When she declared her intention to become an Adventurer, it felt as if she had to wrestle the words from her throat with both hands.
The words didn't flow easily; it emerged like a confession spoken under duress, akin to an oath taken while swallowing poison.
The air around her grew taut and trembled. not because she exuded more killing intent, but because she was forcing a part of herself to yield, something that had resisted for years.
Her fists clenched so tightly that the sound of creaking bones echoed in the silence, a harsh reminder of a body grappling with its own choice. The mercenaries behind her did not cheer or soften their expressions.
Instead, they observed her with faces etched in conflicting emotions, shock, pride, guilt, relief, all colliding in ways they struggled to comprehend.
Yet amidst this turmoil, one understanding united them without words: their leader had just swallowed her pride and animosity toward Mina, and toward them.
