On their way back to the city, Wendy could no longer hold back her curiosity.
She turned to look at Ren—or rather, "Strom"—who was casually riding his horse beside her. The morning breeze rustled her short, still slightly disheveled hair.
"So, Strom..." Wendy started, her voice filled with curiosity. "Did you really take down that Basilisk all by yourself?"
Ren didn't answer immediately. He simply glanced at Wendy before returning his gaze to the road ahead.
"You don't believe me?" he replied flatly.
Wendy quickly shook her head. "Ah, it's not that I don't believe you, but..." She bit her lip, hesitating for a moment before continuing. "It's just hard for me to accept. There were nine of us fighting that Basilisk, and we were slaughtered in minutes. But you? Alone, without a team, and with only a few scratches, you actually defeated it?"
Her eyes narrowed slightly, as if trying to find any hint of a lie in his expression.
However, Ren remained calm, showing neither arrogance nor any desire to boast.
After a brief pause, he exhaled lightly and shrugged.
"Hmm... I had a strategy."
Wendy raised an eyebrow. "A strategy?"
Ren nodded, his tone steady as he replied.
"I memorized the Basilisk's characteristics, attack patterns, and weaknesses from the Monster Encyclopedia."
Wendy's eyes widened slightly in surprise.
"So... you took down a Basilisk just by relying on knowledge from a book?"
Ren gave a faint smirk but didn't answer directly.
To Wendy, it sounded impossible.
But to Ren, that was simply how his mind worked. He didn't need brute strength or overwhelming magic. All he needed was logic and preparation.
During their journey back to the city, Wendy continued making conversation with Strom—though she now knew his real name was Ren.
She was fascinated by this man. From his combat skills to the way he spoke, and especially how he remained so composed in every situation. Unlike most adventurers she had met, Ren didn't show arrogance or rough behavior, even though it was clear he possessed extraordinary abilities.
What surprised Wendy even more was that Ren never seemed annoyed by her questions.
No matter how many times she spoke, he always responded calmly, with a tone that was almost... gentle.
This was a stark contrast to the adventurers she usually dealt with.
If she had to describe romance in the world of adventurers, Wendy knew it was filled with sweat, muscle, and brute force.
Most men at the guild were straightforward—sometimes too straightforward—often speaking with loud voices, vulgar jokes, and very little actual depth in conversation.
But Ren was different.
His words were polite, his movements calm, and every sentence he spoke felt like it carried meaning.
Even though he didn't smile much or show strong emotions, there was something about his demeanor... something that felt almost noble.
(Is he really just an adventurer... or does he come from a higher background?)
Wendy quietly observed him from the side, realizing that her interest was no longer just curiosity... but something more.
And yet, unbeknownst to Wendy, Ren was slowly beginning to open up as well.
Lately, he hadn't spoken to anyone for an extended period of time. Ever since leaving the kingdom and working independently, most of his interactions had been purely business and strategy. No small talk, no casual banter—just focusing on his goals.
But for some reason, talking with Wendy reminded him of Kiriya, his best friend from his original world.
(I have to admit... it feels a bit strange having someone to talk to again.)
As Wendy threw yet another question at him about his adventuring life, Ren simply let out a small breath and kept his gaze forward.
"So, Strom," Wendy looked at him with playful curiosity. "Are you always this stiff? Or should I be honored that I'm the only one who can actually make you talk?"
Ren blinked once, then turned to her with a deadpan expression.
"Oh, my apologies. I forgot I have to speak every ten minutes to keep you from feeling lonely."
Wendy paused for a second, then chuckled. "Oh? So you can joke. I was starting to think I'd been talking to a rock this whole time."
Ren shrugged. "Rocks can talk. You just have to talk to them long enough."
Wendy pouted, pretending to be annoyed. "Yeah, but a rock wouldn't slay a Basilisk alone."
Ren gave her a faint smile. "True. I guess I'm more like a walking castle wall."
Wendy laughed, shaking her head.
"So if I want to talk to you more, do I have to become an architect?" she teased.
Ren thought for a moment before replying with complete seriousness. "Or an engineer. I respect them more."
Wendy sighed with an amused smile. "Alright then, Mr. Castle Wall, maybe I should start studying architecture just so I can talk to you longer."
Ren let out a low chuckle, something he rarely did. Talking to Wendy was refreshing—something he hadn't realized he missed.
After the long journey, the silhouette of Vermont City finally came into view.
The sun was beginning to set behind the horizon, casting a golden-orange glow over the stone buildings and busy streets filled with merchants.
Wendy gazed at the cityscape with a soft sigh.
"We're here..." she murmured, her voice quiet. But underneath her calm tone, there was a hint of disappointment.
The journey had felt too short.
Even though she should feel relieved to return safely, a part of her wished she could have talked with Ren a little longer.
But everything that starts must eventually end.
As they rode into the stone-paved streets, the city came alive with the chatter of merchants and adventurers moving under the twilight glow.
Midway through, Ren finally spoke first.
"I live outside the city," he said casually. "A bit isolated."
Wendy turned to him, slightly surprised. "Huh? Why outside the city?"
Ren shrugged nonchalantly. "I need a quiet place to work. But don't worry, if you ever need to find me, it's the only building out there. You won't get lost."
Wendy frowned for a moment but nodded. "So you really don't like crowds, huh?"
Ren gave a small, knowing smirk. "Like you said, I'm a castle wall. Too many people just make the place feel cramped."
Wendy chuckled softly but then fell quiet. Her expression turned somber.
"I have to go to the guild first... to report my party's deaths."
Ren didn't say anything, only giving her a small nod.
Losing a team wasn't just about filing a report—it was about accepting the fact that they were never coming back.
But he also knew—this wasn't his burden to carry.
"Go ahead. I have my own business to take care of."
Wendy looked at him for a moment before offering a small, genuine smile.
"Alright... Thank you, Strom."
Ren simply raised a hand slightly, a silent farewell, before turning and walking toward a different direction.
As Wendy headed toward the guild to report her fallen comrades, Ren made his way back to his small home outside the city—bringing back the true treasure from his dungeon expedition.
But for Ren, those were far more valuable than anything else.