The guild slowly returned to normal.
Noise resumed.
People laughed.
Talked.
Moved on.
But not Riven.
His eyes stayed fixed—
On the man walking away.
"…F Rank…"
He muttered.
"…Yeah, right."
Without wasting another second—
He moved.
Quietly.
Carefully.
Following him.
Godwin walked through the streets calmly.
No rush.
No hesitation.
Like he already knew—
He was being followed.
"…You're not subtle."
He said without turning.
Riven froze.
"…So you noticed…"
Godwin stopped.
Turned slightly.
"…From the start."
Silence.
Riven stepped forward.
"…Then why didn't you stop me?"
Godwin shrugged lightly.
"…Didn't feel like it."
A pause.
"…And you looked interesting."
Riven's expression hardened.
"…You're hiding your strength."
No hesitation.
No doubt.
Godwin looked at him for a moment.
Then smiled faintly.
"…And you're chasing something."
Silence.
Riven didn't deny it.
Because it was true.
"…I want to get stronger."
Godwin nodded slightly.
"…Everyone does."
"…No."
Riven shook his head.
"…Not like that."
A pause.
"…I don't want to just survive…"
"…I want to lead."
Godwin's eyes sharpened slightly.
"…Lead?"
Riven clenched his fist.
"…I want to take this guild to the top."
"…Make it the strongest."
"…Make it something that matters."
Silence.
Godwin looked at him.
Carefully.
Then—
"…That's a heavy goal."
"…I know."
"…Then why?"
Riven paused.
Thinking.
"…Because someone has to do it."
"…And I don't see anyone else trying."
Godwin smiled slightly.
"…So you chose yourself."
Riven nodded.
"…Yeah."
A pause.
Godwin turned fully toward him.
"…And what if you fail?"
Silence.
Riven didn't answer immediately.
Then—
"…Then I'll try again."
"…And again."
"…Until I don't."
Godwin's smile widened just a little.
"…Good answer."
Riven frowned slightly.
"…So?"
"…So what?"
"…Are you going to keep pretending…"
"…Or tell me who you really are?"
Silence.
Godwin looked at the sky for a moment.
"…Names don't matter."
"…Strength does."
Riven stepped closer.
"…Then show me."
A challenge.
Direct.
Honest.
Godwin glanced at him.
"…You sure?"
"…Yeah."
"…You won't like it."
"…I don't care."
Silence.
Then—
Godwin sighed slightly.
"…Fine."
He took a step forward.
Not toward Riven—
But past him.
"…Watch carefully."
Riven turned quickly.
"…What are you—"
Before he could finish—
Godwin raised his hand.
Just slightly.
Nothing flashy.
Nothing dramatic.
Just—
A small movement.
And suddenly—
Everything stopped.
Wind.
Sound.
Movement.
Even Riven.
"…What…?"
His body wouldn't move.
His voice barely came out.
"…What is this…?"
Godwin stood there calmly.
"…This is the difference."
Silence.
"…Between wanting strength…"
"…And understanding it."
Riven's eyes widened.
"…You're controlling everything…"
Godwin shook his head.
"…No."
"…I'm just not being affected by it."
A pause.
"…Big difference."
Riven struggled.
Trying to move.
But couldn't.
"…How…?"
Godwin looked at him.
"…Because I learned something you haven't yet."
Silence.
"…Strength isn't about power."
"…It's about control."
Another pause.
"…And control starts with yourself."
Riven froze.
Those words—
Hit harder than anything else.
Godwin lowered his hand.
And instantly—
Everything returned.
Wind blew.
Sound resumed.
Riven stumbled slightly.
"…Tch…"
He caught himself.
Breathing heavily.
"…What… was that…?"
Godwin turned away.
"…A lesson."
"…That you're not ready for."
Riven clenched his fist.
"…Then make me ready."
Silence.
Godwin stopped walking.
For a moment—
He didn't respond.
Then—
"…Why should I?"
Riven didn't hesitate.
"…Because I won't stop."
"…I'll keep chasing you."
"…Until I understand."
Godwin smiled faintly.
"…Persistent."
A pause.
Then—
"…Fine."
Riven's eyes widened slightly.
"…You mean—"
Godwin glanced back at him.
"…I'll give you a chance."
A pause.
"…But I don't train weak wills."
Riven nodded instantly.
"…I won't disappoint you."
Godwin turned forward again.
"…We'll see."
He started walking.
This time—
Riven followed.
Not as a stranger.
Not as a watcher.
But as someone—
Who had just taken his first step.
Toward something much bigger.
To be continued…