Far away from the burning deserts of Floor Two—
back within the peaceful stone streets of the Town of Beginnings—
the atmosphere inside the headquarters of Eternity Lions felt heavier than ever before.
The guild building stood proudly near the center district of the city.
Large silver banners carrying the lion insignia fluttered outside the windows while players continuously entered and exited the building.
To ordinary players—
Eternity Lions looked successful.
Powerful.
Stable.
But inside the highest meeting chamber of the headquarters—
the guild was quietly falling apart.
A massive wooden table sat at the center of the room.
Documents.
Financial reports.
Territory maps.
Expansion plans.
Guild restructuring contracts.
Every inch of the table was covered with paperwork.
Three wealthy shareholders sat around it.
Well-dressed.
Calm.
Emotionless.
And standing near the center of the room—
was Elias.
The current guild leader of Eternity Lions.
His expression remained serious as he listened silently.
One of the shareholders adjusted his glasses before speaking.
"The negotiations are complete."
"The shareholders of Burning Pride and Dark Wing have officially agreed to the merger."
Another pushed a stack of documents across the table.
"The transition will begin immediately."
"The three guilds will now operate under a single banner."
"Eternity Lions."
Silence filled the room.
The finality of the decision felt suffocating.
Elias slowly clenched his fists beneath the table.
One of the men sitting there—
his uncle—
leaned back calmly in his chair.
Unlike Elias, he looked completely satisfied.
"It is the best possible outcome."
"Separately, all three guilds compete for resources."
"Together..."
He smiled faintly.
"...we become a super guild."
Another shareholder nodded immediately.
"With this merger, Eternity Lions will dominate Floor One."
"And finally establish stable influence within Floor Two."
"Resources."
"Territories."
"Raid access."
"Political leverage."
"Everything improves."
Elias remained silent.
Because logically—
they weren't wrong.
A merged guild this large would immediately become one of the strongest organizations in the region.
Maybe even globally later on.
Then Elias' uncle folded his hands together.
"Now."
His eyes shifted toward Elias.
"It seems only natural..."
"...that Elias becomes the new guild leader of the merged organization."
None of the shareholders objected.
Several nodded calmly in agreement.
Elias himself didn't even react.
Because that part had already been expected.
Then suddenly—
one of the Dark Wing shareholders slowly raised her hand.
A woman wearing black business attire.
Sharp eyes.
Cold demeanor.
Melissa.
"There is one issue."
The room shifted slightly.
Elias frowned.
"What issue?"
Melissa calmly opened another document.
"The position of vice captain."
Silence.
Elias instantly understood where this was going.
Melissa looked directly at him.
"I believe Kiraya should be removed from leadership."
The room froze.
Even Elias looked visibly shocked.
"...What?"
The other shareholders glanced toward one another quietly.
Elias immediately spoke.
"That's ridiculous."
Melissa remained completely calm.
"The current leader of Dark Wing is far more suited for the role."
"Citree possesses greater leadership experience."
"He also commands loyalty from the majority of Dark Wing's upper officers."
She placed another report onto the table.
"If he joins the leadership structure..."
"...integration between the guilds becomes significantly smoother."
Another shareholder slowly nodded.
"It would help prevent internal division."
Elias immediately argued back.
"Kiraya helped build Eternity Lions from the beginning."
His voice became firmer.
"She was there before most of these people even invested in the guild."
"She carried raids."
"Managed players."
"Organized our expansion teams."
"Without her, this guild would've collapsed years ago."
Melissa answered instantly.
"And she's also the person most openly against this merger."
Silence.
Elias froze slightly.
Melissa continued calmly.
"If Kiraya remains in a leadership position..."
"...she could become the center of resistance inside the guild."
"That creates instability."
Her voice remained cold and logical.
"People loyal to her may refuse cooperation."
"That risks factional conflict."
"Disobedience."
"Possibly even rebellion."
Elias immediately slammed his hand against the table.
"Kiraya would never do that."
Melissa looked directly at him.
"But the people following her might."
The room became quiet again.
Elias looked around desperately.
Waiting for someone to disagree.
Nobody did.
Not a single person.
Then his uncle finally spoke.
"Enough."
Elias turned toward him immediately.
"...Uncle—"
"Quiet."
The word alone shut the room down.
His uncle slowly leaned forward.
"The shareholders have already reviewed the risks."
"The decision is reasonable."
Elias stared at him in disbelief.
"You seriously agree with removing her?"
His uncle's expression never changed.
"This merger is bigger than personal feelings."
Then he looked around the table.
"Any objections?"
Silence.
None.
Not one person spoke.
And just like that—
the decision was finalized.
Kiraya was removed.
Not because she failed.
Not because she was weak.
But because politics decided she was inconvenient.
The meeting eventually ended shortly afterward.
Papers were signed.
Votes finalized.
Future plans approved.
But Elias barely heard any of it anymore.
His thoughts remained elsewhere.
A few minutes later—
he quietly walked through the headquarters hallway alone.
The atmosphere felt strangely empty now.
Then—
he stopped walking.
Kiraya stood near the corridor window waiting for him.
Her red hair moved softly beneath the light breeze entering through the open hall.
Her expression looked calm.
Too calm.
She smiled faintly.
"...Guess I'm removed from my position, huh?"
Elias lowered his eyes slightly.
Then nodded once.
His fists tightened painfully.
"...Yeah."
Silence followed.
The hallway suddenly felt unbearably quiet.
Elias looked frustrated.
Angry.
Helpless.
"There was nothing I could do."
His voice sounded bitter.
"The shareholders..."
"The council..."
"The merger..."
Kiraya simply listened quietly.
Then smiled again.
"It's alright."
Elias looked up immediately.
Kiraya leaned lightly against the wall.
"This isn't your fault."
"But..."
Elias stopped himself halfway.
Because deep down—
he already knew.
Even as guild leader—
he wasn't truly the one in control anymore.
Kiraya looked toward the distant guild hall.
Then softly said—
"I hope Eternity Lions succeeds."
Elias froze.
"...You're leaving?"
Kiraya nodded gently.
"Yeah."
Her smile became smaller now.
"This isn't the ELEO I worked hard to build anymore."
The words hit harder than Elias expected.
Because she was right.
The guild had changed.
And both of them knew it.
Kiraya pushed herself away from the wall.
"I'll pack my things."
"Then I'll meet you in your office."
"...to hand over my guild crest."
Several minutes later—
Kiraya entered Elias' office quietly.
The room felt strangely nostalgic now.
So many meetings.
Plans.
Arguments.
Victories.
Failures.
All of it happened here.
Elias stood silently behind his desk.
Kiraya walked forward calmly.
Then slowly placed the silver guild crest onto the desk.
The lion insignia reflected softly beneath the room's lantern light.
That single object symbolized everything.
Authority.
Rank.
Belonging.
And now—
it meant none of it anymore.
Kiraya smiled faintly.
"Thank you for everything."
She bowed politely.
"I wish you the best."
"...and Eternity Lions too."
Then she turned around.
Ready to leave.
But before she could—
Elias suddenly spoke.
"...Wait."
Kiraya stopped.
Elias opened one of the drawers beneath his desk.
Then handed her a thick envelope.
Kiraya blinked slightly.
"...What's this?"
She opened it slightly.
Her eyes widened a bit.
Two hundred and fifty copper coins.
A massive amount for ordinary players.
Kiraya looked back toward him and teased.
"...My final paycheck?"
Elias gave a bitter laugh.
"I wish I could give more."
His eyes lowered slightly.
"...You deserved more than that."
For the first time since the meeting—
Kiraya genuinely smiled.
A soft smile.
Not forced.
"...Thank you."
She carefully stored the envelope away.
Then slowly walked toward the office door.
Elias opened his mouth slightly.
Like he wanted to stop her.
Wanted to say something.
Anything.
But no words came out.
Kiraya hesitated slightly near the doorway.
Then took a slow breath.
And closed the door behind her.
The sound echoed softly through the hallway.
Final.
Quiet.
Painful.
Kiraya walked down the corridor alone.
Toward the guild exit.
Toward uncertainty.
Toward nowhere.
Then suddenly—
a familiar voice stopped her.
"...Seems like you're leaving too, huh?"
Kiraya turned slightly.
Hinabi stood near the hallway entrance.
The former vice captain of Burning Pride.
Arms crossed.
Watching her quietly.
Kiraya smiled faintly.
"...Yeah."
Hinabi slowly walked closer.
"This merger feels wrong."
Kiraya gave a small laugh.
"Glad someone else noticed."
She continued walking again.
"...Anyway."
"Good luck."
But before she could leave—
Hinabi grabbed her shoulder.
Kiraya blinked slightly.
Then Hinabi smiled.
"I'm coming with you."
Silence.
Kiraya stared at her.
"...What?"
Hinabi shrugged casually.
"I also plan to leave the guild."
Kiraya looked genuinely shocked now.
Hinabi smirked.
"What?"
"You thought you'd be miserable alone?"