Rain Listener was one among them.

Under the leadership of Grant, it was ultimately proven that Rain Listener had nothing to do with the conspiracy and did not partake in Toragotos's plan. Yet those who were originally abandoned by the Guild unexpectedly found a glimmer of hope—in the crumbling disarray of the Blood Oath Alliance, they awaited their chance for survival.

Although they were no longer the original Rain Listener, half a month later, Grant formally announced at the Guild reconstruction ceremony that the reborn Rain Listener would become a Free Guild.

And so, Storm Brigade was naturally preserved as well.

But they had lost too much in the disaster; after leaving a resignation letter in Lonely White Field, he officially left the Rain Listener. It seemed he had found something lost in that youth that compelled him to finally embark on a journey, to search for everything he had once lost.

He was nearing retirement age, and perhaps he didn't have much time left.

The twin sisters naturally left the Guild too, not solely of their own volition—due to Alice's actions, Rain Listener could no longer house them. For the sake of her sister, Elisa had to make that choice.

In the darkness, a rustling sound was approaching.

This underworld had once been extraordinarily bustling, nearly altering the destiny of Fenris.

But at this moment, it had returned to tranquility. One could imagine that in the future, year after year, it would be buried again under dust and cobwebs, no longer tread upon by anyone.

Perhaps some antique-lovers would visit, but their footsteps would not leave too many marks on these ruins of civilization. Eventually, as time passed, there would come a moment when this place would completely turn into rubble and dust.

People would no longer see what once was.

Xiangzi sat atop a pile of ruins, his once-fine hat lost in the chaos, his hair a mess like dry grass, unkempt for who knows how many days. Although still wearing his mask, his chin had a streak of black and a streak of white, like a patchwork face.

In his hands, he held his Communication Crystal, listening to the rustling sounds coming from it: "You're really not planning on going back to Storm Brigade? I've asked Grant, and he's still willing to take you back."

In the channel, it was the calm voice of Lonely White Field, as steady as ever.

"I'm planning to wait a bit," Xiangzi smiled, his white teeth stark against the darkness, "This place is much more thrilling than where you are. Besides, we have to know whether the Captain is alive or dead. There has to be a result." He scratched his head, "Parker and I are looking for him down here, there's no news from the Stargate. I've got a feeling, you know—"

"That's just like you," Lonely White Field laughed, listening to the junior he had once trained himself calling someone else Captain. But when he thought of that big boy, he didn't harbor any dissatisfaction; it was his choice, after all—just that—

He sighed, "I won't interfere with your decisions, Xiangzi, you can take the path you want, but everyone must be responsible for their choices."

The words of Lonely White Field were very serious.

Xiangzi also rare, settled down, nodding his head.

He quietly turned off the communicator and looked ahead into the darkness, uncertain whether it was the road ahead or the future. But everything from that day, the fragmented island, the spreading wings of the Dark Giant Dragon, the struggle with the Night Lizard People, the flash on the altar, and the Obelisk sinking slowly into the ground, were all deeply engraved in his heart.

This was the life he wanted.

At a distance, Parker suddenly climbed out from underneath a pile of rocks. In the half month that followed, the Papalarian had successfully transitioned from a Crossbow Shooter, a kitchen Wanderer, to a coal miner.

A plump coal miner at that.

He got up, his eyes bulging with anger, hopping and shouting at Xiangzi, "Damn it, poor Papalarians, you sneaky fellow, slacking off again!"

"I'm not," Xiangzi shook the Communication Crystal in his hand, "I got a communication."

"From who?"

"You wouldn't know them."

"Then you're just slacking off—!"

Xiangzi straightened his collar, disregarding what came after, and asked, "Did you find anything down there?"

Parker rarely sighed, shaking his head, "There's nothing down there, it's bottomless. Can't find a way down, not even a single monster. I hate this place; if I stay any longer, I'll go mad."

"Don't worry, you don't have to stay here anymore," Xiangzi answered.

"What?"

"Miss Atira has sent word, she wants us to go back to Cloud Harbor first."

"They found him?" The Papalarian immediately asked, surprised.

Xiangzi shook his head, "Tianlan didn't say, and I'm not too sure—maybe it's something else. Besides, it's no solution for us to just stay here."

"It's not just 'no solution,'" Parker said loudly, "It's no solution at all. Thank heavens, I can finally leave this damned place."

Xiangzi stood up, the eyes of different hues between his collar and mask fixed on the small stout figure, "Parker, don't you want to find him?"

Parker was stunned for a moment, then shook his head subconsciously, "Not exactly, that guy is a good person, but you know... some things are like this. Have I ever told you about my adventure on Giant Tree Hill? It's another long story, with swords and furnaces, and vicious Giant Dragons—I've seen too much of that sort of thing."

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