Elara looked at Sunny, her earlier surprise giving way to a thoughtful, almost calculating expression.
"So, the reports were true. A SEM porter single-handedly saved four of my B-rank heroes from an unknown, high-level threat." She leaned back against the plush leather. "The official story was… vague. Now I see why."
'She doesn't know about the knight. Did they not tell her?,' Sunny thought.
"They were good people," he said simply. "I did what I had to."
She nodded slowly. "A commendable sentiment. And a rare one in our world." Her eyes seemed to pierce through him. "You possess extraordinary abilities. Abilities that SEM clearly underestimated. Abilities that the Player Association, even with their B-rank assessment, likely still doesn't fully grasp."
'She's sharp,' he thought. 'Annoyingly sharp.'
"The Association's tests measure raw potential," he offered, trying to deflect. "They don't see experience."
"And you have a great deal of… experience, don't you?" Her voice was smooth, her gaze unwavering. "More than a seventeen-year-old should."
'She's fishing. Don't bite.' He looked out the window as the car glided silently through the city streets. "It's been a rough couple of weeks."
---
The car slowed, pulling into the discreet underground parking of a sleek, modern skyscraper. "It appears we've been talking longer than I intended," she said, glancing at the car's chronometer. "It's getting late. Would you join me for dinner? There's much more I'd like to discuss, and I believe you might find it… illuminating."
'Dinner? With her?' He thought of the cheap meals at the SEM canteen, the instant noodles in his rented room. 'This is a different world.' But it was also an opportunity. "I… yes, Guild Leader. Thank you."
The restaurant was on one of the skyscraper's upper floors, offering a breathtaking panoramic view of the glittering cityscape. It was the kind of place where the air itself felt expensive. Soft music played, and elegantly dressed patrons spoke in hushed tones.
'This is insane. I don't belong here.' He felt a flash of his old insecurity. He followed Elara to a secluded table by the window, the city lights sprawling beneath them like a sea of fallen stars.
A waiter materialized instantly, all polite deference. Elara ordered for them both with an ease that spoke of long familiarity, navigating the complex menu without a flicker of hesitation. Sunny just nodded, trying not to look overwhelmed or out of place.
'She fits in perfectly. Like she was born for this.' He watched her, the way she carried herself, the quiet authority in her voice even when ordering food. 'This is what power looks like off the battlefield.'
Once the waiter departed, she refocused on him. "You carry yourself well, Sunny," she observed, a faint, almost approving smile playing on her lips. "Even in an unfamiliar environment. That's a valuable trait."
He felt a flush of surprise. 'She noticed? Or is she just trying to make me comfortable?'
"Thank you," he mumbled.
"Now," she began, her tone shifting subtly, becoming more direct, "let's talk about the world you're stepping into. The Player Association exam is just a gate. Beyond it lies the Tower, the Guilds, the politics, the real dangers."
For the next hour, as they ate exquisite food he couldn't name, Elara spoke. She painted a vivid picture of the Player world—the fierce competition between Guilds, the constant struggle for resources and dungeon access, the ever-present threat of high-level monsters and rival human factions.
She spoke of the Tower, its endless, shifting floors, its unimaginable treasures, and its equally unimaginable perils.
Sunny listened, absorbing every word, his gaze fixed on the distant, shimmering lights of the city. 'So much bigger than I thought. SEM was just the bottom rung. Starfall… he's probably high up in this mess. A hero everyone praises.'
"Heroes, like my Radiant Dawn members," she explained, her voice even, "are often Players who have chosen to align with specific ideologies or public service mandates. They operate under stricter codes of conduct, but often receive government support and public acclaim." She paused, her gaze sharpening.
"And then there are Players who operate independently, or within darker, less scrupulous organizations. The lines can blur quickly."
'Like that knight,' he thought. 'He wasn't a hero. He wasn't like any Player I've met.' He remembered the nameless god's words: "The heroes have forgotten what real power looks like." 'What did she mean by that? Is this what she was talking about?'
"You mentioned the Tower," he said, seizing an opportunity when she paused. "What's it really like? People talk about it, but no one really describes it."
She sipped her water, her expression thoughtful. "The Tower is… an enigma. Fifty years, and we've barely scratched its surface. Each floor is a new world, a new set of rules, a new challenge. Some are vast landscapes under alien skies, others are intricate labyrinths that defy logic. The higher you climb, the greater the rewards, but the mortality rate is… significant." Her eyes held a distant, somber look for a moment, as if recalling faces lost.
'Mortality rate. Like the cleanup crews, just with better pay and more glory. And more ways to die.'
"Climbing the Tower is how Players truly grow," she continued, her focus returning to him. "It's where the most powerful skills are found, the rarest materials, the greatest legends forged. It is the crucible."
The meal concluded. Coffee, dark and fragrant, was served. Elara leaned forward slightly, her expression earnest, her eyes holding his.
"Sunny," she said, her voice softer now, more personal. "Your talent is undeniable. What you did in that arena today, what you did for my team in the dungeon… it's more than just potential. It's a sign."
'A sign of what?' He met her gaze, waiting, a knot of anticipation tightening in his chest.
"Radiant Dawn, as I mentioned, has always been a female-only guild. It was a founding principle, born from a desire to create a space where women could thrive and lead without the… complexities that often arise in mixed-gender combat units."
She paused, choosing her words carefully, her gaze never leaving his. "However, leadership also requires pragmatism. Vision. The ability to recognize when an exception isn't just warranted, but necessary for growth, for survival even."
Her eyes locked onto his, intense and sincere. "I want you to join Radiant Dawn, Sunny. I am prepared to amend our charter, to face any internal dissent, because I believe you are that necessary exception. With your abilities, and our guidance and resources, you could ascend to heights few even dream of."
The offer hung in the air, stunning in its magnitude. 'Join Radiant Dawn? Her guild? After… Starfall?' The name was a brand on his soul.
'But… Aria, Brynn, Lina, Nyx… they weren't like him. And Elara… she's offering me a path. Resources. Power.' His mind reeled. It was an incredible offer, one that could accelerate his plans for revenge immensely.
But the image of his parents, of the hero's casual laughter amidst the destruction, was still seared into his memory. 'Can I trust any hero guild? Can I trust her?'
He took a slow breath, trying to gather his thoughts. "Guild Leader Vayne… Elara… that's… an extraordinary offer." He looked down at his hands, then back up at her, his expression serious. "I need time to think about it. There's a lot… to consider."
Her smile didn't falter, though a flicker of something – perhaps disappointment, perhaps understanding – crossed her eyes.
"Of course. A decision of this magnitude shouldn't be rushed." She reached into her clutch and produced a small, elegant data card. "My private contact information. Reach out when you've made your decision. Or if you simply have more questions."
She stood gracefully, and he quickly followed suit, feeling a little clumsy in comparison. "The car will take you wherever you need to go."
"Thank you so much" he said, his voice quiet. "For the dinner. For everything."
"The pleasure was mine." She gave him a final, appraising look, "I have a feeling our paths will cross again, regardless of your choice."
With that, she turned and walked away, her silhouette framed against the glittering city, leaving Sunny alone with the view, the lingering taste of an expensive meal, and a decision that could change the course of his entire life.
'Radiant Dawn,' he thought, the name echoing in his mind, heavy with possibility and fraught with his deepest pain. 'What do I do?'