"The Karken… was your husband."
There was a moment of silence after that.
Elsa didn't cry. There wasn't even sadness on her face. Because the whole "husband and wife" thing had been a lie from the start.
The look she wore now? It was guilt. The kind you carry when you get an innocent man killed—and worse, turned into a monster that went on to kill even more.
"So... you know what happened to him? Or who killed him?" Elsa asked quietly.
"Yeah," Erik said.
"Get well soon, Erik," she muttered, turning to leave.
"It's not your fault," he said.
"No. It is my fault, Erik. All of this happened because of me... You know it too."
Erik didn't answer. Elsa walked out of the room.
Days passed.
Lana, the maid, came by every day to check on Erik. Quiet, professional, and thorough. Eventually, a week passed.
Erik stood in front of the mirror, tightening the new armor over his clothes—both prepared by Elsa. Clean, polished. Too elegant for a bounty hunter.
"I wonder what she's up to…" he muttered to himself.
He left the room and was escorted out by a guard. The building was somewhere near the Royal Grounds—apparently owned by the Wingsfiel family.
He approached the butler stationed near the entrance.
"I want to talk with Miss Elsa," Erik said.
"I'm afraid that won't be possible right now," the butler replied. "But I assure you, she will come to meet you before long."
Erik said nothing. He just turned and started walking toward the Adventurers' Guild.
It took a while to get there. His body wasn't at full strength yet, but the fresh air helped.
When Erik walked into the guild, the room fell into silence.
Everyone turned to look at him.
He kept his head down and made his way to the counter, stepping into line. The person in front of him stepped aside, offering him their spot.
Erik stepped up to the desk.
Shasa stood there, eyes wide—half proud, half relieved.
"So… what's going on?" Erik asked, casually.
"What's going on? Everyone heard the story—how you took down a fourteen-foot Karken. That's what's going on."
She reached under the counter and handed something to him.
"Oh—and congratulations. You've been promoted to Gold Rank." She gave him his new badge.
The guild remained quiet for a heartbeat longer.
Then someone started clapping.
Then another.
Soon the whole guild echoed with applause.
"Great job, rookie!"
"Congratulations, rookie!"
Cheers came from every direction.
Erik blinked. A little flustered, he reached into his pocket and placed a coin on the counter.
"Room for the night," he said, voice low.
Shasa handed him the keys, her smile soft but proud.
"What's wrong with your face?" Erik asked, smirking.
"Is it wrong for me to be proud of my little brother?" she replied, smiling wider.
"Yeah, right..." Erik muttered and walked off.
But even if he didn't say it, it meant something.
It meant everything.
Erik stepped into his room and began removing the new armor and formal clothing Elsa had given him. He handled them with care, folding them neatly and placing them aside.
After a long, hot water bath, he changed into his usual clothes—nothing fancy, just something simple and comfortable.
Now he felt like himself again.
By the time he made his way downstairs, night had already fallen.
The guild was still lively, though not as crowded as during the day. At the counter stood Shasa, chatting with someone.
Erik walked past them and made his way toward the dining counter.
"Hey Bob, one usual, please," he said.
The cook turned around and grinned. "Erik! Heard the story. Congratulations!"
"Yeah, yeah," Erik muttered, brushing it off.
Bob handed over a warm plate of food. "You be careful out there, alright?"
"Got it." Erik took the plate and turned toward his usual spot—by the window in the far corner.
But someone was already sitting there.
He scanned for another seat when a familiar voice called out, "Yo, Erik!"
It was Evalyn from the White Wolf Guild. One of their three vice-captains. You wouldn't guess it from her laid-back attitude—but the massive axe resting against the wall beside her and her distinctive guild gear told the real story.
"Let's have dinner together," she said, waving him over.
"Huh…" Erik hesitated for a moment, then walked over and sat down.
"I heard you're a Gold Ranker now. Good job! Good job!" She slapped him hard on the back.
"Hearing that from a Platinum Ranker like you just makes it feel like you're looking down on me," Erik said dryly.
Evalyn smirked. "Well, I am better than you—but hey, you're only one rank away now."
Erik gave her a look. "So, why are you really here, Evalyn? You didn't call me over just to congratulate me."
"Oof. Your words hurt, Erik. Keep talking like that, and you'll stay single forever," she said with a grin.
Erik just stared at her.
"Hmph. Anyway," she leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice, "want to join us for another dungeon raid?"
His eyebrows lifted. "Where to?"
"Velhein," she said, smirking.
Erik paused, considering it.
"Why not. I'll join you."
She stood up, slinging her axe over her shoulder. "Great. We leave in three months. I'll send you the details later."
"See you around, Erik."
She walked off with a wave.
Erik finished his meal in silence, then headed back to the counter where Shasa was just getting ready to leave.
"Looks like you're done for the day," he said.
"Yeah. And I really need a shower," she replied, stretching.
She glanced at him. "You okay, Erik?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Goodnight, Shasa."
"Goodnight, Erik."
He made his way back to his room, the halls quiet now. Once inside, he dropped onto the bed, the weight of the day slowly lifting.
"Velhein, huh…"
He closed his eyes and, allowed himself to rest.