The guildhall buzzed with the hum of adventurers returning from missions, boasting about their victories or groaning about their failures. Inside their private room, JC's team gathered, lounging and recovering from their recent endeavors.
Angel sprawled out on the couch, flipping a mana stone in her hand. Mark was polishing his sword, while Lissy sat on the floor, sketching modifications for her gauntlets. Jackson tinkered with a strange contraption that resembled a crossbow but with added mechanical parts.
The door creaked open, and JC stepped inside. His usual calm, stoic demeanor was intact, but his energy felt different—focused and resolute.
Everyone looked up, sensing the shift in his presence.
"JC?" Lissy asked, setting her sketchpad aside. "What's up?"
---
The Decision
JC stood in the center of the room, his crimson eyes scanning each of them. He took a deep breath before speaking.
"We need to get stronger," he said plainly. "All of us."
Mark smirked. "Isn't that what we've been doing? Fighting monsters, leveling up, collecting gear—"
"It's not enough," JC interrupted, his voice firm. "The battles we've faced so far are just the beginning. There are greater threats out there, ones that will require us to push far beyond our limits. And right now… we're not ready."
Angel frowned. "What are you saying, JC? You're acting like we're weak."
"I'm saying we can't rely on what we know. We've been growing stronger, yes, but not fast enough. Not strategically enough. If we don't prepare properly, we'll fail when it matters most."
---
A Solo Journey
JC's expression hardened as he continued. "I've made a decision. I'm going to the north. Alone."
The room fell silent.
"The north?" Jackson echoed. "Why there?"
JC turned toward the window, gazing out at the distant horizon. "There's a training ground hidden in the northern mountains, a place where Elites honed their skills centuries ago. It's said to be one of the harshest environments, designed to push even the strongest to their limits. If I want to learn new techniques and master my abilities, that's where I need to go."
Angel shot up from her seat. "And what about us? Are we just supposed to sit around while you go off on some solo training mission?"
JC turned back to them, his gaze steady. "I trust all of you to keep growing while I'm gone. There's plenty you can do here—missions, dungeon runs, guild challenges. You don't need me to hold your hand."
---
Reactions
Mark crossed his arms, his expression skeptical. "You're serious about this, aren't you?"
JC nodded. "I am."
Lissy looked concerned. "But what if something happens to you out there? The north isn't just a training ground—it's full of dangerous monsters and hostile conditions. What if you don't come back?"
JC's lips curved into the faintest hint of a smile. "I'll come back. I promise."
Jackson sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Man, you really don't make things easy, do you?"
---
A Leader's Responsibility
Angel stepped closer, her arms crossed. "If you're so set on going, at least tell us why you're doing this alone. We're a team, JC. We're supposed to face challenges together."
JC's expression softened slightly. "I know. But this… this is something I have to do on my own. I need to push myself to the edge, to see what I'm truly capable of. If I take you with me, I'll hold back. And that's not what I need right now."
The room fell silent again, the weight of his words sinking in.
---
Farewell for Now
Finally, Mark let out a huff. "Fine. Go do your lone-wolf thing. But don't expect us to slack off while you're gone. When you come back, we'll be stronger too."
JC gave him a nod. "That's what I'm counting on."
Lissy stood and walked over to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Be careful, okay? And if you need help, don't be too proud to ask."
"I will," JC said, his voice softer.
Angel sighed, crossing her arms. "You better come back in one piece. Otherwise, I'm hunting you down myself."
JC chuckled faintly. "I'll be back before you know it."
---
As JC left the room, the weight of his decision settled over the group. They knew he was right—they needed to get stronger. But the thought of him going off alone still didn't sit well with any of them.
And as JC prepared to head north, he couldn't help but think of the challenges that awaited him—not just in the mountains, but in himself.