His golden hair shook with the rhythm of the endless waves, paving a path toward an island at the easternmost edge of the mental world. His violet eyes stared through Asahi, controlling which memories he gets to see and which he does not. But this time, he looked truly stuck.

Paxon, who had looked down, turned over and asked Telos as Aletha stared and rooted for her brother.

"How long have you resonated inside Asahi?"

After a couple of moments of silence and hesitation, Telos brushed his hair and explained.

"It has been quite some time since I have seen the true sunshine. Now, I'm stuck here. With you all. Ready to start again."

Paxon opened his mouth as if to speak, but stopped himself, hesitating with his hand lightly pressed to his chest before deciding it would do more harm than good. He slowly walked over to Aletha, who looked at Paxon with furrowed brows, her lips quivering in confusion at her brother's actions. Sometimes, Aletha suppressed her sobs, biting her lower lip and digging her toes into the shallow water. At other times, she sprang up from her crouched position, screaming either in protest or in understanding.

"Asahi... what are you doing? Isn't one kick enough?!"

She couldn't understand Asahi's rage, but despite her confusion, she clenched her hands and tried to match his energy, seeking a connection with her brother. Observing Aletha, Paxon turned his body toward her and opened his mouth as if to speak.

"Hey..."

Suddenly, another memory erupted in his head.

The scene painted a murky tone, with nothing but corpses left and right. Then, standing atop a hill, a white-haired woman clad in steel armor from the shoulders down to her ankles came and clutched a giant claymore. Her boots sank into the earth, brandishing her blade on the molten terrain. Gray and blue circulated with black and white, pressing down on her. Her helmet, though covered, stuck to her face like sap.

A group of knights rushed over to her, but immediately, they were struck off course, getting consumed in the pile of corpses. She then spoke with her deep voice, as if falling to the moon.

"Come, all those who seek a battle. I shall give you all I have."

. . .Just as the vision faded, Asahi hyperventilated, thrust back into the world with force. The snowstorms have finally ceased and...

"No shot, they actually managed to get it." A voice cried out from the crowd. Suddenly, more people gathered as the giant cat rested on the cobblestone roads, tired beyond compare. Yes, after only one and a half days, the trio, or rather, six stacks, arrived together with both the carriage and cat. Swiftly, applause showered them as Grandpa dismounted, ready to smack the sense into Asahi.

"What were you damn thinking, leaving us behind? Don't think we cared about cha'?"

"I thought you would stay in the city, like I TOLD you to. And yet, not once have you listened. So how am I supposed to trust you now?"

"At least we all came back in one piece," Trid informed as he scratched the back of his head. "If it wasn't for Stone-faced Stephen, we would have been done for."

Now, with even the dragon man agreeing to Grandpa's actions, this chemistry led the group back to the Adventurer's guild. Slamming the orb down on the counter, the group gathered around a round table. Whispers bounced from wall to wall, some envying the prize, others suggesting they could do better. The room inside was awfully warm, mainly from the torches and flames that carved their way through the ground.

There was a sense of urgency upon arrival in the town. After having only five days, Asahi had to scrutinize his thoughts. First, his quest to defeat the Mimic Sprinter was successful. That much was made clear. Next, he acquired a relic that would now be attached to him for life —the Eye of Paxon, which could grant the ability to witness memories at will. This relic would be useful later. And finally, they all managed to come in one piece, which was often promising enough considering the scale of the group.

These three components were what drove Asahi to its next move.

"My friends, although we serve a victory..." Asahi recollected his vengeful moment with Kika. All his rage had exploded in that moment. If it wasn't for that, his sanity would be drawn into the bit of insanity. Asahi carefully placed his words at the right socket, hopefully getting this moment across. He noticed Stone-faced Stephen, sitting on the bench while the rest gathered at round tables. Asahi took a deep breath and continued. "...there is one last request I have to make."

Suddenly, everyone got up from their chairs and locked their gazes on Asahi and the pearl on top of the table.

"Does anyone know how to extract the Orb of Immortality from someone?" He asked, anticipating an answer.

. . .

Quickly, the entire guild room went silent at his words, as if the world itself was watching. The silence was awfully loud, echoing across the walls. Then, after five seconds, they returned to their busy, daily duties, exchanging items and the rest.

Grandpa slapped the back of Asahi's head, whispering as everyone around the round table watched in disbelief.

"Are you out of your damn mind? Mentioning the Orb of Immortality is taboo in this nation."

Asahi reeled back in confusion, remembering the time he had shattered the Orb of Immortality. In all his days, he had never expected to find such a relic. Not even the highest of the Adventurer's Guild figured out why the Orb of Immortality was even mentioned. This wasn't known by Asahi. He had never realized the threat that The Orb had posed. Gulping down a breath of guilt, Asahi stepped outside and took deep breaths. The cold hadn't felt more chilling to him, as if haunting the back of his mind.

Snowflakes fell heavily, exemplifying his current mood. He had not only the worries of his past to trouble him, but also the fate of Trid, Primrose, and Grandpa. In no less than five days, they would die, making immortality seem like a joke. He stared at the distant blazing furnaces, feeling their warmth resonate with him. But then, after taking a breather, he walked back into the warmth, standing next to the six-stack gathered at the booth. Stone-faced Stephen stood silently, gazing at the display of the pearl obtained by the Mimic Sprinter. While Primrose, Trid, and Grandpa gathered near the drinking area, taking up shots in no time.

"So, how much for this bounty?" Asahi asked as the pearl shone, exuding a brilliant glow. "Five thousand coins? Ten thousand coins?"

"Seventy-two thousand coins." The guild member blurted out, catching everyone's attention.

At that moment, shock had washed over him. He stood, paralyzed by the reveal, wondering how it was possible. Even stone-faced Stephen broke his face into a small smile. But only that, no words. Asahi recalled the Sprinting Citadel, its spider-like form creeping up on him and haunting him. He rooted his feet in the stone, seeing the prize get heaved out. The first thing he tried to get with that money... was not a weapon, not a pet, but...

"We're buying a shelter."

All the group reeled back in shock at his direct tone. After all the hassle, Asahi didn't decide to buy a weapon or armor, but rather...

"Let's set up a headquarters." Asahi proclaimed.

"And then you will buy armor?" Primrose said, questioning his choice of attire.

After all this time, Asahi never considered a steel chestplate or any armor for that matter. It still dug deep into his soul; this attire meant the world to him. But if he wanted to overcome his challenges, he must equip himself with at least a steel chestplate. But before any of that, Asahi, Trid, Primrose, Ignatius, and everyone else helped load the wagon filled with coins, then immediately purchased a horse-drawn carriage. After all, even a giant cat has to have some rest.

"We did it. We actually did it." Primrose muttered beneath her breath. "We secured the bounty!"

Trid quickly covered Primrose's mouth.

"Don't go screaming and hollering and bragging about our bounty," He said. "Or else we'll receive some uninvited guests."

There was one thing Asahi wanted more: a house, armor, and most importantly, a weapon. So, Asahi decided to choose a...

"There's a mansion at the top of Erukunshinkdle city..." Primose suggested.

"Absolutely not," Asahi said, recounting the previous loops. In all his times, never had he had so much conflict in the city for just absorbing something he wasn't supposed to absorb. And if it meant anything, dying in five days might apply to him. So, Asahi had to think clearly.

(If we can't go to Erkunshinkdle City, then the next maneuver.)

Asahi, after grabbing a wagon filled with thousands of coins and two horse-drawn carriages, urged Primrose, Trid, Ignatius, and Stone-faced Stephen to come. The issue was that the fused molten moon fragment was too big to fit. So he decided to sprint instead.

"First things first," Asahi's eyes darted and pierced at the armor shops resting at the outermost edge of the village. "Let's get some armor."

. . .

He had not considered himself, but also Primrose, Trid, and Grandpa, and choosing the most expensive armor imaginable, Asahi selected a black shadow-lathered chestplate, white gauntlets, and steel boots.

"This is armor from beyond The Gorge, the single most dangerous place imaginable in the world of Gincad." The merchant said, offering it. "Wearing this will grant you more than just strength, but speed and agility. All for the price of twenty-two thousand Gincoins."

Their eyes bulged at the steep price mentioned. At first, Primrose expected Asahi to deny the offer. But, stupidly enough,

"Sold!"

At once, Asahi donned the armor, feeling a slight heaviness settle upon him. It grasped his ankles, then his legs, arms, and finally, his head. But Asahi wasn't too invested in a helmet.

"Really, Asahi? You chose the most expensive..."

"It was necessary." Asahi interrupted, feeling the chill of the knight suit rattle his bones. "I don't know what The Gorge is, or what it was for that matter. But I can immediately sense a feeling of power when I wear this."

"It cost twenty-two thousand Gincoins, a fraction of our payment. It's like our bounty..."

"Do you want armor?" Asahi protested, grasping onto a silver chestplate.

Immediately, Primrose subsided and followed Asahi's orders. Stone-faced Stephen gave Asahi a thumbs-up, while Ignatius was also enthralled. The clang of the boots echoed over the wood and stone room. The jitter of the metal sounded over the thick surface of the armor. After trying it on and wondering how such a price could be for such armor, the group departed.

. . .

"So it's either Flameweavers pass," Trid said, crossing his arms. "...or at the hill near Blacksmith Haven,"

After staring at the map, they found themselves stranded on the border of Blacksmith Haven and Freezedry Dunes. Asahi needed to think before he settled his headquarters. He stood rooted on the ground, thinking about possible abodes. But nothing could compare to the one Ignatius suggested. It was lathered in snow and wood, with stone in the base. There were fourteen rooms, two stories, a bathroom, and a living room. This was their headquarters.

As the six stepped forward up the stairs, winding up the house, Asahi immediately felt a warmth press against his armor. An inviting warmth, one that beckons you to come closer. He did just that, inviting everyone who had followed him. Quickly, they all were shocked at the interior, marveling at how great an abode this truly was. There were windows all around, fairly modern, unlike anything in this world. Then there were the hallways, though winding, which proved to be shone under the fair sunlight. And then lastly, the living room and kitchen, essential for dwellers alike. And for the baffling price of...

"Fifty-thousand Gincoins," Asahi said, clenching onto the map. "Fifty-thousand Gincoins to set up headquarters here."

It had now come to his mind that this was his best loop yet. Asahi gained a house, money, friends, and even armor in a single loop. Not only that, but they managed to defeat Mimic Sprinters. If he were to snap again, all it would be for naught. So, Asahi refrained from that power and decided that this was the loop that solidified his being. He also gained an eye that glances at people's past. There were so many odds stacked against him; if he were to reset, it would be for naught. And also applying for a contract with the Adventurer's Guild, and gaining armor, it kept building constantly; the odds stacked in his favor.

After kicking Kika, his enemy near death, Asahi felt a sense of peace and fulfillment, as if this was the turning point of his misadventure in Astait. And now with friends like Ignatius, Stone-faced Stephen, Trid, Primrose, and Grandpa gathering behind his back, plus Paxon, Telos, Aletha, and Ames' souls residing in his mind, Asahi came to a realization.

He was NOT alone.

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