"Safe so far," Chaewon said, scanning the Bank Grotto's front entrance.
Her Danger Zone didn't flag any threats, so they stepped out and started the slow walk toward the Crimson Ocean. No quest pop‑up appeared about a second wave of Black Umi, so the area felt reasonably safe. The Bank Grotto lay near the shore, not deep inside the Isle.
On the way through the forest, Alex asked, "Don Capo, you pick up your reward for hitting the safe zone yet?"
"Not yet," Ace replied.
"Got some damn boring pages 'bout the Isle's lore, that's it," Alex said, clueless about how valuable his reward really was.
"It might be useful. What did the rest of you get?" Ace asked.
Chaewon opened her system window and claimed the quest reward.
[You have completed "Make it to the safe zone."]
[You have obtained the Aquasteel Grimoire.]
[Aquasteel Grimoire Requirements: Swordsmanship (IV), Mana Expertise (V), Water Comprehension (III)]
Ace narrowed his eyes. Isn't that Seraphina Griffin's main power? She ranked third after the first wave, and now Chaewon has her grimoire.Nice steal.
Mercer grinned. "That sounds awesome! It's perfect for you, big sis!"
"Thanks, Mercer," Chaewon replied with a bright smile.
Alex clicked his tongue. "And I get the damn lore pages?"
"Your next reward'll be better. And that lore'll help us figure this Isle out," Ace said, trying to calm him.
"You'll snag something slick too, Don Capo. Just grab it already," Alex pushed.
Chaewon and Mercer watched, eyes shining with curiosity, as Ace opened his quest tab and accepted the reward.
[You have completed "Make it to the safe zone."]
[You have received six pages of the Bank Grotto's lore (15, 12, 19, 24, 17, 25), part of Gravehaven Isle's Lore.]
"I've got six pages on the Bank Grotto. Yours related to it too?" he asked.
"Yeah. I'll share later," Alex said, grinning.
"Same here," Ace nodded.
Mercer accepted his reward next. He tugged Chaewon's sleeve and beamed. "I got a Holy Codex, just like you!"
"That's absolutely great, Mercer. You deserve it," Chaewon said.
Marko's face fell. Tears slipped down his cheeks. "I got pages too."
Ace looked around. "Our time'll come. Bank Grotto's still wide open, plenty of quests waiting. We're better off than most."
"Yeah," Alex agreed.
Marko wiped his tears. "Right."
They soon reached the cold sand.
The Crimson Ocean stretched to the horizon, and a few rankers already scavenged the beach. Without delay, Ace split the team. One group searched the shore for loot. The other group traded information with nearby rankers while sticking to the cover story—We're camping underground where the undead never go. Not a word about the Bank Grotto slipped out.
Telling the truth would be suicide.
When the others left, Chaewon walked up to Ace. "Hey, Ace… we need to talk, okay?"
"Yeah?" He met her gaze and gave a faint smile.
"There's no way these classes match your game by accident, Ace. You also knew the Black Umi's strengths and weaknesses and led us straight to the Bank Grotto. You clearly know more. Why? How much? How far ahead have you planned?"
Ace paused.
She's worried about everyone. We already lost one teammate, so she might think I let it happen. Sorry, Chaewon, but I have to lie—
A sharp pain hit his chest. He grimaced.
This flaw again. If I put their dreams over mine, history repeats. But… do I even know what I want anymore?
"Ace, you okay?" Chaewon stepped closer, concern on her face.
He nodded weakly. "Chaewon, you're on the right track. I can't tell you more. Trusting me's a lot to ask—decide for yourself. Keeping rank one's my main goal. I'll keep pushing for strength. That won't change." He took a breath. "I like having you around. You bring out the good in me. But I'm saying no more—I don't want to sway your choices."
He turned and walked away, leaving Chaewon alone. Watching his back, she whispered, "You're really a man with no brakes. I absolutely can't leave you alone."
—
Back in the Bank Grotto, Sean and the others found a chest large enough to serve as a coffin. With trembling hands, they laid their friend's body inside.
The voice echoed in Sean's mind and seemed to come from a dark, unexplored tunnel. Monsters probably lurked there, and no one dared go near it. Yet Sean stared into the darkness, entranced.
The feminine voice felt like the mother he'd never known. Mesmerized, he rose and slipped away while his friends bowed their heads in a silent farewell.