his shoulder.
"T-thank you, Daegon."
Daegon is silent for a bit. His manners have slightly changed.
"Don't thank me. The little miss is right. You used to be one of the most diligent people I knew. Recently, I realized that becoming an Iron-ranked changed you. It's stable money for us to live on, but the missions reflect the pay. It's too late for you to realize that, unfortunately. You'll never be able to stand again. Your life as an adventurer is over."
Grey is silent. He breaks down.
Despite being farther ahead of them, Renkai listens to everything.
He's a fool.
Iden chuckles.
Of course he is. It took you, of all people, to make him realize that.
What's that supposed to mean?
You and I both know what I mean.
Renkai wants to retort, but she understands what he means. She holds out the scales from Artelia in front of her.
"A dungeon, huh."
It's worth a try, Renkai. It might be the only way you'll be able to take care of that demon.
"We'll see. I'd have to prepare for the journey. I'll need the Guild to permit me on an investigation mission."
Don't forget you'll need to get permission from him.
Renkai stops dead in her tracks.
Are you just remembering?
Daegon catches up to Renkai and looks at her oddly.
"Is there something wrong, missy?"
Renkai turns her head to him, and Daegon notices a slight hint of dread, the second emotion from her that she's allowed Daegon to see.
"Nothing to worry about. We should get back before nightfall."
Daegon gives a simple nod, and the group begins to tread back to town. The Town of Meomina.