The walk back to the village was slower than usual.
Not because Rey Ianne wanted it to be.
But because he now had someone leaning heavily on his shoulder.
"Careful," Rey said, adjusting his grip as the injured man nearly stumbled. "If you fall now after all that, I'm going to feel personally offended."
The man let out a weak breath. "You… talk too much…"
"I've been told. Frequently."
"…And yet you don't stop."
"I'm very consistent."
They reached the edge of Lumeria just as the sun began to lower.
Villagers noticed immediately.
"Rey?"
"What happened?"
"Who is that?!"
Voices rose all at once as people rushed toward them.
Rey waved casually with his free hand.
"Good news, I'm alive. Better news, I brought a guest. Bad news, he's not in great condition."
"Stop joking and explain!" Mrs. Elen pushed forward, her eyes sharp with concern.
Rey carefully lowered the man onto the ground.
"Found him near the forest. He was being chased by monsters."
The crowd went silent.
"Monsters?" someone whispered.
"They were too close to the village," Rey continued, his tone more serious now. "Stronger than normal too."
Murmurs spread quickly.
"That's not supposed to happen…"
"The barrier—"
"Is it weakening?"
The village chief stepped forward, his expression grim.
"You're certain of what you saw?"
Rey nodded.
"Yeah. And they weren't wandering."
He paused.
"They were hunting."
That single word shifted everything.
Fear settled over the crowd.
"He needs treatment first," Mrs. Elen said firmly, already kneeling beside the injured man. "Help me bring him inside."
Several villagers stepped forward immediately.
Rey stepped back, letting them take over.
For once—
He didn't interrupt.
"Rey."
He turned.
The village chief stood in front of him, studying him closely.
"…You're not injured."
"Nope."
"You fought them?"
"Yeah."
"…And survived."
Rey scratched the back of his head.
"When you say it like that, it sounds surprising."
"It is."
The chief's gaze sharpened.
"…What happened out there?"
Rey hesitated.
Just for a moment.
Then he exhaled.
"Something… strange."
Minutes later—
They stood inside the chief's house.
Quiet.
Private.
Rey sat across from him, unusually still.
"So," the chief said, "start from the beginning."
Rey told him everything.
The monsters.
The fight.
The voice.
The light.
The system.
The title.
Silence followed.
Heavy.
Unmoving.
"…I see," the chief said at last.
Rey leaned forward slightly.
"You believe me?"
"I don't have the luxury of disbelief."
That wasn't the answer Rey expected.
The chief stood and walked toward the window, looking out at the village.
"…If what you're saying is true," he continued, "then this changes everything."
Rey tilted his head.
"In a good way or a bad way?"
"…Both."
He turned back.
"The 'Brave' is not just a title. It is a responsibility that shapes the fate of the world."
"Yeah, I got that part."
"And it is not something that can remain here."
Rey blinked.
"…What do you mean?"
The chief's voice was steady.
"You cannot stay in this village anymore."
Silence.
"…Oh," Rey said softly.
Not shocked.
Not angry.
Just—
Quiet.
"The moment you were chosen," the chief continued, "your path changed. You will be sought out. Watched. Tested."
He stepped closer.
"And if danger follows you… this village will not survive it."
Rey looked down.
At his hands.
At the faint traces of dirt and dried blood.
"…Right," he murmured.
That made sense.
Too much sense.
"You must leave," the chief said. "As soon as possible."
Rey let out a small breath.
"…That's kind of sudden."
"You don't have time for gradual changes anymore."
"Yeah," Rey nodded slowly. "I figured."
For once—
He didn't joke.
Outside, the sounds of the village carried on as normal.
People talking.
Children laughing.
Life continuing.
Rey stood up.
"…Can I at least say goodbye?"
The chief's expression softened slightly.
"…Of course."
Rey walked out into the fading light.
Everything looked the same.
The same houses.
The same roads.
The same people.
But it didn't feel the same anymore.
"Rey!"
The children from earlier ran up to him again.
"Did you really fight monsters?!"
"Were they big?!"
"Did you win?!"
Rey looked at them.
Then smiled.
"Yeah," he said. "I did."
"Of course you did!"
"You're the strongest!"
"You're like a hero!"
Rey paused.
Just for a second.
"…Yeah," he said quietly.
"Something like that."
As the sun dipped below the horizon—
Rey Ianne stood in the village he had always called home.
Knowing—
By tomorrow—
He would have to leave it behind.
And for the first time since everything began—
His smile didn't come as easily.
Far above—
The unseen presence watched once more.
Silent.
Patient.
Because the journey had truly begun.
And the "Brave" had just made his first decision.