They did not return to the citadel. Instead, they sought out the most peaceful place they knew in Erathos: the area around the Willow of Memories. The clear stream now babbled, and the new leaves of the willow rustled in the wind, creating a space filled with pure life energy. This was the perfect place to rest and consolidate their strength after the recent series of trials.
Yanaki sat under the tree, reviewing her achievements. Level 5. Sylva was also Level 5 and possessed a nearly indestructible B-Rank shield. Elara had fully recovered, her spiritual power and skills now much stronger. They were no longer a fledgling party of novices, but a small yet incredibly formidable team.
"The Observatory..." Yanaki murmured as she looked at the faint map that appeared when she held the two Memory Shards. "What is that place, Elara?"
"It is where the Astromancers of Erathos studied the stars to predict the future," Elara explained. "They believed the kingdom's destiny was written in the heavens. It is a very sacred place, holding immense energy."
"And the Shard of Sacrifice..." Yanaki's expression grew worried. "My 'Reputation' stat is quite high after everything. If I am chosen, I will become everyone's target."
She wasn't afraid, but she was a realist. Her party was strong in defense and tactics, but fighting against dozens, or even hundreds, of other players at once was unthinkable.
As they were discussing, a sudden change occurred.
The night sky of Erathos suddenly darkened. The two moons began to glow more brilliantly than ever before. And then, the ethereal, sorrowful voice of the Floor Administrator, Lyra, echoed in the minds of every single player on Floor 1.
"O, travelers... This land has begun to heal. The stream flows again, the forest sings once more, and courage has found its peace."
There was a hint of hope in Lyra's voice.
"But the final memory, the memory of the noblest sacrifice... is still missing. Sacrifice is not destruction, but the act of giving to protect what one loves."
A massive notification panel, in the golden color of a floor-wide event, appeared before everyone.
FLOOR 1-WIDE ANNOUNCEMENT
The [Shard of Sacrifice] is ready to find its worthy owner.
Based on the highest "Reputation" accumulated through acts of mending and liberating the land, Player 'Yanaki' has been chosen as THE MEMORY BEARER.
The [Shard of Sacrifice] will be bound to Player 'Yanaki' for 24 hours. During this time, she and her party cannot leave a designated area: "The Valley of Ruins" (the central city area).
All other players may challenge and defeat 'Yanaki' to plunder the Memory Shard. The last person holding the Shard after 24 hours will become its true owner.
Player 'Yanaki's' location will be displayed on all players' maps in 1 HOUR.
The announcement ended. From the sky, a crystal shard in the shape of a teardrop, glowing with a warm white light, slowly descended and merged into Yanaki's chest. She could feel it, a gentle power that was also an immense burden.
She had become target number one. Her enemies were now everyone. Borg's party, and the mysterious woman, Luna.
"One hour..." Yanaki murmured. There was no time for fear. Only for action.
"We have to prepare!" she said decisively. "The goal isn't to defeat everyone, but to survive for 24 hours. We need a fortress!"
The party moved at once. With Elara's knowledge, they quickly identified an ideal defensive position in the Valley of Ruins: a half-collapsed small church on a low hill, with only a single path leading up to it. The remaining stone walls were high enough to serve as barriers, and from the broken bell tower, they could observe the entire surrounding area.
They worked with unprecedented urgency. Sylva used his strength to drag large boulders, narrowing the entrance and creating a bottleneck just wide enough for one or two people to pass through. Elara flew up to the bell tower to act as a lookout. Yanaki checked everything, from the torch and dagger to calculating the best position to support Sylva.
One hour passed in the blink of an eye.
Yanaki stood on a crumbled wall, looking down at the silent city below. The night wind blew through her platinum hair. She knew that out there, dozens, hundreds of players were now looking at their maps, where a brilliant red dot had just appeared. And all of them, like a pack of hungry wolves, were beginning to move in this direction.
She placed a hand on Sylva's sturdy shoulder and gave Elara a nod of trust. The final battle of Floor 1 would not be a boss fight. It would be a siege. A test of endurance, tactics, and above all, the bond between companions.
A private notification appeared just for her.
[Your location has been revealed. Good luck, Memory Bearer.]
The hunt had begun.