The rain had stopped sometime before dawn.
Water clung to the stone streets like a second skin, reflecting the pale morning light as the twelve heroes walked toward the Adventurers' Guild once more. Their steps were steadier than before—not lighter, but resolved. Pain still lingered in muscles and joints, yet none of them complained. After surviving an H-rank monster and returning alive, complaints felt… undeserved.
Inside the guild hall, the atmosphere shifted the moment they entered.
Eyes turned. Conversations dulled. A few seasoned adventurers straightened unconsciously.
They were no longer seen as reckless newcomers.
They were a party that had survived.
At the counter, the same clerk from before stood waiting, posture formal this time. Beside her lay twelve metal plates, neatly arranged on dark cloth.
The guildmaster emerged shortly after, his expression unreadable.
"You've recovered quickly," he said. "Good. Because advancement is not something we delay."
He gestured toward the plates.
"Twelve independent confirmations. Mission completion verified. Monster core authenticated. Tactical cooperation observed."
He looked directly at Haruto.
"By the authority of the Guild, you are hereby promoted from I-rank to H-rank adventurers."
The hall stirred.
Not applause—respect came slower than that—but murmurs rippled through the crowd.
H-rank.
It wasn't high.
But it was real.
Each of them stepped forward, one by one, receiving their new plates. The metal felt heavier than it should have, cool and solid in their hands. Etched clearly was their party insignia, now accompanied by the unmistakable mark of H-rank authorization.
Kenta turned his over, exhaling softly. "So this is what progress feels like."
"Don't romanticize it," Akira said. "It came with blood."
"And fear," Hana added quietly.
The guildmaster nodded approvingly. "Good. Remember that."
He turned his gaze to Ilyrien.
"Your presence is noted," he said carefully. "White Mirelen healers are rare, and your combat support capability exceeds expectations."
Ilyrien inclined her head. "I am here by choice. Not contract."
"That makes you more dangerous than most," the guildmaster replied, without insult.
Several adventurers nearby stiffened at that exchange.
A White Mirelen who chose her party.
That alone elevated their status.
After formalities, they were escorted to a private briefing room—something they hadn't been granted before.
"This is new," Riku muttered under his breath.
Inside, the guildmaster laid out a map marked with red and yellow indicators.
"As H-rank adventurers, your mission pool expands," he explained. "You will now face monsters capable of coordinated movement, environmental adaptation, and lethal ambush."
Naoki frowned. "So… thinking enemies."
"Exactly."
He pointed to several zones near the marshlands and forest borders.
"These areas are unstable. You will not be sent alone—but neither will you be shielded."
Haruto clenched his jaw. "We understand."
"Do you?" the guildmaster asked. "Because advancement does not mean safety. It means expectation."
Silence followed.
Finally, the guildmaster leaned back. "You may rest today. Your next assignment will be issued tomorrow."
Outside the guild, the city felt different again.
Not kinder.
Just… aware.
Vendors greeted them with caution. Guards nodded. A few children pointed at Ilyrien openly until their parents pulled them away.
Emi broke the silence. "Is it strange that I don't feel happy?"
Souta shook his head. "No. Same."
Yui looked at her new plate. "I thought ranking up would feel like winning."
Mio smiled faintly. "Maybe it feels like responsibility instead."
Ilyrien walked beside them, four eyes scanning the streets with calm precision.
"In my culture," she said, "advancement is not celebrated. It is acknowledged."
Takumi glanced at her. "Why?"
"Because higher standing means more lives depend on your decisions."
That shut down any lingering excitement.
That night, they gathered in their shared room—not to celebrate, but to plan.
Weapons were cleaned. Spell books reviewed. Armor inspected for fractures they had missed before.
Haruto stood at the center, gaze steady.
"We're H-rank now," he said. "That doesn't mean we're strong. It means the world expects us to survive stronger things."
Shun nodded. "And next time, we might not walk away."
Ilyrien met Haruto's eyes. "Then we ensure there is a next time."
No dramatic vow followed.
No speeches.
Just twelve individuals—and one healer from the marsh—who understood, finally, that becoming heroes was not about rising.
It was about enduring.
And H-rank was only the beginning.