I Ascend Alone-Chapter 104: Questions

After the meeting ended, I stepped out of the conference room and made my way through the quiet halls of the facility. Most of the staff gave polite nods as I passed, but no one stopped me. I wasn't in the mood for small talk anyway.

I took the elevator down and walked outside.

The sun was starting to set. The facility grounds were peaceful—wide walkways, trimmed hedges, and security patrolling in the distance. A gentle breeze passed by. After everything inside that dungeon, the calm felt strange.

I leaned on the railing near the edge of the courtyard, just watching the sky for a moment.

Then I heard footsteps behind me.

I turned slightly and saw Christa approaching. She was dressed in casual clothes now—no more combat gear—but she still had that alert, sharp look in her eyes.

"Ryzen," she said, stopping a few feet away. "Mind if I ask you something?"

I shrugged. "Go ahead."

She hesitated, like she was still trying to figure out the right words. Then she asked, "How long have you been this strong?"

I looked at her. She wasn't asking in an accusing way—just curious. Shocked, maybe.

"A while," I said. "Just didn't have to show it before."

She crossed her arms. "You fought alongside National-Level Hunters like it was nothing. That's not normal. People train their whole lives to even stand near that level. And you... you just jumped in."

"I didn't plan it," I replied. "It just happened. I saw what was going on. I couldn't just stand back."

Christa nodded slowly. "Still... no hesitation. No fear. That's rare."

There was a short pause before she added, "You're not registered as an S-Rank. Hell, you're not even officially ranked at all. But what you did in there... it wasn't just instinct. You moved like someone who's been fighting at the top for a long time."

I looked back out at the horizon. "Maybe I have. Just not the kind of fights people hear about."

She was quiet for a second, then let out a breath and leaned on the railing next to me.

"Well, whatever the case... thanks for what you did. A lot of us would be dead right now if you hadn't stepped up."

I nodded. "It wasn't just me. Everyone held their ground."

Christa gave a faint smile. "Maybe so. But you turned the tide."

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Another pause. The air between us was quiet, but not uncomfortable.

Then she asked one more thing. "Are you planning to stay with the Association after this? Or are you just going to vanish?"

I glanced at her.

"I'm not going anywhere," I said. "Not yet. There's still work to do."

Christa looked down for a moment, her expression thoughtful. Then she glanced back up at me.

"You know," she said, "seeing all that power up close... it makes you think."

I raised an eyebrow. "Think about what?"

She gave a short laugh, a little embarrassed. "About where I stand. What I can really do. I've been proud of my abilities—confident, even. But in that dungeon, watching you... it was something else."

"You held your own," I said. "Not everyone can."

"Maybe," she replied. "But it's not enough."

She turned fully toward me now, her eyes focused. "Once we get back... I'm going to give everything I have to ascend. I'll push until I hit S-Rank. No more holding back."

I tilted my head, curious. "Why the sudden drive?"

Christa paused, then gave me a small smile—one that held more than just admiration.

"Because I want to fight beside you."

I didn't say anything at first. Her words hung there for a moment.

"I'm serious," she added. "You're not like the others. You didn't hesitate. You moved like you've been through hell and made it back. And even with all that power, you didn't act like you were above anyone else. I don't want to just watch from the sidelines if something like that happens again."

I met her gaze. She meant every word.

"Then I'll be waiting," I said simply.

Her smile widened, just a little. "You better be."

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ChatGPT said:

Christa looked away briefly, then back at me with a curious expression. "So... are you going to stay with Black Valor after this?"

I shook my head. "No. I only had a temporary contract with them. The deal was to assist with the dungeon raid, nothing more. Now that it's done, I'll be leaving."

She seemed surprised, even a little disappointed. "Just like that?"

"Just like that," I confirmed. "It was never meant to be long-term."

Christa leaned her back against the railing, arms folded again. "So what then? No plans to join another guild? Or do you just prefer doing things on your own?"

I glanced up at the sky, thinking for a second before answering. "I don't mind working alone. It's simpler. Fewer complications."

"Freelancer-type, huh?" she said, half-teasing.

I gave a small nod. "Something like that. I go where I'm needed. I don't need a banner or title to do that."

She was quiet for a moment, then said, "That's fair... but guilds aren't just about names and contracts. Sometimes, it helps to have people who've got your back without needing a reason."

I looked at her again.

She added, "Not saying you need one. Just... some things are easier when you're not carrying it all by yourself."

I didn't respond right away. But a part of me understood what she meant.