Chapter Two Hundred and Thirty – "At the Village Gates"
Crow sat in his personal room within the highest tower of his territory, face buried in one hand.
[Private Message – Rose]: Master, I'll wait as long as you need… but I must see you again.
[Private Message – Rose]: Even if you hide… even if you run… I'll always find my way back to you.
Another message popped up.
[Private Message – Rose]: I'm outside the Novice Village gates. I'll wait.
Crow didn't reply.
He glanced at the growing list of unread messages—all from Rose—and sighed. He wasn't afraid of her. But this was attention he hadn't planned for.
Back at the Novice Village, players gathered, murmuring in awe.
"Hey, who's that warrior girl?"
"She's been sitting at the gate for an hour…"
"She's SSS rank! Look at that sword—it's glowing with divine energy!"
Rose sat calmly, legs crossed, sword planted beside her. Her fiery red armor shimmered subtly under the sun, and her cold eyes scanned every player who passed. None dared speak to her. None knew why she was there. None knew she had bound herself, body and soul, to a single man.
Her internal thoughts burned bright:
Master will come. I'll wait. Even if the world falls apart… I'll wait.
And so she did.