The Extra's Rise

Carrie soon excused herself, citing an early mission the following day. As the door closed behind her, the atmosphere in the office shifted subtly—becoming more intimate, less formal.

"Well, speaking of missing people," Kali said, stretching her legs out beneath the table, "where is the Prince? I thought he'd at least show up for the celebration."

"Jin's busy," I replied, recalling the message I'd received earlier. "I wasn't expecting him to do much guild work anyway, but I'll put him to work soon enough."

Elias chuckled. "A royal connection is useful even without his direct involvement."

"Though his combat skills would be an asset," Reika added quietly.

"Speaking of combat," Elias said, leaning forward with interest, "when exactly do you plan on reaching the peak, Guild Master? Now that we've hit Silver, what's the timeline for the rest of your ambitions?"

I considered my response carefully. These people deserved honesty, even if my plans might seem outlandish.

"I need to reach Immortal-rank for that," I replied. "I'm at least a year away from Ascendant-rank... so I would estimate four years until we're ready to challenge the Twelve Great Guilds directly."

"Ambitious," Kali remarked, though her tone held admiration rather than skepticism.

"But Arthur needs to be ambitious," Reika interjected, her unwavering faith evident in her voice. "It's who he is."

I smiled at her simple but accurate assessment. "We need to clear a seven-star dungeon as well, but Carrie can handle that. When we reach Gold status, we can begin incorporating Vakrt into our structure and expand westward."

"Wait," Elias blinked in surprise. "Vakrt? The greatest necromancy company in the Central continent? And you're talking about expanding beyond this continent entirely?"

"The King of the West has a standing deal with me," I explained.

"Which you failed to fulfill last time," Kali interjected pointedly.

"I'll pass this time," I assured her. "I'm planning a trip west this summer for that specific reason."

Reika nodded confidently, as if the idea I might fail again never occurred to her.

"And we still need our last core member, right?" Kali said with a sigh. "God, I can't believe you want to recruit someone like that."

"She'll be the strongest among all five of you," I pointed out. "Just so you know."

Both Reika and Kali looked surprised at this assessment.

"Well, we should expect that much given her background," Elias acknowledged, seeming less shocked than the others.

"Anyway, Arthur," Kali sighed dramatically, "enough guild business. I had to deal with all of that while you were off having fun."

"I was training," I protested, but she waved dismissively.

"Training, fighting for your life, whatever. Point is, I was stuck with paperwork and guild politics." She stood, stretching. "Elias, would you mind checking if the celebration out there is still under control? I don't trust Jorgen not to set something else on fire."

Elias nodded, understanding the subtle request for privacy. "Of course. I should make sure no one's raided the wine cellar yet anyway." He rose, clapping me on the shoulder as he passed. "Good to have you back, Arthur."

As the door closed behind him, Kali's casual demeanor shifted. She moved to the window, looking out at the nighttime cityscape of Avalon.

"Reika, could you give us a moment?" she asked, her voice unusually serious.

Reika hesitated, glancing at me. When I nodded, she rose reluctantly.

"I'll be just outside if you need me," she said, her words clearly directed at me rather than Kali.

Once we were alone, Kali turned to face me, all pretense of nonchalance gone.

"We need to talk about Reika," she said directly.

"What about her?" I asked, though I suspected where this was heading.

"Her feelings for you have grown even more intense during your absence," Kali said, leaning against the windowsill. "It's beyond devotion now, Arthur. It's consuming her."

I sighed, having noticed as much myself. "I know."

"Do you?" Kali challenged. "Because she's rebuilt her entire existence around you. Everything she does—the training, the studying, those dangerous modifications she's made to herself—it's all for you. Not for herself, not for the guild. For you specifically."

"I never asked for that level of dedication," I said quietly.

"No, but you haven't discouraged it either." Kali's gaze was unflinching. "She needs clarity, Arthur. Especially now that you're back."

The unspoken question hung between us. I took a moment to gather my thoughts before responding.

"I care about Reika deeply," I began carefully. "But not romantically. I can't accept feelings that seem to stem primarily from gratitude or perceived debt."

"Because you saved her life in Redmond City," Kali nodded, understanding.

"Exactly. I put my life on the line that day, yes, but that doesn't entitle me to her devotion, nor does it obligate her to offer it." I shook my head. "What Reika feels... it's not healthy. It's not based on seeing me for who I actually am."

"And the four princesses?" Kali asked with raised eyebrows. "That's different?"

"It is," I confirmed. "They see me clearly—flaws and all. Their feelings developed over time, through shared experiences both good and bad. There's balance there."

Kali studied me for a long moment before sighing. "You need to tell her, then. Clearly. No room for misinterpretation."

"I know," I agreed. "And I will. But tonight is for celebration. That conversation deserves its own time and space."

Kali nodded, seemingly satisfied with my response. "Fair enough. Just don't wait too long. Every day you delay makes it harder for her."

"I understand," I said. "Thank you for bringing this to my attention."

A hint of her usual smirk returned. "Someone has to keep you honest, Guild Master."

With that, our private conversation concluded. Kali moved to the door, opened it, and gestured for Reika to return.

"I should check on the main hall myself," Kali announced. "Can't let Elias have all the fun." She shot me a meaningful glance before departing, leaving Reika and me alone.

Reika closed the door quietly behind her, then turned to face me. In the softer lighting of the office, she appeared younger than her nineteen years—a reminder that despite her strength and abilities, she was still finding her way in the world.

"Is everything alright?" she asked, a hint of concern in her voice.

"Yes," I assured her. "Kali just wanted to discuss some guild matters privately."

Reika nodded, accepting my explanation without question. She moved to the window where Kali had stood earlier, looking out at the city.

"Avalon looks different at night," she observed. "Peaceful, despite all the dangers we know exist within it."

I joined her at the window, maintaining a respectful distance. "Appearances can be deceiving."

"Not always," she replied, turning to look at me directly. "Sometimes what you see is exactly what exists. Pure and uncomplicated."

The subtext wasn't difficult to understand. I chose my next words carefully.

"Reika, your growth during my absence has been remarkable. The Cursed Script implementation alone shows innovation I hadn't thought possible."

Pride flickered in her eyes at my praise. "I had an excellent foundation to build upon. Your research notes were... inspiring."

"Even so, the execution was yours," I insisted. "You should take pride in your achievements for their own sake."

A small frown creased her brow. "Why do you say that? As if my accomplishments should be separated from their purpose?"

"Because you have value beyond your utility to me or anyone else," I said gently. "Your worth isn't measured by what you can do for others."

She considered this for a moment, then shook her head slightly. "That may be true for most people. But I've made my choice, Arthur. When you saved me in Redmond City, you didn't just preserve my life—you gave it meaning."

"Reika—" I began, but she raised a hand, surprising me with the interruption.

"Please, let me finish." Her expression was earnest, determined. "I know what you're trying to say. I've heard similar words from Kali many times. But my devotion isn't born from misplaced gratitude or obligation. It's a choice I make every day, with full awareness of what it means."

She stepped closer, her gaze unwavering. "Before Redmond City, I was just existing—skilled but purposeless. You didn't just save my life; you showed me a path worth following. A cause worth serving."

"The guild," I suggested.

"You," she corrected firmly. "The guild is an extension of your vision. I serve Ouroboros because you lead it. If you left tomorrow to pursue a different path, I would follow without hesitation."

Her candor was both touching and concerning. This was precisely what Kali had warned me about.

"What of your own dreams?" I asked. "Your own ambitions?"

A soft smile touched her lips. "They align with yours. Is that so difficult to accept? That someone might choose freely to dedicate themselves to another's vision?"

Put that way, it was difficult to argue without seeming to devalue her agency—the very thing I was concerned about.

"I accept your dedication," I said finally. "And I'm honored by it. Just promise me that you'll continue growing for yourself as well as for Ouroboros."

She nodded, apparently satisfied with this compromise. "I promise."

The conversation wasn't what Kali had suggested—I hadn't clearly rejected Reika's feelings or established firm boundaries. But something in Reika's quiet determination had made me reconsider my approach. Perhaps a gradual redirection of her devotion rather than an outright rejection would be kinder in the long run.

"We should rejoin the celebration," I suggested.

"Of course," she agreed, moving toward the door. She paused with her hand on the handle. "Arthur?"

"Yes?"

"I'm glad you're back. Not just for myself, but for all of us. Ouroboros needs its heart."

With that, she opened the door, ready to return to our Silver-rank celebration and whatever future awaited our rapidly rising guild.