The small room, which now had a company of three people, felt full, yet some gaps could be found in it.


    Anny, who had almost healed Asher and also put new bandages for better support, stood up from her seat. Looking at Ash and Liber simultaneously, she told.


    "I will go get something to eat for all three of us."


    Leaving the room after giving Liber a last look, she left.


    Now in the less crowded room, Asher and Liber, who was feeling awkward by the sudden change in atmosphere, spoke first.


    "I hope you don''t mind her too much; she was genuinely worried about you."


    Ash, who was feeling relieved, tilted his head in confusion at Liber''s words.


    "Why?"


    The single word slipped from Ash''s dry lips, and Liber''s eyes searched his for meaning. It was clear the question had come from a place of genuine curiosity rather than accusation.


    "Many reasons, but mostly because you are a troublesome child, who knows what it will do if left on its own."


    "Troublesome, huh?" Ash mused, a ghost of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. He shifted his position slightly, wincing at the sting from his still-healing injuries. "I guess I''ve earned that reputation."


    "You sure have. We had previously thought since you could fight a beast rank and survive, you would most likely live better than others and not risk your life. But here you are."


    Asher, who had gone silent after hearing him, smiled in a soft manner.


    “I need to. I want to gain strength, to uncover the cause of all this misfortune—the person who stole everything from me. Can I ever do more than just struggle to survive?” Asher’s voice trembled as he spoke, his eyes fixed on the floor.


    Liber leaned back, his gaze unwavering. “Ash, you’ve accomplished more than most would in your position. You’ve survived, learned, and grown. That’s far from nothing.”


    A heavy silence settled between them. Asher’s heart pounded with a mix of doubt and determination. “But is surviving enough? What if all I ever do is just exist, without truly living?”If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    In that moment, the weight of his past and the uncertainty of his future pressed upon him like an invisible chain.


    The room grew quiet as the words hung in the air, each one resonating with a weight that seemed to press down on the young man''s shoulders. He knew Liber was right, but the doubt still lingered.


    "But is that enough?" Asher whispered, his voice barely audible. "Surviving isn''t the same as living. And what if all I ever do is survive?"


    Liber studied him for a moment before speaking, his tone firm but not unkind. "Ash, you''re stronger than you give yourself credit for. Sometimes, surviving is the most meaningful thing you can do."


    "That''s not enough for me, not anymore. I''m tired of just existing!" Ash''s eyes burned with a fierce determination that surprised even Liber, who had seen his fair share of battles and hardened men.


    "I don''t know who I am, nor do I know what to do. But what I am sure of now is, Surviving is not enough."


    Liber could only nod at Asher''s determination and let him do as he wished.


    "Well," Liber said, trying to change the topic, "Sam had mentioned something quite eerie about you the other day."


    Ash''s gaze sharpened. "Oh?"


    "Yeah, something about how your eyes lit up like in a silver glow, and you had this... smile." Liber''s voice trailed off, his expression a mix of concern and curiosity.


    "But I don''t think I smiled when fighting." Asher replied in confusion, his thoughts racing back to the battles he''d been through, trying to recall any moment where he''d felt anything but pain and anger. Yet, the memory remained elusive.


    "Then it must be his misunderstanding." Liber nodded as if satisfied with his answer.


    "Anyway, I have actually come for one more reason to meet you today."


    Ash''s curiosity grew as he looked at Liber expectantly.


    "Monsters, as you have noticed by now, are suddenly increasing even near safe zones. Villages alike are being targeted as well. A call for help had come to the guild from the Hilo village, which is not far from here."


    Asher recalled the sudden influx of monsters; even Safron City, which was relatively peaceful, suddenly had low-rank 1 monsters filling the sewers.


    "What happened in Hilo village?" He asked, his voice laced with concern.


    "The reports are not clear," Liber admitted, "but it''s definitely something serious. They need all the help they can get. And I believe you could be of use there."


    Asher thought for a moment, looking at the floor as the gravity of the situation settled in. He knew he wasn''t in peak condition, but the thought of people in trouble tugged at something deep within him. "I''ll go," he said finally, his voice firm.


    "That''s the spirit," Liber said, his smile growing wider. "Don''t worry, I''m not sending you in alone. We''re going with you."


    "So your team and me?" Ash asked to confirm.


    "Yes, your presence would be a great help to us," Liber nodded.


    The door opened, and Anny entered with a tray of food in her hands, the smell of roast chicken and freshly baked bread filling the small room. She had a gentle smile on her face, which grew slightly wider when she saw that Asher was sitting up.


    "Welcome back," Asher said, his voice a little raspy.


    Anny placed the tray on the small table beside the bed, her smile never wavering. "Thank you," she said simply, her eyes flicking to Liber before returning to Ash. She could feel the tension in the room, and she knew better than to interrupt.


    Asher stood up and went toward the small table placed in his room and sat their.


    "As you wish," Liber said, his gaze lingering on Asher for a moment before he too stood up. He knew that food would be the best way to break the silence that had fallen over them. "Let''s eat."


    The trio sat in quiet companionship as they devoured the food Anny had brought. The flavors of the roast chicken and warm bread filled the room, mingling with the faint scent of herbs that still clung to Asher from his recent healing. They talked about the mundane things, avoiding the topic of the impending mission. It was a small act of normalcy in a world that was anything but.


    Once the meal was finished, Anny began to collect the empty plates, her movements efficient and almost silent. She glanced at Asher, her eyes lingering on his bandages. "You should rest," she said softly. "Tomorrow will be a long journey."


    Liber nodded in agreement, his expression serious. "We''re leaving at first light," he told Ash. "Make sure you''re ready."


    Asher nodded, pushing himself to his feet with a grunt. He knew that rest was important, but the thought of the villagers in trouble was gnawing at him. He had to help, no matter how much his body protested.