The lights of the Inner Rim glowed beneath the dark sky like stars scattered across the earth.
After the chaos aboard the train, after the battles, bloodshed, and ambushes, after the countless questions still left unanswered—
They had finally arrived.
The massive station of Nendu's Inner Rim remained alive despite the late hour. Trains continued to arrive and depart. Players walked across the polished platforms carrying luggage, weapons, materials, and supplies. NPC workers pushed carts filled with crates while security patrols moved through the crowds.
Yet for Rio and the others, the atmosphere felt strangely distant.
Everyone was exhausted.
Their bodies ached.
Their minds ached even more.
As they stepped out from the station entrance and onto the stone pathways of the Inner Rim, the cool night breeze brushed across their faces.
Ramos slowly let out a breath.
"...We're alive."
Silla looked equally stunned.
"...We actually made it..."
Then suddenly—
Ramos stopped walking.
Everyone looked back.
Rio blinked.
"Hm?"
Ramos stared ahead.
Near the station entrance, Sugolith was walking away casually with both hands inside his pockets.
As if nothing had happened.
As if an entire train assault had merely been a slight inconvenience.
Ramos stared at his back for a few seconds.
Then—
He ran.
"R-Ramos?!"
Silla widened her eyes.
Ramos stopped a few meters behind Sugolith before bowing his head deeply.
"...Thank you."
Silence.
Sugolith stopped walking.
Everyone looked surprised.
Even Rio raised an eyebrow.
Ramos kept his head lowered.
"You... saved me."
His voice shook slightly.
"I know you were one of the people hunting us before... but..."
"...thank you."
Sugolith remained silent for a moment.
Then he glanced over his shoulder.
His face looked as uninterested as always.
He shrugged.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Ramos looked up.
Sugolith yawned.
"I saw no farmer."
He glanced toward Silla.
"And I saw no orange-haired girl either."
He waved lazily.
"Must've been someone else."
Then he continued walking away into the night.
Slowly disappearing among the crowd.
Ramos stood there speechless.
Rio smiled faintly.
"...What a weird guy."
Ryota scratched his cheek.
"He kinda reminds me of one of those people that acts scary but secretly isn't bad."
Sayanaki immediately spoke.
"No."
Ryota froze.
"...No?"
Sayanaki stared ahead.
"He's absolutely dangerous."
"...He's just weird too."
Ryota immediately nodded.
"Ah."
That made more sense.
They continued walking through the streets afterward.
Since it was already extremely late, Rio decided they would stay at a nearby hotel for the night before leaving for Floor Three.
Fortunately, Inner Rim hotels remained open twenty-four hours a day due to players arriving constantly.
After some searching, they eventually found a medium-sized hotel near the central district.
The building had white walls and wooden designs with warm lights glowing from inside.
After entering and renting rooms, Rio decided on two rooms.
One room for Ramos and Silla.
One larger room for everyone else.
Though before anyone could actually sleep—
Rio suddenly spoke.
"We're having a meeting first."
Everyone looked toward her.
A few minutes later—
Everyone gathered inside one of the rooms.
The room itself was fairly spacious.
Two beds sat near the walls.
A sofa rested near the window.
A small table occupied the center.
Ryota sat beside Rio.
Kiraya and Hinabi leaned against the wall.
Ramos and Silla sat nervously near the bed.
Sayanaki sat cross-legged atop the window frame itself.
Nobody questioned why.
At this point they were getting used to her strange habits.
Indra had fallen asleep atop Ryota's head again.
Tiny snoring sounds escaped the little dragon.
Rio looked around everyone.
"Tomorrow morning we move to Floor Three."
The room became quiet.
Even though everyone knew it already—
Actually hearing it felt different.
Floor Three.
Another step higher.
Another unknown place.
Rio crossed her arms.
"But me and Ryota need to log out."
Ryota nodded immediately.
"It's one in the morning for us."
He yawned.
Rio rubbed her forehead.
"I'm tired."
Kiraya nodded.
"Understandable."
Hinabi raised her hand slightly.
"Then someone should stay awake."
Her expression became more serious.
Unlike players—
NPCs couldn't log out.
Everyone looked toward Ramos and Silla.
The two looked awkward immediately.
Sayanaki stretched slightly.
"I can't."
Rio looked at her.
Sayanaki shrugged.
"It's one in the morning for me too."
She glanced outside.
"And I have somewhere to go early."
Rio narrowed her eyes.
"...Somewhere?"
Sayanaki smiled.
"No."
"...Not answering."
Rio sighed.
Hinabi then raised her hand.
"I can."
Everyone looked toward her.
"It's only nine at night for me."
She smiled.
"I can keep watch for around four hours."
Kiraya immediately raised her hand too.
"I'll help."
Rio blinked.
Kiraya smiled.
"It's only two in the afternoon here."
She crossed her arms.
"I'll be fine."
Rio looked relieved.
"...Thank you."
Then suddenly—
Her expression changed.
"...Hm."
Everyone stared.
Rio slowly looked toward Ryota.
Or more specifically—
Toward the tiny sleeping dragon atop his head.
Indra continued sleeping peacefully.
Rio stared.
Ryota stared back.
Indra snored.
Then Rio smiled.
"Ah."
Ryota tilted his head.
"...What?"
Rio suddenly spoke.
"Auram."
Immediately—
A black ripple spread behind her.
Like darkness opening itself.
Everyone froze.
Then—
A tall figure slowly stepped out.
Long dark clothing.
Silver eyes.
Long black hair.
An overwhelming noble aura.
Auram appeared silently behind Rio.
"...Lady Rio."
Ramos nearly jumped off the bed.
"W-WHAT IS THAT?!"
Silla widened her eyes.
"Amazing..."
Kiraya laughed softly.
Sayanaki smirked.
"...Since when did you have him?"
Rio looked at her.
"A long time ago."
"Way after our encounter."
Kiraya walked over toward Ramos.
"Relax."
She patted his shoulder.
"He's friendly."
Ramos looked unconvinced.
Very unconvinced.
Rio looked toward Auram.
"I hope I'm not asking too much."
Auram lowered his head slightly.
Rio smiled.
"Also I like your new style, It suits you"
"Thank you, I thought a new look would suit me"
She then pointed toward Ramos and Silla.
Auram looked at them.
"Can you help protect everyone tonight?"
Auram looked at them for a while and then nodded.
"As you wish, Lady Rio."
His voice was calm.
Simple.
Absolute.
Yet for some reason—
The room immediately felt safer.
Much safer.
Ramos slowly looked at Auram.
Auram slowly looked back.
"..."
"..."
Ramos immediately looked away.
Nope.
Absolutely terrifying.
Rio stood up and stretched.
"Alright."
She smiled.
"Tomorrow..."
Her eyes slowly narrowed.
"We go to Floor Three."
Silence filled the room.
Then everyone smiled.
Because whether tomorrow brought danger—
Or another disaster—
They would face it together.
As members...
Of Crowned Era.
Outside the hotel window—
The city lights of Nendu continued shining beneath the night sky.
And somewhere beyond that darkness—
A new floor was waiting.
Waiting...
For them.
Darkness faded slowly.
The vibrant lights of Nendu disappeared first.
Then the hotel room.
Then the voices.
Then the system interface itself.
Rio felt the familiar sensation of weightlessness surrounding her body for a few brief seconds before reality slowly returned.
The soft feeling of a mattress.
Warm air.
The faint hum of electronics.
A ceiling.
Her eyes slowly opened.
The VR headset lifted automatically as the logout process completed.
Beside her, Ryota was also removing his headset while stretching both arms high above his head.
"Uwaaaah..."
Crack.
Crack.
His shoulders popped.
"My body always feels weird after long sessions."
Rio sat up slowly and rubbed her eyes.
The room was quiet.
Only the digital clock near her desk illuminated the darkness.
1:12 AM
Ryota looked over.
"We really played for a long time."
Rio brushed her silver hair behind her ear.
"...We did."
Despite saying that, there was no irritation in her voice.
Only exhaustion.
The kind that came after accomplishing something.
After surviving something.
After fighting alongside people.
Rio slowly stood up from the bed.
Ryota blinked.
"...Rio?"
"Hm?"
She walked toward the closet and opened it.
"I'm going to shower before sleeping."
She grabbed a change of clothes and looked back at him.
Then narrowed her eyes slightly.
"If you sneak a peek..."
Ryota immediately looked away.
"W-WHAT?!"
His face immediately turned red.
"I would never do that!"
Rio stared at him for several seconds.
Then suddenly—
She laughed.
A small laugh escaped her lips.
"Relax."
She turned around.
"I was teasing you."
"W-WHO JOKES LIKE THAT?! I FELT LIKE I WAS GONNA DIE"
Rio ignored him and headed toward the bathroom.
The door closed.
A few moments later—
The sound of running water echoed softly from inside.
Ryota sighed dramatically.
"...That girl seriously..."
He laid back onto the bed.
Then blinked.
"...Hm?"
His eyes moved toward the bedroom doorway.
A faint light was visible outside in the hallway.
Ryota tilted his head.
This late?
He quietly stood up and stepped outside.
The house remained silent.
The only thing illuminating the hallway was a small strip of warm light coming from beneath a bedroom door.
Akari's room.
Ryota stared for a moment.
"...She still awake at this hour?"
He walked closer.
Knock.
Knock.
A few seconds passed.
Then the door slowly opened.
Akari peeked out.
"...Hm?"
She looked confused at first.
Then—
"...Ryota?"
"Yo."
Ryota smiled.
Akari blinked.
"...What are you doing awake?"
Ryota scratched his cheek.
"I was gonna ask you the same thing."
Then his eyes looked past her.
And froze.
"...Huh?"
Akari followed his gaze.
Then immediately widened her eyes.
Behind her—
Near her desk—
Was a VR headset.
Akari froze.
"..."
Ryota froze.
"..."
Akari's eyes widened.
Then immediately—
SLAM—
She tried closing the door.
Ryota barely stopped himself from laughing.
"Wait wait wait—"
"No!"
"Akari—"
"No!"
The door slowly opened again.
Akari stared at him with defeated eyes.
"...Come in."
Ryota smiled awkwardly.
He entered her room.
Compared to Rio's room, Akari's room felt softer.
Cute decorations.
Small plushies.
Books.
Pictures.
Various small accessories hanging near her desk.
And near the computer—
A setup surprisingly similar to Rio's.
Ryota sat on a chair.
Then looked toward her.
"...So."
Akari sat on her bed.
"...So."
Ryota pointed.
"...You play Evermount?"
Akari looked away.
Then slowly nodded.
"...Yeah."
Ryota blinked.
"Since when?"
Akari crossed her arms.
"...A few days."
She looked embarrassed.
"I play with my best friend."
Ryota tilted his head.
"Oh?"
Akari nodded.
"She's coming tomorrow."
Then she suddenly looked serious.
Very serious.
"Please don't tell my sister."
Ryota blinked.
"...Huh?"
He looked genuinely confused.
"Why?"
Akari lowered her eyes.
For a moment she remained quiet.
Then finally spoke.
"...Because I want to do this myself."
Ryota looked at her.
Akari looked down at her hands.
"I know if Nee-san knew..."
"...she'd help me."
"She'd give me advice."
"Protect me."
"Probably give me equipment too."
She smiled faintly.
"That's just how she is."
Her fingers tightened slightly.
"But..."
She looked up.
"I want to walk my own path."
"I want to accomplish something myself."
"Not because Rio helped me."
"Not because people know I'm her sister."
"I want to become stronger through my own hard work."
Silence filled the room.
Ryota stared at her.
Then slowly smiled.
"...You sisters really are alike."
Akari blinked.
"Huh?"
Ryota stood up.
He walked toward the door.
Both of his hands entered his pockets.
"I won't tell her."
Akari looked surprised.
Ryota looked back and smiled.
"Don't worry."
"Enjoy the game at your own pace."
He opened the door.
Then added—
"And when you're ready..."
He smiled wider.
"Come join us."
Akari stared.
Ryota continued.
"Bring your friend too."
"We'll all have fun together once your own journey is finished."
For a moment—
Akari simply stared.
Then slowly—
Very slowly—
She smiled.
"...Okay."
Ryota waved.
"Night."
"...Night."
The door closed.
Akari stared quietly toward it.
Then looked toward the VR headset sitting on her desk.
A small smile remained on her face.
"...Idiot."
Yet her voice sounded happy.
Meanwhile—
Ryota quietly returned to Rio's room.
He laid down onto the bed and stared at the ceiling.
Several minutes passed.
Then—
Click.
The bathroom door opened.
Rio stepped out with damp silver hair, wearing comfortable shorts and a loose jacket.
Tiny droplets of water still clung to the ends of her hair.
She noticed Ryota immediately.
"...You seem happy."
Ryota blinked.
"...Hm?"
Rio sat beside the bed and dried her hair with a towel.
"You've been smiling."
Ryota stared at the ceiling.
Then smiled again.
"...I'm excited for tomorrow."
Rio looked at him curiously.
"...Floor Three?"
Ryota looked toward her.
"...Yeah."
He smiled.
"But not just that."
Rio tilted her head.
Ryota closed his eyes.
"...Just everything."
Rio stared quietly.
Then after a few moments—
A small smile appeared on her face.
"...Yeah."
Tomorrow—
A new floor awaited them.
And beneath the same roof—
Another journey had already quietly begun.