"I’m Not Staying Long"

Before the meeting time arrived, Ren chose to walk a few laps around the town of Tolbana.

This wasn't the first time he had done so. In fact, it had become an unconscious habit. Whenever he arrived in a new area, Ren would always spend time walking, observing, memorizing the terrain, the paths, and the distinctive features.

Asking for directions like he had done earlier made him feel uncomfortable. Not because anyone had been unpleasant or refused to help, but because he disliked the feeling of having to depend on others.

He hated feeling lost, hated the sensation of being an outsider stepping into someone else's world. So instead of asking, he chose to adapt.

Ren crossed a cobblestone street, walking alongside small stalls and shops that gleamed with light through their glass windows.

Sparse rows of trees lined both sides of the road, their leaves gently swaying in the breeze, casting soft shadows on the stone steps below.

The trickling sound of a nearby fountain, the mingled laughter and voices of players and NPCs alike, all came together to form a rare peaceful painting in the heart of Aincrad.

Each step was a quiet beat, and yet, another moment of memorization. That turn connected to the market, that street corner led to the forge.

The food shop sat next to a small inn with bougainvillea-covered balconies, Ren mentally marked every little detail like that, not out of caution, but simply to feel as though he… belonged here. Even if only temporarily.

And then, when the system clock reminded him that the time was near, Ren paused quietly in the middle of the stone-paved square, set his gaze in the direction he needed to go, and continued walking.

Stopping briefly under the shade of an awning, Ren let out a soft breath, then opened his system menu in front of him.

The semi-transparent interface appeared, reflecting the faint afternoon sunlight. His fingers moved quickly over the lines, his eyes scanning through the meeting details: time, place, a few short notes.

Nothing was out of place. Every detail matched his memory, but caution was still necessary. He didn't want to be late, nor arrive at the wrong place.

Ren closed the menu, adjusted his hood to better conceal his face, and continued walking.

The road ahead was noticeably quieter than the market or the main streets.

His footsteps echoed lightly on the stone ground, blending with the sound of wind slipping through gaps between buildings.

Moss-covered brick walls, crooked wooden signs, each name roughly carved by hand, old yet full of character.

He glanced at each one, checking his direction as if searching for some hidden sign.

Then, at the end of the alley, where the path opened into a small stone courtyard with a few potted plants scattered messily by the porch, Ren stopped.

A small café appeared before his eyes.

It wasn't flashy, nor particularly eye-catching, just a single-story wooden-roofed house, its glass door slightly ajar, the faded sign reading "Clover Rest" quietly swaying in the wind. A lone wooden table sat outside the porch, beside it were two empty chairs.

Ren slowly approached, pausing for a beat before gently pushing open the wooden door. A soft chime rang above his head, like a signal that… the moment had arrived.

The wooden door opened to reveal a quiet, warm interior, in stark contrast to the bustling streets outside.

The café wasn't large, only about four or five wooden tables spaced far enough apart to ensure privacy.

Each table had a small vase of dried flowers in the center, white daisies, lavender, or sometimes just a few twigs of herbs tied with twine, simple yet tasteful.

The walls were paneled with dark wood, which over time had taken on a warmer hue, carrying with it the gentle scent of timber and tea. A few chalky pastel drawings hung silently on the walls, landscapes, winding roads, even a hand-drawn map of Aincrad's first floor.

The lighting came mainly from tall windows near the ceiling and a few hanging lamps with fabric shades, casting a soft yellow glow that seemed to slow everything down by a beat.

At the back was a rough stone counter, behind which stood shelves filled with large glass jars of various teas, herbs, and other ingredients Ren couldn't fully identify.

The NPC server, a middle-aged woman, was quietly wiping down a table, her movements gentle, not disturbing the natural stillness of the space.

The wooden floor creaked slightly with each step, like the breathing of a place that had aged gracefully.

Ren stood still for a moment, letting his eyes adjust to the space, then stepped in a little further, clutching the hem of his cloak tightly.

The café wasn't crowded. Aside from him, there was only a couple whispering to each other in a far corner, and a lone player hunched over, scribbling something onto a notepad.

Choosing a spot by the window, Ren pulled out a chair and sat down, letting the soft afternoon sunlight fall across his hand. He didn't order anything right away. He simply sat there in silence, as if waiting for something… or someone.

"You came earlier than I expected."

The familiar voice rang out beside him, not loud, but enough to pull Ren from his wandering thoughts.

He looked up.

The afternoon sun shone through the windowpane, drawing a thin line of light across the short, light-brown hair of the person who had just arrived. It was Argo.

She still wore her usual dark brown cloak, the collar slightly open to reveal the dark inner shirt beneath.

A small leather bag was slung over her shoulder, snug against her body, a sign she had no intention of going out to hunt monsters. Her eyes narrowed slightly, lips curled into a familiar mischievous smile, as if she had just caught someone doing something interesting.

Ren didn't say anything at first. He only tilted his head slightly in greeting, his hand still resting on the table, the hood not fully removed. But unlike his evasive demeanor from before, this time he looked straight at her.

That gaze was calm.

Argo pulled out the chair opposite him and sat down without hesitation. "I thought you'd show up right on the dot, like last time."

She spoke as she set her bag down on the floor, her eyes never leaving Ren. There was no hostility in her look, but enough sharpness to catch any subtle change on his face.

Ren replied softly, "I needed time to get used to this place."

"I see." Argo nodded. "Cautious, as always."

She gestured lightly to the NPC waiter before resting her elbows on the table, leaning slightly forward. Her expression grew a little more serious.

"So... are you ready to talk?"

The atmosphere seemed to pause for a brief moment. Outside, the sounds of people passing by echoed faintly, but inside the shop, where the two of them sat, there was only sunlight, the scent of herbal tea, and things still left unsaid.

Ren stayed silent for a breath, then nodded gently.

"Why so quiet?" Argo sighed at his distant attitude, though even the first time they'd met, he had tried to keep his distance.

But… was it ever this cold?

Her mischievous eyes searched his, still captivated by their beauty… and curious, wondering what the rest of the face behind those eyes might look like.

Funny, really. They had worked together a few times… could even be considered familiar, and yet Ren had never shown her his face.

Sighing lightly, Argo bowed her head in thanks as the shopkeeper handed her a cup of tea. "Not ordering anything?"

Ren shook his head slightly, his gaze fixed on the wooden tabletop, where the light reflected in faint, blurry streaks.

"Not thirsty."

The answer was brief, like a habit. Not cold in tone, but as if he were trying to draw into himself, keeping that invisible wall between them intact.

Argo took a sip of her tea, not replying right away. The scent of herbs drifted gently in the air, with hints of mint and something sweet like honey.

"Are you always like this?" she asked, not looking at him directly as she set the cup down, tracing a finger along its rim. "Talking like you're hiding everything inside."

Ren didn't answer. He only turned his face slightly away, as if to avoid her gaze that read him like an open book.

Argo let out a faint breath. Not disappointed, more like weighing her next step.

"Do you ever think…" she said, more slowly, "…that hiding everything might make it impossible for others to reach you?"

It wasn't really a rebuke. Just an honest observation, light as a feather, but sharp enough to stir the water's surface.

Ren looked up. Just for a moment, but Argo saw something flicker in his eyes.

He looked like he was about to say something, but in the end, he only shook his head again.

"Don't try to understand me," Ren said softly, not harshly, more like a reminder. "I won't be staying long."

That made Argo pause slightly. She looked at him again, longer this time, then leaned back into her chair, her gaze softening.

"You might stay longer than you think."

Outside the window, the late afternoon sun slanted down, casting long shadows across the tiled floor. And in that small room, between the two of them, silence returned...but not quite the same as before.

…Argo knew that better than anyone.

She set the cup of tea down on the table, her eyes still fixed on the figure across from her, the one hiding beneath a hood and layers of quiet.

Ren didn't explain. Not once did he say why he had changed so much.

When they'd met again at the Town of Beginnings after being out of contact for a while, Argo had been about to tease him like she usually did. But then, Ren's eyes at that moment silenced her.

Not anger. Not coldness.

Just something very quiet, very deep, as if… he had come back from a place where light could not reach.

Argo still didn't know exactly what had happened. She had never asked. She was the kind of person who understood that some things needed to be left alone, at least until the other person was ready to talk.

Even so, Ren hadn't refused her offer to collaborate. He still helped.

Somehow, Ren always ended up doing the most important tasks without needing to be asked.

The information he provided was valuable, detailed, accurate, and always timely. Thanks to that, the first groups of players had been able to find safe passage out of the Town of Beginnings, step by step making their way toward Tolbana.

Without that quiet contribution… many would likely still be stuck where they were.

"…I owe you a thank you," Argo said in a calm voice. She didn't really expect a reply, but she still looked him in the eye. "Even if you don't say anything, I know that was your doing."

Ren tilted his head slightly, his shoulders giving a small shrug, as if to deny it, or deflect. But in that brief silence, there was no sign of rejection.

Argo smiled, not pressing further.

She was used to learning about someone through silence. And with Ren, sometimes, it was that very silence that spoke more than any words.