Walking around the town and listening to the citizens speak of the battle that occurred four days ago so casually irritated Alex.
He kept having the sudden urge to go and confront them, to tell them how it wasn't all as easy as they thought.
The horrific sight of Halrig and the other adventurers kept flashing in his mind as he heard more and more people talk about the fight.
The lives of various adventurers he once fought alongside, especially Halrig's, weighed heavily on him.
If he had sensed the monster the first time it appeared, none of it would've happened.
If he had been stronger, he could have prevented Halrig's and the others' deaths.
Form One had drained him — that was true — but it was a powerful force that helped him greatly to defeat The Corrupted, or the Hollow.
He furrowed his brows slightly as he thought: there had to be more to this ability. It felt like he was barely scratching the surface.
He needed to find out more before it came back.
Lifting his head up, he arrived at his destination — the Adventurers Guild.
He had been told to come here by Alde after waking up the same day he collapsed. Apparently, Alde wanted to talk.
Alex felt bad for snapping at Alde — for almost killing him — and he hadn't apologized. He hoped Alde didn't hold a grudge.
Entering the building, he instantly saw Alde, as if the man had been waiting for him.
Their gazes met, and there was a moment of silence before Alex greeted, "Good afternoon."
For some reason, a frown crept across Alde's face. His single arm gestured for Alex to follow.
As Alex followed him, he shifted his gaze to scan the Guild. Unlike before, there were fewer people. It always used to be noisy — now it just felt gloomy.
"Sit here," Alde ordered, pointing to a table where two others sat waiting.
The first person was someone Alex recognized — the blonde healer.
The second person, who he somewhat knew, was the support in Alde's party.
His name was Ros. It seemed like they were also silently waiting.
Alex sat down on the wooden chair. Ros was next to him, and in front of him was Alde, with the healer seated on Alde's left.
"I'm sorry for what I did back then. I wasn't thinking straight," Alex said, facing Alde directly.
"No matter. You saved us," Alde replied while holding eye contact. But before Alex could respond, Alde continued, "I want you to join our party, Alex."
"What?" Alex replied, a confused expression on his face.
Alde was one of the most renowned adventurers in Alos — and likely in other places too. Alex was surprised he'd choose someone like him to join his party.
"We are lacking members right now, and to fill that spot, you're the best choice we have," Ros suddenly said with his arms crossed.
Alex understood they needed members now, especially after what happened in the last battle, but he was never fit for a party. He'd gotten used to being alone. After all this time, he slightly frowned thinking about it.
Regardless, he had no reason to decline. If there was any way to be stronger, this was one of them. He would take it to his advantage.
"I don't trust you guys right now," Alex replied coldly but truthfully. The blonde healer in front of him turned her head away, as if she had expected him to refuse. But then he added, "But I hope we can build our relationships slowly."
"Likewise," Alde agreed as he stretched out his arm for a handshake. Alex raised his arm politely to shake hands, indicating he'd joined the party.
After shaking hands, Alde handed out a piece of wood with words inscribed on it.
"Channel your mana into this, to lock it in," Alde said with a somewhat happy yet serious expression.
Alex took the piece of wood, then channeled mana into it. More words began to appear until finally something he could read showed up — his name.
"Let's reintroduce ourselves—start fresh. To commence the beginning of our new party," Alde ordered once more, a smile on his face.
"I'm Alex," Alex said. Silence hung in the air for a few seconds.
"Ros. I come from Salyra," Ros introduced himself. Something about the way he looked at Alex felt like a challenge, like he wasn't fully on board with the decision.
"Salyra?" Alex blurted out, mostly out of curiosity.
Ros began tapping his fingers impatiently. "Heritage does not matter," he answered coldly, as if Alex knew what the word even meant. He assumed it was just a family name, so he didn't think much about it.
The blonde healer, whose name Alex never knew, stepped up from her chair and put a hand over her chest before exclaiming, "I'm Lara." She paused for a moment before adding, "From Ari," then sat down again.
Alex put on an unamused face, thinking, 'What an overdone introduction.'
"And I'm Alde, from blood Loro,"
Alde finally introduced himself, finishing up the introductions.
"Not going to tell us where you're from?" Lara asked, her face showing no hint of trust.
"I'd rather not share," Alex answered.
Lara clicked her tongue before stepping out of her chair quickly.
Ros, with no hesitation, followed her and left the Guild, leaving Alex alone with Alde.
"I'm sorry for how they're acting. They're not usually like this, but after the recent incident, they've been trying to get over it," Alde said as a frown crept onto his face, showing that he felt just as guilty.
"I understand. It's only normal," Alex quickly replied.
After saying that, the memories of what happened to Halrig and the other adventurers flashed in his head like a ringing bell.
His head trembled at the mere thought.
Not noticing how Alex felt, Alde stepped up and waved goodbye before leaving the Guild.
Alex put his head on the table, unable to hold it in. He felt completely miserable — but at the same time, he was mad.
Not at the party.
Not at the monster.
But at himself.
He furrowed his brows as he thought about how he could've done so much more back then… but he had disgraced himself by crying.