Atlas needed only about 5,000 more experience points to reach Level 50, a milestone he intended to achieve as soon as he finished dealing with the aftermath of the battle.
His system reflected an additional 20 combatants and 5 workers, all accounted for in the updated tally.
However, as he observed the numbers more closely, he realized something unsettling. The total count of his troops was still lower than it should have been, even after factoring in the new recruits from his victory.
Frowning, Atlas approached Edrik, who was debriefing the team leaders following the battle. Noticing his Lord’s approach, Edrik turned to face him.
"We lost five combatants," Edrik reported.
Atlas’s hands trembled momentarily as the weight of the statement hit him. His jaw tightened, and he clenched his fists, forcing himself to remain steady.
He had always known this reality couldn’t be avoided. Anyone who joined this game did so with the full understanding of the risks. It was a world of absolutes: kill or be killed.
Drawing a deep breath, Atlas stepped forward toward the four team leaders who stood in a line. His gaze swept over each of them, taking in their faces: Zara, leader of Team Aether; Kaida, leader of Team Blaze; Garen, leader of Team Cinder; and Ronan, leader of Team Dusk.
His gaze moved across their faces. The expressions were heavier than usual, with a gravity that even silence couldn’t conceal. Only Ronan, whose flat demeanor mirrored Edrik’s, remained unreadable, as if untouched by the weight of the moment.
"We will create a monument," Atlas finally said. "It will bear the names of those who fell today, as a symbol of honor and remembrance."
He paused, letting the words settle before continuing. "We will also provide financial support to the families they’ve left behind."
He scanned their faces. "Is there anything you’d like to say?"
For a moment, no one spoke. Then Kaida, the fiery and outspoken leader of Team Blaze, stepped forward.
"My Lord..." she began, her voice unusually subdued.
Atlas turned to her, noticing the way she bit her lip, as if holding back something deeply personal.
"Kaida?"
Kaida, who was normally the loudest, most spirited among them, seemed like a shadow of herself. Her head dipped slightly, her usual composure visibly fraying.
"I... failed my two members," Kaida said, her voice trembling as it trailed into silence.
Atlas understood then, beneath the cheerfulness and boldness she always exuded, Kaida carried a deep sense of responsibility. When tragedy struck, the weight of her guilt was nearly unbearable.
Atlas stepped closer and gently pulled her into a comforting embrace. Kaida leaned against him, resting her forehead on his shoulder as the walls of her quiet resolve crumbled.
"You carry this guilt because you care deeply for your people, Kaida. That makes you a great leader. But you don’t have to carry it alone. We’re here with you."
For a moment, they remained like that, enveloped in a shared stillness.
When Atlas finally stepped back, he saw the strain in her red, glistening eyes. Despite the tears, Kaida managed to pull herself together.
"My Lord," Garen said next as he stepped forward.
The largest of the team leaders, he stood with a quiet strength, though his expression betrayed the pain he carried. "I lost one of my team members too."
Atlas gave him a solemn nod.
"I know how much your team means to you, Garen. Losing someone you fought beside is a heavy burden. If there’s anything your team or their family needs, let me know, and I’ll make it happen."
That accounted for three of the five fallen. He turned to Ronan expecting him to speak.
But Ronan said nothing. He stood still, his usually meticulous and calculated demeanor oddly out of place in the current context. Ronan wasn’t the type to withhold information or avoid responsibility. His precision was one of his defining traits.
Atlas’s brow furrowed slightly. If Ronan wasn’t speaking, something felt... off.
"Ronan?"
Ronan lifted his head and bowed slightly. "My Lord, six of my team members suffered severe injuries, but all of them survived."
Atlas nodded slowly. That accounted for Ronan’s team. Now, only one team leader remained silent. Atlas turned his attention to Zara, who stood with her head lowered.
Taking a step toward her, Atlas called softly, "Zara?"
She raised her head, meeting his gaze. But what Atlas saw was strikingly different from the emotional reactions of Kaida or Garen. Zara’s face was as expressionless as ever. Not devoid of emotion, but unnervingly calm, as though death had become a familiar companion for her.
"I lost two of my team members," she said plainly.
There was no trembling, no anger, no visible grief. It was as if Zara had long since made peace with the brutality of loss.
"You’ve found a way to stay steady, Zara, even in the face of loss."
Atlas couldn’t help but wonder, What has she been through to view death this way?
"My Lord..." Zara continued, breaking his thoughts.
"Yes?"
"If you permit it, I would like to go to the lower lands and meet the families of my fallen teammates."
Atlas nodded. "I’ll accompany you, Kaida, and Garen to meet them. It’s the least we can do."
Edrik approached from behind, his tone measured as he spoke, "My Lord, I can do this job for you..."
Atlas raised his right hand to stop him, signaling that he didn’t need to say more.
"They chose to dedicate their lives to Gacha Haven," Atlas said firmly. "This is the least I can do to honor their sacrifice."
Zara gave a small nod. "Thank you, My Lord," she said simply.
**
The following day, Atlas descended to the Lower Lands accompanied by a small group, including Zara. Their destination was a quaint town near the coast, where small settlements were surrounded by modest city walls, nothing as grand as those of the larger cities.
They stopped in front of a small house nestled amidst trees and a flourishing garden. It was evident that the occupants were gardeners, tending to their livelihood with care.
The door creaked open, revealing a woman in her fifties. Her expression shifted from surprise to shock upon seeing Atlas and Zara standing there. But then, as if something clicked in her mind, she rushed forward and gripped Zara’s shoulders tightly.
"Young Lady Zara..." she said, her voice trembling. Tears streamed down her face as she choked back a sob.
"Young Lady..." she repeated, her words breaking into a wail as she pulled Zara into a tight embrace.
Atlas watched the scene, his brow furrowing slightly. Young Lady?
Zara, for her part, stood still, allowing the woman to cling to her. Her expression remained calm, though her eyes softened slightly.
"Edward... failed..." Zara finally said.
At her words, the woman’s sobs grew louder, her grief pouring out unrestrained.
"Did Edward protect you... until the very end?" the woman asked through her tears.
"Edward always protected me," Zara replied, her usual composure faltering as her voice cracked.
She paused, her lips trembling before continuing, "Even in his final moments... he gave his life to save mine."
This time, it was unmistakable. Tears streamed down Zara’s face. Her pain and gratitude intertwined in those tears, a silent tribute to the one who had sacrificed everything for her.