Sword Art Online: Moonlight Swordman.

"How much?" His voice was hoarse, barely a whisper.

"45 cor. Not a single coin less."

Ren's entire body froze.

45 cor… That was everything he had left.

If he spent it all, he wouldn't have anything left to eat, not even a piece of bread.

Unconsciously, Ren clenched his fists, his nails digging deep into his palms, sharp pain spreading through his skin.

But if he didn't repair his gear, he wouldn't be able to go out and hunt monsters.

If he couldn't hunt, he wouldn't make money.

'This damn cycle…'

Ren bit his lip, the taste of iron spreading across his tongue.

He fumbled inside his pocket and pulled out the last of his coins, placing them on the counter.

The cor clattered against the old wooden surface, their metallic chime sharp and bitter.

The blacksmith swept them into his pouch without the slightest hint of pity.

Ren stood there, staring at his now-empty hands.

Empty… just like himself.

No money. Nothing left.

He had to survive… at all costs.

Ren lifted his gaze to the old armor being repaired by the blacksmith.

Worn-out, patched, and battered, but at least still usable.

And so was he.

Weak, haunted by the past… but he had to keep standing, had to keep fighting.

Ren clenched his fists, determination flickering in his eyes...mingled with quiet despair.

He wouldn't give up.

"Thanks for your business."

Ren stepped out of the forge, leaving the blacksmith's raspy voice behind.

He exhaled, shoulders heavy, then lowered his head and walked toward the western gate.

A light breeze carried the scent of dust and the murmurs of passing players.

But.

He had only taken a few steps.

"Ren! Is that you?"

A familiar voice called out behind him.

Ren's heart lurched. He quickly turned his head, scanning left, then right.

It was Klein.

Ren instinctively took a step back as Klein approached, his grip tightening around his spear, eyes flickering with both wariness and doubt.

"What are you doing here?" Ren's voice was flat, but he couldn't mask the tension underneath.

His gaze swept over Klein from head to toe. At first glance, he looked the same, rugged, like a wandering samurai.

But something had changed… His eyes now held confidence, steadiness.

Klein had learned how to fight. It looked like he had leveled up quite a bit.

Ren's eyes froze on Klein's armor.

Still leather, but reinforced....far sturdier than the old set Klein once wore.

Carefully stitched seams, thick protective layers over the chest and shoulders—far more solid than the tattered armor clinging to Ren's frame.

A pang of jealousy twisted in Ren's chest, tightening around his throat. 'That armor… It looks safe.'

His jaw clenched. 'I can't even afford a decent piece of gear…'

Noticing Ren's stare, Klein hesitated, mild surprise crossing his face.

He started to step closer but stopped when he saw Ren retreat, wariness carved deep into his stance.

"I… just ran into you by chance. What's wrong?" Klein asked, his voice gentle yet tinged with confusion.

Ren's grip on his spear tightened further, his gaze locked onto Klein. 'I can't trust anyone… No one.'

His entire body was tense, his senses on high alert.

"Nothing. I just… don't want to see anyone right now," Ren replied coldly, forcing his voice not to tremble.

Klein frowned slightly, studying him as if searching for something in his expression.

'He's… changed. Those eyes… so cold.'

A heavy silence settled between them, suffocating and oppressive.

Ren wanted to turn and run, but his feet felt rooted to the ground.

He didn't want Klein to see his weakness. He didn't want to be pitied.

Klein sighed, his expression shifting.....something close to sadness flickering in his eyes. He took a step back, as if sensing Ren's unease.

"Alright… I get it." Klein nodded, his gaze falling on the spear trembling slightly in Ren's grip.

His eyes darkened, as if recalling something from long ago. 'What has he been through… to end up like this? Just like I was back then… Alone and on edge…'

A bitter ache swelled in Klein's chest.

He wanted to reach out....but stopped himself midway, then clenched his fist. 'I can't… force him to trust me. Just like no one could force me back then.'

Ren remained silent, turning his face away, avoiding his gaze.

His shoulders quivered slightly, as if struggling to hold himself together. 'Just leave… I don't want to face anyone… I don't want to pretend to be strong anymore… I don't want anyone to see this weakness.'

The silence stretched on, thick and suffocating.

Klein hesitated, his lips parting as if to say something....but in the end, he just sighed.

He turned away, his figure fading into the bustling yet indifferent crowd. His steps were heavy, carrying the weight of something unspoken.

Ren stood there, watching Klein disappear, an emptiness spreading inside him.

His heart felt unbearably heavy, his lips trembling, but he said nothing. 'Why… Why do I feel like this…'

Loneliness crept in again....colder than ever.

His entire body felt like it was sinking into nothingness, lost and directionless.

'I pushed him away… Again…'

The spear in his hand felt ice-cold. Ren clenched it tighter, as if trying to grasp onto something, anything. But the emptiness didn't fade.

He turned and walked on, his shadow stretching beneath the morning sun.

The gentle sunlight cast its glow over the old tiled roofs, creating an interplay of light and shadow on the stone-paved ground. 

Leaving this place… leaving everyone behind… 

"Hey… Do you want to go hunting with me, Ren?" 

A sudden voice from behind made Ren freeze mid-step. A cold shiver ran down his spine. His heart pounded violently, his breath caught in his throat. 

He spun around abruptly, eyes wide, staring at Klein, the one he thought had already left. 

The rugged man stood there, leaning against a moss-covered stone wall, one hand resting casually on the hilt of his sword. 

The golden morning light reflected off his slightly long, spiky auburn hair, held in place by a red headband, making his face seem even more radiant. 

That same confident yet friendly smile was still on his lips. 

Klein's eyes shone with sincerity, with not a hint of hesitation. Straightening up, he stepped toward Ren....slowly, cautiously, as if afraid Ren would bolt. 

"Hunting with me… might be safer than going alone," Klein shrugged, his tone light, as if stating the most obvious thing in the world. 

Ren parted his lips but found himself unable to say anything. His fingers unconsciously tightened around the spear's shaft, its cold touch seeping into his palm and spreading to his heart. 

'He… wants me to go with him? Really?... Or is it just pity?' 

Countless thoughts tangled in Ren's mind. Suspicion and wariness resurfaced. Yet, deep within his gaze, a flicker of light appeared—only to fade just as quickly. 

Klein remained where he was, his smile unwavering, his eyes steady, as if waiting for an answer. 

'If I refuse… will he leave again? Will I be alone… once more?' 

Ren bit his lip, his shoulders trembling slightly. He locked eyes with Klein, his gaze filled with conflict. 

'He… wants me to go with him? Really?... Or is it just pity?' 

The same doubts churned in his mind. 

But then, in Klein's eyes....clear and genuine....there was no calculation, no deceit. 

Not like them… Not like Tarek… Not like Copper… 

Just kindness. A kindness Ren had long stopped believing in. 

A warmth he had forgotten how to feel slipped through the cracks of his frozen heart. He was taken aback, unable to trust the sensation. 

'Kindness… Can I still believe in kindness?' 

Ren took a deep breath. The unease within him slowly dissipated. Gripping his spear tightly, he took a step forward. 

"…I… I'll go with you." His voice trembled slightly, yet firm. 

Klein's eyes widened in surprise. Then, almost instantly, his rugged face lit up with a beaming grin. "Awesome! I promise I won't let you get into danger!" 

He pounded his chest with confidence, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "I'll introduce you to my group too! They'll definitely help you out!" 

Noticing the hesitation in Ren's eyes, Klein paused. 

He scratched his head, chuckling sheepishly. "Ah… Don't worry. They're my closest friends since high school. Even after we started working, we stuck together. They're good people, really." 

His sincerity, paired with his warm smile, soothed something inside Ren. 

'Friends since high school… Still together even after work… A group I can trust?' 

The doubt lingered, but the warmth in Klein's gaze made Ren want to believe. 

For the first time in a long while, he felt the presence of someone else's warmth. 

'Maybe… just this once… I'll try to trust.' 

Ren gave a slight nod, the corner of his lips curving into the faintest smile. "…Alright." 

His voice was quiet but resolute, as if affirming his own decision. 

Klein blinked in surprise before bursting into laughter. "That's the spirit! I promise I'll help you level up safely! Come on, let's grab breakfast before we start hunting!" 

Ren watched Klein's confident, friendly figure ahead of him. His hesitation lingered for a moment, but then, urged by the empty growl of his stomach, his feet moved on their own. 

The soft morning sunlight continued to blanket the old stone streets. 

Two figures...one rugged, one solitary...walked together under the golden light, leaving behind shadows and doubts.