It waste in the evening by the time Neron and the others arrived at the Guild.


    He had kept his distance on the road while Legris and the other two talked andughed nonstop.


    They were a curious bunch indeed as they had sung some bawdy songs lousily while urging Neron to join them.


    He had told them off for drawing attention to the group but they were having none of it and instead raised their voices the more.


    He thought that the weight of their spoils which they evenly carried was enough to keep them quiet but he was wrong.


    It was clear that the thrill of victory was still coursing through their veins, but Neron felt none of it.


    He wondered how any of them could still manage to be light hearted.


    He heaved a deep sigh of relief when he finally spotted the Guild''s building.


    He quickened his pace, eager to leave the noise of the road behind him.


    He couldn''t admit it to the rest of them but he was actually tired—not just physically, but mentally.


    The mission had drained him more than he cared to admit.


    A wave of warmth washed over Neron as he stepped inside the Guild building. Surprisingly, he felt at home whenever he was around the ce.


    As he and hispanions entered, a few heads turned, but most of the people paid them little mind.


    There were few people seated as many of the Adventurers were away on the special  dungeon quest.


    As usual, the receptionist beamed immediately as she saw Nero and the others.


    "Nero," She said in a singsong falsetto voice drawn out for their benefit. "I take it your mission was sessful?"


    "You could say that," He said with a sigh as he dropped the spoils in front of her. "I don''t know about the rest of them but I''m parched right now, I could really do with a drink."


    The receptionist''s eyes widened as she opened the bag and saw the contents.


    Besides him, the rest of the group also dropped their bags in front of her.


    The receptionist was momentarily stunned and was just staring at the bags as she whistled in surprise.


    Nero rapped his knuckles against the counter to grab her attention once more.


    "Alright sure, I''m getting the drinks right away. You guys really went all out to get these, I can''t wait to hear your stories," She said, holding up the Boss Monster''s core and petting it lovingly across her bosom.


    "We will regale you with thoseter but first, make those four sses. The rest of us could do with your famous ale too," Legris said plopping down beside Neron.


    "Sure thing," She replied with a beam as she began pouring the drinks.


    They made small talk and drank while she calcted the profits.


    She made it clear to them that it was a rare find and gave them a hefty sum. The group divided the earnings, but Neron barely looked at his share.


    "Well, that''s a good day''s work," Aldric said with a grin, patting Legris on the back. "We should celebrate tonight!"


    "Definitely," Lira agreed. "But first, Neron, we need to talk."


    Neron''s gaze flickered to her, his expression guarded. "About what?"


    Lira hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath. "We want you to join us. On a more permanent basis."


    Aldric nodded, his expression serious now. "We''ve got a big expeditioning up—a Dungeon that no one''s been able to clear yet. We need someone like you on our team, Neron. You''re the best fighter we''ve ever worked with, and with you, we can actually do this."


    Legris, who had been quiet since the fight, finally spoke up. "We''ll split the rewards fairly, and we''ll watch each other''s backs. You saw how well we worked together back there. Imagine what we could achieve if we weren''t just a temporary team."


    Neron felt the weight of their words, but his decision had already been made. He shook his head slowly. "I appreciate the offer, but I can''t."


    "Can''t or won''t?" Lira asked, a hint of frustration in her voice. "You''re always like this, Neron. You push people away, even when it''s clear we''d all be better off together."


    Neron''s gaze hardened. "I work alone for a reason. Today proved it—Legris almost died because he was trying to keep up with me. That''s on me."


    "Or maybe it shows that we can survive anything if we work together," Legris countered. "You saved me, Neron. We saved each other."


    Neron looked at each of them in turn, seeing the sincerity in their eyes. But the fear of losing them, of failing them when they needed him most, gnawed at him.


    "I''m leaving the city today," he said quietly. "There are things I need to do, and they don''t involve anyone else. You''re good people, but this is where we part ways."


    Lira stepped forward, her eyes pleading. "Neron, you don''t have to do this alone. Whatever it is you''re after, let us help."


    But Neron had already turned away, his mind made up. "Take care of yourselves. The road ahead is dangerous."


    Without another word, he walked out of the Guild, leaving the stunned group behind.


    As he stepped onto the streets of the city, the sun was already setting, casting long shadows across the city.


    Neron didn''t look back, even as he heard Lira''s voice calling out to him onest time.


    It was a painful thing even for him to do but it reminded him of someone he would rather forget.


    The world outside the city walls beckoned, a vast and unforgiving expanse that mirrored the emptiness he felt inside.


    He had a mission, one that only he couldplete, and no matter how much he wanted to, he couldn''t afford to let anyone else get involved.


    As he passed through the city gates and into the wilderness beyond, Neron felt the familiar weight of solitude settle over him.


    "With time I will be fine on my own," He whispered to himself but even he had to admit that it sounded hollow.