---
The months passed swiftly.
The heat of Ambriza's dry winds no longer bothered Ryu. His steps were sharper now, his swordplay cleaner. His strength no longer came just from effort—but from instinct. That invisible line between the gifted and the hardworking was beginning to blur.
And then—
> He reached Stage 4 of Mob.
Even in Ambriza, that was rare.
The people noticed. Not openly, but with subtle nods, small bows. He stood out now—not just as a strong outsider, but as someone on the verge of breaking past the South Continent's limits.
With his growing reputation came greater rewards.
By the time his last job was done—slaying a mountain beast that had wrecked a miner's outpost—he was handed a bag heavy with wealth.
> 100 Gold Ounces.
More than what most earned in a lifetime.
Enough for land. For a real home. For safety.
And just like that, Ryu knew it was time to go back.
---
He returned quietly, as always.
Rainforest hadn't changed much. Still small. Still peaceful. But to him, it felt warmer now. The air, the trees, the familiar muddy roads… all of it was home.
He stepped through the front gate of Aunt Ri's house just as the sun was setting.
And there, standing with a small watering can and slightly longer hair—
> "Ryu…?"
Her voice cracked mid-sentence.
Mina dropped the can and rushed forward, arms wide. Ryu caught her easily, lifting her into a spin before setting her down. She was taller now. Just a bit. But still his little sister.
"I thought you said three months!" she pouted, hitting his arm.
"I said 'maybe more.'"
"I was worried."
"I'm here now."
She paused. Then smiled.
"Welcome home, Big Brother."
---
That night, they ate together for the first time in months.
Mina excitedly talked about how she'd improved her footwork. Ryu listened quietly, then laughed when she described how she scared off a wild boar with a wooden staff.
He didn't speak much about Ambriza.
Only that it had taught him a lot.
> But in his heart, he knew—
He hadn't gone there just to grow strong.
He had gone so that he could always come back—strong enough to protect this warm, peaceful life.
To be continued...